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forensicated · 2 months

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Conviction - Part 6 - Judgement Day (6/6)

Leon and Millie arrive at a disturbance at a playground on the West Gate Estate to find Ara Byatt desperately searching for her niece Jala. Jala had to watch her father die when they were being trafficked by the Devlin's and he and another man were crushed by the poorly loaded contents falling on them. Today is the first day in court.

Callum finds Smithy sat in the darkness of the locker room. Smithy's staring at his warrant card, enduring flashbacks of assaulting Jason Devlin. Callum reassures him not to worry about the witness, everyone knows he's been bought. He's interrupted by Leon reporting over the radio that Jala has gone missing. Smithy and Callum rush to the estate. Leon reports the only other person he saw after their arrival was a road sweeper. Callum tells him to find him and if he can't to get in touch with his boss and track him down that way.

At the court, Neil and Jack learn that Devlin's barrister is very expensive - Daddy must be worried! Smithy has not been called by the prosecution but the barrister wants him on standby just in case he's needed to give evidence. He's going to focus on Hassiq informing about the people trafficking as he classes the assault to be a distraction. Hassiq insists he wants Devlin to look him in the eyes and see that he's not scared of them. He finally feels like a man who is worthy of Ara - if she wants him - now he's speaking out.

Smithy stays with Ara and tries to calm her down and get her to talk through what has happened. Tony and Callum start going door to door. She asks Smithy to speak to his superiors and get them to tell Hassiq that Jala has been taken as she thinks it's either the Devlin's or the community that have taken her to stop him giving evidence - the Devlin's to collapse the trial or the community to stop daylight being shone on so many illegal immigrants living on the estate.

The prosecution barrister opens his case explaining that Devlin is the head of an organised crime group who are involved in human trafficking and the evidence was kept by his bookkeeper who is one of the people he trafficked into the country. The evidence will be deciphered in detail by said bookkeeper - Hassiq. Jack refuses to let Hassiq know about Jala, calling it management not manipulation. Instead he sends every available officer to track her down.

Millie gives evidence and explains Smithy rescued Jala and then returned for her father when she told them he was there. Smithy did his best to save him but it was too late. Jala had to witness the entire thing. The prosecution barrister asks Millie if Smithy was very upset by finding the two men trapped. Millie explains that he was doing his job and the barrister asks again, pointing out that it's distressing to hear Millie was distressed at the time and then asks again if Smithy was. Nah love, he was tap dancing. Bit of a generous bit emotional manipulation to make out Smithy was the most distressed out of all of them and that's why he attacked Devlin. Even the judge fails to see the relevance but the barrister claims Smithy's emotional response is at the heart of their defence and as the prosecution haven't called Smithy she can't ask him herself. When it's allowed, Millie says Smithy was concerned.

Hassiq is delivered to court by Kezia and Will but before they can stop it, Ara runs towards him and tells him about Jala. Neil tells him they don't know what has happened and everyone is out looking for her. He tells him he can go later in the running order but not to give up entirely and let the Devlin's go free. After all, Jala's fathers death would be for nothing. He refuses to give evidence until Jala is found.

Jack is now fuming that Hassiq knows about Jala. Smithy insists it wasn't their secret to keep and that they only get to keep their trust by playing it straight and he's sick of all the lies. Callum tells him he didn't have to be the taxi driver (he drove Ara to court) and that without Hassiq's evidence Smithy is 'the main event'.

Jala has been spotted on the route to her school walking behind three girls. She never made it into school so Rachel wants the girls identified and questioned. It could be witness intimidation so they need to find her quickly to ensure her safety and that the Devlin's don't walk out of court scot free.

Smithy insists to Callum he's going to make it up the right way by finding Jala. Callum says he'll tell him what the school say. In passing Stuart mocks Smithy and says CID 'love him up there'. Stevie tells him to ignore him. Ara doesn't recognise and of the girls Jala was following. Stevie asks if Jala could have gone off for time to think and Ara shakes her head and explains Jala is scared to be alone and that she thinks it's to stop Hassiq giving evidence. Stevie asks if anyone could have cottoned on to their relationship and Ara explains they never went to each others flat and always met away from where people who know them would be. If they met at the community center they would simply say hello and that they're not like Westerners with it on show, they treat love as being private. Stevie explains that Smithy was suggesting that however successfully she thinks they've hidden it, feelings always have a way of showing. "Sometimes you can't help it." She says, looking at Smithy. (this is weird... They're trying to imply something happened and continued after Gun Runner a year ago when it didn't, they agreed to continue just being friends and didn't even have *moments*. And after this it's all forgotten again. It's very confusing and only there for the storyline!)

Callum locates the girls who were walking with Jala. One, Vicky Bell, was assigned to be her 'buddy' so that she could find her way around school but it's clear they're not 'friends'. Vicky says she was with them but went back because she forgot her PE kit. In a search Millie finds Jala's bag at the side of the canal. One strap has been broken but there's no sign of blood or violence other than the strap. Callum and Tony spot Vicky again a little later. She says she's going home because school is over despite it being not even 12. Callum suggests she's looking for Jala's bag to see if they'd found it. He asks what happened. She tells him that they tried to make her come to school but she wouldn't because one of the other girls was bullying her about her father and rubbing it in that they all still had theirs. Smithy updates Ara and asks where she'd go if she was thinking about her dad. Ara doesn't know because she's quiet, but she suggests the cemetery or the river where they threw flowers in for him.

The prosecution call one of the victims of trafficking, Zemar, and ask him to identify his stolen property. He tells them that it - a ring - was removed from him in Holland by Babur the driver. It was found in the boot of Jason Devlin's car. He would get his ring back by working but he claims he doesn't know for who - despite what he said in his statement. Neil and Jack look worried. The defence pulls out a rng from her pocket and hands it to an usher, asking if it's Zemar's ring. He says yes. She does the same with another ring that is the same and he says yes. She says they're 10 a penny in the markets of Kabul and it's not rare. She suggests that the ring found in Devlin's boot could also not be the same ring. Zemar admits it could be any of them or perhaps none of them, He's been gotten to by the Devlin's.

CCTV shows Jala willingly getting into a car that has been spotted on the Longbridge Estate by ANPR. Rachel authorises Smithy to take as many people as he can down there to find her. "No pressure!" Stuart The Dick shouts after him. They force entry into the home it is outside. The mother panics and grabs her children, whimpering in a foreign tongue. Smithy tries to explain it's alright and shows them a picture of Jala. Before he can say anything the little girl cries out Jala's name happily. Tony finds her coat in the front room.

Jack has to tell the judge about Jala's disappearance and that they think it's a message to Hassiq to keep him quiet. The judge asks why and the defence barrister has to admit there's a problem with disclosure and he can't tell him. The judge tells him to get over the disclosure problem or there'll be no extra time. He hopes the child is found for her sake but claims it has no bearing on proceedings as things stand. If Hassiq still refuses to give evidence then the judge shall withdraw the trafficking charge. Jack tells Neil there'll be no delay if Hassiq refuses and the charge will be removed. He insists they've likely got the girl, they've got to Zemar and he wouldn't be surprised if they had the judge in their pocket too.

Smithy explains to Rachel that the woman they've brought in was granted leave to remain a few years previous but the children's father was killed for deserting Afghanistan's army. In interview the woman claims via Sammy the interpreter that it was her daughter who brought the coat home. Smithy gets Sammy to explain that Jala is in danger. She won't be drawn further. Smithy asks Ara to speak to her and explain that the only way to get through it is to stick together and she won't have to be so scared. He says if it happens to Ara it could happen to the women's children and that Hassiq is trying to stand up for their community and release the stranglehold the Devlin's have.

Stevie gives her evidence, explaining that she was escorting Devlin for his own safety after he'd enforced surprise evictions on an angry estate. They found two teenagers attacking his car and he chased the teenagers away before checking his boot. She spotted a holdall in the boot that matched the description that Babur, the driver of the lorry had run away with. Devlin assaulted her to stop her looking in it to see if it was the same one and kicked her unconscious on the ground. He asks why it was so important for her to look int he bag and she explains that if the jewellery was inside it would imply a chain of command - for example Babur removed it and then would pass it to the boss - Jason Devlin. The defence protests it's conjecture and he's advised to stick to fact so he does:

Did Devlin let her look at the bag? No.

Did Devlin kick her unconcious? Yes.

Was the jewellery taken forcibly from people illegally trafficked into the UK found in the bag? Yes.

No further questions.

Ara speaks to the woman 'alone' with Callum and Smithy in the viewing area alongside Sammy. Sammy explains that the woman is saying she doesn't understand any of it and doesn't know where Jala is. Ara accuses her of protecting the kidnapper and thrusts her against the door. Smithy and Callum force the door open and manage to get in, separating them. Ara tells Smithy that the woman said nothing because she's scared for herself.

The defence barrister insists that Stevie is remembering wrong, Devlin acted in self defence only and that there was no holdall in his boot. She claims it was a rollercoaster of an emotional day. She had to look after Jala who had seen her father die, she had to support the mans greiving sister as she identified the body. It would have been very emotional. She suggests she blamed Devlin when it all got too much, despite there being no evidence to support her claim. She says Smithy said 'it was your fault!' to him and Stevie explains that Smithy was meaning the riot was his fault in reaction to his evictions. The barrister goes on to tell the jury that Smithy and Stevie are close and the case had become personal for them. She claims the evidence was dreamt up and was embellished by them together - the judge tells her off for attacking the character of the witness. She's asked if she and Smithy are having a relationship and then if they have feelings for each other. She says no to each. The barrister asks if he has feelings for her and Stevie suggests she'd have to ask Smithy.

"Isn't it true that Sgt Smith shot someone to protect you?" The prosecution barrister leaps to his feet to call an objection. The judge allows it and says it's relevant so Stevie has to explain that there were 14 other people also in danger. "Answer the question, did Sgt Smith shoot someone?" "Yes, in the line of duty" (he was also in CO19 fgs!) and admits that the man did die - but for some stupid reason does not quickly add 'he was holding a machine gun he was about to discharge into a pub full of innocent people'. Even if the jury would be told to dismiss it. The defence asks again if Sgt Smith shot someone to save her. Stevie repeats that she was one of a number of people and adds this time that Smithy didn't even know she was there. "But you were there, you were one of the people he acted to protect." and then speaks to the jury like it's all because he's in love with Stevie and that he then attacked Jason Devlin because Stevie was hurt. I mean, the man also protected Cutler and Gatting's lives - both men who had held guns pointed at him with a legitimate threat to kill him at least three times off the top of my head! She says that her witness will tell them how Smithy reacted in response to seeing Stevie hurt when they give their evidence. Stevie says she knows Smithy did not assault Devlin or plant the evidence. The barrister asks how given she was assaulted. "Because I know the man." she says firmly. "Exactly." The barrister smiles, going on to claim that the case is nothing more than a vendetta dreamed up by two police officers with an intimate and personal knowledge of each other. Devlin Senior smirks across at Neil and Jack.

Smithy is called to attend court by the prosecution so Callum takes over with Ara. Ara says she doesn't recognise the car Jala gets into and she doesn't know how as she's with her auntie if she's not at school. She avoids talking about real emotional things as she's not ready to deal with the pain that brings. She's a very quiet girl. She sings a rude folk song that she learnt in the lorry that was taught to her by one of the other men in the lorry. He promised he'd take her to meet the queen and that there were trains that ran underground and shops as big as palaces. She doesn't know his name however... but it could be him that Jala got into the car to see. Callum wonders if it's Zemar - or linked to him - and he asks Leon to check to see how he arrived to court It's the same car! He asks Ben to go to his flat.

Rachel tells Smithy he has to deny he's in a relationship with Stevie. "... I'm what?" he blinks, his face a picture. Jack advises him to strip the emotion away from the case, keep measured, keep to the facts and nail the case. The prosecution opens by asking Smithy if he is in a relationship with Stevie, if he ever has been and if he has any special feelings towards her. He answers no to all. "No further questions, your honour."

Callum asks the woman where Zemar took the girl - he tells her they know he came to her house with her and then returned for her later so where has he taken her? She tells him that he is a good man who has a daughter the same age. He took Jala there to meet the children and then went to do an errand (or really appear in court.) Then he took her somewhere secret 'where time begins and ends'. Tony suggests the Royal Observatory in Greenwich.

The defense barrister claims Smithy and Stevie cooked up the entire thing against Devlin themselves after they took Ara to identify her brothers body. Smithy explains his training, experience and professionalism meant he wasn't emotionally involved like she has been making out. She claims Smithy doesn't like Jason Devlin and he says he neither likes nor dislikes him. She claims he assaulted him when releasing him from the station. He explains he held his arm whilst escorting him out. She classes that as assault and Smithy points out that he made no complaint. She smiles and says he has now and that there is a witness, Mr Eshan who will explain how Smithy "punched and kick-" she starts to say before she's told off again and told Mr Eshan can give his own account of what he witnessed. For an expensive barrister she's not much good! It's like she got her training in the playground. Her entire case is Groundhog Day. "You love your friend!." "No I don't!" "Yes you do!"

She claims Stevie was lying about spotting the bag in the car boot because Smithy hadn't yet put it there. Smithy says that's not true. She asks if they had any evidence prior to this and he admits they didn't and they were working to find it. She suggests his very limited line was that they needed evidence so he made sure they found it. Smithy explains that - like in every police case - they have a suspect and then search for the evidence to prove or disprove that. She suggests that they find the suspect they want and then fit the evidence to frame that person. Smithy says that's not what he said or what happened. She says he held him responsible for the trafficking, the assault on 'his lady friend' and handling the stolen property. Smithy says yes and that was because of the evidence. She tells Smithy he has form of becoming too emotionally involved and brings up Kieran Wallace.

Callum spots Zemar's car in the carpark of the observatory and gets Tony to stop. Within seconds they spot Jala with Zemar. He sees the officers and grips her arm, trying to make a run for it.

The prosecution barrister explains that the constant bringing up of Kieran Wallace and his death is irrelevant as it's a different case and different circumstances. The defence barrister insists that the common denominator in both is Smithy using deadly force. Smithy speaks directly to the judge and says he'd like to properly explain what happened with Kieran Wallace. He pointed out that Kieran was a known criminal armed with a machine gun that he was about to use in a public place. The defence try to cut in and say that they're talking about his motivation and Smithy cuts over her. "My motivation was to protect the public using my training as a firearms officer." he goes on to explain that he identified himself as a police officer to Kieran and ordered him to lay down his weapon. Kieran refused and aimed to fire at him. Smithy only shot when he had to with the knowledge that the people behind him were not in danger. "You're insinuating that my professionalism was in doubt. Read the report. It's not."

Tony approaches Jala and Zemar to talk and manages to get Zemar to hand Jala over. Callum asks Tony what happened whilst Mel takes Jala and Leon and Ben arrest Zemar. Tony tells Callum that the Devlin's offered a whole years wages to do one day of work for them and that he was desperate as he's about to be deported so agreed.

The defence barrister claims there's a parallel - Smithy decided people were in danger so he acted. He decided Stevie was in danger so he acted (It's almost as though - shock horror - he's a policeman!🙄) Smithy points out he wasn't there when Stevie was attacked "But you were there to give first aid to Jason Devlin, to get his blood on your clothes and your DNA on him." Smithy calmly says he arrived moments later. "Milliseconds." the barrister drawls before asking if he was that quick, how did he not see the attack on Stevie. She insists he did and that his 'relationship' with Stevie meant that he lashed out and attacked Devlin. "We're trained to do this, day in day out. I'm not saying we don't feel anything, what i'm saying is that training is the difference between what we feel and what we do." Smithy insists he didn't attack him and he didn't put anything in his vehicle. "YOU'RE A LIAR!" Devlin shouts from the dock. He's told to stay quiet or he'll be removed. The defence brief continues, saying it beggars belief that he could blame Devlin for the 2 bodies and then see his friend attacked and not react in a violent way. She finds that unimaginable "That's why I'm a police officer and you're not." Smithy says calmly - to murmurs of amusement and agreement from the gallery and jury. Neither the defence or prosecution have any further questions so Smithy steps down. Jason hisses at Smithy that he's a liar. Smithy just looks flatly at him before leaving.

