#everything written about music and dancing and performing is great. seeing the way he thinks about those things. divine. enlightening.

[offthewall1979]

my review of Moonwalk: hot mess. ★★★.

[smellslikechahnspirit]

[Book]

Are we good for each other?

2. The Streamer

Bang Chan x F. Reader

Synopsis: Written according to y/n trophy. A story about how you two met. Both having a difficult life, finding peace in each other. Not without lots of drama. Just read it, it's great.

Genre: Enemies to lovers, soft, some smut, drama

Warnings: Under eating, depression, toxic ex (Let me know if I missed something)

Word count: 3298

______________________________

[6:15 PM]

Christopher walked into the studio. ‘’Why are you so late? We started like half an hour ago.’’, Changbin scolded at him. ‘’Sorry, something came up I had to go home first.’’, Chris replied. “Why?’’, Jisung asked him with curiosity. ‘’Doesn’t matter, let’s just continue, our break turned out way longer than I hoped.”, Chris said annoyed as they all got behind their laptops and continued on the song they were trying to produce. It wasn’t really working out the way Chris had planned. He thought this was going to be an easy song to write, yet it turned out to be such a pain in the ass. They couldn’t figure it out. It was almost like they’d been working so much lately that their brains couldn’t really handle another one and were in desperate need of a vacation or at least some time off. But they didn’t know when to quit. 

[7:03 PM]

They were still at it, when suddenly JYP came barging in. ‘’Okay guys that’s enough, close your laptops, now.”, he said as he took a seat on the couch next to them. They were a bit confused, also since they were extremely tired. ‘’What, why?’’, Jisung asked. Chris looked at the door opening and saw Jeongin standing there.

‘’I’ve heard about how hard you guys have been working and of your plans to finish the album earlier than expected but this is not right, I need my employees to be healthy and in the right mind. You guys are taking a break whether you guys like it or not.’’, JYP said firm, but sweet.

Chris looked back over at Jeongin since he knew he must’ve snitched on them. ‘’It was supposed to be surprise, to finish the album earlier, thanks mate…”, Chris said to Jeongin. “No no no, don’t blame him, it was all of the members who gave me info on your work behaviours. They are looking out for you guys, be thankful.”, JYP said. They all stayed quiet for a bit.

‘’Look, I understand you guys too, but this isn’t healthy. That’s exactly why I’m giving you all a break, including the other members.”, JYP said while looking at the 3 boys. Chris looked up with big eyes. “What, no, I can’t not work. I need something to do.”, Chris said stressed. “Yeah, about that. I know you’re a workaholic, so instead of giving you a vacation or something, I have a task for you all. Instead of working on your music, I want you guys to skill up on some of the ISAC competitions. Go try wrestling, or sprinting, maybe even archery. I don’t care what you decide to skill up on, but this year I want us to beat a lot of idols in ISAC. So maybe you’ll even find a new hobby out of this. It takes your mind of work, plus this is still kinda work. Since I’m asking you guys to do this.”, JYP said.

Chris wasn’t happy with all of this, but also realised that it might be the best thing to do for them right now. Normally he’d keep going until he couldn’t anymore, but seeing the other members go through the same thing made him concerned about them as well, so eventually he understood why JYP was doing this. “Alright, so from when do we- “, Chris tried to ask, when JYP interrupted him immediately. “Right away, leave everything at your desks, you’re free to go home and relax for now. Tomorrow, I don’t want to see anyone at dance or vocal practise let alone see anyone in the studio.”.

“And when do we go back to work again?”, Changbin asked. “Whenever I think is right, you’ll hear from me.”, JYP replied. “But really, please don’t see this as a bad thing, guys, I just want you guy to perform at your best and you need to calm down with the hard work, at least for a little while haha.”, JYP said laughing. The guys finally all gave in and felt at ease. Looking at each other like they could really relax now, for a while. JYP gave them all a hand and left the studio.

[7:41 PM]

Since JYP told them to take the rest of the day off, they were now all at the dorms. But Chris wanted to talk to all the members together, so Minho, Jeongin, Felix and Seungmin came over to their dorm, just for a little while. They were all sitting in the living room when Chris came back from the bathroom.

“So, what’s the plan Hyung?”, Minho asked him. Chris didn’t look that bright due to everything that happened today, yet he didn’t want to tell the members his hardship. “Well, JYP asked us to skill up on some of the ISAC subjects. Obviously were not gonna start until tomorrow, but it might be smart to think about which skill you wanna improve on.”, Chris said.

They all started thinking about the subjects and which one they’d enjoy the most. “I think I’ll go with archery, I’m not that great yet, I mean I can do it, I just wanna be even better.”, Jeongin said. They all agreed with him, that sounded nice. “I might try soccer, I’m not terrible but I definitely like to improve that skill.”, Seungmin said right after. “Nice!”, Chris said. They all smiled. Something about doing these fun activities, for “work”, was kinda fun after all.

The rest of the guys still had to think about it for a bit. “Do you think I could try and skill up on gaming? I know I’m pretty good already, but I’d really love to.”, Felix asked. “Uhm, well I mean I think JYP meant that you’d have to improve on a skill, you already got this down man, why not try something else?”, Chris replied as the leader he is. “Yeah, you’re right. I just thought it’d be nice, but no, you’re right. Maybe I’ll try archery too. What about you though, have you thought of anything you wanna do yet?”, Felix asked.

Chris stayed quiet for a little, he was thinking. He was already really good at almost every sport, he was fast, strong and got basically everything down already. “I don’t know man, do you have an idea of what I should improve on?”, he asked Felix. “Hmmm, well, why don’t you improve your gaming then?”, Felix replied. He looked up and saw the rest of the guys looking at him too. “Whyyyy do you guys always say I’m bad at gaming, I’m not that bad! Am I?”, Chris asked.

“Do you want an honest answ- “, Minho got cut off by Hyunjin. “You’re not THAT bad, but also not that great Hyung.”, Hyunjin said. Chris thought about it for a second. “I’ll sleep on it.”, Chris said. “Well, for now let’s all just relax, and tomorrow I wanna hear all of your ideas, and well find you a suitable coach for your skill.”, Chris said as he got up and waved the guys goodbye and went to his room. The guys all went on with their stuff and some went home to their own dorm. Besides Felix.

He went over to Chris his room. They’re really close so Chris didn’t mind. I mean they’re all pretty close, but Felix and him were just different together. Without saying anything Felix walked in and closed the door behind him.

Chris of course, couldn’t just do nothing, so he sat behind his small desk next to his bed. He really wanted to open his laptop but thought it might be better not to, since he'd see all the unfinished projects.

Felix walked over to the bed and laid on it. Took out his phone and opened up the streaming platform. His favourite streamer was on, playing his favourite game. He smiled at the phone, proud, since she had the lead score. Chris looked over at him. “Why are you smiling”, Chris asked. “Yeah, so there is this girl, she’s a streamer, but I actually have been playing together with her for a while now. She’s amazing at this game! Although I don’t know what’s wrong with her right now, she sounds very depressed.”, Felix said with an honest expression.

Chris was curious now and got up and lay down next to his friend, so he could see his screen too. “Like privately?”, Chris asked. “Yeah, I once contacted her and she replied, since then we’ve been gaming together a lot, almost every night.”, Felix said. “What’s her name?”, Chris asked cuz he was very intrigued now. “Well, her gamer tag is PurpleStrike00, but I mean I know nothing about her besides that. We both respected each other’s privacy. So, I don’t know, I never asked.”, Felix replied.

Chris watched her play; she was indeed amazing. They both kept watching for a while. Since there was no cam, only her voice audio, they listened carefully, as she explained her actions.

“So yeah, I see those two hiding behind that van, if I go from the right, I can snipe them easily, they’d have no idea where I’m shooting from. Ha haaa, see I told you. Damn I wish my friend was online right now to witness this beautiful double kill. Ah I’ll tell him about it later, he’s always on very late.”, the streamer girl spoke to her audience.

Felix and Chris looked over at each other, smiling.

“You know the guy I’ve been playing with lately right; you’ve probably noticed him in my team for a while now. He’s really good, we will definitely join championships next year.”, she spoke. “She’s definitely talking about you mate!”, Chris said to Felix, who just blushed.

The stream went on for a while when she suddenly started speaking again, in a very sad soft tone. “You guys wanna hear a little story while we’re waiting for the new match to load? You see today was actually a pretty bad day for me. Not that anyone asked but I just feel like telling this story, I hope you guys don’t mind.”, she said.

Everyone in the comments was very curious and asked her to tell it. “So today, I was just working at my job downtown. Lately I’ve just been a bit out of it, since I am currently not in a great place, but imma spare you guys the details on that. So, I try to help out a customer. Since he looked pretty stressed out, and I wanted to be nice and help him a bit by doing my job right for once. Yet of course everything went wrong. I tripped and spilled his drink on him by accident.”, she said very embarrassed.

Chris couldn’t believe his ears. Could this really be the girl from the café today? He stayed quiet and continued listening. “I mean this wasn’t the first time something like this happened, since lately I messed up a lot at work, but this time my boss had enough. She fired me. I mean I totally get it, the guy I was serving was actually pretty well known. You guys will know him too, but I’ll respect his privacy and will not say his name, but I’m pretty sure that I got fired, since my boss knew who he was too.”, she spoke.

Chris looked down. He already felt bad for her when it happened but now after he heard her say she wasn’t in a good place to begin with he felt even worse. He may have been a bit upset in the moment, but he couldn’t care less if someone spilled a drink on him by accident, it could happen to anyone.

Felix looked over at him. “What?”, he asked. “Nothing, just…that’s a pretty upsetting story.”, Chris said. He didn’t want Felix to know it was because of him, since Chris now blamed himself. Felix stayed quiet for a little bit but then suddenly looked up at him with big eyes. Chris was confused.

“Okay hear me out, what if, we ask JYP to hire her as a coach, to help you with your gaming skills? That’s a perfect plan! Then she gets a new job, and you can learn skills from the best. Plus, I know her so I can ask her straight away.”, Felix said all excited. Something inside Chris liked the idea, cuz then he’d be able to make it up to her. But also felt guilty and was kinda scared.

“Uhm, I don’t know man, what if she doesn’t want to?”, Chris said. “Well, I can just ask her if she’s interested right? Maybe she doesn’t maybe she does. I’ll message her, wait.”, Felix said. Chris felt hesitant but stayed quiet. Felix texted her and she responded through her stream.

“Hey, I see my friend is online guys, I think imma go for today. It was fun, I hope to see you guys in the next stream. Bye for now!”, she said and ended her live stream. Immediately she called Felix.

~

Phone call

Y/n: Hey AussieBlaze_LYB, I saw your text what’s up, you’re off early, wanna join a match? I’m just done streaming. (You sounded a bit upset, still after all, happy to hear from him though, since he’s kinda your only friend at the moment, even though you don’t know him)

Felix: Hey, yeah, I got off early today, there were some complications, I’ll tell you about it soon. But hey, I don’t wanna be rude to ask, but what was with that story just now, I listened to your stream, you got fired? (Felix said with an understanding tone)

(You started crying softly not able to say another word due to all mixed feelings)

Y/n: Sorry I really do not wanna be pathetic right now but as a matter of fact I am. I am a loser. (You explained everything again and with more detail, also what you were feeling in the moment) Sorry, I know it might be a lot to take in, but I feel like we can talk comfortable with each other like that since were pretty close now.

Felix: Hey hey slow down, breath, of course you can talk to me about problems. You see, I know we do not know each other besides the fact that we game together, but I feel like you need someone to talk to right now, and I’m here. Ready to listen. This might be crazy of me to ask you this, but what’s your real name?

(You were hesitant at first. Since he still could be a 40-year-old creep in a dirty basement somewhere. But something in you didn’t care for a second since you were so desperate for attention)

Y/n: Please do not tell anyone else, but my name is Y/n. What’s yours?

Felix: Y/n is such a cool name, my name is Felix.

(You both were laughing after that since you had long debates about not ever telling each other. Then there was a little conversation about this and that, he wanted to hear you laugh since he knew you were upset, and tried to make your day a bit better)

Felix: Okay Y/n listen, I have like the weirdest question ever. You see, where I work, we have an assignment right now. And long story short, we need someone who can teach my group mate how to game.

Y/n: Hahaha well then why don’t you teach, you’re amazing.

Felix: Well, you see that’s kind of the thing, I have to do another assignment, so I won’t be able to. This is actually for work, so like you’ll get paid and everything.

Y/n: Hmhm, so were doing charity work now huh Felix?!

Felix: No no no, not like that, I just figured since you needed a job, and I kinda need you to help me out, so it’ll be a win-win situation, right?

(While you two were having this conversation, Chris was obviously still in the room listening to it all. He felt worse and worse about the situation. He’d now have to spend days, maybe weeks with you, while he knew you didn’t even know it was for him yet. Should he say something? He just couldn’t)

Y/n: Well, to be really honest, I do need the money, I’m barely have enough money left for food, let alone rent this month. So yes, I’ll take it! But you do need to inform me a bit more.

Felix: Okay well, just meet me at this address tomorrow morning. (He texted you the address).

(Then you agreed and asked for things like what you should wear or bring. You started to sound very tired to him, so he preferred it if you’d take some rest for the big day tomorrow. Both of you said your goodbyes and hung up the phone)

~

“See, I told you she’d be interested! This is gonna be so fun, I wonder what she looks like.”, Felix said all excited towards his friend, who smiled but seemed very uneasy still. “Dude what’s up, you seem uneasy. Did you not want me to ask? I think it’ll be great though!”, Felix said while sitting down next to the boy who was currently pacing nervously in him room.

Chris decided he had no other option now but to tell him. “You see mate, today…(he explained how he was in a café and the exact thing as in her story happened today in the café he was in.) and I kind of think she’s talking about me….”, Chris said, looking terrified at his friend's reaction.

“Bro, what a coincidence, but I don’t think it’ll be a problem right? That’s so funny though, you’ve seen her in real life, was she pretty, what did she look like, what was she wearing?”, Felix asked all excited. Chris only remembered your crying face while you walked out. He ignored you from the start so didn’t fully get to take it all in properly. He stayed quiet for a bit.

“Felix, you gave a girl a job, while I know she’s not gonna want it after she finds out it’s for me, and I didn’t say anything just now.”, He said putting his hands through his hair. “Why would it matter, why would she not want it?”, Felix said acting dumb. “Didn’t you hear her just now, she despises me, she got fired because of me, she probably hates me, she even said she knew who I was.”, Chris said a bit more panicked than before.

“Well let’s be honest, she didn’t even tell me privately who you were, so something in her respects you and your privacy.”, Felix said smirking. Chris just looked at him dumb founded. “Let’s just leave it for now, go take a nice warm bath, and just relax, I’ll see you tomorrow in front of the gate at work, around 7 am. I’ll tell her to be there at that time too over text. Everything will be fine.”, Felix spoke as he encouraged his friend to stay calm. Then Felix left right away, so Chris wouldn’t have time to respond.

[11:03 PM]

You had laid out your outfit for tomorrow. It was a very nice expensive dress, your ex once got for you. You hated wearing it, but it was the only formal thing you had, and you wanted to look professional. You were super excited. Sadly, it was still a few hours of sleep, before tomorrow, so you decided to just hit the hay with a very excited feeling in your stomach. Felix had texted you the time and address. Which made you feel warm. You really felt like you could trust him. Only time will tell now.

Part 3

...Masterlist...

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© 2022-2025, smellslikechahnspirit • No posting on other sites or platforms, rewrites, or translations

[allthemusic]

Week ending: 19th July

And we're off the dodgy comedy train - phew! Words cannot express how refreshing the first song here felt after last week's irritatingly not-funny comedy tunes. Some straightforward, youthful music - we love it!

Why Do Fools Fall in Love - Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers (peaked at Number 1)

Oh, man. This is maybe our most teenage song yet? Beyond the fact that the band are literally called the Teenagers, you've also just got the frivolity of it all, the endearingly earnest lyrics about being foolish and in love for the first time, and Frankie Lymon's voice as he sings his 14-year-old heart out. There's something amazingly energetic and innocent about it all, a real breezy breath of fresh air.

It's rock and roll, but a upbeat, chirpy doo-wop version of rock and roll, livened up immediately by the backing singers, with a deep ah dum wah, du-dum wah, dum wah, du-dum wah and a ooh-wah, ooh-wah response. Which looks silly, written out like that, but the effect is immediately iconic, making you want to sing along. It's great!

And then Frankie comes in, asking first Why do fools fall in love? then answering his own question with a series of other questions, asking among other things, Why do birds sing so gay? and Why does the rain fall from up above? Answer: it's nature. Fools fall in love, it's just what they do. There's an unpretentious poetry to this all, especially in the way that the answer isn't really ever explained. You have to kind of think about it to work out what Frankie means here.

There would be a sort of meanness to it, if Frankie didn't so clearly include himself in the fool category, singing about how Love is a losing game / And love can be a shame / I know of a fool you see, for that fool is me. In many ways this is the key joke of the song - Frankie, at only 14 years old, is already jaded and cynical about love, even as he can't escape it.

And to add another layer to it, the sound of the song and the energy that Frankie throws at it kind of undercuts this message, simply through its verve and joie de vivre - it's not the sound of heartbreak, even if the lyrics would suggest it. It's an undeniably fun song, and the overall effect is a sort of performative cynicism, Frankie shrugging and having a laugh at himself, recognising his own foolishness, but not letting it get him down.

And fresh off this bit, we're launched into a very fun bass, guitar and sax break, at which I genuinly found myself doing a little shoulder dance. It's just got a good energy, a kind of infectious enthusiasm, and it lasts just long enough that you feel like you've had a break once Frankie comes back in, which he does with aplomb for one final verse and then some ethereally high tell me why lines, in a well-earned ending.

Yeah, this is a classic for a reason. Simple but enjoyable lyrics, astellar performance, a catchy hook, some fun rock and roll backing and a slightly silly but immediately recognisable opening - it's got everything you need for a hit. Masterful song-craft right there.

Gogi Grant - The Wayward Wind (9)

I've not heard anything by Gogi Grant before, I don't think, so no idea what to expect here. I like the sound of the title, though - it's got a sort of mystique to it, somehow. So, let's give it a listen.

Okay, so this started with some upbeat strings and strummy guitar, it was all quite perky-sounding, very light. Except when Gogi's voice came in, it was much deeper than this would suggest, a sort of smoky, rich country-pop voice. I liked it, but it felt odd and far too modern a mix - and lo and behold, when I tried again, I realised that I had a weird version that had put Gogi's original vocals (I think?) against a completely different backing track. Oops.

Once I got the actual song up, it was much more what I expected, a very string-heavy country track. In it, Gogi first explains that the titular wayward wind is A restless wind that years to wander. And unfortunately, she's in love with a man who was born next of kin / The next of kind to the wayward wind. So he's prone to wandering, travelling about instead of staying with Gogi.

We get a bit of backstory about how this happened, learning, for example, about how In a lonely shack by a railroad track / He spent his younger days, where the sound of trains setting out for foreign parts Made him a slave to his wanderin' ways. We then get a sketch of how, in his wandering, he met Gogi in a border town, and how Though he tried his best to settle down / I'm now alone with a broken heart.

In all of this, the focus remains clearly on Gogi's man, and not on her heartbreak. She doesn't leave it out, she's clearly broken up about her man leaving, and performs the song as such, with all the emotion you'd expect. But there's a lot of sympathy towards her man, too, and a sense that he doesn't really have any control over if, either. He's simply at the whim of his wanderlust, however much he might want to settle down.

There's a sort of Wild West romanticism to all this. You could definitely see this being used in a Western, which often have that sort of wandering protagonist, ruggedly handsome, but unable to settle down or form permanent connections, compelled onwards for some reason or another. It's a powerful image, and honestly, I like it a lot. Good job, Gogi!

Also, her voice is still excellent in this version, I really ought to note that. It's smoky but not rough, and she soars up to the higher notes in the song almost effortlessly, adding in a sort of intensity that doesn't ever feel overdone. So yeah, doubly well done. I happen to know that we will see this song again, and honestly, I'm quite looking forward to it.

Hmmm, those were both kind of poetic, weren't they? Not in an overwritten way, but they've both got a certain nuance to them, and both are well worth checking out. The Wayward Wind, in particular, was an unknown to me, and I think it should get more airplay, it's great! And then Frankie and the Teenagers - talk about iconic! It's got a freshness and a catchiness that really feels like a template for pop to come, and I love it.

Favourite song of the bunch: Why Do Fools Falls in Love

[semi-sketchy]

What is Tara's relationship with the rest of the Paw Patrol cast like? Who does she get along with the least?

This is a good question!

I could brush it off with "she hates everyone" but I'll try and write something about each pup, minus my OCs since I've written about her relationships with them enough. We'll go in order for the heck of it.

Chase

Tara really only likes taking orders from Ryder and Chase's inexperience as a leader would cause her to disobey him. If she thinks there's a better way, she's just gonna do her own thing. Eventually as they get older, she'd trust his judgement more, but I see it being an issue on missions. Also Chase appears to be the one with the most health issues and Tara being blunt, would be one to frequently call him out any time he tried to work when sick. Aside from that, he's a good soccer buddy.

Marshall

Marshall being a klutz and making bad puns would get on her nerves, prompting plenty of eye-rolls. She enjoys a good joke, but puts emphasis on the "good" part. Though she does recognize how hard he's trying to be liked, so she doesn't go further than expressing mild annoyance.

Skye

Skye is small, coordinated and athletic, basically everything Tara isn't. Although, Skye loves making new friends and would be one to invite Tara to play often in the beginning. She's also one to show new things to Tara and teach her games. Skye's actually the one that got her into musicals. Although she doesn't really care for the heavy romance ones like Skye does, they still enjoy them together. While Tara isn't really into dancing like Skye, lacking the graceful coordination, she likes watching her perform.

Rocky

Obviously one of her closest friends. There have been cases where she's carried him across some shallow water, but not without a few remarks. It's helpful to have someone to talk to when everyone else goes swimming, but they also share quiet activities together. Tara loves falling asleep to him planting a tree. His hoarding resourcefulness comes in handy sometimes when she needs something and he, along with Byte, are the only ones she allows to help tinker with her equipment.

