#never expected this show to be about horse racing

[writers-hes]

Toy Horses Outside the Brothel

You always knew Tommy as the cheerful boy who took care of you. He always knew you as the smart girl that he visited by the docks. The daughter of a prostitute, the son of a deadbeat father; a soldier who protected his country; a whore who protected him; a gangster who controlled Brimingham; and now, a wife. War changes people, you just didn't realize that war could change you both. (angst, depictions of abuse, poverty, prostitution, canon-typical themes, death, war, time jumps)

A/N: This is dedicated to @runnning-outof-time ! Thank you for giving me guidelines and for reading my work before anybody else did. You’re amazing and I wish I could write Tommy as good as you do. 

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BIRMINGHAM, 1900:

Tommy first met her when his father took him to the docks. Arthur Shelby Sr. told impressionable young Tommy that there were kids he could play with by the docks. Tommy agreed, wanting to impress his father. On the way there, right outside of what looked like a house with many rooms, was her.

You were lonely and something in Tommy told him to play with you instead. Besides, the boys were too big around the docks. Arthur Shelby left him right outside the establishment and threw a shilling to you. You picked it up, stuffed it in your pocket, and looked at him.

He smiled at you widely, a tooth missing from his mouth and extended his hand towards you.

“I’m Tommy,” he said. You reciprocate the gesture, telling him your name and shaking his hand. You were more reserved, Tommy noticed. He was so used to the ruckus in their house that he expected every child to be as energetic as them. “Why did my father give you money?”

“He wants me to play with you while he’s inside,” you said. “I don’t have many toys but…I do have this,” you said, showing him your wooden horse toy. They were your prized possession, one of the few gifts that your father sent when he promised the world to your mother.

“Oh! I love horses,” he said. “Do you? I like watching horses,”

“Yes,” you replied. “My mother said that my father owned many. I’ve never met him though. Where do you watch horses?”

“That’s alright. Fathers hit kids. See?” he said, showing you a bruise on his side quickly. “My mother puts ice on it and it tickles. We watch it in the races. My mum takes me for my birthdays. She usednto ride a white horse before. She told me. Do you go to school?”

“No,” you shook your head. “But my mum taught me how to read and how to write. Sometimes, Big Johnny teaches me arithmetic. One plus one equals two,”

“You’re smart. Who’s Big Johnny?”

You hummed, making the wooden horse gallop on the murky ground. People in the house all told you that you were. If only poor Mary Magdalene had the means to send you to school. If only. You stop your movements and move your toy towards Tommy.

“Here,” you said. “Big Johnny is the man who runs this place. He’s kind,”

“You won’t have a toy,” he replied.

“It’s okay. I have more but they’re in my mama’s room. My father sent them. Sorry if it’s dirty,”

“Thanks,” he said. It’s the first time anyone has ever given him something without asking for it. He keeps it with him; keeps the memory of a girl who watched him intently while he played with a toy horse. That’s why when his father exited the house, with less money in his pocket, Tommy asked if he could come again next time.

-

When the house closed, you ran to your mother’s room. You usually had to stay out until five in the morning, sleeping on the sacks right in front of the brothel until your mother woke you up. She’s been seeing less men these days…always cooped up in her room, asking for you. She didn’t mind if you stained her bed with sweat and grease. She’d ask how your day was and you told him about Tommy, the boy you met earlier.

“I’m glad you have a friend,” she coughed into her white handkerchief. The blood stain was normal now. You were worried at first, but your mother told you to never tell anyone. You just never knew how serious it all was when you slipped once. You were talking to Big Johnny; he was teaching you how to subtract.

“If I help you, are you going to pay me?” you asked, perched on his lap. He had been the only father figure in your life. He’d help your mum surprise you for your birthdays and give you some money every now and then.

“Pay you? You’re robbing me,” he kids. “What do you need the money for?”

“I’m planning to buy mum a present. A nice handkerchief,” you said. “The one she has has blood—“

“What is it, bug?” he asked, eyebrows furrowing.

“Nothing,” you shrugged, smiling sickly sweet.

“You have to tell me,” he replied. “It’s your—your safety,”

It was your turn to look confused.

“But mum told me to never tell anyone,” you whispered, heart racing. What did he mean by it? “Why would I not be safe? I’m safe. I have mum with me,”

Big Johnny ran his hand through his hair, then his chin. You knew that it was a sign of his agitation, so you relented.

“You can’t tell anyone,” you whispered. “But mum has been coughing up blood for a while. She said it’s fine. You won’t take her from me right, Johnny?”

“Fuck, kid,” he sighed, stressed at the sudden turn out of events. “No more arithmetic today, okay? I’ll go talk to your mum. Just go outside or play or whatever,”

“Is everything okay?” you asked, panic rising in your throat. It constricts while you keep yourself from crying.  “Mum will be so mad at me! Please don’t tell on me,”

“Do you know why she’s coughing up blood?” he asked, his voice serious. He knew that you had to be talked to in his “adult voice” for you to listen. You knew that he needed to be stern for you to listen.

“N-no…” your hair falls messily as you shake your head, picking on your nail beds.

“She’s sick, bug,” he said. “If we don’t do anything about it, you could get sick too. The two of you might die,” he explained. “Look, kid…you have a bright future ahead of you, alright?”

“What will you do?” you asked. “You can’t take her from me! Please, Johnny. My mum is all I have,” you cried, tears started flowing once the first one dropped.

Johnny couldn’t do anything else. He relented but locked your mother in her room. Whenever you went in, he made sure you had some face mask on to protect yourself. You only saw her for a few minutes every day. Parting her was painful and Johnny had to console you while you cried. He gave up his bunk and slept in his workspace so you won’t have to sleep with your mum.

A week later, your mum died of lung cancer.

It was too late, the doctor explained. Johnny let you stay in his bunk, never mind the fact that he had no space for himself now. He didn’t mind. You were his top priority. How is he going to raise a child in a brothel?

-

Your mother always told you that as long as you were with her, you would never be lonely. There was no burial, just her body being thrown and burned with the rest of Birmingham’s garbage. It made you wonder what your body would be like dead. You decided to never end up like her, one way or another you were getting out.

Tommy continued to visit you, but he knew that you were different now. It has only been a week and you’ve grown up so fast. When he arrived, a box of your toy horses was prepared for him.

“What’s this for?” he asked, eyes brightening up at the sight of the box. His father threw a shilling your way again.

“It’s for you. I don’t want to play anymore,” you said. “I kept one white horse for me but you can have them.”

“Why not?” he asked, galloping the toy you gave him last week. “Thank you. I don’t have my own. I always have to share with Arthur, John and Ada.”

“My mom died…you were my first friend and you never met her,” you said, tears falling on the ground. “I’ve been living in Big Johnny’s room,”

“I’m sorry for your loss,” he said. “My Aunt Pol says that friends are there for each other. I’m…I’m your friend,”

You smiled a teary smile, appreciating the underlying message behind his words. He’ll be there for you. But until when?

-

BIRMINGHAM, 1905

Fifteen, you were fifteen. You haven’t even turned fifteen for a week and you were working. The owner of the house told Big Johnny that if you wanted to keep living there, you would have to work too. Johnny had no place for himself, no house—his money all went to you. Your clothes, the books you’ve read, the food you ate. He'll get you a cake with a candle along with a pound for special occasions. If you were lucky, some of the girls would give you something. Tommy’s dad stopped coming and so was the shilling you got.

He stayed, though. He’d talk to you about school and how he wanted to leave.

“You’re lucky you’re in school,” you said, watching Tommy smoke a cigarette. You were never a fan if them, seeing as your mother died of fucking lung cancer. “You have to stay,”

“I’m not built for it though. They’re all so boring,” he said, blowing the smoke away. “If only I could work like you. Why are you dressed so nicely anyway?”

“The owner told me to work,” you shrugged, pulling the strap of your dress back on your shoulder. “Johnny asked the boss if I could help him with the girls and management, but he said no. Wanted me to work because it will bring more money in,” you bitterly replied. “I want to go to school but the fucking boss wanted me to present myself as a Cherry Girl. You wanna know what that is?”

“What?”

“A fucking virgin.” you shrugged. “Said many men will pay for someone like me. Today’s my first night and Johnny cried a little bit when he saw me. I’d kill and die to go to school, Tom.”

“Shit, love, I’m sorry. I was being insensitive,” he offered. “Hm, maybe you’ll bag one rich man you know? Some rich bloke from London and he’ll take you. Besides, at least you smell nice,”

“This shit is awful,” you countered, sighing. You blinked back the tears that threatened to spill. “Fuck, I said I wasn’t going to cry tonight.”

“Hey,” he said, sitting closer to you. He wraps your arm around you and lets you stay there. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I’ll stay in school and do well, okay? I’ll study so hard; I’ll take you out of here. Let you live in a mansion with lots of space to run in. Fuck, I’m sorry, love,”

“It’s not your fault, Tommy,” was your weak reply. “I’m just…I told myself that I would never be like my mother and now, I am,”

“You’re not her,” he whispered, tightening his arms around you.m, never mind if the grease and sweat of his clothes mixed with your perfume. “You’re not her.”

-

BIRMINGHAM, 1906

“Fuck, Tom. You can’t stay here while I’m working,” you scolded. You were lying, you appreciated the fact that Tommy was here. He’ll wait until you finish your shift, until you meet your quota. It was always quick, though. You had a rich patron that covered your every living expense.

“My patron’s coming,” you told him, and he tenses. He remembered the way you cried to him after your first ever shift last year. How some old fuck didn’t even bother. He finished and threw you some coins. He remembered his rage when you told him about this new guy. He’s quite scary but he pays the most, you said. “He doesn’t like seeing me with other men,”

“I’m a man now?” he quips, a smirk on his lips. “It’s not like I can afford it. I’m broke. Besides, I’ll act like a bodyguard, yeah? All I ask for payment is a day out with you. Aunt Poll is cooking something on Sunday. Want you to eat something that’s not whatever is being cooked here. We can go on a picnic. I met a girl who worked at this mansion, and they have lots of flowers in the garden. Shit you’ll like,”

You offered him a slight smile, nodding.

“Will your aunt be okay with…me eating your food?” you asked. Tommy took notice of how insecurity laced your voice. His suggestions of meeting his family have always been met with resistance. He understood. Although Polly has been insisting on meeting the girl he’s been spending his time with, he couldn’t risk his father recognising you and then, treating you like trash.

“Of course. She’s been more annoying. Told my mum about the girl I’m seeing,” he said. “I’ll be the first boy to take you out, hm?”

“Shut up,” was your only reply.

Sunday comes and you asked your boss for a day off.

That day, Tommy took you to the garden with Polly’s chicken stew and his mum’s fig cake. Tommy didn’t let you work, he set down the food and opened the containers.

“The best meal you’ll ever have,” he said while you sat. “I should’ve done this earlier. What have you been eating?”

“I’m lucky enough to be fed. Johnny gets me some food out of the brothel sometimes.” you said. “Thanks for taking me here. I love it.”

“I knew it,” he said, spooning out your portion and giving it to you.

“I want to have a house with lots of flowers. Different coloured blooms all year round.” you said.

“The caretaker of the garden says that we can pick some flowers. Do you want to take some home?” he asked. You nodded, a flush on your face. How could someone not love him?

BIRMINGHAM, 1908

“How have you been my angel?” he asked, twirling your hair in between your fingers. “Can’t believe I missed you last week,” he mumbles, kissing your shoulder. You giggled. “I was in London and all I could think of was you,”

“I’ve never been to London,” you told him. “Are you going to take me there?” you asked, wide-eyed. He’s been your patron since you reached 18. He was quite younger than your usual customers. He always came to visit when you were seventeen but never looked at you. As if that made it better.

“You haven’t?” he asked. “I’ll take you there, Angel. I’ll show you the whole world. Hm?”

“You will?” you asked, faux excitement in your voice. He loved this; you knew. He loved that you were a fragile little bird in need of saving. He loved that you’d listen to him talk about his father. He’s the sappy kind. He liked to hold hands, talk, and make love. He’s paid you more than anyone else and gave you a hefty allowance. Big Johnny didn’t have to think about your safety anymore. “I want to go to the city! Buy everything that I see and just…breathe a different air,” you said.

“Fuck, baby, I’ll take you there and buy you everything you ever lay your eyes on. I’m not fucking around. I’ll take you there,”

“You will?” you asked. “I don’t like the idea of you leaving me. Did you know that? Sometimes, when you leave, I have to lock myself in my room and refuse everyone,” you lied. You locked yourself in because your quota was already met. You were just saying these things to keep him coming back. A little bit of pretending never hurt you. It meant a bigger tip, more money.

“Yeah?” he asked.

“Of course,” you said. “You’re my hero…”

Somehow, you didn’t find yourself lying when you told him. You felt dirty, you felt like your mother when she thought your father would give her the world. But Simon paid big money to have you alone for multiple nights a week.  No other customers were to ask for services.

“I’m your hero, alright…you’re my little bird. I’m dead set on taking you with me to London. Once I get my inheritance, I’ll show you the world and get you out of these slums.”

-

BIRMINGHAM, 1909

“You don’t have to do this anymore,” Tommy said. You were well enough to have your own place somewhere near the docks now. Johnny had given you some furniture that the house wasn’t using anymore, helping you fix the tables and the chairs that you would be using.  You didn’t have to live at the brothel anymore and it was all thanks to Simon.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Tommy,” you chuckled. “Do you like my place?” Tommy looked around, flowerpots littered your house.

“I’m serious.” he asked. “I’ll have you safe in Small Heath,”

“And my job? What will pay for this place? I finally have enough space for my flowers.” you asked. “I can’t just leave. Come on, you have to see the view on my balcony.”

You dragged Tommy’s hand to the balcony to show him the view. You were a little far from the docks now but from your balcony you can see it. The blue water, the usual chaos…you were smiling so freely, so beautifully. Tommy stills, unspoken words lingering in the air. You could realise it too…you’ve been realising it slowly. The world was in your hands. You could seize it if you wanted it. It fills Tommy with determination. It pumps through his veins, and it rings in his ears. Determination, consistency, and power. Three things to play with the world…three things that he’ll have. He could get you a bigger house. If he played right, he could have it all.

“This is why I got this place,” you said. “I mean, there were others but the view of the docks…I used to think everything about it was so ugly, you know? So grey, so evil…so grotesque but from the vantage point, everything is different,” a soft smile played on your lips when you let go of Tommy’s hand. He already missed your touch. “I can’t leave my job now because I wouldn’t have this,”

“I’ll work for it,” he says proudly.

“Tom, I know you’re not happy with how I earn money. Fuck, I’m not happy too. I hate that job. I know you hate it when I turn down your offer. But I have nothing else. You have to support your siblings. Don’t you get it? We’re all whores, Tom. We just sell different parts of ourselves. Mine just so happens to be my body.”

It enrages him and you could see it. See his face fall apart, how his jaw ticked.

“I’ll do it.” he said. “I’ll fucking do it. You think I’m fucking around when I tell you that I’ll protect you? I will. I’ll make a name for myself and protect you. I’ll fucking protect you; I swear on my life.”

“I know you will, Tom,” you said, inching closer. “But can’t you just be happy for me? This once?”

“We could add a little chair right here,” he relented. How could he ever tell you how much he hated himself for not being enough right now?  “I’ll bring some of Polly’s flowers. You’d let me stay here?”

“Only if you’re being nice,”

“What if I’m too tired to make the trip back to Small Heath? Can I stay here?” he asked.

“Sure,” you shrugged. “But only if you have food for me or something,”

“Or something? You’re not letting me stay for free? I’m your best mate,” he chuckled. “I mooch off you all the time,”

“You have more than I do. It’s time for me to mooch off on you,”

“Yeah? Well, I want yours,” he said. “I’m glad though…that you don’t have to live there anymore. You’re safer here,”

“Thank you, Tom,” you smiled, sitting by the railing of your balcony. “I’m glad too.”

“I’ll make sure you’re protected,” he promises.

“How?”

“I’ll protect you.”

-

BIRMINGHAM, 1910

Tommy gave you the number of his telephone years ago. You were shaking, something bad had happened and you didn’t know who else to turn to. Big Johnny was too busy breaking up fights in the bar beside the brothel. You walked home shakily. Tommy called the brothel earlier to tell you that he couldn’t make it tonight because of some gang business. It was fine, of course. So, you went to the market to buy some supplies. You just didn’t know that he would be there.  

You were waiting for someone to pick up the phone, biting your perfectly manicured nails.

“Who’s calling?” a woman asked from the other line. Her tone was snippy, and you knew she meant business.

“Hi,” you cleared your throat. “I’m looking for Tommy Shelby?”

“Who is this?” she asked, confused as to why a woman would suddenly call Tommy in such a manner. She was used to Tommy’s girls calling, an embarrassment usually hinted when they spoke. But this new girl had no shame.

“I’m a friend of Tommy’s,”

“Tommy has many girlfriends. You’re going to have to be specific,” she said, intrigued.

“Oh, of course,” you said. You told her your name. “Is he there?”

“Tommy!” you could hear her voice call. “Some girl is on the phone for you!”

“What, Poll?” he asked, scowling.

“Pick up the phone, Tom. Your friend is asking for you,” she said, passing the phone to him. She didn’t leave the room immediately, sitting on the nearby chair instead to listen in.

“Tommy Shelby,” he says, and you breathed a sigh of relief.

“Tommy,” you whispered. “He was there…he was there.”

“Who, love?” Tommy asked. Polly noticed how his voice softened, how his stance relaxed. “Do you need me there?”

“He was one of my customers before,” you forced out. “He was always…rude and rough,” you choked. “I hate this fucking job, Tommy. I fucking hate it and he treated me like an object today just because he paid for my services years ago,” you sobbed. “I’m sorry. I know you were busy but I fucking hate it,”

“Shh…it’s okay, love. It’s okay. I’m going over there, and you could tell me,” he said. “Will that be alright?”

“I—yes,” you nodded, wiping your tears hastily. “I got some of your favourite fruit from the market today. Didn’t know you have an expensive taste,”

He chuckled softly.

“I’ll see you, alright?” he asked. “Keep the doors locked. I have my copy,”

“Okay, Tommy. Stay safe for me?” you asked.

“Of course.” Tommy put down the phone until he heard you end the line. He sighed and went to go get his coat until he saw Polly with an eyebrow raised. “Fuck, I didn’t see you there,”

“Who would? You were too lovestruck to notice anything,” she teased. “That’s the girl you’ve been seeing?”

“We’re friends, Pol,” he clarified.

“She’s the girl from the docks, then?” she asked. Tommy nodded. “Fuck, that’s rough. She’s a whore,”

“Don’t,” he said, an edge to his voice. “Don’t call her that. I’m trying to build something for all of us, Pol. For her. She hates her job…she fucking hates it and I can’t do anything about it,”

“You don’t have to save her, Tom. You can’t save everyone,” she said but she knew that Tommy was stubborn. Everything that she’ll say will fall on deaf ears.

“It’s all her,” he said, clearing his throat. “I’ll get her out of there if it’s the last thing I do.”

The walk to your place was unnerving. Thoughts swarmed in his head. If he only had it in him to murder the man who dared to look at you. He’s never made peace with how you earned your money, but he still happily showed up after every shift. You never talk about your customers, and he didn’t like to ask.

“Tommy, you’re here,” you greeted. He could see how swollen your eyes were; how red they were.

“Of course, I am,” he replied. “Are you okay?” He hangs his coat on the coat rack and walks towards the couch where you were seated.

“I am now,” you sniffed. “I’m sorry for making you worry but this job…people reduce me to such an object. I didn’t even know his name, you know?”

“I know, love.” he said, his heart beating inside his chest. What was it? What was the beating?

“Tommy, I’m going to make a request. It’s absurd and we haven’t done it yet…”

“What?” he whispered, unsure.

“Can-can you hold me?” you asked. “You don’t have to but…I have no semblance of what it’s like to be loved anymore. I want to pretend. At least for tonight, somebody out there loves me.”

“You don’t have to pretend,” he said. “You’re my friend. Of course, I love you.”

You only smiled, snuggling closer to Tommy. You were his friend…only a friend. How else would he look at you differently? You still had to pretend because the love that he was willing to give was not the love that you were looking for.

-

BIRMINGHAM, 1911

Multiple knocks on your door woke you up. Someone was screaming your name outside and you felt yourself panic. You took the gun that Tommy gifted you last year and crept down the stairs. You opened the door slowly to reveal two men—one older and one younger. The younger one had a smirk playing on his lips while the other looked panicked.

“Who are you?” you asked, tightening the gun behind your back.

