#team Karolina

[shivvroys]

i know this has been done already but since u reblogged a post about it i would absolutely kill for your take on if karolina found shiv scheduling her grief instead of tom 🙏

first off, thank you so much for the ask, and sorry for the long long wait!!

secondly, i've cheated a bit - this was supposed to be a part of the fic that i'm currently writing, but i've had to cut it. I'm really fond of it, though, so I hope you like it :)

it's a much milder take than i'd envisioned, and in the context of an established relationship i definitely would've made it angstier, but i think it fits somewhat close to canon

read below <3

'Indulged child' — seven letters, starts with an S or the healing properties of the NYT Games app

Karolina steps into the meeting room, tension already melting off her shoulders, and almost trips on the poorly installed carpeting when she spots Siobhan sitting at the end of the conference table. Her head is bowed, cradled between her hands, so Karolina can’t see her face.

“Oh, sorry.” she blinks, stopping a few feet away from the table. “I didn’t know you had the room booked.”

Karolina watches as Shiv turns her head, attempting to cover the fact that she’d been crying. She wipes hurriedly at her nose, and only meets Karolina’s eyes after she’s composed herself.

“It’s fine.” she shrugs. “I’m done anyway.”

Then, Shiv rises from her chair quickly and begins clearing her things off the table before Karolina has the chance to say anything. She hasn’t brought many things: some pens, a notebook that’s been opened on a blank page, a pack of tissues, Shiv’s tablet—just enough knick-knacks to make it seem like she’d been working. Shiv’s back is turned to Karolina so she can’t see all of the table, but she knows it couldn’t take more than a few seconds to gather everything.

Still, she stays silent, watching the lines of Shiv’s shoulders like landmines, like birds about to take flight. As if reminding herself of their existence—and reminding herself to control them, she pulls her hands closer to herself.

“Are you—”

“I’m good.” Shiv cuts her off. She finally turns to face Karolina, her things now stacked on top of each other in her hands. “It’s all yours.” she nods towards the table.

Karolina takes a tentative step forward as Shiv starts making her way out of the room. As she approaches the table, she spots Shiv’s phone lying face down. She sets her things on the table, before turning to Shiv.

“Oh, Shiv, I think you forgot—”

As she calls out, the phone begins ringing. She picks it up, turning it around to see the timer notification flashing on the screen.

“Were you meditating?” she frowns, cracking a smile.

She reaches to hand Shiv the phone, pretending not to see the tiny trail of blood pooling at the base of her thumb nail.

“No.” Shiv swallows. A beat. “Crying, actually, yeah.”

She clears her throat, tilting her head as if challenging Karolina to say anything. To throw a punch.

“I—I’m so sorry, Shiv.” Karolina blinks, barely croaking the words out. “I’ll let you—”

“It’s fucking fine, Karolina.” Shiv snaps. “Take the goddamn room. I’m done.”

Her eyes are red-rimmed, and the hand she’s raised to silence Karolina is just shy of shaking.

“I’m just hiding out from Kendall.” Karolina sighs, rubbing the bridge of her nose. “He keeps asking me for feedback on his pitch but all it is, is just—buzzwords.”

She catches the faintest smile flash across Shiv’s face, which spurs her on.

“Dynamic. Innovation. Convergence.” she coos, raising her brows and shaking her hands in front of herself like an old-timey snake-oil seller.

That gets a full-fledged chuckle out of Shiv, and when Karolina drops her hands and sets her face into a familiar scowl it erupts into real laughter. She lets Shiv enjoy this brief reprieve, before gesturing to the room.

“So please, take the room. I have my assistant blocking it as important, so it’s yours for the next hour. I can hide out someplace else.”

She doesn’t give Shiv a chance to refuse, grabbing her things and turning to leave before Shiv takes a step forwards, blocking her way.

“I’m not going to sit here and cry for an entire fucking hour.” Shiv scowls, shaking her head. Then, she nods towards Karolina’s bag and the laptop peeking out of it. “What were you gonna do while you were hiding?”

“Catch up on work, probably, I don’t know.” Karolina pulls her lips into a tight line. “Maybe a crossword?”

“Crossword?” Shiv raises a brow. She looks Karolina up and down, frowning. “How old are you, again?”

“Right, sorry—” Karolina sucks her teeth, raising a pointed brow. “I assume the last puzzle you were able to solve came on the back of a cereal box?”

“Well, yeah, because after that I got real hobbies.” Shiv shakes her head, her grinning. “What, d’you play those hidden object games, too? Look for tiny fucking keys in those weird drawings?”

Karolina looks down as her cheeks start burning. Shiv catches it, and bursts into laughter.

“Oh my god. Karolina, no.”

A part of her wants to believe she’s only doing it for Siobhan’s sake. That she’s humoring the other woman as an act of kindness—some version of an apology for not extending any kind of support after Logan’s death. But she’s apologized enough times in her life to know one rarely finds delight in the act of apology, so when her eyes meet Shiv’s and she lets her lips turn up into a smile, Karolina knows the real reason she hasn’t left the room already is much simpler—she doesn’t want to.

“What hobby should I pick up, then, Siobhan?”

“God, there’s so many.” Shiv’s cheeks puff out. “Let’s see…”

She starts listing what Karolina guesses are her ideas of a pensioner’s hobbies: gardening, knitting, pickling, making jams—getting all the way down to walking around parks and standing all still and creepy to watch pigeons.

With each finger she uses to enumerate, Shiv’s grin widens. Karolina nods her along, pretending to be impressed until Shiv runs out of ideas.

“Or just volunteer at an elderly home.” she shrugs. “I’m sure the ladies would love to have you over for canasta.”

“Mhm.” Karolina nods, pursing her lips. “I’ll think about it.”

They sit in silence for a brief moment, neither making a first step.

“So, uh, can I see one?” Shiv finally asks.

“See what?”

“One of your crosswords, nerd.” she chuckles.

“Oh.” Karolina blinks. “I mean—really, Shiv, I can let you be—” she points to the door.

“Well, I don’t feel like crying anymore.” Shiv clears her throat, cutting her off. “And I don’t feel like going back out there yet, so… Unless you’re, you know, very private about your… crosswords.”

Karolina rolls her eyes. As she turns around to rummage through her bag for her tablet, Shiv steps closer until she’s right behind Karolina. When she leans forward to put her own things back on the table her arm brushes against Karolina’s. From up close, Karolina can distinguish each thin trail of blood wrapped around the irises of her eyes, and the blue shadows creeping up from under her concealer.

In the months after her own father’s passing, Karolina remembers going through them like candies.

Each week, she would reach into the bottom of her bag and pull up crumpled up receipts for concealer, whiskey, and the occasional lottery ticket—her dad’s guilty pleasure.

She used the same numbers each time, just like he'd taught her: each of their birthdays, twenty-eight, and eleven.

On the last ticket she bought, she put down the date of his death: seventeen, three, twenty, eight, then twenty-eight, and eleven.

It won her $10 that she never bothered to cash in.

So, she knows what it’s like—the make-up, the perfectly timed crying breaks, the split ends, the furrowed brows. The way it would hit (and still does, sometimes, on rainy days) so suddenly it would leave her breathless, like something had dislodged itself within her chest and all day long she’d have go on with her business as if that horrible rattling wasn’t ringing in her ears and reverberating inside her entire body like a war drum.

Karolina knows what Shiv is going through, but she also knows that grief is like a fingerprint. That it belongs so intimately to the person going through it. Defined by the very matter of their being, and from the moment it has formed—defining them in return.

So she doesn’t offer an apology, or a hug or, worse, advice. Instead, she sits down and waits for Shiv to do the same. When she does, Karolina turns on her tablet and opens the crossword app with her upturned hand stretched out towards Shiv, palm open and fingerprints exposed.

Then, Karolina begins explaining the basic rules of crosswords.

#shivlina #shiv x karolina #karolina novotney #siobhan roy #succession fic #im feeling funky w my writing rn ://// this mammoth fic is beating my damn ass #karolina nyt games app stan??? more likely than you'd think #i didnt write that particular date month first because i'm not a heathen #so its march 17th 2008 #i chose the date randomly but according to birthdayjamz dot com the most popular song that day was 'love in this club' by usher #and you know what they SHOULD be makin love in the clubbbb #and 28.11 is czechoslovak independence day #NO ONE gets between a european dad and his 'lucky' lottery numbers (everyone's birthday or the day their favorite team qualified for uefa) #my fics #prompt fill

[kimwexlers-brownhair]

But actually, it's such a brilliant move on Lukas's part and an example of why Ken and Rome are not equipped for their roles. By buying the company, Lukas can simply persuade the board to remove these two wild cards. Everyone will obviously want the 192 over the CEBros, so it's unlikely they'll go to bat for them. And neither Roman nor Kendall saw this move coming.

