#how he wouldn't be here without jules

[agendabymooner]

the leclerc daycare || cl16 fic

charles leclerc x ofc (hearth sister!ofc)

EXTENTION TO OF LONG LINES AND NAMES

Summary: Charles Leclerc was a father first and a driver second. So maybe being left alone with Hervé, Jules and PJ for the night wouldn't be much of an issue. OR Aimee Leclerc travelled with her sisters and Charles got a firsthand experience of watching his kids by himself (alongside his kids’ uncles Esteban and Pierre).

Content warning: dad!Charles centric, fatherhood, mentions of pregnancy, dad!F1 Drivers x OFCs appearance (Hearth sisters!OFCs), Uncle Estie and Uncle Pierre, doubts of being a good parent, shitty French translations by Apple, wtf is beta reading

Note: Dad Charles, Dad Charles, Dad Charles content enjoy xx

masterlist

Aimee and her sisters were known for being extroverts with introverted tendencies. They communicated with anyone who’d approach them and more often than not, would keep in contact with them in case of any business. 

They didn’t like hanging out with them, as much though. Not as much as they preferred being around their sisters. Aimee, especially, didn’t enjoy being around new people— not as often as any other person would. She would much rather be around her sisters or her husband and his mates. Having three kids, with another two on the way, did something about her interest in socializing with other people. It was fairly limited before until she began attending playdates or programs for toddlers that allowed her children to make friends with others — interacting with parents was common. 

Regardless, going out for two days was different — especially when her sister, Sylvie, was wanting to celebrate her engagement before she gets married in a month. Much like the other two sisters, they preferred a day out without any friends. Just the four of them, chatting each other’s ears off. Aimee Leclerc was alright with that.

“Je ne veux pas que maman parte!” I don’t want Mummy to leave. 

The littles, though, weren’t alright with that. Jules cried his eyes out the moment he saw Aimee dressed in some satin dress. She had a weekender bag next to her vanity, the boy picking up on the fact that his mother was leaving. 

It was Charles’ week off before the next race, and rather than going to Maranello, he deliberately made the choice to stay at home and do his sim practices instead. After all, Aimee had been at home for weeks rather than traveling with McLaren during the races due to her pregnancy. The wonders of having remote work, right? 

“J,” Charles shushed his son softly, playing with the soft curls of his mini’s hair. Jules continued to cry as he wrapped his arms around Charles’ neck. “Maman n'est pas sortie pour s'amuser. Ne pensez-vous pas qu'elle mérite de s'amuser?” Mummy hasn’t gone out to have fun. Don’t you think she deserved to have fun? 

Then another little babbling came along as Hervé clung to Charles’ leg. “Elle peut s'amuser ici. Papa dit à maman qu'elle peut s'amuser ici!” She can have fun here. Daddy, tell Mummy she can have fun here. Hervé cried too, sobbing as they stood in front of the shut bathroom door. 

Aimee put down her mascara and sighed quietly. How the heck was she going to go if her sons were crying like this? The only reason why she’d managed to be roped into nights off before was because Pascale Leclerc had managed to kick her and Charles out of the house before. The boys loved their Mamé and their uncles. 

Pascale wouldn’t see them until this afternoon and their uncles were definitely not going to go until they got back from work. It was only 6:45 in the morning. 

How the hell were Hervé and Jules awake at this time, anyway? They liked to sleep, so how they managed to get the hell out of their bedroom at this time of the day was a mystery.

Aimee then remembered what her sister said. Intuition. Aimee was the same back when her sister was eighteen and heading to university in the morning. Two year old Aimee would wake up just to say good morning then dash off to have breakfast with the other sisters. So maybe her twins had the kind of intuition when someone’s leaving. 

She didn’t think that their reaction would be like this in the morning. 

“Oui, but my littles,” Charles crouched down to speak to both his kids, “do you know how Papa’s been working a lot and Maman has been home to have fun with you?” 

Hervé and Jules sniffled, but nodded nonetheless. Charles continued, “Papa has fun at work, but it’s Papa’s time to have time with you. Maman deserves to see what’s out there that she can have fun with.”

“We can go out to have fun with Maman!” Hervé cried out, protesting against Charles’ proposal. 

“Maman will go somewhere littles can’t go,” Charles told the boys. “How about we have some breakfast and make sure the babies are eating too before Maman goes, hm? Make some breakfast so Maman will be happy and be full of your looove by making her food?” 

“Maman sera-t-elle heureuse si nous lui faisons à manger?” Will Mummy be happy if we make her food? Jules asked, the two of them no longer crying. Thank god for that otherwise PJ, their two year old brother, would see it and somehow make himself comfortable at the tear train. 

Charles grinned at his boys and nodded, “Oui. Maybe we can make her some chicken and waffles— last I heard, the babies want some chicken.” 

Jules wiped his tears away and exclaimed, “Okay! I help, Papa! Herb! Come!” Then ran off the couple’s bedroom, his twin brother hot on his heels as Hervé dashed off. 

Charles watched the boys run out and winced, hoping PJ wouldn’t wake up to the loud footsteps made by the older kids as he slumped against the wall by the bathroom. 

The door swung open next to him, making him look as Aimee stepped out with a sheepish smile. He approached her carefully and wrapped his arms around her, his hands trailing down the protrusion of her stomach as he sighed, “I hope these two wouldn’t be that much trouble to handle.” 

“Hmm,” Aimee hummed happily, taking his hand to kiss the palm of it. “Are you sure you’re going to be alright?” 

Charles scoffed as if Aimee was questioning his superman abilities to stay sane. “I’ve been driving a Ferrari for god knows how long,” he joked, kissing her temple as his other hand continued to caress her stomach. “I’ve gone way past my sanity line. Don’t worry about the three, oui?” 

“I’m not worried about your minis,” Aimee giggled, “I’m more worried about you. You’re most likely to go mad once you realize PJ likes a little bit of mischief with Herb and J.” 

“As I said,” Charles rolled his eyes, peering down at her as he continued, “I’m no longer sane. I think I’ll be able to find composure.” 

The breakfast definitely DID NOT show all of that. Because by the time Charles reached the kitchen, an egg was already cracked open on the floor. Not only that, but Hervé and Jules’ tanned faces (alongside their jammies) were covered in waffle mix after they’ve both dropped the bag of mix on the floor. 

But their breakfast wasn’t that much of a disaster, to say the least. In between Aimee’s cooking and the boys’ morning shower, they somehow managed to find some time to eat breakfast. PJ had already woken up when Charles’ voice turned loud enough at the shock just as he stepped into the kitchen. Trying to get him to eat his fruits wasn’t as difficult. He was angelic of all the Leclercs that both Pascale and Aimee had given birth to. 

“C’mon, mon chou, last one for Daddy,” Charles opened his mouth wide, trying to get PJ to mimic the action. PJ followed his father, his mouth opening as Charles made airplane noises, his hand twirling around while it held a slice of banana stabbed into a silicone fork. It didn’t take long for the food to land on the toddler’s mouth as he kicked his feet in enthusiasm. 

“Tu vois? C'est de la bonne nourriture, n'est-ce pas?” See? It’s good food, don’t you think so? Charles asked his youngest, making the boy nod. “Good boy, PJ.” 

Charles turned to look at his twins, who both stood on their two step stools next to their mother as they watched Aimee wash their dishes. Aimee was apparently teaching them how to do their dishes as she said, “Then when it’s clean, you just put it right here.” 

“What’s this called, Maman?” Hervé pointed at the display next to the sink. 

“It’s a dish rack,” Aimee replied.

“Rack? What does the rack do?” Jules asked, his curious voice making Charles grin to himself. His boys were quite inquisitive about anything. Whenever they’re out, Hervé could point at something and ask. Jules would often follow after Hervé asked. 

And it wasn’t anything worrying. Charles and Aimee loved it when they asked a lot, because they had a lot to answer. It’s always a joy to answer their children’s curiosities. 

“That’s where you leave the plates after cleaning them,” Aimee answered, now drying her hands on the towel. “It’s to make sure they dry. You don’t eat on wet plates do you?” 

“Yuck,” Hervé and Jules pulled a face. “No wet food!” 

“Exactly,” Aimee grinned, looking up to see Charles staring at her and their kids lovingly. She then asked, “Are you enjoying your time staring, love?” 

Charles shook himself out of his thoughts and said, “Yeah. Mr. Sacha is done with his breakfast too.” 

“Oh? He finished it?” Aimee peered down at PJ, “how did you like it, my little bug?” 

Aimee didn’t like that nickname at first. PJ had only earned that nickname after everyone learned that she’d gotten more sick with him than she did with the twins, and Esteban joked that her baby was a literal stomach bug. But after some convincing (with the help of Esteban and Mick, dressing PJ as a grasshopper for his first halloween), Aimee finally caved in. PJ was her little bug.

“Little bug loved it well,” Charles grinned, lifting PJ out of his high chair and grabbed the empty plate. He placed down the dirty dish into the sink as Hervé and Jules’ eyes gleamed in excitement. “Boys, let Papa do it later. Maman’s going soon. Who’s coming to pick you up again?” 

“All three of them, once that Tils’ picked up Stevie and Sylv.”

“Oh,” he replied, “so is anybody dropping off their car to use yours or…” 

“No,” Aimee scoffed. “No one’s touching any of my cars. You are using the SUV, no?”

“That’s kinda assumed already,” Charles replied, “I just thought you’d use your… actually never mind.”

While their family expanded largely over the past few years, their garage did too. Much like her sisters, Aimee had a collection of cats hidden away to avoid being burglarized. Everyone knew about Charles’ custom Pista and the family SUV that they had — an Aston Martin. But they didn’t seem as phased as they were when they found out that Aimee had a vintage Mini Cooper and a coated copper McLaren 765LT hidden somewhere in their family home.

So really… Charles assumed that they’d borrow either one of their hidden gems for the trip as Aimee’s Cooper was often used than Stevie’s military green LaFerrari or Sylvie’s orange Cadillac. 

“The poor Cooper’s been treated like a bus for the past few months,” Aimee snorted. “You know I wouldn’t allow them to drive it either.” 

The ring on the doorbell had woken up something within the twins as they both squealed and bolted to the door, leaving Charles to yell, “Boys, don’t open the door without— damn it!” 

“Charles!” “Sorry! No swearing!”

He then returned to the dining area with Hervé being carried by Aimee’s eldest sister Tilly and Jules with Sylvie. Stevie followed behind as they greeted Aimee, “Morning, Aims! Excited for a good two day vacation?” 

“Oh am I ever,” Aimee rolled her eyes, gesturing at her husband, “he’s a different story.” 

Sylvie raised a brow and spoke amusedly, “You having fun yet, Charles?”

“I am,” Charles waved off Sylvie’s joking tone, “I’ll be fine.” 

“Don’t worry you’ll be fine,” Stevie chuckled, “even Lewis is running a daycare at home.” 

“Aun’ ‘Teve,” PJ toddled his way towards Stevie and tugged on her trousers, “L’land?” 

Stevie peered down at her little nephew — who was the same age as her youngest, Leland, and cooed, “Leland is at home with Uncle Lew and Lotlot, little bug. Maybe you’ll see him sometime today.” 

“Ah speaking of,” Tilly started, looking at Charles now as she said, “I think Lewis and Toto are planning to take the kids out today for the… indoor playground cafe. I’m sure they’ll be happy to have more kids and an extra pair of hands to come along.” 

“Oh nice, more kids,” Charles’ face didn’t even show how nice the thought was. 

“Good luck taking care of eight kids lads,” Sylvie winked, huffing out a laugh after Aimee nudged her a little bit too hard. “I’d offer Max but he isn’t here. I’m sure Arthur and Lorenzo would be more than happy to help!” 

That was a lie. Maybe Lorenzo would help a lot, but Arthur… Now Arthur was a good uncle, but he often leaned more into the chill uncle side than the kind who would somehow watch his words around the kids.

And so when the Leclerc boys saw the matriarch off to Stevie’s Bentayga (while Charles continued to remind his wife’s sisters that she was pregnant — practically warning them not to be stupid about driving), he immediately pulled his phone out to text the only people who’d be more than willing to go less sane with the kids.

Charles: Are you up for some insanity? Aimee’s out for today to tomorrow afternoon.

Esteban: What’s in it for me?

Pierre: He just said insanity.

Pierre: I hope you have enough room in your AM.

Charles: Fuck. I guess I’m taking out the Cadillac.

Charles: Will anyone help me take them out of the garage and help me move the boys’ seats to the other SUV?

Esteban: 👍

Pierre: 👌

Esteban Ocon showed up an hour earlier than Pierre did. When he did, he brought along a small gym bag full of his overnight clothes. Alongside his clothes were boxes of Spider-Man figures. Not everyday Esteban got to share his love for Marvel to anyone, and he could help but jump at the chance to introduce No Way Home to the Leclerc boys.

Now, he was in the kitchen, teaching the Leclerc littles how to operate the oven as they baked some chocolate chip cookie dough that they found in the deep depths of the freezer. Perhaps it was a bad idea to have Esteban come over, because he was prone to ruining their diets with his love for pastries. 

It was quarter to ten when Pierre finally arrived, with his own overnight bag and… a pile of children’s books? Charles wasn’t sure if he was seeing things right, but then the Frenchman pulled up a pop-up book version of Dr. Seuss from the pile as Charles groaned quietly. 

“Ils ont déjà beaucoup de livres, Pierre,” they already have a lot of books, Pierre. Charles told the man when he raised a brow.

“It never hurts for more,” Pierre shrugged, “how did you think PJ learned to speak a lot at this age? He won’t be chatty if it wasn’t for his Oncle P.” 

“You only started to get them books because you don’t know how baby sizes work,” Charles told him with a roll of his eyes, shutting the door behind Pierre as they both walked towards the living room.

Charles raised his brow when Pierre settled his bag down on the couch, leaving Pierre to say, “I’d head up to the guest room but I want to see the boys first,” there was a moment of silence between the two of them and in the background played the boys’ daily phonics songs. “Sick beats, by the way.” 

The pair headed off to the kitchen, where they found Hervé, Jules and PJ chatting away with their Uncle Estie. The last conversation Charles heard was about the track in Canadian GP, with Hervé saying “The turn there— what is that? Pin? Papa says is pin! It’s wooooosh~ woah, it’s so small, Oncle E!” 

“Sharp,” Estie’s signature grin returned to his face as he corrected the boy gently, “the hairpin is sharp, Herb.”

“‘Airpin?” Jules’ head cocked to the side, “I hear my cousin Tia say that!” 

“Because that’s what they use for long hairs,” Esteban replied. 

“What? All talks, no love for Oncle P?” The three toddlers turned towards the direction of the voice as they grinned widely. PJ, thank god for Charles’ reflex, had jumped off the kitchen island and ran towards his namesake. Pierre Gasly nearly tipped over at the suddenly thud on his legs as he grunted, lifting PJ up to his arms as he hugged the boy tight. “Good morning, Little P! How’s my handsome boy doing?” 

“Good, Oncle P!” PJ grinned. “Maman est partie!” Mummy left!

The enthusiasm in his tone broke Charles out of his trance as he laughed. “Sacha, why do you sound happy about Maman leaving?”

“Because she has fun!” Jules reasoned out on behalf of his brother, making PJ nodded eagerly.

And while the two were celebrating the thought, Charles looked at Hervé as he began sobbing quietly. Esteban’s eyes widened, not knowing how to react as the boy began wailing. Tears endlessly flowed out of Hervé’s eyes as he covered them with his forearm. 

“Oh no,” Charles sighed quietly. Esteban quickly recovered from shock and immediately lifted Hervé off the counter, allowing the boy to soak his shirt with his tears. 

Out of the three boys, Hervé was the only one who took the information to heart. The Leclerc kids were loved by both Aimee and Charles — but Hervé, out of the three, loved Aimee more than anything. He often clung to her like a koala on a tree, and when they’re out and about — Hervé would often hold hands with her more than he would with his Papa. It wasn’t a shock that Charles would witness his eldest cry at the absence of his Maman. 

Jules, who was sitting on the counter, stood on the marble surface and reached up to pat his twin on the back carefully. He then said, “t’s okay, Herb!” He wasn’t even sure if Hervé could hear him, but all Jules seemed to care about was comforting his brother.

“Are you sad because Maman’s gone for the day?” Esteban asked, and all he got was a nod in his neck. That, and maybe a wet patch of tears on his neck now. “Okay, okay. Is there anything Papa or your uncles can help you with that can make you feel better.”

“Maman—“ Hervé stuttered, still crying in Estie’s arms.

“Yeah, but Maman’s not here, H,” Estie replied. “What if you show us what can help you feel better? Or do you want Oncle E to help?” 

Hervé’s reddened face looked up at Esteban and nodded. “Yeah? You want me to help? Or everyone?” 

“I know!” Jules jumped, making Charles reach close to his son with a mutter of ‘Careful, J.’ 

Hervé turned to his twin as Jules exclaimed, “Princess and Frog!” 

“T’ana!” PJ squealed aloud. Hervé’s eyes brightened, all thanks to the suggestion that his brothers proposed not to his tears. Hervé nodded before he wiped his tears away and asked Estie to put him down, to which the man obliged as Charles helped Jules hop off the counter and led the Leclerc littles to the family room. 

The adults look at each other. “There will be a lot of that,” Charles smiled meekly. 

“Not a bother,” Esteban waved off with a chuckle.

“I need to put my bags upstairs,” Pierre nudged Charles lightly. “Before craziness even begins.”

The oven goes off at the same time, leaving Esteban to turn away and return to the kitchen as he said, “I’ll leave this to cool off. You need help moving cars, you said?” 

“Yes please,” Charles replied, following his boys to the living room as they navigated through the Disney app. 

He then heard Estie say, “Can I drive her Mc—“

“I can’t let you drive the McLaren, sorry,” Charles interrupted Estie before he could continue on.

Charles: Hey! Are you and Toto still taking the kids out today? 

Lewis: Hey Charles! Yeah we’re taking them out today. If we’re gonna get heart attacks we can at least do it together. You in? 

Charles: Pierre and Estie would come along, if you don’t mind? 

Lewis: Five against eight? We’re still outnumbered. But yea, of course! 

Charles: Haha!

