Make A Request And Tell Me What You'd Like To Read For Some Smutty Fun!

prompt: you and max have been secretly together for years. neither the fans or the media have a clue. what happens when you and max are neck and neck for the drivers championship and you get the unexpected news that you’re pregnant?

pairing: max verstappen x ferrari! reader

word count: ~7.6k

warnings: 18+, cursing, mentions of sex but no real smut, mentions of miscarriage, some mention of blood

a/n: hello, i'm brand new at writing fanfic for f1. i've had this idea for a while and it was eating at me so i hope you enjoy. i thought it would be cool to have it be like a normal fic with a bit of that social!au content that the fandom loves.

this is pt.1 of how everything is going down and then the next and final part will be what happens after, her pregnancy and what reader does this time around. along with some fan social media mayhem.

id love to hear your thoughts!

enjoy!

LAS VEGAS, USA | NOV 2024

The nausea settling in the pit of your stomach is unbearable, it gets worse with each lap you complete. You're confident you can push through and finish the race without throwing up in your helmet, until the track begins doubling and tripling.

You haven’t felt this dizzy since you crashed in Spa three years ago due to rain. There were no stakes then as you were having a bad race weekend and started P7. Today you’re P1 and the gap between you and Max is getting shorter as you slow to try and compensate for the nausea and dizziness.

You hear your team in your ear, asking you if the car's giving you trouble since there’s no apparent reason for you to be slowing down at this point. Especially with ten laps to go.

“The car is fine,” you say through gritted teeth, trying to relax your abdomen to keep the nausea at bay.

“Then what’s the matter? Are you okay?” Riccardo, your race engineer, asks. His tone is stern yet concerned.

“Yeah, I’m perfectly fine. My head feels like it’s spinning is all.” You're nonchalant but deep inside you’re panicking. This race means so much to you and your team. Now is not the time to get sick.

“Can you finish the race?” His filtered voice asks through the radio.

“Yes, I’m finishing the bloody race,” you curse, pressing on the gas pedal and tightening the hold on the steering wheel.

“If you continue feeling this way, box immediately,” he orders, not wanting to risk the safety of his driver, “By the way Max is 2 seconds behind you.”

“Fucking hell.” After all the work to create a 10 second gap Max is catching up because your body decided to get sick.

There’s rage building inside of you, keeping Max away is the most difficult part of racing. It took pure skill to keep him at a distance, he’s only catching up because you’re slowing. You're letting yourself down.

It’s been a battle of pole positions and fastest laps for you two. The championship is within your reach, threatening to break Max’s two year streak. It's why Max is giving everything he has to get ahead of you. If he wins this race he’ll be on top once more.

Another bout of nausea takes over your body, shivers running down your spine. Why are you nauseous and dizzy? You were hydrated before the race, the temperature in the car is warm as always but it’s cool outside, unlike Singapore, and you felt perfectly fine earlier.

It’s most likely karma for teasing Max this morning and leaving him with a raging hard on.

You notice Max in your peripheral vision. He’s ready to attack and regain P1. You accelerate and block him as best you can but nearing the turn you miscalculate giving Max the perfect opportunity to pass you.

He settles right in front of you, mocking how he got ahead so easily. If you didn’t love him and felt the bile coming up your throat you would’ve cursed at him. You were famously known for insulting the men driving the other cars.

At this point, you weren’t driving straight and your race engineer, Riccardo was telling you to pit and pull out of the race.

“I promise you I’m good enough to finish the race,” you say after a moment to swallow the bile coming up. You'd rather die than DNF'ing with a handful of laps to go.

“Norris is catching up. Let’s finish this race quickly so you can get checked.”

You’re glad you created a gap at the beginning of the race, otherwise Lando and Charles, your teammate, would’ve caught up already.

You see Lando trying to overtake you but you surprisingly block him and go as fast as you can. It’s not your best work and the FIA will have something to say about it but you make do.

Finally, down the final straight you press on the gas and cross the finish line. You finish the race out of pure muscle memory since you can’t rely on your distorted vision. Ignoring the celebratory cheers, you pull up on the spot marked #2. No one says anything about the askew parking job.

Your hands are clumsy, pulling out the steering wheel and standing. One of your teammates is right there giving you the hand you clearly need as you sway and almost fall straight out of the car.

Max is none the wiser, calmly getting out the RB and running over to his team who congratulate and scream his name. In his head, you lost control of your car, giving him a way to pass you. That's how F1 works.

You pull on your helmet and all the straps fast, the Ferrari team member helping you when he sees your urgency. As soon as you pull off your balaclava you bend over and empty the contents of your stomach.

Privacy be damned.

It’s not pretty. You’ve been holding this in for 20 laps and it’s not going to stop any time soon. The cameras focus on you as you push away the Ferrari team and finish throwing up. Ready hands catch you and you’re sat on a wheel chair as they roll you over to the medics. You close your eyes and throw your head back, everything around you spinning.

The murmurs of the crowd and the media cause Max to notice. He catches sight of you being wheeled away into the back. He takes a tentative step towards you, itching to be by your side but remembers the agreement you made to keep your relationship a secret.

Sometimes he hates how stubborn you are. At this point, the world should know you two are together, married even. Yet he understands your hesitancy with how cruel the media and the fans can be.

Max stays rooted on the spot, watchful eyes and dozens of lenses noticing every movement. Lando gets close to Max trying to avoid the cameras.

“What happened?” Lando asks referring to you.

“No idea, mate,” Max says, staring intently at the door you were just rolled through. A sleuth of Ferrari members following.

“She wasn't driving straight,” Lando shakes his head. He knew something was off when he caught up to her. “It was so unpredictable it made it harder on me to battle it.”

Max didn’t think much when he pulled up behind you but he did think it was strange how easy it was to overtake you. You always give him the hardest time.

He remembers this morning when you were in bed kissing him, touching him, teasing him. You were so cheeky, his length in your hand as you sweet talked him. 'Convincing' him to throw the race. Not like he’d ever do it. You were simply having your fun with him.

There wasn’t any sign of sickness then. It’s not like you spun out during the race either. You had been flawless out on the track until you weren’t.

“I'm going to check on her,” Max tells Lando, motioning with his head and wondering what exactly is wrong with his wife.

"Just wait," Lando stops him with a hand on his chest. They notice Charles in the Ferrari garage, heading to the back where they have you. "If you go, it'll stir up rumors."

Max tenses his jaw and looks away. With a roll of his eyes he turns to get weighed. He doesn't like it but Lando is right. He doesn't give a damn about his reputation only yours and the promise he made you.

f1_news tweeted: Ferrari’s Princess is transferred to hospital after race. It was heard through their radio she was having severe motion sickness, giving Max Verstappen the lead. Not many details are known as of this moment. More updates coming soon!

comments:

user2: hope she’s doing okay! she needs to come back to kick max's ass and take the championship from him 😮‍💨

user3: bet max is celebrating

-> user4: he looked very concerned when he saw her in the wheelchair

-> user14: who wouldn’t, she looked like death 💀

user4: did ya'll notice max disappear after the ceremony?

-> user5: lol he was making sure his favorite rival was okay 🤣

-> user101: no point in staying if he can’t rub it in her face 🤐

user6: our ferrari princess 👸 looked out of it. not sure how she made it out the car

user7: the podium felt so empty without her in it 😓

-> user8: did you notice max kept looking at the spot she was supposed to be as if expecting her to suddenly appear

-> user9: she’s like his best friend and his enemy wrapped in one. can’t live with her, can't live without her

-> user10: i swear he’s in love with her. 🗣️ it’s not normal the way he looks at her

-> user11: please, she’s married. you guys need to stop being delusional and stop shipping her with every guy on the grid

-> user10: not every guy, just max and maybe charles… -> user76: let's take a moment to appreciate charles immediately asking about her and leaving the track to see how she was. it's a win for us predestined x princess shippers

In the hospital, they quickly take you into a private room. The nurses retake your vitals and give you a shot to help with the nausea. A doctor comes in relatively quickly, asking you an array of questions to help him figure out why you got sick.

"The nurse should be in quickly to draw blood. I'm not too worried about this being anything other than a virus but we just want to make sure you're all good before leaving."

"Thank you, doc," you respond, lying back on the bed. They've given you one of the flimsiest hospital gowns in existence but you've gotta admit it's more comfortable than your race suit.

It's awfully lonely in the hospital room but it gives you time to relax and wind down. Fred and Riccardo were extremely concerned for your well being- not related at all to the fact you're on the run to win the championship-forcing you to go into the hospital.

Their stressed energy, the ambulance ride and then the nurses fussing over you was overwhelming. It would've made your nausea worse had it not been for the shot.

You're snoozing off when the door opens and your husband walks in. Max has a backpack slung over his shoulder with a set of clothes for you, along with your phone and other personal belongings you left at the paddock. He hurries over to you, dropping the bag and wrapping his arms around you.

"I was so worried, schatje," Max says in your ear, kissing your temple. The softness of his hoodie and the familiar scent he carries is comforting.

"I'm okay. You should keep your distance though, doc says I have a virus," you tell him, slightly pushing him away.

He’s stubborn as he keeps hold of your hand. "I don't care if I get sick. We've got two weeks until the next race, plenty of time for me to get better." Max sits on the chair next to your bed, asking you what happened during today’s race and listening to every word you say.

"What did they do for podium?" You later ask curiously, turning on your side to get more comfortable. Max props his head on his hand as he leans on your bed, getting closer to you despite your protests.

"Riccardo was there to accept it," Max tells you, kissing the back of your hand. He had been really worried. A part of him kept checking his surroundings for any sign of you.

It’s days like today where he wishes your relationship wasn’t secret. Max wants to express how worried he was about his girlfriend wife. He wanted to say ‘fuck you’ to all protocol and go after you.

He understands your reluctance and the need for privacy in your personal life. He knows what it’s like to have his privacy invaded and Max agrees that good things have come out of keeping your relationship a secret but you’ve also had to miss out on others. One day, you’ll have to come clean to the public to be able to live your life to the fullest.

The doctor returns before he can vocalize this. He knocks on the door as he steps into the room, a tablet in his hands. “Results have come back. Would you like the gentleman to step out or is it okay if he stays?”

“He’s my husband,” you tell the doctor.

You're used to people not recognizing you outside of Formula One but Max is more known than you. You wait for the doctor to react at the sight of Max, except there’s not an ounce of recognition in his face. Good, or else, you’d have to rely on his patient-doctor confidentiality.

“Let’s get into it then. Lab’s show dehydration which is normal for the state you came in like. In addition, to the fact, you had just finished a physically demanding race. Surprisingly they also showed that your quantitative hCG levels are high meaning—"

“I’m pregnant?” You pan, shocked. Max's hand tightens around yours. Last year's endeavors left you with enough knowledge to know what that term means.

“Yes, you are pregnant,” he nods.

Max instantly turns towards you in complete shock. There’s part of him that’s happy but then there’s another that’s concerned. Personally, he’d love to have a child but it would mean you would have to sacrifice the championship.

You stare at the doctor with parted lips and furrowed brows, “That’s impossible. I have an IUD.” This couldn't be happening at a worse time.

“All methods of contraception have a percentage of failure,” the doctor sighs. “Your pregnancy explains today's sudden dizziness and nausea.”

“Do you know how far along she is?” Max asks, holding your hand tightly to show his support.

“We would need an ultrasound for that but based on her last menstrual period it can’t be more than 6 weeks.”

“Six weeks,” you breath out. You could only hear your pounding heart and the air coming in and out of your mouth. God, you've been training and driving the whole time. For fucks sake, just two weeks ago you had been celebrating your win with lots of alcohol.

You hardly hear the doctor excuse himself, leaving you and Max alone. Tears brim your eyes at the cruelty of the universe. You have in your hands the two things you want most in life. A shot at the championship and the opportunity to become a mother.

Max sits on the bed, wiping away your tears. He doesn’t say much, at a loss of words. There’s not much he can say to make this better but he thumbs away your tears and pulls you into a hug.

You fist his shirt in your hands, crying onto his shoulder, “This is not fair.”

“I know, schatje.” Max is at a loss. He understands the conflicting feelings you have. It’s no easy thing especially after everything you and Max went through.

“I can’t go through this again,” you sob, remembering the painful memories of the previous year.