Rubble

I think she'd be good friends with Rubble. I imagine she'd rope him into late light snack heists, like that would be THEIR THING. But they also both like digging and I imagine Rubble would be quite reciprocal to her love of rocks. Plus, Rubble's really sporty, so he'd be a great soccer companion for her.

Zuma

Zuma's a chill guy, so the two of them would be chill. Zuma also is such a god at Pup Pup Boogie, he'd probably be the one to teach Tara the game and introduce her to corn dogs. They don't really share many activities because, being a water pup, Zuma likes water sports. She's try volleyball with him, though.

Everest

Everest is just so cheery all the time, Tara would mostly keep quiet and not comment around her since she's the exact opposite. Secretly, she wishes she was able to share Everest's optimism and skill in comforting others, like it just comes so naturally to Everest. Meanwhile, she's the one always grumbling and often can't offer much in terms of comfort. I imagine if a situation got really stressful, Tara would snap like "YOU AND YOUR SICKENING SWEETNESS. DON'T YOU EVER GET MAD?!" hello I Love Lucy line Though while Everest isn't her closest friend, it's nice to have someone who is as resistant to cold as she is and with how competitive Tara is, they can really get into snowboarding matches.

Tracker

Easily someone that gets on her nerves because she doesn't understand Spanish so she has no idea what he's saying half the time. Tracker would probably use this to joke with some of the other pups that understand Spanish while Tara stands on the side like "what are you two FUCKING TALKING ABOUT" At this point, it's like their thing.

Rex

This is the one she has the most strained relationship with. It's not because of him personally, after all him doing archeology (at least in my AU, sorry I don't subscribe to him being a dino zookeeper) means they'd be able to work together and share some common interests. What gets in the way is them eventually becoming in-laws. Actually I wrote some drabble about that.

Rex: “Hi, Terra...” Tara: “Oh, hello.” Rex: “...You, uhh… You’re looking good.” Tara: “You too. Um...how’s Pyro?” Rex: “He’s doing good. H-how’s Telsa?” Tara: “She’s still Telsa.” Rex: “Heh, yeah... Terra, you don’t have to avoid me, you know.” Tara: “Who says I’m avoiding you?!” Rex: “Well I mean, you’re all the way back here while everyone else is up front.” Tara: “I just have to some things to prepare on my rig.” Rex: “Like…?” Tara: “Look just because we’re ‘technically family’ doesn’t mean we’re close.” Rex: “Ouch. Do I make you that uncomfortable?” Tara: “...Not you, just the memories.”

Can you tell which one of these relations I put the most thought into

Granted, when he joins, they're still kids and I scribbled that as if they were already married, but it conveys the feelings the relationship started with. They'd eventually become decent co-workers, but Rex having ties to her family always keeps things a little awkward between them.

Wild

Unlike everyone else, she doesn't really get what the big deal is about this cat on a motorbike. He does some tricks, sure, but she doesn't really get the whole "celebrity" thing. Outside of that, she's fine with him. Not really a big automotive buff, but even she has to admit he does some cool moves.

Liberty

I think her and Liberty would get along. Liberty's kinda this back-alley spunky and I think they'd share a similar sense of humor and looking out for the little guys shtick. Liberty is probably someone she'd feel more comfortable being sarcastic with.

I can't comment on Al or the Cat Pack because I haven't seen any of their episodes.

Truthfully, while she's quite cold, she does care about everyone. They are her friends and eventually become her family. If someone did something to hurt one, they'd be on her shit list and she holds grudges.

[cinemaocd]

my rankings:

#1) I'm just Ken: The performance is great, esp. for a non-singer like Gosling, but the real wonder is the dancing/choreo and camera work that recalls both Saving Private Ryan and An American in Paris. Also love that this is a musical speed run through the 80s with a great callout to Giorgio Morodor (after the sparkle break down) I love this movie so much, esp. how much it nerds out about film. Ryan Gosling has bewitched my entire family with his portrayal of Ken. He is indeed good at doing stuff.

#2) Chatanooga Choo Choo: Classic song of all time. I'd never heard of this film before this exercise. Dorothy Dandridge and the Nicholas Brothers are showstoppers, esp. after the fairly static filming in the first could of stanzas of the song. Interesting to note that one of the singers was knitting in the "rehearsal" part of the scene. This movie came out as America joined WWII. Many in Hollywood were already part of the war effort and knitting was all the rage, promoted as something to help the troops, save on cloth needed for the war etc.

#3-4) Barsaat Mein 1/2: I liked this even more on the second viewing. I need to seek out this film.

#5) Miss Celie's Blues (Sister): this time through I really paid attention to the direction in this scene. It's well known that Spielberg is the king of "people looking at stuff in awe" reaction shots. Here Whoopi is hiding almost all of her face but you can still see her eyes and you get everything you need to know from that.

#6) Animal Crackers: I didn't know this was the source for "Mashed Potatoes and Molasses" but it makes sense: adorable/approaching annoying kid singer singing about food. Much better than the other song from this film, down to the choreography which is pretty great, with every movement cut perfectly to the music, and the orphans turning like a row of chorus girls one after another and even the bizarre "galley ship" move that happens at one point. Again, I can't watch Shirley Temple and not run through in my brain to her abuse and how she was enslaved in a way...it's a pretty dark and unintentional consequence of the song.

#7-8) Hooked on Your Love: I'd never heard of this film until this exercise. I'm sure I'd like this better if it were an actual Supremes song. The music and production is so 1970s light rock and not in a good way. No band in the Universe sounded like this in the 1950s. What were they thinking? The performance is good, great even, in Aretha's version, but it's so much like 70s Aretha and not Diana Ross, that it's too distracting for me. If I didn't KNOW this was based on the Supremes maybe I would like it more. It took me a few viewings of Velvet Goldmine to get over the fact that there wasn't going to be any actual Bowie music in it, so maybe Sparkle is the same? I'm interested in seeing the film now though, which is a good sign.

#9-10) I Know Why (and so do you): On second viewing, I think my favorite part of this is the one minute reprise of Moonlight Serenade at the beginning. Noticing a few cracks like the lip sync could be better, but I also noticed Milton Berle is it for a minute so there's that...

#11) Return to Sender: A bit phoned in for an Elvis performance. Great song but something about the lack of energy on screen here is sending me to sleep. I miss Ann Margaret who was the savior of these later Elvis outings.

#12) Danger Zone: OK so in the other round I talked about hating Top Gun, but hating Kenny Loggins? Impossible. The song gets bonus points for being written by Giorgio Morodor which explains the ESL quality of the lyrics, which always puzzled me. A little nostalgia must be at work here because I don't hate this as much as I thought I would...:D

#13) Ciao Papa: I still don't like this song and kid singing is still annoying but dang the animation is really cool.

#14) Essie Mundo e Meu: I wish I could see more of the context of the film, but this just as catchy and pleasing the second time through.

15) Tien: I like this more than the other song from this film. It's a better song, more interesting arrangement with diegetic instruments and seeing it in the film helps a lot.

16) Suzume: cool song. I haven't seen the film, and would probably rate it much higher if I could see it in context of the film, espl as described for this exercise.

17) Q'uest-ce ce quon...: Another catchy number I'd probably rate higher if I'd seen the context of it in the film and the animation.

18) Troi Sang Roi: this one just didn't do it for me. My least fave.

2023 Movie Odyssey Award for Best Original Song Final

TAGGING (interested observers, non-participating observers, and participants): @addaellis, @birdsongvelvet; @cinemaocd, @cokwong, @doglvr, @emilylime5, @exlibrisneh, @halfwaythruthedark, @idontknowmuchaboutmovies, @machpowervisions, @maximiliani, @memetoilet, @metamatar, @monkeysmadeofcheese, @myluckyerror, @phendranaedge, @plus-low-overthrow, @rawberry101, @rosymeraki-blog, @shootingstarvenator, @stephdgray, @theybecomestories, @umgeschrieben, @underblackwings, and @yellanimal.

OPEN INVITES go out to (longtime followers and former participants who have not accepted/declined): @dog-of-ulthar, @introspectivemeltdown, @mehetibel, @noelevangilinecarson, @qteeclown, @shadesofhappy, @the-lilac-grove

Hello everybody,

A good day to you wherever you are reading this. Following the most dramatic preliminary round in Movie Odyssey Award for Best Original Song (MOABOS) history, it is now time for the final.

Might the final also have some surprises and razor-thin close calls in store? As many of you know, this is the eleventh edition of MOABOS (MOABOS XI) and the tenth with participation from family, friends, and tumblr followers. At the beginning of every year, I never know whether or not this admittedly strange competition will return for another year. That it has persisted all this time – and grown – has been a personal joy. And it is not possible without all of you.

I began record-keeping for MOABOS XI when I saw Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (2022) on New Year's Day this year. From there, I kept a running shortlist until the preliminary began on American Thanksgiving weekend. That one song from GdT's Pinocchio has survived the entire year to get to the final. Over the rest of 2023, numerous songs from various movies filtered in and out on my master shortlist, culminating into this final round.

INTRODUCTION

For those who have never participated in this before, my classic movie blog traditionally ends the year by honoring some of the best achievements from movies that I saw for the first time that calendar year (the "Movie Odyssey", in which any rewatches do not count) with an Oscar-like ceremony. I choose all the nominees and winners from each category except for this, Best Original Song. Original Song is the only category which does not require you to watch the movies in their entirety. As always, MOABOS is considered a sort of cinematic-musical thank-you for your moral support in various ways over how long I've known you for. In addition, I think it's a fun, novel way to introduce to all of you films and music you may not have otherwise encountered or sought and to give everyone a little bit of film and music history.

However, MOABOS is but a foot-deep glimpse into my much larger Movie Odyssey for this last year. There are many films I saw this calendar year that I consider much better than the ones that appear here. But did they have any original songs? They did not!

WHAT'S IN THE FINAL

This final will be contested by fifteen songs.

In a preliminary round filled will thrills and spills, some popular titles have failed to make it this far. That includes Lady Gaga's "Hold My Hand" from Top Gun: Maverick (2022) and "Take My Breath Away" by Berlin in Top Gun (1986). But there's a Top Gun song in here, even more widely recognizable than both of these songs, that will be looking to assert its frontrunner status.

Snapping back from what was the first-ever monolingual MOABOS last year, the 2023 final sets the record for the most multilingual field ever with six languages represented – English, French, Hindi, Japanese, Portuguese, and Vietnamese. This breaks the previous record held by MOABOS VI (2018), which featured five different languages. After three-year absences, both Hindi-language and Japanese-language songs have progressed to the final. A Portuguese-language song marks the language's (and Brazilian cinema's) first appearance in a MOABOS final.

Two films from 20th Century Fox's Golden Age will also be contending. The first film, Sun Valley Serenade (1941), has two entries by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra. In addition to the appearance of Orchestra Wives (1941) in MOABOS IX (2021), this ensures that each song featuring Miller that has qualified for MOABOS has made the final. In addition, some big news as Shirley Temple – so often on the wrong end of the points totals in the preliminary round – finally sees a final round with Curly Top (1935).

Finally, in a round usually riddled with multiple entries for certain films, there's a distinct lack of films with two or more contenders for MOABOS this year. The only exceptions to that are, surprisingly, Sun Valley Serenade and Good Morning and Good Night (which I encountered for Viet Film Fest this year).

2023's winner will join this company (winners' playlist):

2012 (Special): To be contested

2013 (I): “The Gold Diggers’ Song (We’re In the Money)”,Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933)

2014 (II): “Rainbow Connection”, The Muppet Movie (1979)

2015 (III): “Amhrán Na Farraige (Song of the Sea)”, Song of the Sea (2014)

2016 (IV): “Stayin’ Alive”, Saturday Night Fever (1977)

2017 (V): “Remember Me (Recuérdame)”, Coco (2017)

2018 (VI): “Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing”, Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing (1955)

2019 (VII): “I Wish I Didn't Love You So”, The Perils of Pauline (1947)

2020 (VIII): “Can't Help Falling in Love” , Blue Hawaii (1961)

2021 (IX): “Lullaby in Ragtime”, The Five Pennies (1959)

2022 (X): “9 to 5”, Nine to Five (1980)

INSTRUCTIONS

Please rank (#1-15) your choices in order. The top ten songs will receive nominations; all others get "Honorable Mentions". There is no minimum or maximum amount of songs you can rank, but because of the nature of single transferable vote (the tabulation method described in the "read more"), it is highly recommended to rank as many songs as possible, rather than only one or two. Those who rank fewer songs run a greater risk of their ballots being discarded in the later rounds of tabulation. Since this rule change (first implemented in MOABOS VI in 2018), no participant who has only ranked one song has seen their choice win MOABOS. Again, this is all described in the "read more".

The tabulation method used in the preliminary round (10 points for 1st place, 9 points for 2nd, etc.) is being used for this round. However, it is used for the final only as the second tiebreaker (the tabulation method that will be used principally for the final – aka "single transferable vote" – is described in the "read more").

Please consider, to the best of your ability (these are only suggestions, not strict guidelines):

How musically interesting the song is (incl. and not limited to musical phrasing and orchestration);

Its lyrics (incl. and not limited to lyrical invention and flow); 

Contextual use within the film (contextual blurbs provided for every entry for those who haven't seen the films);

Choreography/dance direction (if applicable; I know that almost none of us have a dancing background, but please do not dismiss this aspect entirely);

The song's cultural/sociopolitical impact and legacy/listenability outside the film's context (if applicable, and, in my opinion, least important factor)

Remember: you are not judging music videos.

A notice on audio/video quality and colorization of black-and-white film: Because it is sometimes difficult to find clean recordings of much of this music, imperfections in audio and video quality may not be used against any song while you are drawing up your rankings – you're on the honor system on this one. In addition, in respect to personal and blog policy, I will not provide colorized videos of films that were originally in black-and-white. You can call this snobby all you want. But to yours truly, film colorization of B&W is disrespectful to the artisans who plied their craft and made decisions based on the fact the film was shot in black-and-white. It is essentially redirecting a movie without consent.

You are encouraged to send in comments and reactions with your rankings - it makes the process more enjoyable for you and myself!

The deadline for submission is Wednesday, January 10 at 9 PM Pacific Time. That is7 PM Hawaii/Aleutian Time and 11 PM Central Time. That deadline is also Thursday, January 11 at Midnight Eastern Time / 5 AM GMT / 6 AM CET / 7 AM EET / 2 PM Korea Standard Time. This deadline – as it always seems to happen – will be pushed back if there are a large number of people who have not submitted in time. The deadline is later this year due to Christmas and New Year's being on Mondays this year.

All of the below songs can also be found in this YouTube playlist (but please note you may not judge the music video, but instead judge the song and how it is used in context).

Enjoy the music! Feel free to listen as many times as you need, and I hope you discover music and movies you may have never otherwise heard of that you find fascinating. The following is formatted... ("Song title", composer and lyricist, film title) and presented in alphabetical order (so feel free to shuffle the order!):

2023 Movie Odyssey Award for Best Original Song Final (playlist)

“Animal Crackers in My Soup”, music by Ray Henderson, lyrics by Ted Koehler and Irving Caesar, Curly Top (1935)

Performed by Shirley Temple

6th in Group B

Young Elizabeth Blair (Temple) and her elder sister, Mary (Rochelle Hudson) are living in an orphanage and are the primary entertainers for their fellow orphan girls. This number occurs early in the film and is quoted multiple times in the film's score. For those of you who despised this song's placement in those Shirley Temple DVD infomercials, I have no apologies to offer you.

For those familiar with Over the Garden Wall, this number inspired "Potatoes and Molasses" and its respective episode.

Where Alice Faye (MOABOS X's "A Journey to a Star" from 1943's The Gang's All Here)   and Betty Grable may have been the two primary musical adult actresses at 20th Century Fox, Shirley Temple eclipsed both. Her modestly-budgeted movies showcased her childhood innocence and spunk, endearing her to a moviegoing public faced with the Great Depression. She was the highest-grossing actor in Hollywood from 1934-1938, and moviegoers of the Lost, Greatest, and early Silent Generations credit Temple's movies as needed morale boosters.

“Barsaat mein hamse mile tum sajan (In the Rainy Season, We Met One Another)”, music by Shankarsingh Raghuwanshi and Jaikishan Dayabhai Panchal, lyrics by Shailendra, Barsaat (1949, India)

(initial version) / (end-of-film reprise)

Performed by Nimmi (singing voice dubbed by Lata Mangeshkar)

Lyrics in Hindi (translations in the CC's in provided videos)

5th in Group A

Raj Kapoor was a major director/actor in the early decades of Bollywood. In one of his first directed movies, shortly after the Partition of India, we find Barsaat. This romance tells of two love stories of vacationing city men meeting women who live in Kashmir (a disputed region between India, Pakistan, and China). Later in the films, we will find Pran (Raj Kapoor) and Reshma (Nargis) quickly falling in love. But this song surrounds the womanizing Gopal (Prem Nath) and Neela (Nimmi), whose faithful love for Gopal goes largely unrequited. After much convincing from Neela, Gopal attends a local festival – and doesn't pay much attention to this Neela-led song-and-dance number.

In the reprise, Neela has died near the end of the film. Reformed, realizing too late how horrible he has been to Neela, Gopal carries her body to her funeral pyre as the monsoon rains – as hinted in this film's very title – finally arrive.

“Chattanooga Choo Choo”, music by Harry Warren, lyrics by Mack Gordon, Sun Valley Serenade (1941)

Performed by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra, Tex Beneke, Paula Kelly, and The Modernaires; danced and sung by the Nicholas Brothers and Dorothy Dandridge

Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song

Advanced directly to the final

Midway through this musical, the Phil Corey Orchestra (Glenn Miller and His Orchestra) are anxiously awaiting for their pianist (John Payne) before rehearsal for a Christmas concert in the ski resort town of Sun Valley, Idaho. He's been delayed by an unexpected detour while skiing down the slopes in pursuit of a young woman (Sonja Henie) who has been flirt-trolling him on the slopes. Phil is asked to "stall for time" by the band's manager (Milton Berle). But, quietly, Phil essentially says "screw it" and starts the rehearsal. As one of my tumblr followers put it, classic Hollywood's legacy of weird shenanigans at ski resorts continues.

Nicholas Brothers' and Dorothy Dandridge's segment feels separate from the rest of this number by design. White-owned theaters in the American South would refuse to show films with prominent roles with black actors, so 20th Century Fox structured Nicholas Brothers numbers in a way so that their dances could be easily cut for those theaters. MOABOS IX (2021) participants will recall that "I've Got a Gal (in Kalamazoo)" from Orchestra Wives (1942) and the reprise to the title song for Down Argentine Way (1940) were impacted similarly.

It's a brief, but memorable role for Dandridge in her early career. She would become one of the best African American actresses ever, thirteen years removed for her Best Actress nomination for Carmen Jones (1954).

This was the first of only two films made by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra while contracted to 20th Century Fox (RIP "Fox"). They were to make more, but then Miller decided to join the U.S. Army Air Forces (the predecessor of the Air Force) to lead its official band. Miller, an enormous musical figure of the swing jazz era, disappeared over the English Channel in December 1944. This was the first song ever to receive a gold record, and it was musically referenced across numerous Fox movies during the 1940s and '50s, becoming an unofficial studio anthem.

The city of Chattanooga and railways have and still embrace the song; localized Dutch, Finnish, German, and Italian versions of this song exist.

“Ciao Papa”, music by Alexandre Desplat, lyrics by Roeban Katz and Guillermo del Toro, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022)

Performed by Gregory Mann

3rd in Group A

In this adaptation of Carlo Collodi's Pinocchio, director Guillermo del Toro injects the tale with his signature gothic touch – moving the narrative up in time to Fascist Italy and not shying away from the original book's grotesqueness and the title character's sociopathy. This song appears as part of a montage where Geppetto (David Bradley) goes in search of Pinocchio (Mann) after Count Volpe (Christoph Waltz) abducts the wooden son. Pinocchio is performing for Volpe in part to avoid conscription into Fascist Italy's military.

“Danger Zone”, music and lyrics by Giorgio Moroder and Tom Whitlock, Top Gun (1986)

Performed by Kenny Loggins

Advanced directly to the final

This song first appears in the film's opening credits, as a number of U.S. Navy F-14 Tomcats are about to lift off from the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise in the middle of the Indian Ocean. The Tomcats are being scrambled to address an incursion of what is heavily implied to be Soviet aircraft (and results in an exchange that should've immediately started WWIII, but the always-jingoistic Top Gun movies do not care about geopolitical consequences). The song is briefly played again for a similar scene later in the film.

“Esse Mundo é Meu (This World is Mine)”, music by Sérgio Ricardo, lyrics by Sérgio Ricardo and Ruy Guerra, Esse Mundo é Meu (1964, Brazil)

Originally performed a cappella by Antônio Pitanga; provided version performed by Marina Lutfi and Adriana Lutfi (lead vocals), Sérgio Ricardo (vocals), João Gurgel (vocal/guitar), Alexandre Caldi (winds), Marcelo Caldi (piano/accordion), Lui Coimbra (cello), Giordano Gasperin (bass), and Diego Zangado (percussion)

Lyrics in Portuguese (extremely rough translation... "Saravá ogum" is an Afro-Brazilian exclamation; I'm not sure what "Mandinga" means in the song's context, but it's an Afro-Brazilian word that either refers to an ethnic group or "magic")

2nd in Group A

In this film almost never screened outside Brazil, two separate romantic storylines – a white couple and a black couple – play out in a Rio de Janeiro favela. In the latter storyline, Antônio Pitanga plays a shoeshiner. One day, while setting up his shoeshining equipment along the beach, he sings this song – an optimistic number in hopes for a better tomorrow. Black Brazilian romance was and is rare in Brazilian cinema, and the inclusion of such a romance so prominently featured in this film makes it a landmark of the nation's film history, alongside the likes of Black Orpheus (1959; although Esse Mundo é Meu came from a filmmaking movement – Cinema Novo – that rejected the likes of Black Orpheus).