One of the joys of having children was the opportunity to dress them. The same could be said for Charles. They always said that it was hard having to dress boys, and while that remained true, it didn’t discourage the Ferrari driver from dressing his boys up whether they’re going out or heading to bed. 

He could admit that he couldn’t dress for shit, but it didn’t mean that he’d do the same to his kids. 

Neither he and Aimee believed that Jules and Hervé should be dressed the same whenever they’re out because they were twins. In fact, they thought that it would be a bit too confusing for them. At the very beginning of their lives, they were always dressed differently. 

The same could be said for today. Hervé was dressed in a Ralph Lauren denim button up and some denim shorts, his hair tied loosely to a bun to avoid his soft curls getting in the way of his face. 

Jules, however, was dressed in a white tee (with the infamous Burberry pattern sewn as a pocket) and khaki shorts while his hair was merely brushed back. Esteban Ocon was quite proud of his work of art. 

Sacha Leclerc, or PJ, had opted for a soft pink shirt with the Ralph Lauren polo logo on its left chest and some denim shorts with Mickey Mouse embroidered all over the place. He beamed at his Oncle P proudly, immensely proud of his decision to dress like this. Pierre Gasly merely high fived him, proud of his godchild for no reason. He was just proud. 

No one was prouder than Pascale Leclerc, though. Just as her hair salon opened and the boys (and the men) took a ten minute trip there, she gasped at the sight of her grandchildren. 

“Oh mon! Qui sont ces beaux garçons ? S'agit-il de mes petits-enfants?” Oh my! Who are these handsome boys? Are these my grandchildren? Pascale squealed, excusing herself from her receptionist as she knelt down to get on the level of the toddlers. “You three are always soooo handsome! Did Papa dress you?” 

Esteban and Pierre cackled on the side, leaving Charles to look at his mother with an unamused expression. Pascale giggled. It was a running joke in the family that Charles was shit at dressing himself, and when Aimee got married into the family it got even worse — with Arthur starting the chaos with, “Can you believe that, Charles? Two models for sisters-in-law and another who worked for Vogue and you’re still dressed like this?” 

“I sure hope not,” Pierre continued behind Charles, leaving the Monegasque to kick his best friend.

“I did!” Jules grinned proudly. “I dress up myself, Mamé!” 

“I did too!” Hervé raised his hand, catching the attention of his grandmother. PJ babbled along and told her that he too had dressed himself. 

“Wow! Such big boys, you are!” Pascale exclaimed, pulling out her phone to stand up. “Can you smile big for Mamé? Say cheese.”

“Cheeseeee~” the three grinned heavily as Pascale took a photo of the three. Typing for a good second, she finally put her phone away and looked at Charles and his fellow grid mates. 

“I sent it to Aimee’s mothers,” Pascale explained herself as the men nodded.

“What are you up to today?” Pascale asked. “I heard the girls are out for today and tomorrow?” 

“They’re going to stay in Cannes for the day,” Charles replied before leaning towards his mother and whispered, “Hervé cried twice today, Maman and I’m worried he’s not going to sleep tonight because Aimee’s not here.”

Pascale let out a quick snort and shrugged it off, “Yes he would,” she reassured him with a pat on the head. “He managed to sleep well when you two were out for the weekend.” 

“But that’s with you, Maman,” Charles looked back to find Esteban and Pierre preoccupied with the kids as he continued, “What if the three of them won’t settle because I haven’t been around them for too long and I haven’t put them to bed before? Hervé cried because of his Maman. He sees Aimee more than he does me so—“

“Charles, pause,” Pascale grabbed her son on both of his shoulders and shook him out of his thoughts. “Take a deep breath.” The middle Leclerc man obliged, heaving a deep sigh as his mother told him, “He won’t make things hard for you, Charles. He’s not crying because he likes Aimee more than you, but it’s only because he’s going to have to adjust for tonight. Kids, when they’re outside their routine, act differently when they have to follow a new one — so he’s not acting like that because you’re the one who’s with him tonight.” 

“Hervé loves you, Charles,” Pascale told him softly. “With how he proudly wears your number on his shirt and his jackets, and how he brags about his Papa in the red car, I think I can say that he loves you so much. He will never ever make things hard for you with Aimee not being here for today— or for all those times she wouldn’t be there. So, don’t worry about it. Just don’t make things hard for him either. Try to make sure he’s comfortable with adjusting his routine. Make sure that your children are feeling comfortable with the thought of doing things differently than usual.” 

Charles glanced back at his kids, the pressure on his shoulders long gone as he nodded at Pascale. “Merci, Maman.” 

“Yeah of course,” Pascale giggled quietly. “I’ve always wondered the same when your father was gone. Look where I am now. Look at where you are now. The boys just need to adjust a little, Charles. Just make sure you’re there to guide them if needed.” 

Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff were rarely at Monaco, these days. 

After Lewis retired, he thought of selling his house in Monaco. Being a father was what he wanted and clearly, while he was still fit for a celebrity lifestyle he resorted to being a quiet and reserved man. His 5-acre estate in Warwickshire showed something of serenity, their home surrounded by nothing but woods and a river nearby. He was content with being at home with his children while his wife Stevie continued to work as a model and Ferrari’s communications director. He preferred the quiet while he taught his daughter phonemes, and it was clear to everyone he abandoned his flat in Monaco. Now the flat served as his vacation home whenever his family would go on a holiday and see their cousins. 

The same goes to Toto. He hadn’t retired as a team principal yet, but his Monaco place no longer held the same value as his estate in Brackley. One of his kids was already eleven (already in year nine) and playing in his school’s association football team and the other (nine years old) had been entering karting tournaments around England almost every weekend. He once told Charles about his estate and how he had it purchased and renovated long before his eldest son with Tilly even existed — how well he valued his home there and wouldn’t exchange it for Monaco or Austria. Much like Lewis, he was content with his home there, and it didn’t help that the Mercedes factory was only a few minutes away from his home. Toto expressed his interest in selling his house in Monaco once that his vintage Mercedes was moved back to Brackley, but then his nephews were born (and were planned to be raised in Monaco). He then decided that it was a home to go to whenever his kids wanted to see the Leclerc kids — their cousins. 

So after everyone started talking about Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff no longer residing in Monaco and their rare appearance in the streets of the principality, it never came as a shock to anyone anymore. It was still rare, but it was expected. 

But the sight of the two, alongside the three current drivers that just sat along the older ones, would be considered hilarious and extra special for the fans. Because not everyday you get to see two Mercedes personnel casually hanging out with a Ferrari driver and two Alpine drivers. At least, not with the two Alpine drivers while they all sat on a cozy indoor playground and cafe in Monte-Carlo. It wasn’t everyday you get to see Toto Wolff and the drivers talk about the racing season while they all sip on some silly cat and animal-themed cups with their kids running amuck in the playing area. 

Toto’s two older kids were somewhere else, and Charles could only assume that they were at the football area. None of his kids were crying yet, and so he sat there relaxed as he listened to whatever Lewis was talking about. 

“Did you really allow Aimee to go with the girls?” Lewis asked Charles, making the Monegasque nod. “You could’ve said no, that way they’re just stuck here in Monaco.”

“She’ll be fine,” Charles was beginning to think that he was only saying those words to reassure himself, not others. “She hasn’t been out for a while.”

“They still could have found something here,” Lewis pointed out.

Charles rolled his eyes, “That’s true. But Aimee lives here, she knows every curb to avoid and I don’t think I don’t want to bore her to death.” 

“Besides,” Charles shrugged nonchalantly, “I don’t want her to think I’m trying to lock her up by making her stay in Monaco all the time.”

“She’s your wife,” Pierre brought up.

“She’s my boys’ Maman, but she’s also been working her ass off trying to keep them happy while I’m gone someplace else,” Charles couldn’t find himself to argue, only telling them what the men needed to hear, “the least I can do is to let her travel the same way I do almost every week.”

“She loves the boys, that’s why her work in McLaren’s now remote,” Toto nodded, reaching on his pastel donut cat cup as he sipped on his tea, “I appreciate you for recognizing that.” 

“It’s the only thing I can do besides spend my time with the kids,” Charles replied, looking around to find his kids as Hervé came dashing and jumping into the ball pit of the soft play area. Hervé’s head popped up from the ball pit as he grinned, finding his father watching as he waved enthusiastically. Charles grinned and waved back before he turned back to the men, “I don’t think I’ll ever regret spending my time with them. If anything, I regret leaving Aimee behind while I go away to race. Lessens my time with the boys.” 

TWO MERCEDES, A FERRARI AND TWO ALPINES WALK INTO A CAFE: The Popular Fathers of F1 were seen on some Father-Children day out in Monte-Carlo.

“Hamilton, Leclerc and Wolff = Fathers of the Year? PLUS, a surprise appearance of Uncles Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly included in this article!” 

THE MONTE-CARLO DADDY DAYCARE: These might be the best photos taken of Lewis Hamilton, Toto Wolff and Charles Leclerc yet!

“Where’s Max Verstappen? Oh, and HI ESTIE BESTIE AND PEAR!” 

THE HEARTH HUSBANDS: How Toto Wolff, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc made the best husband materials ever through these photos.

“Max Verstappen, maybe it’s your time to shine, too!”

Aimee: I’m gonna go to sleep now but omg those photos of you and the other two are so funny haha!!! I’ll talk to you more about it tomorrow, but the babies wanted to say goodnight my love :)

Charles: I’ll tell you so much about the boys’ playdate tomorrow. Sleep well, mon cœur ❤️

Aimee: Give them kisses for me?

Charles: Already did for you. Now sleep.

Aimee: Sleep well, my love 

“Papa?” At first, Charles wanted to fall back asleep at the sound. He thought that he was just dreaming. His dream was literally just about baking those cookies— and with the call of Papa he assumed that he was just being called by the boys from the living room. 

Then he felt a small soft hand on his cheek, making his eyes open slowly as he witnessed his three sons standing there. He sat himself up a little, stretching as he asked, “H, Jules? PJ? What’re you boys doing up?” 

“Nous ne pouvons pas dormir parce que maman ne nous a pas embrassés,” we can’t sleep because Mummy didn’t give us a hug. Jules said as quietly as he could, swinging his body back and forth while he clung onto his Lotso bear. 

PJ pulled his hand back from holding Charles’ face as he meekly stood there, still sucking on the pacifier. 

Hervé nodded at Jules’ comment and sheepishly asked, “Can we sleep here, Papa?”

PJ pulled the pacifier off and added, “Pwease?” 

Charles shook himself out of his thoughts. He was still feeling a bit hazy after being woken up by his kids at… two in the morning. These kids really have a bad habit of waking up in the most inconvenient time. 

But just as he was looking down at his kids, who still stood at his side of the bed, he couldn’t help but smile softly. He might not be Aimee to make them feel comfortable enough to go to sleep after being given a hug, but the least he could do was be there for them. 

Looking back at today’s events, he seemed to be content with the result of his plans and his kids’ reaction towards it. Sure, Hervé might’ve cried for the first three hours, but he soon got comfortable at the thought of spending time with his Papa while Aimee was somewhere else and away from them. PJ proudly dressed himself up and decided what to wear by himself. Jules comforted Hervé when his twin got sad. He was nothing but proud of his boys. He was hella proud of himself.

And he loved his boys so much that he couldn’t deny them anything. Now that he thought of it, it was even harder to deny them anything because Aimee wasn’t here. He was just happy they hadn’t asked for sugar before bed. 

He grinned at his boys and patted the empty spot next to him, hoisting PJ up while he said, “Alright. Up we go then, boys. Let’s go get some good sleep.”

It’s safe to say that the Leclerc daycare went well today. That was a major achievement for Charles. Thank god for his mother and other peer support, right?

#formula one imagine #formula one fic #formula one x oc #formula one fanfiction #f1 imagine #f1 fic #f1 fanfic #formula one dad #charles leclerc fanfic #charles leclerc x reader #charles leclerc imagine #charles leclerc fluff #charles leclerc fic #cl16 imagine #cl16 x reader #cl16 #formula one fluff #f1 fluff #formula 1 imagine #formula 1 fanfic #formula 1 fic

[dreamauri]

♪ — 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗟 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗦 - part seven charles leclerc  x  fem! driver! reader (angst) “… forgetting is troublesome especially when you used to be enemies.”

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It was certainly a miserable feeling. Waking up alone when you have become so used to the man you shared a bed with everywhere you went. Muffled sobs echoed in the room no matter how much you tried to cover your mouth or quiet down. You didn't want to wake up.

You'd been jolted out of your sleep, skin drenched in cold sweat. You couldn't get the image out of your head nor get your sobs to silence as you quietly walked through the room to the washroom where the locked door would cut out any noise to protect the sleep of the Monégasque on the queen sized bed.

"is he going to be okay? i—is he going to be okay? . . . please talk to me. please tell me he's going to be okay." you sobbed in your hands as you waited in the pitlane, the rain pattering on your helmet as you sobbed in your palm.

you wouldn't have been alone had Jules been here to comfort you. The vivid memory of watching him crash out at only your third ever grand prix was horrifying. Especially after starting your short lived friendship.

But that wasn't all.

"are you okay? y/n? y/n, are you there? can you hear me? it was all to hazy. was the sky grass? or were you upside down? everything was blurry and muffled, your body was numb, and your throat was sore. "y/n, you copy?" "i'm— i'm just going to take a little nap." your hushed voice promised over the radio as you pulled your glove off to reach up, or apparently down, to touch the grass.

After being demoted mid season in 2016, to make space for Max verstappen at red bull, you were scrambled to say the least. Sauber was not the best to you in 2017. Neither was Ferrari in 2018. The post redbull struggle was real.

Even more than ever after your crash at the Mexico gp during fp1. You were sent to the hospital with a brain injury, a few fractured ribs and fractured ankle. You remember how everyone was sure you were done for. You couldn't stand on your own, more or less even hold a glass of water without violently shaking.

What ticked you off the most was you remember seeing Charles' Sauber in your side mirrors before colliding with the wall.

You traced the surgery scar on your ankle as you sat on the floor, biting on a towel to mute the cries. Your attempts to stay quiet were all in vain. Charles was up from the moment he heard you shuffling in your sleep on the couch. He'd followed you to the bathroom after you shut the door.

He wanted to comfort you. To hold you again. "I wish everything could just go back to the way it was." His heart clenched hearing your words, leaning his head on the door tired. "Why can't you just come back. I don't want to be here. This is wrong."

"Every fucking time!" You slammed your hands on the steering wheel. "Fuck I hate this." "Alright Y/N, cool down."

"FUCK! FUCK!" With a rough tug and an angry scream, you slammed the steering wheel on the asphalt. "I HATE THIS, I HATE THIS, I HATE THIS. FUCK FUCK FUCK!" "It's a red flag—" "OH REALLY? REALLY?! I WOULD'VE NEVER GUESSED."

With a quick and angry tug you pulled your gloves off and climbed out the car. You kicked the tire that had not been drilled in well and had caused you to spin out on turn 9, copse corner.

Wrestling with your helmet, you pull it off, drop kicking it in anger. You wanted to throw glass, slam a vase, rip paper, break something, anything. Your blood was boiling and you were going to snap at any moment.

You didn't return to the garage. Heading straight for the motorhome, your dad joined you on the walk back. "Non hai notato la gomma? Avresti potuto dirglielo." [you didn't notice the tire? you could've told them] "stavo tornando alla fossa. non sarei riuscito a uscire da quell'angolo." [i was on my way back to pit. i wasn't going to make it out of that corner]

"vai a prendere le tue cose così possiamo andarcene." [just go get your things so we can leave] You complied with a huff, stomping out of your driver's room after stuffing all of your stuff in a bag. "Y/N." Looking up to see Charles. Of course you would. "Où vas-tu?" [where are you going]

"Leave us." Your father pulled you away from your bicep, dragging you along from your bicep. You looked back only to see Charles' disappointed face. You tried to turn around and reach out to him only to be tugged back.

The ride back was quiet. Your dad made you stay with him at his hotel till your flight. You sat at the window while he argued with someone in Spanish, probably your mother. A deep sigh escaped your lips as you hugged your legs, leaning your chin on your knees.

You were regretting this; calling in your father, letting him be in control. But he was your father, and it was your mistake calling him in. No matter how much you wanted to go back to Charles.

You were beginning to learn how much you loved him, how much you needed him. You wanted him to hold you and kiss you the way he does.

"It's you, Carl." Your hushed voice was weak and hoars. Charles who had been sitting on a chair against the wall had rushed to your side immediately. "Why are you crying? Your ruining your pretty eyes." Safe to say the anaesthetic was doing it's job. You gently ran the back of your finger on Charles ( or Carl as you thought he was ) 's cheek, wiping his tears. "How come you always find me?" You giggled weakly. Charles held your hand gently, leaning his forehead on your knuckles. "I know someone who has that same exact shirt. I had one as well." You pointed at his top, the Sauber logo with the sponsors filling in the empty space. "His name is Charles. He's really pretty. But a pain in my ass." "Pretty?" Charles chuckled weakly, wiping the fresh tears. "Yeah. He has beautiful eyes . . . kind of like your eyes. But I promise you have the prettier ones." "Do you . . . like Charles?" "No. I like you."

You closed your eyes with a short sigh. The memories were becoming more frequent. You could almost put puzzle pieces together, string out the story. But you weren't becoming any more . . . normal. You didn't even know what was normal at this point, but you wanted to be the 25 year-old woman everyone thought you were.

This . . . "you", she needed to leave. You were causing way too many problems. With your team, with your husband, with your family, yourself as well. It just wasn't right.

"Voglio prendermi il resto della stagione libera." [i want to take the rest of the season off] You called through the room. "continua a sognare." [keep dreaming]

★ ☆ ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Regret regret regret, you felt as you walked through the airport. You wanted to dump your dad. You were pretty sure you could easily find Max ( cause who doesn't paint their private jet team colours and put their lion logo on the jet's tail? )

But you couldn't just leave your dad like that. No matter how much he was unlikable or how much you wanted to go back to your husband, he was still your father. You respected him ( to a certain level ) and feared him. Maybe 25 year-old you could. Maybe you were just a coward.

Maybe? You are.

"I wanna go home, to Monaco." "non essere un bambino, that's not your home." [don't be a baby] You groaned. How much more can you take?

