#mum trying out her new dance moves

[ja3yun]

Melting Point | P.SH | CH.1

brother's rival!sunghoon x fem!reader warnings: heavily suggestive, kissing, perv!hoon, mentions of self doubt and overthinking, yn's mum is an asshole, anything else lmk! ch.1 synopsis: when circumstances unexpectedly bring you and your brother's long-time ice skating rival, park sunghoon, together, you discover a surprising connection. However, your brother forbids any relationship between you. Will you heed his advice or follow your heart? wc: 14.3k masterlist | next a/n: hi! first chapter is finally here and i hope you all like it. each chapter will be released on friday and roughly between 10k - 16k (since people wanted longer chapters, however, i am open to any feedback regarding lengths). enjoy and please leave any comments/likes/reblogs if you wish !! also, peep the new header

‘We’re dancing, dancing, dancing in the moonlight.'

The blaring of your alarm pulls you from the cocoon of sleep, and you groan into your pillow. The idea of getting up before 6 am feels like a crime, yet here you are, abruptly awakened at 4:30 am by the dulcet tones of TO1.

With a begrudging sigh, you reach for your phone, dismissing the alarm, and then collapse back, staring at the ceiling. This routine has been a part of your life since childhood, and you'd think you'd be accustomed to it by now. However, no matter how early you sleep, removing yourself from the warmth of your bed remains a daily struggle.

You can hear your brother and mum scooting around downstairs, their usual ‘Do you have everything?’, ‘Where are the car keys?’, ‘Get your sister’ conversations louder than they need to be at this time in the day. The last one does mean you better get a move on and go downstairs.

While you put on your peach-flavoured chapstick, your brother bursts into your room, “Hurry up, Y/N.” His eyes roll and he slams the door shut as quickly as he opens it.

You have had the same routine since you were 6 years old. Same exchanges, same panic, same everything. 

Minhee, your older brother, is the reason you have this same routine. When he was 6 years old, Mum took you and him ice skating for the first time and he was a natural. His feet took to the ice like fish to water, like chocolate to strawberries, like you to garlic bread. It was fated. By 7 years old he was already training and what was once a fun hobby turned into a gruelling regime of early rises and the need for a good winter jacket.

“2 minutes!” You shout down to them, one quick glance over in the mirror to make sure you look presentable.  

Running down the stairs you’re greeted by your impatient mum tapping her foot, “Come on, Y/N we really can’t be late today. Coach Kim needs us there as soon as possible. Big announcement.” Her hands are flapping around animated as she speaks, “I think he’s finally going to let Minhee try that quadruple axel we’ve been begging him to let him do for Nationals!”

Your brother looks disinterested, “Mum, he’s already said it’s out of my depth.” His tone is bitter.

Minhee was amazing at ice skating, winning so many medals your mum had you move out of your double room to the box one so she could display them all. By 10 he was the youngest ever in your city to reach state championships and by 14 he was competing at the National level. It did make him the golden, silver, and bronze child in your family, but you didn’t mind all that much - not that you would tell her it did. 

It’s not like you’re doing anything half as impressive as winning trophies, now that was what your mother truly found pride in. You could become a CEO or a lawyer but if you couldn’t hit a toe loop worthy of gold it wouldn’t impress her.

You did try skating when you were younger but it was like you turned into Bambi, never able to find your feet. Even when it snows in winter you can’t hold yourself up. Deep down your mum hoped you would be just like Minhee, creating an opportunity for you both to branch into pair figure skating like the Shib Sibs but no matter how many times Minhee tried to teach you or she got his coach to give you a few free pointers, you couldn’t do it. She’s disappointed and quite frankly you think she holds a grudge against you for not being anything like your amazing, spectacular, talented brother.

But you still loved to watch the sport, how efficiently and painlessly each skater would glide across the ice and do manoeuvres that defied gravity. It was a magical sport, so when your mum dragged you along to every practice because she couldn’t afford a babysitter, you didn’t mind all that much.

Tying up your final lace you stand up from the bottom step and Minhee passes you your black jacket with faux fur lining. You mutter a quick ‘thanks’ before grabbing your book bag and all three of you head to the car.

"What if it's the Olympics!" Squealing, your mother fastens her seatbelt. What if it was the Olympics? Despite consistently finishing in the top three, if not first, in most major competitions in his teenage years, his coach never selected him for the Youth Olympic Games. But now that he’s 20 years old, he could compete in the Olympics.

Your brother looks sideways at your mother and widens his eyes, "You think so?" It was his dream to make it to the Olympics, and even if he didn't win, he wanted to experience everything; the different country, being surrounded by the best of the best - he had been planning his routine for it forever. 

There is a little envious man who climbs up on your shoulder from time to time when conversations like this happen. Of course, you would be so happy for Minhee, after all, he works harder than anyone you know but you wish it was you. Not necessarily the skating part, but to be so good at something you have a goal and dreams that take you to the top. Just something to make you feel alive.

You’re in your 2nd year of University studying Events and Marketing after your mum said it would be good for you to learn how to pitch reasons why Minhee would be a great brand ambassador. So you did it to please her. Honestly, you actually do enjoy it, you won’t lie about that, but the lack of appreciation for your efforts goes unnoticed 99% of the time. The 1% was when you got to shadow a boss at a Nike headquarters branch a few cities over.

“Get a good word in for Minhee while you’re there!”

She was proud of you that day.

As the car rolls up to the rink’s parking lot your mother turns serious, “If this is about choosing you for the Olympics, Min, you need to act excited and unexpectant, they may be filming a behind-the-scenes documentary on your journey to a gold medal.” 

Image. Your mum was big on keeping Minhee’s reputation on brand. Right now his ‘brand’ is being humble and noble.

“Yes mum,” he salutes, “Smile and flutter.” Winking and smirking as he mocks his usual signature poses causes you to laugh but your mum finds nothing funny and her change in aura scares both of you out of the car.

_____

The usually quiet ice rink is filled with chatter and chaos, with over 20 people speaking over each other. Minhee looks down at you and you shrug. None of you had any clue what was going on but if your years of watching Detective Conan paid off you would say that whatever caused this commotion was the reason the coach asked Minhee to come in as quickly as possible.

Customarily, at this time in the morning, it’s Minhee’s solo practice hours to work on his routine for Nationals so this many people here is concerning.

“Listen!” Coach Kim’s voice bellowed around the arena putting the chattering to a halt, “I know this is untimely and inconvenient, trust me, it is for me too,” Your eyes follow his and see another coach standing about 2 meters from him, “But we need to make this work and to do that I need you to listen to me.”

As your family approaches the disarray, Coach Kim beckons you all forward. Minhee is the first to ask the all too important question, “What’s going on, Coach?” The people behind you scatter and begrudgingly tread out of the building, their faces glum and disgruntled.

“Minhee, Ms. Kang, Y/N,” Coach Kim greets you all, “Sorry about all that, although telling them was a lot less scary than you.”

“What? Is this place shutting down?” Minhee jokes but by the look on Coach Kim’s face he isn’t far off. 

“Not exactly.” Scratching his neck, Coach Kim looks everywhere but Minhee’s eyes, “You know the Albion Centre? The rink on the other side of town?” All three of you nod despite that he’s only talking to your brother, “Well the council had a little meeting last week and they’re turning it fully into a Hockey training centre.”

The words sit in the air as he hopes Minhee will come to the conclusion himself, “So what? Just means more time for skating here right? If all the Hockey team are going over there?” 

Sighing, the coach nods, “For sure, but it also means every skater from there will be, well, here.” He gestures around and then points half-heartedly at the other Coach who is stepping forward.

“Kang Minhee, it’s great to meet you properly, I’ve heard nothing but great things,” he extends his hand which your brother accepts, still dazed from the information, “I’m Coach Lee.”

“Wait so, EVERY skater in the town will be here? in Belmore? Coach Kim, that's not possible, my training time will be cut!” Minhee is sulking but you don’t blame him. This is a fucked up situation.

Coach Lee answers, “Not true, Minhee, with the Hockey team over at Albion it frees up some ice time, you’ll get to train more if you want to.” 

“And! No more shield guards around the rink, you always hated those!” Coach Kim smiles and playfully punches his chest.

There is something the Coaches aren’t telling him. Like they’re presenting him with all the benefits before hitting him with a bombshell. You know it and for sure your mother knows it. She has been eerily quiet throughout the whole exchange, if there is one thing more unsettling than her shouting, it’s her silence.

“Albion, huh?” She steps forward and tapers her eyes, “Isn’t that the rink where the Parks are located? And aren’t you Lee Jaeho? The coach of that snake ‘Ice Prince’?”

Tension spreads around everyone’s shoulders, the Coaches can’t look at her, and none of you move. 

A loud click echoes throughout the rink as someone walks through the door.

“Coach what the fuck?” The voice booms behind you, “Why did I have to drive almost an hour to come here, why couldn’t we just meet at Albi?” 

Park Sunghoon. 

What’s that saying? Speak of the devil and he shall appear? His mother shuffles in behind him, vocalising her own distaste for being here as if it were the most inconvenient thing in the world. Little do they know…

It’s like the world stops when Sunghoon and Minhee see each other and not in a rom-com way, “What the fuck is HE doing here?” Sunghoon points to Minhee, not taking his eyes off him. 

“This is MY rink, Park.”

Sunghoon and Minhee have been competitors since they were 9 years old. Each of them competes against one another in every competition, always striving for first place. It began as healthy competition, and they were even friends at one point, but as they grew older and each mother became increasingly determined to claim their kid was superior to the others, a rivalry developed. If one of them did something, the other had to outdo it tenfold.

When Minhee learned how to do a double axel, Sunghoon learned a triple. When Sunghoon landed his Euler jumps, Minhee was landing an Euler but following it up with a Salchow. When Minhee won the Junior Silver Medal in 2015, Sunghoon won the Junior Gold Medal in 2016.

It was always like this.

Their similarities didn’t help either, both 20, towering at 6”0, and blessed with faces that effortlessly drew admiring glances from girls. Objectively, you’ve only really seen the attraction to Sunghoon given that Minhee is your brother, however, you're not blind to the bevvy of girls who gravitate towards him either. This is precisely why your mother insisted on Minhee maintaining his brand, which stood in stark contrast to Sunghoon's.

He wasn’t rude or stuck up, actually from what you’ve perceived from afar, he is kind and gentle. But unlike your brother's ‘humble’ persona, Sunghoon knows he’s good and will tell anyone about it. Sunghoon’s confidence is easily mistaken for haughtiness. He can come across as arrogant and cocky, just like those sports journalists have been branding him for years like he thinks he’s better than anyone else past and present. 

Having been to every competition Minhee has skated in has led you to know a few things about Park Sunghoon. He was arguably the best skater in the division, even over Minhee, he was determined, hard-working, resilient, and fit as fuck.

To say you used to have a crush on him would be the understatement of the century, matter of fact it was so obvious back then that your mum would often reprimand you for staring at him too long. He was your first crush, you were 8 and he was 9, and like some girls that age you planned out a wedding, a future of 2 dogs and you’d both live in a pink palace. At first, it was his looks, no one in your primary school looked that pretty or even shone a torch compared to him. It was like seeing an angel for the first time. But then you started to grow up, and while still appreciating his face, you focused on how beautifully he skated and how majestic he moved. He was so passionate about the sport it made you feel butterflies, you hadn’t seen love like that before. Sunghoon and the rink were fated to be together. 

“Sunghoon, calm down.” His coach whispered, “We need to tell you something-”

“I am NOT sharing my rink with that fucking z-list prick, alright?” Minhee didn’t hold back, he got that anger from your mother.

Turning to his coach, Sunghoon raised his eyebrows, “What does he mean sharing?”

Both Coaches exhaled. You can’t imagine how many times they have had to explain this situation, they probably should have just sent out an email. So as Coach Lee takes Sunghoon and his mum to the side, Coach Kim is looking at Minhee apologetically, “I’m sorry, Minhee. I know he’s your biggest competition, and trust me, I don’t exactly love this outcome either,” rubbing a hand down his exhausted face he whispers, “but work with me here. I’ve scheduled you guys at different times, you won’t even need to see him.”

“That’s not the point, Coach, you know how I feel about him.”

If it wasn’t for your mum you seriously ponder whether Minhee would have such a strong hatred for the fellow ice skater, and as you look at Sunghoon you wonder the same thing.

“I know trust me, you and your mother make that perfectly clear every time we cross them at comps, but you just gotta live with it, son.” 

The coaches come back together and look at both of their young prodigies, “Minhee you’ll train morning, and Sunghoon you’ll train nights. Because of the merger of rinks, we have an excessive number of skaters, so we are making it a 24-hour arena but ONLY for you two and Wonyoung since Nationals are coming up.” Both coaches nodded their heads as if agreeing with themselves that this was a good choice, “So if you happen to turn up at the same time, you respect each others’ space and behave like grown men. Got it?”

Grumbling, your brother rolls his eyes, and Sunghoon nods. This is going to be a disaster.

Just as you think all bickering would be over, the mothers start chasing after the coaches as they head into the office. You felt bad for the trainers having to deal with this and getting blamed for it all, but most importantly, you feel sorry for them because they have to listen to both your mum and Mrs. Park for at least an hour.

Once the door to their office shut, it was silent, the only noise coming from the large ACs. 

Scared to look any of them in the eye you place a hand on Minhee’s arm, “Come on, you need to practice.”

“Emphasis on the ‘need’.” Sunghoon pipes up and you wish he hadn’t. You were a fool to think this parting would be civil.

Minhee pokes his tongue in his cheek and looks at his rival, “You got something to say?” He’s challenging Sunghoon, baiting him to start something, but Sunghoon doesn’t budge, “Better watch my skate doesn’t somehow come flying off and slit you open.” Minhee was all bark and no bite, you knew this, but he seems deadly serious right now.

“Is that a threat?” Sunghoon stands tall against Minhee.

“It’s a fucking promise, Park.” 

No one says anything else, they don’t have to, the look in their eyes is scary as they stand toe to toe with one another. “Let’s go, Mini.” You squeak out his nickname. By no means are you a timid person but you don’t want to interject and suddenly find yourself in the firing line. 

With a grunt, your brother obeys and storms out and into the changing rooms, leaving you and Sunghoon alone.

His stern eyes flicker to your soft ones, it’s been a while since you’ve been this close to him, close enough to admire him. His black hair is fluffy and unstyled unlike how it is usually when you see him at competitions, the bags under his eyes prove how hard he’s working whether at skating or general life and the freckles that are perfectly placed on his face suddenly look more ethereal than before. Sunghoon is the epitome of beauty.

While you’re staring you fail to notice how he is staring right back at you, taking in all your features like he’s trying to commit them to memory. He hasn’t seen you since Sectionals which didn’t seem like that long ago but to him, it feels like a lifetime. You’ve cut your hair since then and Sunghoon noticed.

Meeting his eyes once again you see how they sparkle, just like they do when he’s on the ice.

“Sorry for my brother, he can be-”

“A dick?”

“A lot,” Your tone is filled with warning. Sunghoon might have been right but that’s still your brother, “He can be a lot but you already know that.”

Walking up to you, he tilts his head and smiles softly, “Don’t start apologising for him now, Sweets.” He leans so his face meets yours, “Or else you’ll be apologising your whole life.” 

Sunghoon pats your head and makes his way to the coach's office, leaving you mesmerised.

______

Minhee and Sunghoon have successfully kept their distance from each other for the past two weeks, which has been a relief to everyone. If this pattern continues, there is hope that everything will just be a harmonious as before the merge.

Although the rink was now open for their disposal, you were never more grateful. No, it wasn’t for you, the coaches explicitly said it was for the future medalists, but you knew the receptionist for the building and she would let you away with anything if you batted your lashes and gave her a box of Toffees. 

Growing up at the rink meant you found solace in the atmosphere and surroundings, so much so that you went there to simply study, the arena oddly hugging you in comfort while you tore the hair from your head. Skaters and staff became your friends with how much time you’ve spent in the bleachers. Typically, it would be during the day with what little spare time you had, but with the building being open around the clock it means you can inhabit the premises in the middle of the night, the perfect time to get your head down and work.

That is where you are headed right now just after your shift at the supermarket. It was as painful as ever with customers not understanding that you don’t make the prices, or that no you cannot watch their baby while they run for a jug of milk. It’s baffling how dense some people can be. 

The rink is a nice place to relax and get away from it all.

Pushing open the door you see the receptionist, Miss Barbara, filing her nails. She was a friendly woman, the kind type, but when Coach Kim told her she would have to work some nights she wasn’t so sweet and caring, not to him anyway.

Her real name is just Barbara but as the years went on, she adopted this regal persona and insisted everyone call her Miss or Ma’am. Only you and Minhee gave in to her request though.

“Hi, Miss Barbara,” You wave. Reaching into your white tote bag you retrieve her bribes, eh, goodies, and pass them to her. 

With much delight, she wiggles her fingers and slips them from the desk into her lap, “Y/N you are my favourite person that walks through those doors!” Her eyes are trained on the sweets rather than you when she speaks which makes you chuckle.

“Glad I can be held in such high regard, Miss Barbara,” You change your accent to a posh one and wave like a Queen in her tiny town car. Lifting her head, Miss Barbara sees your roleplay and laughs, dismissing you into the rink.

As you step into the arena, the chill of the air greets you, accompanied by the soothing sound of skates slicing through the ice. Finding your way to the centre of the second row of bleachers, you settle in, unpacking your bag and gracefully arranging your belongings. Crossing your legs to create space for your laptop and paper, you deftly balance everything, a skill you've honed to perfection.

Typing in your password you hear the skates coming towards you and scraping to a halt but you don’t look up.

“If you’ve come to spy on my routine you aren’t doing a very good job at hiding.” Sunghoon playfully remarks. You hadn’t even noticed it was him who was skating, since it was usually Wonyoung gracing the ice you just expected it to be her. He looks at your mess of a lap and scrunches his full eyebrows, “Like you’re really not making it discrete.” 

You look up and see him pointing to your laptop, “Oh, no I’m just studying.” Returning to typing you hear him scoff, making you look at him again.

“You expect me to believe that?” The look on his face is incredulous when you don’t budge, “What? Don’t they have libraries at your Uni?”

Sunghoon’s tone is accusatory and you don’t like it. “Look, I don’t have beef with you okay? That’s the wrong Kang sibling.” There is no reason for him to be giving you attitude right now, you hadn’t done anything wrong, an innocent bystander in all this. 

Deep down he knew that too, but he couldn’t be too careful.

Crossing his arms, he leans on top of the barrier and rests his chin, examining you and how much you’re telling the truth, “So, what? You genuinely just sit here and study? Does the cold stimulate your brain or something?” 

“No, it’s like white noise at this point, comforting.” Glancing up you see his still dubious expression, “Ugh, look I come here all the time, ask anyone!” Your arms gesturing to the empty rink is not really helping your case.

Having had enough you slam the laptop shut and stand up, “Whatever, I’ll just go somewhere else.”

Sunghoon shoots his arms up to mock surrender, “Woah, Sweets, calm down, I was just making sure. Need to air on the side of caution, yeah?” His voice softens. 

Making you uncomfortable wasn’t on his list of things to do, but his mum made it very clear your whole family wasn’t to be trusted, and he always heeded his mother's warnings even if he thought she was being overdramatic. “Listen, stay here as long as you want but if I see your brother doing a double toe loop into a triple axel I know who to blame.” 

With a smirk, you sit back down, “See now you’ve just told me your big secret,” a laugh leaves your lips, “Changed your mind on trusting a Kang so soon huh?” 

He’s flabbergasted. 

Did he really just tell you part of his routine like it was nothing, in an instant after he just told himself not to be so trusting of you?  You’re more dangerous than he first thought, and you aren’t even trying.

After seeing the realisation come over his face you laugh loudly, “Sunghoon, don’t worry. My brother can handle you on his own, he doesn’t need to cheat to beat you.”

“Say that to my 8 first places over him.”  It goes silent. It’s not like you could argue with him, Sunghoon did beat Minhee in a lot of skates. 

Trying to lighten the mood he points to you, “No pictures.” He jokes and skates away adroitly.

You don’t see the smile creeping onto his face, or the way tries to shake you out of his head. That conversation between you made him want it to be the start of many more, much more.

________

Emerging from your room, you're taken aback to find your mom standing right at your door, narrowly avoiding a collision. Both of you gasp and instinctively clutch your chests. "Jesus, Y/N, you scared me," she exclaims. Ignoring the fact that she's lingering around your room, you offer an apology, which she quickly dismisses. "A letter came for you," she informs you, handing over the manila envelope before walking away. At least she isn't one of those moms who loiter and wait for you to open it; she doesn't fuss over things like that. Or perhaps, she doesn't fuss over you.

Abandoning your plan to head to the kitchen for a cup of tea, you return to your bed and sprawl across it, letting your legs dangle off the edge. With a swift motion, you tear open the envelope and unfold the letter, eagerly scanning its contents.

Dear Y/N Kang,

At Yonsei University, our students consistently impress us with their dedication and commitment to excellence. Each year, we have the privilege of acknowledging one outstanding student whose remarkable progress merits special recognition. This year, we are delighted to announce that you have been selected as the top student of Yonsei University.

In light of your exceptional achievements, we would be honoured to celebrate your success by presenting you with an award. A special ceremony, bringing together top students from across the city, will be held on the 23rd of September at 7 pm in the historic Cathedral adjacent to our university campus. You are welcome to bring a plus one to share in this momentous occasion.

Congratulations once again on this well-deserved honour.

You skim-read the rest, and a triumphant smile creeps onto your face. There's no conceivable way you're at the top of the University this year - perhaps the top of your year, but the entire university? It feels like a surreal, sick joke. Investigating the envelope, you spot the official stamp of Yonsei. It's real.

Bounding down the stairs, you find your mum and brother already seated at the dining table, ready for dinner, "Mum, Mini, look!" You flap the paper in their faces, excitement bubbling within you. Your mum tuts and carefully opens the letter, reading it with precision. You're searching for any sign of a reaction, but nothing surfaces. She simply places it down and checks her phone.

You sit down gingerly, awaiting her acknowledgement, hoping for some form of appreciation, "Hmm, thought so." Clicking the lock on her phone, she sets it aside, "Sorry, Y/N, Minhee has a schedule that day."

"But aren't you happy for me?" You ask, your excitement dampening. It's not just about the ceremony; it's about the achievement itself. She should be proud of you, "I'm at the top of my university."

"Yes, you are, darling," your mum responds, her tone lacking enthusiasm. Normally, it wouldn't bother you, but this is a big deal, huge even, and she couldn't spare you the time of day to at least pretend to be happy for you.

Your heart sinks, and the elation you felt a moment ago dissipates. She really did not care, and the void of her indifference casts a shadow over your significant accomplishment.

Minhee places a comforting hand on your shoulder, sensing your disappointment. "Top of the class, huh? Finally, you get one of your awards in my trophy room." His attempt at humour falls flat in the weight of the moment. Minhee notices your lack of response, withdrawing his hand and sinking into silence, his gaze fixed downward.

“We just can’t go, your brother has an advertisement to film that day, we’ve been planning it for months. You understand.”

You had no choice but to understand.

“Yes, Mum.” The acceptance cuts deep. You've never blamed Minhee for the uneven distribution of favouritism; it wasn't his fault, yet, the sting of yearning for a moment in the spotlight, just once, remains. The chair you rise from screeches against the floor. "I need to go tell my friends about it."

There isn’t a protest from her, so you slip out quietly. Minhee extends a hand toward you, a silent gesture of support, but you don’t bother acknowledging it. The door closes behind you, leaving a trail of unresolved emotions lingering in the air.

In truth, you didn’t want to tell your friends right now, when you tell them you want it to be a happy occasion, not tarnished by your mum's attitude.

How could she be so nonchalant about the fact that you achieved such an award? You weren’t looking for bells and whistles but a simple ‘Well done, Y/N.’ would have sufficed. Was it too much to ask for? You did all this for her, after all. 

A deja vu of last week, you push the heavy doors to the Belmore Centre, greeting Miss Barbara before heading to the rink.

The familiar scent of ice and warm rubber infiltrates your nose, offering solace and temporarily numbing the thoughts swirling in your mind. The rink, with its unique aura, never fails to bring you a sense of contentment.

As you take your usual seat, you can't help but notice an unusual absence of the rhythmic sound of skates cutting through the ice. It's just past 8 pm, yet the rink is eerily silent. For a change, it's pure bliss, the absence of the usual hustle and bustle providing an unexpected sanctuary.

Sitting with your head in your hands, you succumb to overthinking. If only you could have skated and achieved something that your mum could be proud of. What would it take?

A tear slips down your cheek, and you're oblivious to the approaching presence.

Sunghoon’s smile is subtle as he takes in your dishevelled appearance. You’re not in your usual jacket, in fact, you look like you've hastily run out of the house as if you were just popping into the shop for milk.

With your hands buried in your head, he hears a sniffle, realizing that you're crying, “Hey, hey, what’s wrong?” Sunghoon drops his bag and skates as he rushes over to you, concern all over his face. 

Shaking your head you just cry harder as your brain screams at you. It is so loud you can’t hear anything else, certainly not the boy sitting next to you.

He rubs your back to calm you down but to no avail. Instead, you cry harder and he doesn’t know what to do. Sunghoon isn’t exactly an expert when it comes to crying girls, “Sweets, stop crying.” Great, Sunghoon, just great, he curses himself, “Umm, no wait, shit, breathe! I’ve heard that works before.” He quickly made the realisation he would never make it as a therapist.

Sunghoon is always so confident and self-assured but right now with you he has no idea how to act.

What he doesn’t realize is that his awkward attempt to console you has genuinely worked. Sunghoon fumbling over his words gives you something to focus on, and hearing him mutter to himself about how awful he is at this makes you laugh. It’s a small laugh but one that breaks through the heaviness of the moment.

Hearing your laughter, Sunghoon whips his head to face you, his hand continuing to rub soothing circles on your back. “What happened, Y/N?” His voice carries a gentle concern, inviting you to share, but you just shake your head, not ready to delve into the details. “Nah, come on. Whatever it is has really upset you. It’s better to talk about it.”

His voice resonates with a soothing calmness, making you feel like you could confide in him about anything.

“I just feel like I'm not good enough and that anything I do will never meet her standards,” you shrug, expressing the weight of self-doubt that has been dragging you down.

“Ah, it’s your mum, right?” His lips purse as he gazes ahead to the rink. The elude to ‘her’ being his only anchor of reasoning.

Your silence serves as confirmation. Sunghoon, all too familiar with the feeling of not being enough, understands your pain. But in this moment, it's not about him. He can only offer superficial advice, “If you live your life based on other's expectations, you’ll never be truly happy.”

“Says the competitive figure skater,” you lightly laugh, a hint of sadness slowly dissipating from your face.

Sunghoon pauses the reassuring circles between your shoulders and sighs, “You got me there.” You were right; who was he to tell you to stop living for other people when that’s all he has ever done since he was 6?

Seeing how his shoulders slump, you worry you might have hit a nerve. “Hey, I didn’t me—”

“Do you want to do something reckless?” The sudden switch from sadness to confidence confuses you, and you gaze at him as if he has two heads. It's remarkable how quickly he pulled himself out of his own thoughts, and you can't help but feel a twinge of envy.

When you don’t respond, he pushes the idea further, “Come on, Sweets. Didn’t have you as the type to say no to a little fun.”

“There's a big difference between reckless and fun, so which is it?” you ask.

“Come and find out.” He smirks, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Suddenly, Sunghoon springs to his feet and yanks you out of your seat, propelling you into whatever scheme he has up his sleeve. As his hand interlocks with yours, a peculiar flutter dances in your stomach.

“Where are we going?” You glance around as he drags you past the rink and into the back rooms. "What’s so fun about plain grey walls and 'Employee of the Month' posters?”

Sunghoon simply rolls his eyes in response to your question.

The next thing you know, you're in a warehouse-like room, surrounded by old skating equipment, acrylite shields you've seen hockey players collide with, and an army of mannequins. 

What somehow escapes your notice is the giant red Zamboni that Sunghoon is confidently strolling towards.

Seeing you mesmerized by the mannequins, Sunghoon waits for you to turn around, but you're too engrossed in the plastic figures to notice him. “Looking for your next boyfriend in there?” he teases, his voice slicing through the silence of the room.

Jumping at the unexpected remark, you hastily remove your hand from one of the figures' chests and whip around. Sunghoon leans against the Zamboni, a tilted smirk gracing his face, hands tucked casually in his trouser pockets. Embarrassed, you mumble a quick 'shut up' and shuffle over to him. To be honest, those dummies probably would have offered a more exciting conversation than most men.

Your eyes finally land on the Zamboni. It gleams, proudly bearing the bold inscription 'Zamboni Campbell' on the side. A few years ago, Coach Kim, in a moment of whimsy, had asked people to name the ‘new love in his life’ through a Facebook post. Some 7-year-old had chosen 'Zamboni Campbell.' It might not have been the most clever name, but considering his age, you let it slide. 

“Please stop leaning on Zamboni Campbell; she’s a national treasure,” you interject, half-joking. If anything were to happen to her, you imagine Coach Kim might have an aneurysm.

The figure skater scoffs and pushes himself off the machine, “She’s no Zamby Malik.” He jokes, “My baby boy is probably being abused right now.” The comment raises an eyebrow; what is it with some people and their weird fascination for anything with a motor? Your expression remains neutral as Sunghoon looks at you. “Zamby Malik? Albion’s Zamboni? Named after Zayn Malik?” he questions.

“Yeah, got that reference, thanks.” Stepping forward, your eyes meet his. “I have been a Niall worshipper for many, many years,” you say proudly. You’ve been a dedicated fan of Niall and all the One Direction boys forever.

“Eh, more of a Louis girl myself,” Sunghoon shrugs and turns to face the ice resurfacer. “So, how badly have you ever wanted to ride her?” His hands rub together in a way that eerily resembles a villain plotting an evil scheme.

Nope. Absolutely not. You're not getting on that thing. For one, Coach Kim would undoubtedly kill you both if he found out. He loves the Zamboni more than his own children. And two, you have no idea how to operate it. Disaster is inevitable. “I am not getting on that thing!” 

Sunghoon gives you a look that says ‘Of course, you are getting on that thing.’ but he can give you all the looks he wants, you are not doing it.

“Sweets, you need to have a go. It’ll help whatever is going on in that pretty little head of yours.” Sunghoon's hand playfully ruffles your hair before he strides towards the steps of the Zamboni.

Fixing your hair consciously, you find yourself following him. “How will it help exactly? When I die from crashing it or at the hands of Coach Kim, at least I'll be free of my thoughts?”

Sunghoon spins around, and you walk right into his chest. “I was thinking more along the lines of a clear rink, clear mind, but your reasoning works too, I suppose.” His hands grip your shoulders and push you at arm's length. “So?”

As you weigh up your options, for him, there's only one option – getting you behind the wheel of Zamboni Campbell.

“I don’t know how to drive it though, Sunghoon.” That would surely deter him from this ridiculous idea. But it doesn't.

“Duh,” His eyes rolled once again, “I’ll teach you obviously.” 

It’s at that moment you understand that regardless of how long you’ve known him, you don’t actually know him. In fact, you haven’t even had a conversation this long before.

“Since when did you know how to ride a Zamboni?” You inquire and Sunghoon removes his hands from your shoulders, running his fingers through his hair. God, he is so handsome.

“You learn a thing or two being on the ice so long.” 

The truth is, he was constantly pestering the maintenance guy at Albion to clean the ice before his practice. He got so fed up hearing Sunghoon complain he told him to do it himself. So he learned, and ever since, he’s been whizzing on a Zamboni.

You are running out of excuses, and part of you is agreeing with him that this will be good for you. “Fine.”

“That’s a girl!” Sunghoon huffs, and you move to walk up the steps, but he stops you, holding up two fingers. “Two things first.”

Removing his long liquorice-colored coat, he gently places it on your shoulders. The warmth lingering from his body heat in the linings of the jacket makes you realize how cold you were. “It gets cold up there,” he says, straightening out the collar.

You push your arms through the holes and wrap yourself up in it. Sunghoon has broad shoulders, so the jacket makes you look ten times smaller than you are, creating a cosy cocoon. 

If he knew it was okay to say, he'd probably tell you how cute you look. For now, he keeps that thought to himself.

Murmuring a polite ‘thank you,’ you're grateful he doesn’t ask why you don't have your jacket. Sunghoon hasn’t pushed you to talk about it at all, and that's something you appreciate.

Sunghoon climbs up and gets situated behind the wheel.

“Wait, you said there were two things?” The jacket is one, and what else?

“Ah, there’s only one seat up here so,” he pats his lap, “You’re going to have to sit on my knee.”

He has to be joking, yet his face looks serious, a tinge of red sneaking onto his neck and ears. He’s blushing. The playful challenge in his eyes mixes with genuine warmth. It's clear he wants to make you smile.

Cute.

“I can’t teach you from down there, now come on up.” He continues.

He won’t give up, apparently, so with a huff, you start scaling the steps, standing at the top and realise how high this thing is. Sunghoon puts his hand out for you to take as he guides you to sit down. “This is super high,” you state patently.

Sunghoon laughs and shakes his head, “You’re just small, Sweets.” His hands go to your waist to stabilise you while you hike one leg over him. “That’s it, not so scary, huh?”

Slowly, you sit down on his lap, getting yourself comfortable. You feel his thighs tense under you. “Oh, am I too heavy?”

