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“Roads That Cross… with a Phone Call” (Part 2)

You can read the previous chapters here: (1),(2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), (12), (13), (14), (15), (16), (17), (18), (19), (20), (21), (22), (23), (24), (25), (26), (27), (28), (29), (30), (31)

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Ámbar had to give her thanks to Simón— The extra sleep really made her feel better throughout the day.

She also had to tease him for inciting her to break the rules. Who was he and what had he done with her boyfriend? ‘If we don’t tell Vidia, they won’t know you skipped work.’ Oh, he was a bad influence. (And she loved it.)

Of course the only times he chose to be even a little incorrect were when it was for someone else’s sake, she thought with exasperated fondness— First with that music video they filmed at the Roller behind everyone’s backs and now with her. Ámbar shook her head with a smile. He was incorrigible, her boyfriend.

Ámbar sent him a text to have lunch together (actually eat food) and Simón didn’t reply. Maybe he was busy.

She sent some memes throughout the afternoon, then another text asking if he could start helping her with the decorations that evening once he got to the mansion. He didn’t answer that one either.

That was odd. Her messages didn’t even appear as ‘read’— Was the Roller really that busy? Well, it had rained for a couple of hours, that always brought in an influx of people. She found solace in the fact that if it was really bad, one of the guys would’ve called her over, and they didn’t, so it had to be manageable.

Still, Ámbar figured that, with all that work, it would be unfair to ask him to do even more, so around 6pm, she put all the half-made decorations she was working on in a cardboard box and carried them up to her room. Simón could help her some other day. Or maybe Mónica could help her? She had already offered her help the other day, and Ámbar only said no to be polite, but if they were both at the house and she wanted to do it, why not?

Ámbar left the box on her little center table and went to wash her hands. Once she walked out of her en-suite bathroom, she grabbed her laptop and brought it to her bed. She allowed herself fifteen minutes of mindless scrolling through social media, as a treat, before getting to the emails she had to reply to.

That was what she was doing when she heard her bedroom door open.

“Oh, hi, my love,” Ámbar greeted quickly. She brought her gaze back to the screen. “Give me one second, I gotta send this document… Okay, done.”

She put her laptop aside and got up to greet her boyfriend the correct way. “Hi, welcome back.”

Ámbar went for a kiss, but Simón moved his head to the side, dodging the contact. Her hands, too, which had risen to cup his neck, grasped nothing but air as he took a step back, putting space between them.

Immediately, a pang of worry ran Ámbar through.

“Is something wrong?”

Simón wasn’t looking at her. His face was turned away from her and there was tension in the lines of his body, though nothing that indicated a particular emotion.

His voice, when it came, was deceptively level.

“I talked to Emilia today.”

Ámbar felt too much in the span of an instant.

The Earth cracked open, time stopped, her heart stopped. All in one second.

Time didn’t even grant her the mercy of actually stopping so she could process it all— It kept going, relentlessly, viciously, hand in hand with Simón, who was still talking.

“I didn’t think it was fair that she was harassing you when you haven’t done anything to her, so I went to tell her that what she was doing was wrong,” he said, “but she showed me her phone’s call history and, turns out, your name what nowhere to be found, Ámbar.” Finally, his eyes turned in her direction. “Could you explain that to me?”

Dry. Her mouth was dry. She felt incredibly cold, yet almost feverish at the same time. Her thoughts were a mess, a muddled cacophony of different iterations of— why, why, why, wHy, wHY, why, WHY, this wasn’t supposed to happen.

“Why did you talk to Emilia? I told you it wasn’t necessary,” she said calmly.

“Not necessary because she didn’t call you,” Simón said. “Right?” Now his voice took a harder edge. “Ámbar, why did you lie to me? Please explain it to me because I don’t understand. Do you have any idea how humiliating it was for me to be standing in front of Emilia, defending you, only to find out the call wasn’t even real?” He complained. “I looked like a complete moron, Ámbar.”

“I didn’t ask you to defend me.” The cold was gone now. Fire was taking over. Anger. “In fact, I specifically told you to stay out of it, that I would deal with it myself.”

“Right,” Simón huffed. “You wanted me to stay out of it so I wouldn’t find out the truth, didn’t you?”

“No.” It surprised even her how easily it came out, how certain. “Emilia could’ve deleted her phone’s call history, it’s not hard.”

“Ámbar.” He didn’t say it but his voice had the intonation of ‘cut the crap.’ “Why would she do that?”

“To mess with me,” she said as if it were evident. “To mess with both of us— To make us fight.”

“And how would she know I was going to look at her phone?” Simón questioned with logic. “Why would she even delete it? Emilia has done much worse things than calling you. Plus— you hung up that call the very second you saw me come in,” he pointed out. “You were visibly nervous when I asked you who you were talking to. Are you going to tell me all of that is just coincidence?”

Ámbar’s heart was speeding at 80 miles per hour. She had to lie. She had to maintain this narrative or everything would come crashing down. Simón couldn’t find out who she was talking to. But how was she even going to convince him? Simón wasn’t stupid. And she couldn’t keep lying to him forever. She didn’t want to keep lying to him forever.

I have to lie.

I can’t.

There were two big forces inside of her and neither of them could win.

Her silence gave Simón all the answers that he needed.

“Why did you lie to me?” He asked her again. “Who were you really talking to on the phone?”

This is all your fault.

“Why do you need to know?” Ámbar challenged, her words sharp as knives. “Are you controlling me now? Are you gonna keep watch on my every move? Who I speak to, where I go to? You wanna check my phone as well?”

Simón scrunched up his face. “This isnot about that!”

“It is precisely about that!” She raged. “I told you not to meddle and you went and did it anyway!”

This is all your fault. Everything was fine. Everything was great. If you had just listened to me. Everything was under control. Why didn’t you listen to me ?!

“Because I thought you didn’t want me to as to not trouble me! But no. It wasn’t because of that,” Simón said with irony. “You didn’t want me to talk to Emilia because it was a lie that she called you. Can you stop trying to twist things already and just tell me why you lied?” He demanded.

Ámbar snapped.

“Maybe because I knew you’re an exasperating busybody who wouldn’t stop pestering me until I gave you a name! But I didn’t want to tell you who I was talking to, Simón, as simple as that: I. didn’t. want to. And you wanna know why?” She spat with venom. “Because I don’t have to tell you everything I do, Simón! Not everything is your business!”

Hurt flashed through Simón’s eyes, and he almost recoiled.

Ámbar felt a cut even though she’d been the one to wield the knife.

The sting awakened her.

Wait.

Her hands were covered in blood.

No.

Simón’s face closed up, all the way to a constructed expression of impassiveness. It was cold and firm like an iron wall. It looked wrong. That kind of face didn’t belong in him. Simón was supposed to smile and dream big, or burn in rightful anger when a wrongdoing had occurred. He was supposed to be bravely vulnerable, not toughen up to hide his feelings. This wasn’t him.

What have I done to you?

Simón nodded slowly to himself. “Okay.” His voice was low but final. “You don’t want to tell me? Don’t tell me. You have that right,” he said. “But don’t lie to me, Ámbar.”

Every cell in her body had lost the will to fight. She felt like just an empty carcass, a sack of flesh and bone and self-loathing.

Her head nodded weakly. “I’m sorry,” she muttered. She should’ve said it with more strength, but it came out shaky as she was suddenly overcome with guilt, and fear. She looked down. “You’re right. You’re completely right. I’m sorry.”

She couldn’t look him in the eye. She’d ruined everything. She’d hurt him. How could she fix this? Could she fix this?

Before she could find more to say, Simón’s feet stepped out of her vision. Ámbar whipped her head up. He was walking to the door.

Her fear kicked into panic.

“Simón—"

“I’m going to my room,” he said flatly.

The door opened and she ran to him. “Nonono, wait, please, let’s talk about this, seriously—”

“See you tomorrow, Ámbar,” he said without turning.

The door closed behind Simón’s back.

Ámbar took in a shuddering breath, loud in the silence that followed. Her mind was reeling. Her body was shaking.

What the fuck did I just do?

Her gaze clouded over and the tears burned on their way down, and Ámbar fought them, because she didn’t feel she had the right to cry.

This is all your fault.

Yes.

It was all her fault.

*****************

Simón turned on the light of the guest room and just stood there for a moment, looking at all the free space, the furniture too perfectly intact as if it’d never been used, making the room feel sterile and too quiet.

He kicked off his shoes and went to lay on the bed, the one that didn’t even feel ‘his’, that never had, and tried to forget about the few times he’d used it, the reason why it felt so deeply wrong to be on it alone.

His eyes burned but he pushed the tears back. He was not going to cry. Ámbar was the one who lied, not him— Why did he have to feel miserable?

‘Maybe because I knew you’re an exasperating busybody who wouldn’t stop pestering me until I gave you a name!’

‘Not everything is your business!’

Simón sat up, as if with the movement he could push the memory away. He felt like he’d been kicked in the ribs. He never would’ve imagined Ámbar would respond to him like that.

And it hurt, so much so that his throat closed up, because he’d only meant to help— He had good intentions.

But it didn’t matter because it had all gone to hell. Not only there was nothing to defend Ámbar from (and she was right, she never asked him to, why did he do it?) but also his stupid good intentions had gotten Ámbar completely fed up with him, and judging by how she called him a busybody, it wasn’t the first time.

Now he couldn’t help but look back on all their history and see things in a new, darker light. He remembered all those times last year when he kept asking her if she was okay, if she wanted to talk, insisting even after she told him she was fine because he wanted to help her. Had she thought he was annoying even back then? How long had this been coming from?

Don’t focus on that, his brain protested with indignation. She was the one who lied— She is in the wrong here.

But I was wrong too, I had no right to meddle in her affairs like that, she’s right to be mad at me.

No, she’s not, his own anger countered. You wouldn’t have learned the truth if you hadn’t done that.

But does that justify me?

‘Not everything is your business!’

Simón ran a hand through his hair, hard. What should he have done then? If he hadn’t talked to Emilia, he never would’ve found out the truth, but for doing that, he was a busybody— There was no way to win. Either case was bad.

Should he not have asked Ámbar who she was talking to in the first place? When she said it was nothing important, should he had just left it at that? Was it really nosy on his part to probe further?

No. Hard as he tried, he couldn’t not find it suspicious that Ámbar hung up the instant she heard him come in, without even a goodbye. That wasn’t normal. She was hiding something, and her lying about it was only proof of that.

But he already knew she was hiding things, didn’t he? She told him. Ámbar told him there were things she couldn’t say but that she’d tell him eventually, and he agreed to wait.

But he never agreed to her lying to him. He thought at least they were being honest with each other, but apparently not. Hell—Was it even true that she would tell him eventually? Or was that just another lie?

He just couldn’t understand why she couldn’t just tell him. Especially since, apparently, there was someone else who she was talking to about it. How could it be possible that she couldn’t tell him yet but she could talk about it with some other person? That didn’t sound like the deep emotional issues Simón thought she wasn’t ready to share— It sounded like a two-way secret, and what two-way secret could she have that she wouldn’t want him to know about?

Maybe she’s cheating on me.

Simón shut his eyes tight and rubbed his face. He didn’t want to be thinking these things. He couldn’t believe he was thinking these things— It was ridiculous. He trusted Ámbar. She couldn’t have done something bad because she had changed. She didn’t do those things anymore.

But he also thought she wouldn’t lie to him again, and he was wrong.

Simón laid down on his side, staring at the wall. He had wanted so much for this to just be a mistake somehow, for there to be some magical explanation that, while wouldn’t justify lying to him, could at least help him understand and sympathize, and if Ámbar had just apologized, he would’ve forgiven her.

But not only she didn’t apologize, he also still didn’t know who she’d been talking to on the phone, and now he felt bad for wanting to know.

He didn’t think he was being a busybody, but what if he was? Simón never kept any secrets from his friends, and they told him everything too, that was the way of things he was used to, but maybe it was wrong to expect everyone to be like that. People had different views on things. Maybe it was healthy in a relationship for each of them to keep some things only for themselves and he wasn’t getting the memo. Admittedly he had never been in a serious relationship like this before, maybe he had a different idea of how they were supposed to work.

But he didn’t want there to be any secrets. He wanted to be able to share everything with Ámbar, and he wanted her to feel like she could share everything with him too. It wasn’t out of being nosy or clingy, he just… wanted to feel that closeness. He wanted to feel like she trusted him, cared for him, that he was important to her.

But did she need to tell him everything for him to feel that? Maybe he did have a problem. Maybe he’d gotten too presumptuous, so high on this sense of superiority, believing no one else knew Ámbar like he did, that only he knew the real her, that he couldn’t phantom her not wanting to tell him something or talking about it to somebody else.

Did he know Ámbar better than anyone else? And if he did, shouldn’t he just be grateful of the trust she’d already placed on him instead of assuming he was entitled to more?

Simón didn’t feel like he was asking for too much though. He felt like he was asking for the bare minimum and getting a door slammed on his face. Over and over. And he couldn’t keep doing this forever.

Simón closed his eyes and willed himself to sleep. He didn’t even want to have dinner— He just wanted this day to be over.

********************

Ámbar had a whole night to think, and she came to the conclusion that she was remarkably stupid.

The moment Simón found out about the lie yesterday, she should’ve grovelled at his feet, begged him to forgive her, promise to do everything in her power to make up for it, because she loved him, she didn’t want to lose him.

But what did she do? Turn all the blame on him and attack him. It made no sense— What was wrong with her? Now he would definitely want to leave her.

Maybe he should.

Ámbar didn’t even want to get out of bed the next morning but she did. She got dressed, put on some makeup to not look as destroyed as she felt, and went down to the dining room even earlier than she usually did, all with the hope of getting to talk to Simón.

She had done something similar last night too. She had erased the evidence of her crying, put on a brave face as if nothing was wrong, and gone down to the dining room in hopes of catching Simón after dinner. It was the last thing she had wanted to do, to be honest— Be around people when all she truly wanted was to lock herself up in her room and cry. But the urge to apologize to Simón as soon as possible was stronger, so she went.

But Simón hadn’t come down for dinner. So Ámbar had to sit there, with the empty chair next to her, and answer to everyone why Simón was absent, because of course they asked her.

Because I treated him like shit, that’s why.

She just said that he was tired and had a bit of a headache, so he had preferred to sleep it off. She hoped he didn’t mind she had lied for him, but gotten to that point, it didn’t matter— He was already mad at her.

If anyone noticed that her eyes looked more watery than usual, they didn’t comment on it.

So here she was again now, sitting at the dinner table, lying in wait with an untouched cup of tea between her hands.

It was a good thing Simón hadn’t shown up last night, she realized later. It had been impulsive on her part to want to speak to him immediately when she hadn’t even thought about what she was going to say. She’d only been thinking about alleviating her own guilt for the awful things she said to him, but the truth was, that wasn’t even the main issue.

‘Why did you lie to me?’

Ámbar spent a long portion of the night thinking about what to do. The obvious answer was to just tell Simón the truth, the whole truth, once and for all, and just put a stop to all the lying and secrecy. But if she did that, not only would Sharon never forgive her, she didn’t know how the rest of the family would react, and she feared she would lose Simón forever.

She believed the family would forgive her. They were good to a fault after all— If they forgave Rey once, they could do the same with her. But could she really live with being the reason her godmother went to prison? Why did that decision had to fall on her hands? Why did she have to choose between the woman who raised her and the family who accepted her? It wasn’t fair.

And even if she did the right thing— Because she knew it was the right thing to give Sharon away, to let her pay for her crimes— her only prize would be to disappoint the one person who believed in her when no one else did, who defender her against everyone, who loved her even with her heinous past, and who she loved more than anything.

Ámbar wasn’t ready for that. God forgive her but she couldn’t do that.

So… she could either give a half-truth or stay silent. If Simón didn’t insist on knowing who she’d been speaking to on the phone— Which was unlikely— Ámbar could just not volunteer any information and let the topic die. If he did want to know… She could say it was Sharon, but that it was the first time she had contacted her since they came back to Buenos Aires. Ámbar had been nervous> she panicked> and that was why she lied. It wasn’t that far from the truth.

It could even help her test the waters, maybe. She could see how he reacted to it, speak a bit about Sharon and how Ámbar still worried about her even after all the awful things she’d done. At the very least, it’d make it less of a surprise when she eventually revealed everything to him.

All of this depended on whether Simón would even want to talk to her though.

Ámbar came down to the dining room earlier than usual precisely to make sure Simón couldn’t avoid her by having breakfast before her, but there was no guarantee that he wouldn’t just take one look at her and walk away either way. Ámbar didn’t even know if she should follow him in that case or just let him be. A voice in her head said that if he wanted to avoid her, she should allow him to— Give him space, give him time— but she hadn’t even gotten the chance to give him a real apology yet, and without that, she feared he wouldn’t have any reason to want to talk to her, even if she gave him all the time and space in the world.

The sound of footsteps made Ámbar whip up her head, sit straighter, instantly at attention, but she recovered her breath when she saw it was just Luna, dressed in her Blake uniform.

“Oh, hi, Ámbar. Good morning,” Luna greeted her as she took a seat at the table, looking a bit surprised to see her. “You’re here so early, I thought you and Simón usually had breakfast a little later.”

The reminder hurt. Ámbar put on a fake smile to hide it. “I could tell you the same thing. Aren’t you always late to everything?”

Luna had been pouring herself a glass of juice and paused at that. Ámbar realized she might have spoken a little harsher than she should’ve and felt a little bad about it. Luna didn’t know what she was going through. “Um, I didn’t mean that as a jab,” she said more softly, “it’s just, you do seem to always be running from one place to another.”

“Nono, you’re right, I do have that tendency,” Luna said with an embarrassed little laugh. She placed the jug back on the center of the table and started filling her plate with medialunas and fruit. “But today I have my final History exam first thing in the morning and I can not be late for that, and I haven’t been doing so great with all those historical facts and things, so the nerves didn’t let me sleep much either… Anyway—" She cut herself off, realizing she was rambling. “Nina also offered to help me revise the materials before class, so here I am.”

“I hope you do well,” Ámbar told her. Things should go well for someone, at least.

“Thank you.” Luna glanced around. “And Simón? Why didn’t he come down with you? I thought you two always had breakfast together.”

Ámbar wished she would stop asking. “I didn’t want to wake him in case his head still hurt,” she made up an excuse. “But, who knows? Maybe he’ll show up any minute now with a voracious hunger after skipping dinner yesterday.”

Luna laughed. “He’ll probably want to eat a whole cow.”

Mónica walked into the dining room then. “Luna, less chat and more eating or you’re going to make Nina wait for you,” she chided her daughter gently, at which Luna started shoving food into her mouth. Mónica turned to Ámbar with a smile. “Good morning, Ámbar. How are you?”

Awful. “Just fine, Mónica, thank you.”

“You’re not going to eat anything?” The woman asked her with wrinkled brows, looking at her empty plate.

Ámbar’s eyes widened slightly. “Oh, yeah, obviously,” she said and reached for a random pastry to put on her plate. She did not, in fact, plan on eating anything— Her stomach was in complete knots, the cup of tea was more to warm up her hands than anything else, but she couldn’t say that. “I just got a little distracted talking to Luna.”

