#and I AM SO DISTRACTED BY IT - I KEEP SINGING THE LYRICS LIKE WHEN I WAS 16

[miyakuli]

5mns since I started the game and I am already attacked by a wave of nostalgia, hearing the dango theme playing in the back *sob*

[neeeooon]

shut me up ;

32 | y/n the virus

ft. fem!reader & kaiser, ness (mentioned)

cw. cussing, nudity (partial), angst, heavy angst, kaiser struggling with his feelings

you twiddled your thumbs as you waited anxiously for kaiser to answer his door. you came straight from work, still dressed in your uniform, to talk to him. in the elevator, you read over your messages and cringed at how your tone had come across. it was vague, avoidant, a little nasty, and you hoped it didn’t freak him out too much.

a twinge of relief sparked in your chest when the door opened, revealing kaiser with nothing but a towel around his waist. your eyes bulged, hands immediately flying to your face. your skin felt hot beneath your palms. “what are you doing?!” you screeched.

kaiser’s door opened wider, at least you assumed so based on the creaking sounds. “i was about to dry my hair,” he replied casually, as if his entire chest, still decorated in droplets of water, wasn’t on display.

keeping your eyes covered, you stepped blindly into his apartment and closed the door behind you. “you’re so infuriating!” you scolded, turning your back to him so that you could remove your hands from over your eyes.

kaiser chuckled behind you. “that’s what you walked to talk to me about? i’m infuriating?”

“yes!” closing your eyes, you turned until you guessed you were facing the singer, and propped both hands on your hips. “the way you were looking at me during the show was inappropriate.”

even as you said it, you felt yourself blushing. the sound of bare feet against wooden floors echoed close, and you swore you could feel the heat radiating off of kaiser.

“inappropriate?”

“mhm. yes, and now your fans think we’re married.”

kaiser tsked. “let them think whatever they want. who cares?”

not me, you wanted to say, but that wasn’t the point. resisting the urge to groan, you felt your shoulders sag slightly and peeked at the man. where he grabbed a robe, you weren’t sure, but at least you weren’t distracted by his nakedness any longer.

you tried to keep the awkwardness from your voice as you said, “you confuse me… the last time i was here, i told myself i wouldn’t be back until you made an effort to change. you hurt my feelings. but then you do and say these things that make my insides feel all twisted, and i don’t know what to do.” you took a breath, struggling to meet his eyes. “i just… why did you do that? sing that song? what am i supposed to be to you?”

when you did look up, you weren’t expecting what you saw. a mix of emotions you weren’t used to seeing appeared on kaiser’s face, the most prevalent being exhaustion and distress. like he didn’t know the answer, either, and it was wearing on him just as much, if not more, than it was on you.

after a moment, you feared he wouldn’t have an answer for you and shifted as if about to take a step back. kaiser’s eyes took on a desperate look as he hurried forward, reaching out for you before freezing and immediately snapping his hands back to his sides. he opened his mouth, shut it, and opened it again. you stayed quiet as he collected his thoughts. finally, kaiser’s expression turned pinched, and his hands curled into fists.

“you’re a virus.”

you raised a brow, insulted and about to ask what that was supposed to mean, when kaiser hurried to explain. “you infected me. invaded my thoughts, my dreams, everything. you live in my head. i think about you so much, i feel like i’m going insane.” he paused, sighing. for a moment, you thought you saw him trembling. “when i have a problem, you’re the person i want to seek out for help. when the lyrics i write get approved or i get compliments from the guys, you’re the one i want to tell. and it’s bad, because i don’t know how to handle any of it. you’re like a cough i can’t shake, and at this point, i don’t think i want to.”

patiently, you waited for him to calm down enough to know he was done. being compared to a disease, an infection, a cough, all things associated with the bad, made your eyes sting a little. but he was trying; that much was obvious.

you didn’t know much about kaiser the person… other than that he liked bread crust rusks and preferred to paint his nails blue over black. that you were around him long enough to find his smell familiar. that he had your schedule memorized and tapped on your wall to get your attention. that he was a good listener when he wanted to be. that when he smiled, genuinely smiled, you felt weak to your knees. and finally, that his way of confessing his feelings for you was by getting up on a stage in front of hundreds of people and singing your favorite song.

you didn’t realize you were smiling until kaiser asked, “what’s that look on your face for?”

humming softly, you looked up at him and let your smile grow. “you’re not ready for that, yet.”

kaiser looked confused but didn’t argue. his eye twitched slightly, lip flinching, and ran the tip of his tongue along his inner bottom lip. “i’m sorry i confuse you. there are things about myself i don’t want you to know.”

“that’s fine,” you nodded. despite the short distance between you and the flutter his warmth was sending through you, you didn’t take a step back. “i’ll still be one door over when you do.”

kaiser’s gaze wavered as it slid across your face. blue as bright as a summer sky darted over your features—your eyes, your lips. you felt your breathing still. he was too close. not close enough. you stepped forward, he took one back.

“wait,” kaiser choked, and you disappeared from his space. pressing yourself against the opposing wall, you kept your hands behind your back as you waited. “i…”

he faltered, murmured a curse beneath his breath, and suddenly, his hands were in your hair. kaiser’s thumbs trailed the length of your jaw, angling your face toward his. his brilliant gaze flicked between your irises, holding you captive as you stood in his grasp.

he dipped down, so close you felt his nose graze the flushed skin of your cheek. his fingers idly tapped and dragged along the sides of your throat, applying just enough pressure to keep himself grounded, but not enough to hurt.

“i can’t kiss you,” he rushed, warm breath hitting your ear and forcing a shiver down your spine, but you weren’t sure if he was talking to you or himself. “i can’t. you’re too good.” he paused and pulled away, swallowing so hard the apple in his throat bobbed. “there’s too much… i’m too much.”

kaiser flinched violently when your fingers grazed the skin beneath his eye, but he pulled a hand from your chin to grab your wrist before you could retreat. his eyes were shattered as he looked at you.

“i’m sorry,” you apologized quickly, but kaiser shook his head and slowly brought your hand back to his face.

“no, ‘t’s nice.”

he looked so vulnerable like this, cheek resting gingerly against your fingertips. you wanted to press your palm to his flushed skin, but figured that wasn’t the best idea. all thoughts of your previous interactions, the fighting and calling each other annoying, vanished from your mind.

kaiser’s eyelids fluttered as he sank deeper into your touch. your lips parted, dozens of questions fighting to be the first, but you shut them instead and watched him lie against your hand.

vulnerable had been your first thought, but he looked peaceful. he looked content with just this, with the feel of your hand against his face. something deep in your soul told you he needed it. you didn’t pull away, and you weren’t going to until kaiser moved first.

the ding of a phone forced him to straighten and step out of your grasp. he didn’t say anything to you before reaching for his phone, and your brows creased at the immediate way his back tensed beneath the robe. “is everything o—“

“you should go,” kaiser cut you off curtly, his words clipped with irritation. it was such a change from how he’d just been with you that you weren’t entirely sure how to react.

“kaiser,” you stepped forward, but his head hung low. “go, y/n. please.”

freezing, blinking the moisture from your eyes, you stared at the back of his head a little longer before sulking from the room, silently wondering, guiltily, if this was how ness felt that night, too.

masterlist // previous (ch 31) // next (ch 33)

notes -> next ch is going to be intense. please read the cws beforehand. i will be adding a chapter summary at the end for those who choose to skip over it, and will make another note for those who miss this one :)

tags -> @x3nafix @n0tbelle @nensi @ohagiyoo @tired-child00 @melinana @chaoslibra @kaidostwin @bubybubsters @miss-aesthetic-13 @ihsoti @arwawawa2 @lonigiri @realrintaro @mivqko @sorasushik1 @pookalicious-hq @higuchislut @tofumiarchives @p1z-d0n7jud6em3 @rainychi2 @ch4rstxr @sapph1r3x @sagging-saging @5-laska @tuna-toes @seinuis @sindulgent666 @evilari111 @newinhalerpls @kisses2kanao @sugacor3 @meizumi @90s-belladonna @meowstertruck420 @kyutiipie @ranzess @cookiesandcreammy @nevvynev @stwberri @mikeymyfav @dontmindtheevie @kaikaidenkai @mizukiblogs @ravenbc @yvanllie @cyberasterrr @lily-isalittlegirl @yourlocaleffy @hanamatopoeia

© neeeooon, 2025

[amoreva]

A SAD SONG

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pairing: luke castellan x daughter of apollo!reader

summary: in which the gods and goddesses were hungry for something new.

warnings: not proofread! tlt/tlo spoilers! major character, death, angst

a/n: inspired by @basicrese post!! i did use some hadestown lyrics/lines from the show, so credit to anaïs mitchell & Rachel chavkin.

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The seeds of doubt sprouted: grasping at his mind, tangling itself through his hope. The Fates whispered in his ears, step after step. It was cold and dark. He never felt more alone.

Where is she?

Where is she now?

Orpheus gripped his guitar tighter. Every step he made felt like he was getting further and further from the surface. He chastised himself at every turn.

Why would he let me win?

Why would he let her go?

Why am I to think that he wouldn’t deceive me just to make me leave alone?

Where is she?

Where is she now?

Eurydice’s words fell on deaf ears. She was desperate to let Orpheus know she was here. Right behind him. She’d always been. She kept staring at the back of his head. It brought immense comfort as they walked and walked out of the Underworld.

They were so close. Eurydice could taste the surface, until she saw the contours of his face and his warm eyes filled with affection. A soft gasp fell from her lips.

“It’s you.” Relief filled his heavy heart when Orpheus saw her. His love. What had he done?

“It’s me.” She committed his face to memory, the warmth of his gaze comforting her. “Orpheus—” Helplessly she reached out, hoping to embrace her love once more. Instead of the warmth she wanted, cold hands grasped her arms, dragging her back to the Underworld.

“Eurydice.” His voice cracked. Frozen, staring at the place where she was.

