#but i added my best friend and all of our like compatibility things were in :)

[talkdutchtome]

Dress - Mason Mount

pairing . . . mason mount x reader )

genre . . . smut )

summary . . . mason mount had been your best friend for as long as you could remember, so why now all of a sudden was sleeping with him all you could think about )

song . . . dress- taylor swift )

warning . . . smut, 18+ MINORS DNI, some light choking, fingering, some oral (f & m receiving), p in v, unprotected sex, creampie, use of petnames, not proofread )

word count . . . 2900 words )

a/n . . .this is my first ever smut so i apologise if it's not great but after mason's new ad i just couldn't not)

 Our secret moments in a crowded room  They got no idea about me and you  There is an indentation in the shape of you  Made your mark on me, a golden tattoo   

Mason Mount was your best friend. You had known him since childhood; your mums were friends, so you had grown up together. For as long as you could remember he would be by your side, your other half- purely platonic of course. Or it used to be platonic anyway. Over the last few months something had changed between the two of you, you didn’t know why it had or when it happened, but it did. It started with stolen glances; you’d find yourself looking at him differently than you ever had before. As lifelong best friends, there were occasions when you’d see each other in underwear; before you wouldn’t have thought anything about it, but now, you couldn’t help but look. You couldn’t pull your eyes away from his muscular legs, from the way his underwear pulled tightly across his crotch. Maybe you would have felt bad about looking at him like that if you hadn’t noticed him glancing at your chest when you wore a particularly low-cut dress. 

 After that, things progressed to lingering touches, there would be times that the two of you would be walking down the street and Mason would hold his hand on the small of your back, gently guiding you down the road. Sometimes at parties or clubs you would dance together, closer than any two friends should ever be, spurred on by Dutch courage. As the music throbbed through the floor and alcohol coursed through your veins, you and Mason moved together in a dance that transcended friendship. His hand found the small of your back, and the way he guided you through the crowded dance floor was different tonight, closer and more intimate than ever before. You could feel his warm breath against your ear as he whispered jokes and secrets amidst the music's relentless beat. Every step and sway seemed to bring you closer together until the only thing separating you were the clothes you were wearing. In that moment, with the electrifying chemistry between you two, you both began to realize that the line between friendship and something deeper was blurring, and with each synchronized movement, the unspoken truth hung heavy in the air, waiting to be acknowledged. 

You truthfully didn’t know how to explain your relationship with Mason. You weren’t more than friends, but you weren’t just friends either. Friends don’t look at each other the way you look at him, the way he looks at you. You didn’t even know if you wanted to be more than friends with him, the pair of you were so similar to each other, too similar sometimes; you weren’t sure if you would be compatible together. All you knew was there was so much sexual tension between the two of you it was making it almost impossible to function 

All of this silence and patience, pining and anticipation  My hands are shaking from holding back from you  Ha, ah, ah  All of this silence and patience, pining and desperately waiting  My hands are shaking from all this  Ah, ha, ha, ha-ah   

With all that considered, when Mason messaged you letting you know that a few of the Chelsea lads were going to a party tomorrow night and that you should come along, you knew what you needed to do. This had gone on for too long, so much had been left unsaid and you were sick of it. Maybe you wouldn’t be compatible in a relationship, but you didn’t want a relationship, you just wanted him. So on the day of the party you went out and bought sluttiest, skimpiest dress you could find; then you spent longer then you ever usually would getting ready. To put it bluntly, you looked good as hell, and you were ready to go and get your man. However, this effort seemed to be for nothing when you walked into the party to find a girl sat on Mason’s lap, whispering in his ear and peppering kisses on his neck. You felt completely thrown, of course Mason could do what he wanted, but you thought that this game of cat and mouse you were playing would ultimately ended with the two of you admitting what you want and getting it, it being each other. But it seemed like that wasn’t to be it seemed. It hurt, you couldn’t deny that, but you simply told yourself to get over it and find somebody else to scratch that itch.  

You found that person in the shape of Kepa Arrizabalaga. You knew from Mason that he was a bit of a ladies man, the kind of person to prefer one-night stands to a real relationship; he was perfect. It started with a bit of light flirting, you batted your eyelashes, laughed at his semi-unfunny jokes whilst placing a hand on his rock hard bicep. It didn’t take long for things to move on, both of you were aware of what this was so there was no need to beat around the bush. Soon his lips were on yours and he was leading the way to a spare bedroom. It may not have been what you came into this party expecting, but you certainly weren’t going to complain. 

Unbeknownst to you, Mason was across the room watching this whole scene go down. To say he was jealous would be an understatement, he didn’t know it until the very moment he saw you all over his teammate, but you were his. You were his and watching Kepa lead you away to a bedroom made him sick. He wasn’t stupid, he knew there was something between the two of you but to put it plainly, he was nervous. He wanted you and you wanted him; but what if after you had each other your friendship couldn’t recover. He had been friends with you for as long as he could remember, you knew him more than he knew himself and didn’t want to do anything that would risk your friendship. So he pushed his feelings down, he deflected everything he felt for you to another girl and it was going fine. Abby was fine, she wasn’t you, but she was fine. That was until he saw Kepa undressing you with his eyes, saw you reciprocating all of his flirty advances; it was in that exact moment that Mason decided he was done being the bigger person and ignoring his need for you. He wanted you and he was going to have you.  

Mason was hot on your heels, following the pair of you into the room. However the few seconds delay meant that when he burst into the room, he was greeted by the picture of you straddling the Spaniard, your lips attached to his neck.  

“Sorry to interrupt, Y/N I need to speak to you.” Mason said, staring at the pair of you, burning a hole into your back.  

“No Mase I’m busy go away” You detached your lips from Kepa’s neck to tell Mason to fuck off before promptly reconnecting them again.  

“Kepa mate fuck off I need to speak to Y/N” Mason said again, clearly not ready to give up. You sighed heavily and got ready to curse Mason out, telling him to leave you alone but were interrupted by Kepa. 

“Yeah, I think I should go” you heard the man underneath you say, prompting you to get up and let him leave. 

“What the fuck was that about Mason, I was clearly doing something?” You asked, really confused by your best friends outburst. He made it clear that he didn’t want anything from you so why should he be bothered if you go and get it from somebody else. 

“Kepa, Y/N? Why Kepa?” You got up from the bed and stood in front of him 

“Why not Kepa? I needed something and he was willing to provide. Who would you rather I chose?” You said, walking closer to him until you were only inches apart. 

“Me Y/N. I would have rather you chose me.” His words made time freeze. You could feel your own heartbeat race and you could hear his do the same. This was it, all of the build up from the last few months were coming to a head right here. You watched as his eyes scanned your body from top to bottom, taking in every inch of you, looking at you like he would never see you again. And then, after a pause that felt both like a million years but also milliseconds, his lips crashed onto yours. Your hands came to his hair instantly, pulling him closer, deepening the kiss. At the sensation of you lightly pulling at his hair, Mason groaned into your mouth, making your pussy clench around nothing, desperate for him.  “Jump” he said, pulling his lips away from yours before planting them on your neck. You did as he said, wrapping your legs around his waist, his hands coming up to your ass immediately, giving it a rough squeeze.  

Say my name and everything just stops  I don't want you like a best friend  Only bought this dress so you could take it off  Take it off, ha, ha, ha-ah  Carve your name into my bedpost  ’Cause I don't want you like a best friend  Only bought this dress so you could take it off  Take it off, ha, ha, ha-ah 

He throws you on the bed carelessly, like he doesn’t have time for niceties, like if he took even a second longer than was absolutely necessary, he would blink and you would be gone. You watch as he takes of his shirt and then his trousers, leaving him stood there in his underwear. The way his hard cock strained in his underwear made you gulp; he was huge, you could tell that without even needing to see it.  

“Let’s get this dress off pretty girl” he said, his voice deeper than you had ever heard it before. He pulled you up so you were standing facing away from him. His hands go to your zip immediately. 

“You looked so beautiful today. This dress looks so good on you” He whispers in your ears, gently nibbling on your earlobe in-between each word. The words send shivers down your spine, causing you to let out a soft, barely audible moan. His rough hands pull down the zip of your dress causing it to fall to the floor. You could practically hear Mason’s jaw hit the ground when he noticed you weren’t wearing a bra. He spins you around immediately, his mouth going to one nipple, his hand to another. The sucking, nibbling and pinching made you feel like you were going crazy. It felt so good but you needed more, you needed him.  

“Please Mase” you said breathlessly, reaching out to palm his hard dick through his boxers. “I need you” He laughs at your neediness. 

“You need me do you? Why don’t you show me how much you need me” he said finally detaching his mouth from your breast before very gently pushing you down to your knees. Seeing the light and excitement in your eyes when you caught on to what he meant made Mason curse himself for waiting so long to do this. He swore he could see stars when you started placing small barely there kisses on his cock over his underwear. Then he swore he was going to pass out when you reached into his underwear, pulling his cock out and immediately licking a long stripe from the base to the tip before placing his whole manhood in your mouth. The feeling of his cock hitting the back of your throat was a feeling Mason knew he would never be able to forget. Things got even better for Mason when you hallowed your cheeks and brought your hand up to his balls, massaging them in your hands as you worked his dick in your mouth.  

“Fuck baby you’re so good at this” Mason croaked out and his praise spurred you on, taking him even deeper into your mouth making him let out a guttural moan. You could feel yourself getting wetter and wetter, desperate for him to touch you, desperate for him to fuck you. As if he could read your mind, Mason abruptly pulled himself out of your mouth, causing you to look up at him confused. The sight of you was a sight that Mason wanted to see every day until the day he died. On your knees, your lips swollen, and your lipstick smudged, looking up at him with pleading eyes, begging to be fucked. 

“Lay on the bed Babygirl, I’m going to make you feel so good” he said, and you did as he asked immediately. You truly thought tonight couldn’t get any better, you were proved wrong however when he clambered onto the bed and settled his head in-between your legs and started leaving hot, open kisses on your thighs and over your soaking underwear.  

“I need you so bad Masey, fuck me please” you pleaded to him, garnering a laugh from the man in-between your thighs. 

“Be patient Y/N, I’ll fuck you in a minute, but I want to taste you first” That was it, that settled it; you had died and gone to heaven. Unable to contain himself, he ripped the thong off your body and marveled at how wet your pussy was. You wanted to curse him out for ruining your favorite pair of underwear but when his mouth made contact with your clit, you couldn’t think or see straight. The feeling on his tongue licking strips up your pussy, lapping up all of the wetness before attaching itself to your clit, was a feeling that made you forget your own name. It didn’t take long before you could feel the need to cum building up, the tension in your stomach being almost too much to bear.  

“Oh, fuck Masey I’m going to cum” you just about managed to get the words out in-between moans that sent shockwaves to Masons throbbing cock.  

“Cum baby. Cum and I’ll fuck your brains out” His words were accompanied by his tongue dipping into your pussy and his thumb coming up to rub circles on your overstimulated clit. It took seconds after that for you to reach your peak, letting out moans that could rival a pornstars.  

“Let me ride you” you asked Mason once you had ridden out your orgasm. Mason said nothing, he simply picked you up and flipped you, so you were on top of him, your legs on either side of him.  

“Fuck Y/N I don’t have a condom” Mason said, looking like he wanted to die, he needed you so badly, he really didn’t think he could walk away now without knowing what it feels like to be buried deep inside of you.  

“I’m on the pill, and I’m clean” you told him and watched his eyes pop out of his head, clearly not able to believe his luck. 

“So- So am I” he stuttered out before crashing his lips onto yours. You reached for his cock, lining it up with your pussy. Mason hissed at the feeling of you slowly lowering yourself onto him and you felt tears fill the brim of your eyes, the burn of being stretched out being almost too much to handle. 

“You’re so big Masey, you fill me up so well” you said as the pain started to subside, being replaced with pleasure. After giving yourself some time to get used to his size, you started bouncing on top of him, moans spilling out of your mouth almost constantly, your hands resting on his chest, digging your nails into his skin.  

“My god you feel like heaven baby girl” Mason said through gritted teeth, one hand coming to massage your ass the other reaching up to your neck, not yet applying pressure but even the slight sensation had you moving faster on his dick, even more moans falling from your lips.  

“I’m not going to last long baby; I’ve dreamt of this for so long” Mason said breathlessly, moving his hand from your neck to your clit, before he started thrusting into you, taking control. 

“Cum on my dick and then let me fill you up. I’ll bet you look so pretty filled up with my cum” his words, the speed of which he was fucking you and his expert fingers got you to your point of release very quickly. You came harder this time, your pussy clenching around Mason’s dick like you were made for each other. He let you ride out your orgasm before flipping you around, so your back was on the bed, and started thrusting into you rough and fast. The scene of you on your back for him, tits bouncing up and down as he fucked you drove him crazy. His thrusts quickly became sloppy, a tell tell sign he was close, he brought his mouth down to yours, kissing you like a man starved as he reached his climax. You could feel his dick twitch in your over-stimulated pussy as he released himself inside you, his cum coating your walls. Exhausted, he collapsed onto you, his forehead pressed right against yours.  

“Why the fuck did we wait so long to do that?” 

There is an indentation in the shape of you  Only bought this dress so you could take it off  You made your mark on me, golden tattoo  Only bought this dress so you could take it off 

#mason mount smut #mason mount x reader #mason mount #mason mount fanfic #footballer x y/n #mason mount x y/n #footballer smut #footballer x reader

[bosbas]

Chapter 6: you had to kill me, but it killed you just the same

series masterlist previous part || next part

pairing: benedict bridgerton x best friend!fem!reader WC: 4.0k words

Warnings: period-typical gender roles, idiots in love being idiots in love, angst, miscommunication (ish), lots of feelings in this one, benedict actually being the biggest idiot known to man, slow burn continues to slowly burn

Summary: You and Benedict have been best friends since childhood, but things change dramatically once you come out in society. You’re struggling to find someone you’re as compatible with and who knows you as well as Benedict, all while trying to quell your ever-growing feelings for him. Shenanigans ensue.

A/N: kind of a Benedict heavy chapter oops

May 29, 1814 - The Featherington Ball two nights prior proved quite the romantic affair, prompting not one, not two, but three proposals in its aftermath. The inquisitive minds among you may inquire, 'To whom were these proposals directed?' But the more important question, dearest reader, is of the identity of the proposer. The answer is quite simple: it was Mr Nigel Berbrooke on all three occasions. And so, the members of the ton may be unsurprised to find that Mr Berbrooke was met with three swift rejections. One hopes that Mr Berbrooke will have a shift in fortune at the Smythe-Smith musicale tomorrow night. 

Among other news, our esteemed diamond has fled the spotlight. Miss Y/N Beaumont has not been spotted in the ton since the night of the Featherington ball. While Mr. Alexander Beaumont, her brother, cited an awful headache as the reason for her early departure from the ball, this author wonders whether Miss Beaumont was simply through with the social scene. One could certainly not blame her if Nigel Berbrooke is the only man of the ton who has taken romantic action this season. Hopefully, the Smythe-Smith abode will provide a better stage for young love, and if not, then at least the musicale will undoubtedly prove very entertaining. 

As Francesca finished her dramatic reading of the Whistledown column, she was met with resounding laughter from her siblings. Although Nigel Berbrooke's lackluster success in his romantic pursuits was amusing in itself, Lady Whistledown's sharp wit and Francesca's theatrical flare only added to the absurdity of his situation. 