From the song's humble origins and use in the film, Sérgio Ricardo turned it into bossa nova. That's the late composer/film director himself in the provided video (the older man furthest to the left). The lead singers are his daughters.

“Hooked On Your Love”, music and lyrics by Curtis Mayfield, Sparkle (1976)

Performed by Lonette McKee, Irene Cara, and Dwan Smith

(use in film) / (soundtrack version with Aretha Franklin)

Advanced directly to the final

Loosely based on the history of the Supremes, the musical Sparkle is the story of the three Williams sisters (the late Cara as lead singer Sparkle, McKee as Sister, and Smith as Dolores). They decide to take their church singing experience to become a semi-professional group called the Hearts.

This song appears midway through the film, as the boys have dropped out to become managers and the girls have renamed the group Sister and the Sisters (I would've kept the original name). This is the debut performance of Sister and the Sisters. If you're wondering what's going on with the lighting here, that's because the cinematographer of Sparkle didn't know how to light non-white actors.

The film's original soundtrack does not contain any of the original performances. Instead, Aretha Franklin sings all the songs from the film in the soundtrack.

“I Know Why (And So Do You)”, music by Mack Gordon, lyrics by Harry Warren, Sun Valley Serenade (1941)

(initial version) / (reprise)

Performed by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra, Lynn Bari (dubbed by Pat Friday), The Modernaires, and John Payne; reprise by Payne and Sonja Henie

6th in Group A

This song's melody forms the backbone of the film's score throughout. In the opening minutes of this musical, we find the Phil Corey Orchestra (Glenn Miller and His Orchestra) rehearsing in preparation for a Christmas concert they will be headlining in the mountainous resort town of Sun Valley, Idaho. The first 48 seconds of the first video are an instrumental version of Glenn Miller's "Moonlight Serenade".

The reprise occurs near the end of the film as Norwegian refugee/figure skating extraordinaire Karen Benson (Sonja Henie, a 3x Olympic gold medalist in figure skating) and pianist Ted Scott (John Payne) find themselves stuck in a mountainside cabin. Karen, who has fled Norway due to the Nazi takeover there, has been pursuing Ted for almost all of the film, and Ted finally succumbs to her charms here – to the outrage of his girlfriend (Lynn Bari). Suffice it to say nobody should watch 20th Century Fox musicals for the plot (but refreshingly, they're not pretending to be any more than what they are).

What the heck is an Olympic figure skater doing and singing in a movie? Well, Henie was used in a handful of Fox musicals in musical numbers set to an elaborate figure skating sequence. These days, Henie's movies are largely out of print and hard to find. Her popularity was such that Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) hired aspiring swimmer Esther Williams (unable to compete at the canceled 1940 Summer Olympics) as response to Fox's Sonja Henie movies. 

“I’m Just Ken”, music and lyrics by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt, Barbie (2023)

Performed by Ryan Gosling and company

3rd in Group B

The Kens of Barbieland have taken over power from the Barbies after Ken (Ryan Gosling) learns about patriarchy in our real world. In response, the Barbies, Allan, and Mattel employee Gloria and her daughter Sasha have manipulated the Kens into fighting each other (or, in the Kens' parlance, "beaching off") while they attempt to reestablish control. According to director Greta Gerwig, the dance segment seen here was influenced by "Lullaby of Broadway" from Gold Diggers of 1935 (1935; see the warm-up playlist I sent to many of you) and "The Broadway Melody" from Singin' in the Rain (1952).

The production design and overall look of Barbie was meant to have a sort of plastic toy aesthetic. Gerwig wanted to achieve an "authentic artificiality", injecting a sense of child's play into the filmmaking, and spiritually inspired by the production design of The Red Shoes (1948) – especially its 15-minute ballet sequence.

“Miss Celie’s Blues (Sister)”, music by Quincy Jones and Rod Temperton, lyrics by Quincy Jones, Rod Temperton, and Lionel Richie, The Color Purple (1985)

Performed by Margaret Avery (singing voice dubbed by Táta Vega)

Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song

1st in Group A

Based on the book of the same name by Alice Walker, The Color Purple stars Whoopi Goldberg as Celie Harris in her breakthrough role. Celie, forcibly married off to Albert "Mister" Johnson (Danny Glover) as a teenager, has grown resigned after a lifetime of parental and spousal abuse. Mister has a mistress named Shug Avery (Margaret Avery), who works as a showgirl in Memphis. After one stormy evening, a sickly Shug appears at Mister's homestead for the first time and, over a few weeks, Celie nurses her back to health. The two grow attached and, as tribute, Shug performs this song at the local riverside juke joint.

In the book, the romantic relationship between Celie and Shug after this moment is more explicit. Director Steven Spielberg's greatest regret over this film was not making more of this romantic relationship. Given that the movie was released at the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis and in an environment where LGBTQ+ themes were verboten to the major movie studios, I don't believe much more could've been done in 1985.

“Qu'est-ce qu'on fait de l'amour? (What Do We Do with Love?)”, music and lyrics by Vincent Courtois, Ernest and Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia (2022, France)

Performed by Pomme

Lyrics in French (rough translation)

1st in Group B

This song appears at the top of the end credits of this sequel to 2012's Ernest & Celestine, which was nominated (against the odds) for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. The original was, as I wrote back in 2014, "cinematic friendship at its most rewarding and profoundly beautiful." In this sequel for our dynamic mouse and bear duo, Celestine (the mouse) accidentally breaks Ernest's (the bear) precious Stradibearius violin. It leads the unlikely friends to search for an old violin maker acquaintance of Ernest's back in his homeland of Gibberitia ("Charabïe" in the original title, a name derived from "charabia", the French word for "gibberish").

A further shameless plug for all of you reading this to seek out animation that is not from the major American and Japanese studios.

“Return to Sender”, music and lyrics by Winfield Scott and Otis Blackwell, Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962)

Performed by Elvis Presley

5th in Group B

The eleventh of Elvis' 31 movies (if MOABOS returns for future editions, let's just say there's a lot more Elvis to come) and the second shot in Hawai'i after 1961's Blue Hawaii, Girls! Girls! Girls! is a misnomer as there are only two girls vying for Elvis' affections (it would be an appropriate title for many other Elvis movies). My sister thinks this film should've been titled Girls? Girls. Girls!

Here, Ross Carpenter (Elvis) is a fisherman who spends his evenings as a nightclub singer. Fellow nightclub singer Robin Gantner (Stella Stevens) and the secretly wealthy Laurel Dodge (Laurel Goodwin) are very much attracted to him. This number occurs after Ross starts seeing Laurel, inflaming Robin's suspicions, and resulting in a spat at the bar that immediately preceded the song.

“Suzume”, music and lyrics by RADWIMPS, Suzume (2022, Japan)

Performed by RADWIMPS and Toaka

Lyrics in Japanese (extremely rough translation)

2nd in Group B

This song's melody (especially the eighteen-note vocalized motif) appears throughout the film. But this version, with lyrics, only appears as the second song in the end credits. In this film, 17-year-old Suzume and a young man named Souta must journey across Japan to close a series of mystical doors. Mysterious phenomena are passing through these once-locked into our world, and are causing natural disasters.

Makoto Shinkai's latest, unadjusted for inflation, is the fourth-highest grossing Japanese film of all time. MOABOS regulars will recall previous entries from Your Name (2016) and Weathering with You (2019) – all RADWIMPS compositions. Suzume directly addresses a trauma that Your Name and Weathering with You danced around: the 3/11/11 earthquake, tsunami, and Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster.

“Tiền”, music and lyrics by Trần Khắc Trí, Good Morning and Good Night (2019, Vietnam)

Performed by Trần Lê Thúy Vy, Hà Quốc Hoàng, and company

Lyrics in Vietnamese (translation in provided video)

4th in Group B

In this romantic musical influenced heavily by Richard Linklater's Before trilogy, indie musician Tâm (Hà Quốc Hoàng) unexpectedly forms a deep connection with Thanh (Trần Lê Thúy Vy), a rideshare driver who challenges his view of life, love, and art over a full day traversing Saigon. This song appears about a third of the way through, after a conversation about money ("tiền" means "money" in Vietnamese). Most of the numbers in this film are composed in a style suited to Vietnamese indie music.

“Trời Sáng Rồi, Ta Ngủ Đi Thôi (Good Morning and Good Night)”, music by Phạm Hải Âu, lyrics by Phạm Hải Âu and Chung Chí Công, Good Morning and Good Night (2019, Vietnam)

Performed by Hà Quốc Hoàng and Trần Lê Thúy Vy

Lyrics in Vietnamese (translation in provided video)

4th in Group A

In this romantic musical influenced heavily by Richard Linklater's Before trilogy, indie musician Tâm (Hà Quốc Hoàng) unexpectedly forms a deep connection with Thanh (Trần Lê Thúy Vy), a rideshare driver who challenges his view of life, love, and art over a full day traversing Saigon. This song appears at the top of the end credits. Most of the numbers in this film are composed in a style suited to Vietnamese indie music.

Have a question or comment about MOABOS's processes? Maybe you would like to know something more about a song or a movie featured in this year's competition? I'm the one to ask! If you are having difficulty accessing any of the songs (especially if region-locked) or if there are any errors in the links above or the playlist, please let me know as soon as possible.

Once more to all, my thanks all for your support for the Movie Odyssey, the blog, and for me personally over this last calendar year and beyond. However long you've known me – it has been and is a distinct privilege and a pleasure to share all this music and (at least excerpts of) these movies with you. It's my hope you find this entertaining and enlightening about cinema and the music that goes along with it. Do not worry too much about this if you cannot participate, although I will be checking in as the deadlines get close. Happy listening, and I hope you have fun!

A happy holiday season to you and yours!

PS: TABULATION

The winner is determined by a process distinct from the preliminary round. For the final, the winner is chosen by the process known as single transferable vote (the Academy Awards uses this method to choose a Best Picture winner, visually explained here):

All #1 picks from all voters are tabulated. A song needs more than half of all aggregate votes to win (50% of all votes plus one… i.e. if there are thirty respondents, sixteen #1 votes are needed to win on the first count).

If there is no winner after the first count (as is most likely), the song(s) with the fewest #1 votes or points is/are eliminated. Placement will be determined by the tiebreakers described below. Then, we look at the ballots of those who voted for the most recently-eliminated song(s). Their votes then go to the highest remaining non-eliminated song on their ballot.

The process described in step #2 repeats until one song has secured 50% plus one of all votes. We keep eliminating nominees and transfer votes to the highest-ranked, non-eliminated song on each ballot. A song is declared the winner when it reaches more than fifty percent of all #1 and re-distributed votes.

NOTE: It is possible after several rounds of counting that respondents who did not entirely fill in their ballots will have wasted their votes at the end of the process. For example, if a person voted the second-to-last place song as their #1, ranked no other songs, and the count has exceeded two rounds, their ballot is discarded (lowering the vote threshold needed to win), and they have no say in which song ultimately is the winner. No one who has ranked only one or two songs on their rankings and nothing more has succeeded since this tabulation method was implemented. I highly discourage, but do not forbid, these practices.

Tiebreakers: 1) first song to receive 50% plus one of all #1 and transferred votes; 2) total points earned (the preliminary round's primary tabulation method); 3) total #1 votes; 4) average placement on my ballot and my sister’s ballot; 5) tie declared

For reference: 2013 final 2014 final (input from family and friends began this year) 2015 final 2016 prelim / final 2017 prelim / final 2018 prelim / final 2019 prelim / final 2020 prelim / final 2021 prelim/ final 2022 prelim / final

[246sn]

runaway bride ( ✶ ) chapter three : flashbacks at music bank

⋆ don’t forget to read the written chapter below! % word count: 1.6k

⸝⸝ SYNOPSIS ‎𐪆 right when you thought you could run away from your past life as a figure skater by being an idol, you meet the sole person who made you want to leave that life behind in the first place. ₊˚✸ ༘

you stared out the window and watched as the sun rose, knowing very well that your thoughts had distracted you from going to bed.

this became a recurring thing; your thoughts distracting you from everyday activities like practice and now, sleep.

you could only cringe while recalling how the choreographer scolded you for being too distracted to focus on further perfecting the dance.

this is all sunghoon’s fault.

more of the story below!

he’s probably sleeping on his bed right now, all comfortable, without even knowing all the hurt he’s caused.

now you were wondering, why didn’t he tell you about any of this? weren’t you his best friend? is his sudden dream of being an idol why he left without saying anything?

now you were wondering, why didn’t he tell you about any of this? weren’t you his best friend? is his sudden dream of being an idol why he left without saying anything?

there were so many questions that would probably be left unanswered.

you just hoped that you wouldn’t interact with sunghoon today, or ever again. you also hoped that you could get at least a wink of sleep before performing in music bank.

betrayal was the only thing you could think about at the moment.

not the betrayal you received from sunghoon after keeping such a big secret, but the betrayal you received from the universe.

everything you hoped would happen today disappeared in a sheet of paper.

not just because you barely slept that day but also because you were going to be interacting with sunghoon.

you felt a hand lay gently on your shoulder. as you moved to look at its owner, you noticed sowon with a worried expression on her face.

“you okay, y/n? you look really nervous.”

“no, i’m fine. i just haven’t done this before so i’m not sure if i’ll do well.”

you lied, of course. the reason why you were so nervous is because your one single line was going to be an interaction between you and sunghoon.

sure, it's all part of the script, but this would be the first time you’d both spoken to each other in a long time.

“i’m sure you’ll do great, y/n. don’t be nervous.”

sowon’s smile gave you all the reassurance you needed. you will do great. just pretend you don’t know who park sunghoon is and maybe everything will be okay.

you still felt nervous, of course. you were going to be interviewed on live television by someone you never wanted to see again.

the surrounding sounds were so muffled that you could barely hear the short laugh sunghoon made in disbelief after seeing you.

you could only look at your fidgeting hands to calm down your nerves, not noticing how sunghoon’s eyes were practically glued on you.

sowon noticed your nerves and held your hand to grab your attention. she gave you a smile while whispering, “you can do this.”

you nodded and gave her a smile back as your hand gripped onto hers even tighter while your other hand held onto the microphone the staff had given you a few minutes prior.

the interview made minutes seem like seconds.

while wonyoung and sunghoon continued conversing and asking questions to all of your members, you could only stare at the camera and smile.

“is there anything you would like to say for your first ever live interview? anyone?” sunghoon asked, pretending to look at all of your members but kept his eyes stuck on you the entire time.

you and the rest of your members raised your hands in excitement, knowing very well that this was going to your line next.

“okay, let’s start with y/n-ssi first.” sunghoon said.

hearing sunghoon say your name the same way he did so years ago made thousands of butterflies erupt inside your stomach.

however, this was not the time to fantasize about the idea of being with sunghoon like the many times you’ve done so in the past. this was finally your time to shine on live television.

as the camera zoomed in to film you, you raised up your microphone, forcing an even brighter smile on your face, “our fans have waited so long to see us live on stage so we made sure our performance was enjoyable and unforgettable. please look forward to it!”

cheers from your members and the mcs erupted afterwards. that was it, your 10 seconds of screen time. now, you can fully worry about how to escape being in the presence of park sunghoon… and about your stage but that was just an afterthought.

you’ve never bolted out of a room as quickly as you've just done now. it was honestly quite embarrassing how you bowed to your seniors and quickly ran away.

sunghoon, on the other hand, was practically shaking while holding himself back from chasing after you on the spot. he knows that the cameras were still rolling and that he had to wait for all the guests to leave before they could.

right when the camera went down and wonyoung left the room, sunghoon wasted no time in running after you, much to your dismay.

sunghoon caught up quickly. not just because he was significantly taller than you but also because you get tired after 5 seconds of running that you would slow down a significant amount.

you would blame the world that after spending your entire life as a professional figure skater and now being an idol, you would be able to at least not get tired after a quick run but you were wrong.

“y/n, it is you.” sunghoon said right as he grabbed your wrist to make you stop.

you immediately looked behind sunghoon to see the confused faces all of your members have before looking back at sunghoon again.

before you could do or say anything, sunghoon pulled you into a tight hug while laughing in happiness.

"i had no idea you could sing. i thought you had a terrible voice after all those times we went to do karaoke," he teased, breaking the hug as he placed his hands on your shoulders to get a better look at you.

if he didn’t leave you two years ago or at least tell you why exactly he left, you would probably give him a reaction he’d love but you couldn’t just pretend that nothing happened.

to all the staff there, this was probably the happiest they had seen sunghoon ever since he became mc. this moment probably topped how happy he was while enhypen had promotions on music bank.

sunghoon's smile faded as you casually took his hands off your shoulders and apologized with a bow before attempting to walk away.

he followed you, of course. he just had to be someone who never gave up and after knowing him for years, he clearly still could not read the room.

“hey, y/n? what’s wrong? i thought you’d be happy to see me again after all these years.”

you looked around, sort of embarrassed that you had a small audience consisting of your members and wonyoung.

“why would i? you left without telling me why.” you whispered to make sure only the both of you heard.

sunghoon, on the other hand, was having none of it, responding to you in his normal voice register, "yeah, but didn't we say we'd always be best friends no matter what? ”

though he looked a lot older and his hair was now dyed silver, you couldn’t help but get flashbacks from the day you last saw him.

“hey, don’t be sad. we’ll always be best friends, no matter what.”

“yeah, we will.”

“i’ll see you, okay?”

“see you tomorrow, sunghoon.”

that’s the thing, you didn’t see him the next day. or the day after that. this was the first time you saw him after that day.

best friends wouldn’t leave without telling each other why. best friends wouldn’t hide such big secrets from each other and let the other one find out from other people. best friends would at the very least stay in touch.

all the emotions you tried hiding from your past came flowing like a river. you honestly didn’t know what to say. were you and sunghoon still best friends? at this point, you didn’t know.

“i’m so sorry for cutting this short sunbae, we should get going. we have to prepare for our stage.”

you were grateful sowon broke the conversation before you could even begin crying like a baby. thank god somebody could read the room and thank god it was sowon.

she never bothered asking you what happened or how you two knew each other. she didn’t want to pry, especially when you seemed to be at your most vulnerable.

all she did was wrap her arms around you and pull you away from sunghoon. as your older members all accompanied you back to your dressing room.

this left the two youngest alone next to sunghoon who could only stand there watching you walk away with a miserable look on his face.

"bro, i’m not sure what you did to y/n unnie, but whatever you did was probably really messed up," jieun startled sunghoon before he shifted gaze from where you left to your two youngest members.

“i agree. the only time y/n unnie seemed this sad was everytime she would think about ice skating but i think this was worse.” hyerim added while linking her arms with the older of the two.

“i wonder if y/n unnie got paid a lot while figure skating…” jieun thought out loud, earning a gasp from hyerim.

“maybe that’s why y/n unnie is sad!”

as the two walked away, sunghoon could only watch them in confusion.

“sunghoon?” he heard before looking to see wonyoung tugging on the sleeve of his cardigan.

she gave him a comforting smile before pulling him away to their dressing rooms, ignoring the fact that sunghoon couldn't stop staring in the direction you left.

〈 masterlist | next 〉

⸝⸝ NOTE ‎𐪆 i mean… i guess they met now 😅 + slowly uncovering their past

⸝⸝ TAGLIST ‎𐪆 [status : open for taglist 2] @ja4hyvn @aria-grace-scott @darrensos @c9tnoos @satorinnie @one16core @adnachiel97 @hrjchive @lqvwon @yjwnoot @jakahbot @softpia @chaeflms @d3ads0u1 @i-dubu @nshrkilvbt @ddeonu-s2 @yizhoutv @enhacolor @shynypeacekitten @solitxre @missmadwoman @youngbloodslut @wony6ung @mymomsdisappointment @hrtsforenha @miminyuu @chirokookie @hikruyo @tobiosbbyghorl @dxlicateee @jungwonswifex @mina-yoo334 @kingkaithekiwi @ferxanda @pshwyfie @magssu @bigtoewinwin @nyujjan @jaerisdiction @myluckycat @roseannepwwark @sd211 @cparqx @iz-hoonz @keii-1125 @ohsyanfei @certainyouthpeanut @yunkifoldr @lynnielvsu @itsjynop

[the-rewatch-rewind]

New episode! Script below the break

Hello and welcome back to the Rewatch Rewind, the podcast where I count down my top 40 most rewatched movies. My name is Jane, and today I will be talking about #35 on my list: Miramax, Producer’s Circle, and Storyline Entertainment’s 2002 crime musical Chicago, directed by Rob Marshall, written by Bill Condon – from the stage musical book by Bob Fosse and Fred Ebb, which was based on a play by Maurine Dallas Watkins – and starring Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Richard Gere.

Set in the Roaring 1920s, Chicago tells the story of wannabe star Roxie Hart (Renée Zellweger), who shoots and kills her lover Fred Casely (Dominic West) when she finds out he has lied to her about his show business connections. In jail, Roxie encounters the famous Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones), who “allegedly” murdered her husband and sister when she found them having an affair. Both plan to be represented by lawyer Billy Flynn (Richard Gere), whose strategy involves turning criminals into celebrities so they’ll be acquitted, which leads Roxie and Velma to compete for the spotlight.

I think this was either the first or second PG-13 movie I ever saw. My mom took me to see it in a theater in early 2003, a couple of months before I turned 13, which was kind of surprising because my parents were pretty strict about what I was allowed to see. I don’t actually remember why she agreed to take me to see it. What I do recall is that one of my best friends at the time was obsessed with this movie, so I’d already listened to the soundtrack multiple times at her house, although we mostly just listened to Cell Block Tango on repeat, so I thought the movie was going to be about those 6 murderers, and was surprised to learn that five of them are barely in the rest of it. I remember really liking the song, and also feeling slightly rebellious listening to it because it had the word “ass” in it (although we usually quickly turned the volume on the CD player way down at that part – we weren’t that rebellious). The movie was a lot more raunchy than I was used to, which made me a bit uncomfortable, but overall I liked it. There were several things about it that fascinated me, so I kept returning to it. I ended up seeing it twice in 2003, twice in 2004, three times in 2005, once in 2006, twice in 2009, once in 2011, once in 2014, once in 2018, once in 2021, and once in 2022. If I recall correctly, we had it on VHS, but then our VCR broke with the tape inside, so we didn’t have it for a while, and then we bought a DVD copy later, so I think that explains the gap between 2006 and 2009, but I could be mis-remembering.

