#but I mean this was the last song I intentionally listened to

[suggsnkisses]

tagged by @maddenrichard 🤝

last song: johnny dang by that mexican ot

last movie: life of pi

reading: On Edge: A Journey Through Anxiety by Andrea Petersen and Life of Pi by Yann Martel

consuming: “dry roasted and seasoned” peanuts

craving: trae young has been traded to the spurs tweet (without the spurs having to give anyone up 😭)

tagging: @jrueships @daggerzout and anyone else who wants to do this :)

[cassiesc0rner]

Impurities II

Synopsis: You’re the new girl at East Highland High, your only goal is to get through school. Until you come across Nate Jacobs

Genre: slightly suggestive, fluff, slight angst

Pairing: Nate x fem!reader

Warnings: manipulation, lying, dark themes, let me know if I missed something

Song rec: saint - dpr ian | in my feelings- ldr

WC: +7k

Other parts: previous part, next part,

A/N: Hope you guys enjoy this part as much as the last one :3 I’d love to make some other parts including smut because I kinda like where this story is going so tell me if you guys would be down to read that!! ᥫ᭡

The next days weren’t that eventful. You went to school with Nate, you went to the mall with Nate, and you sometimes even waited for Nate until he was done with his football training.

The next week started out pretty smooth too. You got ready for school on Monday, before Nate picked you up, and you two drove to school and you went to your classes. Everything was going well.

Everything, except for lunch break.

The bell rang and you quickly stuffed your things into your bag, knowing that Nate was probably on his way to the cafeteria already.

You exited the room and walked towards the cafeteria, when someone suddenly stepped in front of you "We need to talk."

You looked up from the floor and found none other than Maddy. She had her arms crossed and looked at you with her usual confident stare.

You remembered what Nate told you about her, that you should stay away from her and that she's a liar, a cheater and simply a horrible person.

But you still couldn't be mean to her or ignore her. "About what?" You asked nervously. She rolled her eyes subtly "What do you think?" She answered.

Fair point.

"Listen, Nate and I aren't together if that's what you want to talk about. And even if we were, it’s not like we owe you any explanation." You didn't know where that surge of confidence came from. Maybe because she started getting on your nerves?

As if her constant stares weren't enough, she had to approach you now too? And she had the nerve to be annoyed when you simply asked what she wanted to talk about.

"Okay, I don't know what the fuck he told you, but it's probably not true." Maddy retorted "I just wanted to warn you, because you seem like a nice person."

You couldn't lie, you were curious about her point of view. You didn't want to betray your only friend, but it wouldn't hurt to listen to her explanation. It’s not like you'd believe her anyway.

"Warn me from what? I'm totally fine and Nate has been nothing but nice to me so far." Maddy scoffed, God, you’re so oblivious "So far, yeah that probably describes it perfectly. Did you ever do anything against his will?"

You thought for a moment Did I? "I take that as a no." Maddy answered for you "Nate only likes you because you do what he says. And," She looked you up and down "because you also wear what he wants you to wear. Seems like he didn't change at all."

You scoffed in disbelief "Nate has done so much for me, and he never forced me to wear this. He also never hurt me-." "Yet." She interrupted "It's only a matter of time until he does."

You stayed silent, not sure what to say to that "Nate loves control and he loves it even more when he has control over someone. He's fucking sick in the head, completely deranged!"

You didn't want to believe Maddy. There's no way Nate actually was like that, you knew him you spent so much time with him. Sure, he did have a short temper sometimes, but he never intentionally treated you badly.

And you knew that she treated him badly and not the other way around. How could she lie to you like that? Did she want you to drop him?

You weren't even his girlfriend and yet she went to such lengths to get back at him.

She's even worse than I thought.

"I know you probably don't want to believe me right now, because he seems like your only true friend and he did all these things for you. But all those things he does for you, are just another way for him to feel good about himself in some sick and twisted way."

What the fuck is wrong with her?

"Why would he buy all these things for you? Why would he make you change your style if he only wants to be your friend?"

She had a point, it might seem strange from the outside, but you knew that Nate only did that for you. He only gave you advice and compliments, and honestly? You felt way better about yourself compared to before.

"I appreciate your concern but it's really not like that, okay? I've known Nate for some time now, and if he would be as ‘deranged’ as you claim he is, I would've noticed by now, don't you think?" You responded as friendly as you could.

Maddy scoffed in return "Don't you think he's able to hide that? Of course he’s not violent towards you, you're like his new obsession. What would he do without you?" Maddy asked sarcastically.

"Maddy!" Nate's angry voice echoed through the hallway, making both of you flinch in surprise.

Maddy was scared, she knew what he was capable of, but she tried to keep her cool as he approached you two. "I told you to stay away from her, didn't I?" he said, his tone harsher than usual as he stared you down.

The hallway was almost empty, since most of the students were in the cafeteria already, but the ones that weren't, eyed the three of you. And it made you even more nervous.

You swallowed before nodding "I-I'm sorry-" "I talked to her first," Maddy interrupted. "someone had to warn her. Before you destroy her life as well."

That fucking bitch

She just couldn't keep her mouth shut, and it was pissing him off more and more. But Nate couldn't let his façade falter, especially not in front of you.

"You're insane... You always act like the victim, Maddy. You're so fucking desperate for attention that you involve innocent people."

You were so confused, first Maddy confronts you out of nowhere and then he appeared all of a sudden. And the other students were still staring as well.

"Are you fucking kidding me right now? You-" "Just like back then, when you fucked that guy in front of everyone. Did you enjoy the attention? Did you enjoy humiliating me like that?" Maddy's eyes widened as she scoffed, she couldn’t believe Nate was putting on this show in front of everyone "Don't even try to compare that to the stuff that you did, Nate."

Nate chuckled drily in response. "I love how you don't even deny it. Or how you lied about that guy taking advantage of you while you were drunk." He took a step closer to her "Don't ever talk to her again, do you hear me? If I see you fucking talking to her one more time, it's over for you."

Nate threatened as Maddy's eyes widened ever so slightly. Nate grabbed your hand and almost dragged you after him as he walked towards the cafeteria.

You stumbled along as he took big steps, you didn't dare to speak, you weren’t even sure what to say. Once you reached the table, Nate sat down pulling you along with him.

You looked straight ahead, too afraid to look into his eyes. Nate sighed "Y/n... Look at me." You slowly moved your gaze towards him. He looked worried, as if he had lost you, the anger from earlier seemingly gone.

But only on the outside.

On the inside he was fuming, wishing he had choked Maddy harder back at the carnival.

"I'm sorry for being angry back there... I just know how much shit Maddy talks, and I don't want you to worry about anything just because she needed attention again."

You nodded slowly "I'm sorry, yeah?" he repeated as he softly stroked your cheek with his large hand. You melted into his touch as you smiled and nodded once again. "I shouldn't have talked to her in the first place."

Nate smiled softly. He adored you so much, Maddy would always fight with him when he got angry, but you? You didn't, you simply accepted his apology and told him it's fine, accepting that he's the way he is.

"Yeah but it's not your fault. You're just nice to the wrong people sometimes." He reassured you once again.

Nate was still incredibly pissed at Maddy but seeing you smile and lean into his touch made him feel so much better. It was insane how good he felt when he was with you, how easily you trusted him.

Nate needed to keep you close to him, he couldn't afford to lose you and he 100% meant what he said to Maddy.

He'd destroy her if she ever tries something stupid again.

"So, what's the special occasion?" You chuckled as you walked into the fancy restaurant Nate had picked out for the evening.

He told you to wear something pretty because you'd go out tonight. Needless to say, your mom was not impressed.

All she heard was 'Nate' and 'going out once it's dark outside' and she was immediately alarmed. Telling you to send her a text at least every hour.

She wasn't that displeased with your outfit this time though. You wore a midi dress with floral patterns and a v-neckline, combined with black flats and a necklace with a heart shaped pendant.

Nate definitely had plans for tonight.

It's been a month since you first met, and he decided that it would be the perfect day to finally ask you to be his.

This had to be the first time Nate was genuinely nervous to ask a girl out.

He was sure that you liked him too, but you never made any advances towards him. The only thing he did notice however, was your sour expression whenever some of the cheerleaders, or any girl for that matter, would talk to him.

He could tell that you got jealous, maybe even compared yourself to them, completely unaware of the fact that Nate only had eyes for you.

"Well, I'll tell you after we ate. Let's get inside first." He smiled as he took in your outfit once more while you walked inside the fancy restaurant. You didn't dare to move from Nate's side, too nervous once you saw how huge the restaurant was on the inside.

Nate greeted the receptionist and talked to him for a moment before he lead you to a beautifully decorated table for two.

Before you could even grab your chair, Nate was quick to pull it out for you to sit on. God, he's so attentive..

You smiled as you sat down "Thank you, sir." you said jokingly. Nate smiled as he responded "You're very welcome."

Once he sat down he passed you one of the two menu cards, before taking the other one himself. "By the way, I'm paying tonight so don't worry and order whatever you want alright?" he smiled warmly as he placed his hand on top of yours.

You looked up from the menu and locked eyes with Nate, ready to protest "Nate-" he shook his head immediately "Listen, it was my idea to take you here, and like I said, today is a special day and I wanna pay for it. So please let me, yeah?"

You sighed, knowing it's useless to protest anyways "Alright.." Nate chuckled, finding your pouty expression absolutely cute. You shyly looked down onto the table before you continued to speak "Can you... help me pick something out?"

He loved it so much when you gave him control, loved you so much.

"Of course, ba-" he cleared his throat, before taking the menu and looking for something nice, hoping you didn't notice that he almost called you 'baby'.

"Alright.. how about this?" He asked as he pointed onto something on the menu. You nodded, sure that you couldn't go wrong with pasta "I trust you. I bet you go here often."

Nate pretended to think for a moment. "Hmm not that often, I think I went here like twice. I really only go here on special occasions but so far I wasn't disappointed."

Another lie.

He visited the restaurant often, his parents sometimes ordered food there as well. He had plenty of chances to test out how good their quality was. And since today would be important, he had to make sure everything was perfect.

Once the two of you finished your food, Nate was quick to call a waitress over. The waitress came over to your table, a smile on her face as she asked "Would you like to pay with cash or card?" Nate opened his wallet, before he pulled out his card "Card, please."

The waitress got her device out of her pocket and set it up before Nate quickly swiped his card over the display. It was such a simple task and yet he made it look so attractive.

Before the waitress could leave, Nate quickly pulled a fifty dollar bill out of his wallet and gave it to her. Your eyes widened as you realized that that was his tip "T-thank you, sir.." The waitress stuttered.

Nate usually doesn't tip that generously, he couldn't care less to be honest, but he wanted to impress you as much as he possibly could.

The two of you got up, and walked towards the exit of the restaurant, leaving the fancy place. "So, would you mind letting me in on your plan?" You asked as you walked towards his car.

Nate grinned sheepishly "Impatient, aren't we?" You jokingly rolled your eyes in response "Keep in mind that I have to be home in a bit." You reminded him as you walked ahead of him.

Nate suddenly grabbed your hand and spun you around, resulting in you stumbling into his chest. You looked up at him before taking a step back, your hand still in his "Don't worry your pretty little head, I already took care of that." Nate proudly announced.

You were beyond confused at this point. "Huh? What do you mean?" Nate chuckled at your confused expression. "I talked to your dad the other day when I was at yours. Told him that you'd 'be at a party' at my place today. He agreed and told me you could sleep at mine and that he'd talk to your mom about it."

You blinked up at Nate, surprised that he lied to your dad just so you could sleep at his. It had to be serious if he'd go that far "Wow... I... really?"

To be honest, it didn't go exactly like that, because he barely even listened to Nate, which obviously made him furious. He genuinely just wanted to club him with the nearest object.

He didn't understand how anyone could be so uninterested in his own family, especially you. Sure, he was happy that your dad agreed to let you sleep at his place, but he didn't even care about the reason, he just wanted to go back to doing whatever the fuck was more important, on his phone.

Your dad just came from work at that time, but Nate's pretty sure that he's always like this, simply from the stories he's heard from you.

"W-wait.. I didn't even pack things for that.. And you’re sure my dad just agreed like that?" Nate nodded "Yeah he did, and it's no problem I'll find something for you to sleep in, don't worry." Nate reasoned.

He couldn't wait for you to be in his clothes, in his bed, snuggled against him under his blanket. Fuck, he couldn't wait until he could finally wrap his arms around you and hold you close to him that you can't leave him.

Nate thought about sleeping next to you so often. He obviously also thought about sleeping with you and it felt like a dream each time.

He’d treat you like the goddess that you are.

Nate already made it his goal to make you cum as many times as possible before you pass out, and he'd do anything just to hear you moan his name. Just the thought alone had him throbbing in his pants.

"Nate?"

Shit, he had to control himself and prevent his problem from growing. "Yeah? Sorry, I got lost in thoughts." You chuckled at his flustered response and expression. You didn't know how people could be scared of him, not when he was this cute.

"You're so cute sometimes." Nate didn't expect you to say that. He's been called many things so far but that was new. And he definitely would’ve prefered any other compliment.

In his opinion, 'cute' was something you'd say to your girlfriend, or maybe a baby or your pet but not to a guy like him.

He swallowed his pride and put on a smile "You're definitely cuter." He said as he leaned down, his face almost directly in front of yours.

You gulped before laughing nervously, your eyes wandering around in an attempt to avoid his intense gaze. Nate smirked before walking past you "C'mon let's go." He said as he opened the car door for you.

The ride was pretty quiet, mostly because you still tried to figure out what Nate could've possibly planned.

You were sure that it wasn't his birthday today, since you've talked about birthdays before.

Nate parked his car and the two of you walked towards what appeared to be a park, with a white gazebo in the middle. Now you were genuinely starting to worry.

It was starting to get dark already, the sun almost gone as the two of you were in a seemingly empty park, heading towards a gazebo.

Nate could sense your hesitation in the way you walked a bit slower and looked around, observing your environment. "We're almost done I promise." Was all he said as he entered the fancy gazebo, sitting down on the bench inside.

You followed him inside, looking at him like a lost puppy. Nate smiled warmly as he patted the free spot next to him on the bench. You sighed nervously before finally sitting down, your gaze locked onto Nate.

He was really happy that you could finally look at him without hesitation, unlike the first time he met you. You got so much more comfortable around him in general.

He cleared his throat before he started talking "Alright, so.. I bet you're wondering what's going on." You nodded eagerly "Let me ask you something," He said as he fully turned towards you "Do you know what happened one month ago, exactly on this day?"

You looked into his eyes trying to search for hints, but found none. You tried to think back, repeating the date over and over again in your head but to no avail. You shook your head in response, a small pout on your lips.

Nate chuckled "One month ago was the first time we met each other, do you remember?" He asked carefully, and your eyes lit up afterwards, remembering how kind he was from the beginning. "Of course I remember, you really saved me, I thought I was just destined to stay alone forever until I met you." You smiled as you thought of all the great memories you and Nate had so far.

