#laniquelove

[h3llostrang3r]

I love the feel of a new book.

So excited to read The 34th Floor written by our very own @llholloway . 💛💙

[my-glitter-heart]

Unrequited

Important :My MC is Viktoria Petit, and my King Liam is called King Istvan

Rating:  Mature theme, some violence / guns, swearing.

Disclaimer : Characters are Pixelberry's, not mine, this is just for fun & I don't make any money from it.  

Masterlist

This fic has been written as part of the April Challenge set by @laniquelove : April 20th: Bring the Angst - it's nice to have a go at writing someone different - so here is a bit of Drake for all of you.  Although this is utter angst, I want Drake to be so so happy in the future, just not in this wee one piece ;)  

Thank you for your support friends.  He's not a character I have written much so as always appreciate any comments or constructive feedback - I hope that you enjoy this x

Enjoy - VP 💖

---

“NOOOOOOO.......!!” He sat bolt upright in the bed, his hands knotted in his thick dark hair, his heart racing as if threatening to burst out of his chest. He was only wearing boxer shorts, and the sheet on the bed was thin, but he was soaked in a cold sweat: just the way he was every other night he was jolted out of his slumber by the vision of the masked man in front of him. Every night when closed his eyes, he saw Petit standing there in her beautiful pink ball gown, hair a mass of raven curls, her pale blue eyes smiling. Laughing and carefree for the first time since the Tariq scandal broke, his best friend’s ring glittering on her finger. Then suddenly her face changed; the smile gone. Her eyes wide, recoiling in fear as she looked down the barrel of the assassin’s revolver... He couldn’t let it end like this; he had to do something, he had to stop this...

BANG

His muscular chest heaved as he tried to calm his breathing.  He rubbed his shoulder where the bullet had ripped through his skin, the newly-formed scar tissue numb beneath his fingertips.  Groaning, he stepped out of bed, padding across the room and hall to the bathroom.  He braced his arms against the sink, looking at himself in the mirror.  He looked tired.  'No wonder,' he thought, 'When was the last night I actually slept right through?'  He splashed his face with water and patted it dry with a towel, flipping the light off and heading back to bed. He lay flat on his back, wide awake as the moonlight shone through the crack in the curtains.  His thoughts travelled back to Petit, as they often did.  He'd saved her life.  There was no doubt about it.  But would he have thrown himself in front of a bullet for anyone else so readily?

He visualised her as he liked her best; a city girl in jeans, not a stuck-up noble in those fussy gowns, dripping with jewellery...  One kiss was all they'd ever shared; he'd never even slept with her.  And she was marrying Istvan for pities sake!  But he couldn't help the way he felt.  He was completely in love with his best friend's fiancée.  How could he have fallen for her?  She was never his girl to begin with.  One moment shared between them, another hundred thousand moments locked inside his memory, where she didn’t even realise that she was all he ever wanted.  

He would never act on it, not again.  Istvan was devastated when he had found out about that one kiss between them... Drake had felt ashamed for betraying his best friend that way, but still, it didn’t change how he felt about her...  Viktoria didn’t flirt with him, in fact she didn’t do anything to encourage the feelings that stirred within him whenever she was around.  She was simply kind to him, funny and beautiful.  She didn’t know he was in love with her...  It had hurt Drake deeply to know that Petit had instantly regretted their only kiss; he could never deny how he had felt in her embrace.  Except for that vulnerable moment after Tariq had burst into her bedroom, she’d been devoted to Istvan; she’d tortured herself about the kiss and confessed to Istvan, begging his forgiveness...  Maybe how loyal and filled with conscience she was made Drake want her more?

Drake stifled a groan as he lay there thinking back to that kiss;  the smell of French perfume that made his knees weak, his fingers tangled in her silky dark hair pulling her close to him.  Her petite frame pressed against his body as his lips tasted hers.  He felt like they were the only people in the world at that moment; dizzy, giddy.  His racing heart...  That kiss set his soul alight...  