United Arab Emirates | Nov 2022

The last race of the season has come quickly, deeming Max the World Champion for the second time running. He’s at the top of the podium as the Dutch national anthem plays. You look up at him from the third position, smiling at him proudly.

You’re frustrated that you weren’t able to catch up to him but you’re confident your time will come. Every year you’ve spent in the grid you’ve been able to rise through the ranks and get great contracts.

Mercedes took a chance on you this year and you’ve made them proud. It was a challenge against Ferrari and Red Bull but as the only woman you’d say you did brilliant.

You’re going to miss this next year but a break is due. After years of hard training and dedicating everything to your career you’ve decided to focus on your personal life.

It’s been nearly a year since you’ve married Max and the conversation surrounding children becomes more constant. It's a nagging sensation in the back of your head. A longing you can't stop.

Feeling at peace with your performance, you decided to take this next year to become a mother. You’re young so in two years you’re sure you can come back stronger than ever and give Max a run for his money.

As the ceremony comes to an end, the party begins and the champagne bottles are brought out. “Don’t run,” Max laughs, spraying the frothy liquid in your direction.

You fight back, shaking the bottle and spraying some at Max and Charles. They gang up on you as Charles blocks your way and they both spray you. That will keep the fans making edits for months to come, the implication of the action clear.

“Come on, sweetheart,” Charles yells over the cheers when you aim the spray at his mouth.

Getting off the stage and into a private room, Max takes off his hat and pulls you in by the waist to press his sweet tasting lips against yours. You giggle, wrapping your arms around his neck, tilting your head to deepen the kiss. “Congrats two-time world champion.”

“Thank you, schatje,” Max responds, brushing back the hair sticking to your forehead.

“Get a room you two,” Charles huffs, knowing you forgot he was there.

“Sorry,” you say with a blush.

“I’m not,” Max laughs, stealing another kiss.

Outside, reporters of all kind were waiting to interview all three of you. They want Max’s celebratory words and you and Charles’ disappointment and regret. They live for the heartfelt promises you'll make for next season.

“Over here!” A reporter calls you, handing you a microphone. “What’s the plan for next year? Are you renewing with Mercedes or is there another team making offers?”

“I come with sad news,” you pout at the camera, “I won’t be on the grid next year.”

The reporter stares wide-eyed at you. This is the first time you've said those words out loud. “Could you share with us why?”

You nod at his question, fixing your hat as you speak the words you rehearsed many times before. “Since I was young I was prioritizing racing and getting into Formula One. I love how far I’ve come but I want to take a step back and enjoy my personal life for a little while. As you know, I got married a year ago and I want to enjoy that newlywed life. I will be back though,” you say with a smile and a wink at the camera.

“Is there a chance you’ll tell us who the lucky guy is?” The reporter questions, not really expecting you to answer. That the one thing you won't disclose.

You laugh, shaking your head at him, “No chance. I like to keep my personal life private.”

“Worth a shot," the reporter laughs with you. "Thank you for your time and we hope to see you soon!”

youtube upload: The Grid's Princess QUITS

thumbnail 📸: Toto Wolff looking angry and yelling at a Mercedes staff member. Lewis Hamilton with an arm around an upset looking reader.

comments:

user25: our queen is leaving? 😫 user30: who is going to keep the boys in check -> user5: i bet that’s why she’s taking a break, it’s not easy keeping charles and max under control user6: aren’t we curious as to who this mystery husband is? 👀 -> user17: i bet it’s either someone old or a billionaire, or both, i mean did you see the rock on her finger? -> user 46: oh they must be loaded to win over the grid's princess -> user96: i'm sorry but until i see proof of this man i will continue to set her up with charles user59: please, use a more dramatic title user48: i'm ready to fight 🤺 whoever made her stop racing. she's the only reason i watch them go in circles. who else is going to learn french to curse out charles properly? user55: *sigh* guess it’s time to rewatch all of the edits of her and max on repeat until she returns user104: let’s make a game. take a shot every time max and charles mention her next season.

Monaco | March 2023

When you temporarily retired, you thought you'd become pregnant in a matter of weeks. That is not the case.

Movies make it seem so easy to become pregnant, when in reality, it’s a challenge. It took nearly four months and multiple doctor visits for you to become with child.

The Winter break was spent tangled in sheets, keeping warm in each others embrace. Max was insatiable and so were you. Any chance you had you’d be dragging him somewhere private, his hands pulling at your underwear to tug them off...or to the side.

Max's voice would be in your ear as he spoke of how good you take him. He'd encourage you with words he'd never otherwise use. His cologne would intoxicate you, putting you in a trance.

His hold was firm and steady, making you shake and arch against him. His length sinking into you until you came with his name on your lips and his seed inside you.

Then, it finally happened. A positive pregnancy test in your bathroom counter. The alarm rang loudly, making you and Max share a nervous glance.

“You look,” you say with a shaky voice and shakier hands. Your period was late, followed by your tender breasts and the morning sickness. You fear your body was making it up because you wanted it so much.

“Before that,” Max says, cupping your face, “Don’t be disappointed if it’s negative. We’re just getting started and we have a whole year to try, yeah?”

You place your hands over his and nod with a small smile. Max presses a kiss to your forehead before he picks up the home test.

Max erupts in a smile, nodding and showing you the word positive. You scream, falling into his arms. He spins you around, kissing all over your face.

You and Max are over the moon, giddily waiting for every appointment with your doctor. Every ultrasound was recorded along with the babies heart beat.

Max is ecstatic. He's been wanting to have a family with you since he realized you were the one. He thought it wouldn't happen for a long time but then you revealed you wanted it too and soon despite your career.

It took a long conversation to figure out how to go about it with both of your careers being at their peak but you came to an agreement. He was ready be a father and you were ready to be a mother, even if it meant putting your career in pause.

Your desire to bring a child into the world was greater than giving the championship another shot. Whenever you're ready to return to F1, he'll take a step back and support you.

Max planned a dinner with the whole family where you told them you were expecting. Plans to decorate the nursery littered your coffee table and your internet browser history was filled with shop links with cute clothes and baby items.

Weeks later, it happened. Something felt wrong, off.

“Maxie,” you breathe heavily, feeling wet between your legs. Cramps littering your lower abdomen.

“What's wrong?” Max sits up in bed, sensing your distressed state. His gaze fixes on the red stain forming on the white sheets.

“I’m scared,” you cry, afraid to move or do anything. Cramps squeezing your insides like a bad period.

“Hey, it’s okay. I’m here,” Max reassures you, “Let’s go to the bathroom, yeah? I’ll call the doctor.”

A quick trip to the ER confirmed it. You miscarried.

You couldn’t look at Max that night, hugging yourself tightly as he drove home. You ignored all the glances he threw your way, shiying away from the hand that reached out for you.

All that happiness you felt drained out of you, leaving complete sadness behind.

Max was sad about the baby but he was more focused on you and the toll it took on you. It was always a possibility. The doctor spoke about what to expect on the first trimester and this was one of the things he mentioned. You both chose to ignore it at the time.

Max kept most of the lights off in the apartment. Remembering the bags with baby stuff from your online shopping. He kept the spare bedroom closed, where you were planning how to arrange it and paint it to transform it into the nursery.

He’s never seen you this devastated. After years of knowing you and dating you he never had the chance to see you at your lowest. It breaks his fucking heart.

Max holds you that night while you're in pain and bleeding. He rocks you as you cry, tears spilling from his eyes too as all that new hope is crushed.

You need him. Max is all you have at the moment because while he goes to race on the weekends and clear his head, you stay home with the weight of losing a baby.

Zandvoort | August 2023

With medical clearance and a couple of months to heal mentally. You and Max got to trying again.

You aren’t quitters and again you both desperately want a child. There's lots of sex, more than before. Something reignited in the relationship, like when the relationship began. Nothing could keep you away from Max back then.

He would fuck you wherever he could. Often times risking being seen. It was a moment where neither of you cared about being caught or being exposed to the whole world.

The Two-Time World Champion and the Grid’s Princess. Happily Married and Horny for Each Other.

The second time you found out you were pregnant was in Zandvoort, Max’s home race. You weren’t traveling as much trying to give your body rest and hopefully encourage it to take but this was a special track for Max so you tagged along.

Similar symptoms were arising so you waited to arrive at Zandvoort to take the test with Max. You were once again in the bathroom, sitting on the counter. He was between your legs, his head on your chest, waiting for the four minutes to be over.

“If it’s negative?” You asked, your fingers in his hair, scratching at his scalp to relax him.

“Then we try again and again and again,” he says cheekily, grabbing onto your thighs and kissing you.

“You’d like that wouldn’t you,” you giggle, pulling at his roots to make him groan.

“Perhaps but I’m not the one yelling out my name,” he smirks, recalling the other night when he had you with your legs up on his shoulders as he entered you slow and deep. If he closes his eyes he can hear your whiny moans begging for him to tip you over the edge.

“Poor Checo had to call the front desk and fill in a complaint,” you giggle, hiding your face from Max with your hands.

“It’s not my fault I didn’t see his text,” Max shrugs, not having a care in the world.

He was in his suite with his wife, having fun and trying to conceive. It’s not his fault he was making you feel so good you felt the need to scream his name and it’s not his fault Checo’s bedroom was right next to yours. Blame the Red Bull team for reserving two suites right next to each other.

The triggering alarm sounds, making your heart race. This time you grab the test, deciphering what the faint lines mean. You ran out of the good pregnancy tests and you were too lazy to go out and get new ones.

“It’s positive!” You squeal, showing the home test to Max.

Max’s eyes widen, “We did it!”

“I'm so happy,” you tear up from joy, hugging Max’s shoulders. Nothing is stopping him tomorrow on the track. He’s going to ride this high as long as possible.

Max grabs your thighs, forcing you to wrap your legs around him. He carries you over to the bed, kissing your lips, your neck, your chest.

Max was going to make you scream out his name again.

There was little celebration. You and Max kept the news to yourselves for a while longer. You took every precaution on the book. You stopped traveling with Max afraid it was one of the causes of your first miscarriage. You took care of your diet, you did minimal exercise, took every prenatal vitamin you could find but much like the first time, it happened again.

This time you felt so defeated, like something was wrong with you. Like maybe you weren’t meant to bring a child into the world or become a mother.

Max found you on the balcony one night after it happened. It was freezing outside so he got a blanket and wrapped it around your shoulders.

“‘I'm sorry,” you sniffle, not meeting his eyes. Your tears were cold against your cheeks.

“For what?” Max asks, watching you carefully. Your eyes red rimmed and nose runny.

“There’s something wrong with me and I can’t give us a baby,” you cry softly, wiping away at your tears.

You feel so ashamed and embarrassed. Having a baby shouldn’t be this fucking hard. You’ve done so much in life and this simple thing you can’t do. Something your body was designed to do.

“Hey, no. You know what the doctor said. There’s nothing wrong with you and there’s so many other ways we can have children together,” Max chides you, pulling his chair closer and grabbing your shoulders so you look at him.

“If there’s nothing wrong with me why does it keep happening?” You ask as your eyes well with more tears. They haven’t stopped in a good ten minutes.

“It’s not our time yet.” It’s the only thing Max can say. He doesn’t have all the answers in the world but there is one thing he’s sure of. “I love you no matter what.”

“I don’t want to go through this again.” Your bottom lip wobbles as you speak. The words getting caught on your throat.

It’s not like you don’t want children because you desperately do but you can’t go through another disappointment. More pain and more blood. More false hope.

“You don’t have to,” Max tells you, comforting you the best way he can. He picks you up, settling you on his lap as he wraps his arms around you. He kisses your head, coming up with words to make you feel better.

He doesn’t want a child if the process is going to cause you so much suffering. It’s hard seeing you like this when he’s used to seeing you be this independent strong woman, who broke barriers in a field of men.

He’s discovering a new side to you deep into your relationship. He loves you but it’s shocking to see you be this vulnerable when a lot of times you love to handle things on your own. In a way, he’s happy he’s able to be here with you and help you.

Monza | November 2023

In Formula One rumors spread like wildfire. Within the teams and its members and riders the reason for your break didn’t remain a secret for long.

It didn’t stop certain teams from reaching out and persuading you into joining them. As far as they know you’re not pregnant yet and you did promise to return one day.

As the only woman in the grid you pull in lots of sponsors and the media and fans love you. Having you on a team is a win all around, considering you also bring in trophies.