Nate felt relieved that you felt that way, and not like he was the reason barely anyone dared to talk to you. Which he obviously was, with the way he glared at anyone who even dared to look at you in the hallways.

"I'm glad you think so, y/n. And I've been think about this, and about you for a long time." You tilted your head to the side as you waited for him to continue "I really really like you, y/n. Not in a way.. a friend should like another friend."

Your smile dropped as you finally understood what was going on. The fancy dinner, the fancy gazebo, him mentioning the first time you met. No, there's no way, he wouldn't- "I love you, y/n. I know this might be sudden right now, but I just had to tell you today. The date was perfect and I... I'm tired of hiding this from you."

Nate despised how vulnerable he was in front of you right now, but he also knew that he might be more successful this way, that him showing some emotions would result in you saying yes.

"I know that you haven't been in a relationship yet and I promise I won't force you to do anything you don't want to do. We can take things slow."

You suddenly felt like your heart was about to jump out of your chest. Nate was asking you to be his girlfriend..

He planned all of this to ask you to be his girlfriend.

You did not expect that. You weren't sure what you were expecting but this wasn't on your list. "Nate I... I don't know what to say..." Was all you managed to whisper as you averted your gaze.

You'd be lying if you said you didn't feel something for him, and the fact that he put so much effort into asking you out also touched you, but you were so scared of losing him, you needed him whether you wanted to admit it or not. You couldn't even imagine living without him from now on so why did you hesitate?

Nate stayed quiet as well, before reaching for your hand, in an attempt to get you to look at him "Y/n, I get it, you probably didn't expect me to say all that, but I genuinely mean it." You slowly raised your head and looked into his eyes once again.

The look he gave you was filled with sincerity and love and you wanted to hug him and tell him that everything is gonna be fine, that you're his "You know that I might not be here for long... I couldn't live with the fact that I have to leave you behind. What if you'll feel like you're wasting your time with me?"

Nate quickly shook his head "I'll never think like that, and I already told you that I'll find a solution if that should happen." Nates grip on your hand tightened before he added "Just tell me what you want right now. Without thinking of things that might or might not happen."

You sighed "I want to be with you, I just... really didn't think you'd actually want someone like me to be your girlfriend, so I never considered it.." Nate frowned.

'Someone like you’? What did you mean by that? Nate was sure that there was no one better than you, that you were the perfect choice for him.

"There's nothing wrong with you, and I'll tell you that over and over again if I have to. You're everything I want, I don't need someone else I only need you, I already told you that before." He replied, searching for your eyes once again.

You suddenly remembered that day you went over to his place and his brother showed up. When you sat on the sofa with him and he told you that you were everything he needed. So he really meant it like that.

You looked at him, a sad smile on your face "I need you too, no one has ever been able to make me feel so loved and important... Not even my parents... I can’t imagine going back to that… I mean, I was miserable before I met you." Nate tried to hide his smirk when he heard that.

He absolutely loved how dependent you were on him, he knew you'd need him eventually.

He softly placed his hand on your cheek, hoping you'd melt into his touch like you did back when he first did it in the cafeteria.

And you didn't disappoint him.

You closed your eyes, enjoying the warmth of his touch in the chilly breeze. "Please.. Give me a chance to prove you I'll treat you good." Nate softly pleaded.

You opened your eyes, looking at him "I'd never doubt that, Nate.. I'm just really worried I-" Nate sighed before retrieving his hand, and you hated it, hated how cold you felt again.

"It's about what Maddy told you, isn't it?" Nate asked, his tone rougher than before. You quickly shook your head "No! Oh my god of course not. I know that she's lying." You scooted closer to Nate, your hands finding his this time.

"I trust you.. Only you."

Nate looked at you, a small frown still evident on his features. He kept quiet, hoping that it'll give you the final push to say yes.

You sighed as you thought for a moment. You liked him too, so why not give him a chance? You'll probably never be this lucky again. This is what you wanted, what you dreamed of.

You deserved some happiness for once. And you were sure he'd make you happy, just like he already did. And you'd do your best to make him happy as well.

"Nate, I'd love to be your girlfriend."

Nate almost jumped off the bench. You finally said yes, you were finally officially his. His eyes immediately lit up and he pulled you into probably the tightest hug you've ever had.

Nate sighed in relief, everything worked just like he wanted it to. No one would take you away from him now.

That was probably his biggest fear, that some guy would make a move on you and steal you from him. And it would've been so unfair too, because he was the one who turned you into his obedient pretty girl.

In his eyes, no one deserved you more than he did.

"I promise you won't regret it, yeah?" He mumbled into your neck before raising his head ever so slightly to press a kiss to your cheek.

You giggled as you tried to process the fact that Nate Jacobs was now your boyfriend. Once Nate let go of you, you noticed how cold it had gotten, and you shivered slightly.

Nate frowned "Are you cold? We can go home if you want to." He offered. "That might be a good idea. Only if you want to though."

Nate appreciated that you still let him decide, even though you were cold already.

He chuckled before standing up "C'mere." He said as he extended his arm. You stood up and walked towards him and he wrapped his arm around your shoulder, before the two of you walked to his car.

Nate knew that he had to introduce you to his parents and he absolutely hated it. He knew that if he simply told you to go upstairs, you might think he doesn't want you to meet them.

You were quick to misinterpret things negatively sometimes and he didn't want you to worry about his parents not liking you or something.

You once asked him, when you came over for the fifth time why you haven’t seen his parents yet. And he told you he only invites you over when he's alone, because they’re weird. He quickly made sure to tell you that he just simply 'dislikes' his whole family to put it nicely.

Once he parked the car, he turned towards you and placed his hand on your thigh to grab your attention. You looked up at him with your beautiful eyes and he could've kissed you right then and there but he wasn't sure if that would've been too soon for you.

"Listen, my parents are probably home right now... Just a heads up, they might want to meet you. Are you okay with that?" He asked softly.

You felt like your heart was about to jump out of your chest.

You've never seen them before, except on the family picture on the wall at the staircase. You had no idea what you had to expect. "I'm kinda scared to be honest.." You replied nervously. "What if they don't like me?"

Nate scoffed before shaking his head "Don't worry, they only hated Maddy, because she was really rude and she called my mother a cunt." Your eyes widened in shock "She did what?" You asked in disbelief.

Nate nodded as he looked outside the window "I told you, she was intense..." You scoffed in response "Yeah definitely, did she even contribute anything good to the relationship?" You asked genuinely curious.

Nate thought for a moment, did she?

"Well not really, but I don't care anymore. I have you now. You could never disappoint me the way she did, so don’t worry." He responded with a smile before undoing his and your seatbelt.

Once the two of you got out of the car and Nate locked the doors, he took your hand in his and walked towards the entrance.

He was kind of nervous as well since his dad could be unpredictable. But Nate already told his mom that he might bring you home today and she was thrilled to meet you.

He sighed before unlocking the door and walking inside with you. He just hoped Aaron wasn't at home or at least not downstairs this time.

You started taking your shoes off as quietly as possible, hoping that they wouldn't hear or notice you. Nate also took his shoes off before you walked the living room together.

His mom sat on the sofa with a glass of wine. As soon as she noticed the two of you, she placed her glass down on the coffee table and walked over to the two of you with a friendly grin.

"Hello sweetie, you must be y/n." She exclaimed before hugging you subtly. She then took a small step back and looked at you.

"Yes.. It's so nice to meet you.." You said as you tried to smile at her and maintain eye contact. You knew it would've been rude to not look at her, but you were still pretty nervous.

Then she looked you up and down, which made you even more insecure "Wow... gorgeous and polite, seems like Nate finally found the right one." Nate rolled his eyes before taking your hand back in his "Alright mom, we'll be upstairs then." He announced.

"Oh already? But-" "Yeah it's been a pretty rough week, we'll talk tomorrow." He interrupted before almost dragging you along with him towards the stairs "Again, it was nice meeting you Mrs. Jacobs."

You quickly added before following him "Likewise, Honey!" You truly loved how sweet she was. Your mom barely called you Honey, or Sweetie. She only used your name when she called for you.

Just as Nate thought he finally had you to himself, he heard the front door unlock.

He debated on whether he should turn around or not, before deciding against it and simply walking upstairs in front of you. Until he heard the person speak

"Aren't you gonna introduce me to your new girlfriend Nate?" It was Cal.

Nate was surprised when he entered the living room earlier and saw that his Mom seemed to be alone. But he was glad and hoped it'd stay that way.

But sadly it didn’t.

Nate sighed as he looked at you not sure whether to tell you to go ahead to his room or actually allow his asshole dad to introduce himself.

He noticed how Cal moved towards the stairs before he looked at you "I'm Cal, pleasure to meet you." He said before extending his hand.

You shook it, trying to mimic his firm grip but failing miserably. "I'm Y/n.." You almost whispered as you avoided his piercing gaze. You then retreated your hand before adding "a-also pleased to meet you."

You couldn't tell why but you felt the atmosphere shift in a way. It was.. eerily quiet. And you knew that there was something going on between Nate and his Dad. Simply by the way they stared at each other, and the way Nate talked about him sometimes.

"Alright, we're gonna go upstairs then." Nate said drily before gesturing for you to walk ahead. You quickly walked up the stairs, happy that you'd be alone with him soon again.

You didn't mind talking to his mom, but his dad scared the shit out of you. There was just something so dark about him. You wouldn't want to be alone with him.

Once Nate finally closed the door behind you two, you sighed out of relief. "Sorry about him, he really knows how to make people uncomfortable.." Nate grumbled when he saw the relief on your face.

"It wasn't that bad." You lied as you chuckled nervously. "You don't have to lie to me. I saw how nervous you got when you shook his hand." Nate responded before plopping down on his bed and sighing.

Why couldn’t he just move out and live with you? All alone somewhere secluded where he has you to himself, far away from his and your family.

"This is exactly why I didn't want you to meet my parents." He reasoned. You walked towards him, and lied down beside him before placing your head on his firm chest "Don't worry it.. really wasn't that bad. I think your mom is really nice."

Yeah totally

Nate closed his eyes as he enjoyed the weight of your head on his chest. He could’ve stayed like this forever.

Until your phone vibrated in your bag.

You groaned before getting up and rummaging through your bag until you found it.

It was your mom, great… You totally forgot to text her during the entire time.

6 new messages

mom: Hey, when are you gonna come home? 5:45 pm

mom: Just talked to your dad.. Are you really going to sleep at his place?? 5:58 pm

mom: Are you okay? 6:20 pm

mom: If you want me to pick you up you can call me 6:49 pm

mom: hellooo? 7:02 pm

mom: please text me back when you see this I’m worried 7:15 pm

“Holy shit…” You scoffed. “What? Is it your mom?” You nodded before walking back to bed and showing him your chat.

Nates eyes widened in both amazement and terror. “Jesus, she’s so controlling.” You nodded while you quickly texted her back.

You had to give her Nate’s address some time ago, when you went over to his place more frequently. You were sure she’d actually get in her car and come over if you wouldn’t reply to her.

you: I’m fine everything is okay! stop worrying so much 7:17 pm

Nate got up from his bed and headed towards his closet, grabbing a basic tee and some shorts before he handed them over to you “Here you can wear this, I hope it’s fine.”

You nodded and smiled at him “Of course, thank you.” He smiled back at you for a moment “I’ll go to the bathroom, yeah?” He said before heading towards his bathroom.

You decided to get dressed while he’s gone, slipping out of your dress, folding it as best as you could and placing it neatly next to his bed. Then you put on his shirt, which was in fact long enough to cover your thighs, and his shorts.

You sat back on Nate’s bed until he came back from his bathroom. Despite being in his room so many times before, you never slept at his place. Because you’re mother was against it of course.

But you had to admit it was smart of Nate to lie to your dad about having a party, and saying that many people were gonna sleep at his, and you wouldn’t be alone with him.

You wondered if Nate had to lie to his parents like that too.

His mom was way more understanding than yours was, so probably not. And she seemed so kind too, you couldn’t wrap your head around the fact that Maddy insulted her like that.

You wished you would’ve moved here earlier, simply because you couldn’t shake the feeling that there was a lot going on that you didn’t know of.

Like the Cassie situation for example.

You knew almost nothing about her, and it kinda scared you, because Nate mentioned that she was insane and extremely obsessed with him.

You didn’t even know what she looked like, so how were you supposed to stay out of her way?

You were certain that it would just be a question of time until she’d approach you as well. And you were also pretty sure that she won’t be as nice or as rational as Maddy was.

Sure, Maddy said all these bad things out of spite and because she hated her ex boyfriend. But Cassie? What if she’s still in love with him and finds out that you two are dating?

Nate entered the room again, taking in the sight of you in his clothes as you sat leaned against his bed frame staring ahead with wide eyes.

You looked so adorable and so… distracted for some reason. Nate walked up to you, pulling you out of your thoughts. “What’s on your mind?” He asked as he stood in front of you.

The way you craned your head up to look at him, made him feel things he shouldn’t feel. Especially since your head was at eye level with his crotch.

He tried to focus on whatever you were going to tell him nonetheless “I’m just… worried. You told me about Cassie being obsessed with you and… what if she finds out I’m your girlfriend?”

Nate sighed. Because you had a point, but he really didn’t want to think of her or talk about her anymore. He was already glad that she barely went to school after their break up, and that he could keep you far away from her.

“You don’t have to worry about her, I told you I’ll protect you. Cassie is crazy but she’s harmless, except for yelling she can’t do much.” He tried to reassure you.

You looked down as you fiddled with the hem of Nate’s shirt.

You already were an anxious person, so the fact that your boyfriend only dated crazy people in the past, wasn’t exactly helpful.

“I feel safe with you… but we’re not always together at school, and I… don’t have any friends.” That’s when you realized just how alone you actually were without Nate.

You had no friends at all, now that Nate wasn’t your friend anymore but your boyfriend. It was sad, really. But what you didn’t seem to realize was that it wasn’t your fault at all.

It was Nate’s.

He was convinced you didn’t need anyone but him, even if that meant you’d have no friends. What would you need them for anyway when you had him?

Nate frowned “But you’re not alone either, you have me. Or… am I not enough?” He frowned. You immediately shook your head “No, of course you’re enough. You’re more than enough, that’s not what I meant.”

Nate smiled in response before you added “I just see all these girls walk through school with their friends and.. it makes me feel sad because I don’t have any friends I can talk to or walk through school with.. I sometimes feel like I’m getting on your nerves because I talk to you so much.”

Nate scoffed as he walked towards the TV "C'mon you could never annoy me." He assured you as he turned the TV on. Then he turned off the main light and plopped down next to you before turning on the bedside lamp.

When you didn't respond to him, he added "I understand that you want to have friends at school, but most of the girls at school are... awful. They're fake, and really mean and all they care about is boys and sex."

You really wanted to believe him but there’s just no way every single girl was like that. And Nate also couldn’t possibly know every single girl at school.

