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aphrodites-law · 4 years

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A Bit of Clarity 🍂 (12/?) The visions had started last autumn, a year ago now. It had caused a bit of chaos for some, a bit of clarity for others. Two days ago, Clarke Griffin had been perfectly fine managing both her Café and her stress. But now she was curious - so deeply curious about the vision of herself entwined with the aloof Lexa Woods that it was leading her to complete distraction. (ao3)

[part 1] [part 2] [part 3] [part 4] [part 5] [part 6] [part 7] [part 8] [part 9] [part 10] [part 11]

A few minutes before closing time the next day, Clarke was waiting at the end of the counter for surprise customers. Gaia was already wrapping her scarf around her neck and Wells was pulling out ingredients for the next day. He had stayed much later today, going over resumes for their interviews tomorrow, but also reorganizing the kitchen.

After giving Gustus a call to offer him the job, Wells had realized that things would get crowded quite quickly. Gustus was a big man and the kitchen was on the smaller side, but it was workable with a different layout. Clarke thanked her lucky stars for her best friend's ability to adapt to situations, as she herself disliked big changes. Regardless of the possible growing pains ahead, it was an exciting time for the café.

Right after Gaia left with a tired wave, Wells found Clarke absentmindedly drawing the branches of the weeping fig. The last customers had left as well and the sun had already set. The mugs were clean, the plates drying, and the day's crumbs swept from the floor. It hadn't rained at all today; a small mercy given that Clarke couldn't stop thinking about her date with Lexa. She wasn't sure where they were headed, but heavy rain might've halted Lexa's plans and she didn't have the patience to wait another day.

Wells peeked at her drawing pad and sighed. "God, she's a beauty," he said dreamily.

Clarke snorted. His fondness for their Ficus was a running joke between them. "Weirdo."

Wells gave her a tired grin as he buttoned up his wool peacoat. He always looked so sharp in winter wear, whereas Clarke always felt like a bulky bear. She'd dressed up a little today - fitted dark pants and a knitted sweater with a nice scoop neck. Her boots were clean and if her hair's curls had loosened over the day, she had still clearly made an effort to look presentable.

“So, you had your vision," said Wells.

Clarke dropped her pencil. "Wh- I- what?"

"It was a few weeks ago, wasn't it? When you came in looking like you hadn’t slept a wink."

Shame gripped her. "Wells, I-"

“You’re looking more crimson than cranberry juice,” he pointed out with a laugh.

“I’m sorry, I just didn’t know how to bring it up," she said. She'd always felt guilty for keeping it from him, but it wasn't the easiest topic either. "Did Raven tell you?"

"Nah, she even deflected when I wondered aloud. You just started acting weird whenever someone mentioned visions. You hate lying, so I figured you didn't want to be asked if you'd had one."

Clarke closed her notepad. She should have known he'd catch on. "I didn't mean to be secretive. You know I would've told you the minute it happened, it just wasn't… family friendly."

"Yeah, I figured. It's good though? I mean, you're happy, right?"

It was a surprising question, though it shouldn't have been. Clarke hadn't really thought about it. It wasn't something she asked herself or even expected. For so long happiness had just revolved around the café. Finding the right name; the right building; the right theme. She'd judged her days based on their achieved goals and for a while it had been a thrill. And it still was - her work made her proud and it made her happy too - but it wasn't everything. She'd come to face that recently, and though the wake up call had been… unconventional, certainly, she was grateful for it.

"I am. I'm seeing her, actually. The woman from my vision. You'd recognize her - she's a regular."

Wells nodded as if he'd already put two and two together. “At Octavia and Lincoln's party I saw you talking to her. Then it clicked she wrote that article on Finn - I remembered checking her profile on the Gazette when it dropped."

"Yeah, she works there. She's writing a piece on the visions actually."

"So it's getting serious?" He asked hesitantly.

And really, Clarke couldn't fault his curiosity. She'd been so wrapped up in Lexa that she'd neglected their relationship and now he was unsure if he should gently prod or wait.

“It’s new and we’re taking things slow, but yeah, I'm hoping it'll work out. I really like her."

Wells looked over her shoulder toward the entrance and smiled. "Seems like she really likes you too."

Clarke turned around and saw that Lexa had parked her car and was just crossing the street toward the café.

"Are you coming in tomorrow?" He asked her.

Clarke whipped around, her cheeks flushed. "What? Of course I am. Why wouldn't I?"

"Dunno, you tell me." He laughed as he checked for his keys in his pocket. "Gaia and Harper have the early shift, in case you forgot. We just have those three interviews in the afternoon, but you already know that."

"I do know," she replied with a frown. "There's no reason I wouldn't be here earlier. I'm always here. What are you saying?"

He shrugged, entirely too proud of himself, and walked toward the back exit. "No one will fault you if you take a break. Enjoy your date!"

"I will! And I'll see you in the morning!" Clarke replied stubbornly.

"I'm sure you will!" he retorted, still snickering, before closing the door behind him.

A hand touched Clarke's shoulder and she startled.

"Sorry," Lexa said with a gentle smile. She'd put on her black coat today, the top buttons undone to reveal her sweater - a reddish brown this time, perfect for the fall. Her hair was down and her eyeliner perhaps more pronounced than usual. Clarke wondered if she'd applied it in her car. She looked beautiful.

"Hi, baby," she softened, forgetting all about Well's teasing. He didn't know what he was talking about. Tonight was just going to be a nice date. Some food, wine - whatever Lexa had planned. They were still going slow. Clarke didn't have any expectations other than enjoying their time together. She liked their pace. It was… frustrating at times, sure, but it was working. They had both opened up to each other.

"Hi," Lexa whispered before she inched forward so that she could kiss her over the counter. Clarke sighed into it, having imagined such sweetness all day long.

"Am I too early?" Lexa asked. "Do you need help cleaning up?"

Clarke brushed her thumb over Lexa's jaw. "No, I'm done. I just need to grab my coat and close up."

"Was that Wells who went out back?"

"Yes, he was being ridiculous."

"I thought he usually left earlier?"

"He does, but he's been rearranging the kitchen. I think he's worried Gustus will find it too small."

"Gus has an entire farm and acres of land at his disposal, but he sleeps in his shed because it's warm," Lexa said. "He won't mind."

Clarke beamed, delighted to hear it. "I'm going to give you Wells' number and you're going to text him just that. "

While Clarke left to grab her coat, Lexa worried her lip. "Oh but he doesn't really know me…"

"He will."

Clarke came out from the back with her coat and scarf on. She pulled out her set of keys. "He's my best friend and you're my-" she stopped herself. "I think you'd get along great. He loves theater, devours literature, and he already thinks you're amazing for taking Finn down. So don't worry about it."

"Well, that reminds me: Collins went ahead with suing the Gazette."

"Are you fucking kidding me?"

They made their way to the front, where Lexa opened the door for Clarke. "No. It'll never stand, but he aims to waste our time and money."

"Waste of time and money - that's been his motto since birth."

Lexa wrinkled her nose. "Let's talk about something else."

"Please. So where's my carriage?"

Lexa laughed.

* * *

Lexa may not have found a pumpkin to turn into a carriage after all, but her car smelled like apples and she drove so smoothly Clarke could've closed her eyes and imagined they weren't moving at all. She had never thought 'great driver' would do it for her, but here she was eyeing Lexa's hands on the steering wheel and feeling hot.

"How's the writing going?" Clarke asked, clearing her throat when her voice started off slightly rough.

Lexa took a left, which would've surprised Clarke if she'd paid any attention to the road. But all she could think about was Lexa's razor-sharp focus and how she yearned to be the reason for it.

"Good, I finished a first draft. My writing partner is looking at it for now. I need it out of my sight for a few days."

"Partner, huh?"

Lexa smiled as she kept her eyes on the road. "Echo. She wrote most of the FC&B article."

"Did you write for other newspapers before?"

Lexa nodded. "Two. I've been lucky, professionally. Smaller papers have always been more interesting to me, so I stayed away from national ones. I was able to climb the ladder a lot faster than some of my old classmates."

"The Gazette must've been a change of pace. New city, new job - I don't think I could handle it."

"When they hired me I was so happy to be working I just threw myself into it," Lexa admitted. "I got the idea on the Mountain Men soon after, just from reading old archives about them. That kept me busy, so I didn't have time to worry about fitting in. It was nice. Exciting. It felt like falling in love with my job again. Then one day Echo invited me to grab drinks with other colleagues and… I realized things had fallen into place already."

"Costial is pretty magical like that," Clarke said with a smile. She loved it when Lexa talked about her time here. Sometimes it was easy to forget she hadn't even been here a year yet. Clarke remembered her first year in the city - how she'd felt like she'd always belonged here. How she couldn't wait to build her life here. And college had been fun, and sometimes she walked by the campus just for the nostalgia of it, but it was the years after that had really shaped her life into what it was today. There had been many tears and failures before the café, but she'd never once thought of leaving. She hoped Lexa felt the same.

One glance outside the window and Clarke finally had an idea where they were headed. They were quite far from the center of the city now, just a few miles away from Busy Moose Park and its lake on the outskirts. Lexa took the road that led to the park, but she didn't make the turn Clarke had expected and instead continued straight.

"Are we going to the factory?" Clarke asked.

The chocolate factory and its surroundings were certainly a sight to behold, and popular with teens because of its smells and aesthetic quality, but there wasn't much to do unless you brought a picnic. Which was unlikely to be comfortable anyway in this cold.

"Not quite," Lexa answered with a secretive smile.

A few minutes later she finally pulled over into a small parking lot, checking for Clarke's reaction as soon as they got out of the car.

“I know I said I’d take you somewhere more upscale, but I thought you might really like this place."

