What To Wear

Me writing smut on my computer during a serious zoom meeting about budgeting (I think I zoned out)

THE BIG BOY: STUDY BREAK IS THE DEATH OF ME. I LOVED IT.

https://pin.it/3QtHWRQ

^also from that pic, could u consider writing something with ari levinson smoking? i dont really know what, but him smoking has me on my knees as always😽

thank you bestie !! and sure, I've been thinking about stoner!ari lately 🫣 so here's shotgunning with beefy frat!Ari:

He's so pretty, too pretty for your own good. That's why you can barely concentrate on your little crochet project—you're too busy staring at him playing a video game. His long hair all fluffy and soft, beard freshly trimmed and a joint between his lips.

He takes a slow puff, sparing you a glance "You good? You seem a little out of it."

"I'm good, really good..." You say slowly, eyes falling to his thick thighs, his shorts rolled up and exposing the hairy flesh. "Are you good?"

He grins, "yeah. Do you wanna shotgun again?" He isn't even finished asking before you're clambering into his lap, straddling his thighs with your arms around his shoulders. "I'll take that as a yes."

"A big yes." You subtly rock your hips in excitement, "you know, you should record erotic audios. You have the voice for it."

He laughs and takes a slow inhale, setting the joint in the ashtray and pulling you close. Your heart swells when your lips meet, he feels so good—he always feels so good, and you almost forget to open your mouth. The smoke flows from him to you and down to your lungs burning. You lean away to cough, your eyes watering as he hands you a glass of water.

"Why don't we stop for now, yeah?" He asks, rubbing your back, "take a little break and get something to eat?"

"No! Can we just finish this one first?" You beg, giving him the most adorable pout. "Pretty please, daddy? I'll be super good, I promise."

His blue eyes examine you carefully, then he shakes his head, "Fine. Just this one and then we're done for the day. I don't want you to do too much until you're more used to it."

Giddy, you kiss all over his face. His bearded cheeks tickling your lips as you pepper your sweet, sweet love wherever you can reach. "Yay! I love you so much!"

He didn't smoke often, but he was far more experienced than you. He takes the chance to recline on the couch and tilt his head, groaning lowly when your lips trail to his neck. "I'm such a bad influence on you, cub." His fingers dig into your hips, caught between moving you over his bulge or pushing you away. "Since when did you become a troublemaker?"

You were in the living room of the frat house, anyone could walk in and see you cute, dumb and high.

"Whenever you came around." You nip at his jaw, dragging your tongue down the tense veins, "just lookin' at you gets me so wet... feel." You bring his hand between your thighs and firmly against your wet panties, "See? I'm so sticky, daddy... it's so uncomfy, can you help me, please?"

I lied...

Me telling people I can write other character fics but my brain can only hyper fixate on one male celebrity at a time so I genuinely struggle to write about any other male. Sorry babies, if it helps I even lied to myself. Will let you know when I’m out of my CE stage but its looking semi permanent. I will still try and write but if it’s no good you cant sue. 

Lol, ANYWAYS.... More Chris. Smut. Fluff and everything in between coming your way. Keep requesting, I love it... even though some of you need to find Jesus Christ. 

Y/N get Cancer and don’t Feel Good enough for Chris. She trys to set up Chris with a Girl and chris don’t notice at the beginning But when Y/N Starts to Talk to much about This Girl He gets angry and Sad Why the Reader to that. happy ending (Y/N don’t have Cancer anymore)

Firstly, hope you're doing ok, you strong, gorgeous person 💕

This is a beautiful request but unfortunately, not experiencing something like that myself and it also being such a sensitive topic - I don't think I can write this and do it justice. 🥺

But - @royalwritersoftheuniverse is amazeballs and is good at this stuff and gives you all the fluff!!

I’ll be honest didn’t visits your page much but now all this drama im kinda on it all the time now and reading more of your stuff

Welcome friends! This blog is a safe space for haters, cunts and people who refuse to use read more out of spite 🥰

Request if possible. Eating out/ Banging in kitchen.