Even Benedict, who was in a disagreeable mood because he hadn't spoken to you since the ball, couldn't help but chuckle. Eloise, breathless from laughter, extended her heartfelt condolences to the three unfortunate ladies who had fallen victim to the decidedly disagreeable Mr. Berbrooke. 

"Three proposals in two days, all met with rejection? Positively ghastly," remarked Anthony, shaking his head in amusement. 

Hyacinth was quick with a playful dig at her older brother. "Bold of you to assume you would be more successful than him, brother," came her retort, met with more giggles from her sisters and a feigned gasp of offense from Anthony.

"I assure you I absolutely would, dear Hyacinth. To start, I would refrain from pursuing three women at once. But you can rest peacefully knowing that whenever I choose to propose, my future wife will say yes in an instant," he drawled, a playful arrogance underscoring his words.

"I'd certainly like to see you try," Ben spoke, a slight edge to his voice. "Proposing to someone, I mean." Anthony turned to face his brother on the couch and raised his eyebrows, unimpressed. 

He retorted with an equally cutting edge to his voice, "In reality, Benedict, it seems that you are in a better position to propose than I am, don't you think?"

As the thick tension in the room became palpable, Francesca, Eloise, and Hyacinth held their breath in anxious anticipation. Though neither brother displayed outward aggression, their words carried an unmistakable undercurrent of intensity.

Benedict's breathing grew heavier, his eyes narrowing. Keeping his temper in check, he shot back sarcastically, "And what, pray tell, gives you that impression, dear brother?" Silent ripples of anger emanated from him, and the Bridgerton sisters felt a rising unease as the dispute seemed on the verge of eruption.

Sharp and deadly, Anthony's voice cut through the charged silence of the sitting room, "The fact that you already have someone to propose to, perhaps."

Anthony had barely finished speaking when Benedict rose abruptly, hands formed into tight fists at his sides. With a murderous look on his face, he ground out, "Actually, I don't believe I do." 

Seeing Anthony open his mouth to respond, Ben cut in quickly, pure poison dripping from his voice, "You are mistaken, Anthony. I have absolutely no one to propose to. There is simply nothing there. Nothing that a marriage can be built on, at least. I am aware that Y/N is looking for a husband, but it will most certainly not be me."

Hyacinth let out a quiet gasp of disbelief, quickly covering her mouth. Benedict swiftly stormed out of the room, leaving his siblings in dumbfounded silence. After a brief pause, Anthony shook his head, cursing under his breath and running after Benedict.

Benedict could barely feel his legs, white-hot anger flooding through him as he made his way to his bedroom. Typically, in such intense moments, he sought solace outdoors or channeled his frustrations into his art. But he had spent too many afternoons watching your nose scrunch as you laughed on the swings with him in the garden, and the walls of his studio were entirely filled with endless incomplete sketches of you, so he found the prospect rather unbearable at the moment. 

But he felt Anthony's firm hand on his shoulder before he could reach the staircase. Rolling his eyes and turning around, Ben spat a callous, "What?"

"Benedict, you are being ridiculous," came Anthony's response, in a tone of voice that was not unkind. "I cannot pretend to understand the inner workings of your friendship with Y/N, but I do know that you are inadvertently distracting her from finding a husband."

Entirely disarmed by his brother's change in tone, Benedict let out a long breath, defeated. He ran his hands through his hair, clearly frustrated by his impossible situation.

"Perhaps the kindest thing to do would be to let her go," pressed Anthony carefully, aware of the sensitivity of the topic. "I doubt she is aware of it herself, but the girl clearly has some sort of feelings for you, and you are only leading her on, so to speak."

Benedict could only nod, anxiously chewing at his lower lip. He knew his actions at the Featherington ball were not helping in your search for a husband, but it hurt just as much to stay away. Either way, Ben was desperate to speak with you. He knew he had to give you space, but it had been two days of complete silence from both of you, and he was itching to apologize properly.

---

As you waited outside of the Bridgerton residence, you shifted on your feet. Usually, you were happy to walk in unannounced, the closeness between your family and the Bridgertons removing the need for formalities. But you were nervous to see Ben. You hadn't seen him in a few days, let alone spoken to him, and you really would rather not have the conversation you were about to have with him. Cass suggested sending him a letter, but you couldn't imagine him opening it alone, reading that you wanted distance from him. It was much better to do this in person, and hopefully, he would understand your situation. He would have to, as the Smythe-Smith musicale was tonight, and both of you would be in attendance. 

Steeling yourself, you opened the front door and walked in, greeting the butler with a smile and a short wave, as you usually did. You practically skipped to the back door, eager to see Benedict despite dreading the difficult conversation ahead. You found him on the swings, staring off into the vast expanse of the Bridgerton garden. As you reached him, you tapped his shoulder three times and uttered a soft "Hi, Ben."

Immediately turning toward you, his face lit up in joy, and he stood up to hug you tight, spinning you around. "Well, hello! It's been far too long. How have you been?" 

As you both settled into the swings, you cleared your throat uncomfortably. "I've been alright. How about you?" 

"I've been alright. Anthony has been as irritating as ever, but unfortunately, there's no cure for that at the minute," he answered, earning a soft laugh from you. 

But your face dropped quickly, and you found yourself anxiously chewing your lip and staring into his perceptive eyes. Wordlessly, he asked you what was wrong with a slight tilt of his head and furrow of his brow. 

You cleared your throat again and spoke, "I apologize for running off the other night. I feel like I should explain myself. I've had some time to think in the past few days, and I do realize that I overreacted a bit, and for that, I am sorry." 

He reached over to grab your hand, rubbing his thumb in a comforting manner. Although it pained you, and you wanted nothing more than to lean into his touch, you carefully took your hand out of his grasp and set it in your own lap. A look of hurt flashed briefly across his eyes, and you felt your throat tighten and your stomach ache. But you had to continue. You had to get it all out now while you still had momentum.

"I just-" you paused. "Um, it might... benefit me... if we took some time apart," you said. You knew Benedict was trying to hide how crestfallen he truly was, but you knew him too well to be oblivious to his pain. 

You quickly jumped into your loosely prepared speech, "I don't mean away completely! And I don't mean forever, of course. I just think I could benefit from us... not acting how we usually do while I am trying to attract suitors."

He let your words hang in the air, fully processing what you were saying. "Of course, whatever you need. I'm sorry if I was distracting you from-"

"No!" you cut in. "Not at all! I think I was more distracting myself. This is not your fault in the least, Ben, and I'm sorry it's affecting you."

With a small smile, he shook his head, "It's quite alright, darling. I understand completely."

Except you really didn't think he understood. At all. 

"Maybe... maybe we could refrain from dancing at future balls? And perhaps it is not the best idea for you to call me darling. Or kiss me on the forehead. And I know I get anxious sometimes, and you really do help me when you hold my hand, but maybe we could refrain from that as well? And I still want to see you loads, obviously, but maybe I won't ignore any potential suitors who come calling in the mornings in favor of coming to see you here."

Benedict was staring at you dumbly. Hearing you say, out loud, everything that needed to change, it was astounding to him how close of a friendship the two of you had. But he understood. Oh, did he understand. And he would do anything for you, even if anything involved giving up ballroom dances, because, let's be honest, who else would he dance with if not you. He realized you were staring at him expectantly, and he nodded quickly.

"Yes, yes, of course, dar-" He cringed internally. Perhaps this would be more challenging than expected. "Yes, of course, Y/N," he finished. 

You smiled back gratefully, responding, "Well, that's settled then."

---

Benedict's earlier confidence in his ability to refrain from touching you was proving to be completely misguided. He had been at the musicale for barely an hour before he felt himself nearly vibrating with the need to be close to you. He had watched as you talked with suitor after suitor, patiently waiting for you to come over when you had a spare moment. But the spare moment never came. You were utterly enthralled in your conversations, not even sparing him a glance. The only time you had spoken to him was a small "Hello!" in passing as you walked across the ballroom holding Lord Egerton's forearm. At least you were not ignoring him purposefully, but he was still moping dejectedly about the ballroom, unable to join in the lively banter his siblings and yours always provided.

His night had not improved much by the time the musicale was over. His mother had pleaded with him to dance with Penelope Featherington, and he had begrudgingly complied. Of course, he usually enjoyed the girl's company, but tonight, he would have preferred to sulk in a corner of the ballroom by himself. Ben had also gone to the terrace with Colin and Alex but quickly opted to go back inside and torture himself by keeping an eye on you. The whole time he observed you, he could feel an unpleasant feeling deep in his stomach that traveled up his torso until it settled uncomfortably in his chest. It was an exercise in masochism, watching you flirt and smile and even giggle with other men. But Ben knew he could do nothing about it, aside from stewing in his own despair, of course. You had explicitly asked him for a chance to properly be courted without his interference, and it would be cruel to disallow you that. 

While Benedict had a relatively uneventful but painful evening, you barely had a moment to yourself. Gentleman after gentleman, followed by mama after mama, came to ask you to dance or talk to you. You smiled through it all, of course, but as the night wore on, you became more and more irritable, finding that you simply wanted to go and chat to Benedict for a few minutes, to take a break from social niceties and have a laugh or two with him, at least. But you needed to stay focused, or your talk with Ben would have been for nothing.

After hours of listening to the grueling sounds of the Smythe-Smiths playing various instruments, you rejoiced when your mother interrupted your conversation with some earl or viscount and his mother. Their names escaped you, but at this point in the night, you were proud of yourself for even giving them more than one-word answers. Politely excusing yourself from the pair, you smiled gratefully at your mother, who only laughed good-naturedly at your distress. 

"I didn't see you talking to Ben much tonight. Is everything alright with the two of you?" 

You looked at your mother, cringing. "That obvious, was it?"

She gave you a questioning look and smiled, answering, "Given that the two of you usually are attached at the hip at every event you attend, yes, it was quite obvious."

You rolled your eyes at her, hiding how truly upset you were that you and Ben had taken some time apart. "We were not that attached! Besides, it's only one ball where I was more focused on finding a husband than my best friend. You should be happy!"

---

It had not, in fact, been only one ball. You had now gone five consecutive balls without dancing with Benedict. Opportunities to talk with you at these events were scarce, and he was lucky if he managed to secure a mere five minutes alone. Colin had noticed him looking dejected and morose at every social event, not that Ben was trying particularly hard to hide it, and asked about you. Benedict's response to his brother's concern was curt and evasive, a gruff "everything is fine." 

Despite the distance, Ben found solace in your afternoons together after you had finished seeing callers. The moment you saw him, you would relax and launch into a lengthy explanation of the latest exciting information you had acquired from the vast library in the Beaumont home since none of the "so-called gentlemen" bothered to listen to you, as you put it. 

He did enjoy your ramblings and appreciated the opportunity to ramble himself, launching into detailed studies of his favorite artists of the time. However, he was finding himself less able to put on a happy front when he barely talked to you for days at a time. At this point, he was not even harboring any negative feelings toward any of your suitors; he just missed you. His days felt empty and long, not having been apart from you for this long since before you could speak, probably. His family had noticed, and he was growing sick of their soft voices and careful treatment of him. He just wanted you back. He wanted to feel your head on his lap again and spend hours by your side in his art studio, painting on a canvas as you sat near him and read. Most of all, he missed the comfortable intimacy that came with your friendship, the quiet understanding that had been feeling out of sorts since you asked him for some space. 

So, when you had bounded into the Bridgerton home this afternoon, carrying a new book in tow, he knew he couldn't go on the way the two of you were right now. You immediately noticed Benedict's tense mood, even more so than usual, and did not relent until he spoke to you about what was bothering him. You had a feeling you knew what he was going to say, having also felt his absence to the point of distraction, and had prepared to have a talk with Ben whenever he was ready. You would usually give in to anything he asked of you, having little to no self-control when it came to Benedict Bridgerton, but you knew you had to be strong today. 

Seeing his bloodshot eyes, you placed a comforting hand on Ben's shoulder, breaking one of your rules but not finding it in you to care. He put his hand over yours, instantly feeling better than he had in over a week.

"It's just hard, isn't it? Have you felt it, too?" he looked at you, feeling a tad vulnerable.

You looked away, unable to meet his eyes for fear that you would start crying. You took a breath before answering, steeling yourself. "I have. It is proving to be quite difficult. But I need to find a husband, Ben," you said, your voice firm. "So, unless you're willing to marry me, it does have to be like this," you tried to make a lighthearted comment, but the crack in your voice gave you away too easily. 

Your words left him speechless, and if he was completely candid, he could have cried right then and there. Benedict understood what you were saying. What you were implying, rather. And he shook his head, voice soft, "I can't do that, Y/N. I'm so sorry."

Of course, you had expected this answer, but it didn't make it any less difficult to know that Ben was still opposed to the idea of marrying you after having experienced the last week or so. So you nodded, finally looking at him, a sad smile gracing your lips. 

"I guess that's our answer, then," you spoke. 

Your words were a complete blow to his chest. He felt like he was going to be sick. Because, of course, this didn't only mean that the two of you would not be married, something Benedict already knew. This meant that your friendship could truly never be the same. The search for a husband you didn't even want was simply an insurmountable obstacle. 

At least for today, he could still pretend things were normal. Your hand was still enclosed in his, and for a moment, he could forget all that had transpired and just enjoy the feel of your skin against his and the promise of an afternoon full of your entertaining and lighthearted literary commentary. 

---

Violet was at her wit's end. She could recognize that her son was being a complete idiot, said with affection, of course. However, Violet would not stand for you, Benedict's best friend, her own best friend's daughter, looking absolutely heartbroken night after night, talking to men who would never understand you in the way that Ben did, and who did not even want to try. She knocked on his studio door and, upon entering, let out a deep sigh at the sheer volume of sketches of your face, your hands, your eyes, and just you in general that adorned her son's art studio. 

The dowager viscountess cleared her throat with an air of authority, ready to give Benedict some much-needed tough love. Once she had made herself comfortable, sitting on the couch facing Ben, Violet clasped her hands in front of her. She could tell Ben was already dreading what she was going to say.

"Benedict, my sweet. You know, when I married your father, I was over the moon to be marrying someone I was not only in love with but also someone I could call my dear friend. In my experience, friendship as the foundation of a marriage creates the best kind of partnership."

Ignoring Benedict's increasingly tense energy, she continued, "I know you have an extraordinary friendship with Y/N. Everyone knows, actually. One can very clearly see that the two of you care for one another, and a friendship as special as that is not easy to come by." 

Seeing her son open his mouth to interject, Violet silenced him with a stern look, not in the mood to be interrupted. "I fear that if you do not take advantage of this wonderful gift you have been given, your best friend will end up married to another man, and your friendship will be lucky to survive."

Benedict had had quite enough already. Anthony, then you, his mother, and even Hyacinth and Colin were all telling him the same thing, clearly not understanding that he simply did. Not. Want. To. Marry. You. 

He was through feeling wounded; his hurt had transformed into full-blown anger. Being mindful to keep his voice in check, he spoke with as loud of a voice as was appropriate, desperate for anyone to actually listen to what he was saying. 

"Mother, I appreciate your concern. But as I have told Anthony, Y/N, Hyacinth, and Colin, I do not wish to marry Y/N. I did not want to marry her two months ago, before her debut, and I do not want to marry her now. I am sick of everyone telling me what I want or what they think I should do. I know that I do not want her, and that will be the end of the discussion, thank you very much."

