#maria menounos wrestling | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

sadbeautiful-tragic · 4 years

Text

All Too Well

Pairing: Maria Menounos / Derek Hough

Rating: T

Word Count: 7230

Summary: Almost a decade has passed since they met, and with it has come boundless changes. Does love conquer all? Is timing the true test?

A/N: It has been yeaaars since I last wrote menough. So much has happened in Maria and Derek’s lives. My heart still aches over its tragic rupture. And I will never, ever get over it. I learned this while writing and reengaging myself in their gradual departure (although I’m sure they still talk casually, just not as much as before). But anyway, here’s a menough fic. Even though the fandom has disappeared, writing this was a great way to release my emotions into a story and I hope even non-shippers or non-watchers appreciate it.

For you all interested in reading even without being acquainted with menough; or for those who would like a refresher on the untouchable chemistry that was Maria Menounos and Derek Hough, I (re)introduce you to the tributes I had made years ago. I believe watching at least one or two of them before reading will make you feel more wrapped up in the story. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

Finally (sorry these notes are so long), I have sort of a songfic section written into this fic. I insist with my entire being that when it comes to that part that you pull up the song and listen to it with accordance to how it is written in the fic. I recommend having the fic side by side with the song. Or if you are reading on the app, pull up spotify and click play when you’re ready. Otherwise the lyrics I had included will seem like empty words which is not the way I intended them to feel like.

Francois Klark - Please Stay

Thank youuuu and enjoy!

_______________________________

“So, it’s really her, huh. The brunette beauty. The woman you met through dance.”

“Absolutely, I couldn’t be more sure of it.” Derek beamed as he and his best friend looked over at their women standing and laughing on the balcony together.

The night was almost like a peek into the rest of their lives as a foursome: the women were off chatting about their outfits for the engagement party while the men were discussing their childhoods. Derek and Mark were in their hometown in London which had brought back a lot of memories. And just three hours ago, the blond had proposed to the love of his life.

The four of them had celebrated over dinner and now the two long term best friends were sitting at the round dining table in Derek’s hotel room.

“When we were here as kids,” Derek smiled, a glow in his eyes, “I couldn’t have imagined us being so lucky. I don’t know what I did to deserve her. But I’m so glad I do.”

Just then, the infamous brunette beauty walked over to Derek while the other woman walked over to Mark. Derek grabbed the brunette’s hand and kissed it. “Your hand looks even more beautiful with the ring on it.” He raised an eyebrow to her and they both laughed.

She leaned her forehead against his and giggled against his lips.

“I love you so much, Hayley. I’ve never been happier in my entire life.”

“You mean that?”

Derek hummed with happiness against her lips. “Couldn’t mean it more.”

Mark and Derek had both decided to marry someone who shared the same lifestyle as them. Values, interests, hobbies, aspirations all matched their partners’. The two couples served to disprove the idea that opposites attract.

“Ok, ok, ok lovebirds. We need to get to sleep or we aren’t going to catch the plane in the morning.” BC Jean grabbed Mark’s hand and helped her husband up. “See you at breakfast tomorrow. 7am?” They nodded. “Awesome,” she said succinctly, grabbing her purse. “I really am stoked for your happiness, but it’s about time I got some action of my own.”

“Oh really?” Mark cocked an eyebrow, reaching to wrap his arms around her.

“Fuck no,” she responded bluntly, slapping his arm away. “I’m exhausted. It’s an hour past my bedtime.”

Mark rolled his eyes and laughed. They had definitely been married for too long; the honeymoon phase had far ended. He took his wife’s hand and led them to the door. They said goodbye to the newly engaged couple and walked back to their suite across the hall.

_______________________________

“You could have said no like all the other times.”

“It isn’t that easy.”

“And that’s what makes this thing between us so hard.”

Going into the closet, her fingers traced the outline of an intricately detailed wedding dress hanging for all to see. It was on a mannequin that stood at the far wall of her closet. Surrounding it hung picture frames of the brunette modeling the dress at her wedding. A magical night indeed.

The night when her parents’ dream had come true.

Known for throwing some of the best parties in Hollywood, Maria knew her wedding, though intimate, needed to be the wedding of the decade. It definitely had not come short of extraordinary. The event, by requirement, took place in Greece and centered around not only her heritage but most importantly her family. Her parents, after all, had been the ones who had especially pushed her to get married.

At the back of her mind, Maria always wondered the importance of marriage. She acknowledged some people did it for things such as insurance or tax deductions, but she knew the financial aspect of life was no issue for her. She had questioned, decades into a relationship, how important it was to have the government check mark yet another married couple. After all, what about common law marriage? Yet, her Greek heritage and her parents whom she loved more than anything else in the world thought otherwise. And for her parents, she would do anything. Besides, why not throw the biggest party of your life and look flawless doing it? As an added bonus, Maria had understood how nice it would be for the tabloids to lay off the constant pestering once the question was settled once and for all.

Yes, annoying magazine, after 19 years, we finally tied the knot. I told you I loved him.

That magical day, Maria had been dressed head to toe in nothing but glam. Her hair was in an updo and she had been decorated with an off the shoulder silk dress with hand-painted flowers and a veil made from silk tulle. It held a slight difference to the dress she had worn for the first ceremony that had taken place on New Year's Eve. That dress, slightly girlier, had been a Pronovias' lace "Randala" wedding dress. It had a mermaid silhouette and lace long sleeves. Each dress was now worn on separate mannequins, located beside each other.

Throughout her wedding night, attention was drawn on her, as family and friends joined her to celebrate her special day. And yet, every now and then, she had stolen glances at the venue door, waiting, wondering if the two people she was most anxious to see would eventually arrive. She remembered feeling bad because she’d be mid-conversation, mid chaste kiss with her new husband, the other end of the interaction asking if she was okay as her eyes remained searching the door for any glimmer of hope. She would respond, yes, of course, “I’m married to a man who loves me,” but the people she really wanted by her side never came. And neither did the truth in her response.

Maria knew despite all odds, she would say her vows to Keven. She knew she would live the rest of her life in the dream mansion with her dogs, her parents, and her business partner. After everything her parents had gone through, she knew stability was key. She knew she was living and helping her parents live the life they had always dreamed for her. She knew she needed Keven by her side to continue to let that happen.

