#<said by the guy who knows ONE album from one of those singers. and can only thing of 2 songs total for another | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

cafem3wcuryy · 4 months ago

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౨ৎ ━━━ MUSE

req from anon: bro i love your haikyuu writing!! can i request a popstar!reader and ts!characters (can be any - pls one with suga) love your work 🫶🫶

━ characters: timeskip!setter squad (sugawara, kageyama, oikawa, kenma, akaashi, atsumu)

━ sum: when people find out their girlfriend/wife is a famous popstar.

━ tw: fem!reader, kinda smau, established relationship, cursing, pet names

early note: i’m almost @ 200 followers!! YAY thank you guys sm, @ 200 i’ll have a special event to celebrate :3

lowercase intended

m.list

━━━ SUGAWARA KOUSHI

"mr.suga, do you have a wife?" sugawara smiles at his student warmly, giving the little girl a nod.

"i do!"

"really?!" another student chimes in from his desk. "is she pretty?!"

"she's the most beautiful person i know," sugawara's smile softens at the thought of his wife. "do you guys want to see pictures of her? but after we have to do some work, okay?"

a chorus of 'yes's erupted throughout the classroom. sugawara pulls out his personal laptop. the students talk to one another in excitement as they wait for their teacher to finish.

"have you guys heard of the singer [name]?" sugawara's question made a majority of the students say yes and a very few saying they've never heard of her.

"my mommy loves her music! she plays it in the car everyday!"

"me too! mommy was watching her interview yesterday on the tv!"

"who is that, mr. suga?"

"well for those who don't know her, she's a famous singer. i play her music a lot while you guys are in independent work time."

before sugawara connects his laptop to the projector he, opens his photo album named, 'my forever'. a plethora of pictures of you were displayed. connecting his laptop to the projector, he clicks on one of the pictures of you and him standing side by side, smiling.

"and she's my wife!"

a collection of gasps and chatter erupted, with questions being thrown his way from his enthusiastic students. he began clicking through different pictures, some of just you alone, and some with the two of you.

"we met in high school, way before she was famous."

"my daddy is going to be so jealous!" a student snickered.

"does your daddy like her, too?" sugawara asked.

"she's his celebrity crush!" sugawara chuckled, he knew how many people liked you, even adored you and your music.

"should i give her a call?"

"yes!"

"omg, yeah!"

"okay, but you guys have to be quiet." he said, opening up the facetime app on his laptop, clicking on your name.

his students went silent, waiting in anticipation as the call rang. the familiar sound of the facetime call connecting was heard, a collection of students leaning over their desk.

"hello?" your voice was heard, and your beautiful face was shown, you were in your shared home, sitting in your home office.

"hi, honey." sugawara smiled brightly, his eyes shinning as he looked at you.

"hey, hun. is everything okay? aren't you at school right now?" your voice full of concern, brining your phone closer to your face, only your eyes being shown.

"my students were asking about you," he laughed. "they can see you on the projector, say hi."

you smiled widely, bringing the phone away from your face, waving happily at the camera. "hey guys! i hope you're not giving mr. suga a hard time."

your playful teasing made him smile, the students yelling their own greeting to you.

"okay, well i'll let you continue working, darling. i'll see you later, i love you." suagwara said, concluding the call.

"i love you, too. be safe!" you blew a kiss to the screen, hanging up the call with a wide smile.

"oh yeah, daddy is going to be sooo jealous of you, mr. suga!"

━━━ KAGEYAMA TOBIO

everyone thought kageyama was single. his socials were dry, aside from whatever his pr team tells him to post. they didn't really question him and his love life either. when it was brought up, he just starred at the person. like, just stared until he would speak up, 'i have a girlfriend', then just walk away.

it's not that he was embarrassed of you, if anything he wanted to tell everyone that his girlfriend was you, a famous popstar, but for your safety and for both of your privacy he never said anything. you never told him to keep you guys a secret or anything, it was from his own will and respect for you.

so imagine to his teammates' surprise when you ran up to him after their game, giving him the biggest hug and a kiss. kageyama and his team had just won an important game, and you just couldn't help it but be so happy for him (and his team ofc).

"baby! i'm so proud of you!" you yelled, peppering his sweaty face with kisses.

in the background, the media was going crazy. the famous popstar, [name], is in a relationship, and not just any relationship, a relationship with kageyama tobio.

"[name]," kageyama pouted, a blush on his cheeks as he held you. "i'm sweaty."

"i don't care! you did so good!" you smiled at him brightly, not caring about your surroundings, or the pictures being taken.

"thank you," kageyama smiled softly, bringing you into a kiss. "i have to go the locker room, i'll meet you outside, okay?"

nodding, you gave him a final kiss, walking away with your manager and bodyguard following. kageyama watched as you walked away, talking to your manager excitedly. he shakes his head, the smile never leaving his face as he walked back to his team.

"what the fuck, you're dating the [name]?"

━━━ OIKAWA TOORU

oikawa's teammates just assumed he was a huge fan of you, like a huge fan. with his instagram filled with reposts of your posts, him at your concerts, him buying your albums, oikawa literally does what every major fanboy would do.

as far as they think, oikawa is a little loose in the head. which they aren't wrong, as an outsider perspective. whenever the topic of relationships, or his teammates trying to set him up with a woman in spain, he never failed to disappoint. immediately declining their offers, or immediately switching the subject from his love life onto something completely random.

they just assumed oikawa had a secret lover (some even thought he was gaslighting himself into thinking he was in a relationship with you because of how much he talks about you as if he was with you), so they just never bothered asking or prying after all of their failed attempts.

what they didn't expect was a repost of your post on his story. not just any post. a post that had him, tooru oikawa, in every picture.

[name]salbum is this a soft launch or a hard launch?

tagged: tooruoikawa

liked by tooruoikawa and 2,989,278 others

comments are turned off.

user1 replied to your story: WHAT

user2 replied to your story: is this fr?

user3 replied to your story: Is this real?

user4 replied to your story: Tooru the man!

user5 replied to your story: Congrats!

a series of dm's were being delivered, as well as the team group chat. not only that, a couple of people he went to school with from aoba johsai even sent dm's to him. iwaizumi wasn't included of course, oikawa wanted to introduce his best friend to his future wife.

"wow, you weren't exaggerating about your teammates." you laughed as he shared his screen through the facetime, opening and responding to messages as you watched.

"now they can't call me crazy anymore!"

even though the two of you were considered long distance due to your guys' professions, the love never died, and the spark always stayed. no matter the distance.

━━━ KOZUME KENMA

whenever kenma streamed, you always watched from a fake account (yes, kenma knows it's you). whenever you would join, he would break out into a small smile, greeting you.

"hi, kodzukenslefttoe."

he never failed to greet you and only you. of course his fans were confused on why 'kodzukenslefttoe' would make their favorite streamer single them and only them, out. of course rumors and speculations began to spread, and the only thing kenma had said about the whole situation was,

"yes, i'm in a relationship with 'kodzukenslefttoe'. but don't try to go digging, freaks. it's her fake account, you won't find out any information on her."

of course that never stopped fans from making out of pocket speculations and baseless rumors, but you and kenma honestly did not care. at the end of the day, you were coming home to kenma, and kenma was at home waiting for you, and you guys knew the truth.

but, unfortunately a mishap had occurred as kenma was streaming, with his camera on.

without knowing that kenma had just begun streaming, you walked into his gaming room, looking for yuumi, your guys' cat. your face was on full display for his stream to see behind kenma, as you looked at your beloved boyfriend with a pout, still not noticing he was streaming.

"is yuumi with you? she left while we were cuddling." as you looked at kenma's shocked face, your eyes moved to his monitor in curiosity.

twitchuser1: ISNT THAY [NAME] twitchuser2: BRO twitchuser3: NO WAY THATS [NAME] twitchuser4: STOP twitchuser5: KODZUKEN GIRLFRIEND [NAME]: CONFIRMED twitchuser6: SJKDH twitchuser7: how he bag soemone like her bro

"b-babe!" kenma exclaimed, hastily grabbing his webcam, facing it down onto his desk. "i'm streaming!"

"ahhhh, i didn't know!" you apologized.

kenma shakes his head with a soft smile, looking at you. "i guess no more keeping it secret?"

you laughed, nodding. you stood beside him, as he put back his webcam where it once sat. you bent your knees a little, smiling as you read through his chat, well, read whatever your eyes were able to catch.

"hey guys." you greeted his viewers.

"i guess you guys know now." kenma muttered as he read through the chat as well. "wanna answer some questions, babe?"

"sure!"

"are you guys actually together?" you read a chat out loud before answering. "yes! three years strong!"

"why did you keep it secret?" kenma read.

"it was more for privacy reasons on my end." you answered.

"i love your music, thank you so much!"

"are you being held captive? no, i'm holding him captive."

kenma softly pat his hands on your thighs, motioning for you to sit down. raising an eyebrow in confusion, kenma rolls his eyes, bringing you to sit on his lap as he hid his head on your back as you answered a few more questions and thanking nice comments.

at the end you got up from kenma's lap, wishing your farewells to his stream, placing a kiss on kenma's cheek. "thank you guys for supporting me, please give kenma the same amount of love!"

after leaving the room, kenma readjusts his webcam, eyes skimming the chat.

"okay stop thirsting over my girlfriend before i never stream again..."

━━━ AKAASHI KEIJI

everyone knew akaashi liked to keep his life private. though, that never stopped their lingering curiosity every time they saw the wedding band, sitting nicely on his left hand.

not only that, company dinners or events that were held out of work hours, he never attended them. when asked he’d just flash them a polite smile and decline. akaashi garnered a few hearts, especially interns and the younger women. he would obviously decline any advances, raising his left hand and showing off his wedding ring.

“we would like to promote you as our editor.”

akaashi smiled gratefully at his boss, bowing politely. “thank you. i’ll work hard.”

“we’re having a company dinner here. you should join. we’re holding one to celebrate all of the promotions as of late, including your’s. you can bring your wife, if you’d like.”

who was he to decline his own boss??

after telling you about the dinner and promotion, akaashi asked you to join him for the dinner. before you could even tell him it was okay for him to go alone, he would flatly say, ‘you don’t go, i don’t go.’

that’s where you two were at now. akaashi driving the two of you to the dinner location, his hand holding your’s as his opposite hand held onto the steering wheel. upon arriving, the amount of shocked faces as you and akaashi walked in, hand in hand, will never not be funny. imagine seeing a famous popstar walking into their work place, holding hands with their newest editor.

of course you had fans at akaashi’s work place. there were people following your instagram account, your private (but not secret) relationship was with someone they knew. someone they worked with.

if they paid closer attention, all of the posts that had a male’s hands, they’d see the same exact wedding band that akaashi had.

people were polite with asking for a picture with you and a few signatures, akaashi never left your side. as the night ended, you and akaashi had both gotten home, getting ready for bed.

“love, have you seen my after shave?”

“yes, it’s in the mirror.” you scrolled through your camera roll.

“thank you, baby.”

you were currently looking for a picture of akaashi during the dinner, you and him and the food, to post on your instagram.

choosing five different pictures, you hit post.

liked by a.keiji and 2,728,028 others

[name]salbum i’m so proud of you. ❤️

tagged: a.keiji

📌 a.keiji Thank you for all of the congratulations.

⤷ owlspiker CONGRATS AKAASSSHII 🥳

⤷ a.keiji Thank you, Bokuto.

user1 OMG SHE TAGGED HIM?!-!-8-!/&

⤷ user2 WHO CARES ABT THE TAG SHE REVEALD HIM

user3 WHY R THEY SO CUTE😭

user4 imma theow up why are they perfect for each other 🧍

“i’m so proud of you, keiji. i love you.”

“thank you, beautiful. i love you forever.”

━━━ MIYA ATSUMU

who would’ve thought that the miya atsumu would make a random guest appearance during your vogue beauty secrets video?

“i’ve been using [skin care brand] for the longest now.” you spoke to the camera, holding up the product before gently putting it onto your face.

“babe!!!” atsumu’s voice was heard from outside of the bathroom door.

“in the bathroom!” you shouted back.

as you continued your skin care routine, showing off all of the skin products you used, the video cut into another section where atsumu walks into the bathroom, his figure popping up, as he towered behind you, watching you through the mirror.

“what’s that?” atsumu questioned, his eyes watching you pat in the product.

“it’s sunscreen.” you hummed.

“what does it do?”

“it makes your face from the uv rays. you want some?” you asked, turning around to face your boyfriend as he peered down at you. “you should be wearing this everyday, y’know?”

“uv rays?”

“yes, babe. the sun,” you laughed, kissing the tip of his nose. “so?”

“hmm, one condition,” atsumu grinned. “can ya make me some fatty tuna?”

“‘f course.” with that you began putting moisturizer on him as he kept his hands resting on your hips as you did your thing, finishing.

“well, that’s my beauty secrets!” you waved at the camera with atsumu standing behind you, with a peace sign.

with that the video ended. atsumu’s teammates stared at their setter, who instead of taking a break, was setting the ball to the wall.

“miya is dating [name]?” they harshly whispered, eyes evident on his face.

“no shit.” one snapped back.

“what’re ya guys doin’?” atsumu questioned, walking up to their little huddle with his water bottle in his hand.

“YOU’RE DATING [NAME]?”

atsumu face lit up, a smirk on his face. “yeah. lucky, ain’t i?”

“dude, you didn’t tell us you were with her!”

“no one was supposed t’know,” atsumu’s voice shrugged, taking a seat on the bench. “not mad ‘bout it. hopefully the missus isn’t either!”

notes: **pictures aren't mine, all from pinterest**

kinda proofread

I LOWKEY ATE NGL &&&& DONT FORGET @ 200 FOLLOWERS IMMA HOST AN EVENT ❤️

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f1cflcfic · 4 months ago

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The Prophecy (SMAU ft. Lando Norris): Epilogue

pairing: lando norris x singer!reader (fem!y/n)

summary: what happens after the break-up that noone saw coming? as Y/N L/N gears up to release her next album, each song reveals a little bit of the past, present and future of her relationship with Lando Norris. Inspired by a curated playlist built around "The Prophecy".

note: this is RPF and is obviously in no way, shape, or form reflective of real persons. also, this chapter contains some (implicit) references to sex.

genre: social media au (with written parts), angst, exes to lovers, happy ending

[A/N: hehe it's never really over, this is for my bff who just got engaged over the weekend <3]

part i part ii part iii part iv part v part vi

♥･*:.｡｡.:*･ﾟ♡･*:.｡｡.:*･ﾟ♥

June, 2027

[Excerpt from Y/N L/N's Buzzfeed Playing with Puppies Interview]

Y/N is sitting down on the floor, enthusiastically chatting to someone off camera. “Listen Roz I’m so serious, you’re going to have to physically incapacitate me when I want to take them all home. It will happen, and you will need to stop me.”

Someone from the crew giggles, as they instruct Y/N to readjust her lavalier microphone.

“Alright, so it’s super easy – you just sit there, and we bring the pups to you!”

“Oh my god. This is my dream. I always say to my friends that I’d just really love to be in a puppy pile, and it’s finally happening. The pinnacle of my career. This is why I became a singer,” she chatters, then gasps as the first puppies are brought out.

“Oh hiiii,” she almost whimpers at the sight of them, some a little more active, others a little sleepy. One immediately snuggles into her lap, and Y/N looks off-camera to someone meaningfully. “I am taking him home.” Someone can be heard laughing and saying “no, you can’t” in response, to which Y/N sighs in defeat.

“So, can you tell us who you are, and what you do”

“My name’s Y/N L/N, and I’m a singer-songwriter. But today I’m a professional puppy cuddle buddy.”

“Here’s your first question – you mentioned recording a song in Taylor Swift’s studio for the Prophecy. What does it look like?”

“Oh my – oh they smell so good I swear, I’m so sorry I didn’t hear a word you said.” The interviewer repeats the question, as Y/N tries really hard to maintain eye contact with them instead of the puppies roaming around her.

“It’s a really beautiful space, a sanctuary, really. And it’s just amazing to think that so many iconic songs and albums have been partially written and recorded there as well. Taylor is a wonderful friend to have in this industry, and – oh just look at this little guy. He’s so cute!!!”

“Second question: You’re in the middle of a world tour right now. What was your own first tour that you remember going to?”

“Oh look at this one, he’s just playing around, such a little goofball. Sorry, sorry – the question. My first concert? You know it was probably some type of children’s act? My parents aren’t super into music, so the first time I went to see someone and paid for the ticket myself, it was probably Taylor actually.”

“Third question: You said you’re into reading. What’s your latest recommendation?”

“I try to read, yeah! It’s so easy to get sucked into my phone, but I always bring books and an e-reader. Oof, careful little guy, those tiny teeth are sharp,” she disentangles her finger from a puppy’s mouth, then hugs him close to her chest and kisses his head. “I love you, don’t worry. So, yeah, what was I saying? I think with reading I’m always in two minds about it. I enjoy literary fiction, but I also love fantasy. So I recently started There Are Rivers in the Sky from Elif Shafak, and then I’ve been re-reading the Fourth Wing series by Rebecca Yarros. Love that dragon. Maybe we should name you Tairn, or Xaden,” Y/N points at a puppy with dark fur and brown eyes.

“Do they all have names already? All of them are up for adoption, right? But surely these personalities – ah okay. His name’s Lewis?” She smiles cheekily, but doesn't comment further.

One of the dogs lets out a pitiful little whine, and Y/N immediately looks down. “What’s up little pup? Are you unhappy? Can we get them some water, some snacks?”

Someone steps in with a bowl of water, then asks the next question. “What’s something you do to relax on your days off?”

“Hmm aside from reading? Honestly, I love to just hang out with my family. Go do minigolf, something fun together.”

“Not actual golf?”

Y/N snorts, her fingers absentmindedly petting the puppies that have since fallen asleep in her lap. “My partner has tried to get me into it, and I love how much he enjoys it, but it’s not for me. So I’ll happily drive the golf cart and cheer him on instead.”

“Are you not competitive?”

You scrunch your nose at the word. “I think I am, but I’m more scared of others thinking I’m not good enough – so then I abandon serious pursuit of victory. If it’s just a laugh, then it’s fine if you’re not great at something. It’s something I’m working on!”

She kisses one of the pups that’s woken up from its nap on his tiny nose. “I love you, you, you’re such a tiny little angel aren’t you?”