“Arthur Shelby,” the one with the beard replied. You nodded. “I’m Tommy’s older brother. This is John,”

“Where…where’s Tommy?”

“He asked us to come get you,” John replied. “We mean no harm.”

“What happened to him?” you asked. “Come in,”

The brothers entered your house and watched you lay your gun on the table. An unspoken threat.

“Tommy’s not in a good place,” Arthur replied. “Well, he’s asking for you. He’s having these…episodes. I don’t fucking know what thr fuck they’re called but sometimes, he calls for you when he shuts down,”

“It's even worse today,” John added. “Our mother died,”

“Oh, shit. I’m sorry,” you said, offering a small smile. “Will you let me dress better? I’ll come with you,”

You met the brothers outside of your house, your gun secured on your skirt.

“Are you Tommy’s whore?” John asked as you walked.

“John!”

“I’m not his fucking whore,”

“So, why is he always at the brothel by the docks?” he pressed.

“We met when we were kids. Your dad used to visit the brothel with him,” you shrugged. “I never understood why your father took him there all the time. It’s a dangerous place,”

“Why were you there?”

“My mother worked there. I was born there. I grew up there,” you shrugged. “Tommy was my only friend growing up. Your father stopped coming but Tommy still managed to show up,”

“I see,” Arthur replied. “You’re the girl who gave him toy horses when we were kids, then. He never let us touch them. Even now, he has them lined up on his wall,”

“Yeah, I was. I gave it to him a week after my mother died,” you recalled.

“I’m sorry for calling you his whore,” John said. He realised now that your relationship with Tommy was deeper. It was more meaningful than he realised.

“It’s okay,” you let out a small smile. “It’s a fair assumption,”

Minutes of silence passed by, and your group stopped in Watery Lane. You’ve never been in his house before; you never had the time to do so. You were also quite ashamed to show yourself. How could you prove that you weren’t after Tommy’s money if that's exactly what you are after men?

The door of the house opens, and you assume it was Polly. The same woman who you talked to on the telephone before.

“He’s in his room upstairs. Last door to the left,” she said.

“Thank you,” you rushed to where Tommy was. You didn’t bother to stay and eavesdrop. You were there for Tommy. You knocked on his door slightly.

“Stay the fuck away from my door or I will kill you,” he shouted. You cracked the door open slightly.

“It’s me, Tom,” you said. He rose from his bed and rushed towards you, flinging his arms around you. He pulled you closer. “Hi,”

“She’s dead,” he murmurs against your hair. “My mum’s dead. My dad left. I didn’t even like him, you know? He always hit the three of us. I thought it would be better if he just fucking left but my mum died because he left. Now, I don’t have her.”

“I’m so sorry, Tommy,” you said. You knew he was still struggling after his father left many months ago. He was shaking in your arms, trying to grasp you tightly. Trying to be closer.  “I’m so sorry,”

“I…I don’t know what to do,” he said. “You never got to meet her. She’d love you; you know?”

“That makes us even,” you saw a small smile on his lips. “I’m here now, Tom. You could rest,”

“You’ll still be here when I wake up?” he asked meekly, like a child.

“I’ll be here,” you nod, caressing his cheek softly. He nods, yawning after he evened out his breathing.

“Shit, love. I’m so tired,” he yawned again. “Let’s both go to sleep. We deserve it. I’ll see you when I’m awake?” he asked, adjusting your position on his small bed.

“I’ll see you,” you confirmed, snuggling closer to him.

-

“Tommy’s playing a dangerous game,” Polly commented from downstairs. It has been met with no resistance.

-

BIRMINGHAM, 1914

“Good afternoon, Pol,” you smiled. You were invited for Sunday dinner, and you decided to bring cake from the bakery that Tommy liked. You’ve only met them last year, but you’ve become such an integral part of their family that people knew you were closely associated with them. Even Simon.

“Oh, you didn’t have to bring cake,” she said. “We’d rather you spend it somewhere,”

“It’s alright,” you said. “I wanted to do something nice,”

“Keeping Tommy levelheaded is nice enough. Seriously, what did you do?” Ada asked, chopping the vegetables. She was reluctant at first but now, she couldn’t go a week without ranting to you. Girls’ night is what she called them.

“I don’t know,” you chuckled. “May I help?”

“If you could kindly chop the carrots, please,” Polly said. You set yourself and rolled your sleeves, peeling the carrots first. “Tommy and the boys went out for a while. They said it was some business with the Blinders. While they’re out, how are you?”

“Oh,” you nodded. “Me?”

“Of course. Ada has been talking my ear off about some guy she’s so secretive about,” she scoffed.

“I’ve been working less,” you confessed. “I’m helping out on the counter. Helping Big Johnny with the money and the accounts. I work a few times a week now. Simon’s been frequenting the brothel and well, you know what Simon does. It helps that he doesn’t stay long. The brothel pays me for my assistance. I can buy you cake every week now,”

“Don’t do that. Finn will be spoiled rotten,” Ada says. “Besides, you deserve nice things for yourself, you know,”

“I know but I can’t help it,” you said with a soft smile. “I like doing nice things for you,”

The boys soon come through the door, spilling with laughter. Tommy makes a beeline towards you as soon as he spots you.

“How was the afternoon?” you asked, bumping your hips with him.

“It was good,” he said. “Finn got into a fight with some kids, and we had to deal with it.”

“Is Finn okay? I brought cake.”

“Just a bruised ego,” he chuckled. My favourite?”

“Of course,” you said. “But let’s pretend that it’s for Finn, alright?”

“It’s always for Finn,” he groans. “He has you wrapped around his finger,”

“He does. He’s such a charming kid,” you praised. “Where is he, anyway?”

“Taking a bath before dinner. You have me for now,” Tommy said. “Can I sleep at your house later?” he asks in a softer tone. He’s been sleeping at your place ever since last year. He said you make him sleep better.

“You know it’s never a problem,” you said. His presence made you feel safe. He made you feel secure. “Will we leave together?”

“Yes. I’d like to sleep as soon as possible,” he says, dropping his forhead on your shoulder. You only chuckled. “I’m so tired. So, so tired,”

“Who are they fooling?” Ada asked in whispers. “Are we sure they’re best mates?”

“They’ve insisted on it for years,” Arthur shrugged. “I don’t think they’re aware,”

“I don’t think so either,” John says. “But Tommy throws a fit whenever she has to meet that Simon prick. Calls him a rich bastard.”

“He is a rich bastard,” Ada nodded. “She says he just came into his inheritance. Ammunitions,”

“Shit. She hit the jackpot, then,” John commented. “Wonder how that’s gonna go?”

“There’s nothing to wonder, John,” Arthur says. John could only nod his head.

-

You stumbled inside your house around half past midnight. You were both quite tipsy, having drank Pol’s stocks of wine. The Shelby Company Ltd. has been gaining more popularity now, along with the Blinders. Hell, Tommy even posted two Blinders to guard you. “For when I’m not around,” he said.

“Pol’s going to kill me for giving Finn too much cake,” you giggled, leaning on him.

“I reckon you’re banned from Sunday dinners,” Tommy jokes, taking his shoes off. He takes note of how you’re dressed today. “You know you can remove all the fucking things on your body right? Rouge…the jewels. Where’d you get them? Is the rich bastard buttering you up?”

“I like it. Dressing up makes me happy,” you frowned. “I’m allowed to like nice things, right?”

“Right,” his jaw ticked. It should be him who's giving you these gifts…showing you a lavish life. He hated it. “Later?”

“Later,” you nodded. “When I’m banned from Sunday dinners, you wouldn’t let me be left out, right?”

“‘Course not,” he shrugged, pulling you to your bedroom like he owned the place. You didn’t mind. You were happy to see that he was comfortable in your home. “You’re my best girl.”

“That’s what you say to your horses,”

“You’ve got really good horse sense and you’re always on your high horse,” he says, peeling his coat away. He was rummaging in your chest now, looking for clothes he might have left until he settled on a simple white shirt and pyjama pants.

“Yeah, yeah. You and your horse wordplay.” You entered the bathroom to dress down. Just like Tommy, you settled in his shirt and pants. They were more comfortable than singlets and you certainly didn’t want to make Tommy uncomfortable.

He was already waiting for you on the bed when you came back. He pats the space beside him. You obliged. You were looking into each other’s eyes with small smiles, Tommy’s finger trailing down your arm absentmindedly.

“I…” words died in his throat before he could get them out. “I…”

“What is it, Tom? Are you okay?”

“I’ll get you out of here,” he rasps. “I’ll get you out of there and I won’t let you work a day in your life anymore.”

“Tommy,” you sighed. “I can’t—can’t leave this job. It’s all I have,” He tightens his arms around you, afraid that you’ll ask him to let go.

“I know but once I come back from the war—“

“The war?” you asked, removing his arms around you. “War?”

“We enlisted,” he clarifies, trying to gauge your reaction. “Once I come back, I’ll be so fucking rich. I’ll have you. I’ll keep you and you won’t have to lift a finger. We’ll live in a mansion and have servants. Just like what we used to talk about,”

“Tommy, you’re going to war?” you asked, standing from the bed. His eyes watched you settle down shakily on the single chair by the bed. “Fuck. You’re going to war. You’re going to leave me,”

“No, love. Come on, I—“ he grunts, sitting up from his relaxed position.

“It’s war, Tommy! They change people…I don’t want to lose you; do you not get that? Are you not happy here? Is that why you're throwing your life away?”

“I’m not throwing my life away,” he says, a frown. “We’ll be drafted one way or another because we’re poor. Might as well do it now than be forced. Some of my men will still watch over you every now and then. They’ll still make sure that you’re safe. We’ll send letters. Alright?”

“Letters,” you scoffed. “And what if the letters stopped coming?”

“Don’t say that, please,” he begs. “I’m doing this for all of us. The business will be handled by Polly and when I’m back, I’ll make it even bigger. Alright? You have to trust me,” You didn’t even want to ask about the business. You didn’t want to ask why more men wore peaky caps. You didn’t want to ask what the Shelby Company Ltd. really was. Not now.

“I know you will, Tom,” you said. “But I’m scared. For the first time since I’ve known you, you won’t be here. I’m scared,”

Tommy lays his hand on your shoulder. Words he couldn’t say lingered in the air. I’ll marry you once I step foot in England. He didn’t know what else to say; didn’t know if there was still something to say. So, he kneels before you and makes you look at him. You were crying. So afraid, so alone.

“I’m sorry,” he says.

“When will you be leaving?”

“I have two more days,” he says. “Will I still see you?”

“Yes, of course,” you said. “You’ll come back for me?”

“Of course. I have a picture of you already in my pocket. I have to make sure to come back to you,” he said. “and everyone else, of course.”

He fishes a necklace from his pocket, his mother’s locket.

“Here,” he said, showing it to you. It was one of the last pieces of jewellery she owned. “Mum gave it to me. You know I’ve always worn it. I want you to wear it now. Think of it as a loan, yeah? You’ll give it back once we see each other again,”

“Tommy, I—“

“I want you to accept it. I want you to see you wear it now. I want to see you wear it before I leave. But most of all I want for us to stay the same,” he says, holding you and kissing your hair softly. You couldn’t push him away. You’ve longed for this your whole life. To be held, to feel loved. It’s all you’ve ever wanted.

“I’m sorry. So, so, so fucking sorry.”

“I don’t think you’re wasting your life away,” you cleared your throat. “I’m so—I’m so proud of you and your bravery. I’m so proud of you but I can’t be fucking happy for you. I don’t want to wake up every day knowing that you’re not here. I don’t want to have to guess if you were alive or not.”

“I am,” he promises. “I’ll be alive. I’ll come back as your Tommy. Just…wait for me, alright?”

You clung onto Tommy two days later by the train. He whispered that he would come back. He said that he will make sure of it. He breathes in the smell of your hair—roses. He envelopes you in his arms once more and turns to leave, never looking back. You knew, in your hysterics, that if he comes back from the war, the same old Tommy you used to know would never be.

PART 2 PART 3

TAGLIST:  @shelbydelrey @runnning-outof-time @duckybird101 @thenattitude @swordofawriter @litteltourtius​ @trixie23​ @everythingelseisextra​

[dragons-and-handcuffs]

Cregan Stark x Targ!reader

Okay but imagine Cregan Stark and Rhaenyra's daughter!reader. It's a arranged marriage completely for political reasons and strategies. Cregan is a man, not a boy like your brothers or your uncles. He is the warden of the North. Whereas you are inexperienced and only blossomed into a beautiful woman not long ago.

You always felt like you are a bargaining chip. First your mother tried to arrange a marriage between you and Aegon, then to a son of Vamond Velaryon, then to your own brother Jace. But at last it was decided that marrying you off to Cregan Stark is the best strategy. Because of all these you thought your marriage was just a duty to your queen, but Cregan was looking for a wife, a companion.

You thought maybe if it comes to it Cregan would also use you as a bargaining chip. You were so very wrong.

Imagine your wedding night. You are shy and scared. But Cregan is so gentle with you. Just you and him in the cozy room. He can tell you are inexperienced and he has a lot to show you, teach you. That night it was all about your pleasure. His fingers and tongue made you cum many times before he finally claimed you. Imagine waking up the next morning in his arms, both coverd with a thick blankt of fur.

There is a hight difference and size difference and your husband loves it. You found him intimidating at first but you have grown to feel secured around him and with him.

He doesn't mind you wearing the Targaryen colors at all, but the first time you wore the Stark colors he was mesmerized. Immediately pulled you into a kiss, didn't care who was watching.

Imagine you opening up to him. Telling him how you feel like a bargaining chip all your life. And how you were not expecting to find a home at the North, a home with him. Imagine saying all this to him right after you two made love in front of the first place and now only overed with his fur cloak, his arms around you, gently caressing you, kissing your shoulder and neck.

Cregan assuring you that you were never a political arrangement to him, but he is happy that none of the other betrothal worked out. He loves you and he will love you till his last breath.

Imagine you laying on top of him, looking at him and talking as he caresses your back.

Imagine you flying your dragon and Cregan on his horse. A silly race that end on your both making love in a beautiful place with a beautiful scenery

[scuderiasundays]

the one where the stars aligned

summary: 3 am flashbacks to packed pizzerias, comfortable silences, and post-race kisses + a little insta au at the end 💌

words: 871

a/n: writing fics is my form of self care. i’m seeing a lot of lando love so i thought i’d whip something up! tagging @vamossainz55, @sainzcaleruega , @monzabee, @ssainzz, @holllandtrash, and @diorleclerc just because. feedback appreciated as always. hugs and kisses 🫶🏼

"Come on, put down the melatonin gummies and lend a hand," Lando's voice beckoned, as he motioned for you to join him. It was Lando's brilliant idea to start building shelves for his prized helmet collection at the ungodly hour of 3 AM. Despite feeling drained from a full day of traveling, jet lag refused to let either of you rest. As you took in the sights of Monaco in the dark, your mind couldn't help but picture everyone sound asleep in their beds—a stark contrast to the state you and Lando were in, blasting Burna Boy and diving headfirst into a DIY date night.

You plopped down beside him, and he handed over some screws and posts. To be honest, you had no clue what you were doing, so you just sat there, watching your boyfriend hum along and niftily arrange the pieces. There was a particular air about Lando when he was focused: his slightly creased forehead, furrowed eyebrow, and bitten lip. He caught you midthought and playfully said, "Less staring, more doing," as he handed you the instruction manual.

Maybe it was the sleep deprivation or the fact that your two-year anniversary was coming up, but you found your mind aimlessly wandering. Lando had entered your life at a time when you least expected it. It all began on an evening out in London, which your friends now playfully referred to as "The One Where the Stars Aligned."

You had found yourselves scrambling for a last-minute table at a quaint pizzeria one of you had discovered on TikTok. The restaurant, a charming hole-in-the-wall, was filled to the brim with lively conversation and the aroma of freshly baked pizza. Your waiter hastily directed you to a 10-person table at the heart of the bustling scene, disappearing before any of you could say a word. The long table was already occupied by a few guys who looked to be your age. Reluctant but ravenous, you found yourself settling beside one of them. Throughout the night, you and your mystery man talked nonstop, effortlessly volleying back and forth. The rest, as they say, was history.

There were countless reasons you loved your boyfriend, but a few things really stood out. Lando's attentiveness was unmatched. If a conversation made you uneasy, he would pick up on it and hurry to your side, ready to rescue you from any situation. If he noticed a Netflix show had you on the verge of tears, he would edge closer to you on the couch and quietly slide over a box of tissues. If you were lost for words to congratulate him on an impressive drive, he would kiss you simply to shut you up.

Even though Lando's job required him to exude confidence and poise in public, behind closed doors, he was just as much of an introvert as you. Whether sitting side by side in his driver's room, with him editing photos and you buried in a book, there was an ease to the silence that never felt uncomfortable. It was your way of recharging your social batteries, soaking up each other's presence without the need for constant conversation.

You had also grown to love the people Lando surrounded himself with. He was big on quality time and always sought to spend as much of it with you as possible. Initially unsure if his friends would appreciate your constantly hanging around, you were pleasantly surprised when they warmly embraced you into their circle. "I'm just glad he's found someone else to bother instead of P and me," Max jokingly said during a double date at the driving range.

Your bond with Flo had also grown stronger, as you joined her for one-on-one horse-riding lessons at the stables. She would share stories about little Lando, granting you intimate glimpses into his past that, without him knowing, made you love him even more.

Lando went above and beyond to introduce you to the other drivers too. You often third-wheeled on Carlando outings, intervening when they bickered like an old couple. On some nights, he’d arrange actual double dates with Carmen and George, the three of you trying but always failing to convince Lando to try some sushi.

You were the first person he FaceTimed when Daniel had confided he’d be back on the grid sooner than expected. “If this leaks, I’ll know who to hunt down,” he giggled while munching a chicken quinoa wrap, his staple pre-race meal.

Lost in reverie, you hadn’t even realized you’d zoned out until Lando waved his hands frantically in front of you, snapping you back to reality. The shelves were now magically built, showcasing the colorful helmets he’d raced in and swapped over the years.

“What were you thinking about, babe?” He asked as he stepped back to double check that the shelves were even.

“Just how much I love you,” you replied as you gave him a peck on the cheek.

If you could be anywhere in the world, you’d still choose to be right there with him, watching the sunrise paint your apartment the warmest shade of orange. You closed your eyes and silently prayed that you and Lando would always be this close, forever and ever.

﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

liked by ciscanorris1, alex_albon, and 41,113 others

landonorris: a few of my favorite thingssss

yourusername: not even pressed danny ranks higher than me! he’s back like he never left 🙌🏼

danielricciardo: bisous

landonorris: nobody compares to you, baby!!

flonorris1: don’t have too much fun without me, lovebirds 🧡

heidiberger_: what a flight! let @yourusername and i know if anyone wants to join our “my boyfriend has a distinctive laugh” club

yourusername: more like the “i couldn’t get any sleep because my boyfriend kept cackling” club 🫠

fan2: the wags are spilling tea and i ADORE them

barbiethemovie: she’s everything. he’s just ken.

mclaren: in lando we trust 🫡

[roostersgirlfriendlovesf1]

new light | charles leclerc

charles leclerc x reader

prompt: y/n wolff is new to the f1 world, being mclarens first female f1 driver. her teammate is lando norris, her father is toto wolff, and her mentor is daniel riccardo. she could not be more immersed in the motorsport. the person most helping ease her into the world is none other than charles leclerc. his interest in her seems to be deeper than just the sport; so y/n invites charles on a trip back home over the summer break to get a feel for how a life with him could be without f1.

y/n shuffled in the plane seat, nervously awaiting takeoff. Charles hummed next to her. She did not like the takeoff aspect of a flight. She was also nervous about them being seen together.

“How long have you two been together?” An older lady asked, sitting in the row next to them.

“Oh, we are n-” 

Charles interrupted y/n. “Two years.” He smiled. “We met through work.”

The older lady smiled before giving them a nod and turning her in-flight tv on. y/n shuffled as she felt the plane begin to move. “I’ve never been to Oxford, I’m excited.” Charles smiled. y/n kept her eyes shut, holding her breath. “y/n?” He looked at her. Her hand shook as she moved it closer to his. He realized why she was nervous and quickly grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze. The plane reached its height and the seatbelt sign turned off. y/n opened her eyes, looking down at their hands. Her face flushed as she looked up and realized Charles had dozed off. His face was slightly red as he nuzzled deeper into his sweatshirt. She leaned her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes.

Y/n felt a hand rubbing her shoulder as she slowly lifted her head. “We’re landing.” Charles whispered. She nodded as she came to consciousness. “I just didn’t want the plane touching the ground to frighten you.”

