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ghostsprettymama · 1 year

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MONA LISA

"All the time in the world"

Warning: mommy/daddy kink,bondage,blindfolding,knifeplay,slight degrading,edging,mentionings of murder, gang violence, weed , guns. situationships. posessive sex. MDNI 18+

Pairing: gang member! Shuri x reader, childhood crush shuri x childhood crush reader! wlw, dom and sub. fuckbuddies.

Word count: 4,939 words 26,120 characters

ALL CHARACTERS ARE 18+ UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE

part one. part two

A/N: the chapters late due to some technical issues but i still hope you like it

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(f/f) = favourite flower

(y/f/c) = your favourite color

xhosa translations -

Nkosazana - my girl.

umntwana wam - my baby

Le intombazana izoba kukufa kwam-This girl will be the death of me

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Y/n Pov

She woke up with an aching headache, luckily it was the weekend. She turned on the tv taking her braids out letting her natural hair breathe.

soon she got up to washing n blow drying her hair, her mind full of thoughts. She styled her hair, cleaned up her room going back to rest in her room.

Damn. These two days were a lot she thought to herself running over the things that happened in two days. Am I just forgiving shuri for doing dumb shit to me? Im just letting her walk over me at this fucking point. you sighed, getting on her for being a playgirl and tryna control her from fucking people when we aren't together, fuck do I look like acting pussy crazed? you made a face while watching your favorite tv show.

You sat there thinking, lost in your thoughts deciding to get your shit together. You can't be out here in ATL crawling on all fours for shuri. You got dressed in a presentable fit, putting jewelry on, fuck I forgot to brush my teeth. You sighed brushing your teeth and putting makeup over the hickeys.

you left your phone at home going next door to the Udaku household you knocked once and T’challa answered, there were people in the back. And your brother. “Shuri isn't here,” T’challa said closing the door but you stopped it with your hand. “Not here for her. thank you.” you said staring up at him “Erik is- “not for him either nigga damn. Where is your mother?” you said getting annoyed with him.

“She's out back but aren't you too dolled up to be in a garden,” T’challa said raising an eyebrow and trying to get smart with you” boy I don't have the time or energy to deal with you today, either you move or im climbing that bigass fence out back, “ you said being deadass serious, they never took you seriously till you got pissy with them.

“ ight ight chill ma damn,” said T’challa letting you in. You see a woman with locs, she smiled and waved at you, a skin-bald woman focusing on talking to a man who looked like he lived breathed, and worshiped the gym, he made eye contact with you and you shivered walking faster to the back.

You opened the door to the garden seeing Ramonda drinking tea, she was waiting for you. “What's wrong umntwana wam?”(my baby) when you got to her table you sighed sitting down.

“I'm just so lost ever since we left Georgia.” You said holding her hand “well I'm here to listen, tell me everything, whatever you don't tell me I know already, honesty is key.” Said Ramonda smiling softly but being dead serious, ever since you were little she knew everything that happened as if she had eyes everywhere and you didn't know.

You took a deep breath and Ramonda nodded. “Well ever since we were moving here so fast without me being told this I've been so stressed. Because the day after I didn't go to school, T’challa and Erik cut connections with each other at 14, and for 3 years we kept fucking moving from school to school and then we came here??” you sounded so fucking confused “ And I was so happy to see shuri, I even ignored how I felt when I was with her because she made me feel so happy and good, then when I spent the night we did something, and I couldn't even wake up next to her I woke up in my room, no note no nothing just a text telling me to dress pretty for her like I'm some fucking doll” you expressed your frustrations while Ramonda watered her plants. She was listening, no matter what she did, she told you to continue either way.

“Then she smacked my butt? Idk why she keeps doing that I never understood the shit. And when I yelped because it hurt Erik and T’ just acted weird telling me not to scream or they're gonna make sure someone stops breathing?? Like and they were reaching for something too ?? Were normal highschoolers I don't get why it's like this Maam” you said face planting onto the glass table. “umntwana wam, don't do that it'll bruise your pretty face.” she went behind you taking care of your hair while you spoke to her about what happened.

“ And in school, these girls approached me at Gym trying to tell me to avoid shuri cause she's a playgirl, they call me fat like being fat is a bad thing? Then proceed to flirt with shuri in front of me and I guess shuri was ‘lost in the moment “ you said doing air quotes causing Ramonda to make an mm-mm sound . “and said hurtful shit and I didn't know what to do so I did what I did at other schools when I'm overwhelmed, I went to the bathroom but then ran there when the girl's friends ran after me to just give me a panic attack by yelling things and banging on my door” you said huffing you felt Ramonda braiding your hair but she was gentle and made sure not to hurt you.

“And then the girl I met when I was going to class with Shuri OH NO ABOUT THAt. Her name is Riri, right? She was so nice to me for some reason and we clicked instantly” you smiled at the memory “she helped me hide the gifts.. Shuri left” you rolled your eyes and Ramonda smacked your head, you hissed in pain “ow!” you say “ if you keep rolling those eyes you're gonna roll them to outer space,” she said, “ continue.”

You continued “ then this weir- I mean odd white boy” Ramonda never liked the word weird, she doesn't find people weird she finds them misguided. “he kept staring at me, then the teacher Ms. Romanoff was digging for information out of me, I was so confused because normal teachers don't fucking do that?? And Riri and Shuri already were shaking their heads no, even though I didn't know how to respond. nothing interesting about my family they are just farmers and accountants" she sighed " and then peter, that's the white boy's name btw, he was saying I don't know shit I should, Riri and shuri told him to shut up and just told me to hurry up to gym" you said confused as hell " Peter is right you don't" she said nearly finished with your hair, she was so relaxed while listening, a bird even landed on her shoulder.

"and that led to what I said at the gym, but I ended up crying so hard I threw up, and then Riri offered to help me fix my makeup or make it better, and she did." you smiled again at the bonding moment," she said she was gonna 'air this bitch out ' if they don't leave me alone whatever that means," you said shrugging, the motion made the bird leave.

"then yk the three musketeers came in looking like riri killed someone even though ik she wouldn't, that's illegal and only bad people do it.” you said confidently from what your “mother,” told you.

“ then they overwhelmed me, especially Erik trying to question me when I was already WAYY too overstimulated,” you said rubbing your temples while Ramonda did your edges. “I went to the library to fall asleep, I only wanted to skip through lunch, but I skipped 2 whole periods.” you said in a confused manner not knowing you were that tired “ Dont do that again, skipping is harmful to your grades.” she interrupted, showing care for you.

“and then shuri for some reason even if she was mad laid her head on my lap, and we ended up doing that. And I forgave her for some reason... That's all Maam” She nodded sitting down but yelled for Nakia, the girl with braided hair came out “ Yes ma'am? “ she had a nice voice, and she was pretty too..” could you take this set inside? We're done with our tea” Ramonda asked not breaking eye contact with you.

“Of course Ma'am" she nodded taking it inside not batting an eye at you. "so before I get into it and be honest with you, I want to meditate with you to make sure you're calm," Ramonda said, getting up placing two mats in the grass. you got on your mat sitting down crisscross applesauce style, Ramonda doing the same.

She guided you throughout the meditation with deep breaths and clearing your mind, you closed your eyes Repeating the steps and doing what you were told.

T’challa pov.

I don't know what the fuck her problem was when she came but I kept my cool.

I locked the door closing the blinds, everyone's phone was in a basket with their locations off.

“Who was that? “ M’baku said, with a smile on his face”nunya damn business nigga leave my sister alone” Erik Gave a stank face to M’baku, that dude always was a straight up weirdo to him.

“or what ??? You ain’t touching me" M'Baku said knowing it was the truth. Erik rubbed his temples " NIGGA SHEES GAAAY." Erik said tired of this beefy ass man. "oh" M'Baku said adjusting himself. Okoye bursted out laughing as Nakia chimed in laughing their asses off. "HAAA HE WAS GONNA TRY TO FUCK ON A GAY GIRL" Nakia laughed wheezing so hard she sounded like she was on life support.

When the two were done laughing like hyenas, the tv turned on as T'challa was presenting " So wbk gang and plug business that's how we thrive here." Everyone nodded some going like mhm, yea. " Recently our shipments have been going missing when in manhattan"T'challa had shown photos of 8 people A Man that look like he was freshly 50, with brown hair and a small beard, a long mustache, at the first incident with the touch passing through Greensboro, North Carolina. the truck driver was shot and the goods were taken.

then a woman that looked like Y/n's teacher, in a black jumpsuit, skintight. The truck was just barely through Charlottesville, she appeared in front of it causing it to crash off the course and blow up.

another one played, this one was familiar to Erik, it was the silhouette of his classmate peter parker. “T’ where these people from?” Erik looked at T’challa who looked at Nakia, she came back from outside putting the tea sets on the counter. “ They're from manhattan New York, working with Stark industries under stark directly” she turned on her computer and connected it to the tv, clicking on google docs.

“These docs are 67 pages in the counting of the information I collected on them including employee information. and ally information" Nakia said, her voice sounding like candy.

“Get to the point,” M’baku said, growing impatient with this talk, okoye rolled her eyes tired of this sassy ass man.

“I messaged you all your targets as the district leaders, you know what to do, quick, clean quiet” Nakia ended her presentation sitting back down as the lights came back on T’challa came back to the center.

“Do not by any means involve bystanders that aren't mentioned. “ T’challa said “ T’challa I don't get it, if the Kid was born into this why isn't she involved,” Okoye asked leaning against the wall and staring at the 6-foot man, Okoye definitely wasn't for this babying nonsense, she's grown, time to put her work in. “ shes soft, she’d fuck up,” Said T’challa deflecting her statement.

“Like Erik hasn't fucked up? He fucked up taking territory, and shipment deals ain't that why you petty ass niggas ain't friends no more because of that? But * she mocked T’challa babying y/n* ‘oh she's just a baby’” Okoye rolled her eyes to mars and back “if it's too much on her then that's that but you need to see her as a grown ass woman, not a child” Okoye said clearing T’challa

He looked at Nakia for help and she shrugged him off “she's right, shuri literally controls a district” Nakia seconds Okoyes point “but you do need to stop.” Nakia and Okoye sighed in unison “ But as you said don't involve bystanders right? Don't involve her in this” Nakia said, it was a threat to T’challa, and she didn't wanna see that kid in the business they were in.

Y/N pov

When You and Ramonda finished our meditation she sat me down explaining everything.

“you had to move from your last home because Erik had messed up a deal, he accidentally left the backpack full of the goods he was selling, and you know how that goes.” Y/n looked at Ramonda, not believing her, this shit sounded like the stuff that’d be in the movies. “You moved because it was trouble and would threaten your life since you hung around the customer, and they knew where you lived” she said "Don't believe it? read "

she tossed the newspaper to me and y/n read it. she couldn't believe it all when she got done reading she looked at Ramonda. "Is this gonna affect how you see us and your family?" Ramonda looked at her, hoping the girl wouldn't have said the wrong answer. “No. I know you guys aren't bad. But I have a question” Y/n said causing Ramonda to raise her eyebrow “ have any of you killed anyone?” Y/n said and Ramonda nodded.

“Justified in our eyes, they killed our members so we killed theirs.” Ramonda sipped her drink “ you won't be involved due to your heart being soft, and your little entanglement with shuri.”Ramonda said, wanting to avoid problems and issues in her business "oh, and about shu- "don't put all your peas in the pod, and shuri is just misguided and confused as are you, find your path." Ramonda interrupted "Oh and go to the store with The kids and their friends yeah? Here's the list. Use the car too" Ramonda handed me the list, wow that's a lot to unpack.

when I went in the house shuri was in the kitchen, she smiled at me, I wasn't gonna ignore her, I smiled back at her" Cmon Ramonda said we need to go to the grocery store" everyone turned their heads to me as I said that, T'Challa came over to me grabbing for the list but I smacked his hand. “I'm not a baby, don't baby me. I can get the stuff too, I'm a grown-ass woman T’challa” you snapped, stored anger coming out “She told me to drive too so cmon” you said walking through the living room and heading outside, the crew near the couch and shrugged not caring who drives. Everyone had come out with masks n hats on, shuri too.