Matthew Devlin leaves the room for a breath of fresh air but is stopped in the waiting area and arrested by Callum for conspiracy to kidnap and witness intimidation. He smirks and insist that he knows nothing about what he's talking about but the mask slips when Khaleed Hassiq is called and he stands up, coldly eyeing Devlin Senior as he passes him on his way into the courtroom. Jason looks unnerved as Hassiq enters the room and swears on the bible. He stands up and meekly says 'I'd like to change my plea."

The prosecution brief claims there must be something in Hassiq's evidence that they don't want made public or put on record. Perhaps people they've cheated/bought or someone they're protecting. Either way - they've got the result they wanted. Stevie tells Smithy to cheer up because they've got the result they wanted. "You did it." "Did I?" "Yes, you did!" she smiles.

Rachel tells Heaton she's thought about his offer and she's decided that yes, she will go with him. He also takes Kezia and Stuart. Rachel says they're great officers and he tells her that she's the best person to lead the team. Blah. All four of them will not be missed.*

Stevie goes and finds Smithy after, inviting him for a drink to celebrate the fact they're not an item. "Cor dear, that would have really messed things up if we were wouldn't it!" Stevie laughs. Smithy agrees to go for a pint and says it'll probably end up being several! Jack approaches and tells Smithy he doesn't appreciate him bringing Ara to court. Smithy says she'd have arrived anyway. Jack just nods and says he appreciates a man of principal. "I've heard that Rachel is leaving. Do you want her job?" Smithy does a literal double take. "... Just like that?" "If you want it." "Why me?" "Because I trust you, especially after today." "Ok, yeah..." (I have mixed feelings about this, I'm happy because obv he's been trained and moulded by Gina and he's a good man and it's for the greater good (and it also means Rachel has gone)but also they totally ignore the fact that Smithy still broke the law twice - the assault and perjuring himself in court. It being Smithy, he'd be eaten up by it as he was through the fight with Callum, when he tried to confess and also when they showed him still hearing the screams of the people in the lorry or having flashbacks. He wouldn't immediately feel like he deserved a promotion off the top of it. The only acknowledgement in the entire final episode of Conviction was flashbacks when he was in the locker room. It could have been a more involved and rounded story if it was taken into consideration and if he'd shown further remorse and struggling to align his job and his guilt but I guess they wanted to move on quickly and forget the naughty side ever happened! Especially as the next episode has Callum accused of chasing a suspect into the traffic only for him to be killed by a vehicle so they didn't want both brooding.)

Callum is waiting outside for Smithy and tells him that Devlin Senior is being processed. "You did it then?" he says to Smithy. "...What do you want, Callum?" "Nothing." "Good." Callum tries to make a joke of it saying that it's his caring sharing moment but he's not very good at it. "We walk a hard line and it hardens your soul... I mean it, it does. I've worked with people so cold they may as well be dead inside. Things are going to be different for you now, yeah, but you're not there... you're not even close." "So why does this feel like a defeat then?" "Because it has to. If there wasn't a price then we wouldn't know we'd learnt something." (in my opinion THIS is where Smithy's offer of promotion should have been - after that chat).

*On reflection it's a pretty large clearout before the reboot and the change to 1 episode a week when added together with Sam leaving a couple of episodes before the first Conviction episode and Diane returning for one episode to round off Kaye's contract.* Tony, Sally and Millie are due to leave before the series finishes so that's 9 characters in roughly half a series/year.

Other than Kirsty there are no new officers taken on (not counting Lisa Kennedy as she was a guest for 7 eps). Noone new arrived full stop in series 25 but there are a series of shufflings with Smithy becoming Inspector, Jack finally becoming Superintendent, Will becoming a full DC, Stevie becoming a DS and finally Jo transfering from CID to Uniform within a few episodes of the rebooted S26.

If interested, the last new officer before Kirsty (18th February 2010) was Rachel Weston who arrived 6th August 2008) Poor Sarah, her first appearance on screen was literally 5 weeks before it was announced that the show had been cancelled! She'd have only arrived around Nov/Dec 09 - she got all of 6/7 months on the show when filming stopped on the 15th June 10!

*Old Habits was shot as a 2 parter for Diane to return as a Sergeant but ITV's changes for the reboot meant that they needed to reduce the size of the cast and new scenes were shot to explain Diane moving to Barton St and just returning for one night to get her eye back in after her promotion when she had been working a bit more up north. It did seem odd to have her return for a night so does make sense, but poor Kaye! It was announced in the press on the 22nd January 2009 and Old Habits aired 30th April so would have been being filmed around/just before the announcement so at least there shouldn't have been too much filmed of other eps to have to re-do/edit/re-write. What a welcome back from maternity leave though! "You're going to be a sergeant... ah, you've lost your job."

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hyacinthsdiamonds · 2 years

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F1 drivers are not characters from a tv show that you can dissect and analyze. They're real, living, breathing, complicated, complex people. The fictional version of them in your head (good or bad) is just that; fiction. We don't truly know these people and they are just that; people and like every other person on this planet they have their own set of traumas and losses they have to deal with. The only difference is they aren't afforded the same privacy to deal with them. People speculate to pass the time but quite simply, we don't know what goes on behind closed doors, not really. We end up just funding the rumor mill and keeping that wheel turning.

I'm highlighting Mick and Max, but it goes for every driver, have seen the very worst infractions and breaches of privacy the media and people in general have to offer.

Mick has seen it literally his entire life and it got infinitely worse after Michael's accident. He was 14 and having to be coached on how to deal with the media because vultures were already scrounging looking for story. He's been the subject of so many narratives - good and bad and just downright intrusive - at this point I doubt the media itself even remembers half of them. I do want to be clear regarding one that has been doing the rounds not in the media but on here too recently; Seb is not Mick's second dad, he's a friend and mentor figure but he is not Mick's father. Mick has a father; that father will always be Michael. No one could ever take Michael's place. They've both clarified that many times but people have refused to listen.

Max's father is for lack of a better term a controversial man. We've read the stories, even heard some of them directly from the horse's mouth. He's glorified by some for the things he did that ended up "creating Max", and he's called out by others for a long history of abusive behavior (regarding to not just the incident in the South of Italy with Max but his behavior with his past romantic partners as well), who say Max is who he is in spite of that, not because of it. We don't know these people, we'll never know the full truth, we're not entitled to the full truth. Abuse and domestic violence are serious topics, serious topics that impact real life people every single day, it's not a fucking theme to exploit for a Tumblr post for a few notes. We've heard the stories, Max and his family lived them. It's not our place - it has never been our place - to tell him, his mother, his sister, ex-stepmothers etc how to live their lives afterwards.

We all get dealt a shit hand at one point or the other, that's just how life is. Just remember that there's a person at the other end of the screen and that just because an F1 driver is a public figure, it doesn't their privacy doesn't matter or that they're any less real or human than you or I. Their lives are not a story or a fiction. As someone who lost her father and has faced speculation on my childhood and the way I grew up (of course not in the media but I have an awful family member who I caught spreading outright lies about me and my close family to multiple people), I can't even find the words to explain how intrusive the post about Mick and Max's relationship with their respective father's is/was (last I checked it was still up). Violation is the only word I can come up with.

You don't have to like every driver but Jesus Christ going into their personal trauma is the only time you felt any human sympathy towards them? Empathy and decency are clearly things we all too easily take for granted. You don't have to like every driver but you do not have like someone in order to emphasize with them, especially when it's the fictional version of them you dislike; I'm going to quote Max Fewtrell who put it best, you don't know them. You don't have to like every driver but you can remember that they are an actual living breathing person before posting hate and/or violence/death threats. You don't have to like every driver but you don't have to be a dick about the drivers you dislike and that goes for everything.

#f1 #formula 1 #max verstappen #mick schumacher #formula one

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leqclerc · 1 year

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Imo, I think charles time at ferrari is up. As much as he loves the team, I'm sure even he can see that there's no future there. When he came in they told him that it'll take some time to get settled as they'd just had a restructuring and he was patient and paid his due. In that time the small changes made happened way too slowly and if we're following that same pattern, it will be years before the team gets settled again and by that time Ferrari board will have grown inpatient and fired whoever is in charge. If you read all these articles about how all the changes mattia asked for was dismissed by elkann and how vigna was interfering with strategy then the problem obviously lies very high up and will take years to change and charles just doesn't have the time anymore to wait it out.

Yeah, it's sad to think about, but if you consider where Seb was four years into his time at Ferrari vs. where Charles is... I mean 2020 was a complete write-off, then 2021 was better but still a recovery period. So that's two years where any hopes of the title are completely out the window.

Here are Charles's 2022 stats (so his first year of really being able to challenge or seriously think about the championship):

Here's Seb's 2017 and 2018 seasons:

It's especially depressing in the context of Max, as they're from the same generation and are most frequently compared. When Ferrari were being best of the rest, Max was clinching his first title. Now he's ran away with his second, and is probably the most likely candidate to make it three in a row next year. Gone are the days of 2019 when they were both rising stars looking for their first title challenge, on the cusp of greatness. Yet Ferrari's performance has remained on more or less at the same level (she really said everyone else moved on but I stayed here 😭)

I get where Charles is coming from. There's nothing I would love more than to see Ferrari back on top with Charles leading them and ending their title drought. Their Charles, their first big junior academy success, the driver who's been intrinsically linked with the team since his teenage years. There's something magical about Ferrari when they get it right. I want to see them win.

But at the same time, Charles was given the longest contract in Ferrari's history and there's little to show for it. He's still young, but his peer has two titles to his name, and there are 2000s kids already racing on the grid. By the time he's out of his Ferrari contract he's going to be 27. Lewis was 27, almost 28, when he signed with Mercedes. So it's kind of a make it or break it time for a driver, and these two years are going to be crucial for Ferrari to rally around him and prove they can be a title winning, or at the very least, a title contending team. Right now there aren't many opportunities (in terms of open seats) and, well, Charles loves this team and the people in it. He's determined to make it work. In two years, though, the market might look completely different. He's been praised by many key figures, and I think potential employers know how valuable he is. So the ball's in Ferrari's court to deliver.

Re: Vigna, though, I'm not sure how credible that rumour is (I think it popped up in Rencken's recent piece?) He seems like a much more distant figurehead than Marchionne was (often hands on, visited the paddock, very involved with the drivers). I don't think I've seen him in the paddock at all, at least, not that I can recall. So the idea that he was meddling with the strategy calls just doesn't seem that plausible. Ferrari's top brass is a whole mess, it arguably always has been to a degree, but this doesn't make much sense. Occam's Razor: the pitwall just messed up too many times.

TL;DR: Charles and Ferrari is the dream team. But F1 careers can be short and fickle. Realistically you only have a ~10 year or so window to really be at the top of your career and fight for titles. As much as I want him to win with Ferrari specifically, I'm also dreading the possibility of him never becoming champion at all. So I hope he does what's best for him and his career. It would be a waste to see a talent like Charles never be crowned champion simply because of his circumstances.

#replies #anonymous #discussions and predictions #who knows if he doesn't burn any bridges (and he doesn't seem to be the type) then maybe he can return for a final yeehaw in the future

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doorsclosingslowly · 2 years

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Time After Time: could you talk a bit about "Perhaps the World Will End at the Kitchen Table", before the fic starts? How do Kaz and Inej work through the original betrayal (and/or when do they realize they want to bring Jesper home?)

Thank you for asking about my unnecessarily elaborate backstory!! In general I want my modern AUs to echo canon, and the “betrayal” is adapting Jesper’s accidental blabbing about the Ice Court heist.

So, setting the scene. The trio, pre-“betrayal”, were like moderately radical squatters similarly to most of my other modern AUs. Similar backstories too (though it’s just the three of them), so Jesper was a really bright middle class kid who went to uni very early and then got fucked hard by no support for undiagnosed ADHD and addiction, Inej went on scholarship to a sports boarding school, was sexually abused and ran away, and when Kaz’s big brother died in foster care he just *could not* anymore, and after some time unhoused and some time in Haskell’s gang meets Jesper and then he meets Inej. Inej actually cares about justice for everyone and is the driver for everyone getting involved in environmentalist activism.

The thing about even nonviolent environmentalist activism is that there’s a *lot* of cruel, immoral state surveillance. Undercover cops have had children with women who they lied to for the entire duration of year-long relationships. (https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/jan/20/undercover-police-children-activists). And that is basically what happens. 19-yo Jesper meets a woman called Angela at a protest and they hit it off. Kaz hates her from the start, but everyone just thinks that’s down to jealousy. Maybe Kaz doesn’t want his friends to lead lives that don’t involve him. Kaz actually holds back from doing anything about her *because* he’s jealous, and he’s in love with Inej and turned Jesper down years ago because he was scared and he’s not *meant to* still be hung up on Jesper. And Jesper does love Angela, and anyway, her politics are solid, she’s in the same circles of squatters and part-time crooks and activists.

Protests don’t do much, though. Carbon emissions are still going up. Climate disasters are getting worse. So what do you do? What Inej moves towards as a tactic is property destruction. And because her and Kaz are over-achievers, their ideas both escalate to power plants and pipelines real quickly and they are meticulous, workable, something the police decide they need to stop NOW. They have the evidence of that plot. They have the location of Kaz and Inej.

Angela actually tries to keep Jesper out of it. That’s why she ties him up. She cares about him, she just isn’t able to look beyond her own perspective and see that she’s committing rape by deception, using Jesper to attack his best friends and that she is traumatizing him for the rest of his life.

Kaz isn’t where he was supposed to be for the police raid, though. He loaned Jesper a book, impulsively decided he needed it right now, picked the locked door of Jesper’s room—and then he sees Jesper naked and tied up and gagged and absolutely panicking, cuts him loose because of course and he’s already mentally murdering Angela when Jesper tells him she’s a cop. So they’re off desperately trying to find Inej, and they do. She’s already handcuffed, as are a few more of their friends, with one cop to guard them while the others sweep the squatted house. Kaz drives the knife he's still holding into that cop’s neck.

They’re running ever since.

And they have lost all trust in a state that utterly betrayed them.

The fact that Jesper thinks of what happened as “the betrayal” is down to his issues more than the truth. *He* put his friends in danger. *He* should have known. *He* didn’t. *He* was too careless, too blind, just inattentive reckless stupid Jesper all over again and so he keeps picking through every single thing he does ever for mistakes. Because Jesper should have known, right? He got kicked out of uni for being stupid. That should have taught him, and it fucking didn’t because he’s not even that decent a person and so he destroyed his friends too. He never tells anybody about these thoughts because he figures, he got more than he deserved by getting to stay in their lives. None of his self-hatred is news. It’s just obvious fact, and Inej and Kaz already know.

Kaz blows up at Jesper, right after it happens, when they’re all three terrified and grieving the safety they didn’t even know they used to believe in. Jesper was closest to Angela, he should have noticed something, anything, Inej tried to jump to her death and was wrestled to the floor by the cops! But he does know it wasn’t a betrayal. The safety precautions he does take afterwards and that he keeps reminding Jesper specifically about aren’t, to Kaz, because of the “betrayal” but because their situation fundamentally changed now they’re wanted murder and accessories and because Jesper does talk too much when drunk or on accident, it’s just a thing that he’s careless sometimes, and Kaz is helping by reminding him.

Inej is horrified knowing that Angela was a cop and using Jesper. To know the state greenlit rape by deception against her friend and it happened under her nose for a year—fuck, she’s angry, and she hasn’t yet learned the Jesper part of what happened, the gagged and terrified for his friends part. Kaz doesn’t talk about that. Jesper doesn’t.

Kaz and Inej were in love before the cops attacked, and they just kept dancing around each other afterwards, coming closer, closer, closer. To them, at first, the intra-trio relationship didn’t actually change in any unexpected ways and they would both have been horrified to know Jesper increasingly sees himself as a superfluous add-on. When you’re basically honeymooning, the fact that someone’s giving you space isn’t that weird, and besides Jesper just had the traumatic-est breakup, he probably needs time to process it.

