#but i love that no matter the verse iris will not stopping pick on him

[queens-of-spirits]

The Poolverine Playlist

So as I mentioned in the latest chapter of my fic, I have a Poolverine Playlist. I had some people say they were interested so here it is! Please let me know if you have additions or edits to these songs to share! It’s under read more because it is loooooong. I was going to add links but tumblr will not let me add that many.

Like a Prayer by Madonna (3 versions). You know why this is here, I know why this is here, no explanation needed, it is their song

The Power of Love by Huey Lewis and the News. It’s the song that plays while Wade is searching for his dream man a wolverine

You’re the One that I want - From Grease. The Honda Odyssey song!!! The thing that, combined with the come hither motions, the taunting, the belt grab, and literally ever other part of this scene, makes it clear that there was a little more than fighting going on in that car.

If I Could Turn Back Time by Cher. I know this one is more from the second movie, but the themes of time travelling to undo past mistakes (specifically of cruel worlds like those initially shared between them) really fits their story

The Masochism Tango by Tom Lehrer. My personal alternative soundtrack to the Honda Odyssey scene. They both were enjoying stabbing each other a biiiiit to much for this not to be fair game.

Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) by Edison Lighthouse. I can’t stop imagining this playing over a series of domestic vignettes post-movie where Logan realizes he’s in love. Also, there is hand-holding imagery, you’ll see a lot of that in this list.

Problems by Mother Mother. Particularly the first few verses. The whole finding love in a strange place while locked up in a cage is very them (“Not all of you was asleep,” anyone?) and that first bit about the singer believing that the subject is good enough for heaven but they aren’t? I can see the edits in my mind’s eye. The best part? It works no matter who you imagine as the singer.

Wrecking Ball by Mother Mother. This could be either of them, but I just can’t help by see Logan dealing with his anger and violence and idea that he ruined his worlds and then the two coming together to be fucked up and break shit together.

Curses by The Crane Wives. This is so Worst Wolverine. His world is destroyed and it’s his fault, but then Wade comes along and makes it all easier somehow.

Tongue’s & Teeth by The Crane Wives. Again, so Logan it HURTS. Feeling like a monster that hurts or destroys every good thing and will ruin Wade too, but willing to accept the fact that Wade seems to know this, but doesn’t care.

Predator by The Crane Wives (I really like their music lol). It’s on their latest albums and again. It really embodies the character of Logan to me. Tim’s hard to describe without just showing you guys the lyrics, so honestly go listen to it guys.

Sticks and Stones by The Pierces. This one is hard to describe, so please trust me and listen to it with Poolverine in mind

Iris by The Goo Goo Dolls. Okay, if I had to pick another song for the hand holding to Madonna scene, it’s this one. The vibes are immaculate, the theme talking about not being understood but finding someone who sees you are perfect, but that’s not why it’s here. It’s here because if two lines that are so much like Logan in that moment where he rushes in to save Wade. One: “you’re the closest to heaven that I’ll ever be/And I don’t want to go home right now.” This one is Logan finding something in Wade he’d thought he’d lost and realizing, perhaps even in that moment, that he doesn’t want to go back to a fixed world. Two: the very first line “and I’d give up forever to touch you.” Logan believes that if he goes in that chamber he will die, but he breaks down the door anyway. He’s literally giving up his effectively immortal lifespan (forever) to touch Wade because he’d rather die with him that live in a universe where he doesn’t exist.

Too Sweet by Hozier. This one is so Logan falling in love with Wade post-movie. Logan having another chance at life and Wade trying to pull him out of his most self-destructive habits while Logan can’t think of anything but how Wade is too good, too sweet for him.

This is Love by Air Traffic Controller. I love these boys but they are a liiiiittle toxic. This is that (plus the knife and gun imagery)

The Red Means I Love You by Madds Buckley. Remember that scene where Wade bled into Logan’s mouth and he had that feral ass grin and laughed? Yeah.

I WANNA BE YOUR SLAVE by Måneskin. You say rough sex I say Poolverine.

Big Bang Theory Man by Clare Fader and The Vaudevillians. It’s another toxic romance vibes song. This one has guns lol

Somebody to Love by Queen. I think this really exemplifies their lives before they find each other. They’re both lost, both put down by life and the world. They don’t know it yet, but they’re just looking for somebody to love.

You Give Love a Bad Name by Bon Jovi. A little more toxicity for the boys. Logan singing this about Wade works well. Like with the idea that Logan played his part in Wade’s game and got sent to the void. Plus comparing Wade to a loaded gun? Yes. Just yes

You Make My Dreams (Come True) by Daryl Hall & John Oates. I like to believe that they both made each other’s dreams come true. Wade got to team up with Wolverine and Logan got a second chance.

The Other Side from the Greatest Showman soundtrack. Look I know Hugh is the one singing here, but I can’t help but draw comparisons from this song to Wade dragging Logan away from the bar where he’s content to waste away.

I Don’t Care if You’re Contagious by Pierce the Veil. My beta reader (crypticanid here on tumblr) recommended this one so it’s here.

The Chain by Fleetwood Mac. The chain is them holding hands to save the world :-)

Dancing in the Dark by Bruce Springsteen. Here for dad rock energy and because it fits pre-movie Logan.

Shackled And Drawn by Bruce Springsteen. See above (Springsteen is peak dad rock to me)

Angel Eyes & Basketball by Foot Ox. Look at these opening eyes and tell it isn’t Logan “There are flowers growing all around a massive animal inside of me/And it's so ugly/And I'm so broken/And I'm so ugly/And it's so broken”

Heaven’s Gate by Amélie Farren. This is so Worst Wolverine pre-movie. He’s lost and helpless and blames himself for ruining his world. Also, the bit about “I was told that I was vital in the plan to save my life” is giving Logan agreeing to help Wade so the TVA can fix his world. And not believing in Wade and always running away before finally deciding to stay and follow? So represented in this song. Also! “‘Cause I didn’t deserve heaven, but I’m standing at its gate”? That is so Logan when he sees the start of his life with Wade stretch out before him.

Creepy Old Guy from the Beetlejuice musical soundtrack. This is one of the silly ones, but I find the idea of Wade singing this about Logan, who remember is over 200, really funny. He’s Logan’s controversially young girlfriend.

November by Sparkbird. It’s a song about travelling grouch parallel universes and the vibes are very Poolverine. Plenty of knife imagery.

Loser, Baby from the Hazbin Hotel soundtrack. Look I know this one is a little off the wall, but c’mon, it’s a song where an animal themed alcoholic and a hyper sexual gun-lover who are heavily implied to have feelings for each other sing about how life sucks and they’re both losers, but at least they have each other. It’s one the nose (I would actually cry if someone did artwork of them dancing in front of that billboard like in the show)

[simutations]

👁️  * .       @paraseek​.       /       human,  barely.

             was  he  late  again  ?  what  was  with  new  interns  and  refusing  to  be  on  time  when  6am  is  completely  standard  for  jobs  of  much  lower  importance  than  this.  she  could  have  him  thrown  on  the  cutting  board  and  shipped  off  to  a  lower  department  for  such  careless  behavior.  in  fact,  after  a  hot  mug,  she  might.  it  was  a  risk  to  treat  employees  with  such  nonchalance  and  lack  of  care,  after  all  many  aren’t  afraid  to  quit  and  walk  out  with  their  noses  high.  but  iris  knows  there’s  some  who  can’t,  some  who  depend  on  her  just  as  much  as  she  does  on  their  HARD  WORK.  a  perfect  relationship  of  boss  and  staff,  a  bond  too  fragile  and  yet  too  SCARED  to  break  !

                    “  look  alive  will  you  ?  this  is  a  boardroom,  not  a  cafeteria.  “

[hufflepuffhollander]

metempsychosis: t. holland series (pt. 3)

a/n | we’re finally getting to the good stuff :-) now that i’m turning this into a submission for a competition i’m having to change all of the names and tenses (bc i can’t submit “y/n” to professionals) so hopefully there aren’t too many typos !

synopsis | A young couple whose lives were both lost in a tragic accident are reincarnated as new people. As they collide as strangers in their second lives, they must try to make sense of the innate connection they feel.

cw | reincarnation au. language, fluff, a lil angst, flashbacks. this one ain’t too sad. 2.6k words.

Read part 2, join the taglist

1993

{ He took a gulp as he opened the door to see her sweet face waiting to be let in. “Hey, glad you found me,” he laughed nervously, arm reaching up and over to scratch at a nonexistent itch on the back of his head.

She wandered through the doorframe, taking in the smell of his apartment, counting the dirty dishes in the sink, smiling at the family photos he had on display. “I’m glad we’re finally getting around to having a movie night,” she grinned back.

“Sorry, you know how crazy school has been-”

“Yeah, yeah, I know. Chemistry this and med school that. I can’t believe I’ve found myself swooning over such a nerd.”

“Says the girl who prefers numbers to real people.”

She gave him a dramatic slap to the shoulder, feigning offense. “Just put on the movie before I ditch you for some spreadsheets.”

He gave her lower arm a lighthearted squeeze and guided her over to the couch, putting the tape in and plopping down next to her. He grabbed a blanket off of the armrest and whipped it up in the air, letting it fall spread out across her lap. She looked surprised at his intuitiveness. “I remember you telling me you can’t watch a home movie without a good blanket,” he said.

Her eyes crinkled at the edges at his attention to detail, picking up the corner closest to him and motioning for him to take half of the quilt. “Then you shouldn’t, either.”

The rom-com had an argument scene between the protagonist and his love interest where they disputed over who took what side of the bed the first time they slept together. He laughed at the silliness of it all as she sank further into his body as their chests rose and fell.

“Do you think we’ll need to pick sides of the bed?” he whispered as the scene changed.

“This is only our second date- I won’t be sleeping in your bed anytime soon, mister,” she smiled, stare still pointed at the screen.

