#ariana grande the voice icons

[lol-ari]

Ariana Grande on the voice memories pt.1

[theetherealbloom]

The Things I Would Do, Just To Be Here With You

Summary: Amidst the whirlwind of movie premieres and busy schedules, you and Pedro Pascal, both thriving in your respective careers, find ways to celebrate each other despite the distance. While Pedro promotes Gladiator 2 in London, he longs for your presence at the after-party.

Or, you two would scream at the stars for keeping you apart... and the government too.

“Pedro Pascal x f!reader, Pedro is promoting Gladiator 2, and reader is in Wicked (Elphaba or Galinda of course!) for the screenplay of Wicked, and they are just really supportive of each other but also joke about their own movie being the best. Finding time to come to each other’s premiers. Posting behind the scenes or visiting each other.” — From @imaginemixedfandom

Paring: Pedro Pascal x F!Reader

Warnings: Established Relationship, TOOTH-ROTTING FLUFF, Slight Angst, Swearing, Anxiety, Surrounded by A-Listers, Cheesy Dialogue, Romance, Kissing, Real People Fiction, Red Carpet, Cameras, Paparazzi, Long Distance, Timezone Difference, Social Media, Interviews, I’m not a Spanish speaker, I might be wrong with the terms, please don’t come after me T^T,

Word Count: 4.4k

A/N: Ty @imaginemixedfandom for giving the idea! I didn’t really want to replace the reader with the cast of Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. Those two are just too iconic. So instead I will make the reader a writer for the screenplay adaptation of Wicked tehe. You all should listen to brent iii by Jeremy Zucker and Chelsea Cutler, it’s absolutely one of my favorite albums of this year. Lastly, remember this is all fictional and for fun! Enjoyyyy my loves!

Side note: I’m dyslexic and English isn’t my first language! So I apologize in advance for the spelling and/or grammatical errors. As always, reblogs, comments, and likes are always appreciated. Thank you and happy reading!

Song: and the government too! By Jeremy Zucker & Chelsea Cutler

gif by @andrew-garfielld

| Main Masterlist |

NEW YORK, NEW YORK — EVENING

“Hi.” Your voice was soft as you nestled deeper into the duvet, your body cocooned in its comforting folds.

“Hola, mi amor.” Pedro’s face lit up on your phone screen, the warm timbre of his voice washing over you like a balm. “I miss you.” “I miss you too… so much,” you replied with a little pout. The time difference between London and New York was merciless. Between his packed schedule promoting Gladiator 2 and prepping for Fantastic Four, and your whirlwind of work with the Wicked movie premiere, your conversations had been reduced to stolen moments like this. Still, even through a screen, Pedro had a way of making you feel like the most important person in the world. “You look cozy,” he said with a lopsided grin, his brown eyes crinkling at the corners. “Meanwhile, I’m freezing my ass off here on set. I think my nose might fall off.” You laughed softly, the sound tinged with longing. “I’d trade you, you know. I’ll take the cold if it means I get to see you.”

“Don’t tempt me.” He leaned closer to the camera, his face filling your screen. “If I weren’t contractually obligated to be here, I’d hop on the next flight and show up at your premiere tomorrow. Red carpet and all.” You smiled wistfully, your fingers brushing against the edge of your phone as if you could reach through it to touch him. “You’d outshine me. Imagine the headlines: ‘Pedro Pascal steals the show at Wicked premiere.’” “Please. Everyone’s going to be talking about you. ‘Brilliant screenwriter dazzles Hollywood!’” He paused, his tone softening. “You’re incredible, you know that?” Your throat tightened at his words, tears pricking at the corners of your eyes. “Stop, or I’ll actually cry, and my face will be all puffy for tomorrow.” He chuckled. “Okay, okay. But seriously, mi amor, I’m so proud of you. You’ve worked so hard for this.” “And so have you,” you countered. “The Gladiator 2 trailer broke the internet, and you still found time to send me flowers last week. You’re amazing, Pedro.” “Yeah, but flowers aren’t the same as being there with you.” His voice dipped, a hint of regret slipping through. “I hate being this far away.” You sighed, your heart aching in tandem with his. “Me too.”

For a moment, neither of you spoke, the silence filled with the unspoken tension of your shared longing. Then, Pedro’s grin returned, bright and mischievous. “So,” he said, leaning back in his chair, “who do you think has the better movie? Be honest.”

You raised an eyebrow, feigning offense. “Are you seriously asking me to compare Wicked to Gladiator 2? One’s a heartfelt, magical adaptation, and the other is a testosterone-filled epic. They’re different.”

“Uh-huh,” he teased, crossing his arms. “Sounds like you’re dodging the question. I knew you were scared to admit Gladiator 2 is better.”

You scoffed, sitting up straighter in bed. “Scared? Please. I just don’t want to hurt your feelings when Wicked inevitably becomes a global phenomenon.”

Pedro laughed, the sound rich and contagious. “You’re lucky I love you. Otherwise, this would be grounds for war.”

“Lucky? You’re the lucky one,” you shot back, smirking. “I’ll prove it when I finally see you in person again. But until then…”

You brought the phone closer, pressing a soft kiss to the screen. Pedro mimicked your gesture, his lips brushing his camera lens.

“Goodnight, mi vida,” he murmured.

“Goodnight, Pedro.” Your voice was tender, laced with all the love you couldn’t put into words.

As the call ended, you clutched the phone to your chest, a bittersweet smile tugging at your lips. Despite the distance, despite the chaos of your lives, you knew one thing for certain: Pedro Pascal would always be worth the wait.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK — MORNING

Today was the day. You were walking the red carpet for the Wicked movie premiere. A sea of celebrities, producers, fellow writers, and editors would surround you. The sheer magnitude of it all left you feeling both giddy and utterly petrified.  

You smoothed your hands over the silk robe you wore, your palms damp with nerves. While you loved the craft of storytelling, the spotlight had always felt daunting. You preferred to let your work speak for itself—a tendency that paired surprisingly well with dating Pedro Pascal, the literal human embodiment of charisma and charm.  

“There, all done,” Laura, your makeup artist, said with a satisfied grin.  

You blinked at your reflection in the mirror. Your skin glowed, your eyes were accentuated just enough to look striking without overwhelming, and your lips were painted a perfect shade of confidence.  

“You’ve outdone yourself,” you said, giving her a warm smile.  

��Of course I did,” Laura replied with a wink. “Big night for my favorite screenwriter.”  

Mia, your stylist, emerged from behind a rack of gowns, holding up the dress. “Speaking of big nights... Ready to put this beauty on?”  

You nodded, though your smile wavered. “I just wish Pedro were here,” you admitted, your voice quieter now.  

Laura and Mia exchanged sympathetic glances before Laura gently squeezed your shoulder. “You’re going to look incredible, and he’d lose his mind if he saw you. How about we take some pictures to send him? A little preview for the man himself.”  

You hesitated, glancing at your phone on the vanity. “I don’t want to distract him. He’s busy with interviews and set work. London and New York aren’t exactly next door…”  

“All is fair in love and war,” Laura teased, her giggle breaking the tension. “Come on, babe! If anything, it’ll be motivation for him to hop on the next flight.”  

Mia chimed in, smirking. “Or just to remind him what he’s missing. Trust me, teasing Pedro is a public service.”  

You laughed despite yourself, feeling the nerves lift slightly. “Fine, fine. But if he complains, I’m blaming you two.”  

They ushered you into the dress—a masterpiece of emerald silk and intricate detailing that clung perfectly in all the right places. As Mia zipped you up, Laura stepped back, her hands pressed dramatically over her heart.  

“Pedro’s going to lose his shit.”  

“You look like a literal goddess,” Mia added, spinning you toward the mirror.  

For a moment, you hardly recognized yourself. The reflection staring back radiated elegance and confidence, even if you didn’t entirely feel it yet.  

“Okay, okay. Take the pictures,” you relented, biting your lip as you tried to contain your grin.  

Laura grabbed your phone and started snapping. You struck a few playful poses, twirling and laughing as Mia adjusted the hem of your dress. It felt silly, but imagining Pedro’s reaction warmed your chest.  

Once the photos were taken, you grabbed your phone and hovered over the message screen. You debated for a moment, then attached the best photo and typed a quick message.  

You: Wish you were here. But since you’re not... Enjoy this. Don’t let it distract you too much, cariño.  

You hit send before you could second-guess yourself, the familiar swoosh of the message sending making your heart race.  

The reply came faster than you expected.  

Pedro: Distract me? How am I supposed to do anything now? You look like an angel. No, better than an angel. Drop-dead stunning. 

You couldn’t stop the grin from taking over your face.  

Pedro: Red carpet better be ready. They’ve got no idea who they’re dealing with tonight.  

The butterflies in your stomach multiplied tenfold. Before you could reply, another message appeared.  

Pedro: I’m so proud of you. Go knock ’em dead, mi amor. I love you.  

Your throat tightened, and you had to blink back the sudden tears threatening to ruin Laura’s hard work. You tapped out a quick reply.  

You: I love you too. Now go back to being the coolest man alive.  

“You okay over there?” Mia asked, watching you with a knowing smile.  

“More than okay,” you said softly, tucking your phone away.  

As you prepared to step into the whirlwind of the premiere, Pedro’s words echoed in your mind. Even from thousands of miles away, he made you feel invincible.  

Tonight wasn’t just about the red carpet or the glitz and glamour. It was about celebrating what you loved—and knowing Pedro would always be your biggest cheerleader, no matter where in the world he was.  

UNITED KINGDOM, LONDON — AFTERNOON  

Pedro sighed deeply, his head resting against the back of his chair. The steady hum of activity on set felt like background noise, the voices and clatter muffled by the ache in his chest. His fingers drummed lightly against his thigh, the motion absent-minded, a physical echo of the restlessness he felt inside.  

He missed you.  

It wasn’t the casual longing of someone who hadn’t seen their partner in a while—it was the kind of yearning that settled into his bones, heavy and persistent. A few hundred miles of ocean separated you, but it may as well have been an entire galaxy.  

He opened his phone and scrolled back to the picture you’d sent him that morning. The emerald dress, the way it hugged your form, the way your eyes sparkled even in a still image—it took his breath away. You looked like a dream. His dream.  

“If I were there right now…” he murmured under his breath, running his thumb over the screen as if he could touch you.  

If it were as simple as hopping on a flight, he’d already be on his way. He imagined the way you’d light up when you saw him, how you’d rush into his arms. He’d bury his face in your hair, inhale your scent, and hold you so tightly that he’d forget about the world outside.  

But it wasn’t that simple. The timing was off, as it so often was with both your careers in full swing. He was tied to the production schedule of Fantastic Four, and you were in the spotlight for Wicked. The universe seemed determined to keep you apart, and for the first time in years, Pedro felt the cracks in his patience.  

He closed his eyes, resting his elbows on his knees as he leaned forward. “Damn stars. Damn schedules. Damn… government,” he muttered bitterly. The laugh that followed was humorless, the frustration thick in his voice.  

If he could, he’d scream at the stars for conspiring against you both. Curse the invisible forces that made life so complicated. He’d barter with time itself, twist it and stretch it, just to have you here with him for a few stolen moments.  

He wondered what you were doing right now. Were you nervous about the red carpet? Did you feel as hollow without him as he felt without you? Pedro clenched his jaw, guilt gnawing at him. You deserved to have him there, to walk that carpet with you, to hold your hand and beam with pride as you took in the applause for your work.  

“Pedro, they’re ready for you!”  

The call from a production assistant jolted him from his thoughts. He blinked, the weight of reality crashing back down as he stood and stretched.  

“Be right there,” he called back, tucking his phone into his pocket.  

As he made his way back to the soundstage, he couldn’t shake the thought of tomorrow. The Gladiator 2 premiere loomed ahead, another milestone he should be celebrating with you by his side. Instead, you’d be halfway across the world.  

But one day, he promised himself, one day, nothing will keep us apart.  

NEW YORK, NEW YORK — EVENING 

The flashing lights were relentless, casting an almost blinding glow over the red carpet. The screams of fans and the constant click of cameras created a symphony of chaos, one you weren’t entirely comfortable navigating. You’d always preferred the quiet—curled up with a book, tucked away from the world’s prying eyes.  

But tonight, you smiled and posed alongside your cast and the production crew. You owed it to them, to yourself, and to the story you’d helped bring to life.  

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Winnie Holzman, the original writer of Wicked, leaned in with a smile, her eyes sparkling as she looked at the crowd.  

You nodded, though your voice was tinged with nervousness. “It’s incredible. Overwhelming, but in the best way.”  

“You’ve done amazing work,” Dana Fox chimed in, her excitement infectious. “We wouldn’t be standing here without your screenplay tying it all together.”  

Jon M. Chu, ever the cheerleader, clapped you lightly on the back. “Tonight’s your night too. Own it.”  

You laughed softly, feeling a little more at ease with their encouragement. Together, the four of you posed for the cameras, sharing a few candid laughs before heading closer to the press area.  

As you stepped into the spotlight for interviews, the questions started flying.  

“How does it feel to see Wicked finally come to life on the big screen?”  

“It feels surreal,” you answered, your smile genuine. “Everyone on this project has poured so much heart into it. To see it come together like this is... overwhelming in the best way.”  

“You’re known for being quite private. How are you handling all the attention tonight?”  

“It’s definitely out of my comfort zone,” you admitted with a small laugh. “But I’m surrounded by such a talented and supportive team, which makes it easier.”  

Then, inevitably, came the question you’d been bracing for. “We couldn’t help but notice that Pedro Pascal isn’t here tonight. Do you miss him?”  

The question tugged at something deep inside you. “I miss him so much,” you said softly, your expression softening. “He’s busy promoting Gladiator 2 and filming in London. I know he wishes he could be here, just like I wish I could be there for him. We’re both incredibly proud of each other, though.” You grinned, a playful sparkle in your eyes. “But, of course, Wicked is better. Don’t tell him I said that.”  

The interviewer laughed, and you followed with a wink before stepping away.  

AFTER THE PREMIERE  

As the credits rolled and the crowd applauded, you walked alongside Jon, Winnie, and Dana toward the exit. The night air was cool and refreshing after the heat of the theater.  

“You were glowing on that carpet,” Winnie teased, nudging you gently.  

Jon smirked. “Bet it’s because of a certain someone who couldn’t make it.”  

You flushed immediately, your cheeks warming. “Stop,” you mumbled, though your smile betrayed your embarrassment.  

“Oh, come on,” Dana added with a laugh. “You were gushing about him earlier. Just admit it—you’re head over heels.”  

You sighed dramatically, though your heart raced just thinking about Pedro. “Okay, fine. I miss him like crazy. I just—” You paused, glancing up at the stars. “I wish I could be there for him, you know? For his premiere. He’s always so supportive of me. It feels wrong not to do the same.”  

Jon stopped walking, turning to face you with a thoughtful look. “So go.”  

“What?”  

“Go to him,” he said with a shrug. “Take the jet. I’ll make the call.”  

You blinked at him, stunned. “You—you’d let me do that?”  

“Of course,” Jon said, waving off your concern. “You’re part of the heart of this project. If being with him makes you happy, it’s worth it.”  

“But I don’t have a ticket, and I need to pack, and—”  

Dana held up a hand, already pulling out her phone. “Relax. I’ll call a car, and we’ll pack together. You just focus on getting there.”  

Before you could protest further, Jon had already stepped aside, dialing someone on his phone. Dana grabbed your arm and started steering you toward the waiting car.  

“You’re really doing this,” she said, grinning.  

“I—I guess I am.” Your voice trembled with excitement and nerves. “What if I don’t make it in time? What if—”  

Dana cut you off with a gentle squeeze on your shoulder. “You’ll make it. And even if you don’t, just being there will mean everything to him.”  

AT THE AIRPORT  

The private jet was waiting for you, its sleek frame illuminated by the glow of the runway lights. You quickly texted Pedro’s manager and assistant, letting them know you were on your way.  

You: I’m coming to London. Please don’t tell him. I want it to be a surprise.  

The response was almost immediate:  

Franklin Latt: Got it. He’s going to lose his mind—in the best way.  

As you settled into your seat and the jet began to taxi, your heart raced. Seven hours separated you from Pedro, but for the first time in days, the distance didn’t feel insurmountable.  

You leaned your head back against the seat, clutching your phone tightly as you closed your eyes. You could already picture the look on his face when he saw you.  

Just hold on, Pedro. I’m on my way.  

UNITED KINGDOM, LONDON, ODEON LUXE LEICESTER SQUARE — EVENING

The energy in Leicester Square was electric. Fans filled the barricades, the roar of excitement nearly drowning out the camera flashes as Pedro made his way down the red carpet. Dressed in a sharp black shirt, the top unbuttoned, slacks, his signature charm, and a warm smile lit up every interaction as he stopped to greet fans and pose for photos.

The press area was bustling, and soon Pedro found himself standing in front of a journalist holding a microphone.

“Pedro, congratulations on Gladiator 2! How does it feel to be here tonight celebrating this film?”

Pedro grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “It feels incredible. This is one of those projects you dream about as an actor, and to see it all come together, to see everyone’s hard work pay off, it’s… it’s a real honor.”

The interviewer nodded. “You’ve had an amazing year, between this and your other projects. But we couldn’t help but notice that someone special in your life had a big night recently—the Wicked premiere in New York. Did you get a chance to see any photos?”

Pedro’s face lit up instantly, a laugh bubbling out of him. “Oh, I did. Believe me, I did. She sent me some pictures, and I’ve seen the ones floating around online too. I mean… she looked absolutely stunning. Like, knock-you-out, breathtakingly gorgeous. I might be a little biased, but still.”

The crowd nearby caught wind of his gushing, and a few cheers erupted. Pedro laughed, scratching the back of his neck.

“Honestly, I’m so proud of her,” he continued, his voice softening. “She poured so much of herself into that screenplay, and to see her get the recognition she deserves? It’s the best feeling in the world.”

The interviewer smiled. “There’s definitely a lot of love and mutual admiration between you two. Word on the street is you’ve got a bit of a friendly competition going on—Gladiator 2 versus Wicked. Any truth to that?”

Pedro chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Oh, it’s absolutely true. We’ve got a bet going. She’s convinced Wicked is going to sweep the box office, and I, of course, have complete faith in Gladiator 2. Let’s just say the stakes are high—winner gets breakfast in bed for a week.”