I’ve never seen the stage musical, but I absolutely love the way the movie handles the songs. Apart from a few actual performances, the musical numbers mainly exist in Roxie’s imagination. She wants to be on the stage so badly that she turns everything that happens to her into a production. The editing between drab reality and glamorous fiction is so well done and makes for a fascinating watch. I’m sure the stage version is great – I mean, the revival has been on Broadway since 1996, making it the second longest-running Broadway show of all time – but I know that practically, a stage show could not switch back and forth that quickly. Often when plays are adapted to the screen, the movie still feels a lot like a stage show, just with closeups and maybe a few extra locations. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but I love it when the screen adaptation adds things that couldn’t be done live, and Chicago is one of my favorite examples of that. The way the Cell Block Tango keeps switching between jail life and intense dancing; the way the press conference turns into a marionette show and back again in We Both Reached for the Gun; the way Billy’s dance moves in All I Care About Is Love flawlessly transition into his actual actions as he proves the song completely wrong – all of these and more are amazing and could only be done on screen. So if I had to point to one single reason why I keep rewatching this movie, it’s definitely the editing of the musical numbers.

A close second is the performances. Big movie musicals have a strange tendency to feature famous movie stars who can’t actually sing very well. Back in the day, they got around this by dubbing the singing…and then often not giving the actual singers credit, although the truth usually came out eventually – I see you Marni Nixon! More recently, they just, kind of…let the actors sing badly. But in the early 2000s there was a brief period when Hollywood made musicals featuring stars who weren’t necessarily particularly known for singing but still could actually sing, and thank goodness that happened here. The singing is excellent, the dancing is awesome, and the acting is phenomenal. Four of the actors: Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Queen Latifah – who plays “Mama” Morton, the matron of the jail – and John C. Reilly – who plays Roxie’s simple, devoted husband, Amos – were nominated for Oscars. Only Zeta-Jones won, and I mean, I think they all did a fabulous job, but if only one could win, it would have been wrong if it wasn’t her. She perfectly conveys Velma’s strength and confidence with just the right hints of vulnerability to truly make the character work. But that’s not to say that other performances weren’t deserving of recognition as well. Renée Zellweger does an awesome job of differentiating between the real Roxie fumbling around trying to figure out how to handle reality and the confident performer she is in her imagination. And while I normally don’t like movies about people who hate each other, Zeta-Jones and Zellweger make Velma and Roxie’s fighting fun to watch. Similarly, Billy Flynn is a fairly despicable character, but Richard Gere is also very fun to watch. Queen Latifah nails Mama Morton’s corruption while still keeping her likeable. John C. Reilly’s Amos is exactly as pitiful as he should be. And the rest of the supporting cast is incredible as well – shout out to Taye Diggs as the Bandleader, all the ridiculously talented dancers, and of course the always fabulous Christine Baranski, who is an absolute delight as Mary Sunshine the reporter. Truly an excellent cast, and, appropriately for a movie about murder, they all killed it.

Chicago was nominated for a total of 13 Oscars, winning six. In addition to Catherine Zeta-Jones’s supporting actress win, it also won Best Picture, Editing, Art Direction, Costume Design, and Sound. I’m especially glad the editing was recognized, and the art direction, costume design, and sound work together with the editing to create that reality vs imagination effect, so I also think those were award-worthy. And my 2011 viewing of this movie was part of my watch-through of all the Best Picture winners. Around that time I recall stumbling upon a list that someone had made of the most undeserving Best Picture wins, and I can’t even remember if it was from some sort of official film critic publication or if it was just some random person on the internet, but it put Chicago at #1, which irritated me so much that I’m still annoyed about it 12 years later. I mean, it is probably true that, like many Miramax films from that era, Chicago won more Oscars than it would have without the campaigning of executive producer and now convicted criminal Harvey Weinstein, which is upsetting. But there are some Best Picture Winners that I found to be barely watchable, and I cannot believe that they deserved the Oscar more than this engrossing, well-told story. So to whoever made that list: you’re wrong.

If you’ve listened to my previous episodes, you may have noticed that when I talk about being aroace, I tend to focus more on the aromantic side of that than the asexual side. That’s mostly because romantic content – at least, straight romantic content – is considered appropriate for all audiences while sexual content is not, so romance is a lot harder to avoid. In general, if you stick to movies made during the Hays Code era from the mid-1930s through the mid-1960s, and movies made after that which are rated G or PG, there might be some innuendo or implied sexual behavior taking place offscreen, but there’s not going to be any actual sexual content, whereas there probably will be romantic content. And since sex and romance are often related, movies that have sexual content are almost certain to also have romantic content. Chicago is rather unusual in that it has sex but very little romance. Roxie uses sex to get what she wants – or at least, she tries to, it doesn’t really work out most of the time – but we never really see her, or any other character, falling in love. Most of the musical numbers feature rather provocative dances in revealing costumes, which isn’t exactly explicit sexual content, but I think could be described as “sexy.” One of the ways I figured out I was asexual was by realizing that I don’t quite understand what words like “provocative” or “sexy” really mean. Like, I kind of get what fits those descriptions, but do people actually see someone of a gender they’re attracted to scantily clad and dancing in a certain way and actually want to sleep with them because of it? Is that a thing? Before I understood that I was asexual, I kind of thought everyone was just going along with the idea of what made someone “hot” or “attractive,” and I still find it hard to wrap my head around the concept of actually feeling that attraction. So I guess the dances in Chicago are meant to turn people on, but ultimately they’re just performers doing their routine. And the main sex scene in the movie, when Roxie hooks up with Fred for the first time, is intercut with Velma’s performance of And All That Jazz right after she killed her husband and sister. Roxie is only sleeping with Fred because she thinks he can help her get into show business, which he lied about to get her into bed, so they’re both putting on an act, just like Velma is – both onstage and in her real life by pretending she hasn’t just committed a double homicide. The whole movie is about obscuring the truth with facades and performances, and the sex is very much a part of that. So as an asexual person, I find Chicago to be one of the least confusing movies that contain sexual content, because the sex and sexiness is intentionally contrived. Since I don’t experience it myself, to a certain extent, sexual attraction has always seemed fake to me. In this movie, it’s supposed to seem fake. In short, a probably unintended side effect of the themes of this movie is that Chicago portrays sex as performative in a way that is consistent with my asexual brain’s inability to comprehend sexual attraction, so that might explain why I enjoy it more than most movies that contain sexual content.

One last aspect of this movie I want to highlight is that it points out some of the glaring flaws in the US legal system. I know it’s specifically about 1920s Chicago, which was notoriously corrupt, but anyone who thinks that justice is blind anywhere in 2020s America must be living under a rock. Chicago straight up says, “It doesn’t matter if you’re guilty or innocent, it matters how much money you have, what you look like, and how the public perceives you.” Admittedly it doesn’t really address the problem of racism, but the only prisoner who seems to be innocent is a Hungarian immigrant who speaks very little English, and she’s the only one we know of who gets executed. It’s both a compelling argument for abolishing the death penalty – far too many innocent people are killed by the state – and a demonstration of why it’s not being abolished – the wrongfully executed tend to be people our society deems “less than.” This message kind of gets buried by the main story, and I feel like it’s easier to miss than it should be, but I appreciate that it’s there. And while it’s painful and upsetting to see that very little has changed in 100 years, in a way this movie can now serve as a reminder that at least occasionally, powerful and famous people who commit heinous crimes do get convicted and sent to prison.

Well, this episode got a little spicy. Thank you so much for listening. Subscribe or follow for more analysis of my most re-watched movies, and leave a rating or review to let me know how you’ve been enjoying it so far. The next episode will be about the final and longest movie I watched 15 times in 20 years, which is another Best Picture Winning musical. By the way, if you like musicals and learning about them, I highly recommend supporting Ashley Clements’s Patreon at the $15 level for episodes of her Patreon-exclusive show Broadway: Before & Beyond. This is not a sponsorship or anything, just a genuine recommendation. Every month, she posts an episode focusing on a specific era or year or particularly impactful show, and I’ve been learning so much about the history of musical theater. There’s also a monthly watch party related to that month’s episode, and my 2022 viewing of Chicago was one of those, so Ashley is partly to thank for this movie making it into my top 40. Anyway, my next episode will feature The Rewatch Rewind’s first ever guest appearance, and the guest is not Ashley Clements, but the guest is a fellow Ashley Clements patron. So stay tuned for that next week, and as always I will leave you with a quote from the next movie: “The poor didn’t want this one.”

[purecantarella]

Revamped Rhapsody

double update? who is she? HAHAHA but for real i wanted to release these two at the same time to sort of compensate for being gone for a week. i hope you all enjoy this one too! im nayeon x idol!reader disclaimer/s : i had fun writing some good good angst

Words were important to you, it was a part of your passion and your work. Language was something that you'd adored since you were younger but the premise that you always found it a little odd how words could be twisted to mean or imply different things, just on tone and situation alone.

You wouldn't know or understand it was when you were permitted to write your own songs in your company. The blend of different meanings and people made you find a deeper understanding for the words and lyrics of songs. Then when you met Im Nayeon, the only person who could fill your mind and heart with a rhythm that followed the way you fell in love with her.

It began when you met after you entered the practice room she reserved by mistake.

You tapped away at your phone, your bag hanging lazily over your shoulder as you pushed in the door of the practice room. A familiar song that wasn't yours blasted through the speakers. Your head slowly raised as you saw the eldest member of TWICE staring intently at herself as she danced. You'd watched live performances and met once or twice backstage very briefly, but it was a different sensation to see her in her zone. No cameras and no expectations.

'She has a good form...' You thought to yourself, in an awestruck daze. Just as you were about to retreat to find the right room, a sharp thud and a small squeal sliced right past the blaring music from the speakers. You hastily turned around to see the vocalist on the floor, holding her leg.

"Oh gosh, are you okay?" You asked dropping your bag and sliding to her side. When she got over the initial shock, she recognized you. Her celebrity crush. The vocalist blushed and nodded quickly. The sparkle in her eyes as she gave you her iconic bunny smile made your stomach turn in the best way. "Y-Yeah, I'm good!"

A smile graced your lips as you saw the usually confident extrovert awkwardly fidget with her fingers. "You wanna get up or is this whole floor thing a part of your routine?" You joked to which she laughed, shoving your shoulder gently.

"Oh gee thanks, jerk!" You chuckled before getting up and offering your hand to the shorter woman. Once she took it, you pulled her up slowly, making sure she wouldn't tumble over. "Is your leg okay?" Nayeon nodded quickly.

For a second, there's a silence and a pause. You two just staring at each other like you had for years. Like you knew each other in a much deeper way than just idols who shared the same company. There's a point where she thinks that you might just lean in but nothing comes of the inkling.

"Uh, well I should go. Leave you to it..." You rushed as you took your bag from the ground. Turning to face Nayeon then the door then back to Nayeon. "Uh, I'll see you around?" You asked, readjusting the strap on your shoulder.

"I'll be counting on it." You grinned as you left, the lead vocalist running through your head the entire time you were practicing for your latest comeback.

Brushing past each other in the hallway of the company building became more frequent, on some occasion you both even ate lunch together rather than with her group and your managers or other friends. You both became a little more than smitten with each other and wound up dating a couple months after you first met.

Im Nayeon became your inspiration for working hard, to build to become the person you know she deserves. Of course, she thinks you're pretty great. She was your muse, she just hadn't put all the pieces together yet.

When your latest song dropped, of course she listened to it immediately. Then as she listened to the lyrics that you wrote, the way you described the perfect girl for you, how you began to fall in love with this girl, it clicked in her head. Nayeon rushed out of the TWICE's practice room, making the girls look at her with either a smirk or a look of genuine concern.

She sprinted across the building to reach you in your practice room. As the door flung open, your body shifted to the side, immediately smiling as you saw your girlfriend. "Nayeonie, hey what's u—" She pressed her lips to yours, cutting you off in a passionate meeting much to the dismay of your managers who sat behind you both.

Jumping into your arms, you placed your hands under her thighs as you pulled away. The dopey yet confused smile on your face made her giggle again as she placed a series of kisses over your face.

"You wrote a song for me..." You smiled even wider and placed a kiss on her cheek. "Of course I did, Nayeonie..." You paused for a second before adding, "I love you."

The smile on her face mirrored your wide and bright one as she kissed you again. Deeper and overflowing with an intense amount of love. "I love you too, dummy..." She whispered against your lips.

Despite how much you loved each other though, two years into the relationship both of you became extremely busy. Busier than you'd ever been since you were breaking into the international market and as was TWICE. Coming home to each other tired and grouchy. You'd tried to push it further but with one last fight after a long day of taking orders, you called it quits and left her dorm.

Your break-up was the toughest time for both of you, since you'd never gone public, you both had to maintain the happy facade for both your fans. It was particularly rough on you since a lot of the songs you'd been set to sing all the time were about and for her.

She anticipated every one of your songs since it was the only way she could hear your voice. Hearing how you forced yourself to be bouncy and in love with someone. At least she hoped you were forcing yourself.

On the day of your Sponsored Events, the day your latest song was to be performed during the event. The vocalist watched and saw the visible tiredness under your eyes but you still performed your heart out. Then a familiar melody played. One that Nayeon listened to all the time.

It was the first song you wrote about her. Except the lyrics were different. They were sadder, depicting your break-up rather than how you were beginning to fall in love with her. The lively guitar sound of the original was traded in for a softer and more delicate piano instrumental. As she looked at your face and heard the words that fell from your lips, it all came back to her in a wave, making her heart shatter all over again.

The rest of the girls came in after a while to check in on her and opted to stay with her to offer her some sort of comfort.

Nayeon watched your face intently, the ‘idol’ smile that was plastered onto your lips. You didn’t want to be there. She knew that. The interviewer went through a series of questions about your career and finally about the song. Your song for her, both versions. The smile on your face grew tighter, uncomfortably so.

“So two years ago, you released a song that you revamped and performed for us.” The interviewer asked you and you nodded, a dry chuckle falling from your lips. “And you said before that that song was written for a very special girl. What’s the story behind that one?” He pried making your jaw evidently clench. The girls sitting next to Nayeon eyed her carefully as she stared at your tense form. Silently anticipating what you were going to say.

For a moment, you collect yourself. The sadness swirling in your chest again from rewriting the song that you wrote for her. Having to channel all those emotions without crying on national television. You took a deep breath, releasing it with a pathetically winded laugh. “Short of it is that sometimes you need to let go of things to keep them whole. Uh…” You cleared your throat softly. The smile on your face fell a little, a sad and wistful grin left in its place. “Some things just need to happen to make way for better things, I guess.” You finished, the interviewer stunned.

A silence hung over the live feed for a moment. Nayeon and the rest of TWICE waited patiently to see what would happen next. The man leaned forward, propping his elbow onto his knee as he looked at you and asked, “If you could change the circumstances, Y/n…Would you choose to stay with her?” A somber smile on his face as your head upturned a little, eyes red and watery. Without a second thought, you nodded slowly.

Nayeon’s held tears trickled slowly down her cheeks as she held back a soft sob. “If I could…” You took a deep breath, lifting your hand to fan the tears out of your eyes, laughing softly at yourself before continuing. “I would leave everything behind to be with her.” The vocalist’s members had their arms around Nayeon as you spoke. She had pretty much bawled her eyes out as the unspoken confessions left your mouth.

“But I could never do that to her, not after all her sacrifices. I can’t.” Your voice finally cracked as the feed finally cut. The room echoed the eldest’s soft sobs while you did the same on the other side of the city.

okay, so this one was a little wobbly because i was not sober when i wrote this. had a bottle of soju and i'm feeling good HAAHAHH anyway, i hope you all enjoyed this and remember that requests are open and comments and criticism is completely welcomed! keep safe everyone and i will see you all very soon 😊😁

[huanglulu]

IDOLISH7 Part 6 Thoughts

Since i finish reading idolish7 part 6. I would like to write my thoughts on my overall thought of part 6 as a whole

Continue from ending of part 5. We saw that Zero Musical by TRIGGER was a big success and Sosuke was able to scout TRIGGER back under Yaotome production. I am happy for TRIGGER going through everything from back in Part3 going back to where they belong once again.

Kujou asking Tenn and Alya to go back to where they come back from. Which was quite irresponsible of him. I always thought that once Kujou time was stop down there ever since Zero disappear, Similar to Yuki back then when he thought he had lost Banri. However, Yuki had Momo to bring him out of that world unlike Kujou who never had anyone and Tenn and Alya weren’t able to help to let him let go of the ghost call ‘Zero’ back then.

Thankfully due to the Zero Musical. Kujou was able to feel the time he, Haruki and Zero felt back then and he had came to acknowledge and let go of that persistence and that was something he had been living on since Zero disappeared. I really love how this part was written about Zero and how Tenn immediately lecture Kujou that he had change his live and not to run away from his responsibility.

I also love how I mange to see Tamaki inner conflict. Tamaki had really grown alot. He had learn to so much considerate of his team mate and especially his partner Sougo. He and Sougo had really bonded so much since they first started as Mezzo that it brings me to tear.

Tamaki is now lost seeing that everyone had a purpose even Sougo found what he wanted to do as a composer. He however had no goal at all. I am glad that he manage to find a purpose in composing dance step for IDOLISH7 and feel so proud of him.

Zool had even come a longer way. I love how the Zool member bonded. I always knew Torao parent must have devoid him of any passion of doing anything due to always rejecting whenever he said he wanted to do something. However, i never expected it scarred Torao so deep that he wasn’t hesitant to even speak up of what he actually wanted to do those whom he cared about and him not being able to speak about it naturally to the other Zool member shown how much he had grown closer to them seeing them as a family.

Also, It warm that it bring a smile on my face seeing how Zool member Touma Minami was there to comfort Torao and their interaction with Ryou. They were all grateful to Ryou for bringing them together.

Seeing their speech at BORW, tears me up a little looking back at how i read everything since part 1. How everyone come so far gone through so many together.

The performance was wonderful as well. I was thinking it might be a draw since every group did well. I was surprise when i7 won, though sad for other group.  I am happy for i7 seeing how far they have come since part 1. I would cried if I was their manager and watching them since the start singing on the road side to where they are today. To be honest everyone was was a winner to me at BORW. 

It was a nice wrap up for the milestone. The staff aligning it with New year count down makes me feel like I was actually watching BORW live and counting down with them. 

Overall, I enjoy Part 6 the warm laughter and everything that i brought me watching i7, Zool bond and how Re:Vale was such great Senpai always brought me a smile. 

[azul-marie]

hi hi~!! if your requests are still open can I ask for one with how bae would react to seeing a really cool hip hop dance choreography to one of their songs by reader who they have a crush on? thank you, i love your writing!!

hello! thanks so much for your request. i hope to have written this the way you imagined! please enjoy, and have a great day/night. ❤️

note: fem reader

genre: romance

characters: allen sugasano. anne faulkner. yeon hajun.

allen:

allen most likely becomes aware of your cover when either anne or hajun send it his way via text. he may actually drop everything and anything he’s doing just to watch through the entirety of your dancing, not daring to miss a single second.

allen’s mind = blown. he’s absolutely smitten with your talent and is in slight disbelief that it’s dedicated to something he worked so hard on to write/produce — does this mean what he thinks this means? to him, this is a sure sign that fires him up and gives him some newfound confidence that you might just reciprocate his feelings after all. although anne and hajun remind him bae’s music is liked by, well, millions of people. (allen stills thinks it’s a sign.)

expect a dozen texts and voice messages from him flooding your notifications soon after, each one more excited than the last. he’d love to see you perform your routine in person so he can fanboy in realtime, too.

anne:

unsurprisingly, they are one of the first people in the know, having seen your post seconds after it went up. anne even helped you trend after reblogging your video with an onslaught of heart-eye emojis, much to their fan’s amusement. he’ll rewatch it a few (hundred) times no matter how busy or where he is.

they’re amazed by the smooth, practiced transitions between your dancing and bae’s song in the background. anne isn’t one for such performances, but finds they’ll like to brush up on some dancing skills so bae can look half as good as you do on stage. your talent solidifies his infatuation with you further, having felt a surge of pride over the obvious dedication you’ve given to something you know he cares very much about — it must be more than a coincidence you’ve chosen this particular song to cover.

anne will tag, mention, shout you out on nearly every one of their social media outlets just to thank you and send some well deserved attention your way. he’ll also leave a sweet message for you in private, and perhaps a flirtatious line or two if he manages to keep his cool.

hajun:

a frequent lurker on most of your social media pages, hajun is also aware of your cover a few minutes after posting. he’ll probably comment something mildly devious even before watching the whole video through, then finds he enjoys your performance much more than he anticipated. he’d watch it just a few more times until he can feel himself getting giddy at the sight of you.

he’s thoroughly impressed by your skills, despite how little he actually compliments you. he admires the hard work and effort obviously required for dancing, and does occasionally mention how envious he is that he can’t move as well as you do — you make it look all too easy. hajun tries not to overthink why you could’ve chosen bae’s song to perform to. after all, you’ve covered plenty of other bands and groups before, so why would this time be any different? he’ll ignore anne and allens teasing, but at times when rewatching your video, he’ll let his mind wander. just a bit.

as mentioned, hajun wouldn’t compliment you too often after watching, but does sneak in a quip or two about his surprise of your talent. he’ll comment something mischievous on your post to ensure you’ll get even more attention from bae’s and his personal fans — you didn’t even have to ask him. (you’re lucky he did you the favor.)

[lillywillow]

For Heart or For Country

Summary: “You’re in line to be the next ruler of your kingdom. But first, you must marry the young ruler of your worst enemy. Would you risk all of your happiness for the sake of stopping a war? Or will you find true love in the town’s pub?”