Mónica smiled and looked at them with a proud gaze. “I’m very happy you two can talk nicely to each other now,” she said, “but don’t forget to eat. You two are still growing and your body needs the nutrients.”

“Yes, mom,” Luna replied automatically.

Ámbar doubted she would grow more, but it was a nice sentiment, so she didn’t contradict Mónica.

The woman left after that, and about ten minutes and a bit of conversation about the preparations for the Roller Jam later, Luna got up too.

“It really is nice of you to be making a party inspired by México,” she told Ámbar before leaving, her voice and eyes earnest. “I’m sure Simón already told you, but we’re both very happy, so thank you.”

It took all of Ámbar not to break down right there. She swallowed. “No problem.”

Luna walked away and Ámbar was once more by herself in the dining room. That exam must’ve really been worrying her, Ámbar thought, or maybe she just had Luna’s absent-minded nature to thank, because she didn’t notice how Ámbar didn’t even touch the food in front of her.

It was hard to determine how much time passed after that, but eventually, she heard footsteps nearing again, and voices too. Ámbar’s heart started racing when she recognized them. It wasn't long before Matteo, Pedro, and Simón entered the dining room together.

“Good morning, Ámbar,” Pedro and Matteo greeted her casually as they went to take a seat at the table, across from her.

“Good morning,” Ámbar said to all three, but her timid eyes stayed on Simón, had flown to him the moment he walked in, and now she watched him, gauging his reaction and just how bad things were.

Simón wore an unreadable expression, not hostile, but not open either. His gaze had also fallen upon her as he walked in, but he lowered it now, keeping it that way as he went to take a seat too.

“Morning,” he murmured.

Good, at least he’s not ignoring me, Ámbar thought with some relief, but the feeling sunk into her stomach fairly quickly because Simón didn’t sit next to her as he always did. He sat next to Matteo, as far from her as he could be without separating from his friends, and poured himself some juice without meeting anyone’s eyes.

This did not go unnoticed. Ámbar could feel the stares of Pedro and Matteo instantly on her, surely wondering what was going on, but she wasn’t about to discuss the matter with them present. Matteo opened his mouth as if to ask but Ámbar pleaded with her eyes for him not to. Thankfully, he obeyed.

Everyone started having breakfast and the tension was palpable. Pedro, bless his soul, made casual conversation, asking Matteo about his university classes, and everything flowed easier from there. Simón even participated too, acting almost normal, but his smiles were few and far between, dimmed, and never directed at her.

Ámbar cursed her bad luck of not being able to talk to him in private. She’d been hoping that, since the guys didn’t know Simón was in his guest room (because he never was), they might come down without him, but of course she should’ve known Simón would hear them and tag along.

She tried making a comment now and then in the conversation, but while Simón didn’t ignore her presence, he was visibly withdrawn and unenthused about talking to her. Ámbar started eating just to have something to do other than sit there feeling uncomfortable. The pastry she had picked up earlier might as well have been sand in her mouth. Her tea had long since gone cold, so she poured herself juice instead to pass it down. If anyone found it weird, they minded their own business, just as with the incredibly obvious elephant in the room.

At one point, Simón reached for a toast at the same time that she did, just like it had happened a month ago, but instead of the playful banter they had back then, now they had a brief and polite exchange in which both of them told the other to help themselves first, Simón insisted she took her pick, and then each of them grabbed a toast, and that was that.

Everything was too formal and tense and Ámbar hated it.

You’ve got no one to blame but yourself.

“Well, we gotta get going, right?” Pedro spoke soon after, breaking the silence as he got up from his seat. He looked at Matteo.

“Right,” Matteo said, and stood after him. “See you later, Ámbar.”

“See you,” Ámbar muttered, distracted by the realization that they were leaving, which meant—

“Wait up,” Simón called out to them, and downed the rest of his juice in one go. He got up from his chair and followed the guys.

Ámbar jumped to her feet. “Simón!”

Simón stopped, and after a moment, turned around to look at her. Ámbar’s heart sped up. She had called out on impulse— She didn’t know what to say.

“Um…” He clearly didn’t want to stay, so Ámbar couldn’t ask him that. She also couldn’t get into everything that had happened in just a few seconds, and since he wasn’t staying, that was all she had.

I love you was what she wanted to say. I love you, I’m sorry.

What she finally said was, “Have a nice day.”

She hoped he could hear the rest in that phrase.

Simón stood looking at her for a few seconds longer, and Ámbar thought he did.

He looked down briefly before replying. “Thank you.”

With that murmur, he walked away.

Ámbar deflated back into her seat with the sound of the closing front door. She leaned forward on the table and hid her face behind her hands. How was she going to be able to fix this?

“Oh, I see I just missed the guys,” a cheery voice showed up. Ámbar lowered her hands and saw Michel at the entrance of the dining room, grinning from ear to ear. “Maybe I should start getting up earlier but I always end up sleeping in,” he said with laughter. He took a seat at the table. “Good morning, Ámbar.”

Ámbar stood up. “Sorry, Michel, but I gotta get to work,” she murmured, not even looking at him as she walked away. She couldn’t stay there for a minute longer.

“Oh. Yeah, of course, have a nice day,” she heard Michel say behind her.

Ámbar went up to her room thinking that was completely impossible.

*****************

“What was that?”

Simón grimaced. He should’ve known his friends would ask questions the moment they got out of the house. He’d already been lucky enough to dodge their curiosity when they saw him walk out of the guest’s bathroom this morning, but after that display at breakfast, it was impossible to keep pretending nothing was amiss anymore.

“Matteo, don’t you have classes?” Simón asked him tiredly. They were all walking in the same direction even though he was sure Matteo wasn’t going to the Roller.

“I do, but I can go after this,” Matteo easily replied. “What happened with Ámbar?”

“Did you two have a fight?” Pedro asked, worried.

Simón sighed heavily. “I really don’t want to talk about it.”

Pedro’s voice softened with sympathy. “That bad, huh?”

“Judging by Ámbar’s face, I’d bet she was the one who screwed up,” Matteo said. “Or was it the two of you?”

“It’s… complicated,” Simón said somberly, avoiding their gazes. He spun a ring around his finger. “Not even I know what to think, to be honest.”

Did they both screw up? Could what Simón did be considered screwing up when it meant he found out the truth? Maybe. Simón wasn’t opposed to acknowledging his own faults. But he couldn’t help but think that none of this would’ve happened if Ámbar hadn’t lied in the first place.

Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Matteo and Pedro looking at each other.

“Well, if you ever want to talk, you can count on us,” Pedro told him, giving him a reassuring squeeze on his shoulder.

“Yeah, you don’t need to bottle things up, you have us,” Matteo said. “I, for one, wouldn’t have any problem listening to you complain about Ámbar for an hour if you want.” Simón huffed out a wry laugh. Of course he would enjoy that.

“Or we could help you,” Pedro suggested. “I mean, when Delfi and I had our fight, you helped us make amends. It’d be only fair for me to do the same for you. I wouldn’t mind at all.”

Simón turned to them with a small smile— a sad looking one, surely, but it was what he could muster at the moment. “Thank you. Both of you. Right now I just want to get to the Roller and distract myself a little. I feel like I haven’t stopped thinking about this since yesterday.”

“Yeah, of course,” Pedro said, his voice understanding.

After a bit more hesitance, Matteo acquiesced too. “Okay, I’ll leave you then.” He stopped walking. “I gotta catch the bus to get to my uni. See you guys later,” he said, waving to them as he left in the opposite direction.

“See you,” Pedro and Simón said back, and then they carried on their way to the Roller.

Simón tucked his hands inside the pockets of his jacket as he walked. They were cold, and they felt kind of awkward knowing that even if Ámbar were here with him, they would not hold hands.

“You sure you don’t want to talk?” Pedro offered gently. Simón could feel his gaze on him while he stared at the pavement. He had never been good at hiding his emotions. He didn’t really try to, to be honest—one thing he and Ámbar were complete opposites at— so he probably looked as depressed to Pedro as he felt.

Just as he usually didn’t hide his feelings, Simón didn’t usually have qualms about talking about them, but in this case, he felt some reluctance for some reason.

“Yeah,” he answered Pedro. And even though his friend didn’t ask for an explanation, he still searched for one. “Yeah, it’s just…”

I wouldn’t know how to say it without it sounding bad.

Simón’s chest tightened.

Ah. So that was why.

He shook his head a little and turned to look at Pedro. “Nothing. We’ll figure it out.”Or so I hope.

Pedro showed him a smile. “I’m sure you will.”

They walked the rest of the way talking about something else. It felt almost normal for a moment— To arrive at the cafeteria, get to work, focus on nothing but preparing food, drinks, and waiting tables. It was exactly what Simón wanted, the distraction of the routine, until he remembered that yesterday had seemed normal too, just a day like any other, right until he talked to Emilia and found out Ámbar lied to him.

Normal could be deceiving. Normal could not be normal at all. How could Simón know?

The thought came with a wave of sadness, and of resignation. It appeared he couldn’t not think about what happened because even peace and quiet seemed suspicious to him now. His only option was to talk to Ámbar and try to fix things. But could they even be fixed?

Simón wasn’t even sure yet about his own feelings on the matter enough to talk to Ámbar about it. A part of him was rightfully angry. Another was sad about the whole situation and from the hurtful words Ámbar shot at him. Another felt guilty for making her mad, and another was worried, very much scared actually, because— What if this was it? What if Ámbar couldn’t stand him anymore? Or what if what she was hiding was something truly awful and he couldn’t—

“Simón!”

Simón startled, looking up with a jump, and then he relaxed when he saw it was just his friend. “Luna, you scared me.”

“Sorry,” Luna said, not looking sorry at all—She was laughing, actually. “Seems like your head was up in the clouds, since you didn’t see me.”

“Yeah, a little.” Simón focused back on the table he was currently scrubbing clean with a rag. That was what he’d been doing for the past half-hour: cleaning tables. Which, honestly, he could’ve asked either of the part-timers to do— it was the type of menial tasks employees in training usually got assigned to— but he felt like scrubbing something, so he let the girls handle the food instead. “How are you? Everything alright at the Blake?”

“Yup,” Luna replied, but immediately turned doubtful. “Well, I think so. I had an exam today and I don’t know how well I did—But never mind that,” she stopped herself. “I was actually here to ask you how you’re feeling. Has your headache gone away yet?”

Simón stopped his mindless scrubbing (really, the table couldn’t be any cleaner than it already was) and looked up with a frown.

“Headache?”

“Yeah, Ámbar told us last night that you weren’t coming to dinner because you felt a little under the weather. Are you feeling better now?” She said with eyes drowned in caring worry. “Because if you don’t, maybe you should ask the guys to cover for you. There’s also Cata and Rae now, so I think you could relax for a bit. Lower your stress levels. Maybe your headache was due to stress.”

Simón bowed his head and a tiny wistful smile turned up the corner of his lips. “Right.”

That explained why Pedro’s first words upon seeing him that morning had been ‘Simón, what a surprise to see you here! Did you sleep in your room cause you felt unwell?’ Simón thought it had just been an assumption (and he ran with it saying, ‘Something like that’ ), but as it turned out, it was something Ámbar had explicitly told them.

Another lie, Simón couldn’t help but think. But at least this one he understood, and it didn’t bother him much, to be honest. It kept him from being sought out by people last night when he definitely didn’t want to talk to anyone, so he couldn’t say convincingly that it was a bad thing to do.

Simón looked at Luna again. “My head doesn’t hurt. And it didn’t hurt yesterday either, that was just an excuse,” he disclosed to her. The lie had already done its job; he wasn’t going to maintain it now.

Luna frowned. “Excuse?” She grabbed a chair to take a seat at the high table. “Excuse for what? You didn’t want to eat or…?”

“It’s not that I didn’t want to eat, I just…”

Simón sighed and dropped the rag on the table, leaning his hands on it afterwards. So much for scrubbing. He couldn’t clean the messes of his life like that table anyway.

“I had a fight with Ámbar last night,” he admitted, not meeting Luna’s gaze. “That’s why I didn’t want to leave my room. I wanted to be alone for a little while.”

“With Ámbar?” Luna sounded even more confused now. “But— Wait, I don’t get it. I saw her just this morning, she looked normal. When I asked her about you, she just told me that you—” Simón met her eyes. “Oh…” It clicked then. She lowered her gaze. “She was lying.”

Simón showed a sad smile as confirmation.

“When you say you two fought…” Luna started gently. “Was it, like, a difference of opinion…?” She ventured. “You had a disagreement or… more of an ugly fight?”

It was clear from her face that she was hoping it wasn’t the latter. Simón hesitated with his answer. What was the answer to that? He guessed, technically, it all boiled up to a difference of opinion: Simón thought Ámbar should be more honest, Ámbar disagreed; Simón thought he was doing a good thing by trying to help her, Ámbar thought he was meddlesome and should mind his own business. But it also wasn’t as simple as that.

Luna started talking again before he could formulate anything, stumbling in her apparent need to both not pressure him and also comfort him.

“I mean, I can imagine it wasn’t pleasant, what with you wanting to skip dinner and all that, but it wasn’t, like, serious, was it? I mean, you two looked very happy. Ámbar is more changed than ever. And— Look, not because I said she looked normal it means she wasn’t affected by this, alright?” She corrected. “I mean, I don’t know her like I know you, maybe she did look awful and I just didn’t notice. I mean, there’s no way that she wouldn’t care if you two fought, I’m sure of it. Ámbar cares about you a lot, and you care about her too, so there’s no way that you two would break up just because you had one fight… Right?” She finished with trepidation.

Simón stared at his friend’s worried face with a bit of surprise. Of all things, he wasn’t expecting Luna to reassure him about their feelings for each other.

And it was… nice to hear. That an outsider looked at them and thought that. That someone other than himself was so convinced that Ámbar changed and she cared about him.

It made Simón think too. Remember that morning. How Ámbar had waited for him (because it was obvious that she had) and how she had stopped him from leaving without wishing him a nice day first, as they always did. How her eyes screamed she wanted to say more.

She hadn’t said the actual words but they were there.

‘There’s no way that you two would break up just because you had one fight, right?’

Simón’s mouth curled into a sad smile and his eyes fell to the table.

“She is affected and we haven’t broken up,” Simón confirmed to Luna. “But it was rather an ugly fight.”

Luna looked him up with a guileless expression. “Do you want to tell me what happened?” She offered. “I mean, I’m not sure I could give you any good advice, considering my own romantic history, but I could listen. Maybe it could help to get it off your chest.”

Simón looked at his best friend. He had told the guys previously that he didn’t want to talk about it and he meant it. But maybe… maybe he could talk to Luna. Luna always saw the best in people. Matteo would’ve jumped to worse conclusions than him automatically. Pedro would’ve tried to be more optimistic but Simón doubted he would’ve succeeded much. Maybe with Luna it would be okay. Maybe with her he’d be able to find some explanation that wasn’t as fatalistic as the ones his mind kept conjuring.

(He really needed someone to tell him it would be alright.)

Simón took a big breath and grabbed a chair to sit in front of Luna. “Okay,” he let the air go. “Here’s the thing: Ámbar has some things that she’s not telling me. But she told me. I mean, she said she can’t tell me now because it’s hard for her, but she’ll tell me when she can. And I want to be understanding, but I don’t get why she won’t just talk to me, and every time I try to get her to confide in me, it has the complete opposite effect— She closes up and gets defensive. Last night, she told me I’m meddling too much in her private affairs, and it is a little true, I should just trust her, but it’s not easy, and especially now, because yesterday I found out she lied to me. That’s what triggered this whole thing, that she lied to me. She told me Emilia had called her on the phone, but Emilia didn’t call her, and she didn’t want to tell me who she was really talking to. And I know that sounds controlling, like ‘Who were you talking to on the phone’, but it’s not like that, it’s not that I don’t I want her to have privacy, but why lie to me about it? I thought there weren’t lies in our relationship anymore. I just… It’s just…” Simón slumped on the table. “It sucks.”

When he brought himself to look back at Luna, her eyes were very wide.

“…Wow,” she let out. Clearly, that had been a lot of information to drop on her in such little time.

Simón would’ve felt bad if he weren’t desperate for consolation. “What do you think? Do you think I blew it out of proportion?” He asked with a tiny bit of hope. “I mean, it was just a phone call, right? This isn’t like last year…”

“Well…” Luna started cautiously once she processed everything. “The way you picture it… it does sound very strange, Simón,” she admitted with ruefully. His little hope died. “I mean, a lie is always a lie, and that’s coming from anyone but- from Ámbar specifically…? You have to admit, she doesn’t exactly have the best track record with these things.”

Simón looked down, his shoulders sagging. “I know.” His voice came out as defeated as he felt. “I know and I swear I don’t want to think anything bad because I know she’s changed, I know it, but what am I supposed to think if she acts like this?” He said, distraught. “If she lies and hides things from me?”

Luna’s eyes glistened with apprehension. “You don’t think she’s… plotting something again, do you?”

“No,” Simón denied automatically. “No, I don’t think so, I…” He sat up straight again. “I mean, she’s come too far for that,” he reasoned. “It wouldn’t make sense. Plus, why? Why now? And how? She barely has any free time left with everything that means being the manager of the Roller.” He shook his head. “No, this… this has to be something else. Like, something she’s struggling to talk about but because it’s very private, you know? Something she doesn’t feel comfortable sharing yet.”

“But if she was talking to someone on the phone, it means that, whatever it is, she is talking to someone about it,” Luna pointed out. Then she asked carefully. “Do you have any idea who it might be?”

Oh, Simón had many ideas.

It was basically the one thing he’d been able to think about ever since his talk with Emilia. He’d been kind of able to keep the theories at bay before talking to Ámbar because he’d been hoping that she’d just answer that question for him and then everything would be alright, but after their fight, he had hardly managed to sleep, thinking over and over about who it could’ve been on the other side of the phone.

A ton of possibilities had crossed his mind, but after musing it over, he had mainly three that he considered most likely: Sharon, that accountant that Ámbar kicked out of the Roller, or some random guy Ámbar was cheating on him with.

(It had even crossed his mind that it might be a girl and that dating him made Ámbar realize that she actually wasn’t into guys at all, and wouldn’t that be the icing on the cake of his life?)

The problem with either of those options was that neither completely convinced him, for different reasons. In the first place, if it was Sharon, why wouldn’t Ámbar just tell him that? If Sharon had decided to call her now after all these months, that was on Sharon, not on Ámbar, she had no reason to hide it. After all, with all the pain that woman had caused her, Simón would never think Ámbar was helping her. She shouldn’t be worried that he would suspect her like that.

(Maybe she was. Maybe that was the image she had of him: Nosy, judgy, and insufferable.)

The accountant raised similar questions in his mind, mainly because she was linked to Sharon— at least, as far as Ámbar told him. If there was more to it, well, Simón had no way to know, and he also couldn’t think of why Ámbar would be keeping it a secret.

Then there was the third option, which Simón refused to even contemplate. Ámbar was not cheating on him. She just wasn’t. She wouldn’t do that.

Like you thought she wouldn’t lie to you again?

