#they turn green after you cook them tho

[lo-carb]

Goth bell peppers acquired

[milaisreading]

5th times the charm?

Pairings: Itoshi Sae x Isagi's sister!Yn

Warnings: Reader uses she/her. Requests are open. This is just a small Valentine's Day idea I had, since the day is approaching us quickly.

⚽️Blue Lock belongs to Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Yusuke Nomura ⚽️

Ever since he could remember, Yoichi thought of of his sister as someone who could be described as a hopeless romantic at heart. And while that was something he really admired in (Y/n), her faith in love and finding the right person, it also worried him. He loved his sister a lot, she was a kind and very caring person, so he always wanted the best for her. He mainly wanted her to have a good partner, since finding one was always one of her goals, but Yoichi noted one thing about her crush and dating history. And that was, (Y/n) always seemed to find assholes as love interests. While he doesn't remember much about (Y/n)'s pre-school and elementary school, he would sometimes hear his mom and her talk about those things in the kitchen, a random memory popping out here and there. Middle school and high school was something he does remember pretty vividly the two times she would come home crying. Sure, back then he didn't know much about these things and would try to cheer (Y/n) up, but now that he is older he is more aware of these things. That's why he took it upon himself to keep his teammates away from (Y/n). They were good football players and friends, don't get Yoichi wrong, but he couldn't imagine them with his sister.

Then, to his horror, when his career took of in Re Al, he was confronted with the harsh truth that Sae Itoshi of all people asked (Y/n) out, to which she ended up agreeing! Yoichi tried to keep his opinion at the time to himself, not wanting to offend Sae. But, once the siblings were left alone, he warned his sister about dating him.

'Don't worry. I am sure this time it will be different.' Yoichi recalled her words, and he just hopes she was right. And if she wasn't, an accidental kick of the ball into Sae's face will help him calm down.

Looking at the digital clock, (Y/n) yawned as she read the time.

"Already 23:30... and I am not even done decorating this. I shouldn't have waited till last minute." She muttered to herself, looking down at the homemade chocolate and at some of the decorative items she bought the day before. It was the night before Valentine's Day and (Y/n) was doing her absolute best for the chocolate to turn out as good as possible. She really wanted to impress Sae with it, but also see his reaction. It's something she would do ever since she was little. Her mom would tell her to always look at how a guy will react to the little gifts, and make her judgement based on that. And well, so far (Y/n) faced disappointment after disappointment.

'Eww. The card looks stupid, and pink isn't even my favorite color! I am a boy, are you stupid?!'

(Y/n) flinched as she remembered one of the first boys she liked rip her Valentine's Day card into two and throw it at her. That was disappointment #1.

'I don't like this chocolate brand. Next time get me something else.' Safe to say she never looked at disappointment #2 again. Why were elementary school boys so into brand named chocolate? (Y/n) hummed as she mixed some blue and green into the white chocolate.

'The chocolate tastes nice, I didn't know you could cook or whatever. But, you aren't my type, thanks for the chocolate, tho.' Disappointment #3 came up in middle school. (Y/n) wasn't sure why she cried that day, possibly because he was the first guy she had a serious crush on? It was a mystery to her.

'I don't like girls like you. You are way too much of a high maintenance. And besides, I found someone else. She looks more like a football players girlfriend.' Disappointment #4 came along in her final year of high school. Oliver was someone she met by chance, he wasn't her classmate or anything. Just a boy she met at a local café she met and secretly dated for a while. (Y/n) knew je was someone who liked women, a lot, but she held out hope that he might change for her. Well, she came to realize that the hope was foolish.

(Y/n) bit back her tears as she put the chocolate into the fridge, her heart pounding in fear.

'Please, please be different.' She thought, praying that the 5th time will do the trick.

Now, Sae wasn't a romantic person and never really saw the appeal in relationships or acting all lovesick for another person. In his mind football and practice were the only things that should occupy him... until he became one of those lovesick individuals. Although he tried to hide it, and failed according to Rin and Yoichi, Sae was completely in love with the older Isagi sibling. Always being more gentle and mindful of his words around (Y/n), and doing his best to show off his skills in front of her when she would watch a Re Al match. So, to nobody's surprise, Sae spent 2 weeks preparing a gift for Valentine's Day for (Y/n), something Rin wouldn't let him live down if he found out.

'Hope she likes this.' Sae thought as he finished wrapping up the plush toy he found. It was a limited edition item he saw (Y/n) eyeing for a while, so he had to be fast and get it before it was sold out.

The next day, the two met up in a nearby park to exchange the gifts and go for a stroll through Madrid later.

"Happy Valentine's Day!" The two said at the same time, presenting their gifts in front of each other.

"Huh? You got me a gift as well?" (Y/n) raised an eyebrow as her heartbeat quickened, earning a nod from Sae.

"Of course."

"But, White day is-"

"I don't care. I will get you a gift for Valentine's Day and White Day." Sae shrugged as (Y/n)'s face turned red.

"You... you shouldn't do that." She argued, but the redhead shook his head to her words.

"No. I want to."

"O-oh..." (Y/n) felt like her heart was about to explode as she handed Sae the chocolate. Neatly wrapped in a pink and white package with a few heart stickers here and there. Sae kept quiet as he inspected the box after handing (Y/n) the gift he got her. The girl felt her heart sink for a moment when he didn't say anything, already fearing the worst.

'The colors are probably wrong-' Her thoughts got interrupted as she saw Sae smile softly and unwrapped the gift.

'He... He doesn't mind the colors?!' She gulped, hugging the gift closer to her form, watching as he took a bite from the chocolate.

"It's not much and not a brand-named item, but I hope you like it." (Y/n) said timidly as Sae raised an eyebrow.

"I don't care. This chocolate is better than any store bought I ever had. Can you make more when you have time?" Sae wondered, eating more as (Y/n) eyes widened in surprise.

"Y-you like it?! You want me to make more?" She asked, face getting redder as her heart was close to burst out of her chest.

"Of course. You made it. Why wouldn't I like it? I love it, actually." Sae smiled at the girl. There was a silence for a moment and (Y/n) felt a few tears escape her eyes, which caused Sae to panic and move closer to see what the issue was.

"Are you alright? I am sorry. Did I say something wrong?-"

"I love you." (Y/n) sobbed out, hugging Sae tightly. The player was taken aback for a moment, but quickly recovered and hugged her back as a small smile was formed on his face.

"Love you, too."

[cutie-meow-meow]

Ushijima Wakatoshi as a Boyfriend :

(NSFW under the cut.)

💚Was very awkward at first.

💚Soon enough he learned how to be a good bf (asked for help from Tendou who's more awkward than him but somehow worked)

💚Takes you out on dates three times a week even if he was busy. He will never be too busy for his darling.

💚Likes to buy you flowers and plants and helps take care of them he just wants you to do something together.

💚Has A very weird way of showing affection, he doesn't mind PDA he just is a weird hugger.

💚Even tho his expression might seem blank, his eyes show so many emotions and admiration towards you.

💚Never likes to argue with you or anyone so he is the first one to give in.

💚He is very soft and caring towards you.

💚After he fell in love with you he started to feel and show more emotions than before.

💚Likes to wrap his strong arms around you whenever you sat beside him, it just brings him comfort knowing you are there.

💚Sleeping next to you is the equivalent to heaven for him he just feels so relaxed and full.

💚If anybody disturbed you or if someone was hitting on you he doesn't have to talk just one look of his will send anyone away.

💚His favorite places to kiss are your hands, nose, forehead, shoulders and thighs.

💚He is very good cook can cook anything just by seeing the recipe once.

💚If you were ever sad he will cuddle and cook for you to make you feel better cuz he is not so good with his words so he uses actions to express his love and support.

NSFW profile :

Now we all know this man is BIG but nothing could have prepared you to how big he is.

He has a gorgeous and painfully thick 9 inches down there.

He is so gentle with you, he holds back a lot cuz he doesn't want to hurt you but when you give him the green light he becomes savage. he will dominate you and won't hesitate about anything just goes on and on non stop till your a begging mess begging and crying for him to stop already.

Has a horribly strong stamina when turned on he can go for hours.

Even though he's a hard dom he will never force you to do something you're uncomfortable with.

Likes to leave hickeys on your chest because he sees it more intimate.

Loves to praise and compliment you during sex cuz he wants you to feel good physically and emotionally.

His moans are more like growls and grunts And hisses.

He loves when you call his name when you're close so he does the same when he cums.

He likes to cum inside only if you're down to it he will stuff you full painting your insides.

He cums a lot like a big amount and its so white and thick and a bit salty sweet kind of addicting taste.

After sex he likes to take care of you, like cleaning you up and preparing a bath with your favorite bath bomb And cuddling with you till you both fall asleep.

(sorry if it was too longe and if there were any mistakes)

[harrysthighertat]

Valentine’s Day

summary: you come home from a long, shitty day of work to a Valentine's Day surprise from Harry.

warnings: fluff and implied smut

word count: 2.3k

a/n: I'm a little nervous to post this cause this is the first blurb I've ever written. I really enjoyed writing it tho and I can definitely see myself writing more of them in the future, so I'd love to hear your thoughts and feedback. sorry if it ends a little abruptly, it's way past midnight and my brain was fried by the end of this. but I hope you still enjoy it! :)

—

It's 7.30PM when you finally park your car in front of you and Harry's shared apartment. You let out a sigh while turning the engine off. No matter how much you love your job, the extra work, stress and having to stay at the office late to cover for your coworker's maternity leave, was wearing you out and you felt incredibly guilty towards Harry for coming home so late and going to bed so soon after arriving home from work. The past few months have been a constant cycle of waking up at 5AM, being at the office until at least 7PM, having dinner with Harry while trying very hard to keep your eyes open and hold a conversation with him then going to bed straight after dinner and repeat.

Thus, you were incredibly grateful when Harry offered to not do anything special for Valentine's Day and make up for it when work wasn't so busy. It meant that you wouldn't have to lose any of your much needed sleep on getting him a gift or preparing a surprise for him. And Harry deserved better than getting a half assed gift after how much he's been there for you during this stressful time. Every evening he insists on packing your lunch for the next day, he wakes up at the crack of dawn with you just so he can kiss you goodbye and wish you luck at work and he leaves sweet little handwritten notes everywhere saying how much he loves you and how proud he is of you, just to name a few out of a million things he does for you. You wanted to show him your gratitude with the most special surprise because he deserved nothing less, but unfortunately it had to wait.

Although Harry missed spending quality time with you, especially on a day such as Valentine's Day, he knew that it was only a couple of days until your coworker was back at the office and he would get to spend his evenings loving on you again.

Earlier that day you had texted Harry notifying him that you'd have to stay at the office late again. You offered to grab some takeout on the way home, which had become a habit of yours over the past couple of months because of how bad you felt that Harry had to do the daily household chores and cook for both of you while also having work of his own and barely getting to spend time with you, but he told you not to worry about it.

You grab your stuff from the passenger seat and step out of your car onto the sidewalk. You walk up the couple of steps to your front door, unlock it and push the door open. As you enter the apartment, you're welcomed by the smell of homemade food and your body immediately relaxes. You put your keys in the basket on the side table in the hallway and place your bag underneath it. Then you shrug off your coat, put it on the hanger and change from your boots to a pair of warm, fuzzy slippers.

Once you've checked yourself in the mirror, you walk towards the noises coming from the kitchen. In the doorway to the kitchen you stop yourself and look at the scene in front of you in awe. Not only do you see your boyfriend, who’s putting away the kitchenware that he’s used while wearing a pink and red polka dot apron that his mom gifted him for Christmas last year with a nice, lightish green dress shirt and fitted dark green trousers underneath, but the dinner table is beautifully decorated with bordeaux red table runners, pink lit candles and a bottle of your favorite red wine.

The smell of food is even stronger here and you notice the tray in the oven. Homemade vegan lasagna. Your favorite. In the background Dreams by Fleetwood Mac is softly playing. The soothing music, comforting smell of your favorite homemade meal and the sight of the love of your life standing right in front of you is a heavenly combination and you feel tears welling up in your eyes from how good it feels to be home, especially after the long, shitty day you had at work.

You quickly blink the tears away and walk over to your boyfriend. As Harry hears you coming up from behind, he turns around. As soon as his eyes land on his lovie's face, a smile grows on his own. “Hi baby, I didn’t hear you come home. How was work? I missed you.” He grabs your hands, pulls you closer and softly pecks your lips.  

You return the favor and say “Hi bub, work wasn't too great today." Harry can tell you've had a stressful day and you don't feel like talking about it, so he doesn't press on the topic. "I'm starting to understand my coworker." You say though. "If these were my usual tasks I would also get someone to impregnate me just to have an excuse to get a couple of months off." Harry bursts out laughing and your heart flutters in your chest at the sound of it.