Similarly, she knew the amount of joy Derek brought to her life. A kind of joy she once didn’t think existed. She knew the way a simple touch of his hand would send goosebumps rising all over her body. She knew of the taste of both his gentle and passionate kisses and how breathless both would make her feel. She knew how instant their chemistry was the second they met, how open and welcoming each of their families were of the other person, and how unbelievable it was the two of them could somehow cycle through all the vital aspects of a relationship. She knew she could be goofy and literally roll on the floor laughing with Derek; she knew how fast a simple peck on the forehead could lead to them goofily wrestling and within minutes begin fighting off the urge to tear the other’s clothes off; she knew how after a stressful night, the one person that could make her smile and put her back together with an arm around the waist and soft words of reassurance in her ear was Derek.

She also knew she shouldn’t have strung him along for years. She knew she shouldn’t have let him find out through a live interview that she had accepted another man’s proposal; however, she knew that if she had told him, she wouldn’t have been able to handle the broken heart on both ends of the… friendship.

She had broken his heart and consequently betrayed one of her best friends, his sister.

Of course the two of them didn’t go to her wedding.

Although she had tried to convince herself there could be a slight chance they may want to go, it was just a fool’s wish.

That, she knew too.

Maria smiled sadly, a breath falling out as she rummaged further into her closet. She swiped her fingers across the different sections of her capacious closet, passing through casuals, evening wear, business casual, gala wear, and then finally event costumes. She felt a lump form in her throat and she subconsciously gulped. She unzipped the black clothing protectors that had been shielding both dresses. Maria had saved two important costumes from her Dancing with the Stars days: her rumba dress and her paso outfit. The latter had been salvaged as their paso was the season’s first 30 and the dance and its theatrics had been one of her favorites. Her rumba dress, however, held a different meaning to her.

The first time we kissed.

Unlike what America and even their castmates had believed, however, that first kiss wasn’t during the live performance. No, it was actually an accident during their dress rehearsal. Derek had intended to quickly mock a kiss on her forehead, but when pulling himself down, his lips had, like a magnet, locked onto hers. When that happened, Maria, for the first time in fourteen years, felt her heart skip a beat. She felt her stomach tie in knots and her body flush red. And she knew he felt it too.

It was a mental thing. Since the moment they met, they knew what each other thought or felt and somehow managed to understand what the other needed in times of extreme stress. Maria had never felt so naturally connected with someone before. Most of the time they had been laughing or goofing off but when things got serious, the other person always knew exactly what to do to help the other person cool off. Simultaneously, they knew just the right thing to say to make the other person blush or cause a shiver to fall down their spine.

And as Maria had exited the dress rehearsal that morning and felt a hand find its way into hers to pull her in, she knew Derek was going to do it yet again.

They were in a dark corner backstage, away from cameras and other cast members. Derek’s back was against the wall and there was sweat across his forehead from the routine.

“Hey, I’m sorry about what happened back there, I must have gotten distracted and slipped up.”

Though she had been listening, Maria realized she had been staring at his lips and forced herself to shift her gaze to his eyes. She simply chuckled in response.

Derek smiled at her laugh. “What’s so funny?

For a moment, Maria didn’t say anything as she looked back down at his lips. Her arms wrapped around his neck, she pressed her body against his. “You’re cute when you do that.”

“Do what?” Derek questioned again, relishing in the feeling that Maria’s touch brought him.

“Excuse what happened by saying that you ‘slipped up.’”

Derek looked like he wanted to refute her response but couldn’t find a justifiable answer.

“You were caught up in the moment.” Maria said matter-of-factly as she began stroking circles on the back of his neck; a few seconds later, she felt as Derek gulped down nerves. She smiled brighter, noticing the effect she was having on him. Maria then moved her hand to run her thumb against the corner of his lip, rubbing off remnants of her lipstick. “It’s okay,” she responded when Derek had remained silent. By this point both of their faces had faded red. “I was too.”

Derek smiled slightly, his eyes subconsciously falling down to her lips and then back into her eyes. “Let’s, uh, let's just do it how we rehearsed, alright?”

Maria noticed the shakiness in his voice and she smiled. Derek sensed a sort of mischief behind it but blamed the suspicion on the sudden acceleration of his heartbeat.

Maria had done the dance just as they had rehearsed – dress rehearsal version. An act which had led America to wonder for the rest of the season if they’d ever be together. During the live dance, she had intensified her movements, nudging Derek even more to “unintentionally” kiss Maria during the reenactment. Why not? She had simply followed the directions of her dance instructor.

_______________________________

Julianne was sitting on the balcony alone, sipping red wine from her glass every now and then. After saying her hellos to the other party guests and watching the surprise first dance between the newly engaged couple, she had escaped to the balcony. A lot had been running through her mind since she had received the news. Recently, she had been having marital issues with her husband. Though she knew she’d always love him, recently she had been questioning the meaning of love. She used to be a hopeless romantic and had once believed in soulmates but for the past few months she had been reexamining the significance behind marriage. Maybe, just maybe, it was just a social construct forcing two people to commit to each other.

Suddenly, Julianne heard a knock on the sliding door, bringing her out of her thoughts.

“Hey hun,” she heard a voice. Instantly, she realized it was her soon-to-be sister in law.

“Hey Hayley,” Julianne smiled softly at the younger woman.

“What are you doing out here alone?”

A question Julianne had been hearing a lot lately.

“I just wanted to get away from the noise for a moment.”

A half-lie.

While Julianne always found herself searching for solitude, especially in recent times, the party had reminded her of back when she and Brooks were at their own engagement party, the time in which they were their happiest. The constant reminder and endless display of love had caused her to need a break from the restlessness.

“Brooks couldn’t make it, huh?” Hayley asked as she sat down in front of Julianne.

“Yeah, he’s out of town for the weekend.”

A full lie.

Truth was, Julianne hadn’t even invited him. They had remained in touch and contacted each other on a daily basis, but they’d been living separately for the past few months. It was only for the time-being so they could work on their relationship. Of course, she had updated him on the engagement news, but she hadn’t even thought of asking him if he’d like to go to the party with her. She already knew the answer.

