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sometimesanalice · 10 months ago

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I Like Your Cinema

Synopsis: Bradley wasn’t sure why you wanted to see the movie again, especially when neither one of you had particularly liked it the first time you’d seen it together. But when you’re tugging down his zipper, things start to make a lot more sense.

Pairing: Bradley ‘Rooster’ Bradshaw X Female Reader

Length: 6K

Warnings: Unapologetic Smut (minors dni)

(author's note: this fic is set in the 'Like I Can Universe', but can be read on it's own! )

Bradley wasn’t expecting to find himself rolling up to the mostly empty movie theater parking lot at 11am on a sunny Saturday morning. But here he was.

He’d had to exercise more self-control than he knew he was capable of when you’d all but skipped out his front door wearing the tightest pair of jeans he’d ever seen. It was all he could do to follow after you to the Bronco, his eyes glued to all of your denim clad curves, instead of pulling you right back into bed with him like he wanted to.

In the passenger’s seat next to him, you’re surprisingly upbeat for someone who was only running off of two cups of coffee instead of the usual three you needed to become a semblance of a functional human being. You’d happily hummed along to the songs playing on the radio the whole ride to the theater.

The two of you had already seen the movie a few weeks ago. It had been fine, but they’d clearly used the funniest moments in the trailer as a way to get people in the seats. It wasn’t one he was particularly interested in seeing again in theaters, but he’d never been good at refusing you. Not when he was younger and certainly not now. So if you wanted to see it he’d be there seated right next to you, just the way he liked to be.

Although Bradley was still trying to remember just when last night it was that the two of you had talked about going to see a matinee showing of it again. He can only guess that it must have slipped his mind after the way you’d come on his mouth.

Less than an hour ago you were hustling him into the shower, he was thinking he was about to get lucky until you’d told him to hurry up or the two of you would be late.

“Wait, late for what, kid?” he’d asked confused. To his knowledge other than meeting up with Mav and Penny for dinner later that night, your Saturday was wonderfully free of plans.

He was getting used to having more morning of waking up with you than less. In his bed, in your bed. There was nothing he like more than feeling all your warm skin under his palm before the sun was up. After so many years on hard beds, it was your softness he was always seeking out still half asleep before getting up for the day.

He’s learned so many things about you from a lifetime of friendship, but he’s only had a couple of months learning what makes you sigh and gasp and keen and come.

It was one thing to know that you weren’t a morning person, regardless of how much you claimed you to be one, and another to see your adorably sleepy pout first thing in the morning with the pillow crease still etched on your cheek.

Bradley liked knowing what your preferred brand of toothpaste was and how many steps were in your bedtime routine. For as well as he’s always known you, there was so much more to discover and he was loving every new bit of you he got to uncover.

He liked your cozy apartment filled with all your pretty things and framed pictures on the walls. He’d never thought of getting a rug for in front of the sink in the kitchen until he was doing the dishes one night at your place, that night he’d ordered one for himself. However, he’d rather see your impressive shoe collection next to his minimal assortment of boots and sneakers in the closet of his condo.

More often than not, you were coming to his place with a tote bag full of your things, spare clothes and travel sized products. He didn’t want you to feel like a visitor passing through, he wanted to be your home. He was still working out how to ask you to move in with him, but he’ll figure it out. He always does.

He wanted more mornings, more nights, more days with you.

“For the movie,” you’d said slowly, looking at him deliberately. Tilting your head at him like his confusion was confusing you.

“Sweet girl, what movie? When did we talk about this? I literally don’t remember.”

The exasperated sigh that came out of you would have been funny if he hadn’t been wracking his brain trying to catch up with something he didn’t realize he was missing to begin with.

“Bradley, come on,” you huffed, petulantly, “We talked about it before bed last night. You said you’d come with me, I already bought the tickets for it.” You wiggle your phone at him like it’ll somehow help to jog his memory.

Well, that explains it. You’d done a number on him last night.

“Last night, huh?” he smirked, grabbing your hips and pulling you to him, “Was this before or after I coaxed you into sitting on my face?” Bradley chuckled at the bashful look that coasted over your face as you shoved at his shoulder lightly, but he’d just tugged you in closer, “Awh, c’mon, don’t get shy on me. It was hot.”

He liked being the one that gets to make you all flustered.

You just shook your head at him, not taking the bait, “It was after.”

“Well if it was after then you can’t blame me for not retaining that conversation. You should know by now that you can’t hold me to whatever comes out of my mouth when I’m still pussy dru-”

“Don’t be crass,” you’d tutted at him, tugging at the hem of his worn Navy shirt.

He slides his thumbs under your shirt, letting them skim over the soft skin above your underwear, “We both know how much you like this mouth, especially when it’s ‘crass’.”

You’d hummed at him- admitting nothing, denying nothing - before a mischievous grin overtook your face, “That’s a good a tidbit to know though, seems like the kind of thing that could work in my favor for the future.”

Those dimples would be the end of him.

“Troublemaker,” he’d said, pulling off his shirt and dropping it onto the bathroom floor.

You weren’t subtle about the way you checked him out, “What are you going to do about it?”

The sweatpants came off next and your eyes weren’t anywhere near his face when he replied, “Come get in the shower with me and I’ll show you real quick.”

You’d sauntered up to him slowly. And for a moment he thought you were going to reach for his cock, instead you’d grabbed a fluffy white towel and pressed it into his chest, “Not going to happen, Bradshaw. We’ve got a date with seats F9 and F10 in 40 minutes. Chop-chop, pretty boy.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Although, it didn’t stop him from snapping the towel at your ass when you’d spun away in your triumph.

He’s given up trying to remember the conversation from the night before or when you bought the tickets because you are happily tugging him towards the doors to the theater and he’d do just about anything to see the pretty curve of your smile.

Including seeing the action comedy that had one too many explosion sequences and a car that ends up in space for whatever reason.

The last time he made a fuss about you not letting him be the one to buy something for the two of you, you’d given him a look that had nearly pinned him to the damn wall and then said: “Don’t be a caveman. It’s not the 1950’s, I am allowed buy you things too.”

He’d hate to be called anti-feminist, so he was trying to get better about letting you pamper him in your own ways. But that didn’t stop him from trying to be the first one to reach for a credit card every chance he got. You were his girl and he couldn’t help himself.

Bradley opens the door for you and is hit with the smell of freshly popped popcorn. He looks down at you in time to watch as your nose scrunches the same way it always has in all the years that he’s known you.

Once the tickets on your phone are scanned by the yawning teen at the podium in the lobby entry, you’re lacing your fingers between his again, “Let’s get some snacks.”

“How are you even hungry right now?” He’d made the two of you a big breakfast to recoup some energy after being thoroughly worn out by you last night. So he doesn’t know how you even have junk food on the brain right now.

“We’re at the movie theater, Bradley, we’re legally required to get something with some Red Dye 40 and an obscene amount of sugar in it.”

“My bad, you’re right.”

“Of course, I am,” you preen.

He huffs an amused laugh as you lead him to concessions stand. It’s early enough that there’s only one person working the counter. The two of you get in line behind the family with three small kids who have their faces and little hands pressed against the glass display with all the colorful boxes of candies excitedly making their selections.

Bradley is watching as you mull over the choices on the flat screen TVs displaying the theaters offerings, your lips quirked to the side deep in thought. As he watches you, it dawns on him that the two of you will have plenty of time after the movie to run a few errands before they meet Mav and Penny for dinner.

“Hey, I was thinking about getting for a new dresser. I think mine might be too small now that all my things are here in San Diego now. If you’re up for it afterwards, do you want to come help me pick one out? Anything outside of IKEA is bit outside my area of expertise.”

With your help over the last few months, he’s been picking up a few new things to make his place feel more like a home and less like something temporary. Like some throw pillow for the couch, some nicer towels for the bathroom that all match. All little things but he liked that your fingerprints were all over his place even when you weren’t there with him.

“Oh yeah?” you say as you turn your face to look up at him, eyes alight with interest, “I’d be happy to, it’ll be fun! I can think of at least 5 places off the top of my head. You’re in good hands, trust me.”

“Don’t I know it,” he winks and drops a kiss on your cheek.

When it’s your turn to order you get a Cherry Coke for yourself and a Root Beer for him. Along with a bag of gummy bears, a box of Milk Duds, and a packet of Red Vines. But it’s your final request that surprises him.

“Oh, and a large popcorn, please,” you say with a smile.

He peers down at you quizzically, “But you hate popcorn.”

“What are you talking about? No, I don’t.” He just gives you a skeptical lift of his eyebrow. “Ok, maybe in the past,” you allow, with a little nonchalant shrug of your shoulder, “But today I want some, it sounds good.”

Bradley has never in his life seen you eat anything other than the homemade stuff from on a stovetop, but at the determined tip of your chin he isn’t about to press it. You’ve always been the type of girl who knows what she wants. And gets it.

“Whatever you want, kid,” he says handing over his credit card to the girl behind the counter. Feeling more than a little pleased with himself as she swipes it since you’re still trying to reach for your wallet in your purse.

You smile and shake your head at him as you press that overly large bucket of popcorn into his chest for him to take, it’s shiny and yellow with artificial butter. You grab a stack of the thin, single-ply napkins and stuff them into your purse before grabbing the rest of the goods from off the fingerprint covered counter.

He trails after you popping a few salty buttery pieces into his mouth, admiring the curve of your ass in those jeans. His own personal preshow entertainment.

The seats you had grabbed were to the left side in the very back row of one of the smaller theaters that are usually reserved for movies about to hit on-demand and streaming services. Bradley can’t say he’s too surprised that the zoom kaboom movie isn’t going to have a long theatrical run.

It doesn’t escape his notice the way you set his drink in the cup holder on the left side of his assigned seat, your own soda going into the cup holder on your right before you settle into your own seat. It’s the little things you do for him, like putting his cup on his dominant side or stocking the fridge at your place with his favorite beer, that make him fall more and more for you every day.

The two of you get competitive when the movie trivia segment plays. You’re a split second faster than him blurting out Matt Damon in Ocean’s Twelve and securing your win against him. Your victory shimmy in your seat is cut short when a man comes walking down the aisle heading towards the front row of the theater.

Bradley plays a couple rounds of the beer pong game on his phone that you always tease him about in between eating handfuls of popcorn waiting for the lights to dim and the movie to start. He offers you the bucket, but you press it back towards him and tell him you’ll have some later.

He thinks he catches the movie app with the seating chart from the corner of his eye, but you’re probably just closing it out from using it to get the tickets scanned earlier. But you’re more fidgety than normal. It’s only after he clocks you pulling your phone for the third time that he asks, “You seem antsy, you ok?”

“I’m just excited to see the movie again,” you reply, putting your phone on airplane mode and tucking it back into your purse.

“I didn’t realize you liked it so much.”

“Well, I did. I think you’ll like it more this time too, it takes at least two watches to catch all the nuances.”

“I didn’t realize a Kevin Hart movie could have so many layers,” he jokes as the lights turn down.

“You shush, it’s starting.”

As the opening sequence plays, you push up the armrest between the two of you to lean your head on his shoulder, curling into him as much as you can. When you rest your hand on his stomach he decides this might be his new favorite way to spend a Saturday morning, with you pressed against him in a darkened room and breathing in the smell of your shampoo.

Bradley isn’t surprised in the least when you turn down his offer of popcorn again 20 minutes later when it’s revealed the best friend in the movie is actually a rogue CIA agent. He smirks to himself when you push until its resting on top of the thigh furthest away from you. He couldn’t wait to tease you about it after the movie was over.

As the movie builds to the first big action sequence, your hand slowly slides lower down his stomach. It’s all he can to do try and focus on the movie in hopes of distracting himself from getting a hard-on like some horny teenager rather than the grown ass man that he is.

But then right as the chase scene through the crowded streets of London starts, you’re popping open the button on his jeans and tugging down his zipper.

And then you’re pulling out his now very hard cock.

“Oh, shit.”

Your delicate fingers are teasing along the length of him with a featherlight touch. He couldn’t care less about the half a million-dollar car on screen that’s on its way to the junkyard with the way it’s getting destroyed, and is entirely enthralled by the way your hand looks loosely wrapped around his cock as you toy with him.

“This ok?” you ask quietly, in a way that has him wanting to flutter his eyes closed. Your thumb sweeps slowly along under the flare of his head in the way you know he likes.

He’s always been a bit adventurous, he likes the adrenaline rush both in the air and on the ground, and he was learning you were too. You’d never come so quick for him as you did the night in the parking lot of the Hard Deck when the fire alarm went off unexpectedly causing everyone to start flooding out as you were riding his cock in the driver’s seat of the Bronco.

Bradley had never been more thankful to have arrived late enough that he’d had to park on the other side of the dumpsters. The only person who was allowed to see you undone and unraveled was him.

“So fucking ok, sweet girl,” he rasps as soundlessly as he can. The one other person in the theater with them is quite a few rows ahead of them, but he wasn’t about to give away what was going on in the back row of Auditorium 17 at the AMC Chula Vista 10.

“Shh, don’t you know talking during a movie is rude, Bradley?” you whisper into the shell of his ear. And god does he want to laugh, but he has to grit his teeth together to hold back the moan he’s desperate to release when you more firmly grasp him in your hand.

He already knows that is something that’s going to keep him occupied on those nights the two of you spend apart. Something to dream about on a cramped bunk bed on a carrier in the middle of the ocean when he is thousands of miles away from you.

You and your pleased smile and your hand on his cock.

There’s no way he could have prepared himself for the way you lean over him and lick up the length of him with a broad stroke of your tongue.

You’ve got one hand at the base of him and the other braced on his thigh supporting you. He’s clutching at the rim of that damn bucket of popcorn like it’s a lifeline as you drop wet, open mouthed kisses along his cock.

His pulse is thrumming in his throat and he can’t quite remember how to push the air out of his lungs. He’s had years of learning specialized breathing techniques and it all flies out of his mind at the stroke of your hand and the bob of your head and the swirl of your tongue.

Bradley is desperate to see you face, there’s nothing he loves more than looking into your eyes when you’re treating him to your perfect mouth. It’s not possible at this angle, but he gathers your hair into his fist so that he can see your lips stretched around him. He’s not guiding your motions, he just wants a better look at you. Even in the dimly lit auditorium, he can see how spit-slicked you’ve gotten him.

You’re taking as much of him as you can, with each dip of your head more and more of him disappears into your hot mouth.

And when he hits the back of your throat he nearly loses his mind.

“Jesus,” he curses up to the ceiling, throwing his head back and trying not to pant. Thankfully in time with some explosion on screen and he knows without a doubt that you’d done it at that moment on purpose.

You pull off of him and the string of spit glinting between your lips and his cock is going to fuel his one-handed fodder for the next month. He watches in rapt until its pulled taut enough to break. Your lips are shiny and wet, there’s a satisfied smile on your face as you take him in, still pumping him with your hand.

Your teeth graze his earlobe, and goosebumps erupt along his forearms. Your words hushed so that only he could hear them. Only meant for him. “God, Bradley, you’re so good to me. You’ve always been so good to me.”

“Sweet girl,” he whispers, roughly. His chest is tight with his sheer want of you.

You kiss his cheek, “Just enjoy the movie, Bradley.” Your hand is gliding up and down his shaft easily, your thumb skimming over his sensitive head on every upstroke.

Your tongue dips out to lave at the divot at the base of his neck and you nudge him with your nose in a silent request. He leans his head back along the red velvet seat and angles himself away to give you all the access to column of his throat. With his eyes tightly squeezed closed, every touch feels that much more heightened to him. Your hot breath on his throat is at stark contrast to the air conditioning wafting through the auditorium.

The feel of your lips mouthing and sucking and licking along him is worth any shit he’d get if he goes onto base on Monday wearing your handiwork on his neck. He’d do those extra push-ups with pride.

He looks down to where your hand is working him in smooth strokes, your fingertips not touching until they reach the from ridge of the head of his cock. He knows he’s not small by any means, but in your hands he looks huge.

It feels so wrong and so right. The movie is loud enough to cover any slick sounds your hand is making and the other person is far enough away that there’s no way the two of you will be caught, not above the surround sound of screeching tires on pavement and the shattering of glass.

Your lips graze his ear, “You always know just what I need and what to say. You make feel so seen and so special.” With every generous word, his heart hammers harder and harder against his ribs. Your sweet voice and your hand working his cock have him dizzy with need. “And it’s not just me. I don’t miss the way you check to see if anyone else needs a drink before you go to get another one or the way you’re always the first to help when someone needs an extra set of hands. It’s so hot the way you take care of everyone.”

Bradley’s face feels warm, he’s sure he’s flushed pink. He’s trying to keep his breathing under control, but you’re making it difficult for him. He’s never shied away from the praise that comes with his career, he’s worked and sacrificed for that. But with you, he never wants to stop earning it from you.

“You’re so damn handsome,” you hum, your lips brushing over one of the scars on his neck, the ones he’s never told you the full story about just how he got them. “I’ve never been so desperate for someone before, I want you all the time. I didn’t know it could be like this, Bradley. I lo-like you so much.”

He breathes your name unevenly.

He didn’t realize how hungry he was for those three words from you until just now. He’s loved you his whole life, in the affectionate way that friends do, but it’s been increasingly clear to him over these last few months that he is also in love with you.

Bradley already knew he was never going to feel the same way about anyone else the way he feels about you.

He’s never felt more himself than he does with you. You know the best parts of him and the worst, you’ve been there and seen it all. He doesn’t have to just be Rooster or Lieutenant Bradshaw all the time. He can just be.

It’s never been like this for him before either. He’s always orbited around your sun, but now you’re his whole universe.

He loses himself to the sound of your voice and pretty praise, soft and low, and to the feel of your lips and tongue on his skin as you work his cock in the way that he knows is going to have him seeing stars soon.

Bradley can feel your grin against his neck right before you drag your teeth down the column of his throat, “No one has ever fucked me as good as you do. I’ve never come so hard as I do with you.”

He has to swallow down the groan that almost escapes him as he jerks into your hand as a tidal wave of masculine pride crashes into him.

Damn right you do.

You are his girl.

He knows your body. He knows you.

His. His. His.

Yours. Yours. Yours.

A cough from the front of the auditorium startles the both of you. The tension makes his throat tight, but when it’s followed by a sniffle rather than a second more pointed noise, the two of you know you’re safe to continue.

“Bradley.” He can hear the request in the way you say his name. With no minimal effort, he cracks his eyes open and turns his head to you. Half of your pretty face is illuminated by the movie playing in front of the two of you.

Holding his gaze, you slowly stick your shiny, pink tongue out to him and he almost comes on the spot.

He can see the playful dare in your eyes and the wicked curve of the corners of your mouth around your waiting tongue.

You know exactly what you are doing to him. A menace, his favorite menace.

His favorite person.

Bradley leans over and cups your jaw in his hand, his thumb skimming along your cheek right before he spits into your open mouth.

You let him admire his handiwork for a moment and then you wink at him.

It’s in that instant that he knows he’s played right into your winning hand because you’re leaning back down over his cock and letting the combination of his spit and yours drip right on to the top of him.

The two of you watch as the thick dribble slowly slides off and down, down guided by the thick vein along the length of him.

When it reaches the base of his cock, your mouth is chasing after it as you take him right down to the hilt.

His stomach and thighs are tensing with the strain of holding himself back when you hollow your cheeks around him. He almost doesn’t want to give in just yet, but the feel of your soft lips and the firm strokes of your hand on him is just too good.

That pressure that has been steadily building behind his bellybutton is too hard to ignore. He’s so close now. You must be able to tell he’s right there too because you’re humming around him in that way that makes his lower stomach and inner thighs coil in anticipation. He reaches for your leg, driven by the overwhelming need to touch you. Bradley can feel all your soothing warmth through your painted on jeans under his palm.

And with a tricky twist of your wrist at the base of his cock as you tongue at the firm ridge of him, he spills into your perfect mouth as you finish him off.

Bradley’s mind goes blank with pleasure as it hits him like a sucker punch.

It’s intense. It’s a rush. It’s all because of you.

Spent and sated he melts further into the comfortable movie theater seat as you clean what cum you couldn’t swallow with your tongue, laving at him until you were content before tucking him back into his boxer briefs.

He doesn’t know how he made it through that without sending that giant bucket of popcorn to the floor, but the rim of it is noticeable crumbled on one side. He balances it on his leg as he adjusts himself and rebuttons his jeans.

When he looks over at you, you’re popping a Milk Dud into your mouth like a prize for a job well done. And you grin widely at him.

“C’mere,” he murmurs, affectionately pulling you back to him. He kisses the top of your head as you tuck yourself into his chest, that box of candy clutched in your hand.

The rest of the movie passes in a hazy blur as his heartrate returns to normal while he plays with the ends of your hair.

He tries offering you the popcorn again, but once again you push it away. This time he does laugh and you tilt your head up and press a soft kiss at the base of his throat. He can’t help but smile to himself every time you hold up one of the chocolate-covered caramel candies up for him to eat, your eyes never leaving the screen.

And this time, he’s not even annoyed when they misidentify the Immelmann Turn for a Barrel Roll Attack. Although how they got a Pontiac Fiero airborne is still beyond him.

When the man in the front row leaves as the credits start rolling he turns to you, “Well, you were right, sweet girl. I think that might be my new favorite movie.”

Your smile is beaming, but your laugh is even brighter.

He still can’t believe that just happened, but he’s already planning to preorder the damn collector’s edition Blu-ray the second he can. “Can I ask what brought that on?”

“You keep trying to get handsy with me at the library, but you know I can’t desecrate the books. Knowledge is power, Bradley. But I figured this was something you might like too.”

“Are you telling me you brought me here for the sole purpose of getting me off in the back row, kid?

“I am and I did,” you preen.

Bradley chuckles and leans over for a kiss. It’s soft and sweet.

He pulls away and looks into your eyes, grinning he asks, “So you like me, huh?” He knows he’s probably pressing his luck, but he’s willing to take a gamble if it means he gets to hear that from you again.

You press you lips together trying to fight back your own smile, “I’m not saying those three words to you for the first time after blowing you in the back row of an AMC, Bradshaw.”

“Is it just the AMC then?” he teases, setting his bucket of popcorn to the side before pulling you into his lap. Your knees balanced on the seats to either side of him as you settle on him, “Because we could hit up a Regal if that’s more your speed. Or-”

“Bradley,” you laugh, trying to cover his mouth with your hand.