You almost tear up again when you say "It feels good to be home. With you. Sorry I couldn't get home sooner." Harry squeezes your hand to reassure you that it's okay.

Then you gesture to the scene behind you. "What’s all this for though?” Harry turns around to see what you mean as if he hasn't spent half of the day in the kitchen to decorate and cook and make sure everything was perfect for when you got home.

“Well, I couldn’t not treat my girl on Valentine’s Day, so I thought I’d cook you your favorite meal and decorate the table so we can have a romantic candle lit dinner tonight and celebrate Valentine's Day just a bit.”

He then remembers the other surprise he got you that morning. “Oh and I got you something else, wait here…”. He walks out of the kitchen to where he hid his surprise from you, leaving you alone in the kitchen.

A few seconds later Harry returns with a gorgeous bouquet of red, pink and white tulips. He hands them to you as he says “Happy Valentine’s day, baby.” You hesitantly accept the bouquet. When you slowly bring the flowers to your nose and inhale, the flowers smell fresh, and soothing and heavenly and remind you of a warm, sunny day in spring. Then a frown grows on your face.

“What’s wrong? Do they smell bad?” Harry asks concerned.

“No, they smell lovely.” You answer, frown still present on your face.

“Do you not like tulips? Shit, I thought tulips were your favorite. But I should’ve listened to the sweet old man at the flower shop and got you the roses that he recommended for Valentine's Day. I’m really sorry, I can go back tomorrow and get you those.” He says, panic in his voice.

Your features soften a little. “No, they are my favorite and they’re beautiful. Thank you.”

“What’s got you frowning then?”  

You look down as you fumble with the flowers in your hand. “I- I just feel so bad. Everyone's out today celebrating their relationship, showering their partner with love while you barely even get to spend time with me because I leave for work so early and don't come home until the evening hours when I'm too tired to stay up for longer than an hour. I feel like such a bad partner. I didn’t even get you anything today."

"Hey, look at me." Harry says, as he grabs your hand with one of his and places the other on your chin to gently lift it so that you're looking at him. He moves his face a little closer to yours and kisses the place between your brows before moving down to your lips, placing a kiss on both of the corners of your mouth in hopes of removing the frown from your face.

"None of that. Of course I miss you, but I know how much you care about your work and I know that this is not forever. You've been working your ass off and I'm so proud of you. And I don't mind at all that you didn't get me anything today, baby. After all we said we weren’t going to do anything special today. We've got to feed ourselves wether you're busy or not and you know I love cooking, especially when it's for you. So I figured I'd cook you your favorite dinner just to make today a little more special. Plus you didn't think I made all of that lasagna just for you, right? I'm treating myself to a lovely dinner with the best company I could ever wish for too. Although if you did want to have the whole tray to yourself, I wouldn't mind either. Anything to make my baby happy. I just wanna take care of you and show you how proud I am of you for working so hard.” He rubs soothing circles on the back of your hand and kisses tip of your nose, then your left cheek, your right cheek and finally your mouth.

Then he pulls back to look at you again and you notice a smirk appear on Harry's face. "Besides, you didn't think I didn't notice my favorite lingerie set being gone from our underwear drawer this morning, did you?"

You try to suppress a smile. "I don't know what you're talking about."

He's right though. You are wearing a red, lace lingerie set underneath your outfit that you specifically decided to wear today. It's the matching lingerie set that Harry got you on his birthday as he claimed it was more a present for himself. You'd been so tired and stressed it lately that your sex drive was low and it had been a while since you and Harry had been intimate with each other. Therefore you also hadn't been able to show Harry the lingerie set in action yet, but you had secretly been hoping to change that tonight.

When you were getting dressed this morning, Harry had pretended to still be asleep while peeking at you through his eyelashes.

Harry smiles and kisses your lips. Then he leaves a trail of soft little kissen from your mouth to your neck where he stays for a few seconds while his hands roam your body until he leans back to look at you with a teasing expression on his face. "Right, so you're not wearing anything special underneath this?"

You notice Harry's eyes have turned a darker shade of green. You look behind Harry at the timer on the oven to see how much time is left before the lasagna is ready. Enough time for a little teasing.

“Want to check for yourself?” You say as seductively as possible. Harry kisses you hard and you laugh into his mouth at how fast he moves to unbutton your top and almost gets his ring stuck on it in the process. As he's working on the last button of your blouse, a loud beeping noise startles both of you. The lasagna is ready. Harry drops his head to your shoulder and sighs in frustration.

You laugh at his dramatic reaction and pat him on his back. "Come on pretty boy, if we don't eat soon I will actually eat the whole tray myself 'cause I'm starving."  

During dinner you catch Harry staring at your exposed cleavage a couple of times. You hadn't bothered buttoning your blouse again because you knew it would only be a matter of time until you wouldn't be wearing a top at all.

When Harry said he was too full for desert, which you knew was only an excuse to continue what you started right before dinner because desert was his favorite and he would always leave room for it, you decided to be an even bigger tease by insisting on having a piece of the cheesecake Harry bought for desert. 

The second you finish your last bite, Harry's on your side of the table. He grabs your face in both hands and presses your lips together hard. He moves one hand down to the side of your ass and taps it to signal you to get up. Once you're up he guides you to sit at the edge of the table all while kissing you passionately. He keeps one hand on the back of your head while he unbuttons the last button on your blouse, revealing the red, lace bra. He momentarily pulls back from kissing you to admire how stunning you look in his now new favorite lingerie set on you until he reattaches his lips to yours and lets his hand explore your body. After some time he starts kissing and sucking on your neck, leaving marks in different places. Harry hasn’t even touched you and you’re already a moaning mess for him. Finally he leaves a trail of kisses from your chest down to the top of your skirt. He uses his hands to bunch up your skirt around your waist and looks at you to check if you’re really okay with this. When you push his head back to your skin he laughs at your impatience and takes that as his cue to continue. He gives you one final look before his face disappears under your skirt. 

It’s safe to say the lasagna wasn't the only thing that was eaten on that dinner table that night.

[reikuto]

⋆ฺ｡*:･CONTENT! modern!au, established relationship, cursing :: guts x gender neutral reader. A/N! been thinking of him recently…i try not to though cause every time i think of berserk, i want to die <3･: *｡ฺ⋆

very serious guy. not much going on in the emotion department. very secret soft side that only comes out when the two of you are alone.

not that he’s mean to you in public, he’s just so 😐. like mf can you smile.

most definitely a gym rat, but not the corny kind. he goes to the gym, works out, and that’s that. once you start dating, you’re happy to tag along with if it means spending time with him.

you literally frown when you learn how he works out (no music, no pre-work out, he just raw dogs it. he’s insane)

surprisingly, he actually likes when you go to the gym with him. it’s a nice change of pace because you’re always shimmying to your music or talking his ear off.

he especially loves it when you praise him for pushing through a difficult rep. also won’t admit it out loud but he loves when you beg him to coordinate gym outfits.

big big foodie. comparing his stomach to an endless pit is an understatement. not picky either, so he’s always open to trying new things and making you try them as well.

he knows how to cook idc. eating out is expensive and he has to keep the gainz. he’s really chill about it tho. you didn’t even know he knew basic survival skills until you went over to his place for dinner for the first time.

like you knew his apartment only had a couch and a tv so your expectations weren’t that high (they weren’t high at all).

but when he had prepared a very simple but DELICIOUS dinner??? you were shocked to say the least.

he’s neutral about pda. doesn’t really care for it but really likes it if you’re the touchy type. let’s him know that you’re proud of being seen with him.

has one of those unnecessarily large trucks that you literally have to climb to get into. it’s embarrassing.

after it rains, he purposely parks in front of huge puddles so that he can watch you try to parkour into the vehicle. he thinks it’s hilarious. you think he’s a dick.

does the one hand holding the bottom of the steering wheel thing when he drives. RAGHHHHHHHHH

also subconsciously touches you while driving. you guys will be at a stop light and his hand will reach over, gently punching or tapping your knee/thigh until the light turns green. you don’t even think he realizes he does it.

stiff ass sleeper. does not move an INCH during the night. it’s sorta weird, but kinda sweet cause he cuddles through the whole night.

he’s a weird combination of a heavy and light sleeper. if you shift to get out of bed to pee, he immediately wakes up. but if you come home and he’s napping, nothing on the planet will wake him up.

likes temple kisses. receiving them mostly. don’t ask, it just feels right.

“wear whatever you want, i can fight” bf

mild 👀 anger issues. patience is a must because he can get really worked up and you’ve gotta be the one to sorta calm him down.

always injured??? somehow, he always manages to make himself bleed.

you’re convinced he injures himself on purpose so he can watch you play nurse (he does sometimes)

he adores when you pout as you clean his cuts, lecturing him about about being more careful.

anyway, dating guts is cool. 10/10 recommend

[somejazzinthemorning]

tightrope. 03

Pairing: Carlos Sainz x Original Female Character Warnings: Language Word Count: 7.241 Previous chapter: 02.

Drowning myself in work is my go-to coping mechanism for more than half of my problems.

I'll either resort to racing or tracing brand strategies in an attempt to avoid having to face whatever problem throws my way and, that night, being 11 pm on a Wednesday, my laptop and the small whiteboard on my desk became my saving grace.

Despite the burning eyes and my aching back, after hours sat at my desk, my mind was still racing, high on whatever feelings the brush of his lips had evoked in my body. I fell asleep to the memory of his eyes and the velvet lips.

There was no way to escape it. We were already falling.

I woke up late, the next day.

My phone had a full wall of notifications ready to present me. A single text in the middle of the dozens of work-related emails, most of them answers to the ones I’d written during the night and scheduled to be sent in the early hours of the work day. I only realised I was smiling, probably high on my own expectations, when I felt my smile drop, after seeing who sent the text. Amanda. Not him.

“those updates on the project at 3 am??? r u okay?”

“sorry! i remembered to schedule the emails, but forgot about the notes on the project.” "got some good work done, tho”

"need to take a moment to reread all of your incoherent notes” "all that rambling is… wow” "BUUUUUT come to the office” "the things from the berlin store just arrived, you will love them”

"can’t make it today” "send pics!”

"come tomorrow, then! ill get churros for breakfast”

My phone went back to the nightstand and I pulled up the comforter, wrapping it around myself in an attempt to find some security and calm of mind. I peered out from under the comforter, staring at the dark room, only lightened by some streaks of light created from a gap in the blinds. I was still tired from the night, and my mind scrambled from everything we had shared.

Eventually, I left the bed. My mom was downstairs, and a copy of Shadow of the Wind rested on the kitchen counter while she cooked lunch. Frank Sinatra played on the old record player in the living room and the music continued to stretch around the house as we ate together. Luckily, her birthday party was keeping her busy; busy enough that she didn't remember to ask me about the dinner from last night.

Truth be told: I'm a terrible liar. I would never be able to escape her questions.

At the end of the day, I met Rocco for a workout, in a nearby gym. He was waiting for me, leaning against the reception counter, teal Puma t-shirt paired with an amused smirk; I knew he was more than ready to put me through my paces. And I was right. It only took me a couple of exercises to lay on the floor, panting and sweating."Have you thought about what you're doing next season?" I looked up, in the direction of the voice. Rocco was standing in front of me, holding my water bottle.

I sat up straight and extended my hand to grab it. "Not yet," the water was cold and refreshing. Just what I needed. "Maybe a third year in the Challenge and," I paused to breathe. "You know, the reserve seat. Not ideal, but yeah."

He frowned, sitting down on one of the plyo boxes near me. "But yeah?"

"Yeah. Works." I answered, laying back down on the green turf. The small fake grass ticklish on my legs and arms. "Not much, but it's racing."

"I think I'll pretend you didn't say that."

"Why? It's just how it is."

He cleared his throat, the deep sound making me open my eyes and stare at him again. "Up," he commanded, refusing to help me get up. I brought the hand I'd just held up to the floor, to help me get up.

"I thought we were done," I said. He didn't even need to say anything to make me understand that we were, in fact, not done. "Are you mad?"

“Annoyed,” he turned back to me. “What the heck was that answer? Of course, a third year in the Challenge and a reserve seat in WEC are not ideal. I was hoping for a real answer, not some… whatever that was.”

“It’s the reality,” I shrugged. Instead of turning back and going back to do whatever he was about to do, he just kept looking at me. Not the conversation I was hoping for today.

“You had a plan. What happened?” He asked.

“Nothing happened. I had a plan. And it’s going as it’s possible.”

"Excuses, Eva," Rocco exclaimed. He stepped forward and looked me in the eye. "You have a plan. You know what you want. And you have the talent."

