#alternative music charity
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musicianfiend · 3 months ago
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Strange 90's - A Benefit Concert for Jerry Bryant
Chicago Bands Unite to Celebrate a Music Icon at the “Strange 90’s” Benefit Chicago’s legendary Metro club set the stage for a heartwarming and high-energy event on a memorable night in 2019: “Strange 90’s – A Benefit for Jerry Bryant of JBTV.” Organized by Metro, 101WKQX, and Charity Bomb, the concert brought together some of Chicago’s most celebrated musicians to honor Jerry Bryant, the host…
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a-night-like--this · 1 year ago
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Want to own a piece of art by Robert, and support communities affected by climate change at the same time? Bid now on CUYAHOGA FALLS, JUNE 23 a piece Robert has created exclusively for WaterAid UK’s #ArtOfChange collection – a series of climate-themed artworks. 100% of the proceeds from the online auction will go to WaterAid’s work bringing communities clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene - so more people can stay strong against climate change, and transform their health, education and livelihoods.
Place your bid now at wateraid.org/aoc – it's open until 5pm on Sunday 1 October.
The collection has been created especially for this year’s British Art Fair and you can see it in person at the Saatchi Gallery .
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ithisatanytime · 3 months ago
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(lockjaw)
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eblood303 · 5 months ago
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Which one should I use for my new song??
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EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!
A DGS/Newsies fusion that asks the question of what happens when the legend is over? See it first in @curtaincallzine, on pre-order now!
Gina x Susato, with Gina as the courageous Jack Kelly and Susato as the badass Katherine!
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Find the link to the store in the comments!
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eyivibyemi · 1 year ago
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✧ I won’t really write descriptions for these, but see original post tags for explanation/commentary on the song snippet ✧
#This was literally just off the top of my head improvising words that rhyme (as is obvious from me rhyming the word#'on' with the word.... 'on' (what's going ON my name is ON' etc. lol) but after actually thinking about it this kind of seems a little#sinister?? why is his name on the news? why is he fleeing town? makes me think of of some guy who's killed#someone or is finally getting caught for his crimes so one last stop before he flees town is he returns home to his husband (who he#calls Hummingbird sometimes I guess) and is like 'erm... tee hee.. I can't tell you why but I shall leave. farewell' etc.#also 'I guess I could show you' having a bad implication like.. yeah I COULD show you the dead bodies and evidence of my crimes#but I will spare you from that and simply let you live in ignorance (at least until you see the news at 10.. but I will be long gone by#then.. eating green beans somewhere lol).. ANYWAY.. 100% unintentional but you could actually almost read some sort of meaning#out of this one. until the green beans part ghhbjb.. I try so hard for everything to just be meaningless gibberish#that has no connection but I suppose sometimes a connection can be made. alas.. a perhaps accidentally Dark seeming song snippet#OR alternate theory. uhh... actually his name is on the news for a good reason. he donated all his money to charity and now#he's fleeing town just because he's embarassed to be publicly recognized.. a shy philanthropist OR an evasive murderer#BOTH versions of him like green beans. which is the truth? up to listener interpretation lol.. Also I#still find it immensely funny for some reason to do this lower sounding style of singing. which not that I really care about like having a#Broad Range or something since I don't think it'd even be possible to have one in my position (as someone#with zero musical/vocial training/etc.) BUT because part of what I find fun is like.. experimenting with all different sorts of sounds#and also doing choir type stuff. So then I do want to be able to sound like multiple people.. if that makes sense? I want to have a really#high voice and the a really low voice and have them sing together and it sounds like a duet or something when it's really just one person.#etc. Thus have a passing interest in learning to adopt different singing styles if I can. because then that's funny and I can do a wider#variety of things like it's all different characters or something as if all the song snippets are done by different people or etc.#(maybe just part of the nature of it being experimental).#And the low voice is always the goofiest sounding to me and very 'fake' seeming I guess#like blatantly is just someone putting on an affect or whatever but still in a kind of fun jokey way lol#beepo tag
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gssgband · 1 year ago
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Musical Advent Calendar Day 22
Here is the epic 'Slàinte Mhath' (pronounced Slanj-a-vah) our 2022 charity single in aid of Strathcarron Hospice. It is a love letter to all the friends & family we have lost over the covid years. The song encourages you to raise a glass in their memory with a toast, saying "Cheers" in classic Scottish fashion, saying "Slàinte Mhath", which in Gaelic translates to “Good Health”. 🍻🥂🥃🥃x
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renesassing · 1 month ago
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alex hirsch + friends charity draw-a-thon highlights
jason ritter (dipper's va) showing his almonds to the audience during the 40-60 minutes of technical issues at the start of the stream
kristen schaal (mabel's va) alternating between very sweet and heartfelt bits about how art and the joy you find in it should never leave you regardless of what you do and supporting all of the people around her and then being crabby about screens and technology to the point where they start a bit about her playing the unabomber
jason constantly switching out his hats
billford drawing
alex hirsch: "i don't know what a jerma is. how old do you think i am?"
jason's honestly amazing performance of chappell roan's pink pony club
alex explaining to kristen that people thirst for stanford pines, ft. matt braly (director on gravity falls, creator of amphibia, and resident tech support + artist on the stream) casually breaking down ford's appeal (j.k. simmon's recording immediately followed this bit)
kristen doing multiple bits lowkey involving doxxing alex hirsch
jason wearing a model wirt head
kristen's 'gravity falls musical' that she wrote an hour before the stream in the car
j.k. simmons' recording of ford reading thirst posts being labelled "INSANE MESSAGE.wav" on alex hirsch's computer
everyone drawing waddles
matt: "can i see nosferatu if i haven't seen nosfera-one?"
alex as grunkle stan and kristen as mabel singing defying gravity from wicked, ft. mabel calling stan a bitch and yelling "the FUCKING wizard"
cut pages from the book of bill, including a honestly really cool diagram of bill's 'anatomy' that was cut for time
the ship wheel begetting alex hirsch drawing walter white/wolverine
the really cute drawing of dipper and mabel as link and zelda
jason almost saying 'selfcest' cause of the chat (in reference to steve/steve) and just stopping at 'self' like four times
jason and kristen singing espresso by sabrina carpenter
alex casually mentioning that matt apparently keeps trying to trick him into reading the entire script of the iron giant in his grunkle stan voice
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favefandomimagines · 2 days ago
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Now That We Don’t Talk - Alternate Ending (j.b)
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Summary: now that we do talk…
AN: here is ‘Now That We Don’t Talk’ with its alternate ending!! Spoiler alert: it’s fluffy lol please read the original work before reading this one!! The lead up is exactly the same as the OG, the ending is just different
Now That We Don’t Talk - Original
The cameras loved them.
They were the kind of couple that seemed plucked straight out of a Hollywood script—Joe Burrow, the golden boy of the NFL, and Y/N, a star who shined just as brightly in her own field. Every magazine, every sports network, every gossip blog had something to say about them. America’s sweethearts, they were called. The kind of couple that made headlines for simply existing.
But what the world saw—the perfectly timed red carpet appearances, the viral social media moments, the dazzling courtside dates—was only a fraction of what their relationship really was.
It all started at a charity gala in Los Angeles.
Joe wasn’t the type to be impressed by fame. He wasn’t the guy who got starstruck, wasn’t the one to fawn over celebrities just because they were on the big screen. Football was his life—his focus. His teammates had to practically drag him to the event, insisting that it would be good PR.
Y/N, on the other hand, had been born for nights like this.
She thrived in the glitz and glam, the cameras, the flashing lights. It wasn’t that she was shallow—far from it. But she understood the game. She knew how to command a room, how to make people laugh, how to charm even the most cynical of hearts.
And that included Joe Burrow.
She noticed him before he noticed her. He was leaning against the bar, dressed in a sleek black tux, perfectly put together but somehow completely unaware of just how good he looked. His jaw was sharp, his lips pressed into a small, amused smirk as he listened to one of his teammates ramble about something.
Y/N was intrigued.
Not because he was Joe Burrow, the star quarterback. But because he was the only person in the room who didn’t seem desperate to be seen.
So, naturally, she made it her mission to change that.
"You're either really mysterious or really bored," she said as she slid up next to him at the bar, her voice laced with playful curiosity.
Joe turned his head, startled for a split second, before a small smirk tugged at his lips. He knew who she was, of course. It was impossible not to. She was everywhere—movies, music, magazine covers. She was the kind of famous that made people feel like they knew her, even if they didn’t.
"I'm neither," he said smoothly, taking a sip of his drink. "But that was an interesting introduction."
Y/N grinned, twirling the straw in her cocktail. "Well, you looked like you needed rescuing."
"From what?"
"From the serious case of ‘I don't belong here’ that’s written all over your face."
Joe let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "You caught me."
It was easy after that.
Too easy.
They talked like they had known each other forever, like they had been waiting for this moment. It didn’t matter that their worlds were different—his ruled by playbooks and stadium lights, hers by movie scripts and flashing cameras. For that night, none of it mattered.
By the time the gala was over, Joe had Y/N’s number saved in his phone under a simple “Trouble”—a joke, but also a warning to himself. Because something about her felt dangerous in the best way.
||
From that night on, they were inseparable.
At first, they tried to be discreet. It wasn’t about hiding—it was about protecting something before the world could ruin it. They wanted to figure out what they were before the headlines did.
But it didn’t take long for the world to catch on.
The first time they were seen together was at a Bengals game in Cincinnati. Y/N had shown up in the stands, wearing his jersey, sitting beside his mom, cheering like she had been a fan forever. The cameras caught her—how could they not? The biggest pop star in the world was at an NFL game, losing her mind every time Joe completed a pass.
The internet went into a frenzy.
That night, Joe texted her: You made my mom’s entire year, you know that?
Y/N: Good. She’s my favorite Burrow.
It was effortless between them.
Joe loved how she made him laugh, how she pushed him out of his comfort zone without ever making him feel like he had to change. Y/N loved how steady he was, how he never let the fame get to his head, how he made her feel safe in a way she never had before.
They traveled the world together. Italy in the summer, where they drank wine on balconies and got caught by paparazzi on a yacht. The south of France in the offseason, where Joe learned (very poorly) how to dance on a rooftop with her.
