#oc: Riley Carter

[arrows-unofficial-ocs]

🖼️ + Riley Wilson? <3

⤷ Riley Sarah Wilson, daughter of Sam Wilson

Send me 🖼️ + an OC and I’ll make a moodboard for them!!

[azule-star]

BAND OC'S

Part (3/3)

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Name: BLOODLINE PULSE

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

THEIR INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS:

BAND LOGO:

[coolpikachu]

oc dump from this year ig... tryin to fall back in love w art

[mrs-delaney]

Hide | The Set-Up | Chapter One

Summary: Joe Burrow never liked talk shows, but a post-Super Bowl appearance on The Tonight Show was part of the job. He expected scripted questions, football talk, and a few forced laughs with Jimmy Fallon. What he didn’t expect? A surprise guest—Riley Carter, the lead singer of The Rambles, a band he’s quietly admired for years. A harmless game of “Love Match” turns into national TV humiliation when Joe picks Riley over every celebrity presented—only to have her walk out onto the stage moments later. What started as his worst nightmare might just turn into something much more interesting.

Pairings: Joe Burrow x Riley Carter (OC)

Word Count: 5.6k

Requested: No | Yes

Warnings: Mild language, talk show ambush, secondhand embarrassment, and undeniable chemistry

This story is ONLY posted on Wattpad and Tumblr under miss_delaney. If you see it anywhere else, it has been stolen. Do NOT copy, repost, translate, or distribute my work on any other platform. Please respect my writing.

Want to be added to the taglist? Drop a comment or message me! 💕

Requests: Open

Author’s Note: And so it begins! I wanted to set the stage for Joe and Riley’s story with an unforgettable (and hilariouslyuncomfortable) first meeting. Their chemistry is immediate but unexpected, and this talk show moment will definitely be something neither of them forgets. Buckle up—this is only the beginning! Let me know what you think! 😊💛

The air in the greenroom was stuffy, the leather couch sticking to Joe's palms as he shifted uncomfortably. A half-empty bottle of water sat on the glass table in front of him, condensation pooling around its base. He glanced at his phone—thirty minutes until showtime. Thirty minutes until he would be paraded out in front of a live studio audience like some kind of trained animal, expected to perform and charm and be witty.

He knew when he signed up to be a professional football player that there would be specific commitments he'd be uncomfortable with. At the top of that list? Talk show interviews. Yet, here he was, just weeks after his team's heartbreaking Super Bowl loss, sitting under the fluorescent lights of a Tonight Show greenroom, mentally preparing himself to face Jimmy Fallon and millions of viewers.

Joe ran a hand through his hair, carefully styled by the show's hair and makeup team despite his protests that he "looked fine." In his navy blue varsity-style sweater with white collar, dark blue pants, and silver Converse sneakers, he felt more comfortable than he would have in a suit and tie. He liked to keep things casual, understated—nothing that would draw unnecessary attention. His personal style was cool and effortlessly stylish, and thankfully his stylist had allowed him to wear his own clothes rather than forcing him into formal attire for this appearance.

"Ten minutes, Mr. Burrow," a production assistant called, poking her head through the door with a clipboard pressed to her chest. "Can I get you anything? Water? Coffee?"

"I'm good," Joe said, forcing a polite smile. "Thanks."

As the door closed again, he exhaled heavily. Why had he agreed to this? It wasn't that he disliked Jimmy—by all accounts, the host was a decent guy. But there was something about these talk shows that made Joe feel exposed, vulnerable. Football was different. On the field, he was in control. He knew the plays, understood the game, could anticipate the defense's moves. But talk shows? They were unpredictable. And Joe Burrow didn't do unpredictable if he could help it.

His phone buzzed with a text from his mom: *Good luck tonight! We're all watching!*

Great. More pressure.

The same PA appeared again, this time with more urgency. "Mr. Burrow? We're ready for you."

Joe stood, straightening his sweater and taking one last deep breath. Game face on. Just like preparing to take the field, except the arena was a brightly lit stage, and the opponents were awkward questions and his own social anxiety.

As he followed the PA through the maze of corridors, the dull roar of the audience grew louder. The studio was packed, every seat filled, the energy palpable even from backstage. A makeup artist rushed over for a final touch-up, dabbing powder on his forehead with practiced efficiency.

"You're on after the monologue," the stage manager explained, positioning Joe just offstage. "When Jimmy introduces you, just walk out, wave to the audience, and take a seat on the couch."

Joe nodded, his throat suddenly dry. Simple enough.

The show's theme music blared, and Joe could see Jimmy bound onto the stage, his trademark enthusiasm drawing immediate cheers from the audience. As the host launched into his monologue, Joe tried to focus on his breathing, on the solid ground beneath his feet, on anything but the fact that in a few minutes, he'd be on national television.

The audience's laughter ebbed and flowed with Jimmy's jokes, a few about the Super Bowl making Joe wince internally. Still too soon.

"Our first guest tonight is one of the NFL's brightest stars," Jimmy was saying now, his voice cutting through Joe's thoughts. "Quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals, please welcome Joe Burrow!"

The audience erupted, and Joe stepped onto the stage, the bright lights momentarily blinding him. He raised a hand in greeting, mustering a smile as he crossed to Jimmy, exchanged a brief handshake and half-hug, then settled onto the couch.

"Joe Burrow!" Jimmy exclaimed, as if they were old friends reuniting after years apart. "Man, it's great to have you here. How are you feeling after the Super Bowl? You guys played an incredible game."

And so it began—the usual questions about the season, about his teammates, about his plans for next year. Joe fell into the familiar rhythm of athlete interviews, giving just enough to seem engaged without revealing anything too personal. Always polite, occasionally funny, but careful. Measured. The Joe Burrow the public knew and the media expected.

Jimmy was mid-monologue when Joe realized this was going to be far worse than he thought. The host's expression shifted into something mischievous, a clear signal that the carefully structured interview was about to veer off course.

"So, Joe, we're going to play a little game tonight. I think you're going to love it. Or hate it. I don't know—you tell me after."

Joe's shoulders tensed, his fingers curling imperceptibly into the couch cushion beneath him. This wasn't part of the prep his publicist had gone over. "Uh... okay?" he managed, already feeling a cold sweat forming at the base of his neck.

"It's called Love Match. It's simple—I'll show you two people, and you pick who you'd rather hang out with. No pressure, totally harmless."

The audience tittered with anticipation, and Joe felt his pulse quicken. He hated these kinds of segments—the ones designed to create viral moments at the expense of guests' dignity. But there was no graceful way to refuse now, not with the cameras rolling and millions watching.

Joe wiped his palms on his jeans, the denim rough against his clammy hands. He was already regretting saying yes to this interview, already calculating how he'd face his teammates after whatever embarrassment was about to unfold. "Sure, let's do it," he muttered, earning knowing laughter from the audience who clearly recognized his discomfort.

Jimmy grinned and turned to the screen behind them, clearly enjoying himself. "Alright, first up—Bella Hadid or Riley Carter?"

Joe blinked, the name triggering an immediate reaction he couldn't control. Riley Carter. The name hit him like a freight train, derailing his carefully maintained composure. He knew her. Well, he didn't know her, but he knew *of* her. The lead singer of The Rambles, a band he'd been following since his college days. Her voice had been the soundtrack to some of his most significant moments—draft night, his first NFL win, even the quiet moments on the team bus when he needed to center himself.

It was more than just appreciating her music. There was something about her that had always caught his attention. The raw honesty in her lyrics, the way she carried herself in interviews, a confidence that seemed effortless and real. She was stunning too—blonde hair that fell in perfect waves, piercing blue eyes that always seemed to be looking right through you, a smile that could light up a room. It was a crush he'd been keeping to himself for a long time, not even sharing it with teammates during those late-night conversations when everyone else revealed their celebrity fantasies.

"Uh..." He shifted in his seat, stalling as his mind raced. He could lie, pick Bella Hadid like most guys probably would. The safe choice. The expected answer. But something made him hesitate. "Riley Carter," he finally said, the name feeling strange to say out loud in this context.

The audience cheered, and Jimmy's eyebrows shot up in exaggerated surprise. "Interesting! Alright, Riley Carter or Zendaya?"

Joe gave a nervous laugh, scratching the back of his neck as he realized he was now committed to this path. "Riley Carter."

"Oh, wow, she's on a roll!" Jimmy teased, clearly enjoying Joe's discomfort. "Alright, Riley or Kendall Jenner?"

Joe shook his head and smiled to himself, resigned to his fate. If he was going to be embarrassed on national TV, he might as well be honest. "Still Riley."

Jimmy leaned back in his chair, feigning shock as the audience's cheers grew louder. "Well, folks, I think we've found the most loyal man in Hollywood. Joe, it seems like Riley Carter's got your full attention!"

Joe tried to laugh it off, though he could feel the heat rising in his face, the telltale warmth that he knew meant he was turning crimson. "Yeah, I guess so," he managed, trying to seem casual despite the fact that his heart was pounding against his ribcage.

Jimmy glanced offstage with a sly grin that immediately set off alarm bells in Joe's head. That look—he'd seen it before on other talk shows. It was the look that preceded the ambush, the surprise that made for great TV but terrible personal experiences.

"Well, that's convenient because—surprise—I happen to know Riley personally. In fact, I invited her to the show tonight. Everyone, please welcome Riley Carter!"

The audience roared, a wall of sound that seemed to fade into the background as Joe's world narrowed to a single point. This couldn't be happening. His private admiration—not even admitted to his closest friends—was about to be thrust into the spotlight in the most mortifying way possible.

And then she was there, emerging from the wings, walking toward him with the easy grace he'd only seen in music videos and concert footage. Riley appeared from backstage, looking effortlessly stunning in a white silk crop top and high-waisted flared pants that accentuated her figure perfectly. Her blonde hair fell in loose waves around her shoulders, framing a face that was even more beautiful in person than on screen. The studio lights caught the subtle highlights in her hair, the gleam of her simple gold earrings, and the soft pink of her lips.

Joe's stomach dropped, a physical sensation like missing a step on a staircase. Pure, unadulterated panic coursed through him as the distance between them closed. He shot to his feet, operating on autopilot, his mom's voice in his head reminding him to stand when a woman entered the room.

She approached with a smile that seemed genuinely warm rather than the practiced expression of a celebrity forced into an uncomfortable situation. Up close, Joe noticed details he'd never been able to see on screens—the light dusting of freckles across her nose, the striking blue of her eyes, the small scar near her left eyebrow.

"Hi, how are you?" she asked as she leaned in for a quick hug, her voice softer in person than he'd expected.

The scent of her perfume—something subtle and warm, like vanilla and bergamot—briefly surrounded him as they embraced. Joe's brain short-circuited, processing the surreal reality that Riley Carter—*the* Riley Carter—was hugging him on national television after he'd just admitted to basically having a crush on her.

"Good. Huge fan, by the way," Joe managed, his voice slightly shaky, aware of how utterly inadequate the words were. *Huge fan*? Could he sound any more like a cliché?

"Thanks," Riley said warmly, showing no sign that she found this situation as bizarre as he did. She took her seat on the couch beside him, close enough that he could see the delicate gold bracelet on her wrist, could smell that subtle perfume again.

Jimmy clapped his hands together, clearly thrilled with the success of his surprise. "Alright, Joe, Riley, this is already off to a great start. Riley, I hope you don't mind, but I've been telling Joe all about you."

Riley turned to Joe, her brow raised playfully, a hint of mischief in her striking blue eyes. "Oh, really? Should I be worried?"

Joe chuckled nervously, hyperaware of the cameras capturing every expression, every movement. "Probably."

Jimmy laughed, leaning forward in his chair. "Joe's been very consistent tonight, Riley. Picked you over everyone. Kendall Jenner? Nope. Zendaya? Nope. It was Riley Carter every time. You're basically his MVP."

Joe fought the urge to slide down into the couch and disappear. This was beyond embarrassing—it was excruciating. Having his private thoughts broadcast not just to an audience but to the very person those thoughts centered on made him want to evaporate on the spot.

But Riley seemed to take it all in stride, grinning as she looked over at Joe with what appeared to be genuine amusement rather than discomfort. "Well, loyalty is important, right?"

Her easy response gave Joe a lifeline, something to grasp onto in this sea of mortification. "That's what I was going for," he replied, a small smile finding its way to his lips despite the circumstances. Maybe, just maybe, he could survive this.

Jimmy leaned forward, his voice dropping as if sharing a secret, though of course his microphone ensured the entire studio audience—and millions of viewers—could hear every word. "You know, Riley, Joe told me earlier that this is his worst nightmare."

Joe groaned, running a hand down his face, wishing he'd never confided that particular fear to the host during their pre-show chat. "Jimmy, don't do this to me," he pleaded, but there was no stopping the train now.

Riley laughed, the sound light and musical, clearly enjoying his discomfort but not in a malicious way. "Oh, really? And why's that, Joe?"

He glanced at her, his cheeks tinged red, feeling like he was back in high school being called on in class when he hadn't done the reading. "Uh... because now I look like a total idiot?"

"You're doing fine," she said, her voice soft and reassuring in a way that suggested she understood exactly how uncomfortable he was.

Jimmy clapped his hands, clearly pleased with the chemistry unfolding before him. "See? She thinks you're doing fine. That's progress! Alright, we've got to take a quick commercial break, but don't go anywhere—we'll be back with more from Joe Burrow and Riley Carter!"

As the red light on the main camera switched off, signaling they were no longer live, Joe exhaled heavily, his shoulders slumping slightly with the temporary reprieve. The studio lights remained bright, the audience still watching expectantly, but at least they had a moment's pause from the national spotlight.

The camera crew moved into position for the commercial break, adjusting equipment and checking angles. Jimmy turned his attention to a producer who had approached with a clipboard, leaving Joe and Riley with a moment to themselves on the couch.

Riley leaned slightly toward Joe, her voice low enough that only he could hear. "So, this is your worst nightmare, huh?"

The proximity, the subtle scent of her perfume, the direct eye contact—it was overwhelming in the best possible way. Joe exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "You have no idea," he admitted, surprised by his own honesty.

She laughed softly, the sound more intimate now that it wasn't performative for an audience. "You know, I think it's sweet. I mean, you didn't know this was going to happen, right?"

Joe met her eyes, grateful for the understanding he found there. "Not at all. I thought I was just playing a dumb game for laughs. I didn't think you'd actually be here."

"Well, surprise," she said, smiling, a genuine warmth in her expression that made his chest tighten strangely. "It's not so bad, is it?"

Joe shrugged, a small grin tugging at his lips despite himself. "It could be worse. You could've said I was weird or something."

Riley tilted her head thoughtfully, her eyes studying his face in a way that made him feel simultaneously exposed and seen. "Weird? No. Nervous? Definitely. But it's kind of endearing."

The compliment caught him off guard, and Joe chuckled, running a hand through his carefully styled hair, probably ruining the makeup team's hard work. "Yeah, well, it's not every day you get ambushed by your celebrity crush on national TV."

The words escaped before he could filter them, his usual carefully maintained guard momentarily lowered by the surreal situation and Riley's disarming presence. As soon as he said it, he wished he could take it back, stuff the admission back into the private corner of his mind where it belonged.

Riley blinked, caught off guard by his honesty, before her lips curled into a slow smile that transformed her entire face. Something playful and pleased sparked in her blue eyes. "Celebrity crush, huh?"

Joe's face turned bright red, the heat spreading all the way to the tips of his ears. He looked away, focusing on a random spot on the stage floor. "I walked right into that one, didn't I?"

"Just a little," she teased, her voice laced with amusement but no judgment. "But don't worry—I'm flattered."

Before Joe could respond, Jimmy returned, clapping his hands together with renewed energy. "Alright, we're back, folks! Let's jump right back into it!"

The red light on the camera blinked on, and just like that, they were live again. Joe straightened slightly, trying to regain his composure as the interview continued.

The rest of the segment flowed more easily than Joe could have anticipated. The initial shock had worn off, and there was something about Riley's presence—the way she effortlessly filled silences, laughed at the right moments, and occasionally glanced at him with what seemed like genuine interest—that made the experience almost... enjoyable?

Riley talked about her new album and upcoming tour with her band, her passion evident in the way she leaned forward, hands animated as she described the creative process. Joe found himself watching her more than he should, captivated by the little details—the way she tucked her hair behind her ear when she was thinking, the slight crinkle around her eyes when she smiled genuinely.

When the conversation turned to him, Joe surprised himself by opening up about his plans for the offseason, including a long-overdue vacation in the Bahamas with his family. Normally, he kept such details vague, offering just enough to satisfy the question without revealing anything too personal. But something about the night—maybe the fact that his carefully constructed wall had already been breached—made it easier to share.

Despite his earlier nerves, Joe found himself relaxing more as the conversation went on. Riley laughed at his jokes, even the bad ones, and they shared a few lingering glances that left him wondering if she might actually be into him too—a possibility so far-fetched he could barely allow himself to consider it.

By the time the segment ended, Joe felt almost disappointed. He'd survived what he thought would be a nightmare, only to find it had transformed into something unexpectedly pleasant.

Jimmy stood to thank them both, his expression satisfied—he'd gotten exactly the kind of segment producers dream about. "Alright, let's give it up for Joe Burrow and Riley Carter, everyone! Thanks for being such good sports tonight!"

"Thanks for having us," Riley said with a bright smile, the picture of graciousness.

Joe, finding a bit of his usual humor despite the circumstances, added, "Yeah, this was... something. But I think I survived."

Jimmy laughed, already angling for a follow-up story. "You did great, Joe. Just make sure I get invited to the wedding someday."

The audience roared with approval, and Joe shook his head, laughing despite himself. "Yeah, we'll see about that."

As the cameras stopped rolling and the show moved to its next segment, Riley turned to him, her expression unreadable for a moment. Joe braced himself for the letdown, for the polite but distant thank you and goodbye that would signal the end of this strange interaction.

Instead, she surprised him. "See you backstage?" she asked, her voice carrying a hint of hopefulness that sent a rush of something warm through his chest.

Joe nodded, trying not to look too eager. "Yeah. Definitely."

As they both rose and made their way off the stage, Joe felt a strange mixture of emotions—lingering embarrassment from the ambush, adrenaline from the live performance, and something else. Something that felt dangerously like hope.

