#UNTIL LUCIA WOKE UP

[mj0702]

The other Bronze – Part 2

For my Bubs and @cyclingbigirl who demanded a part 2

Keira woke the next morning, you draped half over her body. Your right leg was across her lower half, your face was laying on her shoulders, your right arm was over her chest, gripping onto Keiras left sleeve. As carefully as she could, she fished her phone, making a selfie of you and her. She saw that she had 6 unread messages from Lucy, asking about her little sister and if everything was alright. The last message not even 15 Minutes old, so Keira decided to just respond with the picture. A minute later her phone vibrated again

Lucy: “Someone is cuddley”

Keira chuckled and texted back “Aren't all Bronzes cuddley around me?”

Lucy: “My Brother too, Keira?! Seriously? Don't you have any shame?”

Keira: “Maybe ;)”

Lucy: “Kinda disturbing, but whatever... she okay? You okay?”

Keira: “She misses you – a lot... just a fair warning.. she's not to keen on Ona, so keep their time spent together to a minimum in the beginning”

Lucy: “She doesn't even know Ona... what is her fucking Problem?”

Keira: “Language, Lucia... she doesn't really have a Problem. You know she always struggled with Change – she feels guilty for our breakup and just needs time to get used to you dating again”

Lucy: “I'm sorry... not only for the swearing – I think I didn't realized just how much it affected her... still affects her... thank you for watching out for her too, Kei... it really means the world to me”

Keira: “No need to thank me, Lucy... you know I love her just as much – so... brunch?”

Lucy: “You think you can get her up and presentable in an hour?”

Keira: “Oh please – I tell you the same as her yesterday... I'm not you – I'm not a push-over”

Lucy: “Oi!! I'm not a push-over”

Keira: “With her you always were... and still are”

Lucy: “One Hour starts now, Walsh... tick tock”

Keira laughed lightly, not even bother to respond, before she started to softly stroke over the younger Bronzes face.

“Wakey wakey” she whispered in your ear. Your nose scrunched up and you pressed your Face deeper into Keiras shoulder.

“Come on, Bitsy.. time for brunch” the older Woman said smiling, knowing that the promise of Food always gets the Bronze women going. Food and Caffeine. Your nose scrunched up again, but at least your head moves a little bit, looking sleepily at Keira.

“Breakfast?” you ask, your Voice thick with sleep.

“As soon as you up, showered and presentable” the older woman smiled.

“Noooo...” you whined sleepily, your head laying back on her shoulder.

“Yes” she said in the same tone as you “Your sister said you won't be presentable in an Hour... you really want to prove her right??”

Keira also knew, like the whole world does that the Bronze Family was highly competitive. You were up in a flash and a minute later Keira heard the Shower going. The older Woman laughed loudly, standing up herself, walking into the Kitchen starting on the Coffee.

15 Minutes later the youngest Bronze emerged from the Bathroom just covered in a Towel “Kei?? Clothes? Please?”

“I bet your Sister would be so happy to see you parading through town just covered by a short Towel ” Keira laughed “Here” she pushed a cup of Coffee in your Hands before walking back to her Bedroom looking for some Clothes.

She came back with a white T-shirt and some of her kit shorts “Up to wear my number for a change?” She smirked at you.

“Replacing the old Bronze with the newer, younger, sexier Model, are we?” you smirk back, but grab the offered shorts nonetheless.

45 Minutes later, Keira and y/n stood outside the little Place, Alexia mentioned the other day, waiting for the Rest of the Girls to arrive.

“Gosh she got so slow since she hit the 30” you rolled her eyes as your Sister obviously was late. Keira burst out laughing next to you.

“I don't think it has anything to do with her age...” she smirked, waiting for you to catch on. You look at her confused, until you realized what she implied, gagging loudly. The older woman laughing again loudly.

“You're her ex, you shouldn't talk about her having sex so easily... especially NOT with me” you gagged again.

“Who's having Sex?” a voice behind you asked, startling you.

“Speak of the Devil” you mumbled before turning around, your facial expression neutral “You're glowing... disgusting”

“Excuse me?” your Sister taken aback by your “greeting”

Keira just keeps on laughing, her hands on her sides, as she bends over trying to control herself. “You heard me, Arse Biscuits” you grumbled.

“Oi” your Sister said upset, taking a step towards you “watch your gob, wee shite”

Keira sensed that the two of you start to push each other so she interfered, knowing Ona – who arrived with your Sister – didn't know how to handle the two of you in situations like this.

“Both of you... take a step back” Keira said sharply. You and your Sister not reacting, staring at each other. You were so close to each other that your noses were nearly touching - Keira firmly said “Now!”

Lucy and you snapped out of it and you both took a step backwards. Keira looked at Ona, who stood there with a shocked Face “Don't worry... normal sibling behaviour between them – you just need to know when to intervene. And you need to be strict about it, because they're both hot headed and stubborn” she smiled.

“Okay” Ona said, her voice unsure, looking from Lucy to you and back.

“You'll get used to it” Keira chuckled and patted Onas back.

“You calm again?” Keira asked the two Bronze sisters

“Yes” both of them mumbled ashamed

“Good... then let's go inside, I need something to eat” Keira said, leading the Way.

Just as you all sat down, Mapí, Alexia, Ingrid, Patri and Pina joined the Group, all squishing themselves around the small table. Since the table was originally for four People and now there are nine, you got shoved around until you ended up getting placed on Lucys lap by Mapí, claiming she reserved the seat you were sitting on before you even arrived.

Lucy tried to shove you off her lap just for you to look at her with puppy eyes holding onto her shoulder “There no seats left”. Your Sister groaned, but laid her arm around your back

“The things I let you do” she rolled her eyes, but you could see a smile tugging at the corner of her Mouth.

“Love you too, Luce” you mumbled quietly

She squeezed your Side lovingly, before joining the Conversation at the Table, while you just looked around the small Place, taking in the Atmosphere – the Conversation was in Spanish anyway, so it was not like you could follow it.

“Cariño?” Alexia looked at you expectantly as you looked at her confused.

“Yes?”

“Did you hear what I said?” the Barca captain looked amused

“No?” you admitted ashamed.

Alexia laughed before repeating her question “I asked for how long you're staying”.

“Oh... Mum said I can stay until Lucy gets tired of me...” you shrugged your Shoulders

Your Sister grabbed her Phone grinning “Wait, let me get an Uber for you”

“KEIRAAAA!!!” you yelled down the Table “LUCY IS MEAN AGAIN!!!!”

“Lucy!!” Keira scolded your Sister.

Lucy looked at you “You little backstabbing...”

Before she was able to finish you grinned wickedly, shouting again “KEIRA!!! She's calling me bad names”

“LUCIA!” Keira warned and Lucy knew it's getting to a point were she was in serious trouble.

“I didn't do anything!!!!” she defended herself annoyed.

Alexia just starred at the two of you, as you wore a shit eating grin your Sister looking like a kicked puppy, Mapí high-fiving you over Ingrid.

“You two are really children, aren't you?” the Barca captain asked amused.

“She brings out the worst in me” you grinned, taking your Sisters head into a headlock “Noogie!!” you laughed.

Lucy hugged your stomach, standing up, lifting you in Process, swearing at you, while you locking your legs around her waist. You didn't let go of her Head, laughing loudly as Lucy began to spin herself to get rid of you.

Meanwhile, Keira rolled her Eyes then looked at Ona “Now you should interfere... otherwise they will take the whole place down rough housing”

Ona looked at her shocked “Me?”

Keira grinned “Yeah you... they're your Problem now... welcome to the Bronze Family”

Mapí started to cheer you on while Ingrid tried to keep her in her seat so she wouldn't jump on Lucy to help you win. Ona tried to get your and Lucys attention, but it was no use, since she was still to reserved about you. Lucy managed to get you to let go of her, now having you in a light headlock. “Dear bloody Christ” Keira swore under her breath, turning to Ona “Watch and learn”

The Englishwoman stood up, walked over to the wrestling pair of Sisters and just grabbed both of you by the Ear before dragging you outside. Both of you stumble after Keira begging her to let go, but in secret you knew better that your plea would fall on deaf ears. Keira lead you outside the small restaurant, coming to a scattered halt outside.

“Are you two actually completely bloody mad??” she scolded the Sisters

“Sorry” you mumble and looked to the ground embarrassed

“You're going to be sorry, y/n Bronze... Mapí won't be the only one doing laps today” Keira said angry before turning to Lucy “And you... don't encourage her behaviour... you're the older one – you should be the grown up”.

Lucy looked guilty and started do fiddle with her fingers “I know... but she started it”

“Did NOT” you immediately exclaimed.

“Quiet.. both of you” Keira said sternly “I don't care who started it... we're in public.. what if Fans take pictures or god forbid a Video... and just as a small information, Lucia... Your new Girlfriend is very taken aback of your behaviour right now... I mean I knew what I was getting into when we started dating. I knew the two of you beforehand and knew your Actions, but she doesn't... I know you genuinely love each other and it's your weird language of love rough housing around, throwing insults at each other, but Ona can't understand it.. so either both of you pull yourself together OR I'm going to make sure the two of you will only have supervised visits – supervised by me”.

Both of you looked very guilty, not knowing what to say.

“Are we clear?” Keira hissed out at your silence.

“Crystal” Lucy and you said simultaneously.

“Good” the other Woman nodded.

“Do I really need to run laps?” you asked carefully, shuffling your feet.

“Yes” Keira said strict “But don't worry, you'll be in good company... Mapí and your Sister will join you”

“I'm doing what?” Lucy looking at Keira confused.

“You really didn't think that I punish her and you'd walk, did you?” Keira raised an eyebrow.

“You can't make me do Laps” Lucy said.

“True.. I can't.. but Alexia can and I'm VERY certain that she's on my side this Time” Keira smirked wickedly, before rentering the small Restaurant.

You looked at your Sister “How fucked are we?”

“Very...” Lucy sighed out “When she really involves Ale, than we're very VERY fucked”

“We could bolt?” you suggested

“You can... I need to be at Training at 3pm... it's my Job” your Sister shrugged “I can say you just bolted, when I didn't look”

“Naah” you smiled “We survived angry Keira before... Tobronzher”

Your sister laughed “Still the most stupid word you ever came up with... it sounds nothing like together”

“You still understood” you shrugged your shoulders

“I should talk to Ona” Lucy said contemplative.

“I really didn't want to cause trouble Luce” you said apologetically

“I know... and you didn't really.. I should have talked to her beforehand... our bond is special and Keira was right... she doesn't know how the two of us work...” your Sister said encouraging. You just hummed.

“Why don't you like her?” Lucy asked softly.

“I don't know her...” you said reflecting “... so I don't know if I like her or not”.

“You didn't even gave her a Chance” your Sister said, but it wasn't accusing or angry – it was simply a fact.

“When Luce? When did I had a chance to get to know her? Yesterday when I walked in on you? Or yesterday evening, when we sat like... 15 Minutes at the same Table, where you choose to drift off to your own World with her, which is okay, really.... or today, where we sat like half an hour together and all of you started speaking Spanish – even you – and I starred at the Wall? You didn't really put up an effort to introduce us too, Luce... you called me Devils Spawn the first Time we met... probably freaked her out” you said, shrugging your Shoulders sadly.

Lucy realized that you were right “I'm sorry.. I'm sorry for not realizing how stupid I acted.... I'm going to make it up to you, I promise”

“I'm not the one you have to make up anything... I know you my whole life... I know you... but you should probably talk to her” you said.

“Dinner tonight... only the three of us?” your Sister asked hopefully.

“You... should talk to her first... if that's okay for her” you said carefully.

“I know I’m going to sound like an egotistical asshole in a second, but... you're my SISTER... you will always come first...” your Sister said and pulled you into a tight hug.

You hugged her back and mumbled into her shoulder “But she's your girlfriend...”

“She is... but your feelings will always be important to me... so if she says no, which she won't, I know she won't, than that's one thing... but if YOU say no... than that would really hurt” Lucy said, not letting go of you.

“I'm not saying no... but.. I need time?” you said carefully “I need time to process the whole situation...”

“That's okay... you want me to talk to Keira if you can stay at hers? Or maybe Alexia” your Sister offered.

“I'm not staying with the Scary Woman” you exclaimed shocked.

Lucy laughed out loudly “She's a big softie... she acts all scary when she's mad or on the pitch... but in private... mushball... oh... and she has a girlfriend, so you don't have to be scared she would take advantage of you... you will leave Barcelona still a virgin...”

“Oh please... THAT ship sunk long time ago” you mumbled and rolled your Eyes.

“EXCUSE ME??” your Sister screeched out surprised.

“Nothing” you answer quickly and try to push passed her.

Lucy grabbed your Arm, making you look at her “Who? When? Where? Why?”.

You knew it was no use in lying, so you answered reluctantly “Won't tell you... my Birthday... very classical in a bed... because it felt right?”.

Lucy pinched the bridge of her nose “Please tell me you were careful, used protection and you're definitely not pregnant”.

You looked at her with a shocked impression, before recovering “This... Person... wasn't... a dude?” you said carefully, not knowing how your Sister would react.

“A girl?” Lucy asked surprised. You nodded, but didn't meet her eye. “Hey” Lucy grabbed your chin gently and make you look at her “it's okay.. I mean... I'm gay... Publicly gay”

“I just... never told anyone” you mumbled ashamed.

“I feel honoured you told me, Bubs... did she... look after you?” your Sister asked carefully, knowing this wasn't really a Topic you should discuss in Public.

“Still is...” you admitted softly, started to play with the hem of Keiras shorts, a soft blush covering your cheeks.

“Good...” your Sister said, hugging you again before pulling back looking at you shocked “Oh my God... it wasn't Keira, was it??”

“What?” you looked at her confused

“Was it Keira?! The one who... you know”

“Oh my bloody God NO... god you're disgusting! NO!! That's wrong on SO many levels” you exclaim shocked.

“I KNOW it would be wrong... Just the way you said that the person was still taking care of you and you started to play with your shorts, which are actually Kei's shorts... so...” your Sister stuttered.

“Did you actually just listened to yourself?! I wear Keiras shorts, because I slept AT hers with my clothes still at your place...”

“Oh god... that was like a major shocking confusion just now... We should go eat something” your sister sighed out relived.

“You better not bring that up again.. that was just SO wrong” you shake your head.

“Do I know this person?” Lucy smirked as she held the door open for you

“Drop it, Lucia” you said annoyed but with a smile on your face

“So that's a Yes then” she grinned back at you, walking inside after you

“I said drop it... I won't tell you” you smirked

The two of you made your way back inside, immediately getting spotted by Keira, Alexia and Ona. You just sat down, you on Lucys Lap again and started to grab some Breakfast stuff. Keira smiled slightly before returning to eat her Cereal with Yoghurt and Fruit, while Alexia and Ona look at you baffled.

“What happened with the two of you?” Alexia asked confused

“What do you mean?” you mumble, chewing on a piece of Toast with tomato on it which your Sister offered you

“Stop talking with your mouth full, Y/n” Keira scolded you

“Like.. 10 minutes ago, you were basically pulling each others hair, nearly biting and now you're sitting here like nothing happened” Mapí looked at you puzzled.

“That... was 10 minutes ago?” you answered and looked like you didn't see a problem

“Again... welcome to the Bronze Family” Keira smiled at the Spaniards “One moment they're at each others throats, next they share food”

“You know what their problem is?” you ask your Sister confused

“No... on the other Hand I don't care” she shrugged her shoulders, pushing more food in front of you while eating the slightly healthier version of brunch.

After all of you finished your food you left the small restaurant all walking roughly in the same direction before it was time to go separate ways.

“See you later” Alexia said smiling before turning to Mapí “Want to run your laps before or after training?”

“You were serious about that?” the younger player exclaimed, her eyes growing big.

“When did I ever joked about you doing laps?” Alexia said, pulling an eyebrow up

“After, if that's okay” Mapí mumbled defeated, her head hung low

“Don't worry, Mapí... you won't be alone... Lucy and Y/n will join you” Keira smiled wickedly

“I think it's a little unfair that young, unfit1 me needs to keep up with world class players... Lucy can do my laps too...” you said innocently

“Nice try” Keira looked at you impressed “But no”

“Aaaawww maaaan” you groaned out

“If I need to run, you will too” your Sister growled

“Then it's settled” Alexia said grinning “The three of you, laps after training”

Lucy, Ona and you started to walk in the direction of Lucys apartment as you nudged her side

“Why do we want to run after training? Isn't it counterproductive to run when you're already tired and sweaty?”

“Theoretically it is a bad decision, because we’re already tired.... practically... we can use it as part of recovery AND it's a little cooler later in the afternoon...” your sister explained, while smiling slightly.

“Ah...” you say understanding “And how many laps do we need to run?”

Lucy started laughing “If Alexia is gracious maybe five”

“WHAT? FIVE?” you shriek and look at your sister shocked, which caused even Ona to chuckle

“Bubs... Alexia can make Mapí and I run... she can't make you run” Lucy winked at you

“Then why am I running laps with you and Mapí?” you looked at her like she’s growing a second head.

“Because you pissed off Keira?!” your Sister provided an answer

“Ah... yeah... I forgot about that” you said defeated

As you arrived the apartment, Ona wanted to say goodbye but got pulled inside by Lucy while you make your way to the kitchen.

