#I worry that people see my show shirts and think I'm an actor

[memento-morri-writes]

I'm feeling nostalgic for my public school days today, apparently. Like, yeah, they were social hell and I didn't have many (if any) real friends, but I miss my middle school english program, and I miss doing stage crew for the productions at my high school. Both of those were amazing experiences and I miss them so much.

[dreamescapeswriting]

BTS Reaction || Your Father Is A Famous Actor

⤜Copyright: © DreamEscapesWriting - September 2023

⤜MASTERLIST

SEOKJIN:

Jin had been worried sick on the build-up to meeting your father, he'd been overthinking everything wondering if your father - Skeet Ulrich - was even going to like him. What if he didn't like him and stopped you from seeing one another?

"It's so nice to finally meet you, Yn talks about you all the time." Your dad said making you glare at him, but he simply hugged Jin tightly and chuckled.

"Can I get you a drink? We have some Soju in and I'm currently attempting to cook your favourite dish." Jin's mouth fell open a little as he followed your father to the kitchen, the two of them getting lost in conversation about food.

"I'm good! I don't need a drink!" You yelled out sarcastically, falling down onto the sofa and shaking your head at the two of them still talking to one another, not even noticing you weren't there. 

YOONGI:

"Hi! Can we get a photo?!" Someone called out making you jump a little, you glanced at the boy and his sister and smiled a little.

"I'll take it, you can both be in the photo with him then." You suggested before the two of them stared at you confused. Yoongi smirked a little as he noticed the boy wearing a superman shirt and his sister was even holding a collector edition of the "witcher" books which gave him hints that they weren't there to see him at all.

"Oh...We meant with you." The boy said as he smiled warmly at you, you frowned a little. 

"With me?" You questioned before looking at Yoongi who was taking their phone from their hands and getting the camera ready for them.

"You are Henry Cavil's daughter...Right?" You bit down on your lip before nodding and posing for an image with them, hugging the girl before they ran off back to their parents leaving you a little shocked.

"That's never happened to me before."

"It's cute," Yoongi chuckled kissing your hand as they two of you continued your trip inside of the shopping district.

HOSEOK:

"Hobi, come on. I'll show you my old room," You told your boyfriend as you took him on a tour of your old childhood home. The two of you had come home to visit your family and it was the first time he met your father and it was safe to say he was officially scared of him. Your dad had decided it was a good idea to show him the boot of the impala with all of the props from Supernatural and now your boyfriend was convinced your dad could probably get away with murder.

"I think we should stay down here. Just in case your father thinks something is going on."

"Hobi...You know he was kidding about before. Right?" You arched a brow at him but he still didn't look entirely convinced about it and you shook your head.

"Dad! You scared him!!" You yelled out, dropping your boyfriend's hand as you went to scold your father who was finding the whole thing hilarious.

"You better show him they're props!" You called out as Jensen made his way back to Hoseok, taking him back into the garage and showing that none of the items in the car could ever actually hurt someone.

NAMJOON:

In the weeks leading up to Namjoon meeting your family, you'd been so nervous that you could barely sleep but as soon as your boyfriend spoke to your boyfriend it was as though the two of them had been friends for years.

"I was wondering if I could ask you about some of the stunts you did in your last movie?" Namjoon questioned as your dad - Tom Cruise - smiled proudly and nodded, wrapping an arm around Namjoon's shoulder and taking him to his study.

"Food will be ready soon, don't stay in there too late." You called out to the two of them but your dad waved his hand at you and began to answer every question that Namjoon had ready for him. You'd had nothing to worry about when it came to them and you should have known since the two of them were very sociable people with everyone that they came into contact with.

JIMIN:

When Jimin first met your dad - George Clooney - he'd been so shy you were almost scared he'd never speak to the man on his own but you never would have seen the two of them becoming close friends. Now it was like the two of them were inseparable, you would always find them hanging out without you and even when there were family parties the two of them would go off together.

"I think I would have preferred them to hate each other," You told your mother as she let out a small laugh, handing you a glass of champagne and kissing the side of your head. You loved that they got along of course but there were times when you wanted your boyfriend to spend time with you at family gatherings instead of your father.

"It's good that they're so friendly. At least you know your father approves." She reminded you before you smiled warmly at her, watching your boyfriend and your father from a distance as they spoke in depth with one another.

TAEHYUNG:

You hadn't told Taehyung about your family because you'd wanted it to come out naturally but it appeared as though that was going to be damn near impossible. Since the two of you were both famous - or related to someone famous in your case - it was incredibly hard for you to get any alone time together which meant rumours of you both dating spread instantly.

"I don't understand it, how could they know? I was careful." Taehyung whimpered as he looked down at the magazines on your coffee table, your heart sinking as you bit down on your tongue a little.

"It wasn't you, it was me. We thought we got rid of my stalker but we were wrong," You sighed running your hand over your face while Taehyung looked at you even more confused than before. 

"Let me explain-"

"Yn, I already hired my lawyer they're going to find the source of the photos and we'll have them destroyed, and then we'll have them prosecuted." Your head shot over to the front door of your home to see your father - Ryan Reynolds standing there and he was pissed.

"Dad-"

"We'll get him this time and he'll pay for what he did," He told you sternly before a giant smile took over his face and he waved at Taehyung who was still a little starstruck.

"Taehyung, this is my dad. Dad...Taehyung." The two of them shook hands before getting to work on a game plan for your stalker and how to handle the media.

JUNGKOOK:

There had to be something wrong, your boyfriend's car was in your family's driveway and you practically sprinted into the house to see your father staring at your very scared-looking boyfriend. Jungkook looked as though he was seconds away from crying,

"Dad! You told me you'd leave him until I got back!" You yelled rushing over to your boyfriend and sitting beside him but as you went to take his hand Jungkook shook his head at you.

"I asked if he was using you to get closer to us for fame, have you even done a check on him?" You glared over at your father who was now standing with his hands on his hips,

"Yes. Dad. Because Jeon Jungkook from BTS is using us to get famous." You grumbled at your dad and stared at him, his mouth falling open a little as he realised his mistake.

"Why didn't you say anything?" Your dad asked a little softer, sitting in the armchair across from you and Jungkook as you gently rubbed your boyfriend's thigh.

"With all due respect, Sir, you didn't let me get a word out," Jungkook admitted before you glared at your dad.

"Please, call me Samual." He held out his hand for him to shake and the two of them reintroduced each other to one another.

Tagline: @chiisaiblog @rjsmochii @tinyoonsblog @sw33tnight @taestannie @cherrybubblesandvodka @acciocriativity @mitzwinchester @heyjiminnie @halesandy @jin-from-the-block @aerastus @namjooningelsewhere @psychosupernatural @lyoongx @royallyjjk @critssq @lenfilms @btsiguess-kpop @meowmeowisdaname @imafivestarkpopstan @laylasbunbunny @ratherbfangirling @backintomykpopphaseagain

[puffmais]

I Feel You Linger In The Air (Rant)

I really needed to make this because I've finally discovered why so many bls fans (not everyone) keep ignoring this story in particular, which, in my opinion, holds the place for #1 bl of the year.

People are really not ready to watch great acting, great plot, great cinematography, great ost, great everything. You really have a period bl drama right in front of your eyes, but apparently one of the main excuses is that the relationship "goes really slow", and some people on Twitter and Reddit even said that Jom never shows his feelings just like in the novel, and that is always Khun Yai the one who gives affection. Let's go for the first one: first of all, are we watching the same show? Because we, as an audience, are fully aware that Jom was cheated on by his boyfriend in the present time, then he travels to the past and encounters this man (whom he has previously seen) and of course, he's shocked (both of them are since Khun Yai dreamed about Jom). You just can't expect a relationship to happen in the very first episode, that's not realistic, that never happens. This actually reminded me when Step By Step was airing and everyone kept complaining that "nothing" happened between the two mains, and the plot was slow, and people just stopped watching it. You really need to understand how relationships work: it takes time, and we need to follow the development, we need to feel those moments between the characters. The problem here is those really cringy, bad bl series with zero plot, terrible acting, and obviously having explicit s*x scenes in every episode, that made people forget about enjoying a great story and just consume any garbage content just for the sake of it, and I'm not going to make a list about those bad bls or those terrible actors because you all know who they are. The second one, do you really think Jom never showed his feelings towards Khun Yai? Once again, this is a character that has just been cheated on and got his heart broken by his long-time boyfriend. And let's not forget that this is an adaptation from a novel (yes, I read it), and every time a written work gets adapted into a series (or film) there are always going to be changes and situations in which all the production team has to work to make it as close as possible to the novel, but not the same in its entirety. Someone on Reddit said that they were happy because even though some scenes were changed from the novel, the dialogues were all the exact same and they were faithful in that sense, and I completely agree. Now, if you are saying that Jom doesn't show any emotion, you are coming for Nonkul's acting and I won't tolerate that. This drama has cast two of the best Thai actors in the industry. Both actors even said that they read the novel, and did plenty of research and preparation for their characters. So, no... you are not going to come for these two boys, because they are the best you will ever see.

And now, let's see some examples in which we can see Jom (slowly) growing feelings for Khun Yai: This already happens in EP2. Khun Yai looking so worried, asks Jom if he's feeling unwell and touches him so gently. Just look at Jom's face... I bet his heart made a jump because I know my heart would stop at that moment.

And what about the very next moment? Khun Yai: "It's like you've lost your blessing. Please, let me bring it back for you." (The softness in his voice...)

And Jom looks dazzled the whole time because he has this gorgeous gentleman talking to him like this, caring for him... Anyways, let's go to EP3. The scene in which Khun Yai tells Jom that he's buying clothes for him and Jom is surprised by this. And then, Khun Yai goes: "Do you like it?" (referring to the shirt)

And I bet Jom's brain was like: "Are we talking about the shirt... or you?". He just stares at Khun Yai like he's hypnotized (like more than 5 seconds, I'm not kidding). And what about this whole scene? Khun Yai: "If remembering makes you sad, just forget about it completely."

Here we have Khun Yai once again talking in his ever-soft voice (Bright's voice is just beautiful) and comforting Jom, knowing that he's suffering and having hard times, and Jom just takes and absorbs all this care and affection coming from the other.

When they come back, Jom thanks Khun Yai, he's grateful for everything, you can see it in his smile, and his eyes, and he exudes gratefulness. And then we see him looking at the bracelet that Khun Yai gave to him, and thinking about him... like come on, at this point we all know that Khun Yai is blooming in Jom's heart.

Right, let's jump to EP4. Jom becomes Khun Yai's majordomo and we have the scene in which Khun Yai shows Jom his new room. Khun Yai: "So now we're living under the same roof, Jom."

Look at him! He looks nervous and shy, taking in the fact that he's going to live with his crush and be with him 24/7, like imagine being as lucky as Jom... the boy is internally screaming.

The next scene, when Khun Yai is helping Jom with the typewriter, and Jom makes a mistake.

Khun Yai stops him by touching him and Jom's brain just stops working. My boy is gone, he just stares and stares.

And then, we have the scene in which Jom is helping dress Khun Yai. Jom: "So, why did you have to help me that much?" Khun Yai: "As I said earlier, I just want to choose what I want, and go by my wish sometimes."

LOOK AT HIM! HE'S GONE! WE LOST HIM! And besides he understands what Khun Yai is trying to say, Jom is no fool.

Khun Yai leaves and we see Jom like this: he's touching his face (an indicator that his face is probably burning) and he's internally screaming, please at this point we can feel Jom's sincere feelings.

Let's go to EP5. In the beginning scene, Jom sees things from the present time, and he starts screaming. Khun Yai makes his appearance, he's worried and he knows Jom is having a hard time once again. I want to emphasize how Khun Yai is in a drunk state in this scene, but that doesn't stop him from being the same gentleman, and comfort Jom in every possible way.

Khun Yai: "Jom, you're here with me. Just think of this as another home." (I screamed)

The entire scene is chef's kiss. Khun Yai's soft and caring voice, massaging Jom's forehead in an attempt to make Jom feel better and get rid of any negative feelings and thoughts. Caressing his face and then hugging him ever so softly, patting his head, every single gesture is just perfection, so full of affection. The silence in the scene, no need of dialogues, just them loving each other, and Jom being completely gone. He's completely aware that he likes Khun Yai.

Okay, EP6. We have a (very) jealous Khun Yai avoiding Jom and treating him kind of indifferently. In this scene, Jom looks hurt and worried that Khun Yai may be angry at him, and he basically makes Khun Yai explode.

Khun Yai: "Don't you know how I feel about you? Did my actions not reach your heart at all? Or should I write you a long poem? Or in what way should I tell you so that you can understand how I feel about you?".

Imagine your crush advancing to you like this... saying all those words... Jom was speechless, breathless.

Moving forward, Khun Yai finally directly confesses to Jom and asks him if he wants to be with him, and Jom agrees. I loved how Jom didn't reject him but explained to him that he was scared and worried about them becoming lovers and making Khun Yai's life difficult because of his family and society in general. Let's not forget that Jom comes from the present time in which until today LGBTQ people are still chased and k*lled, rejected, and seen as abnormal (I personally felt his speech because I'm bisexual and I know it's hard). And Thailand is still a conservative country in which gay marriage is not allowed, so like I said before: Jom is no fool and he's aware of the whole situation. But... love is stronger and our boys become a couple, and if after all this people still think that Jom has zero emotions or doesn't express himself... just go watch your empty bls in which the characters "fall in love" in the first five minutes like the most unrealistic thing ever.

I want to say that Khun Yai is the greenest flag ever, and Bright & Nonkul's chemistry is out of this world. I hope they work together again in the future because they are the perfect duo. Anyways, to all IFYLITA fans keep spreading the love and enjoying the best bl of the year, we can't wait to see these boys taking all the awards.

[avatar-anna]

ok i just did a cooking class rn and since i am a sucker for self-indulgent fics, this idea has come to me, so i'm writing it down in case i want to come back to it and write it.

so like i'm thinking it's a celebrity/charity auction thing where items like watch this show/movie with this actor or go on a date with so and so, and so Harry's is like take a cooking class with Harry Styles.

and reader is also some kind of celebrity too who is like mutual friends with Harry, and at the auction she can tell he's kind of shy/nervous about the whole thing, or there's someone who's a little overeager to win a date with him and it's putting him on edge, so she puts her paddle up to make it easier on him, because at least their friends and it's for a good cause

OR reader is drunk and isn't really paying attention and someone at her table convinces her to put her paddle up without really knowing what she's bidding on and ends up winning.

either way, they show up at this cooking class and reader's like, "right, let's get this over with I'm horrible in the kitchen," but for some reason, Harry's quieter than usual, which reader is used to because she knows him well enough, but it's out of the norm even for him.

but they're not close enough for her to ask if he's ok, so she kind of just cracks jokes and asks him about random shit so that he relaxes, which eventually works, but almost too well because now they're cracking up and distracting the chef and other people taking the class, which makes them giggle even more.

and they're drinking wine throughout, which makes them even more giggly and maybe even a little flirty. like they're all touchy with each other and sharing looks and doing that stereotypical thing of putting flour on cheeks and noses. and all throughout the night, reader just becomes hyper aware of the fact that Harry has the prettiest green eyes and a gorgeous smile and beautiful hands.

at the end of the class, reader is ready to part ways with Harry because he's gotten kinda shy again, but he's like, "you can come over to my place to, like, try what we made, but, like, only if you want to." and reader notices how he won't meet her eye, and she can kind of see that he expects her to reject him, but she just smiles and tells him that of course she'll come over.

because while they don't know each other all that well, they manage to have a good time whenever they do hang out together. and Harry is so sweet and kind and is funny when you get a few drinks in him, and he's just the kind of guy her mom said was out there somewhere for her. AND he's been flirting with her all night and she was kind of sort of really hoping he would ask her to come over.

so they go back to his place to "try the food they made" except reader worries she read the whole situation wrong because Harry isn't making a move even though they were being all flirty during the class and she went home with him, and after he's taken her over a very PG tour of his home, she's just kind of like, "am I reading this wrong?"

and it's not because she just wants to fuck him or anything, she just convinced herself that Harry might be into her, and now she's embarrassed because of course he's not into her, he's Harry fucking Styles

but he IS he's just so nervous around her because he's liked her for so long and it seems like she's only just started to see him differently and he isn't sure if she sees this as a one night stand kind of thing.

but he finally musters up the courage to just kiss her and see what happens because it's now or never and he's not NOT going to kiss her.

and it's so perfect that the next morning Harry is devastated when reader isn't in his bed he really did read the situation wrong.

and he's all mopey when he goes down the stairs and doesn't even realize that reader is there making herself at home in his kitchen, so when he looks up he's startled and she's standing there in his shirt and is like, "i hope you don't mind, i just thought i would be a little forward because i think you want this too."

and all Harry can feel is relief because thank GOD.

so they spend the next few days together in his house just cooking and talking and hanging out and having sex and it's perfect to the point where he's begging her to stay another night even though they both know they have lives to get back to.

but they keep things going and making meals together becomes their thing because obviously

and yeah that's what i've got have a good evening y'all ✌🏼✌🏼

[modern-day-bard]

Worth The Feeling

Note: this is a completed project but I’ve had major problems posting on tumblr from my laptop! I’m not sure why. If anyone who sees this is interested, I also posted the fic on Archive Of Our Own 🫶🏻

Content Warning: 18+

This story includes explicit smut, intimidation, and an age gap relationship (MC is 26, Javi is in his 40s). Minors, do not interact.