“Well, fine, but it seems like this is a conversation we need to have if we have any chance of making it,” he said matter-of-factly.

“Let’s just pick sides of the couch then!” She looked down at her own lap, then at his. “I’m on the left side right now, so I’m claiming it as mine.”

“Wait, I didn’t even get a chance to experience the left side!’

“This is your couch,” she rolled her eyes at his playful tone.

“So I’m just stuck with the right?”

“Yes.”

“Forever?!”

“What other option would there be?”

He huffed in disapproval, but as time and movie dates passed, he had carved his own dugout in the left couch cushion that fit him like a glove. If he ever wasn’t on the right side of her, looking at her side profile from that specific angle, he couldn’t help but feel out of place. When they did finally share a bed, there was no need to fuss over who took which side, and no matter how many new couches they went through in different moves at different stages of their life, he sat to the right, learning to keep a throw pillow on his lap to anticipate her inevitably lying down and resting her head on it. }

You walked over to Tom, the soft padding of your feet against the wooden floors ringing out as the only sound in the suddenly quiet apartment.

“Can I get you something to drink?”

“Uh, coffee, if you have it,” he replied, still clutching the throw pillow in his lap.

“Really? At 8pm?”

“Yeah, caffeine doesn’t affect me, I have one of those recessed genes or something.”

You shrugged and obliged, happy to have something to keep you busy as you paced over to the kitchen to brew the coffee, holding your hip. Tom swiveled around to watch you work.

His words sliced through the silence. “Are you feeling any better than earlier? You seemed pretty off in the car-”

“I’m fine.” You didn’t want to replay the emotions you felt while Tom was driving in your head, so you cut him off before he could keep talking about it. “Here’s your coffee.”

He took a sip and burned his tongue, scrunching up his face in such a cute way that you couldn’t help but let out a small giggle, sitting down next to him on the couch.

“Fuck, that’s hot!” he started fanning his stuck out tongue like it would do something, the corners of his mouth tugging into a smirk when he noticed you were laughing.

“I’m sorry, you literally just watched me brew it...” You shrugged, still entertained by his dramatic display.

The mood changed then and you were finally able to loosen yourselves up, able to chime in with conversation, exchanging eye contact that didn’t make either one of you nauseous. Now that you had the chance to look into Tom’s eyes for a little while longer, you was able to see just how mesmerizingly milky they were.

He continued in a panic. “I can’t lose my tongue! That’s how I make a living!”

You raised an eyebrow at him and he shot back a face of realization.

“That did not come out how I meant it to.”

You giggled again, pulling a blanket over your lap.

“I meant because I sing-”

“Yeah, Tom, I figured.”

You both had laugh lines splaying across your faces and you felt yourself settle back into the cushions a little easier, growing more used to being in his presence. Once you had given it a chance, you and Tom actually got along quite well.

“Speaking of which, can I hear something?”

“You want me to play for you?”

“Well, I’m an artist and you got to see my work...so, yeah,” you smiled, poking at his shoulder.

“Um, I don’t have my guitar,” Tom blurted out an excuse, because he was currently terrified of singing to you; you already made him excitedly nervous enough.

But you weren’t letting him off the hook that easy. “Isn’t it just in your car?”

“...so you saw it, then.” He sighed in defeat, getting up to get his keys.

“Yep.”

“You’re really gonna make me sing for you?”

You smiled and nodded at him.

“It’s the least you can do now that I’ve graciously opened my home and my coffee pot up to you.”

He shook his head as he laughed and ran out to grab the instrument. Once he was settled back down on the sofa, you watched him with your head tilted to the side as he became lost in the strings, tuning and then strumming onto them a truly beautiful melody. He saw you in his peripheral so seemingly enthralled watching him play, your bottom lip half bitten as you focused on his hands and fingers moving.

“Well, truthfully, I haven’t come up with anything good in a few days,” he said, still in denial that his dreamy muse had abandoned him. “So what’s a song you know? I’ll just play a cover.”

You pondered for too long on the question, thinking your answer would hold a lot more weight about your character than it actually did. Tom was far from that kind of deep thinking; he was too busy taking in the way your wavy hair framed your hollow cheeks.

“How about ‘Iris’?” You took a chance on one of your favorite old songs, assuming he wouldn’t know how to play it.

“Ah, a classic.” He started to pluck out the first few notes, and you were amazed that he already knew it by heart. But where you expected to hear the lyrics come in, Tom stayed silent. He looked over to your confused expression and stopped the music.

“What?”

“Aren’t you gonna sing the words?”

“It’s not really in my range. You can though, if you want?”

You sat upright. “Me?”

“Well, if you wanna hear the words that badly,” he shrugged, grinning at you.

“Ugh, fine.”

“Wow, she paints and sings?”

“Hey, do you want me to or not?!”

He chuckled at you, loving how rosy your cheeks had gotten, and started the song over, his hands on autopilot.

You sang the first few words of the first verse, and upon hearing your voice, Tom’s jaw all but fell to the floor; he was completely awestruck.

That voice. He knew that voice.

1993

{ He sat slouched on his barstool, listening to someone do a country song a great injustice up on the microphone.

“Why did you drag me to this, mate?”

“To a bar?”

“To a bar with an open mic. I can’t listen to a Beatles’ classic being sung off key for a third time tonight.” He popped the top off of another beer and chugged it down as another amateur made their way to the front of the room.

The girl on the stage started to sing and he all but did a spit take. Her voice was incredible, melting into his ears like smooth butter. And once he turned to look at her, well, that was all it took. He had waded through the bar crowd so quickly that she was barely off the makeshift stage when he approached her, blurting out “Hi, you’re so beautiful, I mean, your voice, I mean...uh, can I buy you a drink?” and kicking himself afterwards for not even trying an ounce to playing it cool. But it didn’t matter; one look was all it took for her, too. }

Tom racked his brain as you continued to sing, your voice echoing through the apartment like an angelic aura. That was it, he thought, she sounds like the singing voice in his dreams—and the day he’d met you was the same day he’d stopped dreaming—no, no...that wasn’t possible.

But he couldn’t shake the eerie thought from his head. Were you trapped in his brain until he met you in person? Had his angel manifested itself into the beautiful singing girl sitting next to him?

He stopped the song halfway through as he felt a rush of copper through his forehead and down to his nose. Shit.

“Um, where’s your bathroom?” he shot up and covered his nose with his sleeve, his guitar haphazardly falling onto the couch behind him.

“Down the hall, first door on the left,” you answered, confused. “Is everything alright?”

“Yeah, just gotta-” Tom bolted down the hall and shut the bathroom door abruptly, uncovering his face in the small mirror to see a familiar trickle of red pooling above his upper lip. When he reentered the living room after cleaning himself up, he hadn’t realized that his blood had stained the collar of his t-shirt.

“Tom, you have...” you stood up and made her way over to him, touching your finger to his shirt. He looked down in horror and sighed heavily.

“Yeah, it’s…I’m sorry. I get these nosebleeds.”

You smiled up at him and put a comforting hand on his shoulder. “Hey, it’s okay. I might have an extra shirt lying around, if you want it?”

Mortified but infatuated with how warming your touch was, Tom smiled back. “That would be great.”

You came out of your room with a t-shirt in hand. “This is the only one I have that will probably fit you,” you shrugged, tossing it to him and trying not to let your smile show as he stretched to take off his shirt right in front of you, revealing quite the body underneath. You pretended to busy yourself with something, anything, so he wouldn’t notice that you were watching him—but he did, and he didn’t mind it.

Tom’s phone lit up with a call in that moment, and he picked up to hear the tow trucker on the other end.

“Hey, sorry to let you know we won’t be getting out to your area for another few hours, turns out the truck lost its own tire on the freeway and we’re stranded,” the voice said, causing Tom to pace around the living room, speaking curtly with the man on the phone.

“Okay, right, thanks, bye.” He hung up and turned to you, pouting.

“My insurance is shit,” he shook his head. “They won’t be here for hours.”

You feigned upset, but neither of you were too unhappy about the opportunity to spend more time together.

“...do you have anything stronger than coffee?”

You winked at Tom as you made your way back into the kitchen. “Coming right up.”

You passed the night away, mixing your coffee with rum and childhood memories with the anecdotes of a broken heart. As the hours trickled by, you sank closer on the old couch; you kept track of Tom’s heartbeat, watching his chest rise and fall in rhythm, and he kept losing his train of thought in the gold specks of your eyes.

You opened up to him about your disability, and upon seeing you become so open, so vulnerable with him, Tom couldn’t help but lean forward, place a light hand around the shape of your cheek, and capture your lips in his own. Upon the contact, you both felt as if you had been delightfully tased—and it sent your head reeling.

You saw fragmented scenes in your head—images of flashing lights, a shouting couple, a tender, loving kiss frozen in time. As Tom pulled back, the fantastical man in your head followed suit, and you doubled over on the couch as a shock of familiarity churned your stomach at the realization that the man had been a dead match for Tom.

The flashes continued, and the girl on the receiving end of the kiss became less pixellated; you felt the warmth of a lifetime of memories flooding your system as you registered that the girl in the images was, in fact, you yourself.

Tom held you upright as you held your face in your hands, shaking your head softly. “y/n, what just happened? Was it the kiss? Did I read the room wrong? I’m-”

“No, Tom, it wasn’t you,  I just…” you trailed off, bolting up from the couch and quickly pacing to the kitchen. “I need some water.”

He watched you from his seat with concern, readying himself to run to your rescue, just as he heard the loud, startling sound of a horn. The tow truck had finally made it.

“You should go,” you said, refusing to turn around and look Tom in the eye for fear of making any more sense of what she’d just seen.

“y/n-”

“Please go.”

“Please tell me I can see you again.”

You thought on that for a moment, frightened but unready to let go of this mystery.

“Okay.” You remained staring out of the kitchen window.