“Alright, next question: If you were in an emergency situation, who would you call to bail you out?”

“Probably Lando. He’d be fast, you know?” Y/N smiles at the camera. “By the way, he’s going to be SO jealous of me for getting to hang out with pups all day.”

“If you weren’t a singer-songwriter, what do you think you’d be doing?”

“Hmm, I’d probably have gone to university – maybe literature, or maybe political science. Then I’d go work for an NGO? I’d love to know I was making a difference in people’s lives I think.”

“Last question – what are you most looking forward to?”

“Aside from the new, upgraded tour? I can’t believe I’ll be playing stadiums. That feels very surreal. Apart from that, we’re getting some renovations done on the house right now and I’m super excited to see my library fantasy come to life. I want to have a ladder on wheels.”

You quietly stroke the fur of a red and white puppy that’s been curled up in your lap since the beginning. “I’m going to cry having to give these back. But I’m going to, I will. It’d be irresponsible to adopt a dog right now, maybe next year we’ll get on that. Please, if you are able and willing, adopt these sweet little puppies – and I will personally come by and hangout with your pup and you.”

The screen fades to black, and then there’s a shaky camera that follows Y/N as she laughs while talking on the phone. “I know! I said you would,” she’s overheard saying. “There’s one in particular, I just – ” she trails off, listening to whatever’s being said on the other end of the line. “Do you really think so?” Her smile widens. “I love you so much, you have no idea,” she nods excitedly at her assistant and starts walking towards the animal shelter representative. “Yeah I’ll keep you posted, say hi from me to your brother and Sav please. Ok, see you. Bye.”

August 14th, 2027

December 8th, 2027

June 18th, 2028

♥･*:.｡｡.:*･ﾟ♡･*:.｡｡.:*･ﾟ♥

You can read the previous parts & access various bonus content by going here

♥ likes, comments, reblogs are always very much appreciated ♥

taglist (open) : @charlesgirl16, @linnygirl09, @hoeforsirius, @motorsportloverf1, @sarx164, @idkimbadwithusernamesandstuff, @formulaal, @tvdtw4ever @sadiemack9 @seonghwaexile @screamingwines

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81folklore · 2 years ago

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older - LECLERC

pairings: charles leclerc x male!singer!reader (fc: luke hemmings)

summary: singer yn ln releases a love song with his boyfriend, and the public are not prepared for who it is about

authors note: this has been on my mind for SO LONG. i honestly dont like how many fics ive been doing on the same people (charles, lando etc) but whenever i go to start a new one on my list for someone else i think of something that i have to do😭 also in this reader is not a part of 5sos but close friends with the 3, wfttwtaf is readers album and older is exclusivly the readers song

authors note 2: i wanted to quickly clarify i am NOT speculating that charles or luke are gay/queer and this is not my intentions. luke obviously sings older and i find it easier to visualise it this way, while the reader in this is male, this could also be read as gn!reader. this is FICTION please do not tkae this as me speculating anything

authors note 3: i didnt really know what i was doing with this so its kind of all over the place and very rushed :/ but then again when arent my smau all over the place?? also can you tell i hate writing comments by the way i just dont😭

masterlist

yourusername

liked by pierregasly, ashtonirwin and 818,937 others

we started this song together back in 2020 and picked it back up at the end of 2022

'Older' was originally a voice memo of a 50’s-style love song that we wrote together, then forgot about. when thinking of concepts for my debut album i stumbled across the memo and fell in love with it all over again, but i put it aside yet again as to me, it deserved more than the album

the song has changed a lot from the original voice memo, but the meaning has stayed the same throughout. despite all the beauty, the ups and downs of a long-term relationship over many years, there’s inevitably going to be the worst moment of your love because one of you is going to lose each other

capturing those feelings in a song was tricky but ultimately we wrote from the heart and i think it shows in the song itself

this has always been a song between us, so having him play on this song was very importnt to me and im glad he said yes

older is now yours

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yourusername

liked by landonorris, calumhood and 1,727,338 others

im very pleased to announce a very special one off show at the Royal Albert Hall in London this November 18th. I will be playing a bunch of tracks from my debut album and may be joined to play some others aswell! Tickets on sale this monday at 10 am BST. Lots of love always, yn x

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yourusername

liked by 5sos, charles_leclerc and 2,719,936 others

thank you for an incredible night at the royal albert hall

looking back at the best night of my life, i need to thank each and every one of you who allowed this dream to come true, i will never be able to thank you guys enough

performing in my dream venue, with my favorite people in the world was something i never thought was possible and yet here i am, writing this still on my high from last night

thank you to my friends; michael, ashton and calum who took the time to come to london and perform their songs with me, thank you for always loving me and agreeing to my crazy ideas

to my team and everyone who worked to make this night as special as it could be, thank you. thank you for making my htoughts a reality and making this night as wonderful as possible

thank you to the staff who worked throughout the show to make sure everyone was safe, well and looked after. you truly do not get as much credit as you deserve and i apreciate the hard work you put in to keep everyone happy

thank you to those who joined me, i wish each and every one of you who wanted to could have been there. thank you for singing along and listening to me pour my heart and soul into my music

thank you for letting me do this x

view comments

user55: not the pcd hitting already☹️

user1: and im supposed to pretend i didnt see yn and 5sos perform os/co??

user89: CHARLES?? YN IS DATING CHARLES??

user91: AND HE CAME ON STAGE?? AND THEY PERFORMED OLDER??

user50: i cant believe i saw this all happen live

user47: THANK YOU TO WHOEVER WAS RUNING THE GRAINY LIVESTREAM I OWE YOU MY LIFE🧎🧎🏻‍♀️🧎🏻‍♀️

ashtonirwin: thank you for everything yn. youre a real life angel

user16: NO CHARLES MENTION??

user9: BESTIE HE HAS A WHOLE POST

yourusername

liked by charles_leclerc, pierregasly, michaelclifford and 3,619,273 others

after having time to process this show, I feel so overcome with gratefulness. my music means so much to me and seeing so many people resonate with it in a live space was so special for me.

charlie, my life would literally fall apart without you and this would have never happened without you giving me the confidence to do so, i hold so much love and admiration for you

thank you for joining me on such a special night and performing our song with me, thank you for sticking with me through it all and thank you for allowing me to share this part of my life with you

i sometimes wonder where i would be if i didnt find you, if i wasnt blessed with your love. i try to think about the times before you, before us, but both feel impossible to do after feeling your love

life with you is so special and i promise to always cherish and love you

merci de m'avoir laissé vieillir avec toi, merci de m'avoir laissé t'adorer, merci de m'avoir choisi (thank you for letting me get old with you, thank you for letting me adore you, thank you for choosing me)

yn x

tagged: charles_leclerc

comments on this post have been limited

charles_leclerc: mon ange, je t'aimerai toujours (my angel, I will always love you)

charles_leclerc: je suis tellement privilégiée d'être celle que tu aimes🤍🤍 (I'm so privileged to be the one you love)

yourusername: vieillir avec toi ne semble pas si effrayant🖤🖤 (growing old with you doesn't seem so scary)

#f1 x reader #f1 instagram au #f1 smau #f1 social media au #social media au #formula 1 insta au #formula 1 social media au #charles leclerc x reader #charles leclerc insta au #charles leclerc social media au #charles leclerc #formula one x reader #x male reader #f1 x male reader #f1 insta au

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mearpsdyke · 3 months ago

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no one has to know (what goes on between us)

Summary: answers to the question "are True Damage's Ekko and soloist singer Jinx dating?" may vary depending on who you ask. (Band/Fake Dating AU)

A/N: AO3 hates timebomb so i'm being forced to post this directly on tumblr. oh well. tysm to vik for betaing the fic and being the inspiration behind sassy gay kayn<3

as a general warning this has very explicit smut towards the last 5k words, so maybe skip this fic if that's not your thing.

Ekko thinks, not for the first time since this meeting started, that he should quit music and move to the countryside for some peace and quiet.

The marketing guy is still droning on and on about merch sales and stream statistics, Ekko hasn’t been paying attention for the better part of the hour. He’s fidgeting with the pencil in his hands, intently avoiding the sight of the blue haired woman sitting across him, who’s shamelessly painting her nails.

He doesn’t know much about Jinx; she signed with the label around the same time as him, and although she’s also from Zaun, he doesn’t really know her, which is saying something, since everyone knows everyone in the lanes.

At most, Ekko follows her on Instagram, out of some kind of solidarity with her, something, something “people who come from the lanes oughta stick together”—in reality, he thinks she's quite hot. Likes her posts like he's being paid for it.

Of course, that's between him and god.

The marketing guy—he looks like a Jimmy, Ekko thinks—is still speaking. Ekko is barely listening.

“In short, we saw a spike in streams and social media interactions after the gala; our numbers had been steady, not to say stagnant, for quite some time so this new surge in activity caught our attention,” Maybe-Jimmy says, pushing his glasses up to his nose, sounding suspiciously upbeat.

That catches his attention.

Ekko reluctantly peels his gaze off the ground to look at him, silently wondering what that has to do with Jinx’s presence.

Ekko glances towards his manager, sitting next to him, who’s nodding along, sporting a serious face. He’s the only one that seems to be paying attention—well, besides Jinx’s manager, he supposes. Jinx herself is still busy painting her own nails in two different colors, humming a tune.

“So, as per the CEO’s request, we’ve devised a marketing plan to make both of your streams and merchandise sales go up,” he says, finally going to the point, and Ekko has a faint feeling that he’s not going to like whatever they’re about to propose to him. “Since the spike in interactions happened due to dating rumors between the two of you, we figured it would be a good idea for you to pretend to be in a relationship for some time, at least until after we drop both of your respective albums.”

That snaps Jinx’s head up faster than anything else he’s said this whole meeting, with her hands freezing mid-air. A droplet of pink nail polish falls to the pristine white wood.

Ekko’s mouth hangs open, incredulously looking at Maybe-Jimmy.

“What?” They say at the same time. Their gazes meet each other, twin bewildered looks on their faces.

“That’s your genius strategy?” Ekko questions, unsure if he’s offended that this took an hour of his life he could’ve used to finish his new song, or at the ridiculous idea itself.

“I know I said I would eat my own hands before doing any more Tik Tok challenges,” Jinx says, a pleading tone in her voice. “But I’d really trade doing those challenges instead of this—this stupid shit.” She turns to look at him. “No offense.”

“None taken,” he mutters reluctantly.

Maybe-Jimmy just smiles nervously and clasps his hand over the table.

“The CEO personally green lighted this strategy, so, there’s not much neither of you can do. It’s stated in your contract.” He gives them an apologetic look, but it sure doesn’t feel like he’s sorry at all. Bastards, all of you, Ekko thinks.

This is all, probably, some sort of divine punishment from the universe or god himself for that one time he accidentally leaked one of the songs on their sophomore album before it was finished, and it went viral when a rival group covered it. Akali is still mad about it.

He looks across the table to his new fake girlfriend, who’s speaking in hushed whispers with her manager, an intimidating tall woman with a face tattoo that reads VI, clearly angry at the whole ordeal. He’s not so happy about it either, but at least he has the decency to not look like he’s been given a death sentence.

In hindsight, this is all Qiyana’s fault.

She was the one that went around the Grammys after party filming everything for her vlog, and “accidentally”—Ekko still thinks it was on purpose—caught the two of them trailing behind the other, disappearing behind two heavy doors. What the public didn’t know is that those doors lead to the bathrooms, though it didn’t take long for them to figure it out. The internet was relentless afterwards, spurred on by all the stupid likes Ekko left on Jinx’s posts on Instagram.

Thirsting after Jinx was, probably, the other thing that caused this.

The dating rumors were frankly outlandish; just because they both came from Zaun doesn’t mean they were lovers before fame, he didn’t even know her. But whatever, he guesses the label is desperate enough for a new hit to pull this sort of thing.

As he’s leaving the conference room, he looks one more time towards Jinx, who’s hastily blowing on her nails.

“We’ll reach out soon to coordinate a first appearance together,” Ekko’s manager, Viktor, says, ever the efficient man.

Jinx’s manager offers a tight lipped smile, hastily putting away the nail polish back on Jinx’s purse.

“We’ll be at your disposal,” she answers, placing her hand on Jinx’s back to hurry her outside the room.

Ekko silently follows Viktor, who’s complaining about lazy marketing and cheap strategies like this, though he says nothing about advocating for him and convincing the team to drop this idea; Ekko knows as well as Viktor that his contract was drafted by Satan himself, and going against it is impossible.

He pointedly does not tell his bandmates about it. They have questions about the meeting they were not allowed to go to, but he's tight lipped.

The more he can pretend this isn’t happening, the better.

Jinx loves Violet. This is a fact as true as the sky being blue.

Jinx, also, hates Violet. These two statements don't negate the other if one takes into account they are, after all, sisters.

“Are you serious, Violet?! This is why I never tell you shit!” Jinx screeches, once they’ve locked themselves in one of the many soundproof recording studios.

Vi doesn’t look the slightest bit apologetic. She’s grinning like a mad woman, the fucking bitch.

“Look, I was tired of you telling me how hot you think he is and then doing nothing about it! Besides, I didn’t tell the marketing people to pitch that idea to the CEO, just suggested it. That was all their doing.”

Jinx takes out one of her shoes and throws it in Vi’s direction.

Another thing that’s, sadly, pretty much true, is that Jinx drools over Ekko. She has eyes, okay, and they function.

Unfortunately, when men are so handsome that just by looking at their pictures one gets hot and bothered, they're also, like fucking clockwork, huge assholes.

Jinx would know, she has a knack for dating them.

“One of these days you're going to disappear under mysterious circumstances,” Jinx says, ominous.

Vi smirks, lounging on the sofa like a cat.

“You should thank me,” she says, “the guy might actually be a decent one, I've heard some stuff about him. Dating him could be fun.”

Jinx pauses, considers it—then throws the other shoe towards her sister’s face either way.

Their first fake date happens two days later, because Viktor will be damned if he ever stops being quick and efficient.

For what it’s worth, it’s a nice spot, the kind Ekko would choose were he taking a possible partner on a date, which means Viktor knows more about him than he’s supposed to and he has to take him out from his close friends’ story—again.

Jinx is fashionably late, arriving five minutes after him, and she makes a comment about that being her manager’s doing; she would’ve arrived half an hour late if it weren’t for her, who hurried her in getting ready.

To her credit, Jinx put a decent amount of effort in her appearance; her pleated black skirt is what Ekko would consider dangerously short, wearing fishnet stockings under it. A white crop top that reads women hate me, fish fear me gains a confused chuckle from him, and she’s wearing the tiniest hint of make-up, since all the attention is on her signature twin braids; today she added gold charms to them, rings and butterflies catching his eye. All in all, she looks good, really good.

Besides sighing because she's pretty and all of this is fake, Ekko feels flattered that she put this much effort—but also, he’s embarrassed. More embarrassed than anything, actually.

Ekko is underdressed, compared to her; he put on his most comfortable jeans with a plain black shirt under his green hoodie. At least he has his gold rings and tiny earrings to appear more put together.

And he's handsome. He knows that much, so his face always pulls the look together despite all. He hears his female band mates mock him for his ego in the back of his mind.

They get their order delivered in no time, and Jinx laments not having brought her lipstick to retouch herself.

“Are you always running late to places?” Ekko wonders out loud, lazily stirring his coffee. Jinx takes a long sip of her mango milkshake, leaving the straw with a wet pop before answering.

(Ekko does not fixate on her plump lips. Nope.)

“Only to first dates I don’t care about,” she answers, a faux innocent smile dangling from her lips before she digs in on the pastries she ordered.

Ekko snorts. “Yeah, I’m not thrilled about this… arrangement, either.” He leans on his elbows, watching as she licks the frosting off her fingers. On a normal date, he’d make a sly comment about table manners, but it’s not like this is a real date, so he can’t be bothered.

Jinx looks at him, offended, and gasps dramatically.

“But I’m such a funny, awesome, hot girl,” she says, clasping a hand over her chest. Ekko stifles a laugh. “Honestly, you’re so lucky. You wouldn’t even have a chance with me if it weren’t for this PR shit.” Jinx tosses her hair over her shoulder, fixing him with a cocky grin.

Ekko scoffs, indignant. “As if I would give you the time of day. I got nominated as one of the sexiest men alive last year.”

“But you didn’t win ‘sexiest man alive’, did you now?” Jinx quips through mouthfuls of lemon pie. “And either way, when the press gets ahold of the paparazzi pics the label staged, I’ll make sure my manager tells everyone you pursued me.” Her cat-like smile only grows, and Ekko almost snaps his optic nerves rolling his eyes.

“You’re a pain in the ass,” he says, sipping on his coffee. Jinx smiles as though he’s given her a compliment.

“Why, thank you, it’s my pleasure.”

Jinx keeps on devouring her lemon pie slice, Ekko’s brain starts plotting his own disappearance and the location of the dairy farm he’ll buy the day he finally snaps and throws fame into the blender, because here he is, sitting on a café with one of the prettiest women in the industry, and he's bickering with her instead of flirting and making this thing look more real.

They don’t talk much afterwards, just sipping on their drinks. At some point, Jinx gets frosting all over her lips and childishly licks them to clean them up instead of using a napkin, like any sane person would. Ekko groans, taking her chin between his hands and bringing a napkin to clean the remnants of the frosting.

She’s grinning at him, wiggling her brows as she teases him. Ekko stifles a laugh.

He hears a camera go off somewhere.

The photo of him cleaning Jinx’s lips is up on the internet before the fake date even ends, and the True Damage group chat goes off.

[Qiyana] sent one attachment

[Qiyana] ??? EXPLAIN

[Senna] YOU FINALLY DID SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR CRUSH????

[Akali] fucking HATE YOU couldnt u wait longer u just lost me $100

[Yasuo] fucking LOVE YOU i just won $100

Not for the first time, Ekko leaves the group chat, deciding to protect his peace of mind, if only until they’re due for rehearsals.

Jinx keeps on eating her lemon pie, ignoring the world, and fixes Ekko with a smile.

“So, what’s your zodiac sign?”

So, maybe Ekko isn’t an asshole. But he’s not off the hook, yet.