Chapter 2:

Now, I've made some blunders before. Mostly calling talent by the wrong name, which is a big mistake when dealing with big personalities. But I've tripped a few times, spilled a few things, and I even broke a glass in the middle of a take.

Yet somehow, none of those things compare to this.

Treating the lead as if he was a PA? Telling him he needs to get a walkie ?

The thought makes me sprint even harder toward the sound stage. Once inside, I scan the area as quickly as I can. There's at least a hundred people in here now and the more I push past, the more I realize they are turning to look at me disapprovingly. I really should find a new shirt first, but it can wait.

"Lana!" I shout when I catch a glimpse of one of her classic colorful scarves. I can see the bright fabric tied in a bow on top of her curly head of hair, but she doesn't turn around.

"LANA!" This time several people, Lana included, turn around.

"Hey!" She runs up to me and sweeps me in a hug, before pulling back with an uncharacteristically miserable expression. "Why are you all wet? Ava, I can see your bra." She pokes my visible white strap.

I swat her away. "Just wait. That is the least of my worries."

I explain the situation, visibly cringing as I await her reaction.

In typical Lana fashion, she bursts into musical hysterics. She covers her mouth when she notices how pained my expression is.

"Lana, I am this close to panicking. You don't think he'll complain, do you?"

"No, no he won't complain. You said he was relatively cool about it, right?"

"Yeah, I mean, he didn't even correct me."

"Exactly. You know if it was one of the Marvel guys from our last picture, you might be in trouble. But from the sounds of it, he probably won't even remember it by tomorrow."

"Yeah..." Why did that idea not make me feel any better?

Lana is snickering again. "You know I sent you the cast list like a month ago, right? How do you of all people not recognize Javi Gutierrez?"

I lower my voice. "You know I'm not an indie movie fanatic."

"I know. It's your fatal friendship flaw. But he was on a bunch of shows, too!"

"I haven't had time for TV with school! Movies are less commitment. Don't scold me in my time of need." I wack her arm.

"Fine, fine," She holds her hands up in defeat. "But seriously Ava, unless you want to continue to give us all a free show you should really get another shirt. I have to get these mics up and running, but go to wardrobe and find Barb."

She's right. The first scene is at 8:00am, and as a sound assistant, Lana has to be ready to mic up the actors as soon as they're out of hair and makeup. I still have to print out scripts for the first few scenes, and I'm really starting to hate the sticky feeling on my stomach.

"Okay, thank you!"

Lana winks at me as I turn and head for the wardrobe trailer on the far side of the lot. Barbra has been on Norwick Productions sets since movies were invented. That is actually the answer she will give a person if they ask how long she's been working. She's the grumpy, tough-love mom I never had. And since Lana is pretty much the only person I hung out with during hiatus, I missed Barb dearly.

Barb's expression pales as soon as she sees me.

"Ava, it's only day one for god's sake."

"Don't worry Barb, Lana already scolded me for you."

"I do like that girl. And I'm guessing you came by to catch up after break, and not simply because you need my help?" She raises a knowing brow.

"Obviously." I flash her a very over-dramatic smile.

"I should give you one of the ratty uniforms from the end of this film for that."

"But you won't, because you love me." I batted my lashes.

"Uh-huh." Barb sighs, disappearing into the depths of the trailer before coming back out with a clean white t-shirt. No fuss, no fake blood.

"You are my guardian angel." I say after swapping the shirts.

"Bring me real coffee tomorrow instead of this crafty crap and we can call it even." She says in a flat tone, and I know she's not kidding.

I give her a quick hug. "It's good to see you Barb."

That makes her chuckle slightly. "You too, kiddo."

I check my watch again. 7:30am. Barely enough time to print out the scripts. I bid Barb a quick goodbye and head to the closest copier.

After kicking it a few times, and uttering several curse words, I got the copier up and running and several copies of today's script printed. I try to skim today's scenes while walking back to the soundstage. I'm beginning to grow curious as to watch is actually happening in this movie. Since we usually shoot scenes out of order, these few pages aren't helping very much.

Back on the soundstage, I spot Lloyd, our director, and walk over to hand him today's pages.

"Ava, welcome back." Lloyd says in his usual artistic drawl. He takes one of the copies from me, flipping through as though looking for something specific, though I know he is barely even skimming the pages.

Part of me is holding my breath, wondering if Javi would have complained to Lloyd or a production manager at this point. I'm not sure when he would have time for that between hair and makeup, but in a world where my mishap today costs me my job, he would find the time.

But, Lloyd is deep in conversation with a cameraman and doesn't spare me another glance. I take that as a good sign, and slowly slink toward the far corner of the room. This way I can still have a good view of the stage without calling too much attention to myself. I can see Lana across the room micing up one of the actors in the scene. Some older gentleman who I heard was popular on a cowboy show that I've never seen. I recognize his face more than I did Javi's, which embarrasses me further, even though the fact is only known to me.

Then, as though the gods of shame were looking down and laughing at me, Javi walks into the large room. I quickly open the first scene's pages to see if I can figure out whom he is playing. That, and so I can take my mind off of how he looks even more attractive in costume. I steal a glance up from the pages and see Lana micing him up now. He's smiling warmly at her, and she chuckles at something he said. Lana tends to laugh at most things, but I can't help but wonder what words were being passed between them.

The two men step onto the CIA set together, both dressed in impeccably tailored suits, making light conversation. Now is my que to bring them their copy of the pages for a final once-over before we roll the cameras. I inhale deeply and set my shoulders back.

Don't be intimidated, Ava. You can't embarrass yourself any worse than you already have.

Well, I know that last part isn't true. But I repeat it to myself all the same.

I walk up to the men, handing them each a copy with a smile.

The older gentleman gives me a friendly nod as he takes the script. Javi gives me the same smile he gave Lana a few minutes prior. I'm turning to leave, and I'm surprised when he says, "Thank you, Ava."

I pause, half out of surprise that he remembered my name, and half over the hesitation of wondering if I should apologize for earlier. But his attention is already on the pages, and there are so many people around to hear me admit my mistakes. I decide against it.

- - -

After we shoot the first few takes, I think I'm starting to piece together what the film is about. In the way that it is not unlike most other spy films I've seen. Older Cowboy, whose real name is still evading me, has a small role as the experienced head of the CIA who brings on Javi's character, a real loose cannon, despite his reservations. There is something about a kidnapping of Javi's lover that makes him "too close to the case," but he lies about his involvement with the woman to make sure he can be the one to save her. I'm assuming that is when we will be in Italy. Spy movies love a good ol' car chase in Europe.

I'm not blown away by the originality of the script or anything, but I'm still engaged in the scene even on their tenth take. I realize that Javi is actually quite talented. I'm only ever engaged in a scene if the actors are talented. That, or if Lloyd is having a breakdown.

I spend the rest of the scene trying not to notice just how well tailored that suit is on Javi. I never leer at the talent, but I always appreciate a good-looking man in a suit. Plus, there is something different about him. He has a kindness to him that I haven't seen with other actors. We've been working with a lot of big names recently, so maybe I've just become disillusioned. Even still, I know some lesser actors who would've complained about my assumption early, even if they painted it as a joke. They would never want me to fully live it down. But not Javi. At least, not so far.

When they call for a break, I decided it would be best to fulfill some of my other duties on another part of the lot.

The rest of the day goes by in a blur. I try to stay away from the soundstage, knowing that they will be working with Javi for the next few hours. I check my watch for the umpteenth today, and I crack a smile when I realize we only have about an hour left. My last stop is Emma Madden's trailer, our leading lady. And then I finally get to drive home and sleep.

I hadn't met Emma before, but similar to Javi, she isn't in the same celebrity category as our last film, so she seems much friendlier. I got a call on my walkie letting me know there was an issue with her food, and with not much else to go off of, I figured I might be in for a celebrity meltdown. However, when I got here, she let me know that she is severely allergic to mustard, and was afraid to touch the sandwich that had been dropped off to her. Sure, maybe it was a little 'Hollywood' for her to have me come and throw it in the garbage for her, but she was pretty apologetic about it.

"Thank you so much, Anna." She says with her knees brought up to her chest, as if she was shielding her center from the turkey sandwich springing back up out of the trash. Her expression is worried and her tone is so sincere that I don't correct her. Not that I would have otherwise.

"Not a problem Ms. Madden." I dust off sesame seeds from my palms.

"Oh please, call me Emma." She smiled at me now, and I couldn't help but like her a little.

"I know a mustard allergy is like, totally random, but it's actually pretty bad. I have an epipen and everything." I know she must be at least thirty years old, but her inflection reminds me of a teenager.

"I'll let crafty know. They should have sent you a food preference and allergy sheet to fill out months ago, that's the studio's fault."

"Oh, they did! I completely forgot about that. I figured it was just if you were a picky eater."

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

"Well, no worries. I'll let them know now." I reach for the doorknob of the trailer.

"Thank you again!" Emma called out as I closed the door behind me.

As I'm finally able to drop off my walkie for the day, I run through all the ways that Emma's Mustard Mayhem could have cost the studio hundreds of thousands of dollars. How did they start production without having her sign a waiver? Why did no one double check that all the talent had sent in their allergy lists? If she were a higher profile celebrity, this could have been a huge issue. But as usual, these are the scenarios I keep to myself. And as I drive home, I try to run through only mustard scenarios, and ignore any that pop up with another actor in mind.

Series Masterlist

[malarkgirlypop]

MEDIC! - 6th Part (Donald Malarkey x Fem!OC)

Hello, that was mean of me wasn't it, leaving you hanging off the cliff. Well here you go the next part. This story is so long, I am so sorry if you aren't a long story fan but I cannot stop myself. I love my OC she is me I am her, she is all of us. @brassknucklespeirs has been giving me some tasty little story lines so you know it's gonna be good. I'm so excited like the last chapter it's intense. I should make a playlist for Emily but I'm busy. I might do it later if people want it. As per usual this is based on the HBO show and the actors who portray the characters, no hate to the real men in WW2.

Trigger warning: Talks of rape, violence, use of derogatory language.

I gasp for air, my eyes opening, I look up at the same scene I saw when Malarkey was carrying me through the forest, the green against the white.

“She’s breathing!” I look around worried faces come into my vision. “Em, Oh God!” someone says from behind me. Sighs of relief fill the air. 

“Emmy! Jesus, way to scare us all to death.” Lieb says to my left. I go to sit up. 

“Woah, steady there Darlin’.” Bull moves behind me resting my back on his front.

“Lieb?” I croak out, looking at the man confused at what everyone is so worried about. Gene sits on his haunches at my waist puffing. 

“Your heart stopped!” Gene pants. I take a deep breath finding that my chest aches, probably from the compressions he would’ve had to do. I look out of the foxhole to see Malarkey and Nixon both looking like they are about to pass out. Winters stands beside them watching me closely. 

“Sorry to scare you all.” I look at each of them. Lieb moves forward pulling me into his embrace, I hug him back. “Don’t do that again.” He says sternly in my ear. “Yes, Sir.” I whisper, earning a chuckle. 

“Let’s get you out of this hole.” Bull says, he easily pulls me to my feet. “How do you feel? Can you walk?” He asks. I nod moving slowly, it feels so good to move again. I am helped by the men to climb out of the foxhole. 

“Ok men back to the front, spread the good news.” The men grumble but head back to the front. Nixon stands close, putting his hand on the small of my back to ensure I am steady on my feet. 

“Let’s get you something to eat and drink. You’ll need a new top too. The buttons have been ripped off of the one you are wearing.” Winters says, I look down, finding my long sleeve shirt hanging open. I wrap the top around me. 

The next day we sit in the tent. I slowly sip tea that Winters made for me. A blanket hangs from my shoulders. Nixon sits across from me watching my every move like I will vanish if he takes his eye off me.

“Who did it Em?” Nixon questions leaning forward. I think back to the incident, the faces are blurred, the men themselves seem like they have been censored from my mind. I shake my head trying to get the picture to clear. 

“Nixon! Don’t ask her that! She will tell us when she’s ready.” Winters reprimands the intelligence officer. 

“I don’t remember. It’s all a blur. I remember finding something that scared me and then, I can’t, it’s blank.” I say disheartened. Nixon’s brows crease as he takes my hand resting on the table between us giving me a loving squeeze. 

“I’m sorry Em, I just. Ugh. I just want those men to be dealt with.” He’s angry, his jaw hard set as he looks behind me. Gunshots fire in the distance pulling my focus. 

“When can I go back?” I ask looking towards Winters. Both Winters and Nixon look at me like I have grown another head.

“Emily you just got better, you’re technically still recovering.” Winters makes his way over to me, laying his hand on my shoulder. 

“I can’t sit here and do nothing, I feel like I will go insane trying to replay whatever happened to me.” I plead my case to Winters. 

“But it was a big trauma Em.” His face softens, still trying to get me to rest. 

“I feel better, I swear I will take it easy. I will just help Gene.” I beg, giving my best puppy dog eyes to convince him. 

“Oh fine, fine!” He concedes throwing up his hands in surrender. 

“YES!” I stand shaking off the blanket, grabbing my gear. I scoot past Winters on my way past giving him a quick peek on the cheek. He chuckles and shakes his head as I make my way over to the front. 

I make my way to Gene, he looks weary and cold. “You good Gene?” I ask as I approach. 

“I should be asking you that aye Em?” He gives a small smile. “How well are you stocked?” He asks. 

“Not good, only a few bandages, no plasma and like one morphine. How about you?” I look through the stock in my bag. 

“About the same.” He says. “I was thinking we are going to have to scavenge a bit to get supplies, we are going to need it.” He is tired, he looks like he needs a good sleep.

“I will do whatever you need Gene, just tell me what you want me to do.” I say giving his arm a reassuring squeeze. 

I follow him as we try to find the other medic Doc Ryan so that we can trade items and stock take our supplies. 

“Spina.” Gene calls to the medic digging a hole in the frozen ground. 