 Word Count: 3089

 Pairings: Natasha x gender neutral Reader/ gender neutral Loki X Reader (arranged)

 Warnings: Seductive Nat, arranged marriage

Written for @caplanbuckybarnes ‘s writing challenge. Go check out her amazing works!

From the moment you were born, you were destined to take over from your father. You spent countless hours in lessons learning how to be ruler of the kingdom, been taught everything from politics to art, sword fighting to etiquette. Long story short, everything you needed to take the throne and face the challenges that came with wearing the crown.

 For years, the kingdom had been at war but recently there was at last a chance for peace but it came with a cost... an arranged marriage. You weren’t so sure about it but if it meant your people being safe, you would sacrifice your own happiness.

 Ever since your father had made the announcement of your impending wedding, it had consumed your every thought. You hadn’t even met your betrothed and, yet, you were supposed to spend the rest of your life with them. You had watched the older servants with their spouses and to be honest with yourself it melted your heart. Even your father was a kind and gentle person when it came to your mother. With any luck, the person you were going to marry would be kind to you.

 Deciding you needed a distraction; you put on a disguise and managed to sneak out of the palace. Sure you could have gotten drunk in your room but where was the fun in that? You had crept out on a few occasions so you knew that the townsfolk knew how to party compared to those stuffy nobles.

From the moment you stepped inside the tavern named The Nest, the atmosphere was abuzz with excitement. The walls were decorated with purple fabric hangings, crossbows, longbows, arrows and other archery items. A taxidermy hawk was perched above the door, its eyes ever watching. A one eyed dog ran about the patrons, getting pats from some of them and cleaning up pieces of dropped food. People were dancing, singing and drinking, some leaning on each other for support as they swayed. To any other noble, the scene may have looked chaotic but to you, it only looked like fun.

 With a grin, you made your way over to the bar and took a seat. Still taking in your surroundings, you barely noticed when the sandy haired bartender stood in front of you.

 “What can I get you?”

 “Oh! Um...” You tried to think of something that would not give away your identity as a noble. The man raised an eyebrow at you.

 “Hey, Clint! Two boilermakers over here,” another patron called.

 The man whom you now know as Clint poured them the drinks and turned back to you.

 “So?”

 “I’ll have... o-one of those,” you said, making a feeble attempt to pound your fist on the counter in an attempt to fit in.

 Clint tilted his head and gave you a curious look.

 “Alright...”

 Clint made the boilermaker and placed it in front of you. Thanking him, you took a swig of the drink and felt instant misgivings about it as the alcohol burned not only your throat but your ears and the very pit of your stomach. Clint laughed as you coughed and spluttered.

 “You’re not from around here, are you?”

 “You... might say that,” you mumbled, wiping your mouth.

 “You picked the right night to come. Nat’s doing a show.”

 “Nat?”

 “Wow, you really aren’t from around here if you don’t know Natasha. Just watch,” he advised, nodding his head over to the stage.

 The stage was well lit and crowed around the edges by men and women who were eagerly waiting for whoever was about to appear from behind the purple curtains.

 Music began and a foot decorated with a silver anklet emerged. The audience cheered loudly as the woman behind her curtain slowly began to reveal herself. She wore a black piece of fabric around her upper body, twisted just a little in the centre of her chest. The bottom of her costume was made up of a red fabric front and back which started out solid but faded to transparent as it went down and held together by delicate chains. Silver cuffs adorned her upper arms and wrists. Her lips were painted sinfully crimson. Sparkly onyx hairpins held her red curls in place. She was absolutely stunning.

 The woman slowly began to sway her hips to the music, arms and feet poised. It was almost hypnotic in the way she moved. As the beat picked up, so did her dancing. One of the men near the front of the stage started to get a little carried away and tried to climb up.

 Fearing for the safety of the dancer, you tensed and shifted to help her but Clint placed a hand on your shoulder.

 “Easy. Nat can handle herself around these drunk idiots.”

 You watched as Nat placed her foot on the man’s cheek before kicking him off the stage. The crowd jeered and laughed at the man, some pouring their drinks on him. Despite the interruption, Nat continued her performance.

 Her face was calm and collected, never faltering, as the audience got more and more rowdy.

 Nat ended her performance by kneeling and giving a graceful bow. The throng of people got even more riled up as she headed back behind the curtain and before you knew it, a fight broke out. You could only sit on your barstool and laugh as the place erupted into bedlam. As a noble, the most you had ever witnessed people scuffle as a heated argument that never went beyond words and even then they never used the language you heard flying around the room. Sure, there was the battlefield but once again that was an entirely different situation.

 However, your humour was soon cut short as the royal guards walked in to break up the fight. You felt your heart sink to the bottom of your stomach.

 “You hiding from those guys?” Clint asked, not even fazed by the mayhem around him.

 “S-sorta...”

 Clint jumped over the bar and prompted you to follow him. You weren’t entirely sure what made you decide to trust a total stranger nonetheless, you followed his lead. As he walked along, he dodged all fists, tankards and bottles that flew his way. You did your best but still caught the occasional projectile to your body, taking great care not to let any hit your face lest there be questions tomorrow.

 He stopped to look around before opening a panel in the back wall, just big enough for you to squeeze out.

 “Follow the tunnel until the end. That’ll take you to the backstreets. Be fast. The guards will start patrolling the minute they break things up here. Just make sure you close the exit on the other side.” With that, Clint pushed you through the gap and closed the panel behind you.

 Just as he said, you followed the tunnel until the end, closing the door behind you and made your way through the backstreets until you had made it all the way home, fortunately without incident.

 As you got ready for bed that night, you couldn’t stop thinking about Nat. She was just so beautiful... Could this be just a crush? You had to know for certain.

...

 The following night, you once again crept out of the palace and back to The Nest and sat at the bar. The place was busy but nowhere near as packed as it was last night.

 “I see the guards failed to catch you,” Clint commented, making his way over to you.

 “Yeah... um... is Nat dancing again tonight by any chance?”

 Clint gave you a sly look.

 “She’s not dancing but she is working. Hey, Nat!”

 Your heart began to race as the red head walked over to you. Tonight she was wearing a black, off-the-shoulder dress with a red belt around her waist. Even outside of her dancing costume she was beautiful.

 “What?”

 “This is the one I was telling you about.”

 You felt panic seize in your chest. They were talking about you? What in the world could they have possibly been saying? Nat looked you up and down, carefully examining you before glancing over at Clint who gave an approving nod.

 “Let’s dance...”

 Before you could protest, Nat grabbed your hand and dragged you onto the dance floor. It was no surprise to you that she was just as graceful on her feet as she had been on stage. As you danced with her, you could feel her brushing her hands over your hips and waist. You found yourself surrendering to her touch. At the end of the song, Nat wrapped her arms around your shoulders and pressed her lips to your ear.

 “Tell me... what is a noble doing in a place like this?”

 You completely froze.

 “Wh-what makes you think...?”

 “Everything. From the way you dance, to your posture and your speech. So, answer my question.”

 “Is... is there somewhere private we can talk?”

 Nat lead you to the backroom after checking the coast was clear.

 “Now talk...”

 With a sigh, you removed your hood, showing her your face.

 “The heir to the throne,” she whispered reverently.

 You put your hood back on and looked down.

 “You should get out of here. Folks in these parts don’t take kindly to nobles, especially members of the royal family. What are you doing here anyway?”

 “I... I wanted to experience as much freedom as I could before I get married...”

 “So one last fling before finally settling down. How sweet.” Her voice positively dripped venom as she spoke.

 “It’s not like that!”

 “Then tell me what it is like...”

 With a sigh, you looked out the tiny window on the back wall that let in a sliver of moonlight.

 “Ever since I was young, I dreamed of having a perfect wedding with the perfect person I would spend the rest of my life with... but with this war, I’m to marry one of the children of the opposing kingdom as a token of peace... I don’t know what kind of person they are. If they’re good, maybe we could work together to fix some of the broken parts of the city and of course, I would help in their kingdom too but if they’re not a good person, well...”

 Nat was quiet for a few moments before finally speaking.

 “I really hate it when Clint is right,” she sighed.

 You turned to look at her.

 “Clint?”

 “You see, Clint has this innate sense of finding the good in people and helping them out. He helped me a few years back...”

 You held her hand, encouraging her to continue.

 “I was in a really bad place... did some really bad things... Clint helped me get out of it. Got me a job, a home... even made me partner. I owe a lot to him...”

 You couldn’t help but feel a small pang of jealousy for the man even though you knew it was completely irrational.

 “So you and he are...?”

 Nat shook her head.

 “We tried it once but it didn’t work out. We’re better off as friends.”

 You couldn’t help but feel a tiny sense of relief.

 “I would like to get to know you better... for however I have until my impending marriage. That is if you’ll let me.”

 “What about after?”

 “I’ll try and see you if I can... and if not; you can be my one who got away.”

 “That was... really cheesy,” she laughed.

 “I guess it was... but what do you say?”

 “On one condition; don’t make any promises you can’t or don’t intend to keep. I’ve been through enough of that in my lifetime.”

 “It’s a deal.”

...

 Over the next few weeks, you got to know Nat quite well. You knew everything about her and she knew everything about you and not just as future sovereign but as a person. Eventually the time came when the feuding royal family came to your kingdom, bringing with them your spouse to be.

 They introduced you to the youngest member of the family named Loki. Loki was about your age and attractive enough but in the short time you spent with Natasha, your heart purely belonged to her. Your respective fathers left you alone to bond, catching daggers in their backs from the glares from both you and Loki as they left.

 “They certainly can be civil when they want to be,” Loki sneered.

 “You got that right...”

 “You don’t really want to be married to me do you?”

 You thought carefully about how to answer.

 “I don’t even know you... but how else can we stop this war?”

 “I have been doing research on my end. If we can pool our resources, perhaps we can find how it began and how we can stop it. Shall we?”

 Loki offered a slender hand which you took.

 “We shall.”

...

 In the time leading up to your wedding, you and Loki spent every minute of the day together. To anyone else, it looked like a couple bonding and getting to know each other before your upcoming nuptials. To you and Loki, it was a mission; one to find out the truth and put an end to the war.

 Your nights were spent with Nat, talking about Loki and what else you could do to stop the fighting. There was one night you had crept in after seeing Nat and Loki had caught you and you thought for sure you were done for but instead, Loki covered for you. Loki was fully supportive of your relationship with Natasha and encouraged you to pursue her once this whole thing had blown over.

 Eventually it came time when your wedding was fast approaching. The night before the big event, you were of course with Natasha, wanting to spend as long as you could with each other before whatever happened tomorrow.

 “I promise you Nat, we will be together...”

 Nat teared up and shook her head.

 “Remember the deal you made, Y/N. You said you wouldn’t make promises you couldn’t keep...”

 “But I intend to keep this one...”

 “Just go!”

 Nat turned away so you couldn’t see her cry. You gently turned her back to you and kissed her softly. She kissed back, holding you tight as if she didn’t want to let you go. Eventually you had to break for air.

 “If... if this really is our last night together... then let’s make a memory that will last a lifetime...”

 With that, you kissed her again, this time with all the love and passion you could muster. It may have seemed scandalous to spend the night before your wedding with another but you wouldn’t give Nat away for the world.

...

 The following morning, you and Loki had set your plan into motion. The wedding started out like any other with guests arriving and people all taking their places. Your heart was hammering against your ribs and blood roared in your ears as the ceremony began. Loki remained calm and collected, keeping cool until the right moment.

 “If anyone has any objections as to why these two should not wed, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

 “We object,” both you and Loki said in unison. The whole room erupted into shock. Instantly, both Odin and your father rounded on the pair of you, absolutely seething.

 “Silence!” Loki snarled. The room fell quiet.

 “Now, the whole point of this wedding was to stop this ridiculous war. A war that was started over a futile reason...”

 Both you and Loki went to where you had hidden two ancient artefacts; one from your history and one from Asgard’s.

 “Many years ago, our kingdom was accused of taking this,” you said, holding the item up high.

 “But they were wrong. We had our own the whole time,” Loki stated, holding up the other.

 “Our two kingdoms went to war when they should have been joining forces as we were once centuries ago...”

 The pair of you combined the two items to show they fitted perfectly together.

 “We should be united once more. Let us put a stop to the fighting once and for all!”

 The gathering all cheered and rejoiced at the prospect of peace. Your fathers sat there sullenly while their wives attempted to gently comfort them. Loki gently turned to you.

 “Isn’t there someone you want to see?”

 With Loki’s blessing, you ran out of the church.

...

 Nat had been drowning her sorrows at The Nest. She had known this day was long coming but it didn’t stop the ache she felt in her heart from losing you to another. Clint did his best to try and comfort her but it wasn’t enough. She didn’t even look up when her name was called but eventually Clint did catch her attention.

 “What?!” she hissed. Clint pointed behind her to where you were standing still in your wedding clothes.

 “Y/N? What are you-” You cut her off with a kiss.

 “Loki and I did it. We were able to restore peace and we didn’t even have to get married. We can be together now...”

 “But I’m just a common barmaid. You’re going to take over the throne...”

 “And when I do, I can make whatever rule I want and marry whoever I want. I want to marry you one day Natasha... that is if you’ll have me...”

 “I...” Nat looked over to Clint who smiled and nodded. “Yes...”

...

 Over the next few weeks, you worked in tandem with Nat to fix the rough parts of the city, just as you had told her. There was a lot of gossip surrounding your relationship but neither of you cared. You had also made a point to stay in touch with Loki to find out how things were going in Asgard.

 After so many years of war, it was nice to finally see some happiness. Maybe in time, there would be a royal wedding after all. A real one out of love that was formed between two hearts that truly cared for one another.

[sour--disposition]

Little Limbs

This is inspired by an idea from the lovely @simp4sidemen, I hope I did your idea justice 🥰

-

Simon Minter x Fem!Reader

-

please check my masterlist to see if requests are open

The ring sat heavy on your finger. It had, after all, only been 2 months since Simon had presented you with the promise ring. 

After a beautiful date at a rooftop bar by the Thames, he’d pulled out a black velvet box, opened it and slid it across the table to you. “Is this what I think it is?”, you asked hesitantly.

“No”, Simon chuckled at the nervousness in your voice. “No, it’s not that. It’s a promise ring”, he told you, gently, nervously.

“Oh”, you were speechless, something that didn't usually happen around Simon, people usually couldn't get a word in edgeways around the two of you.

“It’s a promise that one day it will be what you thought it was. Its a promise that I’ll love you for as long as you’ll keep me. It’s a promise of me, to you, for you”, he said, fingers fidgeting over the box lid as his eyes held yours.

Tears sprung to your eyes and you quickly reached up to stop their flow. “Shit, I didn't mean to make you cry”, Simon panicked.

“No, no!”, you rushed out. “It’s not like that, that was just really beautiful and so is the ring and so was tonight. You just caught me really off guard”, you told him through your watery laugh. Simon instantly relaxed into his chair, relieved.

“Can I?”, he asked, nodding towards your hand. You nodded, and he reached over, picking up your right hand and slipping the ring onto your ring finger. “Perfect fit”, he smiled.

“Everything okay?”, Simon’s voice asked, pulling you out of your trance. You looked up to him, smiling softly.

“Of course”, you told him simply. “Can I wear this today?”, you asked, holding up one of his black Sidemen Clothing hoodies.

“Of course”, he repeated, a smirk dancing across his face. You huffed at him, throwing your night shirt, the shirt Simon had taken off when he got into bed the night before, at him as you got dressed. “You can’t throw my own clothes at me as an insult, Y/N. It just doesn't work like that”, Simon laughed.

“It just doesn’t work like that”, you mocked in a high pitched, whiny voice as you pulled your head through the neck of the hoodie, careful not to get any make up on it. Simon laughed at you, picking up one of the countless decorative cushions you'd plagued his room with, hurling it at your thigh. “Truce!”, you called, throwing your hands in the air to surrender, already knowing you wouldn’t win in a play-fight with Mr. Lanky-Long-Limbs in the corner.

You followed Simon out of the bedroom, down to the parking garage of the apartment building and into the car. “Are you sure we’re a team, yeah?”, you asked him.

Simon had roped you in to the Sidemen’s second parenting video. There was no host this time, just 4 teams trying not to kill a plastic, robotic doll in the streets of London. You’d agreed, of course, but only if you’d be paired with Simon. You’d throw the baby at JJ’s head in the first hour, guaranteed, and you weren’t here to lose.

“Yeah, and if not, I’ll just swap with whoever you’ve ended up paired up with”, Simon smiled simply, turning his eyes back to the road. The rest of the car journey was a comfortable silence, filled only by the sounds of your joint Spotify playlist running through the speakers. Simon’s hand rested on your thigh as he drove through the streets of London, occasionally mindlessly drumming along with the music as you waited in traffic.

Once you’d pulled up to Vik’s apartment, Simon parked the car. He squeezed your thigh softly before unbuckling his seatbelt. “Are you sure you’re okay?”, he asked you, voice tinged with worry.

“Yeah, I promise, Si. I just have a lot on my mind at the moment”, you told him honestly. His worry didn't subside, if anything it only got worse.

“You know you can tell me anything, right?”, he took ahold of your hand, his fingers running over the band resting on your finger. “You know I’m always gonna be here for you?”.

“I know, Si. I promise I’m okay. We can talk about it later, yeah?”, you told him, twisting your fingers to wrap them around his and hold his hand properly. “I love you”, you reminded him, leaning over to kiss him. “Now, come on, let’s go get a baby”.

Two hours later, you and Simon were strolling through a baby shop, looking for an outfit for your new child. “Y/N! Look how cute this is!”, Simon yelped, holding onto a tiny grey onesie that had ‘I love my Daddy’ written across it. “I think Petunia needs this”, he told you seriously.

“No, Petunia needs an outfit fit for a little lady. She wouldn’t be caught dead in grey, Simon. Gosh, do you not know your own daughter!”, you laughed, leading him over to the aisle that held clothes better suited to the size of your doll.

“Is it something you ever think about?”, Simon asked you, sifting through the little pink dresses in front of him. “Us, I mean... Having one”.

“I do, yeah”, you smiled up at him, leaning into his side. “Do you?”, you asked him, chewing on your lip. Simon’s brow furrowed.

“I do. I know you’ll make a great mum. I mean, if you can look after me and JJ drunk, you can do anything. I just... I don’t think I’d be a good dad”, he sighed, hand stilling on the flowery dresses.

“Why?”, you asked him, tilting your head up to look at him. “The fact that you worry you wouldn’t be a good father already shows that you care. Nobody knows how to be a parent until they have to, Si”, you told him softly, slipping your arm around his waist to rest your hand on his hip. “I think you’d make a great dad”, you smiled.

“Really?”, he asked you, eyes lighting up as he looked down to your face.

“Yeah, I mean look how much effort you put into youtube and streaming and fan interaction. That alone shows you can commit to looking after something. Yeah, its different than like... a whole baby... but in the last 9 years, you’ve never given up on it”.

Simon didn’t say anything after that, just wrapped his arms around you and held you close to his chest, dropping a kiss to the top of your head, before you moved on to find Petunia some shoes.

“Y/N, she won’t stop crying”, Simon stressed. The two of you were finished in the baby shop, getting ready to make your way over to the tills to pay, when Petunia decided that it was time for all hell to break loose. “What do I do?”, he panicked.

“You go outside with her and feed her and I’ll get this”, you told him, handing the nappy bag containing all of Petunia’s belongings over to Simon.

-

You were quite sure that the footage of yours, Simon’s and Petunia’s day would be positively, mind-bogglingly boring. It turns out that the one pair that actually function as a couple 24/7 make a really good team, who’d have guessed it?

Back at Vik’s apartment, the student cards were sorted out so you could see how well you’d all performed in parenting. It was no surprise when Harry and JJ’s baby came last, given that it returned to Vik’s missing an arm, a few toes and an eye. Ethan and Vik came next, somehow managing to shut the baby off 20 minutes into their day so there was barely any information to even report back. Josh and Tobi’s baby had survived, albeit a bit hungry and tired. But Petunia... yours and Simon’s little lady had come out on top.

“Oh, I’m so proud of Petunia”, you and Simon had gushed, like real proud parents. You showed the boys the picture of Simon asleep on the sofa, Petunia’s hand grasped tightly in yours.

“You didn’t have to show them that”, he huffed, nudging your side.

As Vik retired the babies to a spare-room, the rest of the guys set to ordering take out. “Who wants a drink?”, Vik asked as he walked back into the living room and kitchen area. A chorus followed, all reeling off several alcoholic beverages.

“I’ll just have lemonade”, you told him with a smile. After managing to convince Vik that, yes, you were sure you only wanted lemonade, you went and sat back down with Simon.

“I got you something today”, you told him once all the guys had got their drinks and found a seat. “Here”, you told him, handing him over a small gift box.

“What’s this for?”, Simon asked, turning the box over gently in his hands.

“Just open it”, you told him.

Simon pulled the lid off of the box. His jaw dropped. “You’re...”, he trailed off.

Inside the box lay two positive pregnancy tests and the tiny onesie he’d shown you earlier on in the day.

“I found out last week, I didn’t want to tell you until I’d been to the doctors and checked properly”, you told him.

“Oi, what is it?”, JJ asked loudly. Simon’s only response was to hold up the little outfit to show the guys. “I’m gonna be an uncle?”, JJ asked, a lot softer this time. His face had split into a grin, as had the rest of the guys.

“Y/N’s pregnant”, Simon said softly, as if he was trying to convince himself. He looked over at you, and then down to the baggy fabric of his hoodie over your stomach. “Can I?”, he asked.

“Of course. It’s your baby, Si”, you chuckled happily. He reached out a hand, laying it gently over your side. “Are you okay?”, you asked him gently.

“Vik, can we borrow the balcony?”, Simon asked, turning his head to face his friend but not letting his hand leave your body. Vik nodded quickly, pointing in the rough direction of the door since he already knew that you and Simon knew the way.

“Should I not have told you in front of everyone?”, you asked quietly. Instead of saying anything, though, Simon dropped down to his knees in front of you, letting his large hands cradle your sides. He dropped a kiss to stomach, just below your bellybutton, and you instantly felt better.