Because the factory was just a ways down the road and it was windy tonight, the bold smell of chocolate permeated the air. They had stopped in front of a rustic restaurant surrounded by a garden. Small lights glowed softly against the brick walls, complimented by the dancing shadows from a few lanterns. There was a patio with beams covered in twining vines, the plants and wisteria also covering the top like a ceiling. Powerful heaters kept the biting cold at bay, no doubt, making the entire place look like a winter fairytale.

It was the kind of romantic setting Clarke would have made fun of in front of friends while secretly hoping to experience it one day.

“How the hell have I never been here before?” She asked in astonishment.

With a hand on her back, Lexa led her toward the entrance.

“Did you know Icicle? Italian restaurant?”

“Yeah, that rings a bell.”

“This is it. The owner retired and her son took over - revamped the whole place from top to bottom and gave it a mountain lodge theme. He figured they should capitalize on the location more, especially the constant sweetness in the air. It just reopened a few weeks ago. Featured in the Gazette and everything.”

“Oh, that might’ve been when I was a bit angry at you," Clarke remembered and gave Lexa a teasing grin. "Deleted the app like it was some kind of statement."

Lexa scrunched up her nose, not too eager to remember that time. The hostess seated them inside at a secluded table for two. The light was dimmed and there was a candle between them; and even two squares of chocolate wrapped in gold foil.

After they took off their coats and sat, Lexa bit her lip. “It's not too much, is it?"

"Are you kidding? It's gorgeous." Clarke reached for her hand. "You're always surprising me."

A waiter gave them a menu and a basket of bread. They looked like mini baguettes and Clarke was temped to steal one for Wells.

“God, I almost forgot about this smell," she said, taking a deep breath. The chocolate from the factory still wafted faintly in the air, and mixed with the smell of food it had Clarke already salivating for dinner. "In college we used to hang out by the lake a lot. If the wind was on our side we’d always get a whiff from the factory. Not even edibles could beat that.”

Lexa arched a brow. “Edibles, huh?”

“Please, I know you’ve dabbled," Clarke scoffed.

“What makes you think that?”

“You have the vibe.”

“The pothead vibe? I thought I was unreadable.”

“Oh you have that vibe too," Clarke laughed. "But then there’s the tattoos, the plants, the way you write about nature. You’re curious, open minded, andyou went to a liberal arts college. You must’ve tried it at least once. I think that’s how you approach most things: don’t knock ‘till you try it. Am I close?”

Lexa looked away, slightly flummoxed. “It sounds like I’m more of an open book then.”

"Maybe that's a good thing…" Clarke offered with a hopeful smile, thumb caressing the back of her hand.

"Maybe it is," Lexa agreed.

They both picked the apricot glazed chicken with roasted potatoes, pairing it with a white wine. Throughout dinner Clarke felt such pleasant warmth, both because of the wine and Lexa's steady gaze on her. She was relaxed and unfairly charming; a great listener by all accounts, but also coming out of her shell when it came to her own past. Clarke knew it wasn't easy for her, which made it all the more special.

"In retrospect I should've figured politics weren’t for me when I started screaming at my television every time the news came on."

Clarke grinned, knowing the sentiment all too well. "Good thing you don't work for a newspaper or anything…"

Swallowing the last of her wine, Lexa gave her a playful smirk. "Local news. I can take the city hall drama. I actually enjoy it with my morning pastry."

"That I can believe. You always look so deep in thought when you read. Harper dropped a cup once and you didn't even flinch."

"Really?" Lexa asked. "Is there anything else I do that I should know about?"

The waiter stopped by with their desserts: molten chocolate cake for Lexa and a slice of pear tart for Clarke.

"It's not like I stare or anything," Clarke clarified as she grabbed her spoon. "Your seat just happens to be in my vicinity."

"Mm." Lexa smirked. "I guess I just pop up sometimes…" she trailed off, her tone heavy with implication.

She did this occasionally, but more boldly recently. Alluding to Clarke's vision seemed to greatly entertain Lexa.

"Ha, you're funny," Clarke deadpanned.

"Did I also crack jokes while I was kissing you - and I quote - everywhere?" Lexa goaded.

Clarke shrugged as she chewed on her tart. "Actually you were a lot more suave than you are now. Pity."

Lexa laughed. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."

"Please, you're very proud of yourself. And it's not fair all I have to go on is your distaste for coffee." Clarke remembered how frantic she had been after her vision, her mind firing questions every second. “Did you know I went to a vision reader right after?”

It had been an impulse and she'd regretted it, but she figured Lexa was familiar with them.

"Really?" Lexa asked, surprised.

“Yeah, the one by the market. Becca’s Reading or something. I bailed at the last minute.”

“I actually haven’t spoken to one. I was toying with the idea, but it might be an entirely different article.”

Clarke grimaced. “They’re just opportunistic money grabbers.”

Lexa offered a spoonful of her cake, which Clarke took before plopping a bit of pear on top of it. The warm chocolate melted the pear in her mouth and she sighed at the taste. Lexa smiled.

“It’s a different point of view. Besides, listening to so many stories might’ve given them some valuable insight even if they opened a shop for the wrong reasons. If my job’s taught me anything it’s to not judge a book by its cover.”

"Hmm you're good at it - your job. And I'm not just saying that because you're wining and dining me."

Lexa looked bashful. "You know, I remember when you yelled at me to get over myself."

"Not our finest moment…"

"No," Lexa agreed. "But it was needed. Before that there was so much I wanted to tell you, but… couldn't."

"I know." Clarke remembered that feeling as well. After the vision she'd look at Lexa and be so certain there was so much left unsaid between them, yet neither of them knew where to start, or if it was reciprocated. "I should've let you interview me - just ripped off the Band-Aid. It would've explained a lot."

"I would've never made it past the first question," Lexa said. "Can you share what you saw, Clarke?"

Clarke smiled cheekily around a mouthful of her tart. "Well, I would hope that kind of confession would score me a date at least."

"Oh I would have asked you out on the spot," Lexa replied with a smirk.

Clarke gasped. "How very unprofessional of you."

"If you hadn't noticed, my professionalism hangs by a thread whenever I'm near you."

Clarke let out a small laugh. "Well, that's one thing I'm glad for."

* * *

After their dinner, Lexa suggested they walk in the park before it closed. It was cold but their coats were thick and the wind was minimal. Clarke had no desire to part just yet, and so took Lexa's hand in hers as soon as they left the car by the park's entrance.

They had a little less than thirty minutes before it closed, but enjoyed every second as they strolled by the lake. The half-moon was reflected on the quiet surface, and though there were a few other people, Clarke felt like they had just stepped into a world of their own.

Clarke nudged Lexa toward one of the Beech trees, its autumn leaves still clinging bravely to its thick branches. They settled beneath it, lying down on the soft ground where leaves piled atop the grass. Between the branches they could see some stars, and Clarke wondered if maybe the park could close and leave them be. There was nowhere else she wanted to be.

She heard some rustling and then saw Lexa look down at her, her face framed by her wavy hair and the stars above. She took Clarke's breath away.

"You're so beautiful," Lexa murmured, struck by a similar thought it seemed. "You have the kindest eyes and the warmest smile. It's the first thing I ever noticed about you."

Clarke reached up to kiss her, parting only when she felt Lexa's hand on her stomach. Even atop her coat and thick clothing, she could feel its warmth.

"I think you're drunk on wine and chocolate."

"Then you'll be relived to hear I'm a very sincere drunk."

Clarke giggled, which made Lexa's smile stretch in such a fond way. She pressed closer to her, the tip of her nose brushing against her neck. She kissed the small spot, as if to apologize for her cold nose.

"I wonder so much about you, Clarke."

Clarke hummed. "What do you wonder about?"

“I’ve spoken with a lot of people. Heard the visions about reuniting with loved ones, getting over addictions, graduating. There’s been some romance of course,” Lexa said. “Aden’s first kiss, though he couldn’t see his boyfriend’s face. Echo celebrating a wedding anniversary with her husband. But so few - even online in anonymous circles - so few like yours.”

Now Clarke felt warm again, mostly from the blush on her cheeks. “I don’t believe that.”

Lexa lifted her head from her shoulder. “Have you personally heard of any?”

“Raven saw Wells naked.”

“You know that’s not what I mean.”

“Okay, so I'm a pervert, what can I say?”

“No,” Lexa replied, tickled by Clarke's little huff. “You’re a mystery. You intrigue me.”

Clarke cleared her throat. “Well I’ve had a bit of a dry spell. I had flings, but… I didn't allow myself anything more. The café was taking up all my thoughts and for a while it worked for me. Then the days got long again, and lonelier… Raven said it was probably just my body wanting me to snap out of it.”

“And what do you think?”

Clarke did wonder about it then, or at least differently than she had in the past. It wasn't so long ago she'd asked these questions herself. She'd been so frustrated she couldn't discuss them with the person she'd shared it with, and here she was, lying right next to her in a bed of leaves.

She touched Lexa's hand on her stomach, lacing and unlacing their fingers, gently playing with them as she tried to make sense of everything.

“Have you never fantasized about a stranger?" She asked quietly, catching Lexa's eyes. "Someone who knows nothing about you and yet knows exactly how to make your body soar?"

“That’s not what you saw though, is it?” Lexa murmured. “I wasn’t a stranger in your bed. I knew you and you knew me."

Clarke felt her heart beat faster. She wanted so badly to kiss Lexa again; to feel her body against hers like the night on her couch.

"Lex…"

Their lips were just a hair's breadth apart now. To anyone else, they would've looked like they were kissing.

"How was it different, Clarke?"

Clarke swallowed, trying to find the words. “How? The way you handled me - needy and possessive, but tender and attentive too. Like you were in charge of my pleasure and you had to remind me."