He catches it in his and presses a quick kiss to your palm, “And what if I told you I like you too? Would that change anything?”

It’s no secret what he really means. He knows what almost slipped out of your mouth. But if you’re not quite ready to say it then he can be patient. You’re more than worth the wait.

Bradley sees the way your eyes light up and the way your smile gets even wider only a sliver of a second before you’re ducking down to eagerly kiss him.

For a moment he feels like he is a teenager again, making out with his girlfriend in the back of a movie theater without anyone around. Wild and reckless and carefree.

Your hands slide up his chest and into his hair, your nails on his scalp have him sinking further into the seat. His hands grip your ass, just like the way he’s by dying to touch you since he saw you in them this morning. He takes advantage of your gasp to slide his tongue against yours. He didn’t know that happiness tasted like the Cherry Coke you had been sipping on, but it does and he can’t get enough of it.

He probably would have kept on kissing you if it were for the pointed clearly of a throat that has the two of you flying apart like you’ve both been electrocuted. The teen standing in the aisle just awkwardly lifts up the broom and dust pan.

You bite your lip to keep from giggling at getting caught as you scramble off of his lap collecting your things, hastily shoving the candy back in your purse and babbling a sorry, sorry that he personally didn’t think sounded too terribly apologetic. He’s quick to follow your lead, checking his pockets to make sure he still had his wallet and keys, not forgetting to grab that large cardboard popcorn bucket as you head for the double doors to the auditorium.

The two of you manage to keep it together until the swinging door closes behind and then you’re bursting out into a fit of laughter in the hallway.

“Oh my god, Bradley, I’m mortified,” you giggle into his chest, “We can never come back here.”

“Nah, I’m sure that’s not the first time that kid has busted people for necking in the back row. Plus this is the best reviewed AMC in the area,” he says with a grin, dropping his arm over your shoulders. “Hey, I’ve still got at least half a bucket of popcorn left should we make it a double feature? I’m more than happy to return the favor. Those jeans of yours might make it a little difficult, but I’m up for the challenge.” He gives you a playfully suggestive wiggle of his eyebrows.

“Maybe next time,” you grin, reaching up and threading your fingers through his to tug him towards the exit. “I am worried we might be arrested for public indecency if we stay here a second longer.”

He tosses the popcorn bucket into the trash as the two of you pass by the concession stand on your way out.

“Ok, kid, but I have to know, why did you order the biggest size they had if you weren’t going to eat it too? We both know you hate movie theater popcorn.”

“You’re not allowed to tease me if I tell you.”

“I promise not to tease you,” he says holding open the door for you.

“I thought it might help to block any potential wandering eyes,” you admit, blushingly, “Just in case, there was any last-minute Kevin Hart super fans who wanted to go to a matinee first thing in the morning.”

He tips his head back and laughs, “She’s smart and pretty.”

“And you like me for it,” you say, squeezing his hand in yours.

“Oh, I more than like you for it, sweet girl,” he confirms.

Any other plans he had for the day are forgotten when you press him against the Bronco for another thorough kiss.

It was a miracle the two of you weren’t late meeting Penny and Mav later that night.

He still wants to get a new dresser, he wants you to have a place to put things in his home. But if his girlfriend wants to spend the rest of their Saturday in bed together, who is he to deny you.

Not when he knows you like him.

You don’t make him wait long to hear it though.

They are the first three words he heard out of your mouth the next morning.

And it is without a doubt the best thing he’s ever heard in his life.

Nothing has ever felt as easy or as right to him as it does saying it back to you against your smiling lips.

I love you I love you I love you I love you

Shout out to the AMC Chula Vista 10! They're the real MVP here. Bradley and Sweet Girl definitely return, and the next time she wears a dress 🤗

A big thank you to Jordan (@gretagerwigsmuse) for being the ultimate hype girl, I know when the vibes are right when the ALL CAPS come out. Ames (@laracrofted) you saved the day with the color edit for the banner, thank you! And Elle (@callsignspark), you know what you did and I thank you for letting me join you on the 'spit in my mouth' agenda, haha!

If you enjoyed these two, you can read their story from the start here!

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turnersverse · 8 months ago

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with the exception of you i dislike everyone in the room.

a/n: this is my first fic and i have no idea what i'm doing so please bear with! please feel free to leave any feedback bc the last time i wrote was over a year ago sooooo ...

you discover alex's true feelings for you after finding his notebook he is always writing in but never shows anyone

friends to lovers, alex and reader have been friends for about 10 years !

you'd been in the studio all day with the band, even though you weren't apart of it you would often help with some of the guitar parts, seeing as you played it yourself. the monkeys already had about 4 songs for their new record, and you had a feeling this album could boost them to worldwide fame.

you were sat next to jamie, who was plucking at random strings on his guitar, his face scrunched up in concentration as he worked out in his brain the arrangement of notes. matt and nick were stood behind alex, who was hunched over his notebook that he wrote anything to do with the monkey's music in.

"al, mate, we need the lyrics. i don't know what i'm doing over here." jamie said, still looking at his guitar.

"just write a riff or something, i dunno." alex mumbled, before adding. "and can you two stop breathing down my neck? all i'm going to be able to write is how nick o'malley's annoyingly hot breath was gliding over the back of my head."

matt and nick just laughed as alex glared at them, nick starting to purposefully blow air at alex.

"right, stop it now." alex frowned, standing up from his seat. "i'm going for a smoke." and with that he left the room.

"he's got loads of songs in that stupid little book, he just doesn't want us to see them. i have a theory that he's just gonna start a solo project." matt said, sitting down on the sofa next to you. nick still hovered by alex's previous seat, looking between the notebook and the other three.

"no, nick, you can't." you said, knowing what nick was planning on doing.

matt caught on quickly, "i mean, it wouldn't hurt. al's not gonna know..."

"yeah but if he doesn't want us to see them, he'll have a good reason for it." you argued. jamie sighed and stood up, walking to the door.

"i'll go speak to him." the guitarist said before leaving the room.

you sat back, more comfortably, on the sofa. "why don't one of you write something? 'r u mine' is fairly based on the drums."

matt just scoffed, "yeah, i'll write summat, and then alex will come up with some lyrics that won't fit it at all." this had happened just the other day with jamie, who had written 'the best riff of his life' (as he'd called it) before alex showed the rest of the band the lyrics to a song he'd called 'mad sounds', which was much slower than what jamie had come up with.

"lets just have a peak.." nick said, inching closer to the notebook.

"nick, no." you said firmly.

"nick, yes!" matt said, a stupid grin on his face. the drummer looked at his mate, and a look was exchanged between the two. before you could even register their plan, matt had pinned your arms behind your back as nick grabbed the notebook.

you gasped in shock, looking between the two lads. matt was laughing whilst nick flicked through the book, until he stopped. you watched as his eyes scanned the page, before he spoke up. "hey, this is really good."

"let us see then." matt said, and nick handed the notebook to matt. you glanced over, although you knew your best mate would be fuming if he found out, the anticipation had got to you. scribbled at the top of the page were the words 'stop the world i wanna get off with you'. you read through the lyrics, finding that the song was obviously some sort of love song.

"that is really good." you said quietly, a few lyrics sticking out to you. a few phrases you'd heard before. matt hummed, and started tapping the floor with his foot. he flicked to the next page, where alex had written the guitar part.

"oh yeah." matt nodded, "this is similar to the tune we did the other day. 'why'd you only call me when you're high?'"

nick nodded, "yeah i noticed that. dunno who the lyrics are about but its pretty good." as he mentioned the lyrics, matt glanced at him, a certain look in his eyes.

you caught that, confusion written on your face. alex was your best mate, if something was going on, he'd tell you. but you felt like you were missing something here.

just as nick was about to say something, alex and jamie walked back into the room. you, matt and nick all looked between each other and alex, your eyes saying 'uh oh'. alex glanced at matts lap and saw the book.

"what the fuck?" he stormed over to matt and snatched his precious notebook up.

"alex, its good!" matt said, raising his arms up in defence.

"i dont want to do that one." he said angrily.

"why not?" you added in, looking at alex.

alex sighed, looking at you before sitting in the seat he had been in before. "lets just do something else."

"no, lets do this." nick said, his hands now on his hips.

"i wanna see." jamie said, walking to alex and picking up the notebook. alex didnt stop him, he just sat watching jamie's reaction.

after a few moments, jamie looked up with a smile, "this is really good."

"thanks." alex mumbled.

"we could do it. we could do a bit of.." matt stood up and went to his drums, picking up his drumsticks and drumming a bit of a beat. "we could do a bit of that."

alex nodded in approval, "yeah. i wrote the guitar as well. its on the next page."

matt smiled, now knowing that alex had given in as jamie flicked to the next page and looked at the guitar part. "yeahhhhh." he said, nodding his head. he put the notebook down and picked up his guitar, strumming the parts he remembered. everyone in the room collectively nodded, as nick picked up his bass and started playing stuff that would go along with the main guitar.

⋅˚₊‧ 𐙚 ‧₊˚ ⋅

the band finished up in the studio 3 hours later, with a demo recorded for the album. alex had offered for you to go round his for tea, and you had gladly accepted. this was something the two of you did often; you would get together and order some sort of takeaway and spend most of the night talking. this had been a sort of tradition ever since alex bought his first house, and you and him spent the first night in there talking until the sun rose.

alex put out his cigarette before unlocking his car as you finished locking up the building. you got into the passenger side, flicking the radio on when alex started the car.

'starman' by david bowie was playing, a song you had always been fond of. you hummed along the the melodies as alex sat in a comfortable silence.

"i was thinking of covering summat for the album." alex spoke up, his accent prominent in his words.

"yeah?" you glance over at him, knowing he probably had an idea of what he wanted to cover by the tone of his voice.

"i was thinking that poem, the one you really like."

"what, 'i wanna be yours'?"

alex nodded. "yeah. thought it would be nice."

you nodded, a small smile on your face. "if you could pull it off. whats all this about though, with the new song and that? a new lover maybe?" you said, wiggling your eyebrows at alex.

"what? no!" he said, looking at you and then back at the road. "stop wiggling your eyebrows at me, you knob."

you just laugh in response, shaking your head as you turned your attention to the road. after a few moments, alex spoke up again.

"did you like the song though? i thought the lyrics were a bit.. i dunno.. cheesy."

"i think it's really good, al. it's similar to the stuff you wrote for 'suck it and see', in a way." you commented, holding back the other thoughts you had.

"yeah, i havent been feeling very.. romantic, lets say, since me and alexa broke up." alex said quietly, knowing that for the past 10 years, there probably hadn't been a single day he hadn't felt that way.

the two settled into a comfortable silence for the remainder of the journey back to alex's house. when they arrived, alex unlocked the door and you went straight to his living room, grabbing 'your' blanket from the back of the settee before settling in the corner of his l-shaped sofa, where you always sat. alex came back into the room with two cans: a can of carling and a pre-mix malibu and pineapple. he passed the latter to you, a quiet 'thank you' leaving your lips.

"chinese or pizza?" alex said, holding up the menus he had also collected from the kitchen.

you hummed, thinking for a moment. "pizza. usual order?"

alex nodded, reaching for his phone to order the food. you got comfy in your seat, pulling the blanket over your legs. you took the tv remote off the coffee table and flicked through the channels, not really reading what was on as something else plagued your mind.

"alright, cheers mate." alex said as he ended the call. "pizza will be here in 45 minutes."

you nodded, your eyes still focused on the tv screen. alex came and sat down next to you, pulling some of the blanket on to his lap and watching you try to find something to watch.

"that sounds good." he said to a true crime series you had stopped your scrolling to read the description of. you clicked on it and placed the remote back down on the coffee table, now concentrating on the series.

alex watched you for a few moments before watching the tv as well. he felt as if something was off with you. usually you would rest your head on his shoulder. he also felt like you'd been a lot quieter today, which you never are.

"are you okay?" he spoke up, watching you turn to look at him.

"uh, yeah." you said quickly, turning your attention back to the screen.

sighing, alex reached for the remote and paused the series. "no you're not. whats up?"

you pull your legs up to your chest, avoiding eye contact. "nothing, its just.." you trail off.

"just..?" alex said, waiting for you to continue.

you sigh, just deciding to spit it out. "the new song.. the lyrics."

alex felt his heart drop, knowing that you knew. "yeah?"

"'with the exception of you i dislike everyone in the room'. you said that to me. at the 'suck it and see' release party." you say, quietly.

"y/n.." alex said, praying silently for you to look at him. "i'm sorry."

you look up at him, confusion written all over your face. "why are you sorry?"

"i dunno, i'm sorry for letting my silly old heart feel like this. i understand if you don't feel the same. but every word in that song is true. the meaning of it all.. and i've always felt this way. thats not the only one as well. so many songs have been inspired by you, and how i feel for you. i'm so, so sorry if you don't reciprocate these feelings, but i can't hide them anymore." alex said, and you could see it all in his eyes. the desperation for you to feel the same, the fear of rejection, the look of love.

you didn't know what to do. you knew you felt the same, and it scared you. it scared you that you'd always loved alex, but could never bring yourself to do anything about it. you never dreamed he would feel the same until today.

"please say something." alex said quietly, watching you.

"i feel the same way." was all you could say at first. you watched as the look in alex's eyes completely changed, how it softened.

"it scares me alex, because i dont want to lose you. i can't lose you. you're my best friend, but i've always felt more. i've always longed to be the one you write songs about. the one you kiss goodnight and wake up beside every morning. but i'm so, so scared. i'm scared i'll ruin it all and i'll lose you. i'm scared of love." you say quietly. the next thing you knew, alexs arms were around your waist, pulling you to his chest.

you clutched onto him, relishing in the feeling of being in his arms. "don't feel like that. don't be scared. you'll never lose me." alex said softly.

you look up at him, watching as his gaze flickered between your eyes and lips, your breath stolen away as he closed the gap between you and met your lips with his. and in that moment, you knew that had been where you were wrong. as your lips fit alex's perfectly like a puzzle. you knew you were made for each other, soulmates both platonically and romantically.

⋅˚₊‧ 𐙚 ‧₊˚ ⋅

another little a/n: i didn't really know where i was going with this, and i'm sorry if the endings shit😪

p.s if you noticed the miles reference ily

#alex turner x reader #alex turner #arctic monkeys #alex turner fic #am era

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the-labyrinth-of-me · 29 days ago

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Alan Wake 2 revived and expanded my love for art.

Long read under the cut

I used to read a lot as a kid. It was the first thing I did in the morning on the weekends - grab the book I was currently reading from the nightstand and continue where I had left off the other day, then go and have breakfast later. I didn't like the other language related stuff I did at school - although I was always good at it - like reading and learning poems, interpretations, the likes. I needed fiction to dive into. As I arrived in the late teenage years, I stopped reading completely, and discovered my love for music. That never faded, but reading was an interest that had simply died. When I moved out from my parent's and into an apartment with my boyfriend, I started watching movies and shows, which I never properly could at home since I didn't have my own television. Life was okay back then, ups and downs, nothing out of the ordinary. We played Alan Wake for the ole XBox 360, simply because my boyfriend was a passionate reader and the game was about a writer lol. I had so many books around because of my boyfriend , but almost never grabbed one of them (aside from Game of Thrones and maybe a handful of others, at most).

I never viewed all of those creations, those art forms, as art, however. For me, art was always reduced and exclusive to weird sculptures and undefined paintings. Stuff nobody could understand. If it's not making sense, it's art. Nothing from the entertainment field especially. And entertainment never was art for me.

A few years ago, my private situation changed. Boyfriend and I got married and we started a family. That's when entertainment related art became a sort of escapism for me. Something I could dive into rather than family business. I still didn't connect the things I was into back then as art. That only changed when I was captivated by Alan Wake 2. This game single-handedly changed my understanding and tolerance not only for my favorite forms of art (namely music and video games), but got me into exploring for myself what art is. Listening to interviews with people involved in making this game also contributed to that as they talked a lot about art. As per usual with my hyperfixations, I thought about this game, the characters and the storyline a lot and jumped into all kinds of rabbit holes. And one day, I realized that this game that is highly revolving about artists (as per the Dark Presence's nature) does in fact not feature many, many kinds of art, but can truly be called an artistic work, and is an ode, a homage to art. This game celebrates art and its existence and it doesn't tell you which form of art is better and which one is worse. It cherishes and values anything that resembles and represents art, cherishes and values creators. Artists. Poets. Novelists. Photographers. Musicians. Actors. Directors. Filmmakers. Painters. Video game delelopers. Even fan fiction authors. It is those that make fun of these art forms that the game reprimands and punishes. Hartman and the Mormants namely for abusing artists, only seeing them as tools, as content creators for the sake of creating anything, as long as it fulfils a selfish purpose. The game takes us on the journey of creating, of success and failure, try and error, rewriting, scratching, editing, more drafts, doubts, depression, the list goes on. Also addiction. Apparently, Stephen King wrote some of his books while he was drunk and he couldn't remember later what he even wrote (hello to Alan and his memory problems). Artist's addiction definitely is a subject in the game. It helps them see and expand their creativity, yes, but also causes problems, naturally.

So what is art? It's anything that triggers an emotion, basically. A song that deeply touches you. A painting that reveals more its beauty the longer you observe it. The composition of nature, captured in a photograph. The Dark Presence feeds on emotions. Alan can't escape from the Dark Place until he ties emotions into his story through Saga. His work doesn't work without emotions. And if a certain kind of art form doesn't resonate with you, try another one. During an interview, Ilkka said "never only choose one form of art, always be open for others". I tried to follow his advice and he's right about it. And I found out that, by engaging with art, you might discover a thing or two about yourself as well, because art is tied to your emotions. It's a journey through your memories, your soul, your feelings. I discovered that I appreciate art much more than I thought, and I could kiss Sam Lake simply for the Lake House DLC and its take on ai art, and the exploration of what art is, when art is art, who defines if and when someone is an artist. It's an interesting thought process that I haven't finished for myself. Sam also taught me to always carry something to write in case you get an idea for a story lol.

What did the game ultimately bring for me, then? How did and do I profit from it? Well, first of all, I joined an English writing and reading club in my hometown. I'm more comfortable to talk openly about my fanfics. I got back into reading. (roughly 150 pages left in House of Leaves). I'm more sensitive to the beauty of nature, which I try to capture in photos. It kind of feels like a piece of a puzzle I've been missing without realizing it. It has only happened once so far that a piece of media has had such a huge impact on me before (rest in peace Arthur). And the Alan Wake community is so lovely too.

I would go as far as to say that art is arguably the biggest invention of the human race. Not only because the existence of art can be traced back to thousands of years ago. But because engaging with art causes to trigger what I define as our most important trait: emotions. Sometimes I wonder if people who don't have an interest in any art form see and feel the world in a different way. If they might even be disconnected from their emotions in some point, from their vulnerability. Art makes us vulnerable. This can be scary. But, like I said, it's worth the journey to discover more about ourselves. Because without art, we'd just be apes.

#I was thinking about writing something like this for a while now but with the first anniversary I thought the timing was perfect #alan wake 2 #Onnea Alan Wake 2 #remedy entertainment #long ass post #Thanks for reading no matter if you made it through this wall of text lol

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final-girl96 · 1 year ago

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STOLEN HEARTS CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

FALL 1989

It's been four years since Eddie and the band got discovered at the Hideout. My dad made sure he was by their side at my request so they didn't get screwed over, and everything went smoothly. They recorded a song and put it out into the world. People loved it, and Corroded Coffin blew up overnight. They went on to record their first album, The Upside Down, and sold over a million copies in less than a week.

Now, they were getting ready to go on their first tour. When Eddie got his first paycheck, the first thing he did was make sure his uncle Wayne was taken care of. He bought him a new trailer and a truck and made sure he had money in his bank account. Then he and I moved out to Los Angeles. We stayed in my old house at least for now until we could get our own place. Things were great. Eddie always wanted me by his side for everything. I was used to this kind of life he and the guys weren't.

But eventually, they did get used to it and loved it. They loved the attention they got from people. Well, they mostly loved all the attention from the girls they got. With Eddie being the lead singer, he was the most popular. Girls threw themselves at him. There have been multiple occasions where some girl came up to him, ignoring I was even under his arm or on his lap, and asked him out or gave him their numbers.

I always had to remind myself that I'm the one that he looked for in a crowd. I'm the one he went home with. I'm the one who has his heart. Not all these groupies who can't keep their eyes and something their paws off of him. At first, Eddie always backed away or cut them off before they could do or say anything. Now he pretty much encourages it, and although I understand how this life works, I could feel jealousy bubble up inside of me.

It was like Stacy all over again. I still get those thoughts of her showing up out of nowhere one day, and Eddie deciding he would rather be with her. I get thoughts that he's going to get sick of me and pick one of these desperate groupies. There were some nights when the guys would pick a girl each from the audience and have them brought backstage. Sometimes, they would end up taking them back to the hotel we were staying at or to a club.

Eddie was the only one to not pick a girl from the audience because he had me. That changed a month ago when the guys convinced him to let a group of girls who were friends come backstage and go to a club. After the concert was over and I said goodbye to Eddie, telling him I would see him later. I hadn’t been feeling good, so I wanted to go back to the hotel and take something and try to get some sleep. He said he wouldn't be out too long, but he didn't return back to the hotel until five in the morning. I tried to sleep but couldn't, not when he wasn't in bed with me.

Eddie and I have had a good relationship. We didn't fight too often, and we respected each other. There was always communication between us, so if one of us was mad or upset, we would just talk about it and find a solution. The night my dad walked into my room and we ended up walking out of the house and getting in Eddie's van. When I told Eddie to just drive, we ended up going to the clearing he took me to after prom. I lost my virginity that night under the stars.

We can hardly keep our hands off each other now. Eddie always needs to touch me when I'm close to him. I stand on the side of the stage where he can see me every night he has a concert. After the concert is over, he's always seeking me out, wrapping me in his arms and kissing me before he even gives anyone else his attention.

So when he came stumbling into the room at five in the morning completely wasted and crashed on the bed without even acknowledging my presence, I was confused and a little concerned, but I let it go. It's become more frequent since then. I was tired of the constant partying. Tonight was the last night in New York, and in the morning, we would be moving onto Philadelphia for three days before going to Ohio m. Tonight, I was going to tell Eddie I wanted to spend a night alone together before getting on the bus with the guys the next morning for a few hours.