And through it all, they loved each other fiercely.
||
There were things the cameras never saw.
Like the time Joe showed up at one of her concerts in disguise.
He wasn’t one for big public displays, but he wanted to see her perform without the pressure of being Joe Burrow in the front row. So he threw on a hoodie, a baseball cap, and sunglasses, and stood in the VIP section like a regular fan.
Y/N spotted him from the stage instantly.
The next morning, there was a viral video of her grinning mid-song and blowing a kiss toward the crowd. The internet went wild trying to figure out who she had been looking at.
Joe texted her after: That was for me, right?
Y/N: Nope. Definitely the guy next to you in the Bengals hat.
Joe: Liar.
Or the time she surprised him after a game, waiting in the locker room tunnel when he least expected it.
He had played a rough game—bruises forming beneath his jersey, exhaustion heavy in his bones. But then he saw her standing there, arms wide open, eyes shining with something softer than the spotlight.
“You did amazing,” she whispered against his shoulder.
And just like that, the rest of the world faded away.
||
For a while, it was perfect.
But even the most golden of couples have their breaking points.
As Joe’s season intensified, Y/N’s career soared higher than ever. There was always something—a game he had to focus on, a movie she had to fly out for. Their time together shrank, their conversations turned into quick check-ins rather than deep talks.
The missed calls, the exhaustion, the unspoken hurt—it started building.
There were nights Y/N fell asleep alone, staring at the empty space beside her, wondering if this was what love was supposed to feel like.
There were nights Joe sat in his locker, scrolling through social media, seeing Y/N at events he should have been at but couldn't because football always came first.
They were still in love.
But love wasn’t enough.
And for the first time, they both started to wonder—
What happens when you realize the person you love the most... is the one you’re slowly losing?
||
At first, the differences between them were exciting.
Joe was all about structure—early mornings, strict schedules, a life ruled by game plans and discipline. Y/N was the opposite. She thrived in the unpredictability of her world. Late-night studio sessions, spontaneous flights to Paris, impromptu performances under neon lights.
They were yin and yang.
And for a while, it worked.
Joe loved how she brought color into his life, how she could make even the most ordinary moments feel cinematic. Y/N loved how grounded he was, how he kept her sane in the madness of fame.
But what once felt like balance slowly became friction.
It started small—missed phone calls, text messages left on read, a growing list of "Sorry, I can't make it" and "Wish you were here."
They promised it would be temporary.
"We just have to get through the season."
"We just have to get through filming."
"We’ll make time soon, I swear."
But time never came.
Y/N’s career was exploding—new projects, new opportunities, a world waiting for her. She was everywhere. Award shows, red carpets, magazine covers. When Joe turned on the TV, she was smiling in interviews, dazzling the world like only she could.
But she was never with him.
And he was never with her.
||
The first time it really hurt was the premiere of her new movie.
It was supposed to be a huge night—her first leading role, a moment she had worked for since she was a teenager.
Joe had promised he would be there.
But the night before, his coach called an emergency meeting. A must-win game was coming up, and the team needed to focus.
Y/N, I’m so sorry. I have to stay for practice.
Yeah. I figured.
Soon, I promise.
But soon never happened.
That night, she walked the red carpet alone. Smiled for the cameras. Gave interviews. Pretended she wasn’t aching inside.
And when she got back to her hotel, she turned on her phone to see Joe’s Instagram story—
A picture of him at the Bengals facility, throwing passes under the stadium lights.
She stared at it for a long time.
Then she put her phone face down and went to sleep.
||
The next big fight came after one of Joe’s biggest games.
It was an away game against Kansas City, a prime-time Sunday Night Football matchup. The kind of game that everyone was watching. Joe had played phenomenally—four touchdowns, a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter. The kind of performance that cements a quarterback’s legacy.
Y/N wasn’t there.
She wanted to be. She had planned to be. But a last-minute industry event pulled her away.
Joe called her after the game, still buzzing with adrenaline.
“I saw the highlights!” she said, her voice bright but distant. “You were incredible.”
He exhaled. He wanted her there.
“It would’ve been nice to see you in the stands.”
Y/N bit her lip. “I know. I tried, Joe, I really did. But—”
“There’s always a ‘but.’”
Silence.
The kind of silence that held too much weight, too much unsaid emotion.
Y/N sighed. “What do you want me to say? You miss things too, you know.”
“I know,” Joe said quietly. “And I hate it.”
The next day, there were headlines: Joe Burrow celebrates huge win, girlfriend nowhere to be found.
She tried not to let it sting.
She tried not to notice that he didn’t text her goodnight.
||
It was after an argument—one of those quiet, devastating fights that lingered even after the words stopped.
Y/N had left for an event, and Joe had stayed home.
He sat on the couch, flipping through channels, half-watching some meaningless TV show, when his phone buzzed.
A text from a teammate.
Damn, your girl is everywhere tonight.
Joe frowned, opening Twitter.
And there she was.
Standing next to some famous actor, both of them smiling under the bright lights. Her hand rested on his arm. It was nothing. But at the wrong angle, the wrong moment, it looked like everything.
The next morning, when she came home, she found him sitting at the kitchen counter, staring at his coffee like it held all the answers.
He didn’t look up when he spoke.
“Are you happy?”
Y/N stilled, setting her purse down. “What?”
Joe exhaled, finally meeting her gaze.
“Are you happy?” he repeated. “With me. With...this.”
Her stomach twisted.
“What kind of question is that?”
“A real one.”
She didn’t answer right away.
Because the truth was—she didn’t know.
And Joe? He could see it in her eyes.
Neither of them wanted to say it out loud, but in that moment, they both knew—
The love was still there.
But the timing? The world they lived in?
That night, Y/N climbed into bed beside him, curling into his warmth like she always did.
Joe wrapped an arm around her out of instinct, but something had shifted.
Neither of them spoke.
Neither of them said, "We'll fix this."
Because for the first time, they weren’t sure if they could.
They just laid there in the dark, both pretending they didn’t feel the weight of what was coming next.
And for the first time in their relationship, the silence wasn’t comfortable.
It was the sound of something breaking.
||
It happened in the offseason.
They had both known it was coming for weeks, maybe even months. The missed calls. The late replies. The exhaustion in their voices when they did talk. Everything that once felt effortless had turned into something they had to work for. And while love was always worth fighting for, neither of them could deny that they were fighting more than they were loving.
But even with all the signs, knowing doesn’t make it easier.
It was supposed to be a night to fix things. Joe had just come back from a much-needed vacation, and Y/N had cleared her schedule for the weekend. They agreed on dinner at a quiet restaurant, away from the flashing lights, away from the outside world.
But from the moment they sat down, the air felt different.
Joe tapped his fingers on the table, his mind somewhere else. Y/N stirred her drink absentmindedly, barely touching her food.
The silence stretched between them, thick and heavy.
This wasn’t them.
Y/N sighed, placing her fork down. “Joe…”
He looked up, his blue eyes tired in a way they never used to be.
“We can’t keep doing this,” she whispered.
His jaw tensed, his fingers curling into a fist on the table. He had known this was coming. He had felt it deep in his bones for weeks, but that didn’t mean he was ready to hear it.
“We’re just… not the same anymore,” she continued, her voice careful. “I feel like we’re always missing each other, even when we’re in the same room.”
Joe exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. “So that’s it? You’re just giving up?”
Y/N’s throat tightened. She didn’t want to give up. She wanted to hold onto him, to tell him that they could fix this if they just tried a little harder. But how long could you keep holding onto something that was already slipping through your fingers?
“I don’t want to walk away,” she admitted, tears burning behind her eyes. “But Joe… when was the last time we were really happy?”
Joe swallowed hard, looking away. That question shouldn’t have been so hard to answer.
Y/N reached for his hand across the table, squeezing it gently. The way she always had. But this time, he didn’t squeeze back.
“I love you,” she whispered.
His eyes flickered to hers, something raw and unspoken flashing behind them. He loved her, too. He always would. But love wasn’t enough.
He let out a long breath, nodding slowly.
“I love you, too,” he said. And just like that, it was over.
They didn’t make a scene.
They left the restaurant separately—Joe through the side door, Y/N through the front. The paparazzi were waiting, cameras flashing as they shouted questions she didn’t have the energy to answer.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket. Joe.
She swallowed, pulling it out to see the text.
Get home safe.
She blinked hard, willing herself not to cry.
Y/N: You too.
She wanted to say more.
Wanted to tell him that she didn’t regret a second of it. That she would always root for him. That he would always be her favorite story, even if they didn’t get a happy ending.
But instead, she tucked her phone away and got into the car, leaving behind the only person who ever made her feel like home.
Joe didn’t go straight home.
He drove around the city for hours, his hands gripping the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white.
His phone buzzed again. A text from Ja’Marr..
You good?
He stared at it for a long time before finally typing back:
No.
That night, he lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Every part of him ached—but not in the way it did after a brutal game. This was different. This was the kind of pain that sat in your chest and refused to leave.
For the first time in his life, he had lost something he couldn’t win back.
Y/N didn’t sleep that night.
She sat on her couch in a hoodie that still smelled like Joe, knees pulled to her chest, phone clutched in her hand.
She kept expecting a call. A text. Something.
But it never came.
And she didn’t reach out either.
Because deep down, they both knew—there was nothing left to say.
The worst part wasn’t the breakup itself.
It was everything that came after.
It was waking up and realizing there were no more good morning texts waiting on her phone. It was scrolling through Instagram and seeing a picture of Joe at practice, looking focused, looking fine—like she hadn’t just walked away from him.
It was reaching for her phone after a bad day, only to remember that he wasn’t hers to call anymore.
For Joe, it was even worse.
Football had always been his escape. The one thing that never let him down. But even in the middle of practice, between drills and film sessions, his mind would drift to her.
He’d hear a song playing in the locker room—one of hers—and his stomach would tighten.
He’d catch himself reaching for his phone, tempted to text her, only to stop at the last second.
He’d drive past a place they used to go, and suddenly, it felt like he couldn’t breathe.
Love doesn’t just disappear overnight.
It lingers.
It haunts you.
And no matter how much they tried to move on, there were still nights when they both lay awake, staring at the ceiling, wondering if they had made the biggest mistake of their lives.