Quickly, he shakes his head, “No, not at all, I’ve got legs of steel.” He slaps the side of his thigh and relaxes them a little. Sunghoon won’t say it, but the way you wriggled to get comfy was putting pressure straight on his cock, making him tense up. It would be rude to pop a boner right now no matter how good you feel, given the circumstances.

“So what do I do?”

“Hmm?” He was too busy lost in his thoughts he forgot what he was doing. “Oh, right,” he turns on the machine and guides you through the steps. “So there are six levers, each does their own thing—conditioner, elevation, brush, tyre wash, wash water,” he continues going through the controls.

While he’s explaining, you observe how fast his lips are moving. Is he always this talkative, or is it just with you? A part of you hopes for the latter. “And we are good to go.” He finishes and smiles. You probably should have paid attention because now he’s looking at you expectantly. “You didn’t listen to a word I just said, did you?”

“Something about water being washed?” you bring your shoulders up sheepishly and smile, showing all your teeth.

The look on his face feigns annoyance, “How about I drive and you sit there and look pretty, yeah?” 

Pretty. That’s the second time he's inadvertently called you pretty. 

Sunghoon reaches his arm around you, starting the machine up and driving it onto the rink, his other hand is holding you securely in his lap. The ice resurfacer is in full swing as it sweeps the edges of the rink. You haven’t seen the rink from this angle before and it brings forth a new appreciation.

“Gonna need you to pump for me.”

It takes you a minute to process his words before craning your neck around to look at him, “Excuse me?” You have no idea in what context that sentence couldn’t be laced with innuendo.

He seems unphased, or maybe just unaware of his words double entendre, and points to the right of the machine, “This Zam has a manual wash water lever, you need to pump it for me, Sweets, I can’t reach it with you on my lap.”

Can he please stop saying pump for all that is holy? 

You screw your head back on and see the black lever he is talking about, “This one?” 

His one hand on your hip squeezes slightly when you reach over, “Yeah just lift it up and down, it might be heavy for you so be careful.” 

Sunghoon watches you pump the water washer a few times, you use both hands to grasp the lever so he tightens his hold on your waist to ensure your safety. After he has focused on the task at hand he notices the way your hands are gripped around the lever, your fingers barely able to wrap around it. He can’t stop the next thoughts that come into his head. What he wouldn’t give to have you stroking his cock with those pretty hands.

The next thing he notices is how you’re softly grunting as you put the work in and your arms losing pace due to repetition and tiredness. The scene in front of him isn’t calming his thoughts down any because now he’s thinking if these noises are similar to ones you would make while bouncing on his dick. He feels like a pervert because here you are upset and he’s got crude thoughts of you infiltrating his mind. 

“That’s enough for now, Sweets.” His voice is strained, he could have watched you do that for hours but for the sake of the ice and his dignity, he needs you to stop.

Pulling away and shuffling back to comfort on his lap you smile, “That was weirdly fun. It got some frustration out of me.” 

It’s ironic because frustration has seeped into Sunghoon, horny frustration, and you are so blissfully unaware.

“Wow, look how sparkly it is!” You exclaim as your eyes are glued to the ice behind you. Maybe only once have you seen the rink so clean, but even then it wasn’t like this, it’s practically glistening. Zamboni Campbell needs to pat herself on the back.

The boy steering her also needs to praise himself not just for the excellent resurfacing job, but also for helping you. It’s not until now you see that his plan worked, he got you out of your head and stopped the crippling thoughts that were bound to consume you if you didn’t have this distraction.

Both of you lap the rink 4 times before Sunghoon looks at his handy work and smiles, “She drives like a dream.” He steers back into the warehouse, trying to park the Zamboni close enough to where they found it.

“Better than Zamby Malik?” You tease.

“Never, but she’s not far off.” Sunghoon doesn’t let go of the hold he has on your waist despite the ice resurfacer being stagnant. Instead, he’s slightly massaging your sides, an action you can barely feel because of his coat engulfing your body, but you feel it enough.

Turning around so your legs are draped fully over his thighs, you're about to get off him, but you don't. You should stand up, climb down the steps, and leave it as a nice memory, but this future memory feels too short like there should be something more to it.

Sunghoon feels it too, that’s why he’s staring at you so intensely. The once shallow smile he had on his face now dropped off; his eyes are looking deep into yours, and his hands move up your waist slightly, yet he doesn’t make a move.

This has to be your decision. Something you want.

If there was ever an inappropriate time to think about your brother, it’s when you’re two seconds away from kissing a guy. Minhee’s face flashes in your mind, and you realize what you’re about to do - you’re about to kiss Minhee’s biggest rival, his arch-nemesis, how could you even face your brother if you gave in to this?

Sunghoon watches you while your brain flips out; you don’t look like you’re 100% certain of the idea of his lips on yours. “Sweets?” he squeezes your waist and sighs, “We should get going.”

Oh.

All you’re thinking about is why he didn’t kiss you, and why it hurt a little that he didn’t. It looked like he wanted to; maybe you took too long, or he stared long enough to realize you weren’t actually pretty. You guys don't even know each other well, but you feel yourself being pulled towards him. Wasn’t it the same for him? Your brain went from overthinking one thing to another.

Nodding your head, you stand up carefully and make your way down. You can’t even look at him out of shame and guilt for even entertaining the idea of kissing him. Your mum would be so disappointed if she knew.

Sunghoon follows you down but unlike you he is keeping his eyes fixed on your face, focusing on every change in your manner both positive and negative. He wanted to kiss you but you looked like you were about to pass out from the thought of it. Sunghoon wanted you to be certain, “I’ll drive you home.” 

“No, no it’s fine, I’m not that far from here.” Being in a car with him after this wouldn’t be the best outcome, your mind is still on his lips.

“Please, Y/N, it’s late. I just want to make sure you’re safe. Anything could happen.” Sunghoon doesn’t want you to walk home, yes because of safety concerns, but also because he wants to spend even a fraction of a minute more time with you. You seem to be one of the few people in this world he can relax around.

He should have just kissed you.

The look on his face is serious but his eyes are soft, not asking but begging you to just say yes. 

“Sure.” The atmosphere is heavy, filled with longing and tension. You’re both thinking different things.

You’re analysing every specific detail from tonight to see if you have done something wrong, anything that would have stopped him from kissing you.

And Sunghoon’s brain is filled with various thoughts of you from tonight. The lever, the way you felt so right sitting in his lap, and more importantly how amazing it felt to be the one that made you smile. The way you smiled and giggled on the Zamboni is something he is going to commit to memory. 

As of today, he will start keeping part of his brain solely for you to occupy.

The walk to Sunghoon's car is silent, free of the laughter and conversation that previously filled your space. Both of you appear to be over-analysing each other's previous acts, which makes the situation more awkward than it needs to be.

Sunghoon's car is impressive: a sleek monochrome Peugeot New 2008 with a black interior. The scent of his fresh cologne combines with the ocean-scented tree-shaped air freshener hanging from the rearview mirror.

“This is a nice car.” You note, buckling up your seatbelt.

“She’s a beaut, isn’t she? Got her as part of a brand deal with Peugeot Sport.” His hands caress the smooth wheel and his lips upturn into a proud smile. Brand deals and advertisements are not what you want to hear about right now, especially when it’s the one thing your mum cared about instead of your award. Your sour mood doesn’t go unnoticed, “Let’s get you home, yeah?” 

That was the one place you didn’t really want to be right now but you nod, shoulders slumped a little at the thought of facing your mum again.

“Or,” Sunghoon starts, “We could get some food? The University Cafe is always open late.” 

It was like he could read your mind, “Yeah, I could eat.” 

With that, Sunghoon starts the car and drives to the cafe. The way your face turned a little paler when he said he would take you home alarmed him. He doesn’t think you’re in danger there, Minhee might be a dick but he was protective over you, he wouldn’t let anything happen, and Sunghoon knew that. Whatever it is, you didn’t want to go home, and Sunghoon is more than willing to keep you to himself for a couple more hours.

The journey to the cafe, situated more on his side of town, unfolds in silence, only disrupted by the gentle strains of Hozier's "Like Real People Do" emanating from the radio. A wry smile tugs at Sunghoon's lips, finding the song's relevance a touch on the nose for the current situation.

Upon arriving at the cafe, you're taken aback by its shabby appearance - chipped walls, adjacent graffiti, not to mention it’s deserted. Sunghoon, attuned to your hesitance, reassures you, “It’s a lot nicer than it looks, promise. I’ve been coming here forever.” Stepping out of the car, he leaves you with the choice of venturing into the weathered establishment or remaining in the safety of the car. Despite your reservations, a rumble from your stomach nudges you to join him inside.

The interior mirrors the exterior's wear and tear, yet a certain comfort envelops the air as Sunghoon guides you with a reassuring hand on the small of your back. “Sit anywhere you like, Sweets.”

Opting for a seat by the back window, you settle into the firm, brown booth without ridding yourself of Sunghoon's coat, a silent acknowledgement that your stay may be short-lived. You aren’t a snob but you have a cafe like this in your side of town and it isn’t somewhere you choose to occupy. 

Noticing your scrutiny of the surroundings, Sunghoon, with a laugh, takes a seat across from you, studying your expression, "You don’t like it, huh?"

Huffing, you cast a critical eye around the place, "Not really, no."

You were brutally honest, he’ll give you that, “Wait until you try their food and then judge okay?” He chuckles and hands you the menu on the table.

A waitress waltzes over with a pen and paper. She’s too beautiful for a place like this, her rosy cheeks and long flowing brown hair make you jealous, “Sunghoon! My favourite ice slasher, how is it going?”

While they engage in small talk you look at the menu looking for something safe to eat. Maybe you should just wait for Sunghoon to order and get the same thing.

“Y/N, you know what you want?” He turns to you.

“Oh, so you’re the Y/N?” the waitress grins. 

What does that mean? How does she know your name? When you glance at Sunghoon, you notice his intense stare fixed on the girl. This is strange. The waitress seems to pick up on Sunghoon's unspoken communication, smirking as she says, "I mean, you're Kang Minhee's sister, right?" She then slowly turns her attention to you.

Ah, that's how she knew. He must have spoken ill of Minhee and you enough times for her to recognize you. Fueled by this assumption, you shift into defence mode. "Yeah, I am," you reply sharply, your expression hardening as you lean back, raising your eyebrows and waiting for her response, half-expecting her to be rude to you.

Strangely, the waitress's expression brightens. "It's nice to meet you, Y/N. Can I get you anything?" Her voice carries genuine warmth.

Now you feel a bit guilty. She seems genuinely nice.

"Uh," you glance at the menu again, uncertain of what to order. "What's good?"

Sunghoon intervenes with a smile. "She'll take my usual," he tells the waitress as she departs. Ordinarily, you dislike when men presume to order for you, but in this instance, you're grateful for the assistance. "It's just a plain cheese and ham panini with tomato, pesto, and hot sauce. It sounds simple, but it's delicious."

You expected Sunghoon to be a burger and fries kind of guy, but with his physique and strict regimen, you should have known his tastes would lean towards the healthier side of things.

“Did you order a drink with this ‘usual’ or am I supposed to just swallow it dry?” 

“Comes with diet coke and a lime.” He says timidly, now for the first time he is self-conscious about his food choice. Sunghoon would like nothing more than to chomp into a pizza and a full-fat Pepsi but with National’s coming up at the end of the year, he needs to stick somewhat to his meal plan. In hindsight, he should have ordered you something you might have liked. What did you like? He didn’t even know that simple fact, “Do you want something else? I can change it.”

“No it’s okay, I’ll trust your judgment,” You relax into the booth, “Shoot me if i’m being too straight forward but don’t you have enough money to go like, I don’t know, somewhere nicer than this?” 

Raising his hands in a gun motion he pretends to shoot you and you fake a wound in your shoulder. It’s nice to be playful like this, Sunghoon hasn’t had this for a long time, “You know how to ask a question, Sweets.” 

He then shrugs and looks around the cafe, not unlike how you were doing earlier but his eyes aren’t filled with distaste; they’re shining in fondness.

“It’s where my dad would take me after practices. Mum would never let me come here once I started aiming for professional level, too much grease and too many carbs.” He recalls a time his mum had him on a diet at 11 because he wasn’t flying high enough and a frown appeared on his face, “My dad though, he wanted me to be at least somewhat a normal kid so every Wednesday when mum worked late we would come here. Eat whatever we want and then pop a breath mint in the car.”

Sunghoon’s features are mixed with hurt and fondness, “Sorry, about your dad.” You offer your condolences.

When Sunghoon was 15 his dad died of a heart attack right before the Junior Championships and it broke him to the point he didn’t want to skate anymore, it wasn’t fun because his dad was always the one to cheer him on. His parents had their roles, his mum was strict and direct, getting him to train hard and achieve his best. And his dad was the reliever, encouraging him to have fun and let loose, be a kid. With one half of the balance scales gone, it was difficult for Sunghoon to maintain any adolescent normality. Perhaps that’s why he’s so fond to have you around.

In the silence you speak up, “You know your dad used to sneak me a packet of Haribos nearly every competition.” The boy's head whips to look at you and tilts, a knowing look on his face, “Yeah, and every time he would say ‘With everything so sour, we deserve something sweet’.” You smile at the thought.

“I-, he was kind like that.” He wants to say more, but he stops himself.

His dad was the nicest man in the whole world. When you found out the news that he passed away, you cried a little. Your mum being your mum she didn’t understand it, claimed you didn’t know him enough to mourn. Regardless of how well you knew him, people who were so kind and loving don’t deserve to be taken from this world so quickly.

You see the look on Sunghoon’s face lighten up a little, the shadow over his eyes washing away and when he looked at you, the sparkle came back, “So, you can’t hate this place or else I can pull the dead dad took me here card.”

“Fine. I love it.” The words feign mocking when in actuality they are full of understanding.

The waitress from earlier brings over the drinks in a frosted glass with a lime wedge on the rim, “There you go! Added extra ice for my Ice Prince.” 

My. She could have said ‘The’.

It stirred up something within your chest. Jealousy? Okay but why are you getting jealous over this? You don’t know because you aren’t exactly his and you have never been the threatened type, so you don’t know what’s going on with you. 

“Food will be right out!” She hops away and she is back in a flash with the Paninis. 

What you don’t expect is Sunghoon to take both of them and add some condiments, opening up the middle to pour a slight bit of salt and some mayonnaise. 

“Excuse me, I don't need your hands all over my food.” Crossing your arms you wait for him to stop but he doesn’t. Instead, he shows you his hands, stretching them over the table.

“Look how clean they are, Sweets.” They are clean and oh-so pretty. Suddenly you’re jealous of the food that receives his touch, wishing it was you. You need to get a grip, first the waitress, and now a piece of toasted bread are the objects of your envy.

It’s like your crush from when you were little came back tenfold, with every second you spend with him that little innocent pash is turning into full blown infatuation. Now with added hormones, it’s like you’re drawn to him more than ever. It’s scary how quickly you fell back into your feelings, whatever they were.

“Y/N?” He brings you back to reality with his low voice, retreating his hand, “Lost you for a minute there.”

Passing you the food you thank him, “Sorry, happens a lot. I tend to overthink literally everything.” It’s a confession you haven’t let pass your lips. Not ever. “I learned to control it as I got older but if I’m upset I can’t stop it 99% of the time, even if it’s something simple like putting salt on this food.”

Sunghoon sees you physically overthinking what you just said. It’s the exact same face you made when you were inches from kissing him. 

He understands the situation earlier a little better now.

“So what’s upsetting you now, Sweets?” He asks, “You said you didn’t feel good enough, what happened?” 

Shuddering, you remember your words. You’re embarrassed that you blurted out your feelings so readily, “It’s nothing.” Then you remember, “Why did you think it was my mum?”

“If your mum is anything like mine, and I guarantee she is, then I don’t ‘think’ it was your mum, I know it.” There’s an empathy shining in his eyes, “What did she do?” 

“I got some good news, and when I told her about it,” Sighing, you try to aggregate your feelings. Sunghoon’s hand makes contact with your forearm as he sees you struggle. The soothing motion of his thumb calms you instantly, “she just dismissed it. Like my achievement wasn’t up to par with Mini’s.”

“What was the good news?”

“Nothing major I guess. I’m the top student at my University for the year and I’m receiving an award.”

Sunghoon is furious. Your mum had downplayed your achievement and now you don’t think it’s a big deal and he wasn’t having it, “Y/N. You go to Yonsei, right?” Once you nod he continues, “Then that IS major, what are you talking about?” 

“It’s not exactly a Championship medal.” Your shoulders slump.

“And?” Squeezing your arm he tries to make you see past your mother and her shitty attitude, “Some people would think your achievement means more than one of his, does that make Minhee’s less than yours?” You mumble a quick ‘of course not’, not grasping what he’s saying, “Then why do you think that way about your award? Sweets, it’s fucking amazing you should be proud of yourself.”

You are, it’s your mum who isn’t and that’s what you can’t get over. 

Instead of answering back you avoid the conversation altogether and start eating the food in front of you. 

One bite has you falling in love with the taste, the pesto combination with the cheese and parma ham melts in your mouth and makes your tongue dance. You owe this shabby place an apology.

Triumph etches onto Sunghoon’s face as he sees the same fireworks behind your eyes that he had when he first tried the food. He knew you’d like it.

“Oh, my days.” You stare at him wide-eyed, one hand covering your mouth. Never will you doubt him again.

“Told you.” He smirks and eats some of his own, the familiar aroma and your face make his chest fill with glee and gratification, “I’ve just learned two things about you in this last minute.”

“And what’s that?” You question, taking another bite.

“You love the food here and will never question my taste again,” Your eyes are still on the food but you nod to agree, “And you’re an avoider.”

What is that supposed to mean? 

“An avoider?” 

Sunghoon leans back and picks up a tissue, cleaning the crumbs from his fingers, “You changed the topic pretty fast when you didn’t want to have a conversation you’re uncomfortable with. You can’t accept what I’m saying is right, your achievement is just as mighty as all of Minhee’s and it IS a big deal.” 

Arguing with him about it is pointless. Does it mean you won’t though? No.

“It’s not that I'm not accepting what you’re saying,” it is, he thinks to himself,  “I just don’t need to air my drama or feelings to someone I don’t know.” 

“Believe it or not, asking questions and having conversations like this is how you get to know people,” Sunghoon pushed the food to the side and leaned forward, “I just want to get to know you.” 

You challenge him by matching his posture and leaning on the table, “Whatever happened to, oh I don’t know, what’s your favourite colour?”

“White. See, easy right?” He’s smug. Sunghoon isn’t trying to pressure you to answer the question, he just thinks if you speak about the issue, it’ll alleviate the burden. A problem shared is a problem halved after all. “How about you ask me anything at all, and I’ll answer it because I know that’s how you get to know me.”

“Anything at all?”

“Yeah.”

“Then why didn’t you kiss me earlier?”

Stunned. Shocked. Astounded. Whatever other synonym he could use, that’s exactly how he feels right now. For the first time in his life, he is speechless. How do you keep doing this to him? Never has anyone been so forthright with him.

Seeing his cheeks flush red and eyes dart around as if finding the answer in his brain you know you’ve won, “Not so eager to speak now, huh?” 

Exhaling, Sunghoon sits back, “You looked like you were going to pass out,” He begins his answer, “You got in your head about something and it made you second guess.”

“I was thinking about Minhee.”

Sunghoon’s face shrivels, “Sweets, I know we’re compared a lot but I didn’t think he’d be my competition with you too?” Sunghoon’s voice is playful but he is worried about the next words out your lips.

Stretching over the table you slap his chest, “Ew, no that’s disgusting! Don’t even think like that!” You’re appalled at even the inclination, “It’s just that, you’re Park Sunghoon, you said it yourself he’s your competition,” He goes to say something and you stop him, “in SKATING. You’re so disgusting.” Laughter fills your booth, food and drinks forgotten, “If I ever kissed you he would freak the fuck out.”

The boy across from you knows exactly what you’re talking about, more than know, “If Minhee wasn’t a factor, would you have kissed me back?”

“Yes.”

Responding before your brain has a chance to filter the words is also a downside to your overthinking mind. So many thoughts in one brain make it easier for slips like this to happen, but you aren’t too concerned about this one, he probably already knew you would have kissed him back there if you weren’t preoccupied with contemplation.

Just as you think you’ll get to speak about what transpired earlier, the waitress comes over to take your plates away, “All done?”

Sunghoon nods and goes to pull out his wallet to pay but as he pats himself down to find it, he remembers it’s in his coat - the coat you’re still wearing “Uh, Sweets?” He points to his coat trying to tell you it’s in there.

Smirking you search the inner pockets to find a Prada wallet. You could have some fun with this.

“That’s okay, Hoonie, I’ve got it.” You pull out a few £20 notes and hand them to the waitress, “It’s my treat tonight, didn’t I tell you that? Only the best for my hard-working man.” Making kissy faces at him, his face goes red and his lips go in a thin line. 

It wasn’t the fact you just paid £80 for a £12 meal with his money, although that will be addressed later on, it was the nickname and calling him your man that has him trying to control himself. The sweet albeit lightheartedly jeering way of your words made his heart tight in the best possible way. If there was a button board on Sunghoon’s chest, filled with all his emotions like annoyance, lust, happiness, solace, and aggravation, you had pushed every one of them tonight.  

Laughing you put the wallet back into his coat. He looks so cute when he goes red like that, it almost makes you want to treat him like an actual princess or stuff him in your pocket. Either way, you wanted to look after him in some form or other.

“Are you quite done now?” Sunghoon gains back his composure as he watches you chuckling away to yourself.

Suddenly, nothing was funny anymore when your phone goes off, flashing your brother's name on the screen. 

You have to go home and Sunghoon knows it too, “Y/N, I would keep you out all night if I could, but Minhee might send out a missing police report if I do.” 

Now that you’ve somewhat spoken the issue out loud, you think you’re being a bit over the top about it all but your body still has the overbearing weight placed on your shoulders. Facing your mum right now was the last thing you wanted but you know you can’t avoid her forever. 

“I’ll text him. He thinks I’m at Rina’s place telling her and Allen the news.” Quickly standing up you type a generic reply back, telling him you’ll be home soon.

Sunghoon keeps two steps behind you while you walk out of the cafe, his arm hovering by your side to guide you as you text and walk at the same time, he waves goodbye to the waitress and she wafts the cash in her face, fanning herself with his hard-earned money. All he can do is laugh and show his disbelief at her flaunting through his expression. 

“There. Sent.” You put the phone into Sunghoon’s coat pocket. You’re almost at his car when you hear him speak up.

“Hey, Sweets?”

“Hmm?”

Sunghoon grabs your left arm, twirls you around, and presses his lips against yours.

The action knocks the air from your lungs and your eyes widen. Park Sunghoon was kissing you. His palms cup each of your cheeks, his lips moving against yours as he backs you up until your back hits the side of his car. This is what you wanted back at the rink, to have the feeling of his mouth moulding to yours, except it was better than expected, it felt like heaven.

He can't seem to get enough of you as he fervently kisses your mouth, his tongue sliding along your lips, eliciting a soft moan from you that's music to his ears. It was a daring move to kiss you so suddenly, and in an ideal world, he would have asked for permission first. But he knows that might have sparked another bout of overthinking from you, and he couldn't risk losing this second chance to kiss you tonight.

Sliding his hands into your hair, he gently pulls your head back, granting him better access to your open mouth, deepening the kiss. Lost in the sensation of your lips, he doesn't even notice the subtle movement of your fingers dancing along his waist until they settle between his lower back and the top of his ass.

At this moment, nothing could stop you from kissing or touching him.

Except, perhaps, one person.

Your phone vibrates, indicating an incoming call, but you're too entranced by Sunghoon's lips and tongue to notice. Pressing his body against yours, he traps you between him and the car, the sensation of his hips against yours causing you to instinctively grind against him, using your hands to pull him closer.

However, in the intimate closeness, he can feel your phone vibrating against your body. As much as he wants to ignore it, he knows you can't. "Sweets, your phone," he murmurs between kisses, his hands dropping from your hair to reach into your pocket, even as your lips continue to chase after his. "It's Minhee; you better take it."

No way has he cock blocked you twice in one night.

Grumbling, you take the phone from Sunghoon and answer, “Hi Minhee…No, I wasn’t ignoring you, I was putting on my shoes…no no, you don’t need to pi-”

You pause mid-sentence when Sunghoon starts kissing your neck and squeezing your waist. What does he think he's doing? Glancing down, you catch his eyes sneakily looking up at you. Attempting to push him away only results in him biting down, his fangs teasing the verge of breaking skin. In any other situation, you might have found it hot, but with Minhee yapping in your ear, you don't have time to appreciate it.

“Look, I’m on my way home…I’ll walk, it's not that far…seriously, Minhee- Oh,” you moan involuntarily when Sunghoon kisses your sweet spot, and once he's found it, he doesn’t stop licking and nibbling, “Hoonie, stop it!” You remove the phone from your ear and whisper-shout at him.

“I love it when you call me that,” he smirks, his eyes sparkling mischievously.

Hearing Minhee’s voice come through the phone again, you lift it back up to your ear, “What? Oh, I stubbed my toe, look I’ll be home soon alright…Yes, Allen is here…you know he and Rina are together. I’m going to go, see you soon.” Hanging up, you sigh in exasperation.

Giving Sunghoon a few light whacks, you demand, “Why did you do that?” You're almost certain Minhee heard him, or at least now he might think you're hooking up with Allen.

Bringing his face back up to yours, Sunghoon just shrugs and kisses you again with as much fervour as before. His lips are addicting, and you don’t want to stop, but Rina lives 20 minutes from your house if you walk, and this cafe is at least a 30-minute drive. “Sunghoon, I need to go back,” you say between his insistent kisses.

“How long do I have?” He needs to know how long he can indulge in this before having to let you go.

“Not even a second. I’ll already be late even if we leave now.” When his forehead falls on yours you see the pain on his face, like you’re depriving him of a basic human need.

"Don't say that, tell your friend to phone and say you're staying with her tonight." Sunghoon can't stop his lips from capturing yours again. It's as if he's had a taste of you and doesn't want to give it up, especially now. His hand teases the waist of your trousers, tempting to dip in and touch you where you desperately need him.

Personally, you would love nothing more than to call Rina up and get her to lie, she would do it in a heartbeat but Minhee would never believe it, “I can’t. I never stay over when he has practice in the morning. Mum never wants to make a stop off to pick me up.”

“You’re killing me here.” He states breathlessly, his fingertips dancing down to your pussy as he ghosts your neck with his breath. He’s waiting on you to give him the green light but you are far too concerned about getting home.

He suddenly hates your mum a little more than before. If it wasn’t her dismissing your accomplishments, it was her inability to put you on her priority list, “Can’t you just skip his practice? He’ll have more, trust me he needs it.”

“Don’t ruin this.” You warn him from speaking any more about your brother. It does bring you back to reality just who you were kissing, but you can’t focus on that right now, your only concern is getting home.

Sunghoon apologises by kissing you again, this time more gently, like it came naturally to him, “I need to go home. No excuses.”

It isn't what he wants to hear, but he has to accept it. Stepping away from you, his gaze remains fixed on your lips, which are lush and swollen; he can only picture what they would look like if he had more time to toss you in the back seat. His mind immediately returns to you with the lever, and to be honest, he could throw a tantrum right now over the situation at hand. It was unjust that he couldn't just have you, and he wasn't sure if he'd ever get the chance again.

Moving to his side of the car he slides in and you follow suit. He uses the excuse of buckling your seatbelt for you to give you another kiss and it has you internally giggling and kicking your feet.

You do the same to him, grabbing the seatbelt from him and clipping him in, leaning over to press your lips against his soft ones. 

“All I need is 5 minutes,” He whispers against your lips and you laugh, swatting his chest. 

You can’t say you don’t ponder it, and when you see his hard on poking so slightly against his trousers, you look at the time and really wonder if you could, but you can’t risk Minhee even getting a whiff of this, “Next time.” 

Sunghoon's eyes change from desire to hope in real time, "There'll be a next time?" His cool and confident demeanour fades and is replaced with puppy-like grin as he realises you want more than what you had tonight.

“If you get me home in the next 25 minutes there can be.” You pose and with that, Sunghoon drives out of the car park and down the highway going 10 above the limit.

Reaching closer to your house you put a hand on his thigh as you speak, “Better to drop me off here, so Mini doesn’t see you.” You also have to fake that you walked home from Rina’s so if a big fancy car starts pulling up outside your house, he’s going to know something is up.

Sunghoon takes your hand on his thigh and brings it to his lips, maintaining eye contact with the road as he stops at the curb of your neighbour's house 2 doors down. His grip tightens on your hand as he looks at the time, “Got you here in 27 minutes, Sweets.” Proud of himself he adorns a smile that splits his face in half.

Tutting you pout at him, “I guess there can’t be a next time, so sorry Hoonie.” His stunned face was worth holding in your laugh to act like you’re serious, “If only you had gotten here 2 minutes quicker.”

“Come on,” He exasperated, “There were like 10 red lights in a row.” His thumb points back to where you just drove from.

It’s true, it was bad luck, but you liked playing with him like this. 

“Sorry, see you at the rink yeah?” You unbuckle your seatbelt and turn to get out your side of the car, but Sunghoon isn’t letting it end here.

He stretches over to shut the door back over making you gasp, startled by the sudden move, “You don’t want to be a thief do you?” You think he’s going to hit out with something cheesy like how you stole his heart of something, but when his hand grips the coat you’re wearing you understand what he means, “Bad enough you gave my money away but now you’re trying to steal a £500 coat?” 

Perplexed by both the price and the unexpected accusation, your mouth hangs open. No wonder the coat is so cosy and warm—it costs most of your month's paycheck. Exiting the car, you impishly mutter a 'fine' as you remove the jacket, placing it on the passenger seat before walking away, feeling considerably colder than before.

Just as you reach the vicinity of your house, Sunghoon calls out, "Sweets?" You spin around to see him jogging up behind you, holding your phone. Ah, you put it in his coat pocket after Minhee's call. Taking it from his grip, you thank him, only to be surprised again when he says, "You also forgot this." What else did you even have on your person to forget?

Sunghoon's mouth quickly meets yours for the nth time tonight. A kiss. You forgot to kiss him.

Sighing, you realize you have to put an end to it. Lingering out in the open so close to your home practically guarantees Minhee will see. "Hoonie."

"Shh," he hushes you, continuing the kiss, "I know, but let me have it since there won't be a next time." A fake sad look takes over his face, his hands running up and down your sides.

"Ugh fine, since you gave me my phone I suppose I could spare you some time."  Crossing your arms, you act irritated, while his 'sadness' transforms into a self-satisfied smile. That was the dynamic between you both, always giving what you got, and you wanted to explore it more, no matter how difficult it was.

“See you at the rink then, Sweets.” Messing up your hair he skips back to his car like a kid on Christmas. He was the cutest thing you’ve ever seen. 

Spending these past few hours with Sunghoon was like nothing you had ever experienced before. He knew how to wash all of your worries and woes away better than some people you’ve known for years. And when he kissed you it sent shooting stars through your body. If only 8-year-old you could see what had just happened, she would burst with excitement.

With a smile on your face, you rapidly run into your house and up the stairs, trying to be quiet but also too lost in the dizziness from Sunghoon’s kisses. As you reach the top of the stairs, Minhee opens his door and gives you a quizzical look. Oh no, he didn’t see, did he?

“Why do you look like you won the lottery?” Phew, he hadn’t.

“Just, excited about getting the award, that’s all.” It wasn’t totally a lie, he would see right through you if you started to babble out any other excuse so you had to stick to something believable. You are happy about the award, there isn’t a doubt about it, but Sunghoon reassuring you throughout the night made you stop and acknowledge how happy you really were to receive it. Your mum was the one that ruined it for you.

Minhee follows you when you walk into your room, “Y/N? You know I would be there if I could right?” Facing him, you see how sorry he looks about the situation, “I tried to phone the company to move the filming but they can’t.” Of course, he would try to move it for you, that was the kind of brother he was. 

A surge of guilt overcomes your body. Here he was trying to move his schedule around, a big important schedule might you add, and you were out there kissing the one boy you shouldn’t be. If Sunghoon wasn’t such a threat to Minhee, you think they could go back to being somewhat friends, but that’s never going to happen.

“It’s okay, Mini. I know you can’t just cancel it.” Your voice is reassuring but his features still hold hurt.

“It’s not okay, Y/N. You’re the most important thing to me in this world, I want to be there for your big moments like you’ve been there for mine.” You could cry. Minhee wasn’t the type to show his emotions so being on the receiving end of such words makes you tear up a little, “Hey, Bubs, don’t cry.”

He hasn’t called you Bubs in so long, the childhood nickname growing out as you both got older. There was a bond between you and your brother, other siblings used to say how envious they were.

“I don’t want to speak ill of our mum but she was a bitch tonight. I should have said something.”

Shaking your head, you wipe your tears and look down before speaking, “Mini, it wouldn’t have helped.” Your voice cracks and your throat closes a little, “She’s always like that anyway.”

“It doesn’t make it right.” He says disapprovingly. 

Minhee pulls you into a tight hug and you instantly relax. Your brain starts to overthink everything again. The lack of proudness from your mother, the kisses from Sunghoon, and the brotherly affection you’re currently receiving. Could you have it all? Getting to know Sunghoon tonight, you don’t think you can leave it where you did. There was something there between you both, you fit together like skates to ice.

“I am so proud of you, Bubs.” Minhee strokes the back of your head, “and I might not be able to go to your ceremony, but when I beat that prick and come first at Nationals? I’m dedicating that to you. I promise you that.”

That prick…Park Sunghoon.