“I don’t know, Vi. I'm still not convinced he's not another womanizer. Looking like that he could have any woman he wanted,” Jinx complains, hanging upside down from her aerial silks. “Besides, he’s a libra with a scorpio rising.”

Vi hums, definitely not paying her attention, while she types away at her phone.

“Every famous guy is a womanizer unless proven otherwise, despite what astrology may say,” she tells her, “I know it's not helpful, but I’ve heard generally good things about the guy. I have a friend of a friend who’s on all of his private accounts, and they came back clean.”

“Mhm.” Jinx hesitates, chewing on her lips. “Any exes?”

Okay, so maybe she wishes she hadn’t asked that, because Vi pulls profile after profile, and all the women she shows her are so pretty her self-esteem drops. No wonder he’s so wound up about their arrangement; Jinx doesn’t hold a candle to the previous women he dated—publicly, at least.

Jinx huffs, letting herself fall from the silks, somehow landing on her feet. Rehearsal is finally over and she can finally get a good shower.

She absent-mindedly starts thinking about her outfit for the next red carpet as she drinks water, and an idea pops in her mind.

“Hey, Vi,” she says, trying to sound casual. “Do you know if True Damage is invited to the AMAs?”

“Well, I’d hope so. They’re nominated for collaboration of the year for that song they made with Heartsteel. Why?” Vi doesn’t look up from her phone, typing away a message.

She's always on that damn phone now, Jinx thinks, sounding too much like Vander. Ew.

“Oh, I just had a brilliant idea.”

See, red carpets are Ekko’s thing. He knows he’s handsome, his stylist loves him, and so does the press. It’s just his space to shine.

This time, though, things are different.

True Damage always matches their color scheme for red carpets; it makes sense to do so, as a band. Tonight, however, he’s the only one that’s not in the same color scheme, and that has an obvious explanation: Jinx.

Per Viktor and Vi’s request, they hard launched the relationship through an Instagram story, some two weeks ago; a selfie huddled up together on Jinx’s couch was all that was needed to add fuel to the ongoing fire that had started during their first date.

This was after a couple more dates, some more staged paparazzi photos, and ominous tweets. To the public, they had been dating for roughly three months, give or take.

Ekko had come over to Jinx’s apartment just to take that photo; she had received him in way more casual clothes than he had ever seen her, a worn grey shirt with a corny quote on the chest and biker shorts. Her hair was loose, and boy did she have lots of it. Ekko thought, in the back of his mind, that she looked better like this.

She made him all but lay on her sofa, then threw herself over him, like this was something they always did.

“Don’t give me that face,” she said, cheek pressed flush against his chest. Ekko’s breath hitches in his throat, but he tried not to show it. “You look like you’re scared of hot women, c’mon, pretty boy, put on a smile for the camera.”

“You’re a menace,” he huffed, willing his cheeks to not redden. Jinx cackled, evil and hearty and a melody to his ears.

(No. Wait, fuck.)

So. Anyway.

It had been a short affair. They took several pictures (because Jinx needed to make sure she looked good) and once they settled on one, the matter was all but solved. And he should’ve left, really; but Jinx commented something about wanting to watch a movie now that she bought an instant popcorn machine, and nonchalantly asked if he wanted to stay over for it.

Jinx had asked him to stay in a nonchalant tone, and nothing in her demeanor told him this had to be something they did for an audience, like the dates or the photos; it was just a casual hang out. So, what the hell, sure, he stayed over, and it wasn’t as awkward as he had thought it would be.

At some point, Jinx’s head ended up resting against his shoulder and he allowed it. It wasn’t half bad.

They hadn’t seen each other since then, sporadically texting as the awards approached to update the other on how their outfit was coming along.

It was a pity, really. Jinx was growing on him, if only because her sharp tongue and clever mind amused him to no end.

“Who would’ve thought a girlfriend was all you needed to ditch the boring basic suits,” Qiyana teases, as they keep on walking down the red carpet.

“Too bad it goes against our color scheme, though,” Senna laments, fixing her gown’s trail.

Ekko, almost by instinct, wants to tell them to fuck off, but he can’t blurt out, defensively, that Jinx is not his girlfriend, not really, because the place is packed with reporters and paparazzi, and he’s sure Viktor would kill him with his bare hands if he shot down their entire operation before it truly begins to take off.

He just huffs, adjusting the jacket over his shoulders. While Yasuo is wearing a normal red, white and black suit, following the color scheme of their female colleagues, Ekko sticks out like a sore thumb—almost literally. The purple of the jacket draped over his shoulders is the same tone as a bruise (Jinx had adamantly insisted on that description for the shade of purple she wanted him to wear. It had been a pain in the ass to get it right), his white linen shirt is halfway open, showing the world his pectorals and part of the abs he had so painstakingly worked out for. His pants were the same bruising shade of purple, and although they were specifically tailored for him, he couldn’t stop feeling uncomfortable.

It wasn’t really the suit itself the issue, more so who he was wearing the suit for.

Jinx is a beautiful woman, she has her charm; he’s just pissed at the label for forcing them to do this instead of thinking of another type of marketing campaign. His bandmates had told him he was, probably, the first man to ever complain about having to date a hot woman half of the industry wanted. It wasn’t about Jinx being hot, more so about his autonomy, or whatever the fuck.

They’re almost at the end of the red carpet when Akali tugs on his jacket, forcing him to stop. He turns to look at her, confused.

“Look who just arrived,” she cheekily says, pointing with her chin to the opposite way.

Ekko knows, before he even looks, that it’s Jinx. He straightens his stance, then bids his friends goodbye before going to look for her.

The moment he sees her, his brain sort of short circuits—which is probably not good (or is it?) because there are a fuckton of paparazzi milling about.

She’s wearing a two piece set; her purple butterfly top has long flowy sleeves attached to it, giving the illusion of a cape, and the skirt goes all the way to the floor, with the draped fabric making her look like an ancient statue. The holographic fabric of the garment is sparkly, catching the light of all the cameras pointing her way. Her hair is intricately braided up in a high ponytail, with braids framing her face and pinned up to the ponytail, with her usual gold hair charms.

She looks so beautiful, his heart starts beating in his ears and something like want starts bubbling in his veins. Which is not good (or is it?) because they’re not really a thing.

Jinx catches sight of him and trots up to meet him, the sunniest smile ever on her face.

“Darling!” She says, throwing herself in his arms. He puts her hands on her hips almost by instinct, while she wraps her arms around his neck. The wave of flashes that follows almost blinds him.

“You look gorgeous,” Ekko says, not without difficulty. Jinx smiles, giggling.

“Thank you, you clean up nicely, too.” She winks at him, letting go of his neck, patting his pecs. Her touch, light as a feather, has his skin burning. “Come on, pretty boy. We gotta give them a whole photo shoot.”

Oh. Right. This is fake.

Jinx’s performance goes without a hitch, and through it all she wonders what Ekko thought of it (later, she’ll find that his stunned face while looking at her on her aerial silks flooded social media. It outshone the fact that True Damage didn’t win for collaboration of the year).

When the awards are done, she has an invitation from her friends Ezreal and Kayn on stand-by to come to Heartsteel’s after party, but she’s pretty sure she pulled a muscle while performing, so she opts for heading home.

She knows Kayn and Ezreal will probably berate her for skipping; they’ve been wanting to get all the hot details about her (allegedly, because they did not believe it) fake relationship with Ekko in person, so there was no way she could hang up on them once she grew reluctant to answering their questions.

“Everyone in the industry wants to know how that happened,” Kayn had drawled one time over the phone. “You got your claws on him before Miss Fortune, girl, I heard she was fuming.”

Jinx had paused her skincare routine to stare at the screen, like Kayn could see her bewildered expression.

“Ekko rejected Sarah?”

That didn’t sound correct. Sarah “Miss” Fortune was the music industry’s hot girl; everywhere she went she left a trail of broken hearts. She fit Ekko’s type down to the nail—so what happened?

“Mhm. Like, a fuckton of times. She’s proper obsessed with him since they did that song together, was it two years ago? Either way. I’d watch my back if I were you.”

That call had ended with Jinx more lost than ever, wondering if Ekko’s standards were too high in the sky or if maybe Sarah was properly crazy.

Either way, Jinx didn’t want to find out.

She’s making her way to the parking lot where her driver is waiting for her, when she hears someone call out her name. Ekko.

Jinx turns around, looks at him as he’s still running up to meet her. It’s so unfair that he’s so pretty he looks like he’s in a slow-motion montage, running up a hill to meet his beloved as his locks bounce in the air and fall beautifully on his face, the jacket on his shoulders unmoving.

(She has got to lay off the rom-coms, okay.)

“Hey Jinx,” he says, catching his breath. He pushes the locks out of his face in a motion that’s stupidly sexy. “Are you going to any after parties? Viktor said—”

“Oh, no, actually, I’m going home,” she interrupts him, hugging herself. The night is chilly, and her outfit isn’t the best for the cold. “I pulled a muscle during my performance.”

“Oh.” Ekko looks disappointed, and an awkward silence stretches on for too long.

Jinx clears her throat. “You wanted something else?” She inquires, a playful lull in her voice.

She’s probably seeing things, but she’s at least 90% sure she saw Ekko’s cheeks heat up. Oh?

“Um, not really. I think I’ll just—wait.” He takes off the jacket, draping it over her shoulders. Jinx’s breath catches in her throat—she wasn’t expecting that. “You looked cold…” Ekko evades her gaze, Jinx smiles.

His scent engulfs her; his perfume is something earthy, with notes of vanilla. She likes it.

“Thank you, Ekko,” she says, sincerely. Ekko just nods. “I’ll see you ‘round.”

Jinx turns on her heels to go back to searching for her car, and steals a glance towards Ekko at the last second.

“You could’ve just texted me!” She exclaims cheekily, before hopping on the car.

Inside, she buries her nose against the fabric, relishing in the smell. It’s so distinctly him, it almost feels like he’s actually hugging her instead of the jacket.

If she returns it two weeks later, after having sprayed it with her own perfume, well that’s her business, not anyone else’s. Shut up, Vi.

To deny Ekko is jealous would be like trying to deny that water is wet.

And, okay, Jinx is not his, exactly, despite what the world currently thinks. But they’re not supposed to be seen with other people, being flirty and all that; it could leak, and then the cheating scandal would overshadow everything else.

There’s men that approach her, obviously, and Ekko’s not egotistical enough to think everyone knows who they are, so he always tugs her closer, pinches his features just the slightest bit so that anyone can see she’s taken (in theory).

They’re at—someone’s party. Is it Ezreal’s birthday party? Or just a common party? Fuck knows, honestly. But it’s definitely a Heartsteel party. Half of Hollywood and the music industry is here, to begin with.

Including one of Jinx’s many asshole exes (who the fuck invited him?).

“Real asshole, that one was,” Jinx says, taking a long sip from her wine for good measure, pointing with her chin towards Finn.

No last name, just Finn. A last name wasn’t really needed when you’re one of the industry’s most famous producers.

Finn is across the room, but their gazes come to meet almost my accident. His eyes fixate on Jinx, and his blood simmers in his veins when he shoots her a lopsided grin.

“Yeah, I wouldn’t be surprised,” Ekko says, dragging Jinx the opposite way.

Jinx is not his, but Ekko still keeps his arm around her waist. You know, for safety.

“Are you feeling bold today, pretty boy?” Jinx asks through giggles, a stray drop of wine falling on the side of her lip.

See, this is the part where Ekko wipes the remnants of alcohol away from her mouth, says something flirty and leans down to capture her lips in a kiss. That is how it would go in normal circumstances, at least.

But nothing with Jinx is normal, basically. So he kind of just squeezes her waist with all the self-control he can manage, keeping her close for a good while, definitely not brushing his thumb across the exposed skin of her waist, not thinking about how good she looks in her red two piece outfit, with the dangerously short skirt and the top that looks more like a bra.

He’s not thinking about it because they’re in public, and he’s a law abiding citizen who’s trying to not get arrested for public indecency. Thank you very much.

At some point Jinx runs off to talk to her friends, but he decides to stay put, waving away her confused expression in favor of letting her hang out alone with them. For one, he’s not Ezreal and Kayn’s biggest fan; their last collaboration happened thanks to Janna’s grace and Ekko’s self-restraint, because those two gave the rest of the band members a run for their money when it came to huge egos—how Jinx is friends with them is beyond him. Second, he saw Zeri somewhere, anyway, and he’s been meaning to catch up with his old friend from the lanes.

Of course, he should’ve known hanging out with Zeri is no better than hanging out with his band mates, because he’s a fucking idiot and told her about the arrangement.

And he may also have mentioned he thinks Jinx is hot, but that’s hardly news.

“I actually can’t stand you, you know,” Zeri says, the cigarette trapped between her fingers slowly dying out. “Why don’t you just take her on a real date? Seriously, dude, for someone with such an ego…”

“I don’t think she’s interested, not really, to be honest,” he replies, stealing the cigarette from Zeri. He gets an indignant yelp in response. “Trust me, I would know.”

Zeri scoffs. “You know shit about feelings, boy savior.”

Ekko swats her arm, like when they were kids and fought over who got to eat the last piece of candy. And Zeri’s twenty-six, a whole copyright lawyer for famous singers, but she still pushes him back, play fights for a bit.

Another cigarette is lit, and then promptly stolen. Zeri kind of just rolls her eyes and tells him something between gritted teeth, probably “As long as you don’t keep stealing my lighters.”

“I think you should try your luck with her,” she says, clearer this time. “Worst case scenario she rejects you and you make it awkward. Best case, Viktor and the label will milk out your new real relationship for all it’s worth.”

“Mm, no, that’s still the worst case scenario.” He takes a long drag, blows out the smoke in Zeri’s direction. “I do have to find her, though, we said we’d leave at this hour. Maybe you should find your girlfriend and leave, too.”

Ekko shoots her a shit-eating grin, turns on his heels. “Seraphine is not my girlfriend!” She squeals.

“Whatever helps you sleep at night,” he replies.

Jinx likes to think, more often than not, that if something were to happen between Ekko and her, well, it’s not like she would mind.

She can’t blame the few glasses of wine she’s had when she looks at Ekko, wearing those black jeans and the shirt with the cropped armpits that give her a great view of his toned arms, and thinks it’s unfair all of this is fake.

She thinks she’d like to know how his lips taste, but that would probably make things awkward; Jinx’s dug around, asked questions, and she’s definitely not the kind of girl Ekko goes for, not at all. As if comparing herself side by side with his exes wasn’t enough proof.

“I’ll get the car, wait for me here,” Ekko says, letting go of her waist. Jinx feels like something’s missing, but she doesn’t dare linger much on it.

She’s touching up her make-up, the music a far-away dream thrumming under the soles of her shoes, when she hears footsteps approaching.

Before she sees him, she smells the cologne.

Olfactory memory is such a strange thing, she thinks in that decimal of a second it takes her to detect the smell. She hasn’t smelled that cologne in more than a year, close to two, and yet by the peculiarity of it she knows, without a fraction of a doubt, who is wearing it.

“My, oh my, look what we got here.”

Jinx ignores him. Doesn’t dignify him even with a flinch of her body.

“What, you can’t say hello to an old friend?”

Silence. That gets him on his nerves.

Finn walks around her, comes to stand right in front of her field of vision.

“Your new boy-toy abandoned you already?” His cat-like smile holds venom in it, and Jinx grinds her teeth until she’s sure she’s broken a few molars.

“Fuck off.”

He smiles wider, the bastard. Finn always enjoyed riling her up, and the thrill of make-up sex made her think it was fine back then, but now she’s seeing red.

“I wouldn’t abandon you, you know—”

“No, you’d just cheat on me,” Jinx says, cold. Detached.

Finn hisses, as if he’s been cut. If it was up to Jinx, she would’ve tried to pluck his eyes out with her stiletto nails already.

“You know it was a mistake.”

Jinx should be canonized as a saint, quite frankly, because she’s not sure where she got the patience to hold back and not kill him.

Part of the reason she doesn’t snap, though, is the car that comes to a stop in front of them.

Ekko emerges from the car, frown in full display as he comes to stand next to Jinx. His hand flies back to her waist, protectiveness in full force as he tugs her to his side, presses her flush against him.

If something twists in her stomach, that’s between Jinx and god.

“Do we have a problem here?” Ekko asks, twisting his face into a scowl.

Finn’s smile disappears, fixing Ekko with a pinched expression.

“You’re the new replacement, I assume.”

“And you’re the asshole who cheated on her with your secretary.”

If looks could kill, Ekko would be dead on the pavement already, and Finn would’ve probably been cut in half.

Jinx wishes she had popcorn. It’s kind of hot when two handsome men fight over you, if she’s being honest here.

Finn scoffs, taking a step forward. “Don’t get smart with me, boy, I’ll ruin your career in the blink of an eye.”

“Like you ruined yours with that pathetic excuse of an album you put out?” Ekko retorts, venom in his smile. Finn’s face twists in a wild expression. “Leave us the fuck alone.”

Jinx’s heart is thrumming against her ears, because no one speaks to Finn like this, no one has the nerve.

No one except Ekko.

Finn snarls, lounges forward to grab Ekko by the collar, but Ekko grabs his hand before he can even touch him.

“Do. Not. Even think about it,” he says, low and threatening. Without letting go of Jinx’s waist, Ekko grips Finn’s wrist and pulls him forward in one tug. Hot. “Here’s what’s going to happen: you’ll leave us the fuck alone, I’m getting in the car with her, and none of this gets out to the press. Okay? Great chat.”

He tosses Finn aside, like a discarded cigarette butt, and hastily walks towards the car. He opens Jinx’s door first when—

“She’s still mine,” Finn exclaims behind them. “Half of that bitch’s catalogue is mine. I own her, and it’s only a matter of time before she’s back with me—”

Ekko closes the car door, locks it, and spins on his heels to punch Finn straight in the jaw.

It’s a quick, sharp punch that sends him flying backwards, clearly having not expected Ekko to retaliate. A surprised gasp leaves Jinx, but she can’t do anything with the door locked.

She sees as Ekko towers over Finn, says something she doesn’t quite catch, and he hastily turns around to climb back in the car.

When he grips the steering wheel, she realizes his knuckles are red.

“He got what was coming for him,” Ekko says, nonchalantly.

All Jinx can hear is a faint buzzing in her ears, reeling from the brief yet charged encounter.