You saw how good she looked, biting your lips and looking her up and down, but you shook your head not giving in to the temptations of that woman, Okoye, M'baku, and nakia hopped in their cars. you used the keys to unlock the car hopping in, shuri hopping in next to You, the two boys that were left sitting in the back.

“Ma, can you not crash this car ? We need it “ shuri said to you joking “before we drive im saying this to all of you” they looked at y/n confused as hell. “ Dont baby me. The shit is weird and im grown Aight?im not little anymore, babying me makes me uncomfortable, so treat me seriously" you said starting up the car , you drived infront of the other three, them following behind.

"What makes you think we baby you Y/n?" Erik said geniunely not noticing. " you treat me like i cannot handle my own situations, do everything for me and not let me do anything, when i want space you invade it and comfort me like im a child throwing a tantrum. dont do that shit anymore, this includes you shuri" you said with a monotone voice finally setting boundaries.

Erik nodded looking at T'challa, he also nodded accepting what y/n said. Shuri nodded slowly kissing her teeth.

You loved the sight of her being pissed off, she doesn't like being called off on shit she did as a mistake. you parked in front of nakia got out of the car taking the keys.

you hummed getting a cart, "wait get inside it" shuri said to me, with a smile on her face. "hmm.. alright ill go with your idea." You said hopping and sitting in the cart.

Shuri, pushed the cart with me inside, T'challa had split the list up for us to split up and get the items so they weren't in this store for long.

First me and shuri went down the dairy isle, we picked some things out , mainly eggs, then she span me around fast causing me to grip the cart tight. she giggled looking at me " stop taking everything seriously, have a little fun"

shuri said playing with my braids "mmmh my mom did this?" she tugged on it causing me to smack her hand.

"yeah she did and I look pretty." you took her advice and improved, you felt so free now, Shuri would grab seeds tossing them in. "I'm still mad at you though," you said, shuri kept going saying mhm “ because every time I'm upset you comfort me and we end up fucking, like I enjoy us fucking but when I need space I expect you to give it, and ill do the same." you looked back at her and she gave a kiss on your lips.

"im sorry my Nkosazana, ill take note of that to make your experience with me better." she gently strokes your face causing you to melt. "mmh hate when you just do that" you crossed tour arms pretending you weremt affected, you werent gonna let her she the affect she has on you. "what its just a kiss? am i not allowed to do that now mami?" Shuri smirked putting more stuff in the cart.

"Ah my legs are asleep, i wanna get out." you got out the cart with Shuri's help, wobbeling abit since your legs were asleep for 5 minutes. Shuri cackled at how you wobbled getting some ideas for later.

"Not today satan!" you said walking away from her as you heard her say so damn loud the entire store good hear almost " damn i love to see you go but hate to see you leavee.." she said without any shame in the world.

you walked faster bumping into Riri at the store, shuri was behind you but Riri wasnt paying no mind to her.

"Oh thanks for redoing my makeup i needed that yesterday" You said smiling at riri. "oh no problem, youre the world to me so id do anything to stop a friend crying" Riri smiled.

You gave her a hug, Riri's head laying in between your breasts, when you finished the hug she raised an eyebrow. "god damn i almost got suffocated between them bitches." Riri laughed causing you to laugh so hard you hold your stomach " god damn Ri your laugh is fucking contageous " you Sighed feeling eyes on you, you turned to shuri and man she wasnt happy, you dont know how but you wanted her to feel like how you felt yesterday.

"byee riri, oh wait! "you put on red lipstick, dark from your bag. "stay still f'me " you crouched, Riri taking offense to it, looking you up and down but her eyes wandering to your breast, then her eyes moving to shuri whose eyes were burning through her skull watching Y/n kiss her forehead.

“Damn Y/n thats all the love i get? I see now you js dont love your new bestie then.” Riri said, she was smart enough to know what you were doing, you planted kisses all over her face before going back to shuri, at this point your lipstick was off.

"okokay im done now lets check out!" you said with a smile,Shuri remained silent,moving to checkout. The cashieer didnt look at Shuri neither did the bagger. you hummed helping them , you looked at shuri seeing her text someone, you shrugged going outside.

You used the keys to T'challas car to unlock the trunk safely putting all the goods inside, closing the trunk.

LATER

You took a shower at shuri's, for some reason Ramonda told you to stay the night, out of curiousity, You sat on shuri's bed wearing a big T-shirt,no panties.

Shuri came in late, your eyes were on the tv hearing her close and lock the door,in this house when doors are locked no one goes upstairs, especially when its Shuri.

"Oh? how was your little buisness trip?"you looked at her with a innocent smile"buisness trip? ma i didnt go on no damn trip." Shuri said looking at you, she was already frustrated and upset yet you pushed further.

"oh dont lie to me i already know , your mother told me, so how was it." you looked back at the tv hearing shuri get close , her sweat going past the chains she waas wearing.

"do i need to teach you to mind your fucking buisness?" she gripped my jaw roughly turning me to face her,her eyes staring at me like i lost my damn mind " who are you talking to because it isnt m-" before you could even finish, her hand moved to your throat, turning your pussy into a pool. she was nearly choking you if she didnt have restraint.

"Say something smart and i will fuck you till you cant even think of some smart shit to say t'me, im most deffinently not the one bitch. you already pissed me off and im not in the moods for your games" She said, her accent coming out as she looked down at me as if i was a mere pet to her.

" takes a bitch to know o-" Again i couldnt get a word out, Shuri would let go of my throat and jaw flipping me over to where im on my stomach.

She got ontop of me whispering in my ear. "give me your verbal consent and ill pleasure you better then no woman can. ill have you wishing you were mine. ill even have you knowing who this pussy belongs to yeah?" She said in my ear, her accent turning me on. I'd nod and she yanked my hair back causing me to look up "Verbal.

I don't do that nodding shit." she said spitting venom at me “ Y-yes..” I whimpered out “yes what? Am i gonna have to teach you proper manners?” She said tilting her head, id only know this from the mirror she's forcing me to look at. “Yes mommy,” I said the shame leaving my body.

“atta girl. I wanna try somethin’ new” she unhooked my bra with one hand “sit up.im gonna get something right quick.” You sat up, your body acting against you once more.

You heard the Drawer open, looking at the stuff shuri pulled out, yet her back was blocking you from seeing, she left the room coming back with a clean strap on, rope and a blindfold.

“Shuri i dont thi- “i know you dont think, speak when youre told to.” She said

Tying you up making sure all you could move was your lower half.

Shuri blindfolded you tying it around you,you felt something graze against your skin, something sharp, you were scared yet aroused. "I dont get it Sthandwa.(my love) you know damn well im better than every bitch you could be with" she said, her eyes following your body. "You trying to make me jealous with Riri is crazy. You know damn well that girl cant do what i do." she kissed down your body, you felt the pretty marks she left.

"You aint catch what i said last time.." she whispered in your ear biting it gently, she left kisses and hickeys everywhere, every corner and area was covered.

she pulled me closer to her, flipping me onto my back facing her. i kicked her back putting up a challenge, she moved catching my leg. " i hope you dont fight this messy, you'd get your ass beat baby" she went to my wet pussy putting two fingers in, slowly thrusting them, I arched my back moaning, the way she thrusted and curled them made eyes roll back.

The squelching was heard causing Shuri to give a seductive 'mmh.' in response, she thrusted faster causing me to rock my hips with the thrusts my eyes watering , "ffuck im gonna cum soon Shurii.." Y/n moaned.

Shuri stopped towering over y/n, a frown over her face "Forget the name you know me by." Shuri demanded " when im pleasuring you, when im making love you, you will adress me as Ma'am, mommy, daddy wtv." She stared at me, you knew what she wants you to say, you dont wanna say it though. and yet my body yearns for her touch"Please Mommy . please can i cum from your fingers?" you whined out for her, soon enough she inserted her cold fingers back into your pussy abusing your G spot.

You arched your back to gour best abilities, unable to do it as well as you wanted due to the velvet ropes on your your body.

Your fluids went all over her fingers, you panted as your chest heaved up and down "mmh you look so pretty right now" shuri coo's tracing my figure with her knife.

" i dont 'preciate you kissin on other women baby." she frowned mocking me.

HOURS LATER.

You were shaking, your fluids dripping down youd legs after youve been edged so much. you could barely even think about anything, your words slurred as you were a moaning mess.

Shuri turned off the vibrator as soon as you were so close to cumming.

"now who are you thinking of hm? is it me? Sthandwa" (my love) she smiled at you, gently caressing your face.

"My brain is only full of you Mommy, please,I wanna cum" you begged and whined grinding against nothing, your fluids leakinf on her silky white sheets.

Her strap teased your folds as you whined "say the magic words." She said with a chuckle. "please fuck me, I deserve it, I deserve it so much" you wanted to reach for her but you couldn't, maybe if you weren't bratting, you wouldn't be tied up.

Shuri entered you slowly causing you to bite your lips, “it hhurts dont mmove” you whinced in pain “ ‘s okay baby, tell me when i can. Ill be gentle with you , for a short amount if time of course” she said, after a while the pain was gone “ you can move now i promise” you said nodding .

She thrusted slowly inside of me. Keeping the Rythm, she knew what she was doing, You wiggled in your restraints wanting to touch and hold her desperately.

“ Aww y/n wanna touch? Too bad. Maybe if you kept your lips to yourself this wouldn't have happened” she hissed out, she thrusted faster pleasuring you, her fingers circling your clit.

Your stomach turned into a knot as you bit your lips moaning louder, your sweet moans echoing throughout the house.

“Gonna cum again baby? Go ahead, ill let you ride your high” she set faster turning your brain into mush, you squirted uncontrollably as you twitched, panting,your senses were so overstimulated yet so deprived.

Shuri untied you ,gently removing your blindfolds,she picked you up carying you to the bathroom sitting you in the bathtub, once the bath was full, and (y/f/c) with (f/f) petals in it thanks to shuri.

“mmh. That was... A new experience” Y/n said sinking into the tub,”why dont you get in shuri, its big enough for two of us.” You said with a tired smile.

“Mmm.. Nah im good, jus’ let me take care of you ma” Shuri said dismissing the idea of being taken care of. “Mmm please mommy?” you said smiling .

“ Le intombazana izoba kukufa kwam.” she said looking up to any god that was left to help her. (This girl will be the death of me ) she undressed what left she had on, getting in.

LATER.

The two girls laid in bed together cuddled upon eachother, ofc y/n was the little spoon.

“Why cant i have you?” Y/n said looking up at shuri, she yawned trying to keep her eyes open. “ were both not ready yet. “ shuri said kissing my head. “Shit we havent had an actual kiss yet and you want us to- You interrupted her by kissing her passionately on her lips. Shuri kissed back moving y/n to ontop of her.

“Y/n if you want me take your time with yourself and me. Do you even know if you like me?” Shuri said, pulling y/n close and hugging her.

“I dont know... I dont even know what liking feels like.. Im too tired to think right now...” y/n said falling asleep.

shuri looked at her shaking her head.

“I'll give you all the time in the world.” shuri kissed her head before shutting her eyes.

#shawtytharula #black reader #mcu shuri #shuri smut #erik killmonger #lesbian smut #letita wright #monalisaseries #princess shuri #shuri black panther #shuri udaku #shuri x black!reader #tchalla #lesbian #black #wlw smut #queen ramonda #Spotify

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bradshawsbaby · 1 year

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Letters to My Love // Part VII

Auld Lang Syne

Series Masterlist

Pairing: Bob Floyd x Female Reader

Summary: When you signed up to volunteer with the USO, you never anticipated that you would meet a man like Ensign Robert Floyd. Fate brings you together one balmy spring evening in Charleston—the night before Bob is set to ship off across the Atlantic. Pen and paper become your only means of sharing your heart with the naval aviator who’s captivated it, igniting a correspondence that spans the distance between you. Can love blossom even as war rages and thousands of miles keep you apart?

Word Count: 2.8k

Author’s Note: We’ve finally made it to 1943! Can you believe it will soon be a whole year since the night Bobby and Peach met?

Set the Mood: If you’re looking for some 1940s vibes, check out the playlist I made to pair with the story.