“Doc.” Spina acknowledges the man. 

“What’s happening?” Gene asks. 

“We’re digging in, right along the line.” Spina says while shovelling. 

“So what did you get?” Spina asks Gene, throwing the shovel over his shoulder. 

“I got uh. I got this and I got myself a Kraut bandage.” Gene hands him things, as they both take a seat in the half dug foxhole. I make my way over sitting on the edge of the hole. 

“What? This is it?” Spina says when Gene doesn’t hand him anything else. 

“Yeah, that’s it.” Gene sounds defeated, god I didn’t know we were so low on everything. 

“What about you?” Spina turns his attention to me. 

“Same for me.” I say rummaging through my medic bag. I watch Gene pull his last Morphine syrette, I only have one on my person as well. 

“You know, First Battalion has pulled out of Foy. Heavy casualties.” Gene says to Spina. 

“They left?” I ask, having missed the update. 

“So, if they’re pulling back then what the hell are we doing sitting here?” Spina asks, Gene is focused on the morphine in his hand. 

“We need more morphine. This is all I got.” He put the morphine back into its box tucking it away in his bag.     

“You got extra scissors?” Gene asks the both of us. I shake my head. 

“Uh-uh just the one.” Spina says drinking from his canteen. 

“First Sergeant Lipton.” I hear being called out through the woods. A man appears at the foxhole. “What’s this? Three medics in one hole?” He asks, dramatically putting his hand on his hip, I choke back a laugh. Who is this guy?

“Yes Sir!” Spina replies. 

“And what’s going to happen to us if you take a hit? Huh?” The man stands with his hand tucked onto his hip trying to be assertive, but Spina seems to take the man for a joke.

Lip marches up behind the man, “Sir?” he asks. 

“First Sergeant, where is my foxhole?” The man demands. My mouth falls open at the rude way he speaks to Lip. 

Lip looks incredulously at the man, “this way Sir.” He motions his hand back in the direction the man appeared from. None of the other medics seem to be paying attention to this interaction, I watch intently. 

“Maybe you missed it, huh?” Lip says to the man. “I’ll walk you back Sir. You’re a bit close to the line here.” Lip seems to be annoyed at the man.     

“Goddammit.” The man mutters, marching away. 

“Who is that man?” I ask the boys sitting in front of me. 

“That’s First Lieutenant Dike, the men are calling him foxhole Norman though.” Spina says in a hushed voice. 

“Why?” I question. 

“He goes missing whenever there is action, says he is going for a walk but who knows where he goes.” Spina says. I let my mouth fall open. 

“And he’s the First Lieutenant?” I ask surprised, Spina nods. I raise my eyebrows making a judgemental face. 

“Alright here's the plan Em,” Gene says to me as we leave Spina, “you go down to Dog company, see what you can scrounge from the men and I will go to Fox.” Gene instructs pointing behind me. “Keep low Em, meet me back at Easy when you are done.” He turns and walks away from me. I follow his instructions, keeping back from the line as I make my way over to where Dog company is stationed, not far over from Easy. 

I make my way over to one of the foxholes back from the line, dropping inside next to another man.

“First Sergeant?” I ask the man huddling in the foxhole. 

“Yeah, who’s asking?” The Sergeant replied. 

“Lane, I’m one of the medics from Easy Sir.” I introduce myself to the man. 

“Aren’t you supposed to be dead?” He seemed surprised. 

“Excuse me?” I ask, shocked by his comment. 

“Ah, nothing. What do you want, Lane?” The man dismisses his previous question. 

“I came to see if you have any extra medical supplies?” I tell the man. 

“You might have to go ask the men for their own supplies, we are running low as well.” He sighs, focusing his eyes back onto the line. I go to climb out of the hole when his hand grabs my forearm. “We actually have a couple casualties, can you tend to them, I have no idea where our medic is.” His stare pins me to the ground, not giving any room to protest. I give a sharp nod. “That one over there has someone in it.” He points to a foxhole a couple of metres away. 

I leave the hole, keeping low, I drop into the foxhole that the Sergeant pointed out to me. A man lies in the bottom, I almost land on him as I enter. The other man keeps eyes on the line. I see blood soaking into the green of his jacket on his shoulder. 

“Hey!” I say tapping the man, he flinches at my touch. He turns over to look at me, “What happened?” I ask the man, who vacantly stares past me. I shake him again trying to get his attention but his stare remains distant. 

“Hey, what’s this guy's name? Do you know what happened?” I ask the other soldier crouched next to me. He slowly swivels to face me, as our eyes lock, terror washes over my features. I feel my heart stop as a cold sweat pricks at my skin. I go to stand trying to escape him but I don’t move fast enough. The man who pinned me down in the woods grabs my mouth preventing me from making any noise, slamming my head back into the side of the foxhole. My helmet only takes so much of the brunt, black spots dance over my vision.

“You’re supposed to be dead.” The man says in disbelief, coming into my face to whisper so that no one can hear what is going on. I struggle beneath his hold. “I should’ve killed you when I got the chance.” My body stills at the words, “but I don’t have a thing for fucking dead bodies.” A fire ignites in my chest, my blood coursing through my body filled with hate. I open my mouth biting down hard at the soft flesh between his thumb and index finger, I bite hard enough to draw blood. The man yelps in pain, snatching his hand back but he moves quickly striking his palm to my cheek. I tuck my knees to my chest using the wall behind me to send him flying back crashing into the other wall. I clamber out of the foxhole, but still he is quick. Grabbing my ankles he yanks me back into the hole, not before a scream rips from my throat echoing through the trees. I am soon back on the floor of the foxhole and the man clamps a hand around my mouth and his other around my throat. 

“Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!” he hisses in my face repeatedly, thumping my body into the ground as his hand squeezes my neck, cutting off my blood and oxygen supply. My head spins from the loss of air. I claw at his face with my nails drawing blood from his cheeks. 

“What the fuck is going on?” I hear from above us, the man quickly releases me from his grasp. I crawl away from him sucking in gulps of air into my burning lungs. I haul myself out of the hole lying in the snow. Other men have gathered around to see what the commotion was. I hear the sound of feet crunching in the snow, the men from Easy arrive, I watch their eyes survey the scene, Lieb and Malarkey leading with Bull, Toye and Bill not far behind. Malarkey’s eyes find me first widening at the sight of me sprawled out on the snow.

“Should I repeat myself, Private?” The man who found us first speaks, I recognise him. Speirs, the man who everyone is afraid of due to the rumours; there is one about him giving out smokes to a bunch of POWs before shooting them all. 

The soldier has climbed out of the hole sitting on his knees in front of Speirs. I roll over, slowly getting to my feet, swaying, I shake my head steadying myself. 

“She attacked me first.” He accuses. I snort, spitting the blood from my mouth onto the snow. “She bit me!” he holds out his hand for Speirs to see.

“And tell me how, Private, that your hand got so close to her mouth that she bit it.” Speirs tilts his head as he stares down the man with his deadly glare. There is movement from behind Speirs. I flick my gaze over watching Bull hold back a raging Lieb, the other men watch with looks that could kill. 

“Yeah, tell them Private.” I taunt the man, “tell them how you couldn’t get it up.” I wipe the blood running down my cheek, giving the man a sadistic grin. 

“Tell them how you brought two other men to hold me down while you tried to rape me. What? Were you worried that you weren’t strong enough to do it by yourself?” My brows quirks as I ask the question, arms folded in front of me. I walk up to the man getting close to his face. “Should I tell everyone that you’re a coward with a tiny cock?” The man seethes, he growls in anger flinging himself forward taking me down to the ground. I laugh in his face. “God you’re so easy to wind up.” He is quickly dragged up from on top of me. I am helped to my feet by Malarkey, the rest of the men looking like they are chomping at the bit to fight. 

“Take that man to the Captain, tell them what he did. Find the other men who attacked Lane the other day and bring them in too.” Speirs commands two soldiers to drag the man away.

“Go back to your spots men, the show is over.” Speirs announces, as the men watching slowly dissipate back into the burrows. The Easy company men are by my side in seconds. Malarkey stands close, he cups my face, his eyes frantically scanning my head looking for any injuries. 

“I’m fine Malark.” I try to say but he has squished my face so it makes it harder to talk. 

“Fucking Dog company.” Lieb seethes next to me. Bull watches me concerned. Toye and Bill are on guard, glaring down any man that walks too close to the group.      

“Easy company come with me.” Commands Speirs. He marches back towards where we are camped. We follow him back, Malarkey and Lieb glued to me. Lieb looks ready for a fight. I watch his hands clench and unclench. His jaw tight, his eyes dart around. Malarkey is the same, I have never seen him angry before, I have always known him as kind and sweet but this man escorting me back to the camp is vengeful, his face is hard and stoic but his eyes are a blazing fire. 

“At least we found him.” I try to make light of the situation but the men don’t reply seemingly in their own world, I’m sure they are planning various ways to make the soldier pay for his crimes. The men in front of us are no different, their silence is deafening. We arrive, Winters and Nixon look pissed. They dismiss the other men only leaving me with the Captains and Speirs. 

We sit in the tent around the table, I look at the floor fiddling with the button on my jacket. I feel like I have been brought into the principal's office to be scolded.

“What happened?” Winters asks Speirs who sits next to me. 

“Well Sir I’m sure we all heard the scream that alerted us to the situation in the first place.” Starts Speirs leaning his arms on the table. 

“It took me a while to find where the noise actually came from, since she was, I am assuming, dragged back into the foxhole by the soldier.” He looks to me for confirmation, to which I nod. 

“When I finally found where the sound came from I looked into the hole to find the man strangling Lane here, he was also covering her mouth and whispering to her, but I didn’t hear what was said.” Speirs says. I feel their eyes land on me. 

“He was telling me to shut up.” I say looking up to meet Winters eyes, regretting my decision, the look on his face breaking my heart. I avert my gaze back to the ground. 

“Did he say anything else?” Nixon asks.  

“He said that he should’ve killed me when he had the chance, but that he…” I pause, clearing my throat. I take a breath, I don’t want to have to tell Nixon and Winters what the asshole said to me. It was bad enough to hear from him but I keep going. “He said that he didn’t have a thing for fucking dead bodies.” I bite my lip looking up at the men, disgust evident on their faces. 

“Thank you Lane, we will have this sorted.” Winters says dismissing me. He can’t even look at me, none of them can. I bite my inner lip. Standing I leave the tent letting them figure out what they want to do with the man. 

------------------------------

Chapter 7

[boysplanetrecaps]

Build Up, Ep 4 Recap: Don’t Forget v I Don’t Love You

Welcome back to the project everyone deals with waiting two weeks for -- my MNET Build Up Recaps! In the previous one, a bunch of my favorites -- Kim Minseo, Bain, Lee Gwangsuk, and Kim Sungjung -- went head to head. Ah, that was a good one! In this one, we’ll see the other member of Just B, Geonu, and Chicago’s pride Soomin take on former BDC member Hong Seong Jun and musical actor Kim Seohyung. It’s also a good one! Let’s dive in. 

So we start off pretty much as usual, with the guys taking the stage, accompanied by some musical soundtrack. This time the editors have chosen a driving beat with rock and dub step elements so it's really powerful sounding, which makes it a little comical when we see the guys and how they're dressed. 

Soomin is wearing a pretty fabulous s w e a t e r but Geonu has decided to raid the wardrobe of an old grampa for some reason. You know I love a good sweater but... this ain't it, fam. It's about three sizes too big and looks like it would smell like cigarettes for some reason. And paired with loose white slacks? Nope, I'm out. 

The other team is dressed in button down shirts, which is fine, I guess. Hong Seongjun has one of those thin bow ties that hangs down limply, and Kim Seohyung's shirt is tightly pleated in the front, as if it's made of crepe paper. They look perfectly nice but it seems absurd that they'd be accompanied by dub-rock! It should be more like... James Taylor. Or Sarah McLachlan. 

VCG looks at the teams and says, "Ohh, Chicago!" Because, of course, Soomin is from Chicago. (I wonder what his American name is? Because I feel like he probably doesn’t go by Soomin back in the US.) We're reminded of his lovely performance in Ditto in the first round. 

Soomin and Geonu have joined their names into "Soo-u" and do a little thing and it's, like, whatever, because they forget to use their mics. They're besties with a personal joke that’s funny to them, even if it’s not that funny to us.  

Dahee asks the other team to introduce themselves, and Seohyung says hello. His natural speaking voice is very low and pleasant and the judges react like, wow! Then he and Seongjung give a weird intro that also doesn't go so well so let's just move on. 

The teams do a bit of smack talk and it actually doesn't really feel that good natured. Eeep. 

We flashback back to the rival choosing moment, when Geonu and Soomin were chosen to go the RCPA (Rival Choosing Platform Area). Several teams begin whispering about possibly taking them on, but then Soomin, in his continuing effort to make Americans look bad, addresses the other teams rudely, not using proper honorifics even though they're all older than them. This is extremely insulting to a Korean person in ways that I know I don't fully understand, so if I get it wrong and you are Korean or have specialized knowledge, I welcome your input.

Despite my incomplete knowledge, I do know enough to know that (a) Soomin is probably being playful and doesn't truly mean to offend and also (b) it is likely that many other contestants, and many Korean viewers will be offended anyway. I really do worry about the way Soomin is presenting himself on this show. Korean culture is so specific about what you should and shouldn't do and if you piss off the voting base, it can be really hard to win them back. It’s not impossible, but… it can be tough. As an American myself I can sympathize -- we often are perceived of as rude by people from other cultures when we do things that would be acceptable, even celebrated, in our own culture. I really like Soomin's voice and I think he could have a career singing, as long as he doesn't alienate the Korean public!!

So yeah, Soomin tries to provoke one of the younger teams to challenge his team -- he comes across as really disdainful of some of the older contestants, which rubs me the wrong way, to be honest. Team Seohyung x Seongjun (I’ll call them Team S&S) seem to be the ones they're calling to, so the rivalry is formed. 

"Since you invited us here, we'll see you off," says Seohyung, in a vague attempt at smack talk. Then Soomin does a dumb thing where he acts like his hand is a phone, with a call from the taxi driver who is here for the other team, and it's super hacky and cringey but Soomin and Geonu are so proud of it. Sigh. But Seohyung takes it all in stride. He seems like a cheerful, lovable dude, doesn't he?  Some time later, Team S&S is meeting to choose a song and stuff, and Seohyung is wearing a black mock turtleneck with a gray hoodie over it and black coat over that. What is with Korean heating systems? Seongjun is wearing a fleece sweatshirt, so no proper sweaters here.

Anyway, they're talking strategy. Seongjun was on the same team as Geonu for the first round, singing If You, and he thinks it's obvious that Geonu will want to perform a western R&B pop song. Seohyung points out that since Soomin is from the USA, Soomin also probably will want to sing a Western song. 

Mentioning this really sets off Seongjun, who says, "He only speaks in English. I get sick when I'm next to him." 

Ok, I know that could be a Korean figure of speech and maybe it's not as harsh as it sounds, but woah, dude. Yes, of course, it would be annoying to be around these ostentatious English speakers. I can only imagine how it might feel as a Korean person who is being bombarded daily with more and more English all the time; it would be irritating to have your own language being supplanted by another language, especially if it feels like maybe your own culture is being displaced as well. Also, it would just be annoying to have someone around refusing to speak the language you both speak, regardless of like, geopolitical issues.

But even so, I'm not sure it’s a cute look for Seongjun to say that it makes him feel sick to be around it. When you factor in the obvious animosity that he displayed in earlier episodes on the topic of successful idols like Yeo One or Seokhwa or Woong being on this show, you get a picture of someone who seems bitter and irritable. That's not necessarily who he IS, but it's how he's looking. 