“We need to talk” Lucy mumbled to her girlfriend

“¿Estás rompiendo conmigo?” Ona said sadly

“¿qué? no claro que no!!!” Lucy exclaimed shocked

Ona just shrugged her shoulders and looked up at Lucy sadly. Lucy took a step closer to the younger catalan woman taking her face in her hands.

“¿Por qué crees que rompería contigo?” your sister asked her girlfriend softly

“Necesitamos hablar suele ser un paso muerto” Ona said a little unsure

“I don't understand anything... could you please switch to english??” you yelled from the kitchen, where you prepared yourself a sandwich

“This is a PRIVATE conversation...” your Sister yelled back “... so get lost”

“Then don't hold your PRIVATE conversation in an open space like the living room, which is right next to the kitchen... your apartment ist very open” you answered, gesturing around the apartment.

“Are you seriously eating again?? We just had breakfast” Lucy exclaimed as she saw the sandwich “... and I told you to get lost, I want to talk to Ona... privatly”

“It's not like I understand anything” you rolled your eyes

“Los dejo a ustedes dos... No quiero entrometerme” Ona said quietly

“No te quedes... por favor” Lucy said a little desperate “Ignórala... lo siento, puedo enviarla a su habitación si te hace sentir incómodo”

“No, you should enjoy your time with your sister” Ona smiled but her eyes show sadness

“Thank you” you said, chewing on your sandwich, completely oblivious to what’s happening.

“I told you to get lost” Lucy growled at you and you noticed it was serious

“I don't know where to go... you never showed me around” you said annoyed

“Here” your sister reached into her pants pocket, pulling out some money “Here are 20 Euros, find the next Starbucks and buy yourself an Iced Chocolate Frappe... or something else without caffein... just PLEASE leave”

“Wow you really love me” you said sarcastic “It feels like I'm 13 all over and you wanted me out of the House so you can have “quality time” with Keira”

“I want you out of my apartment, because I need to speak to my girlfriend in private and you eating like harvester doesn't help... take your phone with you, god only knows Mum will kill me if you get lost in Barcelona because you took a wrong turn and ended up in La Mina – IF you get lost or need to get picked up, phone me.. or Keira! Be aware of pick pockers and don't interact with groups of spanish guys... DON'T GET KILLED” your Sister said, already pushing you towards the front door and outside

“I... hey...” you tried to protest but it was no use, since you found yourself already outside of the apartment

“Lucy... I need SHOES” you knocked hard on the door, which promptly opend and a pair of shoes were tossed outside.

Part 3 is in the making 😅

#mapi leon x reader #woso image #keira walsh x reader #lucy bronze x reader #lucy bronze #alexia putellas x reader #ona batlle

[httpsdana]

Hey! Have you thought about writing for hector fort.

Him and his girlfriend are cuddeling and she starts tracing his tattoo. Just a cute moment with him enjoying the feeling. You could make them talk about their future together or something.

Feel free to ignore!

Tattoos~Hector Fort

*GIF isn't mine. credits to the owner*

I decided to write this hector fic then start with the series. I got a few ideas but I'm still not sure who it will be about. enjoy this <3

@hectorth wrote something similar before me go check it out too 🫶🏻🫶🏻

you can request from my prompt list

this is my master list

player/drivers I write for

Hector had a day off before going back to training, so he took this as a chance to sleep in while settling in the arms of his girlfriend. However, she had other plans. She was an early bird, waking up by 8 in the morning. If she tried to move, Hector would wake up, and that's the last thing she wanted to do.

She turned in Hector's arms, resting his head on her chest and an arm draped over her waist. Sitting there for a few moments she got bored quickly. If she tries to reach over to her phone Hector will wake up.

Subconsciously, her fingers started tracing the tattoo which she adored oh so much on Hector's arm. Her fingertips moving softly on the ink on his skin. The small gesture made Hector stir a bit in his sleep. She didn't stop though. Her fingertips kept dancing on his skin until he opened his eyes and looked up at her.

"mhm buenos dias amor" he mumbled, his voice deep from the slumber he woke up from

"good morning baby" she said back, pressing a small kiss in his curls.

"how long have you been awake, why didn't you wake me up?" he asked her, sitting up a bit.

"you needed this sleep I didn't wanna disturb" she ran one hand through his curls, the other one still on his tattoos

"don't be silly, wake me up next time" he said, resting his head back on her chest

"you know I'm gonna add a tattoo for you" he said. y/n smiled and looked down at hi

"will you?" she asked, failing to hide her huge smile

"of course, and when we have kids I'll add a tattoo for them too" he looked up at her with a smile

she slapped his head gently in a joking manner, trying to hide her blushed cheeks. He chuckled softly at her actions

"I see you already planned our future have you?" she asked with sarcasm, a smile still on her face

'of course, I even planned the names of our kids, and the wedding and our house. don't worry everything is planned out" he said

y/n laughed and shook her head at him.

"tell me your plans" she urged him to speak

"well first of all if we have a girl she'll be called Lucia Alexia Fort. how does that sound?" he looked up, an excited smile on his face. Her heart melted and the joy and excitement on his face. She leaned down and pecked his lips a few times

"I like it, Lucia is such a cute name, why Alexia though?" she asked

"well just because she's a girl doesn't mean she's not gonna be playing football. Alexia just a motivation for her to be like Alexia Putellas" he said. y/n pouted at his explanation, realizing how lucky she got with her boyfriend

"aww you're so cute...I assume the boy's middle name will be Lionel right?" she asked, Hector sat up immediately and nodded his head

"yes! I'm not sure about the first name but Lionel is definitely there" he said, a wide smile spread on his face

y/n sat there, admiring how passionately Hector spoke about their future together. He kept talking about their wedding and house, while she admired every single feature in his face

"i love you" she interrupted him, making him raise his eyebrows, blood rushing into his cheeks. He dropped down on her chest, hiding his red face from her. She giggled softly, kissing the top of his head

"i love you too" he mumbled into her chest, refusing to look up at her

#football #football blurb #football imagine #football one shot #football x reader #footballer imagine #barcelona #fc barça #fc barcelona #fc barca #barca fc #barca #hector fort fanfic #hector fort imagines #hector fort imagine #hector fort x reader #hector fort x you #hector fort x y/n #hector fort oneshots #hector fort fluff #hector fort fic #hector fort #la masia #lionel messi #alexia putellas

[jaegeraether]

Sunsets and footballers (Part 28)

Lucy Bronze x Reader (26) & Alexia Putellas x Character (3)

Masterlist (other parts here)

There were many pictures of Lucy all over the internet, but in reality, she rarely took photos of herself. Usually, they were for an Instagram update or for family, and now, morning selfies for YFN. Lucy was still smiling when she woke after her spontaneous late night phone sex with her little Australian, and it was a first for Lucy. She’d never dated anyone comfortable enough to do that. And beyond all of that, somehow Lucy had managed to orgasm by just hearing her, watching her… god, the way her excited nipples looked, the arch in her back, the stifled whimpering so Jordan wouldn’t hear. Lucy was tempted to find a late flight to Birmingham just to spend that night. She gave a teasing smile as she took a sleepy selfie from her bed, glasses on, cuddling Narla and giving a look she knew would get her girlfriend’s attention.

Lucy: Selfie to start your day. Good morning, little one x

Lucy was still a little disheartened about the airport, however the phone sex had put a little of her disappointment to bed. YFN just wasn’t ready to say it or accept it yet, and although Lucy didn’t understand it, she would try to.

As usual, Lucy picked up Ona and drove them to training. It just made sense, and it gave her some company in the Spanish city where she didn't fully speak the language.

“Do you want me to drive us this week?” Ona asked in broken English. It was still better than most of the players on the team. “Because of your knee?” She reached over and gave Lucy’s knee a little squeeze.

Lucy shied away from her touch for many reasons. One being that she didn't like being touched. Another being that she didn’t want Ona to get the wrong impression. Lucy had never liked being touched or hugged, unless it was from close friends or at specific moments. Jordan, for example. Jordan was always so affectionate with her thigh squeezes and kisses on the forehead when you did something right. She could handle that in moderation, yet she reserved her closest needs and affection for herself. That is, until she’d met YFN. For some odd reason, Lucy wanted affection from her constantly. It was a need that she was still yet to understand.

“Maybe alternating will be good.” Lucy agreed.

“Alternating?”

“Oh.. me today, you tomorrow, me, you, me…”

“Ahhh.” Ona nodded in understanding and flashed Lucy a smile. “Si, estoy de acuerdo.” Yes, I agree.

They arrived at training and were immediately surrounded by fans with cameras at the entrance. They wanted signatures and selfies, but Lucy never tended to stop on the way in, and always on the way out instead. She’d learnt early in her career to set healthy boundaries with fans. As she drove through the gate she saw someone familiar in the crowd briefly and had to double take, but lost her to the crowd. There were so many regular fans and Lucy would always try to remember the ones who kept coming back, however there were just too many.

“Lucia Roberta, why are you looking anxious?” Alexia asked in Spanish. Lucy knew enough to converse generally, and she was especially used to Alexia not wanting to speak English often.

Lucy worried at her phone, wondering why the day was finishing and she still hadn’t gotten a reply from YFN. She always replied. Was she okay? Her mind went to Kristie and the brick and the blood…

When she didn’t get a response, Alexia sat down next to Lucy. The two weren’t as close as they were with others, but they respected each other. Alexia respected Lucy for her brilliance as a player, and her discipline. Lucy respected Alexia for her skill on the field, and her leadership. Alexia didn’t tend to take bullshit, but she cared deeply. She was always straight forward but looked after her players well. They were similar in a lot of ways, really.

“Lucia?” Alexia asked again in Spanish, looking to her phone. “You’re not usually on your phone.”

“I’m worried about my girlfriend.” She said simply.

Alexia’s eyebrows rose at that. She spoke in broken English now. “Ah, I saw the photos on Instagram. She’s pretty.”

Lucy gave a little chuckle at Alexia’s nicety. “She’s beautiful. Australian.”

“You met her this trip?”

Lucy nodded. “Through Jordan. She’s… really special to me.”

Lucy put her phone down and rested her chin on her knees.

“Why are you worried?”

Lucy sighed and turned her head to look at her hazel eyed Captain who genuinely seemed to care. She didn’t usually open up to anyone, let alone la Reina. But Alexia was showing interest and so Lucy decided to open a little and tell her about Kristie, the messages, the brick.

Alexia looked disgusted. “You can’t…uh…”

“Sue? With lawyers?”

Alexia nodded.

“No.” Lucy said. “I tried that. No witnesses or camera footage. I have restraining orders being drawn up though.”

Funnily enough, Alexia understood that. She’d had a few obsessive fans in her time also, being la Reina.

“She’s not replying… and you’re worried for her?”

Lucy nodded. Alexia put a hand on her back and rubbed it gently. They both were also similar in the fact that they kept physical affection as a rarity for certain people or certain times of need.

“She makes you happy?”

“Yeah.” She admitted huskily. She felt herself getting a little emotional just thinking about her and cleared her throat. Her phone dinged.

YFN: Sorry, busy day.

Lucy knew that was a lie. She always made time for her.

Lucy: I was worried something happened to you. Are you okay?

YFN: I’m fine, Luce. Thanks though.

Lucy found herself a little confused at her messages. She didn’t sound the same.

Lucy: Why do you feel distant suddenly..?

She waited for what felt like an hour, now so invested in her phone that she almost forgot Alexia was right there.

YFN: I think I just need a little bit of space, Luce. I need to get my head together.

Lucy’s heart started pounding. What had happened between last night and now? Was work stressful? Did she realise the distance was going to be an issue? Was the idea of Lucy’s maniac fans finally scaring her away?

Lucy: Is it work? Has it been overwhelming? I can help..

Another pause. Three dots appeared and disappeared.

YFN: No. Work has been great. Exciting. I just need a little space.

Not work. Something worse then. Lucy felt her heart breaking and she was starting to get emotional. She immediately tried to call her. YFN rejected the call.

Alexia must have understood something was happening because she stood, rubbing her back again before Captain Alexia reappeared.

“Remember to go and see the fans when you’re free, Lucia.” She said before she left. It was public training day, and the fans were all lined up in the stands, hugging the barriers begging for autographs and photos. Lucy almost didn’t hear her. Almost.

YFN: Lucy please.

Lucy’s heart broke. Why wasn’t she talking to her? She knew a lot about YFN’s past, but not everything. She understood it was all new to her, and she worried that it was all becoming a little too overwhelming for her.

Lucy: Don’t do this please. We need to go through things together. I know you’re not used to that, but I can help.

Lucy waited another five minutes, chin on her knees and thinking when suddenly she started receiving screenshot after screenshot of messages YFN had been sent. All pictures and videos of Lucy and Ona at the World Cup, during games, during training, outside of football. She gasped. She knew how it looked. Before YFN, Ona had been there for her at the World Cup. She was so grateful to Lucy for getting her from United to Barca, and letting her stay with her for a little while. It wasn’t news to anyone who knew Ona that she was extra affectionate. She loved touches and hugs and kisses, it was just her. And to make matters worse, Lucy had known Ona had liked her for some time. She flirted back sometimes, but that had all been before she’d met YFN. Of course, she had never let it go beyond that as there was eight years and a significant amount of maturity difference, but the attention had been nice after Keira, she was ashamed to admit. Fuck.

YFN: I need space. Please.

YFN: I’ll get my emotions together and then we can talk.

She felt so helpless. Her little Australian having these sent to her all day long. Now everything made sense. If Lucy had been in the same situation, she’d also be unsure and needing time to think.

She fought with herself for a little while trying to decide if she should reply, thinking it may make her look guilty if she didn’t. But she wasn't guilty. And so she didn’t reply just then, not wanting to push YFN away, and respecting her space. She would message her later.

Lucy wiped a tear away as Ona approached. She internally groaned. Perfect.

“Are you okay??” She asked, visibly worried and reaching down to stroke her arm.

Lucy nodded and rolled away from her, standing.

“I’m fine. Just going to the fans.”

Ona followed her to the boundaries where the fans were. She threw her phone on the ground near the fans and worked up the boundary line, taking selfies and signing autographs as per usual, just trying to stay out of reach of Ona. She didn’t want any more photos of them together being taken and misinterpreted before she could talk to YFN. As she was thinking about that, she paused, wondering if one of the fans was the one sending the photos. She gritted her teeth and finishing her signings before she took a wide berth around the Spaniard as she went to pick up her phone from where she threw it, but it was gone. She looked around for a few minutes before she gave up, assuming the security guard had taken it.

Great, just what I need, she thought. Lucy wasn’t worried about the money though, just that she needed to be able to call and text YFN when she was ready. She knew she could do that from her iPad and MacBook at home, and so she caught Ona’s attention and gestured towards the car park.

Ona looked a little unsure as Lucy dropped her off, having picked up on Lucy’s now distant and distracted mood. The car ride was mostly silent beyond some niceties, and the farewell was the same.

“I pick you up tomorrow?” Ona said from outside of the car before she closed the door.

Lucy shook her head. “I have somewhere to be in the morning, so I’ll meet you there.”

Ona looked a little upset but she didn’t push it and nodded, closing the door. Lucy was gone almost immediately after that, getting to her apartment without delay. She found her MacBook first, opening it. No messages from YFN. How long should she wait? Would it be too much for her to message tonight, just hours after she said she needed space? Should she message Jordan? They must have spoken about it.

Lucy thought on it a little longer before she threw her MacBook away and charged her iPad for the next day. She looked down at Narla who was wanting attention which pulled a smile out of her.

“Are you texting on an iPad?” Keira teased.

“Lost my phone.” She replied, fully aware of how ridiculous she looked as she texted Jordan and YFN yet again on her iPad.

“Security?”

“Doesn't have it.”

“Well at least you don’t have it up to your ear for a phone call.” She laughed.

“Done that a few times too. You must have missed it.”

Keira squatted down next to her. They were still close, but Lucy had shut her out of that very close part of her.

“You’ve not been yourself, Luce. She’s still not replying?” Lucy knew she genuinely cared. Keira would always care about her, and she her.

“No. And Jordan isn’t saying much.” She sighed, throwing her iPad to the ground and looking at Keira. “Have I been that bad?”

“Well you are usually happy and smiley ninety-nine percent of the time, so when you’re distracted and grumpy, people can tell.”

Great. Another stress to add. She pinched the bridge of her nose between her fingers. “I’m sorry.”

“No, don’t be. It’s okay, everybody has their off days. You tend to have less than most so I think the girls are mainly just worried about you.”

“I’ll be okay.” There’s that closeness boundary.

Keira looked like she didn’t believe her. “I’m always right here if you need me. And if it makes you feel any better, Alexia is holding the spotlight rather than you. She’s been a lot grumpier than you the past week or so.”

Lucy raised her head. She hadn’t noticed. She’d been so focussed on her own thing. “Oh? What happened?”

“I’m not too sure, most of them have been talking in Spanish but I think it’s about a girl?”

“Not just any girl!” Patri said as she was walking past. She knelt down with a grin. “Alexia has a crush. Big one. She’s been dragging us to a club just to see her.”

“So why is she so grumpy?”

“She disappeared for five months and then reappeared last weekend like everything was okay. Apparently she flirted with Alexia. Now she’s pissed at herself.”

Lucy looked over at Alexia who was smashing the shit out of a punching bag. No one really ever used that punching bag except Lucy, especially not Alexia. And she seemed so… annoyed. How had she been so caught up in her own world that she hadn’t noticed? Alexia had even tried to see if she was okay yesterday, when she herself wasn’t.

“Oh… wow.”