To ring in the new year in the story, the title of this chapter is based on the holiday classic, Auld Lang Syne. To get in the spirit, check out this 1939 instrumental version by Guy Lombardo!

Dedication: As always, this story is dedicated to my dear friend, @luminousnotmatter. Clara, thank you, thank you, thank you for your support of this story!

Warnings: Alternating POV, talk of the holidays, brief allusions to the trauma of war, references to rationing, and a ton of fluff.

January 12, 1943

Dear Peach,

Happy New Year! I know we’re only 12 days in at this point, but I hope that 1943 is already shaping up to be a good year for you. Hopefully it will be a good year for all of us. And I look forward to hearing all about your Christmas back home in Georgia!

Now to address that “elephant in the room” as you called it—well, Peach, I see no elephants, but I do see what has to be the most beautiful and elegant photograph I’ve ever had the good fortune to lay these sorry eyes on. Are you sure you really meant to send it to me and not to MGM? You could be a movie star! I wouldn’t be surprised at all if it was announced that their next big picture was starring The Sweet Peach from Georgia. Hey, maybe that could even be the name of the movie. What do you think?

Peach, I hope you know that I’m not teasing and I’m not kidding. And I hope my saying so doesn’t come across as forward, but you really are the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen, whether in the movies or in real life. Part of me was starting to wonder if maybe I’d dreamed it all up, that night we had together in Charleston. Could any girl really be that beautiful and kind and funny and smart, all wrapped up in one splendid person? But then I opened your last letter and your photograph fell out of the envelope, and I realized that sometimes real life can be even better than our dreams. Because you, Peach, are even more stunning than you were in my memories. And you know what makes it even better? That your beauty shines from the inside. Looking at your photograph, I can see all the kindness and gentleness and goodness that I’ve come to know so well, shining in your eyes and brightening your smile.

Gosh, am I rambling? I’m sure I am. But I don’t want you to feel embarrassed, not for a moment. And to think that you would even suggest I take a photograph this beautiful and shove it in a drawer or throw it off the carrier! That would be an absolute crime! It deserves to be framed and hung for everyone to admire. I admit that I’ve never seen the Mona Lisa, but I can already guarantee that you’re a thousand times prettier. But can I tell you the truth, Peach? As much as you deserve to be universally praised, I’ve been very selfish. The fellas are all quite jealous, you see, that the prettiest girl in the world has chosen to write to me, of all people. So I keep your photograph tucked close to my heart, away from all the guys. Don’t want to rub salt in the wound, you know?

Benny and Tommy Boy wanted me to respectfully let you know that you looked quite lovely in your photo, and that they’d be more than willing to serve as pen pals to any of your friends back home who may be in need of some correspondence.

Will you do me a favor and thank Dottie for this little scheme of hers? I knew that I liked your sister already, but this has truly solidified it for me. She’s a smart woman, that Dottie Sheridan. And I hope Frankie’s birthday pictures turned out just as nice as yours!

Can I tell you something else, Peach? We’ve been doing a lot of flying over here, me and Paul and the rest of our squadron, as I’m sure you can imagine. Paul keeps a photograph of Natasha and the kids in our aircraft when we’re flying. He says it brings him good luck and helps him remember what he’s fighting for. I like to keep a photograph of my family with me while we’re flying so that I can remember the same. But now I carry your photograph with me, too. And I think I understand now what Paul meant about his photo bringing him luck. Every time we’ve flown since I started carrying you with me, I feel this extra sense of protection. I know that sounds crazy, but it’s true. You’re my good luck charm, Peach, and I thank you for that. Thanks for helping me remember what I’m fighting for, every day that I’m here. And, hey—it’s sort of like we’re flying together already, right?

I was glad to hear that you enjoyed the pumpkin pie story, and that my utter humiliation could at least bring you some laughter. It’s funny that you should mention my mama setting aside some pumpkin pie for me because I did, in fact, receive a letter from her not long after Thanksgiving, and she told me she had done just that. She said that she’s hoping and praying I’ll be home for pumpkin pie this year. I hope she’s right.

I’m so happy to hear that you got to spend time with your folks and be together for the holidays. And happy belated birthday to little Frankie! They grow up fast, don’t they? Natasha sent Paul some photographs from Paul, Jr.’s first birthday, and neither of us can believe how big he’s gotten. Natasha says she’s writing down all his milestones in a little book for when Paul returns, so that he doesn’t miss a thing. I know it makes Paul feel good to hear that. He misses them so much.

I hope you don’t mind me doing so, but I shared with some of the guys on the carrier how you offered up your Thanksgiving gratitude and prayers for us. It lifted a lot of fellas’ spirits, I’ll tell you that. We were all missing home a little extra around the holidays, but to be reminded of why we’re doing this, and of the good people back home who are thinking of us, really makes all the difference.

Now to hear that you were an excellent pupil back in your grade school days does not surprise me one bit, Miss Peach. It’s funny that you say that you’re hopeless when it comes to arithmetic because I was always rather hopeless when it came to my writing—as I’m sure you can tell from the woeful state of my handwriting. My teachers at school—and yes, even my professors at Annapolis—always scolded me over it. Everyone has their strengths, huh? But if you don’t mind handling the writing, I’m more than happy to take care of the numbers and figures. We’d make quite a team.

Peach, I can promise you that the thought of getting to share another dance with you is one of the few things that keeps me going on the days when this war just really takes all the stuffing out of me. I just hope it’s something that YOU still want when all is said and done. I’m sure all the boys are lining up to sign your dance card.

Speaking of, have you been to any more dances at the USO lately?

You’re right when you say that Paul, Tommy Boy, Benny, and I couldn’t be any more different if we tried, but we do have a special bond and I’ll always be thankful for that. I’m glad to know you have that, too, with Dottie and Paddy and the rest of your family.

That glass of lemonade in Charleston sounds real nice right about now. It’s cold and rainy where we are, but I’ll be dreaming about that South Carolina sunshine.

My family was telling me about the coffee rations in one of their last letters. I am sorry to hear about that. I can only imagine how hard that’s hitting people, especially Paddy. I used to see him down at least three or four cups in the morning, back when I was stationed stateside. I’m sending all my best wishes that you and Dottie can survive his grumbling.

Peach, I just want to close by letting you know, once again, how much your support means to me. Truly. I hate to dwell on the negative, but there are days when this war is really hard. In fact, there are days when it feels downright impossible. But then I reread one of your letters, or take out your photograph and gaze at that pretty smile, and my hope is bolstered. You’ve given me so much, through your words alone, and I want you to know that.

I miss you, too. Who knows? Maybe 1943 will be the year we finally get that dance?

I hope so.

Very Truly Yours,

Bobby

February 3, 1943

Dear Bobby,

Happy New Year! 1943 has been treating me kindly so far, but it would be even better if it was the year that you and the rest of our boys came home. Just like your mother, that’s what I’m hoping and praying for.

My goodness, Robert Floyd, you certainly know how to make a girl feel special! I have to confess, I must have read your letter through a good two or three times when it first arrived in the mail, and I couldn’t stop blushing or beaming the whole time. Dottie said that I looked like a giddy school girl, which taught me that I really ought to read your letters in the comfort of my own room instead of in front of my nosy big sister.

Just so you know, Dottie gladly accepts your praise and thanks, and has not let me live it down for a moment. She has not failed to remind me that big sisters know best, and that I shouldn’t be so afraid to trust her, because look how well her plans always turn out? Well, knowing her my entire life, I can quite confidently say that Dottie’s plans don’t ALWAYS turn out well, but I am glad that this one did.

I’m certainly no movie star, but Dottie did work her magic on me that morning, and I’m touched beyond words at your kind reception of such a silly little thing. My cheeks still feel warm, even as I write to you now. Do you really carry my photo with you, even when you’re flying? I can hardly believe it, but I know you’re an honest man, Bobby, so it must be true. And if it brings you any sort of luck while you’re up in the air, then I’m glad for it and I’d send you a hundred more photographs if I could. I want you to come home safely, Bobby, more than anything. I need you to make it home safely so that we really can go flying together one day.

Please send my thanks and my best wishes to Benny and Tommy Boy, who are both clearly gentlemen of the highest caliber. But I’m sorry to tell them that I don’t have any girlfriends I can match them up with. Truth be told, I don’t have many girlfriends to begin with, and most of the women I do know are spoken for.

Speaking of which, do you remember my friend, Emily? She was the blonde volunteer working at the punch table with me the night we met. That was so long ago now, it’s okay if you don’t remember. Anyway, she just got engaged! She and her fiance actually met that night at the dance. His name is Eddie and he’s a corporal in the Army. He was stationed in Charleston for about a month or so after you were deployed, and he and Emily got to spending a lot of time with each other. They wrote to each other after he left, and Eddie proposed while he was back in Charleston on a short leave last month. Isn’t that something? It’s funny how things work out sometimes. I had thought Eddie was going to ask me to dance that night, but it was Emily he wanted to dance with. And look how well it turned out for them! I’m really happy for her. She’s so excited. They’re hoping that the war will be over soon and Eddie will come home permanently so that they can plan a big wedding. Emily even asked me to be one of her bridesmaids! I was Dottie’s Maid of Honor when she got married, but I’ve never been anyone else’s bridesmaid, so it’s all very exciting. A little bit of good news and hope in the midst of so much ugliness.

Christmas in Georgia was lovely, even if it was a little quieter than Christmases we’ve enjoyed in the past. I did get to see my grandparents, and some of my aunts and uncles and cousins, and that was a joy. If there’s one thing this war has taught us, it’s that spending time with the ones you love is really what matters most. My aunt actually made a pumpkin pie for dessert on Christmas Eve and I couldn’t stop giggling, thinking about your pumpkin pie fiasco as a little boy.

I hope that Paul, Jr. had a wonderful first birthday, same as Frankie! I think it’s an absolutely marvelous thing Natasha is doing, writing down all the special moments that are happening now so that Paul can relive them when he gets home. What a special gift that will be! Would you do me a favor, Bobby, and send Paul my best? I’ll never forget his kindness at the dance that night, and I really do hope he’s doing well.

Of course I don’t mind you passing along my best wishes to the rest of the men! I feel like I have so little to offer, and so little to contribute to this war, so if my thoughts and prayers can help lift even one person’s spirits, then I’m happy to hear it.

I’m also happy to hear that you’re good with numbers and figures because I simply never have been. I’d suggest that you could tutor me when you return home, but I’d be embarrassed for you to see just how truly hopeless I am when it comes to my mathematics. Instead, I’ll gladly take you up on your offer to handle all the writing if you handle all the numbers. An excellent team we’d make, indeed! And believe me when I say that your handwriting is far from the most dreadful I’ve seen. You should see my father’s and Paddy’s—completely illegible! Paddy once left me and Dottie a note letting us know he’d be home late that night, and we sat up for hours worrying because we couldn’t even read what it said! So trust me, Bobby, your writing is not as woeful as all that.

You can also trust me when I tell you that there are certainly no boys lining up to sign my dance card. I’ve volunteered at several other USO events, but truth be told, I haven’t gone to many dances since that one back in May. Emily’s always trying to get me to go with her, and I have gone to a couple, but it just doesn’t feel the same, Is that silly? I know we only got to attend one dance together, but it just doesn’t feel right, being there without you, Bobby. Every time I did force myself to go, I’d hear a song that played that night and then I’d miss you too much. The next time I go to a dance, I want you to be there, too, and I want us to be dancing together. I’ll make sure there’s plenty of lemonade for us afterwards.

I think Paddy is finally recovering from his caffeine withdrawals, thank goodness! Dottie and I have been cutting back on our coffee consumption so that he can have some more in the morning. I have a feeling more rations will be coming soon, which is why Dottie and I are already making plans to revive our Victory Garden this spring. We didn’t pay as much mind to it last year, when everything still seemed so readily available, but this year we’re determined to grow as much as we can. We’re not exactly farmgirls, my sister and I, so maybe you could send us some tips?

Bobby, if my words bolster your spirits, then I want you to know that your words do that a hundredfold for me. Receiving your letters in the mail brings me such joy. I have every single one saved, and I read them whenever I’m feeling sad or scared about the war. Have I told you lately how glad I am that we met and that we’re still exchanging letters all these many months later?

