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kenwio · 4 months ago

Text

Joker's kid! reader and how they life in manor started

Author's note 1: This part is huge, and it was a huge struggle for me to write (and rewrite), so I apologize if it feels crumpled T^T and there will be other author's notes

Warnings: long read, grammar mistakes (English is not my first language), mental issues, abuse

Bruce knew that eventually you will leave the madbay, you were there long enough to heal, but he had no idea how to bring you to the manor and he can't predict your reaction, seeing your reaction of everything in medbay, your confusion and fear that you showed looking at the simplest things. But other things concerned him even more.

Firstly, he knew that taking you to manor would include revealing of his identity to you, and identities of rest of the family. Secondly, the family.... he was worried about how they would react on you being there. So far, non of the kids interacted with you, and only Dick visited you while you were in the medbay, but he never saw you awake, thanks for the side effects of medicine that made you incredibly sleepy. And thirdly, you were a child of a villain, who knows what you are capable of? So what if you seemed harmless in the madbay? Plus, Bruce knew Tim and Jay expected only bad for you and Damians opinion of you was as bad if not worse somehow. Bruce knows it's going to be tough and he is not sure he can deal with it

Today was the day he would let you see his face and lead you up to the mansion. So, why did the world greatest detective was feeling icky? Was he afraid of you? No, you are just a kid, yes Joker's kid, but still a kid. Was he afraid your potential reaction? Not really, but he was troubled that he could predict it.

Maybe you didn't really show emotions, which was concerning, but also was made him feel more at ease, since you didn't show any signs of acting like your father.

You were sitting at your bed in medaby staring at your blurred reflection in the mirror. You couldn't clearly see yourself, but you were sure you looked a bit different and the clothes you were wearing now, simple t-shirt and pants, were much more comy and much more suited for a child, unlike that horrible suit.

- Hey, little one, how are you feeling? - he asked with strained gentleness

- I'm okay - you answered simply

- Since you are mostly recovered you will have to leave the medbay - he started saying. You were expecting something like that to happend, because why would he let you stick around? He alredy done much for you. As you were staying in the medbay you remember that Batman had a rule - a rule of not killing. Maybe that's why he helped you and healed you up, he probably just didn't want to let you die. You knew your father wouldn't really care of something happened to you, and he wouldn't even avange you, because why would he? You are just a pawn and he has bigger cards to cards to care about.

- So you will bring me back? -you asked, simply, which shoked Batman. You just now simply and dully asked him if he will bring you back to the crime alley ? How? Why? He felt his heart stinging at your emotionless reaction.

- No, I want to give you your new home

- New home? - you asked, confused. What did he meant by that?

- Yes. You will live with me, Alfred, and my sons. - he said calmly, looking at you, studying your reaction, he moved his hands closer to his mask. - that means you will know who I'm, and who are my allies are, which brings me to the point, before we could go to your new home, you must learn few rules, you understand right? - you only nodded in response. You were really confused. Why he wants you to live with you? Why is he okay with it? What was his reasoning?

The rules included: do not reveal our dentities to anyone, no wepons, no sharp object, no violence, no disobedience, mandatory emotional check-ins, mandatory seek of help when you need it, respect of boundaries and few other. You listened carefully when he explained every rule, trying to remember every detail, but you couldn't really understand that all. And you didn't really understood what will happened if you break the rule, but you didn't wanted to take chances.

After he explained the rules and you nodded to confirm you got the idea, he finally took his mask, and his face seemed to be familiar, and after few sections of thinking you said

- Oh, you are a man from newspapers - you remember seeing his face on some of the newspapers you used as blankets back in the crime alley.

- So I guess you know me? And you know my name - he asked, a bit confused by your reaction and use of wording

- uh.. I saw you, I don't really who you are - and it was true, you may saw him on newspapers, but you didn't really read them, there was too much words you didn't understand

- My name is Bruce Wayne, you can just call me Bruce. And since I introduced myself, it's time for you to introduce yourself too - he gave you a slight, gentle smile, encouraging you to speak up

- my name is (your name)

- Follow me, (your name)

So now you were following Bat...uh Bruce into various corridors of ... giant house? Castle? You didn't really know, but it was. You looked around, trying to take in at least some of the surroundings, but it was too much for you to remember. All you could say, the place was really luxurious... really like a castle, like one you saw in story book you manage to found one day.

Finally you arrived at the corridors there you assumed lived residents of the place. If you understood correctly while listening to Bruce, here manor two of his sons lived permanent: Tim and Damian, and two others, Richard and Jason, occasionally payed a visit. As you looked around corridor, you suddenly heard unfamiliar voice

- Father, you really decided to let them live here? - that voice sounded annoyed and angry

- Damian, we've talked about it - answered Bruce. You looked to father and son, who started conversation, taking in the appearance of short boy with spiky hair, and bright green eyes. So this is Damian.... as you looked at him, you noticed that his angry gaze never leaving you. His cold anger mixed with with annoyance made you visibly flinched.

- and I still stand my words, they are dangerous - young boy said, walking past his father, stopping in front of you - I was raised by assassins, don't think I won't see through your games - he said closing walking in his room and closing his door. You looked at him go, you expected this kind of greeting.

- Damian can be a little hostile at first- Bruce tried to soften up the atmosphere Damian created

- oh, it's fine, I understand -you answered calmly.

- so, most of those rooms are free so, feel free to chose one.

You walked through the corridor, checking if the room was taken or not, and you stopped at the far away room in the end for the corridor. Knowing that you would probably annoy others with your existence in the manor, you decided to choose exactly this room. You understood that your life here depended on how Batman, or how he told to call him Bruce, and his sons, and if you wanted to live peacefully you needed to try hard and not make him angry.

Bruce wanted to encourage you to take a room closer to others, but decided not to, so he would not discourage you

As you and and him walked in, you couldnt stop looking around. You would be living here now, and it felt like a dream.

- if you need anything call Alfred, and if you need me, just say so to him. - said Bruce as he left you to settle down. You looked around, taking in a surroundings by a bit empty previous guest room that just became yours. You sat down on the bed, feeling it's softness. You were still a confused, you felt fear as always, but also there was something else in the mix of your feelings, something much more lighter.

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In the morning you was woken up by the rays of sun. You didn't figured out how to close the curtains. Previously you didn't feel like going to dinner, so Alfred brought you sandwiches in your room so you at least could have a bite.

You looked out if the window, seeing beautiful geen garden. The sight was new to you, who grew up in the surroundings of dirty bricks and broken concrete. You watched sky, which looked more clear than in crime alley, clouds, birds, trees. It felt surreal, and it made this light feeling in your chest become stronger.

Alfred knocked soon after, he reminded you to wash your face and brush your teeth (something old butler had to explain you how to do) and said that he would lead you to the dining room.

Damian was already there, he tensed up once he saw you. You sat far away from him, sinking in your chair under his gaze.

Soon after you heard yawning coming form the way you've just walked in.

-Morning, Dams, morning Alfred - you heard the sleepy voice say - B left already?

- yes, master Tim - said the old butler putting coffee on place on the table near Damian's one.

- Drake - Damian said through teeth

- oh, look someon in a bad mood since morning, how - the boy sat down, suddenly stopping when he noticed you. He looked at you, not a word leaving him as he quietly staredat you for a few seconds with unreadable expression. Not knowing you decided at least to try to make the situation more strange

- hello? - you mumbled. And he just nodded. His gaze lingered a bit longer on your hair, before he looked away, looking visible uncomfortable. Alfred served the food soon after. It was one of the most tasty things you've ever ate, even if you could feel tension in the air that could be cut with the knife.

After Alfred was lead you back to your room and Bruce made a quick check up on you few hours latter you were left alone. You didn't really had anything to do: the books that were in the room were a bit difficult for you, and you didn't really had an idea what to do with crayons, because all the paintings that came in your mind were ones that were present on your father's "show scene". As you were loking at the window, you heard a sudden knock on your room's door. You turned around, awaiting too see an old butler, but was greeted with the sight of tall young man with wavy black hair, blue eyes, and slightly akward but nonetheless friendly simile.

- Hey, little one - he greeted - what are you up to.

- Hello - you mumbled rather shyly, looking at the window, when back at him.

- Oh, good-old window watching huh - you nodded, soon after adding

- You are?

- Right, I'm Dick, and what's your name?

- (your name)

- Nice to meat you. So, how are you here so far - he tried to striked up the conversation, before you heard familiar annoyed voice of Damian

- Grayson, I require your presence, now!

- Dami, just a minute - he answered

- now! - Damian repeated

Richard gave you an apologetic look - sorry, gotta go, but I would like to hang around you next time, if you Don't mind.

-I do not mind - you mumbled as you watched him left. The way he talked to you was unusual for you. It reminded the way how Bruce or Alfred talked with you, but it was warmer. It made that light feeling in your chest stronger for a bit, until it was taken away. It was strange to be talked with like that, but it was nice. Suddenly, you couldn't help but wish but to be talked with like that more.

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As day went by, you started slowly getting used to the life in here and rutine. You mostly spend your time around Alfred, following him as if you were a little ducking. He helped you around, explained how to do one or other things, helped you to find books you could read through, also old butler introduced to tw, but you quickly found out that cartoons were a bit much to you, so insted you settled on nature documentaries.

So here you were in the living room watching about life of animals in tropical jungle, when you heard heavy footsteps behind door, after that you hears how doors were heavily pushed open, you turned around, and saw tall and built tall and muscular guy, with short black hair with few white strands on them and book in his hands. Judging by his looks and what Alfeed told you so far you guessed it was Jason. Though, he seemed somehow familiar to you, yet you couldn't understand why...

- hello - you mumbled, looking at him.

He instantly frowned, you could see the same expression of anger on his face, the one you noticed on Damian constantly.

- what, old man really had his sanity kicked out? - he grumbled.

You were unsure of how to react, what to do. On one hand you could clearly see that Jason was mad at you the same way Damin were, so the plan was ether to hide in your room, or to stay quiet. On the other hand, even if you really didn't understand how to interact with others, in a short time you've been in the manor Alfred told you some basics of social interactions and politeness, one of which was to iniciate conversions, which made you want to give it a go.

- I just found out that some animals pretend to be dead so they wouldn't become a prey - you mumbled quietly, you really just learned that fact so you decided to share it. But it.your words seemed to make Jason even more mad.

- tsk, I see you, little psycho, are not so different from your crazy Dad - he spat out angrily, leaving you feeling down. You weren't like your dad, were you?

- I uh - you struggled to say, but you couldn't form your thought. What to answer to that? You weren't sure.

- don't even try, I don't like clowns -he spat out. Before you could say anything or he could continue saying things that left you sad, Alfred walked in.

- Master Jason, master Bruce awaits you in a batcave

- thanks - he said as he walked out, leaning you alone with your confusion and sadness, or so it was until you heard Alfred's cautious voice

- Master (your name)? Are you feeling alright? You seem to be a in your thoughts.

- I'm okay - you answered immediately, not wanting to worry old butler

- I see. - he answered, a bit thoughtfully, before speaking again - would you like to have some tea with cookies? - you nodded eagerly, remembering their sweet taste -when follow me to the kitchen

While you were enjoying tea with cookies, and looking how Alfred was busy preparing lunch, cutting greens with cooking scissors and chopping vegetables. He done this all fast and gracefully, leaving you amazed by his skills. In the middle of him cutting yet another green leaf, Alfeed was asked to go down to the cave by Jason, who walked away immediately after. Old butler put scissors near the edge of counter, and asked you if you knew how to get back to your room, before leaving. You just finished eating last cookie, when you heard metallic ring of fallen scissors. You walked to pick them up, but seeing your blurred reflection in them gave you an idea difference of original idea. Now you were on the way in your room.

Honestly speaking, you understood why your father was hated in this house, and you could understand why they hated you too, Joker is your dad after all, but you didn't like him to. In fact, he only brought you suffering. And you knew there wasn't a way to undone it,

But there is one thing you could do.

You walked in your room, I'm your bathroom, and in mirror you saw that one thing that reminded you of your father's the most. Your damaged green hair. Although while you were staying here, your hair grew longer and you could see your original color of hair, but green was still there and you hated longer green parts of your hair, his parts of your hair. Damian, Jason and Tim probably hated them too.

Chop.

You started cutting the green parts, leaving only strands of YOUR hair. It took awhile, it was hard. But few minutes after you were without them, and with fluffy uneven mess of a haircut on your head.

Putting all your green hair in a trash, you hurried back to kitchen. To your surprise, Alfred wasn't there yet. You put scissors in the sink, and returned to your tea, happy thay now you didn't had reminder of your dad on your head.

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After your sudden haircut, scolding, and another, but more professional haircut latter, Alfred decided to keep an eye on you. He had to admit that your desire to show difference form your dad finally made him warm up to you. But he was even more surprised when you said that you wanted to help him with tasks around the house and managing requests of boys and Bruce. Bruce found it a welcome change, but not all boys agreed with him

Which leads you to the present moment, you were cautiously carrying tray with coffee and snacks for Tim, since he skipped lunch yet again making Alfred worried yet again, when you were walking past Damian.To avoid him, you took a little to the other side, almost kicking off some sort of sculpture, which he caught, stopping in front of you, glaring at you

- Tt... use your eyes when you are going anywhere, pay attention - he grunted.

- I'm sorry - you said calmly, - cool move by the way - you said in attempt to soften the move

- I wasn't asking for your opinion. - he said, glaring at you one more time and saying - One false move and you'll find yourself dismantled faster than these figurines could hit the ground. Touch anything else in Father's collection, and you'll be practice dummy for my katana.

You tried not to flinch at Damian words, but did so anyways. It took you few minutes to calm down and continue your way towards Tim's room. You prepared to knock, but door was slightly agape.

- Tim? - you called, imitating Alfreds tone of voice. You saw how his hand gestured you to come in, so you did. You placed tray with coffee and snacks on his table. He glanced at you only for a second, before his eyes returned to the screen of his laptop, in that moment some sort of text appeared there, making him jolt, put laptop down and run away. You just stood there, not knowing what to do, you looked between door from which he left, and screen of his computer device, when another text appeared on it, and this time you could read it - "low battery. connect the charger"

Thanks to Alfred, you already knew what charger is, you just have to find it! You looked around, seeing too many wires around the room. You looked at the laptop, and saw too many ports. As you were unsuccessfully trying to find the right wire and right port, laptop's screen went dark. In that moment Tim walked in.

- What did you do?! - he asked almost yelling. Immediately going to the laptop

Nothing! - you panicked, and stepped away. He raised a hand and wave it. Not noticing yor flinch.

- just go, go away! You are messing all up!

If you thought you were shaky after encounter with Damian, this one definitely did.

Judging by Tim's reaction, you broke his computer. You didn't mean to, and you didn't knew if anyone will believe you that you didn't mean to do so. Maybe you'll need to apologize later, but right now, all you wanted is to talk with Alfred or to use up Bruces offer and talk with him if you needed it. In the state of panick you must have took the wrong turn, and bot seeing clearly before yourself, you bumped into Jason, after what you was pushed back and fell down in the process.

- you, little psycho! Don't you dare to touch me! - he yelled, making you flinch. For a second you felt like you was back with your father, pushed around, beaten and yelled at. As you were processing what happened, you didn't hear soft footsteps,

Jay, it was an accident. They just didn't not you - said Richard, trying to calm Jason down -yes, little one? - he said turning to you, but you were already running back to your room.

You cruled up in your blanket, hiding from the world and trying to calm down. You felt like crying. You probably did cry. It was all your fault. You almost broke figurine from Bruces collection, you probably broke Tim's computer, and you made Jason angry, so , Dick too was probably angry at you. Why had you just break thing, make everything worse. Maybe you should talk to Bruce.

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You didn't even notice how you feel asleep for a short time, but when you woke up, you decided to see Bruce, if anyone, he should know how to get allong with boys. And that's what you really wanted, to get along with them, just to feel safe.

The problem however was to find Bruce. You remember Bruce showing you where his cabinet and room was, however, you don't remember where exactly they are. You managed to find Alfred, who gave you a concerned look, but explained you where he was. He also said that all of them were having a movie night - Richard decided that everyone needed at least one bounding day a month, where all of them would gather and do something together. That got you a bit worried, because what if you ruin their movie night just like how you ruined everything today. But maybe you could apologize in front of everyone for being inconvenience and making them angry? You'll have to brace yourself . While thinking about it, you walked through various corridors, until you reached movie room.

There they were: While movie were playing on a big screen they sat on cozy sofa and armchairs. Bruce sat in the armchair, occasionally looking on the boys. You could see smile on his face. Dick sat in the middle of the sofa, watching with enthusiasm and actively commenting on the plot, eating popcorn. On one side if him, putting his head on Dick's shoulder, sat Tim, who was lazily laying on sofa. He sometimes corrected Dick or commented on CGI, whatever it is. On the other side of the Dick sat Damian, who tried to make an impression that he didn't like being here, yet even you could see through his act, and who tried to keep Tim's and Jason's hands away from popcorn. And near Tim, in the corner of sofa sat Jason, who teased Damian and Tim most of the time, argued with Dick on which character is better and successfully stole Dick's popcorn.

You've never seen a sight, that was as warm as this. It felt so warm, so cozy, so homy

It felt like family.

And here you were: in the shadow, not daring to make a step, to come in to join them, to afraid to ruin this perfect moment

You've never had a family in that sense of word, and what you had as a family, you wouldn't dare to call as such. In your family was no warmth, no care. There weren't a moment like this. But you needed them.

After you were taken in my Bruce you found out what care was, but even so it felt like it still was too far away from you, so far that you couldn't reach it. Maybe you didn't deserve it, but you wanted care you wanted love. You wished you could be a part of family you see right now. You want to come in. But you know you can't, you know you will ruin the moment if you will walk in now. You know that Damian will add another threat to a previous one, Jason will yell, Tim will shoosh away, and probably Dick and Bruce will silently agree with them and will say to you to come another time.

Your father is Joker, that's instantly makes you undeserving of care and attention. Well, whay to say if your own mother left you. And as for the batfamily, it's only natural to hate a child of their main enemy.

But what if you can prove you are not like your father? What if love and care are earned, and that's exactly why you didn't get them. When you will have to try and earn it. But for now, all you could do now, is to hide behind the door in another room, listen intently on every sound they make, cry silently, afraid of making any noise so you couldn't ruin the moment and wish you could be with them. Wish you was loved at least once in your life. Wish you were a part of their family.

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Thank you for reading and feel free to share your opinion 💖 have a good day

Author's note 2: I really badly wanna draw Joker's kid. I'd you are interested in my artworks , please let me know

Author's note 3: (1) In one of anonymous asks (here) one user had similar idea of what I had in mind. I hope I've done it good > - < (2) And I wanted to fit this idea from another ask (here) in the plot to, but I couldn't done it fully, I'm sorry T^T

Author's note 4 : to be honest, I have no idea what is tag list and how it works (I'm really sorry, but I'm not active social-media user), but few amazing people asked to tag them, and i hope I'm doing it right: @socially-embarrassing , @leovergurl , @deathbynarcisstick , @cryptic-arr0w , @lynns-cornerr

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starhrtz · 7 months ago

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NOW PLAYING . . . SUPERPOWERS

summary : a skater completely smitten by a street guitarist.

characters : skater! kinich, guitarist! gn reader, skater! mualani

note : hi gang im back again after 5 monthz, might do a heizou or akito shinonome ver

skater! Kinich who is known as a skate prodigy in the skate scene at the park you would always perform at.

skater! kinich who'd always push his limits with tricks no one else dares to try, and he’s rarely seen without his skateboard.

skater! kinich seen as professional had one weakness, you. somehow, whenever he sees you nearby, it seemed like he forgot how to skate at all.

❝ IT'S CRAZY TO SAY THIS BUT YOU ARE THE GREATEST. ❞

skater! Kinich who would start timing his daily skate routes to pass by the spots where you're usually playing. He pretends it’s a coincidence whenever he shows up, but it’s obvious he’s there to hear you perform.

skater kinich! who would follow your socials and find out if you're going to be at a specific place for a gig, he’ll be there early, even if he has to skate across town. He’ll sit on his board, leaning back with his usual calm expression but hiding how much he’s enjoying listening to you or even just seeing you.

Skater! Kinich who'd think you would probably never notice him since he can't seem to gather the courage to approach you. Not like he didn't try, after your shows he would always try and approach you but would always get pushed by your fans.

skater! Kinich who'd start daydreaming about what it would be like to impress you with his skating skills, maybe even doing a few tricks in sync with their music or perhaps you just looking at him astonished with those pretty eyes he could get lost in.

skater! kinich who would eventually try skating in front of you and pulling off his best tricks, hoping it’ll make you smile or give him a little applause yet much to his dismay you seem much more focus on your performance.

skater! kinich who was dragged by mualani to interact with you after she caught his gaze lingering on you far too long and whenever they hang out to skate, you're always somewhere nearby.

skater! mualani who decided to become cupid as she set up a plan for both of you to interact more.

skater! mualani who easily befriended you and asked you if you wanted any skating lessons, telling you you'd be in good hands with a rather... Excited grin on her face? You reluctantly agreed as she bounced around from joy.