You couldn’t have it all.

taglist: @heelee-01 @zerasari @beomgyusonlywife @iwaplant @monstanctiny21 @chiiiiiiiiis @minniejenseo @run2gyuz @jngwnlvs @haelahoops @capri-cuntz @nctislifue @jaehoonii @weyukinluv @skzenhalove @enhypenlovre @cherriruto @ariadores @chwesuh-imnida

[dilemmaontwolegs]

Not A Verstappen: Lights Out {3}

Pairing: Charles Leclerc x fem!driver!reader x Lando Norris Summary: You get a glimpse into the future with Charles and Lando as fathers. Warnings: 18+ only, nsfw, fluff WC: 1.5k F1 Masterlist NAV: Sibling Rivalry One || Two || Three NAV: Gridlocked One || Two || Three || Four || Five || Six || Seven || Eight || Nine NAV: A New World One || Two || Three || Four || Five || Six || Seven || Eight || Nine || Ten NAV: Lights Out One || Two || Three || Four

You collapsed breathless on top of Charles and let your eyes fall shut as the heat inside the SUV soared. Steam fogged the windows and the sounds of your boyfriends panting filled the small space. 

Lando hummed as he sat back on his knees and watched his release, and Charles’, leak out from you. “Missed this pretty mess you make when we fill you up.”

“Putain, oui,” Charles agreed with a deeply satisfied chuckle. “Feels amazing.”

They were absolutely right, it did feel amazing - especially when it had been almost a week since you last had sex. It was almost a record, and not one you wanted to break anytime soon.

“We should head back,” you said despite wanting to stay exactly as you were. “We should also buy something so it actually looks like we went out.”

“Pretty sure your mum knows how much you hate shopping, and do you really want to risk being spotted?”

Lando made a fair point and you climbed off Charles so you could pull your panties back up and push your dress back down. Max’s plane would be tracked to the local airport so soon everyone would know where you were hiding. You would rather savour the peace and quiet before the paparazzi started to haunt you.

Once you got to Austin there would be no place to hide.

Sitting in the backyard of the pub, you watched the sun set over the countryside backdrop with bittersweet happiness. Luka was squealing with joy as Charles tossed him high into the air and Lando was sprawled on the grass with Lio and Mila clambering over him. It was like a little glimpse into the future you would have all too soon, but it still didn’t feel real. 

“What are you doing, hiding in the corner?” Max took a seat beside you on the bench and scanned the groups that had broken off from the crowd. You could smell the gin in his drink and took a sip of your lemonade as you longed for your usual drink. It didn’t help Lando had ordered you Sprite No Sugar, you weren’t even allowed that anymore.

“Just thinking.”

“I tried that once, but it didn’t work out well for me,” he joked, nudging you with his shoulder when he didn’t get a response. “What are you thinking about?”

You sighed and shifted to face him. “Were you scared you were going to mess up Penelope?”

“No,” he scoffed. 

“Right, because you are good at everything,” you nodded solemnly. “Stupid question.”

“No, it’s because I’m not her father, and I’m not trying to be her father because she already has one. So it is not the same.” Max looked to where Lando and Charles had moved onto dancing with the kids. It probably wasn’t quite dancing, but they were all hugging each other and gently swaying to the music. “You three are going to be fine. You’ve got the responsible parent, the fun one and the worrier.”

“I don’t really want to know who you think is who,” you chuckled, feeling a little better. But another thought had plagued you and there was only one person you could admit it to without fear of judgement. “This is going to sound terrible, but I wish she was a boy.”

Max’s brows shot up his face. “Why?”

You toyed with the condensation running down your glass, drawing little pictures as you spoke. “What if she wants to race? It’s in her blood but this industry is tough on girls, Max. I don’t want her going through the same bullshit I had to.”

“You’re worrying about something that is at least 15 years away, zusje. A lot can change in that time. Plus, she will have you, her fathers and a scary uncle who have been there to make sure she gets treated right.”

You looked across at the young man struggling to understand the horse-riding terms Flo was talking about. “Arthur’s not that scary.”

You laughed at the indignant sound Max made. “Okay, you’re right, you’re right. I don’t need to worry about that now. I just need to get through the rest of the season watching someone else race my car.”

“Checo’s contract is up next year, maybe Red Bull will beg you to come back?”

Your laughter caught the attention of your boyfriends and they smiled at the sound before making their way over. “Yeah, that ain’t happening, they can beg all they want - I would rather be seatless.”

Max turned serious. “They saw your data, you know, when you used my sim. It was the best time anyone has pulled from the car. It was impressive as hell.”

“Well if you want personal driving lessons I am happy to assist. I’ll even give you a family discount.”

Max snickered in amusement as the seats opposite the bench were taken. “Now that you are once again unemployed.”

“Don’t let her mother hear you say that,” Lando warned, only half joking. “She’s not unemployed.”

“Yeah,” you placed a hand on your stomach. “I have the best job in the world now as a human incubator. Me and Vick can be ladies of leisure together.”

“She prefers the term influencer,” Max corrected sarcastically.

“What’s the difference?” Charles asked.

“There isn’t any. Now will you come and dance?”

You accepted Lando’s hand and followed him to the outdoor lights that had been turned on.

“Nutty!” Mila called as she ambled towards you with grabby hands. 

“So close, sweetie,” you laughed as you dropped Lando’s hand to pick her up. “Aunty. Aunt-tee.”

“Nutty is kind of accurate,” Max teased as he walked past to where Kelly was talking with Vicky. He did pause for a second as he watched you spin around with Mila and blow a raspberry onto her neck making the toddler giggle. “Zusje, you’re gonna be fine.” 

You looked up over the top of her curls that were only a few shades lighter than Lando’s and found sincerity in your brother's eyes. “Thanks, Max.”

A pair of arms encircled you and Charles’ chin came to rest on your shoulder. “My dance partner has been stolen.”

Lando spun past with Penelope in his arms and you kissed Charles’ cheek. “Mila, look at Dodo, he thinks he’s a better dancer than us.”

She narrowed her eyes at her uncle dancing with the four year old and her brows furrowed before she squirmed to be put down. “Oops, I think someone is a little jealous,” Charles chuckled, pulling you into his arms while you watched with amusement as she made Lando pick her up too. “Should we save him?”

“Nah, he’ll need to learn how to deal with two females soon enough.” You placed your head on Charles’ shoulder and followed his lead, swaying gently to the music that probably demanded more energy.

“You seem happier,” he commented softly.

“It’s amazing what a little sex in a secluded forest can do for the soul.”

Charles laughed and kissed your forehead, his smile etched on your skin. “Chérie, what we did could hardly be called ‘little’ but even afterwards you still weren’t…I don’t know what the word is…you seem more like yourself.”

You smiled a little as he stumbled over the words. “I’m getting there.”

“I know you will.” He gave up the pretence of dancing and just held you as Lando extracted himself from the girls and they ran off to their mothers before making his way to join you. “We will make sure of it.”

Lando’s warm body pressed against your back and his arms wrapped around you to hold Charles’ hips. “So I was thinking of names…Tulip.”

“Um, no.”

“Hear me out, it’s kind if Dutch and it’s a flower which is pretty cool-”

“Non, mon cher, keep thinking.”

“Daisy?”

You shook your head and he groaned as he was shut down again. “Daphne?”

It was your turn to groan. “No more Bridgerton for you.”

“Clover?”

You paused and his grin widened. “I’m not opposed to that one, but keep brainstorming.”

“How about Juniper?”

“Daddy, where does my name come from?” you asked in a higher pitched voice as you wrinkled your nose.”Well mummy drank lots and lots of Gin one night and that is how you were made.”

“Oh, right,” Lando laughed awkwardly. “I forgot it’s in Gin.”

“It is a good thing we have time,” Charles hummed, holding you both tighter. “There’s no rush finding the perfect name.”

Lando conceded for the moment and fell silent, and you felt content to stay cocooned until your stomach rumbled louder than the music. Your warmth disappeared as they stepped away laughing. “Come on, love. Dinner should be ready.”

Click here for the next part.

[futurecorps3]

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬

Masterlist<3

Summary: Sirius and reader plan a romantic dinner for a very tired Remus Pairing: Poly!wolfstar x reader Warnings: mentions of sex and that’s all, I think! It's fluff and post!war where absolutely nothing went wrong because Reggie was a spy for the Order just like in canon duh Word Count: 1.4K Requested: No

Sirius leaned against the kitchen counter, a playful twinkle in his eyes, and said, "You know, love, if our cooking skills don't impress Moony tonight, at least our charm will do the trick." Y/N laughed, adding a bit more salt to the pasta they had been working on for about an hour now.

"Bet your pretty smile and my dazzling gaze will be fit enough… I really hope he likes it though," she mumbled that last part, feeling a pair of arms round her from the back. "I'm sure he'll love it," Sirius whispered, kissing his girl's cheek and moving on to whisk the eggs for the brownies they were baking for dessert.

It was Remus' first year as a professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts. He had started the charge right after the war ended, and the trio had settled into a lovely flat on Eaton Square—a two-story building bought with Black family money. ("One thing my mum and dad will be good for!" Sirius had said back when he bought it.) They were slowly transforming it into a home. During the war, they realized they had the power to turn even a cavern into a warm place, as long as the three of them were together.

For the past week, Remus had come home absolutely drained. When he jumped into bed or the couch with them, he'd fall asleep right away and still wake up tired. Sirius and Y/N were aware that he was struggling to adapt to new routines; going from spending all his time with the people he almost lost to teaching six classes a day with minimal breaks was becoming challenging for him.

He'd adjust eventually and would be back to his old self, but for now, their boy was tired, and all they wanted was to treat him with every ounce of love and care he deserved. So, when Remus told them that he'd be coming home earlier that Friday, they decided to go all out with a romantic home-cooked dinner.

"Can you try this? I-I think it's a bit insipid," she said, stirring the cream-based sauce that was ready to serve, pouring a bit onto the back of her hand for Sirius to lick. His tongue gathered the liquid, and his eyes opened in shock. "That's amazing! D-don't change anything; it's perfect, baby," he smiled, grabbing the spoon from his girlfriend and taking more of it into his mouth, directly from the spoon to then place it back inside the boiling pot.

He either didn't mind or didn't think about it; knowing him, it was probably the latter. "Sirius, no!" she half-scolded while laughing, slapping his shoulder playfully. "Wouldn't be the first time my saliva is in either yours or Moony's mou- oi!" he snickered as the girl assaulted him again, all tiny hands against his broad figure. "You're disgusting," Y/N smiled, walking over to the dining table where a white tablecloth was set.

While the noodles cooked and her boyfriend danced to Queen while baking their last course planned for the night, she set the table. Y/N knew her boys to perfection, and Remus had always appreciated neat and aesthetically pleasing settings for their dates, and while this was not exactly one, she wanted it all to be perfect. Before coming home from a job interview that day, she stopped by and bought some candles and a nice bottle of wine; red. He loved red wine.

As she picked the bottle, she wondered how many bottles they'd collect as time passed and their flat became truly theirs. She smiled.

"Love, the water's doing it again…" she heard Sirius warn in a quiet panic and almost giggled. "Just stir them for a bit and turn off the stove; they're almost done," the girl reassured as she placed the brand-new silverware Regulus and James had gotten them when they first moved in neatly over the tablecloth, right next to the plates and careful that no wax could reach them when the candles eventually melted.

When all places were set and ready to be occupied—a bouquet of red roses and baby's breath in Remus', courtesy of their boyfriend—she returned to the kitchen. Her pasta was done, and brownies were in the oven. She found Sirius cleaning his rings, which he hadn't bothered to take off and were now covered in flour, delicate fingers gently scrubbing off the white powder.

Y/N took in the sight of him. He was going on about something that happened to him on the way home, about how he fought a lady for Moony's bouquet or something. She really didn't care when he looked like that. His long, black hair was tied in a messy bun with his wand, with a few strands falling out, a Rolling Stones t-shirt he turned into a crop top let a glimpse of his v-line show, as if it was purposely teasing his girlfriend, jeans hanging low and covered in flour.

Fuck. She scored. "… and so I told he- what are you doing?" he questioned when approached. Y/N stepped between the sink and his body, looking up at him while biting her lip. He felt her fingers hook on the empty belt loops of his pants, making him press flush against her body. "You're too pretty for this world; did you know that? Who gave you permission, Sirius? Do you think it's okay to be this perfect and just… exist like you're not this gorgeous?" she asked in all seriousness, making him blush and snicker at her flirting.

They were always like that with each other. Always flirting. Always trying to make each other blush. That, until Remus stepped in and made them both blush, fluster, and giggle like twelve-year-olds who just pecked someone else's lips for the first time.

"Careful. My brownies are still in the oven, and Moony won't take long in getting home," he warned, his eyes darkening a bit. "And?" she teased, scratching the bit of stomach exposed he displayed. "And if I bend you over-the-counter right now, dessert will be ruined, Remus will get too distracted in punishing us, and dinner will never happen. Just be patient," he groaned, stroking her face and kissing the corner of her lips, turning to clean his hands once again.

She ran her hands through his chest and screamed into his back in frustration, making his chest bubble with laughter. Right after, keys jingled in the front door, and they were both quickly at the door, smiling at each other like they held some secret intel Remus could never know about, and in some sense, they did.

Their boyfriend walked through the door, looking at them like they had grown two heads as he discarded his coat and boots by the door. "Well, hello," he smirked, walking over them and kissing their lips gently. "Are you baking something? I thought we'd do that on Saturday when Harry came over," he asked, trying to peek over their heads before Y/N pulled his head down with both her hands on his cheeks.

"We've got a surprise. Go change into something more comfortable and meet us in the dining hall." She smiled. "Dining hall?" Remus laughed, shaking his head as he felt electricity running through him with the information. Sirius remained serious as he nodded at their girlfriend's statement. "Yes, the dining hall, dear. Now go, c'mon," he encouraged, patting his shoulders as he walked away.

They used the time he took in putting some joggers and a shirt on to serve the pasta and place it on the table. Pads took care of the wine and looked up giddily at their boy paddling through the floor in disbelief. "Come sit." Y/N smiled gently, having changed the record to The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars; Remus' favorite. "Oh, I absolutely despise you both," he said, running a scarred hand through his curls as he approached the table with a soft smile playing on his lips.

Remus eyed the food, the table, and the soft music playing in the background, somehow managing to keep it together. Until he saw the flowers. He picked them up and looked at his partners with utter adoration in his eyes. "Fuck you," he laughed as tears prickled his eyes, making his boyfriend and girlfriend walk over to him to engulf him in a tight hug.

He felt safe and protected, even when he was very clearly towering over both of them. "We know you've been having a hard time coping with change, so we wanted to do something special for you," Y/N mumbled against his chest, stroking his back comfortingly. "The things I cooked might be shit… know I made them with a lot of love though," Sirius joked, kissing Remus' cheeks, which left a salty taste in his mouth. Moony laughed airily.

Surrounded by the warmth of his partners, Remus felt a surge of emotion. It wasn't just relief; it was a profound sense of belonging. Y/N's lips pressed against his cheek, leaving a lingering warmth, while Sirius's hand ruffled his hair in a gesture that felt both affectionate and familiar. "Come on, or it'll get cold."

They sat at the table, humming to the tunes playing in the background as they rambled about their day, sharing minutes of comfortable silence accompanied by loving glances out of nowhere. After the war ended, this is what they longed for. The trio would never forget how they fantasized about simpler times while laying on icy surfaces or in the woods, praying to whoever was willing to listen for a crumb of grace and a bit of luck to find solace after all that was done with.

As their eyes locked, there was an unspoken promise of enjoying the one thing they dreamed of a few years ago lingering in the air. They were giving themselves and each other a gentler life, a kinder environment, and a safe haven they could always go to. A safe haven with great pasta.

"Shit, dove… this is amazing! Where's the recipe from?" Remus exclaimed, resisting the urge to lick the plate and limiting himself to only gathering the leftover sauce with his fork like a civilized person. "I called Effie.” "Bless her soul," Sirius groaned in a solemn tone, licking the plate. Moony chuckled and drank the last bit of his wine as Y/N playfully scolded him. How he loved them, he thought.

Y/N slipped off her shoes and started prancing around to the music with a glass of wine on her way to serve dessert, a pair of warm smiles beaming at her going unnoticed as she was too lost in the beats. She paid attention to the plating, so she grabbed the small plates they had with tiny flowers on them and sprinkled some powdered sugar on top of the brownies her boyfriend baked.

"Here you go." She smiled, kissing both Sirius' and Remus' cheeks as she put the plates in front of them after putting hers on the place, sitting back down the next second. They bit into the pastry at the same time Padfoot waited for their verdict. "So? How'd I do?" He asks, in a concerned state his partners found hilarious, seeing how seriously he was taking the whole situation.

Y/N's expression turned into a disgusted frown as she chewed but quickly replaced it with a smile, making the change obvious to Sirius. "What was that!?" the black-haired boy said with wide eyes, taking a bite off the dessert himself and frowning when he actually found it good. "Come on love, it can't be that bad," Remus said, biting into his piece and closing his eyes in disgust in a very exaggerated manner.

"The-they're good, baby." She smiles, leaving the large piece untouched in her plate as she looked at him with sympathetic eyes. "I tried them; I did a bloody great job, so don't co-". His partners erupted in laughter. Moony almost cried, and Y/N's tummy hurt as Sirius shook his head with an upset pout.

"You're so mean. I hate you both. I'll never bake for you again!" "No, love, come on! We're sorry I-I just saw where Y/N was going and played along," Remus laughed, reaching over to engulf him in a hug, but his boyfriend pulled away, back facing his smiling face. He couldn't avoid the love for too long, cornered between his girlfriend who also reached out to embrace him.

"They're really good, Sirius! Come here; I-I'm sorry." "Why do you keep laughing!?" He whined with a little smirk playing at his lips he tried hard to contain when he found himself sandwiched between his loves. "No, ge-get off!" he playfully fought in-between giggles, trying to squirm out of Moony's arms, failing miserably. Y/N jumped over to them and kissed Sirius' face repeatedly.

"I-I'm leaving this house! Stop, Y/N, there's no changing my mind." He laughed. "We won't let you go; hate to break it to ya'." "Yup, I'm kissing you until you forgive us." They collapsed in giggles with sore bellies, letting go and going back to their spots to finish their desserts. "You did a splendid job, darling." Remus smiles, biting happily into his brownie. "Yes, they're amazing." Y/N assured and presses one last kiss to Sirius' cheek.

After several stories, laughs, warm smiles, and kisses were shared, they all decided to call it a night. Y/N grabbed one of Padfoot's shirts and a pair of Moony's socks, throwing them on before brushing her teeth and washing her face as her boyfriends got ready as well.

They jumped into the two queen beds they had joined and covered only with a soft silk sheet Sirius had insisted on getting since it was spring; They liked to cuddle, and if for some reason they covered more, they'd be kicking away in their sleep so they could be fresher.

Usually, Y/N would sleep between them, but today Remus took her spot and they were all comfortable with that. He wrapped his arms around his partners and kissed both of their heads, feeling exhaustion wash over him as their limbs pressed against all of his body; engulfed by love and warmth he craved his whole life before they came into the picture. "Thank you," he sighed, "for everything."

"Anything for our Moony," was heard in a soft whisper in the dark room, and with that, they drifted off to sleep.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

Marauders taglist (DM or answer to be added): @kquil

Oh I had so much fun writing this one!!! Hope you lovelies like<3 SIDE NOTE I JUST REALIZED I SAID NO WARNINGS BUT I LITERALLY HAVE A LINE WHERE SIRIUS MENTIONS BENDING R OVER THE COUNTER HELP 💀

Remember, the best way to support writer’s works on here is by REBLOGGING WITH TAGS. I’d very much appreciate it if you did!

Thanks again, stranger. Hope you have a nice day<3

NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO REPOST AS THEIR OWN/TRANSLATE/OR COPY MY WORK IN ANY PLATFORM OR SPACE WITHOUT MY EXPLICIT CONSENT.

[peachesofteal]

ON GOD THE NEW ADDITION?!?!?!! SIMON, JOHNNY YALL BETTER GO SAVE YALLS GIRL! DRAG PRICE WITH YOU AND SEND GAZ AWAY WITH BEE FOR SAFETY. I CAN'T. OH MAN THEY'LL GOO ABSOLUTELY BONKERS TRYING TO GET TO DARLING! PRICE HAS NEVER SEEN SUCH BLOODLUST IN THEIR EYES BEFORE. MAAAAAAAAAN. GET THE BAD GUYS BOOOOYS. NSJANWNAJJKSNDN BLESS YOUR BEAUTIFUL BIG BRAIN

OKAY OKAY but switch Gaz and Price. Takes place after this.

18+ / Disco baby AU / Mature themes including violence, blood, injury, aftermath of torture. Angst.

“We’ll see you soon baby girl.” Simon cuddles Bee close before depositing her into Price’s waiting arms with one last mournful look.

Johnny stands at his shoulder, leaning forward to brush his lips across her forehead. He closes his eyes, breathing in the smell of the baby shampoo, stroking his finger across the soft skin of her fist.

“We’re gonna go get your mum, Bee.” Anxiety burns a pit in his stomach, and he pats her cheek softly. She’s sleepy, and he hopes that Price will be able to get her back to bed after they leave.

“Remember.” Price warns, for the third time. He holds the baby against his chest, protectively cradling her head while she snuggles down into the crook of his arm. “You’re not there. Make it quick, and clean.” He claps Gaz on the shoulder gruffly, and levels him with a look.

“I’ll keep an eye on ‘em.” The younger man promises, and Johnny bites back a scoff. Gaz isn’t lying, per se, but the three of them know why it’s him going, and not their captain.

They’re going to slaughter everyone in their path. Johnny is going to paint the walls red with the blood of anyone who’s laid a finger on you. He’s going to do everything they can to get you home, get you to safety.

He's not going to live in this nightmare, this worst case scenario. He's not going to lose you, again.

“Johnny.” Simon murmurs, and he pivots to look at his partner, reading Simon’s face, dark eyes boring into his above the skull balaclava.

It’s the first time Simon has been away from Bee since she appeared in their lives.

It’s the first time his hands will be violent, become weapons, since holding their daughter.

“Ye alright?” He asks softly. Simon nods. His knuckles are tight against the backpack, and Johnny swallows the lump in his throat. “She’s going to be okay.” He’s not sure if he’s talking about you, or Bee. He tries to reassure him, but the words barely trickle out. He can’t even think about it… about you. Sitting in a dark room somewhere, hurt. In pain. Terrified.

He nods.

“She has to be.”

The halls are silent, save for some occasional groans. The sounds of men crying, in pain.

Simon cares for none of them. He's not a solider anymore, but you never unlearn the pattern of violence, the dance of a kill.

And, he would kill them all again without batting an eye, shove his knife into the soft of their bellies over and over to get to you, to find you. To protect you. To protect Bee.

His fingers trace over the top of the tac vest, feeling for the edge of the photograph he brought, a picture of Bee at the park from three weeks ago, the one that was hanging on the fridge.

It comforts him. It grounds him. It reminds him, that’s there more. There’s more than the blood. The violence. The killing. There’s a little girl, at home. Waiting for her dads. Waiting for her mum.

He stares at the photograph for too long, seeking out the patterns that remind him of you, the pieces of his baby that are so like her mother.

He stares, and he stares, and he remembers to breathe. Remembers to move. Remembers where he is. Remembers enough, that he jerks forward when he hears Johnny shout something at him from where he's crouched, his hands pressed to your wounds, passing things back and forth with Gaz as they work on you. On stabilizing you.

On saving you.

“Simon.” Johnny snaps, jolting him from his stupor. "Help me with this." He directs, motioning to the gaping hole that's been torn open in your thigh, the one that bleeds freely.

When he packs a pad of gauze into it, you snap to consciousness with a broken moan.

“Hey, hey darling.” Johnny stammers, and his hands shake as he cradles your face. It’s swollen, and bruised, and your lips are dotted with blood. Your body is a crumpled mess of abuse and torture, physical evidence of their failures, the proof of your punishment for just knowing them. For once loving them. For giving them a child.

You take a long, deep breath. It's a struggle.

"You're he- here."

“Aye, we're here, we're here, love. We've got you.” Johnny chokes. You moan when he touches your neck, the sound hoarse and empty, and Simon wants to scream. He wants to tear through the bodies of of the people in the hall, wants to kill them all over again. Johnny says your name, twice, clear and loudly… and your lashes flutter.

“Keep your eyes open.” Simon demands roughly.

“Bee?” You croak, blinking up at him and he nods, fingers finding the edge of that same photograph, pulling it free.

“She’s safe. She’s at home, waiting for us. All of us.” He turns it towards you, and you squint to focus. The shadow of a smile curves across your face.

"We have to move her." Gaz instructs. He's calm. Clear headed. Simon's never been more grateful.

“We’re gonna get you home, darling.” Johnny promises, grabbing something from Gaz’s hand and pressing it to one of the wounds in your side. It's a bad sign, that you're not crying out in pain over all this. That you don't seem to be feeling it at all. “Stay with us.”

“‘kay.” You whisper, but it’s featherlight, papery thin and Simon swallows through the nausea that’s rising in his throat. You fall into uneasy silence for a second, and then-

"I want- wanted to s-see her, one last time." Your face is wet now, but it's not from blood.

"You will." Johnny shouts and Simon shoves the photo into your hand.

Your ribs stutter. Your lungs are fighting for every draw, and losing.

"You will, you will we promise. She's at home, waiting for you, darling." Simon tries to assure you, and he rests a hand against your forehead gently.

Your fingertip strokes a streak of red across the picture of your baby, dabbing onto her cheek before you look back up at Simon and Johnny with tears in your eyes. You battle yourself to take a deep breath, and then you whisper something they can barely hear as your eyes slip closed.

"Thank you... for bringing the picture."

[bangchansgirlsblog]

another random idea.. Fem 9th member maknae reader who secretly smokes and gets caught by one of the boys who later snitches and tells chan. Reader and Chan fall out and she storms out of the dorms and ends up staying in her apartment instead to let off some steam. She realised how bad the smoking was for her health and how much it impacted her social life so she first to JYP and they send her to rehab + puts her on hiatus for two months because of rehab. Chan thinks it’s his fault for the hiatus as none of the members were told that she was going to rehab. They later find out and when Reader returns back from rehab/hiatus they all tell her how proud they are of her?

(sorry for the LONGGGG paragraph, i didn’t intend for it to be this long🧍‍♀️)

My biggest problem.

Okay maybe I got carried away a little and changed it a little but yeah forgive me 😜

Enjoy

-🩷

**

Y/n started smoking when she was 15.

She didn't know that she was eventually going to be a trainee the year after.

It was never part of her plan but when they scouted her when she was at the mall with her mum, it was a new chapter in her story and her mum begged for her to try it out. As her training days began and she tried to quit she found that she couldn’t go a day without smoking.

She was already addicted to it.

Her habit became stronger and stronger as the days got harder.

6 hours dance practice, 4 hours vocal and 2 hours media training. She found her self sneaking out for smokes during short breaks or before leaving the dorms for any type of schedule.

It sucked that she couldn't get out of it and it was affecting her.

At this point she didn’t even want to stop because if she did her body would fail.

**

1:45 pm, New York City.

"Alright people let's get started shall we?" The instructor walked onto the stage and stood at the edge waiting for everyone to get in place.

Y/n put her water bottle down and walked over to the group to get into her place so they could start practicing for the show that would happen the next day.

"Y/n and I.N I want more energy from the both of you please," Chan told the two maknae's. He was stood in the back analyzing everything to make sure it was on point.

The two nodded and stood ready to start. The sound of Charmer filled the whole stadium and their bodies started to move with the music. Their vocals being on point and their dancing being better than the last.

"What do you think?" The manager asked Chan. He was now stood down off stage looking at a different point of you. The rest of the band gasping for air.

"It was okay, I liked it but the lighting crew need to do better because I can barely see Felix in the back." He pointed and waved as he spoke. Trying to show the manager what he was imagining.

Y/n saw this as an opportunity to slip away for a bit for a short smoke break. She needed it. Her hands were shaking and her body couldn't really function due to the fuck she was going through withdrawals.

"Chan, may I use the washroom?" Her voice was timid but Chan was used to it and was able to hear her over his earpeaces.

"Yeah you can, five minutes yeah?" He replied. "Do you need one of the boys to come with you-"

"No no no it's fine," she replied fast, way to fast for Chan's liking.

"Okay," he squinted his eyes in suspicion but let it go.

She grabbed her bag and made her way through the different hallway. Making sure no one was in sight, she slipped through the backdoor to the back way alley.

It was quiet. No one was there and she was glad. She let go of the sign that lingered in her chest and pulled out the pack of cigs that laid neatly in her small pouch.

Her hands shook as she grabbed one cigarette and put it between her lips where she lit it and took a big puff.

Her body relaxed as the smoke filled her lungs. Her brain that was going hellfire was now calm and relaxed as well.

She thought she was safe when she reached for the second one. None of the boys had called her phone and it had been about 5 minutes.

"Just one more," she thought to herself.

"Y/n?" a voice called right by her ear causing her to jump and drop the pack of cigs.

"What are you doing?" She turned to look at Hyunjin who was visibly angry.

His eyebrows were furrowed and his lips were sealed tightly together.

"Hyunjin what are you doing here?" She asked as she got on her knees trying to collect the cigarettes that were now scattered all over.

"What do you mean what are you doing here? What are YOU doing here Y/n? And why are you smoking? Have you gone mad? Does Chan know about this?" He questioned standing there in shock.

"No,no Chan doesn't know about this and you're not telling him," Y/n hushed him trying to stop him from shouting and yelling.

"I think you've actually gone insane! Ofcourse I'm telling Chan,” he grabbed the cigarettes from Y/n's hand and threw them back to the ground where he stomped all over them.

"Inside. Now." He said through gritted teeth. Y/n was scared, it was visible. She grabbed her back and slowly made her way inside the venue. Her lips quivered.

"Hyunjin please don't tell Chan, please I'll do anything," she begged.

"I have to Y/n. I'm so disappointed in you. We trusted you and you do this?" His eyes couldn't meet hers. His body was tense as they walked backstage to the rooms in the back. The hallways gettin busier each second. The employees questioning why she was crying.

"Are you okay-"

"Yes she is please go along with your work," Hyunjin snapped at one of the ladies. Y/n looked up at him frightened because he was always nice to people, he never once raised his voice at an employee.

When they arrived in the room. The boys were sat on the couches or having lunch. Chan was texting on his phone when he looked up.

"Y/n? Why did you bathroom break take so long?" He laughed and looked at Hyunjin who wasn't smiling.

"I caught her smoking Chan, she reeks of cigarettes" her head fell and she looked at her new trainers that one of the companies had sent her for promotion. It looked so intriguing all of a sudden.

"You caught her what? Hyunjin your joking," Chan laughed, "please tell me your joking," he paused and looked at the serious Hyunjin.

"Tell him, tell him now." He slightly pushed her in front of him so they could be face to face.

"I-I can explain Chan,"

"No way Y/n please tell me you're joking," his voice became harsh. The boys all turned to Y/n. They were all shocked at this because she was the last person to ever do such a thing.

"What the fuck?" Changbin's voice sounded. "You've been smoking?"

"Only a little," her voice was small. Timid almost.

"Don't lie, please don't fucking lie right now Y/n." Chan says walking closer to the younger.

"Sit down, now." Leeknow says standing up and dropping his chopsticks.

"Your only 19, I get your all 'grown' BUT your still so young. You're an idol. An idol!" Chan's hand smashes against the table making her jump in her sit.

"Okay then if you think I'm an adult I should be able to smoke or drink or-"

"Are you out of your mind momo?" He snapped back at her, "Do you know what it does to you?"

"But Chan-"

"Quit Or I'll make you quit," was all Chan said before he stormed out the room leaving her with the boys who looked very disappointed.

"I get it, you don't have to look at me like I'm some monster," she wiped her tears with her sleeve to clean the tears that run down her cheeks.

"I just don't have words for you right now, your irresponsible, selfish and careless," Leeknow's words were harsh. So harsh that even Hyunjin cringed and felt bad.

"Then kick me out the band if it's such a big deal," was all she said before she got up and run out the room down the hallway past Chan who was standing by the doors while a manger tried to calm him down and out the stadium. It was cold and she had left all her stuff inside so she was forced to run down the busy streets of New York, freezing.

Chan following after her trying to figure out what was going on.

Her body was shaking from all the tears she cried.

But she continued to run.

She was able to disappear from Chan’s sight. Now Chan was really angry and worried. He'd lost his youngest in the busy streets of New York. She was new to the city and she was an idol. Anything could go wrong. Anything could go extremely wrong.

His heart was beating out of his chest. He grabbed his phone out of his picked rushing to call his manager then leeknow and the boys.

He found himself back in the changing rooms surrounded by everyone. Trying to calm him down.

"I'll go back to the hotel just in case she's back there," Felix assured Chan while he packed up his stuff.

"I'll come with you Lix," Hyunjin grabbed his bag aswell making sure to grab her stuff from the ground. He opened to make sure all her stuff was inside but the site wasn't pretty at all.

Underneath everything he saw 4 more packs of cigarettes causing him to gasp horrendously.

"What? What is it?" Bangchan's neck snapped to his direction. Hyunjin had no words so he just passed the bag to Chan who was now terrified.

"Is she addicted?" Was all he asked before handing the bag to leeknow who was curious aswell.

Chan's hands run through his hair as he was thinking of all the possible ways he could find her in the whole of New York City. He felt guilt. He felt like if he had maybe approached this in a nicer way they could have worked through it but now his anger was just blinding him.