Benedict barely processed his mother's sympathetic look in response to his declaration, ignoring the hand he felt on his shoulder. Disappointed and a bit sad for your future, Violet walked out of his studio, knowing Ben wouldn't continue the conversation further. 

Of course, what Benedict had told his mother was a lie. A lie so often repeated in his head he had been inclined to believe it for the better part of the last decade of your friendship. But deep down, Benedict knew it wasn't the truth. 

The truth was that marriage was your worst nightmare. He was all too familiar with your grievances toward the institution, having heard you talk about your distaste for having to find a husband since childhood. Ben had spent years by your side, listening to you express your aversion to marriage over and over again. You were convinced you would be miserable after being wed, endlessly searching for something more: a freedom you thought you could never achieve once you were married. 

And so, he could not marry you. It was selfish, to be sure, but he did not want your distaste and displeasure with marriage directed at him. He would give you anything else, but not this. In Benedict's opinion, if he married you, you would grow to dislike him, feeling trapped within the confines of your relationship. 

Throughout your shared childhood, Ben watched you grow into an incredibly smart woman, and your growth inevitably brought about a growing hostility toward your future as a wife. He was intimately familiar with the fear that brought about this hostility, and he couldn't bring himself to be the person who made these fears come true.

Benedict knew that the two of you could learn to love each other if you were married. This was, of course, assuming that he wasn't already in love with you, which he could not bear to think about properly. He just didn't think he could survive it. Having a front-row seat to the unhappiness you would feel after being married and watching you fall out of love with him because of it. He simply couldn't be the cause of that. He cared about you too much to take that risk. So he chose to stay away instead, even if it meant the end of years of close friendship and love and intimacy. 

—

previous part || next part || buy me a ko-fi!

Tag List (lmk if you want to be added!): @bellahadidnt16

#bridgerton #benedict bridgerton #benedict bridgerton x reader #anthony bridgerton #benedict bridgerton imagine #benedict bridgerton fanfic #benedict bridgerton fanfiction #bridgerton fanfic #bridgerton fanfiction #bridgerton imagine #bridgerton x reader #benedict bridgerton fluff #benedict bridgerton angst #benedict bridgerton x best friend!reader #bridgerton x you #benedict bridgerton x you #bridgerton fluff #bridgerton angst #love in bloom #love in bloom: writing

[sadiegirl2021]

Silly little one shot for @gwynrielweeksofficial - Day 2: Compatible (loose interpretation)

Soul Meets Body on Ao3

“I don’t care how good-looking he is, Nesta! I’m not letting you set me up on a blind date.”

“Gwyn! Please!! This guy is your soulmate. He loves all the same books as you, he goes to the gym, he’s got a coffee addiction! You’re basically the girl version of him.”

“So! Blind dates are weird. You know how shy I can get…”

“He’s shy too!”

“Oh, wonderful! Really selling it. So we’ll just sit there, and not talk at all during dinner?”

“Talk about books!”

“Bye, Nesta!”

“Wait–”

Gwyn hung up the phone. She was sick of this. Why couldn’t her friends just accept that she didn’t want a boyfriend right now? College was crazy enough without adding love or sex on top. She needed to stay focused and certainly had no room to entertain Nesta’s blind date idea.

“So stupid,” she mumbled to herself, reaching for a bag of apples at the supermarket.

“What did you call me?”

Gwyn looked up and felt her jaw comically fall to the floor as she gazed at the most beautiful man she’d ever seen. Raven-black hair, golden eyes, and tall… so freaking tall!

“Oh… no… I wasn’t–”

He smiled, and her heart skipped a beat. “Relax, I’m just messing with you.”

Gwyn didn’t dare speak again, for fear it would be an incoherent jumble of words. This was what she was talking about with Nesta. Whenever she started talking to a cute guy, she froze like this! Her mind raced with funny and interesting things to say, but her mouth decided to keep shut. She just smiled at him.

“.... those are good apples,” he said, shifting a little awkwardly. Gwyn would have expected someone of his stature to radiate confidence.

“Yeah… they’re my favourite.” Gods, so smart, Gwyn!

“Me too… I like oranges as well.”

“Same.”

Was this possibly the worst conversation she’d ever had?

He cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable. “Do you come here often?”

Oh my god. Was he… flirting with her?

Gwyn let out a little chuckle, “Oh yeah, the supermarket is where it’s at. Haven’t you heard?” Better!

He laughed, and damn if it wasn’t giving her crazy butterflies.

“I’m Azriel,” he said smoothly, seeming to relax more in her presence.

“Gwyn,” she replied with a slight flush on her cheeks.

“Gwyn,” he whispered like an answer to a question. “I don’t normally do this… I mean I never do this… but do you want to grab dinner tonight?”

“Like a date?”

“Yeah… I mean, cool if not… I just–”

“Yes! I’d love to.”

He seemed to sigh in relief, “That’s great! Amazing… can I grab your number, and I’ll text you the details?”

She nodded, “Of course!” Oh my god, how did she pull this off? He was the hottest guy she’d ever met, and he just asked her out!

They gleefully exchanged numbers, exchanged a few more awkward observations of the fruit around them, and went their separate ways.

Gwyn practically floated home, dying to rummage through her wardrobe for the perfect outfit. Nesta was going to kill her… but blind dates were stupid! At least she knew she was attracted to Azriel.

______________________

Gwyn had opted for a short, sapphire-blue, body-con dress with silver strappy heels and no jacket. It was the height of summer… plus she looked way too hot to cover up.

“I can’t believe you’re going out with some rando over the guy I picked for you!” Nesta huffed from the couch.

Gwyn finished putting on her cherry-red lipstick and rolled her eyes at Nesta’s statement.

“Cassian is going to be pissed. You’re turning down his best friend for some stranger.”

“You know, I haven’t even met Cassian yet! So why would I want to date his best friend? Are you even dating Cassian?”

“Don’t judge our… situation! It’s complicated.”

“Because you’re in love with him?”

“He wishes!” Nesta laughed with an air of ‘yes, I love him so much it’s killing me, but I don’t know how to handle emotions.”

*Buzz Buzz*

“That’s him! Can you please get it? I need to grab my bag.”

It was Nesta’s turn to roll her eyes as she threw off her snuggly blanket and made her way to the door. As she opened it, she quipped, “You better not be some serial killer–Oh my god, Azriel!?”

“Nesta… hey! Do–Do you live here?”

She nodded in confirmation. “You’re Gwyn’s date for tonight?”

“Yeah, we met at the supermarket earlier. Hey, Cassian was in a foul mood today. What happened with you two last night?”

Nesta scowled at the mere mention of his name, and Azriel flinched, not expecting an answer.

“Hey, Azriel,” Gwyn chirped as she left her bedroom.

Azriel’s hand flew to his chest, as if someone had shot him with a cupid's arrow. “Wow! Gwyn… you look–”

Gwyn couldn’t even let him finish; she hated compliments, “So do you! Shall we go?” she asked, moving to the door. Nesta had the strangest look on her face, and a sly grin that was a little frightening. Gwyn gave her a ‘what the fuck’ look in exchange.

Azriel seemed to notice their interactions. “I’ll give you a minute.” He backed away into the hall to wait for her.

“What?” Gwyn exclaimed.

“That’s the guy!!”

“What guy?”

“The blind date guy… Cassian’s friend!”

“Are you serious?”

Nesta nodded with a huge grin.

Gwyn could only laugh. “Well… I still think blind dates are stupid!”

Nesta smirked, “So destiny intervened! Have a great night with your soulmate!”

“Shut up!”

Gwyn caught up with Azriel. He looked so sleek in his pressed black trousers and crisp white shirt, with a couple of buttons open to show a thick silver chain. If this was indeed her soulmate, she had some serious praying to the gods to do in thanks.

#gwynriel #pro gwynriel #gwynrielweeks2024 #gwynriel weeks 2024 #one shot #awkward flirting #soulmates

[softiecaro]

COME BACK...BE HERE CHARLES LECLERC

summary: charles and grace have been a couple for almost 8 years, but f1 and time as a couple are not compatible, making her be devastated every night for not having him by her side.

pairing: charles leclerc x grace (reader)

words: 3.4K

warning: angst but with a happy ending. some bad words maybe. reference to sex, but nothing happens. and as I told you before, english is not my native language, so any spelling or writing error is the fault of the translator.

notes: i added verses from elton john's “don't go breaking my heart”, but the story is still based on taylor swift's “come back be here”.

tags: @midnightric @dan3avacado (if you want to be tagged in the next stories, let me know in the comments! <3)

Remember that you can find the list of songs and the previous imagines here :)

Enjoy, C

Charles and I have known each other forever. Our moms have been best friends since they were little girls, so our families are very close. And that's how we basically grew up together, we saw the world together, and at some point in our adolescence we started to develop feelings for each other. 

When he was 17 and I was 16, he asked me to be his girlfriend, and that's when we began a relationship that lasted for years. It was a beautiful love, everyone thought we were soul mates, our mothers said "we always knew you would end up together". But something broke between us. 

Charles began his career at a very young age when he was 7 years old when he competed in karting races and from then on he has not stopped until today in Formula 1. Obviously I am very happy and proud to see how far he has come, but he has measured that he has been rising in his career, he has been having less and less time for his personal life itself, for his family, his friends, for me...

**

Light streaming through the curtains hits me directly in the face. I slowly open my eyes, reach my arm across the bed only to find the pile of crumpled blankets and a Ferrari hoodie as the only trace of Charles. I sit up a little in bed as I rub my eyes and see a small note. 

Love, I know I promised you that we could spend the day together. But my communications manager sent me a message saying that I would have to get to London earlier for a couple of interviews that weren't scheduled :( I'm so sorry. I didn't want to wake you up to say goodbye properly because it was so late and I know you were tired. Text me when you're awake and have read this. 

Love you, Charles.

I sit on the bed, reach for Charles's hoodie and take him in my arms. I inhale to catch the scent of his perfume. Seconds later I feel tears running down my cheeks and wetting the garment that I hold even tighter. 

We barely made the most of our time together. I had planned some things for both of us to enjoy today. I felt like my heart was breaking into pieces every time this happened, I hated needing him the way I needed him, I hated missing him the way I missed him. 

I didn't call or text him that day as he had asked in the little note he left on my bed that morning. Throughout that day, I did alone all the plans I had for us together, until the night came. 

Wearing Charles's hoodie, I curled up on my bed as I checked my cell phone. As expected, I had some messages and calls from Charles, also some from Pierre (which I assumed was Charles too, but from his friend's phone).

When I had some time and I could travel with him to accompany him to his races, we were invited to the after-race parties. He knew I hated parties, he knew I hated crowds, but I still convinced him that I would be fine and that I could handle it. But as soon as we were there, it would only be a few minutes and he would take me out of the place. We'd get in his car and he'd drive anywhere, he always had a special place. With the window open, the wind ruffling my hair.

Devastated, I remembered our times together. With Charles everything was different, everything was special, he made me feel special and loved. 

Just as I had done all day, I kept crying and crying, remembering our times together. This wasn't fair, why did everything have to be so difficult. I loved him, of course I loved him, but his distance hurt me. 

Days passed and I was still depressed at home. My routine was to get up, shower and go back to bed. But I couldn't go on like this, I had to get on with my life, so I drew strength from where I didn't know I had it and tried to get out of my state of depression. 

Before Charles arrived in my city that day, my boss had summoned me to his office to tell me that he was downsizing, making the decision to fire me. So now I am jobless.

I graduated in communication and public relations at the International University of Monaco, and since then I have been working in the same company. Maybe fate wants me to change places, after all it was not the best environment and I did not feel comfortable in that place.

That day I got up early, took a shower and had a good breakfast. With a couple of copies of my resume in hand and a bag slung over my shoulder, I wait for my friend at my front door. I could go alone to look for a job, but she refused me to go alone, saying that then we could also spend time together. 

We went all over the city leaving my resume in all the places where we thought they might need my services. We were very tired, so after being there since 7:30 in the morning and now it was almost 5 in the afternoon, she would take me home in her car while we had a coffee that we went to buy at a Starbucks on the road.

We were talking about random stuff with the music on the radio in the background when suddenly I heard the first chords of that song. Our song. 

Don´t Go Breaking My Heart. Charles and I used to always sing it and it was our favorite to play at karaoke. He sang the Elton John part and I sang the Kiki Dee part.

“Nobody told us 'cause nobody showed us. Now it's up to us babe. Whoa I think we can make it.”

No one told us this was going to be this hard, no one told me I'd miss him the way I miss him. Just when I thought I couldn't take it anymore, he would arrive, either with a message or better yet, seeing him in person, and it made my hope in our relationship reappear. We could do this, I could do this.

“So don't misunderstand me, you put the light in my life. Oh, you put the spark to the flame.”

—Grace, are you ok?— La voz de mi amiga me sacó rápidamente de mis pensamientos.

—Yes, everything is completely fine. 

—Are you sure? I see you a little… gone. Don't worry, you'll find a job soon.— Sure, she didn't know about Charles. I hadn't talked about it with anyone. — And if you need help with money, please don't hesitate to…

—I know, and I really appreciate it, Luna.

…

When I finally got home, I took a short shower and put on comfortable clothes. I sat on the couch to watch some TV, when I suddenly remember seeing a text from my mom, so I grabbed my phone to answer her.

mom<3: hi honey, why don’t you answer my calls? are you busy?

me: hey mom, yes, i was a bit busy sorry

mom<3: are you ok?

me: i'm completely fine, why the question?

mom<3: charles called me to ask how you were. Did something happen with him? You know you can trust me, right?

Now I understand.

me: everything is fine, don't worry

Obviously she wasn't going to believe me. So that same day at night while I was heating water to make me a tea, I heard the doorbell ring. I walk to the door at a fast pace, and when I open it I find my mother and Charles's mother on the other side, with some bags that gave off an exquisite smell. 

—Mom, Pascale... what are you doing here?

—Can we come in?— My mom asked with a smile.

—Please come in.— When they walk in, they both give me some hugs that last longer than usual. 

Yes, this definitely had something to do with the conversation with my mother earlier. 

—What do they bring there? It smells delicious.— I tell them as I close the door behind us and we walk into the living room. 

—We brought some pasta from the restaurant that you like so we can have dinner together, it's been a long time since we spent time together, don't you think, honey?— Pascale said with a smile. 

—It's true, yes. 

—Are you hungry baby?

—Starving. 

So the three of us headed to the dining room. I took the forks and napkins to put them on the table. 

—What do you want for a drink, ladies? I have some wine…— I tell them as I raise the bottle of wine in the air. 

—Please, what would this pasta be without a glass of wine? Bring that please. 

I put on some music and we started eating. I sighed when I took the first bite. It's been a while since I ate this pasta, with Charles we always used to go when we had time... 

—So honey…— Charles's mother said after taking a sip of her wine. I was sitting at the head of the table and the two of them at my sides. 

—I love you two with all my heart and I love that you're here with me, but I need to know the specific reason you're here.— Of course I knew the reason, but I needed them to tell me.

—Charles told me you haven't been answering his calls or texts since he left.— And he told us that he left without saying goodbye, that maybe the reason because you're mad.— Pascale says. 

—Yes.— I said simply. 

