#i regret my life choices getting into this sport

[overtake]

ALL ACCESS Honda Thanks Day | All Fun in Japan

#so they took max's plane together. the narratives of this day just keep coming #max verstappen #daniel ricciardo #maxiel #f1 #op #it's literally 6 am rn #i woke up to go to the bathroom and saw this video was posted so now i'm gifing #i regret my life choices getting into this sport

[sister-lucifer]

Spring & a Storm

Tim Wright/Masky x Gender Neutral Reader 

READ PART TWO HERE

Genre: Fluff, not explicitly romantic

Summary: It’s been raining all day, and you and Tim are stuck inside the cabin together. You can’t sleep because of the thunder, and decide to see if Tim can help you out. 

Content/Warnings: None really. Brief mentions of alcohol, uh…if you can think of anything else let me know! This is pretty damn soft, but actually not explicitly romantic.

Like my writing? I take requests! NSFW or SFW for any fandoms in my bio (request rules + masterlist in pinned post)!

Also, please reblog! it’s free, takes two seconds, and really helps me out 

Feedback is encouraged and appreciated:)

Not fully proofread! Let me know if you see any errors!

You don’t really notice the sound of the rain against the windows anymore. It’s been raining nonstop since, what, 7 AM this morning? Its not quite storming, at least not yet, but everything is soaked, and you can hardly even walk out onto the patio without your shoes filling with water. It’s dreary, sure, but not exactly unpleasant. It’s a good day to stay in, that’s all. 

You shift your sitting position a bit, wrapping one of the woven blankets from

the back of the couch around your shoulders as you gaze out the window. You’re not really expecting to see anything, it’s just trees and trees for miles around, but you always seem to find yourself gazing out into the endless pines. You only turn away when you hear Tim sit down in the recliner, sighing lazily as he puts his feet up. This is a sight you’ve seen many times: A few strands of hair falling between his eyes, an old flannel half unbuttoned over a stained white tank, a beer can in one hand and a nearly finished cigarette in the other. It’s practically Tim’s natural state.

He takes one last drag from his cigarette before snuffing it out in the ash tray he keeps on the end table, chasing the smoke with a sip of his beer before that, too, is set aside. He glances out the window, whistling softly. 

“Ain’t nobody goin’ out in that weather,” He drawls, “Nobody with half a mind, anyhow.”

You nod in agreement, taking a little sip of your hot cocoa. It’s a wonderful way to keep warm in this homely old cabin.

You glance over at Tim, who is now absentmindedly flipping through TV channels. He’s probably looking for sports or Storage Wars or something, you think. Some old man show you’ll never find interest in.

As you look at him a bit longer, just spacing out a bit with your eyes on his face, your mind meanders back to before you two were this comfortable with each other. It feels weird to think about that now, though. You couldn’t imagine being in that place again.

Tim’s told you before that you reminded him of himself when he was a younger, when he was ‘new and green’ as he’d say. You were a wide eyed, scared kid, just like he was. You deserved to be living in a dorm somewhere, getting shitfaced at college parties and making choices you’ll regret the next morning but laugh at for years, not to be forced to cope with this reality. No one deserves it, really, to wake up in an unfamiliar place surrounded only by endless woods, no one and nothing around to help you and your body aching all over with injuries you don’t recall getting. 

He knows that feeling. 

He’s never felt worse. Neither have you. It’s hard to get worse than that, really. 

You were still a bit dazed when he first helped you back to his cabin, but something about the worn walls and cozy, lived-in feeling of the old rugs and antique furniture told you you were safe, at least for now. You were out the second your head hit the pillow. You slept for nearly two days straight. You really needed it. 

Since then you’ve been a permanent fixture in Tim’s life. You don’t really leave the cabin, and you’ve never left alone. Tim says it’s just until you can find a job and a place of your own, but he doesn’t seem to be in any rush to kick you out. You’re thankful for that, of course, but you can’t help but smile every time he insists that this is only a temporary situation, that if you don’t get off your ass he’ll quite literally throw you to the wolves, but he always smiles too. You’re definitely on the same page, and the headline says you’re not going anywhere.

The rainy day melts into a rainy afternoon, then an evening, then a quiet night. The rain has slowed down a bit, but now the thunder has rolled in, and every ten or fifteen seconds or so you can hear it clapping loudly overhead. The sound is a bit more…penetrating than usual, a bit more raucous, and far more bothersome. You’re not sure why. The only thing you are sure of is that your once comforting outdoor ambience is really ticking you off. 

You sit up with a yawn, glancing at the clock and groaning with annoyance when you see it’s already passed 2:00 AM. Damn, you’ve been lying here a while, and still no luck getting to sleep. 

The thunder crashes outside once more, making you roll your eyes. It’s mocking you, you think, poking and prodding in an attempt to get a reaction. You simply sit there for a few moments, debating turning your TV on or reading a book to tire yourself a bit more, but neither of those are particularly attractive options at the moment. You bring your knees up and rest your head on them, half lidded eyes lazily wandering around your dark room. It looks the same as usual, no surprise there, but when you look down the hallway you notice that Tim’s door is cracked open. 

Hm. Odd. He never leaves it open. Must’ve stumbled off to bed and failed to realize he didn’t close it all the way. 

It’s not a big deal at all, really, but the light of his TV leaking out through the cracked door paired with the noise of the thunder gives you an idea. 

You slowly slip out of bed, cringing a bit when your feet hit the cold wood. You’re as quiet as you can be, avoiding all the floorboards you know will squeak. There’s really no point, Tim sleeps like a rock most nights, especially if he’s been drinking, but you figure you’re better off safe than sorry.

You make your way to his door, pushing it open just a bit to peek inside. You wince when the door creaks unbearably loudly, but Tim doesn’t move a muscle. He’s sprawled out like a starfish on his bed, limbs in all directions and his single blanket only half covering his body. He looks foolish, but in a charming sort of way. He’s even snoring a bit.

You cautiously make your way to his bedside, watching him for any sign of consciousness. You don’t want to startle him. Even if he didn’t mean to, he could really hurt you if he thought you were a threat, though at the moment he’s not very intimidating. His sweatpants are ratty, there’s no hiding his dad bod in that old sports tee, and his face is illuminated by the cheesy sitcom he left on; not exactly the pinnacle of danger. 

You step up to his bed, debating what to do. You should wake him gently, it reduces the risk of injury, but how do you gently wake someone who could sleep through an aerial assault?

“…Pssst, Tim?” You whisper, but get no response. You repeat yourself, a bit louder this time.

“Tim, wake up.” 

He stirs a bit, but all you get is a groan and a minute twitch of his eye. Dammit. 

You sigh and roll your eyes with annoyance, reaching out to softly shake his shoulder.

“Tim, it’s me. Wake up.”

He lazily swats your hand away, groaning again and mumbling a reply without even opening his eyes. 

“Whaddya want, kid…?” He asks, practically chewing his words.

“I can’t sleep,” You respond simply, giving a little shrug. Tim is not amused at this answer. 

“And why does this have to involve me?” He huffs, glancing at you for a moment before his eyes close again. He turns onto his side towards you, yawning as he tries to pull his blanket back up. 

You don’t really have an answer to that one. Why did you feel the need to come in here and wake Tim up? It’s not like he controls the thunder. It’s not like he controls your inability to sleep…

…But maybe he can help. 

“I can’t sleep,” You explain, trying to figure out how to word your request without sounding stupid, “The thunder is too loud. I thought maybe I could…you know…” 

Tim’s eyes finally open, for real. He raises a brow at you, and for a moment you fear you’ve overstepped, but his expression shifts to tired once more as he turns onto his back again. 

“Kid,” He mutters, clearly annoyed but trying to be gentle, “If you’re old enough to share a beer with me, you are definitely too damn old to be running into my bed ‘cause you’re scared of a li’l thunder.”

“I’m not scared,” You quickly protest, “It’s just too loud for me to sleep. I didn’t know what else to do, I just thought…”

You trail off. You’re not really sure what you thought.

“…Never mind.” 

You turn to walk away, hoping he’ll be too tired to remember this in the morning. You’re in the doorway when his gruff voice stops you. 

“Wait, wait,” He drawls, sleepily waving you over without moving from where he’s lying, “Get back here, I ain’t chasin’ ya off…” 

You pause at that, then slowly walk back to his bed. He’s silent, and for a few moments unmoving, but then he scoots over a bit, patting the bed next to him. 

“C’mon.” 

You sigh in relief, happy to see Tim responding at least somewhat positively. You climb into bed next to him, though you’re careful not to get too close to him. You and Tim don’t really do physical contact beyond a high five for a job well done. 

That’s what makes it all the more surprising when he wraps an arm around your shoulders, pulling you into his side but making sure to be gentle, giving you ample opportunity to pull away if you need to. You don’t.

He doesn’t turn to look at you, keeping his eyes closed and his face towards the ceiling, his free hand idly resting over his stomach. 

“…You ain’t too scared, are ya?” He drawls. You’re confused for a moment, but then the thunder sounds again and you realize what he means. You hadn’t even noticed the thunder since you walked in. It was nice. 

“No, I’m fine, really,” You insist, “I’m not scared, it’s just hard to sleep with the noise. It’s more annoying than anything else.”

He gives a grunt of acknowledgment. 

“You get on to sleep, then. Ain’t no reason for you to be tired tomorrow.” 

You nod, moving a bit closer to him. He, in turn, wraps him arm a bit tighter around you. It feels…nice. Foreign, yes, but far from unpleasant. He smells like pine trees and faded Old Spice cologne. 

You yawn softly, pulling the blanket up over the two of you as you get comfortable. A comfortable silence settles over you both as the sound of the thunder mixed with the blurry noise of the TV. You’re the first to break it, a question falling from your lips before you can really think of stopping it. 

“…You were worried I was afraid?” 

Tim shrugs, scratching at his stubble as he answers. 

“I mean, I guess…I just wanted to make sure, ya know? Make sure you didn’t need me to do nothing to make you feel better…” 

That makes you smile.

“Didn’t think you’d care that much…” You murmur with a hint of a giggle. 

“Don’t be stupid,” Tim quickly snaps, “Course I care. I care about you. Ain’t no way for me not to. I’ve cared about you since the second I took you in. You’re not that young, I know, but back then you were just a kid to me. You’ve matured since then, yeah, but I’ll never forget the way you looked when I found you wandering the trail that day…” 

“Yeah, yeah, and you remember when I was three apples tall, I get it,” You tease with a playful laugh. Tim can’t help but chuckle, giving you a little squeeze. 

“Can it, ya little shit. You know what I’m sayin’. I knew what I was doin’ when I let you into my home, I wouldn’t have done that if I didn’t care.”

He’s got a point there. Most of the time Tim’s number one priority is self preservation. He rarely goes out of his way to do anything that doesn’t directly benefit him. He must’ve seen something in you absolutely worth the trouble. What exactly it is you’ll never know, but you’re certainly happy with where it’s gotten you. 

You turn to him a bit, giving him a tired smile. He turns to you as though he can sense your stare, cracking open one eye to return your smile before laying his head back again. 

“Alright, alright, ‘nuff yammerin’. Go to sleep,” He orders, reaching over to ruffle your hair before his hand rests back on his stomach. He never was good at being strict.

You stretch a bit before settling into your spot, getting as comfortable as you can so that you won’t have to shift around and risk bothering or waking up Tim later on. He hasn’t moved a muscle, his breathing already slowed and all of his muscles relaxed for once. It’s an odd sight, really. Usually he’s always holding some tension in his brow or jaw or shoulders, but he’s completely relaxed now, as are you. You finally feel like you could fall asleep.

“Night,” You mutter, your eyes fluttering shut. The last thing you hear before you fall asleep is Tim’s southern drawl ringing in your ears. 

“Sweet dreams, kid.”

#gender neutral reader #x gender neutral reader #x reader #creepypasta #marble hornets #marble hornets tim #marble hornets masky #marble hornets x reader #masky #tim wright #masky x reader #tim wright x reader #creepypasta x reader

[skipper1331]

Obsessed // Alessia Russo

Alessia and you were lying on the couch watching modern family. Well, that was the original plan, however Alessia had a different one. The TV shouldn’t have your attention. Alessia should have your attention.

"Lessi, what are you doing?" you giggled.

The striker had her hands on your sides, pulling you into her while peppering kisses all over your face.

"I‘m so obsessed with you, baby." Her eyes were nothing but full of love. Still, all these years later she made you feel like a lovestruck teenager.

Alessia often used that phrase. Because it‘s true. That girl was head over heels for you and has been since the moment she met you.

Many years ago

Alessia and her friends were playing football in the park.

And then there was you walking around with your little brother. Normally, you would be studying but your mother was still working so you had to take care of your brother. You enjoyed it though. Your brother was a little sunshine. Smiley, goofy, laughing. A boy who enjoyed his life.

"I want a dog, missy. You know? It would be so cool! I could play with him all the time. While I throw him his toy I would train my arm. So I can be like gramps." Your grandpa was an absolute legend in handball. The same passion he had, your brother has now. And to be honest your brother was quite good at it.

So the reason why you were at the park was to let him play. You knew there was a little goal which he could use. Nobody used it. You have never seen someone besides your brother use it.

As soon as he saw the goal he ran to it and threw the ball. "MISSY! HURRY UP!!!" he shouted while you walked (slowly in his eyes) to him. His shouting got Alessias attention. She and her friends a bit away. But not only Alessias attention, everyones attention. They all shared a look before they looked towards the both of you. When Alessia saw you her world stopped. You might think of it as a cliche but Alessia Russo had never seen a girl prettier than you. She watched the way you played with your brother, the way you would jump in the wrong way so the ball would go in, the way you played catch and throw.

The whole time while playing with her friends she couldn‘t focus. She was too focused on you. Too obessed with you.

Her touch was sloppy. Her passes were sloppy. Eventually her friends gave up on having a good game. When they started their journey home Alessia thought about doing it too but she couldn‘t go home without knowing your name. She would regret it. Being bold in that moment she walked over to the two of you. "Wrong choice of sport, mate" she joked. "Hi, i‘m Al-" she couldn‘t even finish her sentence because your brother was so offended. "Excuse you! My gramps is a H-E-R-O in this sport." She didn‘t think that her choice of words would lead to this. She just wanted to get know you. "Scotty, be nice. She was joking." In that moment she could‘ve sworn that she was about to faint. Your voice was music to her ears. "I‘m Y/N"

And that‘s how your relationship started.

some years ago

Alessia and you have been a couple for about 2 years and you both couldn‘t be happier. But what Alessia was feeling right now was nothing but happiness. Her day already started shitty and it only got worse. Last night she forgot to charge her phone so this morning it didn‘t have any battery. As a result she couldn‘t read your daily morning messages. In school she found out that she left her homework at home which were due today and training in general was just not it. The worst part of all was that she missed you. She wanted to be in your arms. They would make anything better. Immediately after training was finished Alessia made her way home. She knew you were at her house waiting.

You and her mom were sitting in the living room talking about the new recipe she tried a few days ago when a moody Alessia came home. She didn‘t even say hello. She just walked up to you, grabbed your hand and pulled you along with her. In her bedroom, she wordlessly laid you down on her bed and flopped onto you. Instantly your arms went around her. Her face was hidden in the crook of your neck while she inhaled your scent. "Hard day today, baby?" you asked quietly. You could feel her nod. You pressed a kiss to her temple and started tracing patterns on her back, so she would calm down. You didn’t know how long you‘ve been doing it but when you heard her sleepy voice say "I‘m obessed with you" you knew she was about to fall asleep.

a few years ago

It was family trip time.

Alessias family had invited you to come with them to Italy. Of course you agreed. You have never been in Italy before and with all the stories Alessia told you about her nonna you were excited to meet her. Alessia loved Italy. How couldn‘t she? She loved everything about it. The food, the people, the weather, everything. And now the person she loved most came to the place she loved. She was excited. On the whole journey (the flight and car rides) to her nonnas she couldn‘t shut up about the things she wanted to show you. She was so enthusiastic and full of joy that you couldn‘t stop smiling (at her).

In the first week Alessia showed you around, took you on romatic dates and you, her and her family had almost every night a game night. It was perfect.

One night her nonna made dinner (she always did but this time it was different) she asked you if you wanted to learn how to make a real italian lasagna. You didn’t let that opportunity slip through your fingers. Her nonna showed you how to make the perfect lasagna and while she taught you it she also taught you some italian words and phrases.

Alessia was head over heels. She loved that her nonna liked you, she loved that you and her nonna connected so well. She felt special because you were special. Her nonna had never asked someone who was not blood related to help her make her lasagna. Not one of her brothers girlfriends, nobody. The only thing Alessia could do was watch. She watched you the whole time with big heart eyes. "You really love her, don‘t you?“ her brother asked, snapping her halfway out of her trance but not completely. “Yeah. I‘m so obsessed with her.“ she answered honestly, still with her eyes fixed on you. What she didn’t realize though was that her answer was in fact loud spoken. Not in a whisper like she thought. "I always knew you‘re obessed with me“ giggling you pressed a kiss on her cheek. Her face turning a deep shade of red. "Look at the lasagna we made!“ you stated with so much pride in your voice. You were really proud of that lasagna, hoping it would taste good. "It looks almost as amazing as you“ your lover replied whilst smacking her arm around your waist. "smooth“ the other Russo brother laughed.

The rest of the night was filled with a delicious meal, laughing and enjoying each others presence. That night was one of the happiest Alessia ever had. She was in the country she loved, around the people she loved most. She was at peace.

present

"Still? Years later?“ you whispered against her lips, an inch away. ”Yeah“ she breathed.

