#If it Weren`t for Country Music

[travelsketch]

나의 여행스케치

사진 배경 : 강원도 강릉 경포대

사진 저작권 : jongseong Lee

영상 저작권 : jongseong Lee

음악 : If it Weren`t for Country Music

아티스트 : Clinton Gregory

[sheilamurrey]

October 31st - You weren't here

It’s October 31st, 2024; We’ve got a new original modern country song on this Halloween to honor our family and friends on the Other Side. And to ease the grief of those who have suffered loss. Our hearts go out to you. Pro Nasheville singer, Tim Buppert provided the heartfelt vocals on this melodic original song. A wonderful radio ready, full sound production from Beaird Music Group of…

[classypauli]

Hi, could you write some fluff with Jenna and male reader? I love how you write

Kisses & Lattes

jenna ortega x male!reader

an: Hey! Thank you for request, I hope you´ll have fun reading it. For those who are uncomfortable feel free to imagine the gender you would like! I was just using it bc of the request. Thanks again! Take care!!

Sorry for mistakes!

Everything started with a coffee. Ever since you were a kid you were mesmerized by hot drinks like tea and chocolate or matchas but the one that mostly caught your attention was a coffee.

It was quite a paradox since you didn´t find your way to it when you were young. You could always smell it from your parent's breath or every morning when you woke up.

Your parents owned a coffee shop and sometimes you helped them clean or prepare. Maybe that´s how you started this way.

As you grew older and started spending more time in the shop, with a good book to read your hand also found a cup of dark beans with boiled water. That was your must-to-do in a day. Just sit on a cozy sofa in a corner with a book in one hand and coffee in the other.

That´s how you met your now long-term girlfriend. Jenna was a regular customer in your shop. It happened a lot of times you made her a latte or cappuccino even though she mostly came because of a hot tea.

In a country like Ireland where townsfolks often wore jumpers and hoodies, this type of drink was made for it.

„What´s on your mind?“

You were cut off by a gentle voice beside you as you stared out the big window. It was the week before Christmas and the weather outside started getting harder. When you walked outside you could feel the cold air hitting your nostrils and if you weren´t wearing a beanie you could be sure your ears wouldn´t like that.

It just started to snow when you were doing your last preparations for tomorrow's big day. You were finally opening your coffee shop after the long reconstruction. Your parents gave the shop to you despite your declines.

„Nothin´.“ You smiled down at her as you felt her hand reaching to yours squeezing it in her own.

Jenna knew you were getting worried. You were afraid nobody would show up. Yes, the weather

wasn´t helping but would the storm be the reason for it?

You were standing beside each other just looking as the snow started to get dense and the

Snowflakes are much bigger than before.  

„Come, I´ll make you something.“ You pulled her gently into you as you made your way to the

Coffee machine. Her big brown eyes were scanning your every move. How you melted the coffee and got it into the machine. You poured milk into a small teapot and slowly started to froth the milk. You grabbed the cup with the coffee and started pouring the milk into it.

Jenna enjoyed this. You were so calm doing it. Your arms were slowly but confidently circling the cup making some imagine in a coffee.

You stopped and grabbed the cup slowly giving in to Jenna. There was a big heart in it. She was amazed every time she saw it. Your drawing in coffee was perfect, sometimes you drew a swan, and through Halloween, you drew a pumpkin but what Jenna loved the most was the heart.

She gently grabbed the warm cup from your hands and slowly brought it under her nose to smell it. Slowly taking a sip while looking up at you as you smiled.

That´s how you spend the rest of the evening. The only light was the small lights by the bar and outside of the shop. Just enjoying each other's health as you cuddled up in one of your big sofas with a blanket around your legs and sweaters, thinking about what will tomorrow's day bring.

-

You sighed as your nerves were getting higher with each passing minute. Your coffee shop was already opened an hour but nobody showed. Not like you were getting high expectations but you were still a bit disappointed.

The room was decorated with Christmas ornaments. The soft music could be heard from the speakers around creating a cozy feeling. You could smell the hot cocoa and fresh spine.

Jenna was sitting by one of the small tables in your hoodie that was too big for her. Sometimes she would shoot you a look but each time her heart swelled at the sight of you.

She knew you were just being strong not showing how much you care about it but deep down she knew how much it affected you. The weather didn´t stop all night making it almost impossible to walk outside nor drive.

Jenna let out a sigh and stood up from the chair. „Y/N.“ She called after you looking at your back.

„Hm.“ You let out but didn´t turn around. You were focused on cutting something behind the bar.

„Y/N.“ She whispered as she came closer to you hugging you from behind with both of her arms around your torso.

„What´s wrong Jen.“ You turned around and looked down at her big eyes. The freckles were more visible as her cheeks and nose were a bit red from the cold. You swore this was your biggest weakness.

„Are you angry?“ she asked with her small voice searching for an answer in your eyes.

Her question shocked you as you blinked twice like you were trying to understand her question. „What? No, Jen. Why would I?“ you quickly pulled your arms around her.

„You were trying so hard these past months and when it´s finally here...“

You gently brushed the hair that was on her forehead, brushing it back behind her ear. „I´m not angry nor disappointed. I completely understand why it turned out like this.“ You said as you were looking into her eyes to make her sure. „It has to be like this I guess.“

Jenna leaned into your chest to hear your heartbeat with a sense of anticipation.

A couple of hours after, you and Jenna decided to close the coffee shop and get home. You didn´t want to do it but deep down you knew you wouldn´t have a customer today. You promised to make her dinner after spending so much time here. As you were getting your jacket you could hear bells by the door.

„Ow, man! This weather.“

You quickly turned around with wide eyes not believing what you saw.

„Finally! The road was awful!“

„I know right? We barely left the house and almost immediately got stuck!“

There were your friends with a wide smile across their faces. „Y/N!“ They went to you to hug you. „We´re so glad to finally see you! And look at this!“ one of your friends spun around with arms wide open. „It´s so beautiful in here!“

„W-What are you doing here?“

They laughed at your shocked face. „Look at him! He can´t believe we are here!“

„Well we heard that today is a day with a big D so we couldn´t let that slide.“

The realization hit you like a train and you spun around to look behind you. There was standing  Jenna with her small frame trying to hide her smile.

Slowly more people came, your friends, Jenna´s friends, and your parents. Everyone was talking to each other around the room you could only hear happiness. Your hands were full of work but it made you happy. You were feeling complete doing what you enjoy for the people you love.

„It was you. You called them.“ You whispered in Jenna´s ear as you hugged her from behind. She was sitting on your knees as you were sitting down on a sofa.

She turned to her side raising her eyebrows and looking around. „I don´t know what you are talking about.“

You squeezed her tighter in your arms as she let out a laugh. You kissed the side of her head as you leaned on her shoulder. The both of you were sitting there looking at your family feeling warm in your heart as you watched them talking and laughing loudly, enjoying the night.

[bokettochild]

lol I’ll guess that u listened to Monster while writing that scene? And yes I love Christian music. I care about the lyrics I’m listening to so Christian is what I tend to fill my playlist w. Plus, since I’m a Christian myself I like to support those artists and know they exist bc they’re less common than secular music.

On a LU note, favorite genres per boy? And do they focus more on lyrics or melody?

Oh fantastic! I was a bit wary of suggesting just the Christian artists I grew up on, but I'm glad to hear you enjoy it too! I tend to be more careful with what I listen to as well, but sometimes you don't get a choice (and that sometimes is when your room-mate doesn't give a darn).

For the LU boys:

Hyrule doesn't have a lot of experience with music, but most of what he hears in his era is folk music, much of it passed down from Legend's era (or just straight up written by Legend). He'd enjoy most stringed instruments, I think, but especially because stringed instruments are the best for group songs (the musician can sing too) and he loves the sense of community the music creates.

Legend would be a mix of folk and work songs, since, again, it's something he would have grown up around. He'd be pretty versatile about music though, but I think his favorite instruments would be the piano and the violin/fiddle. Still I think blues and jazz would be something he's really enjoy as well, or just anything really soulful, although he'd have to be in the mood.

Twilight is a country boy, need I say more? He's a fiddler himself, I think, but the banjo and guitar are special too. Mouth organ is a maybe, sometimes it's too much for his ears, but the way it compliments other music is something he really enjoys. French horn is something he really lives though (since it plays so prominent a role in Ordon's music)

Sky is accustomed to the lyre and flute family, but I think he'd really enjoy communal music like Legend, Twilight, and Hyrule. He'd probably get a rush from rock, but only in small doses, as I really can't see this man being a metal head. If he had the chance to hear a full orchestra though, I think he'd be utterly blown away and just dazzled! Same with a proper choir performance. He feels like the type of guy who'd enjoy a vocal arrangement as much as an instrumental one.

Time is a rock man. 80's style dad rock. He cannonically says things like "groovy", so this is cannon to me. (also @cantankerouscanuck got me hooked on the idea). He likes softer music too, but his happy music is the heavier stuff. The ocarina may be what he;s known for, but this guy performed with the Indigo-Go's, he knows how to handle a guitar!

Wind is a pirate, so like Legend, he's used to working songs mostly, but I think he'd also enjoy rock, like most 13-year-olds do at one point or another LOL. He'd be mostly versatile though! Anything with a beat makes him happy mostly (RIP Wind, you would've loved rap)

Four isn't much of a musical person, as none of the colors can agree and the chaos is a bit much, but when split, let's just say that they cover the full spectrum of musical interests :)

Warriors is one that I headcannon to come from a poorer background, so instruments weren;t much of a thing where he's from. Vocal arrangements and folk music were common, but because I love the idea of a Celtic Captain, there was a piper who came to town once and a bit and the music was much adored by a young Wars. Now that he's come city side, he's very fond of piano, but that deep love of the pipes will never leave him <3

Wild isn't much used to music, but I think he just likes anything you can play on an accordion, since the association with Kass and the Rito makes him happiest. Don't tell me that they don't all adore and treat "the champion's descendant" like one of their own! Rito village is his home away from home, but Kass's music is a constant no matter where he is. He'd like other music, I think, especially "exotic" music like what we hear played in Gerudo Town (Naboris' Theme slaps!) but the accordion is the sound of home to him.

[adaodinson]

Chocolate

Hey! So I’ve been wanting to write for Din for sooo long. I started some things but didn’t like them. I finally got inspiration for this so I hope you guys enjoy it. I might make it a series, let me know if you would like to read more about this story.

For story purposes chocolate doesn’t exist in the Star Wars universe.

Summary: You are from Earth. You have no idea how you got to Mos Pelgo yet here you are.

Warnings: Canon violence and I think that’s it, this is just fluff and flustered people.

Relationship: Din Djarin x fem!reader from Earth

You sighed yet again, you felt so exhausted you could barely keep your eyes open, but Cobb wasn´t giving any sign of letting you go home anytime soon. He had asked you for help cleaning the mess the Krayt Dragon made the last time it showed it´s head. You obviously said yes, after all, your gratitude laid with the marshal, but you never expected this to take as long as it was.

You carried one of the last boxes, but your arms suddenly refused to work and you dropped it. Cobb turned to you and finally got the message.

-Well, I guess we can finish tomorrow, I’m exhausted too-.

You simply nodded, not being able to do anything else. Your feet dragged you to what had been your bed for the past couple of months; it wasn´t the best thing you had ever seen, but it did the job.

You finally got to lay down, and just as you were getting ready to close your eyes, you stood up in a jump. You had forgotten that weird tea Cobb had given you in order to get you to sleep. The nightmares and your ranting mind didn´t let you rest for a second the first days you were there, and now you were cutting the dose of the sleeping tea so you wouldn´t be too dependent, but it was still difficult.

Your mind always took you back to your family, your friends, your country, your planet. You still didn´t understand how or why you had been taken from Earth just to wake up in an empty street on Tatooine (surprisingly) with some of your belongings. It had been a miracle nobody had stolen your random pack of things. It almost seemed someone had broken into your bedroom, grabbed everything they thought looked important and had left you with it.

You didn´t let your mind go there. Not for too long. It only hurt you, and you weren´t planning on dueling on your past and pitying yourself, you were gonna live your life while looking for a way to go back. Both at the same time.

You didn´t notice when you fell asleep, but the harsh morning sun hit your face like a slap and woke you up. You felt rested, which was uncommon. You had no idea how much you had slept, but probably it had been a long time. Good, you thought.

You looked around your room, looking at all the things you had with you from back home. Some books, candy, music records, a cd player, your phone and headphones (which of course didn´t work), and some other loose things. You were glad you at least had these things.