—It's more than that, isn't it?...—It was my mom, she knew me like the back of her hand. It wasn't worth lying to her anyway, one way or another she would find out. 

—What happens is…— I look at the ceiling and take a slow breath.— Yes, it's more than that. I'm not mad at him because he left without saying goodbye, I'm not even mad at him. It's something that's been around for a while, it's just… I miss him a lot.— With the last sentence, I feel my voice break. My mother puts her hand on mine.— I'm so proud of him, where he is now. But I feel alone, we hardly see each other because his schedule doesn't allow it. And I don't know how to tell him, because it's not like he can do anything about it. It's his job and I'm not going to stop him from following his dream or anything. But sometimes I think that we should…— I fall silent. I refuse to think that it's best that we end our relationship and go our separate ways. I can't even say it out loud

—We understand you dear, we only want the best for you two, always. And if you ever want to take different paths because you think it's the best decision, we'll support you.— Now Pascale places her hand on my free hand. 

—I don’t want to do that. I love him so much.— I finally break as tears fall down my cheeks. They both quickly pull their chairs closer to me and cover me with their arms. And I cry. First time I've talked about this with someone, I always kept it to myself because I thought it was silly and that I would soon get over it, I thought everything would get better. 

Calming my tears little by little and drinking the glass of water that Pascale brought me, we slowly return to our conversation. 

—And what did you do today? 

—Oh, I've been in the street since morning. Luna accompanied me to leave my resume to many places and… 

—Did you get fired from your job?— My mother asked. 

—Yes, but don't worry. I know someone will hire me soon, and I have money saved anyway, so I'll be fine.

—Yes, you'll be fine.

After that exquisite dinner and an emotional release with feelings that I had kept for a long time, both women left my house, leaving me alone again. I finally decide to send a message to Charles. 

me to charlie <3: did you send our moms to check on me? 

charlie<3 to me: you got me 

me to charlie <3: I appreciate it

me to charlie <3: I'm sorry I haven't answered you all these days. I'm not mad at you sweetheart, I just haven't been well and I didn't want to talk to anyone. 

I did not want to talk to him. 

charlie<3 to me: what happened peach? do you want me to call you? I have a time now 

me to charlie <3: don't worry, it's something I'd like to talk about in person anyway 

charlie<3 to me: do you want to break up with me? Hahaha

I swallowed at the thought. 

me to charlie <3: no 

charlie<3 to me: we'll be together sooner than you think, you'll see.

…

It was august, which meant that Formula 1 was beginning its summer break until the next race in Belgium, which was later that same month. 

So now Pascale, Arthur, the Leclercs' younger brother, and I were at the airport waiting for Charles to arrive. I couldn't stay still in my place, stamping my foot on the ground, biting my lower lip and my nails.

—I thought you had already kicked that bad habit, girl.— Pascale tells me as she moves my hands away from my mouth.— Don't worry, he told me he's almost here.— That clearly didn't help my nerves rise. Next to me I felt Arthur giving me a gentle push. 

—Speaking of the king of Rome.—And here he came. He was walking towards us with a big smile on his face. A cart with a couple of suitcases on it. 

—Son, my love. I missed you so much.— Pascale quickly wrapped her son in her arms as she placed kisses all over his face. 

—I missed you too mom, you have no idea how much.

Then Arthur followed. They both hugged each other along with strong friendly pats on the other's back. 

And finally he got to me. He stood in front of me and looked me in the eye. He brought his hand up to my cheek and I immediately sank into his touch, like a puppy being petted by its owner. 

—Hey.— It was all it took to pull me into his arms. He breathed a sigh of relief into my hair. Being taller than me, I was standing on the tip of my feet, with my arms around his neck and my face barely reaching to rest on his shoulder. We parted slightly from the hug and he took my face in his hands to leave a sweet kiss on my lips. I was not a big fan of showing affection in public, and even less so in front of his family. So the kiss lasted only a few short seconds before we parted ways. 

—Yuck.— We hear Arthur say next to us, who had already taken the cart that Charles had before. 

—Arthur.— His mother scolded him.— Are you ready to go home?

Charles nods as he takes my hand and strokes it gently.

…

That same night, we all went to dinner at a fancy restaurant that Charles himself had booked. With us were some of his cousins, some aunts and uncles, and my parents. 

Sitting next to me, Charles squeezed my thigh under the table while he had a conversation with one of his uncles and I laughed at a joke Arthur had made. 

Suddenly I feel the lack of warmth on my thigh as Charles pulls his hand away from me, only seconds later to hear him speak. 

—I would like to make a toast.— he exclaims and immediately has the attention of everyone at the table.— I want everyone to raise their glasses, I want to thank, first of all, the two women that I have at my sides.To my mom, who always knows what to say every time I feel bad, without her I would have given up a long time ago. And also to my girlfriend, who has accompanied me since I was a child and has not left my side since. But I still thank each one of you for being here in the first place, and for always being with me when I have needed it. The place where I am now is thanks to all of you, I really thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

After that toast, Charles asks me to join him for a breather and I immediately follow. He takes my hand as he leads us both out. 

He sits on a bench outside and pulls my arm so I can sit on his lap. With my hands resting on his chest, one of his hands on my waist and the other brushing my hair.

—We haven't been able to get time to ourselves since I got here, how are you sweetheart?— Despite the darkness, I can see the sparkle in his eyes and the moonlight reflected in them. 

—Better now that you're here.

—Don't you have anything to say to me?

—No.— Now I put both of my hands on his face to pull him closer to me and kiss him. It is a slow, passionate kiss, but not too much. I hear him sigh over my mouth and I feel butterflies in my stomach. I run one of my hands from his jaw to the back of his neck to lovingly play with his hair. His hands on my hips leaving caresses with his fingers.— I missed you so much. 

—I know you got fired from your job.— he said as soon as we parted a few inches. I frowned at him.— Mom told me.

—Oh.— I say simply. 

—Why you didn’t tell me? 

—I didn't want to distract you from your work, and I can handle it on my own anyway, honestly.

—I know that you can handle it. But it's something important, you could have told me. You will never, hey, listen to me.—He takes my face with both of his hands so that I look directly into his eyes.—You will never be a bother to me. 

—Charles, about that… 

—Tell me sweetheart. 

—You know, I was just thinking about us, and… 

—Hey, lovebirds.— Arthur's voice brings our conversation to an end.— I don't like being the third wheel, but my mom and my uncle inside are singing karaoke and I was a little embarrassed. 

—Did you say karaoke?— I asked as I got up from Charles's legs, completely forgetting the previous topic of conversation, as if I hadn't been about to tell him that I intended to end our relationship.— Come on, come on, pleeeeease.

Charles just laughs and follows me as I excitedly walk into the store. 

—Thanks for leaving me alone!— Arthur says. 

—You should get yourself a girlfriend, brother.— Charles manages to say before we enter. 

… 

Two days later, Charles and I were on our way to the airport. The Monegasque had prepared a trip for the two of us where we would tour Latin America with some of his friends, starting with Cancún Mexico, Peru, Colombia and ending in Brazil. 

My parents were taking us to the airport, so we had already said goodbye to Charles's family. 

—I want you to take good care of yourselves, please. Call me when you can to tell me how you are and if everything's alright.— My mother says as she watches us in the rearview mirror.

—And please use a condom. I don't really like the idea of ​​being called grandfather, I'm still too young for that.— My dad finishes. 

—Dad…— I say, embarrassed to talk about sexual matters with them. 

—I'm serious. 

When we got to the airport, the goodbye (my mom's specifically) was a bit dramatic. When she finally set us free, the paperwork for us to get on the plane didn't take long. 

The next thing I knew, we were already landing in Cancun. I yawn and look to my right to see Charles sleeping passively. 

—Charles, baby.— I shake him gently until he wakes up.— We're about to land.

Already in the place, a friend of Charles received us and took us to our cabin where we would stay for 4 days before continuing our trip. 

He and his friends rented a large space with a couple of cabins with access to a lagoon and that was also close to the beach. Our cabin was a bit away from his friends' cabin “so that we have more time alone” (Charles's words). 

Now we were all on a yacht in the middle of the beach. The place was beautiful. Charles and I were resting in the sun after getting in the water and being there for a long time. Our bodies side by side a few inches apart, our hands joined as he caressed mine with his thumb. 

—Everything okay baby?

—Everything is excellent, I love this place. 

—You know, I wanted to tell you something. I really didn't want to tell you until I'm completely sure it can come true, but anyway I want to tell you as soon as possible so you can take your time to think about it… You know my communications assistant, right? 

—Of course, Emma, ​​she is lovely.

I watch as Charles sits up and looks at me. I copy his action, now facing each other.

—Yes, good. You know that she is old, so this is her last semester in Formula 1 since she is going to retire. 

—Oh.

—Whether. Well I know this is going to sound crazy, don't panic. It was something that I discussed with the team and the head of the communications department. I told him about you, and he told me that it would be a good idea for you to take Emma's place... 

I was stunned. I opened my mouth and closed it again, wanting to say something, but nothing came out. 

—Please, don't panic, I know it sounds crazy. In the event that you accept, since you are not required to do so, It would include a process so that you can progressively include yourself in the team before Emma leaves. 

—Charles… 

He reaches for my hands.

—Grace, think about it… It's a great job offer. And besides, you and I could spend so much time together, it would be a dream for me to be able to see you whenever I want, all the time. It is a torment for me to have you so far away every day. 

—I'm not going to lie to you, Charles, what you're telling me is a bit scary for me. Totally changing my routine, reaching out to a whole new group of workers…Will they like me? Will I be good enough? Do you think I can...? 

—Hey hey, I know it's scary, but my advice is don't think about it so much, don't let those negative ideas eat you up. You are magnificent at your work, you always have been. And besides, how could they not like you? You are the sweetest, kindest and funniest person I know…

I walk over to place a chaste kiss on his lips. 

—I'll think about it Charles, I promise.

…

 In a blink of an eye, our trip was already over. Which meant there was only a week left until Charles had to go back to the reality of him in Formula 1, and I would have to go back to my reality of being away from him. 

I had thought about what Charles had told me, and I had thought about it a lot. Even my anxiety sometimes wouldn't let me sleep at night thinking about it. Did I want to accept? Of course. But it was impossible not to feel fear. Besides, there's a good chance someone else deserves the job a lot more than I do. 

This last week was planned to stay with Charles and his family. So while we unpack, Pascale is sitting on Charles's bed as she listens to some of the events of our trip. 

—I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Now I leave you alone. You must be very tired. I'll call you when dinner's ready.— And just like that, Pascale leaves the room, closing the door behind her. 

Charles sighs as he closes his already empty suitcase and sets it aside. He now sits next to me to help me finish taking out my clothes. 

—No need Charles, if you want you can sleep while I finish. Anyway, I don't have much left. 

—No, it's okay, I'll help you.— So we started unpacking. Silence filled the room, I could almost hear Charles's heart beating. It was time to talk about it, it was now or never. 

—I was thinking…— I started. Charles looked up to put all his attention on me.— You know, Charles, lately I've been thinking a lot about this, about us. I think… we both haven't had a very good time being away from each other for so long. Every time you take that plane that takes you away from me, I only keep half of my heart, because the other half leaves with you. And I am devastated. At first I thought it was something I could handle but the feelings were very strong. I never talked about this with anyone until that day when your mom and mine came to see me, I finally broke down and told them everything. Many ideas went through my head, I thought that perhaps the best thing was for us to separate.

—No, Grace, you, I…— Charles quickly cuts me off, scared. Still both on the floor, with the suitcase between us, I crawl around it until I reach him and take his face in my hands. 

—I love you Charles, I love you so much it hurts.— I whisper inches from his face. 

—I love you too, I love you so much that if you think you'll be better off if we end this, I'll accept it.— Just whispers, looking down at his hands. My heart will break, but I'll get over it in time, don't worry. And we can still be friends after all. 

—I don't want you to get over me, Charles. I don't want this to end, ever.— He looks up again.— You're the love of my life. 

—And you are the love of my life.— 

—And then, I was also thinking about what you told me about working as your communications assistant… I still have many insecurities about it, and it is something that has not allowed me to be calm. But…then I think I should heed your advice, and go for it, give it a try. 

—Yes, I told you so.— I see a small smile appear on his beautiful face. 

—And so I thought it would be nice if I accepted it.

—Tell me you're not kidding... 

—I'm not kidding Charles. 

—Are you sure? 

—Very sure. I go to everything with you, together. 

And suddenly, Charles gets up from the floor abruptly making me freak out. 

—Fuck, I can't find my phone. I have to call John now.— He walks around the room looking for the device. Then I get up and reach for Charles, hugging him from behind.

—I think it would be best if you call him tomorrow, there's still time.— He quickly relaxes into my touch. 

—You're right, I'd better wait until tomorrow. 

—How about we take a nap now?— I tell him as he turns to look at me. 

—Whatever you say, love of my life.

…

NOTE: You know, I really want to write a second part. I still don't know what song to inspire me with, maybe "lover", "paper rings" or some other (you can leave me recommendations in the comments if you like). But it would be to follow the story of Charles and Grace as they work together…situations in the paddock, lots of love. And maybe add some appearance from mick and inez (the story where she is an f1 journalist). What do you think?

#hi #how #are #you #<3 #charles leclerc #charles leclerc blurb #charles leclerc x reader #charles leclerc imagine #charles leclerc one shot #charles leclerc x you #f1 one shot #f1 blurb #f1 imagine #f1 fanfic #formula 1 imagine #formula 1 blurb #formula 1 #formula 1 x you #formula 1 x reader #taylor swift ft f1 #taylor swift series

[seokjinsonlyone]

OK i’m adding on to your discussion post queen! Im OT7 and I am DEF a hoe when regarding BTS so i had to think a LOT about this. I feel like I would have a love SQUARE with Hobi, Jimin & Jungkook!