But they never reached out.
Because they both knew—
It would hurt too much to talk.
||
Joe didn’t think about her.
At least, that’s what he told himself.
Training camp started, and he threw himself into football harder than ever. Early mornings, late nights, extra drills—anything to keep his mind busy. The media praised his focus. Locked in. Unshakable. Ready for the season of his life.
What they didn’t see was the way his thumb hovered over her contact some nights.
Or how he still wore the bracelet she gave him—a simple leather band, hidden beneath his wrist tape.
Or how, when the team played in Los Angeles, he caught himself looking for her in the crowd, even though he knew she wouldn’t be there.
Y/N, on the other hand, convinced herself she was free.
She threw herself into work, into new projects. New music, new opportunities, new people. She let herself be photographed at industry events, wearing the kind of radiant, effortless smiles that made it look like she had never been in love with Joe Burrow.
But behind closed doors?
She still hesitated before playing his highlights when ESPN aired them.
She still wore his oversized hoodie when she was home alone.
And sometimes, when the world was quiet, she’d catch herself thinking about calling him. Just to hear his voice. Just to see if he was okay.
But they didn’t talk.
Not when she was nominated for a Golden Globe.
Not when Joe led the Bengals to another playoff win.
Not when they were in the same city, just blocks apart, but worlds away.
It happened at a charity gala in New York.
Y/N hadn’t planned on going, but her team convinced her. A good PR move. A chance to show the world she had moved on.
She had spent the night mingling, smiling, doing what she did best—commanding the room.
And then, she felt it. A shift in the air. Like someone was watching her.
She turned her head, and there he was.
Joe Burrow, across the room, standing near the bar, his hand wrapped around a glass of whiskey.
Her breath caught in her throat. He looked… different. The same, but different.
The suit was sharp, the same cool, composed expression on his face. But there was something in his eyes—something softer.
For a moment, it was like time folded in on itself.
Every late-night conversation. Every whispered “I love you.” Every fight, every apology, every moment that had made them them.
Joe’s grip on his glass tightened.
Their eyes met, held. And then—just like that—he looked away.
He turned, said something to the person beside him, took a sip of his drink.
Like she wasn’t even there. Y/N felt something crack inside her chest.
She knew this was how it was supposed to be.
They weren’t together anymore.
They didn’t owe each other anything.
But wasn’t it strange?
That after everything, they were just two people in the same room, pretending they had never been anything more?
She didn’t look at him again for the rest of the night.
And when she got home, she locked herself in her hotel bathroom and cried for the first time in months.
The headlines started soon after.
Joe Burrow Spotted in NYC, No Y/N in Sight—Are They Finally Moving On?
Y/N Looking Radiant at Charity Event Amidst Joe Burrow Breakup Rumors
Has Joe Found a New Leading Lady? NFL Star Seen with Mystery Woman.
Y/N didn’t click on the articles.
She didn’t let herself wonder if Joe had really moved on.
She focused on her work.
She poured herself into writing new music.
And for the first time in months, she felt something close to herself again.
Until one night, when she found herself sitting at her piano, fingers hovering over the keys, a melody forming before she even realized what it was.
The words spilled out before she could stop them.
“…Did you get anxious though, On the way home?, I guess I'll never, ever know, Now that we don't talk.”
“You grew your hair long, you got new icons… and from the outside, it looks like you’re trying lives on.”
She pressed her lips together, trying not to cry.
Even when they weren’t speaking, Joe was still in everything.
Joe saw the song before he heard it.
He was sitting in the Bengals’ film room, scrolling through his phone during a break when he saw the trending topic.
Y/N Y/L/N’s New Song: Is It About Joe Burrow?
His stomach tightened.
He should have ignored it.
But instead, he put his AirPods in and hit play.
The first notes hit, soft and aching, and suddenly, he wasn’t in the locker room anymore.
He was back in the car with her, driving down the coast with the windows down.
He was in their hotel room in Italy, tracing circles on her skin while she hummed the melody to a song she hadn’t written yet.
He was on the phone with her at 2 AM, whispering ‘I love you’ before hanging up.
And then he heard the lyrics.
You grew your hair long.
You got new icons.
And from the outside, it looks like you’re trying lives on.
Joe exhaled sharply, dragging a hand over his face.
It was about him.
It was always about him.
And wasn’t that the cruelest part?
That even after all this time, after all the nights they had spent apart, after all the silence—
They were still haunting each other.
||
The night of NFL Honors should have been a celebration.
Joe had spent the evening shaking hands, giving interviews, and sitting through speeches about some of the greatest moments in football. People congratulated him, smiled at him, told him how great he was.
But he felt empty.
Because the one person he wanted to share it with—wasn’t there.
He had spent months pretending he had moved on, convincing himself that throwing himself into football would make him forget. But no matter how many games he won, how many records he broke, none of it mattered if he couldn’t share it with her.
Y/N.
Joe let out a breath as he sat on the hotel bed, running a hand through his hair. His phone was in his palm, the screen illuminated with her name.
Y/N.
He had never deleted her contact. Never even considered it.
And before he could think better of it, before he could talk himself out of it, he hit call.
It rang.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Then it went to voicemail.
Joe swallowed hard, waiting for the beep.
Then—
"Hey."
His voice was rougher than he expected. He cleared his throat and continued.
"I don’t know why I’m doing this," he admitted, leaning forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "I guess I just… I needed to say this. Even if you never hear it."
He exhaled, his free hand gripping his knee.
"I’m sorry, Y/N. For everything. For not prioritizing us, for all the times I made you feel like you were on the outside looking in. I know you’d tell me it’s not all my fault, and maybe you’re right. But I played a big part in it. And I hate that."
His voice dropped slightly.
"I still love you. I don’t think I’ll ever stop loving you, because you were it for me. The one who made all the bad stuff feel like a small footnote compared to the good. And maybe I never said it enough, maybe I never showed it enough, but… it’s always been you."
Joe exhaled, his jaw tightening.
"And I know I don’t deserve anything from you—not after New York. I should’ve talked to you. I should’ve tried. But I knew if I came up to you, if I even looked at you too long, I wouldn’t have been able to hold it together."
He let out a humorless chuckle, shaking his head.
"I’m not asking for anything. I just… I needed you to hear this. I needed you to know all the things I never got to say that night at the restaurant."
He paused, then softly—
"That’s it, I guess. Take care, Y/N."
And then, before he could second-guess himself, he hung up.
He set his phone down beside him, staring blankly at the muted TV playing some sitcom he wasn’t even paying attention to.
Now, all he could do was wait.
Joe had just about given up when his phone vibrated on the nightstand.
He sat up quickly, his heart hammering.
Y/N.
He grabbed the phone so fast he nearly dropped it before answering.
There was silence for a beat. Then—
"Hey."
Her voice was soft, hesitant.
Joe swallowed. "Hey."
She let out a small breath. "I got your voicemail."
Joe nodded, even though she couldn’t see him. "Yeah. I, uh… I wasn’t expecting you to call."
Y/N sighed. "I wasn’t expecting to, either. But… I wanted to."
Joe ran a hand over his face, his chest feeling too full and too empty all at once.
"Y/N, I meant everything I said," he told her. "All of it."
"I know," she whispered. "And… I’m sorry, too. For everything I did. I wasn’t perfect, Joe. I made mistakes, too."
He closed his eyes, letting that settle.
She hesitated before adding, "I guess I’m just surprised you called."
Joe let out a quiet chuckle. "Yeah. Me too. But I finally had the courage, and I just… I had to do it."
There was a pause.
Joe swallowed hard.
"I love you," he murmured. "And I’m sorry."
Silence.
Then, barely above a whisper—
"I love you, too."
And just like that, the weight he had been carrying for months finally lifted.
They weren’t fixed. Not yet.
But they weren’t over, either.
And that was enough.
||
It felt like a dream.
Joe stood in the middle of the field, his jersey stained with sweat, his heart still pounding from the final whistle.
The Bengals had done it.
Super Bowl champions.
Confetti rained down, the crowd roared, and cameras flashed as he stood there, taking it all in.
Then—
She was there.
Y/N.
She had been in the stands, watching, waiting.
And the moment she reached him, he didn’t hesitate.
Joe wrapped his arms around her, lifting her slightly off the ground as she let out a breathless laugh.
"You did it!" she said against his shoulder.
Joe pulled back, looking down at her, his eyes shining with something more than just victory.
"We did it," he corrected, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
She smiled up at him, the confetti catching in her hair, the stadium lights making her eyes sparkle.
Joe cupped her face, his thumb brushing against her cheek.
"I love you," he said, the words feeling even more right than they did a year ago.
Y/N grinned. "I love you, too, Burrow."
Then, in the middle of the biggest moment of his career, in front of millions of people watching—Joe kissed her.
And suddenly, the championship ring, the MVP trophy, the confetti—none of it mattered as much as this.
As much as her.
Because, in the end—she was the biggest win of his life.
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astrologydray · 11 days ago
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♓️Pisces Mc in the each of the degrees🐟
If you have a Pisces Midheaven (MC), your career and public image are influenced by Pisces’s themes of creativity, spirituality, compassion, and imagination. Pisces MC individuals are often drawn to careers that allow them to express their emotional sensitivity, engage in creative endeavors, and help others. They may be drawn to professions in the arts, healing, spirituality, or any field that requires empathy, intuition, and a connection to something greater than themselves.
• 0° Pisces (Aries Point) – A mystical public image, likely to gain recognition through creative expression or a spiritual path. This degree suggests a strong connection to the arts, music, or healing professions.
• 1° Pisces – Highly intuitive and imaginative. Likely to excel in fields such as art, music, film, or any career where creativity and emotional expression are key.
• 2° Pisces – Compassionate and deeply connected to spiritual practices. Likely to succeed in healing professions, psychology, or social work, where empathy and understanding are essential.
• 3° Pisces – Artistic and dreamy, with a focus on imagination and emotional depth. Likely to work in creative arts, theater, or writing, bringing personal emotions into the public eye.
• 4° Pisces – A natural healer or empath with a strong desire to help others. Likely to work in counseling, social work, or spiritual careers, using your intuition to guide others.