Ferrari is a big team showing their interest in you. They’ve sent your manager multiple invitations for you to come and visit Ferrari Headquarters. No strings attached just a simple tour and meeting.

It’s tempting. Driving for Ferrari is every F1 racers dream and to be invited to test out their car and talk business is an honor.

You went quietly to the meeting, undecided if it’s the choice you want to make. Mercedes awaits your return whenever you’re ready, having led them to victory many times alongside Lewis.

Oh, Toto Wolff has you in his sight constantly. If he knew you were at Monza he’d probably fly down and get you out. You’re one of his biggest assets yet.

“There's our princess,” Charles greets you, running up to you and giving you a big hug.

He missed having you around. The fans never let him forget of all the good times, constantly tagging him on instagram and twitter.

“Hey Charles,” you laugh as he sways you from side to side.

“I missed you,” he says as he guides you over to the garage.

“Missed me kicking your ass?” You quip, playfully pushing him.

“Please, competing against Max on my own is exhausting. Too much responsibility,” Charles admits.

“He’s having the time of his life.” Max has the most fun when there are challenges and Charles has proven to be a worthy one. Insults and all. He loves getting a rise out of him.

The Ferrari team sets you up with a bright red race suit, giving you a visual of what your future has in store.

The feel of the baclavla is familiar around your head and the weight of the helmet comforting. It’s been a year since you last wore the uniform and it feels like home.

You step into the car, slidding in the steering wheel. The crew gives you the signal to pull out and you do with a push on the gas.

The rumble of the engine is exhilarating as is the blend of colors around you. It comes back so naturally, knowing when to push the car when to break. Learning this car is easy, like it’s made for you.

It has the potential to be a winner, to help you achieve the goal of becoming world champion.

“Ready to join Scuderia Ferrari?” Frederic Vasseif asks you once you get out of the car. There’s a smugness to him. He knows you enjoyed it and you’re itching for more.

“I don’t know. Carlos seems to be doing really well,” you try to play it cool, taking off your helmet and baclavla to shake off your hair.

“He’s good but you’re the greatest,” Fred says, giving you a knowing look.

“If I accept it’s because I want to win the Championship,” you negotiate. Charles is the first driver and it makes sense he stays there since he’s been with the team longer but you will not sacrifice yourself for him.

“We wouldn’t have it any other way,” Fred agrees, extending his hand to shake yours.

“The predestined and the princess?” Charles smiles, wrapping an arm around you.

You smile and bite your lip, “It’s time to take down Max Verstappen.”

No wonder the fans think there’s a long standing rivalry between you and Max. You talk a lot about taking him down and winning the championship. With the trust you two have he bites back with words of his own. It makes for quite a show. They’re going to lose it once it’s revealed you’re joining Ferrari.

Your joy returning home is palpable. Max notices it the moment you walk into your shared home in Monaco. The cats notice it too as they weave between your legs asking to be pet.

"Hi, love," Max greets you, placing his hands on your hips and kissing you. You wrap your arms your his neck loosely, smiling into the kiss.

He doesn't let you go when the kiss breaks, his thumbs caressing your back. You smile at him, a hand on his face, as your fingers brush over his stubble. He leans into it. “How did it go?”

“It's top secret," you say cheekily.

"Really?" Max follows along amusedly, "You can't even tell your dear husband Max Emilian?"

It's been an inside joke since you started dating that the person you're dating is Max Emilian and not Max Verstappen. Helps keep things separated to a certain degree but mostly it's funny.

"Well, if it's Max Emilian asking I can tell him that I've just signed with Ferrari and that Max Verstappen will have some serious competition next year," you tell him as your smile widens.

“Congratulations!" Max exclaims, hugging you tightly. You laugh is music in his ears. From the moment you stepped in he knew something changed. You were laughing and smiling like a weight was lifted off your shoulders.

“I’m a Ferrari girl now and I’m going to take that title from you,” she boasts, playfully pushing him.

“That’s a big statement,” he says, playfully caging her in his arms. Max adores that her competitive streak is back, it's one of the things he fell in love with when you began dating.

Being married means being there in the bad and the good, in sickness and in health. He'll be by your side through it all but he'd rather have you be happy and competitive than depressed and anxious.

“What you think I can’t do it?” You laugh when he tries tickling you. Your this close to elbowing him if he doesn't stop.

Finally letting up, he cups your face and looks into your eyes as he says, “If there’s someone who is going to do it, it’s you. You're my girl after all.”

f1 posted on instagram: The Princess is back and in red. Everyone bow down. 📸: Reader wearing a Ferrari race suit posing in front of the new Ferrari SF-23. Comments: user8: holy shit she’s back

user95: this was not on my bingo card, but it was in my dreams every night since she left -> user57: like a wise woman once said in rome; this is what dreams are made of

user72: guess she had enough of that married life and is back to wreck these boys

user14: i might actually fucking cry. our queen is back and in ferrari red -> user98: red is definitely her color. -> user67: you know who's color it is too? charles... ->user53: you know who likes charles? max... ->user17: i can't with you 💀

user67: i want to see max squirm with both charles and her against him -> user55: please if anything it’ll turn him on -> user45: hell even i'm turned on

user88: wait does this mean she can’t curse at charles anymore? -> user68: don't worry, the second charles gets in her way it's coming. don't you remember that one time she almost crashed with lewis and she let him have it? -> user 90: i've never seen lewis be that fast outside of a car

user12: i’ve got my editing program ready, i’ll get all the edits. max x princess, predestined x princess, max x charles, i got them all -> user56: i'm not picky, i'll help -> user02: you should do one where she's walking in like in those wwe fights with the dramatic music

Monaco | Nov 2024

The conversation about the pregnancy is kept on pause. You and Max wait till you're back home in Monaco to continue it. It's fresh in your minds though as you try and make sense of he timing of it all.

There's only two more races to the season, you are so close to the end. You wish you hadn't found out till much later, they do say ignorance is bliss.

You're filled with fear and uncertainty. What if this pregnancy ends up like the rest? What if you give up the championship for something that might not even happen? But what if you chose the championship and give up a viable pregnancy?

The morning after arriving at Monaco you're in the kitchen with your laptop in front of you as you schedule an appointment with your doctor. The cup of coffee you made earlier is now cold as you could barely drink it with so many thoughts in your head.

You cover your face with your hands, groaning at the headache forming so early in the day.

Max finds you like that and he knows it's time to talk. He comes up behind you, pressing a kiss and resting his chin on your shoulder as he hugs you from behind.

"What's on your mind, schatje?"

You take a deep breath, focusing on him to try and gather your thoughts, "I don't know what to do, Maxie. What do I do?"

"I can't tell you what to do. I can tell you that I want to have a baby with you but I don’t want you to go through all that pain again or feel pressured that you need to do this for me. I love you and I want you to be happy. If it's choosing your career I'm here for you. If it's starting a family I'm here as well," Max says as he hugs you tighter until you relax against him.

You shake your head, lacing your fingers with his as they lie on your midsection. "It's the fact that the first two didn't end well and it was such a horrible experience. If I knew for a fact I was going to give birth to this baby I would drop the championship in a heartbeat."

"I'm happy with whatever you choose. Even if you decide that carrying a baby isn't for you. Later on we can try surrogacy or adoption."

It's 2024 and there are tons of options out there in the case you want to become parents. It doesn't have to be one way or no way. Plus, they are young and have their lives ahead of them.

"Really? You couldn’t be like one of the awful men who insist women need to have a baby? You’re making this hard on me," you lightly joke, bringing his hand to your lips to kiss it.

Max laughs along with you. He knows you've made a decision even if you haven't realized. He's only there to guide you. “You already made a decision, schatje.”

Your eyes return to your laptop where the appointment with the specialty clinic is displayed. “I need to give this pregnancy a chance. I mean think about it. I've raced, I've drank alcohol and it's still here. It happened against all odds, Maxie. What if it’s a sign? That the timing is right,” you say, recalling the conversation you had with him a year ago. “I just hate I need to withdraw from the rest of the races.”

Max made a decision that same moment, “I’ll pull out from the races too.” It feels shitty that because you're a woman you have to pull out the races for your safety and the baby's while he continues on like nothing has happened.

“What? That’s insane Max,” you exclaim, staring at him bewildered.

“It’s only fair. You have to do it to have OUR baby, why do you have to be the only one who quits?”

You laugh and shake your head, placing your hands on his chest, “You’re not doing that, Max. This is F1 and it’s ruthless which is why you’re so good at it. Besides, with last Sunday's race you're already ahead of me and there's no chance the others are catching up with two races to go. The title is yours," you reassure him, kissing the corner of his mouth, “It’s not my time to be a world champion yet and maybe it never will. I have to accept that."

Max scoffs, poking his tongue on his cheek, “No, you will be. Once you have this baby you’re coming back even if I have to give away my seat in Red Bull.”

“I don’t know what I did to deserve you,” you hum, looking into his eyes.

“You beat me on your rookie year,” he reminds you.

Back when you started in F1 and neither you or Max were on the top you had friendly battles in the midst of the races. It wasn't for podium but it kept the fans entertained and recruiters eyes on you both. Max beat you most times but there was one day you beat him on a wet race which is unheard of.

“Once!”

“Once was enough!” He insists. Max fell in love with your competitive side, it didn't matter if you beat him or not. That day when you approached him with that big smile and malicious intent in your eyes he was done for.

“How will we handle the media?” He steers the conversation a different place. He's not sure how much longer he can keep the relationship a secret with a baby on the way.

“Same as always. They can’t know about us yet, Maxie. They will throw your name on the ground and say horrible things.”

If the media finds out that you're pregnant with Max's baby they will say it's sabotage cause he felt threatened that you were going to take the title from him. They don't care for details.

“I don’t know how much longer we can keep this a secret,” he confesses, trying to reason with you.

“Not long okay? After the baby comes,” you promise him. After the baby comes you will tell the world everything.

F1_news tweeted: The Grid's Princess is withdrawing from the rest of the races this season due to her health. Not much is known yet. Carlos Sainz to take over her seat.

comments:

user56: not again please -> user97: i'm in tears -> user57: alexa play 'see you again' by charlie puth

user64: i hope she's doing okay and is able to return next year. she was so close on getting the championship

user76: i love the queen but i'm happy to get charlos back again! -> user34: it's very bitter sweet isn't it? -> user57: i wonder if she'll be back with ferrari next year? -> user45: well her contract is for two years so if she's okay when the next season starts i don't see why not -> user08: contracts mean nothing in F1 user04: get ready to witness a pouty max -> user 87: these next few races will be a piece of cake and he hates it -> user72: i love lando and charles but there's no way they are going to give him a hard time

user46: this is the end of the princess, who is going to want her back? -> user 43: get the fuck out of here you hater -> user345: who asked for your opinion?

F1_fanpage: The Grid's princess seen walking out of a clinic specialized in complicated pregnancies. 📸

user45: holy shit, it all makes fucking sense she’s pregnant -> user58: i didn't want to say anything but dizzy and nausea? it’s textbook pregnancy

user67: our queen is having a prince(ss) -> user176: who is the fucking dad? -> user404: he needs to be a part of F1 for her to still be around when she should be home resting

user47: she's glowing

user68: not her audibly rooting for carlos on the latest race -> user99: well it is only temporary and it's not like they kicked her out. she left because she had to -> user55: we love a supportive queen either way

user88: did ya'll see her interacting with max and charles after the race? they were so careful with her. it makes so much sense! -> user44: i'm hyperventilating we got a max hug! -> user 67: better yet we got a charles hug! -> user12: opening up my editing program as we speak

Part 2 Coming Soon

The world is aware you're now pregnant. You got a job working for the F1 social media and interview team during your pregnancy. Rumors keep spreading about who your husband and baby daddy is. Fans keep shipping you with Max and Charles. Max might just explode if he doesn’t tell everyone, but will he?