“Congrats, you just solved gender inequality.” I gave him an ironic thumbs up, my mind still scrambled from the efforts of the workout and the encounter from last night. This kind of conversation was not what I wanted.

“You’re more than capable of getting a decent seat next year.”

“As we know,” I wiggled my finger between both of us, “It’s a tough path. Being capable won’t get me a seat. ”

“Locking yourself in an office keeping track of TikTok trends will?” I sent him a look. He held up his hands in defence. “You’re making excuses. There are other drivers fighting for the same things as you are and they are not taking no for an answer.”

“Neither am I.”

"Come on," he chortled, eying me carefully. I could tell that he wanted the best for me, but I was not really in the mood to discuss this at the moment. "When was the last time you actually planned something for yourself, and not just some new fashion designer or boujie vegan chef?"

I felt a little bit of annoyance creeping its way up my spine. I had been pushing myself so hard for the last few months, and I was starting to feel a bit overwhelmed with all the pressure.

“Can we focus on the races I have left to win?” I asked, my voice taking on an exasperated tone. “We can talk about this after I win this championship?”

“Sure.” He bent down to grab a 15 kg power bag from the floor and dropped it off at my feet. "This wasn't planned, but that self-pity is annoying me."

“A punishment?" I took my hands to my hips, a light chortle abandoning my lips. "Burpees and never-ending lounges? That's what you think I need right now?"

"No, no burpees," he said, his grin widening. "But maybe a few extra lounges wouldn't hurt." He was clearly enjoying this. I rolled my eyes and glanced down at the power bag in front of me.

“It was not—”

He cleared his throat, cutting me off, and I went silent. Then, looking at him, I saw that he was grinning at me once again, content. Yeah, it was self-pity. Yeah, the future is scary, especially when you’re a 25-year-old woman in motorsports and your career seems to be stuck.

I took a deep breath and bent over to pick up the bag, the cold weight of it dragging my body down to the ground. Rocco took a few steps back and then motioned me with his head to start.

"Andiamo," he said. “20 steps back and forth. Three series.”

So I did. I started lounging with the bag, back and forth across the green patch of turf on that side of the gym, trying to keep a steady pace. With each step, the pressure of the bag weighed me down. I kept going, pushing forward and gritting my teeth against the pain. When I finally reached the twentieth step, I dropped the bag and breathed out, my body aching from the effort.

By the end of the third series, I had pushed my body to its very limits and back. I sunk down onto the cool grass beneath me, feeling the relief of the softness beneath me—my muscles aching and my body dripping with sweat, my hair matted to my neck and temples.

Rocco sat near me, guiding me through a couple of moves, helping me to loosen my tight muscles and stretch out my body. Despite the big (and somewhat threatening) muscles he had a gentle touch.

“What’s on your mind?”

"Hm?" I frowned, my eyebrows furrowing together as I closed my eyes, feeling his hand pressing down on my thigh, pushing it firmly against the hard floor. I could feel the pain radiating through my body, but I tried to focus on the sensation of his grip.

“You always complain this hurts,” he said. I opened one eye. Now, I could feel the pressure from his grip. Probably something shifted on my face because he instantly asked, “Now it hurts?”

"It hurt before, I was just distracted." I shook my head, closing my eyes again and focusing on the sensation of his grip. “I’m free to feel like shit when things go badly." I let out.

“Things are not going badly,” he sighed, leaving my leg and switching to the other. “You’re simply letting yourself fall behind.”

I took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly, my head falling back against the floor. I stayed there for a few moments, my heart pounding against my chest and my thoughts racing a million miles per hour. When I finally opened my eyes again, I looked up at Rocco, this time because I felt my thigh burning with discomfort, he was still looking at me, waiting for an answer.

"Too much." I glanced below while patting his arm. He raised an eyebrow, implying more pressure. "Ei!" I scrunched my nose. He just arched a brow. Sadistic fucker. “What? Are you going to hurt me until I hold someone at gunpoint and ask for a seat?”

“You talk like you don’t have good offers, Eva.”

“What is a good offer? Driving against 19-year-old boys in Formula 3? It’s humiliating.”

“W Series?” He suggested.

“I want to race with men and show people I can win against them.” I sat down. Rocco took his hands from my legs. My muscles tingled with the same intensity my thoughts did. “I like the Challenge because I’m showing them I can do it. But the team does not have a budget to race in other series. And I can’t be a reserve forever. So I can do another year and hope things change.”

“See? You’re choosing to fall behind.” He took a deep breath, understanding my frustration. "You can always look for sponsorship," he said, his eyes focused on the floor. "You have the talent, the connections—"

“I spent my teenage years sending letters and desperately trying to talk to people. You saw how that went.”

“You have results to show them, now. In two weeks you’ll have a championship.” I dragged my hands over my face. Instant regret. Both my hands and face were tingling with the same intensity my thoughts did. “W Series will give you exposure. Will give you points. You need points..”

“Why are you so interested now?” I arched an eyebrow, feeling a bit suspicious. “The year is long. Anything can happen. A lot can change.”

“I just don’t see you planning ahead.” He deadpanned, his expression unreadable. “What if you can’t do another season of the Challenge? Will you be content with just being a reserve in WEC?”

“Why so many ifs?” I asked, still feeling a bit apprehensive.

“Motorsports are unpredictable,” he replied, his voice steady and sure. “I’ve been around long enough to know that. And I’m your coach, not just a trainer. It’s kinda my responsibility to do this.”

“Nah, I’m not having it.” I paused, still not entirely convinced. “Do you know something I don’t?”

Rocco just shook his head. The dark strands of his hair moved in unison. “Eva—” He shrugged. I could see the wheels turning in his mind. Whatever he was about to say, it seemed like it wasn't completely true. "One," he continued; his tone shifting. "I don't want to be left without a job when you get bored of racing." I threw my towel at him, though I knew he was only joking. Unfortunately, he dodged it. "Two," he continued, "you're racing like a pro. You should race with the pros."

At least, in one thing he was right. I was racing like a pro.

On the other hand, I was not acting like one.

My team and my dad, the main sponsor, were the only support I had. Despite having other offers, none met our expectations. I had been a third, fourth, or fifth driver for too long. I had spent too much time in the garage, running simulations, and taking part in test sessions. Years of it. Each of these experiences had demoralized me.

Racing in the Challenge, learning with my team, taking time to understand the car and driving it to a podium made sense to me. Standing in the garage and hoping for someone to get food poisoning or COVID was not only morally wrong but also quite dull.

“Did you make this whole drama when Rio told you he wanted to stop racing and just go to college and become an engineer?” I asked, getting up from the floor and picking up my towel, still lying on the ground.

“It was worse actually,” my trainer said, following me. “I think I almost killed him when he told me.”

“We make quite the pair, don’t we?”

He smiled and nodded. “Yes, you do. Your poor father has his hands full with you two.” We stopped walking when we reached the locker room. “Go have a shower and get some rest.”

The second I reached my locker and opened the wooden door, I reached for my phone, looking for a message that hadn't arrived. Pathetic. A part of me considered taking the initiative and being the one to call or text him but, to be honest, what was left for me to say?

I had already told him everything by asking him not to kiss me and I might have told him even more by refusing to let go of him.

The office smelled of churros, so I knew Amanda was around. Either that or someone else had the same idea as her.

Familiar faces smiled back at me as I crossed the corridors and the work areas until I finally reached the common area and took one of the available seats. Since I had chosen to work remotely, and only visited the office casually for occasional meetings or when I needed a place where I could focus, I wasn't given an office.

The room was filled with the buzz of people chatting and the occasional laughter, making me feel a bit out of place. I knew most of them (read: I knew their names and which projects were under their purview), but rarely talked to any of them. Amanda, one of my friends from college, and the one who had introduced me to this agency was the only one I regularly talked with.

I sat down in my chair and pulled my laptop out of my bag. After talking with Rocco yesterday, I decided to take action on my career and spent last night looking at emails and reading my dad's notes on the sides of those he considered important enough to print. So, when I opened my laptop, my screen showed me my Notion board, which honestly felt like a showcase of my own failures. Not the first thing I wanted to see that morning.

A knock on the glass divider of the office made me lift my head up and find Amanda on the other side of it. A beautiful purple jumper highlighted her beautiful curves; her hair was pulled up in a ponytail. In her hands, a white box.

I waved at her.

“Vamos,” she motioned with her head. “Before anyone tries to steal these from me.”

I smiled and grabbed my laptop, zipping it up before getting up and walking towards her. “You know I have an important weekend ahead, right?”

She laughed, opening the box. “A churro won't weigh you down, don't worry.”

I took one of them and walked near her to the cafeteria. The morning light was soft, and the day was not too warm. Ideal to sit on the balcony and talk for a while. So, that's what we did. I grabbed coffee for both, while she walked outside.

The sunshine on my skin was just a slight warmth as I leaned on my chair, and the smooth breeze of the morning cooled off my skin. Traffic sounds in the background, the ruffle of chairs and the occasional bark of one of the dogs playing on the balcony of the start-up that shares the building with us.

While having a sip of her coffee, I noticed Amanda's eyes widening, and I could practically see the bell ringing in her mind. Instantly, my brows were drawn together. Brace yourself, Eva.

"So, I heard on Twitter dot com…" I rolled my eyes at the last part, and despite provoking a small chuckle from her, she didn't stop talking and her gaze still remained twinkling mischievously. "Carlos was in Mugello last weekend."

Oh, for fucks sake.

"If that's what Twitter says, it must be true."

"Yes. So," she paused. Her head tilted slightly, honestly looking like a pup who saw a threat in the distance. "Did you two talk?"

I shook my head; my fingers busy on the handle of my mug, desperately trying to seem unbothered by the question. "Nah, we didn't talk."

"You sure?" She asked, her eyebrows raised in suspicion.

"Yes, I'm sure," I said, my voice steady. "It's not like we're friends or anything."

"That's too bad," she murmured, a hint of disbelief in her voice. "It's not like Carlos and your brother are still like, the best of friends and maybe— maybe he went there to visit him and you end up talking?"

I sighed. "Stop it."“You're a terrible liar, Eva.” Amanda said bluntly, her gaze intense.

“Amanda,” I said, my voice stern and my eyes piercing. "Stop it."

“So, you talked.” Amanda gave me a knowing look. "I knew it. I saw those tweets and I realised we had barely talked this week, and that only happens when you're too busy overthinking. And then boom, I woke up to dozens of notes made at 2 am? You always go to bed early." She crossed her arms, her gaze still intense. "Come on, just tell me what happened. If it’s not him, it’s anything else. That worries me too. I'm here for you, no judgement."

I sighed. "Fine," I said, setting my mug down and leaning back on the chair. "We talked. A lot. We actually had dinner."

Amanda's gaze softened, but then she frowned again. “Dinner? The three of you?”

“The two of us.”

"Just the two of you?" Amanda's eyes widened in surprise, lips smiling brightly. I nodded to her question. "What did you talk about?"

A part of me wanted to end it there. The other part of me needed some guidance. And Amanda was a friend, she always had good advice. On the downside, she loved to gossip. But we were friends. Guidance. But gossip.

I shrugged. “Just normal things. Racing.”

“Okaaaay, that’s good.” At this point, her lips were curving up like she was the one having dinner with him. I couldn’t decide if her reaction annoyed me or made me happy. "So, what now? Are you going to keep in contact with him?"

I shook my head. "I don't think the dinner changed anything.” Liar.

“Eva,” she propped her elbows on the table. “You’re a terrible liar. Spit it out. What happened? If you don’t want to talk about it, tell me that. Just don’t lie.”

Talking about it would make a big deal. A bigger deal, actually. I dragged my hands over my face, tired and confused. Thinking about it was challenging enough and I truly didn't want to transform all my confusion and emotions into words. Amanda, on the other hand, couldn't hide the fact that she wanted the truth, her gaze so strong it almost made me melt over the iron (and obnoxiously red) chair I was sitting on.

So I told her. Every single detail. From the glorious vision of him under the bright lights of my garage, which for a second made me feel like I was living in an alternate world, through the call at dawn, to his gauze under the beautiful sunset glow. His warm, velvety lips brushing against mine. I told her about the “I think I might have loved you, too”, and the way that even in my dreams I couldn’t seem to forget his scent when he hugged me goodbye.

I felt so exposed, so vulnerable, as I spilled my heart out onto that small table, and when I finished all I could hear was the sound of her sigh. A ridiculous rom-com kind of sigh.

“I just feel like we messed it up because of pure desperation,” I said, crossing one leg over the other and looking around. “He messed it up. I think we just missed each other so much we… I don’t know. Got confused on the feelings?”

“He messed up?”

“I didn’t kiss him back. I just asked him to please, don’t.” It was more ridiculous saying it out loud now than when I recalled the moment in my mind.