❝I'LL INTRODUCE YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW!❞

skater! kinich who's heart nearly exploded when he hears that your the one he'd be teaching on how to skate but he masked it quite well.

skater! kinich heart pounds every time he has to help you balance or hold your hand for support. He’s careful not to make it obvious, but his cheeks betray him with a soft blush he can’t quite hide no matter how hard he tries.

skater! kinich can’t believe he’s actually teaching you to skate. He’s barely holding it together, trying to keep his usual calm attitude, but his heart is racing. He casually says, “Don’t worry, I’ve taught plenty of people to skate,” even though he’s never felt this nervous about showing someone the basics.

skater! kinich starts by showing them how to stand on the board, giving a few tips on balance. When you wobble abit, you instinctively reaching out to grab his arm for support. Kinich stiffens for a second, then quickly relaxes, hoping they don’t notice the slight blush rising on his cheeks and heart rate increasing.

skater! kinich who can't help but get lost in your eyes when you look at him for reassurance, feeling a rush of emotions he’s not used to. He manages to keep his cool, but his heart is pounding.

skater! kinich who would try and confess his feelings for you after a while.

skater! kinich keeps himself busy practicing tricks to calm his nerves. He tries to focus, but he’s so jittery that he almost falls on some of his simplest moves. He’s more nervous than he’s ever been, and he can’t stop rehearsing what he’s going to say in his head.

skater! kinich who's so lost in thought that he doesn’t even notice when you arrive—until you called out to him. His heart skips a beat, and he has to take a deep breath to steady himself.

skater! kinich who'd starts with a casual line, trying to play it cool. But the moment he starts speaking, he realizes he can’t stick to a script. Instead, he just lets the words flow out.

“You know, I’ve been wanting to tell you something,” he begins, trying to control his beating. “Being around you… it’s different. Good different. You make me feel like I can do anything, and I… I just really like you.”

skater! kinich who hopes you like him back.

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mimikittysblog · 5 months ago

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Poly! Ateez: How You Met

Synopsis: How you actually met Ateez before entering a poly relationship with them.

Genre: Fluff | Headcanons

Tagging: @stay-tiny-things @jaerisdiction @bee-gremlin @gae-ping-boosay @xh01bri @nuggiesnuggetdog04 @buttercup0024 @faeprincess777 @pinkpearlstar @starygw3n @sweetinsaniiity (Join Taglist here!)

.✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ✧.

The way you met Ateez was super cute

So you actually work at a school as a staff and teacher

and Ateez for a new Wanteez episode wanted to try to be teachers for a day

Now you’re actually a big fan of Ateez and was delighted to have them contact your school and asked if they could film at there

Not only would it be great publicity for the school, you get to see your favorite idols too

Of course you knew some of the kids also enjoys Ateez so it would be a nice surprise for them too

So the day they arrived you were actually one of the teachers there to greet them

Jesus they’re so handsome in person…

They weren’t fairing much better either cause the moment they saw you for the first time

They were absolutely floored.

They thought you were gorgeous!

Then somehow, almost like destiny, the principal assigned you to be the one to give Ateez and their staff a tour of the school before shoot started

You were thanking the heavens above fr 🙌

During the tour you get to see how even off camera they really weren’t that different.

They were still the kind, hilarious, chatty and respectful group you know.

Here they also got to learn more about you.

They were amazed with your passion for your job.

Also with how much joy and light you exude.

They just adored how you work with the kids and they can tell you’re a lovely person from how the kids also love you.

One kid actually ran up and hugged you when you walked by and your interaction with them melted their hearts

“Miss Y/n!!! Haaii! Why didn’t you teach my class today?? What are you dooooiiing? And Who are these people??”

“Hi Minhwa! Oh well Miss Y/n today had to help Mr. Min! This is a very special group! This is Ateez! And Miss Y/n is showing them around!”

“Woaaah! Ateez?? The group Heesoo likes?”

“Mhm! But don’t tell her yet! it’s a surpriseee!”

“Ok ok!!”

“Good! Now go say hi to them and go back to class okay?”

“Yes Miss Y/n!”

Absolutely adorable

She’s so.. amazing…

God why is so sweet!

These thoughts and more were all running through their head.

After the tour they started shooting and you were also a great help

You always made sure the children were on their best behavior

You also gave them lil tips and tricks when dealing with kids and how to teach them better

They listened to you very attentively.

They wanted to do really good!

For the shoot of course!

It wasn’t like they were trying to impress you or anything 👀

Outside of the shoot, they got to know more about you as well

There were other teachers of course but you really were the one that just pulled them in

They really couldn’t get enough you.

You weren’t complaining tho

Why would you? 🤨

Hanging out with Ateez?? Would never dare to complain! Could never complain!

Today you got to witness their personalities, their best attributes and their dynamics in person!

Here you got to see Hongjoongs leadership really shine even when doing the simplest of things

So admirable

And HOT

You saw Seonghwa being so absolutely caring towards everyone he interacts with

Could cry he’s so sweet

Witnessed Yunho over there being the big goofball that he is

Doing whatever it took to make the children and even some of the teachers smile and laugh (especially you)

She laughed at my antics 🥰

He thought to himself, determined to hear more of your angelic laugh

Im sure its never a dull day with him

Then seeing Yeosang that cutie patootie so filled with determination at every challenge was so wonderful

HES SUCH A CUTIE PATOOTIEEEE

Then you saw San..

oh San..

Heart as big as his bod. So soft and lovely.

Making sure all the children are happy and comfortable.

You might’ve actually cried with how soft and precious he is 🥹

Mingi was shy and a lil awkward but still did his best and it was so endearing to witness.

You were able to help him though!

You knew a group of kids who just were so passionate for music just like him

So you pulled him aside to introduce him to them

When he learned these kids shared his passion they all immediately got along and became best buds

He was grateful for you for helping him

“Thank you..”

“No problem! And hey kids! If you impress Mr. Mingi enough, maybe he’ll let you help him write a song!”

Mingi laughed but still hyped them up and the kids started buzzing with excitement

Absolute cuties

Wooyoung and his love for kids couldn’t be more apparent

It made your heart so warm

Acting like the big brother everyone dreams of was just amazing

Jongho was quiet but like everyone else did his best and he absolutely excelled.

Since he had that maknae energy he got along with the kids incredibly well too.

He actually was able to conspire with them to prank his hyungs and the older kids

You thought it’d be interesting to see so you let it slide

“YAH CHOI JONGHO!!!”

“RUNNNN!! EVERYONE SCATTER!”

Laughter filled the school and everyone just had the best day ever

One more thing that was just a joy to witness was how truly they love each other

What they’ve shown on camera was definitely not just for show

They love, care and take care of each other

Despite all the teasing

This is a family if you’ve ever seen one

A beautiful loving family

They’re all so incredible

Unfortunately though things had to come to an end

The shoot went wonderfully and everyone involved had a great time

But the end of the shoot meant you all had to say goodbye

You 9 didn’t really want to though.

There was just… something about you guys being together all day felt so..

Right.

But they technically had no reason to see you again.

Neither did you.

So even though they wanted to exchange numbers they couldn’t find a good excuse as to why.

So they reluctantly got in their cars and left.

Some tried to hide their disappointment

Some where just whining about how they’ll never see you again

*cough cough* wooyoung and san *cough cough*

And a lil bit of jongho too..

You on the other hand also couldn’t help but pout the whole journey home

As you finally arrived, you reminisced about the amazing day you had

Wishing you could have many more with those 8 wonderful boys

But you’ll be grateful to have even had this opportunity and will treasure it forever

Though…

I MISS THEMMMMM‼️

You whined into your pillow

You then remembered the many pictures you took of the day!

so you quickly took your phone and began to scroll through them, reliving the moment all over again.

Just then a thought crossed your mind suddenly

..they should have these… they’re so cute! They’d love to have these… maybe.. just maybe…

You then took a risk and messaged their manager.

Telling him you have some photos of the boys with the kids you think they should have.

You thought their manager would just tell you to send him the photos so he could forward it to the boys

But to your surprise an unknown number suddenly messaged you.

“Hi! It’s Wooyoung! My manager said you have some photos to send us? Send it here! 😊”

“Also once again, it was lovely to meet you and thank you for the great day.”

WOAHHH

WOAAAH WOAAAAAHHHH

“Omg Hi Wooyoung! Alrighty! I’ll sent them now! It was wonderful meeting you too! And thank you too! Definitely one of the best days I’ve ever had.”

How did Wooyoung get my number?

Manager must’ve given it!

What you didn’t know is that Wooyoung actually stole his managers phone when he saw you texted

Just so he could copy your number onto his phone

Begging his manager to just let him talk to you

When you replied and sent the photos it made him so fucking giddy

He thought he could run a marathon

You two continued to text for a little while before you both had to get to bed

Despite not really wanting to end the conversation.

Wooyoung knew he probably shouldn’t do this.

But.. he couldn’t not see you again.

So he took one final risk.

“I really hope we can hang out one day! I really did love spending today with you.”

You didn’t respond immediately.

….

FUCCCKKKKKK

FUCK FUCK SHOULD I NOT HAVE SEND THAT??? WAIT DID IT SOUND TOO DESPERATE?? WHAT IF SHE THINKS IM WEIRD AND NEVER WANTS TO SEE ME AGA-

“I’d love that 💕”

.✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ✧.

285 notes · View notes

bucketbueckers · 5 months ago

Text

I'D RATHER PRETEND

CHAPTER NINE

tags: @angryflowerwitch @avvwritesstufff @melpthatsme @rebecca-woso @bueckersg1rl @l0verl4ne @clouded-whispers @dolliest-thena @katemartinlvr @numberonepartyanth3m @glamourdaya @pbbucks @unadulteratedcyclepaper @paiges-1vur thelightknight21 wc: 9.9k notes: with the 1st pick in the 2025 wnba draft, the dallas wings select... the IRP masterlist, lee university! cringe i know but it's the last chapter, let me be happy. i wrote the first half of this chap before the providence game, felt like a witch once the starting lineup dropped, currently manifesting the rest of this chapter ages just as well (my ball knowledge is limited, if the game doesn't make sense just let me be delusional, i dont give a gaf). smut warning, who's surprised. fluffier than chapter 6 methinks. tried to fulfill the nice/gentle P agenda, may have fumbled the bag bc this somehow felt more filfthy? kinda short too idk lmk 😩 not proofread, i'll probably come back later to edit. sorry for yapping (no im not) but i hope you all enjoyed reading irp as much as i enjoyed writing it, thank you for sending in such sweet comments and engaging in the inbox, they were genuinely so motivating and i loved interacting w y'all 🫶 as always i hope we're rocking w this final chapter 🙂‍↕️

‘The Return of Tess Kennedy’

A little over two years ago, college basketball sensation Tess Kennedy tore her ACL in the Final Four matchup between the University of Iowa Hawkeyes and the South Carolina Gamecocks. Kennedy, who’d amassed fifteen points close to the end of the third quarter, was a pivotal element to South Carolina’s game – Iowa struggled to lock her down. Kennedy stepped off wrong and collapsed on court. Many knew what had happened long before the news broke. Her recovery was far from easy, but Kennedy did the impossible and recovered just in time for the SEC championship and the March Madness tournament, where she led South Carolina to a redemption win over Iowa with a dominating 30 points. Following the win, Kennedy shared a photo of herself holding the championship trophy, one eye closed in a wink and her lips curled into a smug snarl, and captioned it, “took a year off to cut you bitches some slack, tell a friend to tell a friend tess kennedy’s back.”

Many athletes often need a long period of adjustment after returning from a serious injury. Kennedy, however, played as though that statistic did not apply to her. Kennedy played as though she had something to prove. A loud majority of fans speculated that Kennedy fought so fiercely because her girlfriend, Paige Bueckers, and the UConn Huskies had been eliminated by Iowa in the Final Four match only two days prior to the championship. A smaller few claimed Kennedy holds a grudge against Iowa for her injury – although Kennedy disputed this theory in a presser, linked here.

The simplest truth of the matter is that Kennedy did not play any sort of way for anyone but herself and her team. She proved to herself that she could come back even better from an injury that she thought would uproot her life. She played for her team, who uplifted her during recovery and gave her the tools and the support to show up and show out when the world was watching. Kennedy played the way she did because that’s just what Tess Kennedy does.

During South Carolina’s 2024 Senior Night, Kennedy announced that she would stay at South Carolina for another year of college basketball. She cited her injury as the source of her decision. She explained that there is still more recovery for her to do and that she did not feel comfortable declaring for the draft with only five games post-injury under her belt, especially since she was under a minute restriction during those games. We believe that decision is the best she could have made for herself.

Throughout the 2024-2025 regular season, Kennedy has averaged 26.2 points per game, 4.3 steals per game, 3.7 blocks per game, and 3.2 assists per game. Since her injury, she’s turned into both an offensive and defensive dual threat, leading the South Carolina offense with help from Raven Johnson, MiLaysia Fulwiley, and Te-Hina Paopao. Coach Dawn Staley describes Kennedy as “unguardable” from the perimeter and “unstoppable” from the midrange. Coach Staley also notes that Kennedy’s midrange improvements have pleasantly surprised her as Kennedy was usually a reliable three-point specialist. Coach Staley would not elaborate on where Kennedy’s sudden game adjustments have come from, but one basketball analyst noted that Kennedy’s midrange proficiency looks stunningly like girlfriend Paige Bueckers’s. This is not surprising in the slightest as Kennedy and Bueckers spent the offseason together on a joint “world-tour” that evidently included lots and lots of time in the gym.

The SEC tournament has come and gone with, you guessed it, South Carolina as the winner, having defeated Tennessee and LSU back to back. South Carolina dominated the first five rounds of the NCAA tournament. In the Final Four, they defeated UCLA in a convincing 78-71 victory. For the championship match, they’re against UConn, who is fresh off of a hard-fought Final Four victory against Notre Dame.

This is precisely the clash of the titans that basketball fans have been looking forward to since June of 2023. UConn vs. South Carolina. Bueckers vs. Kennedy. This is a rematch for the 2022 championship game wherein UConn fell short, but many are questioning South Carolina’s ability to go back to back, especially since UConn has seen tremendous growth over the past season. With a healthy Azzi Fudd and a healthy Aubrey Griffin, sharpshooters Ashlynn Shade and Allie Ziebell, energetic KK Arnold and Morgan Cheli, imposing Jana El-Alfy, transfer portal weapon Kaitlyn Chen, do-it-all field general Paige Bueckers, and Sarah Strong – no title, Sarah Strong is that girl – UConn is a fan favorite to win. With the final tipoff only an hour away, we are at the edge of our seats in anticipation. Let us know in the comments below – who are you rooting for?

-Penelope Lancaster, Bleacher Report

APRIL 6, 2025

If there’s one thing that Tess knows is true about Paige Bueckers after over a year of dating, it’s that Paige always keeps her promise.

You and me, same time next year?

Tess watches her warm up only a half court away. She’s stunning, donning a UConn sweatshirt and matching sweatpants, her hair up in her gameday braids that Tess has full intention of ruining later after her girlfriend is crowned an NCAA champion. That thought alone shouldn’t excite her as much as it does, but she can’t help herself. Paige and her team have worked incredibly hard to be here – Tess has gotten to witness that first hand. She also can’t help feeling a little smug because she was right. Kaitlyn Chen, transfer portal weapon. Freshmen Morgan Cheli and Allie Ziebell – they both needed a few games to get comfortable, but once they were hot, they were hot. And finally, Sarah fucking Strong, Paige’s freshman menace that honestly needs to declare right now because college basketball will not be safe with her on the court.

Tess has no intention of rolling over and letting them win – Paige would honestly break up with her, which would ruin the entirety of Tess’s five year plan: get drafted. Win some shit. Dunk on Paige Bueckers. Marry Paige Bueckers. Free agency. Simple and easy. But Tess also knows that UConn will be playing with something to lose, a chip to win, and that they were easily the most challenging match-up they’d faced all year with the exception of the final SEC teams. UConn defeated them at home, even after Tess dropped 20 hard fought points – they honestly just had no answer for Sarah Strong, which is becoming a recurring theme as of late.

“Oh my God, not this shit again,” Raven complains. Tess turns just in time to catch the ball that Raven had definitely aimed at her ass.

“Stop throwing balls at me!” Tess exclaims, chucking the ball back.

“Stop staring at your girlfriend!” Raven retorts. “Like, for real. It’s making me sick. Do you want me throwing up before a natty match?” Tess pauses, tapping her chin dramatically like she has to truly think about it. “I wish you’d declared last year. That way I wouldn’t have had to deal with all of this ‘when will my wife come back from war’ bullshit.”

Tess rolls her eyes. “Where’s Chloe at? I suddenly have an opening in my bridal party.”

“Wait, no!” Raven says quickly, her entire expression shifting. “You can’t kick me out of the wedding. I didn’t even know I was in it!”

“You weren’t,” Tess states bluntly, which makes Raven huff again. “Kam’s my maid of honor, obviously. Then Aliyah’s coming, Bree, Destanni, Zia. Do you think I can get A’ja there?”

Raven looks her up and down, unimpressed. “No,” she says flatly. “You’ll be marrying a Husky.”

Tess lights up. “Oh my God, I can get Stewie there. That’d be cool, too.”

“How about you pump the brakes and lock the fuck in so your girlfriend doesn’t embarass us?” Raven suggests. “Like, did that ever cross your mind?”

She shrugs sheepishly. “I’m locked in,” she says. “Go do your weird pregame rituals, sacrifice a chicken or something.”

Raven rolls her eyes, stalking away with her ball. Tess watches her try to sweet talk an assistant coach into rebounding for her and she can’t help but smile. She’ll miss Raven when she’s in the league – sure, they’ll keep in contact, but it’s different when you’re no longer a few doors down from everyone. She’ll miss all of her girls. Not Ashlyn, though. The charges may have been dropped but assault and battery and kidnapping? Is nobody the least bit concerned? Tess digresses, though. She’s gonna miss her team, especially annoying ass Raven Johnson who likes throwing shit at people.

Before she returns to her own warmups, Tess looks across the court once more. Paige is already staring at her. They share a soft, private smile – and then Paige is grabbing Sarah by the sleeve of her shirt, causing her shot to sail out of bounds as Paige points at her with a proud smile that clearly says look at my freshman! Sarah looks unbelievably confused at first, but levels Paige with a nasty side eye once she realizes that she’s been dragged in as a ploy to tease Tess. She shrugs out of Paige’s grasp to continue shooting which makes Tess laugh and Paige huff dramatically.

The both of them resume their warmups and before they know it, tip off has come around. Paige, Sarah, Azzi, Jana, and Kaitlyn are starting for UConn, whereas Raven, Chloe, Tess, Sania, and Te-Hina are starting for South Carolina. Both teams set up around Chloe and Jana to receive the opening tip, and once the referee throws the ball into the air, Jana knocks it over to the Huskies. Sarah kicks it out to Paige, who begins directing traffic as she brings the ball up court. Tess, tasked with guarding Azzi, sticks on her like glue, trying to not let her get her hands on the ball. Raven’s defense is suffocating, but Sarah gets open and Paige passes it swiftly to her. As Chloe and Sania fold in on her to prevent the shot, Sarah passes to Jana, who gets the easy layup under the bucket. Sania inbounds to Raven. She’s delayed in bringing the ball up due to Kaitlyn’s defensive pressure, and, much to Tess’s surprise, Paige is guarding her and Azzi is on Te-Hina.

Raven dribbles, directing the other four on the court while trying to keep the ball far away from Kaitlyn, but the congestion becomes too much and she passes it to Te-Hina. Azzi’s defense is relentless, too, and eventually, Te-Hina passes to Sania, who passes to Tess on the wing, and she knows she can’t get crafty. She and Paige spent the entire summer in the gym together. Paige knows her moves as well as she knows her own, which is why she keeps pressing her further and further away from the three point line and Jana angles herself to clog her lane to the bucket. The clock is winding down, so she makes the decision to squeeze past Paige, driving to the bucket, but at the last moment, she passes it behind her back to where she knows Sania is waiting. She shoots and it swishes in.

The first quarter is incredibly close. Every time South Carolina gets a defensive stop, UConn responds with one of their own. A two-point jumper is countered by a layup, Azzi and Tess go three for three. Tess steals the ball on one possession, although Chloe gives it right back as she tries to get smart on a pass. By the first media timeout, Tess has five points, two assists, and a steal, although UConn leads them 14-12. Both teams take the time to sub out and let some of the starters rest. Bree, Ashlyn, MiLaysia, and Joyce come in for Tess, Chloe, Te-Hina, and Sania respectively while KK, Aubrey, Ashlynn, and Ice enter for Kaitlyn, Sarah, Azzi, and Jana.

Once play resumes, Tess almost immediately understands the game plan. Raven guards Paige on UConn’s offensive possessions, but when South Carolina has the ball, Paige guards MiLaysia, a high scoring guard just like Tess. Depending on who is on the floor, KK or Kaitlyn defend Raven or whoever is running point for South Carolina at the time. Raven’s defense is suffocating, but most of all, exhausting – tasking someone else with guarding Raven gives Paige more opportunities to score rather than tire herself out, but her own defensive assignments are focused on shutting down South Carolina’s point producing guards. Tess was held to five points with Paige on her, shooting only two out of her five attempted shots. She wasn’t completely useless, though – she held Azzi to six points, congesting two of the four shots she took.

She sits for the rest of the first quarter. The score is up to 25-20 in UConn’s favor and all of the starters are back on the court for the second quarter. It’s hard fought, too. There’s not a lot of foul calls going either way tonight, but the lead is so slim that Tess doesn’t want to overstep on defense and give away points. At 31-24 in favor of UConn, Paige is subbed out for KK, which means Tess finally gets a bit of a breather on defense. KK is unrelenting, but Paige had played a little closer, a much tighter game as she knew Tess so well as a player. She couldn’t even be mad about that, although she did take advantage of two back-to-back threes, pushing the score to 34-30. UConn still has a slight lead, but Paige gets subbed back in. Tess knows she has to play smarter now and take better shots.