The two guys go on to talk about how Geonu also speaks in English a lot and we get a little montage of Geonu and Soomin speaking English together. (And later on we find out that Geonu introduced himself in English on the first day, which is weird. More on that later....)

In any case, since Geonu and Soomin are probably going to sing R&B, Team S&S decide to go for a more sentimental song. 

Then Seohyung gives a funny little smile and reveals his musical taste, which is all sappy songs that came out in the 1970s. You can tell that Seongjung isn't quite sure what to make of this weird partner. 

We flash back to the duo-formation moment and find out that despite Seongjung assumptions, he is actually two years older than his old fashioned -- and tall -- partner. 

Seongjung tells Seohyung, "You look like an upright man," and Seohyung says he gets that a lot. He doesn't mind, either, because people also tell him he's handsome apparently. We flash back to a pre production meeting, and a staff member points out that he's very tall. He says he drank a lot of milk. He also says he enjoys watching "car documentaries." What? Are there enough documentaries about cars for this to constitute a genre? I guess so!

He also doesn't know his MBTI, which for a young Korean person is very unusual. He does seem to be a very specific person, doesn't he? Calm, polite, cheerful, sweet. I like him. I feel like he's someone Lisa Simpson would have a crush on, you know? Like he's quiet and enjoys puzzles?

Anyway, back to song selection. Seohyung suggests "I Don't Love You" by a group called Urban Zakapa. Per Wikipedia: 

"Urban Zakapa is a South Korean R&B singer-songwriter group formed in 2009 by Fluxus Music. ....The group's name is an abbreviation for Urban, Zappy, Kaleidoscopic, and Passionate.... Although the group debuted in 2009 as a nine-piece with four vocalists and five instrumentalists, there are currently only three vocalists due to artistic differences."  

Ooh, sounds like some hot gossip there! 

Anyway, the song went to number 1 in 2016, so even though it's not super recent, it would probably be familiar to the judging panel. Like at least 101% of Korean ballads, it's about a breakup. I wonder how Koreans even have time to fall in love in the first place when they're breaking up so often!

Sample lyrics:

What should I say? / Where do I start? / I’m only hanging my head / You’re looking at me  / In this awkward silence

I don’t love you / I’m sure you already know / Even when I see you shedding tears / My heart doesn’t ache anymore

I don’t love you / There’s no other reason / I don’t even want to say / I’m sorry or forgive me

That’s all / This is how I really feel / I don’t love you / I don’t love you

The original song featured both male and female voices, which helps break up the repetitive monotony a bit. But it really is just saying over and over “I don’t love you” -- without a hint of irony or sarcasm that maybe the singer really *does* love the listener, that they’re just saying it because they’re hurt. You know, like the song Abittipsy by Youhua, where she tries to sound cheery and like she’s fine, but then she admits that she *might* cry later. Nope, this song seems to be straightforward, just “I don’t love you,” periodt.  

Seongjung likes the idea of this song because it would allow them to show off their low pitches, their high pitches, and their "sentiments."

They rehearse in a variety of locations, holding water bottles to be their microphones (cracks me up how they do that). 

s w e a t e r s

They're confident; practice never lets you down. Hmm… I hear the ghost of my middle school band teacher murmuring, "Practice doesn't make perfect. Practice makes permanent. Only perfect practice makes perfect." 

Did they practice perfectly? I guess we'll find out!

It’s performance day! As they prepare to sing, kindly hyung Seongjung reaches out to Seohyung for a fist bump and says, Let's have fun.

"Oh, a fist bump! I read an article about this youthful behavior in the printed newspaper I read in the mornings while I drink healthy tea and eat fiber cereal. I return your fist bump in a friendly manner!" -- Seohyung, probably

The judges are like, this song is hard. Uh oh...

Full version without reactions

My thoughts:

That was nice. It's not really my jam, but the singing was pretty and their harmonies sounded great.

Seohyung has that musical theater voice, with a lot of emotion in his tone. Toward the beginning and again at the end, he almost verges on sing-talking, which again is very musical theater of him. I don't know if ballad-fans like that kind of thing or not. 

Though he has a lovely upper mix, he appears to be a bass, which is kind of cool to find in a field that preferences tenors. A deep voice can add a special color to a group. I mean, what would Stray Kids be without Felix? What would ONF be without Wyatt? Or even Dreamcatcher without Dami, or G-Idle without Yuqi? Those special voices help make their teams a little special. 

Overall I actually like Seohyung's voice more than I would have thought. It's hard to deny his range and the variety of vocal tones he can do. I think the biggest problem in his performance is the way he holds his body and his facial expressions. 

If you have an hour or two to spare, you should watch Jenny Nicholson's amazing take down of Dear Evan Hanson. One thing she points out is that the way you act on stage is different from the way you act for the camera. On stage, it makes sense to bug out your eyes and jut out your chin, because someone at the back of the theater needs to see you. But for the camera, it's just too much. And that’s kind of what we see with Seohyung here. He’s Acting, rather than just living through the song, and it’s a bit too much. 

Also, he hunches his shoulders a lot, which might be a habit of his because he's shy and tall, but it doesn't come off well on stage. 

Seongjung isn't quite as powerful of a singer, but he's still really good. He appears to be a tenor, so the lowest notes are maybe a little harder for him, but he ends up hitting them ok. He has a slight nasality to his tone, and his upper range is a bit thin sounding sometimes, but I still think he sounds pretty. Also, his full on belts are excellent. He used to be in an idol group (BDC) and he knows how to look into the camera and sell it, but he doesn't vary up his expressions much.

Overall, the whole thing is oddly lacking even though there's nothing at all wrong with it. Doesn't seem fair, but here we are.

I really think the song choice is partly to blame. For one thing, singing about not loving someone is kind of… I don’t know. If you were a judge listening to people sing about not loving someone, would you get immersed in the emotions of it the way you would if you were listening to people talking about being in love? But the other problem is Seohyung’s over-acting. He’s really throwing himself into it, and contrasting with Seongjung’s more natural performance, it feels kind of off. The vocals aren’t the problem at all, though. 

My favorite part of the performance was the harmony right after the key change. Good stuff.

“I mean, there’s emotions, and then there’s this!” -- Jenny Nicholson

The MNET edit is a bit confusing. Right at the beginning, Eunkwang says of Seohyung’s singing, “ah, he removed a lot of the musical tone.” I think he’s referring to Seohyung’s semi-sing-talking. 

But VCG likes it.

We get a lot of reactions from other contestants backstage saying that it's really good, and we get the judges smiling and nodding, but we also get the judges making weird faces. 

I don’t think they’re enjoying it, but seriously you never know. 

There don't seem to be any instant replays. 

Right at the end, Seohyung sings unaccompanied and everyone seems really touched. Then there's a moment of silence, and then soft applause. The singers hug each other, and Seohyung almost rests his head on his older teammate's shoulder. Seongjung has a lot more stage experience and probably helped Seohyung a lot when they were preparing.

The judges applaud kind of quietly. Backstage, the guys say they think it was really good. 

I paused it here and asked myself, how do the judges feel? And I had no idea. I'm not sure even they know. They had to watch 20 performances over what had to be at least a five hour period, maybe much longer, so maybe at some point they low-key stopped caring. They are still taking it seriously though and are checking their previous scores to make sure they're giving as fair a grade as possible.

Backstage, Choi Suhwan (who sang Sherlock at the beginning of the round) says “They didn’t form harmony. They didn’t sound like a team.” I don’t know if I agree with that -- I thought their voices sounded nice together. 

Sunyoul, who is sitting right by Suhwan and probably heard him, wonders out loud if maybe they picked the song because “they couldn’t form harmony.” I think maybe Sunyoul is referring to the fact that Seohyung is a bass and Seongjung is a tenor. I still think that’s fine for a duet, but what do I know?

The scores are revealed. Their high score is 92, from Solar, and their low score is 80, from, of course, Jaehwan. The scores aren't super low or anything, so they're a bit relieved, but they had probably been hoping for a few 100s. I mean, who doesn’t hope?

Solar says, “You both have nice voices. You can both sing. It was flawless.” VCG agrees. “But… I couldn’t stop thinking that it was ordinary.”

There’s this amazing split screen of Seohyung singing so hard his face is about to fall off, while Solar is just sort of… looking. 

She goes on, “I was just thinking to myself, ‘Oh, this is the song they’re singing.’ You should pick a song that shows your charms more next time. But this was flawless. I liked it.” So their 92 score came with a mixed review. 

Jaehwan says “Let me tell you this first: This is a very high score for me.” The guys kind of laugh -- a bit of the pressure is relieved. He goes on to talk about how since Seohyung is a musical actor, he sang like he was reading lines. “You made it sound ordinary,” Jaehwan says. “Thank you for telling me,” Seohyung says, with a nice smile. 

Backstage, Sunyoul is still chatting with Jeup and Suhwan, even though the latter team beat him in the rivalry. 

Donghun looks like he might burst into tears any second. Will someone hug that man, stat? Thanks!

Sunyoul theorizes that it must be hard to change from a musical theater style of performance to a pop style. That’s interesting, because I don’t think any of the musical actors have been particularly successful on the show so far. I’ll have to run the numbers on that later. 

Thinking of sad Donghun reminds me to say, please check out A.C.E.’s new song, My Girl. It’s got a smooth, city-pop/retro vibe, kind of like Cupid by Fifty Fifty or Maniac by Viviz. I like it! Though I do think it was weird to show them singing to really young girls at the end when the A.C.E. is increasingly looking like a group of guys in their late 20s/early 30s. 

Anyway, back to the judging. VCG tells Seohyung, “You have a very nice voice. You build that voice to become a musical actor. So what you need to change is the way you sing. You don’t need to change your voice.” It’s hard to tell from the translation, but I think what VCG means is the way that Seohyung was doing that kind of sing-talk stuff, and the over-emoting that I noticed. “It’s very nice to have a bass like him on the team,” he says, tapping into my brain again, and all the judges agree. “It’s reassuring,” says Baekho. “Yes, the bass completes it,” says VCG. “You must protect your voice!” 

Seohyung seems to appreciate the helpful feedback.  

Meanwhile, poor Seongjung doesn’t get a ton of feedback that we see. I bet they did say stuff to him, though -- it’s just that the show doesn’t care, I guess. 

Anyway, it’s time for the other team, Geonu and Soomin, who are committed to being “happy charms” on stage. The other guys waiting backstage seem to be looking forward to Soomin’s performance. 

We find out that both of them chose each other as the person they most wanted to work with on the show. That should be really cute to me, and you know I love friendship on these shows, but…

Ok, I’m going to be honest with you guys: I find these guys a bit irritating. I know that’s not cool, but I figure it’s better to just be honest about my reaction to them. I’m aware that (1) I don’t know them in real life (2) this is all editing (3) they’re not doing anything really that bad. Despite all that, I find them irritating. So, I’m going to do my best to be honest about what I see, and I apologize in advance if either of these two is your favorite. It's not fair of me to just find them annoying for almost no reason, but it's hard to control an emotional response. Ok! Let's get back to it.

So, we jump back to the duet-choosing moment. 

We can see that 20 guys are standing on the top tier, meaning that all ten top tier guys chose a mid or lower tier member to work with. Now it’s time for the mid tiers to choose a duet partner. 

The other guys sort of shuffle around a little, but Soomin goes right up to Geonu. “What kind of music does Hyung like to do?” he asks, and Geonu’s face lights up, first with surprise, then with happiness. 

Bain also approaches, and kind of stands there awkwardly, which makes me feel kind of sad. Here’s the thing: Bain probably went over to Geonu at least in part because Bain didn’t want Geonu to not get picked. Geonu was Low Tier, and Bain was Mid tier, so he may have thought “I’ll rescue my teammate.” (They’re both on Just B together.) Bain and Geonu are the same age, which often gives people a feeling of connection in Korean culture (from what I can gleen). 

Bain says he’s looking for someone to do a pop song with, and what’s weird is that not only does Geonu not even seem to want to make eye contact with Bain, or say something like “Oh, thanks for the offer, but I think it’s better for us to show our individual colors,” he just ignores poor Bain, who stands there all tall and orange and awkward until he wanders away, and it makes me sad. Maybe this is where my irritation began, with Geonu sort of letting Bain hang in the wind like that. And for all I know Geonu did in fact talk to Bain and it was edited out. IDK. 

Meanwhile, Soomin suggests that they sing “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You,” which was the song he did in the Voice Check. Seems odd to suggest it. 

We get a flashback to Geonu introducing himself in English:

“What’s good guys, I’m Geonu, and I’m here to sing my soul out. Vamos!” He doesn’t mention that he’s from Just B in his intro, either, which is also… interesting. Per his online info, his mother is an English teacher, which is how he learned to speak English well. Not sure where he got the Spanish, but hey, a lot of Spanish speakers listen to Kpop so it’s not crazy. 

So I guess the thing is, I can understand how he knows English so well but I do wonder why he would speak it to a group of Korean speakers. Everyone there knows Korean, including Jay, Soomin, and Wumuti, so why not choose Korean as the common language? It just seems like a weird flex, but ok. Imagine if Wumuti had just decided to speak Chinese…? 

Geonu seems to like everything about Soomin, including his hat and the way he sat on the stool, and Soomin seems to like everything about Geonu, so it’s a match made in heaven. They’re very like… I don’t know, like the way two best friends act in 7th grade. This seems to be objectively cute. I don’t know why it bugs me! Am I on crack? 

Some time later, Geonu’s hair is longer and less pink, and he and Soomin are meeting in what looks to be the same conference room as the one Bain used in another segment, complete with the map on the wall. So I guess it’s safe to assume that they’re at Bluedot Entertainment 

Geonu lists some of his favorite musical artists, including M*ch**l J*cks*n and Chr*s Br*wn, and, thankfully, at least one unproblematic fave, Taeyang. He likes R&B, and Soomin likes pop, so they decide that Pop-R&B, like a song by Crush, would be ideal. They seem to quickly decide on “Don’t Forget” by Crush featuring Taeyeon (a tiny bit). (I say “seem to” because I suspect they discussed this first via texting or something and then recreated the song choice for the cameras later.) 

The song itself is perfectly pleasant, the kind of song you’d put on to listen to in the background while you’re doing something else, but it’s hard to imagine someone being like, “oh yeah, this is my favorite song in the whole world.” The lyrics talk about the singer’s hope for his relationship for the future, that even if they break up, that they’d never forget each other. 

If you and me become estranged someday / If we could never see each other / Don’t forget, Don’t lose / Even if you are holding someone else’s hand / If you are somewhere I cannot go to /  Don’t forget, Don’t lose 

The lyrics keep repeating 잊어버리지마 잃어버리지마, ijeobeorijima ilheobeorijima, which means “Don’t forget, don’t lose”. (See, that’s the -jima ending for a negative command again! We’ll all become fluent in Korean eventually!) 

Once they’ve chosen the song, they take a break and make up an elaborate handshake. Soomin says he doesn’t have a hyung, and Geonu feels like his real hyung. That’s sweet! I know intellectually that that’s sweet! 

Then Soomin has to leave to go back to Chicago for a bit, and then after he comes back they’ll have ten more days to practice. So this gives us a hint of the timeline. Based on both their hair, I’d say at least two weeks has gone by since the Pre-4 mission taping day when they’re meeting in the office. Then Soomin is going to go back to Chicago for some period of time and then when he gets back they have another ten days. This suggests that maybe a much as month went by between the Pre-4 Mission and the 2 vs 2 Rival Mission. 

They chat via video call, and even do their handshake virtually. They’re both excited about the arrangement of the song that was made for them, and practice a little bit. Soomin says he can tell how much Geonu has been practicing. They’re speaking Korean together, which is again kind of interesting given that when they’re around other people, they choose English. Maybe they were just deliberately speaking English to speak more privately around the other people…?