“You’re even stupider than I thought,” was her answer. I arched my brow. “The guy cooked for you, at his place, told you he “thinks he loved you too” and tries to kiss you and now you’re mad because he didn’t text you?” She paused. “What the hell will he say? Of course, he won’t text you. What would you say to someone after being denied a kiss? Text him yourself.”

“No.”

“Why not?” Why not? I asked myself the same question. Because I can’t trust him to stay. Better, because I can’t trust him to not leave. “Don’t be stubborn, come on. Just by looking at you, I know you’re dying to get that kiss.”

“Can’t we go back inside and talk about work?”

“Oh, no, missy.” She shook her head. “Those AB tests can wait. I want to talk about you and how you’re so dumb you might lose the chance of your life.”

“You’re exaggerating. As always.”

“Eva.” She was stern, her eyes burning on me. “He was your best friend. At least try to mend that friendship. Even if you don’t want anything else. Whatever the reason.”

I sighed, bowing my head in defeat. Amanda had a way of making me see sense, even when I didn't want to. "And if I can’t see him as a friend but still can’t give a step in the other direction?”

“Then, you give it time. Just don’t give it too much space.” She got up from her chair. Mug on one hand. The empty white box on the other. “Remember how that worked up last time.”

Fact one about Amanda: she was probably the most curious person I knew. Any arguments in the office, celebrity rumours or gossip of literally any kind she knew by heart, down to the last detail. And while that was remotely irritating, especially at exhausting times, like during Amber and Johnny’s trial, or when (especially when) the news broke about Pique and Shakira's divorce, it could also be a blessing. At least from my point of view. Perhaps all the stories contributed to her having a broader view of relationships and, as a result, being so good at giving advice. Fact two: there was no one more insistent than her, so, evidently, she couldn’t leave the office without reminding me to text him.

It was 5 pm, and I was utterly absorbed in the presentation for the new restaurant. I was head down, consumed by the details of culinary and marketing analytics, and, to tell the truth, my mind was so focused on this project that I couldn't really think of anything else.

Amanda was getting ready to leave. Jacquemus purse over her shoulder and a strong pink lipstick on the place where a less saturated one had been during the day.

“You stay?” She asked me.

“Aham,” I briefly made my eyes leave the screen to look at her. “I need to finish this. Next week I’ll be too busy.”

“You leaving for Italy on Monday?”

“Tuesday,” I corrected her, my eyes going back down to the laptop. “Don’t want to leave this to the last minute.”

“Okay. I’ll try to have a look at it before you leave. Also,” my eyes went up again. “Send the man a good luck text.”

I sighed, rolling my eyes at her. "He doesn't need my luck text.”

Amanda nodded, her eyes still twinkling mischievously. "Okay, send him a whatever text, then. An emoji. Like his Instagram story.”

“I’m afraid liking his story won’t work.” I leaned back on her office chair, which I had taken in the middle of the day when she needed to leave for a meeting and left me to use her small office.

“Text him, then. Anything. I wouldn’t let Carlos Sainz escape, but you do you, babes,” she shrugged, turning her back to me to walk to the door.“Enjoy the weekend. Besos!”

“Bye!”

I didn’t text him. Of course. In the same way, she was insistent, I was stubborn.

Actually, let me rephrase it.

I didn’t text him then.

Mid-afternoon, Rio had called inviting me to dinner, and when I asked about the kids, he told me he had booked a nanny, so they would stay home. It was either business or pleasure. I didn't need to ask; as soon as he mentioned my dad was invited, I knew we'd be discussing business. And after Rocco's worries last night, I knew it was partly my business, too.

My nerves were on edge as I prepared to leave the office. They only worsened as I neared the restaurant - a way too fancy place for a Friday dinner with the family.

Crossing the sidewalk, my heels clacking on the cement, my head spinning from the long hours in front of my laptop, and the anxiety building in my chest, I looked inside. My dad was seated at the end of the table, with an empty seat to his right - the seat I was supposed to take. Marjorie was already waving at me. Smiling politely to the man standing at the door, I said, "They're waiting for me." He nodded and let me enter.

My eyes drifted to their table, and I allowed myself a few seconds to study the mood. They were laughing, but my palms were still sweating as I settled in for what would surely be an uncomfortable conversation.

"Sorry, traffic," I said, punctuating my apology with a kiss on each of my parents' cheeks. "Am I too late?"

"No, no," my dad said, his voice warm and comforting. "Your brother was about to tell me something, but you just distracted him. Go ahead, Fabrizio."

I turned to him, curious.

"I'm sure we can wait a bit more. Just... after the food," he said.

"Why are you so nervous?" Marjorie asked, her violet fingernails softly laying over his arm in a gentle caress. "It's something good," she said to me. "Don't worry."

"Are you pregnant again?" my mom asked.

"No! No, no!" my sister-in-law responded quickly, her voice almost echoing in the room. Even Rio seemed surprised by her rapid response. "It's Rio's news. Not mine."

“After the food, then,” my father said.

“I hate it when I do that,” I muttered to my brother, grabbing the menu from the table and letting my eyes drift through the print. “You haven’t ordered yet, right?”

My dad shook his head. "We were waiting for you.”

I glanced at the menu one last time before setting it back down. My dad's hand called for a waiter and, after the young man left, the conversation resumed. As usual before any Grand Prix, the race weekend was the matter on the table and, that night specifically, Carlos' penalty was the urgent matter. Ferrari had the pace and Carlos had the skill, but as I sat there, hearing my brother and dad's input on how wise the choice had or hadn't been, my attention diverged to the DNF he had suffered in Austria, less than two weeks ago. Vivid images of the flames engulfing the car, the heartbreaking words on the radio, and the cheers that echoed through the crowd as his teammate stepped onto the top step filled my mind.

One feeling the glory, the other one consumed in ruin.

“Good luck out there this weekend.” "Don’t pull another Austria. That one was scary.”

Done. I’d texted him. For better or for worse, it was done. And I didn’t have time to put the phone back in the purse before it vibrated again in my hand.

“Thank you. I really need it.”

I checked the time.

“Shouldn’t you be resting?”

“I’m resting." "Listening to my teammate rant about food, but resting.”

“Why? Did you tell him about the cheese-less pasta you tried to feed me?” “If I expect Leclerc to teach you something is how to cook pasta."

"He’s a terrible cooker.” “I’m better learning it from you.”

"I’ll be sure to give you a lesson someday."

"I'll hold you to that."

  "What are you smiling about?" Marjorie asked, my attention immediately being grabbed from my screen to the table.

"Nothing, sorry," I said quickly, tucking my phone back into my purse. "Amanda just texted me about the work I was finishing.”

"Ah, Eva, if you put that effort into racing…" he said, as the waiter came back with our food. I tried to ignore him, especially because there was no use fighting back his comment.

Even with the food on the table and the anticipation to find out about Rio’s news tugging on my chest, the conversation didn’t go further from Formula 1. My dad, a lifelong Italian Ferrari fan and a very biased Carlos supporter was ranting over the lack of professionalism he was sensing from the team and how the choices they repeatedly made ruined not only the drivers but the prestige of the team. Nothing new. Rio and I have been listening to the same tirade for a long couple of years and nothing seemed to change, even after the amazing start to the season the team had.

“I had my reservations at first, but you could be a nice fit for the team, actually”, my dad said, pointing at Rio, with the knife he was using to cut his steak. Rio looked confused at him, and then, at me. “Have they given you an answer?”

What?

For a moment, I felt like I’d fallen on a different table, a completely different conversation. My gaze shifted from one to the other, confused by my father’s question.

“Who’s they?” I asked. Marjorie was biting her lip; her violet fingertips on my brother’s arm, once again.

“Ferrari,” my father responded, clearly stepping over my brother’s feet. Rio seemed bothered; clenched jaw, restless fingers that Marjorie tried to calm by positioning hers over. “Are those the news?” He asked him.

Rio nodded, his jaw unclenching and his lips transforming to a slight grin. "Yep. They offered me a job." He looked around the table, his gaze caught mine for a second but quickly left again. “I need to let them know my decision until Monza.”

“You applied for a job at Ferrari?” I asked. Honestly, I was so confused I couldn’t piece all the things together. “We’re doing so good at the Challenge, you could have waited for just one m—”

“Eva.” My dad interrupted me. The strong stern voice pulled my attention. The authority value of his words over the sweet comforting voice of the beginning of the dinner. The mood had definitely shifted “Wait? You’re the one that’s always urging the team to aim for higher heights.”

"Exactly. The team won't do that without Rio."

"But your brother will. And so will you." I tried to interject but with no success. He continued before I even had the chance to talk. "You can't possibly think your brother would stay with the team knowing he could have this huge opportunity."

"I didn't know about any opportunity." I was replying to my father, but my eyes were directed to Rio. "What about the team? And the Challenge?" I inquired.

"In less than two weeks, the championship will be over. I have no doubts you will win it. You're just losing time there," my father's tone was bothering me, but the fact that he was still cutting his steak as he talked was really aggravating my temper.

Rio, on the other hand, didn't react. His expression didn't even shift. He remained silent, eyes shifting between mine and dad's face. In his silence, though, he was telling me much more than he thought.

"This is not a formality," I said to my father. "Can you please look at me while you talk about our future?"

Finally, he put down his cutlery and remained silent for a few seconds. Deep blue eyes looked up at me, cold and serious.

"There's no future for you if you're afraid to take a serious step," he said finally. "I won't let your brother get stuck in the Challenge when I know he can do so much more. I won't let you make him fall behind because of you."

"Because of me?"

"Why else would he stay at the Challenge?" I stayed silent, feeling my fake sense of confidence being stripped away with the weight of my dad's question. The answer that my conscience gave me was selfish and I refused to say it out loud. I was afraid of staying alone, rather, I was afraid to see Rio flying solo in the higher aims I ambitioned for me and not being able to carry along. Only if he waited, we could jump up together. "Why would he choose anything less than Formula One?"

"So, you have it decided, then?" I asked Rio. "How did that even happen?"

His tongue crept in between his lips, eyes wandering on my face, afraid to reach my eyes. It was making me nervous. Not just because he was about to leave me, but because he didn't tell me about it, prior. My dad knew about it. He even thought that I knew about it. And like a lightning bulb lighting up on my head: Rocco knew it, too.

"It was proposed to me. The job. At Silverstone, a few weeks ago." Even though Rio was stuttering, and his words barely constructed a sentence, piece by piece it all fell together. "Apparently, Carlos talked to someone about you. About the Challenge. And he mentioned me, my results..." he explained. "Carlos invited me there for the Grand Prix and surprised me with an interview."

Why didn't it surprise me? Carlos. The “right time”, of course.

"Your results? Why hide this from me?” I asked, looking around the table. “Clearly, everyone else knows.”

“I wanted to tell you, but didn’t get the chance to do it.”

“But what?” I asked, half defeated, half annoyed. Angry, even. There was so much going on inside me, I couldn’t think straight. “You just said you had the interview in Silverstone. Weeks ago. You had plenty of opportunities.”

“I knew you would snap and react like this,” Rio tried to justify himself.

“Snap? I’m not—” I paused and took a deep breath. At this point, I was seething with anger. “I’m asking questions. I’m not… snapping.”

“You should be happy for me,” I would if I didn’t feel betrayed. “I know you well enough to know that you would react… badly to the news. Especially if you knew Carlos was involved**.**”

Even though his name was blinking on my head, in bold red letters, I tried to set apart his involvement in this story. So, I carried on,

“And you’re just going to do it? Leave the team, the whole project and ditch us? Without even consulting me?”

He shrugged. “I’m consulting you now.”

“This is not a consultation, Rio. Please.” A pause. “This is you telling me what you’re going to do, without even considering my opinion or the team that’s behind your great results.”

“Go ahead.” He made a gesture with his hand. “What’s your opinion, then? You are the one that’s always telling me to aim higher. This is my dream. Always has been.”

“What? Formula One? I thought your dream was to drive in Formula One. Or was that before you noticed you’re a shitty driver? Enlighten me.”

“Eva, enough,” the deep voice cut me off.

I felt like I was going to burst. I wanted to scream, to cry, to express my anger somehow. But my dad's stern gaze kept me in my place. I felt completely helpless and unheard.

“You’re being ridiculous,” said Rio, cutting through the silence. “Childish, even. Ungrateful.”

“Ungrateful? I’m not the one leaving.”

“Why does leaving need to be bad?” The question settled in for a second. “Grow a bit, and maybe you’ll get some good opportunities too.”

“Sure, maybe then my friends will get me jobs, too. Is that what you mean?”

“Enough.” My dad's fist hit the table, loud enough to silence us, but not to the point of attracting too much attention.