Oscar X Single Mum

Blurb Masterlist

cute guy in the park

this is oscar

where the bleep is oscar

reunited

a day with cooper

★ MASTERLIST

it's nice to have a friend lando is one of your closest friends… until he sleeps with you and ghosts you. part one | part two | part three | part four | part five | part six | part seven | part eight | part nine | part ten | part eleven | part twelve | part thirteen

OSCAR PIASTRI | OP81

secret sister | norris!sister - smau

part one part two part three

professor piastri? | teacher!reader - smau

home race? | trilingual!reader - smau

chicago | single mum!reader - written part one | part two | part three | part four | completed

skyfall | spy!reader - written part one | part two | part three | completed

no time to die | spin off from skyfall - written part one | part two | part three | completed

amnesia | ex!reader - written

million dollar woman | ceo!reader - written

forgotten birthday | gf!reader - written

free now | author!reader - written

courage | bestfriend!reader - written

haunted | catholic!oscar - written

high school sweethearts | uni!oscar - written

new years dream | uni!oscar x singer!reader - written

LANDO NORRIS | LN4

all my lando work is dedicated to @driverlando

cool for the summer | summer fling!reader - smau

english love affair | rockstar!reader - smau

it’s ok i’m ok | ex!reader - written

private | singer!reader - smau

casual | situationship!reader - written

set fire to the rain | toxic relationship - written

my kinda crazy | driver!reader - smau + written

two hands | bartender!reader - written

the come down | druggie!lando - written

honest | ex girlfriend!reader - written

given enough | toxic relationship - written

LOGAN SARGEANT | LS2

celebrity crush | singer!reader - smau

stay with me | ex!reader - smau + written

cookie | albon!reader - smau + written

confidence | vowles!reader - smut - written

FRANCO COLAPINTO | FC43

all my franco work is dedicated to @isaadore

the other guy | piastri!reader - smau + written part one | part two | part three | part four | part five | part six | bonus part completed

el coqueto | interviewer!reader - written

love-locked | sainz!reader - written

i loved you first | best friend!reader - written

part one | part two | part three | completed

power over you | older!reader - written

made it out alive | situationship!reader - written

MAX VERSTAPPEN | MV1

mi novio, max verstappen | mexican!reader - written

the princess and the driver | princess!reader - written part one | part two | part three | part four | completed

whats left behind | barrell racer!reader x bull rider!max - written part one | part two | part three | part four | part five | completed

miss you baby | gf!reader brazil race

preacher’s daughter au - written

part one | part two | part three | part four | part five | final part | completed

99 problems - written part one | part two coming |

baby, baby | fiance!reader - written

forever and always | military!max - written

don't wanna be saved | mafia!max - written

my peace | bestfriend!max - written

LEWIS HAMILTON | LH44

water colour eyes | driver!reader - written

CHARLES LECLERC | LC16

all my charles work is dedicated to @iimplicitt

7 minutes | verstappen!reader - written

teacher's pet | student!reader - written part one | part two | part three | part four | completed

my muse | pianist!reader - written

love me baby | arthur's gf's best friend!reader - smau + written

for you, always | prince!charles - written

war is over | airforce!charles - written

sacred ashes | church boy!charles - written

alibi | mafia!charles - written (coming soon)

CARLOS SAINZ | CS55

a summer of love | summer romance -written

a future worth living | knight x princess - written

all i need | failed romance - written

f1 masterlist!!

requests are open!! [nav | inbox]

max verstappen

snap out of it — rivals to lovers series

oscar piastri

on air — interviewer!reader series

lando norris

you could start a cult

free fallin’ — fake dating series

charles leclerc

peer pressure — friends to lovers mini series

carlos sainz

bad idea, right?

lewis hamilton

george russell

esteban ocon

pierre gasly

lance stroll

fernando alonso

alex albon

franco colapinto

daniel riccardo

logan sergeant

mark webber

jenson button

sebastain vettel

kimi räikkönen

masterlist⋆𐙚₊˚⊹ ᡣ𐭩

addison I 20 I requests are open

𐙚- most popular

lando norris, 4 -smaus

got love-struck, your fans still love your ex causing some trouble in your current relationship with lando part two i wish you would part three out out the woods

boss' daughter, lando's got a crush on zak brown's daughter but she's a little hard to get 𐙚 sequel: american wedding, lando dating zak brown's daughter leads to a lot of pr disasters, like getting married in vegas

just pr, after being caught hooking up with lando, you both decide it would be good for your images to fake date. too bad you hate each other. part two

be aggressive, the internet is curious as to why lando suddenly has an interest in american football, specifically with the dallas cowboys

-writings

new years day, lando reunites with his childhood crush and only has a few days after christmas to confess his feelings

british slang, pranking lando is the only way he can finally get off his phone 𐙚

back to you, lando cannot handle a casual relationship with his constant jealousy

charles leclerc, 16 -smaus

vicious, lando's fans always attack you yet he does nothing to defend you (inspired by vicious by sabrina carpenter) 𐙚 part two

Masterlist

(B) means bullet-point format

(S) means Smut aka 18+

(F) means Fluff

Evan Buckley

Series:

Right Person At Maybe The Wrong Time- You and Evan were high school sweethearts and college but when he got expelled, he left without much explanation before you could tell him you were pregnant. Now 10 years later, you’re working a shift at the hospital when you get word that a sniper has been shooting firefighters. You meet Eddie Diaz when you’re the nurse in charge of his recovery and soon come face-to-face with the father of your child. How will you tell him that he has a child he doesn’t know about and the fact that you might be falling for his friend?

Oneshots:

Coming soon…

Eddie Diaz

Series: 

Right Person At Maybe The Wrong Time- You and Evan were high school sweethearts and college but when he got expelled, he left without much explanation before you could tell him you were pregnant. Now 10 years later, you’re working a shift at the hospital when you get word that a sniper has been shooting firefighters. You meet Eddie Diaz when you’re the nurse in charge of his recovery and soon come face-to-face with the father of your child. How will you tell him that he has a child he doesn’t know about and the fact that you might be falling for his friend?

Oneshots:

I’m Stuck (B)(S)- When a separated woman new to LA needs help with a rather personal matter, who will she call? None other than the firefighter in every woman’s wet dreams.

steve: what's your sexuality?

bucky: dumbsexual

steve: i thought you were gay :(

bucky: here's the proof

𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝: 𝟐𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐞𝐩𝐭, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟎

» 𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐰 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐬 

take me as i am, whoever i am (new)

pink satin, pink lace 

some nights: part i  , part ii ;  (stucky x reader)

going down

end of the day

troublemaker

laundry day 

just a little ink 

someplace away 

what i like 

a lover like mine 

all it takes: part i , part ii , part iii

» 𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐰 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐧𝐬 

soft sex with bucky

talking dirty to bucky 

bucky can’t get a boner 

bucky’s girl in a pin-up dress

bubble gum

» 𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐟𝐟 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐬 

ride with me

paperwork

just a little ink

possible-future-girlfriend

quiet 

ten years, too late

dating highschool!bucky (headcanon)

» 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬  

“my neighbor’s a jerk” 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭

“his wedding” 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 (completed) 

“redemption” 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 (sequel to his wedding) 

“ride with me” 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 

» 𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐰 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐬

play dirty 

hot and heavy

some nights: part i , part ii ;  (stucky x reader)  

pink

» 𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐰 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐧𝐬

masturbating with steve 

» 𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐟𝐟 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐬  

the one with steve’s book

sharing a home with your boyfriend, bucky 

summer time with baker!bucky

professor!steve

college au: athlete!bucky x artists!reader

prince!bucky

demon!bucky

melodramatic!bucky 

𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐨𝐧 (𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬)

» 𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐟𝐟 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐬

eventually

the keg stand

forehead kisses

coy

» 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐬

“i thought i lost you” kisses

“in the dark” kisses

» 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐬

“stop with the tongue thing, it’s strangely attractive.” + “no, i don’t know how i got a boner, it just kind of happened! it’s because of how you were eating that ice cream, i bet!”

“i dare you to kiss me.” + “are you trying to turn me on?”

“i keep telling them we’re not dating. but they keep telling me friends don’t normally make out when drunk.”

𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐤𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐤𝐲 (𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐲𝐬 𝐢'𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞)

study sessions

peter kavinsky as your boyfriend (headcanon)

𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐫 (𝐠𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐝)

how you start dating frank (headcanon)

Beneath the Bloodlines (Franco Colapinto) .𖥔 ݁ ˖.

“I don’t know. You seem... different, when no one’s watching.” ✶⋆.˚

Synopsis: You’re a privileged witch from a prestigious wizarding family, and you fall in love with Franco, a Muggle-born student. Forced to end your relationship to protect him, you’re torn between family duty and your own heart, struggling with the pain of your sacrifice as you can’t forget the love you lost.

Genre: Slowburn, Angst, Fluff

AU: Hogwarts!au

Pairing: Muggle!Franco x Pure-Blood!Reader

Warnings: Reader isn't a good person, but she means well. I gave them a good ending here because they lowkey weren't supposed to end up together, but I'm not that cruel I promise.

Note: Back to the Harry Potter fics while I try to figure out the ending to 'Cruising in Papaya' because I have so many things I wanna publish and have so many other fics planned. Anyways, I had fun writing this (aka breaking my own part), I hope you guys enjoy! Don't forget to like + reblog.

You sit at the end of a long dining table, the polished mahogany gleaming under the flickering light of enchanted chandeliers.

The walls of your family’s grand dining hall are lined with portraits of your ancestors—each one draped in regal wizarding robes, their eyes following you as if judging every breath you take.

Outside the frost-laced windows, the grounds of your estate stretch endlessly, blanketed by a soft mist that only adds to the manor’s imposing grandeur.

The clinking of silverware against fine china breaks the silence, but no amount of opulence can dull the sharpness in your father’s voice.

“Y/n, I trust you’ve been behaving appropriately at Hogwarts,” he says, his tone a mix of warning and expectation. His hawkish gaze fixes on you, and you feel the weight of the family name pressing down like the heavy pendant around your neck.

“Yes, Father,” you reply, keeping your tone neutral. It’s easier that way.

Your mother, seated to your left, places her wine glass down with a delicate hand. Her sharp eyes, so like yours, glint with something cold.

“Good. Because we’ve been receiving concerning reports about the school’s... lax attitudes. Headmaster’s leniency has allowed Muggle-borns to overstep their place.”

The word “Muggle-born” rolls off her tongue like a curse, and you’ve heard it too many times to flinch anymore. You’ve memorized the lectures, the justifications, the family’s obsessive need to uphold purity in the wizarding world. To them, tradition is everything.

“We’ve raised you to understand the importance of your bloodline,” she continues, her voice smooth but firm. “It’s not just your legacy—it’s your duty. And to ensure that you fulfill it, we’ve made arrangements.”

Your stomach tightens. You’ve been expecting this conversation, but the confirmation still twists something inside you.

“Arrangements?” you ask, keeping your voice steady, though you already know the answer.

Your father nods, a thin smile tugging at his lips.

“Charles Leclerc. A fine match. His family has the same values as ours, and their standing in the wizarding world is impeccable. He’s talented, from a distinguished bloodline, and will make a suitable husband.”

The room feels colder, despite the roaring fire in the hearth. You’ve met Charles a few times—at banquets, galas, and other events you’ve been forced to attend. He’s everything your parents want: charismatic, handsome, and firmly rooted in the beliefs that bind families like yours together. But to you, he’s a gilded cage waiting to snap shut.

Your mother’s voice cuts through your thoughts. “You’ll have plenty of time to get to know him better when he visits over the holidays. His family is eager to solidify this bond.”

They’ve decided your future, just as they’ve decided everything else. You nod, the weight of your family’s expectations sinking into your chest. You’re the perfect daughter in their eyes, but that perfection comes at a cost.

As the conversation shifts to other topics—affairs of the wizarding world, the latest scandals, and more disdain for Muggle-borns—you retreat into your thoughts. Outside, the mist deepens, cloaking the estate in an eerie quiet.

You wonder what it would be like to escape this life. To be free of the portraits’ judging eyes and your parents’ endless demands.

But then you think of him—the boy with a kind smile, who sees you as more than a name or a bloodline. Franco Colapinto, the one who’s already starting to unravel the carefully built walls around your heart.

Your mother’s voice interrupts again, crisp and demanding. “Y/n, are you listening?”

You straighten in your chair, the mask of obedience slipping easily back into place. “Yes, Mother,” you reply.

But in your heart and in your mind, the storm is already brewing. 

The first time you notice him, you’re standing in the middle of the Charms corridor, your wand clenched tightly in your hand. Around you, students bustle between classes, their chatter echoing off the high stone walls. But you’re stuck—utterly frustrated as the spell you’ve been practicing for weeks refuses to cooperate.

“Wingardium Leviosa!” you mutter again, flicking your wand in the precise motion Professor Flitwick demonstrated. The feather in front of you quivers but stubbornly refuses to rise.