#or maybe i'm the moron and totally misreading all the motives #but this is the only conclusion i can come to #succession spoilers #lukas matsson #kendall roy #roman roy #succession #like all they'll have on their team is frank hugo and karl #and maybe shiv if her allegiance is more with them than with the deal #and while they're good can they really face down the rest of the board? face down fucking gerri and karolina? doubtful

[beatrack92]

Karolina Łozowska 🇵🇱

2020 Polish Indoor Championships

#karolina łozowska #team poland #female athletes #sexy athletes #athletic girls #athletics #track and field #lekkoatletyka

[cupofwater6]

sometimes i want to post about how much i want jess to speak her mind on kendall, to kendall's face, but other times i get her i also would just collect my check and roll my eyes in the BG while my boss is running around yelling manifested and killing rabbits by proxy

#feel like she pities him far more than karolina considering jess is the only waystar assistant who defected with kendall #Greg notwithstanding(?) his team ended up being lisa and her coworkers (underutilized) and who they had to take jess's role was. Well #holding onto my thoughts of the one set video of her & kendall featuring a new black character meeting. im waiting...waiting so heavily #ramble

[catinfroghat]

Karolina backstabbing Hugo you love to see it!!!

#team karolina forever #succession #succession spoilers

[trinitysyndrome]

What’s so compelling about Karolina and shiv is that karolina is first and foremost a girl’s girl. She’s team Gerri she’s team shiv she’s team glances at the other woman in the room when a man talks. She’s not only suggesting other women for promotion, but using her connection with other women to get higher in the company. And shiv??? Shiv is the ANTI girl’s girl, shiv would personally cut her own tits off if it meant her father would start treating her like a son, and she thinks she can use any man standing in her way to get to the top.

They’re both PR minded, they have conflicting morals but similar goals, and if Tom has greg than shiv deserves to have her own homoerotic side piece. I work for your ceo husband and then I come home and fuck his wife while the baby is sleeping sort of thing. Like… you get it.

#succession #shivalina #shiv roy #karolina novotney #Tomgreg parallel where Tom asks what’s going on between her and Karolina and she pauses before saying ‘we get a drink together sometimes.’ #or is it #shivolina #???

[chaotic-archaeologist]

Any chance you know of some good archaeology/history youtube channels? Everytime i try searching i just get aliens and atlantis garbage

First and foremost in my heart will always be Time Team. This is a tv program that does three day digs in the UK, and it has some of the most realistic archaeology I've yet to find on tv. You can watch old episodes for free on their official YouTube channel (linked above)

I personally enjoy the historical programing done by the American Battlefield Trust. It's very Civil War-centric, and it does fall into the very politically-middle-of-the-road category that a lot of military organizations do, but they're good for what they are.

Tasting history is pretty much exactly what it sounds like! Think B Dylan Hollis, but maybe less sass and cooking as well as baking.

Karolina Żebrowska is one of the best and funniest historical fashion YouTubers I've yet to come across. Iconic, truly.

Janet Stephens does EXPERIMENTAL HAIR ARCHAEOLOGY! Basically, she finds out how to accurately recreate incredibly complex hairstyles from the past based on art. She's awesome.

Modern History TV is my go to for all things Medieval. He does a great job demonstrating the ins and outs of everyday Medieval life.

Enjoy, -Reid

#he speaks #youtube recommendations #history #archaeology

[eternallovers65]

Shiv playing chess while roman and kendall are playing checkers

- She got Karolina and Gerri to stay (and it was accidentally)

- Teaming up with Matsson behind her brothers back

- Getting Tom back under her side

And all of this in a single episode!!!

#from girlfailure to girlboss and it only took Logan's death for her to wake up #succession hbo #shiv roy

[ladiesonfilm]

Lita Phoenix

She’s as cute as a little button but also incredibly filthy 🤩. Starting when she was 18 she very rapidly got into the swing of things & decided at some point to take the LegalPorno 💶 - and we know where that ends . . . 😳🫢!!

Physically she’s tiny and has a really lovely slim figure with perfect tits & is super pretty and innocent looking BUT of course is willing to pretty much do anything to anything so, yeah, happy days!

Big question then: why isn’t she up there with the Porn Royalty? Simple answer : Not enough content. I mean sure - there is plenty of HD scenes of her, but the extent, variety & quality just isn’t there. Very sad 😬.

She didn’t do anything in 2022 and hardly anything in 2023, so let’s hope for a resurgence for 2024! 🤞

Pro tip: check out her LP with Karolina Star & Nina Heaven. Pretty standard fare but about 3/4 of the way through it’s finally Lita’s turn to take 2 for the team on the DAP merry-go-round. She looks super nervous beforehand - I guess it’s her 1st time & both the guys are huge! Anyway after a little bit of a struggle they’re both crammed in & just look at her face . . . 🥴😣😧!! I guess only the fact that the other whores were watching & judging kept her going 😍 !!

FR : 5

Status : Active-ish

PSR : 15

PC: R/R/R/S/S

🏵️ : |••| , [ 😝 ],[ 🚿 ],(18),(\/),[ ❤️‍🔥 ],[ 😵‍💫 ]

#lita phoenix

[sapphicsmaximoff]

ease into it (pt. 2) - wanda maximoff

a/n: thanks for the support on the first part! this is gonna be a very fun series.

Story Masterlist

Later that day, you were still rubbing your back as you showed up to practice. Maria Hill and Karolina Dean sat on the bench as you walked over. “Please tell me you guys have like…Ibuprofen?” They both shook their head no, making you sigh.

“No, but Daisy might.” Karolina shrugs. You nod, walking over to where Daisy and Bobbi were stretching. “Oh! Look it’s the woman of the day!” Daisy sarcastically exclaims, making you roll your eyes.

Bobbi snorts, stretching her arm across her chest. “I heard the ice queens were gonna kill you.” She says, making you let out a bigger sigh. “It was an accident! They asked me if I planned it as if they run the quad or whatever!” You scoff.

“Hey, Daisy.” The girl look at you. “Do you have Ibuprofen or any medicine, my back is killing me.” A whistle blows before she could answer, but she still silently grabs it as Coach Fury waltzes on the field.

“Ladies! We are on the path to regionals! Fifteen games. Errors call for what?”

“LAPS!”

“I don’t think I hear you, ladies.”

“Errors call for laps!”

“Correctomundo. Now scrimmage! Team captains, Bishop and Dean! Go!”

———

It wasn’t long into the game that the boys team finally came down after running around the school in replacement their laps they didn’t want to do.

As the scrimmage went on, around the field, the basketball teams had their practice outside while the gym was being renovated. You were so immersed in the game, that you hadn’t noticed Wanda and Jean walk down to meet Pietro and Vision.

“So…when is practice over?” Jean asks, running her hand through Pietro’s hair. He hums. “5.” She looks down at her phone which says 4:37. “That’s like thirty minutes.” Wanda squints, shielding her eyes from the sun, and fanning her face with her other hand.

“It’s hot, we’re gonna sit in the car.” She says, kissing Vision. “Alright.” He mutters into the kiss. The girls begin walking away, but realize the gate the came in is now locked. So with a groan, the two walk to the other gate, Wanda catching a peek of the game.

You were moving fast through defenders, evading blocks and you kicked it past Daisy and into your other foot, before pushing it off to Kate, who immediately scores. “YES!” She growls.

You two meet up, doing your signature handshake, before breaking out in a small dance. “Boooo!” Daisy yells with a smirk as she gives a thumbs down. Wanda smiles to herself when you ignore Daisy, attempting to twerk in her face.

“No more, please!” Kate yells, covering her eyes.

———

The next day, your mom dropped you sisters off early, so you had about an hour of quiet. It was quiet, until you’d gotten at least 10 calls from MJ and Gwen a piece. You’d answered after finishing your shower.

“Hey, what’s up?”

“It’s Peter!”

“What’s wrong?”

“The basketball team literally kidnapped him last night, and locked him in the pool room.” Your jaw drops as you rushed to get dressed. “Is he ok?”

“Yeah! Apparently from what Gwen told me…Emma said he was harassing her yesterday, and this was to get him to leave her alone? It’s sick.”

