#It genuinely is two weeks officially isn't

[love-belle]

you got me thinking nonsense !!!

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ in which heartbreak led to her real love and she'd be damned if she didn't make sure everyone knows that.

or

for when they're everything to you. ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚

social media au // charles leclerc x fem!reader

prequel - light as a feather ⋆·˚ ༘ *

warnings - language

author's note - posting this i simply couldn't resist!!! i'll try my HARDEST to post carlos' version of shout out to my ex tonight but if not then tomorrow fs <3 thank u so much for reading, i love u <3

taglist - @marsdreamworld @eviethetheatrefreak @22yuki @incoherenciass @bb-swift @willowpains @lordperceval-16 (tagging all those who asked for part ii <3)

≡;- ꒰ °instagram ꒱

liked by pierregasly, f1updates, exwagsclub and 79,726 others

paddock.club y/n y/l/n and charles leclerc spark dating rumours as they were seen out on a "date", which were further confirmed as the couple shared a kiss. for weeks, y/l/n and leclerc have been having coy and not-so-platonic interactions on social media and fans have speculated that these two are more just friends. this news comes after y/n's break up with a fellow driver of charles and while neither y/n or her ex have commented on this, it's clear that they didn't have a clean break up as there were rumours of cheating surrounding the ex. for more details, click on the link in our bio.

tagged charles_leclerc yourusername

589 comments

username LMFAOAOOA THE WAY LANDO ISN'T EVEN MENTIONED HERE

username "the ex" ur so right he's not worth mentioning 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

username olivia was talking abt lando when she sang "some weird second string loser who's not worth mentioning"

*liked by oliviarodrigo*

username my true parents fr ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

username she looks sooo happy with him im so happy for her

username love how none of yes are surprised like we all saw this coming

username the way l*ndo isn't even mentioned ONCE like that's what u get for cheating babes!!!!!!!!!

username CHARLES AND Y/N FUCK YEA

username she genuinely looks so much happier with charles like this is the type of relationship she deserved ❤️

username IM ❤️ SO ❤️ HAPPY ❤️ FOR ❤️ THEM ❤️

username no bc there was no way they thought that they'd be able to convince us that they weren't together

username istg i see one person comment some out of pocket shit im SWINGING

username l*ndo's crying rn like i can Feel it

username no bc HOW'D he pull 😭😭😭😭😭

-> username fr like u put him near y/n he starts malfunctioning

-> username no bc that one interview where he forgot his own team's name js bc y/n walked past him is LIVING proof

username i know the driver's gc is WILDIN rn

username see now idk who to be jealous of

-> username the only correct answer is both

username no bc IMAGINE THE SONGS SHE'LL WRITE ABOUT HIM!!!!!!

username pretty people (y/n and charles) ruining it for the ugly people (me) by getting together

username oh so he got GAME

username everyone bffr y/n was probably the one who took the initiative

username guys stop with all the l*ndo slander comments i can't like them all

username charles leclerc i will never forgive u for taking my wife

username im sooooOOOOooo normal about this. ha fucking ha.

≡;- ꒰ °instagram ꒱

liked by charles_leclerc, lewishamilton, carmenmmundt and 2,792,712 others

yourusername nonsense is now yours!!! i wrote this song on my very close friend's bedroom's floor and i can officially say that this is the most unhinged song i have ever written :) i love u all sooo much i could cry <3 (charles_leclerc be my personal photographer pls ❤️)

15,628 comments

username HELLO?????? PLEASE IM CRYING WHAT IS THIS SONG AND WHY IS IT MAKING ME CRY AND HORNY

username IM TALKIN OPPOSITE OF SOFT?????? Y/N?????????

username nah she's unhinged

username "on my very close friend's bedroom's floor" BABE WE KNOW

username how quickly can u take ur clothes off pop quiz 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

-> username oh she's wild for adding this

username IN LOVE WITH THE OUTRO

username PLEASE touch some grass and meditate

georgerussell63 wish i never heard it but cool beats x

-> yourusername i too wish u never heard it but thank u russell george x

username i know sebastian texted her after this

*liked by yourusername*

username okayyyy so at least he's winning off the track

-> username OH UR SO WRONG FOR THIS

username at least my girl's getting some good dick y'all leave her alone

username im a changed woman after hearing this song

username u gotta keep up with me!!!!! i got some young energy!!!!!!! i caught the l-o-v-e!!!! why do u do this to me!!!!!!!

username i know charles is blasting the SHIT out of this sin anthem (encouraging)

-> username PLEASE NOT SIN ANTHEM

lilymhe when will you write a song like this about me :/

-> yourusername if u would like i can show u????

-> lilymhe i'm On my way!

-> alex_albon STOP I'M STILL HERE

-> yourusername alex look away

-> charles_leclerc i'm

-> yourusername u too babe look AWAY

-> username BABE

-> username DID SHE JS CONFIRM IT FR FR

username said u like my eyes????? AND u like to make them roll??????

-> username if someone said that to me i would be AT the altar in most white dress ever

username charles won at life fr

username WHY IS NO ONE TALKING ABT HOW GOOD SHE LOOKS IN THESE PHOTOS

-> username my heart stopped she's so barbie coded

charles_leclerc nice song

-> yourusername thank u

charles_leclerc any particular muse behind this?

-> yourusername js this cool guy i've been seeing

-> charles_leclerc "cool" huh? 😏😏😏😏🤪🤪🤪🤪🤗🤗🤗🤗🫡🫡🫡🫡🥶🥶🥶🥶😩😩😩😩🤧🤧🤧🤧☺️☺️☺️☺️😘😘😘😘🥰🥰🥰🥰😚😚😚😚

-> yourusername yes charles u are cool

-> username MY GOD SOMEONE TAKE AWAY THIS MAN'S PHONE

-> username y/n be honest does he blush and giggle when u call him a pet name????

-> yourusername what do u think

-> username I KNEW IT OMG

charles_leclerc if the person in front of the camera is you, i will gladly be behind the camera for the rest of my life.

-> yourusername the most romantic thing u have ever said to me

-> charles_leclerc that's not true

-> yourusername u called me a chameleon yesterday

-> charles_leclerc because you wear a different shade of eye colour everyday

-> yourusername eye shadow* baby

-> charles_leclerc okay :D

-> username WHO IS THIS MAN

-> username nah he's GONE for her

≡;- ꒰ twitter ꒱

≡;- ꒰ °instagram ꒱

liked by yourusername, carlossainz55, arthur_leclerc and 1,538,976 others

charles_leclerc she wrote a song for me and while it wasn't the most romantic one, the sentiment is still appreciated. y/n, i adore you completely, even if you spend more time with my mom than you do with me. mon cœur ❤️ ( my heart )

tagged yourusername

12,629 comments

username im

username js gonna leave yeah (ABSHDHDJSJJSSJ)

username what do u MEAN charles is in love and what do u MEAN that it's not with me (i love them both sm)

username okayyyy she wrote how much she loves u and ur little thing that's the MOST romantic thing ever

-> username nah bestie given the way she wrote the song im not it's *little*

*liked by yourusername*

-> username GIRL PLEASE WHY ARE U LURKING

username i love them both so much

carlossainz55 you two make me nauseous but it's been a long time coming 🤍 happy for you both !!

-> charles_leclerc thank you for your approval <3

-> carlossainz55 had to make sure you'd treat her better 🤷

-> username "treat her better" is speaking VOLUMES

-> username i love carlos so much ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

username y/n being the grid's favourite is my aesthetic 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

username I LOVE THEM SOOO MUCH THEY'RE MY PARENTS LIKE AJSJSKSKSJKSKKS

username "mon cœur" can u hear me SCREAMING 💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔

username they genuinely deserve all the happy things in life like im SO fr

username ferrari better get their shit in order bc i know that if they fuck up again y/n is fr gonna destroy them and idk if that's gonna be by words or by a song or she's straight up gonna fist fight them

*liked by yourusername, charles_leclerc and carlossainz55*

danielricciardo at least she writes you songs, she writes me threatening messages

-> yourusername U CALLED ME THAT MCDONALD'S CLOWN

-> charles_leclerc i'm not gonna intervene

-> danielricciardo BECAUSE YOU LOOKED LIKE ONE

-> yourusername THAT'S JS CHARLES NOT ME

-> charles_leclerc i am going to intervene

username im so ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ about them

username i just fell to the floor what the fuck

username IM SOOOOOOOOO *cries*

lewishamilton 🫶🏼

*liked by charles_leclerc*

username i KNOW lando is pulling at his hair rn

username THAT NOTE OH MY GOD

username pls god when will it be me

username im so 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔

yourusername wdym "u said u like my eyes and u like to make em roll" is not romantic

-> charles_leclerc the most romantic thing i have ever heard in my eye

-> yourusername ❤️

yourusername i love ur mom

-> charles_leclerc i know

-> leclerc_pascale mon ange 😘

-> yourusername MAMA LECLERC ❤️❤️❤️

-> charles_leclerc and i'm right here...

yourusername cannot wait to write songs for u my entire life

-> charles_leclerc cannot wait to compose piano pieces for you 😘

-> username IM SCREAMING

-> username WHAT DO U MEAN HE COMPOSES PIANO PIECES FOR HER 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

username they're so

username i would give anything to have a love like that 😭😭😭😭😭

username im crying.

≡;- ꒰ °instagram ꒱

liked by charles_leclerc, lorenzotl, lilymhe and 2,975,327 others

yourusername looking at u got me thinking nonsense!!!!!!!!!!! also special thanks to landonorris bc if not for him i wouldn't have met the love of my life so thanks dude even if ur a prepubescent piece of shit

tagged charles_leclerc

18,629 comments

username IM HOWLING WHAT THE FUCK

username THE TAG THE CAPTION

username prepubescent piece of shit will forever be engraved in my brain ❤️

username LMFAOAOAOAO

username y/n y/m/n y/l/n u will always be famous

username IM CRYINF WHAT THEBFUCK

lewishamilton both of you 💕

-> yourusername we love u lewis <3

username she will never let l*ndo live in peace and i love her sm for that

username i just cackled out loud why is she so funny

username SHE'S SOOOO UNSERIOUS

username i js know charles is MADLY in love with her bc HOW can u not be

username she's so unhinged. i love her.

username screaming

lilymhe i thought we were something

-> yourusername babygirl u own my heart and 4ever will

-> alex_albon wow.

-> charles_leclerc oh my god

username they're so adorable 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

username THEM

username no bc charles deffo manifested this shit like imagine having a crush on someone for YEARS and then they date ur friend but the friend cheats on them and u end up together like woahh wildddd

-> username and then they write a song about u

-> username AND THEN THEY WRITE A SONG ABOUT U

oscarpiastri a scream just erupted from *his* driver's room

*liked by yourusername*

-> username target audience reached 🫡

username stop with the l*ndo hate comments i seriously CANNOT like them all

username i would do anything to go to a driver's meeting ANYTHING

maxverstappen1 nice caption

-> yourusername thank u :) an angry dutch proof read this

username max proof reading this caption is sooo funny like omg

-> username they're truly destroying his peace and i respect them so much

username i truly cannot wait for the next race

username NO BC DID SOMEONE SEE THAT CLIP WHERE NONSENSE PLAYED IN THE PADDOCK WHILE LANDO WAS THERE AND HE LOOKED SO 😒😒😒😒😒😒

-> username LMFAOAOAOA THAT WAS HIGHLIGHT OF MY DAY

-> username truly a cinematic piece ❤️

charles_leclerc was the first photo necessary

-> yourusername absolutely like look at my man ❤️

charles_leclerc looking at YOU got ME thinking nonsense

-> yourusername stop im blushing

charles_leclerc i thought we'd be nice

-> yourusername no YOU'D be nice i'd be mean

-> charles_leclerc okay amour ( my love )

charles_leclerc i love you ❤️

-> yourusername i caught the l-o-v-e

-> yourusername i love you more ❤️

username IM SOOOOOO 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

username charles and y/n ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

username me when.

#f1 x reader #f1 x female reader #f1 imagines #social media au #fake instagram imagines #charles leclerc x reader #charles leclerc x y/n #charles leclerc x you #charles leclerc #charles leclerc x female reader #charles leclerc one shot #charles leclerc imagines #charles leclerc imagine #charles leclerc fanfic #charles leclerc instagram au #charles leclerc au #charles leclerc fluff

[norrisleclercf1]

You Are My Sunshine

Pairing: Dad/Husband!Lando x Reader

Warnings: Slightly mentions of smut, pregnancy, fluff, dad!lando (yes that needs a warning that man would kill me being a father), just overall tooth rotting fluff

Rating: PG-13

Synopsis: Lando comes home after a race and has memories of your life leading up to this moment of him coming home to you and baby Carlie

A/N: I’m in a dad and fluff moment this week so be prepared for soft dad!F1 and fluffy writings

It wasn't every day that Lando could come home to you and the baby. But he was able to find a way to do just that and surprise you both. Lando hated being away from home more than ever now; when he was younger, he could've cared less, but then he met you.

At first, you both were just casual; everyone kept telling him to make it official before someone else came along and swept you away. Lando just laughed and shook it off, not wanting to face the truth of genuinely wanting to be his, fuck, he even wanted to marry and have a family with you.

Lando finally told you after his wreck in Miami, where he came back furious at how close he was to finishing, only to knock tires with Pierre and have to DNF. He didn't even know you were at the race until he walked into the garage and a body collided with his.

The familiar scent of your body wash soothed his anger and beating heart as he didn't care for the shuttering of the cameras catching the tender moment between the two.

"You're here?" He whispers in the crevice of your neck while you smile and kiss his temple.

"I'm so proud of you, Lan." It was simple words, but to him, it meant everything, knowing that even when he didn't finish the race or do fantastic, you still rooted for him no matter what.

After Miami, everyone knew that you two were official as Lando refused to let you out of his sight, and how he would defend you like crazy, hell he even shoved a fan once when they got far too close to you and tried to touch you.

Lando slowly pushed his front door open, trying hard not to wake anyone in the house since it was barely 3 in the morning. He smiled at the Monte Carlo skyline that dusted the tall wall-to-floor windows, having missed this view so much.

He remembers the first time he bought the place and showed it to you. He still gets worked up thinking about how he fucked you against the windows, finally telling each other that you loved one another.

It was another 2 years when he proposed to you. It could have been fancier. Hell, he didn't even have a ring when he proposed. Lando arrived home from a triple-header, exhausted and wanting nothing but to sleep. Instead, he was welcomed to you in the kitchen wearing his shirt and underwear, cooking his favorite meal.

"Will you marry me?" He blurted it out, scaring the shit out of you, making you jump and almost drop the plates.

"What?" You laugh, not believing your ears.

He walks over, gently takes the plates from your hands, and sets them down, turning back to you.

"Marry me. Will you marry me?" He repeats, fingers dancing on your waist and pulling you into him.

"Yes." You didn't think twice about answering him. You loved Lando nothing more in your life could take that away. He busts out that dazzling smile while he pulls you in for that warm heart-stopping kiss.

Of course, dinner was cold after he was finished with you, but he could've cared less about that.

Putting down his luggage, he steps out of his shoes and heads down the hall stopping at the first door and noticing it's cracked open. This wasn't normal for you or him to leave this door open to the nursery. With a gentle nudge, he opens the door and sees that your baby isn't in the crib. He feels that all too well-known panic clutch his heart but stops when he looks down the hall to see you asleep in your bed.

He sees a more petite body next to you and exhales that panic as tip-toes down the hall and leans against the door watching the both of you.

"You should tell him you're pregnant, Y/n." Daniel and Max argue as you fuss with your outfits, trying to plan what to wear, not to show off your bump.

"I can't, he's too stressed, and I don't want to make it worse with a baby. What if he isn't ready? What if he feels pressured to give up F1? What if he hates me for us having a baby so soon after we've been married?" You ramble off, your hormones and emotions taking over.

"Woah, okay, that was.....something. But, Y/n, you know damn well known of that is true." Max reassures you while Daniel nods, helping you pick out your clothes.

"Real question is, how does he not know with that small bump of yours?" Daniela asks to lay down an oversized Mclaren shirt and loose jeans so they won't hug your stomach.

"He's been super busy, and I've been wearing large clothing recently, so he hasn't questioned it." You shrug, walking into the hotel bathroom to change.

"Tell him, love, he deserves to know. Besides, all he has been talking about at the paddock is babies since Carlos and Pierre recently brought theirs to the races." Daniel shoots, making you groan and storm out of the bathroom.

"I'm scared." You mumble, shoving your feet into your tennis shoes.

"Listen, we would love to help you, but this is a conversation to have with Lando himself. Just tell him okay." Max whispers, kissing the top of your head and leaving Daniel not far behind him.

Never would you have thought you'd tell him you were pregnant while he celebrated his first P1 finish. People swarmed you both, screaming and spraying champagne when you yelled those two words to him.

Lando's smile grows to the point it hurts when he pulls you into his arms, kissing you deeply, but he soon makes sure to get you out of the crazy crowd.

Lando loves the picture in the living room; it was taken at the P1 finish when you told him you were pregnant. He moves closer and smiles at how your body is curved slightly around his whole world, his sunshine.

The little girl you had given birth to stole Lando's heart at that moment. Lando's wallpaper was a picture Daniel took of him holding your little girl while tears fell down his cheeks. Lando slowly slides his pants and shirt off and climbs into bed.

With careful movements, he pulls you both into his arms, making your tense body relax into your husband's arms. But his daughter Carlie named after Carlos, stirs awake and starts that heartbreaking whimper.

"Shhh sunshine, it's okay, it's just your daddy," Lando whispers, kissing her chubby cheeks as those gorgeous eyes glisten with tears.

He loved her eyes, she got them from you and swore it makes him want to have another one now, but he knows it's best to wait a year or two before another.

Carlie keeps up the soft whimpers while Lando ponders how to stop it before you wake. Hating it, he picks up Carlie, gently gets out of bed, and heads to the living room.

He starts to rock while he stands in front of the windows overlooking the city and starts to sing a lullaby.

"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine

You make me happy when skies are grey

You'll never know dear, how much I love you

Please don't take my sunshine away." He whispers the words softly, Carlie looking up at her daddy, having heard his voice. Lando smiles at her, feeling his world stop at this moment.