Tom stood up and silently exited the apartment, closing the door softly behind him, wondering where in time and space he had just lost your thoughts. As he arrived home much later and finally succumbed to sleep, he wasn’t able to rest long as he was visited by his own nightmare.

He had been in the driver’s seat of his car, unidentified noises pinging here and there as he heard someone mumbling, unable to discern their words. He turned to the passenger, his vision lagging as it made its way to her, and saw none other than you, yourself but not, crying softly, the vividness of your features making the dream feel more like a memory. As he tried to lend a comforting hand—the arm in his dream seemingly extending a mile away to reach you—the car was hit with a blinding force, and the vision went black as he was jolted awake.

[outropeace]

elotito tagged me on this so i’m gonna do it for her <33333

1. describe how you first started writing and when you first posted

i began to write in general since i was around 14 like any other emo kid kdjdjsks and o began to write fics when a friend asked me for one as a birthday present. it was written in a hurry and it’s not my favorite but i really enjoyed doing it. i posted that exact same fic on their birthday

2. which of your characters do you typically resonate most closely with? do you base any characters off of yourself?

it depends the fic i guess. and not really, i think the closest i’ve been to do that is in the rockstar au (coming to the @bottomlouisficfest very soon), i put one or two of my old insecurities in h so he could connect better and wouldn’t be persieved as just an asshole-y dude cause i don’t like that and louis don’t deserve that uwu🌸

3. where do you often find inspiration?

music, movies, tiktoks (DONT JUDGE KDKDKS)

4. has quarantine helped or hindered your writing process?

before the quarantine i had around 3 wips, now i have 8

5. do you listen to music/noise while you write or do you prefer silence?

i listen lofi youtube playlists shjdkld

6. what is your biggest writing pet peeve in your writing or in general?

me repeating “Oh...” over and over again through tall my fics, it shouldn’t be legal

7. describe your ideal writing setup

rainy day, good coffee, comfy sweater, my cat besides me, arely sending texts about teeth/imessage games, snacks

8. favorite time of day to write?

nights (it’s usually when i have time)

9. favorite genre to write + one you’d like to try writing in the future?

i’d LOVE to write a thriller

10. do you struggle with writer’s block? how do you typically overcome it?

i just leave the fic for a bit, i don’t really like to push myself about this cause i’m just doing it for fun

11. what is the easiest part of your writing process and the most difficult?

the easiest is the dialogues, i could write pages and pages of just dialogues in hours and the hardest is the smut dhjdd

12. how do you come up with original characters? (if applicable)

it depends, is the antagonist? i ask myself how’d i feel if i were them, like a third party just trying (and usually failing) to get in between

13. what is your favorite and least favorite word?

i like “wet” i just... yeah.... and least favorite i don’t really know tbh

14. what is one thing about your writing that you’re really proud of and one thing you hope to continue working at?

i like that people conect with the characters because i always put a lot of effort in making them realistic (as much as i can), i make them flawled and sometimes even messy but with good hearts and intentions, all of them are (even the antagonists). and my grammar OH MY GOD MY GRAMMAR

15. what work of yours has your favorite ‘verse/world building? how did you come up with it?

hands down the ice prince fic. and funny thing is, i already had my prompt for the fic fest but i just couldn’t stop thinking about one particular prompt about a bratty prince and an alpha who hated omegas and the amount of POSSIBILITIES that had. two days later or so, the mods of the fest gave us the opportunity to pick another prompt if we wanted and the rest is HISTORY

16. what font and size do you write in? single spaced or double?

11 and single

17. what is a typo(s) you find yourself making consistently?

baby do we have TIME FOR THIS ONE?

18. (if applicable) do you separate fic writing from fandom?

yes, always 100000000%

19. what emotion is your favorite to write? which is the most difficult?

angst, sadness, anguish, sorrow, jealousy, i love to hurt hearts. and it’s not an emotion but after they get together it’s really difficult to me to actually keep going (oh god dkdkdkkdd)

20. what is one thing you hope readers always take away from your works?

that that’s okay to fuck up, that no matter the circumstances you have to respect your partner and TALK WITH THEM and that a person can be successful, independent and a badass while being soft and a c*mslut

21. what is the best and worst writing advice you’ve ever received?

i think “write whatever you like, you’re not being paid for it anyways” is the best and only advise i’ve actually listened to

22. which one of your works would you most want to see turned into a film/television show?

it’s complicated cause my two favorites are abos and idk how that would work dkskkss but the ice prince and the alpha/alpha fic

23. do you write scenes chronologically or out of order?

chronologically but i have a document apart where i write everything that comes to my mind at the moment, that one is A MESS

24. how do you handle criticism?

i think good, if it’s respectful

25. what is the advice you would give to someone who is looking to start writing?

trust yourself, have fun

26. what kind of feedback on your work always makes your day?

ANY type of positive feedback makes my day tbh

27. which fic ‘verse of your own would you most like to exist in? which fic’s characters would you most like to befriend?

none tbh dkdkks and louis, obviously

28. what do you always enjoy getting asks about/wish people would ask about more?

about my stories, i love when people just come to rant to me about certain things the characters did and ask me why they did it

29. what has writing added to your life? how has it changed you?

it relaxes me a lot. i just can write for hours and hours and it just feels nice and in some way exciting

30. why do you write?

refer to question 29 kdkdkxk

boost yourself + tags!

1a. share the last sentence you wrote

from the exes to lovers au:

The second hiccup of the night came in the form of his ex smiling to a boy sitting next to him on a couch. The boy had gorgeous, dark and wild hair, clear hazel eyes and a pretty pouty mouth. Their body language screamed attraction and that they both were ready to devour each other. Louis was familiar to the smile Harry was giving to him, bright and seductive, ready to give anything you asked for.

2a. describe the wip you’re most excited about

right now i’m very excited for the happiest season au, my “cliche story” au and for my exes to lovers au dksks i’m excited about a lot of my wips i’m so sorryjdjd

3a. share the piece of dialogue from one of your works you’re most proud of

from the alpha/alpha au:

“I’m not giving up on love,” He softly touched the hand that was still grabbing his thigh. “To me, love is like flowers. Each one needs a special treatment, if you give an orchid the same treatment you give to an iris, the orchid will die. Same thing with love. I’m not giving up on love, I’m just changing the treatment. We might not be an orchid, but we could make such a pretty iris.”

4a. share the best first and last lines from your work(s)

favorite first line from the sugar baby au:

Powerful people only end up with powerful people. The rest are just playthings in their lives. Louis Tomlinson was many things, but he wasn’t anybody’s plaything.

favorite last line from the ice prince fic:

“Who would have guessed…” Harry whispered after a while, smiling against Louis’ lips. “the dragon finally got to keep the princess.”

5a. link the last fic you read

HAYLEY’S MASTERPIECE

6a. link the last work you published

that’d be the ice prince fic

7a. link to your ao3 (if applicable)

hereee

8a. someone that inspires you

louis teheeee

9a. a comfort fic/work that you’ve been grateful for this year

god, again, there’s so so many of them, like the amount of authors i’m so grateful for, the list is infinite but these are a few that comes to my mind

all elote’s (@defencelesst) fics makes me really really happy and never fails to give me a cozy/wintery feeling, her louis IS THE MOST PRECIOUS THING ON EARTH AND HER HARRY IS JUST PERFECTION, i’m in love with her descriptions and how she just takes you THERE. hanis @loulicate-recs always makes me smile so fucking hard. ris @falsegoodnight fics NOW.... well.... ris fics they make me smile but also make me want to throw my phone to the other side of the room BEST OF BOTH WORLD IG. MAR’S FICS (loubellies on twitter, idk their @ here i’m sORRY) ARE LITERALLY ONE OF MY FAVORITE AUTHORS AT THE MOMENT, such a pretty louis IM SO IN LOVE WITH MAR’S LOUIS ITS UNFAIR

10a. other writers that you’d like to tag!

omg i’m probably so late to this and idk how many of you have actually done this so here goes nothing @allwaswell16, @runaway-train-works, @greenfeelings, @kingsofeverything, @thepolourryexpress, @larents

[mosylufanfic]

Name That Tune

Inspired by the pic that DP recently posted to Instagram of her and Carlos looking like a couple of badass rockstars.

Name That Tune

Over the sound of his piano, Cisco heard the front door open and the click of familiar high heels on the tile floor of his entryway. He didn't bother to call out. He was the only one who played this piano. She'd know where to find him.

Sure enough, his manager strode in a few minutes later, ferociously stylish in skinny jeans, silk blouse, high heels, and a leather jacket that was probably too warm for the southern California weather, but still looked like a million bucks. "Surprised to see you awake," she said, setting her leather satchel down next to her usual chair.

"Why wouldn't I be?" He noodled the same chord progression again, frowning. There was something off about it, but he couldn't figure out what.

"You had a late night last night." Caitlin pulled out her phone and tablet and laid them out on the black glass coffee table, all business as always.

"Of all people, you should know better than to believe what you see online."

"I don't," she retorted, waking up the tablet and checking something. Probably her schedule, or her to-do list with its hundreds of tasks and subtasks. "Ralph texted me."

"My driver ratted me out? Fired. Out on the street."

"I cut his checks," she said calmly. "So no. Not fired. And you were getting in at four, the morning before a performance. Did you even sleep?"

It wasn't an idle question. He'd been known to pull 48-hour stretches when the music grabbed him by the throat. "Yes," he said. "A few hours." He ran his fingers over the keys. "I'm fine. I'll take a nap later.”

"See that you do." She unfolded herself from the chair and strode over to his wet bar. He ignored the various clatters and thumps and kept banging away at the chords. He was no closer to figuring them out when she set a giant mug on the music shelf of the piano, with a coaster under it.