When Soomin gets back, Geonu says he smells like Chicago, which is not the compliment he may think it is, and they get to do their handshake thing. They seem really happy as they rehearse together and just sort of hang out saying SOOUUUU! 

And that brings us the performance!

Full performance without reactions

My thoughts:

I should note, first off, that normally, when I hear a song over and over I start liking it more, almost against my will, but the more I hear this song the more boring it is to me. And maybe if I liked the song more I’d be more forgiving of the performance overall. Again, I’m just being honest. 

This was an ok performance, but I’ve heard both of these guys sing better than they sang this time.

Soomin was on his s w e a t e r game, for sure, and he really has a lovely voice. But here he sounds a lot breathier than he had been before, and maybe even a tiny bit hoarse. It didn’t sound bad, don’t get me wrong. I think it sounded lovely. Just maybe he wasn’t in the best condition when they taped? I still am interested in what he’s going to perform next. 

Geonu really didn’t float my boat with his performance. I’ve heard him sing much better than this, so I’m not sure what happened. His first few notes sounded nice, but as it went on, to me, he sounded nasal, slightly shrill, a bit pitchy, and almost like his throat was clenching down as he was trying to sing. It just didn’t sound right. I think his worst moment vocally is at about 0:47 in to the Youtube version of the performance. It’s almost like he has something caught in his throat. 

Also, um, the dancing. Not sure about that.

I remember liking Geonu on I-land, and I’ve heard him sing better than this, so I guess maybe he was nervous about performing well with his new American dongsae/friend, and/or just nervous in general about staying on the show. I think Geonu might benefit from some targeted vocal lessons because he does strange things with his throat and upper palette. His natural vocal color is so nice that if he just had some more training on how note to sabotage himself vocally, he’d be wonderful to listen to. 

Their harmonies sounded nice -- those were some precise harmonies, and they must have practiced a long time to get them right -- but I also am not sure I loved the contrast between their voices when they took turns singing. Geonu’s voice has a sharpness to it and Soomin’s is so smooth that it makes Geonu’s voice sound worse in contrast.

Which of the two duets should win -- this one, or Team S&S from earlier? In the end, I didn’t love either of them, so it’s hard to say. Of the four voices, I continue to like Soomin’s the best, but if I had to listen to one of the two performances over, I think I’d rather listen to the boring ballad performance instead of the boring R&B song performance, and I think the problem is Geonu. That’s such a bummer because I’ve been converted into a big Bain fan and I want to cheer for Just B. Hopefully, Geonu will win back my good opinion in the future! I’m certainly not committed to hating him or anything like that. 

In the MNET edit, everyone seems to really love Soomin’s voice and no one thinks he sounds hoarse or strange, so maybe it’s just me. Soomin gets some instant replays, and they both get happy judge reactions.

Eunkwang may or may not be enjoying the song.

The last line of the song is “Don’t forget this song,” which is why everyone reacts by saying “I can’t forget it!” 

Everyone seems to particularly love Soomin’s voice, but the overall vibe is positive. Backstage, poor Seongjung mutters, “I don’t want to go home.” 

The judges key in their votes, and we find out their highest and lowest votes: 95 (Solar) and 86 (Baekho). 

They’re so happy and surprised that I want to be happy for them, but it’s tough. I can’t help but be a little annoyed at this. I don’t think it’s really right that this team should win over the first team. There was nothing at all wrong with the way the first team sang, while Geonu’s performance was, in my informed opinion, pretty flawed. I know he’s capable of better, but he didn’t sing super well on the day they recorded this performance. I know Soomin sounded nice despite his hoarseness, but it just feels like favoritism. 

The guys back stage don’t look thrilled, either. Bain doesn’t seem happy for his teammate particularly. Kim Seongjeong, the leaping lizard, and his teammate Gwangseok, look irritated or at least incredulous. Jeong Inseong from KNK, front row with the maroon hair, has a thousand-yard stare that doesn’t seem happy. Jung Intae, front row right in the white shirt, looks a little disgusted. Maybe you interpret their expressions differently than I do, but they don’t look happy, and the guys generally seem pretty happy to cheer for one another when someone does well. I just get the impression that they think the performance wasn’t really that great.

Solar, who gave the 95, begins by praising Soomin’s voice and “vibe.” She tells Geonu that when he’s by himself he seems ordinary, but when he’s on a team, his presences is special. I don’t know how I’d feel about being given feedback like that.  

Seungkwan from Seventeen agrees with pretty much everything Solar says. He says that Soomin is so good, it’s a little annoying, and adds, “This calm and languid charm comes across as sexy when he sings.”

Hey, child who told me to KMS because I referred to Gunwook from Boys Planet as “sexy”, are you going to write hate letters to Seungkwan? Because Soomin is the same age now as Gunwook was then. Yep, I’m petty. I do not like being told to KMS. I will hold a grudge against anyone who tells me to KMS. 

Ok, sorry, deep breath. 

Anyway, it’s impossible for me to think of Soomin as sexy, because I have met waaaayyyy too many guys like him at youth hostels across the world, but I guess maybe he would be to someone else. I leave it to you, dear reader, to decide for yourself. 

Seungkwan tells Geonu that he likes Geonu’s dancing-like gestures. But low-scorer Baekho disagrees -- disharmony on Team Pledis! -- saying, “The reason why I gave the lowest score is that I thought that Geonu’s gestures were a bit… too much.”

Eunkwang’s feedback is a little confusing, I think mostly due to translation issues.  I think what he was saying was basically that Geonu was a bit out control -- not just with the gestures, but the whole vocal performance as well. He didn’t have good breath control, so the pitch suffered. The edit highlights the exact portion that I picked out as Geonu’s worst moment as well. Hey Eunkwang, if you noticed that like I did, why did you give a score higher than 86? 

It’s time to find out who won the round, and the first team comes back out on stage. Everyone says the scores are close, but they’re not really that close. It seems obvious that Geonu and Soomin won, and they have, 636, to 601. 

If you do the math and remove the highest and lowest scores from each group’s total, and find the average of the remaining five scores, Team Geonu x Soomin had an average score of 91, while Team S&S had an average score of 86. As Wendy says, “Ah, my heart hurts.” 

Soomin and Geonu do a cool-guy handshake thing to celebrate.  

Dahee asks Team S&S to say something about the fact that they’re up for elimination. 

Seungjung says, “I’m the one who chose Seohyung, and since we’ve lost, I feel….”

“... I’m so sorry to Seohyung. I’m a little sad for myself as well.” 

The judges reassure him that he did a good job.

Seohyung, ever cheerful, says, 

“Whenever I perform on stage, my belief always is, ‘It won’t be perfect, but let’s have no regrets.’ Today, the stage was not perfect at all. But I put everything into it, so I have no regrets. I’ll remember all the good things you’ve said, and continue.” Awww! That's great. He's a charming dude, isn't he?

The judges tell him he’s well spoken, and then he and Seungjung walk off stage arm in arm, with Seungjung still apologizing.

“I’m sorry…”

Backstage, Seongjung starts to beat himself up again -- “I could have done better…” -- when he interrupts himself and says firmly, “No, we did a great job!” Nice! Love that. 

And that’s basically the end of the episode! We see a preview of the next round, featuring a distressing lack of sweaters but a lot of other fashion statements, and get the current voting standings. The top five is the same as last week, and the top 9 has been the same 9 people since voting started. The only major changes this week compared to last week is that Yoon Inhwan is up 8 spots and Taewoo is down 7 spots. But nobody has changed to a different zone of the list, if that makes sense. People who were part of a losing 2x2 rivalry team are marked with a *. People who haven’t performed yet in the 2x2 rivalry mission are in italics. 

Jay Chang* ⊖

Donghun* ⊖

Wumuti ⊖

Seunghun* ⊖

Seokhwa* ⊖

Hwanhee ▲1

Yeo One ⛛ 1

Park Jeup ▲1

Jeon Woong* ⛛ 1

Bitsaeon* ▲3

Taehwan  ⛛ 1

Geonu  ⛛ 2

Jeong Inseong ⛛ 1

Sunyoul* ⊖

Kang Hayoon ▲2

Neon* ⊖

Hong Seongjun* ▲2

Lee Gwangsuk*  ▲3

Bain ⛛ 1

Jung Soomin ⊖

Hyukjin ⛛ 2

Park Joo Hee ▲1

Yoon Inhwan ▲8

Kim Minseo  ⊖

Hong Sung Won ⛛ 3

Kim Seohyung*  ⛛ 1

Choi Su Hwan ▲2

Lim Sang Hyun ⊖

Lee Min Wook ⛛ 3

Hwang In Hyuk ⊖

Kim Sungjung* ⛛ 4

Ma Jaekyung  ▲1

Kwon Eui Bin ▲5

Jang In Tae ▲6

Jo Hwan Ji ⛛ 1

Choi Ha Ram  ⛛ 1

Lim Jun Hyeok ▲2

Jeong Yunseo ⛛ 2

Taewoo ⛛ 7

Ji Yeonwoo ⛛ 3

Ok, gang, that’s a wrap on episode 4! I finished it before Episode 6 came out, which means I’m actually catching up a little. I’ll see you in the next one, when we dive into Episode 5. The first performance will include Yeo One from Pentagon, if that sweetens the deal. See you then! 

[s0meb0dy-0nce-t0ld-me]

I think about how much joy it really has. How Luffy just enjoys life being Joyboy and making everyone laugh. And when I see interviews of life action actors where they so goofy and silly, answering weird questions and just having the best time of their's lifes, when I see Iñaki's interview where he says how much fun it was to film the fight scene, I think that's it. This is what we need. Everyone around enjoys what they do. Everyone is having fun.

I look at the cast of actors, and I see how much they in love with each other in the most tender platonic sense, I see how much the writers and directors have put effort and love into the created series. How many Easter eggs were left, how clearly they preserved the atmosphere. I feel this love through the screen. I can see with such warmth that it was all done. And it makes me cry because what could be better? I watch the show and it's so funny. I can't stop thinking of Oda's words: "This is my last chance to show One Piece to the world." And it really worked, which I did not even count on. I thought this series would only be watched by anime fans, but no. My friend, who didn't want to watch One Piece because of the large number of episodes, watched the series, and she loved it so much!!! She was so worried during that scene with Luffy and Shanks in the sea, she adored Buggy and got upset when she finished watching all eight episodes. I read each of her messages, where she worried about the characters, and I understood. This is it. This is the feeling when you fall in love with One Piece once and for all. And then she wants to start watching anime.

One Piece is not very popular in my country, that's why I'm so happy when I see people on the street or in the subway with merch: in T-shirts, with badges - it makes me smile.

I'm so glad that One Piece finally got the popularity and worldwide recognition it deserves, I'm so glad that even more people could feel what we've been feeling for years about One Piece and be a part of it.

When the series was just announced, I was suspicious of this idea because I was afraid that Netflix would just spoil what I love with all my heart. I didn't like the actor playing Sanji. I didn't like how Nami's wig looked in the trailer. But then I watched the series, and oh my god, it's wonderful and nice and gorgeous! I looked at how happy they all were to be a part of it and fulfill their roles, how responsible they were about it. I fell in love with them and fell in love with their love of One Piece.

I can't stop crying and smiling because it's truly a Laugh Tale

[lime-sketches114]

Ok this request was from one of my online Friends, she requested one of my own OCs! A very popular one at that. FLASH/FELIX!

They wanted an x reader prompt with a date. This is an in general thing so I'll make it somewhat mostly in a modern setting.

I hope this would be a good mini fic!

FLASH/FELIX X READER: DATE NIGHT

Warnings/rating: no nasty, flirting, Flash/Felix being bold as usual. Still trying to be gentleman-like. (Some mentions of blood but not actually blood n stuff)

You're on a date with a gender fluid person who is also a dragon person and a royal in their universe. Goes by either or but mostly shape shifts into either gender too. (Also you can imagine yourself as any other race in my story or just some sort of DND races too lol. You can be human too)

★★★★★

It's a quiet night upon the harbor of the Kingdom of Yoitz. You and your date, Flash, ride in on their bike to go to dinner. You were on basically a set up date/Tinder date with this dapper young person. She treats you to a lavish dinner. You think that this will be normal, possibly minimal drinking as well since she drove you here on the bike. Their features were sharp yet soft and the beaming gaze of their hooded gaze made Flash look fierce like a dragon.

Once inside the lavish yet simple restaurant, Flash tries to be polite and help you into your seat and used proper manners when addressing the waiter for drinks but something seemed out of place when you got your food as well.

"is something wrong?" You tilted your head.

"Yeah yeah everything's fine, just...never been one for these types of dates. Don't worry I'm still paying" Flash sighed.

"oh I'm not worried about paying or anything. Your profile seemed to be more...wild and party-like." You questioned.

"Yeah but my sisters insisted I'd be more gentleman-like especially on a first date. I've always been the more bold kind but never one for feelings half the time." Flash rubbed the back of their neck.

"why don't we go to a club or something after dinner, just try not to get wasted. It's up to you" you suggested. You've been to bars and concerts before but not as often as you think they've been to.

"I'll think about it over dinner, can't think on a empty stomach" Flash winked. "Maybe I might surprise you if we do go"

You chuckled and smiled as the drinks and dinners you ordered arrived. When dinner was done and you thank for the meal. Flash pulls up on their bike and you get on. Flash chuckled as you held on tightly with the spare helmet over your head. You two soon rode up to a performance bar club. It was well known to host famous people from all over the world. Actors, singers, band groups, etc came here to have a good time.

"Why are we here? This is an expensive and popular place..." You questioned.

"trust me with this, if you wanna see the real me like you wanted, then this is the place" Flash parked the bike in a special parking spot and the bike was protected with a spell. They lead you to the VIP lounge in full view of the stage as a band group performed for the hour or so they were there.

"I'm gonna go get dressed, you watch over the balcony. I'm gonna rock the house and shake it to the core" Flash smirked a toothy grin before disappearing.

You sighed and thought to yourself what could possibly be going on. The band soon finished up their skit before a familiar emblem showed up on the monitors. The Black Fangs. It was one of your favorite bands. Then a dragon roar echoed in the club and everyone cheered as smoke and fire filled the stage. Then a male voice.

"Alright your drunken party goers! Who's ready to rock the house with Crimson Death?" The male voice spoke like velvet with a hit of a gruff undertone. Everyone is yelling and cheering the name Felix as he takes off his shirt and begins to sing.

"it can't be...did she..." You smiled with excitement as the song began to play.

★★★★★

Do you ever think the world is cruel

Dark and damp unto we shall rule

Fire and smoke fill the crowds

Shining in gold, the tyrant crown

★

Roar like a dragon until the skies turn black

Hear my song, my brutal attack

Splatter the ground with my red passion

Not giving up until we finish the mission

★

My power is nothing to dismiss....

My blood is boiling...

My eyes aflame...

★

Burn!

I'll show you what I'm made of!

Burn!

Power's my calling and it won't back off!

Burn!

The passion ignites and all I hear are screams!

Burn! Burn! Burn!

Let me hear your dreams...

★

Torn from grace and I'm falling down

Looking up with a busted ass frown

Tears crawling, bruised and battered

Picking myself up, what's the matter

★

Woah, I can't look at the past

Time passing by way too fast

The sands of time spinning in my head

Now all I see is black and red.

★

Isn't this world so cruel

Dark and damp, we shall rule

Fire and smoke fill the crowds

Shining in gold, my tyrant crown

★

My power is rising up....

The blood upon my brow....

My eyes blazing...

★

Burn!

I'll show you what I'm made of

Burn!

Power's my calling and I won't back off.

Burn!

The passion ignites and all I hear are screams!

