#A SONG SOO BEAUTIFUL IT BRINGS THE WORLD BACK INTO TUNE | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

nataliedanovelist · 5 years ago

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GF - Beauty Within the Fallen ch.V

Summary: Two misfit twins come across an enchanted castle, home of a mysterious beast, and slowly begin to form a strong bond that just might survive through anything. Even evil demons.

AU and artwork belong to the beautiful and very talented @artsycrapfromsai. Go give her some love, guys!!!

ch.IV - ch.VI

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When the children arrived back with the master of the castle and a pig, Soos was a horrid mess and Wendy took charge. The servants of the castle helped to bring the old beast up to the West Wing and back into his bedroom. The journal watched, uncovered by glass, and listened to the children working together to take care of Stan. Mabel was soft, Dipper was strong, and they were both kind. Once Mabel made sure Stan was comfortable in his bed, Dipper accepted the large supply of bandages and washcloths with hot water and began to work on his injuries. It turned out that Stan had several bad scratches and bites on his back as well as his arm; one bite on his right shoulder was particularly nasty and probably hurt a lot.

All while the boy cleaned the wounds, the beast growled in his throat, almost like purring from an angry cat. He tried to mask his pain, but Mabel sat by his head and held his claw, telling him that if he wanted he could squeeze her hand when he was hurt. Stan gave her a funny look as Mabel petted the back of his paw, feeling the soft texture of his gray fur and smiling. “I can take care of myself.” He growled. “I’ve been doing it this long.” “We know.” Dipper said firmly, free to roll his eyes since Stan’s back was to him. “But we kinda owe you.” “You’re darn right you do.” Stan sneered. “I’ve got a long list of disgusting chores that’ll give my face a run for its money, and it’s got your names on it.” He sighed and added in a softer tone. “Guess it’s not all your fault, though.” Mabel shook her head. “It’s okay, Monsieur Stan, we shouldn’t have come into your room. We’re sorry.” Dipper nodded. “I’ll admit, I suck at knowing when to quit.” Stan snorted a laugh. “Wanna call it even?” “Deal.” Mabel accepted happily and squeezed his paw. As Dipper continued to work, Stan’s tired old body, comforted by the girl’s petting and the boy’s care, started to lose its strength again and he soon fell asleep. Mabel giggled, listening to his deep breathing, and turned to look at the journal. It was closed, so Monsieur Ford had no way to talk if he wanted to. Pitying him, Mabel got down from Stan’s bed and went to the journal. She opened it and sat it on the table, touching as little as she could. Dipper paused bandaging an injury and watched with a skeptical look. “There you go, Monsieur Ford.” Mabel said kindly. Words soon appeared on the page. Thank you, my dear. Thank you so very much for bringing my brother home. “You’re brother?!” Mabel gasped, but then covered her mouth with both hands, afraid of waking Stan, but he was too exhausted to be stirred right now. Yes. The master of this castle, my brother Stanley. “Monsieur Ford,” Dipper said, finished helping Stan, and he walked towards the journal and his sister. “You weren’t always a journal, and Stan wasn’t always a beast, right?” And he looked back at the portrait of the twin boys. That is correct. We were once human, like you, but we were cursed. “S'il vous plaît, Monsieur.” Mabel pleaded. “Will you tell us what happened?” Since you two seem to enjoy stories, I shall. You will have to help me along, reading. Ford’s tone seemed to be warm and inviting. Despite this, Mabel’s face turned red and she rubbed an arm nervously. “I don’t read very good.” “That’s not true, Mabel.” Dipper said quickly and side-hugged her. “Don’t worry, I’ll read out-loud.” I am sure a bright girl like yourself is a fine reader, Mabel. The journal wrote. </i>You remind me so much of Stanley; he too often thought little of his intelligence, but he is way smarter than others (and he) gave him credit for.</i> Mabel smiled, still red, and sat on her knees, looking up at the book. An armchair scurried up to the kids and spoke. “AH! Mi precioso, do not sit on the cold floor! Come, come! Have a seat, both of you, and relax.” Kids, this is Abuelita, as she prefers to be called by everyone. Soos’ grandmother. Ford explained as Mabel sat in the cozy chair. “Thanks!” She said to Abuelita. Dipper joined her with the journal in his hands. He laid the book on their laps and said, “We’re ready, Monsieur Ford.” Very well. Thirty years ago, shortly after our parents’ death, we became entangled in something we shouldn’t have. It was my fault. While Stanley was as strong as five men and more witty than any professor, I excelled academically and held a lot of promise. Father and so many others unfairly showed favor in me and I was ignorant to how it must have hurt my twin. I also felt out of place, alone. Notice the six-fingered hand on the cover; as a human I have six fingers on each hand. As a child I was bullied and made fun of, but Stanley was always there and told me it made me special. It became my mark as I began to investigate the strange mysteries of the woods and the wonders of the world. Intrigued, I soon met a golden triangle with one eye and formal attire. When the words slowly disappeared, they were replaced with a drawing. The kids looked to indeed find a triangle with a top hat and a bowtie and a cane, having only one eye and two stick arms and two stick legs. Bill Cipher. A dangerous demon of nightmares and a master of the mind. Ford went on. I was a fool, blinded by his flattery and games. I was falling down a very deep hole, but I was lucky to have Stanley there, like always, and he managed to con the ultimate conman. This angered Bill, and as revenge he cursed us. “How?” Dipper asked. “What exactly did he do to you?” He turned Stanley into a beast and me into a journal, and all of the servants turned as well, as we are now. I cannot walk or talk like the staff can, only communicate through writing, and I slowly lose my pages. With each page, I lose part of my memory and a part of myself. When the last page falls, I will be nothing more than an empty shell, and everyone will remain cursed forever. “This story's so sad!” Mabel exclaimed. “There’s gotta be a way to get a happy ending!” “Mabel’s right,” Dipper said. “Is there a way to undo the curse?” The journal was blank for a moment, but then these words seeped onto the page: After he cursed us, Bill only said that when Stanley loves someone and earns their love in return can the curse be undone. Mabel lit up. “Love? We can help! There’s tons of cute single ladies in our village who would love to go out with a nice, smart, strong guy like Stan!” “I dunno, Mabel,” Dipper said hesitantly. “Everyone in our town thinks we’re weirdos and make fun of us. How do you think they’ll react to Stan?” “But once they got to know him…” Your people think you are weird? The journal wrote. How come? Dipper crossed his arms over his chest. “They think we’re ‘odd’ because Mabel’s learning how to read, I don’t wanna join the army, and we like to invent things.” They make fun of you over that? I’m sorry. I think reading and inventing is no reason to be made fun of, nor is a lack in desire to fight. “Oh, I still wanna learn how to fight, I just don’t wanna be anyone’s tool.” Dipper then suddenly turned bright red. “No offense.” Ford, however, quivered ever so slightly and big capital letters spilled over the page. HAHAHAHAHA! No offense taken, my boy! Holy Moses, I haven’t… well, I wouldn’t call that laughing, but thank you for making me almost laugh for the first time in thirty years. “Thirty years.” Mabel repeated with a small moan. “Don’t you worry, Monsieur Ford, we’ll help Stan fall in love so everyone will be free.” It is not for you to worry about. “Yes it is!” Mabel insisted. “You’re our friends. We wanna help you.” “Yeah, man,” Dipper said, actually gradually siding with Mabel on this one. “Once Fiddleford finds this place we’ll go home and help find someone for Stan.” “He’s a great guy,” Mabel said. “And I’m the best matchmaker in the world! I bet together we can end this curse and kick Bill’s butt!” “Mabel,” Dipper hushed as she became overly passionate and was a bit too loud. Your enthusiasm is greatly appreciated and valued, kids, but do not fret over it. We have time. “How much time?” Dipper asked, eyeing how many pages Ford had. If I absolutely had to make a guess of how long we have left… ten years. “Oh.” Dipper said, freed from the sense of urgency. He yawned into his hand. “Still, we’ll do what we can for you guys.” The journal was blank again, like he was doing some thinking, but then he wrote, Thank you, again, but now is not the time to worry about all that. You two should get to bed. It’s late. Mabel shook her head. “Nuh, uh. What if Stan needs our help with his boo-boos? We’ll just have a sleepover right here, won’t we, Abuelita?” “Si, niña.” The armchair said and used her unusual arms to throw a blanket over the twins. Dipper took off his hat, finding Abuelita quite comfortable, and he wrapped an arm around his sister. After the scare he had earlier, he had to admit he liked the idea of sleeping by her side tonight. “Good idea, sis.” “I’m full of good ideas.” Mabel joked. “G’night, Monsieur Ford.” Goodnight, Dipper and Mabel. Sweet dreams. Mabel hugged Dipper around his waist, his arm still around her, and she smiled as she closed her eyes. She could hear his heartbeat. It was faster than it should be for sleep. Knowing just what to do, she began to quietly sing a lullaby. “Days in the sun, though your life has barely begun, not until my own life is done will I ever leave you.” Dipper chuckled, remembering the song Fiddleford and Shermie used to sing, and he muttered sleepily, “Oh, I’ll tremble again to my dear one's gorgeous refrain. You will not forever remain out of reach of my arms.” His eyes, which had been open, found Ford’s open pages spilling a poem missing it’s tune. All those days in the sun, What I'd give to give you them all, All to my love, And sing out my call. “You know that song?” Dipper asked and Mabel opened her eyes to find it on Ford’s pages. Our mother used to sing it to us when we were children, every night. Please, continue and ignore me. “You should sleep, too, Monsieur Ford.” Mabel said sleepily. She took the journal in her arms, hugged the closed book, and held him as she leaned on her brother. Ford didn’t get a chance to explain that he did not sleep, but as he could ghostly feel the girl’s warmth, he was beyond happy to be in her embrace for the night. Dipper smiled, gave Mabel a squeeze, and closed his eyes for sleep as he uttered under his breath. “Days in the sun will return, we must believe. As lovers do, that days in the sun will come shining through.” ~~~~~~~~~~ Despite the wolves, despite the darkness, despite the freezing cold and the falling snow, Fiddleford trudged on. He held his casted, broken arm close to his chest for warmth, crushing a few inches of snow with his boots. The snow was coming down hard, blinding him and making it feel like a hundred tiny knives were cutting his face, but he forced himself to keep going. The idea of his children somewhere in this snow terrified him. “Dipper!” He called out. “Mabel!” Fiddleford brought his scarf up to his nose so his breath would warm the bottom-half of his face. The familiar scents of family and love came to his schnoz. Mabel had knitted him this green scarf. In fact, she knitted him his sweater and gloves, too, but this scarf, tangled and elementary, had been Mabel’s first scarf and once Shermie’s, but when he died and left it back to Mabel, she insisted that Fiddleford have it. Every time Fiddleford went to Paris to sell the clocks and music boxes in the past, he always asked the twins what they wanted, as a way to help handle his absence better. Every time, Dipper asked for a book everyone would want to hear him read and Mabel hesitantly asked for yarn. Yarn was usually very expensive, and she knew that, but she had a raw talent for knitting and sewing. No one had taught her how to knit or sew, but the minute the materials were in her hands, as young as four, she knew what to do. She was amazing like that. Better yet, with her gift of yarn, if lucky enough to have some, she always made clothes for others before herself, knitting Dipper, Fiddleford, and Shermie sweaters and gloves and scarfs and hats to keep them warm during long winters. The first time she surprised Fiddleford with a blue sweater, she smiled at him and said, “Now you can have me wherever you go.” Fiddleford wiped his eyes dry; he couldn’t afford to cry, his tears would freeze on his face. Mabel needed him, Dipper needed him, so he continued to call out their names as the rest of the village searched behind him, much slower than the old man. ~~~~~~~~~~ Stan woke up to the sound of giggling. He opened his eyes, facing the window and Ford’s table, and he found Mabel standing there with a quill in her hand and playing tic-tac-toe with Ford. She was Xs and Ford was Os. Most of the time Mabel won, but occasionally (whether to keep her humble or because Brainiac couldn’t help himself) Ford would win, but Mabel seemed just as delighted by Ford’s wins as her own. “Yay! Good job, Monsieur Ford! Okay, you go first.” Stan smiled and slowly sat up. Dipper was by his side and smiled. “Morning, Stan. How are you feeling?” “M’fine, kid.” Stan said, popping his old back and stretching his arms. He ruffled his fur loose and gave the boy an impressed smile. “Good job fixin’ me up, I feel good as new.” “Thanks.” Dipper said. “Monsieur Stan!” Mabel called, turning away from her game with Ford for a moment. “Did you see?! IT SNOWED! We should all play outside!” “C’mon, Mabel,” Dipper said easily. “Stan’s just a hurt old man, he should take it easy.” And he gave the beast a smirk. “Old man?!” Stan barked and stood tall and strong. “That’s it, you just earned yourself a huge snowball to the face!” “And don’t worry, Monsieur Ford,” Mabel said, setting her quill down and scooting the table with Ford on it closer to the window. “This way you can watch us. If you want to.” Thank you, Mabel. The words read. Waddles oinked happily and showed his belly to Stan, lying on the floor. He glared at the animal. “And what is that?” “That’s my pet pig, Waddles!” Mabel joyfully introduced. “He found us in the woods last night.” “No,” Stan said firmly and shook his head. “No pigs allowed in this castle. They’re nothing but fat, naked jerks.” “Aw, come on,” The girl cooed and hugged her pig with big brown eyes. “Just for a few days?” Stan winced. Sacrebleu, that girl was just very manipulated. He ignored the painful reminder that the kids were only here for a little while and growled, “Fine, just make sure he doesn’t eat any of Sixer’s pages or I’m eating him for lunch.” “Don’t worry, we keep books around him all the time.” Dipper said as he petted the pig’s head. “He knows not to bother them.” Dipper and Mabel dragged Stan out by his paws and for the outdoors. Waddles climbed up on Abuelita the armchair and curled up for a nap. The kids admired the beautiful garden covered in the late autumn snow. A soft blanket coated the whole world, fluffy but not delicate. Everyone was warmly dressed and ready to play. The twins took in deep breaths and then slowly counted to three. On three, they simultaneously jumped off the short balcony and landed on their faces. Stan watched, confused, but then they both rolled on their fronts and laughed, their breath visible, and they began to make snowangels on the ground. “Come on, Stan!” Mabel called. “Yeah, c’mon, man!” Dipper shouted happily. Stan smiled mischievously, took a step back, and then launched himself into the air. He landed with his beefy arms over each kid and his head in the middle, and when he turned on his back with the kids in his hold, all three were laughing like mad. Mabel swiftly made a snowball and threw it at Dipper’s face. He scrambled up after his running sister and threw one at her. Stan sat in the snow, watching the kids play, throwing snowballs at each other and running around the yard. His tail wagged against the sparkling snow. Dipper threw one and Mabel ran around Stan, resorting to the ball hitting him right in the face. Stan shook the snow out of his eyes as Mabel laughed and Dipper paled, but wearing a kind smirk on his face, Stan gathered a snowball in his paw and threw it at Dipper, who was hit in the chest and ran. Stan scurried to his feet and ran around with the kids, throwing slightly bigger snowballs that the kids enjoyed. Stan soon made a huge snowball with his strong arms, the ball almost as big as one child, but when Mabel threw one at Stan’s face he accidentally dropped the huge ball that was held over his head and he was covered in snow. Dipper and Mabel laughed so hard they had no choice but to stop running, leaning on each other for support. Stan found their laugh more contagious than the plague and roared with joy as he shook off the snow like a dog on all fours. Mabel ran into his arms and Dipper soon followed, hugging him to warm him up and apologize without words for winning the war. Stan was surprised by their desire to hug him, but he hugged them back gently and rubbed their backs, finding their clothes soaked. “Alright, gremlins, let’s get you dry and warm.” Stan said and picked them up to go back into the castle. “We can play again later.” “Okay,” Mabel cooed as she snuggled against Stan’s chest, holding onto his gray fur. “Hm, you’re so warm.” Stan’s own face suddenly felt a little warmer. “Yeah, well, there’s some benefits to being a big ugly monster, I guess.” That didn’t sit right with the twins. From each of his arms, they exchanged looks, but an idea came to Dipper that distracted him from Stan’s comment. “Hey, can we read with Ford while we dry off? He says he’s got lots of great stories to tell.” Stan smiled down at him. “You like him, don’t you?” “Yeah, he’s pretty cool.” Dipper said, glancing away. “I thought you would. You’re both nerds.” Stan teased. Dipper shrugged in a whatcha-gonna-do-about-it style. Mabel hopped down and said, “I’ll go get him so we can read together!” And she ran up the stairs. Dipper got down from Stan’s hold, too, and was about to go to the living room, but Stan spoke and stopped him in his tracks. “Kid, wait. You really like books, right?” Dipper turned and responded with a dip of his head. “Yeah, I do. I was pretty much the only one that read the library in town, and by library I mean one bookshelf.” Stan waved a paw towards himself. “Follow me. I got something for you.” Dipper casually followed Stan down a hallway and they stopped at the double doors. The beast turned to the boy and gave him a cunning smile. “Ah, ah. Close your eyes.” Dipper crossed his arms over his chest and sneered at him with a smile. “Is this a prank?” “No, just do it.” Stan chuckled. “It’s a surprise.” Dipper gave in and closed his eyes. After testing that he truly was blind by waving a paw in front of his face, Stan opened the doors and put a hand on his back to help him walk. “Okay, okay, here we go… okay, stop.” “Can I see?” “Hold it, squirt, gimme a sec.” Stan hurried to pull back curtains and brighten the room. Candles magically came to life. “Okay, okay… open ‘em up!” Dipper opened his eyes, blinked to adjust to the newfound light, and then his jaw dropped. Towering over him, a room arguably bigger than the ballroom held thousands if not hundreds of thousands of books. Rich mahogany desks sat filled with parchment and quills and ink, globes and atlas took up some desk space, but Dipper couldn’t tear his eyes away from all of the books. Stairways and ladders could reach the books up at the very top and giant windows seeped in beautiful sunlight to ease the eyes. “Shut. Up.” Dipper said hoarsely. “I’ve never seen so many books! Look at this place!” He went to a bookshelf and gently ran a hand over the dozens of spines exposed to him. “You like it?” Stan asked, leaning by the door with his arms crossed over his chest. “I love it!” “Then it’s all yours.” Dipper’s jaw was nearly on the floor when he turned to look at the master of the castle. “You really mean it?” “Sure do, Smart Guy.” Stan smiled at him. “Go nuts.” Dipper, trembling, ran to a shelf and began to pick books to read. Mabel came in, carrying Ford carefully like he was a baby, and she gasped joyfully. “Wowie, zowie! A whole library!” She gave Ford to Stan to hold and joined her brother, helping him by holding his stack of books. Stan smiled and opened Ford to talk to him. Immediately words appeared before him. That was ingenious, Stanley. Dipper will surely make good use out of the library. “Thanks, Sixer.” Stan watched the kids from across the vast room, his smile dropping. As a twin, he knew that it was rare to have something done only for you and not you and your twin. He wanted to do something special for each of them, but each of them separately. The library was Dipper’s, though Mabel was free to use it since she obviously liked stories (Stan noticed that Dipper liked “books” and Mabel liked “stories”), but she needed something of her own. “I wanna do something for Mabel.” He whispered. “But I know nothing about what girls like. Make-up? Dolls?” My knowledge on girls is also very limited. Ford admitted. But I do know that you should consider something that sparks her interests and not something exclusively femanine. You didn’t give Dipper a gun or a sword. Stan shrugged. “Okay, good point. So, what? What does Mabel like?” Well, I can recall her saying this morning that she loves sweaters. When I asked her about it, she said she loves to knit but could rarely afford the yarn. “That’s it!” Stan closed Ford gently and held him against his chest one-armed. “Mabel, sweetie, can you come with me? I got something for you, too.” Mabel shoved the twenty-plus books in her brother’s arms and ran up to Stan. He smiled at her huge grin and walked with her down the hall. He led her to a single door. Mabel instantly took off her pink headband and tied it over her eyes so she wouldn’t be tempted to peek. “I wanna be surprised!” She squealed. Stan chuckled. “Give me your hand, kid.” Mabel did and Stan led her into the room. He opened a curtain and let go of the girl’s little hand. “Alright, you can look now.” Mabel pulled her blindfold down onto her neck and she gasped so big her lungs filled quickly. It was like a grand supply closet. There was a wall full of rolls of different patterns of fabric and silk, figurines to make clothes on, drawers full of supplies, desks full of paints and canvases and brushes, and an odd shelf of some kind, squares that held bundles of yarn, all in rainbow order. What was better yet, this room may have been only twenty feet wide, but it was forty feet tall, like a tower, and a rolling ladder helped to reach the higher fabrics and yarns. A window as tall as the room let in bright sunlight to make crafting easy. “OH MY GOSH!” Mabel cried out and looked around the room. “It’s like arts-n’-crafts heaven!” “It was Ma’s room.” Stan shared as he chuckled over Mabel’s joy. “She used to come down here and spend hours painting and drawing and making clothes. Pa used to get on her case about it. Said she didn't give the seamstresses enough to do.” “Your dad sounds like a stupid jerk.” Mabel added quickly before resuming her cheerful attitude. “This is wonderful! I love it! LOOK at all the COLORS!” “If you like it so much, then it’s yours.” Stan said. Mabel turned and Stan was clutched to find her crying. Well, not really crying, but there were tears in her eyes and one escaped each eye, rolling down her cheeks. “THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!” Mabel cheered and ran to him. One arm busy holding Ford, Stan fell on his butt by the impact of the girl and she hugged him around his big neck, nuzzling her face into his fur. He stared ahead in astonishment and wrapped an arm around her, petting her soft brown hair and admiring her warmth. Too soon she skipped away and climbed up the ladder for some red yarn. “I’m gonna make you a sweater first! Then I’ll make Ford one, a little book-holder to keep him warm.” “I don’t think he really gets cold anymore.” Stan said as he stood again. “Well then, I’ll go ahead and make him a sweater to wear when he’s human again.” Mabel reasoned. Stan was distracted by that statement. When he was human again. When they were human again. He had lost all hope for so long of someone ever loving him that it seemed foolish to think of the curse ever being broken, but Mabel and Dipper seemed to like him, and Ford probably loved him (for some odd reason) so maybe it was possible for him to find a beautiful mademoiselle to love and have her love him back. Stan shook his train of thought away as Dipper now joined them, six books stacked in his arms and making his limbs quiver, but he didn’t seem to care. “Mabel, what’s… whoa-oh!” Dipper awed at the room. “No way! Cool art supplies.” “Thanks!” Mabel said and climbed down with red and orange yarn in her arms and she opened a drawer full of different size knitting needles and pulled out a pair she liked. “Wanna read to us by the fire?” “Sure.” In the lounge, Stan sat in front of the huge fireplace, making plenty of room for Ford to be safe. Dipper and Mabel sat in his lap, the boy at his left and the girl at his right, and Dipper opened Ford and the journal began to tell a story. Dipper read the words out-loud, occasionally having Mabel give reading a try, only needing assistance a handful of times for bigger words, but Ford seemed to purposely use smaller words when it was her turn to read. Stan, without realizing it, was purring. The children noticed, but said nothing. Mabel nuzzled closer to him, grateful for his large body and fluffy gray fur. She thought he was wonderful in every aspect and Dipper full-heartedly agreed. The biggest mystery of them all was how Dipper didn’t see this all before.

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Author’s Note: This… this is where, in my humble opinion, the story actually becomes worth reading. I feel like the patience we, the audience, must have with the BatB story - seeing the Beast as he is before his change of heart, seeing Belle run away and all the obstacles before them both - make the bonding scenes even better. Gives a FINALLY sort of feeling. I wanted to carry that over here, making the beginning a little slow (though I probably lost some readers that way), but making it even more rewarding for those who read on. Or maybe I’m just making an excuse for a suck-ish beginning. Who knows. Okay, so Waddles NOT being a footstool is so that it ties in more to the canon GF storyline. I didn’t want Waddles to be some pet Stan didn’t like and only tolerated for someone else’s sake or a farm-animal that was at the wrong place at the wrong time. Rather, I had him always be Mabel’s and I also left him at home in the beginning to better parallel the show’s canon (even though Waddles is in the intro, he isn’t introduced until S1E9). I also, mainly, just really wanted Stan to only allow Waddles in the castle to make Mabel happy, cuz Imma sap that’s why. Moving on, I put both Days in the Sun and a hint of Something There at the end. When writing the snow scene, I listened to Wolf Children’s Snow soundtrack; I personally thought it fit so well. Not much else to say except Mabel’s craft-room is my idea and I love love LOVE the library scene (both in this fic and in the animated BatB movie; the live-action movie RUINED the scene!) Thank you so much for reading, and I hope y’all enjoy it!

#GF #gravity falls #ford pines #stan pines #mabel pines #dipper pines #beauty within the fallen #fanfiction #love #snow #wolf children #library #gotta love some stan twins angst #BONDING #okay but seriously HUGE thanks to everyone who's been supporting this #thank you so so much to every who's been following and leaving nice comments #love y'all!

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minijenn · 5 years ago

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Universe Falls Chapter 74

Merry Early Christmas, ya’ll! Here’s an early present for you, UF’s first musical chapter! As fun as this was to work on, its honestly just... ok. Some things about it could be better but eh I was already taking way too long to get it done in the first place so I figured might as well get it out of the way. Either way, I hope you enjoy it all the same!