The interviewer laughed along with him. “That’s adorable. Who’s winning so far?”

Pedro smirked. “Let’s just say she’s got me a little worried. But I’ll never admit that to her.”

LATER, BACKSTAGE

Pedro leaned against the wall, sipping from a glass of water while chatting with Paul Mescal. Their conversation flowed easily, but Pedro’s gaze kept drifting toward the entrance, as if hoping for some sort of miracle.

“You’ve got that look again,” Paul teased, nudging him with his elbow.

“What look?” Pedro asked, feigning ignorance.

“The ‘I’m desperately in love and missing my girl’ look,” Paul quipped with a grin.

Denzel Washington, who had just joined the conversation, chuckled. “He’s not wrong, man. You’ve been staring off into space like a lovesick teenager.”

Joe Quinn walked by, overhearing the exchange and throwing in his two cents. “It’s cute, though. Very romantic. Someone should write a movie about it.”

Pedro rolled his eyes, though a bashful smile crept onto his face. “Okay, okay, I miss her. Can you blame me? She’s halfway across the world, and I can’t stop thinking about her.”

Frank, Pedro’s manager, stepped in, giving him a supportive pat on the back. “You’ve got it bad, buddy. But hey, it’s not a bad problem to have.”

Frank couldn’t help but smile to himself, already knowing what Pedro didn’t—that you were on your way. He could only imagine Pedro’s reaction when he saw you walk through those doors.

“Alright,” Pedro said with a dramatic sigh, “can we please focus on the fact that we’re here for Gladiator 2 and not my love life?”

“Sure,” Paul said, smirking. “But if she shows up, we’re all watching you lose it.”

Pedro laughed, shaking his head. “I’ll take that bet.”

Little did he know, he was about to owe a lot of people a round of drinks.

UNITED KINGDOM, LONDON, ODEON LUXE LEICESTER SQUARE — EVENING  

The crowd in the after-party buzzed with excitement, a mix of A-list chatter and glasses clinking. Pedro stood near Lux, their conversation about the night’s success lighthearted, though his gaze kept drifting toward the entrance. He wasn’t sure what he was looking for, only that the ache of missing you hadn’t dulled, even amidst all the celebration.  

Lux, sharp-eyed as always, caught the slight shift in his expression and smirked. “You’ve got that look again,” she teased.  

“What look?” Pedro asked, feigning nonchalance as he sipped his drink.  

“The one that screams, ‘I wish she were here.’” Lux nudged his arm playfully.  

Before he could muster a witty retort, Lux’s eyes darted toward the entrance, widening in surprise. “Well, speak of the devil…”  

Pedro turned, following her gaze, and the breath left his lungs.  

There you were, stepping into the room, your black silk gown catching the dim lights perfectly. Your hair, slightly tousled from the rush, framed your face with an effortless beauty that made his heart stop. Heads turned as you walked in with Frank, but Pedro didn’t notice anyone else.  

He froze, jaw slack, his mind racing to comprehend that you were actually here.  

“Pedro,” Lux whispered, amused. “Close your mouth before you catch a fly.”  

But Pedro couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe. All he could do was watch as you walked toward him, the soft smile on your lips turning into a grin as your eyes met his. He vaguely registered Joe, Paul, and Denzel laughing nearby, but he didn’t care. You were here.  

When you finally stopped in front of him, your grin widened, and you quipped, “Sorry, I’m late. Traffic was terrible—there’s a movie premiere happening, and I—”  

Before you could finish, Pedro moved.  

He swept you up in his arms, lifting you off your feet as a chorus of cheers, whistles, and laughter erupted around you. You let out a surprised giggle, your arms instinctively wrapping around his neck as he held you close, burying his face against your shoulder.  

“Dios mío,” Pedro murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “You’re here.”  

“I’m here,” you whispered back, your fingers threading through his curls.  

He pulled back just enough to look at you, his eyes brimming with love. “I can’t believe this. You’re really here.”  

You smiled, tears threatening to spill as you cupped his face. “I couldn’t let you have all the fun without me.”  

Pedro didn’t hesitate. He closed the distance, kissing you with a fervor that made the entire room fade away. The kiss was deep, all-consuming, and when you finally pulled back, both of you were breathless.  

Your laughter broke the moment, and Pedro pressed his forehead to yours, his hands still firmly around your waist as if afraid you might disappear. “Thank you,” he whispered, his voice trembling slightly.  

“For what?” you asked softly, your fingers tracing the line of his jaw.  

“For being here. For being you. For… everything.” His voice was low, reverent. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I’ll never stop thanking the universe for it.”  

You kissed him again, a soft press of lips this time, and smiled against his mouth. “You don’t have to thank the universe. Just let me love you.”  

Pedro let out a soft laugh, his arms tightening around you. “You’re incredible, you know that?”  

“You’ve mentioned it once or twice,” you teased, resting your head against his chest as the room slowly came back into focus.  

From the sidelines, Joe nudged Paul, chuckling. “Think he’s gonna let her go anytime soon?”  

Paul smirked. “Not a chance.”  

Denzel clinked his glass against Joe’s. “Now that’s a man in love.”  

And Pedro? He didn’t care about the laughter, the cameras, or even the early morning call time tomorrow. For now, you were in his arms, and nothing else mattered.

[paradiseprincesss]

OMG OMG OMG. now i KNOW you aren’t taking requests. but im helping you out with your cillian story. reader is having an affair with cillian, they meet either on set or at an awards show and she’s whipped for him. but he just won’t leave his toxic wife. all to the song fantasize by ariana 🧎‍♂️🧎‍♂️🧎‍♂️🧎‍♂️

fantasize - cillian murphy x reader

masterlist

notes: thank you to my pookie @ilovetoxicfictionalmen for helping me with the idea of this entire thing she served and she did not come to play i love her - okay so this is my first actual cillian fic and lowkey i was nervous to post it but slay? this is lowkey based off the ariana grande scandal lol and also completely based off fantasize by ariana grande (unreleased). also sorry if theres any mistakes i edited it but i got lazy like halfway through lmaoo

summary: cillian falls for a young, talented singer who finds out he's married, and she gives him an ultimatum; either get a divorce and then she'll give him a chance, or don't ever talk to her again because she's not that kind of girl. after nearly a year of not speaking, news breaks that he's divorced his wife - and suddenly, he shows up to her home in los angeles begging for her love because he can't seem to forget about her.

word count: 9.1k

warnings: 18+ mdni, smut, cheating/affair, divorce, age gap (unspecified but reader is early 20's and cillian is 47), fingering, p in v, general smut obviously, pining (a tad bit), pathetic desperate cillian, cillian doesn't have kids in this au

"over here!"

"one more, just look here for a second, gorgeous!"

"are you going to be performing tonight?"

"when is the album dropping?"

the cameras flashed in your pretty face, and the reporters and paparazzi continued to yell out questions and take pictures of you as you walked down the carpet in a rush to get inside.

tonight was the oscars - it was a pretty big deal in hollywood, and as an a-list singer, you were invited to attend of course. yes, you were fresh onto the scene, so young you had barely finished high school by the time your name was being plastered in the tabloids, but now a few years later, you were a household name. your voice captured the hearts of many, and you were ever so grateful for your adoring fans.

after the release of your debut album, your fame skyrocketed. barely entering into your twenties, you already had multiple musical awards ranging from ama's to grammy's. there wasn't a person alive who didn't know your name. not only were you a talented singer who's voice hit octaves that could shatter glass, but you were a beauty icon.

with your iconic sense of style and that gorgeous face of yours, you weren't hard to miss. everything down to the last detail about you had many swooning, including some of the biggest names in hollywood. tonight, you wore a stunning, black, sultry gown custom made by vera wang herself, and matching black pumps that were from valentino. your stylist absolutely delivered on your hair and makeup so tonight - all eyes were on you.

you were rumoured to be performing at the oscars this year. the rumours had started to circulate a few weeks prior with fans getting all amped up about a possible performance from you. however, tonight you were just there to attend and look stunning on the carpet, as well as maybe catch up with some of your fellow celebrity friends. you weren't the type to step out onto every red carpet, so when you did, you made headlines.

as you stepped away from the flashing lights and the buzzing reporters, you finally made your way into the venue where the oscars were being held. this year, they had set things up a little differently than they usually did. most of the time, it was like a theatre of some kind. rows and rows of seating like you would see in the movie theatres, but this year, they switched it up. instead of the normal seating arrangements, they had cloth covered round tables with name plates.

your team got you seated at a table quite close to the front; the venue was already pretty much fully packed once you got inside, actors and singers alike were all mingling with each other. tonight, you were seated at a table with a few other young singers and talented individuals - billie eilish and olivia rodrigo being two of them.

"you look amazing." billie said to you as soon as she noticed you, and olivia looked up from her phone with a smile. "you totally do, i love this dress on you!" olivia agreed sweetly.

"oh my gosh, look at you two, though!" you say, excitedly catching up with two of your closest friends in the business. the three of you continued chatting for a while amongst yourselves, and billie pointed to the table diagonally across from yours.

"dude, cillian murphy is sitting over there - holy shit." she laughs, and you and olivia peek over at the table billie gestured to.

there at a table sat the cast of oppenheimer, and even for someone as famous as yourself - you were starstruck at the sight of him. he was undeniably gorgeous...and definitely way too old for you. you were aware that cillian was a very private guy, never really stepping out into the public eye other than to act or do a quick interview every now and then, but seeing him in person had your head spinning. he was even better looking in person than any photos that you'd ever seen of him.

as you, billie, and olivia stared at the seasoned actors and actresses seated across from you, cillian glanced over - and all three of you looked away, feeling like silly, teenage school girls. "shit," you giggle, "that's embarrassing."

"awkward." billie laughed, and olivia laughed along with the two of you. the topic of conversation switched quickly, and the three of you continued to talk about everything under the sun. eventually, the lights started to dim and the room started to go quiet as the host stepped out on stage. you'd never been to the oscars before, only other award shows, so you were watching in awe as this was your first year attending.

throughout the award show, you stole little glances at cillian; he was mesmerizing, and his blue eyes were truly breathtaking. halfway through the award show, cillians name was announced and he accepted an oscar for his performance in oppenheimer. you applauded along with the rest of the crowd, and he did his little acceptance speech before joining the rest of the cast back at his table.

while he stood up there, you couldn't help but notice how perfect he was - not a flaw existed on this man. as you watched him with hearts in your eyes, you almost felt your heart leap out of your throat as the two of you made eye contact for just a second. however, he quickly returned his gaze to something else, almost looking flustered to have looked your way.

afterwards, cillian and the rest of the cast all did a little cheers to his award. they put their champagne glasses down and continued to watch the host on stage. whilst many talented actors and actresses went up to claim their oscars, your eyes were focused on something else - rather, someone else.

you couldn't help but keep looking over at the older man across from you; nobody in hollywood had truly captured your attention the way he did. love at first sight, perhaps. sure, your sweet personality and jaw-dropping beauty had many a-list men and women swooning, but you never felt inclined to date someone in the same industry as you - they usually had a reputation. there was always something wrong with them, whether they were substance addicts or a serial cheater; you didn't want to stick around and find out.

your heart rate spiked when those stunningly blue eyes you'd been staring at all evening suddenly locked with yours once more, and you looked away hastily, out of both sheer embarrassment and awkwardness from being caught staring. you immediately started to pay attention to the award show, not daring to glance back over at his table. after the host wrapped up the show, everyone got ready to head to the oscars afterparty.

you made your way to the venue with billie and olivia, along with some other young women your own age, and headed straight to the bar. you ordered a cosmopolitan, then another, and then one more. after socializing and drinking, you went to one of the many tables scattered across the room. sitting down, you sigh and sip on your third cosmo of the night.

"excuse me," an smooth, irish accent came from beside you, "d'you mind if i join you?"

looking up in awe, you see none other than cillian murphy himself - looking handsome as ever in his suit - standing with a glass of whiskey in his hands. you felt at a loss for words, but nodded and swallowed. "not at all." you say, gesturing for him to sit.

"i'm sorry," he laughs softly, "i had to come over and say hi. i'm actually a bit of a fan. i watched your performance at the grammy's a few months ago - you're incredibly talented. you have a beautiful voice."

as he tells you this, you felt your jaw drop. cillian murphy, the man himself, thought you were talented? you look at him with an adoring smile, and nod as you took everything that he said in. if you were being honest; you didn't think he even knew who you were.

"that means, like, so much coming from you. i saw oppenheimer and your portrayal of him was amazing. everything you do is...amazing." you gush, and he smiles bashfully. honestly - you found it quite endearing that he was even approaching you and talking to you like this; wasn't he well known for being so reserved and frankly, a little shy or even awkward?

"ah, i appreciate that." he smiles softly, "it's admirable how successful you are - especially for someone so young."

you bit your lip as he mentioned your youthfulness, feeling both mentally and physically weak in the presence of this man. you felt your head spinning; was this really happening right now?

you shrug, trying to play it off as cool as possible. "i appreciate that, truly." you say softly, looking at him with the same starstruck expression as before.

he was quiet for a good minute, taking in your every detail. you noticed his eyes lingered to the dip in your dresses neckline, before speaking again in his gorgeous irish accent.

"m'sorry, you must get this all the time, but you're absolutely stunning." he says casually.

you thought you'd misheard him at first when he said those words. this was cillian murphy of all people - and he was casually throwing out compliments to you. not to mention he was more than twice your age; it was almost morally wrong. almost, but it seemed that neither of you seemed to care about that. not that you really should, anyway.

"t-thank you! i think that, um, you're..." you stammer out, but trail off. you were three drinks in, a little past tipsy, and so utterly starstruck by him that you couldn't muster up the courage to tell him how attractive you found him.

he seemed to understand your nervousness, and gently, he placed one of his hands on your upper thigh with a soft laugh. "nerves?" he asks sympathetically, and you nod your head, laughing along with him. "it's your first time at the oscars, right?"

"yeah," you confess with a smile, "sometimes, i feel like i'm still not used to the whole 'celebrity' thing."

"understandable, you're s'young. it only makes sense." he tells you, once again reminding you of how young you were in comparison to him, whilst his hand was literally resting on your thigh. "if you want, we could go back to my hotel room to chat. you know, to ease your nerves if crowded rooms aren't your thing."

you almost had to stop yourself from fangirling out loud, and with a small nod and a soft smile, you take him up on his offer. "y-yeah, okay. sure."

you were almost certain that he wasn't taking you back to his hotel room for the sake of rescuing you from your social anxiety, but you let it slide. i mean, he's cillian murphy - you'd let just about anything he did slide.

he softly took your hand in his, walking you out to the exit with him, and a few people glanced over in surprise. you tried to pay them no mind, but you knew how it must've looked to others. cillian and you got into his car with his driver, and the both of you headed back to his hotel. once the two of you got to his room, he closed the door behind him and threw his suit jacket over the back of the couch.

you stood there a little awkwardly, mostly because you were so nervous, but also because you'd never been this close with a man so much older than you before. cillian made his way over to you, and softly put his hand on your waist, his thumb trailing little circles over the fabric of your dress.

"is this okay?" he asked softly, and you nodded.

"mhm." you answer, looking up into those striking blue eyes of his.

his other hand trails up your spine, and then to the back of your neck, running his hands through your hair gently. softly, he pulled you closer, closing the gap between the two of you. you were in shock; but you kissed back. it was electrifying. here you were, standing in cillian murphy's hotel room, kissing him. you thought that surely you were dreaming.

the two of you continued to share a few more kisses which then turned into making out, and suddenly you were laying back on his bed with him on top of you. he continued to kiss you deeply, hands roaming all over your body until something seemingly got stuck in a loose thread on your dress. as you both pulled away hesitantly, you noticed something on his hand gotten stuck on that loose thread - a ring.

and no, it wasn't just some regular old ring, and surely not one just to accessorize. the gold band shone on his ring finger, and you saw it for what it was - a wedding ring. you looked down at the ring, and then back at him. how could you have not seen it before?

it seemed in this moment, he knew he'd fucked up as he cleared his throat and started to stumble over his words.

"i-it's not-" he tried to explain, "i'm leaving her."

you looked at him in shock, and in the heat of the moment, you pushed him off of you with a scoff. "you're married?" you ask angrily, "are you fucking kidding me?"

"yes, but-" he tried to interject, but you weren't having it.

"that's disgusting," you spat, "have some respect, jesus christ."

you were already getting up from the bed, grabbing your purse from the kitchen counter as your designer heels clicked against the wooden floors. everything went south so quickly; from when you met to how you ended up in his bed, making out - it was all just one big blurry mess to you now. you didn't know he was married, and if you did, you never would have accepted his offer to come back to his hotel room - let alone let him put his hand on your thigh.

"wait, please-" he begged, following you as you collected your things, "i can explain."

"really?" you asked sarcastically, "you can explain how you're married, yet you decided to take a woman less than half your age to your hotel room?"

"yes," he exasperated, "i'm leaving her, i swear. we're getting a divorce."

you scoffed, this wasn't the first time you'd heard this excuse. hollywood men were sleazy. this was a known fact, and you'd lost count of the amount of men who had slid into your dms telling you that they were getting a divorce or leaving their woman for you. it's not like you ever replied or cared to give in, but still - you knew what they were like.

cillian knew what he was saying was wrong on so many levels - but he couldn't stop himself when it came to you. within seconds of seeing you, you drove him wild. you were a type of beauty he'd never seen before, someone you just feel instantly drawn to.

"well," you say, after a riviting moment of silence, "we'll see about that." you turned to grab the door handle with your purse thrown over your shoulder.

cillian suddenly reached out to grab your arm out of instinct, not willing nor ready to let you go just yet. "please," he sighed, "please - just give me a chance." he said, feeling extremely pathetic for begging like this.

you stayed silent and shot him a stern look, and he took this as his opportunity to continue whatever tangent he was already on. "i'm trying to divorce her as quick as i can but it's just so complicated" he explained, "you're just so gorgeous, fuck, and you're- you're everything i want- no, need."

you stayed quiet for another few seconds, once again trying to process what was coming out of this mans mouth.