Nate looked at you and it was almost as if he could read your thoughts, because he knew you didn’t quite believe him.

And it irritated him.

You always believed him everything so why were you questioning him now?

He quickly changed the topic in an attempt to put a stop to your thoughts. “I still can’t believe you’re mine by the way...” He said as he softly intertwined his fingers with yours, smiling at you.

And it worked like a charm.

You smiled shyly as you avoided his somewhat intense gaze. You weren’t sure if you’d ever get used to him looking at you like that.

Nate decided to take it a step further, stroking your cheek with his other hand until you slowly looked back at him.

“Can I kiss you?” He asked quietly, almost as if he was scared you’d say no.

You’d be lying if you said you didn’t want him to kiss you, but you literally never kissed anyone before and you were scared that Nate would laugh at you.

“Um… yeah just… please don’t laugh at me.” you chuckled. Nate smirked “Don’t worry, I won’t. We’ll take it slow, yeah?” He said as he scooted closer.

He let go of your hand and moved it to your left cheek instead, cupping it gently as he pulled your face closer. He leaned in until his lips finally touched yours.

The feeling was foreign but you enjoyed it nonetheless. His lips were so soft as they moved against your own. You tried to mimic his movements as your brows furrowed in concentration.

Nate slowly broke the kiss as he searched your face for any sign of discomfort “How did it feel?” He asked as his eyes were glued to your lips. “It felt.. really good.” You responded quietly.

“Can we try again?” You asked as you fiddled with you shirt again.

Fuck, why were you so cute?

“Sure, of course.” Nate responded “You can touch me too, you know?” He added as he took your right hand and placed it on his shoulder. “Oh, okay..” You smiled before leaning in again.

Nate pressed his lips against yours once again. He could tell you were more eager this time when you leaned in first. You tilted your head slightly, like you had seen on TV several times, and it already felt more natural and deeper than the first kiss.

You felt incredibly excited with how close Nate was to you right now, and you also had this warm, fuzzy feeling in your stomach.

It was almost like your body worked on its own. Your hand slid from his shoulder to his neck as you closed your eyes, and your lips finally seemed to move more in sync.

Nates hand moved to your waist in an attempt to pull you even closer, while your unoccupied hand moved to his cheek.

He pressed kiss after kiss onto your lips making sure to take his time with you, some kisses lasting longer than others.

You were the first one to break the kiss this time, since you were running out of breath. “Wow.. that was amazing.” You chuckled as you slowly removed your hands from Nate.

He smirked at you, clearly happy that you enjoyed kissing him, because he felt the same way. He was definitely glad that you didn’t straddle his lap though, because then you probably would’ve felt just how happy he truly was.

“Wanna do it again?”

✎ Thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed this part as well. If you have any questions/feedback please let me know ♡

- Cassandra

[dropthedemiurge]

Let Free The Curse of Taekwondo: Things you didn't notice #1

Isn't this another K-BL where I'm internally squealing because of every single detail? You bet it is. You can read my other meta/cultural detail/Korean language posts for Love for Love's Sake, Time of Fever, Grey Shelter and Boys be Brave on my pinned post or hashtags^^ (I really need to organize it under one singly hashtag tho...)

I already talked about how impressed I am with the fact that this series has done their preparation job well, with props, settings, language, history etc.

It is about a countryside/small town in Southern province of Korea - because a lot of characters use satoori (southern dialect), almost all of them except for the main two guys. There is also a distinct contrast/conflict between 'fancy Seoul rich guys' looking down on 'Southern town'. Juyoung even was surprised Dohoi doesn't use satoori.

To which, he responded with 'You'll be uncomfortable if I use it". And Juyoung said there are plenty other uncomfortable things around here, beside understanding/listening to everyone using other accent xD Confusing Gaga translation errors, we meet again!

Actually, it's interesting because Dohoi's name is written 이도회 in Korean, which typically would be written as 'Dohoi' but pronounced as 'Dohwe' (think of surname Choi that is actually pronounced as Chwe), yet in the first episode I clearly heard them actually say 'Dohoi', letter by letter. Now I wonder if it's also related to satoori... I wish I could speak it, it sounds so cool tbh.

He actually said 'I'm not in a good condition', meaning his physical form. What do you mean, mood, when was that ever an excuse in sports..?xD

By the way, what is it with boys trying to get closer to other boys by buying them unusual ice cream?:') Okay, garlic sounds more weird than red bean one :D

Also, I tried to find the Hasong town they talked about but failed - maybe because of incorrect transcription or maybe they made up this town based on Uiseong - a small town close to Daegu which is famous for being the most famous garlic town, they produce a lot of it and garlic fame would be seen everywhere - so who knows, I bet they allude to this when Juyoung said 'why can't there be a vanilla garlic ice cream? It's like a collaboration!'

Another thing, I thought the time of this series was somewhere around 1990s-2000s (because I watched a movie in similar setting that was called 1997 year but they still used pagers, now that I think about it). It was also still the time where teachers could use physical punishment on their students, it's heavily highlighted but I don't actually know around what time they stopped... Probably in Seoul, they already were getting rid of it but in small towns it was old-school teaching, which is again why Dohoi tried to tell Joyoung out of it.

I'm not familiar when small laptops and phones appeared in Seoul but I think the series is actually somewhere around 2005-2010! Which would make sense, Juyoung got the 'cool' flip-phone and a laptop with Windows XP (released in 2001) but small town is still far from that, as they use landline house phones to make a call.

He also has mp3 player and as other tumblr folks figured out, he was listening and dancing to Jewelry song released in 2005 :)

And another thing that convinced me about the time era... the final scene!

Do you want to know why at the end of Ep 1 Dohoi smiled and laughed and ran to Juyoung even after so many exhausting days and neverending small miseries and a new loud housemate?

Because Juyoung not only came to pick him up with an umbrella in the acid rain, he also reenacted the famous umbrella scene from the classic romantic K-drama called "Temptation of Wolves" (늑대의 유혹) which was released in 2004! To make Dohoi laugh.

(Yes, when Juyoung intentionally put the umbrella down and the camera cut the shot to the framing when the umbrella slowly lifts up, showing smiling Juyoung, I was like 'you did nooooooot' xD)

(last screenshots taken from @heretherebedork post, I'm sorry I am very lazy and cannot take a good screenshot for life :'))

So that was already our very first romantic teasing-implication!

Another cute thing: optimistic Joyoung wrote a diary entry into the fake old Korean "Facebook" (they had Cyworld instead) to share his first selfie with Dohoi:

"[Excited Shin Jjuyoung]" (typing in a popular back then teenage style) "I miss you guys... But here it's nice too hehe ^___^ Come to play with me!! Together with my friend Dohoi too~~!"

Aren't they the cuteestttttt? I mean, this dynamic is not new but I love how unique the setting is. And I can't wait to watch the second episode, I'm waiting and savoring the first one for now but I'm going to make notes about other episodes as well so stay tuned! If you reply/comment in tags, I will put you in my tag list^^

Tag list: @benkaben @pickletrip @troubled-mind

[glass--beach]

(Forever????????) has such a hold on me. How did it come to be?

started when i stumbled upon this video on youtube

it’s a very pretty song but the cloyingly sweet americana of it all made it ripe for ironic decontextualization. i took a little loop of the song and used it as an outro for bedroom community, overlaid with an audio recording of my therapist from college leading me through hypnosis to attempt to calm me while i was suffering a very intense manic episode. (this man might have been a bit of a quack but i have yet to meet a therapist who is not on SOME kind of bullshit). it’s meant as a tragic ending to bedroom community, the return to status quo, stepping over the bodybags and going back to regular american suburban life. it’s the moment of panic that god it really is gonna be like this forever and then it’s the repression. the moment of submission to the cissexist culture…

now of course i didn’t even end up using that version, i was a little wary of both any copyright issues that might come from so prominently featuring a well known sample and also sharing what was meant to be a very private audio recording and so i ended up taking the chord progression & melody of the song and using it as a jumping off point for what was basically a new composition. (the old version is in the demos that we released though). the final one is just two guitars playing slightly different arpeggios of the song’s chords and some synths doing the melody. to me i think much of the intended meaning still comes through but being an instrumental with its reference points pretty obfuscated i think most just take it as a very pretty but melancholy song.

i’m fascinated by the near universal nostalgic feeling people seem to get from it. our youtube upload and many unofficial ones are loaded with comments of people mourning deceased loved ones or old relationships. i get it and find that all very sweet and beautiful but i can’t help but feel conflicted as someone who, despite often feeling obsessed with the past as much as anyone, would consider myself politically anti-nostalgia. bedroom community makes that a little more overt with its criticism of the anachronistic suburban “middle class” order being upheld through implicit (sometimes explicit) violence - the “son of a soldier…” verse especially. forever is in conversation with the same idea but has ironically been so decontextualized as to now seemingly take on the meaning of the original song i had sampled. i think its success on streaming through sleep/study playlists contributed to my complete rejection of “vibe” based playlists & passive music listening in general that led to the intentionally obtuse aesthetic & writing of plastic death.

umm anyway i’m glad you like the song!! i like it a lot too. it was one of those rare instances in music making where i truly felt i was channeling the divine. i didn’t struggle with it at all, it’s just, one day it wasn’t and the next day it was. i’ve not really talked about it at length much and last time i did i don’t think i could properly get across what it meant to me or why i did it the way i did. i understand my then 23 year old self more than ever now though lol

[sourpatchsquids]

I NEED TO TALK ABOUT IN STARS AND TIME FOR A SECOND

Okay i just finished watching my girlfriend play ISAT and I felt the urge to dig into the music a little bit and lost a whole day to it. So i think i have to post about it. General spoilers below, read at your own risk.

Ok so Im gonna talk about the title theme and one other song here, which is a secret for later. (This part took like 2 hours to cobble together ill post the other one tomorrow)

In the first statement of the melody, we have a very bog standard i -> III -> IV -> Cadential 6/4 moti-- wait a second.

With where these lines intersect, the A in the middle voice actually dips below the bass voice for the statement of this chord, which means that the chord lands in a second inversion. You wouldn't normally put a i6/4 just after a cadential 6/4 unless you were actively trying to make the resolution feel weaker for some reason. As if you intentionally wanted the listener to not feel a strong sense of returning to the tonic.

When the strings come in we are treated to lush root position 7th and 9th chords to really feel magical and detached from ourselves. Just as well, that cadential 6/4 turns into an entire tonicization for A major! I adore the way the strings milked the motion down from D to C# to C, its a perfect suspension of the old tonic into the tonicized dominant :>. The themes of not feeling at home continue from here. We get the briefest glimpse of a happy A major chord in measure 8 before we lose any sight of an A that feels at home in the harmony. Measure 10's A in the melody is completely unsupported by the G major chord underneath, and the only A's to play in measure 11 are in the bass and the frenetic synth line bouncing between left and right panning, as the upper string descend to a G and the melody completely skips over the A in otherwise stepwise line. I wonder why home is so hard to latch onto in this piece? You're only ever able to grab onto it for a little bit at a time, when you even know what you're listening for.

As we approach the end of the phrase, we finally get a reasonable resolution to the tonic! We made it! However, it is nowhere near as harmonically pleasing as it should sound. Even with the faster pulse flipping back and forth between the ears and the actual stepwise enclosure of the tonic, when a tonic chord finally rings it quickly darts back, and what we get is empty. The 3rd of the tonic is played for the length of a eighth note and is quickly kicked out of our aural memory by the staccato E in the same instrument. And then all previous accompaniment leaves, save for the strings, as the piano enters to play one last statement of the B theme. The title theme makes very clear, we are allowed to approach home, but we are not allowed to linger. As quickly as a taste of it comes about, we realize how much it tastes like nothing.

Finally, we are rewarded with another cluster of A's and E's to leave us feeling empty and full of ennui. Truly we are meant to interpret this piece as Siffrin feeling lost and alone, no home to return to, nowhere to truly rest. That about wraps up my analysi-- hey wait a fucking second.

HEY WHAT THE FUCK.

If you listen at the very end, the strings jump back up to a D chord at the very end of the piece. D, the key we originally thought we were in. This single chord completely recontextualizes the entire piece and im not kidding in the slightest. If everything that happened while we thought A was the home key was actually just elaborating the dominant, then what does it actually mean? And more importantly, why is it so quiet? What is the purpose of the final D chord, the actual end chord of the piece, when it is so removed from what feels like the real ending of the piece. It's as though it's being intentionally kept at bay, as if we as listeners are actively pushing it away. It's like song itself doesn't want to really end.

Oh.

Studio Thumpy Puppy, if any of you ever read this, please know that I am in absolute awe of your ability to bake in the themes of the story into 42 seconds of music.

Not only does the title theme convey Siffrin's emotional pain from not being able to remember his home country, it manages to tell the listener the crux of the plot before a single line of exposition hits the screen. Siffrin doesn't want his party to leave him alone, he doesn't want their journey to end. He is so desperate to prevent his party from returning home without him that he breaks the structure of the piece, hides the final chord, from his own god damn opening theme. To stop the journey from ending.

If you've gotten this far, please support the artists behind this amazing game. If you haven't bought and played ISAT yet, go do it, and while you're here, also buy the soundtrack. Give these people money!! They're really good at what they do!

Next up: We're With You! Look forward to it, it's also amazing.

[just-your-average-author]

TIT RECAP/THOUGHTS

SPOILERS OBV

Okay so firstly the open PSA that Dan wrote about "no photos or videos if you do, I will sue your ass to the ground" and "no flash photography do you want Phil to fall off the stage...again?!?!?" killed me. it was so cute

preshow playlist, stunning, beautiful all around bops.

the sudden cut off of the music and lights to signal the show started, genuinely shocked and I was SAT let me tell you.

THEY CAME OUT AND THEY WERE REAL?!? NOT A SIMULATION?? listen I still can't get over that, I can't believe they were real people who look and sound exactly like they do on my tv at home!! I was so focused on them and soaking every moment in, I couldn't handle it

have I mentioned how attractive they are?!?!?

okay also literally Phil straight up STOPPED THE SHOW BECAUSE HE HAD TO SNEEZE AND DAN JUST STARED AND WAS LIKE PHIL WTF and I loved every second I was like yes this is straight up what they do in videos, let's have our little squirrel moment babes.

plus it made it feel even more silly and improv, overall I know obv they scripted a lot but it was sooo interactive and they ad libbed so much and I adored it

the dollhouse recap i swear wtf. first off, it was such a creative and fun idea and the different sets, and dressed up dolls that the clothes matched!! also okay I'm so sorry I had no idea the random sex positions would be a theme of the show so I was gobsmacked, but the 69ing during pinof??? "so we did what 2 closeted twinks did upon meeting each other for the first time.... put sharpie's cat whiskers on!!!" shut up for the love.

I genuinely loved the role model or no-el model segment. my show was in NC so they first option for Dan as the Mr. Lawyer was he bans ___ and someone said south carolina and they both just were rendered speechless and were like damn oh dear but laughing too.