Hayley adjusted herself in her seat as she looked down at her glass, nervously swirling her champagne around. She had examined Julianne for a moment, knowing something was off. But she didn’t know what it was.

“Are you okay?” Hayley asked, concern clear in her voice.

Surprised by the sudden question, Julianne finally gave Hayley her full attention.

“I mean, I know things have been hard on you recently. You know you can tell me anything or vent to me. Or, you can let me in on something embarrassing from Derek’s childhood,” Hayley joked with a small smile. They both recognized she was trying to ease the tension in the room.

Hayley’s last sentence caused a genuine smile to rise on Julianne’s face. “I’m sure I’ve told you the best stories already, but it’s nice that I now have the rest of our lives to tell you everything.” They shared a laugh. After a moment, Julianne finally admitted, “It’s been tough recently, but Brooks and I… we’re working through things. At the end of the day, we know we love each other. Sometimes that’s all that really matters, yknow?” Julianne smiled softly at her words, meaning them wholeheartedly.

Julianne wanted to add in how much she missed her dogs – the true loves of her life – but everyone already knew that. Plus, mentioning or even thinking about her loss shattered her to pieces. Losing them truly broke her world more than she could have ever imagined. She wished she had her old best friend with her to mourn with her; the one person who loved dogs just as much as she, if not more. Her former friend constantly crossed her mind, especially recently, and Julianne wondered if the woman missed her as much as she did.

Hayley reached over and patted Julianne’s hand. “Y’know what, Jules?” She looked up from their hands and back at the blonde. “I’m fortunate to soon be able to really call you my sister.”

Julianne grinned at that. “Ditto,” she winked back.

They sat in silence for a moment – a happier, more peaceful silence. Julianne sipped on her glass of red wine as they stared off into the night sky. It was 10pm and the only light that hit the sky was from the glow of the stars.

Eventually, Hayley looked over at Julianne again. She hesitated, Julianne noticed, before she admitted, “You know… I used to think you weren’t a huge fan of me.”

Julianne laughed softly, seemingly forced. She was caught off guard by the accusation and turned her full body back to the brunette. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t know… You just, you used to seem so distant.”

Julianne winced at her words. She squinted, at a loss for her own. She scrambled her mind for a response to propitiate her but couldn’t find one.

“When we were on tour, everything seemed fine. We were all friends. But then the second the news hit that we were dating and we told everyone… something about you, about our friendship, it just sort of changed.”

Julianne closed her eyes for a second before looking back at the sky. She took her glass in hand and downed a big shot of it. She immediately missed the sense of peace they had shared just minutes earlier.

“I’m just overprotective.”

Hayley shot her a look.

Wrong, try again.

“I just didn’t want to see him hurt again.”

Not quite, try again.

Julianne looked over at Hayley and let out a deep breath. Her eyes found those of the newly engaged woman and she found solace. “Truth is,” Julianne paused, mulling her words over for a moment, “Derek has entered certain relationships and there have been times I think, ‘oh wow, this woman really is the one.’ I befriend her, we get along, she fits in the family, and then Derek gets left in the dust. It’s hard, seeing him get his hopes all tied up in a knot only to be left for someone else.”

Hayley gave her a look of complete empathy, not only for Julianne but for her fiancé. She didn’t mind hearing about Derek’s past. She was just happy to know she was finally receiving the truth.

Julianne eyed Hayley for assurance that she could continue. “And when that bond is broken and they don’t speak at all anymore, it’s a bit selfish on my part I guess, but I for one am not only losing the ability to see my brother happy but I lose a best friend too.” Julianne returned Hayley’s earlier gesture and patted her hand in return. “I do give him credit, though. Each new girl he became serious with was always better than the last. Of course, that only made me more curious about the new girl and whether she would meet the level that his prior relationship had.” Julianne smiled reassuringly at Hayley. “I didn’t want to see your friendship with him break, and I didn’t want to lose a friend. But after a year or two and seeing you guys in love and engaged, I truly am happy for you guys. You’re everything he ever needed.”

Hayley grinned at Julianne as a thank you for her honesty. She found relief from her words; the happiness she felt from what she had just said was radiating off of her. She then looked past the sliding door, the two of them suddenly remembering the rest of the party. An even brighter smile came onto Hayley’s face just then. Julianne felt a small one rise on hers as she watched her friend meet the eyes of her brother; the brunette winked and her fiancé smiled. Somehow, Julianne thought, even years later, there was still a slight tint of red that had fallen on her tan cheeks.

_______________________________

Once the engagement party was over, Hayley and Derek began getting ready for bed. It had been nice to see their closest family and friends gathered together to celebrate them and they were excited knowing it was only a preview for their wedding. They planned to have the ceremony within a few years, but they were in no rush to jump into things. Both valued the excitement of each day and acknowledged that the small moments mattered just as the big.

Still, Hayley was eager to start planning and had actually begun the night Derek had proposed. A romantic at heart, she wanted to have the fairytale wedding she had dreamed of since she was a little girl.

“Hey Derek,” Hayley started, looking through their desk. “Have you seen my journal?”

Derek was in their master bathroom, shaving. Shaving cream covered the lower part of his face as he turned to look at Hayley. “Can’t find it?”

She looked at him and shook his head before continuing to search.

“Uh, hey Der,” Hayley began again, but a bit more hesitantly. Her fingers slid down a 24” silver pendant. “What‘s this key for?” she asked, referring to the diamond encrusted key dangling from the chain.

Derek stopped in his tracks when he saw what she was talking about. He became silent. Hayley had access to just about everything Derek owned, so it was out of the ordinary for Hayley to find something she didn’t know about. “It’s just an old thing, it doesn’t really have a use anymore,” he shrugged off.

Hayley studied Derek knowing something was off about him. She thought she knew him better than anyone else did which also meant she knew he wouldn’t be giving her any answers right at that moment. She would simply have to ask him later. She then went back to examining the necklace, knowing it didn’t belong to Derek. “Well, it’s beautiful,” she murmured under her breath.

_______________________________

After her talk with Hayley, Julianne realized she needed to do more than just think things through. And she knew just where to start.