"Okay, police were informed and we're about to go driving around to see if we can somehow spot her," their manager tells them (he was also panicking low key but he didn’t want them knowing) , "do you guys want to join?"

"I'll come with you," Leeknow says quickly.

His hands were shaking and he felt so much guilt aswell. If anything happened to Y/n it would be all his fault and he wouldn't forgive himself.

"Same Hyung," Han jumps in.

They all grabbed their bags and the three (Han, Leeknow and Chan) quickly rushed out right behind their manager.

The rest of the boys cleaned up and quickly left to go to the hotel hoping to find her there safe and sound.

It took 5 hours. 5 hours before Felix had decided to go to the cafe by the hotel to grab drinks for everyone and he had found her sat in a coffee shop, she was shivering and cold but Felix didn’t care because he was angry and Felix was never angry. Without hesitation, Felix dragged her out and back to the hotel even if she was kicking and screaming. He didn’t care. At all. He ignored her pleas and cries.

The lecture she got from Chan and all of them was hot and mean and ruthless but at the end of the day they gave her a choice to either quit or go to rehab but she chose to quit. She “promised” them.

After an hour of grilling her for answers she finally had admitted to everything that was going on and how she felt and how she was battling her own self.

Chan was beating himself up for not noticing and Leeknow was beating himself up for not being there for her.

She was so vulnerable. They all knew her secrets and her problems. She felt like a show everyone was just watching and waiting to break.

**

6:20, Japan

The first time the boys had noticed her odd behavior was starting up again, was when they had a sign meet and a concert right after. She hadn’t been able to go for a smoke in hours, her body was now trembling and she was sweating a lot. She could barely get through anything and nausea started to grow string in the pit of her stomach.

“Hey, you okay? You kinda look pale love,” Han was sat next to her getting his makeup done and so was she. He had notice she was fidgeting a lot in the chair. Her eyes were red too.

“Yeah just really tired,” she lied and gulped down thick saliva trying to get rid of the nausea but it completely failed.

“I think I’m going to be sick-“ she got up from the chair and run through the corridors to find the bathroom and once she did she through up, but it was good it was just mucus. Her head was thumping and her throat ached.

A hurried knock made her stand up and flush before she opened the door and collapsed in Han’s hands. He was worried for his younger and now he had to curry her to the rooms.

“Hey, stay with me okay? Don’t close your eyes,” he softly said while he blew air into her face to keep her cool.

When he had walked in and found leeknow sat on their changing room couch he let out a sigh of relief.

“Leeknow help me please! It’s Y/n,” he said panicked. Without hesitation leeknow stood up quickly and took her from Hans hands and put her on the couch to lay down.

Han had run down the corridor to get medics as leeknow woke her up from her faint state.

“Momo? Can you hear me? It’s leeknow,” a soft groan left her lips.

“Would you like some water?” She nodded her head and leeknow was on it. He got on one knee and started to feed her small sips of water.

“Tell me what hurts,” he softly said and played with her hair to calm her down.

“Everything,” she softly said and it aches Leeknow’s hurt.

Y/n knew the only way for her to get out of this state was to smoke but how?

“Leeknow, I- I need to use the bathroom,” she groaned and held her hand against her head.

“If you need to puke i’ll get you a bucket love,” he assured her. He didn’t want her waking and being left alone right now. He wouldn’t allow it.

“I need to pee,”

“Okay can you wait until the medics are here?” And right on cue the door opens and a frantic Han walks into the room with a few people behind him. Then Chan and Hyunjin walked in right behind.

“What happened Y/n?” Chan asked straight away and knelt beside her while he rubbed her hands.

“I don’t know Oppa, I was just not feeling the best,”

“You should have told me my love,” he softly said as he watched the medical team examine her.

“I thought it wasn’t this bad,”

“Now you see what it has done,” Hyunjin joint the conversation. “Look how tired you look, have you eaten anything all day?” He asked her.

“I had the lunch Changbin braught me,”

“So if we called Changbin right now he would agree?” Hyunjin furrowed his eyebrows and crossed his arms. Disappointed.

“No-“

“How bad is it?” Chan asked the man in uniform.

“Not bad, she’s just really dehydrated. We’ll fix an IV on her arm and she’ll be good to go, also may I speak to you outside in the corridor,” Leeknow looks at Chan worried and they exchanged the same expression before Chan head out with the guy.

“I need to pee really bad,” Y/n whines and complains.

“Okay you can go, I’ll come with you,” the lady medic says and slowly guides her to the bathroom. Y/n grabs her lighter and cig and started to smoke it. The feelings make her body slowly awaken and then gain energy. She smoked one more just incase and then washed her hands and made her way back to the last medic.

She was able to walk on her own but just to make it not look suspicious she held onto her and then finally she sat on the couch and got the iv in her arm.

Chan was back in the room and he was examining her. Trying to look for something and once it caught his eye he looked over at the rest of the boys nodding and they all just stare at eachother.

They knew. They knew she was smoking again and it hurt Chan for what was about to come was not going to be pretty.

**

10:55, south Korea

The paparazzi lights started to increase when She stood up in the podium. Her eyes were red and she had eyebags from the lack of sleep she was getting.

Her hands shook as she grabbed the microphone. The boys stood right behind her. Their head looking at the ground trying to avoid her shaking body.

"Goodmorning, my name is Y/n Y/l/n and I'm a member of strays kids. I didn't want this to happen. Trust me I didn't,"

She took a deep breath looking at the manager that were sat in the front raw. Judging her and giving her a disgusted look.

A sob Left her mouth and she put the microphone down. Trying to get herself together before she spoke again.

"To all the stays out there, I want to say I love you and I hope you guys can forgive me for this. I will be going on haitus for a while," the room is filled with gasps as the flashlights now increase even more.

"I pray that if I do come back I will be better and stronger for you guys and that I will make my group and team proud. Thank you for loving me and i hope to see you guys soon," she bowed before taking a step back and wiping her tears.

The boys all stood around her to hide her body from the camera. Han rubbing her back and whispering something in her ear.

She didn't care though, she was upset. She was so upset with herself but she still managed to blame the boys. Her reasoning? Because she felt like they were giving her up and sending her away.

**

"Alright, are you all packed?" Their manager stood outside her room.

"Yeah" she softly said rolling her bag out and handing it to the older man.

"Alright the boys are down stairs if you want to say bye, I'll be waiting in the car," he nodded and left her to close her room and head down the steps to her band mates.

They all looked upset, there was no lie there. There were all stood by the door giving her a sympathetic smile.

"I'm going to miss you," Chan steps up and pulls her into a hug. She didn't want it though. She shrugged it off and stood there looking at him with teary eyes.

"Chan please don't do this,"

"You know I want was best for you-"

"But Chan I'll change I promise just give me a chance,"

His eyes were soft and filled with tears. Guilt was eating him up. He so badly wanted not to send her away but he didn't have a choice.

"I'm sorry," the sound of a honk interrupts them and she knew it was time for her to go.

“I hate you,” she sobbed. That was the last thing she said to him and without looking back she left the dorms. Hoping that somehow she would make it out alive.

Breaking news, strays kids maknae Y/N Y/N/L and group manager in have been left in critical condition after a fatal car crash. Was it a set up?

**

I’m not doing a part two🙈

[daisyblog]

YN in This Is Us

Our Story Masterlist Summary: YN is Louis's sister and Harry's girlfriend, and appears in clips in One Direction: This Is Us. Warning: mild swearing

***

“Whether we're together or apart, we can both remove the masks and admit we regret it from the start” Louis and Niall both sing behind YN as they all walk through the backstage area.

YN continues walking beside Louis as they both head towards the stage area, Liam and Niall are a few steps in front of them talking about how good they're feeling now they’re standing in the 02 Arena. As YN walks between Louis and Helene, Louis swings his arm around his sisters shoulder as they continue to walk towards the stage. --- The next scene shows Harry in his white t-shirt and black shorts kicking a football to Louis, whilst Paul explains that it’s their first day of rehearsals and in the background, YN is sat with Niall and Louis's friend Oli watching her brother and boyfriend. Louis kicks the ball so hard that it flies between Paul and Will and almost hits them. “Heads Will”, Louis shouts as a warning. In the background of the scene, YN's voice can be heard “Lou..be careful will ya”, and the camera shows Harry chuckling at Louis's antics.

--- Louis is sitting on top of one of the tour black boxes in the hallway “I was never really a fan of boybands before One Direction..like I remember me sister YN always listening to some boy group..and it just wasn’t for me you know”. --- The boys are in the open space attempting to practice their choreography. Harry is skipping around topless displaying his tattoos and swinging his white t-shirt in the air, whilst Paul is trying to give them instructions. YN can be seen standing with Louis and Liam with her pinched fingers in front of her leaning forwards and back and laughing at each other and their ridiculous attempt at a dance move. In the corner of the screen, Harry is caught staring at YN with a slight smirk on his face…”YN you’re supposed to be helping me with these lot…not joining in” Paul playfully scolded. --- “I don’t know if any of you hav’ seen my first audition..but it was horrendous..I hope it doesn’t make any part of this movie” Louis states and the clip of Louis auditioning on The X Factor is shown. A clip from The X Factor is shown where Simon is telling the boys on the show who the final contents are and who is going through to the show. “I can see me mum and YN” Louis explains whilst waving his hand under his chin “and they're going yeah yeah yeah…and I'm like no..this clearly means no” Louis continues his hand movement. --- The boys were at New York City's Madison Square Garden getting ready to perform for the sold-out show. The boys were messing around on the stage, Louis and Liam were doing a dance together and the others running from one part to the other, whilst practising Last First Kiss.

Niall and Harry’s Mum’s were sitting in the back of a horse cart having a tour of the city, explaining how emotional they were about seeing their babies perform at Madison Square Garden in a few hours. Meanwhile, Niall is pushing Harry around the hallway in a large blue bin, and YN can be seen walking down the hallways with Liam after going to find him for Lou to style his hair. YN stops by the doorway that Niall is about to push the bin through..”What are you doin’?” YN asks the pair whilst giggling, Niall continues to chuckle and Harry begins to sing “I’m in the mood for dancing, romancing” the two bodyguards shake their head at the scene in front of them. --- “Even if one member of your family is in the audience..it adds to the nerves” Louis begins to explain whilst sitting in the chair beside Liam “All me family are gonna be ‘ere and I’m just nervous..you know” Liam adds to Louis's statement “For all our families to be together in this place and being here is..like amazing”. --- Jay was writing on the red telephone box “my baby first born Louis xx” as YN stood beside her in the merch shop. YN stood by the merch counter with her Mum and Karen, Liam’s Mum, whilst they explained to the girls behind that they wanted to buy a cardboard stand-up of their boys so that they can take it home and say goodnight to it when the boys are on tour. “Can I have a Louis one?” Johannah asked “YN..are you goin’ to get a Harry one?” Her Mum teased, as she and Karen laughed at YN's playful glare. Karen begins to get upset when talking about how she knew Liam would be big but never that big and how she misses him when he’s on tour. YN puts her arm around her to comfort her and says “Aww..Karen don’t cry”. --- “With The X Factor…Harry went to an audition..and never came home again” Robin, Harry’s Stepfather explained “You weren’t ready for that..were you?” he turned to ask Anne. “No..as a mother I should be taking him places..and showing him things and.. it..turned around for him to bring us here..it takes a bit of getting used to..it feels quite surreal” Anne spoke softly. Anne is then seen walking down the hallways of the venue and immediately pulls Harry into a big hug “I’ve missed you” she says into his hair and YN is seen just behind them smiling at the loving moment between Harry and his Mum. Anne then greets YN with a hug and kiss on the cheek “How are you my love?”.

--- Louis is sitting in the chair in front of YN reading the playlist for tonight’s show, whilst she blow-drys his hair “Are you stayin’ backstage or sitting with Mum tonight?” he asks his sister. “I’m goin’ to sit with Mum and Anne” YN replied whilst using the brush to move his hair. “Look at you..hangin’ with the in-laws” Louis teased YN to which she pushed his shoulder playful, trying to mask the blush on her cheeks. --- Before YN heads up to her seat with her family and the boy's families, the crew members and families are seen giving the boys words of encouragement and hugs. YN hugged and wished Zayn, Niall and Liam good luck before wrapping her arms around her brother's neck “Good luck..you’re gonna smash it” the camera picks up. Moving on to hug her boyfriend…the fans noticed the hug lasting longer than the others and Harry leaving a subtle peck on YN's temple. --- The boys and the crew are all waiting in the airport for the flight, some are lying across the small uncomfortable chairs and some are laying on the floor using bags and coats as a pillow.

Niall is awake and laying on the small sofa next to Louis, who’s sleeping with his hand resting under his head. Harry is laying on the floor wearing his signature black jeans and brown thick coat, despite not being able to see YN's face as it's tucked into Harry’s chest, fans are quick to spot Harry’s arms wrapped around her.

--- Harry is seen walking towards YN and Louis, in just a pair of boxers, as she's preparing to style her brother's hair. “Morning” Louis greets Harry as he turns to face him, noticing his lack of clothing as he enters his and YN's shared room. “Good morning” Harry’s raspy voice is heard. Louis notices the smirk YN and Harry share as their eyes are glued to each other, to which he raises his eyebrows to the camera in front of him with a teasing glint in his eye. After YN sprays Louis's hair with some hairspray, Harry takes his place in the chair in front of YN. Harry starts pretending to play the piano and making strange noises as YN attempts to cut his hair and Louis is laying across your bed also contributing to the noises, “Keep still will ya..I’m gonna end up messin’ it up” YN tells Harry who looks at Louis with a sheepish smile. But in true Louis and Harry style, they continue their childish behaviour and laugh at YN's unamused expression. --- The boys are waiting backstage, ready to perform at the 1D Japan party. YN is sat on the stool behind the drumkit, and Louis is standing behind her trying to show her how to play them. “Little Things” Harry suggests for them to practice before heading out to perform. Liam and Zayn are harmonising, whilst Niall and Louis add their own version of the song. Harry comes into the shot where YN is standing with Louis, Liam and Niall…beginning to poke her cheek ”And I've just let these little things slip out of my mouth, 'cause it's you, oh, it's you, It's you, they add up to”

--- Harry is adjusting the beanie on his head as he’s explaining to the camera crew, whilst going down the escalator, “We rarely get a day off when we’re visiting places..so it’s nice to walk around…and explore” after moving the string of his mask that’s sitting under his chin, Harry moves to place a hand on YN's shoulder as she's standing in front of him waiting to get off the escalator. Sitting in the back of the van, Harry is telling Niall about his day of exploring “Me and YN went around wearing one of those surgical masks”. “Oh you did?..Where did you get them?” Niall asked “I bought a packet of five.. I've got a spare one that you can have” Harry offered. “Sick” Niall replied.

--- “You know we don’t get to see our families as much as we used to” Niall explains “But..um..we have like a road family”. Harry is sitting topless on the plain black chair in front of the large mirror waving his hands around at the camera filming, as YN is drying his hair, instructed by Lou who was trying to get Lux down for a nap. “I’m Paul Higgins and I’m their tour manager” Paul introduces himself, sitting behind a table covered with different papers. Paul is seen shouting about the boys having five minutes left until they need to be on stage. YN is sat on the brown sofa next to her brother whilst he cheekily looks at Paul and says “Thank you Dad”. “The boys are very grounded and that comes from the people around them” Paul explains. “Lou and YN gives us the best haircuts” Liam praises as Lou is shaving his hair and YN is standing next to her holding some of the equipment. “Aww thank you”. Lou and YN both say in unison. In the next frame, Liam takes the hairspray out of YN's hand whilst she's trying to tidy up his hair and begins to spray hers. “AHHH…LIAM” YN screams. Harry then grabs YN and Lou, both being off guard by the sudden movement and pulls them both into a group cuddle whilst expressing his appreciation “I love my hair..thanks girls”. “Don’t touch me” Lou repeats. --- It’s Paul's birthday and everyone celebrates in one of the backstage rooms, with a song and a round chocolate cake. Harry thought it would be a good idea to smear chocolate icing over YN's cheek and forehead. The camera captures Harry trying to crawl his way out of the crowded room to escape her grip, but he’s too slow and YN manages to climb on top of him. “No..No” Harry is heard shouting and protesting as YN wipes a large dollop of icing onto his cheek. Louis’s voice is heard from inside the room “I told you not to mess with her Harry lad”. Harry then gets up from the floor and runs after YN down the hallway of the venue and eventually wrapping his arm around her front and lifting YN from the floor and rubbing his cheek blindly against her face, making them both laugh uncontrollably together. --- The boys are talking about each other and what they bring to the band. Zayn begins by describing Harry as a perfect pop star who was born for it. Louis is sitting on one of the tour boxes “Harry is definitely charming…I mean he’s won over a Tomlinson you know what I mean”. “He’s just being Harry and he likes going out and having a good time” Liam adds “and doesn’t want to waste a moment”. --- Liam and Harry are fishing, well...Harry is leaning his head against the side of the wall. They're both talking about their time on The X Factor and how they remembered little discussions they had…even one about kicking Zayn out of the band because he didn’t turn up to a coffee meeting once.

And in an unseen clip, Harry admitted “I got so nervous..like talking to YN”. “Aww mate…I can’t talk to girls” Liam agreed “What was your..like protocol when talking to her?”. “I threw things at her” Harry laughed at his joke. “You threw things at her?” Liam repeated. "No..I'm only joking..I used to make her cups of tea". “Well it clearly worked mate”. --- Louis is skateboarding through the arena and grabs a box of popcorn from the table, with YN running behind him. Louis is then driving a forklift truck around, with YN sitting on the back holding on while he speeds around the room. “Watch out..” Louis announces. “The Tomlinsons are coming through” and the security guards are trying to catch them both to take the keys off Louis. --- In another clip, YN and Harry are outside in the car park of the venue running from Preston and Paddy, Harry’s security. They both managed to get to the metal fence but as they tried crawling underneath, Preston caught hold of YN's foot to stop her. “C’mon now YN” as he helped her up. “I am their Dad on the road” Paul explains. “We have a good working relationship..the only issue I've got is their all a pain in the arse..including YN” Paul adds with a chuckle. --- YN is walking through a crowded town with Louis, Liam and Zayn when some fans spot the group. Liam asks if Louis wants to go into one of the shops to the left of them. More fans start to recognise the boys and get excited, and more and more fans appear screaming and shouting. The security guards with them all are quick to try and get them all into the shop, protectively Louis wraps his arm around his sister's shoulder to keep her close to him. Once the security ushers the group into the shop and closes the front doors, fans start singing What Makes You Beautiful whilst blocking the store. YN continues to stand near Louis and Zayn as security decides how to get them all out of there safely. --- At the airport waiting to go home, Harry is laying on the floor whilst Lou’s boyfriend spins him around in circles by his legs. YN is seen in the background standing close to Harry whilst he hugs Zayn goodbye. Louis then comes over to his sister and wraps his arms around her shoulders and is heard telling her to phone him later as YN is going home with Harry. --- Harry is back home in his hometown, Homles Chapel, and is walking through a field area that’s not far from his mum’s house. “I like Homles Chapel because every other part of my life has changed…apart from like coming here it’s like exactly the same” Harry speaks as he’s walking across the short grass. As he approaches the water and some trees, he begins to speak “I kissed a girl down here..it was a bit further down..we were like against a tree” and cheekily smiles at the camera “I won't tell you who though…she’s got a scary older brother” Harry joked “..but it was pretty steamy”. --- Jay is wearing her red Yorkshire Tea apron whilst she’s sorting through clothes on the bed in front of her explaining how Louis has only been home five times since he auditioned for The X Factor. YN and Louis are visiting their great-grandmother at her home in Doncaster. “Hello luv’” Louis greets her with a hug. YN follows behind, “Hello Nan” as YN pulls her into a loving cuddle. Louis is sitting on the sofa with their Nan with an arm around her shoulder whilst she explains it's been a long time since she’s seen them both, but she does have photos of the two siblings along with their other siblings up on her walls that she looks at every day. --- In another clip, Harry has just woken up and is laying on his bare stomach under a white duvet. “We’ve got a show today” he rasps in his husky morning voice. Fans are quick to spot YN's smaller frame lying on the pillow next to his and he glances at her and mutters “I’m exhausted”. ***

[bearlythere]

will not shut up about how bluey's 30 min episode gave us so much more lore and references to the real world

the writes really made so much literal and euphemistic use of the word "sign" in this episode

in chronological order! and spoilers below!!

do let me know if I missed anything out!

FRISKY AND RAD'S WEDDING!!!! in the iconic heeler house!!

bandit's bully bucky dunstan being the real estate agent selling his house

English sheepdog buying the bluey house (emigration - would be nicer if they got english voice actors to voice them though)

the bluey house was actually for sale on an Australian real estate website! and as per the time of writing this post, it's been "withdrawn from sale" - the bluey digital marketing team AMAZES ME.

I wonder which city bandit got a new job in - don't know if they'll explore that in future seasons

bluey's friend the brown dog (I'm sorry I don't know his name) having 2 mums!

winton talking about his divorced parents and the terriers' saying their mom likes winton's dad!!!

jack and his army interest! him and rusty playing army!!

the sitting in a tree, kissing thing that kids do

Jeremy the gnome

bobo being the car's name

frisky's licence plate being fr15k

the first time kids sit in the front seat of the car

police officers pulling people on the road over LMAO

rad's profile picture being him goofing around with his 2 brothers

how realistic it is trying not to lose someone you're following on the road

the butterfly from slide!! 🦋 it has a name! flappy!

everyone being afraid of the butterfly except bingo because we know she loves insects!

chilli reminiscing how she and frisky used to go to the lookout to "think" when we all knew she meant drink LOL

frisky's 3rd friend appears!

BRANDY IS PREGNANT???

the canon in d rendition as bgm

the busker being the priest??

also they got mort and maynard to come attend the wedding too!!

frisky's father is a typical surfer dude lmao

we see trixie standing amongst the girls during the bouquet toss. and then we see stripe come in to intercept the toss. does this mean that stripe and trixie are not married yet and have just been cohabitating? stripe grabs the bouquet and celebrates, but we see trixie face palm... what does this mean??

love the photo montage and the huge family photo, how it shows that you can't get everybody to be ready for the photo

AFTERPARTY

GRANDPA BOB WENT TO INDIA TO FIND HIMSELF 😭 man needed spiritual rediscovery

the busker is the music dj too!!

uh oh... stripe and trixie are fighting... perhaps it was about the bouquet toss? and we see socks playing with the cake toppers - possibly mimicking her parents actions

awww Radley quit his job so that frisky could stay in a city she loved ❤️

they brought back the music from dance mode!

NANA AND BOB FLOSSING!!!

chattermax randomly appearing 😭

bingo getting stuck in the railing again

bingo being sad because she has to move and lila won't be able to follow. which is also the moment I realised they won't be moving in the end, because of the montage at the end of daddy drop-off episode where bingo and lila grow up together and be friends "forever and ever and ever"!

the 2 English sheepdogs pushing their fluff away from their eyes to see haha

THEM SEEING WINTON'S DAD'S HOUSE WITH A POOL WHICH IS FOR SALE BECAUSE THEYRE MOVING IN WITH THE TERRIERS AND THEIR MOTHER!! THEY ALL FIT IN ONE CAR!!!

seeing the iconic bluey house empty, with spots where furniture used to be somehow makes me feel a little empty and nostalgic

the montage of them saying goodbye to their old neighbours, bandit having one last chat with pat, the girls and chilli saying goodbye to judo and her mum

Judo still has short hair!

chilli reminiscing the kitchen because bluey took her first steps there

WHO SANG THAT SONG IN THE END PLEASE RELEASE IT LUDO STUDIOS

THE SHEEPDOGS WENT BACK ON THEIR DECISION TO BUY BLUEYS HOUSE TO BUY WINTON'S DAD HOUSE

you can tell how much chilli didn't want to move as she was the first one out of the car running over to hug him when she realised bandit didn't want to sell the house anymore. and the shoulder shakes shows that she was fully sobbing too

iconic kiwi rug! loved the simplicity of the last scene, where even if there's nothing around you, as long as you're together with the people you love, eating the simplest meal, enjoying the moment, that's family.

[i-am-a-l0st-gh0st]

Good morning, as promised, my first of two Gaming requests. Please kindly consider this Gaming fluff request: Gaming with a childhood best friend Reader whose mother used to be a dim sum chef at Liuli Pavilion. Growing up, Gaming becomes Reader's test-taster for their creative dishes (much like Xiangling but nothing too over-the-top). So, imagine both Gaming's and Reader's surprise when both Gaming's and Reader's father announce their betrothal on Gaming's tenth birthday.

Please also kindly take as long as you need with this request; I have no qualms in waiting. Furthermore, by no means feel obligated to prioritize this request over your other requests.

If you're lost you can look and find me- Gaminx Gn!reader

Time after time T/w- Old memories summary- AS shown above

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The sun burned brightly in the sky and the smell of dim sums filled the air. You were cooking away humming lyrics while you gracefully moved around like in a dance. Gaming was sitting at a table near you thinking back to the memories of when they were younger. You had been married to each other for about 3 years now and the love had only grown stronger. He was remembering the day your parents told you, you would get married to get other, you were both only 10 at the time.

“Why would I marry him? Ew.” You pulled a face at your mum, you just wanted to help her cook and now you had to get married when you were 18?

Gaming on the other hand had taken the news quite well. He may have been young but It didn't take a genius to figure out he had more than just platonic feelings from y/n.

“Dad? Why do we have to get married?” He said trying to match your tone.

“Well, it's good for both the families Gaming.”

He felt himself smile at you, seeing how cute you looked with your face all squished in concentration. “Hey, can you come try this?”

Gaming snapped out of his trance and walked over to you, and wrapped his arms around your waist. You handed him a new flavour of dim sum and he took it gratefully. His eyes widened as he remembered the flavour.

“Hey Gaming can you come try this.” Gaming’s mum called out.

The small boy bounced around the corner bursting with excitement. He was always so excited to try what she had made.

“It's very yummy mum!” Gaming's bright smile couldn’t be contained.

“I think your mum gave me that recipe.”

“It tastes exactly like hers. It's beautiful.” Tears almost started welling up in his eyes. These dumplings were one of the last things Gaming had left of her.

You saw the tears forming in his eyes and offered to make more if he wanted them. He just nodded at you with the puppy dog eyes.

“Gaming Gaming! Look what I made!” You came running out of the kitchen holding a plate of… sad… looking dim sums.

He tried not to grimace at the sight of them, He still wanted to make you happy so he slowly reached out and grabbed one. The dim sum was almost at his mouth. It touched his lips. Then went into his mouth,

He was very surprised that they tasted good, by the way they were presented.

“They’re amazing y/n!” He smiled the brightest smile you’d ever seen.

Taglist

@kpopmenace143

[heyidkyay]

And I'm petrified of being alone, now |

Part Fifteen

Matty Healy x reader

Summary: She’s just trying to get by, really. What with being a single parent to her four year old son whilst simultaneously trying to kick start a successful career as a radio presenter. She’s got everything she’s ever wanted though, friends close by, a mum who’s merely a phone call away, and of course her baby boy. What else is there to wish for? But then, it’s not long before her relatively normal life gets upended and turned on its head, and she’s suddenly forced to deal with situations she’s never even thought to imagine.

What happens when one mention of a certain controversial singer on her show sends a flood of unexpected challenges her way? 

Authors Note: Honestly loved writing this one! Lots of tension, so many emotions! First scene has a few flashbacks in italics so watch out! Hope you enjoy x

> Last update: look back here if you'd like!

Masterlist

A list of things I remember about last night:

George buying a fan a bottle of champagne.. then four more for the table. He’d been six shots in and feeling more than a little generous.

Matty and I out in the smoking area, whispering back and forth, then giggling as we tried to knick a lighter from the back pocket of this big burly bloke trying to chat up the blonde beside us.

Hann leaving early but with smiles for all of us and the promise of seeing Adi and I again soon! 

Finn’s text saying that Teddy was fast asleep and all fine- an utter reassurance not just to me, but seemingly Matty too, who’d cooed over the picture I’d received alongside it.

Matty dragging me out onto the dance floor when a certain song had come on, his hands on my waist, mine tangled in his hair, the lights bright, the music loud..

The last round of shots, or one of?

Ross standing on a table??

Adi then slipping out with Ross- note to self, text Adi!!

And then…

Then the cab ride home!

But, I supposed it wasn’t headed home, or at least not mine, because now that I thought about it, dizzying images of awkward fumbles in the dark, searching for a light switch, hastily turned into a terrible attempt at trying to scrounge up some food, only a little less drunk than what we’d been when we’d left the club. But then even those soon spun and fluttered away, moving onto heavy hands and heated looks…

I froze, taking in the unfamiliar feel of the bed sheets beneath me and the weight of an arm thrown around my waist. How suddenly the skin beneath it felt hot at the realisation of its touch. I allowed my wide eyes to wander, holding my breath, the remnants of sleep quickly slipping from me as worry overwhelmed it. I saw the cemented walls, the soft hues, the sunlight which flickered in through the far window.

I didn’t know this place, but at the same time I felt as though I did.

I let my eyes fall close again, only briefly, when I finally allowed myself a moment to breathe, inhaling slowly so as to not stir the man settled behind me. 

Fuck.

And that was all that would come to mind because I was panicking now. It felt like I had been dropped into a black hole head first, or some other kind of alternate reality- or maybe even five years in the past! Because this couldn’t be happening. It had to be a dream.

But my thoughts kept on betraying me.

“Don’t run from me.” He whispered in the dim light of his kitchen as his fingers skittered over the length of my jaw, gently coercing me into meeting his gaze once again.

We’d been making toast, he’d only had a spoonful or so of butter left but had latched onto the idea the second we’d walked through the front door, the cab having not long left us. He’d pulled jams and spreads from high cupboards to goad me into it too, and I could do nothing but stand there and watch on, perfectly content and with a permanent smile etched into my face.

He’d patted the countertop beside him not long after finding a new loaf of white bread in the tin, gesturing me on round to sit on its top whilst he got to work.

“What do you fancy?” He’d asked me, plopping a slice into his sleek toaster, one which looked a decade newer than my own.

“You decide.” I had gambled, happy to just watch him laugh whilst he worked, licking his thumb free of chocolate and swearing under his breath when the butter finally ran dry.

On the plate I’d then been handed, sat four sections, each one a different spread to the other. He’d grinned up at me when he had passed it over and had watched on as I’d chuckled and picked a slice up.

“Blueberry, fine choice.” He’d hummed, his drawl deep and tinged with a faint hint of amusement. I’d shrugged, sheepish for some reason, and licked at the corner of my mouth to swipe the crumbs away from the bite I had just taken.

“Didn’t even know it existed.” I’d told him truthfully, taking another bite before reaching out to have him try. 

His movements had been careful at that, as though he’d been surprised by the offer, but then he’d let me feed him and had grinned around the sweet taste.

“Good?” I’d asked him, already moving to withdraw my hand before his fingers caught around my wrist. I'd blinked, confused and slightly startled by the suddenness of the gesture, but his hold hadn’t been harsh or hurtful, merely just that, a hold.

He had nodded at me in answer to my question, but then he’d taken the bitten slice from my grasp to place down somewhere on the counter.

“Matty?” I'd heard myself say.

He’d merely stepped on closer, “You have something.” His voice gruff.

He had lifted his free hand up towards my face, the other still caught on mine, and let the pad of his thumb brush away the tiniest piece of jam my cheek had caught. I’d felt my breath catch at the motion, somewhere in the very back of my throat, and then swallowed thickly at the sight of him placing the same finger into his mouth, sucking it clean.

I’d looked away, feeling the fierce rush of alcohol and embarrassment heat my face.

“Don’t run from me.”

His fingers still touched me now, even as he slept on, completely oblivious to the chaos that was my mind, the world that had continued on around us.

What would they say? What would they think?

Slowly, I forced myself to start moving, unable to continue lying in a bed that wasn’t my own. I hated myself a little for the fact that it was his, something deep inside of me knowing that this would’ve been so much easier had it simply been a stranger.

I lifted his hand from around my waist first, ever so careful not to have him stir, then silently slipped from between the sheets, my legs sliding out first before I willed my torso to follow. 

I picked up the first thing I saw from off of the floor, the white shirt he’d been wearing the night before, and pulled it on over my shoulders. My eyes skittered about the rest of the space, taking in everything that made up Matty’s room whilst simultaneously trying to find the dress I’d arrived in the night before. 

“I don’t think anyone has ever made me feel like you do.” He murmured into the space between us, my legs pressed against the counter top and dangling either side of his hips, his fingers grasped my chin, mine cuffed somewhere around his wrist. 

“It’s fucking maddening.” He continued on in the hushed tone he'd adopted, though no one was around to hear him had he spoken any louder, “I keep pulling away when I feel I get too close, scared you might push me away completely. ‘Cause what would I do then? Where would that leave me?”

I could feel the blood rushing in my ears and the way that my hands would surely shake if they weren’t already clinging to him. “I don’t understand, Matty.”

He smiled at me and I watched the way his eyes trailed their way across my face. I’d always liked his eyes. “I know. And that’s what kills me, ‘cause I don’t reckon you’ll ever think I’m enough.”

Enough. 

It threw me.

“You’re enough, what on Earth are you on about? Of course you’re enough.”

He shook his head at me ever so softly, with a sad smile this time around, whilst I dipped my own head to be nearer to his, wanting him to believe me. Willing him to.

“Matty-”

I was ripped away from the memory by the shuffling of sheets and stood in horror, barefoot in the middle of his bedroom, as the bed creaked with a slight movement. I held my breath, hands clutching at the buttons of the gaping shirt.