Here’s to hoping that 1943 is our year, Bobby. I hope that I’ll be seeing you real soon.

Most Affectionately Yours,

Peach

P.S. I almost can’t believe I’m asking this—and I hope you don’t think it too forward—but is there any possibility that you might have a photograph you could send? I can still see your face so clearly in my memories, Bobby, but it would be so special to have a photo to remember you by. If not, it’s okay. I just thought I would ask. Stay safe, Bobby.

#robert bob floyd #bob floyd #bob floyd x reader #x reader #x female reader #top gun #top gun: maverick #lewis pullman #WWII AU #1940s AU

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k-evans-reads · 1 year

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In Living Color

Chapter 20

Summary: When Natalie Marton, lead character designer for Buzz Lightyear, meets the voice of Buzz, Chris Evans, the sparks are undeniable. But when their work pushes them away from each other, both physically and emotionally, will the sheer differences between their worlds be enough to force them apart?

Pairing: Chris Evans x Pixar Animator OFC Natalie Marton

Word Count: 3,953

By: @k-evans-writes and @ourfinest-hour

We do NOT give permission for our works to be reuploaded, translated, or reposted on any other site. Our work is our own.

Warnings: None.

Previous | Main Masterlist | In Living Color Masterlist

April 2022

The soft beep of Chris’ security system echoed through the otherwise quiet home just as he was pulling plates out of a cabinet. With a glance backwards over his shoulder, he watched as Lisa came into the kitchen, her face tired as her hands held a take-out bag from her favorite restaurant in town.

“You look beat,” he chuckled as he took the food from her, but knew he felt the exact same way as she looked.

“That’s what all mothers of the brides look like the day after a wedding,” Lisa shook her head as she sat down heavily on a barstool, taking a sip of water from the glass he’d sat out for her. Chris busied himself with putting their food on plates, sliding Lisa hers as he walked around the island to sit down next to her, putting his plate down in front of him. “Did you have a good time last night? I was a little worried about you.”

“I had a great time. I love to see Shanna this happy,” he honestly replied, knowing how momentous the occasion was for his younger sister. He shook his head as he picked up his sandwich, brushing off her concern by saying, “Don’t worry about me, Ma. I’m fine.”

Lisa shrugged back, holding a chip in her hand as she pointed out, “You’ve just seemed a little more subdued this weekend.”

“I’m just tired,” he placated, knowing it was the truth. Between a heavy filming schedule – one where he was almost entirely alone, save for Josh and Dodger, on his off hours – and flying from Atlanta to Boston late Friday, spending all of Saturday with their entire family, then putting everything back in his suitcase and rolling it to where it now rested, next to the front door, waiting until it was time to head out for his flight back to Georgia.

But Lisa simply raised an eyebrow at her eldest son, looking at him suspiciously as she suggested, “I thought it might have a little more to do with the fact that Nat couldn’t come.”

His face fell into a small frown, knowing it was the truth. “That too,” he murmured. It’d been worrisome when Nat called – tired, but most of all under the weather and stressed – on Thursday, just as Chris was leaving set for the day. But the other shoe dropped on mid-morning Friday, when Nat called, extremely apologetic as she told Chris she wouldn’t even be able to make it out of bed, not to mention down to LAX to make it onto the cross-country flight to meet him in Boston that evening.

“How is she doing? The poor thing sounded terrible yesterday morning when you had her on speaker phone,” Lisa asked him, her eyes worried as she recalled Nat’s strained voice.

“I haven’t talked to her much since then. I tried calling her a few times this morning but she didn’t answer,” Chris informed her, his voice low as he shrugged, but was unable to quell the overwhelming worry that he felt for Nat.

“Hopefully she’s getting some sleep.”

“God knows she doesn’t get it any other time,” he muttered, sighing as he paused and took another bite of his sandwich. “I’m not really surprised that she’s been sick so much lately, I don’t think she ever stops working.”

“I’m sure she would have made it if she could,” Lisa tried to assure him, but her efforts fell well short.

“It’s not that,” Chris insisted, wanting her to know he wasn’t upset about the sickness leaving her behind in Los Angeles. It was about what got her to this point. “I know she wanted to come this weekend. She was crying on the phone when she said she couldn’t come and was really upset about it. I’m not frustrated about her getting sick, but just more that she has done nothing but work for the past four months.”

“Won’t that be over with soon, though? She’s only busy while she has the two movies overlapping, right?”

“That’s the thing though, Lightyear is completely finished,” Chris said. He knew it finished last month – having been on the email thread of the main crew celebrating, but having also seen Nat’s calendar with the deadline circled in red. He remembered her sky-high stress levels in the week leading up to that hard deadline, but then only got to see a fraction of the stress leave her shoulders as she jumped into the next projects, the next deadline, the task. “Her work load is just insane and she doesn’t ever say no to anything. She keeps saying that it’s a season but I’m not so sure it is.”

“Do you feel like it’s different than it was last year?” Lisa asked, her brows furrowed as she listened to his words and ate her sandwich.

“Definitely,” Chris agreed instantly. He remembered how carefree Nat was last year, coupled with them growing closer to each other and beginning their relationship. But now he felt like something had shifted inside of Nat, and he struggled to reconcile this overworking and burn out with anything that he knew Nat to be. “I know earlier this year it was because of the two movies overlapping, but I feel like it’s worse now that I’m working, because she just never shuts down for the day. Even when she visited here in Boston in February and Atalanta in March, she’d work in bed when I was falling asleep.”

Lisa nodded as she listened to Chris, pointing out, “It’s a hard line because Nat’s job is who she is.”

“That’s the thing though. Being an artist is who she is and her job was just what she did, but now I feel like her job is her life,” Chris replied, his hands flying in the air as he finished his lunch. “Her job has become her identity and I don’t know why. She never wanted that. Ever.”

“Why do you think that is?”

He struggled to answer her simple question, at a true loss for words. Nat to him was always so self-assured, strong, and capable. But now, from what short conversations they’d been able to have before he fell asleep or had to go back to set, or in between her meetings, he just felt as though she was doubting everything she did. She always brushed off his concern, saying she was fine, but his worry only grew larger with every passing day where she didn’t go back to being Nattie. “I honestly don’t know. Nat doesn’t care about doing things in a traditional way or being stuck in societal norms and that’s what I love so much about her. I love that Nat’s her own person in every way but I feel like she just keeps slipping into… I don’t know… what she thinks she should be doing or what she thinks it means to be successful. I don’t really understand.” He finally answered, feeling as though nothing he said would make sense to anyone except his mother.

“I feel like this is maybe something you should try to talk to her about. Maybe just bring it up in a gentle way and see how she’s feeling,” Lisa suggested, her hand resting comfortingly on the back of his shoulder as she stood up to put their dishes in the dishwasher.

“Lately when I talk to her it just feels… different,” he admitted, swallowing anxiously as all his fears came to the surface. “Nat’s always been honest. I’ve always loved how she’s just so open and upfront with her feelings but lately it just seems like she isn’t telling me the truth about what’s going on and isn’t open about things. I’m starting to wonder if maybe it’s more about her pulling back from me…”

“Chris, I don’t want to see you just sit back and let it get to the point where it’s too big to figure out,” Lisa began, her voice more worried than it had been at the beginning of the conversation.

“I think I just need to talk to her,” he nodded, moving to put the bag and containers from the restaurant in the trash can. His shoulders slouched a little as he added, “But we barely get time to do that anymore.”

“Well if it’s worth it to you, then you’ll make the time,” Lisa simply – and firmly – replied.

“Nattie’s worth it,” he said, without a moment’s hesitation. “I love her so much Ma and I guess I’m just afraid that when we talk, what she says might be something I don’t want to hear.”

“There’s only one way to find out,” Lisa smiled, then her look grew wider as she suggested, “Besides, the answer to all of this might be a lot more simple than you’re imagining it to be.”

With a hopeful grin, Chris went to grab his coat and backpack from the living room before he and Lisa headed out for the airport, with Chris’ departure back to Atlanta rapidly approaching. He’d been looking forward to this weekend for a variety of reasons – celebrating his sister and her new husband, Daniel, getting to sleep in his own bed, see his niece and nephews, and be back home – but most of all, he’d been looking forward to seeing Nattie. It had been a huge disappointment that she couldn’t be there, especially with this uncertainty and worry that had cropped up in their lives, but he found himself counting down the hours until he could somehow get a visit in to see his girl, because he knew that once they were together everything would feel a lot more right.

Mark stared at Nat in near-disbelief as she pulled the door to her apartment open, leaning on it for support. “You look like absolute shit,” he decisively told her before brushing past Nat and heading into her apartment, the smell of soup wafting from the bag he held.

“Thanks for that,” she rolled her eyes as she shut and locked the door behind him then followed him down the hall, arms wrapped around herself as she shuffled down the hallway.

“I just mean you really are sick, aren’t you?” Mark asked as he eyed Nat carefully, sitting down at her table. She rolled her eyes to herself at Mark’s obvious intentional distance-putting between them, but instead opened the bag that was sitting on the counter and pulled one of the soups out, grabbing a spoon on her way to sit at the island.

“Well I’m not hunched over the toilet throwing up anymore like I was yesterday. I'd say I'm actually doing pretty good right now,” she shrugged, her eyes shutting as she tasted the chicken noodle soup.

“Hopefully this soup helps,” her friend chuckled, a fond grin on his face.

“Thanks for bringing it over, Mark, I really appreciate it,” she told him honestly.

“Happy to,” he shrugged, brushing off her appreciation. “I knew you felt like shit and I’m sure having to stay home this weekend didn’t help.”

Nat’s face fell a little at the reminder of what this weekend was. She and Chris were supposed to go to his younger sister’s wedding together back in Boston, spend time with his family, have fun, and let their guard down a little while surrounded by the Evanses’ closest friends. She’d been so excited, not only to be a tiny part of the family’s big day, but to also see him. Life had been…. Hectic, to say the least, over the last three months for them both. With Nat’s work schedule as busy as it’d ever been and with Chris spending his weeks in Atlanta, they were lucky to have gotten two quick visits in with each other, but her schedule and lack of sleep had taken its toll, leaving her with a stomach bug and a canceled flight and having to write an apologetic message to the bride. She was also disappointed, however, because she’d wanted to tell him about the latest news she’d received that Thursday morning.

“Going to Boston has been the one thing I’ve been looking forward to and I had to get sick this weekend,” she admitted, a deep frown on her lips as she stared down at the still-warm soup.

Mark sighed, a long and low sound from across the room. She picked her head up to look at him, seeing the concern in his eyes as he confessed, “I can’t say that I’m surprised with how hard you’ve been working. You haven’t really taken great care of yourself lately, Nat.”

“Well you know how busy it’s been, and then with me taking off last month to go see Chris on set and then this weekend, I’ve had to pack in more,” she shrugged, trying to – not for the first time – brush off someone’s obvious concern and worry for her.

“And the other day you were in that meeting for nearly half the day,” Mark recalled, the furrow between his brows growing as he tilted his head in curiosity. “What was that about anyway?”

“Jamie didn’t tell you?” Nat asked, her voice trailing off in surprise.

“No he was busy in meetings all day yesterday so I didn’t get to talk to him,” Mark informed her, but quickly asked, “So what happened?”

“They offered me a promotion,” Nat told him, feeling a soft smile crawling across her lips as she looked over at him going on to explain, “They want me to be in charge of the animators for Inside Out.”

Even from a few feet away, she could see Mark’s eyes nearly bugging out of his head as he exclaimed,“Are you serious, Nat? That’s incredible!” His excitement quickly turned to curiosity as he wondered out loud, “Are you going to take it?”

“I’m not sure yet,” Nat muttered as her eyes fluttered back down to her soup as she watched the noodles floating as her spoon pushed around in the broth. She took a breath before glancing back to her longtime friend and revealed, “The catch is I have to move to Pixar headquarters.”

“In San Francisco?”

“Yeah…”

“That’s an incredible opportunity though Nat,” Mark couldn’t help but bring up with a soft shake of his head, knowing all that this meant but asked, “What does Chris think?”