He'd congratulated them both when they announced their engagement, although it broke him inside.  God, he felt so conflicted; Drake was so grateful that his friend had found true love: if anyone deserved it, it was Istvan. But why did it have to be with her?  How the hell could he stand up there, as Istvan’s best man, and watch the girl he loved walk down the aisle to marry his best friend...?  Would he ever stop feeling like this about Petit?  He didn’t know.  He wanted to forget how he felt, but he didn't know how.  He had accepted there would never be anything more than friendship between them and he swallowed his feelings, for everyone's benefit...  But his head and his heart ached with unrequited love and unrealised dreams; unable to go back and have never set eyes on her, stuck and unable to move forward wondering what could have been.

---

End - VP 💖

[drakelover78]

An Unexpected Love

Chapter 2:

Based loosely on TRR by Pixelberry publishing. Author’s Notes: Characters owned by Pixelberry studios, I have no claim to the characters in this story other than my MC.

Though this story is loosely based on the same characters and my MC (Cindy Jo Beckett) also called (Jo or affectionately Jo Jo) the story comes through a little differently with my MC having had a dark painfully hard upbringing. Her past will unfold as the story is told. Main characters remain in this story and maybe later some new ones. Timeline of Choices: Pixleberry story will vary.

Summary: This Drake -x -MC AU will be focused on a chance meeting where Liam didn’t meet her in New York only Drake by chance…..later after this series is complete , I will rewrite the series where Liam becomes a LI as well. So prepare for a slow burn and some angst: I hope you like it. Face claims Cote De Pablo (Cindy Jo) and Matt Bommer (Drake) Catch Previous Chapter Here: message me and I send it to you can’t figure out how to include previous posts.

Chapter Two:

         Cindy Jo’s right hand is gripping Drake’s arm at his left elbow as they continue strolling down the streets of New York; now a few blocks away from the Blues Club. So “what do your friends like to do?” she asks with a mega-watt smile across her lips. Drake says I don’t know…dryly. Cindy Jo nudging his shoulder playfully says “well you don’t seem very excited for a friend chosen to plan a bachelor party.” Drake states “I’m not really planning it I was just here looking for someone and was asked to look at possible places to party since I was already here.” Oh she half gasped with a surprised look on her face…. she blushed and asked who were you looking for? She paused and asked if he’d mind sitting on the nearby bench for just a moment to rest her feet.  

Cindy Jo’s ~POV~

Who was he here looking for? Wait why am so worried about who he was looking for God look at those eyes…..he’s so gorgeous it’s as if he’s staring into my very soul . Was he looking for a girl? Damn it Cindy Jo get a hold of yourself you just met the man literally like an hour ago why are you so worried whether it’s is a girl or not?......looking back into his bright cobalt blue eyes she can see he’s hesitating to answer her, she pauses and says “never mind I don’t know what’s wrong with me or why I’m being so nosey it’s none of my business.” I don’t know what’s wrong with me tonight and I never walk the streets of New York with a perfect stranger a perfect male stranger at that……but for some reason I feel I don’t’ know comfortable with you…..it’s almost as if I’ve known you forever.” “That’s stupid she half laughs and I’m rambling I’m going to stop talking now she nervously exclaims.” (Why do I feel so nervous like a damn teenager on a first date?)

Drake’s frown slowly creeps into a knowing smirk and laughs a little stating it’s not stupid and you’re cute when you’re nervous …that comment earns him a smiling sweet blush across her beautiful face. Drake thinks to himself (How the hell did I did I get so lucky as to get this gorgeous woman to agree to take me out on the town?) “You know what Beckett I feel really comfortable with you too; and to answer your question I was looking for my sister Savannah; she left home without a word almost a year ago and I thought I had a good lead on her but it didn’t pan out.” I’m sorry she said as she reached for his hand. Both felt the immediate sparks and heat flush both their bodies all the way from their toes to their cheeks. Drake with a small smirk crossing his features clears his throat and says “anyways enough about that tell me Beckett where shall we go, where’s our first stop on the tour. She stands and points across the street to a club called ‘Cielo’ Drake lets out an audible grown as they reach the entrance and he sees a line around the block… “Come on Drake don’t be such a party pooper she says smiling and nudging his shoulder.” As they are passing the entrance about to search for the end of the  line a familiar voice screams “JoJo” she turns back to see James Ray; holding Drakes hand she walks up to the handsome man whose arms are stretched open to embrace her as she gets closer.