“No one has really been keen to try and talk to her. Mapi got the closest.” Keira said. “We thought she must have said something to you yesterday?”

Lucy shook her head. “No, she was just making sure I was okay.” Typical Alexia, so caring of other people.

“Sunday sure is going to be a fun game with you two so mad.” Patri said cheekily.

Lucy ignored that statement. “I’m going to try and talk to her.”

Lucy grabbed the iPad and stood, walking over to her Captain as the two gave her a nervous good luck. When she got there, she dropped her iPad to the floor and took hold of the punching bag to hold it steady. Alexia caught her eye, her eyebrows were furrowed in obvious annoyance but not at Lucy. She was like that before she arrived. Lucy didn’t say anything, she just held the bag steady as Alexia punched the hell out of it. When she was tired they switched. They didn’t need words. They needed some release.

Their knuckles were sore before their cardio gave out, and so they wordlessly changed to gloves and mitts. Alternating. Lucy had taken up boxing regularly so she guided Alexia through the motions. After a while it was dark, the other girls had gone home, and the two footballers eventually gave in and sat down in a pile of sweat and steam.

“Are you okay?” Alexia eventually asked in Spanish.

Lucy shrugged. She wasn’t and replied in Spanish. “Are you?”

“No.”

“Want to tell me why?”

Alexia sighed. “Did Patri not tell you?”

“Yes, but I was being polite.”

Alexia rolled her eyes and switched to English. “She thinks she can just show up after five months…”

“Have you spoken to her before?”

“A little here and there.”

“So she doesn’t realise that you like her like that? And you’re mad at her?”

Alexia groaned and Lucy had never seen her so frustrated.

“Oh… you’re not mad at her. You’re mad at yourself.”

Alexia put her head in her hands. “She frustrates me.”

“So go and tell her how you feel?”

“Not simple like that. She’s… popular.”

Lucy actually laughed. “Do you forget who you are, la Reina?”

“No I mean… she sleeps with many people.” Alexia’s broken English was always funny for Lucy, though she wasn’t about to tease her on it right now.

“Ah. But maybe you’re the one to end that.” Lucy said cheekily. “Go and see her.”

“I have been back few times this week.. she wasn’t there.”

“Ah.. you feel like she’s making you chase her?”

“Un poco.”

“So… you’re just going to keep being annoyed and scaring your team?”

Alexia looked up a little surprised at that honesty. And then a little upset. She sighed. “I will play Sunday and go back to the bar on the next weekend to talk to her.”

“I think that’s a great decision, capitana. You can use the game Sunday to get a little grumpiness out. I know I will.”

“Si… si. How is that going?”

“Oh so you assume someone told me about your situation, but you don’t think I know someone definitely told you about mine?”

Alexia gave a cheeky smile before it fell. “I’m sorry. People can be so mean. I noticed you stayed away from Ona today. I think it upset her a little..”

“She’ll be fine.”

Alexia nodded. She could be hard like Lucy. “Si. Has she messaged you?”

Lucy reached over and grabbed her iPad. Alexia raised an eyebrow at it but didn’t say anything.

Still no reply from YFN. She groaned out loud and Alexia nodded, knowing she hadn’t. Then a notification caught her attention. They were Instagram posts of Leah and YFN at an event. Her jaw dropped at the sight of her. Her body in that dress. Her beautiful sun-kissed hair done up like that. That little dimply smile. She was happy to see the stitches had been removed, zooming in to see the scar she was left with. Oh, little one. She zoomed back out and noticed Leah then, dressed in a suit and looking great, as usual. Though Lucy felt a twinge of jealously when she saw her hand lightly touching YFN’s back as they took their pictures on the carpet together. Her bare back, as it was backless. She looked at the way her body moved and the beauty of her spine, feeling again jealous but this time because the world could see those little back dimples. Lucy felt like she was in the wrong place. Like she should be standing there next to her, holding her close and making sure she was safe and comfortable and warm.

A few more photos came up then of Leah and YFN sipping champagne and laughing together, lightly touching in some photos. The last one was of YFN standing, gripping Leah’s jacket tight around her as Leah had a hand on her back, presumably making sure she was warm. Lucy’s jaw almost broke from how tight it was locked. She thought she’d managed to control it until she read the caption.

‘Leah Williamson and partner.’

Two things happened almost simultaneously then. First, a snapping sound. Then the pain of glass shards in her left hand.

Lucy and Alexia both stared silently at the iPad snapped in half between Lucy’s hands.

#woso #womens football #woso community #woso fanfics #woso imagine #woso soccer #jordan nobbs #lucy bronze #lucy bronze x reader #engwnt #lionesses #lucy bronze imagine #ona batlle #keira walsh #barcelona femeni #leah williamson #alexia putellas #fc barcelona #fc barca #barca femeni #barca #culers

[vscabarca]

could u do something really angsty with ferran torres

the Ibiza incident - Ferran Torres

summary: Ferran cheats on you during vacation, but tries to fix the mess he made.

genre: angst

warnings: cheating, swearing

a/n: anon you made it really hard to write something angsty about ferran lol, I just see him as fluff in person.

———

Your throat grew tight, your eyes started watering. This couldn’t be true.

You just came home from work, absolutely exhausted, wanting to relax in your shared home when your friend, Lucia, send you a TikTok link.

Not knowing what you were about to see, you opened the link, putting your feet onto the coffee table in the meantime.

It was a video recorded by a random girl, showing a guy a few feet away heavily making out with another woman. At first you didn’t understand why your friend would send you this, not until you looked at the hashtags. #ferrantorres #eltiburon #cheater #y/nandferran

Your heart stopped. Could this man really be your boyfriend of four years? Like hypnotized you rewatched the video about ten times until you finally spotted the tattoo on his upper arm. It really was your boyfriend, sticking his tongue into another girl’s mouth.

Ferran had told you he would go to Ibiza with a few of his friends, just enjoying his freetime. He had actually asked you to tag along, but due to work you couldn’t come with him. You trused him, you always had. There was never a time where you didn’t trust him, your relationship seemed to be healthy until now.

You felt sick, your head was spinning and tears were flowing freely.

"I‘m so sorry, I‘m already on my way.“ Your friend texted. You just laid there on the couch, head in your hands while you sobbed uncontrollably. You didn’t even realize your friend entered the shared apartment, not until she engulfed you in her arms.

„I thought he loved me.“ You sobbed, clinging onto Lucia’s sweater.

„I‘m so sorry Y/n, I don’t know why he would do something like that.“

That night ended in a blurr, you were so tired from all the crying that you just passed out on the couch.

The next morning came crashing down and you woke up to numerous texts and phone calls from Ferran.

„Baby answer me please“

„I know it looks bad but I can explain“

„I love you“

„please don’t ignore me baby“

7 missed calls by fer💕

„I‘m coming home today“

„we can talk things through“

The tears were already welling up in your eyes. How could someone who swore their love for you, who bought you a promise ring, who you experienced every firsts with, just throw all away for some minutes of pleasure? Lucia came with a cup of coffee and helped you calm down again.

„He doesn’t deserve you, you’re too good for him.“

You just sniffled but agreed with what she said.

„How about you spend some time at my place? I‘ll prepare everything and you pack some stuff to take with you, then I‘ll pick you up again.“ She suggested. Lucia really was a lifesaver, you didn’t know what you would’ve done without her.

You broke down again in the bedroom while putting some clothes into a small luggage. All those moments spent here, were it intimate nights, early morning cuddles or just napping together, it felt like your heart was ripped out of your chest once again.

The pictures of you two on the wall didn’t make it any better. Your fingers traced over a selfie of you and Ferran. It had been the night where he asked you to move in with him and of course you said yes.

The door of the bedroom suddenly was pushed open and a distressed Ferran stood in the doorway, the travelbag thrown onto the floor.

„Baby what are you doing?! I can explain.“ He stumbled towards you, but you only backed up, the tears flowing freely again. Was he really thinking you would forget what he had done?

„What the fuck do you think I‘m doing?! Why Ferran? I thought it was going well between us.“ You sobbed, clothes clutched tightly in your hand.

„I‘m so sorry, I messed up. She means nothing to me I swear. I love you.“ He tried to come closer but you just pushed him away.

„Who is she?“ At least knowing the truth would be nice.

„Just a random girl from instagram, she texted me to meet up and it just happened but-”

„How long? How long had this been going on?“ You interrupted, not believing any of this was really happening right now.

„Three weeks, but it only happened once in Ibiza, then I realized what a mistake I‘ve made.“ Only three weeks.

You didn’t listen to any of his bullshit but brushed past him, not really knowing where to go.

„Baby I swear I‘m so sorry.“ He chased after you, trying to grab your wrist to stop you from walking away.

„Don’t fucking touch me. You‘ve been cheating on me for three weeks, texting random girls. Did you sleep with her too?“ If he would answer yes, it would’ve been over for good, no „let me explain“ and „I only love you“ shit.

„I took her back to our house, yes“

You felt like you were about to faint, starting to cry once again. With an impulsive decision you slapped him across the cheek. It didn’t seem to hurt much, but he still couldn’t bare to look at you.

„We‘re over. You’re a fucking asshole and don’t try to apologize if you don’t mean it, otherwise you wouldn’t have cheated.“

You looked at him one last time, pulling off the ring he gifted you and placed it on the kitchen counter. You grabbed your luggage and walked through the door one last time that day.

#football one shot #fc barcelona #barça #ferran torres x reader #ferran torres #ferran torres one shot #football x reader #pablo gavi x reader #gavi x reader

[corruptedcaps]

Bad Blonde: Lucy

This is a ‘what if’ follow up to Bad Blonde where Lucy’s willpower fails her.

Lucy had hoped that a good night sleep would have cleared her mind of any further urge to put on the wig but her dreams had made sure to stoke the fire of her desire. Her dreams were filled with images of her as Lucia. She was feared and loved in equal measure and took what she wanted without care for anyone else. It felt liberating. She was filled with such confidence and power in her dream world that when she woke the next morning she felt incredibly deflated.

At breakfast she stared intensely at the fridge freezer knowing what was hidden behind the door. She could almost hear the voice of the wig call out to her, tempting her to open it, rip open the garbage bag and shove the wig on her head. She found herself wet at the mere thought of it as she sat eating her breakfast. She felt on edge and wasn’t sure she could last. She hadn’t even noticed Dora walk in.

“Hey babe, you look like a wreck.” Dora said bluntly. Lucy knew her girlfriend meant it out of worry but the comment made her snap.

“What the hell is that suppose to mean?” Lucy hissed at Dora who seemed taken aback by sudden vitriol.

“I-I just mean you look like you had a bad night sleep is all.” Dora said sheepishly backing away slightly.

“Well I did if you must know but keep your comments to yourself.” Lucy said filling with rage by the second.

“Lucy what’s gotten into you? First it was that nasty comment yesterday then I get home and you didn’t get the food you said you would and now you’re acting like a b-i-t-c-h.” Dora said finding some courage but almost instantly regretting it when she saw the fire in Lucy’s eyes.

Lucy was livid staring at Dora. How dare she be so insolent! Who did she think she was speaking to? Lucy was a goddess compared to Dora.

That’s when it hit Lucy. She wanted the power over Dora, she wanted to be her bully more than she wanted to be her girlfriend. The wig had given her a taste of being a bad bitch and now she wanted it for good. Last night she had been foolish to reject the power in favour of relationship. She would never make that mistake again.

“You think I’m acting like a bitch now? You haven’t seen anything yet!” She roared like a woman possessed, tossing her breakfast to the ground. She threw open the freezer door and pulled out the garbage bag. She ripped it open like a wild animal until she found her prize.

“Come to mama.” She purred putting the wig onto her head while Dora looked on at the bizarre scene taking place which was just about to get weirder.

Lucy threw her head back in ecstasy as the wig got to work changing her quickly. Lucy moaned as her body was recreated in the same form as last night. Big breasted, tight bodied and pure malice. It was so overwhelming that Lucy came multiple times, each one cementing her corruption. Every wave courting her nightgown into a piece of black latex until she was clad head to toe and sealed inside the shiny material.

Each wave of pleasure further pushed the wigs tendrils deep into her head choking out her natural brunette strands and replacing them. Within moments Lucy stood there a picture of pure bitchy evil. Dora looked on in horror.

“What the fuck are you looking at loser? You’re acting like you’ve never seen a goddess before. What am I saying, of course you haven’t. You’ve been stuck with that flabby body your whole life.” Lucy said with a cackle. She loved seeing tears well up in Dora’s eyes. It felt so good to be bad.

“L-Lucy what happened to you.” Dora stammered unable to keep in the sobs.

“Lucy’s dead freak, I’m Lucia your new nightmare. God to think I wasted my time being with you. Look at you, you’re pathetic, worthless and ugly. You held me back from being the evil bitch I’ve always wanted to be. My new gorgeous hair made me realize what an anchor you’ve been and freed me. I’m a goddess now!” Lucia hissed at Dora who was now sobbing uncontrollably.

“You’ve lucky that I want to put a few miles on my sexy new body otherwise I’d stay here humiliating you more. Now move you gross moron I have a new wardrobe of tight slutty clothes to buy. But don’t worry I’ll be back tomorrow, then our fun will begin.” Lucia said pushing Dora to the ground and walking out of their apartment.

That night Lucia made herself known campus wide as a force to be reckoned with. She quickly asserted her dominance over the most popular sorority and became their head within the week. The other girls fell in line obediently and started emulating her fashion and meanness. She loved having a flock of beta bitches at her beck and call.

They were especially useful when it came to bullying Dora when Lucia wanted to party or fuck. Lucia would assign her army different tasks to torture her previous lover. It all became too much for Dora and she dropped out. Lucia couldn’t have that though, she got off the most by picking on Dora. Thankfully the wig let her in on a secret. A power it only shared with true bitchy hosts.

A single strand of Lucia’s hair implanted in someone else would make the recipient subservient to Lucia no matter what. Lucia smirked as the wig filled her in on the delicious power, filling her mind with evil plans. Lucia however had her Guinea pig already picked out.

Dora woke up groggy in a room she didn’t recognize. What she did recognize was the figure sitting in front of her on a bed. Even for all the torture Lucia had put her through Dora couldn’t deny how attractive she was. She was actually finding it hard to find anything of fault with her kidnapper. The longer she stared at Lucia the more she felt overcome with desire to please her.

“Who do you serve slave?” Lucia said smirking down at Dora. For a moment Lucia could see an ounce of rebellion in her former friends eyes, like there was a part of her fighting the control but then in a flash it was gone replaced by slavish devotion.

“You of course Mistress Lucia.” Dora replied smiling.

“Good girl. Now come over here and service your mistress, I have a lot of planning to do.” Lucia smirked as Dora without hesitation approached her exposed pussy.

#f2f #corruption #bitchification #magic #evil bitch #corrupted hair #corrupted wig #evil wig #sequel

[starryficsfinishwen]

✧。◟ᴀᴅᴏʀᴇ — lee hyperreal x reader [PGR] [Happy Activation Day, Lee!!]

darling, you're the one I want

a.n. - self-indulgent comfort because I badly needed one. ALSO??? IT'S ACTUALLY LEE ACTIVATION DAY?!?! HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABE I LOVE YOU (COME HOME WHEN YOU COME TO GLOBAL, I'M SHARING THIS WITH YOU TOO READERS AND MUTUALS <3 <3 <3) I guess this is also short because I wasn't prepared (unplanned, the other one [NSFW] a little secret is the one who is planned LOL)

words - 1,458

pairing - hyperreal!lee x commandant (no specific genders mentioned, tho implied female)

warnings - none. comfort. super soft fluff with lee hyperreal. lowercase for the aesthetic™ I guess a bit suggestive?? because something happened to y'all the other night 👀

the first light of day cascades through your windows and lands on your outstretched hand.

as the outside world began its usual morning routine — the sound of machines clanking, chattering as the white noise, daylight dancing on the palm of your hand — you should wake up. a long, long list of things to do is waiting for you. Lucia and Liv could be in the maintenance room and you're needed for more paper works. but you don't — all you could think about was the warmth of the occupied space beside you, intertwined with you under the sheets.

Lee is here. Lee's sleeping beside you.

he's on his side, sleeping soundly, as one hand grasped yours, the other draped on your bare hips. both of your legs are tangled, your body nearly leaning onto him. his usual stoic face was relaxed, an expression you rarely see during the war. while the battlefield may have scorned his appearance, only moments like this would allow you to see Lee drop his guard down and show his human side.

propping a hand to support your head, you couldn't help but look at your sleeping lover. you've always known Lee has been so handsome; even when he had his Entropy frame, humans or constructs would approach him and ask for his number. but you couldn't help but laugh at that memory. this man is yours; unfortunate to them, but he's the one who is part of Gray Raven and the one who owns your heart.

was this the first time Lee was with you in bed? you usually see him after you wake up, preparing your morning coffee, the papers on your desk arranged accordingly. right now, he's actually beside you.

pride and love well up in your chest. although he may have given up his humanity years ago, you couldn't help but think about how you've learned to adore him. unclasping from his hand, you lightly touched his face.

tracing his face. from the blonde locks covering his closed eyes, to the shape of his jaw. from the chin, you drifted to the slope of his nose, the softness of his cheek. you tenderly traced the outline of his lips, which made you smile, as the events of last night replayed in your mind, the thought that made you blush and joyful. you may have studied all the lessons the F.O.S. taught you, but no one was there to write a book about Lee. and so, you couldn't help but want to touch every part of him that you could.

as you do, you couldn't help but think now; the war, the punishing virus, the ones you love. fear may be evident as it grows fondly like your endearment for Lee, but you solely believe in hope: in hope that one day, a world where you could roam with Lee and your team, and other people in Babylonia, without anything to destroy life anymore.

you leaned and kissed the corners of his mouth. one kiss turned into little kisses that littered across his jaw, up until the eyelids. your heart is heavy with endearment — you want to kiss Lee without hesitation, without a pause.

fortunately for you, Lee was already awake. the moment you started to touch him, he woke up from his slumber. but hearing you squeaking with joy, he let you have your moment. until you started kissing him anywhere but his lips.

jolting up, he took your wrist and flipped you over: you are under him, wrists lightly held above your head. “good morning, commandant.” said Lee, the raspy, morning voice making you smile with pleasure.