“Thank you.” She sat up, fiddling with the bracelets on his wrist.

“Y/n.”

“Yes?”

“Are we staying with your parents?”

“We’re staying at their house, but they won’t be there.”

“Alright.” He zipped up his bag as the plane hit the ground.

Y/n turned their rental car into her family’s drive. “Horses?” Charles exclaimed looking out the window.

“Yes, horses.” She smiled. “That’s Shumi and the other one is Niki.”

“Those are very special names.” He laughed, “Ever tried racing them?”

“No, never. They’re retired race horses. We take them here to live out their last years in peace.”

Charles glanced over to her in the driver's seat. His head was full of new possibilities and the excitement of learning who she was. He looked forward and saw a beautiful old-stone house. “And this is home.” y/n parked the car. “There’s a creek out back, a nice porch, and privacy.” She climbed out of the car and Charles grabbed their bags. She slowly closed the trunk, watching him walk up the steps to her home. She hopped up the steps, unlocking the door with giddiness. Charles dropped the bags off in the entry room. 

“It’s beautiful.” He scanned the interior of the house.

“Thank you.” She blushed. “I’ll show you to your room.”

He paused before nodding, not knowing what to expect for sleeping arrangements. 

“I mean I just didn’t know where you would want to sleep so I figured I’d give you the garden-view room” He carried his bag, following her down a hallway. She opened the door and he gazed at the garden outside his window. 

“This is amazing.” He glanced around with stars in his eyes. He’d been everywhere and stayed everywhere, but nothing compared to this.

“And I’ll be across the hall if you have a nightmare.” She joked.

“What are we doing today? Do I need to change?” Charles asked.

“I was thinking of feeding the horses, checking on the bunnies, and then watching a movie. I think it is going to rain around 3. Is that good with you?”

“Yes.” He smiled. “Do you think I should change?”

“Just put a hoodie on, it’s chilly.”

Charles opened the door, allowing y/n to guide him towards the horses. “I bet Christmas is beautiful here.” 

“It is.” She nodded. “Freezing, though.” Charles glanced at her. He noticed her nose turning slightly pink, and the way she watched her feet as she walked. She had a navy sweatshirt on with a pair of white pants. “Care to help me bring them to the stable?” She pointed to a wooden building, vines embellished the outside of it as the light inside of it contrasted to the gloomy UK weather.

“What do I do?” 

“Grab the lead and guide her to the stable.”

“I-”

“Just follow me.” She grabbed the lead of Niki and placed the one of Shumi into Charles’ hand. His warm hands brushed her cold ones, contrastingly making him shiver. They led the horses into their stalls and y/n began to carry a bale of hay into each stall. 

“Do you need some help?” Charles peaked into the stall.

“I’m good,” y/n said in a distressed voice before tripping over the bale, landing on her back. Her eyes turned wide before she started cackling. Charles rushed over to the girl, offering her a hand up with a worried face. She took his hand, yanking him into the hay with her. He laughed, trying to climb off of her while she was wheezing. His hands were placed over her shoulders as she went silent. He rolled next to her. 

“Who’s your best friend, y/n?”

She smiled, “Why do you ask?”

“Just getting to know you.”

“I’d say Lando Norris.” She positioned herself on her side, facing Charles. Did she not have others? Maybe some before her F1 career. 

“No childhood friends?” He questioned.

“Nope.” 

“That sounds lonely.” His watercolor eyes glanced over her face. 

She sat up. “What makes you think that?” 

“D’know, just does.” 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

y/n sat on the couch, flipping through different streaming apps. “Anything specific you want to watch?” She yelled, hoping her voice echoed into the bathroom Charles was showering in. She heard the creak of a door and looked up. He was topless in loose, blue pajama pants. 

“Do you happen to have an old sweatshirt lying around? The one I packed has hay all over.”

“Yes…It might be big on you.” She stood up, digging through a coat closet. She pulled out a Mercedes sweatshirt. Charles laughed, shaking his head. 

“No way. I can’t.” 

“Come on, big guy.” She taunted him with it. “No one will see you in it.”

“There has to be another one.” He reasoned. 

“Nope.” She shook her head. Charles begrudgingly took it and pulled it over his head. “So handsome.” She placed a hand on his chest, where a Mercedes emblem showed.

“y/n.”

“Yeah?” She smiled.

“Please don’t let your career change you as a person.”

“Huh?”

“Formula One has a way of dulling some people’s light. I’m sure Danny has told you. Please don’t let everything get the best of you.” Something caught his eye behind her. A line of rainbow marks. “What’s this?” He changed the subject. 

She was still flustered by his first words. “It’s the chart of my height since I was two.” 

“It needs to be updated.” He smiled. She handed him a marker and lined herself up with the doorframe. She looked up at him while he stood over her, carefully drawing a line above her head. Her mouth slightly opened as she held her breath. “Perfect.” He looked down at her. His eyes staring directly at her lips. Their noses were touching, a slight movement and their lips would be touching. “I wish I could have you.” He whispered.

“You do.” She nodded. She smelled his freshly washed hair and felt the heat of his body from underneath his sweatshirt. “Do you believe this is worth it?”

“I believe this could be my everything.” He spoke. She stood, frozen. He kissed her, hands embracing her waist. She kissed him back, hands tangled in his hair. His hands cupped her face as he pulled away. She heard her phone buzz on the counter.

“You should probably get that.” 

“It can wait.” She kissed him again.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

y/n’s eyes opened slightly, light from the window welcoming her. She smiled, memories of the night before making her giddy. She had been drunk on kisses, giggling softly as Charles kissed her goodnight, retiring to his room across the hall. She opened her phone groggily, turning the brightness up. She read texts from the night before, catching up on real life. After responding to a few emails, she then turned her phone off, climbing out of bed. She pulled on a sweatshirt as she creaked open her door. The stone house had a chilly draft in the mornings. She was faced with the sight of Charles sleeping peacefully in the room across from her. The sun highlighted the freckles and moles on his face and the perfectness of his complexion. He didn’t look real. It was so tempting for her to want to climb into the bed next to him. Instead, she put her slippers on and started to brew some tea. She opened the door to the porch, the sound of the babbling creek creating a calming atmosphere. She brought her mug of tea outside and cracked open a book.

“Well this is a beautiful view.” Charles stretched, stepping outside. He glanced at her long hair, cascading past her chest. He placed a kiss on top of y/n's head. “Call me by your name and I’ll call you by mine.” He quoted her book. “Quite the story.” He yawned.

“Would you like some tea?” She asked.

“I’m not a huge fan.”

“Would you fancy orange juice or milk?”

“Orange juice sounds nice.” 

“Okay-” She went to stand.

He placed a hand on her shoulder, “I’ll get it. You stay here.” He poured himself a glass and peered outside again. He reached into his pocket and took a photo of y/n before sitting down at the table. “I hate to ruin this moment, but how is this going to work?” He twisted a lock of her red hair with his finger. 

“I mean the media already hates me so what if we just came right out and said we were thinking about dating.”

“How do you think it would affect those close to us, though? I mean your dad-”

“My dad isn’t like that, Char.”

“I’m just worried. Should we wait?” He sighed.

“It’s ok if we keep it private…” She whispered. “It's not like we can do a soft launch or anything…not too many people have red hair. Everyone would know it was me.”

“Thank you.” He used a hand to massage the back of her head. She stared at him for a moment, their chairs facing each other. “Actually…screw it.” He smiled. “I’m going to take you out to dinner tonight.” 

She smiled before pecking him on the lips as he pulled her into his lap. “I know somewhere.” She nuzzled her face into his neck. He grabbed her book and began to read it to her.

[leclerc-s]

struggling to survive netflix

series masterlist

rhys jones word of advice: DO NOT watch season 6 of drive to survive.

max jones-verstappen you watch that crap?

rhys jones i couldn't sleep, it dropped, so i watched it. worst mistake of my life.

rhys jones i can't believe i was at several races and ryan made it onto the show before me.

esteban ocon oh yes, i forgot about that.

isabella perez someone tell charles they made him out to be the villain.

natalia ruiz just like max in season 1.

charles leclerc i did nothing wrong all season but have shitty luck.

dulce perez monza. charles leclerc i may have done one thing wrong.

rhys jones max went from being the formula 1 villain to being comedic relief.

max jones-verstappen i bet there was no mention of my win streak

isabella perez in the last fifteen minutes but only because christian mentioned it.

charles leclerc can i enter my villain era now?

pierre gasly do you even know what that is? charles leclerc je t'emmerde connard

rowan todd WHITE HORSE?? CONEY ISLAND?? WITH MAE?? ARE YOU TWO TRYING TO KILL US??

daphne jones-ricciardo 😁😁 mae jones-verstappen 😁😁

isabella perez CONEY ISLAND?? YOU SANG CONEY ISLAND?

isabella perez THIS IS FUCKING WORSE THAN LOSING MIRRORBALL!!

max jones-verstappen to be fair i lost seven to fucking pittsburg of all places.

rhys jones jokes on you guys, my song still safe.

daphne jones-ricciardo and what song is that rhys?

rhys jones thug song

daphne jones-ricciardo of fucking course it is.

alex albon crossing my fingers for monologue song next!

george russell charles cried when daphne sang this is me trying as a surprise song. i have a picture of it.

bailey winters one could say you "have it printed out" george russell hilarious bailey. bailey winter this is why lewis decided to leave mercedes, because you're dry as fuck george russell TOO SOON BAILEY!! TOO SOON!!

isabella perez sylvia just got me in trouble. apparently it's not good to speak out against netflix.

dulce perez i think it's more so because you spoke out in favor of a driver from a rival team and not that you spoke put again netflix. natalia ruiz i didn't get in trouble? charles leclerc it was probably the oscar part and not the netflix part isabella perez i got told by fred that it was okay??? just no spilling company secrets.

carlos sainz she probably just doesn't like you.

isabella perez wow.

lando norris to be fair, you are quite annoying. i get it.

dulce perez only i get to call her annoying kermit the frog

lance stroll we should wait until the next season for more drama. that's when it'll be good because of a certain someone breaking f1 twitter.

lewis hamilton talking about me? mick schumacher don't forget the secret contract lengths! esteban ocon and silly season!!

freya vettel i was fully expecting them to make oscar and lando to look like enemies. they've done it before.

isabella perez we should make a drinking game out of dts!! anytime d*nica shows up on screen we take a shot.

zoya torres we'd end up blackout drunk. george russell alternative, take a shot everytime will buxton says something funny. max jones-verstappen or anytime they make teammates who get along look like enemies. mae jones-verstappen you seriously still bitter about the daniel thing? max jones-verstappen YES! WE WERE NEVER ENEMIES!!

esteban ocon netflix doesn't know that friendships and rivalries can exist on the same scale.

rowan todd doesn't help that pierre said, "we'll never be best friends."

rhys jones i'm surprised they haven't brought in the nepotism card yet.

mick schumacher they did.

rhys jones i avoid that episode to not cry and charles' episode in season 1

isabella perez oh, same! we're very emotional people. i also avoid daniel's episode in season 5. and i can't stand otmar.

oscar piastri mood. esteban ocon same. pierre gasly you're lucky you didn't have to work with the guy. lance stroll welcome to the club

sebastian vettel any mention of my bee corner?

isabella perez no, and the people are upset. they wanted more of seb's buzzin' corner

logan sargeant he got the logan treatment, completely forgotten.

oscar piastri that's not funny mate.

alex albon lily and i are working on getting rid of his tendencies to degrade himself.

max jones-verstappen how's that working for you two so far? alex albon not well as you can see

daphne jones-ricciardo we have a new set of grid parents!

daniel jones-ricciardo GO TO SLEEP!

daphne jones-ricciardo shh! i just got to episode 3.

fernando alonso my favorite episode is episode 1.

max jones-verstappen ARE ALL OF YOU WATCHING IT?

lewis hamilton i wanted to see how they foreshadowed my move to ferrari. mae jones-verstappen daphne dragged me into this. daphne jones-ricciardo LIAR! IT WAS YOUR IDEA! george russell i wanted to see how i evolved through the season

max jones-verstappen i guess i should watch it.

daniel jones-ricciardo i promise you won't regret it.

12 hours later

max jones-verstappen you're a fucking liar daniel jones-ricciardo. i regret it so much.

taglist: @burningcupcakefire @arkhammaid @sunflower-golden-vol6 @applopie @lorarri @mypage-myfandoms @bb-swift @thewannabewriter @you-bleed-just-toknowyouarealive @stopeatread @hobiismyhopeu @lilsiz @alessioayla @niniluvsainz @au-ghosttype @cowboylikemets1989 @justtprachisblog @rmeddar123 @nichmeddar @landonorizzz @unluckyyoshi @Mimolovescookies @brekkers-whore @natcha888 @camdensreg @mycenterfold @dear-fifi @prongsvault @kaa212 @anxxiousaries @julesbabey1 @julesbabey @georgeparisole @Smnthnclj @dan3avocado @melissayalene @nothanqks @nikfigueiredo @bella-1 @namgification @jensonsonlybutton @chezmardybum @d3kstar @weekendlusting@anytimeanywherebitchblog @ragioniera @burberryfilms @trouble-sistar @lesliiieeeee @leclercsluv @33-81

strikethrough means i couldn't tag you

click here to be added to the honest series taglist

¡leclerc-s speaks! pushing my disliking for danica and otmar with this one. i still don’t understand why she was in season 6 of dts when she’s never driven an f1 car. i was thinking of doing a written part for the parts i made up but would anyone be interested in that?

¡disclaimer! this is in no way making assumptions about the people involved in this story, this is all fake. it is a fanfiction please don't take any of what is said seriously. this is all for entertainment purposes and as a creative outlet for me. enjoy!

[notyourhetloki]

I love your writing sm! 💕 Do you think you could do Ken meeting his human? (Love at first sight on both ends sorta thing) Maybe reader gets to go to Barbie Land?

like a doll (Ken x Reader)

Reader: gender neutral

/Ken x Reader/

A/N: Hi, anon! Thank you for requesting! This is like, so sweet... hope I made it justice! Also I changed the movie a bit for this one, you'll see what I mean xoxo

—

Ken was so distracted with his new books he didn't even see you entering the library, bumping into you and dropping his things.

"Oh, I'm sorry, sir! Here, let me-" you started, but immediately turned nervous when you looked at him. Tall, handsome with blonde hair, wearing a weirdly suiting cowboy outfit... he looked like a doll.

Meanwhile, he was also checking you out. Such a pretty face, hair, body... and you apologized to him! You respected him... woah.

You looked down in embarrassment and kneeled to catch his books, but he followed your motion trying to maintain eye contact.

"You're... beautiful. I-I mean, what's your name?" He stuttered, completely on edge. His heart pounded in his chest like a drum, he had never felt so nervous... was this meant to be love?

Unbeknownst to him, you were feeling the same. Heart racing and hands shaking, you retrieved his book (one about horses) and offered it to him. "My name is (Y/N). And... what about you?"

He took the book from your hand, slowly grazing his fingers on yours and sending electricity down your spine. "I'm Ken... nice to meet you, (Y/N)."

"Ken as in... like the doll?" You thought to yourself that it fitted him quite nicely, he really looked like the Ken doll you played with as a child.

"Uh... yeah!" He had no idea what you were talking about.

After you two met at the library, you offered to go get some coffee and he happily agreed, completely overjoyed by having your attention on him.

You asked about his books and he explained he had just learned about the patriarchy. "We don't have that in Barbieland! It's so cool, isn't it?"

When you explained that 1. It wasn't cool, and 2. It had nothing to do with horses, he lost interest. He was a bit bummed out but you soon cheered him up with some donuts you bought him.

It was... really confusing. This ridiculously charming man claimed to be 'Ken' and live in 'Barbieland'... while genuinely seeming so aloof from reality. He was either crazy or... telling the truth.

"Ken, could you show me Barbieland?" You asked with no expectations, but when he immediately perked up and held your hand with a huge smile on his face, you knew you were in for trouble. "Of course! Oh, everyone is gonna love you!"

To go to Barbieland was a journey (and a very interesting one at that), but when you arrived there, everything made sense. He's a doll! Like, a literal doll!

Ken proudly introduced you to his Ken friends, and to the Barbies and Allan... he was just so happy to have you around, holding your hand and smiling like he owned the world.

You squeezed his hand in excitement, realizing you never had such a crazy experience! You wondered if it was real, but... it felt real.

Looking at each other's smiles, hearts racing and holding hands, you two realized something... you could get used to that.

—

[peakbys]

TAILORED

Pairing(s): Tommy Shelby x Fem!Reader, Luca Changretta x Wife!Reader Summary: Your little double life starts to unravel when your husband shows up to avenge his father. Request: Yes. Sorta.             → @alana000 requested the reader in a love triangle between Tommy and Luca, I ended up combining that with my idea for Tommy's poll result and my brain kind of just ran away with it. So, it may not be exactly what was requested but I hope it's enjoyable regardless. 😅 Warnings: Long post, cheating, tension, mentions of arranged marriages, poor Italian, friends to lovers to enemies (if you want to interpret it that way, ending is left as it is.) Eye contact (for the gif?) Note: This is hard to wrap up in a one-shot, so I'm sorry if the ending is less than ideal. Still, I've been working on this thing for weeks so I hope you all enjoy.

You had just wanted to ride horses. 

Of course, life was never so simple, yet it really didn’t need to be as complicated as it was currently. You had left America feeling uncertain, but excited. You wrote back home whenever you could, especially once you managed to make a bit of a name for yourself in horse racing. Really, you wanted to move onto training, yet you knew you could race those horses too. It was extra money, of course, but something you earned on your own. It wasn’t passed down from your family, your husband’s family. Though, in hindsight, you had to wonder if this really was the place you were going to end up all along. 

When you had made a bit of a reputation, it brought the attention of some people that operated in a way you were all too familiar with. Crime was in your family, and it was certainly in the one you married into. It didn’t take long to figure out what was being asked of you when you were asked to take the fall sometimes. Horses lost races, yet that didn’t mean that you couldn’t benefit. At least, that was how it had been explained to you back when your pride was too stubborn to accept that you’d participate in fixed races.

Yet, the opportunities got harder to turn down after a while. 

Your involvement with the Peaky Blinders was something you left out of your letters outside of vague gesturing toward ‘buyers’ and ‘bosses.’ 

Tommy Shelby was definitely a person you didn’t write back home about, as much as he was a very common face in your life over the last couple of years. In a strange way, Tommy had a demeanor that was overly familiar too. You had associated it with controlled movements, sharp grins and the chewing of a toothpick. With him, it was a neutral expression and a stare that felt like he was looking through you at points. Yet, both your husband and Tommy had the same commanding air that pulled your attention to them as soon as they stepped into a room. 

Outside of the wounded pride that came from losing a race you were certain you could win, that alone had almost been enough to call off working with him. You had more than enough of that back in America, and you didn’t want it here for however long you were planning on staying. 

Though, Tommy proved up to your expectations in that he was very hard to ignore. 

It had started off friendly enough–professional, despite the nature of what you were doing. More races won, a few lost with a wad of cash tossed into your lap with a vaguely smug look also tossed your way. It was profitable, so it was easy to stick with. Tommy brought horses to you, sometimes, too. Beautiful creatures. If there was something that easily bonded you to Tommy, it was the horses. The conversations got easier and more frequent. Longer, too. You could remember the mild surprise that crossed your expression when he asked about something more personal than the horses and the races. 

That was what had you both sitting outside your little ranch home that you were living out of currently, talking about your family, America. Your late brother, especially, given that he had passed in the war and Tommy revealed that he had fought as well. Your brother had joined in hopes that maybe it would be something noble–something that wasn’t crime and making his living from getting involved with the families in New York. Dying in a trench so far from the people who loved and knew him didn’t seem very noble in your mind, especially with the memory of how your mother wailed when she got the news. 

Yet, you got a sense of understanding from Tommy that you hadn’t expected to find. It opened the door to some…very troubling feelings. 

You had initially tried to dismiss them as the similarities with your husband causing you to feel homesick, but that really wasn’t the case and you knew early on that you were lying to yourself about that. Given that the majority of letters that you wrote back home were to your mother-in-law, outside of the odd one you got directly from your husband when it seemed like he had the time, it was hard to ignore the growing distance that had festered. It had lingered in the background before you left America, and it only grew once the physical distance was there. 

Still, you had been quick to state that you were a married woman when it felt like Tommy was catching on to your conflict. Didn’t change much, however–it was a weakening defense and you both knew that. 

It resulted in a moment of weakness that haunted you, one that had your loneliness and conflicting emotions taking control. When it came to money, you knew things could get rough. In the back of your mind, you knew there could be some volatile tempers. Yet, you figured some people might not take that out on the riders. 