A few days after the party, Julianne was sitting in her bedroom, alone as usual, no dogs, no husband. She was staring at her wall, trying to build the courage to go through with her plan. After a moment, she grabbed her phone and searched through her contact list. She hesitated, but with the help of two glasses of wine, she had been able to finally call Maria.

A week later, Julianne and Maria met up. It was 9pm and after having dinner, they decided to take a walk. For dinner, they chose to grab burgers and beer: Maria’s favorite. When Julianne brought up the idea, Maria had initially turned it down, insisting that Julianne pick as she knew she was the one who had the making up to do. Julianne still persisted, and Maria decided to even the deal by volunteering to pay for both of their meals.

It was dark outside and they were being guided by the streetlights. They had been walking for ten minutes, talking about anything and everything. They loved being able to finally catch up on each other’s lives.

Eventually there was a short silence and Julianne looked over at her friend. Spending quality time with the journalist for the first time in years gave her a sense of comfort she hadn’t felt in weeks.

“Maria?” Julianne murmured softly.

“Mhm?”

“Thank you for agreeing to spend time with me.”

Maria smiled. “No, thank you for inviting me.” Maria teasingly nudged Julianne’s shoulder with her own. “It’s been nice to get out of the house. I really missed you.”

Julianne grinned in response. “I missed you too.” Part of her wanted to admit that she wished she had reached out to her sooner, but she decided otherwise.

All night they had managed to avoid talking about the falling-out between Maria and Derek. Maria was surprised Julianne hadn’t brought it up; thinking that was why she had invited her, she had even gone through a few lines in her head to prepare for the conversation. She had been on edge all night, expecting one of them to bring up the subject—but nothing.

While they continued walking, Maria's eyes eventually landed on Julianne’s finger. Since the moment she saw her that night, Maria had sensed something may have happened, but the sight of a missing ring confirmed it. “I can tell you don’t want to talk about it,” Julianne looked at her, first confused and then stunned, “but I’m always here if you ever need me.

Maria could always tell what was on Julianne’s mind. She understood what to say and when without pushing it too far too early. Julianne realized that even with Maria and Derek not being on the best terms, Maria was still going to be there for her, always. Their friendship wasn’t and had never been conditional on Maria and Derek’s relationship. She then affirmed that maybe it was possible Maria could continue to be the honorary Hough.

Maria grabbed Julianne’s hand in comfort. “Also, my babies do miss you. The pups could use some Aunt Jules time.”

Julianne couldn’t help but smile. “Well, they are cute,” she giggled with Maria.

When Maria began looking around her again, a sudden sense of familiarity hit her.

“Jules… isn’t this—”

She was so distracted taking in her surroundings, she hadn’t noticed that Julianne had left her side and was now in front of her, against what looked like a hidden wall.

Julianne smiled. “Derek’s old apartment?” She pointed to her right, and nodded. Before Derek and Hayley became serious and moved in together, Derek had lived in the apartment and it hadn’t taken long for Maria to learn the code to it. They used to sneak inside for extended alone time, during and after their season ended. “But this, this is something separate.”

She pushed past branches just then and opened what had actually been a door.

Maria raised her eyebrows, surprised by the reveal. Julianne motioned her to go inside and she complied.

“Wow,” Maria said under her breath. The moment she entered the room, a chill crawled down her spine. Whoever said that weddings were the most beautiful settings were terribly mistaken.

This place was by far the most magical thing she had seen in her entire life.

This felt like home.

Maria had only taken a few steps in before becoming frozen in place. She was absolutely mesmerized. Maria’s eyes wandered the expansive space and quickly she could feel tears welling up in her eyes. The room was currently dark with string lights providing the only true light source. On the left and right walls lined all of her Dancing with the Stars costumes. There were speakers in the left and right corners of the wall closest to the corner door. In between, at the back wall, blue and pink, separated by purple, paint splatters were found. The mirror wall was on the far wall; above the mirror was a large neon light spelling the words “menough said.” In the left corner between the mirror and the barre were mannequins with the shirts Maria and Derek had designed that had the same phrase written on them. There was slight dust in the room, she had noticed. But it definitely didn’t distract from the captivating space.

Last but not least, behind the costumes hung framed pictures. Maria could feel a lump build in her throat as she realized that her wedding photos she had framed in her closet had never elicited this much emotion from her. There was a range of pictures of her and Derek goofing off in rehearsal, dancing on stage, from their trip to Las Vegas, and even from them just goofing off post-season at one of their houses.

“Julianne, you did all of this?” Maria’s voice cracked. She had walked to the right wall and was eyeing the picture of her and Derek eating burgers in New York. Pain struck through her heart from the simple memory of how perfect things had been during that trip. When they were able to be in their own little world, even for just a little bit.

“Still giving the other Hough all the credit, are you?”

Maria’s eyes widened. She froze again, her eyes glued to the frame. Part of her was terrified, anxious, to turn around, while the other part of her felt as if her heart had just jumped out of her chest and she was physically incapable of moving.

The voice was deeper. The scent, familiar.

She felt hands push her hair to her left shoulder before tying around her neck what felt like a necklace. The touch had caused her heart to skip a beat and chills to rise up her arms. The soul-stirring sensation couldn’t be mistaken.

“Derek…” she murmured more to herself than to the voice.

Maria closed her eyes for a moment and tried to catch her breath before turning around.

“Do you like your new dance studio?” Derek asked once his eyes met hers. He caught himself smiling at Maria; just like all those times before, it was helpless. Simply seeing her lifted his spirits.

Maria, still speechless, turned to look from Derek to his sister.

The night of the engagement party, Julianne had stayed the night in the guest room. As she went to grab a glass of water, she heard Derek and Hayley discussing the key and she had pulled Derek aside to talk about it. He had mentioned the idea to Julianne years ago but she hadn’t known he would go through with it.

Julianne realized this was the last time she could play matchmaker.

Julianne looked at Maria; she grinned and shrugged in response. “Coffee date, Monday, 8am. Don’t forget.” She winked at her friend, pressed play on the remote, and closed the door behind her.

Derek chuckled, looking down shyly before looking back at the beauty in front of him.

“I got this studio for you a few months after our season ended. I was thrilled that you were so passionate about dance and I wanted to think I was a part of that.”

