#RADIO HOUSE MAG

[applejuicebegood]

The Softest of Jason Todd HCs

Fem!Reader A/N: Some of these were originally conceived for the lovely, talented, wonderful @midnightorchids. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE FALLOW HER RIGHT NOW

Masterlist

Jason fell for you slowly. It was the kinda falling that took on the form of severe distraction and confusion during his patrol time. The only spot in his second life he had crafted into hours of precise control and expectancy. He hated how, as he was clicking a mag into his handgun, his mind would flash to your smiling, blushed face. He hated how you would unintentionally make him trip and stumble over the roof-tops of Gotham. He hated how recalling the chime of your laugh made his hands sweaty under his leather gloves. He hated how he had to take off his helmet in the seclusion of an abandoned wear-house because recalling how his hand slipped in to your on your last date made his face heat up to the point where he felt like he would pass out.

Once he realised that the nervous pounding in his gut whenever your shoulders brushed was in-fact caused from a growing crush on you, he panicked. The eventual confession was awkward and stumbled, him making it clear that he needed time and room to figure it out. He took your smaller hands into his, promising that no matter what, for now he would figure it out with you at his side. Of course you agreed, squeezing his hands in confirmation.

Ya'll are soulmates, period. Very big 'he is half of my soul' energy. Your bodies fit together like puzzle pieces. Your words have already been said by the other before you can string them together in your head. You share in each-others grief and rage. Five years into the relationship, Jason knew you so well (and being raised in a family of detectives) that you would never have to explain your frustration or annoyance - and on days like that he would always be ready to wrap you up in a weighted blanket, forcing a cup of raspberry tea into your cold hands and his headphones over your ears with one of his audiobooks already playing. Carrying you to your shared bed for you to fall asleep leaned up against his chest, his thick arms wrapped tightly around you.

Despite his availability of wealth and status, he keeps your date-night very low-key and personal. On his off days from Red-Hooding, both of you would have cooking nights. Where you would sway and giggle with the slow drift of music coming from the kitchen radio. You would make something hearty and filling. You wanting to see Jason sigh in the comfort of good food. You both would curl up with your steaming bowls on your couch, probably watching Tangled (at your request). It's all extremely cozy, Jason smiling into your skin as gratitude blooms in his chest for you. For having created this safe, hidden expanse of reassurance. All while the harsh Gotham wind whipped just outside your window.

This man is smitten- he worships you entirely. His is in awe of you, even as both of you grow old, his love and his care for you never relents or dwindles.

Ya'll would go to museums and art galleries and he would point at statues and paintings of goddess and queens and say 'you', under his breath. It's so horribly corny but it makes you hold his arm just a bit tighter every time.

After you both moved in together, he developed a habit of making your coffee alongside his and bringing it to you in bed in the mornings. This eventually just became your routine on weekends when you both had enough time to bask in the slow creeping of sunlight over each-others skin.

He's a romantic at heart, a part of him you had to slowly unearth under years of torment and blood. You were the one to force him out of his cave of isolation and into the reality of him deserving softness and joy. It's a dept you have assured him he doesn't need to pay back. That doesn't stop him from trying.

Giggles and smiles like a little boy if you kiss his forehead, specifically at the roots of his white streak. You think it's one of the prettiest things about him.

Unintentional scary dog when you guys are out together. He's got his hand laced with yours or floating somewhere on your hip or lower back. It's mostly due to his anxiety, constantly having his head on a swivel. It's all heightened due to the fact that he has the most precious, important individual standing next to him. Whether it's at one of his Dad's galla's or trips to the local library, he likes to have you near him.

Bitch has multiple playlists made about/for you (a lot of Noah Kahn and TV Girl)

Example:

A/N: I may be gay but I have a very special place for sappy Jason in my heart. Please send in any requests regarding our boy (or any of the bat boys or girls)- I really love writing for the people in this fandom.

[wynnyfryd]

Trailer park Steve AU part 8

part 1 | part 7 | ao3

He finds himself on Cherry Drive by muscle memory alone. Quarter mile past Maple Street, take the third left, the second right; drive straight through the next stop sign and suddenly the Hagan house is coming into view around the bend, bathed in dim yellow light from a flickering street lamp. A 50s era ranch house, painted brick with a detached one-car garage, weeds sprouting through the crooked old stones of the front walkway and leaves scattered across the lawn in mushy browns and orange-reds.

It's not as nice as Steve's place is.

Was.

Whatever.

Steve blinks, shakes himself fully awake; feels a jolt of fear at the idea that he just drove here in some kind of fugue state because he doesn't know what he's doing here. Tommy left for college, and fuck Tommy, anyway.

He pulls up to the house. Slows the car to a crawl.

It's dark inside, all the lights turned off except for a single table lamp in the entryway window; shaped like a sea turtle, its belly full of blue-green light. Mrs. H. loves the sea.

He wonders if they're out of town or if they're just asleep.

The Hagans go to bed early, he remembers. He spent so many nights talking in a hush in Tommy's room; 8:45pm and they'd be lying side by side on the floor beside his bed, reading comic books or sports mags and whispering about nothing. Tommy'd always thank Steve for coming over because he knew his house was a little boring; he was the kid with old parents who went to bed early and kept the radio turned down and wouldn't let them have sugary snacks even on the weekends. Steve would always just knock their shoulders together and smile 'don't mention it' because he'd hang out with Tommy anywhere.

"Anywhere?" "Yeah, anywhere." "What about in a cave?" "Sure." "Under a bridge?" "Don't see why not." "In the belly of a whale?" "Now you're just being dumb." "Am not!" "Are, too." "Oh, yeah? Well- shut up!"

That was usually the part where they got in trouble for making noise, caught red-faced and laughing while they wrestled on the floor.

There's warmth in his chest at the memory, and that part, he expects.

But also...

Something about it makes heat flare in his gut, shameful and feverish as it flashes through his mind: the phantom press of Tommy above him as he pinned his shoulders down; the way the flush on his cheeks made Tommy's freckles pop; the breathless smile he gave, so close their noses almost brushed...

A light turns turns on in the Hagans' hall.

Steve hits the gas.

He drives for a long while, feeling like an asshole for burning through their precious gas money, but too— too something to fully care. He's alone on a highway with dark pastures blowing by, with the heat on and windows down, and he's circling back toward home when Bruce Springsteen starts to play, all croaky static over the spotty radio.

Born down in a dead man's town. The first kick I took was when I hit the ground.

Steve cranks it up and sings along. The song is cheesy, and he feels stupid, but he also feels free. Like there was a shackle around his throat and he didn't notice until it was gone. He shouts along to the chorus and then just shouts in general; long, guttural screams that feel like poison being purged. Tommy, his dad, the Russians, his mom. All of it, all of it spewing out of him into the cold night air.

He misses Carol suddenly. Her acidic attitude. The way it always ate through the worst of his sullen moods.

He can picture her now: perched on someone's lap in the crowded backseat, no seatbelt, manicured hand braced on the ceiling. She'd be smacking bubblegum and twirling a lock of her hair, and she'd roll her eyes at Steve's dramatics and ask whether he was done untwisting his panties yet. Steve would say something dumb and pervy in response, like, "Too busy dealing with girls' panties to focus on my own," and she'd roll her eyes harder and go, "God, you're fucking gross."

Carol's not here, though, so he just screams about her, too.

When he get back to Forest Hills his voice is hoarse. His body is tired; his soul is light. He's thinking, like: maybe he'll be okay. He'll channel his inner Claudia or Joyce and soldier on. Resilience, and all that shit.

He's almost smiling to himself when he turns into the park.

And then he sees the flashing lights.

There's an ambulance on his lot.

—

part 9

just gonna start tagging whoever commented the day before (if your settings will let me) bc i have the memory of a goldfish @a-little-unsteddie @slowandsteddie @pennyplainknits @thesuninyaface @hotluncheddie @messrs-weasley @pitrsattabhaadmeinjao @eddie-munsons-missing-nipple @blackpanzy @disrespectedgoatman @i-have-three-feelings @sirsnacksalot @estrellami-1 @manda-panda-monium

[wheelsgoroundincircles]

1969 Shelby Mustang GT500 Fastback

1969 was, effectively, the final year for the Shelby Mustang. By now assembly had shifted in Michigan from California where it was contracted out to A.O. Smith Corporation. Smith, an established Motor City contractor, had brought a level of serious manufacturing skill, supplier management, procedure and standards never seen at Shelby’s facility where LAX met the vibrant (and sometimes extreme) subculture of Venice, California.

Now largely designed and specified by Ford staffers, the 1969 Shelby Mustang was drastically different visually from the standard Mustangs, with a completely different nose and grille, a wide rectangular opening with blacked out grille flanked by 7” headlights and with Shelby’s characteristic driving lights now smaller rectangular pieces below the attractive, but largely ineffective, bumper. The special Shelby hood had five ducts, three NACA-style surface ducts replaced the complicated but entertaining shaker hoods of years gone by to supply cold air directly to the engine air intake and two extractors at the back of the hood relieving underhood pressure and exhausting heated air in front of the windshield.

A surface duct behind the headlights and a scoop behind the door and in front of the rear wheel arch that was ducted to the rear brakes continued the performance theme. The rear panel was completely different from the Mustang, housing a set of 1965 Thunderbird sequential taillights with the rear license plate placed between them and including a small ducktail spoiler. The area under the bumper where standard Mustangs carried their license plate contained two rectangular outlets for the Shelby’s dual exhaust system. Standard wheels were unique 5-spoke Mag Stars with alloy centers and chrome steel rims.

Under the hood lay the 428 Cobra Jet which had powered the ’68 Shelby GT500KR. Both Ford and Shelby recognized the superiority of the high performance CJ and made it the standard engine for 1969’s Shelby Mustangs. 

At the end of the 1969 model year 789 Shelby Mustangs were in-process at A.O. Smith. They were visually updated with black hood stripes and a chin spoiler and given new VINs. Otherwise the 1970s were exactly the same as the ‘69s making these two years essentially identical examples of the end of the Shelby Mustang series which had begun only a scant six years before.

Avidly sought by collectors and obsessively documented by the Shelby American Automobile Club, most Shelby Mustangs are well known and have well known histories. Occasionally, however, a example appears which has been out of sight for years. Even more rarely it turns out to have been little used and continuously maintained by a thoughtful and caring single owner for nearly forty years.

The Black Jade 1969 Shelby Mustang GT500 Sportsroof fastback offered here is one of those rare and highly desirable cars. It was delivered new to Ford’s dealer in Yokohama, Japan, Marubeni Motors K.K., and was sold thereafter to its first, and only, owner in Japan. It has been repainted in the original color once but is otherwise completely original, as delivered and has only 84,941km on its metric-calibrated export speedometer (52,779 miles.) Its sympathetic maintenance and care shows throughout in its clean, straight, rust-free condition.

Power of course comes from the 428 cubic inch Cobra Jet Ram Air V-8 engine which Ford and Shelby conservatively rated at 335 horsepower at 5,200rpm and a gut-wrenching 440 lb-ft torque at 3,400rpm. It puts the power through Ford’s highly regarded C-6 automatic transmission and Traction-Lok differential with high speed 3.00:1 gearing that takes full advantage of the CJ engine’s torque. In addition to the highly desirable drivetrain specification it is loaded with options including the Visibility Group, Goodyear white letter tires, Sport Deck folding rear seat, power front disc brakes, power steering, tilt steering column, Selectaire air conditioning, AM/8-track stereo radio, tinted glass, deluxe belts, tachometer and trip odometer.