They had another sold-out concert tonight. The stadium was packed with fans screaming, crying, and singing along with them. They were finishing up their last song, and then Eddie would thank the fans and throw his bandanna into the crowd. The one he always wore in high school was safely tucked away in a safe at home.

He had bought another one for his first concert and on a whim threw it into a crowd of fans when they first blew up who stood outside our hotel. Now, every night after a concert, he takes the one he's wearing and throws it into the crowd of fans. They went feral for it. But he wasn't the only one throwing things. Girls would throw their panties and bras on stage at his feet. He always just kicks them out of the way and looks over at me, smiling.

After he said thank you and good night, he threw the bandanna into the crowd and rushed off stage towards me. His arms wrapped around my waist, picked me up off my feet, and spinning me around. When he put me back down, his lips found mine in a short but sweet kiss. "I love you so fucking much." I hummed and kissed him one more time. "I love you too."

The crowd was chanting his name demanding an encore. "You better go and give them what they want before they come find you themselves." He chuckled and laced his fingers with mine. "We were thinking of going to that new club tonight and celebrating before we move on," he said. I sighed and looked down. "I–um–I was thinking maybe me and you could go back to our room and spend some much needed time alone," I said, dancing my fingers up his chest and looking up at him through my lashes.

A huge grin took over his face, and he pulled me tight against him. I could feel him getting hard through his black jeans he had on. "Only if you're a good girl and come out here with me for the encore." He said, hands tangled in my hair so he could pull my head back to look up at him more. "Eddie, you know…" I yelped when his other hand came down on my ass. "Let me rephrase that. You're going to be a good girl and come out on stage with me while I do my encore and then I'm taking you back to our room and fucking you until you can't fucking remember your own damn name."

#eddie x reader #eddie munson #eddie muson x reader #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x you #rockstar au #rockstar!eddie munson #rockstar #rockstar eddie munson #stranger things #stranger things rocking au #stranger things x you #strangers things x yn #eddie munson x y/n #rockstar!eddie x reader #rockstar!eddie smut #joe quinn #joseph quinn #joseph quinn stranger things

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thisaintascenereviews · 3 months ago

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Yellowcard - Southern Air (Twelfth Anniversary Retrospective) [Featuring @jakeh2987]

In the summer of 2012, I dove headfirst into the genre of pop-punk. I was familiar with the genre already, having already been a fan of bands like Paramore, Fall Out Boy, and Blink-182, and having heard some stuff from New Found Glory, Man Overboard, and some other random bands, the album that opened the floodgates was 2011’s Under Soil & Dirt by The Story So Far. That album really introduced me to the genre, and I was head over heels for it. I needed something new to listen to, because I was getting bored with metalcore and post-hardcore, but that album opened up a whole new world to me. It came out in 2011, but I think I found it in the summer of 2012, because I remember finding it later.

That summer also happened to have four major pop-punk releases, although they were major to me. All Time Low first dropped Don’t Panic, which was a return to form for the band after going to a major label, but then in the span of two weeks, With The Punches and I Call Fives dropped their debut albums, then Yellowcard dropped Southern Air. I was familiar with them, knowing the title track to 2003’s Ocean Avenue, but that was it. I heard “Always Summer” a few months before the album came out, and I really enjoyed that song, so I made a note to check out the whole thing. Sure enough, Southern Air ended up being one of my favorite albums of the year.

The album turns twelve this year, and I wish I would have done a 10-year retrospective on it a couple of years ago, but better late than never, right? This is an album that means a lot to me, not only for being one of the first pop-punk albums that I got into, but it still holds up all these years later. This record means a lot to me, especially for the sense of nostalgia I get every time I listen to it, but I’m not here to talk about this album alone. I’m bringing along my buddy Jake to talk about this album, as he’s a big Yellowcard fan. I couldn’t imagine talking about it this with anyone else, so to kick things off, what’s your history with Yellowcard, as well as this album?

Firstly, thanks for having me back to do this! I'm always down to talk about Yellowcard; they're the band I credit most with really getting my foot in the door as far as my love of music goes. Ocean Avenue was the very first album I ever bought in the summer of 2006, and I just fell head over heels for it. It was really one of the first times I could call music "mine," so to speak, because up until then, I'd listen to whatever my family was listening to, and that was a lot of 80s hair metal or the boy bands of the 90s and early 2000s. Funnily enough, though, I didn't keep up with Yellowcard, or pop-punk as a whole, until much later in life. My music tastes kind of shifted a bit after I discovered Linkin Park, and eventually I got into a lot of the super big hard rock bands of that era, like Three Days Grace and Breaking Benjamin. Yellowcard wasn't particularly on my radar for a long time, until one day in 2012. I was in an FYE, just browsing the new releases when I saw there was a new Yellowcard album out that week. I remember thinking "Aw man, I loved Ocean Avenue, I should check this out for kicks!" So, I bought Southern Air that day, and I had no idea that this band was about to change my life again. We'll get into more about what works about this album, both on its own and in terms of Yelllowcard's discography, but man, hearing this thing for the first time hit me like a wave of nostalgia; six years afrer I discovered Ocean Avenue, it was like I was catching up with an old friend, and we picked up right where we left off.

You’re absolutely welcome, man! I’m glad to have you aboard for this, because I know you’re a huge fan of Yellowcard, especially being the band that got you into music. I can completely relate with having music that feels like “yours,” and that’s what Fall Out Boy’s Infinity On High was that album for me (despite listening to a few other albums before then, but that’s the one that stuck). Southern Air came out at the right time for me, because I was just getting into the genre throughout that summer, and after hearing a lot about them, I figured I’d check it out, but I didn’t realize how important that album would end up being, especially all of these years later. It’s always awesome when bands can make you feel like you’re catching up with an old friend, especially after them coming back after so long, whether you haven’t listened to them in so long, or they hadn’t released an album in years. That’s how I felt when Fall Out Boy finally came back last year, but I digress. Before we talk about this album, I think we need some context as to where the band was at the time, because there was a lot going on with them for the last few years before this thing. I listened to this as a stand-alone album, but what was the context surrounding this album and what makes it so important in their discography?

So, after they put out Ocean Avenue, and that album catipulted them into siccess, they put out two more albums, 2006's Lights and Sounds and 2007's Paper Walls. Both of those albums I I feel are very good or even great (Paper Walls in particular I think is actually pretty underrated), but they didn't do as well sales-wise or in terms of fan enthusiasm as Ocean Avenue did, and that, combined with the members wanting to take a break for various life reasons, led to a hiatus in 2008. That would last until 2010, and then they would release their comeback album, When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes. I often think because Southern Air is so beloved and turned out so well, this album gets overlooked, but thinking about it for this piece, it almost feels like a beta test for what would come next. When You're Through Thinking really reignited the love for Yellowcard both for the members themselves and for the fanbase, and they had such a great time making that album, it ended up being a pretty quick turnaround to get to Southern Air in 2012. And boy did it pay off for them; Southern Air ended up debuting in the top 10 of the Billboard 200, their highest charting album since Lights and Sounds in 2006, and the fanbase was universally happy and loving the album. I think outside of Ocean Avenue, many fans would consider Southern Air to be the best thing they've ever done, and honestly, I can't really argue against that. I think you said this when we first started talking about doing this, but it really is a lightning-in-a-bottle type of album. Let's get into why this thing works as well as it does.

Yeah, Southern Air is one of those “lightning in a bottle” kind of albums where everything fits so perfectly into place, and there’s no way that it could ever be replicated. Every moving part came together in such a perfect way to make something that is truly one of a kind, and Southern Air is just one of those albums for me. Even without any context going into this, you can hear a renewed sense of energy and vigor that the band seemingly hadn’t had in so long. There’s so much energy here, minus for what I argue to be the emotional crux of the album (and one of the most heart wrenching and unique pop-punk songs I’ve ever heard, even 12 years later), but you can tell they were having a blast working on this, and aside from When You’re Through Thinking, this truly feels like a return to form, so to speak. This isn’t just one of my favorite albums of 2012, but it’s one of my favorite pop-punk albums, period. A lot of the genre is youthful in tone, and it’s not meant to be so timeless, but I’ve found that this album has only aged better with time, both for its music and its lyricism. It just keeps getting better after every year. If anything, this album retains the youthful spirit of their earlier work, but there’s a sense of maturity and growing up that lingers throughout it. I was a year out of high school when this album came out, and I didn’t have any idea what I was doing with my life, but this album felt so relatable to me, because one of its biggest themes is getting older and feeling lost, and that’s a theme I still relate to all these years later. What do you think, though? What makes this album work so well for you?

You know, I think you really hit the nail on the head when you talked about the youthful energy mixed with this almost world-weary maturity that makes Southern Air work so well and why it's held up as well as it has. The themes of growing up yet feeling uncertain of where life is going or being afraid to take that next step I think is something almost anyone can relate to, especially at our age. So often, there's this pressure to have it all figured out by the time you hit your 30s, and as someone who turns 32 in December, this album really cuts to the heart of that. "Here I Am Alive" is the song that really drives this home for me; it's a song about being unsure of what's ahead, but ultimately being okay with that and being ready to take that on. You alluded to it earlier, but we also gotta talk about the song "Ten," because man, what a gut-punch this one was when I first heard it, and even still now. The song was written about vocalist Ryan Key's then-girlfriend suffering a tragic miscarriage, and when I was listening to the album again for this, I had this thought about this song that I hadn't really thought of before; it's an incredibly emotional song on its own, but within the context of the album, it's a sort of flip on its themes, talking about what could have been and being heartbroken that he'll never get to experience those things with his unborn child.

But even outside of all that, the band as a whole is just in top form here. Southern Air was actually the last album (not counting the acoustic version of Ocean Avenue they would release a year later to celebrate its 10th anniversary) featuring their longtime drummer Longineu Parsons III, and you can tell he's having an absolute blast on this thing. There are so many cool little drum fills he does on this album that always get me hyped when I hear them. The band's secret weapon, violinist Sean Mackin, also has plenty of moments to shine; that solo he has on "Always Summer" really brings that song home. And vocalist Ryan Key had never sounded better than this to that point. I always really liked Key as a vocalist, but here, he's still got that youthful energy in his delivery, but he'd also really improved as a vocalist, and he really sells the emotions in these lyrics, especially on the aforementioned "Ten."

Ryan Key is certainly an integral part on why this album works, and I already mentioned the lyrics a bit, as well as the themes of growing up, getting older, and wondering where you’re going and where your life could be headed, but “Ten” is what I referred to as the emotional crux of the album, especially for what you said about the song flipping those themes about an unborn child and what he would be missing out on by not being born into this world. Miscarriages are a very taboo topic already, and certainly not spoken of in the pop-punk scene, but it brings a lot of the themes of the album together. Key as a vocalist is a big part of why this album works as well as it does, because he’s got such an energetic and invigorating delivery that sucks you into his woes and revelry. His delivery is youthful, but world weary, so it has that nice balance between jaded and naive.

The rest of the band is killer, too, and I think this album works so well for me, personally, because it’s the perfect distillation of their sound, but a modernized and mature version of it, albeit at the time, anyway. I also think they made this album knowing full well they would never be a full-fledged pop-punk band, and it might seem to be a farewell to their old sound, at least until their latest EP from 2023. Even then, that EP certainly does not try to top their classic material, let alone this album. Their last couple albums before their hiatus were some of their more adventurous albums, and they dove into stuff that they hadn’t done before, so this feels like a farewell to their youth, both literally and metaphorically.

Before we close this out, I have one final question to ask, and we can discuss a bit — I know you said was a fan favorite, but where do you rank this among their body of work, let alone would this be a good album to recommend someone new to th band? Personally, this is my favorite Yellowcard album, both for its nostalgia and musicianship. Ocean Avenue is a close second, but I don’t have that nostalgia for it the way I do with this one. I also would say this album is perfect for new fans, because of its immediate sound, and its very mature and adult themes.

It's interesting, because while I think I'll always put Ocean Avenue above anything else because it was *the* album for me, I can't really argue against Southern Air being their magnum opus. It has all the best parts of what makes this band so special, and it's packaged in a modern coat of paint that, like you said, is a pretty good way for someone to get into them. Not to discredit their other work, either, but I do think Suothern Air and Ocean Avenue are at the top, and then it's kind of the rest of their discography. But you know, it's gotta be pretty damn cool to know you've made two classic albums that have stood and will continue to stand the test of time, in two different eras of your career, no less! I will say, though, for this album especially, I think When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes is an important album in that it was a launching pad for what we'd get with Southern Air, and without that initial comeback, we're not sitting here today talking about this album. And for their later mateial, I'm more mixed on Lift A Sail, and their self-titled album is probably not gonna have quite the same impact now that it's not their final release, but they're all very soldi in their own ways and worth a listen. I'm hoping the Childhood Eyes EP ends up being much like When You're Through Thinking, in that it's a great first step for what will come next.

Ocean Avenue is always going to be their biggest album, just for how important it was to the 00s pop-punk scene, but Southern Air has that maturity that Ocean Avenue doesn’t. It doesn’t make that album bad, by any means, but Southern Air hit me at the right time. That’s the best way to go out talking about this album, though — Yellowcard have one hell of a legacy. They dropped two classic albums in a ten-year period, as well as many other albums people love, and how bands can say they have two, let alone one, classic albums under their belt? I’m excited for their future, especially if their future material is anything like Childhood Eyes. That’s a great stepping stone, especially in the way that When You’re Through Thinking was. It’s good they’re back, because the pop-punk scene was missing one of its best bands, even if their later stuff doesn’t quite have the same critical appeal as their earlier stuff. As always, though, it was a real pleasure talking with you about an album we love! There’s never any time I wouldn’t want to talk about this album.

Thank you again for having me! This has been such a great time, revisiting this album in general and thinking about it and talking about it like this. I can't wait to see what we get up to next!

#yellowcard #southern air #ryan key #ocean avenue #paper walls #when you’re through thinking #Pop punk #punk #rock #alternative rock #childhood eyes

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oneuldoh · 1 year ago

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06월 06일 2023년

Life Log — Entry # 03

I almost made a new account here on Tumblr. I deleted it after 5 minutes of signing up. I (again) wanted to make a separate account for personal stuff. I tried doing it four months ago and when I did, I stopped posting all together; thinking no one’s going to read it anyway. But that was the point though? I ended up deleting it and moving back to this account.

I just couldn’t delete this account mainly because I have followers here even though I haven’t interacted with most of them. Anyways! I decided to make a side blog instead so I could still access my main account. I made this private too so I could post at ease without having to worry about getting judged. Guess I’ll never be comfortable spilling my thoughts out in the open.

This week, dad and I are alone at home. Mom went to Japan and will be staying there for a week. Jan is at Boracay with Pau, babysitting. I’m doing my best to do house chores while getting my stuff organized.

These days I am trying to be productive by:

Cleaning up my socials. I set up my Letterboxd account! I also made a new YouTube channel because I felt like separating my fangirling account will make my life seem like it’s organized. I also cleaned up my Twitter accounts.

Applying to jobs. I’ve been applying to jobs since last year but I didn’t took it way too seriously. Now that I’m desperate for money, I’m taking it seriously by answering calls and attending those damned interviews. I really suck at interviews. I stutter a lot and I couldn’t make a cohesive sentence. Maybe it’s one of the reasons why I couldn’t get a job offer. Oh, I have a scheduled interview this Thursday at Makati near my old office. It’s an 8am-5pm job and I’m not sure if I’m ready to commute. I hope there’s a job opportunity where I could work from home.

Listening to kpop boy group discographies! These days I’m into EXO, BTOB, and Seventeen! I’m kinda giddy that I’m discovering these groups like I’m in my teens again. I can’t believe I only liked one boy group since 2007 and that’s Bigbang. There’s news that TOP is no longer with YG and Bigbang. GD’s contract ended, too. Well, Still Life felt like it was a really good bye but I was hoping it was a See You Again type of song. Anyway! I’m listening to all of these boy groups’ albums from their first album release up to present. I want to sincerely enjoy their music. I have been following EXO since 2020 but I haven’t had the chance to discover their old songs so I couldn’t say that I’m a solid fan yet. As for BTOB, I’ve known them because of Sung-Jae BUT it’s just this year that I wanted to dive into their fandom because of Chang-Sub. I would say he’s my bias. I discovered him thru his Youtube segment Jeongwaja in ootb studio’s YouTube channel (I’ve watched all of his videos! This week, he’ll go back to the military as a promise for reaching 500k subscribers haha!) As for Seventeen, I’ve been seeing this member on Twitter and he’s just handsome af haha! His name’s Wonwoo! Although I hate getting into boy groups with more than 10 members (my memory is frail plus I can’t remember who’s singing), this group may be an exception. Their albums and songs are all a bop (although most of it were kinda sound the same). I really liked it!

Here’s a song I recently discovered that I like:

Chanyeol launched his personal YouTube channel! He talked about the meaning behind his channel name and how he got it (thanks to Zzar!). Zzar stole the show here. She knows she’s the boss haha! Hoping to get to know more of Chanyeol through his YouTube! He’s my bias (just look at that face!!!!) and seeing him with Zzar made me fall in love with him more.

I know this is a distraction from SM Ent because of the ongoing lawsuit. I hope all members of EXO leave that shitty company and just make their own company. I’ll support them no matter what happens!

Photo credit of Chanyeol’s drawing

Anyway! I typed a lot which is new. Maybe because no one’s going to read about this? And I didn’t care about whether my sentences made sense or not. I just wanted to post something.

It’s currently 11:30pm and I wake up at 6am to drink meds. Oh, I finally finished all those big pills for treating TB today. I was taking 1200mg of meds in the past two months. I can finally say good bye to those big pills. Tomorrow onwards, I’ll be taking the small pills. Hopefully, my month 2 sputum result is negative. Lately I’ve been coughing again.

Anyways. Bye for now!

#Life Log #EXO #엑소 #Park Chanyeol #BTOB #비투비 #Spotify

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wecouldmakediamonds · 11 months ago

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Jukebox January: Day 11

the original post tag of all my posts

Today, songs starting with K. And today I have more songs that aren't in English than ones that are!

Królowa łez - Agnieszka Chylińska

I discovered Agnieszka Chylińska many years ago while researching for Poland for a Eurovision fan contest, and fell in love with her powerful and raw voice. Although she has a lot of great songs, I still think I like this one best for how amazing her voice is in it, so much emotion poured into the words.

King - Florence + the Machine

One of those pieces of art that exposes all the contradictions and double standards of womanhood. "The scale of my ambition," and how you cannot let yourself be written off as some man's bride, some children's mother, if you want your own story. But it's lonely--but you can't let yourself be subsumed--the pain of it all. Speaks to me very deeply.

Kur milzu kalni liekas mazi - Prāta Vētra

Another song from my favorite Prāta Vētra album. This one is a beautiful song that always gives me a sense of peace. The title translates to "where the giant mountains seem small" and I certainly always wish for such a place. (Metaphorically, of course. I may be from a very flat place but I can appreciate actual mountains!)

Košieľočka - Hrdza

Something about the music in this absolutely captivates me. I love this song. It's one of those that I can and do listen to over and over and over on repeat. The folk violin mixed with electric guitar--one of my favorite things in the world is genre mixing like this. And the vocal harmonies are so beautiful. Between how much I love this song and Solovey by Go_A, I'm almost convinced I was abandoned by some peasant boy I loved in a past life...

Kalyna - Go_A

Speaking of Go_A, here's an incredible song by them, which they released in 2022 with all the funds from it going to Ukraine. Musically, the contrast between the flute and the beat is so good, and Kateryna's voice is flawless as always. The section that goes "Жаль, жаль, жаль, жаль/Жалюшенькі-жаль мою" is my favorite, I think because it has this driving rhythm to it, as well as deep emotion in Kateryna's voice.

#jukebox january #Spotify

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jwscrobbles · 7 years ago

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TOP 100 SONGS FOR 2017

Well, I’m back at this again. Another year. Another 100 songs. At first glimpse, I actually thought this year in music was a little lackluster. My weekly chart fell off during the summer (that happens when you’re too busy adulting.) But on closer inspection, this year was a solid year for music. One of the bests actually. The top 20 is super solid. Yeah, there were times where I felt it was 2010 all over again: new Grizzly Bear, new Arcade Fire, new The XX. And then, it felt like 2014 with the ubiquitous sounds of Childish Gambino and Jhene Aiko. 2016 finally brought a Kaytranada LP and 2017 brought a full-length for Sampha! Hell, even TLC came back. But what I’ve realize are two things.

1) Each year, the music feels way more personal than before. Donald Glover and Solange are back all the more insightful with their commentary. Joey Bada$$ is just as indicting but specifically post-election, Dan Auerbach and the Weeknd are more crossover than ever before, and the 1975, Emeli Sande, and the XX feel more real with the level of heartbreak. As you age, music seems even more true to life than ever before. 2) But I’ve also realized I just have a running library of tens of favorites and sometimes the new material is lackluster and other times, it is spot on.

With that being said, there are some new inductees to that library who helped the year quickly pass. Gallant: So much of his material came from 2016 and I remember hearing about his featured work more than his own material. But he landed a Grammy nod (whatever) just as I was discovering him and then he dropped some new stuff. Smooth R&B crooner who started the year off right for me. GoldLink: Suddenly, the late winter turned into a fascination with GoldLink. His style and his delivery consistently caught my ear. He’s been around for a minute but somehow this year seemed to spark more attention for him and deservedly so. Stormzy: I reconnected with my UK scene and found me some new Tinie Tempah. But the winter seemed to be all about Stormzy and he was what I kept hearing about. He’s got some cool stuff but I find his collaborations more engaging than his solo work. Jax Jones: So I find DJs and EDM so passe compared to 25, 20, hell even 10 years ago. And Jax Jones has been around for some time, but somehow he just clicked for me this year and I was feeling him all spring and early summer.

SZA: Then came Solana. She has a style that’s been missing in mainstream R&B and Hip Hop. And she has moments where she feels like she came from the 90s. Granted so much hip hop now samples 90s music and literally has been doing it for the past five years. But Solana feels like she fits right in.

H.E.R.: So I’ll admit, I’m late to Gabriella but although I’m late, it’s better than never. She has been my fascination of the fall. I hope she keeps it up.