1. Seokjin & I would have too much of sibling type of banter and even though he’s fine and I’d hit ;) in real time it wouldn’t go past platonic relations (which i’m fine with)

2. Yoongi (MY BABY) in all honestly he’s my best friend’s bias soo maybe thats why I can’t see it any other way than platonic lmfaooo but in all seriousness I think we’d be great friends

3. Namjoon 😫 this ones hard to admit but I’D CRUSH SO HARD ON HIM but ion think he’s see me anymore than platonic like he’d friendzone my ass so hard

4. Taehyung and I would have a yoongi and seokjin dynamic mixed! Like again i’m OT7 and if any of em were down its a wrap 😚 but i feel me and tae would be the best of friends

NOW MY DELUSIONS START HERE: Hobi and I would have tension LIKE DEADASS WE PROBABLY THE MOST COMPATIBLE (based on zodiac & MBTI yes i looked don’t judge 😜). Like we’d make a great couple but JIMIN AND I WOULD BE FLIRTY AF LIKE HIM AND I WOULD DEF HAVE MORE NON PLATONIC VIBE GOIN ON! And when it comes to me and Jk I feel like our personalities definitely match and we would compliment each other a lot!!! Like we’d definitely fall for each other (in my delusions he falls first 👏🏽) . But yeah this my response in all honestly i just started ranting out loud so idk if i even responded correctly but babes i need you to do your own list like how i did with each member and if the vibes would be platonic or romantic 🙏🏽 anyways imm done LMFAOO

i LOVED this like YES girl dive head first into the crazy love knowing i’m not alone bc i DEFINITELY be checking our MBTI compatibility nd things of that nature watching content for research thinking daydreaming writing like wheeewww so if u want me to get more into it SAY LESSSSS

also let’s go into this knowing that any member could get it any day i always say beggars can’t be choosers and i’m literally on my knees saying pick me 🧎‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙋‍♀️ for these men so that’s that

namjoon: LOWKEY YOU GAVE ME ANXIETY BC I AINT EVEN THINK ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF GETTING FRIENDZONED BY HIM LIKE HES SO SWEET AND KIND AND OBLIVIOUS YOU’LL LITERALLY BE IN LOVE WITH HIM AND THEN HE’LL TELL SOMEONE YOU LIKE HIS SISTER LIKE THAT IS HUMILIATING but! in my experience i get along quite well with ENFPs so i have hope like i FOR SURE would be romantic with him but now i’m second guessing if he would like me back 💀

seokjin: 😭😭😭😭😭 i’m literally in love with him but we would be platonic bc we the same person like we both can’t be chaotic unserious emotionally stunted homebodies like it just wouldn’t work in all actuality

yoongi: idk WHY it’s different with yoongi bc it’s almost the same position as seokjin but it’s like the slightly different approach to life he has makes me think there would be romantic vibes with him like that whole “i believe in the power of negative emotions” thing he got going on kinda sexy idk if either of us would ever GO for it but we’d be on the same page at one point at least

hobi: <33333 romantic 100% genuinely feel like i would end up with him like i’m black and he rocking wit us so i’m rocking wit him he i could bring him to the cookout nd wouldn’t have to tell him a thing he’d just fit in so well and then like he’s just got this hint of sadness in him you can see nd i’m not even an emotional person but i would take such good care of him and he’d do the same like we would have such a deep connection

jimin: now this is almost the same situation as hobi and according to MBTI he’s like my most ideal match and i see it sooo much like he’s evil and a little mean but also so sweet and kind and he’s been wrecking me so bad lately but i think the problem is we both dom leaning 💀 like someone got to give up control nd idk who would so maybe platonic but like there’d be mad tension there

tae: platonic 😔✊ but only bc he seem needy and i don’t know if i could take care of him like he deserve we’d be great friends tho bc he’s weird nd i’m weird and we could listen to music together yes

jk: he is so hot there’s no way i wouldn’t have a crush on him and tbh i’m mad cool so i think there’s a possibility that he Could get one on me but i know it wouldn’t be on his mind 😭 heavy on the friends tho like my brother in adhd we’d act up whenever we got together group chat would be craaaazy

i took so long to answer this bc my brain was just going and going and i didn’t even say all i wanted to say bc i need more time to think but this my answer for now it is so long i’m sorry but you asked for it 😭💀

#ask of interest #i put a readmore so i don’t clog no one dash like crazy 😭 #THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS #IMMA SPEND LIKE THE NEXT 3 DAYS IN DEEP THOUGHT OVER IT #ask

[penned-cbarbosa]

Final Confessional

Mentions: (by name) Thomas, Antony, Sebastián, Xavier, Frankie, Emmie, Chris, & Juniper Notes: Celeste’s final Ship-Wrecked confessional, held the afternoon of The Bye-Bye Ball

Celeste was all too familiar with how the confessionals went at this point. In truth, she was glad that this was the last obligatory one she’d be doing. And as she sat in the provided chair, she adjusted her microphone while the producer seated beside the camera began the session.

“So, Celeste! You’re one of our original ship-mates. How does it feel to be seeing the end of it all in sight?”

Celeste let her shoulders drop while sighing, “Almost too good to be true. It’s been a long handful of months out here.”

“So you’re ready to go home?”

“That’s an understatement. Don’t get me wrong though, I don’t regret coming on here. How could I? Meeting and falling in love with Thomas, experiencing this journey with some of my best friends--Antony and Sebastián--while making some new ones along the way? Yeah there’s no way I regret any of this. Frankie’s family to me now. I meant what I said during the Spill the Taa task about wanting to get to know Xavier more after all this is over since I could see him being a good friend. Hell, even Emmie and I smoothed out our rough patch. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind growing friendships with everyone here. I’m excited for Chris and Juni and their baby. I’m beyond thrilled I was here to witness Antony and Seb get married. And I’m happy for all of the other couples who’ve gotten together because of the show. I just really, really miss being at home.”

“Okay, let’s talk about that a little. The plane touches down at SFO. Your ride takes you home. Then what?”

“Then I make sure my cousin hasn’t killed my snake, and then I flop on my bed. And as soon as I feel like moving off of that again, I start my box hunt and contact my agent and editor before they come for me first.” She grinned a bit at that, “And not long after that, I’ll be between packing up my apartment and getting more work done on my book.”

“Is this absolutely the last in your Saturn’s Rings trilogy.”

Celeste sat back with a coy smile, “You know, I’ve always intended it to be trilogy but if I’m inspired to revisit the lore and world-building in the novels, then I absolutely will. Do I have plans for that right now though? No. Right now, the plan is to get the third book finished, edited and published. Fans have been really patient with me and I’m grateful.”

“Yeah, you’ve had a pretty rough time over the past few years and we notice you only recently spoke on camera about it.”

“That’s right,” Celeste said with a nod. “Losing a spouse suddenly and unexpectedly isn’t an easy thing to go through, let alone speak on. I needed time to heal, and while I did try to do some writing here and there after losing him, I really didn’t make my writing any sort of priority. It wasn’t therapeutic for me to lean on that while I was so deep in my grief. He was there with me through everything with the first two books--more than anyone else, so in a lot of ways, my work was intertwined with my grief too. Having those years off helped a lot, but just as I was ready to be open to new love again, I was finally ready to get back to the trilogy.”

The producer was silent for a moment and then said, “That makes a lot of sense. And I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that.” Smiling lightly, she then added, “But, I don’t have the words to describe just how much meeting Thomas here means to me. Being able to experience a new love and seeing yourself build a life with them... that’s something I’ll never, ever take for granted.”

“Did you come to the island with any certain expectations or standards?”

“Expectations? No, not really. I’m a panromantic demisexual, so in lamest terms, what that means for me is that it was possible I could have found a romantic partner in just about anyone who’s partner preferences were compatible with mine. That’s the pan part. So I didn’t ‘expect’ much of anything--I just hoped that someone new to start a relationship with was here on the island. As for standards? Sure, but everyone has standards, whether they own to it or not.”

“That’s fair. One more thing and then I’ll let you go get ready for The Bye-Bye Ball. What would you say had been the worst parts about being on Ship-Wrecked?”

Almost immediately, Celeste rolled her eyes while blowing out a sigh, “You couldn’t have kept this on the lighter and feelsier side, could you?”

The producer chuckled but shrugged.

“Alright, worst parts... that’d be sleeping outside for however long I did. I’m thoroughly convinced now that I’m a city girl, thank you very much. Emmie’s campfire exposé was a low that I’m sure you guys were all too happy to air. The stupid comments from the host. For the most part, they seemed really unprofessional. And the lack of food. I really can’t believe you guys made us survive on the amount of fruit and fish that we did for so long when you could’ve been at least giving us some continental breakfasts to start our days out. Now that we are getting food on a regular, I feel ill, and I’m pretty sure that wouldn’t have been the case had this been a more constant thing months ago when my stomach and everyone else’s stomach could be adjusted.”

“Yeah, sorry about that. Obviously we were catering to the ‘Survivor’ side of things but we’ve learned from our mistake for the next season.”

“Yeah, lucky them,” Celeste quipped with another eye roll. “But that’s pretty much all I’ve got for you as far as a last confessional goes.”

“That’s great. Thanks, Celeste. Have fun tonight at the Bye-Bye Ball.”

She gave a mock salute while sliding out of the high-rise chair and after handing back the mic equipment, made her way to the bungalow to get ready.

#swtask #swconfess #grief tw

[sincerely-glowing-stars]

i'm in a strange stage of crushing.

it began when he gave me attention and talked to me,

he was consistent with it,

always adding something new to our conversations.

the day he sat next to me,

nailed the lid to my coffin.

he was right next to me,

telling me his little thoughts,

leaning in even closer when he couldn't hear me.

but he's moved back to his original position now,

sitting in front of me.

making it harder for me to avoid his eyes.

one day we went out to eat.

not romantically, but just as friends

the conversation had its ups and downs

but one of the best ones I've had in a while.

it made me question whether or not we were really compatible,

if we had it in us to be more than friends.

but eventually, i realize,

his outgoing attitude is in his nature.

it's with him wherever he goes,

whomever he's with.

it was never meant just to be for me.

So, I've tossed and I've turned,

wondering how much of it was all in my head.

But today I remembered the day we went out

and the things I learned about him:

how much positivity he radiates despite the circumstances,

how he can still power through to get things done,

how he has such amazing goals he wants to reach,

and the progress he's made towards them.

I ended up developing admiration for him.

Not only do I wish I could be with him,

but I'd want to be better for him.

I'd like to go through my days asking myself,

how could I grow to be the one for you?

not in a way to change myself completely,

but to show you what kind of gift you've been for others.

to show you the kind of gift you've been for me.

#letters #poetry #poem #sincerely glowing stars #my delusions #romantic shit #romantic #im in my delulu era #romance

[bananadfw]

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The best resource I’ve found for free fonts. So, while I was browsing for free wedding fonts, I found a few I thought my font lovers might enjoy Each of these fonts would be perfect for wedding invitations, menus, etc. Just like Dafont, Font Squirrel one of myįavorite website with a curated collection of good quality, free fonts from all Of the absolute best free fonts available on Google Fonts, must of them are 100% free for commercialįonts ranging from sans serif to calligraphic, Dafont allows you to filterįonts through a number of options, If you plan to use any font for yourīusiness Make sure they are available for commercial use. Just like FontBundle you can get you can getįree Fonts Every week, Creative Fabrica offers freebies and many of them comes Like, many Cricut fonts built into the machine itself and the same can be used.

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When you want to know how to add a font to Cricut there are a couple of things to keep in mind. Our cut files comes with svg, dxf, png, eps files, and they. Download 340 svg cut template free wedding invitation svg files for cricut svg png eps dxf file to create your own diy projects compatible. Let us now briefly have a look at the ways and means of uploading fonts. The sophisticated wedding invitation svg set for cricut explore is designed to make your guests say wow when they open your handmade invitation. Here are the top 3 free Easter fonts for Cricut crafters, and oh yeah (theyre also free for personal and commercial use, as with all the rest of the amazing free fonts we have in this post): 1.

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Many of them comes with a commercial license too. 12 free wedding fonts My daughter’s best friend is getting married, and I’m so incredibly happy for her They’ve been friends since they were in elementary school, and luckily college life hasn’t pulled them apart one tiny bit. These could be considered to be the best fonts for cricut machines. I’ve been really impressed about the quality of these items. This is probably one of my most favorite sites where you can get Free Fonts, Every Week some of the items are going to be added to freebies.

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[beatingmurmurs]

Moving On

I don’t know why I feel the need to write this. Maybe it’s because I finally feel like I’ve healed enough to start a life of my own. Maybe it’s because your actions don’t affect me like they used to. Maybe it’s because I realized I never needed you in my life to begin with.

There was a time when I used to associate myself with you. The memories felt attached, like balloons flowing behind me in the wind, the strings attached to my wrists. Sometimes they felt like weights instead of balloons, and I struggled to escape the part of me that felt like it was irrevocably attached to you and the terrible things you did to me. Every single day I would trudge along, waiting for my brain to wise up enough to finally realize you weren’t good enough for me to begin with.

Everyone talks about how terrible people in your life (abusers, manipulators) will try to trick you in order to make you feel inferior so that you’ll stay with them. They always make it seem as if it’s so easy to leave.

The truth is that even once you leave, the gaslighting makes you question whether you should go back - whether it was somehow your fault, and whether you should apologize when you did nothing wrong. People don’t realize how much insecurity is left after leaving a relationship. People don’t realize how much your brain gets fucked up by being lied to for so long.

When I was younger, I remember people making it seem as if it was so easy to avoid. But it’s not. It doesn’t matter how smart, how emotionally intelligent you are - anyone can be manipulated. You see the red flags, you ignore them, and the red flags become major issues in your relationship. They expand. They take over. And before you know it, you’ve gotten used to dealing with an issue - with stress - that wasn’t even your responsibility to deal with in the first place.

This post isn’t supposed to be about the manipulation, however. It’s about how, with time, I’ve managed to create new memories, and become a person that is no longer associated with the things you did to me. It’s odd. I changed - matured - so much. I’m a completely different person now. 

I’m just posting this so that everyone who might be going through something similar feels understood (or, honestly, maybe it’s just to vent to myself). I considered going back and becoming friends with you when I was completely messed up emotionally. I thought and thought and thought about it, believing that if I made up with you, somehow I’d escape the anxiety and intrusive thoughts that told me it was my fault. It was never my fault. My close friends were the ones who told me not to speak to him, and I am so grateful I listened.

One of the biggest mistakes I’ve seen other people make is staying in relationships that have red flags/don’t make them happy. There is no point in staying with someone when they constantly hurt you and make you insecure. There is no point in staying with someone when you are not compatible because it will just cause you both to get hurt. This “growing together” b.s. doesn’t work most of the time, and yet we’re taught to just wait for our significant other to grow and get better with us.

Do. Not. Wait. For an extremely limited number of people, it might work - but for me, the manipulation/abuse would’ve just gotten worse. I’m lucky I got out when I did. Getting out of that relationship was the best decision I’ve ever made for myself. I’m following my dreams now. Things aren’t going to be perfect all of the time, but feeling like shit some of the time because of life’s ups and downs is surely better than feeling like shit all of the time because your significant other won’t give you a break.

No one is going to teach you how to move on. There’s no one size fits all. All I can promise you is that by giving yourself time to be away from the source of toxicity can you truly make a decision. Once you feel happy without them in your life, then you can make a decision about whether they added enough happiness to your life to be welcomed back in. If you’re still feeling anxious or insecure in any capacity, however, I would not make that decision. Give yourself time and prioritize yourself. If they’re the right person, they’ll still be waiting for you. And if not, then you simply get confirmation that they never would’ve changed for you to begin with. Don’t make the mistake of settling for less. I promise you that you deserve more from life than you think you do. We value ourselves far too little. Learn to love yourself first before you decide to love someone else. It’s the only way we can properly protect our own hearts, because there are very few people who will protect your heart for you.

#manipulative #moving on #hurt #healing #self love #self care #thoughts #venting #safe space #happy #sad #thinking #feeling #loving #liking #finding myself #experience #anxiety #insecurity #content

[itstheimpossibledream]

Only A Play

Part 5 

Word Count: 2213

Pairing: AU Henry x FemBlack!Reader

Warning:  Smut, Angst, Some fluff

Summary:  Can reader & Henry work out their differences or will they be better apart? Breakup sex? Idk it’s the finale let me know what you think!

“ and that’s when I packed my things and came to New York.” Henry finishes.