It is finished in one of the Shelby Mustang’s most attractive colors, Black Jade. The interior and high back buckets seats are upholstered in black Clarion Knit/Corinthian vinyl that complements with Black Jade exterior.

It returned to the U.S. in 2006 but has never been titled by its current owner so it remains a one-owner car. Its absolutely clear history, one-owner provenance, highly original condition with known mileage and extensive options list are attributes shared by few Shelby Mustangs of this age. This is a rare opportunity for an astute collector to acquire a particularly significant, unmolested Shelby Mustang from the last, and most highly developed, series.

1969 Shelby Mustang GT500 Fastback

Powered by a 428ci V8 engine mated to a C6 automatic transmission, this beauty includes the original #Shelby owner card, a copy of the Shelby work order and Window Sticker.

1969 Shelby Mustang GT500 Fastback

1969 Shelby Mustang GT500 Fastback

[dallasgallant]

Time period post: Magazines and tv guide

Print wasn’t dead yet in the 60s, in fact it was swinging! There was a magazine for about anyone and everyone, any demographic out there there was probably a magazine for you- if not by a major publisher than a niche group or independent publisher.

Common non fiction: Science, news, teenager, women’s , men’s, lifestyle, household

Fiction magazines also existed, either they’re submitted short story collections or exclusively for a type of media. Like monster magazines- dedicated to monster/horror movies - which isn’t exactly fiction but centers on fiction.

Just like magazines today you can pick up certain editions in stores and read those, you can also subscribe to have it come to your house regularly. In this case in the 1960s you’d use a mail in slip or call rather than a website.

Cut outs and send ins-

For the teenagers or movie buffs there’d be photos to cut out and scatter across your wall or door. Sometimes a full page or maybe even a two page spread, other times smaller or even wallet sized! (There’s some of the Outsiders stars in the 1980s! - cut out posters still exist in teen magazines today, less wallet photos though.)

For women’s and home magazines there’s recipes to cut out or copy down, craft directions and stuff like that.

Mail ins! Sometimes it’d be as simple as cutting out a slip, filling out your information and putting cash in the envelope and you’d get the item you’d sent for! (Sometimes simple promotional gear, sometimes nice major items) for more serious and big items -> this was how catalogs worked back in the day! You’d call about something you liked and send the movie!

Contests were also done this way. There was also radio or television contests where you’d have to call in - “lucky caller” etc.

Unsure if telethons started all the way in the 60s but a similar concept of a call being answered on air, but in this case you’re donating rather than receiving.

~

Also on the rise were alternative lifestyle magazines and smaller scale publications, for radical protest groups to simply the alternative. Like LQBT magazines— you’d have to know someone, be quiet about it etc. it’s not exactly in stores.

This plays into the changing standards of the time. The 60s from the mid to late part of the decade is known for the cultural revolution, civil rights, shifting views— as there’d been a steady more liberal view on things such as birth control that had been building for a long time and came to a head.

My history professor did a great example of the song “anything goes” to refer to the first major cultural and standard shift in the 1910s-1920s so you can already imagine the progress. Grandma or mom might’ve been a flapper! Or gramps running hooch! Who knows.

One shifting view and a recent court win when it came to the right to privacy is Pornography. “Skin mags” being a nickname for them, on the rise and popular— course separated or in another room if in a store. Like regular publications you’d have one catering to about anyone,course LGBT ones would again be on a secret knowing someone basis.

Tabloids were also on the rise, but scandalous low brow gossip and conspiracy wasn’t as… praised as it is today.

Tv guide-

Not exactly a magazine but these are relevant to entertainment! Before the tv there was the radio, besides music and news bulletins there were radio shows and plays and audio dramas. All  essentially the same base concept only shows would be a weekly series as opposed to stand alone, these would be advertised on the radio as well as in the newspaper.

Have you had a grandparent or a parent tell you “when I was a kid we only had four channels.” That was also pretty true! There were the main three channels and then sometimes you’d have local or state channels. Then came more national channels and Overtime there was speciality Channels you’d pay for and then by the 80s cable — more channels then you can ever imagine (I know this is hard to picture for the younger crowd but imagine it)

The tv guide was created to tell viewers across America what was on and when! Guides were also relatively localized in their beginning. This was before VCR so if you missed a show you missed it and would have to pray for a re-run (another thing we have Lucille Ball to thank for 🙏).

The TV guide also made special showings more popular and an event. There’d be once or twice a year showings of particular big movies— notably The Wizard of Oz (1939) and Gone with the Wind (1939) - wizard of Oz becoming a particularly huge thing revising the frenzy for the coming 3 generations and boomers (the gang)

It may still exist, or did until recently as a website but once VCR’s rose then tv’s had guides practically built in the publication became less necessary or desired— then streaming killed cable and the normal viewing experience, at least for many. Cable, dish, and regular television still exist— weather it’s acknowledged or not.

[the-garbanzo-annex-jr]

by Daniel Greenfield

Some were shocked to learn that Israel’s successful ‘Pagergeddon’ operation had been the work of a female intelligence operative under thirty. But they shouldn’t have been.

Israel’s digital intelligence capabilities rely on the work of young women operating in arenas like Unit 8200 which monitors enemy communications, plants surveillance devices and puts together intel data to form a bigger picture, and Unit 414, the unarmed observers on the front line, many of whose members were killed and a number captured during the Hamas invasion on Oct 7.

Women from 8200 and 414 had sounded early warning alerts about Hamas training drills and movements that went unheard before Oct 7. And Unit 414 had lost 27 of its own on Oct 7.

Unit 8200, which is 55% female, had taken some of the blame for the failures on Oct 7. The assault on Hezbollah provided a unique opportunity for Israel’s women to strike back.

‘Pagergeddon’ went viral on social media but it was only a piece of a bigger puzzle. The Israelis had deconstructed the lessons of Oct 7 and turned them against the Islamic terrorists. Hamas and its Iranian masterminds had wrecked Israeli battlefield communications in the initial attack. Israeli military units were slow to respond, aerial units were unable to strike and hours passed before the military leadership understood the scope of the terrorist assault on the homeland.

The first thing Israel came after were Hezbollah’s communications. ‘Pagergeddon’ was a crucial last step that began with Israel infiltrating Hezbollah’s landlines and then its other communications. When Hezbollah leaders fell back on the pagers and handheld radios, also favored by Hamas, that had been rigged to explode, communications were fatally scrambled.

Hezbollah leaders were forced to begin meeting in person and retreating to bunkers which made it all too easy to take them out. With a broken leadership and communications structure, Hezbollah lacked the ability to decisively move its forces and quickly respond. Within a week, its protectors at the UN and the White House were frantically urging a ‘ceasefire’.

Destroying communications and the chain of command is standard military doctrine, and Israel’s successful implementation of it within such a short time and against one of the world’s largest Islamic terrorist groups will be studied in military academies for generations, but there was also something feminine about breaking apart Hezbollah’s social bonds before a bombing campaign.

While misleading photos and videos of female IDF soldiers carrying rifles circulate on social media, the burden of front line combat is largely handled by men. The killing and capture of unarmed Israeli female observers from Unit 414 remains a deep moral failure. The true role of Israeli women is to act as the invisible heart and soul of the country’s national defense.

When Iron Dome and other interceptor systems take down incoming attacks, the odds are very good that the country’s female air defense controllers are alert and responding. And the extent to which Hezbollah’s communications were penetrated and turned against the terror group owes much to nameless female ‘keyboard warriors’ who exposed the enemy’s weaknesses.

Hezbollah was uniquely vulnerable to these tactics because it was in the awkward stage between terror group and terror state, too big to hide in tunnels, too small to have an effective air defense system, and too dumb to realize that tens of thousands of rockets were still no match for what a first rate air force could do to all its infrastructure and weaponry.

[soggyriceee]

Uhm— I'm new around here so hello!!

Can I request for König? Can't get enough of him really—

Anyway, straight to the point.

So, basically. König and Reader had a mission together yada yada, then it's done— they go back but König realizes that Reader, uh sadly, was left behind and noone saw them—curse the shortness ong—and yaeh.

This can be either oneshot or HCS! You an also adjust this request to your liking jsjss

Thank you and have a good morning/afternoon/evening!

lost and found | Konig

hi anon, thank you for your request! I wasn't too sure if you wanted to go nsfw with this or kinda like a fluff/angst so I can def do a part two nsfw if you'd like hehehe. not proof read!

"Konig.. its kinda hot. im tired." you mumbled behind him, dragging your feet through the mud and dirt of the forrest. "keep up maus.. were almost to the safe house." he said softly, turning his head back slightly to give you a small smile. you sighed, nodding your head slowly.

you and your team had just come back from one of the most physically challenging missions you've had yet. some of the enemies men had planted multiple bombs scattered throughout the forrest, some close to civilization, some not. you all had spent the day finding them and defusing them. hopefully all of them. it was surely a scary mission, not knowing exactly how many bombs there were planted. but given the round area of where they were, it definetly did help.

but that didnt mean you weren't any less tired. being the shortest one there, your legs got tired and gave out easily. so much so, people often realized when you were present or missing. Konig had loved that though, how small you were. its one of the reasons you've become one of the best operators on this task force. your insecurity became a strong suit. but this insecurity often got in the way of your ability to keep up.

your ankles and legs were cramping bad, and you couldnt take another steep muddy hill. without realizing you began to slow down. you tried to call out to the team, but they were already much more ahead. "eh, I know what safe house they're going to." you said to yourself. finding a tree stump, with as little moss as possible, you sat down, grabbing your ankle in hand. you threw your boot off, sighing at the release. "god this feels so much better" you sighed, closing your eyes.

your hands worked on your ankles, relieving as much stress and tension as you could before getting back up. of course you thought Konig would be mad knowing you didnt stick with the group, but your safety and well being comes first. he was the one who told you so anyways.

standing from the stump, you stretched your back out, grabbed your gun that you had rested behind you and made your way back towards where they were walking. Konig was right in it wasn't taking too long to get to the safe house. maybe another 5 or so minuets walking.

there it was, the dark green brick house. no lights came from the inside, the door was closed. as you got closer you actually began to realize nobody was inside. tilting your head, you walked over to the heavy wood door, pushing it open. as expected, you were greeted with nothing. " what the fuck.." where could they have gone? this was the closest safe house, the one you all went to for each mission.

grabbing your walkie from your back pocket, you began to radio the team. "konig do you copy?" static from the other side. "konig do you copy?" you asked again, voice more firm. but again, radio static. thats when the panic began to kick in. where could they have gone? there wasn't many safe houses you knew of in this forrest, maybe it was new? you mentally cursed yourself for this, but began to relax. Konig would come looking for you. you knew he would. but how long will you be alone before he comes? what if you get attacked?

you grabbed your gun, opening up the mags. 2 left. it wasn't horrible, it was unlikely even if you were to get attacked. but there was nothing such as impossible, at least thats what you believed.

looking around the safe house, you quickly began to realize there wasn't a lot in here for survival. walking over to the sink, you pulled on the lever. brownish water came out. so that was no longer an option. food was limited but available. what were you expecting? just by the look on the outside of the house you could tell this house was old, probably way before even Konig became apart of this team.

you grabbed one of the bags of chips and made your way to the surprisingly not moldy couch, grabbing one of the magazines from the glass table. " Hot Topics of 1999".

yea, this was an old ass house.