The boxing match was so hot dear heavens, Dan's expression when Phil came out in the fake- *cough* I mean very real abs. He was acting for his LIFE.

the confessions were so good, just wish it lasted a little longer. the yapping was good and also idk if this was standardized but the whole thing where Phil said "I have a cute but also sociopathic thing going on and I think it's working for me 😌" like shut up you're so adorable

omg the quick change where they kept their mics on and narrated so many innuendos I was dying omg so silly and so funny I loved it. I was really impressed with how fast they changed, but also talked the whole time.

I loved every single solitary part of this show and I loved how they joked about how they were sorry we all went to school with whiskers then got out in the trash (cause yeah basically) and how they literally did raise us and should be blamed for us being feral not our actual legal guardians.

okay so. this show 9/10. here's where the last 1 point went.

please don't kill me, but I wasn't a fan of the song. I'm not entirely sure what it was, but the whole show was so raw and perfect and then the song was just really synthetic and overly autotuned where I personally didn't even hear their voices. like I couldn't tell who was singing which part. the ukulele part was cute, and I really hoped that would've been all of it, I guess the internet is here and interactive introverts and everything's fine just was so good you couldn't raise the bar again, but that was just my personal opinion, I know a lot of people loved the song and it was catchy and cute, I'm just not personally a fan of kpop/synthesized music so I was a little disappointed in the song but the dancing slapped so hard.

Dan flawlessly executing every move and strut and making eye contact with us while Phil very intentionally was focused on not tripping or walking off the stage and looking at Dan a few times to check if he was doing it right MY HEART.

cuties, gay, both of them, love them

overall I spent last night frantically calculating if I could afford to spontaneously go see the Nashville show as well and spend another 10 hours in the car today but regretfully thought against it.

[mikobeautifulheart]

How JJK men react when the find you secretly singing

INCLUDUNG: Megumi and Yuji

There already established relationships

Tw: none, just fluff.

Also unedited so don't come for me okay

~Megumi~

It's raining slightly outside but it's not a big deal, it just means no training today. You text Megumi asking if he can come over because the bordem started to get to you. He didn't respond.

Heck maybe he was on a mission. Megumi was like that some times, a bit secretive, but he always tries to not intentionally hide things from you. But you can't exactly say you dont hide anything from him either. You maybe dating but you were still trying to hide your singing voice at all costs. You were worried he would hear it and it would be the most embarrassing moment of your life because of how soft your voice is, many times people have missed what you say in conversations because because speak softly.

But when you started talking to Megumi you realised that every time you said something he would always respond, even if you mutted slightly he would catch every word.

Giving up on staring at your phone waiting for a response from him, you got up and began to hum as you walked to the book shelf in your dorm. It was like a shared shelf that you and megumi would put your books on for eachother to read, while you were picking out a book you saw your missing head phones right next to the very last book. You grabbed them and plugged them into your phone putting on your play list while you got a book and read the blurb. You mustn't have realised but you humming turned into soft whispers to singing the song you were listening to. You got so lost in the music that you jumped violently when you felt arms wrap around your waist and take one ear phone out.

"M...Megumi?! Dont scare me like That! I was going to punch you!" You said flustered at his sudden arrival.

He put the single earphone and put it into his ear humming along to the song to. His hair was wet and dripped onto the back of your book.

"You have...a nice voice." He mumbled hesitating as he felt your body warm up.

"You should sing more often, I like your voice over the singers."

"No, don't say that" you blushed putting your hands over your face to spread your blush.

"But it's true"

He humms again in you ear before he speaks again and finds your hands to pull away from your face.

"Say it; in other words hold my hand" He sang waiting for you to finish the lyric.

"In other words darling kiss me-" you sang making him smile as he takes the book out of your hands and down on your desk. Maybe you will sing around him more often.

▪︎Yuji▪︎

You guys we're going to go with Megumi and Nobora for Yujis birthday. It had to be good, that's why Nobora suggested going to a karaoke place, belive it or not Yuji was actually really good at singing and he enjoyed it to. He would always sing little songs when he was busy doing something like baking or just walking around jujitsu high. People would catch him in the middle of his song before they got his attention causing him to do his signature bright smile.

You on the other hand were not keen to sing in public at all. Not to be confised with the favt rhat you a a beautiful angelic voice, it was just the idea of singing where other people could hear that was terrifying, what of you had a voice crack? Or you sang the wrong words? You would never recover. But you were only ever caught singing twice, once by Toge, who swore he wouldn't tell anyone after your continuous begging, and the second time by Gojo, which you had to bribe him with cake. After those two incidents you were more cautious about where and when you sang. But at a karaoke party? It's hard to not avoid singing. Megumi said he won't sing but you know by the end of the night he would. So I must be inescapable for you to.

"LETS GO!" Nobora shouted down the hallway. That's right you two were going to pick up Yujis cake and met Megumi and Yuji there.

Oy after 15 minutes of panicking you and Nobora had the cake secured.

You thought of so many ways to get out of singing until you settled on the perfect excuse.

You went inside the place and saw megumi and Yuji standing at the enterance waiting for you.

"Happy birthday Yuji" you said giving him a soft smile that made him blush ightly as every one started to walk inside.

You all sat down in the room before Nobora picked up two microphones and handed one to Yuji before offering it to you.

"Ah sorry I can't sing" you told her but she persisted.

"Actually my throat is really sore right now"

Yuji looked at you before getting an idea of what your trying to do before he interjected by putting in a song and hitting play. He stood up and cheerful yelled into the microphone beofre saying

"THIS ONES FOR YOU Y/N"

he started singing...horribly. you knew he could sing better, so did everyone else. But he sounded terrible so you wouldn't be afraid. You really didn't want to sing but because of Yuji you were going to sing now. So you stood up to and sang along...not as bad...with him.

"No, noooo, you are always gonna be my loveeeee"

He looked over at you in admiration, you turned your head to him, face slightly red of embarrassment.

The song finished and Yuji blew out the candles on his cake.

"What did you wish for?" Nobora asked

"Well I wished that Y/N would sing more around me." He said hand rubbing that back of his neck nervously.

Let's just say you sang your heart out for him that night.

Authors note: I quoted "fly me to the moon" for Megumi and "first love" by Hikaru Utada for Yuji

Lemme know if you want a part 2 and who, or if you have any requests that are similar or different. Thanks for reading! ♡

[plussizefantasia]

Eat, Sleep, and Breathe

Flufftober Day 9: Love Confession

Eddie Munson x f!reader

Word Count: 1.2k

AN: At the time that I am writing this, I have reached 100 FOLLOWERS!!! I am so incredibly grateful to all of you! I think that after Flufftober is over I'll do a belated celebration for us! if you have any ideas of something you might want to do let me know. As always, if you liked the story please reblog! I'll see you all tomorrow.

divider credit @royallaesthetics

When you and Eddie became best friends he had never expected that you’d become such an ingrained part of his life. He’d never really had a best friend before, other than Gareth, and even then, their friendship was only because of DnD.

Eddie walked into the trailer he shared with his uncle after a long day of school followed by an even longer shift at the record store and saw you making dinner in his kitchen while joking around with Wayne. 

“Poor kid couldn’t even look at a banana for a month.” Wayne chuckled and your melodious laugh followed. 

“Now that you say something, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him eat a banana and I’ve known him for four years.” Eddie didn’t know if he liked the idea of the two of you ganging up on him like this. But he also couldn’t deny the warmth in his chest when he saw just how well the two most important people in his life got on.

He hadn’t said anything when he had entered the trailer but you had become so finely attuned to Eddie over the years that he didn’t need to. You always seemed to just know where he was and how he was feeling. It was almost spooky sometimes when he would get a call late at night when he couldn’t sleep because you’d felt that something was wrong and wanted to check in. 

“Hey Eds, how was work?” You didn’t even turn to look at him when you asked the question. That didn’t mean that Eddie couldn’t hear the smile in your voice or that he didn’t notice the way you stood up straighter when you turned back towards the stove.

He didn’t know what you were cooking, he usually didn’t until it was on a plate in front of him. But he trusted you with his life and you had started insisting that you cook for them given that you had seen the kind of food Eddie was capable of making.

“It was good, we got the new order in and the manager seems to have taken some of my suggestions about branching out in terms of genres in the store.”

“That’s great Hon! I’m glad he trusted you, you know what you’re talking about when it comes to good music.” You never stop focusing on what's simmering on the stove and Eddie thanks whatever higher being there is that you can’t see the deep flush covering his cheeks.

“Thanks, pretty girl,” it's a whispered appreciation that flows through the air and settles into your mind like a sweet flog. Eddie has always been flirty with you, you genuinely can’t remember the last time he called you by your actual name. It was always some sweet nickname, a compliment wrapped in endearment and tied with a bow of amusement. You had drawn the line when he had jokingly called you snookums last week. Since then pretty girl has been his go and you don’t think you’d be able to deal with it if he started calling you by your name again.

Eddie moves thoughtlessly throughout the trailer, changing out of his work clothes and into the well-loved Black Sabbath shirt you had gotten him for his birthday two years ago. He never stops listening to you and what you're doing. You’re not speaking or making any noise intentionally but your unconscious little humming is the song that calls to his soul and he looks forward to hearing it every time you come over.

Eventually, he returns to the little kitchenette that's somewhat separated from the rest of the trailer by a half-wall. Your call of “dinner’s done come and get it” spurs both himself and Wayne into movement. 

Wayne takes the packed dinner that you’ve already placed into a bag for him knowing that he was taking the evening shift that night. He says nothing but the small smile on his face and the shoulder pat he gives you is proof enough that he appreciates your thoughtfulness. Eddie does too.

Seriously he has no idea what he would do without you. Without you there to lift him when he just wants to stay down. Without you there to take care of the small things, making sure he has a pencil before he needs to take a test, or that time you pulled a brand new comb out of your bag for him in the middle of lunch because he couldn’t find his. 

Overwhelmed with the sudden feeling slushing through him and tipped over by the sugar-sweet smile you give him when you place his bowl into his hands, Eddie can’t hold back anymore. “God, I love you.”

Everything freezes. Eddie wants to crawl into a hole and berate himself for the rest of his life because of his lack of filter and your whole body just kind of stops.

Eddie doesn’t know if it’s because you're trying to figure out if this is actually one of those dreams that you have where he valiantly declares his love for you and the two of you ride off into the sunset forever happy, or if this actually just happened.

It isn’t until Eddie starts stuttering out nonsensical sounds and doing his best impression of a scratched record that you break out of your stupor.

“What did you say?” your question is soft and wondering, your eyes have almost doubled in size and Eddie really wishes that he was able to tell what was going on in your head before he responded so that he didn’t dig himself into a deeper hole.

“I said I love you.” His response is equally as quiet and if you hadn’t been waiting for those exact words you don’t think you would’ve really understood them with the way he rushed them together.

It only takes three seconds for you to move in front of Eddie, and then another two to put your lips on his. However, it takes Eddie a solid six seconds to catch up with reality and eagerly begin to respond. 

His hands land on your hips and he pulls your soft body into his. Your hand grips the back of his neck and starts to play with the small curls that are hidden behind the rest of the large mass. 

The two of you enter into something close to a dance, pulling and pushing and waiting for the other person to cue you. 

Eddie wishes more than anything that he didn’t need to breathe. That he didn't need to pull away from everything that was you just for something as ridiculous as oxygen. He would breathe you, he thinks. For the rest of his life, he would eat, sleep, and breathe you if he could.

When Eddie pulls away you’re not exactly sure what to do next. You want to kiss him again, want to go in for another taste of him but you know that eventually you’d need to talk. Eventually you; 'd need to reassure Eddie that his feelings are reciprocated. That you love him too, that you have for a very long time.

But for now, standing in his kitchen, just the two of you was enough. There would be time for talking later.

[cherriegyuu]

breaking point | yjh

pairing: jeonghan x fem!reader genre: angst word count: 1.5k a/n: something to celebrate jeonghan's birthday, who even writes angst as birthday present?

this is part of my series, seventeen as songs from lover (ts)

Jeonghan ➝ AfterglowThis ultraviolet morning light below Tells me this love is worth the fight, oh ↳ Jeonghan was never one to lose his patience with people, least of all you. But one day a fight gets out of control and it leaves you wondering if your relationship has come to an end.

The sound of the door closing still echoed through your mind. It had been hours since Jeonghan left but you were still sitting in the same spot, eyes locked on the door as if he was going to burst through at any second. 

You knew that he wasn't. At that moment you didn’t even know if you'd ever see Jeonghan again. He was so angry when he left, rightfully so. 

All of your fights had been rational ones, both of you would calm down for a little a while before talking again. The screaming matches weren't something either of you were into but your fights had never gotten that big before. Not even once. 

It seemed as if the one thing you had always been afraid of finally came to light. 

You and Jeonghan weren't well matched, you were too different. From the way you were raised to the way you saw the world. 

Jeonghan had an almost romantic view of everything around him. While he was one to play an infinite amount of pranks on his friends, he was never overly mean about it – if he was mean at all –, and those pranks only happened because he wanted to win whichever game they were playing. To him, because he wasn't someone who would intentionally hurt anyone, it was hard to understand why someone would. And while you thought that was beautiful, that trace of naivety, you also saw it as infuriating.

So when a coworker went over him, and claimed Jeonghan's project as his own, you couldn't hold back the petty I told you he would do that to you. Because you had in fact talked to Jeonghan so many times about it. However, Jeonghan didn't seem to see it, at all.

"I don't think we should be having this conversation right now" he sighed, sitting on the opposite side of the couch. 

He was tired and stressed, the last thing he needed was to hear those words from you. Especially when all he wanted the entire day was to get to you, rest his head over your thighs while you played with his hair.

But you didn't seem to see it or you didn't care, he wasn't too sure. 

"This is the exact moment we should be having this conversation because when morning comes you'll just forget about this feeling and you'll let him or any other idiot out there do the same thing to you  again"

Jeonghan couldn't help the distressed groan that left him. He hated how the whole situation sounded like a joke coming from your lips, how you had this little spark in your eyes — as if you were enjoying his misery.

"You can't possibly be angry at me," you said "I told you again and again that he was an asshole, that he would screw you over the second he got the chance. Like always, you didn't listen. The world isn't this great place, Jeonghan. Your friends are awesome but the world is actually really shitty and, apparently, you're the only that doesn't fucking see it"

He shook his head at you and stood up. Jeonghan pushed his feet inside his shoes and opened the other.

"You're leaving?"

"You know, the most rational part of my brain told me not to come here today" he scoffed, voice slightly rising "Because I knew you'd pull this shit and this was the last thing I needed"

You stood up but didn't dare to move an inch closer to him.

"I didn't do anything!"