You tucked your hands under your armpits as the plane took off, bracing yourself with shaky breaths.

"We're gonna fall— we're gonna—" "Hey hey, we're okay." Charles held your hand, kissing your knuckles. "We're flying. We're going home." He assured you with his charming smile. He pulled your head to lay on his shoulder, kissing your temple. A laugh rocked through his chest as you gripped onto him for dear life. "Oh, amour." [love]

★ ☆ ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

"Its five in the morning, who's knock-" To say your younger brother in law, Arthur, was surprised and confused to see you at his door with a awkward smile was understandable, especially since your family and Charles had been looking for you around the planet for the past two hours.

"Sorry, I need a place to hide."

#‧˚⊹🪴 ଓ :: 𝗺𝘆 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 ‧₊˚⤾ #@ ﹒for sentimental reasons ﹐♫ #f1 #formula 1 #formula racing #f1 fanfic #f1 x reader #f1 x you #charles lecrelc x reader #charles x reader #charles lecrelc x you #charles #charles leclerc #cl16 #cl16 x reader #cl16 imagine #charles leclerc x you #charles leclerc x reader #charles leclerc angst #charles leclerc imagine #CL16 #charles lecrelc #charles lechair #charles leclerc fic #charles leclerc fanfic #formula one x reader #f1 fic

[tooxmanyxships]

daniel is woken up by lando thrashing in his sleep due to a nightmare. (one more dano 🥹)

I clearly have a Dando brainrot rn...

Suzuka 2024....

It will probably haunt Lando for life.

He never knew Jules. Not really. But he heard so many stories....from Charles. From the older drivers.

From Daniel.

The pain in Daniel's eyes every time he brought up his deceased friend. It always made Lando wish he could take away that pain, but he knew he couldn't.

The race at Suzuka was always bittersweet. But now it would be so much worse.

The red flag had happened way too fast, Lando had barely registered what happened.

Then he heard that it was a Williams and an AlphaTauri, fuck that new name, who had crashed and all that had registered in his brain was: Daniel, Daniel, Daniel.

Luckily Daniel was out of the car pretty quickly and he was okay, but all Lando remembered was that Daniel crashed.

He crashed where his friend had lost his life.

He couldn't get it out of his head, no matter how hard he tried.