~~

Konig searched high and low for you in the large house. he hadn't realized her loss in presence until they all grouped up in the large living room. of course he didnt panic at first, believing you had just fallen asleep in one of the rooms since you were complaining about your body hurting earlier. but when 3 hours had passed and everyone else was up, eating dinner, he grew more than worried. he grew anxious.

he jogged up the stairs of the house, searching every single room twice, then three times. you simply were not there. Konig was not one for showing emotions, but this time he couldn't stop his chest from rising and falling fast, his breath catching in his throat each time.

grabbing the dresser, he bent over it, trying his hardest to calm down. "she's not dead, she's not dead." he said to himself. but how could he prove that. you'd been alone for hours at this point, and as the leader of this team, he felt like he failed you. he felt like he failed your relationship.

of course, he knew you'd disagree with him immediately, but he wouldn't allow it. his job as a leader and boyfriend was to keep you safe and protected. he had promised you the night he pulled you into his room, kissing you without giving you the moment to think. " im never gonna let anything happen to you.. ever." he said softly. and now, look.

that anxiety turned into a mix of anger as well. he lifted his head, wiping his teary eyes and making his way back downstairs. " im going to look for our Lieutenant. stay put dont leave this house unless the rescue team comes. am I understood?" he spoke into the room, cutting off everyones conversations. they all nodded, watching Konig grab his night vision goggles, weapons and some food, shoving it into his backpack. " do you need help sir?" one of the men asked. but Konig just walked out the house, ignoring anyones offer for help. he wanted to save you, keep you protected. that was his job.

~~

night fell and you slowly began to loose hope. rescue teams always come the morning after and it was sun down at this point. sleep was something you did not get, your own anxiety keeping you up. you kept calling on the radio but got no response from anyone. how far could they even be? its impossible they've already left without you, right?

for the first time in a while, you began to cry. you were a touch person, inside and out. emotion was something you didnt show too often, another reason you were such a good member of this team. but the thought of being left alone in a forrest, a country you aren't the most familiar with. it worried you. it worried you more that you'd never see Konig again.

thats when you decided to get off you ass and stop waiting to be saved. you'd find your way to them, one way or another. you began to search the house for real now, hoping to find any ammo possible. you found more shotgun ammo than assault rifle. figures. but you lucked out in finding one mag in the bathroom.

suiting up, grabbing the rest of what snacks were left, you made your way out into the forrest. you looked around, trying to figure out which direction they could be in. but honestly you had no idea. it was dark, the flashlight clipped to your gear was a tiny one, only able to light up a small path. who knows what you could run into? or who?

but you were determined to find your people and get home. get home to Konig and never let him go. you began to walk, looking behind you, clutching your gun to your chest. the grenades and smoke bombs would only bring more attention to you, but you brought them anyways. just in case.

~~

you felt like you'd been walking for hours in a straight line, no turning, no going back. and you had yet to encounter any weird sounds, movements or figures. until of course you saw a mini fire, no tent or person. just a fire.

at first you thought it was a good idea to go and see if there was any food, water or even just a person to help you. but then you remembered your safety training. ' never, I mean NEVER, approach a random fire in the woods if lost. you dont know if it could be us, a trap from the enemy or a crazy person. its better to play it safe and seek shelter elsewhere." you'd remember Konig telling you, only you in fact. it was wrong, but he would tell the others to take the more dangerous route in situations like this. but with you, he didnt. he always 'played it safe' with you. and at first you didnt take offense. but, when he pulled you onto his lap, he smiled, saying ' I give you the safest route because id rather pick up your living body than your dead one, meine liebe." he whispered, eyes darting across your face.

and so you made the choice to keep walking, not looking back to see who it could possibly be, hoping to soon find your team and the warehouse they were in.

~~

Konig hadn't heard the footsteps at first, his head pressed against the tree stump. he was dozing off, so tired from his hours or looking for you. but just when the footsteps began to disappear, he woke up. he rubbed his eyes quickly, scanning the dark forrest. the fire helped illuminate the space around him just enough to get to see a small figure and a dim light walking away from his little camp. he knew it was a dangerous move making a fire, but he did anything he could to help you find him.

and so, without even thinking, he took the fire out, grabbed his gun and gear, following after the figure and hoping his night vision goggled would help him. he hadn't the perfect eyesight, but he was able to see exactly where the figure was going with the help of the slowly dying night light. that had to be you, who else could it be. and he knew yelling your name would not only draw attention to him, but it could scare you. you could run off in the opposite direction, once again loosing him.

so, as quickly and quietly as he could, he began to jog. he pressed his gun to his chest to stop the rustling of it, trying his hardest to jump over any tree branches large or small. he was so determined to see you. he had no clock on him, but he could assume it was late late in the night, maybe even early morning. you'd been alone for hours and hours on end and he couldnt help but tear up when he thought about pulling you into his arms, holding you and never letting you go.

but he was so caught up in the fantasy, he hadn't realized this figure had stopped. when he did realize it, he stopped immediately, freezing on the spot. he didnt want to charge the person, mainly because he didnt want to get shot. so he watched as they turned around and he realized it was you.

~~

you heard shuffling behind you, only getting closer and faster. your heart began to pump in your chest and you immediately felt sick. you were a trained military lieutenant for crying out loud. but, forrest was rarely something you needed to deal with. never a situation where you got lost alone in the dark forrest either.

so you stopped, the shuffling stopping soon after. gripping the muzzle of your gun, as well as the trigger, you turn, holding it up. you tried to put on a brave face, but the tears of fear did not hesitate to make their presence known. your chest was rapidly moving up and down, your heart going 100 miles per hour. you had no intention of shooting anyone or anything, but in order to keep yourself safe you had to.

"w-who is there" you whispered out, hoping to get a persons voice rather than an animals voice. " liebe.." a voice whispered back. you swallowed, shaking your head. that wasnt Konig. you were truly going crazy now. he'd been at the new safe house, not even realizing you were gone yet. he wouldn't come back just to look for you.. right?

but when a gun was thrown in front of your feet, accompanied by a knife and pistol, you looked up into the dark. " its me.. please tell me your okay" it was Konig. his accent was hard to miss, let alone the nickname. it was him, and for the first time in the last 12 or so hours you've been alone, you'd felt the safest you'd ever felt.

~~ he tossed his gun over, along with a pistol and knife. he'd do anything for you to know it was him. and he'd do anything to get you in his arms again. " its me.. please tell me your okay." it was silent for a bit before hushed cried came from in front of him. he pushed his night vision goggled off of his head before running over to you, pulling you into his chest.

your arms immediately wrapped around his figure, your sobs muffled into his chest. " im here now liebe.. im here. ill never let you out of my sight again." he whispered, his arms hugging around your head, pressing you deeper into his chest.

~~ Konig and you never separated the following morning. you both decided to keep pushing forward as the safe house was only another mile and a half straight. " I shouldn't have stopped. im so sorry" you said into his neck, still wiping away the tears of happiness and just worry. Konig had refused to let you walk anymore, saying ' you've done enough walking. let me take care of you."

" no liebe. i should've listened to you and stopped. im so sorry we lost you. the old safe house was one we'd been directed not to use since there wasn't much in there. thats why I brought you those." he said nodding down to your hands. in them, was a sandwich he took from the house. and he refused to let you share any with him. " there will be more for me at the house. I hope. you need to eat more than anything." he said, turning his head away from the sandwich anytime you offered.

" please.. it'll make up for loosing me in the forrest." you smiled, batting your lashes up at him. this earned a chuckle from him, a slight head shake following. " how about I make it up to you some other way, hm? for now, enjoy that for yourself." he said, winking down at you.

a blush covered your face, your head hiding in his neck once more. he chuckled at your reaction, pressing a kiss to your forehead. " I love you, liebe. so much. ill never loose you again." he said, looking forward. the warehouse was coming into view now, the large plot of land lit up by the house lights. it was kinda a dangerous, risky place to have a safe house, you began to think. but then again, you all were miles and miles into a random forrest, who would really find you?

the sky turned a dark blue, birds chirping in the trees. you assumed it was maybe 4 in the morning now, yawning at the thought of it being so early. " we're almost there maus. then we can sleep together." he smiled, another kiss pressing to your temple.

and he kept to his word. when you both got inside, your team was all waiting anxiously in the living room. " captain! we were so fucking worried, we were all about to go and look for you both." one said, running up to greet you both, the others following. you smiled at them all, loving how attentive they were of you both. " are you hurt? or hungry? we can make you both some food." another called out, handing you both two water bottles.

" thank you guys but we're fine. we all need to sleep, the team will be here in about 3 hours." Konig said, patting the back of one of the men. you hadn't realized it, but your shoes were covered in mud, and you could only assume how dirty your body was. groaning, you looked up into Konig. " I feel gross so im gonna go shower first." you said, handing him the cold water bottle. he nodded, smiling down at you. "okay maus. ill be up shortly."

that shower was one of the best you'd had. the feeling of safeness and warmth from the water. knowing Konig was right downstairs. knowing your team was downstairs. you felt like you were being dramatic, and a bit cliche, but you hadn't felt more grateful for a group of people in your life. not more than this moment right now.

you were so caught up in thought, you completely missed Konig slipping into the shower behind you. "oh you scared me!" you gasped, slapping his chest. but he just looked down at you, his eyes staring deep into yours. it sort of scared you, considering it was a look he'd never really given you unless you were in trouble. " k-koni?" you whispered, waving your hand in front of his face. but he only moved closer to you, trapping your body against the wall. his hand rested beside your head, the other beside your waist. " i.. cant stop thinking about losing you." he said, his eyes drifting down.

"Koni it was an accident. what matters is im here now and safe. we can all-" "no. I failed, as a leader. as your boyfriend as your guard as- as.. I just failed you." he said, shaking his head angrily. and it was kinda cute, seeing him so worried about you. so protective over you. " Koni you also just saved me.." you said, your hand reaching up to his face. but he shook his head, looking back into your eyes. " maus please.. let me show you how sorry I am."

| agh so slay, I hope this was good! like I said if you doo want another part with smut lmk bc I will write that for sure. but this was cute and I liked it a lot, THANK YOU ANON FOR YOUR REQUEST <33

[petit-papillion]

FP1:

Several drivers already cutting it very close to the barriers and ripping off advertising.

ZHO ripped off more than that and lost his end plate.

Which Charles promptly drove over and then got it stuck under his car, before a red flag could be called to clean up the debris.

Pierre was having PU issues and ended up being able to put in only a handful of laps

P1: HAM | P2: PIA | P3: RUS

FP2: Charles was 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 !!

P1: LEC / P2: HAM / P3: ALO

FP3:

Charles was again on fire and finished at the top of the list. I honestly can't recall anything else happening!

P1: LEC / P2: VER / P3: HAM

Quali:

In Q1 plastic from advertising had wrapped around Charles's front wing end plate, messing up the aerodynamics and leading to much slower laps than anticipated.

Shock exit for PER as he placed P18 with only the Saubers behind him.

GAS managed to make it to Q3 much to Pierre's delight as he was shouting on the radio when told he was P5 in Q2. Teammate OCO ended in P11.

Bad luck seemed to follow Charles again as he reported something moved in the pedals, but he still took provisional pole.

Another super lap in the final stages of Q3 gave Charles his third pole in Monaco with an incredible 1:10:27.

Haas drivers HUL and MAG qualified P12 and P15 respectively, but ended up getting disqualified because they changed their wing and did no measure the height correctly. This meant a pit lane start for both of them.

Petit's Race Notes:

Ah, where to begin? Oh, I know!

CHARLES LECLERC WINS THE 2024 MONACO GRAND PRIX!!!!!!

Fingers and toes crossed at the start, but Charles was quick off the line. But behind him chaos unfolded...

Carlos bumped into Oscar and got himself a puncture which led to a yellow flag.