———

When you arrived at school, MJ told you Peter stayed home, and you were glad. These rick kids had been harassing you all like this since elementary school, but it only got worse as high school progressed.

The ball incident and what happened to Peter today weren’t even the worst of it. That one time the ice queens spread a half naked picture of you all over was the worst of it. That was 8th grade, and they hadn’t become any less unnecessarily cruel.

You’d reached your locker, not far from Scott Summers, who you recall was dating Emma. The urge to toss him against the locker pushed away, you simply stand there until he notices you. “Can I help you?”

“Can you-Can you just leave P-Peter alone?” You stutter, noticing his low smirk. He laughs as his friends snicker. “Who?”

“Parker? The guy you-“ Your jaw clenched. “Just leave him alone, or I swear to God…”

“What? You’re gonna bathe in my blood?” He mocks, making his friends laugh as he closes his locker. “Look, your friend is fine, he’s alive isn’t he?” You scoff. “They’re group partners, they have to work together!” You exclaim, and Scott laughs backing up.

“Let’s go before she strangles you.” Pietro laughs, pulling Scott away.

———

When English came around, half of the basketball team and Peter were missing from class, which meant that you were only conversing with Darcy.

Wanda had noticed how you were eerily quiet. You didn’t talk to her or Jean, which wasn’t new, but you were barely talking at all. Only saying things to Darcy every once in a while.

She’d wanted to read the script, and noticed your headphones in your ear, but still called for you. “Hey.” She looked directly at you, and didn’t know you weren’t listening to anything, but you ignored her. “Hey. Y/N?” Jean looked over at you too.

Wanda looks at Darcy, who lightly taps you on the shoulder, and you look at her. Your gaze is directed over to Wanda with a surprised face. “You wanted my e-mail, right?” You nod, taking the slip of paper from her fingers.

You quietly send it to her, and turn to Darcy. “Oh, uh everyone’s going to the diner near my house for dinner. You can come if you want. Monica will be there.” You smirk. You’d know about the mutual crush Monica and Darcy had on one another since 5th grade.

“Seriously?” You nod, not noticing the other girls intently watching the conversation. The first time either of them payed attention in this class. “Jen’s gonna be there.” MJ says across the room. You lean over, looking past Wanda, who sits back to let you see her.

“Jen?” She nods. “Walters.” She says with a smirk, making you roll your eyes. You hadn’t noticed Wanda being the only one listening to your conversation.

———

When you arrived to the diner, Peter and MJ were already there, and Gwen had to cancel due to an emergency debate team meeting. Jennifer arrived around the same time.

As you both walked forward, you hadn’t noticed her until she slapped your butt. Before you could react, your heard her laughter and stopped. “Jen! What the hell!?” You laugh. 

She laughs, grabbing you arm as you two waltz inside. When you walk towards the booth, you notice Darcy and Monica on one side, and Kate, Peter and MJ on the other. There was only one more spot, which was given to Jennifer as you grabbed a chair.

“I feel like I’m eighth wheeling.” Kate mutters with a chuckle. “Me and Jennifer aren’t-” The taller girl scoffs as you speak. “Oh, come on. This is totally just a triple date, plus Kate.” Peter snorts as he sips his soda. “Ha, that rhymed.”

You roll your eyes, leaning closely into Jennifer’s face. “And what make you think I’d want to go on a date with you?” You ask with a smirk. The girl leans in. “Why wouldn’t you?” You look in between her eyes and lips, making her smirk. A flash goes off, startling you as Kate attempts to put away her phone. 

“Shit!” She pockets her phone, innocently smiling at you as the rest of the group busts out in laughter.

You ordered some pancakes, eggs and sausage, letting Jennifer feed you a sausage link. “Hey, Pete.” He looks up at you as you wipe your hands. “Can I ask what happened?” You were treading lightly, and he appreciated that you didn’t look to push.

“Uh…I stayed later with Ned, and some of them grabbed me after he left, locked me in the school. I had to break a window to get out.” He sighs, and MJ rubs his back. “May wanted to press charges, but I told her to take the money they were giving to shut me up.” You rolls your eyes, sitting back.

“It’s like two months rent to keep FEAST open, and I can pay for my hospital bills, because I broke my hand…”

“I’m sorry, man.” Darcy mutters, making him shrug. “I’m going to kill them.” Kate says, making you agree. “I’ll join.” Monica pitches in. “Oh, please! We’ll all do it, Jess?” MJ looks at Jessica who nods.

“You guys are too kind, but I’m fine…” You all sigh, leaving the conversation there. “Hey, I heard about what happened in the quad, are you okay?” Kate asks. “Nope.” You say, making her lift her hands in surrender.

You finished eating around half an hour later, and Monica took Darcy home, while Peter took MJ home on his dirt bike. 

You and Jennifer were practically neighbors, so you decided to walk together. “How long are we gonna do this dance?” She asks, making you look over at her in confusion. “I chase, you avoid me. We kiss. You try to get over Wanda, even though she never looks at you the way I do.” She explains. “I’m sorry, Jen. I am over that now. I mean imagine me dating someone who hates my guts.” You tease, making her blush.

“I don’t hate your guts, Y/N! I miss you, ya know? Bruce misses you. He misses doing those science videos.”

“Oh! Me too. I should come over. Wait-“ You look behind you. “Did we leave Kate?” You ask with a smirk. “Oh, no. She was flirting with our server, so I’m sure she’ll find a way home.” You two make to her house, yours only a few down.

Before she could walk up the driveway, you grab her hand. “Hey. Let me take you out on a real date.” She tilts her head in thought. “No more dance, just us…”

“I do happen to have a day off tomorrow.” She says with a shrug. “Really?!”

“But! I might have to take Bruce to his robotics competition.” She teases, giving you a pout. “We can both take him.” You shrug. “Seriously?” She chuckles, making you nod. “Oh, I was joking. You really are desperate for me.”

“I know, his robotics competition isn’t until October. I bought a ticket.” You chuckle. “You’re such a good friend, ya know that?” You nod as she wraps her arms around your neck. “A real date, huh?” She asks, making you nod again.

A very vintage, fancy car sped past you, making you look it’s way. Jennifer scoffs with a smile, hitting you in the chest. “What?! It was an awesome make! Pontiacs are so cool-“ Before you can finish, Jennifer kisses you.

“You are so much sexier than a Pontiac.” You mutter, kissing her again. The porch light turns on, and the glare catches you and Jennifer. “Hi, Dr. Banner!” You yell, making Jennifer hit you in the chest again.

———

School was easier when you spent the day with everyone. The last month had felt empty after you and Jennifer kissed, and then you couldn’t commit. After yesterday, it was much easier. 

When you were in English class, you were texting almost the entire time. Both Jean and Wanda had realized that after not showing up to the test last Friday that they couldn’t make it up, and participation would hold their grade together. So when they attempt to get your attention, and you simply did not care, it was a little frustrating. 

“So!” Sam says with a clap of his hands. “Who’s playing who?” 

jen: soooo

jen: movies? or picnic by the lake?😏😏😏

y/n: why the smirking emoji🤨🤨

jen: secret🤫🤫

You smile clicking off your phone, and look up to your partners expecting you to speak. “Oh! Uh…I’m the lead. I have the most lines, and I don’t have to practice, so decide amongst yourself.” You go back to your phone, and the four look between each other.

“Obviously, you’re the boyfriend.” Darcy said, looking at Sam. “It’s the only guy role, so…” He shrugs. “Whatever.”

“That leaves us.” She points in between herself. “I got Hannah. She seems stylish.” Jean pipes up. “Oh, well I’m Jenny.” Darcy claims. “So…I guess that leaves Wanda as Tamara.” Wanda hums, an old excitement bubbling in her stomach.

One she hadn’t felt since 5th grade. Tamara was the leads love interest.

“Ok. Um…Y/N?”

jen: quill is all abs, nothing else…very dumb, but hot? idk

y/nn: is this your odd way of flirting?

jen: i think so🤔🤔

“Y/N?” She called once more, making you look up. “Huh?”

“Um…we-we decided on our roles.” She answers shyly. “Okay. I’ll print off copies so we can read it next class. Or…maybe we can meet up afterwards, during other times of the day? I think it would make this easier-“

Wanda was going to agree, when Jean grabbed her arm. “We’re busy during lunch…Student council meetings, and planning, and stuff.” She falsely smiles. “But-“ Jean looks at Wanda wearily, making the girl shut up.