~Drake’s POV~

Who the hell is this guy…wait what the hell am I saying I don’t have any claim on this woman…..this gorgeous woman. Whoa buddy watch the hands as he sees this large man closing her in a tight embrace as his hands rest low on the small of her back just above her ass. Is he a boyfriend? An ex maybe? He’s shaken from his thoughts as Cindy Jo grabs his hand and the tall broad shouldered stranger ushers them into the club. Damn Beckett that some kind of pull you’ve got there to get us in here in front of that line of people with his left brow raised! Do I see a hint of jealousy creeping on your face there Walker? she asks. Walker? Drake smirked Ya she said “you call me Beckett so I figured maybe it must be a thang with where you’re from…she said with a deep southern drawl. This earns a laugh from Drake and with a smile he plainly states “No it’s a me thang imitating her teasingly earning him a swat on the shoulder, let’s get a drink he says over the loud music.

After ordering a whiskey for himself he leans in to ask her what she’ll have she smiles and says same as you but I’ll have 3 fingers instead of  2. He leans back and smiles curiously at her…really? “What? She nervously laughs you’ve never seen a woman order whiskey from a bar?” “He devilishly smirks and says never… not any of the women I’ve ever been around have anyway!” Well maybe you just haven’t been hanging around the right women then she chides with a mega-watt smile showing off her bright beautiful toothy smile with just a hint of her dimples showing. (Damn look at that beautiful smile Drake thinks…I could get used to seeing that). So he says in a deep husky voice trying to keep his jealousies at bay “are you going to tell me who the man was that let us in here like you were a superstar?”  She debates whether or not to tease him and says “he’s an old friend and co-worker he stiffens a little before she continues and laughing she leans in close to his ear (he shivers a little as her warm breath brushes his ears and neck.) and he’s also gay she smiles pulling herself back from him. He immediately relaxes and laughs really? Ya she says “so what’cha think about Club ‘Cielo’?” It’s a bit loud he yells over the music but I know at least one guy in the group that’s going to love it! “That’s good she smiles grabbing his hand she says now let’s dance.” he stops her short of the dance floor and says I don’t dance…just then ‘Must be Love on the Brain’ by Rihanna (https://youtu.be/xG6BjRMjskA) comes over the sound system and she looks at him and says “please if you don’t dance with me I’m going to have to find some stranger to because this is a great song!”

Grrrrr he sighs aloud and lets her lead him onto the dance floor, she wraps her arms around his waists and pulls her arms up and across his back resting her hands behind his shoulders and starts swaying her hips left and right in time with the beat of the music. He follows her movements resting his hands on her waistline and crossing the small of her back. He leans down touching his forehead to hers matching her gaze and not looking away she says see you can dance….and rather than correcting her and saying never said I couldn’t just said I didn’t, he holds her gaze and says you have the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen…they’re the darkest shade of golden brown I’ve ever seen but it’s like there are flecks of emeralds in them.” She blushes under his gaze and at the sexy compliment, she nervously spun around her back facing his chest now he places his hands on her hips as she backs her ass into his hips and grinds against him sweeping left and right lowering herself down towards the floor and back up his body a couple of times. He takes a sharp breath (my god what is she doing to me?) as his jeans suddenly feel a much tighter now. She faces him again meeting his gaze once more she can see desire rush across the features of his face just as she thinks of moving in for a kiss the music suddenly stops the song had ended….a fast paced upbeat song comes on and she says I need air. Drake takes her much smaller hand in his larger one and leads her out of the packed club back into the crisp night air. Lead the Beckett he gestures by swinging his arms in front of him in a sweeping motion. Well I guess there’s only one other place to show you though I’m not sure your friends will feel it’s stag party material…but I get the feeling you will appreciate it though. “Oh Yeah Drakes says arching his left brow and where’s that?” she smiles and says you’ll see! They walk in a comfortable silence for about five minutes and she stops in front of a set of mahogany wooden doors; Drake peaks in the windows and says “looks like we are too late Beckett they seem to be closing as he sees the waitresses and bar staff cleaning up.” Well it’s a good thing you’re with me then Drake she beams as she sticks keys into the locked doors. She ends the confused look on his face by laughing and telling him this is the bar where her and Daniel work. She greets he co-workers inside and informs them they are just gonna have a quick drink and maybe a game of pool before calling it a night. Everyone goes about their business and she winks at Drake and says “can I buy ya a whiskey?” He half ass grins and says now you’re speaking my language Beckett!”