With that being said she kissed you. She kissed you like there was no tomorrow. She kissed you like you were the only girl in the world (because for her you were). She kissed you like she would do it for the rest of your lives.

After all those years Alessia was still obsessed with you and neither of you wanted it any other way.

—————————

#alessia russo x reader #woso x reader #woso fanfics #woso #alessia russo #man utd women #lionesses #lionesses x reader #engwnt x reader #engwnt #arsenal wfc

[romanoffsbish]

Through the Eras

Natasha Romanoff x Fem(Stylist)!Reader

Natasha was a master of disguise, she didn’t need any help in that department, but Fury had a different plan, and she didn’t feel a need to push back when she saw it unfolding. Aka, Natasha is a simp for R, and this is them falling in love over a decades time.

2011-IM2, 2012-OG Avengers, 2014-Winter Soldier, 2016-Civil War, 2018-IW, 2023-EG

All Canon besides EG.

Warnings: Violence, Death, Grief, but like mostly happy/fluffy.

Smut: Bottom!Nat, Oral/Strap(N), Praising.

2002

Natasha was hesitant about being in America, the land where a donut could be bigger than the size of someone's head, and where majority of experiences were rooted in fake niceties. Nothing about the foreign country felt like home to her, not that she knew much about such a feeling, but she knew it was best to get acclimated seeing as how she hadn't been given much of a choice. Either she give her life away to this organization, or she die at their hands.

Upon entering the SHIELD base her green eyes were tracking any and all movements as she trailed behind Agent Barton, the man she swears fealty to for sparing a wretch such as herself from a perceivably deserved death.

The agency is like nothing Natasha had ever seen before, majority of the agents here wore basic black suits with ties like you'd see on an individual working a 9-5, not so much at a government agency full of professional spies and assassins as she knew it to be.

Back in the Red Room the men employed by General Dreykov were almost always sporting full tactical suits like the cowards that they were to keep the little girls in line, and to surround the man for safety purposes. Here though, as Clint escorts her to the man in charge she doesn't see him with a team, no, it's simply a man in a trench coat, wearing an eye patch with a raven haired woman to his right.

"Romanoff.," the odd man with the eye patch nods at her stoically., "Barton here has decided to take a chance on you, don't make us here at Shield regret honoring that choice.," his hand reached for hers, she observed the gesture with hesitation, but eventually she met his attempt.

"Welcome to Shield Agent Romanoff, Hill here will escort you to your quarters, good luck."

—

2011

After nine years Natasha had yet to find the people of New York bearable, but she's learned to make due, and has acclimated very well as a good spy is trained to do, but moreover she had found she began to crave the perceived American dream. Over time she proved her expressed loyalty to the Director, as well as her mission partner turned family, and successfully crawled up ranks until she reached a Level 6.

With climbing ranks came more respect and then with that came new responsibilities. For years now she'd listened to Nick drone on about his determination to build a group of remarkable people to fight the battles that the bulk of your everyday people never could.

"Seriously Fury?," she scoffed while looking over the many files., "This guy is remarkable?"

"Stark is many things: a billionaire, arrogant, even a pompous asshole, but if you can look beyond the overly jelled back hair, and childish antics you'll see he's untouchably intelligent."

"Is that why he's letting himself die then?"

"Listen, Romanoff, I did not assign you this case for you to question my judgment.," he groaned, and ran his hand over his face., "You're here because I need eyes on the inside, and someone who can break him down until he accepts our help, and joins the good fight."

"So I'm your eye candy?," she scoffs, arms now folded across her chest as she glares at him., "Look, it's not ideal, but in part, yes you are."

"I don't appreciate such a deduction, I'm a skilled agent.," he nods., "Yeah, which is why you'll be gathering me intel, and helping the pitiful man who's too weak to help himself."

Natasha continued to glare, but Nick just moved passed it as he's grown used to her pushback over the years., "You're on your own in the field, but Coulson's on standby, and I've assigned Y/L/N to assist you when need be."

"The agency's hairdresser?"

"Now who's deducing?," you snarked from the door as you strolled into the room., "I also do your makeup, pick out your clothing, and keep your mind stimulated when you're bored."

Natasha glared at you for your interruption, but it was in vain, she always found your presence rather pleasant, even if she's only ever been able to experience you in passing thus far.

"I take it the two of you got it from here then?"

After you both nodded at the director he left the room smiling, and Maria smiled back., "Playing matchmaker now, are we Nick?"

—

Natasha's face never wavered when you made decisions for her, she was not one to push back outwardly if she didn't know you well, but you could detect the faux indifference in her eyes.

"Well, you seem to not be down for the bob, or the fringe look.," you called her bluff., "What about if I were to make you bald, super sexy.," she unexpectedly smirked at your teasing.

"Not sure Stark's into the bald type, have you even thought about that?," you grimaced., "Now Natasha, why would I ever care about a mans opinion? I don't usually think of men, let alone their opinions on a clients appearance."

Natasha's stoic expression returned as you spoke of her so professionally, she wanted to frown, but she knew it wasn't right since you were also here for a job. Now she's starting to understand the whole eye candy trope, as she's essentially procured you here as her very own.

"How about we darken your natural shade a little bit, and add extensions?" you held up the desired shade, and the glint in her eyes had you sold, even if all she did was shrug indifferently.

—

Natasha's body stiffened when your hands fell on her hips to turn her., "Something is off.," she frowned., "Gee, thanks Y/L/N.," you smirked, then made a 'aha' noise, spinning her back around before dropping your hold on her.

"Well?"

"Oh, sorry.," you smiled sheepishly., "Tuck the shirt into the pants, it'll be more form fitting."

"That was your big save?," she chuckled while doing exactly what you said, a smile on her face as she silently agreed with your judgment call.

"Don't mock me Romanoff, or I'll make sure to give your nose extra attention with my blush."

Natasha smirked cockily, a snide joke on the tip of her tongue, but instead of speaking, her breath was hitching when you straddled her lap, and nonchalantly began her makeup.

"Uh, Y/L/N.," you hummed, makeup sponge in hand as you prepared to apply her concealer., "Is there a reason you're sat in my lap?"

"There are no other places to sit in this tiny bathroom work space Romanoff, and there's no way I'm standing on my feet for over an hour.," your answer was playfully spoken, but serious.

"An hour?," you stifled a laugh at the sight of her scrunched features., "It's just make up."

"Do I question your fighting process?"

"I guess not.," she softly replied, her mind was a bit too focused on how you were so close she could feel your breaths to really push back, plus, she didn't really mind the proximity.

She became so distracted by you that she failed to hear the way your breath hitched after her arms unconsciously moved from dangling by her uncomfortably to wrapped around you.

"Done.," you swiped the stick over her lips, and stood up, much to Natasha's disappointment.

"How do I look?," she asked, and you turned to her with a playful smile., "Like a million bucks, you can say thank you now like a civilized person, or later after you wow the billionaire."

Natasha smirked, it excited her a bit to hear a tinge of jealousy in your tone, it told her this whole connection wasn't exactly one sided.

"Thank you krasivaya.," she left a soft kiss to your cheek, your knees nearly buckled, and you were praying for your sake she didn't see that., "Natasha, your lips weren't dry yet.," you chose to scold her to take the heat off of your bodies previous betrayal just before catching her off guard as you gripped her chin, and reapplied.

"Good luck."

"Why would I need luck when I apparently look like a million bucks?" she mused., "The money hungry fool will be under my spell in seconds." a playful wink was thrown your way as she left, but you were smart enough to know she was telling the truth, she had the kind of effortless beauty that could be used to topple regimes, and to your misfortune, your sensitive heart.

—

"What's your name lady?," Tony Stark, her op, immediately shouted at her as she entered, and she turned to him with a neutral expression., "Rushman. Natalie Rushman."

You giggled., "James Bond, really? You're such a cliche Romanoff," you could just feel the eye roll she was likely being forced to internalize all the while wondering why she agreed to your unhelpful proposal of wearing ear pieces.

Natasha wanted to smirk at your comment, because she was very much a cliche in this moment, but she had to remain in character as the "hot woman" from legal, and to get in Tony's good graces she agreed to a sparring match with his security guard, Happy Gilmore.

"You ever boxed before?"

"I have, yes."

"Oh boy, is he in for a treat.," you giggle, and Natasha smiled at the sound, and fortunately for her it seemed to fit in the moment anyways.

"What, like the Tae Bo? Booty Boot Camp? Crunch? Something like that?"

"Oh, no the fuck he didn't.," you verbalized aloud what her very expression did, you heard her clear her throat, and frowned, the woman you knew would've given him what for, but you knew she was forced to remain cordial here.

Tony called out to her, causing her to deviate her attention momentarily, and for Happy to believe that this was a teaching moment.

"Rule number one, never take your eye off your opponent."

"Rule number one, don't be a misogynistic douche.," you grumbled, and to your extreme delight you could hear Natasha grunt, and all other parties either shrieking or groaning.

"Atta girl."

Natasha rushed out shortly after the incident, and after dropping off the paperwork in her hand she made her way back to your hotel.

"I took the liberty of ordering room service.," you said as soon as she plopped beside you on the bed in her casual clothes., "I also used the company card to rent Moonraker for you."

Natasha slapped your arm lightly., "You're going to hold this against me for life, huh?"

"Ooh, I'm a for lifer?," she smiled softly at your tease, it was too soon to know really, but her heart fluttered at the idea of a forever with you.

"Who else will do my hair and makeup? Me?" she scoffs playfully. "I'm too high ranked to be expected to do such mundane, easy things."

"For that cruel dig I am eating the bonus chocolate covered strawberry!" you grumbled, she cackled as she swiped it from the tray and was met with your glare. "No, I don't think so."

Instead of chasing her down you laid out like a starfish on the mattress. "I heard the couch is comfortable, I hope you find that true," she gasped at your insinuation, then if only to show off she lifted you effortlessly, laid down beside you, and pressed play. "I'm sorry Y/L/N."

"I won't hold it against you Rushman," you rolled to your side, then faced the screen just the same. "Good, I kinda need you on my side."

——

The following day you were expected to make her look fancy, so you set her up in a red dress, and did a simple makeup look. "Have fun."

"Oh my, did I forget to tell you that you're coming with me," she looked at you innocently, but the glint in her eye screamed of mischief.

Your voice expectedly cracked, "What?"

"Pepper said I could bring a plus one, and Fury said I could bring you, so go get ready toots."

Natasha waited patiently on the edge of your shared bed on her phone, hardly listening as you grumbled from behind the closed bathroom door. "This is so uncool, I didn't bring anything fancy to wear," you peaked your sopping wet head out to pout at her in the hopes that you'd be spared going, but she held up a garment bag while smirking tauntingly, "Hurry up now malysh, we can't be late."

—

Natasha's hand settled over your hip as the two of you entered the venue together, you were in a black suit with a red dress shirt to match her dress, you looked like a couple, and the thought of the possibility made your skin burn, and it had your heart skipping with a doomed hope.

"Oh, who's this beauty?" Tony grasped your hand without asking, pulling it to his lips, and you grimaced as he pressed them to your hand. Natasha saw the disgusted look on your face, and instantly spoke. "This is Zoe Rushman."

"So beauty runs in the family then?" she shook her head, and pulled you even closer to her side. "No, it's a bit premature on the name, but she's my fiancé, and if the laws pass in our favor we'll be tying the knot next Spring."

Tony nodded, then took his leave to God knows where, and to be clear you surely didn't care.

"We're engaged?" Natasha spun you in front of her and leaned into your ear. "Yes, I will not subject you to Tony's flirting if I can avoid it."

"I thought you were meant to entice him."

"Not anymore, I already secured my spot, so really this is mutually beneficial." she mused, and you chuckled. "So I'm your arm candy?"

"Precisely," she kissed the corner of your lips, it felt real, but you reasoned it was for the sake of your story, so you shoved the feelings down.

"Natalie?!" you both turned to see a distraught blonde, you peered up at the small screen she was gawking at, you saw Tony racing in a car, then you saw a man with electricity tentacles also on the track. "Well that can't be good."

Natasha tended to a frantic Pepper, then she escorted you out of the venue. "Take her to the hotel," she instructed a shield agent, and you realized he must've already been on standby.

"Be careful Nat." She smirked. "I always am."

—

After working tirelessly to save Tony's image, she returned to the hotel at ten at night in desperate need of a shower, and some sleep. When she entered your shared space it was dark, and she made quiet work of tending to her needs before slipping in bed besides you.

"You're back.," you slurred, one eye flying open to confirm it was indeed the redhead., "I am."

"Did you get your dinner?"

Natasha smiled appreciatively, "I ate already, Pepper ordered us takeout, but thank you honey, I put it in the fridge for tomorrow."

You hummed, too tired to really respond, and Natasha watched you slowly fall back to sleep with a smile of pure adoration. A gasp left her lips only moments later though, her smile never dissipated, it morphed into a shocked one as you'd unconsciously scooted across the mattress and threw an arm around her waist.

"Good grief, you're going to kill me," she slid her arm underneath your neck, and allowed her other to lay over your body protectively., "And I'd die happy if you did," she whispered before allowing the unfamiliar comfort you brought her to help her fall asleep with ease.

A full nights rest was something incredibly foreign to her, but it consumed her tonight.

——

Natasha just left you downstairs, even with the last event ending in chaos she wanted you at this party with her, but first she had to assist Stark as was her job, "Do you know which watch you'd like to wear tonight Mr. Stark?"

"I'll give them a look," he sighed while fixing his shirt. "I should cancel the party, huh?"

"Probably," she turned to look at him, and brought him over a martini she'd prepared.

"Yeah, because it's uh—," he paused, and she promptly finished his thought, "Ill timed."

"Sends the wrong message."

"Inappropriate," Nat confirms with a sly smirk., "Is that dirty enough for you?"

He sipped it, then immediately deflected back to the watches, and you grimaced at the way she flirted so easily, a little reminder that this was all a ruse, and she wasn't yours to have.

Natasha sat besides him, not because she was interested in the man, but because she wanted to have a closer look at his declining state as collecting intel was part of her overall mission.

"It's hard to get a read on you, where are you from?" Tony asked while she applied some concealer to his marred up face. "Legal."

You snorted, and the redhead heard it, and could picture your eyes rolling right now.

"Can I ask you a question, hypothetically?" Natasha only stared at him, but he went for it anyways. "It's a bit odd, but if this was your last birthday party you were ever gonna have, how would you celebrate it?"

"I'd do whatever I wanted to do, with whoever I wanted to do it with," she followed her answer up with the clicking of her heels, but stopped as he asked a follow up question. "Like Zoe?"

"Precisely," she hoped you could hear the truth in her tone, but if you didn't she'd find a way to make it clear to you after this whole mission.

Before you could wipe away the hopeful smile Natasha was at your side, slipping your near empty glass from your hand to down it all. "Drinking on the job Natalie?" she smirked over your glass, "Have you met my boss?"

Natasha beamed as you giggled, because not only does the sound illicit a warmth within her, but she knew you understood that she meant Director Fury just as much as she did Tony.

With an elegance in her movements the redhead settled your glass down, and brought you onto the dance floor as a slow song played. There was a comfortability that you were shocked to find yourself feeling with her in such a short time frame. Natasha was always an enigma back at Shield headquarters, but now, out in the field she was easier to read.

Just like you she craved exhilaration, you found it out in the wilderness on off days, and in the salon mixing up products to transform people into whatever they wanted to become. Natasha found it on stealthy missions, where she was able to kick peoples asses, and make the world a safer place for all that inhabit it.

There was still an air of mystery to her, which you expect being so new to this undefined dynamic with her. You didn't expect all her walls to drop at once, but the fact that any have dropped tells you that she trusts you enough.

Before you could make an honest move, like kissing her as you dreamed, an actual wall fell.

Natasha quickly pulled your face to her chest, shielding you from the glass, and as soon as Rhodey said to get out, she was pulling you both to another room, and softly cupping your cheeks, "We need to get you out of here."

"I don't break that easily Nata-."

"Natalie!" you grimaced at the shrill voice of the angry blonde, and Nat softly groaned before turning to her cordially, "Miss Potts."

Before she could say much to Nat about her speculations, she was dragged away by Happy, and you were much the same by Natasha.

"I think I'm your bad luck charm," you mused from the passenger seat, and Natasha softly sighed as she parked the car, "No, I actually think you're much to the opposite Y/N."

The both of you entered the hotel, taking turns slipping out of your dresses, and when you sat down on the bed Natasha's eyes widened., "You're hurt?" you shrugged. "Occupational hazard," you turned to face her, heart melting at the show of genuine concern on her face, but the happy faded fast when her eyes hardened.

"No, you're the all around stylist, not an agent."

"I'm more than that," your voice was small, and she immediately regretted her choice of words. "I-I know, but you still had no business being out in the field, and it's my fault you were."

"I'm okay Nat, it's only a scratch, and if it were to have been more I have combat training."

The redhead left the room, and your shoulders deflated, but then she came back with a couple wine coolers, a soft smile and a first aid kit.

"Let's get you all patched up soldier."

—

Natasha frowned as you entered the Stark expo hand in hand, "I don't have a good feeling about this," she groaned, and you squeezed her hand. "Nat, we already committed to this whole fiancés facade, so until we're through with the mission here I'm coming along."

"I could've told Pepper you're sick."

"Who's sick?"

"I thought I had a cold, but turns out it's just allergies," you answered, and held your hand out for her to shake as you'd yet to introduce yourself yet even after seeing each other.