"The other night dear, as I lay sleeping

I dreamed I held you in my arms

When I awoke, dear, I was mistaken

And I hung my head and cried

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine

You make me happy when skies are grey

You'll never know dear, how much I love you

Please don't take my sunshine away."

Lando first sang this silly little lullaby when you were 6 months pregnant, and the baby kept kicking you; it was the Baku race, hot and miserable, and you just wanted to cry.

Lando remembers looking up and seeing the overwhelming look on your face and the way you pushed on the area where the baby was kicking. He stopped talking to the mechanics and walked over and pulled you close by your chair.

"Shhhh, it's okay. Take a deep breath." He mumbles while grabbing a cold water bottle; he replaces your hand with his own and tries to calm you down.

He couldn't help but start to hum the lullaby and soon began to sing the words that only the two of you could hear, but the baby soon began to settle as he kept singing. You stare at your husband as he smiles at your stomach and helps you calm down from the panic and emotions that grapple you.

"I love you." You whisper as he finishes singing and looks up at you; a tender emotion covers him as he kisses you gently on the lips and then your stomach.

"I love you both so much, My world and my sunshine." He kisses you one last time before he heads back to the car.

"I'll always love you and make you happy

If you will only say the same

But if you leave me to love another

You'll regret it all some day

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine

You make me happy when skies are grey

You'll never know dear, how much I love you

Please don't take my sunshine away."

He soon starts to hum the rest when Carlie has her eyes closed and nestled into Lando's chest, her soft breaths hitting his skin. He smiles and leans down, pressing a kiss to her head.

"Hey." You whisper, startling him, making you giggle at the tired shocked look he gets as he relaxes again. "Sorry, did I wake you?" You shake your head no and walk over to Lando, wrapping his arm around you as he pulls you into him.

"No, I woke when you first came into the apartment." You smile at your baby girl snuggled tight against her father.

"Damn, and here I thought I was quiet." He curses, making you smile, but you don't reply as you just turn and hide your face in his neck, enjoying your husband's warmth.

"I'm glad you are home." You whisper after a few minutes of silence. "Me too, baby. Me too." He smiles into your hair, wishing he could save this moment forever.

#f1 #f1 x reader #f1 x y/n #formula 1 #f1 fandom #f1 imagine #f1 2022 #f1 scenario #formula one #lando x reader #lando imagine #lando norris #lando norris imagine #lando x y/n #lando norris x reader #lando norris gif #mclaren lando #lando f1 #f1 fluff #lando fluff #f1 mclaren #max verstappen #daniel ricciardo

[perrywrites]

yoo, thoughts on bllk boys who'd probably be in a 'die for you' (by the weeknd) coded relationship/situationship? 👁👁

Oh, that's definitely the Itoshi brothers' anthem. From the vibes I'm getting from a cursory lookover at the lyrics (I've heard the song before, just never paid attention to the lyrics before) correct me if I'm wrong about what they mean lmfao. Very much Sae, and also Rin - especially Rin. The emotional constipation and communication issues paired with that kind of intense and desperate love... Yeah, that's definitely Rin.

But let's start off with the 'colder' of the two - Sae. You just know that he's not going to give you enough in the relationship, especially in the start. Honestly, I think in terms of attachment styles (if you don't know about those, look them up and take the quiz! very fun and illuminating experience... lol), he's definitely very much on the avoidant end. He comes off as icy and distant in the start, impassive and bored, and although most of the angst would be dealt with before entering into a relationship with him (hopefully...) that doesn't mean things become that much better when you guys actually become official. Not in the beginning, at least. He's definitely softer, noticeably. He teases you with that trademark dry and sarcastic wit, bestows you with lingering touches, rare and precious smiles, but that's not enough. It's just not enough. At first, you cling to every crumb like a rain-soaked shirt to skin, desperate and lovesick for any ounce of affection, and his acknowledgment of you as his girlfriend sends you soaring. But of course, as a relationship starts progressing, one would want more, and it's no different in this case. Except, trying to ask a stubborn man like him for more is difficult, and eventually, tiring. It makes you feel crazy, trying to beg him for more than the bare minimum he offers. It's not necessarily so much so that he refuses to give you more, but more so that he thinks it's pointless. He doesn't see the point in complimenting you often (that would dilute their worth and effect, he would explain), or telling you that he likes you, I mean, you should know that, right? Otherwise he wouldn't be dating you in the first place. So when you start asking him for affection and for more of his time (to go on dates and whatnot... what? You knew he was a busy guy, stop asking to go out so often especially when you know the amount of precautions he'll have to take) and all of that, he starts feeling annoyed and cornered. You're asking for too much. What, do you want him to change for you? Is what he's giving you not enough? And before long, your need for affection is dismissed as neediness by him, and he declares you to be clingy and suffocating.

And we all know Sae doesn't hold back with his words, he's harsh and cold with what he believes to be true, and although he doesn't think he's being mean he totally IS mean when he coldly dismisses you as clingy and tells you that he wants an independent partner. And when your face crumbles like that, hurt visible now where it had been brewing subtly for weeks, if not months, Sae feels something that makes him feel even worse. Guilt? Yes, guilt. But he genuinely doesn't believe he's at fault for this, for expecting you to not be so dependent on him and expect him to be the kind of lovey dovey person he just isn't. And so when you ask him if he even cares about you, in that kind of pitiful broken voice, on the verge of tears - he snaps. He tells you if what he's doing for you isn't enough, you can leave him anytime and go to someone else. Of course, that's not what he really wants. What he's really hoping for is that you'll realize what you're asking for is stupid and childish, so you'll shut up about all of that and just accept what he's giving you. And you do, you shut up. And you're quieter after that, not as affectionate anymore, withdrawing into yourself. And although he felt relieved in the beginning, soon enough your weird behaviour starts making him antsy. At first, you don't message him that much after that argument, and then soon enough, you're not messaging him first anyways. He's the one starting all of your conversations (and he realizes, then, that until then you had been the one initiating most of the conversations), and although you respond, they get drier and drier with each passing day. And now you're the busy one, and he finds himself doing the chasing - albeit subtly - for your affection and attention. He finds himself doing the exact things you were asking for back then, but it's like you're completely unaffected by it, numb to it, and he realizes with a kind of late desperation that he's losing you. And he doesn't want that - but at the same time, he doesn't know what to do anymore. I mean, isn't he doing what you asked for then? He's doing that, so what else can he do? He can't be vulnerable, so he doesn't know how to ask - beg - you to stay when he can feel you slipping through his fingers. And it kills him, to watch you grow cold towards him like this, as all he can do is seem impassive to it when he is anything but.

After all, don't you know? He might not know how to tell you that he loves you, but he would die for you. So don't just leave him like this.

Now, Rin... He's an interesting case, and he's definitely more attuned with his emotions (uhm... in a slightly twisted kind of way...) and more capable of being vulnerable than his brother (ISTJ!Sae VS INTJ!Rin). So he's definitely more introspective and willing to communicate, and if you tell him you need something/want more, he's willing to accommodate you (saying that like he wouldn't like giving you the affection you want, because he loves every part of it - although he would never admit that. Fucking embarrassing as shit) and listen to your feedback, honestly. He's even fine with a certain extent of behaviour that is very clearly and outrightly clingy or needy (in fact, considering Rin's abandonment issues and loneliness, it would soothe a large part of him even if he's a bit troubled by it in the beginning, in contrast to Sae where it would make him largely uncomfortable - at least at first. The way the two would approach affection they're not used to is very fascinating especially with the whole younger and older sibling difference - Rin wouldn't know how to react at first, but he would definitely love and crave it, since he did receive it in his childhood from Sae. Sae would probably feel more uncomfortable with it, and I feel like he's more of a giver anyways, even if he's not doing a whole lotta giving in the sense that you would want him to 💀💀💀). That's until it interferes with his soccer, though. Although I believe Rin is the type of person who would pick his partner over soccer any day if he had to, that would come after a bit of dating/a while of him being in love with you tbh. But anyways, getting back on topic.

This happy too-good-to-be situation can only work so long as you're communicative as well, though. Because as honest as Rin tends to be, blushing and glaring at you as he calls you an idiot comes more naturally to him than 'I love you's. So if you want something and you're unable to tell him, things are going to go sour quick. He's not a mind reader, so as much as he's able to pick up on your moods and so on, he doesn't know what's going on in your mind. So if you want more affection, want him to hug you and kiss you more, express his love for you more, want to go on more dates, tell him. If you don't he's not going to know that. And although he's constantly trying on his own, scheduling movie nights, inviting you out to places he thinks you'd like, holding your hand in public because that's about the only kind of PDA he's comfortable with, if you need something more, you need to tell him. If you feel lonely sometimes because he doesn't respond to you much on days with practice, that his responses end up being more dry on those days, that you want to see him more often, then tell him. Otherwise, things are going to start crumbling. Good for you, though, because Itoshi Rin is not the kind of man that goes down without a fight. If he notices you're not telling him something, as much as he'll be annoyed at that, he'll push that aside in favour of trying to get you to open up to him - after all, don't you know? How soft he is for you? He might not be all that delicate about it, but he'll try to probe and get you to communicate with him - and although he seems relatively calm and collected, you don't understand how anxious he feels, how scared he is that everything could fall apart like this. Don't you know? He'd die for you, if he had to. So stop it, don't put him through this, please. You're crying now, and it feels like his heart is being ripped apart, and all he can do is hold you gently, like you're so fragile, like what the two of you have is so fragile, and run his fingers through your hair as he calms you down. It's okay, it's going to be okay. You two can work this out - no, will, work this out. Because this has to work out, and he's not giving up without a fight. He's in your corner, he's your pillar, don't you know that? So just tell him what's wrong already, dammit. And when you open up to him about all of your worries and insecurities, that you're scared you're a burden to him and his career, or that you're a bother to him, or whatever trash you're spewing, all he does is hoarsely call you an idiot and hug you even tighter. He assures you how untrue all of your insecurities are, but he knows that's not enough, so he promises to do whatever he can to prove to you how wrong your own mind is. After all, you're unbearably precious to him. He's already so attached to you, it's too late. Whatever you need, he'll give it to you, so please, just don't leave him.

Honorary mentions; post-wildcard Kunigami, and Barou.

Post-wildcard Kunigami definitely has intimacy issues, and he'll be closed off and mentally retreat inside, making him distant in your relationship (even though he loves you so much).

Barou would be similar to Sae here, except he'd be a lot more gruff and blunt about it, although tbh if it's something he's not necessarily against (like PDA - no way in hell are you convincing him to do PDA unless you're, like, to the point of engaged or something, and even then only a little bit) you could convince him if you can make him see your point.

#blue lock #bllk #bllk x reader #itoshi sae #sae itoshi x reader #itoshi rin #rin itoshi x reader #blue lock rin itoshi #itoshi sae x you #itoshi sae x reader #itoshi rin x reader #itoshi rin x you #today in Rin being the better option tbh #tbh Sae shouldn't date until that man has gone to therapy #if you're both similarly avoidant the rs would fizzle out tbh #plus I feel like Sae is definitely attracted towards the exact type of person he'd end up hurting the most #ykwim? #it's the older sibling numbness tbh #at least Rin is more aware of his own feelings and open to yours because he understands needing things #Sae being attracted to bright people and dimming their light with his touch *chef's kiss* the angst #he's not that bad after the first few bumps in the rs tbh #IF you guys can make it past those first few months

[genericpuff]

The Kiss Bet Episode 172 - Hot Pot and Venting About How I Want My 70 Cents Back

Okay, look, this isn't a post I was expecting to make today but it's something that just happened and I have to fucking talk about, so let me preface this with some context.

I had to buy coins recently and because I switched to using my iPad for reading comics on, I got a "new reader" type deal from Webtoons for a coin bundle that got me like 100 coins for $5; because technically it was a 'new account' as Webtoons operates their in-game currency model on apps, not on actual emails (meaning if you use the app on an Android phone and then switch to an Apple iOS device, they're technically two separate accounts which you sync the reading data between via the account info linked via the email, therefore they have two separate coin wallets).

So with more coins than I knew what to do with, I decided to start FastPassing The Kiss Bet again, which I had recently stopped FP'ing around the S3 mark, as it's recently devolved back into the "will they won't they" trope, but instead of between Sara-Lin and Joe, it's between Sara-Lin and Joe's younger brother (the "true endgame") Oliver.

Now I don't mind the ship in essence. Joe was definitely not gonna be endgame, it was always gonna be Oliver, anyone who's read any amount of romance before - especially high school romances - knows how this shit tends to go, and The Kiss Bet isn't exactly trying to be groundbreaking or subversive in any way, it knows exactly what it's about and what it's trying to accomplish.

But it's almost become a little too good at this. Because in playing the "will they won't they" game for so long with a character that we know is endgame, it's basically been weeks and weeks and weeks of-

That said, after I caught up on the recent FP episodes, it seemed like stuff was finally moving a little bit. We were finally meeting Oliver's mom and his stepdad who he has a fractured relationship with, Joe was finally getting with his true endgame girl, Vicky (who's totally not an exact genderbent version of Joe lmao) and Sara-Lin was finally realizing she had feelings for Oliver.

And then the newest episode came out, Episode 172 - Hot Pot and Venting.

CAUTION: FASTPASS SPOILERS FOR THE KISS BET OFFICIALLY BEGIN HERE!

Already I was a little petty over the title like "lmao ok clunky title but whatever". I swept it off as not a genuine criticism, just me being a nitpicking asshole over what's essentially Fluff: The Comic.

The episode cost 7 coins, which is about roughly 70 cents, albeit closer to a dollar for Canadian readers (here's something they don't tell you about Canada - our Monopoly game currency is just as fucked as it looks) and that's where I'm gonna get into my second disclaimer that I need to be perfectly clear about (and it'll be what we get more into later on in this post).

I understand the principle of paying for art. I understand fully that many of these webtoons are being produced on tight deadlines by creators who often can only afford 1-2 assistants, if any at all. I understand and fully agree that creators deserve to be paid for their skills, time, and efforts, not just as creators working on the hellsite that is Webtoons, but as artists in general who deserve to make a living the same as anyone else. Anyone who follows my stuff here knows I'm an artist myself so I would never debate the ethical necessity of paying artists for their work.

However.

I can say that, and also agree with the people who have stated in discussion circles such as on /r/webtoons that a lot of the comics that have started charging 7 coins have been suspiciously delivering less comic since. And it's not even so much in the literal panel count, the liquid volume of these comics have remained the same, but the calorie count has dropped significantly. Food metaphors aside, what I mean is that despite many of these comics maintaining their 40-60 minimum panel count requirement, they have in fact reduced the actual amount of content that happens in them, and The Kiss Bet's newest episode is a stark example of what I mean.

I am going to start by posting only post three panels - three panels that literally sum up the entirety of Episode 172 and what it chooses to spend its time on.

That is it. That is literally all that's established in this episode. I'd tell you to go read it yourself, but honestly, this is genuinely one of those rare times I can honestly say that a 40+ panel episode is not worth 70 cents and you'd be better off, and that's saying a LOT when these episodes are only priced at the cost of a gumball. At least Lore Olympus has entertainment in how bad it is most of the time, Episode 172 of The Kiss Bet is just nothing. You will literally get more substance and flavor from an actual gumball.

Literally every other panel in this episode is either repeating the same dialogue (Sara-Lin saying the same thing multiple different times to express how Oliver is holding her hand or how his stepdad is a dick) and then Sara-Lin and Oliver staring at each other. Over. And over. Again.

I am not joking. I did not cut anything out in that sequence. That is where the episode ends. Complete nothingburger, seemingly cut off right as it was just getting started like Cait Corrain's career.

Out of the entire episode, there were 45 panels. So I can safely assume Ingrid's minimum panel requirement is at least 40 per episode, that's me assuming the best that she didn't exactly meet her panel minimum at 45 panels on the dot.

Out of those 45 panels, there were:

Two actual unique backgrounds that weren't gradients or just a single piece of furniture

4 separate panels of Sara-Lin freaking out over Oliver holding her hand and wondering if he even noticed

10 panels of Sara-Lin staring at Oliver either dumbfounded or asking him to repeat himself (or apologizing over nothing)

5 panels of the characters saying nothing

11 panels of Sara-Lin repeating information in different ways that could have been accomplished in half that time

Two separate occasions of Oliver getting Sara's attention from off-panel, literally formatted the exact same way both times (and both followed by reaction panels of Sara-Lin staring at him dumbfounded)

Way too many panels of Sara-Lin blushing in response to Oliver being an asshole tbh like literally this guy's a douchebag, Joe may have been the "out of her league" love interest but at least he was nice and didn't treat Sara-Lin like someone who just bought a Husky as a "starter pet" ???

Again, I don't usually like being a dick about the coin costs, and I definitely don't like being a hypocrite in telling people they should pay artists for their work while simultaneously posting their paywalled content like this, but I think there does come a point where it feels more irresponsible for people to not be aware of what they're about to pay for and how little they're going to be getting. This episode is literally one of the best - and worst - examples of how far the romance genre has fallen on the platform - when it's not being overtaken and oversaturated by problematic series that romanticize abuse and sexual assault, it's being dragged to death with the most boring executions of tropes that everyone has seen before and is only exciting for anyone who's never read a book or watched a romance movie, period.

And here's the thing where I do approach a bit more "hot take" territory, but every time I see this argument come up about episodes not being worth the coin cost, I see others who rightfully argue that 70 cents isn't that much to pay for what you're getting - weekly episodes of work that are usually always delivered on time, with more panels than you would ever typically see in a free to read comic.

But here's where I take issue with that argument, as much as the principle of it is sound, it misses the overall point: readers are paying for entertainment first and foremost, so can anyone who's actually paying for regular refills on their app currency step away from this and truly call it "entertainment"? Nothing was gained. The comic had 45 panels to say something, anything, and managed to not even squeak out so much of a word. Even the silent moments have no substance, they just reiterate information that we already know.

Do we really need another panel of Sara-Lin blushing at Oliver? We've known for weeks now that she has a crush on him. Do we really need another panel of Oliver getting Sara-Lin's attention? What is this actually showing of their chemistry? What is being shown here that hasn't been shown numerous times - with and without dialogue - for weeks now? What does the comic have to show for itself after four seasons?