You stretched every inch of your body and went to get changed. As you were heading back to your bed to try to avoid the work Cobb was definitely gonna make you do, you felt your stomach complain at it´s lack of food. You grunted slightly but complied, you were gonna have to leave the room eventually anyways.

You headed for the bar when you felt it, another krayt quake. Of course, now there was gonna be more things that need fixing and cleaning. You ran towards the closest entrance, that happened to be the bar´s. You were so distracted by not dying that you didn´t see the stranger that was standing next to Cobb. Before you were able to react, a hand grabbed your arm and pulled you in, but you got so startled you almost fell. Who you believed was Cobb had to pull you even harder to keep you from falling towards the dragon.

Your hand felt a cold surface, you looked back to figure out what that was. You were so close to the cold surface your nose bumped against it when you turned around, only to realize it wasn´t a cold surface, it was a beskar covered chest, and the hand grabbing you wasn´t Cobb´s.

You didn´t want to scream, you really didn´t want to, but you did.

-Hey, hey. It´s okay- a modulated voice said. Listening to that particular voice made you feel… some sort of way… anyways, you shook your head and finally locked eyes with the stranger. Or well, you had eyes, he had his helmet.

-Oh Jesus, I´m sorry I’m really sorry about that… and thank you- The stranger tilted his head while looking at you, he seemed confused, why would he be confused?

-Jesus? Who’s Jesus?- Oh, that´s why.

-Yeah, no, it´s an expression, kinda hard to explain- your eyes went blank and you felt this couldn’t go any worst.

-But, thank you again, for… helping me- you said more shily than before. The stranger nodded and you suddenly wondered what expression he had under that helmet.

-Y/N, after that… whatever that was, this is Mando, he´s a Mandalorian, I´m making a deal with him. He´ll help us with the dragon and I’ll give him my armor, that belongs with his people-.

Din was quite confused, more than he usually was. You hadn´t been able to tell he was a Mandalorian? Or why was Cobb explaining that? You gave off a strange vibe, a good one, but strange nevertheless.

-Oh, that´s great! We won´t have to stay up all night rebuilding boxes now!- You said happily. This was gonna be tough, but you were really excited there was an actual chance of getting rid of the dragon.

It´s threat was what was keeping you in this small town. You couldn´t leave knowing they would all be in danger, so if the dragon went away, then you would feel free to leave and maybe visit the other planets Cobb had talked about.

-Yep, we won´t have to. Mando, this is Y/N. She is… a friend of mine. She´s not from around, so if she acts weird or says things you don’t understand, that´s why-.

-Oh, where are you from?- Mando asked while looking at you. You really didn´t want to have this conversation.

-This is gonna sound weird, but I’m from a galaxy far, far away, you probably don´t even know it. But if I´m honest, I really don´t want to talk about where I come from, it´s… complicated- You hoped that would be enough to calm his curiosity.

-Okay, let´s get started with the work then. Is she coming with us?- Mando said, looking at Cobb.

-Yes, she´s clever, she´ll be able to help- You smiled at that. The truth was, you were clever, just not a fighter, at all. On Earth it wasn´t particularly common to learn how to use weapons like it was on this planet, but you knew you were gonna need skills if you wanted to live long enough to go home.

-Can you fight?- Mando asked you.

-Honestly, no, not really, but I want to learn-.

-Okay- he responded. Killing the dragon was gonna be more strategy than fighting so it las okay.

Mando used his own speeder and you went in Cobb´s with him.

Just as you were entering a small canyon, a herd of massifs approached you. You had seen them before, never this close though. Just as Cobb and you were ready to shoot at them, Mando lifted his head and used his hand as an amplifier for a weird sound he made, a sound that was quite similar to one a Tusken would make.

-Hey! Partner! Would you care to explain what´s going on?- Mando motioned you to stand down and then slowly approached the creatures, making more noises. The massifs calmed down, one got close to Mando and he started… petting it?! Wow, that man was impressive. You felt your heart jump inside your chest at the view. The scary metal man petting a scary looking creature as if it were a dog.

Tuskens then emerged from the corners, and Mando communicated with them.

-They also want to kill the dragon-.

All three of you spent the night with the Tusken, drinking that weird fruit they appreciated so much. You felt bad for having hated these people for so long, sure, it had been because of what they had done to the town, but they weren´t bad, at all.

Mando made a deal with them, and before you knew it, you found yourself speaking in favor of Mando and the Tusken to the people of Mos Pelgo.

-Listen, Mando is right, we can´t take it down by ourselves, we need help. I spent a whole night with them and always felt secure, plus, Mando here speaks tusken, we definitely need him and the best way of doing this is if we all cooperate- Din saw everything work itself out, but when you talked like that about him, a strange feeling surrounded him. It felt like… nervousness? Shyness? No, that doesn´t make any sense. He simply ignored the obvious heat that covered his cheeks (thankfully no one could see it).

After convincing the town, you all decided to take a small break before heading for the Tusken. You were walking towards your small “house” side by side with Cobb and Mando, who headed elsewhere.

-So, you don´t have anything similar to Tusken in you planet?- Cobb asked. Mando silently heard.

-I wouldn´t say so, no. We all look… like you and me, like people, the only thing that varies is the skin color that goes from light to dark-

-So, there are no people with, I don´t know, blue skin?- Surprisingly, Mando asked.

-Nope- Cobb had already drowned you with questions, and you could feel Mando´s curiosity, so when the marshal left, you asked Mando to follow you.

-I can see you´re curious about where I come from- He was actually curious about you, particularly, but he wasn´t gonna make that correction- So, let me show you the things I have from my planet, Earth- you were right, he had never heard of that.

You had known the man for less than two days and you were already showing him what you had from your planet. You gave excuses to yourself, “he´s always acted nice”, “he seems trustworthy”. The truth was, he had shown with the Tusken he was interested in other cultures, he genuinely cared and that gave you a sense of security. It didn´t have anything to do with the fact that he made your heart jump and you wanted him to know more about you, no, that has nothing to do with this.

Din normally would have refused your offer, but he was just too curious. It had nothing to do with the fact that he was fascinated by you and that you were giving him feelings he had never experienced. For a solid moment he thought those feelings were some sort of power that people from your planet had, but that was ridiculous, right? Well, yes, it was, but he convinced himself he was investigating you because of that.

The first noticeable thing about your room was the pile of about 15 books that was on the corner, then, the big pieces of paper with images that were hanging from the wall (you explained those were called posters). He then noticed your CD player.

-I can lend it to you, I mean, I´ll explain how it works and you can take it while you´re here. Cause you have to put these little things inside your ears to be able to hear the music and I understand you can´t remove your helmet in front of others- His heart was aching with curiosity, he wanted to know everything about you, he wanted to hear every single story you had to tell. What the hell was wrong with him?

-Oh, and these are the CDs I have- you showed him the covers of Queen, Air Supply, Rick Astley, Amy Winehouse, The Beatles. He seemed fascinated.

-And! Here, I still have a bunch of these, just don´t tell Cobb I gave you one, I didn´t give him a complete one- He gazed down at what you had just given him. It was a rectangle with a strange wrap that said “Chocolate”.

-What´s this?-

-It´s a type of candy, you´re supposed to remove the wrap and eat it. I´ll go to the next room and close the door so you can try it, I promise you´ll love it- You said with a huge smile.

You immediately realized how suspicious it could seem for you to just give him something to eat.

-I swear it´s not poisoned- you said with a chuckle- I can eat a small piece if you want proof-.

-No, I believe you- Your heart exploded at those words, he believed you, you left the room quickly so that he couldn´t see the red that covered your cheeks.

As soon as you shut the door and he heard footsteps walking away, Din opened the small package. He lifted it close to his helmet and caught the smell.

-WOW, what is this?!- He exclaimed a bit too loud. It was the single most amazing thing he had ever smelled. He broke a small piece of the thing and lifted his helmet just enough to be able to put it in his mouth. The second he started chewing he felt an explosion of the most delicious thing he had ever tried. Not even his wildest dreams could have prepared him for this, for you. The hole time, he thought of you. You had brought this marvelous thing to him, and even though you had a limited amount of these things, you decided to share it with him. He would have hugged you right now.

He felt the rush, the happiness, the dopamine. He wanted to finish the whole thing in one bite, but he wanted it to last forever. He ate half, and stored the other half, he wanted to share this with the kid (only a small piece though).

He was still so excited, he hadn´t let this side of him show in decades, he hadn´t felt this happy in so long. He didn´t even think. He settled his helmet, burst out the door, ran to you and hugged you. He lifted you in the air.

To say that you were surprised was an understatement, not even Cobb had reacted like this. But you burst into laughter and hugged him back.

When he finally put you down the weight of his actions hit him like a train. WHAT IN THE WORLD DID HE JUST DO?!

He had no words, and you realized this.

-Hey- You said with a smile- I understand that reaction, it´s okay, I promise what just happened will stay here, no one has to know- you tried to hold back chuckles as you spoke.

Din immediately felt lighter.

-I´m really sorry about that, I had never… I don´t-

-Hey, I swear, it´s okay-

He finally chuckled.

-For the record, you were the first and last person to ever see me like this- You felt both overjoyed and insanely sad at that. You wanted to see him this happy all the time (WHY dude you just met him), but it certainly felt great to hear those words.

-I hope I´m not- you said with a wink.

You went back to your room and he headed for his temporary room. Feeling more confused than ever, more curious about you, and surprisingly, with that same feeling of joy he felt with the chocolate. It almost seemed like… you made him feel that way. Nah, that´s ridiculous, right?

[smilingleoo]

Bts reaction- You´re a reporter on the BBMAS´ red carpet and interview them

Request:  Hi , can I request a reaction where the reader is a reporter on the red carpet at the bbmas and interviews the boys...

Author´s Note: Love this request! Enjoy...

-------

RM (Kim Namjoon)

He walked slowly but surely through the mass of cameras and artists, making their way to their assigned interviews or pictures. He was extremely happy seeing how the rest of the boys were having a great time, even some of the exchanging smiles or waves with other performers. His eyes travelled through numerous microphones and wires around the floor until he spotted you, patiently waiting for your turn to interview BTS. He liked you for the fact that you weren´t obnoxiously eager to talk to them, so he made sure to guide the rest of the members your way-” Hello, It´s a pleasure to meet you!”

Namjoon had a hard time while answering, far too charmed by your kind smiled and foreign features. You were beyond respectful as well, making sure that neither of them felt uncomfortable. You asked them interesting questions, not like the repetitive ones they usually answered, and took the slightest bit of time, knowing that they were needed in other places. With an imperceptible bow, you concluded the interview and confirmed to BTS that you loved and appreciated the way they overcame language and cultural barriers, that you admired them greatly.

Namjoon felt pride swelling in his chest as he smiled at you and mentally ushered himself to ask for your number later.

Jin (Kim Seokjin)

When nervous, Jin tended to crack a lot of bad jokes. He didn´t mind at all, knowing perfectly well that ARMYs loved it. However, he hadn´t prepared himself for the fact that pretty reporters like you would be at the same event as him. in fact, at first, he had mistaken you with a celebrity; your beautiful dress, flawless make-up and tidy hair having fooled him. However, when he saw how the cameraman gave you your microphone his eyes widened. Yet his heart froze with anxiety when Namjoon strolled your way, introducing them to her and the camera. Seokjin was grateful for his height now because he could see you even from behind. He was captivated by your confidence and intelligence, wanting nothing more than to push Namjoon away from your side and replace him. Unfortunately, his English was really awful and he would have made a fool of himself-” So who would you say is the most handsome out of you all?”- you giggled.

Everyone laughed, including Yoongi, and Jungkook, who had noticed how his Hyung was staring at you, asked in broken English-” Who do you...hem...think is the...most handsome?”

“ Oh, well. Seokjin, right?”-you smiled-” Worldwide handsome, am I right?”

He nodded like an excited puppy as his heart made a double-take and his cheeks were engulfed by the softest of pinks.

Suga (Min Yoongi)

Yoongi loved being recognized by his work and effort.

He loved when reporters actually were interested in what they answered or talked about. That´s why when you, the prettiest girl he had ever seen, started throwing technical word regarding music, he felt utterly in love. He then noticed that the channel you worked in was involved more in the music industry rather than the whole drama ordeal and he had no problem in admitting that he became a great fan. He usually reposted various articles of yours and filmed himself watching the programme. Soon you noticed him and asked if he was available while he was in your country. Yoongi was hesitant at first but agreed to have a personal interview with you where, of course, he asked for you number.