Cookie

A/N: Enjoy 💕☘️

WARNINGS: SMUT MINORS DNI. 8k filth, daddy kink, unprotected sex, oral (f receiving), dirty talk, rough sex, orgasm, P in V

Disclaimer: All characters and events written, even those based on real people are entirely fictional and are no representation or comment of said characters in real life.

“Stop stop stop!” 

“What? you said add flour!” 

“I said add a cup not the whole container.” 

“Oooh shit sorry baby.” He smiled at you sheepishly, flour now covering the counter and Chris’s shirt and hands. 

“Gosh now I’m all dirty.” He said in a sarcastic annoyance. He pulled his shirt up over his head, revealing his intricate tattoos all over his torso. He sighed as he ripped his shirt off, throwing it across the counter. 

You leaned against the counter, arms crossed, drinking in the sight of him but trying to resist his clear attempt at turning you on. “We are making cookies Christopher.” 

“They’re not going anywhere.” He closed the space between you, mouth going to your shoulder and trailing up to your jaw with sloppy kisses “I can name something that would taste much sweeter.” Blush rose to your cheeks as he pulled your arms apart and placed them on his shoulders, eager for you to hold him close.

His hands went down to your waist, inching under your ass, squeezing as his pulled you on top of the counter.

“Let’s make this more even shall we.” He slipped your knit dress off your body, your tits bounced free with the final pull of the fabric over your head. 

“Tsk tsk no panties, naughty girl.” Chris crouched down in front of you placing soft kisses on your thighs, forcing your legs open by your knees.

Immediately sliding his tongue up and down your slit. 

“Chris baby don’t tease.” You begged 

“As you wish cookie.” He smirked up at you

His beard tickled your inner thighs as his tongue explored the hole within your folds. Sucking lightly with his lips on your swollen clit. He lapped up the juices of arousal flowing out of you, slurping them up and spitting them back, getting you wet and excited. Your hand fell to his head, pushing him closer to your core as you moaned his name, in a singular motion he moved you closer to the edge. Replacing his tongue with his fingers, moving himself up to be level with you. 

His fingers thrusted inside of you vigorously.

“Open your eyes baby” he cooed. Your mouth latched onto him as he swallowed your moans, warm liquid shot onto his hands and fell to the floor with a splash as you squirted in ecstasy, eyes bulging and your mouth agape, holding onto Chris’s shoulders for support as your body threatens to fall back in pleasure.

“I got you baby, good girl, cum on my fingers baby, God… that’s so hot baby.” He slowed down the motion of his fingers, pulling out slowly.

“You ready or you need a minute baby?” Chris looked at your eyes, care across his face. 

“I want you now.” You pulled his mouth onto yours by his chin

He chuckled into your kiss, loving your eagerness.

He pulled down his sweats, pumping himself a little as he positioned his rock hard cock at your entrance.

You watched as the veins in his hands flexed, resting your forehead on his as you both watched the repetitive motion. You bit your bottom lip in anticipation of his girth.

He ran it tauntingly between your folds, you groaned at the sudden touch on your sensitive clit. 

“Beg for it.” His eyes darkened as he purred at you.

“Please baby, I need it.”

“What do you need sweetheart, use your words.”

“Daddy’s cock in me.”

“Hmmm good girl.” With that he slipped his whole size into you. You gasped at the sudden contact as his tip brushed your cervix. 

He stayed there for a moment, letting you adjust to his size before he started to move agonisingly slow, in and out, this time avoiding going too far before he met your gspot.

“Chris please fuck me baby.” 

“Because you asked so nicely.” He pushed you back slightly, you laid your back on the cool marble tiles as Chris pulled your legs up over his shoulders, exposing you both to a whole new angle. His fingers bruising into your fleshy thighs, holding you steady as he aggressively thrusted in and out. You were a moaning mess of “yes” and “don’t stop” as Chris grunted with every harsh thrust against your core. The quick pace put constant friction against your sensitive core, not allowing it a moment that wasn’t free from intense pleasure. 

“Oh god baby I’m gonna cum.”

“Me too don’t stop.” You cried.

He pulled you back up closer to him, wanting your hot skin against his chest, as your hard nipples pressed against his pecks, your tits bouncing up and down vigorously with the sudden thrusts. 