Neither of them actually knows how Jesper is parsing this whole situation. They think they’re all fine.

They just think—Jesper just did an actual infiltration job, pretending to work for Kirigan to get him out of office, and it’s the first time they’ve been apart from Jesper this long in years. It’s much easier to notice how much you miss someone when they’re away. Life is dangerous. Life is short. And so Kaz and Inej talked about how weird it was to just be the two of them, how like a missing limb, and when Inej noticed that Kaz was weighing his words oddly she told him, “It’s okay. I already know.” and also gently mocked him for hypocrisy because Inej and Jes and Kaz and former friends had *discussions* about marriage as coercive tools of patriarchy and free love and relationship anarchy and all that jazz and they were all very serious and radical about it but here Kaz is, not daring to look at her because he wants Jesper as well. “Just ask him. If you don’t at noon tomorrow, Kaz, then I will. For you.” And then she kisses him.

#dimtraces makes things

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thatsadbietch · 1 year

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Adventure Awaits

The intro to my Strixhaven campaign! Very short as I’ve been traveling and moving. I have high hopes for this series and hope you enjoy as it progresses :)

“Finally…” he thought, his golden eyes widening upon seeing the tallest tower on Strixhaven’s campus come into view from his cramped seat on a friendly traveler’s wagon. He was annoyed at the time it took to arrive on campus, yet eager to stretch his legs after being sat in a wagon all this time. The journey was bound to pay off. It had to.

“Stop,” he commanded, “I can walk from here.” The carriage driver, an aged, stout halfling, pulled on the reins for his steeds to halt.

“Are you sure?” the old wanderer inquired. This passenger was certainly an odd one; barely spoke a word during the weeklong excursion: didn’t even give his name. However, he couldn’t complain: the kid paid handsomely for his services.

“Yes, thank you.” The young lavender-toned eladrin replied curtly, giving his driver what was remaining of his amount due.

“Safe travels, my young friend!” the elder called. The eladrin said not another word, flipped up the hood of his cloak, and strode with what little belongings he had in the direction of the university.

*******************************************************************************************

In a few hour’s time, and with the aid of various signs around campus, he’d found the center of it all: Strixhaven’s Biblioplex. He wasted no time gawking at the high, intricate ceilings as some other passersby did, and strode onward to the information desk. All three receptionists were very busy, and understandably so: hundreds of potential students were here to register and take their entrance exams.

“I can take the next participant!” One of the receptionists called, and he strode that way. Suddenly and without warning, he felt an impact and landed rather abruptly on his backside. On the ground in front of him, also on his rear, was an elf in white and golden robes, being helped up by a female elf. They shared oceanic blue eyes, high cheekbones, and sandy blonde hair. They could pass as twins, and probably were.

“Watch where you’re stepping, commoner,” the male stated as he rose. “I’d say you’re rather lucky I have more important matters to tend to at the moment.”

“Oh, I’m the lucky one, is that right?” the lavender eldarin questioned, helping himself up. The blonde elf scoffed, and strode forward, inches away from the other’s face.

“Obviously you don’t know who you’re dealing with. I am Cadaris Nailo, first born son of the seventh generation of the Nailo family.” His eyes widened only slightly.

“Never heard of you,” he lied, “and if I had, I could not have cared less.”

“Break it up, NOW,” another receptionist scolded.

“You best watch yourself, should you somehow make it through the exam,” Cadaris threatened, returning to the post he’d stolen.

“Wow, that guy’s kind of a dick. He totally cut you off,” said a voice. The raven-haired male turned to see another eladrin: an Autumn form one as opposed to his own winter form. His dirty blonde hair and freckles made him seem childlike, but he was just as tall and must be at least of age to take the exam.

“You can go ahead of me,” he said enthusiastically, extending a hand. “It’s not gonna kill me. My name is Rubbidon Eleroy! But you can call me Ruby. And you are?”

The winter counterpart examined the excitable Rubbidon’s hand before taking it firmly and meeting his gaze.

“Lucian. Lucian Goetia.”

#dnd #dnd stuff #dnd session #non tickles #fanfic #non tickling #strixhaven

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riftrive · 1 year

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I'm being slow on my caard, so very very basic info dump for each muse- most of main verses are set outside the FNBR canon, so please keep that in mind. You can also find rules on my CAARD FOR CHAOS HERE

CHAOS // ANY PRONOUNS, PERSONAL PREFERENCE THEY/THEM. BLOG DEFAULT IS THEY/THEM AS WELL // 26, KINDA (WAS REBORN) // UNKNOWN VOID CREATURE MADE OF SHELL AND OOZE // PREVIOUS MEMBER OF FINAL RECKONING CREW / VILLAINOUS COUNCIL, AFFILIATION VERSE DEPENDANT

Chaos is a spy / mercenary for hire with a heavy fondness for science and experimentation. They often use their job to collect subjects and if necessary money to buy what they require, though that is often not necessary for them. They are a non-human creature, more akin to insectoid when wearing shell, who uses their ooze to appear humanoid in clothing when out on jobs (Chaos is the one with the most lore I have given to, its hard to make a simple description for them)

RENZO THE DESTROYER // HE/HIM/IT/ITS // 3 MILLION // A SENTIENT BLACK HOLE IN A ROBOTIC VESSEL // NO CURRENT AFFILIATION

Renzo is a 'doomfluencer', meaning he goes to different galaxies / planets and tries to get footage of destruction and mayhem to upload and make media about. This ranges from ones he makes himself, those caused by other villains and or horrific entities, or collabing with others for it

CUBE ASSASSIN // THEY/THEM/SHE/HER // UNKNOWN AGE // GEOMETRIC ALIEN PART OF THE LAST REALITY // AFFILATION TO LAST REALITY

Cube Assassin is an enigma, and she intends to keep it that way. Loyal to the faction the Last Reality, they use their skills to dispatch anyone that is in the way or a general nuisance to the goal. While more suited for jobs in shadows and subtlety, she has no problem with the more direct of actions either

CLUB WILDCARD // HE/HIM // 35 // HUMAN (PROBABLY) // AFFILIATION TO WILDCARD CREW

Clubs is part of the Wildcard crew; an infamous heist crew that has upped the stakes when the rifts were discovered, deciding to take on some jobs outside of Earth. Clubs is often seen as the more blunt and direct individual, though he does certainly know when to and not to be. Master at finding an entrance, whether it be a perfect lock picked or an explosion- he is also the defecto driver

BLACKLIGHT // HE/HIM OR THEY/THEM ON OCCASION // 31 // IMMORTAL HUMAN // AFFILIATION TO FINAL RECKONING CREW / VILLIANOUS COUNCIL

Blacklight found out he was immortal by accident when he was younger, and chose to benefit from it. Starting off with crime in his young adult years, often going in loud and proud due to a lack of fear of death. He was later discovered and recruited by the Final Reckoning crew (later renamed to Villainous Council as it grew), he's the specialist on weaponary and human interaction- despite also not being great at it, he's the best

WILLOW // SHE/HER, THOUGH IS FINE WITH THEY/THEM // 27 (SHE ONLY DIED LIKE 5 YEARS AGO) // GHOST, POLTERGEIST, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL HER // AFFILATION TO FINAL RECKONING CREW / VILLIANOUS COUNCIL

Willow is a ghost with unfinished business, but honestly she's not actually that pressed to get it done. She constantly lies about what it is, and even the 'embarrassing truth' is yet another lie to keep it from being known. This is because she likes being a ghost, and has fun with the things she can do now. She joined the Final Reckoning crew with ease when she learned about how many problems she can cause on purpose. Her specialty is paranormal activities

CATRINA // SHE/HER, THEY/THEM, IT/ITS // UNKNOWN AGE // NATURE DEATH SPIRIT // AFFILATION TO FINAL RECKONING CREW / VILLIANOUS COUNCIL

Catrina is a spirit born from large scale death found at the center of a forest, but that is as far as she has spoken about it. Her interest in joining the Final Reckoning crew has always been found as a touch odd, because her interests do not lay with just causing general mayhem for pleasure. However, she benefits from it in her own ways, and has no qualms dispatching those even outside her actual interest of getting rid of. Her specialty is magic.

TEEF // THEY/THEM/IT/ITS // UNKNOWN AGE // ALIEN FROM AN UNKNOWN PLANET // AFFILATION TO FINAL RECKONING CREW / VILLIANOUS COUNCIL

Teef is a runaway criminal on an intergalactic scale, and while they have spun a tale about it being a minor thing and or a misunderstanding, there are a few individuals that know the truth behind the true reason they are so wanted. The Final Reckoning / Villainous council has provided sanctuary and enjoyment for them, especially being one of the first 2 founders of it (the other being Chaos). Their specialty is anything alien.

#ooc. tbt #pin post for now #but likes and such are totally okay!#long post //

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overthinkinlinc · 1 year

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I've never been on a road trip before so here is a list of things that I've experienced thus far:

1. Cars. So many of them.

2. A truck driver who gave me a nice little wave when I let him in front of me

3. A different truck driver who is currently participating in a blinker boycott, Maybe a lot is going on at home. Idk.

4. A woman, who when I told her I was going to Oklahoma, told me to not.

5. A big trucker truck that had the suicide hotline on the back of it and I thought that was pretty neat™

6. Road. Road. More road. Tree. Rock. Person?? CLIFF.

7. A dog who I gave a little bit of chicken strip in a parking lot of a motel

8. A cat, in the same parking lot, who did not want to be my best friend forever even after I offered.

9. My friend, Who is actually the best, and is watching my cats and has called me and sparked all the joys.

10. Being a bamboozled into listening to a self-help book on tape narrated by an old woman who has told me to stop abusing infants. I think it was metaphor. Idk.

11. Kingman, Arizona. Which has no kings just man and I feel like that's false marketing.

12. A twink, whom I apologized to four times; unrelated to him being twink.

13. My father who has been sending me lyrics to songs as I give him updates. "Happiness is Lubbock Texas in the rear view mirror"-George Strait

14. SIGNS. so many signs

"puff puff.. pass the keys" - 10/10 don't drive high

"Drive hammered. get nailed." 4/10 low key confusing, possible innuendo.

"Welcome to Texas, drive friendly" 0/10 bad bad lies

"KNIFE CITY" k, what

15. Trees. They are so pretty and are doing such a great job.

16. A button in my car, which I know does something I'm just not sure what.

17. A town in Colorado which I'm utterly convinced houses every single Hallmark movie.

18. Nobody knows how to use a passing lane.

19. Dads. Nothing in particular just a lot of them.

20. Speed traps. which I have gotten around by going too fast for them to see me.

21. Snow tires make you a fucking god

22. I learned how to pump my own gas and it makes a vrrmmmmzzz sound and I like it quite a lot

23. Sour gummy worms and Coca-Cola should not be the only thing consumed while driving for 11 hours straight, your body will also make a vrrmmmmzzz sound and I do not like that.

24. A shipping container on top of a mountain that said vote Trump, I do not know how they got it on top of that mountain.

25. Every place I stop at talks about route 66 and I have no idea why because I've been driving on route 40.

26. My friend, again, who is watching my cats and not murdered me for where I keep things in my house.

27. A woman who was staring at me so I climbed on top of my car.

28. Lubbock, Texas is in fact an awful place.

29. So many Dollar Generals I'm convinced that they're all just connected into one giant omnipotent Dollar General.

30. My legs. I can't feel them. :)

#roadmap #roadtrip #humorous #driving #cars #funny #ohgodimsotired #truckers

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columboscreens · 2 years

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i gotta say i disagree wholeheartedly with people calling columbo a himbo. did we watch the same show? the whole point is that he’s smart and clever, he’s not just stumbling into the solutions for cases he solves them with his huge brain!!

you're absolutely right! though he is a little bit of a himbo. i'll explain.

a friend of mine recently told me about how their film professor said in earnest that columbo was just a Dumb Guy, only solving cases by sheer luck. now aside from the fact that you're beyond not qualified to teach a film class if you think that, it goes to show how some viewers genuinely fall for the bumbling act--not usually the most discerning amongst them, but viewers nonetheless. really more than anything, it's a testament to peter falk's acting and superior treatment of the character.

i think generally though, most people do understand that columbo is "actually smart". it's that they don't always appreciate just how capable he is and/or why.

there are lots of little ingredients involved, but the primary recipe to columbo's brilliance lies in his striking blend of intuition (empathy, manipulation, common sense), "fluid intelligence" (logic, strategy, problem solving), and most importantly, insatiable curiosity.

as @nonbinarycolumbo put it: he has to be nice or else he'd be killed for being annoying like socrates

his most well-worn trick is simply the socratic method. he will ask questions until he is blue in the face. anyone can be naturally astute or street smart; columbo is more than that. he is a philosopher at heart and this is where his true strength lies--in his tenacity and desire for truth, his insistence on inquiry until sound resolution.

the guy also genuinely loves to learn something new. when he needs to learn more to keep up with the killer, he enters autodidact mode. wine, art, photography, bullfighting, it doesn't matter. he is a diligent student who will sit there and hit the books and learn about anything he puts his mind to. part of the joy of each episode is seeing him in different elements, learning.

without fail, every murderer who even approaches his caliber of intellect comes to acknowledge and on some level appreciate this. they're the ones who realize too late that it was all but a game of chess--incidentally, falk himself was an avid chess player.

anyway, the real beauty of it all is that columbo clearly knows his merits--he bashfully shies away from revealing his IQ despite crushing every puzzle thrown at him--he just attributes his success almost entirely to his rational, methodical nature and love of learning, rather than to any of his more innate gifts.

THAT SAID, to explain why some people call him a himbo. i do maintain that while he may not BE one proper, he has...qualities, like many exceptional minds:

utter mess, loses things constantly (even when alone)

klutz

easily distracted

easily lost

often late

likely not the best with money (mentions on multiple occasions to non-suspects that his wife handles taxes, finances, budgets, etc.)

admits several times to having struggled in school

can't spell or pronounce for shit (in hand w/academic struggle)

bimbo driver. causes like four car accidents over the show's run

subpar technological aptitude

not inherently a flaw of course, but is clearly some flavor(s) of neurodivergent (adhd, autistic, whatever, pick your poison)

so yes, he may be only pretending to not know how to pronounce "fibrillation", but there's no denying that these are all real flaws central to his character, mistakes he DOES make even when no one else is around. he's self-aware and a master manipulator, why wouldn't he tell the easiest and most sustainable lies of them all: about that which already comes naturally to him?

tl;dr, he's foremost a brilliant mind but does have himbo-like tendencies which he plays up to seem actually ditzy. exceptional genius detectives are a dime a dozen, but columbo being one who's also a crumpled mess who can't spell is part of what makes him Him.

#sorry anon i was busy this week and wanted to ruminate on this #and then throw up all over your ask as i tend to do #text #ask #columbo #longpost #god man wrangling the photos in this post was such a bother i h8 new tumblr post editor

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ohmyeyesmyeyes · 3 years

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hi, i just wanted to say i loved your charles oneshot :) i was wondering if you could do an enemies to lovers w/ daniel ricciardo? thanks!

DANIEL RICCIARDO ONESHOT

TEMPORARY STRANGERS

( WARNING: swearing, alcohol, blood/injury, little bit of fluff/angst? )

word count: 5.4k

< this is my attempted version lol >

You’d debated whether or not to go to Theo’s party. For one, it was on a Thursday night, which, in itself, was rather tragic for a party thrown for an adult because surely he had to have thought that most people would be working on a Thursday night? Secondly, you had an early shift at the hospital in the morning, so you weren't sure if staying at a party fit for Blair Waldorf for a couple of hours was entirely worth your presence.

But, after a persuasive conversation on the phone — in which Theo spent the majority of it begging you to make an appearance — you’d caved and now you found yourself standing in the middle of a kitchen sipping on a lemonade, expertly avoiding everyone’s eyes and wondering why you agreed to come in the first place.

The apartment was a large, luxurious one, decked from head to toe in pricey decorations and with an open-plan layout. You even had half the mind to compare it to what you imagined a Royal Palace looked like.

In other words, it was big and incredibly tasteful and fancy, in the most annoying way possible.