A man cornering you in the stable one night proved you wrong about that, however. Your feet barely scraping against the stable floor, his hands wrapped around your throat while you tried to talk him down through what little space he gave your windpipe. Between the pressure on your neck and the tightness in your chest from your lungs begging for more air, Tommy’s arrival was lost on you until the man released his hands from around your neck. 

You could remember the way you crumpled onto the ground, coughing harshly and gasping in air. You had registered the threats uttered and the shine of Tommy’s pistol, yet it wasn’t until he helped pull you to your feet that reality had come back around to you. 

–

“Come on. Sit over here.” 

You were used to his usual calm, straightforward approach to most things, yet at the moment it seemed at least vaguely caring. It was hard to tell with Tommy, yet you didn’t have the energy to really dig too deeply into that. As much as your pride wanted you to hold your head up and shake off the guiding hand on your arm, you were focused on trying to still the racing of your heart and ease the tightness in your chest. 

“He really wasn’t here to talk,” you commented once you were sitting down in a chair, holding a hand to your neck still. “I should’ve known better.” 

“Don’t think it would’ve stopped him any,” Tommy replied, “Least I’m not down a good rider.” 

“I appreciate the concern,” you commented around a bitter huff, though the touch of amusement in his gaze settled that feeling easily enough. 

“I was comin’ by to give you this, anyway,” Tommy continued after pulling up a chair and passing over your cut of the winnings from the race. “Just in time, too.” 

You nodded lightly, carding lightly through the cash as you counted quickly in your head. Something you had always done since you started working for him–suspicious at first, more like a force of habit now. In the current moment, however, it was more like an excuse to not have to look at him while every swallow and movement of your head reminded you of the forming bruises that you’d have to cover for the next while. 

It had never been in you to enjoy being rescued, yet you certainly knew that could have been worse if he didn’t show up when he did. You could feel a ‘thank you’ forming on the tip of your tongue the more you thought on it, though the feeling of his fingers under your jaw had you stilling. He tilted your head up somewhat, the action pulling a small wince from you as he examined the marks on your neck. 

Your gaze remained locked on his face as he did so and even after he shifted his hand to let you lower your head again. The tight feeling in your gut cropped up again, a familiar sensation when you looked at Tommy these days. A fluttering feeling that was both familiar and unfamiliar in a sense. Something that you had talked yourself into feeling over time with your husband, yet with Tommy it had formed on its own. 

It scared a part of you, yet you found yourself unable to pull away. Especially when you felt his hand shift along the back of your neck, a few seconds of hesitation and a sinking feeling until his mouth pressed against your own. 

If it had been you who leaned in to kiss him or if he crossed that line himself, you didn’t know. Yet, you found yourself returning it all the same, a hand coming up to cup the side of his face. You lost track of reality for a few moments–it was just you and Tommy, his lips, his tongue. His hands on your shoulders, waist, lower back. The excitement about the kiss made your gut twist, heat in your face. There was relief in there, too. 

Finally, you felt like someone wanted you. You weren’t an obligation, or worse a charity case. Your first kiss hadn’t been forced, yet it felt more like it was something you should do. To prove a point, an intention. It wasn’t like this with your husband. 

That thought hit hard, sinking into you like a heavy stone just as you could feel both your own and Tommy’s hands venturing further. You were married–and kissing your boss in the stable of a racetrack while your husband was an ocean away. 

Shame burned hot in your gut as you pushed Tommy back, standing quickly to put some distance between the two of you. The look he shot you was calm, as if he expected this. Your marriage wasn’t a secret, he knew what he was doing too. 

“I…shouldn’t have done that,” you said after a few moments, tucking your earnings into a pocket. “Thank you for the help, Mr. Shelby. Goodnight.” 

–

Naturally, you didn’t talk to him much after. You wanted to, the thoughts tumbling around in your head, yet you couldn’t bring yourself to. The situation didn’t stop you from feeling relieved about his attention shifting away from the races after a while, however. You still raced, listened to the directions that would come in about certain horses and races. Things were normal, stable, and it was like you could just forget what happened. Things were calm. That was, until word got back to America that Sabini was having issues in London. It was a bit of a surprise to you that you weren’t asked to get involved. At the time, that is. 

It was something that was brought up in some of the letters–more of a warning at first, just keeping you informed in case you did need to make a move in the name of your husband’s family. You usually weren’t set to do those things, however, so you didn’t expect much outside of a possible trip to London to see what information you could get from the Italians there. 

That was, until your brother-in-law was killed. Things were a bit of a blur after that. 

Everything had escalated well beyond anything you had imagined and it seemed unavoidable how the two sides of your life were now overlapping. 

It was what had you pacing around the lavish room that you had been told to move to. It was very similar to the one that you had stayed in when you had joined your husband for a family wedding. The very event that put the idea of moving away from America for a couple years to begin with. 

A maid had been in and out over the last couple of hours, leaving you food and drink when you asked but otherwise gave you a polite distance. You appreciated that, despite the fact that no amount of food or tea could settle your nerves. 

You hadn’t unpacked, your little suitcase sitting by the door. It would look a little odd, you knew that, but you couldn’t bring yourself to. 

All you could do was wait, wondering how all of this would play out. The letter had been vague, just the address that he said he’d be staying at and that you should be moved there by the current date. It didn’t do anything to reassure you, obviously. A part of you just wanted to know. Another part of you just wanted to see him–as if seeing your husband would clear all the muck from your head and it would be easier to think. 

So, naturally, you were jumpy by the time you heard the door open. The maid always knocked, so it was clear who it was. 

Luca hadn’t changed much in the three years you had been away, dressed in his typical dark attire. Expensive, tailor-made and you knew how much he seemed to care about his appearance. That had initially struck you as pompous when you had first met him, yet you had quickly grown used to how connected his family was and it seemed to be more so about bragging about his family’s reputation. You knew it pleased him when you humored the expensive clothing and gifts–a little less common as the years passed, you had noted. 

At the moment, you couldn’t help but feel almost…underdressed. A number of things had changed, in more ways than one. You still didn’t know how you felt about the situation or what you even felt in the moment you saw him again. 

Regardless, you worked up a somewhat tight grin and approached him, Luca removing his hat to place on the desk nearby. 

The rings on his fingers were cold as he cupped your face, pulling you in to press a lingering kiss to your mouth. Your hands came up to rest on his wrists, finding an odd sense of comfort in the familiarity of it. Yet, it was lacking now. You knew that. The memories of Tommy that cropped up made that sharp edge of shame known in your gut, yet you still managed to keep the small grin on your face as Luca pulled back. 

“Carissima,” he said, hands still cradling your face as he ran his thumbs along your cheeks, “Non sei invecchiato di un giorno.” 

“Nemmeno tu,” you replied, the words heavy and cumbersome on your tongue. Luckily, Luca just grinned, dropping his hands to wag a light-hearted finger at you. 

“You promised me you’d still practice your Italian.” 

“I don’t get to use it often,” you replied, “Not a lot of Italian speakers around.” 

“Should’a listened to me about movin’ to London,” Luca commented, “Be with the family. Though…well, maybe it was good you didn’t.” 

“Right…” 

You let out a soft exhale through your nose, watching as he circled around the desk slowly as if he was looking for something. The atmosphere shifted as soon as the topic was brought up, your gaze following his movements as you tried to gather together something to say about it all. Killed his brother, his father, and you weren’t naive enough to believe that he was there to drag you back to America. Luca glanced back up at you, almost studying you for a moment. 

“Ma’s told me a few things she’s learned about you, too,” Luca stated, a cold sweat breaking out across the back of your neck as your heart jumped. 

Still, you held his gaze, expression impassive. It didn’t seem likely that she would know about what happened while you were staying overseas, yet it didn’t ease the feeling like you were looking down the barrel of a gun. 

“I told her quite a bit in my letters–you, too. In the ones you read, at least,” you replied, crossing your arms as he moved to lean against the front of the desk. 

“Left out some details,” Luca said, “How you’re racin’ horses in the tracks managed by the Peaky Blinders.” 

“It’s hard not to if you’re looking to fix races,” you said with a nod, feeling that tight not in your stomach loosen somewhat. “I didn’t make it a habit to dip my hand in that. When your horses get a reputation, there’s some interest. I might have been approached, but I can’t say I’ve had any personal interactions with them.” 

“No Tommy Shelby?”

“Not personally,” you lied, “I know of him.” 

He met your gaze without a reply for a few moments, arms crossed in a way that almost mirrored your own. A part of you wondered why you were protecting Tommy–of course, you didn’t want Luca to know of certain details, but clearly you didn’t swear any loyalty to him or his gang. Yet, you did so anyway. Luca eventually nodded lightly, pressing his lips together in thought for a moment before he stood up to approach you once again. 

“I was hopin’ you might have some information that might make this easier, but you’re just racin’ horses.” 

You could almost hear a touch of something to his tone, yet it didn’t seem he was willing to make that clear or say what he was thinking. It didn’t sit all that nice, but you figured if he was suspicious of you, you would’ve known. (You hoped.) Still, you gave him what you hoped was a convincing enough apologetic smile as you reached out to rest your hand on his cheek. 

“I know what you’re here to do. I wish I could give you more information than that,” you said, “As I said when I left, I didn’t want any involvement in that business and it’s been kept that way. If I had known…” 

“I wouldn’t want you catchin’ a bullet anyway,” Luca replied, “Though, you remember anythin’ or might be leavin’ anythin’ out…” 

“I’ll tell you,” you said with a small grin, “I wouldn’t want you catching a bullet.” 

“They can try,” he stated before pressing a kiss to the side of your head, “Quicker this is done, quicker we can get back home.” 

You hummed in response, not quite agreement. As much as you were uncertain about the outcome of all of this, you had a sinking feeling that it wouldn’t be dealt with so quickly. 

*****

As much as you knew you shouldn’t be out by yourself, especially with the fact that this vendetta business could escalate at any moment, you didn’t think too much of it. 

There was an issue with one of your horses back where you were staying, and you knew suddenly disappearing would look odd to anybody who was paying attention. You were on edge and alert, yet you figured it would be best to look as if things were business as usual. Family was visiting, you were staying in a hotel. 

Yet, you couldn’t help but notice the quietness of the home. If there was an issue, you figured there would be a few different people running around. You frowned as you pulled up to the property, noticing that the stable was empty. You clenched your hands around the steering wheel of the car, ready to pull out at a moments notice. Though, the familiar figure standing outside the home, near the very chairs you had sat in when you chatted over the years. 

You debated leaving, but thought better of it. While it seemed unlikely that he didn’t know the people he was up against, you didn’t want to appear too suspicious if he hadn’t pieced together your involvement. 

Regardless, your approach was guarded, eyeing Tommy with a questioning gaze as he moved to step down from the porch. 

“Long time since I’ve seen you last,” you greeted, “...It’s very quiet out here for the emergency I was told to come see.” 

“Right…” Tommy replied, his expression unreadable as he approached you. “I had to get your attention somehow. Someone here said you are staying elsewhere for a few days.” 

“Family’s in the country for a while,” you replied casually enough, “I didn’t want to drive back and forth.” 

“Family. Well, I guess you really should see this, then,” Tommy stated, finally pulling a hand out of one of his coat pockets. 

He extended what looked like a photo, folded at a particular edge. You paused for a moment, looking into his impassive stare before you reached out to take it. 

Unfolding it completely, you were greeted with a wedding photo filled with familiar faces. The family wedding from a couple years ago, a seemingly routine celebration for the most part at the time. For the Changrettas, at least. Of course, standing just along the folded crease was you standing next to Luca, a faint smile on your face with your arm interlocked with his own. You had only seen the photo once when you had returned to New York after the wedding, yet it really turned out to be a terrible reminder that you weren’t as well hidden as you thought sometimes. 

“I did tell you I was married,” you stated, finally glancing up to meet Tommy’s gaze, “Though, with what your family’s done, I guess this really changes quite a few contexts.” 

“My family…” he repeated, you catching a glimpse in his expression that you never really saw. It was sharp, angry. It had you propping a foot back in case you needed to step away from him as he stepped a little closer to you. “Your family…killed me wife and my brother.” 

“Yes. You killed my husband’s father and brother. Spared his mother, which was a mistake. If you’re here to kill me to think you’ll get a leg up in this, I wouldn’t. Luca’s old fashioned–wants this done by tradition. As I’m sure you know. Yet, you kill me, I can’t say he’ll not just put a bullet in your head on principle. Considering you had to lure me out here, you have no idea where he is, right?” 

He didn’t say anything, lingering close as you looked up at him. As much as you knew he could kill you where you stood–there was enough spilled blood on his side to warrant it. Yet, there was that part of you that was fond of him. Felt something–might not have been deep or fully developed. It might never be. Yet, you knew you had a bit of a leverage here. You knew how to survive–keep your head down, do things for the sake of connecting your family, and taking advantage of opportunities when they presented themselves. 

“I like you, and I didn’t come to this country with the intention of getting wrapped up in a vendetta between you and my husband’s family,” you continued, “So, I’ll say this. I’m not here to be your enemy, yet I will do whatever I need to in order to get out of this alive. Luca, on the other hand, knows how to hate and will not stop until one of you is dead.” 

“I don’t need a lecture on the vendetta,” Tommy stated, “If you have no involvement, you’re a citizen in my eyes. I would be very careful about crossing that line.” 

“I’d be careful about crossing Luca Changretta,” you replied, “As it stands, I don’t know enough about you to give him anything of value and I have no obligation to tell you anything more about him. Give me a chance to get out of this alive, and I may change my stance on the latter.” 

“You’d sell out your own husband, eh?” Tommy asked, tilting his head somewhat as you continued to meet his gaze. 

“Arranged marriages can be tricky.” 

“I can’t make any promises, Mrs. Changretta.” 

“Then I guess we’ll see how this all plays out, Mr. Shelby.” 

[kalims]

˃ ᵕ ˂ . . "what are you willing to do? oh tell me what you're willing to do."

I would,

premise. in which it's the things he's willing to do.

parts. one , two

characters. rook, cater, ruggie, lilia, epel and kalim.

contents. scenario, fluff, crack, comfort, teaspoon of angst in lilia,

includes. gender neutral reader, sebek x gn!reader (platonic) in lilia's.

cw. mentions of nudity (not what you think it is I swear)

note. not proofread, but read clarifications please thank you!! it's to clear up general idea's of the scenarios

I know most of lilia's part is sebek but I hope you know the whole point of it

my unofficial 'I am back' post

rook hunt

I would be your number one fan.

who the hell thought it would be a good idea for you to be the main character in the play?

oh wait.

that's right it's freaking vil. the worst part? it's VIL and no matter how much you resent the idea, you can't exactly deny vil all in his glory when he asks you because either way he's gonna strike you down with one look alone.

well at the very least if vil insisted you be the main lead out of... over 300 students in the school he must really be striving for success. if he wasn't he wouldn't be so lenient.

now you get why epel is both terrified and irritated at vil.

you were getting starved! (which is in fact, not true but you swear your stomach is still empty and lonely after one meal full of vegetables) maybe you don't mind veggies, maybe you do. but heck.. you enjoy those delicious, savory food once in a while.

you huff, panting as you kneel over. this was absolute hell. if you knew your character liked to apparently 'test their speed with horses' literally everyday you wouldn't have taken the spot. really though who even enjoys that?!

the play took place in an older era, where high society and such was a thing. typical main lead is outcasted yadda yadda.

you wipe the sweat off your brow and sweatdrop. "bonjour! you look positively sparkling!" a bottle of water is promptly shoved in your face, but even with the sudden intrusion of space you pay it no heed. after all water had never looked so enticing before.

though sparkling? you'd rather use the word 'hot and sweaty'. if anyone was sparkling it'd be rook. "I'm more stinky than sparkling." you can't say you enjoy the feeling of sweat on your skin.

even at your little joke his smile doesn't falter, rather it widens through the crinkle of his eyes. "you are still beautiful in my eyes, trésor"

you raise a brow at his casual compliment.

"I don't see how you'd like me racing with horses." it is rather ungrateful, you'd expect a character like yours to be on the horse, not running alongside it! magically out of nowhere rook pulls out a handkerchief which you gratefully accept.

your nose catches a whiff of the scent. wow, it smells like rook. too bad it's getting sacrificed for the better good. you think, patting down your forehead in the way vil taught you.

cause apparently just dragging it across your skin wasn't as good as patting it. though you won't question the unusual languange.

rook seemed to find your comment humorous as he laughed. "whatever you'll do. I will always admire!" well gods. his smile was contagious cause you found yourself mirroring his look. rook looks pleased with the upturn of your lips.

he catches a hold on your shoulders. "perhaps this is merely stage fright. first time, no? do not fret! I will be cheering for you if it makes you feel better."

your face twists into that of doubt. "um.. rook I love you but that seems.." embarrassing? you'd got your own share of people yelling out your name in a cheer. especially your family at an event you were featured in.

the experience wasn't that nice. it's not that you hate it, but something about it is like a thorn in your mind.

rook tilts his head. "nonsense, trésor. I will show everyone how nice your performance is, they deserve to know!" he proclaims.

oh no no no—

you chant in your head, frantically running around rook and attempting to stop him from giving you an example. just the first shout attracted the attention of your other co-workers.. "ROOK—"

"let them hear the depths of my love!"

ㅤ

cater diamond

I would be present.

cater is observant.

his ability to sway nearly every conversation to his favor is partially due to his ability to pick out the opposing person, be it a nervous twitch when the conversation tilts to a subject. or the gleeful shine in their eyes.

he can tell, especially you.

sure. he might've known you less compared to his friends but it feels like he can tell everything about you.

it does feel like a crush at first, he's questioning himself whether his feelings are actually romantic or not. borderline gaslighting himself that it's not even when he tries everything to impress you.

'you're just a friend' he tells himself but he's testing out the tricks social media told him to. holding eye contact when he can't even contain his heart.. amongst other things it's his favorite.

cause he can see your eyes, and at times you look away. clearly embarrassed by the contact.

"how's my favorite person doing?" cater slides in. seemingly out of nowhere, slinging a casual arm around your shoulder while keeping you close.

seriously. the occurrence had happened to often you had grown to find the little shoulder sling present in your everyday.

technically you are his favorite person but no matter how much he says so you just don't believe it.

you roll your eyes but can't keep the smile off your face, despite the clear look of exhaustion on your face. "just peachy. don't you have class right now?"

as far as you were aware. the time period between classes were alternating. it was the students that had to move between rooms to attend their class.

cater shrugs. "we were excused for club practice. it just ended, so I thought; why not see how you're doing?" he explains. pinching your cheek out of the simple urge and grinning when you grunt and slap his hand away.

as far as he can tell. you are definitely not feeling peachy, the bags under your eyes. more prominent than ever, or the unkempt appearance that both vil and riddle would practically strangle you for speaks volume.

"I'm fine."

cater knows that look all too well.

he tightens his grip on your shoulder and practically pushes you to his side, not really forceful. his eyes soften the littlest bit.

whatever vulnerability cater had shown for a little quickly disappeared as he simply smiles, perhaps less bright than his usual but it was.. something.

closer than you've ever been cater leans in, in a voice you've never heard. it's quiet, and gentle. "well. if you ever aren't come talk to me, okay?"

you still at the sudden warmth that jolts in your heart. "okay.."

ruggie bucchi

I would give you the tastiest piece

"—can you believe it?" ruggie huffs. words coming out in mumbles due to the amount of donuts he'd eaten in a single minute. it seemed that a mouth full of his favorite treats isn't gonna stop him from telling you all about leona's recent orders for him.

you absent-mindedly swirl your drink with a straw. "totally."

it was like, it goes in one ear and out to another. it does feel a little horrible to ignore something someone's talking about, especially if that person is someone you like! the only reason you were listening is cause you liked his voice.

you did get the gist of it though. it seemed like leona was in a bad mood nowadays, which meant ruggie had to take most of it by the increasing amount of errands leona had him run.

leona in a bad mood = ruggie's now more broken sleep.

as the resident ruggie stan you didn’t really mind him leeching off the salary you'd gotten for crowley. a few madol isn't gonna hurt your savings, plus. it's not like you haven't bought a few treats for yourself previously in the past.

you leave out the part that you like seeing his delighted face.

you did sneak a few glances by the plate almost finished by ruggie in a mere few minutes. you, by no means spent cheap money on it. for the guy you liked you'd probably buy anything he'd like (within reason) and then 'fall short' if ace asks you to buy him food.

it looked scrumptious in all honesty but from the look of ruggie's face and the assumption that he won't stop any time soon prompted you to shut your mouth and just enjoy him enjoying the donuts.