 You’d been looking down at your hands, trying not to get lost in his features while he spoke, knowing the tabloids would make a day out of it. Angling the photograph and captioning it something cheesy about ‘love being in the air’ or the fact that you’re ‘just in time for Valentine’s Day’. The dating speculations you could take but, the photographic evidence that made your mom ask questions was a different story entirely.Since the show had opened the two of you toured from interview to interview and then performed at night. The day usually culminating in a needy fuck at his apartment or in your dressing room if he couldn’t wait. You stayed at his place often and while it was still mostly in booty-call  territory, (despite the previous year of apartment crashing and drunk declarations of love) the dinners and breakfasts remained consistent. You answered the interviewer’s questions calmly but,nothing could have prepared you for the final follow up. He turns to Henry, “And so aside from your new relationship(he motions to you),have you made any other friends during your time in New York?” He only hesitated slightly,before answering. He smirks but,the curve of his lip is gone before you know it. “I have really enjoyed working with her, and I hope our artistic relationship will flourish long after this production has ended.” he smiles diplomatically while reaching for your hand.“As far as new friends I believe my doorman Jason and I have gotten pretty close.” he laughs. When he laughs, the whole world laughs with him and the audience is no exception.Eventually , the hours of embarrassment have passed and you’re being rushed back into a cab to Henry’s apartment. 

“So what was that?” you say as he closes the door, sliding into the car behind you. 

“What?” he asks blissfully unaware of your annoyance. 

“That whole continuing relationship thing?”you push.

“I said artistic relationship.” he corrected sternly.

 “ You gave them ammo.” you cut back quickly.

“And so what? Two people in a romantic play together are speculated to date?How awful.” He grumbles. 

“You don’t get to make a choice like that before talking to me about it.”

“It wasn’t a choice, it was the truth.” he quips back sternly.

“A truth that will put the tabloids on my ass.It’s been bad since we opened the show but, you and I both know this is only going to make it worse.” you mirrored his tone, clearly losing your cool at the idea of being followed to your apartment by cameras. 

“Well you can stay with me as long as you need.” He says, firmly setting his jaw.You roll your eyes towards the window, Watching the people who pass by. 

“So, this is what it was about? control ?”

“Please!” He scoffs “I don’t need the paparazzi holding your apartment hostage,to get you to stay at my place.You’re practically there every night anyway.” It comes out sounding like more of a complaint than he had meant for it to. Your blood boils with resentment of his comfortability.You can feel the heaviness in your eyes when the car pulls up to his ‘flat’. A term you had started using sarcastically but had slowly begun to stick. Even now, you despised that while being a convenient fuck , he had permeated your subconscious enough to make you even think to refer to it as a flat. 

“What’s on your mind?” he finally asked, breaking the silence that had been holding court in the elevator. He didn’t sound like he really wanted to know, infact he seemed like he was solely asking for courteous purposes and that was it. You turned your entire body to face him, you could feel that no matter how hard you were trying your face had begun to break. 

“You know, you were right. There’s no reason for me to be here.” your lips upturned in a smile as you saw the glassyness of your eyes reflected in his face. It was an odd pain , not one you could name but, one you knew without a doubt was real. You had shared something special, he knew that. But, anyone could see that the lack of compatibility outside of the bedroom left the relationship forever doomed.He rolled his tongue between his lips and you couldn’t help but think of how blissful the silence was between you two. Someone had to say it, and in true fashion Henry was not strong enough. 

“ What are you talking about?!” He followed behind you into the hallway as you fled the elevator, opening the door to the apartment.

“We aren’t compatible Henry. You don’t get me. My lifestyle, my friends,my choices; you think it’s all a fucking joke or something. Well, it’s not,It’s not a fucking joke.It’s my real life. I know we play and talk about how much money you make but when it comes down to it I’ve never seen you put a red cent to helping anyone else. But, you watch me tithe everything I earn to give back to the communities that raised me. If you wanted to be with me, like really wanted to be with me,you would have already invested yourself in the things I find important. Instead, what you do is stand on red carpet at a black, trans fundraising gala and steal the attention once again.”

“I thought you were mad about the interview, now you’re mad about the gala?!?”

“I’m mad about all of it!” you screamed directly into his beautifully manicured face. Not an eyelash out of place and yet he still couldn’t contend with the neatening of his moral compass. 

“I’m mad because you center yourself in any safe space for people of color I take you to.I’m mad because you don’t ask for my opinion or consent before doing anything, because you don’t care.Actually, I’m not even mad anymore.I just see it for what it is.”The tears had started to slowly flow now, and while your pride kept you from full on sobs,a total breakdown was on it’s way without a doubt. You removed your bag from your shoulder,sitting it in the chair by the door and headed to your bedroom. You had graduated from the guest bedroom, to mostly staying in Henry’s bed with him, a convenience thing really. 

“And what is it?” he asked , finally unable to continue being berated by you.

“A mistake.” you said calmly, what had to be mere minutes felt like passing hours, the two of you standing there, looking at eachother, seeing the relationship for what it was. 

He spoke first.

“I love you.” his baritone timbre you had become so accustomed to sounded far away, you questioned if you had even heard him clearly.

“I love you, does that not matter to you at all?”he sounded stern, almost scolding you for not immediately reciprocating his affection.

“It’s not real Hen.” you said between tears “Someone who loves me, wouldn’t need me to explain all the ways his privilege consistently harms me. I wouldn’t have to ask him to donate to causes I’m passionate about, causes I’ve devoted my whole life to getting fundraising for. Someone who loves me would not make party conversation about how their black girlfriend has to sleep with a bonnet on.” He was silent,now. He stepped towards you, closing the void of misunderstanding.

“I'm sorry that I ever made you feel as though you aren’t the most important thing in the world to me.” He kissed your forehead, and then on the top of your head. 

He whispered into your hair but, you could feel his voice reverberating  through your curls.

“Can we not fight tonight ?” You exhaled, relaxing the weight of your body into his. You didn’t have to fight anymore because you heard his answer loud and clear. He didn’t want to fight because he couldn’t.  He could not think of something important enough to cause him discomfort,couldn’t think of anything worth his unhappiness. He placed his hands on either side of your face, pulling you in for a kiss. You kissed him back slowly, making up your mind to give in to your emotions for one last time. A spark went through your body as you felt his hands trail their way over your curves. You tugged at the bottom of his t-shirt and he quickly obliged,pulling it over his head. He lightly pushes you towards the bed and when he rolls ontop of you it feels more like a safety net than a sexual maneuver. Even as he undresses you, slowly, kissing over your body. He touches you so gently,assigning value to every square inch of your skin.Before long he’s looking into your eyes as he thrusts into you, rutting his way  inside you of.Your breath hitches as you begin to synchronize your breathing with his, becoming one, breathing as one whole. He held the backs of your knees, pushing them up further into your chest.You cried out at the depth of the new angle and he smiled, moving a hand from the back of your knee to your neck, lightly applying pressure. You loved his hand around your throat, the way his veins looked, the muscles in his arm , all of it. And he knew that, he was pulling out all of his best moves tonight. 

“You’re so bloody beautiful right now.so tight for me.” He murmured close, into your ear. 

His dirty talk alone sent you over the edge but, the added view, from this angle of his body was everything a partner could want. He moaned as he pushed into you , the result of your walls tightening around him. Your spasms brought him over the edge,as he came into you.You latched your nails onto the skin of his back, clawing for safety in his embrace. 

“I love you. I love you.”he said in between kisses as he came down from the high of physical contact. “I love you too.” you returned the words, because they were true and in that moment, nothing could have been more honest.He rolled over onto his back and you snuggled up next to him.

“I do love you” he whispers into your hair. The room is dark,aside from a sliver of light where the moon shone through the blinds. He slowly runs a hand over your hair and down your back.

“Then why haven’t I met your parents yet?” you sighed,turning your head upwards to face him.

The loudest silence of the night fell over the room, that was what made it real to him. He couldn’t deny it anymore. Even he knew, he had never invited you to visit his family, or even out to dinner when they were visiting in the states. You didn’t know if it was that he was embarrassed , or that he just didn’t know how to tell them. You weren’t even upset anymore, as much as you were resigned to the fact that you had to begin putting yourself first, to choose your needs first. And whether you wanted to admit it or not, if you were honest with yourself you knew he wasn’t the one. His brows furrowed and you could tell he was running through every possible response. His hand smoothed it’s way over your hair again and while you had resigned to the fact that it was over you couldn’t help but allow a piece of your heart to break as you saw his eyes become glassy. 

Before long he was fast asleep above you. Henry would be leaving the show, for another movie gig in two weeks but, since the  first rehearsal you hadn’t spent a day without Henry, or Kal for that matter. Sun peeked through the shades as you redressed yourself in the dark , you couldn’t be sure if this was something you wanted, or simply something you knew you had to do. You looked back at that beautiful apartment one more time,and then finally closed the door behind you. You recall the first time you entered the building, that day you had been instructed to bond as you step into the elevator. Watching the city below through the glass,a flicker of light catches your attention, then another and you realize it’s snowing. It had been a full year since the first time you had actually spoken to him. The doorman held the door for you,as you sparked your lighter. Touching the flame to the end of your cig as you stroll down the street.

#henry cavill #henrycavill smut #smut #superman #henrycavill superman #herny cavill sexy #geralt of rivia #geralt fanfic #geralt x ofc #geralt x reader #henry cavill xreader #henrycavill au #henry cavill x black reader #henry cavill x black!female reader #henry cavill rp #henrycavill x y/n #henrycavill fandom #the cavillry #henrycavill series #henry cavill one shot #black reader smut #black reader #onlyaplay

[huangbae]

꒰ NCT DREAM REACTION ꒱

being in a long distance relationship <3

< MARK >

met you from a mutual friend

you got added to a groupchat with him in it

he liked the memes you sent so he dmed you

got caught off guard when you started flirting w him a few days later

“hahahah”

just went w it

until you started being more and more flirtatious w him

he asked if you had a crush on him

after you said yes and asked to go out w him

things got pretty serious

he sent you lots of flirty messages

uses heart emojis in almost every text

asks you what time it is where you are all the time

bcs

timezones

wants to meet you one day

but lowkey he’d freak out if he met you

sometimes you send him photos of your outfits

he doesn’t tell you but

he looks forward to you sending him photos

bcs he thinks you’re cute

and he freaks out when you do send him photos

“you’re driving me crazy y/n hahahaha”

< RENJUN >

met you in a random comment section

you were arguing in that comment section over something stupid

he took it to the dms

but after viewing your profile

he saw a pic of you that you posted

started beinf nice to you after he noticed that you were cute

went from “YOU’RE SO DUMB” to “okay but i still think you’re wrong”

you thought you guys were done talking

until you posted a pic of yourself a few weeks later

and he liked it

and dmed you “hello can we start over again”

after a few weeks

you guys were still talking

and you developed a crush on him

one day you asked if he had an s/o

and he said “no, would you like to apply for the position?”

needless to say you guys were official

as far as your relationship goes

you get kinda insecure

bcs you’re like 3,000 miles away from him

and you didn’t want him to find someone else

he’d reassure you by saying

“i don’t think i’d fall in love with anyone else, y/n, it’s kind of exhausting :P”

so yeah

he’s a pain in the butt

< JENO >

i already did a fic on (sort of) long distance bf jeno!!

read here

< HAECHAN >

met you on a discord server

and he’d go on a call w you almost everyday

you guys also played games together

he’d say some flirtatious things during calls

and give you special treatment when you were playing games with him and his friends

he didn’t notice until johnny pointed it out

and after you had to leave the call

he thought about it for like an hour

and he realized

he likes you

the next day while you guys were on a call

he told you everything

“i know we’re so far away but i like you so much and i don’t care about the distance :((“

you started dating after he confessed

honestly he treats you the same way he did before you guys got together

but when his friends teased him for giving you special treatment

he’d always say

“whatever, you guys are just jealous i’m the best boyfriend ever”

< JAEMIN >

met you on a dating app

used a really cheesy pickup line

honestly you didn’t think you guys were compatible at first

until you started talking to him more

and you realized he was really sweet

he sends you good morning and goodnight texts everyday

even if you guys are in different timezones

he’d wait for it to be morning or night for you

even though you told him not to bcs you felt bad keeping him up

he also had your country on the clock app on your phone

and the weather app

“its cold where you are, y/n, you better cover up >:)”

for your anniversary he calls a local florist in your country

and delivers flowers to your house

“so glad you liked the flowers love <33”

hfjfjdjfjf

sends you photos of him sometimes

and lots of wholesome memes

“me & who? me & you <3”

lots of “i wish i were there rn :(” texts

cheesy but so cute hdhfjdjfj

< CHENLE >

you already knew each other

because you went to high school together

but you moved after that

and about a year after you moved

he found your account

and dmed you

you talked until he asked you for you zodiac sign

“our signs are compatible, y’know <3”

after that you started getting flustered by his messages

legs swinging and all that good stuff

you waited for him to text you every day

because you didn’t want him to think you were desperate

but every time you waited a few minutes to answer his message

he’d spam you

“y/n”, “y/n l/n”, “BRO”, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING ANSWER ME :((“

so yeah that was reassuring

after you guys do get into a relationship

he’d start sending gifts to your house

everytime you talked about smth you wanted

he’d buy it from amazon

and would wait for your reaction a few days later

“anything for you, y/n >:D”

< JISUNG >

like renjun he met you in a comment section

but it was a more cute interaction

“@y/n you’re so cute 🥺”

you dmed him bcs

its jisung ofc you’re gonna dm him

he was so cute

uses lots of emoticons

likes when you go off on tangents and talk about yourself

he talks about you a bunch

to his friends and family

his family tried to discourage him from talking to you

bcs you’re pretty far away

but he doesn’t really care

he sends you videos and pics of him throughout the day

one day he sent you this really pretty video of him

he was just out of the shower and his hair was wet

and he just looked really pretty

hdbhdjfjd

im going off on a tangent

anyway

he liked sending you videos because you complimented him all the time

also

you had a lot of late night convos

“i wanna see you in person one day, y/n”

♡.﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀.♡

tysm for reading !! i hope you enjoyed, sorry for the lack of posts lately :(( i’ve been on sort of a writing block so i’m trying to get back to my old schedule:) pls send requests via asks or dms !! :)

~ with love, huangbae :)

#nct dream #nct #mark #mark lee #renjun #huang renjun #jeno #lee jeno #haechan #lee haechan #jaemin #na jaemin #chenle #zhong chenle #jisung #park jisung #nct dream reactions #nct dream blurbs #nct dream fluff #kpop reactions #kpop fluff

[shenanigans-academia]

So the thing with Touya was

He was never outwardly told it was OKAY for him not be Number One. He was never told “you don’t have to be this, it’s okay, we will still love you no matter what. Be a normal kid, you didn’t fail, it’s not your fault your quirk isn’t compatible with your body”

Sure Endeavor told him to be a normal kid and make friends, but this was AFTER telling Touya to stop trying to be a hero because he CAN’T be one. Supporting/trying to help your kid and telling them they can’t be something you’ve told them they had to be since before they were born are 2 different things. Yes, Endeavor tried to reason with Touya because on some level of course he cared for him, that’s his kid, his oldest son, the child he made to fulfill all his broken dreams who is now falling apart at the seams in his hands because from the age of 6/8 to 10/12 Touya actively watched his father try to replace him not once, but TWICE, with 2 other children to become the “perfect vessel” to replace their father’s sworn rival in power and success.