Finn’s words ring in her ears: she knows he doesn’t want her, not really, he just doesn’t like that someone else has her now. He’s a little kid, upset that someone else picked up the toy he mistreated, the toy he discarded, and needs to flaunt his power by trying to yank the toy from the other person’s hands.

It had always been like that during their relationship, which lasted more than it should have because Jinx never knew what a healthy relationship looked like, so she figured as long as she’s not bruised up, how bad can it be?

(Bad. Very, very, very bad.)

“Ekko.”

“Mhm?”

There’s a million things Jinx can say to express her gratitude, but her brain has shut off for the night.

“That was hot,” she says, and this time she can blame the wine. “I mean, um, thank you for—you know.”

Ekko swerves, clearly having not expected that.

“Uh, you’re welcome?” He turns to look at her, cheeks flushed and something wild in his gaze, not the kind of violent wild like Finn, more like, amused wild? Fuck knows.

There’s a pregnant silence that follows. Then, Ekko breaks it.

“What was he talking about, by the way? When he said half of your catalogue is his. That can’t be true, right?”

Jinx sucks in a breath, oh boy. “It is true.”

She proceeds to tell him the footnotes of it, because there’s not enough time in the day to tell him everything.

The footnotes are this: Jinx is stupid. Stupid enough to allow someone she’s dating to produce her first two albums. Stupid enough to not read the contracts she signs thoroughly, because she was convinced her boyfriend would never fuck her over.

Then he fucked her over, not once but twice, and now he’s rich all thanks to her albums.

“I’ve talked with my lawyers, there’s practically nothing I can do,” she laments, flopping back against the seat.

Ekko’s silent, rhythmically tapping his fingers against the steering wheel.

“I have a friend who’s a copyright lawyer, she’s a master at finding loopholes,” he says, stealing glances towards her. “You know Seraphine, right? Bubblegum pink hair, pop singer. She was Seraphine’s lawyer when she sued her old label for ownership of her masters.”

Jinx whistles. Of course she knows Seraphine, her case had been quite a controversial one; nobody expected her to win against a vampiric company like Piltover Records, known for fucking over their artists one way or another. And then she won the whole thing, to the whole world’s surprise.

Her lawyer had become famous overnight, another kid from the lanes who made it out.

“You’re friends with Zeri? Really?”

“Yup. Been friends forever, we grew up together in the lanes. I could give you her number, if you’d like,” he tentatively says, to which Jinx nods enthusiastically. He then stops the car at a red light.

It’s at the red light that she realizes she has no idea where they’re going.

She looks out of the window, trying to pin-point where they are, but nothing rings a bell, so, they’re driving around aimlessly.

“Where are we going?” She asks, tone casual.

Ekko shifts in his seat. “Uh, I dunno. I just wanted to lose Finn, I think we’re near my place, actually.”

Jinx perks up, a bad idea popping in her mind as her stomach twists.

“You know, it takes a lot of courage to stand up to him like that,” she starts, shifting in her seat so that her body is angled towards Ekko, tucking her knees under her body. “He’s like, really important.”

“He’s an asshole, is what he is,” Ekko spats, turning the engine on again. “Why did you even start dating him, anyway?”

Jinx tries not to smile, weighing her words instead. “You probably don’t wanna know.”

“Oh, I do. I never could figure out how a girl like you ended up with a guy like him.”

A girl like her. What does that even mean? What kind of girl is Jinx? Is it a compliment or an insult? No, a compliment, obviously. Ekko wouldn’t be cruel.

She sighs dramatically, looking at her nails like they’re the most interesting thing on the planet. “If you must know… It all started because we hooked up once, actually. And, okay, yeah, he’s an asshole. But by god he knew what he had to do in bed. Pity, really, that it didn’t work out.”

Ekko almost crashes the car. Jinx holds back a devilish laugh.

He clears his throat, centering the car back to its respective lane while she just bats her eyelashes innocently. She sees the way his adam’s apple bobs up and down, as he grips the steering wheel until the veins in his hands are noticeable.

Jinx didn’t think it’d be this easy to get him worked up. She thought he’d feign nonchalance, and she’d have to bring out the salacious details to get a rise out of him.

Maybe it’s so easy because he likes you already, she thinks, twisting her own stomach in knots. God, I hope so.

Ekko parks the car someplace where it’s practically deserted, shooting Jinx a charged look, but she acts clueless as to what’s happening.

She knows exactly what could happen if she pushes the right button, says the right thing.

“Kind of a weird thing to tell your boyfriend, isn’t it?” He asks, furrowing his brow. Jinx’s breath hitches in her throat when she realizes the pads of his fingers are ghosting her knees.

“Oh, you’re my boyfriend now? For real, for real?” Jinx questions, voice getting breathier by the second as she leans on Ekko’s touch.

Ekko licks his lower lips, his hand now fully resting on Jinx’s knee. She fixates unabashedly on the way the muscles on his arms flex with the tiniest movement, and doesn’t move away when he inches his face closer.

“I could be, if you wanted me to,” he says, letting his hand wander to the sides of her thigh. His eyes are piercing right through her, pupils dilated as he sets his gaze on her lips.

“You’d have to submit an application like the rest,” she replies, trying to sound casual, as she shifts again to untuck her legs, ever the patient one.

“And what would that application be like?” Ekko asks, his face is so close now, his hot breath beats down on her skin, causing a shiver to go down her spine.

It would be so easy to kiss him now, smash her lips against his and fog up the mirrors with their combined breaths. But she wants to drag this moment a bit longer, to make sure Ekko wants the same thing she does, so she chews on her bottom lip, lazily dragging a hand up his legs, then up his torso, until it comes to rest on his collarbones. She sees with glee how Ekko sucks in a sharp breath, something in his eyes growing darker with want.

He wants the same thing, alright.

“You’d have to fuck me, and fuck me good,” she says, with the same tone she’d use for telling someone the weather is nice. She sees Ekko’s eyes go wide, and a self-satisfied smile sets on Jinx’s face. She tries to not let her hands tremble as she caresses Ekko’s neck. “Wanna apply now, hm?”

Ekko doesn’t reply, not verbally, at least—he dives in and captures her lips in a searing kiss, using one of his hands to pull her closer by grabbing her from the neck. Jinx gasps, whimpering against his lips as his grip tightens ever so slightly on her skin.

She wraps her arms around his neck, playing with his locks as he keeps on kissing her, biting her lower lip to gain access to her mouth. Jinx obliges, happily letting him take the lead.

He kisses her like he’s a man who’s been lost in a desert and she’s the first glass of water he’s had in months; like he’s been waiting for this, and the thought makes her head swirl with giddiness as she parts her thighs and allows him to sneak his hand further, but it’s not enough for her to have him kneading on her inner thigh, she wants more and now.

Honestly, they should be worried about paparazzi and whatnot, but it's 3 a.m. on a Wednesday and the L.A streets are deserted on this side of the city. Jinx has no qualms about pushing Ekko off of her so she can kick off her heels, slinging a leg over his seat so she’s straddling him.

Ekko looks at her through half lidded eyes, ravishing her body with his eyes. A hiss escapes his lips as she plops herself rather hard against his lap. He doesn’t let this deter him, though; seeing how little space is left between Jinx and the steering wheel, he reaches under the seat to push it back to allow for more space. Jinx’s smile grows tenfold, happy at getting her way.

“Turn off the lights,” she asks, breathless. He blindly searches the keys and turns off the engine, and soon all the lights are off. They’re only illuminated by the lampposts outside, and Jinx thinks it adds a touch of intimacy.

Soon enough their mouths find each other again, meanwhile, Ekko’s hands grab her ass, expertly bunching up her skirt until it’s crumpled at her waist. He reclines the seat, gaining a surprised yelp from Jinx as they fall forward.

“I’m deducting points for that,” she says through a fit of giggles. Ekko snorts, giving her ass a squeeze, and a whimper escapes her mouth.

“Wasn’t aware there were points.”

“Oh, there are.” She puts on a faux serious tone as she grinds down his growing hardness. Ekko throws his head back, a groan escaping his lips as he closes his eyes. “You can gain those points back, though. You know how.”

He laughs, looking at her through half-lidded eyes as he grips her hips, forcing her to move to a pace set by him.

Jinx tries to angle herself in a way that the friction hits her where she wants, desperate for some kind of release. She feels herself grow wetter by the second, heat radiating off her skin and warming up the inside of the car.

Ekko busies his mouth kissing her neck, now that this angle gives him ample reign over her milky white skin. He slightly bites the skin under her jaw, sucking gently. Jinx hisses at the contact, pressing her hands against his shoulders for support.

Suddenly, Ekko stills her. Jinx protests at the loss of friction, but he shushes her by coming up to kiss her. She feels more than sees him letting one of her hips go and using the now free hand to ghost over her panties.

Ekko stops kissing her. Opens his eyes to give her a bewildered look, and a different kind of heat crawls up Jinx’s neck.

“You made a mess already,” he says, voice filled with lust. He palms at his crotch, completely wet where Jinx had been grinding on him. Her own underwear is no better: it looks like a damp opened between her legs.

It’s entirely because she’s been wanting to fuck him since way before their first date, having unabashedly used him and his photos as jerk off material more than once. But that’s not something she’ll confess—not right now, at least.

“Um, sorry?”

“Don’t be,” he’s quick to say. A wicked smile sets on his lips, and Jinx gasps when he tugs her underwear to the side, resting his index and middlefinger against his own crotch so she can rub against them while she’s grinding on him. “It adds points, right? I’m trying to become a boyfriend here.”

Jinx sputters something unintelligible, the addition of Ekko’s fingers and the faster pace he’s setting fills the car with obscene sounds, though none more obscene than Jinx’s moans.

Oh, he knows what he’s doing.

Ekko alternates between kissing her and biting marks on her neck, and Jinx would say something about being careful with hickeys, but she’s past the point of caring if she’s having sex with her fake-boyfriend in a deserted street, let’s be honest here.

His fingers tease at her entrance when she grinds up and down, she clenches around nothing and Jinx thinks she says something like fuck me now please, but she’s too wrapped up in her own pleasure to be sure if the words came out alright instead of a garbled mess.

Ekko probably understood her incoherencies, anyway, because he stills her once more. A protest is already forming at the tip of her tongue when his fingers knead her folds.

“How am I supposed to finger fuck you properly with no space?” He asks, “Lift your hips a little for me, doll.” Jinx’s brain short circuits at the nickname and she obeys eagerly, giving Ekko all the space. He chuckles and uses his other hand to grip her neck, making her come down to kiss her hungrily. “That’s my good girl.”

She clenches around air again.

Soon enough, Ekko inserts two fingers at once, eased in by her slick-covered cunt, and Jinx hisses at the stretch. His hands have always been bigger than hers; she’s wondered before how it would feel, and, honestly, this is better than her imagination.

Ekko starts slow, giving her time to adjust, but Jinx is an impatient little shit, so she tries to fuck herself on his fingers faster, harder. Ekko stops her, going back to grip her hip, and stills inside her.

“Behave for me, can you do that? Or are you too desperate to even try?” He questions, cocking an amused brow.

Jinx’s cheeks grow hot, but she doesn’t let her embarrassment show. “I should be the one bossing your around, you’re the one submitting an app—oh, fuck.” Her complaint is cut short when Ekko keeps fingering her, looking at Jinx with a shit-eating grin.

“What happened? Cat got your tongue?” Ekko asks, but Jinx isn’t even paying attention. She’s only aware of Ekko’s fingers curling inside her, hitting a spot that has her seeing stars behind her eyelids. “Don’t act like you want to be in control, doll, when you obey me so easily and eagerly.” Her blush probably spreads up to her chest, embarrassed at being figured out so quickly. Ekko just smiles, coming up to kiss her jaw.

“Moan for me, pretty girl, it’s like music for my ears.” Ekko punctuates this by removing the hand still gripping her to rub better at her sensitive nub.

And by god he doesn’t have to tell her twice; her moans become desperate, now that she’s free from his grip she steels herself by grabbing the sides of the seat, gyrating her hips in the same relentless pace Ekko sets.

He crooks his finger in a particular way that has her whimpering, tears dabbing at the corners of her eyes, overwhelmed by the pleasure. He’s still sucking marks on her neck, whispering things she doesn’t quite catch against her skin.

Jinx is positively seeing stars. She squeezes her eyes shut, trying to even out her breathing to prevent her orgasm from washing over her so soon, but she cries pathetically as Ekko swipes his thumb side to side, resolve crumbling as she fucks herself faster on his hand.

She’s vaguely aware of the heat pooling in her stomach, her walls clenching around his fingers, and the slight tremble of her legs. Jinx speeds up, chasing her own orgasm, but her plans are ruined when Ekko withdraws his fingers.

Her eyes snap open, gasping indignantly. “Ekko!” She half-protests, half-whines. He looks up at her, faux innocence in his features.

“What? Did you think I was gonna let you cum like that? Nah.” He pauses to regard his soaked hand, covered in Jinx’s juices up to his wrist. Jinx watches incredulous as he licks it clean; the sight is so filthy, and yet ironically heavenly. Like, she’s sure that she died and was sent straight to heaven, and Ekko fucking her mindless is her reward for all the shit she’s gone through.

His heavy gaze sets on her as he licks his digits, moaning around them. “You taste so good,” he breathes out.

“Ekko,” she starts, whining pathetically, “please. Just—fuck me, I need you to—”

He comes up to kiss her again, and she tastes her own saltiness on his lips. It sends shockwaves to her cunt.

“I want to feel you clench around my dick,” he says against her lips. Jinx is not sure if she moans because Ekko smacked her ass or at the sole thought of that. “I want you to ride me like you’ve never ridden anyone else, doll. Scream out my name while I pound you from below, that sound good?”

She wants to say something, anything, but the part of her brain in charge of forming sentences has completely shut down at this point, and so she settles for nodding enthusiastically, moaning against Ekko’s lips.

She hears more than sees Ekko unbuckling his belt, the clinging of the metal snapping her out of her haze.

Jinx sucks in a breath as she lifts herself from his lap, helping Ekko tug down his jeans and then finally slide his boxer down, freeing his neglected cock. At the back of her throat, Jinx feels a whimper trying to escape her mouth at the sight of Ekko’s cock, but she swallows it down.

She runs her own fingers through her wet cunt, eagerly collecting slick, and uses it to wrap her hand around his dick. Ekko hisses, throwing his head back against the cushion of the seat as Jinx strokes him out slowly, deliberately.

“You have no idea how much I imagined this,” he says, breathing heavily. One of his hands comes to cup the side of Jinx’s face, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Hollywood’s prettiest girl on my lap, already a desperate mess from just being fingered? I can’t wait to get to my place and fuck you properly, like you deserve; have you gripping on my sheets—mh, fuck.” Filthy moans escape Ekko’s lips, interrupting his rant. He smiles crookedly as Jinx fastens her pace. “God, you’re so good at this. Just like that, baby.”

Jinx is in a trance, salivating at the sight of Ekko. His words travel straight to her cunt, feeling her clit ache to be touched; she touches herself with her free hand, trying to match the pace of the hand that’s masturbating Ekko.

Her name falls from his lips more than once, spurring Jinx on. Faintly, she really hopes nobody catches them, otherwise Vi will kill her, then resurrect her only to kill her once more but more violently.

Suddenly, she gets an idea.

With a devilish giggle, she shifts on Ekko’s lap, pressing his cock against his stomach, and he shoots her a curious look. Jinx carefully positions her cunt over his cock, sliding along the length up and down, and they both moan at the same time.

Ekko’s eyes roll back, squeezing her ass. “Careful,” he groans. “I’m gonna—fuck, Jinx.”

“Don’t come yet,” she finally manages to say. “Want you to come inside me.”

His eyes snap wide open, mouth hanging agape at her words. “Are you—?”

“Mh, Ekko, I’m so serious,” she moans. “Want you to fill me up with your cum, please.” Jinx doesn’t mention that she’s on birth control, or care to add she’s as clean as can be because she doesn’t really do hook-ups.

If Ekko has questions, he doesn’t ask them. He only licks his bottom lip, and grabs her by the hips to lift her up.

If it’s possible, it definitely turns her on even more that he’s strong enough to practically maneuver her without any trouble.

Jinx does her part dutifully, pushing her panties aside to line herself over the tip of Ekko’s cock. She looks at him straight in the eyes as she’s sinking down on him, her face contorting in a grimace that’s a mixture of pain and pleasure. She bottoms out with a piercing cry, and Ekko groans under her.

She’s so full she could cry tears of joy. Maybe she does, she’s not aware of anything that’s not Ekko’s hands on her ass, not really setting a pace but more so lingering, and his cock hitting all the right angles inside her.

Jinx leans forward, moaning in Ekko’s ear as she keeps on riding him with an erratic pace.

“Fuck, Jinx,” Ekko says her name through a whimper. Suddenly, his hands come to still her once more, and she hears her feet shuffle, planting themselves against the ground. Anticipation bubbles in her stomach as he positions himself more comfortably, and starts fucking into her from below. She screams right in Ekko’s ears, a sweet melody for him that only spurs him on.

Jinx’s body goes limp, Ekko is still holding onto her hips, moving them up and down to match his thrusts. Somewhere in her brain, she thinks Finn doesn’t hold a candle to Ekko, who has practically fucked every thought out of her head before she even sat on his cock, and now all she can think of is that she wants him morning, noon, and night.

Could’ve been doing this all day for four months by now, she thinks.

The car’s windows are all fogged up, and she’s at least 99% that if anyone were to walk by, they’d probably deduce something is going on by the way the car is shaking.

“Jinx, I’m gonna—”

“Cum inside me,” Jinx whines, “please, please, please, please. I’m so close, too.”

Ekko says nothing, just groans and picks up the pace, while Jinx’s hand flies to her clit.

If she previously felt heat in the pit of her stomach, now she feels a whole forest fire roaring inside her. Her pent up frustration at having been denied an orgasm earlier is like accelerant, helping the fire spread all through her.

Ekko feels her walls closing in on him, obviously, so he grabs her chin with his hand to force her to look at him.

“Cum for me, doll.”

That’s all it takes for her to unravel.

Jinx comes with a cry, nestling her face in the crook of Ekko’s neck, muffling her cries with the seat. Her legs tremble, threatening to give up, but Ekko’s firm grip keeps her up. He’s still thrusting into her, chasing his orgasm while he fucks her through her own, but she’s grown sensitive, so she can’t help to cry pathetically.