Just for me to take notice, although there are no solos, there are a ton of collaborations and productions with Travis Scott and Quavo (and yet I have no feelings good or bad for Migos). But I say that, because GoldLink and Gallant appeared in multiple collaborations for 2016.

With that being said, here is 2017 100 scrobbled songs.

And yes, I’m still that dork who lives this way daily. 

1 Childish Gambino – REDBONE 1/8/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvWGpgGdR9s

2 Solange - CRANES IN THE SJY 1/6/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0qrinhNnOM

3 Jax Jones/Raye - U DONT KNOW ME 3/16/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WH9C6oLEtOg

4 Daniel Caesar/Kali Uchis - GET YOU 1/27/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQFVqltOXRg

5 The xx – ON HOLD 1/6/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blJKoXWlqJk

6 Kendrick Lamar – HUMBLE. 5/13/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvTRZJ-4EyI

7 John Mayer – LOVE ON THE WEEKEND 1/8/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Wa4RKHk2zI

8 Bruno Mars – THAT’S WHAT I LIKE 2/25/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMivT7MJ41M

9 Gallany/Tabl/Eric Nam – CAVE ME IN 3/19/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQunCjYdAcU

10 Zak Abel – UNSTABLE (MALEEK BERRY MIX) 2/6/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8KwNLoTiQc

11 Swindle/Daley – SYMPATHY 2/10/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfgQOIsfWws 12 Tinie Tempah/Tinashe – TEXT FROM YOUR EX 2/6/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x64HLhaEGc0

13 Stormzy/Kehlani/Lily Allen – CIGARETTES AND CUSH 3/192017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLXQHThL3FU

14 Ten City – THAT’S THE WAY LOVE IS (UNDERGROUND MIX) 6/22/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99jHPfkZX3Y

15 GoldLink – PALM TREES 12/28/2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OX6_tfJaFaM

16 Ari Lennox – YUENGLING 1/6/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w2aArOrow4

17 Jamiroquai – AUTOMATON 1/27/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GkH7qG8HO0

18 Gallant/Jhene Aiko – SKIPPING STONES 12/28/2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GkH7qG8HO0

19 The Weeknd/Daft Punk – I FEEL IT COMING 1/8/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFLhGq0060w

20 The 1975 – SOMEBODY ELSE 3/11/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bimd2nZirT4

21 Major Lazer/Travis Scott/Camila Cabello/Quavo – KNOW NO BETTER 7/30/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sgp0WDMH88g

22 DJ Khaled/Beyonce/Jay-Z – SHINING 6/24/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=va47vNPm6YA

23 Chance the Rapper/Know Fortune – ALL NIGHT 2/13/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkIUnRRH6l4

24 The xx – I DARE YOU 5/5/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqflFMhkqHM

25 Arcade Fire – EVERYTHING NOW 7/10/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zC30BYR3CUk

26 AlunaGeorge/Leikeli47/Dreezy – MEAN WHAT I MEAN 2/25/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbtEy1Wdqj0

27 Joe Hertz/Jones – SIMPLE 4/28/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kPKzCS-9kk

28 SZA/Travis Scott – LOVE GALORE 7/11/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHXfCOjb3fk

29 GoldLink/April George – ROUGH SOUL 2/1/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwm7MXwTw9M

30 Janet Jackson – BLACK EAGLE 10/1/2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FrgeMksDwE

31 DJ Cassidy/Chromeo – FUTURE IS MINE 11/26/2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMCc_yDrehk

32 Russ – LOSIN CONTROL 7/11/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdGIZjVWrzY

33 Jamie xx/Young Thug/Popcaan – I KNOW THERE’S GONNA BE (GOOD TIMES) 2/6/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjLBB-TMa84

34 Joey Bada$$ - LAND OF THE FREE 2/6/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeQW-9Cg8qs

35 Thundercat/Wiz Khalifa – DRINK DAT 3/8/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pxpTZpdZ-U

36 The Chainsmokers/Coldplay – SOMETHING JUST LIKE THIS 3/30/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FM7MFYoylVs

37 Syd – ALL ABOUT ME 2/10/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNIOrsxsa0A

38 Dan Auerbach – SHINE ON ME 7/11/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfVRCDb0G8Q

39 TLC/Snoop Dogg – WAY BACK 4/29/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibR0rYNMJpI

40 Maroon 5/Kendrick Lamar – DON’T WANNA KNOW 1/6/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANS9sSJA9Yc

41 Amine – CAROLINE 2/7/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j8ecF8Wt4E

42 Frank Ocean – SELF CONTROL 12/28/2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BME88lS6aVY

43 Mila J – KICKIN’ BACK 3/11/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T11NVNwBJ38

44 Empire of the Sun – TWO VINES 1/8/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T48WTcC243o

45 The Shins – NAME FOR YOU 2/3/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbFhEUs6u1k

46 Phoenix – J-BOY 5/5/3017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwjMiWgCi8E

47 Calvin Harris/Frank Ocean/Migos – SLIDE 3/30/3017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ee4QjCEHHc

48 J Hus – DID YOU SEE 5/7/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rk6_Ax0mQo

49 GoldLink/Brent Faiyaz/Shy Glizzy – CREW 7/11/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhNqbe6QENY

50 Kehlani – DO YOU DIRTY 2/1/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hIG5xhPwGQ

51 J Cole – FALSE PROPHETS 1/13/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOtMpFNSlCA

52 Drake – PASSIONFRUIT 5/1/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8RQQqvx6Y8

53 Kari Faux – SUPPLIER 11/24/2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Kdm7zI64SU

54 Jax Jones/Mike Dunn/MNEK – HOUSE WORK 8/25/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOtMpFNSlCA

55 Tom Misch – SOUTH OF THE RIVER 9/4/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdJHvUTWx6c

56 Calvin Harris/Pharrell/Katy Perry/Big Sean – FEELS 7/30/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozv4q2ov3Mk

57 A Tribe Called Quest – WE THE PEOPLE… 1/13/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vO2Su3erRIA

58 Gourdan Banks – KEEP YOU IN MIND 11/18/2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErUKBfLLk_k

59 Croquet Club – SUMMER 6/4/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXCP3G1LMTk

60 Red Hot Chili Peppers – GO ROBOT 1/29/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HI-8CVixZ5o

61 Zedd/Troye Sivan – PAPERCUTT 7/10/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwtljkGZJnI

62 Rae Sremmurd/Gucci Mane – BLACK BEATLES 11/27/2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDQ7KgvwfaQ

63 Grizzly Bear – MOURNING SOUND 7/11/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDQ7KgvwfaQ

64 Sampha – TIMMY’S PRAYER 1/30/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQXDVZf3akg

65 Ray Blk – PATIENCE (FREESTYLE) 2/26/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnXiFZfTB0I

66 Kraak & Smaak/Cleopold – ALONE WITH YOU 7/11/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqMxzsrYf7I

67 PartyNextDoor/Drake – COME AND SEE ME 1/8/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ockhq8E2FrA

68 Stefflon Don/French Montana – HURTIN’ ME 9/5/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNdLFbEZC2Y

69 Roy Davis Jr/Preven Everett- GABRIEL (LIVE GARAGE MIX) – 9/1/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwxpMIEZ9fg

70 Foster the People – DOING IT FOR THE MONEY 7/11/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJ1VorN9Cl0

71 The Chainsmokers/Daya – DON’T LET ME DOWN 10/18/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io0fBr1XBUA

72 Ghetts/Shakka – KNOW MY TING 4/29/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hWUGgVFM-E

73 Sia – NEVER GIVE UP 2/5/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6Ol3eprKiw

74 Ne-Yo – ANOTHER LOVE SONG 9/12/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jI1GyMlggo

75 Jhene Aiko – WHILE WE’RE YOUNG 9/23/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liWueHXJDyw

76 Mayer Hawthorne – TIME FOR LOVE 2/10/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liWueHXJDyw

77 Jhene Aiko – MANIAC 3/19/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4X_jVXgBQD8

78 H.E.R. – FACTS 10/16/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_xG0crdnrE

79 Beyonce – ALL NIGHT 2/26/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM89Q5Eng_M

80 Joey Purp/Chance the Rapper – GIRLS @ 4/29/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPR0ZcFtSZQ

81 Solange/Lil Wayne – MAD 10/1/2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTqNemB6mio

82 Amindi K. Fro$t/Tessellated & Valleyz – PINE AND GINGER 9/5/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U00JRRATURY

83 Bruno Mars – 24K MAGIC 1/6/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqyT8IEBkvY

84 Missy Elliot/Lamb – I’M BETTER 3/14/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwyPsUd9LAk

85 Craig David/Sigala – AIN’T GIVING UP 10/17/2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC9fc12YYC4

86 K.D.A./Tinashe – JUST SAY 8/24/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXc-4d-uM4c

87 LeToya Luckett – BACK 2 LIFE 3/14/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bswSdMuWJEk

88 Jessie Ware – MIDNIGHT 9/23/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXc-4d-uM4c

89 Alessia Cara – SCARS TO YOUR BEAUTIFUL 10/17/2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWASeaYuHZo

90 Syd – ON THE ROAD 9/23/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZAnY0FTjjk

91 Jidenna/Quavo – THE LET OUT 3/14/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWIqrKhP2Kg

92 Emeli Sande – HURTS 10/11/2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TqUlGyWSEk

93 The Killers – THE MAN 7/10/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3xcybdis1k

94 Janet Jackson – BROKEN HEART HEALS 10/1/2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgM0U3ymURo

95 The Weeknd – ROCKIN’ 8/2/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhOoyPHNdeo

96 Selena Gomez – BAD LIAR 8/25/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZKXkD6EgBk

97 French Montana/Pharrell – BRING DEM THINGS 9/3/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85xr7hprRyc

98 SZA – The Weekend 12/5/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMD63TwzB1o

99 Miguel/Travis Scott- SKYWALKER 11/19/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76O3w4pt0CA

100 J Cole – DÉJÀ VU 2/1/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZ_4vNb14gI

0 notes

moonstonehailstorm · 1 year ago

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I don't know why I did this, but I scrolled way back to 2012, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 of your timeline. I spent more than an hour reading your tweets, because back then I had that alternate account and...

You well know what you did when you liked so many tweets not so long ago. Ok, you didn't, but you moved something. Because you always move something.

I hate it.

I want to shake that feeling because I hate the amount of time you spend in my mind. So here it goes:

Back to the timeline.

I wanted to recall the time we shared cryptic messages across our feeds, answering tweets with very obvious flirtatious stuff. But mostly, I need to take you out of my mind again.

But I went too far. Too far back in time... And found it: the goddamn tweet where you said you wanted to kiss me, alongside that stupid "you're my mental crush" thing. Who says something like that? It's like... I knew back then you liked me. But inserting that mental whatever makes it the most confusing thing ever. And yet, I agreed to go along with it just enough to become the first crack in my heart.

I kept scrolling. Found more "I miss you so much", "I wished you stayed to sleep", "She (your gf) ruined our videogame afternoon", "I think about you all the time", "You can count on me", "I'm always here for you"...

And alongside all of this nonsense, double-message, ridiculous posts, there were the lustful tweets about your lover, the desire and longing you felt for other women, and how much you hated but couldn't leave your girlfriend...

I played a little bit more for a while. I spent several years in that account, mostly because I like this flirting game we had. That stupid game which now I wonder if it was just to keep me you entertained...

There was another tweet, the one where I was trying to tell you which song reminded me of you. It still does, you know? Not because I feel that way anymore, but mostly because I assigned you that song in my weird way of processing stuff.

And I felt the sudden urge to tell you, sending you a DM and say "hey, remember there was a song that reminded me of you years ago? Well, it's Do I Wanna Know. Funny, right? Just felt you had to know, because I don't want to know anymore".

But of course I didn't. And I won't. Or maybe one day when we meet in a cafe you'll know.

This won't be the last time I wanted to tell you which your song is. You can't imagine how many times I had to refrain myself...

This will pass, as it always does. Maybe I'll dream of you again tonight, or one of these days when I have already stopped thinking about you and my subconscious mind just pops you in out of the blue.

I don't like you anymore.

Though, when I fall for someone, I fall for years to come. I can count with one hand the people I've fallen hard, and you're one of them. That's a truth I cannot change and that's why it's so hard to just kick you out for good.

Hey, Crowley kinnie here, obviously.

I closed that account 2 years ago.

I started to feel anxious about being discovered, and you started to say horrible things about my relationship, like a reflection of your own failed one. It was so stupid to keep it going, so I closed it for good without saying a word. The amount of relief I felt... It was the right thing to do.

Although, there are these things that baffle me still because you explicitly said them to me and in moments like these I remember them: you said you love how I am, how I get so passionate about the stuff I like, all the things I create, how talented I am, that my heart is dark, yes, yet loyal and caring, that you fucking liked me... And I've always denied the way you looked at me whenever I talked to you, because some people noticed it and asked me what was going on because it was kind of obvious you were attracted to me... So, I'll never, never understand why you just saw me like a fucking mental state.

...Well, I think I know. I live in the closet and you despise that. I knew you couldn't accept that. I knew you wouldn't want me to deny you in front of my family. You didn't want to take the shot. And, you know what? That's valid. But then why played with me for so long?

You still do sometimes. You still say sweet words to me and that you miss me so badly... But never make an effort to set a date or go out for some coffee. That was me. It was always me who did that. And I don't care anymore.

But you know what? I'll be forever greatful for the time you saw me walking out from therapy, from the worst session I've ever had, feeling in my lowest, and you caught I needed help and invited me to grab some coffee with you and a girl who very clearly wanted it to be just both of you. I'm remembering now and I'm genuinely smiling... You saved me that night.

And I'll always cherish hate the time I was sitting next to the uni entrance watching my phone, and you passed by and touched my face gently to grab my attention, and then left saying "bye" as you walked away. Because I've always known you liked me. But I've always known you're a player.

From time to time I scroll your alt account, just to check if you still keep it alive, and mostly to see if you used to write like you did back then. You haven't. I know in my heart you used it that much because of me, and you've always loved to talk with me. You still do. I know you miss me that much. If you wrote back then you "read my tweets twice", I have no doubt you still do. But all you do now is repost and reply. And you've never used your alt, always your main... But hey, both are you anyways.

I love the likes anyway, keep them coming.

Just so you know: I was sure in my heart, mind and soul that I wanted everything with you. I was willing to leave it all... Until I finally understood I was just an idea for you, an idea of a falling, an idea of sharing deep feelings with someone, an idea of kissing, an idea at last. And all I said was real, as clear as day, as raw as it is. I fell for you and it lasted years and years, up until the very end. Until I closed that alt account for good because I got tired of just being an illusion for you, a mental state where you could come back, throw some random sweet words and expect me to react. I decided to leave your toxic trail. I escaped on time.

I'm done throwing up all of this. I feel better now... One day you'll know your song, I promise, because when you do, that day the leftovers of the feelings I have for you will finally be shattered and long gone.

0 notes

project-offline · 2 years ago

Text

Taylen

It Starts With Hello

Taylen’s point of view on how she met this person.

Normally here in the interviews I will conduct, I would begin by saying how I met this person. Although I feel that “of course I’ve known myself for my entire life”, I feel as though I still have some growing to do with learning different parts about myself and hobbies that I still have yet to discover. Instead, I want to share an excerpt from my diary in 2019, where I visualized different aspects of myself in the form of various ghost-like figures.

Taylen that Everyone Knows: Wants to be everyone’s friend, gives you the biggest smile.

Coach Taylen: The cool coach on the pool deck that can’t be bothered when wearing sunglasses.

Studious Taylen: Always in the zone and pushes up her imaginary glasses (cause she doesn’t have any glasses).

Hipster Taylen: Really loves music and has an interesting sense of style.

Friendly Taylen: Kind of rare, but if you break her shell then she shines.

Taylen that Only Taylen Knows: Quiet, shy and quite introverted actually.

This or That

You can only choose one…

Salty or Sweet

Winter or Summer

Air Guitar or Air Drums

Coffee or Tea

Dogs or Cats // I love dogs, but cats have been pretty special to me lately

Sleeping or Eating

Five Facts of Fun

What are 5 facts about yourself?

I am a former competitive swimmer and water polo player. This past summer I won a gold medal at our regional championship! I also coach and teach younger swimmers about the sport!

I know how to play about 7 different instruments and I’ve played piano for 12 years before I stopped to pursue other passions. Slowly I am trying to get back into music with posting more covers on social media.

Crocs are my go-to shoes for the past few years and I highly recommend on the pool deck. I’ve slipped and had some pretty bad falls from other shoes, but I have not slipped once with crocs #sportsmode

If there’s a hobby has any creative elements, I’m willing to try it!

In my opinion, pineapple does belong on pizza.

Drop a Bop

Pick a song that is the theme song to your life and discuss why.

I think I found this song on the radio and I was like, “Yes. This is it. This is my theme song.” This song is always my pick-me-up when I need a mood booster and I think it’s also quite catchy. With the lyrics, I like to interpret it as that sometimes people always see what you are capable of until you shine in that spotlight. It’s then people can see how much skill or “power” you hold and that yeah… maybe you are dangerous…

Debate Time

What is your perspective on the following question: Is the ocean soup?

Yes the ocean is soup. It’s got the veggies of seaweed, it’s got the protein of the fish and other species. It’s in a body of water. Mmmm, soup.

Some Deeper Small Talk

Chosen from a group of questions, the person answered the following question: What have I accomplished recently that would have shocked me a year ago?

I’m going to change this question to “What would have shocked me 5 years ago?”. 5 years ago, I was wrapping up high school and getting ready to start university. At the time, I quit my coaching job with competitive swimming and thought that I would just think about finding my way with pursuing something within my career after that and I would not really return back to sports again after quitting my personal journey a couple years prior. It wasn’t really until my time with reconnections with people I knew within the sports I played that they talked me back into coaching with teams based in other cities from my hometown. At the time I was hesitant, but I knew that with the qualifications that I already had from the past that I knew I was already more than capable to take on the job. Flash forward to 5 years later, I’m still coaching and just wrapped up a busy competitive summer season. Though in taking these jobs and switching to a couple of new teams, these experiences helped me grow as a person and as a coach; largely from the people I’ve met and the opportunities that I’ve now experienced. Sometimes it’s worth taking the chance and I think if I told myself in the past where I am now, she would be incredibly shocked at how far we have come so far.

The Final Spotlight

If you had the final opportunity to say anything to the world, what would you say?

Things can change very quickly and can happen unexpectedly, so live in the moment, appreciate what you currently have and enjoy it while you can.

#Spotify

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vienna-fae · 2 years ago

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Erwin/OC playlist

I started making this playlist a while ago? Anyway, I have an OC that I paired with Erwin that I started creating back in January. Her name is Valerie. She’s the default Reader Chan in my Fem!Erwin/Fem!Reader story My Confession To You (she’s who I imagined the reader as instead of inserting myself. Val, like the reader, is bisexual and is Nile’s younger sister. She looks more like their dad than their mom). and the I’ve made her in Love Nikki because I can’t draw. Please no bully. If you don’t like Canon/OC pairings then that’s a you problem, not a me problem. If you’d like me to give you more info on Valerie, then shoot me an ask. I feel like I need to provide reasons why I picked these songs because reasons. Maybe you’ll find new music you like.

And here’s a picture of Commander Handsome

After I compiled this playlist I realized if I put it in a certain order I could tell a story. I’ll put the original song order at the bottom of this post, along with a timeline of their relationship.

1. Everywhere - Michelle Branch. I originally discovered this song on TikTok last year because a portion of my feed is 2000s Y2K stuff. I believe this song is about someone realizing that they’re developing feelings for another person. In the context of this story, it’s about Valerie realizing she’s developing feelings for Erwin. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoQ4aWHCct0

2. Dandelions- Ruth B. This song is really wholesome. I really like it because it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy, and Ruth B. is just a great artist overall (and is criminally underrated). This is Val accepting she has a crush on Commander Handsome (although at the time she’d be experiencing these feelings he isn’t commander yet). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8a4sUabCUo

3. Can’t Take My Eyes Off You - Joytastic Sarah. I’m a slut for lofi music. It’s good background music when I’m: studying, writing, putting on makeup while I’m getting ready to go to class, etc). This is basically Valerie finally gaining the courage to confess her feelings. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWLgDvkBibI

4. Make You Mine - Ghea Indawari. I love the original song, and I love this cover. So, when Valerie told Erwin how she felt about him he rejected her (despite the fact that he did like her, and he told her that). Erwin’s reasons were that he wanted to spare her the trauma and heartbreak that she’d experience if he died while beyond the wall. His other reason was that he wanted her to be with someone who could consistently be there for her. They don’t interact for a couple weeks after this. When they do meet up again, Valerie tells him that she stills wants to be with him, despite all the cons that would come from being with him. He tells her that he will be with her, however, she has to remember that he will have to put his duties with the Survey Corps over their relationship. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxtG5HnbVnU

5. Do You Need My Love - Weyes Blood. I changed the original song to this song because I can and this artist is amazing and criminally underrated. I think the title speaks for itself as to why I included it on this playlist.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ics8IKLLb1o

6. Can’t Help Falling In Love - OR3O. This song is one of my favorite love songs, and my favorite Elvis song. I chose this particular version of “Can’t Help Falling In Love” because I like the simplicity of it (it’s just piano and vocals). Valerie and Erwin do get married after dating for around a year (I have a head canon that folks on Paradis date for a shorter amount of time before getting married in comparison to people in other countries in the AOT universe). After dating for about a year of dating, Erwin and Valerie get married, and their first child Heidi (short for Adelheid. In my story, Erwin’s mother’s name is Adelheid and she passed away when Erwin was a child) was born pretty soon after (see time chart at the bottom of the post). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X648fP2c-zs

7. Coming Down - Halsey. Badlands is one of my favorite albums. If the lofi music doesn’t help me focus on writing or school work, I will listen to this album or another album I really like. I think the chorus of the song along with the second part in verses one and two remind me of Erwin and Valerie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRXO77hJGKA

8. All of Me - Angus & Julia Stone. This song is so underrated and I hate that. When I think of Erwin and Valerie’s story, I just imagine Valerie going about her day while Erwin is gone beyond the wall. Things such as: taking care of her and Erwin’s two children, running every part of the household (i.e. finances), pursuing her passion for botany, running this little business where she sells herbs and flowers with medicinal purposes, etc.) and she’s just longing for Erwin. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=om1ShKxEG6A

9. Graveyard - Halsey. Can you tell I like Halsey? So, Val is very devoted to Erwin. She thinks he can do no wrong and is perfect. She supports everything he does, and believes some parts of Erwin’s father’s theory. Before the basement, Valerie does believe that it’s possible that there are other humans outside the walls, however, until it’s proven otherwise she believed that it’s impossible for someone to control the memories of someone else (let alonee an entire population of people). She’s willing to follow Erwin to the end. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOyWRbmRVEQ

10. Hurts Like Hell - Fleurie. I initially discovered this song on YouTube when I saw a short Garashir video (I have brain rot for a Star Trek show that’s close to 30 years old, along with AOT brain rot). You all knew this was coming.... Erwin is murdered by Zeke in the mission to reclaim wall Maria (just like in canon). Hange and Levi are the ones to break the news to Valerie, and it destroys her mentally and emotionally. This causes her to go to an extremely dark place because the situation she finds herself in is extremely difficult for her to process and handle (she’s become a 27 year old widow who now has to raise a 5 year old and 1 year old alone because some self-hating dweeb that can turn into a giant monkey killed her husband). I chose this edit of this song because I can picture Valerie (right after hearing the news) running out of the house, into the backyard, sitting in her garden with her plants, and breaking down into tears as it starts to pour down rain. Can’t even really hear anyone else, or notice anything around her. She’s just consumed by her grief. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxrR_2y9m_Y

11. I’ll Never Smile Again - Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra. This song gives me so many feels. This song was originally written by a woman named Ruth Lowe who wrote it after her husband passed away (here’s the proof https://www.songfacts.com/facts/frank-sinatra/ill-never-smile-again). So, after Erwin’s death, Valerie was devastated emotionally and mentally. This was established in the last song. Even after four years when she makes her first appearance in the fic I’m currently writing (it’s called Ties That Bind) she still can’t really feel joy. She tries her best for the sake of her kids, but it’s really hard. It’s still sort of difficult for her to think about her wedding day, or the birth of her and Erwin’s daughters without tearing up. I really can’t see Valerie remarrying or really having another relationship. It’s not something that she can handle. Like I said in previous paragraphs, Valerie views Erwin as her soul mate and when Zeke murdered him she felt as though a part of her soul was killed as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKyi8suBr6I

Original Song Order

Valerie and Erwin timeline. It was an absolute pain making this thing. I used this date calculator thing. Here’s a link if you should ever need it https://www.datetime.io/duration

#aot erwin #aot oc #oc x canon #erwin smith #snk erwin #playlist #fanfiction #aot fanfiction #my oc #erwin x oc

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skzoologist · 6 months ago

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Thank you everyone for the tags (all those 4 people). My answers will not be surprising, as SKZ has been my first and so far only kpop group I have ever hyperfixated on.