Halfway through the second quarter, Raven gets subbed out for a breather, too, and UConn immediately puts the pressure on Maddy, not used to the intensity that the UConn starters were playing with. Kaitlyn forces a turnover, sailing it high to Paige, who lays it in the basket with ease and winks at Tess as she passes her to get back on defense. In response, Tess calls for the ball and Maddy passes it to her. She doesn’t call for a screen or any sort of help as she steps back, shooting for three directly over Paige’s head. They watch it both fall in seamlessly, much to the crowd’s amusement, and Tess sticks up her fingers in an ‘L’ shape as she backpedals for defense. Paige shakes her head, amused, but at 41-38, the both of them know they need to lock back in.

The two teams trade a few more shots and stops before the end of the quarter, entering half with 47-41, UConn leading. Paige also hit a nasty buzzer beater to welcome in halftime, which sent the UConn bench and the crowd into a frenzy, but Tess doesn’t think that’s something important to note. Paige doesn’t need the ego boost and it wasn’t that cool, anyways. If Tess wanted to, she could have had a better buzzer beater.

In the locker room, Coach Staley emphasizes the need for defensive stops while the team catches their breath. Ball movement and being selective with shooting was also important – as a team, they were shooting 39% and taking far too many contested shots when there were wide open players on the wing. Tess honestly couldn’t be doing much more – she’d racked up 16 points. Joyce and Te-Hina were doing their thing too, but UConn was overwhelming. Their points were far more widespread with Aubrey, Sarah, Azzi, and Paige leading the pack. Ashlynn had two crucial three point shots, KK was critical on defense as she was forcing turnovers and fastbreak points, and Tess has never seen anyone hustle for rebounds like Morgan does. UConn was playing a cohesive game and they were struggling to respond in full.

The second half goes similar to the first, although UConn starts to make a concerted effort to break away. They’re playing with a renewed vigor and while Azzi, Paige, and Ashlynn were crucial in the first half, they start scoring a lot more points in the paint. Sarah, Jana, and Aubrey are particularly explosive and Ice holds her own when she subs in halfway through the third to give Jana a break. Defensively, they’re all restless – they’d played so conservatively in the first half while South Carolina tried to wear them out that their energy is overwhelming and is exhausting South Carolina. By the end of the third, UConn had extended the lead to 67-56. Tess is up to 26 points now, but it’s not doing enough to clear the deficit.

All of the starters are back on the floor at the beginning of the fourth for one last push, and for a while, it works. South Carolina holds out UConn and they go on a 9-0 scoring run, evening the score to 67-65 with three minutes left. Paige hits a long three, increasing the lead to five points, Azzi forces Te-Hina to turn the ball over and she sprints for the basket, although she passes behind her to Sarah for the finish, and Tess is a little too strong on her three point jumper and it bounces off the rim directly into Kaitlyn’s hands. She scores, pushing the score to 74-65. One minute, thirty seconds left.

The last bit of the game is frantic. Tess and South Carolina try to get the lead back, but UConn is unrelenting, pushing against them on every possession. Jana scores. Sania scores. Kaitlyn shoots, but Raven blocks it. Chloe scores on the fastbreak, and with twenty seconds left, the game is up to 78-69 with UConn steady in the lead. There’s no coming back from this gap and UConn has the ball. Tess thinks Paige just plans on dribbling it out, but as the clock winds down, five…four…three…two… she shoots from the perimeter, the shot clock expiring, and the last three, the nail on the head, swishes in cleanly as the crowd erupts. UConn had just won the 2025 national championship, and all Tess feels is overwhelming relief.

Confetti pours down, covering every inch of the court as all of the Huskies swarm and pile on one another. Paige’s smile is bright, beaming, and Tess swears she can see the tears streaming from afar. Then, they lock eyes, Paige in the middle of a bunch of jostling, and she has the decency to look a little sad for her, but honestly, Tess doesn’t care. She grins at her girlfriend, making a heart with her hands. The relief is palpable on Paige’s expression but Tess knows she needs the time to celebrate with her teammates, so she turns away, patting her own teammates on the back and murmuring her own congratulations.

Sania and Joyce were explosive in the paint. A vast majority of their points had come from them and Tess, but it just wasn’t enough to beat the deficit. Tess would find the stat sheet later, but she racked up 31 points – 61 in two back to back championship games wasn’t too shabby, and honestly, the 31 points feels more like an accomplishment than the win. She’s a competitor, she lives to win and loathes losing, but tonight doesn’t feel like a loss at all, despite what the box score will say. Looking back at everything she’s accomplished, she’s satisfied where she is. She’s grown as a player, as a person. She went from almost being the cause of her end in her junior year to dragging herself out of the deep end, committing to rehab, and winning the natty on the redemption match. This year, she molded herself into a better basketball player, cementing herself in the Gamecock record books – and while she doesn’t have a natty win this year, she’s not mad about it. It’s difficult to describe but at a certain point, the win just doesn’t matter anymore. It’s the journey, growing with your team, and everything you did leading up to it.

Last year, she said she has everything she’s ever wanted, and that much is still true. She has her rings, she has an excellent collegiate career, she has records that will be damn near impossible to beat until the next Tess Kennedy is recruited to South Carolina. She has the best friends in the world, the best girlfriend in the world, her knee is healed, she’s healed, and in less than two weeks, she’ll be drafted to play professionally wherever the wind takes her. The past two years have been the best and the worst time of her life but never will she ever wish that anything occurred differently. It’s all led her to this – her wins, her losses, to Paige. It’s more than she could have ever wished for.

She showers, zones out during the presser until the questions are directed at her, which she answers robotically, uncaring. When she’s out, she locates Paige in the tunnel, who scoops her up with such unadulterated glee and excitement that Tess giggles like a fucking schoolgirl. Paige is fresh, clean, and fuck it, she’s hers, and sue her if she sounds like a broken record, but she just loves her. “Congrats, baby,” Tess says into her neck, feeling Paige squeeze her around the middle before she lowers her to the ground.

“Thank you,” Paige murmurs as she presses a soft, unhurried kiss to Tess’s lips. “Promise you didn’t sell on purpose?”

Tess scoffs, shoving her away with a hand to her chest as Paige laughs, a sound that’s infectious and far too annoyingly charming. “Paige Madison. I dropped 31 on your ass and you think I sold?”

“Locked you down,” Paige says.

“Maybe romantically but not in basketball,” Tess corrects. Paige’s face brightens and Tess can’t help but lean in to kiss her again. “Congrats though, for real.” Paige’s eyes blink open, tilting her head down slightly to gaze at Tess, her expression full of lingering excitement, love, and unequivocal happiness. “You worked so hard for this. I’m proud of you, you know? 28 points, too? Who you showin’ out for?”

Paige laughs at Tess’s impression of her. “For you, always.” Tess can’t help but soften, grinning in that stupid way Paige always elicits. “We’re goin’ out,” she says. “The team, I mean. Some bar Aubrey found. You wanna come with us? You don’t gotta do nothing you don’t wanna and they’re all keepin’ it lowkey, nothin’ crazy–”

“Paige,” Tess interrupts, watching an adorable flush appear on Paige’s cheeks. “Don’t worry about me. Celebrate with your team, okay?”

“I’m always gonna worry about you,” Paige says, a little indignant. “You’re my girl. S’my job. But I want you there if you wanna be there.”

“You’re amazing, and I love you.”

Paige sighs. “Where’s the ‘but?’”

Tess rolls her eyes. “But you need to spend time with your team. Alone, without your unbelievably sexy girlfriend distracting you. You’re gonna miss them once you’re drafted. I need to chill tonight, so I’m gonna play UNO with my girls and stack +4s on Chloe to get her back for missing a layup that would have made our score look a little less pathetic.” Tess kisses the pout off of Paige’s lips. “I could convince Bree to room with Raven tonight?” she suggests intentionally.

“Okay!” Paige agrees quickly, her voice cracking, squeezing Tess’s hips once more, causing her to laugh lightly. Paige presses her lips to Tess’s forehead, the shorter of the two feeling the curve of her smirk. “I’ll see you later. Don’t fall asleep. I love you.”

Tess huffs, which makes Paige grin. She loves being on Tess’s nerves more than anything else. “I love you, too. Have fun and don’t drink anything KK gives you.”

Paige only shakes her head, their noses brushing slightly. “Not drinking. Wanna remember tonight.” Heat rises to Tess’s cheeks as she’s suddenly aware of what the night holds for them, but Paige just smiles at her, releasing her hips and squeezing her hand one last time before she disappears inside the media room for the presser. Tess exhales, shaking her head like an etch-a-sketch to fix her train of thought before she gathers herself and makes her way out to the team bus.

She slides into the seat next to Bree, placing her bag on the floor. “You’re rooming with Raven tonight,” Tess says to her.

Bree stares at her long and hard before her expression hardens. “You’re a fucking freak,” she gripes. “But you’re buying me breakfast tomorrow morning.” In lieu of a response, Tess pulls her wallet out of her pocket and hands over a $20 bill. Bree wrinkles her nose, her face going through the five stages of grief. Tess can’t even bring herself to feel ashamed as Bree takes the money. “God,” she whispers. “Freaks.”

Tess only smiles.

After a couple hours of music and various games, Tess says her final goodbyes to her teammates before she heads back to her room at the end of the hall. Paige had texted her only moments before that she was on her way back to the hotel, which she took as her cue to go. Her teammates gave her knowing looks, but Tess couldn’t find it in herself to be any sort of embarrassed.

Bree had cleared out most of her stuff before they all gathered in Raven’s room for games, but Tess just makes the conscious effort to clean up a little. She knew Paige wouldn’t care. Whether or not Bree’s bed was made would be the last thing on Paige’s mind if Tess had anything to say about it. Despite that, she just wanted it to look nicer for her. Paige had just won a championship, damn it, and she deserves something a little more fitting of that.

Tess isn’t nervous, but she’s almost giddy with anticipation and excitement. The last time she and Paige saw each other was when they played each other in February. They were unable to synchronize their schedules for spring break, so Tess is reasonably going through girlfriend withdrawals. She just wants to be close to Paige – nothing inherently sexual about it, but she misses their intimacy now that they’re always hundreds of miles apart. It will be the same situation when they get drafted – Tess watched the lottery despite everyone’s recommendations not to, but they’ll have a little bit more money and freedom to make the distance work once they’re in the league. But the league is the last thing she wants to worry about right now.

She checks herself one last time in the mirror, satisfied, but she pulls off her South Carolina hoodie, shivering a little at the chill in the room, and rummages through her suitcase until she finds the white jersey tucked underneath the rest of her clothes. A large 5 is emblazoned on the front and the back, the Big East logo on the collar, just a size too big for her – she’d stolen it directly from Paige’s bag when they played each other in February and they hung out after the game, but she supposes her lie was just convincing enough because Paige genuinely thought she left it in the locker room. She pulls the hoodie over her head, not bothering to tuck it into her sleep shorts, and gives herself one last look before smiling.

A knock at the door draws her attention. Finding her resolve, she walks over and opens it, coming face to face with Paige, whose cheeks are slightly flushed from the Tampa heat. “Hey – oh.” Paige stops in her tracks immediately, her eyes wide as she takes in Tess’s attire. Her jaw hangs open slightly as she leans against the door.

Tess laughs, reaching for Paige’s hands and pulling her inside. Paige lets herself be dragged, but she remembers where they are and closes the door, setting the lock without looking away from Tess. “You like?” Tess asks, tugging on the hem of the jersey to showcase Paige’s number. She smiles at Paige, a little smug but also a little breathless. Paige isn’t sure where to look – her face, her jersey, her legs, long and lithe and bare with the exception of a pair of shorts that would otherwise be indecent. “Figured I’d try something new.”

“Do I like?” Paige repeats, sounding a little incredulous. Her voice is rough and Tess shivers, feeling the heat pool low in her belly as Paige rests her hands on her hips, her fingertips brushing the swell of her ass. She pulls Tess into her until there’s barely an inch of space in between them – Tess can feel Paige breathing against her, her breath minty and fresh, her cologne so prominent and heady in the air that Tess’s head spins. “Like doesn’t even begin to cover it,” she murmurs, her lips dragging across the line of Tess’s jaw. Tess tilts her head back, giving Paige more access as she sighs softly. Paige’s fingers bunch in the fabric of her jersey as she noses her way down her neck, pressing wet kisses to her skin. A groan builds low in the back of her throat as she pulls away, her eyes blown wide and slightly out of breath. “D’you have any idea what this does to me?”

Tess chuckles, letting Paige lead her towards the bed, trusting her to not let her fall over. “I think I’m starting to understand,” she says. Paige smiles at her, softening the heat of the moment. Tess can’t help the grin that covers her face as she pulls Paige on top of her, sliding her zip up UConn jacket off of her shoulders. Paige situates herself in the gap created by Tess’s outstretched legs, leaning down to finally press their lips together. Their kiss is tender, lingering, and slow; Paige is deliberate in the way her hand slips under Tess’s jersey, her fingers brushing against her skin, and Tess sighs against her. They part and the expression on Paige’s face is so soft, blissed out like she has everything she’s ever wanted right in front of her. That thought alone fills Tess with an overwhelming amount of love and appreciation that she can’t help her starstruck smile. “You played really well today,” she whispers, working her fingers against Paige’s hair tie as she loosens her braids.

Paige hums, her eyes closing when Tess’s fingers drag across her scalp. “Says you,” she retorts, her head dropping to Tess’s shoulder. Her lips find her neck again, nipping gently and soothing the bite with a pass of her tongue. “31 fuckin’ points?” Paige emphasizes her words with an emphatic groan, her hands pushing up Tess’s jersey and her fingertips just barely breaching under her bra strap. “You tryna go to Dallas?”

Tess laughs, tangling her fingers through Paige’s hair as the blonde hides her smile against her neck. “Nah. That’s all you. I’m very happy going number two.”

Paige scoffs. “Yeah, ‘cause you get Cam and Rickea.”

Tess smiles knowingly, rolling her eyes. “Your hand is literally under my shirt and you wanna talk about other people right now?” Paige glances down, her brows raising and her eyes lingering on just how far the jersey is bunched up, miles upon miles of Tess’s tanned skin on display.

“Take this shit off,” she says, hands reaching for the hem of the jersey. Tess raises her arms compliantly and Paige pulls it over her head, throwing it to the side before leaning down and connecting their lips again. Tess relaxes immediately, circling her arms around Paige’s neck, drawing her in closer and closer until the space between them is negligible. Paige’s hands are warm against her bare skin. One leaves her chest to cup her jaw, her lips slowing, controlling the pace. Every motion is purposeful, deep and lingering, until Paige pulls back just enough that her nose brushes against Tess’s. “Wanna take my time with you.”

“You won,” Tess reminds her, fighting through the burn on her cheeks as Paige presses open-mouthed kisses to her neck, her jaw. “Tonight’s for you.”

“Yeah,” Paige agrees, her mind clearly elsewhere as she pulls her shirt over her head. Tess’s mouth dries instantly, her gaze unashamed as she takes in Paige’s toned figure, the definition of her abs despite the softness of her stomach. She’s equal parts sinew and grace, beautiful beyond any human measurement – Tess would never be able to put Paige’s beauty into words. She transcends language and meaning and Tess is so irrevocably in love that it should scare her; her feelings are overwhelming in the best way possible and Paige doesn’t even know the extent of it.

“Paige,” Tess tries again, her hands reaching up to push Paige’s hair out of her face.

She shakes her head, her hand returning to Tess’s jaw as she kisses her again, taking the very breath from her lungs and relishing in the sigh that she pulls from her throat. Her hand slips lower, her thumb brushing the apple of her throat while her index finger rests on her pulse point, feeling the spike in her heart rate. “Wanna take care of you,” Paige murmurs, the plea evident in her expression when she pulls away. “Want this to last, wanna feel you. Please?” She dips lower, her lips pressing against her skin, and Tess doesn’t have any choice but to let Paige have her way. She nods, her hands finding purchase on Paige’s shoulder blades as Paige descends further, her lips leaving marks over her clavicles.

Paige undresses the both of them with a deliberate slowness. Her hands roam like she’s trying to commit every inch of Tess’s body to memory, her eyes wide in wonder. Paige stares at her like it’s the first time all over again and it makes Tess shiver, feeling warmth all over. They spent the entire offseason together, late nights in hotel rooms much like this one as they travelled. They’re far from the first time, but the fact that Paige still handles her with the utmost care, respect, and devotion only makes her needier.

When they’re both bare, the first press of Paige’s skin against her own is electrifying. She draws Paige in again, connecting their lips, relishing in the soft, unhurried push and pull as Paige’s hands roam. They’re firm around her hips, her thumbs brushing the area where her thighs meet her pelvis. Then they’re trailing up, brushing against her navel, gripping her love handles and the parts of her stomach where she’s more skin than muscle. Further up, Paige’s hands splay out across the lower end of her ribcage. The amount of skin that her hands cover makes Tess ache, but Paige keeps wandering, her hands cupping her breasts, thumbs tweaking her nipples. Tess sighs at the contact and Paige immediately takes advantage of the way her jaw drops, deepening their kiss as Tess holds on to her shoulders for stability.

She can feel the flex of Paige’s muscle, see the way her shoulder blades jut out slightly – it shouldn’t excite her, but it does. She’s firm, solid, soft, and human, a paradox and a myriad of different feelings. Tess can’t help but be attracted to every single thing she does and every single thing she is. God took his time creating Paige, that much Tess was sure of; the fact that Paige is hers, for better, for worse, forever, makes her feel like she needs to be far more thankful than she already is.

Paige pulls back. Tess nearly whines at the loss of contact until she takes in the blown out and messy look on Paige’s face. Her lips are swollen, spit-slick, covered in the lingering smear of Tess’s lip gloss. “Okay?” she asks, her voice rough. The check-in is just a reminder of how much Paige loves her. It never fails to make her heart beat out of her chest.

Tess nods, her hands coming up to smooth out the baby hairs at the back of Paige’s neck, damp with sweat. “Keep going,” she requests, closing her eyes when she feels Paige kiss her cheek, her jaw, the spot under her ear that makes her shiver.

“Wanna try something with you,” she murmurs, squeezing her around the hips, and Tess blinks her eyes open to stare at her. A new, shy sort of flush creeps up her neck and Tess gives her a reassuring kiss.

“Anything,” she says, her voice soft, albeit a little breathless. “You know I trust you.”

Paige glances up, searching her eyes for any hint of falsehood. When she finds none, she leans in, kissing Tess one last time before pulling back. “Tell me to stop and I will,” she says. Tess nods again, waiting with a bated breath as Paige pulls back completely, much to her chagrin, but her hands find her knees, spreading her legs wider, slotting her own legs under and over Tess’s thighs like puzzle pieces, and – Oh. They haven’t even made full contact but her entire body burns. Paige is just as red, her chest rising and falling with uneven breaths. “Okay?” she asks again, her words sounding a little choked.

Tess nods rapidly, not trusting herself to speak, but her words spill out anyway. “Please,” she says, looping her arms around her neck again. Paige nods, too, her breath a little shaky, but she connects their lips, swallowing the greedy sound that Tess makes when their cores finally align. Her fingers dig into Paige’s shoulders, eliciting a groan from the blonde as she rolls her hips experimentally. Paige is warm against her, slick against her skin, and the brush of her clit against her own nearly makes her soul leave her body.

Her head tilts back, overcome with euphoria and pleasure, and Paige takes advantage immediately. Her lips are on her neck before she has the chance to react, sucking dark, purple marks on her skin, soothing the sting with her tongue. Tess pushes her hips into Paige’s, causing her rhythm to falter and a whine to fall from her lips. Tess really likes that sound, when Paige succumbs to the feelings and lets her hear it. “Fuck,” Paige whimpers. “That’s it.”

That sends a wave of heat directly to Tess’s core. She ruts up again, relishing in Paige’s exhaled moan, the way her elbows shake as she tries to hold herself up. Each and every roll of her hips adds to the tightening band in her stomach, threatening to snap as her pleasure builds – but it feels like she’s reached a plateau. She pushes against her a little faster, trying to chase the high, which forces more of those sounds to tumble from Paige’s mouth. The feel of her skin against hers, sticky with sweat, is intoxicating in the best way possible; the roll of her hips sets her nerves on fire; and when she glances down, her eyes honing in on where their bodies connect, Tess grips her shoulders a little tighter as she cries out, her nails leaving marks in their wake. “Paige,” she gasps, feeling Paige’s nose brush against her collarbone, licking the salt off of her skin. “Talk, please.”

“Yeah?” she asks, her voice a little broken and high-pitched as she holds out, trying to make Tess reach her peak first. The sound of her so wrecked, so destroyed makes Tess tremble beneath her. “Wanted you to – fuck, wanted you to come with me earlier,” she babbles. Tess barely registers that she means the bar. “Wanted to show you off. Tell everyone you’re mine. Wanted to kiss you in front of everyone, take you back here – fuck, Tess, right there – take you back here and show you how much I want you.”

“Keep going, please,” she begs. Tears of pleasure bead at her waterline. The brush of their cunts and the whine in Paige’s voice makes her dizzy with desire.