Another point of the "it's just 70 cents, don't be an asshole" argument that people seem to miss is it's not 70 cents. It's $1. Because if you want to buy a single episode of the Kiss Bet, you can't just pay for the individual episode in isolation, you have to pay for the coins first, and $1 is the absolute bare minimum you have to pay to get 10 coins, which will only pay for one episode of a 7 coin series - of which there are many now, basically any series that's 40 panels or more will cost 7 coins and, shocker, those are the series that WT will tend to promote most, you'll rarely see the 5 coins series in the banner ads, and that's not even getting into how there are more and more series cropping up that have 5+ episodes behind FP rather than the traditional three.

So if you're someone who's (almost definitely) keeping up with more than one series? You can't just pay the $1, you have to pay at least $5 for 50 coins, and that will NOT go far anymore or cut as evenly as it used to when just about every series is now 7 coins. Webtoons knows fully well what kind of game they're playing by making the new coin cost an uneven number while still offering increments of 5/10 in their coin bundles. They undoubtedly want you to be left with an uneven number so that you'll be easily lured into buying more coins so you don't 'waste' the uneven amount you have left that isn't enough to buy the episodes for the series you want to read. Obviously this is more speculation and not fact, but it's a common business model and with the series that have adopted the 7 coin count model (rather than starting off with 7 coins outright) such as The Kiss Bet and Lore Olympus, it's becoming abundantly clear that either the creators or the platform itself is encouraging these series to meet their panel minimums with as little content as possible in order to get more money out of readers who are barely even being drip fed actual entertainment and narrative progression, let alone spoon fed.

And then there's the waiting. The goddamn waiting. So many of these series guilty of siphoning their content off through a hose that they're deliberately standing on are designed intentionally with the most egregious cliffhangers in mind to keep their audience hooked so they'll undoubtedly FP next week. Do you know what that amount of waiting does to a comic? To its readers? First off, it artificially extends the actual pacing of the comic to make it feel longer than it is, when in reality, many of these plotlines are happening in a vacuum of very short bursts of time. Case in point, Lore Olympus is commonly confused for having a plotline that takes place over the course of months, when actually when laid end to end in order of cause and effect, many of its subplots - including the romance of Hades and Persephone - takes place over the course of days. This over-inflates the plotline's actual depth and, even worse so, it makes it harder for readers to keep up with information that's being delivered, as it often takes weeks for that information to actually go anywhere - so by the time it does, many readers have straight up forgotten about it.

It's absolutely not okay that so many of these kinds of series are normalizing literal slow burning for an audience who's paying to be entertained. It's not a "slow burn". It's just slow, and deliberately so. It's absolutely NOT FUN to follow a comic that does not go anywhere week after week. It's frustrating. And before long, it starts to feel like gambler's fallacy, where readers have to essentially gaslight themselves into paying into it more and more convinced that it has to pay off eventually, based on a promise that was never actually made, only assumed in good faith. And readers should not have to fill in the bulk of the content that isn't happening with their own imaginations, which is something that happens a LOT in these series that spend so much time on the characters just staring at each other and saying nothing. It's not 'plot' to just draw characters blushing and have your audience fill in the rest of it entirely on their own. This is certainly a technique in writing, but in the case of The Kiss Bet and other comics like it, it's much less of a valid technique and more just flat out manipulating your audience into falling so hard into the sunk cost fallacy trap that they don't notice they're being robbed blind by the plot that hasn't actually happened - and they've been paying for that financial and emotional robbery out of their own pockets and brains every step of the way.

Again, I do not care about the coin cost in and of itself, seventy cents IS still an incredibly cheap price for weekly updates of a series that has to put out so many panels each week. But as a reader and a customer, I should not be leaving these updates with less information than what I started with. And I'm someone who's incredibly old school by webcomic standards, there are comics that I follow that have updated 1-2 pages a week for over a decade that manage to do more with their limited pages than Lore Olympus and The Kiss Bet manage to do after entire hiatuses filled with pre-production time.

Why does this page of Alfie manage to move both the intrinsic plot of the titular character as well as the external plot that's going on around her in one page made up of 5 panels better than what The Kiss Bet can do in 45?

Why does this page of Tamberlane manage to convey more information about the world's lore and the people in it in a way that's emotionally driven and clearly affecting the characters without outright info-dumping than what Lore Olympus has managed to spit out onto its plate since S3 started over a year ago?

How does Tales from Alderwood manage to be more entertaining and convey more meaningful storytelling through its characters in a single page consisting of zero dialogue than what The Kiss Bet can convey in its silent panels of staring, blushing, and repetitive stuttering?

Why are the creators who are relying entirely on their own efforts, resources, and ability to generate income through community interaction and support putting out better work with less panels and on slower schedules for FREE than what we're seeing from professional creators on a professional publishing platform who are being paid to do this as their job?

There's this saying in the tattooing industry: good work isn't cheap and cheap work isn't good.

At this point, 70 cents is not a 'bargain' as many people like to argue in defense of the creators. And while I do want to have good faith in the creators who don't pull this shit, the creators who clearly go above and beyond to do what they do in the pursuit of storytelling and polishing their craft to be the best piece of work that it can be - the comics that are worth paying 70 cents and beyond for - are not the comics that Webtoons is promoting to people. The creators of the works that genuinely deserve more than 70 cents per update are being left to fend for themselves without support from the platform, while those that aren't worth the price of even a flavorless gumball are consistently winning the Wonka Golden Ticket lottery.

The cost of 70 cents is relative. For some works it's a genuine bargain. For others like the The Kiss Bet and Lore Olympus, 70 cents is not a "bargain", it's not a "good deal", it's exactly the value of what you're paying for - cheap work that isn't good.

#so yeah i'm done reading the kiss bet fr now #i figured if i had 100 more coins than i needed i may as well use them for something that i didn't need to start from scratch on #but i literally feel ripped off LMAO #webtoon critical #the kiss bet #lore olympus critical #anti lore olympus #lo critical #Youtube

[boba-beom]

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ super shy | HUENINGKAI

pairing: kai x gn!reader

genre: fluff, little suggestive, humour | oneshot

warnings: pictures are black hair kai but I mention current kai (blond kai), established relationship, attempts of flirting, kai’s attempt at a pick-up line lmao, flustered kai, bickering (affectionately), kai and reader trying to out-flirt each other, pet names (my love, sweetheart, baby ect.), kisses, a lot of physical affection, the first and many ‘I love you’ 🤭

summary: going through the transition of being in love with your best friend to actually being an official item has been a huge learning curve for the both of you. it’s been 7 months since that day and you adore him so much that you so happen to slip up the ‘L’ word.

wc: 1.4k

a/n: an incredibly late fic for kai’s birthday <3 after the bulacan concert it made me so grateful to have known a precious soul like him :’) he’s so endearing I think I’m a closeted ningdungie 🥹 I have so much love for him :(( I hope you guys enjoy reading!!

the holding hands, lingering kisses and copious amounts of hugs have been the highlights of your relationship. however, the inside jokes, the deep talks and the genuine comfort you feel from each other is what made you two progress further to your full potential of being inseparable from one another.

“yn, what’re you doing today?” kai asks through the phone, his head tilting to a cute angle to which his unstyled, blond hair brushes over his eyes. his hair is getting so long now, you think to yourself.

“I’ve just been cleaning the flat, really. wanna come over? I miss you.” you say, folding one of your boyfriend’s hoodies that he left because of that one time you didn’t want him to leave, as per. his scent is still as strong from when he applied cologne on the neck of the clothing; hints of sweet fruits with a floral touch. he knew how much you loved it when you’d nuzzle into the crook of his neck while cuddling.

whenever your flatmate was away he’d offer to stay over until they came back, and recently he stayed for almost 3 weeks. you never want to waste a day when you’re together, and if you don’t have many plans you would go for a long walk, at least once a day, if not every other day.

“you miss me?” he giggles. he knows that even being together for three whole weeks isn't enough. “what do you want me to bring over?”

this was a habit of his. always having to bring something over at your place, whether it be his nintendo switch console which would lead to never-ending rounds of mario kart or food, but you only wanted one thing. you place down the folded hoodie and pull an exaggerated thinking face, arms crossed with your index finger to your chin.

“I think you should just bring yourself, I can never get enough of you.” you wink at him and watch his cheeks gradually ombre into pink hues from your statement.

“I’ll be there in fifteen!” he chimes, rushing to end the call and get ready. you giggle to yourself, he's so cute and it's just so endearing.

there have been times where you were indecisive about your relationship, but not because you didn’t know if you liked kai or not, but because if things don’t work out you just hoped that it wouldn’t be awkward. thankfully, the both of you had the same idea to confess to each other — thanks to taehyun and beomgyu’s hard work in trying to push you guys to do so. now, being in this situation you can finally say that you’re at a good place in life.

a specific knocking pattern on the door was something you’ve been anticipating since kai ended the call, knowing that he does his cute little rhythm. he told you before that he only has two knocking patterns; the standard five knocks in a row and his little pattern he has only for you.

as soon as you open the door you find him holding a bouquet of red tulips, his tall figure almost hovering above you as he has this boyish grin on his face.

“I got you these tulips, but I’m hoping our two lips can meet instead.” he presents the bouquet in one hand from behind his back. he opens his arms for you to jump up and wrap your arms over his shoulders while his wraps around your waist.

your foreheads lean against each other before you chuckle while maintaining eye contact, “baby, you’re so cute, you know.” you whisper before tilting your head to capture his lips in a sweet kiss. his lips lingered a little longer, pecking your lips a couple more times before pulling away.

“I’ve missed you too.” he gives you a gentle forehead kiss before letting you get back onto your feet.

grabbing ahold of his hand you lead him into the living room where you expect him to get comfy, but as you go into the kitchen to grab him a glass of grape juice from the fridge he follows you, wanting to do it himself. you being stubborn, you do it before him and he admits defeat.

you can feel his body heat radiate behind you as you stand by the countertop and he gives you a long back hug, resting his chin on your shoulder and feeling his soft exhales hitting the side of your neck.

“I could have done it myself. you know this is like my home too.” he tightens his arms around your waist, nuzzling into your neck until you feel the hairs standing.

“I know, but I wanna do it for you, baby.” his hold on you loosens, but he doesn’t let you go. just loose enough for you to turn around with his arms still around you until he decides to lean against the countertop, trapping you in the middle. you lean back a little to see his expression, he’s trying his best to not break into a grin as you watch the corners of his lips itching to turn upwards. the pink hues on the apples of his cheeks were still blooming.

“you drive me insane, yn.” he kisses your temple, before taking ahold of the glass of grape juice you had just poured out for him, watching him walk into the living room so nonchalantly and finding an anime movie to watch together.

you follow after him and sit close enough for your legs to hang over his lap. you love the physical affection. even as best friends back then, the both of you would always be mistaken as a couple from the way you two would have your hands lingering together with the urge to intertwine, linking arms, and even from sharing food or drinks.

kai was someone you were happy with your parents meeting. your dad had already started to treat him like his son-in-law after you heard that they would go out to eat together while you were at work.

it’s almost like he was an angel sent to you, with every one of your loved ones approving of him from the very beginning.

“oh, do I now?" you tease as you playfully stick out your tongue.

"oh always." he matches your sarcastic energy, and you both laugh together for a moment. his gesture was the opposite of his words.

he brings his gentle hand to cup your face with his thumb slowly rubbing your cheek back and forth. you swear you could feel your heart about to jump out of your chest, you were hoping if it did that kai would catch it regardless. the motion was so endearing that you hadn't realised that the both of you had been staring into each other's eyes. his eyes were so beautiful. holding all things lovely and genuine with a hint of playfulness as he scans your face, which was reciprocating the same.

you sigh into the warmth of his palm, "I love you, kai."

his thumb stops moving and his eyes widen ever so slightly, "yn, I-"

"oh my god, I didn't realise. it just... slipped." a bashful smile replaces the shocked expression you had for a fraction of a second.

"so, you don't love me?" kai raises a brow, putting his hand down back on his lap.

"no! oh god." panic courses through your veins as you find a way to save yourself in this situation. "of course I love you. I love you so much you don't understa—"

you didn't get to finish your sentence, yet kai has pressed his lips against yours. the familiar warmth igniting in your chest as he tilts his head and you following after. you've never kissed anyone like this before, the type that makes your chest heave from the lack of air. the type that makes your heart pound so much that it's all you hear in your ears. the type of kiss that feels just right, knowing you have found your person, and it's kai. it's always been kai.

pulling your lips away, he chases them once more for quick pecks as if you're his favourite baked good from the bakery. your foreheads rest against each others, watching his lips transition from a held back smile to a full grin and an airy giggle.

"don't be silly, my love." he starts. "of course I understand. and I love you so so much that words are not enough."

"do you think our two lips should meet again?" you rest your head on his shoulder, facing his neck. he shudders from your warm exhales against his skin.

"I know our two lips should meet again," he kisses your temple. "and again," then to your cheek. "and again." and a final kiss to your lips, reuniting them once more.

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#kflixnet #k-labels #hueningkai x reader #hueningkai fluff #hueningkai scenarios #hueningkai imagines #hueningkai oneshot #hueningkai fanfic #txt fluff #txt x reader #txt imagines #txt scenarios #txt oneshot

[darthpastry]

Welcome to part two of my official Henry-hate crusade. Time to cover the true ending of Pizzeria Sim! For this one, I want to take one of the fandoms favorite moments, the connection terminated speech, and shred it to piece while explaining why Henry isn't really a hero in this instance. So! Let's go over certain lines. Maybe compliment some of my favorite ones so this isn't just hating and recognizing he isn't the absolute worst.

"And to you, my brave volunteer."

Idk about you, but it doesn't exactly seem to me like Michael knew what he was volunteering for.

"Who somehow found this job listing not intended for you."

If it was anyone else, they probably would've died. The only other person by this point who was known to be able to survive the animatronics was Jeremy and I doubt that even if he was still around, he would be able to fend them off due to brain injury. Also, not so much a complaint, but did Henry have someone else in mind or just threw the job listing into the void?

"Although, there was a way out planned for you, I have a feeling that's not what you want. I have a feeling that you are right where you want to be."

Why not ask. Or at least tell him what the way out is instead of just assuming he hasn't found anything to live for and effectively murdering him?

"I am remaining as well. I am nearby."

Yep. Just make sure everyone who knows what's going on dies even though it's not like William hasn't escaped a fire before. Very responsible of you.

"This place will not be remembered. And the memory of everything that started this. Can finally begin to fade away. As the agony of every tragedy should."

I'm a firm believer in when history is forgotten it repeats itself, so quite frankly wanting people to forget seems a bit stupid. I agree that they shouldn't be trapped in the agony of it, but "this place will not be remembered" seems wrong.

"Although, for one of you. The darkest pit of Hell has opened to swallow you whole. So, don't keep the Devil waiting, old friend."

I can complain about Henry all day, but William is objectively far worse, and this line is absolute fire. Pun intended.

"My daughter, if you can hear me. I knew you would return as well."

Might be due to that animatronic you made to capture her and deliver constant controlled shocks and also somehow ended up in a magazine? Idk though. Just a theory.

"I'm sorry that on that day. The day you were shut out and left to die. No one was there to lift you up in their arms. The way you lifted others into yours."

But why. I get that being a parent can be hard and you can't have an eye on your kid 24/7, but he should've at least made there was a responsible adult present.

"Not my daughter. I couldn't save you then, so let me save you now."

Yippee. Negligent dad who can only making up for leaving his child without a responsible adult which led to her early death by using Lefty so that she can finally move on. Yayyyy /extreme sarcasm ofc

“Congratulations on completing your work week. We apologize if your situation wasn't presented to you In a completely honest fashion when you first started, but it was important that your intentions and actions be genuine.”

I cannot emphasize enough that Michael was not told what was going to happen and given the last sentence it seems like he didn't even feel the need to be suspicious of what was going on.

“Please accept this Certificate of Completion. Goodbye for now, and thank you for taking this journey with us.”

More of theorizing but it's kind of weird that this whole monologue was recorded and delivered if Michael is supposed to be actually dead. I know it's for the player, but I feel like they could easily spin this and bring Michael back.

Tune in next time where I cover the other endings, possibly rant about how everything in FNaF is awful for everyone, and miscellaneous if there's any!

@uvanuva

#i do get why he felt the whole thing necessary but he quite frankly did not go about it very well #henry emily hatepost #fnaf #five nights at freddy's #michael afton #william afton #henry emily #charlie emily #lefty #fnaf lefty #fnaf pizzeria simulator #fnaf 6 #connection terminated #pizzeria simulator #fnaf 6 pizza simulator #ffps

[onestopfanficshop]

dating carmy berzatto pt. 2

warnings: language, here's a few nsfw things in here so watch out for that 👀 mdni

author's note: after forever i'm back lol 😭 i started school again and lowkey lost motivation to write so this has been in the works for weeks lol! enjoy <3

gif not mine!

you can count on one hand how many times carmy has called you by your real name. his go-to pet names are honey (he would say hon most often), baby (when he's trying to persuade you, when he’s whining about something, or when he feels guilty), and sweetheart (when he's feeling extra romantic and lovey-dovey). even when you two are fighting or on the very rare occasion that his anger's directed at you, he rarely uses your name

one time when you had stayed over, you left your shampoo at carm's place and he made mistake of using it just to try it out because the next day richie noticed

"did you rob a fuckin' hair salon, cousin?"

"what the fuck do you mean, richie?"