You glance around, hoping no one’s paying attention. A member of your family struggling with such a simple spell? It’s mortifying.

“Try loosening your grip,” a voice says from behind you.

You turn sharply, surprised. Standing there is a boy you don’t recognize—dark hair slightly tousled, his tie a little crooked. He’s carrying a stack of books nearly as tall as he is, but there’s a kind smile on his face that somehow makes the intrusion feel less insulting.

“And why would I take advice from you?” you reply, your tone sharper than intended.

The boy’s smile doesn’t falter. “Because I’ve been watching you try for five minutes, and you’re gripping your wand like it’s about to run off.”

You blink, caught off guard by his straightforwardness. He doesn’t sound mocking—if anything, there’s a genuine attempt to help.

“Fine,” you mutter, adjusting your hold slightly. “Happy?”

“Not quite,” he says, stepping closer. He sets his books down and takes out his own wand. “It’s more of a swish and flick, like this.” He demonstrates the movement with practiced ease, and his feather floats gracefully into the air.

You mimic his motion, this time feeling the spell click into place. Your feather rises, bobbing gently in the air. Relief washes over you, but it’s quickly replaced by a mix of irritation and embarrassment.

“See? Told you,” he says, grinning.

You narrow your eyes. “Who are you, anyway?”

“Franco Colapinto,” he replies, extending a hand. “I’m new this year. Muggle-born.”

There’s a beat of silence as the word sinks in. Muggle-born. Normally, it’s the kind of thing your parents would scoff at, the kind of thing you’ve been taught to look down on. But standing here, looking at his easy smile and his confidence, you can’t summon the disdain they’d expect from you.

“Y/n,” you say finally, ignoring his hand and raising an eyebrow instead. “You’re awfully bold for someone who doesn’t even know their way around the castle yet.”

“I know enough,” he counters. “Like how to help someone who’s too proud to ask.”

For a moment, you’re stunned into silence. Then, before you can think better of it, a smile tugs at the corner of your lips.

“Thank you,” you say, though the words feel strange coming out of your mouth.

Franco shrugs, picking up his books again. “Anytime.”

As he walks away, disappearing into the crowd of students, you can’t help but watch him go. There’s something about him—something different.

You turn back to your feather, still floating in the air. For the first time, the corridors feel a little less cold, the walls a little less confining.

You don’t know it yet, but that moment will change everything.

The library is quiet, the only sounds being the rustle of parchment and the occasional whisper between students.

You sit at a corner table, your usual spot tucked away from prying eyes. Your open textbook blurs before you as your mind wanders to the task at hand—a complex potion formula that refuses to make sense.

“Stuck again?”

You glance up, startled. Franco stands there, a playful grin on his face, a quill tucked behind his ear.

“I’m not stuck,” you say quickly, closing the book as though that will prove your point.

He raises an eyebrow and slides into the chair across from you without waiting for an invitation. “Let me guess. Amortentia?”

You freeze. “How did you—”

“You were muttering ingredients under your breath.” He leans forward, resting his arms on the table. “The trick is to focus on the timing, not the amount. Most people get it wrong because they think adding powdered moonstone too early will speed things up.”

You narrow your eyes. “How do you know that?”

Franco shrugs. “Reading ahead. You should try it sometime.”

The corner of your mouth twitches. “You’re insufferable, you know that?”

“And yet, here I am, helping you.”

Despite yourself, you laugh softly. It’s strange how easy it feels—this banter, this warmth. With him, there’s no need for the polished facade your family expects.

The next time you run into him, the evening air is crisp as the last of the Quidditch practice wraps up. The field is littered with players still chatting and laughing, broomsticks slung over their shoulders. 

The sound of footsteps echoes as they move toward the changing rooms, leaving the pitch growing quieter with each passing second.

You remain where you are, perched on the edge of the Quidditch stands, watching the fading light of the day paint the sky in streaks of pink and gold.

You’re not one of the players—never have been—but something about the energy of the game draws you in. There’s a certain freedom in watching, in being part of something without actually belonging to it.

The seat next to you creaks, and you glance to your left. Franco is there, his broom tucked under his arm, hair slightly disheveled from practice. He’s out of breath, cheeks flushed with the excitement of the game.

“Not heading back to the castle?” he asks, his voice low but amused.

You shake your head. “I like the quiet up here.”

“Yeah, me too,” he says, dropping into the seat next to you, his gaze scanning the empty field. “Sometimes, I just need to get away from the noise.”

You don’t respond at first, but the silence is comfortable, more comfortable than you expected. The hum of the breeze around you seems to fill in the gaps.

You glance at him, noticing the way the fading light makes his eyes seem lighter, warmer. He catches your gaze and gives you a small, knowing smile.

“What?” you ask, unable to hide the curiosity in your voice.

“Just thinking,” he replies, his voice quiet. “You’re not what I expected.”

You raise an eyebrow, not quite sure how to take that. “How so?”

“I don’t know. You seem... different, when no one’s watching.”

Your heart stutters for a moment, unsure how to respond to such an honest observation. The words hang between you, vulnerable and real, and you’re suddenly acutely aware of the way his presence fills the space beside you.

“Maybe I don’t like being watched,” you say after a beat, looking away, your fingers nervously tracing the edge of the bench.

He nods slowly, his expression softening. “I get that.”

For a while, neither of you says anything. You sit in the quiet together, the sounds of the castle now distant and muted. The only company is the soft rustle of the wind, the fading warmth of the sun, and the faint whispers of the past few hours of Quidditch practice.

Finally, Franco speaks again. “You know, it’s funny... I thought being on the team would be the thing that made me feel like I belonged here.” He laughs softly, almost to himself. “But it’s actually the opposite. I feel more myself when I’m not trying to be anything else.”

You turn your head to look at him, and the sincerity in his voice catches you off guard. There’s a rawness to his words, something that feels utterly honest, something you never expected from someone like him—someone who comes from the exact world your family would call “unworthy.”

“Do you ever feel like you’re just playing a part?” you ask, your voice quieter now.

Franco turns toward you, his gaze steady and searching. “All the time,” he says, but there’s no bitterness in his tone, just an acceptance that feels almost freeing. “But the trick is not to let it swallow you whole.”

His words settle over you, making your heart beat a little faster. It’s strange, how easy it feels to talk to him, to let down your guard in a way you’ve never allowed yourself to do before.

For a long while, neither of you moves. The field below you is empty now, the stands quiet except for the occasional gust of wind.

And just for a moment, you wonder what it might be like to live like him—to exist without constantly measuring every move, every word, every expectation. To simply be.

But that life isn’t for you. Not in the world you were born into.

Still, you sit there, side by side, feeling the weight of the world shift ever so slightly in his presence.

Finally, as the last light fades from the sky, you stand, reluctant to break the stillness between you.

“Guess I should go,” you murmur, your voice barely a whisper.

Franco looks up at you, a small smile playing on his lips. “I’ll walk you back.”

You hesitate but nod. “Alright.”

As you walk side by side toward the castle, his presence beside you is somehow both grounding and unsettling, like a constant reminder of a world you don’t fully belong to, but can’t quite let go of.

The castle is eerily quiet at night, the only light coming from the torches lining the stone walls.

You walk beside Franco, your steps muffled by the thick rugs underfoot, the soft glow from the torches casting flickering shadows on the ancient stone. There’s something almost magical about the stillness, a sense that the world beyond these walls is far away.

“If we get caught, this is your fault,” you whisper, though there’s no real annoyance in your voice. You can’t quite suppress the thrill of sneaking through the halls at night, the usual sense of duty and expectation left behind for a while.

Franco smirks, holding up a folded piece of parchment. “Relax. I’ve got the map. We’re fine.”

The Marauder’s Map. You could never have imagined him holding something so rebellious, yet somehow it seems to suit him perfectly.

“You’re entirely too comfortable breaking the rules,” you tease, a playful edge to your voice.

“And you’re entirely too afraid to.”

The words sting, but only because they’re true. You’ve spent your entire life obeying rules, living in the confines of expectations that you never questioned. His way, though, it’s reckless—and yet, it feels free.

You glance at him, his face lit by the faint glow of the torches, and for a moment, you wonder how he can walk so easily in a world that constantly tries to push him down. How does he stand tall with so much weight on his shoulders?

“How do you do it?” you ask before you can stop yourself.

“Do what?”

“Stay... you. When everything’s against you.”

Franco stops, his expression shifting from lighthearted to something deeper. His gaze locks with yours, the soft glow from the torches flickering across his features, making his eyes seem even more intense than usual. There’s no sarcasm, no teasing. Just quiet, raw honesty.

“Because I don’t let them decide who I am.”

It’s such a simple answer, but it hits you harder than any lecture or reprimand your family has ever given you. In that moment, you feel something shift—like a door cracking open, letting in light where there had only been shadows.

Your heart beats a little faster. You think of your family’s expectations, the path they’ve paved for you, how every step feels like it’s already been written.

You’re expected to be a perfect daughter, the ideal pure-blood witch, but... you’ve never really known what it means to be just you.

Franco watches you, his gaze steady, almost knowing.

“You should try it sometime,” he says with a small smile, echoing his words from the library.

For the first time, you wonder if he’s right. If you should try it.

You swallow hard, feeling the weight of his words and the stirrings of something deep inside you. You don’t answer him right away. Instead, you keep walking, each step feeling heavier now, as though the weight of his question is lingering in the air between you.

Finally, you reach a narrow, quiet hallway—a place where the shadows seem to swallow sound, where no one would dare to pass at this hour. You glance around, feeling the pulse of adrenaline in your veins, the rush of doing something forbidden, yet exhilarating.

Franco leans against the stone wall, his posture casual, but there’s an intensity to him now, something quieter, almost waiting.

“What happens if we get caught?” you ask, your voice a little quieter than before.

Franco shrugs, his gaze lingering on you in a way that makes your heart race a little faster. “Then we deal with it. Together.”

The simplicity of his words sends a strange warmth through you. The way he says it—as though it’s nothing, as though the consequences don’t matter as long as you're not facing them alone. It’s almost enough to make you forget the fears that have been so carefully instilled in you.

You stand there, just looking at him for a moment, the quiet intimacy of the moment settling over you. And in that silence, you feel something shift between you—something more than friendship, more than mere companionship.

“You never answered me,” you say softly, breaking the tension. “How do you stay so... sure of yourself?”

Franco’s eyes soften, and for the briefest moment, he doesn’t look like the boy who defies every expectation placed on him. He looks like someone who’s seen the world in all its unfairness but still chooses to walk his own path.

“I don’t know if I’m sure,” he says quietly, “but I’m not going to live my life pretending to be something I’m not.”

His words hang in the air, heavy and honest, and you realize you don’t want to pretend anymore either.

But as your gaze locks with his, you feel the pull of your own truth, the truth you’ve been avoiding—the weight of your family, the future they’ve mapped out for you. The truth that, despite everything, still clings to you, no matter how far you try to run from it.

“I should get back,” you say, your voice a little breathless.

Franco straightens, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then, he nods, offering you a small, understanding smile.

“Yeah, probably,” he says, but there’s something in his tone—something like a promise, unspoken but felt all the same. “But you don’t have to walk alone.”

You hesitate, the words hanging between you, and for a brief moment, it feels like the entire world might shift in this hallway, in the quiet between you.

But you turn away, your heart pounding, the decision already made.

You may not be able to live your life like Franco yet, but you know one thing for certain.

You don’t want to live it alone.

The days following your late-night walk with Franco seem to blur together in a strange mixture of tension and yearning.

Every glance you steal at him, every stolen word, feels like a rebellion against the life your family has set out for you. But you know better than to make any rash decisions. Your family’s hold on you is too tight—your future already mapped out, carefully planned like the stones in a wall.

Your parents intensify their efforts to push you toward Charles in the following weeks. They invite him to every possible Hogwarts event—dinners in the Great Hall, late-night study sessions in the library where you’re expected to assist him with his work, and even casual strolls around the grounds, as if the whole school should be able to see you together.

“You know, darling,” your mother says one evening, as she surveys you carefully while adjusting your robes, “Charles is such a fine young man. I’m sure you two will have so much in common.”

You give her a tight smile, nodding just enough to appease her. “Of course, Mother.”

She beams at you, oblivious to the knot tightening in your chest.

Charles is everything your family could hope for—polished, handsome, and above all, pure-blood in every sense of the word. He carries himself with the air of someone who has never known a life without wealth or privilege, his polished smile a constant reminder of his family’s legacy.