Paige sighs, the sound getting trapped in her throat as her lips find her ear, her ruts becoming a little more desperate. And when Tess’s hips jump up again, seeking out that pleasure, Paige’s breath catches. She leans her head against Tess’s shoulder, her body tense with the effort of trying to stay composed. “God, there you go,” she murmurs, her breath fanning against the shell of her ear. “Take it, baby, whatever you need – gonna give it to you, I promise.”

Tess whimpers, her grip tightening as she rolls her hips against Paige’s, her pleasure building and nearing the peak as she confesses, “Paige, I’m gonna–”

“That’s it,” Paige whimpers, meeting Tess’s hips with more purpose, more intensity, guiding her closer and closer. When Paige keens into her ear, her voice cracking, “Fuck, I love you – so perfect for me,” Tess falls apart completely, clutching onto Paige as her orgasm washes over her. Paige is right behind her; Tess can feel her release, her body shuddering against her own. They rock together as they ease through the aftershocks, drawing back when the sensitivity becomes too much.

Carefully, Paige extracts herself from Tess, the both of them exhaling when they disconnect. Paige rolls onto the bed next to her, her head finding home on Tess’s chest as she slings an arm across her stomach. Neither of them say anything for a while, sitting in a satisfied silence as they try to catch their breaths. It’s Tess who finally breaks the quiet when she says, “I think you ruined me.”

That makes Paige laugh, still breathless. She cocks her head, meeting Tess’s eyes. Gingerly, she wipes away the tears on her cheeks, smooths out the hair at the crown of her head. “Good,” she murmurs, leaning up to press a sweet kiss to Tess’s lips, a stark contrast from the moment prior. “Gotta trap you so you stay with me forever.”

Tess snorts, brushing her nails against Paige’s jaw and cheek gently. “Trust me, you don’t have to worry about that.” Paige hums, her fingertips tracing patterns against her ribcage as their breathing finally evens out. A few moments pass. “Are you sleeping?” Tess asks, a little shy.

“Yes,” Paige deadpans, but she turns her head again, smiling up at Tess. Her expression is soft, relaxed, blissed out. “What’s up?”

Tess can’t help the smile that breaks out across her face. “I love you,” she says simply.

Paige’s entire demeanor brightens. She tightens her grip around Tess’s middle, drawing in closer and pressing her lips to her chest, directly over her heart. “I love you, too.”

Tess tangles her fingers in Paige’s hair, smoothing out the flyaway strands near her temple. Paige smiles against her, her face tranquil, happy. In a little over a week from now, they’ll be in Brooklyn together for the 2025 draft. They’ll be selected to play in the professional league, which is everything they’ve dreamed of and more, although their dreams have expanded to include each other. Tess has everything she’s ever wanted in life – an outstanding college career, a promising future, Paige, and she can’t wait for the rest of their lives together.

APRIL 14, 2025

Tess can’t believe this is her life right now.

She, her parents, and Bree and Raven are sitting at a table in the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the selected venue for the 2025 WNBA Draft. The energy in the atmosphere is electric – there’s muted chatter, excited hopefuls trying not to freak out about which team will be selecting them. Tess is a mixture of anticipation and nerves. She’s been the predicted number two draft pick for months now, only second to Paige, which she can’t even be upset by. She has a pretty good idea of where she’s going, but she can’t help being worried about dropping in the rankings – the 2025 draft class is full of young talent. She wouldn’t mind Chicago. Playing with Kam again would be amazing, and Washington isn’t bad, either. She is really interested in the Liberty, mostly because they made such a good impression on her during rehab and that’s not something she would ever forget. Unfortunately, the Liberty decided to do the worst possible thing ever and win a championship, which means they’re nowhere close to getting Tess unless they want to trade up and Tess highly doubts they’d be willing to part with their entire roster just for her.

Tess can’t keep her eyes off of Paige. It’s slowly becoming a recurring theme as of late, much to the chagrin of everyone around her, but she can’t help it. She sits only a table away, surrounded by Bob, Amy, Drew, Lauren, and Ryan. The happiness is evident on her face, her hair done up in a ponytail with two loose strands framing her face, and her make-up natural. The real nail on the coffin is the tailored suit she’s wearing. It’s a dark purple in color, nearly black; several buttons on the blazer are undone to reveal the sharp lines of her clavicle and the dark shades of her undershirt. A chain glimmers around her neck, rings adorning her fingers, including the rose thumb ring Tess had gifted her for their first Christmas, before they knew they loved each other. Tess is honestly too much of an overachiever – she picked the finest person in the world to be her girlfriend and now the repercussions of that are coming back to bite her in the ass.

Her stylist – well, Paige’s stylist, Brittany Hampton is the goat – did her big one, too. Brittany has her decked out in a rich, dark, glossy, blue satin dress. Much like Paige’s suit, the shade is dark enough that it almost appears black, but the blue hue sticks out, complementing her complexion perfectly. Her heels match (and most importantly, they’re tall enough that she and Paige are finally eye level). Her jewelry is minimalist, donning her signature bracelet and their charms, along with a gorgeous necklace Paige had bought her for their second Christmas together – the first as an official couple. The both of them look good, probably too good, and Tess is preparing herself to cut someone if they stare at Paige for too long.

Her family and friends try to make small talk to distract her from the looming draft, but her heart isn’t in the conversation. Her mind runs a mile a minute; she’s thinking about all of the iterations of the mock draft – honestly, she should have listened to Paige when she told her not to watch the draft lottery or get too invested in the draft talk, anyhow. She’s thinking about Paige, how she looks so gorgeous at her table; she’s thinking about how Paige’s dreams are coming true right before her and that chokes her up a little bit. Paige was a little kid once, just like her, dribbling a ball that was nearly as big as she was – now she’s here, the predicted number one pick and it just feels like everything’s coming into fruition. They’ve both worked incredibly hard for this, all of the trials and tribulations and injuries and miscommunication – they’re here, together, and Tess couldn’t dream of anything better than that.

Finally, the beginning of the draft rolls around as the WNBA commissioner, Cathy Engelbert, steps up to the podium for opening remarks. Tess motions to wipe her sweaty hands on her dress, but Bree’s gripping her wrists and pushing a small handcloth into her waiting palms. Bree knows her so well and Tess gives her a silent nod of thanks, a small smile. She doesn’t think she’s quite made her peace with the fact she’s leaving her girls behind after today. Training camps and final roster deliberations and the preseason all await, but Bree’s rubbing her shoulder and murmuring, “Soak it in, babe, we’re so proud of you,” and she thinks that maybe she’s on the right track.

Cathy leaves the podium to await the official first pick. Tess glances at Paige again, who is clearly dissociated as she tries to not look at the cameras that are obviously pointing at her. Then, she glances over, her eyes finding Tess’s. Her entire demeanor shifts and a bright smile spreads across her face. It’s scrunchy, somehow both soft and mischievous, but Tess knows her well enough by now to understand that smile is reserved for her only. KK called it her “Tess smile” which was a little ridiculous, but when Tess returns her grin, the love clear as day in her expression, she knows that KK’s observation had a little merit.

Cathy returns with the pick in hand. The entire room falls silent, waiting with a bated breath as the older woman leans into the microphone. “With the first pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, the Dallas Wings select…Paige Bueckers, University of Connecticut.”

The room breaks into applause immediately as the tears spring to Tess’s eyes, overcome with emotion and appreciation for her girlfriend. Paige stands, embracing her parents, her siblings, and then she’s stepping towards Tess’s table, her expression so grateful and a little awestruck. Tess reminds herself that they’re in front of thousands of people, in front of prominent WNBA players and coaches as she molds herself into Paige’s arms, keeping it classy as Paige squeezes her tightly around her waist. “God, I’m so proud of you,” Tess murmurs, feeling Paige’s shoulders shake a little bit with her emotions. “I love you. Go get your jersey.”

Paige huffs out a laugh, releasing Tess as she wipes at her waterline. “I love you. See you soon,” she says, winking at her, which makes Tess chuckle, taking a seat and watching Paige make her way to the stage. Tess pulls out her phone, taking photo after photo as Paige poses with the commissioner and the Wings jersey.

Holly Rowe talks her through a couple of interview questions, her responses making the crowd aww or applaud, and soon enough, she’s returning to her table, embracing her family once more and smiling gently at Tess. Cathy returns to the podium after allowing the allotted time for the next selection.

“With the second pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, the Los Angeles Sparks select…Tess Kennedy, University of South Carolina.”

Tess doesn’t register it at first until her family and friends are cheering, their applause loud, and Tess finally snaps back into reality as she stands with an elated, shocked laugh. She pulls Raven and Bree into her arms, her teammates whispering their congratulations before her parents pull her into bone-crushing embraces. And finally, she makes her way to Paige’s table – she was polite for Paige’s pick, but this is different now; it’s hers and after what she’s been through, she can’t find it in herself to care much for what’s proper. She throws herself into Paige’s arms, squeezing tight enough that anyone else would have complained, but Paige holds onto her with the same intensity as she murmurs, “So proud of you, baby. You and me, huh?”

Tess laughs, the sound tearful. “You and me,” she affirms, releasing her girlfriend, and she makes her way up to the podium where Cathy holds out the yellow and purple jersey to her. She takes it, her fingers trembling a little.

When she makes it down, the reporter waiting for her isn’t Holly Rowe. She’s blonde, radiant, and shorter than Tess, but Tess gets the strangest feeling like she knows her. She glances down at the lanyard around her neck, the media pass reading P. LANCASTER. Tess grins. “Tess, you were just selected number two overall for the 2025 WNBA Draft. Can you tell me what was going through your mind leading up to the pick?”

“Um, ‘don’t throw up,’” she answers honestly. Her candor makes the crowd laugh. She chuckles, feeling some of the pressure ease off of her as she gives a proper answer, the usual ‘I’ve been dreaming of this moment since I was a kid,’ and ‘I’m so grateful to be here and this is an honor that I don’t take lightly.’

The reporter talks her through a few more questions, such as how excited she is to be working with the Sparks. Between Cameron and Rickea, Tess feels like she’s in good hands, and knowing that Lynne Roberts, the new head coach, is a huge fan of three-point shooting, she feels like there’s a lot she can bring to the team. The reporter asks a fluff question about getting used to the Los Angeles heat, to which Tess jokingly responds with, “Well, I hear Dallas is hotter.” That makes a small smile appear on the reporter’s face.

“Speaking of Dallas,” she segues, which makes a knowing smile spread across Tess’s face. “Your girlfriend, Paige Bueckers, was just drafted there. The two of you met twice in national championships in college – can we expect some exciting match-ups between the two of you in the W?”

“Of course,” Tess says coyly. “We’re 1-1 on championship wins right now. I’m looking to add a couple more of those to my resume, and if that means beating my girlfriend? Even better.”

Penelope Lancaster thanks her for her time as the crowd applauds once more. Tess makes her way back to her table, smiling smugly at Paige, who rolls her eyes, but the love in her expression is hard to hide. The rest of the draft passes in a blur, as does the afterparty they’re both invited to afterwards. It’s well past midnight when they leave the club, their hair a mess from dancing and Paige’s blazer settled over Tess’s shoulders to stave off the late night chill. Paige already has an Uber called to take them back to Tess’s parents’ house and she pulls Tess into her side as they wait outside.

There’s something so magical about the night, about the energy in the atmosphere. The bass from the music reverberates and Paige sings along to whatever rap song is playing from inside, her body warm against Tess’s, and she finds that she suddenly can’t take it anymore. The overwhelming emotion in her chest, ready to burst at the seams, the sheer happiness and hope and gratitude that seeps from every pore in her body. She wraps both of her arms around Paige’s waist, resting her head over her chest, listening to the steady beat of her heart. Paige quiets down, a little confused, but she melts into their embrace until there’s no air left between them.

Tess doesn’t know how to put it into words – she doesn’t think she ever will. She’s so in love, even after a year together officially. There was a point in her life where she didn’t think she’d be here. She didn’t think she would be able to heal, that she would be able to play basketball again, that she would be drafted to pursue her dream professionally. She never thought romance was in the cards for her, that she would ever find someone like Paige – that she would find Paige herself; she never thought she would be in love or that someone would be in love with her, too. It’s surreal, encompassing, and call her cheesy or down bad or whatever, but she can’t wait to live life with Paige.

“You okay?” Paige asks softly, her fingers trailing up and down Tess’s back soothingly.

“I’m perfect,” Tess responds, smiling against Paige’s skin. “I just love you.”

Paige’s hand leaves her back, but it’s not long before she’s cupping Tess’s cheek and drawing her closer to her until their lips touch. It’s soft, unhurried, a promise. It’s just as electric as the first time, as warm, as perfect. Paige breaks away long enough to whisper “I love you, too,” and then she’s sweeping back in, kissing Tess with the vow of forever. When she first met Paige, almost two years ago, she’d told her that home was a feeling. Right here, wrapped up in Paige’s arms, kissing her under the streetlight as they get ready to walk into what is the beginning of their life together, Tess knows in her heart that she’s finally made it home.

‘Happily Ever Draft-er’

In April of 2025, the Dallas Wings and the Los Angeles Sparks drafted Paige Bueckers and Tess Kennedy first and second overall. Every basketball fan knew that Bueckers and Kennedy were sure bets for the top two picks. If there was one thing that the WNBA season could promise us, it was the match-ups between Bueckers and Kennedy – they certainly came around more often than they did when Bueckers and Kennedy were in college. They sold out arenas with many fans vying to see their clash, and they did not disappoint. Each game was intense, hard fought until the very last second.

In their rookie year, Bueckers and Kennedy helped lead their teams to the playoffs, although they both fell short – the Wings lost 2-0 to the Aces, while the Sparks lost 2-1 to the Liberty. In their second year, the Wings forged ahead to the semi-finals where they lost 3-2 to the Fever whereas the Sparks were defeated by the Sun 2-0 in the first round. Their third year was the complete opposite – the Wings lost to the Valkyries 2-1 in the first round, although the Sparks lost 3-1 to the Lynx in the semi-finals.

Their fourth year, the last of their rookie contracts, was long anticipated. In the first round of the playoffs, the Wings defeated the Storm in a clean 2-0 sweep. Similarly, the Sparks sent the Dream packing 2-0. Then, in the semi-finals, the Wings plowed through the Lynx 3-2 while the Sparks dominated the Fever 3-1. The finals match that everyone had been waiting for – the Wings versus the Sparks was underway. This would be the first year that the WNBA implemented a 7 game series.

The WNBA finals were back and forth. The Sparks took home the first win, the Wings took home the second and the third, although the Sparks bounced back with the fourth and the fifth. The Wings beat the Sparks on their sixth game in an overtime thriller, tying the series 3-3 and forcing a game seven. Bueckers and Kennedy were electric on the court, averaging 30 points in the postseason, but ultimately, the Sparks won the WNBA championship.

When approached for a comment, Kennedy stated, “Well, Paige won Rookie of the Year, so I think it’s fitting that I get a ring first.” Bueckers, who was standing next to her, rolled her eyes, but she seemed smug, as though she had another trick up her sleeve. Kennedy continued, “We’re free agents, so who knows who’s winning the chip after this.”

Bueckers did, in fact, have another trick up her sleeve as it was announced early in the offseason that she and Kennedy had gotten engaged in Italy, close to Kennedy’s hometown. Bueckers shared their engagement photos on her Instagram, captioning it, “Her favorite ring of them all 💍”. Shortly after, Bueckers and Kennedy shared their free agency picks – they’d both landed with the Golden State Valkyries alongside 2026 Rookie of the Year Azzi Fudd.

We’re eagerly awaiting the tipoff for the 2029 WNBA season. Bueckers and Kennedy have been rivals for nine years, falling in love despite it all. Finally, for the first time ever, we get to witness the union of the titans rather than their clash. We get to witness a team where Bueckers and Kennedy combine their strengths, and all we have to say is good luck to the rest of the league. The Golden State Valkyries will be a name that we will be hearing for a very long time, especially now that Paige Bueckers and Tess Kennedy have settled down in the Bay and have made San Francisco their home.

-Penelope Lancaster, Bleacher Report

#paige bueckers #paige bueckers x oc #uconn #uconn wbb #ncaa wbb

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sunsetmaneuver · 8 days ago

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yearn, baby, yearn - bradley bradshaw x reader

omg hello! my first ever post on here! hooray! no better way to start off than with a little yearning. i haven't written for a fandom in so long, so forgive me if i seem a little rusty! trust, i'll get back into my groove soon lol. lmk what you think, i hope you enjoy <3 requests always open!!

length: 2.3k words

warnings: swearing, beginning stages of a panic attack, probably some grammar mistakes lol, pining and yearning

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You know when you have a secret you've been keeping for so long, it starts to eat away at your insides? Starts to physically hurt to force it down? I am usually a very inconspicuous secret keeper; I have been all my life. But for some reason, this one crawls up my throat and begs to spill every single time he's near me.

His mahogany eyes boring into me whenever we're together, the way his laugh coats every fibre of my soul and tugs on my heart, that cocky little grin that's somehow always present on his face. All of it, all of him, makes it damn near impossible to keep it to myself. Bradley Bradshaw is, in the simplest, yet somehow most incredibly complex way, everything to me. But I can't shake the feeling that to him, I'm just his best friend; someone he met some odd years ago at a bar, both of us far too intoxicated for a casual Tuesday night. I can still remember the hangover and text messages that came the following morning. From that day forward, our friendship solidified and blossomed into something I never could have anticipated. How could someone be in love with their best friend without risking blowing up years of friendship if it ends badly?

I glance over at the clock on my bedside table for what feels like the hundredth time tonight, "2:47 AM" burning back at me in a bright red glow. I've been tossing and turning for almost four hours, reeling over every interaction I could recall having with Bradley, the most recent being the casual dinner we shared last week at his apartment. Sharing a meal together isn't unusual for us, but thinking about it makes my skin burn with frustration and lust I had no business feeling.

"What are we watching tonight?" Bradley asks as he shuts his apartment door, a box of pizza balanced on his arms. He sets it down on the coffee table and moves into the kitchen, grabbing plates and napkins. I can't help but take note of how his shirt lifts up ever so slightly, tanned abs peeking out at me, as he grabs the plates from the cabinet. I will myself to pull my eyes away from him and turn my attention back to the TV screen.

"I don't know, there's nothing good," I mumble, flipping through movies on Hulu with my legs tucked up underneath me. Bradley reemerges from the kitchen rather quickly, setting the plates on the table and plopping down next to me, lazily draping an arm over the back of the couch. The action is so casual, so instinctive, like he's been doing it all his life. My breath catches in my lungs. Suddenly very aware of our position, I clear my throat and click on whatever movie the remote has landed on. The large man next to me lets out a soft chuckle, his knee bumping mine ever so slightly.

"Gnomeo and Juliet?" He doesn't even try to hide his teasing tone or the way his eyes flick from my eyes down to my lips for a fraction of a second. I roll my eyes and lean forward to take a slice of pizza from the box-- green peppers and olives, my favorite for reasons Bradley "just didn't understand". But he always got it anyway, and always ate it with minimal complaints.

The night went smoothly, the occasional laugh coming from Bradley, our plates long discarded and swapped out with a couple of bottles of beer. Sleep tugged at my eyelids, and, eventually, my head found Bradley's shoulder. He let me sleep pressed against him, a protective arm around me, drawing circles on my shoulder, until the movie was over. Then he dropped me back off at home, and I spiraled.

Groaning a quiet "fuck this", I shove my comforter off me and swing my legs over the edge of my bed, hastily putting on the slippers that sit in a neat pair beneath me. Throwing my glasses on, I stride to my house robe, draping it over my pajamas, which consist of one of Bradley's old Navy t-shirts and a pair of loose-fitting sweatpants. I don't bother brushing my hair, but obviously, my appearance is the last thing on my mind. The only thing I can think of is Bradley, and Bradley's stupid mustache, and Bradley's stupid smile, and Bradley's stupid lips. Bradley's stupid lips on mine.

It's like I'm on autopilot -- swiping my keys up from the bowl by the front door, barreling towards my car before climbing in and driving East. I don't even bother to turn on the radio; the only sounds swirling around me are my thoughts, my unsteady breaths, and the bumpy road under my tires. After 15 minutes of driving, I pull up behind that all-too familiar beat-up, blue Bronco I've watched and waited by my window for countless times over the years.

"What the fuck am I doing?" I whisper into the air, but I don't stop myself. Unbuckling my seatbelt and slamming my car door shut, my body starts to tingle, starting in my feet, inching to my fingertips, and finally reaching my face. I'm on fire but ice cold at the same time. The feeling of wood beneath my knuckles suddenly pulls me back down to earth. It doesn't take long for Bradley to appear at the door, confusion and sleep settled deep on his face as he all but pulls the door off its hinges. The chain lock, thankfully, prevents him from losing his security deposit.

"It's fuckin' 3 o'clock in the morning--" Bradley grumbles, eyes barely open as he squints at me through the cracked door. It must register with him that it's me in front of him, because his confusion only seems to grow. His hands come up to rub the sleep from his eyes.

I can't breathe.

"I have something to tell you." I blurt out. My voice sounds foreign, straining to get the words out, garbled and distorted. It feels like I'm watching myself from outside my body, standing at my best friend's apartment door, spewing nonsense at three in the morning. Bradley's eyebrows pull closer as he shuts the door, unlocks it properly, and opens it fully, revealing his nearly naked appearance. A pair of black sweatpants hang loosely on his hips, like he had just thrown them on in a haste to answer the door. I try not to stare too long at his abs, or his biceps, or the hair on his stomach that trails down to his--

"What is it? Are you okay?" His tone dances on the line drawn between sounding concerned and sounding annoyed, but his eyes soften at me. I can't feel my fingers or my nose, and my teeth feel like TV static. I nod my head slowly, sneaking a glance at my hands to make sure they're still there. I look back up at Bradley and clench my fists, trying to feel my nails dig into my palms. He steps aside to let me walk through his doorway, gesturing for me to come in, but I don't move. My feet stay firmly planted on the carpeted hallway of his apartment complex.