Previous: https://minijenn.tumblr.com/post/189362205964/universe-falls-chapter-73

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Chapter 74: Mr. Greg

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"From the moment the meat hits the flame, my stomach is growling without any shame!"

"And I know in my gut, it's been worth the $5.95!"

"Would you like a burger? From Pepe's Burgers?"

As the catchy, all too familiar jingle brought the commercial to an end, the TV buzzed to static once again, though that static was soon filled in by the flood of reactions to the ad itself.

"Whoa! Your song is on TV!" Steven exclaimed, looking to his father absolutely starstruck as he sat alongside the twins.

"Yeah, but is it just me or was there something sorta… different about it this time around?" Mabel wondered, curious.

"The words, Mabel, it was the words," Dipper pointed out, rather deadpan.

"Nah, that wasn't it."

"Well, I'll hand it to ya, Greg," Stan remarked, arms crossed as he leaned against the side of the van. "Looks like one of your songs finally accomplished something after all these years: it made me want a burger!"

The conman let out a joking laugh at this, one that Greg joined in on, just a bit more good-naturedly. "Ah, well, that wasn't the only thing it accomplished. You guys remember my old manager, Marty, right? Well, turns out he sold my song as a burger jingle. He sent me a letter explaining the whole thing, and included in that letter was this." The former rock star pulled a small slip of paper out his pocket, presenting it to the others. At first, none of them were really sure what it was until Stan happened to be the first to notice the one, followed by a very lengthy string of zeros, written on it. Topped off by a dollar sign, of all things.

"No," the conman gasped, eyes wide as he took the check to look over it himself. "No way… G-Greg, i-is… is this real?"

"Sure is," Greg nodded, grinning. "I honestly didn't believe it myself at first but it's true. Guess I'm filthy stinkin' rich now! Ten million big ones for something I wrote years ago! Crazy how things work out, huh? And-uh, Mr. Pines? Are you ok?"

Everyone turned to look at Stan, who was obviously beside himself with glee based on the massive grin on his face as he held onto Greg's check as if it were the most precious thing in the world. And, based on how much money it actually was worth, it might as well have been. "Greg," he began, his tone uncharacteristically pleasant and saccharine. "Have I ever told you that you were the best employee I've ever had?"

"Uh… no?" Greg raised a confused eyebrow. "But… thanks?"

"But Grunkle Stan, what about Soos and Wendy?" Mabel asked.

"This isn't about them, pumpkin, it's about Greg and his millions-o-of great qualities, that is!" Stan quickly saved himself with a tight laugh as he waved the check around. "L-like his generosity for instance! Always so giving and selfless. In fact, I'm sure that if you found a worthwhile charity or, oh, I dunno, former boss of yours to donate a few hundred or thousand or hundred thousand to, then you wouldn't hesitate, right?"

"Gee, Mr. Pines," Greg smirked knowingly as he finally took his check back from the conman. "You wouldn't happen to have anyone in mind, would you?"

"Well…" Stan began quite leadingly.

"Oh please, Stan, can't you think about anything other than money for five minutes?" Pearl finally spoke up, sending the conman a critical glance.

"Uh, I would, Pearl, if there was anything else worth thinkin' about," Stan shot back with a smug grin.

Pearl simply ignored him, rolling her eyes as she took another look at the burger commercial playing out on the TV. "I still don't understand…" she said, confused. "What exactly is this?"

"You know when Rose came to my concert?" Greg began with a wide grin. "The night we met? I was playing this song!"

"...This is what did it?" Pearl asked, baffled. "Burgers?"

"It wasn't about burgers back then," Greg clarified. "But she probably would have liked this too, right?"

"...She would have loved it…" the white Gem sighed, defeated as she turned to walk to the far side of the van.

Likewise, Greg also let out something of a dejected sigh as he turned the TV off, though none of the others really seemed to notice. "So what are you going to do with all that money, Mr. Universe?" Dipper asked, curious.

"Oh! I know!" Mabel enthusiastically raised her hand. "You could buy a swimming pool and then buy another swimming pool to put inside it and fill that swimming pool with jelly beans! Or you could buy a pet monkey and a fancy tuxedo for him to wear! Or-or… a rocket ship piloted by your pet monkey, with a jelly bean filled swimming pool inside another swimming pool to take you to your own personal planet!"

"Geez, Mabel, reign it back a bit, will ya?" Stan remarked, crossing his arms. "Besides, I thought we already established that Greg was gonna donate most of that money to me-I mean, a charitable cause. Yeah, there we go."

"Heh, well, you guys have some pretty… interesting ideas there," Greg said with a small smile. "But to be honest… I'm not really sure what I'm gonna do with the money."

Despite the bewildered looks the others gave him at this admission, nonetheless the former rock star took a seat in the back of his van, pulling out his guitar to strum a simple, relaxing tune. One that he was more than happy to sing along with.

"Bright sunny day, don't cost nothin'. Light summer breeze, don't cost nothin'. What do I do with all this money? When the only thing I want is you?" he smiled to his son in particular, who instantly perked up to hear one of his father's classic, off the cuff songs.

"Palling around, don't cost nothin'. Singing a song, don't cost nothin'. How do I spend all this money? I'd rather just spend time with you."

"You could buy a house," Steven piped up, offering suggestions through song himself. "And a car."

"I guess that I can, but I've already got a van," Greg noted, nodding back to said van, a loyal, longtime vehicle he had no interest in replacing any time soon. "I could put you through college."

"But I'm with the Gems all the time," the young Gem pointed out with a shrug.

"...Or I could buy you all the finest courses online."

"What if we took a trip?" Steven ventured after a moment or two of thought.

"Do you think?" the former rock star inquired, intrigued by this suggestion.

The young Gem nodded. "We could go somewhere new! We could take a vacation, and you guys could come too!" he finished, smiling brightly to Stan and the twins as they listened in.

"Woo! Yeah! Vacation!" Mabel cheered, immediately excited by the prospect. "I've been dying to get away and see somewhere new!"

"Mabel, we've just spent the past several weeks on end away at the barn," Dipper pointed out, reigning his sister's zeal in with a small laugh.

"Yeah, but we were there to work," Mabel countered. "This trip is gonna be for fun! Right, Grunkle Stan?"

"Hey, if Greg's payin', I'm all for it," Stan remarked. "What do ya say, Greg? Tropical cruise to the Bahamas? Or are you more of a luxury beach house in the Keys sorta guy?"

"Hm…" Greg took a moment to think over these vacation ideas, before he came up with a suggestion all his own. "I know a place that's always exciting! The shows and the sights and the lights that are blinding!" the former rock star's tempo picked up from his previous song as he rummaged through the back of his van for a postcard featuring his chosen destination. "Emerald City! I'm talkin' Emerald City!"

The kids exchanged an excited glance at this, immediately taken by the idea of venturing out to the famously beautiful northern city. Still, Greg sold the prospect of the trip to them even more as he jumped out of the back of the van, his upbeat tune continuing all the while. "The streets and the sounds and the buildings heightening! A place that's so bright it's like clear, white lightning! Emerald City! Let's go to Emerald City!"

This momentum continued as Greg and Steven began leading the way up to the temple so the young Gem could start packing for the trip. The twins joined in on this energy as they followed, with Mabel dragging a much more begrudging Stan along with them.

"I know a place that's always exciting," Greg began a refrain of his first verse as the group burst into the house, startling Pearl in the process as she stood near the kitchen. "The shows and the sights and the lights that are blinding!"

"We don't need money, but it could be funny," Steven harmonized under his father's melody, quickly throwing his things into his hot dog duffel bag.

"The streets and the sounds and the buildings heightening!"

"So let's go today-"

"A place that's so bright it's like clear, white lightning!"

"Just point me the way to-"

"Emerald City!" Steven and Greg finished together, with the young Gem bringing both Dipper and Mabel into this bold final lyric. Though perhaps not the final lyric as Steven tacked one more onto it at the last second. "And let's bring Pearl!"

"W-what?" Greg balked, caught off guard by the idea.

"Ugh, kid, what's wrong with you?" Stan scowled. "I thought the whole point of this trip was to skip town and have fun. And everybody knows Pearl doesn't know the meaning of the word fun."

"Hey! I do too know what 'fun' is!" Pearl protested, offended. "Why, just yesterday, I had an exceptional un time sorting and organizing every single pot, plate, and utensil in this kitchen. And if that's not fun, then I don't know what is."

"...Well then, I stand corrected," Stan said, absolutely deadpan.

"Aw, you should come with us to Emerald City, Pearl!" Mabel said, offering a bright smile to the white Gem. "I heard there's this magical wizard there, and to get there, you have to drive on this really pretty yellow brick road. Not sure how great that is for your tires, but still, it sounds really cool."

"That's a different Emerald City, Mabel," Dipper pointed out dryly.

"Wait… you mean there's more than one?!"

"Um… still, you gotta come with us, Pearl!" Steven made another attempt at convincing the white Gem. "You always work so hard, keeping the Earth safe, keeping the house clean; you deserve a vacation!"

"Er… I don't know, Steven…" Pearl frowned, clearly uncomfortably as she turned away slightly. "Past experiences have taught me that three is a crowd…"

The young Gem was rather confused by this, at least until his father interjected in an equally uncertain whisper. "Steven, me and Pearl haven't gotten along that well, since… uh, well, since I started dating your mother." Greg frowned, casting a brief, bittersweet glance back at the portrait of the aforementioned pink Gem hanging over the door. Almost as if she was still watching, even now that she was gone.

"Oh, come on," Steven pouted earnestly. "We're all one big family! So this will be a great family vacation! Featuring the Universes," he grinned as he wrapped an arm around his dad's shoulder before nodding over to the twins and Stan. "The Pines, uh… Pearl. And don't forget Mom!"

Greg and Pearl in particular flinched as Steven pulled his shirt up a bit to reveal his Gem. Or rather, what had once been Rose's Gem.

Pearl was still clearly hesitant, taking in a sharp hiss through her teeth as she exchanged a rather uneasy glance with the former rock star, neither of them really sure how to feel about this situation. Ultimately though, the white Gem folded upon taking another look at Steven's pleading expression, one that was accompanied by similar looks from both Mabel and Dipper alike. And under that sort of pressure, how could she even hope to resist? "Oh, alright…" she sighed begrudgingly. "I… I'll come…"

"Yes!" Steven and Mabel cheered in delighted unison, though as they did, Dipper happened to consider something neither of them had.

"Wait, so if this is a 'family' vacation," he began thoughtfully. "Then shouldn't Great Uncle Ford come with us too?"

"Oh yeah!" Mabel exclaimed. "It can't be a Universe/Pines family vacation without Grunkle Ford coming along! It just wouldn't be complete!"

"Uh, yeah, it would!" Stan interjected somewhat harshly. "Who says we need Ford to come with us? Heck, he'd be an even bigger killjoy than Pearl's gonna end up being on this trip."

"Stan!" Pearl huffed, annoyed, though the conman ignored her as he continued.

"Anyway, he's not coming," Stan concluded staunchly, stubbornly. "And that's final."

"But Grunkle Stan, this is a family trip," Mabel argued.

"And Great Uncle Ford is just as much a part of the family as any of us are," Dipper added much more firmly.

"Oh yeah," the conman scowled bitterly. "Well if he's really a 'part of this family' then why doesn't he ever act like it?"

Stan didn't give either of the younger twins a chance to respond as he gruffly turned on his heel and walked out of the house without another word. A somewhat awkward air filled the room at this, at least until Greg filled it with an apologetic frown. "Aw, sorry, kids. I guess it's just gonna be the six of us heading to Emerald City, huh?"

"Wrong," Steven spoke up, placing a reassuring hand on both of the rather dejected twins' shoulders. He offered them both a kind smile, one that was more than enough to tell them that he was going to help them bring their entire family together on this trip, no matter what it took. "It's gonna be seven."

"No. Absolutely not."

Steven, Dipper, and Mabel barely managed to hold back a shared sigh of disappointment upon hearing Ford's outright rejection of their proposal, one that came the moment they so much as mentioned Stan would be coming along on the trip.

"But Grunkle Ford, Emerald City is gonna be great!" Mabel urged, stopping the author in his tracks as he moved about his study by grabbing onto the edge of his coat. "We'll have an adventure in self-discovery and melt a witch with a bucket of water and sing a whole bunch of songs! It's gonna be so much fun!"

"Again, Mabel, that's the wrong Emerald City you're talking about," Dipper corrected, though he interjected once more after a beat of thought. "Well, aside from the songs part, I guess. This is a musical after all."

"Well then, you children are more than welcome to go and have a marvelous time," Ford remarked dismissively as he reclaimed the edge of his coat. "But I won't be joining you. I'm afraid I have far too much to catch up on here and besides, I have no interest whatsoever in going anywhere with-" The author stopped short, sparing a glance down at the trio of kids before he decided to cap his statement off on a seemingly different statement altogether. "I-I… I'd simply rather not go. I'm sorry."

While the twins exchanged a dejected glance at this, Steven wasn't about to give up so easily. "But Mr. Ford…" the young Gem began leadingly, grinning to the twins beside him to tip them off to his plan. His musical plan. "Wouldn't you like-a chance to escape and just break from that boring old routine?" Steven began, taking on a bright, optimistic melody, one that Mabel and Dipper were both quick to catch onto with their own additions.

"Wouldn't you like-a chance to go where you know there are things you've never seen?" Mabel sang brightly, offering the author a convincing grin.

"Wouldn't you like-to explore so much more than you ever have before?" Dipper added trying his best to match Steven and Mabel's enthusiasm.

"Cause wouldn't you like a chance to get away?!" all three kids harmonized, capping their first verse off well and aptly confusing Ford in the process.

"Why are you three singing?" the author asked, bewildered.

"Cause like Dipper said, it's a musical!" Steven grinned, though even so, Ford was still absolutely lost.

"...What? "

"Wouldn't you like-to try something new with a few of your favorite friends?" Mabel kicked off the next verse, slipping to the still-confounded author's side as Dipper did the same.

"Wouldn't you like-to be free, to go out and about to find out what's waiting 'round the bend?" he turned in with a hopeful shrug as Steven came in to finish off another verse.

"Wouldn't you like-to go searching and find everything you're looking for?"

"Cause wouldn't you like a chance to get away?!" the trio finished off in unison once more, briefly giving Ford another short-lived attempt at cutting through the song once again.

"Now, children, I-"

"Wouldn't you like-" Mabel interrupted, as vibrantly as ever. "An adventure with friends where excitement never ends?"

"Wouldn't you like-" Steven sang with a warm, brimming grin. "To go see what the world's all about, see what's flashy and brand new?"

"Wouldn't you like-" Dipper chimed in, joining Steven and Mabel as they came together for the song's grand finale. "To check out what you've missed while you gone for so long?"

"Cause wouldn't you like-" all three of the kids sang before splitting off to build up towards the end.

"Wouldn't you like-"

"Wouldn't you like…."

"A chance to get away!?" they all finished, presenting their case to the author with matching, earnest, almost pleading smiles. Smiles that even Ford was powerless to say no to.

So instead, he let out a long sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose before he finally gave in. "Fine. I… suppose I can spare a night away from my research." The author cracked a small, somewhat wry smile as Steven, Dipper, and Mabel all let out a shared, excited gasp. "But only because you kids asked in such a… unique way."

"Well, I've learned from experience that when in doubt, nothing works better than a song," Steven shrugged with a small laugh, one that Dipper and Mabel readily joined in on before they sang one final, triumphant refrain of their successful song.

"Now it's time to take that chance and get away!"

It was quite a lengthy drive in Greg's relatively packed van to get all the way up to Emerald City, though as the kids spotted the sparkling metropolis on the horizon, it soon became apparent that it was worth the trip. Emerald City certainly lived up to its glamorous reputation, with towering skyscrapers glittering against the deep night sky, casting an almost ethereal reflection upon the vast lakes and rivers and bays that surrounded it. These clean-cut, futuristic buildings became even more impressive up close as the van winded through its narrow, maze-like streets, allowing everyone a grand tour of the town, at least until they pulled up to their destination.

According to a brief internet search, Le Hotel was the fanciest, ritziest hotel Emerald City had to offer. And indeed, it fit the bill as it towered high as one of the city's tallest buildings, elegant and refined from the outside in as its grand lobby carried the same radiant theme. The group entered with various levels of amazement towards this sophisticated atmosphere, even if they did look quite a bit out of place in that atmosphere given their relatively normal attire and attitude. Even as Greg stepped up to the check-in counter, the clerk simply looked over him with a brief, haughty scoff. His manner hardly changed as the former rock star confidently presented him with his new business card, which colorfully read "Greg Universe: Bazillionaire". However, it was only as Steven peered over the edge of the counter and plopped down one of the many large stacks of cash his father had brought along that the mood of the entire hotel seemed to change. Staff passing by stopped dead in their tracks, the clerk eyed the money being presented to him with obvious shock, and all the while Greg stood by, grinning to the others about the upscale experience they were about to receive.

An experience that of course, kicked off with a song.

"Hey, shake a leg!" the clerk called the rest of the staff, who chimed in just as enthusiastically.

"Hey, shake a leg!"

"It's Mr. Greg!"

"And he's here to spend his dough all over town!"

At this, the staff mobilized efficiently, quite literally sweeping the Universe, Pines, and Pearl up to carry them off to the hotel's fine, five star restaurant. Without any hesitation, they sat them all down at the finest table in the center of the banquet hall, serving up the finest (most expensive) meal they had to offer.

"He's got the bucks!" the staff sang once again as Greg blithely answered them.

"I've got the bucks!"

"It's all deluxe."

"It's all deluxe!" Greg agreed, much to the excitement of not just the kids, but Stan in particular as he greedily began to tear into the massive, steaming steak placed in front of him. "When you're dining out with me, it's the finest steak and brie." The former rock star was clearly caught up in the somewhat manic, celebratory mood as he hopped up onto the table, catching the others off guard while he began to dance. "And if I break a table, it ain't no-whoa!" Inevitably, Greg did break the table, splitting it clean in half as he fell and knocked nearly all of the food off of it, save for Stan's steak, which the conman had wisely managed to save just in the nick of time. An awkward beat of silence passed at this as the surrounding staff looked to Greg expectantly, but all the same, the former rock star simply laughed his faux pas off as he pulled yet another large bill out of his pocket and handed it to the clerk. "Just bill it to my bank."

"A hundred bucks?!" the clerk exclaimed, amazed. "Gee, thanks!"

Before anyone had a chance to finish up their meals, the staff members led them off again, this time out of the restaurant and towards the elevator, which carried them all the way up to the building's hundredth floor. Its penthouse suite.

Said suite certainly rivaled the decadence and splendor of anything any of them had seen thus far. It was a massive complex, with several rooms, enough for everyone, all connected to the grand main room, which was completed by its very own full-sized swimming pool and slide. However, the lavish accommodations weren't the only surprise the hotel staff had in store. For after a quick round of measurements, they had managed to outfit everyone, kids and adults alike, in matching fine tuxedos and top hats, garbing them all in a look befitting the wealth they were all enjoying.

As elegantly clad as they now were, Greg and the kids alike didn't waste any time in indulging in all the penthouse had to offer, namely, its massive pool. Even despite the expensive, top line suits and ties, they all jumped right in, Greg taking the slide as Steven and Mabel canonballed into the deep end without any second thoughts. Dipper did hesitate for just a moment, that is, until the pair ultimately hopped up out of the water and pulled him right in along with them.

Yet, despite the fun the kids and the former rock star were all clearly having as they quite literally dived right into their vacation, not everyone was joining in. While Stan clearly appreciated his new upscale suit, Ford wasn't as taken with his, particularly the top hat and bow tie and the memories he couldn't help but associate with them.

"Well, these won't be missed," the author frowned, handing both off to the nearest staff member. His brother, on the other hand, gladly touched up his own with a wide, cocky grin, clearly enjoying what was perhaps his first real taste of a life of luxury.

"I could get used to this!" the conman proclaimed, barely even noticing Ford's annoyed scowl at all.

"Of course, you'd find this exciting," he remarked, arms crossed as he glared away.

"Better than your boring old writing," Stan jabbed back, reclaiming the author's top hat and pulling it down over his eyes.

"Would you grow up!?" Ford huffed, frustrated as he tossed the hat aside again.

"You first!" Stan taunted, helping himself to the penthouse's wetbar.

"Is it just me or are they getting worse?" Dipper asked, noticing this exchange from the pool as he exchanged an apprehensive glance with Mabel. Likewise, Steven spotted the obvious tension between the brothers, though that wasn't all he saw as he happened to spot Pearl, lingering quietly near the far side of the pool. Even compared to Stan and Ford, she hadn't engaged in the festivities whatsoever, instead opting to observe alone from the sidelines, seemingly unamused. That is, until Greg and Steven decided to get involved.

While Pearl didn't often change her attire, she was quite surprised to see how nicely her own suit looked on her as the kids came together to convince her to try it on at least. And from the moment she did, she couldn't help but finally join in on the lighthearted spirit of the evening. "I must admit-" she began with a growing smile.

"You must admit," Greg and Steven echoed happily as they posed alongside her.

"It's a perfect fit!" the white Gem grinned, adjusting her top hat gracefully.

"You look great in it!"

"And those fountains I found wasteful," she nodded over to one of the several elegant fountains lining the penthouse. "Are actually quite tasteful! This city's got its charm, unlike that termite-ridden barn. And any time with Steven makes for a delightful evenin'!" She laughed, falling in step alongside the young Gem for a spirited round of tap-dancing.

"You're having fun!" Greg exclaimed, pleasantly surprised.

"More or less," Pearl shrugged, grinning. However, that grin quickly fell the moment the former rock star grabbed her hand to pull her into another dance.

"So dance with me, just say-"

"NO!"

Pearl's stark shout echoed through the lofty halls of the penthouse suite, bringing both the song and the cheery mood to an abrupt end. An air of startled, awkward silence filled in for both instead, one that seemed to grow even more awkward and heavy as all eyes turned to the crestfallen white Gem herself. Pearl flinched, unsure of what to say at first, especially as she met Greg's sad, yet earnest expression. "I-I… I mean…" Ultimately, however, she let out a bitter sigh, turning away from the entire group as she sulked off to some other part of the penthouse just to get away from it all. "Maybe later…"

"Boo!" one of the hotel employees called after her, disappointed. "You ruined the song!"

"Er, uh… sorry, guys," Greg frowned, dispensing a handful of cash out to the staff to compensate them as they took their leave. "Thanks for singing with us."

"W-well, I guess our super fun city vacation could be getting off to a bit of a better start than this, huh?" Mabel asked with a fretful frown.

"Yeah…" Steven sighed, looking off in the direction Pearl had retreated to. "It really could…"

"Aw, don't worry about it, kiddo," Greg reassured his son, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder, all while hiding his own lingering regret well. "It's always been this way…"

"Hm… perhaps I should go talk to talk to her, Greg," Ford volunteered thoughtfully. "After all, I think it's safe to say I have just as much experience as you do when it comes to Pearl and this… particular problem…"

The former rock star offered the author a grateful smile at this, catching his drift all too well. "Thanks, Mr. Ford."

"Yeah, go on, Ford, while the rest of us have fun, you and Pearl can have your sad little nerd party of two," Stan remarked with an obviously teasing smirk. "See, kids? I told ya both of them would end up being nothing but a bunch of killjoys on this trip."

"Grunkle Stan-" Dipper began, shaking his head disapprovingly over such a tactless remark.

However, Ford was more than ready to intervene on his own behalf instead. "Oh, so now I'm a killjoy?" the author countered, turning back to face his brother. "Well, forgive me that I have no interest in losing my mind over a bunch of big-city frivolity."

"Tch, obviously," Stan remarked, rolling his eyes. "So if you aren't here for any of that, why'd you even come in the first place? 'Cause as far as I can tell, if ya ain't here to have a good time, then you might as well not even be here in the first place."

For a moment, Ford simply sent the conman a bitter scowl at this, much to the worry of the younger pair of twins as they watched this icy exchange unfold. However, what none of them, not even Stan himself, could have expected was what the author did next. He reached out, his expression completely unreadable as he placed a hand on his brother's shoulder… and abruptly shoved him right into the swimming pool behind him.

Ford was the first, and for a long time, only one of the group to break out into a heavy burst of laughter as Stan splashed into the deep end before floundering back up to the surface, completely flustered. "Well, I don't know about the rest of you," the author chuckled, beside himself with amusement, especially as he caught sight of the conman's dumbfounded face. "But I'm certainly having a great time now!"

At this, Dipper and Mabel finally let out a small, shared laugh themselves, one that Greg and Steven slowly joined in on themselves. With the tension in the air finally cleared, Stan couldn't help but crack a small, subtle smirk himself as he pulled himself out of the pull and wrung his hat out in the process. "Alright, fine," he scoffed playfully. "Consider this payback for that time when we were in 6th grade and I pushed ya off the diving board at the public pool."

"Please, Stanley, I'd hardly consider this payback," Ford remarked with a flippant wave of his hand, even though he was still chuckling somewhat. "Especially since you did that right in front of Cathy Crenshaw."

"Aw, c'mon, sixer, you always knew a square like you would have never been able to land a catch like 'Cold-Stone Crenshaw'," Stan jabbed, elbowing his brother wryly.

"True, though at the very least I never struck out with her like you did with Carla McCorkle," Ford retorted just as confidently.