She saw Lexa swallow and so continued, eager to share everything this time: "You said my name and it almost sounded like a prayer - like you couldn’t believe we were together. I never heard my name like that before. I never thought I could make someone feel lucky."

"God, Clarke, you have no idea." Lexa exhaled before closing the gap and kissing her. It wasn't like any other kiss they'd shared tonight. It felt like a promise, almost. Lexa tasted so sweet on her tongue and Clarke could only wonder if all of her was just as heavenly.

She cupped the back of her neck and felt herself throb with desire, her mind filled with both the reality of Lexa and the last of her vision.

"I can even remember the smell of us," Clarke sighed between kisses. "How sticky my skin felt, like we'd been in bed for hours."

"Clarke - fuck."

Clarke pushed Lexa on her back and cupped her cheeks, claiming her lips quite quickly again. She licked into her mouth and moaned at the silky feel of Lexa's tongue.

"Sometimes I'd try to picture us again but you'd disappear," Clarke continued, eyes closing when Lexa started kissing down her neck. "I wasn't sure if it was you anymore. But then you'd come back. I'd feel your hands, your mouth on me… lower, and lower…"

Lexa let out a groan and pinched the bridge of her nose before falling back on the ground, the leaves rustling beneath her. Something in the way she set her jaw made Clarke frown.

"Baby…" she said, tracing a finger over her cheekbone.

"Did you call her that?" Lexa asked without thinking.

Clarke retracted her hand and paused. A grin spread on her face. “What? Are you jealous… of yourself?”

Lexa glared petulantly. “No.”

“You are."

Lexa remained quiet, so after a moment Clarke poked her arm. “Well what about yours?”

"Mine?"

"I wasn't even in it - how do you think that makes me feel?"

Lexa shook her head. "You were in it."

"You said you were just standing in a random kitchen making coffee."

"Yes."

"So?"

They heard the echo of a bicycle's bell on the pathway and turned to the sound, but the couple soon rode away. Clarke looked at Lexa again, finding her staring at the sky.

“What are you keeping from me?”

A small smile grew on Lexa's face - but she remained tightlipped.

"How was I there?" Clarke asked again, deeply curious.

"The doodles," Lexa simply replied.

Clarke remembered that she'd found that to be a strange detail before. She didn't put up her doodles on walls and she didn't frame them. These had to be important. Something that made her identity unmistakable in Lexa's eyes. Sure it could be that her style was recognizable, but Lexa made it sound as if it was something else.

“Lex…"

She lifted Lexa's chin to catch her gaze.

“If I tell you, I worry it might not happen," Lexa admitted.

Clarke bit her lip, finally understanding. It was almost like saying a wish out loud - fearing it might not come true if you broke that single rule.

“You want it to happen?” She asked instead.

A breeze passed as Lexa looked at her intently, leaving no room for doubt. “Yes.”

There was no waver in her voice. Not even an ounce of hesitation. The sheer confidence set Clarke alight. She’d forgotten how it felt to feel so wanted. Whatever it was in that frame… Lexa clearly hoped for it in their future. The fact that she wanted it with her, and no one else, made her desire swell.

She leaned down and kissed her right against the grass and by the slumbering tree, forgetting all about the doodles. Lexa believed it was her - that was all that mattered. After weeks of being unsure of where they stood, if her feelings were even shared, she didn't need anything more.

Lexa wound her arm around her waist, her mouth still as hungry against Clarke's. When they pulled away, she pressed their foreheads together.

“I wish I could see us like you did," she murmured wistfully.

"What would it change?"

“Maybe… maybe if I knew I was good enough for you… If I was sure that I wouldn’t- that I wouldn’t hurt you-"

Clarke shook her head. "Don’t fill your head with thoughts like that. Let's just be here, together, and worry about the rest when it comes. I know it's hard for you, but this - us - right now… it's good, isn't it?"

Lexa nodded. "It's the best thing that's happened to me in a long time."

Relieved, Clarke tucked her head beneath Lexa's chin. "Then just be with me. You can be happy, baby. You have a right to it. Don't let anyone or anything tell you otherwise."

Eventually they made their way back to Lexa's car, neither of them interested in picking up their leisurely pace.

"I'm sorry we ended up walking so much," Lexa said.

"You fed me beforehand, so it's forgiven."

Lexa smiled. "Good to know."

Before they reached the parking lot, Clarke decided to ask what had been on her mind: "I know you said Costial feels like home to you; that you found your place here, but… do you see your future here? Because this is it for me. And I'm… I like you, Lex. I like you a lot. I don't want to be an interlude. I don't think I could take it."

"Clarke," Lexa stepped closer to her. "You're not an interlude, you're - God, you've been in every act of my life here. I don't want to go anywhere. I- I want to be with you. That's what I know for certain. Is that alright for now?"

"It is."

Lexa kissed her softly and then smirked. "I may not have had erotic visions of myself entwined with a hot local, but I still want to stay here."

Clarke shoved her playfully. "I don't even like you anymore."

They laughed the whole way to the car.

* * *

It seemed like a tradition already; Lexa walking her to her door while Clarke racked her mind for a way to linger. When they finally arrived she leaned against her door and sighed.

"Tonight was amazing."

Lexa hummed. "I'm glad."

"I'm definitely taking you out this weekend," Clarke said.

"You are?" Lexa asked, tilting her head to kiss her again.

Clarke closed the gap as she wrapped her arms around her neck. The kiss was slow; amatory, but as always it could not go on for too long before hands wandered.

"I hope you have sweet dreams," Lexa said, her eyes hooded and her lips slightly redder.

"Oh I will."

Lexa glanced at her mouth. "If I pay you a visit again maybe you could keep a journal close by. I'd love some notes on my performance."

Clarke rolled her eyes. "Remind me why I ever told you?"

"What? That we lasted hours?" Lexa husked.

Right. Clarke narrowed her eyes and let her hands slowly drag down Lexa's arms. Now, Clarke wasn't innocent. She knew fully what made her look good, even when her coat was buttoned up. She had let Lexa tease her and goad her about the vision all night, and she had kept her retort to herself. But no more.

She pressed her body closer to Lexa's, unmistakably provocative with the way their breasts touched.

“Make fun all you want, Lexa, but remember this: I’ve seen all of you while you haven’t seen an inch of me.” She felt Lexa’s hand tighten on her waist. “I’ve felt your body against mine. Your mouth on my thighs. I’ve felt your tongue inside me.” She glanced down at Lexa's lips and then back up, proud of the gobsmacked look on her face. “So you can tease me. You can push my buttons. I can take it. But you? You only have your imagination." She stepped back and gave her sultriest smile, "And trust me, it’s got nothing on reality.”

She turned around and quickly unlocked her door, then looked over her shoulder. "Thanks for the date, baby."

As soon as she stepped inside and closed the door behind her, Clarke knew she'd just played a dirty hand. But Lexa had teased her at all night and all was fair in lust.

With a wicked grin, too pleased by the night's events, Clarke took off her coat and slipped out of her shoes and socks. And because she just couldn't resist one last look, she walked to her window and waited. Finally she saw Lexa walk out of the building. She seemed unfocused, going right and then left, forgetting where she'd parked.

But then she stopped and turned around.

Clarke's smile fell. Just watching Lexa like this, seeing the effect she had on her… it changed something. She had closed the door in the spur of the moment - because they were good at testing each other. Because she had thought tonight should end there, on another game of theirs.

But she didn’t want to play anymore.

And maybe Lexa realized it too. She looked up and found her apartment's window.

Their eyes met.

Clarke reached out for the curtain, gripping it so tight her knuckles went white. She couldn't look away from those eyes in the moonlight if she tried. Even if the ground started shaking beneath their feet.

"Lexa-" she started before stopping herself. It had to be Lexa's decision. Clarke had already made hers. She couldn't call out to her. Not for this. Lexa had to choose.

Clarke held her breath, unsure she'd even be able to leave this spot if Lexa did walk away after all. Until-

Lexa bolted back toward the building.

Clarke watched her disappear from view and then heard her intercom. She rushed toward it and pressed the buzzer, her heart in her throat. Still barefoot, she pulled the door open and waited. Footsteps thundered up the flights of stairs, closer and closer.

Tonight had not ended. Not yet.

#clarke x lexa #clexa #clexa fic #f: a bit of clarity #w

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smoking-hams · 7 years

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Ansel Elgort

#ansel elgort #caleb prior #divergent #tommy ross #carrie #augustus waters #the fault in our stars #face claim #face claim help #fc #avatar #edits #my edits

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wicked-ever-after · 2 months

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Shailene Woodley

By clicking THE SOURCE LINK BELOW you will find 622 gifs of SHAILENE WOODLEY in The Fault In Our Stars for roleplaying purposes. They were made from scratch by me so please like and/or reblog this post if using, or give any form of credit.

#shailene woodley #shailene woodley gif pack #gifpacknetwork #gifsociety #rph #wicked-ever-after #fc: shailene woodley #hazel grace lancaster #the fault in our stars

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ageofxail · 3 years

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Under the Read More are details of my characters & their pets for a commission. VERY LONG POST! Click at your own risk.

Noel Thames Mercer. (FC: Ioan Gruffudd, as seen in Horatio Hornblower, Forever, Amazing Grace, Harrow) Representative of England. A somber, quiet fellow rarely seen to smile and never without a book in hand. Wears his hair like the first photo, dresses akin to the final larger photo. He does have long hair, which is worn in a low ponytail, often pulled over his shoulder.

He does use an arm cane, like this one pictured below. It should be featured in both his promo and pixel art photos!