Here goes nothing.

"I'm not good at this," I begin.

"Good at what?" He yawns.

"Two years ago, when your favorite mug went missing from your cabinet for a few days-- that was me. I accidentally dropped it while you were in the shower one day, so I bagged up the pieces and shoved them in my purse."

The mug, as ugly as it was, meant a lot to Bradley. Bought at a rest stop in Missouri with his mother, Carole, almost two decades ago. The faded words "There's no place like home" encased within the dark outline of Missouri's state borders on one side, and a huge cornfield on the other. A small chip in the handle. Ugly little thing. He told me the story every time he drank out of it, how his mother had spotted it on a road trip and laughed until tears came out of her eyes, thinking it was the funniest, ugliest thing she'd ever seen. It was the hardest she had laughed since his father died.

Carole Bradshaw has been gone for some years now, so Bradley drinks his morning coffee in that mug every day and replays that memory, hoping to remember her laugh forever. I never miss the way Bradley's cheeks and nose burn a deep crimson while telling that story, or how he grows quiet for the next fifteen minutes after he's finished.

"Okay..?" His brows shoot up, puzzled and a little annoyed. I silently curse my brain for deciding to have this epiphany at the ass crack of dawn. My tongue darts out over my lips, and I continue.

"I felt so awful, I called out of work that whole week, and I drove there. To Missouri."

My hands shake by my sides as I finally get the courage to walk forward into his apartment. I start to pace as he shuts the door, leaning his back up against it with arms crossed over his chest. His eyes burn with something I can't name, and his lips part. I take his silence as a cue to continue.

"I went to nearly every rest stop until I found it, that ugly fucking mug that you love so much--"

"Wait. Slow down. You-- You drove to Missouri?" Bradley's voice rasps, full of shock and bewilderment. I can't stop the word vomit that's about to escape, back turned away from my best friend. I pace and pace and pace before turning back around to face him.

"And when I got back home, I chipped the handle as best as I could to match the original. Then I came here while you were at training, and I put it in your cabinet. I don't know why I did that. Any of it. Friends don't-- friends don't do things like that. They don't drive 50 hours round trip for a stupid coffee mug, and that scares me because I don't know why every time I'm around you, I want to do things like that for you, and I just want to make sure you're happy all the time and I know I sound crazy and I don’t know what’s wrong with m--"

Bradley pushes off of the door and stops in front of me, hands dipping to gently cup my face up towards him. The moonlight seeps in through his windows, hitting the side of his face in a way that makes his eyes appear lighter than they are. He stares at me as I stand there, chest heaving, trapped by his touch, and a silence washes over us. He’s searching for something on my face, frantic and unknowing. He keeps opening his mouth like he has something to say, but it closes not long after. I’ve never seen him like this before. He was usually so calm and collected, the voice of reason, the confident one. But now, for the first time since I’ve known him, Bradley Bradshaw is speechless.

Biting my lip as tears sting my eyes, I swallow my pride, and, finally, the words that have been on the tip of my tongue for God knows how long tumble out.

"I'm in love with you, Bradley Bradshaw. And it is killing me." Words so quiet, so pathetic, but so certain. He doesn't say anything for a few seconds, and fear rises up in my chest. Maybe this was a mistake. Maybe this could've waited until the morning, or until I figured out whatever the hell my problem was.

Just as I'm about to plead with him to say something, anything, he leans down and lets his lips hover over mine, eyes flicking up to meet mine for less than a millisecond before he connects us.

The kiss is tender and genuine, and everything I'd imagined it would be like. We stand there, lips moving in sync and hands exploring, before Bradley pulls away. He rests his forehead against mine and lets out a shaky breath, bringing his hand to rest on my face. I lean into his touch instinctively.

"Do you have any idea how long I've been wanting to do that?" He breathes out, thumb brushing my cheek gently.

"Probably not as long as me," I quip back with a tiny giggle. He exhales a laugh out of his nose as a smile grows on his face, then moves his hands so they're wrapping around my body in a tight hug. My arms find their place around his waist as he begins to rock us back and forth softly.

"I love you, too." This has me pulling away again so I can see his face in all of its bashful glory. Even in the darkness of the living room, I can make out the flaming pink blush on his cheeks. I grin wildly at him before pulling him down by the neck and catching his lips again.

"You know, I should've known," I mumble against him.

"Oh really?" He muses back playfully, hands sliding down my back, eager to roam.

"Yeah. There's no other reason you'd willingly eat my bizarre pizza." Bradley's laugh breaks our kiss, but I don't mind. The way he's looking at me right now, like I'm the only thing that keeps him tied to this planet, the only thing that matters, is more than enough for me.

"That pizza is truly God awful." And with that, he plants a kiss on my forehead, grabs my hand, and leads me to his room.

We fall asleep shortly thereafter, my body pressed into his side, head on his chest, with an arm draped over his stomach. Bradley draws circles on my shoulder as he holds me close, our legs tangled together under the sheets.

Bradley Bradshaw is everything to me, and I am everything to him. No doubt about it.

#bradley bradshaw #bradley bradshaw x reader #top gun maverick #top gun #bradley rooster bradshaw #rooster bradshaw #tgm x reader #top gun fanfiction #dagger squad #rooster x reader

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ssa-writerminds · 1 month ago

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can i have a letter 2 with a forensic report with the suspect spencer reid, please?

Prompt Game || Scenario 1 - Next Step

You and Spencer babysit Jack Hotchner for the weekend. What neither of you expected were the sudden questions being raised between you about your future as a family...

Prompts: Seeing their partner look after kids. Writer's Choice.

Warnings: Discussion of wanting/not wanting kids, minimal uses of Y/N that I couldn't avoid, Jack's age isn't explicitly stated since i know virtually nothing about age when it comes to kids 💔.

A/N: Thank you so much for requesting! I hope you enjoy! :) <33

-x- -x- -x- -x- -x- -x- -x- -x- -x- -x- -x- -x- -x- -x- -x- -x- -x- -x- -x-

Jack was an angel for you and Spencer. Never left his toys out, always ate his greens (with a little convincing), and always respected your rules and did as he was told. So you both agreed without hesitation when Hotch had asked you to babysit whilst he handled some unspecified business in another state.

Apparently, Jack's eyes lit up when the idea of a sleepover with Spencer and Y/N was brought up, and he practically jumped off of his seat when Hotch had told him. You smiled hearing the story when the boy was dropped off, almost instantly leaving his bag with you by the door to run and find his favorite genius.

You and Spencer had a spare room that was mainly decorated with Jack, Henry, and any future BAU kids in mind. You never had anyone else staying over anyway, so there wasn't much else it could be used for. Spencer already had his office, you preferred to work somewhere less confined, and neither of you had any other ideas for it anyway. You dropped off Jack's bag in his temporary room, smiling at the superhero posters you had put up the weekend prior, before going to find the two yourself. You couldn't wait for Jack to see the newly-decorated space.

You found the two in Spencer's office. He had been writing up a report when Jack found him, and now the little boy was sat on his knee behind the desk as he revealed a new book he had bought specifically for this weekend. (Age appropriate of course, and one he had already skimmed through and remembered all the details of, even down to the blurb and author's notes.) Jack's eyes were focused on the first couple of pages as Spencer shot off facts about the author and their other books. You stood in the doorway with a soft smile against your face. Spencer was such a natural when it came to kids, and you would never grow tired of seeing him interact with them.

You couldn't help but let your mind wander to the future. What if it was his own son or daughter on his lap? The thought of Spencer reading book after book far too simple to entertain his own mind, just to bond with his kid.

"Y/N! Look at this book! Isn't it cool?" Jack's excited voice broke you out of your thoughts. You smiled wider approaching the two behind the desk, and Spencer's arm instantly found its place nestled around your waist.

"It is! I was there when he bought it but he wouldn't let me see." You ruffled Spencer's hair to tease him, and Jack giggled. It was the plan have one night that weekend where he would read to the two of you. It's something he preferred to do over movie nights, and it definitely worked to wind Jack down before bed. Jack didn't mind either of course, Spencer somehow always knew exactly what books would keep him entertained just long enough for him to drift off in your arms. And so even when you pressed him back at home for even the simplest of plot summaries, he shooed you off with "No spoilers!" You didn't mind though, sharing real reactions to the storyline with Jack was enough for you to drop the subject until "book night" as you would call it.

"What's for dinner?" Jack quickly was distracted by his hunger, making you and Spencer giggle at the boy's sudden drift in attention.

"What would you like?" You crouched down to his level, offering your arms for him to shift into, an offering he took up without second thought. That was something Spencer noticed too. Something you had in common. How naturally kids gravitated and felt comfortable around you. It was something you both adored about each other. Now Spencer's mind was the one full of scenarios in a future that seemed distant. More distant than it might have really been.

"How about pizza?" Spencer broke himself out of those thoughts, deciding to tuck them into a mental folder labelled 'conversations for another time'. Jack's eyes lit up, as any young boy's would at the mention of junk food, and he shifted in your arms with a look in his eyes that you swore would get you in trouble with a certain father of his one day. This too for another time.

"Only if you eat something green on the side." Your voice was stern, but soft enough to keep the conversation light. Jack nodded with a wide smile and raised his hands, exclaiming in victory. You smiled up at Spencer. 'What good babysitters we are.' 'The favourites, obviously.' You communicated through only a simple nod to each other.

-- -- --

Pizza had gone down a treat. Spencer and Jack shared a plain cheese, and you had a smaller pizza to yourself, your reward for babysitting. (Although it wasn't from who you were babysitting for, and you're sure Hotch would put money in your hands instead when he picks Jack up, turning and leaving before you even get a chance to deny.) Still, it was a nice change from regularly balanced meals.

Jack couldn't resist any longer, begging the both of you for book night the second the dishes were washed and back in their places. "Pleaaase can we read the book?" And how could you ever say no to him?

Within a few minutes you found yourself sprawled on the couch, Jack nestled into your side and draped over you, whilst Spencer tucked himself into the other end, your feet on his lap as he read to the both of you. You had to admit, the book was entertaining, something about a family who move to a house near a railway, the father being imprisoned.

It didn't take long for Jack's eyes to droop, fluttering closed as he fought sleep. You had to hold in a laugh every time he readjusted in your arms, trying to find a position that would stop him from falling asleep. But the second you ran your hands through his hair, he gave in. Spencer's voice grew quieter as the boy grew sleepier, and when he noticed his breathing growing slow and sleepy, he closed the book, turning his attention towards you.

His hands found your ankles, massaging them as an act of love, and you sat in silence for a while, enjoying the tranquility of the moment.

"Do you ever think about it?" He spoke quietly after a while, his voice was ever so soft that you almost didn't register the question.

"Hm? About what?" You murmured back. Opening your eyes, fighting sleep yourself.

Spencer shrugged, his hands rubbing softly against your skin. "Kids..." His voice was quiet, like he was embarrassed to ask. Because truthfully, it was all he could think about. Every time he saw you interact with them, every time you cooed over a baby you walked past, every time you 'aww'ed at the tiny baby clothes in stores. And for what you could swear was the first time, the boy genius was clueless. Because that's all you could think about too.

His eyes darted to yours when you laughed softly, his brow furrowing in confusion. "What?" His face fell, and you felt terrible. "Nevermind, I just thought-"

"Spence... You really haven't noticed?" His brow furrowed even further and he stuttered, racking his brain for something, anything he could have missed. So you decided to put him out of his misery. "With you? I think about it every day it feels like. When I see you with kids, when I see kids, heck, even when i just see baby clothes I'm thinking about how long it'll be until we have our own."

His expression quickly changed to one of joy, he smiled. "Really?"

"Spence, I'd be so lucky to start a family with you... You're so good at it already. You'd be an amazing dad."

He had to fight back the flood of emotions that gnawed at his very being. That's all he wanted. To be a good dad. And the fact that you were willing to give him that, no, you wanted to give him that? He was almost speechless.

"I want to be... and I want that with you." His voice broke with emotion, and your heart flooded with nothing but pure love for the man in front of you. You fell silent for another moment, basking in the love radiating from both ends of the couch. "So, does that mean..." He trailed off, not yet daring to say the words he had been yearning to say.

"We're trying? God, that sounds so scary..." You laughed softly, the words new and unfamiliar.

"Scary, but exciting." Spencer could only smile.

This next step was a huge one, but it's one you were determined to take together.

#criminal minds #spencer reid #criminal minds x reader #spencer reid x reader #mina prompt game #minafullfics #minasks

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looking-for-wisdom · 1 year ago

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one of the aspects of rgu that can get overlooked, I think, once you finish that first watchthrough and start looking at the story in a new light, is that anthy — at the very least — has already started caring for utena by the time she loses her duel to touga.

which, in fairness, is the natural and arguably correct response. because when you learn anthy has been all but omniscient the whole time, and that each act by utena to “save” her is just another diminishment of anthy’s autonomy, you begin to understand that in those early episodes, utena is a tool to her. an object of disdain or pity, maybe, if you’re going to argue that anthy thinks anything of her at all. utena is a means to an end.

and somehow, that has to coexist with the fact that anthy missed utena when she’s touga’s bride.

anthy is a tough character to read, but I think the simplest break down of her relationship with utena is that the more emotion she shows, positive or negative, the stronger their bond in anthy’s eyes. poisoning her cookies is an act of care. stabbing a sword through her chest is a love confession. because for a character like anthy, who’s natural state is ambivalence, any deviation is an expression of affection the only way she knows to express it.

And the easy to grasp, natural progression, is that she starts at zero on the scale of caring utena exists, and moves towards the other end of the spectrum as the show continues, coming to a head in the finale.

but it doesn’t work that way. by all accounts, anthy shouldn’t be missing utena by the end of the first arc. utena has steamrolled her the entire time, deciding what she needs without consulting what anthy wants. it’s not dissimilar to any other duelist.

it’s fascinating that their interactions during that arc meant something to anthy. it’s necessary, of course, for utena to realize she cares for anthy but it didn’t have to be reciprocated.

but it is, and in that we find fantastic juxtaposition: anthy does not care about utena as much as utena cares for her — not at this point. she’s not even really at a point that she’s frustrated with utena. if she feels guilt over how upset utena was after the duel, she doesn’t show it. and knowing what we know about the rest of the show, we can’t really blame her. utena is another cog in the system and anthy sees right through it.

and, at the same time, she’s grown to care for utena. she’s become accustomed to her presence and when it’s gone, she misses it. she’s never missed a duelist before. so, somewhere in all of utena’s misguided actions and sometimes outright disregard for what anthy wants, anthy sees something.

It’s not as simple as anthy not liking or caring about utena at the start and then they come to understand each other over time. there are interruptions in the pattern — moments of connection that occur regardless of where they are on the path to mutual understanding. and that’s what makes it so complicated and so interesting. there are no absolutes. there’s no saying that utena’s aim to be a prince and save anthy was hopeless, because somewhere in the midst of all that they were bonded together. perhaps in spite of it, perhaps because of it, perhaps a bit of both — that’s the sticking point.

their relationship is a melting pot of contradictions, but none of them can be removed and still lead to the same ending.

there is no pinpointing the moment anthy began to care for utena. she always does, in a fractured sort of way. you see it throughout, in bits and pieces.

#rgu #revolutionary girl utena #I need to do my annual rewatch I’m sure I’m forgetting things

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avpdpossum · 2 months ago

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my first social skills training assignment from my therapist was the smile/say hi to anyone i passed in her hallway and tell the security guard at the front desk to have a nice day on my way out. she said it like it was the easiest thing she could possibly think of to start with, and as is often my problem in therapy, i didn’t know how to put my discomfort with it into words until hours after my appointment ended.

i realize now that the problem is that for me, the act of smiling at people and the act of speaking to them are two completely different things. i don’t have much of a problem with greeting people by making eye contact and smiling — i don’t usually do it, but it doesn’t give me too much anxiety to try and it doesn’t feel like the end of the world if the other person doesn’t reciprocate.

initiating verbal interactions, on the other hand, is like…my avoidant final boss. it’s the hardest thing you could possibly ask me to do, to the point that even if i want to try, my brain will find a way to put a stop to it. i’ve spent a good ten minutes frozen in front of the bathroom because i couldn’t bring myself to ask my own dad a question through the door. i’ve repeatedly had a problem where, when i try to say thank you to someone holding a door open for me, the sound literally just doesn’t come out. even as a kid, i was afraid to wake my parents up with words so i’d just stand by their bed and stare at them until they noticed me (which my mom somehow always did). one of my biggest challenges at work is just trying to get patients’ or nurses’ attention when they’re not looking at me and i have to use my voice. asking me to tell the security guard to have a nice day might sound like the simplest, lowest-stakes interaction possible, but for me, initiating an unprompted verbal interaction is like…twenty steps ahead of where i am right now.

and knowing how avpd works, i think that makes sense. of course initiating an interaction is harder than working on the social skills you use within an interaction that someone else initiated — if they already initiated the conversation, that means you have at least one indicator that they want to talk to you, whereas doing the initiating means being open to flat-out rejection. that’s something that needs to be worked up to when you’re dealing with avpd, where your brain processes any and all rejection as A Fate Worse Than Death.

i think it would make much more sense to start with building experience and confidence in social interactions by practicing social skills like the nonverbal cues that indicate openness to being approached and maintaining a conversation that someone else initiated, while also doing work in therapy to deconstruct the thought processes that make rejection feel to world-ending and learn ways to manage the intense emotions that being rejected brings up. then, with that experience, we could ease into things like initiating polite-social-script interactions or interactions with a specific purpose (like asking someone a question), before finally moving into initiating actual conversations where you just…talk to someone and hope they want to chat too.

but of course, most therapists don’t actually know shit about avpd and just think of it as social anxiety with a special name to emphasize how bad it is, so they don’t understand how their usual approaches for dealing with social issues could be super harmful to someone with avpd.

#poss.speaks #adventures in psychiatry #<- i think im gonna make that my tag for therapist/psychiatrist/neuropsych stuff #avpd #actually avpd #actually avoidant #avoidant pd #avoidant personality disorder #cluster c

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lovemyromance · 5 months ago

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Genuinely people should ask themselves "Why" before coming up with non canon explanations (biased excuses) for canon events.

Walk with me 🚶🏽‍♀️

"Azriel's actions in the BC were just lust" -> why? What purpose does it serve to take a perfectly good character and depict him as a fuckboy? The theory was made to support Gwynriel (somehow), so how does depicting Azriel as an incel SERVE that narrative?

"Elain only avoids Lucien because she's desperately attracted to him" -> why? What purpose does it serve to have Elain avoid Lucien - to a greater extent than both her sisters who ACTUALLY hated their mates at first? If she's attracted to him ... is the way to show this attraction through having them literally never interact?

"Cassian's comment about Elain in black foreshadowed that Elain is miserable in the NC" -> why? Why is she miserable in the NC? Her friends and family are there and she has hobbies and friends so why is she miserable in the NC? Because Lucien's elsewhere? Well when he IS here, she avoids him anyway so that's not the answer. Why would she be miserable? Bc she's fae? Moving courts isn't going to change that fact.

"Elain can't handle Azriel's darkness" -> Why? Why does she need to? What darkness are we talking about? Are we saying she's weak and doesn't have the stomach to handle his job (which he ALSO hates), or are we ready to admit this argument is just people playing trauma-Olympics?

"Everyone is going to end up with their mates" -> Why? Is it written somewhere? SJM has plenty of non-'mated couples. SJM has already done a fake mating bond. Why does everyone have to end up with their mates?

"Azriel only wants a mate" -> Why? Why would he only be looking for a mate, and go for the woman who literally cannot be his mate? Why isn't he just waiting for the bond to click with Mor? Why does he only want a mate when he knows mating bonds are rare and unheard of? Why has that not stopped him from having lovers in the past?

Like even if you read these books and somehow.... you came to the conclusions above... none of those conclusions make sense in the context of the novel? They don't add anything to the plot. They make Azriel's character worse for no reason. They make Elain depressed and miserable and finicky, for no reason.

If you can't answer WHY a character acts a certain way - then why would an author include that in her book? Things are written a certain way for a reason.

All these excuses/"interpretations" to explain away Elriel moments have to add up to a singular explanation.

You can't just have all this disjointed reasons why Elriel doesn't work if you don't have a single reason WHY SJM would do this. Why would she build up Elriel and then destroy them in a BC? Why would she mate Elain & Lucien and have them completely indifferent to each other?

It's not like she is pushing all these takes on us AND showing us on the page how Elain is better with Lucien or Gwyn and Azriel want each other.

Because denying the Elriel romance on the page does not automatically make Elain & Lucien fall madly in love, nor does it make Azriel realize his mate is Gwyn.

Both these things could've happened without ANY Elriel interaction. So why even include it?

Maybe it's the simplest answer: Because Elriel is endgame.