Joe was a private person; this was something he worked very hard to maintain. Despite his career, he tried to keep his life as normal as possible. He carefully separated Joe Burrow the quarterback from Joe Burrow the person. He limited his social media presence, declined most endorsement deals that would put him in the spotlight more than necessary, and cultivated a small, tight-knit circle of trusted friends.

So, as he left the stage after what was probably the most humiliating interview of his life, Joe was crossing his fingers that Riley wasn't just pretending not to be weirded out by the whole thing. If she was weirded out, he'd have to retire immediately, move to a remote island, and never show his face in public again.

Okay, maybe that was a little dramatic, but he was certain of one thing: he would never agree to another talk show again. No matter how much his agent insisted it was "good for his brand."

The backstage area was a maze of corridors, production equipment, and busy staff members. Joe nodded politely to various crew members as he made his way through the hallways, his signature navy varsity sweater with white collar and blue pants making him easily recognizable despite his attempts to slip by unnoticed. He grabbed his duffel bag from where his assistant had left it backstage, slung it over his shoulder, and considered his next move.

The logical thing would be to head straight back to his hotel, call his agent to complain about the ambush, and try to forget the whole embarrassing episode. But the thought of leaving without talking to Riley again felt wrong somehow.

As Joe rounded a corner, he spotted a sign with Riley's name on a dressing room door at the end of the hallway. He paused, taking a deep breath to steady himself. Inside, he was a mess of nerves and uncertainty, but outwardly, he maintained the same cool composure he carried onto the field before big games. It was a skill he'd perfected years ago - never let them see you sweat.

Meanwhile, back on the stage, Riley turned to Jimmy with a playful but pointed glare as soon as the cameras were off.

"Alright, Jimmy, what the hell was that?" she asked, crossing her arms with a look that was half-amused, half-exasperated.

Jimmy laughed, throwing up his hands in mock defense, his expression utterly unrepentant. "Hey, don't blame me! I wasn't planning for things to go that well. I just thought it would be a fun little game—Joe's the one who went all-in on picking you every single time."

Riley shook her head, clearly flustered but unable to maintain real anger at the host's matchmaking attempt. "I mean, yeah, but still. You didn't warn me this was going to turn into a matchmaking ambush on live television."

Jimmy leaned in with a knowing grin, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "Come on, admit it—you were into it. He was practically blushing the entire time! And don't think I didn't notice the way you kept sneaking glances at him."

The observation hit closer to home than Riley was comfortable acknowledging. She'd been genuinely charmed by Joe's obvious nervousness, by the unfiltered honesty that had slipped out when he admitted to his crush. It was refreshing—most men she met in the industry were all polished lines and practiced confidence. Joe's authenticity had caught her off guard in the best possible way.

"Jimmy," Riley groaned, wanting to end the conversation before the host could see too much in her reaction. "I am never coming on this show again."

"Oh, sure," he teased, clearly not believing her for a second. "Just make sure to thank me in your wedding toast."

Riley rolled her eyes, already heading for the door, but she couldn't quite suppress the smile that threatened to break through. "Goodbye, Jimmy."

"Goodbye, Riley! Love you!" Jimmy called after her with a laugh that followed her down the corridor.

As soon as Riley stepped into her dressing room, she was ambushed by her publicist, Jesse, who had been watching the segment on the monitor and was practically bouncing with excitement.

"Riley! Oh my God, that was amazing!" Jesse exclaimed, her dark curls bobbing as she gestured enthusiastically. "The way you two kept sneaking glances at each other? And the blushing? I mean, seriously, the entire audience was eating it up!"

Riley groaned, collapsing onto the plush couch as she covered her face with her hands, the cool metal of her rings pressing against her warm skin. "Please tell me it wasn't as bad as it felt."

"Bad? Are you kidding me? That was the stuff rom coms are made of," Jesse said, sitting on the armrest of the couch with a dramatic flourish, her tailored pantsuit crinkling slightly. "You were charming, he was adorable—it was perfect. Social media is already buzzing, by the way. 'Riley Carter and Joe Burrow' is trending."

Riley peeked out from behind her hands, narrowing her eyes at her publicist and longtime friend. "Seriously? That fast?"

"Uh, yeah." Jesse held up her phone, the screen illuminated with a flood of tweets and Instagram posts. "The second he turned bright red when you walked out, it was over for him. Everyone loves it. But forget Twitter for a second—did you see the way he looked at you? Riley, the man is smitten."

The thought sent a strange flutter through Riley's stomach, one she hadn't felt in a long time. She'd met plenty of attractive men over the years—fellow musicians, actors, models—but there was something about Joe Burrow's unassuming charm, the way he seemed almost reluctant to be in the spotlight despite his career, that intrigued her.

"Oh my God, Jesse, stop," Riley said, half-laughing, half-groaning as she pushed herself up from the couch.

Jesse smirked, smoothing her blazer as she stood. "Alright, fine. I'll stop. But only if you march down to his dressing room right now and give him your number."

Riley's eyes widened, a rush of unexpected nerves flooding her system. "What? No. That's not happening."

Despite her words, a part of her considered it. What was the harm? If nothing else, she'd have a funny story about the time she gave her number to Joe Burrow after Jimmy Fallon tried to set them up on national television.

"Okay, fine," Jesse said, crossing her arms with a determined expression that Riley recognized all too well. "Then he can come here. Either way, this is happening, because the energy between you two was insane, and if you don't do something about it, I will."

Riley opened her mouth to argue, to tell Jesse that she was being ridiculous, that whatever chemistry the audience thought they saw was just the product of an awkward situation handled with mutual grace. But before she could get the words out, there was a soft knock at the door.

The sound sliced through the room like a thunderclap despite its gentleness. Both women froze, staring at the door as if it might reveal its secrets without being opened.

Jesse's eyes lit up, and she gasped, clapping a hand over her mouth. "Holy shit. What if it's him?"

"Stop," Riley hissed, suddenly feeling very aware of how fast her heart was beating. She sat frozen for a moment, her stomach doing somersaults, caught between hoping it was Joe and hoping it was literally anyone else.

"What are you waiting for? Go open it!" Jesse urged, waving her toward the door with frantic gestures.aving her toward the door with frantic gestures.

Taking a deep breath to calm her inexplicably racing heart, Riley stood, smoothed her hands down her pants, and crossed to the door. Her fingers hesitated on the handle for just a second before she pulled it open.

Standing in the hallway was Joe Burrow, his navy blue varsity-style sweater with white collar, dark blue pants, and white Converse sneakers making him look effortlessly cool. His stance exuded quiet confidence - one hand casually in his pocket, shoulders relaxed, posture perfect - the same easy self-assurance he displayed walking through stadium tunnels before games.

Inside, Joe's panic was at maximum level, his heart pounding against his ribs like it was trying to escape, thoughts racing through his mind at lightning speed. But none of this showed on his face. Outwardly, he maintained perfect composure, the same unflappable demeanor he'd perfected for high-pressure game situations. He leaned slightly against the doorframe with practiced nonchalance, his expression giving away nothing of the chaos inside.

"Hey," Joe said, his voice smooth and controlled, with just the right balance of confidence and warmth. "I, uh, just wanted to come by and say I'm really sorry about what happened out there. Jimmy kind of blindsided me."

Riley leaned against the doorframe, a small smile tugging at her lips. She was conscious of Jesse hovering just out of sight, no doubt drinking in every word of this interaction for future teasing material. "You don't have to apologize. Honestly, I thought it was kind of sweet."

Joe blinked, relief flickering across his face, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "You did?"

"Yeah," she said, her smile widening. "I mean, it was awkward, sure, but in a cute way. You handled it way better than I would've."

Joe laughed softly, glancing down at his shoes—expensive-looking leather loafers that somehow didn't seem like his style. "Well, I seriously considered running for the exit at one point."

Riley laughed, the sound genuine and unrestrained. "I believe that."

The moment felt lighter now, the initial awkwardness dissolving into something more comfortable. Joe looked back at her, a playful glint in his eye that she hadn't noticed during the interview. "So... I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing that Jimmy was basically narrating my humiliation out there, but you seemed to handle it like a pro."

"Are you kidding? I was dying," Riley said, grinning. "You're the one who stayed cool the whole time."

Joe tilted his head, raising an eyebrow in a way that transformed his face, adding a mischievous quality to his otherwise clean-cut appearance. "Pretty sure sweating through my shirt doesn't count as staying cool."

Riley laughed again, shaking her head, one hand reaching up to tuck a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. "Fair enough. But still—it was fun. In a totally ridiculous way."

Joe rubbed the back of his neck, his smile softening into something more genuine, less performative. "Yeah, ridiculous sounds about right."

There was a beat of quiet between them, not awkward, but charged in the best way. The kind of silence that felt like its own conversation. Finally, Joe broke it, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.

"So, uh..." He hesitated, then let out a small laugh that betrayed his nervousness. "Man, I'm terrible at this."

"At what?" Riley asked, tilting her head, though she had a pretty good idea of what was coming next.

Joe took a breath, his gaze meeting hers directly, a determined set to his jaw like he was facing down a defensive line rather than asking a simple question. "I was wondering if maybe you'd want to grab dinner sometime. While you're in town, I mean."

Riley blinked, caught off guard but pleasantly surprised by his directness. She'd expected more hesitation, maybe even a non-committal suggestion to "keep in touch." "Dinner?"

"Yeah," Joe said quickly, stuffing his hands deeper into his pockets, his eyes searching her face for clues to her thoughts. "No pressure or anything. I just thought... if you're free, maybe we could—"

"I'd love that," Riley interrupted, her smile soft but genuine. The decision felt right, spontaneous in a way she'd been trying to embrace more lately.

Joe paused, clearly not expecting that answer, his eyes widening slightly. "Really?"

"Really," Riley said with a small laugh, amused by his surprise. Was it so hard to believe she'd want to have dinner with him?

Joe's face lit up, a smile spreading across his features that transformed him completely. Gone was the careful, controlled athlete from the interview; in his place was someone younger, more open, almost boyishly pleased. He pulled his phone from his pocket, unlocking it before handing it to her. "Here, put your number in?"

Riley took the phone with a nod, quickly typing in her number before handing it back to him. Their fingers brushed in the exchange, a brief moment of contact that shouldn't have registered but somehow did.

"There you go," she said, her tone teasing but kind.

Joe stared at the screen for a moment, her name now sitting there in his contacts, as if he couldn't quite believe what had just happened. "Thanks. I, uh... I'll text you soon. For real."

"I'll hold you to that," Riley said with a smile that felt more genuine than most she'd given that day.

Joe hesitated for a moment, a brief internal debate playing out in his eyes, before he leaned in and pressed a light kiss to her cheek. The gesture was sweet, unexpected, and over almost as soon as it began. "Goodnight, Riley."

The brief contact left a warm spot on her skin, and Riley found herself momentarily at a loss for words. "Goodnight, Joe," she managed, her voice warm despite her surprise.

As the door clicked shut behind him, Riley leaned back against it with a soft sigh, her lips curling into a smile she couldn't fight if she tried. Behind her, Jesse let out a gleeful squeal that Riley chose to ignore, too caught up in replaying the last few minutes in her head.

A talk show ambush, a mutual admission of attraction, and a dinner date—all in one night. Not at all how she'd expected her evening to go when she'd agreed to appear on The Tonight Show.

But as she touched her fingers lightly to the spot where Joe's lips had brushed her cheek, Riley found herself looking forward to what might come next.

[taurasiluv]

girl with the tattoo ⸝ ⸝ ⸝ series information & masterlist

「pairing」 breanna stewart x rookie riley carter (oc)

「summary」 riley carter was just drafted to the new york liberty. its a dream come true, but what happens when she accidentally falls in love with her vet?

「cw」 smut, age gap relationship, & angst. specific content warnings will be added in each chapter

chapters

one. two. three. four. five.

[laswells-ashtray]

I’m really into Marevl Superhero’s right now, I can tell you all about Squirrel Girl and how’s she peak, or how Peggy Carter could be a great captain America.

This brings me to the reason why I send you an ask, what super heros do you think the characters in the CoD-verse would like?

DC, Marvel, so on and so forth

I personally think that Simon is big into comics only because 09 Simon has his own comic series.

And despite loving characters It feels weird to assign them favorites, I struggle with this with my own OCs. I also like hearing others thoughts and opinions, I like to learn. I’m sorry for rambling, I just like superheros a lot.

Ayyy, I like a good DC hero and I fuck with the X-men. I fuck with Marvel depending on what it is because their newer stuff is kinda meh but I hold some classics close in my heart. Anyway, on to the good shit and this is coming from my completely biased opinions about superheroes, prior warning.

Simon likes Watchmen. Not a fan of the movie, almost all comic fans aren't but he likes the TV show and appreciates the fact that Trent Reznor was responsible for the soundtrack. As do we all.

Kyle read V for Vendetta way back when and still likes to watch the movie on or as close to Bonfire Night as he can get.

Johnny and Alex share a fondness for Spiderman, in my soul I can feel that I'm correct about this. Comics, cartoons and movies. They each have preferences for live action. Alex appreciates the look of Garfield but prefers Maguire and Johnny just straight-up prefers Garfield. Farah has been made to watch the Spiderman movies with Alex and she's of the opinion that Aunt May deserves a drink.

Batman is the guy. He is the superhero. Bruce Wayne has bitches slobbering on it, including John Price, Rodolfo Parra and [because it's Bruce Thomas iykyk] Adler. John likes the live-action movies, preference for Kilmer. Rudy always liked the cartoons and the comics. Adler likes Keaton's Batman and a bunch of silly Batman commercials that they did in the 2000s. Once again, adding this in for my own silly little joke.

Graves [and someone will disagree with me here but I simply don't care] was an X-Men fan. I won't comment on him as a person but I feel he liked the X-Men and Scott Summers was usually his favourite but he always did have an appreciation for Storm.

Kate Laswell as I have said before and will say again, has an appreciation for pretty much every Catwoman. Never really got into the comics but she did watch Batman Returns as a lesbian and damn. Damn.

Also members of the Jason Todd support group, whether they have read comics or for some reason or other watched Batman: Under the Red Hood and just felt bad for him:

Simon Riley [runs the club]

Kyle Garrick [runs the club when Simon is brooding]

John MacTavish [didn't pay attention to the movie but if Ghost and Gaz tell him to support the cause then he will]

Rodolfo Parra [would bundle kiddo Jason Todd in a blanket if he could]

Kate Laswell [watched it with a nephew, wants to smack Batman]

Phillip Graves [thinks he could domesticate Jason Todd like a stray cat]

[twoandahalfdimes]

intro post time !!

Hihi! I'm Elis (or Dimes if you prefer!) :3

BASIC INFO:

★ I go by either she/her or he/him !

★ I'm straight.

★ I have many hobbies! Jack of all trades, but my main ones are drawing, cycling, swimming, reading and writing!

★ I like stars, the colours red and blue, hot chocolate, and the water! (esp aquatic animals <333)

★ Undiagnosed (more like self-researched/self-diagnosed) A(u)DHD..

★ MY STRAWPAGE !!! (please check for stuff like byf, dni ect because i will not have it listed here!)

mOre inFO UNDER THE CUT!!!!!💞

FANDOMS AND FAVS:

Alright so this is going to probably be a list and I'll add when i remember. I'm actually pretty multifandom, from books to shows to games, and i know a handful about each popular game because of my instagram and youtube fyps!

(any in either red or blue are my main favs !)

★ Call Of Duty - Simon "Ghost" Riley (no i really am not sane about him at all) and Kyle "Gaz" Garrick

★ Undertale - Toriel, Chara and Frisk

★ Vocaloid - Kasane Teto (i really love them all)

★ Honkai: Star Rail - Aventurine, Agalea, Huohuo, Anaxagoras, Castorice

★ Harry Potter - Sirius Black and Ron Weasley

★ Jujutsu Kaisen - Yuuji Itadori, Choso Kamo, Geto Suguru, Hiromi Higuruma

★ Bungou Stray Dogs - Sigma and Atsushi Nakajima

★ The Cruel Prince - Jude Duarte and Cardan Greenbriar

★ Sanrio - Chococat and Hello Kitty

★ Sherlock Holmes - Sherlock Holmes (guys im literally him i swear we're the same plea-), John Watson, G./Greg Lestrade, Enola Holmes

★ Gokuragukai - Alma and Utsuro

★ Cookie Run Kingdom - Hot Cocoa Cookie, Agar Agar Cookie

★ to be added......

POSTS I LIKE:

★ ART TRADE with @eggzeroni !!<3 ft. Enzo I.

★ ART from @eggzeroni ft. Agnes H. (im literally crying over this.)

★ ART by @eggzeroni and i! ft. Enzo I. and Rayna Q.

★ APPRECIATION POST by @eggzeroni (i will cherish this forever seriously)

★ ART by @eggzeroni ft. Sherlock Holmes (excuse me ill go throw up and cry and die over this)

★ ART by @eggzeroni ft. Agzo (im actively screaming)

★ to be added.....

SOME OTHER STUFF:

★ I like to play Call Of Duty Mobile, Cookie Run Kingdom, Honkai: Star Rail, and just getting into Hogwarts Legacy!

★ ouhhh i love tag yapping !!!!

★ if you are ever in need of a beta reader, please please do consider me. I love reading and would love to help you :333

★ don't be afraid to hmu if you want to discuss any fandom!!! i love hearing people yap. just please let me yap too 😋

★ favourite songs here... <33

★ do please check out my oc blog !! @ask-el-n-carter <3 (send in asks or anything!!)

★ i speak (🇪🇬) arabic and english !!!<3

★ to be added....

CREATIVE STUFF:

★ ART - AGNES H. / ENZO I. first meet :3

★ ART - ENZO I. - matching pfps !!

★ ART - RAYNA Q. - present

★ WRITING - AGNES H. / ENZO I. - the look of love (the rush of blood)

★ to be added....

⇢ ˗ˏˋ uh oh! you've caught me at a wrong time.... please come back later when this is updated! For OC content, do check out @double-sidedcoin !!

(most art ive shared is on @twoandahalfdimes on instagram! thank you :3)

TAGS:

★ #twodimes for yaps !!

→ #el yaps

★ #1★ for simon riley stuff

★ #1.1★ for other call of duty stuff !!