Playlist for this character:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFWnGVhNaCQitOZrkwk51-F-chnwPdrjX

Daniel Aleksander King. (FC: Aidan Turner, as seen in Poldark (2015), And Then There Were None, Resonance, Being Human). Representative of (Corporate) America. Extremely bougie man, spends money primarily to show off his wealth. Curly hair, wears a black yarmulke for formal occasions. I'd like him to be wearing a suit and bowtie for the promo pic, and a peacoat/jumper for the pixel piece. The scar seen in the first small picture is present in modern day!

Here’s a playlist of songs that meet his “air” :

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFWnGVhNaCQhI0Ystha_z3ynftmAX2mhl

Jonas Emmanuel Federer (FC: Mark Seibert, as seen in Elisabeth: Das Musical, Mozart!, and Schikanaeder;; These are difficult to find many references for, as he is primarily a theatre actor with very few on screen appearances. Let me know if you need help finding reference photos for him!) Representative of Switzerland. Hairstyle is very consistent throughout each appearance. Usually dresses in semi-casual; collared shirts and nice jeans, hiking shoes on the regular. He is a percussionist, and a member of Topsekret Drum Corps (Link to a TSDC performance! They’re REALLY good!). He’s very serious and usually the first to lodge a noise complaint. One thing that does make him melt is really good music-- much to his annoyance.

Song that best encapsulates Jonas:

(In English) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtfMWOy3780 // (In german, from the Musical Mozart!, with subtitles) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWQz24Omoig

Sir Nicholas William of the House of Grey, (FC: Ben Whishaw, as seen in The Hollow Crown: Richard II, and Bright Star) Representative of Medieval England. Extremely playful and loyal to the crown, very little in the world means more to him than devotion to his job and playing pranks. In modern day, he is no longer attuned to the passage of time and hides himself away in the Tower of London with his raven, where he pretends as if it is still the 15th century. His clothing would consist of robes and simple, hand-made things. The beard should appear in his promo photo, but be reduced to stubble in the pixel art.

Playlist for Nicholas:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLK_2xRaQF2rWo6eic8cMSD_MPB7MihRER

Bradley Marion Walker-Rhodes (FC: Ansel Elgort as seen in The Fault in our Stars, Baby Driver, West Side Story) Representative of Tennessee. Carefree as hell! Zero worries in the world! He is all about fixing up old cars (He’ll have an oil stain on any and every shirt he owns from checking engine oil levels!), playing music, and having a good time. World’s worst “secret” agent because, despite working for the CIA, he is completely honest and incapable of telling a lie. Lives Hannah Montana-style double life as “The Phantom of the Grand Ol’ Opry.” He’ll wear a flannel shirt, jeans, and a cheap pair of sneakers.

PLaylist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLK_2xRaQF2rV09Sk158Vx_Uqbo-pRvuWd

Gabriel Epharim Hill (FC: Christian Bale as seen in Newsies, 3:10 to Yuma, and Psycho) Very friendly, loves horses and neat rocks. He’s never without a good pair of hiking boots, a nice camera, and a backpack to take home neat things he finds along exploring his state’s National Parks. He will absolutey wear a t-shirt that says SL, UT on it and have some kind of image of the Delicate Arch on his person, usually via a metal pin. He keeps himself clean shaven, but doesn’t put a TON of effort into styling his hair unless he’s doing something formal -- such as posing for a nice portrait. He is Daniel’s son!

Unfortunately, I don’t have a playlist for Gabriel lined up just yet, but the band F.U.N. is pretty good at capturing his air.

Now onto the animals!The first three dogs belong to Noel

Brighton Bay Bard is a wheaten Norwegian Buhund with a faded black mask. He’s only 6 months old! His favourite toy is a blue silicon anchor with a tug rope attached. I’d like to have him play bowing and holding said anchor toy!

Eyepatch is an elderly Dalmatian with solid black ears, heavy spotting, and a dark patch around her left eye -- hence the name. She is extremely serious and alert. A position similar to the first photo would be ideal!

Faerie is a white factored sable Rough Collie with her markings on her backin roughly the shape of a fairy’s wings. She is extremely curious and friendly! A raised tail and head tilted to the side should be seen, otherwise very relaxed body stance.

Eleanore is a mostly solid black Raven, with a white marking on her chest in roughly the shape of a crown. I’d like her to be holding a strawberry! This is Nicholas’ favorite raven.

Zeiger is a very atheltic White Swiss Shepherd (should be slightly bulkier than a typical German Shepherd, with a less pronounce curve to his forehead, and shorter, rounder ears). I’d like him to be trotting, ideally in a “Flying Trot” (The point of a shepherd’s gait where all four feet are off the ground) -Jonas’ dog.

Kitty the English Foxhound is just as playful and un-serious as Bradley. Her tail is always a blur she’s so delighted to see a new person or catch a whiff of something to eat!

Skywalker is Daniel’s extremely shy bat-eared shelter cat, most likely an Oriental Shorthair mix. Her fur is thin and her whiskers are surprisingly long and her purr is loud enough to shake furniture.

#long post

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wolfvirago · 3 years

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FULL NAME. Robin Calatia MEANING. Red-breasted bird, city by the sea NICKNAME. Little wolf, little light, birdie GENDER. Female HEIGHT. 5′5″. AGE. 24, verse dependent ZODIAC. Sagittarius SPOKEN LANGUAGES. English + Japanese 𝐩𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 ! HAIR COLOUR. Blonde EYE COLOUR. Blue SKIN TONE. Fair, it has rosy undertones and she has naturally pink cheeks that tends to grow redder when she feels intense emotions! Light dusting of freckles on the arms and knuckles. BODY TYPE. Average size, but with an obvious tone to her arms and legs. ACCENT. General Eastern US accent, not really noticeable. VOICE. Hard to describe? I personally give her the Japanese voice of Aki Asakura (The Tale of the Princess Kaguya) and English… Julia Garner (her fc!) DOMINANT HAND. Right POSTURE. Relaxed SCARS. Star shaped gash on her abdomen, where a bear had attacked her as a child. She was only able to survive because of her budding powers, which had come out in her time of need and scared the bear away, while also cauterizing the wound. TATTOOS. n/a MOST NOTICEABLE FEATURE(S). Her feral blue eyes. Many have likened them to those of a beast. It’s the one part of her body she can’t control the shifting of. That and her smile, with slightly sharp canine teeth. 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 ! PLACE OF BIRTH. Lost Woods, Adirondack Mountains, New York HOMETOWN. n/a BIRTH WEIGHT. Average BIRTH HEIGHT. 6 inches MANNER OF BIRTH. Born at home, without a midwife. Her mother was afraid she would be born as a pup, but thankfully, she was born as a human child. FIRST WORDS. Mama/Papa SIBLINGS. Older brother, he is three years older than her. (Nyx, older surrogate sister (anousagi)) PARENTS. Lincoln Calatia (father, called Link by his friends, swordsman), Miyuki Kobayashi (Japanese immigrant, painter and secret swordsman) PARENT INVOLVEMENT. Her parents were very close to her and her brother. They made it a point to be there for their children from day one, and teach them everything to defend themselves and love their forest. Unfortunately, her mother died from an illness, and her father was killed in combat not long after. From 10 to 15, she was raised by her older brother. 𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 ! OCCUPATION. The protector and guardian of the forest. Self employed artist and author of woodland fauna guides. CURRENT RESIDENCE. Her family’s little cabin in the woods. CLOSE FRIENDS. Her brother. (verse dependent: Link (hylian-champion), Elsa (frostfractals), Ray (dullweapons), Cat (streetxcat), Spirit (hxldtheworld), Nezuko (crownshattered), Rengoku (mozaikrolez), Revali (ritohonour), Urbosa (gerudofury), Usagi (bunheadusako), Octavo (bransles), etc) RELATIONSHIP STATUS. Verse dependent (Zelda (legendarylullaby), Niamh (intothewildsea), Volga (volcania), Rapunzel (maskedmuses), Dark (egotisticle), etc.) FINANCIAL STATUS. Middle class (?) DRIVER’S LICENSE. Verse dependent. CRIMINAL RECORD. no VICES. Clingy and anxious due to trauma revolving around abandonment. Suffers self doubt and hatred, depression. Stubborn. Too willing to self sacrifice. 𝐬𝐞𝐱 & 𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 ! SEXUAL ORIENTATION. Pan ROMANTIC ORIENTATION. Pan PREFERRED EMOTIONAL ROLE. submissive | dominant | switch | PREFERRED SEXUAL ROLE. submissive | dominant | switch | im open to discussing this more if our muses have a relationship, but it will all be privately done LIBIDO. see above note TURN ON’S. again- TURN OFF’S. again again- RELATIONSHIP TENDENCIES. Very very cuddly. She likes to give gifts and cook for her partners, show all the affection she can muster so they know how much they mean to her. 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐨𝐮𝐬 ! CHARACTER’S THEME SONG. there’s a lot HOBBIES TO PASS TIME. Drawing and writing, mostly. But she adores drawing, especially when she can explore and get inspiration from the world around her. She also enjoys cooking and baking, gardening and reading. MENTAL ILLNESSES. anxiety, depression, PTSD PHYSICAL ILLNESSES. n/a LEFT OR RIGHT BRAINED. whichever one is the creative one lmao PHOBIAS. Losing everything she loves (again), failing her parents, not having the strength to continue living, being forgotten. SELF CONFIDENCE LEVEL. Pretty confident with bouts of doubt from time to time, nonetheless she’s someone who gives it her all with whatever new thing she’s trying out. Confident about herself in terms of her abilities, not so much her self worth in the endgame. VULNERABILITIES. She’s far too kind for her own good, giving benefit of the doubt to many. She’s also very responsible to a fault. And as implied above in phobias, well, she tends to put people’s own needs and safety above her own first and foremost. TAGGED BY: nobody i grabbed this from my archive TAGGING: say i tagged you, especially if you were listed as one of Robin’s friends/lovers owo