“I’m not sure, I haven’t talked to him. With his sister's wedding he’s busy and I kind of wanted to tell him in person,” she stopped momentarily to fish the tissue out of her sweatpants pocket, blowing her nose before telling Mark that, “I talked to my dad and sisters though and they all were excited. My dad kept telling me how proud of me he was.”

“Your dad is always proud of you, no matter what.”

Although she knew that Mark’s words were true, her dad being so full of joy and love not only just for her but for her two older sisters as well, there was more to it than just that. In her family, both Heather and Alex were apparently like their mother being more driven and structured whereas she took after her dad and inherited his love to dream. But when her mother had passed away and Eric was left a single dad raising three girls, so many of his own dreams were put on a shelf where they had since gotten covered with dust and forgotten.

Although Nat knew that he didn’t resent one bit of it, and instead spoke about being so thankful to have his girls, she knew that there was a part of him that took pride in helping Nat achieve her dreams in a way he didn’t get a chance to. She could feel tears in her eyes when she remembered finding out how her dad had taken on extra hours to help scrape the money together to put her through art school and how he’d search through Goodwill every day on his way home from work to find art supplies for her. She held those memories so close to her heart, remembering the sacrifice he’d made for her, and still to this day wanted to make him proud.

“You have no idea how hard he worked to put me through art school though. This feels like proof all his hard work paid off,” Nat finally put her emotions into words, but knowing that the depth of what she felt couldn’t be summed up that simply.

“Well if this is what you want to do, I’m happy for you Nat,” she knew just how true his words were. For the past decade, Mark and Jamie had been her best friends that were more like family. They had been there for her in every step of life and she was there for them in the same way and they all shared in each other’s sorrows and joys and this time was no different.

“I don’t know that it’s exactly what I want to do but I feel like I have to,” Nat confided in him with a shrug and a brush through her disheveled curls, admitting simply, “I can’t do this anymore.”

“What do you mean? Can’t do what?” Mark’s voice was hesitant and his eyes narrowed a bit as he looked at her from across the room.

“All of this,” Nat gestured vaguely as her shoulders shrugged. Her eyes dropped down to the soup as she felt the anxieties bubble out of her. “I can’t handle this workload that they keep adding more and more to and still have a life. I mean, it was fine when I was willing to dedicate more time to work but I don’t want to anymore, especially once Chris is done filming. With this promotion I’d have more set hours and flexibility, especially once I settle in.”

“Nat, do you really want to give up being an animator though? You love it,” he recalled, his voice almost prideful.

“I do but…I guess just more and more I keep seeing how badly I want more than just my career,” she admitted, pausing as she tried to muster the courage to admit, “I want my own family and time to create for myself and I want… Chris. I want a life with him, and this promotion seems like the only way to do it. With this promotion I can have normal hours and take time off and not be exhausted when I go home at night.”

Mark’s head cocked to the side again as he looked at her, his voice tentative as he reminded her, “What about doing more of your own art and selling it? I was thinking you wanted to do that more.”

“I do but that seems like something more down the road. I don’t think that’s enough to pay the bills right now,” she sadly confessed. She’d be lucky to scrape together enough to pay for rent, not to mention deal with her own healthcare, her own insurance, and supplies. “Besides, it seems dumb not to take this promotion. I mean, anyone in our department would kill for this job.”

A single brow rose as Mark chuckled, “Me included.”

“Should I be worried you put something in this soup?”

“Maybe,” he shrugged with a smirk, but then the smirk dropped and he turned serious. “But seriously Nat, I’m so happy for you.”

Nat nodded to herself as she stirred her soup absent-mindedly. “I hope Chris will be just as happy as you are,” she spoke.

“Do you think he won't be?”

“Honestly I'm not sure. It's not a secret that he's not been super happy about my hours,” she muttered through a frown. Although they hadn’t outright argued about her hours in a while, it was an underlying source of tension the past few months. “I know some of it he's just worried about me but the other part of me can't help but wonder if he maybe resents the fact I can't be with him as much as he wants.”

“He hasn't said that has he?” Mark’s eyebrow rose as he leaned his elbows on the table.

“No but that's a bit of a conflict in the past where he's just used to doing what he wants and having everyone around him be able to go along with him,” Nat knew that there was a big divide in their lifestyles. She had a regular job, used to going in five days a week, having meetings, worrying from time to time about finances, and when to get groceries after a long work day. But on the other side of it, although Chris was down to earth, he was used to having a large bank account and for the most part, a fairly flexible schedule that allowed him to do what he wanted when he wanted and with whom he wanted. His life was much different than hers and that was just a fact that couldn’t be ignored, especially when Nat thought back to the fact she couldn’t seem to make a relationship work even with someone who had a similar lifestyle, noting, “And look what happened with Shane? He expected me to drop everything for him too.”

“That doesn't mean it'll happen with Chris though,” Mark pointed out, his tone hopeful as he rushed to add, “I mean, if you want to do this then I’m sure he'll support that.”

“I do want to take this promotion. It’s the logical next step, right?” Nat asked, her brow raised as she looked at her close friend, one of the few people she trusted implicitly to guide her in this.

“It’s a killer job, Nat. I know I wouldn't turn it down,” Mark told her, his hands waving. He looked at her seriously as he sighed and added, “Besides, like you said, it’ll give you more regular hours and flexibility so it’ll let you have time to create the life you want.”

“I want something different, Mark. I want a family with Chris and I think we’re heading in that direction so I want to make some of these decisions so that we can have it,” she confessed. She knew it was a logical stepping stone to eventually a career where she could – maybe, hopefully – spend her days meeting virtually instead of on Campus, getting to join Chris wherever he was filming next, and getting that flexibility to start a family with the man she loved. “Besides, this job is more of a career. It feels like proof that chaotic, messy, emotional Nattie Marton can make her dreams come true.”

Mark’s face fell a little at that self-conscious statement, assuring Nat, “You are, Nat. You’ve done what a lot of artists aren’t able to and I think you should take this job.”

“I’m going to. It’s just too good to turn down,” she admitted with a small grin.

With Mark’s proud smile and another congratulations thrown at her, Nat stared down at the now-cold soup in front of her, unable to think of anything but proving herself. Proving that she was capable, that she deserved this role, and that her choices in life paid off. For so long her own insecurities in herself and being the black sheep in so many situations left her feeling like the value she offered couldn’t be through her personality that had always been a bit much, but instead what she could contribute through work. She wanted to prove to everyone, most mostly to herself that all this work, all this stress, tears, late nights, and postponed things was worth it, and most of all, that she could do it, and was worthy of it.

A/N: We'll be back in May with the next chapters! Feel free to send us any thoughts between now and then!

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sgkophie · 2 years

Text

Man's World - Chapter 3 - It's In My Nature

Pairing: Female!Leclerc reader x Carlos Sainz Jr

Warnings: slow burn, eventual Smut, enemies to lovers, language

Rating: Mature

AN: Here we go!! I know it's a bit of a slow burn... but I think it'll be worth it! Thanks for the support and as always, comments are welcome and appreciated <3 but thanks for reading!

Mini Synopsis: Georgia Leclerc is one of Bugatti's two female drivers. As the newest team in Formula 1, Bugatti has a lot to prove - especially since Team Principal Isabelle Binotto has decided to make the team a pre-dominantly female run team - from race engineers all the way to drivers. But even though Georgia has had an impressive start to her career, the press have labeled her a sassy hot head, nothing like her twin brother Charles.

With sponsorship money on the line, Ferrari and Bugatti come up with one solution – fake a relationship between Georgia and Carlos with the hopes that the Sponsors will see the drivers in a new light. An easy task – if the drivers didn’t hate each other.

Intro

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

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

After the talk with Lorenzo, I slinked back into the hallway and moved towards Isabelle’s office. It’s as if she had read my mind, because before I could even knock she yelled, “Come on in, Georgia.”

I felt like a pig being led towards the slaughterhouse. There was no turning back now. As I entered the office I saw Susie and Lizzie sitting on the sofa across from Isabelle’s desk. Lizzie smiled at me, a smile so warm that I couldn’t help but send her a small – very small – smile back. I walked towards the chair next to Isabelle’s desk and plopped down. Several silent seconds went by, not one of us saying a word.

I sighed. “Do you three truly believe this is my best option?” I said, more level-headed than I expected to be.

“Yes,” Isabelle said simply. “If I could have found something better than having to endure Carlos Sainz visiting our garage for the next several months, I would have found it.” While she didn’t smile as she said it, there was a jovial nature in her voice.

“So what is the plan then?” I supposed I didn’t need to tell them that I was going to obviously accept the deal. My seat was too important and they knew that.

“We’ll have to take it slow,” Lizzie piped up, getting up from the sofa. “This week in Miami we’ll do some small stuff – have you and Carlos head to dinner together on Wednesday and then get drinks with Charles and Lando on Thursday – nice and easy. Ferrari have agreed to let you pop by Carlos’ garage a couple times this weekend and they’ll ‘accidentally’ catch you on their social media which will definitely create some speculation with the fans.”

“I’m not kissing him if I get onto the podium,” I blurted out. Lizzie only laughed at that. The idea of kissing a man I barely knew was bad enough – but kissing Carlos in a fake burst of joy was enough to ruin my podium celebration, and I wasn’t having that.

“No one’s asking you to do that.” While Lizzie didn’t say for now, I knew it was implied. The moment any driver made it on the podium, the media was immediately looking for their significant other – everyone trying to capture that winning kiss. “This weekend is about sowing the seeds of the relationship, getting the fans to speculate on what is going on. The good news is, with Charles being your brother, the fans will love the idea of his teammate dating his sister. It should be an easy sell.”

I nodded, because I knew she wasn’t wrong – it’s what fairytale romances were made of. I had no doubt the fans would eat up our relationship – Ferrari golden boy Charles Leclerc’s sister dating their beloved #2 driver – what was not to love if you were a fan.

“I have the details of this week all put into your Miami outline so you know when and where you are expected.” She smiled at me, as if she was proud of all of this nonsense. I took the folder, a pink Lisa Frank folder with dolphins on it, no doubt to represent Miami, and opened it. To be fair to Lizzie, she had done an excellent job organising the week, down to the 30 minute intervals and small visits to Carlos’ garage. I looked up, nodding at her. I suppose I should have felt more guilt – my screw up with the media wasn’t just affecting me, it had now given Lizzie an extra job as my personal assistant and relationship manager, something I am sure she didn’t sign up for.

“Thanks Liz. Do Lily and Chris know?”

“We’ll tell them in a few – we’re about to meet with Lily on race strategy. Why don’t you head to your gym and start your workout?”

And with that, it was over. Starting Wednesday I would be in a relationship with a person who could only be described as the most insufferable and arrogant driver on the grid. There was nothing left to do butI head back to my drivers room and change into my workout gear.

“Knock, knock, can I come in?” I heard the voice of my athletic trainer, Chris, at the door. Chris had been my athletic trainer since I was a mere 18 years old – and we had been together ever since. When I moved to the U.S. I knew no one in Indy Car and getting Chris as my personal trainer was like being thrown a lifejacket in a pool where I was drowning. He was kind, thoughtful, funny and probably the sassiest person I had ever met. His own personal journey as a gay man working in the racing industry was inspirational to me, and we quickly became close friends.

“If I said no, does that mean I can skip today’s workout?” I asked, turning around to see a stupid grin on Chris’ face. I could tell by the smirk on his face that Isabelle had just finished telling him and Lily about the outrageous plan they had concocted.

“I know you and Carlos don’t have a close…. friendship, but hey, if you’re going to fake a relationship with anyone on the grid, at least they picked the most attractive driver.” Chris winked and sat down next to me, finishing his cup of coffee which was undoubtedly probably his third of the morning. “Plus his dad is probably one of the nicest guys on the planet. Maybe you’ll get to visit their house in Majorca, now that would be worth the hassle!”

Chris was nothing if not an optimist, it’s probably why he and Lizzie got along so well. I would often see them in the back of the garage, giggling away while looking at ridiculous Tik Tok videos. They were the two chattiest people on the planet, and when they were together, nothing could stop them.