• 5° Pisces – Strongly artistic and imaginative, likely to thrive in music, poetry, or film. Creativity flows easily with this placement, especially in careers that allow for emotional expression.
• 6° Pisces – Drawn to nurturing and helping others. Likely to work in healthcare, counseling, or the arts, bringing healing energy to the world.
• 7° Pisces – Compassionate and empathetic, with a focus on partnerships in your career. Likely to work in collaborative or healing professions, such as psychotherapy or team-oriented art projects.
• 8° Pisces – Emotionally intuitive, focused on transformational roles that help others or bring about spiritual growth. Likely to work in alternative healing, spiritual counseling, or psychology.
• 9° Pisces – Creative and spiritual, with a strong desire to use your artistic talents or spiritual insights to help others. Likely to thrive in careers related to healing, the arts, or charity work.
• 10° Pisces – Highly idealistic and drawn to career paths that reflect your deep compassion for others. Likely to excel in humanitarian causes, artistic expression, or spiritual guidance.
• 11° Pisces – Creative and highly sensitive, focused on bringing your vision to the public. Likely to work in arts, music, or theater, or in roles that offer healing or spiritual guidance to others.
• 12° Pisces – A deeply empathetic and intuitive person, likely to find success in healing, spiritual work, or any profession where you can help others through your understanding of the emotional and spiritual realms.
• 13° Pisces – Dreamy, creative, and spiritually inclined, likely to succeed in artistic endeavors or spiritual fields such as yoga, meditation, or holistic healing.
• 14° Pisces – A natural empath, likely to be drawn to nurturing roles in healthcare, healing, or spiritual counseling. You may also excel in artistic careers, such as acting or visual arts.
• 15° Pisces – Highly intuitive and drawn to creativity and spirituality. Likely to thrive in the arts, healing professions, or psychology, where you can use your emotional sensitivity to help others.
• 16° Pisces – Dreamy, artistic, and idealistic, likely to find success in music, film, or any creative profession. Your career may involve helping others or providing emotional support.
• 17° Pisces – Emotionally in tune with the needs of others, likely to succeed in healing, counseling, or creative fields. You may be drawn to careers that involve art therapy, spiritual counseling, or psychotherapy.
• 18° Pisces – Highly creative and spiritually inclined, likely to succeed in artistic careers or healing professions, such as nursing, therapy, or spiritual leadership.
• 19° Pisces – Intuitive, imaginative, and compassionate, likely to thrive in charity work, spiritual teaching, or creativity-focused professions like writing, acting, or art.
• 20° Pisces – A dreamy, idealistic professional, focused on helping others or working in creative industries. Likely to excel in art, healing, or music fields.
• 21° Pisces – Highly artistic and spiritually inclined, likely to succeed in film, theater, or visual arts, or any career path that allows you to explore emotional depth and spiritual insights.
• 22° Pisces – Compassionate and intuitive, likely to find success in healing, spiritual guidance, or emotional support roles. Likely to work in charitable organizations or artistic industries.
• 23° Pisces – Deeply connected to the emotional and spiritual realms, likely to excel in counseling, spiritual roles, or any career in the healing or creative arts.
• 24° Pisces – A strong desire to help others or create beauty in the world. Likely to work in arts, spiritual practices, or healing professions, where compassion and creativity can flourish.
• 25° Pisces – Highly intuitive, artistic, and compassionate, likely to succeed in creative fields or healing professions where you can use your gifts to help others.
• 26° Pisces – Dreamy and empathetic, likely to work in arts, music, or theater or find success in healing, psychology, or spiritual roles.
• 27° Pisces – Creative, intuitive, and deeply connected to spiritual realms. Likely to excel in art, spiritual guidance, or holistic healing careers.
• 28° Pisces – Artistic, compassionate, and dreamy, likely to find fulfillment in creativity, healing, or humanitarian efforts. You may also be drawn to roles that support others emotionally or spiritually.
• 29° Pisces (Anaretic Degree) – A culmination of your compassionate, spiritual, and creative nature. This degree often brings fated opportunities to pursue careers that involve healing, art, spirituality, or any profession that allows you to work with the emotional or spiritual realms.
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inamindfarfaraway · 1 year ago
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I love how Paul's character in The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals is defined entirely by a lack of desire, or desire defined only as 'not what I don't want'. "What Do You Want, Paul?" is a big joke about what a terrible narrative protagonist he is. But it's deeper than that. Throughout the show, even in the smallest, most insignificant phrasing, this man only ever expresses wants in these negative forms, as if he's incapable of feeling attraction in itself rather than simply avoiding what he dislikes. And only avoiding! He never says that he hates anything, either! That would give him passion, drive, perhaps the goal of actively removing that thing. No, he exclusively uses the verb hate in past tense.
He doesn't like musicals, singing, dancing or public performances. He makes this very clear, to the point that it's one of his most significant character traits. At no point does he ever talk about liking any media.
He doesn't want to do social activities.
He doesn't want to give away his money. About both this and the above, he can provide no logical explanation or moral justification. He just doesn't feel like them.
He always gets black coffee because it has "no cream, no sugar, nothing in it"; that is to say, he might not necessarily love it, merely prefer it over its sweeter or more complex alternatives.
He doesn't believe that Emma should have to sing and dance at work - he doesn't want her life to be so unfair and annoying to the both of them.
He doesn't want to obstruct the workings of his office (saying "that's the last thing I want" triggers "What Do You Want, Paul?").
He says, "I wanna go home!" when Mr Davidson is singing at him, but means that he wants to be somewhere safe and not stuck in this incredibly uncomfortable situation.
He doesn't want to die.
He specifically doesn't want to die in Clivesdale, because fuck Clivesdale.
He doesn't want to join the Hive.
He doesn't want to leave Hatchetfield, even when it's the site of an alien invasion that is his personal worst nightmare. He actually says that "All things considered, I like Hatchetfield", arguably an exception to the standard. However, he's also well aware of the town's flaws and problems. He grew up one of its poorer residents, attending the inferior, underfunded Sycamore High School where he casually admits the students "hated [themselves]" and having to watch its more respectable rival Hatchetfield High's school play. He has no strong investment in his tedious middle-class office job. He doesn't get along with some of his fellow townsfolk, like his coworker Ted and all the employees of Beanies except Emma. He awkwardly evades giving to charity and the homeless every morning on his way to work. His life is decidedly not one of utter bliss, and yet it's good enough for him in that he doesn't have the energy, ambition or imagination to want anything more. Since he's "been here [his] whole life", his affection for his hometown could be more an aversion to everywhere else or the hassle of travelling. Sticking with the devil he intimately knows.
He doesn't think badly of Emma, and says so because he doesn't want her to or believe that he does after learning that she helped make a "hated" experience of his happen.
He doesn't want to let Bill die, which is why he goes with Bill to rescue Alice. His heroism and proactiveness at the turning point of the end of Act One start to notably erode his apathy, but his phrasing reaffirms his negative motivations: "Hey, it's not like you're asking me to go see Mama Mia!", "Emma, there comes a time in every man's life when he has to draw a line in the sand. And I will never be in a fucking musical."
He doesn’t want Bill to blame himself for Alice's endangerment, stay in the area once Alice is revealed to be a vessel of the Hive or kill himself.
He doesn't want to do some light reading on the universal truth of love and the strength of the human heart.
He has no positive motivation. He breaks one of the most basic rules of being a fictional character, let alone the main character the audience is supposed to root for. He isn't just an antihero, he's an anti-protagonist. Although this could easily make him boring or unsympathetic, he manages to seem relatable. Real. Human. He captures so genuinely an ordinary person living an ordinary life suddenly trapped in a horror story. How many of us can honestly articulate "one concrete goal that motivates all [our] actions"? Even if you can, you wouldn't undergo a narratively fulfilling and thematically cohesive arc related to that desire the way a fictional character would. We're all essentially just trying to survive each day. To make or keep our lives however we define 'good enough'. We may not have a crystal clear picture of our ideal life, but I bet we all have a long list of things we don't want in it. We're all Paul. He even says, “I want what anyone wants”.
What more appropriate antagonist for this man to face, then, than a force that exists to strip people of their autonomy, their individuality, their personhood, and force them to play archetypical characters in a conventional narrative? The Hive observes that Paul is an anti-protagonist and takes offence to this. It seeks to convert him into his antithesis, the "bold" "leading man" of its musical who the audience can "sympathize with". The Infected highlight this in the opening song, in which they eagerly anticipate and prepare the audience for his entrance... and he misses his cue. He isn't following their script. Perhaps that's why the audience is able to believe in this average, unassuming antihero's potential to succeed, to defeat the Hive or at the very least escape it, despite how fraught and grim the situation becomes. The story certainly proves itself to be cruel to its characters; but Paul doesn't operate like a normal character. The Hive promises to fulfil people's desires and make them happy throughout the play. Charlotte, Bill, Hidgens and Ted's deaths are connected to, by either direct causality or thematic relevance, their respective desires for Sam's love, Alice's safety, world peace (and the glory of a musical career) and Ted's own survival. Paul is uniquely immune to this pattern of death related to a core motivation.
Until:
"I can't leave without Emma”, “a friend of mine."
"Is there a chance of something more?"
"I think so. I'd like there to be. I want there to be."
He wants Emma, her life and her happiness and maybe, just maybe, her love. He wants to love her. To spend time with her. For the first time ever, he wants more out of life, not less. He's a little bit more of a character. After the Infected reprise the "Did you hear the word?" section of the opening song, building up to his appearance, this time he does enter the theatre, coming down the aisle just as he was meant to. Right on cue. Paul is now vulnerable to the narrative - the Hive's narrative. And the Hive's control.
Still he resists, even while doubting if he was ever really happy before. Not only does he use his final words, fittingly, to declare that he doesn't like musicals, but before that he firmly refutes the Hive, and the philosophy behind it and all the pressures and temptatations it might represent: "It doesn't matter what I want." What matters is the good of the world. Emma. Love. Hope. Freedom. Integrity. Humanity, which must be wonderful if we can make sacrifices like this for all the right reasons.
Rest in peace, Paul Matthews. You were the opposite of a conventional protagonist, but a true hero.
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libraford · 11 months ago
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Okay so here's the rundown of everything that happened with the radio station because omg is it some drama.