Jhope (Jung Hoseok)

He was an awkward mess while talking to you.

His facial expressions went from extremely happy to utterly confused. But it was something he couldn´t control. You were so pretty and tender while speaking that his heart couldn´t be still for a second. You laughed sincerely and nothing you did was forced or uncomfortable. He wanted to meet you personally, without cameras nor events-” I´m really bad at dancing and with heels I don´t really know if it´s an easy task, but could you teach me one of your choreographies?”

As if summoned, Hoseok jumped eagerly. You cheered him as he tought you the chorus of Go Go, which could be done safely on heels. He did not want you to get hurt. You made a little performance and actually killed the moves he had shown you, stealing Hoseok´s heart entirely-” Hope we can see each other inside!”-you beamed.

Hoseok, on purpose, stayed behind and answered you with a small yet cheeky wink.

Jmin (Park Jimin)

“ I don´t think I´m ready for this”-Jimin muttered to Taehyng, who seemed too focused buttoning up his shirt. You were the first reporter as artists walked down the carpet and Jimin knew that Namjoon would surely go your way as soon as he noticed you. The boys were big fans of your show, watching it every time he had some spare time. It was not secret as well that all of them found you incredibely attractive. However, Jimin had developed a huge crush. He had made some research about you and had fallen completely in love. Therefore, when you began talking to them asking all sorts of interesting questions, Jimin couldn´t help but to go blank. He was extremely focused on you and your beauty too even noticed the question that had been asked was for him-”Oh, hem...what?”

“ Many of your fans are asking if you would date a foreigner”

“ Doesn´t matter as long as she gains my trust and heart”-although he talked to the camera, his statement was meant for you to hear.

V (Kim Taehyung)

Eager puppy.

He would make sure he was besides Namjoon during the interview, answering your questions so as to show his English skills. He made you laugh and even complimented you. Kim Taehyung was not playing around though, because, when the event was about to finish, he would vanish for some minutes to get your number.

Jungkook (Jeon Jungkook)

Fanboy mode on.

Just like IU, you had been his crush since he saw you on social media. ARMYs had reposted various of your talk shows and reviews, claiming that you always supported them among other artists. At first, he just found you really pretty but, after watching more of your show, he fell hard. However, unlike Jimin, he would mentally prepare for your questions, trying his hard to gain your attention.

“ I love your interviews”-he to Namjoon, tripping over some words-”Did I got that right, Hyung?”

[wedreamedlove]

Li Zeyan In Love - Character Study

I sat on this because I wanted to get more dates done but, after seeing people bring up this one poem that is the epitome of Li Zeyan in the aftermath of 34, I decided to finish this. This essay has been brought to you from my occasional bursts of frustration at Elex LOL.

First, I need to acknowledge that I'll be pulling comments from others who have made their own amazing discussions about Li Zeyan's charcter. PS. Thanks for inspiring me and giving me points to think about!

SPOILERS to Chapter 21. Plus CN card lines up to Chapter 34.

THE ENDLESS SEARCH

(Sorry, Luoluo, I still have no good essay thoughts on you yet.)

It's amusing that if Bai Qi's love is in the form of "all roads lead to you". He can see where MC is standing and he is moving towards that point, struggling through all the obstacles in the way.

And Xu Mo's love is in the form of the red string of fate. No matter how much they hurt each other, walk in opposite directions, or try to tangle it up, they are forever connected to each other.

Then Li Zeyan's love is in the form of searching for a needle in the haystack. The needle being MC and the haystack being all possible worlds and universes in space-time.

Li Zeyan has tons of quotes about time, staying beside each other, and searching:

[Winter Infatuation SSR] "No matter the distance or time, nothing can prevent me from keeping you by my side."

[Time's End SSR] "I'll find and bring back the past you."

[Tour to Deep Space SSR] "No matter where you are, I will always find you."

[CN Silent Twilight SSR] "You are the only predestined ending I believe in." and "I will cross countless spaces of time to look for an ending which has you."

[Main Story 18-16] "I will definitely find and bring back the past you."

[Main Story 18-23] "Don't make it hard for me to find you, understand?"

This is reflected so painfully in [Dim Light SR] where MC takes Li Zeyan to light lanterns and he writes a poem on it. Elex didn't translate the poem and, at the time, I was somewhat lenient. But after seeing references made to it... ELEX, COME OVER HERE. I JUST WANNA TALK.

So, Li Zeyan wrote:

The last line about his wish having come true already is the same in both CN and ENG.

He wrote the last line of this poem by Xin Qiji, one of many great poets in Chinese history. Here I have provided Irving Y. Lo's translation of the poem from "Sunflower Splendor: Three Thousand Years of Chinese Poetry".

The Night of the Lantern Festival, to the Tune of ‘Green Jade Table’ - Xin Qiji [1140–1207]

One night’s wind made a thousand trees burst into flower,     And breath down still more     Showers of fallen stars. Splendid horses, carved carriages, fragrance filled the road. Music resounded from paired flutes,     Light swirled on water-clock towers.     All night long, the fabled fish-dragons danced. Gold-threaded jacket, moth- or willow-shaped hair ornaments     Melted into the throng, giggling, a trail of scents. In the crowd I looked for her a thousand and one times,     And all at once, as I turned my head,     I was startled to find her     Among the lanterns where the candles were growing dim.

The bold is Li Zeyan's lines in Chinese.

@love-p typed up an amazing post about the context of this poem:

Regarding Xin Qiji, and the political context of this poem—he was a military general during the Southern Song dynasty, sidelined due to the policy of appeasement against the Jurchen.

The poem reflects his unfortunate political circumstances by contrasting the brilliance and liveliness of the Lantern Festival and the single-minded search of the narrator for just one, special, woman, ultimately finding her in the darkness with the dimming lights.

To the writer, the brilliance and beauty of the festival pale in comparison to his goal. He is not swayed by all this finery, and in fact is willing to reject the light, for what he has held in his heart all along.

Xin Qiji was a deeply passionate patriot, which ultimately led to his discharge and suppression in the changing political tides of the era. He spent decades in seclusion pretending to be indifferent to the world, but he never lost his love for his country, and held fast to his beliefs, even when they could (and did) cost him heavily.

There's other romantic interpretations of this poem, such as the woman deciding to stop and wait when she realized this man was looking for her. She is willing to be with him.

Another interpretation is that, these two are already lovers, and when he turns his head and sees her it reflects how your happiness was right beside you all along and you just needed to turn your head, instead of searching ahead desperately.

So, back to Li Zeyan and MC. He is quoting a poem from someone who suffered for holding fast to their beliefs and who can still ignore everything around him, even the light, to find what he's held in his heart all this time. HM.

@unluckysatellite also pointed out something great, which I bolded for emphasis:

I realized this just now, but MC and Victor have this narrative theme where they keep losing and finding each other, both in the main story and in their dates. The main story plays this out pretty seriously: Victor and MC meet as kids, and then Victor loses MC because of Black Swan, which causes him to search for her the next 17 years. Victor and MC meet in chapter 1 and then Victor loses MC in chapter 18 and he vows to find her again. Victor finding MC in that HBS trap during chapter 10 and nearly losing her at the end of the chapter (with the added irony of him realizing that she was the girl he was looking for all this time). YMMV if you consider MC losing Victor in chapter 14 since a black hole sent Victor traveling into the future, but both managed to keep contact with each other in the time he was away.

BTW the reference is that his [Dim Light SR] was released in 2018 for the real lantern festival holiday. Then in 2019 all the men send gems as gifts during the holiday. Li Zeyan sends mail with the title of "Turning My Head" and the body of the message is him promising to go to the lantern festival with MC this year too, but he reminds her to stay beside him and don't make it so that when he turns his head he can't find her.

THE CONSTANT

Now another common theme that appears over and over again in Li Zeyan's character arc is him being a constant amongst all the change.

[Main Story 11-19] MC confronts Li Zeyan about his overprotectiveness: "It doesn't matter if it's the previous me, or the me in the present, all of them are [a single] me. Do you understand?"

[Winter Infatuation SSR Sinful Late-Night Snack Call] "Of course I'm me. No matter when, the person at your side is always the same me."

@sharinluna wrote a great section about Li Zeyan in Chapters 19-21 and IMO these chapters just hammer in this theme more. Even in a world where none of the men remember MC, Li Zeyan still cruises along (mostly) the same as usual. He really is a steady constant when everything's gone topsy-turvy for the poor MC.

I commented about this in my post on Chapter 19's use of horror but hilariously Li Zeyan is the most normal out of the rest of the men. If the MC weren't around, it's likely he wouldn't be involved in so much craziness. This is reflected in how the MC thinks about how he'd be better off without her in [Main Story 20-4] and her dream version of him in [Main Story 19-6].

However, I always end up thinking about Alfred Lord Tennyson's quote on this topic: "'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all."

I honestly think this is one of the themes of the game too, shown at the end of Chapter 19 where MC doesn't regret holding onto her memories and experiences with everyone, even if that means going back to the cruel real world.

Because the game (hopefully) isn't going to invalidate our experiences with everyone that means that Li Zeyan is not better off for not meeting the MC.

IMO love doesn't have to do something monumental like change your world but I think it adds something to our experience as humans (no matter its form: platonic, romantic, compassionate, selfless, etc). This is why I love this game so much because it's all about love in its entirety.

So, even if Li Zeyan's character isn't changed in any earth-shattering way from meeting or not meeting the MC the fact that he chooses MC again and again over everything else means something. He is willing to sacrifice everything to find her, no matter how long it takes him or how many worlds and times he has to traverse. His constant state is choosing MC.

I'm so scared about the Banquet of the Fallen Moon. Why did he turn into a demon lord SOBS when he promised his father he wouldn't go down that path? If it's connected to MC... OOF.

THE LOVE AND SUPPORT

Here we reach the relationship the two do have! Uh, I swear I wasn't intentionally picking the sad quotes...

[Main Story 6-16] "In your eyes? Am I that unapproachable?" He says this but then grabs her hand and holds it through his company, not caring who sees them.

[Main Story 10-25] "I'm sorry, I came late. I won't lose you a second time. Nothing will be able to hurt you again. In the future, let me fight your battles for you, just like how you protected me that year, alright?"

[Main Story 11-14] "I won't hesitate to pay any price in order to let you avoid all dangers and affairs... The things you wish to do, I will release you and let you do them. However, now isn't the time. That's why, you need to be a bit more obedient."

[Chapter 11] in general shows his protectiveness over MC and consideration for her. From caring for her in the hospital, to sending her between work and home, and even the SP detail (even though it became overwhelming).

[Main Story 18-3] "... Every time I call you dumb isn't to insult you. [...] It's acknowledgement."

IMO these are all more examples of how Li Zeyan is like a steady mountain or a tree that provides a canopy and safe harbor for the MC to take her time growing up under. He wants her to better herself because he cares for her (like a quintessential Capricorn) but at the same time he knows when to back off and let her go at her own speed.

Li Zeyan will be there every step of the way with MC, just a little bit ahead of her so she has a direction but always ready to catch her should she fall. Unlike a certain BS liar COUGHS.

@sharinluna also wrote this great post on Reddit about how the dates reflect Li Zeyan's patience and awareness of the imbalance in his and MC's relationship. Chapter 11 shows this too where he realizes he was overwhelming her and brings back the "old" Li Zeyan to wait for her to make a decision on her own feelings.

Finishing off this essay with some quotes:

[Instant Moment SSR] "There is no such thing as eternity, only every single moment together with you."

This is so cute since it's said by the man who can traverse time. It's the little snapshot moments he can get with MC that mean the most to him.

There's actually another related quote which comes from [Winter Infatuation SSR Sinful Late-Night Snack Call]. This happens when they're talking about the meaning of the Ephemere shop and Li Zeyan quotes a poem about mayflies.

The Chinese line is from the poem "Former Ode on the Red Cliffs" by Su Shi:

"We are like mayflies enjoying a flicker of life in this world, and as infinitesimal as a grain in the sea."

Ironically, Li Zeyan is not asking much at all of the world. He is someone who has everything but all he wants is just a peaceful life with the love of his life and he has shown again and again that he's willing to give up everything for her...

But the universe spits in his face (because tragic Chinese archetype of Crown Prince/Emperor LOL) and makes him suffer so much just for wanting some fleeting moments of joy in this flickering human life they both have.