Not even sleep seemed to give him any solace.

~~~~~~~~***********~~~~~~~~

The first thing that caught the attention of Daniel's sleep muffled brain were the silent whimpers behind his back.

At first they didn't really register inside his brain as something important, so he just tried to go back to sleep.

But then the whimpers became louder and the bed started to move. Or at least the mattress and the covers did.

There was a particular loud whimper and a foot hitting his shin that made Daniel snap his eyes open.

Something was wrong.

"Lan?" A soft groan as he turned around to face his boyfriend. Then his heart stopped beating for a second.

Lando was as pale as their sheets and his head was thrashing around on the pillow. His lips were moving, but nothing but unintengible murmuring came out.

Daniel's protective instinct kicked in and he sprung into action.

He leaned over Lando, face hovering over his, as his hand reached out to shake his shoulder.

"Lando. Babe. Wake up."

It took a few more shakes and calling his boyfriend's name, with endearments, before Lando's eyes flashed wide open and his head shot up.

Daniel was just in time to pull back before he got a headbutt.

Lando's eyes were quickly darting around the room, taking in his surroundings, until his eyes finally focused on Daniel.

There was a moment of pure silence. Nothing was heard aside from Lando's heavy breathing.

Then---- a sob.

Before Daniel knew what was happening, he felt two strong arms wrap around his neck, and he was being forced to faceplant into his boyfriend's shoulder with a slight 'oomph' escaping him.

Daniel brought one hand up, gentle fingers carding gently through Lando's curls as he gave him a moment.

He finally had to break the moment though.

"Lan, baby. I need some air here."

There was a hiccup underneath him, but the arms around his neck loosened so Daniel could pull back.

He shuffled his weight a little, then rested his forehead against the Brit's, looking into teary, slightly puffy eyes.

"Hey there."

Lando tried to wipe at his eyes without hitting Daniel in the face.

"Hey.'

Daniel gently kissed the tip of his nose. "Want to tell me what that was about?"

He waited for Lando to get himself back together enough to nod. Then waited even more on the explanation.

"Just had a nightmare."

Yeah. That wouldn't do.

"Did it include me?"

A small nod, "Yes."

"I need a little more here, babe."

"It's the---" Lando swallowed, trying to hold back fresh tears from falling. "T-the c-crash..."

Daniel didn't need more explanation than that. He closed his eyes, pressing his forehead even harder against his boyfriend's.

"Oh babe...."

Instead of using his words, his hand snaked down to grab Lando's. The latter made a little sound of protest, but stopped when he felt the palm of his hand being pressed against Daniel's chest. Right above his heart.

"Can you feel that?"

A nod. Eyes squeezed shut.

"Look at me."

A pause. Eyes opened.

"I'm still here."

A whine.

"I'm okay. You're okay. We're both gonna be okay."

A new sob.

Daniel dropping himself beside his boyfriend and pulling him into a hug, his hand still resting on his chest so the other could feel his steady heartbeat.

"I've got you."

A kiss pressed into messy curls.

"I've always got you."

#f1 fanfic #f1 rpf #dando #daniel ricciardo/lando norris #daniel ricciardo x lando norris #my writing

[il-predestinato]

Interview with Charles Leclerc from Sportweek (La Gazetta dello Sport): “I play the piano, I love art, I want to fly. And I dreamed of Ferrari” (published January 7, 2023).

What is fashion for you?

Charles: “A way of expressing oneself without speaking. I realized this when I started travelling all over the world, thanks to F1, visiting countries and cities I didn't know before.

“I realized that dressing well had a different meaning according to different cultures and traditions. That's when fashion really started to interest me, I would say from 2017, even though I've always liked it.”

What was the next step?

Charles: “I started attending fashion shows, then I became a testimonial for Giorgio Armani and then I came more and more into contact with this environment.”

You also take great care over the graphics of your racing helmets. Which design do you like the most?

Charles: “Probably the one used in France (2022), with the reproduction on the two halves of the photographs of my father Hervé and Jules Bianchi.”

Ferrari is red, but for your 488 Pista you chose a different colour.

Charles: “At that time I was using a matte black helmet with the Monégasque flag going from the front to the back. So I decided to order the car exactly the same. I still like it very much.”

What did you think when you saw yourself in a Ferrari suit for the first time?

Charles: “It was a very big emotion, because it was my childhood dream to get into F1 and race for the Prancing Horse, even though at that time I was not yet an official Ferrari driver (only FDA).”

Do you have any good-luck charms you don't part with?

Charles: “I had some as a kid. My grandmother always used to sew a cross inside my overalls, under the sponsors' logos, but that tradition has disappeared since she is no longer here…”

How do you express your creativity?

Charles: “Mainly through music. I play the piano and invent my own pieces. I will never be as good with a pencil at drawing.”

How do you choose the clothes you wear every day?

Charles: “There's a very classic part of me, which seeks simplicity and comfort, and another more creative part that leads me to play around with streetwear.

“I let myself be guided by the mood of the day, by how I feel, because dressing is a way of making something clear with one's image.”

Will we see a clothing line of your own like Hamilton did?

Charles: “I had started the project, but I stopped. Maybe in the future.”

Do you ever talk about fashion with Lewis Hamilton?

Charles: “Sometimes we discuss the brands we like. He really has good taste and a lot of courage to show off the strangest looks when he comes to the circuits.”

Favourite colours or colours you would never wear?

Charles: “These days I prefer grey, beige and white. I'm not a big fan of fuchsia, in the sense that I wouldn't see myself dressed all in fuchsia, but I've worn that too.”

How do you feel about walking the catwalk?

Charles: “I'm not comfortable. Too many stares on me. But I like to watch the show and observe the more unusual garments. I was at the Ferrari Style show in Milan last year and before that at Armani.”

Try describing the feeling of driving an F1 car to someone who does not know racing. Valentino Rossi, when he tested the Ferrari, said: It is faster than I thought.

Charles: “A nice definition, because it is difficult for a normal person to think about the speed of a F1 car. I always make the comparison with the Rollercoaster. It's like being up there, but keeping everything under control.”

Why are you happy racing?

Charles: “For the adrenaline and because on the track I feel free.”

Do you like motorbikes?

Charles: “I have one motorbike, customised, which I bought in Bali when I went there on a trip with my best friends. We rented it on the spot and I wanted to take it with me to Monte Carlo, even though it was a mess to get it registered to ride there.”

Why that particular motorbike?

Charles: “Because of the memories it holds. I had just arrived in F1 and I decided to take all my closest friends on holiday, for the first time outside Europe. We had a great time.”

Do you still think of getting a flying license?

Charles: “I've already had a few lessons, I'm now at 11 to 13 hours of flying, let's say I have the basics. I had to stop, I hope to start again in 2023. There is a lot of theory to study and I obviously like the practice more.”

How was the feeling?

Charles: “Excellent. I like the stall tests, because there's adrenaline, but also checking the plane in general. And to say that I've always been afraid of flying...”

What do you mean?

Charles: “Even though I've taken planes countless times in my life, I wasn't calm. Now, knowing what pilots do and all the options there are in case of unexpected events, has reassured me.”

Even today you are karting like when you were a kid. Would it be nice to discover a new Leclerc?

Charles: “I would like to help talented young people, who don't have the means, to emerge and make their dreams come true. However, it is a project that takes time and which I therefore see as possible only in the future.”

What does it mean to be the hero of so many very young people?

Charles: “Every time I come to Maranello, outside the Ferrari factory there are always kids waiting for me. In recent years, F1 has regained popularity, also thanks to Netflix. It's nice to see a child's eyes light up when we make a photo. A small gesture is enough, which does not cost effort, to give joy to others.”

Do you feel like an example to follow?

Charles: “I try to be myself, behaving well, if this can then serve as an inspiration for those who observe me, I'm happy about it.”

Translation by vetteleclerc.

#charles leclerc #f1 #interview #2023 #a very lovely read #*

[wandabear]

GIVE YOUR HEART A BREAK - WANDA MAXIMOFF X F!READER  

ㅤㅤ ㅤㅤ 

Summary: Wanda lost everything and it's hard for her to open her heart, but someone like Y/N's isn't going to give up anytime soon. So many times where Y/N tries to get closer but Wanda ignores her, and one where it's the other way around. A request based on the song 'Give Your Heart a Break'. Emobaby Wanda is trying. Enjoy @imnotasuperhero! Request here.

Chapter Iㅤ | ㅤChapter II

ㅤㅤ ㅤ

As you know me, Jules is portrayed by Adelaide Kane.ㅤ 

ㅤㅤ ㅤ

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ CHAPTER II: ONE LAST TIME

The world changed. Not just for her, but for everyone.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ

With her look lost in some point inside that cell, Wanda kept quiet, wondering why the hell she agreed to go on that mission in Lagos. Mission where she made the biggest mistake of her life and because of that, the Sokovia Accords were created and therefore, she ran away with Clint from Stark's house to fight with Steve in Germany. Everything was chaos in a matter of hours.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Now locked away in some remote part of the world, with a straitjacket and a stupid Stark tech collar so she couldn't use her powers, Wanda was just devastated, she allowed herself to shed a tear.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ

'Please, stay with me. Don’t go…'

ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Wanda remembered Y/N's words and closed her eyes, cursing herself. Why didn't she listen to her? Why didn't she stay with her that night? Sharing the warmth of the bed, just feeling Y/N’s heartbeat, the sound of her breath.

Now that picture seemed so far away.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

‘How do you feel now? You freak.’ The raspy voice of one of the guards was heard, but she didn’t allow herself to see that disgusting man. Wanda clenched her jaw and held on until he left, she wasn't going to let him see her defeated like that, how the icy cold sadness embraced her.

All she could think about was Y/N, just her, to survive.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

"Don't listen to him, kiddo."

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

She heard Clint's voice since his cell was next to hers, trying to comfort her in some way, so she wouldn't feel alone. Too late.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

The lights flash for a few seconds, drawing everyone's attention. Before the guards could say anything, a blackout darkened the entire place. The surrounding darkness made Clint and Sam lean against the bars and talk to each other, though Wanda couldn't even move. 

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

The sound of many men falling down made her feel nervous, what if it was Hydra again? No, they were already defeated. But what if it was someone else?

She had never felt so vulnerable. The anxiety began to devour her slowly until  that voice brought hope back to her shattered heart.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“I told you that no matter what, if you need me... I'll be there.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Like a beautiful sunrise, a smile was born on Wanda's lips; Steve was there. Next to him, Natasha was ready to get her friends out of there. Whatever it takes.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Are you sure?” The Sokovian asked feeling her heart race, taking the folder with shaky hands. She was in a van with her best friend, trying to go unnoticed. Wanda wearing sunglasses and a beanie to appease the cold while Natasha just left her recent blonde hair loose.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Safe as houses.” The russian spy sighed, noticing how Wanda was looking at the pictures in the folder. “She still goes to that café, not as often but… she does.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

The pictures showed Y/N graduating, some in the cafe talking with Jules, some of the brunette listening to music with her headphones on the subway.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“How long have you been following her?” Wanda asked, her fingers running gently over the picture. Oh, how long it had been without seeing her. Especially when they were running from one place to another to avoid being caught.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Since we got rid of Ross in Spain.” Natasha glanced sideways at the picture. “Plus, the barista is kinda cute.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Wanda raised an eyebrow, turning to see her.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“What? She’s cute.” Natasha rolled her eyes. “Apparently she’s her friend now. Thanks to that I was able to find out more about your girl.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Flirting with the barista?”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Someday she will stop being the barista and will be the owner, she has dreams... she's different from us. From me.” The currently blonde handed her the binocular so Wanda could watch. “Anyway, Y/N's still single, she finished Med School, although it was delayed a bit when you disappeared. Now she’s doing the residence.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Still looking beautiful.” Wanda sighed as she watched Y/N from a distance. The brunette was at her table, writing something in her notebook and listening music on her headphones. This time she wasn’t wearing her leather jacket, she was wearing a grey hoodie that Wanda recognized perfectly because it was hers.  Her heart melted. “She changed her hair style a bit.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“We can say we understand her. She needs to blend.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Wanda sighed and put the folder aside. “What else do you have?”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Wanda.” Natasha tried to get her attention. “I think it's time to face it. We have no time for doubts.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

The redhead sighed and shook her head.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Now?” Wanda hesitated for a moment, really worried. What if Y/N didn't want to see her anymore? Or call the police?  Or worse... what if... “What if she hates me?”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“We don’t have much time, we should fly to Scotland in a few hours.” Natasha grabbed her keys, ready to get out of the truck. “It may be the last time you see her.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Remaining thoughtful and silent for a moment, Wanda looked out the window once more. This was her chance, she must take it or let it go. But she had to choose now.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Let’s go.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Here you have, my friend. ” The barista set the coffee mug next to Y/N, sitting down next to her. "Just the way you like it."

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Thank you, you're the best.” Y/N smiled kindly and drank some of it, but not before adding two tablespoons of sugar. “That guy bothered you again?”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Jules shook her head.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“No, he was snooping around for a while, but when I told Ross that Wanda was only here for coffee and they did the ‘truth test’ to me with that stupid weird machine, he left me alone. Plus, Matt Murdock helped me as the most caring and amazing defense attorney in the world. ” The barista leaned on the table to play with a sugar packet. “I'm glad your friend deleted the videos… from the cameras, you know.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“It was nothing nothing, Daisy said she didn't leave any traces.” Y/N sighed deeply, remembering that in those videos you could see how Wanda and her met for the first time. How difficult was to erase them from existence. Now those memories remained only in her memory.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Seeing the melancholy in her friend's eyes, Jules asked: “Did she call you already? Or something...”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“No…” Y/N sighed a bit tired, putting her laptop aside. “Though I did find out some stuff, Daisy didn't know as much as I expected, I must admit, but she taught me a few tricks.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“How about Tony Stark?” Jules narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. “He must know where she is, or if you can see her. At least! I mean… she’s your girlfriend!”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“But nobody knows that we are girlfriends, and it’s the safest thing for her, I haven't been near Stark Tower since the last time we tried to get in and you got locked up.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Jules tried not to laugh at the memory. “But it was worth it, wasn't it?”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Y/N smiled when she remembered that moment, of course she was able to intrude in the place thanks to Jules making a fuss in the main room. What it cost her to be questioned by the General Ross himself about twenty-four hours. And Y/N being 'kindly' kicked out by a some kind man with a scruffy beard that everyone called 'Happy'.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

The door bell rang again as two customers entered the café. Jules walked over to take the order but smiled widely when she saw it was the blonde.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ Y/N smiled, the crush Jules had with that stranger reminded her of herself. She just turned her gaze to her laptop to continue with that job.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ “Hey.” Jules grinned, resting her hands on the counter. “You came back.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Yeah.” Natasha nodded and pointed to the person behind her, who was looking at the ground a bit shy. “I brought a friend, I think she will really like your coffee.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Oh, a friend…” The smile on Jules's lips began to fade, she felt her chest deflate for a moment until Natasha's 'friend' removed her sunglasses. She could finally recognize her, with a different hair color, sure, but it was her. “Oh my… goddess.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

The barista turned on the coffee machine to make some noise, necessary so that no one would hear them. Not even Y/N who was sitting with her back to them.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“You’re here! We thought you were locked up somewhere! We saw you on TV!” Jules picked up two disposable coffee cups, writing two random names on them. “You looked so badass, by the way.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Please, don’t say anything.” Wanda whispered trying to go unnoticed, worried there would be bugs. “Can I trust that you won't rat us out?”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“You have my word, she’s there alone. Go…” Jules whispered and then cleared her throat, raising her voice again: “Sure! It's four bucks for both lattes.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Thank you, Jules.” Wanda whispered and walked away from her, Natasha stayed talking to Jules and making sure no strangers entered the place. Wanda smiled when she heard 'you didn't tell me you were an avenger! I thought your name was Natalie!'

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Each step towards her made the heartbeat increase, what to say? How? Wanda watched Y/N's back and how she scratched her head trying to think. Oh, she loved that. She was so adorable.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Wanda took a deep breath, working up all the courage to take a seat across from her. Unlike the first times they'd met, Wanda this time sat down and stayed there until Y/N looked away from her laptop.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Sorry, this place is taken…” Y/N started but then her jaw drop open. Wide open eyes, her heart skipped a beat.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Wanda was there, with the cutest shy smile and that lovely reddish hair contrasting against her skin. Although those green eyes showed so much nostalgia, this time the tears were of joy, to see Y/N again.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Wanda...” Y/N gasped, quickly getting up to hug her tightly. Between giggles and tears, Y/N buried her face in the redhead's neck to sniff her scent, feel her presence once more and make sure she wasn't crazy.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

She was there. After so long they were together again. In the distance, her friends watched them smiling and happy.

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“Are you okay?!" The brunette took the face of her beloved in her hands, still unable to believe that she was there. Her Wanda.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“I’m fine, detka.” The sokovian nodded quickly, smiling through the tears. Without thinking about it anymore, without caring about the consequences, Wanda ended the distance and kissed the lips of that woman she loved, the one who had her crazy since the first day they met.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

The warmth of her mouth, the need to feel her one more time. Both were lost in that kiss until they both needed oxygen. Y/N rested her forehead against Wanda's for a few seconds, until they decided to sit down. They had to keep up appearances.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“We thought you were locked up in that awful prison.” The brunette sighed taking Wanda’s hand.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“I was, but we were able to escape.” Wanda said in a low voice, closing her eyes as she felt that soft caress. She hadn't felt something like that for so long. “I missed you, lyubov.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Oh, she missed that Sokovian accent so much.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“I missed you so much, Wands.” She felt a tear escape, down her cheek but she soon brushed it away. “You never told me you were an avenger.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“I'm sorry.” Wanda bit her lower lip, trying to swallow the pain. “I'm sorry that I didn't tell you the truth, I wanted you to be for me, just for me… for this to be different from what I had. I was afraid you'd be scared.”

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“It's okay.” Y/N nodded. “Although I really didn't think that was it, just that maybe you were involved in some weird shit, some strange cult or something.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

They both laughed together once more, feeling that maybe for a moment everything was back to normal.

The warmth in Wanda’s belly mixed with the pain in her chest, everything she had in front of her and couldn't keep. Damn it. She now she understood the pain, now she understood what Nat told her, now walking away would hurt even more.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“I'm sorry I left that night.” Wanda whispered regretfully.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Okay, I understand why you did it.” Y/N nodded. “I'm proud of you.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

'I'm proud of you'. Such simple words, yet so powerful. Enough to make Wanda shed a few tears, of happiness and sadness at the same time.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“I can't stay.” You can hear the deep pain in her voice.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Y/N smiled tenderly. “I know.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

They both spent a while catching up on everything that happened, until Y/N began to look for something in her bag.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Take this.” Y/N handed her a small device that she put in the redhead's pocket. “It looks like a tamagotchi, right? It's funny. Every time you want to send me a message, you have to open this app. And send it to me.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“I don't think I can have this where I'm going, detka.” Wanda looked at her tenderly but Y/N shook her head, giving it to her anyway.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“A friend did it for me, it's very reliable. It's encrypted, many layers of encryption, it is even necessary to do it from a specific place, really impossible to trace. I had the idea a while ago, I figured you'd come someday. So, I asked her to do it because she owed me.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Who?” Wanda frowned at her, doubtful. Maybe a little jealous.  “Is she trustworthy?”

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“Daisy Johnson.”

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Hearing that name, the redhead nodded and took that device, knowing that she could completely trust Daisy. At least they were on the same side.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“How did you meet Daisy?”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Oh, that story is for another day. I'll just tell you that I had to patch many wounded running away because of the Accords.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“You're amazing, detka.” Wanda bit her lower lip, completely captivated by her.

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“Wanda, we have to go.” Natasha said looking at her watch. 

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“Can't we stay a little longer? Please.” She begged, those green eyes asking Natsha and whatever higher beings to give her a few more moments.

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“You know how it is.” Nat sighed and adjusted her cap, ready to go out again. “Steve needs us.”