Next Checo and Kevin collided as K-Mag tried to squeeze through and Perez did not give him any space. PER hit the wall, got hit by MAG again, and then HUL also got hit for good measure.

The end result was that PER's car was reduced to the survival cell, debris was scattered all over the race track, both Haas's were out, and we had a 45-minute red flag for clean up and barrier repairs.

Meanwhile elsewhere on track OCO drove into GAS launching himself in the air and damaging both Alpines in the process. Gasly's car was repairable, but Ocon was out. He also received a 5-place grid penalty for Montreal and 2 points on his license. And Alpine is even rumoured to be considering having him sit out the next race...

With the red flag thrown before all cars entered sector 2, the order was reset for a second start.

Which meant Carlos (who'd been able to make it back to the garage) started again in P4, and Charles had to have another good start to keep his position.

This time all went well, and we were in for 75 laps of anxiety (Charles fans) / boredom (everyone else).

George (in mediums) backed up the pack, so it was 🔴🟡🔴🟡 at the front (McLarens in their special yellow Senna livery).

ALO led his usual DRS train - under the assumption he was P10 (found out after the finish that he was actually P11).

The remaining 16 (!!!) cars all made it to the finish line without further incidents.

Pierre Gasly scored his first point of the season.

There were only 6 pit stops the entire race.

After much nail biting and some lovely team radio sound bites, Charles came across the finish line and FINALLY won his home Grand Prix! 🙌

Not a dry eye in the house at the podium celebrations! The royal family was elated, with Prince Albert II crying, Charles's football buddies pumping their fists in the air, and the Prince also getting in on the champagne spraying.

Oscar was the only non-Ferrari man on the podium, but having been recently "adopted" by Charles, he was part of the family!

Watching on below the podium: girlfriend Alex, Mum Pascale, brothers Lorenzo (with girlfriend Charlotte) and Arthur, Joris, John Elkann, Andrea, Nicolas Todt, and the entire Ferrari team, with Ale lifting the P1 sign over his head! The Monaco/Italy anthem combo hadn't sounded like this since Monza 2019! 😍

Charles has already told Bryan over team radio that he wanted everyone to stay for celebrations, and celebrate they did - well into the night!

Fred and Charles also made good on their agreement to jump into the harbour (originally from 2018 when it was about scoring points).

Charles continues his streak of top 4 finishes this season, and is now only 31 points behind Max in the WDC.

Top 3: P1: LEC | P2: PIA | P3: SAI

Fastest lap: Lewis Hamilton

Driver of the Day: Charles Leclerc

Fastest pit stop: Red Bull/Max Verstappen (2:10)

📷 Scuderia Ferrari, F1

[viktorviolettaenterprises]

(House Of Ashes) Jason Kolchek & Salim Othman's Outfit

Note:This Is Basically Remastered Version of My Old Works Back in 2022. I Decide to Improve Some Outfit And Of Course Include The Weapons that Used in the Game. Honestly I Never Played this Game At All. I Only Know this Game From Tumblr's Forum About Shipping Between this two Character with Codename "JaLim". But I Found the Other Reason To Loving This Game: It was Brought The Iraqi Conflict Of 2003 Mixed it with Horror Elements which I Found it Interesting. But Without Futher A do Let's Let This Show On The Road.

thanks to @hornydotsblog For Borrowing Her Sims for My Promotions. Such Magnificent Work, Sister and Keep up a good Work

🇺🇸Jason Kolchek

First Lieutenant Jason Kolchek (cir. 1973) is one of the five main protagonists and a playable character in The Dark Pictures Anthology's third installment, House of Ashes. He is a United States Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance First Lieutenant and the squad leader of Mailman 2-1. Jason is a white American man. He has a white complexion with smooth skin, brown eyes and short brown hair.

For personal items, Jason wears a Blue T-shirt, a gray-green  shemagh, black watch on left wrist, and a gray baseball cap with  "Remember 9/11" marking. He has two tattoos on his arms: one on left  forearm, other - on right upper arm 

For his Marine uniform, Jason wears interceptor PASGT vest in  woodland camouflage with small bags and tan backpack. He also dons  3-color desert camouflage fatigue pants with two kneepads and combat  boots. During the operation, Jason wears an earpiece with a small light  and radio on his left ear and is armed with a modified M4A1 carbine.

Set Include:

- Jason's Uniform:

1 Color Swatch

Male Only

Custom Thumbnail

Full Body

Age Range:Teen-Elder

Jason's Baseball Cap:

1 Color Swatch

Male Only

Custom Thumbnail

Baseball Cap Category

Age Range:Teen-Elder

🇮🇶 Salim Othman

This outfit set is created from Lt. Salim Ohman's character from the  "House of Ashes" game series, which is a young Iraqi officer. But this outfit set quite resemble on what Iraqi troops wore during the Gulf War and Operation Iraqi Freedom campaign.

Actually since 1980s, Iraqi forces haven't clear pattern of uniform, in other words, Iraqi forces utilised anything they could wear to their troops, even some source show the usage of DPM camo set within the Army mixed by the SSh-68 helmet or what we show here. The outfit itself might be an influence from the old British army's field dress, as well as in other Arab states at that time.

- Salim's Uniform:

1 Color Swatch

Male Only

Custom Thumbnail

Full Body

Age Range:Teen-Elder

-Iraqi M80 Helmet:

-1 Color Swatch

-Unisex

-Custom Thumbnail

-Brimmed-Age Range:Teen-Elder

Weapons (Exclusive to This Set)

-M4A1

I personally fond of the weapons design in this game. but sadly I disapprove of the anachronism featured in the accessories selection. Starting with the Magpul products, Magpul Industries was established in 1999, resulting in its existence by the time of the Iraq War. The products depicted in the game were not accurate. Firstly, the MOE (Magpul Original Equipment) product lines were not officially released until 2008, which makes the stock on the M4A1 anachronistic. The pistol grip is not an original A2 type pistol grip since it does not have a finger hump, and there is an extension to the receiver. The handgrip could be a MOE handgrip, but it could also be the Magpul MIAD (Mission Adaptable) handgrip with adjustable back and front straps. The MIAD was released earlier than the MOE, but it was released in 2004, a year after the game's setting. The Marines used Magpul EMAGS (export mags) that had flat sides and a witness window for ammunition. These magazines were not released until 2009. The old steel or aluminum STANAGS would be accurate. While the M4A1 was correctly portrayed with a quad-railed handguard, the type of handguard used for military-issued carbines was incorrect. The rail that should be used is the Knight's Armament Company M4 RAS Forend. The rail system in the game seemed to be heavily influenced by the UTG two-piece handguard and the Surefire M82 handguard. While according to three veterans I talked to about military issued small arms (two Army and one Navy) it is possible to set up your rifle with what you want so having the UTG handguard is not impossible, but it begs the question of why these Marines would go out of their way to pay for the lesser quality of the UTG instead of using the standard issued Knight’s system. UTG was most likely what developers had access to for a reference.

[Custom]Colt M4 (Custom #65)

But Fear Me Not I Eventually Decide to Fix All Those Fiasco With more Era Appropriate and Authentic M4 With Genuine Colt M16A2 Pistol Grip, Real M4A1 Stock, Steel STANAG 30-Rounds Magazine, Authentic Military-Issue Quad Rail Made By Knights Armaments Company (KAC). With Trijicon The Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight (ACOG)

-Glock 17

While Glocks did exist by 2003, but the Glock shown in the game would be 15 years too early because the game used the Generation 5 model of Glocks and Glock’s Gen 5 came out in 2018. The Gen 5 is characterized with the beveled front of the slide and frame, hole in the middle of the guide rod, front slide serrations (although the real Gen 5s’ serrations are straight, not slanted), no finger grooves on the the bottom of the frame (where the flashlight is attached in the game), an ambidextrous slide release, and only one trigger pin.

Glock 17 (#Custom 21)

I made another fix to make it Fit into Game Settings and replaced it with Gen 3 Glocks. as This Particular Generation was Introduced in 1998. The Gen 3 has finger grooves, no front slide serrations, no ambidextrous slide release, no beveled front slide nor beveled frame, a rail on the bottom of the frame and two trigger pins. Attaching an aftermarket flashlight is possible with a rail on the bottom.

BULGARIAN AKK-47

Just some Creativity Liberty I Take, Despite I Know the Facts AK That Used in Game in Fact Soviet Type 3 AK, But I Found it Interesting if they using Bulgarian Ones

Iraqi Tariq Pistol

The pistol of the Republican Guard in the game was the Beretta 1951, or rather its Iraqi copy: the Tariq. The giveaway that it’d likely be the Tariq was the presence of a medallion on the pistol grip, something the original Beretta did not have. Besides the incorrect shape of the slide release and the three holes in the trigger.

DOWNLOAD

@cctreasuretrove @sssvitlanz @exzentra-reblog @ts4-poses

[krinsbez]

Random Captain Marvel (meaning the OG, the Big Red Cheese that Billy Batson turns into, and is currently owned by DC) Headcanons and such.

-The most important thing to keep in mind about Mister Tawky Tawny is that while he is a kind, gentle, sweetheart who, if he had his druthers wouldn't hurt a fly (and was willing to forgive bigots who tried to burn his house down with him in it when they realized their error and reformed)...the fact remains that he is A BENGAL TIGER. He is 500lbs of terrifying apex predator. He is the result of millions of years of evolution to produce one of nature's most effective extant killing machines. And while he is somewhat embarrassed by it, it IS part of who he is and something he is at peace with.

-I prefer to imagine Magnifcus and Beautia being full siblings with Georgia and Thaddeus Junior. I also love the idea that their mother still looks like a bikini model after having four children, two of whom are adults.

-I go back and forth on the idea of Georgia having a complex about her looks.

-That said, I like the idea that Magnificus has a complex about his looks. Beautia looks like their mother. Georgia and Junior look like their father. He doesn't look like either. Also, while everyone notices Beuatia's, well Beauty and Georgia and Junior's intelligence, the trait of his that people are most likely to notice is that he is freakishly strong, which is not exactly something the Sivana family is inclined to value. The other is his being absurdly attractive, and true he shares this trait with Beautia, but given the patriarchal nature of society his experience is not the same; also she can talk to their mom when she gets upset at being reduced to being a pretty face, who's he going to talk to about other men getting defensive around him?

-Sidenote, despite this, it is important to me that Sivana is a good dad who loves all his children, even after Beautia and Magnifcus make Heel-Face Turns; he doesn't understand their choice to become tax-paying solid citizens when they could be helping him do Mad Science and take over the world, but he supports them anyways.

(sidenote, I have several vague mental images in my head of a story where Sivana goes on the warpath after Lobo or someone careless damages spacecraft Magnficus is on whilst fighting Superman, resulting in Mag being injured)

-Sidenote: also important, Captain Nazi isn't a Captain Marvel foe. He is a Captain Marvel Junior foe.

-I am 100% certain that Freddy is Jewish (despite having no basis for it and getting annoyed when people declare other characters to be Jewish with no basis), but it is very important to me that Captain Nazi had absolutely no awareness of this when he crippled Freddy and killed his grandfather.

-Bugs me that people don't use his name anymore. I understand why, but it still bugs me.

-...I don't have anything on Mary, other than that i don't like them making her not his long-lost twin sister. That's weird.

-Can never make up my mind if I prefer the Captain to be a separate entity from Billy, but I do love the idea that he looks like Billy's dad.

-Also don't have anything on Uncle Dudley or Hoppy, other than that I think they exist.

-Love that the age of the podcast means that Billy can be a famous radio personality again. It's actually even more plausible now!