"Zoe right?," you nodded convincingly, "It's lovely to finally meet you, Natalie here speaks of you so fondly, I'm almost kinda jealous."

"Aww, baby, you talk to your boss about me?" Natasha's face tinted a light shade of pink at the painful, exposing moment, and you did all that you could to stifle your teasing laughter. "You're just a total sweetheart," you mused and followed your teasing words with a gentle kiss to the already blushing woman's cheek.

"Well, shall we get seated?" Natasha managed to pull it together enough to brush right passed the moment, and escort Pepper to her seat.

It doesn't take long after the exchange for shit to hit the fan, and after Natasha roughed up Tony's business rival the two of you were in a car with Happy on the way to save the day.

"When we arrive I need you to watch the perimeter, I'm gonna enter the facility and take down the target," Natasha instructs, and you go to glare at her but are shockingly met with her undressing, and then you felt the car swerving.

"Watch the road," you growled at the man in the drivers seat, then you lifted your suit jacket up to shield Natasha as she changed out of the black dress and into her body defining catsuit.

Natasha softly smiled, an intense wave of emotion filled her as you remained respectful, and didn't intentionally ogle her like she's used to, but a secret part of her wished for you to. However, she has no time to dwell on it as the car comes to a stop outside Hammer's base.

"Stay in the car," Nat barked at both of you.

"I'm not staying in the car."

"Dude. You should really listen to her," you mused, but in direct contrast you followed her into the building, and Happy trailed behind.

"Y/N what are you doing?" she asks in a huff while knocking two guys out at once. "You can't be in here, I don't want you getting hurt."

You rush passed her with an eye roll, taking out a man who was fast approaching with a punch to his throat, then another with your lipstick that she now knows is a high voltage taser.

"I was going to retouch my lips with that," she gasps with a lopsided smile directed at you.

"Good thing you didn't you little thief.," you tease back as you both pass the last remaining guy, and she just uses her pepper spray on him.

Natasha is quick to help Tony with the drones, then while they fight she shifts her attention over to you, "You trained with who exactly?"

"Hill."

Natasha nodded, "Makes sense then."

Her arms that were folded over her chest move to around your waist., "Thanks for the help," you hug her back, and she basically melts into you., "Anytime Nat, I'll do your hair, makeup, I'll dress you up, whatever you want, really."

"How about you undress me?” she teased, using a deep sultry tone on you, you shoved her away playfully, and she cackled while following you out of the room. "Y/L/N, come back!"

"Thank God you girls are okay," Happy shouts as the both of you approach unscathed, he himself in a state of disarray, and you scoff. “It's not us you should be worried about."

He glares at you, then shifts his attention to the redhead approaching from behind you. "Hey, Natalie, what you did here was impressive,” he gestures to the pile of bodies with a shy smile.

"Would you be interested in getting dinner?"

Natasha watched as your jaw and fists clenched in unison, and it inspired her to make a move. Her callous hand was gentle as it found yours, she unfurled your fingers, then slipped hers between yours. "No thanks, I'm spoken for."

A wide smile befell your face as she spoke, and in a swift switch of events it was you making a move, your hand dropped hers to grab her by the waist, and as you spun her to face you the other slid behind her neck. "Yeah, she is."

Happy cleared his throat before scurrying off, the tension in the room thick at the glare you sent his way right before you pulled Natasha into you for a heady kiss. A soft hmph left you when she spun you around and into a wall.

Natasha pulled away from you at the sound of another's pained groan, she smirked at the sight of you so flustered; blissfully unaware, and as beautiful as the first time she saw you.

"We should get out of here krasivaya," Nat grabbed your hand again, squeezing it softly to better get your attention. "Lead the way Nat.," you smiled dreamily, she pulled you along, and guided you into the back of an awaiting car.

—

Fury shook your hand, then sent you off with a wink that you failed to understand as you were finally moving to leave Shields headquarters.

"Wait!” Natasha took off after you, and her hand settled on your shoulder. "Would you like to get coffee with me sometime?” you smiled at the redhead as you turned to face her properly, she was uncharacteristically nervous, and that made you feel extra confident. "I just made out with you over many unconscious men, and now you're nervous to talk to me—how adorable."

Natasha's mouth opened, but then it closed as she tried to remember how to formulate actual words. "I-I'm not adorable Y/N/N, you are."

"You're even more adorable now that you've said that," you snickered, then reached out to softly move a stray hair behind her ear. "I'd love to get coffee with you Natasha, feel free to pick me up tomorrow morning before work."

"I don't have your address.," she called out as you already started walking off again, and you didn't even turn around as you shouted., "We both know that's not true Agent Romanoff."

2012

You weren't a super spy yourself, but you didn't need to be to know the loud ding of your locked doors opening was because of a certain beauty.

"Natasha, I can get my own breakfast you know," you set the broom stick against the counter, and met her at the desk in your office. "Yeah, you can, but you shouldn't have to."

You shook your head with a fond smile, then accepted the warm beverage and croissant. "Thank you baby," you murmured over a bite of the buttery goodness, then you approached the pouting redhead as she reached for you.

"Are you excited to open the shop tomorrow detka?" she quickly pulled you into her warm embrace, and you nuzzled into her, knowing that she craved these reassuring affections. "Mostly," you admitted. "I'm kinda nervous."

"Why would you be nervous?"

"What if I open my doors and the sky falls?"

"Y/N, what's really going on, hm?" she softly swayed you, and placed a kiss to your forehead.

"What if I am not good enough to succeed?"

"Detka, now that's just ridiculous," your lover sighs softly as she works to pull you closer.

"You're plenty good enough, there's nobody else I'd ever let touch my hair," she confessed, "Nick knew that by the way, when he played matchmaker, and I went along of course because you were the woman of my dreams, and how else would I have gotten that close."

"Nat," she cut you off with a dizzying kiss, it was so intense that she was able to walk you back into your chair. "I'm dead serious detka."

"You're being honest?" she nodded, and you smiled widely. "I can't believe I was your first."

Natasha smirked, her dimple prominent as she absorbed your words, there were areas of truth to them, yes, you were her first hair stylist, but moreover, you were her first, and only love.

"Up until that mission I'd handled all of my own disguises, and yes, even as a level 6 agent I was able to work my own makeup brushes."

Your belly laughter filled the room, and your lover smiled as soon as it left you, if she were to only be made to hear your joy for the rest of her life she knows she'd die a happy woman.

"Hey, I have an idea," Natasha nudged your shoulder, then her hand gripped yours to pull you up to your feet without any explanation. Natasha settled herself down in one of your leather chairs with a lopsided grin as she met your gaze through the mirror and ran a hand through her unruly maine, "Have a ball."

It honestly surprised you how willing she was to be your guinea pig, her appearance really did mean a lot to her, but she seemingly trusted you enough to give you free reign with it.

Her current hair was a little passed shoulder length, and quite frankly overdue for a trim, but what you had in mind went beyond that.

Natasha followed your every instruction, and she did so happily, her sighs of gratitude proof that the way you scratched at her scalp as you washed and conditioned her hair was pleasing.

After you settled her down in the salon chair you practiced your customer service on her, "Ma'am, would you," she cut you off with a hand to the face. "Ma'am? Detka please..."

"Oh, my apologies, Miss picture perfect image of youth, would you care for a refreshment?"

Natasha smirked, "Much better, yes please."

Natasha graciously accepted the can of soda by pulling you in for an appreciative kiss, "Now don't you be letting the customers do that too."

You gasped, "Shit baby, do you think I should take off my 'Please kiss your stylist' apron?" She looked up at you unamused, her eyes were briefly casted down at your apron to ensure you were joking, and when she discovered you were she settled into the chair. "Chop, chop."

A roll of your eyes followed her play on words, you complied of course, but to make it more fun you spun her to face away from the mirror.

After you did the sizable chop you began to add layers to give it more volume, then you used your specialty scissors to give the ends texture. It took you about an hour to get her hair where you wanted, and from the back it looked great.

A long breath still left you when your hands no longer had something to manipulate, you were honestly nervous because it was far shorter than when she had walked in. Natasha had the fortune of being so beautiful that nothing could change that, but an outward opinion on her appearance didn't matter here, only hers did.

"Detka, you're making me nervous," she joked, and after a tense moment of silence she sighed, "I'm going to love it, I already feel tons lighter."

When you still refrained from spinning her around she stood from her seat, leaving you unable to face her reaction as she turned around. You still managed to do it though as you shut your eyes tightly to avoid the potential of a disappointed, and likely frowning Nat.

"It's perfect," she gasped, her hands were gentle as they moved you over a smidge so that she could see better. "Honey, open your eyes, and look at the smoke show that is on display," she shook your body like it was a limp noodle by her grip on your shoulders to emphasize the joy you should feel, and it actually paid off.

"Wow," you were genuinely elated as you opened your eyes, what you envisioned was so beautifully brought to life right before you. You didn't hesitate to run your hand through the much shorter red locks, appreciating the way that her natural wave showed through more prominently at this length. "You're beautiful."

Natasha surged forward, capturing your lips with hers, something she always did when she felt overwhelmed by you complimenting her. There was just something different about the way you said beautiful, your tone was always soft, and your eyes were even softer, as if you were seeing her for more than her physicality.

Which you were...

Just as you moved to deepen the affection, your tongue slowly sliding over hers, you were rudely interrupted by Natasha's obnoxious pager, and corresponding ringing of her cell. When combined that always meant she had to go, because Fury needed her for a mission.

"Absolutely not," she groaned, "What is it?"

"Agent Romanoff, always such a pleasure."

"Nick, I am unavailable, Y/N's opening day is tomorrow, can't you send someone else?"

"Unfortunately not Romanoff, it's connected to your mission in limbo, and if you don't seize the moment now you'll likely miss it entirely."

Natasha hung up on the director, it was her angered way of relenting on her stance, even if it was actually breaking her heart to say it.

"It's okay Natasha, it's just a salon opening."

"No, don't do that," she turned to face you, cupping your cheeks in her calloused hands. "You're so special Y/N/N, and the way you transform looks is amazing, it's life changing."

"Yeah, and the way you save the world is too," you leaned in to kiss her again, and the both of you made sure to savor the fleeting moment.

"I'll be back in time for a celebratory dinner."

"I'll be looking forward to it," you pressed your lips to hers for a chaste kiss. "Give them hell."

Natasha smirked against you, "I always do."

——

The world was a crazy place really, the general populous moves around in a state of blissful ignorance while atrocities happen under their noses. Rumors fly, but without any evidence they act as if the evil only exists in the stories. It's only in moments like now that they are able to get a glimpse through the cracks, and see that fables of other worlds are based in reality. 

Natasha stared up at the gigantic black hole in the sky in a disgusted sort of awe, it was a sight to marvel at—sure, but she wonders more how she got here in a matter of twenty four hours.

Yesterday morning she was being pampered by you, and by that evening she was tied to a chair with men who actually thought they had the upper hand on her, the notorious Black Widow.

Then after a panicked call from Coulson over Clint's well being she was exchanging her idiot Russian henchmen out for a ship full of equally as idiotic American men, with an aloof God in tow who couldn't set their egos aside long enough to see the bigger picture until it had to be blown up in front of their once smug faces.

After fighting her best friend, being chased by the monstrosity that is The Hulk, and losing Coulson, a dear friend of the redheads, she was already beyond exhausted, but rest was nary an option with aliens flying through a portal.

If they didn't pull it together soon the entire state of New York would likely meet the same fate as many other peculiar cities in the past.

Natasha wouldn't be letting that happen though, no matter what she would never let anything happen to you. Which is why she was first to offer finding out how to close the portal, effectively neutralizing the core threat here.

"Natasha, you seem distracted," the captain observed, and Natasha sighed in frustration. "My girlfriend," she paused as the man out of time dropped his shield out of shock. "Go on."

"Today was the day her shop was supposed to open, and I'm fucking terrified that she was in it as the fight broke out," she struggled to hold back her tears, "She didn't answer her phone, and I had no time to check on her." At the odd show of emotions from the reclusive spy Steve realized he needed to offer his support here.

"Listen, you make it to the top as planned, and I promise to go collect," he paused, and she smiled at just the thought of you. "Y/N."

"Please, don't let anything happen to her." he nodded, and with that she was off in the sky, chasing down the alien scum while the super soldier sprinted towards your quaint shop.

The bell rung out, and you jumped onto the intruder's back in an instant, ready to fight, but then you saw the patriotic get up, and knew he was not the enemy in this current predicament.

"Y/N?"

You slowly fell from his back, then rounded the man to face him. "Depends, what's it to you?"

"Natasha sent me after you," he relayed, and you rolled your eyes. "That woman, I swear, it's like she forgets I'm trained for this shit."

"You're an agent?" you shrugged. "Something more in between trained agent and stylist."

"I saw her tough resolve crumbling only a few minutes ago," he admits. "I honestly haven't known her more than a few hours, but she doesn't strike me as the type to break easily."

"She isn't," you whisper, then meet the man with a frown. "Take me to safety I guess."

He escorts you out, and it's when an alien runs by with its razor sharp talons ready to strike that he realizes you were safer indoors. "Uh," he turns you back around, then puts you in your office, using your bookshelf he blocks the window, then from outside your door he moves another shelf full of products in front of it.

"We'll come collect you shortly, Natasha is currently working on closing the blackhole."

"Okay!" you shout back amusedly, then you pull up Scandal on your laptop, and hope Nat forgives you for watching the next episode without her on account of emotional distress.

——

Natasha took the elevator down Stark's ginormous tower, then she ran to your shop without taking a moment to catch her breath after she had successfully closed the portal. Once she arrived she barged through the doors only to groan at her newfound obstacle.

"Are you watching Scandal without me?" she grunted through the blocked door as she heard the familiar start up tune while she was trying to use her remaining strength to move the hefty, fully stocked set of shelves. Once she's successful she barges in with a deep scowl.

"The sky was falling..." you shut your laptop guiltily, then slowly made your away around your desk to pull the dirtied woman into you.

"Yeah, it certainly was," she melted into you, honestly she was too tired to further scold you over something so mundane, especially after she already spent the entire day bickering with egotistical men, then as if it was a cherry atop of a shit sundae, she had to fight ugly aliens.

"Sit down love, I'm gonna clean you up."

"Detka," you hummed while maneuvering around the shop to collect your hair products and first aid kit. "Would you like to meet the team today? We're going to get Shawarma."

"Who's really left to meet?" you teased, and she lowered her voice to imitate the men, "Bruce, the Hulk, and Thor, the God of Thunder."

"I'd love to go with you Nat, thank you," you lightly kissed her split lips. "Just maybe after I rinse your hair and disinfect these cuts."

"Fair enough."

—

Natasha was fatigued beyond recognition, so you had her hop onto your back, she protested softly, but the second her feet left the ground you felt her sigh against your back. "Comfy?"

The redhead nodded, then to further prove your suspicions she yawned, "It's just up the street detka, they're probably already eating."

Natasha rested as best she could on your trek to the family owned restaurant that managed to remain unscathed unlike the neighboring stores surrounding it that laid in ruins. Once you got to the door though she dropped from your back, then like the gentlewoman she was she opened the door for you, and escorted you to the table where she took her rightful seat.

There wasn't another open for you since they weren't expecting a plus one, but that didn't matter much, because to make the message clear to the unknowing men gawking at the both of you, Nat pulled you into her lap and kissed you oh so tenderly. Steve blushed at the unfamiliar sight, Tony smirked, and Clint was expectedly unbothered as he stuffed his face.

Thor too seemed unbothered as he asked for someone to pass him the 'sauce that burns his tongue in ways he enjoys.' Bruce, the reserved one looked a bit taken aback, and almost hurt if you cared to look at him, but he shook off his unfair jealousy, then politely shook your hand.

"Lovely to see you again Zoe."

"Zoe?" Steve looked between the three of you, and you and your lover knowingly chuckled. "Tony, and everyone else I guess, this is Y/N, my girlfriend of a years time, and that's all I will be disclosing, so avert your eyes and eat."

Tony didn't care about her disinterest, he was too busy having an epiphany, and so he gasped obnoxiously loudly, "You two got together because of me? Wow! You're both welcome."

—

"Your little team of superheroes seemed," you paused to mull it over while ripping the sheet back, slipping under the cool fabric, and opening your arms wide for the cuddle fiend that was your girlfriend to crawl right on into.

"Insufferable? Pig headed? Inept besides Clint, and even then I might be being too nice?"

Natasha smiled against your neck as you tried to temper your exhausted cackle. "I was going to say potentially incorrigible, but for the sake of mankind's survival I hope they're not."

"Yeah, me too, because as of right now it's an overload on testosterone, and I think if history has taught us anything, it's that that's usually the greatest indicator for eventual disaster"

You snorted at your lovers tired grumbling, "Yeah, but with you there to lead, it'll be fine."

"I sure hope so," she yawned, "Goodnight Y/N, I love you." Your body tensed, but when you looked into her murky eyes you could see that the exhaustion brought it on, but it was the truth nonetheless. "I love you too Natasha."

A smile wider than the state of Texas spread against your skin, followed by a smattering of tired, soft kisses as she nuzzled further into you., "YA sobirayus' khranit' tebya vechno."

(I'm going to keep you forever.)

"What was that?"

"You're a dead woman walking for watching Scandal without me, you better sleep with one eye open," she nipped your skin teasingly and you slapped her butt warningly. "Mhm, sure..."

As you both slipped away into a state of bliss Natasha couldn't fathom how she got so lucky to have found you, and you pondered learning Russian, because you loved her enough to.

2014

"Natasha, sit still," you commanded, the ability to straighten her hair as she asked of you was almost nonexistent with the way she moved.