"thanks a lot for this. you know just how to cheer up an exhausted hyena up." ruggie laughs under his breath. sending you a rare look of appreciation that has you cracking a smile.

proudly, you nod. "of course. anything for you."

you wince. maybe that was too bold, but then again. it didn't seem to faze ruggie in the slightest.

after a period of silence, not exactly awkward in the slightest but rather comforting. no words needed to be said, you liked that, ruggie liked it as well. he casts you a peek.

"I can see you ogling at it. you look like me when I look at the donuts."

you frown. "no I don't.. I am not, ogling at your food."

ruggie shakes his head but there is a trace of a smile in his face. "I might be eating a lot right now but I can't leave you out of it can I? you gave it to me." ruggie says, pausing to look at you before continuing, "it's our food,"

to seemingly show you that it's 'ours' ruggie takes out the final donut in the plate and hands it to you with a grin. "I saved the best for last, here. open your mouth." he urges, threatening to squash it right in your face if you didn't with fast motions.

you sigh. he's just taunting you at this point. and, as far as you can tell that's his favorite flavor.

"but that's your favorite." you point out but ruggie's grin only seemed to spread across his face wider.

he shakes a finger in your face. "nope. correction, you're my favorite now eat up!"

you were too flustered to rebel against it.

ㅤ

lilia vanrouge

I would love with you

"aren't they simply adorable?" lilia raises one finger to point at the duo that.. didn't really seem all to adorable to you.

you sweatdrop. "uh.. yeah.. totally cute." it's not like you were gonna say outright: those are two men who are battling each other, definitely doesn't look cute to me. more like horrifying. to lilia out of all people! if silver and sebek are anything to him it'd be babies.

he beams.

it's safe to say it positively breaks down your entire body to skip a beat of your heart.

earlier the afternoon lilia had graciously extended an invitation to his dorm. something about bonding and since you're incredibly down bad, of course you wasted no time fretting over yourself as you trudged towards the mirror with barely contained excitement.

while sebek did pick you up (courtesy of lilia) you're sure he knew why you were barely able to keep yourself on your toes, hence surprising why he didn't bother to comment in it.

most probably something about the audacity of humans and defending himself if you pointed it out.

you aren't sure of the details which is admittedly kind of idiotic but did you really care? no.

but did you expect to spend your afternoon quite literally babysitting two grown men with the man you can call your yearning? quite a suprise and one you can't say you welcome.

when you accepted the invitation you didn't spend hours picking out articles of clothing and practically thrashing your wardrobe trying to make a 'casual' outfit that would appease to his eyes just to waste it on.. watching two grown men live their own lives!

frankly it's frustrating. it's endearing that lilia had his family in mind every step of the way but all the more irritating. and you don't even mean the part where he had his family in mind.

you just wish he'd realize they aren't the boys he used to baby before.

after god knows when, you watch lilia enter mother hen mode when silver fell down from his sitting-sleeping position. lilia gently lowering himself to adjust silver's position.

you look down.

and god did you feel awful for invalidating his love for family (kind of) it was too presumptuous of you to assume that you'd ever fit in it anyways.

oh well. you shrug. at the very least you were able to bear witness to it.

call it a sixth sense but you can tell sebek is right beside you. he huffs. "you, are a pitiful human." he says casually. the words are awfully mean, but you sense no particular ill intent from the boy.

instead you find it quite amusing. so you laugh quietly under your breath. "so I've been told." you can't use your fingers to count the amount of times sebek had called you that.

you both just stay like that. in silence, surprisingly no quips from sebek's mouth.

till he turns to you.

"the way you look at fathe—master lilia. you are being a coward by not telling him."

"I'm fine with that, there are things better left unsaid."

sebek stares at you. as in, stares real hard. the kind of look you'd see with someone who was feeling a mixture of confusion and frustration.

he opens his mouth as if to say something.

your own gaze lands on a poorly wrapped bandage around his arm. you raise your brows and gesture, "enough talk about me. what is that?"

great seven.. sebek had hoped you wouldn't see that, even so. he didn't pick you out as someone to care anyways (not that he wanted you to) it's just bizarre in itself.

at the mentioned he grunts and looks away. "it is merely a scratch!" he huffs. looking forward aggressively as if to try and hide away the sweat in his forehead. you roll your eyes.

it is a scratch but also not one? sebek and only noticed the blood down his arm when he was in the restroom. it seemed like silver had managed to nick him.

"sit."

"human! you are not—"

"sit."

sebek grumbles but sits down anyways. once again surprising you with his obliged silence as he waits for you to return with a new roll of bandages. the boy can feel the searing embarassment of getting treated by a human by all things!

"my my, seems like silver did a number on you did he?"

lilia chuckles deeply. sending the boy a look which sets off a fire within. sebek immediately opens his mouth to defend himself, while you. busy yourself with wrapping it around tight, but loose enough not hurt.

"silver is lucky to have done it that's all!"

you laugh.

sebek snaps his gaze to you. "what are you laughing about, human?! your way is that of a parent and I don't appreciated you flocking me." he grits out. possibly not realizing the extent of his words till he spots the look of rare suprise in lilia's face.

his face mirrors yours, but yours is definitely coated with embarrassment.

lilia giggles, a fond glance he gives you sends thousand butterflies in your stomach. "parent eh? I didn't know you yearned for another parent my dear sebek. if you wanted two that can be arranged fufufu.."

arranged?!

ㅤ

epel felmier

I would do the craziest thing with you

while you did have your own fair share of being in trouble plenty of times (a good amount stems from being with ace and deuce) you aren't sure if the potential consequences of this one can top any of them.

you squat outside the window of vil's room, which could be considered a violation of privacy if your intention was to break in this room.

right. your eyes slide to your left. in a similar position, epel sits beside you. hugging his legs to his chest looking oddly innocent for someone whose idea was to do this in the first place.

in hindsight you can call it epel's master plan to get a week with vil off his back.

apparently his master plan included adding paint to vil's shampoo, an atrocious color of bright violet. and yes, you were both on the roof. probably looking creepy as fuck to anyone else but you merely prayed that no one would look up.

"are you sure this is safe?"

"it is."

one peek down there made you question his sincerity, either he wasn't worried about falling off or was just too into waiting for vil to get out the shower.

speaking of, "what if he comes out naked?! I don't wanna see that.." you groan. shivering by the mere thought and even epel grimaced when you mentioned it.

"uh.. I hope he won't..?" so we're basing the possibilities out of your hope? great. you think grimly. you really think this is a bad idea, horrible really. but if it's epel you'll do it.

now I know what the 'in the name of love' shit they were talking about. you deadpan.

the more you stare down the more it seems horrifying to just drop down. epel huffs at you, clearly noticing your frantic eyes. "don't look down." he says, and you do just that. the problem is now you can't stop thinking about it. there isn't even a railing to stop you if you slip.

"what if I fall?"

"I'll catch you."

oh shit.

your heart rate speeds up immediately as you lower your eyes, trying your hardest to act casual.

"... with what your tiny, noodle arms?"

epel's face scrunched up at that. he casts you a glare but you know there's no malice in it whatsoever. it's become normal at this point, picking at each other. (of which you thoroughly enjoy)

he crossed his arms. "it's not—! agh whatever!" epel fumes. smacking your arm playfully as you feign a groan of pain. "my arms are manly and strong!"

you looked at him then at his arm before grinning. epel makes a look of offense.

both of you burst into a fit of giggles right after and you never thought he could look any more beautiful with crinkled eyes and a wide smile on his face.

though the moment of felt joy was hushed upon the shrill scream that definitely belonged to vil. of course, it was manly but nevertheless unable to mask the terror in it.

that was like an omen for punishment and revenge. you cover your mouth and look at epel with wide eyes.

he looks at you as well but you can tell he's holding in the cackles.

in all fairness it wouldn't have been too bad if epel used the shade of purple vil had on the tips of his hair. but this one? it's literally a bright neon that will burn your eyes for life.

you can't give yourself the moment to feel warm at your shoulders bumping, too wrapped into muffling the giggles that would definitely wake up the entirety of pomefiore from their beauty sleep.

you and epel are practically gripping each other for life, shoulders shaking in wheezes. midst that, you both failed to hear the rustle over your heads.

"my my, my ears have not decieved me! I know two love birds singing when I hear it."

"OH MY F—"

the laughing immediately seizes as you both look up at rook hovering over the two of you, donning an amused smile.

you sigh. "oh shit."

ㅤ

kalim al asim

I would give it to you

kalim is by no means rich.

he's loaded.

since the day he was born even his room as a child cost more than the monthly expense of a citizen, toys handcrafted by the most talented, a blanket soft and crocheted with the most expensive of silk.

an entire vault filled with treasures, gems, things made entirely out of gold. at some point he leaves them untouched, swimming in it out of boredom.

even scarabia wasn't exempted from his touch of gold.

you could say he doesn't know how to live other than luxuriously.

it sounds bad. he knows, but for the entirety of his life it's all he's ever known. and kalim isn't really one to break out of a habit that's been going on for so long.

nor does he see any bad in it. out of the goodness of his heart he merely thinks he's rewarding you with the things you deserve.

last week a whole lot of tuna was sent to your dorm. it was definitely the work of grim, and you imagine the little feline brought up your name in a conversation with kalim. the boy didn't have a second thought before he took out the money that didn't make a scratch in his account.

while you would have wondered who sent the shit ton that would last grim a good year it was prominent that it was kalim from the exaggerated words of happiness in the gift card, filled with little doodles. (you assume he couldn't help himself)

you make a mental note to limit the interactions between kalim and grim.

the second time it was purely out of coincidence. a mistake on your part, if you'd like to say.

off handedly you'd mentioned to kalim that if someone were to ever give you something on valentines, you'd rather it be one that's beneficial to you. a practical gift. but since it was the day of expressing love you settled for the classic choice of flowers.

everyone loves flowers!

but you didn't expect to step into the cafeteria with your friends and immediately get slapped by a straw flower that apparently sprouted wings and flew (a joke of course) but you like to think that it had something out for you.

deuce's jaw drops at the amount of wildlife around the wide room. there's flowers everywhere and in the sole center was kalim sheepishly scratching his cheek.

"oops."

you just stared around, gobsmacked and flabbergasted. "what.. in the holy name of—" you trail off.

beside you. ace grimaces, slapping away a flower that fell in slow motion beside his face. then dragging a palm across his face. "all of this and he says.. oops?" he groans.

after picking up his jaw from the floor deuce nods hesitantly. "yeah, isn't this a bit much?"

as flattered you were. it really was.

on one, sunny, hot day you invited kalim for a walk around scarabia. beyond the dorm, away from all the glamorous things.

kalim didn't complain one bit and went along without much fuss, happily even if you might add.

the sun shines down at you harshly. the weather in the desert here sure is unrelenting. you wipe the sweat off your forehead. feeling the crunch of the sand beneath your feet.

the boy isn't too far behind you, taking animatedly as you nod along.

"that reminds me! your birthday is coming up." at that, your eyebrows raise. you still can't keep the heartwarming smile off your face at the mere fact that he knows, and remembers.

you smile at him kindly. kalim flushes at the beam. "where did you hear that from?" you question absent-mindedly enjoying the walk despite the great struggle the heat brought you.

because goddamn was it hot in here!

kalim falls into step beside you. "I asked the grandmaster for it."

more like basically forced. but he doesn't know that.

he continues, "what would you like? anything you want! I'll give it to you." kalim grins. there's no doubt whatever he's saying is nothing but the truth, he has the power to get anything you ask.

you feel embarrassed at the thought that clouds your mind. one word.

you.

at your silence kalim tilts his head. "what's the matter? if you need more time to think it's alright!" he reaches out and clasps your hands together, further flustering you.

you gulp. "I just... I really want you, you and your heart." you slap yourself on the head in your mind cause god did that sound cliche.

you tense at the frozen kalim. only staying still when he breaks into this, love struck, goofy grin and giggles. he all but practically throws himself onto you in a tight embrace.

"you already do!"

ㅤ

clarifications

I've been practically dead but don't blame me I've been stressed & sick fr

after this I'm probably gonna be dead again BYE HOMIES

anyways for cater's part it's him basically being there for mc, like not just present but there.. yknow... idk if you get what I'm saying LOL

so like picture this, you're going thru a hard time and there's a shoulder to lean on which is cater. WHICH I ALSO REALIZED OMG HE DID GAVE US A SHOULDER TO LEAN ON LITERALLY WKAJSKJA

B4 you say lilia's part didn't even include the whole romance thing I just thought it'd be sweet if I incorporated his lil' family in it

so while you might not think it's a lilia x reader it really is, I'm just showing the parts that'll get lilia to love you. especially if you're doting on his babies!!

ngl reader in lilia's... I lowkey thought they were a grandma when I was building their character

'I would love with you' is loosely based off two parents loving their children lmao idk what I'm saying. anyways j hope you spotted it, lilia taking care of silver + you taking care of sebek = loving them (platonically)

draft for epel's was actually like. since rook appeared out of nowhere I wanted reader to be startled and slip off, epel actually saving them just like he said. (with his noodle arms.) you're free to imagine it! but if you do wanna see me write that just hit me up in my inbox and I'll write an alternative scenario 🤫

[whitedarkmoonflower]

Saved

Part 1 – Sihtric x reader

Authors note: while rewatching the Season 2 of TLK and going wild with exploring my newly acquired skill of taking and editing screenshots I became obsessed with the idea of writing my own version of how Sihtric met Uhtred. Please bear with me as I'm working on learning to concentrate on the essentials and leave out unnecessary details, but I also believe that small details can make the characters more vivid.

Summary: reader is Uhtred’s sister and a skilled healer. She travels with her brother’s men and after the unsuccessful attempt on Uhtred’s life gets curious about the young prisoner, the sole Dane from the group of assailants that is left alive.

Warnings: violence and mention of blood

Word Count: 1,129

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Sihtric found you sitting in your favourite spot near the lake, beneath the shade of the ancient oak tree whose sprawling branches provided protection from the scorching sun. He hesitated for a moment, gathering his courage, before taking a seat beside you. In your presence, he still retained an endearing shyness, as if uncertain of how to navigate the depths of his feelings. Sihtric stole glances in your direction, admiring your strength and beauty. His mind raced with the desire to strike up a conversation, but he couldn't find the right words. Finally, he mustered the courage to speak.

"I just wanted to thank you for saving me," Sihtric said, his expression serious as he turned to you.

"Saving you? What did I save you from?" you asked, puzzled.

"From feeling miserable, unwanted, and like I didn't belong anywhere," Sihtric replied, glancing into your eyes for a moment before lowering his gaze, his fingers fidgeting with the Thor's hammer amulet hanging around his neck. Nervousness radiated from him, mingled with a charming blend of insecurity and shyness that made a smile curl on your lips.

"You had every reason to hate me for attempting to kill your brother, but you never did. Instead you showed me kindness that I never truly deserved," Sihtric continued.

He had changed so much since the day you first met. You could still recall that evening as vividly as if it were yesterday, when Kjartan's men had tried to take Uhtred's life. They might have succeeded if not for Halig, who noticed the suspicious absence of the newly arrived Danes and urged the others to search for them. You had been on the verge of sleep after a long and busy day. Being a healer in a warrior's camp meant there was always an abundance of injuries to tend to, even without a battle. Men would hurt themselves during sword training, get kicked by horses, or foolishly engage in fights over trivial matters. Today, you had to fix a dislocated shoulder all because of an argument about the best whore at the White Goose tavern in Lundene. The shouts and clash of swords roused you from your slumber, causing you to hastily dress and rush out of your tent. Expecting yet another drunken brawl, you sought to find Uhtred and put an end to it. However, by the time you arrived, the fighting was already over. You approached the gathering of men, only to discover five lifeless Danes being dragged away from the lawn behind the stables.

"Uhtred!" you called out, fear lacing your voice as you saw him leaning against a stable pillar, breathing heavily. "Are you hurt?"

"All is fine. Don't worry, little sis. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for our Danish guests, but don't fret, they won't be needing your attention," Uhtred grinned, attempting to lighten the atmosphere as he noticed your concerned expression.

"Let me check on you," you insisted, pulling him closer to the torchlight so you could assess his injuries. At first glance, there were some bruises and a swollen eye, but no apparent serious damage. His movements lacked any signs of pain or hesitation, indicating that he likely didn't have any broken ribs. Still, you were reluctant to let him go, but Uhtred firmly took hold of your hands, kissing your palms, and with a determined voice, called out to the men dealing with the corpses behind you: "Secure the prisoner. I'll need answers from him later."

"I'm fine, sis. Truly, I am. Please don't worry," he reassured you, turning to plant a gentle kiss on your forehead. Apart from Ragnar, Uhtred's Danish brother, the two of you were all that remained of your family, and the bond between you had always been remarkably strong. You loved this proud, stubborn, and courageous young man, and he cared deeply for you.

Reluctantly, you turned your head to catch a glimpse of the young, bruised Dane, his hands awkwardly tied before him as Clapa dragged him away. The Dane was in a pitiful state, with fresh cuts and scrapes covering his arms, a split eyebrow, and a bleeding lip and nose. Anxiety radiated from his tense body. In a fleeting moment, his eyes met yours, and you detected a flicker of despair within them. It struck you how young and handsome he appeared, despite his current circumstances.

Uhtred's men returned to their respective fireplaces, the evening just beginning. You knew all too well that this minor incident wouldn't deter them from their usual activities of drinking, gambling, and arguing about the “best whores”, as they did almost every night. You had no desire to be part of that. Tomorrow, there would be more dislocated shoulders and broken fingers to tend to, and since Uhtred seemed fine you eagerly longed to return to your tent and go back to sleep.

As you made your way past an empty wagon, you noticed Clapa and Halig engaged in what seemed like an argument. Initially, you hesitated to involve yourself, suspecting it was another petty quarrel you didn't want to be dragged into. However, as you attempted to quietly pass by, your eyes caught sight of the silhouette seated by the wagon. It was the young prisoner, the sole Dane who had survived today's assault on Uhtred's life. His gaze, as he was being dragged away from the small battlefield by Clapa, his hands bound and his face smeared with blood, lingered in your memory. An unexplainable feeling stirred within you, prompting a change of heart, and you headed straight for Clapa and Halig.

“What are you two arguing about? Aren't you supposed to be guarding the prisoner?" you asked with frustration evident in your voice.

"We are, lady!" Clapa replied defensively. "Uhtred ordered us to decapitate the corpses, but Halig lacks the courage to do it."

“That's not true, lady!" Halig interjected hastily. "I just needed a drink first. You can't deny a man a drink, especially one who's tasked with severing heads from still-warm bodies. Besides, it's better to do it later when the blood has thickened. And there's no need for two men to guard a securely tied-up prisoner”

"Alright, enough quarrelling, lads. Halig, go and fetch your drink, and Clapa, get yourself an axe or do you plan on using your eating knife? I'll keep an eye on the prisoner," you ordered firmly. As Uhtred's sister and a skilled healer, you were accustomed to giving orders, and his men knew better than to argue with you. Both departed without hesitation, not bothering to question your decision, although it must have seemed peculiar to them that you wished to remain alone with the prisoner. Turning your gaze towards him, you approached cautiously, maintaining a safe distance just in case.

“Are you hurt?" you inquired, observing the Dane who sat beside the wagon, his back resting against the wheel. He raised his head, confusion, and distress evident in his eyes. He didn't respond just shook his head.

“Your lip and nose have been bleeding quite profusely. Wait here, I'll fetch my bag," you said with a chuckle. "How foolish of me, as if he had much choice in the matter," you thought to yourself while making your way to your tent to retrieve your medical supplies. You always kept a bag prepared, stocked with clean rags, salves, potions, and other necessities, ensuring you wouldn't waste time searching when urgently needed.

Returning with your bag and a piece of bread in hand, you offered it to the prisoner, but he made no move to accept. Leaning his head back against the wagon wheel, he closed his eyes. Shrugging your shoulders, you placed the bread back in your bag and instead took out some clean rags and a leather flask filled with water. The Dane opened his eyes, watching your every move. Kneeling before him, you dampened the rags and reached out your hand to cleanse his face. Startled, he instinctively flinched and jerked his head back, accidentally striking it against the wheel, eliciting a groan of pain.

"Hey, stay still. I only want to clean your face," you said, perplexed by his sudden reaction. His whole body tensed as you gently touched his forehead and continued to clean his bruised cheekbones.

"The brow will require stitches," you informed him.

“Why are you doing this?" the Dane spoke, his voice husky but soft. "I am a dead man. Why would you bother stitching my brow if your husband will later torture me for information and then kill me anyway.”