“I have some suspicions but none of them convince me,” he finally replied to Luna, cutting off the venomous voices in his head or he would keep falling into a rabbit hole of questions he had no answers to. “I mean, this just—” He ran a hand through his hair furiously. “This can’t be anything bad, Luna, it just can’t, there has to be some other explanation.”

Some seconds ticked by. “Well, I’m sorry, Simón, but I have no idea what it could be,” Luna said with sadness. “But that doesn’t mean it’s anything bad,” she tried to argue.

Simón huffed sarcastically. “Right, and what else could it be? A surprise party for me?”

“Yeah, why not?”

“Luna.” Simón gave him a look. He had to admit that, in his lowest moment, even that crossed his mind, but it didn’t make sense and she knew it. “She’s already organizing the Roller Jam inspired by México. And I really much doubt she would’ve yelled at me the way she did if that were the case.”

Luna grimaced but didn’t back down. She leaned forward on the table and tried again. “Look, all I’m saying is, at the end of the day, neither of us know anything, so we can’t take anything for certain,” she defended. “Ámbar could be going through a hard time and that’s why she’s acting like this— It wouldn’t be the first time she lashes out at the world instead of asking for help. Besides, this isn’t like last year, you said it yourself. Back then there were suspicious signs, things that didn’t quite add up, people accusing Ámbar of stuff she kept denying she did— Like that thing with the dislikes in Jazmín’s video,” she gave as an example. “But now there’s nothing like that. Things are incredibly peaceful here at the Roller. Ámbar’s no longer with the Red Sharks, and she let us use the rink again to train with Juliana, and she’s organizing this amazing Day of the Dead party, which I know will be awesome.” She looked at him with radiant optimism, urging him to feel the same. “If she had done anything bad, I think someone would’ve seen or heard anything by now, and no one has told me anything of the sort. Actually, everyone has noticed how much Ámbar has changed lately. In fact—”

Luna paused in her speech, like realizing she was about to say something she hadn’t planned to.

“What?” Simón asked her.

“Well,” she said after a moment, “since Ámbar was acting so different and everything seemed to be going well, I was thinking about maybe asking her to join the Roller Team again.”

Simón’s heart fluttered a little at the idea. “Really?”

“Yeah. I mean, we would’ve had to talk to the rest of the guys first, obviously, and Ámbar too, but…” Luna averted her gaze. “Well, with everything you’re telling me now…”

Simón’s excitement flickered out and he looked down dejectedly. “It doesn’t sound like a good idea anymore,” he finished for her.

It hurt to know he almost had everything he ever wanted.

“Hey.” Luna’s soft voice broke through the gloom of his thoughts. She reached out to hold his hands and Simón looked up to meet her eyes, earnest and caring. “You and Ámbar haven’t talked since you had your fight, right?” She read the answer on his face. “Then don’t be discouraged.” She squeezed his hands in her own. “Who knows? Maybe next time you see each other, she’ll apologize for everything and explain about the phone call and everything will be alright. Don’t lose hope, okay?”

There it was, the optimism that was so inherent in Luna. Simón wanted to cling to it like a lifeboat, even if the demons in his head whispered that she was just saying what he wanted to hear.

If he started thinking everyone was lying to him, he would lose himself. Luna was honest. And she was right— Nothing was said and done yet. If anything, he could cling to that.

He drew a small smile on his face. “Okay. Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it,” Luna said with her own little smile, hers much brighter than his own.

She pulled away and stood up from her seat. “Now, if you need me, I’ll be at the mansion. And don’t skip dinner again, you hear me?” She pointed her finger at him. “I’m going to tell my mom to cook your favorite meal, so you better show up or we’re not leaving you any leftovers.”

The smile on Simón’s lips turned a little more genuine. “Okay. I’ll see you there.”

“See you,” Luna returned, and then she walked to the exit.

Simón let out a heavy sigh, alone once more. Did he feel better now that he’d talked it over with someone? Maybe a little, but it hadn’t been the magical solution he was hoping for.

He should’ve known there were no magical solutions.

He remained thinking back on everything Luna had said. All her arguments had been reasonable— Up until a day ago, everything seemed to be fine. Everything was fine at the Roller, not like last year.

But if everything at the Roller was fine and none of his friends suspected Ámbar of anything, then…

Whatever she’s hiding only has to do with me.

It should be a good thing. Technically, it was. It was better if this whole thing only affected him instead of all of his friends.

But what was he supposed to do with the ache inside his chest?

He tried repeating Luna’s assurances in his mind— Maybe the next time he talked to Ámbar everything would be fixed, maybe there wasn’t anything bad going on and Ámbar only lashed out because she had a tendency to do that when she felt vulnerable, he shouldn’t assume anything until proven otherwise. They were all good points. All of it had logic. Then why couldn’t he calm down?

‘Back then there were suspicious signs, things that didn’t quite add up’

There was nothing of the sort now, wasn’t there? So it was fine. Everything was going to be fine.

Except…

Unbidden, a memory came to mind. That moment, days ago, when Ámbar had snatched her phone out of hand, claiming she was waiting for a call from Vidia. Simón remembered feeling like she wasn’t being sincere then.

...Had that… been a lie too?

Again with her phone, it’s someone on that phone, who is she talking to?

The whole deal with that accountant had been suspicious— There was no better word to describe it. But Ámbar had kicked her out of the Roller, refusing to take her contact information when the woman offered it, so it couldn’t be her.

Who else?

Flashes of Benicio on the phone ran through Simón’s mind, of him talking and hanging up at the same time Ámbar did. He recalled that one time he saw them walking out of the dressing room together, Benicio’s smug smirk, how Ámbar told him later that it was nothing, that Benicio had only followed her there to annoy her.

The same thing she said about Emilia’s supposed phone call.

No, no— Stop it. Now he was making stupid connections. Yes, Ámbar lied to him, but she didn’t lie to him every day, it had been just once. She didn’t lie about Vidia and she didn’t lie about Benicio.

How do you know?

If she lied to you once, she could’ve lied a thousand times, how do you know? How do you know if everything is a lie?

Cold dread tensed Simón’s limbs and he knew. That was the reason why he couldn’t calm down. It wasn’t because he was convinced there was something bad going on, it wasn’t because he believed everything was a lie, it was because before that never would’ve crossed his mind and now it was a possibility. He’d gone from solid ground and sure steps to walking on a frozen lake, without the slightest clue of how thick the ice was under his feet.

How many more steps could he take before it broke? In which direction? Maybe it wouldn’t break. But maybe it would.

Scared. That was what Simón was, scared, more than all the rest— More than angry, more than guilty, more than hurt.

And his only hope was that Ámbar could somehow make everything be okay again.

(Maybe the ice had broken already.)

*******************

Unbeknownst to the lonely figure, two sets of eyes stood watching him from some meters away, blended into a dark corner of the bar.

“You were absolutely right, he looks miserable.”

Benicio was smirking with all the self-satisfaction a person could possibly exude. It was evident that seeing Simón alone brought him a lot of joy. Emilia, on her part, watched him with little more than indifference.

Benicio threw her a glance. “See? I told you Ámbar would do it all by herself,” he gloated, sounding proud. Of himself or Ámbar? Both, probably. “No matter how much she tries to act as the good girl, that’s not who she really is— She’s just like us. It’s only a matter of time before they break up,” he said savoring it.

“Okay so, mission accomplished, right?” Emilia pressed. She wasn’t nearly as happy about this as he was. She didn’t think she was even happy. Maybe a little satisfied— after all, this meant their revenge had borne fruit, which was exactly why she had told Benicio about her conversation with Simón the previous day— but it paled in comparison to how tired she was of this topic and her consequential annoyance at Benicio. “Ámbar got her due for betraying us. Now we can focus on our rollerskating.”

“Not yet,” Benicio replied, watching Simón with a calculating glint in his eyes. “I still have one final move in my plan.”

Emilia’s annoyance snapped into exasperation. “Benicio, all of the couple competitions I’ve found have their sign-ups next month and we haven’t even started coming up with a choreography— Can you stop thinking about Ámbar for one second?”

Benicio finally turned to look at her and he had the gall to smirk. With one hand, he brushed some of her hair behind her shoulder. “I like it when you get jealous.”

Emilia tried not to let his flirting affect her. It wasn’t that easy, especially because they’d been kissing lately, turning their closeness into something more. It wasn’t anything serious, but Emilia liked it. Liked him. That was the only reason why she put up with him so much.

But this was important. This was her career. Or what she wanted her career to be and she wasn’t going to achieve that if they kept going like this.

“I want to compete,” she told him. “I want to win something. I thought that was what you wanted too; to be the best.”

“And we will be.” He took her hand. “Together.”

Emilia’s heart fluttered against her will, the pathetic, girly part of her brain latching onto his words and turning them over, wondering if it meant ‘nothing serious’ could turn into something real. A relationship.

“Just be patient, okay?” Benicio told her, confident and laid-back. “The world will know our names, that I can assure you.”

Emilia stared into his eyes, trying to share his confidence, trying to believe him, wanting to know what thoughts ran through his mind.

Do you like me? Do you see me? Do you really care?

She couldn’t voice any of these things or she’d look weak. She’d look like an insecure little girl, weeping for his attention.

But she wanted his attention. She wanted to be the best in his eyes. She wanted him to choose her over everyone else. Because if a guy like Benicio, who accepted only the best, chose her, then that would mean she was the best, right?

And then she’d feel better.

Then, maybe it would all have been worth it.

*******************

The warmth of the mansion came as a relief after being exposed to the biting cold outside during the walk back from the Roller. Simón could practically feel his body sucking up the heat as he and Pedro crossed the front door, making him almost want to shudder with contentment. The three years he’d been living in Buenos Aires might have gotten him more used to the cold, but he was still a tropical guy at heart, and maybe he always would be. Bless all the ACs and heaters in the world.

The relief was short-lived as only a couple of footsteps brought him right into the field of vision of Ámbar, who was sitting on a couch next to the lobby, working on what appeared to be decorations for the Roller Jam.

Some good five meters separated them, so it shouldn’t have been an issue. Simón should’ve been able to walk straight to the stairs, but of course his eyes found Ámbar immediately— they always did— and Ámbar looked back too, maybe had been looking since the moment she heard the front door open, and his feet slowed to a stop.

He knew he would see her eventually. Had prepared for it even, at least a little. But he didn’t think it would be so soon.

(And that gaze— this one look they were sharing across the room right now. It was charged with a million things, playing a staccato on his pulse.)

(No, Simón hadn’t prepared enough for this.)

Pedro stopped as well, probably because he noticed Simón did. Feeling his presence next to him made Simón look away, as if he’d been caught doing something wrong. Well, not wrong, just incredibly awkward.

Pedro seemed to know this too, so he spoke, trying to alleviate the scene with a touch of normalcy.

“Hey, Ámbar. Still working?”

Simón didn’t look up to see her, but he could imagine her trying to seem composed as she replied. “Yeah, um, I wanted to get these done today.”

“Ah. I see.” Clearly, Pedro’s attempt at small talk had hit a dead-end. “Well, I’ll see you at dinner.”

Pedro looked at Simón as he turned toward the stairs, silently questioning if he was going to come with him or not. Simón didn’t have an answer. Pedro kept walking away, eventually disappearing from view altogether, and Simón’s feet stayed rooted to the spot. Maybe that was his answer.

He took a deep breath and turned to face the living room again. A pair of blue eyes darted quickly away from his, pretending they hadn’t been watching. Simón felt a weird flicker of something in his chest. Maybe it would’ve been a surge of affection in another life, endearment or amusement, but it didn’t manage to fully form before getting flattened by the weight of his nerves and anxiety, so it only left him feeling a little lost, a little unmoored.

Come on, you know what needs to happen, just do it.

Simón hid his hands inside the pockets of his jacket and approached Ámbar at a measured pace. He stood next to the couch and looked at the decorations laying on the coffee table— An assortment of what seemed like paper garlands in different shapes and colors covered the surface almost completely, the one in Ámbar’s hands made of pink flowers that looked like Cempasúchil, linked together by a string.

(It looked like the string he once used to make the blanket fort. He pushed that thought aside.)

“You’re doing a great job, they look very pretty,” he offered as compliment. It was true, and also easier to talk about than everything else.

It took Ámbar a second to reply.

“Thank you.” Her voice came out subdued, as if her shifting eyes and fidgety hands weren’t enough signs she was nervous as well. “I had never done stuff like this before, but it’s surprisingly nice.”

Another flicker. For me, she’s doing this for me.

But that didn’t eliminate other things she had done.

“Well, lucky for you, I have a lot of experience,” Simón said, taking off his jacket and draping it on the back of the couch as he moved to sit down next to her. He extended his hand. “Here, hand me one, I’ll help you.”

Ámbar’s eyes widened slightly. “Oh, you don’t have to. You must be tired from work.”

“I told you I’d help you, so I’m going to.”

He didn’t mean it as a jab, necessarily, but he could see from the quick way Ámbar averted her gaze that she took it as one. ‘I keep my word.’

Well. It wasn’t untrue.

“It’s no problem, really,” Simón reassured her. He wasn’t particularly tired from his job, and sitting down making crafts wasn’t nearly an exhausting activity.

Ámbar nodded and reached for the cardboard box at her feet to hand him another half-made garland, much like the one she was working on.

The two got to work in silence. A bit of conversation sparked here and there throughout the first few minutes, mostly indications of how to do this, how to do that, or asking the other to pass them something.

It was hard to reconcile this stiffness with the comforting ease Simón was used to having between them. It was hard to reconcile this Ámbar, quiet and cowered as if afraid to say or do the wrong thing, with the one that had yelled at him the previous night, letting him know unabashedly what she thought of him. He still couldn’t believe any of that had happened. It all felt so strange. One second, they were happy and she was organizing an entire party for him, and then… this.

One event shouldn’t be able to eclipse everything else. It should be easy to go back to what they had. Except this wasn’t just a fight, and a little lie wasn’t just a lie, not between them, not with their history.

And Ámbar knew that and she still did it anyway.

And she told me not to meddle and I did it anyway.

Eventually, neither of them needed more instructions, and they were both focused on what they were doing, so they didn’t talk anymore. Simón doubted they were actually focused, but that was their excuse. He didn’t know how long they spent like that. At some point, two of the garlands in Ámbar’s pile became tangled and Simón offered to help her untangle them. Ámbar handed them to him, and their hands touched.

Both of them froze at the same time. Simón went to move his hands away, but Ámbar grabbed them and held them tight before they could retreat.

“I’m sorry.” Her anguish-ridden voice broke the silence, the looming feeling of uncertainty and apprehension hanging above their heads. She looked at him, seeking his eyes until Simón met her own. “I’m so sorry, about everything. I was horrible to you, I said nothing but bullshit, you didn’t deserve any of that.”

Simón looked down at their hands.

“I’m sorry if…” He swallowed. “If sometimes I come out as a busybody, I don’t mean to.”

Maybe he didn’t deserve everything, but maybe he did a little; he had to admit that.

Ámbar shook her head emphatically. “No, no, you are not a busybody.” She brought a hand to his cheek, making Simón look up to meet her gaze. “You reach out to people because you care. And I know everything you do is because you care about me. I never should’ve called you that; you’re the sweetest.”

Her thumb caressed his cheek but Simón wanted to jerk and move his head away.

‘Sweet.’ That word didn’t make him feel better.

I’m so sweet that I’m easy to lie to? So sweet that you think I’m stupid and don’t notice something’s going on? So sweet you think I don’t care?

Or maybe I’m so sweet that you feel bad admitting I annoy you, so you’re lying to me even now, saying you didn’t mean it.

Poison. There was poison filling up Simón’s mind and heart, a black substance running through his very veins, and Simón didn’t know where it came from. He had never thought this way. At least, not since last year, but things were so different then.

Are they? How are they different?

Because he knew Ámbar now. Last year he didn’t, not really, not with all her facets, so it was easy to think the worst of her. But now? Simón understood her much more, and trusted her much more, and there was no way she was up to something bad, there just wasn’t.

“My love?”

Simón returned his gaze, and focus, back to Ámbar, finding her eyes staring at him with equal hope and trepidation, searching his face for something.

She lowered her hand from his cheek and took both his hands in her own again, squeezing them intently.

“I love you,” she said, and it sounded like a plea. “Please forgive me. I didn’t mean anything I said, I swear. I really shouldn’t have snapped at you like that. I shouldn’t have lied to you. You have every right to be upset— if it were me in your shoes, I don’t even know if I’d forgive myself, but I… I’m so sorry. I just hope you can find it in you to forgive me.”

Simón waited. He waited for her to tell him who she had been talking to on the phone. He waited for her to promise she wasn’t going to lie again. He waited.

“Can you forgive me?”

Simón’s heart dropped.

Why?

Why won’t she promise? I would believe her. I’d believe her a thousand times.

Did she intend to do it again? Was that it? She couldn’t promise she wouldn’t lie because she would do it if he asked about it?

She did say she would tell him eventually. If this was what she meant with the things she was hiding, she asked him not to ask, he was going to be patient.

What if he didn’t want to be patient anymore?

I don’t have that choice.

Really, what was the alternative? What could he say? He could demand she told him but that would just lead to them fighting again. He could give an ultimatum, open his mouth right now and say something like, ‘Ámbar, you either tell me everything or I’m breaking up with you.’

But—

He—

That—

Simón’s insides twisted just from thinking about it. That wasn’t what he wanted— It was the last thing he wanted. And it would be very insensitive towards Ámbar, truly horrible to force her to talk in such a way, without her wanting to or being ready.

(The asphyxiating terror crept in, that given the choice, she could not choose him at all.)

Last year had been much different. Simón had walked away even if it hurt him because he thought Ámbar wasn’t who he thought she was. One couldn’t fall in love with the idea of someone, especially if that idea was wrong. But eventually, he got to confirm that he was right about her, that she had a good heart, had it all along, and Simón had gotten theprivilege of getting to know it first-hand all this time, and God if he loved her, flaws and all.

He couldn’t just walk away now. And he didn’t have to. Things would be fine. Because he knew Ámbar, and she knew him, and somehow, they would be alright.

(Now who’s saying what you want to hear?)

Simón looked at her and made his lips form some resemblance of a smile. “Yeah. I forgive you.”

Ámbar sagged with relief and threw her arms around him, holding him tight. “Thank you.” She turned her face to kiss the side of his head.

Simón wrapped his arms around her and buried his face in her neck.

Maybe he just had to wait some more.

…

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

Shout-out to Cat, my friend from Argentina (who I added into the story as a thank you for letting me crash on her couch), for pointing out that Simón was, indeed, a little annoying back in season 2 when he was constantly asking Ámbar if she was okay over and over. That little detail served as a good callback to really draw the knife home in Simón’s chest <3

Also, shout-out to Rae, who I’ll be visiting very soon in Canada!! <3 Love you, girl. Thank you for loving my story from day one, and especially at times when I didn’t love it myself. I just had to immortalize you by making you part of the story. But I didn’t want it to be cringe either, so I just made you the sidest side character to ever live on the sidelines 😂 Hope you’re pleased.

(Chiara, don’t worry, your moment will come, you just have to wait until the last chapters<3)

That’s what happens when you’re a friend of mine: My mind turns your life into folklore.