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“She’s right.” Y/N kissed her forehead, in the sweetest and most supportive way possible. “Go, okay? I will be here.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Y/N, I…” Wanda stopped. She didn't know how to express those words, were they correct? Was she rushing? But did that matter? She was running from the government -not just one- for more than a year, of course it was worth saying. “I love you, Y/N.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“I love you, Wands” Happy to finally say it, Y/N smiled widely and kissed her lips once more. Not just once, but many times until they had to break up.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Be careful, okay?”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“You too, take care, please.”  The Sokovian sighed, feeling her heart split in two as she moved away. “They will do anything to find us.”

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“We’ll do it.” She nodded, then looked at Natasha. “Take care of her.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

The spy nodded as if it were a promise, although the truth would be that they would both take care of each other. But to Natasha's surprise, Jules came over to her with a big brown paper package.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Take this.” The barista handed her that package that inside seemed to have a few bottles of water, bagels and chicken sandwiches. “For the trip, I guess where you guys are going won't be close.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Thank you, Jules. You’re kind.” Wanda smiled gratefully.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Wanda?” Y/N tried last time.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ “Yes?”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Red looks beautiful on you. Red is still yours.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Smiling, Wanda waved and left that café, ready to drive out of town where the quinjet was parked.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

In the cafe, Y/N kept watching the door for twenty minutes until Jules decided to close it, it was time to go home. Of course Y/N was going to wait, she didn't know how long, but she was going to wait.

And together they battled the adversity and distance that separated them each night, especially Y/N's constant concern for Wanda's life. They communicated through encrypted messages from each city where Wanda arrived, once she was safe she would send a message that only they knew to show that everything was okay.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

The second invasion in New York was something that nobody expected, of course. As soon as she saw that on TV how New York was under attack again by the Black Order, she quickly left with Steve and Natasha to the Compound. The imminent war against Thanos coming to Wakanda.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

‘Are you okay?’ Send.

‘Please, detka, say you're okay...’ Send. 

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

She typed and waited impatiently as they flew to Wakanda.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Wanda sighed deeply, a bit defeated and tired of going back and forth from one place to another without being able to stay where she wanted to be. Now the planet was at risk -again- and a mad titan wanted to kill one of her friends to get a stone. Cool.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“She’s okay?” Natasha asked as she sat down next to her.  

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“I don't know.” Wanda lowered her gaze, watching her reddish knuckles. Some cuts on her pale skin, she couldn't remember when was the last time she had a moment of peace. Her heart doesn't have any rest.  “I'm tired.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“I know.” Natasha pursed her lips and leaned back against the quinjet wall, closing her eyes. “I promise this is the last time.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Don't promise something you don't know, Romanoff.” Wanda whispered, knowing so damn well that this wasn’t the last time. There was always something else, always somewhere to run.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Maybe half an hour later that device vibrated, taking her attention. Wanda sighed with relief.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

‘I’m okay. Working, the hospital is full of wounded people. Those aliens left a mess here! Where are you? What’s going on?!’ - received a minute ago. 

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

‘I'm about to stop all this. I love you.’ Send.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

‘I love you. Please be safe, come back to me, Wanda.’ Received. 

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“She’s fine.” Wanda told Nat who seemed less worried now too. “We must stop them.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Wanda didn't want to lose Y/N, didn't want to lose her best friend, Vision.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“It's what we'll do.” Natasha nodded and got up to make sure they were close to Wakanda, as they seemed to be losing altitude. Watching once more the messages from her beloved, Wanda closed her eyes when she heard Steve tell them that they were about to land.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

One last time. One last time and we'll be together.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

"She'll come back, of course she will."

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

That was what Y/N told herself over and over again, ever since the afternoon New York was attacked by Thanos. Hours later, Thanos's snap had disappeared half of the Universe.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Chaos and horror reigned in the lives of many people who lost their loved ones, and some people who had to pay for the crazy decision of the mad titan and lose their lives.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Watching the ashes around her, Y/N walked through the hospital corridors, seeing how people disappeared, turning into ashes. People who screamed for their relatives or for their doctors. She was speechless.

Y/N remembered how that day she arrived at Jules's cafe expecting to find a pile of ashes and feel the relief to see her there, so scared, trying to help the people who came looking for refuge.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Y/N remembered how she tried to call Wanda but it was impossible, even though Y/N tried a thousand times, she never answered her messages again. And she understood why, when the news showed the fallen Avengers, victims of Thanos' snap. How they had been remembered for their great courage, trying to save the planet from that threat.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

‘James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes, Sam Wilson, Wanda Maximoff… we owe them so much, we are forever in debt.’ Said the president next to the ruins of what used to be the Mets Stadium. 

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Now you remember them?! After spending a whole year hunting them all over the world like criminals!” Y/N exclaimed angrily watching the news, getting up to storm out of that cafe. “A fucking Witch hunt!”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Five years from that day, that day when she asked herself: why not me? Where she should be glad to still be alive, but carrying the weight and pain of surviving in a world where those she loved were gone.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Five years where her life changed completely, she was no longer a girl doing a residency but was now a doctor.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Five years where New York City gone from being a beacon of light to a slightly darker place. A gray that would never make you feel alone, but not safe either.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“You haven't slept at all for twenty-six hours, you should eat something other than ham bagels and coffee!” Jules's voice snapped Y/N out of her thoughts as she tried to stay awake over the counter.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Jules, her best friend who had been by her side these five years, poked her nose. The woman looked exactly the same although with a rather attractive bi bob haircut.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Its what I must do. I promise I'll eat better or healthier.” Y/N smiled somewhat wearily as she drank her coffee, happy to have two days off.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“I’m just worried.” Jules shook her head.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“I'm okay.” She assured. “How's everything around here now that you own this place?”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Oh, don't even tell me. It's chaos itself, I never thought it would be doing the same thing I already did, but with more responsibility. And even more tired and stressed… but happier.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Y/N rolled her eyes and giggled. “What about Natasha?”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Each day more beautiful. The last time we talked, she was videocalling a space raccoon... that was flirting with me. A self-centred little thing if I tell you.” She joked, shaking her head. The relationship with Natasha strengthened even more all those years, Thanos' snap changed everything.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ Y/N and Jules talked for a while, mostly about their lives until one of the customers caught their attention, pointing to the television.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“I repeat, a ship landed on what used to be the old Avengers compound!” exclaimed one of the journalists while running. “Be careful, we don't know if this is a new attack on New York or-”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

The journalist suddenly stopped when he saw how people began to appear around him.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“OH MY GOD, THEY'RE COMING BACK!”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Astonished, Y/N and her bestfriend watched as the people who disappeared years ago, now returned there or outside the store. Y/N rushed out to help those in need, accidents began to happen. Helping those who were scared or disoriented without knowing what was happening, the world was once again in chaos... five years after the snap.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

While the Avengers fought against Thanos once again, united, every place in the world was chaos itself. About five or six hours later, from afar it was heard how many people celebrated the return of their loved ones in the streets. Jules was turning off the lights of the coffee shop when she heard the jingle of the door bells.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Sorry, we’re already closed. If you need help I can take you to the City Hall and...” Jules said without even looking, taking her jacket to leave but when she turned to look, her mouth dropped open in surprise. 

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ The redhead was wearing a gray coat and a burgundy sweater that fit her perfectly. She looked beautiful, as always, but mostly she looked hopeful. And somewhat worried.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ “Wanda…” Jules gasped, she remained still for a few seconds before approaching to hug the redhead. So tight, even Jules missed her so much. “Damn, it’s true. You look like... you look exactly the same. Wow.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“It is. You still look beautiful too.” Wanda said with a small shy smile, but as she pulled away she asked: “Where is she?”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“In her apartment.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

So confused, the sokovian shook her head. “I was there, there’s no one living in that place.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Oh, yeah! It's just that she moved two years ago to be close to the hospital.” Jules took a piece of paper and a pen so she could write down the exact address. “Here you go, she's a few blocks from New York-Presbyterian.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Thank you.” Wanda nodded quickly walking towards the exit when the woman's voice caught her attention.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Wanda… Do you know where Natasha is? She doesn't answer my calls, I understand that after all it must be difficult to talk. But… I’m getting worried here.” Jules tried to look smiley but she seemed quite worried because inside her, she felt that something wasn't quite right. "I'm terrified, she never does that."

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Jules, I… umh… I'm sorry.” Wanda lowered her head for a moment, not knowing what to say. How to begin, she didn’t even thought about everything that happened. Apparently Nat and her were close.  “I thought you knew.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Taking a deep breath, the brunette just tried to hold back her tears and nodded. Natasha talked to her many times, explaining the situation in which she would always be. Preparing her for what she considered inevitable.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

She was an Avenger. Someday she would die as one.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Go, I'll be fine. We will talk about that later.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Are you sure?”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Yes, please. She will be happy to see you.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Wanda nodded and left that place quickly, willing to get to that place as fast as she could. 

The good news was that Y/N wasn't that far away, the bad news was that the streets were packed with people. Wanda used her powers to levitate between alleys, shortening as much as she could.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

She was so focused on the TV that the sound of the coffee maker made her jump. The news channel decided to show the lovely reunions instead of focusing on the riots, to appease now the great problem that was now coming, called overpopulation.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Y/N got up to get some coffee when she heard the doorbell. So confused, she set the coffee pot aside and walked to the door a bit worried. Maybe it was Jules with something new, she didn't know anyone else after all.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Each step toward the door seemed like an eternity, as if something was going to happen and her heart knew it. Because when she barely opened the door, her heart rushed out to its true owner. Taking her breath away, there was Wanda Maximoff, more beautiful than ever, as if nothing changed for her. Y/N thought she was living in a memory, Wanda looked exactly like the last time she saw her.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Hi.” Wanda mumbled between happy, flushed and excited. She thought of all the things she wanted to say, all the things she mentally wrote down to say to Y/N, but she could only say 'hi'.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Wanda! Oh my god!” Y/N exclaimed excited and amazed, rushed towards the sokovian to hug her as tightly as her arms would allow her.  “It’s you. It’s really you. Oh my god, you’re here!”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

She didn't even think about it, she just kissed Wanda. Kissed the love of her life as if it was their first time. Closing their eyes for a moment, they both allowed themselves to hold each other for a long time, feel each other one more time. Feel the scent, the warmth of their bodies meeting again, so similar yet so different.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

After that kiss, Y/N led Wanda inside the house quickly. Turning around, they faced each other again, not knowing what to say. Just happy looks and big smiles.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Wow, I can't believe you're back.” Y/N took her hand sitting on the couch together. Oh, how many times she begged to whatever god up there would let her see Wanda one more time.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

The redhead took advantage of the moment to take a good look at Y/N, that woman for whom she had fought all this time. One of the most important reasons why she gave her life in that battle, who she felt was her home.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“You look the same... it's so crazy.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“You look a a bit different…” Wanda whispered, caressing her beloved's cheek. And it was true, although Y/N still looked so damn  beautiful, some things changed. Not many, those eyes and that smile kept taking her breath away.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Hey, it's not my fault. Five years, you know? I'm a bit older now, but... bit sexier tho. Like a good wine.” Y/N teased, they both laughed, but then pain came like a blast of cold air for both.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Five years away.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Realizing how long it had been since they saw each other, years without knowing about each other. Time felt unrecoverable; years of thinking they were lost forever.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ Years where Wanda was not there for Y/N. Years where Y/N had to move on.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“No, I mean... you're so beautiful. You look the same, I just... It feels as if I saw you for the first time.” Wanda hurried up and shook her head, feeling the bitterness close in her throat for a moment. She cradled Y/N's face in her hands. “I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have left. We should have gone somewhere, run away together...”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

A tear fell down Wanda's cheek and Y/N allowed herself to gently brush it away, leaving a soft kiss on her forehead.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“That sounds very romantic.” Y/N smiled wistfully, how long did she think about it? How silly she was for not insisting even more. “But you know very well that you wouldn’t, you wouldn’t quit on your friends, you wouldn’t quit on this world if it needed you, and I wouldn’t let you do it either. I'm still so fucking proud of you.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“But I left you, twice. I feel like a failure, 'cause I know that I failed you, detka. I should've done you better…”  Wanda looked down at their intertwined fingers, finally. “I'm scared… Everything has changed so much. And I know, but I'm afraid that you have everything now… and I’ll be nothing without you.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Y/N smiled tenderly.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Some things have changed, but my love for you hasn't.” Y/N assured her, kissing her hand in a soft and unique way. “That's something that will never happen,  my love for you will never end. I'm still waiting for you.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Wanda bit her lower lip, completely in love with that woman. Oh god, how did she find something so good in her life?

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“I haven't asked you, but…” Wanda felt a bit embarrassed to ask. “Are you... seeing someone? Sorry, I came here and I just stormed with all this. I didn't even ask you that...”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

The brunette giggled, that was so adorable. “You’re asking that after we kissed...”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“What? I wanna know!” Wanda defended herself and gave her a little nudge.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Ouch!” She tried to stop giggling. “I'm single.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Oh, thanks to the universe.” Sighing deeply, feeling a great relief, Wanda just nodded and tried to fight back the tears.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Seeing Y/N again in front of her, so the same and so different, was one of the most difficult tests she had gone through. They both spent the night chatting about what Y/N's life had been like, that she managed to finish the residency because the decimation -or the snap- changed everything in those five years. Y/N got that apartment because it was so much closer to the hospital, and because the memories of Wanda started to suffocate her. It was too painful.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Wanda's absence opened a great hole inside, so deep that nothing was enough to fill it. ‘It was a deep dark hole that goes all the way to China’, Y/N used to said that because that was one of the songs they both loved, ‘Hole in my heart’ by Cyndi Lauper.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

And while Y/N told her everything that happened in the world and in her life, Wanda never stopped smiling. She was so proud of Y/N, seeing her achieve everything she wanted to be.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“I've missed a lot of you.” Wanda stroked her cheek, so slowly. The softness of her skin kept driving her crazy. “I abandoned you so long ago, long before Thanos. I abandoned you when we hadn't even started.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Feeling the pain in her beloved's eyes, Y/N just leaned down to kiss those sweet lips one more time. A short and sincere kiss, making their heartbeat increase.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“I think it's time to rest.” whispered the brunette, lost in the delicious sensation that Wanda's lips cause her. Hearing that, Wanda just nodded.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Yes, I should go.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“No, not like that. I mean… Where?” Y/N stammered, then looked around. It was 2 am, Y/N turned off the tv. “Where are you staying? I don't think it's good for you to go out alone.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“I'm an avenger.” Wanda smiled, Y/N despite knowing that she was powerful and capable of defending herself against alien threats or trained agents, she continued to protect Wanda as if she were a treasure. “Don't know. I just came back… I came straight here. I have no place yet.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Stay with me.” Without waiting for even a second, stumbling at her own words, Y/N blurted it out without thinking about the consequences. Not caring either, she just wanted that girl back by her side and planned to make up for the time that was taken from her, from now on. If she let Wanda go before, this time she's going to fight for it.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Yes…” Wanda whispered, happy. And of course this time she wasn't going to say no. This time she wasn’t going to refuse saying that she should be somewhere else. This was the place where she belonged, this was the place where she deserved and wanted to be.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Smiling, Y/N took the redhead's hand and they walked together into the bedroom, leaving all the chaos behind. Promising themselves to never let go again.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

And fulfilling what they promised, they didn’t separate again.

Except for Tony Stark's funeral, Y/N didn't think it would be appropriate to go there, so she just waited patiently for her. The bad news was that Natasha hadn't woken up yet, after what happened on Vormir and Steve returning the infinity stones to where they belonged, he found a loophole in that 'deal'.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

They were able to rescue Natasha's soul, coming back to life but wasn’t that easy. Natasha never woke up, staying alive but unable to get out of that coma.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Pepper took care of the situation, looking for the best facilities and doctors she could find. Jules never left Natasha’s side, she spent most of her time trying to be with her, and take care of her.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Of course, Jules cried and growled 'that's my girl, always leaving a mess and saving the world' when she found out about the Russian’s sacrifice. Hoping to scold her someday, though she understood that Nat would do anything to make her sister come back, Yelena. And all the people on this planet who needed to come back.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

After all, they spent five years together, and had a wonderful and healthy relationship. Natasha learned to open up and let herself be loved and cared for, have a small family. Jules knew so well that Natasha Romanoff was a hero, she always had been. Maybe the ring should wait for its owner a little longer.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Oh my god, that’s so you.” Y/N laughed so hard, watching an episode of Malcolm in the Middle. 

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Wanda loved sitcoms and was grateful that they matched so well on it, even though they agreed to alternate their sitcom nights between Malcolm, The Office, and One Day at a Time. The Office could be complex sometimes, but Y/N loved it and Wanda was starting to like it, very much. Two months passed since everyone returned and the world was beginning to heal, little by little.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Shut up. You’re Hal, always horny and doing the most random weird things ever.” Wanda snuggled to be closer to her girlfriend, her love, her everything. Feeling the brunette's scent made Wanda smile and close her eyes for a moment, so she could live in that dream, never wake up.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“And you’re my Lois, because you love me anyway.” Y/N whispered as she stroked Wanda's back slowly.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“I love you, detka. I will love you in any way, in any world.” Wanda confessed by placing her chin on Y/N’s chest. Neither of them seemed to care much that the episode kept playing behind, the connection between their looks could overcome everything.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Wanda…”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Mmh?”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Have I told you that I love your accent?”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Always, and I love to know...”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Wanda?”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Yes, detka?”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Y/N narrowed her eyes and bit her lower lip, thinking that maybe she shouldn't say what she wanted to say. “Do you remember the times we saw each other when you were running away?”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Do I remember them? Ha. I treasure them in my mind, each and every one of them.” The redhead paused for a moment to lose herself in those memories. The times they'd run away so they could be together, when Y/N took a week's vacation and traveled to Scotland, so they could lose in the romantically beautiful Edinburgh, or travel to Ireland, laughing and dancing in Galway over a few pints of ale.