“good morning,” you replied, voice scratchy, “I think you made me lose my voice. how am I supposed to talk to the council now?”

“mm, that's not my fault.” he leaned down to nuzzle your exposed neck, breath tickling your shoulders, “I can tell them to reschedule. you need the rest after all.”

“still your fault. I still have so much to do.”

“why don't you do it then?”

you sighed, playfully rolling your eyes, “a certain someone made me lose the ability to walk.”

Lee lifted his head to reveal a smirk that made you want to wipe off of his face. “oh, really? that's unfortunate. would you tell me who it is?”

He let your hands go, still caging you in between him. deciding to play along with his game, you wrap your arms around his neck, laughing. “mm, well, he's good-looking. definitely an eye candy.”

“mhm, and?”

“he has blonde hair. a cute guy.”

“I think I get the image. what else?”

“a strange guy. he's also really shy but somehow switches personalities when there's no one else around.”

“really? that is a strange guy. I think you should stay away from him.”

“ah, I should, but that's a shame.” you mirrored his grin, “after all, he just told me that I should stay a little longer.”

a faint blush dusted his cheeks. he leaned down, lips closer to yours, that you could feel the thrumming of his heartbeat. “mm...if I told you to stay a little longer, would you?”

you pulled him closer, his body now touching on top of yours. two hearts now mirroring each other's beats. “I would,” you whispered, turning to kiss wherever your lips could reach, “I would stay with you.”

you wish you would. you wish it would stay forever like this: on a bed on a work morning, skipping whatever the hell was out for the both of you. for a split second, the image you had earlier reappeared in your thoughts: a white gown, a floral arc, an aisle, and the man in a suit waiting for you at the end of the aisle.

such thoughts shouldn't happen, but your heart, oh. you could never imagine the future without a Lee — Morian — in it.

“I love you, Lee.”

the three magic words that you've always wanted to tell him all the time. Lee didn't answer. instead, he nuzzles the warmth of your cheek. then the other. aiding him in his ministrations, your fingers tangle themselves in the softness of his hair. the shuffling of the blanket, the tangling of your legs. he moves downward now; kissing the edge of your jaw, to the crook of your neck, the dip of your clavicle. he looks at you, a twinkle in his eye as he kissed the back of your hand, to the inside of your palm.

he straddles you by the hips. you remember a construct's body may be different from that of a regular human, but to see the outlines of his torse, a transparent, glowing blue light from his spine, only made you look back at him with awe. you trace the outline, to which he holds your hand fondly.

“I've always seen you like a god.” Lee confesses. as he held your hand to his chest (his heart was beating erratically now), he spoke more of his feelings. “you have always been too kind to me, even though I can be brash and apathetic. you only show me mercy, and I don't even know how to repay you.”

“being alive and being here is enough for me.” you whispered, the pal of your hand flat against his erratic heart, “I can't imagine a life without Lee. without Morian.”

You felt his heart skip. He only chuckles, “I can't get enough of you saying my name. it feels...unusual.”

“I love you, Morian.”

He exhales. Taking your hand and kissing the palm of it once more, before looking at you with his tender cerulean irises, he whispers.

“I love you more, [Y/N].”

no one is alone here now. only two lovers, laughing under the sheets, incessant touches here and there, that only they can share with one another.

“w-wait!” you exclaimed, prying Lee away from you for a moment, “I forgot to give you something.”

Lee cocked his head, “what?”

you pecked his lips, grinning, “happy birthday, Lee.”

“really? that's it?” he laughs, holding your hips, “thank you, [Y/N].”

“I have a gift for you.”

“oh? what is it?”

excitingly rolling to your side of the bed, you pulled out a ribbon. looking at Lee, you carefully place the ribbon on top of your head. Lee's eyes darken with an expression you're now slowly getting used to.

“I'm your present.”

“...how am I supposed to open my present if they're already open?”

You wink, legs shyly opening. “there's more to come.”

and so, that was how your day goes, as the day bleeds into the nighttime. Lee doesn't know though, the real present that sits on your drawer, waiting for the right time to be opened.

comments, likes, reblogs are appreciated!! please don't copy or plagiarize my work!

#pgr #punishing gray raven #punishing gray raven imagines #pgr commandant #pgr global #pgr lee #pgr lee x reader #pgr fluff #pgr hyperreal #pgr hyperreal lee #pgr hyperreal lee x reader #pgr hyperreal lee x commandant #happy activation day lee!!!! #happy birthday lee!!!!! #come home okieeee!!!!!!

[zeezelweazel]

Valorant| S/O is tired of their protectiveness|

____________________________

I'm not so into Valorant anymore but I still love my wives

This is angsty ofc <3

Characters Included : Reyna, Sage, Viper, Fade

____________________________________________________

• Reyna •

For you Reyna, who you know as Zyanya, is a very soft and caring person at heart who would do anything for the people she loves. She also is extremely protective because of that.

After everything that happened with her sister Lucia she doesn't want to lose you. You keep reminding her that you're not a child and can protect yourself as you're a capable figher and a strong rediant. Your dear girlfriend is very stubborn it seems because no matter how many times you've brought it up she still insists on protecting you.

You've had numerous fights about this but the last one was the worst one. It was before a mission, when you insisted on going on B site alone to ensure that no enemy agent will make an escape and plant the spike there but Reyna dissagreed with your plan after deeming it too dangerous.

You two kept going back and forth yelling at eachother until Viper got between you and decided on a different plan all together.

It's been a few days since but you're still angry. She made you feel so humiliated by treating you like you were made of glass, like you were nothing in front of the great empress.

That's probably why you were pushing past your limits now. To prove her wrong and establish your place as her equal.

It's much harder than it sounds, as it turns out, your body can't handle it all and before you know it you're struggling to stand up. Your efforts payed off as the mission was very successful but you don't have a chance to celebrate it with your fellow teammates because you collapse a few moments after you hear Breach saying that the spike has been defused.

When you woke up the first thing you felt was a heavy weight on your right arm and after a small struggle you opened your eyes to see your girlfriend staring back at you surprised.

Reyna moved towards you and softly touched your cheek. She didn't need to say anything, you could see it in her eyes. After that day instead of staying behind her and being protected by her you fight alongside Reyna.

• Sage •

Sage is a healer. It's her job to care about others. That is the reason why she knew your relationship wasn't a good idea. She tried to keep things professional for the longest time but ultimately her feelings got the better of her. After you started dating she naturally became more protective of you.

You got tired of it pretty quickly but didn't say anything. You didn't want her to think that she's overbearing and cause any issues so early on.

Every time you got injured, she scolded you for your mistakes and on your next mission together she was way more protective. Almost caging you and making you unable of doing anything of importance.

It was like you were just a nice decoration. A beautiful woman on the battlefield not providing anything to the team or the mission.

You tried really, really hard not to snap at her but at this point it was impossible.

The adrenaline and stress of the current mission aren't helping either. It was going fine enough but everything could go wrong ver quickly. And of course, it did.

Sage was getting to the spike, ready to defuse it when you heard a very familiar voice shout.

" Fire in the hole! "

Every muscle in your body tensed as you looked at the surrounding walls, waiting for the bomb to fall on your head.

Your girlfriend acted faster than you by raising one of her walls for protection, but instead of shielding herself to defuse the spike she chose to but the wall in front of you leaving herself exposed in the process.

That proved to be a fatal mistake as soon after one of Raze's bombs blew up right in front of Sage. You watched in slow motion as the device flew across the battlefield and your girlfriend collapsed to the ground, writhing in pain.

You immediately reached for her and ignored the immense heat radiating from the burns in her body as you hid behind the closest cover.

You looked behind to see the rest of your team has picked up their efforts and the spike was currently being defused by Chamber.

Next thing you know you're the one waiting for Sage to wake up as you pitifully sit by her infirmary bed. When she wakes up you're ready to scold her, just like she does with you.

"I can't believe you didn't protect yourself. I'm a radiant for fucks sake I can protect myself. Besides the fact that you got injured and couldn't heal anyone after the battle, the damn defuser almost got busted. All because you thought I wasn't strong enough. Aren't you the one complaining about "not being just a healer" all the time? Aren't you tired of how everyone is treating you like you're made of glass and not letting you go to the front lines? Why do you treat me this way then?"

Sage was quiet for a long time and you thought about leaving before her raspy voice startled you.

"I see how I was at fault now. I'm sorry I... I never meant to hurt you like this I just felt such a strong need to protect you. I promise you from now on I'll let you fight your own battles."

• Viper •

Viper sees almost every single person in the Protocol as inferior to her and surprise surprise even though you two are dating and she does love like you it still needs time before it gets through her thick skull that you're not just her "little mouse" and instead can defend yourself.

A little part of Sabine keeps repeating a name from her past. A tragedy that she caused, someone that she couldn't save. That someone she loved like you and that someone was strong like you but in the end non of that mattered.

She tried to convince herself that in you she sees the same thing she does in everyone here in the protocol. She wishes she could look at you and think of a pathetic little mouse trying to befriend the snake. But she can't. She does try though.

You were ready for an easy mission today but when you saw your girlfriend walk in the mission room looking serious you knew this was going to be a hard one.

A mission in Omega Earth. Well that's a different one. Only KJ, Neon and Reyna had had the pleasure of visiting your lovely neighbours so far.

Viper always insisted that you come with her on every mission together because you work well as a team, which isn't a lie but the main reason she wants you close by is so that she can reach out and protect you whenever possible.

You hate it. Sometimes the rest of the protocol jokes around by saying that you're dating your mom.

This time you told yourself that you're going to act exactly how you do on every other mission, regardless of what Viper tells you to do.

But of course your girlfriend didn't like the defiance, especially not when she's your superior in the field. You were out numbered by a bunch of simple soldiers.

You wanted to charge in and take them out so you can enter the facility you were here to investigate. Viper insisted that there has to be more. Her experience told her that this is too easy, the Valorant Legion must be waiting inside.

You, of course, didn't listen to her and charged in anyway with a very angry Viper chasing after you.

The moment you walked into the facility you were faced with a pretty bad ambush. The both of you fought as hard as you could but in the end you barely made it with the help of the rest of the team.

The ride back was very awkward with Viper not taking a single break from glaring at you while you were trying to busy yourself with literally anything.

As expected you had an argument the moment you reached HQ.

"You disobeyed direct orders from your superior! What were you thinking?!"

"I'm tired of this Viper! Every single time we have a mission together you treat me like a stupid little girl that can't do shit on her own!"

"This isn't the point. You but your life in danger-"

"I don't care! I will not be treated like this anymore. I know you have a thing for belittling people but for fucks sake you must really get off on doing it to me because I can't count how many times you've destroyed my dignity. "

Taking a big breath from all the fighting you closed your eyes and run a hand through your hair. You didn't wait another second before leaving and heading to your room. If only you stayed a moment longer you would've seen a very rare sight. The one and only Viper standing there with her hands clenched and her lips pursed as she desperately tries to hold back her tears.

• Fade •

Fade was afraid. She couldn't, wouldn't, admit it. But she was so scared of you disappearing. Just like he did. She was terrified of her life ending up in an endless nightmare.

Sometimes she tells herself that this is unfair to you. That she can't keep caging you like this. She trues to turn a blind eye to it but she sees your frustrated and hurt expression every time she acts like your knight in shining armour.

She ignores these feelings as best as she can, it's not just for her it's for your own good as well. She knows when to step in, she knows your limits.

You on the other hand can't handle seeing her in pain because of you. She thinks she's protecting you but she's only putting herself in unnecessary danger. You know your limits better than her, you are aware if what's happening around you and when you need to charge in or pull out.

You try not to blame Fade. You know that she doesn't mean to demeanor you. She's only scared of loosing you. Hazal hasn't talked to you about the mystery man she's been trying to find either. Not much anyway, but from what you know he must've meant a lot to her.

You really want to talk with her about it. Communication is important and you know this well it's just that you don't know how to bring it up without hurting her or without her trying to slither her way out of the conversation.

You decided that the best way to do this would be to bring it up in the heat of the moment. Which inly meant that you simply would have to wait you're assigned in another mission together.

Thankfully it was sooner than you expected. Another usual mission for the Valorant Protocol. Defend your home by defusing the spike and winning another fight against the Valorant Legion.

Guns aren't your specialty per say since you mostly depend on your radiant abilities. Not that you can't aim but it is especially difficult when you can't see. Shooting from inside one of Omen's shadow domes is almost impossible you can't see who you're aiming at and you don't even know if it's friend or foe.

You're pretty confused when the dome disappears and you see no one in front of you. When you take a few steps forward you're surprised when Sky tackles you into the ground. The woman must be out of her wooden animals but still she's physically stronger than you.

You two continue to scramble for a little while before the world goes black. At first you thought she knocked you out but you quickly realised that this is your girlfriend's work.

When you come to you immediately try to look for Fade. She is shocked when she sees you but don't let her speak a word.

"I hope today taught you a lesson. You can't keep trying to protect me. Not like this anyway. I had everything under control and you ended up doing more bad than good."

"I-I know and I'm sorry but-"

"No buts, just promise me you'll never try to protect me again."

*I promise."

#wlw #female reader #valorant imagines #valorant x reader #reyna x reader #sage x reader #valorant sage x reader #viper x reader #fade x reader

[onlyhereforthestories]

Distance Makes The Heart Hurt (Alexia Putellas x Reader)

You were spiraling. You could feel it. No matter how much you tried to snap out of it or tell yourself you needed to think differently, it didn’t work. Alexia was away doing some media duties and as much as you knew she would be busy you still hoped for a message or two every so often.

Life for the two of you got tricky when your contract wasn’t renewed at Barca, you had an offer from Real Madrid but you were a culer through and through so your only other option was to join Ona and Lucia at Manchester United.

It had turned out to be the best move for your career, you were finally enjoying your football again. As for your relationship, it had been hard. Way harder than you thought. Living your life through a phone was testing, a lot of days all you wanted was a hug from the woman you loved but you couldn’t have that.

Alexia was in rehab and had so much personal stuff going on that the time you had together even on the phone was short. Most days you were perfectly okay with that and completely happy with any time you got but today, today your insecurities were rearing their ugly head.

You texted Alexia when you woke up and waited. That waiting turned into sadness very quickly, a sadness that then turned to anger at yourself. Alexia is perfect, she has always been so wonderful to you and it wasn’t fair for you to feel this way.

When that sadness and anger got too much you texted again. And again. And again. Then you pulled away by texting the woman you were upset and needed sometime. She replied when she could and tried to get it out of you. You just felt so stupid for feeling the way you did, how was it fair to feel like that.

So you told her. You told her that the lack of texts in the morning hurt, you told her you understood but were really struggling with it. And you told her you were an idiot.

Then you threw your phone, right across the room. You made such a commotion that Ona stepped out her room with the most confused look ever.

“What the hell is going on? Are you okay?” Ona was looking back and forth from you to the phone face down on the floor repeatedly. You stood still trying to stop the tears threatening to fall, until you couldn’t.

It was like a damn bursting just like they always tell you, everything builds up so much that it just all floods over. As soon as the first tear fell so did you, you crumbled to the floor and let the sobs shake your body. Ona was with you in a second, kneeling in front of you to hold you close.

“It’s okay y/n, I’ve got you. Let it out.” You don’t know how long you both sat like that but it was long enough for Ona to really worry. She didn’t know her next question was going to break you that little bit more. “Let me go get my phone and we can call Alexia, she always helps.”

“No please no. She’s busy I don’t want to disturb her anymore.” To say this shocked Ona was a long way off from the actual feeling it brought about. She knew you had some issues with insecurity and abandonment issues that were bigger than you let on but this was the worst she’d ever seen it.

“Is this what’s got you like this? Have you been struggling with something to do with you and Alexia?” You didn’t have the words to say anything right now so you just nodded against the woman’s neck. Ona didn’t know what else to say right now so she opted to hold you closer and run her fingers through your hair.

After about half an hour on the floor, Ona felt your body relax and get heavy in her hold. She did know how to help you more than this so she picked you up and brought you to her room. Space be damned, she was not leaving you alone in this situation. Once she knew you were not going to wake up from the transfer of position, she sent a message off to Alexia to say you were okay but you had had a bad evening.

After a few texts back and forth in which Ona told Alexia it wasn’t her place to say what went on and that she would get you to text Alexia when you woke up, Ona settled in next to you in the hopes of getting some sleep.

You woke up to a couple of messages from Alexia, your phone screen was cracked but usable, it felt like it was reflecting you quite well right now.

Deciding that you couldn’t deal with the doubt you had right now you left the messages for a moment and jumped into a hot shower. You let the tears fall as soon as the water fell over your face, you hated yourself.