#elriel #acotar #elain x azriel #elain archeron #azriel #pro elain #elain #pro elriel #antielucien #antigwynriel

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luvbinnies · 1 year ago

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rollercoaster of emotions

sungchan just wanted to go to the amusement park with his two friends, unforunately for him, those two friends are absolutely smitten for each other

Genre: wonbin x Gn!reader. fluff humour. Warnings: mention of piss/pee, sungchan third wheeling. Rollercoasters, swearing (I think), I wrote this in three in the morning 😭 wc: 1.5k

A/n: I won’t be posting anything until probably next year since my last exam is the fourth and I should probably have been studying instead of writing this lol

“Wow I swear this is the most fun I’ve ever had at the park before.” You state as the game worker hands Wonbin the big penguin plush he had won for you.

“Yeah that’s because it’s your first time at the park for fun, and not to be working.” Sungchan replies, tired of all the complaining you do as a worker at the park.

“And you’re not spending half your wallet on stupid plushies.” Wonbin grumbles. “You’re the one with the job, why did I have to pay for your game, just for you to continuously lose.”

He crosses his arms around the toy not letting you have it. “I had to win for you or you would milk out every penny from my pocket.”

You couldn’t help but giggle at your friend in front of you as he frowns with a pouty face and turns the other way pretending to act upset, at least you think he was pretending.

“Bini, I was the reason you got in the park for free because I work here, the least you could do is let me hold my child.” referring to the penguin in his arms, but he still refuses to acknowledge you.

“Fine, let’s go get those animal ear things. I’ll pay for all three of us to make up for it.” You attempt to grab his hands, but really so you can get the toy from him. Wonbin knew what you were trying to do and wasn’t going to just let it happen after he watched you empty out his wallet and repeatedly fail, probably the simplest rigged game at the park.

Causing the two of you to wrestle for the big plushie. Sungchan has to awkwardly stand there as two of his friends who are so obviously smitten for each other fight over a toy like children.

The two of you almost trip when Sungchan barges between you two and captures the fake animal for himself. “Hmm, what to name you? Mr. Peepee pants?”

“What no that’s so stupid-”

“I love it.” You unintentionally speak up as Wonbin was talking.

“Yeah great name.” Wonbin wholeheartedly agrees. Sungchan watches as his friend helplessly simps over you as you start contemplating whether the first name should be ‘Uranus’ or ‘Neon’.

“You know what I think,” Wonbin starts and you give your undivided attention to him. Sungchan knows that you only do that for Wonbin, whether it’s intentional or not, he can see, everyone can see how you are with him. Maybe except you two. Somehow both blind to the other’s admiration.

“I think we should get those animal ear bands, antlers would look great on Sungchan hyung.”

“Yn, it’s not that serious.” Sungchan whines as you take forever in choosing which animal headband would look best on Wonbin.

There weren't any antlers thankfully for Sungchan, so the bear ones were a good second choice. Sungchan had mentioned how’d you look good with the frog eyes one, knowing fully well that Wonbin thinks you look the best in green.

No doubt about it, Wonbin literally said that in his sleep one time.

Wonbin was just staring at you going back and forth between a bunch of different animal bands, both of you too absorbed at what you were doing, not noticing the employees getting annoyed on how much time it is to take to choose a hair accessory.

“I think I got it.” You walk back to the two, biting back a smile holding the band behind you.

“What is it?” Wonbin asks.

“Close your eyes.”

The boy in front of you rolls his eyes but obeys your demand.

You gently place the band on his head with a stupid smile on your face as you admire your best friend, all sungchan can do is groan at the interaction.

You tell him to look and he opens his eyes to see you smiling down at him with a cheeky smile on your face. He thinks you look pretty.

Maybe bro was thinking out loud because you seem kinda startled and confused saying, “Yes you do look pretty, but you didn’t even get to see it yet.” Awkwardly scratching the back of your head.

Wonbin clears his throat with the back of his hand, “Yeah, but I m-meant it like a question. Is it pretty?” Heat rushing through his face as he tries to cover for himself.

“Yeah, pretty. You’re always pretty.”

Sungchan is just standing there watching his two friends awkwardly throwing glances at each other and turning their faces away as if they aren’t right in front of each other in the middle of the store. It’s taking every ounce of his to simply not drive off a cliff.

The awkwardness between the two of you passes when sungchan starts pestering them to go on a ride with him.

It’s kind of always like that with you two, teasing and joking until someone compliments the other on a thing and both the receiver and the one who complimented get flustered over it.

“Isn’t that like the fastest ride in the park?” A terrified Wonbin asks.

“I think I read somewhere that it’s all of Korea.” You mention.

Sungchan knows that everything remotely scary is absolutely frightening to the younger boy and you’re quite the opposite. You have the most irrational fear of pumpkins. Not Jacko lanterns, just pumpkins, claiming they are frightening to simply look at and that you will simply start screaming when in the presence of one.

“Wonbin you don’t have to if you don’t want to, I can just go with yn-”

“No I’ll go. I love rides.” He attempts to say as convincingly as possible.

Which confuses both you and sungchan. “Bini, since when did you like rides? You can barely handle the pirate ship ones.”

“u-uh, it’s I- that ride you guys want to go on, I used to go on it as a kid, it’s just been a while.”

Frowning, not convinced, “Are you sure? You know we don’t have to go if you don’t want-”

He grabs your arm, cutting you off, walking in the direction of the ride. “No, I’m sure.”

Waiting in line wonbin would not let go of your hand, instead of being worried that maybe he was frightened about the whole ride thing, or that people around you might think you two are those annoying couples in amusement park rides who can’t keep their hands off of each other.

You were really distracted at the fact you felt like you were losing circulation in your hand and everytime sungchan said some fact about the ride his grip would just get tighter and tighter, making you want to squeeze sungchan’s neck hard everytime he opens his mouth.

Finally when it was your guys’ turn Wonbin lets go of your hand so he can put your guys’ bags in the boxes. Only for you to realize that you guys were at the end and the cut off was before sungchan, as he was behind the both of you.

Before you could mention it and say that you didn’t mind waiting for the next round. Sungchan had pushed you and when you turned to him he just gave you a quick wink and started making kissy faces.

Rolling your eyes at him, you kind of figured that sungchan knew you might’ve liked your friend without you ever telling him so.

Getting into the seat next to wonbin at the back since they were the only seat available, the minute you touch the seat, wonbin’s hand is on yours all over again. This time it was shaking completely.

“Wonbin, are you sure you want to do this? Sure you went as a kid, but most kids don’t understand the concept of danger and you're shaking badly.”

You stare at him as his eyes are closed, taking in deep breaths slowly. Watching as they start to speed up once the ride starts moving. The best thing you could do is hold his hand in yours.

As the ride starts pulling upwards he speaks up, “You know I never understood as a kid people liked going on scary things like these.”

“Huh? Didn’t you go on this one though?”

“No, I lied.” His voice became eight octaves higher.

“What? Wonbin why?”

“Because I wanted to go with you, I wanted to be with you-” his voice ends his sentence with a shriek when the ride stops at the edge of the highest concave.

His hand was not squeezing badly onto yours and as the ride went down you couldn’t really be scared anymore.

Sungchan got off of his ride with the wind completely messing up his hair and a jump in his step. Walking to the exit, he sees his two friends waiting for him. He sees the two of you still holding hands from before and wonbin’s face hiding in your neck still probably shaken up from the ride.

Now he’s wondering which highway to sleep on tonight.

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marielle555 · 3 months ago

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Meltdown and hate in the Astarion fandom. Where do the haters come from?

Hello everyone! If you love Astarion as much as I do and would prefer to see the sunshine-vampire happy in your game - free from the torment of hunger, with the opportunity to enjoy the sun he loves so much, the tastes and all the joys of life, the reflection in the mirror, if you are sick of the idea of “fixing” and taunting your beloved character, if you respect his personality and want him to be himself, doing what he wants, you help him Ascend. If you want a cool and fun “evil playthrough” (Astarion is “evil and fun” as his author, Stephen Rooney, said of him), if you're used to operating with logic and facts and take the gaslighting about how remaining a spawn forever can somehow unfathomably be a “good ending” for him as obvious nonsense and lies, you're doing the same thing. And then…

Suddenly you discover that love and empathy for a character is a “fetish of power”. Turns out that's what “gooners” do (yes, I too was sure that “gooners” usually focus on something else, especially considering the fact that the most vile and twisted “arts” with Astarion - it's all done to UA. If you've been looking for arts with him, your mood has probably sometimes fallen from seeing abominations on one resource or another). For example, you can find such a characterization of players wishing for happy passing with Astarion on Tumblr:

Post a video about Ascended Astarion on your YouTube channel, made with love for the character, write the words “Ascended Astarion” and “love” in the same sentence, and you have a good chance of seeing an amazing circus of “sexualizations” in your comments, “cycles of abuse”, "media literacy" joyful demonstrations of the only Latin word (“delulu”) learned by another young simplicitium, and other “pleasures” of this fandom. Astarion is sometimes hated so fiercely (while calling themselves his fans and often having a romance with him) that they are ready to jump out of their pants just to make fewer people in their game do him a favor. Still, it's interesting to try to understand where this strange attitude of treating choosing a happy “evil path” as something to do with sex came from in the first place.

In September 2023, Discord comments from Baudelaire Welch (at that time the romance feature lead in Larian) concerning Astarion and his 'bad' ending got into the gaming media. Baldur's Gate 3 writer's explanation of Astarion's 'bad' ending is a wake-up call for players lusting over RPG characters.

Baudelaire Welch writes:

“I feel with the bad ending, it's very much exactly that one sentence he says to you when you read his mind. He will always see you as degrading yourself if you continue to be with him, but that's perhaps what you like. It's ultimately reducing your relationship with him back to being a kink/form of gratification. Which is a fine thing to enjoy as a fantasy, but it's very much admitting that you failed to think of him beyond a sex object, and care about more than that. You're so attracted to him, you'd also turn yourself into one.

I think it's perfectly nice to fantasise about that, hell, I wrote the incubus scene where you can essentially make an irreversible sex-pact, and I think that's sexy. But it isn't something that I think is a lesson for real life. And I wanted the bad ending to really make you feel I failed to see this video game character beyond my own fantasies. The game was more real than I ever expected it to be.”

“He will always see you as degrading yourself if you continue to be with him, but that's perhaps what you like.”- This is the only check in the entire game, passing which does not provide any additional line or interaction. One can interpret this in many different ways, and it could be a topic for a separate discussion. But the fact is that this is concrete rails, absolute novelization and the imposition of “authorial will” in the simplest way possible - stripping the player of agency and the ability to react to it in any way, which is a violation of the basic principles of RPG games. Combined with the inability to do anything about it (it's really the only such check in the game), we're trapped. We have to validate this self-perception of his, while simultaneously allowing the author to stigmatize ourselves and fit us to her narrative, as in the tale of the Little Mermaid who gives her voice to the Witch in order to save the prince. In doing so, the character's IP is not violated. Plus it makes it possible for inconsiderate people (or those who want to impose it on others) to take that line as if Astarion sees Tav as beneath himself. And "it's very much admitting that you failed to think of him beyond a sex object, and care about more than that." It's hard for me to understand (I'm not a screenwriter after all) how the story rails in a game can elicit this kind of recognition from the player, but what it does look a lot like, though, is the equally "rails" and poorly scripted dialogue scene after the Ascension. Where there's a line that says, “I want your body.” And the naive player can poke at it with a sigh. Because all the other lines in that scene suck. Or it's also naive to think that since the game is so “progressive”, a lot of sex content, “threesomes”, brothels, bears, illithids, etc., it's probably so fashionable and “progressive” nowadays to say “I want your body” instead of the normal “I love you”, and the author just didn't take Astarion's trauma into account in her “progressiveness”. It's hardly possible to guess, without knowing the context of the story, that it turns out she did take it into account, it's just that you're the one who's supposed to be “ew what a sexualizer”. That's where the “sexualizers” with “gooners” come from, because what “media literacy” is in the inverted minds of “progressive” agenda lovers (no, it's not the ability to navigate the media space, distinguishing common sense and facts from bullshit and propaganda, you're wrong) - it means that when there is written on the fence/magazine who are the “gooners”, that's how you should call them. I hope those who were offended to hear that about themselves felt at least a little better, after all, an NPC who managed to read the woke author's opinion in a game magazine isn't the worst thing that can happen in life, is it? And we shouldn't blame the author, she doesn't work in Larian anymore, nothing bad will happen to Astarion in BG3 anymore, and it's not a fact that she really wanted to insult someone. She did a pretty good job of labeling her fandom, too:

«So, take the bear scene from Baldur's Gate 3. Why did it make such an impact? This is what it meant to me while I was involved with pitching it.

Look, this was not in the depths of my subconscious when I was pitching it. A sort of shit-eating grin was on my face when I was pitching it. But this is what it culturally means to me. It feels like a watershed moment in gaming history, where the fanfiction community felt like we were not a subculture within a fandom, but the majority audience that the game was catering to.

Just in perhaps one scene or, you know, in a series of scenes, but still the majority audience. Players in the fan fiction communities had been joking for years post-Early Access about the different degenerate things they wanted to do with Druid Daddy Halsin, and we gave them an incredibly silly scene which takes an identity moniker from the gay community literally. The gay bear becomes the gay bear.

And we gave them something which feels like it's from the tradition of CrackFic and present it as if it's a mainstream game feature. And then you feel like all the time you spent horny queer shitposting with your friends in your Discord is validated. It is real. It is a wonderful way of engaging with the game. It's seen. And how many other games on this sort of scale have made you feel that way?»

(quote from her lecture at Nordic Game, now it's also in gaming magazines).

“Degenerate things they wanted” and “horny queer shitposting” is what Welch herself says about the “majority audience that the game was catering to” - that is, her fanbase, which is supposed to catch and spread the “author's narrative” (which they do). The saddest part of this story is that the “kissing” scenes of patch 6, which traumatized people and provoked PTSD in some players, were also apparently written with “a sort of shit-eating grin” on her face and also for the pleasure of the shitposters. The shitposters got really pleased after patch 6, stepped up, started bullying survivors and all AA fans online, demanding more insults from Larian. Great fanbase:

In patch 6, these “kisses” with the mimicry of a rape victim, almost completely duplicating similar victim mimicry in sadistic 3D porn and “Rape Day” type games, were repetitive scenes of sexual violence, which violated the ESRB game rating rules (BG3 is rated M, and such scenes can only be contained in AO rated games). In patch 7, Larian fixed this abomination, and the game now features D/s kissing scenes as romance for the Ascended Astarion. Whether the fact that the player character in the Larian game is canonically submissive is a good thing, well, it can be viewed in different ways - for those who like that dynamic it's a great gift, for those who don't - another violation of player agency and deprivation of roleplay in RPGs (not Astarion is categorically dominant, but Tav is a priori submissive. Tav can't tell Astarion she doesn't want to play the role, there are no such lines. Astarion sees Tav submissive in front of him, who really likes it and behaves accordingly). How much it's even okay for a player's character to have canonically prescribed sexual tastes is a separate issue, but there are wonderful mods that can give you your roleplay in the game. But of course, a proper approach to this topic would have to have two lines, one for D/s and one for classic romance.

Fans of rape, fans of the agenda with the “toxic white male”, who must apologize and burn in the finale, and the “strong and independent woman” can only condescend to this “comic character”, become his mentor, or she is the “wrong”, the “gooner”, obliged to “make mistakes”, “want freedom”, whine and suffer - really wanted to bring back “their roleplay”. Non-con fans had it, made their mods and settled down. The “aggressive-progressive” fans of ruining people's games - not really. And, friends, before you get upset about the insults of such “representatives of fandom”, just answer yourself a question - why do they do it? For one simple reason - because you are normal. Normal person, normal player, AA fans are a smaller (in this game) but still part of that very real majority of gamers who want a happy, comfortable and immersive gaming experience, without any attempt to “preach” to them and shove their activism into romance. In the entire industry right now, games that try to “preach” anything are failing en masse, and only a very loud minority are struggling to defend their agenda. Hence the cries of “you're rewriting the character”. Which is another lie, since all the AA fans' demands came down to THEIR characters - Tav's facial expressions appropriate to the romantic scenes, adequate lines to choose from, the addition of a kiss in the epilogue. “A slave being grabbed by the throat and forced to kiss their abuser would terrify them?” - nobody is going to pay 70 bucks to have a slave suddenly appear in their game for the sake of someone's perverted “abuser” fantasies, and also this “slave” turns out to be in the place of their cool character in non-con scenes. Please, separately, in their games for non-con, woke, abusers, gay bears, shitposters, whoever you want, but not at the expense of the normal, ordinary customer, in AAA-class RPGs.

And Astarion was not going to be rewritten by anyone but these activists. Astarion is beautiful - his lines, his looks, his smiles and movements, everything about him is wonderful. Only his haters “rewrite” him in their headcanons, making up nonsense about “loss of soul” (the ritual did nothing to his soul, all their headcanons are based on one line Karlach said to UA “He could've had it all, but he kept his soul”), “cycle of abuse” (there is no such thing anywhere in the game at all, there is only UA's line about “breaking the cycle of power and terror”, no other “cycles” were found), “desire to break up” (the problem of a particular fool Tav, who thought that “Forever” meant “until Thursday” or “until the epilogue”), cruel and insensitive lines for Tav (like “You're like Cazador”), to which Astarion reacts with anger and pain, but completely adequately. They try to use Astarion as a social propaganda tool to “indoctrinate” the audience that the “right” choice is to not love someone like Astarion at all. It is permissible to “like” him, but by no means, to love him. You can use him, get the “cute vampire boy,” sigh at the end, “oh my poor baby, how bittersweet and dramatic!”. Or better yet, realize that he's “dangerous to the world” and shouldn't get powers.

It looks like the point of all this garbage is to show how someone like Astarion needs to be kept “on a leash”. For the sake of it, they also praise the “burning ending” calling it “dramatic” and “bittersweet”. For these characters who call themselves “fans”, Astarion should exactly suffer and be “on a leash”, “forced to conform to the rules of society”. Even a real good ending, instead of what is in the game, would spoil their “agenda”. Well, and to stroke their ego, in reality a guy like Astarion would never spit in their direction, and here the game allows them to “keep him on a leash” while using him as a sexual object. And the fantasy of a certain “stalker” who “obsesses” on them (necessarily physically attractive), and they can kick him, etc., and he will suffer, this can also be characteristic of those who in reality no one needs.

Is it worth getting upset about their hatred? I don't think this category of persons deserves any emotion towards them other than irony.

#astarion #baldurs gate 3 #ascended astarion #bg3 #astarion ancunin #baldur's gate 3 #bg3 astarion #baldurs gate astarion #ascendant #ascendent

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blairsworld22 · 2 months ago

Text

we were here.

warnings: mentions of a parent being ill, I know that can be heavy for some < 3

note: this is my first fic! I am nervous, but please be nice :) minors! do not interact :) I can say there's no nsfw content in this fic, but that doesn't mean there won't be in the future.

I am not responsible for your consumption.

part 1!

word count: 6,132.

Adaline couldn’t help but smile as she thought back to that late Louisiana Saturday afternoon, the memory still fresh in her mind. She had been caught up in the chaos of helping during the team event when she’d locked eyes with Joe, effortlessly calm as he held a bunny. At that moment, she hadn’t realized how his quiet presence had made her heart race—how much she had wanted to be closer to him, even though she barely knew him. She could still feel the warmth flooding her cheeks when she’d gotten caught staring. Somehow, though, it hadn’t been awkward. Not with him. There had been something comforting in the way he’d simply smiled, as though he understood the quiet connection they shared in that fleeting glance.

Later, when Joe had asked for help with a form, she couldn’t help but notice how his voice—soft, yet steady—made her pulse quicken. “I’m Joe. Are you from here?” The simplicity of the question, paired with the weight of his gaze, made everything else fade into the background. It was as if the room itself had vanished, leaving just the two of them, and she’d had to swallow the knot that formed in her throat.

The playful challenge at the end—“Can you handle it?”—had been like a spark, igniting something inside her she hadn’t been prepared for. Of course, she could handle it. But it wasn’t just the teasing; it was the way he made her feel both nervous and excited, unsure yet certain all at once. That summer had definitely been one to change her.

As her mind drifted back to the present, sitting in the messy solitude of her college apartment, she glanced at the coffee table Joe had built her, remembering the afternoon it had all started. It had been a typical Saturday—a bare, unfinished space she hadn’t realized bothered her until she’d felt the absence of something as simple as a coffee table.

And then the text. “Ready to say goodbye to your coffee table-less existence?” It had been playful, but it had struck her differently, maybe because it was from him. The way he had shown up with his tools, the teasing smile, and the quiet confidence in his every movement had drawn her in. She had never expected to be so mesmerized by someone wielding a hammer.

As he worked, the teasing had never stopped. But there had been something more beneath it—something in the way he took care in every detail, as if it wasn’t just about building a table, but about being there for her in ways she hadn’t realized she needed. When the table was finished, the apartment had felt different, as if the space had become a home, not just because of the furniture, but because of Joe’s presence.

Her thoughts shifted again, back to one of their first wins. The memory of the game and the way she had watched Joe on the field—the electricity of the crowd, the heartbeat of the stadium—faded as her mind focused on him, on the way he looked at her afterward. His gaze, steady and intense, had stopped her heart. He didn’t need to say much; it was all there in that look, in that moment after the game-winning pass.

And then in the messy LSU branded locker room, the noise of celebration fading into the background as he had asked with that grin: “Are you going to kiss me, or should I kiss you first?”

It had been the simplest thing—just a kiss—but it had changed everything. Sweet, tender, electric with the promise of something neither of them had planned for. She had closed the distance between them, and the kiss had been everything she hadn’t known she needed.