"Hey! I never 'struck out' with Carla!" the conman protested. "It was that stupid hippie and his stupid bellbottom jeans that stole her away from me! I can still remember the day they rocketed out of the Juke Joint without me and she left me behind…"

"Believe me, so can I, seeing as how you wouldn't stop crying about it for at least a week after," Ford said with a knowing smirk. "Who was the 'sad nerd' back then, Stanley?"

"Pfft, you, sixer, 'specially after your dumb 'ol bust of-what was that guy's name again? Tulip? Toyla?"

"Tesla," Ford corrected pointedly.

"Sure, whatever, 'Tesla', fell off the shelf and broke that one night."

"Well, of course I was upset about that, Stanley, it was a collectible!"

"Oh yeah? Well so was Carla McCorkle!"

A beat of silence passed between the brothers at such a bizarre remark, but ultimately, the humor of just how strange it was wasn't lost on either one of them. At the exact same moment, they both burst until yet another round of bombastic laughter, one that was completely warm and genuine, much to the delight of the younger twins observing. As they shared a delighted grin with Steven, the young Gem offered them a supportive thumbs up before gently shoving his father away to offer the family some much-needed privacy.

"Wow! Aren't we all having such a fun time!?" Mabel chimed in with a bright, leading smile. "It's nights like tonight that just make you wanna forget all of the bad stuff back in the past and look ahead to a bright and happy future, don't you guys agree?"

"Try not to be too on the nose there, Mabel…" Dipper warned in a worried whisper. And yet, neither Stan and Ford's bright mood was dampened by this as they instead offered each other a relenting, yet lighthearted grin instead.

"You know… perhaps it does…" Ford said with a humbling sigh, noting his brother's growing relief and excitement. "After all, what else are vacations like this for than for… getting away from it all?"

Needless to say a line like this was more than enough to prompt another song, one that, much to Dipper and Mabel's continually elated surprise at this situation as a whole, Stan ended up starting off. "We came all this way to give us a fresh start," he began on a tune that was fittingly airy and easy. "And now I'm wondering how we even fell apart?"

"You know it's so strange, I can't help but agree," Ford shrugged incredulously. "Maybe its this city air, or maybe it's just me."

"We've been fallin' out for way too long," Stan sang, picking up a hint of an upbeat swing. "So let's forget who's right."

"And forget who's wrong."

"Ok!" Dipper and Mabel chimed in brightly, so, so happy to see their uncles finally begin to repair all that had been broken between them so long ago.

"And here I thought making amends would be our last resort," Ford added, this time gladly accepting the reclaimed tophat his brother was holding out to him.

"But life's too short!" they sang together, back to back as they shared a cordial grin.

"To always feel shut out, forgotten by the brother I used to know," Stan's smile dimmed only somewhat at this, remembering those nearly 40 years of bitter separation, as well as his own countless mistakes along the way that had brought that separation about to begin with.

"Life's too short!"

"To never let the pain and regrets that defined both our pasts just go," Ford did his best to hold back a sigh here, knowing that those regrets were far too many to name. And as heavy of a weight as they were, maybe it was indeed finally time to just let them go altogether.

"Whoaohoh!"

"I never understood," the brothers sang in harmony, both in tune and in spirit as they both came to meet each other halfway for the first time in a very long time. "But now I do! Life's too short-to miss out on a brother like you!"

The duet came to its apparent close with another strong laugh between the brothers, one that more or less solidified the newly-revived warm feelings between them. And as far as both Dipper and Mabel were concerned, considering the tense bitterness that they had always seen between their uncles before, this was more than a welcome change.

"So are things finally, you know, cool between you guys now?" Dipper asked, aptly hopeful.

"Well…"

"You bet they are, kid," Stan interrupted, catching Ford off guard by tossing an arm over his shoulder. "Well, at least they will be once this guy gives me the 'thank you' he's owed me ever since he got back."

"Thank you?" Ford asked, genuinely confused. "For what?"

"Uh, for busting my butt for the past 30 years so I could bring you back from wherever you were, duh," Stan remarked as though it was obvious. "Geez, and I thought you were supposed to be the smart one, sixer."

However, instead of providing the thanks the conman was expecting, the author instead looked to him incredulously, almost as if he was baffled that he'd even bothered to ask for it in the first place. Which, by most accounts, he very much was. "Thank you?" he asked, scoffing right off the bat. "Thank you? Why would I thank you when you were the one who got me sucked into the portal in the first place?!"

"Ugh, that was 30 years ago, Ford!" Stan groaned, annoyed. "You just said so yourself, it's time to finally let that go."

"How can I when you essentially ruined my life?!"

"You ruined your own life!"

This dig clearly struck an all-too painful chord with both of the older twins, calling back far to many agonizing memories from 30 years past to keep any of them straight. At the same time, their niblings exchanged a distraught, desperate glance, realizing that just as quickly as things had started to come together between their uncles, in much of the very same way, they were rapidly starting to fall apart.

"So we make up and hug? That's how your story ends?" Ford began again, his tune much more sharp and harsh than it had been before.

"Uh, yeah, it'll be just like it was," Stan countered, still somewhat hopeful that things could turn themselves around. Even though he knew the line clearly had already been crossed. "Ya know, when we were best friends?"

"So that's your big plan? To force me back in a cage?" the author accused, glaring his brother down coldly.

"Whoa, let's not freak out!" Stan countered, trying his best to ease the growing tension. "Let's get back on the same page-"

"Gee, thanks for telling me that to my face!" Ford's glare turned to a false, sardonic grin as he made an attempt at shoving Stan away. "And showing off your mastery of tact and grace!"

"No way…" the younger twins sighed, realizing just how south things really were going.

"Nevermind how you spilled my secrets, gave a full report!"

"Wait-" Stan attempted to interject, but Ford clearly was having none of it.

"Cause life's too short!"

"There it is! The door you love to slam in my face!" Stan immediately shot back, his tone every bit as fierce as the author's as he spun back around to face him. "You did well there for a spell but now we're back in the same place. Tell me off if you want, but I'm the only one who wasted 30 long years on trying to save you!"

"You can waste whatever you want 'cause I don't care!" Ford huffed crossly, throwing his hands up at his equally disgruntled brother. "You're a fool who opened the portal!"

"That is SO unfair!"

"I swear!" both brothers sang in a harsh, hardened lack of harmony. "I'm through with taking your unshaking brotherly support!"

"Support!"

"Ha! 'Cause life's too short!"

"To let you get off it all so scott free," Stan scowled, his hands in tight, practically shaking fists at his sides. "Without thinking about thanking me!"

"Life's too short!"

"To listen to a reckless fool!" Ford argued hotly, borderline hatefully even. "Who only ever sees what he wants to see!"

"You don't know-"

"You have no idea-"

"What I've been through! Because of you!" they both sang together, hostile and explosive and completely unaware of their niblings' immense dread as they helplessly watched all this unfold.

"Life's too short to waste another minute!"

"Life's too short to even have you in it!"

"Life's too short!" They finished fiercely, abruptly turning on their heels before they both walked away in opposite directions, their stance on each other very clear. And as they parted ways, they left the younger pair of twins behind, awash in the echo of their angry, bitter refrain.

"W-well that… didn't go great…" Mabel frowned, disappointed. "Heck, so far almost none of this vacation has… 'specially not with those two... What are we supposed to do, Dipper?"

Dipper didn't answer right away, instead catching the briefest of glances between Stan and Ford right before they both slipped into their own respective rooms on the opposite side of the penthouse for the night. In the end though, he sighed dejectedly, not even sharing any of the same sparse shreds of hope Mabel was still clinging onto. "I don't know, Mabel…" he admitted quietly before he turned to walk away himself. "I don't know…"

And with that, the younger twins parted ways, if not in words than in sentiment, repeating the very same empty, hopeless verse their uncles had before them.

Despite the upbeat excitement that had been going around as the group pulled into Emerald City earlier that evening, those celebratory feelings were in short supply by the time they all ended up turning in for bed. With the former levity drained from the penthouse in its entirety, its guests soon slipped into slumber instead, with just about everyone taking a separate room in the sizable suite, save for Greg and Steven who ended up bunking together. And it was as they lay on the luxurious king-sized bed, quietly snoozing away, that Pearl quietly entered.

After that initial song, the white Gem had made herself rather scarce, not really wanting to face anyone, the former rock star in particular. However, as she softly stepped into the room to stand alongside the bed, she couldn't help but crack a small, somewhat bittersweet smile, especially as she spotted the bouquet of roses resting on the nightstand beside it. Pearl let out an almost inaudible sigh as she plucked one of the flowers, holding onto it gently as she let her many mingled thoughts and feelings out in a soft, solemn tune.

"I was fine with the men, who would come into her life now and again." Men such as Ford and so many others even before him, all of whom had captivated Rose in some sort of way, be it romantic or otherwise. But all of them had come, in and out of her life in a constant flux all the same, always dwarfed by just how broad and brightly the pink Gem had always shined. "I was fine, 'cause I knew that they didn't really matter… until you…"

The white Gem's smile finally fell as she looked back to Greg, unknowingly slumbering before her. Still clinging onto her rose, she slipped her top hat back on and stepped out onto the nearby balcony, all the while unaware that she had awakened a certain young Gem in the process.

"I was fine when you came and we fought like it was all some silly game." It really had seemed so silly back then, so innocent, just like so many of the others had been. Just another human who would happen to catch Rose's fancy for a while before ultimately being left behind. Another human who would never be able to stay by her side for as long as Pearl herself had. "Over her, who she'd choose. After all those years, I never thought I'd lose…"

"It's over, isn't it? Isn't it? Isn't it over?" she sang sadly, mournfully almost as the dull lights of the sparkling city seemed to float and drift around her. "It's over, isn't it? Isn't it? Isn't it over?"

"You won, and she chose you," she admitted, knowing it was the truth. But even if it was the truth and it had been the truth for several years now, that never made facing it any easier. "And she loved you and she's gone… It's over, isn't it, why can't I move on?"

At this, Pearl performed an elegant leap onto the balcony's narrow edge, balancing skillfully between it and the city streets far, far below her. All the same, she danced deftly on that fine line, all the while reveling in both her memories and the grief that came along with them. "War, and glory, reinvention." She smiled discreetly down to the rose still in her hand, knowing just how much 'reinventing' both of them had done in their hidden, yet shared past. "Fusion, freedom, her attention." All things that she adored, that she only ever got a glimpse of, that they only ever had won because of each other. "Out in daylight, my potential, bold, precise, experimental." As she swung her rose out like a blade, once again she was reminded of just how different she had become, just how much she had broken away from everything she had ever been made to do. Then again, she supposed Rose had broken away from all she had once been before too. They both had changed, and the best part of it all? They had changed together.

But that was then. And this was now. And now… Rose was gone.

"Who am I now in this world without her?" Pearl lamented as she lay against the railing, her gaze cast up to the sky as she felt that all too familiar pain ring through her once more. A pain that she never seemed to be able to shake away, no matter how hard she tried. "Petty and dull with the nerve to doubt her." To doubt her decisions, her choices, be they good or bad. To fail to understand what she had done, what she had sacrificed even now, even still, years after the fact when she should have known, she should have understood. But… she didn't. And sometimes, she wondered if she ever really would.

"What does it matter? It's already done!" And it was. Done, finished, over. And yet… in so many ways… it wasn't. At least not to her. "Now I've got to be there for her son!"

Speaking of said son, Pearl didn't even notice as Steven quietly slipped out of bed in the room behind her, listening in on her mournful melody with apt sympathy. All the same, the white Gem slipped back onto the balcony with resignation, looking back to the city as she tried, so hard, to make it past this. To finally move on and just let it go. The only problem was, how could she let go of something as precious as the love she felt for Rose? The love she still felt for her, even now that she wasn't there?

"It's over, isn't it? Isn't it? Isn't it over?" She gripped the railing tightly, shaking her head at her own stubborn foolishness. While she didn't technically have a heart, she knew that if she did, it would be aching beyond measure. And it likely would have for quite some time now. "It's over isn't it? Isn't it? Isn't it over?!"

"You won, and she chose you, and she loved you and she's GONE!" On this, she tossed the rose, hoping to release it and everything it represented. And yet, try as she might, those feelings, bitter, painful, and agonizing as they were, still remained, just as they always had. Just as they very well always would.

"It's over, isn't it? Why can't I move on?" She wondered softly, a stray tear finally streaming down her cheek.

"It's over, isn't it? Why can't I move on?"

Slowly, Pearl turned away from the balcony and back toward the bedroom, only to find that her song had an audience. Steven sat on the near edge of the bed, looking to the white Gem with a sad, sympathetic frown. However, the one Pearl was immediately more concerned and alarmed by was Greg, sitting on the far side of the bed, his back turned away from her and his expression unknown.

"G-Greg!" the white Gem exclaimed, gripping the edges of her top hat tightly. "You were… a-awake?"

"Nothing's gonna fix this…" Greg sighed tiredly, standing as he threw a bathrobe on over his suit. "Is it?"

Pearl faltered, unsure of how to answer this question, especially as the former rock star began to sulk out of the room. "Greg!"

"I'm sorry you had to be around me…" Greg muttered dismally as he walked out, despite both Pearl and Steven's protests.

"Dad!" the young Gem called after him worriedly, though his attention was soon turned back over to Pearl as she let out a small, guilty sigh behind him.

"I shouldn't have come along…" she said, now more forlorn than ever before, this time entirely thanks to her own doing.

"No," Steven said, his devout, serious tone catching the white Gem off guard. "This is exactly why we brought you."

Startled and confused, Pearl looked to the young Gem, bewildered, but all the same, she followed his lead as he began heading off in the same direction his father had gone. Though as they passed through the penthouse's den, they soon discovered that they weren't the only ones awake at such a late hour of the night.

"Dipper? Mabel?" Pearl frowned, noticing the pair first as they listlessly sat together on the couch. "Why are you kids up so late?"

"Why do you think?" Dipper asked, clearly exhausted as he broadly nodded over to the other side of the penthouse. Even from the den, the sound of Stan and Ford's noisy bickering could be heard, something that had been a constant for at least the past hour or so now. A constant that had, in the process, was robbing the younger pair of twins of sleep all the while.

"Admit it, Stanley! All you've ever done is hold me back!" Ford shouted furiously from somewhere down the hall.

"Oh yeah?" Stan's challenge echoed just as loudly through the penthouse. "Well at least I've done way more for you than your old pal Rose ever did!"

"Don't you dare bring Rose into this!"

"Oh my…" Pearl muttered to herself, shaking her head. "It seems I'm not the only one having a hard time moving on…"

"They're still fighting," Mabel groaned into one of the couch's plush pillows. "Which is crazy cause it actually seemed like things were finally going to be ok between those two!"

"But who are we kidding?" Dipper shook his head in resigned defeat. "They've hated each other for this long, why did we ever think there's anything that could make them stop now?"

"You guys can!" Steven interjected earnestly, offering the hopeless twins a hopeful glance. "They love both of you more than they hate each other, I know it! Which is why if there's anyone who could get them to make up, its you two."

For a moment, neither Dipper nor Mabel said anything to this, instead simply meeting Steven's encouraging smile halfheartedly. Until they both decided to go out on a limb in the hopes that such an idea could possibly have some merit. "Well, at this point, I guess it's worth a shot?" Dipper ventured with a small shrug.

Mabel nodded in support of this plan with a reassured smile, though before she could speak to it, the sudden simultaneous slamming of two different doors thundered through the entire penthouse. Something that signaled the fight was over, but the "war" was far from done. "Uh… how about you go talk to Ford while I smooth things over with Stan?" Mabel suggested, figuring that splitting up might be able to help.

"Sounds like a plan," Dipper agreed, both him and Mabel exchanging a hopeful, solidifying nod with Steven before they parted ways. At the same time, the young Gem continued on his own mission, taking Pearl by the hand as he led her out of the suite on an equally important mission all his own.

Meanwhile, Dipper and Mabel wished each other a silent bout of luck as they turned to their respective doors and respective tasks. While initially hesitant, sure enough, Dipper did work up the nerve to finally knock on Ford's door, only to receive a very harsh reception from the other side of it.

"For the last time, Stanley, I'm through wasting my valuable time on your childish games!"

"Uh… actually, it's Dipper…"

Unsurprisingly, Ford didn't hesitate to open the previously locked door for his nephew, greeting him much more fondly than he certainly would have had it really been Stan instead. "Sorry about that, my boy," the author straightened the edges of his suit, calming himself considerably. "What can I do for you, Dipper? It's awfully late, you know."

"Yeah, I do…" Dipper frowned as Ford let him come into the room. "But do you and Grunkle Stan know that?"

"A-ah… so, you heard?" Ford said, somewhat flustered.

"Pretty sure the whole hotel heard…" Dipper said as he sat alongside the author on the edge of the bed. "Great Uncle Ford, I'm sorry, but… I just don't understand."

"Understand what?" Ford asked, confused.

"Why you and Stan won't just… let this huge grudge you guys have for each other go. I mean, I guess I get where that grudge came from in the first place but, who knows? Maybe it's time for the two of you to just bury the hatchet and... start over?"

For the longest time, Ford said nothing to this, instead letting out a long, tired sigh as he stood to face the room's large window overlooking the sleeping city outside it. When he did speak, however, his tone was surprisingly melancholy, perhaps even tinged with hits of both regret and worry alike. "We can't do that, Dipper," he said softly, simply. "And to be perfectly honest, I'm quite surprised that you don't understand why we can't."

"W-what do you mean?" Dipper asked, quite confused himself now.

"Well-and I mean absolutely no offense to Mabel in saying this, but-haven't you ever felt as though she's… weighing you down?"

"I… uh…" Dipper frowned, unsure of what to say to such an odd question.

"Uh… huh?" Mabel asked on the other side of the hall, sitting on a different bed as she watched Stan angrily pace around the room.

"Ford thinks that I need the two of us to make up and be best friends, but I don't, not anymore!" the conman huffed hotly. "I don't need him, I don't need anyone! From here on out, there's only one person I'm lookin' out for and its good ol' numero uno: me! And if you were smart, kid, you'd do the same."

"B-but Grunkle Stan," Mabel protested. "That's no way to be! Why would I only look out for myself when I have so many other people to care about, like you, and Grunkle Ford, and Dipper-"

"Ha! Good luck with that," Stan scoffed bitterly. "I really hate to break it to you, pumpkin, but just you wait. I bet good money that in 10, maybe 15 years time, Dipper will end up leaving you behind for some dumb nerd thing, just like Ford did to me. I love the kid, but let's face it, he's way too much like sixer for his own good."

"But… n-no… Dipper wouldn't…" Mabel muttered, suddenly distraught as her own mind echoed with a question she didn't dare ask aloud: would he?

"N-no, Mabel's never…" Dipper trailed off, unable to honestly finish the thought. For indeed, there had been more than a few times where Mabel's own wants and pursuits had come before his own. The all-too bitter, far too familiar memory of a certain puppet show that led to an ill-fated deal came to mind above all else. And try as he might to shake that memory so many times before, the thought of all it had nearly cost him, of what she had nearly cost him, it was a shadow he'd yet to step out of, even still.

"Dipper, you're a brilliant kid with so much potential," Ford said, turning to his nephew with absolute earnesty. "You shouldn't let anyone, not even your own family, hold you back from all you could achieve. Believe me, that's a mistake I let myself make far too many times in the past, and while it might be a bit too late for me to change that, it's not too late for you."

"Look, Mabel, I just don't want to see you get hurt," Stan sighed, placing a hand on his niece's shoulder. "Better to see it coming and be ready for it than to let it take you by surprise and knock you off your feet. 'Cause take it from me, that's a road you don't wanna go down."

"But… me 'n Dipper aren't like…" "You guys" was what Mabel wanted to say, though she didn't quite have it in her to speak it aloud. So instead, she went off on a different tangent entirely, all the while desperately trying to convince herself, perhaps even more than Stan, that it wasn't true, that it wouldn't be true, that it couldn't be true. Because if it was… she couldn't even begin to imagine just how painful that would really be.

"But… Mabel and I don't… w-we aren't…" Dipper took in a deep breath, trying to steady both himself and the newfound rush of doubts starting to fill him.

"I-I mean… sure, Dipper isn't always on board with my ideas."

"I mean, I know sometimes Mabel can come on a little too strong…"

"And yeah, sometimes he has a bit of a problem of trying to do everything by himself instead of asking for help when he really needs it…"

"And she does sometimes go way overboard and she can be kind of selfish every now and then…"

"And… And… I guess he is just a little, tiny bit-"

"A-and… and she's just so… so-"

"Stubborn." All four Pines said at practically the same exact time, acknowledging the dark thread that seemed to taint their family in more ways than one.

Ford turned back toward the window, shaking his head sadly as another song began, jazzy, yet melancholy in tune and tempo. "He listens, but doesn't hear, he looks, but doesn't see," the author closed his eyes, blocking out the sight of his own faint reflection in the window. A reflection that always seemed to remind him of his twin in some way or another. "I talk, but it's so clear. I'm talking to only me."

Stan scowled, crossing his arms after he finally removed his top hat, glaring briefly toward the door as he began an icy verse all his own. "He acts so smart, all of the time. I'm always wrong, he's always right!" He scoffed, knowing that's always how it had been, ever since they were kids, and even now. A common refrain that had been a constant all his life, one that he had always tried to break out of, but could never quite rise to the occasion, no matter what he did or how hard he tried. "Not worth the effort, and that's why I'm-Done, it's over. Hang up the fight."

Dipper couldn't help but let out a small, sad sigh, recognizing just how many unfortunate, almost painful parallels really did exist between him and Mabel and their uncles. And in light of seeing those parallels clearly for the first time, he was unable to avoid the practically crushing worry that their own usually close bond was just as similarly doomed as their uncles' had been before them. But if it was, then who's fault would that really be, all things considered? The answer to that, seemed so simple. After all, he knew very well whose fault it usually was whenever they ended up falling out with each other. "She acts out, for a response," he began, just a hint of knowing bitterness in his tone. "She acts out, and I don't mind. She always does just what she wants. I'm forced to act, like its just fine." But it wasn't, it never was, because whenever she ended up getting what she wanted, he was always, always the one to lose out in the end.

By this point, Mabel was practically holding back fretful tears, overwhelmed by fear and dread. All coming from the long, singular though that, perhaps even sooner than later, her and Dipper would fall away from each other. That the close bond they both had always known between them would be broken. That they wouldn't need or even want to be around each other anymore when they always had been. Or rather, that he wouldn't want to be around her. "Right by his side, I try to stay," she sang almost mournfully, pulling her knees to her chest as those tears finally began to well up in her eyes. "And it's ok, but it's a lie… He goes alone, on his own way, and when he does, I always cry…"

"And nothing changes," all four of them sang, sharing the same sentiment, the same sharp, yet dull ache ringing through their song and through their hearts all the while. "It's all the same. Despite the ages, it's like a game."

"It's in the family-"

"In the blood."

"It's never over."

"It's like a flood-"

"Of bitter feelings-"

"Of old regrets-"

All things running so deep in their family, so far that it was practically the foundation they were all built upon. A foundation that was crumbling, breaking until the day it would inevitably fall apart completely, taking all of them with it in the process. A day they all knew was coming, but couldn't bear to face.

"It's in the family…"

"Don't forget…"

"It's in the family…"

"We can't forget…"

While Le Hotel's grand restaurant never really closed, it was rather empty at such a late hour of the night. In fact, it's only current patron was Greg, who sat at the bar, dully, dejectedly snacking on a glass full of cherries in the hopes of easing his sorrows. That is, until his sulking was interrupted by an arrival he admittedly hadn't been expecting.

Upon hearing his son clear his throat from behind, Greg turned to find both Steven and surprisingly, Pearl standing alongside him. The white Gem offered him a pensive, awkward smile, though ultimately said nothing. Greg did the same as he stood, even as Steven offered both of them a silent nod, urging them to do what they both knew needed to be done. The only problem was, neither of them had the faintest idea as to where to start.

Which was why Steven decided to take the initiative instead. He marched dutifully over to the restaurant's grand piano, handing off a large stack of cash to the pianist to curtail his inappropriately upbeat ragtime tune. Delighted by the sizable tip, the musician hurried off, leaving the piano open for him to take over with a gentle, earnest melody of his own. One that he hoped would finally accomplish something that should have been done quite some time ago.

"Why don't you talk to each other?" Steven sang up front, catching both Greg and Pearl off guard by just how forward the question really was. "Why don't you talk to each other? Just give it a try."

Despite this soft urging, Greg and Pearl still averted each other's gaze, neither of them knowing what to say to finally break the ice that made up the frozen wall that had been built between them years ago. "Why don't you talk about what happened?" the young Gem continued with a small, yet sad smile. "I know you're trying to avoid it, but I don't know why."

"You might not believe it." The pair slowly, hesitantly turned back toward each other, sparing a brief glance over at Steven along the way as they listened to his lyrics and the warmth and care behind them. "You might not believe it. But you've got a lot in common-you really do…"

"You both love me and I love both of you."

It was true. A fact that neither of them could deny even if they wanted to: that they loved Steven, deeply and fully, just as they both had-albeit in a different way-loved his mother before him. And it was the realization of that fact that, at long last started to bring both of them together.

With tired sighs, Pearl and Greg largely ignored the rest of the restaurant, lying down on the floor as a conversation finally started to brim between the two of them. "Look, if I were you, I'd hate me too," Greg began, looking down fretfully.