The insecurities and doubt that plagued your mind always caused you issues, even in the best situation of your life so far. Alexia was perfect for you, she was kind and thoughtful 98% of the time. Yet the 2% is what plagued you, it’s what caused the tears to flow at night and the anxiety to get the best of you.

You felt helpless. You felt useless. Most of all you felt sad. Sad at the world for putting the person you love so far out of physical reach. Sad for the way your brain made you feel. Sad for the life you were currently struggling through.

What normally cleared up in a few days lasted longer this time. Alexia’s reassurance texts and calls were helping but your brain was just going back to the few hours where she’d disappear. You hated the insecurities of the past and the people that gave you them. You hated the fact that you couldn’t just leave it be.

Alexia had texted this morning about having a quiet day so she was looking forward to having the full day with you. She was talking about her morning and the fact that her knee had been getting better when again the texts stopped.

An hour passed and still nothing and you felt that ugly monster inside of you surface again. Was spending the day texting you that bad that she needed a break? Did she forget about you? Did she find something better to do? Did you do something wrong?

Those thoughts swirled round and round your mind and they would have continued to if not for your phone ringing. The picture of Alexia beaming at the camera was what you faced and so you took a deep breath and answered.

For about 10 minutes you exchanged the normal talk and talked about what you had been doing but then Alexia said she had to go. That she had somewhere to be and she couldn’t talk anymore. Any other day that wouldn’t have bothered you, you would have playfully moaned and begged her to at least talk while she drove until she convinced you she had to go or gave in to your request.

But today wasn’t normal. Today you were upset and confused and annoyed at your situation and yourself. That all came out and on Alexia which you knew you’d later regret.

“What’s the point of saying you are here when you aren’t. Like I can’t do false words. I said to go and get yourself better and you said no you wanted to be here so why aren’t you?” You voice was strained and the effort that it was taking for you to not cry was causing a headache to form.

On the other end of the phone Alexia didn’t know what to say, she knew she you struggled with things like this but she never knew you got this bad. She never knew how much her lack of presence or intermittent replies did to you when you were apart.

“I can’t do this like this Ale, I can’t be apart from you in person and over the only thing we have right now. I know you don’t have much time but how much does it take to send a text every so often or reply when you say you are here? Am I really not worth it?”

You waited for her to say something, anything but no reply came. All you could hear were her laboured breaths across the call, this was all the answer you needed.

“Okay I get it. Thank you for letting me know now before I feel completely and utterly in love with you. I’ll come collect the bits I have at yours when I’m back for international duty.” The sarcasm about love dropped and the calling your shared home hers didn’t get missed either.

With that you hung up and finally broke down. 5 years you had been with the woman, 5 years you had loved her with everything you had and it was all over because you couldn’t deal with the demons in your head. Well done y/n.

#alexia putellas x reader #alexia putellas imagine #woso x reader #woso imagine #woso imagines #espwnt x reader

[saiilorstars]

Ch. 60: The Waiting Game

Previous chapters // Montserrat’s masterlist

Fandom: SVU // Pairing: Rafael Barba x OC

Warnings: Due to the nature of the series’ plots, I do have to rate this as ‘mature’ for constant mentions of rape.

Taglist: @ocappreciationtag​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ @arrthurpendragon​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ @anotherunreadblog​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ @maaaaarveeeeel​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ @stareyedplanet​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ @averyhotchner​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ @abzidabzy​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ @hellofutur​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ @foxesandmagic​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ @xovalliegirlxo @sam-i–am @kmc1989 @midmourn @choosejoyangel​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

[If you’d like to be added to this specific OC’s stories/edits, send me a message

When Montserrat woke up from her Nyquill-induced nap, she very quickly realized she slept way more hours than she intended to. It was past noon, almost four. Granted she was truly well rested but that was not the point. She still felt mentally exhausted and wasn't equipped for what had to come next. She had to finally call Lucia and tell her what happened — it was the worst conversation she ever had with the woman. Lucia was livid with Montserrat, to say the least.

"How could you not tell me before!? Why are you barely telling me!?"

Montserrat could barely give her reasons when Lucia went on a rampage in the Spanish and English language to the point where Montserrat couldn't dream of understanding. The only thing Montserrat managed to hear was that Lucia was on her way to the hospital and pretty much cut all ties with his son's girlfriend.

Great. That would be fun explaining to Rafael when he woke up. It was definitely about the last thing he needed in his life right now. After that, Montserrat soon found out that somehow Casey had gotten involved with the whole thing.

"Yeah, that was my fault," Kara said with a hand raised in the air. "I suggested it."

"Why?" Montserrat couldn't understand what a robbery had to do with her cousin at the moment. Then again, she was only really thinking with about a 50% capacity.

Kara understood her mistake too late and was left squandering for a reasonable excuse (otherwise this time Sonny would have a true reason to kill her). "Well, uh, Casey's another prosecutor and she'll maybe take the case? If they find the guy?"

"It's just not her case yet," Montserrat insisted, although it seemed like the heat was now going more towards the situation rather than Kara (or Casey for that matter). "Nobody's been murdered."

"And it'll stay like that," Kara jumped on the chance to provide actual support to her friend. It was hard thinking this could turn into a homicide case rather than attempted murder. "You'll see."

Montserrat would've been more convinced if she didn't have other things on her mind. She kept getting voice-mail for Lucia's number, only reiterating how angry the woman was with her.

"She'll come around," Kara kept insisting as well, "She's stunned, like you were when you first got the call. It's just different. She's his mother, after all. Give her some days."

Montserrat nodded only because there was nothing else she could do, but it didn't mean it wasn't nagging at her in the meantime. "I need to go back to the hospital," she told Kara after lunch. She did Kara the solid of sticking around for that mealtime but it was about all she would do now. She'd been away from the hospital for way too long.

"What are you talking about? It's only been a couple hours," Kara pointed out. She would rather Montserrat stay for a bit more until she was less anxious and stressed.

"It's past noon now!"

"So?" Kara would love to hear an adequate reason why the time even mattered. "Montserrat, you need to rest."

"I already did!" Montserrat exclaimed. "Way more than I planned!"

Kara's eyes flickered to the side for a moment. The nyquil was still under wraps. Her phone started ringing and seeing it was Sonny, she urged Montserrat to wait for another 5 minutes. "Just let me take the call and see what's happened, okay?"

Montserrat groaned. "Fine! But I am leaving as soon as you're done, with or without you!"

Kara nodded and hurried to take the call. Montserrat took the first seconds to try and calm herself down. She didn't want to actually fight with Kara, not with anyone for that matter. They were all walking on eggshells around her already, thinking she was a ticking time bomb. It was hard staying afloat not knowing what the next day would bring, or even the next hour. Tears stung get eyes just thinking about the uncertainty.

Hearing the knock on the door somehow startled her greatly. She went to open it, presuming it would be Sonny on the other side only to find her father instead.

"Dad!" She gasped, stumbling back a step.

"Montserrat, how — woah! What's happened to you?" Thomas of course referred to his daughter's face of anguish.

Immediately, Montserrat whirled around, eyes wide as she took a few steps away from her father. She tried wiping her eyes quickly. "Dad, what are you doing here?"

"I got the day off and since it's been a while, I thought we could have lunch,, but..." Thomas trailed off, reaching forward for his daughter's shoulder. He gently turned her around and saw the same face as before, only this time it was slightly redder from the fervent rubbing at the eyes. "Now I'm seeing it's longer than I thought. Sweetheart, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, Dad," Montserrat shook her father's hand off her shoulder. "Just a rough day, that's all."

"No, no, no," Thomas shook his head, "Don't try to kid me. I know you, Montserrat. You've been crying and it looks like it's been going on for a while. What's happened?"

"Nothing, sheesh!" Montserrat exclaimed. Of course she would've been more convincing if her voice hadn't shaken towards the end. How the hell am I a detective? "Look, I can't do lunch today. Can we schedule another day?"

"I'm not going anywhere," Thomas declared, crossing his arms, "It looks like you've got explaining to do, young lady."

Montserrat glared at her father. This was the last thing she needed right now. Despondence, anxiety, and anger mixed into one did not bode well for anybody in the room. "Dad, I don't have time for this. Can we do this another day, please?"

Thomas raised an eyebrow at his daughter. Usually it was all he needed to warn her she was crossing a line with him.

She still knew that.

But she didn't back down this time.

"You've got 5 seconds to tell me what's going on with you," Thomas warned. "Five…four…"

Montserrat gawked at her father with incredulity. "Dad, you can't treat me like I'm five—"

"Three…two—"

"Dad, seriously!"

"One—"

"I SAID STOP!" Montserrat unintentionally yelled at her father.

Thomas was dumbfounded with such a frantic reaction from his daughter. Tears were coming to Montserrat's eyes and though it was partially out of guilt, there was something deeper going on. "Montserrat," he tried again, softly, "Sweetheart, what's—"

"Can you just go? I'm actually leaving right now too," Montserrat gestured to the door behind Thomas. "I have to—"

"Montserrat!" Kara called from the hallway seconds before emerging. "Sonny says he'll be by in 15 and he can take us to the hospital."

"Hospital!?" Thomas exclaimed.

Kara's eyes widened. She had no idea they were no longer alone. "Oops…"

Montserrat let out a heavy sigh. "Dad—"

"Why do you need to go to the hospital!?" Thomas started demanding. "Are you hurt?" He went to check himself but Montserrat swatted his hands away.

"Dad, stop!"

"Why do you need to go!? Do you feel alright? What am I saying — it's obvious you're not feeling well! You've been crying!"

"She has," Kara agreed solemnly.

"KARA!" Montserrat said loudly enough to make Kara flinch. "SHUT UP!"

"Don't yell at Kara like that," Thomas reprimanded his daughter, "Answer my question. Why are you going to the hospital right now?"

"Because…" Montserrat racked her head for a good answer that wouldn't give away such a terrible situation.

"Are you hurt?"

"No!"

"Then why—"

"Oh, just stop!" Montserrat resorted to pleading, something downright shocking to her father. "Please! Just stop!" Tears rolled down her cheeks as the weight of each of her problems finally culminated into one heavy load on her shoulders. "I'm not hurt! At least not physically because trust me, everything else right now hurts! I'm going to the hospital because my boyfriend's there because he's been shot, okay!? He's been shot and he hasn't woken up since it happened and I want to be there when he does — if he does! Now please stop berating me and just—" Montserrat ran into her father's arms where she finally burst into tears.

Thomas was utterly stunned. For the first couple of seconds, nothing of what Montserrat said had sunk in so while she hugged him, his arms were awkwardly on either side of him. Eyes wide, mouth hanging open, he met Kara's gaze. She nodded to confirm everything Montserrat had said. Her grim expression helped sell it too.

"When...when did you get a boyfriend?" Thomas looked down at his daughter but at the question, Montserrat only whimpered and retreated further into him, desperate to be hugged back. Thomas slowly did so, bringing one hand over her back and the other behind her head. "O-okay, um…that's...that's...bad..." He sighed. He was terrible when it came to things like these. Montserrat's teenage years had been quite an adventure in terms of boyfriends and dating but now at 30? He didn't know which age was worse. "I'm—I'm so sorry, sweetheart," he ultimately said, "Really. I — how did this happen?"

Montserrat pulled away to take a deep breath. Her face was stained with tears. "A robbery. The guy was trying to rob the shop Rafael was at and then he just shot...he shot…"

Kara remained absolutely silent and lowered her head. It killed her to keep the truth of the situation a secret from Montserrat. But if she knew the truth, it would make her feel even worse, she reminded herself.

"Okay, okay," Thomas cupped Montserrat's face, "Wipe those tears. We can go to the hospital right now."

"You'd come with me?" Montserrat sniffed. "You're not mad I didn't tell you—"

"It does not matter right now," Thomas said, "Besides, you're a grown woman — as tough as that is to deal with — and you can make whatever choices you want."

"I was going to tell you. That's why I asked about having dinner, remember?"

Thomas nodded. "Yeah, and I told you I was going out on a trip for a whole month. Okay, that was my fault then."

"Dad, you would really like him. I mean, he's sort of a smart-ass but then again so is Gael."

Thomas let out a low laugh. "Oh, is it just Gael?"

"Of course, why do you ask?"

Thomas barely held his next laugh in. "Right." He gave Montserrat a kiss on the forehead. "Are you ready to go?"

Montserrat nodded fairly quickly. "Yes, please, let's go!"

"Kara?" Thomas looked at the blonde behind them.

Kara waved them off with a hand. "I'll wait for my boyfriend. He was already on his way. Plus, I think there'll be a lot of talking done on that drive."

Thomas wholeheartedly agreed with her. His eyes drifted over to Montserrat who had the energy to appear more nervous than before. "Ready?"

Montserrat wasn't so sure anymore. Still, a ride to the hospital meant she would practically do anything.

~0~

Thomas started slowly, cautiously, and for that Montserrat appreciated but it didn't make things any less awkward nor tense.

"Dating your co-worker — isn't that against the rules?" Thomas wondered out loud. He stopped at an upcoming red light, giving him the opportunity to glance at his daughter.

Her tear-stained face was finally getting a glimpse of light. She had stopped crying for the moment — she just needed to clean her face.

"Not if you disclose," she answered quietly, "Which we did."

"Ah, okay, um...when was that?"

"Dunno, two months ago? Time sort of blurred…"

"Time 'blurred'?" Thomas let out a small chuckle.

Montserrat glanced at him, eyebrows knitted together. "What?" Her voice couldn't go any louder than a quiet tone. If not, she would've demanded the explanation.

"Nothing...it's just...usually when you feel like time has 'blurred', it's because you've been having a good time," Thomas explained. At the green light, he was no longer able to look at her.

Maybe it was for the best.

Montserrat shifted in her seat. She was not about to go into detail about her relationship to her father. "It's been different," she left it at that. It wasn't a lie but it didn't outright expose her either.

Thomas hummed. "I can see that. I've never seen you so distressed over someone like this."

"To be fair, none of my other boyfriends have ever been shot."

Thomas let out a small laugh. "True, but I also meant in general. I've noticed you've been more, uh, content lately. Because I don't know what made you leave behind your old job and place in Queens, but I know that you haven't been happy in a while. I like the change."

"I'm sorry for that," Montserrat mumbled, eyes downcast. However painful it was for her, she imagined it had to have been hard for her father as well. She wasn't the kindest to him in the beginning. She did what a victim typically does: push people away. She thought she did it perfectly. She left her old friends in Queens, her job. She put distance between her father, her brother, even her nieces, and Kara. She became a good liar, indeed.

"I wasn't expecting an apology," Thomas clarified, "And I certainly didn't need one. I'm your father. I just want to know that you're okay."

Montserrat smiled lightly. "I can tell you that before all of this, I was more than okay."

Thomas nodded. "I believe it. You were...happier, more than I'd seen you in a very long time. I would love to say that you were your old self again but it still isn't like that."

"Dad, I don't think I'll ever be the same as before," Montserrat said, figuring it was best to shatter that dream right now than let it keep going without a future. "But that's okay because the way I felt before all this, it was damn great." Her breathlessness was enough to take her word for it. It sounded like even she couldn't believe it.

Truthfully, sometimes she still couldn't.

It took very little for Montserrat to become accustomed to the idea of always feeling miserable on the inside and overall like she was simply floating through life. She had resigned herself to the idea that it would always be like that from now on. But things changed again and she couldn't be more grateful. It would be beyond cruel to lose it all again. Actually, Montserrat couldn't see herself getting past it all over again if she lost Rafael.

"No more tears," came Thomas' voice.

Montserrat snapped out of her thoughts to find there were new tears rolling down her cheeks. "Sorry," she sniffed, wiping the tears off with the backs of her hands.

"No need to be," Thomas told her, "I'm so sorry this is happening, sweetie. But let's have some faith that it'll be okay in the end."

"To be honest Dad…" Montserrat let out a low sigh, "I don't really do the 'faith' thing a lot anymore."

Thomas nodded silently. It wasn't much of a surprise. "The things you see at your job can't leave much hope in the world, I know."

"Mhm," Montserrat nodded. She could let her father believe it was all because of her job. It would be easier for him that way.

"But in times like these...who do you turn to for strength?" Thomas asked curiously. "People pray to God, or other saints or something. What do you pray to?"

"Nothing," Montserrat admitted. It had been a very long time since she turned to any type of religious prayer. She was non-practicing Catholic at this point. Don't tell Lucia. "Right now, I just think about Rafael and how he's strong enough to come back. You should see him in action, Dad. If I were that guy who shot him, I'd run. I've been on the receiving end a couple times and Rafael doesn't play. And I've only gotten a small taste of the real thing. He's scary. Ask Kara."

Thomas let out a small laugh. "Knowing you, you probably kept it going."

Montserrat nodded. "Hell yeah. He's not right until I say he's right." She shifted in her seat. "Although right now, I'd give anything to hear his smart-ass remarks. An argument. Anything."

Thomas stretched a hand out until he was able to find Montserrat's. "It'll be okay."

Montserrat didn't say much after that. She couldn't wait to see the end of the drive and be at the hospital again. Nick had tried sending her messages but it didn't look like the service in the hospital was doing so well. All his texts were coming in as 'incoming message'. It left Montserrat even more anxious. What if something happened while she was away!?

She practically ran through the hospital, leaving her father to do his best to keep up. "Nick!?" She called as soon as she saw the man in the waiting room. "Your messages weren't coming through! Did something happen?"