The weight of all these memories pressed down on her now, the realization settling in like a stone in her chest. Two years, sweet and full of joy, and yet it still didn’t feel like enough. But what did she really want? To hold on to something beautiful and fleeting, or let him chase his dream, the one that was pulling him away?

“What would Mom want?” The thought lingered, a quiet voice in the back of her mind. She sighed, standing from the couch and walking toward the bathroom. She glanced at her reflection and was hit by the tiredness in her eyes. Slowly, she peeled off her clothes, staring at the water in the shower as it filled the silence of the room.

The warm water hit her skin like a wash of relief, but it didn’t ease the ache in her heart. With a deep breath, she closed her eyes, trying to push the whirlwind of thoughts away. Was this how it had always been meant to be with Joe? Beautiful and complicated, like something destined but never simple? She stood there, letting the water cascade over her, but the thoughts clung to her, no matter how hard she tried to push them aside.

Eventually, she stepped out of the shower, the cool air of the room immediately pulling her back into the reality she was desperately trying to escape. She dressed in her usual, familiar attire—a faded purple LSU sweatshirt and shorts—something easy and comforting. The simplicity of it all almost felt ironic, given how complicated everything else had become.

She glanced at her phone. Another missed call. Her brother. She felt the flutter of anxiety rise in her chest as she hurried to dial him back, praying he’d pick up.

Pick up, let her be okay… Let her be okay… The mantra repeated in her head as the dial tone echoed in her ears. Once… twice… three times.

Finally, the call connected, and she let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

“Hey, how’s Mom?” she croaked, the relief she felt almost palpable, but it was quickly smothered by the weight of everything still hanging over her.

Adaline sat on the floor, her head spinning, struggling to wrap her mind around the news she’d just received. It didn’t feel real. How could it? Her mother, the woman who had always been her rock, the one who had raised her and her siblings with unwavering love, was now slipping away. The weight of the world seemed to crush her chest, leaving her gasping for air.

She had to go home. She had to take care of her mother. It was the only thing she could do, but it didn’t make the pain any easier to bear.

Her relationship with Joe had been everything she’d ever dreamed of, and now that, too, was falling apart. He was leaving for the NFL, chasing his dream, while she was stuck with hers breaking into a million pieces. Online classes would have to be enough for the rest of the semester, but it felt so empty, so insignificant in the face of what was really happening.

Her heart ached, and the only thing that felt like it could drown out the overwhelming noise was the floor beneath her—cool and comforting in its stillness. If she could just melt into the carpet, maybe the world would stop spinning for a moment. Maybe the hurt would stop.

Then, she heard him.

“Addie? I’m here, sweetheart. Why didn’t you answer the door?” Joe’s voice was full of concern, cutting through the thick haze of her spiraling thoughts. She tried to compose herself, fighting the overwhelming flood of emotion, but it was impossible.

“Joey… I’m in the bedroom…” she croaked, her voice barely above a whisper, and she heard him—the steady rhythm of his footsteps now quickening.

Moments later, he was at her side. She felt him before she saw him, his frame lowering to meet her, his comforting presence filling the room.

“It’s okay, darling. Let it all out.” His voice was gentle, soothing, as he ran his fingers through her hair in an effort to calm her. His touch was a calm against the storm inside her, but the tears still came, unstoppable. His warmth enveloped her, and for a moment, she let herself lean into him, letting the comfort of his arms hold her up.

She sat beside him, his gentle voice soothing her as she poured out every worry weighing on her heart. She knew their time together was slipping away, yet here he was—caring for her with the same quiet devotion she’d only ever seen in him. She felt the strength in his arms as he lifted her from the floor and carried her to the bed, tucking her beneath the covers with quiet care. He climbed in beside her, wrapping himself around her like a promise he couldn’t keep. She turned to him, folding herself into the warmth of his body as best she could. They stayed that way for hours—though the sorrow in her chest made it feel like days—until finally, she broke the silence.

“I’m going to go home. Take care of Momma.”

Joe didn’t respond right away. She could feel the stillness in his body, the way his breath paused like he was trying to hold something in. His arms tightened around her, just a little.

“I figured,” he said softly. “You’ve been thinking about it for a while.”

She nodded against his chest, her cheek brushing the cotton of his t-shirt. “I thought if I waited out until the summer, it’d be alright. But... it’s not. Not anymore.”

He didn’t argue. That was the thing about Joe — he always knew when to fight, and when to let the other person go.

“Your mom’s lucky,” he finally whispered. “She gets the best part of you.”

She laughed, but it came out more like a sigh. “You’re not making this easier.”

“I’m not trying to.” He kissed the top of her head. “I just want you to remember this. Us.”

She closed her eyes, breathing him in one last time. It was always going to hurt. That was the price of loving someone worth missing.

*five years later.*

“This was the one day I told myself I wouldn’t be late. I have a tour to lead, Ly!” Adaline huffed into the phone, darting around the house as she scrambled to gather the last of her things. She was already dressed in her uniform—a crisp blue shirt with the Cincinnati Zoo logo stitched neatly over the chest pocket, tan khaki shorts, and her worn-in combat boots. Her hair was styled into two buns, a few loose strands framing her face, with a fresh, no-fuss layer of makeup.

She had exactly six minutes until her private behind-the-scenes tour was supposed to begin—and a ten-minute drive to the zoo ahead of her.

Snatching up her keys and bag, she rushed out the door. “If you can start the tour for me—or stall—I’m trying to turn a ten-minute drive into five,” she pleaded, already sliding into her car.

On the other end of the line, her roommate, who’d just finished working an Overnight Adventure shift, chuckled sleepily and promised to cover her until she got there.

The drive to the zoo dragged on, every red light conspiring against her. It felt like she’d taken the longest route possible—or maybe just hit the only two traffic lights that mattered. Finally, she pulled into the employee-only parking lot, laughing with a friend as they both glanced at the time. She was late—a rare occurrence.

Bursting through the doors, she grabbed the set of keys she knew she’d need for the tour and immediately called Lylah—her best friend.

“Ly, where are you? I’m grabbing a golf cart now,” she said, hopping into a fifteen-passenger cart and firing it up.

“Still at the front, chatting with the group,” Lylah replied. “I told them their guide was just a little frazzled this morning and running a bit behind. They seem cool. I think you’re going to like them. Actually…” Her voice dropped slightly. “They said I could tag along—and there’s a cute guy I wouldn’t mind getting to know…”

Adaline could practically hear the blush in her friend’s voice and burst out laughing.

“Alright, alright. I’ll swing by to pick you up in a minute.” She hung up, grinning, and continued her drive to the front of the zoo, waving to coworkers and excited kids as she zipped past in the cart.

Finally, she pulled up to the front entrance, spotting Lylah right away and grinning.

“Anyone order a late tour guide and a fifteen-seater golf cart for the zoo adventure of a lifetime?” she called out, flashing a smile at the group gathered around her friend.

As she scanned their faces, her smile faltered for just a moment—everyone looked to be around her age, similar builds and heights. She could’ve sworn she was scheduled for a kids’ tour. Maybe there’d been a mix-up.

Her eyes lingered on one guy in particular—something about him looked familiar. But before she could dwell on it, she shook the thought away and launched into her intro speech.

“Alright! Hi, everyone. My name is Adaline, but you can call me Addie. I’ve been working at the beautiful Cincinnati Zoo for about a year and a half now, and I’m also finishing up my degree through this program. If you ever see me ask my lovely assistant Lylah here to take photos or videos, don’t worry—it’s just for my portfolio, nothing weird,” she said with a small laugh.

“The tour will last about three hours, so if anyone needs to use the bathroom, now’s a good time! Don’t worry, there’s a stop built into the tour, too.” She paused, taking a quick breath.

“I tend to ramble—which is kind of my job—but seriously, ask me questions! I love talking about animals. I’ll even answer a few personal questions as long as they’re appropriate,” she added with a wink.

“Oh! One last thing—I packed gift bags thinking this was a kids' tour, so they’re full of coloring books and animal stickers. We can swing by the office at the end and swap them out for something a little more age-appropriate.”

She looked around at the group. “Any questions or concerns before we get rolling?”

As the rest of the group scattered to take a quick bathroom break, the guy who’d felt oddly familiar stepped up to her.

“Hey, I’m Ja'marr,” he said, offering a warm smile. “I don’t know if you remember me—we went to LSU together? I was a year behind you, played football?”

Addie’s smile spread as the memories clicked into place. She remembered him from a few classes, but mostly from the hangouts she used to attend when she and Joe were together.

“Oh! You were Joe’s friend, right?” she said brightly, trying to mask the sudden twist in her chest. The sound of his name alone sent her reeling back—to late nights on campus, whispered conversations in his apartment, the last kiss before it all ended.

“I think about him a good bit now,” she added, eyes soft. “I’ve heard he’s doing really well.”

She exchanged a quick look with Lylah just as the group began filtering back in.

“Okay! If this is everyone, we can get started,” she chirped, brushing off the emotion and turning back toward the driver’s seat of the golf cart.

“Oh, we’re actually still waiting on one more,” a girl in the group piped up. “He was running late this morning too.”

Adaline turned to Lylah, stepping closer. “You sure you don’t want to head home? You worked overnight—I know that’s brutal.”

Lylah shook her head, grinning. “I’m good! Besides… Mason’s kind of a cutie. And I think the feeling might be mutual.”

Addie rolled her eyes. “I don’t mean to be your mom, but as your roommate, I’m just looking out for—”

Then she stopped.

He was walking up, casually running a hand through those familiar dirty-blonde waves. Just as handsome. Just as magnetic. Her breath caught in her throat.

“Joe…” she whispered, almost like she was speaking to a ghost.

Lylah’s brow furrowed as she turned to follow Addie’s gaze. A new guy had joined the group.

“Oh… Joe?” she asked, whipping her head back around to Addie. “The Joe?”

Addie didn’t answer right away. Her eyes welled, lips trembling just slightly. Then she nodded, once. Silent tears slid down her cheeks before she took a deep breath and tucked the emotion back into its place.

“We’re all good now!” Ja'marr said with a grin, sensing the moment but smoothing it over.

Adaline climbed into the driver’s seat, clearing her throat as she started up the golf cart. Lylah hopped in beside her, throwing out a cheerful, “Climb aboard!” as the rest of the group settled in. She looked to her best friend, a silent thank you, in the air between the two of them.

As they drove past the exhibits, Addie spoke animatedly, her passion shining through in every fact and fun tidbit she shared. It was rare she got to lead a group her own age, and she was thriving in it. The behind-the-scenes tour was her favorite, and today, it felt even more electric.

She steered through one of the many employees only gates, glancing into the rearview mirror with a mischievous grin.

“Buckle up, y’all. It’s about to get good,” she teased, watching the excitement flicker across a few faces.

The cart glided down a narrow road, torch-lit on either side, leading toward a massive door at the back of the property.

“Alright, now’s the perfect time for those random questions I told you I’d answer,” she called out. “And just so you know, that big door up ahead? It’s home to the most famous lady in the whole zoo—Miss Fiona.”

Behind her, she caught the low rumble of Joe’s voice. “Did I miss much?” he asked Ja'marr, who sat beside him.

“Just her intro,” Ja'marr said. “She said we could ask anything… as long as it’s not too private.”

Before she could focus on what they were saying, a girl in the group piped up. “So, where’d you go to school?”

Addie lit up. “Thank you for asking! I did my first two years at LSU, studying zoology and veterinary tech. Then… life happened, and I finished the next two years online through LSU. Now I’m completing the last bit of my Master’s through their online program, while interning here at the zoo.”

Her voice was proud, grounded. Her story had weight—one she didn’t often share in full, but the short version still carried that quiet resilience.

They arrived at the big steel door. She slowed the cart to a stop, turning off the ignition and climbing out. The group followed, buzzing with anticipation. Standing at the front with Lylah, Addie took a moment to scan the group again.

And this time, her gaze met his.

Joe.

The moment hung still. She offered him a soft, sincere smile—brief but honest—before turning her attention back to the group.

“So,” she began, “this is the part where I give you the serious warning: hippos can be dangerous. Yes, they’re cute. Yes, Fiona is a queen. But hippos do eat people. So—please—don’t go past me. Ever.”

She gave the group a moment to let that settle.

“I say that bluntly because, once, a kid thought a guide was joking and… well, it almost ended very badly. These animals know us. They trust us. That’s the beauty of working in a zoo—we get to love our beautiful friends every single day. And they love us back. But they’re still wild. Respect is everything.”

She took a breath, centering herself before moving forward.

“Now, before we get into this next part of the tour, I like to do introductions. Helps me connect with y’all, and it makes things a little more personal. I’ll go first.” She smiled, letting her voice lighten again. “My name is Adaline Covington. I’m 26, originally from Louisiana, and a fun fact about me is that I know how to play at least eight sports.”

Lylah stepped up next, beaming.

“My name’s Lylah Covington—no relation to Addie, sadly. I’m from Ohio, also 26. I went to OSU, I’m Addie’s roommate, and a fun fact about me? I’ve ridden a giraffe. It was terrifying.”

The group laughed, and Addie relaxed, her nerves starting to settle—at least for now.

The introductions continued, laughter mixing with curiosity as Addie began to match names to faces.

There was Mason—tall, brunette, and charming in a quiet way—clearly the one Lylah had her eye on. Then came Payton and Stella, practically glued at the hip, finishing each other’s sentences and giggling at inside jokes. And finally, there was the trio of Ja'marr, Tee—who proudly declared his love for jellyfish—and Joe.

Joe, who also seemed to be sticking close to Ja'marr, like old habits hadn’t quite died.

“I’m Joe Burrow,” he said, his voice cool and familiar. “I’m from Ohio, I’m 28… and my fun fact is… I don’t think I have one.”

He looked right at her when he said it.

Addie rolled her eyes instinctively, biting back a grin. She could list at least five off the top of her head. You can build a coffee table, you make a killer gumbo, you know how to parallel park on the first try…

Before she could say anything, Ja'marr jumped in, laughing. “Bull, man. You’ve got so many fun facts!”

Joe just shook his head with a smirk, like he was holding something back. Something meant only for her.

“I think he’s right,” Addie said, sing-song and stubborn, arms crossed with a teasing glint in her eyes. “We are not moving on with the tour until I get a proper fun fact from every single person here.”

She gave Joe a pointed look, smirking as he stared back at her with exaggerated exasperation.

Lylah chimed in, grinning as she nudged his shoulder. “Aren’t you, like… the quarterback of the Bengals or something? That’s a pretty decent fun fact, don’t you think?”

Joe shook his head with a low chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck like he’d been caught red-handed. “I figured that one was a little too on the nose.”

Addie raised an eyebrow, leaning her weight onto one hip. “Well, if you’ve got something better than that, now’s your chance to impress us.”

The group chuckled around him, eyes shifting curiously his way, while Addie just held his gaze—challenging, but soft. The way she used to when they were wrapped in quiet competition over something as simple as board games or who could find the best takeout spot.

He smiled, finally caving. “Alright. Fun fact… I can build a coffee table from scratch.”

Addie laughed, surprised but secretly pleased. Of course he picked the one she was thinking of.

“Now that’s more like it,” she said, turning back to the group as she clapped her hands together. “Let’s meet Fiona.”

The group followed Addie and Lylah through a secured gate, entering a quieter area of the zoo. The sound of public chatter faded, replaced by distant animal calls and the hum of overhead fans keeping the enclosures cool. Addie’s pace slowed just slightly, her tone shifting from playful to reverent.

“Alright, y’all,” she said, her voice softening as she approached a reinforced railing. “This… is Fiona’s world.”

The group stepped up to the edge, eyes wide as they caught their first glimpse of her. The hippo was half-submerged in a large, crystal-clear pool, her round ears twitching as she lifted her snout just above the surface.

“She’s gorgeous,” someone whispered.

Addie smiled like a proud big sister. “She really is. Fiona is the first Nile hippo to survive being born six weeks premature. She weighed just 29 pounds at birth—about a third of what she was supposed to. But this girl? She fought. And now she’s a national treasure.”

The group leaned in, captivated. Fiona bobbed closer to the glass, almost as if she knew she was the main event.

“She’s a little spoiled,” Addie added with a grin. “Knows exactly how cute she is. Knows she runs the place.”

Joe stood a little back from the group, but he wasn’t watching Fiona.

He was watching her.

The way Addie’s voice softened when she spoke about the hippo. The way her eyes lit up as she explained the little details—how Fiona preferred watermelon over cantaloupe, how she had a special bond with one of the keepers, how she once photobombed a wedding proposal.

“She’s the reason I kept pushing through school,” Addie said suddenly, quieter now. “I interned here once when I was nineteen. First time I met Fiona, I knew I wanted to be a part of something like this. Something that mattered.”

The group fell quiet. It was the kind of moment that didn’t need filler.

Joe’s voice, low and warm, finally cut in. “I remember when you talked about her. Back at LSU. You had that picture of her taped to your fridge.”

Addie glanced at him, surprised—but not unpleasantly.

“I did,” she said, lips curving. “You always made fun of me for it.”

Joe gave a little shrug. “I didn’t get it back then. I do now.”

For a split second, the years between them didn’t exist.

Then Lylah cleared her throat, gently breaking the moment. “Alright, friends. Who’s ready to see Fiona get her favorite treat?”

Addie blinked, her smile coming back to life. “That’s your cue to get your cameras ready. Because she’s about to lose her mind over frozen watermelon cubes.”

As the group crowded around, laughing and snapping photos, Addie quietly stepped closer to the railing, tossing a chilled watermelon chunk toward Fiona with practiced ease. The hippo opened her massive mouth, catching it with impressive precision.

The crowd clapped. Fiona grunted happily. And Joe—still a few steps back—couldn’t take his eyes off her.

As Fiona munched away happily, her wide jaws working through watermelon like it was candy, Addie clapped her hands, signaling the end of that portion of the tour.

“Alright, friends! Next stop is our elephant habitat—another behind-the-scenes favorite. But first, I need to go grab something from the keeper’s office. Lylah, will you hold down the fort for me?”

“Got it,” Lylah said, hopping up onto the edge of the cart. “You heard the lady—stay hydrated, stay within eyesight, and no trying to pet any hippos on the way out.”

Addie gave a quick salute before slipping through a nearby staff door and disappearing down the hallway.

The group naturally shifted into small clumps, stretching their legs, sipping water, chatting. But Ja'marr—ever the instigator—turned to Joe with a grin already forming.

“So,” he said, dragging the word out dramatically. “That was a very informative little stop. And also… are we just not gonna talk about the elephant in the room?”

“You mean Fiona?” Joe deadpanned, sipping from a water bottle.

Ja'marr snorted. “Nah, man. I mean you staring at Addie like she’s the sunrise and you forgot what daylight looked like.”

Tee nearly spit out his drink. “Damn, chill,” he laughed. “Subtlety is not in your skillset, huh?”

Joe sighed, giving them a tight smile. “Y’all are ridiculous.”

“We’re ridiculous?” Ja'marr shot back. “Bro, you’re the one who looked like you were gonna volunteer to get in the hippo pool if she asked.”

“Should I get my bridesmaid dress now or later?” Stella chimed in, grinning wickedly from beside Payton.

Payton nodded sagely. “I’ve already got the Pinterest board ready.”

Joe shook his head, laughing in spite of himself. “Y’all are doing the most.”

“But tell us this,” Ja'marr said, stepping in closer, his voice dropping to a slightly more serious tone. “Is this gonna be awkward? ‘Cause if it is, we can chill, back off, whatever. But if it’s not…”

“It’s not,” Joe said, surprising even himself a little with how quickly he answered. “I don’t think it is.”

The others looked at each other knowingly.

“Okay,” Ja'marr said, nodding like he’d just been briefed for a mission. “Then I’m doubling down on wingman duties.”

Just as Joe was about to argue, Addie reappeared, a binder in one hand and her radio in the other. Her eyes scanned the group, pausing briefly on him—just long enough to notice the faint pink at the tips of his ears.

“Everyone still behaving?” she asked, climbing back into the driver’s seat.

“Define ‘behaving,’” Ja'marr said with a wink.

“Great,” Addie said, rolling her eyes and starting the engine. “Next stop—let’s go meet the ladies with the trunks.”

The golf cart hummed to life, pulling out of the quiet path and back into motion. Lylah grinned at Joe, who gave a little shake of his head, mouthing, Help me.

She just smiled, leaning in and whispering, “You’re so screwed.”

As the cart rolled along the winding zoo paths, Addie kept her eyes forward, one hand loosely on the steering wheel, the other flipping through a laminated sheet clipped to her binder.

Joe was seated in the row just behind her, next to Lylah and Ja'marr—though Ja'marr had thankfully decided to give him a breather, currently leaned over to whisper something wild to Stella and Tee that made both of them laugh way too hard.

Joe shifted forward slightly, resting his forearms on the back of Addie’s seat. “Hey,” he said quietly, just loud enough for her to hear over the hum of the cart.

She glanced back at him, brows raised. “Yeah?”

“I just wanted to say… you’re good at this,” he said. “Like—really good. You make it seem easy.”

Addie blinked, then looked back at the road ahead, her grip tightening ever so slightly on the wheel. A small smile tugged at her lips. “Thanks. It’s the first time I’ve felt like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”

Joe nodded, leaning back just a little but still close. “You look like it. Happy, I mean.”

There was a pause between them. Just the sound of the tires on gravel and the laughter bubbling behind them.

She didn’t look back when she spoke again.

“I am,” she said, then hesitated. “Most days.”