"I'm sorry detka, I-I," she paused, her thoughts were jumbled with all the anxiety she's been feeling since her mission with Steve yesterday.

"What is it?" you settled the straightener down, then spun her around to face you, and in the cutest way possible she reached for you then pulled you into her lap so she could bury her face in your chest. "My favorite stress balls."

"Natasha," you warned, but the bite in your tone was nonexistent, and you found yourself laughing lightly along with her. "What? The world is an absolute garbage fire, but when I'm here, with my face in your breasts it's alright."

"I can't stand you," you groaned, and she shifted to look at you with a quirked brow., "Good thing you're sitting down then, huh?"

"Natasha, I swear to God!" her face smushed back into your breasts, but this time she was blowing raspberries, and you were aghast, “You’re a fucking pervert,” she laughed wildly as the words left you in a near shriek.

“I’m a pervert for only you,“ she pecked your lips, a sigh of relief brushing across your face as she feels her anxieties melting away so easily when she’s touching you—you’re her peace.

The sound of her pager going off like crazy ruined the whole vibe, “What now? Was me commandeering an entire ship not enough?”

Natasha’s face fell though as she read the tiny script: ‘Fury’s been compromised—hurry.’

—

The drive to the hospital was fast, you held on to the handle tightly as she swerved between lanes. Even in her frenzied state she settled a hand over your thigh to offer comfort, and in the moment when she had nothing but time to think she curses herself for letting you come.

If someone is after Fury, and they see her in the hospital she’s going to be a follow up target, and by bringing you she’s made you one too.

With your hand in hers you both entered the hospital, Maria and Steve were there to greet you both, and as they brought you to a window you saw the elder man in a state of disarray. Then before any words could be muttered his heart monitor went haywire, then he flatlined.

Natasha cried into your shoulder for all of two seconds before she was pulling it together. Her jaw clenched at the thought of leaving you, but she had no choice, so she kissed the corner of your lips, “I have to go,” Natasha held her hand up when you tried to follow her, “I’m okay,” she tossed Maria the keys, then soon disappeared.

You went to chase your girlfriend down but Maria stopped you, “Come with me, Nat’s not going to stop until she has answers, and you’re not safe if you go home since you came here.”

“Oh,” you nodded, then followed her instead.

—

Natasha entered the facility you were being held at with a deep scowl on her face, it didn’t exactly melt away at the sight of you, but it definitely lessened when you embraced her. Maria’s hold on her was nonexistent now as you took over escorting her to a chair for the doctor. Her subtle wince caused you to let go, and you made quick work of her jacket so you could see what happened, and you gasped.

The doctors rushed you aside, then fixed her up remarkably fast, and once they moved you tried to lean in for a kiss, but Natasha evaded your affection with ease, it was so subtle the way she leaned her forehead to yours, but you still felt the sting of her rejecting affection. It terrified you to think that after everything you have overcome together that she’d retreat now.

“I’m okay detka, I’ve experienced worse,” she tried to play down the wound, her voice wasn’t much above a whisper as she tried to keep the moment specifically between the two of you, but she didn’t succeed because you were on your feet, and slamming a fist into Steve.

“How could you let this happen to her?” You glared at the man, but you could see the guilt on his face ran deeper than her being wounded, “Why do you look so guilty Steve? What is it?”

Natasha glared at the super soldier, she told him that what happened on the escalator was self preservation, and that she’d tell you, but he was about to blurt it out, and humiliate you.

“Natasha kissed me,” he squeaked, blue eyes widening as he saw the murderous redhead jump to her feet, “I-It was only—,” you shook your head, a sign that the man took as your disinterest in his blubbering explanations.

Instead you turned to look at Natasha, who was quick to soften her gaze as your eyes locked, a tense silence befell the room because no one knew what was about to happen. Natasha did though, she knew you were silently assessing, and when you smiled softly at her she relaxed.

“I’m sorry you had to do that my beloved,” you coo, then entered into her good arms embrace, “It must’ve been a hardship for you to kiss a man seeing as how you’re not into them.”

Maria smirked, but then upon seeing Fury’s expression she cleared her throat, and began to debrief the room about Hydra’s infiltration. You sat in Nat’s lap while they discussed the miracle of Fury’s survival, and you hardly paid attention, your eyes transfixed on Nat instead.

Which is why when Fury muttered, “Can't kill you if you're already dead. Besides, I wasn't sure who to trust.” You watched as Natasha’s eyes glazed over, and that had you seeing red.

“She took a bullet trying to avenge you, and you don’t know who you can trust?” You made your way over to the man, and slapped him across the face, and Nat tried to pull you away, “Detka, calm down.” But it was of no use.

“No? Absolutely not,” you brushed her off, then turned to point a finger at everyone present, “You all disgust me with how you treat her. Like Natasha is just an expendable asset, but she isn’t, she has a family to come home to and I’d appreciate it if she came back to us alive.”

The room was silent besides everyone’s varying breaths, yours being the loudest as you were feeling rather irate by the audacity in the room. Natasha took tentative steps, her hand turning you by your shoulder so she could look at you.

“I promise I’ll return to you tonight, and I’ll have Maria here take you back home so you’re comfy. She’ll stay with you until I get there,” you pouted, and she desperately wanted to kiss it away, but she simply refused to until her mouth was cleaned of Steve’s existence.

“What do you want for dinner?” Natasha laughed at your sweet question, “You pick.”

You nodded, then placed a kiss to her cheek before shifting to face the others, “Keep her safe, or I swear to God you will all regret it.”

—

Natasha entered your house in a stagger, her heart was nervous for a whole great deal of things, most importantly being you leaving.

“Welcome home Romanoff, I’ll be going.”

“Thanks Maria,” she squeezed the redhead’s shoulder, then yelled her goodbye to you.

This prompted you to race into the living room to see Natasha stood there in one piece, but her eyes spoke of a separate form of shattering. When she fell to her knees a second later you were right by her with no regard to your knees.

“Natasha, what is it?”

“Please don’t leave me,” she sobbed, “I can’t do this without you, I won’t survive—I won’t!”

“Hey, hey,” you settled on your butt then yanked her trembling form into you, “I’m not going anywhere, where is this coming from?”

“I had to air out all of Shield’s dirty laundry,” she started, her hand shaking as you clasped yours over it and you sent her a reassuring smile, “That included all the darkest parts about my past, once you see it you’ll leave.”

“Natasha, your past doesn’t define you, no one is free of skeletons in their closet, and yours were never yours to bare the reprimand for,” you cupped her cheek, and brought her gaze back to yours, “I know your heart Natasha, and whatever those files say doesn’t change that.”

“Matter of fact, they don’t matter, and I won’t even be reading them,” you announced, and her tears finally spilled over, “Thank you…”

“Don’t thank me Nat, you deserve to tell me whatever you want, when you’re ready, not when the world forces you to.”

“I love you Y/N,” she jolted up and caught your lips in a kiss, her mouth tasted of mint, and you smiled at the thought of her probably having brushed her teeth in some drug store just so she could kiss you when she got home.

“I love you too Natasha, you’re stuck with me.”

She smiled against your lips, “Really?” and when you nodded she smiled even wider.

“Marry me then,” she blurted the hopeful words against your lips, then she pulled back with pinched brows as she awaited an answer.

“Seriously?” she nodded, and watched how your eyes now filed with tears, “Of course.”

Natasha kissed you even harder this time, a symbolic sealing of the deal she reasoned.

“Is that borscht I smell?” you nodded with a breathless sigh to follow, and she smiled in pure adoration, “Might as well marry you now, my pretty little housewife in the making.”

“Do it,” you challenged, and she met that with a bruising kiss to which she instantly deepened, her silent promise that she’d be keeping you here until the ready borscht likely went cold.

2016

Natasha woke up next to you this morning, and for a few moments everything just felt right. Then she was called into work only to be met with a scraggly old man in a suit, who laid out a packet thicker than her arms all in the name of containing the Avengers. Tony's argument felt right, it seemed the only option that kept the team safe, but more importantly all together.

Steve didn't agree though, and in a few short hours he became a wanted man, alongside his old pal Bucky, his new pal Sam, her best friend Clint, a shrinking man she'd never met named Scott, and the rightfully terrified witch, Wanda.

Nothing felt right anymore, and as the lot of them fought against one another she knew it wasn't going to end well. Her plans to marry you this Fall would have to wait as she attacked TChalla, and allowed Steve and Bucky to flee.

In less than an hour she was back at the compound collecting her arsenal of weapons, and ignoring Tony's venomous words only spat to hurt her as she rushed off to be on the run.

This life wasn't new to her, being on the run was second nature for the reformed assassin, but now, at this stage of her life it was cruel. There was no easy way to tell you, the love of her life, that she had to leave, but as she raced up the stairs to your shared bedroom she found you sat on the edge of the bed in a fit of tears.

You knew...

"Malysh." you lunged into her open arms, sending the both of you tumbling into the carpeted floor where she held you very tightly. "It'll be okay, I promise, I'll find my way back."

"Back?," you croaked, head shaking rapidly as you refused to accept this., "I'm coming with."

"Not this time Agent.," you sobbed even harder as she cupped the back of your head while sitting you both back up so she could look into your eyes, even if the sight broke her in two., "Liho, and Tabby need you moya lyubov'."

"I need you," your voice cracked, and the tears she managed to keep at bay began to stain her cheeks at the dire situation at hand., "I know detka, I need you just as much as I do oxygen."

"Please, let me come with," you pleaded, hands clinging to her jacket in desperation, and you pulled her in for an equally as desperate kiss.

"This is going to test us," she panted after she managed to pull away from the liplock, her usual sparkling green eyes were dull as she looked into yours now. "But please, don't tell me that if I leave that you won't be here when I get back, because I promise you I'll be back."

"Be careful," you relent, and lean in to kiss her far more gently now, her hands that were sat on your hips gripped you tighter, she needed to feel you, because there was no telling when she would have an opportunity to do so again.

"I always am," she whispered, a soft smile pulling her at lips as she looked into your eyes. "My love for you is all the inspiration I need to make it back to you in one piece," she pecked your lips, then lifted both of you to stand.

"I love you Natasha Romanoff," she brought your entwined hands up to her lips where she pecked each knuckle until she reached your pitifully bare ring finger, where her soft lips lingered., "And I you, Y/N Romanoff."

The sound of sirens in the distance put a rush on your goodbye. "Until we meet again," you smiled sadly as she hopped onto her bike with two ill prepared duffles. "Until then my love."

2018

"Natasha, where are you going?" she peered over to Steve with a sad smile. "I'll be back, I just need to see someone first," and before anyone could protest she was leaving the room.

She was still on the run, so she had to be cautious about how she went about her route. Ross wouldn't have trouble getting her if she walked right into your establishment, and she would never put you in such a position. So she texted you from a burner phone instead, and that's how you found yourself in a quaint diner.

"Natasha, please tell me you didn't," your eyes nearly popped out of their sockets as the now blonde approached you with a mischievous grin. "What, you don't like the new hair?"

"I-I," you were thrown, because of course you did, she could pull anything off, but you also knew her resources were limited, so this was likely a very cheap dye job and it made you sad for all the progress you made keeping her hair healthy over the years. "You're beautiful Nat."

"It'll grow back out my love, and then I'll leave it for only you to handle, I promise."

"So I can go with you on the run this time?"

Natasha shook her head, and pulled you in for a hug that nearly crippled her after so long without your body flush to hers. "I'd never let you do that, you're undeserving of such a life."

"All I want is you Natasha, I don't care." she smiled sadly, "I know, but it doesn't matter, because there's no more being on the run."

"Really?" she nodded with a bright smile. "After we win, I'll be back for good malysh."

"Good, I can't stand another two years Nat."

"You won't have to," she smiled as you leaned into her, and she unexpectedly sobbed as you pressed your lips to hers, "I missed you Y/N."

"I missed you too Natty.," you reached up to wipe away her tears, then pecked her lips once more knowing she had to go, "I'll be waiting."

—

They lost, half of everyone turned to dust, and you weren't answering your fucking phone.

You always answered your phone.

No matter what.

Natasha felt waves of pure panic, the contents of her stomach were emptied on the jet, and even though her limbs ached she ran to you.

She had to get to you, there was nothing else she needed more right now than your love.

The doors of your shop flew open, causing her to cough as clouds of dust swirled at the action.

"No...," She fell to her knees besides the chair, your phone laid shattered on the floor in a pile of dust and various hair clippings with an unsent message: "I don't feel good Natasha."

Natasha didn't feel good either, and she would never again if she had to live without you..

2023

“Hey Nat,” Steve greeted as he stepped into the meeting room to find her quietly sulking over a halved peanut butter sandwich. “You okay?”

“Your friend is fine,” she answered almost too quickly for the words to be true, and the older man sighed with the truth weighing on his mind. “Don’t you think it’s time to move on?”

“If I move on, who does this?”

“Maybe nobody, threats have been almost nonexistent Natasha, the oceans are more clear, the grass is real, and the sky is bluer.”

“If you think there’s a bright side to half of the population being dusted you’re honestly not the righteous man I thought you to be Steve.”

“I’ve become a realist in my old age Nat, you deserve to be happy, Y/N wouldn’t want this.”

“Don’t you ever bring her up to push your agenda Rogers,” she growls through gritted teeth, and the man yields upon seeing her eyes of fury paired with a clenched jaw and fists.

“There’s no moving on without her Steve. I’ll search until I’m old and grey for a way to get her back because she’s worth fighting for.”

Steve sighs, “I understand, I was just trying to help is all, I hate seeing you so down.”

“You can’t help me Steve, it seems no one can.”

Natasha slumped back in her chair, and just as her eyes went to close she got a notification from Friday that someone was at the gate.

“Hello?”

Natasha immediately turned to see that the man she knows as ‘Antman’ was stood outside, which made her jolt up because he was presumed dusted, and upon letting him in she realizes that she was l wrong, someone can help her, she just has to l pay the arrogant billionaire a visit and hope he’s down to help.

—

Tony was reluctant to help, but at the thought of Peter, his prodigy, he was in, and Natasha was elated at the promise of undoing the mess. Having you back in her arms was all she needs, and after a few days it’s looking promising.

Clint returned with a baseball glove, showing the mission would succeed as long as all parties did their part. For the most part that was true, but someone had to pay the ultimate price, and then some cosmic fluke, one that Tony himself predicted, occurred as a past Thanos emerged.

It was a gruesome battle, it seemed like the loss of Steve on Vormir was all for not, but then the fruits of their labors came to light as loads of portals opened and all those dusted emerged.

“Avengers Assemble!” Natasha aired out the war cry, a new wave of adrenaline fueling her aching body as she charged at the enemies with the knowledge that you were back to fight for.

—

Natasha sprinted from the battle field as soon as Thanos's army became nothing but dust, her legs were nearly out of commission, weighing as heavy as her heart did with the losses of the unforeseen battle, but she refused to stop until she had you, this time she knew she would.

All her friends were back, so you would be too.

Five years she'd been deprived of you, and she refused to go another minute, she promised you it wouldn't be two like before, but she never realized in doing so she sealed herself to a far more daunting, and lengthier fate.

Much like before the doors to your shop fly open, but this time you're there to look up at the sound of the familiar ding, and you don't have time to ask questions before the love of your life is sobbing loudly against your chest.

"You're here," you hear the pain in her words, to you it had only been an hour since you last felt her touch, but the sight of her changed look told you that it had to have been longer for her.

"I'm here," she gripped your shirt as you went to move, her inability to let you go actually broke your heart in two. "I'm not going anywhere love, just going to sit us down."

Natasha let you go rather briefly, allowing you to settle into the reclining lounge chair in your office, and she straddled you just as soon as your butt made contact with the plush fabric.

"You weren't waiting," she sobbed, fists now clutching your shirts collar while her hazy eyes met your soft pair. "We lost, so you were gone."

The words were enough for you to understand something magically mysterious took place, and that was good because the redhead wasn't able to elaborate, her body racking with more sobs as she reflects on her forced solitude.

With a gentle hand on the back of her head you guided her face into the crook of you neck, you felt as she took in a sharp, deep breath, and how her lip subsequently quivered right after. Her arms then forced their way between your back and the soft material of the recliner so that she could hold you impossibly closer, in direct response you copied her embracement.

After a half hour her sobs faded into hiccups, but your hand rubbing random shapes over her suit continued, even if she could barely feel it. The motion still brought her comfort, and that's all you could try to do here, there was no relating to her pain, you understood the forced solitude, but you can tell hers was far crueler.

"How long?" You started simple, but she still struggled to answer you, it hurt too much to verbalize her former reality. "F-five years."

"Oh my love," you brought her face out to look in her eyes, hands cupping her cheeks so softly as if she were made of glass. The red rimming of her eyes, and tinting of her nose broke your heart, knowing that she was likely in a state of perpetual disarray while you were gone hurt. "I'm so sorry I wasn't waiting," you kissed away the new tears as they fell. "I'm here now baby."

"I need to feel you, please, show me it's real," she pleaded, her hands already tugging at the hem of your shirt, so you sat forward to help her remove it, then you moved a hand to the front zipper of her suit, "Take it off, please!"

It'd been seven years since Natasha felt you like this, with your skin on hers it felt like a dream, like one she frequently had while on the run, but couldn’t bring herself to with you gone.

Natasha whimpered when she felt you shifting so you could set her on the chair, but she was quick to settle when she realized you were going to undress completely for her, her eyes were trained on you without ever wavering. When you slid your pants off, along with your underwear she was gasping in pure shock.