Maria gazed deeply into his blue eyes, her own eyes glowing. She nodded slightly at his last words before he continued.

“I realized you could just add a studio to your house, but I thought it’d be nice for us to continue dancing together here, just for our own enjoyment.” He paused. “I mean, it’s been years and I know things didn’t quite go like how I had hoped and now we don’t really have a reason for privacy and you have your own personal instructor and…” He stopped, noticing he was rambling and upsetting himself with his own words.

Maria took a step forward. “Derek, this is—” Maria began, but her voice got interrupted by the music. She instantly recognized Julianne had chosen the song, Please Stay, by Francois Klark.

These four walls became a home

Since the day you walked in

She was ready to express how much the gift had meant to her. How it was genuinely the most beautiful thing she had ever seen — far surpassing any party she could ever throw, including her own wedding. How she could see how much time and thought he put into each little detail, details that not only meant everything to her, but for him as well.

But as they saw a matching twinkle in the other’s eyes, they knew that conversation could be saved for later.

My heart ceased to be alone

“Would you like to dance?” Derek asked, reaching out his hand.

Since the moment that you took my hand and

Maria could feel her heartbeat quicken, a flash of red hitting her cheeks. Her eyes were still wet with tears and she sniffed.

She took hold of his hand.

“Always.”

pulled me closer

Derek pulled Maria in close to him, his arms naturally falling around her waist, her arms around his neck.

He pressed his lips against her forehead, causing Maria to blush redder.

Kissed me unexpectedly

And told me it’s ‘cause you want me to know what I'd be missing

If I didn't call you back

They held each other and swayed to the music, cherishing the moment between them.

I picked up the phone,

How could I have known that one day I would be the one to say

Please stay, don’t go

I can't live inside these walls if it ain't you that I came home to

“This is nice,” Maria said softly.

“The studio?”

“Yes, but also…” Maria pulled back slightly so her eyes could meet his. “Just being here with you. I never thought I could miss someone as much as I missed you.”

“We still talk sometimes,” Derek replied, though perplexed by his own words.

Maria raised her eyebrows at him in disbelief and they both smirked. They both understood he was alluding to the very few social media interactions and how minimal meaning they held. Especially recently.

Maria lay her head on Derek’s shoulder. In his ear, she murmured, “You were my best friend, Derek.”

I don't think we will survive

“I know,” Derek whispered, reversing his earlier statement.

on just hello every now and then on a small screen

“I really missed my Greek Goddess.”

Hearing Derek call her by the nickname he had once coined caused Maria to smile softly.

I say goodnight when by you the morning rise

and another day will pass by

Derek dipped Maria and as she came back up, he found himself pressing his forehead against hers. “You always did bring a different light to my life.”

That I can't kiss you quietly

Like I used to when you came to bed,

Laid your head upon my chest

Instead I lie here on my own

Trying to forget that you already left

as my words echo in this empty bed

Please stay, don’t go

For the last few beats of the song, Derek decided to lead Maria through different moves from their Viennese Waltz. He was pleasantly surprised that she had remembered a lot of it. As they listened to the remainder of the song, they could feel their heartbeats rising with awe of its relevance.

I can't fall asleep without the shape of you that I fit into

Julianne knew just how to get to them.

I wish I met you at a different time

When neither one of us would have to go

Is it wrong of me to hope that someday we might meet again

And that our stars would realign

As the song came to a close, they remained in a tight embrace. Neither of them wanted the moment to end. Eventually, Derek kissed her cheek before pulling away and smiling softly at her. It was his turn to turn a bit red. He bit his lip; Maria looked as gorgeous as ever.

“Mar…” Derek breathed, looking down before looking back at Maria.

Please stay, don’t go.

Maria looked back at him expectantly.

Please stay, don’t go.

He wanted to tell her how beautiful she looked and the eruption of feelings that had returned to him; but instead he shook his head at the thought. “I’m really glad you like the studio and that I could be your first dance.”

Please stay, don’t go.

Maria let out a nervous giggle; the same one that Derek had fallen in love with all those years back. “Somehow you were a lot of my firsts,” she joked back, which caused him to turn redder. She smiled at that.

I can’t fall asleep without the shape of you that I fit into

Derek looked at her peacefully until his brain and the end of the song brought him back to reality. “I do have to go though,” he declared regretfully. “But let me know if you ever want a dance lesson or someone to grab a bite to eat with. I’m—” Derek stopped himself from casually saying the words “I’m your guy,” and instead revised it to, “I’m always a call away.”

Maria smiled and nodded, though sad their time had to be cut so quickly. She murmured a thank you and Derek turned and made his way for the door.

Maria watched as her former dance instructor walked one foot after the other to the door. Her fingers reached to the key dangling on her necklace. It took a moment but she worked up the courage to speak.

“And Derek?”

Derek stopped walking, a foot away from the door.

“I’ll be sure to be there.”

There was a short silence before Derek finally turned to look at Maria. He wore a look of absolute puzzlement.

“At your wedding. You know, if you decide to invite me.” Maria forced a small smile. Derek hadn’t told her he had gotten engaged. No one had. She just knew. Maria did know him better than anyone. No one would change that, at least. Not even his fiancée.

“That’s why you’re here, right?” she continued as she took a step forward and looked at the professional dancer. “You wanted to do the one last thing so you could move on.” Maria traced the edges of the key. She walked over to Derek. She looked into his eyes, hesitating before pressing her lips against his cheek. “Thank you. Not only for the dance studio. But for everything.”

Derek looked down and found his hand gravitating to hers. He couldn’t stop it even if he wanted to. There was a small silence where their eyes locked and they got lost in each other. It reminded them of when they were in the Dancing with the Stars studio, when everything was simpler yet not so simple; when they’d take a break from rehearsal, their hands interlaced together, when just gazing into each other’s eyes and grinning cheek to cheek had said more than words ever could.

“I… I have to go, she’s waiting in the car.” Derek shook his head at his inability to say Hayley’s name. He was too choked up.

Maria smiled. “I know.” She knew Derek wouldn’t have just snuck around with her. Of course he’d tell his true love everything. She rubbed her thumb against his. “I really am happy for you, Derek. You deserve someone who can love you with their entire being. Someone who would never leave you or have you guessing their next move or force you to lie to the universe about your love for her.” Maria released her hand from his. “You know… like I had you do.”