Burn! Burn! Burn!

Woooooah

Burn!

Woooooah

Burn!

Yeaaaaaah

Burn!

Yeaaaaaahhhhh!!!!

Let me hear your dreams....

★★★★★

"Thank you everyone! That was a demo of our upcoming song called "Burning Dreams". Make sure to watch out for the music video coming out soon!" Felix smirked and looked up at the balcony and winked.

You were taken aback until you saw the tattoo, the hand part looked exactly like the tattoos Flash had. What was going on you didn't know. You were curious then when Felix came through the door with the same shirt Flash was wearing you were confused.

"so? How did I do?" Felix chuckled.

"YOU'RE CRIMSON DEATH?!" You smiled brightly.

"that I am, I can shape shift into these forms or into other people, but I like to be in this form a lot. Makes me feel tall" he smirked

You smiled with a blush, "can I have...your autograph...your music is amazing and unique"

"sure, where should I sign?" He pulled out a sharpie.

You raised your sleeve and pointed to your arm. He signed it with a hum and added a little heart under it.

"it'll be awesome if you get that tattooed, make this little date worth it." Felix said in a smooth tone.

You blushed, "I'll think about it, but I'll be sure to send evidence"

"you better" Felix smirked before "or I'd charge double for that"

You chuckled as he went back to perform some more after a quick break and a few drinks. When the night ended and it was well after midnight. He drove you home that was a bit outside the main city. You waved goodbye from your doorstep and went inside. After a few minutes you heard revving and tired squealing. You look outside your upstairs window to see Felix doing donuts and turns to make a heart on the road and zoom off back to the city. You didn't know what to make of this date but you knew one thing.

"definitely getting this tattooed..."

(not my gif BUT this does kinda looks like Flash/Felix does it not lol) (it's a character from Tokyo revengers)

[ultraphobic]

Hi Lane!!

omg, I am very happy for you and I hope that the opening day will be great! I hope I'm not late because of the different time zones, but now Thursday is just beginning for me.

KICK is one of the best albums in my opinion. and I will definitely listen to this playlist!

Oh, buying tickets is the most exciting event because you never know if you'll have time to buy the ticket you want. but I am sure that you will succeed! By the way, at how many concerts/festivals? which was the most memorable, and which was not?

the place for the festival is a little unusual! one of the main reasons why I don't really like festivals is that they are not the best places to hold :(

Oh yeah! winter is a great time for piercings and tattoos, as there are quite a lot of nuances in summer.

I really hope that these albums will be available because the only place where I can listen to the same Ultraphobic is YouTube, but very often the videos are blocked :(

Oh, I'm so sorry that you had unpleasant situations at work, but I hope everything is okay now? Glam metal related T-shirts sound really cool! I would like to see this

I wish you to save up for surgery and do it next year! everything will definitely work out! omg!! I was so surprised by the works of this tattoo artist, I really love this style and I am sure that your tattoo will be the most incredible and we will definitely be able to see it!

wow!! I think you would definitely be able to become a cool tattoo artist. and what styles do you like at all?

If people think that your affection for Jani is weird, then they're probably weird haha. each of us has had people in our lives who were very close to us and very often they are actors or musicians because people feel something special about them and that's normal!

Oh, I understand you! I am glad that you are feeling better now and you will definitely be able to sing in front of the audience! We all need time to overcome some fear and you have already made a big step so everything will work out! OMG I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE AREN'T INTO GLAM METAL 😭😭 I've been trying to find people to play in a band but it's literally not interesting to anyone lol. Post punk is very popular here :(

Thank you for answering the questions!! Guitars are very cool! What kind of guitars do you have? I would really like to change my Ibanez bass to something cooler (I would like a Fender, but it's too expensive) 8 years of collecting?? You're cool!! which discs are the most favorite in your collection/which ones would you like to buy in the future? Wow, rearranging a room is interesting! Do you have any ideas/preferences for what kind of room you would like to see?

If you can't find people live for a band, then we need an online glam band haha!

🎄 which songs do you like to play the bass the most/which ones would you like to learn to play? Do you play by tabs or pick up the games yourself?

🎄Do you like collecting? maybe you would like to collect something else?

I'm sorry that I'm answering late, I'm damn busy and a little sick and I'm really ashamed that I come here too late. sorry!

Your Santa. ⛄️🎄

hey santa! no worries for the late answer i’m just on my first break of the day

our opening is going well so far!

i managed to grab vip for glamfest and i’m so excited! now i just have to find something to wear!!!! i have some inspo pics in mind so i should be fine

i’ve been to 12 concerts and 2 festivals! and one festival upcoming (glamfest)! i think maybe avatar or kiss were my favourite? maybe also waterparks when i saw them in 2018

and yeah we always have to tell people that they should wait til summer for piercings cus they can’t swim for 8 weeks afterward and it’s so hot here that they don’t want to wait

yeah work is good now! i’m now getting a good amount of work and i’m getting paid fairly at my new job thank goodness it’s just my old job that sucked. i’ll show you some of the designs for my glam shirts once you reveal yourself to me at the end of the secret santa thing because my designs aren’t done yet but i’ll tell you one of them is a recreation of the “britny fox fu*ked me” shirt

and yea this artist is so good! at some point i’ll go to melbourne and get the portrait done i’ll just need to do some saving but i do have another warrant tattoo planned in the meantime (based off the dog eat dog album cover)

if i become a tattoo artist i think i might go for trad or blackwork/lineart cus thats mostly what i like to get!

i am in a few facebook groups that are people looking for bands so maybe i’ll post in there soon and see if theres anyone who likes glam!

i can’t remember the exact models my guitars are but i know both my electric and my bass are both squier and my acoustic is monterey! i bought my electric off my neighbour for like 10% of the original price bc he didn’t know how much it was worth and he played it once and never touched it again so he basically gave it to me when i was 13

my favourite cds in my collection are probably my warrant cds - notably my japan edition of dog eat dog, also my saints of the underground cd, or my signed megadeth cd! i also have a signed warrant vinyl (only signed by jerry and erik)

i’ve only been collecting vinyls starting this year so i only have 9 lps and i think 4 singles? but i’m hopefully getting a record player for my birthday so i’m gonna keep buying more - because theyre so expensive though, my rule is to only buy one if i REALLY like the artist or if it’s a limited pressing

i’m not getting rid of everything in my room so about half the furniture is staying the same, and i am limited as i am going to have to buy most of the furniture myself so cheap stuff from ikea but i’m hoping i can find some space age inspired decor just to make it look a little nicer! and ofc i am going to rearrange all my posters and stuff so it stays me! my guitars are also mounted on the wall which is cool

questions!

- i haven’t played much recently so i should really start learning some glam songs, the only one i’ve learned really is unskinny bop by poison; and i learn by tabs bc i’m terrible at learning by ear

- i love to collect things! i collect pins, cds, posters, knickknacks, patches, anything i can really!

sorry for the shorter answer this time, i would’ve written for longer but my break time is just about up and i have 5 more hours of work :(

i hope you feel better soon!!! hope to hear from u soon!!!

:3

[baekhvuns]

What what I didn't hear all of the football news?! I expected Bale to retire soon, but Lloris too? And lmao NOT Busquets and Ronaldo together?! Finally said something I agree with Zidane didn't win 3 CL titles with RM in a row to be disrespected by some old dick, bfr 🤡

Hey, I haven't been hurt in a while! Except for burning myself while cooking sometimes... and at times I hit my head on a cupboard 😭 I'm not the quirky and clumsy Y/N who falls down the stairs every second!

I don't see a lot of Harry and Meghan stuff and I'm okay with being blissfully unaware, let's just... stop. I get it, they hate the royals, so do I, but stop milking it unless you're gonna reveal something BIG.

Ofc stans want Lookass back, even though he was so unnecessary, like... didn't anyone else want to join, him of all people??? The fact WayV had a cb without him, but he's gonna show up in SuperM makes no sense to me. SM is deadly quiet, so I can't imagine him showing up suddenly?

I didn't see that many LSF performances and they definitely don't sing live as much as some stans think, but wbk people are delulu. Still, I enjoy their performances a lot! And miss Yunjin's song!!!

Stop that guy from the IG video needs to debut omg

Yeah the talent shows that exploit children 🔪 the parents are the biggest villains though. SM levelled up their promo game, and I'm so glad. The DCM/Atlantis photos were so beautiful as well, I've already noticed the improvement

I'm sorry I had to do it to you 🥰🥰🥰🥰 these boys are killing me. The blackhaired one is a good boy too, a bit of a tsundere at first, but ❤ this love triangle will kill me...

Wait that's the other guy, not Seongjun... what's his name Seungyeon 😭 but yeah the wet shirt happened

Omfg that remix YESSSS I couldn't find it for some reason thanxx!!! That Jopping video, hello?

That San fan call video is so funny idk if he meant it in bad way, probably not but akdhjsjskaknshajahs.

Mr Cedric Diggory deserved better! Nvm Damiano went bald, cancelled 😭😭😭😭 I'm supposed to see Maneskin later this year again, the hair better grow back. Lmao Tom Hiddleston as Loki yeah that too, I just really like Tom Hardy, not necessarily into him rn, but he's an amazing actor. Not Miraculous Ladybug? 🤔

And if I sink my teeth into his arms then what I'm not ready for more Park Seonghwa naaaaaurrrrr

This thread... and judge Hwaaaaa?!

Man really wants it all, cat, bunny, snake, bird... and now a duck? That's Seonghwa now

Maybe the Aussies like snakes...? I mean if it was skinny it can't be that bad 😅 is it weird I'm always more worried about tarantulas and other big ass spiders than snakes? Even though it's easier to escape or capture a spider

Hear me out, bad boy Hwa looking like this 👀

I have some MOTH spoilers, so Tasir has become the Royal Consort 😭🥰 that's my man! However the 2nd baby was born and I have a strange feeling it's Sonnaught's... and that Tasir will leave at some point 🔪 he can come visit me, no problem. I wouldn't get pregnant with some other guys' 🤫 - DV 💖

hi hellooo!!!

What what I didn't hear all of the football news?! I expected Bale to retire soon, but Lloris too? And lmao NOT Busquets and Ronaldo together?! Finally said something I agree with Zidane didn't win 3 CL titles with RM in a row to be disrespected by some old dick, bfr 🤡

YEAH LLORIS’S WAS A SHOCKER,,, busquets ramos and somehow even modric 😭😭 rare mbappe W, but the president resigned so thank fuck,, coming out here disrespecting the man who put your country on the map 🔫 but i have to say french football has the best drama dbdbdb,,, and a kaka lookalike coming to chealsea hopefully the skills come too 🤲🏻 and i HAVE to share this i don’t know how i didn’t see this earlier but the way i threw myself away after reading this A VIOLATION !!!!!! HAS ME SCREAMIFNFNF HE IS A PURE HATER AND I RESPECT THAT SO MUCH and a shakira pique dis track??

Hey, I haven't been hurt in a while! Except for burning myself while cooking sometimes... and at times I hit my head on a cupboard 😭 I'm not the quirky and clumsy Y/N who falls down the stairs every second!

as im writing this i also just sustained an injury by hitting my knuckle on the wood corner <3 this one time an iron fell on my hand <3 THE QUIRKY YN STOP i didn’t say anything 👀🤚🏻ur the yn with long hair till ur waist that need to be tied in a ponytail bc u hate opening it 😩 and has a bad boy waiting outside ur door 😮‍💨

I don't see a lot of Harry and Meghan stuff and I'm okay with being blissfully unaware, let's just... stop. I get it, they hate the royals, so do I, but stop milking it unless you're gonna reveal something BIG.

ur so lucky for this bc i can’t escape them 😭😭😭 the most odd thing about them is that they call each other H & M 😭😭😭,,,, anon if i had to listen to this, u have to also im not doing this alone

do you think if charles and diana had a daughter, things would be completely different now and that whatever history happened would be changed? 🎤

Ofc stans want Lookass back, even though he was so unnecessary, like... didn't anyone else want to join, him of all people??? The fact WayV had a cb without him, but he's gonna show up in SuperM makes no sense to me. SM is deadly quiet, so I can't imagine him showing up suddenly?

no bc it would’ve made sense if they tested his come back with nct but with superm it’s a no no but i think sm’s trying to cater towards the western audience bc it’s what superm was for & it’s easier to forget everything with the western culture??? 😭😭😭

I didn't see that many LSF performances and they definitely don't sing live as much as some stans think, but wbk people are delulu. Still, I enjoy their performances a lot! And miss Yunjin's song!!! //// Stop that guy from the IG video needs to debut omg

right!! i get so mesmerized when they perform i don’t even care if they sing live or not! the enjoy factor in their performances are so high AND YUNJINS SONG I AM IN LOVE WITH THAT WOMEN SO TERRIBLY, I AM DOWN BAD FOR HER !!!!!!! we need the guy to debut bc he did one with new jeans too 😭😭😭 old jeans need to be their group name and uh baemon 1st member is 15 named haram..

Yeah the talent shows that exploit children 🔪 the parents are the biggest villains though. SM levelled up their promo game, and I'm so glad. The DCM/Atlantis photos were so beautiful as well, I've already noticed the improvement

no seriously!! wanting ur kids to be famous so u can exploit their fame for money is 🔫🔫 THEY DID THE TEASERS ARE STUNNING sm’s artistic excellence is untouchable,, red velvet’s feel my rhythm teasers and the birthday album design???? TOP TIER !!!!!

I'm sorry I had to do it to you 🥰🥰🥰🥰 these boys are killing me. The blackhaired one is a good boy too, a bit of a tsundere at first, but ❤ this love triangle will kill me... ///// Wait that's the other guy, not Seongjun... what's his name Seungyeon 😭 but yeah the wet shirt happened

the way i stuttered, held onto the closest thing to me to stabilize BECAUSE WHAT THE FUCK ANON 😭😭😭😭 the black haired is my favourite and i haven’t even read it,, that is a park seonghwa reincarnation OHHHHHHH but wet shirt 🤚🏻

Omfg that remix YESSSS I couldn't find it for some reason thanxx!!! That Jopping video, hello? //// That San fan call video is so funny idk if he meant it in bad way, probably not but akdhjsjskaknshajahs.

ofc!! THE JOPPING VIDEO !!!! WHAT A MASTERPIECE I AM STILL SO INSANELY SURPRISED BY EVERY TIME I SEE IT, art! whichever way he meant it’s so funny id never show my face to him ever again 😭😭😭

Mr Cedric Diggory deserved better! Nvm Damiano went bald, cancelled 😭😭😭😭 I'm supposed to see Maneskin later this year again, the hair better grow back. Lmao Tom Hiddleston as Loki yeah that too, I just really like Tom Hardy, not necessarily into him rn, but he's an amazing actor. Not Miraculous Ladybug? 🤔

HE DESERVED EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING BETTER but draco deserved even better esp in the last 3 movies 🤚🏻 HES WHAT???? HES IN HIS MILITARY ERA???? WHAT THE FUCK???? he do this for what. why. U BETTER SEND US HD PHOTOS OF HIM !!!!!!! and eurovision in liverpool???? 👀 he is a great actor and the choice of movies he picks is amazing! CHAT NOIR. I WONT SAY ANYTHING.