“Fuck, detka,” you smirked in amusement when catching her eyes curiously staring at the strap, “I told you baby, I’d be waiting for you.”

It clicked, and as it did she was pleading with you to give her all of you with lust burning behind her eyes, pupils darkened to the point that they seemed like a black hole ready to consume you whole, and that had you on her in no time at all, soft lips exploring her bareness.

"My sweet Natasha, you've been through so much," you acknowledge, lips pressing to scars you'd never seen before, and your heart ached. "I'm sorry you were alone for so long, but I'm here, and I'm going to take good care of you."

Natasha's entire body shivered as you ran the hard silicone through her folds, collecting her arousal so that you could enter her with ease.

“I know you want my cock baby, but please, can I taste you first?” she nodded vigorously, her hands quick to push you lower, and you snorted, “Thank you angel,” you took a deep breath in, feeling yourself salivating as you smelled her arousal, “Oh fuck, you smell heavenly, you’re still my sweet girl, right?”

“Mhm,” Natasha hummed softly, need too heavily clouding her mind to answer properly. Then she was too busy moaning as your tongue expertly swirled around her clit before it was prodding at her entrance in a teasing manner.

Mewls of pornographic proportions tumbled passed her lips as you worked her up to the edge, she hadn’t been turned on in actual years, so this was not going to be a long fuck.

You were just too good with that tongue of yours for her to hold back much of anything; her hips were frantic as they fucked her cunt into your mouth to help her get off faster; her walls fluttering around your thick pink muscle, leaving it without much wiggle room but you sure made it move; and those screams of hers were uncontainable as you sent her crashing head first into the most intense orgasm ever.

“Fuck, oh my god, please don’t ever stop!”

“I never plan to,” you murmured against her bundle of nerves causing her body to writhe as the pleasure only further coursed through her.

Natasha was panting like she’d just run a marathon, and quite honestly she’d done just about that to get to you from the intense battle. Regardless of her inability to breathe though she yanked you up and into her for a kiss that was nothing short of messy, and thrilling.

While your tongue explored her pliant mouth you reached down to line yourself up with her needy entrance, “Going to fuck you so good,” you pulled away from her lips to catch sight of her face as you thrusted completely into her.

Natasha didn’t disappoint you either, her eyes rolled to the back of her head as she was so overwhelmed by your intrusion that she was choking on the air she’s gasped in, her mouth was agape but she was too dumbed to breathe.

“Breath for me baby,” you pulled out, just to shallowly thrust back in, teasing her back down to earth, “Please, I-I need you inside so bad.”

“I know you do baby,” you smiled down at her, then watched as she involuntarily bit back a moan when you refilled her to the brim, “None of that now, I want to hear how good you feel.”

With your arms now hooked underneath her thighs as your hands reached up to fondle her breasts your thrusts were hitting even deeper. Natasha was cursing lowly in Russian, a sure way to let you know she was going to cum any second now, and you knew just what to do.

Natasha loved the idea of being yours, and she loved it even more when it came with marks.

It was an earth shattering occurrence really, you kept your pace pleasurably slow, as you began to nibble over the skin of her jaw, one of your hands continued tweaking her nipples in dizzying oscillations, as the other ventured down to rub tentative circles against her enlarged clit, “You’re close, aren’t you baby?”

Natasha whimpered with her head thrown back into the pillow, her ability to answer was lost on her as your mouth suctioned against the sensitive expanse of her throat, leaving behind marks she would never dream of covering up.

“Let go baby, drench my cock,” you bit into her pulse point, and Natasha couldn’t refrain from screaming your name in a sequence of praises.

Everything about you made her lose every ounce of composure she’s ever been trained to keep. Your smiles melt her stoney heart, and yours giggles basically annihilated her chance at ever wanting to be an Avenger ever again.

All she wants now is to retire with you, and start a family, because you’re her endgame. Nothing else will ever matter more than you.

While buried deep inside her, here you hover over her with a warm smile, you just recked her but still you manage to lean down to whisper sweet nothings in her ear as she comes down.

“How are you feeling my love?”

Natasha smiled up at you with glistening eyes, “Like I can finally breathe again, I missed you tremendously detka,” her lip wobbled slightly as you whispered against her, “Let’s go home.”

—

Natasha happily took you home on her bike as soon as she calmed down from her high, the trek was short, but meaningful as she felt you clinging to her the entire way home, the tight embrace was healing her tattered soul with every second she was able to experience it.

The two of you shared a sweet kiss as soon as you got off the bike, your lover was reluctant to let up, but she had no choice as you swept her off her feet. Natasha squealed with laughter as she settled into your arms, she admired you fondly, heart fluttering with hope as you carry her over the threshold as if you’d finally wed.

“Welcome home my beloved,” you kissed her lovingly, then let her legs drop softly, while swiftly wrapping your arms around her waist.

“I should be saying that to you,” she whispers, and you can hear the sadness in her tone, so you just pull her even closer, and kiss her deeper. “We both deserved to say it Natty.”

“I love the hair Natty,” you twirled the end of her braid in your hand, admiring the growth and dual tone, while your other ran up and down her back in soothing strokes. “Yeah?”

“Mhm,” you continued to play with her hair, slowly but surely you unraveled the braid, and admired the way her hair fell around her face, framing it beautifully and making you smile.

“You’re very beautiful,” you smiled wider as she blushed deeply, even in the darkness of your house you could see the red tinge of her cheeks, and how it steadily rose from her neck.

More than a decade of loving one another, and she still felt nervous whenever you spoke so tenderly to her. Treating her like a dainty flower instead of the venomous spider that hides in the petals, the one she herself feels a kinship with. You saw her for more than the world ever would. To you, she was just Natty.

“I was thinking of cutting it, but I made a promise to my favorite person, so I didn’t.”

“Oh Natty, my precious angel,” you pulled her face to yours, nuzzling your noses before you closed the minuscule gap, “You waited for me?”

The truth was right there for you to see, her eyes having returned to their natural green shone through with so much love, it was the purist kind, and you knew she meant it wholly. Nobody else would ever interest the redhead again, not when she has you as the blueprint.

“Of course I did, I’d have waited a lifetime.”

You smirked, “Yeah? I can just picture it now, grey roots, with a rich red that ombre’s to the blonde tips,” she slapped your arm, then played with you, “I’ll never go grey detka.”

“Maybe not with me here to dye your hair,” you teased while escorting your fiancée up to your bedroom so the both of you could shower.

Loud meows reverberated off the walls, and your heart cracked when you saw your not so little babies stretching on the mattress, “Oh my have you two grown,” you dropped to your knees and nuzzled your face with theirs.

Natasha stood in the bathroom doorway with a sad smile, she’d started the water already, and now she’s taken to watching you reacquainting with your felines. “They missed you just as much as I did detka, they meowed at the front door for a whole year before they gave up.”

“You never gave up,” you whispered, overcome with so many emotions as you stroke over a new to you patch of grey fur on Liho’s back.

“I never would’ve detka, you’re my world.”

“Time is so precious,” you choked out before rising to your feet, and meeting Natasha with a wobbling lip and tight embrace, “I don’t want to wait anymore Nat, I want to be your wife, move to Norway and start the rest of our lives.”

“Can Norway become Ohio?”

You quirked a brow, but nodded without any hesitation, “Wherever with you works for me.”

Natasha beamed at your words, “Perfect, we’ll leave tomorrow then, I have a house in our name, and someone special I want you to meet, and after you meet Yelena we’ll get married at the local courthouse with her as our witness.”

“Yelena?!”

“Yeah, I found her when I was on the run,” she smiled while pulling you under the hot stream, “But enough about all that, how about you give me a sneak preview of our wedding night?”

Natasha moaned when you pushed her against the marbled wall, “You’re going to regret that.”

——

13,049 Words

❤️ Kaitlyn 🥰

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[nonstoplover]

a reason to stay ~ sebastian vettel (sv5)

my masterlist | my f1 masterlist

pairing: sebastian vettel x fem!reader

song inspiration: reason to stay ~ brett young

summary: just a small drabble about sebastian not wanting the love of his life to get up and leave for work in the morning

words: 2.08K

a/n: this song is literally one of my all time fave songs, brett's genius lyrics can always reach very deep into my heart. i always wanted to write about the situation depicted in the song, and when i listened to it yesterday, i accidentally looked at one of the pictures i have of seb on my wall, and i just knew that it's got to be him i write this about. this song screams sebastian vettel for me. anyway, enjoy!

please, don't be a ghost reader, leave a comment or rb! any feedback is well appreciated!

Saturdays are Sebastian's favourite days since his retirement from Formula One. You may ask, why? It's simple. Those are the days when his wife finally doesn't have to go to work, those days he can have her all to himself. The whole damn day. And without any stupid housework coming up that she just needs to do, as it always is with Sundays.

It's not like he hasn't tried to convince her to stop working, at least for a while. Or okay, fine, just do part-time. He has enough money for them to lead a comfortable life for now. And then he – or they – will figure out the rest in time.

But she loves her job, so what can he really do? She doesn't want to stop, or even go part-time. She enjoys waking up early in the morning, sip her morning coffee while swiftly skimming through the news on her phone. She doesn't mind getting dressed and then leave for work – leaving him alone for the rest of the day, right up until she comes back in the late afternoon. It isn't nearly enough of her for him. He wants more time. He needs more.

But today isn't Saturday. Not yet. It's just a regular Friday, nothing else. One more day of suffering at home, by himself.

Sebastian softly groans to himself, trying to come up with a new idea to keep himself entertained. There are days when he just can't seem to find anything that he would enjoy doing. The days when his mind keeps on straying back to driving race cars, and almost regretting his choice to retire. But only almost. He knows it was the right decision at that very moment. He always wanted to leave the sport when he's still at the top, and who is he kidding? These past seasons he's never had a car capable to win the championship. And anyway, he wanted to spend more time with his wife finally. The only time they have for themselves, just the two of them, are the weekends, and when he was still racing, sometimes those very weekends have been taken away from them just the same. As his mind – mind you, still half asleep as he's just woken up – slowly spins with thoughts, his eyes stray to her sleeping form right next to him.

A beam of early morning sun is sneaking in through the crack in the curtain, casting a glowing, golden orange line on the pillow, leading straight to her face. She's facing him, thankfully, so the light doesn't shine right onto her closed eyelids, waking her up. She's told him so many times to be careful when closing the curtains in the evenings. It's just one of those tiny things she can not stand – waking up to the sun shining in her eyes. 'That's why there's a curtain there in the first place', he can hear the gently scolding tone of her voice in his ears still.

But as the sunlight creeps up onto her laying body, he can't help but notice how it looks just like a halo, as it makes her (y/h/c) strands glow beautifully. She looks like a real life angel – and it's only further proof to what he's already been suspecting. That she's been sent from heaven only to make his life brighter, lovelier, calmer, and in general, more perfect than he ever expected his life to ever be.

He concludes to himself that he just really likes waking up before her as it gives him the chance to watch her sleep looking so peaceful and trouble-less. It must be one of his all time favourite sights. He'll never admit it to her though, he knows well enough that she doesn't like it, when he's watching her sleep. Even when it's in the car on a long journey and they stop at a red light and he turns to find her sleeping soundly by his side. Even when it's in a hotel room that he arrived back late to from a meeting on a Saturday night of a race weekend back when he was still racing. She seems to think she looks ridiculous when sleeping, which eventually led to him having to try his best to keep all his photos of her sleeping a secret.

In the calm silence of the room he can hear all the tiniest of sounds coming from their surroundings – the birds already chirping their morning songs on the other side of the windows, the manual clocks ticking away the precious seconds. Sebastian glances at the clock as his mind registers the sound coming from it, and internally groans with a roll of his eyes as his eyes take in the time. Just five more minutes left before it goes off. He dreads that very moment. The harsh ringing of the alarm breaking the quiet and the peace, ruining everything, ruining these sweet moments he can enjoy without her knowledge.

Out of nowhere a new thought pops in his head. Maybe he could convince her to stay. He has very good ways to do just that. He can be very convincing if he wants to be, and he knows it.

She stirs in her sleep, and his eyes snap back to her face, just in case her eyes flutter open. He loves watching her wake up, even if it means that the dreaded moment came. But no, she just moves until her head rests on his shoulder and her arms over his waist, then lets out a tiny whimper – something that sounds vaguely like his name – and then continues sleeping just as calmly as she's been doing up until then. He got a few more precious minutes.

His hand softly moves to rest on her upper back, unconsciously twirling a strand of her silk-like hair around his fingers. His own eyes close lightly again, enjoying the gentle press of their heads together. If he could, he would stay like this forever.

But then the alarm clock actually goes off, making Sebastian think one or two swear words in his mind as his arm shoots out in the direction of the device to make it silent again, while shifting his head a bit to be able to see his lover better. Her fingers twitch, he can feel it on the skin of his waist, and then her eyes eventually open – just for a second, before they close again, only to repeat the same notion a few times in the following seconds. Her body fights against waking up.

A smile makes its way onto his face, just as her eyelids open for the last time, revealing those sparkling (y/e/c) orbs to him, the ones he could easily get lost in every time she flashes them at him. Her lips lazily curve similarly to his as she takes in the sight of him.

"Morning," her slightly raspy voice fills the air of their bedroom in a whisper.

"Good morning, angel."

"You been awake for long?" she tightens her arm around him for a second, making him press a peck on top of her head in return.

"No, just woke up at the alarm." Small white lies like this never hurt anyone – especially if it means he doesn't have to stop watching her sleep and take pictures of her while doing so.

Then her fingers leave his skin, and he can feel her start moving further from his body. His arm doesn't loosen though, not even a bit, trying to keep her where she's been. "I gotta make my coffee, Seb," she lets out a giggle, feeling his hold remain on her.

"No," comes his simple reply.

"What do you mean, no?" her giggle grows into a somewhat louder chuckle.

"If you have your coffee, you will just leave sooner."

"Darling, I'll have to leave sooner or later, and you know it."

"I don't want you to."

Her body shifts in his arms, resulting in two things. His arms tighten around her torso even more, and her face turns entirely towards him, to be able to gaze into his eyes deeply and comfortably.

"We've been through this, Sebastian, please," she smiles. "I have to go to work."

He pouts, eyes boring into hers with an unspoken plead.

"You're behaving like a baby again."

Her words are familiar to his ears, since not more than two mornings prior they had a conversation almost exactly the same as this one. With a sigh he lets the muscles in his face move back to their natural state, just watching her with adoring eyes. "Okay, I stop. In exchange, can I at least kiss you?

Attentive icy blue orbs snap down towards her lips just as she bites into the bottom one, the cheeky, flirty grin painted on all his features. She nods, and that's all it takes for the man to lean in, capturing her in a breathtaking kiss. He pours all his thoughts and emotions into the action, letting her feel it in the taste of his lips, in the small gasps of air leaving him, in the way his eyelashes brush against her cheek every once in a while.

He's determined.

He wants to make her get lost in the kiss like she did so many times before. To get so lost that she completely forgets where she is, what their previous conversation was about, and most importantly, what time of what day it was. He kisses her to make her think it's already Saturday.

At her still mumbled words, he admits defeat. His kisses didn't work. Not this time. With a sigh audible enough to make her feel just a tiny bit guilty, he lets his arms slacken around her and his upper body to fall down, his back reconnecting with the mattress along with the sound of a soft thud.

With the help of his arms, he presses her warm body tightly into his, entirely engulfing her in his embrace. This is all he ever wants to do.

"Seb," she mumbles against his lips after a few minutes pass by. He pretends not to hear her, just keeps on stealing the oxygen from her lungs, hoping that just these few more moments are going to be enough to get what he wants. "Seb." Her voice comes louder and more certain the second time, as she tenderly forces her hands in-between their upper bodies to apply pressure to his chest, trying to push him off of her. "I really do need to get up."

"Oh, come on, love, don't look so heartbroken. I'll be back at five," she reaches out to caress his cheek before moving her legs from where they were tangled with his all throughout the night. "It's not the end of the world."

"Maybe to you, it isn't," he grumbles, knowing just how childish he sounds right now.

She shakes her head with another giggle, cute and angelic as always, making his heart skip a beat, and all of a sudden he can't help himself, just got to steal another kiss from her lips. He crashes into her with such force that this time it's her back that thuds against the mattress, and a surprised gasp of air leaves her lungs, right into his mouth. She kisses him back with just the same passion still, getting over her surprise in a short moment.

Another few minutes pass in relative silence – only the sounds of their lips moving along each other can be heard.

"Sebastian, you can't make me late," her weak attempt comes once more not to his surprise.

"Says who?" he mumbles back without a skip, not moving the tiniest bit further away from her, instead just pressing his knee right into the space between her legs, technically sticking her to the mattress. Only when he can feel their position being secure is when he lets their lips disconnect, just to be able to properly look into her eyes with a mischievous glint. "I bet I can make what you just said a lie."

"Do you?" she raises an eyebrow, knowing full well that it's enough for him to feel challenged. And when he smells challenge, there's nothing that can stop him or make him back down.

Sebastian nods, his nose brushing against hers in the process. "I'll give you a reason to stay."

And maybe now, just this once, she can call in sick to work.