"I don't hate you…" Pearl assured softly, earnestly.

"But… I knew how you felt about Rose and I stayed anyway."

"That wasn't the problem…"

"Then… what was?"

"She fell in love with you…"

"Well, you know Rose," Greg sat up, finally cracking a smile. Pearl couldn't help but do the same, sharing that same sort of fondness that they both had-and still did have-towards the pink Gem. Fondness that they always had always had in common, they just hadn't been able to see it until now.

"She always did what she wanted!"

"I know you both need it." On a bout of tearful laughter, the pair stood, and as Greg extended the offer to dance once more, this time, Pearl had no qualms about taking his hand and joining in. "I know you both need it. Someone who knows what you're going through…"

"And you might not believe it." The pair took to the floor, dancing slowly yet cordially along to Steven's song and enjoying it, and the newfound, much-needed solidarity between them all the while. "You might not believe it-but you've got a lot in common, you really do."

"You both love me and I love both of you."

"You both love me and I love both… of you…"

As both the song and the dance came to a close, Pearl and Greg still exchanged a warm smile, one that only grew as the hotel employees came out to applaud their performance. Still, both of them knew there was much more worth celebrating than that. Because for perhaps the first time ever, they could finally see things eye to eye. And the flood of good feels from that alone made both Pearl and Greg never want to return to the bitterness and shame of the past again in favor of embracing a newer, kinder future instead.

This newfound camaraderie was inevitably interrupted however as one hotel staff member came up to Greg with a silver platter, offering it out to him. "Le bill, sir."

As soon as Greg took the bill, he jolted, shocked by just how much of a hefty charge their one night stay had racked up. Of course, he now had more than enough to cover it, but that didn't make the high cost of the life of a nouveau riche any less startling. "Tailor made suits, those cost somethin'," he sang, frowning as he unfolded the lengthy bill to get a glimpse at its full scope. "Room with a view, those cost somethin'."

"Dancing with you…" Pearl interjected with a knowing, playful grin.

"Don't cost nothin'," Greg chimed in gladly, especially as the white Gem let out a small chuckle.

"Why'd we even come? We could have done this at home," she pointed out, eliciting a delighted laugh from Steven as he came over to join them. In fact, that delight continued as they returned up to the penthouse to pack their things, their expensive vacation having come to an end before anymore money could be poured into it. And yet, for relieved as Steven was by the newly cleared air between Pearl and Greg, he quickly realized upon meeting up with Dipper and Mabel again that they hadn't shared the same sort of success when it came to Stan and Ford.

In fact, if anything, all four of the Pines seemed quite forlorn as they prepared to head home, expressions equally downcast and words sparse as they all made the trip back down to the lobby. And as he took stock of this, Steven's own smile couldn't help but fade as well, even if things between Pearl and Greg were still every bit as bright as he had wanted them to be.

"Singing a song, don't cost nothin'," Pearl sang as she helped the former rock star pack up the van. "O-or was it, palling around, don't cost nothin'? Getting it wrong…"

"Don't cost nothing!" Greg cut in with an amused chuckle.

"I tried," the white Gem shrugged.

"I'm surprised you remembered any of it," the former rock star pointed out, still laughing.

"What can I say? Its catchy."

With their time in Emerald City coming to a close, everyone climbed into the van, Pearl and Greg taking the front as they kept each other entertained with reminiscent conversation-most of it focusing on fond memories of Rose-as they began the long trek home. Stan and Ford sat as far apart as they possibly could behind them, arms crossed and moods sour as they both tried to go to sleep to avoid any sort of further interaction. And then, in the back, sat Steven, wedged worriedly between Dipper and Mabel, who, much like their uncles, seemed uneasy at the very thought of so much as even looking at each other, much to the young Gem's confusion.

Steven hadn't the faintest idea as to what had transpired between the twins while he was gone, and at this point, he wasn't sure if he even wanted to ask. And yet, his unspoken question soon got something of an answer in the form of a morose, quiet, yet unwitting duet between the two, one that Steven listened in on with growing concern all the while.

"Tried so hard to fix it all, to let it grow…" Mabel started, her usual cheery tune currently anything but.

"From the ground up, but it wound up that now we know…" Dipper continued with a sigh, staring out the window as the cityscape passed them by.

"Life's too short…" the twins sang together softly, almost mournfully over an agonizing truth they'd never once considered before. And in the process of discovering it, indeed they were a bit wiser, though certainly much more sadder for it.

"To see there's much more out there," Dipper kept his sights on the window as Mabel slowly, fretfully spared a discreet glance past Steven over at him.

"To see that you don't care…" she lamented, fighting back tears.

"Was it them who were wrong?" they both sang, looking toward their uncles sitting in front of them. "Or was it us all along?"

"I wish I saw things clearly," Dipper closed his eyes, shaking his head in gentle frustration.

"I guess I'm not the sort…" Mabel faltered, barely letting a small sob choke out.

"Now all we know as life's too short…"

Silence filled in between the twins at this, striking Steven the hardest as he sat in the middle of it all. While he still didn't know what had really happened, he could tell that whatever had managed to harm them both. That it had broken something between them, even if there was no real telling what.

Which was why the most the young Gem could hope to do was to repair that break before it inevitably ended up tearing two of his closest friends apart.

"But… it's… not over, isn't it?" he sang to himself, echoing Pearl's own song with the same sort of woe and regret the white Gem herself had sang it with.

"It's not over, isn't it?" he sang, even as they left Emerald City and everything that had happened there behind. Or at least, that's all he could do to hope, even as he realized it wasn't true. For as one problem had indeed been solved on this trip, it was all too clear that an entirely new one was only just beginning in its place.

"It's over… isn't it?"

#ignore the lack of proper formatting on this #and just go read this on ff.net or a3 instead pls #jen writes #universe falls #steven universe #gravity falls #crossover #au #mr. greg #steven #pearl #greg #stan #ford #dipper #mabel #keyword is emerald city

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mirkwoodshewolf · 6 years ago

Text

Meeting the band; Queen x reader

*Author’s note*

Hey all well will you belive I have another part of my Rock Angel chapter for you all. This time this is the very beginning, from when you the reader first get the internship and the bonding between the band members began. I am soo happy to see everyone liking this series and I hope to have a new chapter up which will soon lead to about 3-5 more chapters that are already complete. Enjoy my lovelies :)

Warnings: Meeting the band (obviously), fluff, now I mention the Queen song “Don’t try suicide” so some description of suicide (NOT SELF inflicted) but if anything suicide is trigger to anyone THIS IS YOUR WARNING. Other than that not really anything else,

Taglist *open*

@onebigfangirlworld

@mr-badguymercury

@phantom-fangirl-stuff

@labessieisallama

@starswin

@naturalswifty89

@isabella-bby

________________________________________________

*September 5th, 1980*

My name is (y/n) (l/n). Yeah, yeah I know it sounds common but aren’t all names like that? I’m 18 years old currently enrolled at University studying music, specifically songwriting and accompaniment, hoping one day to maybe become a Rockstar like all the top ones like David Bowie, Elton John, but above all else, Queen.

Yes the famous rock and roll band that came out in the 70’s and just skyrocketed the charts. Doing something that no other artist has done in history. Combining genres, mixing them up to create a master piece, like their song Bohemian Rhapsody.

Ohh I will never forget the first day I heard that song on the radio, in fact that song is what inspired me into wanting to also study music accompaniment, maybe I could get that creative and maybe mix some genres of my own one day, or mix up different instruments like they do.

And I’ll never forget the first time I saw Queen in concert. It was my 16th birthday and a friend of mine had a brother who was working backstage as a stage handler for a Queen concert they were going to do in London, so my friend managed to nab two tickets for us and that night changed me forever. I had fallen more in love with the band than ever before.

So when the time came for University and Jim Beach, the current manager for Queen themselves had announced to my University that he was looking for an intern to help him manage the band, of course I jumped at the chance to do it. Of course I was one of hundreds if not thousands of students trying to get the same internship, plus I’m just a freshman at this point so the chances of me getting that well…..

One in a million.

Well it seemed my parents were smiling at me from Heaven because the following week at my flat that I shared with my boyfriend, I got a letter from Jim Beach himself telling me that he had accepted my internship, thinking that this internship could help me more by gaining more experience firsthand.

So here I am. Standing right outside Trident studios ready to start my new semester off as an intern to Jim Beach and potentially Queen.

I took a deep breath and entered inside.

Inside I could see some people walking through the lobby. I walked up to a woman who was sitting at the front desk and I said to her.

“Hello.”

“Can I help you?” she asked.

“Yes I’m here to see Jim Beach, I’m (y/n) (l/n).”

“Oh yes the student intern, just have a seat and I’ll phone Mr. Beach of your arrival.” I thanked her and took my seat while she phoned up Mr. Beach. I waited and waited for about five minutes until finally a man with cowlicked grey hair, wearing a full on grey suit came down and he came up to me and said my name.

“Yes.”

“Welcome to Trident records, I’m Jim Beach.” He held out his hand and I shook it as I said.

“Mr. Beach I just want to say it’s an honor that you chose me out of hundreds if not thousands of other interns.”

“Oh please Mr. Beach sounds weird, call me Jim darling,” he corrected me. Wow okay so my boss wanted to go by a first name basis, okay easy for me.

“Okay Jim.” I smiled and then he said.

“Come on, let me give you the tour and then you’ll be given your first assignment for the day.” I then followed him further past the lobby and was shown and told about all the locations of every important room that I needed to know.

So after getting the tour and making myself an official member of the building, I was given my first task of checking out the recording booth and making sure that all the instruments were in tuned. So here I am in the actual recording booth that Queen themselves and probably hundreds of other artists do their recordings at.

After tuning up a couple of the guitars, my attention soon turned to a grand piano. I then began to remember back when I was a little girl how my mother first taught me how to play, and I remember the first song she ever taught me.

You see it was my parents who helped inspire music in me, no they weren’t famous musicians but they loved music so much, that it was actually at a concert they first met each other at. And ever since then music had become a part of their lives.

But when I was just 8 years old, they were killed in a car crash. It was rainy and they decided to go up for a drive but their car slipped off the road and they both were killed before they even reached the hospital. I was then given to my aunt and uncle since my aunt was my mom’s older sister.

Ever since that day, I never touched a piano again. Thinking of how much pain it remembered every time I would try to play, it’d bring back all the grief and sorrow knowing that my parents were gone.

But for some reason it felt like my mom was telling me to go for it. I gently stroked the keys so lightly they didn’t make a sound. I took a seat and I softly began playing the song my mum first taught me and I then began to sing.

As I began playing the song, all the lessons we had together came back to me as I began to play the piano with more passion as I kept singing.

Play video

*Me*

Now I've heard there was a secret chord That David played, and it pleased the Lord But you don't really care for music, do you? It goes like this the fourth, the fifth The minor fall and the major lift The baffled king composing "Hallelujah"

Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah

You say I took the name in vain I don't even know the name But if I did, well really, what's it to you? There's a blaze of light in every word It doesn't matter what you heard The holy or the broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah

*3rd Person POV*

They had finally arrived at the studios to talk to Jim or as Freddie liked to call him, Miami about their next upcoming album that they had in mind. When they passed by the recording booth, Freddie Mercury stopped and could hear singing.

“Come on Fred you’re gonna make us late, and we’re already late as it is.” Urged Brian.

“Shh Brian, don’t you hear that?” They all stayed quiet and John said.

“Someone’s singing.”

“Yes, but just who is that angel singing?” Freddie said as he walked on towards the recording studio. He quietly opened the door and soon the four members of Queen came upon to see a young girl with (h/l) (h/c) wearing a simple pair of jeans, t-shirt and jacket playing the piano as well as singing.

She was playing on the piano and as it turned out the voice was coming from her. They silently walked up towards the door and they each showed a look of wonderment at how beautiful this young girl’s singing voice was.

They were especially impressed with how she could control her voice from making it raw and vulnerable of an alto to an angelic soprano.

I did my best, it wasn't much I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you And even though it all went wrong I'll stand before the Lord of Song With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelu- Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelu- Hallelujah

*My POV*

“That was beautiful love.” I turned around in shock and gasped. For standing right before me were the four boys of Queen.

Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon.

“Sorry we didn’t mean to intrude, we just….we were on our way to meet with Jim when we heard you singing, you’ve got quite the voice there love.” Oh my god. Brian May just complimented my singing, ohh what Jade and Chloe wouldn’t give to hear that?

“What’s your name dear?” John Deacon asked. But before I could answer, we all heard Jim’s voice call out my name.

“(Y/n)? (Y/n) have you finished with the…..well about time you boys showed up.” Jim said almost scolding the boys of Queen.

“Sorry we’re late Jim, traffic was just god awful.” Said John.

“So your name’s (y/n).” Roger said as he turned back towards me.

“Ahh I see you gentlemen have met my new intern (y/n) (l/n).”

“Miami how could you hide this girl from us? She has a gift that must be shared with the world!” praised Freddie.

At this point I was blushing mad, I must be redder than the reddest apple if not even blood itself.

“Freddie, she’s a student at the University going for her internship credits. I just hired her today.” Jim stated.

“Still Miami it’s no excuse from hiding her from us! Darling you must play for us some more.”

“I…..”

“I’m sorry Fred but we really must discuss issues up in my office and I’m afraid (y/n) has work to do. I expect to see all of you in my office in the next 25 seconds. We have a lot to discuss. Come along (y/n).” Jim said. I shyly walked past the boys of Queen and just as I passed Freddie, I felt him take my arm and he whispered to me.

“I still hope to hear another song from you one day darling.” He then released my arm and I quickly raced out of the recording booth.

I leaned up against the wall and exhaled a long breath of air that I didn’t even know I had in me.

“I assume you’re a big fan of the boys?” Jim said as he came up to me.

“Yeah, I saw them in concert one time too, changed my life forever. Just what they can do with music that’s what’s inspired me into also having my concentration be music arraignment along with songwriting. But I promise you sir I won’t let that distract me from my work! I swear. I will be professional around Queen 24/7.”

“Ahh don’t worry about it love. They all seem to like you, and that’s a rare case in itself. Not a lot of interns end up being liked by them cause they either fuck up the job or are just trying to get a shag with each of them. And plus I know that if I were to fire you, I’ll never hear the end of it from Freddie.” I smiled softly and then he told me to go run a few files down to Jessica at floor 12.

Three days later and I had just gotten done with my classes for the day and I was now on my way to the studio. Once I got there, Jim told me that I was to sit in with the boys during their recording and give them whatever they wanted since he was currently swamped with paper work.

So here I was in the recording booth keeping an eye on the boys while I was getting some homework done since I was to stay here till 10pm which meant I had 10 more hours left. But right now the boys seemed to struggle with one of their recent songs as they were now arguing and almost ready to throw down. So I tried to lighten up the mood.

“I’m gonna get something to drink down the street, you boys want anything?”

“I’ll take a coffee darling, black 2 sugars.” Said Freddie.

“I’m good thank you (y/n).” said John.

“I’ll take a chamomile tea.” Brian said.

“I’ll also have a coffee with 1 and 3/7th sugar please.” Roger said.

“Oh god here we go again” I heard Brian mutter.

“Shut it!” Roger said as he punched Brian in the air. I smiled softly and said.

“Okay so one black coffee two sugars, chamomile tea, and one coffee 1 and 3/7th sugar? Last call if anyone wants anything? John you sure I can’t pick you up a snack or something?”

“I’m sure (y/n), don’t worry about me.” He said with a soft smile. I nodded then I left the studio and headed down the street to a nearby coffee shop that I’ve come to call a second home ever since I began this internship.

I entered inside and stood in line and luckily it wasn’t as busy at it usually was so right after the person in front of me ordered, I went ahead and placed the order in for the boys and I also got me my favorite brand of tea, Jasmine. Once I paid for the teas and coffees I waited for my order and I reminded the cashier that for Roger’s coffee it needed to be 1 and 3/7th exactly otherwise he’ll throw an even bigger fit. It took a while but I was finally given my order and once I got the drinks I walked the three blocks back to the studio.

When I arrived back at the studio, I wanted to make sure of something regarding Roger’s drink. Because like Roger my friend Chloe always takes her coffee with a weird fraction of sugar and if its larger than that, since she has a health condition that can’t allow her to have a certain amount of sugar, she ends up having a body meltdown out so I wanted to make sure Roger got the exact amount he needed.

I opened up the lid of his drink and dipped a finger inside to have a quick taste and I knew right away that that was too much sugar. Like they gave it 7/1th sugar. Quickly thinking, I went to the rec room and dumped out Roger’s coffee and prepared the coffee in the coffee machine and then I measured myself the 1 and 3/7th Roger required.

I then poured the sugar into the coffee cup and stirred it up and after a bit I stopped and checked it again and was satisfied with the result. I put the lid back on top and back on the tray and headed back to the studio.

When I returned, the boys were now just sitting around with either grimed or pissed off faces.

“Drinks are here.” I said. I walked over to Freddie and handed him his coffee. He took it and took a sip of it as I headed over to Brian and handed him his chamomile tea, I then headed over to Roger and he said.

“About bloody time, hope they didn’t screw it up again.” He took his cup and I took my Jasmine tea and as I headed back to my little table where Jim usually sits, I heard Roger say. “Huh, they strangely got it right this time.”

“Actually they didn’t. They added too much sugar to it.” I said as I sat down at the desk.

“Ahh fuck!”

“But I fixed it up in the rec room. I hope I got the right amount for you.” I said. Roger looked at me and said.

“You—made this cup yourself?” I nodded. He then looked down at his drink and took a sip of it and his face showed pure shock.

“Did I not get the right amount Roger? I can try again if you need me to……”

“No it’s—it’s just the right amount.” I smiled and said.

“Glad that it is, one of my friends has a medical condition and if she’s given more sugar than what she requires she shuts down and has to go to the ER. Now I didn’t know if it applied to you so I wanted to make sure it was the right amount.” I then went back to my homework, unaware that the guys were staring at me bewildered, most of all Roger and if I did look up, I would’ve seen a hint of a smile coming across his face.

After the coffee/tea break, it seemed the boys were really struggling with this song of theirs. And I don’t blame them, based on the lyrics Freddie had presented, it was about not taking suicide. And this was a serious message and if no one can get the message correctly, or says something offensive, then you have a riot of people on your hands.

It almost seemed they were about to give up on the song when I stood up and I said.

“Hey guys,” they turned towards me and I continued, “If I may interject. I think the lyrics are fine, nothing needs to be changed with them, I think what needs to change is the rhythm.”

“What do you mean?” asked John with a quirked brow.

“I mean, you guys are known for taking risks for your songs, crossing genres and doing what no other musician or artist has ever done. This doesn’t have to be a solemn, sad melody ballad type song, why not make it like a ‘Crazy little thing called love’ mixed with ‘another one bites the dust’? Like….uhh John may I borrow a bass?” he then handed one of the bass guitars.

I adjusted it onto my shoulders and I said.

“Can you guys clap like this for me?” I then clapped once, then again and again before doing a double clap. The boys followed my lead and I said. “Keep that time okay,” I then waited and proceeded to do three note bass intro to the same rhythm of the claps. I paused and I said, “And here I imagine a small guitar strum.” As I came right in with the bass again on the same note structure.

“Oh I like it, yes I think it’s very nice. Alright boys let’s get to work.” And for the next few hours I helped the boys with their new song that Freddie had titled “Don’t try suicide”. I helped them with whatever they needed for the song. I told them that at one point they should slide on the word ‘suicide’ towards the end of the song.

I helped keep rhythm for them should they need it and soon the song came into place so we did a full run of the song and when it was over, the boys cheered and they thanked me for the help of which I was happy to oblige.

At that moment Jim came in and he asked.

“So how did it go lads?”

“I think we’ve got it, with a little help. Miami never let this girl go.” Freddie said as he wrapped an arm around my shoulder bringing me close to him.

The boys soon stood around me and agreed with Freddie and I couldn’t believe that these boys were sticking up for me like this after only just three days on the job.

“Well (y/n), you willing to stay with this lot for the rest of the internship?” Jim asked me. I looked up at the guys and they all looked at me with anticipation and eyes pleading for me to stay. I smiled and said.

“I’ll stay.” The boys of Queen soon cheered and I was brought into Freddie’s arms as he spun me around hugging me tightly.

“Welcome to the family our little Rock angel!” He praised.

It was at that moment, I became an official member of the Queen crew.

#bohemian rhapsody #bohemian rhapsody imagines #bohemian rhapsody imagine #bohemian rhapsody x reader #bohemian rhapsody movie #queen fanfiction #queen imagine #queen imagines #roger taylor #freddie mercury #brian may #john deacon #roger taylor x reader #freddie mercury x reader #brian may x reader #john deacon x reader

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park-j1m1n-bts · 7 years ago

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Top 50 - 11 Songs of 2017

Ok so I did this last year and I really enjoyed doing it and looking back this year at all the songs I listened to in the past! So here goes :)

As always, I love my boy groups/male singers so just a little disclaimer because this list will definitely show that trend!

50. EXO - DIAMOND

This is such an interesting song and the chorus really caught me off guard (in a good way) deffo one of my faves from the boys’ new album.

49. RED VELVET - RED FLAVOR

This song really surprised me! I'm not someone who enjoys ‘cute’ songs and when I first heard this I didn't like it but my god it is so catchy!! I found myself humming along to it aaaalll the time. Therefore I had to add it to this list.

48. BRAVE GIRLS - ROLLIN

I love brave girls, they are so sexy yet so fresh at the same time! I loved this song straightaway and the dance with the stools is so different but it is just great!

47. SEVENTEEN (PERFORMANCE UNIT) - LILILI YABBAY

I liiiive for the performance unit! (Dino is my bias sooo ;) ) The bridge of this song is brilliant, the higher pitch of it is such a contrast to the rest of the song, I just can’t get enough of it!!!

46. VICTON - EYEZ EYEZ

Although it still had an element of cuteness, this darker concept was so unexpected of the Victon boys! It really suited them!

45. HENRY - I’ M GOOD

This is such a chill summer vibe song!! Added to my driving playlist straightaway!

44. JONGHYUN (FEAT TAEYEON) - LONELY

What a beautifully talented and kind man, may he now rest in peace. This song was breath taking and his vocals as well as taeyeon’s are truly magical and I hope this song gets even more recognition!

43. NCT 127 - GOOD THING

What a tune!!!! I'm surprised this song is only number 43 because I had this on repeat all day when the album was released! You just can’t help but move to it!

42. MYTEEN - AMAZING

I think this song is a bit of a love/hate song - I love it! Myteen are a rookie boy group and this is their debut song and I have heard a lot of negative comments about it but the bridge and the chorus are so flipping catchy, you’ll deffo be singing it after hearing it!

41. G-DRAGON - UNTITLED 2014

Woah I did not expect this from G-Dragon! I’ll be honest, personally I'm not a massive fan of g-dragon’s rapping style but his voice!!?? damn it gave me chills! This is a super beautiful song.

40. TAEYANG - WAKE ME UP

I love love love taeyang’s voice and paired with this song.... just wow. I think it was produced really well, how the first verse was very stripped back but then at the chorus the clap of the beat came in. It just really made his voice stand out

39. IN2IT - AMAZING

Such a summer song with a very addictive tune “u-who who u- who who” ahhh so cute I love it

38. SUNMI - GASHINA

Yaaasss slay girl! such an empowering song and I love the mix between cute and fierce

37. HALO - HERE I AM

Halo are super underrated! I can’t understand why though because this song is super catchy! Please check them out, you won't regret it!

36. WANNA ONE - BURN IT UP

This song is freaking amazing! especially Woojin’s breakdown at the end of the song! His voice is so deep I love it

35. CLC - HOBGOBLIN

This concept was brilliant!! I couldn’t believe it was CLC but those girls pulled it off so well! what a great comeback

34. B.I.G. - 123

Another really underrated boy group! This is such an upbeat and happy song! super duper catchy!!!

33. JBJ - FANTASY

I love this song so much! I really wanted to put it higher but there was just too many good songs last year! The first line just grabs you “you’re not a daydreamer” looooove!!

32. SEVENTEEN (VOCAL UNIT) - HABIT

Pure talent! solo, each boy is amazing but when they sing together for the chorus.... woah just gives me shivers!

31. UNIT BLACK - STEAL YOUR HEART

I never follow these sort of survival shows however listening to this song I became hooked, especially on Park Doha ....but where did he go? like most of the members of unit black went into In2it but not Doha?? anyway this song aaaahhh its great!!! needs way more recognition

30. THE ROSE - SORRY

woah. This band has become my new favourite (sorry cnblue I still love you) As a debut song, Sorry was amazing! their talent is no joke

29. STRAY KIDS - HELLEVATOR

2017 was clearly the year for boy groups! so many debuted and 80% of them I swear made it to my top 50 its just amazing! I love becoming obsessed with new groups! this song blew up when it came out, everyone was just so shocked that the boys produced the song and choreo themselves!

28. B.A.P. - WAKE ME UP

I love when B.A.P do this darker concept, I think it really suits them! The message it portrays is really important and this with the great song made it a great comeback for the boys.