"the fuck do you mean? what is this shit, herbal essences?" richie says, sniffing carmy's hair.

poor boy would turn red from head to toe and never touch your anything of yours ever again

this one's sad but like- it's kinda important i think

obviously mike's death really fucked carmy up. you see him pushing away, detaching himself from the people who love him (just like mikey did). but you coming into his life really forces him to wake the fuck up. family is forever but you're something in carmy's life that isn't guaranteed and that he genuinely has to work for if he wants you around long-term

and he's so terrified to fuck it up but after you assure him over and over again that you don't intend to go anywhere he starts to loosen up a tiny bit and let you in

his family and everyone else at the restaurant can see the effect you're having on him, and even though they were a little apprehensive at first, they're so glad that carmy has you in his life

okay enough emotional stuff :,)

i know we don't see him read in the show but something in me tells me that he'd love a good library date. he raids the cookbook section, you clear out half of the romance section, and then you'd have a picnic in a park after and read each other's books and swap ideas

carmy dog-ears the pages of the borrowed cookbooks to make note of later. even though you've scolded him a thousand times not to fold the pages, he just can't help but forget, okay? old habits die hard

"look, baby, it's not my intention to hurt the book, okay? i swear. this is just easier than using a bookmark"

his favorite fruits are plums (with the skin on) or granny smith apples (also with the skin on)

would 1000% name a dish after you

keeps his hand in yours or on your thigh while he drives with the other hand

he has to set his alarm at least half an hour before he actually needs to get up so he can hit snooze 3 times

speaking of sleep we all know this poor man barely gets any so on the rare occasion that he does he can be out for hours at a time no joke

when you first started sleeping over at his place more, sometimes it would scare when he woke up and saw you sound asleep next to him because you seemed too good to be real :,)

one time he was teaching you proper knife technique before you were officially together; he put his hand over yours on the knife and even though he looked calm on the outside, he was freaking the FUCK out on the inside but for the life of him he couldn't tell why (it's called a crush carmy look it up)

i know it's hard to imagine carmy having a least favorite food because he is a chef, but idk; i feel like it would be cornbread 😭 something abt it just makes no sense to him. he thought maybe it was because he's had bad cornbread, so he made it for himself once and still didn't like it. who would put corn in bread? what was the reason?!

he always keeps you on the innermost part of the sidewalk whenever you're walking together

this isn't even a headcanon bc we all saw it on the show but 😭 this man's EYE CONTACT. good lord. the best (and worst) part is he isn't even aware of the power it holds on you; he would literally stare at you whenever you would talk and you'd get all flustered and he would just be completely clueless as to why

he LOVES it when you grip onto his arms while you’re fucking and he constantly teases you for being so obsessed with them 👀 any time he feels like skipping a workout he just thinks about that and boom he’s motivated

“you sure you wanna go out to eat? i can just make us somethin’ real quick”

would definitely get a tattoo for you once you guys got serious! something cute and simple (idk much abt tattoos lol); would love it if you had a matching one on you in a place that only he could see 👀

neck kisses are his absolute favorite. especially from behind when he gets to completely bury his face in your neck and kiss it into oblivion

literally ever since i saw carm take those jeans out of the oven my brain has been stuck on the idea that has an odd but endearing obsession with vintage levis lol 😭 one time, after the bear had opened up and completely taken off, he stayed up all night on ebay and scored a vintage type ii trucker jacket after furiously bidding on it for over an hour like a mad man

this man's always using his hands so i can totally picture his fingers doing all sorts of weird things to fidget. absentmindedly drumming his fingers on your thighs, rubbing strands of hair between his thumb and pointer finger-- literally anything to keep his hands occupied

“is this too spicy or no?”

always insists that you don't have to come to the restaurant to help but is secretly over-the-moon when you do. seeing you help with the dishes, or scold richie, or laugh with tina just makes him feel all warm and fuzzy inside (and makes him wanna start a family with you oops)

if he sees you he has to give you a full hug. he’s not a side hug kind of guy when it comes you. even if he has to drop what he’s doing in the kitchen and wipe his hands! he always gives you an all-encompassing bear hug and kisses you on the forehead and the lips- it’s his signature greeting :,)

#carmy berzatto #carmy berzatto x reader #carmy berzatto fluff #carmy berzatto imagines #carmy berzatto headcanon #carmen berzatto fluff #carmen berzatto blurb #carmen berzatto headcanon #onestopfanficshop

[meraki-yao]

What do you think of the relationship between Taylor and Nicholas? Are they really good friends or as they think in many simple acquaintances who can't stand each other? I honestly don't understand where certain theories come from... just why don't they interact publicly? or because they believe certain statements to be true and are unable to go further? I thank you if you answer me!

I feel like I've said all I have to say on this subject, but you sound genuinely worried and sweet, so I'll summarize what I think really quickly:

I genuinely believe Taylor and Nick are great friends, and my opinion is supported by the following evidence:

1, During the rwrb interview for Cinamag, they both say it's a delight to work together, implying they like each other and work well together

2, In September or October (I can't remember), a fan asked Taylor if he and Nick still talk, Taylor said yes, and said that they are great friends. This is Taylor confirming that they are great friends and they keep in contact.

3, In recent video interviews, Nick said multiple times that he thinks good things of Taylor (authentic, kind, fun etc), and that he made a great friend in Taylor. So this is Nick confirming that he and Taylor are friends.

4, The Teen Vogue Editorial and the GQ Editorial on the two of them both describe how well and natural their dynamic and chemistry is:

The interviewer/writer only met them this one time, and this was before the movie was out so there's no such thing as "projecting Alex and Henry onto Taylor and Nick". A stranger spends like half an hour with them and sees this dynamic.

5, Matthew and Aneesh both mentioned how well and fun the boys get along. So their director and cast mate, who worked with them on the project and thus spent a lot of time with them also saw this dynamic.

6, Taylor drawing on Nick's face and Nick laughing it off while signing on Taylor's face. Doing stupid but funny little things like this shows that they're close enough to make jokes about each other, especially since the other one isn't present. You wouldn't do something like that to someone you're not close with or someone you hate. You only do that to the people you're close with, because you know for sure they won't get mad. So this shows that Taylor and Nick are close.

All these things that I mentioned are actual things that happened and all point towards at the very least, a fairly close friendship.

I absolutely don't believe they hate each other, nothing they've done can concretely prove that.

It's not that they don't interact in public, it's that they don't go to the same events. The three times they did, for GQ MOTY (oh I have a candy from that writing this note to remind myself to include it) Nick left early because he was tired; for Milan, although they were both there for fashion week, they went to different shows so time might have clashed; but for the Academy Museum Gala, they were photographed together multiple times, at the very least, three times by official/professional photographer. I wrote this in my part 1 candies post, but basically with how photography worked that night and the time on Taylor's watch, they spent most of the event together.

So yeah. They're great friends.

#rwrb #red white and royal blue #rwrb movie #taylor zakhar perez #nicholas galitzine #anon ask #answered #can you tell i spent high school writing argumentitive essays #but yeah I feel like I said this many times but I guess this is my definitive answer #to me they're >= friends

[the-red-thread-that-strangles]

Part I

"Are you free Thursday evening?" Akai's facing away from him, getting out of the car in a hurry. Rei's picked him up from his flat this morning (his mustang broke down, apparently), which is how they're both running late now. It's a good thing the meeting can't start without them.

In any case, Rei isn't - things have been busy in the aftermath of the takedown of the organisation, as Akai should be well aware. He did, after all, just return from a three-month vacation to FBI headquarters in Washington. The official cover story, as far as Rei knows, is Okiya going to the US to continue his PhD, while the authorities prepared to reintroduce the reborn Akai Shuichi to the world. Now he's back for good, officially appointed as the FBI's liaison to the PSB.

While he didn't share what he was up to while he was waiting to be processed, Rei has a pretty good guess - the higher-ups have been expecting all sorts of reports from him, after all, and surely Akai is just as vital a source, involved as they both were. The thought of him doing paperwork is amusing, and strangely domestic in its mundanity. (He'd love to see it.)

So, he'll figure something out. Several people owe him favours, and he has five years of vacation to catch up on. This is the first time Akai is reaching out for a meeting outside of work (not that Rei kept track or anything), and he's not about to let that chance slip through his fingers.

"I'll make it work. What for?" Agreeing without even knowing what he agreed to, he really is pathetic. And yet. He trusts the other won't waste his time or ask for the impossible.

"Dinner at the Myosotis. Seven p.m."

Rei blinks. That rings a bell. Western style fine dining, prohibitively expensive. Waiting lists of half a year, at least. Back then, they were just barely collaborating, surely Akai didn't plan this far ahead? How, then, did he get a table, and why is he inviting Rei to go there? That's the kind of place people go to for romantic marriage proposals; not the sort of restaurant the two of them would frequent, if they do eat out.

"I've already said yes, but... that's quite high-class, isn't it?" Not that he minds - being Bourbon taught him how to frequent places like that. It's just that Akai has never given any sort of indication he might like that kind of place. Huh.

(And really, if he's being honest, any place would be fine as long as it's with Akai. They have a couple of months to catch up on, after all.)

The smile Akai gives him in response is...odd. Small and genuine, private in the way that he's only ever seen Shuichi look at a select few people. Akemi. His siblings. Shinichi. But it doesn't reach his eyes, this time; instead, they're narrowed, burning with something like dread. Rei can't quite make sense of the expression.

"I think the occasion warrants it", is all Akai says before he slams the car door shut, turning his back to Rei. And that's the end of that conversation.

Alright then. Weird.

.

After that, Rei can't shake the feeling that Akai avoids him outside of work. Takes his smoke breaks alone, leaves immediately after they're done.

In situations like these Rei wishes he could talk to Hiro. It's a best friend's duty to help figure out if he's making something out of nothing, right? Maybe Akai really is just busy. And maybe he truly is in the mood for a celebratory dinner; after all, they haven't really had time to spend together since they came out of hiding, ripped apart by work and duty. They've talked, of course, but now that he's back it seems like the circumstances have calmed down enough to consider such a thing. (Even though a nagging thought tells him the official celebratory gala will be held in two weeks, and he knows Akai isn't looking forward to it.)

The thing is, that doesn't warrant it the look Akai gave him. That look was charged, it meant something. Through the years, Akai has looked at him a great many different ways. Rye mostly cold and disinterested at first, then with that faintly concealed amusement that still drives him up the walls. Okiya usually observed him with curiosity and caution. And Akai? A variety of expressions. Laughter and pain and gratitude. That bone-deep weariness that seems to cling to him like his shadow. Just once, with surprise. But rarely, if ever, as scared as he'd looked when he'd asked him out.

What was he afraid of? It's not like Rei was going to decline dinner, even if he's a little insulted it's western food. (Then again, he's quite proud of his prowess regarding traditional Japanese cuisine, so really, that would've been a worse choice.) Akai might just crave nostalgic food.

This is the third time this week he's reached this point in the argument with himself, and it really doesn't feel like he's getting any closer to the truth.

In the years he's known him, Akai has never shown to be the type to celebrate. Not that the organisation left much room to celebrate. As Okiya, Rei never got close enough to figure out his preferences. And as for Akai...well, he seemed happy enough, if exhausted, coming back from his sister's birthday party, and that's really the only indication Rei has. Maybe he doesn't know Akai as well as he thought. The idea stings.

Still, it makes no sense. If he wanted to celebrate, the takedown was a team effort, and Rei knows agents Starling and Black are in the country. He's checked their schedules, but neither they nor Kazami are free next week, at that certain hour. (Alright, well, in Kazami's case it might be Rei's fault he's busy, but he needs someone capable to cover for him.)

The Kudos, arguably the masterminds behind the operation, have left for a vacation to the Swiss alps, too. Allegedly, they've taken Shinichi with them to recover in mountain air - privately, Rei has heard through the grapevine that talking things out with Ran didn't go so well. She's asked for some time to think about their relationship, so Shinichi is off bringing crime to Swiss ski resorts for a change.

None of the usual suspects are free, or invited. It seems it's really just the two of them.

He doesn't want to, can't afford to indulge the foolish hope that Akai might've missed him as much as Rei did (his dry wit, his dependability, the scent of his cigarettes and aftershave in their sheets). They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, but is it enough for such a shift to occur with Akai?

Their work did keep them too busy to do anything but exchange short texts or calls every once in a while. That little had been a must, for Rei; while officially the organisation might be gone, some stragglers have yet to be found. Thus, he's been checking up on Akai, just to make sure he's still alright out there. (He wants to touch him and hold him and hear his heartbeat, wants to make sure he's alive. Wants too many things he can't have, as usual.)

Rei has promised himself he'll never act on these feelings; can't destroy this careful balance they have managed to attain. But if Akai's the one reaching out, who is Rei to decline? If after all they've gone through Akai still wants to stay by his side, Rei doesn't have the strength to push him away for his own good.

Throughout their relationship, it's always been Rei asking to meet him to exchange sweaters and information. For Akai to take this step now, and in such a grandiose manner, leaves him reeling, uncertain of the other's intentions. Among the living, he's probably the one who knows the sniper best, and yet he just can't figure out what this means. The uncertainty is maddening.

Damnit, really, what is he supposed to think about Akai inviting him to a high-class dinner? Just the two of them?

.

Hiro hasn't contacted him either, since that time in the Kudo mansion. He'd assured Rei he was safe, doing alright. Sorry for not being able to meet. And that was that.

(In a moment of weakness, Rei's asked Akai for his number. But Akai had revealed he'd only gotten the contact info for a burner phone, worthless after that one use.)

He's missed Hiro before, when he wasn't sure whether he was alive or dead, but somehow, knowing he is out there and not being able to reach him is worse. Hiro was supposed to have his back, and now he can't even help him out with his uncertain thoughts and feelings regarding one Akai Shuichi. Traitor.

.

Rei's fretting for hours about his look for dinner. (When was he last out on a date that actually mattered?)

It's not like he's lacking in confidence. He knows he cleans up nicely, and working with Vermouth for years has left him fashion-conscious. He's perfectly aware of how to dress up appropriately for a venue like the Myosotis. Honestly, he's more concerned (and quite frankly, intrigued) how Akai will fare.

Still, he wonders if the red tie is perhaps a bit too much. He's added it on a whim, for a splash of colour, but now he's considering whether it's too bold, wearing Akai's namesake openly. He's probably overthinking it. It's not like Akai to pick up on such clues.

He's triple-checked, by this point, his nails and hair and teeth. His suit is crisply ironed. It's perfect. What could possibly go wrong?

.

Rei finds himself at the restaurant a quarter hour early. A waiter shows him to the lovely window seats Akai has reserved for them, looking out over the city's lights. It's beautiful. The place is pleasantly quiet, a separée creating an ambience of privacy. Bathing the space in warm light is a cream candle, placed on a perfectly ironed tablecloth. After a couple of moments, the waiter returns with a bottle of quality champagne, chilled for their convenience.

Myosotis couldn't be more stereotypically romantic if it tried, and Rei finds his face burning as hot as the flame in front of him. It's a good thing he's a little early; he'll need time to steady himself to face Akai. Maybe have a glass of cool champagne to calm his nerves.

Rei runs one last check, refreshes his cologne on neck and wrist, and waits.

.

A couple minutes go by, during which he tries several different grounding techniques, to limited effect. He still perks up when, from the corner of his eyes, he spots Okiya's pastel pink hair - though it is in confusion, the excitement dying down quickly, replaced with fury. The posture of the man is incredibly familiar.

Conscious of where they are, and what is appropriate, Rei gets up from their table to greet him.

"You've kept me waiting long enough."

And with the brightest possible smile he can muster, he slaps his best friend across the face, hard.

.

"Yeah, I guess I deserve that." At least it's his own voice. Hiro's awkward smile looks off on Okiya's pretty face, and Rei has to fight the urge to throw his arms around his neck. Whether to hug him or strangle him, he doesn't quite know, himself.

"You..." 'deserve much worse than that. Deserve much better than that. Are an asshole and an idiot and it's so good to see you-'

People are noticing the commotion. Bourbon's reflexes kick in, uncomfortable with the attention. He finds himself closing the distance and hissing at Hiro.

"Take a seat before we cause even more of a scene."

Hiro-as-Okiya follows him into the separée. A waiter comes by, pouring him a glass of champagne too. The mood is as frosty as their drinks.

Hiro makes no move to continue the conversation. Great.

"...would you care to explain", Rei asks through his best Amuro smile, "what exactly you are doing here?" He considers adding 'and why you are dressed as Akai's ridiculous cover', but figures that one's self-evident.

"I wanted to see you, so Akai helped me out. The paperwork is taking its sweet time." He says it nonchalantly, as if it is that simple. As if he hasn't been MIA for half a year, and presumed KIA for years before that.

He's willing to bet this meeting was Akai's bright idea. Rei's all too familiar with his idea of 'help'. Doing what he thinks is best in the shadows, without talking to the person he's allegedly helping out.

It sucks, because he knows the FBI agent meant well. He probably thought this was a pleasant surprise. (And it is, just a little.)

It just very much does not help that Rei had quite different expectations of how this evening would go. He was expecting something much nicer than spontaneously having to decide whether he should make use of Hiro's shellfish allergy and poison him right then and there. (The answer is no, will always be no, who is he even kidding.)

Hiro's blue eyes stare at him from across the table, illuminated in warm candlelight. They clash horribly with the pink hair. It makes Rei nauseous. He looks down at the table.

He manages a strangled "I would have appreciated a heads-up." For this situation in particular and the fact that Hiro's alive, in general.

"Did he not tell you?"

"No. And it's not like I expected anything of the sort from him." 'You, however, should have known better.'

"Look, Zero-" Rei's withering glare makes him falter for a second, but he presses on. "I couldn't let you know. It was too dangerous at the time, for myself and Rye. And you."

Oh, great. Another person looking out for his supposed well-being. Except, it really only was about the success of their mission, wasn't it? As if that was ever worth his best friend's life.

He clenches his fist under the table, tries to calm himself. Fails. "I get that. I really, truly do." He rises, slams his hands on the table, leans across. Stares at the farce that is Okiya, just a lie this time.

"But it's been three years, Hiro." Then, quietly: "I thought you were dead."

Countless nights spent visiting morgues, checking if all bodies matching Hiro's stature were accounted for. Checking international flights. Investigating the ruins of the exploded building, in hopes of finding evidence of tampering. Looking over the remains of the body, burnt and crushed, with only the totality of the destruction hinting at foul play. Years and years of hounding Akai, trying to get answers from the one person who had to know, only to not make it in time. That terrible night Gin had sent him a gift, Akai falling lifelessly back into the video's frame, joining Scotch in a violent end; his last lead going up in flames and smoke. Mourning Matsuda and Date, alone.