[hatari-translations]

Iceland Music News commentary on Neyslutrans - translation

In February 2020, Neyslutrans was featured as Rás 2's Album of the Week on the radio. The format of the show would usually involve playing through the album, with the artists commenting on each song before it starts; however, in true Hatari style, instead of commenting on their own work, Hatari instead sent Iceland Music News to do the commentary. The result is pretty hilarious, in the usual dry, sardonic style of anything associated with Hatari. Full translation (of their bits) below.

Introduction

DÍSA: We are media outlet Iceland Music News, the country's most honest media outlet.

GUÐMUNDUR: Yes. And possibly the entire world's.

HÁKON: And thus probably the most honest media outlet that's stepped into the RÚV studio.

GUÐMUNDUR: It's a sweet duty for us to present Rás 2's Album of the Week, which is Neyslutrans, by award-winning band Hatari.

HÁKON: To wit, my name is Hákon and I'm the editor for Iceland Music News; Vigdís is the assistant program director and thought the album was called Neysludans [Consumption Dance] but I corrected her just earlier, it's actually called Neyslutrans.

GUÐMUNDUR: And I'm Guðmundur Einar and I'm the CEO of Iceland Music News.

DÍSA: It should be mentioned that I'm usually called Dísa and I'm the program director and handle all published material. Well, the members of Hatari declined to present this album, and thus we were recruited for the job.

HÁKON: Right. As we understand it, they weren't offered enough money to introduce the Album of the Week, and therefore we were asked to come, and of course we jumped at the opportunity as soon as we had the chance.

DÍSA: Yes.

GUÐMUNDUR: Yes. It's of course amazing to get to introduce a masterpiece of this kind. The foreign media are tripping over themselves to declare this album the best album of all time.

DÍSA: Yes, exactly. It's a great honour for us as a nation that the songs will be performed at Hatari's release concert in Austurbær on February 22nd-23rd, and to perform such a masterwork live, as you say, is just... there are no words.

HÁKON: None. And we furthermore want to underline the great honour that it is to present this album. It's a masterpiece, and honestly I think masterpiece isn't a strong enough word to fully encompass the quality of it. But without further ado, here is the album of the week.

DÍSA: Neyslutrans.

HÁKON: Enjoy.

DÍSA: The band known as Hatari is composed of Einar Hrafn Stefánsson, Klemens Nikulásson Hannigan and Matthías Tryggvi Haraldsson, who composed and arranged the songs and lyrics on the album.

GUÐMUNDUR: But of course, in creating a piece like this, a multitude of other artists come into it as well. And what a list of magnificent artists. It will become clear when we play the songs. We should add that the album was recorded by publisher Svikamylla ehf.

HÁKON: In Panama.

GUÐMUNDUR: In Panama.

Engin miskunn

HÁKON: The first song on the album is called "Engin miskunn" [No Mercy], and the title really says everything that needs to be said. There is no mercy from the greatness of this song. The quality exceeds all measurements, and the listener is shown no mercy as it is played.

DÍSA: No.

GUÐMUNDUR: As the lyrics say, "Glory will descend upon the earth / All the Earth's children's doomsday drawing near". That's the feeling I felt when I heard this song.

DÍSA: Absolutely. I completely agree. You could just feel the glory taking over your...

GUÐMUNDUR: Body.

DÍSA: Body. It's worth noting that it was Magnús Leifsson who directed a music video for this song, one of the most respected directors in Iceland.

HÁKON: "Most respected" doesn't even cover how revered he is within the industry.

GUÐMUNDUR: Yeah. And this song is what's called the 'single' of the album, and is, so to speak, the outward face of the album.

HÁKON: Yes, exactly. And the glue that holds the album together.

DÍSA: Yes. We said the listener is shown no mercy in listening to this song, but of course that applies to the entire album, even though it's unusual for an album to begin with such a... really the best song.

GUÐMUNDUR: Yeah, this is the best song.

HÁKON: Yeah. We could say it applies to the entire album but perhaps especially this one, "Engin miskunn". There's no mercy in this, and this is really the song on the album.

Spillingardans

HÁKON: The next song on the album is called "Spillingardans". This is a magnificent song, and it's of course a special honour for Iceland Music News to have been the media organization present interviewing Hatari when the first clips from the music video for the song had yet to be released - so Iceland Music News was the first media outlet in Iceland to publish a clip from the video for "Spillingardans", and it's a really special honour because this song is, in most people's opinion, by far the best song on the album. If you were to apply some kind of adjective to it, there would be a lot of them, but this song is very barbed. Yet at the same time, the end of the barb is soft. The song says, "The watchful hand of the oppressor", and the oppressor in this case is the dishonest media, for instance, and, um, a lot of other things. But the song is called "Spillingardans", and I ask you to listen well, because this is the best song on the album. It could be mentioned that "Spillingardans" was originally released as a single, as one individual thing published by itself, in 2018, and the song is based on a song of the same name by the duo Plató.

Klámstrákur

DÍSA: It's a great honour for us at Iceland Music News to present the album Neyslutrans by Hatari, and especially for me to present the song "Klámstrákur", because if you listen to this song, I think most people can hear the lyrics and think, "Yes. Yes, I am a filthy boy." And it's especially an honour because this is, without a doubt, the best song on the album. It was released as a single last year and it only gets better with each listen. Klemens gets to come out and play in this song, where he kind of raps in parts, and I can only speak for myself, but my image of Klemens changed greatly. You could say something deepened there. This is the song "Klámstrákur" by Hatari.

Klefi/Samed

GUÐMUNDUR: The next song is the song "Klefi" or "Samed", by Hatari and Palestinian musician Bashar Murad. We at Iceland Music News have been lucky enough to meet Bashar a few times and interview him, and I can state for the record that he is one of the most magnificent artists to ever set foot in Iceland.

DÍSA: Can I add that he is also very polite?

GUÐMUNDUR: Very polite.

HÁKON: Unique.

GUÐMUNDUR: And a good boy. Samed means to be steadfast, and is widely used in the struggle for Palestinian rights. It's a special honour for me to introduce the song "Klefi/Samed" because this is in many people's opinions perhaps the very best song on this album, and thus in the history of Icelandic music. "I walk barefoot in the clouds," sings Bashar, "worthy," but when I listen to this song, I wonder if I am worthy. Either way it's a great blessing to be able to enjoy music of this caliber. "I am whole, and I am warm," and that's how you feel when you listen to this song.

Þræll

DÍSA: The song "Þræll" by Hatari is a new song on the album Neyslutrans by Hatari. In this song, Klemens presents a lovely contemplation on submissiveness, which I think will touch most people. This is without a doubt the best song on the album. It has been very well received, both in Italy and Poland and other places, and when I say well received I mean a lot of people sing along, and of course it has been widely praised. There is a piece of the lyrics that speaks to me; it's "You yank me, throw me around; you slap me on the cheek." I think this song does that to me. It yanks me, throws me around, slaps me on the cheek, and after listening, I come out of it a slightly better person. This is the song "Þræll" by Hatari from the album Neyslutrans.

Hlauptu

HÁKON: The next song is called "Hlauptu" by Hatari. I feel a little bad to be presenting this song, because to present a song like this in a time like this is really more than I am capable of. This song is, by every measure, by far the best song on the album, and there's just no way around that. The song "Hlauptu" is an incredible work of lyricism, an incredible song in every way, incredible artists working on it along with Hatari, it's Cyber that wrote it with Hatari. Cyber and Hatari traveled around Europe on the "Europe Will Crumble" tour where they conquered not only Europe but the entire world with this song, and if I just Google "Cyber" [typing noises] and press Enter, I get a lot of varied information about this song, which, uh, shows how big this song is. "Hlauptu" by Hatari!

Hatrið mun sigra

GUÐMUNDUR: So, the next song on the album is a decent song.

HÁKON: Yeah, it's a decent song. It's... you can debate its merits, as people have. But a decent song, sure, we of course are a media organization and must be fair and honest in our reporting, so, decent, I don't know.

GUÐMUNDUR: Fine. It's fine.

DÍSA: I'm - if we're going to have honesty as our guide I just have to permit myself to say that the lyrics of this song... I just don't know. I think it's too dark.

HÁKON: I kind of have to agree with that. See, I'm just going to read a bit...

DÍSA: I just had to say it.

GUÐMUNDUR: Perhaps it should be mentioned that the next song is "Hatrið mun sigra".

HÁKON: By Hatari.

DÍSA: Yeah - I can't even say that title.

HÁKON: And, and... let's see this, "Hate will prevail, Europe will crumble."

DÍSA: No.

HÁKON: I think it's distasteful. This is not in any way appropriate for our children to hear.

GUÐMUNDUR: No, that's the question.

HÁKON: Because you can say whatever you like about Eurovision, and reversing it, and that really they mean there should be peace and so on.

DÍSA: Yeah, blah blah blah.

HÁKON: But they're saying that hate will prevail and Europe will crumble. Under no circumstances is it healthy for children to hear that.

DÍSA: No.

HÁKON: And now the coronavirus is coming, and this is not a joke!

DÍSA: Hákon, I - sure, we are here to present the album of the week on behalf of Hatari, and I think we've entered a gray area, but we as the media outlet Iceland Music News, we just have to tell it like it is. We speak when others are silent. And I'm glad this has been said.

HÁKON: Nonetheless...

GUÐMUNDUR: Nonetheless, this song is... fine. And it will be performed, along with every other song on the album, at Hatari's release concert in Austurbær.

HÁKON: Yes, February 22nd and 23rd, for those who are interested. This song will of course be performed there, and who knows, perhaps if the audience shouts "Again! Again!" loudly enough, they'll perform it for a second time. Who knows?

GUÐMUNDUR: It should be said that the version on the album is a bit longer than the one performed in the Eurovision Song Contest, and this improved it significantly.

DÍSA: Yeah, that's true.

HÁKON: Yeah, it did. One thing to say for this song, and the band Hatari, it got a lot better when it no longer had to obey the strict rules of Eurovision.

GUÐMUNDUR: We are Iceland Music News and the next song is the song "Hatrið mun sigra", by Hatari.

Spectavisti me mori/14 ár

GUÐMUNDUR: Next we're airing two songs in a row, first "Spectavisti me mori, Op. 8", which means "You watched me die", and is a reference to the song "X" by Hatari. Pétur Björnsson composed violin for this song. And directly following this incredible musical experience is the song "14 ár".

DÍSA: Yes. Which is also new on the album. There is a lot of desperation in that song; there is a kind of Stockholm syndrome in the lyrics, our coercive relationship with capitalism. There are many connections to be made, and, really just a classic Hatari hit in terms of structure and so on, which flows extremely well from Pétur's melody. He studied the violin in Leipzig.

HÁKON: We at Iceland Music News of course recommend that listeners listen to these two songs together in one stew, so to speak, so that the former song precedes the latter. By Hatari.

DÍSA: Yes. I think it's very original to have two songs go together like this, and I think it's the unanimous opinion of the editorial board that this is the best song on the album.

GUÐMUNDUR: Yes.

HÁKON: Yes. It's the best piece.

GUÐMUNDUR: Best piece.

DÍSA: Piece of music.

HÁKON: This part of this work of art is really what glues it all together, what gives it life as art that we can benefit from, not just us, the individuals of Iceland Music News, or us the individuals who work at Iceland Music News as news reporters working in a difficult environment, but also we who love Hatari.

GUÐMUNDUR: Yes.

DÍSA: Yes.

HÁKON: And have listened to Hatari. And we who love music, we can say that too. And that's why there's no way around why this piece is the core of the piece of art that is the album.

DÍSA: These are the songs "Spectavisti me mori" and "14 ár", by Hatari.

HÁKON: And we thank Hatari for this.

Ógleði

GUÐMUNDUR: We are Iceland Music News, and the next song is "Ógleði" [Nausea]. But nausea doesn't have to be a bad feeling.

DÍSA: No.

GUÐMUNDUR: Sometimes you experience nausea when emotions overwhelm you and the art overpowers the body.

DÍSA: Exactly. That said, it is right to present this song with a disclaimer, as if you have acid reflux, it has been known to cause the acidity or Ph value of the stomach, which should be around 3 - it has been known to raise it to around 3.333, which can cause a certain illness. It should be stated; we won't sugarcoat it.

HÁKON: Yes. We at Iceland Music News must state this. We're proud of it.