In the 90's, there were a lot more independently-run radio stations. There wasn't IHeartRadio and there wasn't SiriusFM or JackFM. A dude could just have a radio station frequency and start a radio station as long as they complied with FCC regulations. And one of these radio stations in Columbus was an alternative station called CD101.
That frequency was sold to a classical station, which is fine because the exchange was friendly. And then the station moved to a different frequency, CD102.5.
So I know it may seem like radio DJ's are just weirdos with microphones and that's just not true- they are TALENTED weirdos with a microphone. You have to be personable, you have to know about the music you're playing, you have to be enthusiastic. And this station was pretty good about programming- they played local music, they played deep cuts, they played weird shit. There were programs for oddball and punk and goth music. They ran charities, they were at local festivals, they were in parades. Their radio station even had a small concert venue attached to it and they would invite visiting musicians to play. Like it really was about community.
But.
Radio stations are expensive, and they get more expensive every year, and in 2020 they were unable to renew their FCC license.
And then a couple months later, they were back again under CD 92.9. A radio station rented out the frequency to them and they were able to get back on the air. It was like nothing ever happened.
I'm not going to know what happened between the owner the frequency (Mark) and the owner of the station (Randy) because there's a lot of people talking about Mark overcharging on rent and Randy being late or short on payments.
An agreement was drawn up to have Randy buy the frequency over a period of (I think) 5 years. But the price was high and the terms of termination were brutal (if he was even one day late on a payment, it constituted termination of the contract). And Randy found those terms to be unreasonable.
So, they announced that the radio station would be going off the air February 1, 2024. And we're all pretty upset! Like, not to be like 'this station saved my life,' but this was a pretty consistent source of event news for me and its how I learned about a lot of concerts and artists. They played one of my friend's bands pretty often and its like 'hell yeah, I know that flutist!'
The DJs of CD92.9 said their good-byes on Facebook.
Meanwhile...
The new DJ of the new station announced that it was always his destiny run the station, and that the new station would be More local music, More deep cuts, More weird shit- and No Billie Eilish. "Out with the old, in with the new."
On one of the old DJ's good-bye posts, the new DJ tried to recruit him to the new station.
"Really? You're trying to poach me on my good-bye post?"
Mark makes a statement that the station will be committed to 'continuing the legacy of CD92.9' and will be using the same programming, the same music, the same DJ's.
Randy says 'the fuck it will, that wasn't the deal' and files a C&D. The DJ's are allowed to work for the new station if they so please, but the new station is not going to inherit shit. They cannot use the same programming, their staff, or any of the thousands of recordings they've use in the past 30 years. Any branding or attempt to brand as similar to CD92.9 is a breach of contract.
A facebook group formed around the support of CD 92.9. How to help, how to get their online stream onto your phone, upcoming events, sponsors to support, and a healthy amount of bitching. Admittedly, some of the posts were REAL stretches- like... I'm sorry darling, I know you want it to happen, but you are NOT going to get them on copyright infringement because their red X logo looks kind of like a similar red X logo from a radio station in Milwaukee.
CD92.9 goes down, 93X goes up.
He does play some more uncommon music, sure. But he doesn't announce who the artist is so its kind of like... what's the point in that? If you just play a local band, but we don't know who the local band is, how are we going to go to their concerts? He'd also talk smack about some bands and its like... don't? You're a public face now.
And then there's the radio edits, which he chose not to play on occasion, so the radio was full of f-bombs. FCC violation.
And as a DJ, simply not charismatic. Like I realize he's not Blorbo from my radio, but like I said- DJing is a skill.
So I just didn't listen. It wasn't worth my time to try. I found a different, less cool station to listen to in the car and I listened to the stream at home.
The mood of the facebook group shifted more towards support for the sponsors, events planned around 92.9, news about who is leaving and who is staying and we just kind of let 93X exist.
The promise of 'no Billie Eilish' fell through pretty quickly. Their music selection dropped to the usual 'alternative music' packet of Imagine Dragons and Twenty-One Pilots. And eventually...
They went off the air. After one month of airtime, it is now an oldies station.
93X DJ said 'well, congratulations you got what you wanted.' Which is half right. We wanted them to tank and our old station to succeed. We're still hopeful about the second part.
The Dispatch ran an article about the short-lived station. Ends with:
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So just for like... summary-
Ya'll took over the station with a committed listener base, claimed that you'd be just continuing business as usual, tried to poach their talent, hired someone with no problem talking shit, and when your station failed...
... you want to blame a Facebook Group?
Are you a child?
Anyways, if you'd like to hear an alternative rock station in Columbus that's just doing their best, here's a link to the stream!
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a-night-like--this · 1 year ago
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Thrilled to be sharing this stunning piece of work with you today entitled 'ENDSONG' generously created for our #anonartproject by a mystery artist. This is 1 of 4 pieces by this musician which will be available to bid on from 3- 12 November
— The HeART Project
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jishyucks · 1 year ago
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True Love Gave to Me Masterlist
—  A Holiday Series of Short Oneshots
Ah~ the holiday season—a season of giving, of joy and laughter, of overflowing love… Why not spread this festive warmth with 12 short stories set during this time of year?
‣ featuring: hyung line of nct dream x reader, 00line of stray kids x reader, & 02z of enhypen x reader
‣  genre: all very fluffy! and holiday-themed (some are cliche but who hates cliches), specifics and warnings will be listed under each fic!
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one.
‣ pairing: mark lee x reader ‣ genre: fluff, implied friends-to-lovers, classmates au
Sure, it was disheartening seeing everyone receive a holiday candy gram but you, especially when you’re the one in charge of selling them at lunch. But don't worry, yours is on the way. He’s just… running a bit late.
Received!
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two.
‣ pairing: hwang hyunjin x reader ‣ genre: fluff, implied friends-to-lovers, rich-kid!au
You’ve quickly established that no one at this damn charity gala cares about the event’s purpose. They were just there to party. And you wanted nothing else but to leave; alternatively, in which Hyunjin saves you from your misery to see the city’s Christmas lights.
Received!
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three.
‣ pairing: park jay x reader ‣ genre: fluff, coworkers-to-something more?, subtly hurt/comfort
Your ability to empathize was a blessing and curse. When you see your boss sitting alone in his office on Christmas Day, you can’t help but invite him to your family party. And when he actually says yes, you’re kind of stuck regretting the offer simply because you’re not sure how this is going to turn out.
Received!
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four.
‣ pairing: huang renjun x reader ‣ genre: fluff, academic rivals to (implied) lovers, forced proximity
You don’t hate many things, but you could proudly say that you hate snow and Huang Renjun. And now that the universe has decided that it was a great idea to have you snowed in with the smartass himself, you’ll gladly add the universe to that list.
Received!
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five.
‣ pairing: han jisung x reader ‣ genre: fluff, implied f2l/coworkers-to-lovers
In all honesty, you had no idea why you decided to take up the job of gift wrapping at your local mall. There are moms constantly yelling at you, your fingers are covered in papercuts, and the hours are long. Luckily, your coworker, Jisung, is there to make it more bearable.
Received!
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six.
‣ pairing: jake sim x reader ‣ genre: fluff, meet-cute, implied strangers to something more
After months of being apart from your family, you finally get to fly back home for the holidays. On the flight there, you’re placed next to a cute stranger who has taken it upon himself to talk to you. What happens when the roads from the airport are closed overnight and you’re stuck with said stranger? You’re just hoping he doesn’t have any plans of kidnapping you.
Received!
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seven.
‣ pairing: lee jeno x reader ‣ genre: fluff, implied f2l/coworkers-to-lovers, secret admirer au, office!au
When gifts start appearing on your work desk on December 1st, you have no choice but to hunt down the man who’s been planting them. And with only 7 men on the floor, this shouldn’t be difficult… Right?
Received!
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eight.
‣ pairing: felix lee x reader ‣ genre: fluff, implied f2l, hurt/comfort
Spending Christmas sick and in bed wasn’t Felix’s ideal way of spending the holiday. Being the best friend that you are, you decide to take care of him. Who would have thought that Felix was clingy when he had the flu?
Received!
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nine.
‣ pairing: park sunghoon x reader ‣ genre: fluff, friends-to-lovers
After weeks of stalling, you finally let Sunghoon take you skating—and with how close you two are, you hope he mistakes the beating of your heart for the beat of the music.
Received!
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ten.
‣ pairing: lee donghyuck x reader ‣ genre: fluff, established relationship
They weren’t lying when they said that the holiday season was the busiest time of year. With finals rolling around, gift shopping for your family, and keeping yourself in check, you barely have time to give your boyfriend the attention he wants. Donghyuck, however, has a way to work around this; alternatively, in which Donghyuck just wants one kiss and you think it’ll be funny not to give it to him
Received!
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eleven.
‣ pairing: kim seungmin x reader ‣ genre: fluff, frenemies to lovers
After cursing the city and their poor excuse of cleaning the streets, you eventually swallow your pride and call your friends to help you free your car from the snow. And out of all the people that could have come, it really had to be Seungmin…
Received!
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twelve.
‣ pairing: na jaemin x reader ‣ genre: fluff, f2l/co'workers'-to-lovers
You have two weaknesses—Gojo and men with kids… and you guess, Jaemin. That would make it three, but he falls under that second category; alternatively, in which you weren’t really planning on developing feelings for Na Jaemin but seeing him work with kids all the time at the local community centre is making it damn hard not to.
Received!
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‣ an: another episode of me being ambitious cause I have so many other WIPS, so we'll see if I'll manage to do these on time (if not, Christmas lasts until Jan 6,,, soo) but don't worry I am motivated to actually complete this!—anyways, I love Christmas and the holiday season so much that I had to do this,,, and I didn’t rly do anything for when I reached 1k so why not? I'm aware it's 'true love sent to me' but this fits the theme more,,, PLEASE ENJOY AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!—things might change as I go!
!! if anyone is interested in joining a tag list, please let me know! just indicate if you'd like to be tagged on all of them or certain groups/members!