-I fee like it's important to keep Billy's backstory of his parents being murdered, then his legal guardian stealing his inheritance and throwing him out on the street, and then him managing to survive on his own for an extended period (not sure how long, cuz I'm not sure how old he should be) is important. Cuz part of the reason he got picked is because he has EVERY reason to be jaded and cynical. He has extensive, intimate knowledge of cruelty, injustice, and man's inhumanity to man. But despite that his spirit, and his belief in his fellow man remains unbroken because he's also seen how people under duress can still maintain their dignity, how even in extremis many people will choose to do the right thing, how people will go out of their way try to reach out and help those who need it with no expectation of personal gain, etc. So yeah, he knows that people can be horrible monsters, but also that people can be heroes.

[vodkaandsnakes]

On this day, May 3, in Type O Negative history:

Type O Negative (formerly Repulsion) play their first show under that name at The Last Thrash Bash at L'Amour with Cro-Mags, Leeway, White Zombie, Biohazard, Non-Fiction, Machine, and Metalstorm in Brooklyn, NY (1991)

"I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked,..."- Howl by Allen Ginsberg

Following the 1989 break-up of Carnivore, and, after Unsuccessfully Succeeding At The Denouement To Unsuccessfully Coping With The Natural Beauty Of Infidelity, Peter explores forming a Munsters-themed hot skiffle band.

Finding no takers, his lengthy boredom is broken by opportunity knocking, literally- his friend Sal comes over to his house and knocks on his door, asking Peter if he wants to form a new band. Sal knows a guitarist (Kenny) and Peter knows a way to lure his friend Josh into playing keyboards for the band, soon to be called Repulsion. By January of 1990, these Creatures from the Gowanus Canal have a 6-song cassette tape demo called None More Negative. Keeping with recording industry "best practices", the lead song is the 12 minute, 39 second earworm "Unsuccessfully Coping with the Natural Beauty of Infidelity".

A radio hit in the making, this song easily lands the band its first gig at L'Amour 2 months later. But, like the delicate cherry tree blossom, L'Amour can be a fleeting thing- almost a year later, L'Amour, The Rock Capitol of Brooklyn, announces that it is closing.

And so, our peripatetic protagonists debut their new moniker, Type O Negative, as they play The Last Thrash Bash on what was presumed to be the second-to-the-last show ever at Brooklyn's legendary L'Amour (L'Amour resumes shows 6 months later but does actually close for good in 2004).

This video is the best quality version of Type O Negative's first show that I have found, to date. Type O Negative are the first band here and their set runs to 26:25, when they are followed by Biohazard. Please enjoy the cheesy 90s-era video effects, Sal's oscillating fan (some drummers were known to cart around a box fan with them back in the day), and a slice of the musical tomato pie that spawned several bands who are still performing today.

(Some band bio parts possibly cribbed from https://web.archive.org/web/20001025001437/http://www.typeonegative.net/bandbio.html and may become unglued during shipping.)

Type O Negative play the Omaha Civic Auditorium with Queensryche in Omaha, NE (1995)

Type O Negative play the Texas Sky Festival Park with Ozzy Osbourne and Sepultura in Corpus Christi, TX (1996)

[addicted-to-his-knife]

WHAT THE REPO! CHARACTERS WOULD LISTEN TO.

Do you find yourself bored, looking for new music? Do you happen to like Repo! The Genetic Opera and have you ever wondered what music the characters would listen to? Here are my headcanons! I'm submitting them directly to "addicted-to-his-knife" since my blog doesn't have much reach, I have like 30 followers and I also think this blog is great ♡ Songs are taken from my own gothic rock-metal/darkwave/goth playlist.

Shilo Wallace: I have a feeling Shilo would really like Siouxsie And The Banshees, I can see some of her favorite songs being Sick Child, Happy House, The Lonely One, Spellbound or Cities in Dust. I think she would also like The Birthday Massacre, particularly Looking Glass, In The Dark, Shallow Grave, The Sky Will Turn and All Of Nothing. Shilo would also find solace in the lyrics of So Alone by Anna Blue, Illusion by VNV Nation, Isolated by Chiasm, Coma Baby by Nicole Dollanganger and Walking On Air by Kerli. After all the isolation and grief she's gone through, Shilo needs music that makes her feel understood.

Nathan Wallace: Nathan, as we all know, is going through it. I can see him listening to some Joy Division songs with lyrics he would find comforting, such as Disorder, Shadowplay, Dead Souls, New Dawn Fades and I Remember Nothing. Nathan would also enjoy some Depeche Mode songs, for example Enjoy The Silence, Ghosts Again, It's Called A Heart and Strangelove. Cuts You Up by Peter Murphy is another song he really likes. He will listen to Bauhaus as well, classics like Dark Entries, She's In Parties or Bela Lugosi's Dead. Anesthesia by Type O Negative or Spectre by Christian Death are songs Nathan would like as well. Overall, he needs music that helps him deal with the pain within his soul, torn between being a protective father who wants to keep his daughter safe at all costs, even if that means lying to her, and a bloodthirsty, macabre and violent Repo Man.

Graverobber: Graverobber listens to Rob Zombie, and he actually tries to imitate his style. Songs like Dragula, Superbeast, Feel So Numb, The Life And Times Of A Teenage Rock God and Dead City Radio And The New Gods Of Supertown are some of the tunes he listens to while he's partying with the Zydrate addicts. Graves also enjoys Light Asylum, with songs like Shallow Tears, Dark Allies or Knights And Weekends. Sometimes he listens to Absence by Ludovico Technique, Dig Up Her Bones by Misfits or The Wanderer by The Cemetary Girlz. Graves finds that music helps him relax as well as petting any rats he comes across. Other songs he also vibes to are Rats by Ghost, Drunk On Shadows by HIM, Entombed by Deftones and Grave Robber At Large by Creature Feature.

Blind Mag: When she's not blessing others with her beautiful voice, Mag listens to Within Temptation, songs like Forgiven, Stand My Ground, Angels, Somewhere, Our Farewell and The Swan Song are her favorites. She sings along to Phobic Sea by Autumn's Grey Solace, Procession by SRSQ and Bless The Child by Nightwish. Mag also enjoys Lebanon Hanover, particularly Midnight Creature, Saddest Smile, Gallowdance, Hollow Sky and The Last Thing. Mag is a sad soul, a caged bird who can't escape so she just sings. Music helps her feel a little more free.

Amber Sweet: Amber is definitely into Diva Destruction, she loves their aesthetic and their sound, especially their songs Tempter, Snake, Valley Of Scars, Cruelty Games, Enslaved, Screaming Inside and The Broken Ones. Hole is another band she likes, with songs such as Reasons To Be Beautiful, Doll Parts, Violet or Nobody's Daughter. Amber also enjoys The Raveonettes, their songs Love In A Trashcan, Kill or I Wanna Be Adored (a cover) are just a few examples. She likes the song Gothic Girl by The 69 Eyes as well. Amber is very girly but also very gothic and that tends to reflect in her music taste.

Pavi Largo: Pavi listens to Male Tears, with some of his favorite songs being Hit Me, Model Citizen, Trauma Club, Good In The Dark and Embrace Death. He also likes Drab Majesty, with songs such as Kissing The Ground, Forget Tomorrow, Too Soon To Tell or 39 By Design. Pavi likes The Cramps too, especially The Way I Walk, Human Fly and Goo Goo Muck. I also feel like Pavi would vibe to Barbie Girl by Aqua, his bisexual ass loves both Kens and Barbies. He also likes Lullaby by The Cure, Beast Of Blood by Malice Mizer and Dressed For Death by Fear Cult. And if it's possible in the Repo! universe he would definitely listen to Skinny Puppy as well lol.

Luigi Largo: Luigi has severe anger issues and I think his music taste would reflect that. Luigi listens to Korn, songs like Falling Away From Me, Coming Undone, Freak On A Leash or Make Me Bad. Luigi likes She Wants Revenge as well, especially their songs Tear You Apart, Written In Blood, Take The World and Red Flags And Long Nights. And he probably likes some Shayfer James songs too, like Villainous Thing, For The Departed and Where We Belong. He would also enjoy In The Dark You Die by Dark, Watch You Bleed by Haunt Me, and Samael by Ankst.

Rotti Largo: Rotti has lived a very privileged life, but he's dying and he thinks none of his kids are worthy heirs so I can see him turning to music for comfort. A song I think he would like is (Don't Fear) The Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult, since it would help him feel less afraid of death. As CEO of GeneCo, he probably has contacts and associates in other countries, since GeneCo would probably exist on a global scale, so I can see Rotti enjoying music in other languages as well. She Past Away would be another band he'd listen to, with songs like Ruh, Monoton, Kasvetli Kutlama or Ritüel, as well as liking Molchat Doma, for example their songs Kletka or Sudno. He would also like Crow Baby by The March Violets and Dead, Cold, Autumn by This Cold Night.

Thank you all for reading, feel free to make similar posts if you'd like, add more songs in the comments, or make playlists, if you enjoyed it maybe I'll submit some more in the future! Have a great night/day wherever you are ♡ Stay kind and spooky! The best season of the year is around the corner.

[thgfanfictionlibrary]

General Rated Fics Masterlist (2)

Part 1 /

Created: August 23, 2023

Last Checked: —-

Campus Radio Station-absnow (Tumblr)

Summary: Drabble. Everlark meet-cute in student union coffee shop with a side of Finnick and Katniss friendship. Katniss works at the student radio station with some resulting flirting through music.

Honey-Gold Harvest Moon-songbirdheart (AO3)

Summary: “Pairs of dancers worn out from the string of reels or rags stumble away to get cider and catch their breath, but Peeta draws me close under the lanterns and the skeleton trees, and I rest my cold cheek against his as we sway to the music of the dulcimer.”

I Would Die for You in Secret-HuntersWithCellPhones (AO3)

Summary: Takes place in the scene of Catching fire where Peeta Hits the forcefeild and goes unconsius, but in Finnick's POV. Is the scene where he realizes Katniss and Peeta aren't just an act.

I've Been the Archer, I've Been the Pray-HuntersWithCellPhones (AO3)

Summary: While Training for the Quarter Quell, Finnick is keeping an eye on Katniss and gets a chance to watch her shoot, followed by Katniss, who he would've thought to be the harshest victor speaking to Mags in a quiet, calm tone as she teaches her to shoot a bow.

It's Not Like That-just_a_dram (AO3)

Summary: There’s some kind of joke happening at our expense that I don’t understand. Seems pretty sick to laugh about kids and their nightmares.

Making New Memories-tryalittlejoytomorrow (AO3)

Summary: She doesn’t know how to tell him, that she cares about him, that she’s scared of losing him just like she couldn’t bear losing Gale or Prim. She’s no good with words; Peeta’s always been the one pouring his heart out. Neither of them wants him to do so now, though; it’s her turn to say something, to take the first step towards him. “I wish they’d let us have a toasting first,” she murmurs. “I don’t want a big, fancy Capitol wedding. If we have to get married, I want it to be small and feel like home.” He freezes, the fingers that had been sifting through her dark waves coming to a halt. Katniss hears the tremor in his breathing, and she regrets saying anything. But Peeta recovers quickly, and draws her even closer, bending his head until his mouth is right by her ear. “We could do it,” he whispers. “If that’s really what you want.”

Snowstorm-songbirdheart (AO3)

Summary: “Spring is for courting, so mother will say; summer for wedding, rosy as May; autumn for keeping you warm from the cold; winter for babies to care when we’re old.” Written for the prompt: "No games, canon. Just a good, all time favorite “it would have happened anyway” story. Maybe throw in snowstorm trope to make it seasonal?" You got it. :D

Someday-Xerxia (AO3)

Summary: Modern AU, adult everlark best friends spend an eye-opening evening babysitting.