“Um…yeah, sorry. But I can come during free period, or lunch, or something?” Jean and yourself was slightly shocked at Wanda’s sudden speaking, but you clear your throat. “Uh…free period’s great. I think you and I will need to practice the most.” She nods at your explanation, sitting back.

y/nn: i think wanda’s being weird. she actually talking to me, and now we have to work together all the time😒😒

jen: my poor bby😕💔

y/nn: save me😵‍💫

jen: have fun😭

———

The bell rang, and you left quickly, not sparing anyone else another glance.

Jean and Natasha were trying to get Wanda’s attention, but she ignored them, walking out behind you. She actually walked far enough to follow you.

You arrived at the tutoring center, and a thought clicked in her head. Not much else did as you lifted off your Xavier hoodie, a placed a name tag over your polo shirt.

Was this feeling real, was her unhealthy obsession with you coming back after 6 years?

#wanda maximoff x reader #wanda maximoff #marvel #wanda maximoff au #wanda x y/n #wanda x you #elizabeth olsen #elizabeth olsen x reader

[soccer-love]

Masterlist

Hope you all in enjoy reading it....

FC Bayern

Sarah Zadrazil

How could I ever be mad at you?

I dont want her

You two are...? (Zadi x Laura Feiersinger)

Caro Simon

Photographer

Mala Grohs

Weddings make lovers

Giulia Gwinn

Prom date

Lea Schüller

Why did you leave?

Klara Bühl

Suprise

Magdalena Eriksson

Trouble maker

Tuva Hansen

Vilja the wing woman

Karolina Lea Vilhjálmsdóttir

Names

Maxi Rall

Spontaneous

Laura Benkarth

Your child - our child

DFB Women's Team (germans national team)

Sara Doorsoun

Tattoo Artis

Merle Frohms

Baby girl

Laura Freigang

Ice Hockey Problems

Alex Popp

Homecoming

Little one

Felicitas Rauch

Underneath the mistletoe

Jule Brand

Stealing your heart

Jill Roord

If you love her

Others

Sam Mewis

Forever you

#woso imagine #woso x reader #fc bayern frauen #woso #lgbtq #masterlist

[kencoded-kengirl]

the thing about logan and his abuse and the cages he built around the things he loved and the dogs he kicked is that it wasn’t just about his children, not by a long shot. of course kendall and roman and siobhan are doomed, but that makes sense, it’s obvious, the poison was in their blood from the second they were born. what about frank and karl, who can’t answer ‘how bad was dad’ honestly, even when logan is literally entombed within their line of sight? what about gerri, who ‘could have gotten you there,’ who has to be chased away not just by logan but by his son, and even then couldn’t stay gone? what about tom, who kept fighting his wife, her brothers, who kept scrabbling tooth and nail, who shook matsson’s hand with a smile because he did what none of them could do, who won? what about stewy, who was ‘team ken, baby’ with nothing in it at all for him, with nothing to lose from walking? what about greg, a penciled addendum with a question mark that maybe ties him to kendall, that maybe means he always should have been second-in-command? what about karolina and hugo, always belittled, always insulted, and always ripping tearing backstabbing desperately trying to be more important to the roys than the other? what about rava, always reaching back for kendall, always going to weddings and thanksgivings and waiting for her ex-husband by the phone?

forget about the siblings. forget them. all of the cages are open. why are all of you still in there?

#succession #succession hbo #succession s4 #succession meta #logan roy #gerri kellman #tom wambsgans #this is driving me crazy. he doomed them all he literally doomed every one of them #amperspeaks

[tomwambsmilk]

Welcome to the Succession Cannibalism Poll!! (aka the Succibal Face-Off)

One week ago, a private jet set out carrying 31 people and one dog, all travelling together for unclear reasons. The pilot attempted to take a shortcut through arctic airspace, but unforeseen turbulence forced the plane down. All 31 passengers + 1 dog survived, but the cabin crew were all killed in the crash.

Food supplies were slim, and dwindling. Finally, they made the difficult decision to eat one of the cabin crew, a flight attendant by the name of Andrew Dodds, who had drowned in a small puddle of water when the plane went down, and whose body was perfectly preserved by cold. They reasoned that help was on the way, and after all, Dodds wouldn't be needing his body anymore. It was a temporary measure, to get everyone out alive, they told themselves...

.... But in actuality, it was only the beginning.

32 Succession characters are trapped in the arctic, and the only food remaining is each other. Who will be the last one standing when (if?) the rescue team arrives? Who has the physical grit, the strength of will, and dubious morals required to eat their companions and make it through to the end? That part's up to you!

The rules:

there are 16 polls in round one. Each will go live at the same time (provided the queue system works properly) at 11:15pm EST, and be live for 24 hours

Don't just vote for your favourite! Remember, this is about who in a given pairing would actually be able to eat who

In the event of a tie, super-secret tie rules are unlocked. We'll cross that bridge when we get to it

Feel free to add more detail in the notes! Was it a tough struggle or did one give in quickly? Did someone sacrifice themselves, or did they get stabbed in the back? Did they gut hunted down? Did they run? Did someone cry?

Consider reblogging to increase the reach of the polls!

Masterlist of Round 1 polls under the cut (with links, once they go live). Good luck, and happy hunting!

Sandy Furness vs. Karolina Novotney

Lawrence Yee vs. Connor Roy

Nate Sofrelli vs. Colin

Frank Vernon vs. Rhea Jarrell

Jeryd Mencken vs. Willa Ferreyra

Roman Roy vs. Tabitha

Greg Hirsch vs. Jess Jordan

Mondale Wambsgans vs. Stewy Hosseini

Caroline Collingwood vs. Gerri Kellman

Kerry vs. Logan Roy

Siobhan Roy vs. Gil Eavis

Cyd Peach vs. Hugo Baker

Ewan Roy vs. Naomi Pierce

Karl Muller vs. Kendall Roy

Brian from Management Training vs. Tom Wambsgans

Marcia Roy vs. Rava Roy

#succession #succibal face-off

[loverjed]

pls do tell me more about the stewy karolina wlw mlm hostility slay🙏🏼

sgdjfkdsffbdfsjdf i love the brainwave we have going

bc Karolina is Kendall's publicist. and in her eyes Stewy is Bad For The Brand. If that's actually true is debatable-- the internet is more positively obsessed with Kendall than they have been since it was rumored he was dating some British Princess in the late 2000s-- but at the very least, publicly and chaotically being in a relationship with a guy he's been close friends with since well before his marriage isn't the best look.... and also the Drugs.

Stewy absolutely does not help because he enjoys going viral and Kendall laughed once when Karolina was attempting to chew Stewy out for bringing his phone into a no-phones event so of course he's going to get worse!! I think he respects the Waystar team but also finds their whole deal funny so his attitude is not going to fly with Karolina. At some point he maybe leaks his own nudes except Kendall is partially visible/identifiable in the background and that is when Karolina decides they are sworn enemies

(also. this is more niche but. in my head and in my I Know Places AU tag I have a slowly developing au in which Karolina is secretly dating Shiv when kenstewy go public so she has a Vested Interest in people Not paying attention to how gay certain Roy siblings may or may not be. Like no this au is not canon compliant but the current plan is that Shiv is still married to Tom so,,,,, yeah that's just my own brain going crazy but Karolina is definitely anti-Stewy)

#succession #kenstewy #stewy hosseini #karolina novotney #kendall roy #i know places au #bee tag

[bamboobrat]

succession s4 e5 recap: swedish elon and his logan roy tribute band

time is a flat circle and we are back to ken hyping himself listening to rap, driving to the office.

anyone feeling nostalgic yet?

he is immediately caught off guard by the fact that roman and shiv are already there.

also he seems like the worst boss ever.

i really don't like ken when he is not hitting rock bottom.