★ #2★ for relatable stuff !!

★ #3★ for sherlock !!

★ #4★ for vocaloid !!

★ #5★ for undertale !!

★ #6★ for any other fandom !!

★ #7★ for miscellaneous !!

→ #el loves books

→ #el loves anime

★ #dimes' art for my art !!

★ #dimes' moots for my friends !!!!

★ #dimesresponds for asks I've answered !

★ #dimes' writer resources is pretty self explanatory !

thank you so much if you've actually read thru this !! here's a cookie :3 🍪 i hope you enjoyed... i had sm fun making this and i hope i could continue to add to it. <3

Borders are by @saradika-graphics ! all pictures from pinterest. layout inspo is from @eggzeroni thank you sm !!!

made: apr 17, 2025 💫 last edited: july 4, 2025

[queenlegacyproductions]

Gangsta’s Paradise

Pairing: Cody Rhodes/OC (Riley Carter)

Summary: After suffering a loss at Wrestlemania, Cody’s downward spiral is cut short when a certain American Gangsta seeks to tend to The American Nightmare’s wounds with a vacay. 

Warnings: Switch!OC, Switch!Cody Rhodes, Cody gets a bit feral ngl, Use of handcuffs and a blindfold, choking (lil bit), spanking, Oral (M. and F receiving), Dirty Talk, someone gets fucked dumb, etc.

Author’s Note: 10 months…It took me 10 MONTHS TO WRITE THIS SHIT. I hate writer’s block and low inspiration. Anyway, Enjoy my debauchery. As per usual,  

By proceeding with reading this work, you therefore accept any and all drawbacks from horniness. I.e, sudden soul departure, loss of underwear and extreme thirst. The author is not liable for medical and/or therapy costs, should side effects occur. 

-Signed Management

~///~

1!

2!

3! 

“And your winner…AND STILL The Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, ROMAN REIGNS!”

Bullshit. 

Straight Cow Manure. 

These were the thoughts that ran through Riley’s head when she heard the announcement, watching the match in Cody’s locker room. The frustrated sigh that she exhaled as she rubbed her face in both hands to prevent herself from not hauling ass out there, her infamous Harley Quinn-eque mallet swinging and busting heads. She looked back at the TV just in time to see the look on her boyfriend’s face. 

Heartbreak and defeat was evident on it which further angered her and broke her heart at the same time. She could tell what he was thinking, too; How he was so close and how he would’ve won if it wasn’t for those rat bastards that were the bloodline’s shenanigans. Riley also took note of how quiet the arena was after that. 

Frankly, disappointment was in everyone’s spirits except for the bloodline, their small group of fans and Vince McMahon. Or Hunter. Who knows and who gives a shit, she thinks when Cody enters his locker room. Riley turns around to look at him, shoulders sagged with that look of defeat on his face still as he sits on the couch next to her. 

“Hey there, Angel Eyes…” Riley hopes to sweeten up to him as she leans over to rub his shoulders. “You ok? I know it’s a dumb question to ask right now but…I need to know what my baby’s thinking or feeling right now.” Cody gives her a deep sigh as he rubs his face. 

“I had him. I almost had him, Riles. But then I-." 

“Don’t you fucking dare, Mister.” Riley stops and rests her hands on his shoulders. "That sleazeball Paul and Solo are the reason The Tribal Chief doesn't sleep with nightmares tonight." She sighs as she slips her hands down his arms to wrap her arms around his waist. “In due time, babe. In due time.” There was a slight pause before she continued. “In the meantime, how about I cash in your victory gift?” 

This made Cody look up at her. “My victory gift? Riles, I didn't win.” 

"The belts, you didn’t win but you did win a vacation." Riley clarified. "Remember back in June, I said that I was gonna pay for our vacation this time but you got hurt and then you were mad busy because someone decided to win the rumble and the build up to Wrestlemania on top of being an EVP of AEW. Basically, what I’m saying Code, is that yo ass needs a break.” 

There was a brief pause as Cody reflected on her words before he spoke. “Well, you do have a point. Can’t remember the last time I had a break.” 

“Yeah, Mister ‘Do the work’.” She tosses him his bag. “Now do the work and pack up. I don’t want to keep the pilot waiting.” 

Cody raises an eyebrow, his face in bewilderment. “Pilot?”

“Yeah, a pilot. What, you think I'mma take a 12 hour plane ride with the poors in First Class?” Riley raised an eyebrow in question. “Angel, I may be a frugal motherfucka sometimes but even I have standards. Standards that don’t include that bullshit you call The Nightmare Express” This gets a chuckle out of him.

“You really need to stop hanging around Max.” Cody said as he got up to pack.

Riley cringes at the statement. “I do not. That fatherless bastard likes to harass me for advice like the orphan he is. Now, hurry up or you gettin’ left.” 

~///~

2 days had passed before the two had left the city of angels behind and had arrived at the hotel in Venice, Italy. Already irritated at the shenanigans of Brock on the following Monday night, Riley gave him an ultimatum that he could handle whatever business he can before they were on the plane before Cody convinced her to let him work while on the plane.

‘A’ight, fine but once the plane lands,’ She kissed him on the cheek while he was on call with Kenny and The Bucks. ‘You’re all mine, Angel…’ She smiled. Once the couple arrived at their suite, Riley immediately dropped her bags by the door and plopped face first on the bed in the master bedroom. 

“Ah, finally…” Riley sighs, muffled into the bed. “I was almost about to lose my mind in that jet.” 

Cody chuckled and placed his bags next to hers. “I’m sorry, Doll.” He sits down next to her on the bed. “I would’ve kept you entertained if I could.” 

Riley shook her head, rising to sit up straight next to him. “Mm-mm. Nah, I wanted you to handle whatever business you had to do, Mista Executive because, like I said on the plane,” She kissed him on the lips. “You’re all mine…” She smiled at him which he returned.

“Well…” Cody picked her up by her hips to sit him in his lap. “I’m all yours now. What do you wanna do to me?” He leans forward to kiss her but Riley cuts him off with a finger to his lips.

“Uh-uh-uh. Nope. You didn’t wanna join the mile high club so you not gettin’ the nookie that easily. Besides, we’re in Italy! And I really wanna check out the Golden Rectangle. Mami needs more Armani and Cartier.” She hops off his lap. 

He sighs, plopping backwards on the bed as she walks to the bathroom. “Really? You brought us here just to shop?” He exasperated. 

Riley scoffs. “No, dummy. I have other plans for you as well.”

~///~

"Babe, come on. How much more do you need?" Cody sat on the couch outside the dressing room, his head on his hand while he watched the inky crimson fluffy coils that was Riley’s 'fro roamed around the Dolce and Gabbana store. “You already practically bought out all of Versace.” He gestured to the boatload of bags at his feet. Riley sputters as she looks through the lingerie section. 

“S’cuse me, I have a special night planned with my man and the clothes I bought with me are not up to par with the event planned.” She explains as she collects a few sets. “Speaking of that, you have a decent suit?” She stopped in front of the dressing room, looking at him with a raised eyebrow.

Cody scoffs. “Of course I do, Doll. Why?” 

“What color is it?” She further questioned.

“It’s the dark purple one you like. You know, the one I wore to that photoshoot for my dog collar match with Brodie. I had black hair at the time.” He explained.

“Mmm-mmm-mmm…Lord have mercy.” Riley nods in remembrance. “You really do look good in that suit.” She walks into the dressing room. “Really brings out those pretty eyes of yours.”

“So you tell me, babe. Why do you ask?” 

“So in order to avoid waiting for me to get dressed, I would like to know exactly what I’m gonna wear tonight.” She said from behind the door. Cody then chuckles. 

“Great, so now I only have to wait an hour for you to get ready.” 

“Ya mama!” She responded with playful venom as he laughed.

~///~

A few hours passed after Riley practically dragged Cody around her shopping spree and they were back at the hotel. 

"Cody, hurry yo ass up! Yo hair is fine, ya idiot now come on before we miss our reservation!" Riley yelled after him as she adjusted her dress in the mirror of the foyer. “I swear, got the nerve to tell me I take too long and here he go…”  She then hears the sounds of Cody’s footsteps making his way to the foyer, adjusting his cufflinks. 

“I’m right here, babe.” He kissed her on her cheek before grabbing their coats by the door. “Besides, what’s the rush? Didn’t you rent out the whole restaurant?” 

“Just because no one else is gonna be there to witness me in my finest unless they paid me first, it does not excuse us being late.” She said as Cody helped her put on her coat. “Something, something punctuality. Something, something good time management. Now, hurry along. I have a hot date and I refuse to be late, even if fashionably.” She declared as she stormed out the room with her head up high and swinging the door open in a dramatic fashion. Cody chuckles at her antics. 

After they arrived and ate, Riley led him to the ferry station nearby for a gondola ride to see the sights at night. It is there when the American Couple found themselves cuddled together, holding each other

“The city is so beautiful at night.” She commented, resting her head on his shoulder. 

“Yeah, it is.” He said, looking at her. 

“I swear to god, if I look up and see you looking at me, I'mma throw you overboard, you absolute cheeseball.” Cody laughs at her semi-serious threat. 

“So you’re saying you’re not beautiful?” 

“I ain’t say all that, now.” She looks up at him. “I’m saying you’re corny, sir.” 

“Like taking a gondola ride in Venice with your girlfriend is not corny either.” He laughs, pulling her close. 

“Yeah, well…” She leans forward, lips almost touching. “Maybe I like a little corny.” She gives him a teasing smirk with a little chuckle. Cody then reaches over with his hand to pull her in closer to kiss her. Riley couldn’t help but release a soft moan as he grips her a little tighter around the waist. She then pushed him back before the kiss got too deep. 

 “Easy, tiger.” She teased. “We’ll have all the time in the world back at the hotel.” 

~///~

If only she believed that. As soon as the couple came back to the hotel, she pushed him up against the wall once they passed the hotel room threshold. “Baby, wait…” Cody gasps as she untucks his shirt from his pants while kissing his neck. “S-Slow down…” This made her giggle mischievously. 

“Oh why, Angel Eyes?” Riley presses her body against his, taking his tie in her hands. “Why slow down when you seemed so adamant on having me on my back as soon as we got here, hmm?” She pulls his tie, yanking him down to bring him face to face with her. 

Cody exhales a breath to calm himself as Riley moves her other hand to his belt to undo. He then looks her deep in the eyes. “Because Doll, unless you want to be fucked dumb and fucked proper, I would suggest you stop.” This made Riley giggle before she walked away from him deeper into the foyer where she stops.

“Well, then…” Riley unzips the back of her dress, letting it fall at her feet before putting her curls up into two space buns. She turns her head to look at him. “You’re gonna threaten me with a good time or what?” She taunted him, which shakes him out of his thoughts in his head. She could see the way his eyes darken before he snatches the tie off his neck, opening his shirt a bit in the process. 

“I’mma make you regret those words, babydoll.” Cody said before he chased after her, a playful squeal leaving her as she quickly ran to the bedroom. However, she doesn’t get far as Cody catches her before she reaches the room. He pushes her up against the wall, taking her hands into one of his own. “You know, I think you like to try me sometimes…” 

“To try you is to assume you have some control over me in the first place…” Riley muttered, feeling vulnerable as she looked down at her feet. Cody then grabs her face by the chin to make her look back up at him.

“Oh? And I don’t?” He then picks her up, causing her to wrap her legs around his waist with a shriek of surprise as she was suddenly airbourne. He then walks into the bedroom towards the bed where he places her down on her back. He strips out his shirt and vest before he takes hold of her hands above her head by her wrists. “We’ll see about that now, won’t we?” He leaned down to whisper in her ear before kissing underneath her ear which made her gasp. 

“Yeah…” Riley sighed before she looked up at the headboard of the bed for her surprise. She smirks at him when he looks back at her. “We will…” 

“What are you-?” Cody tried to ask before Riley managed to break her hands free of his grip to press against his chest to flip him over onto his back. She takes advantage of his confusion to then grab the handcuffs around the headboard to handcuff him to the bed. She then mounts him on his lap as she watches him struggle against the cuffs. 

“Ah, ah, ah. Don’t struggle, baby boy. I would hate for your wrists to be rubbed raw. No doubt, that would be hard to explain to your friends and peers.” She gives him a smug smile. Cody looks at her once he realizes he can’t break free. 

“Babydoll, whatcha got up your sleeve, huh?” He licks his lips as his breath gets a little heavy as he takes in her form again. “ All day, you’ve been leading me to surprise after surprise. Just treating me to things. What gives?” 

“I told you, baby.” Riley said, her hands sliding down his arms. “You haven’t had a real break in like 2 years. If you weren't busy with shit going on backstage in AEW, you were dealing with finishing the story in WWE. Basically…Papi?” She leans forward, placing her hands on the bed to meet him face to face. “You’ve been in control of things and when shit falls apart, you take the blame for it; even if it was something out of your control. So this whole vacation was dedicated to make sure you didn’t..” She leans closer, their lips barely touching. Cody gasps a bit at the slight contact. “Because I didn’t want you to further stress about anything. Can you do that?” She leans back, rubbing her hands down his chest to his abs. “Can you let me have control tonight?” .

“F-Fuck, doll…” Cody stuttered with a shiver, panting as her nails scratched him a little bit. "I…God fucking yes, baby.” He pleaded when she moved off his lap to lay in between his legs. “Ruin me…abuse me. Make me earn it, Baby…" His statement made her raise an amused eyebrow. 

“Make you earn it?” Riley chuckled as she slid off the bed which caused him to whine at the loss of contact. . “I just said I wanted to spoil you, Darlin’.” She teased him when she made her way over to her bags.

“I know. F-Fuck…” He mewled when he threw his head back, writhing against the cuffs. “But I-I wanna earn it. It’s not as rewarding if I don’t. So, please…” He felt movement on the bed before he raised his head again to look at her but couldn’t when she suddenly grabbed him by the chin, forcing him to look up at the ceiling. He whined, waiting to see more of her as she mounted his lap again.

“You must really want me to torment you, considering you forgot your place under me.” She sweetly threatens before she takes the silk blindfold and ties it around his eyes. She giggles a bit at his whimpering when she rolls her hips against his cock through his pants. “Don’t worry. I have all the time in the world to remind you where you belong.” She runs her fingers through his blonde hair. 

“F-fuck me…” Cody pants with anticipation when she lightly scratches his scalp like she knew he liked. He let a sharp gasp of air when he felt her kiss his neck up to his ear. Riley giggles seductively in his ear which causes him to shiver.

“Begging for me already? But I’ve barely got started, my sweet…” She licks and bites his earlobe. 

Cody squirms in the cuffs at Riley’s teasing and swallows his spit thickly. “God-. You’re gonna-.” He gasps again as he feels Riley’s fingers trace along his abs, tracing circles in between his belly button and his pants. “You’re gonna be the death of me.” Riley gives him a mischievous chuckle before she slides down his body, now eye level with the bulge in the pants. 

“Oh, Cody, Cody, Cody, mon âme…If what I’m doing to you right now already has you on the edge, then I see now how Roman bested you.” She felt Cody’s hips buck when she finally undid his belt before sliding it off entirely. “All that time spent in the gym…all that time spent wrestling matches to prove just how great you are, only to lose to a man who barely shows his face anymore? Just lose to a man, who in my sleep, I can outwit and outmaneuver him? I haven’t even done anything to make you lose your mind just yet so you know what?” She said as she slowly dragged his belt across his nipples. His hips bucked at the sensation. “Let's have a test of will.” She takes the belt and folds it in half to snap the belt, the sound damn near echoing throughout the room. She giggles mischievously when she sees his abs contract as he shudders a moan at the sound. “Since you’re a closeted masochist, I think maybe 10 spanks across the chest. A light punishment for you. That okay?” Cody gives her a nod which makes her slap and grips his thigh harshly, manicured nails digging in a little. He whines a little at the pleasure and pain. “Des mots, chérie. I can’t hear you.”

“Yes, mami. I-I understand.” Riley chuckled before she leaned down to kiss, lick and tease his nipples, drawing more moans out of him. 

“Mami, huh? Well, are you just a good boy?” She taunts him before she takes the belt and hits him across the chest with it. Cody throws his head back, letting out one of the deepest groans Riley ever heard out of him. She raises an eyebrow at the sound, humming pleased by it. “Mmm, never heard you make that sound before. Do it again.” She demanded as she hit him with the belt again.

“Oh, fu-.” Cody moans before she hits him again, cutting him off. “Fuck!” Another. “Fucking h-hell.” Another. “Baby…” Another. “Mami…” Cody whimpered as he fought against the cuffs the harder she hit him. 

She chuckled and looked down at him to take it in his disheveled stance. Riley raises her hand to gently stroke his hair. “Don’t tell me you’re tapping out already.” She bends down to kiss his forehead. “We’re not even done with your punishment yet.” 

“Shit…” Cody whines at her gentle touch. “I’m trying not to, babe but…you’re making it hard not to. Ah…” He moaned as he tried to find his resolve to not bust too quickly in his pants. 

“T’is the reason why I said it was a test of will. It’s not supposed to be easy.” She sighs as she moves the hand in his hair down to his now reddening chest.. “If you can’t hold off from losing your mind in pleasure and pain for longer than a few minutes, then what makes you think you can be undisputed champion, baby?” She teases one of his nipples, drawing out more sounds from him.  “While I may be spoiling you, dear, I also mean to make you better in more ways than one so…” She takes her hand off of him. “Try to last as long as you can…otherwise, it’s gonna be a long night for you.” Riley warns before she strikes him with the belt again, this time catching his other nipple.

“Go-God, baby, fuck!” Cody tugs on the cuff as his back arches from the intense pain. “Fuck! I’m trying but you-oh fuck, you’re so fucking-. Ah-! Ha-!” She strikes him again for the eighth time. “Shit…Riley…Mami, I think I’m gonna-. I’m gonna-.” 

Riley looks down at him with a raised eyebrow. “Really? You’re gonna cum in your pants from a few hits to the chest like a horny teenager?” She laughed. “Oh, how the mighty fall. How do you survive taking chops to the chests then?” 