"listen," you sigh, "i don't mess with married men, i'm not that kind of girl - but if you actually go through with that divorce - if you're genuinely serious about that, then maybe we can talk."

and with that, you pushed his arm off of you, stepping out of his hotel room and slamming the door behind you. as much as you wanted him to be yours - you knew it was wrong. you were meant to be on your own, not with a man who was married to another woman. what kind of woman would that make you if you were to let something happen between the two of you? you could never do anything like that. i mean, you would but, you were just too nice - and too hot.

you found his driver outside of the hotel, and you told him to drive you back to your hotel. that night, you took a steamy shower to try and clear your mind - but you couldn't shake the thought of him. usually, you paid no mind to any men, married or not, but if you were being honest; you couldn't stop fantasizing about cillian.

you couldn't help but think of him in all the wrong ways while you were laying in bed. you didn't even know why. that night, you had trouble falling asleep, your mind was far too occupied by fantasies of what it would be like to be his. this was only the beginning of such fantasies that would play out in your head for many months to come, but you didn't stop yourself from imagining them.

you'd fantasize about him all the time. if he was yours, you'd give him every part of you, nine to five and five to nine. your life hadn't been the same since you met him. sure, you hated it at first but soon, those little fantasies started to fuel you. you knew he was crazy about you, too. he'd even create little burner accounts to stalk your social media to see what you were doing - but you never wanted to give off the impression that you felt the same. at least, not yet you didn't.

it had been a hectic last few months with all the award shoes and red carpets that came after the oscars, but now you had some downtime. award season was over, and that meant you had more free time to stay out of the public eye and work on your second album, which you were excited to share. however, there was another small reason why you chose to stay out of the public eye.

photos of you and cillian, hands intertwined, had leaked to the media. apparently, the two of you in your inebriated states didn't notice some fans lingering around the area hoping to catch a glimpse of some celebrities. those people snapped some photos of the two of you, and then sold them to multiple media outlets.

the backlash was what you expected - sort of. the media had painted you to be the innocent one in this scandal, and rather cillian the one in the wrong. to be fair, that's what the truth was anyways, but you were glad that in this day and age, you had the internet backing you up and not ripping you to shreds. there were multiple articles talking about how "cillian murphy, 47, tried to take advantage" of you and how he was straying from his wife for "someone who was more than two decades younger."

you were pretty silent on social media for a while, and you only got around to updating and posting like you normally did just last week. the comments scared you as you weren't sure what people would have to say, but everyone was surprisingly supportive of you. there were minimal to no comments about the whole cillian murphy scandal, and things seemed to have died down just as quickly as they started.

now, a few months later after those pictures head leaked - cillian was still with his wife who he claimed he was "divorcing." you knew that it was most likely a front, but deep down; a part of you wished he had gone through with it, and even worse - you wished you had gone through with throwing caution to the wind and having your way with him that night. as wrong as it was, you felt your heart aching at the thought of him. sure, you were young and you didn't really know what love was, but you were pretty certain that this. was. it.

you wanted to know so badly why he was still with her, he was clearly not happy and had wandering eyes, so why was he still staying? it was a puzzle to you, and you felt yourself overthinking the simple question constantly, often letting it consume your daily thoughts. cillian wished he could tell you why, but he knew it would sound shallow. if he was being honest - he didn't love his wife. maybe at first when they got married when he was your age he did, but definitely not anymore.

their love had grown stale, and it's not like he really had a reason to stay faithful anymore besides his morals, but those morals didn't do him any good whenever he thought of you or better yet, saw pictures of you. him and his wife didn't share any kids together thankfully, and he often found himself zoning out every time they spent time with one another; his thoughts going to you instead. his wife had indeed seen the pictures of the two of you, but she was determined to let it go. apparently, the two of them were going to marriage counselling for it.

you scoffed at the idea when you read an article about it because you thought it was ridiculous. there was no point saving a man who didn't want to be saved, it would never work. but of course, you kept this all to yourself - you didn't want to give off the impression that you were okay with being the other woman because you weren't. shamelessly, you would constantly search his name up on social media or online to see any articles with updates about his marriage - and yeah, you were aware how bad that habit had gotten.

your fantasies were vivid, the memory of his hands trailing up and down your body on repeat in your mind all the time. the feeling of his lips pressed up against yours on that one, fateful night - you couldn't forget it. but that's the thing, as much as you wanted him and so desperately craved him - if he wouldn't leave her, you knew you couldn't force him to. you weren't going to wait forever, especially for a married man, and cillian knew that if he let you go, he'd come to regret it for the rest of his life.

his wife could tell. she knew that his mind was always going back to the thought of you - she could see it in the way he was acting towards her now, the way he touched her, the way he spoke to her - it almost seemed like he would try and pretend that she was you.

"honey, i don't know why you're so upset." cillian calmly explained to his wife, who was currently shouting at him in their shared home in dublin.

"you aren't even trying, cillian! it's like you don't care anymore - after over two decades of marriage you're just done?!" she screeched at him, and he rolled his eyes in frustration.

"oh, come on," he groaned, "don't be like that."

"oh, really? like i'm the one who had an affair with someone less than half my age." she sneered, and he knew that technically, she was right. she hadn't cheated on him, but he did cheat on her.

"were going to marriage counselling for it, i don't understand why you're so mad at me! i told you, we didn't even go past kissing." he huffed, and his wife was seconds away from losing it.

"how does that make it any better?" she yelled, "i know you still think about her, cillian. i went through your god damn phone! i saw the accounts you made to see what shes been posting. i know you wish that it was her in bed with you at night, sleeping by you. i saw the way you were looking at her in those pictures!"

cillian went silent at the bomb that his wife just dropped - and he couldn't even deny it anymore. of course he wished it was you in bed with him at night, and yes; if he had it his way, you'd be in her place instead. he imagined what a life with you could be like; the two of you living in a quiet, little suburban house with a few pets, and a beautiful garden - and you with a wedding ring on your finger, not his wife who he stopped loving years ago.

"you're thinking of her again, aren't you?" his wifes voice brought him out of his thoughts, and he looked at her as she had tears in her eyes.

"don't cry, please-"

"do you even love me anymore?" his wife sobbed quietly, interjecting. he sighed, staying silent, and she continued to speak to him through her tears. "i think it's best if you get it out in the open - maybe you hoped i wouldn't notice, but i've been married to you for over twenty years. i know you, cillian."

with a sigh, he looked down in shame. he couldn't bring himself to say anything, it seemed that his words got stuck in his throat at this very moment.

"your silence is enough of an answer," she said quietly, "but tell me cillian, you owe it to me after all you've put me through - do you love her?"

"i-i don't know i-" he stammered, knowing full well what the truth was; he did love you. he fell in love the moment he laid eyes on you. he fell in love with your youth, your radiance, your beauty, everything about you made this man weak. he'd barely known you for an hour and yet, he could confidently say that he loved you.

"you do know," his wife murmured, "you and i both know."

"well maybe i do," he whispered, "i can't change how i feel."

"twenty years, cillian! does that mean nothing to you?" she yelled, her rage apparent now.

"what do you want me to fucking say?" he spat back, knowing full well he was in the wrong here; but all his morals went out the window at this point, "i can't undo what i've done, and i'm sorry, okay? i'm sorry, but i also can't change the way i feel about her!"

"what's wrong with you? i don't even know who you are anymore!" she screamed at him, and now both of them were going back and forth, the argument escalating at an alarming rate.

"i don't care!" he shouted back, making his wife angrier.

"so, what now?" she screamed, "d'you want to get a divorce? is that what you want?"

"you know what? yes! in fact, i've wanted one since before i even met-"

"don't say her name." his wife spat, and that pushed cillian over the egde.

"i'm getting the divorce papers by the end of the week, and you're going to fucking sign them, i'll tell you that much." he seethed, and his wife started to throw whatever she could at him in a blind rage. as cillian ducked away from a dish being hurled at him, he decided to get one last dig in. "oh, by the way - i knew from the moment i met her, i'd much rather that she have my last name instead of you."

when you read the article titles and news headlines, you felt your heart drop.

"oppenheimer star cillian murphy and his wife have seemingly split - here's what we know."

you quickly wash down your glass of wine, and put your phone down in disbelief. you felt the guilt sink in slowly, and it made you want to cry; you couldn't help but feel like this was your fault. that you destroyed a marriage, and you had taken a man from another woman. you knew if that even if you weren't a hundred precent of the reason they divorced, you were at least a part of it. you were sure of that.

when you found out about his apparent divorce, you were shocked to say the least; you had finally come to terms with how he was probably never going to have the guts to leave her, and that was okay with you now. you didn't want to get dragged into a messy scandal, you were okay with letting him do what he wanted - he wasn't yours to keep, anyway.

up until now, he just didn't have the heart to leave her, as the media would think he'd only left her because he got the fame, and now he wanted some young, hollywood beauty. sure, it was partially true that he had left her for a younger woman that he so desperately wanted, but they didn't know how much he loved you. the media didn't know how badly he needed to have you.

and now that you were in the picture, those rumours would look like they were true - and it would be an absolute mess. the media would eat it up. so now, to force yourself to try and move on, you were talking to a bunch of other guys, but they just weren't him.

today, you were at another event where you were currently sitting at the bar, waiting for your favourite cocktail; a cosmopolitan after your second glass of wine. tonight, you needed it more than ever. this was a huge event, as you were one of the biggest stars attending, along with some other big names in hollywood. you heard about who else was going to be there, and cillian's name was included in that conversation. you felt stupid for thinking he wasn't going to be there, his fame had skyrocketed after oppenheimer - of course he'd be there.

tonight, you made waves as you walked the red carpet in your stunning, custom made gown by none other than donatella versace herself with the perfect mix of accessories and matching heels. you looked dolled up.

oh, and you also came with another man. that's right; you walked the carpet with your rumoured new boyfriend, evan peters.

when people saw the two of you step out onto the carpet together, they lost their minds. evan was quite a bit older than you, but still - he was a little over ten years younger than cillian. once the two of you were posing for pictures as the flashing lights consumed your vision, he wrapped his arm around your waist and kissed your cheek softly. the photographers were eating this up; and they were shouting your name left and right, along with various questions.

"over here, look over here!"

"how long have the two of you been together?"

"did you have an affair with cillian?"

"what happened with cillian murphy?"

"did you hear about cillians divorce?"

the questions were progressively getting more invasive, and the two of you stepped into the venue of the event, wanting a break from the cameras and flashing lights. evan headed to the bar with you, but excused himself for a moment.

of course, the moment you were alone, you saw cillian, along with some other cast members from oppenheimer, walk in. you recognize pretty much all of them right away, and you do your best to look unengaged and pretend that you didn't even notice him.

cillian saw you instantly, but before he could even say anything or go over to you - he saw your new man return to the bar, wrapping his arms around you from behind and placing a soft kiss on your cheek. in that moment, he thought he could actually feel his heart being ripped into two, but he kept his composure and smiled at his cast-mates happily.

"another drink already?" evan teased, a smile on his face, "everything alright?"

"mm, yeah. everything is fine." you say cheerfully, even though deep down your heart was hurting at the fact that the man now sitting in front of you wasn't the man that you were in love with. "i just get a little overwhelmed at these events, you know that."

"right, i'm sorry." he says softly, taking your hand into his. "you look gorgeous tonight, sweetie."

the way he complimented you and the environment you were in felt all too familiar, and flashbacks of your night with cillian came flooding back into your mind. you mentally shook them right out of your head for the night. you didn't want to hurt your own feelings again, so for the remainder of the night, you avoided him and stuck by evans side.

cillian on the other hand thought he was going crazy. did you see the news articles about his divorce? were you in love with someone else? did you even think about him?

the following weeks had gone by in a blur as you were currently promoting the anticipated release of your upcoming album, and things were going so well for you - but you felt empty inside. you thought you were losing it, driving yourself insane over a married (well, no longer) man who you'd kissed for a few minutes in a hotel room.

two weeks ago, you broke it off with evan. you were certain it wasn't going to work, he was such a sweet guy and you knew he deserved someone else because your heart didn't belong to him. it belonged to cillian as much as you didn't want it to.

what was it with you and this man?

after breaking it off with evan, you debated texting cillian. perhaps it was just bad timing and now that he was divorced, things could work. maybe you just needed a little time apart just so that you could make your way back to each other. as you picked up your phone to try and muster up a text, you opened your social media to see that tmz had a new article up:

"cillian murphy and estranged ex-wife seen out together in dublin - what does this mean for the former couple?"

and below, there were pictures of him and his ex-wife walking side by side on the streets of ireland, and a few pictures of them in a little cafe together, seemingly just talking - but this was enough to drive you up the wall. you were done; you were out the door, and he was out of chances.

bye.

if he couldn't make up his mind, you would make up yours. opening your text messages, you scroll down to his contact. it had been months since the whole oscars incident, and neither of you had ever talked after that - he didn't even reach out to you after his divorce. so, you figured that this was just a waste of time; maybe it was best to move on from the fantasies in your head.

and with that, you blocked his number and tried not to let your anxiety consume you. to be honest, you were sort of hoping that maybe things would've worked out between the two of you; it felt like it was meant to be - but now you weren't too convinced.

currently, cillian was cooped up inside of a hotel room down in los angeles and he knew that you'd most likely seen the pictures, everyone had at this point. he tried to message you for the first time since the hotel room fiasco, but as he tried to explain it to you, his texts kept going green - you'd blocked his number. he tried calling, but the line just went dead each time.

the pictures were taken so out of context, but how would you know that? you wouldn't. in reality, cillian had agreed to meet up with his ex-wife as they were supposed to talk about divorce settlements. that was all. the two of them walked around, enjoying the sun as they tried to talk about it civilly. his estranged, and now ex-wife, took the whole situation surprisingly well.

sighing, he grabbed his car keys and his jacket, and got into his car while speeding recklessly down the freeway; his heart beating exhilaratingly. as he sped down the freeways of los angeles, he took a moment to appreciate the beauty of it all. the palm trees and the pink sunset - it reminded him of you. vibrant and beautiful. so young, so reckless, and so carefree.

as you were winding down for bed, you heard the doorbell of your beachfront property being rang repeatedly. in a state of confusion, you make your way downstairs and started wandering towards the front door. who the hell would be on your doorstep ringing your bell at such an hour? swinging the door open, you find cillian standing there like a pathetic, love-drunk fool.

"are you fucking kidding me?" you deadpan, looking at him with an expression that said the same thing as your words. after nine months he decided to show up at your doorstep? how did he know where you lived?

"i know," he began, "i know i look insane but i'm- jesus, i'm fucking crazy about you."

you stare at him wide-eyed, as this was not what you were expecting to see this evening. "cillian," you sigh, "i saw the pictures-"

"i can explain," he interjects, his voice laced with desperation, "please."

there he was; standing outside your house in the middle of the night, begging for you because he couldn't let you go. begging after he'd left his wife of twenty years for you.

"fine, just come inside. i don't want any more leaked pictures online." you grumble, opening the door fully so he could come in.

once he got inside, you closed the door behind the both of you, walking to your living room together. this was the first time in months that you'd actually talked - and even though you tried to deny it, your heart was racing at just the sight of him stood there, desperate for you. as you sat across from him on your couch, you looked at him silently, letting him say what he needed to.

"i'm so sorry for the mess that i've created." he said quietly.

"you should be." you respond cooly, trying not to let his words effect you in any way. you knew better.

"i know the last nine months have been insane," he says, looking at you with remorse, "but i mean, you can't deny what we have. i've never felt this way about anyone - i wouldn't have divorced my wife if i didn't think this was something worth fighting for."

you rub your temples, "cillian," you groan, "you can't be saying shit like that."

"why not?" he retaliated, making you scoff. "you told me to reach out to you once i was divorced and you'd maybe give me a chance. i'm doing what you asked me to, baby please-"

"don't baby me," you scoff, "you didn't tell me from the beginning that you were married. let's say i do forgive you, and we do this for real - how can i trust you?"

"i-i don't know, but i'll do anything i can to make this work." he pleaded, "i haven't stopped thinking about you since the day i met you."

"jesus, you're crazy." you groan, and to that he agreed.

"yeah, i know," he agreed, "m'fucking crazy about you."

you threw your hands up in defeat as if to say "well?" and he just looked at you in awe, his salt and pepper hair complimenting his gorgeous blue eyes. he continued to stared at you. he certainly wasn't trying to hide hide how attracted to you he was.

"the pictures of you and your ex-wife..." you said quietly, looking away from him, "i can't trust you, cillian."

"we were just talking about settlements," he said, "you know better than anyone how the media is; they blow shit out of proportion and take everything out of context. i swear that's all it was."

"you can't just show up like this..." you trail off, a frustrated sigh leaving your lips.

"is this because of your new guy or somethin'?" he huffs, and you roll your eyes at him. "no," you explain, "i'm not even seeing him anymore, we broke it off weeks ago."

"oh," he says, his eyes lighting up, "well, that's good to know."

it was silent for a moment, the two of you sitting there in each other's company, both lost in thought.

"why?" you ask suddenly, the question lingering in the tension filled air.

cillian looks at you confused, "what?"

"why does it have to be like this?" you ask, feeling the weight of your emotions bring you down. "why does it all have to be so complicated? why did you have to make it so complicated?"

"if this is about my marriage-"

"of course it's about your marriage!" you exclaim, your emotions getting the better of you, "i've spent the last nine months driving myself insane over you - god, i don't even know why. i feel this overwhelming guilt because of your divorce and-"

you pause, getting choked up as every last feeling from the last nine months decided to reign it's terror on you in that very moment with cillian sitting right across from you on your couch. every ounce of guilt that was compiled up inside of you, every bit of anger and resentment, and every negative emotion poured out from the depths of your slightly broken heart.

with teary eyes, you finally look at him again. "i feel like i wrecked your marriage, and i-i don't want to be that type of woman."

"you didn't wreck anything." cillian says, moving close to you as he placed a hand on you, rubbing your back soothingly. "i was in the wrong - i should have told you the truth. i should have done a lot of things differently. if i could go back in time, i would."

"but you can't!" you say as the tears start flowing, covering your face with your hands.

"i can't, no," he agrees, "but i'll change, i'll do anything for you."

"are you insane?" you shout at him with tears pooling in your eyes, "i don't know why you-"

"because i fucking love you, that's why." he said suddenly, looking you dead in the eyes as you both went silent.

"i'm sorry?" you ask in shock, meeting his gaze.

"because," he sighs, "i've fallen in love with you."