Then again, Theo did own a successful Estate Agency, which specialized heavily in selling buildings in the centre of London. The money pooled from that spoke for itself, and it also meant that since university he’d met people in all aspects of his work, all of which looked like they’d been invited to his party, which unfortunately meant you didn’t know anyone, and the couple that you did, you had absolutely zero intentions of actually talking to them.

The guests themselves were glamorous, dressed to the nines and decked with expensive watches and jewellery, and you felt out of place wearing your best dress with your favourite high-tops and a blazer.

On another note, the lemonade and food were delicious. It was almost as if he’d hired a private caterer and then shoved them out of the back door before people started arriving.

“You know, I didn’t think you meant it when you said you’d come.” A smooth voice knocked you out of your reverie, and you whirled around, hastily swallowing the lemonade when you noticed the familiar blonde that you’d befriended in uni.

“I didn’t think I did either if that makes a difference.” You replied, biting the inside of your cheek as Theo rolled his eyes, making his way around the kitchen island to place a couple of collected empty glasses near the sink.

“Well, are you having fun?” He asked, leaning back against the counter next to you, his shoulder judging yours teasingly.

You hummed, narrowing your eyes, “Not as much fun as when you crashed my Grandparents party and scared away the boy they tried to set me up with, let’s just leave it at that.” You breathed a laugh, swirling the lemonade in your cup as if it had suddenly become the most interesting thing.

“Oh, I haven’t had that much fun in ages.” He said, his attention turning to the other partygoers in the near vicinity, his eyebrow raising as he spotted someone trying to sneak one of his clocks into their bags without being caught. It didn’t work; they saw his gaze and turned a suspicious shade of red and pretended as if they’d simply been admiring the thing before walking away.

Theo cleared his throat, adjusting his tie.

“I think I’m just gonna…” he trailed off, his finger pointing in the direction of the culprit, an apologetic look in his eyes. You nodded, breathing a short laugh in understanding.

“I think I’m going to head out anyway—”

“Oh, please stay.” He held out a hand, silently begging for you to stay.

You hadn’t seen each other in at least a couple of months because of clashes with schedules, and it was getting to the point where the odd texts and phone calls and video calls were starting to feel more like a chore than a privilege. You had been close friends for the best part of ten years now, and you were still close, but adult life was more difficult than you expected trying to balance relationships and work.

You breathed in deeply, eyes flashing around the guests, accidentally catching the eye of Daniel and flicking your attention back to Theo hastily.

“I’ll stay for now but I’m going home in an hour, I have an early shift in the morning.” You promised, offering a small smile as Theo nodded, returning the gesture before disappearing into the throwing of people.

It wasn’t long before you were approached by an unfamiliar face. She was — like all the other people in the room — dressed nicely, and she stumbled slightly in her heels, almost running into you.

“Oh, shit, sorry about that.” She muttered, and you could smell the faint, bitter scent of alcohol on her breath, indicating that she wasn’t completely sober.

“Oh, it’s no problem.” You reassured, asking if she wanted something else to drink, seeing as though you were standing next to the drinks table and the fridge.

She shook her head, instead resuming Theo’s place against the counter next to you.

“Do you see that man over there?” She whispered, pointing her finger in the direction of the crowd out in the living area.

You furrowed your eyes, trying to lean slightly to make sure you could see who she was pointing at.

“I think you’re gonna have to be more specific because there’s about thirty people in that general direction.” You said, resisting the urge to laugh as the woman sighed, shuffling closer to the group and standing in her heeled tiptoes to see over the sea of heads.

“Okay, so he’s about 6 foot, brunette, curly hair…” she snuck a glance at you out of the corner of her eye to make sure you were trying to look out for the person she was talking about, “really fit and has an Italian nose.” She concluded.

You pursed your lips, suddenly feeling quite awkward in the presence of a stranger. You averted your eyes back to the pile of drinks on the kitchen island and halted your actions in searching for who could only be Daniel Ricciardo.

She noticed your reaction and gasped loudly, her hand flying to her mouth as if you just spilled the hottest gossip of the season.

“You know him.” She stated, stepping back slightly with an accusatory shine in her eyes.

“I don’t know him, I just know of him.” You lied, trying to brush the topic off as subtly as possible.

“Nuh-uh,” she said, taking your arm and ignoring the cry of protest from your lips as she dragged you away from the kitchen area and into the heart of the party, where the chatter was significantly louder, “I don’t believe that. You can introduce us.” She insisted.

You dug your heels into the floor as best as you could, trying to push away the wave of panic that surged through your veins.

“Lady,” you started, ripping your arm out of her iron grip, “I don’t know him.” You reiterated.

“If you don’t know him, how can you know of him?” She enquired snarkily, arching a perfectly plucked eyebrow in your direction.

“How can you not know of him?” You returned, shrugging. Her face remained blank, and it occurred to you she really didn’t know who Daniel was. “That’s Daniel Ricciardo. Formula 1 driver for McLaren this year.” You told her, straightening out your blazer uncomfortably, unaware of the eyes on you from the other side of the room.

“Formula 1? So he’s, like…a millionaire?” She licked her lips,sultry eyes slipping over the crowd and fixating on who you assumed to be Daniel.

You cringed, resisting the urge to turn your nose up at her. You suddenly regretted telling her about his career because even a blind man could see that his money was the main thing on her mind at that moment in time.

You neglected from answering her question, instead trying to slink back to the kitchen, but you were interrupted by the scuffle of feet and the sound of something shattering before an obvious cry of pain was heard throughout the room, nearly drowned out in the volume of the music pumping from the speakers.

You swivelled back around, and several people had stepped away from the scene leaving an open gap in the crowd as more people gathered around to see what the kerfuffle was.

The girl had disappeared seemingly into thin air and you were about to take the moment of peace as an opportunity to leave, but Theo’s voice called your name over the crowd, laced with urgency.

You furrowed your brows in confusion, heart pounding with anxiety at the panic in his voice. You made your way to the crowd, apologising to people as you pushed your way through to get to the centre of all the attention.

As soon as you edged into Theo’s vision, he dragged you by the elbow into the centre, pointing to the person who’s cry of pain was heard over the music.

Blood was dripping from a deep gash in the palm of their hand, and the person in question looked a little pale, holding their hand up above their head, a permanent wince etched onto their face. Despite that, they looked rather uncomfortable with all the attention, and it was this that caused Theo to turn to the crowd and usher them away.

“I have a first aid kit in the bathroom.” Theo informed you, and you wasted no time in helping the injured person raise their arm higher above their head, guiding them through the crowd with a secure arm around their waist.

“A cut on my hand doesn’t hinder my ability to walk, okay?” They tried, shifting out of your grip.

“No, but if you pass out, it hinders my ability to patch you up.” You retorted, hurriedly passing your glass of lemonade back to Theo.

The person let a weak, sarcastic huff pass their lips, but they let you guide them to the bathroom, keeping an eye on the blood dripping down their arm and creeping into the sleeve of their blazer.

“Toilet or tub?” You asked, kicking the door shut behind you and casting a weary glance back at their hand.

“Depends on the context.” They answered.

You rolled your eyes, settling them on the toilet and quickly rifling through the sink cupboards, locating the first aid kit with ease.

“I’m gonna need you to take off your blazer.” You said, never imagining that you’d say those words to Daniel Ricciardo of all people.

Your relationship with Daniel was weird to say the least. You first met at — surprise, surprise — Theo’s party a few years ago. You’d gotten along swimmingly, perhaps a little bit too well, and it was safe to say he was incredibly charming and cursed with good looks. You were quite good friends, actually.

Until one day he pulled a face at you when you approached him at an award’s evening of some sort. You’d got no idea what happened to elicit such a negative reaction, or any idea on what you could have done, but he’d sneered at you and turned around, making conversation with the person next to you. He’d never explained why, but ever since that day he’d ignored you as much as possible, and it wasn’t exactly hard not to enjoy his company when he was so obviously disgusted with your presence.

Maybe it was the fact that you only managed to snag one piece of cake that night.

“You want a striptease? At least take me out for a date, first.” He muttered, pressing his lips together in obvious discomfort as he peeled his blazer off, being cautious of the blood. “I don’t even know why you’re bothering with this anyway, I’m fine.” He insisted.

You perched yourself on the edge of the bath, placing your bag on the tiled flooring and zipping open the first aid kit.

“Dan, you’re dripping blood…you’re clearly not fine.” You muttered, carefully rolling his shirt sleeve up past his elbow, ignoring the fact that this was the first time in a long time you’d been this close to him. Ignoring the fact that he looked positively fine in a suit, minus the blood.

He let out a shuddering breath, closing his eyes and shifting uncomfortably under your touch.

You turned his hand over, assessed the gash and winced, trying to ignore the tingling, uncomfortable sensation mirrored on your own palm as your eyes ran over the gash. It ran the width of his palm, and it didn’t take a genius to notice that it was quite deep in some places.

“Can we please be quick?” He sighed, his other hand smoothing out non-existent creases in his dress trousers.

You hated to admit it, but his words stung.

“Can you at least pretend like you don’t hate me, for fifteen minutes at least?” You said, an unintentional fierceness to your tone, one that you’d tried your best to dial down in his presence, but it seemed to no avail.

“Only if you do the same.” He muttered, and you took the liberty of ignoring his comment, reaching to fish an antiseptic wipe from the first aid kit, gently dabbing at the edges to clean off some blood so you could see the extent of the damage. You flexed his hand, ignoring his hiss of pain as the cut stretched slightly.

“What was that for?” He asked, his free hand slapping your hand as he fought to take his cut up hand out of your grip.

You opened your mouth in surprise, the skin on your own hand stinging slightly with the sudden contact.

“Don’t slap me! I’m trying to make sure you don’t have glass in it, you twat.” You said, shaking your head, “Which it doesn’t, by the way, so you’re welcome for checking.”

“How did you even know to check for glass?”

“Because there was broken glass on the floor?” You answered, applying pressure to the wound and lifting his hand a little higher again.

He huffed, turning his face away from you, so he was facing the wall, his lip curling into a sneer.

You rolled your eyes, “What did you mean when you said ‘only if you do the same’, anyway?” You murmured, keeping one hand on the wound and reaching to the floor to pick up your bag and unclip the front.

He narrowed his eyes, watching you root around in your bag for something, and he was about to say something, before he was interrupted by a knock on the bathroom door.

“Everything ok in there? Everyone still alive?” Theo’s muffled voice echoed into the room.

“We’re fine.”

“Yeah.”

Daniel grimaced, brown eyes burning through the door as if he was trying to send a telepathic message to Theo through the door.

“Good.” Was all Theo said before the full sound of his shoes against the wooden veneers could be heard on the other side of the door.

You hummed in delight, producing the very thing you were originally looking for in your bag.

“Haribo?” Daniel asked, raising his brows expectantly.

“To get your blood sugar levels up, you’re still pale.” You answered, ripping open the packet, and just as you were about to pour the sweets into Daniel’s outstretched hand, you paused, recoiling.

“What?” He asked, noticeably frustrated that he wasn’t scoffing the sweets.

“Why don’t you like me?” You questioned, biting on the inside of your cheek anxiously as he stared straight at you, his face expressionless.

He was quiet for a while, and you almost told him to forget you even said anything because the simple question looked like it hit home, but he opened his mouth, quickly closing it again. He looked at you from behind furrowed brows, apparently confused by your question.

“Why don’t I like you?” He repeated the question. “Why don’t you like me?”

You gaped at him, your cheeks flushing with irritation at his words.

“I don’t—I never—” you sighed in frustration, the hand clutching the packet of Haribo clenching unconsciously as Daniel looked at you with mild concern, “Why the hell would you think I don’t like you?”

He blinked, casting his sights back to the wall, ignoring your eye contact.

“Theo told me you, and I quote, ‘hate me’,” he answered, swallowing roughly as you continued to stare at him.

His discomfort under your gaze brought a sick sense of satisfaction, but at the same time you were having difficulty wrapping your head around what he’d just admitted.

“Theo? My Theo?” You clarified, arching an eyebrow.

He nodded.

“When did he tell you that?” Your heart was starting to hammer in your rib cage, the power of which was almost painful to endure.

“When we went clubbing a while back,” he shrugged.

“Why would he—?” You muttered, before turning back to Daniel. “Are you sure he said that?”

“Positive.”

“So you’ve been so hostile towards me for months now, all because of something someone else said to you in a dark, loud club when you were — let’s face it — probably drunk?”

Daniel sucked in his cheeks, now realising how there would have been so many chances for misunderstanding in such an environment.

“Yes…” he replied, dragging the word out slowly, trying his best to take his mind off the way your grip on his wound was slowly increasing.

“I never said I hate—”

“So…you don’t not like me?” He interrupted, his eyes wide.

“No…Yes…I don’t know how I’m supposed to answer that, but I never hated you.” You said, ducking your head down at his intense glare, instead turning your attention back to his bleeding hand, carefully peeling off the gauze to take a peak. You suddenly remembered the scrunched up packet of Haribo still clutched in your grasp, and you shoved it in Daniel’s direction, not bothering to even look at him when he took it, humming quietly in thanks.

He didn’t know how to respond to that, the revelation sending his mind spinning about a hundred different directions.

He was mad at Theo, even if what happened wasn’t entirely his fault, but he was mostly mad at himself for not even bothering to try to talk to you and hash it out. The months he spent trying to ignore you were completely miserable, and the worst part is, he put you through hell without even giving you any reason, and all of that ignorance was not even worth it…that is, if what you said was true.

“Oh.” Was all he said, taking to watching you strap up his hand after telling him he (thankfully) didn’t need stitches, but he did need to rest it for a while, which was probably for the best because the F1 Summer Break was currently in full swing.

Once you’d put the soaked gauze in the bin and tidied everything away to how you’d arrived before the bloodbath ensued, you stood up, brushing nonexistent dirt off your dress, and offered Daniel a rather confused smile.

He bit his lip in thought, your eyes unconsciously zipping to his mouth, before steering your gaze back up to his eyes when he caught you, raising his eyebrow slightly, a pale shade of pink tinting his cheeks as he fought back a smirk.

You turned away, looking at the door, which was very much tempting you at that moment in time.

He cleared his throat once he’d noticed your attention flicker away from him, and it was only then he registered he practically craved you to be looking at him. Whenever he was at functions with Theo, he would always unknowingly search for you, even when he thought you hated his guts, he’d still scan the crowd of unfamiliar faces in the hopes that he’d see you again.

He chewed on the inside of his cheek nervously, feeling your eyes on him. It was as if he’d suddenly melted into a teenager again right beneath your eyes. He cleared his throat again, sinking back against the toilet in an attempt to make himself smaller at the revelation he’d just arrived at.

It was weird, seeing him so shy when he was naturally such an outgoing character.

You found a part of your brain secretly admiring his flustering, but you quickly shut that down, reminding yourself that you shouldn’t be having those thoughts, especially since you’d just had to mop up a slice on his hand.

“I think I’m gonna go grab a drink and join the fray.” You said, hating the way your voice sounded so small against the echoing walls of the bathroom tiles.

Daniel snapped his eyes to yours, holding them intently, slightly alarmed at your words.

The last thing he wanted was for you to leave him; call it soppy, but he wanted to make up for lost time as soon as he possibly could, and he knew there would be very few opportunities considering both your careers were so demanding.

“Um…” he cleared his throat, “Yeah, I just want to say, thanks for all of this.” He gestured down to his hand, and you smiled.

“No problem. Just…stay away from broken glass for a bit and you should be fine.” You mumbled, words not registering in your brain as Daniel breathed a small laugh, looking utterly starstruck and sad at the same time.

“I’ll try my best.”

You offered one last smile, checking you still had your bag, and without another word you slipped out of the bathroom door, hearing the handle click behind you.

You could still hear the thumping remnants of the party in the next room, and without really caring who you bumped into along the way, you made a beeline for the kitchen, filling up a plastic wine glass with the nearest spirit and downing it as quickly as possible. You wiped your mouth with the back of your hand, immediately feeling guilty because of the early shift, and hurried to fill the glass back up with water, trying your best to dispel the effects of alcohol before they even had an impact.