Tilting your head to the side, you continued to wipe away the blood from his face, now focusing on his busted lip and chin.

“I don't have a husband. I have a brother whom you sought to kill tonight," you said, finished with cleaning his face you observed his features intently. "And if there's one thing I know for certain about my brother, it's that he has never tortured anyone, nor will he ever," you couldn't help but think about how handsome this young man was and you felt a pang of sympathy for his unfortunate circumstances. He believed his fate was sealed and had resigned himself to it. His gaze remained fixed on the ground, as if he dared not meet your eyes.

“I didn't want to kill him. I just did not have much choice about it," the Dane's voice remained calm, resolute, and tinged with sincerity. "I only wish Lord Uhtred would grant me the honour of dying as a warrior, sword in hand. And I would willingly share everything I know with him.”

“Not that I fear the pain," he hastily added, "I simply owe no allegiance to Kjartan.”

Unexplainably, you found yourself believing this man. Every word he spoke carried weight, and you suddenly felt deeply sorry for him.

“You are very kind to me, lady," the Dane continued, his voice filled with a sense of shame for being here, for being a part of what had happened. "I don't deserve your attention, but I am immensely grateful for it."

"What's your name?" you found yourself asking, driven by an inexplicable curiosity. It was as if fate had brought this unfortunate young warrior across your path, and a growing resolve began to take shape within you. You did not want to let him to the fate he thought inevitable.

“I am called Sihtric, lady,” the Dane answered with no hesitation. “Would you like to live?" you suddenly asked, as a seemingly absurd idea took hold in your mind.

[simping-overload]

ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴅᴀᴍɴ ᴅᴇᴇʀ - ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ʜᴜɴᴛɪɴɢ

a/n: showing my love for my favorite Greek God of all time, Hermes<3 this is a multichapter fanfic.

trigger warnings: animal hunting so animal death. Religious themes and practices

synopsis: You never thought helping out a lost hobo would end up with you in the loving embrace of a god.

『read on ao3』

『prev chapter ⟺ next chapter』

disclaimer: hermes is based on his BOZ, EPIC, and canon mythology. I don't really know how ancient greece actually was or how hunting works so take this with a grain of salt! It is just fanfiction :)

You come from a village that has been long-term worshippers of the goddess, Artemis. Each year, the village holds a festival, Laphria¹. With this festival, of course, comes activities, the most important being the hunt. Where 3 main selected participants, who were allowed to bring at the maximum two others along the hunt with them, they were to hunt down a large stag, whoever was to bring back the largest wins.

The reward would entail being given a large sum of money and being allowed to worship the goddess to the fullest extent, which means you'd get to say your prayers before everyone, including the high elders.

This year, you were finally chosen for the hunt, much to the joy of your family and friends. You were their best hunter and tracker, able to find an animal with ease regardless of how little the evidence that has been left behind.

After passing a familial trail—hunting a snow hare in the middle of snowstorm— you were gifted a beautiful pup who you named Winston². The two of you were jointed at the hip. There wasn't a place you'd go without him. This included the hunt.

You decided to bring two of your beloved friends along, Damian and Agnes. You set off at dawn, racing into the trees on the back of your horses, Winston running ahead as the scout.

Agnes and Damian were chattering away behind you as you looked over the map. You wanted to try and plan out all paths you could safely use.

"So...do you think if I win this, it would get Corinna at the very least interested in me?" Damian questions, fiddling with the horses' reins. He had a crush on Corinna ever since they were teens, spending most of his time trying to impress her— which failed considering he always made a fool of himself.

Agnes, bless her, rolling her eyes as she listens to Damian rant, just as the millions times before. She's been friends with him since they were babies. Both of their mothers were the best of friends, so it makes sense they were too.

You didn't come into the picture until you were about 7 or so, moving here to take care of your grandmother after she got sick.

You met Agnes when your mother invited hers over, and then her mother invited Damian's over. You all were just placed in front of each other and expected you all to click automatically. Thankfully, you did, and you've been friends ever since.

"Probably, but you need to remember Nikolaos is in this competition too, I know he's been desperate to get her hand as well." She pauses as her horse jumps over a fallen tree. She looks back at Damian with a blank stare and continues. "And also this could've been avoided if you just grew a pair of balls and confessed."

"I can't just do that— I need to get her attention first. Maybe we'll find that white stag the elders ramble about." Damian giggles as he pictures Corinna leaping into his arms and saying yes to his proposal. He was such a lovesick fool.

"Or maybe she's already interested and is waiting for you to confess. I've heard its custom in her family for the woman to wait for the man to ask, no matter how long it takes." You chime in, not looking up from your map.

"Wait wh—" Damian is cut off when a large gray wolf jumps from out of the trees, holding a white hare in its mouth.

Your horse, startled, bucks you off its back, sending you to the forest floor. You're now eye level with the wolf, noticing how its eyes are an unnatural golden color.

You and the wolf stared each other down for a moment before it huffed and leaps back into the trees. Agnes drops down from her horse and rushes to your side, while Damian goes off to fetch your horse.

You snapped out of your daze when you felt something wet touched your cheek. It was Winston, licking at you and whining in concern.

You pat his head to calm him, and you lean on Agnes for support as you stand. She brushes the dirt and leaves off your back.

"Hey, you okay?" She questions, her freckled face is laced with concern.

You feel fine, a little sore, but nothing you hadn't been through before. There was something about that wolf that just stuck with you, "Yeah, I'm fine. That wolf, though... its eyes were like pure gold."

"Maybe it's one of Lady Artemis' wolves? It wouldn't be the first time she's watched over the hunts." She suggests, steppingaway from you once you've steady yourself. Damian comes back with your now calm horse, handing you the reins.

"I suppose? Though I never heard of a wolf having pure gold eyes before... Anyway, Winston, did you see anything?

Winston barks in reply, his tail wagging before he runs off. You mount your horse and begin to follow him. You motion the other two to do the same.

Winston leads you to what looks to be a temple, one that seems to have been neglected for years. Nature has taken over, vines have trickled up and wrapped themselves around the columns, and grass and flowers grow from the cracks of the floor. The usual pure white of the marble has faded into a off white tan color with a thin layer of moss across the surface.

"Let's make sure the area is safe for us to set up camp here. Agnes, check out the back of the temple, and Damian, you'll start with the outer perimeter. I'll start with the inside. Regroup to the front once you're sure no one else has been here."

Agnes nods, and Damian gives an alright in response before going back into the forest. You dismount your horse, tying it to a loose fence post. You make your way up the cracked stone steps and into the temple.

The rays of sun lit the inside of the temple, illuminating the illustrations that line the walls and ceilings. Going off of the winged shoes on the god that was illustrated, this was a temple of Hermes. You wonder if there was ever a village that was here before yours that were worshippers of him.

Your search around the temple came up empty, with no human activity. Only animals and plants seemed to have been inside. You leave the temple in time to see with Damian and Anges coming back.

"There doesn't look like there's anyone for miles, only animals. I saw the cutest fox kits." Anges says.

"Same here, though I wasn't blessed with seeing any cute aniamls today." Damian pouts, dismounting his horse, kneeling down next to Winston to ruffle his fur, "Expect for this bugger." Winston barks and licks the man's hand.

You chuckle, "Looks like it's safe to set up camp here, we'll need to find something to eat, so I'll try and find something for us. You two just set up camp and remember to use the horn if anything happens."

They give you mock salutes in response before they begin to take the supplies off the horses and into the temple. You mount yours and whistle for Winston to follow as you trot off into the woods.

It doesn't take you long to hunt something down. After finding some boar tracks, Winston leads the rest of the way to the creature. Upon finding it, you ready your bow, steadying yourself on the moving horse as you focus your aim on the boar.

You suck in a breath, drawing back your arrow and whispering a short prayer to Artemis as you relase. The arrow pierces through the side of the boar, straight to the heart, quick and painless.

Suddenly, you hear a loud scream, and off in the distance, you can see someone running towards you with what looks like a... deer? Chasing after them. Winston stands alert, ears perked, and focused on the person getting closer to you. You hold your reins tight while Winston moves in front of the horse.

The person turned out to be Nikolaos. You spot his signature ginger hair showing from under his hood before he trips over a log and face plants in front of you. He doesn't try to exchange pleasantries as he scrambles up to keep running.

The deer came soon after, gracefully hopping over the log. It glanced at you for a meer moment, giving you enough time to see its golden eyes. The same color from the wolf.

You hop down off your horse, making your way to the boar.

You are for sure this time that it wasn't Artemis. Maybe some other god?

You wrap the boars legs tight with string as you bring it back to your horse, settling it on the rear. Positioned so it won't slip off, you mount your horse once more before going back the direction you came.

As you make your way back. Your mind wanders back to Hermes. It could be him. After all, he's one of the more playful gods known for his pranks and tricks. You'll have to make an offering to him for letting you sleep in the temple, regardless if it's abandoned or not, and so he doesn't prey on your friends like he did Nikolaos.

By the time you made it to camp, it was dusk. Agnes greets you outside, taking the horse reins from you. You take the boar off of the horse, taking off to the side as you make quick work of the animal, cutting off the hide and chopping the pieces of meat you need. You leave whatever is left for Winston and the other forest creatures to feast.

Damian is quick to start cooking. Thankfully, his mother was kind enough to pack spices so your group wouldn't have to suffer tasteless food.

Until the sky went dark, you spent the rest of your time eating and talking. Damian nearly choked on his food when he heard you recant the experience in the woods earlier. He says he wishes he could've seen the look on that bastards face when he was running away. Agnes jokes that Nikolaos probably looked like a scared chicken. Which admittedly, he did, come to think of it, his screams sounded like the human equivalent of one.

As the night went on, it got quiet, Damian was the first to sleep, and Agnes was next. Winston is sprawled out in between them, snoring away. Before you rest, you bring a plate of food and burning incense to the altar.

You whisper, "Please, Hermes. The God of speed and travel grant us permission to make sanctions in your temple. If you disapprove, we will be out as the sun rises. Take this food as a thank you for allowing us to sleep here for the night." You pause. "Also... please refrain from chasing us as a deer or anything else for that matter. While it was funny what you did to Nikolaos, I would rather not soil my pants." You chuckle, placing the food onto the alter and the incense in a dusty holder.

You go back to your original resting place, leaning against the pillar. You feel a soft and comfortable breeze flow through the temple. The sounds of the trees rustling soothe you into a nice slumber.

Still in deer form, Hermes walks through the woods, no set destination just allowing the fates to choose where he will end up. Faintly, he can hear someone whisper a prayer.

"Please, Hermes. The God of speed and travel grant us permission to make sanctions in your temple. If you disapprove, we will be out as the sun rises..."

It was not often that he received prayers, especially not in his sisters park of Greece. He lets the prayer pull him towards the location.

Switching to his human form, he approaches the temple. It was one of his firsts. A gift to him by his father. While unkept, it still stood strong.

He sniffs the air, a familiar smell, boar. Not only did he get a prayer, but he got an offering, too? Just what he needed after chasing the mortals.

He giggles as he makes his way inside, involuntary waking up Winston, who was silenced a quick shush and a pat to the head.

Hermes looks around at the mortals who sleep before him. Wondering who said the prayer, his eyes land on you. Still leaned against the pillar, head thrown back against it. Your hand is tightly wrapped around a dagger. Ready to strike if need be.

He studied your face for a moment, his hand twitched with the desire to trace over your features. You were very attractive for a mortal, and judging from the faint golden aura he could see emitting from you, you're the one who prayed.

He steps away with a grin, making his way to the alter. He picks the plate up, nearly drooling on the food. As much as he'd love to take his time eating, he's a glutton. In seconds, the plate is empty. He holds back a burp as he makes his way back out of the temple, glancing at you as he makes his way out.

Well, he's going to have some fun on this vacation.

[zephyrwynd]

Let's Talk About Gabe Ugliano for a minute.

Percy show is out, I saw it, then had a mental breakdown.

More under the cut

So let's like. Let's talk about Gabe for a minute. Is Gabe Ugliano as bad as he is in the books? No. He isn't. Is Gabe Ugliano more likable in the show than in the movie.

No! No, he isn't! I'm not sure where the Fandom is coming from with "Gabe is actually likable now" - that's just the actor being really good at acting?

Gabe in the books was what I like to call Aggressive Abusive - he openly threatens Percy, is an ass to Sally, all sorts of nasty. I hate him. Makes him getting turned to stone extremely satisfying.

But then in the show version, Gabe is more tame. Sally has back and forth with him. They watch the Knicks together. That's not abusive! That's just jerk behavior! He said please, he's not abusive!

You're right. He's not Aggressive Abusive, he's a new kind of monster - the Charismatic Abuser. While not as overtly abusive as he was in the books, Gabe Ugliano is a new kind of ugly. He's nice to the most minimal degree. So what ARE his abusive traits that we DO see?

He puts all the financial burden on Sally

He answers Sally's phone, meaning Sally doesn't have the right to privacy.

He neglects to care about Percy's education.

He gambles away his money on Fantasy Poker and, I assume, horse racing - adding more financial strain to Sally.

When Sally mentions they're leaving to Montauk, there's this "When did I approve you leaving to Montauk." back and forth, to which he only relents when Sally agrees to give him food.

On the food thing, it's a Demand at first, then he sarcastically throws in a Please to get what he wants.

It's a more nuanced take on abuse than presented in the novels, sanitized for modern Disney audiences and also in line with the show's theme of "when is a monster a monster, when is a hero a hero." Many people think this is to add nuance to Medusa and do an Oops All Redemption Arcs but I think it's different than that.

I think Gabe will end up getting petrified because it's such an important story beat for both Percy and Sally. Sally has more agency than her book counterpart, but she doesn't have more power. She doesn't sucker up to Gabe, but she's still trapped in that relationship because of what that relationship means for Percy (remember, Gabe is protecting them with his human stench).

My dad wasn't overtly abusive to my mom. We never saw if he hit her or not - but I noticed bruises. The abuse was more towards me. My mom had agency in that dynamic but not power. You don't have to act like a complete monster to be abusive. He took us to Disney World, gave us Nintendo consoles, took us to see every Marvel movie in the world. He also neglected me, favored my brother, put unrealistic expectations on me, and I think he's the reason why my mind is so shattered at this point.

You don't have to be a complete monster, certain people just need to see you that way.

An aside about Sally Jackson:

People are saying Sally's character is completely ruined because of Gabe being nicer. Sally isn't defined by Gabe's abuse. She's defined by her resilience despite the abuse. She's defined by her resilience, her kindness to Percy, her defiance in the face of unwavering challenges. Reducing her character in The Lightning Theif to just "a victim of Gabe's abuse" sits so unwell with me. This is Sally "a queen amongst mortals" Jackson. Sally "observe as I fuck up the armies of Kronos with my shotgun" Jackson. Let's not reduce her to JUST a victim of Gabe's shit.

Anyways percy show 9.6/10 - what's with the cuts to black I don't get it

[ellieshaze]

After Dark

{Part 3}

Ellie Williams X F! reader

Warnings: language , blood , kissing ofc , so much fluff fr , ellie is a big baby idc what y’all say

Word Count: 3k words

This probably sucks because i wrote it half asleep last night but whatever. Also, this one isn’t nsfw but the parts before are and the ones after this will be <3

Read part 2 here

It had been a few days since that night with Ellie in your bedroom, and she had been avoiding you ever since. Jackson is a small town, so she couldn’t avoid you forever, at least you thought. If you went into a room she happened to be in, she’d come up with any excuse to leave. When walking down the main street of Jackson, if you were on the same side or anywhere near her she’d go far around you. While patrolling she made sure you never got on the same patrol as her, even if it was a group. It was definitely petty but you deserved it, you had hurt her.

You wanted to apologize to her but every time you’d try and go up to her, she’d leave before you got to her. Honestly, it was kind of annoying and childish that she thought she could avoid you forever. On day four of Ellie ignoring you, you decided you’d do whatever you could to get close to her again, and try to apologize to her. “Jesse!” You yelled as you picked up pace to get to him, it was in the middle of the main street of Jackson. “Hm?” He muttered, turning around to face you. You grabbed his arm and dragged him off between two buildings, because if Ellie saw she’d know what was up. “Switch patrols with me” You said to him, he still looked confused as to why he was dragged away. “Why couldn’t you just ask me out there?” He was leaned against the side of the small shop, looking down at you.

“Doesn’t matter, can i have your patrol or not?” You asked him, feeling a little stupid for being overly paranoid. “Yeah sure.. weird that you wanna patrol so bad but whatever” Was all Jesse said before he walked away, laughing a little to himself. You made your way quickly back to your house, changing into clothes that were fit for being out in the snow for an extended period of time. You wore black jeans that were faded and torn up a little, a random long sleeved shirt and a heavy black jacket. You noticed Ellie’s gray hoodie on your bed, but you didn’t bring it, not knowing if she’d even want to talk to you in the first place. When you made it to your front door, about to leave, you suddenly got nervous. What if she refused to go and you were left to patrol by yourself or with someone you didn’t know well?

When you were finally able to build up the courage to leave your house you headed down to the stables. You expected Ellie to be there already, but she wasn’t, so you headed in for your horse. The horse you had bonded with was a paint mare, she was white with black running down from her neck all the way to the base of her tail. Her name was Eagle, she was found roaming around near Jackson, and had almost been killed by infected. “Hey girl” You said softly to the horse, you grabbed a handful of treats and held your hand out to her. She whinnied at you as she ate the treats, when she was done you grabbed onto her reins as you walked her out of the barn. You mounted your horse and sat by the gate, waiting for Ellie to show up.

You were running your hands through the mane of Eagle when you heard hoof steps approaching. You heard a grunt and when you looked up you saw Ellie on top of her horse, Shimmer. She avoided your eyes when she yelled at a woman who was standing near the weaponry by the gate, and she came quickly, two rifles in her hand. She handed one to you and then the other to Ellie before she yelled for the gates to be opened. Once the large gates were open, Shimmer raced forward, and you whistled at Eagle, indicating for her to go. Not long after, you caught up to Ellie, and your horses trotted side by side once you made it into the thick forest. You had only been out this way a handful of times, months before. “We have to make sure the town nearby is still clear.” Ellie said to you, oh how you missed her voice. Before you could respond she picked up pace, clearly trying to get this over with as soon as possible.

Once the two of you made it to the edge of the town, the two horses were now at a slow trot, unable to go fast because if they made too much noise infected nearby would hear and you’d be swarmed. You wanted to say something to Ellie as the two of you sat quietly on the backs of your horses, but you couldn’t bring yourself to. After a few minutes of silence you decided that you had to talk to her, that was the whole reason you took Jesse’s patrol anyways. “Ellie-“ You started but were cut off by the clicking sound you immediately recognized as a clickers, and your horses eyes went wide as she whinnied and began trotting faster. You gently pat your horse, trying to calm her as you got her to stop, you and Ellie both getting off your horses.

You both tied your horses in a nearby garage, closing it to ensure their safety. The clickers noise began again, it was louder and coming from a nearby convenience store, walking towards the door the both of you crouched down. Ellie glanced at you, nodding before she opened the door quietly, you made your way in quietly behind her. When you got into the store, you stood behind a shelf, looking out into the store to see two clickers, sighing as you reached for the blade in your boot. You and Ellie nodded at each other as she made her way to the one on the left, you on the right. Ellie brought hers down first, stabbing it in the neck quickly, bringing it to the ground silently. You were only a foot from the clicker when you stepped on glass, your heart dropping to your stomach.

You jumped to your feet, the clicker screaming out at you as it grabbed onto you. “Fuck!” You yelled, holding it back with your arm, but you weren’t strong enough and it knocked you to the ground. Your blade fell from your hand, now using both hands to keep the clicker off of you. Only a moment later Ellie came up, shoving her switchblade into the clickers head and pulling it off of you. “Holy shit” Ellie muttered, immediately on her knees, grabbing into your hand. Only then did you realize there was blood pouring from a wound on your hand. She began to wipe away the blood even though it was still coming out fast. “Not a bite…” She sighed, closing her eyes and you could tell she was relieved.

“It may not be a bite but I am still bleeding everywhere.” You said to her, laughing a little through the pain that now overcame you. She tore fabric from her jacket, the one she usually wore over her gray hoodie but you remembered, you still had it. She wrapped the fabric around your hand, holding onto it to keep pressure on the wound. She helped you to your feet, “We need to find something to clean the wound, Jackson is too far but there’s a house across the street. They might have something.” She picked up your knife from the floor, handing it to you and turning to walk out the door. “Ellie your back” You said to her, noticing blood seeping through her shirt on her shoulder blade. She reached a hand back and touched her shoulder, her hand covered in fresh blood. “Let’s go.” Was all she said in response before opening the door.