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shojizbae · 5 months ago
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Just take yourself back to 2006
Tom Kaulitz x Reader
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It's the later days of MySpace and the early days of YouTube, and Tokio Hotel is starting to take off. Fan girls are really beginning to amass, and the world getting very familiar with Tokio Hotel. One young German girl had since seen the band and their aesthetics and decided to change her appearance almost entirely. One walk down to the convenience store later, she locked herself in the bathroom for the night. She pulled an all-nighter, and when she emerged from her bedroom the following day, her mother jumped at the sight.
Gone was the good little Jewish girl she had raised. Drugstore eyeliner was coating your waterline. Different locks of your hair were bleached or had been dyed neon pink. Your once sensible collared shirts and khaki pants had been exchanged for a pair of low-rise bootcut jeans you accidentally bought when out with your great aunt. A lack of cool bras was exchanged for a leopard print bikini layered under a white camisole, which you had tied around your waist. You had taken a sharpie to your nails, and your lips were drenched in strawberry glaze lip gloss.
"Oh, good morning, liebe!" your mom quivers behind the batter bowl. "Do you want pancakes?"
"Nein, I'm going to the mall with some friends." you look disinterestedly at your pink razor. Just then, your mom notices that you're dragging a bag of clothes behind you
"What are you doing with those?"
"I'm not going to wear them anymore, so I will sell them to one of those charity shops. Yeah, and I think I will go to the music store, so can I have 50 euros?"
"Why don't you ask your father?"
"Ugh, fine." You sling the trash bag over your shoulder, and your mother is not happy when you return with a hundred euros in your hand. God dammit, you have your dad in your back pocket, your mom remembers. You walk into town, sell your old clothes, get another hundred euros, and then take your new look for a spin. The bus ticket only eats up two of your euros, and when you get to the mall, you instantly grab the attention of some emos.
They take you under their skinny wings and drag you around Hot Topic. You're dragged through Victoria's Secret, and the girls show you the most natural push-up bras in the subtlest shades of neon magenta and bedazzled turquoise. They show you the matching G-strings and outfit you with all the best.
All your brand new best friends take the bus home with you and show you all the best music. Your parents aren't home, so you drag four random kids to your apartment. Your parents were horrified when they got home. Sure, it was natural to experiment at your age, and sure, 15 was a little old to still have horse posters up in your bedroom, but this was a real change.
Posters of men in tight leather pants with piercings covered your bedroom walls. Your sensible synagogue clothes had been smushed in the back of your closet to make room for miniskirts and ripped-up band tees. Your father nearly passed out when he saw that not only was your tongue pierced but also your eyebrow on your precious face? When they asked you what spurred on this change, all they got was
“What? I’m not your little girl anymore.” Your new friend may have overstayed their welcome, playing loud, trashy metal and eating all your snacks, but it was with you when Jax, a tall, spindly emo with purple highlights, said he would teach you how to make out with someone. You were just barely getting to second base when your mom walked in with a plate of carrots and hummus and sharply kicked all the kids out.
The next few months were a living hell of wresting you out of baggy jeans so your parents wouldn’t be kicked out of Temple. For that, you would abide because you did enjoy faith and your relationship with god, but as soon as you got back to the apartment, you would smear makeup on and practice with your new shitty Yamaha.
Getting more immersed in alternatives styles and culture you started posting covers of Metallica and eventually Tokio Hotel. Your covers start gaining traction some for your musical finesse and others for your looks. Accidentally you get really famous in almost a few months. When you start making money off your live shows, your mom takes over as your manager. She didn't like her 9-5 anyway.
When your gigs start making enough money to pay the bills for your dad, he lightens up on his disdain for your art. Slowly, you begin jotting down poetry, posting short videos of you noodling on your old acoustic guitar. Slowly, you sign a one-album contract with Universal Music Germany. While you juggle school and micro-fame, you spend every weekend at their recording studio.
It's one warm May Saturday when you meet him. You're both reaching for the same bottle of Coca-Cola when you brush his hands.
"Oh, entschuldigung!' you chime and continue reaching for the glass bottle.
"Entschuldigung," his slightly deeper (although still mid-pubescent) voice echoes as he reaches for the bottle. Your hands wrap around the neck as you stand together. Twin eyes flick from the bottle to each other. You relinquish the bottle and take a step back.
"Oh, I just wanted some soda." You offer kind of weakly
"Yeah, it was getting hot in the recording booth." He replies
"Oh, you're an artist. I thought you were some spoiled singer kid." You bend over to look for a different soda in the refrigerator and find that all that's left is carbonated lemonade. You ignore the gut feeling that the boy with your soda is checking your ass out. "So, are you a soloist?" You crack off the lid and flick it into a nearby trashcan
"No," I'm the guitarist at Tokio Hotel." You choke on your drink. "You don't know who I am?"
"You're Tom Kaulitz?" Your voice cracks as you point at him. You give yourself a chance to study his face, the lip piercing, the dreads, the eyes. He looks more normal than his usual promotional photos.
"You've probably heard this before, but I'm a really big fan." His face shows a wash of emotions before he settles on a bit of a snide smile.
"Really?" He steps a little closer, turning up the charm
"So are you some rich spoiled little nepo-girl. Usually, they make pretty hot babies." with his soda at his waist, he lifts your chin to look him in the eyes. "I mean, you're pretty hot, so you must be." you lean against the wall and tilt your hips toward his.
"Nein, I'm an artist. You're not too bad looking yourself, Tom Kaulitz from Tokio Hotel." You slowly take the Coca-Cola from his hand and take a sip. He gulps at the sight of you holding eye contact as you swallow. Slightly, you hand him back the bottle and duck out of his hold. He watches in awe as you strut to your recording booth. Tom rakes a hand down his face as he watches your ass move, and his band members join him in the break room.
"Who's the babe?' Gustav slings an arm over his shoulder
"My future wife." Tom holds back from a whimper exiting his mouth
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tessa-liam · 6 months ago
Text
Life Goes On
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Marabelle Series
Chapter 15 – Part 2
Choices – The Royal Romance, AU – (cross-over with Rules of Engagement)
Series Premise – An American teenager from New York City is introduced to the world of a small European country and its society of royalty, nobility, and commoners. How will her life story be transformed? Will this new adventure bring her happiness...or regret?
Marabelle Series Masterlist, My Complete Masterlist
Main Pairing – Crown Prince Liam Rys x F!OC Lady Sophia (Sophie) Taylor
Other Pairings – Maxwell Beaumont x M!OC Daniel (from NYC), Drake Walker x F!OC Melanie Smithson
Most characters belong to Choices/Pixelberry Studios
Series Rating – M*🔞Warnings: this series will have NSFW material, drinking, crude language & innuendo, gun violence
Many thanks to @selina012 for pre-reading.
Category – Alternate universe/on-going series/angst/fluff/cross-over with Choices Rules of Engagement
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Chapter Summary – Liam returns home to Cordonia to find Sophie and to address his nation about the university terror attack.
Music & Title Inspiration: Life Goes On, Ed Sheeran, Luke Combs; Run To You, Lucy Thomas
A/N1: Bethany Beaumont, Maxwell’s mother, is originally from the U.S. and is Barthelemy Beaumont’s second wife. Annabelle Beaumont (deceased) is Bertrand’s mother.
A/N2: ‘Social Season’ in this AU series refers to a traditional period in the spring/summer for royalty and members of the court to take part in Balls, dinner parties and charity events.
A/N3: Heartfelt thanks to @Selina012 for joining me in writing ideas and with dialogue/content for this chapter and series.
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Aboard the Royal jet, Rashad peered outside the window and took in the white sands of Cordonia's shores passing by. Suddenly his ears popped, and the pilot spoke over the intercom, announcing the estimated arrival time was in 5 minutes. He felt nervous and helpless and could not help but repeat his fears in his mind: ‘There hasn't been any good news’.
Drake watched Liam walk away from his seat, his hand curled around a glass tumbler filled with an expensive scotch. He wondered if they would hear news before they landed. Remembering his best friend's emotional spiral downward after the past assassination attempt three years ago at the palace; this had the makings of that same pattern. This time though, Drake was not going to leave Liam alone.
The dire problem of not having any clues where Sophie was at the moment was suffocating.
As they waited to land, the minutes seemed to draw out. There was not much he or any of Liam's guards could do but wait and prepare to offer the crown prince their full support.
Liam finished off his scotch, the fiery liquid barely registering, and tried to review the notes for his upcoming address to his nation in his head while stepping into his private suite onboard.
There had still been no update on his beloved Sophie's whereabouts or circumstances.
He took a deep, long breath and turned to Bastien walking next to him with unmistakable determination. "Bastien, contact the security team back home immediately. I need all the current details on the scene and an update on the rescue operations."
Bastien sprang into action, calling the security team leader and putting him on speakerphone so that Liam could hear the conversation in real time. Captain Sean Wilson answered the call.
"Captain, this is Crown Prince Liam Rys, requesting an update on the incident at the University of Cordonia." Liam's voice came through the phone speaker, clear and strong.
"Your Highness, the situation at the scene is complicated and we have deployed additional rescue teams to help facilitate the speedy rescue and recovery process.”
The captain’s voice was tired but remained professional. "We have confirmation that multiple students have been injured in the shooting. We have increased security three-fold around the campus and are working diligently to track down the suspects."
Liam's fists clenched involuntarily, but he remained stoic as he continued. "I need a complete list of all the known casualties. I want to know about each and every one."
"Your Highness, we have established a comprehensive emergency response mechanism. At present, we are compiling the information and rescue teams are working at full ability. The list of casualties is being urgently collated, and I will send it to you via encrypted channels as soon as it is completed."
Liam nodded, and though he could not be seen, there was an unmistakable insistence in his tone: "I need this completed as soon as possible. In addition, please continue to strengthen the search and rescue efforts to ensure the safety of all students. At the same time, increase the manpower to hunt down the suspects and I demand that they be brought to justice in the shortest possible time."
Shortly after hanging up, the sound of an encrypted email rang on Liam's tablet, which he quickly clicked on; and displayed a list of known casualties on the screen as asked. There were fourteen people in the column of the dead, and dozens of names in the column of the injured. Liam took a deep breath and began to go through the list of names, one by one, each name like a sharp blade, stabbing at his heart. He searched carefully, afraid to miss any possible detail. But until the end, he did not find Sophie's name.