It seemed to work.

Your head was spinning, unrelated to the liquids you’d just absorbed, but because of the bathroom fiasco that had just occurred only moments prior.

You were that caught up in your own thoughts, trying to separate fact from fiction and thought from feeling, that you completely missed the very brunette on your mind stride past the kitchen and into the living area, looking like a man on a mission as he tried to seek out Theo.

It didn’t take him long, he just had significantly more trouble trying to shake off a blonde that refused to let go of his arm, and he found Theo leant against a table, looking worn out, his mind absent from reality.

In the time it took for you to patch Daniel up, it looked as if Theo had faced a war and somehow escaped.

“You okay?” Daniel asked, hand clapping into Theo’s shoulder in an attempt to bring him back to reality.

He jumped, immediately relaxing when he registered just who was standing in front of him.

“I’m fine, but if that…person over there takes another step towards my Grandma, he’s not going to know what hit him.” He answered, finger pointing at a rather suspicious looking man.

“I don’t see a Grandma anywhere.” Daniel pointed out, slightly concerned.

Theo rolled his eyes, as if he’d had to answer the question a million times already, “She’s the purple one on the mantelpiece.” He muttered, taking a swig of whatever was in his glass.

Daniel nodded, feeling guilty for even bringing up the topic, but the completely detached behaviour from Theo was giving him a hard time in focusing on what he actually came over to do.

“Sorry about that, mate.” He apologised, breathing in deeply.

Theo shrugged.

“Anyway, does Y/N still have the same phone number or did she change it?” Daniel questioned, attempting to pretend like the question wasn’t that big of a deal by shrugging and avoiding making eye contact with Theo, but the raise of the eyebrow and curious, piercing blue stare proved that his attempt was futile.

“I knew you still liked her.” Theo chuckled.

“Am I that transparent?” Daniel quipped, pressing his lips together in a tight line.

“Only for me.” Theo grinned, patting Daniel’s cheek.

Daniel pulled a face, swiping Theo’s hand away.

“But no, she’s still got the same number. Why’d you ask?”

Daniel shrugged, already backing away, attention flickering around the room, once again searching for something — the action of which didn’t go unnoticed by Theo, who positively cackled inside, “Just curious.”

“If curious means ‘I-fucked-up-with-a-really-good-person-big-time-and-I-need-to-make-it-up-somehow-before-I-ask-her-out-for-real-this-time-instead-of-practicing-it-in-the-mirror’, then, whatever you say.”

“That was ages ago!”

“People don’t forget!” Theo yelled, smirking in triumph as Dan disappeared around the corner, no doubt searching for you.

You were sitting on the cold, stone steps outside the apartment building, your phone in your hand and debating whether or not to call a taxi or walk home before it gets too dark.

Your thumb was hovering over the call button to your local taxi when the building doors slammed open, the sound of shoes slapping against the concrete as a tall figure leapt down the last three steps, running a hand through their curls in frustration as they looked left, then right, and sighed, reaching into their jacket pocket to produce their phone.

You couldn’t see their face, only the back of their head, but you’d recognise that figure anywhere.

You looked down, your heart stuttering at the sudden buzzing of the phone in your hand.

You narrowed your eyes, resisting the urge to laugh at the hilarity of the situation, and answered the call, lifting the phone up to your ear, your eyes fixated on the pacing figure on the pavement, watching him from your spot at the top corner of the stairs.

“Hello?” The person asked, sounding a bit breathless through the phone.

“Hi.”

“It’s Daniel...Ricciardo.” He winced at his own awkwardness.

“I know. You’re still saved in my contacts.”

“I am?” He replied, tone laced with shock.

You were almost embarrassed to admit that you’d held onto a little shred of hope in thinking he’d eventually get over himself, “You had a paddy with me, remember?”

“About that, I’m really sorry. Like, really, really, really,really, really—”

“I get the idea.” You sighed.

“No, I don’t think you understand how sorry I am for it. It was so insanely stupid of me to stop talking to you because of something I thought I heard in a club — a fucking club of all places — without even thinking of talking to you—”

“Why didn't you talk to me?”

He was silent for a while, and you noticed he’d halted his pacing on the pavement. “I know it sounds like I’m making up excuses, but I really thought you hated my guts, and that...it hurt because I kind of had a bit of a crush on you and I pushed you away because I think a subconscious part of my mind thought that if I did that then it would be better in the long run because I wouldn’t be so attached to you if something went weird later on.” He explained, his voice lowering and quieting towards the end, as if he’d just understood what he didn’t understand.

“That’s...a lot to unpack.” You murmured, noticing the way his shoulders had slumped.

“Yeah...we don’t have to do it right now, though.”

“No, I agree, I think we’d need a nicer place to sort though our emotional struggles than outside Theo’s apartment building.”

“Yeah, it’s a bit weird — what?” He caught himself, spinning around on his heels.

You offered a shy wave once he’d tilted his head in your direction, realising you’d been watching him talk to you the entire time.

“I was looking for you.” He said once he’d hung up the phone, meeting you halfway on the steps.

“Why?”

“Can I walk you home?” He resorted to asking.

_____

The journey home took about twice as long as it usually would, and by the time you’d both made it onto your street, night was beginning to creep through, the sky changing to a darker blue, street lamps beginning to turn on.

The conversation flowed remarkably easily, albeit there was a noticeable hesitance in dancing around that subject, but you pretended not to notice it, and you had a feeling Daniel was trying to do the same.

He kept glancing at you out of the corner of his eye, almost disbelieving of that fact that you were in front of him, even after what he’d put you through, and he had to keep catching himself to ensure you didn’t notice him looking.

You did.

“So, how are you feeling about going back after the Summer Break?”

He stifled a smile, “I don’t know why, but I have a really good feeling about going back. You know what? It has to be those Haribo’s.” He breathed a laugh.

“What? I hand out magic Haribo?” You smirked, shaking your head in disbelief.

“Yep.”

“No.”

“You say that now, but you’ll take it back when I get a podium.”

“When you do win, just don’t go around telling everyone about my magic Haribo.”

“Oh, the Haribo are reserved for me and for me only. It won’t have the same effect if you give some to Lando.”

“I’ll just take your word for it, I guess.”

You breathed a laugh, coming to a halt on the pavement, the familiar house standing to your left.

Daniel looked up.

“I thought you had a Fiesta?” He asked, pointing to the blue Hyaundi parked on the driveway.

“I’m sorry, is my car not up to the standard you’re used to?” You questioned, raising an eyebrow teasingly in his direction.

“Oi, I’ll have you know that I learnt to drive in a — I can’t even remember what model it was, but I do remember having to really press down on the brake…and the air con was broken.” He defended, throwing his hands up as if to say he was surrendering.

You bit your lip, “I learnt to drive in a Mercedes.”

His reaction was priceless.

“A Mercedes? You learnt to drive in a—wow.”

“It was just the company car, I didn’t really have a choice.”

“Still…wow.” He paused, feet tapping the pavement agitatedly, “I have a proposal.”

You met his eyes, unable to help feeling slightly anxious by the prospect.

“Go on.” You encouraged, crossing your arms tightly.

“If I win a GP…wait—can we make a deal?” He asked, throwing his hand out.

You nodded.

“If I win a GP, I get to take you on a date.” He offered, raising one eyebrow but somehow maintaining eye contact.

“But…what’s in it for me?” You smirked.

He scoffed, rolling his eyes, “That’s so rude…but, okay…I take you to Monza, and if—when I win a GP, I get to take you out. For my own sake, I’m gonna pretend like I will win one because I don’t know what I’ll do if I don’t.”

“You’ll win one.” You stated simply, shrugging.

“What makes you so sure of that?”

“Because you’re Daniel Ricciardo, when have you ever not been successful in a car?” You asked, pulling a face as if it was obvious from the get-go.

Daniel didn’t say anything after that. He just sort of looked at you, twisting his mouth up in thought. You couldn’t tell what was going through his mind at that moment in time, but you had a sneaking suspicion he was trying to believe your words.

“You really believe that?” He finally said, a hint of what sounded like insecurity laced in his tone.

“You don’t?” You shot back, your heart breaking slightly at his demeanour.

“I never left.” He mumbled under his breath, turning away from you slightly with furrowed brows, seemingly having a conversation with himself.

You knew those words would stick around in your mind for a long time.

But there was something so addictive about ‘Daniel Ricciardo wins the 2021 Italian Grand Prix’.

#daniel ricciardo #f1 #f1 imagine #f1 oneshot #driver x reader #daniel ricciardo imagine #daniel ricciardo oneshot #mclaren #daniel ricciardo x reader #enemies to lovers #f1 fanfiction #fluff #angst

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one-boring-person · 3 years

Note

Hey!

I was wondering if I could request a Rambo x reader set in the first movie, if that’s alright, where the reader sees him walking through town and knows that Sheriff Teasle will try to bully him out of town so she pulls over and lies about them being old friends and then they go to eat or something? And the reader actually treats Rambo like a human being and thanks him for his service to his country when she finds out he is a veteran. Oh and could the reader be female please? Thank you very much! If not then that’s totally fine 😊

And I also wanted to say that your writing is amazing!!! And the reason I ended up watching Rambo in the first place 😆

Hope you have a great night/day!

Nfhfhhhf thank you so much! I'm so glad you like my stuff! And I got you into Rambo? Hell yeah!😂 I liked this request a lot, so I hope I've done it justice!

Respect Me.

John Rambo (First Blood) x reader

Warnings: mentions of war, mentions if death

Masterlist

For once, the truck sound system seems to be playing the tape flawlessly, lacking the usual stuttering and skipping it generally likes to include in the soft flow of music. Idly, I tap my fingers along with the gentle beat, the steering wheel moving easily in my grip as I guide the beaten pick-up truck out onto the main road, falling in line with the other traffic around me. The vehicle shudders a little as I change the gears, the old truck having never liked to do anything it should do, slowly moving into a more sustainable pace as I lean back in my seat, keeping my eyes trained on the road, with a half-eye kept on the sidewalk and nearby shops. A few Christmas decorations adorn the homely stores, though it's mostly left dull and bleak, as this town always has been. Once again, I find myself wishing I could just move away from here, start a new life somewhere else.

Ahead of me, the traffic slows, allowing someone to turn into the main flow, giving me the time to glance out of the window, scanning the sidewalk a little way away. Oddly, a familiar police vehicle has pulled up just past a nearby junction, the driver leaning out of the window to talk to someone on the pavement, who I have yet to be able to see. The car is Sheriff Teasle's, the knowledge of which does not sit well with me - If he's pulled someone over, it's not for a good reason.

Checking my mirrors, I indicate off towards the sheriff, leaving the main flow as I follow the curb round, finally able to see who Teasle is talking to. Just as I feared, it looks as if he's pulled up a random person for yet another unfair interrogation. Frowning, I regard the solemn-looking man with interest, trying to ignore the part of me that finds his somewhat crooked features incredibly attractive, taking note of his obvious vagrancy: his hair is long and shaggy, clearly being left uncut for months on end, his dust-strewn parka and faded jeans showing signs of constant wear. From what I can see, Teasle is questioning him, most likely about the guy's purpose in Hope, though he doesn't seem particularly open to this encounter. Making up my mind, I cross my fingers and hope my plan now works.

Pulling up beside the two, I stop the car and climb out, plastering on a convincing grin as I go towards the dark-haired man, greeting him as I go.

"John! I didn't realise you were in town! You should've said something!" I exclaim, pleading the man with my eyes that he'll play along, though it's somewhat unlikely.

He gives me a shocked look, head snapping round at the sound of the name, hard eyes fixing on me with suspicion and hostility, the severity of the expression sending a shudder down my spine. Teasle also looks to me, frowning.

"And to think you were left to walk along here in the cold! Jeez, you really should have called or something, I could've picked you up!" I carry on, praying that he picks up the cue, "Oh, hello there, Sheriff, how are you?"

"Not bad, thanks." Teasle replies tightly, glancing between the man and I, "You know this guy?"

"Oh, yeah. John is a family friend." I lie, smiling brightly at the man in question.

"Yeah, it's been a long while, but I thought it was time to visit again." The man finally chips in, his husky voice stirring up butterflies in my stomach, "Wanted to keep my visit a surprise, though."

"Ah, well! You're here now, at least I can give you a lift back to mine." I offer him, ignoring Teasle's sceptical look.

Giving me a taut smile, which looks more like a grimace, the man steps towards me, shooting the Sheriff a glance as he goes. Doing the same, I smile pleasantly at Teasle, and say my goodbyes, climbing back into my car as my new passenger joins me, sliding cautiously into the seat beside me. Quickly, I pull back out into the traffic, heading away from Teasle as swiftly as possible.

"Thank you for doing that." The dark-haired man murmurs after a moment, his hands clenching around his knees as he forces himself to look out of the windscreen.

"No problem. Teasle's an ass at the best of times, best just to stay away from him." I muse, "Do you want something to eat? There's a good place just down the road from here."

Turning to face me, the man frowns and watches my face, as if for signs of deceit, his quiet nature giving me the impression that he's probably quite acclimatised to being treated as such.

"How do you know my name?" He eventually asks, voice quiet.

Now it's my turn to frown as I glance across at him.

"I don't."

"You called me John earlier. How did you know that's my name?"

Surprised, I double take, now realising how sketchy that must look.

"Your name is John? I had no idea! That's a lucky coincidence, clears up confusion later." I chuckle dryly, "Honestly, I picked the first name that came to mind. I had no idea that it's your actual name."

He watches me for a second longer, eventually appearing happy with my response, looking away again.

"What's your name?" He asks me after a further minute.

"Me? I'm (Y/n). (Y/n) (Y/l/n)."

"John Rambo." John nods, flicking some hair from his face, "And if you're still offering, I'd like to get something to eat, please."

"Of course."

Pulling up to the diner, I park the car, climbing out as I check the cash I have on me, deeming it enough for two decent meals and some drinks, hoping that it won't be too busy at this time of the day. John follows me, leaving his bedroll in the car as we walk into the small restaurant, finding a seat at one of the window booths, sitting opposite each other. He's quiet, scanning the room as soon as he's sat down, body stiff as he unzips his parka, revealing a red woolen jumper underneath. What strikes me most, however, (apart from the obvious planes of rippling muscle) are the silver dog tags hanging around his neck, jingling every so often as he moves.

A waiter comes over to us, handing us menus with a false smile, leaving us alone together again until we've ordered drinks, at which point he returns with the beverages. Stepping away again, John and I are left with some privacy. At this moment, I take a breath and ask him the one question on my mind.

"If you don't mind me asking, are you a soldier?"

John visibly stiffens, eyes hardening a little.

"I was." Is all he says, tone flat.

"Did you serve in Vietnam?" I ask, unable to stop myself as my curiosity gets the better of me.

Once again, John seems reluctant to answer, and instantly starts to glance around, clearly watching for an escape route.

"Yeah." He affirms, gaze returning to me.

Shock fills me at this: I'd heard horrible things about the Vietnam War, about how the soldiers (on both sides) faced terrifying situations that I'd never dream of, my heart stuttering at this admonition.

"Really? That's...wow, that's…" I go to say something, finding myself speechless as I stare at the man before me, admiring him now in a totally new light, "God, you must be a strong person."

He blinks.

"Huh?"

"Well, you've done what I'd never be able to do, you've faced deadly situations, you've probably been in harrowing conditions and fights, I'd never have the strength to do what you did. Very few people do, so you must be a very strong person, mentally." I tell him, still in shock, "You definitely did the country proud, and I respect you for everything you've done. Thank you for that."

He stares at me in shock, eyes wide, lips parted.

"You...What?" Is all he manages, voice hitching.

"I respect you, and admire your bravery. You're a better person than any of the rest of us ever could be." I repeat, smiling gently at him.

For a long moment, he doesn't say anything, his expression remaining as it is, his body tense as he processes what I've said, clearly not quite believing me.

"You...respect me?" He stammers, quietly.

"I do." I nod, taking a sip of my soda.

"Thank you." John murmurs, pulling a face as he looks away, "You wouldn't be saying that if you knew what kinda things I've done."