DÍSA: Yes. It's important information. But it's an amusing coincidence nonetheless that 3.333 is not unlike 3,333 ISK, which happens to be the ticket price for children under 18 for Hatari's release concert, which will take place on February 23rd.

HÁKON: In Austurbær. And Iceland Music News of course wants to use this opportunity to express our deepest gratitude to our sponsors. It's a variety of sponsors, such as... many, who have taken part in supporting us with various grants that we have accepted, and we are grateful to be able to accept such grants, to make it possible for us to sit here and talk about the song "Ógleði" by Hatari, which is indisputably the most important song on this album.

GUÐMUNDUR: As the lyrics to the song say, "Everything that trembled shattered like glass; what was inside me, it wasn't me." Dear listener, let the music shatter your soul like glass, so that a more perfect self may be rebuilt from the ruin.

Helvíti

HÁKON: We at Iceland Music News are very proud to present the next song, the song "Helvíti" [Hell] by Hatari, and this is, as the title suggests, a hellishly good song, if you'll indulge me. And of course, to say something is hellishly good really means it's so good you need to curse to emphasize it. I'd rather not curse, I did it just now for the sake of the example, but I won't do it again. We at Iceland Music News are thus saying that it simply cannot be emphasized enough how good this song is. The song is called "Helvíti". And the lyrics can be quoted - it should be noted that Svarti Laxness is part of this song, also known as Stinni Steins. The song says, "a constant hardon". This is something that's not good for anyone, to have a constant hardon. I've heard that four hours is a very long time, but constant is something I cannot even imagine, and that probably happens only in the purest of hells. And no one wants to be there.

DÍSA/GUÐMUNDUR: [suppressed chuckling]

HÁKON: These are very explicit descriptions of what happens in the hottest of hells, which makes it incredibly evocative, and it really touches people deeply, and perhaps even cuts them.

GUÐMUNDUR: That's right, Hákon. And we should mention that we are approaching the end of the album, the end of this great journey that the album has been. And at this point we've reached Hell. The destruction of capitalism has here reached its peak, and the album describes in great detail the environments and experiences of Hell.

Nunquam iterum/Niðurlút

DÍSA: We've come to the end of the album Neyslutrans by Hatari.

HÁKON: Iceland Music News, here with you.

DÍSA: Well, an end but also a new beginning, you could say. Or a kind of...

HÁKON: Lullaby?

DÍSA: Yes, it's a lullaby; we're being led into a new world. These are two songs strung together, which is extremely original. It's "Nunquam iterum, Op. 12" - Nunquam iterum means "Never again".

GUÐMUNDUR: Yes. And it's fun to note that the members of Hatari are great academics and speak fluent Latin, just like us at Iceland Music News.

HÁKON: Behind the masks, there are voracious readers and bookworms.

GUÐMUNDUR: And this is followed by the song "Niðurlút", which is the final song of the album. Both of these songs are written to the same lyrics.

DÍSA: Different artists worked on the songs; the former is a melody by Friðrik Margrétar who arranged it for the choir of the Iceland Academy of the Arts, and then it's GDRN, one of our foremost singers, who worked on the song "Niðurlút."

HÁKON: Both of these artists are of course great friends of Iceland Music News and have of course boosted our reputation.

GUÐMUNDUR: This song is no less than magnificent.

DÍSA: No. I'll permit myself to say this is the best song on the album. A subjective opinion, some would say, but I am basing this on my education and experience in the music business.

GUÐMUNDUR: Yes.

HÁKON: This song being the best song is just not up for debate.

GUÐMUNDUR: This is the end of this incredible journey.

[laceymorganwrites]

Leaving home is easy with you

Word Count: 1,399

Pairing: Meliodas x reader

Warnings: None (Maybe some swearing, I don´t remember)

A/N: This is a modern AU! 

Moving out into a big city wasn´t as easy and beautiful as people made it seem.

Instead you found yourself tired, exhausted and with messy hair in your new apartment.

It wasn´t the biggest and most luxurious but it didn´t have to, it was more than enough for you.

If felt great being independent but maybe you should´ve thought about moving to another country beforehand, you didn´t even know anyone around your new area.

Being all alone in an empty apartment with the boxes chaotically thrown in, you felt rather glum.

Everything was so huge all of a sudden and so quiet too, it made you feel lonely.

So you decided to go out tonight.

Normally you weren´t a fan of going out and partying, you didn´t do too well with alcohol, however you couldn´t stay another minute in this apartment that reminded you of your bad decisions.

Leaving the apartment and aimlessly walking around the city made you unbelievably anxious, you didn´t want to bother asking people where the next bar was since everyone seemed to be in such a hurry.

Just as you were about to give up, a certain bar caught your eye: the Boar Hat.

It sounded like an old tavern name, which you liked.

You didn´t know why but the second you stepped into the building you felt like home.

It smelled like booze, nice music was playing and the atmosphere the customers radiated was bright and friendly.

And then there was the big smile from the bartender that made your cheeks flush.

He looked so innocent, so young, but something told you that his appearance contradicted his personality.

With an uneasy feeling in your stomach your curiosity made you walk over to him.

“What can I get ya, princess?” he winked, not letting you miss the flirty undertone in his voice.

You raised an eyebrow, chuckling slightly to yourself.

Getting hit on the first night in a new country? Things could go worse.

“I can´t really decide, anything you can recommend?” you smirked, trying to return the flirting.

“Do you like ale? I could treat you to my favorite” he smirked.

His boldness made you blush.

“I´d like that” you gave him a warm smile as he poured you the drink.

“You´re new around here, aren´t you? I´d remember a pretty face like yours” he winked at you and you felt the heat rise to your cheeks again.

“Yeah, I just moved in today. It´s my first time living alone, and in a new city at that” you smiled, taking a sip of your drink, it really was delicious.

“Ah yes, that can be scary indeed. Especially in a big city like this, it can be difficult finding your way around but you´ll get used to it quickly. I can show you around a bit if you´d like” he offered.

“Really? That would be a great help, thank you!” you finished your drink enthusiastically.

Your mother would smack you on the back of your head, you were drunk, new in this city and god knows what would happen. For her everything about this stranger would be a red flag.

But she didn´t see his smile, the way he sweet talked you and made you feel all giddy and warm inside, it was stupid on a rational scale, but you oddly felt safe around him.

After Meliodas closed the bar, he first showed you around in the local area, this was more or less the party district so to say. Bars stacked upon clubs and concert halls, the area was always filled with bright lights and Meliodas warned you to watch out for yourself and keep away from the dark parts.

You weren´t really keen on parties anyway, so that wouldn´t be a problem you reckoned.

Next he took you to the inner city where all the typical tourist attractions were as well as nice restaurants.

He told you it was very full at times but once you learned how to snake your way through the masses it was actually a nice place to be around.

“Hey, so it´s getting late, but maybe I could show you my favorite place tomorrow if you´re free?” Meliodas asked, smiling brightly at you.

“That would be great!” you returned his smile and then he walked you home.

As soon as you arrived on your doorstep you exchanged phone numbers.

“Thanks for getting me home, I don´t think I would´ve found my way without you, this city is way too big” you chuckled.

“Don´t worry about it! And you´ll get used to it pretty soon, I bet.” he always sounded so positive which in return made you positive too, you really liked that he was so optimistic.

“See you tomorrow then, why don´t you come over at two and we can walk together?” you suggested.

Meliodas had his hands behind his head and chuckled at that, smiling still.

“Yup, it´s a date! See you tomorrow, get some good sleep” he said his goodbye.

You hadn´t noticed how tired you were until you finally fell into your bed exhausted and dozed off right away.

The next morning you woke up without a hangover to your pleasant surprise.

After getting up and stretching a bit, still adjusting to your new environment, you walked to the bathroom, had a shower, then got dressed and had breakfast before brushing your teeth.

Once all of that was over you walked around your apartment, writing down all the things that were missing, be that furniture or decorations. Then you spent the rest of the time searching for a job.

Meliodas arrived just on time and it was time to leave.

He refused to tell you where you were going exactly, stating that he wanted it to be a surprise.

When you finally arrived though it completely took your breath away.

The place Meliodas so mysteriously talked about was in a little park, it was a bench that was located underneath a big tree which leaves reached the ground.

It was like in a fairy tale.

“It´s beautiful...” you whispered, your eyes not being able to look away from this spectacle of nature.

The way the sun played with the shadows underneath the tree and the wind made the leaves shake ever so slightly… it was breathtaking.  

“Yeah...but it can´t compete with you...” Meliodas mumbled quietly but you still heard it and blushed.

Your impression of Meliodas was that he was very cunning and smooth when it came to complimenting people, characteristics that fit the bar owner perfectly.

The reality was however that he couldn´t control himself and his thoughts around people he was interested in, that always resulted in awkwardness and him mumbling how beautiful he thought they were.

“But you´re wonderful too, Meliodas” you said after a while of thinking about what to say next.

You meant it, you never met someone like him, someone as optimistic and open, someone as charismatic and charming.

You also never hit it off with someone that quickly, but with Meliodas it was so easy, everything just worked and if something felt right, why would you deny it?

Time passed incredibly fast like this, talking with Meliodas never got boring, he told you all about his siblings and friends as well as funny stories that took place in the bar, but he didn´t dominate the conversation in an annoying matter, instead he just made it easier for you to respond in asking you questions and such.

He was genuinely interested in you and made it known, it made you feel important and special, this warmth around your chest spread again like every time Meliodas was around you or on your mind.

This wasn´t the only time you met in this place, after Meliodas helped you buy furniture and decorations for your apartment, he also got you a job at his bar and helped you settle in the new city.

Everything was going great and without his help you´d sure be utterly lost, you couldn´t imagine doing and achieving all these things without him and were truly grateful for him being there for you and aiding you.

Of course your dates continued and every time you guys had a free minute to spare, you got to know each other on a more personal and intimate level.

Who knew moving out would resolve in such immediate and strong feelings?

[sulfurousdreamscapes]

The Neon Cowboy matched the pace of my Pontiac, like a school of fish drawn towards a curious diver. His horse was so dark, you could only see it through its glistening skin drawn over the mountains of its muscles. The desert belonged to just the two of us.

I waved at the Neon Cowboy. He turned towards me, as if he'd only just noticed me. The bright neon shone on the ground around him, and on the horse's skin, his clothes glowing green and blue and pink and purple, and his skin pure white, and his hat orange. If it weren't for his sunglasses, I would think he's just a flash of light.

The music turned up, I banged the side of the car door. It was a little ditty by a country musician, which I thought the Neon Cowboy would like.

We drove like that, under the moon, until we came upon a gas station. I didn't really need that much gas, but I did need to talk to someone. I also needed to see if the Neon Cowboy was real, or just my imagination. Could also be both. I had to find out.

I pulled into the place and slowed down. I closed my eyes for a few moments, and when I opened them, I expected to find the Neon Cowboy gone.

The lights, the sunglasses, the orange hat—he was waiting for me on the other side of the road.

"Your buddy need anything there?" An attendant asked.

I glanced at the red-uniformed young man, who had cheeks like the craters of the moon. I turned back to the Neon Cowboy, and in the background, lightning crackled down to the ground in strong, wiry arcs.

"Have you seen him often?" I asked the attendant.

The attendant took a sniff, and so did I. Petrichor rose from the ground.

"Never stopped like that," the attendant replied. "But always riding past, following some lonely driver out in the middle of the night."

"What is he?"

The attendant shrugged. "You want to keep him waiting like that?"

I smiled and tapped the driving wheel. "Something I should know about him? Desert legends or things like that?" I licked my lips. "Am I going to die if I see him? Is that what it means?"

The attendant shoved his hands in his pockets, and the rain made its presence known. Long grains of water, striking down like arrows launched by some distant enemy. The Neon Cowboy threw up steam, sizzling in place. He looked up to the clouds while the rain around him came down in green and blue and pink and purple and orange and white.

Waving goodbye to the attendant, I drove out of the gas station. The Neon Cowboy picked up the pace, until he was riding next to me again. The rain tore against us, striking us like spray from a motorboat.

A pair of headlights appeared in the distance, coming in my direction. I pulled my hand back in onto the wheel. Seconds later, a truck passed by, throwing rainwater all over the Pontiac.

The lights on the other side were gone. The Neon Cowboy had disappeared, and I would never see him again.