And if I sink my teeth into his arms then what I'm not ready for more Park Seonghwa naaaaaurrrrr //// This thread... and judge Hwaaaaa?! //// Man really wants it all, cat, bunny, snake, bird... and now a duck? That's Seonghwa now

omg his skin is so smooth 😭😭😭 CLOSE THE GYMS KQ !!!!!! PLEASE KEEP HIM AWAY 😭😭😭 PLS DBWKHDKE SEONGHWA HITS ALL THE ANGLES KCBWKDJCJC we need hwa on a dance mentor show to see his judging,, wait felix 😭���😭🤚🏻

Maybe the Aussies like snakes...? I mean if it was skinny it can't be that bad 😅 is it weird I'm always more worried about tarantulas and other big ass spiders than snakes? Even though it's easier to escape or capture a spider

AN ORANGE SNAKE AND A BLACK SNAKE ANON FJQKFHWKHD THE WAY IT SLITHERED HAD MY SKIN CRAWLING IT IS NASTY DISGUSTING DISFUCKINGGUSTING TJEHDWK spiders and snakes are equally scary bc one can swallow u whole or poison u the other just exists and crawls..

Hear me out, bad boy Hwa looking like this 👀

I have some MOTH spoilers, so Tasir has become the Royal Consort 😭🥰 that's my man! However the 2nd baby was born and I have a strange feeling it's Sonnaught's... and that Tasir will leave at some point 🔪 he can come visit me, no problem. I wouldn't get pregnant with some other guys' 🤫 - DV 💖

SONNAUGHT BABY???? 😭😭😭🤚🏻 IF ONLY THAT FUCKER WAS NICE ID BE CELEBRATING IN THE STREETS,, TASIR DESERVED BEST DUO !!!!! if sonnaught get’s his shit back together im sorry to say it’s over for tasir

a day to remember 😔

anon…

U SAID BAD BOY HWA WITH SILVER HAIR IS THIS NOT HIM

AND THE SUIT FIT??? 😩😩

and? 🧍🏻‍♀️

[invisiblegarters]

Ooh I want to play.

San(d) - I'm not even going to pretend to not be biased here. I adore First and whatever happens I'm probably gonna like this character and want him to have whatever he wants (even if it's not the best thing for him). *shrugs* Is what it is, I make no excuses. Although I don't want him to sing

Boston - I love a hot mess and he's already giving it in spades. I want to see him take a wrecking ball to everything. I enjoy Neo, I think he'll make it fun, and that one pic with him in the 70's shirt scowling like it's his job has yet to stop amusing me.

Nick - I just feel kind of bad for him. He seems to have gotten caught up in something that he really shouldn't have, much like San(d), and I just kind of want both of them to get away from the mess they find themselves in. Also I kind of want to tell him to love himself more (no, seriously, what kind of dude meets Boston and goes "that one"? One who doesn't love himself enough, I bet).

Mew - seems boring, and I'm never a fan of characters that everyone is in love with (okay, afawk it's only two people, but that's one too many in my book. I've seen theories that Boston actually wants him too and if so, know that that will probably kill the character for me regardless of what he's like. Manic pixie dream nerd I can do without). I do have a weird San(d)/Mew friendship agenda though.

Ray - I like Khaotung, but I don't like playboy characters. Plus if yet another of First's characters cries in yet another drama, this character will be why. Again, I make zero excuses for my biases. It will take a major turnaround for me to be into this one, he seems like a total sleaze (and for me personally, in the frustrating way rather the fun way, like Boston). Although admittedly it will be fun to see K play something like this. If anyone could make this character likable for me, it'd be him.

Top - See above re: playboy. But he's at the bottom because I felt like got less personality from him, Nick, and Mew than anyone else in the pilot trailer (and tbf it really worries me, because the idea I get is that Mew is the main main character and TopMew is the main couple). Also I have no loyalty to either actor having not really been into their previous dramas (Enchante was fine, ABAAB was a DNF, anything else I haven't watched). He just seems like the bland playboy type. Boring. At least Ray has some personality even if it will ultimately be personality I dislike.

I like the idea of some of these characters and their relationships (Top/San(d) what), but frankly I don't expect much from the bottom three (although I hope Mew at least proves me wrong and turns out to be interesting).

What I do expect is that they will all feel realistic. Which probably means Ray and Top will stay right where they are for the show's entire run, lol, although the others may move around a bit.

(if it seems like I'm mostly into this show for the top two and mess, well...yes. Yes, that is basically the draw).

My Ranking of the 6 main characters of Only friends from favorite to least favorite

Yes, I know the show hasn't started yet. But I thought it would be fun to rank the 6 main characters of the show based solely on my first impressions of them. I want to do the same exercice once the official trailer is released and then one last time once the show is over. Just for the fun of it. I want to see if my liking or disliking of these characters is gonna change as the show progresses or not. Don't expect big explanations from me regarding this ranking because, if i'm beeing honest, I'm relying solely on vibes. So without further do, here's my ranking of the 6 mains of Only friends from favorite to least favorite:

Boston ( What can I say, I love a messy, self-sabotaging king)

Mew (He seems so nice, so sensitive, idk. I love the characters who are deemed boring, i guess)

Ray (Love a man-whore who's in love with the best friend he knows he can never be with, plus he seems to have many more issues beyond that. I like it )

San/ Sand( He's a musician played by First. What else can I say)

Top ( He was just there, looking pretty while being the cause of a possible broken friendship. Good for him!)

Nick ( Don't like him. He seems pretty pathetic (deragotory))

[shawnmendesbuddy]

The Five Senses of Falling in Love

Summary: Shawn falls completely in love with the reader

Warnings: None

Sight: 

It was the first celebrity party he had been invited to and he didn't have a clue how to talk to anyone. He was so star struck by everyone in the room his brain couldn't even begin to process how to start a conversation. He was only a 16-year-old boy for heaven's sakes. He didn't belong with these people. Or at least he felt like he didn't. 

She also happened to be 16, but this was not her first celebrity party. In fact, she had been going to these for years. She had gotten famous at the age of 12 when she went on America's Got Talent and won for her amazing singing. She was then recruited by a record label. She wrote two albums and then started her career as an actor. She was possibly the most famous teen of the decade. 

She had seen him from across the room and instantly blushed. He looked handsome in his black leather jacket, white t-shirt, and black pants. She couldn't deny that she had a little bit of a crush on him. So, when she saw him standing awkwardly in the corner biting his lips, she took the opportunity to talk to him. 

Shawn knew who she was. Of course he did! She was one of his biggest idols. But seeing her in person turned him speechless. He didn't know such beauty could exist in the world. His TV and photos could never do her justice. And when he saw her walking over to him, he panicked and started to walk in the direction of the bathroom until he tripped over his own two feet right in front of her. 

"Are you okay?" She had asked reaching out her hand to help him up. 

His breathing was shallow as he took it and stood up from the floor. "Thanks, and yeah, I'm okay." 

"Is this your first celeb party?" 

Shawn nodded shyly. "Is it really that obvious." 

She shook her head. "No, not really. You just look exactly like how I felt when I went to my first party. It's super nerve-wracking especially when you don't know anyone in the industry and don't want to get involved with the wrong people." "Yeah I think I've already made a fool out of myself, and I've barely even spoken." 

"Don't worry, it's normal to feel like that. I still feel like that sometimes. It's our ego that makes us feel this way, you know. When you first walk into the party you feel on top of the world, like nothing can bring you down. You think you're the coolest person here because you got invited to a celebrity party. And then the first two minutes pass, and if they don't go bad, then something is definitely wrong. 

"And then you realize that you're just a normal person with normal people who just so happened to get some of the same opportunities. But seriously, there are some people who walk around here that they are better than you when you are literally at the same party as them and you're famous, just like them. 

"Sorry, did I overwhelm you," and she sent him the most drop-dead gorgeous smile he had ever seen. 

*** 

Sound: 

Y/N and Shawn ended up talking the whole rest of the party and the night ended in them exchanging numbers and promising to hang out again soon. After that night, they became as close as any two people could become. 

Y/N took Shawn on tour with her as her opening act and it allowed them to become infinitely closer to each other. 

It was the first show of Y/N's world tour and to say he was nervous was an understatement. He really wanted to impress her and her fans, but he was worried that he wasn't good enough to be performing at a Y/N L/N concert! 

At his five-minute call time he exited his dressing room and made his way to the stage entrance. "Alright Shawn, you've done lots of performances before. This is nothing different. You're going to do fantastic!" His manager, Andrew, encouraged him. 

Shawn nodded his head, unable to speak. He feared that if he did, he would vomit all over the ground. He longed for his mother to embrace him and whisper into his ear that he was her 'special boy.' Her words always brought comfort to him. 

He heard feet pounding against the floor behind him and when he turned around, he saw Y/N hurtling towards him full speed. When she reached him, she threw her arms around his neck wrapping him in a bear hug. 

"You're going to do amazing out there. You're so talented and you know it. And that's all you have to do, prove to yourself that you can do this. You don't have to prove anything to me or anyone out there. We already see your potential or else you wouldn't be here. I know how it feels to think that you're not good enough, but once you let your guard down, you realize 'yeah, I'm just a human who loves music and I'm doing what I love.'" 

"Shawn, one minute until you're on stage!" 

The sound of screaming increased out in the crowd and Shawn felt his breathing quicken again. Y/N grabbed him by the shoulders and forced him to look at her. 

"Hey, hey. Just listen to my voice. Match your breathing to mine. Just breathe. In....out....in....out," and Shawn slowly felt his heart rate slow down listening to the beautiful sound of her voice. 

Touch: 

It had been a few years since Y/N and Shawn went on tour together, but they were still as close as peas in a pod. They didn't see each other as much as they used to anymore, but they tried to keep in contact as best as they could. 

It just so happened that Y/N and Shawn were going to be in Glasgow, Scotland at the same time. Y/N was filming a movie and Shawn had a show there. He had invited her to come and she willingly obliged. 

Shawn had been taking medicine for the entirety of his tour to help slow his heart rate enough to perform. Y/N was aware of this, so she was surprised to see him sweating buckets when she had arrived backstage to see him. 

"Are you okay?" She questioned staring him up and down. His breathing seemed erratic, but he was smiling. 

"I'm so happy you're here. I was hoping you would be at the show that I decided to do this. I'm not taking my medicine. I've been taking it in smaller doses recently and I think I can do it! It's just a little nerve-wracking, that's all." 

Y/N smiled softly at him and pulled him into a hug. "I'm so proud of you Shawn! I know you can do it!" 

"Yeah, I know I can do it too. But right now, I need to figure out a way to stop sweating." 

She chuckled and passed him a hand towel that was folded on top of the vanity. "Here. And drink some water. And maybe put on more deodorant, you stink." 

"Hey! I can't help what my sweat glands do," he brushed the towel over his face catching the line of sweat that had trickled down from his hair onto his forehead. 

"It's good to see you, it's been too long." 

"Seriously! And we haven't even facetimed in a hot minute either. I'm gonna say that's my bad though because I've been on a different time schedule almost every day." 

"You're good. Filming has been kind of weird too though." 

"Oh yea, how's the movie coming along?" 

"It's going amazing! Have I told you how hot Tom Holland is before? He's literally an angel sent from above!" 

Shawn sighed. Yes, he had heard of Tom Holland. He had swept every girl off their feet when he had appeared in Spiderman and now, he was sweeping Y/N off her feet, far away from him. He knew that Y/N probably didn't like him like that, and she never would, but it still made him feel jealous. 

He clenched his jaw and answered, "Oh, you know only like every day." 

Y/N blushed, and Shawn chuckled to lighten the mood. "Well, he is! I mean even Aaliyah thinks so and you know how different our taste in guys is." 

"Yeah, I guess that's true." He plopped down on the couch and laid his head against the wall. "I don't know how you do it. Make music, be an actress, direct films. You're amazing. I'm exhausted and I'm just a musician." 

"You flatter me too much and give yourself too little credit. For heaven's sakes Shawn, you're only 20! You've accomplished more than most 20-year-olds have. More than most 80-year-olds have! You're so freaking amazing!" 

Shawn felt his face flush. "Yeah, but look at you." 

"What do I always say? 'Comparison is the thief of joy.' You only should compare yourself to yourself Shawn!" 

"I know, I know. You're right." 

"I'm always right." 

"Hmm, I won't argue with that one." 

A knock sounded on the door and Andrew entered Shawn's dressing room. "How you feeling bud?" 

"I'm actually feeling really good. I can definitely do this!" 

"Well that's good to hear because you're on in 20 minutes!" 

"Okay," he stood from the couch and followed after Andrew to get his guitar. Y/N followed close behind him, latching her hand in his. 

"You're going to be fantastic, and I'll be here cheering the entire time!" 

"Thanks! See you when the show gets done?" 

"Yep." He smiled at her and placed a light kiss to her head. 

*** 

The first two minutes of the show were rough. Shawn's voice shook and his hands couldn't play the right notes, but he saw Y/N backstage and knew he could do this. 

When he transferred to Stage B, he didn't have a chance to see Y/N because his team was so busy with getting him out of his vest and onto to the stage. 

He sat down at the piano and began to tell the story that he had rehearsed earlier that day. "Umm, I've been taking this medicine to slow my heart rate down this entire tour. I get really bad stage anxiety, so the medicine is supposed to help me out. Tonight, I decided I wasn't going to take it. And if it weren't for the angel that was sent to this earth, my best friend Y/N L/N, I don't know if I would've ever been able to get to this point," he choked on a sob. 

"She always pushes me to be better and do better. She's just such an amazing person and I just wanted to give her a shoutout tonight. So, Y/N, wherever you are backstage, I just want to let you know that you're the anchor that keeps me grounded when everything seems wrong. This show tonight is dedicated to you." 

Y/N felt herself tearing up backstage. She was so, so proud of him! 

*** 

When Shawn ran off the stage and into Y/N's arms, she didn't expect to feel his tears falling onto her shoulder. When she pulled back from the hug, her hands immediately went to his face, holding it gently, brushing the tears away. 

"They're tears of joy, promise." And he latched his hands onto her wrists. And for a second, everything stopped. It was just the two of them, touching each other in an intimate way, their air mixing together. And then Shawn's team was pulling him away and the moment was lost. 

Smell: 

It was Shawn's 21st birthday celebration and Shawn's team had rented out the dining hall in the hotel they were staying at. They would've opted to go to a bar, but they wanted Aaliyah and Y/N (they're under 21, of course they can't come!) to be able to come so they decided to have it at the hotel. 

Y/N wasn't supposed to be able to come, or so Shawn thought. She was hiding away in a hotel room waiting to head down to the celebration. She was dressed in an emerald green cocktail dress and her hair fell in soft curls around her face. 

She took a deep breath grabbing the jeweler box from off the nightstand and heading down to the dining hall. Upon entering the room, Brian signaled her over to where Shawn was standing, and she slowly walked over to him. 

When Shawn saw her, his mouth literally dropped. She looked so beautiful, and he didn't know what to do with himself. The alcohol might've made him even more crazy for her than he normally was. 

"Wow! You're here! I...thank you so much for coming! I thought you couldn't come?!" 

"I was just trying to surprise you, which by the way, happy birthday!" She passed him the velvet box and nervously looked at his face. 

He opened the box to reveal two rings: one silver and one black. The silver ring had a sun engraved in it and the black ring had a moon engraved in it. Inside the black ring were the words 'To the moon.' In the silver ring was 'And back.' 

"Y/N...I, I don't know what to say. Here, let me put yours on." He grabbed the silver ring and placed it on her finger. His touch was light as a feather and a small smile rested on his lips. She didn't know if he noticed, but he had placed it on her ring finger. 

He picked up his ring and placed it on his ring finger as well. "There we go. This is so beautiful Y/N. Thank you so, so much." 

At this point, Brian had left to talk to another group of friends. It was just Y/N and Shawn. He wrapped his arms around her waist and inhaled. Her hair smelt so good, like vanilla and peach. Her scent was to die for. He had never really noticed it before, but from that moment on, it would be the only thing he craved to smell. 

Taste:

She cried into his shoulder. A bowl of ice cream rested on the coffee table. She didn't know what to do with herself. It had been three weeks since her breakup with Tom Holland and she was still hung up over it, much to Shawn's dismay. 