She grabs a bottle of whiskey and two tumblers and walks him to the back of the bar where the pool tables are and says can you play pool?” He looks at her drawing his left brow up in a smirk and repeats her question pointing at himself in a mock expression “Can I play pool?” Well rack-em then! She says big smile on her face. Oh you’re going to break then?” he says. Is there a problem with that she chides him? Not at all Beckett but I’m gonna warn you I’m a pretty good pool player….she grins and says “good then I won’t have to feel bad when I beat you!” She breaks the balls on the table knocking 3 balls into the pockets. He looks at her his mouth slightly agape…she sees that 2 her of the 3 balls she sank where stripes, so she lines up her next shot looks up at him and says care to make it interesting Drake? He says “What’d you have in mind Beckett?” She said how about every shot I sink you have to drink and vice versa?” Ok and what does the winner get Drake ask?” Cindy Jo said since you’re a visitor in my town I’ll let you choose, sound good?” Sure why not without taking her eyes off of him she shoots and sinks the nine ball in the corner pocket. He smirks raises his glass to her and drinks. She sinks two more in before missing the next shot. She smiles and Drake takes the cue stick and lines up his first shot following her he shoots and sinks the ball while still looking at her…smiles and says drink up Beckett!” She does and he sinks 3 more before she says “are you trying to hustle me Drake Walker?” He lines up the next shot to the corner pocket she’s currently standing in front of if he makes it he wins, she leans over the pocket ever so slightly showing a little bit of cleavage as she does and he misses. She laughs and says “damn the luck there Sparky” he scoffs and says that’s not fair I was distracted.” She shoots and sinks her next 2 shots bringing them neck and neck with only the 8 ball left. She lines up the shot as he stands behind her pouring each another glass of whiskey teasing her not to miss; just as she goes to take the shot he walks past her slightly brushing her ass and the 8 ball stops a hair from sinking into the pocket. She stands up straight smiling “you did that on purpose.” He laughs saying don’t be a sore loser Beckett.” He lines up the shot and sinks it in the pocket saying I guess that means I won with a shit eating grin on his face.” I guess so, so what’s the winner going to choose as his prize? “she asked. MMMm he growls while stroking the light stubble on his chin….he walks over to her and closes the gap between them and asks “So can I have whatever I want? In a husky deep throaty voice” She swallows hard looking him in the eyes his face mere centimeters from hers and says timidly I guess so. He leans in saddles his arms around her waists and draws her closer into a kiss that started tenderly and slowly turned more fever ant causing her to wrap her arms around his neck and earning him a slight moan from her throat. Just as the two were about to break for a breath they hear someone close clear their throat; she pulls away slightly to look up at Joe who informs her that they are done and are on their way out. Cindy Jo smiles wiping her lower lips and says go ahead Joe we’re on our way out too I’ll lock up okay? He agrees and leaves…a comfortable silence falls before she breaks it with the question of “where he’s going to stay for the night?” He clears is throat and says I don’t know I guess I need to find a hotel. I hadn’t planned on spending the night but following that lead on my sister caused me to miss my flight, so when I called my friend to make travel arrangements is when he asked me to scout Manhattan for a good time and I’m glad because it lead me to you. She smiles and says well this late at night you won’t find any hotels that aren’t flea bags or take payment by the hour…so why don’t you just spend the night with me….I mean at my apartment…damn it (she blushes)… I mean you can sleep in my spare room I have a two bedroom apartment she clarifies. He laughs and asks are you sure it’s ok Beckett I mean I don’t want to put you out or anything. Nonsense she says I can’t have you stay in some crummy motel and sour your opinion on New York.