When you made it to the house across the street you made your way inside, Ellie ahead to make sure it was clear. She took out a stalker in the basement but aside from that, it was clear. When the two of you began to loot the rooms, she found some gauze, wrap and alcohol in an upstairs bathroom. You both ended up seated on the couch downstairs in the living room, and Ellie took your hand in hers. You watched her as she unwrapped your hand and poured alcohol onto it, you winced in pain but didn’t pull away from her grasp. You watched as she cleaned the deep gash on the palm of your hand, almost forgetting the pain as you were mesmerized by her focused face. Once she was done, she wrapped your hand with the gauze and then the tan wrap, tying it off tightly to be certain it would hold.

“Your turn” You said to Ellie as she let go of your hand gently. “I’m fine” She muttered, she wouldn’t meet your gaze for even a second. “Don’t be dumb, turn around and pull your shirt down.” You said firmly, and she didn’t object any further as she pulled her jacket off, and undid the buttons of her flannel, the one that she wore the first night everything between you began. She pulled it down on the shoulder, exposing a bloody cut on her shoulder blade, not nearly as deep as the one on your hand was. You poured some of the alcohol onto a cloth and brought it to the wound, noticing how she flinched at the sharp pain of the alcohol on a fresh cut. Once you cleaned the wound, you pulled her shirt back over her shoulder. “Can’t really wrap it because of the placement.” You as you began to shove things back into your backpack, watching as Ellie began to put her jacket back on.

Ellie was about to stand when you grabbed her hand, she stopped and just looked at you. “Don’t” She muttered, you heard some sadness in her voice, but no hatred or anger. “Please, just listen to me” You pleaded with her, and she didn’t object or move so you assumed she’d listen. “I’m sorry-“ you started but were cut off, “sorry doesn’t fix shit” Ellie snapped at you, anger was now slightly noticeable in her voice. “Just let me finish.” you said to her, your eyes not leaving hers no matter how angry and hurt they looked. She sat there, not saying another word. “You’re right. I shouldn’t have made you hide and i know i shouldn’t give a shit what people think. But i’ve seen how they’ve treated you, and i just- I don’t think i could deal with that.”

Ellie was fumbling with her hands now, something you’ve noticed she does when she’s nervous. “I don’t know how to just tell my parents, it’s weird to bring it up randomly” You said, your eyes landed at your feet, unable to even look in her direction anymore. “I’m not asking you to tell anyone.” Ellie finally spoke, “I just- don’t want you to pretend there’s nothing happening here when anyone else is around. I want to be able to be seen in public with you, i don’t want you to feel ashamed of me.” She sounded sad, you could feel her eyes on you. “I’m not ashamed of you, Ellie. I’m ashamed of myself.” Your eyes finally left your feet, meeting her sad green eyes. “Well fuck that,” Ellie said, grabbing your injured hand again, “We’re out here fighting infected, protecting that fucking town and those people. If they have an issue you can just remind them of that.”

“What if they don’t want me to be around the children anymore? I know some of them think it’s inappropriate” Ellie laughed at that, “Well they can deal with it because Maria decides on who does what and she won’t stand for that shit” You smiled at her, Maria was known to not take peoples shit and do whatever she felt was right whether it made people mad or not. “I am sorry, Ellie.” You said to her, holding her gaze, “It’s okay” Ellie said softly, she even smiled a little and it seemed to be genuine. “We should finish patrol and head back, we’ve been gone far too long” You nodded and grabbed your bag, slinging it over your shoulder.

When the two of you made your way back into Jackson, you were both smiling like idiots. When you brought your horses back to the barn, Ellie looked around for a moment before leaning in to kiss you. As much as you wanted to pull away and make sure nobody saw, you didn’t, you were done trying to be someone else. You leaned into her, one of your hands grabbing her waist, pulling her closer to you. Only a moment later she pulled away, saying her goodbyes and waving at you on her way out. “So that’s what stealing my patrol was about” You jumped, turning to see Jesse standing there, a stupid smirk on his face. “Shut up” you groaned, leaving the stables before he could say anything else.

When you got home, you had found out that there was some event going on at the main hall in Jackson. Just some dancing and drinking, these only happened occasionally, usually when things were going well and there were no recent casualties. You decided that you were going to go, because you knew Ellie probably would show up for her friends. Before you headed out, you took a shower, not wanting to smell like blood and sweat any longer. Putting on a simple button up and jeans you left your house, heading towards the hall. Your family had joined you, it seemed like most of the town was there.

You immediately spotted Ellie when you made your way inside, she was leaned against a table with a drink in hand. She was wearing a blue flannel, the sleeves rolled up and unbuttoned to reveal a white shirt underneath. You noticed she wore the same type of outfits frequently, but you definitely were not complaining. Her hair was tied up, some strands hung loose as usual, her look was so basic but it had your eyes lingering for way longer than they should. She didn’t seem to notice you as you walked up, leaning against the table next to her. “Hey” You said, looking over at Ellie. “She smiled softly at you, “Hey.” You knew that your apology earlier that day wouldn’t fix everything, and that you needed to do more to make up for your shitty behavior.

Without thinking you grabbed her drink, drinking the last of it, it was disgusting but you needed the confidence. “Hey-“ Ellie said, not seeming to be mad but more confused. You grabbed her hand and dragged her to the middle of the room, the song had ended and a slower one had begun. You pulled her into you, your arms wrapping around her neck, and hers finding their place on your waist. “This is new” Ellie said, sounding impressed. “I’ve decided it doesn’t matter what people think” She smiled at you as the two of you swayed to the music, and you couldn’t help but lean in. You tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear as you leaned in to kiss her, very aware of the fact that other people were around.

Her lips were soft on yours, her hands squeezed your waist tighter and your arms tightened around her neck. The two of you kissed for just a few more moments before pulling apart, smiling at each other like idiots. You looked around and then you saw it, a few had their eyes on the two of you, but nobody said a thing. You saw your family on the other side of the room, they were also looking at you but you didn’t see disgust or anger on any of their faces. “See” Ellie said softly. When the song came to an end and you walked away, Ellie’s hand in yours, not caring what anyone else thought in that moment. The two of you left early, walking down the snowy streets towards your house.

You leaned into her side as the two of you walked, your arms linked. “So are you my girlfriend now?” You asked her, immediately feeling stupid for even asking. “Do you want me to be?” She laughed softly, her head leaning into yours. You smiled, nodding but saying nothing more. “Then yes.” Ellie responded.

Soon you regretted not bringing a jacket with you when you began to shiver. Yes, Jackson wasn’t that big, but it was still cold as fuck. When you got to the porch you stopped, “can you stay with me?” She nodded, and with that you opened the door,walking in and slamming it shut quickly. Thankful for the warmth of the house. You grabbed her hand as the two of you made it to your room, the only lights were the blue christmas lights hanging around your walls.

When you made it to your room, Ellie immediately hopped onto your bed, getting comfortable. “Is that my hoodie?” She asked you, grabbing it off the edge of your bed. Your eyes went wide, it was so embarrassing to not only still have her hoodie, but it was in your bed, for days. “Uh-“ Was all you said, unsure of how to explain to her why you kept it in her bed instead of returning it to her. “Keep it.” She said, laughing a little at how flustered you had gotten. You didn’t say anything as you climbed onto your bed, your shoes discarded on the floor next to Ellie’s. Both of you just lied there on your sides, facing each other but not saying anything. After a few minutes you noticed she was drowsy, looking like she was about to fall asleep any moment. Without thinking, you pulled her close to you, her face leaned into your chest as she drifted off. Only yesterday Ellie was upset with you, and now she was in your bed, asleep in your arms.

[peterman-spideyparker]

You're My Zebra (Matt Murdock x fem!Reader) (Horses and Zebras 4/4)

Author’s Note: I've finally come up with an ending for this mini series that I like, so it's time to wrap it up! Really, thank you to everyone who's been interested and invested in this series, I never thought it'd be anything more than just a one-off post. Enjoy! :)

Summary: You didn't sleep a wink after Matt left, and with some time before your shift, you decided to get some answers from him, needing to put the pain of the past behind you.

Warnings: Angst (broken heart, nerves related to canon-typical violence, two stubborn idiots in love who never stopped being in love with one another for seven years), swearing, fluff, happy ending

Other Characters: Foggy Nelson and Karen Page

Word Count: 1,748

Your heart is racing like a hummingbird’s. This is truly just one of the stupidest things—no, it is absolutely the stupidest thing you’ve ever done. With those injuries from last night, the sheer amount of blood you absorbed up with his gauze, he’s probably not even in! Hell, he might not even be alive. He might not have even made it back to his place; with that amount of blood loss, he could easily be dead on some street or rooftop. But he has to be alive, right? He can’t just show up out of the blue after seven years just to die twelve hours later. At least if you go, someone in that office has to tell him you came, right? Just as you’re thinking about doubling back, your hand is already opening the door to Nelson, Murdock, and Page. 

“Hi, how can I help you?” a blonde woman says, looking up from her desk. 

“Is Matt Murdock in?” you ask. 

You notice how her eyes just barely look over to where you assume his office is. “Can I have your—Hey, wait!”

Walking into his office, you see him sitting at his desk, his fingers running over papers as Foggy stands to his left. 

“Get out, Foggy,” you tell him. “I need to talk with Matt.”

Foggy looks between you and Matt skeptically before standing straight as if he’s about to walk out.

“Foggy and I are discussing case strategy right now,” Matt says curtly. “This is confidential. You can’t be here.”

“Then take a break from it, we need to talk.”

“I’m afraid I can’t. We need to wrap this up, and then we have client meetings back to back all day.”

“You seriously expect me to believe that? It’s 10:00 a.m. What about lunch?”

“Lunch meeting.”

“Then we’ll talk after.”

“I’m afraid we’re staying late. And if you’re here right now, it’s my guess you’re working the late shift tonight.”

“Then I’ll make an appointment with you, I don’t care, we need to talk, Matt.”

“I think we both said everything we needed to last night.”

The sentence and the look on his face is like an ice-cold dagger in your heart.

“You’re a real piece of shit,” you breathe, your face scrunching as you hold back your tears. “Go to hell.”

As you start to walk out of the office, you hear Foggy call out: “Karen, stop them!”

The blonde does as he asks, maneuvering in front of you, mirroring every step you take to halt your exit.

“(Y/N),” Foggy breathes as he comes out to meet you, taking Karen’s place. “What’s going on?”

“A mistake,” you sigh. “And now, after seven years, I guess it’s finally over.”

“Matt said something about last night. Did something happen?”

You straighten and adjust your hand on the step of your bag. “He came to me for some help. I gave him a hand, and he left when I wasn’t looking.” You notice the slightest raise in Foggy’s eyebrows, and you can tell he knows exactly what’s going on and just what kind of help Matt came to you for last night.

“Turn around,” he says softly.

“Foggy—,” you begin to protest.

“Nope, for once you’re both gonna listen to me,” he insists with a gentle hand on your back, leading you back to Matt’s office.

“Foggy—,” Matt starts once you both enter his space.

“Nope,” Foggy says, holding up his hand. “You two are going to talk about whatever all this is right now. I can handle the client meeting with Karen.”

“But—.”

“No. All of this has been going on between you two for nearly a decade. You’re my friends, and as much as neither of you want to admit it, you still mean a damn lot to one another.”

Walking out of the office, Foggy closes the door behind him, the loud sound of a door clicking shut cutting through the deafening silence of pure tension as you place your bag on one of the client chairs in front of his desk. 

“What the hell, Matt?” you hiss, your voice quivering as tears immediately sting at your eyes. 

“(Y/N)—,” he starts, smoothing out his tie against his button down. 

“No!”

“Keep your voice down.”

Your lip quivers as you stand and stare at him. “I cleaned up so much blood last night, you were incredibly injured . . . You could barely move—It hurt you to breathe, and you just left! I-I . . . I was so scared! I was sick to my stomach! I was half-convinced that if I came here today, you wouldn’t be in because you’d be dead on some street all alone!”

“You had a phone call. I wanted to give you your privacy.” How the hell is he keeping his voice so flat? You feel like you could scream, and he sounds like he’s telling you the weather for the day.

“Oh my God, Matt!” you cry, running your fingers through your hair. “That—I—! Cover your ears and wait! You couldn’t ha—!” Your blood runs cold when a thought runs across the forefront of your mind. “Did you leave . . . Because I left that night at Columbia?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Take off your glasses and look at me!” you shout, rage, hurt, and betrayal coursing through your veins. “I am done. Tell me the truth.”

Pausing for a moment, he does as you ask. You don’t know how it’s possible, but he looks even worse than he did last night. 

“If this is some sort of cruel punishment for something I was genuinely mistaken about, you’ve got a sick sense of justice. I thought I was going to die from how worried I was about you, and you—!”

“I couldn’t stomach the thought of listening to you talk to your boyfriend,” he cuts you off. “I heard him call you ‘baby’, and I—.”

“You could hear that from where you were on the sofa?” you clarify, totally confused. 

“Yeah, I could. My hearing is one of the ways I do . . . what brought me to you last night.” He clears his throat. “It’s a lot to explain.”

“Is that the only reason you left?”

He moistens his lips, his eyebrows pulling together as he shakes his head. “You were gonna tell me no. You were gonna say you didn’t want to see me ever again. That was gonna be the nail in my coffin, and it was gonna be the last time I ever saw you. It made sense to leave while you were on the phone to save us both another heartbreak, but then I heard how you were crying after I left. I wanted to turn around and just hold onto you, but, I think that would’ve only made it worse.”

“I wasn’t gonna tell you no, Matt,” you breathe. 

He tilts his face back up, showing you fresh tear marks along his face. “You weren’t?”

“No, Matt. I was going to say I needed some time. Everything we unpacked last night . . . I was a lot. Between what happened in Columbia, you stumbling into my place, what you were doing last night—I needed time to sit with it. And then you left, and I . . .” You swallow hard before you take a few steps toward him. “I felt so ashamed, because everything about our relationship has been my fault. But all I know with every ounce of myself that I want to fix it, and I swear if you ever leave me again, there is no place where you can go where I won’t find you to give you a piece of my mind and a swift smack to your head.”

His eyebrows shoot up like those of a sad puppy as you make your way around the desk. “(Y/N) . . .”

“I mean it,” you tack on. 

“You have a boyfriend.”

“I care about him, yes. But if you’re asking me to compare my affections, who I’ve imagined a future with? That’s you, Matt. You’re my future, and you always have been.”

A tear rolls down his cheek. “I-It won’t be easy.”

“I know.” You slide your hands into his. “Matt, do you remember that night when we were studying for that exam? When I told you that doctors are told to look for horses, not zebras?”

“Mm,” he hums, leaning his forehead against yours. “I remember that night well.”

“You’re my zebra, Matt. I don’t want easy. I want you. The good, the bad, the complicated, all the messy history—everything. I want to be there for you, and I will sit and talk it all through, I will stay up late to be with you when you get back from being out at night. I want to lay it out so we can start over. Start fresh.”

He squeezes your hands, rubbing his thumbs back and forth over the back of your hands. “I’m not gonna go anywhere,” he vows. “I swear.”

“Neither am I,” you breathe, resting your forehead on his.

“Can I kiss you?” It’s not so much a question, but an urgent plea filled with need, as if it isn’t fulfilled here and now, he might wither away. You don’t give him the pleasure of a verbal response before you pull him in for a kiss. His hands hold onto your waist for dear life as you wrap your arms around his neck. The kiss is firm and passionate and flooded with too many emotions to properly process. But even in the thick of it, it feels like you’re back in law school the night you got drinks with Matt—light and utterly in love. You’re absolutely breathless when Matt pulls back and the kiss breaks, but he helps steady your racing heart with how he continues to hold onto you. 

“Meet me back here when you get off of work,” he breathes. “We can go back to my place, and I’ll explain everything you want to know. Have a few drinks.”

“Last time we had a few drinks, I ended up in your bed,” you say softly, brushing your nose against his. “And you shouldn’t be mixing the pain killers I gave you with alcohol.”

“Whoops,” he says with a lopsided grin. “Sounds like you’re just the right person to stick around and keep me in line, though.”

You brush your nose against his and smile softly. “Damn right I am. And I’m not going anywhere.”

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[straw-kid]

As He Falls In Love With You...  - Diego Brando Oneshot. 

JJBA Steel Ball Run Headcanon

It was at the Steel Ball Run race when Diego laid his eyes on you. When he rode next to you, he would stare at you with a sullen expression. He always passed you at Silver Bullet, leaving you with dust on your lips, what a annoying guy. He always seemed to want to show himself to you.

Full of himself.

Diego was very unsociable. He didn't talk to anyone, he just scowled at the Steel Ball Run members. He never smile.

For Diego, feeling some curiosity in wanting to know who you were was something that messed with his ego. Why would he want to know who you were?

Pfff you are pathetic! 

But damn, to watch you hold the bridle of your horse with a strong expression, with a desire to win the race, oh my... what good looking...

It was on an extremely hot day that you can't keep up with the race, your horse is tired, sweaty from ears to hooves. It would be fair to stop and rest. Uuuh what a terrible day. You tethered your horse and left it under one of the few shades that held a horse. You, on the other hand, almost sunbathing. Sweat ran down his forehead. Would you be able to continue this race alone?

You take the canteen, empty. Ah, bad luck.

That's when you hear a distant gallop getting louder and louder. It is then that you recognize who is there. Diego.

You give a heavy, dry sigh. "What is this guy doing here?" you think with yourself.

That superior expression washed over you and all you did was look away. Diego didn't say anything, he never speaks, and it's in that moment of intense silence brought by him, that you notice, he was a strong figure, an aura of power, it was as if he controlled the sound around him, for a moment not even Silver Bullet's hooves echoed.

Diego approached. "you look awful" took a canteen from his things. "here, drink it" it was the first time you heard his voice. it was more serious than you expected to hear.

You divide the water by filling your canteen with Diego's water. "ah ah ah, I need it more than you. It's not because I'm being nice to you that you might take advantage of me." He take his canteel back. 

"tsc" You make a mean face. "Don't look at me like that, if I didn't share it with you, you wouldn't make it past today".

Diego was bold in his words, a bit full of himself. In addition to the canteen, he offered a few snacks for your horse.

After that moment, everything seemed to be over, that diego only showed a mere pity for you and continued the race alone, but it was not what you expected. Diego then makes you a proposal. "You look like you're carrying a lot of junk on your horse. I wouldn't do that with my Silver Bullet if I wanted to win.... However, the path ahead will get colder. We're going up some hills."

Indeed, you carried a lot of junk. But as the Steel Ball Run courses were, it was definitely important that you were prepared. It was impressive the fact that Diego carried almost nothing in Silver Bullet, it made sense that he ran like the wind, he was light as the wind.

Without delay, Diego got right to the point. "I would need support during this route, as you can see I also don't have so much water because we share it. So let's make a deal, I'll take you on the safest and fastest route of this race and you give me shelter with firewood.”

It was a fair deal. you wanted to win and you weren't in the best of conditions to continue, Diego knew different paths but he wasn't going to be able to continue for that long.

"Sure" you say shaking Diego's hand and at that, he opens a naughty smile. And because of the newness on Diego's face, you not only noticed the perky lips, but what preceded his face. Diego have hazel eyes, how big and full of life they were.Diego had a harmonious face when he wasn't with a grumpy look. You felt something.

You found out that day, Diego was a pretty boy. 

Riding with Diego was like riding alone. He didn't talk to you, very silent, he just warned you about something far down the road, it was like he smelled the dangers and you had no idea how he was so good at it (his stand but you just don't know about this OR even know that this exists!)

Resting in makeshift camps with him was awkward at first.He was bossy, told you what to get and what he needed, criticized the way you arranged things, but as time went by, you got used to his way, and also, he stopped bossing you around.

Diego's company was pleasant even though he was someone in a bad mood.

Diego would never tell you this, but since he decided to give in his ego, to have you for company, it was comforting. 

There were nights when you shivered with cold, and he stoked the fire instantly. There were days when you hadn't eaten enough and Diego would say "I don't need all of this, if you don't want it I'll throw it away". You have been noticing these subtle gentle behaviors. He didn't know how to be kind.

As the journeys passed, he became more sociable with you. Having said that, he started talking more. You had kept the following information with you: a big fan of coffee, he liked the strong taste that comforted with the heat. He enjoyed the company of animals more than that of people. Too much noise disturbed him to think and sleep.

Although Diego became more talkative, he didn't bring up many facts about himself and you were more interested in that, but it seemed like asking him that was too much. Without having the facts spoken aloud, those being watched spoke much more about him.