My gaze lingered on his clenched fist on the table. I nodded, forcing myself not to say anything else. I placed my napkin on the table and got up, making sure my chair wouldn’t make any noise when pushed back. Before turning around, I paused briefly, my gaze now resting on my brother. “Good luck with your new job.”

  *

  It didn't surprise me when I saw Carlos fly through the track the next day, setting amazing times in the qualifying session, despite the penalty waiting for him for the race. He was dancing with the car, tracing beautiful lines within the colourful ones Paul Ricard was known for. Carlos would start P19 the next day, only ahead of Magnussen, who also had a back-of-the-grid penalty.

I traded the interviews for a dip in the pool and lingered there for the remainder of the afternoon. Perhaps because I was not the best person to have around that day, my parents had left just before lunch and didn't get back until after dinner. Alone, with music echoing throughout the house and the crippling anxiety the events that week had provoked, I felt myself get lost in the doubts and uncertainties.

My phone rang when I was already getting ready for bed. On my nightstand, the name Carlos appeared over an old photo of both of us. Like I couldn't control it, I walked to the phone and sat on the bed. I let it ring a few times before picking it up.

“Hi,” he said. I just looked through the window, to the dark backyard. “No good luck text today?”

“Guess not.”

“And why's that?”

“Did you know Rio had an interview to work at Ferrari?”

“Yes...?” He paused. “Is that a problem?”

“Did you know he got a job offer?”

We both fell into a moment of silence. A long sigh stretched through the line. I closed my eyes, not sure what to expect from the conversation. The next time his voice was heard, it was more serious.

"Can we stop asking questions instead of answering them?"

"The timing is funny," I said. "Just that."

"What do you mean?"

"You coming to Mugello? Was that a coincidence?"

"Eva, what?" Carlos was silent for a few seconds. "Don't make this into a drama," he said. "Rio is talented and if he got a job offer it's because he earned it. The things are not remotely related."

"I'm not complaining about him getting the job."

"Then what are you complaining about?" Carlos asked.

"That it took you years to finally come back and talk to me and it happened just when he got a job in your team. Did you really want to talk to me or did he make you do that?"

"I didn't do it for him," Carlos said. "I did it because I wanted to see you."

"I wish I could believe you."

"And why don't you?"

"It's been three years. Coincidences don't just happen."

I could hear him breathe. Silence weighed down my chest. He wasn't denying it. He wasn't telling me why he was there, that night. "Can I see you this week?" He asked me, before a long sigh.

"No."

"I'll be in Maranello for a few days." I bit my lip, shaking my head to the void. "You'll be in Imola, right? I can go there—"

"I don't want to see you." I talked over him and then paused for a brief second. "Don't show up there, please. It's an important week and I don't really need more distractions."

“Eva, por favor.”

“Good luck tomorrow.”

I put my phone away and let myself sink into the bed, feeling nothing but the warmth of the comforters on my skin and the instant sense of security that came over me. I allowed my eyes to close and my mind to drift away, and before I knew it, a prayer for Carlos came into my thoughts.

I prayed for strength for both him and me, for us. I knew that, whether we were on or off the track, we would need to find a way to get through whatever was to come.

Next Chapter: 04.

Thank you for your support in the previous chapter! Carlos will become a more present character in the future. Pinky promise. Don't abandon me until that happens, please! <3

[edrawingarts]

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HOTD Modern AU headcanons.

Characters included in this post:

Viserys I Targaryen, Rhaenyra Targaryen, Daemon Targaryen, Alicent Hightower, Aegon Targaryen, Helaena Targaryen, Aemond Targaryen, Baela Targaryen, Rhaena Targaryen, Jacaerys Velaryon, Lucerys Velaryon.

(no spell check, my bad.)

Viserys I Targaryen:

The head of the Targaryen corporation but currently left his wife to run it for him because his health is decreasing due to cancer.

Straight. (definitely had sex with a guy at least once just to see if he liked men but turned out he didn’t.) He is an Ally though.

Currently lives in Westeros due to one of the main facilities being there.

He grew up in Valyria but when he was young his family would take trips to Westeros, he ended up liking Westeros more so that’s why he’d raised his family there.

Named Rhaenyra to succeed him as the next boss of the Targaryen company.

Actually doesn’t mind his other children.

Let’s the green kids use his credit card whenever just to piss of Alicent

Used to be a leather jacket motorcycle guy when he was younger.

Played the electric guitar and later taught Daemon how to play when they were teens.

Has his pronouns in his bio. He/Him/His icon. (Alicent could never.)

Thought Alicent really loved him but soon realized the only reason she agreed to marry him was for her father and his company.

Love’s classic metal.

Let’s the green kids pull the “But dad said it was okay.” card to Alicent

Rhaenyra Targaryen:

Heir to the Targaryen company.

👏BISEXUAL👏

Lives in Valyria with her family.

Laenor and her did Still Marry, Laenor is still gay but tried to have kids with Rhaenyra to make his family happy. Turns out he wasn’t able to have children so they got a donor. (Harwin Strong.) In this AU Rhaenyra has never met Harwin but did pick him as the donor due to his smarts and strength.

Soon after Joff was born Laenor came out to Rhaenyra and too the world. He was accepted by his family and the press/Internet, there was very little negative giveback.

Because of this Rhaenyra and Laenor got a divorce.

Soon after the Divorce Rhaenyra married Daemon and Laenor married Joffrey Lonmouth.

she was THE IT GIRL in her teens and early 20s (yk what they say once an it girl, always an it girl.)

Loves to garden.

Definitely had a sex tape leaked. (with who? idk that’s up to you.)

often donates to LGBTQ+ charity’s

A really bad cook, good at baking tho.

Daemon Targaryen:

came out as bisexual in the 80s.

He/They king.

used to dress SUPER punk.

Knows how play electric because of his brother and taught himself acoustic.

The paparazzi love him and his stupid drunk antics.

Also a classic metal lover like his brother.

As soon as he herd of Rhaenyra divorce he went straight to go to propose to her. (I’m not even joking, when he found out he flew to Rhaenyra and got down on one knee. He was also drunk while doing this but it’s the thought that counts.)

Will defend Not only his kids but Rhaenyra’s kids until the day he dies. His kids (biological or not) are perfect in his mind and can do no wrong.

Like if one of them get in trouble at school or something he’s yelling at the whole dam school.

Paints his nails and wears piercing. (Has a dick piercing.)

Actually really good with kids despite his chaotic-ness.

The cook of the family. This man can make a MEAL. (low-key a house husband.)

Tattoos.

Alicent Hightower:

Married Viserys for her father. (Deeply regrets this.)

Loves her children until they disobey her.

Has a couple decades of internalized homophobia. (This causes her to be homophobic.)

Very conservative and religious.

Makes the family go to church every sunday.

She actually used to be a really good person but all that religious guilt built up and made her this way.

Has cats.

Eats the same breakfast every morning.

secretly smokes because of stress.

Regrets not being stronger in her childhood.

90% of her wardrobe is green.

Barely talks to her father anymore due to her not having a use to him anymore.

Loves to garden and had a dream of owning her own flower shop when she was younger.

Aegon Targaryen:

A senior in high school.

Closeted Gay. (Only out to Helaena and Aegon, try’s to act straight because of his mom but he’s secretly sneaking out at night to hookup hot men.)

bottom.

Doesn’t have any interest in running the Targaryen company despite his mother attempts of trying to get him interested.

Secretly a history nerd. (Will be that person to point out if something historically incorrect.)

Plans on running away to Valyria when he graduates high school so he can be his true self.

I like to think Daemon was his gay awakening.

Monster Energy drinker.

Really loves his siblings despite that way he acts.

Wish him and Nyra were closer.

Likes shooter videos games.

Has a light academia style.

Has to wear reading glasses.

Wears Converse.

Teaching himself electric guitar, practices on his dads old guitar.

Put on Makeup one time and it made him feel really happy, but when Alicent found out he got his phone taken away for a week.

Has chronic anxiety but Alicent refuses to get him meds. Using energy drinks and alcohol to numb his anxiety.

Listens to those NSFW audios.

Twitter is his main source of news. (#chronicallyonline.)

He might be the oldest sibling but he feels like the youngest.

Wears necklaces.

Seeks validation.

Helaena Targaryen:

A Junior in High school.

The only straight green sibling but is very supportive of her brothers and will defend them until the end.

Cottage core queen.

Has a pet spider.

Autistic and post about Autism visibility online.

Will read in her dads room while he’s on hospices.

Looks innocent but isn’t.

Smut Fanfic writer💪 (under a secret name.)

Quite but observant.

Van’s wearer.

Has a Marvel hyperfixation.

Let’s her brothers sleep in her room if they need comfort.

Favorite color is blue.

Gets high grades.

Has a snack station in her room.

Drinks Rockstar energy.

Will watch hour long youtube videos.

Designated driver out of her siblings.

Has a lot of internalized rage towards her mother.

Wish she knew her father more before he got sick.

Wears her dads old leather jacket from time to time.

Wears bracelets.

Mom friend.

Aemond Targaryen:

Sophomore in high school but due to graduate early.

Genderfluid and Pansexual. (Only out to Helaena and Aegon.)

People think he’s a mama’s boy but he really isn’t. (He looked up to her when he was younger but the older he gets the more wrong he sees her views are.)

Has a fat old crush on Luke.

Red bull drinker.

Doc martens wearer.

Always on his laptop doing god knows what.

Has anger issues.

doesn’t understand social cues.

dark academia style.

Uses his dads old bike.

Let Helaena and Aegon draw all over his biker helmet.

dose most of Aegon’s homework, not because Aegon asks, just because he wants to.

Has stacks upon stacks of books in his room.

Will be the one to go on a energy drink run for him and his siblings.

Texts luke a lot online. Sometimes they even stream and watch movies together on discord.

What’s tattoos SO BAD. It’s a dream of his.

The definition of: Looks like he kill you, would kill you. (Especially if you hurt one of his siblings? he’s pulling up and beating your ass.)

Wears rings.

Always has a watch on.

Likes to paint.

Baela Targaryen:

High School graduate, chose not to go to college.

Looks like the gay sister, is the straight one.

Has a band that’s growing in popularity. (Her boyfriend and cousin, Alyn Velaryon is the lead guitarist.)

Takes after her father with her punk style. (Takes his old clothes from the 80s)

Moved out to her own apartment with her band but is still is at the family home at least once a week.

Calls Rhaena a minimum of 3 times today.

Loves sweet food.

Big movie buff.

Leaves flowers at her moms grave every anniversary and holiday.

Acts like she doesn’t care but does care.

Dose her makeup on instagram live.

Tiktok’s everything.

has those glow in the dark stars and moons on her bedroom sealing.

Loves Stuffed animals, has a bunch on her bed. (Makes Alyn buy her stuff animals even though she can afford it.)

Has a big tumbler of water she carrie’s around with her.

Writes all her own music.

outfit repeater.

Rhaena Targaryen:

Is in one of Valyria’s oldest and top colleges.

The gay sisters but look straight. (Lesbian icon.)

Head of a sorority.

Is a good friend with Garmund Hightower who’s studying at the same College as her.

Childhood best friends with Corwyn Corbray.

She’s a part time model. (Corwyn helps run her socials.)

Dresses very preppy.

Honor roll.

LOVES PINK.

Sanrio enjoyer, her favorite character is My Melody and she has a collection of My Melody stuff.

Surprisingly a comic buff.

She’s has one of those really aesthetic dorm rooms with the accompanying aesthetic computer set up.

Always picks up her phone and replies to messages right away.

Low-key scared of kids 👀

Wears a different outfit every day.

Jacaerys Velaryon:

High school senior.

Straight. (Unfortunately /j.)

On the football team.

religiously wears his Leatherman jacket.

Has a crush and Helaena. They text often, he also lets her vent to him.

One of those people who will smile and nod when he has no clue what you’re talking about.

A.D.D.

One time he tired to get luke a pride flag but he forgot what it looked like so he had to call Daemon for help.

Has his ears pieced.

Has all B’s in school.

Only drinks gatorade or water.

Goes to the gym daily.

Let’s luke take his clothes.

Is that sibling who will just stand in your doorway and do nothing.

Hugs his mom like 5 times a day.

Will sometimes just jump on Daemon for no reason.

Likes to play with His little brothers, Aegon and Viserys.

Lucerys Velaryon:

Junior in high school.

Trans Male, Gay.

Has a Crush on Aemond.

In the chess and programming club at school.

Has social media but doesn’t post.

Will climb any tall tree he sees.

Secretly has a collection of hot wheels.

Sometimes goes to the gym with Jace.

Seems shy but is actually really confident and friendly.

Loves to take pictures of everything he sees.

Gets candles flavors based on the season.

He doesn’t care what time of year it is his drink will have ice in it.

Changes how his room looks at least once a month.