Thus ended the tragedy of Orpheus and Eurydice. Hermes told tales to entertain Olympus, but the gods and goddesses were growing tired of the same old tales: the same old tragedies. They craved something new.

Hermes gave a small smile and shook his head to the stars. He gave them what they wanted as a new tale formed in his head. It was a sad tale, but he was going to tell it anyway, even if it involved his own son.

Luke Castellan was a hungry young boy. A runaway from everywhere he’d been. He was no stranger to the world. No stranger to the wind.

The daughter of Apollo was a poor girl, but she had a gift to give. She could make you see how the world could be. In spite of the way that it is.

Yet, the son of Hermes had seen how the world was. When he fell, he fell in spite of himself…

In love with the daughter of Apollo.

It was the height of spring when Luke and you fell in love. He was scorned and pitied after failing his quest. Feelings of abandonment, fury and betrayal simmered below his lighthearted jokes and his composed smiles. He learned he could only fend for himself. To hell with the rest.

Until he met you, your sole being made him feel alive and when he fell—he fell hard. He was enamored your bright smile and optimistic personality. You’d caress his hair gently while singing a small tune. He learned to lean on your shoulder when nightmares passed, hoping your light was enough to shine through the darkness that overtook his head, plagued his sleep.

It wasn’t enough.

You awoke to the sound of shuffling. Blinking the sleep from your eyes, Luke was sitting on the edge of his bunk. His shoulders tensed as he held his head in his hands. “Luke…?” Your voice hoarse.

He turned his head towards you. An apologetic smile graced his lips. “Hey…” His voice low, raspy from underuse. He stretched over to give you a kiss on the forehead, keeping you from sitting up.

“You okay?” Your arms wrapped around him. He melted, burying his head in your neck, hiding his turmoil.

“Mhm.” And for a night, your light clouded the promises the deep voice in his dreams offered. It was a temporary distraction, one that wouldn’t last long—one he couldn’t keep relying on.

You should’ve known. Blinded by your ignorance and his empty reassuring words of his health, Luke disappeared from camp. Hit with the reality, you did everything in your power to find him.

But, he did not want to be found. Not by you. He knew if he saw you again, your eyes, your smile—your light would melt his purpose, his mission, leaving him putty in your arms (he missed it.)

Your original camp songs disappeared from the nightly bonfires. Your light faded ever so slightly. Regret, worry and guilt simmering beneath your smiles.

You swore you’d catch glimpses of his curls or his broad frame when you were in the city. You were chasing a ghost—holding onto the love you had for him. The restless nights plagued you, but instead of Kronos’ words, music notes coaxed you to stay up and write.

The sheets of music hidden beneath your bunk. The song for your and Luke’s hearts only. You were holding onto something you should’ve let go.

But, like the tragedy tale of Orpheus and Eurydice you met once again, but not under joyous circumstances.

The Battle of Olympus was treacherous. You kept catching glimpse of Luke—but instead golden eyes replaced the ones filled with affection you used to know.

You saw how the world could be, no longer naive to the truth. Your siblings perished in the battle. Cabin Seven went from being the largest cabin to the third smallest in the span of—gods knew how long. In spite of it all, you saw the beauty after it ended.

A bright light flashed. Exhausted from fighting hellhounds, empousas, telkhines, etc, you trudged your body to the Hall of Gods. Bone collided with the marble floor.

After all these years, you saw your love. Without the golden eyes or scorned look in his face, albeit bleeding, it was him. Your eyes filled with relief and warmth when you saw him, finally.

A soft gasp fell from his lips. He expected hatred, frustration—but found nothing but affection from you.

“It’s you.” You whispered, cupping his face with your battle-worn hands.

Luke leaned in, knowing it was the last time he would feel your touch, your light, your love. He committed your face to memory, so that when he goes—he goes remembering your face forever.

“It’s me.” He reassured, turning his head to kiss the palm of your hand.

So many words were on the tip of your tongue, but they kept themselves from forming properly. All you could do was stare at Luke, at last, after so long. Tears blurred your vision. Luke reached up to caressed your cheeks. Remembering your face with his eyes wasn’t enough.

“My love.” His voice so soft, gentle like he was admiring your light again: getting lost in your songs, melting in your arms and loving like the Underworld was shining.

Luke knew you had a lot to say. Words laced with frustration, concern, confusion, but all meant to be said with love.

“Luke.” You whispered as if your heart wasn’t breaking into a million pieces. Communicating in a silent stare, he felt your words, taking them to heart.

You couldn’t leave him with that and so you hummed.

The familiar notes that plagued your nights emitted from your lips. Luke’s hand dropped form your face with a thud. He shut his eyes and smiled as he listened. And for a moment, just for a moment, it felt like you and him were back at Camp. His head in your lap as you caressed his hair. The sounds of the forest accompanying your singing.

His breath stilled. The cold hands of the Fates grabbed him after you said your goodbyes, but his dead body held your warmth, your light. He remembered your face long after he made it to River Styx.

And you?

You sang your private song again for the world to hear. To keep him alive and you were going to sing it again with your love so full for the runaway.

Thus ended the tragedy of the son of Hermes and the daughter of Apollo. The gods were throughly entertained asking to hear it again and again. Until, it was an old song and they craved something new.

Hermes shook his head up to the stars. Heart stricken with grief and sympathy. It was a sad tale. A tragedy. And he was going to tell it again. The gods and goddesses of Olympus knew how it ended, but they were going to listen again and again as if it might turn out this time.

See, the daughter of Apollo was a poor girl, but she had a gift to give. She could make you see how the world could be. In spite of the way it is.

And the son of Hermes was a hungry young boy. A runaway from everywhere he’d been. He was no stranger to the world. No stranger to the wind.

Yet, the son of Hermes had seen how the world was. When he fell, he fell in spite of himself…

In love with the daughter of Apollo.

It was the height of spring when Luke and you fell in love.

—– ٠ ✤ ٠ —–· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • · —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —–

[chadobi]

Hi! This is my first time requesting/asking anything in general so if I did something wrong please have mercy on me :')

I was wondering if you would write some headcanons for the rottmnt boys (separate) with a reader who is literally always singing. Doing dishes, making food, doing schoolwork, scrolling on their phone, a n y t h i n g. I really like all your tmnt works, I think I've read them all like twice by now 😭 if you don't wanna take this request (or hate my guts whispers the tiny voice in the back of my mind) you don't have to do anything with it, just ignore me lol :) I just wanted to put it out there

I’m so honored to be your first request! I hope you’ll like it 💜

Rottmnt boys with an S/O who likes to sing

RISE!LEONARDO

• At first, Leo assumes you’re doing it for dramatic effect. Obviously. Who wouldn’t sing while flipping pancakes like a Broadway star?

• But then he realizes you do it constantly. Cooking? Singing. Homework? Singing. Lost in your phone? You’re whispering the chorus to some random indie tune.

• Honestly? He’s enchanted.

• Joins in uninvited. Loudly. Wrong lyrics. Wrong song. Doesn’t matter.

• “You’re doing Taylor Swift? Cool, I’ll throw in a little Queen.”

• Eventually starts requesting songs, especially when he wants attention. “Baaabe, can you do that one from Moana again? I like the sassy crab one.”

• If you’re in a bad mood and not singing? He panics. “What happened?! Who hurt the melody of my heart?!”

• Proudly declares he’s your “backup dancer” every time you sing around the lair. He will literally moonwalk while you do the dishes.

• Secretly keeps a list of songs that remind him of you.

RISE!RAPHAEL

• The first few times he hears you singing under your breath, he’s confused. “Are you talkin’ to me or…?”

• Once he catches on, he tries to act unbothered, but is quietly amazed by how happy it makes you.

• He starts recognizing your moods by what genre you’re singing. Lo-fi pop? Chillin’. Broadway soundtrack? You’re focused. Evanescence? You’re angry.

• Will pretend he doesn’t know the lyrics but 100% starts picking them up over time. You catch him humming “your” songs during training and he denies it profusely.

• He thinks it’s especially cute when you sing during mundane stuff, like folding laundry or brushing your teeth.

• “You sing to your toothbrush?”

“And it sings back.”

“…Okay, that’s adorable.”

• One time you caught him recording you while you were baking and singing. He blushed so hard he tripped over his own sai.

• You become his de-stress tool. When he’s had a bad day, he’ll sit nearby and just say, “Sing something, please.”

RISE!DONATELLO

• At first, he found it mildly distracting, especially if you were humming while he was coding. But then…

• One day, you hit a beautiful run while scrolling TikTok and he just froze mid-keystroke. “What… was that?”

• Now he records you. Constantly.

• Has a whole playlist of “Reader Singing Snippets.mp3” on his battle shell.

• “Do it again, but this time in A minor. I have a new synth plugin I’m testing.”

• Will sample your singing and layer it into his music compositions. Doesn’t tell you at first—just lets you hear a beat, and your voice’s harmony hits in the background.

• When you sing something emotional, he goes very quiet and just watches you like he’s seeing art in motion.

• “I am completely and utterly ruined for all other human interactions.”

• Will 100% build you a karaoke room. Just because he can.

RISE!MICHAELANGELO

• LOVES it. Lives for it. Thinks your constant singing is the coolest, most beautiful thing ever.

• Immediately joins in every time, whether he knows the song or not.

• Turns everything into a musical number. Cooking together? Time for “Cooking with Chaos: The Musical!”

• His favorite is when you make up songs on the spot. “Ohhh I dropped the remote but it’s okay ‘cause I’m still cool~!”

• Encourages you to post your singing on social media (if you’re comfy)—thinks the world deserves to hear your voice.

• If you’re ever too tired to sing, he’ll hum your favorite song to you while snuggling on the couch.

• Will pull out a ukulele or bongos and just jam while you sing about brushing your hair.

• Keeps telling his brothers, “This is my muse. The Beyoncé of my heart.”