He picked it up and took a sip. Hot tea, lemon ginger with two squeezes of honey, just the way he liked it. He would drink at least three or four more cups before tonight's show. "Thanks," he said.

She shrugged and settled herself back in her chair with her bottle of kiwi strawberry sparkling water. He had no idea why she liked it - the stuff tasted like it had heard about kiwis and strawberries on the Internet once - but she did, so he always had at least a case in the house.

"Are you working on the new album or messing around?" she asked.

"Mmm. Working." He played the chord progression again. "This phrase won't get out of my head but I'm not sure what it's about. Thoughts?"

"You know I'm tone-deaf," she said.

He shrugged. "You know what you like, though. C'mon." He played it again, all the way through.

She listened, sipping her water. "It sounds like yearning," she said. 

He lifted his hands from the keyboard and looked at her. "Yearning?"

"You know. Like there's something you want but can't have."

He lifted the tea to his lips again to hide the hard swallow he had to take then. When he was pretty sure he had himself under control, he said, "So something just out of reach?"

She looked away for a moment. "More like . . . it's within arm's length, but you're not brave enough to touch it."

He stared at her. She cleared her throat and took another sip of water. "Or, you know. Something like that."

"Hey," he said, and she looked up. He pointed at her. "I'm the singer-songwriter around here, don't you forget that."

She smiled a little.

"But I gotta admit that's . . . that was pretty good." He pulled his notebook toward him and scribbled down a few of the things she'd said. The musical phrase that had been circling his brain started to grow and expand, verses, chorus, bridge . . . He grabbed his phone and set it to record, then played a few of the threads spooling themselves out, before he forgot them. 

Caitlin listened, sipping her water, her face calm and unreadable.

"Good," he said, ending the recording and taking a deep gulp of tea. "I can work with that." He got up from the piano, taking his tea with him, and went over to kiss her cheek. "Thanks."

"It's all you," she said, and picked up her tablet. "If you're at a good stopping place, we should go over your schedule for today." 

He shrugged and dropped onto the couch, setting his tea on the coffee table. "Hit me." 

She paused to glare at his coaster-less mug until he reached over and pulled one off the little rack. Then she picked up her phone and fired away like a Gatling gun.

"I'm going from here to the venue for last-minute logistics. You're due at three for a sound check and run-through. Allegra's arranging dinner from Sushi Ten for you and the crew."

He nodded. "Including the Legends?"

She checked a text on her phone. "The bassist is allergic to soy and shellfish, so he asked for another restaurant, but everyone else is getting an order."

Shellfish, Cisco thought, filing it away. And soy.

If this group did a good show opening for him tonight, they'd come with him on tour next month.  Of course, Caitlin or her razor-efficient PA would make sure there weren't any allergens on the bus or at any of the stops, but it was good to remember anyway.

"At seven," she went on, "you've got a meet and greet with fans, including the Make a Wish kid you requested. Names and details on your calendar. The show starts at eight and you'll go on at nine-thirty. Rolling Stone wants an interview after."

"Who's the reporter?"

She checked her notes. "Iris West-Allen."

"Good. I like her. She doesn't spring shit on me."

"Yes," she said dryly, "I like that about her too. So that should be half an hour, an hour. I'll catch her on the way out and confirm any details." She tapped a few notes to herself and looked up. "Am I arranging any backstage passes tonight?"

"Yeah," he said, taking a sip of tea. "Couple of cuties I met at the bar. They follow me on Instagram."

She raised a brow. "You have over two hundred million followers on Instagram."

"They posted a pic last night. It was really nice meeting them." He smirked. "Really nice."

She picked up her phone, scrolled through his mentions, and found the post he was talking about. "These two?" she asked, holding it up to show a shot of a good-looking young couple, with him in the center, all three of them smiling brightly. Behind them the bar was dark and crowded.

"Yep. Jake and Christy . . . something. Forgot their last name." He waved a hand. "And while you're at it, bump up their seats as far as you can."

"I'll take care of it," she said, tapping a note to herself. Cool and unruffled, she continued, "Gatorade and condoms in your dressing room or back here?"

Because she was looking at her phone and not him, he allowed his eyes to narrow a little. "Let's say both," he said, pushing harder. "See where the night takes us."

She didn't react. "Okay. I'll be by tomorrow at noon. You've got another interview at two. Entertainment Weekly, they're coming here. So don't wear yourself out with your Instagram cuties tonight." 

"Hawthorne," he said. "That's it. Jake and Christy Hawthorne."

"Good, that makes my job a little easier," she said, typing the name into her phone. "I'll have those passes waiting at the box office." She flipped the cover closed on her tablet and started packing it away. "Anything else you need before I go?"

He gazed up at her, thinking, your hands, your lips, your heart.

He shrugged and drained his tea. "I'm good."

She tucked her phone in its little outside pocket. "Don't get lost in the music," she said. "Remember to take that nap."

He checked the time. "I've already asked for a sandwich in an hour, and after that I'll crash for ninety minutes or so. I'll be there in plenty of time."

"I know," she said. "Text if you need me." She was off then, heels clicking on the tiles, voice echoing in the hallway as she delegated new tasks to her PA, door thumping closed behind her.

He stayed on the couch for a moment longer, telling himself it would be maudlin beyond belief if he went to the window and stared longingly after her sapphire blue car streaking down the driveway. 

The least she could have done was look a little jealous when he'd implied he was going to have a wild threesome with a sexy couple tonight after the show. 

Not that he was actually going to do much more than kiss Christy Hawthorne's cheek. This was her birthday present, her husband had told him in the bar last night, one that Jake had scrimped and saved his teacher’s salary for.

No matter what Cisco had implied, the backstage passes and upgraded seats were just something nice for a couple of fans that had been sweet and excited when they’d recognized him at the bar last night. He hadn't gotten the sense that either of them were open to a post-concert tryst, even with their favorite rock star. 

So he'd walk around backstage with them, make chit-chat, sign some things, and wave good-bye. And if Caitlin thought they'd done anything more in his dressing room, well then, that was her problem.

He peeled himself off the couch and went back to the wet bar to get another mug of tea going. He grabbed his phone off the piano on the way, listening to the recording he'd made. The things she'd said swirled around his head. 

Arm's length. Close enough to touch. 

That was good. That could be something there. He played a silent string of notes on the edge of the bar as his tea steeped, hearing them swim in his head, aching. Longing. 

Yearning.

If nothing else, unrequited love was great for his songwriting.

FINIS

[sebeth]

Crisis On Infinite Earths #2

Warning, Spoilers Ahead…

  We start at the dawn of man where Anthro, the first Cro-Magnon man, is attempting to divert a herd of woolly mammoths (“serpent-noses”) from trampling his village.

While diverting the herd, Anthro shudders over the thought of Embra, his pregnant wife, giving birth to a girl: “Embra would never have a daughter…would she?”  

I’m rooting for Embra to give birth to a girl. Go, Embra, go!

Congratulating himself on saving the village: “A hero? I am, aren’t I?  Maybe the biggest hero the bear tribe ever…” *Klunk* Anthro is taken out by a tree branch.  “It was a long beast or a serpent!  He hit me when I wasn’t looking!  Face me now, animal!  Anthro is a hero!”  As Anthro makes threats to non-existent attackers he catches a glimpse of a futuristic city.  Anthro notices the herd of woolly mammoths have disappeared.

I fell in love with Anthro here.  He was such a lovable dork.

We move on to the 30th century where the Legion of Super-Heroes are searching for Dawnstar. They also have to contain a rampaging herd of woolly mammoths that disappear as soon as they appeared.

The Science Police tell the Legion to call Brainiac 5. The Legion calls Brainy. He informs his team that the missing Dawnstar and wooly mammoths are the least of their concerns: “There’s anti-matter energy moving toward the earth from somewhere I still can’t determine! Enough energy to destroy not only us but the universe!”

Back to present day Gotham City as Batman battles the Joker.  The Joker has murdered Harold J. Standish III because he wanted ownership of the millionaire’s copyrights. The fight is interrupted by the Flash who is requesting aid: “…Help me!  Help someone…anyone!  Please…Please…can’t you see the world?  I…It’s dying all around me!  Iris…Dying…the world is dying…may already be dead…save us…save us…save us…”  

An unnerved Joker orders Batman to inform the Flash that he has no jurisdiction in Gotham City. The Joker has a hissy when Batman doesn’t order Barry to leave: “You caped and corpses-to-come have some sort of secret reciprocal deal, don’t you?”

What’s this? A Batman that treats his fellow heroes with respect instead of acting like a territorial douchebag for no reason? Shocking!

Batman pleads with Barry: “Where are you, Flash? I can help rescue you.”

The Flash disintegrates as Batman watches in horror. The Joker escapes in the confusion, fanboying over Batman’s detective skills.

 This section makes me miss editor’s notes. Batman thinks about the Flash’s recent disappearance - Bam! - Editor’s note refers to you to Flash #350 so you can check out that story if you wish.  Little corner in the bottom of the panel - why is that so hard for modern comics to accomplish?

Picking up where we left at the end of last issue:  The Monitor explains to his assembled team the reason for this gathering.  “Already more than one thousand universes have died.” Seriously?  It took the death of a thousand universes to get your butt in gear? I would have thought the death of one universe would have been sufficient.  

The Monitor’s explains the process: “The Anti-Matter force once more shatters the dimensional barriers…expanding outward, engulfing one universe and then another.  Destroying all life…and hope.  First your worlds will feel nature’s wrath as your planets cry out in agony…Worlds in upheaval:  Earthquakes, volcanic disturbances, floods which will crush your coast-line cities like so many twigs beneath your feet.”

Firestorm rightfully calls out the Monitor for selling weapons to various villains for the past year. I mean, that is a strange course for saving the universe.  The Monitor appeared in various issues before the Crisis mini-series as a weapons dealer for the bad guys.  It was foreshadowing for the Crisis series along with the red skies that appeared in various comics.