Liam clenched his fists, his eyes shining with unshakeable determination. "Bastien, as soon as the jet lands, we will go to the scene and assess the situation personally.”
Bastien, at once responded: "Yes, Your Highness. I will ensure that everything is in place."
Liam turned his head to stare out the window at the clouds; his heart was in turmoil. Although Sophie's name did not appear on the list of casualties, his fears did not diminish. He knew that the lack of news did not mean that Sophie was necessarily safe. That she might still be struggling, or that for some reason she might not be able to communicate with the outside world. He had to ensure that Sophie was safe personally.
Thinking of this, he took out his phone and touched Sophie’s number with trembling fingers. But all he heard on the other end of the line was a cold, robotic voice: 'Sorry, the number you are trying to reach is unavailable.'
Sending a text, he carefully tapped every letter, as he expressed his worries and thoughts.
'Love, please call me as soon as you get this message. I'm worried about you.'
___
'Where are you? Are you safe? Why can't I reach you?'
___
'I'm already on my way back to Cordonia. Please wait for me. Please.'
As the minutes ticked by, the 'unread' message on the screen was an ironic and cruel reminder of the futility of all his efforts.
Frustrated, he then tried to call Sophie's aunt and then sent a text message to Maxwell. 'Max, are you okay? Where are you? Have you heard from Sophie?'
Shortly after, his phone vibrated and Liam checked the text immediately .... only to see Maxwell reply,
"Liam, me and Daniel are at the Malic Hotel now, we're all right. But Sophie got separated in the confusion!!!!😢 I have been trying to reach her without success. I'm really worried about her.'
Receiving this update, Liam, although still anxious, was also relieved that Maxwell felt safe. He immediately replied: "Max, good to hear you're okay. Please keep in touch, I'll be back as soon as I can, and we'll find Sophie together."
Liam then picked up his phone again and sent a text message to Sophie's Aunt Bethany:
'Duchess Bethany, this is Liam. How are you? Have you heard from Sophie? I am very concerned for her safety.'
A few minutes later, Bethany replied to his message: 'Your Highness, I'm fine, but Sophie hasn't been heard from since the ceremony. I am also anxiously awaiting her contact. Please try to not worry, I'm sure she will be all right'
Liam's heart sank to rock bottom as he closed his eyes, silently praying that she would be found safe and unharmed. At the same time, he also felt a deep sorrow for all the innocent victims of the attack. He understood as crown prince, he had the responsibility and obligation, along with his father, to ensure the security of the country and its people. This attack was an acute test of his leadership.
University of Cordonia, Capital
As Sophie wandered aimlessly through the maze of people, her eyes welled up. The adrenaline of an earlier escape from the auditorium faded and she felt more sadness, fear and heartache than she had ever felt before. For a moment, she could not control her emotions and tears ran down her cheeks. How she wished it all had been a bad dream, that she would wake up and find that it had all been a false alarm.
An hour later, Sophie and other surviving students and guests were evacuated in an orderly manner to a hotel outside of the campus, the Malic Hotel. The hotel was temporarily requisitioned as an emergency shelter and was surrounded by police and security personnel to ensure internal safety and order. But even so, there was an indescribable tension and unease still in the air.
Sophie had been assigned to room 302. The moment she stepped into her hotel room; Sophie could finally catch her breath. She sat wearily on the edge of the bed, looking out of the window with empty eyes, but her mood could not be calmed. She was eager to know more about what happened at the graduation, especially the mysterious men in black masks, their identity, purpose and why they were there; all of these became lingering questions in her mind.
She instinctively wanted to turn on her phone, hoping to find some clue or news report that would at least give her a sense of what had happened. But reality threw icy water at her - her phone screen was broken and riddled with cracks. She quickly pressed the power button, but the screen only flickered a few times, and then no longer responded. Sophie's eyes flashed with despair, as her contact with the outside world was completely cut off.
Thoughts came like a flood. She missed her Aunt Bethany, who supported her no matter what she was going through, who gave her endless warmth and encouragement, and who always made her feel at home in Cordonia. At the same time, she missed her horse, Marabelle. Every time she mounted Marabelle's back and galloped across the wide fields of Ramsford, all her troubles seemed to go away with the wind. Marabelle's eyes were always full of trust and loyalty, and there was a tacit understanding between them without words. How she wished now that she could feel the freedom and joy of running with Marabelle again.
But most of all, she missed Liam. In this unknown and dangerous moment, how she wished he could be with her, give her support and comfort. Liam, the man she was in love with, who gave her strength. She had never been so impatient to see him, to feel safe in his arms.
Now, however, she could only face all this alone; tears in her eyes had slipped down once again. In addition to missing Liam, Sophie's mind was filled with anxiety about the attack. She did not know how many people had been injured or even killed in the attack; whether Candy and Tom would get better, or what was going on with Maxwell and Daniel. They were her friends and family, and their safety stuck with her. She prayed silently that they would be safe.
Amidst this anxiety, there was so many questions. Who were those men in black at the graduation? Why would they target innocent students? What is the purpose behind this attack?
What puzzled her even more was the emblem of the earth and the baby. What does it mean? What has it got to do with the attack?
Her mind was full of confusion and uneasiness, questions swirled with no answers in sight, leaving her breathless. She tried to piece together every detail of the night in her mind, hoping to remember a clue or an answer. But the images were fragmented, leaving her unable to grasp and put together any useful information.
"Liam ..." Sophia muttered under her breath. She recalled what Liam had said about what he had experienced as a young prince and the memories of an assassination attempt that had fear cutting through his heart like a sharp blade.
Exhaustion came flooding in, overwhelming all her thoughts and feelings. Sophie lay in bed, breathing smoothly and deeply, and her body relaxed, as if all her worries and pain had been temporarily released at that moment. She drifted off to sleep with all her doubts, uneasiness, sadness, and longing for Liam.
The Royal Palace, Cordonia
The press was relentless. Inside the throne room, King Constantine stood stoically, as members of the press core demanded answers about the campus attack. Constantine cleared his throat and addressed the press directly and with the assurance of his years of reign and released a statement:
“At this dark hour, I stand before you with profound grief and pain in my heart. Like many of you, I am mourning the lives lost today, and we pray for the wounded to make a full recovery.
While we grieve the senseless violence that struck our country, we are also furious with the loss and sorrow brought on by those responsible for this evil act. We cannot and will not tolerate the murder and harming of innocent lives simply because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Those who commit such unspeakable acts will be held accountable and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the crown.”
Stepping down from the dais, Constantine was at once escorted by his royal guard out of the throne room. He looked visibly shaken and gripped his cane, trying to stand straight and upright.
Constantine's face was pale, and his eyes were filled with deep sorrow, his elderly face looked worn. But he refused to shed tears, still maintaining his dignified manner, while in public.
Lawrence, his personal guard, moved quickly to his side, “Your Majesty, the Royal jet has just landed with your son.”
Malic Motor Hotel, temporary safe house, University of Cordonia
The second group of surviving students were transported to the Malic hotel in orderly batches by the police in the pre-dawn night. The bright lights in the lobby could not hide the tension and in these in the air. Police officers, security personnel and medical staff were busy shuttling through the hallways to ensure that every student was properly accommodated.
The noise of footsteps and a murmur of conversation broke the sounds of the night. Sophie woke up, opened her eyes slightly, and through a gap in the half-closed curtains. She saw several figures hurrying along the corridor, as if new survivors had been brought in. She got up and dressed. Soon the door was gently opened, and a figure slowly entered the room. It was a girl about Sophie's age, a little wobbly in her step, visibly shaken by the night's horror and still reeling from the shock.
"Hey, um ... excuse me. I was assigned to this room. Is it okay if I come in?" The girl's voice was small and trembling, and her eyes were slightly timid.
Sophie at once stood up and smiled back, "Hello, come on in." The girl came closer, and Sophie could see her face. She had an East Asian face, long deep brown hair, and large black eyes full of fear and confusion, as if she had just woken up from a nightmare.
The girl said softly, "thank you, my name is Hana. What happened tonight was terrible ..."
Sophie took Hana's hand and sat her down on the edge of the bed. "Hi Hana, my name is Sophie. I know we have been through the same horror. But it is all right now. We can talk together and maybe it will make you feel better." Sophie tried to sound calm and friendly, hoping to bring some comfort to the girl.
Hana gave Sophie a grateful look, and took a deep breath. She began with great determination to recount her own experience at the graduation.
"I was with friends and all of a sudden the lights went out and they were gunshots ... I tried to run away, but there were screams and chaos all around me. I really don't know how I got out. I was taken to the stadium with some people and stayed there almost overnight until we were brought here. But I never saw my friends again. I got separated from them, I do not know what became of them..." Hana wiped tears from her eyes.
Sophie listened quietly, with a surge of sympathy and understanding. She thought of her friends Candy and Tom, and her cousin Maxwell and Daniel, and a pang of worry filled her heart.
"Hana, I've had my own friends injured and go missing too. Candy's arm was hit by shrapnel, Tom was shot in the shoulder, and they are both in the hospital; and Maxwell and Daniel got separated from me when they escaped. I am really worried about them. But I'm sure they will be all right. Your friends must have gotten out safely, too. You must believe that."
Hana's eyes flashed with emotion and trust as she listened to Sophie's words. "Sophie, you are such a strong person. If only I could be as brave as you."
Sophie patted Hana's arm gently and smiled wryly.
"Hana, it's normal to be afraid in this situation. In fact, I am also afraid, and all the people who have been through this attack."
Then Sophie's tone became a little heavier, and she decided to tell Hana what she had seen. With that, Sophie picked up the paper and pen on the table in the room and drew the sign from memory. Hana's face turned pale when she saw Sophie's drawing; her eyes widened, and she repeated in disbelief, "you saw this sign?"
Sophie nodded, her words unmistakable, "Yes, I'm sure. It was a very strange sign. I saw it clearly. They acted quickly and in an orderly manner. They were not ordinary thugs."
Hana held Sophie's hand tightly, her voice shaking slightly. "This sign, I have seen on the news, but with what specific event, I can't remember. However, it is definitely unusual and must be the hallmark of an organisation or group."