"you barely know me-"

"but i want to," he insists, moving closer to you. "just one chance, please."

looking up into his gorgeous blue eyes once more, you felt yourself go weak. he chased you down for months, left his wife for you, showed up at your doorstep - what more could he do to prove he was all in for you? with a trembling breath, he reaches his hand to softly cup your face, wiping your tears away with his thumb. his eyes search yours for any trace of a mutual feeling, for any indication that you might've wanted him as badly as he wanted you.

as he was leaning in, the gap between his lips and yours was getting smaller and smaller by the second. despite everything that was said in the last ten minutes, you didn't stop him. you didn't back away because deep down, you knew you needed him as much as he needed you. the pull between the two of you was unexplainable.

softly, he kissed you for the first time in nine months, and instinctively, you wrapped your arms around his neck. as you tangled your hands in his greying hair, he pulled you closer by your waist. while his tongue was exploring your mouth, you boldly get on top of his lap. straddling him, you run your hands in his hair once more and deepen the kiss.

"tell me you feel the same way, i know you do." he whispered against your lips, pulling away just enough so that he could get the words out.

"i feel the same, cillian." you confess in a breathless whisper, and he starts to pepper kisses down your neck, trailing them along to your collarbone.

"thought about you every fuckin' night," he murmured against your skin, "m'gonna cherish you, my love."

"i fantasized about you all the time." you admit out loud, grinding your hips down onto him.

you could already feel how hard he was underneath you, and you bit your lip at the feeling of his clothed cock pressing up against your cunt.

"mm, yeah?" he groaned, "tell me, sweet girl."

his hands took hold of your waist, helping you grind down on his lap. "i thought about y-you..." you whimpered, feeling yourself soak through your panties already.

"well, don't get shy on me now." he said lowly, his hands reaching up to squeeze your breasts, rolling your clothed nipples between his fingers softly. since you weren't wearing a bra, he had easy access.

with a soft moan, you try your best to answer him as his bulge rubbed against your cunt and his fingers tweaked your nipples, causing you to lose all inhibitions. "t-thought about your cock stretching me open," you confess, "and- f-fuck, i thought about you bending me over, making me scream all night."

"how about i help you live out those fantasies of yours, hm?" he growled, pulling you into a sloppy kiss.

as you melted into the kiss, he reached his hand down and slipped them past the waistband of your pyjama pants. he pushed your panties to the slide and let his fingers swipe through your soaked folds, making you moan into the kiss. the feeling of his fingers just simply brushing against you was heavenly, and you knew you needed more.

"you're fucking soaked, baby." he groaned, biting your lip softly between his teeth.

in an instant, he was pushing you down onto your couch. you shimmied your way out of your pyjama pants with his help of course, and he also assisted in pulling your panties down, too. as he tossed them to the side, you felt your heart palpitate at what was about to happen.

he gently inserted his middle finger into you at a slow pace, your slick walls clenching down on him from sheer neediness.

"that's a good fucking girl," he praised softly, "feels good, baby?"

"m-mmhm," you moaned, looking up at him as he hovered over you.

with one hand, he continued to play with your tits, tweaking the nipple between his fingers and with the other hand, he was fingering you gently. the act was so intimate yet sinful at the same time, it had your head spinning. the way he kept eye contact was driving you insane as you looked into his icy blue eyes.

slowly, he inserted a second digit into your drooling hole, your back arching at the intrusion and slight stretch. you let out a quiet moan, and he started to curl his fingers, fucking you with them faster and faster.

"let me hear those pretty moans, sweetheart," he cooed, "i wanna watch you as you cum on my fingers."

"f-fuck, right there-!" you whined, arching your back even further.

as he fucked you on his fingers rapidly, you could feel the coil in your stomach about to snap. as your slick walls clenched down on cillian's fingers, you moaned his name out over and over, feeling yourself drenching his hand.

"fuck, you're so pretty." he complimented, watching your reaction as you came undone on his fingers for him.

after your chest was heaving and you were left a panting mess, he pulled his fingers out gently. he helped you slip your pyjama top off, and you assisted him in undoing his belt buckle.

as he pushed his pants down, his cock sprung out. your mouth watered at the sight of it, needing nothing more than for him to be balls deep inside of your aching, needy cunt right now. he got on top of you hastily, stroking himself a few times before he lined himself up with you.

he teasingly brushed his pale, pink tip through your sticky folds as his pre-cum leaked out, and you whined with desperation.

"i fantasized about stretching you open on my cock." he admitted suddenly, biting down on his plush lips. "i thought about how you'd look with it buried deep inside, begging me to let you cum."

his vulgar words went straight to your core, and you looked up at him with a rosy hue covering the apples of your cheeks.

"show me," you whimpered, "make me beg to cum on your cock."

it didn't take much convincing before he suddenly pushed into your warm hole, stretching you out beyond belief. you could feel him fill you fully, and you almost choked on air at the sensation of his cock actually splitting you open like he promised. even though your cunt was dripping, he was still met with some resistance just from how tight you were around him.

"jesus, baby," he groaned, "what a tight fucking pussy."

"uh-huh, y-you're so big-" you squeak, and he started to move in and out at a fast pace, barely giving you time to adjust.

as his cock filled you fully, you swore you could feel him bulging in your stomach. his fat, veiny cock was reaching places you didn't even think were possible to reach, and places that his fingers certainly couldn't. he continued to push deeper inside of you with harsh thrusts, knocking the wind out of you each time his cock brushed up against that spongy spot inside of you.

you closed your eyes as your slick started to drip down onto the couch. you'd never been so soaked in your life. he tapped your cheek a few times, causing your eyes to flutter open. softly, he cupped your face with one hand while the other held an unwavering grip on your leg, lifting it up over his shoulder so he could fuck you even deeper.

"look at me, sweetheart," he commanded softly, making you clench on his cock. "oh," he noticed, "you like it when i talk to you like that, huh?"

you indeed liked when he talked like that - scratch that, you fucking loved it. he could feel you squeeze his cock with your dripping cunt each time he just spoke, his voice bringing you closer and closer to the edge once more.

"cill, i-i...fuck!" you screamed as his cock brushed up against that sensitive spot inside of you, causing you to suddenly lose all ability to speak properly.

"hm, sweetheart?" he cooed lovingly, but continued ramming into you ruthlessly.

your pussy was soaked and stretched, and as you kept your eyes on his - you watched him in awe. the way his pink lips were slightly parted, his salt and pepper hair disheveled, and his brow furrowed. it was driving you into a permanent state of euphoria.

"i love you," you gasped between breathless moans and incoherent begging, "so much."

your pupils were blown, staring up at him with such intensity he thought he was going to break right then and there.

"fuck, sweetie," he groaned, "i love you, too."

"i-i'm gonna cum, r-right there-" you begged him, "please, can i?"

"cum on my cock, cum right fucking now." he almost growled, pounding your tight, sopping cunt mercilessly. his pace never wavered, and he continued to fuck you into euphoria, studying you as you tipped over the edge from his thrusts.

with a groan, he came with you. he filled you with everything he had, fucking his cum so deep into your cunt you could almost feel him bruise your cervix. after his cock spurted the last bits of his cum into you, he was a panting, love-drunk mess propped up above you.

you were just as fucked out, smiling at him dopily while his cock remained buried inside of your warm walls. cillian brought his hand back up to your face, brushing a strand or two out of your face before placing a gentle kiss on your swollen lips.

"my love," he whispered, voice saccharine, "you are everything to me. everything."

"i adore you." you say softly, letting a heavy breath out.

"we'll make this work, i know we will. i just can't live a life without you in it." he tells you.

the crowd cheered, giving you a standing ovation as you finished your performance. you smiled bashfully and yelled "thank you new york!" into the microphone as the final show of your tour ended, and you waved goodbye to the thousands of fans in the arena.

rushing backstage after your show, you run into cillians arms and he hugs you tightly. he places a soft kiss on your head as you smile up at him sweetly, and looks at you with a proud expression on his face.

"you were amazing, love," he says softly, pulling you into his side as the two of you walk into your dressing room, "m'so glad i could join you for the last half of your tour. love watching you perform, s'amazing."

"oh, cill," you smile bashfully, "shush, you're too sweet."

"my lovely wife," he sighed, kissing you softly, "i'm just so proud of everything you've done."

you sigh blissfully as he holds your hands in his, and you head back to the hotel your staying at before your flight tomorrow morning. as your head hits the pillow, you feel exhausted and like you haven't slept in ages. cillian wraps his arms around you, spooning you as you turn off the light.

"goodnight, mrs. murphy." he whispers softly, holding you in his arms.

now you didn't have to fantasize about what it was like to be his anymore - he was all yours now, and you were all his. last name and all.

my taglist (join here!): @seaamonster @nocturnest @bloodandglitter207 @humbuginmybones @futurefamousdeadmusician

@jonathancraneslittlepet @abigailinterrupted @kpopgirlbtssvt @ll4n4 @ilovetoxicfictionalmen

@the-buddy-things @ellebelleshelby @wiseyouthinfluencer @minedofmoria @aprilsfrog05

@strangeobsessed

[taintedcigs]

modern!steve popular culture hcs:

loves taylor swift. this is obvious. 1989 is his go to album when he's getting ready (especially during his hair care routine). he thinks style and wildest dreams were written FOR HIM. is not afraid to sing the songs out loud and sometimes annoys u a lot by singing them in a really high-pitched voice. sings "he's so TALLLL and handsome as HELLLL, he's so bad but he does it so well." at you with a wink and pointing to himself, fully believing it's written about him, you can't convince him otherwise.

rom-com lover. through and through. he used to hide it but he just can't anymore. loooves 10 things i hate about you, how to lose a guy in 10 days, and notting hill. he also enjoys all of katherine heigl's iconic rom-coms.

LOVES MUSICALS. mamma mia is in his top 3 on letterboxd (he loves abba SO MUCH). and he cried watching la la land and regularly listens to the soundtrack.

he can't watch horror movies for the life of him. he got creeped out by the idea of coraline and still can't get himself to watch it. (robin dressed up as the other mother for halloween and steve SCREAMED.)

he's one of those people WHO loves watching movies that are so bad that they are ABSOLUTE MASTERPIECES. also have a feeling he laughs really hard at those 00s parody movies. idk why. it's what bonded him and eddie. and they have a marathon of bad parody movies when they're stoned tf out of their mind. they just told me.

he loves ANYTHING pop. (he loves fantasize by ariana grande and has begged u on countless occasions to do the dance on tiktok and only send it to him) and he loves himself some alt-pop and occasionaly indie stuff like lana, lorde, arctic monkeys, death cab for cutie, sufjan stevens, inhaler, franz ferdinand, band of horses and boygenius!!!

also random but he'd be such a trashy reality tv fan.... watching ALL of them with you... love island, jersey shore, housewives, dANCE MOMS, any other horrible netflix reality tv... like at first he scoffs at you for it, but then he does that dad stance. just standing and watching whatever you're watching, then finally after a few hours, he takes a seat next to you, fully immersed in the experience, not even letting YOU look at your phone, and he's sitting on the edge of the couch, staring at the tv like a man-possessed while critiquing the show and doing commentary like they can hear him.

the most "metal" he can listen to is literally fall out boy. (eddie keeps making fun of him for this. you are now sending metal songs to steve, day by day, trying to get him to like it, just so that eddie won't make fun of your poor angel bf anymore<3)

this is self-indulgent but he's a twilight fanboy through and through... team edward but he feels bad for jacob (sadly... you have an argument about this each time and once you bring up jacob claiming a baby he's dead silent), has a tradition w u to watch them every fall. he acts like he's seeing it for the first time each time u guys watch it.

likes harry potter (fuck jkr forever, u guys don't engage in the content and u 🏴‍☠️ both the movies n books:)) bc he grew up with the movies but if you're a harry potter nerd, he'd poke fun at THAT A LOOT. HE'S A LIL TEASING ASSHOLE. "oh that wasn't very slytherin of you!" "i thought you were supposed to be brave, huh? aren't you a gryffindor, babe?" he taunts with a loud chuckle, enjoying the way you narrow your gaze at him.

[mosviqu]

things/aesthetic you associate with your moots please!

this was in my inbox for over a month i am so sorry anon... anyways. here goes nothing. not doing aesthetics bc thats a lot of effort but here is how i 'see' my friends ig :p

@satoruly - champagne, voice memos, the ocean, the beach, the metamorphosis by franz kafka, tokyo revengers, movie reviews, manga, shopping, indoor plants, sunsets, partying, singing, the bass, i dont do drugs by ariana grande and doja cat, anime, mini skirts, cherries, digital cameras, the color red, shinichiro sano, sand, headphones, random spanish thrown in convo, hearts, gojo satoru, croptops, manga, late night walks in a busy town, izana, gossiping with your best friend, ambition, the feeling of home, endless mutual understanding, passion, freedom, soulmates.

@csenke - monchichi dolls, sylvanian families, minecraft, streamers, the streets of budapest, instagram dumps, sunwoo, afternoon walks, playgrounds, random vlogs u record with your best friends, the colors yellow green and tan, enhypen, mona lisa by dominic fike, random german words, hanging posters in your room, late night conversations, pretty architecture, silly selfies, the excitement of unboxing your packages, changmin, spiderman, chimney cake, Á, lovejoy, candy, loverboy hats, platonic neighbors (yes that exists).

@from-izzy - woodz, bunnies, psychology textbooks, coffee shops, matcha, late night conversations, talking in all caps, excitement, running to catch the bus, making spotify playlists in the middle of the night, protectiveness, the color tan, bicycles, gratefulness, sharing your worries with someone, cloudy skies, the sound of birds chirping outside of your window in the morning, laying in the grass.

@heemingyu - meme reactions, milkshakes, playful banter, inside jokes, playful annoyance at your friends, learning how to drive in an empty parking lot, keyboard smashes, iced tea, sibling-like energy, comfortable hoodies, silent support, instagram reels in your dms as a form of love language, comfort tv shows in your bed.

@sungbeam - admiration, being proud of your friends, watching someone from afar, brainstorming with someone on the same wavelength, literature, baby blue by luke hemmings, dc comics, fic banners, star girl energy, the weird familiarity of a college dorm room, demon changmin, the summer break, doing ordinary things with your music playing lowly in the background, post-it notes on your wall, pancakes for breakfast.

@juyeonszn - cats, supportive comments under instagram posts, lying for fun, feeling yourself when you go clubbing with your best friends, lipgloss, tattoos, roadtrips, concerts, taking polaroids on a night out, flirting with your friends, screaming a song on the top of your lungs.

@zzoguri - valorant, childhood friends vibes, meeting someone and feeling like you've known them for ages, jacob bae, gaming, discord calls, italy, journalism, the friends you meet in university, found family, warm soup on sundays, laufey, day6.

@kimsohn - delusional conversations, talking shit with your honest friends, juyeon, typing really fast on your keyboard, understanding each others typos, editing, yunjin, being in love with women, confidence, yeehaw, iconic energy.

[popentertainment-moviereviews]

WICKED (2024)

Starring Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Marissa Bode, Ethan Slater, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Keala Settle, Bronwyn James, Bowen Yang, Aaron Teoh, Guan Ti, Adam James, Colin Michael Carmichael and the voice of Peter Dinklage.

Screenplay by Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox.

Directed by Jon M. Chu.

Distributed by Universal Pictures. 160 minutes. Rated PG.

Have you ever wondered what came before Dorothy and the yellow brick road? Wicked answers all of these questions and more in the most spellbinding fashion. Jon M. Chu’s long-awaited film adaptation of Winnie Holzman and Stephen Schwartz’s hit Broadway musical, Wicked, gives audiences an inside look into how Elphaba Thropp became known as the Wicked Witch of the West, and how Galinda Upland became Glinda the Good Witch.

For those who don’t already know, Wicked is the musical prequel to L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (my fellow musical theater geeks know that Elphaba’s name is derived from Baum’s initials). Baum’s novel took the world by fire and earned its very first film adaptation in 1939, The Wizard of Oz, starring Judy Garland, Jack Haley, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Frank Morgan, Margaret Hamilton, Billie Burke, and Clara Blandick. Unsurprisingly, the film quickly became a cult classic which led to numerous sequels, retellings, and, you guessed it, prequels.

In 1995, Gregory Maguire’s novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West was published, a prequel to Baum’s award-winning tale. The novel tells the previously untold story of how Elphaba and Glinda’s complicated relationship came to be, exploring themes of Good vs. Evil, Identity, Discrimination, and Friendship. With the success of Maguire’s novel, further conversation sparked about translating the story into a musical.

In 2003, Wicked made its Broadway debut at the Gershwin Theatre with music and lyrics composed by Stephen Schwartz and script by Winnie Holzman. The award-winning original cast featured Idina Menzel as Elphaba and Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda, making the pair household names.

Being lucky enough to have seen Wicked twice on Broadway, I, as well as other theater enthusiasts, had extremely elevated expectations for its highly anticipated film adaptation. Recent movie musicals have let me down, so I was curious how Wicked would fall on my wickedly misguided to thrillifying rating scale.

Needless to say, my expectations were defied.

The film begins exactly as its musical counterpart does, picking right up where The Wizard of Oz film left off, with the Munchkins of Munchkinland celebrating the melting (death) of the Wicked Witch of the West, belting opening number “No One Mourns the Wicked.” Glinda (formerly GA-linda) floats down in her iconic pink bubble to “rejoicify” with the Munchkins. Glinda’s sudden appearance prompts one of the Munchkins to ask Glinda if she was ever friends with the Wicked Witch, to which she responds that she was. Glinda then goes on to tell the origin story of the green witch (Elphaba,) and the trials that she endured as early as a newborn baby.

The story continues as Elphaba grows up and enrolls in Shiz University, with Galinda as her roommate. The duo become unlikely best friends, even after expressing that they equally “loathe” one another. Over the course of the girls’ first semester at Shiz, the talking animal professors of the university begin to lose their voices, reverting to their animalistic bleating, mooing, selves. As Elphaba has such a passion for the rights of all living things, she seeks out the help of the great and powerful Wizard of Oz to serve justice to the animals. Elphaba and Glinda make their way to the renowned Emerald City, not knowing that their adventure is just beginning.

I was concerned that Elphaba and Glinda’s characters would get lost in the mix of Wicked’s star-studded cast, but this was not the case at all. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande transformed into the film’s iconic pair on the screen before me. Be prepared to see Erivo and Grande as you’ve never seen them before – their chemistry and talent are unmatched. Wicked is a true masterpiece and Erivo and Grande are coming for those Oscars.