• If someone else mocks your habit? He’s immediately by your side with the fury of a thousand sunburned artists. “Don’t touch the melody, bro.”

[theladyofmanyfandomsfanfiction]

Imagine singing about Shanks when you think he’s not listening…

You were purposely drowning yourself in as much booze as possible just to avoid noticing Shanks on the other side of the bar. He had been roped into a conversation with some flirty local and it made your heart sink when you saw him smile, clearly enjoying what he was being given.

You rolled your eyes and began chugging another pint that was on the table. A shoulder bumped into you with a hearty laugh and you looked up at Benn Beckman. He knew how you felt about the Red-Haired Captain. So when he saw your drunken state, his eyes flicked over to Shanks and he had half a mind to knock him around the head.

Shanks was brilliant at a great many things but he was an absolute idiot when it came to love. What made the evening worse was that he knew that Shanks was in love with you. The man had too many tell-tales and Beckman was certain that his friend was chatting up the local in a desperate effort to not think about you.

Beckman offered a kind smile and pushed away the empty glass from your reach. "Why don't you join us over there? Yassop is going to take the stage and sing - should be a good laugh."

With a sigh, you accepted and followed your friend, unaware of the glance the captain had sent your way when he noticed the movement. One word from Benn and the rest of the crew worked well in keeping you distracted and soon your stomach was hurting from all the tom-foolery.

Your laughs were soon cut short when you were thrown under the bus. Unsure of who had requested it, you suddenly found yourself walking to the front of the bar and placed upon the pedestal - a live band of musicians behind, geared and ready to play.

In your intoxicated state, you plucked up the courage and recited the lyrics to something that you had been crafting in the privacy of your cabin on the Red Force. You promised it would never see the light of day. But what did it matter? The pirate you had fallen in love with was busy with a stranger - what else did you have to lose?

“Blue as the wings of a heron in the night…” you began to the steady drums. “Like the rising of the tide on the shores of Isle Skye.”

You immersed yourself in the notes, closing your eyes to let the tune out as it tangled with your feelings. You imagined every glance you had stolen of the red-haired pirate when he wasn’t looking. The way he smiled, how he carried his easy laughs, or simply the kindness in his eyes when they met yours.

“I fell astray but in you I have found, that I am ever bound to your hazel eyes.”

To taken by the moment, you didn't realise how the rowdy bar had calmed to listen and you never saw the way Shanks lowered the drink from his lips. He felt drawn in by your voice and moved away from the flirty local, his feet finding their way closer to you.

Then, in his alcohol buzzed mind, he registered the lyrics. Hazel eyes. Shanks felt his heart swell with a secret hope that it was his that you sang of. By the seas he was madly in love with you. He spent so much time in your company and yet, he failed to voice his true feelings.

Across the room, you had finished and were busy being praised by friends and strangers alike. Beckman glanced over to the Captain and saw the daze in his eyes once more but when he also noticed the uncertainty behind his eyes, the First Mate made a note to have stern words with the man about confronting what he was feeling or risk losing you altogether.

A/n: Inspired by the lyrics to Hazel Eyes by Sabrina Jordan. If you haven’t heard it, take a listen. It’s so dreamy and beautiful.

~ More imagines here ~

[tsukimara]

-ˏˋ⋆➔ Hanako!Venti x gn!reader ⭒

-ˏˋ⋆➔ Genres: Hcs, fluff ⭒

-ˏˋ⋆➔ Hanako From Jshk/tbhk

-ˏˋ⋆➔ Warnings: None! ⭒

-ˏˋ⋆➔ A/N: I need to read tbhk again, last time I read it was 3 years ago. Maybe I will do part 2, hm?

• Surely your first meeting was in the bathroom of the old school building.

• He will scratch his neck awkwardly when he accidentally scares you (He didn't do it on purpose).

• It was hard for you to tell at first whether he was a girl or a boy but later you could tell from the voice.

• "Hey, am I that scary?"

• "...You are a boy?!"

• He will forgive you if you make him apple donuts.

• True, he grants wishes but it also depends on what kind of wish you make. If it's quite simple it will probably work, if not it will be a little problem but he will try to help you anyway.

• If you are quite close he may tell you little bits of his past but not in detail or things he doesn't want to talk about (Still an achievement).

• PLEASE make him apple donuts, they don't even have to be donuts, it can be something else related to apples, however apple donuts would be the best choice.

• This boy will be happy all day long, even though he would rather eat them all, he will give them to you too because after all you made them for HIM.

• Privacy? What's that? Venti loves affection so expect hugs! The good thing is that he's a ghost so people in your class won't see him sticking up to you.

• Of course he will let you go when he sees that you feel uncomfortable and he will apologize to you. Next time he will remember to ask you.

• Be careful because Venti may disturb you a bit during the lesson, for example by trying to make you laugh. This boy loves your smile!

• Even if you keep your head down, he will find a way to make you look at him. It might cause you to start laughing in the middle of the lesson and everyone will look at you strangely. During the break he will start flying away from you, laughing when you try to catch up with him.

• Don't be surprised if you come back home and find in your notebooks his poems or song lyrics special to you. They are so cute and lovely that sometimes you think they are not for you.

• "Is this really for me?"

• "Who else is it for, silly? Of course it's for you! Awww did you like it??"

• He'll love to hear about your interests and even tell you about his own! You will certainly be talking on the school rooftop or in the bathroom.

• Okay, okay but do you guys remember when Hanako kissed Yashiro on the cheek to cast a protection spell on her? OMGGG Imagine Venti doing that on you!!!

• I'm sure that when you finish all your classes or cleaning the bathroom, he will walk you to the school gate and blow you a kiss once you're out of the school grounds.

• When you enter the bathroom you can see him on the floor defeated by Mokke in a card game. He claims they are invincible because they cheat, but he whispered it to you so that Mokke's army wouldn't suddenly attack him.

• If you have any questions he will be happy to answer them but not all of them about his life, he will try to keep you busy with something else.

• "So... What were you like when you were alive?"

• "Y/N it's time to clean the bathroom! I'd love to sing to you while you work!"

• He saw the dissatisfaction on your face, but what could he do?

• If by some miracle you meet his twin, and let's be honest, you definitely will, whether you want to or not, Venti's behavior will become more serious.

• He didn't want you to meet his twin, especially on such a quiet and amazing day. You could see how Venti was uncomfortable around him and kept you away.

• Even if you were to ask about his brother, that's a topic he won't tell you about (yet) and he doesn't know if he ever wants to tell you. He will most likely hide it with a smile and distract you.

• He may be jealous! But he doesn't really show it, although you can still tell he is. He will pull you away from that person by saying he wants to show you something or that he has a gift for you. He will also start teasing you to get your attention.

• "Come on Y/N. I'm sure your friend won't mind if I steal you away for a while!"

-ˏˋ⋆➔ Genshin Impact Masterlist

-ˏˋ⋆➔ Masterlist

-ˏˋ⋆➔ Rules request

[his-saiko]

Karaoke with Bofurin

cw. kinda romantic a/n. our craving for the day is karaoke. let us bow our heads and dream 😂 ps. it seems I have some sort of favouritism lol is it obvi?

🎤🎶Let's groove tonight, share the spice of life🎶

The moment the song starts you let your body move to the beat. You imagine yourself in a disco with all the lights on the floor lighting up.

You're no dancer. You just like grooving. And being surrounded by people you know you can trust to be yourself. It feels all the more amazing.

Ume smiles, seeing you enjoy yourself. Your voice is amazing. He doesn't doubt it. And hey, this is an oldie song and he's spent enough time with old people. He's sure he knows the moves to a song like this.

He stands up and pulls you close so both of you can let the groove set in your shoes. You try your best to stay focused on the song but you can't help your gasps and laughs escaping you as you enjoy the moment.

You're happy. That's all that matters to him. Just you, smiling, because of him.

🎤🎶I love you, baby!🎶

Suo is a vintage kind of guy, right? He kinda gives off the vibe.

It's always been a brain racking activity. And what's worse is that he never complains. Anything you give him, he gives the same reaction: a smile and a thank you, then he one ups you with a gift of his own.

But this time is a first. Not some world-breaking thing, you gave up on grand gestures (unless it's a special occasion). A serenade is simple enough. You just have to create the perfect moment.

Which is... nowhere... suddenly with so many people around you. Friends that Tsugeura pulled along when he overheard you and Suo talking about food and karaoke. Food and good vibes let people talk about their virtue — or something like that.

Many of the guys sing first while you gather your courage. When the controls were free you take the chance to put in your song and just tried to distract yourself.

It took some time. The boys really wanted a number of their throats I guess. But then the familiar intro comes on and everyone stops.

"Whose song is this?"

"Ah! It's mine!" You quickly snatch the mic. You look at the lyrics and still couldn't find the right timing. C'mon. You've sung this so many times!

You then begin to hear rhythmic clapping. You see Suo, smiling and clapping to the beat and the others follow. The quartet from the class starts to do some dance and suddenly you have back up.

You chuckle and feel the nerves easing up on you. The chorus comes on and you just sing, joining in on the impromptu choreography.

"Next time, I'll come to your place so you can sing for me to your heart's content." He whispers to you after settling back down beside him.

🎤🎶Am I crazy or fallin' in love?🎶

Sakura didn't know how he got here. No, he knows. You mentioned in passing that you like singing and Suo mentioned the karaoke place close by in the same conversation. So now he's here.

It's more overwhelming than the last time they were here despite it having less people.

He looks at you bewildered. How long can you sing and dance without rest? How many songs has it been? Also, you don't even stop when your voice breaks and the others laugh after. What's so fun about messing up?

"Alright, alright, I'm taking the next one seriously." You say with a chuckle, drinking your water.

The song starts in a more mellow beat than the others. You start singing again and it felt like the air around you changed. He feels his cheeks heat up but he keeps his eyes on you.

You sounded more focus, you're not even looking at the lyrics anymore as if you know the song by heart — or as if your heart is singing?