He caught that. And she knew he did.

But she didn’t clarify—and neither did he.

Instead, she glanced over her shoulder just briefly and flashed him a smile, this one smaller, more private. “Don’t let Ja'marr bully you too hard. He’ll calm down in, like… two hours.”

Joe chuckled. “Good. That’s only the rest of the tour.”

She laughed, a soft, easy sound that made something in his chest twist just a little.

“Hang in there, quarterback,” she said, teasing, before smoothly pulling the cart to a stop near the elephant enclosure. “Alright, team, trunk time!”

As the others hopped off the cart and gathered their things, Joe lingered a second longer, watching her as she slid out of the seat and slung the binder under her arm, already switching back into guide mode.

And in that second, he realized two things:

She hadn’t changed nearly as much as he thought.

And he still wasn’t over her.

The sun had started to dip lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the zoo as Addie led the group toward their final stop.

“Alright,” she said, her voice a little hoarse from hours of animated talking, but still holding its spark. “Y’all are officially on the final leg of the best zoo tour you’ll probably ever take—unless you come back, in which case, I will totally one-up myself.”

They came around a bend and stopped in front of a heavy, steel-gated pathway marked “Restricted Staff Access.” She unlocked it with a swipe of her badge and waved everyone through.

Beyond it was the tiger habitat—one of the zoo’s more secluded areas. The large viewing glass stretched from the outdoor enclosure to a quieter, indoor den, where one of the tigers was lounging on a raised platform, tail flicking lazily.

“This is Kaavi,” Addie said, her voice dropping into something softer. “She’s one of our Malayan tigers, and she is pure muscle, attitude, and grace. She’s also my favorite, but don’t tell the others.”

The group spread out a bit, watching the big cat through the glass, murmuring in awe as Kaavi turned her head lazily toward them, golden eyes blinking slow and deliberate.

Addie let the moment breathe, then leaned against the railing, letting the calm settle.

“She was born in captivity,” she added. “Didn’t have to fight for her place in the wild, but she still has that fire. There’s this misconception that animals in zoos aren’t wild anymore—but I think they just learn how to survive in new ways. They don’t lose the fire, they just carry it differently.”

Her words hung in the air, weightier than she probably meant them to be. Joe watched her as she spoke, the way her eyes lingered on the tiger, how her voice softened into reverence.

Behind him, Ja'marr whispered, “She’s giving a National Geographic and heartbreak.”

“Shut up,” Joe muttered under his breath, lips twitching.

After a few quiet moments, Addie turned back to the group, hands slipping into her back pockets. “Alright, folks. That’s it for the tour. You officially survived three hours with me and didn’t even need a tranquilizer dart. I’m impressed.”

They laughed, slowly making their way back toward the cart. Lylah started gathering everyone’s water bottles and wrappers as Addie hung back to lock the gate behind them.

Joe waited.

She noticed.

Once the others were far enough ahead, he cleared his throat. “That thing you said. About learning how to carry the fire differently.”

She turned to look at him, brows raised.

“That wasn’t just about Kaavi, was it?”

Addie looked at him for a long moment, the wind picking up a strand of her hair and brushing it against her cheek. “Maybe not,” she said quietly. “But I’ve learned it doesn’t really matter who you’re talking about. Fire’s fire.”

Joe stepped a little closer, just enough that she tilted her head to meet his eyes.

“Addie—”

But she held a hand up, gentle. “Joe… not here. Not right now.”

He nodded, lips pressing into a thin line. “But maybe later?”

Her eyes searched his, soft and unsure—but not closed off.

“Maybe,” she said.

And then she turned, walking toward the cart, calling out for everyone to climb in for the ride back.

Joe watched her go, hands in his pockets, heart in his throat.

Back at the front gates, the group gathered one last time, buzzing with that tired, sun-drunk energy from a long day well spent. Lylah was leaned against the cart, laughing at something Mason had said, while Payton and Stella took selfies with the zoo entrance sign behind them.

Addie handed out the correct gift bags she’d promised at the beginning, personalized just enough to make them feel special—zoo merch, stickers, and even a few laminated animal fact cards she’d written herself.

Ja'Marr took his with a smirk. “Okay, this is legit. Do you handwrite the fun facts for everyone?”

“Only for my favorite groups,” Addie grinned.

Joe stepped up last. She held out his bag, fingers brushing his as he took it.

“You gonna keep this one too?” she asked, teasing gently, remembering how he used to save little things she gave him—notes, ticket stubs, even a cracked keychain from the LSU gift shop.

He looked down at the bag, then back at her. “Yeah. Think I will.”

There was a beat of silence between them, just long enough to feel like a secret.

Then Lylah jogged over, keys in hand. “Okay, lovebirds. I need to get some sleep before I pass out and start naming squirrels in my dreams. Addie, you ready?”

Addie looked at Joe, her smile faint but warm. “Just a sec.”

The group started toward the parking lot, trailing away in twos and threes. Joe lingered.

“You didn’t have to talk to me today,” he said quietly. “Could’ve ignored me. Or been cold.”

Addie shook her head, folding her arms. “You’re not someone I could ever ignore, Joe. You never were.”

He stepped forward, a little closer than he had all day, his voice dropping. “I don’t know what happens next. Or if anything does. But I’d like to see you again.”

She studied him—those same eyes, same voice, but older now. A little more wear, a little more depth.

“I’ll think about it,” she said softly, the corners of her mouth lifting. “But if you really want to impress me, next time… show up on time.”

He let out a soft laugh, and she could hear the relief in it.

Then, without another word, she turned and jogged toward her car.

Joe watched her go—same as he had so many times before— this time, he felt the shift in the air.

This time, she wasn’t gone.

Not really.

thank you for taking the time to read! much love <3

if the name is an issue! don't worry- a cute nickname can be put into place instead! just let me know :)

#joe burrow fic #my fics #joe burrow x collegegirlfriend!reader #sincerely.b #joemunnity #lsu!joe

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lokimobius · 4 months ago

Text

Seven Sentence Saturday

Tagged by @elodiah and @insomniaflarrow <3

This is like 12 sentences, but I don't care. I've been feeling pretty uninspired lately, but I wrote this earlier while sitting on the kitchen floor waiting for pizza to cook.

I'm not sure when or if I'll use this, so I'm sharing it all today!!!!!

In the entirety of Loki’s life, which was admittedly quite long, he’d never met someone as joyful as Mobius. He often watched him from a distance, enthralled by the way he interacted with people with such genuine interest, making even the grumpiest of analysts smile. It was a stark contrast to how Loki had generally interacted with people for most of his life. For him, joy was always short-lived and burdened with the weight of his past. No one had ever paid attention to him in the way that he wanted, and no one trusted him, so why would he bother being genuine with anyone? Mobius, however, had a knack for finding joy in the simplest of things—his eyes lit up at the sight of a steaming hot cup of cocoa, his smile grew wide as he told bad jokes just to make Loki roll his eyes, he would exclaim happily under his breath when he found a pen that wrote smoothly, and even in moments of quiet reflection, he would lean back in his chair and hum in satisfaction. The more time they spent together, the more Loki began to realise the true power of his joy. It wasn’t a facade as he originally thought; it was a choice, an act of defiance against the reality of his life being stolen by the TVA. Mobius had been through his fair share of challenges that, somehow, despite living vastly different lives, Loki could relate to wholeheartedly. However, unlike him, Mobius had chosen to embrace life with open arms, and in doing so, inspired Loki to reconsider his view on life. Being around Mobius had opened him up to a happiness that, for the first time in his life, meant that he had more good days than bad. It was no wonder that Loki fell for him.

no pressure tags: @kcscribbler @in-my-loki-feels @thosegayoldmen @silentxsymphony @devilbearingtrouble

@distracteddream @andthekitchensinkao3 @loki-is-my-kink-awakening @ghoulehhh

@impulsemuppet @scifikimmi @boredintjqueen @mirilyawrites @zephyrsobsessions

#lokius #my writing #seven sentence sunday #i'm also posting tonight because time isn't real and it's nearly tomorrow #therefore this is seven sentence saturday #but still tagged as sunday #LOL

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wileys-russo · 2 years ago

Note

We’ve seen that Tooney and Lessi are doing an escape room on bbc.

Would it be possible for you to do a fic where the reader goes for one with alessia but a really scary one?

They can be going to the escape room as a date or as friends that have been secretly in love with each other?

jumpscare II a.russo

"hello!" you jumped as a pair of cold hands grabbed at your hips, warm lips ghosting your ear, startling you as you dropped your phone from the shock, the device thankfully landing on the soft carpet beneath your feet.

"alessia! don't do that." you exhaled shakily and smacked her on the arm, turning to face the grinning blonde who bent down to grab your phone, quick to snatch it back off of her with a roll of your eyes.

"where's tooney?" the striker asked having known ella had driven you here, glancing over your shoulder and looking around for her partner in crime. "oh hi y/n, how are you? oh i'm so good thank you for asking alessia, how are you? oh you're well, thats fantastic!" you mocked her lack of greeting sarcastically, it now being her turn to roll her eyes.

"i said hello." the striker defended with a teasing smile, pulling you into a tight hug. "no you scared me and on purpose! you know i already don't want to be here." you grumbled into her shoulder, the taller girl rubbing your back comfortingly, ella having somehow convinced a group of your team mates to do a horror themed escape room on your day off.

"it'll be fine! it's just a bit of fun." alessia assured you as the two of you pulled apart, alessia secretly wishing she didn't need to let go.

the blonde having had a mild gigantic crush on you pretty much ever since she laid eyes on you when you'd been signed at the beginning of the season a few months ago.

however she treasured your fast developing friendship much more, and had spent weeks now trying to swallow the flutter of butterflies that erupted in her stomach every time you even looked in her direction.

don't get her started on when you smiled at her, laughed at something she said or did, fell asleep on her shoulder on long bus rides, the striker swooned at the simplest of interactions with you, and it killed her that the more she tried to push down these feelings the stronger they only seemed to grow.

though somehow unbeknownst to her, you were struggling with the same problem, too fearful confessing your feelings would push the blonde away and you'd rather be her friend than nothing at all.

both your mutual pining however did not go unnoticed by your friends and team mates, almost all of whom had tried to individually encourage the both of you to just ask the other out on a date.

but both of your insistence that the other would not share your own feelings meant mary and millie having to physically wrestle ella to the ground on a number of occasions to stop her from meddling and telling the both of you of the others privately confessed feelings to try and speed up the process.

though that didn't stop ella from meddling in her own more subtle ways, and with some convincing she had roped in maya and lucia to help her, and it was safe to say it was no mere coincidence that ella had suggested this specific escape room.

it was why she had forgotten failed to mention to the two of you that each of the rooms only allowed 6 people in each, and so making sure to check your group of 8 in ahead of time, it had meant you and alessia would be in your own room, alone.

though her plan was coming along (in her mind) brilliantly smooth, it didn't take long for mary to catch on as she stood beside the younger girl, assisting checking in your group.

"tooney we told you not to meddle." the goal keeper sighed, sending the brunette a pointed look of disappointment. "oh come on mary not the mum look!" ella rolled her eyes, sending the attendant a thankful smile and calling out to the rest of your group to come over so he could explain the rules, mary wincing at the volume of her shouts and sending an apologetic smile to an older couple who looked over unimpressed.

admittedly you hadn't paid very much attention when the attendant was explaining the rules, too busied with glancing at alessia out of the corner of your eye as the blonde rested her head on her fist, freshly dyed blonde hair tied back into her usual neat ponytail.

she was dressed quite casually, clad only in a pair of black leggings and a light blue denim jacket with a grey hoodie underneath, however she somehow made them look runway worthy, the girl could wear a bin bag and you'd still stare at her with your usual love sick gaze.

what you somehow failed to miss, was that with every fleeting moment your gaze was drawn back to the attendant and away from alessia, alessias own piercing blue eyes would flicker toward you.

a soft smile settled on her face as she watched you nod along with the attendants words, chewing on your bottom lip as the blonde knew you often did when trying to concentrate, a habit she'd tried to break you out of but it was to no use.

alike to her you were also dressed quite casually, clad in a pair of ripped blue jeans and an oversized black nike jumper, alessias smile softening as she noticed you tuck your hands into the sleeves which were a few centimeters too long.

the girls eyes wandered over your form, lingering a few seconds too long on the slivers of tanned skin that peeked out from the small distressed rips on the tops of your thighs, mary having already taken the mick out of you for the choice of pants, particularly the gaping holes around your knees. the older girl mockingly assuring you if you so desperately needed some new jeans she would buy you a proper pair, millie joining in and teasing she would bring over some bug spray to kill the moths in your closet which had obviously been feasting on your clothes.

you simply shoved them at their comments with a playful roll of your eyes, the attendant walking the eight of you over to the rooms. "well, good luck girls!" mary clapped both you and alessia on the back, neither you nor alessia having heard the attendant explain that due to their numbers policy the two of you had been nominated to do a different room alone.

"what?" the two of you echoed in sync, eyebrows furrowed into a confused frown. "only six to a room so we're in here, you two in there. same rules for each room just different challenges and back stories." mary explained with a shrug, hurrying off into the door beside you after the others, it closed behind her with a gentle thud as both you and alessia looked to one another with wide eyes.

"go on girls, times started!" the attendant encouraged with a nod of his head as both your gazes flickering up to the thirty minute timer above your head, the man hurrying the two of you inside with a clap, the door closing behind you before you'd even had time to process what was happening.

"oh god i hate this already." you forced yourself to take a deep breath, eyes slowly adjusting to the dimly lit room. "jesus christ!" you jumped as the tv on the wall snapped on, an elderly man with a deep bloodied cut across his neck slowly explaining how he was one of the many residents murdered here in the asylum, kick starting the story of your room and setting into motion what your challenge was.

"we're already five minutes in we best get to it." alessia nodded to a small door which had swung open from inside the fireplace, stepping one foot inside as your anxiety escalated.

"less I really don't know if i can do this." you shook your head firmly, feet rooted to the ground as you balled your fists by your side, heart hammering in your chest as your eyes darted nervously around the room.

"you'll be fine, come on!" alessia held out her hand toward you, wiggling her ring clad fingers expectantly as you quickly shook your head, stood still where you were.

you jumped again as a loud wicked cackle sounded throughout the room, shooting over towards alessia and grabbing her hand as alessias breath hitched, a bolt of electricity shooting through her as your fingers intertwined with hers.

"hey, look at me." she squeezed your hand gently, your eyes flickering to hers which shone with obvious concern. "if you want to we can leave and just wait for the others outside, i won't make you do anything you're not comfortable with." alessia promised softly, not having realised how terrified you actually were until this very moment.

hearing the sincerity in her words your face softened and once more you swooned, memory flickering back to how excited alessia was about doing the escape room at training yesterday. and just as she didn't want you to do this if you were scared, you didn't want her to have to miss out just for your own sake.

"no it's okay, you were really looking forward to this less and i don't want to be a buzzkill. i'll be fine, i just might have to break your hand." you smiled guiltily, holding up your intertwined fingers as alessia grinned.

"we could do another one that isn't themed on a murder in a mental asylum, please don't feel you have to do this for my sake." alessia assured but you shook your head, affirming you would be okay.

"come on, we've only got twenty minutes and if tooney beats us we won't hear the end of it." you joked, alessia firmly agreeing with a laugh, the two of you making your way into the next room.

"oh fuck me dead." you mumbled to yourself, eyes widening at the statues surrounding you, your anxiety peaking as you wondered if any of them were real people which would in time jump out at you.

doing your best to swallow that fear you followed alessias lead, the two of you searching around for four small keys to unlock your next clue. you let out a scream and shot backwards as a toy doll shot out of the small wooden jewellery box you had opened, strong hands wrapping around your waist to save you from falling.

"thanks!" you exhaled nervously, skin burning where alessias hands had just touched you beneath your jumper, the blonde quick to let you go after you'd steadied yourself.

"oh got the last one!" the striker announced happily as she grabbed the key out of an abandoned dusty gumboot, unlocking the chest and wincing as it opened to be full of fake severed limbs and heads. "er that's rank." you cringed, the girl quickly snatching out your next clue and slamming the chest shut.

mumbling the clue over and over to herself her blue eyes scanned the room, brightening as she spotted what she was after, hurrying over to the book case in the corner, yanking on an encyclopedia as an alarm sounded and it split in half.

"secret door!" alessia grinned at you excitedly, and you melted at the sincere happiness in her face, grabbing her hand as she offered it to you and following her into the next room.

"how is this worse!" you whispered in shock as you stepped out from into what appeared to be a meat locker. "thank god we're not vegetarians." alessia joked playfully, trying to lighten the mood as she began to look around for your next clue.

she nearly fell over as you let out a blood curdling scream, a man with a bloodied apron, slasher mask and a chain saw jumping out from a hidden door in the wall, yelling at the both of you as he waved the chainsaw around in your direction.

quick to react alessia pulled you in behind her, an arm wrapping tightly around your torso as the man let out a loud twisted laugh and disappeared back where he had come from, the lights cutting out only leaving a faint red glow from the LED strips lining the roof.

"are you okay??" alessia asked softly, turning around and gently placing her hands either side of your face, forcing you to look at her as you nodded, pale as a sheet. "i think we should lea-" alessia started to speak until you let out a gasp and smacked her on the shoulder.

"next clue!" you managed to spit out, gently removing her hands from your face and turning her around, nudging her to look at the ceiling where there was a number of arrows made of glow sticks pointing in different directions.

"is there a wheel or a lock or something we can turn?" you wondered aloud, fumbling your way around the walls trying to find something as alessia followed your lead, crying out victoriously as she found a loose brick she was able to turn.

"left, right, down, left, up!" you recited as you hurried to her side, the blonde twisting the brick in the desired directions as a loud hiss sounded and the wall began to part.

"you did it!" alessia beamed proudly, grabbing your hand and squeezing tightly as the two of you hurried into the next room, the attendant announcing you only had ten minutes remaining.

"we're looking for the jars of tablets with these five symbols on them, then we need to place the jars in that safe over there and close it, that'll open the next door." alessia informed as her eyes scanned over the instructions on the wall, the two of you hurrying to frantically search around.

"times nearly up girls!" another actor jumped out from the door you had both just came from, this one clad in a white lab coat smeared with blood, a machette in his hand as he smacked the large knife a few times against the safe with a menancing grin and lunged at the two of you before running back the way he came.

both caught off guard you let out screams, frantically grabbing one another. though of course alessia, clumsy as ever, tripped over the book she had dropped from her grip and stumbled, falling to the floor as she tugged you with her, you landing on top of her with a soft grunt.

"sorry!" alessia apologized quickly, cheeks flushing rosy pink with embarrassment, both at her own actions and at the close proximity you were both squished into in the dimly lit room.

"i told you i needed to wrap you in bubble wrap." you teased with a soft chime of laughter, the stumble having actually helped ease your nerves, able to find amusement in the blondes consistently clumsy behaviors.

alessias heart began to hammer hard in her chest, your faces so close to one another she could count the freckles which dotted the bridge of your nose. "less." you breathed out softly, a hot blush creeping down the back of your neck as the amusement was replaced with nerves as you also registered the situation you were in.

"can i kiss you?" you blurted out suddenly, tips of your ears burning bright red as the reality of what you'd just said dawned on you. with a mortified shake of your head you tried to stand, alessias arms quick to wrap around you, tugging your body back down to press tightly against her own.

"please." the older girl almost begged, eyes frantically searching yours for any hint that you didn't mean what you'd just said. not wasting another second you closed the small gap between the two of you, pressing your lips to hers.

if alessia felt butterflies when you looked at her, the feeling of your warm lips pressed against hers sent her mind and body into a catastrophic meltdown.

her calloused hands slid up the back of your jumper, gripping at the bare skin of your back as if you could disappear at a moments notice if she didn't keep a firm enough hold on you.

right as alessia's tongue began to explore your mouth the two of you beginning to fight for control of the kiss, a loud siren sounded and you quickly pulled away, sitting up and placing hands over your ears at the intrusive noise.

alessia did the same, trying to ignore the wildfire raging away in her stomach from the kiss she had yearned over for months now.

"time's up girls." the attendant informed awkwardly over the PA, the siren cutting off as the lights turned back on and your cheeks burned bright red as you realized the position you and alessia were in.

hurrying to your feet you held out a hand, assisting her up as the two of you made your way back to the beginning, not a single sound uttered between the two of you the entire way.

you let out a breath you hadn't realized you were holding in as the two of you stepped out of the first room, quick to notice the rest of your friends waiting a few feet away chatting among themselves.

"losers! looosers!" tooney began to chant tauntingly as you and alessia joined them, wagging her finger in your faces as you smacked her away.

"arcade time girls, lets go!" maya called out over her teasing, slinging an arm over the midfielders shoulder and dragging her away from the two of you, the others following and again leaving you and alessia in only one anothers company.

"i don't really feel like the arcade. do you want to maybe go get dinner?" alessia asked quietly, nervously fiddling with her ring as your eyes widened in surprise. "as in we leave them here and we go to dinner, just the two of us?" you asked slowly, alessia nodding with a small smile.

"like a...date?" you asked again though this time much more hesitantly as you played with the sleeves of your jumper, feeling a bit like a school girl speaking to her crush for the first time on the playground.

"yeah, a date." alessia confirmed with a nervous smile, cheeks flushed rosy pink.

"yeah actually, I'd really like that less."

#alessia russo #alessia russo x reader #woso community #woso x reader #woso fanfics #woso blurbs #engwnt #lionesses x reader

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