Between Jonathan Bailey’s charisma playing Fiero, Michelle Yeoh’s mesmerism as Madame Morrible, and Jeff Goldblum’s allure as the Wizard, every single person in this cast carried their weight and more.

Alongside the incredibly brilliant cast, Wicked’s cinematography is another massive contributor to its success, in my book. The film is jam-packed with breathtaking landscapes including Munchkinland’s radiant tulip field (including nine million real planted tulips,) the effulgent Emerald City (which was actually a physical set,) and the ethereal Shiz University, complete with its very own lake and stone academic buildings (surprise – another physical set.) Aside from the sets, the vibrancy of every shot in the film is unrivaled.

Regarding the film’s musical aspect, I am still speechless, even after departing the theater. Not only can this cast act, but they can sing. Beautifully. It is rare for a film adaptation of a musical to hit the mark with its soundtrack, but Wicked did much more than hit the mark, it smashed it with a giant broomstick.

Stephen Schwartz, who wrote the entirety of Wicked’s original songs, co-wrote the film’s musical score alongside John Powell. The scoring evoked such emotion and tied the whole feature together with a pink and green bow. 

After watching Wicked, I can confirm that pink does go“good” with green.

Kayla Marra

Copyright ©2024 PopEntertainment.com. All rights reserved. Posted: November 20, 2024.

[cosmicalily]

nayeon - 'na' mini album review + ranking

'something' - when i heard the audio teaser for this, i was immediately SO excited. then when i heard the start of this song, i was even more excited. 'SAY MY NAME' who?? that guitar SCREAMS iconic y2k track. i love this genre for twice (see basics & rush) and i feel like the way this track was produced works SO well for the overall vibe of the album. liquid drum and bass (at least the very simple, dreamy style of it) has become almost a bit overdone in my opinion due to the newjeansification of kpop (not dealing with that here) but the use of the guitar in the background gives it that iconic y2k feeling similar to destiny's child and tlc. i think overall this is a really easy to listen to track, however i definitely did expect a little more from it after listening to the audio snippet. would've loved more of the nayeon rap because that's what i was most excited for!

'count it' - this is so dreamy, it reminds me a bit of 'wishing on you' from jihyo's solo album, which is one of my favs. i love a slow nayeon song that solely focuses on her super sweet, smooth vocals and i feel like it's nice to hear her lower voice for a change too, especially bc jyp absolutely makes her (and jihyo) work overtime with those high ass adlibs in their group songs. this was honestly everything i wanted from this song; slow, an easy listen, beautiful, minimal production that still doesn't feel boring or repetitive, and that ending was honestly my fave thing EVER! could listen to it on repeat, and most definitely will. it felt like the perfect outro song for this album too.

'magic' - that prechorus is SO delicious oh my god! nayeon and julie is literally giving the kpop version of every iconic collab in the 2010s between an insane vocalist and badass rapper (i'm thinking nikki minaj, ariana grande, iggy azalea before she got cancelled lol) however, i actually don't love the chorus as much as i was hoping! it definitely fits the vibe of the song but i feel like it didn't entirely live up to my expectations for it. of course, julie's vocals are absolutely insane, i'll never not go on about them, and nayeon absolutely ate! i feel like this track again matches the late 2000s vibes i'm getting from the album, with a little more this would have 110% been my favourite song.

'abcd' - NAYONCE WHO??? i'm actually not joking at all, this was absolutely what the kpop industry needed. that very typical young, teenager-y y2k concept has honestly been entirely overdone (yk what i'm talking about, every girl group and their mother's been a victim of it welp) so i'm SO GLAD that icons like kiss of life and now nayeon have decided to bring back mature y2k! we need trashy! we need camp! we need intense instrumentals and sassy raps and lyrics! pop was so cute and i adore it for her, but i love seeing the more adult concept for nayeon too, esp bc she's almost 30 now and i feel like she needed something a little more. this feels very very very much like crazy in love by beyonce, which kind of does unsettle me a little, it's not a bad thing but that song is VERY iconic so it feels like a very tricky song to try and replicate even when its done a bit differently, because there's always gonna be comparisons regardless and a song like that just cannot be outdone, no matter how iconic nayeon is. however, it's different to all the recent releases we've had in kpop so imma let it slide. also, i was VERY disappointed by the fact that this track, the TITLE TRACK, was less than three minutes. why tf are ALL of the bsides longer?? the math is not mathing. i was really hoping short song syndrome wouldn't hit 3rd gen kpop but apparently it has, which is actually so sucky. also i highkey hate jyp's promotion methods bc y'all did NOT need to spoil the entire chorus?? like i would've enjoyed this so much more if it was a suprise yk. that felt like a really dumb move especially when there wasn't even a super different crazy end chorus so that felt like a bad decision but oh well. solid title track, 9/10 (-2 for the shortness of the song and promotions). and final thoughts, i feel like jihyo also would've eaten this concept up. after seeing namoji perform 10 minutes, i've been needing them to do a song as a subunit and i feel like this would've fitted them as a trio SO well.

'halligalli' - she's cute, she's bubbly, but not too childish either. she JUST fits into this album's concept in my opinion, and it feels like the classic twice bside recipe (this isn't a bad thing, but it does sound like something i've heard before from twice and it fits into their discography well). however, sticking to the classics isn't a bad thing at all, often if you have all new genres an album can feel daunting and too diverted from the identity you felt the artist was originally showing. so i think this is a very safe but cute track. it'll go on my playlist, but i feel like she's a tiny bit forgettable.

'butterflies' - can someone explain to me why this wasn't on the 'im nayeon' album? because this SCREAMS that concept. it's super cute and very nayeon-esque, but i feel like it takes away from the more mature concept this album was leaning towards? it feels very teenage y2k lovesong, which is super cute, but this album was gearing more towards iconic y2k artists in their adult prime so i feel like this doesn't quite resonate with that. i'll definitely listen to it because it's a good track, but probably not in conjunction with the rest of the album since it doesn't fit my mental vibe for it lmao.

'heaven' - out of the two slow tracks, 'count it' was honestly my favourite. i think its also because this song was fully english and it felt like an overload of entirely english songs in this album, which is lowkey weird for me to say as an international fan, but it feels like twice is trying too hard to globalise its audience and is forgetting about their initial fanbase. like twice has been doing one english track in their albums for a bit now, but even the title track for this album was very english heavy and so were most of the bsides. three out of six bsides were english, and the others still have a lot of english lyrics. anyways, it just didn't stick out to me as much as the other songs, still very sweet and nice to listen to but not particularly outstanding in my eyes. it'll definitely end up on my playlist though!

let me know your opinions on this comeback. i personally adore this image for nayeon and think it was overall a solid album!

[diaryoftherest]

Losing My Cool

A debate breaks out at my office once a week.

It always starts with Brad, the portrait of a male executive, and his booming voice echoing around the space as people join in.

Beyonce or Taylor Swift?

I was new to the office when it first started. It was office chit-chat at first. Water-cooler chatter born from something Brad’s wife saw on TikTok. It was a dumb debate made up of parasocial facts and made-up figures. Easy celebrity gossip. They are both billionaires who probably wouldn’t be affected if an average white guy named “Brad” railed against them.

It wasn’t until last week when Brad came in smelling of condescension and phrased it differently.

“Who is cooler: Beyonce or Taylor Swift?”

The debate was months old, a revival of a hot topic from the summer of 2023 that has now become a relic of a pop culture reference. Still, Brad was so excited that he pounced on me when I didn’t answer.

“Come on,” Brad said. “Everyone knows who is cooler. Just say it.”

Everyone else in the office said it: Beyonce’s cooler. Then, their moment of antagonized fun was over, and they went back to typing. The bullpen of onlookers watched and waited: they wanted me to say that Taylor Swift was lame and uncool, and I would get extra points if I joined in with a “she can’t even sing.”

But, I didn’t say anything.

This is how I learned that I never really knew what cool was anyway.

—

I stopped being honest about what I thought was “cool” when I was thirteen.

It all hit me when I was in sixth grade. I had a mild, middle-school crush on a boy from my math class. In the hallway before class, we exchanged iPods and flirted in the lackluster, sweaty way that only middle schoolers do. One day, he laughed when he saw my most recently played music.

“Beyonce? She always sounds the same,” he said to me. “Try The Front Bottoms.”

I loved Beyonce at that age. The morning before, I had practiced her vocal runs on “Halo” until my brother told me that I was annoying. It was the same year that “Single Ladies” swept YouTube, driving people into a craze of black leotards and obscene moves. That year, I was obsessed with Beyonce.

Then, I was embarrassed. A boy my age spoke with conviction and authority about Beyonce’s value and, suddenly, it all dropped in front of me. He was an arbiter of taste and a definer of what was good. I was in the wrong with him.

Cool was an underground band that no one had heard of, someone on the fringes or up and up that would have a one-hit moment and retire. Beyonce was too Sasha Fierce. She was in a girl band and how lame is that, right?

Every other bubble gum pop icon: Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj, or any other powerful, femme hitmaker was an unspoken no. My first generation iPod touch full of teeny boppers was dull, so banal to him.

That boy never spoke to me outside of class again, but I didn’t try anymore. I learned a lesson I would never unlearn that day: as a girl, you can never do or have anything “cool.”

—

Cool is a judgment on women and non-binary people. It is the chill, subtle way of saying “This is what I think is right. Here is where you are not that. Uncool- bad.”

Most women and non-binary people have defenses against this, an equally subtle counter-move of avoidance. Most men won’t see it in plain sight, but it is in every conversation: an unwillingness to share because they do not want to be contemptuous. It is laid out like a response sheet: if he says A, then the answer is B. A perfect example comes from “What is your favorite movie?”

“What is your favorite movie?”

The answer is not: “It’s Little Women.”

The correct answer is: “Oh. What’s yours?”

If they say “Pulp Fiction,” then the answer is: “True Romance.”

So on and so forth.

It might read like a cheat sheet, but it’s something women everywhere have done since the dawn of time: dodging the judgment of men by omission.

—

I fell in love for the first time when I was a senior in college. Scratch that; I fell in deep infatuation with a boy who called me when he was drunk to tell me how funny I was. He had the look of a tall-dark-and-handsome Peter Parker. That year, I had dyed my hair seventeen times to make sure it was the right kind of Mary Jane red so it felt written in the stars.

Matt was a fraternity boy, obnoxiously always drunk but turning each moment into a funny story that I could relay to female friends later so it felt worth it. Matt would play music constantly: in the shower, in the car, in my bed, as he was falling asleep, and I was wide awake listening to his Goth Babe remixes. He was cool about music in that he had good taste and was judgmental about it. We connected when I said that I listened to Open Mic Eagle.

I never told him that, before I met him on weekends, I blasted and screamed Taylor Swift.

One night, after too many whisky sours, I followed him back home, walking ten steps behind like a puppy waiting to be praised or kicked. Matt played Poo Shiesty on the way home, blasting “Back In Blood” through his water-damaged speakers. We were halfway through the uphill walk through the Midwest winter when the song started for a fourth time.

“Again?” I asked.

“You don’t like Pooh Shiesty now?” Matt asked. He had been dancing in the snow moments before, but he stopped as soon as I spoke, looking at me with accusation.

“I liked it the first time,” I said.

“What do you want to listen to then?” Matt asked.

“Try ‘Cruel Summer,’” I said with a smile. I said it like a joke, knowing Matt would never play Taylor Swift, not even for me. A part of me hoped he would say: “Whatever you want, babe.”

He didn’t. He laughed and then mimed vomiting.

“What the fuck?” he said.

I started to argue but realized I would never win. I let him lecture me on why Taylor Swift was dumb; a graceless lack of musical talent, in his opinion. How could I, someone interested in music, like something like that? Was I so basic? Was I serious? I couldn’t have been serious, in his opinion. If I was serious, that was gross.

He kept playing “Back In Blood” until we got to my house. I told him I was tired and he left, bouncing to a party down the block while still blasting the same song.

I fell asleep crying to “champagne problems.”

—

In 2017, Ed Sheeran released his studio album “Divide.” It had top hits like “Shape of You” and “Perfect” that repeated on the radio until listeners knew every chord. People who worked in customer service at this time could probably recite every word of the “Perfect” chorus like it was slam poetry because that is how much recognition it got.

The same year, Bruno Mars released 24K Magic. This album and its titular groove, “24k Magic,” had high highs: the best example being when Zendaya performed the song on Lip Sync Battle, clad in an ensemble that made her look just like Bruno. Each song on the album is catchier than the last. The album quickly became a part of pop culture, leading teens to my high school to ask each other to prom with signs that read “You’re What I Like” while blasting the song “That’s What I Like.”

Both of these albums outperformed their previous hits. Both of these men launched international tours in March of 2017. Both of these men made millions on their songs, merch, and overall success of the tour.

Not once in 2017 was I asked: “Ed Sheeran or Bruno Mars?”

—

“Just say it,” Brad said. He focused more directly on me this time, leaning against my desk as he spoke.

“Beyonce or Taylor Swift?”

I bit down on my tongue and tried not to react too visually.

I knew I couldn’t say Taylor Swift. I thought this would be over with the overwhelming success and fun of the Eras tour, the release and re-release of records like they were being made overnight, and the obvious love that most women had for her collection of work on full display. Still, most men loved to hate her. The groups of co-workers who stared at me, waiting for me to answer, were the same people who had spent months complaining about how she “ruined the Chiefs game.”

It felt equally unfair to say Beyonce. It was only a decade before that people refused to think of her as anything more than a pop act. The launch of the Lemonade album coupled with an insane Coachella performance and hit after hit asserted Beyonce as a force to be reckoned with always. It also cemented her as a cultural icon. Yet, these men were choosing her as cool now only because they wanted to pit one woman against another.

Could Beyonce not have her success? Did she have to be compared? Or was she being compared simply to bring Taylor down?

Both of these women were billionaires and record breakers and instead of celebrating that, all of the men around me were putting them in a hypothetical cage match and making me choose.

Could we not let both these women have success and celebrate them for it? No, this was America’s new favorite misogynistic pastime and I had to participate. But, no matter what way I answered, I was losing.

I had been losing for years. Every time I’d changed my answer to appease a man, borrowed his opinion as mine to avoid being judged, or bitten my tongue so I’d be considered “cool” came flooding back to me.

I was never cool, but I had been playing it for years. Now, I was exhausted.

Brad looked at me, still waiting for me to answer. I shook my head.

It was never worth an answer.

[beefromanoff]

Going Under Ch. 10

summary: afterparty at Tony's penthouse, too much champagne, and karaoke

characters: Bucky Barnes x OC

soundtrack: side to side - ariana grande; one last time - Ariana grande, electric love - borns

warnings: fluff, pop star fantasy x love story, set in an AU where the Avengers reunite after Civil War, pre-infinity war, slight angst, hurt/comfort, lonely reader/OC.

author’s note: i agonized over this, i hope you like! it was time for a little progression in the relationship ;)

chapter list/links - xo

___________________________________________

The black SUV pulled up to Stark Tower, the iconic skyscraper extending into the clouds above them. Bucky slid out the side door first, making his way around to Gianna’s side, always closest to the entrance. Opening the door, Bucky glanced around out of habit, even though this tower had more security than any other building in New York.

Sliding across the leather seat and dropping onto the ground, Gianna smiled up at Bucky. She’d changed into a faded blue sweatshirt with Yankees printed across the front, one of the only good things to come out of her last PR relationship. Her white cotton sweats cuffed at the ankles, just above the white sneakers she was most often seen in. She’d insisted that Bucky change clothes too, even after his insistence that everyone (except Tony) would be wearing sweats.

“Trust me,” he’d said. “They have to wear double-layered, bulletproof suits for every training session and mission. If there’s ever a chance to wear something baggy and soft, every single one of ‘em is gonna take it. Especially knowing how these ‘game nights’ usually end up.”

“Which is how?” She’d raised an eyebrow at him. 

He glanced at her, a light smirk playing across his lips. 

“Violently.”

As usual, Gianna’s combination of wide-eyed begging and sheer persistence had won. Bucky wore a gray hoodie and dark sweatpants, which she found made him look unreasonably adorable. She swallowed and forced her eyes up, averting them from the way the sweatshirt hugged his broad shoulders.

The building's grand entrance greeted them, sleek and modern, as they made their way inside. The air was alive with a constant hum, a subtle indication of the technology in every facet of the building.

Entering the elevator, the doors slid shut. Gianna leaned against the wall, taking a deep breath.

“I’m about to go hang out with the Avengers.” She breathed, eyes fixed on the floor. Bucky wasn’t sure if she was speaking to him, or simply trying to process the information. 

“The novelty wears off after one or two game nights.”

Gianna gave Bucky a side-eye, as if he were dashing her fantasies about the evening to come. 

He held his hands up in mock apology. “I’m just saying, once you have a barstool thrown at your head because you beat the Hulk in flip cup, you start to think twice about attending these things.” 

Gianna laughed, but before she could respond, the door slid open with a whoosh.

As they stepped into the softly lit penthouse, Bucky’s senses filled with familiarity. The soft thump of music playing, the chorus of voices bickering, the click of glasses across Tony’s incredibly expensive bartop. 

“Oh hey, Sonny and Cher, glad you could make it.” Tony called from behind the bar, shaking up a martini for himself and Natasha, sitting cross legged on the bar. 

All the faces in the room turned to watch the duo stride over to the bar.

“Gi *hic* anna!” Wanda slurred, throwing an arm around the singer. “You caaaaaaame!” She sang, throwing her head back in the air. Gianna laughed, looking up at Bucky, who had a smug look on his face.

“Of course, I’m not gonna miss a chance to kick some Avenger ass in beer pong.” Gianna winked at Bucky, who hadn’t taken his eyes off her as he plopped down on the couch across from Sam and Steve. 

“Woah there Britney, I don’t know what you heard about us, but we don’t drink that honky bullshit up here. It’s champagne pong or bust. Considering this is some of Italy’s finest, you’re not gonna wanna bust.” Tony quipped, pulling two ornate bottles of champagne from behind the bar. 

Natasha took a sip of her martini then grabbed both bottles by the neck. 

“Want to help me do the honors?” She said coyly, holding a bottle out to Gianna as she walked past. 