.::the end::.

taglist: formulapierre

my masterlist | my f1 masterlist

#sebastian vettel #sv5 #sebastian vettel x reader #sebastian vettel fanfic #sebastian vettel fanfiction #sebastian vettel drabble #sebastian vettel fluff #sebastian vettel imagine #sebastian vettel x you #sebastian vettel f1 #f1 #f1 fic #f1 fanfic #f1 fanfiction #f1 imagine #f1 x reader #f1 drabble #f1 fluff #f1 drivers #f1 x you #f1 fiction #formula 1 #formula 1 fic #formula 1 fanfic #formula 1 fluff #formula 1 x you #formula 1 x reader #formula 1 imagine #formula one #formula one fluff

[over-particular]

minimalist self-care habits

One of the biggest misconceptions about taking care of yourself is the systematic and erroneous association of self-care with extreme consumerism. This idea conveys the image of self-care as something reserved to those who can afford it. The truth is, and many already know this, there are countless ways to be good to yourself without spending more than necessary.

☐ Get enough sleep. A child would need 10 to 12 hours of sleep per night. The average is between 7 and 9 hours for an adult. I can never say it enough, but sleep is an important part of our lives. Value it highly. It's an elementary need: not getting enough sleep puts us at risk of developing numerous chronic diseases: such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart failure, coronary heart disease and some types of cancer. You are also more likely to suffer a stroke.

☐ Turn the volume down. Since I'm riding the wave of how we 21st century people are neglecting our health, I also want to stress the importance of auditory health. If, like me, you love to spend hours with headphones on, consider turning down the volume. I know it's much more enjoyable to experience it fully, but having gone through the terrible experience of tinnitus, I bitterly regret it. There is a simple way to track your auditory health: please check your smartphone's headphone safety features.

☐ Don't neglect your medical appointments. I have always been very anxious about it. Not to the point of pulling my hair out, but I used to postpone my appointment so much that I sometimes forgot why I even wanted to go. There are countless of reasons why we may not like to go to the doctor, but the truth is that health issues simply cannot wait. It is equally important to go see your doctor even if you think you are in perfect condition.

☐ Be physically active. Always keep in mind that your body, like your mind, needs to be stimulated. Besides allowing you to manage your weight more effectively, sport improve your brain health, reduces health risks and strengthens both your muscles and your bones.

☐ Watch your language. It's more personal, but it introduces a sense of discipline into your mind. The turns of phrase, the informal language, the way we speak, the choice of words, the syntax… Speaking is the perfect expression of the mind. This does not mean abolishing the use of crude words, but rather regaining control, becoming master of your language again. Your words should never exceed your thoughts. In my opinion, a rich language reflects the attention the speaker pays to it. When was the last time you learned a new word?

☐ Clean your space. The cleanliness of your living space has a big impact on your productivity. A messy space can lead to a messy mind. Home is, for many of us, the place we feel most comfortable: keeping your living space clean and organized naturally improves the quality of your life, your sleep and your health. Clean regularly, let the sun shine in and air out daily.

☐ Avoid ads. Easier said than done. But try not to have your mind parasitized by the multitude of advertisements we are flooded with. I don't watch television. I do have access to a music platform so I don't have to deal with the constant stream of ads on YouTube.

☐ Go for a walk. Pretending to discover your city or town anew can do wonders for a mind in need of a little distraction. Check out some of the free events that may be happening near you. Visit a park you've never been to before.

☐ Give yourself a reason to wait. Try to establish a ritual of patience. In other words… You stop binge watching every new show you start and you take your time to appreciate it.

☐ Stimulate your mind. The internet has given us more ways than ever to keep our minds busy. For those who know me a little, I am a big fan of reading. And if physical books can indeed be expensive, you can find some really good ones for free in .pdf format. In fact, some kind souls have even gone so far as to share entire drives of them on Tumblr... Going further in my reflection, I think that the scourge of our century is the intellectual lethargy: everything is at our fingertips, why bother reading a whole book when I have access to a detailed summary of only a few pages? Beyond the spiritual enrichment, it is also a proof of patience to seize a book and give it three hours of your time. I sincerely believe that as human beings, we owe it to ourselves to keep our senses and our minds alert. Reading is a great way to exercise our brain as it helps stimulate our cognitive abilities. It allows us to develop our capacity for memorization, reflection, analysis and imagination. Try coloring for adults (yes, it's a thing: ■ ■). There are also many games for adults online with the aim of stimulating memory and improving concentration (■, ■.). Try solving online puzzles, fake criminal investigations, math problems? Learn how to code (with Codecademy for example, which offers many courses for free). Take language courses. Many general knowledge quizzes are also available to anyone who is interested (■) . The web is a real goldmine in terms of resources and many are available for free.

☐ Finally, this list would be meaningless without me asking you to learn to relax. Give yourself a day off if you need to. It is essential to take it easy, to get your nose out of your planning, to look up from your screen and breathe in some fresh air through the window. I advise all those who try to relax to start a digital detox: we must learn to relax independently, without a screen and regain control over the objects of our stimulation.

My lists are intended to be personal. If you find them useful, that's great. Feel free to rewrite them! Don't hesitate to ask questions or send me your comments and ideas for next articles.

#self improvement #motivation #that girl #weight loss #evening routine #discipline #inspiration #self care #growth #positivity #studyblr #productivity #becoming that girl #becoming her #it girl #feminine #divine feminine #goal #morning routine #routine

[frieschan]

QUERENCIA, chapter 2.5

(n.) where one feels home ; the place where you are your most authentic self

pairing - hybrid! ot7 x bunny hybrid! male! reader

genre - 18+, college au, hybrid au, fluff, eventual angst, eventual smut, humour

summary - you, a rabbit hybrid away from home to study, run into a group of surprisingly friendly and calm (also very attractive) predators who are a pack and live together suddenly run into your life like a bulldozer. the dull days of your life may turn into days of joy and laughter, or will the days turn into gloom and a sad everafter?

warnings (this chapter) - smol bit of angst but ends fluffy, not beta-read

word count - tba

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Jungkook woke sluggish and tired. He ended up sleeping at 5 am because of staying up all night playing overwatch with his good friend Minho, right now he was starting to regret that. The wolf sat up on his bed and reached to his bed-side table to grab his phone and water bottle. He unlocked his phone with the right hand, while the left was used for taking sips from his bottle to remove the uncomfortable dryness in his throat. As he unlocked his phone, he noticed that the apartment sounded eerily quiet, compared to the usual loud yells from Jin and the contiguous laughs of Jimin and Hobi. He quickly put his bottle next to him on the bed and opened up the messaging app.

Now in Taehyung's perspective, he looked at you from the outside side of the cafe where he was sat. You looked adorable with your cute little chubby cheeks hidden under the gray hood of your hoodie. He watched as you sip on your what looks like.. a chocolate oreo milkshake? Even your choice of drink was cute.

He decided to build up the confidence and walked into the store. He looked at you for a few seconds before approaching your table with a determined smile. You give the Tiger Hybrid a questioning look and raised brow, but sure that he wouldn't do anything bad. He looked to be around your age, a young undoubtedly handsome, tiger hybrid that any girl or guy would swoon for. He had dark brown hair, dark as in you could only tell it was brown if he was under a certain lighting or if you were close enough. He had 3 beautiful moles, perfect honey tan skin, eyes that were unique, well structured face, pink and adorable lips, he was both handsome and beautiful.

"Hey excuse me, I was wondering if I could get your number? You're really cute" Taehyung asked politely, catching you by surprise with his question. Did this god-crafted man just ask you on a date? Was the deity up there blessing you with these mouth wattering men? Why? Well you weren't about to lose this opportunity, but you weren't about to just give someone you didn't know your personal information. You were better than that.

You blushed at his offer "Well, I'd at least want to get to know you first."

"Then, would you like to sit with me at my table?"

You smile and agreed, following him to his table outside while bringing your milkshake and bag. When you reached the table, Taehyung pulled up a chair for you like a gentleman, him sporting a smile and looking at you expectantly. You smile back and muttering a Thank-You before taking the seat, him pushing the seat in before taking his own seat, in front of you. You put down your milkshake onto the table and look at his drink of choice. He had a half-eaten croissant, and what looked like.. Hot chocolate with cute art on top? Now that is an adorable choice.

"So, tell me about yourself, My attention is yours." He asked, putting up his elbow on the table and letting his chin rest on his palm, keeping each and every ounce of his attention on you. He was absolutely charming, you had to give him that.

"Well, I'm Y/N, 22, student at UoS, ballet student and I do ice-skating as a hobby. I swing the other way and I really reallyy like sweets."

"I see, nice to meet you Y/N-ssi. I'm Taehyung, but you can call me Tae or V, 23, same University, I like playing the saxophone, started liking men recently also. I also... don't like coffee."

You chuckle at his last remark before your phone started ringing. You look at him embarrassed and he nods at you, silently telling you that it's alright for you to take it. You take a quick glance at the name, seeing it as one of your good friends, Youngji the chaos wrecker.

As you were talking to Youngji you didn't notice Taehyung going on his phone and taking a quick photo of you and sending it to their groupchat.

As you clicked the Stop Call button, you glanced up to see Taehyung looking down in shame with big guilty eyes and furrowed eyebrows. He was no longer holding the confident and laid-back pose he had and now has a pose that a child would have when they were caught guilty.

"Is everything alright, hyung?" You put your hand onto the table in a comforting manner, reaching out to him but only if he would meet you half-way.

"I took a photo of you without your consent and sent it to my pack.." He whispered enough just for you to hear, he took a small peek at your reaction before going back to glare down at his lap.

You were taken aback, surprised at his response. "Why'd you do that?" making sure your tone was soft and sounded as you weren't upset, sure it wasn't the ideal situation but as long as it wasn't for any malicious reason, there wouldn't be any need for you to be upset.

"I wanted to show my pack the guy I'm interested in.."

"Oh.. Tae, sweetheart, that's alright! Well, maybe someone else wouldn't be okay with it but for me, I'm absolutely fine with it." You reassure him with a comforting smile. "It wasn't for any bad reason so honestly, that's mostly what matters for me."

Taehyung finally removes his glare from his lap and looked up at you with big glassy eyes, his lips shaking and looking at you with so much joy. You felt like you were about to just run to him and shove him in your pocket. Now there was another guy in your list of "hot-guys that you'd totally hit".

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TAGLIST - @blehhhidk, @instantnarwhal, @singukieee, @weepyalex, @kaceypdf (just comment or dm to be added in masterlist !!, crossed out are people I couldn't tag)

notes - uhmm just a mini chapter b4 all the active readers of this kill me...

copyright © 2023 | frieschan

#: ̗̀➛fc: QUERENCIA #: ̗̀➛beige basement writes #: ̗̀➛mommy fries writing #kpop x reader #bts x reader #ot7 x reader #kim namjoon x reader #kim seokjin x reader #min yoongi x reader #jung hoseok x reader #park jimin x reader #kim taehyung x reader #jeon jungkook x reader #bts x reader smut #bts x reader fluff #bts x reader fanfic #bts x male reader #ot7 x male reader #ot7 x you #bts x you

[mountymase]

ISSUES - PART ONE

pairing: doctor!reader x mason mount  starring: mason mount, ben chilwell, chelsea fc players mentioned, england nt players mentioned, natalie chilwell (original character) summary: you and your fist meet mason mount tw: this chapter contains mason being an asshole, mentions of alcohol, blood and physical violence. author: this is a work of fiction and my previous work, ‘I did something bad’, newest version & turned into a series

A party to celebrate your graduation from med school sounded lovely at first. When Ben, your childhood and best of all friends, suggested and offered his house as the location, you did feel the excitement at the idea of having an informal and rather wild celebration. Because you knew, Natalie (his sister and also your best friend) knew and probably Ben knew too that your people were nothing but savages when it was about partying for the simple reason you rarely had the chance of doing it, considering you were always studying and on such tight schedule, even for your families.

“Ok, so we have around 50 people coming over? Is that a safe number?” Nat asked as you walked into the kitchen, finding Ben organising some reusable cups over the counter, that was completely taken by bottles of beer and other drinks.

“Ohh, Benny went shopping!” You teased, making him giggle. “50 is a safe number but having the booze on the counter isn’t, we all know people are going to use it to dance once the alcohol kicks in.”

“I’m horrified.” Ben admitted, but not having any sort of regret offering his place.

“You’re so not! I bet you’re excited for your first uni party, even if it’s a goodbye one.” His sister said, poking him on his ribs. 

“Not just me,” Ben mumbled. “The boys are quite excited too.”

The boys.

Of course he’d invite his friends, the footballers. And you couldn’t oppose yourself to it as it was his house, but that wasn’t really Ben’s greatest idea. Not that he usually had many, though. Ben noticed your little eye roll, knowing that although you were one of the greatest fans of the sport, you weren’t much of the players. Except him, of course.

“I promise they’ll behave, bubbles.” He called you by the sweet nickname he had for you since you were kids, hitting you right on your softest spot.

Truth was that Ben was the love of your life and not in a romantic way. He was your ride or die, your person, even if you were now much closer to Natalie and shared a lot more with her — especially because you spent years together sharing the same dream of becoming doctors. Those two were the siblings you never had and you were really so grateful for them. Your grandfather had been lifetime friends with theirs, having even played on the same football team when they were young and the Chilwells were a constant presence at your grandparent’s place, which became your place too when your grandmother stepped in to raise you and you moved at the age of 5.

“They better!” You replied, pointing him your index finger. “But do replace the booze, please. I’d like to have free space for my performance later tonight.”

Natalie chuckled, knowing that you + alcohol + loud music were the perfect match for a full dance/singing performance. “Let’s hope you’ll keep your clothes on this time, Y/n!” She teased, making Ben frown, knowing he was completely unaware of exactly how things went at those parties.

The rest of the day went smoothly. You three watched a film and had pizza for lunch which pleased you a lot — Ben being off season and sort of being able to have a trash day made the menu choice much easier. A post lunch power nap happened too, and even if you definitely were a party girl, if those two decided to cancel it and just do nothing for the rest of the evening, you’d enjoy it just as much. It was about company.

Ben placed a kiss on yours and his sister’s forehead before you two went upstairs to start getting ready for the party, and although you had your own bedroom at his place, you and Natalie were together at her’s as you both tried to sort out an outfit that’d be comfortable and pretty. It was June, early summer but already quite hot, so you two have decided to stick to the party’s “theme”, suggested by Ben. “A Midnight’s Summer Dream, to please the intellectuals,” he said.

“Dress, no bra?” Nat raised an eyebrow at your choice for a white crochet dress.

“To guarantee I won’t end up only in my underwear.” You winked, making her giggle. “So…” you started, watching your best friend doing her makeup, through both of your reflexes in the mirror. “The boys are coming.”

“A few of his Chelsea mates,” Nat started, knowing you sort of wanted a list of who was coming. “Two or three from England’s NT too.” Of course you had been to a bunch of Chelsea’s games, but socialising with footballers wasn’t your top choice of fun. “Don’t bother, really. They’re all very nice.” You just shrugged, back to perfectly painting your lips crimson red. Natalie watched you with a soft yet cheeky smile. “Killer queen, gonna have the ballers at your feet tonight.”

“Ew, Natalie, for real!” You faked a gag and Nat bursted into a loud laugh. “I rather have my lips permanently glued than making out with any of them.”

“That’s harsh. Ben said once a few of them always talk about you, although he explicitly said you and I are forbidden territory.”

“Territory?” You repeated her last word, ignoring all the rest.” What the fuck does Benjamin thinks we are, anyway?” 

“Y/n… come on!” Nat sighed. “Don’t make such a fuss about it. I’m sure they’ll stay in the backyard just having their drinks and boy shitting.”

“Fine. I’m sorry!” You rolled your eyes at her, finishing your makeup and throwing yourself on her queen size bed, on your stomach, so it wouldn’t mess your ponytail. 

It was their behaviour that bothered you, to be honest. Even Ben’s, sometimes, from what Natalie usually shared — sort of like he was a whole different person when out partying with his mates. Fuck boys. 

You could hear all the chattering downstairs, even with the loud music playing. From Natalie’s window, you could also have a partial view of the backyard where Ben was chatting and laughing with some guys, some people from Cambridge near them. Those ballers could be a bunch of playboys but they were so hot you found yourself rubbing your thighs.

When Natalie finally finished her hair, you both went downstairs and found so many friendly and familiar faces that if you had anything troubling you before, it meant nothing now. 

Before you noticed, the house was crowded and you found yourself in need of some fresh air so you went to the backyard, your hips moving perfectly to the sound of every beat and you had the brightest smile on your lips. “Oi, Y/n!” Your little moment was interrupted by a cheerful Ben waving at you. “Be a nice girl and come here and say hi!”

No, you wanted to say. But Ben was so nice, how could you say no to him? A bit tipsy, you made your way to him and his mates, a few prying eyes watching your moves. They were all around a round table with enough booze to invite more thousands people if he wanted. You spotted a bottle of whisky and narrow your eyes at it. “Is that my whisky?” You reached out for a refill, and finally set eyes on Ben’s mates. You were the absolute worst at socialising with new people, so you just raised your glass, giggling as you watched them mimicking you. 

Ben introduced each of them to you, but you couldn’t really keep all the names, blaming on the alcohol because your memory was insanely good when sober. “Hope you guys are having fun and still do when things start to get wild.” You scoffed, watching a few people on the other side of the backyard preparing themselves for a massive body shot. “So hot yet so gross.” You mused, hearing a specific snort followed by the funniest laugh. Mason, if you remembered correctly. Innocently, you just winked at him and turned back to Ben.

“Yes?” He arched his left eyebrow.

“I’m gonna go now because if I stay near the pool for a little longer, I’ll have to be the first to jump.”

“And what is wrong with that?” Mason asked before Ben could.

Another sip on your whisky, the usual burn on your throat not bothering anymore. Just the amazing sensation of feeling so light you could float. “I’m not wearing anything underneath the dress.” You chuckled, facing an extremely annoyed Ben before you left.