Who was your first bias?

Bang Chan, unsurprisingly.

Who is your current Bias

That haven't changed, still Chan, if we're strictly talking about biases. I did gain a new bias wrecker a week or two ago though. But once my hyperfixation passes, I am sure this all will change. I just simply stick to one thing, this is how my brain works.

What makes them your bias

Now this was a mistake to ask. Are we doing this? Are we really? Because then I'll just ramble and this will turn into one of those ramble posts I have with Nat weekly.

It's his personality. How protective he is over his members, his family, how radiant his smile is when they succeed over something they'd worked so hard on, his little dimples peeking out and his laughter becoming high-pitched, nearly uncontrollable. I simply adore the way he is that pillar that supports the others no matter what, who is content watching them be happy from the sidelines. I can't help it. He is like a warm blanket you desperately need on a shitty day you had, and it keeps inevitably drawing me in.

Although what drew me in first was his voice, and that, I cannot deny.

Who is your bias wrecker/wreckers

Oof, okay, so this is gonna be a bit of a longer list than what I have in my 'About me' post. None of you asked me for my rambles, but you're getting it, since I don't want to fucking study.

Well, first it was Jisung, as I have stated, the man basically robbing my attention from everyone else for nearly a whole year (but at least for half a year). Again, it was his voice that drew me in (I am very sound oriented, yes). But the more I learned about him, the more I... related to him. His anxiety, his efforts to make his friends laugh so hard they nearly suffocate, and before I knew it, he became my bias wrecker. And that took a long time for me to realise...

I don't fully know if he wrecked me or was only on the verge of it, but Hyunjin lived in my mind for a bit. It was pointed out to me by a friend how soft I wrote him in Unfamiliarity and, well, I cannot deny that. But even if he isn't a bias wrecker of mine, he will forever be my muse in the group, photos of him always inspiring me to draw.

And now... the last one. The newest addition, who is only here because of two people. One was wrecked by him and so I got pics and clips of him to tease her, and the other just writes so much with him that I was infected. Quite literally. I am now stuck with the knowledge that Minho wrecked me, which is quite hilarious, given that ~80% of my photocard collection is just him. He gatekept Chan and Jisung from he so hard he became my bias wrecker instead. He is devoted.

Which members are you currently obsessing over that aren't your bias/bias wreckers

Hmm... I don't know, to be honest. Probably none.

When did you first discover the group?

It was at the end of 2023, my friend who I went to the christmas market with just kept singing Star Lost so much that I caved in and checked the group out. Nearly a year and a half year later, and I am still here.

Have you been to their concerts

Lmao no, I live in Europe, mate.

What are your favorite songs by them.

Star Lost

The Sound

Social Path

I hate to admit by Chan

Volcano by Jisung

Winter Falls

FNF

Cover me

Secret secret

Sorry, I love you

Back door

I feel bad for leaving ATEEZ and TXT out, but I cannot control what my brain fixates on, sadly. But I do love them as well.

Tags are left open, as always!

thank you for the tag @feelbokkie ! <3

♡ : who is your favourite kpop group?

skz, but xdinary heroes are basically tied and would probably beat them if the skz brainrot wasn't so strong lol

♡ : which member sparked your interest?

felix in maniac, but hyunjin also kept catching my eye

♡ : who was your first bias?

this man right here ‼️‼️ my boy hyunjin

♡ : who is your current bias?

i swear it's chan yall please believe me

♡ : what makes them your current bias?

oh how do i word this. i think it started by watching clips of his lives because they really helped me when i was in a rough mental spot haha. chan is like a warm hug i want to melt into and never let go, like his energy is so comforting. not to mention how incredibly talented he is and the way he looks out for the kids. there's so much i wanna say but idk how to phrase it all 😭

♡ : who is your bias wrecker?

lee know, but fr everyone else is constantly bias wrecking me too

♡ : which member(s) are you currently obsessing over that aren't your bias/bias wrecker?

han + i.n probably

♡ : when did you first discover the group?

pre-debut, but i was already falling out of kpop at the time and only knew them through my sister (not that i listened to more than exo and like 2 bts songs lol). i properly got into them cause of maniac, so 2022 ig?

♡ : have you been to one of their concerts?

NO, I WISH 😭😭😭 one day though, i hope

♡ : what are some of your favourite songs by them?

ouuu there's too many

- chronosaurus

- any

- the tortoise and the hare

- side effects

- fnf

- yayaya

- ta

- alien

- item

- heyday

- maze of memories

no pressure tags !! @siewoon @capitainesyallin @evermourning @chaeryred @phtogravi @collisvng

#potat was tagged #my beloveds #i got tagged by too many people to include personal tags i am so sorry

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jungk0oksthighs · 2 years ago

Text

Her | First Dance

bestfriend!jungkook, tattooartist!jungkook, F2L, fluff, smut

Word Count - 5k

Jungkook has other ideas for your first dance. Warnings: swearing, lots and lots of tooth rotting fluff. I cried writing this

MINISERIES COLLECTION | SONG

Two whole years of dating Jungkook have flown by in a romantic blur. Your best friend and fiancé treats you with nothing but respect and love, every day you wake up and count your blessings that he’s yours. Especially when he tugs you into a tight embrace and tells you he loves you. Every morning. Without fail.

On your one year anniversary you moved in together into a large beautiful house just outside the city. Surrounded by fields and farm animals, chic interior and cosiness. It’s perfect. The open fireplace, the wooden beams adding a dash of character to the high ceilings. Thankfully you and Kook have mostly similar taste and agreed on pretty much everything in your home. Although he did get his own way with one element, the huge photo wall on the staircase, filled with pictures of you both together throughout the years. Turns out his emotional hoarding came in handy for interior design if nothing else.

Living in the middle of nowhere comes with it’s ups and downs. Jungkook had to chase a family of foxes out of your garden three months ago when he discovered they were the culprits behind his cabbages never growing. Yeah, cabbages. Your fiancé has turned into quite the farmer these days which is something you still can’t quite wrap your head around. Giving his huge, manly, heavily tattooed beefy body that does not resemble a farmer’s whatsoever.

But there he was in the middle of the night, wearing absolutely nothing to hide any shred of dignity he had left. Holding a rake he got excited about buying in Target one time. Chasing foxes in the fields. Completely naked. It's a good job you don't have neighbours.

Sometimes you struggle to get signal on your phone which isn’t ideal, especially at a time like this. You’re in bed alone, your girl-friend’s and family taking up all the spare rooms the luxurious cottage-style house has to offer. It’s almost midnight. It’s the night before your wedding, a wedding that you and Kook managed to plan in just under eight months because you just want to be married already.

Tomorrow is the big day and the nerves have kicked in.

You’re really doing this. You’re really marrying Jeon Jungkook. Your best friend.

He proposed to you in the sandpit of your old preschool one night, the playground filled with rose petals and candles and he even rented an ice cream truck for affect which both your parents hid inside, secretly filming your reaction.

You can still remember the way he looked up at you so hopeful, with doe-eyes swimming with adoration and relief when you said yes. How could you say anything else? You love him. You love him more than you thought would ever be possible, and here you are, less than twenty four hours away from being the one thing Jungkook promised himself you would be thirty years ago.

Mrs Jeon.

The lack of phone signal is proving to be a real pain in the ass, you want to message Jungkook and make sure he still wants to go ahead with tomorrow. Despite the fact you already know he wants nothing less. You’re nervous, excited, a little overwhelmed and you can’t physically get comfortable in bed without him here. The sheets are drowning you without him being hellbent on stealing them. You sigh.

You just want to talk to your best friend one last time before he becomes your husband. He’s at his parents’ house for the night, the whole wedding party is going straight to the venue tomorrow morning at seven am to begin getting ready. Or should you say seven am today, because according to your phone it’s now 00:02AM.

“Rapunzel, Rapunzel!” You hear it before you see it, the sound of stones hitting your bedroom window a little too hard for your liking. “Let down your hair! Julieeeeet! Come down! Romeo is here! Princess Fiona?! Wait no maybe not her, would that make me donkey or shrek? I don't really wanna be shrek I'm way hotter...” You hear him mutter to himself and you snort in bed, throwing your head back into the pillows.

You’d recognise that voice anywhere.

You’re giggling like a school girl when you head over to the window, feigning annoyance when you open it and glare down at the huge grassy garden and the man standing in it. As expected, it’s your fiancé.

Jungkook laughs brightly when he catches sight of you folding your arms over your chest with raised brows. He's shuffling his weight awkwardly between his thick legs, extending his arm up to wave at you. It’s like something from a movie, your fiancé pelting stones at your window the night before your wedding in grey sweatpants and an oversized black t shirt.

He definitely snuck out to do this, the idea alone makes you chortle aloud. A thirty two year old man, sneaking out of his parents house essentially just to go home.

“What are you doing here?” You whisper, face already aching from smiling.

Jungkook’s clutching his hand to his chest now, offended, eyes narrow and tinted with mischief, “I live here?”

You nod slowly, glancing round at the near pitch black atmosphere surrounding him. “Do you have any idea what time it is?”

“Do you? I’ve tried calling you but your phones switched off—”

“No signal.” You offer an apologetic smile and low chuckle, he wanted to talk to you too? Apparently you’re more alike than you realise, “Why’d you try to call me?”

Kook shrugs, burying his fists into his pockets with the phoniest frown you've ever seen him wear, “I wanted to make sure those foxes didn’t come back and eat everybody, dangerous creatures foxes yknow—”

“Jungkook.” You try to warn him, but you look less than threatening in your silk white ‘Bride To Be’ pyjama short sets. The fact you’re giggling doesn’t go in your favour either, it’s obvious you’re not really mad that he’s here. You could never be mad at him, point proven by your childlike grin. “Why are you really here?”

He’s gazing up at the bedroom window with a fond smile, sparkly eyes and a tiny sigh of defeat. “Okay fine, I wanted to see you. Come on I need to show you something.”

“It’s midnight you know!” You snort, playfully rolling your eyes, “I can’t come out at this time, it’s the day before my wedding!”

“Yes you can!” He frantically nods, mirroring your joyful expression, “I did! Please? Climb down the drain pipe—”

“I am not climbing down the drain pipe.” You scoff, kicking your head back with genuine laughter. “I’ll use the front door like a normal person, but give me ten minutes I need to get changed first.”

“No you don’t need to get changed! Y/N wait—" He shouts, but you close the window with a sigh of disbelief and head over to your closet. He really is something else, and you have a whole lifetime of this shit ahead of you.

But you wouldn’t have it any other way.

Jungkook is mindlessly kicking stones under his feet when you step outside into the garden, thankful that nobody in the house seems to be awake right now. When his eyes find yours they light up with a smile that hasn’t even tugged the corners of his lips yet. He holds out his hand for you to take and you do, your own hand is a lot heavier than it used to be with the addition of your engagement ring. A custom made diamond ring he spent way too much money on, just to have sand from the sandpit you first met in melted into the white gold band.

Further proving that Jungkook is the most romantic person you’ve ever known.

“Where are your bride to be pyjamas?” He quirks a brow, tugging you along to his car in hurried steps after giving your new outfit of blue jeans and one of his hoodies a second look. “You looked cute in them.”

“I wasn’t going to sneak out in pyjamas. Where are we going?” You laugh, messily attempting to keep up his fast pace down the driveway.

“It’s not sneaking out, we’re in our thirties.” He snorts, “I’ve just had the same conversation with my mom you can’t physically sneak out when you’re thirty two. I’m an adult and I’m capable of making my own decisions.” You finally reach his car and he slows down, turning round to face you with an unreadable expression.

Your brows raise expectantly when you let go of his hand, “Kook where are we going? This is kidnapping.”

“You came willingly so don’t even try that.” He grins, stepping closer and taking your face between his inked hands, pulling you into a gentle kiss that makes you weak at the knees. “Come on I don’t want to get stuck in traffic.”

Glancing round at the empty road ahead you can’t help but giggle, jokingly shoving him away with one hand. “It’s so dark I can barely see. Who’s crazy enough to be driving round at this hour?”

“We are. Come on let’s go.”

He kisses you again, teeth nearly clinking against your own because you’re both smiling so damn much. There’s no doubt about it, you’re crazy over your best friend. And tomorrow you’re going to be his wife. Finally.

The car journey takes around twenty minutes, you note you’re heading further into the city from all the buildings and street lights you recognise. The atmosphere feels…familiar, in a way. You’d grown up in the city, as did Jungkook, so you both know the area pretty well. When the car comes to a stop you glance around again, surprised when you register your old ballet building, which just so happens to be Jungkook’s old Taekwondo building too.

“Why are we at the sport centre?” Your brow quirks as you step out of the car, smiling contently when Kook drapes a strong arm over your shoulder.

“You’ll see.” He chuckles mostly to himself, planting a chaste kiss to your temple as you walk up to the main entrance. “All this time and you still don’t trust me. Kinda hurts.” He jokes, shaking his head.

After playfully pushing him away you sigh, “Is it even open?”

“Check for yourself.” He grins, tattooed arms folded over his strong chest, gesturing for you to open the door with his chin.

“I’m not going in there!” You scoff when you point to the door handle, a wide open smile tugging your mouth, “Is this some kind of set up? You get me to set the alarm off and then I get arrested and you get to eat the wedding cake all to yourself and—”

“Oh my god,” He groans with eyes squeezed shut, not so successfully stifling a loud laugh. “You’re soooo dramatic, move out the way.” His hip bumps yours with some force, almost knocking you over when he pushes the entrance open.

Candles. Rose petals. Music.

“Kook… What is all this?” You whisper, curious gaze flickering down the hallway, following a perfect trail of romance into the main sports hall where you’d both taken many lessons as children.

He’s smiling down at you, watching the way your eyes light up in awe at his creation with a fond hum of approval. “I had to pull some strings but, I think it’ll be worth it. Come on.” He extends his arm, and you happily take it.

The two of you walk in comfortable silence, your head resting on his shoulder as you drink in your surroundings. When you make it to the main hall you’re even more blown away, the room glows golden in the candlelight. Not a single corner, or space has been missed. There are pillar candles everywhere, crimson red rose petals scattered on the floor and the faintest sound of love songs softly thicken the air. The centre of the room is completely empty in a perfect circle, and that’s exactly where Jungkook takes you.

“You know… I already said yes to your proposal, you don’t need to do it again.” You whisper, turning to kiss his bicep gently as you walk.

“I know…” He hums, once you’re centred in the room he adjusts himself until he’s standing in front of you, large palms loosely gripping the bend of your waist. Instinctively your arms drape around his shoulders and he chuckles. “But I wanted to have one selfish moment with you before tomorrow, everybody’s going to be there and fighting for your attention all day. I mean why wouldn’t they?” His grin widens when he begins to sway his body from left to right, “You’re amazing.”

“Jungkook...” You sigh, gnawing your lip to suppress the biggest smile humanly possible. “Tomorrow is our day, not just mine.” You sway with him, blood rushing to your cheeks when Jungkook shouts from out of nowhere, glancing behind you.

“Alexa! Play Can’t Help Falling In Love by Elvis Presley!”

The song you’ve picked out for your first dance tomorrow.

When the intro to the song plays he moves with more purpose, dipping his head to your cheek where he kisses it sweetly. “Tomorrow is about you Y/N, every day has always been about you… and now everybody else gets to celebrate you the way I always have.” He pulls back to look down at you, his doe-eyes swimming with adoration and sincerity. “And the way I always will, for the rest of my life. So for me this is our first dance, nobody else, just you and me.”

Your heart bursts inside your chest, head nuzzling into his neck to hide your glassy eyes. Meeting Jungkook was the best thing that ever happened to you, he’s not only your best friend but the love of your life. Every day you love him more and more, and he never fails to surprise you or sweep you off your feet.

“I love you Kook.” You sniffle, overcome with emotions.

“I love you too baby, so damn much.” His grip tightens as the two of you dance in the centre of the sports hall, when a sudden memory flash back comes to mind.

You peel away from him, peppering his sharp jawline with dainty kisses, whispering, “Wasn’t our first kiss in here? At your first Taekwondo tournament?”

At this he laughs, a genuine sound that’s like music to your ears, “Mmm. Except a certain somebody said it wasn’t a proper kiss.”

“You know what I mean...” You tut, jokingly rolling your eyes, “It wasn’t a real kiss and I stand by that. But it was the first time our mouths connected.”

“I still count that as our first kiss,” He hums with a soft smile, continuing to sway with you in his hold, “Since you ruined me for all other women that day.”

“Who's being dramatic now? We were nine.” You snort.

“And I was madly in love with you even then. Fuck, I wish I could go back and tell baby Jungkook that he’s actually going to marry you one day. I almost gave up hoping for it a few times yknow? But luckily for me I didn’t.” He kisses your temple.

“Mmm.” You agree, tip toeing until your nose ghosts his, “Lucky me too.” Your lips meet in a gentle yet open-mouthed kiss that oozes love and sheer joy, your shadows becoming one in the candlelight. “I can’t wait to marry you tomorrow.” You sigh.

At this he fully envelops you in his arms, squeezing you tight, “Me too. Speaking of, I have something else for you. For tomorrow.” He clicks his tongue to the roof of his mouth, finding the strength to let you go and dig deep into his pocket. “Here. Your something old.”

You’re giggling nervously, head cocked to one side when you realise what he’s showing you. The neon pink and orange friendship bracelet you made him in elementary school, the one he hasn’t taken off since that very day. You take it from his grip curiously, opening your mouth but not knowing the right thing to say.

“But you never take this off…?” You remind him with an amused puff of air from your nostrils, brows furrowed.

His grin is bright and knowing when he shakes his head, “I can't now.” And he lifts up his arm.

Tattooed pink and orange beads decorate his wrist in the space between his favourite black snake artwork on his arm and the ones dotted about on his hand. The bracelet looks freshly done, shiny and dark. Your jaw is on the ground, eyes wide and in disbelief.

“Kook… What… You’ve…” You’re truly at a loss for words, overwhelmed by the gesture of him permanently marking his body with something of yours. Despite the fact he has hundreds of tattoos and they’ve never phased you, this one feels different. Sentimental.

“When I’m old and dying and you’ve shipped me off to a retirement home because you’re finally done with my shit…” He chuckles, pulling you back into his embrace, cupping your cheek with one hand, “And I forget everything about my senile self, I never want to forget that sweet girl who made me that bracelet. From tomorrow you might be my wife, but you’ll never stop being my best friend first. Not to me.”

It's a good job he didn’t spring this onto you at the wedding because you’re a goner, tears cascading down your cheeks and these aren’t even his vows. He’s so romantic, the most genuine and sincere person you’ve ever known. And he’s yours.

“I-, You’re my best friend too Jungkook.” You giggle through the cries, snaking your arms around him when you squeeze him as though your life depended on it, burying your face to his chest.

“I was going to get your name but I figured you’d probably call me an idiot.” He snorts, reassuringly rubbing the spans of your back with a large palm.

You nod with a wide grin he can’t see, “Yeah, probably...”

This is it. The moment Jungkook has spent every day since he was three years old thinking about. He’s standing at the top of the alter with a small yet excited smile, dressed in an all-white suit, the fabric contrasting against his tan dewy skin. Almost everybody he’s ever loved is in the room with him, his parents, your mother, friends and other family members. They’re all here, save for you and your father who are due to arrive any minute now, ready to celebrate the event everybody but you knew was coming one day.

“You good?” His older brother and best man asks with a pat on his back and Kook turns to face him.

He nods once, smile growing, “I’m great.”

“Ladies and gentleman will you please stand for the bride.”