Sugar Spun-songbirdheart (AO3)

Summary: “Paper up the rabbits tonight,” Madge says as they break apart, and he puts an arm around her waist to lead her back into the house, “and tomorrow, I’ll make a special dinner for Sweethearts Day.” “Oh,” Gale says, sounding surprised. “Is that tomorrow?” “Meaning you didn’t get me anything,” Madge teases, ribbing him gently. “Meaning I still have a day,” he amends, stoking the fire as she starts setting out the things for dinner. A Gadge side story. Gale and Madge celebrate Sweethearts Day together.

What's Past Is Prologue-autumncolors (AO3)

Summary: In the cave, during their first Hunger Games, Peeta confessed to Katniss that he had been so captivated by her that he watched her walk home from school every day since they were five. That was the truth. But it wasn’t the whole truth. Submission for Prompts in Panem (Seven Deadly Sins) Day 7 – Envy

[newmusickarl]

5-9’s Album of the Month Podcast – latest episode out now!

In case you missed it, it’s an exciting new era for the 5-9 Album of the Month podcast as last month we launched our official YouTube channel! Each month, we will publishing the latest full podcast episode as well as individual album reviews and our monthly highlights outside of the albums discussed. To explore all our video content so far, including our January, February and March episodes, you can find our YouTube channel here. And to help support the channel as we get it off the ground, please be sure to like and subscribe if you’re enjoying the content!

For those new here, the 5-9 Album of the Month Podcast is where I take a seat alongside 5-9 Editor Andrew Belt and Check This Out’s Kiley Larsen to review five high profile album releases from the past month in music, and ultimately name one as our Album of the Month at the end of the discussion. On the Spotify version, we also have some insightful background information to each album from Blinded By The Floodlight’s Matthew McMcLister and you can also hear our picks of the best songs from each record!

For our March 2024 episode, the five albums we discuss are:

Beach Day by Another Sky (poll winner, thank you!)

Mountainhead by Everything Everything

I Got Heaven by Mannequin Pussy

Playing Favorites by Sheer Mag

Where’s My Utopia? By Yard Act

If you want to listen to this or any previous episodes simply follow the links below, but also be sure to follow 5-9 Blog on Instagram, Twitter and now YouTube for more news and polls relating to the podcast.

Listen to the new episode on Spotify here

Watch the latest episode and subscribe to our YouTube channel here

Album & EP Recommendations

ACT II: COWBOY CARTER by Beyoncé

Yee-bloody-haw!

It’s a Country & Western inspired New Music roundup this week, so it only makes sense to begin with one of the biggest album releases of the year thus far – COWBOY CARTER by Beyoncé.

I’ll be the first to admit that when ACT I: RENAISSANCE was cleaning up with the year-end awards amongst most music critics in 2022, I wasn’t as impressed. Whilst it was a fun project and certainly had its moments, I personally thought it failed to live up to its predecessor, B’s confessional masterpiece Lemonade. I also thought there were much better records released in 2022, to the point that RENAISSANCE didn’t even make my own Top 50. However, when I heard Queen B was following up her House and Dance-inspired record with a Country album, I was instantly intrigued.

Daddy Lessons off Lemonade had previously given us a taste of what a Beyoncé-Goes-Country track could sound like, but there’s a big difference between delivering one moment within an eclectic, genre-hopping rollercoaster and sustaining a whole album in that style. Even more so when that album is 27 tracks and 78 minutes long! But having seen very some positive reviews and my intrigue only heightening as a result, I dove into this one with the expectation that it would be another overhyped project – I was wrong. Whilst I wasn’t onboard with RENAISSANCE, I absolutely am with COWBOY CARTER.

Firstly, if the track length on this one is putting you off, don’t let that be the case. This album is such a fun, joyous time, that the 78-minute runtime just flies along. The album is also structured almost like a show you’d find on a Country Music radio station, with the legendary Willie Nelson himself guiding you through the “SMOKE HOUR”, with these interludes helping to keep the pace ticking along swiftly.

Most importantly though, the album is simply littered with stand-out moments from beginning to end. Singles 16 CARRIAGES and TEXAS HOLD ‘EM still sound great, but it’s the album tracks where the album really comes alive, with the likes of BODYGUARD, AMERIICAN REQUIEM, DAUGHTER and RIIVERDANCE blending elements of pop, soul and R&B seamlessly with the sounds of B’s Louisiana roots. There’s two instantly iconic covers as well that Beyoncé makes her own, turning The Beatles’ BLACKBIIRD into an empowering gospel anthem whilst switching the lyrics up on Dolly Parton’s JOLENE to reference Jay-Z’s infidelity – which also happens to include a blessing from Parton herself. To top it off, there’s also a bunch of interesting and worthwhile collaborations too, including country music heroes Linda Martell and Willie Jones, along with contemporary crossover popstars Miley Cyrus and Post Malone.

Overall, COWBOY CARTER is an album I’ve enjoyed much more than I was expecting to, so much so that I find myself returning to it fairly frequently. If you’re also feeling sceptical but slightly intrigued, I promise it is worth a spin. A really fun record filled with heart, soul, fascinating collabs and Beyoncé’s ever incredible vocal and genre gymnastics. Bring on ACT III!

Listen here

Bright Future by Adrianne Lenker

From Country to Folk now, with Big Thief’s Adrianne Lenker donning her best Cowboy hat for the album cover to her latest solo outing, Bright Future. Whilst I can sometimes find Big Thief’s output easy to admire but hard to love, this one hit me in the gut straight away. Raw and impactful, it’s a collection of tracks where each song feels more emotionally devastating than the last.

Not only that but these are songs that feel instantly classic, with Lenker’s heartfelt songwriting radiating out of the music. The string-tinged melancholy of Sadness As A Gift is a big early highlight, whilst the lo-fi energy of Vampire Empire, heart-shattering piano ballad Evol and acoustic lament Candleflame all leave a strong lasting impression too, all in very different ways. Such is the emotional heft wrapped in these songs, by the time you reach gorgeous closing track Ruined, it’s likely you’ll be just that!

Whilst this is an album you have to be in the right mood for as it can be a hard listen at times, if it catches you in that opportune moment then the rewards are unparallelled to anything else released so far this year. Without a doubt, one of the best, most beautiful records of 2024 yet.

Listen here

Tigers Blood by Waxahatchee

When Katie Crutchfield, AKA Waxahatchee, released her sobriety-seeking fifth studio album Saint Cloud at the height of the COVID-pandemic in March 2020, she couldn’t have imagined the impact it would generate. Here was an album brimming with emotional turmoil, at a time when the world was dealing with just that. As a result, it was the perfect album for the perfect time, steering Saint Cloud towards a spot on many year-end lists and Waxahatachee gaining plenty of new fans to boot. 4 years on, and Tigers Blood finds Katie Crutchfield looking to recapture the magic of that record with another collection of country-infused indie and Southern rock jams. And just like its predecessor, I’m pleased to say its chock-full of outstanding cuts.

From the uplifting stomp of opener 3 Sisters, the bluesy riffs of Ice Cold to the brilliantly laid-back, MJ Lenderman-featuring single Right Back To It, you’ll find yourself wrapped up in the warming sounds straight away. However, it is the even more stripped-back second half where the strength of Katie’s raw, honest songwriting really shines through, with Crimes of the Heart, 365, The Wolves and the closing title track all hitting hard.

Whilst I can see some people being left lukewarm by this one coming off the back of Saint Cloud, for me personally I think I’m enjoying Tigers Blood possibly even more than that record. Whilst it still has the traditional melodies and relatable lyrics, it feels like Katie has stepped things up once again with her songcraft. Either way, this is another superb collection that I suspect will see her return to the year-end lists come December.

Listen here

All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade by The Libertines

Whilst they were a big part of my teens, I’ll be honest I had minimal enthusiasm when it came to hearing a new Libertines album in 2024. Whilst Carl Barât and Pete Doherty had previously reunited almost ten years ago on Anthems For Doomed Youth, it sadly sounded like two musicians trying desperately to recapture a long lost formula, at a time when indie landfill was hitting maximum capacity. However following a couple of decent singles, I decided to let nostalgia take over and give the quartet the benefit of the doubt, spinning this album with a completely open mind. What I found was an album that defied all my expectations, with The Libertines arguably sounding even more urgent now in 2024 than they did back in the early noughties.

With their ever-present Likely Lads charm, Barât and Doherty turn their pen onto the current state of Britain, through both politics and people. Their music is also richer and more textured than ever before, with their traditional indie sound bolstered by dramatic brass arrangements, sweeping strings and theatrical production. It all comes together to form arguably their strongest record to date, a dazzling 38-minute listen where the band sound more focussed, more interesting and generally just having much more to say.

It’s also got some of their very best songs to date, from singles Run Run Run, Night of the Hunter and Shiver to the raucous look at the Ukraine War on I Have A Friend and the jazz-infused Baron’s Claw. However, the album’s crown jewel is without a doubt Merry Old England, a powerful, orchestral ode to migrants coming to the UK that is as impactful as it richly textured, both sonically and lyrically.

This has been one of the biggest surprises of the year so far for me, an album I was never expecting to love as much as I do. My hat is well and truly tipped to Carl, Pete, Gary and John, who prove they are more than an old indie act trying to relive past glories. Whilst the nostalgia of the early records will always have a hold over their die-hard fans, there’s no doubt that if they look beyond rose-tinted glasses, they’ll see this is objectively their finest work to date.

Listen here

The Sunset Violent by Mount Kimbie

One of my most played albums of April thus far, Mount Kimbie recently returned with their first studio album in seven years, bringing with them a new line-up and a new sound. Back this time as a quartet rather than a duo, The Sunset Violent sees the usually electronic outfit dive into a more indie/alternative sound to great effect. With King Krule also showing up to guest on a couple of tracks, it’s a gorgeous 36-minute listen seemingly destined to soundtrack warm and hazy summer evenings. There’s plenty of highlights too, with Shipwreck, Fishbrain and Yukka Tree all utter bliss.

Listen here

Incommunicado EP by Express Office Portico

A bittersweet release this, as Notts indie-pop outfit Express Office Portico finally released their debut EP at the end of March. However, the release of the project also coincided with the news that lead singer Tara would be stepping down from the band. A huge loss who leaves big shoes to fill, Incommunicado thankfully manages to work as both a final chapter for the band at this stage, as well as an insight into their flourishing potential. Featuring five catchy and shimmering indie-pop grooves, its highlighted by No One, In Swim and excellent recent single He Said She Said.

Listen here

Field Theory by Melts

“Dublin psych-rockers MELTS are one of those bands that very much live up to their name. With the quartet binding together after leaving various dissolved bands, MELTS’ 2022 debut ‘Maelstrom’ was a bold mission statement for their kaleidoscopic, mind-altering sound. Landing them somewhere in the venn diagram of contemporaries such as The Horrors, Working Men’s Club and Nation of Language, while still very much forming their own identity, it was an impressive first outing that left fans eager for the next chapter. Now back with their sophomore effort ‘Field Theory’, it’s no surprise to hear MELTS mostly stick with their winning formula for album number two. Overall, this is another hugely impressive release from MELTS and one that expands the fluorescent sonic world that was laid out on their debut. You also can’t help but feel that these songs on ‘Field Theory’ are built to thrive even more in a live setting, with the Dublin outfit assuredly building a catalogue of soaring, mind-melting compositions that just scream to be experienced in-person. Due to hit the road at the end of the month, those joining MELTS at these shows be pleasantly warned – you may just have your senses steamrolled.”