“It’s…one thing…to get chopped in the chest…by a grown ass man…and another..to get whipped by a smoking hot grown ass woman…with an italian leather belt.” He then swallows the excess saliva in his mouth before he continues. “One’s a job…the other’s a privilege.” Riley laughs before she delivers the ninth hit. “Mercy, Mami, Mercy. Ple-please!” His plea makes her shush him. 

“You have one more, baby. You’ve survived this long, mon âme. One more won’t kill you.”  Riley’s sweetened threat made him whine in anticipation. 

“No but you will.” His response sparks another laugh from her again. 

“I wouldn’t dare. After all…” She leans down to whisper in his ear. “There’s not a man on this earth that is as half as good at dicking me down as you, Mr. Rhodes.”  

“S-Shit…” Cody whimpers as she reaches down to squeeze his dick. “Mami…Mami, I’m gonna-gonna-!” Cody tries to warn her before she comes down with the belt from the tenth and final strike hard. He pulls against the cuffs, moaning as he cums in his pants. “Oh fuckfuckfuck! Mami…!” He continued to whimper as she continued to shake from his orgasm. There’s a sudden crack Riley hears coming from the headboard. 

“Oh, my. Looks like someone wants to break free, no Queen.” She laughs as she moves back up the bed, straddling Cody’s hips once more to check on the cuffs. She sees one of the links of the cuffs separate but not entirely break off. She also sees there’s a crack in the wood of the headboard when she attached the cuffs. She also checks his wrists to see that they’re a bit rubbed raw and red against the leather cuffs.She looks down at him to check him, seeing him catching his breath as he comes back down to earth. She lifts the blindfold off of his eyes to take a good look at him. “Hey…” She whispered softly to him, taking hold of the cuffs to get his attention. When he looked up, she could see the haziness in his eyes.  “Do you want your freedom, my love? You have earned it.” Cody just nods numbly. She reaches up to undo the cuffs, rubbing his wrists a little before she reaches around his head to fully take off the blindfold. Cody shuts his eyes to let them adjust before he locks eyes with hers. “Hi, my pretty… You were such a good boy. I think you deserve a reward now, right?” He then shakes his head which makes Riley’s eyebrows shoot to his hairline in surprise. “No? Why not?” 

“Because I-. I c-ame without permission, Mami.” Cody said hoarsely. “I don’t-deserve it.” Riley tilts his head up, clicking her tongue.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk.” She shakes her head. “Oh, darlin’...Always so hard on yourself.” She leans closer to him. “Did I say that you couldn’t cum?” 

“No…” 

“No, I didn't. I said try to hold out as long as you can and you did. You didn’t break until I gave you the final hit with the belt so…” She kisses him on the forehead. “That means you listened and followed instructions which gets you a reward. Now, sit on the edge of the bed and accept your reward like a good boy.” Riley backs off for him to give him room to do as she instructed him. Riley gives him a mischievous chuckle before she slides down his body, now eye level with the bulge in the pants. 

“Now, then…” She gets onto her knees between his legs. “Time for me to get my reward.” She said as she slowly unbuttons and unzips his pants. He raises his hip to help her lower them a bit to free his dick from its prison. His dick smacks her in the face still hard, sparking a moan from her. “Fuck...” She sees his abs contract as he shudders a moan when she turns slightly to give his cock a few light kisses along his shaft. “I love this dick so fucking much.” Cody gives her a groan in pleasure when she licks his cum clean off his cock. She moans again where she feels it twitch against her lips. She licked all the way up his shaft from base to tip, drawing more moans out of him. “Mami…Can I…?” 

“Angel wants to pull Mami’s hair while she sucks him dry?” She taunts him before she takes his tip into her mouth. Cody throws his head back as Riley uses her tongue around the head of his cock. 

“Yes, Mami…Please, Mami.” Cody muttered as he balls his fists into the sheets the more Riley’s mouth sank down his cock slowly. She chuckled and looked up at him when she took one of his hands to put it in her hair. Cody looks down to see what Riley was doing only to have his eyes roll in the back of his head as Riley slowly deepthroats him as she does. “Goddamnthattongueisdangerous.” The hand Cody had in her hair grips the back of her head to guide her head up and down with her pace. Riley takes her free hand to play and toy with his balls. “Shit…” He throws his head again as she takes his dick out of her mouth to suck on his balls. “Goddamn…I think I’m gonna cum again.” He moaned as he tried to find his resolve to not bust too quickly. 

She gives his balls a firm suck before she lets them go to speak. “Much as I love for you to just nut in my mouth,” She sighs as she adjusted her position on the bed to nestle his cock in between her breasts.“I’ll let you decide. Do you wanna cum in my mouth…” She squeezed her breasts together to massage his dick. “Or on my tits?” Riley asks before she tongues and sucks on the head of his dick while continuing to stroke his cock with her breasts. 

“Oh, shit..” Cody groans into a gasp as he feels himself get closer. He looks down at her faux innocent look. “I’d rather cum in your pussy, Mami.” She looks up back at him with a raised eyebrow which makes him plead. “Can I please, Mami?” Riley’s firm look turns into a look of mischief before she speeds up her tempo, making him cry out. As quickly as she sped up, she stopped to stand on her feet. She places her hands on his knees. 

“I guess you can but you’re gonna have to do the work if you really want it-.” Riley suddenly shrieked as Cody grabs her by the waist and throws her onto the bed, immediately kissing all over her face. “Baby!” She giggled at the eager affection Cody was giving her as he crawled on top of her. “Baby, please!” 

“Mmm, sorry, doll but I’ve been waiting to just…fuck the shit outta you since we’ve arrived.” He whispered in her ear before kissing and sucking hickeys on her neck. “All day. All goddamn day, you’ve been teasing me. From the shopping trip, wearing those tight shorts that makes that plump ass of yours bounce everytime you walk,” His kisses moved down to her chest as he popped her on the ass, earning him a yelp of surprise. “That fucking dress you wore to dinner.” He took one of her nipples into his mouth, sparking a sharp gasp from Riley when he bites down. “ God, your tits...Tits were just…sitting pretty in that dress.” She continued to moan as he toys with the other nipple before he kisses down her stomach. ‘Your stomach and those rolls I love so much. Even though you hate when I show them love, I love that chub of yours, baby. But there’s something I love more than all that I just mentioned.” Cody sits up to pull her closer and throws her legs over his shoulders. Riley sits up on her forearms to watch as he kisses up her calf to her thigh, this time leaving love bites on them. “I absolutely love this pussy.” He muttered as he pushed her legs back to get a good look at her pussy, spreading her lips open to look at how wet she was. “So wet. You must really want me, don’t you?” She nodded, hiding her face with one hand. Cody tsked as he reached up to pull her hand away. “Uh-uh, Mami. Tell me. Do. You. Want. Me?” He enunciated. She nods eagerly, sitting up a little further to look him in the eyes.

“I want you…I always want you.” Her response earns her a sexy chuckle from Cody.

“Good girl. Now, hold your knees for me, doll.” He commanded as he pushed her knees to her for her to grab. “It’s gonna be a long night for you if you don’t behave while I indulge in my favorite treat, all right?” 

“Yes, sir.” Riley meekly answers as she does what she is told. Cody rolls his eyes in his head as he growls at the name.

“Goddamn, you obedient little thing…” He muttered before he leaned down to her pussy to lick from her hole to her clit in a long slow lick. 

“Ahn!” She moaned as she felt her eyes cross a bit when Cody flicks his tongue against her clit. “Oh, shit…” Cody growls into her when he feels her get wetter and drips more of her juice into his mouth. He slaps her thigh hard as he sucks on her clit. “Ah! Fuck…” Cody releases her clit to gently rub it the way he knows that will drive her crazy. Riley’s grip on her knees gets tighter when he does. “Oh, god…Too much! How-How are you so good at that?.” 

“Well, gorgeous.” He hits her with that blinding smile of his before he slips two fingers into her. The action makes her legs twitch with a hungry moan. “When you’re dating a very buxom, short, brazen woman who has spent her entire life, mouthing off to anything that displeases her…” He then curls his fingers up to caress her spot that made her sob with agonizing delight. “You learn how to not be on the receiving end of that brutality.” He sucks in a breath as he feels his fingers get more saturated with her essence. “Ooh, that’s the spot, ain’t it? That’s where you want me to touch, right?” He begins to scissor her with his fingertips assaulting her spot more, coupled with him going back to suck on her clit. Riley, in her ravenous want for more, lets go of her knees to grab the back of his head and pull his hair. He growled into her pussy at the pain and pulled away entirely to take hold of her hands in his free one, standing up. “Bad girl.” He began to scissor her faster, making her tremble in pleasure. “Did I say, you can let go of your legs, gorgeous?” Riley shakes her head which made him stop moving his fingers. “And now, you don’t want to answer Papi properly. Words, love or as you like to say, ‘Des mots, de l'amour’. I can't hear you.” 

“Nnnhmm, no..no, Papi. Y-you didn't…” Riley mewled. “I’m sorry, Papi.”

“No. I didn’t. So tell me why…” Cody said as she picked up his pace again, making her tug at his grip of her hands with a whine. “I should let you come after disobeying you.” 

“Nhn! Be-Beca-use if you don’t…You-Ohh! You wouldn’t be able to…fuck me properly.” She cracked her eyes open a little bit. “Plus, seeing me cum my brains would just make you harder than you already are.” He chuckles at her reasoning before he leans over her to kiss her. Riley kept squirming on the bed as she felt herself get closer and closer to the edge. She tried to break his grip to push him back but that didn’t work. She tried to break the kiss but she could barely get any words out as Cody just kept coming back for more kisses. After a few moments, he lets up on the kisses when he feels her squeeze his fingers tighter than before. “Nmh! Cody! Please! I’m gonna cum-Ahnn!” She shrieks as she squirts all over his fingers and even a little on the floor. Cody stands up straight and takes his fingers out of her. He chuckles as he looks at his hand.

“Tsk. You’re squirted all over me and the floor.” He licks his fingers as his dick twitches, getting harder at her smell and taste. “Making my dick so hard it hurts, you brat.” He moves to pick her up to move her further up the bed, kneels on the bed over her and folds her in half. “Things are gonna get rough, doll. You don’t mind, do you?” Riley keens as she feels Cody’s dick prod at her entrance. “Shit, you’re so soaked, just like I love it.” He then puts her legs back over his shoulders. “I’ve been waiting these past few months to have you.” He then slips the tip in when he takes hold of her hands on either side of her head to get leverage. “I don’t think I can be gentle.” His dick then just plunges into her pussy, causing her to arch her back in delightful agony. He feels her get impossibly tight around him and wetter. He clicks his tongue and shakes his head in disapproval. “You fucking brat. Nnh…you came again.” He started to rock his hips to drive his dick in a slow pace to prolong her orgasm. Riley then drops back to the bed, hands gripping Cody’s hands harder at the pleasure.

“Nhaa! Ha! I-I can’t…! C-Cody! Oh!” She gripe with insatiable ecstasy. 

“You can’t take any more?” He asked her to which she nodded. “Oh but darling…I think you need more.” He shifted his weight to his hands to start rocking his hip faster to pound into her with gluttonous thirst. The change of pace makes her struggle for breath and her toes curl. 

“Ahh! Oh, fuck…Ohhh, fuck me…nnahmm…” Riley thrashed in debauched bliss as she feels her eyes cross, the view of Cody above her getting more and more out of focus. Cody lets go of one of her hands to wrap it around her neck. He smirked when he saw her stick out her tongue with panting breaths. 

“Holy shit…you’re so fucking pretty like this. So fucked out of your mind, that you can’t focus on anything but how my hand feels around your neck…” He squeezes her neck a bit harder which causes her to tighten up more around his dick. “Or how my cock feels, digging out that tight little hole of yours. Fuck…I could just…fuck you full until that pussy couldn’t take anymore. Until every time I fill you up with another load, it would just push the ones before it until there’s a fucking puddle underneath you and yet…even if you would be that fucking stuffed, you’d still ask me for another, wouldn’t you?” He taunts her but Riley just nods, too fucked out to really process what he’s actually saying. He laughs as he leans closer to kiss her. He lets go of her neck when he pulls away. “Go ahead, baby. Cum. Cum all over Papi’s dick again so Papi can fill you up like he knows you like.” He reaches down to thumb her clit which makes her close her eyes tightly. “C’mon, babygirl. Make me proud and cum. Cum and lost the last of your fucking mind. Make a mess of these sheets baby. C’mon…C’mon…” He encourages her before her back arches again and she cums on his cock again, her pussy juices squirting all over the sheets as Cody keeps thrusting through her orgasm to chase his own. He leans down to get close to her ear. “Yesyesyes, fuck! Good girl! Good fucking girl. Take it. Take my fucking load, baby. Fuck, lemme fucking fill you up. Fuck…Fuck! Take it, Mami! Take it!” He growled into her ear as he finally came deep inside her, hips slowing down to feel her pussy pulse around him. “Shit! Oh, shit, baby! Fuck…” He groaned as he moved her legs from his shoulders to fall on the bed beside her. Once he gets on his back, he pulls her close to cuddle her. “C’mere, doll.” He kissed her on the temple to calm down her trembling body. “Hey, doll. You’re still with me, right?”

“Mhmm…” She hummed in confirmation. “We…really shouldn’t go months…without doing that…again.” She cuddled closer to him.

“Agreed…” Cody squeezed her tighter to him. “Last thing we need is you incapacitated from me dicking you down.” They both chuckled. He kissed her temple again and stood up. “All right, up you go.” He turns around to pick her up off the bed to carry her to the bathroom. “Someone made a mess and now we gotta clean it up.” 

“You’re sure that’s all we doing?” She teased him.

“Don’t start, woman. You already can’t feel your legs.” 

~///~

10 Months later… February 2024, Wrestlemania 40 Kickoff

“...Because I have made a legendary career out of knocking golden girls off their top spot…so Mami is gonna learn how to be a bottom.” Becky Lynch taunts the current champion, Rhea Ripley who steps closer to her. “Because that’s what happens when The Man comes around.” The two engage in a staredown as Becky’s theme plays in the background before it’s cut off by someone attacking Becky in the back with a steel chair, pushing her into Rhea to knock them both down. Becky crumbs to the floor as the unknown attacker hits her with the chair again. Once Becky is down, the attacker props the chair around her knee before she focuses her attention on Rhea. The attacker props Rhea onto their to deliver a fireman’s carry spinebuster onto the chair that Becky’s knee was in, causing both of them to scream in agony. The attacker then gets a mic and kneels down to Becky before they pull off the mask, revealing the face of Riley. Riley smirks at Becky’s look of surprise. She then puts the mic to her lips. 

“You know, Becky, I know you said that you’ve made a career out of knocking golden girls off their top spot…” She looks back to the knee Becky was grabbing at. “But I’ve made a career outta rewriting legends, no matter the gender, no matter the company because I know just how boring Life can get when it’s predetermined.” Riley then stands to her feet to look at the hard camera. “And at Elimination Chamber, I plan on rewriting the legend again because no matter who’s the champion. It doesn't matter who’s in the chamber. I’m walking into the chamber. I’m gonna win the chamber and at Mania, I’m gonna take the title off of whichever one of you two unlucky bitches has it by the time we meet.” She stops for a moment to take in the cheers and jeers from the crowd. “But I won’t just stop there because everyone’s got a story to finish but I’m the only one with the pen and paper…because I’m the American Gangsta and to mess with me is to mess with the best.” She drops the mic as she leaves the arena through the crowd. Meanwhile, Backstage, Cody just chuckles at the antics of his girlfriend. 

“She always did know how to make a statement.” 

[lavender-teardroplettes]

New Year- New Ships! Si Ship List 3.0 Is Live!🥳

Another update to the ship list! Little bit of pruning here and there and some new additions, but it's pretty much more of the same. There are a few ships in the works that won't be showing up just yet until they're more finalized and have had more work put into their bakstory and lore!

Without further ado- here we go times three!!

YaH

Si x Adam

Si x Cain

MDHM

Si x Alan

Si x Stu (mostly were au, but some in game angst hohoho)

STNAF

Si x Friend

Si x Carter

Si x Z ( were!Z though still *knuckle bite harder*)

Be My Muse (LMRY)

Si x Zecharias

Si x Salvador (waiting on more lore but Sal and his cute lil tsundere crush- *gets pelted with a violin bow*)

SWWSDJ

Si x Jack/Jacktor

Si x Shaun (da-

Si x Nick(-ddies)

Si x Ian (ex-boyfriend and angsty purposes until more lore is dropped)

DachaBo

Si x Bo

Blackberry Winter

Si x Conrad

MINE/FLVN

Si x Keith

Si x Damien

CWP

Si x Harper

Si x Malik

Si x Malik x Gavin

Si x Dante (yan!Dante yan!Dante yan!Dante----)

Si x Gavin

Si x Sophie

Si x Jazz

Mushroom Oasis

Si x Mychael

Apples to Ashes

Si x Douglas

Would You Stay?

Si x Virgil

Si x Virgil x Rizza

Would You Pick Me?

Si x Mikey

Si x Jack

Si x Narrator

A Double Sided Mirror

Si x Charles

Si x Charlie

Si x both of them maybe?

Seven Blood Nights

Si x Ares

Si x Beelzebub

Si x Morpheus

Si x Eros

Si x Hubris

The Kid at the Back

Si x Sol

Si x Crowe

Weathering Feelings

Si x Dr. Nubloso (uwu if you know you know)

Yandere Island (so far with current routes available)

Si x Markus

Si x Oliver

Si x Torrin

Si x Nicholas

Don't Trust Him (as far as the current demo goes it's being reworked)

Si x Riley

Si x Dia

Si x Leon

Froot Basket Valentine

Si x Momotaru

Love Me Dearly

Si x Takuma

Duplicity

Si x Tris

Si x Griffin

Vile Strangers

Si x Theodore

Yan ocs w/o a game

Krow x Si (@ thekrows-nest)

Vic x Si (@ starsetven)

Avery X Si (@ starsetven)

Si x Miles (my oc)

BG3 (Si’s a Teifling btw uwu)

Si x Will x Karlach

Si x Halsin

Si x Astrion

Love and Deepspace (Iris [she/her in this case] still uses Si as a nickname)

Si x Caleb (baised on these two for SURE)

Si x Sylus (soulmates go HARD though)

Si x Rafayel (....gosh these two hit on a different level for purely cute reasons and less on the angst bit though)

Si x Xavier (How many times Xaiver- how many times have you had to let her go?)