To all of my readers: you guys are like friends to me as well <3 Thank you so much for your continuing support— I love all your messages with questions, prompts, and encouragements to keep writing— and I hope you liked this chapter. See you next time! - C

#simbar #soy luna #simbar fanfic #simbar fic #soy luna fanfiction #My Writing #roads that cross

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deadmanscity-writing · 2 months

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Robin Buckley x Fem!Reader

Request: N/A (Wasn’t requested)

Scenario/Background: Reader accidentally timetravels/replaces her doppelganger (Because I’m in love with that trope). Also, this is placed in Episode one of the third season: when Robin first appears.

Reader can be anywhere from 16-18 years old.

I’m also going to try to write /most/ of the episode this time, and not die from pausing, unpausing.. “Wait.. what did they say?”

In this fanfic, Stranger Things is still a show.

Doesn’t follow the exact story, since it is in Reader’s point of view, so it may throw you off just a little bit.

H/T(C) = Home Town(or city)

!!WARNING!!

Actions of assault in the beginning, and mentions of it later on…

11:54.34pm:

H/T(C), [state/province], [country].

June 28, 2024 (1/6/2024):

Walking outside, with a silent hum, from a celebration of my friend’s seventeenth birthday. As I pick at the long sleeve I decided to wear on this warm night, I hear scuffing of shoes against the pavement behind me not even a minute after leaving the building.

Feeling oversuspicious at the probability of being followed, I hasten my steps.

Why’d the parking garage have to be so damn far away..!

Turning the nearby corner, I feel the person grab my hair from behind me. They swiftly throw my head against the bricked wall I stood next to. Nothing turning from it, minus a likely concussion and a future headache, I turn around to face the person, almost as instinct. Before I even get a glimpse of anything above the belt- “such a pretty thing…”- He smashes my stomach with their boot, and my face with his knee.

With a grunt, all that I can sense is ringing in my ear. I slip into the abyss as my body turns limp.

—Timeskip: eleven hours, thirty-six minutes, five seconds: 11:30.39am—

June [2?], [!??4]

Location [UNKNOWN]

Shit… I squint open my eyes. Where am I..? I sit up, looking around. I’m behind what is likely… a mall. Did he just dump me? Damn. Standing up, I run the back of my hand and arm under my nose. Dried blood either falling off, or attaching itself to my sleeve. Fuck… “This is honest bull.”

Remembering my bag, I turn my head, rapidly looking for it. I spot it in the general area I once laid.

I drop to a kneel. Opening it, I try to look for the small amount of aid supplies I usually carry inside. “How I hate the extra luggage, but I’m so glad I brought you.” I whisper to the inanimate object.

Finding the alcohol wipes, I bring out my phone, turning on the camera to aid me in cleaning myself.

“You!-” I groan, spotting the bruising on my right eye, “motherfucker…” At least it’s not swollen.. I end up roughly cleaning the bloch of dried blood under my nose, and the rest of my face. And throwing my phone into my bag.

Honestly.. These aren’t as bad of injuries for getting beaten. Well. More so, nothing is broken…

Remembering the sunglasses in my bag that I keep forgetting to take out, I rummage for them, eagerly I put them on to hide the blackeye.

Huffing, I get back up, swinging my bag over my shoulder. Walking to the front of the building, I instantly decide it best to go inside.

Not knowing where to go, I head down the escalators, spotting… a certain ice cream parlor. Looks like I gotta keep a little secret.

June 28, 1984

StarCourt Mall. Hawkins, Indiana

I wandered to other stores, buying new clothes, accessories and stopping to eat a couple times. I will tell ya’, inflation is a bitch. So glad I took cash with me. These damn prices are heaven!

Already with changed clothes, putting my old, teared, and bloodied clothes in a completely separate bag from the already few I hold. I decide it best to either wander or sit, waiting.

All until it reached 21:27pm (9:27pm). That’s when I saw the party. The main five. All of them walking inside. When they reach the bottom of the escalator, Lucas gives Erica a short lecture when he spots her with friends. Of course, I can’t hear them with the current distance. But I know what they’re saying.

Soon, I detach myself from the wall I was leaning on, following them to the ice-cream parlor.

Instead of following all the way to the counter where Mike, may I add, obnoxiously rings the bell, I stop and go to a table. Setting all my bags down, soon setting myself down too.

“Hey, dingus! Your children are here!”

“Again?” Steve slides open a window connecting to the back room. “Seriously?”

Mike just looks at him before ringing the counter bell one more time.

Steve leads them to the hallways connecting all the departments shortly after.

I set my head on the back of the seating close to the wall.

After just sitting for a couple more minutes, I decide that I want to talk to at least one of them: Robin, or Steve? I ponder. I don’t feel like thinking about the interference with the plot right now. I just want to talk.

I get up, but as soon as I do, the power goes out. I forgot that this happens.

“That’s weird…” I hear Steve. I then hear him flickering the light switch behind him. Over, and over again.

“That isn’t going to work, dingus.” I then hear Robin’s voice.

“Oh, really?” He says in response, flickering the switch faster, while looking up, facing the lights to see any reaction from them.

“It really isn’t.” I speak up.

The power then came back on, almost as soon as it went out.

“Let there be light.” Steve says smugly to Robin, who silently mocks him. He then turns to me, keeping the same smug look.

I look at him with a straight face, in return, before a wave of paranoia hits me. All I do is shiver, and he raises an eyebrow at me.

I raise an eyebrow back, “What?”

“Nothing.” He says nothing more for a few seconds, “So-”

I check the time on my watch. “Shit..” I mumble to myself. It’s nine fifty-eight.

I turn around. I was wanting to try and figure out a place to stay before ten, but it’s almost that time… damn it all. I guess… I can risk it. I don’t want to stay with Steve, but he’s also my best bet right now. I just… need to make it.. extremely clear. Or, I can ask for a ride to a Hotel. Just- something!

I turn back around to face him. “Hey! Um,” I quiet myself immediately after realizing my raised volume. “I’m, like, extremely new here, in town. I got dropped off here from the bus, and this is also my first day here, so… I was wondering if, um, you could drive me to a nearby hotel..? If you have a car. You don’t have to though!” There are… SO MANY HOLES IN THAT! What the fuck! Now I’m praying he’s stupid as some of the show betrays him to be!

“Oh, yeah, sure. I don’t mind!” Not even a second later. No hesitation. He is… that stupid. Okay.

“Thank you! You’re a lifesaver!”

He grins. Wow… maybe, don’t inflate his ego too much next time…

—Timeskip: Twelve hours, fifteen minutes, zero seconds: 11:14am—

The next morning at the mall

I figured it best to not wear my sunglasses today.

“Alrighty. One scoop of chocolate. That’s a buck twenty five. Here ya’ go.” I see Steve smile at the girl from where I sit. He looks at her shirt, “Purdue. Fancy,” I cringe.

“Yeah. I’m excited!” She response, giggling.

Steve types something in the register, “Yeah, you know I considered it. Purdue. But then I was like, “You know what? I- I really think I need some real life experience.” You know, before I hit college. See what it feels like. I don’t know.” He grabs her change from the register, “See what it’s like to earn a working man's wage. You know wh- uh.” The register rings. It’s broken. And… He’s freaking out. “Hold on. Sorry.” He then continues his story. “I think that’s, like, really important.” The two girls just look at him. Smiling at his failed attempt at flirting with the one in front.

“Yeah. Totally.” Gotta love sarcasm, but damn.

“Yeah! Anyways, this is like, so fun.” He forces a short laugh with her. “We should, kinda like, you know, I don’t know, hang out?” He hands her her change. Either her failing to catch it, or him having poor hand to eye coordination; it wounds up falling. “Oh- sorry about that. Uh- I don’t know.” He puts his hand on the counter, trying to appear more confident, hoping for the outcome he obviously wishes for. “Maybe next weekend, or,” He waits.

“Yeah, I’m busy.” She reaches to put the change in her purse.

“Oh- that’s cool. I’m actually- I’m working here next weekend.” He gestures. “So… the following weekend is better for me,” He says defeated, but hope still underlines his tone.

“Ah- no, I’m sorry, I can’t. Okay.” She says. What’s with the bitchy tone?.. I eye her, rolling my eyes. “Thanks.”

Steve tries to speak up as they walk away, “I could- this is my first day here.” I then eye him with a raised brow.

He huffs in defeat.

Robin rolls to the opening of the window. Almost as if on cue. I smile at what she’s about to say. “And another one bites the dust.” She slides her white board in view. Steve turns around to face her, scuffing at the sound of her voice. “You are O-for-six, popeye.” She places a tally mark under the words ‘You suck’.

“Yeah. Yeah, I can count.” Steve says agitatedly, while nodding, arms crossed.

“You know that means you suck, right?” She says in a teasing tone.

“Yep. I can read too.” I can tell Steve is tired from all Robin’s teasing with his rough tone he carries towards her.

“Since when?” She teases him even further. Almost as if she’s trying to knock him over the edge.

“Hey?” I get up from where I sat, walking up behind Steve. “Do you think you can put another one on there? Make it O-for-seven?” I ask, in a mocking tone.

“Oh, dingus got dusted not six- but seven times?” She looks to him, playfully shocked, before looking towards me, “Now, dingus’ friend, who was this unlucky lady?” She asks with the same tone.

“Me. When I was hitching a ride with him last night.”

“Wow… dingus, you don't know when to quit, do you?” I breathe out a short laugh.

“Sorry, Steve,” I pat him on the shoulder before leaning on the counter. “Your oh-so-sweet co-worker has to know.” My tone, similar to Robin’s.

“It’s this stupid hat!” I sigh, shaking my head. “I am telling you!” Robin sighs at his complaint too. “It is totally blowing my best feature!..” It really isn’t the hat.

“Yeah,” Robin moves the board, locking her hands, placing her arms to lay on the wall under the opening of the window. “Company policy is a real drag,” she shakes her head. “Y’know, it’s a crazy idea,” She looks up at him from her position, “but, have you considered..” She shrugs, blowing up her cheeks before continuing, “Telling the truth..?” She basically eyes him.

“Oh, you mean that I couldn’t even get into tech, and my douchebag dad is trying to teach me a lesson? I make three bucks an hour, and I have no future? That truth?” He speaks with dual honesty.

I move as I hear the clacking of heals, back to my seat.

Robin grins before pointing out to Steve, “Hey, twelve o’clock.”

Steve follows, “Oh shit, oh shit. Okay. Uhhh… Goin’ in. Okay, I’m goin’ in-” just before he turns around,”-and you know what?” He reaches to take off his uniform hat, throwing it behind Robin, “Screw company policy.”

“Oh my god, you’re a whole new man.”

Steve begins to walk away backwards, “Right? Oo,” he does a small dance. He turns around as me and Robin laugh at his actions. “Ahoy ladies! Didn’t see you there!” He practically screams, causing me and the girl he is speaking to to jump. He places both of his hands on the counter top. “Would you guys like to set sail on this ocean of flavor with me?” He says with great enthusiasm. “I’ll be your captain. I’m Steve Harrington.” He loses a little volume near the end.

The girls laugh, “Oh god,” I hear one mumble.

“Can I get you guys a little taste of cherry suebly?” He butchers the last word, sorbet. “No? Anybody? Banana boat?” He takes a look at all of them. “Four people, four spoons?”

Robin slowly slides away, cringing as she does so. I get up as she does so, walking behind the girls, and proceeding to the back room, Steve doesn’t seem to care.

Steve continues, “Anybody? It’s hot out there.”

Once I get through the door, I see Robin has put another tally, “O-for-eight..? He really is desperate.” I walk over to close the window. Sitting down at the table in the middle of the room after.

“Yeah. By the way, I’ve been meaning to ask; what’s up with your eye?” She points to her own.

“Oh, I-” I touch the fading bruise “It’s nothing. Just some weirdo kneed me in the face.” Robin, thankfully, doesn't pry. “But- uh- anyway-” I take a deep breath, “I get the whole “girl crazy” thing, but he doesn’t seem like the type.” I rest my head on my palm, facing Robin. “I feel like everyone gets the same feeling after breaking things off with either their first relationship, or first love.”

“Really? Who's the boy that broke your heart?” She raises her brow with a sarcastic smirk. She then sits in the chair next to me, “Would love to hear about it.” She keeps her taunting tone.

“You wouldn’t know him,” I say in a similar tone to hers. “But, the feeling is like, you get so used to being in a relationship that you feel out of place when you’re not in one. Some people try to give it some time before actually doing that, to avoid a rebound. But after some time, they’re either content but still want a relationship, or just… content with being single ....”

Robin boredly hums to my rant in response.

“I hope you know I avoided going on a long ass rant, just for you.” I grin playfully.

She looks back at me, “Ah, yes, thank you for saving my ears.” I smile in place of a laugh at her reply.

“I rant a shit ton. Not even when I’m nervous, usually when I’m happy, or ‘forcing’ someone to listen to me. But I hate that I sometimes stutter, or accidentally skip a word, or even make up one in some scenarios.” I shrug.

She shakes her head with a slight smile.

#fanfic #fanfiction #fem reader #robin #robin buckley #stranger things #robin buckley x reader #robin buckley x female reader #stranger things x reader #reader x character #reader x canon #x reader #stranger things season 3 #stranger things fic #stanger things fanfiction

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majortotositepro1 · 7 months

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DK catches Brion in streak, extends winning streak to four

It was a matchup between two teams that were victims of the DDoS attack: DePlus Kia (DK), who were in the middle of the delay, and Brion, who had to return to their lodgings after nearly eight hours of waiting. DK extended their winning streak to four games, putting the brakes on Brion's bid for a third straight victory.

DK defeated Brion 2-0 in the second round of the LOL Champions Korea (LCK) Spring 2024 on Monday afternoon at the LCK Arena in Jongno, Seoul, thanks to the performances of "Showmaker" Heo "Showmaker" Heo-soo, "Aiming" Kim "Aiming" Haram, and "Kinggen" Hwang "Kinggen" Sung-hoon, who became the 14th player in the LCK to reach 500 career wins.

DK's four-game winning streak was extended to six wins (5 L, +3 G) and a half-game lead over fourth-place KT (6 L, +4 G). Brion, on the other hand, saw their winning streak come to a halt at '2' and suffered their ninth loss of the season (2WG, -15).

DK dominated the first set perfectly. With Arox-Maokai-Azir-Kalista-Renata Glass, DK dominated the bot lane against Brion, who opted for Jax and Hway as sniper picks, setting the stage for the snowball.

Once the growth gap between the two teams became clear, Heo "Showmaker" Soo-soo, who once again played a tanky Azir with Exploit Azir, took the full brunt of the opponent's onslaught in the objective duel, helping DK to a big win. With not only a dragon but also an ace in play, DK rode the momentum and naturally continued the flow to Baron Burst.

Brion players rushed in to stop DK's Nasher Baron hunt, but the Baron buffed DK extended the global gold gap to 10,000 with two engagements and wrapped up the first set with an 11-0 run at 28:15.

Set two saw Hwang "KingGen" Seong-hoon, the first top laner in the league, take out his top Smolder 스포츠토토 and shake up Brion from the ban pick stage. The game was relatively tense until the growth of the Smolder, but as the stack grew stronger and stronger, DK's power overwhelmed Brion.

Eventually, DK gained the upper hand in the one-hit compositions and, just like in the first game, quickly widened the gap, effectively sealing the game. With the Baron buff, the gold gap exceeded 10,000, and the game came to a close at 32-minutes as Brion's champions fell helplessly to the raging tide of DK champions.