Derek closed the distance between them again. He felt tears well up in his eyes, a feat hard to accomplish. His lips curled into a small but sad smile as he pressed his lips to her forehead.

Without realizing it, Maria felt her hands clasp back behind Derek’s neck as she wrapped her arms around him, the same feeling of home returning to them both. She let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding, as Derek kept his forehead pressed against hers, his hands finding the small of her back.

Maria and Derek felt like they were taken back to 2012. They could feel their hearts beating in synchronization. Their hearts were throbbing, aching for more. Maria bit her lip as she found her eyes looking down at his lips.

Just like all those times before, Maria could feel the two of them moving, inch by inch, their stomachs twisting in knots as they felt their lips gravitating to each other.

Whatever it was, it felt right, Derek had once said about their rumba kiss.

Maria sighed against his lips and Derek felt his lips go dry.

Flashbacks of their rumba, salsa, rehearsals, argentine tango, trips to Vegas and NYC, and several moments outside of the show flashed through both of their minds. The oh-very-familiar tension between them was very present and they could feel their bodies preparing themselves for what was coming next.

However. Something happened that had never happened before.

Derek brushed his lips against Maria’s before decidedly forcing himself away. He kept his arms around Maria’s waist, not wanting to let go; Maria kept her head on his shoulder, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to escape. A few minutes passed between them as they took in what had just transpired.

Not once since they met had he turned Maria down.

Derek shut his eyes, trying to sort through the thoughts jumbling through his mind. He wanted to kiss her. After all these years, he still wanted to kiss her. Even when he was truly, deeply, happily, in love with his fiancée, he wanted nothing more than to kiss her.

But he couldn’t.

After a moment, Derek could feel Maria’s body shake slightly, followed by a small whimper. And then a sniff.

Derek raked his fingers through Maria’s hair in comfort. He rubbed circles across the small of her back as he whispered in her ear, “I love you, Maria. I always will.”

Maria stayed silent for a moment and Derek could swear he felt a tear drop onto his back.

He continued running his hand through her hair as he laid a gentle kiss on her shoulder.

“I’m always going to be in love with you, Derek Hough.”

It was at that moment that Maria realized for the first time why she had allowed herself to fall for Derek. She wasn’t in love with Keven. She had never been in love with Keven. She never wanted to be around or let her walls down or be as intimate with someone as much as she wanted to with Derek. All those years, Maria had been physically attached to Keven but her heart had always been elsewhere. The feelings and connection she had with Derek were irreplaceable, untouchable, unimaginable, unseeable with anyone else.

But Derek? Maria knew the one thing in the entire universe that stopped Derek from kissing her was the woman whom he had given the engagement ring to. He was truly and completely in love with Hayley Erbert. And once Derek hugged Maria long enough for her to stop weeping, he slowly let go of her, inch by inch: first the forehead, then the arm around the waist, and finally the hand she had long lost privilege to.

Please stay, don't go.

The lyric echoed, achingly, in her ear as if Julianne had pressed play again.

Maria watched it all fade away. The foreseeable future she had once dreamed of was now nothing but an unachievable dream. She didn’t know it until just then, but once Derek left and she was all alone in her own personal studio, she realized that she may have fulfilled the dreams her parents had long aspired for her, but her own personal dream, the one she valued the most, was now lost forever.

I can't live inside these walls if it ain't you that I came home to.

And she knew. She knew the only thing at fault was herself.

#maria menounos #derek hough #menough #menough said #dancing with the stars #dwts #fanfic #fanfiction #mine: fanfiction #mine #julianne hough #it literally hurt my heart writing this #i had to take multiple breaks just to recollect myself #i feel like i'm the only one whose heart will be broken reading this but stillll #also this is far longer than i had imagined i really had no idea where it was going to go at first #tbh it's sort of a combination of multiple random thoughts and ideas that ended up going well together i think

1 note · View note

tasksweekly · 7 years

Photo

[TASK 059: GREECE]

There’s a masterlist below compiled of over 160+ Greek faceclaims categorised by gender with their occupation and ethnicity denoted if there was a reliable source. If you want an extra challenge use random.org to pick a random number! Of course everything listed below are just suggestions and you can pick whichever character or whichever project you desire.

Any questions can be sent here and all tutorials have been linked below the cut for ease of access! REMEMBER to tag your resources with #TASKSWEEKLY and we will reblog them onto the main! This task can be tagged with whatever you want but if you want us to see it please be sure that our tag is the first five tags, @ mention us or send us a messaging linking us to your post!

THE TASK - scroll down for FC’s!

STEP 1: Decide on a FC you wish to create resources for! You can always do more than one but who are you starting with? There are links to masterlists you can use in order to find them and if you want help, just send us a message and we can pick one for you at random!

STEP 2: Pick what you want to create! You can obviously do more than one thing, but what do you want to start off with? Screencaps, RP icons, GIF packs, masterlists, PNG’s, fancasts, alternative FC’s - LITERALLY anything you desire!

STEP 3: Look back on tasks that we have created previously for tutorials on the thing you are creating unless you have whatever it is you are doing mastered - then of course feel free to just get on and do it. :)

STEP 4: Upload and tag with #TASKSWEEKLY! If you didn’t use your own screencaps/images make sure to credit where you got them from as we will not reblog packs which do not credit caps or original gifs from the original maker.

THINGS YOU CAN MAKE FOR THIS TASK - examples are linked!

Stumped for ideas? Maybe make a masterlist or graphic of your favourite faceclaims. A masterlist of names. Plot ideas or screencaps from a music video preformed by an artist. Masterlist of quotes and lyrics that can be used for starters, thread titles or tags. Guides on culture and customs.

Screencaps

RP icons [of all sizes]

Gif Pack [maybe gif icons if you wish]

PNG packs

Manips

Dash Icons

Character Aesthetics

PSD’s

XCF’s

Graphic Templates - can be chara header, promo, border or background PSD’s!

FC Masterlists - underused, with resources, without resources!

FC Help - could be related, family templates, alternatives.

Written Guides.

and whatever else you can think of / make!

MASTERLIST!