[the-everlasting-dream]

Party Crashers - Michael x MC

Summary: MC Natasha would have stayed home studying but her boyfriend Michael had other plans for her.

A/N: Can we take a moment to appreciated that I finally wrote a fic under 1000 words? This probably isnt that great but I wanted to have something Party Crashing Day on 6th April, part of the April Fan Challenge hosted by @laniquelove  

Natasha’s phone buzzed breaking her concentration as she worked to solve a particularly hard mathematics problem. She has been trying to solve it for the past 20 minutes and she had just began to crack it when the cheery ringtone interrupted her thought process. The annoyance that had initially flared dissipated slightly when she saw Michael's name lighting up the small screen and grinning, she immediately answered the call. 

‘Why hello there stranger,’ she quipped into the receiver. 

‘I could say the same to you,’ her boyfriend answered and she could hear the smile in his voice. ‘Whatcha up to babe?’ 

‘Just finishing up another maths problem. I’ve got that test on Monday remember?’ She sighed. 

‘You’ve been studying for that test all week,’ he stated before his voice took on a whiny tone. ‘Come on Tasha, ditch the homework tonight and come hang out with me instead.’ 

The offer was very tempting but she knew she really should be studying.   

‘I know that face,’ she heard him say. 

Natasha frowned. How could he know that when he wasn’t even here? ‘What face? I’m not pulled a face.’ 

‘Hate to break it to you but you are. The one you make when you’re considering whether or not to give in to I quote ‘whatever little scheme you’re planning Michael,’ he mimicked the tone she’d given him countless times, making her laugh. 

‘Ok when you put it like that, I do sound quite ridiculous,’ she admitted. 

‘Soo..,’ Michael drawled. ‘Are you in?’ 

She rolled her eyes ‘Alright, alright I’m in.’ 

‘Good,’ he declared. ‘Coz I’m outside.’ 

Moments later, after calling out a goodbye to her dad, Natasha skipped towards her boyfriend who was outside as promised, enveloping herself in his embrace after pressing kiss to his lips. 

‘You were right. I did need a break.’ She confessed, snuggling closer. 

‘What can I say? I’m always right,’ he grinned triumphantly at her before leading her to his motor cycle. 

‘Where are we going?’ She asked, as Michael affectionately adjusted her helmet for her. 

He threw up his hands in mock exasperation. 'How am I supposed to do spontaneous if you keep insisting to know everything?' 

Natasha chuckled. 'Fine.. I trust you. Just as long as you don’t lead me to certain death.' 

'You know I’d never do that. You’re too cute.’ He smiled down at her, tweaking her nose playfully before they both settled on the seat and he revved the engine and they sped off into the night. 

They’d been cruising for about 20 minutes before Michael guided the motorcycle down a small dirt road leading to the park. He cut the engine and Natasha followed him until he finally plopped down on the blanket he’d spread out on the grass. 

'I just thought I’d bring my girlfriend out for a romantic night of stargazing,’ he explained, motioning for her to look up at the sky. 

It was a clear night, temperature cool but not too cold and the wind gently ruffled the trees around them, perfect conditions for stargazing. Natasha was just about to settle down when something caught her attention. 

‘Do you hear that?’ She nudged him. 'It almost sounds like music?' 