Harbinger angst: “I will stand at your side…Yet why do I feel as I do?  A force, and energy…burning inside me?”.  Probably because of the shadow thing that possessed one of your duplicates last issue.

Psimon steps up, talks trash, and is smacked down by the Monitor.

Superman, as elder statesman, tells everybody to calm down and listen - the fate of the multi-verse is at stake: “I suggest, however, we hear him out. If he’s telling the truth, we’ll save our worlds. If he’s lying, no power exists that can defeat us all.”

I miss sane elder statesmen who restore order as opposed to team leaders who let a situation escalate out of control while a cosmic level threat is bearing down on the planet.  I’m looking at you A vs X’s Captain America, Cyclops, and Wolverine. Save the universe first, pissing contests later.

The Monitor reveals he’s splitting the group into five teams so they can activate his machines in five different time periods.

Harbinger continues to angst: “I am unable to resist him.  And I am forced to obey his commands.  Forgive me…though you have been my father and more…I now betray you.” Monitor, meanwhile, is aware of her betrayal and that she will be the cause of his death.  Maybe they should consider talking to each other?  Poor communication kills!

The Guardians of Oa are on the verge of completing (again) the Green Lantern Corps.  However: “No, Guardians…It’s too late.  You shall no more summon your soldiers than prove a threat to my plans.  What began with you so many centuries ago…ends with you now!!!” *SKRAAAAAA!* Huge explosion and unconscious guardians.  How many threats to the universe have the Guardians created at this point?  We have the Manhunters, the voice holding the grudge, later on its Parallax.  Maybe the Guardians should be neutered for the sake of the universe?

 A shaken Batman summons Supeman (Earth-1) to discuss his vision of the Flash. Superman arrives late as had to deal with an unexpected volcanic eruption in the Mediterranean. Remember, the Monitor warned earlier that natural disasters were the first sign the Crisis was nearing your planet.

Pariah briefly appears to repeat his gloom and doom mantra.

Batman and Superman share a look that all but says “Do you know this emo freak?”

Bruce notes: “He said the earth was dying. That’s what Flash said. What’s going on here?”

On to Kamandi’s world. For those unfamiliar with Kamandi - think Planet of the Apes.  Animals have become the sentient rulers and humans are hunted.  Kamandi is investigating a huge tower that has suddenly materialized.  Kamandi encounters Superman (Earth-2), King Solavar, and Dawnstar.  Kamandi recognizes Superman as he has met Earth-1 Superman.  Kamandi is initially fearful of Solovar due to the political situation of his planet. Shadow demon attack!  Solovar is wounded defending Kamandi.  

Harbinger apparently rescued the Luthor baby from the abandoned JLA headquarters.  Lyla checks on him only to discovers he aged up to childhood.

Arion, Obsidian, and Psycho-Pirate travel to pre-sunken Atlantis circa 40,000 year in the past. We meet Lady Chian, Arion’s love interest.  Pariah appears, Psycho-Pirate uses his abilities to make Pariah laugh. Pariah acts like it’s a fate worse than death.  You would think after his eternal suffering emo act he would appreciate a few moments of levity.

Psycho-Pirate attacks the Atlanteans only to be stopped by Arion and Obsidian.  Psycho-Pirate disappears in a flash of light.  A mysterious voice tells the Pirate he will “serve me as I demand”.

The Monitor is frustrated by the disappearance of Psycho-Pirate: “My dear, I needed him more than either Obsidian or Arion.  The menace we deal with is one of emotion”.  Equally frustrating for the Monitor is his inability to find Raven: “I can find no trace of her. If she is on this earth, everything about her has been changed.”

I’m mentally trying to sync up the Teen Titans storylines with the Crisis.  Teen Titans was one of my main titles in the 1980s but it has been over 20 years since Crisis on Infinite Earths. I know we’re past the Judas Contract and Donna’s wedding and pre-Starfire’s return to her planet. I can’t remember if the second battle with Trigon has occurred yet – the one where Raven becomes red and four-eyed and ensnares the Titans in their worst nightmares.  It would explain the “changed” life if the Crisis is happening during or in the immediate aftermath of the Trigon battle.

Finally: “Lyla, my dear, get me the file on the new Dr. Light!  It is time for me to create her!”  

Pariah reveals more of his origin: “No, not from this earth, but another…the first that fell when this insanity began.  But long after I was cursed for an evil act I had committed.  A deed I have paid for a thousand times over, and must suffer still a thousand times more.  I witness tragedy and my being here means disaster is soon to strike.”  Pariah mentioned his “great sin” last issue too.  

Pariah:

1)  From the first universe to die in the Crisis. How long ago did the Crisis begin? The Monitor noted earlier that over one thousand universes have perished – has this taken months, years, decades?

2) Survived the Crisis but committed a horrendous act “long after”.

3)  Someone very powerful cursed him to suffer for eternity.

Pariah finishes his “woe is me” speech by noting “Anti-matter will sweep throughout this universe. In a matter of hours from now, your earth will die!”

Arion, Obsidian, and the Atlanteans look to the sky and witness the arrival of the anti-matter wave.

Another awesome issue. George Perez’s art is gorgeous as usual. Marv Wolfman’s writing is terrific. He’s handling a huge cast of characters and nailing it. The big crossover events aren’t my thing, I find most to be average at best but Crisis is amazing.

The issue ends with the possessed Harbinger reporting to they mysterious man in black.

I continue to miss aspects from this era of comics:  editor’s notes, sound effects, heroes working together instead of mindlessly brawling, c-list and obscure characters (my favorite type), and the sheer scope of the DC multiverse.  Bonus points for the amount of content packed into a single issue.

[niennavalier]

Len and Barry. No. 8

Oh my god, I’m so sorry this took so long. This took like 4 rewrites and then spiraled to 2.5k. So here this finally is. Based on the prompt: “Your smile is not as bright as it used to be.”

(Also note: Infantino Street doesn’t happen in this ‘verse because I ran with established Coldflash. Also 2024!Barry knows Savitar’s identity)

Light at the End of the Tunnel     2024 or not, Len had been glad to be back home. After getting dropped anytime, everywhere by the Timestream to clean up the aberrations the Legends invariably left in their wake, the familiar sight of home was like a balm to wounds left by the Oculus which he’d never been allowed to let heal. Just snatched up by whatever temporal force apparently existed in the universe because the Legends, for the life of them, couldn’t go without leaving messes in their wake. All before he’d even had the chance to come to terms with what he’d done. He wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or a bad one, but it was a distraction at the very least - less time for him to wonder if he’d be anywhere but trapped in temporal limbo.

     But now he was home. Even if it was home nine years in the future. A future where both Mick and Lisa were off on the Waverider (not ideal, if Len could’ve had a say, which he obviously didn’t). But home all the same, somewhere he could have a chance to pick up the broken pieces of his life he’d left behind.     And that started with Barry. With the fact he’d sworn to keep his word and come home, even though he never would’ve guessed just how quickly shit could go sideways (even before getting sucked into the goddamned Timestream). And hopefully he could get the chance to make up for broken promises. Perhaps in very desirable fashion, if he was lucky.

     What he ended up encountering was far from that, however.

     STAR Labs silent and abandoned, altogether too much like 2046 Star City for Len’s comfort. Enough to give him chills, despite how Barry’s presence had made this place a second home, even to a man who had never known even one. But now dark and dead, a shadow beginning to round the corner.

     “Barry?” he asked, met with an emptiness that looked so wrong in the green eyes he recalled so vividly.

     “Great,” Barry chuckled, long hair falling in his face, a bitter twist to his smirk - the look didn’t belong there, Len knew as much. “The Speedforce is getting me to see things again. Just what I need.” Len honestly didn’t know what to make of that. Speedforce, seeing things…dread began to churn in his gut. What the hell had happened?

     “Think there’s something I’m missing here, Scarlet.”

     A scoff. “It didn’t work then, not when Len died, not with Iris either. It’s not gonna work now.”

     Oh. Shit, Len never should’ve left. Not with what that decision seemed to do to the kid.

     “Barry, frankly, I don’t know what you mean by that, but,” Len let his voice drop to something gentler, more genuine as he stepped closer, “I’m sorry for that. You said I wouldn’t regret jumping on the Waverider in 2015, but I do regret not being here when you needed me. I should’ve been.”

     Barry’s eyes widened, the green conveying a deep hurt through the shimmer of unshed tears. “No…you’re not…”

     Len lifted his hands to Barry’s cheeks. “It’s me, Barry. I’m here.” He leaned forward, their foreheads touching as Barry’s breath caught. “Please believe me when I say I never meant to break the promise I made to you. You have no reason to trust me, but I swear I always meant to come back to you.”

     “…Len?” He heard the tears in Barry’s voice before he ever felt them run down his cheeks. “You’re…I…how?”

     He shook his head mutely. The truth was, Len didn’t quite know - didn’t have a damn clue, really. He was no theoretical physicist; leave that to Raymond and the Professor. What did the logistics matter anyway when he could finally have Barry so close again? “Not sure, but suffice to say I’m here now, and I don’t plan on going anywhere.”

     Without another word, Barry pulled him into a tight hug, sobbing into his shoulder; Len couldn’t deny how wet his own eyes had become, settling into and returning Barry’s embrace.

     For the first time in far too long, things finally began to feel right again.

     It should’ve been no surprise the feeling couldn’t last long. That night had been fine, the two of them falling into bed at an old safe house of Len’s - mercifully kept in decent shape, likely thanks to Mick and Lisa - never leaving each other’s side, as if this would all disappear should they lose physical contact. Given the volatile nature of the Timestream, Len wasn’t ruling that out.     Nonetheless, they’d made it through the night before Len felt that all-too-familiar sense of wrong return. Hearing Barry tell the story of what he’d missed - Savitar killing Iris and turning out to be a future version of Barry all along - Len understood what he felt, knowing how he himself would’ve reacted had that been Lisa instead of Iris. Knowing how he had reacted to the guilt over the lessons his father had taught to her that Len hadn’t been able to stop. It didn’t take long for the story and the guilt to affect Barry, the kid growing more withdrawn, shying away from touch, jarring with memories that felt barely over a year old for Len. Memories of the last night they’d spent together, Barry clinging tight and kissing him deeply, snuggling close in bed and refusing to let go until the last second.