I rolled my eyes, letting out a long exasperated sigh. “The whole thing is ridiculous. No one is going to believe this.”

“You might be surprised. I have no doubt that Carlos, if anything, is a good actor. He’s probably one of the better choices.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, it was as if Chris actually thought this was a good idea. As I was going to say something, I heard another knock at the door.

“Jesus – am I going to see the whole paddock today!?” I groaned. Before I could apologise for my statement, in walked Lily – a huge smile plastered across her face.

“Morning Georgie – thought I’d come in, see how things are going,” she said in what can only be described as the world’s sweetest voice. I stared at her blankly, she fully knew exactly how things were going.

“Just dandy, Lily – I suppose you’ve heard the fun news, I managed to win myself that boyfriend the press are always so worried about.” She giggled at that and patted me on the back.

“Keep your head up, Georgie. Who knows, maybe under that rugged, dark and handsome exterior you might find something you like about Carlos Sainz.” Before she could say another word, I picked up my pillow and threw it at her, causing her to go into a fit of hysterics.

I smiled. “The only thing I imagine I’ll learn about Carlos Sainz is that he is exactly as insufferable as I imagine him to be.” Lily rolled her eyes, but nodded.

“Well, if I knew that we’d be given handsome boyfriends if we sucked at media, maybe I would have taken a page out of your book.” She stuck her tongue out at me and turned around, heading for the door of my driver’s room.

“I’m happy to swap if you would like,” I retorted. She picked up the pillow and threw it back at me, before leaving the room, still giggling to herself.

The rest of the Tuesday went smoothly – or at least as smoothly as it could go considering I had been told my life was about to be turned upside down. As I hopped into bed that evening I stared at the ceiling for what felt like an eternity. Charles had popped by my room earlier, trying to make amends, and while I knew it was wrong to be this mad at him – I just couldn’t help it. I had told him to go away and leave me alone and to my surprise, he did. I was frustrated and angry – and if I was being honest with myself, jealous. Jealous that he was the ‘better Leclerc’ that everyone loved. Jealous that Ferrari’s golden boy could talk to the press like they had been best friends for life. The truth was – I was mad and being petty and for one day in my life, I just wanted to be mad and petty.

---- Carlos POV ----

As I left the Bugatti headquarters that Tuesday morning, I was fuming. This had my dad’s stink all over it. My old man had been pressuring me to “get my act together” as he ever so kindly put it since the beginning of the season. But after the yacht incident in Majorca, he had made it very clear that I had exactly 4 races to get my shit together before he got involved. I guess he was serious, because here we were at race number 5, and this charade had him all over it.

I entered the Ferrari building in a huff, heading straight to the hospitality suite for families, where I saw both my father and mother enjoying an elegant cup of Italian coffee. I took a quick peak, making sure the Leclerc family wasn’t there, before slamming my hands down on the table.

“A little heads up would have been nice,” I said, staring straight into my father’s eyes.

“If I had done that, then I doubt you would have attended today’s meeting, would you?” I was annoyed by his comment, but he was probably right.

“And pray tell me, why her? She’s the most boring woman on the planet – I don’t think she’s even capable of having a conversation that isn’t centred around racing.”

“Good – maybe she’ll teach you some things about racing so you’ll be better suited to answer actual questions about the car,” my dad retorted back.

I rolled my eyes. I knew plenty about the car and my dad knew that. What he meant to say was, ‘good, maybe you’ll become more focused on racing and less focused on partying’ but I let it slide. I had survived being Max Verstappen’s team mate at Toro Rosso, I could survive pretending to be boring, ‘know-it-all’ Georgia Leclerc’s boyfriend for a season. The only thing that she had going for her was the fact that she was undoubtedly one of the most beautiful women in the paddock; it was just a shame it was overshadowed by her boring personality and propensity to dress like a grandmother.

“Now, Chili, don’t be rude. She’s doing you a favour, and I think you’ll find that there’s a lot more to her than meets the eye, my love.” My mother had the ability to never say a single bad word about anyone. I loved her for it, but it was also infuriating.

I stared at both of them blankly. So this was official. The fact was, there was no going around my father. He was a legend in the racing world and if he and Mattia had agreed on this, then it was going to happen, whether I liked it or not.

“Now that you are done throwing a hissy fit, why don’t you head to Coco’s office and get your schedule for the week. You have a very busy week, both on and off the track and I expect you to adhere to the schedule that Ferrari and Coco have created for you.”

I grabbed a cookie from the table, and turned the other direction, not daring to look back. Carlos, or Coco as the family called him, was my dear cousin and manager. As I walked up to his office, I knocked lightly and then walked in, knowing he would be expecting me.

“Ahh Chili, lovely for you to join me this morning. Come, sit, I’m sure you have many questions.” I nodded and sat down on the sofa, taking the cup of coffee that he had just poured me. “So, in this folder is your itinerary for the weekend. Tomorrow you and Georgia will go on a lovely date we have booked for you at a tiny restaurant by the ocean. Very romantic,” he said with a wink. I just shuddered and gave him a look that told him to continue, but with less adjectives.

“From there we have drinks with Charles and Lando, a walk around the track, and a little ‘accidental’ meeting in your garage. It’s all explained here, but of course, I’m here for questions.” I took the folder from him, holding it like it was a bomb about to explode at any minute. At least I would get to hang out with Lando, I thought to myself.

Coco chuckled, “I know this seems unfair to you, but trust me, this is good for us. Once we have the deals we need secured, we’ll end this little nightmare for you.” I nodded, putting the folder into my bag. “Right, well, best you get going to your work out. Miami is a big one.”

---Georgia POV---

The next morning I woke up with a massive headache. It was Wednesday, which meant it was date night with Carlos.

Great.

Reaching for my phone, I saw that I had several missed calls from Charles and a text asking if I wanted to get breakfast. Not really, I thought to myself, but I guess I couldn’t avoid Charles forever. I texted him back Sure and proceeded to get ready for the day. As part of our clothing collection, Bugatti had gotten us some cute blue sundresses, that matched the colour of the car, for all of the media events today. I wasn’t typically much of a dress person, but these were nicely done and fitted perfectly – a benefit of having a women-run team, we definitely had better clothes than all of our male counterparts – plus it was incredibly hot, so the dress was welcome.

As I walked out of my hotel room, I turned right to see none other than Carlos Sainz, dressed head to toe in Ferrari gear. He looked up, eyes meeting mine. For the first time ever, his face was truly unreadable. The usual Cheshire cat grin was replaced with nothing. I nodded in his direction, but he didn’t make a move, just stared at me blankly. As the elevator doors opened, we both hopped inside, making sure to stand as far away from each other as possible.

“So, I uh, guess I’ll see you tonight?” I don’t know why I decided to utter those words. I guess the silence was becoming too unbearable, and this felt like a good way to break the awkwardness.

Carlos, still not looking at me, just nodded, a slight tilt of his head in my direction.

Great, he’s gone from flirting with me to being mute, I thought. Real cute.

As soon as the elevator doors opened, I zoomed out of the elevator so fast someone would have assumed I was being chased by a zombie. Truth be told it felt like I was being chased by a zombie – the lifeless zombie of Carlos Sainz.

I entered the restaurant and Charles waved me down. “Nice dress, you look beautiful,” he said, giving me a kiss on each cheek.

Kiss ass.

“Thanks – you don’t look too bad yourself. Charlotte dress you?” I said with a chuckle.

He nodded. Charles had recently begun dating Charlotte, an Instagram influencer. While Charlotte and I had very little in common, I had to admit, Charles had started dressing considerably better since they had started dating.

“So, about yester-“

“Look I know –“

We both said at the same time. I let out a small laugh and gestured for him to go first.

“I’m sorry you felt ambushed when you went into that meeting, “ Charles began. “They had only just finished telling me right before you got there, otherwise you know I would have said something to you earlier.”

I nodded. Isabelle and Susie weren’t stupid enough to tell Charles too much in advance; we were practically joined at the hip now, and Charles had never been known for being able to keep a secret.

“I know, I’m sorry I was so angry. It’s just tough, you know.” He nodded in response to my statement, his hand snaking across the table to hold mine.

“Look, I know Carlos seems like an ass, but once you get to know him, he’s not so bad. He’s actually quite funny, and surprisingly a great golfer! I think you two will have more in common than you think.”

“Doubt it,” I said quickly. Charles might have been trying to make me feel better, but this wasn’t a battle I was going to let him win.

Charles rolled his eyes; he knew when to quit. “Regardless, I’ll be there for drinks tomorrow, as will Lando. It’ll be fun – we haven’t hung the three of us in a while.”

“Except it won’t be just the three of us – Carlos will be there,” I said pointedly.

“Well then it’s a good thing Carlos and Lando get along so well, then, isn’t it,” he remarked, his face telling me that I wasn’t going to win this small argument.

The rest of breakfast continued smoothly. We chatted about the various silly events that our teams had ready for us. Both Ferrari and Bugatti had silly challenges, photoshoots and meet and greets scheduled for us throughout the day.

The day went by fairly quickly, which surprised me. Maybe it was because I was dreading the dinner I was about to have with Carlos, or maybe it was because I was beginning to get used to these silly media days. Probably the first one, but I secretly hoped it was the second. Only time would tell on that one.

Earlier in the day Lizzie had dropped off a beautiful red dress. Of course it was red. I rolled my eyes, picking up the dress and examining the style. It was bad enough I had to date a Ferrari driver, now they were expecting me to wear their colour. The plan was to have Carlos out front of the hotel at 7pm. From there he would drive us in his Ferrari to the restaurant, where we had a reservation on the waterfront at this little Cuban restaurant.

I looked at the clock – 7:10pm – good, Carlos could wait a bit. I grabbed my purse and a jacket and took the stairs down, slower the better I thought. As I approached the main doors of the hotel, I could see Carlos standing, leaning on the passenger door of his Ferrari, scanning through his phone mindlessly. I cleared my throat and he looked up. I could tell by the look on his face, he was not expecting me to show up wearing a red dress. His eyes did a quick flicker up and down my figure, and if I hadn’t been acutely aware of him at that moment, I might have missed the expression off shock and awe on his face. Almost as quickly as it had appeared, the expression left his face, and he was back to the stern, neutral Carlos Sainz that I had gotten to know earlier this morning in the elevator.

“Georgia, good of you to show,” he said dryly. Before I could respond, he had opened the passenger door of the vehicle, signalling for me to get in. Part of me wanted to protest – throw a little fit and give him a lecture on feminism and how I could open a door myself, but now didn’t seem like the time or the place. Plus, it seemed a bit petty and I was meant to be working on that.

“Can’t put a time on beautification, Carlos,” I retorted back, climbing into the passenger seat of his car. Carlos hopped in on the drivers side and started the car.

The car ride was short and quiet. Before I left, Lizzie had given me a set of questions that I was meant to ask Carlos, a catch all of things two people in a relationship were meant to know about each other if they were to convince an entire community they were dating. I palmed the questions in my hand, not bringing the courage to pull them out during the tense drive.

When we arrived at the restaurant, Carlos parked the car in front of the valet and quickly got out of the drivers side so he could open my door. He stuck his hand out, which I gladly accepted, if only because getting out of a car that low to the ground with heels was next to impossible. I mumbled a pathetic string of thanks, and walked up to the hostess stand with Carlos trailing behind me. Before I registered what he was doing, Carlos snuck his hand on the small of my back and let it rest there as the hostess began to guide us towards our table.

As we walked through the restaurant, I could see the eyes of various people looking us up and down. Did they recognize us? It was likely – our faces had been all over billboards for the last several weeks in Miami. You would have to live under a rock to not know that the Formula 1 race was happening this weekend. When we sat down, I saw a couple a few tables down from us pull out their phones and pretend to text, but I knew they were taking a photo of us.

Well, cats out of the bag, no turning back now.

If Carlos noticed this, he didn’t say anything. Instead he went straight to the menu, clearly incredibly hungry from a day full of training. Truth be told, if I wasn’t so nervous, I would have been equally as starving. Within minutes a waiter approached and asked us for our drink order.

“Water,” I responded quickly.