[snow-whiteandred-rose]

Spending Valentinsday together - Hyung Line

A/N: Hey everyone! So here are the dates for the hyung line. It was more difficult for me to write them than the Maknae Line. But I did my very best and hope you like it. Vanessa :)

genre: fluff word count: 2,2K

Namjoon

“Tickets, please,” the zoo employee asked you. “Oh, wait. I put them in my wallet.” Namjoon said and searched in his jacket pocket for his wallet. After a few seconds he found it but only for searching the tickets. The staff raised one eyebrow. “I know they must be somewhere,” he excused. “It´s okay when you can´t find them, Joonie. We will buy it again. It wasn`t that much.” You cheered him up because you were used to his Scatterbrainedness. People asked you sometimes if it wasn´t exhausting but the truth was: that was one point why you loved him. Things never would be boring with him. “Ah, I found it. I told you I put them in my pocket.” You smiled when he gave the staff your tickets and he let you in. It was a sunny afternoon and for February it felt like spring. After Namjoon had spent the last days working on writing new lyrics he asked you yesterday if you would like to spent the afternoon with him. He needed the distraction from work sometimes especially when he did the same thing the last 72 hours. After he visited a public location and absorbed the environment he felt fit enough to return to work. “How does it goes with the lyrics?” you asked him and curled up in his arm. “We are making good progress. Half of the songs are finished and the next step are our solo songs. Everyone is working on his own now to create something what match with our personalities,” He explained. When it came to producing music you he was clearly the expert. “And do you know what your song should be about?” “Yes I think its gonna be about you,” he simply said. “Em about me? “ “Yeah about what love really means. It is just a little simple word but everyone perceives it in a different way. We usually don´t notice it until it`s happen and realize that someone has become really meaningful and important to you... and that`s what happen to me,” he took your hands and stroked his thumb over your hand. “I really fell for you,” he said a little bit shyly. “I fell for you as well,” you smiled and leaned towards him that you can kiss him softly. After a few minutes you two went on the path and came to the aquarium. Of course he had to go at to the crabs first. He watched them fascinated. “Do you knew that crabs aren`t that stupid as everyone thinks? They have complex learning abilities and a spatial memory. It has been scientifically proven that they can find their way even in a labyrinth.” “Oh really? How have they prove it?” You asked him and watched how his eyes began to shine when he explained you ‪the experiment‬ and you went to the next Aquarium. “Last month I read an article about dolphins memory. It is similar to that of humans.” he chaired his knowledge with you. “I also read something like that. Dolphins can still remember former companions after more than 20 years,” you answered. It wasn`t strange to talk about topics like that. You loved his knowledge and that you learned so much new information. He gave you a soft smile and kissed your fingers softly before he put an arm around your shoulder. It made you realise how happy you were.

Seokjin

“You look so beautiful princess,” he told you when you walked down the stairs and stood in front of him. You wore your new blue dress you bought few days before. The heart cut-out underlined you Décolleté perfectly and your long hair fell over your shoulders in curls. He made you blush with his comment and you smiled shyly. “Thank you, I was scared that you don´t like the dress because one time you said that you prefer light colours.” “Even when I told you this it didn´t mean that you weren´t allowed to wore something dark. Also it match perfectly with you eye colour. I like it a lot,” he pulled you towards him to connect your lips. “I have something for you. I found it in London and it reminded me of you.” He pulled a rectangular box out of his jacket pocket and opened it carefully. The content let you took a sharp breath. It was a necklace with a butterfly which was decorated with little decent sparkling stones. It was really beautiful. Softly you stroke with your fingertips over the pendant. “It is really beautiful Jinnie, but it looks like it cost a fortune. You know that I don´t want you to spend so much money on me.” “Yes I know it, that is a reason why I love you. You are not interested in my money and that doesn't let me hesitate when I want to buy a gift for my princess.” He took the necklace from the box and you turned around that he could put it around your neck. You felt the pleasant coldness of the metal on your Décolleté and his fingertips which stroke gently your hair away from your neck so that he could close the gap. Slowly you turned towards him. “And how do I look?” You asked him with a bright smile. “Handsome as her boyfriend. The prize for the handsomest couple on earth goes to us,” he laughed loud and you playfully punch his arm. “Are we ready to leave?” You asked him. He gave you his arm so you can hook up with him. Together you went to his car. You two wanted to spent the evening at a new restaurant which celebrated his opening today. It was the first evening together after he was back from his tour. Three month you didn´t saw each other so you couldn´t really believe it that he was finally back home now. You often didn´t know for how long it was so you enjoyed every moment together. When you arrived the car he opened the door for you but before you could enter he held you by your arm. You looked at him questioningly and he cupped your face between his hands and his thumb stroke softly above your cheek. You leaned into his touch. “I`m really happy that I`m home now. I really missed you princess.” “I`m also happy that you are by my side again, I love you.”

Yoongi

The sun shined in your face caused you to blink. Tired you pulled the blanket above your head and groaned. It couldn´t be later than half past eight and that was really early for you. You turned around to the other side of your bed, but it was still empty. You sighed and stroke with your finger tips above the sheets. Another night where he didn't came home. It was normal that he spent one or two nights a week in his studio but now it was the third night in a row. You slid to his side and cuddled your face into his pillow inhaled his smell which was still on it. Slowly your eyes closed and you fell back to sleep. The second time this morning you were awakened but this time it was because someone pecked your lips softly. You opened your eyes slowly and looked in the dark eyes of your boyfriend. “Yoongi, you`re home,” you smiled and pulled him closer to you. “I´m sorry I have left you alone the last few days but there was so much to do.” “It is okay, I know how busy you are. You don´t have to explain anything. I´m glad that you are home now,” you kissed him softly and he put his hand on your neck because he knew how much you loved this. Your lips moved tender against each other and you felt how his tongue against your bottom lip which let you sighed. He ended the kiss with another short peck and said: “As much as I want to do things with you now but then the breakfast will get cold.” You smiled because it was a long time ago since you two could ate breakfast together. Often you had to wake up very early, to early for him. You stood up and went with him to the kitchen where he set the table with all things he knew you loved. It was a breakfast like you knew it from your home country. So the table was full with bread rolls, croissants, marmalade, cheese and so on. You eyes grew big. It was really difficult to find these things in Korea because it was really untypical to eat these things for breakfast. It was a lot of work to organized something like this. “Yoongi, where did you got all this?” “Near our studio opened a international supermarket so one part I bought there. Yeah, that was the easiest. For the other things I searched through the net and the croissants I made on my own. I hope they are good.” You hugged him tight. “Thank you so much.” “You know that I love you, right?” he said a little bit shy. It wasn´t often that he said these magical three words. So you knew that it meant a lot for him to say it to you. “Yes, I know it. I love you as well.” The next half an hour you spent together eating and talking about the things you missed. When you started to tidy up the kitchen your gaze felt on the calender and you noticed the date. You looked to Yoongi and watch him cleaning the table. You smiled softly. Valentinsday wasn`t important for you. Anyway it made you happy that even when Yoongi wasn´t the cheesy type of boyfriend he showed you his feelings with these little gesture on a day which stood for everything about love. You went to him and pull him close to you. “Soo now where we are ready, what do you think? Do you wanna go shower with me?” You asked him in a deeper voice. “Good suggestion and I promise you it's not just gonna be about taking a shower.” You smiled and dragged him towards the bathroom.

Hoseok

Thank god it`s Friday! That was a horror week. You loved your job as a teacher but sometimes it was hair-raising. Especially when they plotted against you and there was no other solution then gave them detention. That turned in angry parents which called you late in the evening and told you how incompetent you were. You did well not to spent much thoughts about that but sometimes it caught up with you, like today. You entered the apartment and leaned yourself with your back against the door, fought against the emerging tears. “Jagiya? Everything fine?” You heart your boyfriend called. “I`m fine,” you tried to say but your voice betrayed you. Hobi came with fast steps out of the living room. “Sunshine, what happened? Why do you cry? I don´t want you to be so upset.” “It will be over in a minute, I promised.” He cupped your face between his hands and stroke carefully your tears away. “Whatever it is, it isn't as bad as you thought. You know what? I let you in a hot bath and then you told me everything. Okay? How sounds that?” You tried to smile. “Thank you, that would be great.” He dragged you to the living room and told you to wait until the bath is ready. You loved his caring type. He noticed every time when you are sad or didn´t feel good and he always knew exactly what he could do to make you feel better. After a few minutes he called you. “Jagi, the bath is recessed.” Slowly you entered the bathroom where he waited and helped you to undress. You sighed when you got into the tub because the hot water made your muscles relax. You leaned back and closed your eyes. Hobi took a sponge and let the warm water ran over your shoulders. “Do you wanna tell my what made you so upset?” He asked after a while when he noticed you got calmer and you began to tell about your horrible week. He was a great listener and never gave you the felling that what you were saying was shit. Hobi understood your thoughts. “I know it was right to keep them in detention and I also know that there exist always people which aren´t pleased with me. I don´t know exactly why it made me so upset,” you explained after you told him the whole story. “I know you do a great Job Sunshine and being a teacher isn´t always easy. So sometimes your body needs this time off and he needs to cry so that all pent-up emotions can be released.” He kissed you softly and you sighed. “Thank you for listening. I`m so sorry that I was so upset especially on Valentinsday.” “You don´t have to apologize for you emotions and I´m here for you with pleasure, Jagi,” he gave you a soft kiss and made you smile. How lucky could you be having such a caring and lovely boyfriend like him? “So what do you mean? Wanna put on our pyjamas and cuddle on the bed?” He asked you. “Nothing would make me happier.” 

[longforyesterday]

The other thing that happens when you become famous is that people start to think you know something. They all want to know what you think about this and that, and I would blah on - as a 22/23-year-old - as if suddenly I knew. I could talk about anything, I knew exactly how the country should be run, and why and how this should happen; suddenly I was a blaher: 'Yeah, Mr Blah here, what do you want to know?' It was so crazy. I remember endless discussions that went on for days and days - nights and days, actually, discussing the world, discussing music. Suddenly people give you all this credit! But we weren't any different; we'd just had a couple of Number Ones and millions loved us. I had no schooling before I joined The Beatles and no schooling after The Beatles. Life is a great education.

Ringo Starr, The Beatles Anthology

[adaodinson]

Thank you

I got the inspiration for this since I watched Rush again (one of my favorite movies). I really enjoyed writing it so I hope you enjoy reading it :)

And well my obsession on Daniel Brühl makes no sign on leaving any time soon, so I’m putting that to good use.

Summary: Niki notices his new neighbor the second she moves in next to him, will you notice him?

Warnings: swearing, assholes and Niki being a little shit that knows what he’s doing.

Relationship: Niki Lauda x fem!reader.

You sighed as you carried the last box into your new house. You had started taking everything inside with a rather positive energy, but after four hours you were exhausted. Everything was now inside, but as you closed the door and turned to look at your small living room, the sight made you want to cry. Sure, everything was inside, but it was still packed up.

-You know what- you talked to the air- I´ll do that tomorrow, I´m gonna treat myself cause this was fucking exhausting-.

You walked towards your new kitchen. Of course, the only things that were unpacked were your writing tools and cooking tools. As you walked around the counter a sudden feeling of tired happiness filled you. You had finally found a job you adored, and at the need, you didn´t hesitate in moving out from your country into this new, small place. It was perfect for a person or two; or as your case happened to be, one person and two cats. You were starting, doing what you loved, and you knew it was going to be tough, but you weren´t expecting anything else.

Almost automatically, you started settling all the ingredients for spaghetti bolognesa on the counter, and since you knew the recipe by heart, the only thing you used your phone for was to play your favorite music. As you danced and sang around, you moved gracefully, working with the stove, chopping what was needed and mixing expertly. You had always loved cooking, and you were pretty good at it, if you said it yourself. But you never saw it as a career. Your thing was writing.

As you waited for the pasta to cook and the sauce to simmer, you looked outside the window when a sudden light in the next-door house was turned on. It was pretty close, so you had a good sight of the inside. It looked cozy, but it seemed whoever lived there didn´t spend most of their time inside. Curiously, you waited to see if you could get a glimpse of the person, but after a few minutes passed, you gave up and went back to the kitchen.

Niki was just arriving to his house. He was, as usual, exhausted. All he wanted was to finish the phone calls he needed to do and go to bed, but an amazing smell that he immediately recognized as bolognesa caught his every action. He headed for the window, and that was when he saw you. You were wearing a pair of dark blue pants and a purple hoodie, and even though your mother would have said you looked like a homeless person, Niki thought you were insanely cute. Of course he always kept that kind of thoughts to himself, but he couldn´t help but staring as you danced around the kitchen, checking on the pasta and mixing up the sauce. He could get a rather low volume of your so inspired singing, but what he managed to hear was beautiful.