Si x Zayne (Don't even get me started I'ma cry- on the same level of Xavier how many times did you know you'd find her again?)

(>w> I forget if Ziggy's said the name for the game he comes from yet so to be updated until then)

Si* x Damian

*His name is Elliot as I started thinking of other names for the Si's to shake it up

Homicipher

Si x Mr. Crawling

Si x Mr. Hood

Si x Mr. Scarletella

Si x Mr. Chopped

(Another to be updated section as I work on my OCs my friend's projects uvu)

[lunarmoonheart]

intro post!

Hi im lunarmoonheart!

You can call me lunar, jay, ziggy/ziggs, fizzy/fizz, or lydia!

I use any and all pronouns with no preference.

pronouns page

current hyperfixations are: squid game, hatchetfield, dnd, wicked, and hellaverse

my other blogs:

Stephanie lauter rp: @smarterthanyouthink

lord in black oc rp: @linkel-memor

moodboards: @lunarmoodboards

Writing: @lunarmoonwrites

My tags: lunars comets (random things I say) lunars rings (asks) I'll probs make more

my fandoms and fav characters below the cut! (i mostly put it for me but you can look its kinda long tho lol) I'm always happy to talk about my interests!

hatchetfield:

Emma Perkins

charlotte sweetly

Hannah foster

becky barnes

Linda Monroe

Steph Lauter

peter Spankoffski

ruth fleming

sheila young

girl jeri

miss holloway

eddie chiplucky

duke keane

ziggs

brenda

stacy

blinky

nibbly

firebringer:

zazzalil

jemilla

marvel:

natasha romanoff

clint barton

wanda maximoff

carol danvers

yelena belova

coulson

may

daisy johnson

peggy carter

gamora

nebula

mantis

kate bishop

deadpool

wolverine

hela

agatha harkness

shuri

loki/sylvie

owl house:

eda

raine

amity

luz

darius

eberwolf

vee

masha

emira

descendants:

mal

evie

red

lonnie

uma

harry hook

celia

hades

scooby doo:

velma

daphne

marcie/hotdogwater

hex girls

angel dynamite

oceans 8: all of the woman lol

criminal minds:

emily prentiss

penelope garcia

jj

tara lewis

elle greenaway

alex blake

matt simmons

scream:

gale weathers

dewey riley

stu macher

tara carpenter

mindy meeks-martin

randy meeks

kirby reed

amber freeman

cici cooper

911/lonestar:

howard chimney han

Henrietta hen wilson

athena grant

maddie buckley-han

josh russo

may grant

karen wilson

albert han

judd ryder

marjan marwani

paul strickland

tommy vega

nancy gillian

carlos reyes

grace ryder

hazbin hotel:

angel dust

sir pentious

cherri bomb

velvette

carmilla

zestial

rosie

lute

helluva boss:

blitz

loona

stolas

octavia

asmodeus

mrs mayberry

martha

sallie may

fizzaroli

ducktales:

della duck

webby

beakley

lena

violet

penumbra

my fandoms: smosh, starkid (hatchetfield and firebringer), marvel, the owl house, descendants, Scooby doo, oceans 8, Wednesday/Addams family, criminal minds, scream, 911 and lonestar, Beetlejuice, hazbin hotel, helluva boss, squid game, and ducktales

[arrows-unofficial-ocs]

🏳️‍🌈 MCU next gen?

Jo Rogers — lesbian

Jamie Rogers — heterosexual

Carter Rogers — heterosexual

Morgan Stark — bisexual

Riley Wilson — heterosexual

Grant Barnes — demisexual + panromantic

Cooper Barton — heterosexual

Lila Barton — bisexual

Nate Barton — heterosexual

Maddie Williams — heterosexual

Syd Johnson — pansexual

Leah King — demisexual

Send me “🏳️‍🌈 + an oc” and I’ll tell you the sexuality of everybody

[azule-star]

BAND OC'S

PART (1/3)

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

They aren't for any fandom. I just wanted to make Band OCs

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

NAME: BLOODLINE PULSE

ALL FEMALE BAND

MEMBERS:

Riley Quinn: Lead Singer/Guitarist (19)

Sloane Carter: Back up guitarist (19)

Jax Moreno: Drummer (19)

Morgan Lee: Bassist (21)

Elena "Ellie" Park: Keyboard player (19)

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

PERSONALITIES/QUIRKS:

Riley Quinn: Fierce, emotionally raw, a little guarded but magnetic. She channels heartbreak into every lyric and screams with passion on stage. Loyal but slow to trust after her messy breakup.

Quirk: When upset, she fiddles with her guitar strings absentmindedly.

Sloane Carter: Over all chill, a little mysterious, multi-talented, and humble. Fluent in guitar, bass, keyboard, and drums but loves guitar best in the band. Keeps the vibe cool.

Quirk: Often switches instruments during practice just for fun, even if she’s only on guitar in the band.

Jax Moreno: Energetic, a bit anxious but grounded. She’s fiercely protective of her sticks, which she always carries in a worn-out bag like a lucky charm.

Quirk: Has a habit of drumming on anything nearby when nervous or excited.

Morgan Lee: Calm, a natural leader but low-key. The “big sister” of the group who keeps everyone grounded. Smart, a little sarcastic.

Quirk: Always has a coffee or tea in hand, sometimes brings random trivia to band hangouts.

Elena "Ellie" Park: Sweet but intense when it comes to music. Often hums classical tunes when stressed, which throws some off but calms her down. Quiet but insightful.

Quirk: Taps rhythm on her keyboard or desk when anxious or excited, sometimes sings snippets of old classical songs.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BACKGROUND INFO:

Riley: Just got out of a rough relationship where her girlfriend cheated on her and jumped to some random guy. Writing songs is her therapy.

Sloane: Has been playing since childhood, always the quiet backbone of her friend group, supportive but speaks her mind when needed.

Jax: Comes from a tight-knit family. Drums are her escape and confidence booster. Sometimes, she struggles with stage nerves.

Morgan: Went to music school briefly but dropped out to focus on the band and life on her own terms. She loves vinyl records and old-school punk.

Ellie: Grew up with a piano at home, classically trained, but fell in love with punk’s raw energy. Balances those two worlds through the band’s sound.

▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎���︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎

Part 2

Part 3

[buster-loves-pr]

PR Ships list?? :D so I get an idea for what hcs to share??

honestly I probably should have made this from the beginning since there’s like 200+ PR character so thanks for sending his- I am fine with most PR ships but Here’s the list for the ones I really enjoy

MMPR-Zeo

Billy/Trini

Adam/Tanya

Adam/Rocky

Turbo - In Space

Cassie/TJ

Andros/Ashley

Lost Galaxy

Leo/Kendrix

Lightspeed

Kelsey/Nancy

Ryan/Carter

Dana/Carter

Joel/Fairweather

Time Force

Jen/Wes

Eric/Wes

Wild Force

Cole/Alyssa

Merrick/Alyssa

Eric/Taylor

Ninja Storm

Blake/Tori

Dino Thunder

None (I mean IK there’s ships for this season but I don’t enjoy like Dino Thunder that much)

SPD

Bridge/Sky

Z/Jack

Z/Syd

Krugar/Kat

Mystic Force

Xander/Vida/Chip

Chip/Vida

Xander/Vida

Xander/Nick

Nick/Vida

Madison/Nick

Operation Overdrive

Mack/Rose

Ronny/Rose

Ronny/Will

Little bit of Dax/Mack? I’m starting to like it

Jungle Fury

Lily/Theo

Fran/Rj

Fran/Dominic

RPM

Gem/male OC (I need to work on him)

Dillion/Ziggy (I prefer it platonically but the ship version is cute too

Samurai

Jayden/Antonio

Mia/Lauren

Mike/Emily

Megaforce

Gia/Emma

Dino Charge

Tyler/Shelby

Chase/Riley

Kendall/Heckyl

Ninja Steel

None

Beast Morpher

None

Dino Fury

Amelia/Javi

Fern/Izzy

[mrs-delaney]

Hide | Chapter 13 | Viral

✨ Catch up on Hide if you’re new here! ✨ 🌟 Check out the masterlist if you want to see more by me! 🌟

pairing: joe burrow x riley carter (oc) word count: 12.7k requested: no

📝 this story is only posted on wattpad and tumblr under miss_delaney. if you see it anywhere else, it’s been stolen. 🚫 do not repost, translate, or share my work without permission. 🌻 requests: closed! 💌 want to be added to the taglist? drop a comment or message me.

📝 author’s note: dropping this chapter a little early because some stories won’t let you sleep until you get them out of your head. viral was tough to write. i kept coming back to that ache of public mess, silence, and what it feels like when everyone has an opinion except the person you need most. ⚠️ just a small heads up: this chapter contains a confrontation between riley and her ex, ethan, involving unwanted physical contact and public escalation. nothing graphic, but if that’s tough for you, take care reading. this chapter is about fallout—the kind that happens out loud and in private. it’s about what it feels like to watch strangers build a narrative out of your worst moment, and the heartbreak of missing someone you can’t quite reach. it’s about phones in pieces and the spiral of “what if.” but it’s also about the people who show up—the ones who bring snacks, coffee, comfort, and quiet company when you need it most. riley’s hurting. joe’s panicking. nobody has the right words, but the love is real. thank you for sticking with me and these messy, stubborn characters. this one’s raw and a little uncomfortable, but sometimes that’s just how life goes. i hope you find something honest in here, and maybe even a little comfort. 🌙

Taglist: @wickedfun9 @starsyoongi @amiets2 @palmettogal508 @throwaway12356123 @lilfreakjez @destinyg237

Riley's text comes through with the video attached: Missing you. Only two more weeks?

Joe clicks play and watches David Byrne performing "This Must Be the Place" in what looks like an old TV studio, standing next to a tall floor lamp. Byrne lets the lamp tip toward him, catches it gently, and sets it upright. Then does it again. And again. A simple dance with an inanimate object, but there's something mesmerizing about his careful attention to it.

Joe watches it again immediately. There's something about the way Byrne never lets the lamp actually fall, the deliberate care he gives to this one fragile thing. By the third time through, watching Byrne perform their song with such tenderness, Joe understands exactly why Riley sent it and calls her back.

"Hey lovey, did you get my text?" Riley says when she picks up.

"Just watched it three times. The way he catches it every time it tips—like he's protecting something fragile and beautiful. That's what this feels like with you."

There's a soft laugh in her voice. "You know what's crazy? Byrne said he wrote it as 'a real honest kind of love song' without all the usual clichés. No grand gestures, just... this quiet certainty."

"Dad's Sunday morning song is hitting different now. Like it means what it was always supposed to mean."

"Pancakes and vinyl and feeling at home?"

"Yeah. Except now I know what home actually feels like."

The silence stretches between them, heavy with everything they're not saying, everything they miss about being in the same room.

"God, I miss you," Riley finally says.

"Two weeks feels like forever right now."

"After this weekend, I'm all yours. Well, as much as I can be with tour prep being insane, but—"

Joe's looking at Riley's chaotic calendar on his phone while they talk. "I see you have something scheduled Saturday the 19th, but..." He squints at the screen. "Your calendar just says 'IMPORTANT DINNER - DON'T FUCK THIS UP' in all caps. So I'm guessing that's mandatory?"

Riley's laughing. "That's my very professional scheduling system, thank you very much. And, yes, unfortunately, it is very mandatory. Why?"

"A friend from college is getting married. I kind of decided last minute to go, and I wanted to see if you could break away."

There's a pause, and when Riley speaks again, her tone has shifted. "You want me to come with you? To a wedding?"

"Yeah. I know it's short notice, but... yeah. I want you there."

Riley's voice gets quieter, clearly torn. "Joe, I... God, I wish I could. We finally got this meeting with Ticketmaster. We've been trying to get in the room with them for months to talk about pricing structures, making sure our fans can actually afford tickets. It's me, the guys, Gwen, Haley, our whole team, everyone's been preparing for weeks."

Joe's understanding is immediate. "Right. No, I get it. That's huge. You can't bail on your whole team."

"I really wish I could, though. I want to meet your friends, I want to be your plus-one at things like this..."

"It's okay, Birdie. Really. This matters."

"The next wedding. Or whatever. I'll make sure I'm free."

"Deal."

"How are you feeling about tomorrow? Last preseason game."

"I'm just ready for the season to start," Joe says. "Preseason feels like... practice with an audience."

"I've been watching all the games," Riley says, her voice softer. "This will be the first season I actually care about football."

Joe feels something shift in his chest. "Yeah?"

"The Dolls are trying to talk me into starting a fantasy football team, except none of us know anything about football, so it would be based purely on vibes. Like, who has the best name or looks good in their uniform."

Joe's laughing now. "That's the worst fantasy strategy I've ever heard."

"Hey, vibes are important. I bet we'd do better than you think."

"You absolutely would not."

"Rude. I'm not asking for your help anymore."

"Good, because I wasn't planning to help."

"Well, now you're definitely not invited to our draft party."

Neither of them says it out loud, but they both feel it—how little time they'll actually have once both their careers kick into high gear, how Joe asking her to come with him, wanting her to meet his friends, feels like the kind of step forward that makes her having to say no sting more than a simple scheduling conflict should.

"How's tour prep going?" Joe asks, and Riley can hear the shift in his voice, more serious now, genuinely asking.

"Exhausting. We're rehearsing like twelve hours a day. Pete's being a perfectionist about the setlist, Andy keeps changing his guitar setup, and Daniel..." Riley pauses. "Actually, Daniel's been the only sane one, which is terrifying."

"When do you leave?"

"Three weeks after the season starts. So we'll have, what, a few scattered visits before I'm gone for two months?"

The weight of that settles between them, how little time they'll actually have before she disappears on tour.

* * *

Joe sends the text as he pulls into the venue parking lot, still humming "This Must Be the Place" under his breath. The song has been stuck in his head since Riley sent that video, and he can't shake the image of David Byrne catching that lamp every time it tips, protecting something beautiful.

Walking into the reception, he's immediately hit with the familiar chaos of former teammates reuniting. Justin Hilliard's wedding has drawn half their old Ohio State defense, and Joe can already hear someone recounting a legendary practice story from their sophomore year.

"Burrow!"

He turns to see one of his former teammates approaching with a drink. "Man, I was wondering if you'd actually show up."

"Last-minute decision," Joe says. "Couldn't miss Justin getting married."

"Where's the girl? Zac said you took them all to her show in LA. We've all been dying to meet her."

Joe takes a sip of his drink, deflecting with the ease of someone who's had this conversation before. "She's working. Big meeting she couldn't get out of."

"She real though?"

"Very real."

Joe's voice carries a certainty that makes his teammate look at him twice. Before he can ask more, someone calls his name from across the room.

"I want to hear more about this later," he says before disappearing into the crowd.

Joe finds himself smiling as he heads toward the bar, thinking about Riley explaining fantasy football based on vibes to a room full of people who've probably never heard of half the players.

* * *

Joe's halfway through his second drink when he hears a familiar voice behind him.

"Hey, stranger."

He turns to find Olivia approaching, looking genuinely happy to see him. She's wearing a soft blue dress that brings out the color of her eyes; she looks beautiful.

"Livi. Hey." Joe smiles, and it's easy. No awkwardness, just two people who used to know each other well. "You look good."

"Thanks. You, too." She signals the bartender for a wine. "I heard you might be here. Justin said you RSVPed last minute."

"Yeah, decided I needed to get out of Cincinnati for a day." He takes a sip of his drink. "How've you been?"

"Good. Really good, actually. I moved to Nashville a few months ago."

"Nashville? That's a change."

"My boyfriend's in music production. The move just made sense." She accepts her wine from the bartender. "Speaking of... I heard through the grapevine you're seeing someone. Riley Carter?"

Joe's not surprised she knows their circle is tight, and news travels fast. "Yeah. I am."

"The rock star. That's... not what I would have predicted for you," Olivia says, but she's smiling. "But you look good. Really good. Not just successful, like you're actually enjoying your life."

"I am happy." The words come out easier than Joe expected. "She's... I love her."

Olivia's face brightens. "That's wonderful, Joe. You deserve that."

Joe realizes what he just said so easily—words he hasn't even said to Riley yet. "With her, everything feels..." He pauses, searching. "Like I can stop calculating. Like, I don't have to manage every piece of my life. She... she makes me want to be present."

Olivia studies his face. "You know what? You deserve to be this happy without worrying about what everyone else thinks. I never saw you talk about anyone the way you just talked about her. Even us."

She's right, he has been worrying about what everyone thinks. His team, the media, and fans who have opinions about his personal life.

"I used to think that was just you being careful," Olivia continues. "But maybe you were just waiting for the right person to stop being careful with."

Joe looks at her, this person who knew him for years, whom he loved just differently. "You know I loved you, right? What we had was real."

"I know." Olivia's smile is gentle and understanding. "But this is different. I can hear it in your voice. See it in your face. You're not holding anything back with her."

Joe nods, feeling better. It's good to hear that from someone who knew him before, who can see the difference. "Thanks for saying that."

"Now tell me about the Nashville guy," Joe says, genuinely interested. "Music production?"

"Nick. We met on Raya, actually." Olivia laughs. "I know, I know, dating apps. But he's really great. Works with a lot of country artists, and he's got this studio in his house that's just incredible. He's been teaching me about music production and all that technical stuff I never knew anything about."

"Funny how we both ended up with musicians, in our own way," Olivia says with a smile.

"I guess we have a type we didn't know about."

"Right? And Nashville is..." She pauses, searching for words. "It feels like home in a way that Cincinnati never did. Even though I loved my time here."

Joe nods, understanding exactly what she means about finding that feeling of home.

Before he can respond, a woman with a camera approaches them. "Excuse me, would you mind if I got a quick photo?"

Joe and Olivia exchange a glance. It's innocent enough, and they are comfortable together in the way that only people who've genuinely moved on can be.

"Sure," Olivia says easily.

They pose naturally, Joe's arm around Olivia's shoulders, both of them genuinely happy. Joe is thinking about Riley and how talking to Olivia has clarified something for him, while Olivia is clearly content with her new life in Nashville. The photographer snaps a few shots.