#;from the depths of the woods where the wind was born (meta)#;howling at the queue

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shibemuses-a · 3 years

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FULL NAME. Robin Calatia MEANING. Red-breasted bird, city by the sea NICKNAME. Little wolf, little light, birdie GENDER. Female HEIGHT. 5′5″. AGE. 24, verse dependent ZODIAC. Sagittarius SPOKEN LANGUAGES. English + Japanese 𝐩𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 ! HAIR COLOUR. Blonde EYE COLOUR. Blue SKIN TONE. Fair, it has rosy undertones and she has naturally pink cheeks that tends to grow redder when she feels intense emotions! Light dusting of freckles on the arms and knuckles. BODY TYPE. Average size, but with an obvious tone to her arms and legs. ACCENT. General Eastern US accent, not really noticeable. VOICE. Hard to describe? I personally give her the Japanese voice of Aki Asakura (The Tale of the Princess Kaguya) and English... Julia Garner (her fc!) DOMINANT HAND. Right POSTURE. Relaxed SCARS. Star shaped gash on her abdomen, where a bear had attacked her as a child. She was only able to survive because of her budding powers, which had come out in her time of need and scared the bear away, while also cauterizing the wound. TATTOOS. n/a MOST NOTICEABLE FEATURE(S). Her feral blue eyes. Many have likened them to those of a beast. It’s the one part of her body she can’t control the shifting of. That and her smile, with slightly sharp canine teeth. 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 ! PLACE OF BIRTH. Lost Woods, Adirondack Mountains, New York HOMETOWN. n/a BIRTH WEIGHT. Average BIRTH HEIGHT. 6 inches MANNER OF BIRTH. Born at home, without a midwife. Her mother was afraid she would be born as a pup, but thankfully, she was born as a human child. FIRST WORDS. Mama/Papa SIBLINGS. Older brother, he is three years older than her. PARENTS. Lincoln Calatia (father, called Link by his friends, swordsman), Miyuki Kobayashi (Japanese immigrant, painter and secret swordsman) PARENT INVOLVEMENT. Her parents were very close to her and her brother. They made it a point to be there for their children from day one, and teach them everything to defend themselves and love their forest. Unfortunately, her mother died from an illness, and her father was killed in combat not long after. From 10 to 15, she was raised by her older brother. 𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 ! OCCUPATION. The protector and guardian of the forest. Self employed artist and author of woodland fauna guides. CURRENT RESIDENCE. Her family’s little cabin in the woods. CLOSE FRIENDS. Her brother. (verse dependent: Link (hylian-champion), Elsa (iskrone), Ray (dullweapons), Cat (streetxcat), Spirit (hxldtheworld), Nezuko (nezukoo), Rengoku (crtlv), Revali (ritohonour), Urbosa (gerudofury), The Prince (woodsbled), etc) RELATIONSHIP STATUS. Verse dependent (Zelda (legendarylullaby), Niamh (intothewildsea), Volga (volcania), Rapunzel (maskedmuses), Dark (egotisticle), etc.) FINANCIAL STATUS. Middle class (?) DRIVER’S LICENSE. Verse dependent. CRIMINAL RECORD. no VICES. Clingy and anxious due to trauma revolving around abandonment. Suffers self doubt and hatred, depression. Stubborn. Too willing to self sacrifice. 𝐬𝐞𝐱 & 𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 ! SEXUAL ORIENTATION. Pan ROMANTIC ORIENTATION. Pan PREFERRED EMOTIONAL ROLE. submissive | dominant | switch | PREFERRED SEXUAL ROLE. submissive | dominant | switch | im open to discussing this more if our muses have a relationship, but it will all be privately done LIBIDO. see above note TURN ON’S. again- TURN OFF’S. again again- RELATIONSHIP TENDENCIES. Very very cuddly. She likes to give gifts and cook for her partners, show all the affection she can muster so they know how much they mean to her. 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐨𝐮𝐬 ! CHARACTER’S THEME SONG. there’s a lot HOBBIES TO PASS TIME. Drawing and writing, mostly. But she adores drawing, especially when she can explore and get inspiration from the world around her. She also enjoys cooking and baking, gardening and reading. MENTAL ILLNESSES. anxiety, depression, PTSD PHYSICAL ILLNESSES. n/a LEFT OR RIGHT BRAINED. whichever one is the creative one lmao PHOBIAS. Losing everything she loves (again), failing her parents, not having the strength to continue living, being forgotten. SELF CONFIDENCE LEVEL. Pretty confident with bouts of doubt from time to time, nonetheless she’s someone who gives it her all with whatever new thing she’s trying out. Confident about herself in terms of her abilities, not so much her self worth in the endgame. VULNERABILITIES. She’s far too kind for her own good, giving benefit of the doubt to many. She’s also very responsible to a fault. And as implied above in phobias, well, she tends to put people’s own needs and safety above her own first and foremost. TAGGED BY: @spiritmaiden TAGGING: say i tagged you, especially if you were listed as one of Robin’s friends/lovers owo

#tagging games #meta tbt

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emotionsofthesoul · 4 years

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Chapter 35 _ Te Entrego Las Llaves

The holidays had come and gone and the girls were each midway through their spring Semester. This semester was a bit hectic for Juliana and her classmates with the competition coming up in a few months. Nonetheless she made time for Valentina’s birthday. This semester she had Tuesdays off which fit perfectly with Valentina’s birthday. She had switched shifts with Andrea for that day and she spent the better part of the morning putting the finishing touches on her gift while the boutique was empty. Once her shift was over she wrapped her present and made her way to the university. Valentina’s class was about to end and she wanted to be there waiting for her to take her to lunch.

Hope shot her a text saying class was done and they would be heading downstairs within the next five minutes. After reading the message Juliana took out her bouquet of 20 pink roses and put on her sunglasses as she leaned against her Mustang waiting for the birthday girl.

Once she reached the doors, Valentina’s smile grew. She hugged Hope goodbye and jogged towards her girlfriend. Juliana set the flowers on the roof of her car just in time to catch Valentina in her arms.

“Happy birthday morrita!” Juliana said as she spun the girl around before setting her down. “These are for you.” She said as she reached for the flowers.

“Damn, V! Where can I get me one of those!” A class mate yelled playfully to which Valentina simply raised her middle finger without turning back before leaning in to give her girlfriend a kiss.

“They’re beautiful thank you.” Val said bring the bouquet up to smell it. “I thought you had work this evening.”

“Drea agreed to switch so I could spend the day with you.” Juliana said with a shrug of her shoulders.

Valentina smiled, “good because I was gonna go bug you at work.” She said with a cute wink.

“Let’s get outta here.” Juliana said opening the door for Valentina.

Once inside the car Valentina felt curious as to where they could be going but knew that Juliana wouldn’t tell her so she simply went with the flow. She hadn’t expected to be picked up by Juliana but she was more than glad to spend the day with her.

Upon arriving to a cute French pastry shop Juliana went around and opened the door for Valentina. “M’lady” she said offering a hand to the girl in her car.

Valentina smiled knowing exactly where they were and knowing exactly what she was going to order. “How do you know me so well?” She said holding Juliana’s hand as they made their way to the door.

“I couldn’t let you turn 20 and not let you get 20 macaroons of your choice. Plus this is my excuse to have the delicious macaroon rose. Aaaaaand I might have ordered a few things to go.” Juliana said with an exaggerated playful smile.

Making their way inside the girls went to the pastry counter and order their goodies along with their meals. Juliana paid and they walked to one of the tables with a comfy couch. They had gotten quite a bit of pastries so they decided to get one of the bigger tables to fit everything.

“Thank you for picking me up today, you’ve just made today so much better.” Valentina said earnestly.

“I know birthdays are a bit hard for you sometimes,” Juliana said taking Valentina’s hand in hers across the table. “I wanted to spend a few hours with you before we head over to the loft with your family.” She said bring the girl’s hand close enough to place a kiss on it.

They spent the rest of their lunch talking and poking fun at each other. After their lunch Juliana returned to the counter to pick up her order she had placed for the party later and they headed out. Juliana drove the two of them to her apartment. She told Valentina to go ahead and open the door while she got the pastries down to put them in the fridge.

As Valentina opened the door she found their friends waiting for her! They yelled surprise and ran up to hug her. Valentina was pleasantly surprised to see them.

“Happy birthday Vale.” Hope said as Valentina held her flowers tightly full of happiness to see her friends. She took in the apartment and realized there were balloons everywhere and birthday signs.

Valentina turned to Juliana who was closing the refrigerator door with a questioning look to which Juliana responded with a smile, “Don’t look at me that’s all them.” She said with a shrug of the shoulders.

“Thank you guys this was really sweet.” Valentina said as she handed her flowers to Juliana who offered to put them in water.

They sat down around the living room and spent the next hour playing 4 Bidden Words

“Hey no that’s cheating! No one set the timer!” Josie said as Lizzie finished the deck.

“And that’s my fault why?” Lizzie said with a proud smile as she began counting her cards.

Penelope hugged a bitter Josie from behind as she told the group it was time to give the birthday girl her presents.

“Oo okay I’ll go first!” Lizzie said as she reached behind the couch to get her present. She handed Valentina the bag and sat on her knees excited for Valentina to open her present.

Valentina grew silent as she pulled out a small wooden statue of the 6 of them.

“Do you like it?” Lizzie asked worried by the silence.

“It’s beautiful, Lizzie, did you make this?” Valentina said still inspecting the item in her hand.