Sophie's eyes sharpened, and she frowned in thought. "This is no coincidence. The men in black were clearly prepared, and their attack may well have been targeted. We must tell the police about this as soon as possible.”
Hana shuddered, her voice filled with fear and worry. "But... will that put us in danger? If they are really that powerful, will they retaliate?"
Sophie's heartrate quickened. Of course she was afraid. The scene of Candy and Tom being shot and wounded replayed again before her eyes. The blood staining their shirts, the pain and helplessness weaving in their desperate eyes. These were images that she could never forget.
Then, in her mind, the panic of people running away, their faces showing fear and helplessness. Screams, cries, and pleas for help made up the most tragic symphony of the night. Fires were burning, the smoke was billowing, and the whole evening was enveloped in despair and confusion.
But thinking of the students who had been victimized, of Maxwell and Daniel who were still missing, and of Candy and Tom who were still in the hospital ... Sophie took a deep breath and quieted her heart. She could not let her fear consume her. She knew that her friends needed her. ... 'If you do not step up, Sophie, this kind of tragedy will happen again.'
Sophie stiffened her resolve, her voice was soft, yet powerful: "No, Hana, we cannot stay quiet. Candy, Tom, and your friends are just some of the many people who were hurt tonight. If we stay silent because we are afraid, more people will be hurt in the future. We can't let this continue to happen."
Hana's fear was replaced by a kind of courage as she listened to Sophie's words. "You're right, Sophie. I won't back down," She nodded firmly.
"Sophie, I'm so happy to meet you." Hana looked sheepishly at Sophie, blushing.
"If it wasn't for you, I don't know what I would have done."
She touched Hana's arm and smiled, "I know you have determination, too, Hana." Sophie was genuinely happy ... happy to be friends with Hana.
Sophie hesitated for a moment, then whispered to Hana, "Hana,can you show me the news? My phone broke during the attack." She pulled out her cracked cell phone.
Hana nodded, and picked up her phone from the nightstand to open the news app. Together, they stared at the small screen, searching for news related to last night's university shooting.
On the screen, several shocking reports soon came into view. The mass shooting at the University of Cordonia had attracted widespread attention from the national and international community. The report detailed the chaos and bloodshed of the night, but also said that the police were fully investigating the incident and promised to bring the perpetrators to justice as soon as possible. As she read, she felt mixed feelings.
Sophie continued browsing. Suddenly, a marked headline hit her eyes and made her heart beat faster. --
"Crown Prince Liam Rys urgently ends his visit to Italy and returns home to respond to the shooting incident at Cordonia University."
She tapped eagerly; the live broadcast of the news began automatically.
On the screen, Liam stood in the doorway of the familiar white, shadowy auditorium, behind which the smoke had not fully cleared and live images of ambulances and police cars could be seen. Liam's figure stood unwavering behind press microphones.. He wore a black suit, his eyes were slightly solemn, but his face was more resolute and decided, that could not be ignored.
Sophie stared intently at the screen, every subtle expression of Liam tugging at her heartstrings. His voice came clearly over the phone, calm and strong.
Sophie's eyes were red and brimmed with tears. Her heart was racing, as she felt Liam's deep emotion coming through the screen. And then Liam's words turned to unquestioning determination:
Sophie stared at the screen, her tears spilling onto her cheeks. The moment she heard him say the words, 'Our Cordonian family', her heart swelling with indescribable excitement and pride; she wanted to run to his side and face all of this with him. However, this emotion was quickly overcome by reason, knowing that she could not expose her relationship with Liam, especially when there were other people around watching. She gently turned down the volume on the phone for fear that Hana would notice her emotional reactions. She clutched the phone tightly, as if she could feel Liam's presence and power in her hand.
"Sophie, what's wrong?"
Hana's voice sounded softly, interrupting her thoughts. Sophie suddenly came back to herself with a disguised smile, trying to sound natural. "Oh, nothing, I just didn't expect Prince Liam to be back so soon, it's only been a few hours since the shooting."
There was a subtle tremor in Sophie's words, afraid that her mind would be read by Hana and cause unnecessary trouble for Liam. She knew that at this particular moment she had to be careful not to reveal her relationship with Liam.
"Hana, could I possibly use your phone again? I want to send a text to my family and tell them about my situation."
Hana heard her words, a flicker of concern in her eyes. She seemed aware of Sophie's inner struggle and longing, but out of respect and trust, she did not ask any more questions, just smiled and nodded, "Of course, Sophie." You can use it whenever you need."
Sophie gave Hana a grateful look, and a warm wave came through her heart. She quickly opened the text messages on the phone, her fingers jumping over the keyboard, as she sent two messages. The first one to Aunt Bethany and the second one to Maxwell. In the text messages, Sophie told them that she was doing well and that they should not worry. She expressed concern for Maxwell and Daniel and hoped they were safe.
After sending the two texts, Sophie took a deep breath and began her text to Liam. She edited the text carefully ...
"Hi, Li, this is Sophie.
I'm all right. I am in Room 302 at the Malic Hotel at the university.
There was a shooting at the graduation, and I was lucky to escape. My phone is broken, and now I'm texting you on my roommate, Hana's phone.
I know you must be terribly busy and worried at the moment, but please believe me, I am fine and safe.
Don't worry about me. Just focus on what's needed right in front of you. I love you and look forward to seeing you soon."
The message didn't mention Liam's real name, and Sophie was confident that he would get her message. After pressing the send button, the words "Delivered" appeared on the screen. Suppressing her feelings, she quickly removed the text message, making sure it left no trace.
It didn’t take long for Sophie to hear back from Maxwell and Aunt Bethany.
Maxwell:
“Sophie, it’s so good to hear from you! Daniel and I are at the Malic Hotel too, and we are doing fine. We were looking for you, too. Just relieved to hear you are okay. We’ll talk more when we meet up.”
Aunt Bethany:
“Dear Sophie, I’m so happy to hear from you! Thank God you are okay. We are all so worried about you, but now we can relax. Be safe and we will see each other soon.”
After receiving notifications of incoming messages, the corners of her mouth cannot help but raise in a happy smile, a big stone in her heart finally fell to the ground. Sophie held the phone and re-read their loving words, feeling the warmth and support from her family.
A ray of sunlight penetrated a gap in the curtain and gently spilled into the hotel room, shining on Sophie's face. She gently closed her eyes, quietly feeling the warmth of the sun, the soft light made her very at ease, like a pair of warm hands, smoothing her fear and anxiety away. She was relieved that Maxwell and Daniel had escaped safely and that she could tell Aunt Bethany about herself.
And Liam will know that she's safe. Sophie found a trace of comfort and strength in reaching out to him.
"Thank you, Hana." Sophie smiled and handed the phone back to her new friend.
Hana took the phone and put it away, quietly watching it all, with a warm glow in her eyes. She may not know the story between Sophie and Liam, but she could sense that there was a deep emotion and connection with him in Sophie's heart. In this time of uncertainty, they were supporting each other and facing life's challenges together.
Cordonia International Airport
The Royal motorcade was situated on the tarmac in wait to take Liam and his men to the university.
Liam strode quickly and confidently to his SUV after his security detail had provided Liam with a report of all the victims and fatalities. Sophie's name was not listed, and Liam's heart remained uncertain, until he saw her with his own eyes.
His duty of keeping alert and informed for his country allowed Liam to control his fears of the possibility of seeing his beloved injured or worse. He fought against every fiber of his being to not burst through the chaos, with full disregard, to search for Sophie among the evacuated students. Liam, surrounded by his royal guard, Drake and Rashad, he walked onto the university grounds.
Drake, on the other hand, was not worried about propriety and cared for none of it. He rushed in and did not pay attention to anything but finding Sophie and Maxwell. He broke past some of the law enforcement and was met by a swarm of flashing cameras and press microphones.
"Back away!" He snapped, having to put his forearm up, and not relent. The flashing bulbs, whirring of camera lenses and questions being thrown at him was enough to drive any sane person mad.
"Don't you have decency? What type of scoundrels and fiends are you?"
An officer who recognized Drake, yelled, "settle down, everyone, he's an American friend of the prince's, stand down and don't crowd him."
On the campus of the University of Cordonia, even after several hours had passed, the chaos in the auditorium had not abated by a minute. Several police cars and ambulances, flashing their warning lights, stood by the side of the road at the ready. Police officers and ambulance workers were busy moving around the scene, serious and focused, although physically and mentally exhausted, but still stuck to their posts, to deal with the incident.
A police cordon has been placed around the scene to seal off the auditorium from the outside world. Liam saw the chaos and destruction ... and the despair of his people.
Liam took a deep breath, adjusted his emotions, and walked resolutely into the crowd and up onto the raised dais. The crowd grew quiet, and all eyes turned to the crown prince.
" Last night, our university campus has experienced an unprecedented trauma. On behalf of the royal family of Cordonia, I extend my sincere comfort and deepest condolences to all those who have been hurt and who have been affected by this tragedy. Your pain is the pain of all Cordonia. We will do everything possible to provide the necessary support and needed assistance to make sure everyone gets through this."
At this point, Liam's eyes flashed a subtle tenderness, that is his endless miss and love for Sophie.
But Liam took a deep breath and condensed his emotions and anger into a powerful determination.
"We will not sit idly by and let go of any of these terrorists. I promise that the Crown will use all resources in its power to track down the attackers and punish those responsible for this tragedy. We will bring justice to the victims, and to our people, to our Cordonian family."
***
The sky in the east gradually lightened as the night slowly faded; like the tide falling, as if in response to his words. A ray of dawn pierced the darkness, and the sun rose at last. The golden light slowly and gently spread over the campus, silently dispelling the darkness and cold; to bring a touch of warmth to the morning. There was renewed trust and hope in the eyes of the crowd. At this moment, they are silently praying, their hearts are full of deep hope: may such a tragedy never be repeated, so that the dead can rest in peace, and so that the living can find the strength to move forward; In the hope that the murderer will be punished, and there will be no hiding places of any crimes and evils.
As the Royal guard escorted Liam from the stage, Bastien approached with Liam’s mobile phone in hand.
“Sir, Lady Sophia has left you a message.”
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Thanks for reading ❣️
@choicesficwriterscreations
@selina012
📌tags in the comments, please let me know if you want to be added or removed.
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