The announcement has nothing but ecstasy coursing Jungkook’s veins, his heart hammering inside his chest as it always does when he knows he’s about to see you. This is it. This is everything he’s ever wanted, everything he ever dreamed about and it’s all happening right now.

The bridesmaids and groomsmen come first, holding onto large lilac and white bouquets, all wearing the same teary-eyed smile and pale purple floor length dresses. Your coordination is impeccable he notes, though he expected nothing less. He knows most of the girls are ex-ballet dancer friends of yours and judging by the low, barely audible whistle his brother makes they look good. But honestly? He’s not even looking at them. He’s looking past them, waiting for what feels like a life time.

And then the double doors open, and Jungkook struggles to catch his breath.

“Are you ready?” Your dad asks you with puffy features, he’s been crying all morning much like the rest of your bridal party. You nod, blinking back your own tears that threaten to ruin your makeup.

“I’m ready.” You breathe out, closing your eyes.

Your dad links your arm, noting the bracelet you’re wearing isn’t exactly on theme for your aesthetically pleasing wedding. His brow quirks, smile growing, “Isn’t that the bracelet you made for Jungkook?”

“Something old.” You chuckle, and your father releases a sound that sounds like ‘ahhh’ right before the doors finally open, and all eyes are on you. But there’s only one pair you’re drawn to, the same big brown doe-eyes that hold your heart standing at the top of the alter.

Jungkook takes one look at you and starts sobbing, which almost sets you off as you slowly walk towards him. His sharp chin quivers when he sucks in a breath, his pierced lip tucked between his teeth but somehow he’s still smiling through it. He’s blinking through the tears, stare not faltering from yours, not even for a split second. He looks awestricken, mesmerised, so overwhelmed by emotions that you feel too. You know everyone is gazing at you, but you can’t physically look anywhere else but him. He looks so... Happy. Before you know it the walk is over and you’re standing in front of the love of your life, your dad having just peeled back your veil and given you away.

After the standard wedding speeches and legalities are over it’s time for vows, and you clear your throat having asked if you could go first. Knowing whatever your almost husband has to say is going to make you cry. It always does.

“Jungkook…” You sigh lovingly, looking up at him through long eyelashes, feeling lightheaded as you forgot how good he looks with his hair pushed back. His smile is closed but wide, sincere as he listens to what you’ve prepared with his hands closed together in front of him.

“If someone had told me three years ago that I’d be standing here marrying you today I would’ve simply rolled my eyes and added them to the long list of people who already said that. You were my best friend, you’ve always been my best friend and for a long time that’s all I wanted you to be. But the night you told me you loved me that all changed, I started to see you in a different light, started to admire you in ways I never expected to. To this day you never fail to surprise me, you constantly and consistently show me that true love is real, and that it’s ours. I fell in love with my best friend when I least expected it, and I fell hard.”

Kook stifles a laugh at the way you add weight to your words, his eyes sparkly and his smile broadening with each passing word. Everybody else chuckles along, but the sound is nothing more than white noise in your ears.

“I promise to always be your best friend. To be there for you, to be with you, and to love you for the rest of our lives. I promise to be patient with you, to never go to bed angry with you, to hold and comfort you and live my life unapologetically with you. I can’t put into words what you mean to me, I’ve known you for almost thirty years and in my own way I’ve loved you for every single one. But now, standing here in front of you on our wedding day, I promise to love you the same way you’ve always loved me, thank you for being so patient with me. It may have taken a while to realise—”

“Twenty seven years.” Jungkook mouths with a smirk and raised brows and you giggle.

“But I’m here now, and I’m so grateful for how things have worked out. I love you so much Jungkookie. I’m proud to be your wife.” The return of your childhood nickname for him wins a collective ‘awww’ from the crowd, and Kook’s eyes squeeze shut in feigned annoyance but he soon gets over it.

“Y/N.” He’s grinning, doe-eyes swimming in adoration and tears that threaten to cascade down his cheeks at any given moment. He clears his throat, nodding to himself a few times before he carries on.

“When I say I’ve loved you my whole life, I mean it. Not a single day has gone by where you haven’t been at the forefront of my mind. Even though I was three years old when we met, the second I saw you sitting in the sandpit wearing that pink dress with sunflowers on the skirt I knew you were the one. It sounds impossible but believe me when I say I have adored you since day one. You make me the best version of myself, you lift me up, you challenge me, you call me out on my bullshit-, shit sorry! No I mean just sorry!” He stutters, eyes wide with panic when he turns to the vicar standing between you. You laugh, as does everybody else and he cocks his head to a side swiftly, briefly closing his eyes with a nervous sigh.

“Where was I? Oh! You complete me. When I’m with you I’m in utopia, and I don’t know about you but utopia seems like a pretty good place to spend the rest of our lives to me. All I’ve ever wanted was to spend my life with you, you are my life. My home. The only place I ever want to be is by your side. I promise to support you, to care for you, to always agree with you even when you’re wrong.”

You can’t help but playfully roll your eyes, and you’re pretty sure you hear your dad snort from the seat closest to you.

“But most importantly I promise to keep loving you with everything I have, to keep surprising you, to fight for you, to share everything I have with you. I’ve chosen you every day for my entire life and I promise to keep choosing you, to honour that choice. You’re my best friend. All my favourite memories are shared with you and I promise to keep making more of them, to fill more photo albums and cover the staircase walls with more hideous pictures that don't match your decor.” He grins, “I love you so much Y/N. Thank you for always being there for me when I needed you, best friend or otherwise. Thank you for making me the happiest man on earth and saying I do.”

You’re crying, but your smile remains bright and wide, mirroring his own.

“Do you Y/N Y/L/N take Jeon Jungkook to be your lawful wedded husband?”

You nod, brows pinching slightly with excitement when he slides the ring on your finger. “I do.” You exhale.

“Do you, Jeon Jungkook take Y/N Y/L/N to be your lawfully wedding wife?”

The vicar is old and looks equal parts glad this is over and so utterly done with Jungkook’s shit right now, he did just swear in a place of worship you guess. You’re trying your absolute best not to laugh at the elder man’s attempt of hiding a scowl, but Kook doesn’t even seem to notice. He's only looking at you.

“I do.” He chews his lip, sighing contently when you slip the white gold band onto his finger.

“I now pronounce you… Husband, and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

And he does.

When the sea of loved ones quickly gather round the white dancefloor adorned with lilac strobe lights to watch your first dance later that evening, you and Jungkook share a knowing smile. Both of you melting beneath the others touch while you sway to the lyrics that resonate more with you today than they did yesterday.

You couldn’t help falling in love with him, but you did, and you wouldn’t have it any other way.

Kook hums contently, one hand on your waist the other holding yours close to his shoulder as you slow dance, “I love you so much Mrs Jeon.” He kisses your temple, keeping his head resting atop of your own with a proud closed smile.

“I love you too Mr Jeon.” You sigh, feeling the happiest you’ve ever felt in your whole entire life.

All because of your best friend.

627 notes · View notes

sagewritings · 2 years ago

Text

More Than A Woman - Steve Harrington x Fem!Reader

pairing: steve harrington x female reader

synopsis: just as you thought everything was back to normal, the threat of a new entity reminds you that things are never normal in hawkins. once more, you find yourself involved in solving mysterious deaths, fighting beings from another dimension, evading curses, and possibly a love confession amidst it all.

word count: 12.3k

warnings: season 4 volume 1 spoilers, angst, friends to lovers, mentions of a car accident and death of a family member, trauma, violence, curse words, slow-burn, (fluff, of course)

a/n: hello everyone! i’d like to share this fic that i wrote based on the first volume of stranger things season 4! just a disclaimer, the song doesn’t really have any big impact to the story. i just love it so much :> (go listen to “more than a woman” by bee gees if you can!) i did add some events and information to the main plot of the series to help incorporate the reader, but i refrained from putting any descriptions of physical appearances so you’ll be more comfortable in imagining yourselves in the reader’s position.

also, if you’d like to check out my other works, you can check the pinned post in my blog :>

i hope you’ll like this fic! happy reading!

part 2 - staying alive

part 3 - night fever

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

Every weekend is a blessing for any High School Senior. No school work, no lectures, and no early morning alarms. This thought was enough to motivate you as you start your Saturday morning, and a peaceful breakfast with your father is just the most pleasant way to do so.

That was until he turned the television on.

And we’ll start the news with another mysterious death in the small town of Hawkins.

You could faintly hear the television in the living room as you were washing the dishes, the sound of rushing water blocking the reporter’s voice.

“Y/n! Look at this.” Your father called from the sofa, and you quickly wiped your hands dry and saw him pointing at the screen with wide eyes.

We’re in the Forest Hills trailer park in east Roane County. We don’t have a lot of details now, but we can confirm that the body of a Hawkins High student was discovered early this morning. Police have not yet released the victim’s name although we are told that they’re currently in the process of notifying the family.

You heard your father sigh, briefly lowering the volume of the television as he shook his head. “I’m starting to rethink why I chose this place to move in.” He mumbled.

It was four years ago when you and your father moved to Hawkins to restart your lives after the death of your mother. Everything was normal at first, but as each year passed and you got more entangled with a group of kids who seem to have ‘fighting with the supernaturals’ as part of their lifestyles, you have accepted the fact that Hawkins is far from normal.

You went back to the kitchen and resumed washing the dishes, thoughts still preoccupied about whoever was found at that trailer. Immediately after, you quickly put on a clean sweater and jeans before heading downstairs to grab your car keys.

“Woah, woah, where are you going?” Your father asked from his seat, confusion and a hint of concern in his eyes.

“I’m going to visit my friends at Family Video.” You shot him a small smile.

“Alright, but don’t take too long. And be sure to call me.” He said, warily dismissing you.

You nodded and began to start your car, fingers tapping the steering wheel as you drove to Family Video while listening to More Than A Woman. The ten-minute drive to the store passed by slowly, as you couldn’t wait to talk to your friends about what had happened.

You first met the kids a week after you moved to Hawkins. It was inevitable when the house that you and your father live in is just beside Dustin’s house. You would often see the boys take turns going to each other’s houses, sometimes with Max, El, and even Steve. Still, like Robin, you were only in action with the group once. And that was when they needed an extra hand against the Mind Flayer at the Starcourt Mall.

Arriving at the store, Robin was the first to notice you when you entered, a smile automatically appearing on her face as she walked from the ‘New Release’ section to where you are standing.

“Y/n!,” She said, which caught Steve’s attention and he immediately went towards you and Robin. You instantly felt brighter as soon as you made eye contact with the boy, almost forgetting about the recent issue in your town. “Have you heard? Someone was murdered.”

“Yeah.” You replied slowly, eyes flickering to the store’s television where the reporter is still ongoing with interviewing people. “Have they released any names yet?”

Steve shook his head sideways. “No, I doubt they will do that anytime soon.”

====================

Spending hours at Family Video is not new to you, and either to Steve or Robin. They’re grateful to have you as a company, your talking and laughing made their shifts faster and more tolerable according to Robin. But seeing you being awfully quiet, your brows pushed towards each other as you listen to the news, is not a sight that they are used to.

“Hey,” Steve said to you as you’re leaning on the front desk beside Robin. “You alright?”

You sighed. “This is weird.”

“Weird?”

“I mean, this murder. It just happened out of nowhere. And towards a student?” You wondered aloud, “This is unusual, Steve. Even for Hawkins.”

Almost immediately after saying that, you three were surprised to see Max and Dustin barging in.

“Hey. Steve.” Dustin greeted him, slightly panting.

“You see this?” Steve pointed at the television.

“How many phones do you have?”

“Someone was murd—”

“How many phones do you have?” Dustin repeated, his voice louder.

“Uh, two. Why?” Steve looked at you and Robin in confusion.

“Technically, three if you count Keith’s in the back.” Robin followed.

“Yeah, three works.” Max hurriedly said to Dustin, who slid his backpack on top of the counter and landed towards where Robin and you were seated.

“What are you—! My pile!” Steve panicked. “No, no, no! My tapes! Dude.”

Still having no idea what was going on, you quietly stood behind Max and Dustin as they continued to type on the computer while Steve and Robin muttered annoyingly under their breath.

Fed up with all the noise and questions, Dustin turned to Max “Can you just fill them in while I do this.”

“Fill us in on what?” You spoke for the first time since the arrival of the two.

Max took a deep breath before starting to explain everything.

====================

You didn’t know what exactly made your head hurt; maybe it was because of Max’s statements, the sleepless nights you’ve been having lately, or both. Your mind is still processing every piece of information that has been added to your knowledge regarding this case.

While your friends are busy looking for wherever Eddie’s drug dealer “Reefer Rick” may be, you excused yourself to the bathroom, earning a concerned expression from Steve which you quickly shrugged off with a smile.

You stood in front of the mirror, hands tightly gripping the sink and wincing slightly as another surge of headaches hit you. You had purposely hidden from your friends, not wanting any more questions.

A knock on the door made you look up from the sink. You must’ve spent a while in the bathroom. You quickly took a deep breath and checked your appearance, making sure that there is no trace of any discomfort on your face.

As soon as you opened the door, you saw Steve standing in front of you.

“We found him.” He said with a smile.

“Where is he?” You asked as you swiftly closed the door behind you, rushing to where your other three friends were cleaning up.

“2121 Holland Road, by the Lover’s Lake,” Dustin said triumphantly as he fixed his backpack.

“Come, I’ll start the car.” Steve began getting out of his work vest and changed into his usual jacket.

“Alright, I’ll be there in a minute.” You said, going over to the telephone to call your father and make up an excuse by saying you’ll be staying over at Robin’s for the weekend.

====================

As Max, Dustin, and Robin take turns informing Eddie of everything that you guys have found so far, you knew that the hope of having a peaceful weekend was thrown out of the window. Your headache only worsened after spending another sleepless night. Only this time, it isn’t because of a nightmare, but because you needed to go out and buy Eddie some supplies.

“Hunt the freak, right?” Eddie upsettingly said, fingers tightening around the box of popcorn that he was holding.

“Exactly.” Robin replied, earning a whispered “shit” from Eddie.

“So before that happens, we have to find Vecna, kill him, and prove your innocence.” Dustin butted in.

“That’s all Dustin? That’s all?”

“Yeah, that’s pretty much it.”

Shaking her head, Robin stopped the exchange between the two. “Listen, Eddie, I know everything Dustin is saying sounds totally delusional, but we’ve actually been through this kind of thing before. I mean, they have a… a few times, and Y/n and I have once.”

“Ours was more human-fleshed based, theirs was more smoke-related. But collectively, I think we got this.” You continued after her.

Steve nodded beside you. “Yeah, we usually rely on this girl who has super powers but, uh, those went bye-bye…”

“So, we’re technically in more of the…”

“Brainstorming phase.” Max finished for all of you as Steve and Dustin went on to assure Eddie that there’s nothing to worry about.

The sound of sirens caught all of your attention a few moments after. Eddie rushed to cover himself with a tarpaulin while the rest of you went towards the window, looking at a few passing police cars and an ambulance.

“I guess we know where we’re going next,” Dustin stated.

====================

“So you’re saying that this thing that killed Fred and Chrissy… it’s from the Upside Down?” Nancy questioned as all of you are seated on a picnic bench near Eddie’s trailer.

“Our working theory is that he attacks with a spell or a curse. Now, whether or not he’s doing the bidding of the Mind Flayer or just loves killing teens, we don’t know.” Dustin explained.

“All we know is that this is something different. Something new.” You spoke.

“Doesn’t make sense,” Nancy muttered.

“It’s just a theory,” Dustin said.

Nancy shook her head. “No, Fred and Chrissy don't make sense. I mean, why them?”

“Maybe they were just in the wrong place. They were both at the game.”

“And near the trailer park,” Max suggested.

“We’re at the trailer park…” Steve said. “Uh, should we maybe not be here?”

“There is something about this place.” Nancy agreed. “Fred started acting weird the second we got here. He was scared, on edge, upset.”

Dustin immediately picked up. “Max said Chrissy was upset too.”

Max sighed. “Yeah, but not here. She was crying in the bathroom at school.”

“Serial killers stalk their prey before they strike, right? So, maybe Fred and Chrissy saw this Vecman—”

“Vecna.” Dustin corrected Robin.

“I don’t know about you guys, but if I saw some freaky wizard monster, I would mention it to someone.” Steve looked around at the table, confusion written on his face.

“Maybe they did.” All eyes went to Max as she spoke. “I saw Chrissy leaving Ms. Kelly’s office. If you saw a monster, you… you wouldn’t go to the police. They’d never believe you. But you might go to your—”

“Your shrink.” Robin finished.

As usual, Steve was the first to notice that you’ve gone quiet. While the others are devising a plan to split your group into two, he leaned toward your ear.

“You okay?”

Startled, you faced him sideways. “Hmm? Oh, yes, I’m fine.”

Before he could ask further, your friends stood up and walked towards Steve and Nancy’s cars. Nancy said something about checking for something, in which you hastily volunteered to join, hoping that you could be of any help. Steve also volunteered after you, deep down not wanting to let you out of his sight because he is still unsettled about your behavior since yesterday.

In the end, You and Steve stayed with Max and Dustin, while Robin was the one to go with Nancy after finding out that she does not have a license and cannot drive the kids around.

Steve sent a few glances towards you as he drove to Ms. Kelly, but you kept your silence throughout the entire ride, head leaning back towards the passenger seat while you internally suffer another headache.

“Alright, we’re here,” Steve announced, followed by the sound of a car door opening as Max stepped out.

Shortly after seeing Max enter the house, you stepped out of Steve’s car, feeling suddenly suffocated from your seat.

“I’ll just wait outside.” You said as you swiftly closed the door, breathing heavily. You were too busy trying to steady yourself to notice that Steve followed you.

“Y/n, hey—” He stopped himself, standing beside you and taking your face in his hands. “Oh, god.”

“W-what?” You asked, suddenly aware that Steve is assessing your face closely.

“Here.” He hurriedly pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to you. It was only then that you felt something run down your nose.

“Oh.” You wiped the blood, slightly embarrassed but thankful.

“Are you sure you’re okay? Like, I know I asked you a hundred times since yesterd—”

“Steve, I’m fine. Really. It’s probably just because of the weather.” You waved your hand dismissively.

Steve eyed you suspiciously but decided not to say anything anymore. Still, he remained by your side during the entirety of waiting for Max. And for the first time in days, you feel calm.

Throughout your friendship, you only hid three things from Steve; the cause of your mother’s death, your growing feelings for him, and the nightmares that caused you to visit Ms. Kelly.

====================

The refusal of Ms. Kelly to enclose any information about Fred and Chrissy has led the four of you back to Hawkins High in the middle of the night. Thankfully, Max was able to sneak out the keys to the Counselor's Office, giving all of you access to the files.

You were hesitant to follow through with their plan, knowing that if they would go through the records, they would eventually find yours too. But it was too late when you noticed Max pulled out three folders from the drawers.

“Holy shit.” She whispered, catching yours, Steve’s, and Dustin’s attention.

“You found it?”

Instead of looking at Dustin, she slowly looked at you. “Yeah, and not just Chrissy’s. Fred was seeing Ms. Kelly too. And… Y/n?”

All heads turn to look at you as you tried to speak but nothing came out.

“Y/n?” Steve said worryingly.

“I had sessions with Ms. Kelly back in my freshman year, but it was only for a few months.” You tried to reassure them, but the expressions on their faces tell you that they know there’s something more. Sighing, you continued, “After that, I only had one more visit with her.”

“And… when was that?” Dustin asked slowly.

“Last Friday.” You noticed Max’s eyes went wide, while Steve and Dustin were still confused. “I was the person that Ms. Kelly was talking to before Chrissy.”

Max hurriedly sat down on Ms. Kelly’s desk, simultaneously opening the folders that she had in her hand, including yours. You sat beside her, flicking through each of the documents as you felt a soft hand on your back. You looked up to see Steve looking at you softly, and you gave him a small smile in return.

“The symptoms…” You snapped your attention back to Max as you heard her whisper, her eyes glued to the sheets.

“What?” You questioned. You leaned towards her side and looked over at the paper, recognizing Ms. Kelly’s handwriting.

Once you realized what the words were, you froze. Headaches, nose bleeds, nightmares. It was common in all of the three files.

You looked at Max, who returned your gaze. She looked like she was about to speak, but her expression turned blank, staring at your face with unmoving eyes.

“Max?” You said, looking at the girl unsurely. “Max. Hey!”

You placed your hands on her shoulders, shaking her slightly. This caught the attention of Steve and Dustin, who seemed to go over to the door to guard the room.

“What happened?” Steve said when he reached us.

“I don’t know!” You panicked.

You three continued to call for Max, and after a few seconds, she gasped.

“Woah, Max are you okay?” Dustin said, stepping away from the girl whose eyes are wandering around.

She stuttered, but before she could answer, you heard a set of footsteps from the hall. You stood up from your seat beside Max and walked towards the door with Steve.

“Come on, stay behind me,” Steve said to you and you nodded as you made your way towards the hallway.

Thankfully, the footsteps weren't from any guard. It was from Nancy and Robin. You immediately returned to the Counselor’s Office where Dustin is still asking questions about Max.

“What happened here?” Robin wondered, seeing the distressed expression of the younger girl.

Max finally found her voice and grabbed one of the flashlights from Dustin’s backpack. “Follow me.”

She led all of you towards a small hallway with a dead end.

“It was here. A grandfather clock was right here.” She breathed.

“A grandfather clock?” Nancy repeated, earning a nod from Max.

“It was so real. And then, when I got closer, suddenly I just… I woke up.”

“It was like she was in a trance or something.” You quietly said, the image of Max’s blank face still clear on your mind.

“Exactly what Eddie said happened to Chrissy.” Dustin continued.

Max turned to face you all. It was only then that you noticed a few nervous tears in her eyes. “That’s not even the bad part.”

She led all of you back into the office where the folders are still scattered on the desk.

“Fred and Chrissy, they both came to Ms. Kelly for help. Uh, they were both having headaches, bad headaches that wouldn’t go away.” She paused to look at you and shakily continued to enumerate the symptoms she found. “And then, the nightmares. Trouble sleeping. They’d wake up in a cold sweat. Then they started seeing things. Bad things, from their past. These visions, they just… they kept on getting worse and worse until eventually, everything ended.”

“Vecna’s curse,” Robin muttered.