 Your nails digged into his back, scratching red lines into his skin. You grabbed onto his ass to pull him in closer, wanting him to release deeply into you.

With a final thrust, you both cum in unison. Panting as you caught your breathe after the intense session of passionate lovemaking. 

You threw your head back with a deep sigh

“God, now I really want a cookie.” You looked at Chris, exhausted, puppy dog eyes staring at his content smirk. 

Chris roared with laughter

“Fuck it I’ll buy you whatever cookies you want just come shower with me.” As he lifted you up towards the bathroom. 

A Happy New Year Indeed with Chris

18+ just incase a lot of sensual kissing and fluff but thats it. It's very sweet.

Comments welcome and appreciated as are re blogs. No reports reprints or translations.

Chris twirls me around and pulls me in his arms 

"I am so happy I met you, That you're here. That you're with me."

"I'm just happy that you chose me. I don't care if I'm he- well I do care I mean I'd rather be here then-" I looked into his eyes and I just get get lost-  we're about 4.5  inches different  in height so I can stare at his blue eyes anytime easily.

"Sweetheart"

"Yeah,"  I say not breaking eye contact

His hand reaches  up to my face and his thumb caresses my cheek. I feel some texture on my skin from his hand-

"What is it?"

"Nothing "

"You're staring" 

"Because I have something to stare at."

It's true his eyes were insane blue 

"You're sure this is ok?" I ask.

 He grasped my hand that I had on his chest.

"Everything is perfect there is no there place I'd rather be cara mia "

" Don't suck up to me."I love it when he talks Italian. I don't know why I think it's sexy on him…. Or from him.  

"I mean it anytime you want to go-" 

"Hey, look at me." 

I look at him. 

"I want this, I want you and me.  My friends can I  can't always see them but I can see them more than I can see you. More than we can see  each other. And I just want to hold you so bad without having to care who sees us.  I want to be right here. I want you in my arms. I want you to be with me. I want you get it through that thick skull of yours  in falling in love with you and I want you in my arms as much as I can; ok. And this is how It can be. We just gotta take things in stride love.   I love you nothing can beat this I want you here. I want to be with you. Just stay here in my arms ill show you,"  he smirks

"Nothing  is better for you than me hmm.."

He starts kissing my neck

"nothing I want more than you...." 

"Ok ok I get it you wanted me in your arms and you got it mister." I blush

"Good cause I'm used to getting what I want."

"What a spoiled little movie star." 

"Oh you have no idea." 

"I'm just saying if you want to go to the party you can dont worry about me."

"Sweeth-"

"I can go if you want or just stay behind I mean you-"

"Honey"

"I just know you-"

He pressed his lips to mine, effectively silencing me.

"Will you listen? I want some time alone with you they get it. I rarely get anytime with just you me and Dodger. I like it. Waking up and feeling you in my arms. God its the best feeling knowing the girl of my dreams is right where I want her. I mean come on. I just like this morning I was up early."

"Such a romantic."

"So I woke up and I was you were just resting your head on my chest with you hand on it and you took my breath away.  I just smiled thinking I love you hoping i'll go to bed like this today and waking up like that tomorrow. 

I thought God I'd love waking up to having the girl I love look at me like this."

"Everything is want. Everything I want. " he kissed me in my neck 

I giggled shrunging my shoulder up and I could feel the side of lips curl up. But he never move his head across my neck 

"That I think we should wake up like this everyday"

Kiss.

"Ya know how much I wanted you in that moment?"

Kiss.

"And how much I want you now"

Kiss.

"How beautiful you look." 

Kiss.

"How i just want you to be mine forever."

Kiss.

"And how happy i'd be if that was my life every day."

Kiss.

"How much I cherish you"

Kiss.

"How I'd make sure you'd never want for anything"

Kiss.

Then from my neck he moved move up with his nose but giving me small kissed until he reached my head  and could feel his hot breath on my ear

"And God how much I want you right now."