(there is a movie about a sleeping robot in a cave that takes up too much time in this episode. let's not get into all that)

the old guard checks up on the CE-bros before their trip to norway.

matchy matchy&lt;3

turns out mattson wants them all there (why wouldn't he?) so THE GANG IS GOING TO NORWAY! lets bleed the swede!*

*as a norwegian, i approve this message

mortality has set into team krank, as they put on compression socks before the flight.

krank is not here to have fun. krank has no young mistress to impress. krank is serious.

shiv has noticed ken's leaks to the media from last week because she is boss. it's the comeback we've been waiting for.

but most importantly, she is waging a very important war against tom and his stupid new sneakers:

the sibs say they can kill tom for her. that's brotherly love.

hugo is not having a good time.

i am tho.

gerri rallies the troops by shitting on europeans.

yes mommy tell me i'm weak because i have free healthcare! sit on my face

gerri for CEO. always.

they accurately depict what it is like driving in norway:

(this is why i don't have my licence)

the gang arrives in the motherland and it's beautiful, but rainy (so authentic) and are all like WHY THESE WOOD CABINS SO SMALL?!

ironic because jeremy lives in fucking denmark.

anyway, whatever this is:

I DO NOT APPROVE!

the trip up to mount olympus is interrupted by con saying he can send a picture of their dead dad to the group chat.

nobody wants to see it.

also, marcia is putting logan in a kilt like the fucking bay city rollers and con had to cancel a room full of working class whites in cleveland. the sacrifice.

they give con carte blanche for the whole funeral thing, which is probably a terrible decision.

the funeral is going to be one big campaign rally, i'm serious.

the others have to settle for a nice lil scandi brunch spread. what a hard life.

i don't say this often, but i would be hugo in this scenario, piling onto my plate like it's nobody's business.

karolina has a cute lesbian moment.

she says something in swedish at some point, but let me tell you, i understand swedish and i didn't even pick up on it. no shade to dag, but lol.

hugo doesn't understand how ski jumping works.

i thank the writers for putting this joke in there, even if literally no one other than random scandi people will get it.

it's like the opposite of danny boyle's the beach<3 give back to the community<3

roman enters negotiations and puts his fingers in the caviar.

you think i didn't notice? after all this time, you must know i notice everything.

the CE-bros make the village elders proud, as mattson offers 187 per share as long as he gets ATN.

also, gerri does a second take looking back at roman. these are the crumbs i am destined to live on, i guess. roman doesn't want to give up ATN tho, probably because 1) his dad wanted ATN 2) his dad told him he wouldn't make it at pierce and belongs at ATN 3) he is, somehow, the most rational of the siblings right now????

speaking of rational: how are we feeling about the shiv/mattson potential here? i honestly have zero objections.

shiv is like fuck yeah, sell ATN, that shit is toxic.

agreed, but who gave mencken an open line to ATN-meetings? sounds like something logan told cyd to do during one of those late night calls.

"even dad had a line" rings true zero percent. pass.

get rid of atn. word is, they don't even have tucker carlson anymore? just keep a sweater, much less racist.

we get some important leo dicap representation:

and greg is the bringer of all that is exposition, telling us there is a kill list with 8 to 9 names, ever evolving.

now, as most readers of these recaps would know, i would like to avoid spending any time on greg whatsoever (made even more poignant by the recent rumors about nick), however, this must be one of the best exchanges of dialogue ever made:

greg: da fam shiv: da fuck

that's all.

tom tells the swedes that americans don't care about the rest of the world and it's funny because it's true.

and alex being like "you're ALL related?!"

i see you, succession writers, i see you.

mattson calls waystar a parts shop and has a good take on right wing media:

"i dont think news for angry, old men works"

instead, he opts for bloomberg grey: simple, cheap, huge, ikea'd to fuck. i do love ikea.

he calls the sibs a tribute band which is harsh. even for a scandi, it's fucking harsh.

anyway, SAUNA! SAUNA! SAUNA!

GERRI. IN. SAUNA! (chant with me)

i will never forget what the succession writers took from me.

krank out here just chilling.

i've never shipped anyone more.

we are introduced to ebba. i can tell i'd have more to say on this in any other situation, but it just feels weird (all norwegian know each other, i guess).

anyone else here for the shiv/mattson dynamic?

i'm sorry, i kind of ship it????

ken wants to tank the deal and roman immediately calls him out on his destructive bullshit:

and then immediately caves.

"i think we are good at running the ship" they say after doing it for approximately 24 hours.

i wish i had their confidence.

also, pinky can't dance, according to ken, so they keep shiv out. meanwhile, she gets cozy with lukas, who asks her about her marriage (bad) and tells her he sends liters of blood to ebba (also bad).

shiv shows us why she is paid the big bucks for political advice:

we don't see the end of their night, so i'm just going to assume they fucked. because she's worth it.

also, talking up gerri and karolina? girlies stick together<3

big bi vibes here. huge. idc if she's pregnant and drinking.

meanwhile, the CE-bros use greg to leak that the negotiations are souring. why would you trust greg with anything?

in an attempt to fuck the deal, the CE-bros show a terrible film to the swedish team, as if being scandi doesn't mean you've sat through enough terrible cinema already....

we get the strangest fight in tv history:

lol @ us for thinking this was an important moment for the two of them and then it's a fight about white sneakers and fat earlobes.

i sure hope shiv fucked lukas.

roman receives a photo of his dead dad and it doesn't really put him in the right place to negotiate with mattson:

ouch.

leave it to kieran to make an emmy-worthy speech across from alex skarsgaard peeing.

the plan was: tank the deal, but in a subtle way. what they did: try and tank the deal, but in a not very subtle way. did the deal tank: no.

i hope you understand.

the question is, if a deal collapses in the woods and no one hears it, is it a SEC violation?

mattson ends up offering 192 per share. karl jizzes his pants.

shiv gives the little spelunker tom a lil treat, telling him to fire cyd.

then she asks him out?

and ignores him again because she is taking a call from mattson?

idk my dudes, but i'm into this shiv comeback.

mattson seems happy and flirty and i sure as shit hope this goes somewhere.

as long as it doesn't involve liters of frozen blood.

i have a feeling it will be all good vibes until he learns about her pregnancy. there's always something rotten in the state of denmark (or norway, or sweden, but it's all the same).

the waystar-team receives the kill list after the offer and it's very stressful for a few people who made themselves suffer through a session in the sauna:

not on the kill list: karolina gerri tom because shiv fucking did the thing!!

oh, and karl and frank are on the kill list, but i think they are just fine.

maybe the real treasure was the compression socks we made along the way.

#succession #succession hbo #succession spoilers #succession season 4 #kendall roy #jeremy strong #roman roy #kieran culkin #shiv roy #sarah snook #j. smith-cameron #gerri kellman #david rasche #karl muller #frank vernon #peter friedman #tom wambsgans #matthew macfadyen #hugo baker #fisher stevens #eili harboe #ebba succession #alexander skarsgard #lukas mattson #greg hirsch #nicholas braun

[jeniffercheck]

i dare you (you're gonna fall, but i'll catch you)

shivlina tumblr prompt: five times someone notices shivlina acting odd and one time they're honest about it

words: 5k

read here or on ao3

v.

Roman’s a good brother.

When Shiv tells him she’s getting a divorce, he expects it to be the end of the world. He expects the waterworks and the flamethrowers, blaring tornado sirens, and a news broadcast to alert the entire city, because that’s how much his sister loves to milk her fucking tragedy of a life, and he’s ready for it. Don’t get it twisted; he does the nice thing. He sends her a stupid e-card with a series of explosions over his favorite paparazzi shot of Tom eating a street-cart pretzel and offers to spread a rumor around the office that Tom caught chlamydia from the linebacker on his college football team, and even though Shiv vetoes the latter offer, Roman still considers spreading it anyway because that’s how good of a brother he is.

He’s so good in fact, that he knows his condolence strategy must have worked, because it’s been six days since the last time Shiv verbally assaulted him, and nearly nine since the last time she’d physically assaulted him. It must’ve been his handiwork, because there’s no conceivable way that his sister would be going through a divorce and not making it everyone else’s problem, right?

After the eighth day of calm, Roman can’t take it anymore. He corners Shiv in her office, the golden plaque reading President of Domestic Operations looking far too shiny for his liking. He grabs at it just to add a little smudge.

“Could you not?” Shiv asks, glaring in his direction. Her gaze immediately falls back on her cell phone, the brief annoyance gone almost as quickly as Roman had provoked it.

“Not even a fuck you?” Roman asks, dropping into one of the chairs in front of her desk. “I see where I stand these days.”

Except Shiv doesn’t even hear him. She laughs at her phone, that stupid smile on her face growing in a way that makes him want to throw up and ask to be let in on the joke all at once.

“What’s got you perkier than Kendall in a Kith apothecary?”

Shiv looks up, scowl returned, and he thinks it feels something like a hug, if that were something he and Shiv ever really did.

“Did you want something, or did you just come in here to fill my office up with your stink?” she asks, and Roman feels a sense of relief at the volatility.

“I wanted to know what you were looking at,” Roman says, tapping his fingers on the desk.

“You came all the way down here to ask what’s on my phone?”

“That is what I said, right?” Roman asks. “Who are you talking to?”

Shiv raises an eyebrow at the question.