He fights down the bile rising in his throat with practiced ease. His eyes sting and burn, but he won't be embarrassed now by giving in.

To his credit, Hiro has backed off as far as he can, shrinking under Rei's glare. Familiar blue eyes lock with his, and Rei needs to focus on them because everything else about the Okiya getup gives him whiplash he doesn't know how to deal with. Hiro takes a breath, steadies himself.

"Zero." A warm hand is gently laid atop his own. So familiar, so comforting, even after years apart. Rei wants to run, or fight, or both, but finds himself anchored in place.

"I'm sorry. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, as many times as you need me to."

As if any number of apologies could erase years and years of grief and guilt and loneliness. If he'd just been faster, if Hiro had just trusted him, they would've found a solution, it was never worth his life-

"...why didn't you come to me, Hiro?" Idiot.

Because after months and years to contemplate it, that's the root of the problem, isn't it? The start of the betrayal. The broken promise from their academy days, splintering even further. 'We can handle anything, as long as we're together.' And then fate had ripped them apart, one by one, counting down to zero. Except Hiro had had a choice.

"I'm sorry. I did what I thought was necessary." He wears his emotions on his face.

And for a split-second, Rei doesn't see Hiro. He sees Akai, a week ago; his small smile, his pained eyes. Denial and self-sacrifice. Just what in the world made Akai look at him like that?

It's disorienting enough that he finds his spiralling thoughts interrupted, blinking at Hiro. He backs off, sits back down.

"Promise me, now, that you'll never run off like that again." Please, he can't say, but tries to convey through squeezing Hiro's hand just slightly too hard, before he pulls back in time for the waiter coming in with their entrées.

"I'll try."

Rei glares at him. Not good enough.

"Okay, okay, I won't." Hiro laughs, and oh, how Rei has missed the sound. Some of the tension bleeds out of him, and he finds himself joining his best friend, helplessly.

This isn't over, the pain isn't gone. It's unlikely it ever will, and there surely will be more arguments in the future (and sparring. He really wants to knock some more sense into Hiro). The trust they're missing will be hard to rebuild.

But Rei has had no choice but to live without Hiro for three years now. Has missed him painfully, every single day. If he's going to live in pain either way, might as well have it caused by Hiro's continued presence by his side.

If he gets a second chance at life then Hiro deserves one, too.

...................................................................................

Part II

Dinner after that is slow, but pleasant.

Akai has apparently pre-ordered roasts that need several days to be prepared for them, and while the quality is good, the style of food just isn't Rei's favourite. Hiro seems pretty delighted by it though, so that's something at least.

They leave charged topics carefully untouched. Since Hiro isn't on active duty, Rei can't really talk about his PSB work, and Hiro isn't at liberty to talk about his cover either. So small talk it is. Rei shows Hiro pictures of Haro, and he's immediately taken (as he should).

By the time they've made it past the main dish, they're running out of idle chitchat. Hiro's bracing himself, seems to be working up the courage to ask something. Rei can already tell he won't like the upcoming conversation.

"So, Zero." He folds his hands together, and leans on the table, looking inquisitively. "Do you mind explaining what's going on between you and Akai?"

"Nothing." The answer comes too quick and too pressed, he's not fooling anyone. And that's without accounting for the fact that Hiro knows him too well, even after three years apart. He smiles, faintly.

"Of course. Nice cologne, by the way. I'm sure Hagiwara would approve of the selection." He taps the fingers of the hand he's wrapped around Rei's wrist earlier on the wooden table. Rei feels embarrassment well up. Hiro, as usual, is annoyingly perceptive. Still, cologne is not too out of the ordinary. He tries to cover his choice up with professionalism, and even almost believes himself.

"Yes. It's only proper for an establishment such as this one."

"Yes, yes." Hiro concedes, too easily. His eyes narrow, aiming for the kill. "And I guess red just happens to be your new favourite colour?" The crimson tie around his neck feels too much like a noose, suddenly, restricting his airflow. It's probably the damn candle's fault too, burning all their oxygen. He flushes, despite his best efforts.

"Not my favourite, but it felt appropriate for a celebration", he gets out. It really doesn't help that Hiro is wearing Akai's second skin, the one he's too comfortable seeing. Though the eyes are different, he has trouble shaking the reminder of certain evenings in the Kudo manor. Drinking their sorrows away, just the two of them.

"And you were going to celebrate with a romantic candlelight dinner?" Hiro's arched eyebrow could reach space.

"Trust me, that is as strange to me as it must be to you."

"Oh no, it isn't - I've seen the look he gets when you text him."

And Rei hates himself, hates his traitorous body that perks up at those words, hates the burning curiosity. Wants Hiro to explain, wants it to be true. Hates that Hiro knows how to play him, still, judging by that infuriatingly kind smile. Hiro is so lucky they're in public. He'd very much like to wipe it from his face.

Rei wonders, briefly, if that's why Akai selected the location, and didn't tell him the truth - if he'd asked, Rei's not sure he would have agreed to meet Hiro, the betrayal still too painful in his mind. Not that this kind of secrecy is appreciated. He really thought they were past that, by now. He'll need to deal with Akai, properly, later.

"Do I look like I care about what the FBI idiot is up to?"

He knows a tactical misstep when he sees it, and he's walked right into this one.

"To be quite honest with you: yes." Hiro hides his smile behind his glass of champagne. Badly. His eyes shine with amusement.

Damnit. What's the point of pretending when Hiro just sees right through him anyways? Rei's so tired of fighting himself at every step.

"Alright, fine. Make yourself useful, then. What did he look like?"

"He lit up like his phone's screen whenever a new text arrived." That, at least, is soothing. There had been quite a few texts. He'd assumed, after all, that he was keeping a bored and lonely Akai company. Just how long has Hiro been with him? Did Akai just ignored his best friend during their flight in favour of chatting with Rei? Asshole.

"If I dare say so, it was quite cute."

Rei doesn't bother to dignify that with a response. His burning cheeks probably provide more of an answer than he would like to give, anyways.

"Alright, I won't push you if you don't want to talk about it. Just know that I'll have an open ear for you, if you change your mind." He slips a card with a handwritten phone number in it. It's not much, but it's better than nothing. Rei memorizes it, then burns the paper.

"By the way." Hiro seems a little concerned, fiddling with his glass. "Akai gave me a couple of odd looks while we were flying back. Any idea what that's about? He went out of his way to sneak me into the country, and we had some good talks, so I struggle to see why he's upset with me?"

At this point, the waiter brings in their dessert.

A medium-sized chocolate cake, heart-shaped. A fork is delicately placed on either side.

Hiro shrugs in response to his questioning look. Amuro's customer service smile slips on easily enough. "I'm sorry? I think you've mistaken the dessert for this table."

"Ah, no, gentlemen. All dishes have been prepared according to the requests of the person making the reservation." How odd.

They thank the waiter, wait until he's out of earshot.

Disjointed information is snapping into place.

"Hiro, you've seen more of him recently. Please tell me this is Akai's idea of a joke."

Because the man has a keen sense of humour, even if it's often only for his own amusement. Gods know as Bourbon Rei wanted to strangle him for his quiet mockery.

But surely he can't be implying what Rei thinks he's implying.

"Hm." Hiro pauses for a minute, bless him, actually contemplating the issue while taking an appreciative bite from the chocolate cake. Which they will not be sharing, like that. Rei cuts it in half with his fork, dragging one half towards his side of the plate.

"I don't think so, no. It's hard to tell with him." 'No, it's not', Rei wants to say, 'you can tell by the barely visible laughter lines around his eyes.' He wisely keeps his mouth shut. It wouldn't help his case about how little is going on between him and Akai.

"But I'm inclined to say he was painfully sincere. It was his idea to arrange this dinner, and before he dropped me off, he wished me good luck. I assumed, at the time, that he was concerned about me walking back out alive without my head bitten off. Now, I think he might have somehow gotten the wrong idea about us."

Rei shoves a piece of chocolate cake into his mouth. The icing melts pleasantly on his tongue.

Akai set him up on a date with his best friend.

The FBI agent can be so smart when he needs to. How is he so hopeless whenever interpersonal relationships are involved?

"Idiot."

That's going to be a fun talk.

.

Sweater weather AU masterpost

#this one's long. I recommend a tea break after part 1 #if I had any sense I'd post this split in two. for better impact. but I don't want to. #this plot belongs together #putting rei through the wringer for a change :) #anyways. i was this 🤏 close to writing “why does akai call you babygirl” #in my heart of hearts Akai blackmailed a guy for his spot on the waiting list #threatened to publicly expose the mistress he planned to bring. poor guy is probably even sponsoring this dinner #long post #akam #iris writes things #sweater weather AU

[heartstopper-tword]

anything w imogen and nick :) i really love their big brother/lil sister dynamic

A/N: hello anon! yes i love their relationship so much, and i have wanted to write about them for so long :) hope you enjoy!

also if you want to send in any prompts, you can find the list here!

You Deserve Better

It had been a couple weeks since Imogen had ended her relationship with Ben in Paris, and she still wasn't herself.

Before the day of the trip had even arrived, she'd spent hours at home trying to plan things to do with her boyfriend, whether it be with the others or the two of them having intimate time alone together. It was the city of love, dammit. And Ben was her first ever real boyfriend! She wanted to be the best girlfriend she could to her partner. But of course, her plans had been squashed pretty much immediately as soon as she arrived at the busses that day.

Ben had acted cold and distant from the start, hardly sparing her the time of day to even talk to her. He wouldn't show her any affection, unless anyone was paying attention to them, and even then Imogen could tell it wasn't genuine. She'd tried to kiss him a few times while they were at the Eiffel tower, but he'd succeeded in dodging her attempts every time.

Imogen was at a loss. Had she done something wrong? Why was he mad at her? She'd tried to talk to him alone about these few incidents on multiple occasions, but all in all gave up after he'd told her he was fine and that she was just being sensitive about it.

A few times, she'd thought back to when she'd told Nick she was officially with Ben for the first time. She remembered the flicker of emotion on his face, ranging from confused to worried in an instant, but she didn't think much of it at the time, thinking it was just his protective nature coming out like it did around his friends. And then she would think about later on when he'd tried to ask why she was with him at all, seemingly disappointed about her relationship.

She'd been so offended at first, refusing to listen to him try and explain himself, that she'd left him dry by himself out of anger. She'd truly thought Ben was a nice guy, and that he really did love her. But of course, she'd been wrong all along.

She'd be lying if she would say that her confrontation to him at dinner wasn't satisfying. She couldn't have cared less that a little over half her year was present, listening to her complaints and watching Ben's discomfort concerning his toxicity. Sure, his jab at her being a bitch hurt a bit, but she really did try not to let it get to her. All she knew was that she was done. She didn't want him around her anymore.

Even after all of that evening's events, and finally finding her now main group of friends through that trip, Imogen couldn't help but continue to dwell on the fact that her first relationship with a boy was a complete disaster. She hadn't jumped back to her usual, bubbly self like she normally would be, her thoughts drifting back to Ben constantly. It wasn't like she was still in love with him - of course she wasn't - it was the fact that she let someone make her feel so bad about herself, and she stuck around for it.

As quiet about her feelings as she tried to be, she was never good at hiding her emotions. And obviously, Nick had been noticing.

"Alright you," Nick sighed, grabbing Imogen's hand and pulling her away from their group, walking them around the side of the school where they could have a bit of privacy. "What's going on?"

Imogen's eyes were trained on the ground, and she fiddled with her sleeves sheepishly.

"You've been silent ever since we got back from Paris, which isn't like you." he continued, staring her down. "You're not still upset about..."

He trailed off, not wanting to mention said person, but Imogen shifted her weight, shrugging her shoulders. "It's not just about him," she whispered, her voice barely a whisper, "it's just..."

Nick waited patiently, watching as the girl took in a shuddering breath and finally met his eyes, tears threatening to spill. "Why is it that my first relationship had to fail? Why did I get stuck with the jerk who only cared about appearances rather than actual faithfulness to someone?" She kicked a rock by her foot, watching it tumble a few feet. "Am I just that easily manipulated? So much that people can walk over me whenever they want?"

"No," Nick spoke firmly, shaking his head. "It's not anything about you."

"But-"

"Ben's a dick. He likes to use people for his own needs, especially when it makes him look like a saint. I don't even think he has the ability to feel human emotion, which is probably why he's so horrible to people." He wrapped an arm over the girl's shoulder, squeezing her into his side as he spoke. "You deserve so much better than him."

Imogen looked up at him, still looking unsure.

"I just thought I'd found the guy," she admitted sadly. "You know... someone who could treat me like how you and Charlie treat each other. I want someone who could love me like that."

"And you'll find them," Nick assured her genuinely, "It may just take some time."

"How long?"

"Maybe a few months, even a few years. For most people, they don't find their partner right away. You may date a few people before you find the one. But that doesn't mean you're not a good girlfriend for someone. Anyone would be extremely lucky to have you."

Imogen sniffed, moving her gaze away from Nick once again. Nick watched her for a moment, raising an eyebrow at her. "You don't believe me, do you?"

She shrugged, saying nothing. "I don't not believe you, but..."

"Uh uh." Nick gently lifted her chin to look at him again, "No more self deprecation. You are beautiful, kind, funny, genuine, a top notch badass-"

"Nihick," Imogen tried to whine, though her lips turned up into a growing smile as she tried to wiggle away from him.

"See? There's that smile!" Nick chuckled, grinning victoriously. "It'll win over thousands!"

Imogen giggled, a light yet powerful sound, trying to playfully push Nick away from her, but he pulled her into a bearhug, keeping her trapped against him. He dug his fingers into her sides, causing her to let out a startled squeal, her attempts to escape becoming more frantic as high pitched giggles poured out of her. "Nick noho! Stohohop!"

"Not until you say it." He said, dropping both of them to the grass and hovering over her.

Imogen squeaked, trying and failing to grab onto the older boy's wrists, "Sahahahay whahahat?"

"Say..." he thought for a second, his movements pausing momentarily, and Imogen tried to catch her breath. "Say three good things about yourself and I'll let you go."

Imogen whimpered, kicking her legs once in protest. "Nick, do I really have t- wait! Wahahait, gihihive mehehe a chahance tohoho thihihihink!" She threw her head back, laughter overtaking her as she tried to fight off his hands which had moved to her ribs.

"You shouldn't have to think too hard about it!" Nick laughed, though he felt a slight pain in his heart. How badly had she been tearing herself down recently?

"IHIHI- IHIHI'M NIHIHICE TOHO PEHEOPLE!"

"Extremely!" Nick accented, moving one hand to her neck, and she shrieked. "There's one, now give me two more!"

"NOHOHO COME OHOHON!" She shook her head, letting out another squeal when his other hand moved under her arm. "STOHOP!"

"What else are you?" Nick prompted, letting up slightly, and Imogen squeezed her eyes shut. "You're..."

"Fihihine, I'm prehehetty!"

"Exactly, you're gorgeous. Just one more!"

He paused his hands again, pulling back to give her a breather, and Imogen gasped for air. She laid helplessly on the ground, still giggling, and looked up at Nick pleadingly. "I- I don't-"

"And I want to hear you say the last thing I told you specifically." Nick grinned at her, and she groaned. "I don't remember what that was!"

Nick could tell she was lying, her cheeks growing even more rosy, not just from laughing. He continued to stare down at her, putting on a mock serious tone.

"Imogen, don't make me go for your hips."

"NO!" She panicked, her eyes going wide.

But Nick's hands were already moving, and before she could do anything to stop him, he had a hold of her hips and had started to squeeze.

To say Imogen screamed was an understatement, and the loud, high pitched laughter was enough to make Nick wonder if they'd get into trouble for causing such a ruckus.

"STOPSTOPSTOHOHOP! PLEHEHEHEASE!" She shrieked, kicking her legs wildly, shoving at Nick's shoulders, but her strength was quickly leaving her, not that she'd had much to fight him off to begin with.

Nick couldn't help but laugh along with her, a sense of fondness overtaking him as she struggled beneath him. He hadn't seen her crack much of a smile since they'd returned to school, let alone laugh once, so this was just as good for him as it was for her. "Say it!"

"NOHOHO!"

"Imogen!"

"OKAY! OKAY! IHIHI'M A TOHOHOP NOHOTCH BADAHAHASS! NOW STOHOHOP!"

Nick pulled his hands away from her, watching as Imogen rolled out from underneath him a few feet away, her arms wrapping around herself as residual giggles fell from her lips. She was staring up at the sky above them, a huge grin on her face.

Nick snickered, smirking in amusement. "You okay?"

"No."

He rolled his eyes, standing and walking over to her, and she squeaked as she saw him approach her. "Calm down, I'm done tormenting you." He chuckled, offering a hand to help her stand and pulling her up from the ground.

Imogen was still breathing heavily as she smoothed out her now wrinkled skirt, a playful scowl on her face. "You're lucky I brought my extra uniform with me today, Nelson. How else would I explain the grass stains on my skirt?"

Nick only laughed, pulling her into a warm side hug, squeezing her shoulder gently. "You believe me now?"

Imogen groaned, though the smile was back on her face. "Yes, Nick, I believe you now."

"Good. Because you do deserve better than him."

Imogen fell quiet again, though this time, it was appreciative. She couldn't imagine what she'd be like without as good as a friend as Nick.

#heartstopper #netflix #heartstopper tickle #heartstopper tickle fic #lgbtq #charlie spring #nick nelson #elle argent #tao xu #darcy olsson #tara jones #sahar zahid #isaac henderson #imogen heaney #tori spring #michael holden #lesbian #gay #bisexual #trans #queer #asexual #pansexual #demisexual #lee!imogen #ler!nick

[theroyalsims]

TOO FAST, TOO MUCH, TOO SOON - PRINCE ALISTAIR RUMOURED TO HAVE BROKEN UP WITH SOCIALITE GIRLFRIEND

Is it over for Prince Al and his latest lady love?

Brindleton's "it" couple has been uncharacteristically quiet these past few weeks and people are starting to speculate that the Prince has called it quits with his latest girlfriend, socialite Margeaux Riccaforte.