"What you did isn't relevant to me, only that you served the country, and you did it with bravery, so for that, you have my respect." I reassure him, telling him the truth.

John stays silent this time, apparently too overcome for words.

"Do you...do you need somewhere to stay?" I finally break the silence that has descended on us, tapping a rhythm out onto the table.

"No, but I don't want to inconvenience you any more than I already have, so don't worry about it. I'll figure something out." The veteran shrugs, still a little taken aback.

"You're not inconveniencing me, I wouldn't ask if you were. I have space in my house if you want to take it." I offer him, once again smiling across at him.

For the first time, John smiles at me, his features loosening as the expression crosses his face.

"I'll take it."

#sylvester stallone #rambo #sly stallone #john rambo #john rambo x reader #rambo imagine #rambo x reader

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apixrl · 3 years

Text

DRIVER'S LICENSE.

katsuki bakugou x fem! reader

WARNING(S): angst. cheating. swearing because it's bakugou.

word count: 4.5k

song: drivers license // olivia rodrigo (i wonder why...)

note(s): so i captioned this *at the time of writing* 'hello and welcome to i've had the worst two weeks ever so i wrote a katsuki oneshot to cope' and it's probably one of my most personal pieces of writing tbh

"-come Tuesday and we'll potentially see an end to this heavy downpour of rain. Temperatures will be on the rise to around-"

The talk on the radio cut short at the jab of your finger, heaving a great sigh which faded into the muffled pitter-patter of rain from outside. The streets had been showered with heavy downpours for the last week or so, no sign of sun or a still and restful day. Notwithstanding the miserable outdoors, the windscreen wipers on your car never ceased in their duty to grant you a clear view of the road ahead. And whilst you were grateful for their devotion, it didn't feel clear in the slightest. In fact, the road had never felt so blurry.

Shivering against the cold night chill and tucking your knees cosily to your chest, you eyed the raindrops on the windows. They raced against one another before they dripped down to your car's body, their glossy presence obvious thanks to the many hues of street lamps that surrounded them. You could have watched them for hours, being honest. Something about the droplets of water battling it out quite enticing. Anything to take you away from the cruel reality you were living in.

Your heart ached and yearned. But to no avail, the one you ached and yearned for didn't love you back.

Not anymore, at least.

Just the mere thought provoked a pulsating pang to resonate throughout your entire body. A pang filled with grief and sadness. Anger and hurt. You missed his sun-kissed face on the sunny mornings. You missed his eyes and how they gazed at you from across the room. You missed the smiles and laughter he would only show for you and you alone. The sense of glee and euphoria that came with that honour. Yet all of it was gone and there was no way you could get it back.

The memories of what had been triggered more waterworks. Hot, salty tears dug at the corners of your eyes and trickled down your face. Your motionless car concealed your cries and sobs. Every thrash against the wheel as you questioned to nobody in particular what went wrong and why. How you didn't see the signs sooner. What you could have done better. When he stopped loving you. If he ever planned to stop loving you. Whether it would have hurt more if you found out sooner.

All these questions with nothing to answer them.

Katsuki Bakugou had always fascinated you. From the very moment you met. You accompanied your friend on a double date, and he was the guy who she matched for you. Whilst he originally acted as though a blind date was the last place he wanted to be, underneath the aggression you could tell there was something much more genuine and true.

And your assumptions were correct. Truth be told, Katsuki Bakugou was one of the most genuine and truest people you had met (at the time). Once it was just the two of you, he allowed his true colours to unveil. Through the smallest of kind gestures that still haunted your mind to this day. Then upon confrontation, as you bid each other goodbye at your back door, his denial resulted in a flirtatious contest which then proceeded to an intimate night that changed your life forever. From there your mind was set.

He was the one.

Emphasis on was.

So blinded with a fairy tale love you grew so accustomed to, you never saw it coming. Never in your two-year relationship - that had so much strength and commitment built on top of it, never did you think that Katsuki Bakugou would throw it all out of the window like it was nothing. Disregard your loyalty and adoration for a drunken one night stand that slowly became an occasional hookup. Which soon became a mandatory pastime once a fortnight. Then twice. Maybe more than that. You wouldn't put it past him with what you knew now.

He kept it from you for nearly six months. Six months. The only reason you discovered his lies and deception was because you were let off early one night from work. You worked a night shift, see. Your last job had fallen to shambles, and it was temporary whilst you searched for a new one. And whilst that did take a toll on your relationship with Katsuki Bakugou, mostly finding time for intimacy since his working hours were during the day, none of that gave him any right to go and do what he did.

That wasn't one of the only reasons, you knew that for sure. There were other motives for his lack of loyalty. But you were never told. After you froze at the sight of another woman under his hold and stormed straight back to your car to flee. After he chased you down the flights of stairs in nothing but baggy pants into the streets of a twilight Musutafu. After you screamed into the darkness and belted your fists against his chest. Fists that were driven with rage and hurt and every emotion that burned like the hottest of fires and froze like the coldest of ice. He never even told you. He never made an effort to address it. Nor had he attempted to call or even try to visit your Mom's house - where you stayed as you searched for a permanent place to live. Just because you retreated for your car and cried that it was over, he never tried. But that didn't mean you weren't allowed an explanation. An apology. Something to give you a form of closure and a reason to move on. But you never did.

That wasn't even what hurt the most, either.

As silly as it was, the thing that hurt you the most was the very car you sat in.

EIGHT MONTHS AGO . . .

The red glow of traffic lights hit Katsuki's vermilion irises as he stared dead ahead at the long line of vehicles, the ash-blond heaving a sigh into the air. His finger tapped impatiently against the steering wheel he gripped with one hand, the spare rested casually against your upper thigh affectionately.

"I can't believe we have to sit through this torture just to go to some damn party," Katsuki grumbled, taking a glance over at you. His brows furrowed when he met you peacefully slouched down, nose dug into your phone as you presumably played some sort of game to pass the time. Like you had no care in the world for your predicament.

"It's your best friend's birthday, love," You mused back, Katsuki surprised you even listened based on your focused expression directed towards your phone. "It's not like we can just miss it,"

"Yeah, but we could have missed all this pain by taking the train instead of driving across town during rush hour,"

"Trains are icky, the seats would have ruined your suit and my dress," You pointed out, looking at the blond over your screen, sending him a sweet smile. He cocked a brow, a smirk creeping its way onto his lips as a scoff of a laugh broke out between them.

"Right, and laying down like a sloth is gonna help keep your dress uncreased?" He returned, amused at your realisation. At his comment, you sat up faintly and pouted your lip.

"Driving means more time to play Gravity Pops, and so does traffic,"

"Seriously? That's the game you're playing? You're such a dumbass,"

"Yes! I'm in the top 11% globally! I need to get to number one!" Was your protest, your arms flailing ahead of you briefly for dramatic emphasis. Katsuki clicked his tongue and rolled his eyes, though the small smile plastered over his lips betrayed his initial reaction. Unable to deny your determination, he spoke with confidence and almost a sense of pride.

"Number one, hm? Clearly rubbing off on you aren't I?"

"In a way, yes,"

"That's my girl," Katsuki remarked, earning a giggle from you that was uplifting to hear. It was there your attention went back to your phone, but Katsuki wasn't done. "So, speaking of cars, Y/N," Hearing his chosen tone - which sounded suggestive, you eyed him closely. Hesitant to reply as you had a sense of what he planned to say.

"...Yes?"

"Have you thought any more about getting your driver's license yet?"

Called it.

"...No,"

"What?" Katsuki began, tilting his head. He was surprised that he felt surprised. You had said those words in regards to this topic countless times. Still, he persisted. "Is that a no meaning you haven't or no meaning that you don't want to?"

"Both?" You half-guessed, sheepishly grinning at the look you were sent. "Look, cars scare me okay? And so do roads. And people. My nerves wouldn't be able to handle it! I can barely communicate with people face to face, so me being on the road is a recipe for disaster!"

"I know but -," Katsuki exhaled sharply, understanding your reasoning. You had voiced these concerns when confiding to Katsuki about your fears of the road. Something built and corrupted from social media as well as phobias and fears in general, it was a battle you had yet to overcome. You wanted to drive but was terrified of messing up or causing chaos on the road. Potentially inflicting harm to someone and yourself. You still weren't sure what triggered it all, but over the years it had manifested into something quite irrational, to say the least. Katsuki had been supportive of it and whilst he truly would love to always act as your personal taxi - you couldn't hide from it forever. It wasn't his job to keep you in your comfort zone. That, and he couldn't always be there for you that way. What if he was miles away and you had somewhere urgent to go like the hospital? "It's not as scary as you think. I know it's hard to believe that but seriously. The freedom you get from driving is amazing,"

"I'll think about it a little longer, okay?" You said with hesitancy, looking at Katsuki for a sign of confirmation. He nodded in defeat, knowing you probably needed more time and felt put on the spot. So he averted his eyes back to the road to check if the traffic had moved at all. It had not.

"Okay," Katsuki said. "But I can't be your taxi service forever,"

"But I like you being my taxi service," You jokingly said, a little sadness in your tone. "Your road rage is funny and I like watching you get out of the car and walk to my door after pulling up in my driveway,"

"What do you mean?" Katsuki asked, catching the twitch of a smile on your face upon saying those words. It struck his interest in what you could mean.

"You know, like when you say you're coming to pick me up?" You explained. "You pull up at my driveway and I don't know... simple things like that just remind me of how much I love you. It's dumb really, but it's important to me,"

"Really?" Katsuki questioned in disbelief. How something so small and meaningless could mean so much was puzzling. He couldn't understand why it was so special to you. But that didn't invalidate it in any shape or form. So he pushed that aside, replacing his wonder with gratitude. He returned to your bashful and flustered features, feeling a smile grow on his face.

"Yeah," You said, shrugging to downplay your words. "I love you. Stuff like that means a lot to me,"

"I love you too, even though you're a dumbass," Katsuki said, humbled by what you had said. The two of you shared a gentle exchange, your hand grabbing hold of Katsuki's as you gave it a squeeze. He squeezed back, and silence ensued. Had he realised such a thing sooner, then Katsuki would have pulled up in your driveway much more than he had been doing. But at that a thought struck his mind, victoriously smirking as he had an idea on how to potentially sway your worries. Or begin swaying it. Something was better than nothing, after all. "But what if I wanted you to pull up in my driveway one day?" His words caused you to look over at him in curiosity, hearing the seriousness in the question. It caught you off guard momentarily, having to contemplate as you gradually concluded that he had a point.

"Well one day, maybe I will," You vaguely replied and sat up a little bit. The hand holding yours pulled back and lifted to land on your shoulder, gripping reassuringly tight.

"I hope you do, I'd like to get in on this driveway action," He joked and smirked, faith riddled in his expression. You giggled ever so slightly, tempted to lean forward and peck Katsuki on the lips in thanks, but never a thing was to happen as the alerting red light from outside switched to warm amber.

"Ah!" Katsuki yelled in triumph, his attention leaving you swiftly as he got back into the driver's seat. Giving you no opportunity to respond to him and overall ruining the moment. "Took fucking long enough!"

The light turned green, and he set the car in motion, leaving you with your thoughts and the words he had uttered that day as the traffic stood still.

All your efforts, all your time devoted to getting over your fear of driving and the road as a whole... all of it was pointless. You did it for him. You promised him you would overcome your fears and better yourself. He built that motivation up brick by brick until you could grab hold and seize control. He wasted all that time to get you to reach such a stepping stone only to abandon it once it was through.

Just so you could pull up in his driveway, just like he requested. And what did you get in return when you finally did? A stab in the back and the loss of your other half.

You wiped your eyes via the sleeve of your hoodie, dampening the cuffs. Sniffling and exhaling a shaky breath, your gaze landed on nothing in particular. Yet somewhere within your clouded mind, you found interest. As that was where your gaze remained for a certain amount of time. You weren't sure how long exactly. It could have felt like an hour and only been five minutes. Or it could have felt like five minutes and was actually an entire hour. Either way, the clock ticked on and didn't wait for you to stop.

It was a good thing you had pushed your fears down and rose above them. It just pained you that you didn't even do it for yourself. Without Katsuki Bakugou, you never had any intentions of doing so. As a matter of fact, you had set out to take the train or bus for the rest of your life. Hell, you were going to use a bike and scooter if you got desperate. Had he even acknowledged how much work you put in just to get where you were? Was all that effort part of the reason why he decided to cheat? There was absolutely no telling. Absolutely no telling at all.

You wondered what he was doing now. Was he laid in bed resting peacefully? Out with his friends for a boy's night only? Maybe cooking his favourite curry? Possibly on a late-night jog despite the harsh weather? It never stopped him other times.

Did he ever think about you? Regret what he did and the actions he took? Had he ever considered apologising? Would he ever apologise? What if he was celebrating the fact you were no longer in his life? Had there ever been any love there for you in the start? Did he ever actually want you to get your driver's license because he believed in you? Or was it so he could get rid of you with much more ease? Make his departure less severe and less selfish? A way to justify his choices because it's not like you were hopelessly left to suffer everyday life now that you had a means of transport. Was he really that cruel?

Your thoughts were interrupted by the sharp jingle of your phone, the device lighting up as it sat in the passenger seat to your left. It took two or three rings for you to glance over at it, E/C eyes sore and drained from crying out. You squinted them to read the caller, seeing the name 'Work' fade in and out on the brightly lit screen. For a second or two you argued back and forth on whether to even bother picking up. Something about reaching across for your phone requiring a magnitude of energy you no longer possessed. Having spent it all on your cries of agony and the deprivation of your old life as a whole.

However, you had ignored your work in the last couple of weeks too many times now. So many times that pulling the same stunt again would probably risk you losing your job. It's not like your work was interested in why you felt such overwhelming pain... all they cared about was you turning up to do what you were hired to.

So using a forceful hand, you leaned over to pick it up. You fumbled to grip your phone and accepted the call with a dainty tap of your thumb. Then you blinked away your tears and subtly sniffed, pressing your phone to your ear to address the caller.

"Hello?" You practically croaked, quick to clear your throat and push any signs of upset down. It was presumably dry from how much you'd cried in the last two hours.

"L/N! Hey! Glad you finally picked up!" Unlike the droll and unvarying tones of your boss, the person on the other end was much more lively and greeting. So much so you could only assume it was none other than your work colleague, Etsuko. Probably the only person you genuinely liked where you worked, and the only person who made the time pass by faster. "I was worried you were gonna leave me on answer phone again,"

"Hm, what? Oh right. Yeah. Sorry about that. Haven't been feeling too great," You lied, even though it wasn't a complete fib. You hadn't been feeling great at all. You had never felt so rock bottom. It all just originated from your mind over anything else. But when did work care about that?

"Sounds like it, I hope you've been okay!" Still cheery as ever, Etsuko followed up with a laugh to fill the silence you created by not saying anything. "Is everything well? It's nothing serious, is it?"

"No. It's not. Just some dumb cold I caught," You excused. "I'm better now, though," Slouching down in your seat, you decided to ask the question that had been roaming your mind the last minute or so. "So why are you calling?"

"Oh, right!" Etsuko said. "Mr Kobashigawa was just wondering when you planned on coming back - for schedule reasons and to get people to fill in for your shifts,"

"I er...," Not entirely sure how to answer, you stuttered as your words cowered away in your attempt to speak. "I don't -,"

"It's okay, he doesn't need an answer yet," Etsuko reassured. "Maybe in the next day or two, though? He wasn't really specific, being honest,"

You sighed at the guilt brewing in your stomach. You weren't even sick for crying out loud! Why were you lying just so you could wallow in your own sadness?! Like that was going to change anything! Sitting around and crying wasn't going to give you what you wanted. You weren't getting him back. Katsuki Bakugou wasn't yours anymore. He made that clear by cheating. By making minimal effort to give you an explanation. By causing you so much pain with little care or concern. Why couldn't you get it through your thick skull that your feelings didn't matter anymore?! That they were being wasted on a lost cause. A lost relationship!