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spacenutspod · 9 months

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The final quarter of 2023 saw the International Space Station (ISS) celebrate 25 years in orbit, though there was no letup in the ongoing work as the Expedition 70 crew settled into the tasks and experiments that are carried out onboard the orbital laboratory. Cargo spacecraft arrived at the Station carrying supplies and fresh experiments and departed, taking scientific results, redundant equipment, and trash down to Earth. On Oct. 25 at 17:49 UTC, Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub began a spacewalk to install a synthetic radar communications system, release a nanosatellite to test solar sail technology, and inspect and photograph an external backup radiator on the Nauka multipurpose laboratory module. Kononenko wore an Orlan spacesuit with red stripes; Chub the blue stripes. This was the sixth spacewalk in Kononenko’s career and the first for Chub. It was the 268th spacewalk for Station assembly, maintenance, and upgrades. The spacewalk was successfully completed on Oct. 26th at 01:30 UTC after seven hours and 41 minutes and was designated Russian EVA-61. Today's spacewalk is underway! @AstroJaws (in the spacesuit with red stripes) and @LunarLoral (in the spacesuit with no stripes) will make maintenance upgrades to the @Space_Station for about 6.5 hours. pic.twitter.com/vYsX9RBaLn — NASA (@NASA) November 1, 2023 NASA followed the Russian spacewalk with another spacewalk on Nov. 1 at 12:05 UTC. The spacewalk was designated as US EVA-89 and was the first spacewalk for astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O’Hara. Moghbeli served as extravehicular activity (EVA) crew member one and wore a suit with red stripes. O’Hara served as extravehicular crew member two and wore an unmarked suit. They successfully replaced one of 12 trundle bearing assemblies on a solar alpha rotary joint. These bearings enable the station’s solar arrays to rotate to track the Sun as the Station orbits Earth to collect and store electricity for power generation for Station systems. They also removed a handling bar fixture to prepare for the future installation of a roll-out solar array and properly configured a cable that was previously interfering with an external camera. See AlsoExpedition 70 UpdatesISS SectionNSF StoreClick here to Join L2 The astronauts had planned to remove and stow a communications electronics box called the Radio Frequency Group, but there was not enough time during the spacewalk to complete the work. The duo lifted some multilayer insulation to make a better assessment of how to approach the job before replacing the insulation and deferring the task to a future spacewalk. During the spacewalk, one tool bag was inadvertently lost. Flight controllers spotted the tool bag using external Station cameras. Fortunately, the tools were not needed for the remainder of the spacewalk. Mission Control analyzed the bag’s trajectory and determined that the risk of re-contacting the Station was low and that the onboard crew and Station were safe with no action required The spacewalk concluded at 18:47 UTC after 6 hours and 42 minutes. A further busy few days saw several maneuvers and the arrival of CRS-29 at the Station. On Nov. 9 at 21:11 UTC, the ISS performed a nominal reboost using the 85P Aft Progress R&D thrusters on SM Aft. This reboost was one of two planned reboosts in November to set up phasing conditions for the expected arrival of the MS-25 cargo mission via a two-orbit rendezvous on Dec. 1. The burn lasted for 15 minutes 22 seconds with a change in velocity of 1.43 meters per second. CRS-29 on the pad at LC-39A ahead of launch. (Credit: NASA) The launch of SpaceX CRS-29 took place on Nov. 9 from historic Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida at 8:28 PM EST (01:28 UTC on Nov. 10). SpaceX utilized Cargo Dragon capsule C211 for this mission, with CRS-29 being its second flight. This mission was SpaceX’s 29th CRS mission to the ISS and the ninth under CRS phase two. Shortly later, at 15:07 UTC, the ISS performed a successful 0.5 m/A Pre-determined Debris Avoidance Manoeuvre (PDAM) using the Aft Progress R&D thrusters. The purpose of this PDAM was to clear the risk of conjunction with a piece of space debris. The following day, on Nov. 11 at 10:07 UTC, Cargo Dragon docked autonomously with the Station’s Harmony module. Dragon carried supplies for the crew, some holiday treats, and several science experiments, including the ILLUMA-T Laser Communication demonstration — a NASA investigation that tests technology to provide enhanced data communication capabilities on the space station. Other experiments launched on CRS-29 include NASA’s AWE (Atmospheric Wave Experiment) — which uses an infrared imaging instrument to measure the characteristics, distribution, and movement of atmospheric gravity waves — and Gaucho Lung, sponsored by the International Space Station National Lab, which studies how mucus lining the respiratory system affects the delivery of drugs carried in a small amount of injected liquid, known as a liquid plug. Lastly, Aquamembrane-3, an investigation from the European Space Agency (ESA), also launched on CRS-29 and continues the evaluation of replacing the multi-filtration beds used for water recovery on the Station with a type of membrane known as an Aquaporin Inside Membrane. Another busy period for arrivals and departures occurred at the end of November with the departure of Progress MS-23. Progress undocked from MIM2 Poisk on Nov. 29 at 07:55 UTC. The spacecraft performed a deorbit burn at 11:02 UTC and re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere at 11:35 UTC before impacting the Pacific Ocean at 11:43 UTC. The departure of MS-23 made way for the arrival of the next Progress mission: Progress MS-25. Progress MS-25 launches from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. (Credit: NASA) The launch of Progress MS-25 was Roscosmos’ eighth Soyuz 2.1a mission of 2023 and occurred out of Site 31/6 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Friday, Dec. 1 at 09:25 UTC. The uncrewed MS-25 Progress 86P spacecraft arrived at the ISS’s Prichal module at 11:18 UTC on Dec. 3. Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko manually docked the spacecraft to the orbital complex after the automated rendezvous system took the Progress spacecraft out of its expected orientation. Progress MS-25 delivered almost three tons of food, fuel, and supplies to the ISS for the Expedition 70 crew. Dec. 6, 2023, marked 25 years since the first two modules of the ISS — Zarya and Unity — were mated during the STS-88 mission. Shuttle Endeavour‘s Canadarm robotic arm reached out and grappled Zarya, which had been in orbit for over two weeks, and attached it to the Unity module stowed inside Endeavour’s payload bay. Endeavour would undock from the young dual-module station one week later, beginning the era of the Station’s assembly. The Expedition 70 crew celebrated with a call to NASA’s Associate Administrator Bob Cabana and ISS Program Manager Joel Montalbano to discuss the orbital outpost’s accomplishments since its assembly began on Dec. 6, 1998. Cabana served as commander on STS-88 when both modules were robotically mated and then outfitted during a series of spacewalks. Montalbano, NASA’s sixth Station leader since the program’s inception, remarked, “We want to celebrate today all the people who designed, built, and operate the International Space Station.” Six crew members, one station. 25 years ago, on December 10, 1998, the STS-88 crew entered the @Space_Station making them the very first crew to enter the orbiting laboratory in space. pic.twitter.com/8CI8un5MxE — NASA's Johnson Space Center (@NASA_Johnson) December 10, 2023 Two Japanese cubesats, BEAK and Clark, were deployed on Dec. 18th to explore voice and imagery transmissions and test future planetary probe technologies. BEAK and Clark were deployed at 08:35 UTC and 10:16 UTC, respectively. BEAK is a 3u cubesat developed by The University of Tokyo, Nihon University, and JAXA to demonstrate technologies for nano-sized planetary probes in the future. BEAK will demonstrate orbital maneuvering by drag modulation with jettison of aerodynamic decelerator (SAP’s and membrane), deployment of aeroshell supported by shape memory alloy frames, a nano-sized propulsion system (water resistojet), and nano-sized attitude control systems. Clerk-sat1 is a tiny 1u cubesat designed and built by Clark Next Tokyo High School and ArkEdge Space Inc. The satellite will send voice messages and image data recorded by high school students to ground control stations and general amateur stations. This data is expected to encourage organizations and individuals working on environmental issues on Earth and in space. Furthermore, the cubesat will take photos of Earth and downlink them to ground control stations and general amateur stations. The release of BEAK and Clark from the ISS’s Kibo module. (Credit: JAXA/NASA) Wednesday, Dec. 21, saw the undocking of CRS-29 from the ISS at 22:05 UTC. Bad weather in the splashdown zones led to delays with the original schedule, which called for a departure on Dec. 14. Splashdown occurred on the morning of Dec. 22 off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida. Four astronauts packed over 1,588 kilograms of science and hardware inside Dragon for retrieval and analysis back on Earth. Astronaut Moghbeli and Commander Andreas Mogensen from ESA removed science cargo freezers containing research samples from Station EXPRESS racks and stowed them inside Dragon for the ride back to Earth. Astronauts O’Hara and Satoshi Furukawa transferred cargo bags packed with hardware and trash and strapped them inside Dragon, securing them for the descent back to Earth’s surface. The departure of a second U.S. resupply ship is currently set for 13:05 UTC on Friday, Dec. 22nd. The Northrop Grumman Cygnus spacecraft will be released into Earth orbit by the Canadarm2 robotic arm, completing a four-and-a-half-month stay at the ISS. Cygnus will remain in orbit for a few days before reentering the atmosphere and burning up over the Pacific Ocean with its cargo of trash. (Lead image: The Cygnus cargo resupply spacecraft and Soyuz MS-24 docked to the ISS. Credit: NASA) The post ISS Roundup: 25 year anniversary, spacewalks, cargo arrivals and departures appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.

#space #astronomy #news #science

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starrynightstudyys · 2 years

Text

I posted 76 times in 2022

That's 20 more posts than 2021!

21 posts created (28%)

55 posts reblogged (72%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@darkclassicwithin

@caramelcuppaccino

@litterascriptamanet

@studyartsy

@howl97s

I tagged 45 of my posts in 2022

Only 41% of my posts had no tags

#studyblr - 31 posts

#study - 29 posts

#studying - 22 posts

#studyspo - 20 posts

#study motivation - 20 posts

#starryskyysbujo - 18 posts

#minimalist - 11 posts

#minimal - 11 posts

#minimalism - 11 posts

#workspace - 11 posts

Longest Tag: 86 characters

#but also its topic cuz everything gets more specific the higher up you go in education

My Top Posts in 2022:

Saturday

I was looking for a picture and realized that I never posted the one above. I’ve added one of my flowers to make up for it. I have 3 exams in three weeks (one I just took yesterday). I also had some med school interviews this week for a special program. I don’t think my chances are good, but it’s still possible.

I hope you get a chance to eat your favorite food today, or at least eat something you enjoy. Many of us have complicated relationships with food, but whether you do or you don’t, I hope you’re able to find some joy in it, guilt-free.

38 notes - Posted March 26, 2022

Productivity Tips

For those who just can’t seem to get things done because their brains won’t let them

There’s lots of cool tips out there to study more and study better, but I don’t see many about just understanding how to study at all and not staring at your work for hours on end and getting nothing done even if you want to.

In short:

Take care of yourself

Organization

Multitask responsibly

Pomodoro

Be careful with your obsessions

Try different study spots

1. Be kind to yourself.

Studying is hard enough, even for the gifted kids, straight-A students, 4.0 since birth, effortless workaholics.

If you feel exhausted, take a break. A timed one is best, but take a break. Sleep, walk around, eat, do something fun, stare at the wall, cry, talk to people, scroll online, rant to yourself about life, do anything except be productive. Rest if you need it. You won’t get things done if you’re always 2 seconds from crying.

Sleep, for the love of god sleep. There’s no competition of “who can function the best on the least sleep”. Get a minimum of 8 hours, please, for your own sanity. At minimum, I do 6 if I have a lot of studying to do in one night, but these are exceptions. You can’t study if you’re sleepy.

2. Have some level of organization

If this means a full bullet journal, a dedicated notion space, daily todo lists, or even random post-it notes and lists on your hand, anything is better than nothing. When you’re overwhelmed and forgetting things, a visual reminder can save a grade.

On the other end, don’t spend hours organizing. If it’s during a break that’s okay, but when it cuts into actual studying, you might be better off with a sticky note stuck to your face then a beautiful header and color-coded database (as painful as it sounds 🥲)

3. Do stuff while you study

Eat snacks, drink stuff, play with figit spinners, play lo-fi or music in other languages. If it’s distracting, then don’t, but consider it.

4. Time yourself

Use pomodoro (cliché, but it works, i promise). If you can’t afford forest, try your phone’s native timer or other free pomodoro timers. For the notioners, Bloc’s has a free widget.

MinimaList is a cute, simple todo list app with a pomodoro feature

5. For the hyperfixators

Time youself like I mentioned above, but do your thing during breaks if you can’t help youself. When I get obsessed with a new fic or show, I take my 10 minute breaks to read or watch. It’s both motivating and comforting.

It’s hard pulling yourself away, but don’t forget about what you need to do. Do your best :) If worst comes to worst, have 30 minute breaks in between the 30 minute study sessions. 30 minutes of productivity every hour is better than 30 minutes of staring at your book and 10 minutes of staring at the wall.

Ideally, don’t give in and read/watch/etc. when you have studying to do, but this is better than nothing.

6. Try different study spots

I didn’t realize how effective this is until recently. Move around every week or every day and get a new spot.

You have options: in just my room, I have my desk, my bed, the ground, and the random chair in the corner. You might also have: random benches outside, the library, your kitchen table, the couch, the grass under a tree, hallways, or your dining hall. This also helps with back/neck pain! Maybe it won’t work for you, but maybe it will.

Just to repeat, be kind to yourself. If your friend was crying, exhausted, burntout, depressed, you wouldn’t tell them to suck it up and study. Don’t do that to yourself either.

See the full post

41 notes - Posted January 4, 2022

Tuesday

I was going to post these pictures yesterday, but i became consumed with this fic I’ve been reading and didn’t post or continue studying.

Here’s a view of my desk with all the mess plus a macro view. On my third straight day of coffee. It’s instant coffee, so low caffeine content. It’s only worked on day 1 and today, so I’m not sure what that’s about.

I hope you’re productive today or least kind to yourself. It’s hard to keep walking these days.

Insta

43 notes - Posted January 4, 2022

Wednesday

I don’t remember when this was taken, but it’s recent. I have a couple exams all at once soon, so classes are a bit overwhelming rn.

Still, I’m doing my best to take little breaks and breathe when I can.

I hope you find time to relax among your chaos today. Rest is always needed.

Listening to: Taehyung’s unreleased song snippets

Insta

45 notes - Posted February 2, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

See the full post

76 notes - Posted January 29, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

#tumblr2022 #year in review #my 2022 tumblr year in review #your tumblr year in review #Spotify

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martpiner · 2 years

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Panda antivirus phone number

#PANDA ANTIVIRUS PHONE NUMBER FOR FREE#

#PANDA ANTIVIRUS PHONE NUMBER FULL#

#PANDA ANTIVIRUS PHONE NUMBER CODE#

#PANDA ANTIVIRUS PHONE NUMBER FOR FREE#

Both were among the longest scan times for free antivirus software that we saw on our test machine. After three runs, during which the software should have trained itself on what to ignore, the completion time dropped to only 1 hour and 6 minutes.

#PANDA ANTIVIRUS PHONE NUMBER FULL#

The first full scan took 1 hour and 28 minutes and looked at 514,998 files. AVG was the winner here, with a full-scan impact of only 11 percent.ĭuring the Critical Area Scan, Panda's equivalent of a quick scan, the benchmark finished in 7 minutes and 28 seconds That's just 1 second off the background performance impact and 7.4 percent off the baseline, tying the results from AVG and Windows Defender for first place. That's not great, but it's still better than Avast's 27 percent and Avira's 35 percent declines. When we ran a full-system scan with the OpenOffice benchmark running, the software took 8 minutes and 33 seconds to complete, a performance decline of 23 percent from the baseline. You can choose where to connect to but not the connection protocol used. The most useful extra feature provided by Panda Free Antivirus is the VPN client and service, which provides up to 150MB a day of secure communications. ( SE Labs in England, whose results we also use, has not tested Panda antivirus software recently.) Security and Privacy Features Panda also racked up 21 false positives over that period, far worse than the rest of the programs, except for, again, Windows Defender, which had a whopping 41. That dragged down Panda's six-month average to 98.9 percent, behind those of all the other free antivirus programs except Windows Defender, which averaged 98.4 percent. While Panda detected 100 percent of online malware in four of the six months from February to July 2018, it scored only 94.3 percent in May. It might be that Panda's detection rate has improved a lot since 2016, but recent results from Austrian lab AV-Comparatives indicate otherwise. Panda's ability to find and eradicate malware is a notch down from the best and can be notably inconsistent compared to some of the program's peers. Panda didn't get any 100 percent scores in that category over those six months, with rates ranging from 99.5 percent (meh) to 99.8 percent (not terrible). Panda's ability to stop widespread malware was not perfect either in 2016. Anything suspicious is uploaded to the company's online lab for analysis, and several times a day, Panda sends the signatures of confirmed malicious items back to the program's 30 million users.

#PANDA ANTIVIRUS PHONE NUMBER CODE#

A heuristic monitor watches code and behavior. The program's scanner checks new files for signatures of known malware. Panda uses three levels of overlapping protection. This product includes 20GB of online storage and unlimited use of the company's VPN service. It's the only Panda antivirus product to come with full 24/7 phone and email support. Unlimited users pay $26.99 monthly or $323 yearly. Unlimited-license users pay $10.99 monthly or $191 per year.Īt the top is Panda Dome Premium, which costs a single-device user $12.99 a month or $155 a year. Starting at $7.99 a month or $95 a year, Panda Dome Complete coverage adds a password manager and a cleanup tool for boosting system performance. It ups the protection with encryption, parental controls and dedicated ransomware protections. The Panda Dome Advanced product starts at $4.99 a month or $59 annually for a single device, going up to $131 per year for unlimited devices.

#Panda antivirus phone number

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atlemist · 2 years

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bon appétit

#project sekai #hatsune miku colorful stage #more more jump #minori hanasato #minori pjsk #prsk fa #prsk #pjsk #proseka #I procrastined this for over a month lmfao #anyways hi guys I’m fucking alive #prepare for a ton of mmj and l/n posts cause like nobody posts them ugh #crazy how people literally never draw the best prsk bands amirite #the outfit shes in is based on the song i linked btw lol #vane lily the world <3 #this also took 11 hours 6 minutes and 28 seconds #telling the people (tm) that because i told stagecord as i sent wips in the fannart channel (hi if you recognize me)

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iwritebutshouldi · 3 years

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The Boy Savior - Part 29

Summary: When you lose your family in a shimmer factory accident you lose everything with them. All you want is getting your revenge, but then you meet him… The Boy Savior.

Happening during the last two acts of Arcane at first (probably advancing further as I have plans with this story)

Ekko x Reader

Content Warning: (its still a bit angsty and I'm so sorry in advance for what the next chapters will bring)

Link to Prologue, Link to Chapter 1, Link to Chapter 2, Link to Chapter 3, Link to Chapter 4, Link to Chapter 5, Link to Chapter 6, Link to Chapter 7, Link to Chapter 8, Link to Chapter 9, Link to Chapter 10, Link to Chapter 11, Link to Chapter 12, Link to Chapter 13, Link to Chapter 14, Link to Chapter 15, Link to Chapter 16, Link to Chapter 17, Link to Chapter 18, Link to Chapter 19, Link to Chapter 20, Link to Chapter 21, Link to Chapter 22, Link to Chapter 23, Link to Chapter 24, Link to Chapter 25, Link to Chapter 26, Link to Chapter 27, Link to Chapter 28

Chapter 29

The shadows were getting longer and longer around you as you sat under the tree for hours now. You had been checking every single hoverboard the Firelights had, making sure that the cables, screws and parts, that Ajuna had shown you were important, were all in place and intact.

In the past days you'd been trying to help out wherever you could around the firelights base. If you had to, then you cooked, washed the laundry and fixed up the buildings, but never just let yourself sit in place and think... You had enough time for that at nights when you should had slept, but instead you sat hours in your window and either fought your guilt for saying, well, the things you said, or was so mad you wanted to scream out your anger into the night.

But during the days, your most important task was to keep yourself occupied. And avoid Ekko...

The moment you saw him appear around, you took out your most transparent and ridiculous reasons to just flee the place. It's been going on for a week now and you still couldn't get yourself to look into his eyes... Though your heart ached every single time you turned your back on him, you weren't just ready to talk to him - as if nothing had happened. As if you felt nothing...

"I think that's tight enough already..." you heard the deepest voice of Scar as he sat down by your side and you realized you had been letting your thoughts wander again. Your hands were working on their own, trying to tighten an already tight screw at the bottom part of the hoverboard.

"Damn..." you mumbled, dropping the screwdriver to the ground by you. "You're right." you smiled at the large firelight by your side. In his hands he held a bowl of stew which he reached out towards you.

"You forgot to eat today." he said and waited for you to take the food from his hand. It was true that too many days went by already without you eating anything... The wooden bowl was still steaming hot so you hadn't started eating it right away.

"Thank you..." you mumbled gratefully and felt a warmness inside your chest. Scar was slowly becoming like a second brother to you, especially in the past days. The little free time you had, you usually spent it either with him or with Ajuna. The little boy had started rescuing injured animals from the streets of Zaun and asked you a lot of times to help and heal them. When they were in a condition in which your talent was no use anymore - the poor animals had lost a limb for example - the boy engineered them custom prosthetics.

He was amazingly talented but he kept saying that he learnt everything from Ekko. The little boy's company was only painful for you sometimes, because he kept talking about the young firelight a lot. He looked up to him for which you couldn't blame him, and also had absolutely no idea about anything that had happened between you and Ekko.

You held the stew between your hands but didn't eat. You had let your thoughts wander. Again. You probably would have been sitting for long, long minutes and just staring in front of you if Scar wouldn't have started speaking.

"I haven't even thanked you for saving us." his deep voice shook you out of your thoughts. You looked up at him, surprised and you saw his glowing green eyes look into yours with a slight worry.

"You don't even have to!" you said quickly. "It was natural... And I would do it again, no matter what anyone says." you thought about Ekko's words when you said that. "You are my family now." you added, smiling. You put the bowl to the ground by your side to let it cool and pulled your knees up to your chin.

It was getting dark faster and faster around you as the time was nearing towards the evening. The greenish lights of the firelights peacefully flying around the tree were starting to get more distinguishable among the leaves.

"He was just too worried for you, you know..." Scar then said after a while and you jerked your head up immediately. You furrowed your brows and actually had to take a deep breath to not answer too swiftly.

"Well, he wasn't exactly worried for me..." you said bitterly, turning away from the huge firelight. You felt your cheeks burn as you let your jealousy talk out of you again... Scar watched you for a while, probably perfectly aware of what you were thinking. He was older than both you and Ekko, he probably was wiser as well.