"Yeah," Nick nodded, eyes flickering past Montserrat to her father.

"That's my Dad," Montserrat said dismissively. She had no times for introductions right now. "What happened!? Is Raf—"

"He's awake," Nick thankfully cut Montserrat off. He presumed that she had assumed the worst with his answer.

The relief that washed over Montserrat was monumental and yet so short-lived. Nick didn't understand why.

"I wasn't here," she whispered, eyes falling, "I wasn't here for him. God — I told you people I shouldn't have left!"

"Montserrat, you needed to rest," Nick said, "Besides, he woke up like 15 minutes ago. His mom's in there with him right now." Apparently, he'd something really bad because Montserrat's face had paled to a ghostly shade.

"What?" She asked, sounding like she'd lost air as well. "N-n-n-n-no, tell me she just got here too. Please."

"Uuh…" Nick was utterly confused but he still had to answer with the truth and it was not what Montserrat wanted to hear. "She got here an hour ago."

"Crap," Montserrat let out a heavy sigh.

"Montserrat, what's wrong?" Thomas asked her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You should be happy!"

"I am," Montserrat clarified, "But you don't understand. Lucia got very upset with me because I didn't call her immediately when this happened. I called her this morning instead because I thought there was no reason she should lose sleep when I was already here, waiting to hear how the surgery went. She didn't agree. She thought she should've been notified immediately."

"Okay, well, that was then, this is now. Things will change now that Rafael's awake. She was probably very scared too."

"I bet she was," Montserrat agreed, "But she's Rafael's mother. Where do you think he gets his temper from?"

Nobody would answer her. It was better to stay quiet and to help move things along, Olivia arrived shortly afterwards. She'd gotten the call from the doctors themselves as was protocol.

"Is he capable of answering?" She asked the two detectives.

"He might be too tired to remember things right now," Nick said, "I was with him for 10 minutes and he barely said anything about what happened."

"Maybe he doesn't want to talk about it," Montserrat said. "And he shouldn't if he's not ready."

Olivia nodded with her. "Yes, but it's worth asking, don't you think?"

The detective in Montserrat would make her agree but the civilian side of her made her shake her head. That was the part of her that wanted everyone to stay the hell away from Rafael until he was all better.

"There's his mom," Nick said when he saw Lucia emerging from the hallway.

Montserrat immediately pressed her clothes down as if Lucia were going to point them out and add to her fuel against Montserrat. She made herself front front center when Lucia joined them.

"How is he?" She immediately asked the older woman. "Is he — is he talking? Does anything hurt?"

"He had a bullet in his body so yes, he is in pain," Lucia answered sharply enough to have Montserrat wincing each time.

"Excuse me," Thomas cut in just as Montserrat was about to go on. He moved around Nick and Olivia to stand beside his daughter. "There's no need to be that kind of rude. You're both stressed and frightened."

"And who are you?" Lucia demanded, eyebrow raising.

"This is my father," Montserrat said hastily, truly wanting to avoid any kind of confrontation.

"Thomas Novak," Thomas introduced himself, "And I'd appreciate it if you didn't speak to my daughter like that."

Lucia didn't appreciate the tone used on her either. "Lucia Barba," she introduced herself in the same tone as Thomas, "And your daughter knows exactly why I'm upset." She crossed gazes with Montserrat.

"I'm sorry," Montserrat reiterated, sighing. "I didn't want you to go through a sleepless night. You nor Catalina."

"Don't take decisions that don't belong to you," Lucia retorted, "When it comes to my son, I need to be informed about everything that happens to him. I don't know why I didn't get the call in the first place. Do you?"

Montserrat lowered her head. She preferred not to answer for the moment.

"There's no need to argue," Olivia stepped in as well, "We all want the same thing, don't we? For Rafael to get better?"

"Of course," Lucia said incredulously. How dare they think otherwise?

"Okay," nodded Olivia, "Then I'd like to see him right now. I think Montserrat as well."

Montserrat nodded fervently. "I do," she said.

"Don't bother him with the unnecessary, please," Lucia warned as the two women started walking around her.

"I would never," Montserrat said sharply. "But I do want to catch whoever did this to him. And I will."

She followed Olivia down the hallway, preferring not to look back. She couldn't take whatever look Lucia must be giving her right now. She didn't have the head for it either.

"Montserrat," Olivia called twice before she was heard, "Forgive me for intruding but, have you taken some time for yourself with all this going on?"

"Are you kidding? I slept way more than I should have!" Montserrat exclaimed. "He woke up and I wasn't here!"

"I don't mean that," Olivia shook her head. "With this kind of stuff, I presume you would want to go see your therapist?"

"I don't have time for that!" Montserrat said dismissively. "I need to be here!"

Olivia suspected that mindset long before she got the courage to ask Montserrat. "It's important that you take care of yourself first. I'm sure Rafael would say the same thing."

It honestly didn't matter to Montserrat right now. She just wanted to reach the damn room herself and see with her own eyes that Rafael was awake. That's all she wanted. Olivia must have seen it because she didn't mention therapy again for the rest of the walk.

They didn't make a sound when they finally entered the room. If Rafael was really asleep, neither wanted to wake him. Questions would wait. But, as soon as they were in sight, Montserrat saw Rafael wide awake. He seemed a bit dazed but lucid enough to recognize them.

Montserrat forgot all about her conversation with Olivia and rushed forward. "Hii…" She said breathlessly, "You're still awake! You should be sleeping."

"I've done enough sleeping," Rafael muttered, sounding a lot more like himself than Montserrat (and Olivia) expected. He was definitely irritated enough to be himself.

Montserrat grinned widely at his response. She absolutely loved seeing him act like he usually would — it meant he was getting better! She reached for his hand, immediately gripping it. "I'm sorry I wasn't here when you woke up. I-I should've been, I know, but…"

Rafael watched Montserrat in a more dazed manner again — his mind went in and out with all the meds he was on.

This, Olivia presumed and since Montserrat seemed too upset with herself to notice, Olivia decided to cut in and help them both out. "Now, Montserrat, I think it's okay," she started slowly, watching Montserrat lower her head out of utter guilt, "You had to go home and rest too." Olivia looked at Rafael who was still trying to make sense of Montserrat's long ramble. "She was here all of last night and Carisi and Amaro and sent her home to sleep and eat."

"Well — why are you apologizing then?" Rafael glanced at Montserrat, eyebrows knitting together with confusion. "It's not like I noticed, right? I was in surgery. At least that's what my mother told me?"

"Is that all she told you?" Montserrat asked rather curiously and slightly worried. She grabbed a chair and sat down beside the bed.

"She said a lot of things but honestly, I tuned her out," Rafael drew in a breath, "The mess might be a blessing in disguise, you know."

"Ha…" Montserrat smiled lightly. That sounded a lot more like him. It truly relieved some of her anxiety. "Still, I'm really sorry. I did want to be here but I…I sort of overslept and…"

"I promise you that I am okay with that," Rafael said, smiling for the first time. "I don't want you forgetting about yourself because of me."

"I'm good, I promise," Montserrat assured, nodding her head fast. She brought their interlocked hands to her mouth, kissing his hand. "I just want you to be okay now. I've been a little crazy."

"A little?" Rafael's smile widened.

"Shut up," Montserrat said hushedly, letting out a small chuckle. She missed this so much. All the nerves were washing out as a familiar warmth flooded her insides.

At the same time, Olivia's phone started buzzing. "I'll be back," she told the two before taking the call.

Montserrat scooted her chair closer to the bed. She held onto Rafael's hand, still keeping her smile. This is all she wanted. Rafael was awake, seemingly recuperating and already taking jabs at her. In all her thoughts, she missed Rafael studying her. He noticed something he truly wished he hadn't. It led to his question.

"How are you?"

Montserrat blinked at first, puzzled with the question. "What — me?" She laughed. "Môj drahý, I'm fine. I'm absolutely fine."

"I'm on some strong medication but I assume you just spoke Slovak but even then…I don't buy it," Rafael said, shaking his head. "You went crazy over me."

"You were shot," Montserrat said, still frazzled having to say that. "What did you think I would do? Happily pass the night with your scotch?"

"Did you save me some, by the way?"

"Rafael," Montserrat warned him not to play jokes right now. "You were shot. It's not funny."

"Oh, I'm not laughing at that," agreed Rafael, "But I am trying to lighten the mood here. I don't want you to worry about me."

"Not right now," Montserrat shook her head, "Don't ask me not to do that when you're here. You have no idea how scared I was when I got the call."

"They called you…" Rafael said, as if realizing something.

"Um, yeah…" Montserrat cleared her throat, "Why did the hospital call me first? Your mother, uh, she was pretty pretty confused about that too."

"Yeah…" Rafael nodded, "Uh…I was going to tell you sometime…definitely not here but…"

"I don't think I've ever heard you ramble so uselessly…" Montserrat laughed almost immediately after saying that.

Rafael deadpanned her for a straight minute while she laughed. "I think I deserve to be cut a little slack, right?"

Montserrat nodded as she did her best to sober from her laugh. "Of course, dear."

It was too late as Rafael was already properly annoyed. "You're my emergency contact," he said in a huff.

Montserrat gasped lightly then, eyebrows raising with pleasant shock. "Am I really?"

"Yes, but you're making me regret it—"

"No, no, I promise I'm good! That's nice to hear, I…" Montserrat could feel the familiar spread of butterflies in her stomach. "When did you…when did you decide to do that?"

"I don't know, a bit back? Is that — are you okay with that?"

"Of course! Yes!" Montserrat was a smiling mess, a deep difference from the past day. She leaned over, carefully, and pressed a kiss on Rafael's lips. "Thank you for that trust in me." There was something else she wanted to desperately say to him but she felt the timing was off and perhaps even imprudent on her part.

Even if Rafael said nothing of it, Montserrat still noticed the subtle scrunch of his nose and the twitch of his mouth every now and then from the pain he obviously felt. He just didn't want to tell her about it — it wasn't shocking for her. He barely got used to the idea of asking her for help in far less serious situations so this situation would require a lot more effort from his side and she wanted to make it as easy as possible for him.

"Do you need anything?" She asked him, "I don't know, like a drink or something? And by that I mean water, of course."

"Damn, and I was just about to ask you for some scotch…"

"I would smack you right now if you weren't hurt!" Montserrat sighed and shook her head. "So listen, I really hate asking you this right now but I need to help so…about that night…"

Rafael already started turning his head away from her. He knew exactly what was coming.

"Do you remember what happened?" Montserrat wanted to be as cautious as possible for his sake. It was physically painful enough and now he would have to deal with any mental trauma he suffered from that evening.

"...a little," he did answer albeit in a low mutter.

"Okay, um, well there is that cashier — Clara?"

At the mention of the young woman, Rafael immediately looked back at Montserrat. "Is she okay!?" He truly didn't remember much after hearing the sound of the gun firing. He was in and out of consciousness but he did have slight memories of the young woman terrified in the shop.

"Yes, she is," Montserrat nodded, smiling lightly. "Did you know she's a med student? I was told she helped keep you stable while the ambulance got to you guys. She called 911. I absolutely love her."

It was Rafael's turn to smile. "Should I be worried?"

Montserrat let out a weary sigh but her broad smile defeated any attempt to sound annoyed. "Shut up."

"I want to tell her thank you," Rafael said a moment later. "She was so scared. I may have yelled at her."

"Lots of people react differently in situations like those. It's a flight or fight thing — you chose fight, she chose flight. All involuntary of course. But please, don't ever choose to 'fight' with a robber."

"Oh, but you can?" Rafael countered on the spot. His smirk didn't help. "You carry — you do that for a living. The way you feel right now is what I always feel about you..."

"I know, I know," sighed Montserrat. This was a conversation she didn't like having because Rafael always had the right. His concerns were right, his points made sense.

Rafael gripped Montserrat's hand as much as he could, which wasn't very much if Montserrat was honest with him. She wouldn't tell him. "I'm not arguing, I'm just telling you this is something we can't control," he told her. "I'm sorry I worried you. I didn't…I didn't see the guy getting up…"

"So you do remember some things, then?"

"Yes…but it's still mostly fuzzy…" If there was one thing Rafael didn't want to do right now, it was having to lie to Montserrat. His gaze lowered to their interlocked hands, which fueled his reasons all over again. "I don't know what they put in my body but I couldn't even tell you my birthday right now."

Montserrat smiled sweetly at him. "I'll make a full list about you when you get home. We can go over it together." She scooted her chair even closer to the bed. "Because when you get out of here, you have two choices about what's going to happen."

"Oh, do I?" Rafael blinked, bemused with the revelation.

Montserrat nodded. "Yup. You have a bullet wound and you need to take care of it. You won't be able to move around so easily — you won't be working," she said the last part as a full on threat in case he had the idea of even discussing the matter. "So, when you get out of here, you can either come home with me where I can help you out."

"Not happening," Rafael said on the spot. "You live with Kara and by extension Carisi. Haven't I been through enough already?"

Montserrat deadpanned him for a short minute. She was honestly expecting a response like that. "Then your other option — and your only other one — is that I come stay with you at your place for a while."

"You'd be willing to do that?"

"Yes, of course. I want to help you and I can't do that if I'm at my own place."

"Montserrat, that's sweet of you and I appreciate it but I don't need help —"

"Yes, you do," Montserrat nodded. This was also something else she anticipated and was well prepared to handle. "Raf, you can't live by yourself right now. Until you can go up and down the stairs on your own, I will be staying with you."

"It's not that the idea of having you around isn't pleasant — because it is — but I don't need you giving up your time just to take care of me." Even as he said it out loud, Rafael thought it was ridiculous. "I can manage on my own. I always do."

"Tough luck because it's not just about you anymore," Montserrat countered with a wry smile, "To your misfortune, and mine, I like you very much. With all your sarcasm and hard attitude, but I like you."

Rafael rolled his eyes at Montserrat. It was, of course, nice to hear something like that but it still didn't take away the feeling of impotence either. There were many things out of his control and Rafael was not used to it.

"Montse—"

"Let me do this, please," Montserrat insisted earnestly. "You're right. I was dead worried about you and, yeah, I want to be close to you for the next couple days because of it. I promise I'll try not to bombard you, okay?" She squeezed his hand in hers. "Please?"

This was a battle he had already lost and Rafael knew it. For all he knew, half her things were already in his apartment. That's not the worst thing that could happen. No, no it absolutely wasn't. Rafael sighed. What he would have given for this conversation to be part of a much better situation than the one they were in right now.

"You can go back home anytime, alright?" He said, instantly earning a beam from Montserrat. "You don't have to stay more than you want and you definitely don't have to do anything for me."

"I don't understand how you graduated from Harvard. You're seriously so stupid," Montserrat said quite honestly, which prompted a hard deadpan from Rafael in return. Montserrat let out a laugh in the next second. "But I want you just the way you are! I missed it all!" She leaned over to give him another kiss. "I missed you," she whispered afterwards. "I know it's insane to say that when we saw each other — what, yesterday? — but I really did miss you so much."

Even while saying it, she still sounded so afraid like he would fall under again. Rafael felt so guilty even while knowing this was way out of his control.

"I'm okay, I'm okay," he insisted for her sake. He wished he could get up from the stupid bed and show her — ease her fear and worries. "I don't want you worrying anymore, okay? Calmada."

"I cannot be calm when you're in this situation," Montserrat promptly huffed. "You went ballistic when I had a scratch on my back! I have every right not to be calm about this. Who did this to you? Do you remember anything about the guy?"

Rafael's mind was slow with all the medication, so coming up with a good excuse was even harder than usual. Luckily for him, Olivia returned at that moment.

"Sorry, that was Rollins," the Sergeant said, "She and Fin are going through some possible witnesses." She approached the foot of the bed slowly, both hands in front of her. "Do you think you can give your statement right now?"

Rafael shifted, and in doing so felt a jab of pain on his side.

"Or we could wait…" Olivia said, mistaking his shift for uneasiness.

"I'm good," he said immediately. He glanced at Montserrat, and a moment later he was asking her: "Maybe I do need something after all."

Montserrat nodded. "Anything," she encouraged, "What do you need?"

"A damn glass of water," he said, "They pump meds all night and day and I don't get to eat anything. I'm so thirsty."

"I'll go see what I can do," Montserrat smiled slyly, "Flash my badge and all."

Rafael smiled at her. He knew very well that she would. "Thank you."

"Of course." Montserrat gave his hand a pat then stood up, turning to Olivia. "Keep an eye on him?"

"Oh yeah," Olivia pressed a finger to her cheek then pointed at Rafael.

Montserrat still left with some reluctance, especially when Olivia mentioned that Lucia was asking for her.

"My mother's still here?" Rafael asked, eyebrows raised.

Olivia nodded. "Oh yeah, she's made it clear she's not stepping away for a while."

"She should go home, like you all. I don't need babysitters," Rafael said, shaking his head.

"Oh no, you're not paying Montserrat with that coin when she's had to deal with your mother."

At Olivia's words, Rafael turned his head slightly. "What do you mean by that? Has she been giving Montserrat a hard time?" He wouldn't put it behind his mother given the situation.

Olivia reluctantly nodded. "Yeah. Novak made the call to inform your mother about the situation earlier in the morning. She didn't want Lucia going through a sleepless night like her, much less your grandmother. Lucia didn't like that."