But as you spend more time with him, you begin to see the cracks in his carefully constructed façade. The charming exterior begins to falter when no one is watching.

At dinner one evening, he’s seated next to you, as always, his elbow resting casually on the table as he talks about his summer. 

“I can’t believe my parents are pushing me to spend my time on all these charity events,” he complains, swirling his wine idly.

“It’s all so tedious. I’d rather be at the Manor, relaxing. But no, they’ve got me running errands for other families who don’t even matter in the end.”

You glance at him, surprised by the bitterness in his voice. “You’re not happy to help?” you ask, genuinely curious.

Charles laughs, but there’s no warmth in it. “I’m not happy to do anything that doesn’t benefit me. You should know that by now.”

The words sting, but you brush them off, feeling the weight of your family’s expectations pressing down on you. Still, there’s something in his words—something that feels more human than the polished image he likes to present.

Later that night, you find yourself alone with him in the courtyard, where the moonlight casts long shadows over the cobblestones. The cool air settles over you, and Charles’ voice breaks the silence once more.

“You know,” he starts, his voice quieter now, “Sometimes I feel like I’m trapped in all this.” He gestures to the grounds, the towering spires of Hogwarts in the distance. “Everything is decided for me. My future, my connections. My parents won’t even listen to my opinions anymore.”

You study him carefully, surprised by the vulnerability he’s showing. It’s not the Charles you’re used to—the charming, confident heir to a prestigious family. This Charles seems... lost.

“I thought you wanted this,” you say softly.

“I thought I did, too,” he admits, his tone tinged with something like regret. “But now... it’s like I’m drowning in it.”

For a moment, you see the young man behind the title, the boy who is also a prisoner of his bloodline. He’s not just the golden child of a pure-blood family. He’s a person—a person who feels the weight of his own inheritance, who feels the chains that bind him as much as you do.

“Do you ever wonder what it would be like to be free?” you ask before you can stop yourself.

Charles doesn’t answer right away. He looks away, his gaze distant. For a brief moment, you wonder if you’ve pushed him too far, but then he turns back to you, his smile weak but genuine.

“You don’t know what it’s like,” he says quietly, “to be the perfect heir, always expected to be more than you can be. It’s... it’s suffocating.”

You don’t know how to respond. You’ve never really thought about it that way—how Charles, too, is a puppet to his family’s expectations, bound by the same invisible strings that have always held you back.

“I think we’re both in the same boat,” you finally say.

He looks at you, his eyes searching yours as if looking for something—maybe understanding, maybe a shared truth. “Maybe,” he says slowly.

You don’t know what to make of it. The conversation lingers in your mind, like an unfinished spell.

The reality of it all—Charles’ struggles, his insecurities, his desperation to break free—sits uneasily with you. But even as you understand him a little more, the thought of your future with him feels colder, more distant.

And all you can think about is Franco—the boy who, despite everything stacked against him, dares to be himself.

The more you try to ignore it, the more it becomes impossible to resist. Every stolen glance, every whisper exchanged, feels like a forbidden secret pulsing between you and Franco. 

You’ve come to realize that the rules that once held your life together now feel more like chains—chains that, when broken, give you a taste of something real.

It starts innocently enough, these secret meetings—passing notes between classes, lingering after hours to talk in quiet corners. But soon, it’s not enough. You crave something more, something deeper. Something that, no matter how hard you try, won’t be denied.

One night, after the last bell has rung and the students disperse to their common rooms, you find yourself slipping out of your dormitory, the darkened hallways a comforting refuge. You glance over your shoulder, making sure no one sees, and move quickly through the castle’s winding corridors.

Franco’s waiting for you at the edge of the Forbidden Forest, the shadows dancing on his face as he leans casually against a tree. He’s always been good at making danger feel like a challenge, not a threat.

“You’re late,” he teases, his voice low.

“Had to lose a few people,” you reply, your breath coming in short bursts. It’s exhilarating, this secret life you’ve carved out for yourself.

He smiles, but there’s a softness in it—one that you’ve come to recognize as his true self, the one he only shows when it’s just the two of you.

“You’re always running away,” he says quietly, stepping closer. “What if you stopped? What if you just stayed?”

The words hang between you, fragile and tentative. You look at him, seeing the sincerity in his eyes, and something inside you shifts. The walls that have always surrounded you seem to falter, crumbling little by little.

“I don’t know how to stay,” you confess, your voice barely above a whisper.

“You don’t have to figure it all out now,” Franco says, his hand brushing against yours in a brief, electric touch. “But you can start by being here. With me. Right now.”

You let out a slow breath, as if the very idea of staying—of being truly present in this moment with him—terrifies you. But as his hand lingers in the space between you, you feel the weight of your family’s expectations start to slip away, replaced by something lighter, freer.

And so, you do stay.

The days that follow are a blur of stolen moments—hidden meetings beneath the Astronomy Tower, quiet conversations in the Library’s darkest corners, and long walks through the castle grounds. 

Each time, you feel the world around you get a little bit smaller, the only thing that matters being Franco and the connection that is growing between you.

One evening, after the last of the evening students have gone to bed, you find yourself walking alongside Franco through the Forbidden Forest. The moon casts long, eerie shadows over the path, but it’s beautiful in its silence, away from the eyes that have always watched you.

Franco glances at you, a question in his eyes. “Do you ever think about what we could have... if the world didn’t get in the way?”

You hesitate, your heart pounding. It’s the question that’s been sitting in the back of your mind for weeks now. What if? What if there was a life beyond the walls of Hogwarts, beyond the blood status, beyond the endless expectations of your family?

“I think about it every day,” you admit, the words flowing out before you can stop them.

Franco stops, turning to face you. His eyes are filled with something deeper now—something that goes beyond mere affection. “What would you do?”

The question catches you off guard. What would you do? The possibilities feel endless, like an open sky, but they’re also terrifying.

“I would...” You pause, feeling the weight of it all.

You’ve spent your entire life living for others, living for a future you didn’t choose. But with Franco, it’s different. He makes the world feel like it could be your own.

“I would want to be free,” you say quietly, your gaze meeting his. “Free to choose. To be with you, without anyone telling me I can’t.”

Franco steps closer, his voice low, his hand brushing your cheek as he tucks a strand of hair behind your ear. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted, too.”

His lips find yours then, and for a moment, it feels like the world falls away entirely. There are no expectations, no rules, no family legacy to uphold. There’s just the two of you—two people bound by something deeper than blood status or societal expectations.

You pull back, breathless, your heart racing. “What if we could?”

Franco’s smile is soft, filled with a mixture of hope and uncertainty. “We could. We just have to believe we can.”

The idea of a life outside the confines of your family’s control lingers in the air, both thrilling and terrifying. You don’t know what the future holds, but with Franco by your side, for the first time, you’re not afraid to find out.

The silence in your dormitory is heavy, punctuated only by the quiet rustling of parchment as you prepare for your next set of classes. The world outside seems calm—everything still seems... normal. But there’s a coldness settling in your chest, a chill that hasn’t been there before.

The weight of your secret feels unbearable now. The hours you’ve spent sneaking around, the stolen moments with Franco—they’ve all led to this point.

And you know it’s only a matter of time before someone catches on.

You’ve been doing your best to keep your distance from Charles, to avoid the forced meetings and the long, drawn-out conversations that always seem to circle back to expectations you can’t bear. But despite your best efforts, your family seems to be closing in on you.

They’re beginning to notice your absences, the way you’re always slipping away from social gatherings, your eyes distracted when you should be focused on Charles.

It’s Charles who finally puts the pieces together.

You hadn’t expected him to notice so quickly, but he’s been watching you—perhaps more carefully than you ever realized. His charm has always been a mask, one that’s cracked in moments when he’s felt threatened. And now, the mask slips, revealing something sharp underneath.

One evening, after dinner in the Great Hall, he finds you alone, standing near the entrance. He approaches with his usual confident air, but this time, there’s a tension in his posture that sends a shiver down your spine.

“You’ve been acting strange,” he says, his voice quiet but piercing. “I thought we had an understanding.”

You look at him, heart pounding. “What do you mean?”

His gaze narrows. “Don’t play dumb. I know what’s been going on.”

You feel your breath catch in your throat. He knows. How long has he suspected?

“You’re seeing him, aren’t you?” Charles’s words hang in the air, and for a second, it feels like the entire Hall goes silent around you.

Franco.

Your heart races, and the ground beneath your feet seems to shift. How did he find out?

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” you say, trying to keep your voice steady, but the cracks are already forming.

Charles steps closer, his gaze intense. “I’m not stupid. I saw the two of you in the courtyard last week. You thought no one was watching, but I was. You’re spending time with a Muggle-born—Franco Colapinto, of all people.” He spits the name out as though it’s poison, his distaste clear in every syllable.

Your heart sinks. He’s caught you. The secret you’ve worked so hard to protect is now laid bare.

“I told you it wasn’t just about us,” Charles says, his voice laced with bitterness. “You’re betraying everything. You’re betraying your family.”

Before you can respond, a cold, firm voice cuts through the air.

“You’re right, Charles. She’s betraying the family.”

Your head snaps to the side, and there, standing at the edge of the hall, is your mother, her expression stern and unforgiving. Behind her, your father stands like a looming shadow, his arms crossed tightly over his chest.

The walls of your family’s quarters in Hogwarts feel suffocating as your parents stand before you, their cold eyes locked onto yours.

The flickering torchlight casts harsh shadows across the stone walls, accentuating the severity of their expressions. You can hardly breathe in the heavy silence that follows their ultimatum.

"You have no idea what you've done, Y/N," your father’s voice is low, sharp like a knife. "Do you truly think you can live with the consequences of your actions?"

You stand before them, heart racing, as though you’re caught in some impossible dream—a nightmare where every word they speak strikes harder than the last. The weight of your family’s expectations presses down on you like an unshakable force.

"Do you think the pure-blood wizarding world will stand for this?" your mother adds, her voice betraying a quiet fury. "You’ve sullied your name. You’ve betrayed everything we’ve worked for."

They’re trying to break you, you realize. Trying to make you see the gravity of your mistake.

But it’s too late.

The truth has already made its way into your heart—the truth of your love for Franco. The truth of the bond you share has become more important than the expectations of your family, more important than anything.

But the sting of their words lingers in your chest, tightening with every passing second. You try to steady yourself, to push back against the storm building inside. You can’t let them see how much they’ve shaken you.

You can’t let them win.

"You’ll do what’s right," your father continues, his gaze icy and unforgiving.

"You’ll break ties with that Muggle-born and you’ll marry Charles, as we have planned. You’ll uphold your duty and restore honor to this family."

The air feels too thick. You can hardly think straight. The weight of your family’s demands threatens to crush you, but a single voice cuts through the chaos in your mind.

Franco. The warmth of his hand in yours, the feel of his presence beside you, comforting you, grounding you.

"You have no choice in the matter," your mother presses, her voice growing colder with each passing word.

"If you refuse, we will ensure that he—Franco Colapinto—never sets foot in this castle again. We’ll make sure his reputation is ruined. You don’t understand the power we hold."

The finality of her words hits you like a punch to the stomach. The thought of Franco, the boy you love, being torn apart by the very same people who have always controlled your life—it feels like a weight too great to bear. You can feel your chest tighten, your breath coming faster.

"We can make him a pariah, Y/N," your father adds, his voice dark and cold. "It would be easy. His time at Hogwarts, his future as a wizard—it could all be destroyed with a single whisper."

You feel your knees weaken beneath you. The pressure in your chest is unbearable. 

This isn’t just about your future anymore—it’s about his. Franco, who never asked for this. Franco, who fought for a life in a world that never accepted him, only to have it ripped away by the people who are supposed to be your family.

"You can’t—" Your voice cracks, and you quickly swallow the knot in your throat. "You can’t do that. You can’t hurt him."

The coldness in your father’s gaze sharpens.

"We will. And don’t think for a moment that your connection with him is a secret. The whole school will know what’s going on if you continue down this path. We will destroy him, Y/N. We will make sure his name is mud."

The walls close in on you. You glance between your parents, their hardened faces staring back at you with ruthless certainty. You know they will do it—know they will pull every string they have to ruin Franco’s life.

They’ve always had the power to control things, to bend people to their will. But this time, it’s different. This time, it’s him.