I was having trouble steadying my breath as one of his hands under my sweater just at the small of my back  his nose brushes up against mine and nuzzle it then finally moved in for a kiss. It was sweet but passionate and I could tell he was holding back a bit. Not wanting to rush me but when we broke I nodded to him. 

"You're sure?"

I nodded 

Point of view change 

He gave you opened mouthed kisses on you lips and had trailed down to you shoulders . He had giggled and as he sweetly kept saying "shhhh "

As Chris went to get on his knees he lowered yoj with him gently .

"I got you," he said so softly. Brushing hair away from your face as he lowered you to the floor completely, hovering over yiu body.  Seeing his smile you can't help but smile too. His hand went to your face as the other hand  one interlaced your fingers  interlaced together 

He gave you a kiss in the center of your neck so he can then tease you with his nose bringing it up to you Chris dragged his nose a bit reaching the top of your neck dragging you chin up with him as his nose moved up.  Your breath quickened a bit. And he noticed

"Hey, I got you relax Baby."

"I"

Kiss.

"Would never,"

Kiss.

"Hurt you."

Kiss

"Trust me" he nipped on your jaw and an  involuntary moan came out of your mouth Chris smirked at what he found. He started kissing you in your jaw

"Chris"

"Mmm??"

"Stop teasing"

"Yes my love," he put his mouth on yours. This time he moaned into the kiss making you somehow more relaxed and trusting and then the two of you made out like teenagers for practically and hour, only breaking when you needed hair. Neither one pg you exactly knew why you broke the kissing completely but you both were panting this then took a few moments before he rolled over on his back  catching his breath

You leaned on your side  putting your hand in his chest 

"Well that was boring"

He let our a chuckle as his arm wrapping around your waist bringing you to him. You kissed his jaw

"Don't start that again I need to breathe. Franky so did you." Yiu were panting a bit more, nit used to the Chris Evans kissing treatment.  Lying in front of the fire you two could just lay there in silence and it would be fine. Scratch that, it was fine. 

Neither of you are sure you'd been there when you spoke up

"I'm getting hungry"

"Me too" 

"Not like-"

"I know, I know I'm teasing. "

This is fun  though 

"Yea you think?" He chuckled 

He wrapped both arms around you pulling you into him placing letting kisses where he found any skin 

The heat of the fire keeping you both warm despite  the large ceiling to floor windows

There wasn't any thing for either of you  to  say. But  it didn't matter everything felt perfect regardless. 

A bit later, once you both could breathe normally you two laid down in bed snuggled together. Dodger who was perfected at the edge of the bed and how moved in front of the fire making you laugh 

"I uh think we took his spot."

You both snuggled together. 

And you both had fallen asleep before you knew it. But you had woken up at around 3 am.   

You blinked a few times and then looked up at him;  so beautiful, so handsome his eyelashes, the small curls on his lips and how they were still slightly swollen from making out before and then you remembered it's officially the New Year and you're in love for the first time in your life. Truly in love. Even though it excited you your heart rate couldn't be more calmer. With him. 

You closed your eyes again, with a smile on your face and then next time you opened them seeing Chris face smiling at you.

"Happy new year love"

A Happy new year indeed…..

Tag list

@nana1000night @patzammit @hawkeyes-queen @coltrainbat @sapphire-rogers @sparklybarbarianninja

Hey where are you? WE miss you!!! :(

Awww hi lovelies,

I have so many requests to get through but I’ve been having a difficult time recently 😢 but I like to remember it’s not a bad life just a bad week so for all the other girls struggling please know I am still active and you can reach out whenever!

You’re never alone 💕

I am still writing away as it’s so nice to log in and read all your requests!!! Plenty will be posted next week ✨💕

Ok I have request where Chris Evans got nominated by a random movie. His florist or highschool teacher, reader was there to support him. He decided to propose to her in front of the celebs and everyone watching on tv

Happiest Man Alive

A/N: Sorry, I couldn't think of anything worse than being proposed to on international television. I’d say no out of pure angst of being asked like that. Sorry Chrissy. But this is still very cute! Hope you enjoy it.

Disclaimer: All characters and events written, even those based on real people are entirely fictional and are no representation or comment of said characters in real life.