Ladies:

Betty White (95) 50% English, and some Welsh 25% Danish 25% Greek - actress and comedian.

Olympia Dukakis (86) Greek - actress.

Rika Dialina (86) Greek - actress and beauty queen.

Mary Chronopoulou (84) Greek - actress.

Xenia Kalogeropoulou (81) Greek - actress.

Marinella (79) Greek - singer.

Patricia Field (75) Armenian / Greek - designer, stylist and fashion designer.

Martha Karagianni (77) Greek - actress.

Agnes Baltsa (72) Greek - singer.

Anna Panayiotopoulou (70) Greek - actress.

Katiana Balanika (68) Greek - actress and singer.

Arianna Huffington (67) Greek - author and actress.

Marina Sirtis (62) Greek - actress.

Marilu Henner (62) Greek / Polish - actress, writer, and producer.

Rita Wilson (60) Pomak Bulgarian / Greek - actress, singer, voice actress, activist, and producer.

Aphrodite Jones (58) Greek, English, Scottish - author, reporter, and television producer.

Lisa Zane (56) Greek - actress and singer.

Elizabeth Perkins (56) Greek / English - actress.

Amy Sedaris (56) Greek / English, Scottish - actress, voice actress, author, screenwriter, singer, and comedian.

Gabrielle Carteris (56) Greek / Ashkenazi Jewish - actress.

Nia Vardalos (55) Greek - actress, screenwriter, director, and producer.

Emmanuelle Béart (54) Sephardi Jewish, Ashkenazi Jewish / Belgian [Walloon], Greek - actress.

Eleni Rantou (53) Greek - actress.

Gia Carides (53) Greek / English - actress.

Sophia Aliberti (51) Greek - tv personality.

Valeria Golino (51) Italian, Greek, Egyptian - actress and director.

Melina Kanakaredes (50) Greek - actress.

Ana Gasteyer (50) English, German, Greek, Romanian - actress.

Katerina Lehou (50) Greek - actress.

Melina Kanacaredes (50) Greek - actress.

Marianna Toumasatou (49) Greek - actress.

Smaragda Karydi (48) Greek - actress.

Jennifer Aniston (48) Greek / Scottish, Italian or Arbëreshë/Albanian, English, possibly Irish - actress.

Maria Nafpliotou (48) Greek - actress.

Eleni Menegaki (47) Greek - actress and tv personality.

Tina Fey (47) German, Northern Irish, English / Greek - actress .

Sofia Milos (47) Swiss-born Greek/Italian - actress.

Patricia Kara (45) Greek - actress, model, and tv personality.

Victoria Haralabidou (45) Greek - actress.

Andrea Savage (44) 75% Ashkenazi Jewish 25% Greek - actress, writer, and producer.

Rebekah Elmaloglou (43) Greek, possibly Turkish / English - actress.

Angie Harmon (42) English, with small amounts of German, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, remote Dutch / Greek - actress .

Trish Stratus (41) Greek, Polish - WWE wrestler.

Tina Kandelaki (41) Georgian, Greek/Pontic/Pontian Greek / Armenian, Turkish - journalist, public figure, television presenter, and producer.

Zeta Makripoulia (39) Greek - model, actress, television presenter and fashion designer.

Katia Zygouli (39) Greek - actress and model.

Karina Smirnoff (39) Greek, Russian, Jewish- dancer.

Maria Menounos (39) Greek - actress, television hostess, journalist, and wrestling personality.

Lindsay Hartley (39) Ashkenazi Jewish / Greek, Italian - actress and singer.

Lindsay Armaou (38) Greek / Irish - actress and singer.

Aggeliki Daliani (38) Greek - actress.

Gloria Votsis (38) Greek - actress.

Mena Suvari (38) Estonian, English, German, Greek - actress, fashion designer, and model.

D’Arcy Carden (37) Turkish, Greek / German, Ashkenazi Jewish - actress and comedian.

Kora Karvouni (37) Greek - actress.

Hannah Simone (37) Indian/ Italian, Greek Cypriot, German - host, actress and model.

Vaso Laskaraki (37) Greek - actress.

Clio-Danae Othoneou (37) Greek - actress and musician.

Elena Paparizou (35) Greek - singer, songwriter and tv personality.

Kelly Clarkson (35) Greek, English, German, Irish, Scottish - singer.

Maria Kanellis (35) Greek - pro wrestler, singer and model.

Mina Orfanou (35) Greek - actress.

Zoe Kazan (34) Greek (paternal grandfather), English, German - actress and screenwriter.

Denise Vasi (34) 50% Dominican 25% Greek 25% Puerto Rican - actress and model.

Katerine Avgoustakis (33) Greek, Belgian - singer.

Karima Adebibe (32) Moroccan Berber, Irish, Greek Cypriot - actress and model.

Kalomira (32) Greek - singer.

Georgia Salpa (32) Greek / Irish - model.

Orianthi (32) half Greek - singer.

Lauren Lapkus (32) Lithuanian / Greek, Serbian - comedian and actress.

Marie Avgeropoulos (31) Greek, possibly other - actress and model.

Marina and the Diamonds (31) Greek / Welsh - singer.

Alice Greczyn (31) French, Japanese, and Polish, with smaller amounts of Chinese, Korean, German, Irish, Native American, Scottish, English, Greek, Hungarian, Turkish, Swedish, and Czech - actress and model.

Tonia Sotiropoulou (30) Greek - actress.

Sammi Giancola (30) Italian, Greek - tv personality.

Tracy Spiridakos (29) Greek - actress.

Tulisa (29) Greek Cypriot / Irish - singer and actress .

Sasha Grey (29) English, Greek, Polish, Irish, Scottish - actress.

Lianne La Havas (28) Greek / Afro-Jamaican - singer and songwriter.

Chelsea Tyler (28) English, German, Italian, Polish, Greek, Welsh, Scottish, African-American, unconfirmed Cherokee Native American, French - singer.

Natasha Negovanlis (27) Macedonian, Irish, Métis- actress, singer, writer and YouTuber.

Dimitra Papadea (26) Greek - singer.

Melia Kreiling (26) American / Greek - actress.

Christina Klein (26) German and Greek - singer.

Cleo Wattenström (25) Ethiopian, Greek - tattoo artist and model.