“Ekko, please. I can’t—”

“Do you want my cum or not, baby?” He asks through heaving breaths.

“Yes,” she answers without thinking.

“Then just—just a little more—”

His breath becomes erratic, pounding her faster, making her cry from overstimulation, until he finally snaps, coming with a low moan.

Jinx stills, catching her breath as she feels Ekko’s thick cum filling up her insides. This car is going to be so messy, a hell to clean up, but right now she thinks it’s all worth it.

They stay tangled for a moment longer, Jinx still not moving off from Ekko, catching their breaths in silence.

Then, he speaks. “Did you like my application?”

Jinx’s laughs echo in the car, “You’re such an idiot,” she giggles, pressing her forehead against Ekko’s.

He just laughs, wrapping her waist with his arms.

“Yeah, but you like me like that,” he says, a knowing smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

Jinx gives a long suffering sigh.

“I guess I do.”

“You ‘guess’?” Ekko shoots her an unimpressed look. “Weren’t you just begging me to cum inside you a second ago?”

“Shut up!” She cries out, indignation seeping in her tone, but she’s not mad, not really.

Ekko laughs, a honey-like sound that melts away any annoyance she could’ve been harboring.

“So,” he says, tone casual. “Are we going back to my place for round two? I still wanna put you on your back.”

Jinx thinks, for a fleeting second, she could have round two right there and then, considering he’s still, y’know, inside her. But the promise of a bed sounds too good to pass up.

“You’re on, pretty boy.”

When Ekko wakes up the next day in his apartment, with Jinx sprawled on top of him, he doesn’t have the heart to move her away, so he just stretches to reach for his phone on the nightstand besides him, the first notifications are from the True Damage group chat and a quick text from Viktor telling him they need to talk.

He panics, thinking they did get caught last night and someone took a photo, or worse, a video as proof.

When he opens the group chat, however, a cat-like smile blooms on his face.

True Damage’s Ekko and Shimmer Records’ star producer, Finn, get into a brawl over singer Jinx at Heartsteel party—WATCH VIDEO, reads the headline of the screenshot Yasuo sent.

He smiles, chuckling to himself, and tosses the phone aside to keep happily sleeping with Jinx—correction, his girlfriend.

As it turns out, the application on the car had been enough to turn this fake arrangement into a real one.

In the back of his mind, he makes a note to thank Maybe-Jimmy for his brilliant idea.

#timebomb week 2025 #timebomb #arcane #jinx arcane #ekko arcane #my fanfiction #arcane fanfiction

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midnight--sadness · 3 months ago

Note

k-pop idol AU anon here ˭̡̞(◞⁎˃ᆺ˂)◞*✰ i'm glad you liked my idea!! ♡ and do not worry about intruding or anything like that i love & value your comments!!

here's what i'm thinking for inhun... we need to go back to the 90's for this one. ☾ .𖥔 ݁ ˖༘⋆𐦍⊹₊ ⋆｡˚

inho got an opportunity from a friend of his great uncle (and that friend is none other than the music executive of a famous record label in seoul, oh ilnam), leaving university behind and decided to pursue a music career instead. he didn't want a monotonous life as some office worker anyways.

people are in love with his looks, his music, his bad boy persona... wearing cutoff shirts and the like (SUN'S OUT GUN'S OUT ! 😤). as to which genre, that's up to you guys to decide! but his albums are selling like crazy and his songs are always up top on the charts, never second place. until...

oh ilnam scouted for new talents but to no avail. there is money to be made here! luckily for him, ilnam struck gold when he felt hungry and wanted some comfort food like tteokbokki. because then he saw the most prettiest and beautiful young man at a stall, helping his friend's mom with the orders. the young man is a bit clumsy (he almost dropped ilnam's soju bottle on the ground). his name is seong gihun. a little reserved, sweet eyes, beautiful lithe build. oh, what an angel. a smile that is worth more than diamonds and gold in the earth. KA-CHING! that's the sound of money pouring in!ilnam asked gihun if he can sing. "ah, well, i love going out for karaoke but i wouldn't say i'm excellent at it..." but that's not a problem, nothing a couple of vocal lessons that can't fix!

the next day gihun found himself in the studio along with ilnam and other important figures to brainstorm how to mold him into a superstar. everyone is complimenting his physique and gorgeous face, making gihun blush and play with the hem of shirt. one thing lead to another, and looks like the industry has another rising starlet!

i really love the sound of 90's R&B, so i think i'll choose this genre for gihun (づ˶•༝•˶)づ♡ what started out as playful, captivating, funky songs developed into very foxy, sultry, and smooth. gihun evolved as an artist and got out of his shell, becoming more sure of himself, going with concepts that he likes and what he feels like fits the most. and that is by being an artist portraying himself as both innocent little kitty and a sexy siren. he experiments with outfit too! does not matter if it's a skirt or jeans, clothes are clothes and he is here to look CUN-TY! women, men, no matter who - everyone wants gihun (*ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈)ꕤ*

i think it would be funny if inho never got to meet gihun immediately because he himself is busy recording, touring, practicing choreo, attending award shows, etc. but he does notice there is competition around. on the top 10 charts for songs or album sales they are so close to each other. then he sees gihun on a cover of playboy ("i know he's not a girl, but he's pretty like the rest of 'em! believe me, those magazines will be flying off the shelves!" said gihun's manager. and she was RIGHT). inho's brain short circuits but he quickly snaps out of it has to focus on performing live on a late night show. fuck, gihun was attractive. beautiful curves and features. he needs to know more about him. he needs to have him.

inho and gihun eventually meet at a staff party, celebrating record-breaking profits. inho finds out that gihun might be older and slightly taller than, but he can wrap his strong arms around gihun's tiny waist and lift him up easily. they get to know each other very well, and ilnam sees the chemistry between both singers. he gets this brilliant idea - those two should tour together.

and it's a big success, there is an entire crowd of screaming fans waiting for them to perform solo and together. i'd imagine inho and gihun spending time with each other during the tour would make them fall head over heels in love. not just as artists, but for who they are (,,♡ᵕ♡,,) as people, as one nerdy guy interested in crime/detective books and a clumsy fellow who took in stray cats until his mother scolded him. amidst the singing and showbusiness, they found each other (╥﹏╥)💜💜💜

believe me when i tell you inhun would fuck like rabbits because they're two young men and gihun's hips are made to be gripped at, but because they're two high demand artists and under strict regiments they're not able to fully savor their relationship... i'd imagine there would be many fanservice moments on stage though. like inho holding gihun's waist or giving him a kiss ln the neck. making the audience go WILD. ilnam isn't opposed to this because money but he did tell them to keep it at that and don't go beyond unless they want his higher ups to chew him out (so PDA is not okay but making gihun pose for playboy? alright *rolls eyes*)

PART 2 COMING SOON, HWAIT FOR ME UNNIE~ ٩(^ᗜ^ )و ´-

omggg 🥹🥹😩😩💖 this is incredible!!

i think inho could rap! that way when they are together the music flows since rap and r&b go great together!

maybe, gihun's manager could be geumja? and even when she has a baby boy she continues working and brings little yongsik with her! years later, he debuts in a boygroup!

and if inho raps then u know he was thanos' inspiration 🫶

omg inhun not being able to share their love with the world 😭😭 sleazy record producers working them like dogs and their only refuge is each other 💖

YES PLEASE GIVE ME ALL OF IT!!!😫😤

#k-pop idol au #asks #yapping 4ever #seong gi-hun #hwang in-ho #inhun #457 #ginho

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taylor-on-your-dash · 6 months ago

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Sparks Fly is officially 18 years old: history of a song that was almost lost & how fans saved it from being left in the vault

The night of Halloween 2006, a 16-year-old girl named Taylor Swift had just released her first album. To promote her music, she'd go wherever venues would call her to perform. On October 31st, it was Portland, Oregon's turn, where Taylor opened for Jake Owen in a bar called Duke's. Owen, a country singer who also debuted in 2006, was 25 at the time.

We can safely assume that Taylor was happy to meet Jake, as she wrote this on MySpace right after:

"Happy Halloween :-) Current mood: happy Happy Halloween! I’m sitting at the airport in Portland, Oregon.. About to get on a red-eye flight (Oh yes, I just said red-eye. Meaning, all night. This should be interesting…) to Toronto, Canada for another weekend of Rascal Flatts shows. Tonight was awesome. It was a show in Portland at a bar called Duke’s, I opened up for Jake Owen. And a little back-story, I’ve had his album on repeat for the past couple of months.. It’s an amazing album and I literally cannot stop listening to it. I’ve got every line memorized, and if you see me on a plane.. Chances are, I’m listening to some song off that album, at a volume level that’s probably going to cause long-term hearing damage someday. ANYWAY. I got to walk in on his sound check and meet him. Turns out he’s extremely cool, and had bought my album on iTunes. :-) And since I had to leave after one song of his set, he played my favorite song “8 Second Ride” first. Which is another reason why he’s awesome. And just to let everyone know, YES, I did dress up for Halloween. Yes, I stood onstage in an angel costume with huge wings (that really conflicted with my guitar playing). And I convinced my two guitar players Todd and Kevin to put on those little headbands with the devil ears attached. Haha. Oh yeah, it was great. It’s so awesome playing to a crowd and seeing some people who know the words to EVERY SONG! I love that the album is out, and I love that y'all are listening to it. You guys are so awesome, and I really appreciate all of your comments. I love you all so much. Thanks for everything."

The day Speak Now was announced, a known fan at the time revealed said that the song was written on November 2, 2006, so a couple of day after the Portland show.

The most incredible news is that "Sparks Fly" is going to be put on the album. That song is so incredible. Taylor wrote it on November 2, 2006, performed it live in Oroville on May 30, 2007, and now it is finally being released on October 25, 2010. Definitely a dream come true for Taylor fans worldwide! (X)

So on November 2, 2006 Taylor finished the first of the three known versions of a song called Sparks Fly. The first handwritten draft was showcased in a museum:

On April 6, 2007, Taylor premiered the song in her native Reading, Pennsylvania, and then sang it again on May 30th in Sacramento, CA. This version was recorded by the same fan that revelead the writing date and uploaded online, gaining traction among the fanbase.

youtube

This live features a very prominent banjo and different lyrics:

“You stand there in front of me” -> “you stood there in front of me”

“Get me with those brown eyes, baby” -> “get me with those green eyes, baby”

“Take your open hand and take me out” -> “reach out open-handed and lead me out”

“Dim the paper lanterns” -> “don’t need more paper lanterns”

“This night is the 31st” -> “my heart is beating fast”

“So let’s make it count now, baby” -> “I could wait patiently”

“I’ll run my fingers” -> “I run my fingers”

“And make no borderlines” -> “gonna strike this match tonight”

“Forgive me when I can’t take in everything you are” -> “and lead me up the staircase”

“You kissed me like you meant it, I swear I saw sparks” -> “I’d love to hate it, but you make it like a firework show”

There was also an additional section: We stood at the gate (and you kiss me) / With the moon on your face / And you’ll kiss me

In December 2007, People Magazine releases a special photoshoot for Taylor's 18th birthday, which features photos of her bedroom, including the infamous Mirror Tracklist, a very early tracklist for her then-unnamed sophomore album. The tracklist inlcudes Sparks Fly as the 6th track.

As we know, Sparks Fly ended up being dropped from Fearless and shelved. We actually don't know whether the song was recorded or not, although some sources say that it was, but ended up being excluded in favour of The Way I Loved You.

Throughout the Fearless era, the fans didn't forget about the live version of Sparks Fly. On June 13th, after Taylor premiered the song Mine, Taylor hosted a 13-hour meet & greet, where one of the most asked questions was what happened to Sparks Fly:

“'Sparks Fly' is a song I wrote a few years ago and played in concert. You guys have learned it and I think like it, which makes me really happy. When we did the 13-hour Meet and Greet at the CMA Fest, there was a comment I got over and over again. You guys were saying, 'So what about 'Sparks Fly?' Is it going to be on the next record? [...] I played that song at maybe one or two shows, and you guys just jumped on it and really made it something that I had to put on the album because you really showed interest in it.”

That week Taylor finished Speak Now, completing the last song (The Story Of Us) on the 16th, but taking into consideration what the fans had asked her, she went back to Sparks Fly, changing the lyrics one last time, especially the second verse:

First verse: You say my name for the first time, baby, and I fall in love in an empty bar -> You’re the kind of reckless that should send me runnin’, but I kinda know that I won’t get far.

Second verse: So reach out open-handed and lead me out to that floor / I don’t need more paper lanterns / Take me down, baby / Bring on the movie score / ‘Cause my heart is beating fast and you are beautiful / And I could wait patiently, but I really wish you would... -> My mind forgets to remind me you’re a bad idea / You touch me once and it’s really somethin’ / You find I’m even better than you imagined I would be / I’m on my guard for the rest of the world / But with you, I know it’s no good / And I could wait patiently, but I really wish you would…

Bridge: Just keep your beautiful eyes on me / Gonna strike this match tonight / And lead me up the staircase / Won't you whisper soft and slow / I’d love to hate it, but you make it like a firework show -> Just keep on keepin’ your eyes on me, it’s just wrong enough to make it feel right / And lead me up the staircase / Won't you whisper soft and slow / I'm captivated by you, baby I’m captivated by you baby, like a fireworks show.

I think that the line "I'm on my guard from the rest of the world" from Sparks Fly being written after "And you figure out why I'm guarded" from Mine is very telling of what Taylor was going through in her personal life.

Once the album was out, the secret code hidden in the song lyrics spelled: “Portland, OR”. The secret message seemed to confirm the theories that had followed the song all summer.

In July 2023, Jake Owen commented on being the ispiration behind the song: “It’s a great song and the speculation has always been funny to me. I’m sure Taylor probably laughs at it all too, but I’m happy to even have my name in the discussion around it. She’s an amazing girl and an amazing artist. It’s been incredible to see how she’s grown as a musician and what a global phenomenon she’s become.”

To me, Sparks Fly is a signature song of hers. Classic Swift story telling, sprinkled with teenage dreams in an euphoric rock production. It's really cool to see how fans played a fundamental role to save this song from oblivion. Can you imagine our reaction if we had got this song in the Fearless Vault or the Speak Now Vault?

#taylor swift #sparks fly #writing of fearless timeline #writing of speak now timeline #swiftie fandom history #haven't proofread/reread‚ hope this makes sense lol

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cherubshert · 5 months ago

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You don't know idols irl

But Jungwon has been nothing but a fucking sweetheart to engenes, he's constantly updating us, constantly posting content for our enjoyment, constantly doing his job as an idol

But some ungrateful 'fans' are now hating on him, for a rumor based of off there i say bullshit proof, like photos that are so blurry that it could be anyone(lemme tell you if you took those 'proof' to court, a good judge will laugh in your face and kick you out, that's how shitty they are), and proof from crazy individuals detailing how they stalked him.

Like instead of coming together worried about his privacy being so disgustingly violated, there r ppl, screaming and shouting at Jungwon??

Same on winter's side, i have seen the clips from that aespa fan meeting, where these 'fans' were screaming and cursing at her. over a rumor that if you had common sense you could see are false.

I don't think these people are really fans, these individuals are just people jumping on an opportunity to hate, and be vicious. I saw the email template they were planning to send to hybe, and it's just filled with stupid delusions.

Jungwon has admitted that he isn't in a relationship (even if he was, he is 20, who gives a shit) and these people have deluded them selves that he is, because of proof thaf can soo easily be disproven.

Kpop idol's mental health is so important, from torturous trainee life, to torturous idol life, Multiple idols have passed, because of crazy insane stupid rumors, that ruined their mental health. Yet, to this day so many people don't feel shame when they toy with an idols mental health like this.

And if something awful does happen, which i fucking pray not, these people will be the loudest about mental health. Please remember that idols are HUMANS not things or property. Jungwon has been so mentally strong, but i don't know how he's actually doing bts, as a my and engene, this situation is hurting my eyes.

If u r one of the insane individuals still angry at this, plss plss leave, i promise Jungwon and enha wouldn't care about losing 'fans' like you. Jungwon has said, on camera, by himself, that he's not dating, and you still delude yourself to thinking he is because???

It just seems like you have nothing fun or special going on in your life, please go hang out with family and friends, if you don't have friends make some, get a job, get a more productive hobby, go to the gym and do some boxing, since you are so desperate to let out rage. You say you love enhypen, yet you are so quick to treating them like this, because you lack respect not only for yourself, but for him.

we are going into 2025, a stranger, which is what jungwon is to all of us at the end of the day, dating, should not, and I repeat should not get you THIS riled up, you're mad at a human for falling in love?

And if you believe idols shouldn't date still, i better not see you dating either, cause by your logic, you also belong to said idol, and you dating is also a betrayal, you should also lose your job and everything you've worked hard for. You see how dumb you sound?? if not i really pity you, cause there is something insanely wrong with you.

Therapy is expensive, but human connection is mostly free, if you had friends, a job and a life to look forward to, you wouldn't care so much about this.

Parasocial relationships at the end of the day are not real, jungwon isn't really your friend, your boyfriend or your husband, he's a guy doing his job, being a singer, dancing and making music. your role as a fan, is to support him, so no he doesnt owe you any more than what he's given you(making good songs, dancing, concerts, albums/ the lives, photos and content r extras for your entertainment, he doesn't have to do that either if he doesn't want to, but he does(a lot),so shut up and know your place). he is a person, a human, and like yunjin said, an idol doesn't mean a dol(l) to fuck with.

#I saw one of these ppl saying they don't like enhypen anymore cause of Jungwon #????#who r u again???#bye then #fandom cleanse #jungwon is always being so sweet to these ungrateful 'fans' and they have the balls to say such filth about him #I really hope these ppl find help cause they're all unwell2 #okie dokie #one of them os on Tumblr #and their posts r so concerning #go through this because a dude u don't know if potentially dating is crazy #wow #I really hope these ppl find help cause they're all unwell #i hope this rant isn't too rude #but i hope its rude enough #these ppl r so boring #when i first saw this news i was like #omg that's the cutest pairing #but then i remembered some mfs don't like good things #jungwon is a stranger to you to me #would you go down the street a scream at a random dude for dating???#no you'd probably get your ass beat #pls stand up and be normal ughhh #long rant #hope i make sense #winter literally came back from recovery when this started #and earlier this yr she supposedly had surgery on her lungs and ppl r really being so wicked to her #as a my who saw what happened to Karina i hate these ppl so much #making some feel guilt for falling in love??#for experiencing normal human emotions???