Not long after that, you were right where everyone knew you’d end up: the kitchen counter. You were on your knees, hands running up and down your body, moving to the beat of  Rihanna’s song Needed Me. The song ended with you lying there, trying to catch your breath as a friend was watching you while pouring some more whisky in your glass. “Is my lipstick still intact, Nico?”

“Yes,” he nodded. “Would you like me to smudge it for you, though?” Nico teased. If he wasn’t such a fuck boy, you’d say yes. One hundred times yes. Instead, you just snorted and before you could press your lips against his right cheek, some screaming coming from the backyard invaded the kitchen.

“KISS, KISS, KISS!” They were all screaming together as that poor girl was hovered by him, Mason fucking Mount. Even Ben, instead of doing something, just watched and laughed out loud as his friend was being a complete asshole.

“C’mon! You lost the bet, that was the deal!” Mason opened his arms, clearly drunk. You were watching from a short distance but ran fast enough to reach her right when Mason was ready to wrap his arms around her waist and force a kiss.

“She said no, you fucking twat!” You hissed, loud enough so lots of people could hear it. Placing yourself between the two of them, you pushed the girl back before she’d try to tell you it was okay when it clearly wasn’t. And instead of backing off, Mason’s behaviour made your blood boil under your skin.

“Are you a little jealous you’re not the one I was about to kiss, Y/n?” He pouted, making fun of you while everyone just watched. 

“You keep talking shit and you’re gonna get punched, Mount.” Your eyes went straight to Ben, who shook his head, as if he was asking you to control yourself or something. “And you, Benjamin… you should be ashamed.” Turning your attention back to the girl, you placed your hands on her shoulder, not really needing to ask if she was okay. She just nodded, sighing, and left.

“Do you usually ruin all the fun the way you just did, huh?” Your vision instantly blurred at his words. Who the fuck did the think he is? Closing your eyes, you breathed in so deep you almost felt sober again. “Bitch.”

It was the scoff, the mockery in his voice, his entire attitude. Your body was softly shaking now, eyes burning with tears but fuck no, you’d never cry. Not for him nor any other man, ever again. You were trying so hard to control yourself and walk away, with Ben and Natalie now both near you, and you were about to but then Mason decided to poke your shoulder.

“I am talking to y-“ and then he fell on the grass.

With a single blow, you had just turned on your heels and your clenched fist crunched into his face, right on the nose. An instant wave of pain ran from your fist through your arm, but you also felt it disappear almost completely as adrenaline now rushed through your veins. Ben must’ve thought you were going for more when you took a step towards Mason, his mates gathering around to see how he was as he watched you with eyes wide open, completely horrified at what just happened. 

“Do that again and I’ll eat your ass!” You hissed, Ben had his arms around your waist but you never fought to get rid of him, he just naturally let you go once he was sure you wouldn’t do anything. Then, you turned back to him, seeing he was horrified too. “Don’t you look at me like this, I swear to God…” You shook your head and grabbed him by his shirt. “You, Benjamin, you of all people… you watched your mate harassing a woman and didn’t do a single thing to stop him!”

He knew you were disappointed, but he was also so angry you just punched one of his best friends but, at the same time, a huge part of Ben would always think anything and everything you did was amazing. You let go of him but he cupped your face with his hands. “That was fucking awesome, Y/n!”

The excitement in his voice confused you so much, you frowned, watching him burst into a loud laugh. What the actual fuck was wrong with him and that bunch of grown ass men, for the love of God? You could hear Natalie sighing in relief, a few of Ben’s teammates laughing too.

That was so problematic you just wanted to get out of there. With a final deathly glare to Mason, noticing some red blood dots splattered in his white shirt, you left.

Your graduation party, such a huge and important moment of your life, something you fought so hard to achieve as things didn’t come easy to you — completely ruined by a stranger. A fucking idiot. And the frustration that weighed on your entire being felt overwhelming, because you weren’t one to physically hurt people no matter how bad they were, your mission had always been healing them. But you hurt Mason and, no matter how wrong he was, so were you.

That was when you finally allowed those insisting tears to roll down your cheeks once your body finally crashed onto the soft bed. Letting out a scream that was muffled by the pillow you held so tight against your face and chest, all you could think was:

You hated footballers.

If a man talks shit, then I owe him nothing

I don't regret it one bit, 'cause he had it comin

#mason mount fanfic #mason mount x reader #mason mount imagine #mason mount x y/n #issues series

[foxes-that-run]

Getaway Car

The song is about Taylor using an affair to get away from a bad relationship. Before Midnight's High Infidelity dated the events as prior to the 2016 Met Gala and before the 1989 TV Vault had lyrical similarities it was widely accepted as about the PR relationship with Tom Hiddleston. Poor Tom was rather surprised, considering they dated for a few weeks, it was after Taylor and Calvin split up and more than a year before Reputation came out. (BTW this is a 1971 Jaguar e-type, a classic British sports car, Harry the same car in red)

Getaway Car is written to the muse who Taylor had an affair with, someone who is surprised and she is sorry for hurting. For context, her relationship with Calvin and his behaviour can safely be called problematic (x, x, x, x, x, x and x). CH really 'Got out some popcorn / As soon as her rep starting going down, down, down'. Her mental state:

Getaway Car is a pithy and fun but honest about poor choices. Although a year later it's closer to 29 April, 2016, with more hindsight Taylor was warmer towards to the 'other man' in High Infidelity on Midnights:

Do you really want to know where I was April 29th? Do I really have to chart the constellations in his eyes? [and] Do I really have to tell you how he brought me back to life?

Taylor also describes Reputation as a love story, many songs on which are about Harry, as are those on Lover which also express regret. I think the alleged affair would have been motivated from getting out of a situation which was not good for Taylor, however as we know from Harry's Debut it really hurt him. Lover and Folklore express a lot of regret, and I think they have both moved on.

Making of Video

Jack's shirt about publicity (also worn in This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things making of)

Taylor saying "Like a Dylany kinda thing", hmm...

wearing the evil eye and angel rings

And Taylor's longer, curly, darker coloured hair. To me, this looks like her hair in May and June 2017. Getaway Car was (at least in part) written and recorded in 2017. I think this adds to a song with more storytelling that diary writing, I think Taylor was quite affected by trying to get out of the relationship with Calvin, one she's sung about little and never warmly.

You can read Jack's comments about the video. It's interesting Jack commented on why it was being recorded, it seems Taylor did that a lot in the Rep era, and TBH it seems good practice to prevent any copyright claims, she also talks to the camera to note the lyric.

Live Performances

Getaway car was the first song in the Reputation Encore, it followed the Why She Disappeared poem. The tour visuals were reminiscent of I Knew You Were Trouble, the Reputation stage is an X and shot to showcase that here. The motel is called "Last time motel" which is reminiscent of The Last Time. It ends on Taylor getting into a black vintage convertible reminiscent of Blank Space.

It was an Era's surprise song 27 May 2023, Jack Antonoff joined Taylor on stage and added a nice sarcastic "oh yeah, we're both sorry." The last time Taylor was seen with MH was the 18th May, the break up was reported 5 June 2023.

Lyrics

No, nothin' good starts in a getaway car It was the best of times, the worst of crimes I struck a match and blew your mind But I didn't mean it, and you didn't see it

'It was the best of times, the worst of crimes' is a reference to Charles Dickens A Tale of Two Cities. The cities being Paris and London. This quote is in a passage that describes Taylors 2016 quite well: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, [...] it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair” It reminds me of "This Summer is the Apocalypse".

'Worst of Crimes' is similar to Where do broken hearts go "All the rest of my crimes don't come close"

"Struck match and blew your mind" is similar to "Strike a match, then you blow it out" in Say don't go. and Right Where You Left Me: "Matches burn after the other"

The ties were black, the lies were white In shades of gray in candlelight I wanted to leave him, I needed a reason

"Ties were black, likes were white" appears to point to the Met Gala, and I do think that is the intention of the line (and relationship) Taylor also was at the Black-tie Vanity Fair Oscar Party in LA on 28 February 2016, the day Harry tweeted (in LA) an Elvis Stuck on You Lyric "You can shake an apple off an apple tree." Harry was not at the Vanity Fair party, however he also has leaks from this era that refer to picking his muse up and driving them home. I did something bad and Sweet Creature have more on that time.

The shades were grey is similar to 50 Shades of Grey, which Taylor wrote I don't wanna live forever for about Harry. Candles are also in New Years Day "Candle wax and Polaroids on the hardwood floor" and Hunger "Candles burnt down to the floor"

"X" marks the spot where we fell apart He poisoned the well, I was lyin' to myself I knew it from the first Old Fashioned, we were cursed We never had a shotgun shot in the dark (oh!)

'X Marks the Spot where we fell apart' is line from Hilary Duff Breathe in. Breathe Out which Taylor said she liked in an Tumblr post 25 June 2015 and used the melody of in Paper Rings and title in Labyrinth. It's a song and line that is sad about the relationship not working out with someone untruthful. In the 2015 timeline the timing of this post is a little interesting.

'Poisoning the well' is meaning Calvin ruined the chance of this affair by discrediting or ridiculing it, with the diss track Ole.

An Old Fashioned is whiskey, also in Gorgeous "Whiskey on Ice, Sunset and Vine, you’ve ruined my life by not being mine"

Never had a shotgun shot in the dark is similar to Say Don't Go: "I've known it from the very start / We're a shot in the darkest dark"

You were drivin' the getaway car We were flyin', but we'd never get far

Driving is a Haylor theme.

Flying is a Haylor theme.

Don't pretend it's such a mystery Think about the place where you first met me Ridin' in a getaway car There were sirens in the beat of your heart Should've known I'd be the first to leave Think about the place where you first met me In a getaway car, oh-oh-oh No, they never get far, oh-oh-ah No, nothin' good starts in a getaway car

The line "think about the place where you first met me" is also often referred to in reference to Taylor meeting Tom Hiddleston at the Met, which again I think is with intention. Though there is not a particular reason to think someone at the Met Gala would do this.

It's also generally assumed Harry and Taylor met at the Kids Choice Awards in 2012, however neither has confirmed this, and it is simply the first time they were seen together by fans. As 2011 timeline outlines it seems Harry and Taylor were already connected then. These lyrics indicates their first meeting was brief (Holy Ground), she was not over Jake (Begin Again) and she was not looking for love (Suburban Legend):

Holy Ground - Back to a first glance feeling on New York time

Begin Again - Took a deep breath in the mirror / He didn't like it when I wore high heels / But I do

Suburban Legends - I didn't come here to make friends / We were born to be suburban legends

It was the great escape, the prison break The light of freedom on my face But you weren't thinkin' and I was just drinkin' While he was runnin' after us, I was screamin', "Go, go, go!" But with three of us, honey, it's a sideshow And a circus ain't a love story, and now we're both sorry (we're both sorry)

..Ready for it? "And he can be my jailer, Burton to this Taylor" and in Afterglow "Put you in jail for something you didn't do"

The only other Circus Lyric is Mirrorball: And they called of the circus, burned the disco down, but they use visuals (below)

CH and TS were over by the Met Gala with the official Break up announced 1 June, 2016, Taylor wasn't even seen with TH till the 14th June, 2016 - there was no running after and the Circus was Taylor and Tom's PR relationship.

However Calvin, Harry and Taylor, was a public sideshow:

That started in 2015 with the BBMA's in May 2015

Calvin's Twitter fight with One Direction on Twitter in August 2015

Writing Ole in February 2016

Taylor and CH starting a public fight over This is What you Came for in July 2016.

Harry and Taylor have used circus imagery the Red Tour, which the hat for is also in the End Game Video and Harry's Daylight video is (french) Circus Themed and there is a carnival in the Willow MV.

"X" marks the spot where we fell apart He poisoned the well, every man for himself I knew it from the first Old Fashioned, we were cursed It hit you like a shotgun shot to the heart (oh!)

This second chorus changes shot in the dark to shot in the heart. :(

We were jet-set, Bonnie and Clyde (oh-oh) Until I switched to the other side, to the other side It's no surprise I turned you in (oh-oh) 'Cause us traitors never win I'm in a getaway car I left you in a motel bar Put the money in a bag and I stole the keys That was the last time you ever saw me (oh!)

In Ready for it Taylor likened her and her muse to 'Burton and Taylor', here she's used another famous couple 'Bonnie and Clyde' Taylor and Harry have used outlaw metaphors (list below).

'Switched to the other side', is going back to the other person in the three person sideshow. I think this is going to the Bahamas with Calvin only 2 weeks after the VF Oscar party/apple tweet.

Is it over now? "You dream of my mouth before it called you a lying traitor"

Cruel Summer "Hang your head low In the glow of the vending machine"

...... FTDT "Woke up alone in this hotel room"

Outlaw Metaphors:

Stand up (1D) - I won't be leavin' till I've finished stealin' / Every piece of your heart' and 'I'm a thief, I'm a thief (Call me a thief) / I'm a thief, I'm a thief (But you should know your part) / I'm a thief, I'm a thief (I'm only here) / I'm a thief, I'm a thief ('Cause you stole my heart)

Stockholm Syndrome (HS) - Who's that shadow holding me hostage?

Ready for it (TS) - Knew I was a robber first time that he saw me / Stealing hearts and running off and never saying sorry / But if I'm a thief, then he can join the heist

Cowboy like me (TS) I've got some tricks up my sleeve / Takes one to know one You're a cowboy like me

MMIH (HS) - I walked the streets all day / Running with the thieves

Daylight (TS) - Maybe you ran with the wolves and refused to settle down

I was ridin' in a getaway car I was cryin' in a getaway car I was dyin' in a getaway car Said goodbye in a getaway car Ridin' in a getaway car I was cryin' in a getaway car I was dyin' in a getaway car Said goodbye in a getaway car

This outtro is similar to lyrics on Lover, so much @cntfightmydemonsthyknowhowtoswim and I wonder if parts of Lover and Reputation are the same events.

Cruel Summer: I'm not dying / You say that we'll just screw it up in these trying times / We're not trying

Cruel Summer: I'm drunk in the back of the car and I cried like a baby coming home from the bar (oh), and

Death By A Thousand Cuts: Saying “Goodbye” is death by a thousand cuts

#haylor #reputation taylor’s version #Youtube #reputation #taylor swift

[invisibleraven]

Holiday (bonus points if it's Halloween) / GPP

"Everyone ready?" Willie called from their room.

"Why are we doing a costume reveal again?" Carrie griped.

"Because it's fun!" Kayla exclaimed. "You remember fun right Care Bear?"

"I am plenty fun, thank you very much," was Carrie's reply.

"Yeah you are doll face!" Reggie shouted, and they could all hear the leer in his voice.

"Let's get on with it, I'm already regretting my life choices," Alex said.

Doors opened, and everyone emerged, and immediately, Willie laughed. "Yes, no one doubled this year!" At Kayla's confused expression, he explained. "Last year Luke and Reggie were both Han Solo."

"I was totally the beter Han," Luke grumbled, "But I let Reg have it."

"You made an equally cute cowboy," Julie assured him with a kiss to his cheek.

"Not as cute as Alex is this year!" Willie exclaimed.

"Excuse you, I am Ken," Alex replied, tilting his hat. "At your insistence, may I add."

"Well yeah, because you refused to be Alan," Willie replied, adjusting his red wig.

"I am so glad I decided to not go as Barbie," Carrie stated, though she had still stuck to her favourite colour palate in her Glinda the Good Witch costume, mirroring Kayla in her Elphaba get up; all green and black.

"You would have made a terrific Barbie," Flynn assured her, fixing her eyeliner in the mirror, her sparkly Cinderella dress leaving traces of glitter everywhere as she did.

"We ready for the party?" Julie asked, straightening her tight red dress and ensuring her horns were right.

"Ready as we'll ever be," Luke replied, blowing the blonde fringe out of his eyes. "Though next time I insist on going as Cobain, someone tell me to get a better wig."

"At least you look good with the facial hair," Reggie offered, picking at the fake little moustache he was sporting. "Cary Elwes should have words with the costume designer for this atrocity."

"Well you aren't allowed to grow a real one," Julie stated. "Not after last time."

There was a collective shudder. "You looked like a math teacher," Aex quipped.

"Yeah yeah, yuk it up," Reggie grumbled. "See if I share any of my discount candy tomorrow with you."

"I liked the goatee," Kayla stated.

"You can have the Tootsie pops then," Reggie replied.

"Sweet, those are my favourites anyways," Kayla replied.

"Ew, no one likes Tootsie pops," Carrie said, scrunching up her nose.

"I do."

"Your taste is questionable," Carrie argued back.

"I'm with you aren't I?"

Carrie hummed and pulled her in for a kiss. "You are, so for that I can forgive your awful taste in candy."

"Let's go lesbians," Flynn said, offering her arms to the girls. "And the rest of you queers as well."

"To the party!" everyone chorused.

"So... no to trick or treating at the fancy mansions along the way?" Reggie asked.

In the end, they may of hit up just a few houses. Hey, twas the season after all!

Plus, it meant full sized bars and gourmet chips, which no one was gonna turn down, not even Carrie.

#filled prompts #ficlet #the greater polyphantoms polycule #julie and the phantoms

[simslegacy5083]

NSB (Straud Legacy) Gen 9 Ep 54: Coming Home

While Luigi was celebrating his Geekcon success, Isra was returning from her brother’s homeland to find Rhys waiting for her. “Plum I missed you!”.

Isra smiled “I wasn’t gone that long!” “Well, it felt like forever”. he replied “I’m just glad you made it there and back safe and sound. I have some exciting news, but first I want to hear all about your trip”. Isra had planned to head straight to her par’s place but instead followed her fiancée to a nearby café.