-Huh, she´s pretty, dances, cooks, and sings… what a sight I get from here- He said to himself, allowing his mind to take you in and think of you, not only in a bit of a sexy way, but in a cute one as well.

From that day on Niki caught glimpses of you many times, doing different things. He learnt so much about you, but at the same time, he knew nothing. It was obvious you had two cats, and that they loved you as much as you loved them. His heart had ached the first time he saw you laying on your small garden, with your back facing up, and with both of your cats cuddled on top of your back as you slept. For those moments, he allowed himself to feel, knowing it wouldn´t lead anywhere. But it was only for those few minutes that he saw you that he let his mind find somebody so cute and not try to find something wrong with them. He never expected people to know who he was, but he thought someone like you wouldn’t have gone unnoticed at the races, not just by him, but by the other drivers as well, so he knew you probably didn´t know him for his career.

You had seen your new neighbor a few times, and God wasn´t he attractive. You swore you had seen him somewhere, but couldn´t quite place your finger on where. You knew nothing about the guy, yet you couldn’t bring yourself to stop making fake scenarios in your head; ones in which he would look at you for the first time and fall for you, but you knew it was normal to fantasize that way. The day you finally talked to him though, was a... weird one, to say the least.

You had bought a new couch but forgot to specify in the delivery form that you needed help taking it inside, so when you saw the huge furniture, you felt like screaming.

Niki was arriving from a morning of work with Clay. It was one of those rare days in which he got an afternoon for himself. After parking his car, he walked towards his house, and as he reached for his keys he stepped on something and fell on his ass with a hard smack.

-OUCH- he whined as he tried getting up. The second you felt something hit your foot you knew something was going to go wrong, and when you turned to see your cute neighbor (that happened to have an Austrian accent) on the ground with an angry face, your fear came real.

-What the hell was… watch out next ti…-He yelled but couldn´t finish. The second he saw you on your knees holding the wrap around the couch, he realized he had stumbled with your foot, and his angry face immediately changed into a soft one.

-I´m sorry, is your foot okay?- He asked, feeling stupid at the second the words left his mouth. You looked at him with a confused and embarrassed look.

-What? No, don´t you apologize, I´m sorry, I should have been more careful as to where I was sitting. Please don´t apologize, are you okay?- You said as you stood up and offered your hand to help him get up.

-Yeah, I´m fine, do you need help with that?- Niki knew there were first times for everything, but he cringed at the words that were coming out of him, they seemed to make you happy though, so it didn´t bother him for that long. He wasn´t always an asshole, but he definitely wasn´t used to being nice either. Around you it seemed to come out automatically, and he hated it but loved the way it made you smile. He had so many mixed feelings that he was actually feeling nervous. What the hell is wrong with me, he thought.

-Oh yes please! If it´s not too much trouble, I´ve been trying to take this inside for 40 minutes and well, you can see how good that´s going- He chuckled softly and you felt your heart skip a beat at the sound.

Without another word, he headed for one side of the couch as you grabbed the other one, but before you could lift it, about three people with shirts that spelled “James Hunt” interrupted.

-Hey rat face- a tall, dark haired man said as the other two behind him laughed- hey cutie, is the asshole bothering you?- He said looking at you. Who the hell does this idiot think he is?

Niki´s face was serious, just serious. He didn´t even look at the guy, almost as if he was used to that type of thing happening, and he made no sign to want to do anything about it. It impressed you how it seemed like he genuinely didn´t care about this guy, but you weren´t taking any of it, so before any of the idiots said anything else, you spoke.

-No, actually, the ugly assholes bothering are you three shitheads, so if you could walk on and leave us alone, I would mostly appreciate it- You said with a harsh tone and a serious grin. Niki dramatically turned his face with a shocked and amused expression towards you. The three guys didn´t seem to have any clever response, but their heads were too filled with ego to actually leave.

-Hey, you heard her! Go away assholes!- Niki finally said. They walked looking at each other. They clearly weren´t expecting any of you to talk back.

-Thank you- Niki said with an almost inaudible tone.

-Don´t thank me- you said with a smile- the idiots only wish they were as handsome as you are...- That last part came out without you wanting it to. You immediately covered your mouth with your hand and tried to ignore the surprised but hugely amused grin on Niki´s face.

-I´m sorry, I´m sorry, I didn´t mean to say that I…-

-Do you really think that?- You would have liked to say he was genuinely asking, maybe he was, but now it was pretty clear he was teasing you because of the stupid smirk that covered his face.

-Maybe…- You said as you looked to the floor.

-I´m Niki- He said as he took his hand from the couch and placed it for you to shake. That smirk was still plastered in his face.

-I´m Y/N…- You said hesitantly as you shook his hand, not looking at his face.

-You´re beautiful, you know?- Niki stated with a proud tone. Oh he knows what he´s doing.

You weren´t even able to answer, your face was redder than the apples that were hanging from the tree in front of your house, and as much as you wanted to, you couldn´t come up with any way of teasing him back.

-So, let´s take this inside- He said as he lifted the couch. You only nodded and followed. Niki was dying. He found it so insanely cute and amazing how just a few seconds ago you were being a badass against the assholes that bothered him, but when he complemented you, you couldn´t even bring yourself to answer.

You had no stairs, but it was a relatively long trip, so you really appreciated his help. As you settled the couch on it´s place, both of you fell dramatically into it and sighed at the effort.

-Let me make dinner for you, as a thank you- You said shyly but with a little bit more confidence.

-I´d love that, gorgeous- He said as he winked, and you felt your insides melting. Once again, he had you wrapped around his finger, you both knew it, and you both loved it. You led him to the kitchen and as you pulled out the ingredients, you felt two hands hesitantly grabbing your waist. Hesitantly not because he wasn´t sure he wanted to place his hands on your waist, but because he didn´t want to overstep.

You leaned into his touch and he got the answer he wanted. All afternoon you spent dancing with Niki behind you, talking with you and complementing how amazing everything smelled. You secretly thanked your past self for forgetting to ask for help on the couch, since that mistake led to one of the best things in your future: Niki Lauda.

[smilingleoo]

Bts reaction-You´re a youtuber and your fans ask you to make a video with them

Request: Hi I was wondering if you could do a bts reaction where you are a YouTube and the fans have been asking for them to be in one of your vlogs so you make it happen.

Author´s Note: I tried my best! I wrote it as if they were your friends and you were spending time with them but never had really filmed them on-camera...If this isn´t what you asked for, feel free to ask me for the request again!

-------

RM (Kim Namjoon)

You had been friends with Namjoons since you had worked together during a talk show. They had invited you to represent the “social media” group and Bts was supposed to be the “music industry” area.

Needless to admit, you were a big fan of their music and performances. However, you understood the overwhelming sensation of being bombarded by too many questions so you made an effort to stay calm and friendly. When the event was over, you had had the opportunity to meet all the memebers and actually become friends with most of them. Little did you knew that Namjoon would be the one to catch you entire attention. He was intelligent, interesting to hear and a wonderful listener too. Other memebers would joke about you two being two seperated pieces of the same puzzle. ARMYs and your fans noticed it too, watching your Tik Toks or short videos together. Really soon, they were begging you to film a vlog with him. You had his number so you thought that, while beingin the same country, you could ask him if he wanted to be in one of youe videos. He, of course, said yes.

“Do I stay here or do you want me to dance like this?”

Jin (Kim Seokjin)

You loved food.

Seokjin loved food.

Many ARMYs were not only Seokjin´s fans but also yours.

Therefore, it was a common thing for you to receive messages about Jin´s famous eating videos. You watched them often and felt really inspoired to, at least, try to cook some Korean food Seokjin had shown during his videos. You filmed yourself, uploaded the video and, in no more than minutes, your fans began spamming you with comments. They were ushering you to film a video with Seokjin but the problem was that he barely knew you. Thus, your followers made sure to inform the idol about your existence. He eventually gave in and started to get to know your channel, becoming addicted eventually. In fact, he was the one who texted you. Establishing an houy, you decided to do an Instagram live together due to distance difficulties.

“Okay but you need to send me the KImchi you made in your video, Y/N-ah”

Suga (Min Yoongi)

You were a vlogger interested in visiting every country you could. You were keen on investigating and knowing different cultutres as well as inform other about it. Recently, you had heard a lot about South Korea´s development as regards the entertainment industry. Therefore, you planned a trip there, explaining to your fans the minimum research you had made about the country. Obviously, most of them recommended you to listen to bands such as Got7, TXT and BTS. The last one had really caught your attention and you soon added various of their songs to your playlist. You even mentioned Suga´s rap on your videos, claiming how talented he was. ARMYs made their magic and, out of nowhere, Yoongi was on your DM´s asking you to collaborate with him

Your heart nearly popped off your chest as you read the message nearly one hundred times. Fortunately, you pulled yourself together and accepted his offer without even thinking.

“Maybe we can talk abot your music and lyrics”-you suggested.

“Love that”-he answered warmly-”Shoot”

Jhope (Jung Hoseok)

You had been working with one of BTS sponsors for a while nowr.

They had contacted you because of your huge influnce among teens and young adults, telling you that they would love to have you in their business. You accepted liking their terms and friendly atmosphere and soon you were travelling around the world participating in events and talk shows. That night you had to be in an award show talking to popular artists and you were extremely excited. However, the company told you to focus in one specific band; BTS. They had come from Korea and this was an opportunity they couldn´t ignore. You made your best to talk to them, which they were pleased to do so, and you even got their manager´s number to contact them on behalf of the company.

Although your chat was brief, Hoseok was nseaky enough to slip his telephone number into your purse. He had tried to be discreet but a camera had caught his action and soon your fans were begging you to have him on your channel.

“I don´t mind all”-he shrugged-” It means I can have more time with you!”

Jimin (Park JImin)

You had filmed yourself doing the “Idol Challenge”, going viral in just days.

Jimin, being always thoughtful with his fans, scrolled through the tag finding their dancings amusing and entertaining. He tried to see every video he could but yours charmed him immediately. You had a bright smile on and you had actually nailed the choreography. A sudden urge to ask you if you wanted him to teach you one of their choreographies overtook him and he found himself texting you. Of course, you said yes.

“ So you step forward and then push your body backwards”-he instructed and watched how you copied his movements-” Pefect! You´re a fast learner”

V (Kim Taehyung)

Kim Taehyung had acknowledge your art in one of his Vlives.

You had panicked due to his recognition.

Your fans nearly smashed their keyboards while writing comments on your most recent video about the event and how you should consider inviting Taehyung for your next video. You wanted to please your viewers, you really did, but insecurities were far stronger. What if he laughed at your poor attempt to convince him? Or maybe he wouldn´t even open your request, claiming that he was far better than a mere youtuber. However, you truly knew he wouldn´t do such thing. He was sincerely kind as well as thoughtfull, so you discarded your fears and texted him. Two days went by before he finally answered you. He apologized for his late response and said he would be pleased  to appear in your video.

“ Y/N is really talented”-he would admit while filming-” Her work really caught my eye”

Jungkook (Jeon Jungkook)

You weren´t aware of the fact that you were playing with Jeon Jungkook until your viewers started commenting it on your video.

They told you that they had seen your username on his Vlive and that it would be a great idea to film a gameplay with him. You were neither the best player among your group nor the worst, and Jungkook knew it because he watched your videos. Therefore, when you asked him through the game´s chat if he wanted to join your streaming, he accepted without hesitation.

“So”-he smirked -” Do you know BTS” (He was trying to flirt ;))

[vixxiedust]

The Scholar’s Love Ch. 4

Genre: Romance, Drama, Alternate universe

Pairing: KenxOC

Warning: mild sexual content

Summary:    

“You are very handsome,” I croaked finally.

He stopped his cheerful chatter and bore his eyes into mine. I couldn`t see well but it seemed to me that he was blushing.

“You`ve never acknowledged my appearance before,” he almost stuttered.

I took a step towards him. His familiar smell hit my nostrils and this time it was even more alluring than before. He looked so strong and yet so gentle, so soft and so tempting.

 part one | part three

Four.

“Do you have any preference?” my sister asked.

“Hm?”

“About your hair,” she laughed softly.

I shook my head.

“Do as you wish.”

I felt her warm soft hands touching my hair. It felt familiar, it felt safe, it felt like just back home. Only she could make me feel a little better when my mind wasn`t at ease. I needed this temporary comfort. Her humming, as gentle as a lullaby, soothed me.