27. UP10TION - GOING CRAZY

Now i’ll be honest Up10tion songs can be hit or miss with me so when they came back with this song I was sceptical but my god I LOVE it soooo much! the contrast between the high voices of the singers and the deep voices of the rappers is really great

26. MICRODOT (FEAT. SANCHEZ) - NEW DAY

I only discovered microdot recently whilst on Spotify and I instantly downloaded his whole album! it was really difficult not to put like every song on here! This one I love because I really like when songs have a softer chorus but then rap verses.

25. HOTSHOT - JELLY

Hotshot ma boyyyysss! I cant explain just how long I waited for this comeback! and they did not disappoint! It was a shame Sungwoon wasn't involved but he is doing great in wanna one so congrats to him :)

24. MICRODOT (FEAT DONELL LEWIS) - YOU NEED LOVE

I only put in two songs from the album so I think I did well! I don’t know if this is cheating though because this song is in English but I just had to add it!! it brings such a cool vibe

23. EXO - POWER

Honestly it took me a while to get into this song.... but the more I heard it the more the tune got stuck in my head! I love the beat and the performance is soo great

22. BLOCK B - SHALL WE DANCE

I love Block B’s vibes! They never go suit and follow other groups concepts and I think that's great! this song is a prime example, its just so different and distinguishable. I can’t help but dance alone to it

21. CNBLUE - BETWEEN US

What a brilliant song!! correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think they had a win with this song? .... whaaaaat?!? I don’t understand! they need more recognition

20. SF9 - EASY LOVE

My favourite sf9 song!!! I love it when the rappers come in each time, the beat just changes! waaaa its just great

19. KARD - RUMOR

Deffo my fave kard song by farrrrr! J.Seph shook the world when he started singing! my boy DID THAT!! such a feel good summer song!

18. BTS -DNA

yes, I know what you’re thinking “has an Army really just put BTS’s comeback song 18th on her list” but trust me guys I tried really hard to do this list objectively and not just put BTS’s whole album right at the top. Don't get me wrong though DNA was AMAZING I remember hearing it for the first time and I ran around my uni flat screaming and getting everyone to come listen to this BOP. They smash it every time.

17.. SEO IN GUK - BETTER TOGETHER

I love this mans voice! All his songs just grab me, you can’t help but just sway to this beautiful song!!! please please listen to it!!!!

16. BTS - BEST OF ME

When my baby came in straight away with his beautiful voice I legit fell of my chair! I love how this song starts of so calm and this the well known sound of the chain smokers comes in and then..... suga singing like tf!? yessss come thruuuu with the vocals ugh I love him.

15. PENTAGON - LIKE THIS

I’ve been seriously loving Pentagon recently! and I really wanted to put this song higher on my list but as you will see later on wayyyy tooo many good songs I just couldn’t. Their vocals (and visuals *cough*) are no joke! please stan them

14. MONSTA X - SHINE FOREVER

Sooo hard not to put all their songs on here! 2017 was their year!! so many good songs, they are always so catchy and just wake me up

13. BTS - GO GO

What a fun song oh my god! only BTS could make the performance of Go Go cool! I love how much fun they seem to have singing this song.

12. IKON - BLING BLING

Now, real talk! if this song does not hype you up and get you moving then there is something seriously wrong with you! I listen to this to help me get up in the morning, when I'm exercising or whenever I feeling blughhhh. only ikon could pull of this concept

11. BTS - NOT TODAY

I don't think I will ever get bored of this song! everything about I just love and I'm am kinda sad it just missed my top 10 but like I said I didn't want my top 10 to be boring and for BTS to dominate the whole list! nevertheless a brilliant brilliant song

so there is my top kpop songs 50 though to 11. I will do my top 10 in a separate post because otherwise it will be way too long and boring! I hope you guys enjoy and check out any you haven't listened to... you wont regret it

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weaverlegaspi · 7 years ago

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Operation Dragon Claus - Chapter 7: Quite the Party

Full Story on AO3

Henry gently touched Regina’s shoulder and Regina again jerked awake. Henry winced and whispered, “Sorry Mom, I called your name, um, also, you have a really big wolf next to you.” He kept his voice down, “Is it Ruby? She wasn’t at the house, so I brought some of her clothes.”

Regina stood with a frown, "So you've helped her with this-- affliction-- before today?"

Henry shrugged, "Yeah, but she doesn't know it's me."

Regina took Henry's hand and led him outside. The ground was still piled high with snow, but it was no longer actively snowing. "I meant to say this yesterday Henry, it's a beautiful paint job on the sleigh. Want to take a ride on it with me?"

"Yes, yes."

"Okay. Touch the sleigh and don't let go of my hand."

"What are we--" Regina waved her hand and they as well as the sleigh disappeared in a cloud of smoke and reappeared in the stables, "Whoa-- awesome!"

Henry went over to Comet's stall while Regina harnessed Solon to the sleigh. After a few moments she spoke, "Henry, ready?"

"Bye Comet--" He leaned forward, "I hope I'll see you more this year."

They climbed into the sleigh and Regina drove them out of the stable. "Oh, it's super smooth." They rode in silence for a bit, the world around them so silent because of the blanket of snow. Henry finally broached the elephant on the sleigh. "Did you think on-- I mean."

"Where I go, you go, although at this point I'm not sure it will be the North Pole."

Henry put his head on Regina's shoulder, "Don't care." He snorted a laugh, "You can run for Mayor against Zelena. That'd be funny."

Regina gathered all the reins in one hand and pulled Henry to her with the other, "I missed you this year."

"Yeah, duh--" She ruffled his hair and Henry laughed.

oOOOOo

Ruby looked up as Regina and Henry came walking backup from the stables. She had made a dent in shoveling the snow away from the barn entrance. "Hi, I wondered where you'd gotten to."

"Is there another shovel?"

Ruby gestured to the barn, "Think you can handle it, little brother?"

"I can shovel more than you can."

Regina shook her head, "Have fun out here."

As Regina got to the stage that had been set up for the band her phone rang. "Hello."

"Santa-- Regina, you're not back yet. Are you planning on returning before tonight?"

"No. So, you need to load the sleigh and meet me in Kiribati."

"B-but--"

Regina spoke over Bernard, "I know you can all do it, and have Judy drive the team there. The E.L.F.S. can bring her back to the pole."

"I--ok. I did see that Henry has been put back on the nice list. How is your search for Ms. Right going?"

"I'm hanging up now Bernard."

oOOOOo

“Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock, jingle bell swing and jingle bells ring.”

Zelena made a face, "Must you sing that drivel?"

Henry stuck out his tongue, "Yes, I must--" he glanced both ways, "--Aunt Zelena."

She narrowed her eyes, "You are a strange child."

Henry bowed, "Thank you. Awesome party so far, but no..." He sniffed, "I smell food."

Some of those in the barn went outside, unloading Granny and Mal's vehicles onto the tables in the barn.

As that was finished the band arrived as well, and started setting up and warming up.

Regina retreated into a corner and watched as people arrived and mingled. As Zelena and Mary Margaret talked, as Lily, Ruby, and Henry horsed around.

"It looks like it worked. The town hasn't come together like this in--"

Regina finished Mal's thought, "Ever. That was part of the curse. I need to go, get to Kiribati, meet the sleigh.:

"Will you be Santa for long enough to deliver all the gifts?"

Regina shook her head, "I don't know. If I stop being Santa I'll come back here though. I told Henry I wouldn't leave him again."

"And me?"

"I hurt you-- obviously too much."

"Soo--" Mal tilted her head to one side, "You didn't throw this party for me then? You didn't figure out Lily's parentage so that I wouldn't have it on my mind any longer? You didn't do all this to show me how you've changed."

Regina was silent. Lily appeared a moment later and pulled both of them towards the stage. She grabbed a mic and tapped on it, causing it to feedback and nearly everyone in the barn to look over. "Ah, sorry about that. Hello, you all know me, Deputy Lily Drake. I just wanted to say thank you to Regina Kringle for bringing us all together today. This Christmas felt like everyone we've had for years, but, then Regina appeared and this party, the food, the sleigh rides, seeing everyone here, I feel the Christmas spirit again."

A cheer went up from the crowd and Regina shook her head as Lily handed her the mic. "Thank you, and I'm not going to speak too long, it's too cold for that. Dance, eat, have fun. I haven't always known it, but this, family, friends, this is what Christmas should be all about."

Regina handed the mic back and started to retreat back to her corner, but found Mal standing in her way, a hand out as the band turned quintet tuned their classical instruments. "May I have this dance?"

Regina took Mal's hand and let herself be led to an open space as the quintet started a familiar waltz. "I don't know if I can. It's been awhile."

Mal smirked, "Good, then for once you have to let me lead." She held up her hands and Regina stepped into them as the horn started to play and they started to dance.

It wasn't until the three string players came in that Regina smiled just a little, "They all think we're insane."

Mal shook her head as she twirled Regina and pulled her in closer, "I don't care."

"We're no longer in the proper position."

Mal shook her head, "In this moment, I really don't care."

They danced back and forth across the barn as all those watching, judging, wondering faded into the background.

Mal laughed as the cello got the melody. "And now you're leading."

Regina smiled, "Just a bit. Although I should let you if we want to do the lift."

"Are you sure? Lifts involve trust." Mal turned Regina away and they danced like that for a moment before Regina turned and nodded.

"I trust you. I've always trusted you. We just... I just didn't like myself for a long time, and I took that out on you."

As the music hit the highest notes at the top of a crescendo Mal lifted Regina up, twirling her for sixteen measures before she put her down and frowned. There were tears in Regina's eyes. "Regina, are you okay?"

Regina stopped dancing, even as the song continued, moving her hands behind Mal's head she pulled the taller woman down, "I love you," and kissed her.

A shockwave of energy blew out from where they stood, shocking almost everyone. The music trailed off and stopped, and everyone in the barn except Henry was stunned into stillness. Henry shot from his place by the stage and collided with Mal and Regina's legs. "Mom-- Mom-- that was true love's kiss-- you broke the curse, you broke the curse."

Regina blinked and looked around, "We did. That makes no sense."

A sword point appeared at Regina's throat, "Regina."

Henry tried to step between Regina and Snow, but Mal held him back. Lily came over to them as well, putting a hand on Mal's shoulder. "Snow, there are children here, and some of them still believe enough that they see me as Santa. We'll go outside and then..."

Mal interrupted, "We will do no such thing."

Regina turned and put a hand up to stop Mal, "It's okay. If we don't hash this out then it will simply linger and Henry deserves grandparents."

"We can--"

Regina shook her head at Lily, "No, I'll be okay. Please, get the party restarted. It's still Christmas Eve. People should be having fun."

Regina led Snow out of the barn. Henry started to follow, but Lily caught him before he could. "Your Mom knows what she's doing--" Lily continued under her breath, "--I hope."

oOOOOo

The moment they got outside Snow brought the sword up again, "Take us back to the Enchanted Forest."

"I can't. Not tonight. If you find a magic bean, or if Jefferson can find his magic hat you can go back tonight, but, my guess is that some may not want to."

Snow raised the sword higher, "Everything you've done..."

Regina met Snow's eyes, "I won't stop you."

A voice came from behind Regina, "But I will."

Snow looked over, "Why, for her? She's evil?"

Lily cut Snow off, "Two reasons, I'm an officer of the law in this world, and, despite you stealing me, cursing me, I'm her daughter."

A yell came from behind all of them and Henry skidded to a halt on the snow next to them. "You're my sister? My Mom is your Mom?"

Lily smirked, "Told you he'd levitate."

Mal and David joined them as Henry quizzed Regina, "How do you know?"

"I'm Santa, I know. Please, go back inside. This is between me and Snow."

Mal stopped next to Snow and took the sword from her. "No. Not anymore. Regina cursed you, yes. You made each others lives hell, you also made my life hell, stole my child. You want her to pay for her crimes, what about you and your boy toy? Will you two pay for your crimes too? And, Regina has changed. I've seen it. Her kiss broke the curse, she's the hero of this story, not the villain, not this time." Mal paused, "And I love her."

Regina turned, "I thought."

"That I was a broody old witch with commitment issues? I am, but, the last two days before I got my memory back. I let you go back to the king those years ago because I thought that I didn't deserve love. But, I do, you do, we all do. I should have tried harder back then. Now, though, we're both older than we have any right to be, and my plan is to never let you go."

Regina sat on a bench at the docks. Her phone rang and she stared down at it for a moment before answering. "Abby. Yes, I am aware. You're in Kiribati, good. Thank you Abby, I will be there even if I have to hopscotch across the United States and Pacific Ocean with my own magic."

She hung up and looked up as she heard the beating of wings. She smiled and stood as Mal landed, turning from dragon to human as she did. "Still impressive."

"Are you ready for this?"

Regina nodded, "I'm also planning on taking Henry with me this time. Rules and precedent be damned."

"Will Lily be welcome?"

"Always, for visits or to live."

Mal raised an eyebrow, "There's a lot of crime at the North Pole?"

"Nope. But, she has plenty of other skills, of that I have no doubt."

"She won't, though, Red, Ruby is here."

Regina lifted her shoulders, "So, Ruby can come too-- anyone in town who wants to freeze their asses off is welcome."

A throat cleared. Henry, Lily, and Archie stood there.

"Archie?"

Archie answered the unspoken question, "I'm an ordained minister, and when Mal asked Mother Superior... Blue Fairy...she made a sort of strangled noise and shook her head. I'm sure it's because you were both villains, not that you're both women."

Henry piped up, "We brought Comet too."

Regina put a hand to Henry's head, "Thank you-- all three, four, of you."

Archie pointed, "You two over there, and you and Henry here. Are we ready?"

"She is not. Her sister should be standing up for her too." Zelena stopped next to Regina. "Well cricket, get on with it, if you don't, she's not Santa anymore, and she'll never be out of my hair, not to mention welch on our deal."

"Ah--" Archie cleared his throat, "Okay, we are gathered here to join together Maleficent Drake and Regina Kr--"

"Mills."

"And Regina Mills in holy matrimony."

Zelena interrupted, "I think you have something like three minutes, so, time may be critical."

"Oh, um, vows?"

Regina nodded, "You were the first place after Daniel died that I felt fully myself, all my sides, good and bad, and every day I'm alive I will show you just how much I love you, and how sorry I am for leaving you all those years ago."

"Maleficent?"

"I don't know what's next for me, for us, but, you are the mother of my child, and the one who seems to know me better than I know myself. I love you and I will never let you forget it again."

Archie nodded, "Do you Maleficent Drake take Regina Mills, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, 'til death do you part?"

"I do."

"Do you Regina Mills take Maleficent Drake, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, 'til death do you part?"

"I do."

Archie nodded, "By the power vested in me by the state of Maine, um, I think, I now pronounce you--"

Henry spoke up, "Dragon and Queen. Ooh, ooh, or Mrs. and Mrs. Claus."

Archie smiled, "What he said. You may now kiss the-- and you're already doing that part."

Mal and Regina parted and Regina took a deep long breath in, "I'm sorry, I need to go."

"Aw, no white beard. Wait... isn't it already tomorrow some places?"

Regina smiled and leaned down to hug Henry, "Oh, there's so much I have to tell you Henry. So many amazing things, like, the North Pole isn't at the North Pole. And in a few moments, I'm basically gonna be going back in time..."

"Whoa."

Regina smiled, "And I give you my word that this year I'll come back for you." She straightened and hugged Lily, then kissed Mal again. "Don't wait up for me. It'll be awhile."

oOOOOo

Mal looked up from the crackling fire on the muted Yule Log. Footsteps.Then Regina’s head appeared. She frowned, “Mal, it’s six am and you’re still up.”

“You look tired.”

Regina sat on the couch and stared straight ahead, “I think I may have overdone it with the magic leading up to tonight.”

“One of these days you’ll have to tell us how it all works.” Mal paused, “And, we have to figure out what’s next. Are you going north right away, or…”

Regina yawned and curled up against Mal, “You’re warm, tomorrow, tomorrow we’ll do the hard stuff.”

#dragon queen #lily/regina #onceuponafestivegifting #icedteawithlime #operation dragon claus

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cheollies · 7 years ago

Text

Grief Counelor!Joshua

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PERSON ALIVE GUYS. LOOK AT HIM. LOOK AT THAT PERFECTION! he’s actually #3 on my bias list, i know i don’t write about him a lot but look, how do you describe the most perfect man with writing, it’s hard.

grief counselor Joshua

probably the nicest, sweetest, and understanding person in the entire building

tells everyone to smile

“A smile can go a long way Jihoon”

“Shut up”

he’s too chipper, chipper than everyone else, chipper than Jihoon thinks his girlfriend is

always always does doctor evaluations, will literally track every doctor and nurse in the building down if he has too

“Jihoon there you are”

“Wonwoo why are you in the morgue”

“Jeonghan! Don’t run from me”

just really wants to do his job perfectly but can’t when everyone in the building is running and avoiding him

“I ONLY HAVE TO DO THESE EVALUATIONS EVERY THREE MONTHS JUST LET ME DO IT”

is Seokmin’s main grief counselor and always knows the signs of when Seokmin is experiencing a very hard time

also worked with Seungcheol for a short period

contrary to everyone’s belief that Joshua’s job is the easiest one in the whole building, once the doors to his office closes, it can sometimes become hell

he deals with people screaming, crying, and people who just let everything out on anything near them, often ruining parts of his room

Joshua always remains calm because he knows that anger is a part of recovery

Has really good reflexes because he got use to people trying to throw things at him

if you don’t know the stages of grief, let me just list them for you, the stages of grief come in the order of denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance, people can move in and out of each stage and Joshua understands that

has watched many doctors in the building go through these stages when it comes to the death of a patient

also sees these stages with break ups

will make it known to you if he suspects you are in one of the stages

doubles as an english translator whenever needed

tries to make it clear to every doctor that a patient is more than just a patient, they are scared and doctors are supposed to be a comforting face in an unfamiliar environment

sets up little presentations with doctors (has the board directors make it mandatory) about the importance of having a positive attitude and presence with their patients

also goes through the stages of grief and everyone in the room groans

has to be reassured by Jihoon’s girlfriend that everyone actually appreciates his efforts and they just don’t show it

jihoon @ his gf: please stop encouraging him

Joshua is in fact religious, but that’s something that he cannot bring into his work. stuck between personal morals and work ethic, Joshua often has to remind himself that he can’t outright promote his religion

but he always has the option on the table, he does not enforce it though

you’re not actually a worker at the hospital, you’re a volunteer for the hospital

as a volunteer, you often visit various patients to add a positive face to the crowd

you get people upbeat and in smiles with music

you carry with you a guitar or ukulele and play it cheerfully in front of the patients who will always end up with a smile

you sing about random things, like the birds in the sky, or the lightbulb in the room, or the precious smile on their face

you happened to be in the pediatric unit the day Joshua sees you

he’s walking by when he hears clapping, and loud giggles of children, the strumming of the guitar fills his ears and when he peeks into the unit, he believes his breath his stolen

a little flower crown rested upon your head, your fingers lightly strumming the guitar as you move around the room, dancing lightly as you sing happily about all the colors, all the sizes, all the shapes in the room

the children are smiling, their hands are clapping along to the tune and all the doctors and nurses can’t help but clap along

and Joshua is soo smitten when your eyes catch his who's watching from the door, a little grin on your face before you bend down to a little child, touching their nose slightly, and the sweetest of tone in your voice as you end the song “but the best shape in this room, is your smile”

to his surprise, he seems to be the only one in the building who doesn’t know you

“I just saw the prettiest girl. She was playing the guitar and ---”

Seungkwan: “OH Y/N! I love her!”

cue Seokmin bursting out a door: “Are we talking about Y/N! They’re amazing”

Joshua, not so secretly kind of peeks into the hospital records of volunteers, finds your file, and looks at your schedule

he’s not being creepy, he swears (but he kind of is)

Watches you the next week when you play for the pediatric unit

during the middle of the performance, when you’re in between songs, a little girl tugs at your shirt, and Joshua watches as the girl whispers in your ear, your eyes flicker towards him and you smile with a nod

“it seems like we have a little request. I was just told that Mr.Joshua over there, does the most wonderful rendition of the itsy bitsy spider.”

Joshua’s all flustered and all the kids are screaming because they loove when Joshua sings and he really can’t turn down the children so he slowly makes his way towards you

you’re grinning so big as he stands next to you and you offer to play the tune on your guitar and Joshua sends you a meek smile because he’s never performed in front of a girl he likes before

starts of slow and choppy before he finally gets into it, almost forgetting you were there playing the guitar, and he’s doing the hand motions for the itsy bitsy spider, the kids are all following along since they learned it from him

and omg you’re internally freaking out because not only is this guy handsome as hell, but his voice is so soft and soothing, and the way he’s smiling with the kids and his pretty hands are doing the motions, it’s got your heart melting

after the whole performance, the children disperse back to their rooms (as ordered by the nurses) and all there’s left is you and Joshua

you’re packing up your things and Joshua is there standing nervously, his hands balled into a fist because he’s doing the whole internal fighting with himself about whether he should ask you out for a coffee but then there’s a side that’s like what if she turns you down and he’s all dammit joshua just do it

“do you want to get a cup of coffee with me.”

you’re puzzled, looking at the boy who looks like he’s about to combust from the inside, you give him a calm smile, nodding with agreement and you giggle at the way he says ‘really’ as though he was expecting the opposite

he really was though

that’s how you meet and learn the boy that is Joshua

literally a billion coffee ‘dates’ later is finally when Joshua and you are considered ‘official’

but really Jeonghan and everyone else in the building has been calling you two official after the first three coffee dates because Joshua just cannot stop talking about you

remember how he was all chipper before, he’s even more chipper and smiley now and everyone is a bit creeped out

stores a guitar just for you in his office so that you don’t have to always carry one around, but it also gives him an excuse to always see you and get all mushy feely in his office

he doesn’t kiss you on the lips when he’s in the hospital, he believes to keep it professional, but that also doesn’t stop him from stealing a quick peck to your cheek here and there

now that a lot of his attention is focused on you, he doesn’t spend his time chasing doctors around and everyone thanks you for that

“hey Josh, should I wonder why Jihoon just stopped me in the hallway and thanked the heavens for me”

“Just ignore him”

you and Joshua perform together in the pediatric unit

Joshua plays the guitar as you move and dance around, your voices melting together, and Joshua always stares at you with sparkles in his eyes and blushes every time you look at him and wink

you always help him arrange his office whenever a patient gets too aggressive, but it’s okay, more time to spend with you is enough for him

grief counselor Joshua, despite the title of his job, is the happiest man alive with you right in his arm. He adores everything about you and his eyes are only locked on you every time you step into the room. His soft voice soothes you as you sleep tucked into his chest and everything is just right in the world with you standing by him.

#joshua #svt #joshua scenarios #svt scenarios #jisoo #seventeen #jisoo scenarios #seventeen scenarios

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chapitre7 · 7 years ago

Note

Moon Lovers prompt: Ha Jin and Hyun Woo going on a vacation together.

All The Beautiful Days In Your Eyes

Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo [달의 연인-보보경심 려] fanfiction

Future AU

Wang So (Photographer!Lee Hyun Woo)/Hae Soo (Go Ha Jin)

She keepsher hand out the window, trying to catch the wind. The shadows of tree leavesdraw patterns on her skin, swirling mosaics, dancing, her eyes tiny andunprotected against the sunlight. Go Ha Jin giggles, her glee heard over thelow volume of the song Hyun Woo had on. When she looks back at him, she seeshim as a smudge of reds and purples, barely catching the glint of his eyes outthe corner of his sunglasses.

“I can’twait,” she says, her mind already racing in a million directions, with a millionplans. Hyun Woo’s driving is steady, peaceful, and she enjoys both theanticipation and the wait, trying to imprint the scenery in her memory, momentsneither of them can immortalize in albums. Ina few years, she thinks, this is whatI’m going to remember the most. These trees, the sky, and his company by myside.

There’ll bemany pictures, she’s positive of it. Of their suite, morning breaking throughthe peaks in the curtains, their delighted faces before a meal, herself tryingto keep her hair in place through a gush of wind. She thinks in photographsnow, little pieces of Hyun Woo that grew inside of her, that she cultivateslike her small plants by his balcony, a small garden of him. She sings along tothe song and his right hand leaves the wheel for a brief moment to squeeze herhand. She sings louder, out of tune, her hair whipping in all directions, andhe laughs.

“We have toleave early tomorrow morning,” she says later, plopping down on their bed, herwet hair leaving her mark on their sheets.

“Why soearly?” He asks, looking down at her, an elbow resting against his pillow andhis hand propping his head up.

“I want tosee every flower I can and take pictures of the early sun at the top of themountain.”

She hearshis sigh as much as she feels it as he falls down on the bed.

“There’s norush, Ha Jin. We have all the time to enjoy our vacation.”

“But!” Herarm circles his middle and her chin rests on his chest, curled lashes winkingat him. “The earlier we start, the more we can enjoy!”

She ripplesin the air to the movement of his chuckles.

“Okay, I’llgrant you the early rising, but we’ll see about the seeing every flower part.”

Ha Jinjumps off the bed to turn the lights off and clings to him, almost too excitedto drift off but happy and comfortable enough to sleep until the break of dawn.

Sheunkindly jumps on him in the morning, fully dressed, her hair up in aninelegant bun, and he starts, their foreheads bumping together. Her giggles andround eyes shining centimeters from his own kill whatever complaint he mighthave blurted out, she assumes, and he only groans. She pokes his defeated sidesand whispers “Rise and shine” in his ear before skipping away.

“Ha Jin,wait up!”