"I wanted to be comforted!" he all but screamed "I had an awful day and all I wanted, all I needed, was for you to tell me that everything was going to be okay, that maybe I could talk with my boss and show him that it was actually me who did all the work. But you decided that what I needed was to remember feeling like shit"

All of your neighbors could probably hear the fighting. Jeonghan held the door open, chest heaving in evident distress.  

"Please let me know when you find my girlfriend, because whoever this is" he waved his hand  in your direction "isn't her"

He slammed the door shut behind him, hard enough that you felt the windows shake. 

It had been over three hours since Jeonghan left and the only difference was that you sat back down. You couldn't move or anything else. 

While you were talking with him, you knew that you were pushing him too far, saying more than you should. It wasn't the time, everything was wrong. Yet, you couldn't stop the words from coming out.

You knew that you were projecting. That there was no real reason for you to be acting that way, Jeonghan did nothing and was right, all he needed was comfort. And maybe it was your own insecurities talking, your shit month at work, how although you told him otherwise you always behaved just like him and your coworkers were throwing their work at you and did nothing about it. The you acted with Jeonghan was the way you should have reacted at your own job but the words simply died on your lips whenever they were around.

You grabbed your phone from the couch, it was almost two in the morning. You knew Jeonghan was probably home by then but still, you wanted to make sure. Touching your phone a few times, you called Seungkwan.

"Is he home yet?" you asked as soon as the line connected.

"Hello to you too" you could picture Seungkwan rolling his eyes “and yes, he’s home”

Silence followed. You didn’t have anything else to say and you knew Seungkwan was probably a little angry at you. His voice had a little edge to it. You knew Jeonghan, he probably didn’t say anything to his roommate, but it was written all over his face that you had gotten into a fight. 

“Should I leave the door unlocked?” Seungkwan asked with a sigh.

Finally, your eyes filled with tears and you let out a sob. The tears refused to fall since Jeonghan left. The tightness in your throat was so unbearable that it was a wonder you managed to say those four words tho Seungkwan. 

“Don’t cry, fix it” he said before ending the call.

On your way to Jeonghan’s place, your mind was racing. The darkest part of your brain took over and made you believe that your relationship had come to an end, that the fight had been so bad that you had finally reached a point of no return. It took everything in you to not ask the driver to take you back home. 

There was only one way you could ever find out if it was actually over. 

Like he said, Seungkwan left the door unlocked and was kind enough to keep the lights on in the living room. Locking the door behind you, you used your phone as a guide to Jeonghan’s room at the end of the hallway. 

You opened the door quietly, to not startle him or his roommate. 

Jeonghan had his back turned to the door, body curled into a small ball. You got into bed behind him, legs adjusting to his and you wrapped your arm around his waist, forehead pressed to back.

Jeonghan’s body stiffened for a second and then relaxed once he realized it was you. 

“I’m sorry,” you said before he could say anything “I don’t know why I said those things, why I didn’t just hug you and say that it was going to be okay, that we could find a way to fix it”

Jeonghan turned on the bed, now facing you. The room was so dark you could barely make out the shape of his body, even after your eyes had gotten used to the lack of light.

“I need you to understand limits, yn. Sometimes you just keep pushing and pushing, and you don’t notice when the other person is at their limit”

His voice was low, a mixture of sleep and resentment. 

“And I end up hurting the people I love the most,” you said quietly, you ran your hand up from his chest to his neck. It wasn’t sexual in any way, you just needed to feel him as much as possible, needed him to understand that you meant every word that you said “I’m really sorry. I don’t want to give you excuses, I just want to apologize. I don’t want to hurt you, ever. All I want to do is to love you, show you all the bright and beautiful places in the world. Always. Forever”

Jeonghan held your face and kissed your forehead, your nose, your cheeks, and finally your lips. He tucked your head on the crock of his neck and for a second it was so easy to lose yourself in him.

“Sleep now, love. We can talk more in the morning” 

He hugged you tightly and that was enough to give you hope that maybe there was still some part of your relationship that could be saved. 

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[jokeroutsubs]

[ENG SUB/translation] Joker Out on Radio Maribor (22.10.2024)

Bojan, Jan, Kris and Nace were on Radio Maribor to talk about the new single 'Bluza', the new album, and the tour. You can listen to it here on RTV's Radio Maribor site.

Transcript and subtitles by members of JokerOutSubs, translation by @chaosofsmarty, drumbeat, and a member of JokerOutSubs, review by @kurooscoffee, IG anja_10, and a member of JokerOutSubs, native proofreading by IG gboleyn123.

The recording is audio only. You can find it with subtitles on our Youtube channel here:

You can also read the whole conversation in transcript form under the cut:

Host: Dear listeners, it's to my great honour and joy that we're hosting probably the most popular band in Slovenia at the moment, the moment lasting quite a while, but that's enough talking. Joker Out here in Radio Maribor's studio, hello.

Joker Out: Yeah, hello. Hi. Hello.

Host: Four out of five have crammed themselves in here, into our studio, and we'll start at the end, so with the latest single 'Bluza'. What can we say about 'Bluza'?

Bojan: 'Bluza' is the fourth single from our third studio album, which will be called 'Souvenir Pop'.

Host: Okay.

Bojan: It comes out on the 15th of November. The album doesn't really have a common theme audio-wise, just as souvenirs from longer travels usually don't have one. We see a lot of different places, different people, different cuisines and smells. And that's how this album will be too, which kind of works like all the memories we've acquired in a year and a half, let's say, since starting our Eurovision journey. And 'Bluza' is, let's say, this... ballad that includes synthesised sounds a bit more than usual. There's also quite a lot of back vocals, so we really played with synthesising a fair bit, and with vocal layering. But it ends in a sort of more classically rock style then.

Host: And if maybe bands, in Slovenia, too, like to make sure that an album has some kind of common theme, you went in a completely different direction.

Bojan: Yeah, we always go in another direction, usually, and... But I wouldn't say we do it intentionally, but let's say that with this album, it actually is conceptually planned that way, yeah.

Host: So all of the songs will be a bit different, right? There won't be a common theme.

Bojan: No.

Host: But it'll still be the recognisable Joker Out sound or style.

Bojan: Yeah, generally, if it comes from us, we think it's our style. Now... We've already had, let's say, a few moments of deviation from the so called classically recognisable style and that's how it'll be on this album, too.

Host: The next thing I'm curious about is your previous single, titled 'Šta bih ja'. What can you say about this one? We haven't hosted you yet with that single.

Bojan: Tell us, Kris.

Kris: 'Šta bih ja' is really the first song created during our two month stay in London. It's actually sort of... music, audio and message wise, the song that sort of represents our inner thoughts, I mean, our feelings, in London, where we realised... Where we first realised what it's like to be a foreigner in a country, what it's like to navigate a huge, endless city. And actually from that, then out poured a sort of totally Yugo, Yugo rock nostalgic song, that's actually really, really fun to play live.

Host: And if we're on the topic again, that some bands can do it by going to London to record for maybe a week and then they come back. No, you really moved to London, lived there, breathed in the air, and that's where the new album was created.

Bojan: That's where the inspiration for this album actually began. Really, the plan for London was to step away a bit from an environment that's familiar and comfortable to us. That we go there together, of course, to, for the first time, move into a space and to combine all the energy which accumulated over the years of our cooperation into two months of coexistence. And it's interesting to follow how the dynamics actually change, once you move in together with your partners, which we practically are, well, it’s like this sort of camaraderie. So yeah, we went to live in London for two months and it was very fun. Like Kris said, we were foreigners for the first time, we went to work, but at the same time we were sort of on holiday in our minds, because we didn't have any written schedules, we were our own bosses. So, an interesting experience.

Host: Is it important to you, to go out of your, like how the English say, "comfort zone"? That you get into a foreign environment, where everything is a bit new.

Nace: I mean, it definitely awakens some new, some new inspiration, something new, to... that is also, I think, evident in the music and our mutual relationship.

Jan: We had to move abroad so that we're even more rooted in our own familiar sound.

Bojan: That's it.

Host: But it's interesting that you didn't get that much of an English influence out of it, at least in terms of music, but you returned to your origins – maybe in quotation marks for some – so, the Balkans.

Bojan: Yes, Žarko Pak, our producer, came to London after us with a month and a half delay. And when we showed him what we've made, including 'Šta bih ja', he was smoking a cigarette and said: "Eh, is this what I sent you to London for, to do this, or what? What would happen if you were sent to Mostar to a studio, you'd go full on Beatles."

Host: So you surprised Žarko Pak, too...

Bojan: Absolutely.

Host: ... who's probably seen and heard many things.

Bojan:  He has, yeah.

Host: So from this London experience comes a Balkan album, there's a Balkan tour coming, which we'll talk about a bit more later. Now we're listening to the first single 'Bluza', which you performed live at Radio Si a few minutes ago, and now on Radio Maribor, too.

[Acoustic performance of ‘Bluza’.]

Host: Joker Out are still with us, we're listening to their music, and moving onto Eurovision for a bit. So, a question that probably isn't left out at any interview, or rarely. I have to, I'm curious myself. I was super proud of you, because it was the first time that a Slovenian band had such a perfect performance, so perfectly planned, you prepared so perfectly, you were everywhere. Usually Slovenian bands that represent us at the Eurovision Song Contest win at EMA, then there's a bit of calm, then there's the music video, maybe they show up in a show or two on foreign televisions, and that's it. But you really... Hats off to you.

Kris: Thank you.

Bojan: Thank you very much. It's very nice to hear that, and actually we also, during Eurovision, felt the support from home, very very nicely. And even when we returned from Liverpool, despite not getting the best result, we felt and also got back feedback that this event was followed with so much enthusiasm, love, support. And that really pleased us and I think that was also one of the main factors for why we did this the way we did, because it’s definitely important to have the wind in your sails, with these things.

Host: And it definitely also opened the door to Europe to you, which is now paying off with big tours, festival performances and so on.

Bojan: Absolutely.

Host: 'Carpe Diem' was the one that was at Eurovision, and for 'Carpe Diem' you went to Hamburg. That's where you recorded this song, so London, Hamburg, you're basically all over Europe.

Bojan: Yeah, the Beatles went from London to Hamburg, we went from Hamburg to... no, sorry, from Liverpool to Hamburg. And we went from Hamburg to Liverpool.

Kris: And then back to Hamburg.

Bojan: But look, we went back to Hamburg. Can someone take over?

Kris: Yeah, I mean, you know what, we recorded 'Carpe Diem' in a very, very good atmosphere in Hamburg, in that studio, called Clouds Hill. We then decided that... that we'd definitely return there for the rest of the album. And then we came back for one full month. I think now, we're fed up with it for quite some time, but another album was made there.

Host: In terms of going abroad, you also collaborated, one almost can't believe it, with Elvis Costello. How did that happen?

Bojan: Yeah, we also can't believe it. Anyway... Long story short. We happened to get, through a gentleman we know, who lives in Liverpool, the information that he actually knows Elvis and that the two are friends. Stephen, this man from Liverpool, is our big fan and supporter and he showed Elvis our music, and while listening to the second album, 'Novi val' kind of stuck in his ear. And got enough of his attention that Elvis offered to write an English version of the lyrics and a very short while later called us, too, saying he'd be interested in a duet, which we, of course, immediately accepted, with the utmost delight, because we were fans of Elvis's music before, too. And yeah, that's how it all then happened very quickly, and that actually came during Eurovision time, we released 'New Wave' before Eurovision. So that was a very energy-filled time for us.

Host: You didn't record with him, but the song was created...

Bojan: Exactly. He recorded the vocals in New York, where he lives, and we really didn't have any concrete plan that we'd meet in real life, too, because we always met only through video calls. And then it coincidentally happened on tour, on our Nordic tour, we found out at the first concert in Oslo that Elvis had a concert in the Oslo opera a day before us. And we wrote to him that it'd be great to see him, that we're coming to the concert and he said, "boys, you're going to come play 'Novi val', or 'New Wave', with me." So we suddenly found ourselves in the Oslo opera, and we played 'New Wave' with Elvis Costello and Steve Nieve. Which was truly, when you look at it, quite crazy.

Host: I'll keep digging within that same family, is there any interest in a collab with Diana Krall? Although maybe that's not exactly your cup of tea, like you'd say.

Jan: Diana, if you're listening, we're available.

Bojan: We're available.

Kris: Yeah, they say she's even harder to reach than Elvis, so.

Host: Maybe he'll give her a hint. A performance and a song, we now move over a bit to Gušti's concert, which took place a few days or a few weeks ago in Ljubljana. You performed there as well, of course. Not only as a family, but also in other ways. And with Gušti, you wrote and performed a song titled 'Tudi jaz'.

Bojan: It was written by Gušti.

Host: Yes.

Bojan: We performed it.

Kris: And played it.

Bojan: Yes. So, we sang and played it. It was the song 'Tudi jaz', which was created for a TV show which was supposed to happen, but in the end it didn't. The TV show was about children with special needs, and Gušti kind of felt that it would be nice for young people to contribute a musical piece, an opening theme, and through a strange set of circumstances, he asked his son's band. And then, of course, we recorded it. The song was never officially released, right, because the show never happened either. Until now, when Gušti included it in his album, and we are, of course, honoured by that. It's interesting to see something resurface after a long time, and take shape.

Host: Was this one of your first serious projects in a studio space?

Kris: It was...

Host: Or maybe even the very first?

Kris: It wasn’t the first; the first one was 'Kot srce, ki kri poganja', but this one came right after. And maybe it wasn’t a completely serious studio, because we recorded it in a rehearsal space.

Bojan: Oh, come on, you can't diss that studio, it was a great studio.

Kris: I mean, look, it was a decent studio, but it was a bit homemade, you know.

Bojan: Yeah, well, that's true...

Kris: But in any case, yeah, it was... I remember Jan and I recorded together for the first time back then. Do you remember? We recorded that solo together. And I think maybe...

Jan: When we alternated.

Kris: Yes, yes, yes. That felt like... I was really proud of that at the time, that we recorded a solo together.

Jan: Yes, yes. Harmony.

Kris: Harmony, yes.

Host: But the disappointment wasn't too big, considering that the song was never officially released until now?

Kris: Not really, why?

Jan: It wasn't released, but we actually played it a lot in concerts, even at Cvetličarna.

Bojan: We played it for the first presentation of the first album.

Kris: Three years ago.

Bojan: Yes. We preferred playing original songs over covers.

Host: Okay.

Bojan: So we took every possible opportunity for the original songs, whichever way possible, to be included in our concert setlists, and as you said, 'Tudi jaz' stayed on the setlist for quite a while.

Host: You also performed quite a bit at festivals this year, some of which were the biggest festivals in the world. You were at Sziget, you were at Exit again. Are there any other festivals that you performed at that left a powerful impression on you?

Bojan: Absolutely. Ruisrock in Finland.

Kris: Summer Well in Bucharest, Romania.

Bojan: Fantastic festival.

Kris: An excellent festival, yes.

Jan: Those were probably the top four.

Bojan: Those were the top four, I'd say. Exit, Sziget...