(Look at his face. These are clearly not the faces of a kid happy to be getting new siblings, because he knows why he’s getting them in the first place)

From the moment he was born, Touya was burdened with an extremely difficult mission on his shoulders to follow in his fathers footsteps and achieve what Enji couldn’t, to surpass All Might and become the Number One Hero. And, with that being his only goal in life drilled into his head since he was a small child who looked up to their larger than life father, it became his only passion. And we see it, he loves training and spending time with his dad in order to achieve this dream of theirs.

(Instead of those good ole movie tropes of-

Dad: “you’re giving up on your dream, Son”

Son: “no Dad, I’m giving up on yours!”

We now get-

Dad: “give up on this dream, Son”

Son: “no Dad because it’s ours!”

Or better yet in the Todoroki’s case-

Dad: “give up on MY dream Son, this isn’t yours to bare”

Son: “no Dad because you’ve made it mine and now I want it more than anything”)

But instead of working hard and being celebrated, Touya views himself as a failure while his parents actively telling him to stop as he literally destroys himself and being pushed to the side to make room for other “potential heirs” to Endeavor’s all mighty high throne in the world of heroes.

Touya also had a lot to live up to regardless of Endeavor’s goals. He’s the eldest son of the Number 2 hero in a world full of people with exceptional power. Of course he would want to be a hero, right? Of course all the other kids he’s had interactions with at school would also want to be heroes and therefore drive him to want to become one, even without this insane prophecy placed upon him at birth. And even when he tries so hard to prove to his father that he can do it (even tho he physically can’t), to have the one person he looks up to the most tell him to give it up because he CANT do it is going to be earth shattering either way.

Have you ever tried telling a kid they can’t do something they’ve dreamed about their whole life? It never ends well, even for normal kids who say they want to be things like a doctor or an astronaut or even become the President of the United States. Hell, try telling a kid they can’t even run to end of a field and back with a sprained ankle and see how fast they try to prove you wrong. If you ever tell a child they can’t do something, chances are that’s only going to drive them to want to become that thing even harder, even if it means they end up hurting themselves in the process.

So yes, I do in fact think that Endeavor believes he was doing what was best for Touya telling him to give up on *his* dreams of becoming Number One were from a place of caring and what Enji believed to be good parenting (even after a doctor told him years before to put an end to it all and please for the love of god don’t have anymore children BUT ANYWAYS) but in the end only added more fuel to the fire that was the beginning of the end of the so called Happy Hellish Todorokis.

This kid never even stood a chance

#spoilers #ch. 301 #mha #my hero academia #bnha #boku no hero academia #the todorokis #the todoroki family #todofam #touya #todoroki touya #touya todoroki #Dabi #there’s so much more I want to say about Rei’s part in all this and about the other todosibs as well #but I’ll save that for another post I’ll probably never end up writing #instead take this for now even tho literally nobody asked for it and there are SO many other better studies out there right now #I wrote this at 2am because I couldn’t get the todorokis out of my head and my baby touya #kid never stood a chance #keeping up with the todorokis

[rpgsandbox]

Dearest Balin,

Almost six years have passed already since the last time you were here. I remember very well everything you and Gandalf said when we met. You were alarmed, and I took your warnings at heart, but I don’t think you would find it surprising to know that news of a nameless threat is hard to believe here in the dear old Shire. Gandalf came to see me again, on several occasions. He seems to care about our friendship, and he says I should indeed be worried, but his vague words of warning hardly make even less of a dent in the general sense of peace and protection that we enjoy here, away in the north-west.

But don’t think that I am completely clueless! All I need to know is to have a look at… the stuff I collected in my adventures to remember that there is a wide and dangerous world out there. Sometimes I even miss it, the road, the thrill, the narrow escapes. It’s my Tookish side. But then I look at my beautiful garden, my snapdragons and sunflowers, my trailing nasturtians… how they glow, red and golden, more beautiful than any Dragon-hoard that ever was, and I am back to being a Baggins.

I hope that what I say won’t be too much of a disappointment to you. You haven’t asked yet, but I know that you mean to invite me to join you in that Moria adventure you are always talking about. I am afraid that I have spent enough time crawling in the dark under the Misty Mountains not to wish to do that ever again! But there’s a good bunch of eager lads and lasses here that you might find to your liking. Why, they are just waiting for no more than a nod in their direction from me or from our Grey friend to go off into the blue for mad adventures! Theirs is an age that is more appropriate to that type of business, believe me,  and I have taught them a thing or two. I suspect that Gandalf has too...

From a letter from Bilbo Baggins, Esq. to Balin son of Fundin

“This is the Master-ring, the One Ring to rule them all.”

The One Ring™ is a roleplaying game based on The Hobbit™ and The Lord of the Rings™, two extraordinary works of fiction by the beloved author and respected academic, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, published in partnership with Sophisticated Games.

First released in 2011, its award-winning design was hailed as the best attempt at bringing Middle-earth to the gaming table to date, thanks to its thematic rules and painstaking attention to detail. For 10 years, players of the game have traveled far and wide across Middle-earth, adventuring for multiple decades of game time.

Today, it is time for the game to enter a new era – this new edition of The One Ring brings players further into the Twilight of the Third Age with a new hardbound volume, presenting:

A set of updated and streamlined rules, developed thanks to years of players’ feedback and raising the game to the standards of quality that have made Free League so popular.

A new setting to experience – the Lone-lands of Eriador in the year is 2965 of the Third Age. This is a vast land that once saw the glory of the North Kingdom of the Dúnedain.

A complete visual redesign of art and graphics, offering a view of Middle-earth that is fresh and familiar at the same time.

                                Sample Spreads (Work in Progress)

“The Enemy still lacks one thing to give him strength and knowledge to beat down all resistance, break the last defences, and cover all the lands in a second darkness. He lacks the One Ring.”

The One Ring is set in the Twilight of the Third Age, a time-frame comprising the events narrated in The Hobbit™ and the start of The Lord of the Rings™. Encompassing more than six decades, this period is ushered in when Bilbo the Hobbit finds the Ruling Ring, and culminates with the war fought by the Free Peoples against the Dark Lord Sauron, and the destruction of the Ring.

The year is 2965 of the Third Age, and the players create a Company of heroes, Hobbits, Dwarves, Elves and Men seeking adventure in the Lone-lands of Eriador. It is a desolate country, a vast land that once saw the glory of the North Kingdom of the Dúnedain, the Men of the West. Here, many wars were fought, and countless ruins dot its landscape. Shadows move along its paths, and not all of them belong to the living. It is here that the One Ring lies, a seed of the past that will one day lead the world to open war against the returning Shadow.

This edition of The One Ring moves the focus of the game to the lands of Old Arnor, with a full description of the town of Bree and the surrounding areas, including famous locales like Weathertop, Fornost and Annuminas, providing the players with a new starting point for their adventures.

The Enemy is moving, and smoke issues once more from Mount Doom, in the land of Mordor...

“… you have been chosen, and you must therefore use such strength and heart and wits as you have.”

In The One Ring, players create individuals who led an ordinary life until something made them realize that they were simply pretending that shadows weren’t growing nearer and nearer every year. They are not soldiers or mercenaries, nor are they subtle Wizards trying to weave the threads spun by fate: they are adventurous souls representing the various Free Peoples opposing the return of the Shadow.

The core gameplay of The One Ring revolves around two alternate phases — the Adventuring Phase and the Fellowship Phase. This structure follows the deeds of the players not only geographically, as they explore the land in pursuit of their goals, but also chronologically, as time passes and the Twilight of the Third Age enfolds.

The game mechanics have been created from the ground up to match the source material and emulate the action as depicted in The Lord of the Rings™ and The Hobbit™. They feature a set of custom dice, but the game can also be played using a standard set including a 12-sided die and at least six 6-sided dice. The accessibility and elegance of the system fits in perfectly with other games by Free League.

This new edition of the game further reinforces the connection between its mechanics and the stories that inspired them. The rules for things like hero creation or the use of Hope have been tweaked to make the game run smoothly without sacrificing their faithfulness to the sources, while those for Journeys and Councils, for example, have been completely redesigned. New rules, like those for Magical die results, have been added to evoke elements that are vital to the theme of the game, like the subtle magic of Middle-earth.

The new edition will be compatible with modules for the first edition, requiring only minor tweaking.

Created for the first time for this edition of the game, the Starter Set contains everything you need to start playing, and more! Focused on the Shire, this set allows for new players to enter the world of Middle-earth from the land of the Hobbits, where all the stories began. A number of pre-generated characters allow players to take the road to adventure in no time. The boxed set, mainly written by seasoned RPG writer James Spahn, includes:

Condensed rules, including everything you need to start playing in Middle-earth.

An adventure compendium, presenting a number of adventures to be played using the pre-generated characters contained in the box.

Pre-generated characters of esteemed Hobbits like Drogo Baggins, Paladin Took, Primula Brandybuck or Lobelia Baggins, and more.

  The One Ring Starter Set – Contents Added as Stretch Goals are Unlocked

We know that many of you have been enjoying roleplaying in Middle-earth using the fifth edition ruleset in the Adventures in Middle-Earth. We are working on a new edition for the 5E rules as well – but it is not part of this Kickstarter. More information about this will follow in the months to come.

Kickstarter campaign ends: Thu, March 4 2021 8:00 PM UTC +00:00

Website: [Free League Publishing] [facebook] [twitter] [instagram]

#RPG #kickstarter #The One Ring #Free League Publishing #Lord of the Rings #LOTR #Middle Earth #JRR Tolkien

[tenderlyrenjun]

[4:05 P.M.]

“Na Jaemin!” you exclaim, running into your friend’s arms. 

Renjun follows slowly, walking behind you like an escort, even though he made sure to hire a few. They all assume positions around the estate - your guest bedroom, the kitchens, a few entrances, the gardens. ‘A few’ to him includes an elite, small group of trained warriors whose sense of duty got enhanced after bitten; to you, ‘a few’ should have meant taking Mark and his trusted favorites, but Renjun convinced you to let them safe guard your own manor.

You hug Jaemin over his shoulder, letting him melt into your neck. His guards take microscopic steps that your ears became accustomed to before they were even born. “Tell your newborns to back off,” you hiss in his ear, “or I’ll do it myself.” You pull away, smiling sweetly.” And you know I don’t play nicely.”

Jaemin rolls his eyes. “They’re all at least 200 years old.”

You give him a serious look, red flashing across your irises. “Still.” You do not ... react very favorably with guards standing at attention so closely to your every move, especially with Renjun in the room. “I’ve had whiskey older than them.”

Jaemin rolls his eyes again, a pacifist’s smile on his face, but complies with your request nonetheless - probably something to do with Renjun’s presence. He silently brushes his nose, telling the guards to stand down. Jaemin embraces Renjun in the same manner, hugging him tightly. “Tell your mate to quit threatening my guards every time you two stay here.”

“Can’t,” Renjun mutters in his ear. They pull away then grasp each other’s forearms, sharing a look: can’t, or won’t? Renjun breaks the silent conversation first, shaking Jaemin to break the spell. “Separate minds and all.”

“Yet in all 700 years I’ve known you two, never have I seen you separated.”

You slide into Renjun’s side, kissing his cheek as an annoying public display of affection that does not bother Jaemin in the way it would your partner had his mate been present. Even so, Renjun accepts you, draping his arm possessively over your shoulders. “And we have no intention, moving forward.”

“The infamous ‘we’ couple of the Huang Coven,” Jeno announces loudly, bouncing down the stairs, into the throne hall, dramatically. Renjun rolls his eyes; he hates that moniker. Maybe while the two of you visit the Na, he can convince Jaemin to change the title. Jeno, his antithesis, oppositely more traditional, tightens the watch under his suit. And you just know Renjun wants to poke fun at you. Wearing business casual, over streetwear, was a smart choice. Although, Jaemin’s guards wear sunglasses and leather jackets, indoors.

You speed over to Jeno faster than the others, embracing him in the same fashion as you did Jaemin. And he accepts it, all his friend congregating closely by the exit. “It’s been too long, old friend.”

“What are you doing here?” Renjun asks half-jokingly. “Doyoung actually let you outside?” The Kim Family patriarch is rather ,, protective of his members, and has been for the last millennia, even more so actually since officially turning Jeno sometime during the Second Dark Age.

Jeno hugs you in return, his friendship grip crossing diagonally over your back, unlike Jaemin’s around the neck position or Renjun’s more romantic hold. He pulls away seconds after to extend handshakes with the other two. “Doyoung is actually more relaxed than you think,” he admits, hoping that enemy ears are far (one cannot be too careful, especially as other covens accumulate members, like grains of rice - for power, he assumes). “And you would know that,” Jeno redirects to Renjun, “if you got to know him.”

“Hmm,” Renjun hums, not really considering it. You return into his arms, hugging his waist like a newlywed incapable of separating. “The air between us is always so ... tense.”

“Awkward,” you correct. Renjun glances down at you, pinching your side as you continue, “He means awkward. Speaking of -” You smack Renjun’s hand away and spin to Jaemin. “- how is Jaehyun? Ever since breaking off his -” Renjun clears his throat, asking you not to say the word coven, and you nod your head, easily persuaded. “- family, things have been tense between you two, no?”

“No,” Jaemin denies. He refuses to admit that he is awkward with anyone, although his introvert tendencies appear when in large groups, especially if he does not see those people daily. “Jaehyun just added two new members - Jungwoo and Sungchan.”

“Oh, cool,” Jeno interrupts. “That’s why I’m here too.” He passes off a calligraphed note to Jaemin, whose shoulder you nosily look over until Renjun tugs your back into his chest. “His name is Donghyuck, or Haechan when uses his special ability - luring blood with his voice.”

“He and Renjun should get along well,” you comment. “Their powers are compatible.”

“Not as much as yours and mine, love.” Renjun kisses the crown of your head, hanging his arms around your shoulders, to which Jaemin rolls his eyes. You are starting to think Renjun is just making Jaemin jealous, on purpose. Psychologists say that people start complaining about being single while near couples, and since Renjun hates all the formal meetings, getting Jaemin a long-term mate might back him off.

“You don’t have a special ability though,” Jeno points out.

“No,” Renjun disagrees, shaking his head. “Beauty.” You take your turn, for the Huang Clan, to roll your eyes. He always says that your natural looks became enhanced after you turned (however, he usually keeps the flirting private), and although you disagree, you cannot stop him from saying so. His own natural ability becomes stronger when he is happy, which is anytime around you.

As the sun settles into the sky’s middle, everyone sits around a short, long table. Renjun assumes the head across Jaemin, you at his right hand and Jeno at Jaemin’s. Your mate was granted hosting duties, despite being a nomad to this estate. Probably because he is the best at straining tea. And to begin the ceremony, he asks the first question:

“So, Jaemin, how is Jisung fairing? Adjusted to vampire yet?”

“No,” Jaemin shakes his head. He accepts a glazed cup though, with both hands, from Renjun, who hands out empty earthenware as a way to keep track of who is drinking. Jaemin has an extra servant at beck and call in case anyone wants something more or he wants coffee. This set is meant to remain empty until he starts pouring the first round (into new glasses). “I think he’ll get over it once we turn him in a few years.”

“Aish,” Jeno mutters, waving his hand across the table. “Recruitment is starting younger and younger these days.”

“Yet none of us look a day over 23,” Renjun comments. He starts a fire under the second teapot, an empty one that he will fill with blood in a few minutes. “Did you get water from the spring outside, or did you have a servant retrieve a bottle from Nunobiki again?”