"Why do I keep running from the truth? All I ever think about is you. You've got my hypnotized. So mesmerized. And I just got to know..." You hold the note. You glance at him and smile.

His breath hitches and his heart skips a bit.

You sang your heart out, catching even Suo and Nirei off guard. You finish the song and look back at them. You chuckle seeing their bewildered faces. "What? I told you I sing." You say and smile. You blush, hopefully they don't catch on.

Seeing Sakura blush is enough. Hopefully it meant that your message got caught in his romance radar.

You continue on with the day. Not expecting for anything new. But the next time you and Sakura hang out it looks like he pays more attention to you than usual. More aggressively than usual even — in a good kind of way. It makes you hope.

[captainwriter]

Chapter 5 - We're going to be okay

Summary: Who is Quinn Hughes? That’s all Iris wants to know. Will Quinn and Iris be able to overcome the accident that rips them apart. Will Iris ever remember who Quinn Hughes is?

Masterlist l Chapter 4 l Chapter 6

Warnings: Aussie spelling, occasional swear word.

Words: 900

Quinn’s POV: 

She was nervous, I have no idea why. She fiddles with the ring I purchased her after she lost her last. The gold band lined with pale green and blue stones. I liked this ring as green is her favourite colour and mine is blue, also cannucks colours! I nudge her hand with mine to stop her from this downward spiral, next she will be nervously chewing her nails. I tried to ease the room with a joke in hopes to calm her nerves. It worked for a second as she bats at my chest and roles her gorgeous eyes.

Her rambling is cute, situations like this make me feel like nothing has happened. She still looks the same as the girl I fell in love with. Now a scar craved into her forehead. But still my girl. It’s been hard to reframe from all the things we use to do; the innocent touches, the not so innocent, I am sick of holding a pillow at night and not being able to smell her. 

“Can I kiss you?” 

I didn’t even hear the rest of her rambles as I too struck. I smile. I haven’t smiled quite like that on a while. “Sure thing sunshine.” It comes out naturally. I always called her sunshine or sunny because that’s what she is to me. My sunshine. She turns back to face the windscreen as I can see a smile grow on her face. How can I not like this girl? I’m so lucky to have her, to still have her. I almost lost her but I will do everything it takes to keep her here. She returns to singing however I don’t know if it was the lyrics or the person singing it but those words hit harder than normal. I felt three gentle squeezes to my hand. I. Love. You. Does she remember what that means? My mind is sent reeling. 

———

My mind is so distracted the rest of the drive home, I’m surprised when we pull up. The music is playing faintly as my phone sits in the kitchen. I stack the cabinet in the bathroom with the purchased products from todays trip. I stop and look at myself in the mirror, a big sigh, followed by a smile as today begins to settle in. Today was good. We have had some rough days since the accident, disagreements, feelings left unsaid, stress and some nights early on I could hear her crying from our bedroom. For the first time no matter what I do no pain goes away.

I walk back down the hallway, the faint music becoming louder, in the golden light casting through the window, a goddess. My sunshine. Dancing around the kitchen carefree putting the groceries away. As she opens the pantry door and places the spices down o grab her waist and spin her around. All my worries disappear. 

I hold her close, we sway back and forth. Our eyes interlocked, our bodies have a conversation. She tilts her head to rest her forehead on mine. We stay like this as the swaying slows. In comparison to the past 3 weeks this is extremely Intimate. I tilt my head the rest of the way, our lips interlock. Gentle but conveying the desperation, stress and anxiety we’ve had for the past three weeks. It’s only short. I’m sure only a few seconds. We pull apart and return to our foreheads resting on each other as we stand in the kitchen swaying to the faint beat. Her head slowly migrates to my chest, which is pounding quickly with my heart about to jump out and kiss her again.

——

My phone is pressed to my chest on speaker as I get comfortable in bed. I can’t wipe the grin off my face. I feel like a school boy, what is this? “Hi honey, how are you and Iris?” A sigh leaves my lips, different from the others, this time with a smile returning. “Good, we are gonna be okay mum.” 

After I hang up, I sit there and stare at my sealing, the bed empty next to me as Iris is across the hallway. It settles in that this is my new reality. My mind wanders away from today and back to 3 weeks ago. 

I pace around the room, my phone ringing on the couch next to me, I rush to it hoping it’s Iris. But as I raise it to my ear I see an unknown number flashing across the screen. I swipe with hesitation. What if she calls whilst I am speaking with whoever this is? “This is Vancouver General Hospital I’m calling to speak with Mr Quinn Hughes.” “Speaking.” 

“I’m sorry to inform you Mr Hughes, you are listed as an emergency contact for a Miss Henderson she has been in an accident and it currently at our hospital.”

I have never ran or drove as fast as I did that day. I shake my head, in hopes it get the memories out of my head. Maybe I shouldn’t have kissed her. She doesn’t know what is going on at the moment. Shit! She doesn’t know anything or me. Damn it.

[queenofmorningstar]

Can you do a part 3 for Alastor x Azrael! reader in which Azrael sings DEATH by Melanie Martinez, which Alastor broadcasts to all of Hell?

Alastor x Angel of Death!Reader

Part 1| Part 2| Part 3

Notes: What an end to a series! ❤️

The radio booth was warm with the hum of low static and the comforting scent of old leather. The lights were dim into a comforting red, and there you were, sprawled across the couch like a spoiled cat, head resting in Alastor’s lap.

He sat with perfect posture, as always, one leg crossed over the other, a small grin playing on his lips as his claw idly combed through your hair. He looked unusually at peace tonight—coat unbuttoned, bowtie a bit askew, sleeves rolled halfway to his forearms. He was speaking into the mic with that familiar, honey-slick voice—half menace, half charm.

“...And now, my dear listeners, we’ve returned from our musical break, but don’t go wandering off just yet! I’ve got something special brewing…”

He clicked off the transmission briefly, his fingers paused in your hair.

“Hm,” he mused, glancing down at you, “What do you think, dear heart? Another jazzy number to remind the damned that class is still alive? Or perhaps something dramatic and indulgent to set the sinners weeping?”

His smile was soft but undeniably amused. “You know,” he said idly, voice curling like smoke, “as much as I do adore hearing the sound of my own voice—tonight, I find myself craving something… different.”

You blinked lazily up at him. “Like what?”

He tilted his head. “You.”

Your face flushed. “Me?”

“I’ve been thinking about the next piece to broadcast. Something that cuts deep. And I find myself thinking…” He leaned closer, his smile sharpening just a bit. “What better voice than yours?”

You stiffened slightly, your hands fidgeting on your stomach. “Alastor…”

He chuckled low in his chest, stroking your cheek with the back of one claw. “Don’t go shy on me now, angel. I’ve heard you sing. You’re divine.”

You glanced away, trying not to melt at the praise. “That’s different. That was just for you.”

“And what a selfish creature I am to keep it all to myself.” He cupped your chin gently and tilted your face up toward him. “But tonight, I’m feeling generous.”

You laughed softly, despite yourself. “That’s not fair. You’re biased.”

“I’m absolutely biased,” he said. “I’m also absolutely correct.”

You sighed, chewing your lip. There was a part of you that wanted to. You loved music, loved the way it poured out of you when no one else was listening. But the thought of being heard by all of Hell? It was terrifying.

You met his eyes—bright crimson, brimming with something warmer than mischief tonight. Something like pride and love.

“…Okay,” you whispered.

His grin widened. “Attaboy.”

The red ON AIR light above blinked like a heartbeat. The mic crackled to life.

All across Hell, radios flickered on without warning. Dials turned of their own accord. Speakers whispered with ghostly static. In an instant, every street, every bar, every wretched dive and room fell under Alastor’s frequency. 

You stood before the mic, fingers curled around it like a lifeline. The melody stretched out like a memory, both ethereal and heavy. 

“Death is life is death is life is death is life…”

The words came gently at first, trembling with nerves, but clear—achingly pure, like a hymn sung in a crumbling chapel. You wanted to calm yourself, so you tried to distract yourself and tried to look at the soundboard. But Alastor’s gaze was hard not to meet. 

Alastor stood with arms folded behind his back, watching him like a predator who had found something holy and was trying not to ruin it by breathing.

Neither of them looked away again. Your breath hitched slightly as you sang the next line, but didn’t look away.

‘Look over your shoulder, I′m back from the dead

Lighting all your candles to draw me in…’

The lyrics…beautiful, tragic, defiant poured from you. Alastor tilted his head slightly, his eyes gleaming. He didn’t smirk or taunt as usual. His gaze roamed your face with such intensity it felt like a caress—a clawed hand tracing down his jaw, his throat, his chest, without ever touching him.

‘Doin' all your witchcraft to pull me in

Burnin' all your sage to connect our line…’

The look between them sharpened, eye contact so unwavering it felt violent in its intimacy. Their souls tangled somewhere in that stare. Every word, every note was a caress, a confession.

It was a war of who would blink first. Alastor watched like the song belonged to him.

‘I don't wanna be carryin' the weight on my shoulders

Death has come to me, kissed me on the cheek, gave me closure

Immortal by design

I'll be meetin' you here every time…’

As you came to finish, the final line lingered, soft as a prayer, as the music faded out.

The room was deathly silent. Then, slowly, Alastor’s hand moved to the mic switch and flicked it off. “Perfect,” he murmured.

“That,” Alastor said, voice low and dangerous, “was the most sensual thing I’ve ever broadcast.”

You blinked. “It wasn’t meant to be—”

“Oh, but it was,” Alastor cut in, stepping close. “Not the words. You. The way you looked at me.”

He leaned in, their mouths nearly brushing. “Do you know what it does to me, having that voice… that divine voice, sing for me like that? While all of Hell listened and only I got to look into your eyes?”

You swallowed hard.

Alastor’s grin returned, slow and sharp. “Sing for me again sometime, won’t you?”

You laughed softly, breathless. “Only if you stare at me like that again.”