Read my full review for Clash Magazine here

Listen here

Also well worth checking out:

Three by Four Tet

Audio Vertigo by Elbow

Interplay by Ride

Ohio Players by The Black Keys

Older by Lizzy McAlpine

Blessed EP by August Charles

Tracks of the Week

1+1 = 11 by Peggy Gou

For years, DJ/Producer Peggy Gou has been Queen of the Summer banger, releasing just one single every year to ensure an all hits, no misses ratio. From Starry Night and I Go to last summer’s monster hit (It Goes Like) Nanana, she’s been unstoppable. So, with the news that her debut album I Hear You will finally drop this June, my expectations are already sky high for the 10 tracks that I’m hoping will soundtrack Summer 2024.

Coinciding with the news is her latest single offering 1+1 = 11, the song which will close out her upcoming debut. With shades of York classic On The Beach, it comes accompanied by a dazzling video starring artist Olafur Eliasson breakdancing inside a light installation at his studio in Berlin. Check it out!

Watch the official video here

B2b / Von Dutch / Club Classics by Charli XCX

The biggest album announcement of the past few weeks, electro-pop phenomenon Charli XCX will be releasing her new club-inspired album Brat this June and then touring UK arenas at the end of the year. Coming off the back of her instantly iconic Boiler Room set, the three singles so far suggest big inspiration from the dance and electronic music scene and I personally can’t wait for it.

Listen here

House by London Grammar

Another big album announcement, indie-pop outfit London Grammar have finally announced the follow-up to 2021’s Californian Soil will drop in September, titled The Greatest Love. That record saw the band explore more electronic territory and if lead single / opening track House is anything to go by, it seems they will be building out that sound further on this upcoming effort.

Listen here

Curse by Architects

The metal world was shocked earlier on this year when Bring Me The Horizon announced back in January that longtime band composer Jordan Fish was leaving the band. Since then fans were left wondering where he would end up and but it seems he has wasted little time moving on, already producing several tracks for other genre heavyweights. The latest is this thunderous new single from Architects, which boasts polished production and an instantly anthemic chorus.

Listen here

Blue Jeans & White T-Shirts by The Gaslight Anthem

Back in 2008, rock heroes The Gaslight Anthem released their much beloved Señor and the Queen EP, with this song the closing track for the project. Now as part of their History Books (Short Stories) EP that was released to coincide with their recent UK tour, they’ve reworked the song so that it sounds even better than it did before – just gorgeous.

Listen here

How Can I Love Her More? By The Lemon Twigs

With anticipation for the D'Addario brother’s follow-up to their highly acclaimed 2023 album Everything Harmony steadily mounting, each new single release suggests another special project is on the way. Now this latest cut to be taken from A Dream Is All We Know (which drops in May) only hypes things further, an instantly timeless tune that draws heavy comparisons to The Beach Boys. Wonderful!

Listen here

Red Holiday by Dura Mater

And finally fast-rising Notts 8-piece Dura Mater, who draw comparisons to bands like Black Country New Road, Arcade Fire and Opus Kink, released their second single Red Holiday this past week, which is taken from their forthcoming Arable Ground EP that drops at the end of May. This latest single, which is inspired by coastal living, showcases their potential, bringing together ghostly vocals, ambient guitars and powerful orchestration.

Listen here

Also worth checking out:

Human After All by Blue Violet

First Song by Swim Deep

Flea by St. Vincent

Mama Say by Ibibio Sound Machine

Big Brown Eyes by Lola Young

Coming Back To Me Good by Kasabian

Midas by Wunderhorse

Favourite Songs by Maxïmo Park

REMINDER: If you use Apple Music, you can also keep up-to-date with all my favourite 2024 tracks through my Best of 2024 playlist. Constantly updated throughout the year with songs I enjoy, it is then finalised into a Top 100 Songs of the Year in December.

Add the Best of 2024 playlist to your library here

[penig]

Miles has the day off, so he stays home and babysits while Dot takes a day off and dates Warren Wan. Who is married but that's not her business.

In the evening, with great effort on the player's part because damn that's a lot of people to wrangle when there's young children in the house, the Printer Sisters play a gig at Bigg City Park.

But of course the twin grow-up is the big event of the day. Axel and Mag are little conventionally attractive for my taste, but maybe they'll grow out of their faces. I didn't get a shot of Mag's stats but she's a Leo and has already discovered her OTH by crawling into the hall where the radio is always playing and dancing her upper body around.

[myloveforhergoeson]

posting another chapter preview bc i feel bad about not posting for a month and a half lol. everyone promise you'll act surprised when the chapter actually gets posted, okay? please enjoy :) <3

tw: mentions of underage drinking

Finding something to wear to a show was always a struggle for Roxy. Back in Brand New Day, an old band t-shirt or flannel, some skinny jeans, and black boots were practically a uniform worn at every single gig. While on the Big Time Rush tour, her options were equally as simple - Something cute, matching whatever colors the boys were wearing that night, that didn’t make her stand out in the slightest. But to a basement show in her hometown? Nothing in her closet seemed like the right way to go.

She hadn’t even been planning on going to one over the holiday break, but she had run into her old lab partner, Catherine Endicott while at the grocery store earlier, and she wasn’t ever one to pass up an invitation to enjoy the local music scene. So many incredible bands and musicians had come out of Minnesota; It would be a shame to miss out on potentially seeing the next big thing right as they got their start. 

“Bob Dylan, The Replacements, Hüsker Dü, Big Time Rush… Minnesota is crawling with musical talent,” She rambled, twisting her hair up into a large claw clip and letting the ends stick up, framing the top of her head like a spiky crown, while speaking to a spaced-out James. “Now we get to see Cait’s band, Under the Bleachers!”

It sounded like he was humming along to the OneRepublic song on the radio station he’d picked, sitting on top of her messily made bed while she dug through her closet to try and find something she’d feel comfortable in. 

Fashion was always a mixed bag at underground shows, and that had never really bothered her before, but she’d found she favored more colorful and trendy outfits than the experimental and quirky style she often saw at house gigs. Typically, she’d just wear whatever and bolster the strange looks because she’d be with her dad - in his own grunge style - and he’d ward off any unwanted glances or sly comments. But going with James, the poster boy for everything mainstream, would not afford her such grace. 

So… Blend in but make it my own… She determined, reaching all the way into the back of her closet for the punkish outfits she used to wear while she was in Brand New Day. It felt like forever ago now, but that had been her style when trying to fit in with Mag and Dani at their shows, but these days, not so much. 

“So we’re going to see a show by a band you’ve never heard of because someone you kind of know invited you?” James asked, clarifying the situation she had hurriedly explained to him on the phone as she’d come home from the store. Of course, he had been more than eager to bike over to her place in his “alternative” outfit - which to him was a pair of nice black jeans, a black v-neck, and a black jacket - but was having some trouble grasping the concept of seeing an artist they didn’t know. 

Even though he couldn’t see her buried in the back of her closet, the girl nodded as she slid hanger after hanger toward her to check out all her options. “Duh. Most of the people at our first show didn’t know who we were either, but they came because of our amazing advertising!”

Oh… Good times, Roxy fondly recalled running around L.A. handing out as many Big Time Rush fliers as she could and inviting anyone to their show that would stop long enough to listen. Brand New Day’s advertising strategy had been similar, but she also had the power of the airwaves to help her out at the Project Pop radio station. 

Taking in her words, James continued humming to the radio, as Roxy’s fingers landed on a long-forgotten t-shirt she had been keeping tucked away for a special occasion. James’ first basement show seemed like as good a time as any, and she managed to pair it with a short, red skirt and a pair of black fishnet tights. 

 As quickly as she had found it, she ran into the bathroom to change, feeling much more like herself than she had figured she would as she admired her picks in the large mirror. Not only was this her first concert with James, but it would also be her first underground show since she left Brand New Day. A part of her was irrationally worried that she’d see Mag and Dani there, but Duluth wasn’t that small a city, and Cait hadn’t mentioned running into them during their brief conversation earlier. 

Then again… They did show up at the Palm Woods…

“When you say ‘we’ are you talking about Big Time Rush or your old band?” She heard James call through the closed door, just as she managed to slip the final component of her outfit on; A gold chain belt cooly rested against her exposed midriff after she’d tied up the shirt, matching the charm necklace hanging around her neck.

Aside from the time Kendall had stolen her journal and passed it off to famous internet blogger Deke, that had been the first time he’d asked her something regarding her musical past. Not that she didn’t mind sharing - with him at least - the question simply caught her off guard. Despite a long-standing friendship, their relationship was still in the beginning stages. Roxy’s heart skipped; It was nice that even after knowing each other quite well, there was still much for them to learn about each other.

Slowly opening the door to the bathroom and making a beeline back to her closet for a pair of black boots, Roxy considered her next words carefully, “Yes to both; But each time we did a significant amount of advertising. Word of mouth does wonders in any town… Ergo, we’re seeing Cait’s band.”

When she finally turned around to find the jewelry box on her dresser, she felt James’ eyes glued to her as she crossed the small room. It made her chest flutter, knowing he couldn’t stop staring at her, and just for fun, she used it to her advantage as she coyly glanced over her shoulder and shot him a wink before picking out a pair of matching earrings. 

“Rox…” He almost whispered, and the springs of her bed groaned as he stood up. In response, he brought a fist to his mouth before clearing his throat and she didn’t miss the unmistakable dusting of pink blushing the top of his ears. “I know you’re going to be freezing but is it bad that I don’t care? I never want you to take that off…”

In the vanity mirror she was using to check her outfit, she noticed he crept closer while he spoke, gaze suspiciously targeting her legs. When he reached out to wrap his arms around her, she playfully evaded his grasp with a nicely timed side-step.

“Oh, my God!” Roxy cried, cutting into his sentence with a few uncontrollable snorts of laughter and an accusatory finger, meeting him in the middle of the room. “You’ve got a thing for fishnets!”

She watched James freeze, glancing up at the ceiling fan lazily rotating around. In response, he let out a few beats of an innocent whistle before rocking back and forth on his heels. “Whaaat! No!”

Acting against his words, his hand reached out to grab hers at the same time his gaze flickered down just long enough to give her another once-over, noticeably lingering on her tights. When the writer opened her mouth again to tease him, he beat her to the punch and changed the subject, pointing to the old black and white band t-shirt she had tied up above her navel. “Who’s Dec and the Desires? Never heard you talk about them before.”

 Another question that made her giddy, and she grinned as she laced her fingers between his and pulled him into the living room toward the front door, making sure to grab a lighter from the kitchen junk drawer on the way out. “An underground punk band I love. They were really big in the late 80’s and early 90’s in Austin, Texas. Though, I figure you can put the rest together yourself, considering you know the lead singer.”

It seemed as though her words confused her boyfriend for a moment, as they stepped out of the Somerset’s one-story and out onto the freezing streets of Minnesota. Of course, James had been right, and Roxy was freezing, but Cait’s house was only a few blocks away. She could brave the cold in the name of fashion. 

Besides, I’ve got my own personal space heater…

“I do?” He asked, eyes darting around the empty driveway before his brows knit in confusion. 

Roxy carefully tugged him toward the mostly snow-cleared sidewalk, silently letting him know they’d be walking to their destination instead of driving; Someone had been caught up at work after taking an impromptu day off on Christmas Eve and kept Dynamo out late. “Yes, baby. Dec… and the Desires?”

James blinked, either still confused or taking in the pet name he wasn’t quite used to as he followed her lead.

Oh my…

“Declan?” She tried again, doing her best to keep from shivering too much as she and James traversed the icy path. “Somerset?”