He sniffed unhappily, hands searching as he turned, but then was lured back into sleep.

I gave a stuttered exhale, heart pounding so hard it should’ve surely hurt, before continuing on with my search. I didn’t get too far though, not with my shaking hands and laboured breaths, the anxiety of it all overwhelming me now.

I could feel the pricking of tears that welled in my eyes, the stinging tingle of my nose as I fought not to cry. Why? The only question worth repeating, over and over and over. Why the fuck had I gone and fucked this all up?

“Mouse?”

My head shot up, startled by the suddenness of his voice and the realisation that I’d cowered into the wooden chair sat on the wall nearest to the window. Matty shifted in the sheets, sleep clouding his mind before I choked on a questionable sob and he was all but tumbling his way on over to me, catching on bed linens and fumbling across the floor.

“I need you to know, okay?” He whispered to me in the quiet of the kitchen, his wary face now cradled in the palms of my hands whilst his soft eyes stared back at me, mirroring an emotion I felt but couldn’t quite recall. “‘Cause, I don’t reckon I could say this whilst sober.”

“Know what, Matty?”

My fingers dug into the skin of my arms.

“Mouse, you hearin’ me?”

His voice sounded so different now, laced with a gruff edge I’d only ever heard during late night phone calls when he’d stayed too late at the studio and wanted company. There was an urgency to his tone now.

“Squeaks, just lemme know what I can do.” Matty rushed out, his face wrinkled with worry whilst his hands faltered, unsure whether or not to touch. “Please.”

Another sob ripped its way through me.

“I’m sorry.” I told him in earnest, crying hard enough now that I had to have been gasping to breathe, “I’m sorry, I, I just- I don’t know what to do now. I’m sorry, Matty. So sorry.”

He didn’t reply, didn’t say a word actually. Just moved to cradle me close, wrapping his arms around my shoulders as though that would hold me together, his body shielding my head from the rest of the world.

“I’m sorry.”

“Nothing to be sorry for.” Matty murmured, so much like he had the night before but only sadder now. “Nothing at all.”

–

She was embarrassed. That much he knew.

Could feel the way she shied away from him now that she had calmed, still hidden away in his arms. He hated himself for it. He wanted to hate what had gone down last night too, but couldn’t bring himself to. What good would it do him now? Hate, always so stuck on it.

“Mouse.” He called out to her softly, after the quiet had been stretched and pulled far too thin. He swallowed thickly, “Let’s make some tea, yeah?”

He must've surprised her with his response because she glanced up at him almost unconsciously, but as soon as their eyes met hers were quick to dart away again. 

She opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out, stare trained on the farthest wall. Matty licked at his bottom lip, still crouching in his position by the chair he had in the corner, moving his hands to now gently rest them by the knobs of her knees. 

He’d never been good at shit like this. Comfort.

He always got stuck in this place between panic and unease, forced to commit to empathising with another person and suspending his own agenda. It made him feel like he needed to make things better then and there, if only to save himself the strain of dealing with emotions.

That, and his mind was still so bleary due to the abrupt wake up, his heart still clenched to the point of exertion due to the spear of anxiety she’d propelled right through him.

“We can talk there, alright? Just, don’t leave just yet. Please?”

He felt bad for even asking her to stay but he knew her far too well, could see how desperate she was to run now, to escape her feelings and everything that had brought this moment to an abrupt head.

“Please?” Matty repeated even softer than he had before and was thankful when she finally nodded, a small thing he might not have seen had he blinked, but a nod nonetheless. “Okay.” He breathed out, something in him settling now that he knew she wouldn’t be making a run for the hills, “Okay, I’ll get a start on it then. You can have a look through them drawers over there, yeah? Find something, whatever, I don’t mind.”

He saw the bob of her throat as she swallowed and lingered on the motion until she nodded again.

By the time he’d made it out into the kitchen he was all but kicking himself, cursing as he tried to keep his temper in check. Of all the things he could have fucking done last night, why did he have to go and fuck the one good thing in his life up? She’d never fucking forgive him for this, even if she realised what had actually gone down and not what she’d just conjured up in that pretty little head of hers. 

Matty channelled his regret and sorrowful mood into hammering a pair of teabags into two empty mugs, figuring it to be the only way he could vent without banging everything about. He flicked on the kettle and moved to the fridge to pull the milk out, listening to it begin to boil instead of the stuttering of his pulse.

He only realised he’d been glaring a hole into the tiled wall when the thing finally whistled and the soft pad of shuffling feet echoed across the kitchen floor. Matty couldn’t help the way his head turned to find her.

“Hungry?” He asked, rubbing at his eyes, and although his voice was barely above a murmur it still felt too loud. She simply shook her head. Which was just as well really, he didn’t think he could even stomach this brew the way he was strung so tight. 

He dipped his chin in retort, ringing the two tea bags out before turning back to face her again. He paused when he found that her eyes were locked on the counter she’d been sat on the night before, Matty’s mind immediately flashed back to the skin of her thighs beneath his hands, the dip of her waist, the gentleness she’d held his face with, both the longing and sadness in her eyes when she told him he was enough.

He had wanted to scoff then, now even, but he’d never do that to her. If she thought he was worth even a fraction of the attention she gave him, then he’d take it. He was selfish in that regard, and couldn’t afford to waste anything she gifted him.

Christ, he sounded like a proper nut. How’d he let himself get so fucking gone on this girl?

Truthfully, he hadn’t even realised the depth of it until right then.

And now he had to be an actual grown-up and sort out the mess he’d made of things before he even got a chance to try to riffle through his messy array of feelings and their slow rising alarm bells. Another time- another day, even.

Matty cleared his throat as gently he took the seat beside her on the trio of barstools he had lined up on one side of his kitchen island, then faltered slightly, “Um, you good here or you wanna like, move to the settee or somethin’?”

She shook her head, hands careful as she moved to cradle the mug he’d just slid on over to her. He noticed how she moved her gaze from the counter down to the milky brew when he sat.

“Right,” He muttered, “alright.”

It was stupid, to feel so fucking incompetent then. In a moment he really should have been able to find the right words. Because Matty, somehow, had run out of things to say. And it was an accomplishment in itself, that he had to note, he wasn’t one to ever really be at a loss for words. But then again, Mouse was the biggest anomaly he’d faced so far.

He cleared his throat again and decided to just sip at his tea, noting that it was nicer than the usual scalding hot coffee he’d gulp down on his way out each morning.

Mouse went to open her mouth again, he saw the movement just out of the corner of his eye, and Matty already knew what she was going to say.

“Don’t,” He rushed out, though not unkindly. “No need for sorries, yeah?”

Her jaw snapped swiftly shut and she huddled in on herself slightly, staring back into the swirl of her brew. Matty immediately felt guilty.

He licked at his lower lip, feeling a cut there beneath his tongue just as a silence settled once more, one that was all the more suffocating.

He figured he’d best just get it over with, because at least then he’d be put out of the itching longing he had to end the quiet.

“I just,” He immediately paused, noting the way she had tilted her chin towards him at the sound of his voice, he coughed lightly then tried again. “Last night,” She tensed, and God, he had to steel himself further at that, “Nothing happened, alright? Well, yeah, I mean, fuck. Shit happened, but like we didn’t have sex or anything, I wouldn’t do that to you, Squeaks. You were drunk. It’d be a shitty move, yeah? So, just, if that’s what you’ve been worrying about, then..”

Matty glanced over at her wearily, internally wincing at the fucking stumble he’d made of things there, he found that her head was better turned towards him now, although her eyes still remained low. He watched her lips part, then quiver as though she was unsure of her response.

He let her have a minute.

“You were drunk, too.”

It didn’t sound like an accusation but felt a little like one. Still, he kept his head. “Not enough to not remember.”

The skin between her brows knitted, Matty could practically see the whirl of her many moving thoughts.

“I was naked.”

It took all his strength not to splutter at that, because he’d been trying his fucking hardest not to linger too much on that fact. Or how the sight of her in his clothes, even now, sent something stirring through his gut.

“Yeah,” Once again clearing his throat, Matty took another stilted breath, “Though to be fair, you’d had a shower then fell asleep like that after I said I’d be quick about mine.” 

His eyes flickered outwards, unable to look at her then, thinking back to the sight she’d made all sprawled out on his bed, face softened by sleep and the duvet pulled over most of her waist. 

“I didn’t see much,” He felt the need to add, because she was obviously a little torn up about it from the way she was wringing her hands, and knew for a fact that Mouse had a shit fucking perception of herself too. The way she breezily commented on her body and the scars that marred her face gave way to that fact, although most wouldn’t pick up on it, and he had realised quite early on that she didn’t either. Matty supposed he must have his rehab therapist to thank for that little enlightenment. 

He chuckled lightly when the image of her rippled to the forefront of his mind, clinging to the duvet with a strength no unconscious person should probably have. “You practically cocooned yourself in the covers anyway, threw a proper fit when I tried to steal some of it back.”

She smiled then, a tiny thing, mind, but a smile nonetheless. And that alone at least eased his mind a little bit.

“Thinking back, I probably should’ve just slept in the guest room but I was almost dead to the world. Sorry.” He was sincere in his apology, it’d been a misstep on his part, he just hadn’t been thinking. Hadn’t expected her to react so badly either.

“No need.” She said then, her voice a little more confident now as she mimicked his earlier words, “I shouldn’t, well, I shouldn’t have just assumed.”

Matty rolled his eyes and finally chanced a glance back over at her, so very pleased to see her looking back. Even then in that moment, after a right scare, fucking sobbing her heart out, and only just having woken up, she looked blinding.

He didn’t know if he had ever described a girl quite like that, or anyone really. But it felt too true to not shine a light to.

He internally chastised himself again- did ageing make you soppy or some shit? The fuck was he on.

“Yes, you should have. I’d’ve done the same, anyone would’ve.” He chuckled instead, loving the way her sheepish smile only curved up on the one side. “Least now we know you’d be fuckin’ mortified if I ever tried anything on.” He tried to joke, but it fell flat.

Squeaks swivelled her seat round to knock her knees against his own, then wrapped her cold feet around his ankle, “I was- I just haven’t, you know..” Matty arched a single brow, still rather pleased with their newfound position, his eyes lingering on the way her borrowed shirt slipped down to expose the majority of her collarbone. “.. slept with anyone in a while, and yeah, I don’t know, I wouldn’t want to go and ruin anything we have with a drunken mistake.”

Matty’s heart faltered. Felt it fucking implode and then shrivel up inside his chest. Mistake. 

He fought hard to keep his mask in place, smiling away. He sipped at his brew to keep the sudden sickness that jilted his stomach at bay then patched his bleeding heart back up. “How long’s a while?” He teased, smirking felt easier than a smile anyway.

It was her turn to roll her eyes at him then, laughing softly when she retracted her gaze, though their legs stayed intertwined.

“I don’t really know.”

“Yes, you do.” Matty laughed, having none of it, “Come on, a couple months?” She kept quiet, “A year?”

He frowned when she began to chew on her bottom lip, fighting the urge to reach out and stop her. “Two?”

“Six.” She answered him, probably tired of the guessing game.

“Six.” Matty murmured, reeling at the information. Six years. He’d fucking explode, “Is that even healthy?”

Squeaks was so quick in the way her hand shot out to swat him, “It’s fine, you dickhead! And besides, I just meant properly, you know? Like, there’s been a few quick passings but nothing, nothing like that.”

“Wow.”

“Don’t be a prick about it!” She immediately retorted to his breathy reply, obviously a little embarrassed and annoyed. “I have a toddler! And I’m always so fucking busy! I don’t even have the time to think about it!”

“Sounds like what you need is to get laid, babe.”

He snorted when she wacked him again, purposely ignoring the thoughts of her and him, drunken mistake.

“Leave off!”

“Fine then, I will for now.” Matty laughed, rubbing at his bicep, she continued to glare. “You want breakfast then? Or lunch now, I ‘spose. Can order in.”

Her knee knocked against his once more. Goosebumps trailed the length of his skin.

“Need to be back to pick up Teds from the nursery but yeah, lunch sounds nice.” She smiled, and for a second Matty was frozen in that very moment, content to just watch her smile at him like that forever.

Nice nice nice.

–

“I can’t believe you’re actually doing this.” I said, my tone almost scolding, but I’d been unable to flat out deny Matty of his request to come and help me pick Teddy up from school. I’d spent the rest of the day at his place, been given an actual tour, eaten some good food, and thankfully had been able to avoid any more awkward conversations pertaining to our wake up call that morning.

“What? You said I could!” He sounded almost petulant. “Besides, it’ll be lowkey, I have my hat, a hood. No one will know! Also, I’m not that important. Don’t reckon many four year olds are listening to Sex on the drive home.”

I snorted but my mind still flashed to memories of only hours earlier. My cheeks pinked. “First- lowkey, really? Aren’t we too old to be saying that? And second, that hat is the same fucking hat you haven’t taken off since Christmas!”

“Before Christmas, actually.” Matty said snidely, smirking all the while, even as he ducked to avoid the swat of my hand. “And anyway, I love this hat, so kindly fuck off.”

“Charmin’.”

Matty spent the rest of the walk to Teddy’s nursery singing This Charming Man whilst my mind lingered on his words. Claims of how he loved the small, insignificant gift Teddy and I had handed him. 

By the time we made it past the school gates, we’d been nudging shoulders and grazing hands most of the walk, so wrapped up in one another that I didn’t even realise I’d forgotten my phone somewhere until I patted down my pockets in the playground.

“Shit.” I muttered.

Matty, still blissfully unaware of my sudden circumstance and humming softly, kept on surveying the small school. “Yeah, the mural could use a bit of work but I think it’s meant to look shit, you know. Reckon the kids probably did it.”

Furrowing my forehead at his words, I then peered up at him, “No, I forgot my phone.”

Realisation dawned but then he shrugged, as if it were no big deal, “It’s probably still at mine, you use it this morning?”

I shook my head, feeling panicked now, which was stupid because it was just a phone. But, it also housed most of the things I considered important in my life; my work contacts, documents, notes, and To Do’s; Teddy’s doctors and dentist and school’s numbers; all the memories I’d made in the last few months that I had yet to save onto my icloud or hard drive; and pictures of Matty and I, as well as the rest of the guys too, but also our texts and little messages on Twitter and Instagram.

Losing it? I hated the very thought.

“No, I haven't touched it since last night. Could’ve left it at the club, or in the cab, or the-”

Matty’s hands came to cradle my shoulders, making me pause, and I realised he’d moved to stand before me, looking down at my pinched expression with a small smile. “You’re stressing, just take a breath. Alright? We’ll find it, ‘cause I’m sure it's back at mine anyway, but if not, then we can get it blocked and whatnot, try to get a new one before tomorrow.”

I forced myself to suck in a breath, still reeling from the feeling of my heart dropping to my arse. “Yeah, yeah I know, it’s just-”

“One of them things.” He finished with a knowing smile, hands squeezing my shoulders briefly before he wrapped me up in a hug. “Stressin’ won’t help and will only have Teds all wound up when he sees, yeah? We’ll sort it.”

His words ebbed my every worry just for a moment, I took another breath and let my arms find his waist, returning the hug and enjoying the way he settled his chin atop my head. 

“Okay.” I whispered into the edge of his coat, smiling when he squeezed me tight and then pulled away, “Sorry.”

Matty rolled his eyes at me, “Shut up.”

I chuckled to myself, shoving my hands into my pockets to keep from reaching out again and instead glanced about the rest of the playground. Most of the mums were here now and that panic that had subsided only a second ago almost came back in full force when I noticed how intensely they were watching me, or rather, Matty and I.

Carefully, I pivoted behind Matty, keeping my back to the gated fence which enclosed the school, but also forcing Matty to turn confusedly after me, his own back now facing the rest of the watchers.

“What the fuck are you doing?” He snorted with a bemused sort of frown, “Hiding?”

“Maybe.”

That had been the wrong thing to say because Matty nearly turned to glance back around, I reached out to stop him, hand encasing his elbow. “Don’t, alright? There’s a shit ton of mums just watching us. Got eyes like hawks or something.”

Matty merely blinked back at me before laughing, “You’re for real? Come on, they can’t be that bad.”

He went to turn again, only this time I couldn’t stop him. “Matty!” I called in a hissed whisper and he was quick to spin back around, face a little shocked.

“You reckon they’ll close in on us? I dunno if I can outrun them.”

I spluttered out an unexpected laugh, “I hope not. They usually hate me.”

Matty’s frown was quick to make a reappearance, “What, why?”

Shrugging, I glanced over his right shoulder, “You want a list? I’m a young mum, single, my kid doesn’t know his dad, I look like this, I don’t have a normal job or stay at home to take care of him, and sometimes Teds gets picked up by Finn or Adi, I don’t attend their stupid little-”

“Fuckin’ hell, alright I get it.” Matty said, his hand reaching out for my elbow just to slow me on my rant. “What a bunch of cunts.”

I forced a smile, “Yeah, well. Just another part of my life.”

Matty pulled a strange face at that, but before I could begin to decipher it, the classroom doors were opening and I was quick to step forward. Matty lingered behind me, keeping his hood up.

A few kids were called when Miss Sparks spotted certain parents and she did the same for Teddy when she saw me and smiled. “Teddy, your mum’s here!”

It only took a minute or so before Teddy came stumbling out with his backpack thrown over one shoulder and his hair a messy mass of curls. I grinned at the sight of him and picked him up when he hurried to grab at my legs, “Heya, little man. Good day?”

Teddy nodded in my arms, opening his mouth to tell me all about it when he peered over my shoulder and paused, his eyes lit up at the face he found there. “Matty!” Teddy all but squealed, immediately wriggling in my hold to make an escape towards the man.

Matty laughed, his eyes wide and dancing with warmth as he held out his arms for Teddy to jump on into. I rolled my eyes at the exchange but couldn’t help the way my whole being radiated with the beaming smile I wore.

“Alright, monster?” Matty greeted him, settling Teddy on his hip once he was done playfully swinging him about a bit. “How was nursery, hey?”

Teddy was still so awed by Matty’s appearance at his school, of all places, that he was eager to tell the man literally everything about his day. It was only once we’d managed to make a quick exit out of one of the side gates, that Teddy finally asked, “How’d you get here, Matty?”

Matty merely grinned and wiggled his eyebrows at the boy, “Magic.”

With a wrinkled nose, Teddy giggled, “Matty!”

“Alright, alright, jheeze.” Matty relented, all too easily, “I annoyed your mum into letting me come pick you up, didn’t I?”

Teddy looked at me with that, as though I’d gone and put all of the stars into the night sky. “Ta, mama!”

I shook my head at him fondly, leaning in to press a kiss to my baby’s cheek. “You hungry?” I asked him, instead of focusing on the entire scenario at hand, how Teddy seemed to cling to Matty and how entirely charmed Matty was by the boy. They appeared so close in that moment, it made me notice just how different Teddy’s reactions to Matty were to that of Finn’s, a man who had always been a constant in Teddy’s life.

The thought sent me spiralling down a rabbit hole, but thankfully before I could fall any further Teddy was nodding happily and Matty was making a suggestion, “Dinner at mine then?”

Teddy seemed thrilled with the idea but I merely raised a brow at Matty, “What ever will we make with your one egg and half a dozen jams?”

“Toast?” Matty grinned, enjoying the eye roll he received in return as he leaned in to laugh with Teddy. He looked back to me after a moment, “Could head to the shops if you wanna cook, or just order in.”

I pursed my lips, “Would you be able to?”

“To what?” Matty frowned.

I looked ahead as I clarified, “Get some shopping.” 

It was his turn to roll his eyes then, nudging his elbow against mine, “Yes, you muppet.” He shook his head when he glanced back at Teddy, feigning a huff that made the toddler giggle, “What do you want then, little man?”

“Ghetti.”

Matty could only blink.

–

By the time we’d made a quick whip around the local Waitrose (because Matty lives in an affluent area and not because he’s ‘pretentious’, he’d like to claim) and back to his, we’d been pictured more than a dozen times. 

Although, we’d only found this out when I’d finally caught sight of my phone, wedged between Matty’s bed-frame and the mattress, and managed to charge it. In between then and now, I had roped Matty into helping me cook whilst Teddy worked at the counter doing today’s reading.

“B-ah.” Matty carefully sounded out, still wearing one of the mock aprons Ross had apparently gifted him one Christmas, it was frilly, pink and had ‘This girl loves meat’ written in a pretty font. My own was of a similar fashion, only the words ‘Always use protection’ were warped across its front. “B-ah-guh.” He said once more, leaning up against the counter by Teddy.

“Bag!” Teddy exclaimed excitedly and looked practically giddy when Matty loudly cheered for him.

“Go on, mate! Knew you could do it.” Matty complimented, grinning down at Teddy before ruffling his hair and pulling him into a one armed hug. “Let’s see if we can get the next one before your mum’s done with the spaghetti, yeah?”

Teddy was all too happy to agree, something I slightly resented seeing as he whinged and moaned whenever I asked. But it was nice to see him enjoying his homework for once, a concept that was still so mad to me considering the kid was four. 

“‘Bout five minutes to boil now,” I told them as I wiped my hands on a nearby tea towel. My phone finally powered on then and so I moved about the counter to grab at it, not wanting to miss any important notifications. Adi and I had a guest on the show this week and had yet to be filled in on the requirements needed.

Only, before I could even pick the thing up, it started buzzing like mad with hundreds of notifications. 

With wide eyes I turned to glance over at Matty, who had paused in his helping of Teddy and was already staring back at me. I blinked and then went to pick the thing up, even as it continued to buzz, but Matty was now moving too, “No, wait.”

I shook my head, wanting to know what the hell was happening, but Matty had been closer, quicker, and was already reaching out to grab it. “Let me look first.”

“Matty.” I huffed, annoyed, but the man didn’t relent. Actually his expression only worsened as he scrolled through the thousands of alerts on my phone. “Matty! What’s the fucks going on?”

“Bad word!”

I winced, then turned to look over my shoulder, “Sorry, Teds, won’t do it again. No chocolate for me tonight, yeah?” My toddler nodded sternly, it made me smile before I glanced back at Matty who’s mood had obviously soured. He tossed the phone back down onto the counter and went to leave the kitchen, I could only assume to look for his own, “Oi!” I admonished, but he just shook his head, seemingly muddled.

“Sorry. Just- gimme a sec.”

I watched as he left, Teddy eyes latched onto him too before he turned back to face me, “Sad Matty?” He asked and I gave him another small smile.

“Not sure, baby. But he’ll be okay in a second.” Or at least I hoped. Teddy took it though and nodded, already going back to his work, though he kept looking over at the door every few seconds.

I forced my shoulders to drop, knowing the tension would only wreak havoc on my back come bed tonight, and took a careful step towards my phone. 

It had stopped pinging so incessantly now, but the odd notification still came through.

[HOMESCREEN] 17:18 Twitter now  Trending.. Notifications..  Instagram now Open to view News 1m Matty Healy's new budding romance? 

My heart stopped. It was all there, us dancing at the club, getting into the cab, Matty at his front gate this morning with the food delivery driver, us walking to pick up Teddy, the hug we'd shared in the playground, Matty holding a bundle that could have only been Teddy in an aisle at the shops- thankfully his face was hidden, the only saving grace of it all. But still, it all looked so convincing. 

We were definitely in deep shit.

“Squeaks?”

My head snapped up to find Matty standing over by the counter, his body tense but a gentle hand holding Teddy’s own, the horror I felt must’ve shown on my face because he winced.

“We’ve gotta talk.”

[not-magdi]

"Home for the Holidays"

Summary: Going home for the holidays with your boyfriend 

Word Count: 1.9k

Reading time: 7 min 40sec

Genre: Fluff

A/N 

A Pedri image for some change again, I wasn't sure at first with who I was going to write it but he gave me better vibes for this. 

Hope you enjoy it!

Love you guys Magdi <3

(His smile aagghh, it's so cute!!)

You were currently packing your bags as you were flying home for Christmas. The whole day, you were in a good mood, blasting Christmas songs through your speakers and dancing around your house to them.

Since you moved to Barcelona for your new job six months ago, you haven't been able to travel home for once. Work and other things were always getting in the way.

But now you finally have time to go home and spend the holidays with your family. You were beyond excited you hadn't seen your parents in a long time, the last time they visited you was in summer when they came to visit you and meet your new boyfriend, Pedro Gonzáles.

The same boyfriend who is currently sitting on the floor beside you, laughing at all the stupid Christmas sweaters you own.

"Amor, why do you have so many of them !?"

"Because they're awsome. Look! This one has little kittens with hats on them!"

You threw a reindeer one at him as he still laughed at you. The two of you continued to joke around until you heard your phone ringing.

"It's my mum, give me a sec."

As you picked up, your smile faltered when you heard the sad voice of your mum as she greeted you. Walking out of the room, you tried to find a quiet corner so you could speak to her.

"Hey Mum, is everything alright?" You asked her concerned.

"Well, not quite. We just got a national wetter warning for the whole country. There's a big snowstorm coming. All airports cancelled their flights to here."

Your phone nearly fell out of your hand as you heard the news. "No please, no." Tears started to gather in your eyes as you let the information sink in.

"I'm so sorry, honey, but we can visit you soon, after this storm is over. I promise."

Snapping out of your thoughts, you quickly say goodbye to your mum and hand up again. When you put your phone back into your pocket, the first tear ran down your face. Not being able to go home meant you would be spending Christmas alone for the first time.

Your long absence made Pedri curious about where you ended up, so he stood up and began to search for you.

"Y/N where are you?"

You quickly dried your tears as you heard him rounding the corner to the living room.

"Y-yeah I'm fine. ¡No te preocupes!" (Don't worry)

You tried to make your voice sound more steady than it actually was. But as soon as you locked eyes with Pedri, the dams broke. With tears streaming down your face, you tried to explain to him what happened, though nothing but sobs left your lips.

"I-I (sob), I can't-"

"Hey, it's ok. Estoy auqí, estoy aquí." (I'm here, I'm here.)

Pedri rushed over to you and immediately took you into his embrace. Gripping his hoodie, you buried your face into his neck and continued to cry.

Not knowing what happened, Pedri let his fingers run through your hair in an attempt to calm you down a bit.

"Tell your Pepi what happened Amor. Maybe I can help you fix it." He softly stroked your cheek while tightening his other arm around you.

Shaking your head, you answer with a shaking voice. "I don't think you can help me with this. The only thing that could help me would be a magical change in the weather."

"¿Qué quieres decir cariño? (What do you mean honey?)

"Th-There is a massive storm at home. (Sniff) I-I can't go home, Pedri."

You looked up at him as you told him the reason for your misery, your voice barely a whisper. Pedri felt his heart squeeze as he saw your red eyes and puffy, wet cheeks.

While holding you in his arms, trying to reassure you, an idea sparked into his mind.

"Baby, do you wanna spend Christmas with my family?"

You smiled slightly at his suggestion. Pedri would do anything to make you happy. But you weren't sure about his idea. You see, Pedri and you have only been together for five months. Yes, you've already met his family, but you didn't want to intrude on such an intimate holiday.

"Pepi, I'm not sure. You've not seen your family for so long I don't want to intrude."

Looking at you in disbelief, Pedri takes your face into his hands. "Bebé, my parents love you! You would be the last person to intrude. Please do it for me. I couldn't enjoy myself knowing you would be here, alone."

Your heart melted at his statement, so you agreed to go to the Canary Islands with him and his brother.

It was the 23rd of December, and after paying way too much for a last-minute plane ticket, you and Pedri met Fer at the airport and are now waiting for your gate to open.

"I'm happy you're here. Pedro is way more fun when you're with him."

You blushed at Fer's words. He is always so friendly towards you. Ever since the day Pedri introduced you two. Fer made you feel welcome, and you really appreciated that. As you wanted to say something to him, your gate opened, and Pedri ushered you to board the plane.

Your flight was pretty chill. A few people asked Pedri if they could take a photo with him, which he happily agreed to do. You always admired how kind he acted around his fans.

After you landed, you three got a taxi and drove to Pedri's and Fer's childhood home.

Fernando and Rosy were already waiting by the door to greet all of you. As soon as the two brothers were out of the car, they were already in the warm embrace of their parents.

You stood beside them for a while, not wanting to interrupt their long-awaited family reunion. But as soon as Rosy saw you, she let go of her sons to give you a big welcoming hug.

"Y/n! It's so great that you're here!"

"Thank you for letting me stay here. I really appreciated it!"

Fernando also came over to give you a quick hug. "Oh please, we are more than happy to have you here."

After unpacking and resting for some time, Pedri decided to show you around in his hometown. You visited his school, first-ever football club, and the beach where he and his friends would always go after training.

You were amazed to see all the places that made your Pedro who he is now.

After spending the whole day exploring the island, you two came home to a home-cooked meal. You ate dinner and had a wonderful time with his family. You were unbelievably grateful to be a part of all this.

The next day, you woke up on top of Pedri. His warm hands were stroking your back, which ultimately woke you up.

"Bon dia bebé." Kissing the side of your face, Pedri greeted you with his slightly groggy morning voice.

"Mhm, morning Amor."

You cuddled deeper into his warm embrace again and nearly fell asleep until Fer banged his fist against the door.

"Morning lovebirds! Get up!"

Groaning, Pedri moves you from him and slowly sits up. "I swear to god I love him, but sometimes he needs to be smacked on the back of his head."

You both start to giggle and decide to get up and begin the day. You put on some old training shorts and a shirt that you took from Pedri. You head downstairs to the kitchen, where Fernando is already preparing dinner for the evening.

"Good morning, you two! Breakfast is at the table, take what you want."

Thanking him, you head to the dining table. Fer and Rosy were already eating. You sat next to Pedri's mum, who greeted you with a warm smile.

While eating breakfast, you decide what you should do for the day. You choose helping Fer with the shopping while Pedri stays at home and helps his parents prepare for the evening.

It turned out that buying snacks and drinks for fourteen people takes longer than you thought. You and Fer came home barely before the first members of his family started to arrive.

The house looks beautifully decorated. It looks like it came straight out of a postcard. Pedri's family was unbelievably welcoming to you. You had a great time and enjoyed yourself truly.

When it was time for the presents, you quickly ran up the stairs to grab presents for Pedri and his parents. As soon as it was clear that you would join Pedri for the holidays, you immediately searched for presents for his parents.

You got his mum a beautiful necklace and his dad a bottle of wine. You hope they will like them. Pedri wasn't much help while buying them, so you just guessed.

When you arrived at the living room, wrapping paper flew around, and you could see Pedri playing with one of his cousins. Sitting next to him, you gave Pedri's parents their presents.

They absolutely loved them. Rosy hugged you tight after you put the necklace on her.

"My dear, thank you so much. I love it!"

"I'm glad you like it. But give me a second I have to hand Pedri his gift to."

You approached him with a small red envelope you picked up from under the Christmas tree.

"Merry Christmas, Pepi."

Smiling at you, he took the envelope and pulled you onto his lap. You squealed and blushed, not used to showing so much affection in front of his family.

"What are you doing!?" You whisper-shouted into his ear.

"I missed you, my family has had way to much time with you."

You smirked at his slight jealousy. Pedri was never the biggest fan of sharing your attention.

"Come on, open your present now."

He ripped the envelope open and gasped.

"You got me tickets for Quevedo!?"

"Yeah, I saw that he is in Barcelona next summer, so I quickly bought them."

You felt Pedris arms tighten around you as he nuzzled his face into your neck. "I love you so much, thank you!!"

"I love you too ba-woah!" You gasped as Pedri literally threw you off his lap and sat you down on the couch.

"Wait here for a second. I need to get your gift."

As he rushed upstairs, you looked on in confusion. After a few minutes, he returned with a small white box in his hand.

Sitting down before you, he gave you the little box.

You quickly unwrapped it and gasped loudly, "No, you didn't!"

The box contained a Pandora bracelet, the kind of bracelet that allows you to add multiple charms. You talked to Pedri that you loved the idea of them. But that you thought they were too expensive.

You lunged yourself at him, wrapping your arms tightly around his neck. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!!"

"You're welcome Amor. I'm happy you like it."

He helped you put the bracelet on, and as you looked closer, you saw a little Barcelona charm hanging from it. You gave Pedri a sweet kiss and continued to watch the rest of the family unwrapping their presents.

You spend the rest of the evening chatting and laughing with his family. You had a great time and felt truly like a part of the family. Something Pedri was already planning on making you after today.

------

Don't forget to leave a like if you enjoyed it, feedback is always welcome !!

[every-aj-needs-an-angel]

Some softish wedding vibes for the lovely @flowercrowngods sorry this took all day

The wedding was beautiful. A cosy little affair in the forest surrounding the Byers-Hopper cabin, just The Party and their immediate family. The guests had a myriad of mismatched chairs decorated with pretty tulle bows, the aisle strewn with wildflower petals collected by the kids, fairy lights strung from the trees casting a warm glow over the dusk ceremony.

The older teens of the party had been on decorating duty and they’d done a great job, even if Steve did say so himself.

Joyce looked stunning in her simple, lace summer gown, Hop beaming and wiping tears from his eyes as Jon walked his mum down the aisle.

Claudia sobbed loudly, Dustin tutting but handing her tissues, shhing her every now and again, making everyone hide a smile behind their hands when she'd wailed "it's just so beautifulllllll!"

Murray had officiated, dressed in ceremonial robes and actually on his best behaviour for a change. Will was Joyce's man of honour, El was Hop's best woman, Steve had never seen either of them look more radiant.