     All jarring not because Barry had withdrawn - the kid knew more than his fair share of trauma - but because of how it’d killed the light in his eyes, the desire to be a hero that Len had always assumed to be a constant, leaving not even a pretense of trying.

     It was what made Len wonder if the Timestream had sent him for a reason, to fix an aberration. If Barry was the aberration. Because the universe needed a Flash, but perhaps Barry was too lost in grief to do anything about it.

     Those suspicions just became more likely as news broke that Sam Scudder and Rosa Dillon had escaped Iron Heights, were probably about ready to begin terrorising the streets as they spoke. All while Barry did nothing - just looked at the screen and scoffed as he walked away. Not a hero anymore, like he’d said in his retelling, leaving the world saving to someone else, if there was someone else. The thought of that was enough to push Len to consider dealing with them himself, not a fan of those two walking the streets of his city. Except that wasn’t his place, no matter how he would’ve loved to see the look on Scudder’s smug face as he iced him. His place was with Barry. He’d seen what his leaving had ultimately done, and he wasn’t gonna make that mistake again. Not that he wouldn’t have taken Mick’s place at the Oculus, but he could’ve tried harder to find another way, or fought the Timestream itself until it let him go back home to rescue Barry. That was his focus now. Scudder and Rosa were thieves first and killers second, last he’d heard anyway; with any luck there wouldn’t be immediate collateral damage to weigh on either of their minds.

     “Scarlet,” Len followed Barry to the kitchen, watching the kid pace his way around the island, “what’s wrong?”

     The speedster paused, leaning heavily into the counter. “Nothing.”

     “Really? Coulda fooled me.” Len sauntered over, maintaining his feigned ease, always the simplest front for him to put forward.

     “Yeah, well, it’s the truth. Not like things can get any worse anyway. ‘S not like there’s something more wrong now than before.” Another scoff. Another bitter smile. “Guessing you think there is something wrong, though.”

     Len’s insides churned the same way they had the night before at seeing that expression, so wrong on Barry’s features. He took his spot at Barry’s side, let his voice soften again with concern he couldn’t keep to himself. He had to get through to Barry somehow, and raw honesty seemed to be the only way. “Your smile isn’t as bright as it used to be.”

     “Guess that’s what happens when you realize you’re not a hero. ‘Cause what kinda hero lets everyone he loves die? First you, then Iris, and Caitlin and Cisco both got hurt all ‘cause of me.” A shake of his head. “I’m no hero.”

     “Barry…”

     “Not like I deserve having you back either, but guess I’m too selfish to let you go. You’re the hero, Len,” Barry’s voice broke there, just for a moment, and even then he didn’t fully recover from it, “You deserve better than just another disaster waiting to happen.”

     “And you realize the only reason I resemble anything close to a hero is ‘cause of you right? Barry,” he reached for the kid’s cheek, cupping it gently, swallowing the small stab of hurt when Barry flinched, even if he didn’t pull away, “all the things that happened aren’t your fault. You might have…catalyzed my decision to go on that mission, but everything that happened there was by my own decision. Nothing you should blame yourself for. Wouldn’t be surprised if Miss West thought the same. Cisco and Dr. Snow, too.”

     “Doesn’t change what happened.”

     “It doesn’t.” No matter how Len wished he could do something about that. Change the past,  if not for the Timestream being irritatingly temperamental about things like that. “Doesn’t make you any less of a hero, either.”

     “Funny, knowing a future me was the one who made so much of this happen.” There wasn’t even acid left in Barry’s words. Just defeat. And that was somehow even worse. This emptiness - Len hated it.

     “Different you, Barry. Doesn’t make this you not a good guy. It’s the thing that annoyed me about you first and endeared me to you later. You have the capacity to be bad, but despite that, you’re unfailingly, inherently good. Never changed.” Len allowed himself a small smile, remembering the first time he’d heard the words now ready on his tongue. “There’s good in you, Barry.”

     Even Barry laughed a little at that, the sound wet as he permitted himself to lean into Len’s touch. His breath shook on its way out as he closed his eyes, a tear slipping onto his cheek; his voice wasn’t much steadier. “God, I’ve missed you, Len.”

     Len could barely keep his own emotions in check as he pulled Barry close, relief flooding his body at how comfortable Barry finally began to feel in his arms. “Missed you, too.” More than Barry even knew, the past few days of feeling so near and so far at the same time bearing the worst kind of ache.

     Another shuddery breath. “I…I dunno if I can be a hero again. Not the way you remember. Not now. People in the city - they keep wondering, but…”     “Then don’t be. Start somewhere else. While back, I remember this stubborn kid who wouldn’t quit believing in me, not ‘til I was ready to start believing in myself.” There was a tightness in Len’s chest - fondness at the memory. “Think it’s about time I repaid him.”

     The months that followed went well, even if the going wasn’t always smooth. Len could still see the way guilt sat on Barry’s shoulders, but it was like the weight of it and the darkness it brought seemed to diminish, the light Len had so strongly associated with Barry beginning to resurface.

     And with that came other parts of Barry’s past life. Cisco Ramon bursting into the Labs after Barry had used his powers for the first time in years - a covert test, Barry not comfortable with working in the public eye yet - and dragging a rather domesticated looking Hartley Rathaway in behind him. (Really, Len shouldn’t have been surprised by that one). The all-too-familiar pain was back in Barry’s eyes then, and Len was ready to step in at Barry’s side, give him the reassurances he’d needed from the start. Except that Cisco never gave him the chance, the engineer too overjoyed to finally see his friend again to do anything but initiate a tackling hug. Len was glad to see the hurt wiped so thoroughly from Barry’s face. Even Rathaway seemed happy for them. If not a bit tired, though Cisco had dragged him along at 3 AM. Now that was no surprise to Len.

     Over time, more people began trickling back into Barry’s life. Some that Len knew - without seeing it, he knew Barry’s reunion with the good detective had been particularly emotional, holding him in his arms that night as Barry fought tears without success. Then there were the others he’d never officially met - Felicity Smoak was likable enough, though the same couldn’t be said of Oliver Queen. Len could play nice for Barry’s sake, but he didn’t get along with the man any more than he had in 2046. And of course there was the rest of the latest iteration of Team Flash; given time, they were even able to get through to the Dr. Snow still present in Killer Frost. The joy in Barry’s eyes at having his friends and family back was more than worth all the odd jobs Len had been forced to carry out across time. Just seeing that, Len found himself feeling truly happy, too, for the first time in far too long.

      Some time later, the Legends even showed to give Barry a proper welcome back to this insanity-filled life they all led. Though Len personally revelled in the varied levels of shock on their faces at seeing him alive and well. At least until Mick and Lisa barrelled at him with their own tackling hugs, calling him an asshole and threatening him to never pull that shit again, or else they’d kill him themselves. They’d gone soft, all of them, working with the heroes. And doing more besides. He didn’t miss the looks Lisa and Sara gave each other, or the way Raymond liked to inch closer to Mick at any available moment. To see his sister and best friend find happy endings of their own and still welcome him back like nothing had ever changed - it was all Len could’ve hoped for, even if Mick and Raymond was something he wouldn’t have ever seen coming.

     Although, to be fair, back when this all started, he wouldn’t have seen any of it coming. But it felt right all the same. Finally.

     It took another couple months after that for Len to realize something wasn’t the same after all. His mission. The Timestream. Aberrations. The thought had slipped his mind almost entirely since realizing why he’d been brought here in the first place. He didn’t know why it occurred to him when it did, laying awake in bed, a sleeping Barry at his side. But every time before, the Timestream would take him away when his work was done, send him off toward another time the Legends had invariably altered (to put it lightly). And up to this point, until he was finished, it would pull at him, an invisible cord in his gut, force him to figure out the problem and its solution in nothing short of record time.

     There was no tug in his gut now, no incessant pull of the Timestream. Like it had released him. Gave him one last job and let him stay at Barry’s side, his last mission complete.

     Leaning over, he pressed a kiss to Barry’s forehead before laying down and cuddling close, savoring the feeling of his happy ending.

     He wouldn’t have it any other way.

[trident-of-the-oracle]

Scientia Family

M’kay, Scientia family headcanons.  AKA no one in this party is allowed to be entirely happy.

We know Ignis’ uncle is an Attendant in the Citadel.  He has a clearly respectful and amicable relationship with Ignis, and Noct addresses him pretty chill too. So let’s assume for variety’s sake, Uncle Ventis is a respectful, polite, but generally easy-going man.  We shall call him Ventis, because it’s acceptable for us to have Riku (KH) and Rikku (FFX) within the same company, so rules don’t exist.

Uncle Ventis is Ignis’ maternal uncle, and younger brother to Ignis’ mother, Aquae (again, if there’s a letter difference it’s fine)

Aquae is incredibly well-educated and versed in Lucian Royalty and general protocol.  What her role in Lucis is, I’m not sure.  Maybe she’s a tutor of sorts.  Maybe a historian.  Either way, She Knows Her Shit.  And she makes sure people know that.  Takes absolutely no shit, but always composed and controlled individual.

She’s married to Lignum, a clever man from Tenebrae who also happens to be employed as a chef or whatever fancy royal cooks Lucis inevitably has.  I am talking that this is the man that probably made Regis and Aulea’s wedding cake.  He’s a lot more easy-going than Aquae, and probably met her via Ventis.