"Well I mean -," You started, running a hand through your hair as you tread carefully on your words. "I could come in tonight? Has Mr Kobashigawa got someone to fill for me yet?"

"Um... no? I don't think so?" Etsuko answered, uncertainty in her voice. "Let me go check. Be right back!" And with that, the line fell dead. The call didn't end, just Etsuko placing the phone down to get an answer for you. Leaving you all by your lonesome once more.

Reflecting, you could see the logic in your thoughts. The best course of action would be to hold your head up high and live life the way it was before. When you were happy. Just... excluding the factors that actually made you happy. Which was him. Wouldn't that be healthier than crying all the time?

Yes, it would. But was it what you wanted? Not really.

"L/N!" The voice in your ear startled you to the point you nearly dropped your phone, panicking through a gasp as you fiddled to grab hold of it again.

"Wa-! Careful you nearly scared me half to death!"

"Oops, sorry!" Etsuko giggled softy, sounding as perky as ever. "I'm just excited to tell you that nobody's filling in your shift! You can still come in for ten-thirty!"

"I-I can?" You asked. After an upbeat 'yeah!' filtered through your ears, you considered your options. Remaining in the serene, quiet confines of your car with only the downfall of rain to accompany you sounded like utter bliss, given how you felt. But you felt an internal kick up the backside which told you - no... demanded you to just get over this moping attitude of yours and look on the bright side. To get over the lack of closure and simply... move on.

Yeah... if he found out you were an utter train wreck thanks to the damage he inflicted; Katsuki Bakugou would probably revel in it. He had a history of gaining pleasure from other's misfortunes... or it was rumoured he did (during his younger years, anyway). You had never wanted to believe it but you couldn't find a reason to refute it anymore. After all you had been through, it seemed to fit his character and personality more than ever. So with that fact apparent, you held a firm forefront and searched for a determined tone, and made your answer to your friend.

"You betcha I'm coming in! I'll see you in half an hour!"

Too enthusiastic? Probably. Still, it was better than acting pessimistic and hopeless. No matter, however, because that was exactly the attitude Etsuko had been hoping for.

"Alrighty!" She exclaimed, smile audible in her voice from the other end. "I can't wait to get our dynamic duo going again! I've missed you!"

"Yeah, me too, 'Suko," You hummed in agreement.

"Great! Catch ya later my partner in crime,"

"Heh. You too, dumbass," You found a reason to smile from her childish behaviour, though your choice of wording seemed to hit a nerve. It did more than that, it practically reverted all that confidence and progress you had made in the last ten minutes of being on the phone. All from one innocent word that escaped your lips.

Dumbass.

That's what he used to call you.

The phone call had ended without you even noticing, your phone still pressed to your ear as a small buzz sounded into it. You stared dead ahead, flashes of all the times he had said that word to you running through your memory. It was his form of a pet name. Some might see it as a little degrading on the surface, but you never minded. Once you learned the deeper meaning of the name, it became something equivalent to the likes of 'Sunshine' or 'Angel'. If anything, you ended up preferring it to those sorts of nicknames. Hence why Katsuki Bakugou had called you it on so many occasions.

No. Stop it. You can't let something like that bother you. Not after the efforts you just went to. Stop. Shaking yourself out of it, you returned to reality and permitted your phone to drop onto your lap. Your hand once holding it gripped onto your steering wheel, the other following shortly behind to do the same.

"I love you too, even if you're a dumbass,"

That rung in your head one final time, tormenting and mocking your present. The things you'd be willing to do to hear him say that to you one last time...

"No," You firmly shook your head, banging it lightly against the headrest to return yourself to reality. An attempt to knock those words to the back of your mind where you could lock them in a securely tight safe for the rest of eternity. "Just... just don't think about it. Easy. Just focus on what you're doing now," You reached for your keys which sat in the ignition, taking hold and turning them ever so slightly. Your car stirred to life, engine rumbling and the dials lighting up in a form of warm greeting. "You're going to work. No more feeling sorry for yourself,"

No more feeling sorry for yourself.

Your eyes set themselves on the road ahead. The vacant, dark and solitary road that didn't wait for you to make your decision. Life moved on after all, so if you were going to do anything - it was to catch up and take the winning lead.

So despite your circumstances; your inner desires and wishes and begs for what you wanted back but to no avail would ever get, you pulled out of your parking space (which had long exceeded the time limit, thankfully nobody was around to see) that drowned in pitiful rains of the night, and began to make your way down the street. In search of a place better than the one you were trapped in.

An endless road that wasn't all that clear, you were going to tackle it. Not for anyone else, unlike the last time you met difficulty and hardships. No, no, no. This time it was for your sake. All the mental energy to recover and become a better version of yourself, in the endgame it was all for you. You could push past all the deceit and lies you had been told and you could push past your normality which was him. Katsuki Bakugou. The man that hurt you as nobody had ever done before. You could create new normality without him.

A thought of forever he created and destroyed, resorted to driving alone past his street, never to be thought of again.

#katsuki bakugō #katsuki bakugo x reader #bnha bakugo katsuki #bnha x reader #mha x reader #bakugou x reader #anime x reader #anime #x reader #angst #katsuki bakugou x female reader #katsuki bakugou x you #katsuki x y/n #katsuki bakugou

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destieltropecollection · 3 years

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Destiel Trope Collection 2021 | Day 3: Angst with a Happy Ending

39 fics under the readmore

Conditional Miracle | @vampamber

Rating: Teen & Up Word Count: 1,551 Main Tags/Warnings: season 12 finale, in-canon temporary character death, love confession Summary: Chuck can bring Castiel back to life, but only on one condition: Dean has to tell Castiel how he feels about him. Not that "You're family, Cas" stuff, but how Dean actually feels. A coda for s12e23 "All Along the Watchtower" (a bit late, but better late than never)

Sharp edges | @chaoticdean

Rating: General Word Count: 1,638 Main Tags/Warnings: Major Character Death, (although he does come back at the very end), Temporary Character Death, Grief/Mourning, Emotional Hurt, Angst with a Happy Ending, Letters, Five Stages of Grief, post spn 15x18spn coda, Post-Episode: s15e18 Despair, written several months before the actual episode Summary: Castiel told him he loved him right before getting swallowed up by the Empty. Sam told him to talk, but words won’t come out, and really, how is he supposed to tell anyone how it feels to lose everything? So he writes. Letters on napkins, motel notepads, paperback books. He writes as he goes through every steps of grief, until finally there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.

What the Water Gave Him | @mattzerella-sticks

Rating: Teen & Up Word Count: 1,794 Main Tags/Warnings: Post-Canon, Implied/Reference Character Death, Sam Finds Out Summary: It was over. Chuck lost, Sam and Dean can live their lives how they want them. But their victory wasn't without losses. The biggest upset nearly taking Dean out of the game, happening so close to the final battle. Now he's on the other side, alive against all odds, but Sam knows he isn't happy. Not truly happy since the Empty stole his best friend. But there's a chance they can save him. A slim chance. A risk that Dean's willing to take despite every logical nerve in Sam's body screaming at him to look for better options. That threading a needle this small is too dangerous. That they don't have to take on another big bad, not anymore. That they don't have to risk their lives anymore. Dean is far past the point of listening. Dead set on this mission, Sam can only watch. And pray his brother proves him wrong.

A Classic Fear Of Rejection | @vampamber

Rating: General Word Count: 1,841 Main Tags/Warnings: pining, anxious Cas, Dean has self worth issues, love confession Summary: Castiel has been in love with Dean for almost ten years now. Ever since he'd raised the Righteous Man from perdition, actually. But Dean appears to be straight, so the angel just pined for him instead, fearing rejection. At Sam's insistence, Castiel finally admits his feelings, and it turns out that the angel may have been wrong about the elder Winchester's orientation.

The Things You Almost Say (But Never Do) | @wingsdestiel

Rating: Teen & Up Word Count: 1,967 Main Tags/Warnings: Light Angst, First Kiss, Love Confessions, Angst with a Happy Ending, Canonverse, Season 11 Summary: Team Free Will hasn't been much of a team lately, and Castiel wishes that Dean would stop avoiding everything.

Forget Me Not | @imbiowaresbitch

Rating: Explicit Word Count: 2,932 Main Tags/Warnings: top Castiel/bottom Dean Winchester, Hurt/Comfort, Car Accidents, Hospitals, Amnesia, Temporary Amnesia, Therapy, Makeup Sex, Marriage Proposal, Married Castiel/Dean Winchester, Angst with a Happy Ending Summary: A tragic accident during an argument leaves Cas with a head injury and amnesia, but Dean is determined to stay by his husband's side, even when the memories that return are painful. Can they move past the memories?

Forgetting Your Blues | @amirosebooks

Rating: Mature Word Count: 3,440 Main Tags/Warnings: Season 12 finale fix-it, amnesia, temporary main character death, fluff and angst, getting together, openly bisexual Dean Winchester Summary: Dean Jones doesn't know his real name. He woke up on a public park bench a few months back with an empty wallet and a driver's license listing the name Dean Jones with his picture. The name doesn't feel right on his tongue, but he doesn't remember what part is wrong. The cop who found him in the park got Dean a job in a local diner. The diner feels comfortable to Dean. He understands the rhythm of the place, the ebb and flow of the people and food, even if he's clearly never carried a tray of hot plates in his life. He settles into his new life. He makes new friends. He takes beautiful women and men and people to his bed for comfort on long nights. He has nightmares about blood covering his hands. Who is he? Why has no one come looking for him? What has he done? Why did he fall apart when he saw a guy wearing a tan trenchcoat?

I NEED YOU | @cooloddball

Rating: Explicit Word Count: 3,675 Main Tags/Warnings: Angst with a Happy Ending, Smut, Making up Summary: Sam is so done with Dean and Cas' bullshit. Time to get some things sorted out.

Even if the sky gets rough | @notfunnydean

Rating: Explicit Word Count: 5,360 Main Tags/Warnings: Fuck Or Die, cursed!Dean, dubcon, Top Castiel/Bottom Dean Winchester, First Kiss, Angst with a Happy Ending, Angst and Hurt/Comfort, Misunderstandings Summary: Dean can’t believe he got cursed again. Only this time it’s a lot worse, because if he can’t find someone to fuck him… well, he dies.

spes alit et falit. | @celestialsilhouette

Rating: Teen & Up Word Count: 5,524 Main Tags/Warnings: djinn fic, angst with a happy ending, first time Summary: ~hope sustains and deceives~ Dean wakes up with a gasp. He shoots up in his bed, panting, heart pounding, and wide awake. He grips the sheets in his hands tightly and swivels his head to look around the room, making a half-aborted movement to reach under the pillows for the gun he knows always lies there, the smooth metal familiar and comforting. He doesn’t recognize where he is.

Don't Call Me Demon | @angzlicas

Rating: Explicit Word Count: 6,432 Main Tags/Warnings: Demon!Dean, MOC!Dean, Human Castiel, Angst with a Happy Ending, Smut, Canon Compliant, Top!Dean, Bottom!Cas Summary: Dean’s shouting at this point, his eyes pure black again, and Castiel can feel the anger and panic tainting the room. It’s charged with emotion, even though most demons are incapable of feeling anything other than hatred and malice. It feels like fear. Or the one where Cas wants to take the mark from Dean

Life in prison | @notfunnydean

Rating: Explicit Word Count: 7,084 Main Tags/Warnings: Hurt Dean Winchester, Dean had to steal food to eat, Dean had sex for money in this, Thief Dean Winchester, almost murderer Castiel, Semi-Public Sex, implied bottom dean Winchester, Non-Penetrative Sex, Soft Dean Winchester, almost rape (non Destiel), Angst with a Happy Ending, First Kiss, First Time, Alternate Universe - PrisonPrisonAlternate Universe, Prison Sex Summary: When Dean gets arrested for stealing food, he has to face prison at 21. He is scared and his cellmate seems a bit harsh too. Will he warm up to him eventually? Or could he even fall in love with a prisoner?

Four of Swords | @mattzerella-sticks

Rating: No Rating Word Count: 7,127 Main Tags/Warnings: Post-Canon, Human Cas, Baths, Dean Winchester has Self-Worth Issues, Castiel Takes Care of Dean Summary: The Four of Swords, in the present position, means you don't want to interact with the rest of the world. Because of stress, you need to spend some time with yourself - unhealthy always being 'on'. That the healthiest thing to do is to escape. Dean might crave escape, but it's not something he thinks he can have. Something he deserves, even. After his and Sam's most recent hunt, this cancerous feeling has grown heavy and weighs him down. He cannot escape on his own, as best he tries. Luckily a guardian 'former angel' angel swoops in at his lowest. Helps pick up the pieces as best he can and lovingly put them back together. But he can only do so much. The rest is up to Dean. Can Dean take those final steps, say those final words, and finally free himself?

Free To Be Us | @imbiowaresbitch

Rating: Explicit Word Count: 8,011 Main Tags/Warnings: Omega Castiel/Alpha Dean Winchester, Explicit Sexual Content, Anal Sex, Switching, Rimming, Blow Jobs, Claiming Bites, Semi-Public Sex, Kidnapping, emancipation, broken bonds, Suicide attempt mentioned, Implied/Referenced Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism, Angst and Fluff and Smut, Angst and Hurt/Comfort, Smut, Strangers to Lovers, Alternate Universe - Dystopia Summary: In a Dystopian world, Alphas and Omegas are rare. So rare that they meet only at semi-annual, semi-corrupt conventions organized by Betas, all for the purpose of breeding. Dean is one such Alpha, prized more for his seed than for himself, and untouched. Raised to value the system, he's about to have his world turned upside down, and it all starts with a decadent scent.

Not Here for Me | @mattzerella-sticks

Rating: Teen & Up Word Count: 8,113 Main Tags/Warnings: Alternate Universe - Humans, Alternate Universe - 2000s, Gay Bars, Closeted Dean Winchester, John Winchester's A+ Parenting, references to Dean's bad childhood Summary: If he had the choice, Dean never would have stepped foot inside this place. But Sam was curious - and curious is a hell of a lot better than the depression that clung to him day after day since Jess left him. So Dean swallows his pride, joins Sam as his babysitter. So he won't get find himself in any trouble. Trouble, however, is more likely to find Dean. In the bowels of his personal hell, can Dean resist temptations that have plagued him his entire life? Or will someone descend and lend a hand, showing Dean that the darkness he imagined only lived inside his own mind. And all that he feared was not as he seemed if he let himself step out of the shadows of his past.

Bearing A Heart | @lockandk3yfiction

Rating: Mature Word Count: 9,421 Main Tags/Warnings: Female Castiel (Supernatural); Castiel in a Female Vessel (Supernatural); Genderbending; Pregnant Castiel (Supernatural); Possessive Castiel (Supernatural); Miscommunication; Running Away; Death Threats; Angst with a Happy Ending; Abundant Mention of Death pertaining to an unborn child Summary: Castiel believes she is becoming more human in the way that she sleeps and eats. It’s a repercussion of falling after all. Nothing more, nothing less. It’s what she gives up to maintain her relationships with the people that she cares about. But what if she shared more than a “last night on Earth” with Dean Winchester? When Castiel learns that she is bearing the heart of another living being, the angel decides to do all in her power to protect her child.

Take Your Human Charge To Work Day (WIP) | @pointyearedelvishprincling

Rating: Mature Word Count: 11,222 Main Tags/Warnings: mutual pining, fluff and smut, case fic, top!castiel/bottom dean winchester, canon typical violence, angst with a happy ending, love confession, castiel dream walking, memory alteration, Summary: Written in third person with alternating POV of Dean & Cas. Something's changed between Dean and Castiel. Dean asks Cas to take him along wherever it is the angel goes when he's not around the Winchesters. He's curious, that's all. No feelings involved. It'll be fun. Dean's ready for Cas to take the wheel on their adventure, but turns out some feelings aren't so easy to repress when it's just the two of you. Cas needs some time alone. It's a heavy burden hearing Dean's longing like a constant prayer while Cas is trying to resist his own feelings. Now he's stuck in LA on a case that could have taken him minutes to solve, and Dean is very distracting. Why is it they can only let their guards down when faced with losing the other?