She hopshappily through the trees, scaring off the birds, the terrain not bothering herone bit. Every trunk she touches, every leaf under her boots, they all remindher of Goryeo, the good and the bad, assassins running through the night, allthe steps she had to take to bring a lonely prince his meal. The flowers remindher of the garden she had to attend to as a Court Lady, and with her own littlecamera — not a gift from Hyun Woo but something she bought for herself — shecaptures all of it, as if trying to evoke all of the memories, as if it was HaeSoo’s life she was finally imprinting on film, just like Hyun Woo did once, ona beach of their own.

She’s soavidly running uphill that she slips and falls a few times, and when Hyun Woocatches up to her, she has a scraped knee like a child.

“What areyou doing?” He scolds, looking her over for any other injury. “We should headback for now, grab a meal, get your wounds cleaned so they don’t get infected.”

She pullsher arm out of his grasp.

“Don’toverreact, this is nothing.” She lets go of her frown to beam up at him. “Comeon, we’re not too far from the best spot, I hear the view is the best!”

He takeshold of her wrist and it almost causes her to fall backwards.

“No, comeon. There’ll be plenty of time for that later.”

She looksdown at his firm hold of her wrist and thinks back to all the drama heroinesshe had mocked for letting it happen.

“I don’tunderstand why you want to go back, I’m not hungry yet, I’m not injured, we cankeep going.” She pulls him instead of being pulled, uphill, towards the sunshining above the trees.

“Ha Jin,we’ve been roaming around for three hours without a break.”

I’ve had worse on horseback riding.

Ha Jinstorms off, his hand dropping from her wrist, hanging in the air between thetwo of them. She no longer stops to appreciate the colors, to appreciate thelife, to live between the present and the past, to see if Hyun Woo is followingher. She walks and walks, rocks and dried leaves beneath her feet, her breaththe only sound she focuses on. She doesn’t want to fight but she can’t stop marchingon, strands of hair falling from the clasp in disorderly fashion, dirt andscrapes adorning her skin with the same discomfort of her stubbornness in herstomach. Is it so difficult, she wonders. Was she so difficult?

She finallyreaches the bench facing the great wide horizon. She’s out of breath and out ofmind, thoughts jumbled together and failing before the colors of the sky, thelandscape of faraway cities, the green of life. Her hand reaches out weakly,her eyes too unfocused to cry, and an illusion fades away beyond herfingertips. She’s not in Goryeo, not anymore. Try as she might, she can’t tracethe memories with a brush. But she went there in hopes of immersing in herselfand in him, to share the parts of her she wants to make known, this is what I love, she wants to tellhim, as much as tried to tell him she loved him when she picked up his set oflens and tried to see the world through his eyes, his own choice of art andpoetry in imagery. Am I failing him again,she thinks, wondering if she skipped a few steps in her expressions and plansor if he’s just not as willing to follow her steps.

She looksup when she hears the familiar click of his camera, dropping the arm that wasstill extended ahead and scooting over to clear space for him to sit down.

Silencehangs between them before she clears it, her voice a stone falling down in calmwaters.

“I wasalways wasting time,” she says, touching the tips of her boots together.“Living each day carelessly, just trying to find a way to belong. But the truthis that I looked down on them for not matching my expectations. I looked downon Eun for being childish, I wanted Wook to be more open, and I wanted him to be… I want it all to be perfectwhen everything was far from perfect.” She tilts her head, her chin touchingher shoulder, and all she can see is regret. “I let it all slip away because Iwas careless, so I… don’t want to waste time anymore.”

“I’msorry.”

She shakeswith humorless giggles.

“And whatare you apologizing for?”

“I don’tknow,” he admits, resting his hands on the bench and projecting his upper bodyforward, as if he could fly away. Stay.Stay with me. She takes a picture of his profile and he smiles at her, asad smile, the ones she’s been trying so hard to make happy.

“You’realways busy, always leaving,” she says, looking down at the camera, at thepictures she took. “I just want to make every minute count.”

“Ha Jin.”He turns to her, hugging her shoulder, bringing her closer, speaking into herhair. She hugs him back without a second thought. “I’m not going to leave. Youdon’t have to feel that way.”

“What ifsomething happens to you in one of your flights?”

He sighsand the warmth of his breath is more welcoming than the sun, more relaxing thandusk, and it speaks louder than words. Ithought he was just indulging me, but he seems so tired.

“Why don’twe go down now? After we’ve seen the view you wanted to see?”

Ha Jingives him the lopsided smile she stole and made her own, her arms still aroundhim.

“Is thisyour nice way of getting what you want?”

He nods andhums and she laughs, all the minutes she spent spilling herself all over himand being caught so much more draining than the hours of wandering through themountain. If he was willing, if they compromised, she could spend more hourshiding behind the trees, just calmly waiting for him to find her, both of themfalling on the bed covered with morning dew with the sun as the witness to herjoy and devotion to him, where a minute could last an hour and an hour couldlast ten years.

They walkdown together, hand in hand, and Ha Jin realizes that her heart is no longerpounding out of her chest in anxiety, in desperation. It rests between hisfingers that lace with hers, on his lips that blow softly on her knee when hepatches her up, and the steady rhythm of his own heart, beating against herskin when they bathe together, the steam falling on them like a blanket, ahairpin with a butterfly holding her hair up.

When thenext morning comes, she wakes first and watches speckles of dust touch hiseyelashes. She barely dares to breathe, to disturb him, keeping her arms wrappedaround herself. You’re always busy,always leaving, she had said, not realizing how draining that could be,thinking only of how much she missed him and how she could still lose him. Butif neither tried to understand the other, wouldn’t they lose each other anyway?She watches him sleep, wanting to hold him against her chest and protect him,shield him so he could rest. She can feel time falling away from them, in thebeams of sunlight fighting the darkness of night away, but she pats her chest,wills herself to remain calm. It’ll beokay now. Nothing can happen to us.

He stirs,his eyelids fluttering open. He smiles like it’s the first time he’s woken upbeside her.

“What timeis it?”

“It’searly. We don’t have to get up now.”

He pullsher closer, his nose touching her clavicle, and Ha Jin closes her eyes.

“What aboutyour plans?”

“They’renot going anywhere.”

He fallsasleep with her hands in his hair and she lets him. There’ll be plenty of timelater, she thinks. Her camera fills with their memories, and her lungs fillwith different airs of many places, his car taking them everywhere before ittakes them back. Yes, there’ll be plenty of time, she thinks, she trusts. Shebelieves.

There is no minute that isn’t precious when I’mwith you.

“I havesomething for you.”

Ha Jinlifts the arm she had dramatically placed over her eyes when she flopped downthe living room couch after arriving from her first day at work. Hyun Woo sitsdown on the floor and does his best to level his eyes with hers, one of hishands coming from their hiding place behind his back to give her a photograph.Ha Jin sits up.

She’sreaching forward to a multicolored sky. He’s beside her with an expression sherecognizes as one she captured herself, with her own hands. Their profilesmatch perfectly together as if someone had been there with them to take thepicture, to immortalize their smiles, their first vacation, and the baredtruths in their chests. Ha Jin’s eyes shine with the ghost of tears and HyunWoo smiles a weak smile but it’s beautiful and she wants it framed.

He takesher hand and by the time she looks away from the picture the ring is already onher finger, a single shining star in the middle, twinkling up at her. Her mouthgapes open, all words evaporated with the heat on her face, and she can onlylook for the truth between his eyes.

“Would youbelieve now,” he asks, still sitting down, not on one knee, but stillpicture-perfect in his curved eyes and chapped lips and hair falling over hisleft eye, “if I said I’m not going anywhere?”

Her heartraces like she’s waiting by praying stones in her best clothes and his hairpinin her hair. But she’s healthy now, they’re safe now, and he could have askedher while she was mad at him, he could have said it in a different clumsy waysand she would have said yes. She has been waiting a thousand years to say yes.

“I had adream,” he says when the word is on her lips. “We were on a boat and you werethe most beautiful sight I had ever seen. In the dream, I wanted to spend myentire life with you, and when I woke up, I realized it was true. No, it’s evenmore true now. We are here, right now, and it’s exactly where I want to be.”

She putsthe photograph aside so her tears don’t fall on it.

“Even whenI’m a little bit irrational?”

He patsdown her hair, wipes her tears with his thumbs.

“The personyou are is what’s important to me.”

She fallson him, her arms around his neck, her weight bringing him down, the back of hishead hitting the floor. She can’t help laughing as she nurses the injured spotand neither can he, still with stars in his eyes. There’ll still be stars ineverything they see, every time they embrace, every time she looks down at herring during work hours, every time he comes home after spending days away andshe’s waiting with her arms open, compromising with each other’s needs, understandingeach other’s limitations, and accepting every moment.

Yes, Hae Soo says in the back of her mind, holdingWang So the night before he marries someone else.

Yes, Go Ha Jin says, every day when she opens hereyes in the morning and he’s still asleep, still dreaming of a time when theywere together, only to wake up and find her waiting for him.

No. There is no more waiting between us. There is just our meeting in the middle.

It’s what sheremembers the most. The trees, the sky, and his company by her side.

There is no minute that isn’t precious when I’mwith you.

Hopefully anon is still reading SHR fics! I’m sorry for the wait ♥

#Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo #Scarlet Heart Ryeo #Moon Lovers #fanfiction #fanfiction prompt #Wang So #Hae Soo #Go Ha Jin #Photographer!Hyun Woo #Wang So/Hae Soo #So/Soo #alternative universe

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matthewxdavidson · 5 years ago

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May I Have This Dance?

Tagging: Matthew Davidson & Mercedes Jones

When: May 18, 2019

Where: Castle Isla in Linlithgow, Scotland

Notes: They share a dance and spend quiet time together in private during Alex and Chloe’s wedding reception.

Matt

Matt been away from everyone for some days, finding solace or something close to it at the cabin he rented with Steve some time back. Now, amongst people again in a place he didn’t expect to see, Matt drank wine and ate food off a plate while he chatted with random people. He didn’t know everyone here but he’d been laughing and having a good time, which attracted people to him. For the most part he seemed like his old self, but there were moments; especially when words were shared about Ellie’s passing, that made it tough. But now he wanted to do his best and enjoy life. And that second glass of wine he just finished definitely help. “Well goddam.” He said as he went up to Mercedes, grinning handsomely. “Hard to keep my eyes off you with a dress like that. You look fucking fantastic.”

Mercy

Being away from Lima, was just what she needed. Scotland was beautiful and she was enjoying everything about this trip. Faith looked like a little Princess and Chloe and Alex looked like they belonged together. The wedding was amazing. beautiful and perfect and now at the reception, Mercedes was just enjoying being among her family and friends. She had just finished dancing with Jackson when she walked over to grab a glass of wine. Hearing someone speak to her she smiled softly seeing Matt. She hadn't spoken to him since he left her hospital room, so she didn't know how he was doing. He seemed okay. His comment made her shake her head. "Compared to the bride I look like a hag."

Matt

“Nope. You don’t. That lady over there.” He said as he leaned in close, almost as if they were conspiring something. “The one with that feather in her hair. I mean. Come on. She has evil stepmother written all over her. That’s more of the hag. I think you look hot. Could also be because I can’t stop thinking about things.” He leaned away and returned his attention to his wine. “How you doing since I last saw you? I saw Jackson’s back to cutting a rug or whatever it is kids do these days.”

Mercy

When he leaned into her she bust out laughing, shaking her head at his comment. "Oh God stop! She has a resting evil face for sure but still be nice." she said. "What can't you stop thinking about?" She asked watching him retreat from her. Placing her hair behind her ears she shrugged. "Nothing much, Jack moved in for a few days so I could help him out. Living with him and three dogs, very intersted I won't lie." she said with a sigh. "And yeah hes a good dancer it was fun. How are you doing?"

Matt

“Come on. Really? You must have some idea when it comes to the way my always in the gutter to the point I might as well live with the Ninja Turtles mind works, Mercedes.” Matt pulled something off a passing platter, not sure what it is, and ate it. “How was it like having a full house and playing husband and wife those days?” He sipped and went for another bite. “Eh. Feels good to be around people again. I thought I was going to turn into Tom Hanks in Castaway if I stayed in that cabin an extra day.”

Mercy

Mercedes shook her head. "So which one of your loves were you fantasizing about since your mind was in the gutter?" She asked. She feared that once he got over Ellie's passing he would go back to sleeping with everything that smiled at him. "It was interesting. I mean I love his dogs. They are so much fun and he really is stubborn but he also let go a little. I dunno still figuring things out." She glanced at him and his outfit. "Well I mean at least you came here very presentable. I am loving the kilt, it suits you."

Matt

Matt eyed her and shook his head slowly before adding, “Guess that’s something I’ll keep to myself.” He thought it was obvious but he knew better than getting right into it in the middle of the reception. “That’s saying something right there. Maybe there’s hope for you and him once you tie the knot.” Matt wanted to sound optimistic but it came out tired instead, thinking about how El told him all of these arrangements are a joke. “Figured when in Scotland. Got a whole new appreciation for women wearing dresses. You feel pretty good in them. But I have to be careful with bending over. I’m pretty sure people want to take a peek.”

Mercy

Mercedes raised an eyebrow. "Soo you do have your eyes on someone?" She didn't mean to sound jealous or upset, she knew his feelings were far gone but she couldn't help herself. Downing her wine she shrugged. "Who knows right?" She wanted to sound optimistic, but the unknown of everything it hurt her soul. She bent down looking at his legs. "I mean give the world a show, everyone would appreciative of it." A slow song came on and she held out her hand. "Come dance with me, show off those legs."

Matt

“Jesus Christ, woman. I was talking about you.” He said as he moved closer to her. “I know you keep speaking to me about my feelings and how I feel about you and how I felt that Ellie was the love of my life. I’m not even sure why you so this. If it’s some means to protect yourself after what happened earlier this year. And I’m going to say this again, I loved her. I’m not denying that. But I wasn’t in love with her. But...” he looked at Jackson and sighed as he eventually looked back at her, “I’m not good enough. Not compared to him and I know he can give you something I’m not able to.” After they spoke he laughed. “Do you still want to dance with me after all of that?”

Mercy

Her hand dropped as he spoke, she didn't want to hear this, not from him. She shook her head walking away from him. "Stop." She said looking at him. "Just." Why was he doing this? "No, nope." She said shaking her head and walked out the reception hall needing to get away from the happy and dancing, needing to breathe. But the place was so big she could easily get lost. He loved Ellie and not her, that was what she told herself to deal, that is what helped her try and let go and this, no she couldn't let it get to her and yet it did. Matt did. He always did.

Matt

Matt, who thoughts she might say something or tell him that he was wrong watched as she hauled ass away. “Fucking hell. Guess she does want that dance now.” He was tipsy and feeling....he wasn’t sure what he was feeling. But he knew he needed to catch up to her somehow because this was just how things went when it came to their relationship. Matt set the glass down next to hers and went in the same direction. He didn’t know where he was exactly but the music wasn’t as loud and he had to act a bloodhound pretty much with trying to pick up the perfume she usually wore. He figured she might have gone up or down some stairs but found her on the other side of the castle where there weren’t too many people around. “Come on, Merce.” He said slowly as he approached her. “Nothing I said then is new information. And it’s not like we can do anything about it. We have the next five years of our lives mapped out by the HC.”

Mercy

It was easier, not having someone in love with her, not having someone share her feelings it was easier to be focused on Jackson. Yes when he told her he moved on she was devastated but it was easier and now, now she felt like second best. Ellie isn't here so lets go back to Mercedes. When Matt found her she turned to him, she may have had tears in her eyes but she was more angry than anything. "Nothing is new? Its the same cycle Matt. You tell me you love me you want to be with me. I asked you to marry me and you, you told me no. Then we get together but then we stop being together. Then you tell me that you and Ellie want to be together that you love her and want her. and I let go. I let go of the thought of me and you. And then, then you sit there and say you guys weren't together but I saw you!" She wiped her eyes, thankful for her water proof mascara. "Now that she's not here you want to say you love me? I wasn't good enough for you then and I am not now. How am I supposed to believe you actually want me? And you just aren't mourning?"

Matt

This is the scene he wanted to avoid and if it wasn’t for the music then people definitely would have heard it. “I never said no to your proposal because I don’t love you. You keep bringing that up but it’s because we are tied to these damn arrangements. When I got with Ellie it was....” No. she was only gone for two weeks and he didn’t want yo say what had been on his mind every since it happened. “It was because I thought I was doing she right thing. I thought there must be something about Jackson that he can give you that stability and not be all kinds of fucked in the head that I am.” He didn’t move closer to her but he did keep his eyes locked with hers. “Even before El died. Long before she died. I told you this. I’ve told you all of this but you keep acting like I’ve never said a word about it.”

Mercy

She didn't say anything, she tuned him out on purpose when he said he loved her before because it was hard to trust he wouldn't hurt her again. Excuses, lies and pain, that is what was associated with Matt and love and yet, she still loved him. Still thought about him and a part of her wanted to move over to him and kiss him, hold him and beg him to stay with her, but she couldn't because that would just complicate things, that would confuse things and she didn't want to hurt him or herself. "Matt." was all she could say. She couldn't really say anything else because the next words out her mouth threatened to be how much she missed him and loved him.

Matt

“I know things with us are fucked up because of everything that’s happened. That I do things without thinking through and maybe we couldn’t avoid the complications because of where we live and who our families are. Which sucks. I wish I could have said yes to your proposal and left this place to never see our family and friends again. Because you know they would have fined us so hard and thrown us in jail as an example.” He did get near her now and lowered his hand to take hers. “But we should see this as our chance to just be completely open with each other. You know all of my fears and worries. You know how I thought about killing myself or my plan to kill that worthless piece of shit that comes out of prison in September. You now know that with everything that’s happened you’re not just my first love but the love of my life. And you know that with all of this I will always want you here with me. If not as my love but as my best friend. Because you are.”

Mercy

She shook her head as he moved closer to her, he took her hand and she looked down to the ground. He was right he was honest with her and she had to be honest with him. "I think i have always known I loved you, but I saw you with all those people how you slept with them and I turned it off, protected my heart. So I just....just believed we were only friends and what I felt for you was friendship. Then the night of the Carnival when we made love, it was the happiest I have ever felt. Because finally I wasn't able to deny it." She wiped her eyes. "So I asked you to marry me and you said no and I felt like you just said things to make me want you. And so I let it go, let go of wanting you and it was fine until you made me love you harder than I ever thought possible. So when you hurt me again I locked those feelings away again. Because I don't ever want to feel that pain again. I can't feel that pain again. I wanted to die Matt. I left Ohio because I wanted to die, and I invited Jackson because he wouldn't ask questions and I couldn't kill myself."

Matt

His hands went up the sides of her body and he cupped her cheeks. This was the first he’s heard of her wanting to die. Not as an expression but to actually die. Matt looked into her soft brown eyes and leaned in but he didn’t kiss her. Instead his arms went around her body and Matt held her against his. “I’m going to ask you this,” he said, his voice strained but in need to get this question out. “Do you want me to leave you alone? I’ll transfer to another station in one of those cities right outside of Lima and get a place there. I’ll figure things out.”

Mercy

The truth was out and she couldn't take it back, it was her shame that she didn't want anyone to know. His hands went up her body and she shivered at the feel, remembering how things were between them. His strong arms wrapped around her body and he held her. But she didn't know how to answer his question. Didn't know if he should leave or stay. She pulled back to look up to him. "Lima is your home Matt." was all she could say.

Matt

He shook his head, arms still around her. “It’s your home, too. And it’s easier for me to uproot and move.” His lips pinched a moment and soon he looked down. If times were different he would have started to kiss at all of her skin. “I think I must be the worst thing to have happened to you.” To know he caused her that much grief...how could he not be?

Mercy

Mercedes closed her eyes, tears falling. "You aren't the worst thing to happen to me Matt. Things were just... when you love someone and they hurt you like that it makes you crazy I guess. But at the end of the day, you are my best friend. And that is important to me. You are important to me."

Matt

In the middle of her words Matt brought his forehead to hers and pressed them together. He didn't speak immediatly. Only stood there and felt their breathing eventually sync after some time. "That day at the grocery store. When I had that panic attack. There was a lot going on with me around that time. A fuckton, really. But a giant part of me falling apart is because all my choices kept hurting you. I've always wanted for you and me to have something like what Alex and Chlo got but- but I ruined that for us. And now I know that anything that happens now will be seen with apprehension and distrust. And that's not what makes for a healthy relationship. And I can apologize until I'm blue in the face and mean it every single time but it doesn't erase what's been done." He stopped speaking pulled just enough to look at her. "But you are the most important person in my life, Mercedes Jones."

Mercy

Looking in his eyes she knew he was being truthful, but that didn't take away from the fact that she was still hurting and that she was scared. What would admitting her feelings do? She was about to marry Jackson and Matt was supposed to marry Bri. They were supposed to both marry at the same time, divorce and then be together but that seemed so far away from where they were now. "I will always love you Matt, nothing will ever change that." Her eyes stared up to his and she leaned him kissing him softly. "Best friends forever."

Matt

As soon as he felt her feather soft lips against his own Matt returned the kiss and held her closer to him as he brought his hand up and laid it against her neck, knowing not to touch her hair because it looked as if she put a lot of work into it. Matt brought her cheek to rest against his chest and he kissed the side of her head a few times. "Most best friends give each other bracelets or those necklaces. Instead I gave you heartache and torment..." He tried to laugh but it was hard. "Do you still want that dance?"

Mercy

Mercedes sighed, "You make my life enjoyable thats worth something." she said sighing. She nodded. "Yes I would, but can we dance here I kinda like it being just you and me right now." she said holding out her hand to him.

Matt

At sight of her hand he took it and brought it to his lips, taking that moment to kiss the delicate skin of her wrist. "Admit it," he said as he moved himself into a better position for them to dance to a slow song he barley recognized, some 90s R&B song he hadn't heard in years. "you're too embarrassed by my dance moves. That's why you want to keep me hidden."

Mercy

He kissed her hand and she shuttered at the action. They started dancing and she shook her head. "No that is the other reason I don't want to share you. The main reason is because I am afraid your skirt is gonna fly up and everyone is gonna see all your bits and pieces." she teased, but truthfully she needed a moment with just him where they could be lost in each other.

Matt

"What makes you think I'm not wearing any underwear?" He moved her around the small area, humming along to the slow jam and enjoying how it was only them. There were other stressors, and maybe there'll always be, but for these next however many minutes they had together, it was just them and the song and their playful banter.

Mercy

She shook her head. "If you are then I am shocked." she said with a smirk. As the music played, her heart raced. Her feelings that she kept bottled up it just started to bubble over and if she was smart she would leave. But she didn't know how much time they had, didn't know when the next time they would be together was and she wanted to enjoy it. She lifted her head up to his face and leaned into him. "You have gotten better at dancing."

Matt

Matt laughed. It was an honest and much needed one and he shook his head. "You know, I guess I must have done a great job when it comes to making people expect the unexpected with me. But nah, I was good and wore actual underwear. There was a part of me that didn't want to but that was only to moon Blaine later. Since I'm clearly an adult." He grinned and stepped back to spin her but instead of spinning her completely he brought Mercedes' back to his chest and Matt held her there. "Have I? Guess I have and didn't notice."

Mercy

Mercedes sighed in his arms. "Well what is life without some fun Matt times?" She asked. She laid her head on his chest and sighed. "Full disclosure, I am surprised you aren't wearing just the Kilt and nothing else." She sighed heavily, a part of her wanting to reach up and kiss him, but the other part knowing it wasn't right.

Matt

"Now, you know if I were to do that there'd be an absolute sex riot and as wild as Chloe seems to me, I don't think she wants one of those at their wedding." Matt's mouth ghosted along the crook of her neck and he moved them to the music but it wasn't as much as before as he was distracted now. "But you're more than welcome to think of me in only in kilt whenever you fantasize about me again."(edited)

Mercy

Mercedes laughed. "Yeah Chlo is small but fierce and she might hurt you if you up stage her." His lips ghosted her neck and she swallowed hard, closing her eyes. "Mmmm I might." she said moving against him even slower, holding him closer.

Matt

Here was that territory they could easily slip into. Both knew they were arranged to people they cared for but to be actually married to? Then there was everything that happened with Ellie and all of his and Mercedes' history and how he'd fucked with her head and heart too much. Matt's hand held hers tighter and he pressed his lips to her skin but didn't actually kiss it. This was hard. Fucking hard. "When do you head back home?" lips moved against her neck before he peeled away from it.

Mercy

Without even realizing it her head moved tot he side, allowing him better access to her neck, she sighed at his question. "Monday. When do you head back?" She asked lightly.

Matt

"Monday." he answered as his chin settled on her shoulder. The song changed, to a fast paced one, but he didn't move from her or keep from the sway which didn't at all go with this current song. "I didn't take a private jet or anything. Came in coach." Matt didn't have as much money as everyone else he knows and he heard that that he'll be getting money from Ellie's estate but that wasn't anything he intended to keep. "Want to get lunch of dinner with me tomorrow? Go explore some of this place?"

Mercy

Mercedes nodded. "If you want a better ride home, you can always come with us." She said still rocking with him. "We can, just depends on what time, I wanted to check on Mac, this has got to be hard on him."(edited)

Matt

“Not sure time wise. Guess we’ll see just how bad of a hangover I wake up with.” Matt moved from her but took hold of Mercedes’ hand and brought her to a stone bench. “I’m surprised he showed. Same with Quinn. Do you know if she’s here for emotional support? If she’s capable of providing emotional support? Figured with that big bomb about Marcus and Chloe she’d be too uppity to show.”