That night Natasha was so angry... but the most painful thing was always saying goodbye to Y/N.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Now they wouldn't have to do it anymore.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Remember when…?” Y/N swallowed hard, thinking how to say it. “I would like to know something... rather, I'd like to ask you something.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Tell me, Y/N, what's is it? Are you okay?” Concern was visible on the redhead's face.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

The brunette sighed and settled on the bed to get a better look at Wanda. After a few attempts to start saying it, she took courage: “Don't you think we've been apart for a long time already?”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Yes…” Wanda nodded. “Although these months have been wonderful, I don’t understand what you mean…”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“But it's different.” Y/N licked her lips and took Wanda’s hand. “So I was thinking and, well, this place… is… something that I chose, in a hurry because I had to. You know, I didn't even think if I liked that window or if that… room was good… or… one bathroom…”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Wanda narrowed her eyes somewhat confused, not understanding too well where she was going.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Jeez! Would you like us… to look for a new place together?” Y/N ended up exploding, tired of babbling like a lovesick puppy. But as soon as she realized what she said, her eyes widened.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Do you want us to live together?”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Yes.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Wanda frowned, a bit confused. “Isn't that what we're doing?”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Yeah, but I mean let's find a place together.” Y/N closed her eyes, expecting the 'no' at any moment. “One that we choose together, that we both like.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Her girlfriend was quiet and that made Y/N panic, feeling her palms slightly sweaty.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“A home...” Wanda gradually smiled, that smile she hadn't shown in a long time. Such a unique smile, a happy one. The sokovian suddenly began to nod quickly, between excited and happy. “I would like to.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Y/N smiled too. “Really?”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“No, no...” The sokovian shook her head. “I wouldn't like it, change that. I'll say it better: I would love it! I would love to choose a home with you, detka.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“You serious?” Y/N smiled and sat up on the bed.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Deadly serious.” Wanda couldn't say more, she just laughed when the brunette leaned over to fill her with kisses and small bites. “Let's get ourselves a home!”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“And maybe a dog?” Y/N used her best pleading eyes, Wanda just bit her bottom lip, shaking her head.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

“Baby steps, detka!”

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

That was how they both slowly began to repair that relationship damaged by absence and time.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Natasha woke up two months later, happy to know that her sacrifice was worth it and that she was surrounded by the people she loved so much. Now all she had to do was go through a long recovery process, but never alone.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Y/N managed to have better work hours, now she couldn't be away from home for so long. She decided to take a minor position in a nice place called Westview.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Accepting Y/N's recommendation, Wanda began attending a therapy group, to be able to work on all the losses she had. It wasn't easy, but it wasn't impossible.

Although she would never get over Pietro, her family or Vision’s death, she could tell that slowly she was making progress.

Wanda could finally let her heart have a break and, without a doubt, lots of love.

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Okay, I have finished this beautiful request and aaaaaaa. I hope you liked it. I wrote this chapter listening to One last time" by Ariana Grande.

the cutest and lovely people tags ✨@fishlikestuff @marvelogic @blckrwidow @imnotasuperhero @wandsmxmff - @xxxtwilightaxelxxx @marvell-love​ - @etheriaaly - @idcplss - @how-to-disappearrr - @simp4nat - @scarletwitchofthewilds - @cristin-rjd - @lonewalker17 @zairaaaa @mrscromanoff @kacka84 @helladumbsstuff @dandelions4us @karsonromanoff @trikruismybitch @danicarpediem

I can’t remember who asked me to tag them in my fics, if you want, comment and I’ll tag you.🐻

#wanda maximoff x reader #wanda maximoff x f!reader #wanda maximoff imagine #minor natasha romanoff x oc #natasha romanoff x oc

[hederasgarden]

My Favorite Mistake

Summary: Half the reason you're in the middle of nowhere Wyoming is because you’ve always been bad at choosing men. You expect Rhett Abbott will be no different. 

Pairing: Rhett Abbott x F!Reader

Warnings: Explicit, 18+ only. Semi-public sex in a truck, drinking/alcohol use, protected PIV and fingering. No spoilers for Outer Range, this takes place before the events of the show. 

Word Count: 1.8K

A/N: I realize I’ve written this fic for me and approximately two other people but I enjoyed myself. If you liked this story please reblog or comment. 

You can feel his eyes on you again. 

They’ve been there most of the night so it’s no surprise to look up and find him staring steadily at you. He looks handsome and a little dangerous in the low light of the bar, cowboy hat tipped back to show his face. The ends of his hair curl under the sharp line of his jaw and the top two buttons of his pearl snap shirt are undone. He takes a long swig from his beer, tongue catching the few stray drops that fall from the glass rim without breaking eye contact. 

“Oh hun, the Abbott boy is bad news,” your fellow teacher June warns. “You don’t want that mess, trust me.”

She’s right, but you already know you won’t heed her advice. Half the reason you're in the middle of nowhere Wyoming is because you’ve always chosen wrong when it comes to men. You expect Rhett Abbott will be no different. 

“It’s nothing,” you promise Jules, patting her arm. 

She and the other women you’re out with tonight grew up here and it wasn’t uncommon for them to have some old story to share about nearly everyone you met. In a town this size, everyone knew each other's business. You’re pretty sure Betty - the oldest teacher at school - taught both Abbott boys in kindergarten though she’s not here for you to ask. It’s only the younger, unmarried teachers out with you tonight. They’re a surprisingly rowdy bunch. You expected a low-key evening of wine and gossip, not enough tequila shots to make the whole world go a little fuzzy.

“Come on, let’s dance,” June says, pulling you out of the booth. 

“No,” you laugh, twisting out of her grip. “I need water and some air.”

“Ugh, you city girls are boring.” 

She’s a little put out but when you see her again less than a minute later she’s caught up in a handsome man’s arms who’s slinging her around the dance floor at an alarming pace. You head to the bar for a much-needed glass of water. It’s grown humid in here or maybe you’re just sweaty and drunk. Your sundress sticks to your lower back and perspiration beads on your brow. You down a glass of water and request a second to take outside with you. The night air is cool and you sigh, pressing the cold plastic cup to your forehead with a groan. 

God that felt good. 

Leaning back against the metal siding of the bar you look up into the canopy of stars overhead. You’re still not used to how much sky you can see out here. 

“Never realized teachers were such a wild bunch,” a warm voice notes. 

It’s Rhett, a fresh beer in his hand and a grin on his face.

“If you think we’re bad you should see the high school teachers,” you respond, standing up straight. 

“Those tequila shots will creep up on you. You okay?”

You wave off his concern. “It’s not my first rodeo,” you promise him. 

He laughs and looks down, scuffing his boot in the dirt. “You ever been to an actual rodeo?” He asks. “It’s just… I never see you around town except when I’m picking Amy up.”

“No. I’d probably just embarrass myself there. Wouldn't even know what to do, you know?”

“I could take you some time if you like. I know a thing or two about what goes on there.”

You can’t tell if his comment is made to be suggestive or if it’s just the twang in his words that makes them seem that way. One corner of his mouth is lifted into a grin. You think about June’s warning and your own hesitation. Rhett isn’t a bad man though you can see he’s damaged. The smart thing would be to bid him goodnight and return to your fellow teachers but that’s not what you do. A pretty face always makes you a little reckless. 

“I'd like to go,” you tell him with a smile. “Maybe even see you ride a bull."

"You been looking into me?" He asks with a grin, stepping closer and tipping his hat up with one finger.

"Amy talks a lot about you in class and mentioned you qualified for some upcoming competition."

“She’s a good kid,” Rhett says. “But I don’t really want to talk about her right now. Do you?”

He leans down until his face is a hair's breadth from yours. The intent you see in his dark blue eyes is clear enough your lips part in response. All it takes is a slight nod of your head for him to close the distance. One of his hands presses your hip into the wall and the cold glass of the beer bottle dangling from his fingers seeps through your sundress. You shiver, moaning into his mouth. Everything feels warm and muted. You grasp his neck, urging him to deepen the kiss. 

When you both pull back the rational part of your brain rushes to the surface. You glance left and then right, relaxing when you see it’s only the two of you out here. 

“Sorry,” you apologize, touching your lips. 

“I understand,” he tells you. “My truck’s around the corner. No one will see us there.”

“Alright,” you agree, letting him lead you to the side of the bar.

The light that’s meant to illuminate the parking lot is smashed. There’s only one other lone truck parked near his but you notice the tire is flat. Rhett opens the driver's side door and helps you climb up. He follows you in after, setting his beer on the dashboard and tossing his hat on the floor.

“Come here,” he whispers, helping you to straddle his lap. 

He groans when your ass rests against his thighs and you press yourself tightly to him. Your sundress is thin enough that you can feel every ridge of his jeans and the hot press of his erection. Rhett pulls your mouth down to meet his for a hungry kiss, working a hand down between your bodies. He teases two fingers over your clothed core. You moan, the needy little sound spurring him to pull aside your underwear and touch you where you want him most. His thick fingers drag through the wetness he finds there.

“You feel good,” he whispers, rubbing his thumb over your clit in a slow, steady motion while his lips drag down your throat. He works you up quickly, just as desperate for the main show as you. He stretches you open with one finger and then a second, groaning when your hungry cunt sucks his digits inside. You settle your hands on his shoulder and rock forward, chasing the pleasure your body needs. 

“Come on, come on,” he encourages, mouthing at the hollow of your throat. His fingers speed up and you come with a little cry.  Rhett draws his free hand down your back and kisses your cheek. It’s a soothing sensation and you close your eyes, soaking up the aftershocks of your orgasm. 

Your thighs quake and you rise up on your knees to give Rhett enough room to withdraw his fingers. He licks them clean, watching for your reaction. It’s obscene and you want more. You reach for his stupidly big belt buckle, struggling with it until he helps you. You get his zipper down and he lifts his ass enough to shove his pants down and free his cock. His eyes flutter and his lips part in a breathy moan when you take him in hand. You rub your thumb over his thick head, smearing the sticky precum you find there. 

You ask if he’s got a condom, even though there’s a part of you that wants to feel every inch of him and have nothing but skin between the two of you. Rhett nods, bending down awkwardly to fish one out of his pants. You roll it on together, trading a messy kiss. Sinking down on his cock you savor the way his head falls back and his eyes close. His hands settle on your hips and he squeezes, panting hard. Although it’s dim in the truck his features are illuminated by moonlight. You love the way desire twists his face while you ride him. 

“Fuck,” he groans. 

The truck rocks with your steady motion, your noses bumping together as you kiss each other. You grasp his neck, curling your fingers around his thick hair and tugging. He moans and thrusts up into you hard enough to make your breath catch. You do it again and he responds in kind. That molten liquid in your gut snakes through your limbs and you arch your back, eyes closed. You’re so close and you think he is too by those raw, desperate sounds he’s making.

“Come on girl,” he grits out, fisting the back of your dress in his hand and pushing up into you in quick, powerful strokes. “That’s it,” he sighs, feeling your cunt tighten around him when you come.

He pulls you down onto his cock one last time, snapping his hips upward to find his own end. He buries his face in your chest, wrapping his arms tightly around your body. It’s unbearably warm in the truck now, the windows foggy and his breath is hot against your heated skin. Eventually, he pulls back and you lift off him. You right your clothes as he takes care of the condom. You check your reflection in the mirror, wetting your finger to fix the smeared lipstick. Rhett downs the rest of his beer and wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. You both look like you’ve fucked one another in this truck, there’s no hiding that. 

“We can’t go back in the bar like this,” you tell him. 

“I can drive you home,” he offers. 

When you agree Rhett starts up his truck, cool air rattling out of the vents. You pull your phone from your pocket to let June and the others know you’re headed home. The little one-bedroom house you rent is on the edge of town where it’s quiet. Rhett walks you to the door and when you turn to face him he presses you against the aging wood and kisses you dizzy. 

“Rodeos this Friday. I’ll pick you up at 6. Maybe, uh, wear a dress like this,” he suggests, rolling the fabric between his thumb and finger. “You look real nice like this.”

“Okay,” you agree, feeling warm all over from the compliment, which is ridiculous given what you two just did in his truck. 

“Bye,” he whispers, kissing you again before finally leaving. He waits until you’re inside before driving off. 

You touch your lips and smile. If you’re going to make another mistake, there are worse men to choose than Rhett Abbott.

✥

My inbox is open for your thoughts and feedback as well as drabble requests.

#rhett abbott x reader #rhett abbott x you #rhett abbott x female reader #rhett abbott #outer range #outer range fanfic #lewis pullman

[invisibleraven]

Imagine your OTP saying I love youto each other five times without the actual (romantic) meaning of it. + if one time they say it right

Peterpatterlina

Julie wasn't sure she was breathing as she waited for Mr. Brunner to return her math test. Calculus had never been her strongest subject, and this test was a big one-so she had reason to be nervous.

"Hey," Reggie whispered. "You'll do great, I just know it."

"If I do it's only because you tutored me," Julie replied.

Unlike Julie, Reggie excelled at math, so when he heard she needed help, he was happy to offer his services. It got him out of his house in the afternoons and neither of them mentioned how Ray slipped him a few bucks after each session.

The tests were handed back and Julie turned hers over with trembling fingers. Preparing to see a sea of red when she looked. But... as she looked it over, there was almost no red there. And a big fat 82% on the top.

"Oh my god!" she shrieked, turning and shoving it in Reggie's face. "Look!"

"Told you that you had this," he said with a smirk.

"Because of you," she replied. "Reggie I love you."

He grinned. "Love you too Jules. Now let's get to lunch. Your treat."

2. Luke stuck his tongue out of his mouth as he worked on his latest song. It was almost perfect, but the bridge was giving him trouble.

"Need a hand?" Julie asked from her spot besides him on the couch. They had both been absorbed in their own song, hanging out in her garage as they often did, not needing to talk, just swap songs when they needed to.

"Yeah, this bridge is killing me," Luke replied, handing over his notebook. "You?"

"Nah, I'm good," Julie replied, humming the tune to his song, making little notations along the margins regarding tempo, then came to the bridge part. She then started writing, scribbling madly and Luke had to sit back in awe as she made something work that had flummoxed him so badly. "How's that?"

Luke looked it over, and then a wide smile split his face. "Molina I love you and your beautiful brain."

She smiled back. "The feeling's mutual. Now let's see if we can fix the chorus."

"Wait, what's wrong with the chorus?"

3. Reggie slipped through his window, creeping around the house and then jumped on his bike, taking off towards Luke's house.

Sure it was late at night, but Luke barely ever slept, and honestly Reggie knew he wouldn't either if he stayed at his house. Not with his parents going at it like they were. Plus Luke had offered Reggie a place to go any time he needed.

Thankfully it was a short bike ride, and he quickly stashed his ride in the back yard, so as to not piss Mrs. P off. He knocked against Luke's window where there was still a light on, and Luke opened it up, giving him his infamous boyish grin.

"Hey Reg. Hop on in."

Reggie grinned, hoisting himself over the ledge, and threw off his leather jacket. "Thanks. The folks were re-enacting World War Two in the living room, I needed an out."

"I told you, any time," Luke replied, sitting himself back on his bed. "You wanna cuddle or the sleeping bag?"

"Cuddles please," he said, shucking off his jeans as Luke killed the light. Climbing in beside Luke, letting himself be pulled into those arms of his. "Thanks Lu. Love you."

"Sweet dreams Reg."

4. The applause was still ringing out as Julie and the Phantoms left the stage, the four of them beaming as they entered their green room.

"That was legendary!" Luke whooped as he launched himself back onto the couch.

"I can't believe we actually did that!" Reggie exclaimed, rubbing his face with a towel.

Alex was buried in Willie's arms but shot them all a pleased smile, even as it looked like he was ready to doze off then and there.

"Guys... we just played The Orpheum," Julie exhaled. "We could go real places from here."

"To the top boss!" Luke grinned, but then noticed Julie's watery eyes. "Hey, what's wrong?"

"It's just... I wish my mom was here for this."

The boys immediately got up and gathered her in a hug. Giving her all the support they could, even if they could never replace her mom. Julie sniffled and hugged them back. "Love you guys so much."

"Love you too boss," Luke replied.

"Forever and always," Reggie echoed.

5. Julie fluffed her hair in the mirror, and applied another layer of lip gloss before exiting her room. "How do I look?"

Reggie gave an exaggerated whistle while Luke pretended to use an imaginary camera, causing Julie to blush as she waved them off. "Thanks guys."

"Where you going Jules?" Reggie asked.

"Hot date," she replied, packing up her purse. "Dinner and a movie, but felt like making an effort. I really like this guy."

Luke felt a churning in his gut at that, sharing a look with Reggie. They had both discovered they had feelings for Julie long ago, and each other. But they had decided to not butcher their friendship and the band, the would keep their feelings to themselves.

Now it was coming back to bite them.

"Alright, I'm gone. Don't wait up!" Julie called at the door. "Love ya!"

"Be safe!" Reggie called.

"Have fun!" Luke added.

The door closed behind her and the boys shared another look-the sentiment clear. Fuck.

+1. Luke and Reggie decided to wait up-they both knew neither of them would be able to sleep until Julie got home.

But of course, neither of them could stay focused on any one thing either. Songs were all full of longing and scratched out phrases about unrequited love. Books got rifled through and tossed aside. Games were distracted button mashes.

"How long has she been gone?" Luke asked.

Reggie glanced at the clock. "Hour tops."

"Fuck," Luke said, tossing his head back onto the couch. "We gotta tell her Reg."

"I know," he replied, thought it was a mere whisper. "I think we might be too late though."

"Too late for what?"

They turned and saw Julie standing in the doorway, make up streaked down her face, looking much less jubilant than she had when she left.

"Julie!" Luke exclaimed coming over to hug her. "What happened?"

Reggie rushed to give her a wipes so she could clean her face, embracing her as she trembled in their hold. "Do we need to kill this guy?"

"You'd have to get in line," Julie snorted. "He seemed so nice online and then he was an arrogant, racist jerk in real life so I kicked him in the balls before I left."

"Good on ya boss," Luke chuckled.

"You deserve so much better than that waste of space," Reggie added, directing them all to the couch.

Julie sighed, relaxing back into the cushions. "I know, but every guy I like is either a jerk, or into someone else or..."

"Or?" Luke asked.

"Or it's more than one person. Both of whom I love like crazy, neither of whom I can be with because it will ruin everything," Julie finished, though her words were muffled from where her face was buried in her hands.

"Julie..." Reggie started, looking at Luke who nodded at him. "Julie, you know that they love you back right?"

"And not as friends, not as a sister or bandmate," Luke added. "Head over heels, hearts on our sleeves, completely gaga in love with you."

"Really?" Julie asked, lifting her head, looking hopeful. "You never said-neither of you!"

"Well neither did you!" Reggie replied, then laughed. "We're all idiots."

"We wasted too much time hung up on what ifs and maybes and worries," Luke said.

"We have lots of time left," Julie replied. "I love you both, you both love me..."

"And each other," Reggie piped up. "So what do you want to do about it?"

"Turn on a movie and see where the night takes us?" Julie suggested.

"We can get a pizza, since I doubt you ate," Luke added.

"Sounds like a perfect first date," Julie replied.

From then on out, they knew that every time they said I love you, it meant in the way they had always hoped, even if Alex claimed they said it to excess some times. But they never got tired of saying it, hearing it, and most of all, feeling it.

And they had a lifetime to do just that.

#filled prompts #ficlet #rukebox #peterpatterlina #julie and the phantoms

[autiezo]

Sadly, while I was writing an 'Incorrect Disco Elysium" quote, it turned into a Jean centered one-shot fic.

The original idea was "Jean insults everyone except Kim and Jules while introducing a rookie into Precinct 41 (Judit is absent that day), and also accidentally admits that he likes Harry."

[Writer rambles under the cut]

20 minutes into writing this, I was like "Shit, this is way too long. These aren't a list of quotes anymore." Which is probably a good thing since the idea isn't a super punchy 'Ha-ha funny' and would benefit much more if I explored the characters properly. Also, it's not like many DE fans would be on Jean's side on this, so it falls flat as a quote. Hell, even I wouldn't without paragraphs of context. In fact, I'd just be waiting for Jean to be humiliated/humbled because I love bullying him.

Also, it turned into a Y/N fanfic?? I never read those since I personally find them low-key off-putting. Like a "Don't tell me what to do!" type of deal. However, I didn't wanna put in an OC that does nothing except nod along and follow the story, since I find that more lame. If I'm putting in an OC, I want to make them count. Honestly? I'm excited to take on the challenge. I could do a work-around and write a reason on why Y/N is acting the way they are. Also, for some reason I pictured Y/N as female at first, probably because I'm a woman too. But nah, scratch that, I want Y/N to be any gender possible so that everyone can be Y/N in this. The only tiny hiccup is that they are referred to as 'they', but that's fine since I can't have everything ngl.

If y'all have seen some of my 'Incorrect DE quotes', you'd know I take the term very very loosely. Like the time I had Harry and Kim read the Death Note, or the time I had them discuss Kim's Dream, or the classic time where Kim used the eyebrow on Jean. Those ones are 1 or 2 paragraphs long.

For this idea I have rn? I wrote down two paragraphs and haven't even gotten to Harry's part. Sheesh. I already cut out all the background details here, that's how off the rails this went.

I'm happy that I got to write Mack and Chester shenanigans though. Writing for DE minor characters is always a bonus. And... huh. Maybe one of them should briefly flirt with Y/N as they walk away? Ohhhh or they'd tag-team ngl. It'd be a joke to get a reaction, but still. I haven't seen much of those two, but I feel like they'd be jokesters 90% of the time, like hooligan schoolboys hanging out at the back of the classroom. Gonna have to read their quotes on Fayde before I make any further assumptions.

But yea, it's definitely a one-shot. The biggest this could expand into is a series of slice-of-life RCM office one-shots, but that's unlikely. I'm not too keen on writing Y/N for too long. Hypothetically, by some miracle, if I do end up writing those then I'd either turn Y/N into an OC instead, or research on how to make Y/N interesting while also including the reader themselves.

Y/N characters... sigh. In my personal (and possibly ignorant) opinion, they tend to be really generic and/or suffer the "Marvel Sarcasm Bot" effect. Personally, I have never related to a Y/N character. When I was a teen first reading TMNT 2012 fanfic, I always thought Y/N was someone else, and never me.

Ah, I could make Y/N an introverted person who keeps to themselves, so that they could be an observer. That's one idea. It could work since I can put it in the tags and author notes, so that the reader knows what's up first. hmmmmm

#disco elysium #zo rambles #fanfic idea musings #jean vicquemare

[vro0m]

"What happened is a real scandal."