While Aquae and Lignum might as well be polar opposites, they hit it off really well, Aquae being able to chill around him and Lignum liking her confidence and hearing about whatever historical events she likes to talk about.

It is pretty understood that by the time Ignis comes into the picture, Aquae more or less expects him to specialise more in her field than Lignum, since the whole cooking thing is kinda niche as far as important major political and helpful roles go.  Especially since he’s only three years older than Noctis when he’s born, and by then Aulea dies.

Being well-read, Aquae takes a lot of initiative in teaching Ignis the etiquette he emphasises to Noct present-day.  Lignum is far more stay-at-home (for lack of better words), although I’d imagine being a cook is rather time-consuming given the Citadel’s size and Regis attempt at regular meal times with Noct.

Now, Aquae isn’t particularly harsh or anything towards Ignis, she’s extremely respectful of his capabilities and such, but she’s not… an especially emotional or affectionate person.  Not a horrible mother, but not winning any awards.  If anything, she approaches Ignis like any other student or scholar.  Formal, impersonal.  Praises when needed and corrections when necessary. Lignum’s very similar to the Proprietor in Lestrallum, personality-wise.

You know, the one with the bratty kid?  Miss me with that “I wasn’t like that” shit, Iggy.

I’d imagine while Ignis never went through a rebellious phase, he had his Moments™ where his mother’s scrutiny was more than enough to try his patience, especially since whilst he’s growing up he has Regis doting over Noct and Gladio and Iris’ amicable relationship with Clarus and Balsamina to compare his own situation to.  Not to say he disliked Aquae, but, god, did he need some space from her.

So as far as ‘rebelling’ goes, that probably consisted of (on rare occasions bc shit man, he ain’t rocking the boat more than he has to as to not inconvenience himself nor Aquae), he just.  Snuck away.  Probably to the kitchen to rant a bit to Lignum.  He’s a patient and chill dad, but quick to gently defend Aquae, seeing as she knows Ignis has a lot of potential. Maybe one day Lignum suggests Ignis just get a hobby or something, but here’s the thing: he’s not really exposed to a lot of leisure activities.

So he blows off steam by practising with pole arms and daggers.  Maybe he read about them when learning about wars that went on with Aquae, and mostly self-taught himself.

I’d imagine no self-respecting attendant in Lucis doesn’t know a thing or two about combat, so maybe Uncle Ventis taught Ignis a thing or two in his spare time as well.

The whole skipping out of lessons without notice thing really puts a wedge between Ignis and Aquae. They don’t argue, technically, but there’s that tension.  And it really bogs down on lessons, especially since Ignis attends a vast a majority of them.  But with the increasing tension increases the hide-outs with Lignum.  

Ignis starts to pick up on cooking and baking because Lignum figures Ignis needs something to do (otherwise he gets restless) so hell, let him contribute to the kitchen.

And it works!  Ignis isn’t crazy about cuisine or anything, but shit!  It keeps him preoccupied. It’s concrete and straightforward, similar to Aquae’s lessons, but without the impersonal nature towards education (as someone who’s learnt a thing or two for cuisine, I find the educational process rather personal, it’s easy to get to know instructors since food is so integral to likes and experiences).  Not to mention praise for improving the more he helps.

But, here’s the thing:

Spending time with them in those different ways makes Ignis notice something.

Aquae’s a force to be reckoned with.  Lignum’s laid-back.  And their different fields don’t allow a tonne of quality time together.  And compared to Aquae, Lignum just seems to slow down as time goes by and Ignis gets older.  Slows down a lot, Ignis’ involvement in helping him cook increases even more.

So like, it’s obvious to him that age is taking its toll on Lignum.  And when he mentions it to Aquae, she’s very matter of fact about it, which irks Ignis a lot (sound familiar?  I just rewatched ep 4 of Brotherhood).  Especially when Aquae suggests Ignis think about his role in Lucis, after all this time of emphasising a role as an advisor to Noct.  It’s a 180 he did not ask for, especially knowing his parents are both up there in age and now it sounds more like he’s being viewed as some sort of fill-in for Lignum.

Again, these two basically never argue, but when they get on each other’s nerves, conversation sort of shuts down and formality overtakes familiarity.

Aquae basically avoids Lignum when whatever undisclosed ailment leaves him nearly unable to be as spry as he used to be.  It hurts the both of them, Lignum especially, but he insists that it’s understandable whenever Ignis tries to address the issue.  And given Lignum’s deterioration, seeing it at an increasing rate takes a toll on Ignis too.  It’s awful seeing your own parent’s health deteriorate, to the point where they can barely do something they love,  it’s certainly not something he was taught to deal with. Seeing the 'strong’ parent grieve in her own way wasn’t on the table.

He deals with it with more self-taught education, between advisory roles, cooking, and combat. at this point he confides much in Ventis, who always refers to Aquae and Lignum as a strong pair, for all their faults, and Ignis definitely inherited their best traits.  It’s meant to be a compliment but boy, does it make Ignis self-reflect on how he handles things.

By the time Lignum passes away, Ignis just.  'Copes’ by spending more time training with Ventis. But his uncle knows he’s not concentrating enough for progress to be made, especially when Aquae is no better.  She dives into work non-stop.  Writing and education.  Research.  God knows over what, whether it’s relevant didn’t matter as long as it kept her mind off grieving.  

And that kills Ignis inside, because he knows Aquae is so much smarter than to handle things like that.

So what does this guy do?  What does this fucking guy do?

Makes a dish Lignum mentioned he made during one of his first meetings with Aquae when they were younger.

He makes that shit and gives it to her.  They’re both grieving and the fact that that’s the way they start to genuinely see eye-to-eye is unfortunate, but god he’s going to apply that knowledge to something they both loved and that’s Lignum’s food.

Indeed, the expressions a person makes eating a certain food are powerful, and it pretty much makes the strongest-minded woman Ignis has ever known cry.  Little quiet tears, but nonetheless powerful.

That said, how Ignis and his family handled loss reflects a lot of how he handles Noct.  He’s quick to correct him and give a lecture, but nonetheless his friend on a very personal level, especially since he has a point of reference when addressing Regis’ health around Noct.  He slips up in Brotherhood, but that’s to be expected.

I dunno, a backstory like this, I think, would add so much to Ignis and Noct’s friendship.  I don’t see him having the issue Gladio had of having an obligatory connection to Noct.  Ignis never feels forced to be around Noct. It’s very natural to him.  And that sort of friendship adds some normalcy and a break from being overly formal (which  I’d assume is actually fairly exhausting for Ignis, honestly).  And being able to apply what he was taught from both his parents to his friendship with Noct definitely makes all the emotional turmoil worthwhile.

[immortal-vampireprosecutor]

Ria looked at herself in the mirror she thought of the clothes as lovely but, felt far to light from the clothes she usually wore. She let Alexis fuss over her down to her accessories and shoes. She didn’t mind that her hair was down she likes to feel her long hair down her back it was wonderful to be free. It was just that the people here in South Korea tends to step on it. The often or not tell her it was her fault from letting it dragged so low.. It was completely different from the people of her home land they were the one to give her a large birth for her to walk her path.

She felt a little embarrassed to be seen by Alexander and it got even worse when he carried her around but, she enjoyed the attention nevertheless. It was so rare for anyone to pick her up as if she were a little girl. It made her quite happy since she doubt any male would pick her up as she is now as an empress to her people. Not unless she married to the right male and if it were her true long life term ate who were that affectionate. Alexander is that person and she prayed night and day that they were a good match to be a lifelong mate to each other.  Ria blushed heavily when she thought about Alexander as her husband at times such as these. Even her ears were pink as she put her forehead on the top of his head. He would let her and that was the greatest part about him so whenever she needed to lean on someone he was there. If she wanted to cry he held on to her tightly murruring sweet soothing words. If she were happy so was he if she were hurt he’d get mad on her account. He has never taken his frustration out on her. If Ria was not mistaken he was the type of person to take out his frustration out on a person who deserved it.  

“I’m fine, Alexander thank you for catching me.” She replied in a tone just for him she looked at the customer who apologized. Even she had a hard time remembering why she was in his arms and not on the ground with her two feet.

“It’s fine as long as you keep any loose items beside you so that no one else can trips over your belongings.” The woman smiled up to her and nodded her head while scooting her things under the chair she was using. She let Alexander carried her off to a more private part of the shop. She rested her chin on his head while he find a spot for them to talk in private.

She lifted her head up to look at him, “It was no problem I’m use to taking damage. Compare to that it was more of a irritation than a pain...I’m more angry at myself for letting my guard down. I’m so mad at myself because I knew this was a probability. If they could break the shop windows while I am gone and write some mean things. I don’t know much about a land shark or shady dealing....but, I should have anticipated that. I’m just so sorry Iris had to go through something so terrifying...”

She replied with a sadden smile she was telling him the truth she endured far more pain than a few glass embedded in her. Compare to a pillar that weigh more than a ton that bat was child play for her. Earth was on her side and glass are made by sand so it wouldn’t have killed her she would just absorbed it. It was part of her generic coding anyway.  “It’s alright, please don’t be too hard on them than you already have. I’m fine truly and Iris is okay which I am glad for, her safety should be our number one priority.”

Alexander touched her cheek, “You are my number one priority, Ria so is Iris but, you Ria. I can’t stomach the thought of you being hurt in anyway. Let this be the last time you ever get hurt.”

Ria gave him a genuine smile he truly does care for her alot as if they were a true family, “Ahaha, Okay. And, I’m fine with the security measure I’m not good with technology so I’m sure I’ll be hopeless with that. If it’s manual labor I can do it and If there’s anything I can do to help please let me know I want to help too.”

She had a hard time tell him no but, she had no problem with his work. It was just about everything else she can’t tell him no

“If there’s anything else to make you comfortable than please let me know.”