Steve had been roped into dress shopping by El and Max because although she was doing much better, Max's eyesight wasn't what it once was and Steve was apparently the only one with any fashion sense. He was glad he'd gone with them because the three of them had had so much fun, both girls had picked beautiful dresses without really needing his help at all, not that it stopped him smiling to himself as they spun happily in front of the floor length mirror, letting the skirts flow around them, or from taking them both for new records and ice cream, that Dustin had thrown a two hour fit for missing out on.

Then somehow the mum's had talked him into taking all the boys to hire tuxedos, not that he'd minded but Eddie had tagged along when he heard from Dustin that it was going to be a fun road trip with new records and ice cream, and seeing him spin out of the dressing room, all high on life from being with the kids and out of Hawkins, his hair tied up in a messy bun had taken Steve's breath away. Luckily he'd managed to cover it up with a laugh when Dustin had popped out next dressed in a white tux, strutting around because he thought he looked like Elvis.

So they all looked gorgeous and it was all just very sweet and picturesque and romantic.

Although Steve could've done without Mike snarking in his ear at every opportunity, snapping his name like his nanny used to when he was misbehaving, except Steve wasn't doing anything wrong. In fact the first time he'd been told off he'd been up a ladder hanging lights, the second time he'd only walked out the cabin, now dressed in his suit, trying and failing to get his tie perfect. The third time he'd been stuffing cake in his mouth in a rush because his and Max's song had just come on but he was torn between moving and eating, so he'd sloppily thrown the cake in his mouth, frosting pouring out the edges of his lips. Steve didn't get his reaction, yeah it was a little gross but Max was laughing so who cared.

So as soon as the song ended and El came back to dance with Max, Steve grabbed Mike by the collar and dragged him into the cabin.

"Okay, what's your problem? You've been at me all day!" Steve demanded to know, hands on his hips.

Mike spluttered and grouched incoherently, something about Eddie, him being a person, which was just perplexingly obvious. And for someone who'd had a lot to say all day, he suddenly wasn't saying anything, but Steve knew if he just waited Mike out, he'd eventually get his thoughts out in a coherent sentence. Except Will came dashing into the cabin, eye's lighting up when they landed on Mike, grabbing him by the wrist and dragging him back out into the party, before he ever had a chance.

Steve sighed rejoining the reception, mingling and chatting and trying not to be too obvious as he watched Eddie, maybe he'd said something to Mike, maybe he'd noticed the way Steve hadn't really been able to keep his eyes to himself, since, well since forever really but he'd definitely been more consciously aware of his lingering gazes since he'd woken up in the hospital with a joke and a groan, and they'd only become more incessant since he'd first seen him in that damn tux. Christ, Steve get a hold of yourself!

He just hopes he wasn't making Eddie uncomfortable, he didn't think he was because every time Eddie glanced over, it was always with a big smile, the one that started soft but grew until his dimples were showing when Steve smiled back, so he was almost sure that probably wasn't it, surely he'd look away like Robin did when men letched over her.

The next time Mike snapped at him, he was only dancing with Robin, not closely and certainly not well. Dancing In The Moonlight by King Harvest was playing, it was a song they all knew and loved and listened to whenever they all hung out. Robin had dragged him to his feet, just as he'd sat down with Wayne to chat about next weekend's game, and forced him to dance, waggling his arms around and doing all the silly moves until he couldn't help but join in.

Steve's eyes immediately snapped to Eddie, who was sitting by the edge of the makeshift dance floor, looking more miserable than Steve had ever seen him, even when he was a wanted man and on the run. Steve handed Robin to Mike, who protested about being forced to dance, but Robin had had a few glasses of wine and didn't seem too fussed about who she was dancing with, so long as she had a dance partner.

Wayne had his arm slung over the back of Eddie's chair but Eddie was slouched forward head in his hands forlornly watching everyone dance instead of joining like he usually would. Wayne and Steve shared a smile as he headed towards them, Wayne jumping up with a mumbled excuse, disappearing over to the buffet table to chat with Claudia.

Steve loved how he never needed words with Wayne, it was like he could read Steve like a book, had since their first meeting in Eddie's hospital room, he'd just given Steve a hard stare and for a second he thought he was about to get a smack or at least thrown out but Wayne had just given him a soft smile and pulled out another uncomfortable plastic chair for Steve to sit with him at Eddie's bedside.

They'd been fast friends, bonding over stories of Eddie, sports and an adoration of cheese of all things. Wayne even called him son, like he did with Eddie but that was probably just because there hadn't been a weekend since Eddie left the hospital, where Steve hadn't been at their new government bought apartment, screaming at the tv or the radio with Wayne, Eddie huffing and rolling his eyes and bemoaning that he was being forced to put up with two sports fanatics.

But Steve quickly learned the easiest way to settle Eddie was through his stomach, staying after the game to make fresh pizza or four cheese gnocchi or manicotti, from recipes he'd stolen from an old trunk in his attic, watching with pride as both Munson's wolfed down his food, was the easiest way to make Eddie beam at him.

Eddie hadn't noticed Steve coming over, didn't even perceive his presence until there was nothing but a pair of legs directly in his eyeline, forcing Eddie to look up at him.

"Hi," Steve said tentatively, Eddie's smile settling quickly back into place but not quite meeting his eyes.

"Stevie," Eddie greeted, aiming for normality but just the fact that he hadn't drawn out the e gave him away, "nice moves," he teased, sounding a bit too grouchy to be playful.

Steve adored that about their dynamic, the playful mocking, the poking and tickling and doing whatever they could to make the other bite back or laugh hysterically or both but it felt less like their playful banter and more like a defense mechanism, like maybe Eddie was mad with him.

And maybe it was something about the soft warm lighting or the giant strawberry moon peering down on them or the fact that they were at a wedding but something felt bigger, heavier but at the same time incredibly delicate like one wrong move could destroy them both.

"Dance with me," Steve murmured instead of teasing him back, holding his hand out for Eddie to take. Eddie furrowed his brows and blinked owlishly at him, Steve couldn't help thinking he looked adorable but if he let his introspection go on too long, he'd be lost for the night. Steve wafted his hand impatiently, trying to snap Eddie into the present but he only blinked slowly at his outstretched hand too.

"Aren't you dancing with Robin?" Eddie eventually asked hesitantly, which confused the living bejesus out of Steve because surely he couldn't mean…

Steve shook his head vigorously trying to send that mental image back to the pits of hell where it belonged, glancing purposefully over to the dance floor, he could see Robin'd got her arms around Nancy's neck blushing deeply as she babbled constantly. He knew she hadn't quite been able to look at Nancy the same way since they'd visited Creel together but Nancy had her arms securely around Robin's waist, listening intently and grinning and maybe, just maybe…

"I think she's content with her new partner," Steve mumbled, knowing full well that Eddie knew Robin almost as closely as he did, knew that Eddie could see what he saw and that whatever he was doing was some kind of avoidance technique, "dance with me."

They'd danced before, alone and in front of the party, there was no reason for Eddie to be nervous, didn't stop him looking anxiously around Steve's legs at the dancefloor, "There's people," Eddie muttered dejectedly.

Steve glanced over his shoulder and then back to Eddie, with a confused frown, "You mean all the people who love and care about us?" he asked affectionately.

Eddie snorted and huffed, "You," he corrected shortly.

Steve's brows furrowed deeply, "Huh?"

Eddie sighed, rolling his eyes, "All the people who care about you," he clarified grumpily.

Oh no, he's gone down the rabbit hole.

Steve sighed heavily, "Okay, that's not even close to the truth, but for the sake of not arguing, if they care about me, they have to care about you," he informed him.

Eddie sniggered, "Why, you gonna beat 'em up if they don't?" Eddie tried to tease but it came out too flat.

"No," Steve sighed, hooking his finger under Eddie's chin and forcing him to look at him, "anyone who doesn't care about you, doesn't get to care about me. These people are my family but if it came down to a choice of them or you, I'd pick you every time," Steve admitted sincerely.

Eddie's breath hitched but he didn't say anything, looked like he might cry if he did.

Steve decided it was time to just use his trump card, "Dance with me. Please."

And just like that Eddie jumped to his feet dragging Steve onto the dancefloor, because Eddie never denied Steve anything when he said please, not that Eddie ever denied him anything really but it was like a little button that overpowered all Eddie's apprehension and theatrics.

"Can I stay with you please?"

"C'mon Eddie, up, Owens says it'll be good for you to go for a little walk. No? Please?"

"Could you just keep talking until I fall asleep please?"

"Can you pick Dustin up tonight please?"

"Could you bring milk when you come over please?"

"What's wrong Eds? Talk to me, please."

They got situated just as the song changed to a much slower one, At Last by Etta James. Appropriate, Steve thought gleefully. Eddie just stood there, a little shell-shocked and unsure but not running away so Steve gently took his hands and put them on his waist, circling his own around Eddie's neck, except Eddie had his arms perfectly straight keeping a space between them.

"What're you doing?" Steve asked, fond amusement in his voice, it wasn't like they'd never been close before.

"Leaving room for Jesus," Eddie replied, Steve recognised it as an autopilot response, Eddie long lost to his mind, but Steve couldn't help it, the bubble of laughter just burst right out of him. Sometimes Eddie was just inadvertently funny and when Steve laughed he'd stand there like he was replaying the conversation until Eddie was laughing too at his own comment but Eddie's face crumbled, trying to pull away but Steve just held on tighter.

"Hey, no, Eds. I wasn't laughing at you, just maybe we're a bit old for Jesus to need to dance with us. C'mere," Steve said, pulling Eddie closer, wrapping his arms more tightly around him, swaying slowly to the music.

The look in Eddie's eyes as they listened to the song told Steve all he needed to know about why Eddie had been avoiding him, why he was only looking his way when he thought Steve wasn't looking, why he was being so evasive, how he'd managed to spiral so far that he thought he and Robin, ugh, Steve can't even think it.

Even Mike's snapping made a whole lot more sense, "Stop messing with Eddie," boy really needs to learn to stop grumbling, "he's a person, he has feelings!" Mike could see Eddie pining and had taken it on himself to try to stop Steve doing whatever mundane task that had Eddie yearning.

It was probably the sweetest thing Steve had ever seen Mike do for someone who wasn't El or Will, even if it pissed Steve off that he'd always be a cad in Mike's eyes, that he just assumed that Steve was a bad guy (when he's done nothing but throw himself in front of him and his friends time and again to protect them) that he was purposefully leading Eddie on, being intentionally enticing just to hurt him.

Not that it mattered what Mike thought, he could only hope that it was all his biases and not that Eddie hadn't been venting to the kids, all that mattered was that that wasn't what Eddie thought of him.

The whole atmosphere of the night had changed, everyone had slowed and quietened, couples solely focused on the person in their arms. But Steve felt the ground under his feet change, drew from Captain Steve the guy who'd thrown the first punch at Billy to protect his kids, felt Sir Steve crawl up his throat, the Knight who'd gone into battle against an all-powerful beast and brought his comrades out of the pits of hell because he'd seen now, seen clearly for the first time in god knows how long and he couldn't just go back to pretending, not without giving this is best shot. And thank god for Etta James because she was going to help him, because he could do this, he could be brave and fight for what he wanted for a change.

He had a horrible singing voice but Eddie already knew that, told him so often and in many imaginative ways.

"I found a dream that I could speak to, a dream that I can call my own," he sang quietly, trying to copy Wayne's looking into your soul look, trying to let Eddie see that his feelings are reciprocated, classing it as a win when Eddie grins, blushing deeply and mushes his face into Steve's neck.

"I've found a thrill to press my cheek to, a thrill that I've never known," he continued, nuzzling further into Eddie's neck because now he was this close it was like he couldn't get close enough.

"You smiled," Steve murmured against his skin, unable to wipe the lovesick smile off of his face. He and Eddie had always been close but they both knew this was different.

Originally it started with helping him limp around when he'd refuse to use his crutches, then when Wayne had to go back to work Steve started staying the night so Eddie could sleep without having to worry about waking up alone after a nightmare, he'd only spent the first few hours on the sofa before Eddie woke up screaming, sweaty and shaking, Steve hadn't even thought about it just clambered in behind Eddie pulling him flush against him, shhing him and running his fingers through his hair to get it out of his face, he didn't bother with the sofa again after that, they just shared Eddie's bed, soothing both their nightmares with the others presence.

But they've had time and distance from their trauma since then, most of them have been to therapy and they're all doing better, they can sleep in their own houses, in their own beds, they can all actually sleep for eight hours and wake up well rested. But he and Eddie stayed as close as ever, it's rare that they're never not touching, if Eddie's tired he'll attach himself to Steve like a backpack. They hug, they hold hands, Eddie even kissed him on the cheek one time, Steve's pretty sure it was an accident but he'd been so busy trying to hide the blush that'd sprung to his cheeks to really read the situation, maybe if he had they might've got here sooner because looking back Steve's not really sure how he missed all the signs, Eddie sits in his lap on movie nights for god sake.

"You smiled," Steve sang, pulling back to look at Eddie, to look at the adorable endeared grin and the pretty blush he can't hide because his hair's all tied up, still neat as a pin, showing just how much hairspray Claudia had used to hold it in place.

"And then the spell was cast," he crooned, because it was, from all the way back in school when Eddie would taunt the other jocks but there was never any bite in it when it came to Steve, his teasing came with a smile he never saw directed at anyone else, and he still remembers how it would make him preen a little and how he'd always feel a little peppier for the rest of the day.

But it felt like magic when they met for real, not the king and the jester but Steve and Eddie, battling the unknown side by side, Eddie smiling real smiles, teeth and dimples, all for Steve, because of Steve. And then of course he'd just had to be the hero and Steve had swore at him the whole way to the hospital because he'd been so mad but after days at his bedside, the first time he woke up and smiled at Steve, he knew from that moment on he was done for.

He'd just never thought they could have this, never dreamed Eddie would feel the same way so he buried that feeling deep down, enjoyed his friendship, relished being someone Eddie could rely on, being his confidant and still even when Eddie said "don't punch me but…" Steve had been too scared to rock the boat, didn't want to lose what they had because just because Eddie was interested in men didn't mean he was interested in him.

Who'd've thought Mike Wheeler would've been the one to make Steve see what was right on the end of his nose.

"And here we are in heaven," Steve trilled, resting his forehead against Eddie's trying to calm his heart before it beats right out of his chest, because there's butterflies taking flight and Steve's never in his life been nervous about a kiss but this one feels monumental and he can feel it coming and he wants it now and he also wants to wait and let this moment last forever.

"For you are mine," Eddie crooned, sounding more like a question. And as much as Steve always melts whenever Eddie sings, the fact that Eddie's still questioning his intentions, after he declared that Eddie's the most important person in his life, after what they're currently doing, just makes Steve realise how long Eddie's been his, how blind they've both been, how they've both been so wrapped up in what they can't have neither of them noticed it was right there for the taking.

Steve beams at him, let's Eddie see the way he makes him feel, the way he's always made him feel, nods like he's agreeing to a marriage proposal, deliriously happy and tear streaked.

"At last," Etta sings into the moonlit evening, as the boys seal their promise with a kiss.

[harley-sunday]

Feels Like Home [Epilogue]

Summary: When an unexpected three-week break between Monza and Singapore finds Daniel back on his farm in Perth he’s desperate to use this time to clear his mind, figure out his future in Formula One, and find his way back. He didn’t expect a new neighbour, a sassy two-year old, and three alpacas would make him realise that sometimes, what you’re looking for is right in front of you.

Pairing: Daniel Ricciardo x reader (unnamed OFC)

Warnings: None. Weird.

Word count: 3k

AN: Sorry for the long wait, bb’s. Life got in the way and- Ugh. Anyway. Here we are, the last part of this story. I hope you liked reading it all as much as I enjoyed writing it. Please leave a comment if you did :) ♥

Masterlist

"Danny, banana. Danny, bana-"

"Mate-" Daniel locks eyes with his best friend through the rear view mirror and shakes his head.

From the driver's seat Blake shrugs and grins, "What? Shi-" He catches himself just in time, no doubt also because of a whispered, "Blake!" coming from next to Daniel, and corrects himself quick enough for it not to reach a certain three-year-old's ears. "It's a catchy song, mate." Blake looks over his shoulder then, wiggling his eyebrows, "Right, El?"

Ellie nods in response, dancing in her car seat as she continues where Blake left off, "-na. Danny, banana. Danny, banana."

There's a stifled laugh coming from his left, followed by a hand on his knee, "Regretting bringing us along for the weekend yet?"

He takes her hand in his, intertwining their fingers effortlessly, before he brings them up to his mouth and places a kiss to the back of her hand, "Never."

They're on their way to the track, Blake driving the Ford pickup Red Bull arranged for them this weekend, Mia, one of the Red Bull PR girls, in the front seat and Daniel, her, and Ellie crammed in the backseat together. It's Friday, free practice day, and so there's no rush, not much on his schedule except a sit-down interview with Sky Sports later today, once the two practice sessions are over. 

Next to him Ellie keeps singing her song and when he looks at her she smiles up at him with her toothy grin, holding out her hand to him. He takes it and presses a kiss to the back of her hand the same way he did to her mum's a few moments ago, "You excited, bub?"

"Yep," Ellie says confidently even though Daniel's sure she has no idea what's about to happen. She leans forward and looks around him, at her mum, "Happy days."

On his other side she laughs and shakes her head, muttering a quiet, "Tell me your kid is hanging out with your boyfriend too much without telling me your kid is hanging out with your boyfriend too much."

Daniel doesn't say anything but an exciting mix of happiness and pride and love spreading inside his chest, pushing out the nerves that have been there all morning. Because it's one thing to be going to his home Grand Prix, but it's another thing to do so with her and Ellie by his side. 

It feels like only yesterday when he was in Abu Dhabi, confirming after weeks of speculation that yes, he would be returning to his former team, but at the same time so much has happened in the time he’s been home that it’s hard to believe it’s only been four months.

The farm- their farm now, ever since he asked her and Ellie to move in with him at the end of January- has seemed to come alive and feels more like a home than it ever did before. They moved the girls from Oscar’s farm to theirs early March because it would be a lot easier for them to look after six alpacas than it would be for her Granddad, who now only has Homer to worry about and can finally enjoy his retirement. 

Last week they spent some time with Blake, trying to figure out whether or not they should launch their relationship ahead of the Grand Prix but in the end she made the decision for them when, after another hour or so of discussing the pros and cons, she looked at him and Blake and simply said, "Why don't we just see what happens? It can't be that bad, right?”

Blake, bless him, wasted no time and started rattling of a list of reasons why it would be bad, why they needed a plan, why-

"I get that part," she said, reaching over the kitchen table and putting her hand on Blake's arm, "and I think it's good that we have something to fall back on once the news breaks, but- I just don't like the idea of an official statement, or orchestrating a 'candid'-" she air-quoted the word, "-moment with the press. I much rather just have it happen naturally, if that makes sense."

Daniel remembers nodding in agreement, "She has a point, mate.”

Blake had leaned back in his chair, pushing up his glasses to pinch the bridge of his nose but then he dropped his shoulders and let out a resigned sigh and Daniel knew they had won Blake over, "Fine. I'll call Christian and Vicky and hear what they think.

Daniel told Christian about her, last November, in the few quiet hours before they announced his return to Red Bull. Christian hadn't said anything at first, just looked at Daniel the way he so often looked at Max, a softness there that Daniel hadn't quite known how to take until Christian clasped his shoulder and told him, his voice thick and laced with pride, "I'm really happy for you, Daniel. You- You more than anyone deserve this." 

And so he wasn’t surprised when Christian gave them the go-ahead.

They’re almost at the track now and when Daniel clears his throat, the nerves from earlier back in full force, he feels her squeeze his hand, like she knows exactly what he's feeling right now. He guesses that in a way she is. 

***

From the moment you arrive at the track it's hectic, Daniel and Blake leaving the car first in an attempt to give you and Ellie some respite from hundreds of the waiting fans. Mia stays with you, so she can escort you, in what everyone hopes will be relative peace, to the paddock once Max arrives in about five minutes. 

It's a carefully planned setup by Vicky who, more than anything else, was concerned about you and Ellie and promised she would try to make it as enjoyable as possible. Even if that meant you had to wait in the car for a few minutes so Max could act as a decoy.

Looking out of the window and seeing just how crazy people get when they see Daniel, you're glad you agreed. 

You're not sure if Vicky had anything to do with it but both Max and Sergio arrive at the track at the same time and with the fans' attention turned solely to the two Red Bull drivers, you make it to the team's garage without too much trouble. Mia not wearing any team gear but instead being undercover in her plain clothes definitely helped, you tell her with a wink once you're safely inside.

"I felt like I was on a secret mission," the young girl beams back at you. She nods then, "You guys have fun today."

"Thank you, Mia," you tell her with a warm smile that grows even wider when you see Daniel coming towards you.

"Hey you," he says, standing in front of you with his back towards the pitlane, effectively blocking you and Ellie from prying eyes. "All good?"

"All good," you confirm easily enough. 

He holds something out to Ellie then, looking extremely pleased with himself, "Here you go, bub. You have to put these on when the cars start to make loud noises, ok?"

Ellie takes the headphones from him, looking at Daniel with wide eyes.

"Oh wow, Ellie," you say as you pinch her cheek with your free hand. "Danny got you pink headphones, huh? How cool!"

"Thank you, Danny," Ellie says, leaning forward in your arms so she can press a kiss to Daniel's cheek.

Daniel smiles widely at Ellie before he grabs something off the counter next to you, "I got you a pair as well."

"Momma, look!" Ellie holds up hers, "The same!"

You smile, "Yeah, we're matching, bub. How very awesome."

"So free practice starts in an hour or so, do you want to grab something to eat first?" Daniel's rocking back and forth on his feet and you can tell he's getting a little nervous again. It’s the only downside of not having an official moment scheduled, you’ve come to realise, because it’s completely out of your hands and it’s just one big waiting game until someone spots you together and runs with it. 

You try to give Daniel your best reassuring smile, "Sounds great." Taking Ellie's headphones from her, you put them, and yours, in the large tote bag that's hanging from your shoulder before you move Ellie to your other hip, "Lead the way, Ricciardo."

Daniel nods towards the back of the garage and when you turn around he puts his hand on the small of your back, guiding you through a maze of corridors that lead back to the paddock and the Red Bull hospitality. 

Before you've crossed over though, Ellie starts wriggling in your arms and it isn't until you see a familiar face coming your way that you understand why. Ellie tries to push herself free and so, once he's close enough, you set her down and watch as she wobbles over to, "Uncle Mikey!"

Michael's entire face lights up and he squats down just in time to catch her, picking her up and laughing when she presses a wet kiss to his cheek, "Hello Miss Ellie. How you going?"

"Uncle Mikey," Ellie repeats, a little quieter this time, letting her head rest against his shoulder with a content sigh.

Michael nods to the driver who's standing next to him, "Go on, mate. I'll catch up with you in a bit, yeah?"

Yuki nods and gives Ellie a quick wave, "Bye."

A few heads have turned your way but then you greet Michael with a warm hug, Daniel keeping his distance, and it seems people lose interest rather quickly, probably thinking you're here for the Alpha Tauri trainer instead of Red Bull's reserve driver. Ellie, bless her, helps by babbling incessantly about whatever she deems interesting enough, as if she hasn't just seen him last Sunday when he was over for dinner with Nathalie and Blake. 

Michael listens intently but nods towards Red Bull's hospitality and so you follow him to where he stops in front of the sliding doors, thankful for the escort. When there's a lull in Ellie's stories, Michael takes it as his cue to hand her back to you, but not before promising he'll catch up with you later this weekend. 

Daniel reappears then, and together you head inside. The room is full of Red Bull employees enjoying their lunch but none of them seem to pay you any mind and it's then you remember a brief was sent out by the team earlier this week, where it was mentioned you and Ellie would be joining Daniel this weekend, effectively introducing you to the crew. 

There is someone waving at you from the other side of the room and so Daniel gently pushes you forward to where Blake is sitting. Without hesitating Blake pushes his chair back so he can take Ellie from you, bouncing her on his knee as you hang your bag on the back of a chair and sit down. Ellie's giggles quickly fill the room and you can't help but smile by how at ease she is.

"Well, hello,"

You look up and see Christian joining your table, giving Daniel a hug before he turns to you. Standing up you're ready to shake his hand but find yourself being pulled into a hug instead.

"It's so nice to finally meet you," Christian says when he lets go of you, one hand still on your arm. He nods to Daniel then, a mischievous grin on his lips, "This one wouldn't shut up about you."

You let out a laugh at the way Daniel's cheeks redden and smile at Christian, "Surprisingly enough we talked a lot about you on our first date, so I guess that makes two of us."

Christian chuckles and nods at Daniel, "I can see why you like her so much." He turns to Blake and Ellie then, "And who is this lovely lady?"

"Bit weird of you to call Blake that," Daniel pipes up with a grin, "but I'm sure he doesn't mind the compliment."

You shake your head at Daniel, trying to not laugh at the way Blake gives him one of his better scowls, and pick up Ellie, "This is my daughter Ellie."

"Hello Ellie," Christian says, giving her knee a gentle squeeze. "Don't you look just like your mum."

Ellie studies Christian for a second, her little eyebrows knitted together as she tries to decide whether she likes him or not, but then she grins widely, "Danny go racing."

"Not this weekend, bub," Daniel explains from next to Christian. "Some other time maybe."

Christian leans closer to Ellie then and whispers, loud enough for you and Daniel to hear, "Definitely some other time, sweetheart."

***

She and Ellie watch both the first practice session from inside Max’s side of the garage, while Daniel is on the pit wall, trying to concentrate but catching himself looking over his shoulder every couple of minutes to see if they’re still ok. He spots Brad, Max’s trainer, chatting to Ellie animatedly towards the end of the session and feels a little more at ease, once again reminded how fiercely loyal and protective everyone in the Red Bull family is. 

Once free practice is over he starts to head back inside where he finds Ellie admiring the lion on top of the helmet Max is showing her.

“It is of course not like a real lion, Ellie,” Max tells her as he traces the lines with his finger, “but it looks like one don’t you think?” 

“Danny, look!” Ellie says when she spots him and points to Max’s helmet, “It’s a lion.”

“It’s sure is, bub,” Daniel agrees with a smile, picking up Ellie then when she holds out her arms to him. When she rests her head against his shoulder he hugs her closer, still amazed by how much it means that she trusts him so much.

Max looks at him a little strange and Daniel half expects him to crack a joke but instead he claps Daniel’s back and gives him a kind smile, “I’ll see you tomorrow, yeah?” 

“Yep.”

Daniel watches as she says her goodbyes to Max, not surprised when his teammate returns the hugs she gives him without hesitating. When she turns back to Daniel she smiles, “I like him.” 

“Good.” Daniel chuckles, “I like him too most of the time.” Ellie lets out a yawn then and Daniel presses a kiss to the top of her head, “You tired, bub?”

Ellie shakes her head but another yawn betrays her.

She runs her hand through her daughter’s hair and smiles, “It’s a long day, huh bub?”

Daniel smiles apologetically, “I can have someone take you back to the hotel if you want?”

“Oh, no, that’s ok,” she says. She nods towards Ellie then, “She’d never forgive me if we left early but-” she looks around, “-if we could find somewhere quiet, maybe?”

“Say no more,” Daniel says and uses his free hand to guide her to the back of the garage and into the maze of corridors that ultimately leads them to a conference room that he hopes still has a comfortable couch in it like it used to do when he first was with the team. It does.

“Perfect,” she tells him with a smile as she sits down at an angle, one leg folded in front of her. She leans in and takes Ellie’s shoes off, the little girl already fast asleep in Daniel’s lap. She looks up at him then, “You sure you don’t have anywhere else to be?”

“Nah.” Daniel shakes his head and leans in to give her a kiss, “There’s nowhere I’d rather be right now.” 

***

“Daniel, after four years you’re back to where it all started for you, back at Red Bull,” Nathalie looks up at him and smiles. “Are you happy to be back?”

“I am,” Daniel agrees easily enough, leaning back in his chair. You can tell he’s at ease, no nervous tapping of his foot or biting the skin around his nails, and you know it’s because he and Nathalie are good friends and he knows he won’t push anything. You watch as he nods to where the Red Bull garage is, “It feels good, you know? They’re family.” 

Nathalie nods, “Christian told us you’ll probably be at eight races this year, Melbourne being the first, are you ok with being around the paddock but not being able to drive? Do you miss it?”

“Of course I miss it but-” Daniel sits up a little, as if he wants to get his point across, “-I know I still need some time. These past few months- Without the pressure of having to prepare for a season, you know, it’s- It’s been good. I’m in a much better headspace now and I think if we can keep this up for the next couple of months-” He shrugs, “Who knows what might happen.”

“Would you say you’re happier now than you were at Renault and McLaren? Even though you’re not driving-”

“Oh definitely,” Daniel answers without hesitating. “It feels like this is exactly where I’m meant to be.”

Nathalie smiles, “You seem more relaxed than when we last spoke in Abu Dhabi last year- Would you say the longer winter break helped with that?” 

“Amongst other things,” Daniel says with a grin, making Nathalie shake her head. 

“I heard something about you being an alpaca farmer now,” Nathalie teases, as if she didn’t come by after Jeddah for a two-day visit where she spent most of her time cuddling the girls. And Ellie. 

“You heard correct,” Daniel shoots back, smiling widely.

“You are a man of many talents, Daniel,” Nathalie says as she throws him a wink. “Amazing.” She clears her throat then, “So is it safe to say you’re in a good place right now? That you’re happy?”

Daniel nods, “Yep.” 

“Why?”

Daniel looks past Nathalie at you and Ellie, locking eyes with you as he smiles and says, “I’ve got everything I need right here.” 

“Yes?”

“Yeah.” Daniel looks back at Nathalie, “I’m home.” 

[quite-right-too]

Dona Nobis Pacem (Grant Us Peace) - Chapter One

Summary: After preparing for the arrival of her new housemates, the last thing Rose expected was for one of them to be the man whose flat she had snuck out of the night before.

Thank you to @demdifferentstories-29 for being a seriously amazing beta and helping me, the research proposal writer, get back into writing fanfics. If you haven't checked out her fics yet, please do. They're some of my favorites!

Read here on AO3

Naked.

That was the first thing Rose Tyler noticed when she woke up. 

The bed she was in was not her own, and she was naked. 

Blearily sitting up, she noticed it wasn’t much of a bed, really — it was a mattress on the floor. 

She really had shagged a guy who slept on a mattress on the floor. 

At least it had a sheet on it, she mused pathetically. As Rose looked around, however, she noticed the cardboard boxes littering the room. All of the walls were bare, save for the blinds over the single window letting in the sliver of soft morning light that was illuminating the room. The hardwood floors and white walls were a stark contrast to what she would have expected from someone with so many bloody boxes. The bareness was disorienting. 

He must have just moved into his flat, then. But it didn’t matter, though. 

She looked over to her right and there was a bloke, seemingly also naked, fast asleep next to her. Brown, messy hair donned his head, his expression peaceful. Rose could barely make out the constellations of freckles on his face. Based on his upper body, he was definitely fit – the light smattering of hair on his chest and sleek musculature easily got her attention. His light snores cut through that awkward silence of waking up in a random man’s bed.

She remembered the strobe lights giving her glimpses of the crowd in the otherwise darkened bar, the bass drowning out all other sounds besides her heartbeat in her ears. Dancing in the crowd. Laughing while she walked up to the bar and procured another cocktail — of which the name of she wasn’t sure. Getting several drinks in and seeing this absolutely gorgeous man. This man who had been looking at her with such confidence and desire. Eyes impossibly dark, looking at her like there was nobody else in the room. Dancing with him as his hands roamed, becoming more comfortable with each other. Drunken kisses turning into fumbling into his flat. 

Which turned into some pretty amazing sex. There was something about him, some kind of pull drawing her closer, though she couldn’t be sure of what. Maybe it was just the alcohol that had coursed through her body the night before.

Quietly standing up, she made her way around the room to silently collect her clothes and put them on one by one. Her pair of knickers, however, were nowhere to be found. She barely was able to keep her balance while trying to get her jeans on. Her mobile was still in her pocket. ‘6 missed calls from Jack’ the phone screen showed. Checking the time, her stomach flipped. 

4:53 AM. It was 4:53 in the morning and she had spent most of the night at this stranger’s flat.

Rose rushed to yank on her trainers, frantically checking for her bag and making sure all her belongings were still in it. After a moment of panic, she quietly and slowly opened the door to his bedroom, wincing as it creaked. The man, however, did not stir from his slumber. As she gently closed the door, save for a crack, she surveyed the layout of his flat. It wasn’t very large, probably about the size of the one she had shared with her mum. More bare walls and nearly a dozen cardboard boxes were in what was supposed to be the living room. The floors were quiet as she carefully walked through the hallway, eventually reaching the front door. It was quieter than the first, allowing a seamless transition from the dark flat to the outside world.

It was 5 AM at this point, the city coming back to life. It didn’t take long for a Lyft to arrive. As she sat in the back of the white sedan, Rose was thankful for the silent driver who had quiet, peaceful music playing. The sun had already begun to rise once they made their way out of the main city. The twenty minute ride felt like an eternity and Rose was thankful when the driver finally pulled up to the front of her house. The lights were still off, indicating there was nobody awake.

Her house was more posh than anywhere Rose had ever lived before. She grew up on the estates and could have never imagined living in a house, especially one where she had a large enough bedroom and her own en suite to feel like an actual adult. There was a garden, four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a full kitchen, a properly sized living room, a formal dining room, and even a small library. It was stunning and definitely out of her wildest dreams — there was no way she would be able to afford living in a house like this if she was on her own.