Chris came into your shared bedroom, holding a zipped-up dress bag. 

 “It cameee.” He sang hovering over you in the bed. 

 “What came?” 

 “Your dress. For the Oscars this Saturday remember?”  

“What! Chris, I told you I was just gonna wear that black one in my closet, it’s perfectly fine.”

 “Yeah, I know, it’s a great dress but it’s dull. You weren’t made to blend into the crowd and besides I wanted to treat you.”  

You got up and took the bag from his hand. The dress felt heavy in your hand, and you wondered what he would of picked out. 

 “What if it doesn’t fit?”

 “I doubt it, was custom made to your measurements.” He smirked at you.

 “Chris! That would have costed hundreds if not thousands of dollars you can’t spend that much on me.”  

“Yeah, well too late I already did now come on go try it on!” Shoving you into your wardrobe and closing the door behind him.

 “I’m not opening this door until you put the dress on.”

 You sighed, hanging it up on the hook, you slowly unzipped the bag.

 You gasped when you glimpsed the first detail. 

 It was beautiful. The sheer body-hugging fabric was garnished in individual hand stitched flowers, embossed onto the dress. Each one different from the next sewed all the way to the floor and on the sleeves. 

(This dress but LONG)

Slowly, you took it off the hanger, stepping into the gown. 

 “I need some help with the zipper.” You called out to Chris

 He opened the door, frozen in his step when he saw you in it.

 “Wow.” He breathed out in whisper.

 Pulling your hair to the side, you turned your back on him. “A little help please.”

 “Of course, yeah… sorry.”

 His warm hands made contact with the skin of your back, pulling the zipper upwards smoothly. 

 “Perfect fit.” He whispered in your ear, turning you towards the mirror to look at yourself properly.

 “Florals for my florist.” He grinned

 “Chris, this is beautiful I don’t know what to say.”

 “Thank you is a good start.” He chuckled.

 You turned around to face him. Embracing him in a kiss. 

 “Thank you.” You whispered on his lips.

 “It’s my pleasure… really.” His hands delicately grasping your hips. 

 “Hair and makeup are coming at 2, and I booked you in to get your nails done tomorrow at 4. Keep it simple yeah?”

 “You’re doing too much Christopher.”

 “Nonsense nothing is ever too much for my girl.” Closing the space between your lips once more.

You finally got to look at yourself all done up in the mirror. Your hair in a bouncy blowout falling on your shoulders, your makeup done in a way where you looked flawless, yet your natural features stood out. 

 You were kind of shocked Chris chose such a neutral tone for your nails seeing as he usually loved your standard red shade, but you assumed it was a fashion choice to match the dress better. 

 “Hey, baby the car’s out front are you read-”

 “Jesus.” It was his second time seeing you in the dress, but he was equally blown away as the first time. He stood there just admiring you for a moment, beaming like an idiot as he let out the breath, he didn’t realize he was holding in. 

 You looked beautiful everyday of course. But knowing that today was the day and that he was staring at the woman he was going to make his wife heightened his appreciation of you. 

 You and Chris met while he was buying flowers for Lisa at your store in midtown Boston. He spent 2 hours pretending to find “the perfect bouquet” just so he could watch and listen to you talk about flowers endlessly. He was enamored by you. The fact you had your own thriving business, the way your hair at the top of your head tied up with random ribbon, how knowledgeable you were about different types of flowers and all the possible color and breed combinations. 

 He knew one day he was gonna make you his… for good.

 After the wild carpet walk in which cameras flashed everywhere and reports kept asking you about your custom gown, complimenting the stunning and relevant choice for a florist. Chris led you into the grand hall.

 “You ok honey?” His hand pulling you closer by your waist.

 “Yeah, I just don’t think I’ve ever gotten that much attention on the carpet, Jesus.” You puffed out a breath, running your hairs through your hair.

 “Told ya you weren’t mean to blend in.” He winked at you.

 “Come on we are sitting over here.”

 The night went on as you drank and ate, mingling with people at your table and clapping when winners and nominees were announced. 

 It was coming up to “Best Actor in A Short Film” Chris instantly got nervous, his hand instinctively going to your thigh. 