“Uh—no one, Rome,” she says, albeit unconvincingly.

“Sure,” Roman says. “So, you’re just laughing at cat videos and not another one of the texts that just came through on your phone?”

Roman tries to peer over the desk, but Shiv covers up her phone up her phone quickly. She’s hiding something.

“Roman, I’m not—“ Shiv cuts herself off. “You know you’re the only one who knows, right?”

“Am I?”

“Well, are you?” she asks. “Or is Tabitha sending me dating show casting calls just for shits and giggles?”

“She’s been doing that?” Roman whines. Disappointing. He wanted to do that. “I’m just saying, you’ve been acting…” He waves his hands around, Shiv’s brows furrowing deeper.

“What is this, are you trying to invent a secret language that nobody else knows?” she asks, eyes flitting between her phone and Roman as it dings, again.

“Don’t you have a job to be doing?” he says.

“Don’t you?”

Okay. Touché.

“This is my job,” Roman says. “I’m the Chief Operational Officer. I’m chiefing your operations.”

“Uh-huh,” Shiv says. “In that case, domestic operations are going well. Public opinion polls are up by two points, and I have a meeting with Karolina later today to discuss next steps. Any other operational matters I can see to for you today, Mr. Roy?”

“Okay, okay,” Roman says, waving her off, though one name in her report stood out greatly. “You and Karolina have been spending a lot of time together.”

“You and Gerri spend a lot of time together.”

Roman leans back in the chair, “She’s my mentor.”

“I can’t have a mentor?” Shiv asks.

Roman eyes her. If she’s telling the truth, then that means Shiv isn’t anything to worry about.

“So, you want PR?” Roman asks. “Not CEO?”

“What I want, is a reality where you’re not riding my ass every ten minutes,” Shiv says. It’s a non-answer, Roman’s not a dumbass, but at least he’s closer to the truth. Shiv’s divorce doesn’t matter because she’s got her hat in the ring. And Karolina’s backing her.

“Fine, fine, I’m going,” Roman says, standing. He pauses at the door, knowing he needs to throw her off his line of questioning. “Are you ovulating?”

“What?” Shiv asks, and if looks could kill, Roman would certainly be six feet under.

“Just asking,” Roman says. “You’re, like, glowy.”

“Fuck off,” Shiv says.

Roman doesn’t have to be told twice. Gerri’s going to get a kick out of this.

iv.

Kendall’s not paranoid.

A little bit obsessive? Sure. Hungry for power? He can own up to that. Good at making enemies? Most definitely. But paranoid? Absolutely not. This, however; it just doesn’t make any sense.

“What are you saying, Shiv?” he asks. On a normal day, she’d be at his throat, telling him that all of his ideas are bad ones and that it’s all going to crash and burn. On a normal day.

“That…I think it’s a good idea?” Shiv says, turning her head at him slowly. “Did you want me to scream and cry and tell you I hate it?”

“I mean—no,” Kendall says. “I guess, I just, expected a little pushback. That’s all.”

Shiv shrugs, a loose hand around her coffee mug. She’d sat next to Kendall in the conference room instead of across from him, unnerving coming from a woman who can oftentimes barely look in his direction.

“I read the notes you sent last night, and they make sense,” Shiv says. “No need to reinvent the wheel, here. Your plan is better.”

Which sounds exactly like something someone else would be telling her to say, and that can only mean one of two things. Shiv’s playing the game, or Dad’s putting her up to it.

“Is that a Karolina line?” Kendall asks, watching every minuscule movement of Shiv’s face. First she pauses—caught off guard, then her eyes narrow. She’s not looking at him anymore.

“I—a what?”

That’s it. “They’re feeding you lines, aren’t they?” Kendall says, standing up. “Unbelievable, this is—just, great, Shiv. Really, it’s great.”

Shiv rolls her eyes, coffee mug forgotten.

“Yeah, Kendall, I’m fucking wiretapped and the feds are bursting in here any minute to nab you for cruises. This is all actually just a ruse and you’ve been trained your whole life to take the fall for this one moment, you caught us,” she says.

“I’m serious, Shiv—if this is a setup—”

“I’m not lying, Ken, Jesus,” Shiv says. “I read the plan and I thought about it. That’s what you fucking wanted me to do, right? Can you accept that before I fuckin’ change my mind?”

It still doesn’t feel right. Shiv’s never given into one of Kendall’s ideas this easily and willingly in her life. He’s sure Karolina had something to do with it, and by extension their dad, but he also wants to believe Shiv, which he won’t, but he can pretend to at the very least.

“Fine,” Kendall says. “Okay, great, um—thank you, Shiv.”

“Sure,” Shiv says. “And, by the way—Karolina’s not, feeding me lines, or whatever you think. God, you and Roman, you’re like, fucking irrational.”

“Yeah, no, of course not,” Kendall says. “The mind games, they’re—you know.”

“Yeah, sure,” Shiv says.

He leaves the meeting feeling entirely and unequivocally unsatisfied. Roman wouldn’t be his first source of confidante on a bad day, but he has no one else to trust, and he’s the only other person who could possibly want Shiv in the CEO seat any less than Kendall.

“Hey, Roman—“ he says, entering Roman’s office. “Is Shiv, like, I mean—is there something…off?”

Roman stands up, looking out the windows of his office before turning back to Kendall and crossing his arms.

“You didn’t hear it from me,” Roman says lowly, “but I heard she’s ovulating.”

Kendall looks up, Roman’s dead serious.

“You mean—her and Tom?”

“Like jackrabbits,” Roman says.

“Gross, dude.”

Roman throws his hands up in the air.

“You asked.”

 

iii.

Karolina doesn’t get distracted. Gerri knows that much.

She knows a lot, in fact, such as Karolina’s educational background: a summa cum laude BA in Public Relations and an ivy league MS in Strategic Communication. Karolina’s career path: Assistant at a crisis management firm, Account Manager for a think tank, and then a Manager at Waystar—merged into Waystar Royco shortly after. Karolina’s consistent weekend plans: drop off her dry cleaning early on Saturday morning, pick up breakfast from her favorite cafe on the way back, work into the evening, pick up dry cleaning and groceries on Sunday, watch trash reality TV until she falls asleep, meet Gerri early in the office on Monday morning to drink coffee and sync (Karolina’s missed the last two Mondays). And Gerri knows all about Karolina’s dating history: the broody painter in college, the personal accountant in her twenties, the short-lived engagement to the non-profit president in her thirties. The absence that’s followed.

Yeah. Gerri knows a lot—and she certainly knows that Karolina doesn’t get distracted. So, it’s a mystery to her why she’s now received two press reports, riddled with mistakes. She would chalk it up to delegation—maybe Karolina’s giving some baby-faced assistants a chance, or she’s been fed conflicting information along the chain of command—but these are high-level, directly from Karolina, and directly her mistakes to make. Karolina’s lucky it’s Gerri who’s receiving them first, because they’re a liability, is what they are, and anyone else in the office wouldn’t be as tactful about it as Gerri’s choosing to be.

She calls Karolina in for a meeting over lunch. Low pressure, familiar territory, but even then, Karolina is quieter than usual. She’s not quite pensive as much as she is splitting, her mind obviously going in multiple directions at once. She's having trouble keeping up with Gerri’s conversation, only vaguely remembering details that Gerri has already told her and not quite adding anything substantial to the conversation unless provoked, her eyes occasionally dropping to her turned-over phone on the chair arm beside her.

Gerri decides to bite the bullet.

“Is everything alright?” she asks, stopping herself in the middle of a sordid tale about Frank and Karl’s latest excursion in Shareholder-Land. “You seem preoccupied lately.”

Karolina’s reaction is verification enough, the surprise and sudden discomfort apparent all over her body, but physical tells mean nothing to Gerri when it comes to Karolina. Her tell, is that Karolina has told her nothing, when by now, Gerri should know everything.

“I mean, yeah,” Karolina says, sitting up straighter. “There’s a lot going on. You know how it is.”

“I know how it is, sure,” Gerri says, unconvinced. She pulls out the press releases, red ink splattered all over the pages, “Wanna tell me about these, though?”

“Oh,” Karolina says, grabbing the pages from Gerri. “Your notes?”

Gerri nods, and Karolina looks down at the pages, brows instantly furrowing in concentration. Gerri watches the head tilts and the squinted eyes, the mouthing of words as Karolina silently reads lines back to herself, the constant switching between pages to fully grasp the inconsistencies and the contradictions. Her back is stiffer when she’s finished, and she stares at the pages.