Here is a homemade, not so great translation of that VERY STRAIGHTFORWARD Toto interview that I mentioned yesterday.

I’ll put most of it under a cut because it’s long.

Please note that all comments are from the journalist himself and that he is indeed an asshole.

(Source : Le Matin Dimanche, 20.11.22)

Last year, your team felt like they were the victim of a terrible injustice. How can one bounce back from such a situation?

(In perfect French.) Oof, it's a difficult question. (He pauses.) The only way to come back from it is to remember that, after all, it's only sport... The world isn't at stake! But of course, all of us, in the team, we give everything and we all believe in the... "stopwatch's honesty". In Abu Dhabi, the stopwatch wasn't honest. The one who was the fastest (note : Lewis Hamilton) didn't win because of... (Another pause.) Well, the word "mistake" wouldn't be appropriate to describe what happened. It's rather a real scandal. But the worst thing... Was that the entire world, the other teams, the media, everyone decided that that's how it is, and that what had happened, after all, wasn't particularly unacceptable.

What if it was you who had won the title that way?

I think we would have been a lot more humble. We would without a doubt have said that the race gods were on our side that day, but that we understood that it was hard to accept for Red Bull. Whereas last year, on the contrary, the Red Bull people didn't say anything like that. They partied like for a real title won in normal conditions. Frankly, it made our loss even more difficult to digest.

Could such a situation happen again someday?

I don't think so. The situation is much better now, the decisions are taken with more transparency. Everything that has happened around the cost cap affair (note : in which Red Bull has been condemned last month for breaching the budget) showed that the federation now admits its mistakes. Look at what happened with Gasly in Suzuka, the situation has been analysed immediately and the problem corrected (note : when Pierre Gasly found himself on track facing a crane under the Suzuka rain, reminiscent of the accident that caused the death of Jules Bianchi in 2014). Formula 1 needs honest and transparent policemen, and I think it's now the case. I don't believe that what happened in Abu Dhabi could happen again.

Why?

Because that day, several dysfunctions lined up : what the race director did was nonsense, and right after, we filed an appeal with the stewards. They, that night, should have corrected the injustice, that's what they are here for. But, pardon my French, they didn't have the balls to correct the mistake, or to at least send the affair in front of an appeal court. Everyone wanted a champion right away and they decided to confirm the result of the race. Even if it was unfair, and they knew it was.

Do you still think about it?

Always. Every day.

You're leading a 1500 person team. It must sometimes create very difficult challenges...

No, frankly, I don't find my job difficult. I'm at ease, in my comfort zone! Well, there's always decisions to make but that's nothing. You know, in my life, I've known such delicate situations, in my childhood in particular, that this doesn't do anything to me. (Note : his dad suffered from brain cancer and died during his son's teenage years.) This sport, I feel so good in it that I feel no pressure. Of course, being behind the others, like this year, annoys me. But it's a... Let's say positive annoyance. Wanting to beat them excites me.

During the qualifications and the races, when the cameras show you in the garage, you seem impassive. What are you thinking about?

Yes, well, sometimes I react in ways I'm not proud of. (He smiles. He's alluding to the 2021 Saudi Arabian GP, during which he broke his headset in anger.) I try to stay calm and focused. I perceive everything happening around me. It's to stay lucid, to try to manage the best way I can. It's a little bit like a plane pilot : if one panics, one does a bad job. And when I lose my cool, it's when I feel an injustice. When I threw my headset in Jeddah, it was when Verstappen braked right in the middle of the straight and Lewis hit him. I thought our championship chances were lost.

You have a busy life between your Monaco apartment, your Oxford house, your wife who is leading a Formula E team, and your 5 year old son. With next year's 24 grand prix, how will you manage all these lives?

It might look complicated as far as travelling goes, yes. But I have a very stable family situation. My marriage is fantastic, it could not have been better, our organisation is perfect. Monaco is our base, that's where I have my office, where Jack goes to school, where a lady takes care of him when we're gone. But when we're there, we take care of him. As far as personal life goes, I feel on top! At the moment (note : the interview took place in Mexico) Susie and the little one are in Oxford, because there's a school holiday in Monaco. Once I go home, his grandparents will take him camping. He loves it. In the meantime, Susie and I will go to Lisbon for one of our sponsors. Then we will go back to Oxford to get Jack on Sunday and we will be back in Monaco for school. It's our life. We've always done it like this, it runs smoothly.

What regrets do you have?

Oh, a lot! (He laughs.) I could have taken better decisions sometimes in this or that race, details like that. My biggest regret is that my first marriage didn't work. Because happiness for me is spending time with my family. You know, we spend a lot of days together. When I go to a grand prix, it's minimal service. I leave on Thursday and I'm back Sunday night (note : in private jets, it's faster !). The rest of the time, I'm available for my family.

This year, after 8 titles, you will probably end up third in the constructor standings. It must be difficult...

It's a rather complicated situation. (He thinks.) After that much success, it's normal we felt a drop in enthusiasm in our team. Imagine if you celebrated Christmas 8 times a year rather than once. The eighth time, you probably won't be as excited as the first (note : admitting Christmas excites you in the first place). What motivates me, as I said, is precisely trying to get back to winning.

Why didn't it work this year?

We lost because we didn't predict the consequences of the regulation changes that happened this winter correctly (note : with the return of the ground effect). We didn't see the porpoising (note : the bouncing) coming, neither in the wind tunnel, nor in the simulations. It surprised us. For me, it was difficult to see our engineers not understanding what was happening. But to get back on top, the whole team is even more motivated now than during our successful years. Winning in F1, it's only about mastering the laws of physics, there's no mystique in it!

What do you think of the whimsical outfits worn by your driver, Lewis Hamilton ? Do you also sometimes allow yourself some fashion whims?

Mmmh, I have to tell you what happened this summer. (He smiles.) I was in Los Angeles to visit my eldest son, who studies there. That evening, I was in a restaurant with a shirt given to me by Daniel Ricciardo, with a rather fancy design – I love his clothing line. The Mercedes photograph was there, he's an artist. He gave me Oakley glasses, 80's style, took a picture of me and posted it on our Instagram account. Susie called me immediately to tell me I looked like an idiot, that I looked like Borat... All this to say I need to accept that I am a certain age, and so I cannot wear just anything I want like Lewis does! But I try to stay young, at least in my head. And I put hydrating creams on my face, it's an advice from Lewis. I do what he tells me to...

What does Lewis represent for the Mercedes team?

Lewis has an immense place in our team. More than that : he's an integral part of it. And he's going to stay for a long time, believe me. Formula 1 is his life... And we will get that eighth title together!

#i promise there's a reason i'm tagging daniel in this and i'm not crossposting #f1 #lewis hamilton #toto wolff #daniel ricciardo #2022 #2021 #2021 abu dhabi gp

[missjoolee]

@claire8216​ requested 82! This prompt had a small existential crisis from me that really doesn’t matter but you know! What’s life without a little crisis here and there? 😅 Unedited to keep it real (flashes fake gang signs to look cool)

Pick a number between 1-102 (7, 13, 17, 23, 31, 45, 82, 97) I am working on them slowly so please be patient!

---------------

Luke blinks slowly at the page, his grip on the pen loosening. God, what time is it? Maybe they should call it quits for the night. He looks around but they haven't had a chance to get a clock yet. Tapping his phone screen, nothing happens. Dead. Sighing, he recalls he hadn't charged it last night because the charger was at the bottom of one of his moving boxes.  Thankfully he'd spent the afternoon unpacking after he'd gotten off shift at the diner.

He gets up to plug the phone in and Julie only gives a tilt of her chin in acknowledgement that he's moved away, her pen still flying across the page.  Smiling, he leans against the wall to wait for the devise to power back on, taking in this gorgeous scene.

Last night the room had felt weird. The walls laid bare, boxes shoved into a precarious tower in the corner, the mattress directly on the floor. His mom wouldn't let him take the bed frame. Something about it once belonging to his great uncle. It was a lot of change and while he's definitely better about it than Alex, he wouldn't lie and say it was the best sleep of his life, finally out of his stifling childhood home. Even if the room still didn't feel like him yet, having gone through the majority of his boxes helped to at least breathe easier. But now, seeing Julie lying on his bed, lost in the words of a song he's sure will win them awards, he realizes how much she's becoming home to him. No matter where he finds himself, he will always be alright if she is right there with him. His eyes drift closed.

The tinny startup sound alerts him that his phone is turning on, the battery finally charged enough. Dragging his eyes open, he checks the time.

Shit! Fuck!

"Shit, Jules, we have to go!"

All tiredness leaves his body as he searches around for his car keys. He'd put them in his pocket yesterday when he gotten in from the last trip of bring things in. Yesterday's pants. Shit, shit how does he already have so many clothes piled on the floor? He scatters clothing around him in a flurry. Not finding them, he looks around trying to figure out where they might have gone. His eyes cross over Julie who hasn't moved, only paused her pen to look at him.

"Don't just sit there, it's after 3! Your dad is going to kill me!"

Ray is a very lenient man but even he has his limits. Luke is frantic as he starts rummaging through the open boxes.

"Luke."

"Where the fuck are my keys?!"

"Luke!"

Her soft hand slides up his cheek and pulls his face to look over at her. She's no longer on the bed, but she's also not rushing to gather her things so he can take her home. Why isn't she rushing?

Laughter dances in her eyes as she calmly says, "We don't have to leave. Did you forget I moved into the dorms last week?"

He blinks at her, still feeling in crisis mode as his brain slowly supplies him with the memories.

"Also, he would've killed me. I take responsibility for myself, thank you very much."

He snorts at that. She does take responsibility for herself. And Ray is notoriously bad at staying mad at her long enough to enforce a punishment.

His arms wind around her waist and pull her to his chest. She's still looking up at him with a soft smile, and he could drown in her eyes. He rests his forehead on top of hers and takes a deep breath, releasing it with a slow "fuuuuuuuuuuck", trying to slow his heartrate down. Her hands slide up his back before slipping into the ripped armholes of his shirt, pressing cold fingers against the skin of the small of his back.

Suddenly, he's aware of the fact that they are alone at his apartment. A fact that he'd been very aware of when he first opened the door to let her in earlier. He'd stared down at her with a goofy grin that she had reciprocated. No parents, no Aunts, no little brothers to interrupt them. No curfew. That's when Reggie's elbow had dug into his pec as he pushed Luke out of the way (read: into a wall) to hug Julie. There were, after all, still bandmates.

But no bandmates right now. And no place they need to be. His nose drifts down her temple as his hand drifts up to the nape of her neck, pulling her into a kiss.  Warmth spreads throughout his entire body, set aflame everywhere they touch. The kiss intensifies as she presses closer and his hands begin to wander.

She pulls away all too soon, her hand pushing lightly against his chest as he tries to follow. Breathing hard, he looks down into her eyes which are darker than they were before.

"I have class at 9am. We should probably go to sleep."

A groan leaves his body at the idea of stopping, but he knows school is important to Julie and it's her first week of classes.

"Okay, yeah. Let's go to bed."

A different type of thrill thrums through him. For the first time, Julie is going to sleep in his bed. She will be the first thing he sees in the morning when he opens his eyes. That's something he could get used to. He'd take Julie anyway he can. Tangling their fingers together he drags them back over to the bed. He goes to empty his pockets and he pulls out a car key.

"They were in today's pants??"

Julie snorts from where she is putting on a pair of his basketball shorts. "Did you forget you went to work today, too?" She shakes her head in amusement. Apparently he is more tired than he'd thought.

He lets out a small laugh as he shucks his pants and pulls his shirt over his head before climbing into the bed. (climbing down? it's so close to the floor!) She slides in next to him and he can't help but pull her close for another kiss. Now that he's laying down, exhaustion floods him. He pulls back and she's staring at him tenderly.

"Love  you."

"Love you too."

There's a soft smile before she is settling her head against his chest. He relaxes into his own pillow, sleep already trying to pull him under.

"Goodnight, Boss."

#I AM CHICKEN SHIT! #happy juke jeudi! #joolee attempts writing #I tell ya #the things this *could* have been? #oooowee hot dog #i coulda been a bad bitch #but i like how it turned out this way #i really gotta get more comfortable writing from Julie's pov #(i say even though i think i've done a decent job writing near 50/50) #(probably) #juke #jukebox #juke fic #jatp #julie and the phantoms #julie molina #luke patterson #julie x luke #i'm probably forgetting tags #thedeathdeelers

[zinkadear]

This is the story of how Midas gets the Golden Touch in my universe, and more about his life.

Around a decade ago, he was married to the love of his life, and had been with her for several years. But she had recently started getting very sick, and this was progressing at a rapid rate. Their family was struggling financially, and they couldn't afford proper medical care. Midas was desperate to save her, and tried to find a miracle. After a ton of research, he discovered a legend about the Golden Touch. He eventually found Oro, who offered him the ability, but would take his right eye and leave him with a scar as payment. He was also warned of an even greater price to come, but Midas didn't care. Whatever it took he would do. So he accepted.

Midas turned everything that he came across into gold. He quickly became wealthy and feared because of his power, which he wasn't able to control in the beginning. He couldn't so much as lightly tap someone's finger without them turning to gold. Of course this meant he could no longer hold his wife or daughter, but that was a small sacrifice if it meant saving the life of the woman he loved.

He gained more than enough money to get his wife excellent medical care. But no matter how many doctors he took her to, they all said the same thing. There was no saving her. Midas refused to believe this, and frantically tried to find a cure. He paid the top scientists in hopes of them finding a solution, and even looked to help from magical users such as witches. But nothing worked.

As a last resort, Midas went to Oro, as he was the most powerful being he knew of. It was then he found out that the Golden Touch came with another price alongside the eye he'd already given up. His wife wouldn't be able to recover through even the most powerful spell. She was doomed to die soon, and there was nothing Midas could do about it. He was furious and terrified, begging Oro to take back the ability in exchange for his wife's life, but Oro refused. This was meant to be a curse with a terrible price, a warning which Midas hadn't heeded.

He had to accept the fact that his wife couldn't be saved. He spent as much time with her as he could, devastated that he couldn't even hold her hand or kiss her. She ended up dying just a few days after Midas's second encounter with Oro. His relationship with Jules quickly deteriorated after her mother's death. She was 8 at the time, and blamed Midas for what happened. She didn't want to be around him out of anger for what happened, as well as being afraid of his Golden Touch. Midas knew it was for the best that he not raise her, and had her sent to live with another family.

Completely heartbroken and alone after losing both his wife and daughter, and also blaming himself, he became extremely depressed and bitter. For months he completely isolated himself, which made his mental state worse. He didn't eat much and hardly left home. At some point though, he decided to build The Agency and became an extremely powerful figure. Over time, he learned to control the Golden Touch.

He became close friends with Meowscles, and one day after knowing each other for a few years, he slowly reached a hand out, wanting so badly to pet him. But he stopped himself, as he was still afraid of turning someone into gold. Meowscles wasn't scared, however, and urged Midas to go on. Shakily and with eyes shut tightly, Midas's hand reached the top of the cat's head. When he didn't feel a cold, hard surface, he slowly looked at his feline friend, who was perfectly fine and now purring. Midas started to cry in joy, as this was the first physical contact he'd had in years.

A few years later, Meowscles introduced Midas to Lorenzo, which you can read more about here. He also reconnected with Jules, and their relationship has been pretty great since they first reunited and were able to hug after a decade.

Midas is now a happy man, having conquered the curse, and with his new family by his side.

#Fortnite #Midas #Oro #Jules #Meowscles #Lorenzo #Midas x Lorenzo #Midenzo #Fortnite Headcanons

[hvneybxns]

closed starter for jules | @flirticst

five long and some what painful days had passed since he had last seen juliette. following kissing her yet again ford had known he had needed to speak to felicity and the way that she had kicked him out had been full and final enough for him to know that, that, was never going to be what he had hoped it could be. that felicity wasn't his to love, even if he had wondered if that would ever change. then all he'd had to figure out was how to talk to jules without being the biggest dick going, because he whilst he was going to keep his clothes on around felicity it seemed, that didn't mean he would give up on her and would juliette really want him if she knew that somewhere in him, that sense of responsibility for felicity wouldn't ever fade? the question had hung over him for the last three days but he missed her and still with no answer, he found himself caving, firing off a text asking her to come over. now his house was too clean, he had candles lit and a rather large glass of wine had him sat on the porch, his smile a little looser than normal as he watched her arrive. "you here for me jules?" he offered in greeting, his smirk only growing.

#ford & jules.

[silvermoose]

Learning to Fly

Originally posted to Reddit, then Ao3. Inspired by this art:

https://twitter.com/Aweopalta2/status/1745842073335394629

___

“Hi Andrew,” the voice said. Ashley hadn’t heard the phone ring for the buzzer, or the knock at the door, but hearing her say Andy’s name woke Ashley up from a dead sleep.

“Heyy,” he said in turn, followed by some giggling. Ashley hated her giggling. Hated her voice. Hated her. And now she was here, in sacred ground: Ashley’s home. She shot straight up from the couch to greet her.

“Hi Julia,” Ashley said, using the voice specifically reserved for her. “How are classes? Still failing chemistry?”

���Oh, uh, hi Ashley, I didn’t know you were here. Uh, classes are-”

“Don’t answer her,” Andrew said, “we were just leaving.” He slammed the door behind him, and Ashley was alone in the apartment.

Hussy, she thought, and checked the clock. 2:37. If they go straight to her dorm, they’ll be there by 3. I can probably get him back by 4. She picked up the phone and dialed her number.

Hi! You’ve reached Julia’s room. Sorry I didn’t answer! Leave a message, and I’ll call you back!

“Heyyyyy Andy,” Ashley cooed. “You left so fast, I didn’t even have a chance to say goodbye! And now I’m home alone, you know how much I hate that. Why would you do that to me?”

She got up and went to the balcony, to see if they were somehow just leaving; nothing there. Went downstairs, to see if they were still in the lobby; not there. Back to the apartment. 2:49.

Hi! You’ve reached Julia’s room. Sorry I didn’t answer! Leave a message, and I’ll call you back!

“Annndyyy, I hope you’re not gone for too long. It sucks being alone, no one is answering their phone. I hate it, I hate it so much, I don’t know what to do with myself.”

Ashley looked around; he remembered to take his cigarettes and lighter, so she didn’t have any leverage there. 2:53.

Hi! You’ve reached Julia’s room. Sorry I didn’t answer! Leave a message, and I’ll call you back!

“Maybe I do know what to do with myself. I’ll teach myself to fly; I’ll start by jumping off the balcony. Or would I need more time in the air? I’ll jump off the roof instead.”

She flipped through the channels on tv; all commercials. 2:56.

Hi! You’ve reached Julia’s room. Sorry I didn’t answer-

“Julia, you’re such an awful person. I don’t know what’s wrong with you, why you think it would be okay to take your boyfriend away from his family. This is why all the kids in school talked about you behind your back.”

2:58

Hi! You’ve reached Julia-

“I bet they all talk about you behind your back there, too. Nobody wants to be your friend, you’re too pathetic. They just talk to you out of pity.”

3:00

Hi! You’ve reached-

“I bet they all wish you were dead! Everyone does!”

3:01

Hi!-

“I sure do! Then you would leave my fucking brother alone!”

3:03

“Ashley. What do you want?” “Hey An-dy,” she felt overcome with relief. “Andrew,” he corrected. “I was so worried, I didn’t know where you were going!” “Apparently you did, because we’re talking. What do you want?” “Medicine. I’m sick.” “You’re fine.” “I have a fever. And a headache.” “Take a painkiller, we have plenty.” “If I take them all, then I’m sure I’ll feel much better!” “...” “...” “... fine. I’ll leave in an hour-” “NOW, ANDY!” She hung up, and settled back on the couch to try the TV again.

—

you won't get in trouble now.” “For murder? They don't really let that one slide, Jules.” “...” “I'm in so much pain, Julia.” “I'm here for you Andrew.” “I love you, Julia.” “I love you too.”

Ashley walked away, she couldn't take any more of this. She lay back down on the couch. Everything she had ever done she had done for them, for him. But all he wanted to do was run. If they couldn't be together, what was it all for?

She could apologize, but he wouldn't believe it. Years of thinking that Andy-no, Andrew- loved her, but he never said it. Never even acknowledged it without her first asking about it.

Yet he tells her he loves her first. He told her our secret, our bond. And he wants to leave. I'll be alone; he knows I hate that.

She heard the door open and covered her eyes with her arm so they couldn't see her tears. She heard the fridge open and close, and someone walk over. Is Andy bringing me something? She wondered.

“For when you wake up,” Julia said, placing the ginger ale on the table beside the couch. “I'm sorry we couldn't be friends.”

She heard the door close to the bedroom. She lay in silence for a while until she heard the hussy giggling again. She got up and took the ginger ale to the balcony.

She threw the ginger ale as far as she could, watched as it hit the pavement and cracked, spraying the soda everywhere. She sat down and looked out to the neighborhood, but she couldn't think. Her leg kept bouncing, she couldn't stop it, so she went inside.

She walked by her room again; she could hear faint sounds of her brother and his whore defiling her room. She looked around and found his cigarettes, grabbed them and his lighter. She almost slammed the door to the balcony, but stopped; I'll give you the peace you want.

She lit up a cigarette, finished it and lit another. They were her first, and she hated them, but it gave her something to do. After what seemed like forever, her brother came out to the balcony, with the faint smell of sex on him.

“Give me those,” he said, and grabbed the cigarettes and lighter from the table. He left without saying anything else. Ashley went to the railing and looked below. After a few minutes, she saw them leave the building; he smoked and they talked and laughed. She watched them leave as he walked her to the bus station, and saw him look up when returned. She looked at him with pleading eyes, that he might see into her heart and forgive her; but his face was blank, and he walked back inside.

I wonder if I could fly from here, or if I'd need to jump from the roof.

#fanfic #the coffin of andy and leyley #andrew graves #ashley graves #fanfiction #Gravesfiction #angst #coffinposting

[trollcafe]

Yes please, I would love to hear about your descendants!

"Wonderful! Now, mind you, I only have two descendants of my own.

Juleus and Augest. Or as some may know them, Jules and Dr. Auggie. Auggie is the eldest. I've spoken with him several times. He looks more like Necrol than he does me but he wouldn't know- he was hatched blind! He's an astronomer, studies stars and they way he believes they communicate, studies radiowaves and all sorts of fancy science I'm not privy to. Not Fleet sponsored, mind you, he's one of two who has managed to avoid the Fleet. Smart bastard. Considers himself unremarkable because of a lack of a title, but if anything his dedication to keep going despite honor says more than any title can. He's got no descendants of his own.

Juleus, however...he doesn't look a thing like me. Not sure where he sprouted from. He left the hive early to be a pirate, followed by his moirail Brutus. From what I hear, Juleus was quite the first mate! That's where he earned his title, after all. Where Augest has avoided buckets, Juleus...well, there's a handful of crude jokes I'll refrain from making. Juleus was sort of...grandfathered into the Fleet. The story goes that Brutus got their ship captured, and Juleus negotiated trading his freedom for theirs. Using his status as a Monark freed his captain, but ultimately left himself trapped. As such, he developed an obsession with creating the perfect descendant. The perfect Monark to take over his spot. Most did not survive, but I'm more than happy to dig into those who have.