Diego likes to eat, even if it's a goo or a delicacy from an expensive restaurant, he'll eat, no matter how much he complains, any food seems to please him. He is very fond of family, from the little he tells about his tragic childhood, he always speaks highly of his beloved mother, he seems to like the idea of ​​being surrounded by people he likes, or dreams of. In moments where you catch him off guard, he's looking at you, but he doesn't turn away when that happens.

Normally you turn, it's embarrassing!

Diego is always looking after you. But it is no longer like someone who is angry about something, however, relaxed eyes, Diego has a calm look for you, and only for you.

You  guys didn't break up after the deal, you're an unbeatable duo. You like being together. Sometimes Diego passes by you and always touches your shoulders and very rarely, touches your waist, but when you do that to him, he tends to dodge his back, you never understand.

Yeah, Diego touches you sometimes, rubs your back when cold, touches your arm when want attention, touches your hand when need to make a quick move. But don't try to do that to him, he will give you a grumpy look.

There was only one moment when the touching was more intense than the casual ones. The race was intense and Diego had hurt his forehead. you had demanded that he let you help him, he was proud, he wouldn't even let him pay triple the prize of the race. With that said, you left him in agony on the floor overnight. In the middle of the night, you woke up, with a bad feeling. Diego was lying down badly, he had a fever. He was weakened, it would not be possible to continue like this.You took his head and placed it in your lap, so you could handle his face well, clean the wound properly, and help with his fever. Your icy fingers touched Diego's hot forehead, who contracted his eyebrow in disdain, he knew it was you with him. You ignored his expression. You took his hair off his forehead, tucking it behind his ear, wiped the damp, warm cloth on his forehead.

Without realizing it, you massage your blond hair with one hand. Angel hair, fine and light, it glistened in the firelight.

Even though it was no longer necessary, you didn't remove the cloth or hands from Diego's face anymore and he had nothing but the expression of tranquility on his face.You slide your fingers across his features. Dry, plump lips, thickly wired brows, strong jawline. 

What a man to be in your lap right now, right?

Suddenly, you feel a hand touch your back, slide gently to your waist and meet your hand, Diego took your hand, waking you up from your trance. He looks you deep in the eyes and places a kiss on the back of your hand. "Thanks Y/N, you sure are sweet". He smiles. 

You are simply on fire from the heat you felt.

That never happened between you again, Diego was someone too closed for any interaction that required a lot of personal space.

Even if you didn't know about the existence of stands, Diego always used it to protect you, sensing danger for miles around and smelling fruit or animals to hunt, however he would never tell you or show you, maybe that would spoil something, maybe it would make you think he was a scary monster.

Diego is like that, he only demonstrates from afar without being direct.

[angelsworks]

Little Witch The last kingdom x reader

Chapter 3

Next Chapter -> H E R E

Series Masterlist -> Here

Type: series

Summary: You prove your worth to Uhtred and his friends.

Warnings: 18+ Violence, death, adult themes, etc

You walked as slowly as possible behind the rest. Your hands were bound together, with one piece of rope leading off. The piece tied to Uhtred’s saddle. Keeping you tethered.

You tire quickly from the walking. Trying to keep up with even a slow walk of the horses proves difficult as your sides and wrists burn with pain.

The nervous twist of your stomach, fills your shoes (if you can even call them that) with iron. The gag around your mouth makes it hard to voice any of your concerns about the journey. Every step brings your further to completing your vision. Your racing mind struggles to think of ways to convince these men of their fate.

The lack of speed of the group is apparent to everyone. After maybe a couple of hours it’s Finan who voices his concerns.

“With our pace the way it is, a new king will be on the throne by the time we reach the next city.” Finan complains.

Uhtred nods, “Are you offering your saddle for her?”

The idea of being so close to you unnerves Finan. So he decides to keep his mouth closed for the rest of the journey.

Quicker than you expected you see the road diverge in front of you. The low bubbling panic inside of you comes to a boil. You decide it’s now or never to stop this vision coming true.

You stop walking. You raise your bound hands to the gag around your mouth, trying to untie it.

Your lack of motion is noticed quickly by the others.

The sight makes Uhtred sigh, “Witch we do not have time for this.”

His words do nothing to stop you struggling.

“Maybe she needs a piss Uhtred.” It brings a small chuckle from the others. You roll your eyes at the comments and when you find the gag done too tightly.

Uhtred unties the rope on his saddle. Instead taking it into his hands and winding it in a circle, bringing you closer to his place at the front.

Your struggling does nothing against his pulls. Making you stumble towards him on his white horse.

“What is the matter witch?” You groan around your gag. Frustrated that you can’t talk.

With a signal from Uhtred, Finan works to take off your gag.

“We can’t go this way.” You speak briefly, trying to stay sure of yourself.

“And why little witch, can we not go this way?” Finan asks.

Your eyes don’t leave Uhtred’s, “I’ve seen your death.”

At that moment the horses are sent into a panic, it takes a few minutes for each of their riders to calm them.

Out of the corner of your eye you see Osferth make the sign of the cross. You still stay focused on Uhtred. Despite his cold face his eyes betray him. They show the curiosity that lies beneath.

So you continue, “I had a vision. On the path we take, bandits will jump from behind a rock. They will outnumber you and gain the advantage. They will use a sword as long as you are tall, and kill your horses.”

Uhtred contemplates your words. Deciding if this is some sort of trick or not. Almost as if you can read his thoughts you try to reassure him.

“If I am wrong then you don’t die. But if I am right and you have no listened, your fate is sealed.”

The others remain silent. They have no idea if you are telling the truth. But being outnumbered by bandits is a dire way to try and find out. Silence hangs in the air. Waiting for Uhtred to break it.

“Witch, you will ride with me. You will tell me when we reach this rock.”

He reaches out a gloved hand, to pull you up on to the horse. You body pulls away from his touch. Afraid that if you get on the horse, your vision will come true.

“Our pace will be faster witch, if you get on the horse.” Sihtric snapped. Finding his own horse grow angsty at all the waiting.

Still seeing you were intent on staying grounded, Uhtred moved off his horse. With your rope still in his hand you couldn’t move away from the man.

Without breaking his stride he picks you up by your arms. Then swings you over his horse. Following suit by getting behind you.

Your back is pressed against his front. The saddle itself feels tiny with you both on. His arms come to hold the front of the saddle, making his forearms press against your hips.

The closeness makes you feel hot, blush even. But you try to clear any of those thoughts away.

Being on a horseback again reminds you of your childhood. Of tending to and riding the many horses you had. Your father had been the one to teach you how to ride a horse. By the time you were eight you could help out with them.

It was around the same time your visions started. When they started, some of your happiness left. It was hard to enjoy a childhood, when every night would leave you ceasing, drenched in sweat and full of fear.

You sigh and unconsciously play with the horses mane in front of you. Braiding it slowly in little strands. The action attracts the attention of Uhtred and Finan. Both being able to see you clearly.

Once again Uhtred is reminded of a bunny, when he looks at you. So small and meak, amongst large predators. He questions if you are to be trusted for what feels like the tenth time today.

Your eyes look ahead, seeing the grey, cracked boulder. Hiding behind it of course are the five bandits. Not nearly as skilled as Uhtred and his men, but holding swords and daggers alike.

You touch Uhtred’s gloves hand, turning towards him.

“That’s the rock.”

Uhtred stops the group and orders his men in various different ways. Sihtric and Osferth will ride into the trees and emerge behind the bandits. Finan will travel to the front of the rock with Uhtred, but climb over the rock to get the jump on them. While Uhtred dismounts from his horse and tackles them head on.

Osferth and Sihtric break from the group, going separately to attack from behind. While you remain pinned to the saddle by Uhtred.

“What about the witch?” Finan asks.

Uhtred pulls his dagger from its scabbard and slices your ropes. Discarding them on the floor.

“Witch, you stay near the horse. If you move or run, I’ll hunt you down myself. Understood.” His voice is low and next to your ear. His breath warming your neck.

“Yes.” You don’t dare saying anymore. Your fear freezes your body. You’ve seen their bloody bodies in your vision. You desperately hope it doesn’t become true.

Uhtred and Finan bring the horses to a stop a couple of strides from the rock. You can hear quiet muttering coming from behind it. They dismount and you attempt to as well. With your bruised body it’s made a lot harder, leading to Uhtred helping to pull you off.

You wait by the horses as they take out their swords. Walking slowly, crouched, towards the rock. Swords drawn, ready to fight.

Before Finan can jump on the rock the bandits jump out. Their own swords drawn, the longsword being weld by the largest of the group.

“Die Dane!” The largest shouted, charging at Uhtred. He put his sword up in defence. The clattering of metal filled the road.

Osferth and Sihtric appeared from the trees on horseback, cutting down two men as they ran towards you. The bandits fell to the floor, bleeding out.

You stayed near the horses, you body frozen. You watched as Uhtred fought against his opponent, disarming him of his longsword then cutting him down.

Finan had already killed his opponent. Then went over to Sihtric who was fighting against another of them.

In all the clattering of combat, a bandit had gained the upper hand against Osferth, now holding a sword to his throat. Osferth’s own sword fell beside him as the bandit whispered in his ear.

“You are outnumbered. Surrender and you will keep you life.” Uhtred calls to the man. While he, Finan and Sihtric inched closer to the scene.

“I’m not stupid Dane. Your holy man will walk free.” He points his sword towards you. “In exchange for your woman.”

A cold strike hits your chest. You want to run away. To flee from the fight. But you know what you need to do. You just hope Uhtred will forgive you. You hope they all will forgive you.

You need to do something you know they won’t like. Something that gives them enough grace to reject you, or worse, kill you.

Your body feels heavy as you walk over to the scene. It’s noticed quickly by Uhtred.

“Get back to the horses.” He wants to say witch, but avoids it narrowly, “Woman”

You are stood in front of the bandit now, Osferths wide eyes on you.

“It’s okay Uhtred.” You turn to him. Trying to convey much more in your eyes.

Your eyes glance back to the bandit. Trying to really concentrate on him. Your eyes narrow as you focus on all the negative feelings you’ve been bottling up. Imagining a cork being pulled as they engulf you.

Your body heats as you wish the man pain.

Sure enough his smug face turns to one of pain. As a small headache dances in his head. Like a stab, he feels it engulf his head in pressure. The feeling making his eyes bulge.

He loses his ability to hold Osferth as he starts to gasp and his arms drop to his sides. His head inclined up as he stands limply.

You reach out a hand in his direction, focusing your energy.

Osferth moves out the way just before the man’s nose starts to bleed. Then his eyes and ears become streams of red. His face turning an odd shade of purple.

He struggles for a few more minutes as you hold out your hand. Forcing him to feel a vast amount of pain. His voice gurgles once more, unable to scream, before he drops to the floor. Dead.

The use of power makes you extremely weak. Your body weighs like lead and your eyes become blurred.

You turn around to see the others keeping their distance. Regarding you with hard eyes.

Before you pass out you muster out a weak “I’m sorry.” Past your dry lips.

You fall to the floor, into a dark unconscious state.

[writingwhimsey]

Hi!! I hope you’re having a wonderful day 💕 CONGRATS on 300 followers!! So well deserved, you’re so talented!! I was wondering if we could get a Nobunaga enemies to lovers smut 😮‍💨🙈 not sure if you’ve done something similar before, I’m a new follower, but I would love it!! Thank you so so much!! 🩷🩷

Thank you for the support and the request! This one was fun to write! I hope you and everyone enjoys this Nobunaga enemies to lovers smut!

NSFW 18+ content

Tough Negotiations

“My lord, Nobunaga has taken to the battlefield himself!” My subordinate declared, running into the basecamp.

A grin lit my face as I rose. “Finally.” I said. “It is time I go and challenge this man and show him that we will not be conquered.”

“Your horse is ready, my lord.” My subordinate informed me.

I left the command tent and hopped on my horse, drawing my sword as I rode into battle, leading a fresh group of calvary and foot soldiers. Everyone underestimated me and my clan, but I would show them. I would show anyone who would challenge me. Even the great Nobunaga Oda himself.

As I entered the field, I saw Nobunaga on his horse not far away, getting ready to cut down my right hand man, who had been leading a group of our soldiers. I wasn’t about to lose him, so I raced forward and blocked Nobunaga’s sword with my own. 

“Sorry, I still find him useful.” I said. “Your opponent is me.”

Nobunaga grinned at me over our locked blades. “I see the rumors are true.”

I didn’t take my eyes off of Nobunaga’s as our blades remained locked. “Get out of here before I change my mind about saving your sorry ass.”

“Yes, my lord.” My right hand replied after a moment of stunned silence.

“And what rumors do you speak of? The ones of my brilliance? My fierceness? My cunning? Or my beauty?”

Nobunaga chuckled as we broke apart. ‘All of them.” He answered, raising his sword to strike again.

I blocked the blow, a cool smile on my own face. “I do aim to live up to my reputation.” I replied. “Though I must admit, you are not what I expected.”

“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?” Nobunaga asked, as we continued to fight. Our blades meeting, sparking, and breaking apart.

“Hmm…I was expecting a bit more of a challenge from the infamous devil king.” I replied, smirking. “I’m barely even breaking a sweat here…don’t tell me you’re going easy on me just because I am a woman?”

“I would never.” Nobunaga replied. “I underestimate no one. Why else would I… come out here myself?”

“You do have…a point.” I replied.

We exchanged blows and barbs over and over again. Our eyes stayed locked on each other as we fought, the tension in the air palpable…and I must admit the thought of how handsome Nobunaga was flitted through my mind. Though I quickly shook that thought away. Perhaps when I defeat him, I should make him MY concubine? I thought with a laugh.

“You find our…battle amusing?” Nobunaga asked me, breathless as our blades broke apart once again.

“Just a thought.” I replied, a secretive grin on my face.

We continued our dance, neither of us gaining ground over the other. Soon a smoke screen was thrown just before nightfall, both of us having subordinates come to lead us away. It appeared our battle would last another day.

After meeting with my troops, I returned to my tent washing my face in a water basin and changing into night robes. I took my long hair down, letting it be loose and sighed as I settled in to do some late night strategizing.

It wasn’t long before there was a commotion outside, I grabbed my sword and rushed out into the night. “What is going on?”

“I have come to bring an end to our battle.”

I was surprised to hear the deep voice I had been engaged in battle with what only felt like moments before. I looked around and saw that Nobunaga was alone…and wasn;t wearing any armor. Though he surprisingly held something in his hands. 

He wore a smug smile as he looked at me, one arm holding the box-like object and the other up almost as if in surrender. I held the tip of my sword beneath his chin. “How do you plan to do that unarmed?”

Nobunaga only smirked. “With this.” He declared holding up the object in his arm. 

I gestured for one of my subordinates to take the object and check it over. “It’s…a goban.”

I couldn’t help myself but to laugh. “You wish to settle our battle with a game of Go?”

“Yes.” He answered. “Our forces are clearly evenly matched and even in single combat you and I are evenly matched. It seems a waste of resources to continue whittling each other down.”

I couldn’t help but to smile. “I hope you know, I am undefeated in Go.”

“As am I.” Nobunaga replied.

I withdrew my sword. “Fine, let us go then.” I said, as I sheathed my blade. I gestured for my men to make sure Nobunaga carried no concealed weapons before I took the Goban and turned. “This way,” I told him, heading towards my tent.

Nobunaga silently followed me. My closest soldiers started to follow as well. “No, you all stay out.” I ordered. “I don’t want my victory questioned.”

“Y-yes…my lord.”

Nobunaga chuckled. “You sound sure of yourself.”

“As you must be, to have come here to challenge me directly like this.” I replied as we entered my tent.

“Where shall we set up?” Nobunaga asked.

“Here.” I replied, gesturing to the center of my tent. He setup the goban as I pulled out a couple of cushions and we were soon sitting opposite each other, the goban between us.

“I look forward to finding out if you are as skilled at Go as you are on the field.” Nobunaga said, giving me a cocky grin.

“How else do you think I became so good at strategy?” I replied.

Long calloused fingers reached into the bowl and pulled out a smooth black stone. Carnelian eyes looked sharply at the board before thoughtfully placing the stone with a soft clack, beginning our game.

I took note of Nobunaga’s first move and thought for a moment as I picked up a smooth white stone before placing it on the board.

“That is an unconventional first move.” Nobunaga noted.

“I am an unconventional opponent.” I replied with a smile. “Or have you not learned that by now?”

Nobunaga smirked as he made his next move. “Oh, I have indeed noticed. Your battle strategies have kept me on my toes in a way I have not experienced in a long time.”

“Oh? Little old me places a challenge to the famed devil king? I am honored.”

“As you should be.” Nobunaga replied. “I do not give out praise so lightly.”

We continued our game, the stones clacking on the board and continued to speak. Conversation flowed easily between us as we continued the game, each of us working our strategies. Our game ran for hours and ended in a tie.

“It appears this won’t end as quickly as I thought.” Nobunaga said, an amused smile on his face.

“We’re going to have to play another round if we are gonna end this battle with this game.” I replied, already moving to clear the board.

“I can go all night if need be.” Nobunaga replied, a smirk on his lips.

It did not escape my notice the way his carnelian eyes sparkled with mischief as he said that very thinly veiled double entendre. I returned his smirk with one of my own. “I hope you can live up to that.”

We began our next time, each of us silent as we worked our strategies. We had another two games end in a tie. It was after the third game Nobunaga spoke. 

“What is it about my rule you object to?” He asked me. “You haven't allied with any of my enemies…you haven’t seemed to form many alliances.”

“It is not that I really object to your rule in particular…I just object to a man telling me how to rule over my lands and my people…especially when my land is peaceful and prosperous.” I answered as I made my next move. “I’ve had offers of an alliance from several other clans… all coming with marriage proposals…and they all want to just add what I have to what they have and reduce me down to something that looks good on their arm.”

“I would never put you under foot like that.” Nobunaga replied. “A fireball like you, doesn’t belong as a jewel in someone else’s crown.”

“I know.” I replied, having a hard time keeping the surprise from my face.

“You know, we are both so well matched, that continuing any battle would be a waste of both our resources.” Nobunaga replied, leaning closer over the board. 

“What are you proposing then?” I asked, unconsciously leaning closer myself.

“We join forces.” Nobunaga answered, his hand coming to cup my cheek. “We form an alliance and you rule at my side in your own right.”

“That…is a thought…” I replied, finding myself getting lost in those carnelian eyes. “That could be…I don’t know…you…might have to persuade me.”

Nobunaga smirked. “I can be…quite persuasive.” He replied before capturing my lips with his.

I found myself responding without even thinking. My lips moved with his and I found myself sliding into his lap, straddling him as his arms came around my waist, calloused hands sliding over my curves through the silk of my night robes.

We broke the kiss after a few moments, our eyes locked. “Are you feeling…persuaded?” He asked.

“I think…I’m getting there…we should definitely open…negotiations.” I answered breathless.

“I have all night.” Nobunaga replied before capturing my lips once again. The next thing I knew we were moving and Nobunaga was over me, his hand sliding inside my disheveled kimono, caressing my thigh.

“Well…I hope you can put your money where your mouth is.”

Nobunaga smirked as he untied my sash. He leaned down and began to kiss over my bare flesh. I let out a gasp when his lips closed around a nipple, his tongue swirling over the hardening peak. His hands continued to move over my body as his lips lavished my breasts in affection.

I found myself reaching to undo the ties of his clothes and sliding them off his shoulders, baring his body. He pulled back to look at me eyes burning with a passion. “You look stunning.” He told me as he leaned down to kiss down the front of my body.

I could feel my body tremble with each touch of his lips. The shockwaves of pleasure increased once he reached the apex of my thighs. His tongue slid past his lips and licked a strip up my slit before swirling around my sensitive bud.

“Haa…” I moaned as the shockwaves of pleasure came washed over me from Nobunaga’s skillful ministrations. My hips bucked of their own accord as my fingers wound their way into his hair. 

I felt Nobunaga’s lips quirk up into a smirk against me as he continued to pleasure me. I was sent over the edge when I felt him slip two fingers inside me, curling them at just the right angle, causing a powerful orgasm to wash over me.

Nobunaga continued his ministrations to draw out my pleasure. Then he withdrew to look at me, a cocky grin on his face. “Have my lips persuaded you yet?” He asked.

I returned his smirk with one of my own. “They…make a powerful argument.” I answered. “But… I think the rest of you should get in on the persuading.”

Nobunaga chuckled as he came over me, positioning himself between my open legs. “I am prepared to spend all night negotiating this alliance.” He replied, slipping himself inside and filling me in a way I had never experienced before. 

We kept our negotiations going all night, Nobunaga bringing me pleasure as I had never experienced before.