#he still kept that old scarf from that very first week

[cheriladycl01]

Hiiii could you write about Carlos Sainz that he has a secret relationship with an Arab Muslim girl (she doesn't wear hijab) 24 years old, Y/N and Carlos' little sister her friend because they go to the same university from Madrid and Carlos always bothered her, he was always around Y/N whenever she was talking with a boy Carlos made them run away and that's how they became a couple but secretly it was due to Y/N's religion and Carlos likes to annoy her by teasing her face to face or sharing a message by pinching her side because she is ticklish and she also annoys him.

Thanks youu 💖

Romeo to my Juliet - Carlos x Reader

Plot: After studying at the University of Madrid, and making friends with Blanca Sainz you were constantly around her older brother Carlos who was … obviously obsessed with you!

A/N: Ive done research before writing this on Muslim culture and struggles, however I am not a person of colour, and do not want to cause any offence when writing this! Also the wording of this request did confuse me a little bit so I’m hoping I’ve got everything that you’ve wanted in here!

Carlos and you were two people you wouldn’t pin together. You were quiet and reserved whilst he was loud and expressive. You were shy, whilst he was confident. But it was those differences that actually made you the perfect pair.

Being in a secret relationship with the Carlos Sainz wasn’t easy, and neither is the story that came with it.

It started when you first applied to university. You got into the University of Madrid and your parents couldn’t be more happy as your father had work in Spain taken from the Middle East, so it wasn’t a difficult family move.

You were a very stylish girl despite being shy and with your outfits it wasn’t hard to catch the eyes on campus. And that was how you met Blanca Sainz.

It was a colder day in Madrid, around November and you were in one of your favourite winter time outfits that’s kept you warm and cozy, still not completely used to the cold winters Europe have compared to the Middle East.

You had this Burberry scarf on, a gift from you father and a gust of win caught you, immediately your hands grabbed for your skirt leaving your scarf to fly off from around your neck.

“Oh my gosh” you gasp as you tried to reach out for it but it just flew off into the distance. You started to run after it, until you saw it hit a girl and practically strangle her.

“I’m so so so sorry! The wind … and it just … and oh my gosh I’m so sorry, it hit you!” You gasp at the girl who looks over you before laughing.

“It’s … a scarf I’m fine” she giggled.

That day you guys got coffee on campus before getting to know each other and you’d been fast friends since.

It wasn’t until the end of your second year in university, your mum and dad had moved back home to the Middle East. And you didn’t know what to do about summer break.

Blanca actually invited you to her family trip to Mallorca and to stay with her in her family home.

You felt bad, so you suggest the first few weeks are spent in your family home in Dubai. And she definitely didn’t want to turn that down.

So of course you guys spent the summer, tanning, in your pool playing games with your mum and dad when they were free and going to get ice cream.

“Your house is insane, what the hell does your mum and dad do!” She asked looking around the 6 bedroom Villa your family owned.

“I don’t actually know, but he’s a business owner of some sort” you giggle, always too bored to listen to your father explain his career.

“There’s an aquarium in your kitchen island …” she points at it, mouth open wide.

“Yeah, excessive i know but my dad adores his fish”

“And your house it on the beach! AND there’s a pool? I don’t even know if I want to see the garage!” She exclaims.

“Mmmmmm yeah my dads also a car collector. He actually left some in Spain in the house there” you offer.

“Your like so humble though! I - WHAT?” She asks in shock and you just laugh her off.

You guys definitely enjoyed your time in Dubai and your parents loved her, she was invited back for the Christmas holidays too.

Then when you got to Spain you met the rest of her family.

“Mum dad, this is my friend Y/N” Blanca offers as you enter the home which was a beautiful Spanish Villa.

“Ah Y/N we’ve heard so much about you from Blanca when she calls” her mother smiles. Ana comes running down the stairs immediately pulling her sister into a hug.

“Ah you must be Y/N? Yes, you are gorgeous! Where are you from!” She grins pulling you into an unexpected hug.

“I’m from Dubai!” You smile and that night guy guys all get to know one another through board games.

It got to just after sunset when you realised that it was time to pray for Maghrib. You calmly excused yourself from the family. Blanca at this point knew when you had to pray and was always very respectful and actually intrigued at the way it all worked. She would be with you on campus in the pray room, or in a random corner of a cafe you guys were studying in and offer you her coat to kneel on if you didn’t have one.

She was the sweetest and most understanding friend you’d ever had.

However, this was the time you met her older brother Carlos. You were just finishing up, in Blancas bedroom when someone came into the room.

“Sorry Blanca, I didn’t mean to be long if I was!” You smile turning round only to see a confused man behind you.

“Erm sorry can I help you?” You ask and he still stands there with his big brown chocolate eyes just staring at you.