Alastor chuckled darkly. “Oh, dear. I never stopped.”

[avochele]

The Idol - Ruby Red.

tags. idol!woozi x idol!oc, fluff, angst

headquarter.

Track #2.

synopsis. In wich a girl has a way too personal connection to a ceiling fan and in wich people need to learn that not everything is what it appears to be.

“People desire me. Because of red. Especially men. I became an object of desire. An object of love. An object that was made through the colour of red. I am red.”

warnings. toxic fans, obsession, anxiety, objectification(?), stalking, blood, obsessive crazy and toxic fans, oc is a simp for woozi (but honestly who isn't?), both are hopelessly in love and too dense to notice, I have no idea how recording a song or being an idol works so please excuse my messy excuse of a song production etc., obsessive fan incidents inspired by tvxq's sasaeng incidents (because no one in their right mind could come up with stuff like that) (more will be added if needed.)

note. thank you for supporting. if you want to be tagged, leave a comment!

The room I’m in does not have a fan. Not surprising. Honestly.

I’ve been staring at Beomjus back for a good thirty minutes now. I can’t concentrate.

I couldn’t think of anything else besides yesterday night. Everytime i recall him I start seeing red specks everywhere. But this time it’s weird. They’re not overwhelming. Not too pushy.

They’re like a background noise. Always there but never too much. Never annoying. Just right. Just there.

Like people talking in a restaurante. Like my laundry machine turning. Like the sound of tires on asphalt. Barely noticeable but always aware that it’s there.

I’m warm. When thinking of him something like red heat creeps up my neck. Burning almost. But not hurting. Nor uncomfortable.

Weird. When was the last time it hasn’t made me uncomfortable? I don’t remember.

"Are you listening?“ I bite down on my thumb nail. I really should stop doing that.

"Byeol?“ How can someone be so pretty and not brag about it all the time?

"Byeol!“

"Yes?“ I look up. Beomju looks at me, his mouth forming a straight line. "Did you listen to anything I just said?“ he questions me.

I avoid eye contact, I have in fact not been listening. How could I with the red ruling over my thoughts. "Do you mind repeating?“ I ask carefully, pushing my glasses back onto my head, keeping my hair from falling into my face.

"I said we can start recording.“ He watches me as I get up grabbing the lyric sheet in front of me. "Are you okay?“ he asks as I open the door to the recording booth. "Yeah why?“ I ask him, my hand resting on the doorknob.

"You seem a little out of it. A little distracted.“ He says, leaning back in his chair. I shrug. "I’m fine.“ I say not wanting to admit that I in fact am distracted. But he doesn’t need to know why. I doubt that he believes me anyway when I say I'm not. I close the door, leaving all possible distractions on the other side.

I put the lyric sheet on the note stand and put my headphones on, readjusting my glasses on the bridge of my nose.

The next two hours are filled with singing, repeating, harmonising and repeating again until Beomju decides to take a break. We‘ve been making huge progress the last few days. Besides memorising the choreography until it‘s engraved inside of me like blood running through my veins. We‘ve finished recording the majority of the album, with only three b-sides left.

At some point Seungkwan had entered the studio and made himself comfortable on Beomjus couch. He apparently was supposed to bring him some notes of a demo song for SEVENTEEN. Now he‘s lounging around like he doesn‘t have a care in the world.

I let myself fall down next to him and take a big swig out of my water bottle. "Why are you here?“ I ask him, pushing my glasses up. I didn‘t see a reason for him to still be here after he succeeded in his mission to bring the notes.

"Jihoon Hyung told me to bring the notes and bother someone else.“ I almost choke on my water at the mention of my friends bandmates name. And I thought I had successfully banished him from my thoughts for the time being.

I nod absentmindedly. Seungkwan must have noticed that I won‘t be answering anytime soon. “Do you guys want to grab dinner somewhere, after you finish recording?“ he asks, brushing his bangs out of his eyes.

"Sure, why not?“ I shrug, pushing my thoughts of his attractive friend to the back. But not away.

We both look expectantly at Beomju. He had his chair turned towards us, following our conversation. "I can‘t. I got some more work after this.“ He gestures to the stack of paper Seungkwan had put on his desk earlier.

"So it‘s just us?“ I ask him, taking another sip. He thinks for a moment. "Do you mind if some of my members join us? They haven‘t had dinner yet.“

I blink at him.

If Woozi‘s coming I doubt I‘ll be able to even make it to the dinner place, without crashing the car.

"Sure.“ I say trying to not mind my heart's fastened pace as I think of what he might look like from across the table, under the cozy orange light and through the steam of the sizzling hotpot.

"Cool, I‘ll ask them.“ I nod. My water bottle is empty now.

"Continue?“ I ask Beomju, who is typing away on his phone, as I try to flee my very attractive thoughts. "If you‘re done talking, sure.“ he says, putting his phone to the side.

As I note Seungkwan's disinterest in continuing the conversation, I get up with a deep breath and grab another bottle from the cooler. I make a mental note to get Beomju new water the next time I see him and close the recording booth door behind me.

Drowning the few leftover red specks, as well as Seungkwan's babbling over what to get for dinner, out.

The dinner place right next to the Han River is relatively empty. It had been pouring for an hour now and there was no sign of it stopping anytime soon.

The round table we’re sitting at is filled with numerous side dishes and a steaming hot pot in the middle. We are sitting at the very back corner of the tent.

The air is slightly damp and I’m almost hundred percent sure there is a puddle forming under my feet.

To my luck Woozi had not joined us when we had left. I didn’t know whether to be happy or slightly disappointed.

"This is so good, I can’t believe we never went here.“ Seokmin says from across the table. I grin into the bowl in front of me.

"Yeah I can’t believe you never took me here.“ Seungkwan says with a mouth full of rice. I raise my eyebrows at his accusing tone. "I couldn’t stand the thought of having to see your face everytime I come here.“

Joshua lets out a loud laugh at my statement. Seungkwan scowls at him.

"Here, stop pouting.“ I say, passing him a spoon full of rice, pork and kimchi. He eats it reluctantly.

Behind Dokyeom and Chan, two girls started whispering to each other looking in our direction. Instinctively I pull my baseball cap a bit more into my face.

I normally don’t mind meeting fans randomly, but it’s different when I’m out with other Idols. The rumours seem to write themselves.

I take a closer look at them, trying to make it not too obvious. They seem to be in middle school. I look at my phone. The time reads 10:46pm. What are middle schoolers doing at this time still out?

I don’t think they’ll do anything out of the ordinary, but I still couldn’t stop myself from looking over to them from time to time. They must have seen us leaving the car and followed us here.

Joshua next to me must have noticed them too as he moves a little closer to Chan and away from me.

There is no doubt they don’t know who we are. The only thing we can do now is to try to avoid starting rumours. Damage control, Taeja would call it.

The plates have been emptied by now and everyone is just talking away. I catch a few crumbs about the comeback, music shows and toothpaste?

As the night went on the restaurant tent emptied more and more until the only people left were the middle school girls, a group of middle aged men and us.

I wondered if the girls left if we did. I don’t want them to sit alone at this time with the men. Even though they probably followed us here.

"I think we should go, it’s kinda late. I promised my manager to sleep early today.“ I say, looking at the boys. "Since when do you listen to her?“ Seungkwan asks, confused as to why I want to leave so suddenly.

"Since now.“

The girls had left short after us. I saw them leave the tent from our parking spot. I felt relieved seeing them walk towards the train station. If for our safety or theirs I’m not sure. I just hope they didn’t get into too much trouble for coming home late.

The hallway to my apartment is quiet. I look at my phone as I round the corner. Seungkwan had sent me a picture of him and the guys. They got some takeout at the restaurant for the members that stayed at the company.

I suppose my secret place isn‘t so secret anymore. But that‘s okay. I don‘t eat there that often anyway. Makes it more special. Might be nice going there with other people for once.

I pull at my shirt. It sticks to my body. We got wet when walking back to my car. My straightened hair had surrendered to the curls now flowing down my back. I’m cold. Even though the hallway is warm I feel a chill clinging to my back. Crawling up my neck, waiting for the perfect moment to attack.

I narrow my eyebrows at the sight in front of me. There‘s a little elephant plushie leaning against my door. I crouch down in front of it, turning it around in my hands. "What are you doing here?“ I ask quietly.

Subconsciously I turn to look at the apartment door at the end of the hallway. A family of four lives there. He is a doctor and she a lawyer. They have twins. A girl and a boy. Maybe it belongs to them?

I decide it‘s too late now to ask them as I check the time on my phone. 1:37am. I get up.

From the corner of my eye I notice movement. My head snaps around. The hallway ends in that direction. There's a big picture on the wall. The green and gold specks makes it look harder to make as it probably was. It‘s the first thing you see when you leave the elevator. Next to it is a plant. But other than that nothing.

Must have been the fatigue.

Still with my phone and the blue elephant in my hand I punch in the code to my apartment and go inside. The door closes with a short melody as I take my shoes off.

I place the elephant on the table in my living room. I make a mental note to return it tomorrow. I‘m sure they miss it already.

As I get into bed I feel like something's off. Like I missed something. As if the chill is sitting in a corner waiting for an opportunity.

And all of a sudden the red is back. Drowning my vision and making my heart beat all the faster. I try to distract myself.

Turning on my music. Answering messages. Looking through the pictures we took earlier. Nothing changed.

Realising I won‘t reach the quiet I‘d like to reach in my head. I place my phone on the nightstand, putting on a different playlist.

The red never leaving my mind. My heart beats faster. Sleep comes hard that night.

TAGLIST. @hazeljisulatte @thepoopdokyeomtouched @berriebeetles @rvebyntvr @neivivenaj @cookiearmy

This work will be simultaneo publsihed on my Wattpad [click here].

©AVOCHELE, 2024

All rights reserved. This story or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a story review.