 While he didn’t know if he was going to win, he knew he was going homme with his most prized possession tonight you. The ring box secured in his jacket pocket. He was planning to take you on a walk down at the pier after and propose to you there.  

 He had been working with Mark on this short film for ages. It was his second time directing and acting and he was incredibly proud of the result. The Oscar’s nomination in itself was a massive acknowledgement of his hard work. 

 The camera panned over the Chris who gave a small wave as Jimmy Kimmel announced the nominees one by one.

 “And the Oscar for Best Actor in A Short Film goes to…” Slowly opening the envelope. 

 You leaned over to Chris whispering to him,

 “It’s going to be you.”

 “No, it’s not.” He brushed over your comment.

 “CHRIS EVANS.” Announced Jimmy

 The crowd roared and stood in applause as Chris was announced. 

 He immediately embraced you in a hug.

 “Congrats baby!” You cheered.

 “Come with me.” He whispered to you.

 “Chris, I cant!”

 “Yes you can come on.” 

 Chris lead you by your hand through the crowd reciprocating high fives and cheers as went.  He stood in his tuxedo on the stage, accepting his golden statue. You to the side, a little nervous but beaming with pride and excitement. 

 Thank you, Thank you so much for this. Ya know this project was a vision I had with Mark Kassen and none of it would have been possible without the incredible cast and crew who had helped us not only make this vision come to life, but better than we thought it could be. 

 There are so many people I have to thank for this award but honestly, I wouldn’t been up here or even be performing to the level I did, without the encouragement and support of my beautiful girlfriend, Y/N.

 The camera panned on you as you blew a kiss with your hand.

 And you know, I wasn’t planning on doing this now, but I want everyone here tonight and the folks watching on TV; Hi mom, Hi dad, Hi Y/N’s parents! To know, while this award is amazing, I still would have gone home happy tonight without it, because tonight, I am going to ask a very special girl to marry me.

 A gasp fell over the crowd. 

 Hang on, hang on I need to do this properly, Jimmy you mind holding this? Thanks bro.

 He got on one knee, up on stage, in front of thousands of people, but his eyes were firmly on you. 

 “Y/N, you have made me a better man and I have been hopelessly in love with you since the day I met you. Will you do me the honor of being your husband.” 

He pulled the box out from his pocket presenting the glistening diamond ring.

“Omg.” Your hand flew to your agape mouth. 

“Say yes!” The crowd heckled. 

 “Yes, a thousand times, yes.” He stood up, pulling you into a kiss, his grip raising you above ground as he pulled you into his arms. 

 “Well folks looks like tonight just got even better. Congratulations to the happy couple!” 

 Jimmy spoke to the mic. As cheers grew at what was sure to be one of the most iconic Oscar moments. 

Silence Speaks

A/N: Another short one, but recent events surrounding Someone's social media "unfollows" of friends and the questions that raised helped to develop this piece. Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: Another work of fiction. It’s made up. Seriously, no crystal ball in use or any “insider” knowledge from any “sources”.

I do NOT give permission for my work to be translated or reposted on here or any other site, even if you give me credit. DO NOT REPOST MY FICS please! Reblogs, comments, likes, and feedback are ALWAYS appreciated.

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

Was it hypocrisy? 

Was it stupidity?

Was it ignorance?

Was it arrogance?

You couldn’t fathom how this situation had unfolded. You’d met at a friend’s Halloween party over a decade ago, and had kept in touch through DMs and texts, always being wary of the public getting any crumbs of your friendship. It was an easy camaraderie that often involved flirtatious comments, whether he or you were dating others or if you both were single, but you’d never crossed the line between friends and more.

At this moment you were glad you hadn’t. You hadn’t originally believed the rumors. Even the chatter among friends couldn’t confirm the existence of an actual relationship, or if it was yet another booty call or, as was becoming commonplace, a “PR” relationship. Then uncomfortable pictures of a public walk and awkward videos of childish behavior surfaced. You still couldn’t figure out what it was, despite articles saying they’d been together for months, even years according to some, all claims that went unsupported by named sources. You were left to your own thoughts, and having seen him in love and in relationships before, couldn’t help but notice how little the current situation resembled those previous interactions.