Jan: Summer Well.

Bojan: ...Ruisrock and Summer Well were real highlights.

Host: And during these festivals, did any of the performers really stick in your memory?

Bojan: I’d say that in Romania, I... we all stayed to listen to Two Door Cinema Club and Keane, and Keane completely blew us away. I’ve never heard a better male vocalist live, honestly...

Host: Than Tom Chaplin.

Bojan: At least in the mainstream scene. It was truly amazing, everything, in terms of the sound, the production, the concert. That probably stuck with me the most this year.

Nace: I also remember that we were... Jan and I went to see Prodigy in Germany after our performance. That was a very... visually engaging concert.

Host: Before we wrap up this segment, I’m curious, let’s stay on this topic. Is there anyone else you'd like to see perform live?

Bojan: In general?

Host: Anything goes.

Kris: To share the stage with them, or...

Host: Both, maybe, either to share the stage, collaborate, or just watch them and think, "Ah, that’s it."

Bojan: I’d love to see Bruno Mars.

Host: Okay. Good one.

Kris: I agree, I agree.

Jan: Maybe in the Silk Sonic setup as well.

Bojan: Uh, yes. That would also be great.

Jan: It would be fantastic.

Bojan: I’d love to see Parcels live.

Host: Okay.

Jan: You haven't seen L'Impératrice yet?

Bojan: I haven’t seen L'Impératrice, but I’d also...

Jan: Did they...

Nace: Now you won't.

Kris: I’d love to share the stage with Arctic Monkeys, for sure.

Host: Okay.

Kris: That would be...

Host: Though their last album is really different from all the others they've released.

Kris: It’s different, but I think it’s great that they’re different. Honestly, I also think that our new album was influenced by some of Arctic Monkeys's more recent albums.

Bojan: Like 'Everybody’s Waiting,' for example.

Kris: Some of the slower songs. So that's something near and dear to us as well.

Host: Joker Out, live on Radio Maribor.

[song break]

Host: Joker Out are still here with me. We’re talking about everything. And now the third album titled 'Souvenir Pop' is coming up. You announced the title on Friday. Why 'Souvenir Pop'? Does the title hold a special meaning? You’ve already mentioned that the album is a mix of different songs.

Bojan: Yes, as I mentioned earlier, for the first time in our lives, we were influenced by a long period of travelling. We were literally living out of a suitcase. I think we all had at least two or three suitcases packed with clothes, which we then swapped among ourselves, throwing the dirty ones into the laundry. Our lives, for the past year and a half, felt like we were collecting souvenirs. We practically woke up every morning in a different city, in a different country, often in cities or countries we’d never been before. And all these memories and events are kind of our souvenirs. And it's captivating, Kris said it beautifully yesterday, that he can very clearly visualise, with almost every song, a place, a smell, a colour, a taste, something that reminds him of a specific event, and I agree with him. And because of that, we feel like this journey, this pop moment, blends beautifully with souvenirs, and 'Souvenir Pop' brings it all together nicely.

Host: How would you say this album is different from the previous two?

Bojan: I’d say it’s a much more mature album in terms of exploring different arrangements, in terms of the preparing the arrangements. Also, lyrically, I hope it’s apparent, or at least from what we have released, I received feedback that they are a step up. I also feel like it's a part of a completely different phase of life, and that shows. There was a lot of instrumental exploration. I think Jan made the biggest leap on this album.

Jan: Yes, I added a few more instruments besides guitar. Mostly synthesizer, actually. With 'Everybody’s Waiting', when we went to the studio in Kočevje, we were kind of stuck, we didn’t know exactly where to go with the arrangement. And then we... I’m not sure who came up with that drum transition, but it kind of set the right mood. Then we saw a Rhodes piano in the control room, so I plugged that Rhodes into an amp. I had never really played the piano before that, I have a pianino at home, so I had just enough knowledge to make that song. And then I kind of got into it. I’m very interested in synthesizers as well, and... That’s also reflected in the... In the music of the upcoming album, yes, lots of synthesizers, electric pianos, and stuff like that.

Host: And you’re going to present everything with a big Balkan tour, starting on November 22nd with a sold-out concert at Cvetličarna. Does that mean fans will be able to hear 'Souvenir Pop' in full?

Kris: Yes.

Bojan: Exactly, that’s what it means. On this tour, we will play the entire 'Souvenir Pop' album, but I should emphasise, that doesn’t mean we won’t play songs from the first two albums, because many people send messages asking, "Does this mean you’ll only play the new music and nothing old?" No, absolutely not, you’ll be attending a very classic concert, which will include all 10 songs from the new album. Tickets are still available for the second concert at Cvetličarna, which takes place the next day, on Saturday. There aren’t many left, but there are some, so anyone who wants to come to Ljubljana is welcome. On December 6th, we’ll be at Štuk in Maribor, so you are more than welcome to come to this concert as well.

Kris: I would just add that I think this will be one of the few opportunities to hear the entire new album live, because later on, or in the new year, we’ll have to adapt our programs for festivals, where you have an hour to... You can't fit all the new material into one hour, so.

Host: Will this tour end in Vienna on December 9th, or will it continue?

Bojan: No, this tour will wrap up in Vienna. In the upcoming year, for the first two months, we'll finally have some time off, meaning we won’t have any obligations tying us down, where in our free time we won't have to answer phones or deal with logistical issues, or work on, I don’t know, preparing songs, making final touches, editing, and so on. So, we plan to have two months off to return fresh, let’s say, in early spring, and start with concerts. We will also perform in Slovenia more next year than in this year.

Host: Is that a promise?

Bojan: That’s a promise we plan to keep.

Host: Okay. You've sold out Stožice Arena, you've had concerts at Tabor Hall in Maribor before. Why have you now decided to perform at Štuk on the 6th of December?

Bojan: For the soul.

Host: Okay.

Bojan: This entire tour that we're doing at the end of the year is basically for the soul. It will take place at home, that is to say, near home, which is all, let's say, home for us, and it will take place in clubs. We've been visiting clubs in Europe for a year and a half now and we realised that it suits us best by far, because we can be close enough to the audience to feel one another, and it's just big enough to not be totally private. And it's where we can let go and relax the most, and I think that the audience also enjoys those concerts the most, so we said, "Let's do this tour in places that we love," and Štuk is definitely one of those places. We've already had three or four concerts at Štuk, maybe. I think it was 3 concerts in Štuk, which were all wonderful and all unique, so yes, we're really looking forward to it.

Host: To keep digging, what are fans from Štajerska like?

Bojan: Top notch.

Kris: Fans from Štajerska have actually very much been there for us since the beginning. We were, I was just talking to someone from Radio Si earlier, about how we were in Maribor five times in 2022.

Bojan: Yes.

Kris: Which is a bizarrely large number, especially looking back on it now, because abroad, you visit maybe one city per year, so to have shown up in Maribor five times, twice at Štuk, at Lampiončki, at Lent, all that... Štajerska has always been quite... It always welcomed us with open arms, so we're also always happy to return.

Bojan: And I'd like to add just one more thing, the first album, 'Umazane misli', was partially made in this house as well, because we recorded the drums and some of the guitars in your studio.

Host: In Studio 22.

Bojan: In Studio 22, exactly. So there you go, there is actually a lot tying us to this city.

Host: I'd like to know something else before we move on, Chrissie Hynde, the singer of The Pretenders, wrote on her social media a few days ago that she has a bit of an issue with the same fans constantly being in the front row at concerts. Is that a problem that perhaps arises for you too, namely, that it's always the same people, we call them "superfans", following you from concert to concert. And that you always see the same ones in... well, more at the front.

Bojan: We absolutely see the same people in the front rows at many, many concerts. I just don't really know where the problematic part is.

Host: Me neither, but I'm curious.

Bojan: Yes, me too.

Kris: Yeah, my mum actually sent me that, on Instagram, like, look what she said. And I was like, yeah, okay, interesting, but you have to be in a pretty weird position to complain about that. I mean, I'm happy to see all those familiar faces there. And anyway, for our concerts, it's usually so that those who want to can buy a ticket for early entry into the venue, so I think it's not an issue that other people wouldn't be able to get what they want. At the same time, we always like to see those that are always there.

Host: December 6th in Štuk, in Maribor, the band Joker Out.

[song break]

Host: Joker Out are still with me, so let's... I'm curious about something. You've focused quite a lot on the Balkan market, and there are more and more songs in, let's say, a non-Slovene language. And while quite a few Slovenian bands decided to sing in English, because they thought it would help them break through internationally, you've chosen the language of our former homeland. Why? I know it's closer to you (Bojan) and so on, but what was the main reason?

Bojan: Well, the main reason was actually that I started to enjoy writing in non-Slovene more and more, and I don't mean that in a derogatory way for Slovene, but it's just that we were away from home so much, we had so much contact with people who spoke this or that language, that I often caught myself thinking in those languages. And ideas actually started cropping up in them and it was clearly just an era of life in which... I created in those languages, right. I'm not a fan of changing the lyrics that are developed as an already very solid story in a specific language, into another language, just for the sake of changing the language. So on this album... that's also what sets it apart, like we said at the beginning. For the first time, we have three languages on the album, Slovene, Serbian, Serbo-Croatian, whatever, and English. So it's already a very colourful album in that regard, but that was never, I'd say, a way to gain an audience abroad or a massive attempt to have a breakthrough abroad, it's truly just a way of thinking, and I think that's a lot more honest than translating everything back into Slovene.

Host: Slightly older Slovenian bands, I'm thinking of Lačni Franz, maybe Pankrti, perhaps Vlado Kreslin, still to this day have cult status in Yugoslavia, in the area of former Yugoslavia.

Bojan: And Buldožerji.

Host: Absolutely, Buldožerji as well, and there's more. But is it time now for Joker Out to break new ground?

Bojan: Absolutely.

Kris: We're already breaking it.

Bojan: We’re breaking it. With shovels for now, but...

Host: Is this success, especially as far as Serbia goes, perhaps also the result of the number of times you performed at Exit?

Bojan: The first time we performed at Exit festival, it was on one of the side stages, and there really wasn't a big, big audience, and even the ones who were there mostly came from Slovenia. But it's very nice, because this year we performed on the main stage, and basically at the prime time, at 15 past 11, if I'm not mistaken, just before Black Eyed Peas, and we had, I don't know, 15 or 20,000 people, who sang our lyrics very smoothly. That was, I would say, a pretty crazy leap.

Host: How do social media posts influence what you do? Perhaps you let certain comments get under your skin a bit, or do you wave them away like, "So what?"

Jan: Well, I think we've kind of stopped reading the comments. I think we've also pretty much all deleted Twitter, because it was starting to slightly negatively affect certain aspects of our psyche. But we still like to post, because it's good, especially now, when we're promoting and making new music, that people know what's coming up and know that there are concerts where they can see us. So it remains a very important part of our everyday life. But sometimes it's better not to read what people think.

Bojan: Yeah, the problem is that it's very much a double-edged sword, because it's really nice to be in touch with fans, right, because above all, they fill you with energy to work, and... We absolutely also often give them, I don't know, a reason for a better day, a reason to smile, and so on. But on the other hand, just like Jan said, it's very hard to filter out those moments when you unintentionally come across something that can very quickly hurt you. And to then find a healthy boundary, that can be kind of complicated sometimes.

Host: And now, the most important question of the day. Just kidding. What does the radio mean to you nowadays? Does it even still mean anything?

Bojan: That's a good question.

Kris: What would I do in this black night without you, radio?

Bojan: Yeah, the radio, I would say... For example, Jure, who's not here, I know he listens to the radio the most by far. The radio means... The thing is, in various aspects, I really stand behind the idea that until you're present in classic media, that is, on the radio, on TV, in the newspapers, you cannot enter the world of... let's say entertainment, successfully. So I don't understand it when someone says, for example: "Who cares if your song isn't on the radio, it doesn't matter, blah blah blah." Social media is absolutely more and more important, but being relevant through the radio, I still consider that to be very serious and very important. But it saddens me that there's less and less radio work on the radios, that is, there's less and less music curation, less and less quality musical journalism, I really miss that, right. We're really lacking music reviews and so on in Slovenia. Like, okay, with you, thankfully, radio editorial work is still alive, but we know that at commercial radios, more and more work is done by artificial intelligence, right, and robots. And that kind of undermines the whole point of the radio for me.

Host: Where will you perform, or will you perform at all, for New Year's and Christmas this year? Or will you enjoy the time after the tour by...

Bojan: That's a good question, perhaps someone knows how to answer it?

Jan: If nothing else, we might play guitar to each other under our Christmas trees.

Kris: Yeah, I think we'll play some more, but I don't know if we can announce anything yet.

Host: I completely understand. And finally, I'd like to know, you've already spoken a bit about the plans for next year, that is, a month or two of complete rest. À propos, what does complete rest mean for a band like you, who are used to being in the studio, working, promoting, how do you...

Bojan: Take all that out of the equation and you get complete rest.

Host: So two months of rest, and then what?

Bojan: Well, then it's on the road again. (singing) Just can't wait to get back on the road again.

Host: So, boys, we will see you and hear you again, as is only right. I'm very happy that you were in the studio with me today, so, Joker Out, on the 6th of December, we're revisiting Štuk hall in Maribor, and before that Cvetličarna, and many other places. And next year, as you've already promised, other places in Slovenia as well.

Bojan: Absolutely.

Host: Boys, thank you very much for this and all the best with the continuation of your musical journey

Bojan: Thank you very much, back at you.

[charlessainzz]

I love your page sm!! I would love maybe a little love plot with max lando or Charles doesn’t matter who where during break Carlos invited them to Spain for his 29th bday and his little cousin who is very out there comes to the party and starts karaoke singing their favorite song while making a big show out of it.

Pass the Mic

loveeee this idea, thank you!!

You grabbed your YSL candy glaze and swiped it across your lips one last time. Perfect. It shined just as bright as your silver mini skirt. Time to make your appearance. 

It was your cousin Carlos Sainz’s 30th birthday. He was throwing a huge bash with just about everyone who was anyone attending. Meaning�� your secret boyfriend would be in attendance. Your secret boyfriend, Lando, who was too scared to tell Carlos that you two were dating. In Lando’s defense Carlos did forbid him from going near you. But you were adults, who was he to give you rules!

Walking in like you owned the place, you and your friends raced to the bar. Ordering up different versions of vodka, gin, and tequila cocktails. Taking your first sip of your gin and tonic you felt the alcohol course through your veins igniting a spirit inside you. 

“Y/n come on let’s go dance!”, shouted your friend. You wanted to but you needed to see the birthday boy first. Scanning through the crowd you search for his big head of hair. Spotting him deep into the crowd you start strutting over when you see that curly haired wimp next to him. You hadn’t talked to Lando in a few days when he said no to arriving to the party together. Feeling the alcohol a little more, you decided to make a scene. 