"Perfect! Thanks so much," the photographer says before moving on to capture other moments.

The rest of the reception passes in a blur of congratulations to Justin, catching up with old teammates, and the easy rhythm of people who've known each other for years. Joe finds himself relaxed in a way he hasn't been in a long time at events like this. Usually, he's calculating how long to stay, who might be watching, and what the optics are of every conversation.

Tonight feels different. When Eli asks about Riley, Joe finds himself describing how she processes the world through music, how she's taught him that not everything needs to be planned. When another teammate jokes about meeting her, Joe realizes he's tired of compartmentalizing, tired of treating his relationship like classified information.

* * *

Joe's barely out of the parking lot when he reaches for his phone to call Riley, then remembers she's probably still at her ticketmaster dinner. He settles for sending a quick text: The Wedding was good, missing you. Call me when you're done?

The drive back to Cincinnati gives him time to think, and Olivia's words keep circling back: You deserve to be this happy without worrying about what everyone else thinks.

She's right. He's spent so much energy managing how things look, being careful about who he's seen with, when, and where. Keeping Riley compartmentalized is not because he's ashamed of her, but because he's been protecting himself. Protecting the image he's built, the careful brand of being uncontroversial.

But sitting in that reception, talking about Riley with people who've known him since before any of this shit mattered, Joe realizes he's tired of protection. He's tired of having something good, something real, and treating it like a secret that needs to be managed.

Riley's not a problem to be solved or a risk to be calculated. She's the person who makes him feel most like himself. And it's time to stop hiding that.

By the time he pulls into his driveway, Joe's made a decision. He wants to go public, not with some grand announcement or orchestrated photo op, just by living their life together without constantly looking over his shoulder.

He wants to bring her to events. Wants to stop cropping her out of his world. Wants to introduce her as his girlfriend without it feeling like he's revealing state secrets.

Joe sits in his car for a moment, engine off, thinking about Riley in that industry meeting, fighting for her fans to have affordable tickets. She's not hiding who she is or what she stands for. Maybe it's time he learned something from that.

He checks his phone one more time, but there is no response from Riley yet. She's probably still in meetings, still fighting for what she believes is right.

Tomorrow he'll call his team and tell them he's done being so careful. Tonight, he'll wait for her call and figure out how to tell the woman he loves that he's ready to love her out loud.

* * *

The private dining room at Republique is understatedly elegant, featuring exposed brick, soft lighting, and a setting where million-dollar deals are often made over wine and small plates. Riley sits across from three Ticketmaster executives, her team flanking her like a well-oiled machine. The leather-bound presentation Gwen had their team prepare sits open between them, charts and data points highlighting everything they've spent weeks perfecting.

"What we're proposing isn't radical," Riley says, leaning forward slightly. "We want to eliminate dynamic pricing entirely for our tour. Set a hard cap on face value tickets and stick to it."

The lead executive, a woman named Janet, nods thoughtfully as she flips through their proposal. "The numbers you're showing here, you're talking about leaving significant revenue on the table."

"We're willing to take that hit," Pete chimes in from Riley's right. "Our fans shouldn't have to choose between rent and seeing us live."

Andy, usually the wildcard, is completely dialed in tonight. "We've run the projections. Even with reduced ticket prices, we expect to sell out every venue. The loyalty that builds is worth more than surge pricing."

Riley watches Janet's face carefully. "Look, we know surge pricing works for you. Supply and demand, market forces, all that. But our fans aren't commodities. They're teenagers saving up from part-time jobs. They're parents who budget for months to take their kids to a show."

Daniel clears his throat. “Honestly, the numbers are clear, price caps make people happier, and there’s way less drama with customer service. Fans stick around. It works.”

Haley slides a tablet across the table, showing their social media analytics. "Rambles fans trust us because we've never treated them like ATMs. This keeps that relationship intact."

"And the bot management?" another executive asks.

"That's where we need your help," Gwen says smoothly. "Better verification systems, improved queuing technology. We're not asking you to work for free, we're asking you to work with us."

Riley can feel the energy in the room shifting. "On resale and scalpers, we want aggressive monitoring. Any ticket being sold for more than face value plus fees gets flagged immediately. We'll promote official resale only."

Janet closes the presentation and looks at her colleagues. "This is... actually more comprehensive than most artists bring us."

"Because most artists don't spend months researching every aspect of fan experience," Riley says with a slight smile. "We do our homework."

"I can see that." Janet's expression is impressed, maybe even a little surprised. "The revenue projections are conservative but realistic. And the fan retention data is compelling."

Riley feels the familiar rush of being in her element, passionate, prepared, fighting for something that matters. This is what she does best: taking care of her people.

"So what do you think?" she asks. "Can we make this work?"

Janet exchanges glances with her team before turning back to Riley. "I think we can definitely work with this framework. There are some details to iron out, but the core concept... It's doable."

Riley tries to keep her expression professional, but she can feel Pete's excitement radiating beside her. They did it. After months of preparation, they actually did it.

"That's incredible," Gwen says, speaking for all of them. "When can we expect a formal response?"

"Give us a week to run this through our systems people," Janet says. "But I'm optimistic."

As they start gathering their materials, Riley feels a deep satisfaction settling in her chest. This is exactly why she does this, not for the money or the fame, but for moments like these, where she can actually make a difference for the people who support her.

"Should we celebrate?" Haley asks, grinning. "This calls for another bottle of wine."

"Absolutely," Riley says, settling back into her chair. "We earned this."

The conversation shifts from business to celebration as they order another round and toast their success. Pete tells stories about their early days playing venues where tickets cost five dollars. Andy makes increasingly ridiculous suggestions for victory celebrations. Daniel, emboldened by wine and success, actually cracks jokes.

Riley feels loose and happy in a way she hasn't in weeks. Tour prep has been stressful, with the constant rehearsals and pressure building toward their first show. But tonight reminds her why it's all worth it, these people, this work, this ability to fight for what matters.

* * *

After the Ticketmaster executives leave with promises to follow up within the week, Riley and her team stay behind to properly celebrate. The adrenaline from the successful meeting has them all buzzing with energy.

"I can't believe they actually went for it," Pete says, shaking his head in amazement. "The whole thing caps, bot management, resale monitoring."

"Did you see Janet's face when we showed her the fan retention data?" Andy grins. "She looked like we'd just presented her with the holy grail of customer satisfaction."

Riley takes a sip of her wine, feeling genuinely proud. "Three months of research and number-crunching. Worth every spreadsheet Gwen made me review."

"Every boring conference call with data analysts," Gwen adds with a laugh.

Daniel, who’s been quietly glowing all evening, finally speaks up. “This is the kind of thing that actually makes a difference for the fans. It’s huge.”

"That's the point," Riley says simply. "We've got a platform, we might as well use it for something good."

They spend another twenty minutes rehashing the meeting, analyzing every response, getting giddy over the implications. Riley feels the warm buzz of wine and success, surrounded by people who've become family over the years of building this together.

"Alright," Gwen finally says, checking her watch. "I should head out. Early morning tomorrow."

"Same," Haley agrees. "This was amazing, though. Really amazing."

As they settle the bill and start gathering their things, Riley feels loose and happy in a way she hasn’t in weeks. She wants to hold onto this feeling when tour prep ramps up again, wants to remember that all the stress is for nights like this, moments that make the hard parts worth it.

They're walking toward the restaurant's exit, still talking and laughing, when Riley spots a familiar figure at the bar. Her stomach drops instantly.

Ethan Mills is slumped over a whiskey, clearly several drinks past his limit. His hair is disheveled, his expensive shirt wrinkled, and even from across the room, Riley can tell he's not just drunk, he's obliterated.

"Shit," she mutters under her breath.

Pete follows her gaze and immediately tenses. "Is that—"

"Yeah." Riley's mind is already calculating. Exit strategies. How to get past him without being seen. "Let's just go. Quickly."

But it's too late. Ethan's head lifts, and his unfocused eyes land directly on her. A slow, unpleasant smile spreads across his face as he slides off his barstool with the unsteady determination of someone very drunk with an agenda.

"Riley fucking Carter," Ethan calls out, loud enough that several other diners turn to look. "Look what the cat dragged in."

Riley's team immediately shifts into protective formation around her, but she puts a hand on Pete's arm. "It's fine. Let me handle this."

Ethan stumbles toward them, and the smell of whiskey hits her before he even opens his mouth again. “Word is Riley’s got herself a quarterback now. That's cute."

Riley's blood runs cold. "How do you—"

"Oh, come on, babe. You didn't get all our friends to yourself in the breakup." Ethan's words are slurred but pointed. "People talk. Even when y'all are trying to keep it quiet."

"Ethan, you need to go home," Riley says calmly, though her heart is racing. "Call someone."

"Don't tell me what to do." His voice grows louder and more aggressive. "You always think you know better than everyone else, don't you? Think you're so fucking perfect now."

Andy steps forward. "Dude, back off."

"Oh, the cavalry," Ethan sneers. "Still need your little boyfriend to fight your battles, Riley?"

"He's not my boyfriend," Riley says firmly. "And I don't need anyone to fight anything. You're drunk. Go home."

But Ethan's not done. "So what, you're too good for musicians now? Gotta upgrade to America's golden boy? Hope he likes surprises, never a dull moment with you, right?"

"That's enough," Pete cuts him off.

Riley can feel the eyes of other restaurant patrons on them now. This is exactly what she was trying to avoid: a scene, drama, the kind of spectacle that follows her around like a shadow from their toxic relationship.

"I'm leaving," she says simply, turning toward the exit.

That's when Ethan's hand shoots out and grabs her wrist, pulling her back toward him.

"Don't walk away from me," he hisses, his grip tight enough to hurt.

Riley jerks her arm free, her face flashing with anger and something that looks like fear. In that split second, with phones already recording and cameras flashing, the optics are all wrong; it seems like she's the aggressor, as if she pushed him, as if she's the one causing problems.

"Don't ever touch me again," she says, her voice shaking with fury.

But the damage is already done. The photos are already taken. And by tomorrow morning, the headlines will paint her as the unstable ex attacking her former boyfriend at an upscale restaurant.

Riley doesn't know this yet. Right now, she's just trying to get her team safely out of a restaurant while her hands shake with adrenaline and her ex-boyfriend calls after her with increasingly nasty comments about her life, her choices, and the quarterback she's supposedly not good enough for.

* * *

Riley's hands are still shaking as she slides into the passenger seat of Pete's car. The others have scattered to their own rides, but Pete insisted on driving her home, and she's grateful for it. She doesn't trust herself behind the wheel right now.

"What the fuck was that?" she breathes, running her fingers through her hair. "How does he know about Joe? We've been so careful."

Pete starts the engine, his jaw tight with anger. "Ethan's always been a piece of shit, but that was next level. Grabbing you like that—"

"The photos," Riley interrupts, the reality hitting her. "Pete, there were people filming. This is going to be everywhere."

"Hey." Pete reaches over and squeezes her shoulder. "We'll figure it out. Call Joe. He can help you process this."

Riley nods, pulling out her phone with trembling fingers. She needs to hear his voice, needs him to tell her it's going to be okay, that they'll figure this out together.

The phone rings once, twice, three times. Straight to voicemail.

"He's not answering," she says, trying again immediately. Same result.

"Try one more time," Pete suggests gently.

Third call. Still nothing.

Riley stares at her phone, feeling something crack open in her chest. She knows he's probably just asleep, probably had a long day at the wedding, but right now it feels like abandonment. Like when she needs him most, he's not there.

"He's probably just—" Pete starts.

"I know," Riley cuts him off, but her voice wavers. "I know he's probably asleep. It's just... fuck, Pete. Everything was going so well tonight. The meeting was perfect, we were celebrating, and then Ethan just..."

"Ruined it. Like he always does."

Riley leans her head back against the headrest, closing her eyes. "He knows about Joe. Which means other people know. Which means we're not as private as we thought."

"That doesn't change anything though, right? You and Joe, you're solid."

"Are we?" The words slip out before Riley can stop them. "I mean, yeah, we are. But this... this is exactly what he's been worried about. Drama, headlines, his image getting dragged into my mess."

Pete pulls into Riley's driveway and turns off the engine. "Riles, this isn't your mess. This is Ethan being a drunk asshole. Joe will understand that."

Riley wants to believe that, but something cold is settling in her stomach. She keeps thinking about Joe's careful nature, his team's concerns, how hard they've worked to keep their relationship private.

"I'm staying tonight," Pete says, not making it a question. "Daniel and Andy are worried sick, and honestly, so am I. You shouldn't be alone right now."

"You don't have to—"

"I'm staying," Pete repeats firmly. "We'll make some tea, watch terrible movies, and tomorrow we'll deal with whatever fallout comes from tonight. But right now, you need someone here."

Riley nods, grateful beyond words for Pete's steady presence. "I love you, you know that?" she says quietly.

"Love you too, Riles."

As they walk toward her front door, she tries Joe's number one more time.

Still nothing.

* * *

Riley curls up on her couch with a mug of chamomile tea that's gone cold in her hands. Pete's in the kitchen, puttering around and giving her space to breathe, but she can feel his worried energy from across the room.

Her phone sits face down on the coffee table, but she can't stop herself from picking it up every few minutes to check if Joe has called back. Each time, nothing.

"Stop torturing yourself," Pete says gently, taking the chair across from her. "It's midnight here, but it's, what, three in Cincinnati? He's definitely drooling on his pillow by now."

"I know." Riley takes a shaky sip of tea. "I just... I needed to hear his voice tonight, you know? After everything with Ethan."

"Want to try again?"

Riley shakes her head. Three missed calls are enough. More than enough. She doesn't want to seem desperate, even though that's exactly how she feels.

"Let's see if anything's posted yet," she says, reaching for her phone.

"Riles, no. That's a terrible idea."

But she's already opening Instagram, searching for any mention of her name or the restaurant. It doesn't take long.

The first video appears on a gossip account with 2.3 million followers. The caption reads: "Riley Carter's restaurant meltdown - is the rock star back to her old ways?"

Riley's heart sinks as she watches grainy phone footage of the moment Ethan grabbed her wrist. Out of context, it appears that she's pushing him, making her seem like the aggressor. The angle completely misses Ethan's grip on her arm, completely misses his drunken state.

"Oh god," she whispers.

Pete moves to sit beside her on the couch. "Let me see."

More posts are appearing by the minute. Twitter is already exploding with speculation. #RileyCarterMeltdown is trending. The comments are brutal:

"Same old Riley, different day"

"Thought she cleaned up her act"

"Poor Ethan, he looked scared"

"Rock stars never change"

"Turn it off," Pete says firmly. "None of these people were there. None of them knows what actually happened."

But Riley keeps scrolling, unable to stop herself. Each new post feels like a punch to the gut. The narrative is already set: troubled rock star attacks ex-boyfriend at upscale restaurant. The fact that Ethan was blackout drunk doesn't matter. The fact that he grabbed her first doesn't matter.

"I should call Gwen," she mumbles.

"It's midnight, Riles. Call her tomorrow."

"This is going to be everywhere by tomorrow. Joe's going to see this and think—"

"Joe's going to see this and understand that your drunk ex ambushed you," Pete interrupts. "Because he knows you."

Riley wants to believe that, but she keeps thinking about all their conversations about being careful, about his image, about how they've worked so hard to keep their relationship private. And now this is exactly the kind of drama he's been worried about.

She opens Twitter again, searching for any mention of Joe. That's when she sees it: a photo from the wedding, posted by someone named Amy with the caption "Great seeing old friends tonight! ❤️ @justinhilliard's wedding was perfect!"

In the photo, Joe has his arm around a beautiful woman with dark blonde hair and light highlights. They both look relaxed, happy, and comfortable. Riley's stomach drops as she recognizes Olivia from Google searches she's done in weaker moments.

"Who's that?" Pete asks, looking over her shoulder.

"His ex," Riley says quietly. "Olivia."

They look so natural together, so easy. While Riley was getting ambushed by her toxic ex, Joe was posing for photos with his. The contrast feels devastating.

"It's just a picture, Riles. Doesn't mean anything."

Riley nods, but her throat feels tight. She knows it doesn't mean anything romantic, but right now, seeing Joe looking that comfortable with someone else while she's falling apart, it feels like everything.

Her phone buzzes with a text from Andy: Saw the videos. Are you okay? Want me to come over?

Then Daniel: This is bullshit. Everyone knows you're not like that anymore.

Then her mom said, 'Baby, I saw the news.' Call me.

Riley turns her phone face down again, feeling overwhelmed. "I can't deal with all of this tonight."

"Then don't," Pete says simply. "We'll watch something mindless until you fall asleep, and tomorrow we'll figure out how to handle it."

But as Pete scrolls through Netflix options, Riley can't shake the image of Joe and Olivia looking so perfectly at ease together. Can't stop thinking about how this night started with such a victory and ended with everything falling apart.

* * *

Joe wakes up at 9:23 AM feeling better than he has in weeks. The wedding, the conversation with Olivia, and his decision about going public with Riley —everything feels clear in the morning light. He's ready to stop hiding, ready to bring Riley into his world properly.

He reaches for his phone to text her good morning and sees seventeen missed calls.

His stomach drops immediately. Seventeen missed calls before 7 AM means a crisis.

The first call back is to Mark, his agent, who answers before the second ring.

"Jesus, Joe, finally. We've been trying to reach you for hours."

"What's wrong?" Joe sits up in bed, fully awake now.

"Have you seen the headlines? About Riley?"

Joe's blood goes cold. "What headlines?"

"Check your texts. I'm sending you links now."

Joe opens the first link Mark sends:

"Riley Carter's Restaurant Meltdown: Rock Star Attacks Ex at Upscale LA Eatery"

The photo shows Riley with her arm extended toward Ethan, her face twisted in anger. Out of context, it appears exactly as the headline suggests: an unprovoked attack.

"This is everywhere, Joe," Mark continues. "TMZ, People, Entertainment Tonight. The video's been viewed three million times since last night."

Joe scrolls through more headlines: "Troubled Rock Star Riley Carter Back to Old Ways," "Riley Carter's Violent Outburst Caught on Camera," "Is Riley Carter Spiraling Again?"

"Shit," Joe breathes.