“The latter,” Jaemin nods, popping a white sugar cube in his mouth. He relaxes more on the pillow cushion, stretching a legs underneath the table. “It is a special occasion after all. I haven’t seen you three in the same room in what? 80 years?”

You push his shoulder, throwing him off balance. “We’re not divorced. You can visit us any time.”

“I haven’t left the compound in -” Jaemin looks at his watch. “- God, ninety years.”

“All the more reason to. Plus you’ll never guess what Renjun got us into!”

Speaking of the devil, Renjun clears his throat, asking for attention as he places a strainer over a teapot, pouring cold blood into the wide opening. He takes the now hot water and drizzles it in as well while the conversation comes to a stop, the ceremony’s second phase. Everyone watches closely, your eyes more permanently sparkling red, almost like having being starved for weeks. Renjun pours the now warm mixture on some leaves, then removes it just as quickly, repeating the process twice more, to fully rinse the leaves. When he takes the pot of boiled blood, spilling into the decanting bowl, you hear a guzheng in the steam, transporting you to the park in 1500 where Renjun would escort you to feed the ducks. No wonder Jaemin relinquishes hosting duties to Renjun; he always emits a beautiful memory. Renjun starts an hour glass, timing five minutes for the water to cool while everyone resumes conversation.

Jeno bites into an hojicha brownie, chewing the hazelnuts extra thoroughly (it takes like bits of flesh, which make it all the more delicious. “You were saying? What did Renjun rope you into this time?”

Renjun rolls his eyes, already groaning, and you smirk, knowing that your friends will take your side.

“College,” you seethe.

“It’s not as bad as it sounds!” 

“It is,” you point at Renjun, though he knows you are at least half-joking. You look at Jaemin, who sports an amused look; he, nor Jeno, has never seriously entertained college, preferring their current roles. “We’re registered for a full year of classes. I want to come visit three weeks ago, but midterms and projects take up extra hours of our time.”

“We don’t sleep though,” Jeno points out, siding with Renjun. “It can’t be as hard as it is for mortals who need 8 hours a night.” He taps Renjun’s shoulder. “Ha, remember being 20?”

“Heavens,” Renjun sighs nostalgically, reclining on his pillows in thought, staring at the ceiling like it can show a movie of his first lifetime. “Learning how to write from pictures? Carving lines into bronze with literal ancient tools? Computers are so much better.” He gently kicks your foot. “It’s why I signed you up for that Microsoft class.”

“Microsoft?” Jaemin scoffs. “Does your school not provide Apple courses?”

“No.” You roll your eyes. “Not that it matters anyways. I have to perform calculus by hand. I didn’t even do that during the Han dynasty! I still have the original suanpan in my study.”

“Yes, but,” Renjun drawls, “you have to admit how much easier it is to type integrals into that new graphing calculator I bought you.”

You turn to Jeno, deadpanned. “Everyday, I have to do homework, but yeah, no, you two should totally try it.”

The last grain of coarse sand falling onto the pile echoes loudly for your vampiric ears, so all of you stare at it, suddenly dehydrated again. And ever so slowly, almost theatrically (ever the moongwa), Renjun takes the original pot, adding some extra warm water until the blood’s color becomes translucent enough to see the pretty leaves. He pours everything into the decanting bowl, disrupting the ration between blood and water. The ceremony’s final phase comes to an end as he serves the drinks, handing one to Jaemin first as a sign of respect. You are next, his co-leader, then Jeno, the only member without a title (ironic, considering that he was a prince in his first lifetime, higher than any of you), and himself in closing. Everyone waits for Jaemin to take the first sip, ignoring the fact that Renjun assumed a host’s role. When his reaction is satisfactory, you take the second sip. It is very sweet, the floral aroma lingering the longer you keep the small cup near your nose. Renjun’s stoic demeanor does not give away anything you recognize, possibly because he is too humble or because he additionally drinks in all the praise. When Jeno takes the last first sip, reciprocating the tastefulness, you all resume conversation and the ceremony, more laxed.

Jaemin gestures for a guard to let one of the servants enter and asks for an iced americano, ending his tea drinking.

Renjun waits for you to also ask for coffee before also ordering it, and Jeno follows suit when the last pot empties.

“It is our cycle to sleep,” Renjun announces, cleaning his hands with a wet wipe. A servant comes in to clear the table, and all of you wait for the table to be emptied before retiring to your individual rooms.

Renjun starts tossing the extraneous throw pillows on the bed foot bench, already dressed in a comfortable matching pyjama set while you still have yet to change. He runs around the bed, after he finishes preparing it, nestling his chin into the crook of your neck.

“Come to bed.”

You hear him whine, interlocking his fingers above your liver, one of his most favorite places to drink your blood, once he punctures the right spot. His fangs start growing, gently knocking your skin for an invitation. You give it to him freely, extending your head left - better access, wordlessly.

“These meetings are infinitely more tolerable with you here,” he whispers, already reliving the ambrosial tea that seems to just be steaming through your tiny pores. He takes one lick, preparing you for the deep puncture. “You should come to them more often.”

You anticipate his bite but he only nibbles your jugular, grazing his teeth ever so lightly when his lips part too wide. “If I went with you, then I wouldn’t miss you.” You spin around, still enveloped by his arms. Renjun pushes you into the wardrobe, and your hands brace his shoulders, like a prey trying to escape, except your fingers dig into his shirt, attempting to pull him impossibly close. “We wouldn’t have these moments if I always went with you.”

“But we’re having this moment now, while you’re with me.”

“You’re so clingy,” you whisper as he tugs your hair by the base of your scalp. You sigh, knees faltering. 

Renjun places a singular kiss on your neck, displaying immense restraint against drinking you dry. You feel his fangs reach maximum length despite not sinking into your skin yet, so you draw him in by his throat. And he smirks. “Who’s the clingy one now?”

“Bite me.”

“Well, if you insist.”

#renjun #renjun x reader #nct imagines #renjun imagine #renjun blurbs #renjun timestamps #renjun fluff #nct blurbs #nct timestamps #nct fanfic #nct dream #nct #nct dream blurbs #nct dream fluff #nct dream timestamps #nct fluff #vampire au #jeno x reader #jaemin x reader

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Struck Like Lightning

    (Contains spoilers for RWBY Volume 4)

Absorb Electricity. He felt something, not an emotion, just a gut-instinct. With everything that had happened; every coincidence that led Nora, that Grimm, and his family to Kuroyuri that night, he knew, somehow, that this phrase on his arm was connected to… something. It must be important.

The following is the introductory chapter to a Semblance-Soulmate AU in which a name or description of someone’s semblance will appear on their soulmate’s skin. The concept of a ‘soulmate’ is discussed in-universe and is treated as less of a one-and-done deal (nothing is 100% predetermined in RWBY). I plan to elaborate more on the Semblance mechanics if I end up finishing more chapters.

I am posting this in commemoration of Renora Week 2021 because this chapter features Ren and Nora! Let me know if you enjoyed it!

The days and weeks after the fall of Kuroyuri allowed Nora and Ren time to readjust and explore new parts of themselves. Ren’s sudden companionship had brought out a new side of Nora; she had someone to talk to, someone to bounce ideas off of. Someone who didn’t judge her or pretend she didn’t exist. Nora often took the lead when following the trails and roads, in hopes of finding them someplace else to stay. That town had never felt like a home to her, but to Ren, it was everything he’d ever known. He was quiet, but observant, and getting better at his newfound abilities, which gave them both a sense of comfort. They didn’t have to fear the dark so long as they had each other.

One restless morning, the two were walking east, caught up in conversation.

“…so that’s why I think I like my hair short. Not that long hair is bad – it just gets tangled up in everything. You’re smart Ren, keeping it tied up like that.”

“-huh?” The sudden praise had caught him off guard.

“You pull hair up to keep it out of your face! I have no patience for that, so that’s why mine is short!”

“Oh, yeah. Do you think we could take a break soon?”

“Sure!” She scanned the treeline for a spot. “Ummm, let’s sit there.”

They made their way to a small boulder under the shade of the trees. Nora climbed up and sprawled on top of it to stare at the sky. Ren sat at the rock’s base and scratched his sleeve. His arm wasn’t itchy, but there was something-

It must have been the light of the fire playing tricks on my eyes he thought. He gripped his wrist tighter.

But something was nagging at him, something deep in his soul. To look again, to make sure it was just nothing. In broad daylight, surely if there was anything there-

Pulling his right sleeve back, Ren balked. On the inside of his arm were two words.

Absorb Electricity

“What-“

“What? What is it?” Nora pondered, sitting up and leaning over.

“Absorb-? What do those words mean?”

“What words?”

Ren turned around. Nora was looking at his arm too, with a quizzical expression on her face.

“Those words!” he pointed to inky writing on his arm.

“I don’t see anything?”

Ren did a double take; looking at Nora, then back to his arm.

“If you’re making a joke, I don’t get it.” Nora deadpanned, head propped up in her hands.

You don’t-? But it-? I’m not-? Ren dropped his arm and pushed the sleeve down. “It’s fine, I must be seeing things.”

Nora shrugged and turned back over, watching the clouds gather above.

--

They found a rocky overhang to camp under for the night. Nora passed out pretty fast; she had gotten a lot more comfortable sleeping through the demon-filled nights with someone by her side. Ren just stared at the embers of the fire and let his thoughts wander.

I know they weren’t there before I met her. Before… that night. So where did it come from?

A distant shriek echoed over the valley, and Ren could feel his heart beating in his ears. Immediately, he was awash with the calming greytones of his semblance. The scream turned to baying. A Beowulf then, probably alone and several miles away.

Exhaling slowly, he returned to color, the gears in his head returning to the question of the mysterious words. He looked at Nora, her deep sleep undisturbed by the distant Grimm calls.

I also never had this power, this courage, before that night. I feel like there is something…

He gripped his arm. Absorb Electricity. He felt something, not an emotion, just a gut-instinct. With everything that had happened; every coincidence that led Nora, that Grimm, and his family to Kuroyuri that night, he knew, somehow, that this phrase on his arm was connected to… something. It must be important.

And what does electricity have to do with anything?

--

Climbing over a mountain in a thunderstorm was never their intended route, even less so when a stray bolt pierced the heavens and struck true.

Nora collapsed, and so could have Ren from the shock. Without thinking, he ran toward her - her body lying still and crackling with electricity. To both of their surprise, Nora was alive. She sat up, singed but supercharged, and no worse for wear other than some temporary hearing loss. (Which she demonstrated when she inadvertently screamed in his face: “Wow Ren, I lived!”)

Together, they settled into a rocky alcove further down the mountain to wait for the storm to pass. Once out of the rain, the pair took the time to laugh away the adrenaline. Safely out of the storm, Nora shouted to the sky, taunting the Gods that had tried to kill her and failed. The thunder only grumbled in response. She traced the thunderbolt-shaped markings the impact left on her with her fingers, and watched them fade away over the next few days.

It felt dream-like, the week following the storm. Perhaps it was just the stress of surviving something so scary, but Ren felt stronger and closer to her than before. One night, curling next to the fire, he began to lay his head on his arm to go to sleep. Out of curiosity, he pushed back his sleeve and stared at his arm.

By the light of the campfire, his skin was blank - the words were gone.

Perhaps, he pondered, that was just a warning. It told him that lightning was going to strike, but she would be okay. Perhaps the words disappeared because they were fulfilled, like a destiny that had come to pass? He was too tired for this, his eyelids were growing heavy. He pushed the thoughts away and drifted to sleep.

-

Years later, when the two survivors worked their way into Beacon Academy, did all the stars align. It was at lunch, with their team and their friends of team RWBY.  Pyrrha had brought up the importance of balanced meals when Yang interjected that Jaune had taken all the chicken nuggets.

“I did NOT!”

“Then why is it the only thing on your plate?”

“BECAUSE, um…”

Ren looked back at the textbook, tuning out the argument and glancing over the chapter’s topic for next class. His preemptive studying was interrupted with an elbow jab to his ribcage.

“What?” he said.

“We should be social, you know.” Nora scolded under her breath before turning to the group and gesturing with a boisterous “HEY!”

A sinking feeling in his gut began to form. If there was one thing Ren could never figure out about Nora, it was her immunity to social anxiety.

“Not that taking down a monstrous Nevermore and giant Deathstalker isn’t bonding enough, but I think we should get to know each other better!” she exclaimed. “Anyone know a good ice-breaker?”

Their leader Jaune perked up, “Ooh, how about everyone’s favorite movie or franchise?”

“Too broad.” Weiss replied.

“How about our weapons? I bet everyone has a cool story about theirs!” Ruby added with a glint in her eyes.

“We could talk about our favorite books.” Blake offered.

“Ha, everyone knows the best ice-breaker is sharing semblances,” Yang smirked, “and your semblance-soulmate.”

Pyrrha choked on her salad. Ruby groaned and leaned back in her seat. Blake visibly stiffened.

Breaking the silence, Jaune scoffed. “C’mon, not everyone knows that.” He then rushed to clarify - “It’s not like it tells you their name. You could walk right past them and never know!”

“Yeah,” Ruby pouted, “and maybe some of us don’t want to deal with that extra layer of existential dread.”

“Aw, but that’s what makes it exciting!” Yang teased.

“That’s what makes it agonizing!” Ruby retorted, “Knowing you have a compatible life-partner somewhere in the world and your only hint will disappear when you meet them?!”

“Hang on a second.” Ren interjected, “I thought we were talking about semblances?”

“We are, but y’know…” Weiss was tapping the inside of her arm. “…the Semblance mark.  It can only be read by the person whose skin it appears on, so sharing that knowledge would be another way of bearing your soul to the world.”

“It’s highly personal.” Pyrrha nodded in agreement.

Yang put her hands up in defense. “We don’t have to share them. I just suggested it because it’s so personal. It’s like the fastest ice-breaker in the world.”

Yang’s awkward laughing aside, Ren was still lost. Luckily, Blake picked up on his uncertainty and continued the conversation fluidly.

“It describes the semblance of a person you are destined to come across. According to popular belief, that person is your equal – your other half so to speak.” Blake’s voice then dropped into a hushed monotone, gripping her wrist. “Of course, some people believe strongly in it, while others prefer to forge their own path.”

“Right,” Jaune jumped in, “there’s no rule about marrying them or anything.”

“So it’s more of a suggestion, then?” Nora asked in confusion.

“I find it all very poetic.” Pyrrha said. “I’ve heard that your soulmate mark will disappear after you meet them. After that, it is up to you to forge that bond in person. Nothing is set in stone; it’s a path you can choose to take.”

“Whoaaa.” Nora mused. “Wait, how come I never got one!?” Nora was on her feet in surprise. “Is it possible I didn’t notice?”

Ren was only half listening to the conversation now as the puzzle pieces aligned and clicked together. Words. Semblances. Partners. Those letters he nearly blocked from memory, blocked with the rest of Kuroyuri... didn’t they mention something about electricity?

Two semblances tied together. Two souls cross paths and find each other’s company.

It is pretty poetic, isn’t it?

--

#rwby aus #rwby fic #renora #flowerpowerweek2021 #Semblance Soulmate AU #lie ren #nora valkyrie #My posts #my fic #finding the right voices for rwby and the rest of team jnpr was fun #I have 3 other ship stories planned for my personal fave ships but they aren't finished yet #If I get good feedback maybe i'll continue!