"He hadn't slept nor eaten while you were knocked out." he tried again and when you looked up at him, you saw he was watching your reaction. "He stayed by your side without a break." he added, shrugging.

But you just scoffed sarcastically - even though your heart tiredly twitched inside your chest. "Probably didn't want to miss the chance to shove it in my face how 'I don't know my own limits!'" you mocked Ekko with slight anger but Scar chuckled deeply by your side and that also made you smile a little.

Just when you were starting to feel better, you noticed a familiar figure advancing towards you behind Scar's back. Ekko was still far enough for you to just leave before him being able to get there - which was exactly what you were planning to do.

"Speak of the devil..." you mumbled and saw Scar following the direction of your eyes as you stood up. "I'm sorry... But I'm not ready for this just yet..." you said honestly to the firelight by your side before turning your back on him, leaving him there on his own. You fastened your steps up to be able to reach the rope ladder as soon as possible and climb back to your room but then...

"Y/N!" you heard Ajuna's voice calling your name. The boy was walking towards you, with his new rat on his palms he had just rescued a few days ago. He named it Mister Tails. "Where are you going? It's almost dinner time." he asked, scratching the animal's tiny ear with his index finger. You glanced behind your back only to see Ekko being just a few feet away from you.

Your stomach turned upside down in your belly as you nervously tried to be both nice to Ajuna and also quickly come up with an excuse to be able to leave him there before Ekko could reach you. But you felt like your brain had shut down...

"Y/N..." you heard your name again, this time coming from Ekko's mouth and you froze in one place.

He grabbed your wrist and when he pulled your arm you turned back right away to free yourself from his touch. "Let..." you wanted to tell him to let go of you but your words stuck inside your throat. He was so close to you - you felt the warmness coming from his skin and it stunned you. His face was only a few inches away from yours and you could even feel his breath brushing your cheeks as you blinked in your surprise.

You had been denying it, but you had missed him so damn much... Your gaze drifted to his lips for the fraction of a second before looking back into his brown eyes. He seemed tired as usual and he was under himself you could see that. But what almost broke your heart was the begging twinkle in his ever so serious eyes...

//A/N.: Ekko actually had a pet rat named Mister Tails in the game lore heh (but he lost the poor thing and now the boy suspects that Mister Tails has become huge and mutated and is now harrassing the citizens of Piltover with a chemtech crossbow)//

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sabinanotfound · 3 years

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45 Prompts for Hand-Holding

I stumbled across this post and I had to do it. Enjoy... (also it’s the best experience when you switch to the goth rave mode)

45 prompts (actually 42 since I skipped the 12th and the 13th one because I wasn’t comfortable and the 26th one, because I had 0 ideas) and all are SFW.

Includes; Wilbur Soot, cc!Technoblade, GeorgeNotFound, Nihachu, Karl Jacobs, platonic!Ranboo, Dream, SapNap, Quackity (separately)

Warnings: specified before each prompt <3 credit to @creativepromptsforwriting for the amazing prompts

REQUESTS OPEN

1. Tiny hands in big hands (Wilbur Soot x gn!reader)

Wilbur was absentmindedly fiddling with your hand as the bus made its way through the traffic. “Your hands are so tiny,” he said, making you chuckle. You interlocked your fingers with his, leaning your head onto his shoulder.

2. Calloused hands in soft hands (cc!Technoblade x gn!reader) TW || anxiety

“It’s okay, you’re with me now,” you said softly, trying to calm Techno down. You took his calloused hands in yours, letting him relax and fall asleep in your embrace.

3. Cold hands in warm hands (GeorgeNotFound x gn!reader)

“Oh, and we should definitely see this place!” George exclaimed. For the past few hours he was excitedly showing you around London, but there was only one problem; the cold. When you didn’t respond, George turned to you and immediately noticed you shivering. He laughed softly before taking your cold hands in his warm ones. Let’s say, this method of warming up was your favorite.

4. Hands for the perfect ratio to each other for hand-holding (Nihachu x gn!reader)

You and Niki held hands as you sat on the couch watching a movie. You suddenly thought of how nice your hand fit in hers. “Niki, look it’s like our hands were made for each other!” you said and she laughed, pulling you into a sweet kiss.

5. Platonic hand-holding (platonic!Karl Jacobs x gn!reader)

You walked around the city with your best friend, absentmindedly holding each other’s hand and swinging them back and forth just because. Nothing mattered but your friendship and the beautiful views in front of you.

6. Running their thumb over the other’s hand (Wilbur Soot x gn!reader) TW || anxiety

As you entered the party, you regretted coming. There were way too many people for your liking. But this was your best friend’s birthday party and you couldn’t just ditch her like that. Wilbur turned to you and noticed your uncomfortable face. He took your hand in his tracing small circles on it with his thumb, letting you calm down.

7. Dancing with their hands holding onto each other (Dream x gn!reader)

“May I dance with you, my love?” Dream said as he held out his hand to you, smiling. A smile made its way onto your face as you swayed to the slow music, your hand in his.

8. Squeezing hand for comfort and encouragement (platonic!Ranboo x gn!reader)

You looked at Ranboo before making your way to the stage. He gave you a reassuring smile before squeezing your hand one last time and mouthing the words: “You can do this.”

9. Holding hands across the table (SapNap x gn!reader)

A fancy table set up at home due to the virus quickly spreading, candles light up and you two. The perfect date. You took a deep breath before putting a hand on Sapnap’s which was resting on the table. “Sap, I love you so so much. Will you marry me?” he looked at you with nothing but love and happiness in his eyes. “Yes, yes yes,” he said, stretching over the table to give you a kiss.

10. Happily doing everything with one hand even if it means they don’t have to let go (Quackity x gn!reader)

Alex stirred the pot as you chopped onions. Both doing your tasks with one hand. Ask why? Because why let go of your lover's hand when can *almost* do everything with one?

11. Not wanting to lose each other in a big crowd (Nihachu x gn!reader)

The crowd was huge. You knew there were many people who liked the same band as you, but this many people were unexpected. You held onto Niki's hand not to lose her in the huge crowd. "Niki, now I have an excuse to hold your hand at all time." you both laughed, making your way closer to the stage.

14. Grabbing hand to show them something (Wilbur Soot x gn!reader)

The Louvre was a really pretty museum, and you wanted to see everything. "Look, Wil, there's that famous painting I've been wanting to see!" you tugged on his arm as he chucked at your enthusiasm, following you to the painting.

15. Loosely holding onto each other’s hands, laying in one’s lap (GeorgeNotFound x gn!reader)

George laid in your lap as one of your hands loosely held his, and the other played with his hair. This must be what people call peace.

16. Only linking the pinkies together, not ready to let go completely (cc!Technoblade x gn!reader) TW || death, blood, angst

They had found you. Techno was too late and now there you were, laying on the floor and covered in blood. He let out a sob and the only sign of you being alive was your pinkie you had linked with his. And then your chest stopped. You were gone.

17. Holding hands while skating (Dream x gn!reader)

"I'm going to fall!" you shrieked, as Dream just smirked and held your hand tightly. "No, you're not. Look, you're already getting a hang of this!" he encouraged as you straightened your back, a little less afraid.

18. Excitedly grabbing each other’s hands during a concert, jumping up and down together (Karl Jacobs x gn!reader)

"I love this song!" you screamed over the song, as Karl nodded, continuing to bop his head to the music. You jumped up and down as the melody got faster. Your hands were linked and you were sure this was the best concert ever.

19. Playing with each other’s fingers (SapNap x gn!reader)

You sat next to him at his desk, watching as he edited yet another video. One of his hands was in yours while you fiddled with his fingers. He turned to you and pressed a kiss to your forehead. "I love you, baby."

20. Pressing the other’s hand against their cheek (Quackity x gn!reader) TW || sick reader

“How are you feeling mi amor?” Alex asked as he entered your room with a bowl of soup. “I’m feeling better, thanks to you.” you smiled at him as he sat on the bed, checking your fever. You took his hand in yours, pressing it against your cheek. “Thank you for taking care of me, I love you.”

21. Holding hands while one is balancing on a small wall (Nihachu x gn!reader)

You held Niki’s hand as she balanced on the small wall, laughing. Suddenly she slipped on a rock and landed into your arms as the both of you giggled.

22. Grabbing the other’s hand to pull them back from something (Dream x gn!reader)

“BE CAREFUL!” You felt your hand being pulled, just in time as a car flew by. Dream pulled you into his chest, hugging you as your breaths got steadier.

23. Holding hands under the table (Quackity x gn!reader) TW || someone talking shit abt Quackity

“And how’s it going with your uh...career?” Alex’s friend said sarcastically, obviously making fun of him. Alex’s muscles tensed, and you held his hand under the table, giving it a subtle squeeze. He smiled. “Better than yours.” As you two stood up and left.

24. Only realizing it when they have to let go (SapNap x gn!reader)

“Sap, it’s okay, I’m fine now. You don’t have to hold my hand. Thank you so much for the support.” SapNap looked at you, his gaze shy. “What if I don’t want to let go?” it was almost inaudible, but you heard it. You smiled, interlocking your fingers together. That’s a way to confess your feelings.

25. Standing in front of each other, holding both their hands (Wilbur Soot x gn!reader)

“y/n, I’ve been meaning to tell you something,” Wilbur said, holding both of your hands. You looked at him curiously, your brows slightly furrowing. “Will you marry me?” you gasped, immediately smiling. “YES, YES AND YES!” you screamed as Wilbur slid a pretty ring on your finger.

27. Passionate hand-holding (Karl Jacobs x gn!reader)

“Hii.” you said before plopping onto the couch next to Karl. You intertwined your fingers, wanting to never let go as soon as his hand touched yours.

28. Grabbing the other’s hand so they don’t fall (GeorgeNotFound x gn!reader)

“y/n, be careful, there’s a bump there,” George said as he pointed to the part of the road just ahead of you. Seems like he’d said it too late, because the next thing you knew, you were falling down. But thanks to George’s reflexes he held your hand just in time, preventing you from hitting the ground. “Thank you,” you breathed out, pressing a kiss on his cheek.

29. Holding hands while running through the rain (cc!Technoblade x gn!reader)

“I told you this'd be fun!” you said as the both of you ran around in the rain, laughing and holding hands.

30. Brushing against each other, linking fingers together for a second (Dream x gn!reader)

Your breath hitched as Dream’s hand brushed yours lightly, and as your pinkies linked for a second, you started to question if your feelings towards him were really platonic.

31. Grabbing their hand to grab their attention (Quackity x gn!reader)

“Babyyyyy.” you whined as you came into Alex’s room. “You’ve been editing for so long already, you need to get some rest, and also give me cuddles.” Alex chuckled as he turned to you in his chair. “Ten more minutes mi amor.” he said, also missing you a lot. But today you weren’t having it, so you grabbed his hand and tugged on it. He rolled his eyes and chuckled, following you to the couch in the living room.

32. Not really paying attention, both doing something else, but still holding hands (Wilbur Soot x gn!reader)

“Baby?” Wilbur asked and you hummed in response, not tearing your eyes off of your book. Your hand was in Wilbur’s who was scrolling through his phone. “I love you.” you turned to him, smiling. “I love you too, Wil.”

33. Bandaging the other’s hand and not quite letting go (SapNap x gn!reader) TW || a small injury

“You should’ve been more careful.” your best friend complained as he bandaged your hand. You had accidentally broken a cup and a piece of glass had cut your hand. When Sap finished his hand lingered on yours a little longer, making your cheeks lightly heat up.

34. Holding hands while driving (Karl Jacobs x gn!reader)

Karl’s left hand was on the steering wheel and the other one was interlocked with yours. A song was playing as you sang along and enjoyed the little moment.

35. Grabbing the other’s hand to pull them back to them (Nihachu x gn!reader)

The alarm clock beeped loudly, waking the both of you up. “A few more minutes...” you whined, but Niki was already starting to stand up. You caught her hand and lightly pulled her towards you. “Nooo a few more minutes but only with you,” you said as she laughed.

36. Unconsciously searching out each other’s hand while sleeping (GeorgeNotFound x gn!reader)

Your hand unconsciously searched for George’s, as you laid half asleep. Once you did, you interlocked your fingers and drifted off to a peaceful sleep.

37. Not realizing they’re holding hands till someone points it out (Wilbur Soot x gn!reader)

You sat on the couch in your friend’s house as the party became louder and louder every minute. Wilbur was next to you and you mindlessly interlocked your fingers. “I didn’t know you two were together.” one of your friends said, passing by. Your cheeks heated up as you slightly let go of his hand, but not completely.

38. Swinging hands back and forth, skipping like children (Quackity x gn!reader)

You and Alex swung your interlocked hands as you skipped around. In the daylight, when the streets were crowded this was not enjoyable; but at night, hanging out in a park while no one was there to throw you weird glances, it was perfect.

39. Holding hands in a museum to pull them to the next exhibition (Dream x gn!reader)

“Oh look! There’s that famous exhibition!” Dream exclaimed as he tugged on your hand. You followed him, curious about what you were going to see.

40. Letting go when there is an obstacle in their way and immediately grabbing each other’s hand again when they pass it (cc!Technoblade x gn!reader)

“Be careful, there’s a tree.” you let go of his hand for a second and as soon as you passed the tree, you softly took his hand in yours, continuing your walk in the forest.

41. Loosely holding onto each other’s hand (Nihachu x gn!reader)

You and Niki walked around the city, while she excitedly pointed out some important locations. You were loosely holding her hand, fascinated by everything around you.

42. Dragging the other with them, holding their hand (Karl Jacobs x gn!reader)

“Come on baby, you have to go to sleep, you’re overworking yourself.” Karl tried to convince you. You weakly asked for a few more minutes, but Karl took you by the hand and dragged you to bed. You were thankful because if not for him you’d be asleep on your desk in a few minutes.

43. Raising the other’s hand to their lips to kiss it softly (Wilbur Soot x gn!reader)

Your first date had been awesome. Wilbur was a true gentleman. As he opened the door for you to get out of the car, your eyes met. “Thank you for today Wilbur. I loved our date.” You smiled at him and he did so too, gently lifting your hand and pressing a quick kiss on it. “So... maybe you’re up for a second date sometime?” You nodded, not missing his rose-tinted cheeks.

44. Holding hands while jumping down from somewhere together (Dream x gn!reader) TW || cliff diving

"Ready?" Dream asked, giving your hand a subtle squeeze, and after you nodded, you jumped down into the beautiful blue waters, not letting go of Dream's hand.

45. Comparing hand sizes, then linking fingers together (SapNap x gn!reader)

Sapnap hoped that you wouldn't take this as an excuse to hold your hand, but he had to give it a shot. "y/n, let's compare hand sizes." you pressed your palms together, and before you knew it, Sap had linked your fingers together. Not that you minded, though.

taglist: @yasaiiissleeping

masterlist

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witch-city · 3 years

Text

home for christmas

marvel masterlist | marvel headcanons | navigation

yelena belova x reader

word count: 902

a/n: this was an (unofficial) request from @gigistylestomlinson...also, timeline wise, this occurs after black widow and before infinity war (like 2017). happy holidays everyone and enjoy :)

warnings: a tad bit of angst regarding yelena's family, but otherwise, none :)

requests are open!

malysh - baby

You and Yelena were excited for the holidays this year for a multitude of reasons. First, it was the first Christmas you two would be spending together. Second, you both loved the holidays. And third, you were going to spend Christmas morning with Yelena's family. Yelena wasn't as excited as you were for that third reason though.

Sure, she loved her family so much, but as you knew, there was a long, complicated, and, most of all, painful history between them. You didn't know every little intimate detail of the family's history, especially not of how Alexei betrayed Nat and Yelena when they were little, but you knew enough to understand Yelena's hesitation.

You two got up at the very crack of dawn on Christmas Eve, went to the airport for a flight at noon, and sat on a plane for 17 hours. Travelling actually took longer than that since you spent about 30 minutes in a taxi to the airport, then had a 4-hour layover in Istanbul. That totalled to two and a half hours shy of a full day of travel (21 hours and 30 minutes).

When you pulled up to the little homestead in St. Petersburg, you saw a flash of something on Yelena's face. Maybe it was nervousness or fright or something else. It went away quickly as she saw Melina scolding Alexei outside the pigpen, presumably about something he did (or didn't do) regarding the hogs.

Excitedly, you jumped out of the car, leaving Yelena no other choice but to follow suit. At first, she didn't want to be there, but as soon as her boots hit the ground, she was so happy.

You watched as she ran to her mother and father, practically attacking them with a hug. You noticed the slightest hesitation from her mother, but it slipped away as soon as it had come.

As you watched the three Russians hug happily, you didn't even notice a fourth, a redheaded one who you knew to be Natasha, run out of the house.

After a moment, the family broke away from their hug and small conversation that you couldn't really hear. It was Alexei who noticed you first.

"Who is that?"

"Mama. Papa. This is...well, this is my partner."

You noticed Natasha's little smirk. She had already known since Yelena had called and told her ahead of time so the surprise wouldn't be as big.

"Little one! You're too young to be married," Alexei exclaimed gently grabbing Yelena's face in such a way that her lips and cheeks pushed out.

"Firsht of all," she said, her words slurring together slightly because of how he was holding her face, "I am 28 yearsh old. Schecond, we are not married. And third, get off of me." She swatted the man's hands away from her face aggressively as she said so.

"Yelena, why didn't you tell us," her mother asked, her dark eyes darting between you and her daughter.

"Because," she started before a pause. She honestly didn't really know why she didn't tell her family about you. "I-I don't know."

The family spoke in Russian for a few minutes, leaving you unaware of what they were saying. All good things you hoped, but you couldn't be sure.

Soon after, you and Yelena were ushered into the house by her excited family and sat down before a tree. Taking a closer look, you saw little ornaments that had pictures of Yelena and Natasha when they were younger, around 6 and 11 respectively. You didn't know this, but they were copies of the pictures from that old picture book Melina had saved.

You looked at the steady collection of ornaments that hung on the tree. Many seemed to be older, likely 20 years or so. Quite a few of them had little drawings that appeared to be in crayon with a name, mainly Yelena, written somewhere on it. One was a group of people, a tall dark-haired man, a dark-haired woman, and two young girls–one with blue hair and the other blonde. It took a moment to realize that it was a drawing of their family by a very young Yelena.

You were taken away from the ornaments and brought back to reality when Alexei began to give out the gifts he bought or made everyone. His gifts were followed by Melina's, then Natasha's, and finally Yelena's. You were the only one without gifts. Well, that's what you thought.

Yelena presented you with a squat box. It clearly had some kind of jewelery in it, likely a necklace or bracelet. You opened it carefully, expecting some kind of fragile and expensively jeweled necklace. You could not be more wrong.

Instead, you found a simple beaded bracelet with lettered beads. It looked like a friendship bracelet that little kids would make. Not that you minded, of course. You loved the thought behind it. Looking closer, the white beads said "I LOVE YOU" in blocky black letters and they were surrounded by beads of your favorite colors.

It was such a simple, yet meaningful gift. You put it on and immediately wrapped your arms around Yelena tightly. "I love it so much...thank you."

"Of course, malysh. I'm glad you like it."