Buys a bunch of boxes of notebooks but never uses them.

Listens to hyper pop.

Reads manga but doesn’t watch anime.

Will go to his moms office after school and talk about his day with her. (everyday may i add)

Therapist friend.

Is surprisingly not mentally ill.

Loves hard candy like lollipops and jolly ranchers.

Wears different colored chest binders depending on what mood he’s in.

—————————————————————————

[jasminedragoon]

oh my god I got a Bowuigi fic idea

Starting off Luigi and Bowser start off enemies after the events of the movie

But this is a soulmate mark au or maybe not idk it can be whatever you want

After a crap ton of beatings and several teaming up against a greater evil also getting to know his kids and such things are in a calm for a bit

Bowser reevaluates his tactics with Peach, slowly losing feelings for her on the dl. As a last ditch effort he tries to make himself human

Princess Daisy decides in the lull of all this peace to throw a masquerade ball! Also bc this is after Luigi beats the mansion and my man is scared and v anxious after the whole ordeal and she wants him to feel better.

Kamek makes Bowser human for a day for the masquerade ball. (This is where the soulmate mark could appear since he's now a human. Luigi notices his mark finally appeared after years of grief over it.)

Looking sharp as ever, but the spell didn't get rid of the green around his eyes. So good thing the mask covers it!

Peach recognizes him immediately but doesn't say anything just because there's been peace for a while and she'd rather not trigger his hot temper

Bowser, dense as hell, starts chatting up Luigi not knowing it's him still after all these years.

They really connect and Bowser talks about his kids and fears. Luigi thinks he's someone else that came from New York especially with his unnatural thick wavy red hair.

Mario is dense too and is just like aww look at my bro being happy I'll kill him if that guy messes up tho

By the end of the night Bowser and Luigi grow closer even going off with one another. They talk well into the night and Bowser asks to see him again and how they'd meet in an abandoned tower the next week.

They meet again and Bowser renews the spells. Kamek doesn't like this bc lying bad. His kids wanna know who their papa is dating and Mario is getting concerned he'll never meet this mystery man.

Luigi long since took off his mask and with some coaxing Bowser does too and they take a bit of a break.

Bowser is heartbroken, but remains in peace with the other kingdoms. Luigi sends a note apologizing and saying to meet in the usual place.

Bowser stays as himself they reconcile and say their feelings for one another and have a long and passionate night together.

They secretly date until it comes up about Mario and everyone pretty much. Bowser gets mad and Luigi gets frustrated and when they return to one another to be like it's okay Mario followed Luigi!

Mario is pisssedddd he thinks Luigi has been brainwashed again and Bowser has been planning this all along to get private information, knowing full well Luigi is asleep for all their meetings.

They fight and destroy everything around them and Luigi leaves with Bowser because he gets tossed to the side. Mario thinks Luigi ran away from both of them

Peach takes this as treason. Sends a search party and orders he be thrown in the dungeon if found, unbeknownst to her Prince Mario.

Bowser and Luigi have a nice time healing together and being with their kids. Luigi is a good papa teaching the kids how to cook and play Fortune Street

Peach finds out about them and orders that as soon as they leave the borders they'll kidnap Luigi I mean bring him home

Mario finds out through Toad and immediately goes to rescue him

Mario is seething, fully thinking that Bowser hid his brother from him for manipulative purposes. Mario uses his fire powers to maim Bowser. He sneakily gets the upper hand and starts the battle. While Bowser has gotten much more powerful so has Mario and is close to death by the end of it.

Bowser is down and close to passing out. Luigi screams for them to stop getting pissed no one is listening this triggers him to turn into Mr. L. He uses his lightning against Mario. Mario is stunned he thought Mr. L was gone for good?

Turns out once Pandora's box is opened it never shuts. Mr. L shoots a lightning bolt by Marios head and warns him next time he won't miss. He tears down Mario asking why would he want to go back when he's loved and appreciated here. He tells him not to return.

Mario leaves and Bowser is scared. Mr. L is kind of cold to Bowser and sometimes down right mean to him and the kids. This sets off Bowser and Mr. L starts to isolate plotting his way out.

Until on Mr. Ls way out he snaps out of it after Kamek does some magic shit at Bowsers request.

Luigi apologizes and he's been out of it for 2 weeks. He leaves to apologize to his brother and Peach takes him in the dungeon and is still pissed and thinks he's Mr. L.

Mario mad and fights Peach on this and the bros reconcile.

Peach and Mario reconcile right when Bowser is PISSED and breaks Luigi out with the kids Bowser and Luigi stay together Mario and Peach eventually explain after mayhem ensues.

They work through his issues that trigger him into Mr.L and they live happily ever after

[portgas-d--umb-ass]

THE DEATH OF RORONOA ZORO.

- written by sanji.

we gave you a grave, i know you wouldn't have wanted one, but i also do not listen to idiot mossheads. it's next to ace's, luffy wanted that. you were his third brother.

do you remember how he wanted to learn swordsmanship? he finally did it, for you, i guess. he took wado ichimonji, he knows how much it matters to you.

brook took sandai kitetsu. he said that a cursed being like him needs a cursed sword, at times i believe that he truly thinks he's been cursed.

i thought about taking enma, but a cook's hands must be only for cooking, you would have fought me for going against my beliefs. we gave back hiyori-sama what was her family's.

franky took that disgusting thing you called a bandana, green, almost black. it's from your days as a bounty hunter, as the demon of the east blue. he said that it matched his 'vibe', that it was macho...just like you.

robin-chan took another thing from before, before our separation. she took the shirt you used to wear, the yellowish white one, from your original bounty. did you meet luffy in that one?

chopper took your green haramaki, on him it looks like a dress, he looks like a small peluche. he wears it and stares at your sleeping spot, you will be missed.

nami-chan said that she already has a part of you, your money. usopp, that idiot agreed, that is until he saw your earrings. nobody had taken them, they were such a part of you, as important as your swords. he tried to give them to luffy, but our captain refused. he already had the sword.

so nami-chan took two of them while usopp took one, you three were the first ones to join luffy, it means a lot to them, even tho nami-chan insists that she joined after me and that she does not care much. but she still planted belle-mère's mandarins near you.

hey zoro, do you miss those days?

i believe jinbe is the only one who did not take from you, he joined later, but that does not mean that he didn't mourn you. he did not take, he gave. he made sure to have a sun on your grave, you know how much meaning that sun has for him, but he still gave it to you, you are a friend of the fishmen.

i took your yukata, the one you wore when the crew reunited after two years. well, i took most of your clothing, but this is the most significant one. i wanted to feel your warmth all around, i feel lonely, ya know?

life is different without you, sometimes i get out of the kitchen, i turn to where you used sleep, i am ready to scold you, but you are not there you damned marimo.

i did not expect you to be the first to leave, no, i expected nobody to leave.

life is hard.

zoro, do you regret the way you lived?

zoro, did you find happiness?

i know you can't answer, i asked too many times and no answer came, so believe me, i know.

i'll see you not soon enough, king of hell.

[shankschewtoy]

HiHi! I was wondering if you could do Katakuri, Usopp, Luffy, Zoro, and Nami (you don’t have to do all) w/ a reader who’s like a father figure to them? (Platonic and he/him please!)

Maybe the reader is protective over them yet teases and is ‘rude’ to them, pushing them to be the best they can! But once someone else is rude to them it’s over jdbeisa-

reader becomes serious and the person is never heard from again (over exaggerating but you know-)

maybe reactions on them accidentally calling reader Father/Dad? (You don’t have to tho)

Have a nice day or night!

-@nightmarefox15

a/n - awwww this would be soooo cute 😭 for this one I’m going to pretend that Katakuri is just slightly younger! Tysm for the request Nightmare! Have a good day :)

Warnings ⚠️ - he/him pronouns, fluff

Katakuri

- At first, he wasn’t used to the affection, it was actually kind of creepy to him

- But once he saw that you were so caring and kind towards him and his siblings, he softened up a bit!

- He really looks up to you!!

- He thinks you’re admirable, and so wise even though you’re not his father

- He looks at you as his father figure, one he never had

- Those little things you do? Like asking if he’s doing ok, helping him train, giving him some pointers, bringing him some food, and even fighting alongside him!

- those are the things he really appreciates about you :)

- You’re a bit of a tease tho-

- You always want to scruff up his hair, and sometimes you give him a Mohawk while he’s sleeping 💀

- When he wakes up, he doesn’t even realize he had that- atrocious hairstyle until Brûlée pointed it out 😭

- He wouldn’t talk to you for a little while

- Don’t get me wrong, he still likes you, just he doesn’t like when you tease him :’)

- You love playing with him, it’s always so fun seeing his reactions lmao

- it’s what you live for

- just that pained look of: “please stop.” Is enough to get you crying on the floor from laughter

- But, once someone is being rude to him??

- oh it’s all over, that playful personality changes so much

- you go into a full protective mode

- no one dares to be rude to Katakuri when you’re around

- this was one of the first times Katakuri has ever sensed your aura to be so.. deadly serious

- you told him to head back to the palace to check in on his siblings, and he reluctantly obliged, taking small glances while turning his head around to watch the fight

- When you returned, he saw that you still had some blood leftover on your sleeves, and he looked shocked

- “What?? They were being rude and I didn’t like ‘em.”

- “… nevermind.”

- You’re his best protector ✨

- ok there was this one time where you were cooking a meal right?

- “Kuri can you pass me the salt?���

- “Sure dad, here.”

- awkward silence

- you dropped the spatula onto the ground, your eyes wide with shock and confusion

- Instantly, a tomato blush was on his cheeks as he struggled to hide behind his fluffy scarf

- he turned away, trying to compose himself as you started laughing

- “Thanks.. son.” you said back teasingly, only leaving Katakuri in a larger mess of embarrassment

Zoro

- you were always looking after this directionally challenged moss head

- you made sure he didn’t get lost!!

- he’d never say he appreciated your help tho 💀

- you frequently help him train, and you’re a pretty harsh grader

- When even one of his strikes look slightly off, you slam a book onto his green head of hair

- “WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?!”

- “YOU DID IT WRONG!”

- “THAT DOESN’T MEAN YOU HAVE TO FUCKING HIT ME!”

- *slaps him again*

- yes you’re mean to him sometimes

- but it’s tough love! Like Garp said, “You can never deflect the fist of love”

- 😭

- he might have a permanent bump on the top of his head bec of you 💀

- you care for him! And he definitely knows that, he looks up to you everytime he sees you!

- his goal is to one day surpass you, and defeat you in a sparring match

- You’re the image of what he wants to be when he grows up! (Not the personality part- but the skill part-)

- that sounded rude wtf 😭

- “Zoro!”

- “Yeah dad? SHIT- yeah y/n??”

- *cue the biggest smirk you’ve ever had on your face*

- “OH SHUT UP Y/N-“

- You’re completely fine with being kinda teasing and rude to him, but you are definitely not ok with someone else doing that to him

- Once someone hurts Zoro or is being insulting, it’s all over for them

- You were an extremely skilled fighter, and was done with the battle within seconds

- Zoro looked shocked, you could do something nice for him?!

- “WHY THE HELL ARE YOU LOOKING AT ME LIKE THAT! I’M NOT A MONSTER YOU DAMN DIRECTIONALLY CHALLENGED MOSS HEAD!”

- “HUH?! NO YOU SHUT UP YOU ABUSIVE CRAB!” (Idk why he said crab)

- “… that was the worst insult I’ve ever heard in my life.” -you

- “I know.”

- oh and Zoro has the absolute worst comebacks

- no joke

- “Are you an idiot?” -you

- “No, I’m just- uh- smarter than you.”

- “… wow.”

- his comebacks are so stupid that they work so well at shutting the other person up 💀

Luffy

- he looks up to you ALL THE TIME

- he hopes to beat you someday in a battle, but for now, he loves your company!

- you mostly have to keep him out of trouble though 💀

- he once tried to swim, quickly realizing that “oh. I can’t swim.”

- you had to carry his puffy balloon body out of the water and push all the water out of him like a balloon with air

- it was really ridiculous tbh 😭

- when he came to, you bonked his head harshly with your fists, causing him to yell in pain

- “OW!”

- “IDIOT! You can’t swim!”

- “I KNOW Y/N DON’T WORRY ABOUT ME!”

- *you slap him again on the same previous bump*

- “I’m worried you’re going to end up dying because of your stupidity Luffy.”

- “What’s stupidity??”

- “…”

- He steals your food 24/7 and you almost kill him everytime he does

- he still hasn’t learned that yet 😭

- but. On his birthday, you allowed him to take your meat

- you brightened his whole year 🥺

- “Hey dad! I’ve got a question for ya! Do cockroaches have cocks?”

- “… excuse me?”