Lizzie nodded her head with a bright smile, “I took a wood carving class when I was younger, it’s been a secret hobby of mine.”

“It’s so detailed, I love it thank you.” Valentina said bringing the blonde girl into a hug still shocked by the gift.

Hope smiled, happy that Valentina and Lizzie had gotten much closer over the course of the last year. “My turn, cutie.” She said handing Valentina her gift.

Looking from Hope to the box and back to Hope Valentina gasped and asked, “is this what I think it is?”

Flashing her best friend a smile Hope simply nodded causing a gasp to erupt from Lizzie leaving the other girls confused. “I wanted you to be the first one to have a physical copy.”

Valentina smiled as she opened the box to find Hope’s first published book. “Holy shit you did it… I’m so proud of you!” Valentina said looking over the book and feeling the hard cover.

“Where’s our copy?” Lizzie said with a playful smile. She knew how long Hope had worked on the book and she knew how important giving Valentina the first copy was to her.

“I actually have a copy for all of you but I needed Val to be the first one to have it because she’s the reason I wrote it. The reason I pursued writing. Val this is mine but it’s because of you and you need to know how grateful I am that you’ve been there through thick and thin.” Hope said as Valentina pulled her into a hug.

“You guys are gonna make me cry.” Valentina said as she brushed a rogue tear from her face.

After the girls congratulated Hope they continued with their gifts.

“Well mine isn’t as emotional but I needed to get it as soon as I saw it because it’s literally you.” Josie said with a cute giggle handing Valentina her bag.

Valentina opened it to find two things, the first was a camera money bank and the second was a doll of herself. “It’s literally me! Where did you even find these!” Valentina said letting out a loud laugh as she inspected the doll.

“Okay in Josie’s defense I pointed it out.” Penelope said trying to fight her own laughter.

“We were at Denios and Penelope wanted to stop by a toy stand and we found it there. It was the funniest thing and I needed to get it.” Josie said through her laughter. “The camera money bank I had it made. It has your name on it actually.”

“Thanks Jo, I love these so much.” Valentina responded genuinely as she brought Josie into a tight hug.

The next person to give Valentina her gift was Penelope, she had 3 boxes stacked and wrapped together.

“Okay this looks like a lot but it’s really not.” Penelope said as she handed the boxes over. The first box contained a piece of jewelry, a necklace. It was a glass pendent that had a picture of Juliana and Valentina. “I made that in our jewelry class.” The second box had a framed piece of paper art. Penelope had folded paper together in the form of one of Valentina’s pictures from their Italy trip. Finally the last box contained a shirt with Juliana’s confused face stitched into it with the word “que?” in a bubble.

“Why would you do that to me?” Juliana said cracking up at the image on the shirt.

“Shhhh, I love it. I’m gonna wear this tomorrow! Thank you Penny!” Valentina said laughing as she brought the girl into a hug. “Guys all of these gifts were so good, I love each and every one of them, thank you!” Valentina added as she pulled back.

“Hey loser what about your girl, she hasn’t given you her gift!” Hope acknowledged sarcastically.

Confused, Valentina said, “she gave me roses and took me out to eat.” Causing everyone to burst into laughter.

“You didn’t really think that was it, right Val?” Juliana asked as she got up and walked to her room. Grabbing a round box with a blue bow and a huge see through balloon attached to it.

“What’s this?” Valentina asked with a wide smile.

Sending back an even wider smile Juliana told her to open it. Being very cautious to not mess up the bow, Valentina removed it and began opening the box. She pulled out a notecard that read, “The only star that guides me is you.” She brought the card to her heart as she made eye contact with Juliana who simply formed a heart with her hands. Setting the card down she proceeded to remove the black tissue paper to reveal a beautiful dark blue tuxedo velvet blazer. The buttons had small stars engraved into them. She had also made and included matching pants.

“Wow.” Valentina said as she lifted the garments and ran her hands across the details. “How are you so talented?”

“Dude that’s beautiful…” Penelope said in a whisper.

Under the clothes was a wooden canvas with a painting of two silhouettes sitting on a playground looking up at the stars giving Valentina the impression that it was the two of them at FC Park. “Did you paint this?” Valentina asked impressed receiving a nod from Juliana. “Wow, babe… again, how are you so talented?” Leaning in to give her girlfriend a kiss. “Gracias amor. I’m obsessed with this suit, and I need to create an occasion to wear this ASAP.”

After taking a few selfies to commemorate the day the couple’s friends left in order to give the girls some time alone before they made their way to the Carvajal dinner party. Once at the party Valentina couldn’t believe how united her family was. Her sister had changed so much since her last birthday party and it truly felt strange to not have her fighting everyone. She had even come around to accepting Juliana’s family. Their fathers had become great friends and they often spent time together as one big family.

When the dinner came to an end Leon asked Valentina to accompany him to the office so they could pick up her gift. She didn’t see why she would need to go but since it was only down the street she agreed. Leon asked Juliana to head home with the promise of dropping off Valentina once his surprise was done. They had spoke ahead of time and he knew Valentina would want to spend the night with her girlfriend.

Once they arrived at the office Leon guided Valentina to a wing of the company she hadn’t quite explored yet. She wondered what they were doing there thinking this must be the location for their storage rooms.

“I brought you here because I wanted to give you this.” Leon said as he handed his daughter a small box. As Valentina opened the box she saw a golden colored key.

“What’s this key for?” Valentina asked with a confused smile.

“Open that door and find out, princess.” Leon said motioning to the main door.

As she brought the key to the door she looked over her shoulder to her father only to have him usher her to continue. Turning back she took the entire room in. There was a tripod stand with the words “Valentina’s Magazine” written on a poster board.

Noticing his daughter’s continued confusion Leon proceeded. “Princesa, I know we spoke about doing this after graduation but I think you’ve more than earned it. I wanted to give this to you today because you’ve proven that you’re serious about your photography and I think this can help you as you go forward with your career. I think it’s the perfect timing because I also think it’s time I retire, you and your siblings are more than ready to take over. Eva has been running the show for nearly a year and things have been going smoothly and with Guillermo keeping everything in check they’ve proven they no longer need me ahead of the company. I want to begin enjoying life full-time with Lucia. I want to give her all my attention now that I know you are all ready to continue without me.”

It came as a great shock to Valentina, not only was she getting full control of her own magazine to do whatever she could dream up but her father was retiring from his empire and passing it down to her and her siblings. “Papi, you are the wisest man I know and I trust you wholeheartedly. If you think it’s time, I promise to do my best to not let you down. Thank you for not only believing in me but for believing in my siblings as well to continue your legacy. I’m so happy you want to give yourself completely to Lucia, she deserves that and so much more.” She said bringing the man into a tight hug.

Before letting go she playfully told her father, “and please give me a little brother or sister, Lucia deserves to be a mother and Renata’s baby is going to need a friend.”

After showing his daughter around the entire wing Leon brought the tour to a close telling his daughter, “This is all officially yours, you now hold the keys and you decide what to do with it. I couldn’t be prouder.” He said as they locked it all up once again.

Once they were back in his SUV he opened the glove compartment for Valentina’s final gift of the night. “Baby girl, I know today has been quite the day and I know regardless of how happy you are, you still need your mother here. I don’t want to dim your mood but this is something she asked me to give you today as the day come to a close and I’d like to honor that.” He said as he handed Valentina a letter from her mother.

Hesitantly Valentina opened the letter and began to read it. She hadn’t seen her mother’s handwriting or doodles in years. The last letter she opened was for her 15th birthday and she hadn’t touched it in years. She began to silently cry as she read her mother’s words.

“God, I miss you so much.” Valentina whispered closing her eyes and bringing the letter to her chest. By now the tears were falling freely and she refused to fight them.

After a few minutes of letting his daughter absorb her mother’s words Leon brought her into a comforting hug. He had never read the letters left for their children but he knew how much they meant to each of them. He was instructed to give them out and read his own every few years. He wasn’t meant to read his next one till his 50th birthday which was approaching soon and he, like his children, felt the words deep within his soul every single time.

“Thank you, papi, I needed that. I needed to have another piece of her. I miss her so much.” Valentina said nonchalantly as she snuggled into his hug.

“I know baby, we all do.” Leon said as he kissed his daughters forehead, “what do you say I take you to Juliana’s now?” He said knowingly to which Valentina nodded knowing Juliana’s arms were the one place she wanted to be at.

Before getting off the car Valentina thanked her father for the trust to run her own magazine. She gave him a tight hug as a silent thank you for honoring her mother’s wishes every time even if it’s difficult.

Reaching the door she didn’t even have to knock, Juliana stood their in her pajamas waiting for her with open arms. Arms that Valentina gladly stepped into. “How did you know I was here?”

Placing a kiss upon Valentina head Juliana responded, “I’ve been opening the door every five minutes for the past hour,” very relaxed.

Valentina pulled back shocked before she relaxed seeing the goofy smile on Juliana’s face. “No, your dad text me that you were here.”

“Sneaky man. Wait so did you know?” Valentina asked half hopeful that she didn’t.

Juliana nodded no adding, “All he said was to have hot chocolate ready and be ready to snuggle you because you might need it. Do you?”

The birthday girl’s eyes welled up with tears and she nodded as she walked through the door pulling Juliana’s right hand by the pinky.

“Do you want me to serve you some hot chocolate and we can snuggle on the couch for a while?” Juliana asked as she hugged Valentina from behind and rested her head on the girl’s shoulder.

Turning around in Juliana’s arms Valentina kissed the younger girl deeply as tears streamed down her cheeks. She was overwhelmed with emotions, here she was with someone who always put their best effort to make her life easier because they wanted to, not because they needed to.