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

They got settled and Isra launched right in. Rhys nodded along, interjecting a question here and there. “My brother, Jaden, he’s so sweet. Somehow, he’s younger than me, even though par said he was a toddler when they left. His family is really nice, and really big – he’s got 3 other sisters! I can’t wait to see the look on Pars face when she hears their youngest is named Wren!”

After she finished giving him all the details, she gestured his direction “OK, now spill gamer boy, what’s your big news”? Rhys grinned from ear to ear “just that I’ve officially earned your nickname. You’re looking at Rainy Day Entertainments newest E-sports Competitor”

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

Isra squealed in delight “That’s amazing, congratulations! If we need to push back the wedding or our honeymoon so you can settle in…”

He stopped her “Don’t worry, I told them that I’d need some time off soon for all that. I’m not willing to delay marrying you for anything”. Isra’s smile widened as she silently thanked her lucky stars that they’d found each other. She couldn’t wait to become Rhy’s bride and officially begin their life together.

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

As soon as she wrapped up with Rhys Isra headed out to Wren’s apartment in Evergreen Harbor.

Her par welcomed her warmly, echoing Rhy’s sentiments about her safe return. Isra could plainly see the questions in their eyes, but they seemed nervous and almost shy about saying what was on their mind.

“Jaden is amazing par, and so happy. The Lemons are wonderful sims. I’ve got so much to tell you and show you!” A teary eye Wren smiled as they and Isra settled on the couch. Wren had never doubted their decision to leave Jaden with Ophelia and Xander but hearing confirmation that he was doing well soothed an ache in their heart they hadn’t realized was there.

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

“… and we’re going to keep in touch, maybe he can even come and for a visit one day” Isra finished up some hours later. Wren felt wrung out, emotionally drained after hearing all about their son’s life and pouring over the pictures and memorabilia Ophelia had sent along.

“I still can’t believe Ophelia and I picked the same name.” they finally said “in another life I’m sure we could have been good friends. I’ll always regret how I treated her. I can tell Jaden has grown up into a wonderful young sim, though I never realized that time could move so differently between nations…! I hope he does get the chance to come here someday, I would dearly love to see him again”

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

By now the hour was late and Isra needed to head home. Once their daughter was gone Wren finally pulled out their son’s letter.

They didn’t think they had any tears left, but by the time they finished reading, the paper was stained with them. Jaden’s kindness and quirky charm had shone through in every line of the sweet missive, but even more than that Wren now knew that he understood their choice.

“I made so many big mistakes” they whispered to themselves as they tucked his letter into the keepsake box with the rest of the documents Isra had brought back and headed to the kitchen to start dinner “but leaving Jaden with the Lemons was one thing I got right.”

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

Back in Sulani Isra settled down to her own meal and texted her ex, telling him a bit about her trip. “Jaden loved your name 😉”. “Aww, that’s so sweet! came the immediate reply. It is quite unique, right!? Considering how things worked out I think it suits me 😊” Isra just laughed… classic Luigi!

She ending their conversation by thanking him again for his help in getting her to her par’s homeland. Having Jaden in her life was a dream come true and she couldn’t wait to get to know him better in the days to come.

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

View The Full Story of My Not So Berry Challenge Here

#sims 4 #sims 4 challenge #sims 4 legacy #sims 4 nsb #sims4 #sims 4 not so berry #sims4nsbstraud #sims 4 let's play #sims 4 gameplay #sims 4 lets play

[thesmutgoddess]

I'm working at a sports bar right now and the male bartender I work with was basically pressuring me to flirt with the male patrons for better tips "Why don't you focus on the wood so we'll make better tips?" so I was playing dumb like "What do you mean?" and my female manager came up and basically cosigned the whole thing. In the grand scheme of things it is a fairly typical microaggression but it just makes me realize how helpless I am to avoid this sort of thing. I think my awful experiences in the past with HR and even going to EEOC and being told that text evidence of my ex-manager's husband trying to see my breasts wasn't enough of a case for retaliation has just completely killed my spirit. I can't keep my head down without being treated like meat. I can't stick up for myself without getting retaliated against. I can't quit because I need the money. I just feel myself regretting all my life choices and useless to change them.

[rearranged-fanfic]

Cut Content (REALIGNED: Crimson, pt. 1)

Blog Masterlist

An excerpt taken from the original version of this chapter of REALIGNED:

*Spoilers Below*

The story underwent some pretty heavy revisions in its latter stages, which is part of why the second part is taking so long to get out. Gotta work out the kinks. This story was one seriously kinky bastard. Oof. And, honestly, I'm thinking of extending it to a third part. Because I completely lack self-control.

Here is a glimpse of the original draft:

:.:

“You’re a special vampire, right?  The most powerful one in the world?  Your blood can heal her!  I—"

“Go home.  Be with her until the end,” he cuts me off, tone cold.

“I can’t!”

“Please,” I plead to him, hand reaching up to grasp at the leg of his black slacks.  “Whatever you want in exchange, I’ll give it to you.  You can drink me until nothing is left, or hunt me for sport.  Or turn me into a mindless slave.  Just please don’t let my sister die.”

The inhumanly beautiful creature in front of me surprises me when he reaches down.  I half expect him to snap my neck, and I flinch away from him.  Instead, a firm hand lands atop my head, threading into my hair.  And those long, lithe fingers curl into the strands, giving him leverage to tug my head back gently, just enough that I can see his face.  His glasses have slipped down his nose, revealing his gaze to me.

And I have to resist the urge to gasp.  When I’d read that he was a vampire, I’d been expecting monstrous red eyes with slits for pupils, like the demons in religious imagery.  But they aren’t the color of blood.  I’m disarmed by how heartbreakingly, breathtakingly blue they are.  The same color as ancient glacial ice.  Or the sky in the early hours of dawn.  And all I can do is hold his unwavering stare.

He laughs softly, like he hears some joke that I can’t.  And he stoops so that his great height isn’t so intimidating.  For a moment, he’s not larger than life; he’s simply a man.  That hand in my hair reaches down to cup my cheek, thumb cresting the delicate bones there with feather softness.  “You’re obstinate just like your father, aren’t you?” he comments.  And I have to wonder again where and when he’d first met my father.  But then again, dad had been a vampire hunter.  So maybe it’s best if I don’t know.  “You’d give me anything if I healed your mother?  Anything at all?  Don’t you know it’s a terrible idea to offer a blank check as payment?”

I hold firm, never looking away.  “There isn’t a single thing that I’m not willing to trade, not when it means my sister and mother are happy and healthy.”

“Even if I devoured you right now?” he ponders delicately.  “You wouldn’t even know if I kept my word.”

“I've heard that you're a man of your word, from my father.  I know you’d honor your promise, even if I’m not around to see it.”

Gojo hums, thinking.  I can see a line form between the delicate white of his eyebrows.  And he tilts his head, like a cat contemplating a mouse under its paw.  Finally, he pulls away, standing back to his original height.  “Well, with such a glowing review from the world’s best vampire hunter, how could I resist your plea?”

He’s… going to help me, I realize with a much lighter heart.  Disbelief courses through my veins, winding its way through the chambers of my heart as it pounds behind my ribs.  But it’s the relieved sort of disbelief, like I’d received the greatest gift I could’ve.  And I suppose that I have.

But he’s serious as he looks down at me.  “Of course, everything has its price.  A life for a life,” he offers me, extending his hand.

There’s not even a moment where I doubt.  I grasp his hand, marveling at how warm and soft it is.  And the vampire helps me to my feet, and I know that my world has changed in a way that I can never undo.  But it’s okay.  Because my sister is going to live.

He tells me not to regret my choice.  I won't; I refuse to.

:.:

Reader-chan is much less aware of the realities of vampires in this version, and I disliked it because I felt like this iteration of her was too naive. There was too much of a knowledge/power gap between her and Gojo for the relationship to be balanced and equal later on. So her backstory was altered, and she was given a bit more insight on vamp society.

And she was given a nice little power upgrade, too. *wink, wink*. I still have to overhaul chapter 1. Then the next chapter of this two(maybe three)-parter should be out in a week or so, the writing gods willing.

Fun fact: this is my first foray into SatoSugu as well. So, yeah... IDK how I did with them. But working on this triad piece has made me wanna write more of just these two, without Reader-chan, because they're so damn cute.

#REARRANGEDfanfic #fanfiction #fanfic #ao3 fanfic #ao3 writer #read on ao3 #jjk #jujutsu kaisen #satoru gojo x suguru geto #gojo x reader #gojo x oc #vampire gojo #vampire geto #behind the scenes #cut content

[deweydecimalchickens]

Looks like the Tough Guy, the godfather of obstacle course racing, really is gone forever - combination of Mr Mouse's health problems and you can't maintain a permanent giant wooden obstacle course on two years of no entry fees.

It is insane and delightful to me that the roots of this batshit sport are in a horse sanctuary just outside Wolverhampton. I've done it four times, once each of the January, April, July and October versions. It was gloriously amateurish. The obstacles had names of dubious taste. We signed a disclaimer saying if it killed us it was "my own bloody fault for coming".

My main memories of the Tough Guy are absolute terror, punctuated by the quasi-mystical experiences you get when adrenaline and endorphins are two hells of some drugs. At one point alone in the woodland running section I became convinced I'd been taken by the Fair Folk and a hundred years and a day had passed in the real world - but then I saw the aid station and calmed down a bit. Everything about it was confusing and scary. I made an account in a mud-running forum purely to ask what the hell the instructions meant, only to be told they would never make any sense and I just needed to turn up at 10am and hope for the best. Excuse me I have agoraphobia and OCD, that is not how I roll. That aspect was legit more terrifying than, say, discovering you're not actually that keen on heights when you're out on the ropes at the top of the Behemoth and regretting the life choices that took you to this point (four times). Or the really cold water. Or their enthusiasm for electric obstacles. Or the combined electric and cold water obstacles, like Viagra Falls.

Somehow it went straight through the OTT masculinity of other OCRs and out the other side. Nobody shouted at you or made you do burpees. The course is difficult enough and everyone's having a hard time; no need to make it worse. There was the Ghost Squad, topless pyromaniac drumming Vikings in face paint who ran the warm up and occasionally popped up out of nowhere to assist and/or startle you. There was Mr Mouse in his kilt and moustache like a goddamn celebrity. There was a major gender imbalance. But it somehow didn't feel as macho as some others. It actually felt like we were all in this insanity together.

#tough guy #Staffordshire Tough Guy #OCR #Obstacle course racing #Mr Mouse

[the-ninja-legacy-whip]

Wow, that's a lot of kids, a couple more and you can create a sports team just with them :) Anyway I love all these headcannons for all these kids, they sound like lovable little gremlins. The monastery's gonna become a daycare centre at this rate, buttttttttttt whose born first, from oldest to youngest? Who babysits the kids, and do they get marinated in trauma-filled incidents like the rest of the ninja (*cough* lucina *cough* is she going to match the same levels of trauma lloyd's gone through? Doubt *cough*) And the most important questions: Favourite flavour of ice cream and are they a ice planet or a dairy dragon person?

Sora: Any particular reason you're rounding up so many kids to train?

Lloyd, tearing up: ...I needed enough players for a volleyball team

. . .

Of course they all have trauma, The Merge alone's already got them messed up, man.

I haven't smoothed out exact dates/years/details yet, but at the very least age order is: Lucina (by timeline technicality), Seven, Blythe, Camellia, Quinn/Finn, Blaire, Adrien, and Briar

During DR (yet subject to change), Lucina is 12, Seven is 10, Blythe is 9, Cam/Quinn/Finn are 8, Blaire is 5, Briar isn't born until a ways after, and I'm still not sure if Adrien (second Aftershock kid) is gonna be a thing, but if so he'd be adopted and is also older than Briar :d

Either way, more times than not, Seven and Blythe are the ones that tend to be put in charge. Lucina may technically be the leader, but she can't always be trusted to make...rational decisions snksnksnksnk

. . .

Lloyd: All right, to cool off after a long day of training, we're going to have a field trip for ice cream!

Kids: Yaaay!

Seven: Can we go to Ice Planet?!

Lloyd: You know that place got destroyed in the Merge. Dairy Dragon's all that's left.

Seven: Ugh. I just want a grape popsicle, then.

Lloyd: Ew. Anyone else?

Blythe: Can I get a coffee-flavored gelato?

Lloyd: Somehow, even worse. Next?

Camellia: Surprise me!!!

Lloyd: How ironically predictable. You're getting cake batter.

Camellia: Nice.

Quinn: Do they have the kind with Pop Rocks in it?? I want that!!!

Finn: I want a double scoop of cotton candy!!!!! No, triple!!!

Lloyd: I hear a sugar rush about to happen, and me regretting my life's choices. ...Blaire?

Blaire: I want chocolate.

Lloyd: Okay–

Blaire: But the kind with all the spices and peppers in it, like Dad gets :D

Lloyd: Good lord.

Briar: Can I get double peanut butter swirl please? 🥺

Lloyd: ...Briar, you're allergic to peanuts.

Briar: Can't you just revive me if I die? 🥺

Lloyd: No. That's not how that works.

Briar: Fine. I'll just have the continued curse of my existence reminded to me in the form of a cherry sundae, then.

Lloyd: *praying to grandpa* ...and you, Luci?

Lucina: ...I think I'm gonna go vanilla this time

Lloyd: *sigh of relief* That's my girl :')

#not lloyd judging children on their flavor choices lmao #ninjago ocs #next-gen jamboree #legacyverse #lloyd garmadon #oc: lucina lloyd #oc: seven borg #oc: blythe smith #oc: camellia marvell #oc: quinn smith-walker #oc: finn smith-walker #oc: blaire smith #oc: briar smith #oc: adrien cole #congrats ya finally got all nine out of me

[isfjmel-phleg]

Why I like it: Mike and Psmith

It's Psmith Pseptember! I regret I haven't arranged anything formal because I have too many projects already and I feel like I ran out of intelligent things to say about this series years ago. (Apparently if you do a thesis on something you love, you will get burned out on it indefinitely. Rude.)

However: I am not an Intelligent Things To Say vending machine and I shouldn't expect myself to be. So I'm going to keep it psimple and just gush a bit on every Psunday (except this time, on Monday, because I ran out of steam yesterday, sorry) in Pseptember about why I like these books, one by one. At least, that's the intention.

I read Mike and Psmith because I wanted to get into Wodehouse, who had been recommended to me. I didn't know where to start, got the impression that the Psmith series was one of his early things, and figured I should start from the beginning. I was in my first year of community college and I interlibrary-loaned Mike and Psmith and I loved it.

The humor got my attention first, as is usually the case with Wodehouse. The book is very approachable, even for a twenty-first-century American woman with no background in cricket or Edwardian public school, because it's utterly hilarious. The narration, the situations, pretty much every word out of Psmith's mouth--it's all brilliant. Humor can be a means to get an audience invested; I probably wouldn't have loved Mike and Psmith as much if the narrative had taken them and everything else with complete seriousness. In fact, Mike and Psmith would probably be a lot less likable if they had been earnestly angsty and sullenly throughout. And furthermore, because of the humor, the more dramatic parts take on especial poignancy because of the contrast in tone.

But I fell in love with the book because of the characters. Psmith is so delightfully audacious. He says and does things that probably no one in real life could pull off but that he can through sheer self-confidence and indifference to any social norms he finds inconvenient. For someone like me, that was a refreshing escape to read about. Psmith stands out for his wit and unconventionality, but what promotes him from merely amusing to outright likeable is his capacity for caring about others and the tension between this admirable trait which he nonetheless endeavors to hide and his public persona of detached selfishness. He's complicated. But ultimately good. Meanwhile, Mike isn't really the nonentity that many readers dismiss him as, the ordinary foil to Psmith's exceptionality. He's not highly complex, but he doesn't need to be--he's real and relatable in a way that Psmith cannot be. The reader may daydream about what it would be like to be Psmith but may be more likely to see themselves in Mike (prodigious cricket talent notwithstanding). He's a believable teenager, caught up in the Supreme Tragedy of having to give up a dream as a consequence of his own poor choices, surly and belligerent at times, bad at thinking things through, but at the same time his heart is in the right place, and unlike Psmith, he is unself-conscious about it. He neither seeks praise or tries to conceal; he simply acts on his natural compassion for anyone in distress, even if it puts him out. He and Psmith are so alike and so different, and their friendship makes total sense.

The book was written primarily to be entertaining. Wodehouse was not trying to make a statement. I'm sure it has No Allegorical Significance whatsoever. But that doesn't mean that it doesn't have anything worth saying. Wodehouse's previous school stories, set in the same universe, had a more traditional public-school worldview. In these stories, the school was a community with its own particular values and code, which were not to be questioned. Those who failed to live up the community's standards--such as shunning sports--were to be viewed with suspicion and ostracized and must conform in order to finally gain acceptance. Mike and Psmith fit the pattern of the sports-shunning outsider, but they are presented with sympathy, and when they finally do choose to participate in cricket, it is not due to social pressure but because they conclude that it is the right thing to use their skills to help a friend in need. It's not a story about living up to the schoolboy code and restoring the arbitrary social order; it's about doing the right thing on a personal level, about the duties of one human being to another. A theme lightly treated, of course, but still something worth saying.

Anyway, this book helped me through a time in my life when I was just as annoyed with my new school as Mike ever was, and while I may not have met a real-life Psmith to help me survive it, I was still all the better for having made the acquaintance of Psmith on the page. Fictional characters are excellent companions in misfortune.

#Psmith Pseptember