holding out for a hero

Reagan told herself it was just a place. Sand and water and wind, nothing sacred about it. She had brought people here before. Regardless of who she brought here, this spot had always been hers. A constant. Now she was handing it over like an offering, watching Jessie take it in with curious, unknowing eyes, as if Reagan were a friendly stranger with good taste. Reagan watched as her own hands shoved into her jacket pockets so Jessie wouldn’t see them shake. She tried to treat it like a date. She commented on the sound of the waves, joked about the awful parking, asked questions she already knew the answers to. What’s your favorite color again? Do you like coffee or tea? Every word felt like erasing something precious and rewriting it wrong. This was the cruelest part: Jessie was still here. Still breathing beside her. And yet Reagan had lost her anyway. The person who knew her favorite place without being told, who used to squeeze her hand and steady her nerves. That Jessie lived only in Reagan’s memory now. And Reagan stayed, smiling and pretending she wasn’t grieving someone who hadn’t actually left, terrified of what it meant that the one constant she’d ever had was standing right next to her… and didn’t know her at all. She cleared her throat and lifted the picnic basket in her hand. "You hungry? Thirsty? I packed wine too."

And if Reagan deserved to be tied to someone who couldn’t remember loving her. Jessie’s fingers absentmindedly traced patterns in the sand as she stared back out at the water. She swallowed, her voice softer when she spoke again. “This looks like a pretty nice spot, don’t you think?”

Melanie has learned how to disappear in plain sight. It’s a skill she picked up after the divorce, after the headlines, after her name became shorthand for betrayed wife and then, cruelly, secret lesbian. Sunglasses big enough to hide behind. A coat structured just enough to look intentional. Head down, steps measured, moving with the city instead of against it. She’s thinking about her book—of course she is. About the edits she still hasn’t answered. About how her agent keeps saying the love interest feels very real, like that isn’t the most dangerous thing a person could possibly say to her. Then she sees Val. It’s not dramatic at first. No cinematic swell, no slow-motion reveal. Just a familiar tilt of the head as Val laughs at something someone beside her says. A flash of blonde hair. That unmistakable way she moves through space like she belongs in it, like the world makes sense when she’s walking through it. Her feet start moving before she gives them permission. She tells herself she’s just walking. Just going the same direction. That this is a coincidence, that cities are built on them. But she knows the truth when she shortens her stride to keep Val in sight, when her pulse starts to climb with every step. Val turns down a side street, one Melanie knows well. Restaurants packed shoulder to shoulder, windows fogged with warmth and life. She slows as Val stops in front of one, says something to the woman with her. And then it happens so quickly Melanie almost misses it. Val steps forward. She pushes herself into the other woman’s arms like it’s muscle memory. Like she’s done it a hundred times. Her hand slides up, fingers curling into the fabric at the woman’s back, and then she kisses her. Melanie’s heart doesn’t break. It stops. The world tilts, sharp and loud, and for a second she can’t tell if she’s breathing. All she can see is Val’s mouth on someone else’s. All she can think is I waited too long. All she can feel is the weight of a year of silence crashing down on her. She presses a hand to the glass of the restaurant window before she realizes she’s done it. It’s cold. Real. Unforgiving. She watches reluctantly as Val pulls back from the kiss. And then, maybe because she feels it, or maybe just because the universe is cruel, their eyes lock onto each other. For one suspended, brutal moment, the city disappears.

With a tight smile, she excused herself, murmuring something about needing fresh air. Just a moment. She promised she’d be right back. She could feel her pulse in her ears as she stood, smoothing her dress with trembling hands. Then she stepped outside, scanning the sidewalk with a hope she didn’t want to admit was still alive. Praying the brunette would still be there.

MILES TELLER The Gorge (2025)

MADELYN CLINE as Heather The Map That Leads To You (2025)

emma d'arcy in london for hotd: season 2 premiere event ★

He knew it had been a mistake to make the offer, but one of the only things CT had was his word, and even though it had originally been uttered as a toss away joke, he knew that as they continued the conversation - he was giving his word to take her along. It was almost sad, that she wanted to get out so badly that she was willing to take an offer from a stranger, one she knew less than nothing about. But in a way, it reminded him of how he'd felt as a teenager trying to get out of Britain. He would've done anything to get away from the life he had there. Maybe that's why he was developing a bit of a soft spot for the woman in front of him. She just wanted to get out, and if he could help her do that, he would. A small sigh left the man as his chin dipped slightly in a nod. "Yes, we'll go tomorrow." he confirmed, and he meant it. Ches hadn't been planning to stay at this motel for long anyway. Sure, more than a night, but it didn't really matter; staying on the move was the smarter choice, and if that meant only one night here, then so be it. This time her question pulled a small chuckle from his lips. "Plan is ta just start drivin and see what happens." he offered the truth. He had no plan other than to continue to stay moving until the heat on him from the robbery died down, so it wasn't like he had any single destination in mind. Hell, as long as he wasn't moving backward, she could pick where they went for all he cared. "How bout you grab a map and pick a place West from here that ya wanna see. First stop's all yours." he offered, finding his lips forming a slight smile. Her hope, pun unintended, was endearing. CT's steely blue hues met her gaze and he nodded once again. "Come to me room at 5am, packed and ready ta leave, and we'll go."