Carlos looked at me, as if I had just ordered poison. “We’ll take a bottle of the ’72 Merlot,” he said. The waiter nodded and after explaining the specials to us, left us to choose our main courses.

“I don’t drink on race weeks – well, not until after the race,” I said finally.

He quirked his eyebrow at me, as if I had said something so ludicrous, he couldn’t possibly understand it. “If we’re to get through this, you might want to change that habit,” he bit out. I rolled my eyes at that – ever the gentlemen was Carlos, I thought sarcastically. I wanted to further my response, but decided against it – it was going to be a long season if we didn’t at least learn to be civil.

“So, Lizzie and Coco have come up with some questions for us to go through. They’re worried we won’t know enough about each other when the media comes along asking questions.”

Before he could retort with something that I am sure was plenty rude, I pulled out the small piece of paper and read the first question. “Besides racing, what is your favourite thing to do?” I wanted to internally groan at that question – how lame – but kept myself composed. I needed to know these things if we were going to sell this stunt. And I needed to sell this stunt if I was going to keep my seat.

“I golf,” he said plainly. I nodded for him to continue on, but the waiter was back with my water and the wine. Before I could protest, the waiter had already poured out two glasses. Fuck it, I thought to myself, maybe Carlos was right, a little wine might make this evening go better. I took a sip, and to my annoyance, the glass of wine was probably some of the best wine I had ever tasted. I was no wine snob, but Carlos had chosen an excellent bottle.

Bastard.

Carlos smirked slightly as he watched me drink the wine. He knew I’d like the wine, and reveled in the fact that he had convinced me to break my pre-race ritual.

“I like to paint,” I said casually, taking a second sip of the wine. “Your turn,” I said, passing over the small sheet of paper to Carlos. He frowned, but opened the paper up and read out the next question.

“What is your favourite colour?” He asked, scoffing ever so slightly.

“Purple. Yours?”

“Red.”

I simply looked at him, my mouth slightly agape. Of course it was red, Ferrari prick. Truth be told, I had wanted to say blue, but I thought I would sound stupid saying the color of my car. After hearing Carlos say red, it turned out I was right. I smirked internally to myself. Good one, Georgia.

Before I could continue to pat myself on my back for my internal snarky conversation, Carlos passed the questions back to me. “Favourite movie?” I asked.

“Who wrote these stupid questions?” He asked, taking the paper back from me and scanning them. “No one is going to ask us what each other’s favourite movie is or which type of pasta we like.”

I ignored his comment and answered my own question. “Mine is Perks of Being a Wallflower.”

“Never seen it.” Now that didn’t surprise me. He didn’t strike me as someone who watched romantic movies about coming of age teenagers. He struck me as a Terminator, Transformers, Michael Bay sort of guy. Big action movies, pretty girls, little plot.

“Here’s something I do want to know,” he said suddenly. “Every time Charles talks about you, he goes on and on about how funny and darling you are.” He said the last part with air quotes, but I chose to ignore them. “Why can’t you do that in front of the media?”

All at once I had a million things cross into my mind, but none of them seemed to fit with what I actually wanted to say. How I wanted to say that when I got in front of the media, it felt like the wind was being kicked out of me. How when I approached the media pen, my palms got so sweaty that I struggled to focus on anything but the drops of sweat dripping down my face and hands. How my quick remarks weren’t meant to be snippy – all I wanted was for the interview to be over as fast as possible so I could retreat back to the ease of my garage.

But I couldn’t let Carlos know any of that. Show the enemy no weakness, I reminded myself. “The same way you can’t stop yourself from making bad choices when you’re out partying. It’s in my nature,” I said with a sneaky grin. The snide remark wouldn’t be lost on him, and I knew that.

Georgia 1: Carlos 0

After that the waiter came back and took our order. The meal was relatively quiet. We went through a few more questions, nothing exciting, before exiting the restaurant. As we left, the manager approached us, asking for a photo. He apparently was a big Ferrari fan – typical – and had the nerve to ask if I could take the photo of him and Carlos. I agreed, much to my chagrin. I would definitely be hearing about that from Charles later.

Still, date 1 was complete. I had survived dinner, now I just had to survive drinks on Thursday and a couple visits to the Ferrari garage. I could do this – what could possibly go wrong?

Tag List

@internetgremlin @ashf1 @lovingroscoee @ccloaned @xheera @markluv4u @kashee-h @ferrarifwendvale @ihearttheoriginals @lightsoutpierre @starxqt @opfire @questionslostinmoments @pierre-gasllllllyyyyyy

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honeymoonswan · 14 days

Note

heyy girlyy (heard u were bored)

do u have any movie or music recommandations ? i really need something new… love u 🫶🏻

Yayyy I love this question 🎀

Just was sitting with my mom to make a list and here's it :

Movies

The love witch

Black swan

Literally every Sofia Coppola movie and if u didn't like them come and kill me istg

Almost famous

Daydream nation

Paris ,Texas

Mulholland drive

Georgia rule

Layla 4 ever

Scarface

The wolf of wall street

Bring it on (every movie, it was literally my childhood lol)

Lisa Frankenstein

Femme fatale

Babylon ( I'd die to watch it for the first time again )

Fresh (if u like it u need therapy btw I love it lol)

Once upon a time in hollywood

Pulp fiction

True romance

Ghost (my mom recommended that for u lol)

Every gean luc Godard movie cuz it's the true art of cinema I adore him and I finished every movie of his, he's basically Sofia Coppola for 60s French sad girls

Roman Holiday

Some like it hot

Daisies

Lolita

The crush 1993

The witch 2015

Bonnie and Clyde 1967 ( the best movie ever)

Big eyes

A walk to remember ( my mom forced me to watch it at 8 because I didn't like the idea of love )

The hating game

Last night in soho (ate)

American psycho (super girly movie)

Pearl and x and maxxxine is gonna be out on July (fav movie after love witch)

Dark shadows and a cure of wellness and scary stories to tell in the dark ( I watched them at 7 no wonder why I'm the most lana del rey insane girl ever plus lana sang in the last movie)

Blue velvet

Ready or not

Carrie 1976( mom forced me to watch it at 8 ig and that's why I hate people)

500 days of summer (so scary )

Fight club

The craft

Red eye (Cillian Murphy supermercy and fuck I watched it while I was alone at home and it turned out my whole personality which leads me to love ultraviolence)

Practical magic

Aquamarine

Closer

The breakfast club

Gone girl (my mom is on Amy's husband side so don't think she's cool or something)

Girl interrupted

Dirty dancing 1987

Funny face

Sabrina

The notebook (my father cried to this movie 💀)

Monte carlo

Mean Girls

Jennifer's body ( istg I watched it at 9 and I think it left something for lesbianism inside me)

American beauty

Grease (born to die coded)

Clueless

Freaky Friday

Breakfast at Tiffany's

The great Gatsby (if u liked daisy u need help)

How to lose a guy in 10 days

Uptown girls

Malena

Gilda

Valley of the dolls

Rebecca

Vertigo

La prima notte di quiete

Songs

Atomic by blondie

Don't you forget about me by simple mind

Favorite by Isabel la rosa

I like the way you kiss me by artemas

So American by Olivia Rodrigo

Let it happen by tame impala

Radioactive by marina

We r who we r by kesha

Rumors by Lindsay lohan

Et tu dance avec Lui by c.jérôme

Girls on film by Duran duran

Baby I love you by Ramones

La fin du monde by juniore

Champagne coast by blood orange

Dear society by Madison beer (is on Lana's instagram highlights)

Every breath you take by the police

You can never tell by chuck berry

Ladyfingers by herb alpert

Heavy metal lover by Lady gaga

Killer queen by Queen

Bambino by dalida

Gourmandises by alizée

Somebody to love by Leighton Meester

Uptown girl by Billy Joel

À touts les filles (I forgot by who)

Mon amour mon Amie (forgot by who)

Monster high fright song

Tu veux ou tu veux pas by Brigitte bardot

And literally every lana song and the Lizzy grant unreleased

Literally gave u the best work ever mwahh 💋🎀

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ridenwithbiden · 7 months

Text

5 YEARS

Eric Munchel, the Nashville man known as "zip-tie guy," has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison for his role in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

Judge Royce C. Lamberth sentenced Munchel and his mother and codefendant Lisa Eisenhart at the U.S. District Court in Washington on Friday.

Lamberth sentenced Munchel to 57 months of incarceration and three years of supervised release, said U.S. District Court Judicial Clerk Jason Onyediri. Lamberth gave Eisenhart, from Woodstock, Georgia, a lesser sentence of 30 months of incarceration with the same three years of supervised release, her attorney Greg Smith of Washington said. Smith said both Munchel and Eisenhart were also ordered to pay $2,000 each in restitution.

Munchel's sentence is among the longest of more than 1,000 Jan. 6 defendants. He received the maximum sentence prosecutors calculated under federal guidelines.

Prosecutors say on Jan. 4, 2021, Munchel and Eisenhart drove from Nashville, where Munchel worked as a bartender, to Washington to participate in election protest rallies scheduled for Jan. 5-6.

They arrived at the Capitol on Jan. 6 wearing tactical vests, while Munchel also wore a Taser holstered at his hip and his cell phone mounted on his chest. Munchel’s cell phone recorded a 50-minute video that captured most of their approach and entry to the Capitol building, which prosecutors used as evidence in their case against the pair.

Once inside the Capitol, Munchel and Eisenhart found zip ties that they carried around, which prosecutors argued they planned to use to restrain members of Congress. An infamous photograph captured Munchel holding the zip ties as he climbed over a railing in the gallery of the Senate chambers, where 30 minutes before Congress was meeting to certify the results of the 2020 election.

Originally charged mainly with trespassing charges, the charges against Munchel and Eisenhart expanded in October to include obstruction, conspiracy, disorderly conduct and unauthorized entry. Munchel was found guilty of additional charges for carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon on Capitol grounds for arming himself with a Taser.

Lamberth found the mother and son guilty of all 10 charges against them at a bench trial in April after they forewent their right to a jury trial.

Prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memorandum on Aug. 31 that they hoped the sentences deter the defendants and others from behaving similarly in the future.

"With the 2024 presidential election approaching, a rematch on the horizon, and many loud voices in the media and online continuing to sow discord and distrust, the potential for a repeat of January 6 looms ominously," prosecutors wrote. "The Court must sentence Munchel and Eisenhart in a manner sufficient to deter them specifically, and others generally, from going down that road again."

Several other Tennesseans have been sentenced for their roles in the attack at the U.S. Capitol. You can read about their sentences here.

Evan Mealins is the justice reporter for The Tennessean. Contact him at [email protected] or follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @EvanMealins.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Eric Munchel, Nashville 'zip-tie guy', sentenced in January 6 riot

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obscure-song-tournament · 11 months

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ROUND TWO !!!!