- first off, he just called you dad

- second. What the fuck was that question 💀

- “Luffy, you just called me ‘dad’”

- “Huh?? I did?? When?”

- “I SAID JUST NOW- YOU IDIOT!” *Throws a book at him*

- “YOU NEVER ANSWERED MY QUESTION Y/N-“

- you were actually kind of happy that Luffy thought of you as a father figure

- it made you feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside

- you were so happy to care for someone! :D

Nami

- you’re equally berry motivated as her

- she had to learn from someone right???

- She learned a lot of her skills from you! How to sneak around, negotiate to get the most value out of the deal, and yes, punching her dumb crew mates was a skill she learned entirely from you

- You also help keep her oranges alive :)

- Aaaaand you protect her from everything, including Sanji

- This man is not allowed within 10 ft of Nami lmao

- “pervy cook…”

- “NAMI-SWANNNNNNN”

- “GET OUT! WE’RE TAKING A SHOWER!”

- Sanji go away 😭

- “Dad! I need the clippers!”

- “…”

- “what?” -you

- “I said I need the clippers!”

- You slowly handed them to her with a confused and shocked expression on your face

- did Nami not just realize that she called you dad and not by your name 👀

- You heard the snipping of leaves from the other side of the bush, and when the noise suddenly stopped, you peeked your head through the leaves

- “I CALLED YOU DAD?!”

- “PFT YOU ONLY JUST REALIZED?!”

- You were laughing until your stomach hurt

- Nami was about to beat the shit out of you too 💀

- Nami only called you by your last name for a while, before she accidentally called you dad again 😭

Usopp

- he hides behind you 25/8

- no joke

- and you always find a way to start making fun of him about it

- One time you thought it’d be funny to pretend there’s an ambush going on just to see his reaction 💀

- “USOPP! WAKE UP THERE’S MARINES ON THE DECK!”

- He has never scrambled to his feet so fast in his life

- he RAN and I mean RAN down the halls, grabbing his slingshot ammunition before running on deck, seeing absolutely no one there

- “BOO!” -you

- He didn’t move, and you looked confused and checked if he was still breathing

- He started to fall backwards, landing on the wooden ground, his soul ascending from how scared he was

- “Usopp?! USOPP-?!” (Y/n you’re going to kill him pls don’t 😭)

- After he woke up, you had to apologize and promise you’d never do that again

- you did it on April fools day

- You also liked to help Usopp with his inventions! It was cool to see how he made weapons for himself

- “Oh hey dad, what do you need?”

- He was completely zoned in on whatever he was doing, so he didn’t realize he had called you dad

- “Usopp.. What did you call me??”

- “Y/n-??? What do you mean??” He asked with a confused voice

- were you hearing things?

- Huh?

- What???

- “Usopp- I just heard you call me dad..”

- “What?? When?”

- “…nevermind”

- Usopp didn’t even remember, so he didn’t have a reaction 😭💀

a/n - oh gosh this was a lot of characters lmao I hope I did Katakuri justice! I haven’t seen him in the anime yet :)

<3

[hauntedmoonchaos]

J7 Entwining Red and Green

I am running an event from 1st February 2023 to 28th February. (Will accept late submissions or this inspired me after the event was over submissions tho)

You can write fics, do fanart, fanedits that includes gifs, videos and pictures, make playlists or moodboards tag your posts #J723 so I can find them.

You can combine prompts, do one piece or several pieces.

Prompts

How far Janeway is willing to go for Seven.

Naomi or another member of the crew playing match maker.

The bond and trust that exist between the two

An Au of the creators choosing

How Icheb sees their relationship

J and/or 7 encounter alternate versions of themselves (then fall for them, gain insight about their version, etc.)

And you know damn well, For you, I would ruin mysel, A million little times (lyric prompt)

Triad pairing Seven/Janeway/ whoever you pick

Green and Red

Borg

Klingons

Silver

Home

Fever

Holodeck

Forehead Kisses.

Movie Night

One word turns into a war, Why is it the smallest things that tear us down?, My world's nothing when you're gone, I'm out here without a shield, can't go back now (lyric prompt)

Fun

Obsession is a dangerous game but it is one you wanted to play

Janeway/Seven dealing with BQ (make of this prompt what you will)

Dressing Up

Meeting each other families (okay Seven only has an Aunt but still)

Fairytale AU or a Holodeck program about a Fairytale

Favourite J7 moment from an episode

Creativity

Art

Does it ever drive you crazy, Just how fast the night changes? (Lyric Prompt)

Brainstorming

Untouched by The Veronica

Show and Tell

Maquis

Dancing

Singing

A Play's the Thing!

Competitive Sports

Snow

Beach

Rock-climbing

Battle of Wits/Other Language/Other Intelligence-based shenanigans

Victorian AU

Crossover with other shows (if i do this one i am gonna do doctor who)

Historical AU

Nurturing

Cooking/Food

Mind Meld/Communicating via the mind/telepathic communication

Birthday/Anniversary/Other Celebration

Earth

Journaling/Logs/Epistolary

Role-reversal (like Seven as the Captain and Janeway as the ex-drone, or Janeway/Seven as Maquis leader)

Reconcilliation

Mirror Universe

Meeting Future or Past Self

Amnesia fic

Body Swap

Star gazing

Braiding each other's hair

From all the things that we are, Are not saying, Can we see beyond the scars, And make it to the dawn? (Lyric Prompt)

Memories

Shape shifting or animal transformation

One Bed trope

Time loop

Plants/Growing

Huddling for Warmth trope

Lowered Inhibitions

Bookshop owner/plantshop owner

Quest

Waking up next to each other

Q vs 7 (over Janeway) or Alternatively BQ vs Janeway (over Seven)

[pinkelotjeart]

you brought this upon yourself buddy

SO

Q!SLIME

AHGIEUWGFIWEUBFIWPUEF

im only gonna talk about q!slimes lore here so if you want to know more about the qsmp world as a whole just tell me and it would be my pleasure to explain it to you all you need to know is that: people were on a train, the train leads them to quesadilla island, shit happens there is an evil organization and they are stuck here

oh also they have kids

basically, all the people on the island got got paired up (one english speaker with one spanish speaker) and got an egg 

this is the egg phil got if you were wondering, his name is chayyane

and this is charlies egg, juanaflippa

charlie got paired up with mariana (mariana is fucking amazing btw i could also talk about him for hours)

now about flippa: shes canonically a trans girl,shes allergic to bees, grass, detergent, and fish and probably more stuff that i forgot, has a gun and shes a very sweet kid she deserves the world now slime and mariana weren't the most healthy couple. Charlie calls Slime “bitch wife” and mariana has been caught flirting with other men but they do both very much care for each other and they also VERY much care for flippa

i should also mention that the egg have two lives. If both lives are lost the egg dies forever

now everything is fine and dandy till flippa has her first death her first death was because of neglect

you see, if an eggs parents don't do tasks with their egg (ex of tasks are: reading a book to them, drawing with them, cooking something for the egg, etc) and, because mariana and slime didn't log that much on the server at first, flippa lost a life both slime and mariana were fucking desrtoyed and logged in regulary after that to make sure flippa didn't lose any more lives

also slime made a deal to the devil, yes the actual devil that is canon to the qsmp, in order to get a gun for flippa. the deal was that he had to kill chayanne (phils egg) and flippa would get the gun and slime did it!!

later when phil when to kill charlie, flippa shot him dead :]

happy times pass until

untill flippa loses her secod life So when the eggs go to bed they have very cute custom made bed skins?textures? idk but they are very cute here's an example of flippa in bed

very cute

so while mariana was watching over flippa while she slept, he did something that  is still remembered by the qsmp fans and gives us and the cc war flashbacks everytime its mentioned he misclicked while having and axe in hand he clicked on flippas bead and broke it and both flippa and the bed disappeared people started freking out everyone thought flippa was dead and one of the most insane qsmp events happened the trial

slime accused mariana of intentionally killing flippa and took mariana to court  (slime also maybe talked about killing all the eggs but thats not important rn) the trial is probably my favorite qsmp stream and even if you don't plan on getting into the qsmp i suggest you watch slims pov of it its genuinely so great

to make a long story short, the trialhappens and flippa gets reserected hurrayyyy

all is well everyone is happy things are great until flippa dies a third time mariana and flippa were exploring a dungeon and they got swarmed by mobs and while trying to kill the mobs around them,  he accidentally killed flippa

so flippa dies. she isnt coming back and slime may have gone a bit crazy he was/is consumed by grief he went into exile and lives thousands of blocks away from everyone. he tried to kill everyones elses egg but failed and even tho he stopped wanted to kill them and now lives them as a uncle, he still gets sad when he sees the parents and their kids together hes kinda stuck in limbo, he tries to get better and make progress and heal, but his grief still holds him back a lot

also maybe he turned into a green egg named gegg and maybe there is a monster that is impersonating flippa but my fingers are screaming in pain rn lmao so thats all ill say for now

if you do want to learn about gegg and codeflippa and maybe bolas please just tell me and i will happily come back to info dump some more :]

You know I absolutely lost it at the part where they gave the egg a gun - wnjdjwndjw I love the insanity of that all gosh. This is kinda as much as I was expecting cus I did know some stuff about the eggs- but I am enjoying the combination of angst and absurdity.

I think Bolas is the thing I’ve seen the most about- or atleast I’ve seen allot of cool fanart without context I’m curious 👀

[kidsinsaturn]

you asked for shisui thoughts so here you go my love 😏

i feel like shisui would always be the type of boyfriend who makes food for you. he’s such a chef and he loves to make new things for you to try. his favorite thing is making some bomb new dish and putting some leftovers away for you to eat for lunch the next day <3. he’s such a considerate guy when it comes to you.

he also wants to make sure you ate good. not to mention, he is so fucking talented in the kitchen. he can make anything and everything. I ALSO FEEL LIKE HE TAKES THE FOOD HE MAKES ON A PICNIC DATE FOR YOU?? of course you enjoy it because it’s always delicious and just so flavorful.

he gets to taste something greater tho when y’all get home 😏

When I tell you I JUST THOUGHT ABOUT THAT WHEN I WOKE UP

shisui didn’t believe in his cooking skills until you told him his food was sooo good and he basically melted

his purpose in life was now being in charge of your diet plsss

he loves cooking you all your fav meals and every time you HAVE to compliment them and he is so smitten aaaaa

every time he places the plate in front of you, he kisses you <3 either a peck on your lips, your cheeks, your ear, or your head,,,, he kisses as if saying “this is the little I can offer you, incomparable of what you do for me”

shisui is so selfless stoppp he thinks all he does for you will never be enough of what you do for him, which is like just loving him mmmm I’m sobbing

ALSO THE PICNIC DATES SUMMER YOU JUST READ MY MIND YES

imagine shisui telling you to meet him in a green open area just after you arrived from a mission or whatever, and you just see in the distance shisui setting the blanket and arranging the dishes AAAA

shisui turns to look at you and he quickly creates a clone to go and distract you while he finishes everything!! He doesn’t want you waiting there

his clone distracts you telling you a bunch of beautiful sweet shit while the original is quick to have everything ready and by the time the clone disappears, a bunch of crows appear dancing around you two while shisui is there waiting with the sweetest of smiles and his arms open 😭😭

[sunnysgames]

Emotions Legacy Challange

Sorry if there are any spelling otr grammar mistakes english is not my first language.

This legacy challange is going to be based around sism 4 emotins (It's kinda in the name). IT IS ONLY BASE GAME. Use #emotions33 on the sims4 gallery if you decide to try it.

RULES

You need to play on the normal lifespan.

Mods are allowed only if they don't give you an unfair advantage.

CC is allowed.

Only small money cheats. Other cheats are allowed if they don't give you an advantage.

Some cheats have to be used if its stated in the rules.

"O" rules are optional

A generation is finshed if all the criteria are fulfilled.

Rule 1 just have fun

❤︎ GEN 1- fine❤︎  You have always lived a FINE life. Married and had kids at a young age, had some friends and a white picket fence family.

CRITERIA

Be female

Master the Big Happy Family aspiration

Your spouse has to be the breadwinner.

You can only make money through crafts.

Master the cooking and gardening skills.

Have atleast 3 kids.

"O" move in with a spouse at the start

"O" have a white color scheme.

Traits

Good

Foodie

Family Orientated

❤︎ GEN 2- sad❤︎ 

Your family was all about being perfect, but not you. Never simling or laughing, all the kids bullying you for reading. You were the definition of the quiet kid. So until you hit you adulthood you lived a truly SAD life.