The couple’s kiss was cut short as Valentina let out a sob. “It’s okay baby, let it out.” Juliana said comfortingly, pulling Valentina into a tight embrace.

They stood there in silence as Juliana rubbed Valentina’s back gently in different sized circles. Once Valentina’s body relaxed a bit Juliana asked her if she wanted to go to bed to which Valentina silently agreed to.

As they made their way to bed, Juliana gave Valentina some pajamas she could change into. They made themselves comfortable under the covers and Juliana held Valentina while she played with her hair. That always seemed to sooth the older girl.

“Thank you for today, it was very emotional but so lovely.” Valentina said nuzzling into Juliana’s chest.

“Oh yeah?” Juliana kissed Valentina’s head as she rubbed the girl’s back. “I’m glad it was a good one regardless.”

Valentina lifted her body up in such a way that she was leaning her forearms on Juliana’s chest in order to make eye contact.

“He gave me the keys… he gave me free rein to do whatever I want with the magazine with no oversight much sooner than I anticipated.” The birthday girl said still with disbelief. “He said the entire department is mine and that he’ll be retiring this year leaving Eva, Guille, and I the entire company.”

Juliana looked at Valentina speechless at the news that Leon would be retiring.

“I know, it was a shock to me too, apparently he’s telling the employees sometime this month and then holding a press conference about it.” Valentina responded knowingly to Juliana’s reaction.

“I’m sure your magazine will be super successful though, babe, congrats!” Bringing Valentina down into a hug Juliana continued, “have you thought of what you want do with it yet?”

Valentina smiled because though she thought it was still years away she had thought about her plans repeatedly crafting her business plan for when the day finally arrived.

“Yeah, I have, actually… If I can get everyone I need by July we can start production and printing by August and I think I know the perfect person for the first cover photo.” The girl said having everything planned out.

Curious as ever Juliana smiled remembering the day they met and how focused the other girl was knowing that same focus would be applied to this new project. “Should I even bother asking who you’re thinking of or is it a surprise?” She said half jokingly.

“It’ll be a surprise until I can confirm it, just so I don’t jinx it. When it comes together I promise you’ll be the first to know.” Valentina said snuggling further into the girl.

Juliana nodded knowingly. She reached over to turn off her light and the girls snuggled closer as they began to fall asleep.

A/N: I don't remember if I specified birthdays but Val's is March 10th and Juls' is October 24th. In case any of you were curious.

#forever #Forever update #forever ch35 #chapter 35 #juliantina #juliana valdes #valentina carvajal #juliantinafics #juliantina fics

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bongaboi · 4 years

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Liverpool: 2019-20 Premier League Champions

30 years of hope: my life as an ardent Liverpool fan

After three decades of near misses, slips and tears, the Merseyside team’s wait for another league title is nearly over. So what does it mean to a scouser and lifelong fan?

by Hannah Jane Parkinson

I am three years old in the photograph, hugging a plastic, flyaway football. I am seven, arriving tentatively for my first training session at a local girls’ club. I am bounding back to my mother’s car, blowing hot breath on cold hands, beaming, the salt from the artificial turf embedded in the soles of my trainers.

I am eight and glued to the television, watching teen wunderkind and my Liverpool hero, Michael Owen, score the perfect goal against Argentina in World Cup 98.

I am nine. I give up one of the few days I have to visit my father to attend my first ever match at Anfield, Liverpool FC’s famous stadium. A week later, my father dies. These two events are inextricably linked in my mind, and the guilt continues to whichever day you are reading this.

I am 10 and make my first appearance in print in a feature for the local paper, the Liverpool Echo, about girls getting into football. I am quoted as saying that all my sister cares about is boys and fashion.

Twelve years old and the fuzzy letters of “Parkinson” on the back of my shirt arch down my shoulder blades.

I am 13. Our team, known as Liverpool Feds, are approached by Liverpool FC to become their official girls’ outfit. We visit Melwood, the first team’s training ground. The full-size goals loom like scaffolding.

I am 14. My hero, Owen, makes the same move to Real Madrid that Steve McManaman made five years before him. This breaks my heart. Suddenly, all I care about is boys and fashion. Without really making a decision, I give up football. Cold winter nights are spent inside on the sofa watching Sex and the City. I discover live music and MySpace.

I am 15. I own the entire range of Clearasil products. A group of my schoolfriends and I take a night off GCSE revision to watch the 2005 European Champions League final in Istanbul; the first the club has reached since the mid-80s, and so it is forbidden not to watch. Liverpool are losing by three goals at half time. A lost cause. Minds wander to the second biology paper… But wait. Liverpool pull back to 3-3. And win on penalties. Pandemonium. We join the throng in the streets; the blaring car horns; the beer jumping, like salmon, from pint glasses; the embrace of strangers; the straining vocal cords.

I am 18 and living in Russia, watching games on my first-generation smartphone via a 2G internet connection. Each time a player goes through on goal the signal drops to endless buffering. Liverpool finish second in the league, four points behind bitter rivals Manchester United.

I am 26, we are bearing down on the title. Steven Gerrard in an impromptu on-pitch team talk, after a crucial win against the newly flush Manchester City, shouts hoarsely at his players: “This does not fucking slip now!” The next home game, Gerrard – one of the best players the club has ever seen, captain, scouser, Liverpool FC lifer – literally slips on the turf against Chelsea to concede a goal. We lose. Manchester City finish top of the league by two points.

I am 29. I am in Cuba, where the internet is heavily censored. But I manage to watch the last game of the season, which will be decisive. Liverpool finish the league with 97 points; the highest points tally ever for a team that doesn’t win the title. City win again. With 98 points. Liverpool do, however, win the Champions League – for the sixth time – after scoring four goals in a sublime semi-final comeback against Barcelona. The injured Mohamed Salah, watching on the bench, wears a T-shirt bearing the slogan “Never Give Up”. The T-shirt sells out.

I am 30. I have never witnessed my beloved Liverpool FC lift the title. Two months from now, this is going to change. As I write Liverpool have a 22-point lead at the top of the table. Of 84 points available this season, they have taken 79. Next Monday is the derby against Everton.

I want to untangle what this will mean to me – the fan who met Steven Gerrard a couple of years ago, grinning like a child; the fan who, two weeks ago, was unbelievably touched when current star Trent Alexander-Arnold recorded a video message to cheer her up during a bad time. What it means to other fans: those who witnessed the dominance of the 1980s, and the younger ones who have known only disappointment. And what it means, too, for the future of the area of Anfield itself.

It’s late February in the Flat Iron pub, one of the many dotted around Anfield. Steve Dodd, who is 49, is with his friends Dan Wynn, 26, and Gerrard Noble, 47. All from Somerset, they are having a pre-match drink before the home game against West Ham. Steve talks of the current Jürgen Klopp-assembled side as the best Liverpool side he thinks he’s ever seen.

The friends have been scouring the internet for places to stay in the city for the last home fixture of the season, but to no avail. “Rooms are going for £400 a night,” Gerrard says, his eyes widening. He and Steve are allowing themselves to get excited, but Dan, who like me has yet to experience a league title win, looks anxious and rubs his thighs. “No,” he says, “I don’t want to jinx it. Though I’ve been kicked out of various WhatsApp groups for being smug about all the results.” Steve tells me they weren’t prepared for it, this three-decade-long wait: “I just thought we’d go on winning.”

We talk about how important it is that Klopp’s politics match the club: Liverpool is a leftwing city; Liverpool is a leftwing club. At the last election, Labour retained all of its 14 MPs on Merseyside. The city has never forgiven the Tories for former chancellor Geoffrey Howe’s strategy of “managed decline”. Thatcher is a hated figure. But so is Derek Hatton, the former city council deputy leader and member of the Marxist group Militant. Last month, Italy’s rightwing politician Matteo Salvini was forced to deny that he had pulled out of a visit to Liverpool after the metropolitan region’s mayor called him a “fascist”. During several games last year, chants rang out for Jeremy Corbyn. The current prime minister conspicuously avoids visiting. As Gareth Robertson, who is a part of the immensely popular The Anfield Wrap podcast, with more than 200,000 weekly downloads in 200 countries, puts it to me: “Not only do we want a good football coach, we expect almost a political leader, someone who gets us, and our city, its values.” Humorously, there have been petitions for Liverpool to become a self-determined scouse state, and “Scouse not English” is a frequent terrace chant.

The club has a mantra: “This means more.” It pisses off other teams and is, understandably, dismissed as marketing speak. But isn’t it true? Isn’t the 127-year-old club what people think of when anyone, anywhere in the world, mentions “Liverpool”? The famous football team that plays in red – allowing for the Beatles, of course.

The city has another team, the blue of Everton. I have nothing against Everton. I consider Everton fellow scousers and too little a threat to focus animosity towards. In a way, the clubs are unruly siblings; we love and scrap in equal measure. Totally different personalities, but born of the same streets.

Four years ago, a man named Jürgen Klopp arrived on these streets. Or more accurately, he arrived in the suburb of Formby, renting the house from his managerial predecessor, Brendan Rodgers. Klopp is the football manager that even non-football fans like. He’s Ludovico Einaudi, seducing those previously uninterested in classical music. He is a man of principle; a baseball cap permanently affixed to his head, as though at any point he might be required to step up to the plate on a blindingly sunny day. Perhaps for the Boston Red Sox, owned by Liverpool FC’s American proprietor, John W Henry.

Klopp is erudite. He is proudly anti-Brexit in a city that voted 58% Remain. “For me, Brexit makes no sense at all,” he has said. He is a socialist: “I am on the left … I believe in the welfare state. I’m not privately insured. I would never vote for a party because they promised to lower the top tax rate. If there’s something I will never do in my life it is vote for the right.” He grew up in a humble village in Germany’s Black Forest, and it shows. There’s a saying in the region: “the hair in the soup”. It means focusing on even the tiniest things that can be improved.