Her and Tom had lived together so Y/N was currently staying at Shawn's house. Tom had offered that she stayed at their—or at least what used to be—house, but she refused. She couldn't bear to see the memories come crashing down around her. 

"I was just so stupid! What if I never find the one for me! I thought Tom was end game, but then things started to run stale and I'm so scared it's going to happen with my next relationship." 

"I know honey, shh. Y/N you're going to find someone for you. There's like lines of guys that want you. I have to keep fending them off because I don't want to have you go through this again," she chuckled softly and pulled back to stare at him. 

"Shawn, what would I do without you?" 

"You'll never have to know angel. I promise." 

She sighed into his shoulder, and he could smell the vanilla and peach again. He could feel her chest moving up and down to her breathing. He could hear the soft thump thumping of her heartbeat. And he could see her beautiful eyes and a small smile appearing on her face. The smile that first made him fall in love. 

"Screw it," he whispered to himself and gently pressed his lips against hers. They tasted salty from her tears, but also had a hint of strawberry to them. She moaned against his mouth and tugged him closer by his curls. 

When they finally pulled away, they stared at each other for a few moments, taking the other in. "What took you so long?" 

"I was waiting to completely fall in love with you." 

"So, you weren't in love with me before," she questioned raising an eyebrow. 

"It's not like that darling; I fell in love the second I saw you. And then again when I heard your voice and felt your touch. And babe, you don't even want to know how hard I fell for you when I first smelled your perfume. I just had to wait for my fifth sense to give in: taste. And you taste wonderful." 

She sent him the prettiest smile he had ever seen as they locked lips again.  

[ingravinoveritas]

Sorry to rant in your direction. I'm feeling a bit savage and overprotective by some of the awful comments I have been seeing on that new BBC interview with David. Saying that he's got far too skinny, looks malnourished and needs to eat a sandwich. Like what the heck is wrong with people that they feel the need to write negative comments about someones weight, makes me so mad. David is naturally very slim and even if he had lost weight why do they feel the need to be dicks about it.

Hi, Anon! No need to apologize at all--you are more than welcome to rant on my blog, as I like to think that it’s a safe place for folks to speak their minds. (I’m on the road at the moment for another speaking engagement, so that’s why I’ve been a bit sidetracked and am trying to catch up on Anons.)

As I’ve mentioned previously, I am not a big watcher of DW, and so have been aware of what has happened recently in more of a general, peripheral sense. From what I am seeing, though, it seems like people are upset at Jodie leaving as 13 or upset at Ncuti not being given a “proper” regeneration as the next Doctor, and instead of aiming those feelings and frustrations where they belong--at Russell T. Davies and the writers/showrunners--they are aiming them at David.

It’s terribly cheap and easy to attack someone’s appearance, too, and it speaks to the fact that these people have nothing else to attack--he’s a beloved Doctor in the DW pantheon, a talented actor, and a lovely, sweet human being, so all that leaves is his looks. But it’s patently ridiculous, because look at him:

So pretty. So gorgeous in that ludicrous shirt, with those delicate features and hands of his. I have had people message me privately with concerns about David’s appearance, but only in the sense of being worried about him looking tired from working so hard and hoping he is eating enough...not calling him ugly and/or attacking his appearance out of some misplaced rage over DW. Sheesh.

As far as I’m concerned, the only acceptable comment about David’s appearance in the BBC interview is this, because it’s hilarious and also the fucking accuracy...

He absolutely looks like he co-owns a hair salon called Unicorn & Daffodil in Palm Springs with Michael, and they are on the verge of adopting a puppy and Michael is fed up because he’s on his third cream rinse of the day and wants to get iced coffees for him and his husband once David is finished with his interview in their tastefully-appointed living room:

So yes, I have no idea why anyone would be possibly a dick about and insult David’s appearance when you could talk about the eyeliner he is wearing or that freaking shirt or his delightful inability to sit straight instead.

It’s so ridiculous to crap on people’s happiness at their fave Doctor returning (in whatever form), and especially to go after David himself. He is friends with Jodie, thoroughly admires Ncuti, and is clearly thrilled to be part of the show again, which he has loved dearly since he was little, so I do not at all see the sense in people trampling over his joy.

Hopefully the haters will go away once this initial wave of DW content subsides and/or by the time the series is released (November of next year, I believe?). But even if they don’t, you are always welcome to rant on my blog again, Anon. Thanks for writing in! x

[deathbydibs]

Here are my theories on why Battison would be perfect for launching Robins into the cinematic big screens

1. The Focus with the Batman Movie

My theory on why The Batman is such a good movie is because it actually focused on who Batman is and not the villains or dynamics with the villains. It showed development and not just fighting.

I've said in another post that Batman is a symbol of hope and change for Gotham. A gritty, dirty, and determined hope for a gritty, dirty, and determined city. He refuses to kill because it would end the chance for redemption and his rule of no guns is a metaphor for it. (SPOILER IN THE NEXT SENTENCE), I loved the search and rescue scene because it was such a powerful and obvious metaphor of Batman being the light and hope for change by him leading the way to safety with the flare. (SPOILER finished)Because this movie shows Batman as a symbol of hope, the next logical step would be to pull out Batman's hope, which has always started with Dick Grayson. Dick Grayson has always been the first light and hope for Bruce. Dick went through the exact experience, but still has a joy that persists no matter what the circumstance. We all know that different runs and origins do different things, but through Bruce's eyes, Dick is his light.

2. The Divergence of how the actor typically plays Batman

Once again, most storylines, directors, and actors so far have focused on Batman and our typical idea of him being an amazing crimefighter and super good at it. This movie brought out the new batman who is still learning how to think and fight to keep up with his enemies. This is a SAD Batman that makes way more sense as to why he isn't good at showing his emotions than any other Batman. Introducing DIck would bring in such a wonderful side of forcing Bruce to develop his more human side and cause him to learn to be more of the Batman/Brucie Wayne that we are accustomed to and I think that would be wonderful.

3. The Dynamics introduced with Alfred that can be elaborated by adding bat-fam members

Another unique thing that The Batman did is established a family instead of assuming it. They fully addressed that Alfred was like Bruce's father while acknowledging how insufficient Alfred felt raising Bruce. (SPOILER) When Bruce told Alfred that he thought he conquered the fear of death but Alfred being in danger made him realize he didn't opened up such a raw vulnerable side of Bruce. This could be fleshed out even more by adding to the number of people cares about. We all saw him watching the mayor's boy. I'm perpetually persuaded that the only reason he didn't adopt him was that the boy still had his mother. (SPOILER finished) But bring Dick, who has no family left and will be lost to the system that destroyed Edward? He couldn't take it and would take him in figuring that Dick living in Wayne Manor would at least be a little better than the orphanage.

4. The Potentials with the Set of Wayne Manor

The Manor that we saw displayed the hopeless state of Bruce Wayne. But bring in a Bruce who is trying to restore his family's real reputation and trying to repair the manor but now has to work even faster because this tiny boy doesn't know how to stay off of banisters and chandeliers? Amazing. We see Alfred trying to help and while being ridiculously relieved that Bruce is being pulled out of the Batman mentality and just how that could be reflected in the Manor. The Batman was honestly a cinematographic masterpiece and I think this would be a great way to continue it.

5. I love him

Think of all the soul-crushing scenes we could have. Bruce in his too-big T-shirt bleary walking along with a very small child following him in a duplicate of that shirt because he doesn't have any pajamas to wear? Bruce actually smiles at the first pun Dick tells because of how long Dick has been walking around gloomily? When Dick figures out that Bruce is Batman and the worry Bruce immediately has? Dick thinks that he causes too much trouble and Bruce is just going to get rid of him while Bruce doesn't understand how anyone would not want Dick. Just Dick bringing Bruce out of Batman's unhealthy habits. Batman at a crime scene standing absolutely still and no one understands why but Dick is asleep in his arms and Bruce doesn't want to wake him up? Selina sees Bruce Wayne show up with this tiny child and kidnaps Dick for a little while to make sure he's okay while Dick is just happy to be around any kind of animal again and adores all the cats.

Basically, I think introducing Dick would be a really good move because it allows for a cinematic universe that rivals Marvel's even if they just focus on the bat family and would be a wonderful way to build on the way of looking at Batman the way The Batman did. Plus, Tony Zucco is a really cool villain

[laequiem]

Kiss-proof

/ Jude has lost Cardan in the mall. Of course, he is in the one place she would never go. Domestic fluff, fluffy fluffiest fluff

Fandom: The Folk of The Air

Rating: T for mention of characters having a sex life, but that's it.

The flaw in Cardan's glamour is the same detail that infuriates me when I look at his face when he wakes up: he is impossibly beautiful. Not handsome like a popular actor, not pretty like the members of a boyband. He is absolutely devastating, just as he is as a faerie.

read on ao3 • part of Tales from the Mortal Realm

I check my bulky flip phone for the 5th time.

4:23pm.

I don't know why I expected Cardan to be back on time. I had some errands to do—which might include lingerie I wanted to keep secret until our anniversary—so I told him to explore the mall on his own. I gave him some (real, non-glamoured) money to spend like a child with an allowance.

There are so many red flags with this whole plan.

I do not like to admit it, but I'm worried. My extravagant husband has enough trouble fitting in with humans when he is with me, I can only imagine the trouble he can get himself in without me. Or the trouble that can find him when I am not there to protect him.

I get up from the bench that I had designed as our meeting point. Where could he be? Anywhere I would not go, which does not narrow the list down very much. As I walk around, I can imagine him enjoying every single one of these places.

Cardan smelling some bath bombs and chatting up with a pushy Lush salesperson. All that glitter, all that dye—the servants would rage at having to clean the tub afterwards.

Cardan entering a sterile-looking jewelry store, eyes glittering at all the precious gems.

Cardan browsing Hot Topic, digging into bowls of plastic rings and looking at shirts for bands he does not know.

My stomach drops as I stand before the one store I know I will find him in. Black-and-white striped pillars stand on either side of the storefront and the dreaded white font over black spells out the name of the store: Sephora.

I have never entered a Sephora before. They are intimidating and I know nothing about their products. Whenever I needed new eyeliner, I would just ask Vivi to buy me whichever one she thought was best. Nowadays, I can count on my husband's extensive makeup collection and skills.

“We have servants to do this!” I had insisted the first time he approached me with a kohl pencil. He had laughed, and I let him line my eyes. Ever since, I look forward to it. It’s a small, intimate gesture with which we prove our love to each other without saying a word. It is his way of showing care, and my way of showing trust.

I pass the threshold of the store and I spot him immediately. Even without my True Sight making his glamour ripple when I gaze at him, I would still have a hard time believing he is human. His glamour is perfect—rounded ears, no tail, the glitter of his skin dulled down to a normal healthy shine—but every glamour should have a flaw. The flaw in Cardan's glamour is the same detail that infuriates me when I look at his face when he wakes up: he is impossibly beautiful. Not handsome like a popular actor, not pretty like the members of a boyband. He is absolutely devastating, just as he is as a faerie.

Even amongst gorgeous people who perfected their faces through makeup and good lighting, he stands out.

For me, however, bewilderment comes from seeing Cardan wait in line like a normal person. Like a boy who did not grow up as an entitled prick. It shakes me so much that I stop in my tracks and watch him walk up to the register once the previous client leaves.

He adapts better than I give him credit for. My heart swells with love for this male who keeps challenging and surprising me.

I go to bypass the line and I catch a snippet of his conversation with the boy manning the cash register. On the counter lay piles of makeup, from eyeshadow palettes to colorful eyeliner.

"A good choice!" the cashier exclaims, holding a dark lipstick, "it has the best matte finish. It even passes the kiss test!"

I swear I can see him wiggle his perfectly defined eyebrows. The smile he gives Cardan is wicked—the same kind of grin my husband gives me over dinner then he's feeling particularly hungry.

"The kiss test?" my husband asks, a grin forming on his sinful lips.

"Yeah," the cashier replies, "you can make out with someone, it won't budge. Or transfer."

I get to Cardan’s side and the cashier notices me then. His brows raise in surprise for a moment before he schools his features into a socially acceptable customer service smile.

I can't blame him for his surprise—Cardan and I could not look any more mismatched. His sharp features are accentuated with contouring and a lighter version of his usual silver highlighter. I, on the other hand, barely had time to brush my hair before putting on an oversized hoodie and leggings. I bet I look like someone he took pity on and brought to the mall for a makeover.

"Where is the fun in that?" Cardan looks at me then, his dark eyes twinkling with mischief. "Still, I suppose I will have to try."

I roll my eyes and he presses a kiss to the top of my head.

The cashier tells Cardan the total, and he raises a brow when my husband starts counting cash. I know other humans use cards nowadays, but without a permanent address in the Mortal Realm, we have been dealing exclusively in cash—mostly given by Vivi in exchange for Elfhame goods.

The boy thanks Cardan for his purchase, and it's all I can do not to laugh when he replies "you're very welcome", like that is a normal thing to say to a retail employee.

On our way out, Cardan stops by one of the many mirrors in the store and applies his new lipstick, ending with a pop of his luscious lips.

"Really? You couldn't wait until we got back to the hotel?"

I smile teasingly at him, and he grins back. The lipstick is deep, dark purple.

"If I did, nobody would see it but you." He slides an arm around my waist and winks. "That would be a shame, when it looks so good."

I roll my eyes and slip out of his embrace, making towards the exit. When my back is turned to him, I allow myself a smile. It does look good, I think, though I won't give him the satisfaction of saying it aloud.

"Jude, wait—"

With those long legs of his, Cardan catches up to me quickly. He puts a hand on my shoulder and spins me around to face him. I lift my chin to look at him, and his expression sends a chill down my spine. This face used to send unwanted images of our younger days to my brain—Cardan spitting on my shoes, pulling my hair, kicking my lunchbox. Nowadays, this wickedness sends my blood rushing south and fills me with memories of his clever fingers and his face between my legs.

"I was not done," he says as he circles my waist again, pulling me towards him sternly. "I have to debunk the claims the boy made."

"Fine," I say, and peck him quickly on the lips.

He chuckles. "You know that won't do, Jude dearest."

Cardan leans towards me. Instinctively, I part my lips and close my eyes. Even after all this time, I hate that he has this effect on me, even though I know it's not fair. I have spent my whole life training with a blade while he spent his training his mind and body to seduce and manipulate.

His lips claim mine and I all but melt into him. I forget where we are, how utterly exposed we are to the judgement of others. I seek out his tongue with mine and bite his lip the way he likes.

Cardan pulls away and I chase after his lips, desperate for more, until I feel his mouth on my neck. Slender fingers grip my chin, angling my head to allow him access.

I open my eyes and finally remember myself, where we are and how inappropriate this is—

"Cardan!"

He hums in question as his cruel mouth continues kissing its way up to my ear. His hand moves back towards my nape and tangles in my hair, pulling lightly.

"We're in—you can't just do that! People are—"

I look around, mortified. The mall is not that crowded, but I see people looking abruptly away when I look in their direction. A mother covers her child's eyes as she notices us. An old lady sneers.

I feel Cardan grin against my skin before dragging his teeth up my ear to nibble at the curved cartilage.

I give a small shove to his chest and he pulls away with a chuckle that curls my toes.

"You're shameless," I say.

"You look like you drank an entire bottle of faerie wine," he replies, then gives a quick kiss to my heating cheek.

When he pulls back, he inspects my face with narrowed eyes, then my neck. He lets out an impressed hum.

"It seems he was right. No marks."

I laugh and his eyes light up, a genuine smile forming on his dark lips.

"Will you buy more, then?" I ask.

"No. I prefer when it leaves marks."