hope froze for half a second, like her brain needed time to catch up with what he’d just said. then it hit her all at once, and her face absolutely lit up. her eyes went wide, a sharp little gasp leaving her lips before she could stop it, hands flying up to cover her mouth like she might laugh or cry if she didn’t contain it. “wait... really?” she blurted out, already stepping closer without thinking. “like… really really?” her words came faster now, tripping over each other as excitement took over. she hadn’t even realized how badly she needed someone to say yes until he did. tomorrow. she was actually leaving. the thought made her chest feel tight in the best way. she laughed softly, shaking her head as if she needed to ground herself. “just driving?” she echoed, eyes bright. “that sounds perfect.” the idea of no plan, no expectations, just movement, it was everything she’d been craving. when he mentioned the map and picking a place west, she let out a breathy laugh, almost disbelieving. “you’re serious,” she said, more to herself than him. then doubt crept in, just enough to make her pause. she shifted her weight, fingers fidgeting together as she looked up at him. “i mean, are you sure?” she asked again, quieter now. “like, it’s really okay if i tag along? i don’t want to mess anything up or be a burden or...” she cut herself off, smiling sheepishly. “i just… i don’t get chances like this.” when he told her five a.m., packed and ready, she nodded immediately, almost too eagerly. “i’ll be there,” she promised. “i won’t be late. i’ll barely sleep.” another laugh slipped out, breathless and full of disbelief. “thank you,” she added, softer this time. “really. i can’t wait.”

ISABELA MERCED as Dina THE LAST OF US | 2.1 Future Days

His words pulled a laugh from the blonde at how purely idiotic they were, and her head shook slightly. But that's one of the things she loved about Damian, he was never worried about making a fool of himself. The two had seen the best and worst of each other, there wasn't much to hide between them. "I know." she returned without missing a beat, her nose scrunching up playfully. It didn't actually apply to him, but Brooke was well aware that her looks helped her get away with a lot of things. She was just grateful that her friendship with the man beside her didn't hinge on those looks like so many other situation-ships she'd found herself in. Dark hues looked down into his blue ones as he leaned forward, brows raising slightly as he repeated her words. A bark of a laugh left Brooke's lips as she shook her head. "Sure, okay." she said, sarcasm so obviously dripping from each word. Her smirk reappeared as he snatched the bottle from her, and she leaned toward him as he took a drink. "Clearly I am immune since those pretty blue eyes of yours haven't gotten me into bed yet." she reminded him teasingly, though the words held a heaviness she didn't necessarily intend. Another chuckle left the blonde as her head shook slightly. "You're relentless." she mused. "And delusional." she added, her smirk widening. Brooke's nose scrunched up in semi-disgust at the thought of being won over by a bouquet, though as she pondered his question for a moment, her slim shoulders shrugged. "I don't know." The words were softer and more vulnerable than she'd meant them to be, and she quickly forced her usual smirk back to her features. "Besides, if I told you, that would be cheating. Can't give you a leg up on all your competition." she teased, though the words didn't hold their usual snark.

damian’s grin only widened at her laugh, like he took it as a personal victory every time he managed to pull one from her. he never minded being the idiot, especially not when it meant she was smiling at him like that. there was a comfort between them that he didn’t take lightly, something earned, something built over years of knowing exactly how to push and pull without breaking anything important. “yeah, yeah,” he said easily, tilting his head as her nose scrunched up. “keep pretending you don’t know how much power you have.” his blue eyes stayed locked on hers as he leaned forward, repeating her words back with exaggerated seriousness, brows lifting like he was testing the weight of them. her sarcasm earned him a laugh of his own, low and unbothered, because of course it did. when she leaned in as he took the bottle, he paused just long enough to look at her over the rim, something unreadable flickering there. “or maybe,” he countered smoothly, “i’ve just got incredible self-control.” the tease was easy, but the way her words landed wasn’t lost on him. he let the bottle drop back to his side, shrugging slightly. “relentless, sure. delusional?” he smirked. “jury’s still out.” at her hesitation, the shift in her tone didn’t go unnoticed. damian’s expression softened, just a touch, enough to show he’d heard it. “fair,” he said quietly, nodding once. “wouldn’t want to ruin the game.” his smile returned, slower now, more deliberate. “but don’t worry—competition or not, i play the long game.” he bumped her shoulder lightly, gaze lingering. “and i’m not going anywhere.”