"Is she kidding?" Rafael snapped, not at Olivia but at the situation. "She just told me she hasn't told my grandmother anything about this." He loved his mother, he did, but sometimes she could be a…

"Montserrat didn't tell you?" Olivia assumed with Rafael's reaction. "She probably didn't want to add to your stress."

"Of course," groaned Rafael, although he soon stopped when he discovered it hurt him. "I'll have a word with my mother."

"Sorry," Olivia said guiltily, "I didn't mean to…you know…"

"No, I'm glad you did," said Rafael sharply, "Because Montserrat wouldn't tell me." Nobody would make her life harder than it had to be, not if he could help it. "Don't even tell her that I know."

"Understood," nodded Olivia. "So, about the case…"

"I need you to do something for me," Rafael said out of the blue, startling Olivia.

"Uh, yeah, of course…" Olivia nodded slowly, "What-what do you need?"

Before answering, Rafael's gaze flickered to the door. Montserrat would be away for a while, hopefully. "I need you to close this case."

"Excuse me?" Olivia tilted her head, presuming she heard wrong.

"You heard me," Rafael said, meeting her gaze. "I want the case closed. Cold case, if it must be."

"I don't — I don't understand…" Olivia rubbed her temple, "You want us to…"

"Close the case, yes," Rafael nodded. 'That's exactly what I want you to do. It's my case, and that's what I'm asking for."

"Why?" Olivia never thought she would have to have this kind of conversation with him. If there's anyone who always said what he wanted, it was Rafael. This made no sense. "Are you still processing what happened? Do you need —"

"I already processed it and this is what I need to happen," Rafael said, sounding very sure of himself. "I know what happens next and I'm not doing that."

"Because of a trial? Rafael, you know that's the natural order of thi—"

"I know," Rafael cut Olivia, his sense of impatience growing. "Believe me, Liv, I know what happens next. I know that you will eventually catch this guy and it will go to trial. I know that their defense attorney will start playing tricks and turn things around for their benefit."

"So you're afraid?" Olivia guessed. "That's also normal…"

"I'm not afraid," Rafael clarified, "I would gladly go along with every part of the process but this isn't about me. It was never about me."

Olivia was utterly lost. She rubbed her forehead relentlessly, leaving faint red marks on her skin. "You're going to have to explain this a little better because I'm not understanding. You don't want us to proceed with the case, you don't want a trial, but you're not scared?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying," Rafael confirmed, "And you, as my friend and more importantly the Sergeant here, need to help me."

"Why? Why do you want me to do that!?"

"Because that man worked for someone I get the feeling has been watching us for a while now."

Olivia presumed that the struggle she saw in Rafael was for himself. His hands balled into fists on either side of him. His lips pursed together enough to scrunch his nose automatically. But once again, Olivia was wrong because as Rafael had said earlier, this wasn't about him.

"He's been watching Montserrat," he spat darkly. The idea sent him into a frenzy and the only thing stopping its full fledged form was the aching throb he felt on the side of his stomach.

Olivia looked at Rafael both curiously and alarmed. "Why…why would you think that?"

"Because that man told me," Rafael replied, giving the impression that he remembered exactly what happened last night.

Olivia raised an eyebrow at him. "What do you mean?"

"You and I are the only ones who know what happened to Montserrat before she transferred here, so this should be easy to understand," Rafael said, only taking a moment because he abhorred what he had to say next. "That man who hurt her — he's watching her. I don't know how, I don't know when, but he's still got eyes on her."

Olivia was keenly aware of the rising noise from the machine beside the bed. One of them was connected to Rafael's finger — a blood pressure measure. "I think you need to—"

"It makes sense now, what Little Tino told Montserrat when we visited him in jail. He told Montserrat that there was a rule in place…"

The beeps got slightly louder.

"Raf—"

"Nobody lays a finger on the redhead," Rafael repeated the words he now hated himself for. He completely missed them at that moment. A deep scowl marked his face. "He has rules, Olivia, about her, about Montserrat — in his eyes, she belongs to him. I can't — he's just—"

"Rafael!" Olivia snapped to get his attention. She moved to his bedside, urgently motioning him to calm down.

"Liv, we can't let him keep watching her," he told her, finally sounding what he truly was: frightened. He was scared, but not for him. "We can't let this keep going. He's—"

Olivia nodded and once again motioned him to calm down. "You need to take it easy. You have stitches. They can burst," she reminded him. She grabbed Montserrat's chair to sit down. "Okay, you're going to have to walk me through this so that we're on the same page about what happened. Only then we can decide how to proceed from here."

"Fine, whatever, but you can't tell Montserrat anything about this."

"I can't promise that but we can work together to come up with the best solution," Olivia said.

It wasn't good enough for Rafael. He needed to hear it out loud…but he knew he was asking the impossible from Olivia. He'd been on that side plenty of times. It was hypocritical of him to be asking the same thing he denied so many times before.

Yes, he was being hypocritical.

Yes, he was being unreasonable.

But he just didn't care.

He didn't care about anything, not even the frikin stitches throbbing on his side right now. The only thing he cared about was currently outside, getting something he asked her for. She was all he cared about. So damn everything else.

#ocapp #allaboutocs #ochub #fd: svu #Rafael Barba fics #Rafael Barba imagines #Rafael Barba x oc #SVU fics #svu imagines #law and order fics #law and order imagines #original characters #oc: Montserrat Novak #fic: dare to forget

[megamew-and-crew]

Dev looked over to Lucia. The Lucardevior duo saw their mark and shared a smile.

He took a leap from his branch perch to get a closer look as the trainer struggled against the wild pokemon. The ampharos here were tougher than most. They might have had something to do with that.

Then he saw just what they were looking for.

The heracross mega evolved and finally was just strong enough to scare off the electric pokemon. The ampharos backing off but not leaving.

He smiled and hopped down in between the trainer team and the ampharos group with a boastful growl and smirk to them. Lucia skipping down to alight by him as quiet as a glittering leaf. The trainer hugging their weak and almost fainted bug pokemon worried.

It was spectacular. Bone brush, psychic blasts, and hyper beams from their tag team versus thunderbolts and some well placed tackle from the other side.

One more blast and the ampharos ran for the brush to escape…

Dev turned to the trainer and used his psychic abilities to ask, “Are you okay?”

“You saved us?” The kid looked confused. Obviously he didn’t know what kind of Pokémon they were.

“Of course, you should really rest after something that bad,” Lucia almost sang as she leaned on a boulder, “We can watch you. That way you’re rested to make it easier to the town up the way…”

Dev nodded to agree with her.

“Okay… you see that Hershey? These nice pokemon helped us,” he hugged his heracross as it flowed out of its mega and smiled back to high him.

One campsite later and Dev tossed Lucia a couple of marble sized stones. He’d keep their word and watch the trainer throughout the night. Come sunrise he woke up the child and pointed him to town before he vanished…

Lucia chuckled, “How long before the kid realizes they’re gone?”

“Not until long after we’re off to another place…” Dev looked to the dark purple portal that opened, “Hello master.”

Do you have something for me?

Lucia offered over the glowing mega stone and its partner stone, “Easy pickings~ This world is almost dry of them.”

A three fingered hand reached through to take them from her, Good, I’ll move you to the next soon… Excellent work as always you two.

“Of course… master Stone…” Dev and Lucia gave a bow with one arm crossing thier chest to the mewtwo on the other side…

Credit: Dev the Lucardivior’s design was made by @pokemon-ash-aus

#stone takeover #lucardevior #megamew au #my art #megamew #mewtwo au #pokemon #art #pokemon au #digital art #mewtwo oc #mewtwo #stone the mewtwo #pokemon oc #mew

[bestiarium]

The Horse of Malegijs [Dutch/Flemish folktales]

Malegijs, often called Maugris in English, is a character from medieval sagas, who supposedly lived in the 8th century. He was a wizard or sorcerer and played a somewhat important role in Dutch and Belgian folktales because he freed the mythical horse Bayard.

Interestingly, there is also a folktale about another horse which appears at first glance to be entirely unconnected, yet is referred to as either ‘the horse Malegijs’ or ‘the horse of Malegijs’. I suspect the name ‘Malegijs’ was eventually used to refer to wizards or supernatural things in general.

Anyway, the story goes like this: in 1521, three young girls from Ieper (pronounced ‘Ee-pur’) returned from a trip to the local fair. Their names were Maxima Vanden Driessche, Magdalena Ghijselin and Lucia Larmeson. They were neighbours. On the way home, the three girls found a small horse of exceptional beauty. It had smooth white skin with almost no fur, its torso was decorated with flowers, its tail had a beautiful golden colour and on its sides were decorations that resembled green parrots. It was wearing a saddle made from pink damask. An unassuming servant came running and claimed to be the owner of the animal. He asked whether the girls had ever seen anything like it, which they had not, and claimed that the horse was from Japan. According to the servant, the horse would never let itself be ridden by a man but would exclusively carry women. A charming and smooth talker, he eventually managed to convince the three curious girls to ride the horse. Magdalena, the bravest of the three, sat in front. But they soon discovered that they had been tricked, for the horse did not walk at a slow pace like the servant had promised, but ran away at a dizzying speed.

After nightfall, the horse suddenly stopped in front of a large and mysterious castle. Through its windows shone a weirdly bright light and joyous music could be heard from within. The horse – still carrying its frightened riders – entered through the gate, accompanied by the servant who had somehow arrived at the castle. The gates closed behind them. Within the castle, they were greeted by a lord with expensive and exotic clothes, and his entourage of noble ladies. The lord wore a Turkish hat (with a little mirror on it and gemstones at the side) and was dressed in clothes made from damask. He politely invited the three bewildered girls to eat dinner with him.

Afterwards, the girls wanted to return to their homes, for they had travelled a very long distance and it would take a long time to walk back. But the castle lord demanded that they join him in a game of ‘pand’. I do not know what kind of game this was, and I can not find information about it, but we can assume it was some form of gambling game as the girls lost almost all of their belongings to the mysterious man. Clad in their underwear and having lost their jewelry, they were thoroughly humiliated and wished to leave. The man said “now, let us toast to the horse Malegijs, which has brought these three ladies to our castle in such a wondrous manner”. Immediately after speaking these words, the eyes of the castle’s ladies suddenly flashed with a supernatural light. They were each given a glass with an unknown beverage, but only managed to drink a few drops before they suddenly awoke from what appeared to be a dream.

But when they got up and looked around, the three girls found themselves in a hole in the ground, atop the Kemmelberg (a hill in West-Vlaanderen, which is a decent distance from Ieper). Curiously, they were still half naked. And so they wandered around until they found a poor farmer’s house. It was still night but they woke the man and told him their story and asked for clothes and transport. The man believed them, claiming that the Kemmelberg was haunted by a group of witches. Sometimes he could hear their music and see flashing lights. But his wife disagreed: she claimed that these strange girls from Ieper, who showed up in their underwear at night and told such strange tales, were clearly witches themselves and should be burned alive. Her husband tried to grab the girls but they managed to flee.

The girls came upon an inn and told the owner that they were robbed by bandits (they didn’t want to tell the truth, lest the innkeeper accuse them of witchcraft like the farmer had done). The man took pity on them and offered to clothe them and bring them home. As luck would have it, the man was a close friend of Magdalena’s father. He ordered a servant to prepare his carriage and so they left.

But the innkeeper lost his way, which he assumed to be because of witchcraft, as he had travelled that road many times before and knew the roads like the back of his hand. A black shade appeared and floated over the horses, and they ran through fields, rivers and forests without breaking a sweat. But the sun came up and the shadow disappeared, for it had no power during the day.

It was a long way home, but eventually the three girls arrived at their destination.

The moral of this story is clear: girls shouldn’t travel with strange men. But I don’t think this was a very widespread tale since all sources are nearly identical, down to the grammar of the sentences. Thus, I suspect they were all derived from Wodana 1843 (a 1967 magazine about Flemish folklore and mythology) which is cited by my second source here. It was written by professor Karel Peeters, who is also the author of my first source. I am uncertain how old this tale is, but I doubt it’s a medieval story. If I had to guess, I’d say the story was first told in the 19th or 20th century. 

Sources: Peeters, K. C., 1979, Vlaams Sagenboek, Davidsfonds, Leuven. https://www.dekroniekenvandewesthoek.be/malegijs-paardje/ https://www.volksverhalen.be/Ieper_PaardjevanMalegijs https://middelkerke.bibliotheek.be/en/catalog/karel-c-peeters/wodana-1843/book/wise-westvlaanderen_3093016?branch=Middelkerke%2FWestende (image: statuette made by Adhémar Vandroemme)

#Belgian mythology #Flemish mythology #Dutch mythology #myths #mythical creatures #folklore #folktales

[khaleesiofalicante]

“Sometimes the best thing you can do to help someone heal is stand by their side and give them time. You don’t need superpowers to do that.”

Selena Lucia Fairchild - LBAF Series

Art by @thorndale​ @elisial​. Click for better quality. 

A short story about Selena under the cut before you meet her again next week 🧡

One ring. Two ring. Three ring. Four ri-

“Where’s your face?”

Selena rubbed at her eyes. “I just woke up.”

“I want to see your face.”

Selena groaned and switched to FaceTime. “Happy?”

Gabriel gave her a lopsided smile. “You look like autumn in October.”

She should be used to this by now. 

She should be used to the shameless flirting and consistent compliments. 

But she wasn’t used to it still. 

She hoped she’ll never get used to it. 

“I just wanted to check if everything is okay in Beijing,” Selena informed as she sat up in bed and stifled a yawn.

“I just got here,” Gabriel informed. “I’m about to check in with the warlock.”

Gabriel had stayed with her yesterday at the institute. But then Ragnor had called them for a special assignment in the middle of the night. 

Apparently some warlock couldn’t use magic or something like that. She wasn’t sure. Selena had been too busy trying to get Gabriel not to leave. 

But Gabriel was a centurion and had important duties. Unfortunately. 

“I told you I’ll make it up to you,” Gabriel told her as they walked down a busy street. 

“I know,” Selena replied. “I still miss you though.”

“Sirenita,” Gabriel chuckled. “I was with you four hours ago.”

“You weren’t here when I woke up,” Selena huffed. 

“Aw,” Gabriel said and stopped walking for a second. “I like it when you’re clingy.”

“I’m not clingy,” Selena rolled her eyes. “It’s just everyone is doing something today and I’m just bored.”

“What’s on your agenda?” Gabriel asked, walking again. 

“Well, I wanted to check on chouchou,” Selena said. “He has been awfully busy since he took over the institute. It’s not good, Gabriel. He is going to get dark circles!”

“Can’t you heal them?” Gabriel asked. 

“I can,” Selena sighed. “I’ll talk to him about it today. What time are you coming back?”

“Evening in New York time. I have to stop by the Tokyo institute,” Gabriel told her. “Want me to say hi to your sister?”

Lexi was currently in Tokyo with Liv. They were on their travel year. 

Selena hadn’t gone anywhere. She had wanted to go. But she didn’t want to be away from home too much. 

She wasn’t ready for that yet. 

It’s not like she needed a travel year anyway. 

Since she had angelic powers that healed people, she often travelled to institutes around the world. 

“Tell her daddy is super excited for her to come home soon,” Selena smiled as she got off the bed and grabbed her hairbrush. 

“Your daddy was also super excited to see me leave last night,” Gabriel grumbled. 

Selena chuckled. “He’ll come around, Gabriel. Don’t worry.”

Her partner let out a dramatic breath. They cocked their head and smiled at her. “I wish I was there to brush your hair.”

“You can brush it when you come back,” Selena promised. “Until then, I will walk around the institute aimlessly until someone needs me for something.”

Gabriel chuckled. “Can I tell you something that will make your day?”

“Sure,” Selena shrugged. 

It was going to be a boring day. She was pretty sure there was nothing that can make it better. 

“I heard from Ragnor Fell that Magnus Bane is visiting the institute this morning,” Gabriel said. 

Selena gasped. “Gabriel! Why didn’t you tell me that sooner! I have to go.”

Gabriel laughed and waved at her, knowing she was as good as gone. 

“Talk to you later. Love you. Bye,” Selena yelled as she grabbed the towel and ran to the bathroom.

When she was done with her shower and stared at the mirror, the opal necklace gleamed at her throat. 

The one Magnus had given her. After everything. 

A new one. 

Magnus had been a little hesitant, given the history of the previous pendant. He had told her that she didn’t have to wear it. 

Selena hadn’t hesitated at all. She had grabbed it and worn it ever since. 

Only a fool would say no to Magnus Bane. 

She changed into skinny jeans and a crop top. Mommy and daddy were in Idris for the day. David was probably in the office room. So, Selena went looking for Magnus directly. 

She found him in the infirmary, healing a werwolf who had gotten hurt last night in a demon attack outside the institute. 

Selena wished she could help too. 

But her healing abilities were limited to people with angel blood. 

She hated that so much. 

It didn’t matter what kind of blood people had, did it? 

Pain was pain. 

“Selena! There you are,” Magnus beamed when he saw her coming in. “I was hoping to check on you and David both.”

“Did mommy ask you to do that?” Selena raised an eyebrow. 

“No,” Magnus said in a tone that totally meant mommy had indeed asked him to check on her children. 

Selena didn’t mind. Especially if it meant she can hang out with Magnus. 

“Can I help you with anything?” She asked as she sat down on adjacent bed. 

“I got this, love,” he threw her a little wink and got to work. 

Selena watched as blue magic enveloped the werewolf boy. 

Her own magic wasn’t like that. It didn’t have a colour or an aura or anything at all. People just got better when she touched them and wished for them to get better. 