The pair, since debuting their relationship, has been very public about enjoying each other's company. Week after week, they have been photographed at parties and events. However, just as suddenly as their relationship seems to have blossomed, the Prince Al and Margueax sightings stopped. One royal expert claims:

"Prince Al couldn't cope with Margeaux's lifestyle. She's very much the social butterfly, but Prince Al's very introverted. He's a homebody, she's the life of the party."

"One of the reasons why HRH and Ximena worked very well for over two years was because they love hanging out together, but in private. They have movie nights, he cooks, she bakes, they play board games... they're both very low key. Margeaux, on the other hand, she's very social, she enjoys making contacts with new people. She's very friendly and outgoing, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. She and Prince Al are just very different people."

(Above: File photo - Prince Al accompanied Margeaux to the latter's friend's wedding earlier this year.)

Apparently, there was also an argument on whether or not Margeaux would be attending as Prince Al's date for the Queen's big bash last month. A palace source claims:

"Margeaux wanted to attend, but Prince Al thought it was too soon. They haven't been dating long. He wasn't ready to 'go there' with her. That'd make it seem too 'official,' and he just wasn't there yet. There was some sort of argument. In the end, Margeaux didn't score an invite. It was worse the next day when she found out Princess Ingrid's boyfriend attended the event."

(Above: File photo - Prince Al was photographed looking rather gloomy as he left a yacht club event with Margeaux.)

One other reason why it hasn't been smooth sailing for Prince Al and Margeaux? He jumped into a new relationship too fast. The source further claims:

"There was no proper 'transition' for Al to process things after his relationship with Ximena ended. I think he was hurting too much that he mistakenly jumped into a new relationship just to drown out the pain and to avoid the truth. It was just too much, too fast. It was definitely too soon. He just wasn't ready.

I wouldn't go so far as to claim that Al used Margeaux. They enjoyed each other's company and I genuinely think they both got 'something' out of it. Margeaux loves being the centre of attention, and I think dating Prince Al and being seen around town with a real life Prince has cemented her place as an A-lister. But I honestly think she just isn't who he needs right now."

The couple was last seen over six weeks ago leaving the opera (see photo above). The two were spotted having some sort of discussion as they were waiting to board their vehicle. Although they were holding hands and Margeaux was later seen smiling broadly for the paparazzi, Prince Alistair looked glum and almost reluctant to be there.

It looks like what started at the opera ended at the opera. If rumours are to be believed, here's hoping these two find their own happiness... apart.

#ts4 #theroyalsims #ts4 simblr #simblr #ts4 royals #ts4 royalty #ts4 royal family #ts4 royal legacy #ts4 royal story #alistair

[starpirateee]

Could you maybe write something Holloweane? They are my world 🤍

Of course I can, anon! I could've made this maybe the angstiest thing ever, because god only knows the two of them have potential for it,,, but let's save that for Holloweane week, shall we?

"Duke, good god, you need to rest."

Miss Holloway was starting to get the impression that Duke Keane didn't believe in sleep. He was the undisputed king of working himself to the bone, with the excuse that there was always something else to do, or someone else to help. He was in her diner for coffee every morning, and not only because he wanted a good chat with the famous Miss Retro... Because he'd come in groggy and lacking any of the energy he needed for the day, and she'd started insisting on giving him coffee to tide him over.

She was sure he'd forgotten about it, but there was one occasion she caught him sleeping in the backseat of his station wagon between hasty stacks of manila envelopes. After asking him about it, he'd admitted that he just crashed, and that was it for a good hour or more.

At the moment, he was sitting on one of the barstools at the corner of the counter, scribbling hurriedly into a case file and trying to update his notes on something that had clearly gotten his interest. She'd managed a glimpse at his notes, and they were just as haphazard as she would've come to expect from him. Clearly nobody else looked at these files, because his way of organising the notes and data within the file seemed to be... Unique to just him. If it wasn't, she'd be genuinely surprised.

He looked up at her, seemingly registering her presence for the first time, though she'd been standing there on the other side of the counter the whole time, for a lack of anything better to do. "I'm good, I'm on my way to finishing this stack."

She rolled her eyes. "That's not the point... If you keep going now these aren't going to make any sense to you when you next read em!" Somehow, she was going to play into a part of his mind where it made sense to take a break, because she was frankly worried that one of these days, he was going to work himself to death.

"I've gotta write this up again anyway, someone complained they couldn't read my writing, so eventually I've gotta go through this again and type it." he shrugged, looking back towards the paper. Her eyes followed his, like she hadn't already tried to decipher what he was trying to write. Was he seriously using a college notation method to write up official cases? Did she really recognise it as a college notation method?

Maybe this was on her.

"Isn't that all the more reason why you should save it? C'mon, Duke, when was the last time you got a good night in?"

"Why are you so bothered how much I sleep?" the question wasn't malicious in any way, merely Duke playing into his curiosities without looking up from the page he was scribbling on.

"Because it's been the same routine for months now? You come in here every morning before work, and I'm lucky if I actually get to see you alert and well rested before you order the coffee. don't you think there's even a chance you're working yourself too hard?"

His pen stopped. She hadn't realised how much she'd been relying on it as background noise until it stopped scratching against the page.

"Huh."

He was more than aware that she paid attention to him. The two of them had some rather interesting conversations first thing on a morning, but come to think of it, most of those had been fuelled by her absolutely heavenly coffee. At this point, it was a subconscious effort to keep himself going for as long as possible, because that meant he got more done. And if he got more done, then he had more of a chance to get to the conclusion of a case, to reach the point where he could stop and say... Yeah. He finally made a difference. A real difference.

"Y'know, maybe I am..."

Holloway's shoulders dropped with relief; she hadn't even realised there had been a tension there in the first place. Duke's eyes flitted between her, the notes, and an empty space on the desk next to him.

"Just let me-"

"Duke..."

Her hand fell on top of his, stopping him from witing another word (and bringing a sudden flush to his cheeks, but he elected to ignore that one). She gently shifted his hand out of the way, closing the file over the written notes with her other hand. He stared at the glossy sheen on her brightly painted nails until he snapped himself out of his working trance, at least for the time being.

"I'm gonna hold this file hostage if you're not careful, least that'll be one way to actually get you to sleep for once..."

After thinking about this, and coming to the realisation that he was likely going to be back in the morning anyway, he figured that there was only one way to keep him distracted from work long enough to get him to do anything else. "... Could you?"

"What?"

"Keep the file. I'll be back for it tomorrow morning, but you want me to sleep, and there's a bit of me that wants me to sleep too... So-"

She slipped the file under the counter without another word, a smile resting on her lips. "It'd be my pleasure. Now... I swear to god, if you don't sleep tonight I'm burning this."

A laugh escaped him, genuine as it was weary. "Fine, fine, I can take a hint." He stood up from his barstool and took a moment to grin over at her before he turned on his heel and headed towards the door. Before he could leave, he shot a final glance back. "Please don't burn it... That's a week's worth of work..."

"Get some rest, then," she teased, folding her arms.

"G'night, Miss Holloway."

"Goodnight, Duke."

#starkid #duke keane #miss holloway #holloweane #void offering #nova's tags → #you phrased this ask so nicely i couldn't possibly give you angst #i mean i'm more than capable of it #but i have enough of that queued for next month ahaha #so.... i'll try something light for once #none of this 'he was watching the fireworks' jazz #star mail

[kullabergs]

HVA CONSULTANT GRADING Due to difficulties with traveling abroad for the HVA grading show, we got busy at home with setting up a professional studio backdrop, grooming a mare that refused to stand still and dig out an old camera for an online consultation with the HVA. Having the honour to own such a fine mare as ZHG Vespa with such extensive and impressive pedigree lines that date back to SSE Winter Is Coming and several old bloodlines from RDEC such as RDEC Gottecourt and RDEC Vandalist, means that keeping those lines alive comes with a great responsability. It felt important to us to have Vespa graded and approved for breeding and I'm thrilled to announce that the HVA gave its approval and then some! The HVA officials ended the grading with some beautiful notes and a very impressive score:

Genuinely, I think she's one of the most elegantly built prospective hanoverians that we've received thus far, very well done! For Vespa, we've given her a grade of 97%, and she has been approved for breeding!

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– HVA FUTURITY SHOW

"Isn't he growing into quite the beauty," Iris remarked, stealing a glance at Luciano as he playfully tugged at Vomme's pink muzzle, the foal resisting with equal determination. They had flown all the way to California for this grading show and they were lucky enough that the tall dark foal was near on his first birthday, or else they never would’ve been able to complete the long journey here. Meanwhile, Luciano awaited his turn to enter the grading arena with Vespa and Vomme, while Iris kept a watchful eye to ensure the foal didn't wander off in the vast venue. Catching Luciano's fleeting glance, Iris returned it before he hastily refocused on the foal. ”He’s not a swan yet. Besides, he is too big to ever be able to ride fast in a jump-off.” While there was a grain of truth in his words, Iris sensed an underlying resistance, most likely directed at her, beneath Luciano's banter. There had been numerous accounts where she’d caught the two playing together or giving each other loving scratches, but the minute he saw her, he stopped. He was nothing more than a man child, come to think of it. Iris rolled her eyes in return. So much for extending olive branches. They hadn’t spoken much since Monaco. In fact, they’d hardly spoken at all. Which may make you wonder what Iris was doing coming on this trip with him in the first place. Originally, her sister was meant to go in her stead, but she backed out at the last minute, citing an allegedly unmissable dressage clinic. Iris saw through the facade; there was no clinic, just a ploy orchestrated by her manipulative sister to force her and Luciano to talk about the inevitable. In the months following the excruciatingly public events in Monaco, Iris had hardly trained under Luciano’s supervision at all. Their stubborn silence even led to her missing out on the Kuse final in Spain, and she had been too proud to ask for his help and he had been too proud to offer it. They both knew they couldn’t keep going at this pace as Iris was risking her professional career and Luciano was doing the exact opposite of what a trainer is supposed to do. Yet neither of them wouldn’t even touch on the subject with a ten-foot pole. As they were instructed to enter the arena, Luciano tightened the grip on the mare’s reins. ”Well, good luck.” Iris offered awkwardly. Luciano shot her another quick glance and gave her a small nod in response, lips tightened into a thin line, his face giving away absolutely nothing. With Vespa charging forward in her customary fashion, Vomme eagerly followed by her side and they left Iris behind by the gate. This was shaping up to be a tough week, Iris thought wearily as she let out a heavy sigh.

#stall kullaberg #equiality sims #eq #ts3 #the sims 3

[pleaseeeimjustagirl]

It Girls Ramadan Guide

Hey babesss I am soooo excited Ramadan officially starts this week and I wanted to post a Ramadan guide for my fellow Muslim girliesss if you aren’t Muslim but are participating in Ramadan this is a good guide for you as well.

Setting Intentions

♡ Before Ramadan starts set your intentions. What do you want to improve on this Ramadan? What charities do you want to donate to? Even if you aren’t able to reach all the goals you set Allah rewards us based on our genuine intentions.

♡ Journaling. I highly recommend journaling your intentions and your experience this Ramadan. Keep track of your mood, as well as your Quran readings, and prayers. I will link a Quran Journal as well as a 30-Day Ramadan Journal  Ramadan Legacy Planner.

♡ Vision Board. I’ve seen some girls online recommend creating a Ramadan vision board and I agree! Create a vision board using Canva and Pinterest, or you can use a poster board and magazine. This will help you see your goals not just read them. Place your vision board where you can see it so you're reminded of your goals daily.

Nutrition 

Suhoor

♡ Eat a balanced suhoor meal. Eat a meal high in protein, protein takes a while to be broken down so it’ll help you at the beginning of the day. Eat carbs and fats you will need as much energy as the average hours we fast during Ramadan are 12 to 18 hours depending on where you are.

♡ Drink water. One of the things I struggle with every Ramadan is my water intake. Try to drink at least two 16oz bottles of water during Suhoor. Hydration is super important you don't want to pass out due to severe dehydration.

♡ Drink electrolytes. Drinking electrolytes is very beneficial before fasting they help your body retain water while you are fasting. Do not overdo your electrolyte intake because too much sodium is bad.

Iftar

♡ Do not overdo it. I know going a long period without food can make you want to eat everything in sight but it is important to eat a well-balanced nutritious meal after fasting. When you overeat this may cause indigestion and other stomach issues.

♡ Avoid eating too much fried, salty, and high-sugar foods. Moderation is key I know during Ramadan my mom makes all of our favorite Ghanaian dishes and they aren't the most healthy options. That doesn't mean you shouldn't eat them or avoid them you can eat them but in moderation. Eating too much of these foods in the moment may feel good because they cause us to release feel-good hormones like dopamine and serotonin but they can make fasting the next day very difficult.

♡ Eat whole foods. The best food to break your fast with is fruit! Specifically, a date to begin with and then other fruits like pineapple, watermelon, oranges, strawberries, mango, and other fruits you like. I would recommend you eat more water-based fruits to hydrate your body.

♡ Drink water. I mention this twice because it is very important that after you break your fast you drink water make it a goal of yours to have six to eight glasses of water daily.

Movement

♡ Create a Ramadan workout plan. I know a lot of us girliesss are on weight loss journeys and we want to be snatched before the summer but we also don't want to stress out our bodies while fasting and exerting needed energy. Create a workout plan that starts low and goes slow. Limit intense cardio, and train at a lower intensity, if you lift try to lift heavy before suhoor which means you’ll need to wake up earlier. If you prefer to workout after Iftar break your fast with something light so that your stomach won’t feel so heavy when you workout.

♡ Walking. I recommend getting in sedentary movement throughout the day, so instead of taking the bus walk if where you're going isn't that far. Walking is beneficial for so many reasons I’ll link this article.

♡ Yoga and Pilates. I love both of these exercises they are perfect for my girlies who are fasting. Pilates especially is perfect it is very low and slow in movements but still gives you amazing results. Yoga is perfect for relaxing especially if you deal with anxiety, sore muscles, back problems, and trouble sleeping I recommend trying yoga.

Increase Your Iman

♡ Prioritize Prayer. Make sure to pray all five of your daily prayers and do them on time try your best to not delay your prayers unless you have to.

♡ Read Quran. Some of you might be hafiz of the Quran and I know it is common for hafiz to try and finish the Quran from start to finish during Ramadan so maybe you can make that a goal if you are a hafiz. For my girlies who are like me and haven’t finished the Quran but Insha Allah we will! I recommend trying to read at least 10 verses of the Quran daily that's better than not reading it at all.

♡ Watch Islamic Lectures. I recommend spending your time online watching Islamic lectures like Omar Suleiman, Mohammed Hoblos, Mufti Menk, Dr. Sh. Haifa Younis, Akhi Ayman (he is perfect for younger men), and many other amazing lecturers. My favorites are Omar Suleiman and Mufti Menk they explain Islam in such a beautiful way and spread the message perfectly.

♡ Charity. This month is the best month to give to those in need. You can donate to many organizations, and help send aid to Gaza/Congo/Sudan, create a fundraiser for your local masjid in need, feed another fasting person, help prepare Iftar at home, and so much more. Charity not only blesses us with good deeds but there have been studies proving random acts of kindness are good for our mental health we produce dopamine when we donate or help others. 

♡ Pray Tahajjud. I swearrrr if you have anything you desire in this life this is the best prayer you need to pray! Allah is closest to the earth during the last third of the night and he is there to listen to our dua’s and repentance. You can only pray Tahajjuud after you sleep. Tahajjud is hard to catch because it involves having to leave our sleep for the sake of Allah. One Mallam explained Tahajjud so beautifully he said “Tahajjud is like a personal invitation from Allah Not everyone can get in most people are asleep during that time.” If you have anything you want badly pray Tahajjud for it, especially during this holy month.  So try your best to wake up an hour or two before the fajr prayer and pray Tahajjuud I will link a video on the benefits and how to pray Tahajjud for those who don’t know how.

These are a few tips for my girliesss I hope Ramadan is a blessed month for all of us! Thank you for all the support babes! we are getting close to 500 followers!!!

#it girl #becoming that girl #clean girl #becoming her #glow up #it girl energy #self care #that girl #girlblogging #productivity #pink pilates girl #self improvement #soft productivity #productivitytips #consistency #self growth #routines #healthyhabits #wellness #girljournal #hyper feminine #motivation #my diary #pink blog #masterlist #ramadan #muslim #islamic #muslim women #islamic reminders

[dollyyun]

𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍𝒔 | chap 14

SYPNOSIS: wherein Hwang Stella's life is tangled in a predicament involving her clandestine identity as a racer, her seemingly daily life as the official heir to the Hwang Empire, and seven guys with whom she has a complex history with.

PAIRING: enhypen members x fem oc.

GENRE: 18+ (mdni), reverse harem, chaebols, semi-college & racing, eventual adulthood, non-idol au, eventual enha being f1 drivers, multiple pov (this fic is written in first pov).

WARNINGS: expletives, heartbreaks.

WORD COUNT: 8k+

TAGLIST: @aishigrey @kgneptun

🍒 MASTERLIST 🍒

Four years ago, everything crumbled when my father forced me to quit racing and forced me into a marriage with his business partner's daughter. Since I had little control over my life at that point in time, I chose to ruin my friendship with the guys as well as Stella. I messed up everything with them and chose to leave them without any closure.

There hasn't been a day where I don't regret hurting Stella that night at the gala. The look on her face haunts me, even in my slumber. If I could, I would want to make things right with the people I left behind.

After my family and I moved to London, I lived my life in blue, and I wasn't the same, especially whenever my father forced me to spend my day with the woman I would be marrying. On the other hand, she felt the same way as I did, as she, too, had to leave the love of her life. It was torturous, and my heart ached in yearning for things to be the way they used to. I missed my best friends, I missed Stella, and above all, I missed racing.

I even had plans to make racing a permanent career. My father, he's the catalyst for everything that went wrong in my life. I hated him. My mother, who miraculously recovered, pleaded with my father not to control and dictate my life. He didn't relent, as expected from a cold-blooded man, but he had no idea how determined I was to gain control of my life.

The week before the wedding day, I had a talk with his business partner and offered him a great deal, thanks to my business management expertise. Thankfully, he accepted, and thus, I no longer needed to marry his daughter. It certainly wasn't an easy journey, especially when my father was the reason behind my fucked-up mental health.