“Oh! Your dad was in a band like you?” The genuine curiosity in his voice made her melt a smidge and she snugged his arm into her chest as she practically pulled him down the street to Cait’s. “I didn’t know that, Rox! Kendall and I talked his ear off about sports backstage when we could’ve been asking for music advice! He’s way nicer than Gustavo.”

Her heart involuntarily squeezed at the thought of James feeling comfortable going to her father for advice. “Yeah, they were really going places. Headlining local venues, sending for record labels, lining up an independently run U.S. tour, until…” She paused, realizing she’d never spoken with anyone besides her dad and old band about his small stint in the music industry. Until me. “He’ll talk your ear off about the glory days if you’d let him.”

 “It’s neat that the two of you have so much in common… My parents always had to drag me to stuff about Brooke Diamond Cosmetics - Thank God that’s all over,” James nodded, slinging an arm around his girlfriend as they walked. Try as she might to contain her shivers, he could feel the involuntary shakes and goosebumps riddling her arm under his fingertips. “What did I tell you about being cold?!”

Roxy knew he was changing the subject so she wouldn’t ask any follow-up questions about his statement. In all the time they’d known each other, this was the first in which he’d willingly brought up the company his mother ran. Besides, the writer had only made the connection he was the Brooke Diamond’s son during an interview on the band’s summer tour - If James had wanted her to know that sooner, he would’ve told her.

Just as he was interested to learn more about her past, she was curious about his, but decided not to push her luck as they traveled on to Cait’s. James would share when he was ready and that was perfectly fine with Roxy.

~

They hadn’t even been in the crowded, boiling basement for 10 minutes when a guy around James and Roxy’s age, dripping in metal spikes and heavy chains, came up to them, asking the latter if she was ever in a band because she looked “kinda, sorta, super familiar.” The show wasn’t even close to starting yet.

The writer shrugged him off, playing with the rim of the red Solo cup in her hand when she brought up Big Time Rush - knowing full well that wasn’t what he had meant by his question - and introduced him to James who was far more versed in interactions like these. Just as quickly as the guy had come to speak with them, he wrinkled his nose at the thought of meeting a member of a boy band and disappeared into the sea of people around them. 

Five minutes, and Roxy’s nervous downing of her drink later, someone else stopped by the couple and asked her the same question. Though she wanted them to stick around a bit and ask for a few tips on how they got their sharp-edged eyeliner to stand out so nicely against their dark eyeshadow, her response was the same as before, as was the individual’s when she brought up the pop band she wrote and composed for. 

James, bless his heart, looked a bit uncomfortable with the sheer amount of people packed into the small space and stuck close to her side as she navigated them as best she could around the small space. Despite pouring him a cup straight from the ice-bathing keg’s tap in the corner closest to the entrance, he had declined the drink - “Need to bike home, babe,” - and passed it off to the girl in line behind them.

Then, she asked Roxy if she’d been in a band as well.

Just the thought of anyone associating her with Brand New Day made her nauseous, so she used to boy band line again, and the young girl scurried off to her group of friends, shaking her head at them as if they’d all been wondering the same thing. 

Ignoring the slight shake in her fingers as she reached for her boyfriend’s hand, Roxy told herself she brushed off the questions only because Brand New Day were openly establishing themselves as a duo now that they’d moved to Hollywood and signed with Galactic Records. Telling someone she used to play with them might make her look like a liar, or worse, a delusional fan girl. 

Yup, that’s totally worse than being a liar, she decided, squeezing James’ hand for comfort while waving in and out through the mass of individuals to try and get to the center of the room. I never want to be associated with them again.

“We’ll be able to hear best from here!” Roxy assured James as they’d reached the middle of the crowd, having to raise her voice over the noise level, even though she couldn’t see where Cait had set up the instruments over everyone standing in front of her. In her opinion, the only downfall to house shows was the absence of an elevated stage. “Think you’ll be able to see alright?” 

The question was inherently dumb; One look over the cramped space told her he was one of the tallest people there - excluding those who had used an insane amount of hairspray to hold up their hairdos and those in platform shoes. 

Instead of answering her question, James squeezed her hand back before warmly saying, “You’re famous.”

No question mark, no hesitation. Spoken as though it were the truest of facts.

Taking another sip of her drink, Roxy held it on her tongue for a moment, letting the pungent taste linger before swallowing while she considered his words. Then, the sickly feeling from before returned, heartbeat drumming uncomfortably in her chest, and her immediate reaction was to deflect his statement. “You’re the one in a boy band.”

“No one’s asked me if I was in a band tonight.”

“No one here listens to that kind of music.”

When James realized he wasn’t getting anywhere with this conversation, he sighed and shifted his attention forward to the non-existent stage, while his girlfriend realized how combative her words were coming off. Which, unfortunately, they were designed to be. Brand New Day was the last thing she’d wanted to think about at the show tonight, but he wasn’t asking to be a bother. She knew that; But this wasn’t the setting in which she wanted to have that conversation.

It had just been a long time since she’d considered her past in the Duluth music scene. She never handled the unwanted feelings about her old band members and stolen intellectual property well, as evidenced by the slightly mean tone she’d taken with him. 

Though she thought she was over it after she vowed to move on after her last encounter with Mag and Dani at AM LA, actions certainly spoke louder than words. 

 Roxy took another sip of her drink, starting to feel the beginnings of a buzz itch at the back of her brain. Way to go Rox, drive off the one guy you’ve managed to keep around...

Just as she opened her mouth to apologize, she felt James squeeze her hand again. “Did you play a lot of shows in places like this? How could you stand the distinct… skunky and sweaty smell?” 

Saying a silent prayer of thanks he had moved on from the previous line of questioning, Roxy felt her rapid breathing begin to slow.

“More than I could count. Dani’s basement was a bit bigger than this one, though, but most times we’d jump in on someone else’s show if we begged them hard enough,” She shared in earnest, trying to tell herself it wouldn’t be as bad to talk it out with someone she cared about. “Loved every moment of it, too.”

By now, she had finally worked up enough courage to glance up at her boyfriend in the low light, finding him raising an eyebrow at her comment. 

“Even the skunky and sweaty smell! Got used to it after a while… But you,” Roxy reached up and poked at his cheek with a loose giggle, “You’ve been venue spoiled. Free snacks and gifts, clean green rooms, crowds of thousands screaming your name… Lucky, lucky boy.”

“That I am,” James assured her, bending down to press a much-wanted kiss to her cheek to let her know everything was alright. “Sounds like you get free drinks at shows like these though. That’s not a perk of our job quite yet.”

Of course, his timing was perfect to when she went to take a sip of her drink, causing her to nearly spit out what little she had left as she snorted a bit of buzz-induced laughter. “Only if you’re friends with the homeowner or you’re incredibly cute. So both of us are in the clear tonight, superstar, because those jeans you’re wearing make me wanna-”

The distinct ringing of microphone feedback surged through her ears, immediately cutting her off from her train of thought as Under the Bleachers took their places at the front of the room and soon, it was replaced with the deep kick of the drum echoing in her chest, carrying over the second-hand speakers. Wasting no time, the band jumped straight into their first song, leaving her little choice but to pull her boyfriend down for a quick kiss against the beginnings of a guitar melody meant to promise there was much more in store for him later. 

~

Lucky for James, Roxy cashed in on her silent promise about halfway through the set when the ear-splittingly loud music had thoroughly rattled her brain and she had managed to finish off her second cup of beer. The room was warm, sure, but he’d wrapped an arm around her waist to pull her closer a few minutes ago, and the temperature prickling her skin reached inferno-like levels just from his touch. Be it the heightened state she had found herself in, the adrenalin rush of her first show in so long, or the fact Cait’s band wrote excellent make-out music, Roxy had dragged James out of the crowd to the back of the room and spent most of the set’s remaining time pressed up against the basement wall with her lips locked onto his. 

That was, until the most pit opened, of course.

When the show ended, she nearly cried, but allowed James to navigate them up the staircase and out into Cait’s backyard with everyone else, before eventually making it back out to the sidewalk and heading in the direction of her house. 

“Tonight was perfect!” She yelled without regard for the late hour, throwing her head and hands back as the sound echoed off the houses on the road they took. “Can you believe Under the Bleachers are so, so, so good? We should call Gustavo - He needs a girl band and they need a record contract! An album too, lots of albums. So many albums…”

The heat of the basement had almost made them forget the below-freezing temperature outside, but Roxy could hardly feel it as she twirled down the sidewalk, humming what she could remember of the songs they’d played. At some point, her boyfriend had given her his coat, but she didn’t remember when. 

When she almost hit a metal mailbox on the street with her hands, James poorly tried to conceal his smile as he caught her around the wrist and pulled her into his side, slinging an arm around her shoulders. “Careful, crazy girl. I know you punks like to break stuff, but let’s keep the damages to a minimum.”

At his statement, she squeezed her eyes shut and stuck out her tongue, shaking her head at the notion. “Not a punk! Not even close!”

Roxy managed to pop one eye open and glance his way, noting the way his head tilted to the side, bottom lip stuck out. It made her giggle.

“Wanna know a secret?” She said, fully intending to whisper it in his ear, but she was too busy continuing to stare at his mouth to focus on her volume. The pair had split her last cup of lukewarm beer; The relaxation it brought had caused her newfound loose lips. “I just like the music, making me the world's biggest poser! I’m not connected to the culture at all; Not like Dad.”

Hand moving up and down on her arm to spark some heat, the perplexed look on James’ face remained. “You think? From what you said earlier it sounds like the two of you were in pretty similar situations. Playing the shows, writing the music, connecting with others around town… Sounds pretty punk to me.”

“He and his band wrote about real issues,” Roxy blurted out, still failing to find the balance between what she should and shouldn’t say. There had been a reason she’d needed to share her last cup with James - The looseness had traveled to whatever part of her brain filtered her speech. “Racism, religious conservativism, labor rights… Shit was bad and they were able to channel it into a musical act of protest. All I ever managed to write about was stupid, trivial teenage stuff to pair over a punky-sounding guitar riff. I still do that, just.. Poppy now.”

James didn’t say anything for a moment, and when she turned to look at him as they rounded the corner of her street, she swore she could see the gears turning in his head. “It’s all about self-expression, though, right?”

A good point - one she hadn’t been expecting him to make. In fact, that had been something she had neglected to realize all night, despite that being one of the core tenets of the genre. 

“Getting in touch with your emotions, writing them out, being brave enough to share them… That’s hard for a lot of people, Rox.” The hesitation in his voice made her think he was speaking from experience, but she certainly wasn’t in a state to ask him. “Whether or not you think it’s punk is up to you, but I think it’s pretty extraordinary.”

There were only two times in her life Roxy could remember being rendered speechless - The first time her dad played her Definitely Maybe by Oasis and the first time she’d met Dak Zevon - and now, this was a conversation she could file away in that folder as well. He wasn’t known for always saying the right thing at the right time, but she internalized his words, playing them over and over in her mind as they approached her front door. While she did, her heart was pounding to the point of ache, almost as though it were attempting to break free from her chest and make a new home for itself in James’ hands. 

Just as she was figuring out how to respond, he continued with a crack of a smile, “Especially extraordinary when the song you write is about me! Perfect subject matter for my perfect songwriter.”

[ten-ge]

Besides the BDS list, we must boycott the imperialist Stooges i.e. media houses like CNN, BBC and rag-mags like NYT, WPost ,etc. Hit their pockets too! Please please please do boycott them. These new-age "Radio-Rwanda" need to be boycotted too!

Exactly!!!