"I—I can’t do it," you whisper, your voice shaking, your heart breaking. "I can’t choose between you and him. I can’t."

Your mother’s expression softens, just slightly, before hardening again. "You will make a choice, Y/N. A choice between your bloodline and some fleeting relationship with a boy who can never give you the life you deserve." She steps closer, her eyes never leaving yours. "You’re not a child anymore. You know what’s at stake."

A part of you wants to scream, to reject their demands. But the weight of their words, of their promises to ruin Franco, keeps you rooted in place.

You want to fight, but the image of Franco devastated and broken by their wrath, stops you in your tracks. You’ve spent your whole life running from this moment, but now it’s here—and there’s no easy way out.

“You’ll end this,” your father insists. “Or you will never see this family again.”

You stagger back, your heart racing, a thousand thoughts swirling in your mind. Your world is crashing down around you, the pieces of everything you thought you knew about loyalty, family, and love shattering one by one.

The ultimatum hangs in the air, heavy and suffocating.

"Choose," your mother says softly, her voice final, her gaze unwavering. "Choose now, before it’s too late."

The wind is biting tonight, sharp and unforgiving as it sweeps through the trees. You walk through the darkened grounds of Hogwarts, your heart in your throat.

Every step feels heavier than the last, the weight of the decision you’ve made pulling you down, making it harder to breathe.

You reach the edge of the Forbidden Forest, the familiar shadows of the trees looming ahead. This is where you promised Franco you’d meet him. This was supposed to be a moment of peace, a place where the world couldn’t touch you. But tonight, everything is different.

Tonight, you’re about to shatter both of your worlds.

You spot him standing by the edge of the trees, his dark hair disheveled, his usual bright eyes now searching the horizon for you. When he sees you, his face lights up in a way that makes your chest tighten.

For a brief moment, you almost forget. Forget why you’re here. Forget the ultimatum.

“Y/N,” Franco calls softly, his voice warm despite the chill in the air. He steps toward you, and you almost lose your resolve. 

You want to reach out to him, to tell him that you’ve changed your mind, that everything will be okay. But you know it won’t be.

You stop a few feet away from him, taking a deep breath as you fight to steady your racing heart. This is the hardest thing you’ve ever done.

Franco frowns, noticing the distance in your gaze. “What’s wrong?” he asks, his voice laced with concern. He takes a step forward, but you hold up a hand to stop him.

“No,” you whisper, your voice trembling. “I can’t… I can’t do this anymore, Franco.”

His eyes widen in disbelief, his brows furrowing. “What do you mean? What’s going on?”

You swallow hard, biting back the wave of emotion threatening to overtake you. “This—it’s not going to work. I can’t be with you anymore.”

Franco stares at you, as though he doesn’t understand the words coming out of your mouth. His face falls, and the light in his eyes flickers for just a moment. 

“What are you talking about?” he asks again, his voice quieter now, almost pleading.

You close your eyes, willing yourself to hold it together. “I don’t want to hurt you, Franco,” you say, the words feeling like acid in your mouth. “I never wanted to hurt you. But I have to let you go. It’s over.”

There’s a long silence between you, and the air feels suffocating, thick with everything unsaid. His face crumbles, the pain evident in every line of his expression. His hand reaches out toward you, but you take a step back, your heart breaking all over again.

“I don’t understand,” he whispers, his voice cracking. “I thought we... we were in this together. You told me you loved me.”

“I do,” you say quickly, your voice breaking. You want to say more.

You want to tell him everything—about the threats, about your family’s cruelty, about how you’re terrified for his safety. But you can’t. You can’t drag him further into this world, into this mess you’ve created. It’s too dangerous.

“I love you, Franco,” you whisper, the words barely audible, “but this isn’t safe. For you. For both of us.”

Franco takes a shaky step toward you. “So, what? Just like that, you’re giving up on us? You’re going to pretend like none of it meant anything?”

You shake your head, tears threatening to spill. “It’s not like that. It’s just...” The words catch in your throat, and you fight to keep your composure. 

“I can’t lose you. And I can’t lose everything else, too. I don’t have a choice. You don’t understand how dangerous this is.”

His eyes widen as he steps back, the realization dawning on him. 

“You’re doing this for me? For my safety?” He takes a sharp breath, shaking his head in disbelief. “You’re willing to let go of us because you think they’ll hurt me?”

You nod, feeling your chest tighten even more, the pain of this decision almost unbearable. “Yes,” you whisper. “Yes, Franco. They’ll ruin you. I can’t let that happen.”

Franco’s expression hardens, a mixture of anger and hurt flashing in his eyes.

“So, what? You’re just going to walk away from everything we’ve built? Everything we’ve shared?” His voice is rising now, but it’s not in anger—it’s in pain, the raw emotion cutting through him.

“I’m sorry,” you choke out, your voice barely a whisper. “I’m sorry, but it’s for the best. You have to forget about me.”

He stands there, frozen, staring at you with disbelief and sorrow in his eyes. For a long moment, he doesn’t say anything, his gaze searching yours as though looking for some sign that this isn’t real—that you aren’t really telling him this. But deep down, you know it’s too late.

Finally, he takes a step back, his shoulders slumping in defeat. “I can’t believe this,” he mutters, his voice barely audible.

“I thought you were different. I thought... we were different.”

Tears blur your vision as you turn away from him, not trusting yourself to say anything else. The words you wanted to say—the truth about why you’re doing this, about how much you still love him—are stuck in your throat, choking you.

“I’m sorry,” you repeat, more softly this time, your voice breaking. “I’m sorry, Franco.”

You turn and walk away, your steps unsteady. You hear him call your name once, and it feels like a knife twisting in your chest. But you don’t turn back. You can’t.

The world feels empty now, a hollow place where everything you thought was real is gone. And the love you had for Franco—your love for him—feels like a wound that will never heal.

The castle felt colder than usual ever since that night, as though the very walls of Hogwarts had turned against you.

Every corner seems to echo with the absence of Franco’s presence. His laughter, his warm smile—things that used to fill the space between you now feel like distant memories. You still feel his absence deep in your chest, the hollow ache where his love used to reside.

You’ve become a stranger to him now, and the worst part is that you’ve chosen to be that stranger.

You avoid him in the halls, in the library, even during meals in the Great Hall. You keep your gaze fixed on your plate, pretending you can’t hear the soft murmur of his voice when he calls your name, the way it wavers with hope and confusion. 

You won’t look at him. You can’t.

You’ve made your choice. You can’t let him know the truth, can’t let him see how much this is killing you. So you keep walking past him, your heart shattering with every step.

But Franco—he doesn’t understand.

Every day, he tries to reach out to you. It starts with tentative glances across the room, his eyes filled with questions he’s afraid to ask. When you’re alone in the library, he’ll approach, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Y/N, what’s going on? Why are you acting like this? Did I do something wrong?”

The desperation in his voice cuts you deeper than any words could. But you remain cold, detached, hiding behind a wall of indifference that you’ve built around yourself.

“No,” you say quietly, not meeting his gaze. “You didn’t do anything wrong. I just... I need space.”

And that’s all you give him. Space. Silence. Distance. Because that’s all you can offer him now.

Franco’s confusion grows with every passing day. He watches you closely now, like he’s waiting for something, for any sign that you’ll come back to him. But you don’t. The days stretch on, and the weight of his loss begins to crush him from the inside out.

His grades start to slip. The assignments that once came easily now seem impossible. He’s distracted in class, his mind wandering to the painful silence between you two, the way you refuse to acknowledge him.

His friends notice the change. Lando, his roommate and the one person who’s always had his back, raises an eyebrow when Franco stumbles through their shared dorm room late one evening, his eyes heavy with exhaustion.

“Mate, what’s going on?” Lando asks, concern creeping into his voice. “You’ve been off for days now. You’re barely eating, you’re not showing up to practice. Is it about... her?”

Franco looks at him, his eyes empty, the spark that once burned brightly in them now gone.

“I don’t know what happened,” he mutters, running a hand through his hair. “She won’t talk to me. She... she just shut me out, Lando. I don’t understand why.”

Lando sighs, his expression softening. “Look, I know you care about her, but if she’s pushing you away, maybe... maybe it’s for a reason. Maybe you need to give her space, yeah?”

But Franco can’t give up. Not like this. He can’t accept that she’s just... gone. He spends hours in the library, researching everything he can about the things that might have driven her to act this way. But nothing makes sense.

The silence between you two feels louder than anything he’s ever experienced. And the more time passes, the more he feels like he’s losing control of everything. His world, once so steady and clear, has become a series of questions with no answers.

He starts to drift away from his usual circles. He no longer joins in the conversations during meals or laughs with his friends like he used to. His social life is unraveling, slipping through his fingers as though everything he once held dear was slipping away without him even realizing it.

The other students start to notice too. The once confident Muggle-born who had so effortlessly carved his place at Hogwarts now seems distant, withdrawn, and hollow.

One evening, you see him sitting alone on the steps of the castle, his shoulders slumped and his face turned away from the bustling students. His robes are disheveled, and his normally neat hair is messy, as though he’s forgotten to care about his appearance.

It hurts to see him like this, but you force yourself to look away, to continue walking with your head held high, as though you don’t feel the weight of his gaze on your back.

That’s the moment you know he’s spiraling.

But you can’t reach out. Not now. You can’t risk it. You can’t risk him.

As the days pass, Franco’s presence in your life feels more like a memory than a reality. His messages go unanswered. His attempts to meet you in secret—like the ones you once shared with him—are now nothing more than painful reminders of what you’ve lost.

And yet, even as his world unravels, he doesn’t stop trying. He doesn’t stop believing that somehow, one day, things will return to how they were.

But you know better. You’ve made your choice.

Franco’s heart is breaking, but you can’t save him. You can’t save either of you.

The days blur together in a haze of politeness, forced smiles, and the constant hum of expectations. You’ve slipped back into the life your family always envisioned for you, a world where appearances matter more than anything.

Charles is always there now—by your side during meals, accompanying you to events, and constantly appearing in places you never asked for him to be.

His presence is a comfort in some ways, a reliable and steady force that you can count on when you need to act the part. He’s charming, and he knows exactly how to behave in front of your parents—how to make them smile and nod approvingly at every word that leaves his lips. He’s the perfect candidate for the future they’ve planned for you.

But every time you glance at him, you feel something missing. A hollow spot deep inside that no matter how much you try to fill with your duties, your smiles, or even his touch—nothing works.

The void only grows larger, and you can’t ignore it.

Charles is polite, of course. He never forces himself into your space, but his attentiveness is constant. 

He notices the little things—like how you’ve become quiet during dinner, how you retreat into your own thoughts during conversations. He never pushes, never demands more than what you’re willing to give, but he’s beginning to see the distance between you.

One evening, as you walk side-by-side down the grand staircase of Hogwarts after dinner, your fingers brushing lightly against Charles’s, you feel the emptiness that comes from the space between you two. You look at him, and while he smiles warmly at you, his smile doesn’t reach his eyes.

“You’re quiet tonight,” he observes, his voice steady but with an edge of concern.

You force a smile, one you’ve perfected over the years, one that convinces even yourself, at least for a moment.

“Just tired,” you say, but the words feel foreign coming out of your mouth. The truth is, you’re not tired. You’re aching, though you can’t explain why.

You both stop at the top of the Astronomy Tower, where Charles often accompanies you to discuss future plans—plans that your family has already laid out in meticulous detail. He’s standing close to you now, his hand lightly grazing your arm, the faintest sign of affection.

You don’t pull away. But you don’t reach out either.

“You know, we’ve got the gala in a few weeks. I’m sure your parents are expecting us to make an appearance,” Charles says, trying to pull you into the moment. His hand slips into yours, and you don’t resist.

You’re so used to this, to him. But it doesn’t feel right.

In the back of your mind, you picture Franco, standing alone by the edge of the Forbidden Forest, his eyes full of confusion and sadness.

You haven’t seen him in weeks, but every time you close your eyes, you see him—his hair falling messily into his face, the warmth in his voice when he used to call your name. And every time that memory resurfaces, it hurts more than it did the last time.

You blink, forcing yourself back to the present. “I’ll be there,” you say, your voice lacking the enthusiasm it once had.

Charles doesn’t seem to notice. He squeezes your hand. “Good. I’m looking forward to it.”

But in the back of your mind, all you can hear is the silence between you and Franco—the unspoken words, the moments of warmth that now feel like they belong to someone else.