They talked more and more until Zander called for her again Alexander carried her into the kitchen not once did Udup notice he was doing this. She giggled a little loudly.

As Zander pounced her again about an upgrade she caved in, “Okay, however let me help if I can. Somethings we can hand craft it ourselves. I’m not good with appliance but, I’m good with furnitures and arts. Udup can handle other things he’s more well verse in other fields than I am.”

She smiled cheerfully, “I want to help you too so please rely on me as well okay?”

She wrapped her arms around Alexander so she wouldn’t fall not like she was worried about him dropping her. If he can carry her weight as long as he had now than she should be fine. Any fatigue he might feel over time of him carrying her she’ll insist on getting down herself until than she’ll enjoy it as much as she can.

She enjoyed talking to the two males and surprisingly she’s comfortable to look in Zander eyes while they talked. It was as if he was like a big brother despite her being older than him. She laughed as Zander puts carrots on his head bouncing around like a little rabbit. It was than that Krissy came into the shop and waved at Zander at the serving window when he finally turned around to face her. He had another two carrots in his nose and making them twitch side to side as if they were teeth. That made the beauty laughed out loud calling her husband stupid in a fond way.

“Zander, stop playing with food and come here.”

The young woman said with a grin the two shared a sweet kiss before she asked for his opinion on a few matters. Alexander took the opportunity to carry her off somewhere again she enjoyed the alone time where she could get it.

[nathanrufo]

Thoughts of Experience

A new U2 album is out - Songs of Experience - which can mean only one thing: it’s time to dust off this old tumblr account so I can post my thoughts on social media without annoying my non-U2-loving Facebook or Twitter friends too much. And believe you me, nonexistent reader: I have thoughts on this new album.

As you may recall, I really liked Songs of Innocence. Some of my takes were laughably wrong (I was way too wrapped up in “The Troubles,” which is a pretty song but not “one of the best U2 songs ever.”). And, after a few years, I will admit that Songs of Innocence seems to me a much less quality album front-to-back. I find myself skipping a decent number of tracks (California, Cedarwood Road, Volcano, Sleep Like a Baby), and the bonus tracks don’t do anything for me (except Invisible, which is a hidden track). I still think “Iris,” “Raised by Wolves,” “This is Where You Can Reach Me Now,” and “Every Breaking Wave” are great songs, some even U2 classics, and I even love “Song for Someone” when I’m in the mood. But, it’s a much more uneven album for me.

After SoI, there was a lot of uncertainty surrounding the band. I waited for months, and then years to finally hear the follow-up/sequel. Every interview was, “It’s almost done” - in true U2 fashion. Truly, I had no idea what to expect from the album. My hope was that, after revisiting their post-punk vibes in SoI, that Songs of Experience would reflect more of the Unforgettable Fire-Joshua Tree-Rattle and Hum timeframe (my personal favorite U2 - ephemeral, moody, music that envelops you).

I can say that, aside from a few songs, that’s exactly the type of music that U2 went for on this album. I’ll say up front that my initial reaction is that I love this album, and I think it’s probably their best and most consistent work since Zooropa, if not Achtung Baby. Lyrically, there are two very obvious and somewhat intertwined underlying themes: 1) Bono’s musings on his own mortality after having what was apparently a huge health scare; and 2) the U.S. election of Donald Trump. I think both of those probably served to push the album back a bit from what they’d originally expected; but at the same time, the album came out 3 years later, which is short for late-stage U2 - so I think they also wanted to be timely.

The songs, lyrically, are simple - some may say too simple, too on the nose. I mean, some of the titles are “Get Out Of Your Own Way,” “Love Is Bigger Than Anything In Its Way,” “The Little Things That Give You Away.” There’s very little double meaning there. Bono talks in the liner notes about how, after he had his health scare, he got the advice to “Write as if you’re already dead, and you only have this last chance to tell everyone how you feel and what you think.” I think that’s very evident when going through the album. A dead man doesn’t have the luxury of playing cutesy with ironies and creative titles; he needs to get his point across well enough that people will understand even if he’s not around to explain it to them. (If he were in an Indiana Jones movie, his advice would be “Pick the wooden cup!” - a less interesting, but far more useful bit of advice than the cryptic clues often offered).

It’s obvious that this lay heavily on Bono’s mind; along with the thoughts of what kind of world he’d leave behind. The anti-Trump message is obvious, even when he’s not being obvious about it (which he does - a lot - sometimes cringingly so).

So lyrically, while this might not be the most artistic of Bono’s word choices (though to be honest, many U2 lyrics have been too “artistic,” to the point of meaninglessness), it’s certainly the most earnest.

So, I’ll go track by track with my thoughts. You obviously don’t need to follow along. (Spoiler alert: you don’t need to read this at all!)

1. “Love Is All We Have Left”

I love this to open an album. It’s moody and atmospheric. I personally love the use of vocoder - I think it adds to the song. I’ve seen old school U2 fans complain, but I think it’s great. Obviously straightforward lyrics.

2. “Lights of Home”

Another great song. Bono singing about death and dying; “Oh Jesus if I’m still your friend,/What the Hell/What the Hell you got for me?” Musically great, heavy; a big difference from the opening track. I love how the backing vocals drop in and out. This song would be right at home of How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, I think. I like the inclusion of the outro from “Iris” - the first of a few SoI callbacks on the album. This song was co-written with Haim, which is a cool tidbit.

3. “You’re the Best Thing About Me”

This is a song that I have mixed feelings on.  I absolutely love the verse; I especially love the bassline and how it interacts with with electronic flairs in the second verse. I’m not as enamored with the chorus or the breakdown in the middle, or the lyrics. Still, it’s a solid pop song.

4. “Get Out Of Your Own Way”

This is a song that could very easily fall into the wayward lyrical cutesiness of “Get On Your Boots” or “Elevation.” But in this song, I think it works - even the shoutout to “Lincoln’s Ghost.” I think this song is more political - the first really political one on the album - imploring Americans to stop shooting ourselves in the foot. “I can sing it to you all night, all night/If I could I’d make it alright, alright/Nothing stopping you except what’s inside/I can help you but it’s your fight, your fight.” The chorus of this could sound HUGE live. This is one that could fit easily on ATYCLB.

5. “American Soul”

I...am not in love with this song, to say the least. I like the Kendrick Lamar-beatitudes riff in the beginning. The groove for the verse is okay, and I like the reuse of the “Volcano” breakdown as the chorus; but the addition of the single guitar note seems a little out of place. This is the most egregious “Bono-ism” on the album, with “Refu-Jesus.” That’s a great play on words...if you lead up to it in any way. It’s presented seemingly randomly and it just doesn’t work for me. I’ve already started skipping this one on most of my listen-throughs.

6. “Summer of Love”

This song has a great vibe. It feels like an updated ‘60s song; Edge’s guitar reminds me of “Three Sunrises,” a song that I really like. The lyrics are great, too, a rumination on the Syrian civil war; “I’ve been thinking bout the West Coast/Not the one that everyone knows.” Apparently was a OneRepublic song that he gave to U2; they did a great job with it.

7. “Red Flag Day”

War. That’s what immediately sprung to mind when I heard the opening of this song. It would fit perfectly on War, from the subject matter to the post-punk vibe. Probably the closest they get to that era on this album, and they do it well here, though it’s not one of my favorites (just a style thing).

8. “The Showman (Little More Better)”

I’ve seen this listed as people’s favorite song. I don’t get that. It’s kind of an interesting, fun song; I do like Bono’s slightly-begging tone throughout, as if he’s begging you to love him, which is sort of the undertone of every showman. Still, to me it’s “just a song” - a decent album cut.

9. “The Little Things That Give You Away”

THIS. I said it on Twitter and I’ll say it again here - and I’m much more confident about this than I was about “The Troubles” - this is a top-10, if not top-5 U2 song of all time. It starts slow instrumentally, but Bono’s vocals soar from the outset. Eventually, it transforms into an epic, sweeping piece, full of hope and despair at the same time - a hallmark of a great U2 song. I heard this live on piano during the Joshua Tree tour and really liked it; but that version doesn’t do this song justice. I can imagine fans singing along with this like at the end of “Pride” or “Bad.” This is going to sound HUGE in an arena. Easily my favorite song on the album. It could slide right into the Joshua Tree.

10. “Landlady”

A really pretty, soulful, moody song. Maybe my second-favorite on the album. Lyrically, just as good. When I first heard it, I thought the “Landlady” was God in Bono’s eyes; but he wrote it for his wife, Ali. Either interpretation works, I think. I’m not a man of faith but I can appreciate it either way all the same.

11. “The Blackout”

One of the three that was released before the album. I really, really like this song until the very end when he repeats “When the lights go out” about 12,000 times. Overall I think it’s a great vibe and really reminds me of Achtung Baby. The pre-chorus is one of my favorite segments of the album.

12. “Love is Bigger Than Anything In Its Way”

Great, catchy song. I like the electronic melody. Simple, direct, but true.

13. “13 (There Is a Light)”

A nice, lowkey song to end the album. I like the repurposing of “Song for Someone.”

Bonus Tracks (Deluxe Album)

“Ordinary Love” has been around for a while. It was in the “Mandela: Walk to Freedom” movie and has been remixed a bunch of times. Lady Gaga sang it on tour with the band  (and she was actually great for it) and helped them produce this version. I like the song a lot, this version is okay.

“Book of Your Heart” hasn’t really made an impression on me one way or the other.

The string version of “Lights of Home” is really, really good.

The Kygo version of You’re The Best Thing...I couldn’t really get into it. Cool as a dance remix I guess.

Overall

Overall...I really, really love this album. I think it’s their strongest work since at least All You Can’t Leave Behind, and I think I like it better than anything since Achtung Baby. I would place it behind Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby, and Unforgettable Fire. Probably in the same stratosphere as War and All That You Can’t Leave Behind.

That’s it. Those are my thoughts. The end.