Her flatmate, Jack, had recently inherited it from his grandfather. They had met during a drenching storm, in which he offered to give her a lift back to the flat she had shared with her mate Shareen. After keeping his number, she confided in him regarding her numerous failed attempts to find a new flat after some particularly nasty fights concerning her shared living situation. As one would have it, Jack was also looking for a new place to live and suggested that they share a flat, strictly as friends. It was just as platonic as he said, and their relationship blossomed from there. They were practically family, even having the typical rows you would see in sibling pairs. Once Jack’s grandfather had passed and he had gotten the deed to the house, Jack practically begged for her to live with him in it. She accepted enthusiastically.

However, it was definitely an adjustment. Rose had never lived in a house quite this large before, having two whole stories in it. They had only been there for two months even though it seemed like less after spending most of it decorating, acquiring furniture, and painting the walls to make it seem less like an old man lived there. Her room actually felt comfortable and grown up opposed to her vibrantly pink room at her mum’s. The walls were a soft light grey which gave the impression of a room much larger than it actually was. The soft pink duvet on her bed provided a nice pop of colour to the whole thing while the frame and sheets accentuated it with a simple white. Artwork lined the walls, all holding the same signature in the bottom right corner. Her signature.

Wearily unlocking the door, she let out a breath she didn’t know she had been holding since she woke up. She was now home, where she could lay in her own bed alone. Rose still had to get used to manoeuvring in the dark, narrowly avoiding bumping into various pieces of furniture that had recently been rearranged. The walk of shame up the stairs would have been far more embarrassing had Jack been actually awake. But thankfully, she still had about three hours before his alarm was meant to go off.

She quickly made her way up the stairs, her room at the end of the hall feeling more and more enticing. The door closed silently, finally giving Rose the chance to strip her clothes off. Rose admired the skimpy, strapless pink top she had worn. 

‘Was this what made this man approach me?’ she wondered. 

She so desperately wanted to feel the hot water cleansing her skin from the dirty one-off shag she had. Never had Rose been so thankful that Jack gave her the master bedroom — not worrying about anyone needing to use her bathroom was a nice, peaceful feeling. 

As she turned the water on, multiple thoughts began to plague Rose’s mind. 

Did they use a condom? 

Was he clean? 

Was this whole thing a huge mistake? 

The mirror steaming up pulled her out of her spiral. Mentally, she made a note to go get tested as soon as possible.

The scalding water on her skin was much needed. She felt the night washing off, the bath sponge scrubbing away his tender touches and dirty words; the feelings of hot, sweaty sex full of lust. She remembered more and more while she rinsed the shampoo out of her hair — the fire in his eyes, the way his teeth felt on her neck. Her fingers gripping his hair as he— 

Oh.

Rose’s breath hitched as her full memory of that night flashed through her mind at lightspeed, and she realised that it was the best shag of her life. She stood dumbfounded under the spray for a minute as she desperately tried to recall his name. Not once did they exchange names during the entire night. 

She quickly finished her shower, turning off the water and stepping out with a towel wrapped around her. 

It was a one-off, she reminded herself, albeit a little disappointed at the thought. You’re never going to see him again. 

She threw her pyjamas on and crawled into bed. The fatigue from the night before had begun to set in. Her body felt so heavy and her head throbbed lightly — the result of a mixture of alcohol and exhaustion. She hadn’t even realised she had fallen asleep until the familiar pounding on the door pulled her out of her – quite unrestful – sleep.

“Wake up, Rosie!” Jack called through the door. “I need your help prepping the house for the guests!” 

Oh — that was today.

It was bloody Saturday. Of course it was Saturday — the day Jack’s friends were supposed to be coming to move in. The house was just a little bit too big for the two of them, so Jack had invited some of his old travel friends to come live with them. After a lot of ‘Come on, Rosie, you’ll love them’ and ‘It’ll be nice to have some extra hands around here’, Rose eventually caved and told him that maybe she wouldn’t mind the extra company. Her only worry is that she knew almost nothing about them. She knew their names were James and Donna, they were siblings, and that they live in central London. Well, they lived in central London.

“Well, I thought you would never wake up,” Jack laughed as she sluggishly drifted into the kitchen. The distinct smell of coffee emanated through the room as Rose finally began actually waking up, taking a seat at the table. As he turned his head to look at her, she could see the smirk on his face. “Have too good of a time last night?” God, sometimes she wanted to punch him in his stupid American face. Even when he sat a cuppa down right in front of her with a splash of milk, just how she liked it.

“Maybe I did,” she sighed. “Don’t look at me like that.” He waggled his eyebrows, grinning at her as he chuckled lightly. “You’ve shown up plenty of times after a quick shag in the middle of the night.” Rose picked up the cup, sipping her tea as she eyed him.

Rolling his eyes, Jack grabbed his own coffee mug and sat down at the table with her. “Yeah, but Rose Tyler doesn’t do one night stands.” He was right and she knew it. It was very out of character for her to just have a meaningless fuck and sneak back into the house like she was a teenager. Changing the subject, he continued. “Are you ready to help with the move-in?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Rose groaned. It was going to be a long morning.

She had been counting down the minutes as they felt like hours, exhaustion creeping in. The day felt like it was never going to end. The doorbell rang as Rose finished up with tidying up the bathroom upstairs, not including her own. The door opened and she could faintly hear Jack greeting his friends, encouraging them to come inside. She began making her way down the hallway and to the staircase, all with the intention of warmly welcoming her new housemates.

“I’m so glad this worked out,” Jack laughed. “I’ve missed you guys.” He saw Rose coming down the staircase out of the corner of his eye. “Oh, Rosie! Come here! These are our esteemed guests,” he enunciated, giving a little wink. Her footsteps quickened as she descended. Rose looked up from her hands and wiped them off on her pants as she approached them.

“Hi, I’m Donna.” The ginger woman in front of her turned to Rose, greeting her after giving Jack a quick hug. “Thank you for letting my brother and I stay with you. It’s nice to finally be out of the city for once.” Her smile was warm and she had this aura of kindness around her. Rose was happy that Jack’s friends at least seemed normal.

“I’m Rose. It’s so nice to finally meet you!”

As she turned to greet the man in front of her, she froze. That messy brown hair and constellation of freckles that Rose had tried to trace in the dim light of the morning. His eyes were this deep brown, and the glasses that rested on the bridge of his nose framed his face gorgeously. Her stomach flipped as their eyes met. It was like a string had been pulled so taut between them that it would snap at any moment. 

It was him — the bloke whose flat she snuck out of after the best sex of her life. And here he was, standing in front of her, a matching look of shock adorned his features as he had the same realisation. And she didn’t even know his name.

“Hi, uh—” he stammered, stiffly offering her an outstretched hand. “I’m James. James Noble. It’s, er, nice to meet you.” He swallowed thickly, waiting for a response. Rose blinked the flabbergasted look off her face, taking a deep breath and accepting his hand to awkwardly shake it.

“Likewise.” What did she just get herself into?

[chrisevansonly]

It’s Just Tradition (harry’s angel au)

pairing: harry styles x female reader

summary: ever since you’d started dating harry the two of you and his mum had a tradition of getting latte’s from your favourite cafe, now that you’re both back in the UK the tradition continues <3

warnings: none, very fluffy

a/n: i just felt like some good ol comforty fluff today 🤍

Harry couldn’t conceal the small smile on his face as he watched you dance a little in your seat, hands holding your bump, the two of you on the way to meet his mum for coffee or in your case a vanilla matcha latte from your favourite cafe in London. You hadn’t seen Anne for a few weeks now with touring and moving around, she opted to stay at her home in the countryside near where you and Harry usually spent your time.

She was going to be making the trip to Coventry to see him play but you just couldn’t wait any longer to spend time with one of your favourite people in the world so Harry made sure to set some time aside for the three of you.

“Getting excited angel?”

“Yes! So excited! I haven’t seen mum in ages it feels like! Bee’s even excited, kicking up a storm right now!”

Harry adored just how much you loved his family, the genuine excitement that spread through you at family dinners, holidays or just on days like today where you’d finally had time to get back to your tradition of meeting for coffee once a week.

“I think mum might be the favourite for both of you hm?”

Smiling as he reached his hand over to feel some of the kicks you couldn’t help but laugh

“She just might…”

“M’gonna have to start trying harder to win that first spot back”

You both laughed pulling into a spot to park, your hands unclasping your seat belt but you remained in the car knowing Harry liked to open your door for you, a habit since your first date, but even more so now because he wanted to help his girls. He came around the front, opening your door and offering you a hand to take

“Thank you baby, always take such good care of us”

Once you were out he leaned down and pressed a kiss to your lips

“Always.”

You turned towards the quiet looking cafe, though some part of you thought Harry may have called ahead to the owners to let them know you’d be arriving, he didn’t always do this, but with a baby around he just wanted you safe and comfortable.

“Oh I see mum!”

He couldn’t even offer a response before you left his side walking into the coffee shop, a wide smile on your face as Anne noticed you, standing from her spot and opening her arms

“Mum!!”

“Hello my darling!”

You both engulfed one another in a hug, holding onto each other

“I missed you so much, you’ve no idea”

She pulled back to smile at you, holding your face gently in her hands

“I’ve missed you as well, so nice to see you again y/n and of course can’t forget about bee”

Harry had joined you in this time, a laugh escaping as his mother greeted her unborn granddaughter before him

“I’ve been tossed aside by my own mum!”

Anne waved her hand at him jokingly before pulling him in for a hug

“I’m afraid so my love, that’s alright though, you’ll adjust”

Now was your turn to laugh as you sat down next to Harry, his hand moving to rest on your thigh, giving it a quick squeeze before you all ordered your drinks

“How’ve you been mum? Alright?”

Anne nodded in response to H’s question

“Been a bit busy with the garden, it’s been so nice recently, but everything is good! Started a new book recently, I think you’d like it y/n”

You smiled taking a sip of your latte

“You’ll have to let me borrow it when you’re done!”

Anne smiled letting you know as soon as she finished reading it, she’d send it along to you. You all settled into conversation to catch up, talk about anything new or exciting and you realized just how much you missed this tradition. It was nice to be on tour with Harry but you were excited for the break, the possibility for more cafe dates and cozy nights with H seeming more and more amazing as time went on.

“I love you angel”

You snapped yourself back into focus, smiling up at Harry as he smiled at you, his mother taking a few sneaky photos for a later date. She knew you were perfect for Harry as soon as he’d called her after the second date, they’d spent 3 hours on the phone together, and Anne knew right then you’d be such a special part of their family and she was right. She didn’t need an essay or a photo or even a video to know that, no, all she needed was to see that look in Harry’s eyes, the one he’d look at you with every second if he could

he looked at you with stars in his eyes and enough love to fill your heart until the end of time…and that, that is how she knew…

[redhairedwolfwitch]

Won The Goalie - Clàudia Pina x Reader

A/n: A continuation of Score A Goalie. Might be a bit of a long one.

Spain may have ended up losing in the quarter-finals of the euros, but Clàudia had still scored a goalie, your relationship with the Barcelona player stronger than before after the competition, spending as much time as you could together before your respective preseasons began and new transfers were being announced.

With the retirement of your captain, Sampedro, Lola was now team captain and number one goalkeeper for Atleti. This wasn’t the end of the constant changes that you took like punches to the gut. Deyna and Laia had left for Manchester City, Vir was dating someone, but you weren’t sure who, and Carmen and Lola were both being weird.

This meant that Lola fueled her energy into adopting the new youngest player of the team, Andrea Medina, with you being teased that you now had a team baby sister, since Lola was your team mum. However, everyone forgot a common worry that some families have when new baby siblings are introduced. The older one being forgotten about.

Tapping your foot against your kitchen floor, you stirred the pot carefully, trying to stop any of the food from burning to the bottom of the pan. Your tablet starting to ring caught your attention though, a smile creeping onto your face as you hit the answer button.

“¡Hola, cariño! I liked your tiktok!” your girlfriend’s face appearing over the video call lifted a weight from your shoulders, continuing to stir your dinner as you looked at the tablet camera.

“Thank you, baby! Wait, do you mean my ‘teenage dirtbag’ one or… the one where Lola bribed me to dance with her and Vir… because I don’t think those ones will be happening anymore, Lola stopped asking me since Medina will do them voluntarily… sorry, I’m rambling…” you apologised, turning away to look at the pan of food again, not seeing how your girlfriend’s smile turned into a concerned frown at what you said.

“I like both, we will have to go dancing together next time! It is weird here too, Jenni has left… we both lost our team madres, but Alexia is still here, recovering.” Clàudia pointed out, you both pausing to reflect on the number of teammates who had left Barcelona and Atlético Madrid over the summer.

“Jenni moved to Mexico, whilst Lola… is too busy to have to worry about me. How is Alexia anyway?” you enquired, turning off the hob as you went to serve your food.

You didn’t expect to hear Alexia herself answer, splashing the sauce down your shirt instead of into the bowl as you flinched, Alexia’s voice startling you since you expected an answer from your girlfriend.

“Are you okay, chica?” Alexia frowned as you disappeared off camera with a slight yell.

“Just a second… I need to change my shirt… got sauce all over it!” you called out, hurriedly throwing your stained shirt in the sink before grabbing one of your girlfriend’s hoodies that she’d left with you (or you’d stolen, you were not going to disclose which it was).

“You are cooking?” Alexia began to tease, but you tried to hide the sad look on your face.

“Don’t you have dinner with Lola and Carmen on this day every week-” Clàudia cut herself off, realising what had gone on, “They forgot about you?”

“Lola’s busy, she barely has time during goalkeeper training now, so I am trying to cook dinner. Carmen’s coming over, but my cooking might scare her off. Unless I ditch this, and make pancakes… those pancakes I made for breakfast were okay, right?” you looked at Clàudia on the screen, who immediately flushed red as Alexia raised an eyebrow at you cooking Clàudia’s breakfast.

“When was this? In Paris?”

“Uh, no, it was…when Clàudia stayed with me here, in Madrid before pre-season…” you bit your lip, realising Clàudia had gone redder than you thought was possible under the teasing gaze of her captain, who hummed as she processed what you had said.

Neither of them spoke for a moment, until you heard the buzzer go off, “un minuto!” hurrying over to check who it was, then let Carmen into the building.

“Carmen?” Clàudia asked knowingly, but she still tilted her head slightly, wondering if it was just Carmen.

“Yeah, just Carmen. Everyone else… has better things to do I guess.” Shrugging, you went to open the door, waiting for a second before Carmen pulled you into a hug, walking into your kitchen with a shocked expression.

“¿Qué ha pasado aquí? Hola, Clàudia, hola Alexia!” Carmen’s gaze changed from where you’d splashed sauce everywhere, to the t-shirt in the sink, to the tablet set up on video call, as she asked what had happened here, in your kitchen.

“I tried to make dinner, but Alexia scared me and the sauce splashed a bit.” You explained, grimacing as Carmen looked over what you had made, grabbing a spoon to try it.

“Well, it is not poison. Good job!” Carmen chuckled, raising her hand to offer you a high five, “but you only made enough for two?”

“Lola and Vir have other things to do,” shrugging, you gently high-fived Carmen before moving to sort out the food, Carmen talking to Alexia and Clàudia about something as you zoned out trying to find the cutlery in your kitchen.

“¡Hola, chicas!” you almost dropped the spatula you were holding as you heard now Jenni’s voice over the video call, looking at Carmen with wide eyes as she shrugged at you. Apparently Jenni had time to video call even with the seven hour time difference.

Walking back into frame, you passed Carmen a bowl of the food you’d made, the two of you watching the video call like it was reality tv with the bonus of food.

“Quiet in Madrid? Where are Lola and Vir?” Jenni raised an eyebrow, spotting how you and Carmen were the only ones in frame at your apartment, Carmen explaining whilst you picked up your drink.

“I will add them to the call!”

Clàudia’s eyes widened as Jenni put her foot in it, sending call requests to Lola and Virginia whilst you had a much more vivid reaction. Choking on your drink, you surprised Carmen who hurried to help you, whilst Alexia and Clàudia were stuck watching the chaos from Barcelona, as Lola eventually appeared on the call.

The goalkeeper raised an eyebrow as you dropped out of frame quickly, the choking noises alarming her and confusing Andrea who was in the background of Lola’s screen. 

“¿Qué está pasando?” Lola frowned, her question repeated as Virginia graced what had now become a group video call with her presence, asking what was going on.

“What’s happening is- this turned into a group call and dinner went cold, hey, babe, were the pancakes okay? I’d rather not poison Carmen, or myself, by making them again?” you hesitated as you spoke, directing your eyes on the one camera where Clàudia and Alexia were. Alexia was giving Clàudia an amused look as your girlfriend paused in her answer.

“Babe?” Jenni began to tease, spotting how Clàudia had started to blush again.

“When did you make pancakes for Jenni’s child?” Lola raised an eyebrow, realising that you had never mentioned this before.

“When she came to Madrid after the Euros and stayed here…” you trailed off, eating a mouthful of the food you had left over, Carmen doing the same but hiding the shit-eating grin she had on her face as Jenni, Lola and Virginia processed what you had just said.

“When did you go to Madrid?” Jenni enquired, wondering when Clàudia had time to visit where Jenni was from.

“You stayed at mini-Lola’s place?” Virginia added, about to smirk but Lola’s frown stopped her.

“Together? When was this? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“No, she stayed at mine and I slept at a hotel- we both stayed here!”  you deadpanned, shrugging as Carmen face-palmed, raising an eyebrow at your boldness, “I tried to tell you, but-”

“Mini-Lola?” you froze as Andrea spoke, Lola’s focus completely gone as she gave Andrea a recap of last season, how you were Lola’s mini version, and you and Clàudia had met then started dating, to what Lola was just finding out now.

“You two are having sleepovers?” Alexia smiled as Clàudia was forced to explain, realising that you had gone out of frame to try to make the pancakes.

“Uh, cariño! The pancakes were great, just not the first one-”

“The first one is supposed to go wrong! It’s a test pancake!” you pouted, appearing back on screen holding a bag of plain flour, not realising there was some on your nose until Carmen had thrown a tea towel at you, everyone else bar Lola, who was still talking to Andrea, trying to hide their amusement at you.

“How did this go from video calling one person… to a group call?” you enquired as you began to mess around with the pancake batter, ignoring how everyone was now watching you like it was a reality tv cooking show, instead trying to direct a wink at Clàudia. The wink clearly failed as you heard the older players’ reactions whilst you were whisking the batter, rolling your eyes at their teasing.

Your focus remained between the pancake batter that was currently cooking with the frying pan that Carmen had found in one of your cupboards and your girlfriend on the video call, ignoring everyone else as they chattered amongst themselves. The occasional question was thrown to you, but you would hum, watching the pancake batter begin to bubble.

“Are you having pancakes instead of dinner?”

“If you weren’t so busy, we could have gone out to that place we talked about weeks ago, for the weekly meal but those don’t really happen anymore, and I can cook pancakes… sorry if you wanted something more healthy Carmen, I think I have salad in the fridge?” You answered Lola’s question without looking up from the pan, carefully using the spatula to flip the pancake, allowing the other side to cook as you gestured for Carmen to look in the fridge.

You could feel the awkwardness radiate from the call as Lola said what you knew she would say. She was busy as the new captain helping the new players fit into the team and helping the team with the league, but… it was like you didn’t matter anymore. You couldn’t say anything because it was too logical as to why Lola was so busy, so it didn’t matter what you thought. Your eyes remained on the pancake in the frying pan, fighting back tears as you let out a choked sigh.

“¿Estás bien, cariño?” Clàudia looked concerned as you managed to force yourself to look up from the pan, ignoring Carmen’s concerned gaze as you let out a breath and nodded.

“I’m going to finish these pancakes, have a nice night everyone.” You forced a smile, leaving the group video call quickly as you propped up the tablet to open the direct messaging to your girlfriend, typing a message to her before leaving the tablet alone.

“So, how many pancakes do you want?” you turned to Carmen, who raised an eyebrow as you removed the latest pancake from the pan, trying to hide her shock as it was not burnt.

///

It didn’t take long for things to get even worse. Lola hadn’t told you about what was going on with the Spanish national team, but Clàudia filled you in, and you were ready to fight, even though you’d never played at an international level, or even been called up. The October international break rolled around, and your teammates, and some of Clàudia’s headed to Mallorca, after the requests of the fifteen players, including your girlfriend and (former) team mum, were aired out to the public by the RFEF.

Whilst everyone was enjoying Mallorca, you stayed in Madrid, spending the first few days completely alone, with only contact from Clàudia, before she ended up joining you in Madrid, keeping you company. You were laying with your face in her lap, her fingers drawing patterns on the back of your neck as you hummed, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of her thigh before turning your head to look up at your love.

“Tengo miedo de no jugar esta temporada.” You admitted, chewing your lip as Clàudia processed what you had said. You were scared you would not play this season.

“¿Por qué?” Clàudia asked why, her focus on why you did not think you would play.

“Lola is playing every match, she is captain every match… there is no sign that me, or Paula, will play. Atleti need Lola, not me. I- I can’t just analyse how Lola plays every match, I need to play, but… what do I do?”

“Go on loan?”

“But, what if I end up even further away from you?” you rolled onto your back, head resting in Clàudia’s lap as her hand rested on your collarbone, her thumb running circles on your skin.

“What if you end up closer? We will be okay, cariño. We will see each other at breaks, and games, and te amo, cariño.” Clàudia reasoned, not expecting you to sit up, straddling her lap as you sat in it, your hands cupping her face, looking into her eyes.

“Yo también te amo.” 

Clàudia smiled as you admitted you loved her too, leaning forwards so her lips met yours, the kiss shifting from gentle to more passionate as Clàudia’s hands gripped your waist.

///

October to November, another international break incoming but this time you had plans. Your request to go on loan was pending, and if things went well, you would be going on loan to another Spanish club that needed a goalkeeper from January. A key detail of the loan though, you had to get minutes. You’d seen social media talking about a player Arsenal obtained from Barcelona, but they sent her on loan to Everton, to end up not getting enough minutes for the world cup, and Arsenal admitted to re-evaluating the loan in January if things did not change. Another key detail from the loan came a lot later however. The option that the loan could become a transfer if things played out differently.

Lola and Vir were still wrapped up in what they were doing, and Carmen did spend some time with you, but nobody really noticed you were slipping away from Atleti. Only Clàudia knew what was going on, but her team mums were also getting insights into it. Jenni only knew from the video calls, when time zones were in the Spanish players’ favour, whilst Alexia could talk to Clàudia herself whilst recovering from her ACL injury.

Clàudia seemed fine, until the November international break approached, and you were a lot harder to get hold of. You’d left Madrid, heading to England to spend a few days in the Lake District, and the last thing you’d posted was peaceful.

You stood near the lake, chewing your lip as you walked back towards where you were staying, with the wifi struggling to upload your photos you’d just managed to take. You had your back towards the camera, looking out at Windemere in the one you chose for your Instagram post, whilst your Instagram stories got the rest of the photos, plus a specific song you chose, having the lyrics appear on the screen with the photo as the song played. The Lakes by Taylor Swift. You decided to make a travel tiktok for England later.

Walking back out to the lake, you didn’t think your feed would refresh and show you a photo that with a second glance, had you wanting to wash your eyes. Instead, your phone slid from your grasp and you heard a splash. 

“Ew! Ah! No, no no! Please still work… fuck! Rice, I need rice!”

Luckily you still had your tablet, so you could video-call Clàudia and explain that all you had managed to save from your phone was the sim card, which somehow still worked, but the phone itself was gone. Your texts went unread, Whatsapp inaccessible, and phone calls were not getting through. 

This meant that you didn’t see Lola, Carmen, Vir, even Jenni and Alexia, all separately trying to contact you, everyone scattered slightly as they were all between Madrid and Barcelona, but you had gone radio silent at an English lake.

You somehow made your flight back to Spain, even though it had been delayed by an hour. Phoneless, you were unable to ask anyone to pick you up, instead getting a taxi to where Clàudia had told you that everyone was going for dinner. Jenni was back in Spain after Pachuca lost the quarter-final against Monterrey on aggregate.

None of them expected you to walk in the door, but Clàudia had been awfully quiet about you, while everyone else was still trying to figure out if you were still even in England or not. None of them realised how far you’d slipped away, how fraying your friendships with them were getting, even when they realised none of them knew when your returning flight was. Nobody but Clàudia knew you had requested to go on loan yet either, Lola even taken unaware at this point, but her focus was the transfers and the rest of the team. Maybe she figured since you were her mini-her, you could handle yourself and be fine on your own.

“You’re here!” Leila cheered, hurrying over to hug you after Clàudia had got up from the table, having spotted you walking into the restaurant late. 

“You’re back? When did you get back?” Jenni had to hide the excitement in her tone, noticing how Lola had tensed up at your arrival.

“What are you wearing?” Patri tried to avoid laughing but she gestured to the clothes you’d worn on the flight.

“Cariño, how was your flight? I saw it was delayed.” Clàudia asked, holding your hand as she brought you over to the table, where an empty seat had been left for you.

“You just flew back? Did you eat anything?” Carmen raised an eyebrow, about to ask for a menu to be brought over, when Lola finally spoke, and everyone else fell silent.

“We tried contacting you, we were worried.”

You didn’t look at Lola, or Jenni, as you revealed something in a plastic bag full of rice.

“I got jumpscared by Instagram, dropped my phone in the lake. Now it’s just a decorative paperweight.” You shrugged as the bag of rice with your broken phone in was taken from your hands for closer examination.

“You brought it back, in the bag of rice?” Carmen hid her amusement behind her hand, not realising you were avoiding looking at Lola and Jenni. Instead you took the menu you were given and asked Clàudia about the food, trying to ignore how Patri and Leila were making fun of your comfy airport clothes.

“Evidence. It’s not like I just wasn’t replying because I was too busy… my phone went for a swim, and I haven’t bought a new one yet. That flight was…” you shivered, remembering the flight as Clàudia frowned, immediately reaching over to you, talking you through the menu and what the others ordered.

The slight dig at Lola made her eyebrows raise, but instead, she was handed the bag of rice with your paperweight of a phone in it, distracting her as she saw what you had in your phone case. Two small polaroids that were now slightly stuck together with the water. One polaroid was of you and Clàudia, whilst the other, was you, Carmen and Lola. Lola’s arms were around you protectively, whilst Carmen was holding the camera, and you were holding up a peace sign with a grin.

Lola glanced up from the polaroids to where you were talking to Clàudia, a grin on your face that Lola hadn’t seen in a while now. Even during goalkeeper training you didn’t smile as much as you did last season.

“What was the instagram post that scared you? Can you find it again? I want to scare some people!” Jenni asked, about to pass you her phone, but you zoned out, a shiver running over you as the post popped up in your head again.

“I would rather never see that image again, to be honest with you, Jenni.”

///

Alexia found out you were back in Spain when her teammates began posting stories and instagram posts that had you in, although your comfy airport clothes contrasted their dinner clothes massively.

It took a video call to Patri for the Barcelona captain to get a glimpse of you, alive, walking through a phone shop looking for a new phone with Clàudia helping you. Your Atleti teammates were busy, but that didn’t matter to you as much when you were with Clàudia, although Patri and Leila were third and fourth wheeling, slightly.

Patri began to explain the bag of rice with your broken phone that you had brought to the dinner, confusing the captain until Leila added you had dropped it in the lake in England, seeing something on instagram that had scared you.

You’d withheld the information about the post in question, only telling Clàudia what you had seen, leaving her to tease you about Spanish girls, but you frowned, admitting the only person you wanted to kiss on the mouth was her, since she was your girlfriend. Clàudia smiled softly, admitting the same thing before she was about to lean in and kiss you, only stopping when Leila walked over, asking if you’d picked out a new phone yet, because she and Patri were bored.

You had to return to Atleti for training to begin the next day, so you stuck to Clàudia as much as possible, setting up your new phone, importing your old data but also creating new memories, and taking new photos with the girl you love.

Lola and Jenni did not expect a venmo request from you, the attached message explaining why your phone ended up in a lake in England. Jenni’s photo of her and Lola had horrified you, and your phone ended up going for a swim.

Neither of them paid the request, Jenni more amused than anything that it was her photo that had jumpscared you, whilst Lola was more confused, and a little annoyed, calling you when she had a free moment.

“That is why you got the newest and expensive version? Because Jenni posted a photo of me and her?”

“Hola, ¿cómo estás?” you began to sass, saying hello and asking how are you, since Lola forgot, “I didn’t need to see one of my former- my team mum being kissed by one of my girlfriend’s team mum’s, okay? I did not need to see that, ever. I needed the storage anyway…” you replied, shrugging but Lola couldn’t see that, she hadn’t video called you. If she did, she’d know you were wide awake, sitting on your balcony instead of being in bed.

“To lose more when you throw it in a lake again?”

“Hilarious. But no, I needed more space for photos, and my apps keep updating and eating all my storage. Tell Jenni she’s on thin ice, she sent me the photo again and I almost blocked her, something about how it should be the first photo on my phone… but this is my first new photo…”

Lola pulled the phone away from her ear as it buzzed, revealing you’d sent her a selfie of you and Clàudia.

“Cute, but is sorry not enough of a payment?” Lola chewed her lip, waiting for your answer.

“I’d like to think I’m worth more than that, especially since I was in another country, with no phone… you’re lucky I had my tablet with me.” You began to bargain, hearing Lola sigh.

“How much more?”

A venmo reminder gave her the answer, asking her to cover half the cost of the phone, whilst Jenni was reminded about the other half.

“You always told me I was worth more than what people thought.”

“I guess I brought that on myself… but I was right there, mini-me.” Lola hummed, smiling slightly as she called you the nickname.

“Gracias, but you still owe me money for the phone, Jenni won’t pay.”

“I will talk to her. You will have your money tomorrow, but don’t ask me to do this again.” Lola warned, her tone making you pause slightly, letting out a breath.

“Pleasure doing business with you, and, if you’re going to kiss your friends on the mouth, warn me to avoid social media. I don’t need more reasons for therapy… no offence, I love you, but the only girl I will be kissing on the mouth is Clàudia.”

“I cannot say it has been a pleasure for me, your reflexes have always been… creative, but throwing your phone in a lake? You worry me sometimes. I am glad Pina is the only girl for you.” Lola admitted, glancing at the time, but she couldn’t help but admit it. She had missed talking to you.

“England was fun though, weather sucks, but the WSL? Tempting…” you joked, but Lola frowned, unknownst to you.

“You want to leave Atleti?”

“I haven’t gotten any minutes this season, Lola. I’m bored, and everyone’s… this is the longest conversation I’ve had with you since before the euros. I miss you.” You sniffled slightly, trying to fight back any emotion in your tone.

“I’m always here, mini-me.”

“It doesn’t feel like it, but I don’t blame you. You’re one of the captains now, you have other responsibilities than having dinner with me once a week, so… I’m sorry I brought it up, I’m going to go… buenas noches, Lola…” you hung up before Lola could process what you had said, leaving your captain confused and shocked at her home, and you hiding your sobs as you sat on your balcony, fingers shaking as you called Clàudia next.

It hadn’t taken your girlfriend long to answer, hearing your voice as you tried to explain, she reminded you that she was still in Madrid and would come over.

Luckily, Clàudia had a key to your place, ever since she had stayed with you in Madrid over the summer. This meant she could walk in and lock the door behind her as she spotted you sitting on the balcony floor, crying.

“Cariño, estoy aquí, estoy aquí…” Clàudia wrapped her arms around you, whispering that she was here as you sobbed, taking a while before you explained to her what had happened when Lola called you.

Clàudia ended up staying the night, snuggling in bed with you instead of going back to where she was staying with Patri and Leila in Madrid. She had some leftover clothes but liked stealing yours too, the green hoodie she was wearing left you looking at her appreciatively before you had to head off for training, dropping Clàudia off to where she was meeting Leila and Patri for breakfast on the way.

///

Lola had tried to talk to you when you got to training, but you ended up being unable to answer as her captain duties took over, and you went over to work with Paula, and the goalkeeper coach. Your captain had tried to talk to Carmen, and Vir too, but the training began to get more intense, and then Lola ended up in a meeting.

You didn’t realise at first how much of the training had been photoed and videoed, until you saw the Atleti instagram, videos of some of you in goal on the stories, reminding you that your request to go on loan had been put in for January, your agent telling you that a few Spanish clubs would be interested, even with the condition that you had to get minutes. The loan would be announced during the January trade window. You were yet to know which club you’d be with after the winter break, and where you would be staying/living until the end of the season. It didn’t occur to you that Real Madrid or Barcelona could even be on the list of Spanish clubs, in all honesty, but you would have had one preference over the other. You may live in Madrid now, but your love was in Barcelona.

///

You smiled at the message you’d gotten from Clàudia about how good you were looking in training, and how she’d enjoyed your tiktok montage of some of your best saves last season. You hadn’t expected to see a message from her team mum who still played at Barcelona, even when you were pretty sure she wasn’t in Barcelona for the international break, but Alexia had messaged you last night.

Messaging her back before morning training, you’d found out that Clàudia had admitted you were not having a great time at Atleti, not giving away anything else, but Alexia had asked how you were doing, especially after she couldn’t ask you herself, due to your phone taking a swim in the Windermere lake.

You didn’t expect Alexia to ask if you had considered going on loan, since the Barcelona captain was Barcelona through and through. You, however, were into your third year at Atleti, and you wanted, no, needed minutes, and you hadn’t played yet this season. You couldn’t tell Alexia about the loan request though, especially since you weren’t even sure Lola knew yet, and she was your captain. You didn’t lie when you said it was an option in your reply to Alexia after training though. You never lied.