“Hello, little one. Daddy loves you, too”.

[messwriting]

Written for The Smut Pile Collab: Western AU | MASTERLIST HERE.

(i'm gonna make you) feel it

a.k.a. ✨ MAKKI’S ADVENTURE TIME ✨

Hanamaki “Big Tease” Takahiro x Female Reader

Rating: E for explicit | Don’t read this if under eighteen.

Warnings: Porn With Plot. Corruption Kink. Reader’s engaged to be married - a bride. Cheating. Highly inappropriate touching and dancing moves (that’s their job tho). Alcohol. Completely unresearched strippers industry. Lowkey exhibitionism. Fucking in a public space (private room). Fingering. Oral sex. SMUT: Doggy style over a sofa. Makki’s a little shit. Overuse of the word “cute” (for real, so many times omg). 

Word count: ~7.3k

Note: Saint Dymphna and poor little me would like to introduce you all to the:  🤠 LAWBREAKERS MULTIVERSE 🤠

So, @dymphnasprose​ basically came at me with: “what about we take cowboys and make them skskskskskssk like magic mike style strippers” and thus was born the wicked duo newest adventure. We had a lot of fun (and a lot of panic) but here it is!  Anyone asks why I’m doing two once again it’s also dymph’s fault and my sheer love for Iwaizumi. Also, dymph I love u and I’ve had lots of fun doing this little group project together🥺💕

That being said I’d also like to thanks @mixedhell  who once again is a mage of dialogue and helped me several times; Tay, my love @deathcab4daddy​, who helped beta part of this and also @xmyshya​ who was kind enough to beta this too <3

Makki’s songs: Cowboy Casanova (dymph’s courtesy) + Feel it 

You can also read: IWAIZUMI | MATTSUN 

Hanamaki is focused.

He surveys the screaming crowd inside the packed nightclub, sees the different groups occupying the big booths, the pretty decorations that never fail to distinguish his targets inside the dimly lit room. 

Makki likes the meaning behind the different outfits and colors; the details merging into the allegory of remarkability, crafting the idea of uniqueness in their special day where screams of freedom swimming inside intoxicated heads build a tendency into wildness. In building lasting memories of a singlehood that doesn’t really exist anymore, into falling prey of sexy, large men who could take them into a one-time intoxicating memory that they can savor into the end of times.

Marriages can end, Makki thinks, but memories like the ones he makes are forever.

And tonight he has already found the one. 

You must be the prettiest little thing he has seen in months, all beautifully clad in a sparkling white party dress, a sexy slit that shows the classical frilly garter adorning your thigh, with a golden black banner that announces for the whole world that you’re taken, soon to be married and enjoying your bachelorette party. It’s almost a challenge, really. 

Great. That’s exactly how he likes it.

A brilliant and ridiculous white cowboy hat decorated to leave a tacky gown falling from your head is perched on the table where your small group sits, about eight women dressed in black and a beautiful entourage of bridesmaids if he ever saw one, but it’s you; cute, happy little you who blushed at the very first look at his partially naked torso when all Hanamaki did was pass by your table in his low cut jeans and open flannel shirt, a tilt of his cowboy hat made with half a mind to compliment the ladies until his eyes laid on you. 

Your bright eyes had shined with embarrassment at your interest, chest filling with a renewed pull of air at the mere sight of him, a burning in your face that he could notice even in the poorly lit room, flashing lights giving him just the best of peeks -- your plush lips punished by the row of white teeth that closed around the soft muscle and pulled. 

That was all he needed, the smallest of sights and still, the biggest of hints. 

You were going to be his tonight. He’ll taint that pristine white and you’ll beg for his every move, he knows it just as he knows the women will scream for him as soon as he steps on the stage.

And, in fact, that will be sooner rather than later. 

He’ll make sure of it. 

The loud music is pulsing through his body, like waves crashing against his skin, his heart seemingly beating alongside the bass in deep, sexy strokes of the R&B music echoing through the club. The youngsters are doing their dance, a coordinated thing between the six newbies of the Club, while Makki and Mattsun wait by the side of the backdoor of the stage, ready to take their places in the next performance. 

“Anyone in your sights yet?” Issei asks him as he passes him the bottle of water, which Takahiro puts on top of one of the structures before sending a small grin at the dark-haired man. They’ve been here for four years now, and they have joined the place together, looking to make a good buck while going to College. Stripping is fun, easy, and profitable when you’re young and hot and Matsukawa and Hanamaki are nothing else but. 

“The one by the left, the table with the tacky cowboy hat and the golden balloons.”

“A fan of the work, I see.” Matsukawa pulls the curtain to the side just an inch, his eyes quickly surveying the space and centering on the acquired target. Makki knows exactly what he’s seeing, a table filled with a group of beautiful women and you in white shining over them all, the balloons above the wall seeming way more ridiculous once he knows about Makki’s plan of action. 

One dick for life. Ha. 

“Poor little thing doesn’t know what she’s in for tonight.” Mattsun’s grin is mischievous and all-knowing. Hanamaki has a type, it’s a running joke, but every good joke starts from a glimmer of truth. And in Makki’s case, it may as well be the truth itself. 

“And that’s a sexy little group.”

“Yeah, it is. But you already have plans for tonight, don’t you. I’ve heard about it from Oikawa.”

Mattsun doesn’t answer, only a chuckle and a lopsided grin marking his face as he keeps studying the crowd.

The group performance wraps up quickly, being one without public interaction and soon enough Oikawa is making a show, threading between the public with his mic, hyping the crew out with just the right few words. 

The lights start going down, softly casting the audience in shadows while the stage is tinged in bright colors before becoming red and by the time people’s eyes are focusing at the center again, Hanamaki and Matsukawa have taken their places.

The music starts to play, soft and calm, pulsing through the bodies of everyone as their eyes focus on the attractive duo in center stage. They’re not supposed to end up naked yet, that’s saved for the end, but as the choreography flows, sharp hip movements, thrusting motions like ocean waves crashing on rocky shores, still get women screaming at the top of their lungs enough for it all to merge with the song as if it’s part of the original bass. 

Makki’s wearing a half-opened plaid flannel shirt with nothing under it, and he pops every remaining button open along to the song, the screams getting louder. His jeans are tight enough that every plane of muscle is noticeable, and his belt is black and striking, with a big, bull-shaped buckle. Later he’ll change his outfit to leather chaps and a vest, but right now, he’s more laid back. He looks good, he knows it, but the appreciation in your eyes as you coily drink his from from across the room is like a fucking golden star on his pride.

On top of his head, locked tight, it’s his pinched front cowboy hat. As Makki throws it in the air and catches in the middle of dancing, the screams engulf him from all sides. 

But everything else is fading to the back of his mind as his eyes find yours in the dark, the appreciative, enthralled shine in them not lost to Makki. Could never be lost to Makki, who holds onto it as if it’s a life-line; You’re interested.

Ok, that’s good. But it’s also the basics.

Makki twirls and fall on the floor, hips fucking into nothing as the crowd goes insane. He kneels on stage, his shirt flying to the spectators; two women take hold of it, pulling in contrary directions until it rips.

Makki throws you a wink, every woman in that direction claiming it as theirs. You, however, shrug into yourself, eyes looking away as your hands tight their hold around the champagne glass they’re holding. You’re so cute, hands in front of your face as if that would keep you from staring. Makki feels himself glowing, growing excited at the mere sight of your scurrying eyes as they choose the floor instead of his body. 

So fucking pure. 

Takahiro wants to force you to look up and revel in the guilty desire he’s bound to find there. There’s no need to avoid him if he doesn’t charm you, that’s the beauty of soon-to-be brides. There’s such a deep will inside them to be faithful to the allegory of a husband they do not have yet, lost in a daydream of happiness in finding the one when they haven’t even tasted anything but. Makki eyes the golden balloons floating around the table while he dances -- one dick forever. 

Poor little thing. He can’t let that happen, can he?

When Makki hops off the stage and walks over to your table between deafening screamings and pleads for him to take them, instead, his hand closes around your dainty little one, adorned with pretty french nails and just a single golden ring and even the soft, smooth skin of your hand against his rugged palm is a thrill inside his veins.

Your eyes are shining, nervousness sweeping from them as they lock with his. Hanamaki tries to be lowkey, giving you a reassuring smile supposed to be nice, to be trusting -- a complete disconnect of the way his guts stirs in the excitement of your touch. 

He lowers his lips to your ears, pretends the way his nose runs over the shell is a mere accident. “Let’s go for a ride, sweetheart.”

Your lips fall open by the side of his face and Makki can feel the way you suck a breath, a little gasp ruining your efforts when he lets his lips brush against your jaw. Another accident, whoops. He’s such a careless boy, isn’t he?

Your teeth punish your bottom lip as your eyes seem to look anywhere but him, trembling hands as you seem half-way into telling him no. Makki can't have that, though. He brings his face to look deep in your eyes, a lopsided smile he can manoeuvre into being just the right amount of kind by now. 

"You're not gonna let me go up there alone, will you?" He almost pouts, big hands finding their way on your arms in up and down motions that drag just the right amount of trembles from you for him to know he's winning. "There's no fun without you, sweet girl."

He dips his lips onto the shell of your ear once again, just in time to hide his mischief. "You're the star of the show. I'm just your ride." 

That seems to make you giggle and Makki uses that to bring his grin into your view, palms sliding down your arms to clasp your hands and - finally - guide you up with him.

One thing Makki knows is that he likes his brides sweet. 

Pliant. 

And as you get up and follow him quietly and sheepish, clumsy tripping over yourself when some of your bridesmaids erupt in cheers, he knows he is right once again -- you’re just his type. 

Thing is, Makki doesn’t waste time. He makes you twirl in your high heels just to have you falling in his arms, he picks you up without effort, a little gasp breaching your lips as your hands plant against his chest.

Makki just has to grin at the way in which you close your palms and retreat them back to yourself, quick, burning up in a beautiful, delicious expression of shame. Fuck, he wants to make you beg. 

When he’s at the stage, he drops you on your feet with enough aggression to get you to slide straight to the floor, unsteady knees opening under you until your ass is planted on the stage. 

Makki thinks your open mouthed expression, little breaths breaking through your lips as your anxious eyes stare up at him, have to be the best thing he’s seen in a while. And he’s just starting.

He bends at the waist, his hands to reach your knees and push them open, your bright little white dress sliding up so much he can steal a peek at your fancy underwear. 

Such a vixen, aren’t you? All wrapped in lace. 

Makki lets himself fall on top of you and you gasp, even as he stays holding himself in a plank, not one bit of skin touching yours. The song is pumping, slow and sexy even if the screams sound louder in the close space. He twists his hips, the rolling motion has them right between your juicy thighs. You’re forced to keep them wide open and the way in which you look mortified just may be what ends him. 

Makki drops his knees in the ground, lets the screams wash over him as he drags his hips against your center, soft, then hard. His hands by the side of your head, his toned chest right in front of your face. He knows by the way his skin burns that you’re staring at him -- good, he wants to be the center of all your attention tonight.

Your hands are in front of yourself as if you’re afraid at your own excitement, eager eyes looking for his in a wirlwind of emotions and it makes his fucking skin erupt with goosebumps that the most noticiable one is desire.

Oh, Makki’s going to wreck you. The song turns frantic just as he comes to slide over your body, nose trailing along your collarbone and chest, teeth nipping at your clothes as if he would prefer to be doing it to your skin instead, and he feels the way your shame almost consumes you, body shaking as he finally reaches destination: right above your beautiful open thighs, so close he can almost taste you.

Unfortunately, it doesn't last. And Makki is forced by the choreography to climb back up your body even as he lets his hands linger a bit too close to your clothed center, every woman around screaming as if they can read his mind.

He gets back up and kneels between your open legs, thrusting in time with the music as if he’s actually still thinking about choreography and not in doing this to you later. You’re growing more embarrassed by the moment, your whole body burning and tense, but responsive to his movements and, better yet, his smiles.

His body is used to the motions, to swirling and grinding and thrusting in a wave motion, crashing over your hips time and time again until your lips fall open, and he knows he hit the jackpot.

Makki holds himself in a plank again, his skin turning clammy with the exertion, but he angles his crotch just right and has you singing a groan for him again -- then turning bright with shame in sequence.

Such a precious little thing indeed.

The ground choreo ends way too soon for Makki’s wishes, but he’s soothed by the way in which you let yourself be picked up, hands clinging to his shoulders with such a fierce hold he almost wants to test it out. He throws you up for a moment, relishes in your nails at his back, and his forearms hold you by the underside of your knee, closing on your hips. 

And that makes your pretty little clothed cunt roll right against his semi-hard on. There’s a ripping sound, probably your slit getting wider to acomodate your open legs and thus, him.

Lovely.

Makki rolls his hips, right against your center once, and the crowd erupts in screams just as he starts mimicking fucking you standing. A beautiful option he saves in the back of his mind for later. 

You let out a yelp, then proceed to try and hide your head against his neck, your pretty mouth gliding against his skin gives him such a high he almost loses the tempo of the song. He tells you to hold on and plants his hands on your bare ass, lifting you until he can have you in front of his face, a bit uncomfortable move but one that has every single woman in the club wet -- it’s in the air by now, and he can smell it. The idea makes his skin prickle, your hands holding his hair for dear life as if you’re afraid to fall, but your clothed cunt is right there, and he can’t pass the opportunity to steal a little touch as he pretends your hold is what pushes his head flush against your pussy. 

You let out a beautiful sound almost in time with the song, and he is letting you fall once again on his arms, the smile on his lips the last nail on your pure coffin.

And unfortunately that means time’s up.

Makki lets your legs fall but holds you by your waist, depositing you on your own two feet at the stage and snickering at how your legs falter to hold you up on the high heels. So, as a gentleman, he takes your hand in his, helps you down the few steps on the stage, almost groans at how your hand seems to not want to let him go. 

Before he leaves you, he pulls your hand into his lips, absolutely glowing at how breathless you look from the little action after he literally ravished you on stage. It physically pains him that he needs to pick up another bride into his show. 

“See you later, pretty one.”

Under you, your legs are faltering, knees trembling like a newborn deer as you’re left alone to fend for yourself in the long path back to your table. Women congratulate you, screaming on your sides at the men who was almost fucking you dumb on stage and his friend, as they continue their show.

Your heart is beating in your ears, leaving you stupid and lost as you’re finally - finally - rescued by your friend, who brings you back to the table with loud congratulations and happy cheers. You feel your body sweating and throbbing, weirdly pulsating for something you can’t name. 

Recognizing it would make it real and you cannot believe that after five years in a nice relationship with your only boyfriend and soon-to-be-husband, this is the first time you feel this wet.

You plop down on the closest seat, hands pressing to your chest as you try to both fan yourself and hide behind them. It proves, as expected, a hard task.

Your childhood friend has arrived and you hug her sideways, the short conversation you two exchange somehow lost to your poor heated brain as your eyes keep sliding to center once again at the stage.

The way he dances on stage feels overwhelming, this bride-to-be suffering way less touching and grinding than you, as “Big Tease Makki” stays standing up, his hands groping everywhere in his sculpted body as he dances to the sensual song, including the considerable bulge in his pants.

Something flashes and he turns his head your way so sharply you feel the need to melt further on the sofa, poorly hiding away as everyone around you cheers once again.

 His eyes on you were burning a hot trail that slithers over your warm skin even in the dark, the ghost of a feeling of touch, erupting goosebumps along their way as they circle your neck and dip down your side, strutting over your chest to end by your face. Even in the distance, you swear you can feel the way those lips slip into an easy grin, satisfied at the way they have you breathless and weak by thought alone.

The idle chatting of your friends, excited and drunk are dulled by the pounding of your heart inside your chest, and you feel constricted by their presence on your sides at the booth, both ways filled with testimony to your inner turmoils-- can they see your sinful thoughts while they stay that close to you? Can the pounding of your heart and the heat in your face be felt at such a short distance? 

The mere idea that they can pry inside your skull and discover the sinful dreams unfolding is too much for you right now, your spine shooting up while you balance yourself in your pretty heels and ask in a meek, nervous voice for the girls to let you pass. Some ask if you need help or if you’re going to the bathroom, and in both options it feels like you’re going to be flanked immediately, so you deny it and say you have to make a quick phone call about something you forgot to confirm and they all nod away, drunkenly squealing for you to be quick. 

You’re almost free when one of your bridesmaids, your childhood friend, looks up at you with puzzled eyes.

“Hey, everything's okay?” She’s not drunk, only happily buzzed with sparkling wine, but her eyes are attentive when they lay on your face, worry etched in her brow as she looks for hints hidden in your dolled up face. 

“Yeah, just need to take a breather.” You give her what you hope is a reassuring smile even as sweat drips down your back, but the place is dark and loud and she lets you go without much prodding. The place is full and swarming with women, groups of men present but fewer, waiters clad in skimpy clothing as they work the tables full of drinks, shots and champagne. Some are flirtatious, charming smiles along with muscles as they sweep women off their feet and leave their wallets thinner; others are pretty serious, and the mysterious aura has their pull, the ecstasy of conquest working as an aphrodisiac. 

You pull past the bodies, feeling a bit light headed as your chest pounds and the booze traverse your body, clumsy steps on too-high-heels you’re not used to, but your bridesmaids had pushed you to wear along with screams to live a little and say hello to the last night before you’re a proper married lady. You’ve never really felt the weight of those words as the last two days, tasting for the first time the sweetness of night as you’ve never before. 

If brown, bored eyes make a appearance in your mind as you flee to the corridor leading to the private rooms and women’s bathroom, you’re quick to stop the train of thought before it leads down a muscular torso clad in a tight jeans with a firm ass and a hot, big cock that humped against you in every opportunity while he took you to the stage. 

A drop makes it way past your cunt lips to stain your fancy underwear and you groan, ashamed. You’ve never felt this unbecoming need before, the arousal so thick your breasts seem to be heavy against your ribcage, dress feeling too tight on your heated, oversensitive skin.

You’re reaching the curve left that will take you to the bathroom when big hands engulf your frame, palm over your mouth and you’re pulled inside one of the private rooms, too breathless to even make a sound.

“Howdy,” his voice sounds right by your ear, as you’re caged against a burly body and the closed, probably sound-proof door. “Got a fugitive here.”

“Uhh, sir, I--”

“Sir?” He laughs, head thrown back prettily as you drink the arch of his throat. “Oh my god, call me Makki, pretty one.” 

The petname makes you flush, tongue heavy and clumsy in your mouth around words. “Uh… Makki, I’m sorry but I, ah…” You fumble with your hands, avoiding touching him, eyes downcast as you try to also avoid even looking at him. It’s too much, he seems everywhere.

“You’re engaged? I can see that, love. You have a banner right there.” He sounds so nice, mischief and boyish glee as he stands way too close to you.

“Then you understand…”

“I understand this is your last night of freedom, right? The last chance for you to be bad,” He breathes against your jaw as he noses along your skin to your ear, his cowboy hat gliding softly against the side of your face, “To be wild.”

Your mouth opens and closes but not a single sound comes out, your brain completely lost to the science of mixing letters into words. All you can think about is how your blood seems to be galloping in your veins, the pounding of your heart so oppressingly loud the beat of the song seems to mimic it and not the contrary. 

You are lost to everything but the unbelievable feeling of painful arousal, so sharp and deep your bones seem to be melting out of their places and dripping into the outside by your cunt. 

“But,” Leaves your lips dumbly and Makki’s fingers silence you, his lips so close you can taste his every exhale, the flap of his hat managing to blind your vision to anything past his face.

“You’re going to be married to the exact same man forever, sweetheart. You can let go one night. One night for you to feel good.” Makki licks at your throat and your lips fall open with a shameless moan as you burn with shame. “Has he ever made you feel this hot, sweetie? Hm? Have you ever even felt like this? It’s your last chance tonight, right? Don’t lose it.”

Makki’s hands massage their way down your sides, grabbing at the flesh of your hips, brushing your ass, and you’re dead silent as you drool away in your panties. Unable to think, unable to speak, embarrassment clogging your throat together with an impossible, unacceptable yes.

“C’mon, sweetie, let me take care of you.” It’s a plea, and he knows your chest will hurt with the same need that is in his tone.  “Just this one time, so you can know what it feels like… how great it can be.”

“One time.” He promises you, earnest eyes boring into yours and, dumbly, enchanted, you nod… and agree.

Well, Makki ain’t waiting around for you to change your mind.

His hands loop around your thighs immediately, pressing you against the door until he can press his body between your open legs. The slit of your dress gives in just the little bit needed to allow his hips to make their way against your core, his lips busying themselves with planting kisses along the arch of your neck, teeth nibbling at the lobe of your ear, tongue gliding over the shell. 

His breathing is soft, but so close it feels like it engulfs the room, slithering inside your head and scrambling your thoughts. His crotch presses against your center enough to hold you high and open, one of his hands relieved of their place as it climbs your side and closes around your jaw, angling your head back until you’re trapped between his face and his chest. 

You shudder, eyes fluttering closed as if you cannot hold them open, and Makki feels his skin prickling, warmth spreading from his limbs to his chest and down his hips to center themselves at his burning length. You’re such a little vixen, all big eyes and open mouthed staring at him while he has hardly done anything.

He can barely wait to see how you’ll burn when he buries his face in your pussy.

Right now, though, Makki reigns in his excitement, fingers caressing your cheeks until your pretty eyes open up again, dazed. There’s just something about getting pretty little things like you to yield, to breathe out as his lips plant themselves carefully, softly, against your cheek, then the line of your jaw, your chin and your nose.

Every little kiss has you getting restless, trembling in his arms while your hands close around his shoulders, painful little welts that he loves to see. Such desperation. 

It’s really the best.

His lips press against the corner of your wobbling plush lips and you shudder, but they push it back, and when Makki finally decides to kiss you, you’re opening your mouth in your eagerness, tongue lapping awkwardly at his lips as he chuckles and decides it’s time to stop playing.