Scentless | @destielshipper4cas

Rating: Explicit Word Count: 11,416 Main Tags/Warnings: Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Past Abuse, Getting Together, Alpha Dean, Omega Cas Summary: Cas lost his mate and his scent a year ago when his scent gland was burned in order to brand him as a barren omega. Ever since then, he has been trying to pass as a beta, hiding his mutilated scent gland under the collar of his shirts. This works pretty well for him, until he meets alpha Dean Winchester, who turns his life upside down.

Mated (WIP) | @destielshipper4cas

Rating: Explicit Word Count: 14,721 Main Tags/Warnings: Falling in Love, Strangers to Lovers, Internalized Homophobia, Dean in Denial about Sexuality, Alpha Cas, Alpha Dean, Bottom Cas, Top Dean Summary: Of course, if Dean had known that it was possible for an alpha to mate another alpha, he would never have let himself get carried away and bitten the hot alpha’s mating gland in the throes of passion. It wasn’t like he was into alphas, after all… Right? Having accidentally mated the most awesome alpha, he might have to rethink some things about himself as he gets to know his mate and starts falling for him.

Scented | @destielshipper4cas

Rating: Explicit Word Count: 19,298 Main Tags/Warnings: Hurt/Comfort, Past Abuse, Mpreg, Alpha Dean, Omega Cas, Top Dean, Bottom Cas Summary: Cas could not believe that a sweet and sexy alpha like Dean was interested in him—burned and barren omega, social outcast with an abusive ex-mate. To make their new relationship work, they have to figure out how to deal with Cas’ insecurities, society’s prejudices, and a surprise here and there along the way…

Tacoma | @ellis-park

Rating: Mature Word Count: 20,055 Main Tags/Warnings: Canon divergent, season 15 breakup, angst with a happy ending Summary: After an explosive fight, Castiel leaves the bunker and Dean decides to let him go. As Cas ventures halfway across the country on a journey to find himself, Dean reevaluates what he needs from life. And what he needs is Cas.

I Will Hang My Head Low | @andimeantittosting

Rating: Mature Word Count: 22,403 Main Tags/Warnings: Fairytale/Folklore AU, Sick Cas, Temporary MCD, Grief/Mourning, Boy King!Sam Summary: Dean Winchester gave up hunting when his brother became the prophesied Boy King of Hell. Now he ekes out a meager living, chopping wood for a nearby village, until one snowy night, he follows what appears to be a falling star, and encounters an injured angel. Afterwards, he tries to put the strange night from his mind. When he meets Castiel, a mysterious man with healing powers, they form an instant connection, and the more Dean learns of Castiel's powers—to heal, to protect, to purify—the more he begins to hope that Sam can be saved. But as they prepare to save Sam, Castiel grows sick, and then sicker still. Too late, Dean learns how much Castiel is willing to sacrifice for him. Inspired by the Decemberists' Crane Wife and the Japanese myth on which it is based.

The Awakening | Eggplant47 (A03)

Rating: Explicit Word Count: 39,144 Main Tags/Warnings: Alternate Universe--Human, past child abuse (not explicit), past rape (not explicit), past child sexual abuse (just mentioned), Drug Use, Drunk Driving, Prostitution (past), Infidelity (not between Dean and Cas), Switching Summary: Dean Winchester had always lived on the surface of life, but a bump on the head and his young, blue-eyed brother-in-law are about to push him into the deep.

Lost Together | @imbiowaresbitch

Rating: Explicit Word Count: 40,551 Main Tags/Warnings: Castiel/Lucifer (Supernatural), bottom Castiel/top Dean Winchester, Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics, Alternate Universe, Witch Castiel (Supernatural), Familiars, Animal Abuse, Animal Death, Minor Character Death, Racism, Homophobic Language, Canon-Typical Violence, Depression, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, True Mates, Alternate Universe - Modern with Magic, Mating Cycles/In Heat, Explicit Sexual Content, Claiming Bites, Knotting, Mpreg, Happy Ending, Shapeshifting Summary: Castiel is a powerful Omega witch, but even his magic can’t save him and those around him from his ex, Lucien. When his familiar is brutally killed, Cas vows never to take another familiar because he can’t imagine risking another animal’s life. A wolf roaming his property has other ideas. Meanwhile, his new neighbour, an Alpha named Dean, is worming his way into his heart in a way that Cas can’t resist. Can the two souls overcome danger, broken hearts, and secrets together, or will they remain lost? Through tragedy and misunderstandings, Dean and Cas are destined to be together. But destiny’s road can be deadly.

The Driver | @friendofcarlotta

Rating: Explicit Word Count: 40,963 Main Tags/Warnings: Canon-Typical Violence, Mechanic Dean Winchester, Stunt Driver Dean Winchester, Getaway Driver Dean Winchester, Convenience Store Clerk Castiel, Waiter Castiel, Kid Fic, Single Father Castiel, Angst with a Happy Ending, Minor Character Death, Top Castiel/Bottom Dean Winchester, Inspired by "Drive" (2011) Summary: Dean Winchester is a mechanic and occasional movie stunt driver living in LA. Most people don't know that Dean also drives getaway cars for armed robberies. For months now, Dean has been nursing a crush on his neighbor, a single father named Castiel. When a violent turf war between Dean's boss and a rival gangster threatens to compromise the safety of Castiel and his son, Dean makes a choice that will change his life forever.

(You Don’t Have To) Say You Love Me | @darknessbound3

Rating: Explicit Word Count: 44,379 Main Tags/Warnings: Heavy Angst, Top!Cas/Bottom!Dean, Separation, Reconciliation, Pining Summary: Six months after Castiel walked out on a twelve year marriage to Dean, he decides it’s time for a divorce. Dean, on the other hand, isn’t so sure, and is willing to stop at nothing to win his husband back.

The (Un)Buried Past | @gii-heylittleangel

Rating: Mature Word Count: 53,282 Main Tags/Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence, Deaths, Gore and Blood, Angst, Intense Violence and use of guns, background relationships, Implied Smut Summary: After six years of living as a civilian, Dean has gotten rusty when it comes to defending himself. But, when the past comes knocking down everything in its way, Dean has to sink back into his old skin to get back what he wants. Ad what he finds out during the journey is not what he wants.

A Driver Worth His Salt | @thefandomsinhalor

Rating: Explicit Word Count: 67,844 Main Tags/Warnings: Graphic Depiction of Violence, Mafia AU Vibe, BAMF Castiel, Top Castiel/Bottom Dean, Trauma Summary: The job is simple: drive the passenger a few times a week to yet-undisclosed locations and return with said passenger without fail. Be on time. Be discreet. And never interact with each other outside of work. Once twenty-year-old Dean meets the passenger in question—the sharply dressed and rough-looking Castiel Novak—he finds that abiding by those shady rules may be more complicated than he had anticipated.

All the Night Tide | @funnywings

Rating: Mature Word Count: 72,315 Main Tags/Warnings: Pirate AU, Golden Age of Piracy, Mythology and Lore, Temporary Major Character Death, Pirate!Castiel, Friends to Enemies to Lovers, Angst with a Happy Ending Summary: Kidnapped for ransom by his childhood best friend, Dean is eager to return home and escape the pirate ship that has become his prison. But when Castiel sets his sights on a dangerous new quest, Dean chooses to stay by his side, even if it means facing down Death itself.

help me get where I belong (WIP) | ravenkings (AO3)

Rating: Mature Word Count: 73,437 Main Tags/Warnings: alcoholism, substance abuse, referenced child abuse, referenced assault, extensive crafting Summary: Dean Winchester just needs to get through a quick three-month stint in rehab to appease his little brother, then he'll be back to boozing away the rest of his short, shitty life. Except he kind of likes the group therapy leaders for AA, he's getting way better at watercoloring, and the crazy-haired guy on the NA side of the ward keeps winking at him.

Missing | @kitmistry

Rating: Explicit Word Count: 93,025 Main Tags/Warnings: Slow Burn, Murder Mystery, Post-Breakup, Mutual Pining, Heavy Angst, Minor Character Death, John Winchester's A+ parenting Summary: Two years ago Dean Winchester broke his heart. Now he's at Castiel's doorstep, asking for his help, but there's nothing Dean can say that will convince Castiel to listen. Or so he thinks. Faced with the news of Sam's disappearance, he decides to put his anger aside and follows Dean to a rural town in Nebraska, where they end up tangled in the missing girl investigation Sam was looking into. With an unknown threat closing in on them and all the things left unsaid between them about to be revealed, Castiel and Dean race against time to find Sam before it's too late.

All the Reasons We Are Real | @charlies-secret-closet and @jupiticas

Rating: Explicit Word Count: 96,466 Main Tags/Warnings: Slow burn, Mutual Pining, Hurt/Comfort, Angst and Fluff, Canon Adjacent, Sam Winchester Ships Destiel, Destiel Fluff, Abusive John Winchester, Suicidal Thoughts, Eventual Happy Ending, Blood and Injury, Charlie Ships Destiel, Self Worth Issues, Major Angst, You Will Cry, Summary: Sam is tired of it. Tired of the staring contests and the eye-sex and the 'standing two inches apart' thing. With a little help from Rowena and Heller-Queen-Charlie, Sam becomes the matchmaker: and tries to make his ship canon. Meanwhile, Cas is hiding a painful secret about a certain deal, and Dean is hiding his deepest truth. Until one night, when their long-awaited happiness becomes their greatest sorrow. Written in the original canon universe, this fic uses many canon scenes from the series to show that Destiel doesn't need fanfiction to be real. It has always been there, it will always be there, and it is REAL.

Twenty-Nine Steps | @scones-and-texting-and-murder

Rating: Explicit Word Count: 113,621 Main Tags/Warnings: underage, rape/noncon , PTSD, past child abuse, child sexual abuse, suicidal thoughts, repressed memories Summary: At the age of forty, Dean Winchester has a strong, loving marriage, a successful business, and a young nephew he absolutely dotes upon. He and Cas are living the kind of life Dean never thought was meant for him, one where the future stretches out before them, solid and bright. When a series of small and seemingly unrelated events coalesce into a larger, horrifying realization, he’s rocked to his very core. With so much of what he thought he knew about himself ripped away, he’s trapped between confronting the trauma of his past and believing he’s worthy of the life he’s built.

Still Breathing | @casbelieves

Rating: Explicit Word Count: 124,924 Main Tags/Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence, Rape/Non-con, Drug Use, Self-Harm, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, Mentions of Suicide, Alternate Universe - High School, Alternate Universe - Reunion, Angst, First Love, Unrequited Love, Foster Care, Smut, Switch!Cas, Switch!Dean, Angst With a Happy Ending Summary: Castiel has no reason to trust anyone. As a teenager in the foster care system, he’s experienced horrific and unspeakable acts of violence and abuse that will haunt him for the rest of his life. When he arrives in Pacifica, CA, as the newest addition to the Singer’s foster family, the last thing he expects is to develop a deep and unbreakable bond with the boy-next-door, Dean Winchester. But Dean isn��t as in control of his own life as it seems, and the two struggle to navigate homophobia, trauma, and the pressures of an impending adulthood. When they meet again as young adults, eight years after their falling out, they are given a chance to rekindle a fire that never truly went out.

Patient Love (WIP) | @chaoticdean

Rating: Explicit Word Count: 152,765 Main Tags/Warnings: Alternate Universe - Modern Settings, US Navy SEAL Dean Winchester, Journalist Castiel, Implied/Referenced Drug Addiction, War Injury, PTSD, Grief/Mourning, Friends to Strangers to Friends to Lovers, Misunderstandings, Angst With a Happy Ending, Switch Dean/Switch Cas Summary: Castiel Novak is 27 when he suddenly loses his twin brother Jimmy, and his whole world turns to ashes. After 10 years as a Navy Special Warfare Operator, a battlefield injury forces 28-year-old Chief Petty Officer Dean Winchester to chose between being stuck behind a desk for the rest of his career or going back to civil life. Things are already complicated and painful enough as it is, but when former lovers Dean Winchester and Castiel Novak meet again after 10 years of radio silence and a galaxy of wounds and scars solidly standing between them, it feels like both a curse and a blessing has been placed on them both. Is there any hope in putting back their broken pieces together after a decade, and how do you deal with grief and broken dreams?

The Offering | @deans-jiggly-pudding

Rating: Explicit Word Count: 167,703 Main Tags/Warnings: Incubus!Castiel, AU - high school, John Winchester’s A+ parenting, rape/non-con elements, heavy angst with a happy ending Summary: As a pastor's son, Dean Winchester is expected to be all the things he's not: the church poster child, compliant with every plan his father has for him, and of course, straight. Fighting the confines of his father's faith and the control it has over his life, Dean is caught in the middle of a teen lock-in activity that will change his life. The boys accidentally summon an incubus named Cas, and his demands are clear. Dean discovers Cas to be everything he expected... Yet, even the darkest of creatures has secrets of his own. Can they be together, despite who they are, and despite everything designed to keep them apart?

A Ghost Story (WIP) | @valleydean

Rating: Explicit Word Count: 248,988 Main Tags/Warnings: Temporary Character Death, Alternate Universe - 19th Century, Angst with a Happy Ending, Slow Burn, Gardener Dean Winchester, Rich Castiel (Supernatural), Hunter Dean Winchester, Period-Typical Homophobia, References to Depression, Implied/Referenced Suicide, Suicide, Magic, College | University Student Dean Winchester, Ghost Castiel (Supernatural), Haunted Houses, Established Relationship, Established Castiel/Dean Winchester, Arranged Marriage, POV Dean Winchester, POV Castiel (Supernatural), Witch Hunters, Animal Death, Alternate Universe - Past Lives, Top Castiel/Bottom Dean Winchester, Mutual Pining, Slow Build, Secret Relationship, Alternate Universe - Reincarnation, Soulmates Summary: Castiel Novak has haunted his family's estate for 150 years, awaiting the return of his lost love. Upon their reunion, Dean Winchester learns of his past reincarnation. After the night of Castiel's resurrection, the two try to find out why they've been given a second chance. The answers may be hidden in the forgotten memories of Dean's former life - but sometimes the truth is better left buried.

Time Won’t Let Me | Aketch-22 (AO3)

Rating: Explicit Word Count: 253,520 Main Tags/Warnings: Non Explicit Sex, Closeted Castiel, Hurt Comfort, Harry Potter Crossover, Angst and Feels Summary: Entering his 5th year of the Voldemort-controlled Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, muggle-born Dean Winchester is faced with the prospect of the Choosing - a ceremony where twelve students are picked based on blood status to participate in the Mudblood Games. In the Games, the tributes are transported to Purgatory. If you're the first to find your way to the portal out, you become part of Voldemort's world - and if you're not, you die. Will Dean, Sam, Castiel and the others be Chosen, or will they simply have to sit by and watch their friends suffer at the hands of the cruelest supernatural threat the trio have ever faced?

The Exceptional Bad Boy | @thedevil-is-in-the-details

Rating: Explicit Word Count: 329,619 Main Tags/Warnings: Alternate Universe - High School, Bottom Castiel / Top Dean Winchester, Bottom Dean Winchester / Top Castiel, Past Rape / Non-con, Angst with a Happy Ending, Slow Burn, Alcohol Abuse / Alcoholism, Drugs, Suicide Attempt, Fluff and Smut, Tattoed Castiel, Depression, Anxiety, Self-harm, Stalking, Minor Character Death Summary: Again, they move to a new town and Dean is so sick of always moving around and always being the new kid at school. And he wants something better for his little brother Sam. But their father can't manage to keep a job for longer than two months. No matter where they are, there is one thing that is always the same though. Dean's reputation as bad boy. It was never a problem that there were already other bad boys because Dean was always the worst. But now, he has keen competition – Castiel Novak. Covered in tattoos, drinking, smoking, doing drugs, breaking other people's noses... Novak's reputation precedes him. But that he's still different than every bad boy Dean's ever met is pretty clear though, from the very first moment they meet.

#destiel trope collection 2021 #day 3 #angst with a happy ending #destiel #fanfic #supernatural #saving blogs; queuing things; the tumblr business

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