Keep Away - Isane Driver VS. Pulp Friction - Fool Heavy

Scatterbrain - Casual Tees VS. Sad Hit Song- V is for Villians

Patches - Jawbreaker Reunion VS. Animal Rites - John Congleton & The Nighty Nites

New Dance - DEERPEOPLE VS. Maple Leaf Etc - Maxshh

Mama - Eudora June VS. The Helper - Giannah Noelle

Victim of a Siren - Seraph Siege VS. There's a Darkness (but There's also a Light) - The Wild VS. Ray - Dylans

Alive - GON VS. You are Loved - David Lamotte TIE

Where U Goin? - Half in the Bag VS. For Me - Dearlie

The Hidden Word - Noe Venable VS. Echo in the Hills - Carrie Elkin VS. YOUR GALAXY - ROZLYN PELL

Juliet and Juliet -Kactus Kid VS. Low Rent Truman Show - Marc with a C

The Danger - Patricia Wallinga VS. Call Me Captain - Emrys Layne (@callmecapt) VS. Deep Blue - Grapefruit

PIANO GAMES - Hazma Notes VS. Worst in the World - Uncle Outrage

Cheese (original mix) -Cheese VS. Hokutoshichisei no Ichiya- Akiko lkuina

There'll be Someone at My Funeral Who Doesn’t Want to Be There - Sammy J VS. The Crayon Song - Class Of 3000

TECVM CIRCVMAMBVLARE NOLO - John Linnel VS. Imagination - Niel innes VS. Me and Nikolai - Pale Young Gentlemen

Eat Your Heart Out, Sigmund Freud - Mollie Maxwell VS. Don't Want You -Carpark

Runaways - Big Tree VS. 10,000 Days - OK Glass

Hurricane - My Cat Umi VS. Rotten - Missouri Surf Club

Born to it - Freefonix VS. last week/month/year - rain

Pointillize - Raccoon Fink VS. execute - ninty

Better Red Than Dead - KELChip VS. Ego -Powderpaint

... - subeteanatanoseidesu VS. Nighttime (I fall asleep) - Sam X

GOTH BITCH DUB - 621 gecs VS. To.Get.Her - Nixis

Dusk and Dawn - Das Fi VS. Between You and Me - Clementine Werchola

Monmon Fanmoran - Mochitsune VS. Can Graze the Roof Bring you Back to Childhood? - Anomaly Vector TIE

Memories - Jens East (Ft. Lotta Rasva) VS. Moongrains with Lyrics feat. Gumi A - Anonaly Vector VS. Ode to Janey Lou- FOE

The Dreaming- Marquis of Vaudevill VS. Best Friend - Taitoki

Rusalka and The Shepherd Girl - The Forgetmenauts VS. Four Tall Trees - Leslie Fish

Captain Ward - Tempest VS. The Trials Of Oscar Wilde - Alan John

Winter's Tooth - Alexander James Adam VS. He of Sidhe - Alexander James Adam

Labyrinth - Madeline S VS. The Phoenix - Julia Ecklar

Liar and the Hound - Beneath Eden VS. Bodysuit -FlooringCo

Pause Button - Particle Devotion VS. On a Walk - Fort Womb VS. Death is a Girl - Skippocalyptic

52 Pickup - Z. VS. 山谷澗 - Mysterain小雨樂隊 VS. Pub Money - Bag of Cans

Never be Famous - Hussalonia VS. 613 - FC the kid VS. Lhasa - Shapaley

Collide - Harold J VS. We Made it - JAMIEvx VS. 412 (coffin built for two) - Mollie Maxwell

Unretractable Fact - Second Person VS. SCARY* - EXIT ONLY

Preserve - PETROLEUM! GENDERLOSS VS. No Proposals - Physical Plant

Maneater- Blue Eyed Blondes VS. la somnambule - La Femme Pendu

Center Stage - Howard Martin VS. Gears of the Atom Man - Angels of Liberty TIE

Wake Up Girl - Skeeter Truck VS. Dark Rip - Teen Girl Scientist Monthly

Trust Me - Time Crash VS. Not Yet - Leo and the Little Things

Grace - Raelle VS. Animal- Xisco Feijoó

Hyperphantasia - Fearful Earful VS. Tonight Eternity Alone - Rene Clause

Cardigan Sweater - Jasmine Kennedy VS. Milá má - Nahore VS. Side A -Alohaha

The Binding Of isaac - Schmekel VS. Slip! - Bright Orange

Boy who Blocked the Sun - Demi the Daredevil VS. Rainy Day Georgia - Jayne Trimble VS. Burn it Down with Math - Deuce of Gears

Haircut Song - Shannon Moser VS. Reunion - Brent Spiner & Maude Maggart

Small Parts of Something Much Larger - Suns VS. Sunshine and Lollipops 2020 - Sad Snack

Say What You Want - Growth Spurt VS. Mirëmëngies - Edona Vatoc

Have You Ever Seen a Duck, Like, in Real Life? - Lisa the Beauty Queen VS. Housekeeper- Faun Fables

Caroline - Espers VS. Tales of the Phantom Ship - Nathan Landis Funk

Lotus eaters - Jessica Law VS. Raising the Dead! - Jessica Law VS. Autism Murder Memorial - Fit to Work

Blow Up the Moon - Feel Spectres VS. All For Me Grog! - Spud Bugs

Reclaim - Porch Cat VS. Orpheus on Ice - The Small Calamities VS. Violin Concerto in the Key of Crippling Regret - The Small Calamities

Homme Offer Knee - Ben Below VS. Hold My Heart - The Dune Sea

Each Time She Calls - Jessie Gosling VS. flexible guy - clown residue

Howard - Demo- Mother Aiden VS. Blooming Strangely - Ginger & Pear

恐竜あげみざわ★ - Kyouruu Friends VS. 星の旅人- Sayaka Senbong & Yumiri Hanamori

The End of the World - Fred Deakin VS. 運命は※ Love You - チームDEKAI

Ultimate Performance of Abandoned Magic Boxes ~ Racks of Junk - KR. Palto47 VS. 薔薇は美しく散る x 輪舞 revolution - okurigi66

297回の試行 - Image44 VS. They'll Make a Monster Out of You - Freefonix

#obscure song tournament #bracket #poll related #music poll #not polls #PRAYING for less ties this round.#but I think there might be MORE somehow cos less people are voting as time goes on #so it gets easier to tie </3

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sunnydaleherald · 11 months

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The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Saturday, May 27th

GUNN: You want to run that by us one more time? LILAH: What was unclear? FRED: I think the part where you offered us Wolfram & Hart.

~~Home~~

The Sunnydale Herald is looking for at least one new editor. Contributing to the Herald is a great way to get your Buffy on! Find out more here.

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

Cue Heard by apachefirecat (Spike/Buffy, Dawn, Willow/Kennedy, Soft PG-13/T)

Wrath of Buffy by Bl4ckHunter (Buffy/Spike, T)

New Name, New Duty by InMyOwnHeadItGoesLikeThis (Buffy & Giles, G)

I Am Your God. by titsgirlbuffy (section_69) (Angelus/Darla, T)

Headcanons for being multi-lingual and frequenting Caritas by prose-for-hire (Lorne/reader, not rated)

Memorial Day by myrabeth (Buffy/Spike, T)

[Chaptered Fiction]

Held Together, Chapter 1 by MadeInGold (Angel/Spike, M)

Easter Omens, Chapter 1 by BeatriceEveryTuesday (Buffy/Anya, T)

Dig Your Teeth Into Me, Chapter 1 by SomeKindOfADeviant (Angel/Spike, E)

Chapter 1: Of Women and Words by blackcatpersona (Lorne/OC, not rated)

Spiderwebs, Chapter 24 by Willow25 (Buffy/Spike, R)

Under The Rubble, Chapter 24 by Geliot99 (Buffy/Spike, R)

Back Through The Woods, Chapter 14 by Desicat (Buffy/Spike, R)

The Neighbor's Point of View, Chapter 14 by the_big_bad (Buffy/Spike, PG)

Those 2 again, Chapter 22 by Julikobold (Buffy/Spike, G)

Stab in the back, Chapter 1 by MelG_2005 (Buffy/Spike, Adult Only)

Frosty, Chapters 21-25 by ClowniestLivEver (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

The DeSoto, Chapters 21-25 by ClowniestLivEver (Buffy/Spike, R)

The Grapevine, Chapter 7 by ClowniestLivEver (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

The World in Shadow, Chapter 5 by ManifoldTime (Scoobies, Stargate crossover, FR18)

Buffy The Sims Player, Chapters 1-4 by HarlowTurner (Scoobies, The Sims crossover, FR15)

Those 2 again, Chapter 22 by Julikobold (Buffy/Spike, G)

Float, Chapter 1 by Grief Counseling (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Dust, Chapter 1 by flootzavut (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

[Images, Audio & Video]

Crochet: Krevlornswath “Lorne” of the Deathwok Clan in amigurumi form! by JBcrochetwizard (worksafe)

Artwork: buffy practice by junebugjo (worksafe)

Artwork: Giles/OC by nerdfromthenet (worksafe)

Manips: LA LA LAND Spuffy version by l0veisntbrains (worksafe)

Headers: BtVS Season 3 headers by onegirlinallthewrld (Buffy, Faith, worksafe)

Collage: Angel (BTVS/ATS) Lockscreen! by weirdo-lockscreens (worksafe)

Video: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Opening Credits SD vs HD Comparison by Rotten Lemonade

Music: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Theme (ukulele cover) by Steven Watson

Fanvid: buffy & angel | you're somebody else by lostlcve

Fanvid: Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1992) Movie Trailer by The Daigler Reviews

Fanvid: Buffy and Damon- Out of This World by Bobblehead89 (The Vampire Diaries crossover)

Fanvid: Evacuate The Dancefloor-BTVS by GothamPond

Fanvid: Dark Willow - Music video (Hunter) by petitepensee44

Fanvid: spike x buffy- all too well (tv) by Theo Malloy

Fanvid: Angel&Cordelia - Till the world stops turning by NightlyEvilTM

Fanvid: Buffy Summers | Breakfast by KcchameleonProdz

Fanvid: buffy and faith are definitely qualified and only lightly concussed by IncognitoDuck

Fanvid: Buffy the vampire slayer edit with cry little sister by Random edits 1977

[Reviews & Recaps]

Rewatch: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "I, Robot...You, Jane" (S1Ep8) by mothman-rewatches

Video: Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992) - Movie Review by The Saturday Night Movies Podcast

Video: LET'S TALK ANGEL! Season 1 by Georgia Corsby

Video: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season Three, Episode Eighteen: Earshot by Slayed! The Buffyverse Revisited Podcast

Video: Buffy Break Down | Witch by TV Takes

Video: Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Season 1 Review by Michael Morley

Video: Buffy Review - 4x22 Restless by Reverse Angle

Podcast: Wrecked S6 E10 (Buffy and the Art of Story) by LIsa M. Lilly

[Community Announcements]

Watchers: The Virtual Series by CN Winters (CNWinters)

[Fandom Discussions]

ats missed a trick in not giving gunn and connor a stronger dynamic by all-seeing-ifer

Spike’s role in btvs (and the buffyverse) and how “unprecedented” or “revolutionary” he was within that universe (anti-Spike) by becomingpart2

I think people take for granted the “Angel is a vampire” and “Angel’s a vampire with a soul” concepts by becomingpart2

anya becoming a capitalist by comradesummers

late seasons buffy being emotionally constipated by froggierboy

The Willow and Xander romantic storyline in Season 3 by Girl4Music

Same Time, Same Place by Girl4Music

the irony of Something Blue by lilatara

Buffy’s prophetic dream at the start of “Welcome to the Hellmouth” by oveliagirlhaditright

You have to love how Angel was one of the few people who didn’t make fun of Buffy’s name by oveliagirlhaditright

Angel Saying Buffy’s Beautiful in the Comics… Kinda (Plus 1 More):) by oveliagirlhaditright

Kennedy by tuiyla

I know joss said the cheese man has no meaning but the cheese is love by valleyg0th

I’m starting to think that Faith Lehane has antisocial personality disorder by bubblegum-blackwood

Who else wasn't a fan of Spike? by Annissa

Why Skip....WHY? by Present-Breakfast768

Does Angel have an overarching metaphor the way Buffy does? by whimsiebat

Illyria sci-fi vibes by Sarita1046

What was the worst part of Season 6? by RandomUser132621

Who would you say deserves every bit of criticism that they receive from fans? by Opening_Knowledge868

Did The Council ever consider this? [temporarily flatlining a Slayer] by mvp2418

Anya's fighting ability by mvp2418

What scene/clip perfectly encapsulates the season its from? by Robititties

Buffy season 8 motion comic by Deviant-Scare

Excessive romance in the show by Eagles56

Did Dark Willow get away with murder too easy? by Madido24

Not including the comics, we never got to see what happens when an already powerful individual gets turned, like a Slayer, witch, werewolf or a Vampomeranian! by anothername1145

The Buffy Club page in my grade 11 yearbook circa 2003 by sir_randywilliam

Love or hate Dawn, gotta appreciate Michelle Trachtenberg for her great portrayal of the character! by Buffvamporigfan

What do you think is The fanfavorite ship between any characters? by incantopatronus

Video: 10 Smartest Decisions In Buffy The Vampire Slayer by WhatCulture

[Articles, Interviews, and Other News]

Video: CLARE KRAMER Q&A + Table Read [The Body] by Table Read Tuesdays

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#buffy the vampire slayer #btvs #angel the series #ats

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