Michael frowned once before sitting up. ‘Yeah. Sounds like someone’s having a party. Wanna check it out?’ 

Natasha raised her brows at his words. ‘You mean like crash the party? What is we get thrown out?' 

'Don't worry,’ Michael waved her concern away, getting to his feet and holding out a hand to her. ‘Half the fun of crashing a party is getting thrown out.' 

'I have literally never heard that before,’ she countered unimpressed, staring at his outstretched hand. 

'Maybe coz you've never crashed a party before,’ he replied cheekily. ‘Come on, it’ll be fun.' With that, he sauntered off in the direction of the music and after a beat Natasha followed. 

The party turned out to be a outdoor wedding reception, held under a giant white canopy where attendees were already burning up the dance floor. Lanterns and torches lined the border, casting a golden glow on the scene. The dancing figures caught Natasha’s eye and she tugged slightly on Michael’s hand. 

‘Is it me or are those grass skirt that people are wearing?’ 

‘Looks to me like some sort of Hawaiian themed wedding.’ Michael deduced after following her gaze. He squeezed her hand. 'Come on, shall we show them how its done? 

She stared at him. ‘Are you serious? We’ll get thrown out immediately when they see we’re not dressed the same as everyone else!’ 

He scrunched up his face, making as if he was calculating something very serious before turning back to her. ‘Nahh by my calculations we could have up to 10 minutes before that happens.’ 

A grin broke out on her face. ‘I suppose I can’t argue with those odds can I?’  

Natasha lead him into the crowd where they danced to several upbeat songs together before a slower number came on. Michael smirked at her before arranging their limbs for the waltz and as he gracefully guided them across the floor, Natasha couldn’t restrain the smile on her face. 

‘What is it?’ Michael asked, noticing her expression. 

 'Nothing. I’m just glad you convinced me to do this,’ she replied.   

'Happy to oblige,’ he whispered back and leaned down to kiss her deeply. 

'You're crazy.’ She laughed when they pulled apart.   

'You bet I am. Crazy about you.’ He grinned as she rolled her eyes at his cheesiness. 'Just be ready to run in a second.’ He nodded to the two bouncers who were headed towards them. 

As he’d predicted, they did get thrown out. This sure beat staying at home though, Natasha reflected as they ran away hand in hand.    

[my-glitter-heart]

Right Here (TRR Fic - MC x King)

Important: My MC is Viktoria Petit, and my King Liam is called King Istvan

Rating:  Maybe 15?  Please assume my work will normally include at least a mention of sex, swear words, and some level of angst.  I wish I were more fluffier but it's not my raison d'etre...  ;)  

Masterlist

Disclaimer: Characters are Pixelberry's, not mine, this is just for fun & I don't make any money from it.

This fic has been written as part of the April Challenge set by @laniquelove : April 13th: Exes - this is the first one I've managed to do for the challenge as I've had the worst writing block ever over the past couple of weeks!

So, thank you for your support friends, as always appreciate any comments or constructive feedback - I hope that you enjoy this little one-shot x

Enjoy - VP 💖

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Viktoria squinted at the envelope with the USA postmark. Who was sending her post from the US? It was so last century! ‘Hell how much do stamps cost nowadays?!’ she wondered. Istvan glanced across the coffee table at her, “Well you’ll never know who it’s from if you don’t open it...” she rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out at him.

She substituted a letter opener with her manicured pink nails, pulling out the multi-colour printed note inside, “You are invited to the Pacific High “Class of 2004” School Reunion,” she snorted , “Umm, no thanks...” She scrunched the paper and the envelope, dropping them on the table and picking up the Trend Magazine from the sofa beside her. Istvan looked at her, a little bemused, “Why not?” She absentmindedly looked up from the pages at him, “Hmmmm?” He chuckled, “I said ‘why not?’ Why don’t you want to go?” Viktoria sat the magazine down again, “Because it’s stupid?  And I’m not flying us to New York to hang around with a bunch of people who I haven’t seen in over a decade? Who, at 30 years old, wants to have to make small talk with the guy from maths class who smelled like soup?”