But you wanted to believe he’d found his “one”, even if it wasn’t you and you had to live with the specter of lost opportunities. Your friend’s happiness was important to you, and so you wished for his sake it was real. That maybe he hadn’t confided in you or those who’d been his friends even longer to keep it private, to protect it, to give him and her time to develop something lasting. 

The age difference bothered some in your group, and you understood the feeling. He even knew what you’d gone through - your father’s second wife was closer to your age than his, and that difference, while not obvious at first, resulted in his second divorce. You couldn’t help but remember your self-absorbed stepmother’s words when you’d confronted her as she left their house for the last time, leaving behind your heartbroken father: “I married a man who was supposed to take me places and make me the center of his world and take care of me, not expect me to be his housekeeper and cook while I watch him grow old.”

Your attention was drawn down to your phone screen as it vibrated again with yet another text message coming in from someone in your friend group. You’d been part of this group chat for years, but now were the focus of it for reasons beyond your control. The screenshots of comments her friends had made might have triggered many in your group, but they were far more personal to you. You felt as though you were being bombarded with hate about your religion, your ancestry, and even your stature, and while you always wanted to give people the benefit of the doubt, the revelations without any word of defense from her or claims about not agreeing with such comments or hatred or lines of thought were being interpreted as her endorsement.

That isn’t what bothered you. She was no one of importance to you yet, and at this point you had no interest in associating with her. What did bother you was his silence. You knew he’d seen the texts as well - he was, after all, part of this group chat. And while he’d publicly released photos of them together and not made any statements to contradict the reports of their relationships, which the public took as him “claiming” her as someone of seriousness to him, he also hadn’t made any public statements to refute her and her friends’ online behavior, leaving many to associate him with those viewpoints by default.

While you understood his need to have his long-time friends treat him no different after all this time, for you this situation was far more than whether he was or wasn’t in a relationship. It was personal on a very basic level, and you had been wrestling with the thought that you’d need to distance yourself from this group of friends, many of whom had become family to you, knowing they’d been friends longer with him than you and expecting at least a few of them to protect him during all this hoopla.

Some obviously did, at least in public, befriending the newcomers, liking and commenting on their posts, and so on. Some stayed silent but were still caught up in the circus when he unfriended them on his social media accounts, something quickly picked up on by fans. Others who’d never followed him were able to stay in the background, and still others like you had always been able to maintain their anonymity by keeping their social media accounts set to private, never having the need to be followed by strangers. 

Regardless of their social media interactions, you were pleasantly surprised by those who’d directly asked him in the group chat what he was thinking, advising him as to how it would impact the perception of those who didn’t know him. A few even questioned if the group as a collective was condemning or condoning his silence, noting how they individually were feeling targeted by her group’s comments and openly questioning if others felt the same way. Those same few had reached out, one or two privately to check in on your mental well-being and be one another’s support system, the other few in the group chat asking if you were okay.

He never responded in the chat to any of the back-and-forths. He didn’t answer any of the questions directed at him. You knew from those few who’d reached out to you that he didn’t check in with them either, leaving them feeling disgruntled, as though they weren’t as worthy as others of his concern or time.

You didn’t blame them, finding yourself in a similar position. He hadn’t been in touch with you. Not a phone call. Not a voicemail. Not a text or a DM. Not even a response to others pointedly asking in your friends’ group chat. Nothing but silence.

In light of present circumstances, his lack of contact brought to mind a quote from the Greek philosopher Plato: “Your silence gives consent.” It was used often by a favorite teacher during lessons about World War II and how certain groups came to power to commit horrific atrocities, but you’d learned through the years it could apply to many situations, including the one you were experiencing now. 

Your phone vibrated with another text. It was an invitation to a gathering at one of the friends’ homes, sent to everyone in the group chat. For a moment you had to think. Was it a birthday party for one of the groups’ offspring? One of the couples’ anniversaries? Celebrating someone’s new job? Maybe it was to watch the playoff games together while planning for the annual Super Bowl gathering in a few weeks. 