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myloveforhergoeson · 6 months ago

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A Pop Tiger exclusive - The first look inside Roxanne Somerset's highly anticipated first solo album brand new eyes:

Pop Tiger's finest sat down with the singer-songwriter on the eve of her album release to chat all things music and get the ultimate track-by-track breakdown from the rocker herself.

Written by: Beatriz Fuentes // June 10th, 2010

(covers highly inspired by @partiallypearl <3)

Seventeen-year-old Roxanne Somerset, daughter of two-time Grammy Award winner and frontman of Dec and the Desires, Declan Somerset, anxiously paces around the top floor of Rocque Records in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. She pulls her phone out of her back pocket, taps at the screen to check the time, and lets out a sigh uncharacteristic of those about to reach their first major career milestone.

Q: Expecting a message from someone?

A: *Dry laughter* Not really... More like wishful thinking. But, you've got my full attention - I promise.

Roxanne, or Roxy as she prefers to be called, slips her phone back into her pocket and sits at the end of the long white couch in the lounge area she brought me to, smiling.

Q: Would you mind sharing some of what's going through your head right now? Not many of us can imagine how it feels to release such a personal project to the world.

A: It's honestly hard to describe. Most of it is settling right in the middle of my chest, like butterflies. I'm excited for sure, but I'm definitely going to have to stay offline for a little while until all the hype dies down. Some parts get a little bit messy and the thought of backlash is worrying, but I know my truth. Love or hate the album, I don't need to know how anyone else feels about it. What's most important is the story I want to tell; That's all I'm looking to achieve with my music.

Q: Messy?

A: I've got songs about four separate guys on this one... So, yeah. Messy. But the good kind of messy! The kind that makes these songs so fun to perform with thousands of people screaming the words back to me.

Q: Your first world tour starts in just a few days, are you all packed and ready to go?

A: For the most part! I'm certainly rehearsed out and getting the music, stage, and production equipment in order was enough to make me consider staying home altogether. But, I've lived out of a suitcase practically my entire life until I relocated to L.A. last year. I've just got to remember what that was like and get my wardrobe in order...

Roxy looks down to the floor, threading her fingers together.

A: And, of course, I've got to say goodbye to my friends for a bit. That's going to be the hardest part, I think. My tour ends here in town though, so I'll be able to see them again in a few months. They've all gotten an advance copy of the album, so they better know all the f-ing words.

Q: Circling back to the album, our Pop Tiger readers are eager to hear about it directly from the source. We were hoping to get a track-by-track breakdown; The good, the bad, and the...

Glancing up, the bright lights make her green eyes shine.

A: The messy? I can give you messy. If we want to start with the first song, 'Are You Impressed?' I'm not ashamed to say that one is about my father. It's no secret that Declan is a talented musician - I've learned so much from him, and his connections to the music industry helped me reach where I am today. That being said, the role music plays in his life has greatly affected our interactions over the years.

Admittedly, Roxy's answer shocked me. Not many songwriters are so open about who their songs are about, especially when, like she mentioned earlier, there was potential for backlash.

A: After being in the industry for so long, his taste as evolved to an incredibly high standard. One that *air quotes* 'amateur' writers often never achieve - his words, not mine - so the lyrics reflect that. He's made it clear that the pop-rock songs I write don't do it for him, and for a while, that really killed me, as a musician and as a daughter. It was only until recently I realized I needed to stop chasing his approval and this song became the end result. I found myself trying to impress him with my songs when he wouldn't bat an eye in my direction, so the title reflects the question I kept asking when I was first starting out. Now, it's just a reminder that the only person I need to impress is myself. I'm not interested in following his lead.

The look on my face must have given away my emotions, and the singer-songwriter let out a small chuckle.

A: Don't worry, he won't f-ing read this. I can say whatever I want about him and he'd never, ever know.

Q: Do most of the other songs on the album reflect these feelings?

A: Nah. Just that first one is about Declan - the rest are about other people in my life who have shaped me into the person I am today. For instance, 'we don't talk about it' is a song I wrote after the whole thing I had with Mag McAllister of Brand New Day. Ugh... The media had a field day with that one.

For the beginning of her musical career, Roxy had been in a band of her own design called Brand New Day, founded in 2007. The "thing" she's referring to with lead singer and guitarist, Mag McAllister, went down in February of 2009.

A: Growing up in the shadow of a spotlight was one thing, I didn't really mind the constant cameras while I traveled around the world with my dad because they were usually focused on him. But, fast forward to the beginning of my teen years, I started a band just like he did, and suddenly they're all pointed at me and my friends. As a result, some embarrassing songs I wrote at fourteen got caught on tape and well... Avid tabloid readers know the rest of that story. That d-bag took one look at the most personal song I'd ever written and laughed right in my face about it. Like, who does that? *Laughter*

Q: And that was the catalyst for your solo career, correct?

A: Yup! I already had one man in my life treating me like an afterthought, so I wasn't interested in going through all that again. Kissed Mag's a- goodbye, moved out to Los Angeles permanently, and began to settle into the life I wanted to live. 'we don't talk about it' reflects my feelings about the situation as they were happening in the moment, when I looked into my future and wondered what the band dynamic would look like after that. I was so tired of thinking 'what if things were different?' without realizing I was the one who needed to initiate that change, so, I left Brand New Day. Little did I know that would lead to Mag digging his own f-ing grave.

Q: I assume you're referring to the theft scandal and plagiarism lawsuit you brought against him in March?

Before I even finished my question, Roxy cracked a smile, covering her mouth with her hands as she began to giggle so hard she doubled over. She could barely get out the answer to my question.

A: That stupid f-ing idiot...! The cameras caught it all...! Him taking my journal, recording my songs...! And trying to pass them off as his own...! God, I know boys are dumb but he's got to be the dumbest of all. My favorite part was how he constantly contradicted himself during the hearings; Nothing he said ended up making a lick of sense, and I got to watch as his career went down in flames. The next song 'fire' is all about that. Certainly one of the best times I'd had in the recording booth. The lyrics to that one just poured out of me... I think it only took 15 minutes to have the shell of the song done before I went in for the guitar.

Our other friend Dani Huron left the BND after that- they're doing their own solo work now, too, if anyone was wondering, and it's going to be exceptional when it comes out at the end of this year - as they'd had no idea Mag was lying to them about where all the songs from BND's sophomore album came from, leaving Mag running back home with his tail between his legs.

Dani Huron, the drummer of Roxy's former band Brand New Day, has been teasing their own solo work over the last few weeks. Roxy's given us a clue as to when Pop Tiger readers should be on the look out for their album!

Q: A few of your ScuttButts from this time had gone mega-viral... A personal favorite of mine being 'mag makes me realize that i could and should be hating harder.' At first glance, this attitude doesn't really match the softer image of this album cover. What was the inspiration behind the design?

A: Well, I was practically born in the middle of a punk concert mosh pit thanks to my dad. I bark and I bite, but that doesn't mean I can't be vulnerable and share feelings besides those of anger and defiance. It's my own special version of non-conformity; Releasing an album with the sounds of punk and rock with lyrics more tied to traditional pop. The image of me on the cover was taken by my good friend, Logan Mitchell, during one of my first weeks in L.A. *Pointing down the hall* Right there!

Where Roxy is pointing, from the highest point of the Rocque Records skyscraper, the rest of Los Angeles looks so small.

Logan Mitchell is one of four members of the boy band Big Time Rush. We at Pop Tiger are some of their biggest fans! As we all know, Roxy is, too.

A: I honestly just thought it looked cool, mostly, but the photo was also taken the day I met the person the next few songs are about when the boys and I were just d-ing around with the camera. They were having a Pop Tiger photoshoot, actually, if my memory serves me right. And that day, and the few months after that, I learned I really know how to pick guys...

He - I won't say his name, but it rhymes with Zac Efron - and I ended up meeting by chance that day when we double-booked Studio B to do some recording. Apparently, I really love dudes who want nothing to do with me, because I found out a few months into our relationship he'd been seeing someone else behind my back the whole time. Both 'don't forget' and 'distracted' traversed into my feelings about that... mostly because I did feel like he'd completely forgotten we were together and he was too busy with himself to even think about me. That should have been the first sign I suppose, and the second should have been when he stood me up at one of BTR's parties, but what can I say? I suppose I was a glutton for punishment. *Laughter*

Q: You were?

The singer nodded, confirming her answer.

A: Well, we've only talked about the first half of the album... Chock full of songs about my issues with others... But the back half? That's mostly full of love songs... Perfectly spliced in between with a rock anthem 'riot' I wrote and recorded with my best friend Lucy Stone. If you guys haven't checked her first album out yet, God, you're missing out. She's one talented chick.

Though Pop Tiger has been reaching out to Lucy Stone for an interview, the punk rocker has denied every single invitation. She seems to be at the top of Roxy's recommendation list!

A: I don't think I can sing her praises enough if I'm being honest. To say that I'm lucky to have found her in this town of a few million people is an understatement. She helped me find my voice again after the BND break up; I'd been writing primarily pop songs - which I love just as dearly - but when she came to me one day proposing we write something together this punk song practically poured out of me. It was nice to return to my roots after being away for a while and ended up inspiring the sound of a few of the other songs on here. Just like the song says, she and I love to riot! I don't think I've ever seen anyone go harder on stage than she does, she's like a whirlwind of art, destruction, and chaos up there. I think I've performed more surgeries on her guitars than a doctor does on their patients...

Q: Should we be on the look out for more collaborations between the two of you in the future?

A: Oh, absolutely. Lucy's an absolute dream to work with. Now that we're going to have our riot grrl song out in the world, I've gotta see if I can coax a love song out of her on her next album...

It was hard to miss the way Roxy's eyes widened as her sentence trailed off.

A: N-not because she's seeing anyone, right now, just because - That's what I've primarily been writing these days. Um...

Her cheeks flushed.

A: [If you're reading this magazine] You already know. He and I made the front cover like three times over the seven months we've been together. I had to send my darling, Camille Roberts, an apology for the last cover apperance. It was like prom all over again... *Mumbling* F- this is so embarrassing. He's much better at talking about it.

In October of last year, Pop Tiger had the privilege of breaking the news that Roxy Somerset and rising pop star James Diamond of Big Time Rush were officially a couple after months of unconfirmed rumors. They were featured as our cover story in November 2009, February 2010 for the Valentine's Day edition, and again, last month, May 2010 when they were crowned 'Cutest Couple' by our readers!

A: Anyway, hi, babe, if you're reading this. Sorry about 'that's what you get.' *Laughing*

Q: An apology for a love song?

A: It wasn't one when I first wrote it, if I'm being honest. It came from another place of hurt because I thought I'd been dumb enough to let another guy play me... Turns out I held some of the blame for the situational misunderstanding too. But now, to me, the lyrics that had been penned in a sort of sarcastic 'that's what you get...' tone have taken on a new meaning. As in, that is what I get because it led to something I want. I'd do it again and again too, if I had to do it over, because I know what the outcome ended up being. So... While the lyrics may not sound very lovey, the message you get from reading between the lines makes it lovey to me. The rest of them are pretty self-explanatory though! 'hot' because duh... and 'where the lines overlap' talks about our joint rising fame and how lucky we are to have found each other.

At this point, Roxy was covering her face with her hands, her voice slightly muffled, making it difficult to decipher what she was saying as she shook her head. From my recording of the interview, I believe it was, "He said that one's his favorite. "

Q: From the recording [Gustavo Rocque] sent to Pop Tiger, it sounded like the penultimate song 'bright' was quite the departure from your usual style. Was there anything in particular that led to adding an acoustic song to your pop-rock album?

A: Ooh, you did your research. That's such a good question.

I feel like, anyone who really knows me and my musical style and preference can guess pretty quickly that I don't traditionally f- with slow, acoustic songs. However, the place that inspired me to write this cosmic-themed, raw, emotional song - Griffith Observatory - would only let me write in the facility if I used my acoustic guitar, not my electric. Which is all well and good, writing on the acoustic is no big deal, and I usually hit the studio right when I'm done with my lyrics and melodies to translate it into electric if needed. When I tried that for 'bright' the rock version didn't capture the same innocence and vulnerability the original had been forged over. So, I had to set aside my slow song grudge for this one... And everyone gets to see a new musical side of me!

Q: It's certainly a welcome new side, but the final song brings us right back to traditional Roxanne! How did 'she's so gone' end up taking the final slot?

A: Because we needed a d- break from all these boys...! It is my first album after all. *Laughter* There should probably be a song about me on there. This was another one that came easy to me and, shockingly enough, was the last song I wrote for the album. Originally, it ended with 'bright' but 'she's so gone' just came to me one afternoon while I was taking in the idea of an album of my own design being shared with the world. It's kind of like a promise to myself, in a strange way. I don't want to go back to being the person I was a few years ago, letting myself get walked over, avoiding conflict for the sake of others, not being my authentic self. This is my life and I'm going to live it on my terms!

Roxanne Somerset's debut album brand new eyes is available now!

#thats all she wrote fic #tasw edit #and for you... some rockstar roxy content <3

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myobsessionsspace · 2 years ago

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Jungkook’s BE-hind Story

Though filmed in 2021, I find it still relevant.

It’s a really good watch for those that may not have seen this, or may have but have forgotten about it.

His thoughts on songs with no relation to him personally.

His music process, how he can do songs within a day or work on a song over and over, delete and never release.

Watch full video here

🐰“From now on, although songs with sincerity is also important, but…there are so many different types of people, who think differently and come from different backgrounds.

I want to become an artist who can create various different stories by creating imaginary scenarios and situations and coming up with imaginary characters.

That’s my ultimate motive.”

🐿️ “It’s very unique. I usually find it much easier to write about my own experiences, but what you’re trying to do is putting yourself in an imaginary scenario, which is actually very difficult.”

🐰 “Right, it’s difficult. So, although it’s very difficult, like how I want to try new things but unable to express it right now. If I keep doing it I’ll get accustomed to it, so I should keep challenging myself.”

🐿️ “I think it’s wonderful and I believe all challenges are good. I hope you could try out as much as possible”

Weverse Live

July 2023

What really stuck out to me:

🐰“but there's still this idea called image. And many people love that. Let's say that people love it, and so I keep following only that path. In that case, what is it that I can change? With my own hands? When this is my own life. I've gotta be the one to make change, you know. I have to tell the people who love me "this is how I am," and I have to-- not coerce them, but I have to make it so that they can accept/recognize me.”

When will he be allowed to control his image? When will he be allowed to not fit the idea that has been created by fans from content that doesn’t reflect his stage in life anymore? When can he expand on that image, add dimension, flaws, normal human traits to it?

🐰“I mean, like, there are so many things. How should I say it, so... Even if I were to figure out [the audience's] needs and satisfy those... Would ARMYS and I be truly happy? Till the end. When there's nothing that changes.”

You can’t please everyone all of the time. To please the majority he has to sacrifice himself? His change from the image people hold of him can never be? Who is that fair to? Is it fair to him? Is it fair to the fans who want to love him for him?

🐰“Ok, if I'm being honest: that's right, before, I used to have a lot of fears, including fear of trying something new. And I used to not really feel up to doing things that are new. But this is something that you guys created for me as well. It is from you all. Because I gained so much courage from you guys. Truly. (drinks water)

& I said this in a recent live, too. Asking why you guys give your support and love to me. Because even back then, I didn't know the answer, which is why I kept asking again and again. But now, I don't want to show that vulnerable side of me to you guys. I gained confidence, and using this as a foundation, I want to keep building myself.”

Army time and time again showed him they loved all of him and trusts what he wants to do, so they gave him the confidence to try new things.

Trusting that he wants to do it and he’s spoken before about the want for these types of songs, these challenges.

They aren’t army’s challenges but his challenges.

I don’t know about you, but being a singer from a 7 piece group who for years has worked with the same people in their mother tongue, to now work with an array of people from a different country, to sing a full album in a different language and do each song with different musical genres, phew! I’m tired just *thinking about it*!

Watch the whole weverse live

GOLDEN BY JUNG KOOK

Out November 3rd 2023!

Pre-Save & Pre-Order

💜

#Jungkook #BE-hind Story #BE-hind Interview #Golden by Jungkook

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thewildseven · 9 days ago

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The Homecoming of a Wayward Rock

In the final minutes before we went onstage for my college a cappella group’s massive 25th anniversary concert, I overheard something in the green room that stuck with me.

“It seems like some people need this a lot more than others.”

It came from a fellow alum, about 10 years my junior, talking to one of his former classmates. It felt like a subtle jab at those of us who were diving in full-force—dusting off University of Oregon-branded ties, snapping on suspenders, and rehashing big solos.

I’ve been thinking about that quip all week. And I agree with that guy.

Because I’m one of the people who needs it.

What is “it”? Music. Memories. Belonging. A grab-you-by-the-shoulders reminder of who I was—and still am. Singing again with the guys from my era, and the generations after, brought scores of memories roaring back to life.

When I transferred from Portland State to the University of Oregon, 9/11 had just happened. I had walked away from a full-ride scholarship as a music performance major and an opera track in order to pursue journalism at one of the West’s best J schools. I also left behind a sleepy commuter school in favor of The College Experience™. I had started a surprisingly serious relationship back in Gresham before my relocation, and was embarking upon my first-ever honest-to-god long-distance relationship. I didn’t know many people. I moved into a dorm as a sophomore.

Everything felt unknown—and exciting.

A friend told me I needed to audition for the school’s “boy band”—On The Rocks, the school’s first (and only, at the time) a cappella group. I had just landed a spot on the campus newspaper, the Oregon Daily Emerald, but decided to load up on extra-curriculars.

The audition went well. I remember singing “Soul Tattoo” by Plus One (a Christian boy band, which telegraphed both my spirituality and my pop tendencies), running through scales, and harmonizing with some other guys. Group co-founder Peter Hollens told me, "You're like the best singer I’ve ever heard." I wish I had that in writing.