I closed my eyes and my thoughts returned to last night when I came back to my room in the storm. I was drenched and livid, running wildly all the way to the scholar`s court. I tripped at the gate and fell on the ground. Then I puked because I couldn`t hold it any longer. The horror just threatened to burst from underneath my skin. The sight of Crown Prince in armor, covered in blood, looking at me wouldn`t stop haunting me even now.

I managed to get up and found the leather tube which flew from my hands when I fell. I took a look around and to my relief every single room was dark.  At least no one saw me coming in this state. Breathing heaving I pushed the door to my room open and entered inside. I hastily lit the lantern on my desk and after drying my hands in the curtains, opened the tube to reveal its contents.

I thought that the slaughter was the worst thing that I had seen tonight but the message inside was much more terrifying. It was a plea for help from the governor of the Eastern region and a list of corrupt official who wrongfully took the money designated to build dams. I scanned all the names from the lowest to the highest rank and the last one made me gasp. Junho, the Crown Prince… I stared at the writing, hoping that I hadn`t read it correctly the first time but his presence at the fight suddenly made a lot of sense.

I touched lightly the place where the governor had stamped his seal. That man was brave, brave enough to point out the second in command in the country after the king. But even if he didn`t, every single one of the officials were under Crown Prince`s wing anyway, so it was all pointing to him. The letter was probably meant to reach Minister Ha but was intercepted in time.

I left the letter on my bed and sat next to it. I had no idea what to do. The scheme was too big for someone unimportant like me.  I couldn`t reach the King on my own. No one would allow me an audience without me stating the reason and me stating the reason meant that I`d drop dead before I could even manage to stand before His Majesty.

At least for tonight I was safe because despite Crown Prince seeing my face, he had no idea who I was. That wouldn`t last for long though; it was a matter of time before he found me and killed me. I hugged my knees, the cold possessing my body. I probably should have changed but dry clothes were the last thing on my mind. Minister Ha`s manor would be under surveillance now and I couldn`t go there without exposing myself. My only chance to reach the king was Prince Jaehwan. I could only count that his love for Nava and his feelings for me were strong enough not to side with his brother. I couldn`t be sure, of course, but I was on borrowed time.

Attending tonight`s celebration was a big risk since every royal would be there but we weren`t supposed to have direct contact.  I was hoping that if the gods were merciful once and helped me escape, they could be merciful again and spare my pitiful life. I knew that the prince would look for me anyway because he promised to do so after the fireworks, so I had to grab the opportunity. Playing safe would only give the enemy enough time to track me down. The enemy. The word stuck in my throat and I felt like puking again.

“You look tired,” my sister`s voice brought me back to reality.

“I didn`t sleep at all last night,” I smiled and held onto her hand.

I wished that it was only a nightmare. I wished her warmth could make it go away.

“Don`t worry, I`ll make you pretty,” I caught her wink in the reflection of the mirror.

I could never become as pretty as she was.

In a month time her education as lady-in-waiting would be complete and if she was lucky or unlucky, depends on how one viewed it, she could be chosen as a concubine by the king. And if she remained after the initial selection she still had the chance to be favored by any of the princes. But my sister was too beautiful to remain unselected.

“Wouldn`t you like to be favored by someone younger,” I asked suddenly lowering my voice to barely a whisper because such talk could get us both beheaded, “Someone like… Crown Prince?”

She smiled and she pulled out a box full of hair pins and other adornments.

“I have seen him once when he came to visit the Queen,” she replied, her eyes still glued to the pins, “But I`d be more than happy to be graced by our King. Crown Prince has too many concubines for his young age, and  they say he is too greedy for beauty… and for everything else.”

My sister was not a scholar but she was well-educated and gifted with many talents. My father insisted that we were able to form our own opinions and defend them when necessary. I knew I could trust her observation. She was a skilled warrior despite not having held a sword even once in her life.

“Will you be okay here?” I couldn`t really hide my concern.

I had no idea when Crown Prince would find out my identity and if he would go after my family. And my sister was here in the Palace, all alone just like me.

“Of course, I will. You shouldn`t be afraid,” she finally picked a couple of things from the box, “What do you think?”

     “You have impeccable taste.”

I looked myself in the mirror when my sister was done with me. I had rarely seen myself this feminine - probably only on my birthdays and new year celebrations - but this time she had outdone herself. My hair was pinned in complicated ways she must have learned here. I don`t know if she had guessed that I liked someone and that`s why she put extra effort to make me beautiful. I never told her anything about the prince but sisters somehow knew these things.

I rose from the chair.

“I probably have to go now,” I threw a quick glance at the side table where I left the scroll I brought with myself, “I also have a gift for you.”

She took it and unrolled it.

“It`s a painting,” I added awkwardly.

A painting of two swallows sitting on a branch. My sister looked at it for a long time and my heart rate quickened. After what seemed as eternity she nodded.

“I will keep it as my most praised possession,” she smiled, “It`s lovely.”

I took a sigh of relief.

---  

The music was too loud and the dancers’ movements were hypnotizing. There were also acrobats and a man breathing fire. Everyone kept talking and eventually I felt my head throbbing. I sipped from the wine and its taste mingled with that of my lip pomade.

Adra said I looked beautiful and I was willing to believe her but beauty cost me a lot. My hair was pulled painfully in elaborate braids held together by pins shaped like gardenias. My sister gracefully lent me her white dress with silver embroidery because mine were too plain and I wanted to look presentable. Mostly for the prince. I felt warmth creeping up my cheeks from even thinking about him.

Our table was far away from his. New officials were always seated next to the gates while the royal family sat on a grand table right before the House of Splendor and Joy. I couldn`t see them from there and I was very thankful for that. I knew that Crown Prince was there too and with my life hanging on a thread, I was glad to be so far away from him.

“You`re drinking a lot,” Adra noted.

She looked gorgeous in her fuchsia dress, fresh and bright like a flower in full bloom. Only the Queen was allowed to wear pink if someone else dared to sport that particular pastel shade of it or adorn themselves with cherry blossoms which was the symbol of Her Majesty, they would be executed on the spot.

“I`m nervous,” I admitted.

She threw a glance at some of the young scholars who kept smiling at their female counterparts way too much from across the dancers`stage and shook her hand.

“They can`t do anything to us if we stick together,” she patted my hand which was resting on the table.

But Crown Prince could. I drank again. Wine didn`t really soothe me but it made me feel dizzy and the cogs in my mind were spinning at a slower pace. If I took a couple of more sips, I would probably stop caring about the message at all.

Ten minutes before midnight we were all urged to rise from our tables and head to the terrace to watch the fireworks. Adra held onto my elbow as we made our way along with the rest of the female scholars. I kept my head low the entire way. Of course, we were far behind the royal family and I deliberately walked slowly but I couldn`t take any risks. I also wasn`t very sober so walking fast without tripping wasn`t an option for the time being.

We all huddled together with eyes fixed on the sky and hearts filled with excitement. And as the magnificent explosion of colorful sparks began, I felt giddy and ecstatic. The sky magically adopted so many different colors that Crown Prince and my demise didn`t matter anymore. I was once more a child who happily waited for a chance to glimpse the fireworks coming from the palace and had to spend hours in the garden wrapped in blankets. But fireworks from up close were so much more magnificent.

Someone brushed past me and I caught a glimpse of the prince. He gave me a wink when our eyes met and continued walking towards the garden. I quickly searched for Adra but she was staring at the sky, her eyes sparkling wildly. I quietly slipped away from the crodn of female officials and used the shadows as my cover along the way.

The garden was awfully quiet and there was no soul in sight. Everyone from maids to masters was at the terrace whispering and marveling the show. I saw part of Prince Jaehwan`s robes peeking from behind the artificial mountain and hurried his way.

I found him casually leaning on the rocks. I had never seen him fully regal and I stopped abruptly to marvel at the young man in golden robes. I had seen designs of it in the textbooks before but nothing could surpass real life: the blue dragon on his chest, the red flames on his sleeves and down the hems, and, of course, the prince with his soft eyes and sensual lips and the way he gave life to the ceremonial attire. For the very first time I looked at him not only as a handsome man who made me uncomfortable from time to time but as someone I wanted to touch and be touched by so badly. I didn`t know if it was the wine or the fact that we were all alone in the middle of the night but I didn`t even feel an ounce of shame for wanting him.

He smiled when he saw me and thankfully came to me.

“Miss Nala, how beautiful you are,” he gently spread my arms as if we were going to dance but he studied me from head to toe instead, “When I caught a sight of you tonight, I thought that you were a fairy.”

“Oh…” I only managed to mumble.

His touch, albeit not improper at all, burned my skin and the heat was spreading throughout  my entire body. I wanted him to hold me, I wanted to feel him.

“It would have been so nice if we could sit next to each other,” he continued unaware of my thoughts, “I wish we could have spent the evening together. Jongsu wouldn`t stop talking and he could be very annoying sometimes…”

“You are very handsome,” I croaked finally.

He stopped his cheerful chatter and bore his eyes into mine. I couldn`t see well but it seemed to me that he was blushing.

“You`ve never acknowledged my appearance before,” he almost stuttered.

I took a step towards him. His familiar smell hit my nostrils and this time it was even more alluring than before. He looked so strong and yet so gentle, so soft and so tempting.

“But I am very happy that you find me attractive, I must say,” he let out a small nervous giggle.

The prince was probably going say something else but I simply leaped ahead and pressed my body against his. I felt him stiffen in my embrace but I couldn`t stop myself even if I tried at this point. He was too intoxicating. The fabric of his robe felt to smooth underneath my palm but the sensation I craved was of his strong back, of his hard arms, of his entire being.

I drew a few short sharp breaths and lifted my eyes to meet his while my chin remained resting on his chest.

“I want you,”  I almost pleaded.

He opened his mouth but no sound came out of it. Instead he just examined my face. I was so painfully aware of the heat exuding from his body now, that I could melt in his arms. His lips kept beckoning me and I couldn`t resist their call much longer.

There was a flick in his gaze and whatever madness had taken over me, now took over him. Before I could react, I felt his arms lock around me as he lifted me up and I felt my back against the cold solid rock. Next thing I knew the prince`s lips crashed into mine and I couldn`t help but moan because I had finally found out what they tasted like.

We continued kissing hungrily and I buried my fingers in his silky hair. His body was so firmly pressed against mine that tomorrow my back would be bruised but I didn`t care. All that mattered was that I could feel him.

“Jaehwan,” I whispered weakly and I started kissing his jaw and down his neck.

His hand was fumbling underneath my skirts but it was impossible to find bare skin due to excessive amount of undergarments we were obliged to wear. Still I could feel his fingers through the thin cotton. He squeezed my thigh.

“I love you,” he pressed his lips to my now exposed collarbone.

Our bodies were pulsating with energy I have never known before. I felt stupid for resisting him for so long. Nothing could surpass the euphoria of his kisses.

“Well well,” someone said and Jaehwan almost dropped me on the ground.

I gasped for air and my mind slowly realized that there was another person. Another person who saw me in this state – with my hair and clothes completely disheveled. And with a man. Shame hit me hard like a hammer.

“Brother,” Jaehwan exclaimed quietly and tried to shield me with his body as much as he can.

My mouth went dry. I felt panic rising in my body and I was afraid to look at the person. Still I forced myself to confirm my worst fears. Trembling I settled my gaze on him.

Crown Prince was smirking at me and there was recognition plastered all over his face. And his eyes screamed murder.    

[quote-junkie]

I found myself one morning when I opened the window and smelled the fresh daisies growing in my background. I ran outside and dance under the sunshine and nothing had felt that warm in a long time. The rays on my skin and the grass beneath my feet, nothing had been that normal in so long. I found myself in the novels I read and the country music I played while riding shotgun. I found myself while walking along the beach and witnessing the sun setting down. It was beautiful and when the sun rose the next day, I found myself while trying to tie my curtains up. I made myself some hot tea and I thought to myself, 'I'm going to be alright'. Because I found myself while pacing down the open roads at midnight. And we laughed under the stars and I remember that the world is much bigger than I am and there is so much more out there than what we had. I found myself while tracing back my footprints along the sand and listening to the waters rush along the creeks. I found the warmth of living and breathing after all the tragic. I found the person I was before I realized that bruises weren't just physical, they were internal too. But I found that person again. I found the person who still believes that life is good.

Ming D. Liu