My father didn't speak or glance at me after what happened. My mother tried to talk to him, but my father wouldn't budge. I took his silence as finally getting to do whatever I wanted, and so I pursued my racing venture.

Months later, I entered the F1 industry, where I had to go through such tribulations to get to where I am now. It took me a whole year to earn myself a spot. Thus, I am now a professional Formula One driver.

Aston Martin. The team I am on and represent. I am blessed to have such an incredible, supportive team. I couldn't have made it without them. Even though I am surrounded by genuine, great people, it still isn't enough to fill the void in my heart. The void that only certain individuals can fill.

My eyes harden with resolution as I pour all of my emotions into the practice, and my hands are coordinating the functions. I've been spending an hour or so in the driving simulator, where we practice before heading outside to race on the circuit. I guess I must've been practicing relentlessly as I hear somebody calling my name.

"Jungwon!" The team principal, who goes by Steven, approaches me. "You've been at it for hours, son! Finish the last lap and go for a break!" I know he means well, but I really don't feel like it. Especially when there is a high chance of me seeing my best friends.

After what happened two nights ago, when I heard everything from them at the communal party, I didn't know how to act or what to feel. But I know for a fact that I've missed out on a lot.

Eventually, I yield as I force myself to finish the last lap. I remove my hand gloves with a sigh before rising from my seat. I turn around just to meet Steven, who is looking at me with concern. "Are you alright, son? I've never seen you like that."

I give him a tight smile. "I'm just pushing myself to get a perfect result for the Grand Prix."

Steven places his hand on my shoulder firmly. "I know you want to win, but don't push yourself too hard. The Grand Prix isn't happening until two months later. You still have a lot of time to practice. I don't want my best driver to fall sick."

"Got it." I nod my head, and that is enough to satisfy him before he walks away. I glance at the simulator room, where there are some drivers from different teams who have just started practicing.

Since all of the other teams are involved in the Grand Prix that will happen in Brooklyn, we are required to attend and gather at the same headquarters, which is one of the largest headquarters in the US, including practicing at the same arena.

Disappointment befalls me as I don't see any familiar faces. Even so, I don't know if I have the right to feel that way. Surely, they must be feeling resentful towards me. 

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

I stop dead in my tracks as soon as I lock eyes with Jay, just when I'm about to head to the automat. He's not alone. By his side is Sunoo. Initially, I didn't expect all of them to end up being F1 drivers, but what I didn't expect most was the fact that they were all separated into different teams.

It struck me deeply that I have indeed missed out on a lot.

I clench my jaw and look away from him before proceeding to walk past them. How could I ever speak to him normally after leaving them?

"Jungwon, wait." Jay speaks up, making me freeze on the spot. Swallowing down hard, I turn around to meet his eyes one more time. "How are you doing?"

I definitely didn't expect him to ask such a question. Even Sunoo appears surprised by Jay's inquiry, but the latter maintains eye contact with me.

"I don't know," I answer honestly. I can't help it. With Jay, I feel the need to be honest. "But I'm alive, so....." I manage a smile, though a bitter one.

"Why did you leave the way you did?" Sunoo steps forward, his eyes hardening, but even I can see that he yearns to be the way we were. "You didn't even give us closure. We would've understood the position you were in. I thought you were our best friend."

The atmosphere feels heavy. My heart aches tremendously upon knowing that I have hurt more than one person. I look down, feeling ashamed and regretful. "I'm sorry." I say quietly. "I didn't have control of my life back then, and I've been through so much. I know that such excuses don't justify my actions, but just know that I regret everything."

There is a protracted silence before I hear footsteps approaching me. As I look up, I am startled when Sunoo lands a punch on my shoulder, though the impact is not hard. He looks at me with glistening eyes. "You fool. We've missed you so much."

The backs of my eyes burn. "How could you have missed me after what I've done?"

"Because we know you, Jungwon." Jay places his hand firmly on my shoulder. "Shit happened in life, I get it."

Thinking of all the hardships I've been through reopens my wound. Before I know it, Jay embraces me in a hug, with Sunoo joining in. I allow my tears to flow freely as I cling to them. My best friends, who were like my brothers.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Jay and Sunoo reveal everything to me, not missing out on any details. Everything, including the major incident four years ago by Hwang Minhyuk. I'm genuinely shocked when they also reveal that they nearly lost Heeseung, as he sustained a fatal injury to his stomach. Then they proceeded to tell me about Stella and her sudden disappearance from their lives.

To say I've missed out on a lot is an understatement.

I rub my face while a headache begins to grow. "So what happens with Stella now? I heard everything the other night, by the way."

Sunoo and Jay exchange glances before Jay speaks up. "I have no idea. She made it clear to us that she didn't want to see us anymore."

"Which is impossible since we now know that she works in the same industry as us." Sunoo adds with a sigh. "We will probably be seeing her more now. I heard from someone that she's an external travel manager."

I look at them with watchful eyes. "Do you guys love her? I'm not talking about the friend kind of love."

"I do. I really do." Jay mutters, his eyes downcast. "As much as I want to move on from her, my heart can't seem to do that."

I look at Sunoo, whose face is unreadable. "I mean, Stella and I were nothing." He says. "Sure, I voluntarily took part in our parents' schemes, but it's hard not to like her with our moments spent." He fiddles with his fingers. "I even had affection for her."

"Great. Not only do we compete in racing, but we compete for her heart as well." I chuckle dryly.

"There is no competition when she tells herself to forget her." Sunoo frowns. "She clearly hates us now."

"Maybe, or maybe not." I shrug my shoulders. "If she hates us, why did she chase after me the first time we met days ago?"

"She chased you?" Jay asks.

"Yeah. I was just buying an iced Americano at some cafe." I tell him as I recall. "I was just heading to meet my team after buying when she called for me from behind. Then she asked about how I was doing and etcetera."

"Still, she looked at us as if we were her enemies." Sunoo counters. "I don't want her to hate us any more than she does now if we decide to chase her."

I open my mouth to speak, but a familiar voice interjects. "Did somebody say 'chase her'?"

I turn around just to see Heeseung and Jake, both in the same gearing suit since they are on the same team after all. Their eyes don't seem to be surprised to see me.

"Jungwon." Heeseung greets me warmly, while I feel wary. He doesn't look like he hates me, but I can't be too sure.

"Heeseung, Jake." I greet them awkwardly.

To my great surprise, Jake engulfs me in a hug—a tight one at that. "I've missed you so much, man." Jake pats my back before he pulls away with a smile on his face. I begin to relax my muscles.

"Jungwon, it's good to have you back." Heeseung pats my shoulder firmly, but I don't hesitate to hug him while my heart aches in a good way. Even though we're incomplete, this is enough to fill the void in my heart.

"We can catch up later." Heeseung tells me before his eyes drift to Jay and Sunoo. "Now what is it about chasing after Stella?"

"We didn't!" Sunoo exclaims. "We were just saying that if we decided to chase Stella."

"Too late. We've already made up our minds." Jake grins. "We have a new mission now."

My pulse thrums in anticipation. "And what does the new mission entail?"

"It's simple. All we have to do is make her fall in love with us all over again." Heeseung answers calmly. "I don't know about you guys, but I'm not about to let her go for the second time."

"I'm in." Jay steps forward. "Like Heeseung said, do we really want to let our precious girl go when the opportunity is open?"

Although no one speaks up, one thing is for sure is that we have collectively agreed on the idea. Maybe we can't mend anything that is broken with her, but we can try to make her like us again, or even love. I will be damned if I don't try anything. Heck, I'm willing to wait for her love, even if it takes years.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

I didn't get an ounce of sleep last night. I kept tossing and turning with a lot of things on my mind. One of them was about Stella. I can't say that I'm confident in getting her to love me back, but I'm willing to try anything. Now that I've taken control over my life, no one can stop me from doing whatever I want, including pursuing Stella.

The thunderous blaring abruptly pulls me out of the trance, prompting me to focus on the view of familiar vehicles speeding on the stupendous circuit. I stand alongside some of the people on my team with my arms crossed over my chest while I focus on watching my opponents as they compete against each other.

Today, all of the drivers are required to attend and participate in the trials. Not only do we need to participate in the trials, but we also need to test out the new vehicles that are given to us. We do not want any last-minute enhancements or even to risk any accidents, all because the new vehicles turn out to be incompetent.

Right, I have to focus. It'll be my turn next.

However, my ears perk up at the familiar feminine voice, to which I can't help but avert my gaze from the circuit. My gaze lands on Stella, who is speaking with Steven while she appears to be holding a blue clipboard in her grasp.

Since I'm only a few feet away from them, I decide to eavesdrop. They are discussing business matters. I bite my lips, debating whether I should include myself in their conversation or not.

Before I know it, I am already approaching them. Stella's eyes meet mine, and at once, the smile on her face falters.

Steven turns to the side and greets me with a delightful smile, oblivious to the tension between Stella and me. "Jungwon! I'm sure you haven't had the pleasure to meet Stella!"

"We haven't." Stella says tersely, and she smiles once more, but even I can tell how fake her smile is. "I'm Hwang Stella."

So this is how she wants to play.

I raise my eyebrow while my lips are threatening to form a smirk, and they do. "It's nice meeting you, Stella." I extend my palm to her, and she has no choice but to play along. As soon as she places her hand on my palm, I grip it firmly before raising it to my lips and planting a kiss on her knuckles. I maintain unwavering eye contact with her. "Jungwon."

I can see the way she deflates a little, as if my mere gesture has an impact on her. I hold her hand a little longer before slowly releasing it. Thankfully, Steven is still oblivious to the way he acts.

"Stella here has been working for this organisation for a year, and yet, her work is remarkable!" Steven praises her, and I feel my chest swell with pride for her. "She'll be working alongside other managers for this upcoming Grand Prix, and she'll have to work closely with you lads."

The smirk on my lips still persists while I don't look away from her cold yet wavering eyes. "I look forward to working closely with you, Stella."

"Jungwon! You're up next!" That's my cue.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Sweats trickle down my skin as the air feels hot, while my hands are expertly operating the functions with my muscles flexing every now and then. A muscle pulses in my jaw as my eyes harden, having no intention of losing against my opponents, even though some of them turn out to be my best friends.

Though this is only a trial, I can't afford to lose and disappoint my team. Aston Martin was placed fourth at the previous Grand Prix, and I won't allow my team to fail once more. Other than that, I can't deny that I also want to impress Stella, if she is even watching.

"Shit!" I cuss lowly as soon as the brake doesn't seem to be working. Not only is the brake malfunctioning, but so is the steering wheel.

I look in the rearview mirror, noticing Sunghoon, Heeseung, and Sunoo catching up to me. As much as I want to cross over the finishing line first, I don't want to risk involving them in an accident. And so, as my vehicle is gradually flailing, I use my full strength as I grip the steering wheel tightly, turning it to the side while the screeching sound brings a grimace to my face.

Alas, the back of my vehicle hits the fences, prompting my body to jolt from the abrupt impact. Thankfully, it has come to a stop, but the damage has been done. This vehicle has failed me. Such incompetence.

I step out of the vehicle before removing my helmet roughly while a scowl etches my face. I hear footsteps rushing towards me as I look at the damage that has been done.

"What happened?" Steven asks, looking at me worriedly.

"The brake and steering wheel failed me." I run my fingers through my hair in frustration. "This has never happened. Did the mechanic team even do their fucking job?"

"Relax, son." Steven attempts to calm me down. "I understand that you're angry, but─"

I cut him off with a cold chuckle. "Angry? I'm more than angry. This could've happened at the actual Grand Prix! We've already been humiliated when we lost on the last Grand Prix, now this?"

"Jungwon, calm down." I feel a firm hand on my shoulder. Jay. I didn't even realise that he was here. "It was an accident no one expected."

"Yeah, an accident that could happen the next time." I snarl at him, too enraged to care. "Get the mechanic team to do their fucking job or else find somebody else that is competent enough." I don't wait for any of their responses as I proceed to walk away. Every muscle on my body feels tense while my mind is going haywire.

This is the first time I ever blew up. Even Steven looked genuinely shocked by my outburst. But I take my job seriously, even if it's only a trial. There can never be errors.

My eyes accidentally meet Stella's briefly, and I catch a glimpse of concern in her eyes. I look away from her and decide to head further inside. I don't even have the guts to face her, as I feel embarrassed by the prior incident. I wonder what she thinks of me.

"Jungwon."

My ears must be deceiving me, because why am I hearing her voice?

"Jungwon, stop." Maybe my mind is not playing tricks on me after all. The moment her hand latches around my wrist, I turn around to face her with an eyebrow raised, but she appears to be looking down with a worried expression on her face.

"Your hand is bleeding." She mutters, and I look down to see blood dripping down from my fingers. I must've been too distracted to realise that the wound on my hand is from the prior incident.

Before I can say anything, Stella drags me with her while I am too stunned by the fact that she still cares. We end up in the medical bay, with me sitting quietly on a bench while Stella asks for some aid.

"Give me your hand." Stella orders as she sits next to me. I place my hand on her palm and watch as she wraps the wound on my hand with a white bandage.

"Don't be mistaken." She murmurs, not meeting my eyes after she's done. "This is me taking care of you because you're one of my responsibilities in my line of work."

"You can't fool me, Stel." I hold her hand just before she can rise from her seat. She has no choice but to look me in the eyes. "I saw the way you looked worried for me."

Conflict resides in her gaze. "Jungwon─"

"Don't be mean to me again." I say softly, bringing her hand closer to my face before placing her palm on my cheek. With my hand on top of hers, I lean into her palm, which feels cold against my cheek. I flutter my eyes close, relishing the familiarity of her touch. "Don't push me away again."

"But I must, Jungwon." I can discern how weak she sounds. "You're better off without me."

"Do you really believe that?" I flutter my eyelids open and meet her wavering gaze. I lean my body closer to her with her hand still on my cheek. "I'm miserable without you, but for you, I'm willing to wait."

"Jungwon." Stella appears defeated. I take her by surprise by placing a soft, lingering kiss on her palm before holding her hand tenderly.

"Give me a chance, Stella." I say. "Give me a chance to prove that I'm worthy of your love."

She doesn't say anything, but pain reflects in her beautiful eyes as I place one last kiss on her palm. 

Hwang Stella is not my ex-girlfriend. She's right. We weren't anything beyond friends. But she is definitely an ex-something. We even kissed and got intimate at one point, and I recall that I've grown addicted to her.

In the beginning, I was only close to her in order to fulfil my duty. I had no idea that I would end up regretting it. I guess I can say for the rest of my best friends that there is no one more regrettable than me. Sure, I did grow fond of Stella and even grew to like her more than a friend, but love? I don't even know if my feelings for her can be called love. Or maybe I'll just have to find out if I really do love her.

With my eyes lingering on her face, a frown tugs at my lips as I notice how lethargy she looks. Words have been going around that the managers are working twice as hard as usual, and that includes Stella. I feel hesitant to approach her and start a conversation, and I'm only a few feet away from where she is.

I grip the bottle in my grasp, which I have just bought from the vending machine. My heart aches at the noticeable weariness written on her delicate features. You know what? Who cares if she might hate me more? I can't stand to see her get overworked.

Mustering the courage, I approach her with a face devoid of emotion. She pauses from scribbling on her paperwork before slowly raising her head to meet my eyes. Her eyes widen in surprise for a fleeting moment.

"Is there anything you need?" She asks, displaying her professionalism.

Instead of responding to her query, I place the mineral bottle in front of her before sliding my hands into my pockets. "Here. It's for you." I try my best to remain as nonchalant as I can, despite how my heart is pounding hard against my chest. "You've been working too hard lately. I didn't even see you taking a break."

Stella raises her eyebrow at me. "So you've been watching me all day?"

"No." I answer quickly. "It's just that you obviously look exhausted. You know it's fine to take a little breather. Your work can wait."

Stella deflates, and the coldness she emits dissipates. Her lips press together thinly. "Why are you doing this, Sunoo?"

"It's simple, really." I shrug my shoulders. "Because I care about you."

"Well, you shouldn't." Stella says bitterly. "I don't even care about you, at least not anymore."

I ignore the stinging pain in my chest, but I manage a small smile while my gaze softens. "It's fine that you no longer care about me, darling. I love you enough to still care about you, and that is more than enough for me."

The 'L' word itself just came out of me without a second thought. I see the way her eyes widen once more. I clear my throat in an awkward manner as I rub my nape sheepishly. "Don't forget to eat your meals and have at least a rest. I don't want you to fall sick."

"Sunoo─"

But I don't listen to her words any longer as I make my way back to the garage. All the while, my cheeks feel warm from my affirmation that I do, in fact, love her.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

I know for a fact that I can never compete against my best friends. Even if Stella were to choose any of us, she certainly wouldn't choose me. So it is pointless for me to try to win her heart when she would never spare a glance in my way.

My grip on the steering wheel tightens as I pour my pent-up emotions into finishing the last few laps before I call it a night. The rest of the drivers are nowhere to be found, including my team. I choose to practice a little longer, but eventually the skies are painted in the dark.

I pull up in the garage before switching off the ignition. As I step out of the vehicle, I remove my helmet and ruffle my dishevelled locks. I guess I've pushed myself too hard to the point where all my muscles are aching tremendously.

I drape the small towel over my shoulder after wiping off my sweat. I proceed to make my way back to my locker, but halt my steps when Stella is in my line of sight, just a few feet away.

I raise my eyebrow at her. "You haven't gone home."

"I was working overtime." She tells me curtly, but her eyes seem to be examining me before they soften. "Practices were long since over, and yet you're still here."

A smirk touches my lips. "I was practicing overtime." I drawl. "But you, on the other hand...." I take steps forward, though cautious enough not to alarm her.

She frowns. "Me?"

"Yes, you." I stop directly in front of her, our eye contact unwavering. "I told you not to overwork yourself, did I not?"

Defiance glimmers in her eye. "I don't take orders from you."

"Still stubborn as ever." I tut, deciding to be bold when I grip her chin gently. "What should I do with you, darling?"

"You can start by not touching me." Sarcasm drips into her tone. "And you're as demanding as ever."

I release her chin, though I'm tempted to hold her for a little longer. "Nothing's changed, then."