When I (and fellow auditionee Cooper) showed up for what I thought was a callback, it turned out to be a “chill-and-grill” welcome party. I was in. That night, I learned what it was to be a “rock.” Brotherhood. Shenanigans. Insane dedication to the music and to each other. The existing members sang their cover of “Demons” by Guster that gave me chills—a moment I can re-enter every time I hear that tune.

I felt both a sense of excitement and, honestly, fear—because I realized I was in for more than I’d expected. I knew this wasn’t just a club. It was a lifestyle.

We rehearsed a lot. Performed weekly in the Erb Memorial Student Union amphitheatre, rain or shine. Traveled. Recorded our first album, which hit the top of the campus record shop’s best-seller list. We entertained hundreds every Friday, blending classics like "Brown Eyed Girl" with current hits like Jimmy Eat World’s "Hear You Me." Sororities hired us to serenade them. It was pre-YouTube, pre-TikTok. We were a live, analog phenomenon.

But behind the scenes, I was wrestling. With faith. With time. With loyalty.

My girlfriend, still living hours away, repeatedly said she felt threatened by the group’s culture and worried about my spiritual life. She drove to Eugene nearly every weekend to keep tabs on me. I was battling guilt over these competing commitments, feeling stuck at a fork in the road.

Academically, I stumbled a little. I failed the only class I’ve ever failed—J-202, Info Hell, a journalism school rite of passage—because I procrastinated and tried to write my final on a van ride with the guys to Berkeley. Rookie mistake. The fact that I ever thought I’d be able to get a damn thing done on my laptop in that van full of dudes, despite the roughly 8-hour drive, was naïveté at best, but more than likely sheer avoidant insanity.

But it was all in stride, it was worth it. We were building something incredible, and I loved it.

I learned to grill meat with those guys. Had high highs and low lows. Sang for Phil Knight and Coach Mike Bellotti and our university president, and also dealt with one of our members being hospitalized. We competed in the ICCAs (a cappella championship), winning regionals, getting second place in the semifinals and thanks to BYU Vocal Point not competing on Sundays, we made it to the ICCA finals at the Lincoln Center in NYC and got third in the world.

During that year, we bonded through those successes and trials in a way that, I believe, set the tone for what the next two decades-plus of the group became: brotherhood, commitment, musical excellence, taking the music seriously but not ourselves, and boldness.

When the school year came to a close, we were all understandably exhausted, and were looking forward to the break. But that exhaustion, and my return to Gresham for the summer, had me in a vulnerable spot to make a change.

My girlfriend wanted me to quit the group. She said it was too much of a commitment, and that it wasn’t making me a better Christian. In that moment, I’d agreed with her arguments. I had a big decision to make over the summer, but it was one I avoided until the last possible moment: after fall auditions.

I was leaving OTR.

The guys were stunned. I was never fully comfortable with my decision, and that was evidenced by one of the most bone-headed decisions I made next: I tried to create my own a cappella group, justifying it by saying it would be less of a commitment, less of an eyebrow-raising atmosphere for my pastors, and more of a hobby than a lifestyle. I thought it would make me happy.

My girlfriend thought it was a brilliant idea. My brothers in OTR? It was, accurately, nothing short of betrayal. Just really stupid, arrogant, entitled drama.

I assembled the group using the names and info culled from the group’s fall auditions (another hubris-filled betrayal). We sang haphazardly arranged Top 40 hits in awkward venues like the Carson Hall dorm dining room and the lobby of the student union.

Sure, I had control. But the magic was replaced by the massive guilt I felt, the burden of trying to make this new “hobby” a success, and the loneliness of my social situation. I was Sisyphus, pushing a boulder uphill, only for it to roll back down again and again.

Only a few months later, I got engaged and ultimately abandoned this new group, too. I transferred back to Portland State, bringing an abrupt and inauspicious end to my once-promising era in Eugene. I left UO distracted by the life momentum of getting married, feeling like running away was the only way to not have to deal with all the unnecessary hardship I brought to the people I loved.

I got married just before beginning my senior year. I had a very limited list of people to choose from to be my groomsmen (I even had to ask my dad to fill in a spot, and another spot was filled by a guy I didn’t know very well from my work at a Christian bookstore). All the while, my former OTR bros were all groomsmen at each other’s weddings. They’d carried on, and I lied in the bed I made.

I finished with a somewhat weak degree in Communication Studies but a strong resume that landed me a job at the Oregon Coast for a year, before I returned to the Portland area as Editor of a small-town newspaper. Had my first kid in 2007, and two more by 2011. Built a career in journalism and church ministry. Led worship. But something always felt missing.

When the 10-year OTR reunion came around, I was shocked to be invited as an avowed alumnus. My interactions with the guys were understandably tense at first, thanks to all the history and all the hurt I caused. But one by one, each guy was bigger than I had ever been, and slowly, we began to repair.

Although there was little to no engagement with the group (outside of getting to guest-sing with the current group when they came to the city where I lived), a lot of life happened over the next 10 years.

In the years leading up to the 20-year reunion, I was starting life over. I had divorced the girl from college. It was a long, although ultimately abrupt awakening to the fact that our passions would never align and would always be seen by the other as a threat. I lived in a new place. I no longer identified as an evangelical Christian. I had found new love. And I was yearning to sing again.

Not as many of the guys from my era were there, but for those who were, I finally felt like part of the group again. Together, it felt like almost no time had passed. I walked away from that interaction resolved to connect with my friend Pete, who lived not too far from me in Boise, Idaho.

I started taking voice lessons again, something I hadn’t done since my first year at Portland State. I joined the local opera company and a semi-professional choir to scratch the musical itch. Music was back in my life. On my terms again.

Eventually, I called Pete, saying, “Enough is enough; let’s get a beer.” That first hangout led to a road trip to an Oregon Ducks away game. That led to 10 hours of talking through everything you’ve read so far and then some. I apologized a whole lot for everything—my judgmentalness, my abandoning, my betrayals—and I was met with a hell of a lot of grace, kindness, and that true brotherhood I remembered from so long before.

All of that fed my emotions coming into the OTR 25th Anniversary weekend.

Out of the nine guys from my era, eight of us made it to Eugene, among the 70-or-so total guys in attendance from throughout the generations. Sure, I got to reprise my solos for “For the Longest Time” and “In the End”, but the greatest joy to me came from the surreal feeling of singing alongside these guys in real-time again. From seeing Chris and co-founder Leo sing together on “Demons”. From hearing Pete and Cooper hold it down on bass in the “I Need to Know” breakdown. From Hollens and I making the same goofy faces at each other during our dueling vocal parts on “Romeo & Juliet.”

It was almost too much for me to take. So much life has happened over the past 23 years. So much water under the bridge. So much growth and wisdom and repair. And aside from the well-earned occasional joking jab about that “other group” I started, we all were brothers again. More than the music, more than the albums and the competitions and the fans, the most valuable part of this experience was (and still is) making magic with people you love.

This time, I knew what it meant. I didn’t take it for granted. Never again.

I have had a beautiful opportunity over the past six years to reacquaint myself with the younger me. Sure, that guy had a lot of demons—anxious attachment and its manifestations chief among them.

But that Marcus also had so much energy, so much promise, so much positivity and so much hope. As I get to know this guy all over again, I can feel a deep, almost parental, love for him. And I want to learn from him now.

It was especially powerful seeing my three teenage children in the front row, finally getting to see what the hype is all about. Pete tells me he nearly cried as he watched the look of awe on my kids’ faces as I belted out a solo Saturday night. I’m just so happy they got to meet another version of their dad.

A week after the reunion, I’m still trying to make sense of it all. I know reunions aren’t real life. I know I’m probably never going to be part of an a cappella group like that again.

But there’s something I’m supposed to take from it—something more than nostalgia. That weekend wasn’t just a fun trip down memory lane; it was a wake-up call. A siren reminding me that something’s still missing: brotherhood, joy, belonging, shared history.

This wasn’t just about reliving the past. It was about rediscovering the parts of myself I’ve left behind—and realizing they still matter. I want to nurture the relationships that knew the old me and build new ones that honor who I’ve become. I don’t know exactly how that will look yet. But I do know this: the best parts of my past life can help me live better today.

Last weekend reminded me what it feels like to be fully alive, fully seen and accepted. Maybe I do need that feeling more than most. And honestly? I’m alright with that.

#music #friends #college #a cappella

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lustemotions · 1 year ago

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Marauders’ House !

“Music for a Sushi Restaurant” is the opening song to The Marauders' third studio album, Marauders' House. In a combination of smooth jazz and freaky ‘70s pop, Potter (writer of the song) sings about making sushi while relating it to his desire for a relationship. In a May 2022 interview in The Valkyries podcast, the lead singer revealed the story behind the funky song:

"I was in a sushi restaurant in LA with someone and one of our songs came on from the last album, and the person I was with pointed out that it was a "weird song for a sushi restaurant" which obviously lead to an argument and ended on this perfect song for "those type of restaurants".

see the lyrics of the song here.

— Jegulus au. 676 words. no tw. Based on MFASR by Harry Styles.

"Hey!" exclaimed James excitedly, tapping Regulus’s outstretched hand to get his attention "Do you hear that, baby? They’re playing Canyon Moon!"

At Regulus' request, both had decided to go out for dinner. Regulus hadn’t stopped talking for weeks about a restaurant he had visited with Dorcas, and finally after so much insistence, he had managed to drag James to a round table in the far corner of that tiny restaurant.

James will never admit it out loud, because it would feed her boyfriend’s obsession, but he too had fallen in love with the place the second he put his foot in it. "I hear it, yes," Regulus replied, rolling his eyes without looking away from the posters hanging from the ceiling, apparently today’s menu, as the waitress explained, "Sirius couldn’t be more obvious, "Canyon Moon"?"

Quick pause in conversation

He plays songs I've never heard

An old lover's hippie music

Pretends not to know the words

And I keep thinking back to

A time under the canyon moon

After singing quietly along, James laughed while leaning on the table, glancing at the ceiling to look at the menu himself, "When has Sirius been subtle?"

“Touché” said Regulus, making James whisper “hot” under his breath right before the waitress came to their table to take their orders.

After the sweet lady left, Regulus looked around checking the restaurant before leaning on the table to whisper to James “To be honest, I don’t think this is a fitting song for this type of restaurant” An offended gasp left James’ lips, and he smacked Regulus’ shoulder gently.

“How very dare you”

“You’re gonna tell me that I’m wrong?”

“Of course, our songs fit into any sort of environment”

“Yeah, no, I don’t think so” a bratty tone tint Regulus words, leaning onto the back of his chair, crossing his arms with a small smile on the corner of his lips.

“You’re mean”

“I just pointed out a fact. Not every song you guys do fit anywhere, especially not this little and pretty restaurant, it’s a weird song for a sushi restaurant”

“I bet I can change your mind with a song. In fact, I will write a song that fits this restaurant so well that you’ll be embarrassed by what you just said”

“Oh will you now?”

“Hell yeah, before our food comes, I will have the perfect song”

Regulus laughed a bit too hard for that, giving James the perfect view of his pale collarbones under that slim t-shirt. James arched an eyebrow, ready to challenge his boyfriend’s attitude,

“You don’t think I can do that?”

"Of course I don’t think you can write a song before our food comes" said Regulus with a witty tone, sharing a small smile with James who looked too cocky by now.

"Is that a challenge, my love?"

"You bet it is" a cheeky smile spread across Regulus' face. James felt his heart racing.

So, for a whole half hour, James kept writing and re-writing a whole song he finishes five seconds before they have their food on the table. And when he shares the lyrics with his boyfriend, the only comment Regulus says is:

"You have the imagination of a three-year-old”.

Two months later, James was in the studio recording "Music For a Sushi Restaurant", with Remus' bass track in the background and the background vocals recorded before by Sirius and Peter complementing his vocals in the chorus. Regulus’s laughter penetrated his track even from outside the booth, making James smile broadly at Sirius grimaced.

If the stars were edible

And our hearts were never full

Could we live with just a taste?

Just taste

It’s 'cause I love you, babe

In every kind of way

Just a little taste

Know I love you, babe

Not even the high volume of the trumpets dampened the scandalous cry of Sirius, who pounced on the microphone of their producer.

"We are so over, James Potter!"

Regulus smacked his brother on the side, starting a nasty sibling fist fight.

James never felt so alive.

#james potter #jegulus #regulus black #starchaser #the marauders #wolfstar #remus lupin #marauders #sirius black #harry styles #mfasr #sirius would insist on being the siren of the mv #shortfic #running au #harry potter #i love a bratty regulus #and a “it's hot when u speak french” james potter

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trashywritestrash · 2 years ago

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Brutal

Pairing: Avengers x Singer-Songwriter!Stark!Reader (platonic/family)

Word Count: 1,220

Warnings: Swearing, no specific age is given for reader, but she's between 18 and 21. Probably bad writing, heavy dialogue, song lyrics… Idk if half of those are warnings, but that’s what I’ve got.

A/N: This isn’t going to be the best thing I’ve written by a long shot. This whole thing is just like a daydream I have sometimes and I was encouraged to just write it out because maybe that would help me unclog the writers block. Honestly, I’ve just been drained lately and I don’t have the energy to be creative, so I’m cranking this thing out in the hopes that it’ll spark something. I’d call this a crack fic but I don’t know if it’s unhinged enough to qualify.

Song Reference: Brutal by Olivia Rodrigo

gif by jameschildress

As the daughter of Tony Stark, you had been in the spotlight your entire life. So when you announced that you would be releasing your debut album as a musician, the internet was hyped up immediately. You didn’t need to promote it at all, but you still released small clips on social media and dropped a single before the release of the album.

The Avengers are close to you, they’re your big found family… But when they asked to listen to the album before the official release, you still said no. Obviously, they continued to ask and even attempted to bribe you, but you were adamant that they would have to wait like everyone else.

Finally, the album dropped. To celebrate, everyone gathered in the common area while you set up a camera to record their reactions as you all listened. In the living room sat your father, Pepper, Steve, Bucky, Sam, Natasha, Thor, Bruce, Clint, and Wanda. The “extended” team members like Peter Parker, the Guardians of the Galaxy, Carol, and Dr. Strange were listening on their own and simply texting you their thoughts.

“Okay, guys. Get your snacks and stuff now because I’m not going to wait ten minutes in between songs for you to grab something,” Tony bosses, completely impatient.

You chuckle, “You do know that I’m controlling the music, right?”

“Doesn’t matter. I’ll have Friday override the speakers if I have to.”

“Alright, are we ready yet? Yelena is already trying to text me about it and I don’t want spoilers,” Natasha complains from her spot on one of the couches, bowl of popcorn in hand.

“Yeah, yeah, settle down.” Once everyone is sat, you take your spot on a stool by the camera, “Okay, if you need me to pause or rewind, raise your hand or something. Or listen to it again later on your own. I’ll pause between songs so you can get your comments and questions out. Sound good?”

Sam waves his hand, “We got it, just play it already, we’re tired of waiting.”

“Patience, Samuel. Alright, the first song is called ‘Brutal’.” You press play on your phone, which is bluetooth connected to the speakers in the room.

The song opens with classical instrumental music, surprising the group. They’ve heard the clips released on your social media, and this doesn’t seem to fit at all.

I want it to be, like, messy.

Suddenly the music is louder and faster paced, taking on a more punk rock sound. Tony grins wide, “That’s my kid!”

I’m so insecure, I think

That I’ll die before I drink

And I’m so caught up in the news

Of who likes me, and who hates you

And I’m so tired that I might

Quit my job, start a new life

And they’d all be so disappointed

‘Cause who am I, if not exploited?

Reactions across the room are mixed. Bucky and Steve look a little thrown off, not used to this type of music. Tony looks prouder than ever. Pepper and Sam look proud, but you can tell they’re not sure what to think about the tone of it. Natasha and Clint have “I told you so” written all over their faces. Thor is enthusiastic and smiling wide. And Bruce and Wanda seem to be trying to dissect and analyze the lyrics as they listen.

And I’m so sick of seventeen

Where’s my fucking teenage dream?

“Language,” slips from Steve before he can stop himself. “Also, you’re not seventeen anymore?”

“I wrote it a while ago and I decided to leave it like that. I wanted it to be truthful to where I was in my life when I wrote it.” The group nods as the song continues.

If someone tells me one more time

“Enjoy your youth,” I’m gonna cry

And I don’t stick up for myself

I’m anxious and nothing can help

And I wish I’d done this before

And I wish people liked me more

“Awe, sweetheart,” Wanda frowns. Everyone seems conflicted. Like they’re unsure whether they should be banging their heads or offering you hugs.

All I did was try my best

This the kind of thanks I get?

Unrelentlessly upset (ah, ah, ah)

They say these are the golden years

But I wish I could disappear

Ego crush is so severe

God, it’s brutal out here

You frown at how the mood was brought down by the lyrics. Quickly, you pause. “Guys, stop that. This is supposed to be a fun song.”

“It is fun, but you’re my daughter, of course I’m going to be concerned,” Tony pouts. “Why didn’t you talk to me about this stuff?”

“Because I didn’t feel like I needed to. I get these feelings out in therapy and in my songs, so it’s not like I’m bottling it in. I have some healthy coping mechanisms.”

Bruce takes the opportunity to speak up. “Some?”

“Nobody’s perfect, Bruce. You guys don’t need to know everything.” You chuckle to diffuse the tension, but resume the music before anyone can argue.

I feel like no one wants me

And I hate the way I’m perceived

I only have two real friends

And lately, I’m a nervous wreck

‘Cause I love people I don’t like

And I hate every song I write

And I’m not cool and I’m not smart

And I can’t even parallel park

“Are we not your friends?” Thor pouts, genuinely sad.

“You guys don’t count. You’re family.” That answer seems to appease them, but they’re clearly still concerned. The chorus plays once more before the music starts to wind down.

Got a broken ego, broken heart

God, I don’t even know where to start

The song ends, so you pause before the next one automatically starts. “What did you guys think?” You wait nervously for their response. They mean a lot to you, so you want them to like your music.

“I loved it, but the lyrics are kinda sad when I think about them…” Pepper admits cautiously, not wanting you to think she didn’t like it.

You give her a nervous smile, “I’m gonna be honest. Some of the stuff on here is sad. Some of it is probably gonna upset you… I don’t tell you guys everything, and there are some things in here that you guys don’t know about. I’m sorry about that; but the last thing I want is for you guys to pity me or anything like that.” Chuckling, you attempt to lighten the mood. “I’m an angsty girl. In this album I get a little sad, a little angry, a little petty, but try not to get too heartbroken over it. Please?”