"It gets worse. People are already asking what you think about this. Twitter's blowing up with questions about whether you're going to comment, whether you're still together. Your mentions are a mess."

Joe's phone buzzes with another call, Bill, his publicist.

"I need to take this," Joe tells Mark.

"Joe, thank God," Bill says the moment Joe answers. "We need to talk about damage control. This Riley situation is about to become your Riley situation."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, social media is already speculating about your connection to her. And with your season starting, we cannot afford to have your name tied to this kind of drama."

Joe stares at the photos on his laptop screen. Riley looks unhinged and aggressive. Nothing like the woman who sent him that David Byrne video yesterday, nothing like the person who fights for her fans' affordable tickets.

"Have you talked to her?" Bill asks.

"No, I—I just woke up."

"Good. Could you not call her back yet? We need to discuss strategy first."

"Strategy?"

"Joe, this is exactly what we've been worried about with this relationship. Her past and reputation were always going to be a liability. And now it's playing out in real time."

Joe feels something cold settling in his chest. Yesterday, he was ready to go public, ready to stop caring what people thought. Today, faced with actual consequences, he's not sure.

"This is exactly what we've been worried about," Bill continues. "Her past is catching up, and now you're getting pulled into it. Every story about this is going to mention you by the third paragraph."

Joe looks at his phone and sees three missed calls from Riley from late last night. She was trying to reach him while this was happening, while her world was falling apart, and he was sleeping off wedding champagne.

"What are you suggesting?" Joe asks, though he's afraid he already knows.

"You need to be extra careful now. No comments, if anyone asks. Definitely no being seen together until this dies down. And Joe? Is this relationship worth this?"

Joe stares at the headlines again. The photos. The comments calling Riley unstable, violent, and a mess. Part of him knows there has to be more to the story. Riley doesn't start fights, doesn't attack people. But the evidence is right there on his screen, and his team's panic is infectious.

"I need to think," he says.

"Don't think too long," Mark chimes in, having joined the call. "Every hour this story grows, it gets harder to stay out of it."

After Joe hangs up, he sits in his bed staring at Riley's missed calls. Yesterday, he was ready to tell her he loved her, ready to stop hiding their relationship. Today, looking at these headlines, all he can think about is protecting himself.

He doesn't call her back. Not yet. First, he needs to figure out how to handle this without destroying everything he's built.

* * *

Joe stares at his phone for another ten minutes before finally calling Riley back. It's nearly 10 AM, and she tried to reach him at midnight. Realizing how long she's been dealing with this alone makes him sick with guilt.

She picks up on the first ring.

"Joe." Her voice is raw and exhausted, as if she's been crying.

"Hey. I'm sorry I missed your calls. I saw the headlines this morning and—"

"You saw the headlines before you called me back." It's not a question.

Joe pauses, realizing how that sounds. "My team called. They were panicking about—"

"About how this looks for you."

"Riley, what happened? The photos... they're saying you attacked Ethan."

Riley takes a shaky breath. "I didn't attack anyone. He was drunk out of his mind, Joe. Like, blackout drunk. He came up to us after our meeting and started saying things about you and about us. When I tried to leave, he grabbed my wrist."

"He grabbed you?"

"Yeah. And when I pulled away, that's when someone took the photo. It looks like I'm pushing him, but I was trying to get his hands off me."

Joe can hear the exhaustion in her voice, the hurt. "Are you okay?"

"No, I'm not okay! I've been watching this story explode all night. People are calling me unstable and violent. They're saying I'm back to my old ways." Her voice cracks. "And the worst part? Ethan knew about us. He said people talk, that we weren't as private as we thought."

Joe feels that familiar clench of anxiety. "What exactly did he say?"

"Does it matter? The point is our relationship isn't as secret as we hoped, and now I'm a PR nightmare for you."

"That's not—"

"Isn't it?" Riley's voice gets sharper. "Joe, I needed you last night. I was falling apart, and I called you three times, and you were... where were you?"

"I was asleep. I didn't know—"

"You were at a wedding. With Olivia."

Joe's stomach drops. "Riley—"

"I saw the photo. You two looked really comfortable."

"It was completely innocent. We just talked, caught up. She's seeing someone, she moved to Nashville—"

"While I was getting ambushed by my drunk ex, you were posing for pictures with yours."

"That's not fair."

"Fair?" Riley's voice rises. "You want to talk about fair? I got attacked last night, had cameras shoved in my face, and when I call you for support, you're too busy to answer."

"Riley, I'm sorry. I should have answered. But right now, with everything that's happening—"

"What? What about right now?"

Joe takes a breath, and he can hear his team's voices in his head. "We need to be more careful."

The silence that follows is deafening.

"More careful," Riley repeats slowly. "More careful than what, Joe? More careful than never going anywhere together? More careful than me having to crop you out of every photo?"

"Just until this blows over—"

"There it is." Riley's voice has gone cold. "Until this blows over. Until I stop being an embarrassment to your image."

"That's not what I meant."

"Yes, it is. I know this is the part where you say you panicked, you didn't know what the fuck to do, it all looked bad. I get it. But not once was it because I was ashamed of you."

"I know that—"

"Do you? Because it sounds like you're more worried about how this affects your precious reputation than about the fact that your girlfriend got grabbed by her drunk ex."

"Riley, you know that's not—"

"What I know is that when push comes to shove, I'm the problem you need to manage. Not the person you want to protect."

Joe feels everything spiraling. "I'm trying to protect us—"

"No, you're trying to protect yourself. There's a difference."

"Riley, can you just—"

"What? Can I just what? Disappear until I'm convenient again? Make myself smaller so you don't have to worry about how it looks?"

"That's not what I'm asking—"

"Yeah, it is."

The line goes quiet except for the sound of Riley's uneven breathing.

"I can't do this," she says finally, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Riley, wait—"

But the line's already dead.

Joe stares at his phone, the silence echoing in his ears. The quiet lasts maybe five seconds before panic sets in.

He calls back immediately. It rings four times, then goes to voicemail. He hangs up and tries again.—Same result.

"Riley, please pick up," he says after the third attempt goes to voicemail. "I know I fucked that up... please call me back."

Fourth call. Fifth. Sixth.

By the seventh call, it goes straight to voicemail without ringing. She's turned her phone off.

Joe sits in his kitchen, his phone silent in his hands, and knows that somewhere across the country, Riley is doing exactly what he would do protecting herself from more damage. The difference is, this time, he's the one causing it.

* * *

Joe rubs his face with his hands, replaying the conversation. Riley's voice when she said his name—raw, exhausted, like she'd been holding her breath all night waiting for him to call. And his first response wasn't to ask if she was okay, wasn't to tell her he was sorry she went through that alone. It was to mention the headlines.

You saw the headlines before you called me back.

She was right. He had seen them first. He had let Mark and Bill get into his head, had let their panic become his own. By the time he called her, he wasn't calling as her boyfriend who was worried about her, he was calling as someone who needed to manage a crisis.

The photos flash through his mind again. Riley looks angry and aggressive. Ethan looked startled, almost afraid. Joe knows Riley knows she doesn't start fights, doesn't attack people. In all the time he's known her, she's never violently lost her cool. She gets passionate, sure, but not aggressive.

But if he’s honest, looking at those headlines, he let himself believe it for longer than he should have. Or at least, he acted like he did.

I needed you last night.

That's him. While he was sleeping off wedding champagne, feeling good about his decision to go public, Riley was getting ambushed by her drunk ex. She was dealing with cameras and questions and her past being weaponized against her, and she'd had him. Three times.

And he'd be unreachable.

Joe thinks about the David Byrne video she'd seen just yesterday. The way she said she missed him. The conversation about their song, about home, about love that doesn't have to be justified to anyone else. How had he gone from that to "we need" to be more careful in less than twenty-four hours?

His team. Is this relationship worth it?

Bill's question sits like a stone in his chest. Three hours ago, Joe would have said yes without hesitation. Riley was worth it; he was worth the media attention, worth the complications, worth people having opinions about his personal life. She made him feel like himself in a way he'd never experienced before.

But when faced with actual consequences, actual headlines, and actual crises, he'd falter.

Joe gets up and walks to his living room, surveying his perfectly organized, impersonal space. Everything in its place, everything carefully curated. Before Riley, this house felt like enough: clean lines, no drama, no mess to manage.

Now it just feels empty.

He thinks about Riley’s in New Orleans, how every room feels lived in, every corner full of music and memories. The records stacked by the window, the mismatched mugs, the way it felt like home the moment he walked in.

While I was getting ambushed by my drunk ex, you were posing for pictures with yours.

The photo with Olivia. Joe pulls it up on his phone, him and Olivia smiling, his arm around her shoulders. They do look comfortable. Happy. Like two people who don't care about the world.

Meanwhile, Riley was fighting off her toxic ex and getting photographed at her worst moment.

The contrast is devastating when he really thinks about it. Olivia, who he'd told he loved Riley before ever telling Riley. Olivia, who'd encouraged him to stop worrying about what other people think. And there he was, twelve hours later, telling Riley they needed to be more careful because of what other people might think.

Joe drops onto the couch, the same spot where Riley had curled up against him just weeks ago, talking about her grandfather, her music, her fears about trusting someone new. She'd be vulnerable with him in ways she probably hadn't with anyone since Ethan destroyed her trust.

And this morning, he'd proved that trust was misplaced.

When push comes to shove, I'm the one you need to manage.

That's what she'd said, and Joe had denied it. But sitting here now, he realizes she was exactly right. The moment things got complicated, his instinct wasn't to protect her—it was to protect himself. To distance himself. To treat her like a liability instead of the person who'd made him happier than he'd ever been.

His phone sits silent on the coffee table. Part of him wants to call her back again, to try to apologize once more, to explain that he panicked and said all the wrong things. But he can hear the finality in her voice when she says she can't do this. Can see the pattern they've just fallen into—him pulling back every time external pressure mounts.

The worst part is that his team was probably right about the practical stuff. This will be a headache. There will be more headlines, more questions, more people having opinions about his personal life. Dating Riley Carter was never going to be simple.

But yesterday, sitting in his car after the wedding, he'd been ready for complicated. Ready to figure it out together instead of trying to solve it by keeping her at arm's length.

Now he's here, he gets another chance to choose differently.

Joe looks around his empty house and realizes that for all his talk about being careful, he might have just made the most careless mistake of his life.

The silence stretches on, and for the first time in years, Joe Burrow doesn't know how to fix what he's been. Worse, he's not sure he deserves the chance to try.

He'd told Olivia yesterday that he loved Riley. Said it so easily, so naturally, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. And less than twenty-four hours later, when Riley needed him to prove that love meant something, he'd failed completely.

The irony isn't lost on him—he'd spent his whole career learning from mistakes, adjusting, getting better. But with Riley, every time it mattered, he kept fucking up.

* * *

Riley sits on her couch, phone clutched in her shaking hands, trying to process what just happened. The conversation replays in her head on a loop—Joe's careful tone, his measured responses, the way he said "we need to be more careful" like she was a problem to be solved.

Her phone starts ringing again. Joe's name lights up the screen.

She doesn't answer.

It rings again. And again.

"Riley?" Pete calls from the kitchen, where he's been giving her space but clearly listening. "You okay?"

She's not okay. She's the furthest thing from okay. The phone keeps ringing—fourth call, fifth call—and with each buzz, something inside her breaks a little more.

By the sixth call, Riley can't take it anymore. She sees Joe's name appear again and something snaps.

Riley hurls the phone across the room.

It hits the brick wall next to her fireplace with a sickening crack. The screen goes black immediately, pieces of glass scattering across her hardwood floor.

The sudden silence is deafening.

“Riley!” Pete rushes in from the kitchen and takes in the scene—Riley hunched on the couch, her phone shattered against the wall, glass glinting on the floor.

"I broke it," she says through tears, staring at the wreckage. "I broke my phone."

"Okay," Pete says gently, sitting beside her on the couch. "We can get you a new phone."

"He kept calling." Riley's voice is barely above a whisper. "After telling me we need to be more careful, after basically saying I'm too much drama for his perfect life, he kept calling like that would fix it."

Pete carefully steps around the glass to examine the phone. The screen is completely shattered, and the device is bent at an unnatural angle. "Yeah, this is definitely dead."

Riley lets out a sharp, humorless laugh. “Perfect. Add it to the list, right?”

"Hey." Pete sits back down, his voice serious. "Talk to me. What did he say?"

Riley pulls her knees to her chest, making herself small. "He said we need to be more careful. Like we haven't been careful enough already. Like I haven't been hiding in the shadows of his life for months."

"And?"

"And I told him the truth. That when it matters, I'm just a problem he needs to manage." Riley's voice cracks. "He didn't even deny it, Pete. He just... he didn't deny it."

Pete is quiet for a moment, processing. "Maybe he was just scared. People say stupid things when they're scared."

"No." Riley shakes her head. "This wasn't scared. This was calculated. This was him choosing his image over me."

She thinks about last night—how confident she'd felt after the Ticketmaster meeting, how proud she'd been of fighting for her fans. How quickly it all turned to shit when Ethan showed up with his poison and his cameras.

"I called him three times last night," she continues. "Three times, Pete. And he was off taking cozy photos with his ex-girlfriend."

"You don't know that's what—"

"I saw the photo. They looked..." Riley struggles for the word. "Happy. Comfortable. Like two people who don't have to worry about being 'too careful' with each other."

Pete shakes his head. “It’s just a picture, Riles. Doesn’t mean anything.”

But Riley barely hears him.

“I’m such an idiot,” Riley says, burying her face in her hands. “I really thought he was different. I thought he saw past all the stories, past everything people think I am. I thought he actually saw me.”

"He does see you—"

“No, he doesn’t. Because if he understood me, he’d know I’d never start something like that. He’d know Ethan was the one who grabbed me. He’d know I needed him last night, and he wasn’t there.”

Riley looks at the shattered phone again, at the pieces of glass scattered across her floor. It feels symbolic somehow—the destruction of connection, of hope, of the carefully constructed bridge she'd built between her chaotic world and his ordered one.

"What am I supposed to do now?" she asks quietly.

Pete follows her gaze to the broken phone. "First, we clean this up. Then we get you a new phone. Then..."

"Then what?"

"Then we figure out how to get through this without him."

The words hit Riley like a physical blow. Without him. The thought of going back to her life before Joe—before someone who made her feel seen and valued and worth protecting—feels impossible.

But sitting here, surrounded by the debris of her broken phone and her broken trust, Riley realizes she might not have a choice.

"I can't keep doing this," she whispers. "I can't keep being someone's secret. I can't keep pretending it doesn't hurt when the person I love chooses everyone else's opinion over me."

Pete reaches over and squeezes her hand. "Then don't."

Riley nods, but inside, something fundamental has shifted. The walls she'd slowly let down for Joe are rebuilding themselves, brick by brick. And this time, she's not sure anyone will be able to break through them again.

* * *

Pete looks at Riley crying on the couch, then at the shattered phone, then back at Riley. In all the years he's known her—through the worst of the Ethan days, through panic attacks before big shows, through family drama and industry bullshit—he's never seen her this broken.

"Come on," he says gently, standing up and extending his hand. "Let's get you outside. You love it out there by the pool."

Riley doesn't move. "I don't want to—"

"I know. But you need air, and I need to make some calls." Pete's voice is firm but kind. "Trust me."

She lets him pull her up from the couch, and he guides her through the sliding glass doors to the backyard. The pool sparkles in the late morning sun, lounge chairs lined up under the wide sky, the sound of water trickling from the small fountain she installed last year. Usually, this is her sanctuary. Today, it just feels like another place where she’s alone.

Pete settles her into her favorite chair, the one with the soft cushions that she always curls up in when they're writing songs out here. "Stay put. I'll be right back."

Riley nods, pulling her knees to her chest and staring at the water.

Pete goes back inside and pulls out his own phone. First call: Haley.

“Pete? What’s wrong?” Haley answers immediately, her voice a little panicked.

"Riley needs us. Can you get over here?"

“Is this about the Ethan thing? I saw the videos—I’ve been trying to call her all morning.”

"It's about Joe. He fucked up. Bad. And Riley's..." Pete looks out at her through the glass doors. "She's not okay."

"I'm already getting dressed. Twenty minutes."

Next call: Daniel.

"Everything alright?" Daniel's voice is groggy—he was still asleep.

"Riley needs you here. Now."

The grogginess disappears instantly. "On my way."

Andy answers before Pete even hears it ring. "Dude, I've been watching Twitter all night. How bad is it?"

"Worse than the internet knows. Get here."

"Fuck. Yeah, I'm coming."

Last call: Laura.

"Pete? What's up?"

"Riley needs you. Joe broke her heart, and she broke her phone, and I need all hands on deck."

Laura doesn't hesitate. "I'll stop and get coffee on the way. The good stuff from that place she likes."

Pete pockets his phone and looks out at Riley through the glass doors. She's still curled up in the chair, staring at the water. Before going back outside, he opens his messages and finds Joe's contact.

Dude what the fuck. I've been in your corner this whole time. What are you doing?

The response comes faster than Pete expected.

I fucked up. Is she okay?

No, she's not okay. She threw her phone at the wall and broke it. She's crying her eyes out.

I've been trying to call her back

Well, you can stop now because her phone is in pieces

Pete, I know how this looks, but I panicked. My team was freaking out about the headlines

So you chose your team over her?

The typing bubbles appear and disappear several times before Joe's response comes through.

I don't know. Maybe. I wasn't thinking straight.

Joe, she needed you last night. She called you three times after Ethan ambushed her, and you didn't answer.

I was asleep. I didn't know what happened until this morning

And your first instinct was damage control instead of making sure she was okay

You're right.

She loves you, you know that, right? And you just told her she’s too much trouble for your perfect life.

That's not what I meant

But that's what you said. That's what she heard.

Another long pause before Joe responds.

How do I fix this?

Pete looks out at Riley, still staring at the water, and types back:

I honestly don't know if you can.

He puts his phone away and goes back outside. Whatever Joe's response might be, Pete doesn't want to see it right now. His focus needs to be on Riley.

"They're all coming," he says, settling into the chair next to her.

"You didn't have to—"

"Yes, I did." Pete's voice is matter-of-fact. "This is what we do. When one of us is hurting, we show up."

Riley looks at him, and for the first time since the phone call, her expression softens slightly. "I don't know what I'd do without you guys."