Istvan practically spat his coffee out laughing, “Mmmmm, soup...!  But seriously, is there no one you’d like to reconnect with? Nobody that you’re wondering how they turned out? I’ve seen the movies, I know the drill...”

Viktoria rolled her eyes in fake annoyance, teasing him, “Sheesh, you watch Romy and Michelle once and think you’re an expert on American High School culture... “ He picked up the invite and tossed it at her head playfully.

She let out a squeak, “Ok, there’s a couple of people I’d be interested to know what they’re up to, mildly, that’s about it...  I could find out on Facebook if I really wanted to I'm sure...”

Istvan sipped at his coffee and tilted his head, smiling, "You know, I never seen any of your yearbooks, or pictures from your prom or anything?"  Viktoria scrunched her nose, "I have a nice picture of mom and I when I was wearing my prom dress...  I'll see if I can find it for you.  And I'm sure there was a yearbook amongst the stuff that came in the shipment when I gave up my apartment."  Istvan smiled at her, "I don't have any appointments until the French delegation arrive at 2, why don't you see if you can find it?  I'd love to see."  Viktoria ran her hand through his hair softly as she walked past him towards her huge closet in their bedroom.  She climbed onto the dressing table stool to reach the hatbox on the top shelf.  Lifting it down and removing the lid, she shouted to Istvan, "Found it!"

She picked up the coffee pot for a refill before she sat back down beside him on the sofa.  He slung one arm around her shoulder as she thumbed through the book.  Istvan kissed her cheek, "So tell me some stories?"  Viktoria pointed to a smiling blonde girl, "Margot Donetti.  She was the most popular girl in school.  She was Prom Queen actually-"  her fingers traced across the page, "-that guy, Peter Rice, he was her boyfriend  Of course he was the star of the hockey team."  She groaned, "This all sounds so completely clichéd!"  Istvan squeezed her tightly and laughed, "I love it, it's a completely different school experience from mine.  Please go on!"  Her fingers stopped on the image of herself, "Oh god Ist, whyyyyy are you making me do this...?"  He giggled, "Let me see!  'Voted Most Organised' - so not a lot has changed then?  Aww Vik.  Look at you, baby, you're so...  Cute."  She lightly punched his arm, "I think the word you're looking for is 'awkward'!  Look at my hair, I had bangs, with my face, what was I thinking?  They aren't even straight!  And soooo much eyeliner..."  He rubbed where she punched, laughing, "You're not any more awkward than the rest of them.  You definitely found your style after High School though..."  Vik thumped him again, smiling and grumbling, "How rude!!  It's called a Glow Up you know..."  She snapped the book shut and pulled out a wallet of old pictures.  He took it from her, thumbing through the snaps, stopping at the one she'd mentioned in the prom dress with her mom.  She looked so young in the pictures, he'd have guessed she was about thirteen if she hadn't been at prom!  "Look how happy your mom is Vik, she's so proud of you..." he kissed his wife's forehead, knowing, and understanding all too well, how much she missed her mom,  "You should frame this one, my love."

He flipped through the photos, roaring with laughter as she cringed at some of the poses and outfits, explaining the who’s and  the where’s, then he stopped on a group shot. There were two girls and three boys at what looked like a house party. Viktoria had her arm around one of the boys. He had over-styled dark hair and looked moody, holding a cigarette in one hand. The other hand possessively snaked around Viktoria's hip. Istvan felt himself bristle slightly, which he knew was ridiculous, because the photo was taken years before he even knew her... Keeping his tone light, he quizzed, “Looks like fun, I know the girl is Maria from the other photos, who is this guy...?” Her face coloured slightly, “Him?  Oh that was Jason. Haven’t seen him since school ended.” Istvan couldn’t help himself; it was like picking a scab, “You look close?  Was he your high school boyfriend?  I’ve never heard you mention a ‘Jason‘?”  She shrugged, “He was in a band.  I thought he was really cool.  He was my first real boyfriend, but he wasn’t all that.” He pushed, “What happened?” Sighing she told him about Jason, “Well I couldn’t actually believe that he was remotely interested in me first of all... Coz all the girls in our year thought he was so hot, he was the year above us.  Looking back at him now... I'm not too sure why we all thought that!  But anyway, he asked me out, we dated for a few months... Then he went off and slept with some girl from his weekend job behind my back. So when the homeroom gossip reached me, that was the end of that...”