When he kisses you then, you gasp, precious little sound leaving you as if you had no idea you could even make it, and then you’re melting against him, pressing against his chest as his mouth works its wonders on yours, tongue circling, searching, sucking. He nips at your lips, steals all the short bits of breath from your lungs until you’re writing against him, pressing sinful hips against his crotch in such a desperate way it’s endearing.

The hand on your thigh dips further under your dress, finds the plush meat of your ass and engulf it in its palm, delighted at how inexistent is the small little thing you’re wearing and how fucking delicious it feels. His fingers dig into your bottom until you break the kiss to gasp at how easily he can slip his long indicator from your ass to your pussy.

It’s his time to lose his air at how fucking wet you are, ruined fancy panties and moist thighs.

“Oh god, look at that. Little bride is so wet for this cowboy.”

You make a face, lips pursing in an awkward turn and coily shifting to look down, appraising looks on his chiseled chest. “Okay this one was bad!” Makki offers with an easy smile, the hand on your neck dipping into your breasts, palms pressing on your chest as he turns his focus on circling the hard nipple through your clothes, closing around the plush meat until your offending honest little lips part once again to him. He can see in the turbilion of your eyes how you’re still swirling against guilt, holding back from him. 

“But can you blame me? Look at me.” He makes a mention with his head towards the big bulge straining his tight jeans, which have you unconsciously looking down, his hand sliding over your jaw to tilt your head up to meet his eyes, charming, easy-going smile in his lips. “Look at you.”

He rolls his hips once against your sex, feels the blistering heat even through layers of clothes but he’s done this enough to know exactly where to aim, having a moan escaping through the tight cage of your lips before you can hold everything else in by the lock of your teeth.

He can’t have that, though. He thrives on applause after all.

“Now, beautiful, I’ll need you to stop that right there.”  His fingers dip under you to slide against the soiled fabric clinging to your folds and you all but tense, melting after as if you cannot conceive how good is his mere touch. “I want to hear you, c’mon.” Your eyes drop on his in hurt, but you free your bottom lip, mouth imediatelly falling open around a groan as Makki presses aimless around the entrance of your sex. Damn, Makki likes this. 

“Yes, like that. You’re such a good girl, aren’t you?” His cock is straining against his boxers already, length rolling in perfect aimed strokes over the apex of your sex as his fingers thread on the outline of your beautiful cunt and when he dips inside a single fingertip, your sex and hands cling to him, all the beautiful curves of your body against his and he just-- He wants to see.

“Ok, dinner time!” Makki chuckles as he brings his hands once again to hold you firmly by your thighs, fingers spread enough to keep rolling against the edges of your cunt. 

“Wha-What?” You give a charming yelp at the way he holds you effortlessly while abandoning the door to walk over to the couch. It’s just a cheap upholstered thing in front of the circular stage with the pole hanging from the ceiling, but it’s just the perfect length for what he needs. 

He lets you fall, open and disheveled over it, legs spread to show the lace he saw earlier, stained and soiled after just a bit of makeout. 

“You’re so cute.” It’s mockingly, really; meant to be a jab at how you’re so hazed and undone by just a few moves of his, but the way in which your doe eyes thread up to him, shiny and unfocussed; your hands closing around your frame as a hand plants in front of your breasts is just… cute. There’s no other word. You’re just a cute little thing and he wants your demise.

 Makki groans and pulls you to the edge of the sofa by your legs, easily dropping between your thighs in a wave move, face planting itself on your breasts to suck at sweaty clothes, teeth pulling the fabric down until your nipples peek through and he sucks them inside his mouth, too. 

You tremble so easily, even worse when he abandons it to nose his way down your body tightly clad in the white dress, kisses over your belly until he’s nosing at your clothed cunt, open mouth kisses adding to the moistness in your poor underwear.

“Delicious.” Makki says for no reason other than to state his thoughts, tongue rolling over the clothed slit as if its skin, reveling in how your poor legs start to shake, needing the aid from his hands spreading them to finally stop. “Tell me, honey, have your fiancé ever fucked you good? Hm?”

The mention makes you stiff, head pressing to the side of the sofa as if you’re fighting a battle inside your own mind, triggered by the piece of trivia question.

“I bet he hasn’t,” Makki laughs, nosing at your pussy with such pressure his whole face gets smeared in your juices. “Is he your first boyfriend? Tell me more.”

 “I--how do you--” You stutter through bitten lips, truth tipping out once he easily spreads you open with his thumbs on each side. “Yes.”

“What a waste, such a wet fucking pussy and not one single effort from your hubby to-” Makki pulls your underwear aside, tongue lolling out to lick a long strip from your entrance to your clit, “lick”, once, it”, twice, “clean.” and thrice.

You let out a cute little noise and he gets impatient, pulling the lace at the side with enough force it rips easily under his hand. Your indignant noise doesn’t even sound right, lost in a moan at the way he closes his lips around your clit and brings his tongue to play with it fast. His hand presses harder on the skin of your thighs, leaving you open as a present, ripe and wide.

If Makki says he eats pussy as a fucking meal, it’s not out of vanity. He doesn’t like to stroke his own ego, it’s just the plain truth. He works his tongue around your cunt, licks at your puffy lips, slither his way over the labia, gathers all the dripping …. and lets it drip over your pussy, just to suck it up and spit on it, after all he never understood the whole don’t spit on the plate you eat. If it’s pussy, he’s sure it’s the fucking other way around. 

You’re writhing and moving around, a symphony of gasps and moans fighting their way past your tight lips. Makki doesn’t mind. As he brings his thumbs to stroke up and down the sides of your cunt, he knows you’ll be screaming in no time. It’s just too much. It’s clear you’ve never had anything like this just by the frantic way you’re humping his face, hands grabbing at anything and everything they can, unable to hold on. His only shame is how busy his mouth is, unable to tease his way into the pure debauchery you’re demonstrating.

He pauses a bit to angle himself back, eyes trained at your pussy, dripping fucking wet all over the dress and the sofa. His thumbs spread at the sides of your entrance, pull it open just to see it blink and gap, begging for his cock without a word leaving your lips. Shit. His cock is straining against the tight jeans in such a painful way he has to let one hand go, open his button and fly, let the poor warrior fight its way past the band of his calvin kleins.

Then he’s back at his work, one thumb keeping you open as his hand returns to plunge his indicator inside slowly. Makki’s mouth almost falls open at the bewitching way your walls give in, letting him sink inside the velvety wet inside with ease. You’re clenching around him, groaning above and begging below, so he lets a second one inside at the retreat and advance of his wrist.

“Have your little husband ever made you feel like this, huh? Have he eaten this little pussy so good you make a mess?”

“Jesus Christ!” You moan above and Makki laughs. He loves this. Loves the little religious bout he gets from tight little brides when they actually taste heaven amidst sin. You try to ride his fingers, but he presses the back of your knees higher, and you let out a breathless “God!” at the new angle.

Then he starts the real game, fingers moving around your heat in search of a specific spot he finds with little prodding and then abuses until you’re begging.

“Oh my god! I, fuck--Jesus!” 

“Yes, just like that sweetheart. If you beg for me real pretty I’ll give you what you want.” He says as his fingers keep plunging in and out of your heat in an upwards motion, strong but slow, dragging the feeling of his thick digits inside your walls. It’s close, he can feel it in the way you’re swelling around him, restless kicking out legs and praying for God as if it isn’t Makki who’s giving you all this.

“My name, sweetie. Beg for it, c’mon. Say it out very loud, how you want my cock to fuck you nice and hard as you’ve never had before, huh? Just--”

“Fuck!”

“Just tell me more how you had no idea it could be so good and how you need me to show you how fucking good a man can actually fuck.”

“Oh my god,” you all but yelp, but then sighs a, “yes, please.”

“Hmmm? Couldn’t hear you.”

“Oh fuck, Makki please fuck me!” There’s a breathless, outstandly maniac laugh breaching your lips after that, a flow of quick words falling from your lips as a train of thought, “Jesus I’ve never felt like this, oh my god I think I’ll actually die without--”

“There we go!” Makki laughs, voice loud as he stops everything to get up and once again bends down to pick you up.

“Wha--Wait!” You squeak, body tense and trembling at the loss as Makki only kisses around your tearstained face and makes his way around the upholstered couch. “Makki!” That has to be the needier, whinier tone he has ever heard his name in. 

And he loves it. 

He lets you slide through his hands, bends you over the back of the couch, your ripped panties sliding to the floor by one of your legs. One of Makki’s hands descends hard on your ass with a loud slap, your lips opening around a beautiful moan. The other does the same, both circling and massing the plump flesh as your ass and pussy blinks seductively at him. 

That does it. Makki curses as he pulls his pants and underwear down, his hard, bloody-red cock slapping up against his navel; he closes his hand around it to slap it between the crack of your pretty behind and feels everything in him tingling at how wanton you sound in your moan, angling your back so that your ass can climb higher, head against the seat cushions.

“Yes, baby, just like that.” Makki praises you as he tilts his cockhead on your slit, up and down, up and down against your clit, labia and entrance. It’s absolutely delicious how you clench to try and hold his cockhead, but it slips up to bob against your ass. “Ops, let’s try again.”

He does the same thing a second time but then you groan and whine once again, “Makki, please!”

Well, fuck, who’s he to deny you, right?

He pats your ass and supports his weight at the back of his feet, cockhead right against the beautiful hole weeping for him and, carefully, slowly, deliciously starts dipping inside. Your pussy sucks him in as a vice, muscle clenching and releasing; loud, satisfacted moans in your lips. It’s almost choking to him that the loud noise in the room comes from him, too, mouth falling open in a growl.

When his hips are nested against your ass, Makki has the urge to kiss you but squatches it down in favor of holding you strongly and fucking you throughly. Motioning himself in waves as he had on the stage, his cock slides in and out of you with such delicious, timed precision he thinks you’ll come twice on him before he’s done. 

Your tight heat is velvety wet around him, squelching sounds sinful in the room as he grinds his hips against your ass, cockhead nestled against the firm pressure of your cervix. There’s babbles tipping from your lips, as if your mind has broken and you have to pronounce your mess of thoughts out loud. It’s cute.

Maybe he'd appreciate it more if his mind wasn't falling him also; his whole body feels constricted, strained, hips rolling in long, deep, strong strokes that make his cock into a pleasure antena, broadcasting to his whole being, blistering heat spreading through his veins and turning sharp at his spine and to start pooling at his balls. 

He is about to dip his hand to your clit and end you when your body seizes, legs kicking while dangling from the backrest of the couch and your pussy starts creaming hard like a vice around his cock.

“Fuck!” He groans, tensing his whole body before you bring him over with you, hand slithering to hold the base of his cock, hard. Then he laughs, no breath to spare. “Wow, baby, no heads up? Now you gonna have to give me one more, I’m not done with you yet.”

You let out an indignant groan, but rest boneless under him. Makki retreats his hips from your snug grip and starts pistoning his way inside your heat, unforgiving even as you yelp and whine, oversensitivity probably making you burn. Makki lets one of his hands let go of your hips and fall hard on your ass, in time to feel the way your pussy grips at him, yelp turning into a moan. Makki lets his hands slide down the side and curve his wrist so your fingers can find your clit, rubbing him frantically as he angles his hips just right, every wave of his body aimed against your precious spot.

“Yup,” Makki groans, growing exhausted. “Just like this.”

Your eyes snap open, hands frantically reaching to hold on anything by them as you look back at Makki with shiny, big, dazed eyes in absolute terror at the fact you are, indeed, going to keep cumming on his dick, second orgasm hitting you so hard and fast Makki actually tips over with you, the pressure in his balls releasing in one blissful climax at the incessant contracting of your cunt and the wave of your orgasm gushing out of your pussy in the closest thing to a squirt he could pull out of you amidst a unending orgasm.

Makki stays inside you as he rides his high, grinding his hips even as you cry from the oversensitivity. When he pulls out, he’s careful with the condom and also has half a mind to hold your body, throwing the used thing somewhere to be cleaned after. Almost as if perceiving the breach, his cellphone starts ringing somewhere, loud as fuck in the closed room.

“Damn, fuck,” Makki scrambles to the sound, his legs almost giving out under him and his fingers so numb it takes three tries to actually accept the call. Which he didn’t read who from. 

“MAKKI! WHERE ARE YOU, WE’RE STARTING IN FIVE.” Iwaizumi nags at him, stern and loud, piercing through his haze enough to make his brain drop some adrenaline into his bloodstream, suddenly alert and kicking, muscles straining but holding as he pulls his underwear and jeans quick over his ass and searches for his cowboy hat in time to dip and run to the presentation.

“Sorry baby, gotta go.” He saunters to you, plants a kiss on your sweaty head and another at your swollen lips and smiles the same sinful smile that ended up bringing you here, along with a tilt of his cowboy hat. “Duty calls.”

[all-my-love-for-harry]

Sing me my song.

summary: Harry’s feeling insecure after he sees his girlfriend interact with her ex.

word count: 2.7k

warnings: fluff with some angst, happy ending tho. 

a/n: this was requested by @hazzalightsupmyworld, hope you like it! Let me know what you think :) 

Find the rest of my masterlist here.

*:･ﾟ✧ ✧ﾟ･: *:･ﾟ✧ ✧ﾟ･:

Relationship wise, Y/N has never been one with luck. She has never had the ability to jump from one relationship to other, it just wasn’t who she was. Instead, she spent several years being in love with the same person.

Ariana and Y/N met after they shared a studio session back in 2015. They wrote some songs together for Ariana’s upcoming album at that time. It took them two months and several cups of coffee to fall in love. Their relationship was mostly private, as neither of them wanted curious eyes all over their every move. Of course the media eventually caught up the two women weren’t just friends, but were romantically involved and after Ariana’s album dropped, it looked pretty serious.

However timing just wasn’t on their side, and for different reasons, they ended up going separate ways. Although that didn’t stop them from remaining friends, Y/N was still in love with her ex-girlfriend. She stayed there through tough times and not even once not dropped everything if Ariana called.

It was some time after their breakup when they found their way back to each other. They thought it was only fair to give it another shot, but it just didn’t work out. They both wanted different things and together came to the conclusion they were better off as friends, so Y/N and Ariana called it quits before they hurt the other bad enough they wouldn’t be able to be friends in the future.

For a lot of time, Y/N thought she wouldn’t be able to fall in love again, or at least have a somehow serious relationship with someone else. It took her time, but eventually she got there. With every day that passed, it got easier to move on.

And that’s when she met Harry.

A kind, shy man who has shown her a completely different side of the world, one that she was completely oblivious of before he came into her life. Although Harry was sure since the beginning about his feelings for her, it took Y/N a little while to open up to him and allow him to take her on a date. Sure, they hung out and stuff, but it was always with other people around in a friendly environment. Now there was nothing wrong with that, but Harry wanted more.

Almost a year after they first met, Harry and Y/N finally started dating. Things were great between the two of them. They both felt like there was something very… real in what they had. Quite frankly, they had never felt like this before. It truly felt like they were building a life together that could easily become a forever thing, and even though for some people it could be scary, for them it wasn’t. It felt good to have something stable after a long time of trying to find something that felt completely real and honest.

It wasn’t until Y/N felt like she was 100% over Ariana that they started talking again. Of course, they had missed each other but they both agreed it wouldn’t be so healthy to try to move on without putting some sort of distance between them. For them, it was so easy to become close friends again. It was like the old times, just with a few boundaries they had agreed on.

Last time Y/N saw her, was on Ariana’s first show of her tour. She had gone to support her, however she did not join her on tour like last time. And it was fine, honestly. Y/N felt like her life was complete now that she had her boyfriend and her best friend in it.

Now Y/N found herself spending more time in London with Harry than anywhere else in the world. And it was slowly starting to become her second home.

Around August, after taking a shower before getting ready to go out with Harry, Y/N received a text. It was from Ariana, she was inviting her to her next concert in London that was in a few days. Y/N bit her lip, thinking what it was best to do. Honestly? She wanted to go. It would be really nice to go see her perform after a few months of not seeing each other, and she could always bring Harry so he’d have a good time too.

“Babe, are you ready? Reservation’s at seven o’clock.” Harry came out of their walk-in closet with his clothes on his hands.

“Yeah, one second.” Y/N sent Ariana a quick text saying she’d ask Harry before looking up at him. “Hey, do you want to go to a concert this weekend?”

“Sure, who are we seeing?”

“Ariana.”

Now, Harry knew their story and how big of a roll Ariana was on his girlfriend’s life, and although it made him insecure at times (not that he’d ever say a word to her about it), he has come to accept that. Also, it wasn’t like Ariana was a stranger to him. They were also friends, just never been really close.

“I mean, I’m down. It’ll be fun if we go.” He shrugged, deciding it shouldn’t have to be a big deal.

“Awesome. I’ll tell her we’re going.” She smiled.

Inside of his head, Harry tried to convince himself they’d have a good time, and everything was going to be fine, although he wasn’t feeling so confident at the moment.

//

Saturday rolled in and all Y/N could talk about was the concert. She planned an outfit along with hair and makeup that with go along with her clothes. She was excited but also a little nervous. They’d most likely go backstage after the show, and it would be the first time the three of them would be together in the same room.

Harry has called a car that would drive them to the O2 Arena. Unfortunately, they ran a little late due traffic so when they arrived, they had to take her seats in the VIP box immediately because the show was about to start. Harry wrapped an arm around Y/N’s shoulder as they stood there waiting. Now, normally he wouldn’t be anywhere touchy with her if they were in public, but he was feeling particularly clingy today so he didn’t care if tomorrow there would be a billion of pictures of the two of them all over the internet.

The lights when out and the music started, making the twenty thousand people in the arena erupt in screams.

Aside from the two of them, there were other people in the VIP box. A couple of Ariana’s friends Y/N knew and some celebrities.

So far they were having a good time. Harry let loose a little and started dancing with Y/N too. He screamed the lyrics he knew and jumped around just like everyone else. After the fourth song passed, the energy lowered a little as a slower song came into the set list.

Y/N swallowed hard when she recognized the melody. R.E.M. was a song Ariana told her a long ago was written about Y/N a little before they broke up for the second time. In complete honesty, she loved the song. She loved it when Ariana showed it to her that night they stayed up until 2am just talking, long before it was out to the world, and she loved it now that she was hearing it along with twenty thousand people.

It brought a lot of memories back and the song that followed did not help.

Harry noticed her sudden change of behavior but chose to not point it out. Instead, he gave her hand a squeeze that quickly snapped her back to reality. She looked up at him and smiled, leaning into him a little.

Songs like Moonlight, Sometimes or Thinking Bout You, Y/N knew weren’t on the original set list of the concert. They were old songs Ariana didn’t really sing anymore, mainly because they were about her, and she was singing them now.

It only made her more nervous to step into backstage after the concert. And it wasn’t about any lingering feelings, truly. It just was kind of a lot to take in. She was in love with the woman for a long time, for the love of God.

One song before the concert ended, they decided to head backstage to avoid the crowd afterwards. Someone from the security team leaded the way to them and some other people who had the same idea and they waited patiently for the show to end.

“Did you have a good time?” She asked him.

“I did, haven’t danced like that in quite some time.”

“Me too.”

The couple held hands and stayed a little behind. There were people everywhere, both from the staff and friends that were hanging around. They heard Ariana say her goodbyes to the public before she ran off the stage. People rounded her to congratulate her for the show, she went around giving hugs to everybody until her eyes landed in Y/N.

Both girls squealed and crashed into a hug. “You’re here!”

“I promised I’d come, Ari.” Y/N said sweetly.

“I’m so happy you did. I changed the set list after you texted me.” Ariana gave her a dimpled smile, looking directly at her eyes.

“So I noticed.”

Harry caught awkwardly, not really knowing what to do with himself. Ariana and Y/N broke the eye contact as the first one went and hugged Harry. “Thank you for coming, Har.”

“Thank you for the invitation. We had a great time.” He didn’t really mean to, but subconsciously he emphasized the we.

“I’m happy you did.” She said. “I was thinking we could have dinner afterwards. Courtney’s also here somewhere.”

“Absolutely.” Y/N was quick to answer.

“Great, let me take a shower and grab my shit before we go.” Ariana walked away towards her dressing room.

“Do we have to go?” Harry almost whined.

“C’mon, it would be fun. Please?” She gave him those damn puppy eyes she knew he couldn’t resist. So he sighed and nodded, making her squeal. Y/N hugged him before she gave him a quick peck on the lips. “We won’t stay so long, I promise.”

Although he agreed on going, Harry kept quiet for most part of the dinner. Ariana and Y/N sat in front of the other so they were talking the whole time, giggling about things Harry did not understand as they were inside jokes they had. He did not feel comfortable at all by the end of the night, and it didn’t help the fact that Y/N was not acknowledging him.

“You need a ride home?” Ariana asked after dinner was paid and everyone was starting to get up from their seats.

Y/N was about to speak but Harry cut her off. “I have called a car, thank you though.” He didn’t want to sound rude, but he didn’t think he could stand a whole car ride with them probably seating next to each other giggling and whispering things.

“Oh, alright.” Ariana answered slowly. “I’ll be in London until next week, maybe we can meet up?” She said to Y/N.

“Totally, I’ll text you.”

The pair hugged tightly. Ariana waved at Harry a little awkwardly as she has already sensed his jealousy building up.

“Have you really called a car?” Y/N asked when it was only the two of them.

“Are you talking to me now?” He couldn’t help but say. He has in fact called a car, he did it the second they asked for the check. Y/N sighed, not really wanting to start anything while they were still in public.

Not long after that, a black range rover pulled up and they walked towards it to get in. This time, Y/N didn’t seat in the middle to be close to Harry. Instead, each of them sat by each end of the seat. The ride back to the house was quiet, none of them had really nothing to say to the other, but they were also gathering their thoughts because they knew what was going to go down once they entered the house.

The both of them thanked the driver before getting out of the car and into the house. Y/N took off her shoes and walked to the kitchen to get a glass of water, Harry following her steps.

“Are you going to tell me what is wrong?” She asked.

“I don’t know. Is there anything wrong?”