Gianna took the bottle and turned to follow the redhead, wondering how she was somehow hotter in person than the action figures made her out to be. They walked through massive glass doors onto an expanse balcony, overlooking the New York skyline. 

“Wait, wait, wait, don’t start without me!” Peter called, tumbling out onto the balcony, barely keeping the liquid in his red solo cup. He fumbled with his phone, struggling to pull up the camera. “Ned is never gonna believe me when I tell him I got drunk with Gianna Cruz.”

Pew! 

A small beam of light flashed and sent Peter’s phone, or at least what remained of it, soaring off the balcony. 

“Definitely not, especially since you have no way to prove it.” Tony called, stepping outside. He still wore his expensive suit, but the collar and tie were loosened. His right arm had red armor around it, slightly smoking from the beam.

“Aw, come on!” Peter whined. 

“Sorry kid, I’ve got enough people questioning my ethics around minors, I don’t need to confirm the rumors by proving I let them get drunk in my home.”

The rest of the crew gathered on the patio, the cool night air making Gianna glad she’d chosen sweats. Bucky and Steve rounded out the group, leaning against the door frame to watch. 

“Ready?” Natasha’s eyes twinkled. 

“After you.” Gianna replied, positioning her hand on the cork. 

They both twisted and applied pressure with their thumbs to the cork, and a pop was heard from each as the golden liquid spewed into the air. Both women squealed, spraying a champagne arc across the sky. 

“Woooooo!” Wanda cheered, as the rest of the crew clapped and hollered, largely already intoxicated. 

“Alright freaks and geeks, pair up.” Tony called, waltzing back into the penthouse. “No fuck buddy partnerships allowed.” He glanced over his shoulder, eyeing Bucky and Gianna. “I’m talking to you too, Rogers. Don’t even look at Natasha.” 

Gianna’s eyes widened, first at the unexpected comment from Tony and second at the insinuation that Captain America and Black Widow were an item. Bucky just grinned, unphased by the chaos. 

“Alright, then, we’ll team up and kick both your super soldier asses.” Natasha slipped her arm through Gianna’s and tugged her to one side of the long wooden table. 

“You’re on.” Steve winked. Bucky sighed and slowly took his side across the table. 

“Mmkay, round one, the geriatrics of the group versus the eye candy. Seems a little creepy if you ask me.” Tony snarked, downing the rest of his martini. 

Twenty minutes later, Gianna’s head was spinning from a combination of sweet, bubbly champagne and nonstop laughing. They’d won, Natasha carrying their team with shocking precision. Steve and Bucky had put up a good fight, once they figured out how to dial back their strength and not send the orange ping pong balls flying.

“Say hello,” Natasha called to the room at large. “To your newest champagne pong champions.” She put her arm around Gianna’s shoulders and raised a half full champagne bottle into the air. 

Cups and glasses around the room went up and Natasha took a swig straight from the bottle, then passed it to Gianna. She took a big gulp and scrunched her nose as the bubbles made her eyes water. 

“Careful there, champ.” Bucky patted her on the back, chuckling at her reaction. 

“Howss’ your ass feel?” Gianna slurred, grinning back at him. 

“Feels fine. Wanna see for yourself?” Bucky joked, emboldened by the fact that she (and everyone else in the room besides himself and Steve) was clearly drunk. 

She paused for a second, narrowing her eyes at him. Then, to Bucky’s surprise, she reached back and grabbed a handful of his ass through his sweatpants.

“Mm’yeah. Feels fine to me.” She winked as she waltzed over and plopped down in a space way too small between Wanda and Peter. 

“If you need to get a room, Barnes, I’ve got about twenty. On this floor.” Tony’s voice called out.

Bucky rolled his eyes, still reeling from her touch. 

“JARVIS, turn on the karaoke machine.”

A long screen slid down from the ceiling and neon lights illuminated the room. Tony opened a drawer and pulled out two microphones, tossing one to Gianna. “We didn’t have time to get them bedazzled, but I hope these’ll still work.” 

Peter snatched the microphone out of the air and handed it to her, knowing her reaction time probably wasn’t at it’s best.

“Ugh, you must not’ve read my rider,” Gianna called. “I can’t perform under these conditions.” She put her hand over her forehead and pretended to faint, falling over onto Wanda, who giggled profusely. 

“And here I was thinking you weren’t a diva,” Sam shrugged, standing. “I’ll kick us off.” 

Sam performed a loud, emphatically off-key version of Call Me Maybe, to which everyone danced along to. Well, almost everyone. Steve and Bucky had camped out at the barstools behind the couch, watching their intoxicated friends jump around. 

“You think we’re missing out on anything?” Steve asked his friend, sipping on a glass of whiskey he knew wouldn’t affect him.

“Something tells me we’ll be glad to have missed out in the morning.” Bucky raised an eyebrow, wondering if he should cut Gianna off and get her back to the hotel before it got too late. Seeing her laugh and dance, hand in hand with Wanda and twirling beside Nat, he decided to let her have a little more fun. He’d been with her for almost three months and hadn’t seen her socialize with anyone besides their tour crew the entire time. She deserves one night. 

As if reading his thoughts, Steve spoke up. “Tony’s got a new IV pack, basically cures a hangover instantly. Hasn’t hit the market yet, but Nat swears by it.” 

Bucky nodded, relieved he wouldn’t have to watch her try to pull off a three hour show at deafening volumes while battling a hangover. 

“Bucky, Bucky!” He snapped out of his thoughts and looked over to the screen. 

Gianna was standing on top of the coffee table, a champagne bottle in one hand and the microphone in her other. 

“You watching?” She crooned into the microphone. 

He grinned. “Always.” 

“Good.” She turned, spinning in her socks on the glass tabletop. 

“Ladees and gent’man.” She pointed at the crowd surrounding the coffee table. Natasha, Wanda, Peter, and Sam were standing in front of her, forming the world’s smallest mosh pit. Tony sat back in the recliner next to them. 

“I’d like to dedicate thissong…” Her glassy gaze flicked up to Bucky. “To Mr. Sergeant James Buch’n Barnes. Also known as Bucky. Also known as the hottest assassin I ever woke up next to.” 

The girls cheered and Sam clapped as the music began to play.

Gianna’s voice filled the air for the second time that night, beautiful, but singing a song Bucky didn’t recognize. Something he’d heard before but couldn’t place. Something about walking side to side? 

As Gianna sang, she hopped off the table and waltzed towards the bar where the two super soldiers sat. She donned the bedroom eyes she typically reserved for the stage. Although they looked significantly glassier than usual this time, Bucky still felt his chest tighten. 

She didn’t break eye contact with him as she sidled between Bucky’s legs, singing directly in front of him. Her arm reached out over his shoulder and set the champagne bottle down on the bar. He could tell it was empty by the light clink it made when she set it down. Gianna’s hand trailed down over Bucky’s shoulder, down his chest, and across the top of his thigh to his knee. 

She spun around and bent at the hip, keeping her knees locked. Bucky had seen her do this move onstage hundreds of times, but seeing her do it mere inches from his body, feeling her bend over directly in front of where he was sitting…

He sucked in a sharp breath. The cheers and hollering of the rest of the crew sounded like it was coming from another room, his heart was pounding so loudly. Just as he was beginning to wonder if he should have worn looser pants, she began to prance back towards the coffee table.

She sat on the edge and leaned back onto her elbows, not missing a word as she slid down onto her back. Tony, seated closest to her, raised his eyebrow at Bucky as Gianna arched her back and slowly sat up. 

As she finished the song, the team applauded drunkenly. 

“Well, I guess now we know Buck’s packin’ more than just the arm.” Tony said. 

Bucky ran a hand through his hair, trying to remember that their charade was just that, and he’d be going back to his own hotel room tonight, alone. 

The intimate party at Stark Tower was officially in full swing, just how he remembered nights like this. The air was full of cigar smoke from Tony lighting up inside, something he only ever did when he was drunk, and then would always proceed to swear at everyone else the next morning because he had to reupholster the furniture due to the smell. Peter had passed out, his torso half slid off of the couch and onto the floor. Sam had resumed karaoke and was putting on a private concert for Wanda, still jumping and dancing by the screen. Natasha had slipped behind the bar and was showing off her master mixologist skills, flipping bottles to entertain a wide-eyed Gianna. 

Ever the life of the party, Bucky wasn’t surprised at how easily she blended with the group, her laughter echoing throughout the room. She was witty enough to keep up with Tony but sweet enough to earn Steve’s silent approval, and whatever nerves she’d had before the night began were impossible to detect now. As he leaned forward on the bar, Bucky watched her clap for Natasha who curtsied as they both descended into fits of giggles.

He’d missed these nights. As much as they gave him shit for being the quiet one or for being grouchy, he really loved being with the whole group. The family of misfits brought together by whatever shitty circumstances they’d each endured in their private life. Tony’s gatherings were their time together outside of missions, away from gunfire and comm systems and debriefs. It was the most normalcy Bucky had felt in nearly one hundred years, and it was easily the one thing he missed most while being away on tour. 

Before he’d taken this assignment, he’d have spent the party playing a few games, and then retreating to a corner chair to observe the rest of the night. Once everyone else started getting too drunk, he’d recuse himself and watch their fun unfold before eventually retreating to his room. It wasn’t that he minded them getting drunk, it was that watching them reminded him how he couldn’t, and that was enough to kill the buzz he only ever hoped to get. 

But now, he had no desire to get drunk. Watching the strawberry blonde curls fall all over the counter as Gianna fell onto it in a fit of laughter, seeing her green eyes crinkle from smiling so long, watching the way she still had perfect rhythm even as she was too drunk to speak clearly, he didn’t want to be anywhere but here. 

Ever the vigilant protector, he kept a watchful eye on her, letting her have fun but occasionally reaching out to steady her when she spun too fast and lost her balance.

“Okay, okay,” Bucky sighed, reaching out his metal arm and steadying Gianna for the third time in a matter of minutes. “Maybe it’s time for a seat, huh?” He kept his hand on the small of her back as he raised his eyebrows at her. 

Gianna giggled, still unsteady even when she stopped dancing. Her eyes flicked to his, then down to his lips and back again. “Okay.” 

Before he could process what was happening, Gianna had slid onto his lap and leaned her back into his chest. His hand was held awkwardly out to the side, hovering above her waist. Momentarily frozen, he looked up and made eye contact with Steve, who gave him a thumbs’ up. 

Gently, he lowered his hand so it rested on Gianna’s hip. 

She turned her head so she was looking up at him from her position, leaning back into his body. “You told me to have a seat.” She blinked, those damn doe eyes paralyzing him again. 

“You got me there, doll.” 

For a moment, Bucky lost his bearings. He could feel nothing but the pressure of Gianna’s body on his, her laughter reverberating through his chest as she was pressed so close. She had fully leaned into him, completely relaxed and at ease. He could smell the mixture of hairspray, perfume, and champagne in her hair. 

Falling into a fit of giggles over something Sam said, Gianna bent forward, nearly sliding off of his lap. Instinctively, Bucky wrapped his arm fully around her waist to pull her back up. The sudden movement caught Gianna’s attention and she turned her gaze fully to Bucky. 

She was seated sideways on his lap, her right shoulder against his chest. Their eyes locked, faces only inches apart. Neither of them breathed. Gianna’s heavy-lidded, drunken eyes drifted down his face. They came to rest on Bucky’s lips, slightly parted as he held his breath, watching her every move. 

Without breaking her gaze, Gianna’s right arm slid up and over Bucky’s head so it rested on the back of the chair behind him. Her hand delicately rested on the back of his neck. He hoped she couldn’t feel his skin ignite under her touch. 

Bucky’s ears rang as all the noise of the penthouse faded to a dull and distant sound. All he heard was his heartbeat, pounding in his ears, complimented by the staccato beat of hers only inches from him.

The next few moments were a blur. 

A soft hand tenderly tugging his head forward. 

Green eyes covered by glittery eyelids fluttering shut. 

Pink, pouty lips coming towards his. 

An explosion of emotions in his stomach. 

Gianna’s lips pressed to Bucky’s, so gently he wasn’t sure if she’d even realized what she was doing. After lingering for a moment, she suddenly tilted her head and leaned into the kiss, fully committing. Bucky drew in a deep breath, lifting his hand from her waist to her cheek, using the other to brace her back and pull her closer. 

She tasted like champagne and strawberry lipgloss. 

Gianna POV

“And get this, then she handed me a receipt for my bird costume!” Sam exclaimed, gesturing emphatically. 

I burst out laughing, doubling over from where I was perched on Bucky’s lap. I felt amazing. The champagne had filled me with an unfamiliar warmth, making my head fuzzy in the best way. Everything felt like it was in slow motion. Everything was funny. Everything was perfect. I let myself topple forward with the force of my laughter, all regard for my body having disappeared after the last glass. 

As I slid forward, a strong arm wrapped around my waist, rock solid against me. 

Bucky drew me back up as if I was weightless.

The way his ripcord muscle had jolted into my rubs momentarily knocked the breath out of me, a sobering feeling that only slightly cut through my buzz. Startled, I looked at Bucky. 

God, he’s pretty. 

His blue eyes were turned, brows knit together in concern. He looked concerned more often than not when he looked at me. I hope that’s a good thing. His hair was tucked behind his ears, and I was close enough to see the dark shadow of stubble growing along his jawline. 

I had a sudden image of the way that jawline looked in the morning, cushioned by an overstuffed hotel room pillow, and my breath caught. I tried to drag myself back into this moment, this night in the penthouse suite at Tony Stark’s tower, but I was powerless against my own mind. 

Suddenly, I was lying in that bed again, feeling his arms around me as his comforting presence lulled me to sleep. I was standing in my dressing room, feeling his hands slid my zipper down my back. I was walking next to him at the boardwalk, seeing him smile for the first time when he won that stupid stuffed animal. I was opening the door to his sheepish smile holding lattes first thing in the morning. 

I was sitting on his lap, breathing him in, staring straight into those blue eyes.

I held my breath, afraid the moment would burst like the bottle of champagne on the balcony. I couldn’t take my eyes off of him, the sharp jaw, the pouty lips, ugh. My brain felt full of static. I lifted my hand behind his head and lightly touched the back of his neck. Everything about him was so strong, so firm, so sturdy. His hand still gripped my waist. 

Don’t even think about it. His lips were slightly parted.

You’re drunk. He smelled so damn good.

Everyone’s watching. I wonder what it would feel like to kiss him. I’ve wondered for three straight months now.

You’re going to have to deal with this tomorrow. I don’t want him to ever move his hand.

Fuck it. 

I leaned in, pulling him towards me, and pressed my lips to his. They were warm, soft, tasted like whiskey. I paused, soaking in the moment I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t daydreamt about on all those long bus rides and flights. The real thing blew those daydreams straight into oblivion. I was hooked. 

I tilted my head, deepening the kiss. He responded immediately, parting his lips further and cupping my cheek. I felt his metal hand on the small of my back, something that had become all too familiar. I pressed against him, craving proximity.

I couldn’t have pulled myself away if I had been stone cold sober. 

My hand was in his hair, his tongue brushed mine, my heartbeat felt louder than Madison Square Garden. I didn’t care who was watching, I don’t know how long it went on. 

All I knew was that I was completely, hopelessly infatuated with James Buchanan Barnes, and there was no way I could go back to pretending like I wasn’t.

Shit.

[medusasbush]

read in february 2023

articles (ones behind a paywall are linked through webpage archive):

I'm Intersex. Here's How I Have Sex.

What Is a Nepotism Baby Anyway? (reminded me of the hollywood inbreeding 101 portion of Carrie FIsher's Wishful Drinking)

Your Stuff is Actually Worse Now: How the cult of consumerism ushered in an era of badly made products.

If You Think Tacos Aren't Healthy, We Have News for You

Deeper into Movies: What Have I Been Watching

How Dolly Parton became a secular American saint

Springtime for the Confederacy

Comedy movies rarely make it to theaters today. Here’s why.

A Short Guide to Living More Pointlessly

Another Side of Rupert Grint

What Is a Narcissist?

Videos of Police Brutality Against Black People Are a Futile Spectacle in White America

Trump proposes genocidal national ban on transgender existence if he wins 2024

The super-kinkeepers (& kinkeeping matrix)

The soothing, slightly sinister world of productivity hacks

We're Already Living in the Metaverse

Doc Filmmakers Reckon with the Industry's Murky Ethics

The Band That Best Captures the Sound of the ’70s

The Number One's: Blondie's Rapture

Meat Loaf Owned the Power Ballad

Dating apps have created a culture of entitlement

America's Dangerous Obsession with Innocence

The War on Bollywood

Restoring the Sex and Rage to Jane Austen

Modern Porn Education Is Totally Unprepared for Modern Porn

Parents Need to Talk to Their Kids About Porn

The Porn Crisis That Isn't

Why Porn Has Gotten So Rough

Memoria and the Limitations of Ebert’s Empathy Machine

Is it Possible for a Fanboy to Be a Good Critic?

The people weeding out first dates with a questionnaire

The Anxious Style of American Parenting

Big commitments loosely held

The Junkification of Amazon

The Relentlessness of Modern Parenting

From Tokyo to Paris, Parents Tell Americans to Chill

I guess this turned into a love letter

'Lord' of racism?

The Man Behind the Myth: Should We Question the Hero’s Journey?

AMC is about to make paying for theater seats more like booking an airline ticket

The mounting, undeniable Me Too backlash

Lucky girl syndrome and the endless rebranding of “The Secret”

Stuck in 2020, pretending it’s 2014

No Sex for You: Life in the metaverse will be tacky, prudish, and dull

Sarah's Day in the Life

The Last of Us: Perspectives from an epidemiologist and a plant scientist

Marriage Is Not a Replacement For the Social Safety Net

Gwen Stefani, Ariana Grande, Madonna: The Holy Trinity of Famous Italian American Culture Vultures

How Christopher Columbus Became an Italian-American Icon

Everyone Is Grotesque and No One Is Turned On

Madonna's Face is Not Subversive

The NYT Op-Ed I Just Took A Kill Fee For.

The Whale does all but "giving a voice" to fat people

I Tried Jane Fonda’s ‘80s Workout Tapes To See How They Hold Up.