He has the good looks of one of my favourite 1960s Russian film stars, Aleksandr Demyanenko. He hugs his players as though they were the loves of his life and he might never see them again. Journalists like him for his press-conference banter as well as his eloquence. He visits children in hospitals. He is funny. When Mario Götze, one of his star players at former club Borussia Dortmund, left for Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich, his explanation was: “He’s leaving because he’s Guardiola’s favourite. If it’s anyone’s fault, it’s mine. I can’t make myself shorter and learn Spanish.”

Liverpool have had many famous managers, of course. Bill Shankly (there’s a statue of him outside the ground); Bob Paisley (ditto); Kenny Dalglish. But Klopp is already being talked of as one of the best ever.

Liverpool the city has evolved from its shamefully prominent role in the slave trade – in common with other major British ports – to a place with a diverse population and a well-won reputation for being friendly and welcoming. But the tragedy and scandal of Hillsborough, in which 96 fans were crushed to death in 1989 at Sheffield Wednesday’s ground, is etched into the nation’s sporting history, and its social justice record. After a 27-year-long battle to clear the names of the Liverpool fans whose reputations were smeared, after inquests that lasted two years – the longest case heard by a jury in British legal history – a verdict of unlawful killing was returned. But, as Margaret Aspinall of the indefatigable Hillsborough Family Support Group pointed out, after David Duckenfield, police commander at the ground, was cleared of manslaughter last year, no one has yet been found accountable for those killings.

The Sun, which categorically did not report “The Truth”, as the infamous headline went, but was found to have published untruths that blamed Liverpool fans for the disaster, is a red-top pariah here. The paper is the bestselling national in print, but shifts a measly 12,000 or so copies on Merseyside. A branch of Sainsbury’s was once found to be selling copies under the counter, as though they were counterfeit cigarettes. It’s a boycott that has lasted longer than many marriages.

The socially progressive values of the club extend to it supporting an end to period poverty – free sanitary products are available in every women’s loo at Anfield. Last month, the Reds Going Green initiative saw the installation of organic machines to break down food waste into water. The club even has its own allotment, which grows food to serve to fans in the main stand. It was the first Premier League club to be officially involved with an LGBT Pride event in 2012, at the invitation of Paul Amann. Amann tells me how he set up the LGBT supporters group, Kop Outs, because: “It’s essential that our voices are heard, our presence is welcomed and respected.” The group works alongside the Spirit of Shankly supporters’ group and the Fans Supporting Foodbanks initiative and has regular meet-ups. These things mean something to me: a football fan as a girl, and now as a woman. A woman who dates other women. A woman who doesn’t want to hear homophobic chants on the terraces. Or, it goes without saying, racist ones. Jamie Carragher, ex-player and pundit, has apologised on behalf of the club for its backing of striker Luis Suárez, who was banned from playing for eight matches in 2011 for making racist comments. “We made a massive mistake,” Carragher said. “What message do you send to the world? Supporting someone being banned because he used some racist words.”

Back on the pitch, some of this season’s performances have been, quite simply, balletic. Others as powerful and muscular as a weightlifting competition. Formations as beautiful as constellations. Forward surges as though our fullbacks were plugged into the mains. Possibly the best fullbacks playing today: 21-year-old local lad Trent Alexander-Arnold (known just as Trent) and the fiery Scot Andy Robertson (Robbo) are spoken about by pundits as innovators. Gary Lineker and I text, rapturously, about the two of them.

For a football team to be consistent, for a team to win the league, it must be capable of winning in many different ways. The aesthetically pleasing playing out from the back. Lightning counter-attacks. Scraping 1-0 wins in the final minutes (and, particularly at the start of this season, we have done a lot of that. It’s something Manchester United used to do in their 90s pomp, and naturally, I hated them for it). Mindful of the trauma of The Slip, the agreed club line is “one game at a time”, said again and again, as another scouse son, Pete Burns, once sang: “like a record baby, right round, round, round… ” And my God, how many of those we’ve smashed. The current side is the first in England to hold an international treble (the Champions League; Uefa Super Cup; Fifa Club World Cup). We have not lost a home game for almost two calendar years. Shortly, we’ll no doubt break the record for the earliest title win during a season; the most points across Europe’s top five leagues.

It is, even to the neutral, extraordinary stuff. It is, even to the haters, albeit grudgingly, extraordinary stuff. In 2016, one of the greatest stories of modern football was the previously mediocre Leicester City winning a surprise title. Liverpool’s dominance this season surpasses that for drama. It is watching history in the present.

Being at a game at Anfield is like being high while ingesting nothing. The stands seem to have lungs. Though You’ll Never Walk Alone has become supremely emotional, an anthem for strength and perseverance post-Hillsborough (“walk on through the wind / walk on through the rain”) it’s a song originally from the musical Carousel. It was a standout 1963 cover version by Liverpudlian band Gerry and the Pacemakers that kicked off its adoption at Anfield. “It’s got a lot of lovely major-to-minor changes at often unexpected moments that have the effect of emotionally blindsiding you,” music journalist Pete Paphides says (although he’s a United fan, so feel free to discount everything he tells me). “But it’s also obviously very hymnal, with a chorus which invites that religious ambiguity. It was Aretha Franklin’s version that John Peel played after Hillsborough and rendered himself incapable of carrying on by virtue of doing so.”

Anfield has always been something special; players from countless teams often talk of it being the greatest ground they have ever played at. Or the most intimidating. Or the most electric. But of late, there’s an extra buoyancy. The crowd salivates.

Watching the game against West Ham, we take the lead within 10 minutes, but they quickly equalise, before going ahead. We score twice more. It is our 21st consecutive home win, setting a Premier League-era record. At the end of the game, Klopp and his players applaud the Kop end, fans’ eyes glistening with both emotion and wind chill (“walk on, through the wind… ”)

Adjacent to the stadium at the redbrick Albert pub, Clara, Tom, John – all in their 20s, students, and local – and John’s dad, David, who is 53, are cheering the last-ditch win. I repeat what I asked Steve and his friends: just how excited should we all be?

“Very fucking excited,” says John. “Very fucking excited,” Tom concurs. (Scousers use swear words as ellipses. And the speed of Liverpudlian patter matches the rat-a-tat-tat of freestyle rappers.) The Albert is floor-to-ceiling in flags; unassuming from the outside, iconic inside. Across the road at the Park – the “Established 1888” sign above its door – it is Where’s Wally? levels of rammed, entirely usual for a match day. But the mood is as disbelieving as triumphant. It hasn’t happened yet, but it already feels as though people are waiting to be shaken awake from a dream. Around the corner, posters at another fan favourite, the Sandon, advertise a huge end-of-season victory party. I grab a burger at the Kop of the Range, a kebab joint not far from a scarf stall that has seen its business rocket over the past three years.

My Uber driver, Mohamed, 35, moved to the city from Sri Lanka. A massive Salah fan, he tells me his own revenue booms when the club win a game – happier fans means higher fares. “People don’t want to spend money on a loss,” he says. “If we win, the whole mood lifts. You can feel it in the car. Though when you start driving with Uber, they tell you not to mention what football team you support. Because football means a lot to people. There are many feelings involved with football.”

It’s unsurprising to me that even back in Sri Lanka, Mohamed was a fan. Liverpool is a global behemoth. The richest club in the UK outside Manchester.

A £1.7bn valuation; £533m turnover; pre-tax profits of £42m. Matchday ticket revenues increased (thanks to a regenerated £110m main stand). Visiting the club shop, there is LFC-branded gin; babygros; even a Hello Kitty tie-in range. As Richard Haigh at consultants Brand Finance tells me, next season’s kit deal with Nike is “expected to represent the largest in history. Brands will be willing to pay to have some magic dust of LFC.” There are official stores as far afield as Dubai and Bangkok.

John W Henry has won the support of the fans for his positive handling of the club. And yet, despite this huge wealth, Anfield is the 10th most deprived neighbourhood in the country. Boarded-up houses surround the stadium. The club has not covered itself in glory in the past, accused of buying up properties in unscrupulous ways. But it is hoped that local enterprises, such as the community-run Homebaked cake shop and new housing association properties, will make the neighbourhood better.

Last week, we were knocked out of the FA Cup in a match against Chelsea. Or, as I call that fixture, Kensington versus Kensington. (In Liverpool’s “Kenny”, 98% of residents are among the most deprived 5% nationally. In London’s, residents earn three times the national average.)

In the league, there has been a blip. Last weekend we finally lost. And we lost 3-0 to, with the greatest respect, Watford; not a bad side, but a side ensconced in a relegation battle. Arsenal, who once went a whole season unbeaten (“the Invincibles”), and are keen to keep that record, tweeted from the official club account: “Phew!”

But I am not panicking. It’s possible Dan from the Flat Iron is panicking. But Klopp isn’t panicking. In typical fashion, he said the fact we played an absolutely awful game of football was “rather positive… ”

“A couple of years ago,” our hero reminds us, “I said we wanted to write our own stories and create our own history, and obviously the boys took what I said really seriously. It is so special. The numbers are incredible.” In a nod to Sir Alex Ferguson’s famous line that his greatest challenge was “knocking Liverpool right off their fucking perch”, Liverpool chief executive Peter Moore says now: “We are back on our perch.” As The Anfield Wrap’s Gareth says: “In a dream scenario, a period of dominance follows. Not so long ago that dream was just that. Now, it’s a reality that is much easier to imagine.”

Four more games. Eyes on the prize. For me, at last, 30 years in the making, eyes on the prize.

#2020 #premier league #ynwa #liverpool fc #you'll never walk alone

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