You didn’t notice that Steve’s eyes were on you the whole time. He had so many questions, so many things that he wanted to clarify with you. He was slowly starting to understand what Max was trying to say, and why she kept looking at you. Yet, he refused to acknowledge any thought that threatens your life.

What you didn’t know is that your feelings towards Steve Harrington are very much reciprocated. He’s seen you at school before, but his pride and attitude as King Steve did not allow him to spend another thought on you. Though you weren’t exactly quiet because you like interacting with people, you were very straightforward in voicing your opinions. You had solid ground, always fighting for what you thought was right.

Although he would never admit it, he was infinitely grateful to Dustin for giving him the chance to properly meet you. It was a week after they had fought the demodogs underground, and Steve went over to the kids’ houses to check up on them. You were visiting Dustin after his mom invited you and your dad for dinner, and you did not try to hide your shock when you saw Steve Harrington visiting Dustin Henderson’s house.

There were no secrets between you and Dustin, as he already treated you like his older sister. So he was usually the one who tells you every detail of their adventures. At that time, it was hard to believe his stories about Steve’s involvement. You never saw him with any children while he was still in High School, how can you believe that he went through those troubles for a bunch of non-popular kids in middle grade?

Over time, your doubt left little by little. You saw how he genuinely cared for his friends, especially after Dustin. Sometimes it still amazes you that the Steve Harrington you knew from High School is the same as the Steve Harrington you visit at Family Video almost every day.

As Steve looked at you, he felt scared and angry. If he could trade places with you, he would.

Max’s voice interrupted his thoughts. “Chrissy’s headache started a week ago. Fred’s, six days ago. I… I’ve been having them for five days. I don’t know how long I have. All I know is that…” She paused, taking a deep breath as tears started falling from her eyes. “For Fred and Chrissy, they both died less than 24 hours after their first vision. And I just saw that goddamn clock, so… looks like I’m gonna die tomorrow.”

You stood closer to Max, placing your hand softly on top of hers.

“Wait, Y/n…” Dustin said, making all eyes turn to you. “When did yours start?”

“Four days ago.” You whispered. Now it’s Max’s turn to squeeze your fingers.

“Y/n? What—” Nancy was cut off by a loud crash from the hallway.

“Stay here,” Steve said, picking up a lamp before stepping outside the room.

The rest of you shared a glance and despite what Steve said, you all followed him outside. The sound of rapid footsteps made you hold your breath, and a series of screams left your mouth as the person revealed himself.

It was Lucas.

====================

After the arrival of Lucas, you and your friends decided to spend the night over at the Wheeler’s. You instantly borrowed their telephone as soon as the sun came out the next morning.

“Hey, dad.” You greeted him through the phone, slightly nervous about the inescapable scolding that you know will follow after not coming home for two days.

“Y/n! Where the hell are you?” You heard him speak.

“I’m here at the Wheeler’s. Nancy needed my help with… a paper they’re writing about Hawkins High. I’m sorry, it was sudden.” You said pathetically, hoping that he would not question you any further.

“Goodness! Do you know how worried I was? With all of these murders going around, I can’t have you wandering through town.” Your father said stiffly.

“I know. But I might need to stay a little longer here. I promise I won’t do anything stupid. Besides, Mrs. Wheeler is always here. She’s keeping an eye on us.” You said sweetly, silently praying that it’s enough to convince your father.

You heard him groan at the other end. “Alright, fine. But don’t go anywhere without adult supervision.”

“Dad, I’m eighteen! I’m an adult.”

“I know. It’s just a precaution.” He paused for a while before continuing with a softer tone. “Just… stay safe alright? And make sure you’re always with someone.”

Although he couldn’t see it, you smiled. “Alright. Bye, dad.”

You heard him bid you goodbye before dropping the call.

You walked back to the basement, finding Steve, Lucas, and Dustin seated on the sofa with pieces of paper surrounding them. You contemplated joining the boys, but your eyes noticed the younger girl at the bottom of the stairs, preoccupied with writing something on paper. You walked over to Max, quietly dragging a chair and bringing it over next to hers before sitting down.

��Hey, how are you feeling?” You gave her a small smile, and she tried to hide what she was writing by putting both of her arms on top of the paper.

“Tired... and scared. But I’m not going to sulk, not when it’s probably my last day living.” She tried to chuckle jokingly, but you’ve been friends with Max long enough to know when something is affecting her not.

“Don’t say that.” You shook your head at her, still keeping your voice down while the boys in the background were throwing questions at each other. “We’re going to find a way to save you, alright? I won’t let that Vecna monster take you away.” Similar to what you did the night before, you lightly held her hand.

Max looked like she was going to cry from your words. “How about you? Have you had any visions?” Max asked, trying to make the moment less emotional.

“No. But if your theory is correct, it’s only a matter of time before I get one.” You smiled sadly.

She looked away after seeing your expression and reached for an envelope with your name written on the back.

“What’s that?” You asked as she handed it to you.

“It's a fail-safe. You know, just in case things go sideways. Don’t open it now, though.” She said to you, now it’s your turn to get teary.

In three years of knowing her, you’ve seen Max go through a lot. You have seen her tough, throwing glares to whoever insults her friends. But you have also seen her vulnerable when she cried for hours after witnessing Billy’s death. You knew she tried to shake off the sadness, but you saw how she screamed for her brother that night. She was devastated, fearful, and crumbling.

You were surprised when she suddenly wrapped her arms around your shoulders.

“Thank you, Y/n. For everything.” Max whispered.

“Oh, Max.” You hugged her back, pulling her slightly closer.

Your exchange was cut off by the sound of an opening door. You all looked up to see Robin and Nancy hastily going downstairs, the latter was holding two folders in her hands.

“We have a plan.”

====================

Shortly after Nancy and Robin left for Pennhurst Asylum, and Max gave out the rest of her letters to the boys, you find yourselves in Steve’s car.

Max, who was pretty convinced that she was going to die despite your attempts to assure her that she won’t, insisted on visiting her home to deliver the remaining envelopes in her hand. Steve’s protests fell on deaf ears when the girl threatened him.

The stop at her house was quick, and now all of you are headed towards the cemetery.

Steve was able to find a parking spot, near enough for all of you to keep an eye on Max. Dustin and Lucas stood outside of the car, walkies at hand just in case.

“Why didn’t you tell us? Or at least, one of us.” Steve suddenly spoke, turning to look at you. His tone was low but kind, careful not to step over any boundaries.

You hesitated to answer but realizing that this could be the only moment you could have with Steve alone, you let your guard down. “I don’t know. I guess I thought I could fix it.”

“Fix what?” He asked.

“Everything.” You looked at him directly. “When the nightmares came back, the fear also came back. And I just thought that maybe something I did trigger it. But then these murders started happening, and Max and Dustin went on with their theories...”

“You knew?” Steve sadly asked, his own eyes dropping.

You nodded. “Yeah. I kind of pieced it together when Max mentioned Ms. Kelly. But I didn’t want to say anything because Max needs us right now and it would be selfish if I—“

“Y/n.” Steve stopped your rambling by placing his hand on top of yours that was relaxed on his dashboard. “Asking for help isn’t selfish, alright?”

You sighed, wanting to agree with him but you’ve always put your friends first. Before the conversation could go longer, Lucas peeked through Steve’s open window.

“Steve, how long has it been?” His eyes traveled to Max, who was still in the same seated position.

But she was steady.

You sneaked a few glances at her during your conversation with Steve. Her head would move every once in a while, looking at Billy’s gravestone and back to the letter. But now, she’s steadily staring ahead.

Before Steve could count the minutes on his watch and answer Lucas, you went out of the car towards Max.

“Y/n? What ar—“

“Hey! Max!” You jogged to her place, noticing that she didn’t look at you when you called her. It was only when you were right beside her that you noticed her eyes. Blank, shaking and covered with a white hue. “Max? Max! Guys!”

The rest of your friends hurriedly went towards you and Max after hearing your panicked shout. You and Steve continued to call for her, while Lucas had his hands firm on her shoulder as he shook her. Dustin was way ahead of all of you, already contacting Robin and Nancy through his walkie.

The next moments were just screaming from the four of you. Max remained unresponsive, and tears were already building up in Lucas’ eyes.

“C’mon! This is code red! Robin, do you copy!”

“Yes, yes, we copy!” You heard Robin’s voice on the other end, and you swore Dustin almost fainted in relief when she replied.

“Holy shit! Finally! What have you guys found?”

“Music! Make her listen to music.”

“Exactly what music?”

“Her favorite song! She has to have a connection with it.”

Not bothering to reply to Robin, Dustin ran back to the car, went through the window, and gathered Max’s cassette player and tapes.

“What’s her favorite song?” Dustin asked as soon as he dropped the tapes in front of us. Lucas scrambled through it, finally handing the right one back to Dustin who placed the headphones on Max.

You were all anxious as you waited for something to happen. Lucas increased the volume so much that even the four of you can hear it.

“Max! Come back to us, please!” He pleaded.

Then her body started to lift, frightening all of you. If you remember Eddie’s recollection of Chrissy right, you know what’s next. Lucas was fully crying as you all stared at Max’s body. He tried to reach her ankles but she was farther.

The next few seconds were tense. You were all afraid that the song might come to an end before Max could come back. But as you heard a deep breath coming from the girl, you were relieved.

Max fell to the ground, and Lucas wrapped his arms around her. It worked.

====================

As soon as you all gathered back to the Wheelers’ basement, Dustin filled in everything with Robin and Nancy. You took a seat on the couch, eyes dropping from all the tiredness and lack of sleep.

“Take a nap first.” You felt Steve position himself beside you, legs stretching outwards after driving around town.

Nancy, who heard Steve, agreed with him. “He’s right. We need to take a rest for a while. I can keep watch first, just in case.”

You all nodded, spreading yourselves around the basement to find a comfortable position.

“Feel free to use me as a pillow.” Steve jokingly said as he patted his shoulders. You let out a small laugh, slightly leaning on his side of the couch before closing your eyes.

====================

When you all woke up from your nap an hour ago, you didn’t expect to be coming to Victor Creel’s house. Nancy shared something about how this might be Vecna’s lair, which only led to more questions about why he would choose Victor’s house out of all places in Hawkins. Most importantly, what was the grandfather clock in Max’s vision doing in its hallway.

You all scattered around the house, trying to look for more clues that could give an answer to at least one of your questions. You were about to get inside another bedroom when you heard mumbles from the hall, seeing Nancy standing behind Steve as she pulled something out from his hair.

Your heart tugged a little as you walked away as quietly as you can, trying to go unnoticed by the two.

You heard a lot about Nancy and Steve’s relationship back in high school. The most popular boy with the smartest girl. According to most people, it was a match that seemed very unlikely yet perfect. Even now, as you look at the two, it is no wonder why they fell for each other.

In hopes of distracting yourself and finding more clues, you made your way down the stairs.

A mistake.

Barely five steps down, you felt cold, chills running down your back and arms. Your surroundings got darker as if someone closed the torn curtains over the broken windows of the house. But what caught your attention was the grandfather clock at the bottom of the stairs.

Minutes ago, it was broken. You could hardly recognize the numbers from how much dust and webs it collected over the years. Now it’s perfectly ticking, one tick louder than the next.

“Y/n.”

You flinched from the voice you didn't recognize. It was loud, deep, and terrifying. Yet you couldn’t find its source.

“Steve! Max! Guys!” Panicking, you ran back up, but your friends were nowhere to be seen.

The voice got louder as you ran through the halls, checking and opening every door that you could find in hopes that one of them could help you escape.

“You can try to run but I will find you.” It said tauntingly. “Your time will come to an end soon.”

A dead-end made you stop running. You prepared to turn around, still determined to find a way out. But you were shocked when an invisible force pushed you backward, making you stumble a step.

====================

You weren’t aware that Nancy and Steve actually saw you walk past them. It was mere seconds, but Nancy caught the way Steve perked up when he saw your form.

“You like her don’t you?” She whispered to him teasingly as she continued to remove the spider webs from his hair.

“W-what? No, I don’t.” Steve replied, suddenly thankful that Nancy couldn’t see his face as he felt his cheeks warm up. Though his stuttering gave him away.

She replied with a knowing “Hmm”, making Steve groan.

“Am I obvious?” He mumbled.

“Very. It isn’t hard to notice the way you look at her.” She smiled, also discreetly aware of how you looked at the boy.

She heard Steve sigh as he turned around, making Nancy stop picking on his hair. “I’m worried about her. I know she hasn’t experienced any visions— thankfully, but what if she does and we’re not there to save her?”

Nancy saw nothing but sincerity in the boy’s eyes, but she didn’t get a chance to reply after hearing Robin yell.

“Guys! Help, it’s Y/n!”

Steve was the first to run, following Robin’s voice and finding her at the top of the stairway. Her hands are on top of your shoulder, shaking you while you remain motionless.

“What happened?!” Steve said, lightly pushing Robin and replacing her hands with his. “Y/n?”

“I-I was on my way down and I saw her just standing here.” She explained, nervousness in her voice.

The rest of your friends have already gathered to where you are; Max’s eyes were wide as she realized what was going on. “She’s having a vision.” She whispered.

Steve, who was still trying to wake you up from whatever is pulling your conscience away, clearly heard Max’s words and panicked even more. It was just a minute ago when he was telling Nancy how scared he would be if this happened to you.

The moment that you returned, you let out a gasp, startling the rest. Steve felt like he could cry from relief after seeing your eyes move again, and he immediately pulled you into a hug.

“God, don’t scare me like that again.” He whispered to your ear, seemingly forgetting that all of your friends are looking at the two of you.

You were still catching your breath, and your brain took a while to notice that your face was pressed against Steve’s chest. You hugged him back quickly, muttering a quiet “I’m okay” and then pulled away eventually.

Max was the first to approach you when let go of Steve. “Tell us what happened.” She pleaded.

“I saw the clock.” You simply said, trying to remember every detail that you saw from your vision. You saw the way their faces dropped after you said it, and you knew that you didn’t have to explain anything else because they know what it means for you.

You’re Vecna’s next target.

====================

After your first vision, Steve refused to let you out of his sight. You and he stayed outside of the Creels’ house while your friends continued to search around, finding out that the Upside Down version of the attic is possibly where Vecna recharges his powers.

Still shaken up from what happened, you asked the group to make a short stop at your house. There are two things that you need to do; get a cassette player, and see your father.

Nancy volunteered to drive, while you were in the middle seat between Max and Steve. You leaned your head on his shoulder throughout the ride, while Max had her right arm hooked with your left.

“We’re here, Y/n,” Nancy announced as she parked in front of your house.

“Thanks, Nance. I’ll be quick.” You shot her a quick smile. Steve moved out of the car to allow you to do the same, but you raised your eyebrows when you noticed him following you to your front door. “You’re coming?”

“Can’t leave you alone again, Y/l/n.” He joked, eyes twinkling that you almost forgot you were cursed.

Before you get entranced by his smile, you stepped towards your house. The front door was locked, so you had no choice but to knock. Your father looked relieved when he saw your face.

“Y/n!” You threw yourself nearer to him and he opened his arms for a hug. “Oh, Steve. You’re here too.” Your dad smiled at the boy behind you. Everyone does like Steve Harrington.

Steve smiled in return as your dad ushered you both inside.

“So, how is Nancy’s paper going?” He asked.

“Paper?” You shot him a confused look, forgetting about the excuse that you made a day ago. “Oh! Yes, yes, it’s going great! Steve’s also helping her.”

Your dad nodded. “So, you’re staying tonight?”

Your heart dropped, the lingering thought of the curse suffocating you. “I can’t, dad. I’m sorry. I just stopped by to get some… stuff that I need.”

You’re oblivious to the fact that your father knew you very well, and he is certainly sure that you are not telling him the truth. But as he stared at you, assessing the tone of your voice and the emotions in your eyes, he didn't want to hold you back. He trusts you, and he knew that you would eventually tell him what’s going on when you’re ready.

“Do you need me to assist you?” Your father asked softly.

You shook your head with a smile. “It’s okay. I got it.”

He watched as you and Steve stepped upstairs, letting out a sigh before going to the kitchen.

Meanwhile, you started digging through your cabinets as soon as you reached your bedroom to search for your cassette. Steve took charge in going through the tapes, eyes flicking through the song titles.

“Found it.” You whispered under your breath when you spotted it. You were stunned when you stood up and saw Steve leaning against your door, smiling smugly. “What?”

He waved a very familiar dark purple audio tape. “Your favorite.”

Saturday Night Fever - “More Than A Woman” by the Bee Gees

“Damn, how’d you know?” You chuckled, trying to shake off the fluttering feeling that he knows your favorite song.

“Are you kidding me?” He exaggeratedly said. “There isn’t any idle moment when you aren’t singing this. You even kept the extra tape for your car.”

You laughed, remembering all the time that Robin had to shut you up because you wouldn’t stop singing the song. But your happiness was cut off short when you realized that your life now depends on that small tape that he was holding.

Steve sensed the change in your expression and quickly understood. “Hey, you’re going to be fine. We saved Max, we’ll save you too.” He smiled comfortingly.

You nodded, motioning that you need to go back to your friends who are waiting outside.

“Y/n.” Your dad called you before you got the chance to take a step out of your house. He pulled you into another quick hug. “Stay safe, alright?”

You hugged him tighter, suddenly fearing that this could be the last time you’ll ever see him. “Promise. I’ll see you soon, dad.”

You pulled away slowly, giving him another look before walking back to the car with Steve.

“Alright, we’re going to Eddie next,” Dustin announced.

====================

You felt another wave of terror when your group was supposed to bring more supplies to the cabin that Eddie is hiding in, but instead found the police and media surrounding the lake.

Another Hawkins High student was found dead.

The rumbling of Dustin’s walkie caught your attention, immediately identifying the voice on the other end as Eddie’s.

“Dustin, can you hear me? Wheeler?”

“Eddie, holy shit. Are you okay?” Dustin whispered back.

“Nah, man. P-pretty goddamn far from okay.” Eddie chuckled.

“Where are you?”

“Skull Rock. You know it?”

“Yeah. That’s near Cornwallis and—”

“Garrett, yeah. I know where that is.” Steve finished for Dustin.

“Hold tight. We’re coming.”

====================

You were thankful that your shoes are made for running.

Dustin and Steve’s bantering on the location of Skull Rock had you change your route three times already.

“Oh, boom! Bada bing bada boom. There she is, Henderson.” Steve said, pushing away a few bushes. “In your face, man.”

“Steve.” You shot him a scolding look for his words, shutting him up.

“Doesn’t make sense,” Dustin whispered under his breath but quickly ran up to Eddie when he saw him. “There you are! Jesus, we thought you were a goner.”

Eddie patted him on the back. “Yeah, me too, man. Me too.”

The next minutes were spent on filling Eddie in with everything you guys have found. Starting from Nancy and Robin’s visit to the Pennhurst Asylum, up to your recent vision.

“Wait, Y/n? You too?” Eddie looked at you with wide eyes.

You nodded sadly.

“Oh, shit.” He replied shakily, eyes darting from you to Dustin who was pacing back and forth. “Hey, uh, Henderson’s not, uh, cursed, is he?”

“Cursed? No, no. He’s fine.” Steve said. “Mental? Absolutely.”

“Boom!” You all flinched, surprised when Dustin shouted while pointing at Steve. “Bada… bada… boom. I was right.”

Steve rolled his eyes.

“Skull Rock was north.”

“Seriously? You’re serious?! This is Skull Rock. Okay?” He dramatically pointed his hand towards the gigantic rocks. “You’re totally, absolutely, one hundred percent wrong. Right now!”

Dustin looks unaffected by Steve’s bursts, muttering a few “mhmm” while smiling cheekily. “Yes… and no.”

“Oh my god.” Steve threw his hands, stepping closer to you while glaring at Dustin.

“This compass worked correctly when we left the Wheelers.” He began to explain. “It was correct when we got in the car in Curly, but it started to slip the further east we went. Now, it’s way off.”

You all looked at each other, not understanding what he was saying.

“When I was leading us here, I wasn’t wrong. The compass was.”

“So you’re using faulty equipment. You’re still wrong.” Steve butted in, and you gave him a slight shove to shut him up.

“Except, it isn’t faulty.” Dustin pointed at him before turning to Lucas. “Lucas, remember what can affect a compass?”

Lucas, who seemed to be getting what Dustin is talking about, quickly replied. “An electromagnetic field.”

“I’m sorry, I must've skipped that class,” Robin said.

“In the presence of a stronger electromagnetic field, the needle will deflect towards that power. So either there’s some super big magnet around here, or—”

“There’s a gate.” Lucas finished Dustin’s statement.

“We’re nowhere near the lab,” Nancy spoke for the first time in a while.

“But what if, somehow, there’s another gate? A gate that we don’t know about. It’d have to be smaller. Way less powerful.” Dustin explained.

“Snack-size gate,” Robin said.

“How? Why?” You asked.

“No idea. All I know is that something is causing this disturbance, and the last time we’ve seen anything like this, it was a gate. And I hope it is because we would have a way to Vecna, and a shot at freeing Max and Y/n from this curse.” Dustin went running, but Steve stopped him.

“Where are you going? Hey!” Dustin stopped, looking at a stressed Steve. “Eddie is still a wanted man. We can’t just go for a hike in the woods.”

Having enough from Steve, Dustin raised the compass in his hands. “This little steel capsule might be the key to saving Y/n, Max, and Eddie.” He turned directly to Eddie. “What say you, Eddie the Banished?”

All of you turned to Eddie who had been quietly sitting.

“I say you’re asking me to follow you into Mordor, which, if I’m totally straight with you, I think is a really bad idea.” He looked up. “But, uh, the Shire… the Shire is burning.”

Dustin hops adorably.

“So Mordor it is.” Eddie stated.

====================

If you thought the walk to Skull Rock was long, walking through the woods is even longer. What is even more annoying is that Dustin’s compass just led you back to the Lover’s Lake.

“There’s a gate in Lover’s Lake?” Max wondered aloud.

“Whenever the demogorgon attacked, it always left an opening,” Nancy answered. “Maybe, Vecna’s the same way.”

“Only one way to find out,” Steve said.

Your eyes noticed a small boat tied to a tree nearby, and you immediately made your way toward it.

“Where are you going?”

Ignoring Steve’s question, you untangled the rope and pulled the boat nearer to your group. Eddie and Steve took hold of each side, steadying the object.