The eldest is Archai. Juleus got close with Chai, but she was hatched with a weak immune system. I believe the way Juleus went about creating his descendants was by mixing castes with himself. He tried fuchsia and fuchsia here. Good in theory, but ultimately produced a sickly grub. Though she tried, she simply couldn't stay healthy. I've had lots of conversations with Chai. She's very sweet, very patient. You'd never guess how far she got. She spends her time studying art history now! A wonderful change of pace for her. On Alternia, she has access to the medications she needs to stay healthy, and hasn't had a flare-up in some time.

Next would be Jawska. Or JK, as he prefers. Juleus tried rust and fuchsia with this one. Jawska is the second Monark who managed to avoid Fleet service, but he isn' without hardships of his own. From what he said, MegaDad kicked him out at a very young age to prevent Juleus from finding him. JK is a scrappy, intelligent, but surprisingly meek fellow. You can really see the lowblood in him when he gets cornered. Quick thinker, very hardy. Juleus would've had a successful heir, even with JK's bad back. If you ask me, it's a good thing he never found him. JK was a tattoo artist, shifted gears to being a seamster, and has started to shift back into art once again. He only came to my attention after a random attack seemingly killed him. My good friend Sinopa took care of it, and now Jawska is right as rain again. He's shown me pictures of his moirails, they make a cute trio.

That leads me to the twins. Now, you may be unaware, but Juleus is incapable of harming children. Maybe it's some old pirate code he follows, but he refuses to harm a child, no matter the cost. He didn't want twins, so he picked the strongest of the two, and told a business partner to get rid of the other. Rather than doing that, Boznik decided to keep Bruuno, and raise her himself. Whether he did a good job or not is besides the point. Bruuno is better known as Bruuno Sinopa, international rockstar and lead of his little band Whysteria. A different last name can't hide just how much of a Monark he is- spitting image of myself, if you ask me. Juleus had the most success with these two, combining fuchsia and purple. As such, Bruuno retained the powers I myself has, though they're more like chucklevoodoos. I'm not even sure she's aware of it!

Then Leonra, is his twin. Where Bruuno got chucklevoodoos, Leonra has the strength of a purple and a fuchsia put together. Leonra was the most successful of Juleus' attempts. But telling Leonra what to do is like telling telling a fire not to burn. Juleus lost any possible chance of Leonra taking his spot the second that kid realized how strong he was. Now, I'm no pushover. I may look like a rusty old man, and sometimes I sure feel like one, but you don't obtain the title Annihilation for nothing. I've been in plenty of fights, I've mediated plenty more. And not even I would want to be on the wrong side of Leonra's anger. I was discussing this with a peer the other day- Leonra has the training of the most elite soldiers the Fleet has ever produced, the logical thinking and problem solving capability to rival a damn computer, and lacks the empathy and bloodlust that is often a General's downfall. And yet, all he wishes to do is build his own things, do his own thing. Truly admirable.

The youngest two Monarks are Shiloh and Rumble. Shiloh is Bruuno's descendant, and Rumble is another of Juleus'. However, last I heard, Rumble is safe and away from the Fleet. And Shiloh is happily cared for by Bruuno. I've yet to meet Rumble! I believe she's the result of Juleus and his current matesprit. I have met Shiloh though. She's a very sweet girl."

#long ish post #beloved speaks #monarks #monark family history #chow.ask

[knickynoo]

Back to the Future: The Animated Series, s01ep10 "Dickens of a Christmas" Review and Commentary

Previous episodes linked HERE

In this episode: A family-togetherness trip leads to prison, pickpocketing, and other fun shenanigans in 1845 London.

We open with Doc doing some work on the DeLorean.

He's frustrated with all the repairs and admits that he sometimes wishes the car had never been invented but that without it, he wouldn't be able to travel back to times before it was invented. This leads him to reminisce about a trip he took with his family one very hot summer day...

Into the cartoon we go! I will point out that we do not see Doc's face at all during this opening live-action portion, which is a bummer. I hope we get to see him at the end.

(I don't think I've previously mentioned that I write these posts as I watch through the episodes—pausing every few minutes to type up anything notable—so you're getting the complete journey here as I take it all in. I did watch the first season a couple of years ago, but I do not remember any of it because my brain decided the experience wasn't worth holding onto and dumped it immediately.)

Let's get back on track. It is a blistering hot day in Hill Valley. The flowers are all wilting, the thermometer on the wall explodes because it's hotter than the device can even register, and everyone is growing cranky. Doc is attempting to install a high-tech air conditioner-type thing he's invented in order to make it more bearable.

Outside, Marty is making his way down the street to the Brown farm. He's ditched the jeans and letterman jacket in favor of more "summery" attire, and is already making poor decisions by not only once again riding his hoverboard in public but projecting a movie in front of him as well.

For someone as prone to falling and who is as easily distracted as Marty is, I don't think this particular decision is a wise one. But that's cartoon Marty for ya.

He does end up crashing, by the way. He fails to see Einstein in the yard, runs into him (Einie is fine) and the two of them smash straight through the front door of the house. He wrecks the kitchen and knocks everybody over. With everyone's nerves already on edge due to the extreme heat, Marty's violent entrance proves to be the last straw, and they all start angrily shouting at each other.

Listen. I don't like to see them all screaming at each other, but. I kind of don't blame them? It's a million degrees outside and also Marty literally broke their kitchen table in half. I think Doc can shout at him a little bit for that. As a treat.

Bonus side-tangent! Can I point out how tiny Marty and Clara look in this shot?? First of all, Clara is not as short as Marty is, so that's automatically off. But also, compare them to Doc. He's actually wearing shoes with like...springs on them or something? That adds to his height, BUT he's also leaning forward a lot, so it mostly evens out. Without the shoes and while standing with better posture, Clara would come up to what—Doc's shoulder, just about? (I'm not factoring in her poofy hair) Something is very off proportions-wise. Take a look, then, at a shot from the very next scene.

I dunno. Someone dropped the ball here. Side tangent over. Can you tell I'm having fun watching this silly show?

Once Doc calms them all down, Clara notes that it's the heat making them so irritable, saying, "Maybe if it wasn't hot as the Dickens..."

This gives Doc an idea, and he decides that a family vacation to somewhere cooler is in order. Doc, Clara, Jules, Verne, Marty, and Einie all manage to pile into the DeLorean somehow and travel to 1845 London just before Christmas. Upon arriving, Doc entrusts Jules to hold onto the DeLorean's key, which means it will get stolen or go missing like immediately.

While admiring the view with Doc and Clara, Marty falls off of a building because he gets distracted staring at a girl.

There he goes. I guess he didn't learn his lesson about flirting with other girls after the whole thing with Mercy Tannen and being tried for witchcraft. Marty's brain does not retain those valuable life lessons for very long.

After safely landing in a pile of snow, Marty follows the girl into a nearby toy store to chat her up and gets promptly slapped across the face. Doc and Clara also go into the store because Doc is enamored with figurines of Dr. Frankenstein and the monster, which he evidently had a toy similar to as a child. While Jules and Verne wait outside, a pickpocket comes by and steals the key to the DeLorean. Jules and Verne take off after the thief, and Doc, Marty, and Einie see the commotion and go after the boys. Clara is left at the store, and Ebiffnezer Tannen soon enters. He's angry that the shopkeepers are late on their mortgage payment (by one whole hour) and throws them into debtor's prison. Clara is also thrown into prison after she rebuffs Ebiffnezer's advances.

Side note: this is the second time so far in the series that a Tannen descendant has flirted with and tried to win Clara's heart—through very unsavory means. The prior instance also took place in England (Lord Biffingham, who had captured both Clara and Lady Jennivere).

After unsuccessfully trying to locate the boys and discovering that Clara has been arrested, Doc and Marty decide to split up. This shows just how desperate Doc is because he should know by now that nothing good has ever come from leaving Marty to his own devices. We go then to the prison, which has a whole gigantic wing built onto it just for all the people Ebiffnezer has thrown in there.

After being tossed into a room with like 40 other people, Clara asks an elderly man if he's been there long. The man replies, "When I first come to this prison, I was wrinkled, I had no teeth and drooled a lot. I was a baby!" As you may imagine, Clara is not encouraged by this response. I however, think this is one of the funniest lines of the episode so far. This man was put into prison when he was a BABY because he somehow wronged a member of the Tannen family.

Here are all the people crammed into one of the cells in the Tannen wing of the prison.

Meanwhile, at the town square, Jules and Verne have been captured by the pickpocket leader and are being forced to learn how to steal things. While they're trying to go along with it until they can get the keys back, Marty is off having his own little adventure trying to get Clara sprung from prison.

Using the hoverboard, he makes a visit outside Ebiffnezer's window, posing as the Ghost of Christmas.

Ebiffnezer's terror abates just long enough to ask, "Past, present, or future?" to which Marty replies, "Uh, all of the above." He tells Ebiffnezer that he's there to save his soul and yanks him out the window and into the night. Their first stop is a workhouse, where children are slaving away. Ebiffnezer starts crying, and Marty is hopeful that he's already having a change of heart. But it turns out that Ebiffnezer is just upset because it reminds him that there's an 8-year-old who owes him money.

Jules and Verne, however, are having more success in their mission after having gained the trust of the young pickpocket who had stolen the keys in the first place. They tell him that if he can help get the keys back from Murdock, they can help him escape and find a better life. They get the keys and all make a break for it (along with Doc who had caught up to the boys).

Marty's next stop on his journey is to show Ebiffnezer another sad sight—a homeless family roasting their Christmas dinner of a few chestnuts over a fire. Instead of being moved by compassion for the family, Ebiffnezer attacks them because he's hungry and wants their food.

Marty angrily flies himself and Ebiffnezer back to the house, declaring that he gives up. As he's complaining, his projector device from earlier in the episode falls out of his pocket and starts playing a Godzilla movie. Ebiffnezer is horrified by the images, and Marty takes the opportunity to tell him that the destruction he sees is the result of people living wicked lives. Ebiffnezer immediately promises that he'll change and free everybody from the prison. The next morning, he's found singing and dancing in the street with a Christmas wreath around his neck.

And I can't help but wonder what the implications would be, if any, to the Tannen lineage, given that Ebiffnezer has such a drastic change of character and goes from wicked and cruel to kind and generous. But alas, the cartoon doesn't care about these things.

Okay, wait, hang on. In the scene that immediately follows, Ebiffnezer sees Marty in the toy shop and recognizes him as the "ghost," which makes him enraged and mean again, so...I guess that whole change of heart is undone pretty much right away. At least he's already freed all the prisoners by that point. Anyway, Clara is reunited with her family, and everything turns out okay.

Also, here is a screenshot of them all crammed into the DeLorean on the way home, which I still do not think would be possible.

End of cartoon portion! Back to Real Doc, who is still under the car and doing repairs. At one point, he reaches for a donut with his grimy, disgustingly dirty hand, which upsets me.

He also ends up dipping the donut into the can of motor oil instead of his coffee. Serves you right, Doc.

And that's basically it for this episode. It's a fun one, but I think there was too much going on. There was the plot with the pickpockets, the Clara in prison plot, and the Marty and Ebiffnezer one. It just felt disjointed and made it hard to write about. But Thomas Wilson's voice-acting as Ebiffnezer makes the whole thing worth it.

Join me next week as we travel to 1926 and meet FOUR-YEAR-OLD DOC!!

#back to the future #bttf: the animated series #btw this is my second attempt at posting this because the first try had my pictures configured wrong AGAIN #so i had to go in and copy & paste into an entirely new post #because it won't let me fix the pictures in the old one #and i still have no idea why and it's making me lose my mind #edit: IT DID IT AGAIN. THE PICTURES ARE ON TOP INSTEAD OF SIDE BY SIDE #if anyone else is having this problem PLEASE reach out to me because it's honestly making me not want to even do these posts anymore

[halfoftwelve]

Fic-O-Ween day 3!

This is mostly dialogue and chaos but it’s fun dialogue and chaos.

A Potter family trip to the apple orchard wasn't complete without Uncle Padfoot and Loops, and therefore Jules. And also Dumo and his kids, including Logan and his boys. And one of their brothers and his two. And Thomas.

So a trip that was meant to be three became eighteen, and Lily couldn't find it in herself to care. This was her family and she couldn't be happier. The boys were busy chasing the kids and lifting them up so they could reach the tops of the trees. Pascal was picking apples to bring home to Celeste so she could make a pie. James, Sirius, and Remus were busy keeping both Harry and Jules busy, which was far too endearing.

Adele had been practically glued to her and Natalie all day, and honestly, it was making Lily think about more children.

"Corn maze! Corn maze! Corn maze!" Katie shrieked, running to her father.

It was the only thing she'd wanted to do, after seeing the ponies. 

"Sirius said it's time!"

Pascal, and everyone else, looked to where Sirius was biting back a grin, while also hanging Harry half over his shoulder. Remus, Lily noted, had never looked so fond.

"Did he?"

"I've told you before I can't say no to her, Dumo, it's your fault," Sirius said, placing Harry back on his feet.

Harry had started chanting with Katie, Marc and Louis joined in, and then Jules. 

"Alright, alright, to the corn maze children."

Remus didn't know that a corn maze was meant to be a competition, but according to the O'Hara brothers, it meant war. This was how Remus found himself on a team with eight others. While it made sense to split into groups, as eighteen people trying to go through a maze would be chaos, he wasn't sure about the competition part of it.

There was only one way to go, so wouldn't they just keep running into each other?

"Loops, that's the point! Where's the fun without a bit of trash talk?" Finn told him after Remus said as much.

"There's kids here, O'Hara," Natalie commented.

"So we keep it PG, and we do the little scavenger hunt. That's where the real fun is."

Remus was a little disappointed that his own brother hadn't wanted to be on his team, or his boyfriend. But the O'Haras and Dumais children had reminded him that sibling rivalry was as good a motivator as any.

"Wait I think we should go that way," Lily said, pointing to the path towards the left.

Finn stopped next to her, "it's definitely to the right. You always go to the right."

"And that is how you lose, little bro," Alex said, walking past with his own team behind him. They went to the left

"Shut up, you idiot," Finn said back. Remus heard Logan laugh from where he was walking past, and Leo snicker from behind him.

"Yo, Harz, don't talk to my man like that," Kasey said, reaching forward to grab Alex's hand.

Natalie jumped in, "yeah, don't talk to our man like that."

"We're on the same team, Nat," Finn said back.

"I don't care."

This was already far too much, and they hadn't even gotten into the maze. 

Remus had been hoping, secretly, that he would have been able to sneak off with Sirius and get some of the hot cider that was being sold. Sirius, however, seemed to be too far gone to pull him away from this.

"How does it feel to be on the losing team, Re?" He said, walking past.

"Yeah, Re?" Julian parroted. 

Remus there his hands up and let them fall back with a slap against his thighs.

James and Pascal both laughed at him. Thomas jostled his shoulder and snickered.

Alex wouldn't admit it, but they were definitely lost. The goal had been to get to the closest checkpoint, but well, he was fairly certain it was supposed to be right where they were standing.

"Alex..."

Alex looked at Kasey slowly, who was obviously holding back a laugh.

"I have no idea where we are."

"What?" Three voices echoed. Logan, James, Sirius.

It was almost comical, the way their heads turned to him, and each of the children's that followed. Harry was on James shoulders, an action mirrored by Katie and Logan. Julian was on Sirius' back, but dropped down to pull out his own map. Marc went over to look at it with him.

"I joined your team because you said you always won, don't tell me I left my lovers just to lose," Logan said, leaning over to look at the map in Alex's hands.

"We're not losing. We don't know how to lose," Sirius said.

"What Cap said," James announced, using Harry's little finger to trace a path on their map.

Marc and Jules walked past all of them, drawing their attention, "this way," Marc said. So they went.

Lily was going to rip that red hair right out of Finn O'Hara's big head.

"Are you blind?" 

"He does use reading glasses," Leo called from the back of the group.

"Baby we're on the same team," Finn turned to him. "I told you though, always go right."

"O'Hara, if we go left it takes us straight to the third checkpoint."

Thank god for Natalie Darcy, at least someone could see some sense. Adele agreed with them too, though that was likely more to just agree than anything.

They'd already got to the first two checkpoints, punching out the little numbers on their card, and reading the little story for Louis, who didn't actually seem that interested. Granted he was ten, but he was the only child with them. Except for Adele, who definitely wouldn't admit she found it fun.

At every turn they had a debate, and every time Finn said to go right, and he was only correct half of those times.

Remus and Thomas were making jokes each time, Leo and Pascal were trailing at the back of the group, and Louis was playing on his father's phone.

And yet, Lily loved it. Every minute of it.

Sirius wouldn't admit it, but there was no possible way they were winning. They'd been in this maze for nearly fifteen minutes and hadn't checked any of the boxes. The kids were beginning to whine, and they were staring at a wall of corn.

"You said this way, little Dumo," Kasey said to Marc, who just shrugged.

"Alright team, I'll be honest. We kind of suck, so any ideas?" Alex said.

Sirius huffed, "that was a shit pep-talk O'Hara."

"Kids, Padfoot, seriously," James said, hands over Harry's ears.

"Not all of us can be the youngest captain, Black," Alex turned to him, "feel free to help out any time."

"Actually, I think you've got it O'Hara. Never been so inspired in my life," Sirius said, falling back next to Logan. He'd never done a corn maze before, and honestly was losing the appeal of it quickly.

"I feel like this would be more fun with alcohol."

"You are absolutely right, T," Remus replied.

"As if we don't have enough entertainment from the redheads up there," Leo said from behind them.

Finn and Lily had both declared themselves team leaders it seemed, which had definitely become the chaos Remus had imagined. 

They were over halfway through the maze, and making pretty good time. Though, that was likely more to do with the fact the Finn was practically running. Well, that, and the fact that it wasn't really Lily or Finn leading them, it was Leo and Pascal.

Each time the group at the front disagreed, Leo or Pascal became the voice of reason. It was usually a quick, "alright, this way." Or, "I'm going this way, follow or don't."

Remus was also pretty sure he'd heard them betting against their own team. Really, Remus agreed with them. But there was also a part of him determined to beat Sirius and Julian.

They were on track again, had even completed two of the ten checkpoints. Though, it had already been more than twenty minutes, so they weren't really on track. Kasey had taken over for most of that, his calm helping them.

Now though...

Alex was struggling to keep calm himself.

There was three ways they could go, and everyone was talking at once.

"Left. I say left." Logan was looking wistfully down the pathway.

"No, Tremzy!" Katie yelled.

Jules and Marc were talking to each other at the back of the group, momentarily forgetting about the maze.

"Pretty confident it's straight," Kasey said.

"You're certainly not," Sirius chirped.

"Like you can talk, Black," Alex responded.

"None of us are," Logan quipped.

James spluttered, "are you forgetting about me?” His hands splayed in front of him, child giggling on his shoulders.

The other four men looked at each other, then said together, "no."

James squinted at all of them, shrugged, then stepped forward into the middle path. Straight it was then.

Finn was going to win one way or the other, and he would absolutely not admit that it was because of Lily Evans-Potter. Maybe she was right, so what? He'd never said he was good at corn mazes or following directions. And the other guys certainly were no help. He was fairly certain Leo had bet against him.

But, on the bright side, all there was left to do now was get out. After one small stop.

"We have to find them," he announced.

"What, why?" Lily responded immediately.

"To scare them."

"Oh!" Natalie's face lit up as she said it.

"Now this I can get behind," Thomas announced.

"I'm in," Remus said.

"Can I scare Marc?" Adele asked.

"No I want to scare Marc!" Louis said, actually looking away from the game he was playing.

"Cool, let's go."

Yeah, they were definitely losing. There was no possible way this team was getting anywhere. The kids had started complaining early on, and it was beginning to become sad. Sirius had already taken off his jacket and hoodie, the sun bright and no breeze to cool them. They'd gotten maybe five of the checkpoints, Sirius wasn't sure, he'd stopped caring long ago.

He was carrying Harry now, James' shoulder had started acting up again, and frankly, he needed some entertainment. His eyes flitted between Jules and Marc and the path they were walking down. 

It wasn't all that bad, though. He hadn't had time to just be since summer, and he was doing it with all of his people. Of course, half of them were somewhere else in this godforsaken trap, but they were still here. 

This was nice, and even if the kids weren't enjoying it anymore, at least he got to spend time with them.

"Hey Jules, what are we going to tell Remus when we get out?" He said over his shoulder. 

There wasn't an answer, se he glanced back, "Jules?"

Except Jules wasn't there, and neither was Marc. Sirius' heart dropped, his hands got just a little tighter around Harry's. "Jules? Marc?"

The others stopped where they were in front of him, James walked over.

"Sirius?"

"They were just right behind me," he whispered.

There was an uneasy silence that followed, as Sirius scanned the area.

"Maybe they just went down a different path..." it was Logan.

No, that wasn't right. Neither of the boys would do that, not without saying something. Had he missed it?

"They wouldn't—”

"AHHH!!" 

There were shouts all around them, bodies running out of the corn. There was Jules, right next to a laughing Remus. And Marc with his own family. Despite being startled, Sirius was relieved. 

Then, all at once, the other team took off in a full sprint away from them, leaving Sirius' own team shaken.

Slowly, after realizing what had gone down, and ignoring Marc and Jules laughing on the ground, they looked to Alex O'Hara.

His head tipped back and he groaned, then said, "oh thank god."

Again, they all looked at one another. Kasey spoke up, "babe?"

"They've finished it. We can get out of this fu-- freaking corn."

A collective sigh went up, and they turned on their heel and walked the same direction the others ran.

Lily hadn't laughed this hard in a long time. Her, Natalie, and Adele were still giggling together when the others came out of the maze.

Alex went over to Finn, putting him into a headlock and rubbing his head, "finally beat me, little man."

"Get off me," Finn yelped, grabbing for Leo. Logan was laughing as he went over to them.

Kasey pulled Natalie into a kiss, which made Adele grimace. Alex shouted for them, which made them both smile.

Pascal gathered his children up, insisting they take a selfie for their mother. Adele rolled her eyes but was still the one to hold up the phone.

Thomas and Remus were still talking together when Sirius walked over.

"You've had my boyfriend long enough, T, time to get your own."

Thomas mocked offense, and Remus grinned, "how does it feel to be on the losing team, baby?"

When Sirius scowled Remus pulled him down for a kiss.

"Little Loops, how does it feel knowing you almost made the Captain cry?" Thomas said.

"That's not fair, T, he was worried."

They were laughing together, in their little group.

James came over, Harry holding his hand and smiling at Lily. 

"Hi Mama!"

"Hi baby," she knelt to pick him up. Then leaned in and kissed her husband, "beat you."

"No, I'm definitely winning," he kissed her again, again, again.

There was laughter around them, and love surrounding their little group, which was certainly not so little. She's never been happier to have such a big family.

#sweater weather #lumosinlove #sweater weather lumosinlove #sirius black #remus lupin #finn o'hara #logan tremblay #leo knut #o’knutzy #o’darwin #pascal dumais