And so, your present unwrapping in Yelena's family home ended in a tight, loving hug. If Yelena was asked about it, she would've said that you were the real gift.

#yelena belova #yelena belova x reader #yelena belova x you #yelena belova imagine #yelena belova fluff #black widow family #ficmas21 #mine.

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nobodycallsmerae · 3 years

Note

Hey, I hope you’re well! 🙃Can I ask #7 and #32?

Hi hi!! I'm fine! I hope you're doing great too!! I've written another shot based on prompt #32, (which im quite proud of) and you can find it here. You haven't mentioned a pairing, so I'm just gonna write for bbrae :)

I humbly tried to dabble into the holy world of office romance. You should see my manhwa reading list. My last 6-7 webcomics are filled with office romances XoX

____

'What? But I've been working overtime for the past twelve days!' He whined, practically on the verge of tears.

'Well that's tragic,' The vice president rolled her eyes. 'But you are my secretary now, and you have to be competent in what you do.'

'But..!'

Raven Roth had no idea how she'd gotten herself into this situation.

She was the vice president of a successful company, an accomplished and respected 28-year-old woman, but now she was stuck here, in her office, arguing pointlessly with a man-child.

Her old secretary (and only friend) Kory Anders, was on her honeymoon, leaving Raven with.. Him.

‘No “buts” Mr. Logan,’ Raven cut him off. ‘The company is going through a critical time now, and I want every employee to give their hundred percent. And you-’

Sometimes she wondered why she didn’t just fire him, but, truth be told, even if he was messy, and lazy, and was definitely not used to working behind the table, 27-year-old Garfield Logan was actually quite good at what he did.

And also that her old secretary had personally hired him, and Raven did not want to deal with an angry Kory Anders.

‘M-Mr. Logan are you…?’ She looked at her now secretary, who had slumped shoulders and was looking downwards.

‘How do you expect me to work like this?!’ He finally snapped, looking up at her and walking closer to her desk. ‘I get sleep for a grand total of three hours a day, I haven’t had a proper meal and have been practically living on caffeine and I don’t have any plants in my new apartment!!’

‘Plants…?’ She raised an eye-brow.

‘I just needed a third thing, okay?’ Gar cried out. He took a few deep breaths and with his chin touching his chest, his shoulders began to shake.

‘Mr. Lo- Logan are you… cryi-’

‘Yes! Yes, I’m having a mental breakdown right now!’ He exclaimed, looking up at her with tears in his eyes. ‘You may be perfect, Ms. Roth, but I am not! I’m nowhere near perfect, and I’m trying my best to keep up with you here. I’m trying my best, I swear, but I can’t anymore. You’ve ought to give me a break. If I had a girlfriend, I bet she’d want me to quit.’

‘..Well, you don’t have a girlfriend…’ Raven quietly muttered, feeling kind of guilty all of a sudden.

‘Because I’ve been working for you the whole time!!’ Gar yelled, watching her wince as he did.

He finally exhaled, and calmed himself. He stepped back, and suddenly, a professional aura surrounded him, which made Raven blink twice.

‘..I’m sorry Ms. Roth.’ He regarded her. ‘I’m sorry for behaving in an-’

A quite peculiar, but not not-good sound made him stop in his tracks, and in front of him, he could see his superior…. Laughing?

Gar had worked for Raven Roth for almost a month now, and he had never even seen the sides of her lips turning upwards, often making him wonder if they were fixed in a slight frown. But now, in front of him at 10 pm, The Raven Roth was laughing her heart out. Gar blinked, and even rubbed his eyes, wondering if he was hallucinating, because, truthfully, the scene in front of him was… making his heart flutter.

‘I-I’m sorry Mr. Logan..’ Raven said between laughs, covering her mouth with her hand. ‘But no employee has ever talked to me like that before… I would say that you’re almost being… cute.’

‘Well.. of course they haven’t,’ Gar coughed, trying to hide his obvious blush. ‘They’re practically working zombies…’

‘Heh, well you know what,’ Raven sighed, rolling her stiff shoulders into her plush chair. 'You can go home for today… But, I need those papers present on my table by next Monday. Understand?'

'Yes, Ma'am!!' Gar happily exclaimed, saluting her.

‘I may say… you’re being quite perky for someone who was whimpering not two seconds ago.’

‘Heh.. yeah, about that..’ He blushed, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck. ‘Can we just pretend the last five minutes of our lives never happened?’

‘Even the time I told you to wrap it up for the day?’ Raven slyly played along, not knowing what had gotten into her… but not disliking it either. ‘Okay, then, get the files from-’

She looked at him, pouting like a cute little puppy which was kicked in the- wait…

...Cute?

Raven Roth didn’t think things were cute, let alone other humans. She didn’t go around swooning over other men like some women, but what had invaded her thoughts right now?

Well, she did say that the puppy was cute… that had to count for something, right?

‘It’s okay, Mr. Logan, you may go. I was just messing with you.’

‘Phew.’ With a hand on his fine chest, the secretary let out a sigh. Wait, fi- ‘And also, now that we’re off the clock, please, you can call me Gar, Rav-’

‘And you may call me Ms. Roth.’

‘Ms. Roth.’ He smiled. He slightly bowed his head as a silent greeting and walked out of her office.

Raven thought about continuing her work, like she’s been doing every single night-

‘Mr. Garfield?’ She called out, surprising herself as she did.

‘Si?’ Gar immediately popped his head back into her office, almost as if he’d been standing in front of the door the whole time.

Now that he was looking oh-so intently at her, she blushed. And the last time the vice president had blushed was probably(?) when she was in kindergarden…

‘I.. J-just.. I wanted…’ Raven stumbled, making Gar raise his eye-brows with disbelief. ‘Just.. ah, thank you. I.. I needed this. This may seem a little out of character for me-’

‘A little?’ He teased.

‘Okay, well,’ She huffed. ‘This may not seem like myself, but..’ She sighed, almost bashfully fingering the folders on her table. ‘You know I don’t have many friends, everybody knows that. There are only people who are more-or-less fearful of me because of my designation. And ever since Kory went on her… vacation, I have just been working without a care in the world. But… this, whatever weird little confrontation we had right now… it was refreshing. I really needed that laugh, honestly,’ She chuckled. ‘So.. thank you.’

Gar’s face was colored red, and she was almost sure it mirrored hers, but he just smiled. ‘Anytime.’ He winked. 'And.. I'm your friend now! So don't hesitate to come to me anytime you're in need of a pal.'

Raven awkwardly smiled and got back to the task she was doing on her computer.

‘Umm.. Ms. Roth, aren’t you gonna go home too?’

‘Huh, me? No.’ She shook her head, stifling a yawn. ‘I have this presentation to be tak-’

‘What? But today is Friday.. You have the whole weekend ahead of you! You should take a break!’

‘No, Mr. Loga- Garfield, it’s okay.’ He'd taken a seat on one of the chairs in front of her table. ‘You should go ahead...’

‘Oh, Ms. Roth..’ He sighed. ‘If you take a break now, and get a decent good night’s sleep while you still can, you’ll be refreshed and will be more energized to do your work later on; which will make your work even better! So.. what do ya’ say?’

Gar smiled at her, but he seemed dumbfounded once he saw the expression on her face. She was blushing, very heavily, and Gar wasn’t sure if he’d done something which made her face flush. He raised an eye-brow, to which Raven shyly responded by pointing towards her desk with her eyes. As he looked down at where her eyes were pointed, he saw that his hands were covering hers, almost in an affectionate way.

‘Ahem.’ He pulled back at once, his face flushed with shock and embarrassment.

Raven tried regaining her composure, flattening the front of her suit as a distraction and trying to not concentrate on the warmth that was still lingering on her usually cold hands.

‘Well, Mr. Logan, I thank you for your concern, but…’ The VP sighed, eyeing the files on her desk, thinking back on what had happened a few moments ago. Raven wasn’t the kind of person to reconsider things; She had a schedule and she followed it accordingly. But she also wasn’t the kind of person who’d be easily flustered around people, blush (so many times!), or have such… inappropriate thoughts about a co-worker. (Raven believes “cute” is highly inappropriate.) She also made a mental note to go for a health check-up soon, because she wasn’t sure if her heart was supposed to be beating so fast. Or be missing beats.

‘..I’m going to say something and regret it real quick.’ She mumbled. ‘Okay.. have it your way!’

‘Sweet!’ Gar laughed. ‘Seeing as we’re the only people left, let’s head out together!’ He suggested before walking out.

Raven looked dazed for a moment, but then quickly sorted through the files and folders. She organised what she needed and what she would take a look at later, and sighed at her empty table.

Rummaging through her bag, she looked for her car keys. ‘Shit.’

'You okay?' He called out to her. 'Whoa, that was so cool!' She heard him say to himself as his voice echoed through the empty office.

'Nothing, just..' She exhaled. 'I locked the keys in the car, and my spare keys are at home...' She looked frustrated.

'Oh man...' Gar stood at her door, looking down. 'Uhh, can't you just call up your butler or something?'

'It's almost 11 at night, Garfield.' She let out a long sigh.

'Wait.. but can't you rich people like, call your butlers anytime and they'll be present?'

'What do you think this is, a no-budget fanfiction?' Raven rolled her eyes. Her head was laying on her clean table, and Gar couldn't help but blush after seeing her look so laid-back in front of him. 'Well, I can call them, but I wouldn't want to disturb them. Besides, I can just call a cab for now.'

'Or I could give you a ride!' Gar abruptly suggested.

'Umm?' The woman awkwardly raised an eye-brow, not able to find her words to reply to him.

'I mean..' He started, scratching the back of his neck. 'I was the one who suggested we wrap up for the day, and I'm here with you now. If anything were to happen to you, it is really unsafe now, late at night, I wouldn't help but feel responsible. So let me-'

'Garfield.. I-' Raven blushed. 'I don't think it will be suitable for me to accompany a co-worker like this... And also if people think there's an ulterior motive-'

'I don't have any ulterior motives, Rae.' He smiled. 'I'm just a concerned guy looking out for a friend.'

'Very well... Thank you, Garfield.' She looked down at her table, trying to hide her flushed face. 'Also, nobody calls me "Rae".'

'Yes ma'am!' The secretary smiled and walked out to his cubicle to get his things, leaving Raven alone in her office.

Right then, Raven Roth knew something had changed. Be it the atmosphere or herself, she wasn't sure, but something had definitely changed between her and this Gar Logan.

Maybe it was just one-sided; maybe it was because nobody had made her laugh like that, (even though he didn't do it on purpose.), maybe because no one else had ever suggested her to leave her precious work and get sleep. It could be because for the first time, someone had talked to her as Raven (...or Rae) and not “Vice President, Miss. Roth”. Or probably because it was the first time somebody had cared for her enough to stay back and offer a ride.

She wasn't sure why (or what exactly), but she knew something had changed... and in the deepest, darkest corners of her mind, Raven selfishly hoped it didn't change back.

‘You ready?’ He reappeared at her office, bowing a little melodramatically as he caught her eye.

'Yeah…' Raven smiled. 'I'm ready.'

____

Believe it or not the whole meltdown-in-front-of-lady-boss thing is based on a real incident lmho.

Anyway, I hoped you enjoyed this!! Please share your thoughts :>

[send me a prompt]

#My fic #Ask #shewhowillnotbenamed1 #Bbrae #Garchel #Prompt #Raven Roth #Raven #Rachel Roth #Gar Logan #Garfield Logan #Beast boy #Titans #Teen titans #Au #Office romance #Office romance au

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equestrianwritingsstuff · 3 years

Text

In recognition of 200 followers.....

I composed a list of 200 hero x villain dialogue prompts for you guys to ask me or reblog it and ask your own followers or if you take inspiration.

Thank you so much! It means a whole lot!

1. "I wish I had longer to love you."

2. "Sometimes being the greatest is being the worse."

3. "I will kill you if you die on me."

4. "Bury me... under a willow tree... with tulips and lilies to blossom in the spring and a small stream to keep me company."

5. "Villains aren't capable of love; yet, here I am crying over your grave."

6. "The kitten's name is Max."

7. "I'm going to get a beer."

8. "There is only one way to kill me, but you could never muster the strength to pull through."

9. "I'm dizzy with love for you."

10. "Hero, you are drunk not a toddler."

11. "I pledge to serve you willingly, butthead."

12. "Ride the waves with me." "You are a mermaid, no thanks."

13. "Stay awake for me; it's only a little farther."

14. "I can't carry you!"

15. "He isn't much, but we'll make do."

16. "I WANT TO SEE HER! LET ME SEE HER PLEASE. Please..."

17. "George Washington never told a fib, and I am greater than him, so trust me, Hero, when I say I am telling the truth."

18. "Eggs and butter make dough, knives and guns make death."

19. "You are insane."

20. "The bomb is going off in twenty seconds, Hero. Run now. I-I'm going to stop it."

21. "What is love?"

22. "I don't get the function of hugs."

23. "Mentally I'm good, but physically..."

24. "I only wished for happiness from that genie. I guess it was evil."

25. "Break him, shatter him, destroy him."

26. "Sing with me."

27. "Villain you are touch starved, not dying."

28. "What the heck did you do to your hair." "What? You don't like it?" "It looks like my cat's litterbox."

29. "Don't give me hope."

30. "I am not a disease or a parasite. I am a human. I am one of those millions you swore to protect."

31. "Kiss, marry, kill?" "Kill, kill, kill."

32. "You created me."

33. "Villain don't you dare pass out."

34. "I like the look of blood on you, compliments your eyes."

35. "I kinda dropped Hero through space."

36. "Power exhaustion sucks."

37. "Time to save the world. Yay!" *says in sarcasm*

38. "Let me feed you Hero."

39. "You do not have AC?!"

40. "Villain you have a fever."

41. "Am I drunk?"

42. "Movies. Nine o'clock. Don't be late."

43. "Lemme grab a beer and we are good to go."

44. "Don't. Look. At. Me."

45. "He just had his wisdom teeth out sooo." "How bad can it be? Villain has been shot with twenty tranq darts at one and didn't pass out... immediately anyway, took a good twenty minutes." "Well, you see-" "THE KITTEN IS TRYING TO KILL ME!!!!!"

46. "She needs surgery."

47. "It's a panic attack..." "KISS HIM!"

48. "Blood, gore, madness... this was made for me."

49. "Quit drooling on me and sit up."

50. "There's only one bed."

51. "He looks so cute when he sleeps."

52. "Of all the places to live, you had to choose a heavily fortified medieval castle two thousand years in the past?"

53. "You are a peacock Hero."

54. "Let's see who will drown first. You or me. One, two, three... let's go!"

55. "I wasn't always like this."

56. "Madness is for geniuses, not for me."

57. "It's just a sedative that's going to make you nice and docile."

58. "He's out." "Good, let him rest, villainy is hardwork."

59. "I love her, but she doesn't love me."

60. "If I had a choice to save you or me, I'd pick me."

61. "Gag her."

62. "They aren't made for this, give them mercy."

63. "Talk now or she dies."

64. "Broken ribs, broken jaw, broken arm... are you sure you want me to continue." "No." "Then tell me your name."

65. "Get me some thread and a needle. Just don't touch me."

66. "The police are coming."

67. "Tell me where she is. TELL ME WHERE IS SHE OR I WILL SLASH YOUR THROAT AND TOSS YOU IN THE SEWER!!!!!"

68. "I love you." "I don't."

69. "Hug me just one last time."

70. "Villain hey hey hey. Calm down. You've been in a pretty bad accident."

71. "They won't be able to walk again."

72. "Tell me... just tell if they made it."

73. "Can't you just poof me another arm?"

74. "If you saved all of them, you can save me."

75. "I'm really tired..."

76. "Sleep. I will stay with you."

77. "She is sixteen years old." "All musicians start young." "This isn't a concert, this is life. Stop ruining it."

78. "He"s been in an accident." "Where?" "Five minutes away from your place."

79. "I wish he wasn't unconscious, so I could talk to him. So I could thank him."

80. "It's been four months now. I have came everyday and, uh, I dunno what to say. Hero, I need you to wake up. I can't function knowing you are right here."

81. "I have a date." "Hmm with who?" "Supervillain." "When and where honey?"

82. "Shhhhhhh. Be quiet. We are still being hunted."

83. "Desert?" "What are you trying to do? Kill me?"

84. "I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you." "I know, I know dear and I so sorry, but I need you to help me. I need you to help them."

85. "Villain just sleep. Allow the drugs to take you under. Don't fight it, don't resist... just sleep. In the morning, we will be safe."

86. "Being lost in the woods isn't ideal."

87. "An injection of valium will do it."

88. "There's no anesthesia."

89. "Wouldn't it be great if we never met each other?"

90. "Bless you." "I didn't sneeze." "Yeah right. Now go sit down, you're sick."

91. "It's called insomnia you dim-wit."

92. "Join me and we can be great."

93. "You didn't bring me here for the cake." "No, dear, but you are so gullible. I brought you here for a sacrifice." "My life?" "Why yes."

94. "I don't know. I never had someone collapse on my doorstep before."

95. "I have nothing to lose. No family, no friends, just my meaningless life."

96. "That's my daughter, not the villain's... so give me her back before I rip your eyes out."

97. "How long was I out for?!" "Ten minutes, but you were drifting. I don't think you had that good of rest." "Oh, I thought I was asleep for hours."

98. "I know, I know you are going to hate me after this, but trust me when I say it's for the best."

99. "I know everything about you."

100. "I think narcissism is contagious because after watching you for a couple hours, I think I may have developed a little crush on the mirror..."

101. "What did you give me?"

102. "Is she screams, I'm going to scream, and then we are going to die."

103. "No fighting today, my cat just died."

104. "How hard did you punch me?"

105. "Not gonna lie, being delirious was epic."

106. "I am cooking for you. You aren't my servant, so stop thinking it."

107. "My old masters made me into a weapon and called me Villain, but if you desire a lapdog I am going to need to be refurnished to fit your needs."

108. "What is his deal?" "I think he's just crazy."

109. "Love is not what I had in mind when I agreed to go on a date with you."

110. "Hugs are overrated."

111. "Are you too hot or too cold?" "Both."

112. "I wish we could turn back time."

113. "I lost the game." "What do you mean? Hero is dead." "Precisely."

114. "Make a wish." "That you live."

115. "Villain has been acting exceptional! Today we granted them a break from the machine. Go ahead Hero and take him for some ice cream."

116. (Sleepy murmurs) "Don't go. I neeeed you." "Yeah yeah I know Villain."

117. "Villain was the one who hurt me, not Hero."

118. "Supervillain is in danger!"

119. "If everyone is scared of me, I might as well be alone."

120. "My head is killing me."

121. "Don't call an ambulance. Just... hold me."

122. "You don't have to do this. It's going to hurt you more than me." "Anything for you dearest, anything at all."

123. "Hero, go wash your hands before dinner."

124. "You have PTSD?" "I don't know?"

125. "I have soap in my eyes!' "Rinse it out." "Mm no I'm permanently mortally blinded." "Uh huh."

126. "We need to cuddle to keep warm."

127. "Take care of them for me, will you?"

128. "When I'm gone, promise to tell my mother, please."