their connection was a tad... controversial. as in, miray wasn't sure it was in anyone's best interest for the office to know that they were seeing each other, but she found henry so disarming that at times she found herself wanting to shout it from rooftops. maybe it was a certain pride she felt in it, but not just because of his status or his stature or his looks. she liked him. she really, really did. the second she heard his voice she was up and out of her chair, rushing to his door like the dutiful assistant she was, though she was practically posing in the doorway and making bedroom eyes right back at him. "yes?" her brows lifted, as if she didn't know what was coming. she licked her lips, failing to stifle a grin as she watched him loosen his tie and come closer to her. she leaned back against the doorway, listening with her arms folded over her chest. "that we are, sir." she agreed, using 'sir' purely for the playfulness of it. she grinned even despite an attempt not to, rolling her eyes as he came close and she felt herself practically swooning. "you already know i will. and as for my bag, i already have." she stated, reaching for his arm to stop him in the doorway with her so she could lean closer to him and lower her voice. "two words: lingerie shopping." with that, she gave him a smug smile. "i'm gonna start logging off and making sure the office is aware you're out early. i'll... see you in the parking lot?" she offered, lingering closer to her desk again, though not before glancing around to make sure no one was watching.

henry had known better than to stop by her desk, and yet the pull of her was always stronger than common sense. the moment she looked up at him like that, wide-eyed, teasing, pretending she had no idea why he was there, he felt something warm settle in his chest. dangerous, probably. worth it anyway. the office was quieting down, but not quiet enough, and he was acutely aware of how close she stood, how easily she made him forget where they were. “that’s exactly why i came to you,” he said easily, voice low, amused, as his fingers finished loosening his tie. her use of sir pulled a slow smile from him, one that lingered longer than it should have. “i figured you’d already be three steps ahead of me.” his gaze dipped just briefly before returning to her eyes, the grin deepening when she mentioned lingerie shopping. “remind me to thank myself for my impeccable timing.” when she leaned in to stop him in the doorway, lowering her voice, he stilled completely, letting her have that space. “parking lot,” he echoed softly, more promise than question. then, just as smoothly as he’d arrived, he stepped back, straightened his jacket, and gave her one last look that said far more than either of them could afford to out loud. “don’t take too long,” he added, turning away before he did something reckless, like kiss her right there. he was already waiting by his car when she appeared, the building’s lights spilling out behind her. the second the doors shut and she slipped into the passenger seat, restraint evaporated. henry reached for her without thinking, one hand settling at her jaw as he kissed her, slow at first, then deeper, like he’d been holding back all day. the windows fogged slightly, the world narrowing to the quiet hum of the engine and the undeniable pull between them.

KATY O'BRIAN as DRE in QUEENS OF THE DEAD (2025) dir. Tina Romero

as the night went on, and more playful accusations were sent their way, sammy’s hand made its way to brion’s knee, sliding into muscle memory, her thumb stroking over the curve of the joint there. in a way she needed it, found the warmth relaxing every time any attention was directed their way, but also she thought someone might think it was odd if they never touched all night. her face felt hot, not just from embarrassment and the awareness that she was closer to him than she’d been in weeks, but from her third drink of the night, heat pooling over her neck and chest. it made it all easier, took the rigidity out of her frame and made her lean into him when his uncle asked for the second time, her gaze catching his. “ yeah, that makes seven,” she whispered, and this time her smile was easy, toying the line of flirtatious. the idea slipped into her mind to pull out her pen and she took his hand closest to her to make the tally marks on his wrist instead of the napkin she’d tucked into her bag, pressing the ballpoint lightly into his skin. “ i’ll add them to my ledger later, don’t let me forget, ”

as dinner began to wind down, people slowly drifting back inside the hotel to get ready for the next day, brion found himself lingering behind. he stayed just close enough to keep samantha within arm’s reach, unwilling to let the moment end too quickly. his family headed off toward their rooms, tired and laughing, and when the last of them disappeared inside, his hand found hers again. he gave it a small squeeze, grounding himself. “i… uh,” he started, shrugging slightly. “i was thinking of just sleeping on the floor or something.” the idea didn’t bother him, he’d grab a pillow, make do. asking for a room with two beds would send his parents into a spiral of questions he wasn’t ready to answer, and the last thing he wanted was to make her uncomfortable. his gaze dropped to hers, guilt flickering across his expression. “you know i’m sorry for all of this, right?” he said quietly. “you didn’t have to say yes.” he was glad she did, more than he wanted to admit, but he also knew that when the weekend was over, pretending like this would only make letting go that much harder.

i'm going to try and get on here a little bit more i miss you all and hope you're having a great holiday!!

JACK CAMERON KAY as Jones Boots Season 1

and  NOBODY  with  ANY  goddamn sense is  EVER  going to react negatively to you Just Being Fucking Nice so stop worrying about doing that !!   PLEASE !!!!!