[ellemeditdance]

30

Such Great Heights by The Postal Service

Ok ok ok so this one is actually doing a bit of double duty because it originally made it onto the playlist because it reminded me of Solangelo in specifically @wordsofasarcast's fic Dolce Dissonance (which you should all read!!). Because it's band au where Nico and Will spend a lot of time yelling at each other from a distance with their lyrics and this feels like that.

But! The more I was listening to it and wondering where it could fit in canon CHB, I decided this is actually Jason trying to convince himself he's still in love with Piper after they break up but actually he's definitely secretly singing about Leo. Lyric by lyric analysis under the cut:

I am thinking it's a sign That the freckles in our eyes Are mirror images And when we kiss they're perfectly aligned

(He's telling himself that he's singing to Piper because he is sad she broke up with him, and he is, but the sad is not what a normal heartbreak feels like exactly but Jason doesn't know that, this is his first one)

(And for some reason the eyes he keeps picturing are not Piper's)

And I have to speculate That God Himself did make Us into corresponding shapes Like puzzle pieces from the clay

(We shouldn't break up right? A god literally told us to date each other. Like she took my memories and told you I was your boyfriend. Doesn't that mean something? Aren't we like, supposed to be together?)

And true it may seem like a stretch (Why don't I believe the things I'm saying to myself?) But it's thoughts like this that catch My troubled head when you're away And when I am missing you to death (He misses hanging out with her before things got complicated because Leo disappeared. He misses their trio days. He also misses Leo, but that's probably not connected to the heartbreak feeling, right?)

And when you are out there on the road For several weeks of shows And when you scan the radio I hope this song will guide you home (He has gotten distracted and is just fully talking to Leo now. Please come home.)

They will see us waving from such great heights Come down now, they'll say But everything looks perfect from far away Come down now but we'll stay (He misses their trio days, specifically all flying together on Leo's dragon because that was dope and Leo is so cool)

I tried my best to leave This all on your machine But the persistent beat It sounded thin upon the sending (They've tried to send Leo messages in every way they can possibly think of, and there's just nothing. If Leo built a machine that can find Ogygia, surely he can build a machine that lets him hear Jason calling for him)

And that frankly will not fly You'll hear the shrillest highs And lowest lows (so much has happened since you left, Leo. So, many highs and lows. I want to tell you about them. I want you to be here to help me figure out how I'm feeling about my breakup with Piper. I miss you) with the windows down And this is guiding you home (He's picturing Leo having a banging road trip on his dragon, windows down if it had any windows, and he wants him to be happy and enjoy himself, but also, please come home)

They will see us waving from such great heights Come down now they'll say But everything looks perfect from far away Come down now but we'll stay (Can I be on the dragon with you? Can I join you on the banging road trip? And uhh Piper would be there, too, obviously. That's who the song was about, right?)

They will see us waving from such great heights Come down now they'll say But everything looks perfect from far away Come down now but we'll stay (Again, but with feeling)

They will see us waving from such great heights (Come down now) (Come home please)

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Walking on Sunshine 1

Sister series to Sunshine, Lollipops, and Rainbows

Warnings: non/dubcon, antisocial behaviour, and other dark elements. My username actually says you never asked for any of this.

Characters: God The Bounty Hunter x reader

My warnings are not exhaustive but be aware this is a dark fic and may include potentially triggering topics. Please use your common sense when consuming content. I am not responsible for your decisions.

As usual, I would appreciate any and all feedback. I’m happy to once more go on this adventure with all of you! Thank you in advance for your comments and for reblogging.

You hum as you enter the break room. The aroma of dark roast tickles your nose as your eyes narrow in on the kettle. You’re not much of a coffee drinker, you're one of the few in the office who enjoy the packets of hot cocoa they keep in the big glass jar. You keep a stash of your own special flavours in your desk for particularly dull days.

As you cross the room, you slip and throw out your arm to keep from landing on your butt. You set your feet straight, gripping your mug tight as you’re near-shatter experience courses through you icily. That was too close.

You look down at your feet and the small puddle of coffee there. How irresponsible. Someone spilled and didn’t even clean it up. You could’ve been really hurt. In fact, you think you pulled something.

You take careful steps and trade your mug for the roll of paper towel. You set to cleaning up the mess, sopping it up with the cheap two-ply. You take a handful of soaked paper towels and dump them in the bin. You rinse your hands and flip on the kettle, shaking off the last of your adrenaline.

You tap your fingers on the counter top as you wait for the water to boil. You take one of the cardboard stir sticks and keep the rhythm against the brim of your cup. The apple-shaped mug is one of your favourites, though a bit more teacherly than office dweller.

You tear open a packet as the kettle begins to tremble. You let out a few lyrics without thinking as the dang earworm won’t leave your head. “I used to think maybe you loved me, now baby, I’m su-u-ure…’ You’re not much of a singer and it’s terribly off key but you could dance right there.

You pour the powder into your cup and add the hot water. You switch between singing and humming the words you don’t know. The chocolatey smell tugs at your empty stomach and you lift up your mug happily, turning on your heel only to stop short.

Your lyrics almost turn to a scream as you find someone watching you. You’re embarrassed to think they witnessed your little karaoke session. You give a sheepish smile and adjust your grip on the mug handle.

“Uh, hi, I’m sorry, I didn’t hear… I didn’t think anyone else was around,” you eke out, swallowing a giggle at yourself.

The man just stares. He doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t move. You’re choked by his stagnant silence. Your cheeks twitch as you fight to hold your smile in the wilting tension.

“Anyway…” your voice quakes, “it’s all yours, I’m just going to go back to my desk.”

You slowly cross the floor, watching him as his eyes follow you. There’s no expression around his alert eyes. He’s just staring. At you. Gaze following you diligently to the door. You smile a bit bigger before you dip out into the hallway.

His blue irises are stamped into your mind. Brilliant and bold. Eyes that say much more than he did.

You think you recognize him but don’t think much about it. The office is big and it feels like you see new faces every day and forget just as many. You’ve never been very good with names either.

You finally catch your breath as you get back to your cubicle. The unusual encounter flits away as you refocus on your work. You wiggle your foot and fidget in your chair, the squeaking of the old wheels drawing the agitated sighs of your neighbour. You still and glance over as a streak of colour distracts you.

That girl again. The one in the bright sweater. Her clothes are so cute. Your own style is eclectic in a different way; thrift store chic, you call it. You smile as her bubbly gait bobs a few rows down from you and she disappears back into the corporate zoo. 

You haven’t made any work friends, people just seem to tolerate you but she seems cool. You’re a bit too shy to introduce yourself as you think you have a few years on her. You don’t want to come off desperate or anything.

You exhale wistfully and make yourself go back to your emails. You really need to stop getting so easily off track. You can’t handle another poor performance review. 

You swivel back and as you go to rest your chin in your hand, you nearly yipe. Your eyes round and you sit up straight. That man! He’s watching you again. He sips from a gray mug as your lips part cluelessly. Why is he doing that?

You look over your shoulders, checking if perhaps he is looking at someone or something else. There’s nothing but a cubicle wall. You turn back and he’s gone. Huh?

You’re thinking too much. He probably just saw something else. Besides, people don’t notice you. Only when you do something wrong.

You swallow and look down at your hot chocolate. You lift it and blow over the top, tentatively sipping from the hot porcelain. Mmm, it always makes everything better. 

[briebysabs]

Since I am such a normal individual I’ve decided to attempt breaking down vanoé’s character song “Le Formidable”. I don’t hear much talk about it but the lyrics are just as cryptic and wild as the OP/ED.

Before we get into it, in terms of translation, I could only find one on YouTube that thankfully color-coded the lyrics so I could decipher who sings what. If anyone has any other translations, I’d love to know please. So a bunch of the lines you can kinda figure out who’s singing but here’s how it’s gonna be:

Vanitas =💙

Noé =💜

Vanoe= 💙💜

Simple enough let’s get into it :)

💜: /I want to stay in bed feeling the warmth of the sun and drift in and out of this sweet dream/

Already we’ve mentioned dreaming, a running theme in this song. There is the well-known line Teacher says in chapter 55...

Sleeping, specifically in regards to Noé, is something mochijun makes the audience take note. He can’t sleep without holding something. When he can’t fall asleep, it is highlighted like the night Vanitas rejected Noé drinking his blood. He doesn’t want Vanitas to disappear and I personally like how in the recent chapter, Vanitas stays by his side for a while. Almost like callback to that moment on the train but I’m getting carried away. You get the correlation I’m making, it’ll get very important later on.

We also have those warmth and sun connections to Noé, a large part of his character and Vanitas’ gravitation towards him.

💙: /With this grey weather today, this day will go by without any harmony/

We see Vanitas’ pessimistic outlook on life; grey, cloudy, devoid of color. Devoid of comfort and obviously these two contrasting people will clash but mix together throughout the song.

💜: /Tarte Tatin, Altus Paris! Endless interesting things!/

💙: /It’s always like this! Here and there, endlessly losing sight./

This seems pretty straightforward, Noé is getting distracted by all the wonderful things as usual and Vanitas chastises him. But let’s frame this another way, Noé is choosing to not focus. It’s simpler that way. He’s turning his focus elsewhere to better things, more pleasant things. And Vanitas is trying to wake him up. I’ll explain more in my theory soon.

💜: /What to look for today from this city/

💙: /Ah with all these things/

💙💜: /There is no time to rest/

Simple lyrics here. No comment.

💙💜: /Le formidable! Le formidable! It’s really easy. Just colliding, rolling down, and repeating again/

Here we are entering the chorus. There’s a common thread of repetition in every OP and ED in VnC. Like clockwork, these two have fallen into this pattern.

Colliding- Vanoé meeting, two worlds learning how to come together, joining as one

Rolling down- their downfall, incoming despair and tragedy

Repeating again- they find themselves back where they started, fated to be born and to die

Let me say the first part of my theory and keep this in the back of your head while remembering the lyrics: VnC is not a time loop in the traditional sense but rather a loop of memories. Also keep in mind the first ED Zero: “Now I remember, oh I have never lived a day without you. Untie the layer of memories...”