“Carlos!”, you shrieked as you gave your cousin a big hug. Almost knocking him over, he busts out laughing as he says hello back. You give everyone around a kiss on the cheek and a hug. Making eye contact with Lando you intentionally swerve his embrace as you go back to Carlos. 

“How many shots have you had y/n?” Carlos jokes attempting to take your drink from you. He was always protective of you as you’re the youngest in the Sainz family. 

“It’s my first one! Sorry you’re not as fun as I am!” you tease holding the drink out of his reach. 

“You never could hold your liquor well”, Lando remarks, trying to join the group conversation. 

You narrow your eyes at him in clear annoyance. “And how would you know Norris?” sneering back at him. Carlos clearly seeing the tension attempts to break the ice. 

“Okay my friends! I feel like maybe we do need more shots!” he declares as he leads you all back to the bar. Once reaching the bartender you all decide to do a shot of tequila. You were about to be in trouble. 

After almost an hour of ignoring Lando, more shots, and dancing, you needed to change the pace. Luckily for you karaoke had started. It was quite literally one of your favorite things to do. But what song would you perform… you needed to make a statement. That’s when the perfect song went off like a lightbulb in your head. 

“Girls! It’s karaoke time!” you squeal. All your friends shout in excitement ushering you to the mic. Lando hearing the commotion makes his way towards you. 

Your uncle, Carlos Sr., just so happened to be wrapping up his rendition of ‘Don’t Stop Believin’. You gave him a hip bump saying, “Tio pass the mic! It’s my turn”. You whisper to the DJ what song you’d like and prepare for your moment. One of the girls hands you a shot, and you hear Lando groan loudly from the back. 

The music starts: ‘Four, tres, two, uno… Listen up y’all cause this is it, the beat that I’m bangin’ is delicious’

You begin singing with the girls as your backups.

“Fergalicious, definition make them boys go loco. They want my treasure, so they get their pleasures from my photo. You could see me, you can't squeeze me. I ain't easy, I ain't sleazy. I got reasons why I tease 'em. Boys just come and go like seasons. Fergalicious – so delicious.” 

You smile as the crowd begins cheering. You felt your confidence reach new levels. So you step onto the coffee table in the middle of the room to really give them a performance. 

“But I ain't promiscuous. And if you was suspicious. All that shit is fictitious. I blow kisses – mwah. That puts them boys on rock, rock. And they be lining down the block. Just to watch what I got. So delicious”. 

Lando had seen enough. He knew you were going to be so embarrassed in the morning. He stomps up to the ‘stage’ and pulls you down. 

“What are you doing?” he hissed as you tried to get back up. He secures you in his arms as he pulls you away from the crowd. 

“I’m giving the fans what they want,” you slur. He can’t help but laugh at the situation. He had to admit you were singing pretty well and giving a good show. 

You notice that he’s smiling and it makes your heart swell. “Are you jealous I’m not giving you my full attention?”, you say while batting your eyelashes at him. 

“Shut up y/n…”, he smirks. You lean up to give him a kiss when all of a sudden Carlos appears. 

“What the hell is this?”, he booms. Lando instantly unwraps his arms from you which had been supporting you and consequently leading you to drop to the floor. 

“Oh shit babe!” Lando freaks as he picks you back up looking to see if you’re hurt. 

“Babe? Again I ask, what the hell is this?” Carlos questions again. There was no getting out of this one. You begin trying to explain away the situation but Lando beats you to the punch.

“Mate… I love her. Like really truly love her”, Lando confesses. Your head snaps up to look at him shocked at what you’re hearing. “I know you threatened me if I ever got near her but.. I couldn’t help it. I obviously fell for her for her amazing karaoke skills”, he says with a straight face. This causes the three of you to burst into laughter. 

Catching your breath, you grab Lando’s hand and say, “Seriously Carlos, we’re adults. I’m not your baby cousin anymore”. You look Carlos in the eyes hoping that he’ll understand. 

“I don’t like it but I guess… if it had to be anyone. I’m fine with it being you Lando”, Carlos admits. Lando grins from ear to ear happily as he puts his arms around you. He’s still got his best friend and also his now, non-secretive girlfriend. All it took was a humiliating karaoke song.

[onceuponapuffin]

Fanatic Intervention Part 19!!!

Okay SO, that last poll was insane. Everytime I tried to break the tie by calling in a friend, you all tied it again! Even after the poll ended! You talented lot, you. In the end, the only way I could think to do it, was to split the difference. AND SO we get a half-and-half situation. Honestly, I legit love the way all of you keep me on my toes. It makes writing this so much fun.

Alrighty then. Let's do this.

Beginning || Previous || Next

***************************

The toilet seat art museum took more out of you than you thought. Anathema too, as it happens, because you find out very quickly that she snores. Not wanting to wake her up, you tuck your phone away so she can sleep in the quiet, and weirdly enough, her snoring becomes like white noise, and after a few minutes, you find yourself drifting off as well. It isn’t long before both humans are asleep, leaving the celestials to their own devices.

For a while, they continue on in silence. Well, “silence” is technically the wrong word, but the point is, they don’t talk. Crowley is driving, Aziraphale is in the passenger’s seat, and Sardis sits in the middle of the backseat. For a while, there is nothing except Anathema’s snoring. Honestly, they put up with the sound for a surprisingly long time.

Crowley’s patience runs out first. He needs to hear something that isn’t snoring, so he goes for the radio. Which, as it turns out, is a bit of a mistake. You see, the SUV has now had the benefit of Celestial Energy for a couple of days, and has started to wake up – slowly mind you. With you being in charge of the music with a playlist, it’s had some time to listen to a wide variety of music. It is now developing its own mind and its own taste. Remember that this is not the Bentley. The Bentley likes Queen. The SUV is a significantly younger model, and has decided it rather likes Taylor Swift. And when Crowley turns on the radio for the first time, it’s the equivalent of handing the car control of the playlist. So it decides to lead with Wildest Dreams, which, for those unfamiliar, goes like this:

He said “Let’s get out of this town,

Drive out of the city, away from the crowds.”

I thought “Heaven can’t help me now”

Nothing lasts forever

But this is gonna take me down

He’s so tall, and handsome as Hell

He’s so bad, but he does it so well.

I can see the end as it begins

My one condition is

Crowley slams the OFF button, intentionally with more force than necessary. Finally, after days of forcing them to listen to your songs, the brainrot is spreading.

“Are you alright there, Crowley?” Aziraphale asks gently.

“Fine, Angel,” Crowley mutters through gritted teeth, “Just remind me to throw that human’s blasted phone out the window next chance I get.”

“As long as they are also willing to play my symphonies, I will do no such thing.”

Crowley humphs, and settles back down. Sardis is smiling in the back seat. He waits a moment before speaking.

“So how long have the two of you been together?” he asks. Crowley swerves, but Aziraphale grabs the steering wheel to hold the car steady. Aziraphale gives Crowley a chastising look.

“Crowley, do get a hold of yourself dear, the humans are sleeping.”

“Why should I care?” he growls, definitely because he is a demon and definitely not because if the humans were to wake up there would be a buffer so they wouldn’t have this conversation. Definitely.

Aziraphale sighs. “We’re not, I’m afraid,” he says, “Sorry to disappoint.”

“Can’t fool me, sunshine. I’ve been around too.”

“Can I at least throw him out the window?” Crowley mutters. Aziraphale ignores him.

“It’s best not to discuss it,” he says instead to Sardis, “Rather a dangerous topic.”

Sardis hums to himself thoughtfully. “I mean, we’re staring the end of the world in the face,” he says, “But sure.” And he leaves it there. Silence returns. Actual silence, as Anathema has finally stopped snoring. Suddenly the air feels thick and uncomfortable. Aziraphale clears his throat.

“It’s very kind of you to be helping us,” Aziraphale tries.

“Yeah well,” Sardis says with a shrug, “Not exactly keen on the world ending. I’d rather not go to Heaven OR Hell if I can help it.”

“Oh come now, Heaven’s not all that bad.”

“You ever been?” Sardis asks with a chuckle. Crowley snorts a laugh despite himself. “There, you see,” Sardis says, pointing at the demon, “He gets it.” Aziraphale sits back with a harumph, and decides that staring out the window is the better option after all.

This time the silence lasts another hour at least. The sky is darkening, the stars appearing over the sparse Texas landscape. Out here in the middle of practically nowhere, the sky is hardly sleeping. There are millions of stars out here. Far from the light pollution they even have different colours, and there is a faint white swipe across the sky – the Milky Way Galaxy, visible to the naked eye from one of its own resident planets. Dear Reader, if ever you get a chance to get away away from the light pollution, do so. It is breathtaking.

At least, it is until Anathema snorts and grumbles awake.

“My neck hurts,” she complains, still half asleep. She blinks herself into a more-coherent state. “If we don’t pull over so I can get a good sleep, I will curse every single one of you.” She rolls her head to the other side and mutters “I will. I know how.”

The celestials look at each other.

“I think,” Aziraphale says, “That perhaps resting for the night would be a good thing.”

Crowley nods, if only because he doesn’t want to test Anathema’s threat. It doesn’t take long for them to find a convenient motel conveniently located just off the road they are currently on. Conveniently. Because I say so.

This is also when you wake up. You’re groggy and sore, but the lights of the motel bring you out from the lull of sleep, and as soon as your brain realizes you are at a motel, you wake up fast. Why? Because you are at a motel. While on a mission to save the world. Your fan-brain is already going at a hundred miles an hour by the time Crowley parks. You practically jump out of the car. Does this place have a weird gimmick or theme? Does it have a pool? A sketchy lobby? Local supernatural lore?? You have questions and you need to know. But, ah, not alone. At a random sketchy motel. In the middle of nowhere. At night. So you hesitate and wait for everyone else to get themselves together and exit the vehicle. Crowley pops the trunk so you can go get your bag, and by the time you get back, Sardis and Aziraphale are already gone – checking you all in, no doubt.

Under the questionable fluorescent lights, you can see a wooden gate. Well, I mean...curiosity such and such, right? You saunter over, and peek between the boards. It looks like...Yes! A pool! Will you be swimming in it? Absolutely not. Are you excited that this place has one anyway? Absolutely yes.

“Okay,” Sardis calls behind you. You turn around and see him waving a card key against a door. “I’m all set. Good night folks!” You wave to him as he disappears into his room and the door clicks shut behind him. Aziraphale walks to the next room and opens it with a similar card key. You follow. Honestly, you’re expecting him to have expanded the room into another Royal Suite or something, but when you follow him into the room you find...a normal motel room with two beds. Oh, this is excellent. You turn to face Crowley and Aziraphale with a huge smile on your face.

“I am not sharing a bed with either of you,” You declare, “Because you,” You point at Aziraphale, “Will definitely be awake all night reading with the light on. And you” You point at Crowley “Are exactly the type to take all the blankets. I will share with Anathema because we actually need to sleep. SO as far as YOU TWO are concerned – THERE’S ONLY ONE BED!!” You stand there with your hands on your hips. You are triumphant. You have won. There is only one bed. A fan’s dream! Fanfiction trope come to life! Everything seems possible and wonderful for a moment…

Until Aziraphale hands you another card key.

“You and Miss Device are in the room next door,” he says. Damn. Logic. You deflate really quickly and take the key with a huff. As you approach the door, you turn to look at them over your shoulder.

“I hope you share anyway,” You mutter, before you exit.

The room next door is identical. Anathema, apparently, is able to fall asleep pretty quickly, but you can’t settle your brain that easily. So you may or may not spend some time trying that trick where you put a glass up against the wall to try and hear what’s on the other side. Not that you want to snoop, but, well, yeah okay you want to snoop a little. Unfortunately it doesn’t work, so you give up and watch tik tok on your phone instead. Your battery hasn’t needed recharging since you started hanging out with supernatural entities. Funny, that. Between Tik Tok, Reddit, and Tumblr, you’re able to eventually wear out your brain enough to make closing your eyes a good call. And from there you fall back asleep with no issue.

And yes, Dear Reader, Crowley and Aziraphale did share a bed. Just so you know.

❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ 🖤

Beginning || Previous || Next

[rottenpumpkin13]

Wait! Have you done a Road-trip shenanigans bit with the Firsts + Zack and Cloud yet?? If not, please I gotta know the crazy details.

How do they fair with everyone taking turns driving? Who nearly kills them all? Who is bringing what snacks? Do they get lost? Who goes insane first? Boredom songs? Fights in the backseat? Please I need this 💀

The Road Trip From Hell

• Genesis made the dumbass decision to buy a car—a vehicle he will never in his life use because the traffic in Midgar is ASS. It's this nice, red convertible that he now has to drive from Banora all the way back to the city.

• He convinces Sephiroth, Angeal, Zack and Cloud to come along with him on a road trip (they were all nearby on a mission). Angeal doesn't trust Genesis' ability to drive, Sephiroth does NOT see the appeal of spending 14 hours in a car with Genesis, Cloud has raging motion sickness, and Zack saw someone flip Genesis off on the road once and Genesis immediately retaliated with a fire ball, so he's scared.

Genesis: Fine. But if I crash the car and perish you will ALL be unable to live with yourselves.

*Sephiroth silently crosses his fingers*

• After much back to back and and a lot of dramatics from Genesis' end, the boys agree.

• They start off pretty good!! They're having sing-alongs, stopping at the side of the road to take fun pictures, eating unhealthy food at those road-stop diners, and generally having a good time.

• And then hour 3/14 rolls by and they are sick of each other.

Zack: Are we there yet?

*Angeal whips around immediately*

Angeal: Look at me, Fair, LOOK AT ME. This is the first and last time you ask this, got that? If you ask one more time, I'm going to shave your head and make you eat your own hair. Understood?

Zack: 0_0

• Genesis can't drive anymore and asks Angeal to take over. He switches over the the passenger seat and mans the playlist, forcing the entire car to listen to his cringey pop music.

Cloud: Can you change the song? This music sucks.

Sephiroth: I second that.

Genesis: Oh, does this bother you? *cranks the music up louder*

Cloud: On three.

Sephiroth: Got that.

Cloud: One, two—

• Sephiroth and Cloud lunge forward at the same time, using four hands to pin Genesis in place and strangle him. Zack is screaming and trying to pull them back, Genesis is choking and Angeal is dangerously close to driving the car off road—intentionally.

• By hour 5, everyone has fallen asleep except for Zack. Angeal made Genesis sit in the back with Sephiroth and Cloud while Zack sits up front.

Zack: I'm having fun!

Angeal: That's great.

Zack: When are we going to start the trip though?

Angeal: What do you mean?

*Zack pulls out a map on his tablet*

Zack: Well, according to this map, we've just been going in circles for 5 hours.

• Angeal wakes up Genesis to punch him in the face.

• Zack takes over the wheel now and has Cloud sit up front while they play I-Spy.

Zack: I spy something prickly and green.

Cloud: A tree?

Zack: Nice!

Cloud: Okay, uhhh...I spy something tall and silver.

Zack: Sephiroth!

Cloud: No. Sephiroth's not here.