Mercy

Following him to the bench she sighed. "Mac is amazing, he loves Chloe so that means that he will always do what he feels is right, he knew Chloe wouldn't be able to fully stand up there if he wasn't there. As for Quinn, she may be an ice queen but I have seen the kind side of her, and James said she is a big softy too so maybe she really is trying to support things." She intertwined their hands together. "I guess I should get back to my date and you back to all the men and women wanting to be with you huh?"

Matt

He went ahead and bent down to help get her legs onto his lap. Matt pulled a heel off and started to massage. “Nah. I want to be here and talk about how the Quinn Fabray is a softie. I didn’t think such a thing is possible.” Matt worked his magic on the ball of her foot. “Heard she and James had some alone time in the manor. One of my buddies spotted them climbing out a window.”

Mercy

Mercedes watched as he massaged her foot and leaned back onto the stone bench. "Mmmm that feels oh so good." she moaned slightly closing her eyes. "Hey she and I may have our differences, but she isn't that bad. As for her and James heard he was a hero and she actually let him save her." She said softly. "Why are you always so good to me, even just rubbing my foot like this?"

Matt

Matt chuckled. “I like that part where she let him. It’s hard to help people who don’t want it. A lot of our trainings with people say not to stick around if someone is being difficult. James should get some type of recognition for handing that and getting them both out.” Matt’s rubbing got more into it and he smiled as he looked at her foot. “Oh, you know. This is just me getting my rocks off. Me and my foot fetish and all.” Me pretended he was about to kiss her foot but stopped. “It’s what I want to do. I like having these nice moments with you. Where it feels almost domestic.”

Mercy

"It is hard, you have your pride, you have your no how and all you want is to make things better for people. But from what he said, it was crazy, he said she first crawled away from him, thats how she cut her hand. Then she tried to leave again. He said she was stubborn the whole way but she let him do it." She laughed at him. "Well enjoy your foot fetish, but know you just can't hit that spot that causes me some...issues." She sat back on the bench just enjoying their moment together.

@heiressmercyjones

#para: mercedes #//posted this out of order. whoops!#suicide mention tw #death mention tw

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justonehappyvictory · 7 years ago

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hi!!! i love all your au sosoo stories and i have this au prompt... it's a little cliché tho. instead of being invested in cosmetology, hajin is involved in music. and then so is a part of a band probably with baek ah and eun and idk i just love the idea of two lovers who loves music as much as they love each other and i pictured hajin and so in it 😭🙈

Ahh, first prompt request ever! I love it! I hope I am/was able to deliver, anon.

EDIT: Posted on AO3

The door to their apartment flung open, making Wang So and Baek Ah jump in surprise. The cymbal So had been polishing fell out of his hand and clanged on the floor. Baek Ah had been tuning his guitar and the slamming door caused him to tighten one string too tightly and it snapped smartly against his hand. An angry welt formed on his hand and he grabbed the nearest object and launched it at the disturbance, So’s younger brother, Wang Eun. Eun dodged the projectile easily enough and eagerly waved a flyer at their faces.

“Guys, check it out,” he said gleefully. “There’s going to be a talent competition! The winner gets a contract deal!”

So picked up his dropped cymbal and resumed his polishing. “Are you sure it’s legit?” he drawled. “Last time you said contract deal, you lost all of our money.”

“Yeah, Eun,” Baek Ah said. “I’m all for a contract, but we just started eating real food. I don’t want to go back to living off ramen and gimbap again.”

Eun sat down in front of them, pleading. “No, it’s real. My friend is a secretary at the company. She told me about it. I promise it’s not a scam this time.”

So slipped the paper out of his hand, still skeptical. Baek Ah set down his guitar and walked over, reading the flyer over his shoulder. “Eun, this isn’t going to work,” So sighed. “This says we have to have to an original song. We only do covers. Unless you magically gained the ability to write songs, we have no chance.”

Eun wiggled his body emphatically at them and whined. “You guys don’t even want to try? Baek Ah’s good at the poetry thing, he could write a song.”

Baek Ah held his hands up. “Uh, writing a song is more than just putting words down on paper. I know absolutely nothing about creating a melody from scratch. So, yea, I think we’re going to have to sit this one out.”

Eun plunked on to the couch and crossed his arms, an angry pout forming on his face. “You guys always spoil my fun.”

So tousled his hair. “Look, we don’t like to be the bad guys, Eun, but we have to be realistic sometimes.”

“Seon Deok! Seon Deok,” Soo yelled, running full speed across the campus. She clutched to the paper in her hand like it was a map that would lead her to the world’s greatest treasure. “Seon Deok!” she yelled again as she saw her friend in their usual spot by the cafeteria. Seon Deok looked alarmed at her friend, noting all the attention she was garnering. Soo was all sweat, red face, and gasping breaths when she reached her. She tried to talk, but it took several minutes for her to breath to catch up to her. “Look… look at this flyer. It’s my shot!”

“Your shot?” Seon Deok said dubiously. She took the flyer from her clenched hand and flattened it out on the table, reading over the contents. “This is like your fifth shot this year. Remember when you lost two thousand dollars? Your mom almost murdered you. Also, this says you have to bring your own instruments and your mom made you sell your guitar. And your keyboard. And your bass in order to pay her back. You have nothing except your beautiful voice and I don’t know if that’s going to cut it in a competition.”

Soo pouted, resting her head on the table and lamenting the loss of her instruments. She had spent her days humming all the new melodies in her head into a tape recorder. If only she hadn’t been scammed in her eagerness to become famous, then she’d be on her way to a real contract. She new she was destined for musical greatness, she just needed to convince the rest of the world.

“Eun!” Soo heard Seon Deok yell, a blush forming on her neck. Soo laughed, she never could keep her wits about her when her crush was around. “Over here!”

The tall and lean boy with pink hair slouched over to them, he looked completely put out, like someone had snuffed out the fire inside him. “Hey Seon Deok, Hae Soo, what are you guys up to?” he said forlornly. He kicked at a rock underneath the table.

“Oh, nothing really,” Seon Deok said, fluttering her eyelashes at him and scooting closer to him, but her efforts went unnoticed. “Unnie is sad because she can’t enter this talent competition, which is such a shame because her songs are always amazing.”

Eun’s ears perked up at the sound of “talent competition” and “songs.” “Wait, what do you mean?”

Soo slid the flyer towards him. “You have to have an original song but I had to sell all of my instruments. So, even if I could write a song, I have no instrument to play it on.”

He slammed his hands on the table and stood up, leaning across the table so that his face was inches from Soo’s. Seon Deok huffed jealously next to him. “Soo, you can write songs? You know how to write songs?” Eun asked, his usual enthusiasm returning to his demeanor.

Soo leaned away. “Um, yea…”

Eun jumped up and whooped. “Soo, I have a band! You can write a song with us and we can be your instruments!”

Soo’s eyes lit up. “Are you serious? Are you sure? Will your bandmates be okay with this? Oh, my god, you will not regret this!” Eun and Soo grabbed hands, jumping and dancing together in their excitement.

For the second time that week, Eun slammed into the apartment, this time with Soo trailing behind him. Her excitement had begun to give way to nervousness when she realized Eun was taking her back to an apartment of men. Even with Seon Deok’s glowing review of why Eun is such a wonderful person, she had heard stories about his older brother and why he wasn’t such a wonderful person. One time, she had heard that he ripped an entire door off its hinges with just his hands because someone sneezed on him. She shuddered at what he would do if Eun was bringing her there unannounced. He didn’t seem the type of person to like surprises.

“Hyung? Baek Ah?” Eun called out. A second later, Soo saw a man come out of the bathroom in just a towel. He was using another, smaller towel to dry his hair, but her eyes were focused on his still damp and gleaming chest. He looked lithe, but toned. Her eyes trailed the defining lines of his abdomen, but he still had soft spots that looked like they would be really nice to grab onto and squeeze. She noticed that he had several scars strewn across his body, but they just gave him wild, rugged look she wanted to dig into.

“What is it this time, Eun?” she heard him say, still raking her eyes over him.

“Uh, hyung, you should get dressed,” Eun said, struggling to push a wonderstruck Soo behind him.

And that was when So noticed the small woman next to his brother and her trailing eyes. He took his extra towel and hid his exposed body from her. “Do you want to die,” he screeched.

His shout woke Soo up from her reverie and she felt her whole body turn red from being caught. She smacked her hand over her eyes, knowing she was too late. “Um, I-I can just come back later,” she squeaked. She quickly turned and ran head first into the door frame, causing her to fall and cry out in pain. “Ahh, I’m fine. I’m okay. Just a small bump.”

As Eun picked up Soo from the floor, he gave So an apologetic smile, who only glared at him as he stomped off into his room. He poked at the bruise forming on Soo’s head. “You can look now, he went to his room. Sorry about that.”

“I mean, you could have told me there was a naked man in your apartment before I entered,” she scolded.

Eun rolled his eyes at her. “It’s not like I keep a schedule of who’s going to be naked. That would be weird and perverted.”

She sighed, walking over to their couch and sitting down. “Who was that, anyway?”

“Oh, that’s my older brother, So.”

She gawked at him. “You mean… that was… he’s the one that ripped off the door?”

“I ripped off a door?” So asked, coming back into the room, this time fully clothed in black ripped jeans and a black slouchy shirt. Soo averted her eyes, the flush returning to her cheeks. “That’s a new one. Did you also know that I killed a man because he took my milk? Or maybe you know about the time I ran over my teacher for failing me? Or maybe you heard, and this one’s my favorite, that I ate a live duck?”

Soo pressed her lips together. With every word he said, he leaned closer to her and he was only centimeters from her. His scent invaded her nose, lemony and floral. She swallowed thickly, but didn’t break the eye contact between them. His gaze was hard, but she couldn’t help fall a little bit into them. “I-I may have heard that you sold a kidney on the black market to buy a motorcycle.”

“Hyung, knock it off,” Eun said, pushing him away from Soo. “Why do you always have to scare everyone away? She’s here to help us.”

So leaned back in his chair, his gaze still penetrating and sullen. “Help us with what?”

“With the talent competition. She knows how to write songs!” Eun was bouncing again. So looked over at him, slightly shaking his head and Eun stopped. “Come on, hyung. This is a golden opportunity. She can write the song. We can learn the song. And together we will race to the top of the charts. We’ll be unbeatable.”

“Eun,” So said, almost consoling. “I thought we discussed this already.”

“I’ve heard some of her stuff, though. It’s good. Come on, at least give her a chance before you completely dismiss her. It’s not her fault you came out almost completely naked.”

She noticed his face redden and a small giggle escaped her lips. He shot a glare at her and she immediately schooled her face to hide her emotion. “Alright,” he said. “Let me hear something and, if it’s good, then you can work with our other bandmate, Baek Ah, on something and we’ll,” he sighed and rubbed at his eyes, “we’ll enter the competition.”

Soo pulled out her phone and some headphones from her bag. Carefully, she placed the headphones over So’s ears and pressed play. She watched his expression. It ranged from annoyed to intrigued. “You wrote this?” So asked and she nodded. “All by yourself with no help?” She nodded again. He pulled the headphones off and tossed them back to her. He stood, looking like he was going to regret the next words he said. “We practice every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday.”

She smiled brightly at him and So, for one second, felt his heart flutter in his chest before he walked away.

There was a knock on the door and So thought it was weird that Baek Ah would knock when he lived here, whom he had expected back from the store sooner. “Maybe his hands are full,” he said to himself.

When he opened the door, it wasn’t Baek Ah, though. It was Hae Soo and he was taken aback. “Uh, Baek Ah’s not here right now.”

She smiled and his breath caught in his throat. He hated the way she smiled, how it brightened her eyes and rounded her cheeks and scrunched her nose just a tiny bit at the bridge. Mostly he hated the way his heart always skipped a beat and made him breath a little bit faster and filled him with a foreign warmth. “That’s okay,” she said. “I can wait. He said he wanted to talk about a chord in the song. Oh, are you cooking? Something smells amazing.”

He almost found himself saying that it was her that smelled amazing because she always did, crisp like apples and sweet like lilacs. As she walked underneath his arm holding the door open, he caught a whiff of her perfume and took a moment to savor it before pulling himself together. “Yea, I sent Baek Ah to the store to pick up some things we needed. Um, he didn’t mention you were stopping by.”

She was in the kitchen, a spoon in her mouth as she tasted his food. Her eyes widened in delight. “Wow, you made this? This tastes as good as it smells. Does Baek Ah need to tell you when I come by? He told me I can come over whenever I want.”

“You don’t feel nervous coming into an apartment filled with men?” So felt a stab of jealousy over Baek Ah and the way she said his name so casually. “Do you like him or something?”

She sucked on the spoon, considering the question. “I mean, what girl wouldn’t like handsome men paying attention to her and Baek Ah is extremely handsome. He’s got soft hair and kind eyes and perfectly calloused fingers from years of playing guitar. He’s a dream come true for many girls.”

So bit the inside of his cheek, felt the blood pool there. “Right. Yea, I’ve heard he’s got some groupies. Does this mean you’re one of them now?”

“Did you really just call me a groupie?” she asked, clearly offended by the insinuation.

He was saved from answering when Baek Ah came in. “Hey, I got that stuff you wanted. Oh, Hae Soo! Great, you came! You want to have some lunch with us before we get started.”

“That would be great, but I don’t want you thinking I’m going to sleep with you just because you’ve given me some food,” she said, her annoyed gaze never leaving So’s. He could feel the heat rising in his neck.

“That’s a weird thing to say. If you slept with me, I hope it would be because you like me rather than because I give you food.”

So felt sick to his stomach. “You’re not actually considering sleeping with her, are you?!”

Baek Ah looked between the two people in front of them, both glaring at each other determinedly. “He can sleep with me if he wants to,” Soo shouted. She grabbed Baek Ah by the hand and yanked him towards his room. “Come on, Baek Ah,” she seemed to yell just for So. “Let’s go work up an appetite.”

Baek Ah saw So kick at the sofa before Soo slammed his door shut. She huffed and paced around the room. “I’m not actually going to sleep with you,” she said.

“I know,” he laughed at her. “Because I know you’re crazy about him. I see the way you look at him and how you lean closer to him, trying to smell him. Which I don’t blame you there, he does smell good. You’re always way more interested in what he’s doing instead of focusing on writing a song. And, when he talks, you do this lip biting thing. You cant fool me. I’m very observant.”

“Too observant,” she said. “Sorry, for using you like that.”

“It’s fine. I like being used by pretty girls every once in awhile. Also, if you didn’t want me to know, you shouldn’t have lent me your notebook that you littered with doodles of him and little songs about him and little hearts with his name in them.” He picked up the aforementioned item and tossed it to her. She blushed furiously. “Since we’re in here, let’s talk song lyrics.”

“Uh, what made you start writing songs?” So ventured. Practice had just ended and he was completely flustered. Eun and Baek Ah had just left them to clean up and now the two of them were all alone. He wanted to know if she was still angry at him. She seemed closer to Baek Ah after he basically called her a groupie and he wasn’t sure if the two of them had slept together or if they were dating. He noted every casual touch she seemed to give him on the shoulder, on the arms, and once on his knee, which seemed too intimate for his liking. He had asked Baek Ah on several occasions if they were a couple but he would just laugh and say, “A gentlemen never betrays a woman’s secrets.” And So had no idea what that was even supposed to mean. He couldn’t help but feel jealous and angry and hopeless. Soo with her silky black hair and plump, pink lips. Soo with the voice of an angel and button nose. Soo with such delicate soft skin and a laugh that bore fairies into being. He was going insane with wanting to get to know her better but also trying not to seem too obvious or too eager.

“Because I have a song in my heart that’s always bursting to be free,” she said simply, like it was most obvious answer in the world. “Why do you like playing the drums?”

“It’s good anger management,” he shrugged. “I can play other instruments, though.”

“Really? What else can you play?”

“The piano, guitar, the violin, and, now I know you’ll be impressed with this one, the xylophone.”

She laughed and he laughed with her. “Those all seem like such … delicate instruments compared to you.”

“Are you saying I’m not delicate?” He leaned in a bit and he saw her eyes flicker to his lips.

“Uh, I’m sure in… some areas… you could be.” Unconsciously, Soo licked her lips and, before he could stop himself, he found himself kissing them. Her lips were just as soft as he imagined them to be and he could taste the vanilla in her lip balm. Her breath was warm and sweet. He heard her whisper his name and it just spurred him to deepen the kiss, pulling her closer to him and plunging his fingers into her silky strands. Her hands grazed up his chest and settled on his neck. He shivered when her fingers curled in his hair. He wished they had been doing this sooner. Kissing her felt like he was coming home.

She pulled away from him. Her lips were puffed and red and he tried to catch her lips again but she stepped away and avoided his gaze. “Oh, uh, I have to go,” she said. She quickly gathered her things and left, leaving So confused and hurt.

“He kissed you?” Seon Deok shrieked. “And you just left? What the hell is wrong with you? You’ve been dreaming about kissing him for weeks now.”

Soo pounded her head on the table before taking another shot of soju. “I know. I’m an idiot. I panicked. I didn’t think he was actually going to kiss me. I didn’t even know he liked me enough to kiss me!”

“So, what was it like?” Seon Deok poked her friend, eager for details.

“Well, it was… perfect. Slow and warm and … delicate,” she sighed and Seon Deok sighed with her. “And then he tugged me to him and his chest really is as solid as it looks but in a good way and the kiss was firm and thrilling and… god, it was so hot. Seon Deok, what is wrong with me?” She poured herself another glass of soju before knocking it back. “How am I supposed to fix this?”

“Go back and ravage him? He’ll probably forget all about it. Nothing like hot make-up sex,” she giggled and Soo smacked her lightly on the arm.

“I’m serious. I’m looking for serious solutions only.”

“I was serious, but, um, why don’t you write him a song or something? It’s kind of your thing.”

“Hmm… yea, I guess that makes sense.”

Soo was avoiding him. She hadn’t been to any of their practices since he kissed her and she ran off. Why had she ran off? She seemed just as into the kiss as he did. He pressed his face into the pillow and screamed into it. It didn’t make any sense to him. Why had she run off?! He punched the pillow, punched the bed, punched the headboard. Was she really dating Baek Ah? Would she kiss him back if she was dating Baek Ah? Did he just betray his best friend? Everything would’ve been fine and solved and wonderful if she had just. Not. Run. Away! He flipped on his bed and started kicking the air. This was driving him up the wall.

There was a small knock on his door and Baek Ah poked his head through. “Hey, is there something going on with you? Because you’ve been terrible at practice. You’re off beat, or you’re too loud or you’re too soft or, sometimes, not even paying attention. It’s not like you.”

So pouted at his friend. “I think I did something really bad. And you’re going to hate me.”

“It would take quite a lot for me to hate you.” So pulled the pillow over his face and mumbled his troubles into it. Baek Ah walked over and pulled the pillow off his friend’s face. “So, just tell me. Can’t fix it if I don’t know what’s broken.”

“I kissed your girlfriend. I didn’t mean to, but she’s just so beautiful and always smells so nice and she licked her lips and I just couldn’t help myself and I kissed her.”

“Okay, let’s backtrack. I don’t have a girlfriend. Unless you count that poster of Seohyun from Girls’ Generation. Have you been kissing my poster?”

So sat up and squished Baek Ah’s face between his hands. “You’re not dating Hae Soo?”

“Hae Soo?” he asked, pushing So’s hands off his face. “Why would I date her? She likes you.” He gasped loudly. “YOU KISSED HAE SOO?! Oh, tell me everything? Did she kiss you? Man, I was wondering how long she was going to hold it in. She never shuts up about you.”

“She likes me? She said that? You heard the words ‘I like Wang So’ come out of her mouth?”

Baek Ah furrowed his eyebrows together. “Wait a second, start from the beginning.”

So fell sideways on his bed, his head dangling over the edge. “It was last week. It was after you and Eun left us to clean up. We were talking about instruments and I just… I kissed her and it was amazing and then she just left. And I haven’t heard anything from her since then. I thought she was avoiding me because you two were dating.”

“Okay, we will talk about how easily you would kiss a girl you think is my girlfriend at another point in time, my friend, but we’ve never been a thing. She’s cute, but she’s like a sister. I did suspect you had a thing for her, though, when I saw you kicking the couch after she dragged me into my room saying she was going to sleep with me. She likes you, though, so I’m surprised she would just leave and she didn’t even mention it to me.”

“You’ve been talking to her?” So asked eagerly, pulling himself up. “She hasn’t been coming to practice though.”

“Oh, that’s because she has exams and she’s been studying. She’s still been working on the music, though. She gave me the finished sheet music this morning. She said as long as we nail the melody, she’ll come through with the lyrics and she’ll meet up with us at the competition.”

“Right. The competition, which is another couple weeks. Do you think you could ask her why she left? Or like give her my number? Or should I write a letter? Do you think she would like flowers? Should I write a letter and send flowers?”

Baek Ah slapped his hand over So’s face. “Just stop talking. I’ll talk to her.” So just nodded.

Eun was off in the distance, on the phone with Seon Deok asking about Soo’s whereabouts. She was late and they were supposed to be up any minute now. Eun got off the phone and rushed over. “Seon Deok said traffic is really bad, but Hae Soo is definitely on her way.”

So rubbed at his eyes. Baek Ah smacked his face. “Okay, Eun you know the lyrics right?” Baek Ah asked. “If, for some reason, she doesn’t show and we go on, you’re going to have to sing.”

“Uh, I don’t know. Keyboard, I’m good at. Singing I’m good at. Playing the keyboard and singing at the same time in front of all those people, maybe not so much.”

“Face it,” sighed So, idly twirling his drumstick to hide his rising panic. “We’re screwed.”

“Well, aren’t you just a beacon of optimism,” said a voice behind him. All three men turned to see Soo and they gaped at her. So stood quickly, tripping over his feet and stumbling before her beauty. She looked stunning in a simple red dress that lightly hugged her small frame before flaring out the knees. Her usual straight hair fell down her back in waves and So wanted nothing more than to run his fingers through the length of it. The most beautiful part of her, though, was the way her eyes sparkled with excitement. “Sorry, I’m late.”

Eun pulled her into a hug before So could get to her. “It just matters that you are here,” Eun said close to her ear. “Come on, we’re next.” He took her hand and dragged her towards the stage. She gave So a fleeting but encouraging smile. She had hated how she had left things, tried texting him and calling him a thousand times, but nothing seemed right. She would make it right tonight, though. She had to.

A stagehand came up to them. “Ready in five,” he said and then hurried off to prepare the next act. They took their places behind the curtain. So tried to get Soo’s attention, but she was too busy talking to Baek Ah, going over last minutes notes. I guess I’ll just have to wait until after the show, he thought to himself. He cursed Eun for taking away his small window of opportunity.

“Alright, all you music lovers,” they heard the emcee call over the speakers. “Give it up for The Wolf-Dogs.” The crowd roared as the curtains rolled up.

“Wow,” Hae Soo said into the mic. “What a great crowd, tonight. Thank you all for letting us play our song for you. I know you’re pumped and ready to dance, but we’re going to slow it down for you a little bit. This song was written as an apology of sorts for someone I like quite a bit, maybe more than a bit. This song is called ‘Through the Night’. We hope you like it.”

The light dimmed over them as the first notes chimed over the crowd, a soft note escaping her lips, lulling the crowd into a hush. As she serenaded the audience, So felt the rising tide of euphoria sweep through him and felt the ebb of his anxiety and confusion over her radio silence flee with every romantic lilt and intonation that rippled from her. He watched as the crowd one by one by one brought out their phones, waving the bright lights in the air, creating a sea of fireflies. He clung to her words, the ones that told him she loved him, that told him she missed him, and said he was a blessing. He wanted it all with her, every touch, every smile, every conversation and she was telling him, telling everyone, that she wanted it too. He didn’t care anymore if they won this competition because somehow, inconceivably, he had won her love and that was the greatest prize of all. As the last silvery notes resonated through the night, the crowd’s howling and thunderous applause returned to the venue. The four of them took a bow as the curtains lowered. Stagehands rushed them off the stage so they could set up for the next competitor.

“Oh, man, Hae Soo, you were great!” Eun applauded. “I’ve never heard anyone sing like that before.”

Once again, Eun brought her in for a hug, completely cutting off his older brother from her. This time, without any time constraints, So pulled his brother off of Soo. “I need to talk to you,” So said to her and she let him take her hand and followed him to a quieter place they could talk.

“Before you say anything,” Soo said when they stopped. “I just want to say I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have just left like that. I could give you a thousand different excuses, but I’m just going to say that I like you. I like you a lot. I liked kissing you and I love that you can be wild and free playing the drums but that you’re precise and nimble enough to play the violin and I love how you smell like flowers but you taste like cinnamon and I like that you don’t care about what other people say about you. I just like every bit of you and I’m all in. That is, if you still like me.”

So felt his laughter bubble in his chest and burst from his lips. “Are you laughing at me?” she said, pouting.