💙: /This worthless-/

💜: /wonderful-/

💙💜: /world we are walking on. Even not knowing is sometimes nice, right?/

Again, vanoé with different outlooks on life meet each other. But more importantly, we see the display of ignorance or blissful unawareness. We the audience have a vague idea on how this story ends and in a way, so do they. Vanitas knows very well he is doomed and has already entrusted Noé to end his life if it comes to it. But we also don’t know the specifics of their downfall and neither do they.

So this line has a double meaning that refers to the characters and the reader. As yeah it is nice to read vnc and enjoy the happy moments without knowing the painful details of what’s to come.

💜: /Over there something is flapping their wings/

💙: /And these uncountable days pass by. It’s not worth worrying about. So many unknown things, without meaning/

💜: /Escalier! I want to see the bright colors beyond!/

Noé, again giving his attention to supposedly insignificant things as Vanitas tends to see the larger picture, not caring for the mundane. Uncountable days can be matched with the grey weather mentioned earlier. But that also means things are murky, blur together, cloudy. They don’t make sense to Vanitas (such as love, his self-worth, the nature within people) while Noé wants to experience all the brightness of the world.

💙: /I told you to be quiet today, yet here we are!/

💜: /Now you loud person!/

💙💜: /I told you I hardly have time to breathe/

So, hypothetical scenario if we take this song literal: Vanoé is exploring the city because Noe wanted to Vanitas couldn’t say no. Vanitas is fed up and Noé thinks his complaints are aggravating. But this part shows a lack of understanding. They’re yelling about their own hardships but don’t see the other’s perspective.

💙💜: /Le formidable! Le formidable! It’s a simple thing. It’s just finding, losing sight and repeating again/

💜: /I want to dream/

💙: /It’s just a dream/

💙💜: /The world keep walking while not knowing the truth at this point/

Ok there’s a lot to dig our teeth in here. First of all, the finding, losing sight, repeating is another way of describing the colliding and rolling down said prior. Vanoe find each other, they lose each other, it’s fated to happen all over again. Now the big piece here, I want to dream/It’s just a dream. Surface-level interpretation > another instance of their differences. Noé wants be surrounded by dreams and wonder. While Vanitas looks at that beauty and scoff at it, since it isn’t real therefore not worth caring for. But if we read into this carefully, Noé wants to dream. He wants to stay in these memories, he doesn’t want to live in a world without Vanitas.

Let’s go back to OP 1: “I love this world and the light only you give me.”

We know OP 1 is Noe’s POV so let’s ask ourselves why would the Noé we are seeing, the one smiling at all the colors of the world say Vanitas is the only light he has (emphasis on “only”). Because the Noé singing the first OP is operating with far more knowledge and despair. We don’t know the truth at this point. “This world” is not real.

Allow me to offer what I think is happening. Noé and Vanitas meet, they go on this journey of understanding, trust, and love, Vanitas reaches his end and is killed by Noé. Noé lives on. We can tell the Noé writing this story is full of regret and sadness. But why is he writing this all down? He’s retelling the memories, putting them down physically on paper. Two things happened:

a) He exchanged his name with Naenia, wishing to remain in a world with Vanitas in it. Because that wish is still very present, Naenia has great interest in Noé. She mentions seeing him before in Louis but it could be a classic mochijun misdirect and it’s actually from receiving his name in a different iteration. There is that official art with Noé wearing Vanitas’ coat with that goat entity he saw in Gevaudan, pinned to his vest.

However this can only work if Naenia is still around and isn’t resolved/defeated in the memoirs.

b) This is more likely in my opinion. Noé uses the Books and the memoirs act as a catalyst for him to have the world become his memories or for him to live in them. I know only those with blue blood or something can use the books.

Which is why Dr. Moreau had those experiments with Vanitas and Misha. Don’t worry, I already have a theory that Archivistes are some form of blue moon vampires but that is a whole other discussion. Point is, I think the Books of Vanitas are like an Elliot sword situation. Yes, Elliot owns the Nightray sword and carries it around but you don’t know its true purpose in the story until Leo wields it.

Noé causes these memories to replay, perhaps to save Vanitas or simply to dream again. Go back to when he was last happy. But here’s the thing, the Noé in this memory is unaware or ignorant of this, sees his present world as the real one and undergoes the events of the series. Vanitas dies, he lives on, and creates a memory world for himself. Rinse, recycle, repeat. Essentially, the first ED gave it away. The entirety of VnC is a layer of memories. Even the narrator Noé we are hearing is a memory that is trying to manifest a world of his own.

Reality and dreams are all intertwined now and Noé got lost in it. There are leaks in the cracks, for example when Vanitas cries and tells Luna his mother died at childbirth why would he call to her. Initially, you can read this as he’s just missing what he never had. But what if Vanitas’ mother was present in his life 9 memory loops ago but because these memories get further from the truth the more it happens, Noé simply forgot that detail when making the memoirs at some point in time. So now, in the memory layer #52 Vanitas has no mother.

💜: /We will see what we “cannot see”/

💙: /We will know what we “don’t know”/

💙💜: /The final stop of this world that seems to be changing, seems only further ahead/

Noe’s line possibly goes into his Archiviste nature and how he experiences reading memories. It can as well build back into the dream/memory loop thing, he’s seeing things he can no longer “see.”

Vanitas’ line can be drawn to what Noé said during their fight.

Vanitas acts like he has the final word and has a full grasp of how this world/himself works. But he really doesn’t and Noé is living proof of that, proving him wrong on several occasions that there’s still hope, they can’t give up yet, he won’t leave him etc. The final stop of this world is changing, but it’s further ahead. This is a story, a preserved section of time from the past. We gotta ask ourselves... why would the last stop be changing? Again, Vanitas’ death is the final stop but it’s changing, perhaps from the countless iterations we’ve gone through Noé writes the memoirs in a way that delays the ending. So he could remain just a little longer…

💙💜: /Le formidable! Le formidable! Everything is fine. While forgetting, hiding, and repeating it/

💙: /This worthless/

💜: /wonderful/

💙💜: /world we are walking on/

💙: /I don’t know but even so/

💜: /If it can make you smile.../

After this, it ends the song by repeating the first chorus with the colliding-rolling down part so I’ll make this the cutting point. The “everything is fine” totally doesn’t stick out in a story where we know everything will not be fine. The forgetting and hiding goes back to my dream-memory theory, Noé is hiding from the truth in these stacks upon stacks of memories and is possibly forgetting things as they really happened as a result. We already know he isn’t the most reliable narrator. But Noé wants to see Vanitas’ smile.

If it can make you smile again, if it can replay your laughter, why would I ever leave this wonderful lie? In OP 1: “Your laughing was reflected by a daydream”.

I’ll conclude this by saying two things. If you want to get even deeper, you can interpret Vanitas in this song as the voice in the back of Noé’s head. Its just a dream, this world is actually worthless, and Noé is trying to drown out those thoughts. Because yeah they sing lines together but the only time they’re directly speaking to each other is when Vanitas scolds Noé and Noé shouts back, calling him loud. Finally, I could be wrong in all this. I am aware how crazy I may look and I'm so thankful if you read this far.

But yeah if this is anywhere near canon, mochijun must be the most unhinged, absolutely cracked author I’ve ever seen. We’re going into Pandora Hearts levels of intricacy here. I hope you enjoyed my insanity 👍🏼

[yan-lorkai]

First, sorry for confusing you with the Barb phrase, I am new here & thought it’s cute.

I’ve had this hc for a while. I was playing Obey Me while listening to music. You know how there are a lot of songs with religious or worshiping themes? The song that started this was ‚Take Me To Church‘ by Hozier and I couldn’t stop thinking about how Lucifer, Satan or Dia would react if they heard Mc sing this to themselves.

Now for the head cannon, demons (and angels) are affected by humans when they sing. But for it to affect anyone, angel or demon, said being has to actually listen to the live performance, without any magic or technology in between. Depending on the lyrics or intended recipient it can have good or bad effects.

Meaning a song that praises angels or god could cause for example a slight headache or itchy skin, meanwhile a song like highway to hell could give demons a slight strength boost or better aim. How much a demon is affected depends on how close he is to the human -both proximity and relationship wise- and how much emotions the human puts in it.

The reason we don’t hear about this is because it’s a secret between demon royalty and the highest angels. Or else there would have been mass kidnapping of humans what would have caused a war between the realms.

In order to keep it a secret Diavolo let’s every demon who knows about it swear an oath to stay silent. Oath breaker and anyone unfortunate enough to hear it, will be facing Barbatos.

Solomon has figured this out early on and has used this in attempts to get under Barbatos‘ skin. Has also been threatened a few times, to keep quiet, by the demon butler.

For the exchange program, the demon brothers were let in on the secret and too had to swear to secrecy. Lucifer, Mammon & Asmo actually knew way before of effect of a human voice for various reasons.

Mc doesn’t know this, because Mammon, in a panic, once told them to never sing outside the house of lamentation, because 'it’s culturally inappropriate and demons get very agitated over this'.

Thanks to listening to my rambling.