Robin was the first to get in, placing her hands on the two boys’ heads to maintain her balance. Eddie followed, then Nancy, then you.

“Are you sure about this?” Steve asked you as he offered his hand.

“Yeah. Enough worrying, Harrington.” You smiled at him as he followed you in.

“Wait, Y/n!” Max called out for you. “Do you have your cassette?”

You nodded, turning to your side to show the small cassette player tucked in your back pocket.

Dustin walked forward, ready to join your group but Eddie and Nancy stopped him, insisting that he and Lucas should stay with Max. He reluctantly handed the compass, shaking his head as he stepped back with the other two.

Trying to lighten the mood, Robin yelled for them as she and Eddie paddled. “Bedtime at nine, kiddos! Miss you already!”

After around three minutes, the five of you were perfectly at the center of the Lake. Nancy asked to slow down the boat, the compass in her hand spinning wildly.

You noticed Steve taking off his shoes and socks. “Woah, Steve. What are you doing?”

“Somebody’s got to go down and check this out. Unless one of you four can top being a Hawkins High swim co-captain and a certified lifeguard for three years, then… it’s gotta be me. No complaints, alright?”

“Hey, I’m not complaining. I don't wanna go down there.” Eddie said nervously as he looked at the pitch-black reflection of the waters.

On the other hand, you were about to say something when Steve took his sweater off and you felt your throat go dry. Little do you know that Robin was looking at you, fighting the urge to laugh at your reaction.

Eddie handed Steve a flashlight wrapped in a plastic bag. “Good luck.”

“Steve.” You held his hand and looked up at him. “Be careful.”

He almost forgot what he was about to do as he stared at you, face illuminated by the moon. Instead, he smiled and rubbed the back of your hand with his fingers. “Will do. Enough worrying, Y/l/n.”

Turning back, Steve dove right into the water.

Barely two seconds after he did so, you looked at Nancy anxiously. “How long has it been?”

“Relax, Y/n.” She laughed a little. “He’s going to be fine.”

Despite her assurance, you couldn’t stay still, your eyes locked on the water. A minute later, you almost fell back in shock when Steve raised his head on the surface.

“I found it,” Steve said, panting. A series of cheerful exclamations followed your group at his statement.

“Dustin, you are a goddamn Einstein. Steve found the gate.” Robin said, communicating with the kids through her walkie.

“Come on. Grab my hand.” You reached Steve with your right hand.

Before he could grab yours, however, he was pulled back under the water.

“Steve!” You shouted, your panic turned into horror when you saw no sign of Steve.

“What the hell was that, man?!” Eddie screamed behind you.

Without another thought, you stood up on the edge of the boat, taking off your shoes as Steve did a while ago.

“Woah. Hold on. Y/n, where are you going?” Robin asked, one hand holding your arm.

“I can’t leave him there alone, Robin.” You said determinedly, pulling your arm away from her grasp.

“Y/n— no!” You heard Nancy yell after you, but you already jumped into the water.

You weren’t the best swimmer, but you didn’t care. You had one thing on your mind, and that is to save Steve.

Your eyes widened when you spotted the gate, its dark red color made you nervous. But you swam right through, shocked when you realized that the other end was dry.

You were panting as you pulled yourself up, legs slightly shaking from tiredness. Taking in your surroundings, you noticed the familiar trees around you.

This is the Lover’s Lake in the Upside Down. Only this lake was dry, and dark thick vines covered almost the entire floor.

You heard a pained yell from behind you, your heart pumping faster when you laid eyes on Steve. You ran towards him and grabbed a paddle from a nearby boat that looked the same as what your group had used.

“Steve!” You yelled, hitting one of the demobats that attempted to go near you.

Steve spotted you, but his screams were cut off when one of the bats wrapped his tail around his neck. You went near him, using the pack of the paddle to crush the creature’s head.

Once its tail was loosened, you helped an injured Steve get up. “Come on. We need to get out of here.”

“Y/n! Steve! Look up!” You heard Robin’s familiar voice. You were stunned for a moment when you spotted her running with Nancy and Eddie.

“Shit,” Steve muttered, bracing himself.

You looked up, seeing another group of the demobats.

Nancy grabbed the other paddle from the same boat, while Eddie, Steve, and Robin aimed for their tails.

You didn’t know how long this occurred, but you were overcome with relief when you saw Eddie slam the last one to the ground. You all sighed, chests heaving from the swimming and physical fight that happened consecutively.

“Jesus H. Christ!” Eddie screamed, shaking his head.

You ran to Steve, eyes searching for more injuries. “Are you alright? How are you feeling?”

“Well, they took about a pound of flesh. But other than that, yeah, never better.” Steve tried to hide his pain by chuckling, but the action made him wince even more.

“This isn’t funny, Steve. We need to get out of here.” Your eyes were glued to his sides, stomach turning to the sight of running blood.

The sound of screeching caught all of your attention, and you spotted more demobats heading toward the lake.

“The woods. Come on.” Nancy said, motioning for all of you to follow her.

The run through the forest was painful for your feet, but you couldn’t imagine how Steve was feeling with his open wounds. You eventually reached the Skull Rock of the Upside Down, and Nancy gave you a torn piece from her clothes as a bandage for Steve.

“You alright?” Steve asked you quietly as you reached around his back, his own eyes searching for any scrape on your face.

“Don’t worry about me.” You dismissed him quickly, finishing up the make-shift bandage by tucking the ends. “There, all done.”

Steve held your hand, looking from his wound back to your face. “Thank you, Y/n.”

You gave him a nod and tugged on his hand, silently asking him to sit on the ground with you to take a rest. But as soon as you did, you remembered something and you froze.

You hurriedly pulled the cassette player from your back pocket, eyes widening in fear when you noticed that it was broken and leaking with water.

“Shit, St—“ You looked back up, expecting to see Steve but none of your friends were there. The sky was still tinted with the red color, but there was smoke forming around the ground that you were standing on. You froze, already having an idea what is going on.

“Y/n...” You heard the echo of the same dark voice from your first vision.

“What the fuck do you want from me?” You angrily said, looking around you. A tall silhouette on your left made you shudder when you noticed that it was heading toward you.

“You think you can save your friends. You weren’t even able to save your mother.” It taunts, the voice getting louder as the figure gets closer. “Your time will end soon, Y/n.”

You recognized the same ticking sound that you heard from Victor Creel’s house, and you noticed the grandfather clock embedded in one of the rocks.

On the other end, Steve had his hands on your cheeks. He witnessed the way your arm limped to your sides, dropping the cassette to the ground. Your face turned upwards as if looking directly at someone. But your eyes were unmoving, and your mouth slightly opened. It was the same expression that you had a few hours ago in the mansion.

“Y/n! C’mon, you have to listen to me. Y/n!” He kept yelling for you. Nancy and Robin were also trying to shake your hands, while Eddie is on the verge of a breakdown.

Like the first time, you gasped when you regained your body. You were scrambling away from Steve as your mind wasn’t able to process that you were back with your friends.

“Woah, calm down. You’re alright.” Steve tried again to come near you. This time, your eyes steadied at him, and you wrapped your arms around his shoulder.

Steve comforted you as he hugged you back. He could feel you tremble in his arms; his heart broke as he wished he could take you away from all of this.

You pulled away after a minute, and Nancy was quick to formulate another plan after you assured her that you were okay.

“We need weapons. We’re going to need everything that we can use to defend ourselves. And we also need a music player.” She stated.

“Where are we gonna get those?” Eddie asked.

“Oh, and another follow-up question. Do music players work in the Upside Down?” Robin continued slowly.

“I don’t know, but we have to try,” Nancy said, looking at you. You gave her a small quick smile as a sign of gratitude and the girl was quick to return it. “We need to go to my house. We can find all of those things there.”

“Wait, you said weapons. What exactly are the weapons in your house?” Eddie wondered.

“Guns. I have guns.” Nancy said, her tone flat.

Eddie was left with his mouth open, stuttering more questions about how Nancy Wheeler has guns. Plural.

Nancy simply laughed and started walking, Robin following closely behind her.

Steve positioned himself beside you, but Robin linked her arms with yours, pushing you in between her and Nancy.

Annoyed, Steve glared at the back of his friend’s head but he saw Eddie pushing a denim vest in front of him.

“For your modesty, dude.” Eddie said, earning a muffled “thank you” from Steve.

A few minutes have passed and you were laughing with the two girls as you walked. Steve stared softly at you, happy that you were smiling despite the circumstances. He would rather throw himself into the group of demobats than let anything hurt you.

He felt terrified. Based on his understanding of Eddie’s story and Max’s experience, Vecna’s victims are only given three visions— you just had your second.

“It’s very metal, what you did. That’s all I’m saying.” Eddie’s voice interrupted Steve’s thoughts. “You know, personally I would never jump in that lake to save your ass. No offense. But Y/n, right there, she didn’t waste a second. Not one second. She just dove right in.”

Eddie was careful to keep his voice down, and Steve’s eyes traveled from him to your figure.

“From what I heard, you two are just friends. But let me tell you, dude, what she did is more than just a friendly act.”

“She shouldn’t have done that,” Steve replied with the same volume. Meanwhile, his mind imagined what Eddie just said. You, jumping right after he was pulled down. Why would you risk yourself from him?

“But she did.” Eddie shrugged, a smile forming on his face.

Steve didn’t speak, trying to pretend that he was more interested in the trees. Yet his mind was on you— not the first time though. He felt an ounce of hope, a voice in his head saying that you feel the same way. But the other voice doubts, threatening him that this might ruin your friendship.

A few minutes more and you find yourselves out of the forest, walking on the cemented floor instead of soil.

“Right there.” Nancy pointed at her house, slightly walking faster.

You were both relieved and creeped out by the sight of the Wheelers’ house. The color remains the same, but the same thick vines that you saw earlier were wrapped almost entirely around its exterior, and some branches were able to puncture through the glass windows.

“Come. My guns are upstairs.” You all followed Nancy to her bedroom door, but she turned to look at you before you could enter. “Oh, Y/n, most of the audio tapes are in my parents’ bedroom. I’ll grab my player for you.” She said, pointing at the door next to hers.

“I’ll go with you,” Steve said from beside you and you nodded, quickly thanking Nancy.

Her parents’ room was a bit bigger than hers, but you didn’t have any trouble finding the tapes, seeing them displayed on a work table. You crouched down, eyes dragging quickly over every piece.

“Got it.” You said, pulling out the same tape that you brought from your house.

You were prepared to leave the room, but you stopped when you noticed Steve quietly sitting on the bed. His fingers were picking through Eddie’s denim jacket.

“You alright there?” You asked, walking over to him.

“You have to stop worrying about me. It’s you that we have to save.” He answered, eyes looking at yours.

You sat beside him and smiled. “Well, hopefully, this tape works.”

“I’m sorry.” You heard him whisper, brows furrowed in confusion.

“Sorry? Sorry for what?”

“For not noticing what you were going through.” Steve looked at the tape in your hand. “If I noticed, I could’ve helped you earlier and—”

“Steve.” You said sternly. “You have nothing to apologize for. I chose to hide.”

He went quiet, eyes still dropped low.

“Do you remember when I told you how my mother died?” You whispered. You were still hopeful that you could escape Vecna’s grasp; if Max survived, so can you. But just in case things go unsuccessfully, you don’t want to regret not telling the truth.

“A car accident,” Steve said hesitantly.

You nodded, gulping before proceeding to talk. “There was this girl in my class who was popular, and she was going to celebrate her birthday but only those with invitations could come. I was surprised when she gave me one, but I was so flattered.” You chuckled, shaking your head at your ridiculousness when you were younger. “I asked my parents if I could join, but my mom was against it because she knew I wasn’t anywhere close to that girl.

I was so annoyed. I mean, when I look back at it now, it does sound stupid. I probably didn’t even have any conversation with her, but my thirteen-year-old self was persistent. So I sneaked out to the party and asked one of my friends to cover for me. But my mom knew me very well and eventually found out where I was. I have never seen her so disappointed.

She picked me up that night, and while we were on our way home, it started raining. The rest of my memories were blurred, but I couldn’t forget how terrified she looked. The next thing I know is that I was in the hospital. I saw my dad cry for the first time as he told me that mom was gone. The police said something about losing control of the brakes but it didn’t register to me. If I just listened to her, she’d still be alive.”

You didn’t realize that you were tearing up until you felt Steve hold your hand, squeezing it as he wrapped his other arm around you.

“We moved to Hawkins after a few months because it was just painful, everything in our house reminded us about her. But it still wasn’t easy. I had to go to Ms. Kelly because my nightmares weren’t stopping. Then I met the kids, you, Nancy, and Robin, and I felt like I could breathe again. But then, of course, this monster curses me.”

You had tears freely falling down your cheeks at this point. Steve pulled you closer to him as you cried, your face tucked between his shoulder and neck.

Steve didn’t know what to say— he was never the best at comforting. But you didn’t need to hear any words, content with the feeling of Steve’s hands running up and down your hand.

“We’ll save you alright? I won’t let anything happen to you.” He whispered, and without thinking, he pressed a small kiss on your forehead.

You look up to meet his eyes, your own pair slightly wide from the unexpected affection from Steve. When he saw your expression, his brain seemed to register what he’d done.

“Oh, uh, I… s-sorry.” He stuttered.

Steve Harrington was never the one to stutter in front of girls. He always knew what to say and how to say it; but with you, he always felt like he was lost for words. Now, as he looked at your face, traces of tears still evident on your cheeks after letting him see your vulnerability, he wanted nothing else than to hold you forever. But he needed to tell you the truth first.

“Y/n.” He started slowly, trying to formulate his words. “I-I know this isn’t really the best time to say it but…”

Here goes nothing.

“I like you, Y/n. No, screw that, I’m falling for you. And now I think I just ruined our friendsh—”

You cut him off as you raised both your arms and wrapped them around his shoulder. Your sadness from earlier is no longer there, replaced by the happiest feeling as you laughed softly.

“You’re right. This isn’t the best place to confess.” You said as you pulled away. “But I’m falling for you too, Steve Harrington. I have been for a while.”

Steve looked at you with his mouth slightly open, his mind still processing the words you have said. “You mean that?” He asked, a smile starting to form on his face.

You nodded, looking at him with nothing but sincerity and adoration in your eyes. He leaned in closer to you, feeling the wetness of your cheeks from your tears as he pressed his hands on both sides of your face.

“Can I kiss you?”

You answered him by leaning in, closing the gap between your faces. The kiss was soft and quick, but enough for you to take in the feeling of each other’s lips.

“Hey, guys, we need you downs— oh.” You both pulled away upon hearing Robin’s voice from the door. The girl had her mouth and eyes wide. “We leave you two alone for a few minutes and you’re already eating each others’ faces.”

You and Steve laughed as he helped you to your feet, his hands softly brushing the remaining tears from your cheeks.

“But I gotta say, nice one, dingus! Took you long enough.” Robin said cheekily as Steve glared at her.

“Shut up.” He groaned, following you as you stepped out of the room.

Robin rolled her eyes, but her expression turned serious. “Come on, we might have a problem.”

====================

After swimming to the bottom of the lake, walking through the forest, and now rapidly biking towards Eddie’s trailer, you felt like your legs would give out anytime.

Nancy was disappointed to find none of her guns after realizing that the time setting of the Upside Down is three years stuck in the past. Still, you were grateful for three reasons. One, you were able to communicate with the kids on the other side, and now all of you are on your way to getting out of this dimension. Two, Nancy’s cassette was working and is safely tucked inside your pockets. Three, Robin. Her teasing and bickering with Steve made this entire situation much lighter.

You were happy when you finally took the familiar right turn to Eddie’s place, stepping out of your bikes as soon as you reached his front lawn. As expected by Nancy, you found another portal on Eddie’s ceiling. It looks identical to the one at the lake, and you all freaked when a stick poke through.

You almost screamed in happiness when you saw Dustin, Max, Lucas, and Erica on the other side. A few minutes later, Dustin threw a makeshift rope from blankets, the others preparing a mattress for your group to land on.

Robin climbed first, followed by Eddie and Nancy.

“Go on.” Steve smiled at you.

“See you on the other side?” You asked him, eyes twinkling.

He let out a small laugh, nodding his head. “See you on the other side.”

You reached for the rope, pulling yourself up with every remaining strength that you have. But you didn’t fall on the mattress.

Steve watched you position yourself in front of him, ready to grab onto the rope. But when you went steady with your hands falling to your side, his face went cold.

“Y/n?” He moved to face you, eyes widening when he saw your eyes glazed. It was the same look that Max had at the cemetery. He cupped your face, shaking you as softly as he could. “Shit. Y/n! Stay with me. Y/n!”

On the other end, Steve heard Max shout. “It’s Vecna! Play her music, Steve!”

His hands were shaking as he reached for your back pocket, inserting the tape into the cassette player. He immediately placed the headphones on your ears, holding your hand after he did so.

“C’mon, Y/n. You gotta come back to me.”

====================

You fell into darkness, wincing and gasping as you felt yourself land on your back. It took you a few seconds to sit up, taking in your surroundings.

You were in the middle of a road, with several police cars and an ambulance lined up to your left. The sky was dark; it was night.

Standing up slowly, you were overwhelmed with panic and fear, not fully understanding what was happening.

“Y/n.” The familiar dark voice spoke, making you gasp from how loud it was. “Did you forget what you’ve done?”

You looked around, but everything was dark aside from the flashing lights from the cars. It was only then that you noticed a shattered car to your right.

You trembled upon seeing the familiar car.

Its front part was completely destroyed, looking similar to the bent street light pole. You froze when you noticed someone come out from the driver’s side, slowly walking towards you.

“Oh, Y/n.” You heard your mother’s voice, recognizing her dim-lighted face as she stood a few feet away from you. “You did this to me. You killed me.” She wickedly laughed.

“W-what? I—” You stuttered, stumbling a few steps back.

“If only you had listened to me.” The more she comes near you, the more you can see her figure change. Your mother’s body was slowly transforming into something you couldn’t comprehend. Its body was similar to a human, but taller and covered in the same vines from the upside down.

“I see you’ve been looking for me, Y/n.” Its voice went back to the usual, its eyes glowing red and black.

You gasped, remembering Max’s description of the same monster who curses you.

Vecna.

Without thinking, you turned around and ran. You didn’t know where your path would lead you, but you were desperate to stay away from him. You tripped over something, and the cemented ground that you first found yourself on had transformed into a wooden floor.

You looked up, seeing that you were back in Victor Creel’s house. Although, this was far from what you have seen. This house looked new, fresh, and alive.

“You wanted to find out the truth, Y/n?” Vecna’s voice echoed, though he wasn’t anywhere in sight.

Your attention was brought to the four people in front of you, noticing two kids and two adults. Victor Creel’s family. Your eyes stuck to the young boy, his eyes looking around the house with a blank expression.

Your surroundings shifted every once in a while, each vision focusing on Victor’s son, Henry. You follow him as he quietly watches his family members, spying on their every move. You were shocked when you were led outside, witnessing the boy kill a struggling rabbit with powers similar to Eleven’s.

But that’s not what terrified you.

You watched the night when Victor was arrested. It wasn’t him who killed his wife and daughter. It was Henry.

The flashbacks ended, the house’s walls slowly disintegrating into red smoke. You shivered when you realized that you were brought to the same place from Max’s drawings.

“Your time is over, Y/n. Now, you will join me.” You turned around, seeing Vecna coming closer to you.

“Fuck you!” You shouted, feeling something wrap around your ankle. Before you could look down, you were dragged backward, another set of vines wrapping around your wrists to pull you up against a column.

Vecna watched you struggle, a demonic smile forming on his face as he stood directly in front of you. “I’m here to end your suffering, Y/n.” He raised his right hand towards your face, your eyes widening in fear as you looked at his sharp fingers.

That’s when you heard it.

Oh, girl, I've known you very well

I've seen you growing every day

It was a faint sound, and you almost thought that it just came from your imagination.

I never really looked before

But now you take my breath away

Vecna’s motions stopped, angrily turning around. You followed his eyes, a gasp escaping your lips as you spotted a portal-looking exit.

Suddenly you're in my life

Part of everything I do

But it wasn’t just that. You saw Steve’s form, frantically shaking you. When Vecna returned his sight to you, he was furious.

“You don’t belong with them. You belong with me, here.” He sneered, raising his hand once more.

His words snapped something inside you. You remembered all the times you hung out with Robin and Steve over at the Family Video; the times when the boys would ask you to ride the bike with them, letting them purposely win when they ask for a race; the times when you volunteered to be Max and El’s chaperone to the mall; the times where your dad would always bake your birthday cake because you refused to eat any cake that wasn’t done by him; and the all the times you spent with Steve.

How you two would endlessly annoy Robin. How he secretly enjoys being with Dustin despite the fact that they always fight whenever they’re together. And the moment you had several minutes ago back at the Wheeler’s.

This isn’t where you belong. You belong with your friends, your dad, with Steve.

You got me working day and night

Just tryin' to keep a hold on you

You twisted your right wrist from one of the vines, lifting a punch to Vecna’s cheek. He stumbled back as the rest of his grip loosened around you.

You pushed away all the tiredness from the past days as you took the opportunity to run, avoiding as much falling debris as you could.

Here in your arms I found my paradise

My only chance for happiness

And if I lose you now, I think I would die

Oh, say you'll always be my baby, we can make it shine

We can take forever, just a minute at a time

More than a woman

More than a woman to me

You will come home.

====================

Steve was crying, tears shamefully dropping on his face as he looked at your rising body. Your back aggressively landed on Eddie’s ceiling, just a few inches away from the gate where the rest of your friends are shouting.

“Shit. Come on, Y/n. Come back to me.” He said, trying to reach you.

He isn’t going to give up on you. He made a promise to keep you safe, and not even a monster from another dimension will break it.

He cried harder when he saw your eyes return to normal, a loud gasp escaping from your lips. Instinctively, he reaches his arms out, catching you before you land.

Your eyes were distraught, assessing everything around you. Steve held your face with one of his hands, still crying.

“Y-you’re back.” He said shakily as your eyes steadied on him.

“Oh, Steve.” You breathed, wrapping your arms around the boy. “I’m fine. I’m fine.”

He held you for a little while longer, occasionally pressing a few kisses on your forehead while the rest of your friends were exclaiming joyfully.

“Come on. Let’s go to the other side. Together.”

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