No matter the reason, you hesitated to respond. You knew facing some of the group would be an emotional minefield given their recent choices, yet part of you craved the comfort of time with good friends. 

While you struggled to find the appropriate words, the first response popped up. It simply asked one question.

“Are we going to discuss the elephant in the room?” 

The answer from the host who’d sent the invitation surprised you.

“Abso-f-ing-lutely! Time to clear the air before the Super Bowl.”

Your question as to the nature of the invitation was answered. It was none of the above. You still hadn’t responded, waiting for others to.

“Evans, spoke to your mom. She said you’re coming home for a few days. Since you’re riding the elephant, you in?”

You laughed out loud. The latest text was from one of the few who’d reached out to you, who’d shared their personal agita with much of the situation, and their concern over his lack of response. As your father would’ve said, there were no flies on that friend.

You waited. Other responses appeared on your screen. Some from the same ones to have befriended the newcomers seem to take offense at the comments directed at him. Some just sent smiley faces and confirmed they’d be there, and a few sent GIF responses, the best of which was the scene from “The Devil Wears Prada” where Stanley Tucci’s character warns everyone to “gird their loins”.

The response you were waiting for still hadn’t appeared.

Instead, you had another message pop up on your screen. From him. Not as part of the group chat. You were the sole recipient. 

You froze, as if he could see you through the phone’s camera.

“Y/N? Hey, haven’t talked in a while. Sorry I haven’t been in contact - been straight out with filming and stuff.  Are you going this weekend? I really want to talk to you before everyone gets together.”

The underwhelming tone of the text struck a nerve. That “stuff” didn’t keep him from ensuring pictures made their way onto social media or contacting other friends who had no qualms about sharing that he’d reached out to them. That “stuff” didn’t seem to stop him from liking and commenting on others’ posts or sharing the ones he had. That “stuff” did however seem to keep him too busy to ask about your life, to check in with you about how you might be feeling, to even indicate a like or leave a comment on a picture on your social media posts. In essence, that “stuff” illuminated the reality your relationship was more one-sided than perhaps you’d wanted to admit. 

You answered quickly before mulling your words over.

“What do you want to talk about?”

No niceties, no questions about his latest project or Dodger or his family or his love life or even if he was going to be there now that his friends knew he was in the area. Your curt wording was out of sorts for you, and you hoped he would sense something was off-kilter.

“Honestly, I’m hoping to see a friendly face there. Sounds like some in the group are a little pissed off at me, and I’m not sure why. Hoping you can help me get them to understand a few things. And I miss you.”

You would have been less shocked if he’d poured ice water over you, and the low self-esteem you grappled with for years started to make itself known. You started reading into the spaces between his words. He didn’t actually want to spend time with you. He was looking for someone to hide behind when called out by your friend group. Someone who checked the boxes, because you did, and if you defended him, it would go a long way into smoothing things over with people he’d been closer to for longer than you’d been around. 

The worst part? He knew your history. You’d discussed it over the years - your social anxiety making the process of establishing new friendships almost painful, your self-esteem being something you’d grappled with for years, and your past history of finding yourself in friendships with people whose actions and words over time not only revealed they were far less invested in the friendship than you, but that you “checked a box” to help their social standing.

You could feel your heart breaking over the thought that he was just like those others. That he had only befriended you, flirted with you, had interacted with you, because your friendship made him look better to others instead of wanting to be in your life and have you in his in some capacity that was more than superficial.

“Y/N? So are you going?”

You couldn’t find the words. You didn’t respond to his message. Instead you opened a new text message and send a quick response to the host. “I’ll be there. I think we all deserve some answers… and to know where we all stand.” You got a thumbs up emoji as a response.

Another text message, again from him.

“Hey, I know you read my message. I can see it. I also know you just texted that you’re going. I want to just talk to you before the get-together. Please. Talk to me. Please.”

You started typing.

“I’ll see you there, Chris. No need to talk before.” And to drive your point home, you added a picture of Plato and the quote to your response.

You saw the three dots appear, then disappear. Before they could reappear, you shut your phone off, and let your silence speak for you.