De-Influencing De-Influencing

TikTok’s De-Influencers Tell You What Not to Buy

The Curious Tale of the Midsize Queen

The Tragedy of Woke Shakespeare

books

the names up on the harp: irish myth and legend by P.J. Lynch, Marie Heaney (reread)

bitten: dark erotic stories by susie bright (started)

[newjeansador]

“When NewJeans debuted last year, the response was truly phenomenal. The group’s name aptly summarises their identity, which centres around imbuing newness in the familiar. And their music reflects this by fusing retro and contemporary elements. We look forward to seeing and hearing how NewJeans pave their way to becoming timeless icons in 2023, just like a classic pair of denim. Celebrating the new year, the five members of NewJeans shared songs that brighten up their day. Here are their personal picks, along what they had to say about each track.”

Minji:

khai dreams, “Fantasy”

“The lyrics just grab you right from the intro and the song gives you a warm feeling 💗”

Rina Sawayama, “Bad Friend”

“As soon as I listen to this song, I feel a whole bunch of emotions 💗”

CHUNG HA, “Killing Me”

“I keep thinking about this song because the ‘tunnel’ bit in the chorus and her voice at the bridge are just so, so good 💗”

VAUNDY, “odoriko”

“Hearing the booming bass always gets me excited 💗”

 

Hanni:

Christian Kuria, “Too Good”

“I hear this one often. It’s really relaxing when I just want to vibe to a song. The lyrics are really pretty, too.”

SEULGI, “Anywhere But Home”

“For me, memories of the Lunar New Year’s day involve night drives with my family in the car. This song reminds me of those memories since it feels like a balmy breeze.”

Billie Eilish, “come out and play”

“This one is great for starting out the day, going for a walk or even when you need comforting."

Taylor Swift, “Lover”

“I like this one because it feels like winter and being excited for the new year.”

Danielle:

SZA & Justin Timberlake, “The Other Side”

“A real banger, all about groovy vibes of a New Year’s party!”

Ariana Grande, “safety net (feat. Ty Dolla $ign)”

"A heart-tingling song, perfect to listen to on New Year’s!”

James Arthur, “Say You Won’t Let Go”

“A touching song that’s perfect in the winter!”

Daya, “Insomnia”

“For when you can’t sleep because you’re so excited for New Year’s!”

 

Haerin:

Tamia, “Officially Missing You”

“Hearing this song just makes you feel better and more relaxed.”

Omah Lay & Justin Bieber, “Attention”

“This song’s vibe and beat just really grab you.”

FKA twigs, “killer”

“This song makes my feelings all delicate.”

Syd & Lucky Daye, “CYBAH”

“This one just puts you in a nice, chill mood.”

 

Hyein:

Pink Sweat$, “17”

“I don’t know why, but this song instantly puts me in a romantic mood!”

Ariana Grande, “pov”

“I chose this one because it gave me a lot of comfort throughout 2022.”

Justin Bieber, “Hold On”

“I heard this over and over in 2022! The intro is crazy good! XD”

NewJeans, “Ditto”

“I want to listen to this and look back on all that happened during 2022! 💽”

[alaskassweetdump]

Some of my favorite beauty creators are also my favorite musicians.

Where do I start? I know!

Hayley Williams, our favorite, angelic voice of Paramore, is also the co-creator (w/ her longtime mua/hs & bff, Brian O’Connor) of the hair dye company, Good Dye Young. GDY has one of the best lightening kits I’ve ever used. And the color options? Omg. They have every fun color you could imagine. And if they don’t have it, you can create it yourself with a little color theory. Not only are the colors vibrant and beautiful, they fade graciously and smell amazing!

Gwen Stefani, my personal all-time (since elementary school days) fashion icon, recently started up her own beauty line. When I first found out about Gxve, I practically burst into confetti & cartwheels. When the brand launched, I grabbed the I’m Still Here liquid lipstick in Gwen’s iconic red shade. Delicious scent and long lasting wear, which we double love. I later grabbed the Xtra Sauce vinyl liquid lip, which became an instant favorite. The shine, the feel, and the long lasting wear is incredible.

Halsey, our other favorite angelic voice, not only blesses us with their music, poetry, and art, but they have given us not one, but two amazing beauty lines! About Face Beauty was the first baby they gave us. I have an obsession with finding the longest lasting liquid lipstick, and Halsey has given us just that with AF’s paint-it matte liquid lip color & the coordinating matte fix lip pencil. I’ve eaten plenty a cheeseburger and haven’t had to touch up immediately after. We all know that’s impressive af. I’ve tried just about every product and the entire line is a win. If you wanna pinch a penny or two, their second baby, af94, is just for you. I am obsessed with the scribble sticks. The feel & color are fantastic. I could talk about these lines forever. I’ll hype these babies up for days.

When I first purchased a jar of Keys Soulcare Skin Transformation skin cream, I had zero idea the company was Alicia Keys’s. I didn’t figure that out until I ran out and needed more (it’s my favorite face cream). It was a pretty delightful surprise. Each product has its own affirmation printed on the jar, for you to repeat to yourself while doing your skincare routine. I’ve tried the comfort balm as well as the face cleanser. Everything I’ve tried, I’ve loved. I can’t wait to see what other products Keys Soulcare has in store for us.

Ariana Grande has r.e.m. beauty. I have read so amazing things about the brand, that I just finally got around to trying it. I recently purchased the concealer, which I must say is very creamy with great coverage. A little definitely goes a long way. There’s plenty of other products to try. I have my eye in the lip stain next.

No list is complete without Rihanna & Fenty Beauty. Rihanna’s second calling in life is 100% the beauty world. Her line gets so much well-deserved hype. I needed a new skin tint and picked up the Blurring Skin Tint. It’s hands down the nicest tint I’ve ever used. I love how it feels on my skin and that it blends perfectly. Another great item I’ve gotten recently is the color customizing match stix cheek/lip tint. The formula reacts to your natural ph balance and leaves the prettiest pink tint behind. And if you need an amazing highlight, grab yourself some Fenty. Rihanna never fails.

I am so happy for all of these artists and their creations. As a music and beauty fanatic, I get a thrill out of those worlds colliding. I will forever be anticipating the next amazing drop from all of these rock stars!

[mary-queen-of-sluts]

I was going to write this in the tags but I ran out of space so fuck it I’m replying directly.

I would like to put a quick disclaimer that I’m neither a music nor rap nor language expert I simply listen to sounds that make my brain go brrr. Furthermore this isn’t meant to tear other rappers down but to hype idol rappers up.

I am also aware that this post wasn’t meant to be taken that seriously but K-pop and to some extent K-pop rap is currently rent free in my head and what is Tumblr if not a void to scream into?

So K-pop rap is actually really good.

(In my opinion)

First of all the Korean language lends really nicely to rapping as it’s so syllabic? It sounds really satisfying (the opposite reason of why French rapping sounds good because of the way it runs together). And although speed does not equal good rap, you can’t deny Korean being rapped at high speeds sounds cool as fuck.

And of course some people will say ‘well they could be saying anything’ and that’s true but for me I don’t fully process lyrics when I’m listening to music, especially not rap even when it’s in English and I often have to google the lyrics anyway. Fortunately there are English translations of many K-pop songs so that’s that problem sorted.

People also critique idol rappers for not writing their own lyrics. Although this is true in some cases this cannot be a blanket statement. Off the top of my head, Hongjoong and Mingi of ATEEZ, Soyeon of (G)I-DLE and Bang Chan, Changbin and HAN of Stray Kids all write their own lyrics and there’s definitely more that I just can’t think of off the top of my head.

Another thing I like about rap in K-pop is that it isn’t the entire thing. I’d compare K-pop to Bang Bang by Jessie J, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj. People of vastly varying talents coming together to create good art. It also improves the rap verses, in my opinion it’s better to have a few really good verses and singing than having the entire thing being rap as in my opinion sometimes some songs can get a bit repetitive or overbearing (although this definitely isn’t always the case). Having these contrasts keeps the song interesting and can often improve the rap verses. Do you think Nicki’s verse in Bang Bang would be as iconic without Ariana and Jessie’s vocals before it? If it was just her rapping the entire time?

I also think this is something Western artists used to do, pop artists would often feature rappers who came in for a verse but that doesn’t seem to be the case anymore? Correct me if I’m wrong I don’t listen to the radio by choice these days and when I do it’s mostly ads and whatever Lewis Capaldi song they’ve decided to overplay that month.

Many K-pop groups often have multiple rappers which keeps things varied and interesting. One very clever thing ATEEZ does is having Hongjoong start a verse and then have Mingi following him. It usually starts off with Hongjoong’s iconic laugh and then he’ll rap, his style is very smooth? Very satisfying, kinda cunty. Then Mingi will rap and his voice is a lot deeper and often more aggressive. This works so well and they’re a fantastic duo. Two examples that come to mind are Deja Vu and THANXX.

This also works with rap line songs, for example Heyday (Prod. Czaer) by 3RACHA of Stray Kids, the three of them have such distinct styles that fit well together. Another example of idol rappers working well together is in another Stray Kids’ song: MIROH. In the lead up to the first chorus Changbin and Hyunjin take the rap line about until Changbin takes over the ending to the beat drop. It’s important to note that K-pop isn’t just about the music, it’s also visual as dance and performance is a big part in it. I like to think it’s somewhere between western music and musical theatre. So when most rappers are doing their parts they have some form of choreography or they’ve just been dancing, and having shared lines like that is a smart little way to keep the hype up and the quality of both sound and dance.

Another critique is that sometimes rap verses are shoved into K-pop songs and they don’t fit and they sound out of place and although this is correct sometimes they can enhance a song. I am talking about Pray (I’ll Be Your Man) by BTOB. At the very end with the rapping and then the baby I praaaaay over the top? Impeccable. It wouldn’t be the same without.

Also concerning the comment about the background some groups are very creative with it. In the song VENOM by Stray Kids they have like a comb in the background? Like if you were to run your finger along it? It’s very unique and not as annoying as I thought it would be when I first heard it. In Hongjoong’s verse in HALAZIA you have Seonghwa’s ethereal voice, kinda like he’s in a choir? In Shut Down by BLACKPINK you have the classical music played by the violin, I can’t remember which piece it was sampled from but it’s good.

In conclusion? Rap in K-pop songs fucks hard and sometimes it misses but that’s the case with everything in music. It’s sometimes great and it’s sometimes not.

I’m mostly writing this because there are many misconceptions about K-pop, many that I had, and that put me off listening to it and I’d hate to think of all the music I adore that I would just miss out on if I wasn’t shown I was wrong at that K-pop is more than Butter by BTS and The Feels by TWICE. (This isn’t to diss them, I like some of their music just not those songs)

But I can’t defend Hamilton (/j)

I’m not sure this entirely makes sense, I’m tired but passionate and I hope even if you don’t like K-pop you can at least respect it a bit more. Just listen to what you like, life would be boring if we tried to adhere to Spotify Wrapped beauty standards and would be more fun if we were listening to Hoshi pom pom on our morning commute.

I’ll link below all the mvs/lyrics for the songs I mentioned and bonus gidle song because I didn’t mention any of theirs specifically but it still slaps

i am like jesus on the fucking cross right now for being willingly subjected to this websites music taste. however bad you think it is its worse

[themovieblogonline]

Jon M. Chu's Wicked, the first of a two-part adaptation of the celebrated Broadway musical, enters the cinematic landscape with high expectations and a dazzling cast. The story reimagines the Land of Oz, chronicling the rise and fall of Elphaba Thropp, who becomes the infamous Wicked Witch of the West, and her poignant friendship with Galinda Upland, later Glinda the Good. While the film successfully captures the musical’s grandiosity and emotional beats, it occasionally falters in its pacing and storytelling cohesion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6COmYeLsz4c A Vibrant World of Oz: From the opening sequence, Wicked immerses viewers in the whimsical yet politically charged world of Oz. Jon M. Chu brings a cinematic grandeur to the setting, rendering the Emerald City as a vibrant metropolis brimming with life, while Shiz University exudes academic mystique. The production design and visual effects are impeccable, blending fantastical elements with tangible textures that evoke the wonder of the stage show. The musical numbers are the film’s undeniable highlight. Stephen Schwartz’s iconic songs, including “The Wizard and I” and the soaring anthem “Defying Gravity,” are given new life through lush orchestration and Chu’s dynamic direction. The camera work enhances the choreography, sweeping through scenes with a kinetic energy that pulls the audience into the heart of each performance. However, there are moments when the visual spectacle overshadows character intimacy, leaving quieter emotional beats feeling slightly underdeveloped. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande: Cynthia Erivo’s portrayal of Elphaba anchors the film with emotional depth and raw vulnerability. Her performance captures Elphaba’s complex journey from an outcast with dreams of acceptance to a determined figure fighting against injustice. Erivo’s rendition of “Defying Gravity” is a show-stopping moment, her voice carrying the weight of Elphaba’s transformation while embodying her unyielding spirit. Ariana Grande’s Glinda is also absolutely incredible and brings a huge sense of charm and silliness to the film. She makes for a perfect pairing with Elphaba, who seems like the polar opposite to her in virtually every way. Grande's comedic timing and facial expressions had my entire theatre rolling with laughter, and it's not hard to see why. Don't be surprised if Grande gets nominated at a lot of awards ceremonies coming up here. The chemistry between Erivo and Grande is central to the film’s success, and while their bond is believable, it sometimes lacks the nuance that makes their friendship both poignant and tragic. Moments of shared vulnerability feel rushed, as if the film is more eager to progress the plot than delve into their connection. Supporting Cast and Performances: The supporting cast brings their own flair to the film, though not all are given equal opportunity to shine. Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero is charming but underutilized, his character’s arc feeling more like a subplot than a pivotal thread. Michelle Yeoh commands attention as the manipulative Madame Morrible, delivering a performance that oozes calculated menace. Meanwhile, Jeff Goldblum’s Wizard offers a fascinating blend of charisma and duplicity, though his character’s motivations could have been explored more thoroughly. Marissa Bode, in her film debut as Nessarose, brings a quiet intensity to her role, creating a compelling dynamic with Erivo’s Elphaba. Peter Dinklage’s brief but impactful appearance as Dr. Dillamond lends gravitas to the film’s exploration of discrimination and systemic oppression. Narrative Strengths and Weaknesses: One of the greatest challenges Wicked faces is translating the musical’s intricate plot into a cohesive cinematic experience. Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox’s screenplay largely succeeds in retaining the essence of the stage production, but the film’s pacing occasionally feels uneven. The first half deftly balances character introductions and world-building, but the latter portion rushes through key developments, sacrificing emotional depth for spectacle. The film shines when it explores its core themes of identity, prejudice, and the corrupting nature of power. Elphaba’s struggle to reconcile her otherness with her desire to do good resonates deeply, and the narrative’s critique of propaganda and political manipulation feels especially timely. However, some subplots—such as the romantic tension between Elphaba and Fiyero or the budding love triangle involving Nessarose—lack the narrative weight they deserve. Musical Numbers and Direction: Chu’s handling of the musical numbers is largely effective, infusing each song with cinematic flair while honoring the source material’s spirit. The choreography and staging of “Dancing Through Life” are delightful, capturing the carefree charm of Fiyero’s introduction, while “I’m Not That Girl” delivers a poignant introspection into Elphaba’s unrequited feelings. “Defying Gravity,” the film’s centerpiece, is an undeniable triumph. Chu’s direction elevates the iconic moment with breathtaking visuals and Erivo’s commanding presence. The sequence encapsulates the film’s potential, blending emotional stakes with awe-inspiring spectacle. However, not all numbers land with the same impact. “Popular,” while humorous, feels overly polished, losing some of the spontaneity that makes it a fan favorite. Additionally, the film’s reliance on CGI occasionally detracts from the intimacy of character-driven moments, creating a sense of detachment during otherwise pivotal scenes. A Prelude to Part Two: As the first installment of a two-part story, Wicked leaves many narrative threads unresolved. While this structure allows for a more thorough exploration of the source material, it also results in a somewhat abrupt ending that may leave viewers feeling unsatisfied. The decision to split the story is a double-edged sword, providing room for character development but risking a loss of momentum between films. Overall: Jon M. Chu’s Wicked is an ambitious adaptation that soars in its visual and musical execution but stumbles in its narrative cohesion. Cynthia Erivo’s powerhouse performance as Elphaba and the film’s stunning production design make it a worthwhile cinematic experience, even if it doesn’t fully capture the emotional complexity of the stage musical. Fans of the original production will appreciate the film’s faithfulness to its source material, though newcomers may find its pacing and character arcs uneven. Ultimately, Wicked lays a strong foundation for its second installment, leaving audiences eager to see how Elphaba’s journey unfolds. Read the full article

[letsdoits]

Wicked (2024) Movie: A Glimpse Into the Enchanting World of Oz

Watch Online Movie Wicked 2024

The highly anticipated movie adaptation of Wicked, the beloved Broadway musical, is set to hit theaters in 2024, and fans around the world are eager to experience the magical world of Oz in a whole new way. Directed by Jon M. Chu, known for his work on Crazy Rich Asians and In the Heights, Wicked promises to bring the fantastical tale of witches, destiny, and friendship to the big screen with stunning visuals, captivating performances, and a fresh take on the iconic story.

The Story: A Prequel to The Wizard of Oz

Based on the bestselling novel by Gregory Maguire, Wicked tells the story of the witches of Oz before Dorothy's arrival. It explores the deep bond and eventual rivalry between two unlikely friends: Elphaba, the green-skinned, misunderstood girl who will become the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda, the popular and bubbly Good Witch of the North.

The musical, which has captivated audiences since its debut on Broadway in 2003, delves into themes of friendship, power, prejudice, and identity, offering a new perspective on the familiar Wizard of Oz universe. It raises questions about morality, showing that not everything is as simple as black and white, and that sometimes, the so-called "villains" are merely misunderstood heroes in their own right.

The Cast: A Star-Studded Ensemble

The 2024 film adaptation has already generated excitement due to its star-studded cast. Leading the charge are Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda. Erivo, known for her powerful voice and captivating performances in Harriet and The Color Purple, brings a fierce energy to Elphaba, whose character arcs from an outsider to a misunderstood figure of power. Meanwhile, Grande, a pop superstar with a background in musical theater (13 and Hairspray Live!), brings her own charm and vocal prowess to the role of Glinda, the bubbly and seemingly perfect character whose innocence contrasts with Elphaba’s darker journey.

Supporting them is a talented ensemble, including Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, and Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Elphaba’s love interest. The film also features original songs from the Broadway production, such as "Defying Gravity," "Popular," and "For Good," along with new compositions to elevate the cinematic experience.