"You'll never have to find out."

They sit in comfortable silence, the quiet broken only by the fountain and the distant sound of wind moving through the canyon. Pete knows Riley well enough to know she’s replaying the conversation with Joe, picking apart every word, every pause, every implication.

"Want to talk about what he said?" Pete asks finally.

Riley shakes her head. "I want to wait until everyone's here. I only want to say it once."

Pete nods. "Fair enough."

"Pete?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you. For staying. For calling everyone. For..." She gestures vaguely. "For knowing what I need before I do."

"That's what family does."

Riley's eyes fill with tears again, but these feel different. Not the desperate, betrayed tears from earlier, but something softer. Grateful.

"I love you guys so much," she whispers.

"We love you, too. And we're going to get you through this."

Pete means it. He's watched Riley survive worse than Joe Burrow. She's stronger than she knows, even if she can't see it right now.

But as he sits there watching her stare at the water, Pete can't shake the feeling that this particular heartbreak might take longer to heal than the others. Because this time, Riley had actually let herself believe it might be different.

* * *

Haley arrives first, twenty minutes after Pete’s call, with that focused expression she gets when there’s a crisis to manage.

"She still outside?" Haley asks, not bothering with pleasantries.

"Yeah. By the pool."

Haley nods and heads straight out, settling into the chair next to Riley. She pulls out her phone and starts scrolling through something work-related, creating a quiet presence without trying to force conversation.

Daniel shows up next, looking like he rolled out of bed and grabbed the first clothes he could find. His hair is going in three different directions.

"Brought snacks," he says, holding up a bag of gas station junk food. "And these." He sets down a case of White Claws.

Andy steps inside, worry written all over his face. “Okay, what’s going on? Pete sounded serious.”

Laura walks in last, carrying the good coffee from that place Riley likes and a small pharmacy bag. "Figured she might need caffeine and Advil," she says practically. "Where is she?"

They end up by the pool, everyone grabbing chairs or settling on the ground. Andy immediately cracks open a White Claw and offers one to Riley, who shakes her head. Daniel sprawls in a chair and closes his eyes. Laura distributes coffee. Haley stays close beside Riley, scrolling through her phone.

It's Riley who finally breaks the silence.

"Joe told me we needed to be more careful," she says to the water. "After Ethan grabbed me last night, the photos made it look like I attacked him."

The fidgeting stops. Everyone's attention shifts to Riley, but nobody jumps in with questions or outrage.

"More careful how?" Haley asks.

Riley explains the phone call, Joe's team's panic, and his suggestion that they lay low until things blow over. Her friends listen without interrupting, letting her get it all out.

"So I hung up on him," Riley finishes. "And then he kept calling, and I threw my phone at the wall."

Andy speaks first. "Good. The hanging-up part, not the phone-breaking part. That was expensive."

"Andy," Daniel says.

"What? I'm proud of her for hanging up. That was some weak-ass bullshit from him."

Pete looks around the group. “Her phone’s done for—smashed it after he kept calling.”

Laura nods. “So it’s not like she can talk to him, even if she wanted to.”

Riley just shakes her head. “Doesn’t matter. I wouldn’t know what to say to him anyway.”

"How about 'go fuck yourself'?" Andy suggests helpfully.

"Or nothing," Haley says. "You don't owe him anything right now."

They spend the next few hours just existing in Riley’s space. Andy reorganizes her outdoor speakers and starts playing music. Daniel helps Haley clean up the glass from Riley’s broken phone, moving quietly. Laura forces everyone to eat the sandwiches she ordered, and Haley keeps Riley close.

No one tries to solve anything or offers advice about what Riley should do next. They just stay, filling her house with the familiar chaos of people who know how to be around each other.

After Pete texts Papa to let him know Riley’s phone is out of commission, it only takes a few hours for her mom to call Pete’s phone, worried. Word travels fast in Riley’s family. Pete hands off the call, and Riley finds herself retelling the story to someone who’s already planning a trip to Cincinnati to “have words” with Joe Burrow.

"Mom, no," Riley says. "I can handle this."

"I know you can, baby. But you shouldn't have to."

After she hangs up, Riley looks around at her friends scattered across her backyard and feels something loosen in her chest. Not better, exactly, but steadier.

"Seriously thanks for coming," she says. "All of you."

"Where else would we be?" Daniel asks, like it's the most obvious thing in the world.

* * *

Riley sits cross-legged on her bedroom floor at 2:47 AM, acoustic guitar balanced on her lap, surrounded by crumpled pieces of paper. Her friends left hours ago, but Pete's asleep in the guest room down the hall. The house is quiet except for the occasional creak of settling wood, too full of thoughts she can't shut off.

She strums a chord progression she's been picking at for the past hour—something haunting and raw that matches the ache in her chest. The melody feels familiar, like it's been waiting inside her since that phone call with Joe.

Mmm, mmm, mmm

She hums softly, testing the sound. Sometimes songs start with nothing but a feeling, a vibration that needs to find words.

Riley's fingers move across the strings, and fragments start coming:

Everyone says I look happy...

She stops, shakes her head. That's not quite right. She tries again:

The more that you give, the less that I need...

She scribbles lines in her notebook, crossing out, rewriting. The melody pulls her toward something rawer, more honest:

'Cause they say that misery loves company It's not your fault I ruin everything And it's not your fault I can't be what you need

Her voice cracks on the last line. This is the part that hurts most—not that Joe was wrong, but that maybe she really is too much. Too complicated, too messy, too likely to bring chaos into someone's carefully ordered life.

Baby, angels like you can't fly down hell with me

She stops playing, staring at the words she's just written. The line came from nowhere, but it fits. It's about the distance between them—not just physical, but fundamental.

I'm everything they said I would be

Riley plays the line again, feeling the weight of it. Simple words, but they carry everything—all the ways she's been labeled, all the expectations she's lived up to whether she wanted to or not.

She keeps working, the words coming easier now:

I'll put you down slow, love you goodbye Before you let go, just one more time

It's about the inevitable ending she can see coming. The way loving her always seems to hurt the people who try. The way she's learned to protect herself by leaving first.

A little more hurt won't kill you Tonight

The words feel like confession and accusation rolled into one. Like admitting she knows she's poison while daring someone to love her anyway.

Riley writes until her fingertips are sore from the steel strings, until the notebook page is covered in lyrics that tell the truth about being the kind of person who breaks things just by existing in them. The song isn't finished—songs like this never really are—but the core is there. The raw honesty of knowing you're someone's biggest mistake.

By the time she finally sets the guitar aside, dawn is creeping through her windows. Her fingers ache and her voice is hoarse from singing the same phrases over and over.

Riley climbs into bed, leaving the notebook open on her nightstand. The pages are covered in her messy handwriting—crossed-out lines, fragments, half-formed thoughts that might become something real.

She closes her eyes and for the first time in days, the silence doesn't feel heavy. The song isn't finished, might not ever be, but it's hers. Her truth, her pain, her choice about what to do with both.

Sleep comes easier than it has since that phone call, dreamless and deep.

* * *

Saturday, 11:47 PM Can we talk?

Sunday, 7:23 AM Riley

Sunday, 10:15 AM I saw the actual video. I'm sorry.

Sunday, 2:33 PM Please answer

Sunday, 6:45 PM I know I fucked up

Sunday, 9:18 PM Don't want to lose you over this

Monday, 6:30 AM Riley

Monday, 11:42 AM Just want to talk

Monday, 3:55 PM Your team won't answer either

Monday, 7:21 PM This silence is killing me

Monday, 10:33 PM I was wrong about everything

Tuesday, 8:15 AM Practice today. Thinking about you

Tuesday, 12:00 PM Are you still coming Friday after my game?

Tuesday, 4:47 PM Riley please just tell me you're okay

Tuesday, 8:30 PM Long day. You would have made it better

Tuesday, 11:52 PM Can't sleep without knowing we're okay

Wednesday, 7:45 AM Your flight's still booked for Saturday

Wednesday, 2:20 PM I'll pick you up at the airport if you let me

Wednesday, 9:15 PM Last preseason game Friday. Then I'm free

Thursday, 6:30 AM Game tomorrow. Season starts next week

Thursday, 1:10 PM Remember when you said this would be your first season watching?

Thursday, 8:00 PM Still hoping you'll be there Saturday

Each message shows as delivered but never read. Joe stares at his phone after sending the last text, the simple words feeling inadequate but also all he can manage.

He doesn’t know that across the country, Riley’s phone is still in pieces in a drawer, and she’s been borrowing Pete’s phone for the essentials, staying offline the rest of the time.

He doesn’t know that she picked up a new phone yesterday but hasn’t set it up yet—no texts, no calls, nothing beyond what her team and family need.

He doesn’t know her flight to Cincinnati is still booked for Friday, or that she’s been staring at the confirmation email for hours, unable to decide whether to cancel or just not show up.

All Joe knows is the silence, and the growing realization that she might not be coming this weekend after all.

* * *

Joe stares at his phone Thursday night after sending what feels like his hundredth unanswered text. The silence is eating him alive, and tomorrow's preseason game feels meaningless when all he can think about is whether Riley will be on that flight Saturday.

He scrolls through his contacts and calls his dad.

"Joey," Jimmy answers on the second ring. "How you doing, son?"

"Not great."

Jimmy's tone immediately shifts. "What's wrong?"

"Riley and I... we had a fight."

There's a pause. Jimmy knows how Joe feels about Riley—he's been asking about her for months, has seen the change in his son since they started dating.

"What happened?"

Joe gives his dad the short version—the headlines, his team freaking out, telling Riley they needed to be more careful.

"She hasn't talked to me since," Joe says. "It's been five days."

"You try calling her?"

"Phone goes straight to voicemail."

Jimmy is quiet for a moment. "You know what doesn't work when you mess up?"

"What?"

"Sitting around waiting."

Joe feels something shift. "You think I should go to LA?"

"I think if you care about her, you don't let her sit there thinking you chose everyone else over her."

"What if she doesn't want to see me?"

"Then you'll know. But Joey, from everything you've told us about Riley, she's not someone who gives up easy. If she's not talking to you, there's a reason."

Joe thinks about that last conversation, how hurt she sounded. "My game's tomorrow."

"Saturday's when she's supposed to come here?"

"Yeah. If she still is."

"Then you better figure out how to get to LA Saturday morning."

Joe's chest tightens. "What if I get there and it's over?"

"What if you don't go and she thinks you don't care enough to try?"

After Joe hangs up, he sits in his house thinking about Riley's voice when she hung up on him. How she said he was treating her like a problem to manage.

He calls Sarah to book a private flight to LA for Saturday morning.

Joe books it.

Tomorrow's the last preseason game. Saturday he'll find out if he still has her.

Either way, he's done waiting.

* * *

Riley stares at her new phone, Joe's messages lighting up the screen one after another. She got the replacement yesterday after living phone-free for three days, borrowing Pete's when absolutely necessary. Now all of Joe's texts from the past few days are flooding in, a steady stream of apologies and questions that her broken phone never received.

She could respond. Could end this silence that's been stretching between them for five days now.

She doesn't.

"He's asking if you're still coming Saturday," Haley says, reading over Pete's shoulder at Joe's latest message. "To Cincinnati."

Riley looks at her laptop screen, where the flight confirmation email sits open. Departure: Saturday 4:20 PM LAX to CVG. She's been staring at it for twenty minutes, cursor hovering over the "cancel trip" button.

"I don't know," she says honestly.

"What does your gut say?" Andy asks from where he's sprawled across her living room floor, supposedly helping her reorganize her vinyl collection but mostly just making piles based on "vibes."

Riley’s gut twists with how much she misses Joe. She keeps reaching for her phone to text him the stupidest things—a weird billboard, a song that made her laugh, even the fact that she caught herself watching his team’s highlights on SportsCenter just to feel close to him.

Her gut also says that nothing he's texted changes what he said to her on that phone call. That when things got complicated, his first instinct was to protect himself, not her.

"My gut says I'm tired of being someone's secret," she says finally.

Daniel looks up from the corner where he's been quietly tuning his guitar. "But you were okay with keeping it private before."

"Yeah, well, that was before I realized I'm always gonna be the problem." Riley's voice gets sharper. "The messy one, the complicated one, the one who makes everything harder. I'm so fucking tired of men treating me like I'm too much."

"And you think Joe's ashamed of you?" Laura asks gently.

Riley considers this. "I think Joe's more worried about how I look on paper than who I actually am."

Her phone buzzes with a text from—

Gwen: How are you holding up? Ready for rehearsal Monday?

Riley types back: As ready as I can be.

It's not entirely true. She's been trying to channel her heartbreak into her music, but everything she writes comes out either too angry or too sad. She needs the sweet spot—the place where pain becomes art instead of just noise.

"You know what's fucked up?" she says, looking around at her friends scattered throughout her living room. "I was actually excited about football season. I downloaded apps, I was going to understand down and goal and all that shit. I was ready to care about something I've never cared about because I cared about him."

"You still could," Pete offers.

Riley shakes her head. "Not anymore. Every game would just remind me of this."

Her phone buzzes again with another message from

 Joe: Still hoping you'll be there Saturday.

The casual hope in that message breaks something in Riley's chest. Like he just assumes she'll show up, that she'll swallow her hurt and pretend everything's fine because it's easier for him.

"I'm not going," she says suddenly.

"To Cincinnati?" Haley asks.

"To Cincinnati. I'm canceling the flight."

She pulls her laptop closer and clicks "cancel trip" before she can change her mind. The confirmation disappears, replaced by a cancellation notice and a small refund to her credit card.

"There," she says, closing the laptop. "Decision made."

Andy sits up from his record sorting. "How do you feel?"

Riley takes inventory of her emotions. Relief, mostly. And something that might be disappointment—not in herself, but in Joe. In the possibility of them that she's officially letting go.

"Free," she says, and means it.

Her phone buzzes with another message from 

Joe: Remember when you said this would be your first season watching?

This one hurts because yes, she remembers. She remembers being excited about learning his world, about having something to root for besides her own career. She remembers texting him that silly David Byrne video and feeling like they were building something real together.

"He doesn't know you're getting all of these," Laura observes.

"No," Riley agrees. "And I'm not telling him."

"Why not?"

Riley thinks about it. She could text him, let him know she’s seen his messages and explain why she’s been silent. It would probably fix things, at least for a little while.

However, it wouldn't address the bigger problem: that Joe's first instinct in a crisis is to pull away from her, rather than toward her. That he spent more energy managing the situation than supporting her through it.

"Because his first reaction told me everything I need to know," she says. "About him, about us, about what happens when things get hard."

“For what it’s worth, I think he’s panicking. Like, losing his mind a little…or a lot.”

"Good," Riley says, and she's surprised by how much she means it. "Maybe he'll learn something from it."

"And if he doesn't?"

Riley looks around her living room—at Andy surrounded by vinyl records, at Daniel with a guitar, at Pete and Haley and Laura, who've all rearranged their lives this week to make sure she wasn't alone. At the evidence of a full life that existed before Joe Burrow and will continue to exist after him.

"Then I'll be fine," she says. "I was fine before him. I'll be fine without him."

It's not entirely true yet, but she's working on making it true. And for the first time since that devastating phone call, Riley thinks she might actually get there.

Her phone stays silent for the rest of the night. But for once, the silence doesn't feel like abandonment.

It feels like choice.

* * *

X

@PopSpotter:

Not Ethan Mills and Riley Carter fighting in public again…She’s always in something messy.

@NFLFanatic89:

Why is Joe Burrow’s name getting dragged into this Riley Carter drama? Man’s never been messy a day in his life.

@AnonMusicTea:

So are Riley and Joe Burrow actually together, or did TikTok just make that up? Either way, if they are, I’d be running after last night.

@RileyCStan:

Okay but you can literally see Ethan grab her wrist in the video and people are calling her unhinged? Do better.

Instagram

@starwatchupdate:

Swipe for video: “Riley Carter Restaurant Meltdown? Fans spotted her arguing with ex Ethan Mills last night. Rumors swirl that NFL star Joe Burrow is ‘freaked out by the drama’—but nothing confirmed.”

Top Comments:

goldengoosefan: If she and Joe were together, he’d be long gone after this lol

ethanisoverparty: How is Ethan always at the center of the mess?

softvinylz: Feels like everyone’s blaming Riley when Ethan’s right there starting it.

Reddit

r/popculturechat [Megathread: Riley Carter, Ethan Mills, and Joe Burrow Rumors]

u/notanotherstan:

Why is everyone acting like Joe and Riley are a thing? I feel like there’s no actual evidence except one tabloid photo from months ago.

u/football_boy:

Honestly if she was with Joe, you think he’d deal with all this drama? Guy hates being in the spotlight unless it’s football.

u/musicrocks:

Poor Riley. Every time she gets her life together, some ex drags her back down.

TikTok

@popcultdive (duet with viral restaurant clip):

“POV: You’re Joe Burrow, waking up to your name trending because of someone else’s drama. The man’s probably making coffee in total peace and the internet’s like: what would Joe DO?? #notmycircus #rileycarterdrama”

@rileysrideordie:

[compilation of Riley’s best live performances and a caption: “She’s been through worse. Stop blaming women for their ex’s bullshit.”]

News/Blog Headlines

“Blind Item”

Blind Gossip:

“Which low-key NFL star is allegedly regretting his private flirtation with a headline-making musician after her ex caused a scene in public? Sources say he’s ‘focused on football and not here for the drama."

[taurasiluv]

girl with the tattoo ⸝ ⸝ ⸝ series playlist

「pairing」 breanna stewart x rookie riley carter (oc)

fallingforyou "i'll take it one day at a time. soon you will be mine, oh, but i want you now, i want you now,"

cologne "leave the scent of your cologne. im not done yet, please kiss my neck,"

400 lux "we're never done with killing time, can i kill it with you? til the veins run red and blue,"

in a good way "i didn't know i was capable of being happy right now, but you showed me how"

hold me down "i got this girl shes making me crazy, i nearly let her have all my babies,"

full playlist coming soon. . .

[dearestclement1ne]

are there two rookie stewie fics

yes 😭 one by me (oc riley carter) and the other one by @wnbawag (oc griffin)

theirs is so good you should def check it out if you like my rook au!!