She shouldn’t be complaining really. 

She loved that she had a power that can help people. She has always wanted to heal people. 

But there were downsides to it too. She tried not to think about it. 

You know what they say. Be careful what you wish for. 

“Is everything alright?”

Magnus got up from the bed as the werwolf boy slipped into sleep with a smile on his face. 

Selena blinked and then smiled. “Of course. Can I make you some breakfast?”

“How about I make you some breakfast?” Magnus grinned. 

They walked to the kitchen together. Selena informed him that Lexi is coming back home soon and Magnus, in return, share stories about his time in Tokyo and how he dated a samurai - or was a samurai himself. 

He wasn’t quite sure. 

“And then I told them that samurai swords can be also used for culinary pursuits,” Magnus told her as he chopped the onions. “And they didn’t quite take to that suggestion and-oh, damn it!”

“Magnus!” Selena gasped and reached out with her hands. 

Her soft fingers wrapped around his long, slender ones as blood gushed from his fingers. 

It’s fine. She got this. 

Magnus had angel blood inside him. She reached out to that part of him. It listened to her immediately. 

She closed her eyes and prayed. 

She didn’t pray to the angel. Fuck that guy. 

But she prayed to whoever listened to her. 

When she opened her eyes, Magnus’ finger was back to normal. He wiped away the blood with a towel and shook his head with a chuckle. “You do know I have actual magic, yes?”

Selena gave him a sheepish look. “Sorry.”

“It’s alright,” he waved it off. 

“It’s just hard for me to see people get hurt,” Selena said quickly. “I didn’t mean for you to assume I know better than you-”

“I didn’t say you did,” Magnus interrupted as he flipped the omelet. “It’s just-”

He paused and looked at her. Properly. His golden-green eyes were intense. 

Selena felt a little too seen. 

“You can’t heal all kinds of pain, Selena. And you can’t always heal everyone,” Magnus told her. “It’s a tough lesson every healer must learn. I just don’t want you to learn that the hard way.”

“What’s the hard way?” Selena asked as she sat down at the table. 

He gave her a small smile. “Let’s hope you never have to find out.”

#selena fairchild #love binds all futures #lbaf #lbaf iv #thorndale #tsc

[sxrrandomfanfics]

(Author's note: This takes place in December of 2001, which is the same year canonically that PN1 was. And since PN2 was a few days after PN1, there's no need for a timeskip! This is specifically celebrating Sankta Lucia day, a celebration I used to take part in with my Step-Grandfather. While not swedish or italian myself, he was from sweden and celebrated with the scandanavian club where he lived in the states. I wanted to take the time to think about characters celebrating Sankta Lucia day, and with the International part of Psychonauts I figured, why not explore different holidays?)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lili woke up only with the sun, and she slept when the sun went down. On most days. Sure, she was waking up "late" today due to the sunrise, but it still rose at 6:50 am on the dot. The sky was already a lovely purple and she still had plenty of time before she needed to get ready for night time festivities.

December was WILD in the Motherlobe. So many agents coming in and out and different holidays spent different ways.

The Menorah was in the Atrium first and foremost, brought in during the latter-half of November. The Christmas Tree went up on the First of December. Same with the shoes to prepare for St. Nicholas's Day. The Kinara was up a week after the Christmas tree.

She might not have been good with geography, but someone would burn if they assumed that Lili wasn't "cultured." Her mother may or may not have an issue with it, but normally Lili got to spend all of her time at the Motherlobe due to her SAD affecting her moods.

She made sure to bring out her dress for tonight's festivities. White, a color she normally didn't wear, with a red ribbon belt. Lili put it on to make sure it could still fit. She stuck her tongue out a bit as she measured her limbs. A bit short for her arms, but she could make it work.

"You know, you don't have to put that on until tonight." Truman told her.

She scoffed, almost sounding like a hiss. "I know dad. Just checking it. We'll need a new one next year."

"Next year? Not this year? Because you know I'm willing to go out and-"

Lili groaned. "I don't want to dress shop for another plain white robe dress today, dad."

"Alright, my little Pumpkin." Truman walked away, letting Lili put on her other clothes for the day.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lili hadn't expected Raz's return from the mission this early, but she wasn't complaining. She nearly tackled him as he was staring at the menorah, five of the candles already lit.

He squeezed her tight. "Missed you, too."

She gave a tighter squeeze before letting go.

Raz began to walk, grabbing Lili's hand for the two to leave the atrium.

"How'd the mission go?" Lili asked.

Raz smiled. "Pretty good. Despite the fact we had to kind of rush it."

"Rush it?"

Raz rubbed the back of his neck. "Mom would kill me if I missed Lucia night."

"Wait, you celebrate that, too?"

"Not really on my dad's side, but mom's side." Raz explained.

"Oh! Well that's great cause we're setting up for our Sankta Lucia celebration!"

"You do that?"

"Yeah! That's why we have the candelabras framing the Christmas tree, duh!"

"I get the candles, but candelabras?"

"No, the Motherlobe tries to celebrate as many holidays as we can to include other psychics and their cultures. I'm a genuine Carmen Sandiego!"

"Carmen Sandiego knows maps, not cultures."

Lili froze at that. "Oh, shut up!"

Raz burst into laughter. "I knew it, you haven't played the games yet!"

"Shut up or I'll punch you!"

Raz giggled. "I don't think I can stop laughter on command, Lili."

Lili huffed, eyebrows furrowing. She got a thought that made her face relax a bit, only to get a devious smirk. "No, you have others that can get you to laugh, though."

"What do you mean?"

Lili raised her other hand, making a single wave of her fingers.

Raz stared, seemed to get it, then bolted towards the Artifacts closet.

"C'mere, Raz!" Lili jeered. The two ran in, Lili chasing Raz only through the beginning part. The space may have been cramped, but he was slippery and able to jump high. Lili could focus just enough and-

A purple TK hand grabbed Raz by the collar. "Hey, no TK hands! That's che-heeheeheeheeheeheeheehee!"

Lili only had to pinch the skin behind his knee to get him to squeal. "All is fair in love and war, Razputin." Lili told him with a teasing tone.

"Stahahahahahahahap!"

Lili did so, letting Raz drop.

"Mean." He accused.

Lili's face dropped and Raz quickly got up.

"Sorry, sorry. Bad joke." He hugged her.

Lili huffed. "Really bad."

He turned his head slightly, pressing a closed mouth kiss onto her neck. "I love you."

Lili squeezed him. "Love you, too."

The two settled, taking seats on top of boxes.

"You should come to our Lucia celebration." Lili told Raz.

"Really? Mom's... really particular-"

"It's fun and easy. All the kids and some teens get to go and dress up, away from some of the boring adult parts, and then we come in dressed up with candles. Well, you're a boy so you'd have a giant star you wave around instead of a real candle."

"Ah, so I'd be the star of the show?"

Lili elbowed him in the ribs.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lili took in a shaky breath. She was trying to steady her nerves, like Helmut usually did. Usually, it would be the oldest girl playing Lucia, but Lili hadn't expected such a low turnout of kids. Probably cause of Coach's-

"Lili?" Her best friend, Dogen, was by her side. He was dressed in the little Starboy uniform. "You look like you're gonna be sick."

"Sick!? Sick!? I'm not sick I can't be sick!"

"Sure you can. Everyone gets sick once 'n a while."

"No, I can't be sick for Lucia Night!"

"You sure...?"

"Yeah. I'm not gonna be sick."

"...you're gonna sing tonight, right?"

"Yes I'm supposed to sing tonight thank you for reminding me Dogen." Lili said in one breath.

"Oh, you're scared about it, huh?"

"I wasn't supposed to be the one singing this until I was 14 Dogen! I'm 10!"

"So you are scared?"

"I'm worried. I don't want to mess this up."

"So why don't you ask someone else to do it?"

"Because people will get mad, Dogen. Sankta Lucia has been done a very specific way all this time-"

"I'm here!" Raz's voice suddenly said. "Is there any costumes I can get into?"

"Yes, darling!" Milla's voice rang, "we have plenty still."

Lili felt her anxiety spike. Her palms and face were sweaty.

"Lili?"

"I'M FINE." Lili snapped. "Sorry, Dogen. I just..." She let out a breath.

"It's okay... It's okay to be worried."

"I just don't want to mess up in front of everyone. Let alone including Raz and his family in that crowd."

"You sing good though."

Lili sighed with a mix of exasperation and admiration for her friend's support. "Thank you for that comment Dogen but my nerves are still on the fritz."

[justnerdy15]

what is love in the face of eternity?

wip: Heiress of the Night Bonus snippet between Anthony and Zhang. Note: this probably will not be included in the novel, but this would not leave me the fuck alone. so, published to the void of the internet it will be. (this is also like 90% dialogue)(long post, more under the cut)

“How do you do it?” Anthony asks, watching as Huan disappears around the corner, smooth voice echoing down the hallway.

Zhang raises an eyebrow at him, settling back into his chair. “Do what?” The New York skyline paints his office in a deep orange, casting shadows over his face.

“Love him,” Anthony replies. He swallows tightly. “How do you love him, but not turn him?”

Zhang hums, picking up the steaming cup of tea, and takes a delicate sip. He stares down into the swirling pale liquid, collecting his thoughts, before he sets the cup down with a sigh. “When I was first turned, I was afraid of what I was going to become. I had seen the jiangshi that had bitten me, a horrifying rotting corpse, with any semblance of its humanity gone. And I had feared that I would share its fate. But in those agonizing hours of my transformation, I saw something —“ He pauses, searching for the right words “— miraculous. There was silk wrapped around my finger, glowing a deep warm red, extending far beyond my vision, pulsating with each beat of my own dying heart. I watched it, fearing the moment the string would finally snap, until I finally succumbed to the venom.”

He stands, walking away from his desk to the towering bookshelves against the far wall, where a collection of photos cluster on one of the shelves. “When I woke up, no longer human, I couldn’t see the string, but I knew it was still there. That my destiny, despite my death, persisted.” Zhang looks back with bemused smile, in on some joke Anthony didn’t know, “Seventy-five years passed before I met Huan — Qiang in his first life — and when I saw him, I knew. I had finally met my destiny.”

His lips quirk into a wry grin. “He was the first true test of my discipline. It is easy to believe you have mastered control when you have not been confronted with your inner-most desire.”

A knowing look his way. “As I’m sure you are aware, Anthony.”

He feels like he’ll tell on himself regardless, so he chooses to remain quiet.

“I had ten years with him the first time around. A decade of companionship, a friendship that weathered the tides of war, that survived the heartache of lies and betrayal. I was sure that when the time came I would turn him and we would have eternity together, but —“

Zhang breathes in deeply, turning again to face the shelves, letting his hands wring together behind his back. “I had to leave for a hunt, to another settlement where I could feed without worry, and when I returned a sickness had come to the village, burning through them like fire through dry tinder, and he fell to the illness.”

“His mother and sister had already died a week before my return. His father and some other men had left to go find whatever help they could further south. And Huan was dying in his bed, alone and suffering.”

Zhang returns to his desk, sitting heavily in his chair, and his eye are red rimmed. “I wanted to turn him. I knew that we had time, if not much, to save him from death. But he refused. The death of his family, the destruction of his community, it was too much. He would not have been able to live — as it were — with the guilt of survival. How could I force him into an eternal life he did not want? How could I let the man I love die? How could I not?" Zhang breathes out heavily and lets his hands fall to his sides. His fingers twitch in some vague gesture. "He begged me to stay with him until he passed and promised that we would meet again. I did and it took him three more days to die.”

Anthony thinks of Evangeline. Of a dark alleyway and pooling blood on damp concrete. Of his own desperation to save her. Thinks of Lucia and Daniel, beautiful and doomed, setting the city ablaze.

“I was aimless, grief stricken, roaming the continent little more than a wounded animal plagued by its own existence. The string that was once a promise of unity became a mockery, an ever present reminder of my own failure, taunting me to join him the dark earth. I thought any chance of happiness was buried with him.” Zhang clears his throat, rolling his shoulders, and forces himself to relax in his chair.

“But the world and its magic works in mysterious ways.”

“How so?” Anthony asks, leaning forward on his elbows.

“You know, I spent eighty-six years wandering the continent when I finally decided to go back. For what, I had no idea, but I felt that it was time. I traveled to what is now the Gansu province, towards Tianshui, when I felt an intense urge to enter a small establishment. But it had been so long since I had been around humans, much less felt human myself, that I resisted that urge, but I allowed myself to look in through one of the windows. And that’s where I saw him.”

“Really?” Disbelief.

Zhang laughs. “Yes, really. He looked different, of course, a new name, a new face. But I knew, just as I did the first time, that it was him. And thus began the cycle. I find him. I love him. I lose him. Again and again and again. Sometimes I don’t even get to know him. By the time I find him, he’s in a relationship with someone else or he’s dying or perhaps has already died. But even then, I love him all the same.”

“Have you asked him? About turning?” Anthony asks.

“I’ve asked in every life I have been able to be a part of and it has always been a no.” Zhang gives a self-deprecating smile. “I’ve learned to enjoy the time that I have with him for however long that may be. Perhaps one day, in this life or the next, he will say yes. Until then, I will love him and ,when the time come, I will search for him again.”

#wip: heiress of the night #queer romance #my writing #is this sad? bittersweet? romantic? #all of the above? #vampires

[walker-extended-universe]

WIP Wednesday Game

stolen from @kedreeva

Rules:

Post up to five (5) filenames of your WIPs; not titles, file names.

Post a snippet from one of them. Snippet must be words you wrote in the last 7 days. We’re posting progress here. If you haven’t made any, go make some and come back to post!

After you’ve posted, people can send you an ask with one of your file names. You must then write 3 sentences in that file. If the filename is one you can’t share from (for example, an event fic), write 3 sentences on it anyway, and then 3 more on another to share.

That’s it!

3x14 August got kidnapped AU

“I don’t need an apology.” He cut his mother off and allowed himself to give her a curt look. “I need to know he’s okay. Try his phone; he may not be able to answer but we should be able to at least trace a location. I’m going to go report back to James so he knows we’re looking at a potential hostage situation.” And also maybe deliver an I fucking told you so but that could wait until he knew August was safe.

He stormed back to the parking garage to find James. “Walker, there you are. How’s-”

“August is missing. Kevin’s also in the wind. I wonder if those two things are connected,” he said through grit teeth.

“Ah, well-”

“Don’t,” he snapped. “I don’t want your apologies or any excuses. I want my son home safely. Make that happen and I might not do something to you that’ll cost me my badge.”

Cordell/Lucia storm

The woman stared at him. “...Right….And who are you?”

“Oh! Right. Uh, my name is Cordell Walker. And you are?”

“Lucia Reyes.” She sat up, holding the blankets to her chest. “I- I’m sorry, I don’t understand how I ended up here. I was on my way into town….”

He nodded and sat down on the other side of the table. “It’s okay. That storm is pretty bad; I’m not surprised you got turned around, especially since you were traveling on foot. Once it clears up, I’ll be happy to give you a ride to wherever you need to go.”

Cordell/Lucia dream

He just wanted to sleep and forget everything for a while. He closed his eyes with a heavy sigh and wished for sweet dreams.

When he opened his eyes again, he wasn’t in his own bed. Or even his own house as far as he could tell.

This dream again. He sighed and rolled out of bed.

It started a few weeks ago. He went to sleep one night and woke up here. “Here” being some kind of weird dreamworld where he was a ranch hand sometime in the frontier days. He’d work with the horses, eat some delicious chili with the family, and then head back to bed, where he'd wake up back in his own life, perfectly rested for the day.

Emily/Hoyt

It was just supposed to be a simple raid. Sure, there was always a risk with his job; they all knew it. But Cordell always came back alright. Maybe he had a scratch or a bruise or, heaven forbid, a stab or a shot wound, but he always came back.

Maybe Emily had just grown naive enough to fool herself with pretty lies like that. Otherwise, that phone call may not have destroyed her so completely.

She tried to shove it down. There was so much for her to do. She had to make preparations for the funeral- his real funeral, not that ponyshow the county was putting on for their Fallen Ranger.

#wip wednesday #my writing #ask game #hit me

[vampire-vore]

webtoons with strong female leads

TRINITY: this one is really underrated and i love it so much, the artstyle scratches the little gay scifi itch in my head and the main character, faith, is hilarious

https://www.webtoons.com/en/challenge/trinity/list?title_no=717466

Hero Killer: i love this webtoon more than anything, probably my all time favourite rn, its also not romance focused which is amazing, tw: gore

School Bus Graveyard: 100/10, terrifying concept, amazing execution. also i love the graveyard gangs group dynamic

Not even bones: follows nita, an absolute badass, although be prepared to yell at her through the screen as her judgement is not great at times. I love this one, really a good take on morality. tw: gore, child abuse, torture

I'm the grim reaper: main character, scarlet, is a newly dead soul whose just been offered a deal by satan himself, this one gets fairly dark/ existential at times, tw: gore

Here there be dragons: currently one of my favourites. The mc, Bree, is very badass and very exasperated with her new found family group of sassy knights.

Homesick: im crying, someone put me out of my misery im fucking sobbing 20/10, tw: gore

Suitor Armor: follows lucia, a lady in waiting whose secretly a fairy, love lucia so much shes one of my favourite webtoon mcs by far

#webtoon recs #strong female lead #TRINITY #webtoon #recs #Hero Killer #school bus graveyard #im the grim reaper #here there be dragons #post