~little raven

Oh hiii raven, how are you darling? :3

(Idk about the Barb comment, it doesn't seem like it went through my ask box. Maybe tumblr ate :((( )

I can just imagine how songs like "All the good girls go to heaven", "demons are a girl best friend" and "losing my religion" would be a boost to the demons magic and force. Perhaps it could also enhance their natural talents? Like, remember how Asmo can seduce anyone or indulce thoughts and feelings just with a mere stare? Like thattttt

Can't remember any angelic song now, but i like to think they could make the angels stronger, even more so guardian angels, who can guide and even communicate better with the person they're protecting

It sounds like a lovely concept, tbh. There's too much to run with this 🤭

Love Solomon being a menace as always, omg. Him just casually singing idk mind control maybe just to see if he can make Barbatos dependent on him somehow, only for the demon butler swipe the floor with him - after he is one of the strongest and a mere song will not sway him nor control him (or so he say, if it ever works or not, nobody will ever know)

Perhaps Mc is like me in that regard, I love to hum and sing lowly because I concentrate better at the task I'm doing (sometimes I get distracted if the song I'm hearing is fire, though). Or maybe they were home alone one day and were wearing headphones or smth, and they didn't realize they were screaming the lyrics till someone covered their mouth with a trembling hand

Now, I've stopped writing for obey me last year because I was disappointed with how they handled the story, the development in general, and all that, but I will entertain you here. If they heard Mc singing (whether Take to church or some other song):

Diavolo would be overjoyed, of course. He has a carefree nature, not caring if the song they're singing have a negative connotation to demons and, thus, deprive him of his vitality and strength. Not at all. He loves how they're singing, their little accent, the rhythm, everything. He could hear Mc singing forever, and he wouldn't get bored of it. If they weren't one of his exchange student, you could see in his eyes that he'd turn them into his pretty little bird meant to sing only to him

Satan, on the other hand, pretends he isn't fazed by their singing. He can't let them realize the power they have over him depending on the song they're singing - plus he is the fourth on terms of strength between his brothers. But he does like to just sit down and hear them singing, he'll adjust or suggest songs that gives him a little dose of strength, of course or just interrupt you everytime you seem to be singing an "angelic" song. He is an annoying little shit but he is intelligent enough that you won't realize what's he is doing.

Lucifer, of course, knows what he is doing. He takes great pleasure in hearing you singing, but he forbids you from doing so in the presence of others because only he can appreciate your talents - not him totally instilling a new fear in just to not share you with others. Overall, he makes you busy just so you don't have much time to sing or hum, and he tells you to be quiet if other people are in the room, as well. Of course, you can choose not to obey him but that brings some interesting consequences. You do you :)

I loved this concept anon darling, I'm giving a big kiss on the cheek (or a handshake if kisses aren't your thing lol) ~

[wayfayrr]

I feel because of the chain having a lot of fights as strangers and since reader would be seeing wind sulking after when they have to leave since the other links are getting physical and because of that I would believe there be a lot of days where the links and reader would just have a movie night just some time to not think of the world for reader while feeding the chain's curiosity of this world. So I give you this, reader showing wind the pirates of the Caribbean trilogy.

So I hope you don't mind, I've written this as a sort of continuation of one of your recent asks where reader took Wind to the beach as a reward, but since the rest of the chain decided to argue and ruin it - he gets a private movie night instead!

“I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with your dad arguing with every single living being Wind, I mean I know he’s getting better but you shouldn’t have to deal with it all the time.”

“Is that why you set all of this up [name], because he keeps arguing all the time? Are Wild and Calm gonna join us as well then?”

“Wild said they wanted to try and get closer to Sage actually. They’re doing their own thing, right now I’m focused on cheering you up kiddo. Don’t think I didn’t see you sulking when your day was ruined.”

He’s got his typical pout back, so clearly what I said was right even if he won’t say it aloud, Wind’s fairly easy to read like that. Asides from his very blatant dislike of the beach day being ruined by sage and time getting into a full-blown fight, he seems very pleased with the fact he gets my attention to himself like this. Burying himself in the pillow fort I made on the bed with a smile shows that clearer than day. 

“So we're going to spend the night talking and eating a bunch of snacks?”

“A bit more than that, I’d like to show you some of my favourite films. I think you’ll love them even more than I do though.”

Setting this all up was far more complicated than I would’ve thought originally, and I’ll have to thank Wild for offering to distract Sage long enough so he won’t disturb us when we’re watching one of the best trilogies of all time, I’m sure I can come up with something to thank him. Right now my focus is all on Wind, and making up for his day being ruined; captain jack sparrow always helped cheer me up whenever I got upset so it should help Wind. Poor kid deserves to have some kind of reward for adjusting to his new life this well and as his parent, it falls to me to make sure he gets one that’s right for how incredible he’s being. 

“So what are they about [name]! Is it one of those family traditions you said you were going to teach me, Wild and Calm!”

“No it’s not a tradition, and I wouldn’t be teaching you without your brothers either Wind.”

“You didn’t say what it’s going to be about though. Please [name]?”

Ruffling his hair with a laugh, settling next to him with the remote in my hand ready to show him something I was saving to cheer up a bad day. Making it beyond perfect for this exact moment. With the fog on the screen showing a ship emerge with the eerie singing, Wind’s attention was instantly hooked when he heard the faint lyrics of a pirate's life for me. Good, This is what he deserves after everything else. He’s more focused on this than anyone would have thought possible. Now I just hope he doesn’t have a Jack sparrow like I did the first time I ever saw this film, with his natural energy I don’t think any of us could survive that. After the escape and the botched execution of Jack with will turner saving his life I heard the first thing out of Wind since the film started.

“THAT WAS AWESOME!!! AND YOU SAID THERE’S MORE!!!”

“There’s still another two films to go kiddo, you sure you’re up for that?” “DO YOU EVEN HAVE TO ASK!! OF COURSE, I AM!!”

“So you wanna start the next one straight away?”

“COME ONNNN! I REALLY WANNA WATCH IT!”

“Alright kiddo, just don’t exhaust yourself you can ask me to pause it if you want to eat something.”

After watching the next two films, I can safely say I’m exhausted even though Wind still seems ready to watch more. Wait no, scratch that he looks like he could pass out at any moment, he’s barely keeping himself awake. 

“‘M ready to go to bed now I think [name], do you mind if I-”

And there he goes, he didn’t even manage to finish his sentence before falling asleep. I’m just glad I managed to cheer him up after the failure of today. I’ll be careful not to wake him now. After all, I know better than to wake a man when he's sleepin'. It's bad luck.

[thezombieprostitute]

Music in the Air

A/N: Written for Vee's Holly Jolly Challenge (@sstan-hoe). Reader is implied fem, "girls like me". No physical descriptors used.

Prompts: Bucky Barnes - My house, my rules. The Christmas music stays on.

Summary: You and Bucky discuss poinsettias.

Bucky's arm was having problems. Again. In all the years he had the arm he never really got to understand how it worked. He could figure out how to fix a lot of things, but his arm wasn't one of them. That's why he was glad he had you to turn to. You had quickly become his go-to engineer in the Avengers Tower. You were a rare and delightful combination of "not afraid of him" and "not overly friendly". You would smile, but let him initiate the conversation when he wanted.

At least, normally you were his favorite. Ever since December started you only every played Christmas music in your lab. He was still trying to get used to how much the holiday had changed and the music was, well, a lot. Especially when you were always listening to some kind of heavy metal Christmas music and he had only ever heard Christmas music sung a capella or maybe a church organ.

"Do you really need to listen to that music all the time?"

You smiled while working, "I did the respectful thing and waited until December before I started listening."

"Yeah, but it's just so..." he struggled to find the words.

"Non-traditional?"

"Jarring."

"Well, Sergeant Barnes," you reply, setting your tools down, "My house, my rules. The Christmas music stays on. However, I am willing to switch it for something that's maybe a little more your speed."

You walk over to your laptop and open up your playlist. It takes you a minute, but you finally find the song you're looking for and press the play button. As the speakers sing a lighter, slower tune, you turn back to Bucky, "you should be grateful. I don't turn off Trans Siberian Orchestra for just anyone."

Bucky blushed as he smiled, listening to the song. It was very different from what you had been listening to. For a start, there were lyrics. They told the story of a poinsettia named Percy and how had been overlooked and abandoned but grew and shone when given love. He almost smacked himself for having empathy for an imaginary plant.

To distract himself he said, "I'm surprised you like this song. It's so different from what you were listening to before."

You smile and respond, "it's a childhood favorite. This song just really hit my heart in a way no other Christmas song did. It stuck with me so much that, even in college if I saw my flowers for sale that were wilting or on their last legs, I'd buy them. Just to make sure they had love before they fully wilted."

Bucky looked at you with a softness in his eyes before you shook your head, "I know, it's stupid. I was an adult, I should've known better but some things just stick with you, you know?"

"Yeah," he whispered. "I know. Did you stop buying flowers because you kept getting them from dates or something?"

You chuckle, "I stopped because I had to prioritize my budget. I can't remember the last time I had flowers in my apartment. But thank you for the compliment."

"What do you mean? The guys you date don't give you flowers?"

"Girls like me don't get dates, Sergeant. I'm not whatever enough for guys to ask me out. Whether it's my size, my intelligence, my hobbies, there's just always something that keeps guys from asking me out, let alone bringing me flowers. But, again, thank you for the compliment."

You set down your tools and start putting them away, "your arm is all patched up. Hope this fix lasts you at least through the end of the year. I've got a lot of projects to finish up before the end of the year so I might not have the time to take care of you."

"You're not staying here for Christmas, are you?"

"I am," you nod. "My family celebrates holidays on days that aren't the day of so that we can avoid traffic and last-minute shoppers. So I set up an office lunch for the people who either don't celebrate, have nowhere to go, or whatever other reasons. Mr. Stark has been very generous with the budget for that."

"I'm glad you won't be alone on Christmas," he gives you a gentle smile.

"How about you," you ask. "You're welcome to join us if you'd like."

"Sam is insisting on taking me to Louisiana," he replies.

"Good," you assert. "I'm very glad you also won't be alone on Christmas."

You really shouldn't have been surprised to see the poinsettia on your desk the next day. There was no note, but you suspected. It wasn't very big and it had started wilting, but you loved it nonetheless. You gently hugged the plant and promised to give it the best of care for as long as it needed. After a week it was like a brand new plant, bright and strong. Doesn't hurt that you asked the biolab techs for help and resources.

It made Bucky's year to see how big your smile was, watching your poinsettia grow and how much you clearly loved it. It took him a while after to gather his courage and ask you on a date but your quick "yes" reassured him. Neither of you would ever be alone on Christmas.