CRITERIA:

"O" Navy color scheme

BEFORE ADULTHOOD

Master the Best Selling Author aspiration

Master the writing skill

Have one friend only (other than family)

Read 10 books

Master the photography skill

AFTER ADULTHOOD

Marry someone and move in with them

Master the writer carrer

Master the violin skill

Have atleast 3 kids

TRAITS:

Gloomy

Loner

Bookworm

❤︎GEN 3-angry❤︎

You always knew that one off your parents wasn't all that happy and you got that part of them. Always ANGRY and mean to everyone, so that's why you decided that as soon as you move out you become a mafia boss.

CRITERIA:

Master the Public Criminal aspiration

Master the criminal carrer

Master the mischeif skill

Have five enemies

Have one kid from a hookup

Never marry or move in with anyone

Master mixology skill

Kick out your kid when they turn into a YA

"O" Red color scheme

TRAITS:

Hot headed

Mean

Evil

❤︎GEN 4-tense❤︎

Since your parents only used you to help with their crimes you've always been TENSE. Getting kicked out at 18 also didn't help. Working two minnimum wage jobs but still somehow you got a lot of money very quickly...

CRITERIA:

Start with no money and work your way up

Marry someone with the family orientated trait (you can cheat this)

Master the buisness career

Work part time as a barista

Master handiness skill

Have a bad relation ship with your kids

"O" Orange color scheme

TRAITS:

Kleptomaniac

Ambitous

Perfectionist

❤︎GEN5-energized❤︎

Never had a good reletionship with one of your parents, but the other one was always playing with you in the backyard and got you to really love sport, ENERGAZING your body and made you become a famous athlete they also planted you the love for fishing.

CRITERIA:

Master the athlete carrer

Master the Bodybuilder aspiration

Master the fishing skill

Master the fitness skill

Have dinner with your family every week

Have your own gym

"O" Green color scheme

TRAITS:

Active

Family orientated

Bro

❤︎GEN 6-confident❤︎

Your sporty family gave you a lot of CONFIDENCE but on your own you developed some love for video games. Overall you're a hardworking parent that at night becomes the craziest party animal at night.

CRITERIA:

Master the Party Animal aspiration

Master the Tech Guru carrer

Master the charisma skill

Master the video gaming skill

Have atleast five good friends (other than your family)

Accept every invite past 8 p.m

"O" blue color scheme

TRAITS:

Self assured

Geek

Outgoing

❤︎GEN 7- flirty❤︎

Your parent was always going out partying at night and you just loved that. You wanted be just like them (you were also a little bit jealous of them), and you did that but worse. You were just a player, even tho you did go to the club you didn’t do anything but FLIRT, still you are able to find true love in the end.

CRITERIA:

Has to be a girl

Master the serial romantic aspiration

Master the fashion influencer career

Master the charisma skill

Master the piano skill

Get married as an elder

Have kids from hook-ups only

"O" Pink color scheme

TRAITS:

Romantic

Jealous

Non-commital

❤︎GEN 8- playful❤︎

Your crazy player parent made you the most PLAYFUL and fun person in the world. You didn’t spend much time together, but when you did you were always laughing and making jokes. Everyone loves spending time with you, because you’re histericly hilarous.

CRITERIA:

Master the Joke Star aspiration

Master the Entertainer career

Master the comedy skill

Play all the instruments and master one

Go out every working day

Spend the weekends with your family only

"O" Magenta color scheme

TRAITS:

Goofball

Childish

Music lover

❤︎GEN 9-inspiered❤︎

Your parent was a comedian which INSPIERED you to become very artistic. You never wanted a serious career or an education you just wanted to do art in your tiny home. You got some love for creativity from your parents, and lots of love from your partner and muliple kids.

CRITERIA:

Never have a job and only make money in artistic ways

Master the Painter Extrodinare aspiration

Master the guitar skill

Master the painting skill

Have atleast 4 kids

Write 10 kids books

"O" Teal color scheme

TRAITS:

Creative

Art lover

Loves The Outdoors

❤︎GEN 10-focused❤︎

You were lot more interested in education than your parent. You were into computers and science. You’re really FOCUSED on proggraming, becasue it lets your creativity out. You want to visit space and discover new lives, while also having a big happy family.

CRITERIA:

Master the Computer Whiz aspiration

Master the Astronaut carrer

Master the programming skill

Master the rocket science skill

Master the logic skill

Visit the secret lot in oasis spring

Build a rocket and visit space

Have 3 kids

"O" Purple color scheme

TRAITS:

Neat

Genius

Vegetarian

❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎

Hope you enjoyed :D

[a-tale-of-legends]

( Legendverse) Red and Green(protag) stuff

Red

Compared to Blue and Green as kids, he was much more ( genuinely) polite and responsible ( as responsible as a child can be anyway).

This doesn't mean he doesn't get himself into mischief. Either bc Blue or Green dragged him into a mess or he specifically thought something was a challenge that he was going to beat, he tends to get into more trouble than it's worth. It's fine though bc he's very polite :)

LIVES for the outdoors. Protag Trait of literally disappearing on people, only to be found in some forest camping( he has gotten better at letting people know of this tho). Really good at foraging and stuff.

I wasn't totally sure of the Professor! Red before, but seeing so many of it, I think it's neat :) He already likes pokemon and does want to understand them more. He could get his PhD like Blue ( who. Honestly doesn't really use it much-) but. That means going to school. Red loves to learn, but he is very weary of the school system. Maybe one day though. Battling is still his biggest passion, of course, I just think it would be something cool for him to do on the side.

Going with the above, I think he would really like what Beryl has done with the johto safari zone. Turning it into a rehabilitation area for pokemon essentially. I think he would help around the place pre- battle tower.

Tying into his love of learning- when blue and green leave for Kalos I just imagine Red being. So board. And lonely. He's no longer fearing the public as much as he used too, and constantly training doesn't have the exact same appeal as it did before ( bc he's no longer alone on top of a mountain). So he honestly just tries learning shit. He is the King of useless facts now. Cooking, knitting, crafting, you name it. Yes, Green has tried to make a profit from this. No, Red hasn't sold anything.

Like. Okay Red isn't like a master of these things, I should add. The most he's extremely good at is camping, battling, and cooking. Everything else is just decent.

He doesn't know how to feel about being Chosen. Especially so late into the game. Apparently, mew was supposed to Choose him when he started his journey....but forgot. It wasn't until SM until Mew did Choose him and by that point it felt. Pointless??? He suppose he's grateful, since he thinks being Chosen at such a young age would have been. Very bad for his mental state ( which makes him feel bad for a lot of the other Chosens after him), but like. It just continues to put him in some sort of pedestal that he doesn't want. He could ask mew to just. Unchoose him but....he doesn't know. Mew is nice though. A gremlin that doesn't give clear instructions yes, but still nice.

Green

Was always kinda blunt, even as a kid. Surprising bc she's also a skilled liar. No one knows how or when she got into scamming people ( who deserved it) or how she got so interested in money, but she is and we all have to deal with it.

Being younger and, well, a girl, Blue used to try and not have her come along with him and Red on their adventures ( Red didn't mind Green coming along, in fact he liked her company). Green would kick Blue's kneecaps for that. She would get scolded for it, but so would Blue for excluding Green out, so it's a win. She comes up with way more fun games than Blue anyway.

Is in the middle of the road in terms of talkativeness. Blue is definitely the one who does the talking most times, but Green isn't shy from it herself. In fact she's pretty talkative too, just not as much as Blue. Still, she can be also pretty quiet like Red. I think these two have a cute friendship, but I gotta work out the details. Tbf, they are protags lol. Protags gotta stick together.

Like Red, has the Protag Trait of just disappearing and doing her own shit. Unlike Red, is probably worse at telling people about it. Where's Green? Wouldn't you like to know, weather boy.

I've ultimately decided that Green is a cave fanatic. She just loves cave spelunking that much. She's not even looking for shit to sell, she just likes caves.

She was the only one that actually completed her pokedex....okay no. I'm sure Red and Blue did eventually, but Green was the first, as always. Red was under pressure from being champion to do anything and Blue was in his feelings, so leave it to Green to buckle down and get the damn pokedex done ( also to alleviate the loneliness of her two friends drifting apart and kinda leaving her behind even more)

Honestly it is just traveling now. Going into caves, battling strong trainers if she wants to, scheming all the way. I like the idea of her becoming world champion but I don't know if that's possible in my au yet. We'll see.

She grew taller out of spite btw. She was the shortest of the trio and she didn't like that, especially bc Blue would tease her for it, so she willed herself to be taller. Not even Mewtwo knows if the Chosen powers were at play here.

Speaking of Mewtwo, yeah she got it. She's the Chosen of it. Mewtwo shouldn't be able to Choose being a man made pokemon, but it did so out of spite and honestly? Good for them.

Sometimes I think Green genuinely forgets she's a Chosen. Like actually. The only thing that actively reminds herself that she is one is that she has powers now and she can live when Mewtwo fucking yeets her into the sky ( this is a fun bonding activity).

During the johto arc, Green was in Johto, staying with Bill's family. Why? I haven't fully fleshed it out, but I think it's a matter of her just not wanting to be at home anymore. That's the baseline of it. She's probably helping Bill with some stuff in return. Green during this time was angsty and angry, so her powers ( or what was unlocked at the time) would tend to flare up when she's pissed. Though, given that she's still very new to bring Chosen, they are unreliable as ever. So. More on her plate, I guess.

Green and cooking is an interesting case. I don't think she's bad. Maybe she's pretty good. But uh. The girl lives off protein shakes and granola bars. If not that: meat( sorry Red). So it's probably less of that "Green can't cook" bc she can, and more of " Green can cook but is choosing not too".

I haven't talked about the whole " Green being forgotten from the narrative despite accomplishing so much" here and that's only bc I want to take a closer look at that on my own time. I still think it's true but I want to like it. Map it out better, if that makes sense.

Green going to Kalos with Blue is for two reasons: Shopping ( Blue and Green are The Shopping Duo) and Caves. Oh and mega evolution so three. Unlike Blue though, she ain't studying shit ( okay she does a little) and spends most of her time doing Arceus' knows what. I think it would be funny if both Green and Blue gained several exes in their time in Kalos but that has yet to be determined.

Green and Blue are actually siblings in my au, so if you're wondering why I'm grouping them together so much, that's why.

Has a lil ditto :3 Is less used for battles and more so for schemes and is in general a friend that's happy to be there :]

[cuddly-asexual]

Been sitting on this idea for a while, but an Ichika sick fic where her 5 boyfriends try to take care of her but mostly don’t know what they’re doing. She told Hana to keep it a secret so they wouldn’t worry, but Hana lets it slip and the entire defense team goes “SHE’S WHAT?”

Hana is thankfully able to convince them to not all show up at Ichika’s house at the same time because that would be very overwhelming so they decide to take turns and have one person go each day. They draw lots or something and I have the order as thus: Ryuhei > Hyuma > Yusuke > Naoya (+ Hana) > Taisei. Everyone is VERY concerned about Ryuhei being the first one but he manages to ease their concerns.

-Ryuhei’s visit is still a mess tho, he does, in fact, have no idea what he’s doing. You can be damn sure he’s trying his best tho. He tries to cook her some curry, but doesn’t realize that just because something tastes good doesn’t mean it’s always good for you, so he’s just kinda like oh uh here’s some rice??? Does the “puts my forehead against yours to check a fever” thing. Cheesy because Ryuhei doesn’t realize how flustered it makes Ichika. Essentially Ryuhei just brings a lot of big loud energy, but it cheers Ichika up.

-Hyuma is probably the only one who knows what he’s doing since he takes care of his sick mom. A breath of fresh air after Ryuhei the day before. Properly takes Ichika’s temperature, serves her a nice soup, cool towel. He mostly keeps to himself otherwise, just reads a book at her bedside. She’ll point it out and he’ll probably try to pretend he’s not flustered and ask her what she’d want to do then. They have a nice chat about something niche they both enjoy.

-I know logically it makes sense for Yusuke to know how to take care of a sick person the gap moe would be funny so I think he’s surprisingly useless. Does he know basic first aid? Yeah, for injuries on a baseball field not the flu.

-Naoya and Hana just come together since they’re siblings, but Hana leaves early on to give Naoya his time with Ichika. She just checks up on Ichika and drops off a lunch she made (full of greens of course, Naoya helped too). Naoya’s definitely taken care of Hana when she was sick before. I think he’s got some special secret remedy for a sore throat.

-Taisei is nothing if not enthusiastic. Ichika is feeling somewhat better at this point; they mostly just hang out. Taisei knows the basics of how to take care of a sick person. He cooks her some miso with tofu because obviously. I think they get a little ahead of themselves and Ichika like almost collapses or something but Taisei catches her all romcom style, they have a cute moment. Taisei carries her to her bed so she can rest some more.

Ichika deserves all the love in this world and these boys have endless amounts of it.

Bonus: someone else gets sick from this and they do the same thing all over again