“Oh, c’mon. Don’t be like that.” She crossed her arms. “There’s something bothering you and I want to know what it is. Did you not have a good time?”

“I was until you started flirting with your bloody ex.” He finally said.

“Flirting? Harry, I was not flirting with her.”

“Yes, you were. And she was flirting with you too!” He accused. “Don’t think I didn’t notice how she was looking at you!”

“According to you, how was she looking at me?”

“Like she was still in love with you! Didn’t you see? She basically serenaded you back in the concert and had no problem admitting it. ‘I included these songs only because you told me you were coming’” He tried to copy her voice. “For fuck’s sake.”

“Well, I can exactly control what songs she includes in her show!”

“Oh, but you clearly enjoyed it, didn’t you? Must have felt good to have all her attention.”

“Now you’re being mean.” She said.

“No, I’m being honest. And I’m sorry if it makes me mad when your ex is all over you!”

“She was-”

“And you can’t even see it. Can’t you see how fucking insecure it makes me feel whenever you talk so highly of her? How am I supposed to top what you had with her?”

Y/N swallowed hard. “It is not a competition, you know? I don’t spend all our time together comparing what we have with what I had with her.”

“For you it might not be. But I do spend a lot of time worrying about you waking up one day and deciding you don’t love me as much as you love her. After all, you have found your way back to each other once, what assures me it won’t happen again?”

“It won’t.” She stated.

“You don’t know that.” He shakes his head. “What if one day you realize you can always go back to her? You’d leave me in a heartbeat.”

“How can you have such little trust in me? I love you, Harry.” Y/N almost cried out. “When my heart was broken, you were the only one there who helped me glue it back together. You. I would have never agreed on going on a date with you if I wasn’t over her.” She paused. “After I met you, I knew I had to get my shit back together so this,” She motioned the space between them. “would work. Because I wanted it to work. You have given me so much,” Her voice broke. “I don’t think I would ever stop loving you.”

“Baby-”

“And I’m sorry if I today I made you doubt that. It wasn’t my intention at all. I was just… I was excited, you know? You have to understand that while I dated Ariana in the past, I’m not in love with her anymore. Do I love her? Yes, I do. But it isn’t the kind of love I have for you, H. What I had with her had an expiration date, and I knew it. But I also know that I want to be with you forever. You’re my forever, not her.”

Harry chocked a laugh, allowing one tear to roll down his left eye. “You’re my forever too, baby.”

“I’m sorry.” She said again before wrapping her arms around his torso. “I love you so, so much. Please believe me.”

“I believe you, I do.” He mumbled before kissing the top of her head, hugging her back. “I’m sorry for being so insecure.”

“I know it isn’t exactly normal to be close with your ex, and i’m still working on setting boundaries.”

“I appreciate that.”

They both sighed happily, enjoying being in each other’s arms. “Do you get as excited as you were today when you listen to the songs I wrote for you?” He asked quietly after a while.

“Just as excited, if not more. I love it when you sing me my song.”

“The one about us dancing in the kitchen or the one about me eating your pu-”

“Way to ruin the moment, Styles.”

[escapewithbts]

When They Think You Like A Different Member

Whoa this ended up being way longer than I anticipated. Sorry!! I’ve written this for 3 other members too so far so go check those out! :)

——————————

Hoseok: “Hey (y/n)!” Namjoon called your name from across the room, “Do you mind helping me pick a pair of glasses to wear for the performance?”

You smiled widely.

“Be right there, Joonie!”

Hoseok watched as you said your goodbyes to him and Jungkook and got up from the couch the three of you had been squished together and chatting on.

Well thanks to Namjoon-ah I guess his time with you was over. He slumped further down in his spot and pulled out his phone.

“Hobi!”

However, hearing you call his name made him glance over at the two of you, “which pair do you think looks best on Joon?”

Namjoon nodded.

“Ah yeah Hoba, you’re the best dresser in Bangtan, what do you think?”

Hoseok watched as his leader switched from glasses to glasses. Then he cocked his head and furrowed his eyebrows.

“Hm they all look good, Namjoon-ah,” he responded, realizing he wasn’t really in the mood to give much input.

Namjoon shrugged.

“Okay, I’ll just stick with (y/n)’s opinion, she always knows what makes me look most handsome.”

Namjoon turned back to you and said something that made you giggle. Hoseok just sighed and went back to his phone.

“She doesn’t like RM-hyung, you know.” Jungkook suddenly stated from next to him.

Hoseok couldn’t help but scoff.

“Yeah, right. They’re always together, he always wants her opinions… she’s always reminding him how handsome he is.”

Jungkook shook his head, his black bangs falling over his eyes.

“That’s cause she knows how insecure hyung can get. Really, they’re just friends, Hobi-hyung. He’s like a brother to her.”

J-hope stuffed his phone back in his pocket and rose from his spot on the couch.

“Ah whatever, it’s no problem, Jungkookie, I don’t care,” he straightened out his shiny blazer and flashed him a smile that was no where near authentic, “I’m going to finish getting ready for the performance.”

-

Many hours later you were getting ready to leave the HYBE building with the remaining members who were there for the evening, Jimin and Jungkook. You stopped in your tracks when you suddenly realized you were missing your keys.

“Crap, I think I left my keys in the practice room while you guys were getting ready for the performance. I have to go get them. I’ll meet you down in the parking garage, okay?”

Jimin cocked his head.

“You sure you don’t want us to come with you, noona? The building is a little creepy with no one else here.” he shuddered to emphasize his point.

You smiled at his sweet offer but shook your head.

“It’s okay. Ill be alright. Just give me a couple minutes and I’ll be right there.”

They nodded in understanding as you turned back in the direction you had come from.

Jimin was right, the building was creepy when no one else was around. Usually there were hundreds of staff members running around, taking on different tasks for the growing company. But it was eerie and quiet this time of night. Too quiet.

However, as soon as you exited the elevator on the floor with the room you left your keys in, you heard the sound of hip-hop music blaring down the hallway. Creepy. Really creepy. You thought no one else was here?

As you slowly moved closer and closer to the door, the music got much louder and clearer. With hesitation, you turned the knob and opened the door.

Upon entering you saw none other than Jung Hoseok, freestyle dancing to the song that was blasting through the large speakers. His small but muscular frame was covered in an oversized tan shirt and olive covered pants, a news boy cap covering his bleach blonde hair. He hadn’t noticed you come in, so you stood there for a moment watching his graceful yet rhythmic dance moves in the mirrors, appreciating the way his limbs and torso could move in ways you couldn’t even imagine. He was so talented and beautiful while in his element, this being the reason you fell for him the first time you ever saw him dancing. Butterflies formed in your stomach.

“Oh SHIT!” Hoseok’s sudden exclamation broke you out of your trance, the man clutching his hand to his sweat-covered chest.

He then jogged over to the computer and paused the music, looking towards you.

“Aisshh, (y/n), you scared the shit out of me.”

You scratched the back of your head and blushed.

“Sorry… I-I didn’t know anyone was in here. I thought you went back to the dorm earlier with the other guys.”

He shook his head and ran a hand through his hair, the sweat causing his bangs to stick up straight. His chest was rising and falling rapidly from his strenuous dancing.

“No, I’m still here. What are you doing here?”

You peered around the room, recalling suddenly why you were here in the first place.

“I accidentally left my - ah, there they are - keys up here earlier.”

You walked over to the table where the computer sat to retrieve what you had been searching for and held them up to show Hoseok.

“Ahh okay okay.”

There was a pause as you both just stared at the wooden floor. It wasn’t often the two of you were completely alone so you instantly felt shy and flustered. Then you looked up into his bare face and dark brown eyes.

He was so handsome.

“You, um, look great… uh, dancing! You’re dancing is so good, you… look good.”

Real smooth. You internally rolled your eyes at yourself.

“Ah well… thank you.” He chuckled awkwardly. He always had been bad at taking compliments.

“I wish I could dance like that,” you admitted to him.

He perked his eyes up in surprise, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

“You can! It just takes practice. Here,” he wrapped his long arm around the back of your shoulders. You blushed at the feeling of his warm side pressed against yours.

He gently scooted you to the middle of the dance floor and let go of you. Immediately you missed his radiating warmth against you. He took a spot next to you and shook out his arms and stretched his neck. Then he grinned widely at you.

“Want to learn a short routine?” he asked.

You nodded eagerly.

How could you say no when one of the best dancers on the charts right now was willing to teach you??

“Okay, start like this-five, six, seven, eight.“

He showed you various moves, having you copy everything he was doing. Occasionally you would mess up and feel embarrassed, but he was quick to tell you how great you were doing. The two of you laughed endlessly; it was easy to be silly and happy around him, your adoration for him only getting stronger.

After about ten minutes of repeatedly going over it he said,

“Alright, (y/n)-ah, you ready for the final run-through before we try it with music?”

You took a deep breath and nodded.

“I think so.”

“You got this! Fighting!” He gave you a thumbs up, “Okaaaay ready, five, six, seven, eight!”

You watched the two of you in the mirror, nailing every step in synchronization, a big grin on both your faces.

But all of a sudden you forgot the correct move and you turned and stepped to the right, while Hoseok turned and stepped to the left. Your legs twisted and your bodies crashed into each other with such force you thought you might trip and fall. You let out a small yelp but then felt hands grab your waist and keep you upright.

“Shit, shit, are you okay, (y/n)?” Hoseok’s worried voice questioned.

You were fine, just mortified from messing up and running into him.

“Yes, I’m sorry, I’m fine, sorry for going the wrong way I-“

But you stopped mid-sentence when you looked up and realized how close his face was to yours. You could feel his heavy breathing on your cheek, see the beads of sweat at his hairline.

He smiled at you sweetly, dimples forming at the sides of his mouth.

“It’s okay, you did great. I think you’re a better dancer than me now.”

You scoffed and rolled your eyes, unmoving from where he had you held.

“Oh please.”

You both chuckled lightly and then just stood there staring at each other.

Your heart was pounding against your chest from the closeness and the dancing, the feeling of his strong hands still holding your waist making your skin hot. You swear you see him glance down at your lips briefly which encouraged you to move your face closer to his, but then he dropped his hands abruptly and backed away from you. He put his face in his hands.

“Fuck, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

You furrowed your eyebrows, disappointment washing over you.

“Sorry? Sorry for what?” You questioned.

Hoseok shook his head.

“Ahh shit I can’t do that to you and Namjoon-ah.”

Okay now you were really confused.

“What-what about me and Namjoon?”

He looks back at you and cocks his head, a frown evident on his face.

“You two… like each other, no?”

At this you cannot help but laugh, throwing your head back.

“Like each other? Gross, Joon is like a brother to me!”

A grin formed on Hoseok’s face at your response. He really had to start listening to his maknae more.

He looked awkwardly at the floor and scratched the back of his neck.

“Ah I really thought you two had a thing…”

You shook your head gently, swallowing hard at what you were about to say next.

“Hmmm no, no I actually… have a thing for a different Bangtan member…” his head perked up at that, “and I hope he maybe feels the same way?”

Hoseok caught on instantly, the largest heart-shaped smile you’ve ever seen appear on his face. He bound swiftly towards you and wrapped his hand around the back of your neck, pulling your lips to his. You sighed into the kiss and wrapped your arms around his thin waist, pushing your bodies fully against each other.

“YAH what the HELL?!”

You broke apart when you were interrupted by someone who had entered the room.

A shocked looking Jimin and Jungkook stood in the doorway. Jimin threw his hands up in the air dramatically.

“We were so WORRIED about you, (y/n)-ah, thought you had been kidnapped or something, but you’re just up here making out with Hobi-hyung?! Aiishhh!”

You laughed bashfully and muttered a quiet apology.

He turned Jungkook back towards the door and shook his head.

“Let’s go Jungkook-ah, leave these lovebirds alone.”

You and J-hope exchanged coy glances.

The other two boys left but before they got too far you heard Jimin yell,

“Be sure to use protection!”

*

[sagefzy]

PART ELEVEN: THE PERFORMANCE

perfectionism | prev | next

After sitting down for about ten minutes, Atsumu redirected his attention to the now dimming lights. The once lit up auditorium was now only being illuminated from the light appearing on the stage. There was almost an entrancing aura in the room, everyone gathered in the same room for the sole purpose of watching people showcase their musical talent. Though completely different activities, he couldn't help but be reminded of the similar feeling when watching a volleyball match.

Although Suna had mentioned to him many times that he and you had two very distinct and different personalities, he couldn't help but disagree. From the little he'd observed, you both had strong passions that you had dedicated your whole lives to. Even though you two may approach situations differently. You both have a mutual understanding of the thrill that comes with pushing yourself to the limit for something.

He had never really chosen to get to know another person on a deeper level. Of course, there was Osamu, but that didn't really count since that was his brother. Additionally, his friendship with Suna was only a byproduct of Osamu's friendship with him. Atsumu constantly had girls throwing themselves at him, and even though he enjoyed basking in their attention, he knew that they were only in love with the idea of him.

Outside of volleyball and his family, he never got the chance to have a close relationship with someone, but that was something he was willing to sacrifice for the sake of achieving his dreams. Not to mention, he always had the lingering fear that, in the end, people only hung out with him to get close to Osamu. He really hoped that you were an exception to that case.

The competition had to at least been going on for an hour now, Atsumu thought to himself. When he imagined attending a piano competition, he envisioned a relaxing show that he could attend for free, but that wasn't the case. Instead, he spent his time watching musicians attempt to play grand, complex pieces to perfection, but at most they only achieved mediocre performances. Just how long was it going to take for you to come on stage?

"Now presenting contestant 105, l/n y/n. Playing piano concerto number one in E minor, opus eleven: two. Romance larghetto."

His eyes were directed to your figure that now walked onto the stage. Your head held high, your footing confident. Atsumu grinned, noticing that you were sporting that perfect smile of yours. He watched as you took a deep breath while fixing your stool.

Before your hands touched the keys, he observed how, for a quick second, your eyes changed from confident to anxious when studying the crowd. Your eyes were glued in the same spot briefly, however they were quickly averted back to the instrument. Could it be that large crowds made you anxious? No, it couldn't be, you seemed way too confident walking out on stage. He wondered just what made you apprehensive.

He continued to watch you intently.

Your fingers graced the keys. They quickly found their tempo and danced to the rhythm. You didn't miss a single beat nor note as you played. Everything was played to perfection, just as it always was.

Your smile disappeared, only to be replaced with a face of precision and focus. Your hands produced a soft melody, making the sound glide into his ears. No previous performer enchanted the audience like you did. The notes danced and swayed in the air.

Your song had so much power to it. It was as if a mystical spell was casted in the room the minute that you started to play. Atsumu's eyes widened as he watched you get lost in the song. There was absolutely no hesitation as you played. Your body was completely in tune with the instrument.

Although you weren't saying anything, you were telling a story to everyone in the room, captivating them. It was all perfect. Your rhythm, notes, tempo, and tone- it was exactly as written on paper. You quite literally were playing the piece perfectly. However, the story you were telling with your music, wasn't quite your own, but rather the composer.

You were guaranteed a first place win since you were playing a technical piece perfectly, but it lacked the emotion. You played it exactly as the composer intended, nothing more, nothing less.

Atsumu recognized the seemingly stoic look on your face. It wasn't something he could decipher easily at first, but now hearing you play, he could understand it. You were so obsessed, so intent with playing it perfectly, something he often found himself partaking in when in an important match. You were perfect, but at what cost?

There was no denying that you were extremely talented, certainly more talented than himself, he thought. But, he could only imagine how much more captivating you could be when expressing your own emotions with your talent.

As your song neared its end, the whole room stood up in applause. You stood up, knowing you played it perfectly, but you still felt empty. You remember a time where you used to love savoring the gratification from an overwhelmed audience. Now, however, you stood in front of everyone clapping for your perfect performance, and you couldn't feel less accomplished. Perhaps you were being too hard on yourself. When did playing piano turn into a chore?

You glanced to the top of the audience, the same place you were looking before the performance, and locked eyes with your dad. The same unreadable expression was present on his face. He shook his head and walked out the exit door. Your chest grew heavy, trying its best to hold in your tears in front of the audience.

You bowed in front of the audience, trying your best to conceal the emotions running rampant in you. You swiftly paced yourself offstage, running past your mentor who was there for support and into the backstage bathroom.

Your back leaned on the heavy door, all of your bottled feelings washing out. You looked at your face in the mirror, placing two hands over your heated cheeks. Your eyes started to sting, but you still stared into the reflection. Anger, disappointment, humiliation, vulnerability, and most of all, loneliness. You let it all spill out at that moment.

There was so much more you wanted to do with your music, but at that moment no amount of praise could convince you that it was worth it. All in life you ever wanted to do was make your dad proud, show him that you are worthy enough to be your mother's daughter. Was anything you did ever going to be good enough for him?

"y/n, it's Haruka-sensei." A voice from the door knocked. "I thought you played the piece perfectly, I'll be in the lobby, so come out when you're ready."

You closed your eyes and took a deep breath. Your hands made their way to your face again, this time cleaning up the tears and smudged mascara. Looking up one last time, you smiled into the mirror. Over the years, you convinced yourself that if you faked being happy enough, eventually you will be. It's not like anyone could tell the difference from it anyways.

You opened the door slowly, trying to gain your composure again. You bumped into many kids roaming the halls backstage looking anxious to perform. The maze of people was something you were now used to navigating.

The lobby was empty with the exception of your sensei and dad, everyone else still in the auditorium watching the final stretch of the performances. Haruka-sensei and your dad didn't get along for the most part, which is why you weren't surprised when you saw them standing in completely opposite areas of the room.

Your dad was first to approach you. "What did you think that was?" His voice was laced with alcohol. Your gaze met his. His eyes filled with resentful judgement. "You think you can get away playing like shit and make your way to the top?"

Droplets of tears fell to the ground once more. "I asked you a question!"

You looked to the ground. "No, I know I'll never be good enough." You sniffed harshly, still trying to maintain your composure, but failing. You hated crying in front of your dad. It was arguably the worst feeling in the world, like you were being isolated in a dark void with nothing but disappointment.

He watched you cry. You could feel his gaze burning into the top of your head, which still faced the ground in fear. All of a sudden, you felt a harsh grip on your wrist that was sure to leave a bruise.

"And don't you ever forget that," He spat. "I bet your mother is even more repulsed by you than I am. It's a joke that you think you'll ever be anything great." He shook your arm firmly, forcing you to see the aggravation displayed on his expression.

"That's enough," Haruka yelled, shoving your dad to the side. She might've been a small lady, but she sure did know how to stand her ground. "I can't stand hearing you spread such bullshit hatred to your own daughter. You make me sick. Why don't you go and get yourself even more drunk. Maybe you'll wake up and find yourself passed out on a park bench."

He rolled his eyes and scoffed. He left the building, leaving just you and Haruka.

"Listen, y/n, I think you played beautifully. Your technique was perfect, and with just a few tweaks here and there, I'm sure you'll be more than ready to take the top spot at nationals." She praised. She gave you a genuine smile and pulled you into a hug.

Feeling overwhelmed, you started to cry for the third time that hour. "Shh- don't worry about your dad, he's just a loser-asshole that projects all his issues onto you." You felt comforted by her embrace. Although she'd only known you for about a month now, Haruka had quickly become one of your favorite piano mentors. She had the loving presence and embrace of a mother, something that was so foreign to you at first.

After your heavy tears and emotions subsided, you re-entered the backstage hallways. You sat in the corner of the hallway, directing your attention to a boy- who couldn't have been any older than twelve. He sat next to his mom, holding her hand as he kept on muttering about his nervousness.

You watched as the mom eased his nerves with a single statement. "My child, I love you now, and I'll still love you after you go out and perform." The words warmed your heart. The affection from a mother was a distant memory in your mind. You could never recall a moment you were sad around your mother. Why did she have to leave so soon?

Before the kid could respond, he was called out to perform. He hugged his mom quickly and scrambled to the stage. You sat there lost in your thoughts, imagining what life would be like if your mother didn't pass away so early on.

You sighed. There was no use in fantasizing about a false reality even if it brought you temporary peace from your discomfort. What only mattered now was the present moment.

You noticed that the boy was back, a giant grin plastered on his face as he met up with his mother, it'd only be a few minutes until the winners were announced. Soon enough, all of the competitors were asked to reconvene at the stage.

You looked out at the audience again, but this time it was different. Rather than feeling anxious when meeting the gaze of someone, you felt content. Atsumu flashed his famous smirk and displayed a thumbs up, only to be quickly smacked down by Osamu. The two seemed to get into an argument after that, making you look at Suna who was now a giggling mess. The whole event made you laugh, momentarily forgetting about the heavy reign of disappointment on your shoulder.

However, the three of them got their act together once the top three standings were being announced. This part always made you fidgety. The uncertainty of the outcome always twisted your stomach in knots. Once second and third place were announced you took a deep breath, hoping that you were to be crowned first.

"And-" Here it was, you thought. The moment that decided whether or not you'd go to nationals. "-first place for the Hyogo Regional piano competition goes to-" You could feel your heart beating out of your chest. Your nails dug into your arm, the tension eating away at you. "-l/n y/n."

You almost jumped to the front of the stage when they announced your name. You did it, despite what your dad said, you did it. And it didn't matter what hateful words of disappointment he spat at you because in that very moment, you were enough.

Atsumu watched as you were handed a certificate. A radiant smile now present on your face. This smile was different, though. The one he was used to seeing was the seemingly perfect one, the one so perfect it was almost fake. The one you wore right now was one of genuine, heartfelt joy. Was this the real you? Just what else were you hiding under that perfect smile?

Osamu tapped his shoulder. "Stop staring at yer little girlfriend and let's go to the lobby before it gets too crowded. Suna said we're going to go out for udon."

"Yeah, yeah 'm coming," He muttered, never once taking his eyes off of your smile.

fun facts !

Osamu and Atsumu are notorious for always being late for everything, whether it be 10 minutes to an hour.

Atsumu daydreams when he's bored, only paying attention to what he wants to.

Every time Osamu cooks, he always puts on music in the background and it always differs depending on his mood.

perfectionism ©

smau written by @sagefzy

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