Checking your phone, your venmo lit up with two transactions. Lola had spoken to Jenni it seems, so you quickly texted her a thank you, and a compliment you forgot to give her when you first saw the media footage from the gala. The gala where Lola had ended up going to, and some of Barcelona ended up going too, including Clàudia, and Alexia. Keeping the compliment short and sweet, you told her she looked amazing and you were sorry you took so long to tell her that. You’d messaged Clàudia almost instantly after she sent you a selfie showing you what she was wearing to it, but it was harder to talk to Lola these days, a lot harder.

You had stopped giving the cameras any attention during training, regardless of who was behind the camera taking the photos or filming. Your focus stayed on training, even as your emotions fizzed beneath the surface of your skin, eyes prickling with frustration as you were applauded for one of your saves. You had no confirmation of playing at all this season, and your loan wouldn’t be organised until the January transfer window. Then there were also no more international breaks, so you wouldn’t see your girlfriend until December, unless you were impulsive and took a three hour train like you would last season. Your teammates probably wouldn’t even notice you had gone.

Wiping your face with your gloves, you hadn’t seen Andrea taking photos of you training in goal whilst you had your existential crisis. It was only when Lola and Virginia went over to see Andrea’s photos that you got their attention.

“Are they-” Virginia murmured, but Lola was looking over at you having a water break and talking to your fellow goalkeeper, Paula before she was called over for her turn in the net.

You stood on your own, watching everyone else train when Lola walked over, pulling you into a bear hug. Your body clammed up as arms wrapped around you, only relaxing into the hold when you realised who it was.

“I’m here.” Lola whispered, feeling you relax against her in the hug, burying your face in her shoulder as you fought to hold back the sobs trying to escape your mouth. Your arms were looped under Lola, clinging to her in a tight hug that almost shocked the captain at first, but holding your trembling body in her arms reminded her of why she had taken you under her wing when she returned to Atleti after her year at Lyon. You had already been at Atlético Madrid for a season when Lola came back, but you had grown a lot since Lola was first introduced to you. 

Lola assumed you would be fine as she focussed on the transfers and settling the team down for the league, but she had assumed wrong by the tear stains she could feel developing on the shoulder of her training top. One arm held your back whilst the other cradled the back of your head, Lola knowing how to comfort you as you finally broke. Everything had gotten too much.

Vir bit her lip in thought before making sure the photos of you crying never went onto the Atlético Madrid social media pages. Meanwhile Carmen kept the team distracted, letting you and Lola be undisturbed. 

You ended up going inside with Lola, exhausted from crying as you splashed water on your face in the sink. About to dry your face with your sleeves, Lola let out a grumble as she took some toilet roll for you to use instead, kissing your forehead after you launched the toilet roll into the bin with a flick of your hand.

After the day at training, Lola ended up staying with you, glancing around your place to notice the small changes that had occurred since she had last been over, which happened to be during the previous season.

Her gaze drifted over the hoodie you had pulled on, the Barcelona logo almost making Lola’s heart break before she realised it was your girlfriend’s hoodie, not yours. You had Clàudia’s jersey in a frame on your wall, from the game during the Euros that Alexia had told Lola about after. How flustered the two of you looked flirting in public, and how you had gone to England to watch Clàudia play. Deep down, Lola knew you had been watching her too, but you were like her baby sibling, whilst Clàudia was your girlfriend.

Two multi-photo photo frames caught Lola’s attention after you went to grab her and yourself, a drink from the kitchen. One frame was full of pictures of you and Clàudia together, whilst the other was full of photos of you with your Atleti teammates. There was a photo of you and Carmen, one of you and Virginia, but in the middle was a photo of you and Lola at the beginning of last season.

“You got shorter.” Lola pointed out as you passed her her drink, but you rolled your eyes.

“I used to stand on my tip-toes for photos with you.”

“When did you stop?” Lola enquired as you sat down on the couch, grabbing your tv remote.

“I… I don’t remember. I just stopped, I guess?” turning the tv on, you began to search for a movie to watch, setting on Encanto, “like I stopped thinking I’ll get to play this season. I do my best every training session, but there can only be one goalkeeper on that pitch, and you’re a captain too. I know I’d break if I saw you get hurt, so…” you fell quiet, gaze shifting back to the screen as Lola processed what you said.

Atleti needed to figure out some sort of rotation, or they were at risk of losing a goalkeeper. Lola didn’t think you would leave Madrid, but there was no way she was letting Real Madrid have you. Lola sat watching Encanto with you, the film only being paused when you noticed the time, disappearing from the living room to come back with your tablet.

“I’m going to video call Clàudia… you can stay, her teammates like to be included anyway.” You explained, tapping on the screen as Lola leaned into view of your camera.

“Hola, bebé! Oh, hola Lola!” Clàudia couldn’t hide her surprise as she realised Lola was on the video call with you, leaving you to nervously chuckle before cracking a joke.

“I mean, you two saw each other at that gala, so… saying ‘long time no see’ doesn’t really work…”

Clàudia rolled her eyes at your joke, whilst Lola managed to hold back her laugh, realising how much she had missed talking to you, and how much she had missed about your relationship with Clàudia due to how busy she had been. The call ended up being crashed by an excited Patri, but you were willing to admit that spending your evening with Lola and in turn, over video call, Clàudia had made you feel a lot better.

///

After the panic that was the home game against Barcelona, having watched Lola kick the goal post in frustration and the 6-1 loss, you didn’t expect to wake up unable to breathe through your nose. Turning onto your side to reach for your phone in the dark, the bright screen left you bleary eyed as you took in the time. You didn’t need to get up for another hour for training, at least. Sitting up with your blankets wrapped around you, your heavy mouth breathing was louder than your phone volume, even as you opened tiktok to see the interactions with your newer uploads, from your travel tiktok in the Lake District (before your phone took an involuntary swim), to your goalkeeper content from last practice.

Your face fell as you saw it, realising just how many tiktoks Lola was posting with Andrea, and all the comments calling them mother and daughter… clearly her eldest team child had gone forgotten, but you knew you couldn’t complain that much, you had struggled with the dance videos Lola wanted to do anyway. Maybe uploading a tiktok at 5am wasn’t the smartest decision, but you hadn’t posted your second part of the ‘teenage dirtbag’ video, with more photos of you as a teen, including some early Atleti ones. You didn’t want to admit you had thrown in a favourite from when Lola had returned to Atleti, but now the photo of a younger you and her was out there, stirring things up.

Your head was beginning to pound as you put your phone down, turning your alarm off without thinking as you buried yourself back in your bedding.

Lola was the first one to realise you weren’t over waiting by the goal posts for training to start, even looking to see if you’d tried to climb up onto the crossbar, but you were nowhere to be seen. Paula shrugged as Lola asked the goalkeeper if she had seen you, leaving Lola to head over to see if you were with Carmen or Virginia. But you were nowhere to be seen, and neither of them, nor the rest of the team had heard from you.

Calls went to voicemail, and texts were unread, the running theory being you overslept since you had posted a tiktok at 5am. The tiktok in question was full of comments about the time in Spain, plus some fans remembered the bond between you and Lola last season, bringing it up in the comments about how you weren’t in Lola’s tiktok videos anymore.

“Maybe they overslept, they’ll probably come running soon, they love being in goal.” Carmen suggested, but the team was getting more and more worried as practice went on, and you still hadn’t shown up.

Training finished for the day, but you never turned up, or tried to contact anyone that you weren’t coming in today.

“The phone calls go through… I don’t think they dropped their phone in another lake.” Virginia explained after trying to call you, a conclusion being made to go over to your place and see if you were home.

“Wait, do you have a key?” Vir turned to Carmen as they arrived outside your building, the buzzer going unanswered, but Carmen shook her head.

“Lola and Pina do.”

“Clàudia is hours away… call her, I will call Lola.” Virginia suggested as she got her phone out whilst Carmen raised an eyebrow, wondering how she was supposed to contact Clàudia, eventually finding a way to contact the Barcelona player.

“Not answering Clàudia either, something’s very wrong.” Carmen replied, turning to look at Virginia, who had hung up and was now looking down the street for something, or someone.

“This is going to end well.” Carmen murmured as Lola drove up, with Andrea in the passenger seat.

“No answer?” 

“Pina has heard nothing too.” Carmen added but Lola had already tried the buzzer, pausing as she heard nothing over the receiver, pressing more call buttons and eventually the door was opened.

“You watched Hawkeye with them, didn’t you?” The reference went unanswered as Lola led the three to the lift, pressing the button for your floor.

“They live here?” Andrea asked, looking up at the numbers on the lift before they arrived at your floor, Lola heading towards your door and knocking on it, key in hand when she got no answer.

Your place was dark, none of the blinds were open and there were no signs that you had even been in your kitchen or living room. Andrea stuck close to Lola as she beelined for your bedroom, whilst Carmen examined your kitchen, and Virginia checked your balcony.

Your bed covers were all scattered as Lola ran her hand over the bedding, finding it was slightly warm, but damp with sweat. Lola’s suspicions were making more sense as she knocked on your bathroom door, peeking her head in when she heard a whine.

“Ah, bebé…” Lola murmured, finding you curled up on your bathroom floor, looking sickly. Your pyjamas damp from your fever and your hand covering your eyes from the light coming into the room.

Lola turned to Andrea, who looked shocked at what she was seeing, but immediately went to get Carmen and Virginia, leaving Lola to dig through your bathroom cabinet, looking for a thermometer to confirm your fever.

“La gripe?” Virginia asked if it was the flu, but Lola didn’t respond, instead asking Andrea to get you some clean clothes, whilst Carmen turned the shower on, checking the water was on lukewarm as she saw the thermometer in your ear.

Whilst Lola and Carmen tried to cool your fever in the shower, Virginia took Andrea into your kitchen, looking for any tea bags or soup ingredients that you may have that they could use.

“¿Está bien?” Andrea asked Virginia if you were okay, but Viriginia shook her head, you were not well, and nobody knew until now.

“You can’t carry me. You’ll get sick.” Your voice was croaky, the shower having helped your head pound less, but you were still wobbly on your feet as Lola managed to get you to the couch. You needed fresh bedding before you could lay in bed again, so curling up on the couch with your hands over your ears would have to do.

Your body shivered before Carmen wrapped a blanket around you, frowning as you grimaced at the smell of the soup. Lola ended up on the couch next to you, pulling you into her embrace as you gave up trying to fight her.

“You’ll get sick.” 

Lola shushed you, cradling your head as you leaned into her, your breathing heavy as your nose was still blocked. Your eyes were closed as you almost went back to sleep, but your kettle boiling made you stir, Andrea walking over with a cup of tea for you.

The rest of the day was a blur for you, even when Lola ended up uploading a photo to her instagram, you were sleeping curled into one side of her, with Andrea curled up on Lola’s other side, all three of you covered in blankets, as Lola rested her head on yours. The photo ended up being captioned ‘hijos’, Spanish for children.

Lola ended up staying put, the whimpers that left your lips when she went to move alarming the captain. She had never heard you sound so vulnerable, even when you had cried into her shoulder during practice.

“Lo siento.” Lola barely heard you as she went to shush you, smiling slightly as you nuzzled into her.

“I woke up at 5am, couldn’t breathe, then my head was pounding. The nausea. It was so hot then cold… then hot, the bathroom was cooler… I don’t want any of you to get sick.” you explained, keeping your eyes closed and nose covered by the blanket as the soup was almost done in the kitchen, the smell wafting into the living room.

You had no memory of Lola trying to persuade you to have some soup, or how long you ended up sleeping on your captain, or when Andrea ended up on the other side of Lola, moving the blanket back over you as it shifted slightly off of you.

Or how Carmen and Virginia ended up trying to figure out how your washing machine worked so you could have clean bedding. But you could remember the comfort that your teammates provided, and how Clàudia called you once you felt well enough, having received updates from Virginia when your eyes were too sensitive to look at your phone.

You had seen Clàudia back when Barcelona came to play Atleti at the Metropolitano Stadium. But you wouldn’t see her for longer than those minutes where you stood hugging each other until Patri came over to retrieve her teammate, and you went to check on Lola, after she had given you a fright during the game, requiring the physios on the pitch. You never told Lola how much that had terrified you, or how Virginia held your hand to try to comfort you.

There were a lot of things Lola wasn’t aware of, but one of the bigger things was your loan request. There were three more games left for Atleti before the break, and that meant you had three more games left with Atleti, before your loan was announced in January and you would be going to another Spanish club for the rest of the season.

 ///

After beating Valencia 1-0, the El Derbi was something you were massively looking forward to, with one more game before the end of the year. You hadn’t realised until you were sitting on the bench in the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano that you would be heading to New York for your winter break soon. Then you’d be returning before Three Kings Day to spend some time with Clàudia, then after that you needed to get ready for wherever you were being sent on your loan.

You only hoped that you’d get to play wherever you were going, it was something that your management and Atleti themselves had reinforced. You were their second choice goalkeeper, but you were a rising star with what some had referred to as a bloodlust when in goal last season. That bloodlust, or drive, as others saw it, turned into a drive to get minutes, even though you were leaving your Atleti family for the rest of the season. 

Lola and Andrea were starting, Carmen was still out with injury, and Virginia was sitting on the bench nearby. Lola had given you a scare the other day, sporting a black eye that had made you panic, even when she wouldn’t tell you how she got it, instead holding your hands gently as she saw the concern on your face, flipping the table as she asked how you were after you’d recovered from the flu.

Wrapping the blanket further around yourself, you watched the ball intently. The first half went goalless as you buried your nose in your coat, trying to keep warm. Real Madrid made two substitutions before the second half had started. You would have stood up when Ajibade went down, but that would have meant your blanket would fall off, so you shifted in your seat, watching more intensely, especially since Andrea had ended up rolling around the grass a few times.

The good thing about the Atleti goalkeeper away kit was that the bright green stood out against the red and white Atleti kit, and the white Real Madrid kit, so you could see Lola standing besides Santos who required medical treatment as she sat on the ground.

You let out a breath at nearly the 69th minute, a ball from Toletti going into Lola’s arms, somehow finding space through the Atleti defenders. Atleti made two changes at the 71st minute, whilst Real Madrid began to prepare their third change of the match, a change that ended up happening before the free kick to Real Madrid.

Andrea getting a yellow card at the 79th minute had you on edge slightly, glancing between the defender and your captain, before you sat back, watching the game and trying to keep warm. You grimaced as Real Madrid managed to head the ball into the goal from a set piece, seven minutes left not including stoppage time, Lola stopping Real’s attempt at a second goal before more substitutions happened.

Real Madrid’s captain ended up with a yellow card in stoppage time, whilst Andrea sat down next to you, not expecting you to offer her some of your blanket, but you two curled up in your seats on the bench, watching the final minutes of the El Derbi.

The announcement later that Óscar Fernández would no longer be in charge of Atleti was released to the public later that night, you read the statement Atleti had put on the website, citing the situation with where Atleti was in the table not being able to access the UWCL as why he was dismissed.

Clàudia texted you not long after you had sent an email to your management asking about if your loan would still go ahead during the January transfer window. You hadn’t played a single match this season, and with Atleti’s match against Real Betis being the last one of the year, you weren’t hopeful at all.

Your loan was unaffected but you felt nervous as the club’s traditional holiday meal at the Metropolitano Stadium, you wanted to skip it, but Carmen ended up asking you to ride with her there, the two of you heading inside to spot Lola doing captain duties, and Virginia was somewhere too.

“What is with that face? The team will return here on Saturday.” Carmen whispered as you stayed off to the side, glancing between everyone mingling.

“I’m going to miss this.” You admitted, smiling sadly as Carmen raised an eyebrow.

“You’re not staying in New York forever, plus, Madrid is your home.” Carmen pointed out, not realising the bigger picture as you sighed, nodding in agreement as Lola spotted you both and started to walk over. 

Madrid had your Atleti family, but Barcelona had your love. Shaking your head, you pushed away the thoughts to enjoy the time together, smiling as Lola hugged you and tried to ignore your concern over her healing black eye.

///

Saturday was nearly here, and with Carmen medically cleared for the last Atleti game of 2022, you couldn’t help but feel a little nostalgic. The last training session of 2022 had everyone buzzing with different emotions, but yours were enigmatic to the eye. Especially since Lola had spotted you in a deep and serious conversation with one of the Atleti staff members. Carmen didn’t ask you what the conversation was about, instead squeezing your shoulder to settle you, whilst Lola’s inquisitive gazes turned into comfort. Both of them could tell you were nervous, but they had no idea.

Virginia couldn’t get anything out of you either, only picking up what you had said to Paula and Andrea during a moment at practice. Take care of Lola, Carmen and herself, for you. She found it a little odd you asked them that, especially since it wasn’t like you were going anywhere, even if you and Virginia hadn’t been rotated in much, or at all this season so far. The new manager would hopefully help with that.

Your knee bounced up and down as you sat on the bench next to Carmen, biting your lip as Real Betis got a corner almost immediately from kick-off, the ball being headed over but you felt your heart skip a beat for a moment.

Four minutes in, and one of your teammates was on the sidelines getting medical treatment, the team on the pitch down to ten. Six minutes in and Banini’s shot at goal was stopped by Real Betis’ goalie. Nearly ten minutes in, Real Betis had their first yellow card of the match, but the set piece shot went over. 

Your face fell into disbelief when the ref decided against the penalty at the twenty-second minute, before grimacing at the thirty-fourth minute as Atleti’s shoot on goal went wide. 

Andre was dodging challenge after challenge until the third took her down in the forty-third minute, limping from the sidelines back onto the pitch in the hopes of sticking it out until half-time.

A shiver ran down your body as the half-time whistle went, following Carmen back into the locker room, where it was warmer at least. Virginia and Carmen both noticed the spacey look on your face, but you paid more attention to Andrea, checking on her after she’d been taken down minutes earlier. You’d come around to accept the young defender, but even she didn’t know about your loan request. You’d voiced your worries to Clàudia, who pointed out that you yourself did not know enough to even tell your teammates anything. You didn’t know where you would be going yet, for all you knew, you would still be in Madrid.

You watched the rest of the half slightly out of it, even as Atleti made a substitution and another Real Betis player got a yellow card. Andrea bumped her knee against yours as she sat down on the bench, having been subbed off at the 81st minute.

Holding back curse words, you remained quiet like the Atleti fans in the stands as Real Betis’ Babajide rolled the ball into the goal past Lola, watching as Atleti tried desperately to get an equaliser, but every shot was heading over.

Cardona’s equaliser lit up the Metropolitano Stadium right before stoppage time, the stadium lighting up again as Cardona scored again, earning a brace as Lola hurried out of goal to celebrate with the team. The game ended 2-1, with you, Carmen, Virginia and Andrea heading back onto the pitch, you making a beeline for the rest of your teammates with Andrea on your back, a sight that had Lola grinning as you walked over to your captain. Taking in the energy of the win, you almost forgot it would be the last time you’d be on the pitch with Atleti, for a while at least. It took until you were in the locker room, glancing around at everyone that you felt that ache in your chest.

An ache that followed you to your final trip of the year, one that you had asked if Clàudia wanted to go with you to, but she had the final Champions League group stages match against Rosengård and then you knew she’d want to spend time with her team and her family. You would be in New York for the rest of December, flying out from Madrid but your returning flight from New York was heading to Barcelona to spend time with Clàudia before Three Kings Day, with the transfer window opening on January 2nd, leading to your loan being arranged and announced.

Documenting your trip on your social medias, your aeroplane journey and arrival in New York had Welcome to New York by Taylor Swift as a backing track, whilst your exploration of New York’s skyline had What’s Up Danger by Blackway and Black Caviar, you had an entire tiktok on the New York Christmas markets and the Rockefeller Centre tree, whilst your instagram was full of photos you’d taken, including one where you were video calling Clàudia whilst watching the fireworks on New Years. The tattoo you got in New York wasn’t something you posted, but Clàudia knew you were getting it, having helped you with your idea, whilst Lola teasingly asked you if you had gotten one, not expecting you to admit you had.

You had even taken a short video at the Empire State Building, which also had a backing track for it, but the New York footage soon turned into footage of Barcelona as you reunited with Clàudia as she and Patri picked you up at the airport. You were in Barcelona when your management called about your loan details, the transfer window had opened and a few Spanish teams had taken an interest.

Clàudia and Patri watched as you paced up and down the kitchen, on the phone to your management as you went over everything, asking questions that had them raising eyebrows, but they made sense. You were a goalkeeper who wanted minutes and that determined your contract, yet Atleti were loaning you somewhere that already had three, technically four, goalkeepers.

“Wait, I’d be their second keeper, how is that fair to- because this club rotates their goalkeepers?” Patri looked confusedly at Clàudia, but your girlfriend also shook her head. You primarily spoke Spanish with Clàudia, and you were speaking quickly, and not in Spanish until you hung up the phone, and walked over to them, nervously smiling.

“I guess we don’t have to worry so much about long distance… Atleti are loaning me to Barcelona for the rest of the season.”

Clàudia flew into your arms as Patri cheered, making an excuse to head out as your lips met Clàudia’s, the two of you only interested in each other.

You were curled up in bed with Clàudia when your phone began to light up with messages and calls from your Atleti teammates, who had just seen your message that you were going on loan for the rest of the season. They also saw the announcement on social media.

Barcelona had won the goalie.

[lostbetweenvampiresandmusic]

The perfect Christmas gift (David x fem!oc)

Angst, mentions of torture, and it ends with fluff. There's some mentions of gore. If I missed any, please let me know and I'll add the warnings. That being said, happy holidays! Let's hope that next year, the world will be more peaceful than it is today.💜

-----------------------------------

Moving to Santa Carla should have been a new start. No more lies, no more betrayal or abuse - just the family back together again. Healing again. And yet, here he was, once again lying to his mum. Sneaking out, breaking rules, and even though he was terrified of the thing he was about to become - he couldn't deny the fact that he loved the freedom the night gave him.

Michael had never known such freedoms, never known what a live without rules could be like. And then those four boys showed up - or rather, Star did. Star introduced them to the boys, and it didn't take long before Michael realised they were everything he had aspired to be. Cool, cold. Tough. Feared. Free.

It didn't mean he had it easy, accepting that they were vampires and all - but he was slowly coming around to it. He had made the deal that tonight, three weeks after his attempt to break free from the immortal curse (a name that his brother Sam came up with), he would change. He would make his first kill.

"Ready to join the club?"

Michael didn't even flinch, not even surprised that David had just popped up behind him.

"I made a promise, didn't I?"

David grinned, and somewhere in the distance, he swore he could hear the other boys chuckle.

"You know what needs to be done."

Together, they walked to a small bonfire, with just a couple of teens present. Michael sighed, took a deep breath, and attacked. He didn't think he just acted. He grabbed a girl by her wrist, sinking his teeth into her skin. He drained her, taking her life only to feel more alive than he had ever done before.

It wasn't until she died in his arms that he realised that the boys were no longer there - he was alone. Except - he listened for a moment. Footsteps. Humans. He was ready to attack again, ready to fight - but before he could move or make a plan, a dart hit his neck. Within seconds, he lost consciousness.

_______________________

"Number 76, stay in line!"

The harsh voice echoed through the room. A young woman quickly stepped back in place, trying and failing to control her shivers. Before her, only three people remained. Three people. The rest had all failed their task, failed the test that was performed on them. They had all been burned.

That was the frightening reality that she was forced to live in now. Fucking scientists. One of them had figured out that she and others like her existed. Vampires. Most vampires assumed they were safe from most humans, that they were predators, and the humans prey. But, in the modern day and age - or, as modern as the eighties were - that was no longer the truth. Secret organisations popped up, all with the same goal: experiment on vampires to figure out how to eliminate disease.

She had lost friends. Family. She had shed tears for everyone she got to know in these halls, knowing that none of them would make it out. And most of all, she cried because she missed them. She missed the early mornings where she and Dwayne would talk, the times she joined Marko when he went out to get food, the times Paul and her smoked and danced till morning and she even missed the times when she had the biggest arguments with David. God, she missed him. She never realised she would miss him as much, always thinking of him as the ice-cold bastard. And yet, even though she knew exactly what kind of asshole he could be, she was absolutely madly in love with him.

And yet here she was, number 76, and within mere moments, she would be called forward for another round of torture. Would they put holy water in her veins again? Test different kinds of toxins on her? Expose her to sunlight?

______________________________________

Michael woke up tied to a metal table. He was in a white room, alone as far as he could tell. On the right was a metal door, on the left, a mirrored wall. Next to him was another table. It was still empty. Michael stopped his train of thought - if it was still empty, it would mean someone else would show up. Someone who could possibly tell him what was going on, what he was doing here. He was not as strong as he had been when he had just finished feeding, but he still felt powerful enough to attack someone.

The metal door opened with a slam, and a girl was forced in. She had an average height, seemed to be rather curvy and Michael was absolutely certain that she too was a vampire. "Number 76, you will cooperate. You know the punishment should you fail."

"Yes, sir." It was barely a whisper. Michael looked at her and realised she could have been no older than 23. She was just barely older than him. He looked as she was tied to the other table, looked as the man who had brought her in placed a gag in her mouth, and was horrified to see that they were grabbing several needles and knifes.

"What are you doing? Why are you doing this?!"

"Quiet, 77."

"Don't hurt her!" Michael saw the terrified look on the girls face and just couldn't stand it. No one should have to be so afraid.

"We are conducting a series of experiments for the betterment of humanity, whether you are a willing participant or not. However, the more you fight our cause, the more painful your stay with us will be. Stay quiet, and within the hour both of you can return to your cells."

"We're prisoners?!"

"No," grinned the man as he took one of the knifes and looked at the sharpness of the blade, "your experiments."

Michael swallowed hard when he heard the girl cry out. Blood was drained from her leg and collected. Garlic was pressed to the wound, causing it to turn an ugly shade of green. The girl didn't beg. She just cried as quietly as she could, curling up the second her ties were undone. Michael was becoming more and more scared the more time they spent on her, but when they turned to him, ready to start the horrifying process all over again, he couldn't help but beg them to stop, pleading with them to not hurt him, crying when they did. He had never been so scared in his life.

__________________________

"Mina has to be here," David said, following the black van. He had seen what the people driving had done to Michael, and he knew they would lead him to his mate. Part of him felt bad for the way he had tricked their newest member, but he hadn't known any other way to save her. He hadn't known where she was or how to begin the search for her without any solid leads. With Michael being freshly turned, David had hoped that he would be captured by the same people. He had hoped that they would lead him to Mina, and so far he had been right.

"There is no way we can enter this building through any other entrance, " Marko noted, realising there was only one way in or out. David nodded. "One guard is standing outside, assuming he has the right weapons we got to be careful."

"You think we need to call Max?" Asked Paul as he tried to come up with a non lethal plan. David shook his head.

"Alright. I'll try to distract the guard. You three just make sure to get Mina out of there. And Michael, if possible."

"Paul, be careful, alright? I won't be puzzling you together again."

Marko looked at him, causing Paul to grin. "Don't worry, there is no bathtub involved this time." With that, he was gone. Within minutes, he had distracted the guard. He had attacked an animal in the forest, causing the beast to scream and wail - and causing the guard to inspect it. When he had left his post, Dwayne, David and Marko hurried inside, ready to safe their family.

_____________________________

"Are you alright?"

Michael looked up, seeing the girl staring at him. She sounded tired, weak.

"I don't know."

"Yeah," she sighed. "I get that. I'm Mina, by the way."

"Michael."

She nodded quietly, closing her eyes.

"Are you okay?" Michael looked at her.

"No." She looked like she was about to cry. "They've become creative with their punishments, you know. First, it was ripping teeth out, but when they realised they would just regrow..." she shook her head, tears burning in her eyes. "Whatever you do, don't anger them. The experiments hurt. They are terrifying. But if you don't do what they say, it is so much worse."

"That - what they did to you was a punishment?"

Mina nodded.

"What did you do?"

"I looked them in the eye."

With that, she sat back, leaning against the wall. A pained expression crossed her face as she took several deep breaths before she became absolutely quiet.

_____________________________

There were corpses everywhere. Some caused by them, some caused by the humans. Body parts were thrown left and right. The four of them had looked in every room they found, but they had yet to find Mina. And Michael. They knew she was here, the smell - weak as it was - still lingered the hallways. Michael was here as well, and if they found him, they could also find her.

"Try to reach out for her, if she is here she should hear you," David told Dwayne, knowing he was not nearly calm enough to try to reach out for his mate, with the risk of her not responding. It took a moment before Dwayne turned to look at David. "I'm not getting anything."

David cursed, growling loudly. "No! She can't be bloody gone! She can't be..."

"Maybe she's unconscious?" Paul said quietly, knowing quite well that saying anything, whether it was bad or good, would cause David to explode.

"As if that's any better!? She was supposed to be save! She is fucking everything and they took her from me. I want them gone. I don't care how long it takes, I don't care if I die - they will regret taking her, even if it is the last thing that I do."

__________________________________

Michael leaned back against the wall, wondering if he could get out. Mina had fallen asleep - or has she fainted? Michael wasn't sure. There were no windows, which was a good thing he supposed, since they wouldn't risk burning in their sleep. At the same time, it sucked. A window would have mean a possibly escape, with help from the outside.

Would the boys even care to find him? Part of him thought they would. He was family now, right? Another part of him was certain they would die laughing - barely turned and already captured by glorified hunters. He sighed. Maybe, he thought, maybe he could try their mind link. He had heard Dwayne talk about it, and Marko had hinted at it. Maybe...

/Hello?/

It was quiet, he didn't hear anything.

/Mike, is that you?/

Michael grinned. That was definitely Marko's voice.

/Yeah. You got to help me, man. We're locked in some kind of basement?/

/We?/

/There's a girl here. She's - she needs to get help asap./

/What girl?/

Michael frowned, why did they need to know? Was the need for help not enough?

/She said her name is Mina./

It was quiet for a moment, before he got a response. Not from Marko this time, but from David.

/Is she alive?/

/Yeah./

Michael didn't hear anything anymore. The mindlike was quiet. It was only when he heard the sound of metal ripping apart and stones breaking that he realised why. They were here. Not for him, he realised, but for the girl. Mina knew them. Meant something for them, and - Michael was quick to notice this - he had been used to find her.

The loud noises continued, coming closer and closer, when suddenly his cell door was ripped of it's hinches. Paul grinned at him. "You alright?"

"Once we get out of here," Michael growled, his voice low, "I will fucking kill all of you. Fucking assholes."

"He's alright!" Marko walked past, ready to help David break down the door of the cell next to Michael's.

Mina was still unconscious, not even stirring when David picked her up. The only thing indicating that she was indeed still alive, was the very slight movement of her chest.

_________________________

A soft groan escaped her as she began to wake. Gone was the cold of her cell. Gone was the rough texture of the wall she slept against. Instead, she was cocooned in a soft blanked. A soft pillow supported her head. She was warm, almost comfortable. And above all, something made her feel safe. Slowly she moved, opening her eyes, afraid to find that it was all a cruel illusion. It was only when she fully opened her eyes that she realised where she was.

"David?"

Within seconds, he was next to her, a worried look on his face. Three days had he waited for her to wake up, afraid that with every single day that passed, that she might not. "I thought I lost you."

Mina was quiet for a moment before curling up against him. "I was so scared," she whispered, finally letting go of the fear she held for so long. David held her, not saying anything as he pulled her close. When she finally stopped crying, did he decide to speak.

"You're safe now. We killed everyone inside. They won't get you again."

Mina pulled away from him, shaking her head. "She was not there..."

"She?"

"The mayor."

"That bitch started this?"

Mina nodded.

"Love, I promise you, you have nothing to worry about."

____________________________

Three months later, Michael had decided to forgive the boys. Mina had proved to be a great friend, and when she learnt that he had guided the boys to where they had been held captive, she had hugged him so tightly he feared his ribs would break.

Both of them had healed, Michael had done so a bit quicker than Mina, but that didn't matter. The boys supported them when they could. When either of them awoke from nightmares, covered in sweat, all four of the boys would not let them sleep alone.

Things were good. Mina and David were happy together, and Michael was more than happy with Star. It had been a change when he decided to move away from the cave and to move in with his mom and Max, but it was one he was happy with. As much as he came to care for the boys, he didn't fancy walking in on either Paul and Marko or David and Mina ever again.

With the four boys and Mina still living in the cave, things had almost turned back to normal for them. It was only sometimes in the early morning, when it was just David and her still awake, that she would tell him how she really felt. She was still afraid, afraid that the mayor would find her, punish her, take her back - and David couldn't do anything at those moments, other than trying to comfort her.

It was those moments in the early morning that caused him to break their tradition. Normally, they didn't celebrate the holidays, having all decided it was a capitalistic event that only the rich would truly benefit from. But this time, he knew he had the perfect gift for his girl.

He grinned as he wrapped the box in paper, even going so far as putting a bow on top.

That Christmas morning he woke Mina with a soft kiss on her forehead. "I've got something for you," he smiled.

"You did?" Mina was smiling softly, still curled up under the blankets. "You didn't have to."

"You'll say differently once you see what I've got you."

Curious, she got out of bed, taking the box from him. It was heavy and pretty big. With an uncertain smile, she opened up the wrapping paper, took the top of the box away, and then she turned to look at David.

"You - you didn't?"

"I promised you something love."

She looked from the box to David, and back to the box. "I love you," she said, dropping her gift, and kissing him deeply.

As the box fell the ground, a severed head rolled out of it. A head that once belonged to the mayor.

"It's over now, no one will ever hurt you again."

"God, you even know how to make giving me a severed head romantic," Mina mumbled softly. David chuckled. "Merry Christmas, love."