“Um, good—” Karolina says, moving to clean up her belongings. “Thanks, Gerri. I’ll fix these up and get them back to you.”

“Karolina,” Gerri says, and Karolina pauses, albeit a little unwillingly, staring back at Gerri expectantly. “I’m going to ask again, is everything alright?”

Karolina crosses her arms, a feigned innocence on her face. “Yes, Ger—everything’s fine. These are just stupid mistakes, I’m sorry.”

“I’m not scolding you,” Gerri says, because they’re in the office, and these are serious mistakes, and while Karolina is her subordinate, she’s also her friend. “I’m just checking in. This isn’t like you.”

Gerri watches the internal battle as it happens, Karolina running through every scenario and calculating the results of each possible course of action. It’s always a roll of the dice with Karolina, but Gerri at least knows that if she doesn’t get the answer out of Karolina today, she will get it out of her eventually.

“I guess I have been preoccupied,” Karolina admits. “But, you know…things are good.”

“Things are good?” Gerri confirms, and Karolina smiles slightly as she nods.

“Things are really good,” Karolina says. Gerri has no reason to not believe her, and also knows it’s not the time to press further.

“Okay,” Gerri concedes. “Then, make sure the next versions of those releases aren’t going to make us liable for libel in seven different nations, alright?”

“Message received,” Karolina says.

Gerri nods, partially satiated with the outcome of the meeting, and she’s about to send Karolina off when Shiv pokes her head through the door. Gerri feels dense for not seeing it before. The extra meetings. Shiv’s recent agreeable attitude toward Gerri. The way Karolina bites her lip if only to stop her smile from growing, and the laser focus of her eyes. Shiv’s mischievous smirk. Of course. Karolina’s fucking lovesick.

“Hey, sorry if I’m interrupting,” Shiv says. “Can I steal Karolina?”

“Seeing as neither of us owns her, I don’t see why not,” Gerri says, and Karolina clears her throat, nervous.

“Great,” Shiv says, then to Karolina, “I’ll be in my office.”

Karolina nods, as Shiv exits, picking up the rest of her things.

“Karolina?” Gerri calls out, stopping her at the door.

“Yeah?”

“Remember,” Gerri warns. “Liability.”

The instant flush of Karolina’s face is the only confirmation she needs.

ii.

The event is nice, but Willa’s not much into the family business.

She finds it monotonous to stand around and listen to a bunch of legacy businessmen discuss stocks and market trends and, God forbid, politics, like they’re all the second coming of Jordan Belfort himself. She hates the way they all look down on Connor as if he isn’t the only Roy heir who doesn’t need Daddy’s company, and she really hates the way they all look down on her as if she’s some mail-order bride who couldn’t understand the first thing about the economy, but she does really enjoy the people-watching, and those cucumber finger sandwiches that rich people love, and the expensive dresses she gets to buy that are most definitely integral to stimulating the fucking economy. And she especially loves eavesdropping, even more so when it’s Connor’s brothers discussing what’s up with Shiv, going on and on about Shiv and Karolina and their two-woman coup as if the real answer isn’t glaringly obvious.

“I’m telling you, dude,” Kendall says, pointing his glass towards Roman, “she’s scheming.”

“Come on, Shiv?” Connor chimes in. “She’s done just fine on her own all these years. What does she need from pops?”

“What do any of us need from him, Con?” Roman jeers. “She’s obviously changed her mind. She wants the big seat.”

“What, and Karolina’s helping her?” Connor asks. “She’s a wonderful woman, really, but what does our People Magazine liaison have over who’s going to be the next Chief Executive?”

“She’s Head of Communications, Connor,” Kendall says. “It’s, like, her whole job to communicate. If she’s on Shiv’s side, she could already be swaying public opinion and in the internal memos. We’re fucked.”

Willa doesn’t like to step in often, but this is a bit much. “Wouldn’t you be able to, like, see if she were doing that?”

All three men pause, eyes now on her. Roman seems to be considering her point, but Connor jumps to Kendall’s defense.

“I’ve read about this. Psychological Operations are very difficult to recognize, even when you know they’re occurring. The Romans used flaming pigs to scare off Egyptian war elephants that would eventually trample their own troops.” He claps his hands together. “That’s it. You need to figure out Shiv’s flaming pig.”

“My what?”

The next few moments are very important to Willa’s observations. First, Shiv shows up alone. Not with Tom, not with the old guard, alone. Then, after confusing and awkward greetings between Roman trying to make pig jokes, Kendall stammering his way through an apology, and Connor desperately trying to explain Ancient Roman Flaming Pigs, Shiv immediately asks if any of them have seen Karolina. Shiv’s meeting her. Willa has to hide a knowing smile behind her champagne, her amusement only exacerbated by the panicked look in both Kendall and Roman’s eyes. Then, the best thing possible occurs.

Gerri and Karolina walk up to the group.

At first, Willa thinks her theory is toast. They all greet one another with the kind of cordial professionalism anyone would expect, and Shiv’s reaction to Karolina isn’t anything out of the ordinary. That is until Roman pulls the group into a conversation about how Logan really isn’t going to like the menu and wants, “to know who’s going to break the news to the kitchen staff that they have just over an hour to source a cod from Massachusetts itself or face getting a review that will surely destroy their yearly earnings for at least three more event seasons,” and Shiv, under the impression that nobody is paying attention, takes the opportunity to whisper something in Karolina’s ear.

Willa watches as Shiv’s hand meets the small of Karolina’s back while they catch up, and Willa immediately tugs on Connor, nodding slightly in their direction. He’s confused at first, and Willa, not wanting to cause a scene, first tries pulling a face, and upon an unsuccessful charade, spells it out for Connor quietly in his ear.

“That’s?” he whispers back, and Willa nods, downing a sip of champagne in excitement.

“Wow,” Connor says out loud, and Willa winces as the entire group looks at him.

“What is it?” Kendall asks, and Connor flounders with a series of sounds that could possibly count as English, Willa immediately jumping in over him.

“It’s just, so sad…that Logan might have to eat…salmon,” Willa says, internally cringing at the save, but grateful that none of them think highly enough of her to see it as anything out of the ordinary.

“It’s devastating,” Gerri deadpans. “Come on, boys. Let’s go save the day.”

Gerri stalks off, herding Roman and Kendall like two little ducklings who have no choice but to follow the leader, and it leaves Willa and Connor with Shiv and Karolina.

“I’m going to get a drink,” Karolina says to Shiv. “Do you want anything?”

“Uh, I’ll meet you at the bar,” Shiv says, and her eyebrows raise, a silent communication between the two women that Willa isn’t supposed to be privy to. She lets Shiv and Connor catch up, not missing the way Shiv’s eyes flicker in the direction of the bar area every thirty seconds or so, and after the fourth time Willa tugs on Connor’s jacket discreetly, it taking everything in her not to fucking spit out her champagne at the way he decides to close the conversation.

“You know, Shiv, it’s perfectly natural to experience a broader emotional undertaking as you continue to age,” Connor says. “I mean, sometimes I look at Tom Brady…and I wonder.”

Shiv, rightfully confused, looks to Willa for clarity, and Willa can only offer a sympathetic smile as they lock eyes.

“Great, Connor,” Shiv says. “Thank you, for…sharing.”

“Of course, honey,” Connor says. “Enjoy the party.”

Shiv walks away, and Willa has half a mind to tail her just for the entertainment of it all, but she figures Shiv is owed some privacy, not that she and Karolina are doing an exceptional job at hiding whatever it is that they have going on.

“Was that too obvious?” Connor asks, worry lines on his face. Willa can’t help it as she looks in Shiv’s direction one more time, spotting her and Karolina by the bar, clearly enraptured with one another.

“No, Con,” she says. “That was perfect.”

 

i.

Karolina notices two things as she walks into her apartment. Shiv Roy looks exceptionally beautiful under the soft light of dawn, and Karolina’s feet fucking hurt. She sighs in relief as she sits down on her couch, undoing the heel straps that had been cutting into her ankles all night. Shiv follows suit, looking tired, flushed, and still slightly giggly from a terrible story Karolina had told her about a college bet and a game of darts, and Karolina leans back into the couch, unable to take her eyes off of Shiv.

“It’s late,” Karolina says, though the words don’t really go anywhere. They hang, with no meaning behind them.

“So?” Shiv asks, because she knows they’re empty too. Karolina, always searching for reasons.

“The late nights—I’ve been slacking off at work,” Karolina says. “People are starting to notice.”