Zack: Oh.

Zack:

Zack: WHAT!?

• Zack stops the car because Sephiroth is indeed missing. It turns out they left him back at their last stop, so they have to turn back around again to go pick him up.

• Sephiroth is indeed back at the restaurant, and he's PISSED. He makes Zack get out of the driver seat and insists they do this the "hard way"

• Sephiroth is driving now and makes everyone sit in complete silence while he finally gets them on the right track. Several hours later, Cloud shyly raises his hand.

Sephiroth: Speak.

Cloud: I have to go to the bathroom.

Sephiroth: Hold it.

Cloud: But what if—

Sephiroth: Hold it.

Cloud: But—

Sephiroth: HOLD IT STRIFE.

• Cloud holds it.

Genesis: This is ridiculous. It's my car. Get out, I'm driving again!

• Sephiroth gives up the wheel without much of a fight, but now Genesis is back in the driver's seat and Zack is antsy again. He sits in the passengers seat and decides to be a backseat driver.

Zack: You're going too fast!

Genesis: Oh, please, I'm going slow. You should see what this car can really do—HEY! THAT GUY JUST CUT ME OFF!

• Zack starts praying (loudly). Genesis is pissed beyond calming down, and decides to floor it and chase after the guy.

• Everyone is screaming, Zack is praying and crying, Angeal is trying to reason with Genesis, Cloud is swearing every curse word in the dictionary, Sephiroth...is asleep.

• When Genesis finally does stop, Angeal makes Genesis pull over. Him, Cloud and Zack get out of the car. Genesis makes a run for it, screaming down the road.

• Sephiroth awakes a few moments later, looks out the window, and sees everyone jumping Genesis. He looks around, then picks up the tablet with the map.

Sephiroth: Wow. I wonder how long it'll take them to realize that we went 120 miles in the wrong direction.

-

@salternateunreality has a ASGZC road trip shenanigans series on her blog if you want more of this :)

[asiandra-dash]

I am once again asking for your akikasa support. (Headcanons) pretty pleeeeease with a pancake on top?

I'M SO SORRY THIS TOOK SO LONG UM I FORGOT THIS WAS IN MY DRAFTS AND I DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO TYPE ANYTHING UP ON VACATION I'M SO SORRY also I'll be answering your other Akikasa ask with an AU if that's cool cause um no hc or stuff was specific on that one and I'm going to explode if I keep quiet about my AU any longer

The the little emojis in brackets are HCs I stole borrowed from my friends

Akito sings in his sleep. Sometimes Tsukasa wakes up to hear it and he doesn't dare to move until silence fills the room again.

Tsukasa probably snores and it annoys the hell out of Akito.

Whenever Akito can't sleep Tsukasa mumbles a bunch of super cheesy stuff to him until he falls asleep [❄]

Whenever Akito thinks Tsukasa's talking too much, if not many people or no one they know is around, he kisses him and that shuts him up immediately because Tsukasa is the one who usually gives the kisses.

Before Akito and Tsukasa started dating Rui would sometimes tease Akito about it. Akito never told him but Rui obviously put the pieces together.

Rui is absolutely an Akikasa shipper lmao

Before they started dating Rui probably locked them in a room together once and came back to them making out (lol)

Most of the time at school if Tsukasa starts screaming about a bug Akito will appear out of nowhere and take care of it, no one ask where he came from.

They both have an album on their phones of photos of each other trust.

Akito can kind of draw and sometimes when he's zoning out in class he'll find that instead of notes he's made a small doodle of Tsukasa in his notebook and it takes all he has to not physically cringe at himself. [⭐]

Meanwhile Tsukasa does them intentionally while somehow taking notes. He likes showing them to Akito who loves them but refuses to admit it.

Whenever someone brings up Akito and Tsukasa's relationship, Akito begs them to shut up while Tsukasa casually hops in and takes over the conversation.

"Tsukasa? I mean, he's cool, I guess." "AKITO??? [Insert a 15 paragraph essay on how much Tsukasa loves him]"

I think they both listen to each other's alt vocals of their songs

Tsukasa definitely learned some VBS songs, especially Akito's focus songs. Sometimes Akito will hear him humming one of his songs and god he loves this idiot so much

Akito refuses to admit he learned any of WxS's songs but trust me he did and when Tsukasa found out for the first time he burst into the room SHOCKED

Akito booped Tsukasa once and the blond kinda just. Stood there. In shock. Cause. Like. What. Akito was the last person he expected to get booped by.

Akito likes it when people mess with his hair, even though he'll act all pissy about it. But sometimes he lets Tsukasa pet him.

Tsukasa found this out after Akito came out of the bathroom fresh out of the shower and his hair was still drenched and Tsukasa insisted he help him dry it.

Yes they definitely stay over at each other's homes sometimes.

Whenever Akito stays over at Tsukasa's, he often wakes up to breakfast (and it's usually pancakes)

Tsukasa frequently gets woken up by Akito's midnight texts and he would complain if it wasn't for tired Akito being so overly affectionate

Whenever Akito gets sick and Ena can't take care of him Tsukasa comes over to take care of him and he will go all out

Tsukasa buys things for Akito a lot because it reminds him of him

Tsukasa swears Akito hates him sometimes and when Akito finds out he will frantically try and find a way to make him change his mind

Whenever Akito has dry lips Tsukasa makes him put on lip balm and if he refuses he puts it on himself

Like he will literally make him stop whatever he is doing and MAKE HIM put it on

Akito wears a lot of jewelry like earrings, necklaces, piercings, etc. and Tsukasa sometimes helps him put them on... Though he does question why he wears so much

Tsukasa rambles a lot and though Akito spaces out at times when he does, he still appreciates that Tsukasa trusts him enough to talk about whatever on his mind

I refuse to think about how things will go after Tsukasa graduates but they probably call a lot I guess. Idk it hurts to think about it

I think I talked about this already but I wanna say it again Tsukasa steals Akito's hoodies a lot

Whenever Tsukasa comes over almost every time he finds one of his hoodies gone and when he asks Tsukasa about it he denies it until he wants to give it back (He has at least five sitting in his closet)

Akito doesn't mind though lol and Tsukasa always gets him new hoodies anyways (even if they're not exactly pretty but he'll still wear them)

Whenever Tsukasa wants new clothes Akito goes along with him cause trust me even if a bunch of those VBS outfits look ugly as shit Akito knows what he's doing

Tsukasa always carries an umbrella with him when he's out with Akito just in case it rains

I think it would be really funny if Ena sometimes had to tell them to stfu when Tsukasa is over cause trust me they ain't gonna be quiet (Akito room reveal when)

I got bored in Hong Kong and decided to ask all my friends if I should make a satire Darkside Akikasa GLMM... It doesn't look satire at all please help me (I have one minute left to make)

Divider / Reply Icon made by me! ( 1 | 2 )

[devildom-moss]

Roses for You (15)

This had all started when you noticed a link between a book on the language of flowers you had borrowed from Satan’s room and the current lessons from your Seductive Speechcraft and Magical Potions classes.

In Seductive Speechcraft, you had just reached a section on the effectiveness of spells using non-verbal communication: enchanting glances, dance, and offerings. Meanwhile, in Magical Potions, the professor had been discussing the significance of using specific quantities when concocting potions; they had spent fifteen minutes just providing examples – including adding petals from two different flowers when using them for a love spell.

You couldn’t resist discussing the use of flower language – utilizing the type, color, and quantity of the flowers – to specify the magical intent of an offering as a form of seductive speechcraft. Asmo and Solomon listened intently. The same idea popped into both of their minds, and before you knew it, everyone was looking into color and number meanings, searching for the perfect combination to convey their feelings for you and try to put you under their spell. The only rule for their little competition to charm you? Only roses are allowed.

Will you be charmed by their attempts?

Fifteen Roses - Mephistopheles

Word Count: +1,100

I'm so sorry / Forgive me

You received an unexpected text from Mephisto last night extending an invitation to his home this afternoon. It was rare for him to ask you over – not that you were complaining. The last time he was kind enough to request your presence, you had a wonderful time. You also drank one of the best bottles of Demonus you had ever tried. It was an exciting offer, and you could barely contain your joy as you got ready to leave.

Solomon caught you before you headed out the door. “You’re looking cute. Did we have a date planned that I’m forgetting about?”

“No, sorry Solomon. I’m visiting Mephisto today. He asked me to come over.”

“What for?”

“I don’t know. I’m not going to ruin an invite from Mephisto by asking questions.”

“Do you know when you’ll be back?”

“Afraid not.” You pat Solomon’s cheek playfully. “You’ll be okay until I get back, right? There are leftovers in the fridge if you get hungry. If you try to cook while I’m gone, I won’t come home for two days, got it?”

“Yes, yes. I’ll keep myself entertained outside of the kitchen – all by myself. Maybe I’ll finish up that bottle of bourbon we got the last time we were in the human world.”

“Drink responsibly, please.” You shook your head and double checked that you had your D.D.D., wallet, and house keys.

“Well,” Solomon sighed, “if you’re going to leave me all alone for Mephisto, at least put in a good word for me about forging a pact. He keeps giving me the slip.”

You intentionally ignored him and headed out, offering him a sing-song goodbye as you locked the door behind you.

When you arrived at Mephisto’s home, he was quick to answer the door – almost as if he had been eagerly awaiting your arrival. Mephisto stared at you for a second, appraising you, before he stepped aside and motioned for you to enter.

“Nice of you to make it. Although, I’m surprised you didn’t already have plans.” Mephisto led you through a long, extravagant hallway – one which you knew led to his private sitting room.

“I don’t fill my schedule up with dates, you know? That would be exhausting. Still, even if I had plans, I might have been willing to cancel for you, Mephisto,” you admitted.

Mephisto was grateful that his pace had set him a few steps ahead of you. He would be mortified if you caught the flash of a smile and the blush that painted his cheeks. You had an awful habit of flustering him, and although he had grown more receptive to your flirting, it hurt his pride to be so charmed by you.

Gathering himself and trying to cool his burning face, Mephisto forced out an arrogant huff. “Of course, you would. The invitation itself is an honor.”

“Do you send all of your honorable invites over a text?” You teased, affectionately mocking his attempt to maintain decorum. What was so wrong with wanting to casually spend time with you?  

Mephisto remained silent until he reached the double doors that separated the hall from the sitting room. He cleared his throat and added, “I should mention, I prepared a small gift for you.”

With that, Mephisto opened the doors and ushered you inside. The only noticeable potential present was a vase of roses on the coffee table. You pointed to them wordlessly, and Mephisto responded with a quick nod, causing you to break into a grin. It should have been obvious that Mephisto’s pride and competitive nature would encourage him to join in once he heard what everyone was up to, but he was the last person you expected roses from. His tsundere performance had always been the best.

You got closer, examining the vibrant yellow roses with their deep red tips. The color was mesmerizing – reminiscent of fire, like the one burning in Mephisto’s fireplace, but it lacked the distinctive, overwhelming orange hues. Instinctively, your hand reached out to gently trace the ostentatious display, each soft cluster of petals held firm against your caress. Yellow roses with red tips were the most easily recognizable bi-color combination. He was falling in love with you. Your smile widened.

As you continued to admire the roses, you counted fifteen of them, causing the smile to drop. Fifteen was not a number of roses you wanted to receive – least of all when you weren’t expecting them. You turned to look at Mephisto. The combination of meanings left you confused, and you had all but forgotten the color when you asked him, “Why are you apologizing to me?”

Mephisto brought his knuckles firm against his lips, wondering if he could force himself to say it. He dropped his hand and crossed his arms indignantly. Heat rose in his cheeks. “I’m sorry I was cruel to you before – when we first met and for a while after. You didn’t deserve that. It’s just – you were always hanging out with the brothers. With Lucifer. I was still so hurt and lonely back then – it’s not an excuse, but I thought you were going to make everything worse. But then, you didn’t. I don’t feel so lonely or pushed aside anymore. So, I wanted to apologize for everything I put you through.”

“Oh.” Your eyes softened, and your shoulders slumped. It was written all over Mephisto’s face: none of that had been easy to own up to. You had always understood why he seemed to have thorns, and you never expected an apology for it. His treatment of you had changed so much that you assumed it was all bygone. The fact that Mephisto had been holding onto his guilt for so long carved a deep crack into your heart. To keep it from coming apart that very moment, you walked over to Mephisto and wrapped your arms around him, hugging him so tightly that he let out a small noise – although perhaps it was also from surprise.

Mephisto made no move to hug you back. It was as if he had frozen. The room was still and quiet, save from the low crackling of his fireplace. Maybe the heat from the fire slowly reached him, thawing him out. Maybe your body heat helped, too. With trembling hands, Mephisto raised his arms and wrapped them around your back, pulling you closer until he felt that no one but the future king himself might have the power to pry your bodies apart.

A slow, shaky breath escaped Mephisto. He whispered against your skin, “And I’m sorry I didn’t realize I was falling in love with you sooner.”

You knew he loved you. As everyone else had seemed to do, you pushed him away ever so slightly. That short distance was only maintained long enough for you to stare at the embarrassed, wanting look on Mephisto’s face. You pulled him back to you, crashing your lips against his with a desire you hoped would soothe his need. However, when you parted, panting and flushed, that need had only grown.

Mephisto pressed his forehead to yours and extended another invitation: “Stay the night.”

Lucifer (1) | Mammon (2) | Leviathan (3) | Satan (4) | Asmodeus (5) | Beelzebub (6) | Belphegor (7) | Diavolo (8) | Barbatos (9) | Luke (10) | Simeon (11) | Solomon (12) | Thirteen (13) | Raphael (14)

A/N: And that's a wrap on this mini series. Ending on little taste of resolved angst. I hope you all had fun along the way. If you feel like it, let me know which one(s) were your favorite. Can y'all believe I wrote +13k words this month already? I'm working on the October poll fic now - fingers crossed. Anyway, anticipate that. Requests also open on Halloween (check the request guidelines - found through the pinned masterlist - for more information). Have a good, spooky Halloween~

[twopoppies]

I think your anon is approaching the Spotify question in a wrong way.

Before diving more on the topic we should clarify that a monthly listener is a person that engages with an artist music at least once in the last 28 days.

That being said, when a song gets viral on TikTok, the artist gets millions of monthly listeners in a fast way because everyone is going to listen to the song on Spotify at least once. That doesn't mean that that artist has an engaged audience.

But there's another number that is not public and is only available in the Spotify for artists plataform (the attached picture is an example from one of the musicians I work with)

Active audience are the people that are intentionally and constantly listening to someone, you can see that for this artist in particular only 10% of his listeners ar active listeners.

I would bet that Louis has probably more listeners in his active audience that the viral TikTok artists and that's the real reason why he's able to sell more tickets than artist with more monthly listeners.

Sorry if I got a little bit carried away 😭

No, don’t apologize! This is super interesting. I had no idea Spotify numbers were broken down like this.

In reference to this this and this