“No promises, kid. We’re your family. We’re absolutely going to get protective.” Sam grins, keeping his comment lighthearted, even though he means every word.

“Fine, I’ll take it.”

Steve raises his hand patiently, “Are all of the songs this… upbeat?” He asks, unsure of what to call the sound.

“No, some of them slow down. But some of them are more punk like this. I won’t give you a heart attack.” He laughs at your joke, rolling his eyes.

“Okay, I think we’re ready for the next one,” Clint says, causing the others to nod. “Hit us with it!”

You laugh, pulling up your music app. “Okay, okay. Here we go…”

—————

If you enjoyed this or would like to read more of my work, please consider liking, reblogging, or tipping my Ko-fi!

#nel writes #avengers x reader #marvel x reader #platonic avengers x reader #marvel x reader fanfiction #marvel x reader fanfic #avengers x reader fanfiction #avengers x reader fanfic #x reader fanfic #x reader fanfiction #platonic avengers #fanfiction #fanfic #song fic #marvel song fic

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oncamelliastreet · 9 months ago

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how would u recommend getting into 5sos?? i have friends who think i'll like them but it feels like a daunting task

OOO OO OOOOO

okay A) do it, they’re the best band ever and literally so funny you’ll die and luke hemmings is the loml so like you need to

B) the way i did it was i just listened to their first album and worked from there, but if we’re being extremely honest here their first album is hardly anyone’s favorite and that’s for a reason, so if you’re gonna listen to an album first i’d say either work from the beginning because you’ll here their growth more, or their 4th album CALM is really good and it’s only like 12 songs plus a bonus track and it’s a really good intro to them, or youngblood is my fav album by them so i’d definitely throw that your way

C) if you don’t want to listen to an album first and just want to get a feel, here are my fav songs by them

- take my hand (joshua tree version) ((ashton, the drummer, has said that this is the song he would want to define their band))

- lie to me (NOT the version featuring julia michaels) (this one comes with an extremely sad music video which i would be glad to describe to you in depth

- bad omens (literally one of their best songs)

- teeth

- no shame

- jet black heart (this one is really personal to their guitarist michael and they’ve said that they’re never removing it from their set list because it’s just too good which is amazing news because this song live is CATHARTIC)

- outer space/carry on (don’t be confused by the random silence in the middle it’s the rain in outer space if you listen closely, also i listen to this one every new year’s eve because it’s very hopeful and comforting)

- older (luke hemmings ft. his wife basically but it’s literally the most beautiful depressing love song and they randomly released it one day so i was crying at the bank after school when it first came out)

- not in the same way (THEIR BEST BRIDGE)

- out of my limit

- gotta get out (the first song they wrote and it fucking slaps dude)

also for some background info: they started out as a pop rock-ish band and luke hemmings is their lead singer, but they all sing and play instruments.

luke hemmings - lead singer, rhythm guitar (but he can also fucking shred because he’s made of angel dust)

calum hood - bass, background vocals mostly (he sings the entirety of wildflower & babylon and has mixed verses here and there throughout all their albums)

michael clifford - lead guitar, background vocals (he also has mixed verses here and there and sings the entirety of emotions)

ashton irwin - drums (and a beast at them) and background vocals (he had verses here and there too but not as common)

if you listen to a song, for example, Teeth, and you pause and think wait, there’s no way that’s the same guy singing because the vocals go so high and they were so deep before, that’s not possible, ITS LUKE!!! HE HAS THE MOST AMAZING RANGE OF ANY MALE ARTIST ON THE FACE OF THE PLANET AND CAN AND WILL SING AS HIGH OR AS LOW AS HE WANTS BECAUSE HE IS AN ICON

and if you wanna get to know their personalities first, carpool karabloke was the first video i watched of them (their australian hence karabloke) and it’s literally just them fucking around in the car listening to their album CALM (side note, that albums is there names —calum, ashton, luke, michael—because if there’s one thing they love, it’s naming an album after themselves. see: 5 seconds of summer, livesos, CALM, 5sos5)

and one more thing, if you listen to them and don’t really fuck with them (you would be wrong, by the way, listen again) then two of their members have solo works!! ashton had two albums: blood on the drums and superbloom, and luke has an album: when facing the things we turn away from (this one i could really talk about for hours because it’s my favorite album of all time) and a long ep called “boy” which is also amazing, so i would check those out

okay sorry i totally just infodumped on you because i have so much 5sos info in my brain and nobody to share it with YAYAYAY so if you ever want like a super in depth breakdown of like one of their music videos or their history feel free to ask me about it because i would loooove to talk about this for hours

also you’ll have to wait a sec for your flower because my sister literally told me she got engaged in the middle of me writing this so i got distracted 😭

#5sos #5 seconds of summer

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happinessismusic · 4 days ago

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Blake Shelton couldn’t resist the Oklahoma-born Swon Brothers when they tried out for The Voice in 2013. Twelve years later, their bond is stronger than ever. Zach and Colton Swon sometimes play Shelton’s Ole Red bar and restaurants – a chain that’s grown to five locations. However, Shelton also has the men on speed dial while working on a new album.

The Swon Brothers wrote the title track, Body Language, for Shelton’s last album, and they have song nine, “All of My Love,” on Shelton’s new album. His 12-song For Recreational Use Only will be available May 9. It’s also the only co-writing credit Shelton has on the album.

“They are such, first of all, I started to call ’em great kids,’” Shelton said. “I think Zach just turned 40. But, they’re kids to me.”

Shelton will never forget the first time he met the brothers. They grew up a couple of counties over from him in Oklahoma, and he felt like he’d known the Swons his entire life.

“I think probably everybody feels that way about those guys when they meet ’em, no matter where you’re from,” Shelton said. “They’re just good dudes and super talented. I don’t know if you’ve ever seen the Swon play live, but they’re just so talented they can play anything. Put any instrument in front of either one of ’em, and they can play it.”

So, when the Swon Brothers sent him “All of My Love,” Shelton paid attention. He loved the song, spent a little bit of time working on the bridge, and forgot about it. Then they texted him and asked if they could post a clip of them singing “All of My Love” on Instagram.

“I went, ‘Oh my God, I forgot about that song,’” Shelton said. “It’s been a while. And I said, ‘No, don’t post that. I’m going to cut that.’”

A few weeks later, Shelton was in the recording studio with his longtime producer, Scott Hendricks, and shared the lyrics with him.

“I said, ‘Hey, we’re going to cut this today,’” Shelton said. “We worked it up, and I think it fits well with the record. It’s really the only kind of straight-up love song that we have on the album.”

The Swons love Shelton more than he likes their love song.

“Blake Shelton turned his chair for us over a decade ago, and he has been in our corner ever since,” Zach Swon said. “We have developed a great friendship, and he is a huge part of our career. Proud to be a small part of this record. Let’s hear it for the Okies!”

Colton Swon added: “Blake Shelton has one of the most recognizable iconic voices across all genres, especially in country music. To have a small part in any aspect of his creative process is without a doubt a huge honor, but it’s an even greater joy to call him a friend.”

The Swon Brothers aren’t the only artists Shelton adores who are a part of For Recreational Use Only. Craig Morgan is a featured artist on “Heaven Sweet Home.” John Anderson is on the last track, “Years.” “Years” was released initially by Anderson. Lady A’s Charles Kelley co-wrote “Hangin’ On,” and Shelton recorded it with his wife, Gwen Stefani.

“It’s a tough song to perform,” Shelton said. “It’s a big vocal. I don’t think Gwen and I have ever done anything that’s super laid back. Everything we do really pushes us as singers. And obviously, Charles is an incredible vocalist. Anything he’s a writer on, he puts that edge to it. It’s a challenge, but I think the song is really well written, and we love the song.”

Shelton has had “Heaven Sweet Home” for years, but it never felt complete to him until he added Morgan. “Years” has also been around for years. Shelton and Anderson planned to collaborate on it in 2020, but the pandemic struck and ruined it.

“I bet he’s thinking right now, ‘Man, I wonder whatever happened to that song that I recorded with Blake?’” Shelton said. “That was years and years ago. He probably thought I forgot about it. It’s coming, John, I promise.”

#blake shelton #for recreational use only

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unholyverse · 2 years ago

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waterparks // kerrang january 2018 #1705

(full article text under the cut)

LIFE COMES AT YOU FAST

The past couple of years have been such a whirlwind for Waterparks that the trio have barely had time to breathe. Beyond all the bluster and bravado, it's taken a private toll on Awsten Knight. On the eve of new album Entertainment, though, the frontman is ready to go again…

Words: Jennyfer J. Walker // Photos: Andrew Upovsky

A few years ago, Awsten Knight dropped out of college to focus on his band, Waterparks. To gain the funds to do so, he spent his time teaching guitar and babysitting. Today, the Texas-based trio—completed by guitarist Geoff Wigington and drummer Otto Wood—are one of the most in-demand young bands on the planet. The name Waterparks first became synonymous with more than just being a fun place to hang out in your swimming trunks in 2016, with the release of their debut album, Double Dare. And the three-piece have only gotten bigger since. After forming in 2011, they picked up Good Charlotte's Benji and Joel Madden as managers (and Benji as a producer), toured the world with All Time Low, sold out Camden's Underworld (4,846 miles from their hometown) in under an hour, and recorded second album Entertainment, which is out next week.

There have been personal moments that made Awsten realise he and his band have 'made it', too, like when he was awarded Tweeter Of The Year in the Kerrang! Readers' Poll ("That's literally just all the dumb shit I said on Twitter," he says, baffled as to why anyone would care about his caps-lock musings). Then there was the time a Japanese fan flew to a U.S. show, and turned up to meet Awsten looking exactly like Awsten…

"He was dressed just like me!" the singer says in more disbelief. "He dyed his hair blue and he had my necklace [the rainbow foot one]. He was straight-up me! And I was like, 'Oh my God, some guy in fucking Japan, who doesn't even know my language, likes my shit that much that he's dressed up like me… that's fucking awesome.'"

Ask Awsten to reflect on his band's success, to properly look back and take it all in, and he'll get uncomfortable.

"I don't really look back at stuff as much as I should…" he admits. "I feel like if I stop to think about any of that too hard, it would freak me out. So I think the best thing, at least for now, is to keep my head down and keep working as fast as I can and as hard as I can to keep it going."

And how do you feel when you're forced to reflect?

Before replying, he thinks for a second and exhales, making his lips vibrate.

"It kinda doesn't feel like it happened…When we got back from Japan I was just tired and laying there, and a week later I talked about it in an interview, and they were like, 'You just got back from Japan with All Time Low,' and I was like, 'Oh yeah! We did do that, huh?'" It doesn't feel…"—he thumbs through the pages of his brain dictionary, looking for the right words—"…it doesn't feel real."

The only time Awsten really nods to his achievements is within the blue walls of his childhood bedroom, where he's rested his head for the past 20 years, and is currently doing so while the band take their first proper break in two years. In between shelves crammed with DVDs, books ("because reading's tight") and his bed there's a nightstand. On the top sit a pack of Twizzlers and a pot of vitamins, and in the cubby hole below rests a stack of six or seven magazines, all of which have Awsten's face on the cover. He'll only take them out to properly look at when new ones arrive in the mail- there have been two this week - but he likes having them there, when he's in the room. "Being able to see those things is small," he says. "But it's enough to be like, 'Okay, cool.'"

[Image of the band walking around with the caption, "The gangs of New York aren't quite what they used to be."]

Awsten's aware that few bands take off like Waterparks have. It's a fact people remind him about often, including his friends and mentors Benji and Joel.

"They tell us, 'Your band is extremely special,' and I'll be like, 'Thank you so much!' I'm thankful to hear it…'"

The Maddens' elder brother Josh, meanwhile, has taught the frontman that it's important to take time for yourself in order to survive in any successful band. "Josh told me, There's Waterparks Awsten and there's Awsten Awsten. They're both the same guy, but you need to make sure both of them have the same love and care. It's tough to do…"

He lets out a brief laugh at what he's about to say. It's something he often does.

"Girls have accused me of being a workaholic before. It's still hard for me to answer when people ask, 'What do you do when you're not doing music?' I don't have that much to say…Which isn't a good sign of progress on that front, because it's what I'm doing all the time. If it's not for Waterparks, I'm working on music for somebody." He has, though, taken steps to care for poor neglected Awsten Awsten while he's been off tour. He's learned the importance of getting the recommended eight hours sleep and not staying up all night working on band stuff. He's started going to therapy. And he's training at a small boxing gym in downtown Houston.

"It's definitely a dumb-guy chemical thing, but Otto and I will go through phases where we're like, 'I just wanna fucking fight someone!' Pretty much the entire last tour I was in that mode. I thought, 'I better actually prepare and be good at this shit if it does happen!'" Now, one of the goals on his bucket list for 2018 is to win a boxing match.

Such drive means the frontman's never struggled to keep his eyes on the prize when it comes to Waterparks. As soon as our morning chat ends, Awsten says he'll start working on more music.

His self-assuredness and stronger-than-graphene vision for the band mean he's never had to fight to stay true to himself, either. He's more likely to walk into the record label and tell them what's what.

"Dude, honestly, I'm so fucking good at marketing!" he says, not-at-all modestly. "I've got a vision for us, and I know what we are. I'm aware what works and what doesn't. I'm a control freak, which I guess is a thing I should work on, but it's definitely kept things very true to who we are."

New album Entertainment is saturated with that same confidence, and the frontman says he feels no pressure whatsoever putting it out.

"When it was getting made, nobody knew [since it was done in secret], so they couldn't get hyped or anything. Now, if anybody wants to have expectations, it's already done. There's nothing I can do."

Doesn't a little part of you worry about whether people will like it?

"Not really," he says, shrugging his shoulders, "because I know it's good. Not to be cocky about it…I just think it's a very good album. There were songs I thought would make the record that didn't, which means everything on there is the best of the best."

The most confident man in rock does have one Kryptonite, though: his feelings. That became apparent three weeks before the release of Entertainment, when Awsten tweeted a picture of two pages from a spiral-bound notebook. On those pages was a handwritten letter, in his trademark caps, explaining that he'd gone off Waterparks' second record. The words were fairly cryptic, stating, "the last couple months have [been] weird, difficult, and everything else that sits in the realm of 'bad'. I lost a lot mentally and physically. Certain things happened and to be overly honest with you, Entertainment was ruined for me. I stopped listening to it, and felt weird to hype it in interviews. However, the worst part was the pure dread I felt thinking, 'Fuck. I still have to tour on this and sing these words every night.'"

Yet fans knew the note related to Awsten's break-up with his TV actress girlfriend, Ciara Hanna, the subject of much of the album's lyrics.

"I was glorifying people and things that I really don't fucking like and that really sucked," he says.

How did you feel about the future when those songs were ruined for you?

"Very fucking bleak!" he says. "I was like, 'Fuck, I'm ready to make another album, let's do that instead!'"

Would you have scrapped Entertainment if that was an option?

"There was a time that I would have said yes. But it's a piece of fucking art, and it would be a shame to let certain people or things ruin that."

In order to feel excited about the album again, Awsten had to change the meanings of the songs in his mind.

"My love songs are not about anyone now," he says. "They're just about love. And the dark places I was put in because of certain people or events? Those are stories. Every album is going to be a snapshot of where I was at that time."

Which explains why he thanks Ciara "for filling me with too many feelings" in the CD's thank you notes.

Quiz Awsten about which songs on the album are the most personal to him, and he'll say "the ones that make me go, 'Agh fuck!'" are Lucky People, Rare, TANTRUM, Crybaby and We Need To Talk.

"I try to keep my shit together around other people," he says when asked if there were any breakdowns in the vocal booth, "but the day Crybaby was made, that was one of the worst days of my life…" What was happening that day?

"I don't wanna talk about that, if that's okay," Awsten says meekly. "I feel like I give a lot to people, and some of the stuff that is written about on this album, I haven't told anybody about, 'cause it's just very… low, dark, personal shit. There are certain things that people don't need to know."

One song he is comfortable delving deeper into is diss track TANTRUM. An album highlight, it sees Awsten rant his frustrations away.

"TANTRUM's blunt as fuck!" he offers. "A lot of the stuff's metaphorical, but that one's like, This married guy tried to fuck my girlfriend and I'm gonna kill him when I see him!' I was like, 'I'll put his name in it, fuck it! I don't care."

We point out that when the guy in the song hears it, Awsten might just get that boxing match he's after…

"I just might, but I'm prepared," he says seriously.

As we wrap up our interview, Awsten's pouring his second coffee of the day, ready to resume being a workaholic. We ask how he's feeling after what's been a frankly terrible couple of months, and at the start of what's set to be the year of his career.

"I mean…" he pauses. "If someone has empathy and is able to feel certain things, like a functioning emotional brain- or in my case, maybe it's more emotional than it should be, I don't know yet—everyone is a work in progress."

He lets out a particularly-Texan "GOD DAMN!" and laughs at how corny he sounds.

"But everybody is literally just doing their best. Everyone is working on it. I'm working on it…"

ENTERTAINMENT IS AVAILABLE VIA EASY LIFE RECORDS ON JANUARY 26. WATERPARKS TOUR THE UK IN MARCH — SEE THE GIG GUIDE

IT'S A FAMILY AFFAIR

THE MADDENS AREN'T JUST MANAGERS FOR WATERPARKS. AS AWSTEN REVEALS, THE TWINS ARE MORE LIKE FAMILY

"The Madden Brothers are the fuckin' best! They've taught me a lot. I knew about the idea of having role models and shit, had them and I've definitely h before, but actually seeing them at work, and the way they accomplish things and get shit done [is very cool].

"I wouldn't be who I am right now without them. What's cool is, I'd never in a billion years be like, "You guys are like me…'but we often have conversations about what we want to to accomplish. Last night I talked to Benji, and he said, 'Dude, everything that Joel and I did, see in you.' And I was just like, 'Fuuuuuuck!

"They're more like friends than mentors to me now. Half the shit we talk about is not even band related. We talk about life, how to be different and things I want to be involved in…I want to accomplish a lot. Some of it is musical and some isn't, but I want them to be my team for all of it."

#waterparks #awsten knight #otto wood #geoff wigington #i.zip

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