He frowned. He suddenly really hated the sullen looking teenager with the leather jacket in the photo. “Did you love him Vik?” he asked quietly. Her mouth opened and closed a couple of times, taken aback by the directness of his question, “When I was seventeen I thought I did...  Istvan why do you care?  It's not like I'm still hung up on him or something?  It's a lifetime ago...” He pulled her close to him, “It's not that.  I mean, yes, I hate the idea of some nasty little creep with his hands all over you... But the reason I care is because I really love you and he hurt you.  He didn’t treat you the way he should have.  You are so beautiful and special and kind, and he was a fucking idiot not to see it!”

Her eyes glistened, surprised at how he'd turned what she thought was jealously into such a sweet statement.  She cupped his face in her hands and pressed a soft kiss to his lips, “I love you Istvan. I’m so glad he hooked up with Candice Black. Just think, if Jason hadn’t been such an ass-hat, we might still have been together, and then I would never have met my handsome prince would I?”  Istvan laughed and shook his head, "Yes... I guess we should be grateful...  Vik, are you sure you don't want to go to the reunion?  Show them your ‘Glow...  Thing...’ And how much you've achieved?  I'd come with you if you would like?"  She took the photos from him and put them back in the box on the coffee table, climbing to his lap, "Glow Up sweetheart.  And the only person I am remotely interested in impressing is you.  I don't care what any of those random people in New York think about me, I've got everything I need right here in Cordonia, with you Istvan."

End - VP 💖

[boneandfur]

What happened with laniquelovely? Did she delete?

No, she's @llhollaway ~ she didn't delete (I think she went on hiatus and came back) but idk where she archived her fic, maybe it's on ao3? You could go ask her ❤️ she was upset hardly anyone messaged her while she was gone and wiped her blog.

[shreyamistry]

Tag you're it! 😝 Answer one of the following questions and pass it on. 1. Who is your favorite Choices Character and why? 2. If you could live in any Choices book, which would it be? 3. You work for Pixelberry! What story would you pitch to create?

1) Who is your favorite Choices Character and why?

Hana Lee hands down. I didn’t think I’d even like the Royal Romance when i started playing it, but I found Hana to be such a relatable character that she drew me very into the story. I see a lot of parallels between Hana’s character and I in different ways and I like being able to relate to her. And she’s so pretty? Like I’m replaying TRR book 1 and I started crying over how much I love her, so either I’m crazy or she’s too lovable. you decide.

2) If you could live in any Choices book, which would it be?

I think I’d honestly prefer to live in the Endless Summer. I mean living on an Island post-Rourke would be lit, no worrying about bills or money, sign me the fuck up.

3) You work for Pixelberry! What story would you pitch to create?

Truthfully, a zombie apocalypse book. i’m a huge fucking sucker for those kinds of book, but knowing our luck PB will bite us in the ass with saving characters for diamonds and shit, so probably not (unless staff gets free diamond choices).

[trr-fangirl]

Tag you're it! 😝 Answer one of the following questions and pass it on. 1. Who is your favorite Choices Character and why? 2. If you could live in any Choices book, which would it be? 3. You work for Pixelberry! What story would you pitch to create?

Hmmm.. I’m going to answer 3!

I’d pitch a story where the MC is the villain and we get to be a criminal for once? Not sure why but I’ve always wanted to read (or write) a story when the MC was the villain for once.

Thank you for tagging me! @laniquelove