People, meaning Gerri, but she’s the worst person of all to have on your ass. Shiv frowns slightly, her gaze concerned.

“If helping me is too much…” Shiv says, trailing off. Her hand rests in the empty space between them, extended, but not making contact. “I’ll be fine, Karolina. It’s not my first rodeo.”

“No, I know,” Karolina says, her hand itching to meet Shiv’s in the middle. “I don’t mind it. I just need to stay focused on my own work as well.”

And it’s hard, when Shiv is in her apartment. When Shiv is in her office. When Shiv is Shiv. And Karolina is Karolina.

“Okay,” Shiv says, her head nodding in support. “Care to explain why this is important for me to know on a Saturday night, though?”

“Maybe it’s a sort of preamble?” Karolina says.

“To?”

Karolina sucks in a nervous breath. “Have you noticed people—acting funny?”

Shiv looks away momentarily, lightly shrugging.

“Maybe,” she says, but then her eyes return to Karolina’s, narrowing. “Why, is something going on?”

“I mean, is there, Shiv?” Karolina asks. “It’s three in the morning and you’re in my apartment. For the third time this week.”

Shiv, to her credit, just looks deeply confused.

“If you want me to leave, I can,” she says, and it’s that moment that Karolina finally grabs her hand. They both look down as she does.

“No,” she says. “No, I—I don’t want you to leave, Shiv. That’s the thing. I’d really like it if you stayed, but—”

“But?” Shiv’s eyes are still on their hands, making no move to separate.

“But,” Karolina says, steadying herself. “Are we—I mean, what are we doing, Shiv?”

“We’re sitting on your couch,” Shiv says, and Karolina moves closer.

“You know that’s not what I meant.”

Shiv pauses, searching Karolina’s eyes for something to latch onto. “What do you want to be doing?” Shiv asks.

Karolina considers all of the options before her. She could choose a distant friendship, or a professional mentorship. She could choose nothing, and effectively ice Shiv out, or, she could choose honesty. Choose the thing that snuck up on her. The thing she should’ve known all along.

“I want to kiss you,” Karolina admits, and she holds her breath as she waits for Shiv’s response.

“Then kiss me.”

 

vi.

“It’s disgusting,” Roman says, leaning against the wall. His eyes are scanning the room of the party, just a little New Year get-together for Royco & family, Gerri beside him, sipping a martini.

“What is?” Gerri asks.

“How nice she makes Shiv,” Roman says. Gerri follows his eyes, landing on the couple across the room, Shiv and Karolina attached at the hip. Karolina laughs animatedly at something someone in the group has said, and Shiv watches her with an adoring expression, her hand rubbing along the top of Karolina’s back before it settles around Karolina’s waist.

“They’re happy,” Gerri says, like it explains anything at all. Roman thinks it doesn’t make it any less gross.

“They sent me and Tabs an anniversary bouquet,” Roman says. “Shiv doesn’t even send me a card on my birthday.”

“Shouldn’t that be a good thing?” Gerri asks, and Roman immediately shakes his head.

“Karolina’s making her a softy,” Roman says, eyeing Gerri as she laughs.

“Karolina, making Shiv a softy?” Gerri says. “Shiv’s making Karolina a softy.”

“What?” Roman says. “Shiv doesn’t have a soft bone in her body. She’s quite literally physically incapable of being soft, yet somehow Karolina has done it.”

“And Karolina wouldn’t know soft if it hit her like a stone,” Gerri says. “She used to eat interns for lunch, and now she lets them hide in her office when they cry.”

Roman looks at Gerri, her own softness still up for question, and she pulls a face.

“What?”

“Are we bitter?” Roman asks.

Gerri sips her martini thoughtfully. “I’m not bitter. I’m happy for them.”

“Right,” Roman says. “And Dad’s signing over the entire company to me tomorrow.”

Gerri rolls her eyes. It hurts him that she has such little faith in his aptitude.

“In any case,” Gerri sighs, “it’s just a honeymoon phase. It’ll pass.”

“It’s been eight months,” Roman says, head still turned in Gerri’s direction. She shrugs and then stands up straighter.

“Don’t look now,” she says, and Roman does look, Shiv and Karolina headed right in their direction.

“Speak of the devil,” Roman says as the pair arrives in front of them.

“Good things?” Shiv asks, and Roman smiles.

“You know me, sis. I just love waxing about your achievements.”

“I bet,” Shiv says, smiling in return, and then her aim switches to Gerri. “Speaking of achievements, Gerri, I owe a favor to someone begging for an introduction. Can I have five minutes?”

Gerri quirks an eyebrow at Karolina, and Karolina nods as if to say, humor her, and while Roman wishes Karolina would just say it out loud, Gerri gives in easily enough. “Lead the way.” Jesus Christ. Gerri’s a fucking softy too.

Shiv squeezes Karolina’s arm before she goes off with Gerri, and Roman has to hold back a gag as they speak with their eyes, Karolina’s gaze not leaving Shiv as she takes Gerri’s place against the wall. This should be fun.

“Where’s Tabitha?” Karolina asks.

“Showing face at her family’s event,” Roman says. “They’re a bunch of centrists who parade around as progressives. Think the ATN clan is beneath her.”

Karolina nods, apparently all out of small talk apart from that one question, and Roman wishes he had any excuse to leave the spot he’s been glued to. The air is much too awkward for his liking, so he attempts to fill the silence.

“Thanks for the flowers,” he says.

“It was Shiv’s idea,” Karolina says, and Roman doesn’t think he’s ever turned his head to look at someone else so quickly before.

What?

“Okay,” he says, unable to stop a laugh from escaping him, “what have you done with the real Shiv? Is she locked in your basement somewhere? Did you replace her with some Brooklynite who fits your lesbian agenda?”

Karolina scoffs, though if he were looking closely, he’d swear she seems vaguely amused. “It was just a gesture, Roman.”

He shakes his head. Shiv doesn’t do gestures unless they’re violent and skin-breaking.

“You’re ruining her.”

“I’m ruining her,” Karolina laughs. “She was right. We should’ve sent a free session of sex therapy.”

Roman’s glass pauses at his lips. If Karolina wants to get dirty, well, Roman would love to test out how much of a softy she is.

“If anyone needs sex therapy, it’s Shiv,” Roman says. “Did she tell you her body count? It’s in the hundreds. Truly tainted, I mean, I’m surprised you’re even with her. Unless, you know—is that something people your age are still interested in?”

Karolina, interestingly, doesn’t seem phased. Maybe a little surprised, but unflinching in a way that Roman hadn’t expected. Maybe this will be fun.

“Do you ever think of anything other than your sister having sex?”

“It’s a little hard not to when you’re constantly shoving it in our faces,” Roman says. “I mean, seriously, I’m worried I’m going to get conjunctivitis from all of the secondhand eyefucking.”

“So, to be clear, you’re admitting that you purposefully watch us eyefuck long enough to receive an infection?”

“I’m saying you’re gross,” Roman huffs. “And you’re making my sister gloopy. Pulpous and squishy like a marshmallow.”

“Okay, Roman,” Karolina laughs to herself, and he can’t stand the sound of her perceived victory.

“Can you two even kiss when you get married?” he asks. “There are going to be children around, you know. Ideally, they shouldn’t find out about lesbian porn until at least middle school.”

He expects a comeback quickly, her wit proven to be able to keep up with his own, and he almost thinks he’s finally won when she speaks up.

“You think she’d marry me?” Karolina asks, voice quiet, the sharpness gone.

Roman sighs, swirling his drink around in his glass.

“I mean, you’re no grand prize, but—whatever. She’s, like, happier with you, I guess,” Roman says. “And I’ve never seen her willingly eyefuck someone for this long in a room full of strangers, so. Maybe you’re the real deal. Who knows.”

He avoids Karolina’s gaze and attempts to wash away his momentary lapse of sincerity with what’s left in his glass, silently praying for Gerri to return to put him out of his misery for once and for all. He seems to be in luck, though, because Karolina’s phone dings, and when Roman sneaks a look, it’s Dad’s name on the ID, a call she can’t ignore.

“Is there anyone in this family who doesn’t have you completely whipped?” Roman asks.

Karolina looks at him.

“I mean, you can keep dreaming, Roman,” Karolina says. “I know you like to do that.”

She smiles, and then walks off, leaving Roman alone on the wall.

Fine. Maybe it’s not Karolina who’s soft.

#soft girls being soft and in love and soft #roman can cope<333 #shivlina #shivlina fic #shiv roy x karolina novotney #succession fic #duskfalls