"No. Something's changed, and that is whatever we had before." Stella says firmly, but a glimpse of pain flickers in her eyes. "We're no longer friends, Sunoo."

"Then tell me this. Did I mean something to you?" Desperation is discernible, and I no longer give a damn. "We even kissed and got intimate before. Friends don't do that."

"But we were nothing." Stella counters, almost deflating. "I was not even your girlfriend. Sure, we did things that friends don't do, but that's just it." Her breath hitches in her throat. "Besides, you weren't even sincere in the beginning."

"I admit that I was in the wrong." I don't hesitate to raise my hand and cradle her face tenderly. "But along the way, you managed to weasel your way into my heart. I did genuinely care for you, Stella." I can see tears glistening in her eyes. "Call it what you want, but we were definitely an ex-something."

"I hated you when I found out about your ulterior motive towards me." Her voice cracks, displaying her vulnerability to me. "I was hurt, because I thought I meant something to you after the moments we've spent and your witty yet sweet words to me."

"Then allow me to give you the long-awaited apology." I say softly while I gently brush away the fallen teardrop on her cheek. "I'm so, so sorry. I shouldn't have agreed to take part in my parents' schemes."

"You bad guy." Her lips quiver in sadness while she attempts to throw weak punches at my chest. "I even trusted you."

"I know, darling. For that, I'm terribly sorry as well." The space between us is almost nonexistent. I don't hold myself back from placing a tender kiss on her forehead with my hand cradling the side of her face.

"You were one of the people I held dearly in my heart." Stella tells me in between soft sobs while I still hold her close.

"Then tell me, how do I make it up to you?" I ask gently as I cup her cheeks, prompting her to look at me in the eyes. "How do I earn a spot back in your heart?"

"You can't." Stella says weakly. "I can't allow any of you to get closer to me again."

"Why not?"

"Because," She pauses, hesitation resides in her gaze before the pain returns. "Because no matter how deep the betrayal was, I still care and love you enough to put you out of danger's way." It feels as though her confession stole my breath away.

"What do you mean, Stella?" I ask after I recovered. My eyes are firm. "Danger? I don't understand."

Stella shakes her head. "Please, Sunoo. Don't make this harder for me."

My jaw clenches. "You don't seem to understand that I don't have any intention of letting you go."

"You must." Tears fall from her eyes once more. "It's the only way."

"No. There is a way." I murmur, my face leaning close to her, until my lips stop just an inch from hers. But I don't kiss her, no matter how tempting it is. "You're hiding something, darling." I whisper, and the way she visibly flinches is enough for me to confirm my suspicion. "But I don't want to force you to answer. So I'll wait until you're ready."

Reluctantly, I release and turn my back on her, forcing myself to walk away from her despite how my heart is aching and yearning to return to her.

It has been exactly a week since the confrontation at the communal party happened, a week since I declared that I hated her. I didn't even mean to tell her that, but I was too blinded by the betrayal, sadness, and resentment of her disappearance. So to see her again after four long years, especially in NYC out of all the places, hit me like a whiplash.

I recall when I first saw her that night, and I was relieved to see her looking healthy. She hasn't changed a bit, with the exception of her new, stark raven hair. She still looks beautiful, but there is a certain ambience exuding from her. It was almost as if she had been through so much here.

Now that my mind is set straight, I can't help but resent myself for telling her that I hated her. I admit that I hated when she left without a goodbye or closure, but my feelings for her have always remained the same.

I rub my face as I groan. I can't believe what an idiotic fool I was that night. I need to apologise to her and explain to her that I didn't mean it. But how do I even approach her without making things awkward?

"Alright, let's wrap it up!" Our team's principal concludes the meeting, prompting me to rise from my seat and make my way out of the meeting room. Sunghoon follows suit as well.

Three years ago, my parents and his parents joined forces in regards to business matters. They were required to travel abroad to London, and they decided to bring Sunghoon and me along, which meant that we would have to not only leave our best friends behind but our racing ventures as well.

A month after settling in London, Sunghoon and I discovered a recruitment opening by the Red Bull. As we've always been fans of Formula One racing, we decided to sign up. Surprisingly, our parents were supportive and allowed us to do whatever we wanted.

I know for a fact that my parents felt guilty after what happened and that they witnessed my worst when Stella disappeared. They even apologised for not being the parents I needed. Though the improvement in our relationship is minuscule, I no longer resent them as much as I used to.

"Jay just texted me. He asked if we could accompany him somewhere." Sunghoon informs me without tearing his gaze off his phone as we await the elevator to open. "Do you want to follow?"

"You guys go ahead." I say as we finally enter the elevator. "I intend to head back and resume my sleep."

Sunghoon simply shakes his head at me before he bids me goodbye as he steps out of the elevator. My hand automatically touches my pocket, but as soon as I feel it empty, my eyes widen. I cuss lowly as I recall that I left something of mine in the meeting room.

I press on the prior floor, but the elevator keeps on going until it reaches the first floor. I can only afford to wait impatiently with a scowl on my face. I lean my back against the wall with my arms crossed over my chest while the elevator chimes.

As it opens, my heart almost stops beating when her eyes meet mine. I manage to get a good look at her face before she immediately steps inside. Her face looks paler than usual, and her lips are slightly chapped. Though she is trying to maintain her composure, I can see how her body appears to be trembling while she hunches over once in a while. My ears perk up at the sound of her audible yet soft whimper.

"Stella." I slowly approach her from behind while she visibly flinches.

"Riki." She greets me curtly, and just the sound of her voice is enough to let me know that she is obviously unwell.

"Are you okay?" I ask, standing next to her with my eyes fixated on her side profile.

Her lips quiver as she releases shaky breaths, still refusing to look at me. "I'm fine."

"No, you're obviously not." I retort firmly. "Why did you even come to work when you're sick? You should've stayed at home instead."

"What's it to you, even?" She asks tersely. "You said so yourself that you hated me, yet why are you reprimanding me for coming to work?"

I curl my hand into a first. "Because I've never stopped caring─"

Stella's whimper cuts me off, and the next thing I know, she loses her balance as she stumbles forward when she hunches, but I am swift enough to catch her on time, holding her against me. Her body trembles beneath my touch.

"What's wrong?" I ask, and panic expands in my chest as I look down at her pale face. She is breaking into cold sweats while her pants leave her lips as she leans dependently on me. 

"It hurts." She seems to be holding her abdomen, and she whimpers once more. "I can't take it."

"That's it. I'm sending you back to your place." Effortlessly, I carry her in a bridal style and press on the first-level button.

"But I have work." She weakly protests as she leans her head on my shoulder. She whimpers and moans in pain, her body shifting in an uncomfortable manner. I now realise that there is a reason why she has been holding her abdomen and squirming occasionally.

"Your health is more important." I tell her sternly, leaving no room for argument before we finally step out of the elevator. She doesn't say anything and allows herself to fall utterly weak in my arms.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Stella is already settled in, with her body now curling on the couch and a white duvet covering her trembling form. Earlier, I had carried her all the way until we reached her apartment. She even insisted that she could walk, but I didn't listen because it was obvious that her cramps were unbearable.

As I carefully sit next to her, my gaze never leaves her pale face. "Here." I give her the heating pad I found in her kitchen. She mutters a feeble thanks as she grabs it before placing it on her abdomen.

I sigh. "Were your cramps always this bad?"

"Yeah." She answers weakly, flickering her eyes at me. "I appreciate your help. You can leave now."

"No." I frown. "I'm not about to leave your side, especially when you're this weak."

She heaves a sigh before carefully sitting up. "I want to lie on my bed." She tells me curtly as she stands, but she goes wobbly once more.

Without a word, I automatically carry her once more and make my way to her room. Pushing the door with my back, I enter her room and head for the bed before carefully settling her down.

"You didn't have to." Her cheeks turn rosier while she looks away from me. "Why are you doing this, Riki? I thought you─" She wavers, her eyes glossy. "I thought you hated me."

I clench my jaw, recalling the other night. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it."

"Don't apologise. I don't blame you for hating me." The way she looks at me breaks my heart. "You have every right to feel that way."

"I love you, you know?" I murmur, brushing her hair behind her ear. "I still do. I've always loved you."

"Don't." She shakes her head, but before she can back away, I cup her cheek. She looks at me pleadingly. "You're supposed to hate me. You're supposed to get mad at me and ignore me, let me be and leave me to writhe in agony."

"Well, love prevails over hate." I unfurl a soft smile. "Yes, I was mad at you for leaving me, but I know you. You wouldn't leave without a reason."

Her lips quiver. "I can't tell you."

"Then don't." I cradle her face, which seems so small, in between my palms. "But allow me to give you the proper apology you deserved to hear four years ago." I lean my face closer to her, the tips of our noses touch. "I'm so, so sorry for hurting you. I regret choosing racing over you."

A fallen tear cascades down her cheek. "Riki." My name sounds heavenly from her lips.

I flutter my eyes closed as I lean my forehead against hers. "You were everything to me, Stel. Even after being apart for years, my heart refuses to let you go." As I open my eyes, my heart aches at the pained look in her eyes, with tears streaming down relentlessly.

Without thinking, I lean in to place a tender kiss on the corner of her lips and allow my lips to linger on hers. "I don't see myself with anyone else except you. You're the only woman I want to be with for a lifetime."

Stella breaks into waterworks, and I can see how overwhelmed she is, especially when she is on her first day of period. I don't hesitate to pull her into my embrace, holding her close with my arm around her body while the other cupping the back of her head as she rests her head against my chest.

"I love you, Stella." I speak softly beside her ear, and I feel her clinging to my shirt tightly in response, as if she's reciprocating my love.

NI-KI: Thanks again. I'm sorry for the impromptu plan. I'll make it up to you.

JAY: Don't worry about it. It's Stella. You know that when it comes to her, I'd drop everything.

I keep my phone inside my pocket and lift my head up, now standing outside of her apartment. One of my hands is occupied with a brown paper bag containing food and some essentials.

Just this morning, Ni-Ki called me and asked me if I could oversee Stella, as she had been under the weather since yesterday due to her menstrual cramps. He included in the details that she almost fainted when they were in the elevator together yesterday.

Initially, I had plans with the rest of my team members to hang out at one of the finest bars here, but upon being alerted by Ni-Ki about Stella ailing, I decided to cancel my plans and wasted no time heading to the nearest pharmacy and buying some food that would be good for her body.

I press on the doorbell for the second time and wait patiently for her to open. Minutes have passed, bringing a frown to my face. I don't know why, but my hand finds its way to the door handle and pushes it down. Perturbation churns in my tummy as I push open the door.

"Stella?" I call for her, my voice reverberates throughout her apartment. I receive no reply, resulting in the uneasiness within me being tenfold. "Stella?" I enter further into her apartment, briefly examining the exterior and noticing how extensive yet massive the windows in her living room are. Since her apartment is located at the highest level of the building, I can see the skyline of NYC.

I look away from the view and place the paper bag on the dining table. "Stella─"

A faint thud draws my attention, eliciting my eyebrows to pull together while my heart is beating at an uneven pace. I don't waste time and hasten to the source of the sound, which leads me to her room. The moment my eyes land on her figure, mortification hits me with a jarring sensation.

"Stella!" I run towards her unmoving figure, lying on the floor. My hands are on her shoulders, and I bring her upper body to rest on mine. Her hair is slightly damp, denoting that she must've finished showering not too long ago.

"Baby." The endearment I used to call her slips past my lips as I look down at her face. I frantically brush strands of her locks from sticking to her face as perspiration sheens on her skin. Her eyes remain closed while her lips look chapped and pale, but as soon as a whimper elicits from the back of her throat, I feel relieved for a brief moment. "Stella, can you hear me?" I ask worriedly.

"Jay?" Her voice barely above a whisper.

"Yeah, it's me." I whisper, brushing her hair away from her face frame while she slowly flutters her eyes open, and from the way I see it, even opening her eyes seems to be toilsome on her.

Stella's chest heaves up and down slowly, as if she's having difficulty breathing. Her head lolls to the side, with her forehead hitting my chest. "Jay, it hurts so bad." She utters weakly.

"I know, baby." I place a chaste kiss on her crown before moving my hand underneath her knees while the other secures her back. With ease, I carefully carry her in a bridal style and walk towards her bed.

"Why are you here?" She asks languidly as soon as I settle her down. She hunches over to the side, holding her abdomen. "How did you know?"

"Ni-Ki." It appears that his name is sufficient for her question. "I'll be right back."

"Wait." She takes me by surprise when her hand shoots out to grip my wrist. "Don't leave me."

My heart melts at her plea. "I'm not going to leave you. I'm just going to get some essentials for you, okay?"

Stella looks away from my gaze and nods her head sullenly. I'm glad that Ni-Ki requested my help, because right now, Stella looks vulnerable and there is not any ounce of hostility in her eyes, unlike the other night at the communal party.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Stella is compliant throughout the whole time I tend to her. Since she lacks energy, I offer to feed her, and she allows me, though she looks flustered. She occasionally lets out a painful moan and whimpers due to unpleasant cramps, making my heart ache at the sight of her in agony.

"Thank you." Stella says quietly as I remove my jacket and hang it over the rack. I turn my attention to her, noticing that she is avoiding my eye contact once more. "You must've had important things to do other than taking care of me." She murmurs, her hands fiddling with the duvet covering her legs.

I return to her bed and take a seat next to her. A soft smile unfurls on my lips as I tuck her hair behind her ear. "There is nothing more important to me than you." I grip her chin gently yet firmly when I tilt it so I can look at her face. Her crestfallen eyes meet mine. "For you, I'd drop everything."

"Just why?" Her lips quiver while tears glisten in her eyes. "Why don't you hate me after everything that happened? Why are you so─" Her breath hitches in her throat, and a tear has fallen from her eye. "Why are you so kind and gentle to me, still?"

I grab her hand and hold it tenderly. "Stella─"

She cuts me off, urgency and desperation lurk in her tone. "How am I supposed to hate you and push you away when you're being like this?" Never have I ever seen her so defeated. "What did I do to deserve such treatment from you after all I've done to try and make you hate me?"

"Baby." I sigh softly, cradling her face while she weeps rather adorably, which brings a smile to my face.

A sharp sob leaves her lips. "I don't deserve you. I don't deserve any of you."

"It's the opposite, actually." I chuckle lightly, bringing her face close to mine and planting a kiss on her forehead. "After what happened four years ago, I haven't given you a proper apology."

"I've forgiven all of you." She says through hiccups. Her glistening eyes meet mine while her hand places itself on top of mine. "You don't have to apologize. Yes, I felt betrayed, hurt, and furious, but at the end of the day, you were a victim as well."

I hesitate. "But that doesn't justify my actions."

"What matters is that I understood why you did it and why you agreed." She sniffles. "Racing was more important to you than me, a mere girl who was desperate for the scraps of your affections."

"One of the biggest mistakes I've made." I counter firmly. "I should've realised earlier that you're more important to me."

"Jay─"

"I mean it, Stella." My gaze flickers at her lips briefly before returning to gaze into her eyes deeply. "I won't make the same mistake again this time."

"I should be pushing you away right now." She confesses weakly. "I should be hating you, but the truth is, I'm tired. I never knew that trying to hate someone could be exhausting."

"Then don't try anymore." I bump my nose against hers and remain unmoving. "Love me back, Stella." There is a brief silence as I await her response with my heart beating fast.

"I do."

"You do?"

"I've always loved you, Jay." Stella breaks into the waterworks once more. Her hands reach out to cradle the cusps of my jaw. "My love for you has never changed."

With the proximity between our lips, I close the gap and kiss her tenderly. The back of my eyes burns with tears, while my chest blooms as she reciprocates the kiss. Four long years of waiting and yearning are worth it, as the woman of my dreams is finally here.

"I've missed you so much, baby." I rasp against her lips, pulling away from the kiss just slightly. "I'm never letting you go, ever."

"I'm scared, Jay." She says in a broken whisper. "I don't want to lose any of you."

"You won't. I promise." I affirm, my thumb caressing her cheek. "With us, you don't have to be afraid. We'll protect you."

A peculiar emotion flickers in her gaze. "But I want to protect all of you too. What if something happens again? What if─"

I silence her with my lips instead, smiling into the kiss as she gasps cutely. The kiss lasts longer, and this time, it's sweeter than the previous kiss. Eventually, she falls acutely on top of me without breaking the lip lock.

We detach from the kiss and gaze into each other's eyes once more. Her head is now resting on my arms while her hand is twiddling with my fingers on her chest. A soft smile dawns on my lips, relishing this tender moment.

"Does it hurt again?" I ask softly.

"A little bit." She answers, and she scoots further into my chest with her arm slithering its way around my torso. "When I'm close to you like this, the pain is bearable."

"Then be closer. Don't drift away again." I hug her with my hand, massaging the back of her head. I peck her crown before whispering to her affectionately. "I love you, baby."

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#enhypen #enhypen poly #enhypen reverse harem #enhypen x fem oc

[aromantic-diaries]

Hey there, just asking for some advice if you have the energy to give it!

So I'm pretty sure I'm aromantic, but I'm currently dating someone, and I'm not sure if it's morally bad of me to keep being in this relationship when I know that I don't like them the same way they like me. I don't really mind being in the relationship, like it's kind of fun to date people, but I just feel a bit bad that they're telling me how much they like me and the reciprocation I give them isn't genuine.

We've been dating for like a month and a half, and have only been "official" for a little over two weeks, so it's not like it's all that serious yet or anything, but would it be better of me to tell them and let them decide on whether they want this relationship, or is it okay for me to just kind of see where it goes? Because I think I can be what they want from it, and I don't mind doing that because I enjoy spending time with them as a friend (and also I'm not asexual).

Also, and I know this is selfish, but I don't want them to be mad that I agreed to date them in the first place despite knowing I wasn't actually into them. I guess I could just break up with them and not tell them the real reason, but I don't really want to.

Anyway, thoughts?

I think it's best to be honest with them for the sake of your own conscience, plus if you rip the bandaid off now it'll probably be easier than if you keep putting it off. I think the relationship can work with the right ammount of understanding and communication, I have my fingers crossed for you

#anon #mail time