“No, I’m laughing because this is all so unreal. You just sang a song for me. You wrote a song about me, about us, and sang it in front of all those people and now you’re standing in front of me listing reasons why you like me and I just can’t contain myself. Because I like you, too. I like you so much. I loved kissing you and I love that you smell like apples and taste like vanilla. I like how you put your whole heart and soul into every word and note you write. I like that you go after what you want no matter the consequences that lay before you. And I’m all in, too, every bit of me.”

It was Soo that initiated the kiss this time and So found he liked that a whole lot better, the way she jumped up into his height and crashed her lips into his. She dropped down, a playful smile on her lips and her eyes shining with glee. It wasn’t enough for him, he wanted more of her. He wrapped his arm around her waist, bringing her closer, and his other hand reached up to brush her hair behind her ear. “Don’t run away from me this time,” he said and as a giggle spilled from her lips, he drank it in. He stole another kiss and his own heart created a song just for her, bursting to be sung.

#Anonymous #scarlet heart ryeo #moon lovers #wang so #hae soo #sosoo #fanfic #mlshrfic #anon request #anyone gotta title?#i suck at titles #also #thank you anon for giving me reason to listen to through the night non-stop

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oopscupcake · 8 years ago

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Promise - Part two

Hi everyone! This is a part two to my last fic “Promise”, requested by @haroldsbaby94. If you haven’t read it already I invite you to have a look at it here.

I really enjoyed writing this one, hope you enjoy it as well :)

Jess sat cross-legged in the windowsill of her childhood bedroom, her head leaned against the cold surface of the glass. She admired how from the distance the sky began to be invaded by the first reddish flashes of light which marked the beginning of a new day. She closed her eyes at the sound of the early birds’ chirps, enjoying the melody. It felt as if the ethereal symphony had been designed just for her, for him, for the most important day of their lives.

She couldn’t believe in a matter of hours she’d be walking down the aisle to her best friend, to the love of her life, to Harry.

Moments like those were the ones which made her realise how blessed she was. If she thinks about it now, there were very little probabilities that Harry would come back from the nightmare he was in; still, his will was so big that he managed to go through every single one of the cruel struggles that implied just to get home, to fulfill his promise.

Her eyes still filled of tears when she remembered that miserable time: the worry she always woke up to; the way the house didn't feel like home anymore; the fear that settled in her system whenever the doorbell rang, thinking it could be anyone to tell the worst of the news.

She wiped off some of the ones which had began to stream down her eyes, shaking her head to take the thoughts away.

The nightmare had ended and now she only had to focus on the future that awaited her by his side.

The buzz of her phone brought her back to reality. When she walked to the nightstand where it rested, a smile drew on her face as she spotted Harry’s name in the screen along with a text:

‘Morning baby girl.

I know it’s still very early for you to be awake but I haven’t slept at all and I couldn’t resist anymore the urge I had to talk to you. I’ve been up all night picturing the moment when we’ll finally be face to face, hands locked, about to say those two words which will make us one…’

Jess concluded his text by typing what was left. Just as she pressed the send button, another message popped out, both of them saying ‘I do.’ A smile drew on the boy’s face when he saw her immediate reply, figuring she had spent the night as sleepless as him. Without any hesitation he dialed her number, waiting impatiently to hear her voice “Hazz! we’re supposed not to talk before the wedding, remember?” “Love, to be honest I don’t care. I couldn’t sleep a thing and that’s because cuddling with a pillow doesn't feel as good as cuddling with you” Jess felt a butterfly revolution take place in her tummy as the words spilled out of the boy’s mouth. After so many years with him he was still able to bring back sensations like those. The best part was she knew that sort of comments weren’t previously conceived to provoke an effect like such, instead, he just said what he genuinely felt; she loved to tease him though “You sometimes can be soo cheesy...” the foolish smile plastered on the curly-haired boy’s face during the whole course of the conversation transformed into a pout, recognising the naughtiness in her voice “Oh, so you don't like my cheesiness? That’s okay, I’ll stop” the line went silent “Hazza?” “Harry are you kidding?... stop it” he wasn’t going to give in as easily, as much as she liked to tease him, he enjoyed to annoy her “No, I’m not kidding Jessica, what makes you think so?” she rolled her eyes, knowing right after the reply his game “Okay baby… I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt your gentleman feelings” the silence she received back told her it hadn’t been enough, sometimes he could behave like a real kid. “I actually adore your sweet words and the way you show me how much you love me with them. I don’t reckon I could carry on normally with my life without them” Even though Harry planned on disturbing her for a bit longer, the laugh he had been containing eventually managed to break free “Okay love, I’ll stop your suffering. Such a cutie like you deserves all the love in the world” this comment made the girl at the other end of the line giggle as she blushed madly.

When the laughs ceased a silence invaded the line, silence broken by Jess’ loud yawn “Love, why don’t you go and get some rest?” “I can’t, I’m way too excited as well as nervous” In that moment Harry recalled what he used to do when things like those happened “What if I sing you to sleep? you know, like in the old days” “Hazz, you don’t ha-” “But I want to. C’mon go to bed, not gonna take a no as an answer” She didn’t put much more resistance, on the inside she was enthusiastic about the idea “As you wish sir” “That’s my girl, now close your eyes and relax, think of this as if I was there, tangled with you” he began to sing softly to ‘I want to write you a song’, a tune he wrote to her in the early stages of their relationship.

She smiled at the sound of his deep voice, little by little feeling as her eyelids felt heavier due to its relaxing effect.

When Harry heard the faint snores she stubbornly denied about, he hung up, not before saying “I love you... Mrs. Styles”

[Time skip]

Jess looked at herself in the mirror for the first time in the whole chaotic day, a wave of emotions hitting her when she realised she was indeed about to get married.

The fact that she had fantasized about the situation numerous times was undeniable, but the sensations it awoke in her couldn’t compare at all to the bliss explosion taking place in her chest at that precise moment.

She liked the feeling, it was a reminder that she wasn’t dreaming anymore.

And thank God it wasn’t a dream.

“Honey, you look so beautiful… I’m speechless” The mannish voice coming from the doorframe made her move her eyes to the figure of her dad reflected on the glass. He stared at her with a proud smile, as he walked to her to wipe a tear that had begun its race down her cheek, placing a kiss on her forehead once he was done. “Dad, we made it. Harry and I made it, see? After everything we went through we accomplished to get to today. He promised to come back to marry me and he fulfilled his promise” the man brought her into a tight embrace, making her feel like when she was just a little naive girl. “Of course, sweetheart. You both deserve this more than anyone in the world. Your strength and his will to fulfill his promise brought you here” he watched as more tears accumulated at the corner of her eyes “Hey sweetie, today there’s no reason to cry, today’s the day to smile, smile so wide that you look ridiculous, but, after all, ridiculously happy” they stayed like that for a couple more minutes, him rubbing her back soothingly.

“We have to get out there now, but before I wanted to let you know how bad I regret what I once said about Harry. I regret having judged him and tried to drift him apart from you. I’m really thankful towards him, he makes you the happiest woman in the world and that's all I want in life. I’m very sorry” Her lower lip trembled slightly and her breathing was ragged. She bit it, trying to stop the tears from falling again.

It was true the first years with Harry had been pretty difficult. When her father found out he had an issue going on, he prohibited her from see him ever again. She had never disobeyed him until that moment, meeting the young boy secretly to help him get out of the hole he was in.

All for love.

“Dad, that doesn’t matter anymore. We’re all okay now and I’m sure Harry is aware of your regret and forgives you as well” the man looked at her daughter, when did she become that mature? “I love you, my little big girl” “I love you dad”.

He placed on her small hand the humble bouquet of flowers. She looked down at it, eyebrows furrowed in confusion “Niall, Louis and Liam made it, they said they wanted to gift you something unique” Jess let out a loud guffaw at the hilarious scene of the process of manufacture that came to her mind “I like it, it's… original?”

“This is the moment... are you ready?”

She took a deep breath, preparing to head towards her future “Yeah… I’ve always been ready for this”

Just as they stepped out into the garden, the lovely sight right in front of her eyes made her forget all the nerves previously felt. As she walked through the light blue path formed by petals scattered here and there on the ground she admired fascinated the scenery around: the wooden seats, where the small amount of guests sat, looked as if they had been made of branches, fairy lights tangled around them, giving a nice illumination to the dimness of the evening; in the altar white bougainvillea flower strings hung loosely from the arch, waving delicately side to side at the rhythm of the soft currents of air. It wasn’t until she got nearer that she saw several polaroids mixed between the flowers, detail that made her smile, she was more than sure Harry had done that. It had been quite a while since she last saw those pictures, the pictures which once captured the beginnings of their story.

Jess walked through the cold snowy streets, carrying dearly with her a small box wrapped in a Christmas themed paper.

Tiny snowflakes landed on her jet black hair as she wondered whether it had been a good idea to visit Harry on Christmas day. There was no turn back when she found herself ringing his bell and, seconds later, a smiley Harry looking back at her. “H-Hi…. Merry Christmas” she awkwardly played with the hard surface of the box, not daring to look at him after her shy greet “Jess, you came… Merry Christmas. Come in, you must be freezing” “It isn’t necessary, I don’t want to disturb, your family must want to spend time with you. I just-” his big hands cupping her cheeks cut her, taking her by surprise “You’re not going to interrupt anything, I’m alone. C’mon get in” he brushed some snowflakes off of her hair before guiding her inside.

“How are you? Have you….” “No, you don’t have to worry. I really do want to get out of that shit, every time temptation comes back I think about you… I- I mean all we’ve done to get where we are” now the one nervous was him, who blushed noticeably. When the hell did he return to his teenage years? he thought to himself.

It was difficult for Jess to ignore his reply, however, she managed to change subject to the reason for her visit “I just came to give you a little present” those words replaced the shame for brightness in his gaze along with a childlike smile, which gave Jess the most joyful sensation, and for a moment she wished she was the reason for that reaction. “Jess, you didn’t have-” “Just open it!” she said as she giggled and handed him the box.

His lips formed an “o” shape when he recognised the camera in front of him as the one he saw in her house “Oh my… Honey this is yours, I can’t accept it” she grinned as she tucked some wild strands of hair behind his small ear “Hazz, it’s no longer mine. From now on I want you to keep it and take pictures of anything that brings you happiness, so you can have a look at them whenever you feel down or that you can’t cope with your problems anymore” the boy gave her a hesitant look, to which she responded with a roll of eyes “okay…” the room went silent. Harry faced down at the item resting on his hands, not paying attention to it but gathering confidence to say his next words: “Can I take you a picture?”

A shiver travelled down the bride’s spine when she came back from her reminiscence to see the once shattered lost boy, now standing in front of her, love floating in his watery orbs. They spent a good deal of time staring at each other, everything around going blurry.

Harry swallowed hard, the overwhelm the situation produced him was tremendous, if It was for him he would skip the whole ceremony to get into the moment when he would be kissing her deeply, discovering her, not a perfect, but a full of genuine love future, by the intimate motions two mouths crashing against each other.

He admired how the dress reached all the way to her feet, hiding these and hugging her curves in the best way. The lights around gave the ideal brightness to her smooth skin and he wished they were alone to be able to trace it, feel it under his fingertips, under his lips, breath in its scent.

Their hands locked, fitting perfectly. Both felt how the hair on their arms rose when they found themselves saying “My wish is coming true”

***

The rest of the wedding couldn’t have gone better. Joy floated in the atmosphere around, everyone danced, talked, even laughed at Harry’s terrible jokes; the garden filled with booes towards him when he mentioned he used to be a baker while cutting the first slice of the wedding cake made by him.

Now they laid on bed, Jess on her stomach and Harry on his side, staring at the way her naked skin responded to the delicate traces of his fingertips all over her back. The bed which once was the witness of the saddest moment of their lives, now hosted their joy, their love.

The light in the room was dull, the only source of it coming from the lamppost outside in the street. The silence around was comfortable, the only audible sound being the one of their breathings softening after their previous activities. He stopped his carressings to pick his wife by the chin and turn her face towards him to place a slow long kiss on her plump lips “Thank you” the girl furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, asking the reason for that comment “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me… for making me the happiest man, for my life better. We’ve been together through thick and thin and you’ve always believed in me, even when I didn’t. When I’m with you I feel so safe... you’re my home” Jess imitated his position in bed, facing him. She cupped his cheeks and made the tip of their noses to touch “Hey, you don’t have to thank me nothing. As much as I’ve done for you, you’ve done for me; I’ve also had ups and downs and you’ve always been the first person to make me feel like everything was going to be okay” he brushed his nose against hers “You have no idea how much I love you, my angel. Promise I’ll never let you down, I’ll always be there for you” she giggled when he playfully bit the flabby skin of her pomule “Even when I’m old and grumpy?” “Yeah, specially then. I’ll be walking around you telling you how cute you look when you’re irritated, and insist even more when you groan in annoyance. Whenever I hear you complaining about the crinkles around your eyes I’ll be there to remind you all the laughs we had together… I’ll be there to make you realise why you should love them; and even then I’ll still see you as the most beautiful woman ever to be on planet Earth. Of course not everything’s going to be perfect, that’s for sure, we’ll make each other mad, we’ll argue, we’ll get stressed, but I’m not worried about it because I know love wins over anything else and we’ll fix our problems as well as we’ve done tons of times before” Jess’ heartbeat rose at his words and she asked to herself what in the world she had done to deserve such a beautiful human being “Harry, that was really heart touching, indeed. What the hell did I do to deserve you?” he brought her closer to him, feeling her fast heartbeat against his chest “Being you��

She snuggled in his strong arms, playing with his little curls. Their breaths became deeper and the embrace lost tightness; their last words before drifting off were:

“I love you Mr. Styles”

“I love you more Mrs. Styles”

MASTERLIST.

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yourneighborhoodhamiltrash · 8 years ago

Text

You will be Found (Pippa x Reader)

Featuring a mix of lyrics from “Dear Evan Hansen”

Words: 2,523

Warnings: Self hate, mentioned homophobia, implied self harm, implied past suicide attempt, bisexual!reader, overall darker themes, potentially horrible writing (let me know if i missed anything)

a/n: i’ve been listening to this cast album for the past week and i have a lot of feelings. if you ever feel this, please know that you are worth it. you are strong and you’re going to get through whatever you’re experiencing right now. i believe in you. if you need someone to talk to, don’t hesitate to message me. you’re not alone.

There’s nothing like your smile- sort of subtle and perfect and real

The moment you met Pippa, your heart skipped a beat and you practically forgot how to breathe.

You had recently been cast an ensemble member and understudy for the one and only, Eliza Schuyler. Words failed to describe how excited you were. You had dreamed of being able to perform on Broadway since you were a kid and the fact that you were finally living it was unimaginable.

You walked towards the Richard Rodgers theater practically beaming. You walked with a bounce in your step as you heard the familiar tune of ‘Helpless’ blast through your earbuds. You looked up at the sign and let your smile grow wider. You had come such a long way.

You thought you heard a voice and turned as you took off the earbuds.

“Sorry, what did you-”

What you weren’t expecting was to find yourself facing someone you had admired for a while now. Your jaw nearly dropped to the cement you were standing on.

“Holy shit, you’re Phillipa Soo,” you said, awestruck. You realized what you said and nearly audibly groaned. “Sorry, that was definitely not what I meant to say. You’re really spectacular (and gorgeous),” You spoke with a nervous smile.

“Thank you, you’re not too bad yourself,” she said with a blush. “Call me Pippa.”

She smiled at you and suddenly, everything was real. Phillipa Soo wasn’t just someone you looked up to anymore. She was your castmate. Someone you’d see nearly everyday. While your heart began to pound, getting nervous at all the pressure you felt about performing on Broadway, her smile seemed to make it all okay.

“I’m (Y/N), your new understudy.”

Will I ever be more than I’ve always been?

You sat on the couch of the Schuyler Sisters’ dressing room and looked around, silently.

One year ago, you were across the country working some dead end job, barely earning any money to survive.

One year ago, Broadway was nowhere in sight. You still loved performing. You sang and danced whenever you had the chance. But, you simply didn’t have the opportunity to do so full time.

One year ago, you nearly ended it all. You hated what you did. You hated how you lived. You had so many dreams and aspirations that looked like they were nowhere in sight. Would you ever be more? Would it be worth sticking around?

Little did you know where one year would bring you.

You looked to Pippa who was sitting in front of the mirror applying some last minute makeup while humming some song to herself absentmindedly. In the first few weeks of being in the show, you and her clicked nearly instantly. You had a tendency to always end up together by the end of the night, no matter where you were. Whether it was a cast outing or a rehearsal, the two of you nearly always spent the last of the night together. You began to know her more as “Pippa, the dork with a big smile” rather than “Phillipa Soo, talented and beautiful performer”.

The two of you were attached at the hip. You shared hundreds of stupid jokes- from horrendous pick up lines to well crafted puns. You were constantly seen together at coffee shops and backstage. Often, one of you would end up taking the other by the hand and end up holding it for however long. When your friends in the ensemble and the other cast members slowly noticed the affection between you two, they didn’t hesitate to tease you relentlessly.

You took her by the hand and led her behind you to the dressing room to show her some video on your phone. You heard whistles behind the two of you and turned to see Daveed and Oak giggling like twelve year olds. You rolled your eyes at their antics and continued to the room.

I never thought there’d be someone like you who would want me

You sat in the coffee shop across from Pippa. You anxiously sipped your coffee as your eyes remained glued on the table. You felt her take your hand in hers and squeeze it comfortingly.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” She asked quietly.

Your heart pounded and your breaths came at a quicker pace. You closed your eyes only to see the memories of when you came out to your parents. You remembered them telling you how unnatural you were. How you were sick. How you disgusted them. How you weren’t human. You remembered them telling you to pack your bags, kicking you out nearly immediately.

“Hey,” She repeated, getting your attention, “You know that you can tell me anything, right?”

You nodded before finally meeting her eyes, seeing their concern and worry. Your heart nearly melted.

You didn’t mean to fall in love with her. Hell, you didn’t even realize you did. Sure, you noticed the backflips your stomach did whenever you saw her, but you refused to acknowledge it as love.

“I’m bisexual.” You said in a small voice, looking back down at your shoes. You unintentionally cringed as you heard nothing. Did you made a mistake? Did you just ruin an amazing friendship? Did you-

You looked at her, fearing what you would see. You weren’t expecting to see her sitting there with a huge, goofy grin on her face.

“I’m proud of you.”

Weeks passed you felt yourself fall for her more and more. Your heart ached knowing that she’d never be yours. Boy, were you wrong.

You sat on her couch as a movie played on her TV during one of your regular lazy nights. You were laying against her with your arm around you. You don’t know what possessed you to do what was next, maybe it was the Yule Ball scene playing in the background. You turned to face her, catching her by surprise. Pippa stared at you in confusion.

“The movie’s on the screen, silly.”

“Pip,” You paused, “I like you.”

“I know.” She said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. And, maybe it was.

“No, I mean, I like-like you. I-” She cut you off with her lips. You looked at her in shock.

“I love you too, dork.”

I’d rather pretend I’m something better than these broken parts

The past few months were hard for you. The first few months of your relationship with Pippa were a bliss. And, it still was. You came home together every night, still as in love as ever. But, the moment your relationship went public, you got worse.

You continued to walk around with a smile on your face. You gave Pip and anyone who asked nothing but reassurances that you were okay. How could you tell anyone how things really were?

Somehow, things were worst than before. You still had moments where you were happy. You still laughed with Anthony and smiled genuinely with Pip, but it was all so temporary. At the end of the day when you were laying in bed surrounded by the darkness while your girlfriend slept, your mind was consumed by racing thoughts.

Maybe you were unnatural. Maybe you weren’t good enough for Pippa. No, you knew that you weren’t. You didn’t deserve to be her girlfriend. You didn’t deserve to be in Hamilton. You didn’t deserve anything.

All you could think about were these negative, self loathing thoughts. You knew it was wrong, that you should talk to someone about it. Yet, you couldn’t bring yourself to do anything about it.

You walked around set, becoming more and more numb with everyday that passed. As Pippa got busy again with rehearsals and plans with the cast, you slowly and unintentionally distanced yourself from her. You didn’t want her to see this. She didn’t need to see this mess that you were.

She didn’t need to see how broken you truly were.

Pretend I’m something other than this mess that I am

You called in sick for the day, not feeling up to keeping up the facade in front of everyone.

“I promise, Pip, I’m okay. I’m just feeling a little bit under the weather.” You reassured her.

“I can stay and take care of you, love.”

“No, I promise that I’m okay. Just go, I’ll be here when you get home.”

“Okay, but don’t hesitate to call me if you need anything- soup, medicine, whatever you need.”

“I’ll see you tonight, babe. I love you.”

“i love you too.” She gave you one last hug and a sad smile before she walked out the door.

You laid there for a while. Without you realizing, you had silent tears rolling down your cheeks. Your mind seemed to be screaming at you, deeming your worst insecurities true.

‘Cause then I don’t have to look at it

You looked at your reflection staring back at you, almost not recognizing the person staring back at you. You noticed the dark bags beneath your eyes. You noticed how your eyes looked so dull. You studied every inch of it, despising everything you saw.

You did something that you hadn’t done since you moved to New York.

And no one gets to look at it

As the day progressed, you made your way onto the couch.

As Pippa walked in after a busy day, she nearly called out to you before hearing the TV playing and seeing you on the couch fast asleep. She smiled as she saw you. Her heart still skipped a beat. How did she get so lucky?

She made her way to the kitchen to heat up some food for dinner. As the microwave spun, she looked to the sink expecting to see and a pan and a bowl at the very least. She frowned, noticing that it was just as full as it was in the morning. Hearing the beep, she was quick to get her food and sit at the foot of the couch near your sleeping figure.

As she took a bite, she looked up at you, taking in the details of your face. This time, however, she noticed things that she hadn’t seen in months. She noticed how exhausted you looked despite being asleep. She saw how your eyebrows furrowed as if you were still distressed. She scanned over the rest of your body when she noticed something.

No, no one can really see

As you fell asleep, you didn’t realize your hoodie sleeve riding up revealing your forearm over the edge of the couch. Pippa leaned in closer, catching sight of something she didn’t want to see. As her gaze studied the exposed skin, she noticed the darker lines that rested below bright, red ones. The scars and cuts terrified her. How could you not tell her? How could she not notice?

She frowned in seeing the new looking cuts. Pippa loved you with all of her heart and it broke her to know that you didn’t see yourself as she did. Knowing that she’d need to talk about it in the morning, she kissed your forehead and shook you lightly, waking you up.

“C’mon, (Y/N).” She said in a whisper as she led you back to bed. As she began to change, she heard you mutter something.

“I love you.” You sounded so different than the first time she heard you utter those words to her. You sounded so worn out, so sad. In your hardly conscious state, there was no masking it.

So let the sun come streaming in

You woke the next morning smelling coffee and hearing music playing softly in the living room. You got up slowly and looked down at your forearms, frowning. You were weak.

You made your way to the kitchen where you saw your girlfriend with a mug to the side as she read a book.

“Good morning, Pip.” She looked up at you and smiled.

“‘Morning, love.” She got up and wrapped you in her arms. You poured yourself a mug and sat down on the couch where you were soon joined by Pippa. You raised an eyebrow, not entirely sure what was going on.

She gave you a sad smile. “What’s wrong, babe?”

She took a deep breath before reaching to your hoodie. In shock of what was happening, you could hardly move as she slowly slid the sleeve up revealing the skin underneath.

You looked down in shame, unsure of what to say.

‘Cause you’ll reach up and you’ll rise again

“Why?”

“I-” You felt like the words were getting stuck in your throat. “I-” Tears welled up in your eyes as you looked at her. She looked devastated. This wasn’t supposed to hurt her. Only you. You deserved it… right?

You began to sob in your hands. What do you tell her? She took you in her arms as you cried. Everything that piled up in the past few months seemed to make its way to the surface. As you calmed down after a few moments, you looked down as you began to tell your story.

This time, you left nothing out. You told her about your struggle with coming to terms with who you were. You told her about the lack of friends by your side in high school, of the lack of support from those you loved in what you wanted to do. You uttered words telling about how you came out and got kicked out. You told her about your problems with self esteem. How you feared that you would never be able to become anyone. You told her about how self destructive you became and how you tried to take your life. You told her about how happy New York and falling in love with her made you. How much you did love her. But, you also told her about how the comments affected you. How a lot of old feelings were brought back up. How numb you felt. How lost you thought you were.

After all that, you expected her to run. You thought that in telling the truth, you’d also lose the person you loved the most.

Lift your head and look around

You looked back up where you were met with the most heartbroken face you’ve ever seen. Your heart ached at her sadness and wanted nothing more but to make it all okay.

“I’m sorry, Pip. You deserve better.” She looked back up at you in disbelief.

“Never. Gosh, (Y/N), I wish I could take away everything you’ve gone through, but at the end of the day, I can’t. I can’t undo the mess that was made, but I can help clean it up. Love, if you let me, I’m here for you. I’ll help you pick the pieces back up. You are so unbelievably, breathtakingly gorgeous. And, you are one of the most talented people that I’ve ever met. You are so kind and thoughtful. If anything, I don’t deserve you.” She paused and held your hands in hers. “You don’t need to be lost anymore, (Y/N).”

You will be found.

#hamilton #hamilton: an american musical #hamilcast #x reader #pippa soo #phillipa soo #pippa soo x reader #phillipa soo x reader #tw:self harm #you will be found #dear evan hansen #hamilcast x reader #angst #bisexual #fluff #idk how to tag #daveed diggs #anthony ramos

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