Hannah Stocking (25) Greek, Polish, possibly English - internet personality.

Alexa Nikolas (25) Greek - actress.

Olympia Valance (24) Greek / Serbian - model and actress.

Cristine Prosperi (24) Greek, Italian - actress.

Adèle Exarchopoulos (23) Greek / French - actress.

Ivi Adamou (23) Greek Cypriot, Bulgarian - singer.

Betty Cantrell (22) Greek / German, English, Scottish, Irish, Dutch - beauty pageant titleholder.

Ariel Winter (19) Greek / English, German - actress and singer.

Elena Kampouris (19) Greek / English, French - actress.

Olivia Kate Iatridis (?) Greek, Inuit - actress.

Chrisoula Christou (born in 1962) Greek - actress, director, radio producer and photographer.

Dimitra Papadopoulou (born in 1962) Greek - actress, writer and director.

Angeliki Papoulia (born in 1975) Greek - actress and director.

Angela Ismailos (?) Greek - director.

Elda Panopoulou (?) Greek - comedian.

Eva Simatou (?) Greek - actress.

Male:

Jack Angel (86) Greek - voice actor.

John Aniston (84) Greek - actor.

George Chakiris (82) Greek - actor and singer.

Chris Sarandon (75) Greek - actor.

Paul Cavonis (75) Greek - actor.

Tony Orlando (73) Greek, Puerto Rican - singer.

Thaao Penghlis (71) Greek - actor.

Bob Costas (65) Greek / Irish, German - sportscaster.

Dennis Boutsikaris (64) Greek / Jewish - actor.

Tchéky Karyo (63) Turkish Jewish / Greek- actor and musician.

David Sedaris (60) Greek / English, Scottish - humorist, comedian, author, and radio contributor.

Alexander Payne (56) 75% Greek 25% German - director, screenwriter, and producer.

Elias Koteas (56) Greek - actor.

Art Alexakis (55) Greek / English, German, Irish, remote Scottish, remote Welsh - musician.

Ralph Macchio (55) 75% Italian 25% Greek - actor.

John Stamos (54) Greek / Ashkenazi Jewish, German, English, Irish - actor, producer, and musician.

Michael Chiklis (54) 75% Greek 12.5% English 12.5% Irish - actor and producer.

Hank Azaria (53) Greek Jewish - actor, voice actor, comedian and producer.

Greg Dulli (52) Irish, Greek, French - musician.

Costas Mandylor (52) Greek - actor.

Dino Stamatopoulos (52) Greek - writer, producer, and actor.

Billy Zane (51) Greek - actor and producer.

Ant (50) Greek - comedian.

George Eads (50) Greek / English, Scots-Irish/Northern Irish - actor.

Criss Angel (49) Greek - magician and illusionist.

Hugh Jackman (49) 62.5% English, 25% Scottish, 12.5% Greek - actor and singer.

Ben Mendelsohn (48) Ashkenazi Jewish, Greek, Scottish, English, Irish, German - actor.

Dave Bautista (48) Greek / Filipino - professional wrestler, mixed martial artist, and actor.

Hugh Jackman (48) 62.5% English 25% Scottish 12.5% Greek - actor, singer, and producer.

Zach Galifianakis (47) Greek / Scottish, English, Welsh, French Huguenot, Irish - actor, writer and comedian.

Pete Sampras (46) 75% Greek 25% Ashkenazi Jewish - tennis player.

Alex Kapranos (45) Greek / English - musician.

Jason Mantzoukas (45) Greek - actor.

George Stroumboulopo (45) Greek / Ukrainian - tv and radio personality..

Greg Vaughan (44) Greek, English, German, Scots-Irish/Northern Irish, Scottish - actor and model.

Peter Andre (44) Greek Cypriot - singer, songwriter, television personality, businessperson, and presenter.

Demetri Martin (44) Greek - comedian, actor, artist, musician, writer, and humorist.

Jason Mantzoukas (44) Greek - actor.

Alex Dimitriades (43) Greek - actor.

Chris Diamantopoulos (42) Greek - actor and comedian.

Alexis Georgoulis (42) Greek - actor and producer.

Steve Zissis (41) Greek - screenwriter and producer.

Gilles Marini (41) Italian, Greek - actor.

Andy Milonakis (41) Greek - actor, writer, rapper, streamer, and comedian.

Sebastian Arcelus (40) Uruguayan / Italian, Greek, European Royal, Serbian/Montenegrin, Russian - actor and singer.

Vitor Belfort (40) French and Greek - MMA fighter.

Mark Philippoussis (40) Greek / Italian - tennis player.

Rami Malek (36) 87.5% Egyptian 12.5% Greek - actor.

Danny O’Donoghue (37) 75% Irish 25% Greek - singer.

Steve Angello (34) Greek / English, French - disc jockey, producer, and record label owner.

Theo James (32) Greek (paternal grandfather), English, Scottish, 1/16th German - actor.

Chris Trousdale (32) Greek / Irish - actor.

Julian Edelman (31) German,Ashkenazi Jewish, Greek, Irish, English, Scottish, Polish, Belgian - football player.

Mark Ballas (31) Greek, Mexican [including Spanish] / English, Irish - dancer, choreographer, musician, and actor.

Matt Di Angelo (30) Greek, Irish - actor and singer.

Dimitri Leonidas (29) Greek Cypriot / Welsh, English - actor.

Ryan Pinkston (29) Greek, English - actor and model.

Jordan Gavaris (28) Greek, other - actor.

Kim Cesarion (27) Afro-Guadeloupean, Greek - singer.

Nick Kyrgios (22) Greek, Malaysian - tennis player.

Charlie Rowe (21) English, Scottish, 1/8th Ashkenazi Jewish, 1/8th Greek, 1/16th French, some Manx - actor.

Thanasi Kokkinakis (21) Greek - tennis player.

Dylan Lee (19) Greek, Finnish, English, Russian, Irish, French, 1/2048 Powhatan Native American - model.

NB:

N/A

ICK:

Sam Pepper

Milo Yiannopoulos

Andrea Tantaros

Jessica Chastain

#rph #fc list #greek fcs #greek fc #underused fc #task: 059 #task: greece

44 notes · View notes