The Director’s Vision: A Stunning Cinematic Reimagining

Jon M. Chu’s vision for Wicked promises to be both magical and visually stunning. Known for his flair for vibrant, large-scale productions, Chu is expected to bring the world of Oz to life with dazzling CGI effects, intricate set designs, and awe-inspiring costumes. The grandeur of the Wizard’s Palace, the lush landscapes of the Emerald City, and the ominous Witch’s Castle are all expected to be brought to life in breathtaking detail, creating a world that feels both fantastical and immersive.

Chu has emphasized that while the film will stay true to the spirit of the original musical, it will also offer fresh perspectives, especially in the way it tackles the themes of the story. The complexity of the characters and their relationships will be explored in greater depth, especially Elphaba and Glinda’s friendship, which drives the emotional core of the narrative.

Musical Numbers: A Feast for the Ears

The musical numbers that made Wicked a sensation on stage are one of the major highlights of the movie. Audiences can expect the iconic songs from the Broadway show, including "Defying Gravity," "Popular," "For Good," and "No Good Deed," to be presented in new and innovative ways, enhancing the emotional and visual impact of the film. These songs, with their soaring melodies and poignant lyrics, have become anthems for fans of all ages, and their inclusion in the movie will surely evoke nostalgia while also captivating a new generation of viewers.

The Buzz: Expectations and Excitement

The excitement surrounding Wicked is palpable, as it has become one of the most anticipated movie releases of 2024. The musical’s loyal fanbase, who have followed the show for years, are eager to see how the film will translate the magic of the stage into a cinematic spectacle. Fans of the original novel and The Wizard of Oz are also intrigued to see how this prequel will add depth and layers to the well-known characters and the land of Oz.

The casting of Erivo and Grande has sparked considerable buzz, with many expressing enthusiasm over the vocal performances these two powerhouse talents will bring to the table. Their chemistry, combined with the lush musical numbers, is expected to be one of the standout elements of the film.

Conclusion: A Movie to Remember

As we count down the days to its release in 2024, Wicked promises to be a movie event that will enchant audiences, both young and old. With its star-studded cast, incredible visuals, and unforgettable music, this cinematic adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical is set to become a new classic, capturing the hearts of viewers and inviting them into the magical world of Oz in ways they've never seen before. Whether you're a longtime fan of the musical or new to the world of Oz, Wicked is sure to leave a lasting impression on everyone who steps into its spellbinding world.

wicked 2024

wicked 2024 showtimes

wicked 2024 cast

wicked 2024 reviews

wicked 2024 trailer

wicked 2024 streaming

wicked 2024 rating

wicked 2024 where to watch

wicked 2024 rotten tomatoes

wicked 2024 runtime

wicked 2024 age rating

wicked 2024 amc

wicked 2024 after credits

wicked 2024 amazon prime

wicked 2024 actress

wicked 2024 actors

wicked 2024 analysis

wicked 2024 at home

wicked 2024 about

ariana grande wicked 2024

actress in wicked 2024

actors in wicked 2024

austin wicked 2024

wicked movie age rating 2024

wicked 2024 release date australia

wicked auditions 2024

is wicked coming to adelaide 2024

wicked cast australia 2024

wicked tuna 2024 where are they now

wicked 2024 budget

wicked 2024 box office

wicked 2024 broadway

wicked 2024 behind the scenes

wicked 2024 buy

wicked 2024 bootleg

wicked 2024 book

wicked 2024 broadway cast

wicked 2024 background

boq wicked 2024

bristol wicked 2024

barbie wicked 2024

broadway wicked 2024

bushnell wicked 2024

bpl most wickets 2024

broadway cast of wicked 2024

budget for wicked 2024

bristol wicked 2024 cast

birmingham hippodrome wicked 2024

wicked 2024 characters

wicked 2024 cost

wicked 2024 cameos

wicked 2024 credits

wicked 2024 cam

wicked 2024 cast movie

wicked 2024 costumes

wicked 2024 cam rip

wicked 2024 clips

cast of wicked 2024

cast of wicked 2024 release date

chicago wicked 2024

cast of wicked 2024 boq

cast of wicked 2024 melbourne

cast of wicked 2024 london

cardiff wicked 2024

cast of wicked 2024 tour

cast of wicked 2024 broadway

cave creek wicked 2024

wicked 2024 defying gravity

wicked 2024 duration

wicked 2024 director

wicked 2024 defying gravity lyrics

wicked 2024 dvd

wicked 2024 disney plus

wicked 2024 disney

wicked 2024 dvd release date

wicked 2024 defying gravity scene

dorothy wicked 2024

defying gravity wicked 2024

dorothy gale wicked 2024

day of the wicked 2024

dublin wicked 2024

denver wicked 2024

detroit wicked 2024

dr dillamond wicked 2024

doctor dillamond wicked 2024

dpac wicked 2024

wicked 2024 ending

wicked 2024 end credit scene

wicked 2024 easter eggs

wicked 2024 earnings

wicked 2024 explained

wicked 2024 end credits

wicked 2024 early reviews

wicked 2024 early access

elphaba wicked 2024

eccles theater wicked 2024

elphaba wicked 2024 musical

elphaba wicked broadway 2024

elphaba wicked 2024 movie

edinburgh playhouse wicked 2024

wild eyed and wicked 2024

who is playing elphaba in wicked 2024

wild eyed and wicked 2024 trailer

wild eyed and wicked 2024 movie

wicked 2024 full movie

wicked 2024 free online

wicked 2024 free online full movie

wicked 2024 for good

wicked 2024 full movie free

wicked 2024 film length

wicked 2024 flying monkeys

wicked 2024 free online reddit

wicked 2024 full movie download

fiyero wicked 2024

film wicked 2024

full cast of wicked 2024

fiyero tigelaar wicked 2024

funko pop wicked 2024

fiyero wicked 2024 cast

faye dunaway wicked 2024

wicked san francisco 2024 cast

wicked spoon 2 for 1 coupon 2024

wicked 2024 gross

wicked 2024 glinda costume

wicked 2024 glinda doll

wicked 2024 genre

wicked 2024 gif

wicked 2024 glinda crown

wicked 2024 glinda dress

wicked 2024 glasses

wicked 2024 glinda outfits

glinda wicked 2024

glinda doll wicked 2024

glinda the good witch wicked 2024

glinda and elphaba wicked 2024

glinda wicked 2024 broadway

grand rapids wicked 2024

glinda wand wicked 2024

wicked glasgow 2024

wicked grand rapids 2024 ticketmaster

how to get wicked implement 2024

wicked 2024 how long

wicked 2024 how to watch

wicked 2024 halloween costumes

wicked 2024 hoodie

wicked 2024 hat

wicked 2024 houston

wicked 2024 hollywood pantages theatre

wicked 2024 heroes wiki

wicked 2024 how long will it be in theaters

wicked 2024 hoyts

hunt the wicked 2024 cast

how long is wicked 2024

hollow wicked 2024

hunt the wicked 2024 trailer

hunt-the-wicked-2024-chinese

how to watch wicked 2024

hunt the wicked 2024 review

hackney wicked 2024

how long is the movie wicked 2024

how long will wicked 2024 be

wicked 2024 imdb

wicked 2024 imax

wicked 2024 is it disney

wicked 2024 images

wicked 2024 interview

wicked 2024 ipic

wicked 2024 imp awards

wicked 2024 in theatres

wicked 2024 instagram

ipl wicket 2024

is wicked 2024 a disney movie

imdb wicked 2024

is wicked 2024 a musical

is wicked 2024 out

is wicked 2024 two parts

is wicked 2024 in theaters

where can i watch wicked 2024

who plays elphaba in wicked 2024

wicked 2024 jewelry

wicked 2024 japan release date

wicked 2024 japan

wicked 2024 jlo

wicked june 2024

wicked july 2024

wicked january 2024

evil judge 2024

evil jay 2024

jeff goldblum wicked 2024

wicked whims update july 2024

wicked san jose 2024

wicked 2024 jonathan bailey

wicked whims broken july 2024

wicked whims not working july 2024

wicked winter jam 2024

wicked 2024 kids

wicked 2024 kiss

wicked 2024 kids in mind

wicked 2024 keller auditorium

wicked 2024 kapan tayang

wicked 2024 kinostart

wicked 2024 kurdish

wicked 2024 kino

wicked 2024 kukaj to

keller auditorium wicked 2024

wicked kansas city 2024

wicked kennedy center 2024

wicked wine walk kansas city 2024

wicked musical kansas city 2024

wicked louisville ky 2024

wicked 2024 keala settle

wicked 5k kennebunk 2024

wicked knoxville 2024

is wicked 2024 for kids

wicked 2024 length

wicked 2024 lyrics

wicked 2024 lgbt

wicked 2024 letterboxd

wicked 2024 logo

wicked 2024 lego

wicked 2024 los angeles

wicked 2024 live

wicked 2024 las vegas

wicked 2024 lion

lego wicked 2024

liverpool empire wicked 2024

los angeles wicked 2024

london wicked 2024

love is wicked 2024

london wicked 2024 cast

let's get wicked 2024

wicked liverpool 2024

wicked salt lake city 2024

wicked little letters 2024

wicked 2024 movie length

wicked 2024 music

wicked 2024 marketing budget

wicked 2024 merch

wicked 2024 movie reviews

wicked 2024 movie free online

wicked 2024 metacritic

wicked 2024 movie theater

wicked 2024 movie showtimes

mirvish wicked 2024

movie wicked 2024

manchester wicked 2024

musical wicked 2024

madame morrible wicked 2024

mattel wicked 2024

most wickets 2024

melbourne wicked 2024

melbourne cast of wicked 2024

ipl most wickets 2024

wicked 2024 near me

wicked 2024 new songs

wicked 2024 news

wicked 2024 new poster

wicked 2024 new york

wicked 2024 new trailer

wicked 2024 nc

wicked 2024 nz

wicked 2024 nederland

new movie wicked 2024

no rest for the wicked 2024

new cast for wicked 2024

no one mourns the wicked 2024

no rest for the wicked 2024 game

no rest for the wicked 2024 metacritic

wicked whims not working 2024

wicked tuna new season 2024

wicked national tour 2024

wicked november 2024

wicked 2024 online free

wicked 2024 online

wicked 2024 opening scene

wicked 2024 one short day

wicked 2024 on peacock

wicked 2024 opening night

wicked 2024 on netflix

wicked 2024 on amazon prime

wicked 2024 ost

opi wicked 2024

overture center wicked 2024

orpheum wicked 2024

oz wicked 2024

cast of wicked 2024 trailer

touring cast of wicked 2024

wicked 2024 poster

wicked 2024 parents guide

wicked 2024 post credit scene

wicked 2024 premiere

wicked 2024 pg

wicked 2024 popular

wicked 2024 prime video

wicked 2024 prince

wicked 2024 play time

pantages wicked 2024

peoria civic center wicked 2024

popular wicked 2024

portland wicked 2024

peoria civic center wicked 2024 tickets

peter dinklage wicked 2024

poster wicked 2024

where will wicked play in 2024

who is playing dorothy in wicked 2024

wicked 2024 quotes

wicked 2024 qpac

wicked 2024 qartulad

wicked queer 2024

evil queen 2024

wicked implement quest 2024

wicked 2024 de que trata

2024 sayings

wicked 2024 release date

qpac wicked 2024

wicked queer film festival 2024

2024 wicked cast

2024 wicked movie cast

wicked 2024 release date usa

wicked 2024 reddit

wicked 2024 release date streaming

wicked 2024 release

wicked 2024 rating age

reddit wicked 2024

release date of wicked 2024

record store day wicked 2024

wicked 2024 release date uk

wicked wine run 2024

wicked whims not working 2024 reddit

wicked 2024 songs

wicked 2024 showtimes near lexington kentucky

wicked 2024 soap2day

wicked 2024 streaming release date usa

wicked 2024 synopsis

wicked 2024 showtimes near san mateo

wicked 2024 soundtrack lyrics

sunderland empire wicked 2024

something wicked 2024

seattle wicked 2024

sydney wicked 2024

snapchat wicked 2024

san francisco wicked 2024

soundtrack wicked 2024

stream wicked 2024

wicked tuna 2024 schedule

wicked 2024 tickets

wicked 2024 tomorrow

wicked 2024 tv tropes

wicked 2024 tropes

wicked 2024 ticket price

wicked 2024 theaters

wicked 2024 tour

wicked 2024 tickets movie

the wicked 2024

toronto wicked 2024

trailer wicked 2024

the cast of wicked 2024

traveling wicked 2024

t20 world cup most wickets 2024

toronto wicked 2024 cast

tv tropes wicked 2024

tin man wicked 2024

wicked 2024 uk release date

wicked 2024 uk

wicked 2024 uk cinema

wicked 2024 uk age rating

wicked 2024 uk release

wicked 2024 uae

wicked 2024 film

wicked tuna 2024 schedule usa

wicked uk tour 2024

wicked utah 2024

wicked us tour 2024

wicked movie release date uk 2024

wicked tuna 2024 release date usa

wake up the wicked 2024

wicked 2024 villain

wicked 2024 vinyl

wicked 2024 vinyl soundtrack

wicked 2024 vanity fair

wicked 2024 vue

wicked 2024 vancouver

wicked 2024 vox

2024-t4 vs 2024-t351

2024 vs 7075

wicked vancouver 2024

wicked las vegas 2024

wicked richmond va 2024

is wicked coming to vancouver 2024

vanity fair feb 2024 wicked

wicked vanilla woods 2024

wicked london cast 2024 apollo victoria

wicked vancouver 2024 tickets

wicked 2024 watch online

wicked 2024 wiki

wicked 2024 watch free

wicked 2024 woke

wicked 2024 watch at home

wicked 2024 who produced

wicked 2024 watch online reddit

wicked 2024 watch free online

xem phim wicked 2024

wicked 2024 movie

wicked 2024 youtube

wicked 2024 ymmv

wicked 2024 yellow brick road

wicked 2024 young elphaba

wicked 2024 michelle yeoh

wicked fest 2024 yucaipa

wicked 2024 bowen yang

wicked trailer 2024 youtube

wicked soundtrack 2024 youtube

youtube wicked 2024

wicked new york 2024

wicked broadway cast 2024 new york

wicked broadway new york 2024

is wicked 2024 out yet

evil zed 2024

wicked new zealand 2024

wicked 2024 ne zaman çıkacak

zwiastun wicked 2024

wicked izle 2024 ne zaman çıkacak

2024 wicked

wicked 10k 2024

wicked 1 2024

wicked 2024 part 1

wicked 2024 pg 13

wicked part 1 2024 trailer

wicked part 1 2024 release date

wicked tuna season 13 2024

wicked movie 2024 part 1

wicked one 2024

wicked teil 1 2024

wicked tuna 2024 schedule season 13

wicked part 1 2024

wicked part 1 movie 2024

wicked 2024 2 parts

wicked whims july 23 2024

wicked implement destiny 2 2024

2024 movie releases

2024 movies

wicked november 27 2024

wicked november 22 2024

wicked tuna april 21 2024

wicked 2024 part 2

destiny 2 wicked implement 2024

how to get wicked implement destiny 2 2024

wicked 2024 trailer 2

destiny 2 wicked implement catalyst 2024

wicked 2024 4dx

wicked 2024 4dx showtimes

wicked 2024 4k

evil 4 2024

wicked sims 4 2024

wicked mod sims 4 2024

wicked winks sims 4 2024

sims 4 wicked whims not working 2024

how to install wicked whims sims 4 2024

wicked winks sims 4 español 2024

mod wicked the sims 4 atualizado 2024

the sims 4 wicked whims tradução 2024

wicked 5k 2024

most anticipated movies of 2023

wicked 5k tucson 2024

the 66th day wicked 2024

who won wicked tuna 2024 season 6

[findaesthetics]

arianna grande before and after About - arianna grande before and after Where are the best aesthetic places?

Introduction

Ariana Grande, the popular American singer, songwriter, and actress, has undergone a significant transformation over the years. From her early days as a Nickelodeon star to her current status as a global pop sensation, Grande has evolved both professionally and personally. In this article, we will explore Ariana Grande's transformation before and after her rise to fame.

Early Career

Before becoming a household name, Ariana Grande first gained recognition for her role as Cat Valentine on the Nickelodeon television series "Victorious" and its spin-off "Sam & Cat." During this time, Grande had a sweet and innocent image, often sporting bright red hair and girly outfits. Her music career also began to take off, with the release of her debut album "Yours Truly" in 2013.

Breakthrough

Following the success of her debut album, Ariana Grande underwent a major image overhaul. She ditched her signature red hair for a sleek, high ponytail and adopted a more mature and sultry style. Grande's music also took a more R&B and pop-oriented direction, with hits like "Problem" and "Bang Bang" showcasing her vocal range and versatility.

Personal Challenges

Despite her skyrocketing career, Ariana Grande faced personal hardships that further shaped her transformation. The tragic Manchester Arena bombing in 2017 deeply impacted Grande, leading her to organize the "One Love Manchester" benefit concert and become an advocate for mental health awareness. These experiences contributed to Grande's growth and maturity as an artist and individual.

Iconic Status

As Ariana Grande continued to dominate the music charts and concert stages, she solidified her status as a pop icon. With multiple Grammy Awards, chart-topping albums, and sold-out world tours under her belt, Grande has become one of the most influential and acclaimed artists of her generation. Her signature style, powerhouse vocals, and unwavering dedication to her craft have earned her a dedicated fan base worldwide.

Current Influence

Today, Ariana Grande remains a global force in the music industry, constantly evolving and pushing boundaries with her sound and style. Her latest albums, such as "Sweetener" and "Thank U, Next," have received critical acclaim and commercial success, further cementing Grande's place in music history. With her distinctive voice, fearless attitude, and ever-changing aesthetic, Ariana Grande continues to inspire and captivate audiences around the world.

Conclusion

Ariana Grande's transformation before and after her rise to fame is a testament to her growth as an artist and individual. From her humble beginnings as a Nickelodeon star to her current status as a pop icon, Grande has navigated personal challenges and embraced her artistry with grace and authenticity. As she continues to evolve and push boundaries in the music industry, Ariana Grande's influence and impact show no signs of slowing down.

https://findaesthetics.tumblr.com