129. "Drug him and then bring him to me."

130. "Superheroes are for children. In all honesty, we are all villains."

131. "Oh my gosh, Hero, what happened?" "Poisoned."

132. "Wouldn't it be nice?" "I don't fancy prosthetics."

133. "Just shut up and listen!"

134. "There is a memorial parade for Hero tomorrow. They asked you to lead it."

135. "She turned it around... at the end."

136. "I wish that he understood how much I care for him."

137. "Civilian! He fell asleep in my lap last night, like totally zooted. It was so cute, but also very tempting. I stuck a french fry up his nose." "Wow. Did he wake up then?" "Yeah, I am sorta kidnapped right now..."

138. "The book, the sword... all pieces of the puzzle huh." "No, darling, all pieces of my game."

139. "Their death is my fault! Not your's, but mine, so quit trying to make me feel better."

140. "Once upon a time-" "Oh please, not another fairytale."

141. "If only it was that easy."

142. "We are stuck in a maze, how can you be so joyful?"

143. "Celebrate Hero, eat your cake, party into the night... but just know, I will be back."

144. "Call 911!" "Why?" "I stubbed my toe."

145. "Your jawline looks like it was gauzed over in lard." "It looks better than your hay for hair."

146. "You're my best friend." "Villain? Are you on drugs?"

147. "Lay him there and leave him. Let the rats dine on him."

148. "The point of the cow suit?" "Oh, uh, I was at a Halloween parade. You know, for children."

149. "I-i never wanted to hurt you." "I know, I wanted you to, so I allowed it."

150. "Favorite movie?" "Your death." "Ooo never heard of it, let's watch it." "*groans* Oh my gosh, you are stupid."

151. "Being a flutist is my only superpower. And being modest apparently."

152. "Your head will join my collection if yoi don't watch out."

153. "Hey, hey! Wake up, buddy. It's just a nightmare."

154. "Meh head hurts." "Yeah, you hit it pretty hard."

155. "Let's go for a ride." "On that yellow miniature school bus?" "It's a ranger you idiot."

156. "No painkillers, no bandages, perfect environment for infection to settle... I'm just gonna leave you here Villain."

157. "I save you and this is how you repay me? A prison?"

158. "What are you doing?" "Climbing a tree? No Hero, I am breaking into your house to kidnap you."

159. "I formally apologize."

160. "Of all places, Hero, you had to teleport us to a desert. A DESERT."

161. "Supervillain won't stop unless we team up." "I don't think our alliance will stop them, I think it'll just make them angrier."

162. "Stop singing or I will blow this place until even the last atom is broken into itty-bitty molecules!" "That... that is scientifically impossible."

163. "I'm a genius! Yippee!"

164. "Life isn't perfect and nor is your morals."

165. "Control yourself before you kill everyone around you."

166. "Say your goodbyes."

167. "Of all the ways I've died, drowning was by far the nicest."

168. "Love the collar. Is it for fashion purposes?" "Uh, um, uh, er, no?"

169. "You look lonely. Want some hot coco?"

170. "It is negative million out there and you expect me to come in toasty warm after fixing your power?"

171. "Are you sick?" "Yeh." "Come on in then."

172. "Civilian, don't even bother trying to save him."

173. "We have a breach!"

174. "What makes a villain's life less important than your's?"

175. "Enjoy your soup." "You poisoned it." "And you're delusional, eat up."

176. "I hate 99% of the population." "According to a meme I found, you are therefore a cat."

177. "Don't overuse your powers."

178. "This is just an unfortunate event."

179. "You look so cute when you are sleepy and barely conscious."

180. "His fever is rising."

181. "Save her, leave me. I'll-i'll get out of this somehow."

182. "Sometimes self-sacrifice isn't noble, it's selfish."

183. "You are so funny that I need my inhaler to kill you with." "That sentence was so discombobulated that I am leaving."

184. "Just for your information, I hate oranges but love grapes."

185. "Walking down the stairs shouldn't be a momental effort." "You broke both your legs."

186. "You just destroyed my life's work, don't expect me to give you a huge bear hug."

187. "Is it true that you have telekinesis?" "Yes, why?" "Go steal me a donut."

188. "You are so incredibly touch starved, Villain." "Mmm." "Tired? Go ahead and sleep, I'm here."

189. "This is for your own good, I promise."

190. "I'm cold."

191. "I don't want to move and you can't make me."

192. "I AM RETIRED! YOU DON'T NEED TO CONTINUE TO SEND ME PAMPHLETS OF THE HOTTEST HERO OF THE YEAR!"

193. "He's unconscious." "That tired, huh." "No, he passed out from blood loss."

194. "I want a kitten."

195. "I'm no scared of you, so stop acting like I am."

196. "He isn't dangerous, just scared."

197. "They won't be going anywhere for a long, long time."

198. "Hero? Hero? Oh my goodness, please wake up."

199. "Life is too short for pleasures."

200. "I hope you are happy, in the end."

#heros and villains #ask game #200 followers #thank you so much

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horansqueen · 4 years

Text

Stuck With You - Chapter 37

Chapter 37: Save Me

🡪chapter 1 🡪chapter 2 🡪chapter 3 🡪chapter 4 🡪chapter 5 🡪chapter 6 🡪chapter 7 🡪chapter 8 🡪chapter 9 🡪chapter 10 🡪chapter 11 🡪chapter 12 🡪chapter 13 🡪chapter 14 🡪chapter 15 🡪chapter 16 🡪chapter 17 🡪chapter 18 🡪chapter 19 🡪chapter 20 🡪chapter 21 🡪chapter 22 🡪chapter 23 🡪chapter 24 🡪chapter 25 🡪chapter 26 🡪chapter 27 🡪chapter 28 🡪chapter 29 🡪chapter 30 🡪chapter 31 🡪chapter 32 🡪chapter 33 🡪chapter 34 🡪chapter 35 🡪chapter 36

College Enemies To Lovers AU

characters // masterlist // instagrams // mood board

Loving you like I never have before I'm needing you to open up the door If begging you might somehow turn the tides Then tell me to I've got to get this off my mind

I never thought I'd be speaking these words I never thought I'd need to say Another day alone is more than I can take

Won't you save me Saving is what I need I just want to be by your side Won't you save me I don't want to be Just drifting through the sea of life

click here to be on the update list

DEVON

When I woke up, my lips curled immediately. My cheek was pressed against Niall's chest and he smelled amazing, so good in fact that I inhaled until my lungs were full and ended up rubbing my nose against him gently. I could barely believe that I had admitted my feelings to him. I didn't regret it, it was becoming very heavy on my shoulders, but at the same time, I didn't know if I was ready for a relationship, and I didn't know if he was either. I knew we'd have to talk about it but it scared me and I didn't want to hurt him or be hurt. I just wished things were easier, that we both hadn't been hurt by unworthy people in toxic relationships before. I knew that we would be able to give ourselves completely to each other if we hadn't had our hearts broken that way, and I hated knowing that my relationship with Henry could ruin what I had with Niall.

I kept my eyes closed but moved my chin up, leaving a small kiss near his chin and I heard him breathe in deeply before I felt his arms wrap around me. It made me realize how cold I was and how good it felt to have him hold me close. I shut my eyes tighter and tried to cuddle him more as I shivered in his arms.

"'Morning." he mumbled, making me smile.

"Good morning." I replied, my lips brushing on the skin of his neck. "I'm sure we would have slept better in the bed."

He chuckled and pulled me closer to him. "Yea, I'd bet a blowjob on it."

I chuckled and my eyes fluttered open. "That early in the morning? Really?"

He laughed a bit and bent down to reach my lips, pressing his against them a few times softly and letting out a low groan. I brought my hand and slipped my fingers in his hair, caressing it gently as I focused on the way his mouth felt. My heart fluttered and I felt so stupid but I really couldn't help it. When Niall kissed me, even in a simple way like he was, I felt like the whole world vanished, leaving only us two. It was scary but it was also magic, as cheesy as it sounded.

"Yes, really." he finally replied when his lips left mine. "Having my girlfriend's body pressed against mine tends to do that."

My heart seemed to stop and I held my breath. We hadn't discussed about our status yet and I was a bit surprised that he just assumed we were now dating. I couldn't blame him and I was not mad, but somehow, it was stressing me and I was not sure why.

"G-Girlfriend?"

He moved his face away a bit to look at me and my lips parted, my heart skipping a beat as I looked at him. It seemed surreal that someone like Niall wanted to date someone like me and at the same time, I felt so lucky to be loved by such an amazing man. Was that how real love felt like? Was that what it felt like to love someone who loves you back?

"I mean, I know we didn't really discuss it but," he shrugged a shoulder and ran his tongue on his bottom lip. "It sounds good, doesn't it?"

My traits softened and I pressed my lips together, just looking at him. He was right, it did sound good and I liked it more than I should. But at the same time, I felt my heart sink in my stomach at that thought.

"Niall, I don't know-"

I stopped suddenly and jumped when we heard the key turn in the lock. I found Niall's hand and squeezed his fingers tight, a bit scared that it was an employee and not one of our friends, but when the door opened, my jaw dropped at who was behind it.

"You're welcome." Abby said, sending us an amused smile, shaking the keys and making an annoying sound. "Noah sent me. He drank too much last night and we just saw your message. Took me half an hour to find which closet you guys were locked in."

I got up and Niall did the same, grabbing his boxers as I took my underwear and when I turned around, Abby's eyebrows were raised. It was hard to know what she was thinking about but she ended up just sighing and turning around.

"Hey, Abby, thanks." Niall finally said, following her out of the closet.

She turned around and sent him a small smile that disappeared immediately when Niall grabbed my hand in his. His intertwined our fingers and I swallowed hard as my heartbeats accelerated. Abby's gaze turned to me and once again, I held my breath. She was looking at me as if she was ready to jump on me and rip my eyes out but after a while, she just raised her chin and eyebrows up.

"You're welcome."

I sort-of expected Niall to let go of my hand when Abby had left but he didn't, and I felt stupid for thinking that. Niall was not doing this to make Abby jealous, he was doing it because he wanted to. He wanted to hold my hand and be with me. Was I really going to ruin this?

We took the elevator in silence and when we finally walked back in our room, I squeezed Niall's hand tighter, scared that he'd just let go. He pulled on it and turned around, walking slowly backward with a smile on his face and bringing me with him.

"We should really take a shower."

"Together?"

He nodded and the smirk on his face made me chuckle. I let him bring me to the bathroom and closed the door with one of my feet. I hated the way I was feeling, a mix of fear and happiness that made my stomach twist but my heart flutter at the same time.

He let go of my hand and cupped my face gently, bending down to kiss my lips.

"Let me help you, okay?"

I nodded and he just grabbed the bottom of my shirt, passing it over my head and messing my hair at the same time. I chuckled and he did too, his mouth quickly finding mine again as he pressed his smile against mine.

"I just knew you were not wearing underwear and I like that." he added in a whisper, a smirk still spread on his lips.

"Pervert." I replied with an other chuckle as he worked on my pants.

I quickly reached for the back of his shirt and helped him take it off as I pushed my pants away, focusing on taking off his. I laughed a bit when he pulled on his socks, almost tripping, and when we were finally naked, he started the shower, waiting for the water to get warm. It took only a few seconds and I followed him, placing the curtain back and tilting my chin to look in his eyes. I loved this intimacy more than I could explain and when he took a step back to get under the stream, I smiled more. I loved looking at him naked, and this time, it was not even sexual. I could understand why he was a model and I thought about all the pictures I could take at this exact moment.

"Come here." I whispered, making him raise his eyebrows. "Just bend down."

I grabbed the shampoo and poured some in my hands before bringing them to his head, rubbing my hands slowly his hair and scratching his skull at the same time. He groaned and his eyes closed, making me smile even more as I let my hands run on his chest and shoulders to wash him. He turned around and my fingers traveled on his back and down his butt and when I was done, he turned around slowly and bent down to kiss me again.

He didn't say anything but did the same to me, rubbing his hands slowly but gently in my hair before letting them slide on my shoulders, breasts and stomach. He reached for my back while kissing me again and I smiled against his lips when his hands brushed on my ass.

"Are you done?" I asked in a whisper, making him nod slowly.

"Mmhm, yea."

I rinsed my hair under the water and he did the same and we finally got out grabbing towels and walking back in our room. I shivered slightly and sat in bed before yawning. He walked to the other side and pulled on the blankets before laying down in bed. I frowned but I did the same, shivering as I let my towel fall on the carpet.

"I can't believe Abby's the one who unlocked us." he finally said, shaking his head and chuckling again.

"And she was pissed, too."

Niall turned around in bed and when I turned my head to look at him, he was frowning.

"Really? I didn't notice."

He seemed sincere and it made my lips curl. I couldn't believe he hadn't realized that taking my hand had bothered Abby so much that she was not able to hide the annoyed expression on her face. I felt Niall's hand slide on my stomach and he pulled me closer, turning my body his way so we were facing each other. His fingertips ran up and down my back softly, making goosebumps appear on my skin as his eyes moved slowly on my face, making me blush slightly. He probably couldn't see it though, since the curtains were closed and despite the room not being completely in the dark since it was sunny outside.

"This is how we should have slept last night." he pointed out after a few minutes of silence. "We should nap."

"Okay."

I felt his forehead lean against mine and I closed my eyes, my lips curling slightly. It felt so good to be close to him and it made me think of all the days we had spent together at his apartment, making me want to go back there desperately.

I was almost asleep, my mind creating scenarios of us together, when I heard his voice.

"Devie..."

"Mm."

"I love you."

I woke up feeling Niall's hand run on one of my breasts before moving to the other. Somehow, I had turned around when I was asleep and we were now spooning. I could feel his hard cock press on my ass and I whimpered low, my eyes still closed. I loved knowing he wanted me and somehow, it made me feel desirable for the first time in my life.

"Fuck, I want you." he whispered near my ear.

I smiled more and grabbed my hair, moving it away from him, immediately feeling his lips pressed on my neck as he ground on my ass.

"I dreamed about you riding me." he added low, nibbling gently on my lobe and making my eyes flutter. "You're gonna have to ride me tonight baby."

"Mm, why not now?"

"Because I'm way too horny and this is going to be quick."

I felt two of his fingers slip inside me from behind and quickly, he replaced them with his cock. He pushed it slowly inside me as I felt my clit throb and when he was completely in, I squirmed a bit to feel him even deeper. One of his hands traveled on my side until my thigh and he started thrusting in and out of me slowly, his mouth leaving soft kisses on my shoulder and making me shiver.

"I love you so much." he murmured in-between kisses. "You feel so good, fuck."

I could feel myself throb around him and even if I was extremely horny, I tried to focus on his words and the softness of his kisses and caresses. I had never felt that kind of love, especially not while I was having sex, and I ended up wondering if it was what 'making love' was all about. His hand slid very slowly until my breasts again and my eyes fluttered when his fingertips brushed on my nipples. My lips parted and I let out a short moan, making his movements slightly faster.

"Jesus... fuck."

I felt him push himself hard against me as he leaned his forehead on my shoulder and the thought of him cumming made me feel dizzy. When he came down from his high, he was panting and he just moved away to lay on his back. I chuckled and did the same as we stayed in silence for a few minutes. After a while, he turned around on his side and I felt his hand slip down my stomach again to reach between my legs. Instinctively, I spread my legs and he sent me a smile, holding his head with his hand.

I felt two of his fingers slip inside me and finally go back to my clit, rubbing it gently at first and a bit faster after a minute or two. I loved that I didn't have to ask him to make me cum and when I felt an orgasm form in the pit of my stomach, my eyes shut tight and my back arched as I held my breath. I came hard, my body shaking as he kept touching me until I( relaxed on the bed.

I kept my eyes close until I felt him move on top of me to kiss my lips, making me whimper in his mouth.

"You make me happy, Devie, so fucking happy."

I smiled and looked in his eyes, moving my head to reach for his lips again. "You make me happy too."

I put my head back on the pillow, a smile still plastered on my face, and when he bent down to kiss me again, we heard someone knock roughly at the door.

"Okay you two! It's time to get out of there! We're going out for dinner!" I recognized Lewis voice and chuckled a bit when Niall grimaced.

"Yea, put your clothes back on, you two had enough sex for today!" Louis added, making me smile even more.

Niall peeled away from me with a sigh and got up, grabbing a pair of boxers in his bag and putting them on before doing the same with a shirt.

"We're coming!" I just yelled. "We'll be downstairs in 10 minutes!"

I got up and started dressing up as I heard Niall groan again near me. "They're so fucking annoying." he mumbled, making me smile.

"Hey, we're here to spend time with our friends, yea?" I pointed out, using the same words he had used with me the day before.

"I am!" he pointed out, making me laugh.

We went to a restaurant on the main street and laughed a lot. Niall didn't mention anything about us and I was thankful for that. I was not ready to share it with anyone if only because I was not even sure of what I wanted. Saying it out loud would also make if official and I wanted to have a discussion with Niall first, even if I was dreading it.

We ended up walking back to the hotel and I watched Mandy bend down to grab some snow, forming a ball with it and throwing it at her brother. I knew immediately where this would lead and not even a minute later, we were all throwing snowballs at each other. I heard laughs and a few screams as I tried to dodge all the projectiles thrown at me and when one hit me behind the head, I turned around to see Louis smirking at me and raising his eyebrows.

"Gotcha!"

I was about to throw one back at him but Niall beat me to it. The snowball hit Louis right in the face and my lips parted in surprise until Louis wiped the snow from his face, spitting some that had landed in his mouth. I started laughing as Niall smirked and Louis finally turned to Niall, clearly up for revenge.

"Touché!"

He started running after him and I laughed when Louis jumped on Niall's back, making him fall down. They ended up both laying on their backs in the snow and I moved over Niall, smiling at him and holding out my hand for him.

"Need help?"

He smiled but instead to let me help him up, he pulled on my arm, making me fall on top of him. I let out a small scream and started laughing when he wrapped his arms around me. I knew all our friends were near and I didn't know who was actually looking at us but all I cared about was the way Niall was looking at me.

"You said you'd try snowboarding with me." he pointed out in a very low tone.

"I'm better at snowball fights." I admitted, pressing my lips together and raising my nose up, still laying on top of him.

"Come on, please."

I sighed and gave in after a few seconds. "Alright, when?"

"Tonight! I'll show you the basics."

We stared in each other's eyes for a while and I realized that I couldn't tell him no, not when he was looking at me like that, and I finally nodded. His hand reached for my cheek and I felt his warm fingertips on my cold cheeks. His eyes fell on my lips before quickly looking back in my eyes and it made me smile.

"Come on you two! Or we're leaving you here!"

We laughed together and finally got up, trying to get rid of the snow on our clothes before to join our friends. I felt Niall's finger brush against mine as we walked and my heart skipped a beat. I loved him way more than I was ready to admit but I knew that eventually, I'd have to open up completely, no matter how scary it was.

#niall horan #niall horan smut #niall horan fluff #niall horan story #niall horan writing #niall horan fanfic #niall horan fan fic #niall horan fanfiction #niall horan fan fiction #niall horan college au #niall horan au #niall horan enemies to lovers #niall horan uni au #my fanfics #swy

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