The following day, you find yourself walking down the same corridor where you and Franco used to sneak away for late-night conversations. The walls seem to close in around you as you walk, each step bringing you closer to memories you’re trying to forget. But you can’t help it.

You reach the library, and you see a flicker of movement by one of the tables. For a split second, you think it’s him. Your heart skips in your chest, but when you look more closely, you see it’s just another student. But the brief hope is enough to pull you in.

You stand in the doorway, staring at the empty seat you once shared with Franco. Your fingers twitch, aching to reach for the familiar book you’d always shared between the two of you. A letter, an old note—anything that might bring him back to you.

But instead, you close your eyes and walk away, the sharp pang of regret tightening in your chest. You keep your head down, you keep walking.

The rest of the day is a blur. You smile when you’re supposed to, laugh when it’s expected of you, but nothing feels real.

When you look at Charles, you don’t see the person you’ve convinced yourself you should love. You see a placeholder, a piece in a puzzle that doesn’t fit, and the guilt washes over you like a wave you can’t escape.

You promised yourself you wouldn’t look back, that you’d leave the past behind. But no matter how many times you remind yourself that you made the right choice, Franco’s presence lingers, a shadow you can’t escape.

You lie in bed that night, staring at the ceiling, and for the first time since you ended things with him, you let yourself think about him. You wonder if he’s okay. You wonder if he’s moved on.

But most of all, you wonder if you ever will.

Franco’s world has become quieter since you walked away. The weight of your absence presses against him every moment of every day, yet somehow, he forces himself to move forward.

His mornings are filled with the rhythm of textbooks, his nights consumed by late-night study sessions in the library. The constant hum of activity has become his refuge, an attempt to drown out the emptiness that lingers in the corners of his mind.

He’s not sure when it happened—when his academic focus shifted from just surviving his classes to something deeper, something more personal. But now, his studies aren’t just about passing.

They’ve become a way to make sense of the chaos that has overtaken his life. They’re his lifeline.

It’s a late evening when Franco sits at the library table, his eyes scanning the pages of a book on Transfiguration, but his mind drifts. It always drifts. Every time he looks down at his notes, he sees your face. Every time he hears a whisper in the halls, he expects to turn around and find you there. But you’re not.

He rubs his eyes, exhaling sharply. It’s getting harder, the constant ache of not knowing what went wrong. But despite everything, he’s determined not to let it consume him.

He begins a project—an ambitious one. It’s part of his Independent Study in Charms, a project designed to create a charm that allows the user to manipulate their surroundings.

At first, it’s just a distraction—a way to pour his heartache into something productive. But as the days pass, Franco becomes obsessed with it.

It’s not just any charm now. It’s something that represents his fight against the heaviness in his chest. Something to prove that he can move forward, no matter what.

The project starts to take shape, the pieces of magic intertwining in ways that surprise him. He works tirelessly in the small hours of the night, testing each spell and modification until it feels like a part of him is infused into it.

With every flick of his wand, with every calculated movement, Franco feels like he’s peeling back the layers of his grief.

But even amid his work, he can’t escape the haunting reminder of what he’s lost. It’s in the moments when he’s walking to class when he passes the Astronomy Tower—the place where you once laughed together under the stars. It’s in the quiet spaces when the world stops moving, and the only thing left is the echo of your absence.

And yet, despite the ache, Franco presses on. His charm begins to take form—a small, glowing orb of light, suspended in midair, its glow flickering like a heartbeat. It’s nothing extraordinary in the magical world, but to him, it feels like everything. It’s a piece of himself, a mark of his resilience. The ability to create something new, to move through the pain and still build something beautiful.

As the charm comes to life before him, Franco can’t help but feel a mixture of pride and sorrow. His heart still aches for you, the connection between you two that now feels like a ghost he can never reach.

But at least, for a moment, he has this. His project. His proof that he can keep going, even without you.

He sits back in his chair, watching the charm flicker softly in the dim light of the library. It’s not perfect, but it’s something. And in that something, Franco finds a small shred of peace.

For the first time in weeks, he allows himself to think about the future—not the one he thought he’d have with you, but the one he’ll have on his own terms.

It’s a future that doesn’t revolve around your love, but one where he is strong enough to stand on his own.

It’s an ordinary morning at Hogwarts—students fill the halls, the sound of chatter and footsteps echoing off the stone walls.

You walk down the corridor, Charles by your side, his presence a comfortable, almost too-familiar weight. The warmth of the sun filters through the windows, casting long shadows across the polished floors.

You’ve gotten used to this life. The life where you smile at the right moments, laugh at the right times and live a life that looks perfect on paper. But every time your thoughts slip to Franco, the warmth fades. The ache never truly leaves.

Today is no different, until you round the corner and see him.

Franco is standing by the wall, his head tilted slightly as he talks to a younger student. The words are too muffled to hear, but you don’t need to. The sight of him—so near yet so far—sends a jolt through your chest.

The hair that once fell in his face now pushed back, and the determined look in his eyes never seemed to fade, even when everything fell apart between you two.

You freeze for just a moment, your heart stuttering.

Franco’s gaze shifts, and in that instant, his eyes lock with yours. The world seems to slow around you.

For a second, everything is silent—every sound, every movement, erased by the weight of the unspoken history between you. The loss. The heartbreak. The love that you both buried.

His expression is unreadable—almost distant—but there’s something in his eyes. A flicker of recognition, a flicker of pain, that mirrors your own. He doesn’t smile, and neither do you. There’s nothing left to smile about. There’s no comfort in seeing him again, not after everything that’s passed between you.

And yet, you don’t look away. Neither does he.

Charles steps closer to you, his presence a reminder of the life you’ve chosen, the life you’ve settled into. You force yourself to tear your eyes from Franco’s, the knot in your stomach tightening. You take a breath, as if bracing for something you can’t name, and look ahead, your steps quickening.

Franco doesn’t move, doesn’t make any attempt to stop you, even though you can feel the weight of the moment between you.

As you pass him, you hear his voice—just a whisper in the air. “Goodbye, Y/N.”

The words hit you harder than you expect. A finality to it, a goodbye that wasn’t really said before, a goodbye that wasn’t really chosen.

You don’t turn back.

Charles speaks beside you, but you don’t hear him. The world feels distant again, the ache of what could have been pressing against your ribs.

Franco’s gaze follows you for a moment longer, then he turns, disappearing down the corridor. His figure melts into the crowd of students, and just like that, he’s gone.

You know you’ll never be the same. Neither of you will.

The months have passed, and graduation looms closer. The corridors of Hogwarts seem emptier now, less filled with the excitement of possibility and more with the weight of your decisions.

The choices you’ve made weigh heavily on your chest, like a stone that never quite sinks to the bottom.

The life you live now isn’t one you ever envisioned for yourself. You’ve kept your head down, followed the rules, and embraced the expectations your family placed on you without question. Or at least, without the kind of question that would lead to a different path.

Your relationship with Charles is… well, it’s functional. There are no sparks, no passion, no fireworks. Just a quiet, cold companionship that mirrors the distance between you and your family. They’ve made their peace with this future for you—Charles is everything they wanted for you, the perfect match of blood status, status, and reputation.

But that doesn’t make it easier. The weight of it presses in every time you look at him and see nothing more than a reminder of what you’ve lost—what you’ve chosen to lose. And the guilt gnaws at you.

You sit beside him sometimes, as you’re supposed to, and you kiss him because it’s expected, but your thoughts drift to Franco. Always. And that gnawing ache never fades, never quiets.

You find yourself walking the halls at night, sometimes alone, sometimes with Charles, but always feeling like there’s an emptiness in your heart that no one else can fill.

The world around you feels like a distant echo of what could have been, and every time you glance at the stars or walk past the Astronomy Tower, your heart tightens in your chest.

You can’t shake the feeling that there’s a piece of yourself you’ve lost—one that will never be found again. You wonder if this is what you were meant to have all along. If your future was set in stone before you even realized it.

But sometimes, in the quiet moments, you let yourself ask: Did I make the right choice?

And the answer is never clear.

Graduation arrives, and Franco stands at the threshold of the next chapter.

The weight of the past is a constant companion, but so is the fire that’s been building inside him since that fateful moment. He knows he can never go back to who he was, and he knows there’s no turning back for you either.

But he’s not going to let the ghosts of the past define him. Not anymore.

Franco steps into the future with resolve, ready to carve out a name for himself in the wizarding world. His reputation as a Muggle-born, an outsider, will not hold him back.

He’ll prove to everyone who ever doubted him—especially those who hurt him—that he is worth something. That he’s capable of greatness, even without the privileges of a pure-blood family.

In the quiet moments, when he’s alone with his thoughts, Franco still thinks about you. He wonders where you are, what your life is like now.

Sometimes, he imagines a different world—one where things didn’t end the way they did, where the two of you could have been together. But those thoughts are fleeting.

Franco’s learned to keep his heart locked up tight, to put his energy into building a life that’s his. He’s spent too long grieving what’s gone, and now he’s focused on what’s ahead.

And yet, as he walks across the grounds for the last time, Franco can’t help but steal one final glance back at the castle—the place where you once walked beside him.

A small part of him will always wonder what could have been.

But he knows better now. Some things are never meant to be.

And so, he moves forward, silently vowing to never forget you, even though he knows that you will never be his again.

Epilogue:

Years have passed, and time has done its work. The world has shifted, as it always does, but for you, something has changed in a way that feels too good to be true.

You’ve finally broken free.

No longer confined by your family’s expectations or the cold, distant relationship with Charles, you’ve stepped into a world where you’re free to make your own choices.

The life that once felt like a cage has crumbled, piece by piece, and now, for the first time, you stand on your own.

Your family, too, has learned the hard way that you were never meant to be a part of their perfectly polished world. You don’t fit the mold they tried to force you into—and you won’t let them control you any longer. The weight of their expectations no longer hangs heavy on your shoulders.

And Charles? He’s just a shadow now—someone who never truly understood you, never truly saw you.

But the past still lingers in the corners of your heart, as memories do. And then, on a quiet afternoon in Diagon Alley, fate steps in.

You’re walking down the cobbled street, the vibrant shops filled with the usual bustle, but your heart feels light—unburdened for the first time in ages.

You’re with a friend, laughing at something trivial, when you hear it. That voice. That sound. It’s not supposed to be here, not after all this time.

You freeze.

And there he is.

Franco. Standing in front of you, just as you remember him—older, wiser, but the same spark in his eyes. He’s no longer the boy you once knew, but somehow, in this moment, he is.

It’s as if time has folded, and you’re back at Hogwarts, the world falling away until it’s just the two of you, standing in the middle of Diagon Alley.

Franco hesitates for a beat, as if unsure of what to say, or maybe afraid of what he might feel. You’re both strangers now, in a way—so much has changed, and yet, so little.

The years of separation, of silence, have built walls between you, but the pull of what was once there, what was always there, can’t be denied.

“Y/N…” he whispers, the sound of your name almost breaking something inside of you. His voice is steady, but there’s a tenderness in it that makes your chest ache.

For a moment, you both stand there, the weight of the past heavy between you. Neither of you speaks for what feels like an eternity.

And then, without thinking, without words or plans, you take a step forward. Your heart races as you close the distance between you, until there’s nothing but the familiar warmth of him in front of you.

Before either of you can stop it, your hands find each other, fingers intertwining in a way that feels like coming home.

It’s like the years vanish. All the pain, all the grief, all the distance fades away in an instant, leaving only the two of you. No words are needed, because you both know.

“Do you remember…” Franco begins, his voice softer now, the question unfinished, but the meaning clear.

You smile, the old, familiar spark of mischief glinting in your eyes. “Of course I do.”

Without another word, you both turn, slipping away from the crowd and into the quiet alley, the same sense of adventure and secrecy that once defined your relationship taking hold of you again.

You walk side by side, as if time had never passed, as if you’re still those young, reckless students sneaking off into the Forbidden Forest.

In the distance, the setting sun casts a golden glow over the cobblestones, but it’s the warmth of Franco’s hand in yours that makes everything feel right. The world seems to open up around you as you step into a future that, this time, is yours to create—together.

For the first time in years, you’re not afraid. You’re not held back by anything or anyone. And neither is he.

Together, you slip into the shadows, disappearing into the night, as if time hadn’t passed at all.

© soleilpinto 25’ -. no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any manner without the permission from the publisher.