“A-sorry you must be, Y/N right? Blanca’s friend that she brought home?” He questions and you nod standing up, reaching out to shake his hand.

He looks down at it smirking before lifting it up and placing a gentle kiss on the edge making you gasp and go wide eyed.

“Well, welcome to the Sainz household. Are you excited about Mallorca?” He smiles and you nod, of course you were, you’d be waiting all summer for it.

And it was an unforgettable summer.

Carlos was ALWAYS around. He was like this little lost puppy and the only time you don’t think he was around was when you showered or slept. He bothered you the whole summer, interrupting you and Blanca when you were trying to tan, or would splash you in the pool when you were lounging on a lilo. He was a menace, but there was a certain type of endearment to it.

He was also insanely protective over you. Whenever you all would go out to bars or restaurants or clubs, you got a lot of male attention, which to Carlos wasn’t surprising.

You were the most beautiful person he thinks he’s ever seen, and he wants you all for himself.

“Hey Bonita, why don’t you come downtown with me, and I’ll show you a good time?” A random guy from the island had said to you in a club.

“I’m fine thank you, I’m here with friends” you smile pointing behind you to the table where Carlos Blanca and Ana are sat.

“I’m sure they won’t mind, come on. ¡Vive un poco!” He exclaims looking over you.

“She said she was fine, and I would mind” Carlos said in a gruff voice coming to stand behind you and hand on your shoulder.

The guy swiftly left, seeing who it was. You’d gotten used to the fact that Carlos would be noticed in public, you tried to stay out of it as much as possible. Whenever a fan came over you’d practically glue yourself to Blanca’s side.

But all the guys that came talking to you Carlos had them running away for one reason or another. Whether it was just him, being Carlos Sainz, or the look he gave them or what he whispered to them when you couldn’t here. They always left.

That was how Carlos and you ended up together. You were a modern day Romeo and Juliet. You knew your parents wouldn’t approve of the Spanish race car driver, just based on all the tabloid articles about him.

“We should leave” he said in a huff, he was always like this and a lot of the times that you left was because of Carlos’ changed mood.

“But we didn’t get here long ago!” You offer and he huffs again, getting more frustrated.

“Just, let’s just go home!” He says again, not touching you but giving you a look as if to say, I will drag you out of here.

“We need to get Blanca and Ana, we can’t leave them!” You say as you start to look around the club for the two girls, hoping they would protest to Carlos wanting to get you to leave.

“They’ll be fine, let’s just go. They are pretty preoccupied anyway” he nods towards them with their boyfriends and how they are dancing.

Next thing you know Carlos was dragging you home, poking at your side saying how you broke your good girl demeanour just to leave the club with him.

“I was in a club, I can’t be that good of a girl” you tease him back and he looks over at you with a sparkle in his eyes. Maybe it wasn’t even there and it was just from the street lights, but he looked so happy and content in this moment that you couldn’t help but stare.

After this summer, you and Carlos hide your relationship from everyone, you hated hiding it from Blanca the most as he would often come find you in Madrid after race weekends to keep you company.

And don’t even start about him at family venues. Despite Carlos wanting to keep the relationship as secret as you did because of the media, and your parents, he wasn’t very good at keeping his gestures subtle.

“Carlos, I haven’t seen you for a while. And whose this, a girlfriend?” One of his aunts comes over seeing you together chatting at a family reunion his mother had hosted after his race win.

He pinched your side teasingly as if to say that you guys must look good together. And as you look up at his face you can see that.

“No this is Y/N Blanca’s friend from university” he offers keeping up with the secret. And your look down smiling to yourself. It was fun in a way keeping up a little white lie that you were with Carlos.

“Shame, she’s a dime and you two would look great together” she winks before fluttering off elsewhere in the house.

“See someone else who thinks we look great together” Carlos says leaning down to meet your eye level making you blush.

“Carlos leave Y/N alone, you tease the poor girl enough you’ll give her a heart attack one day. Come on sweetie” his mother guides you away, you turn round to catch Carlos’ eye before poking your tongue out in a childish manner.

He shakes his head with a slight chuckles as he watches his mum pull you away to a different crowd of people and introduces you.

When you and Carlos would admit your relationship was unknown, but you knew you’d never been happier than you were with Carlos Sainz Jr.

Taglist:

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[merakiui]

thinking about a concept in which your parent and step-parent are going through a bit of a rough patch in their relationship, so in order to resolve this tension, keep you and skully (mostly) out of it, and hopefully return with a stronger bond, they decide to live in separate spaces for the time being while the idea of divorce is constantly whispered about. you remain in the city with your parent and your step-parent takes skully back to their hometown—that little, misty town in the mountains and trees. the one where all the eerie folklore and stories skully adores comes from. the one with such a small population that you often tell your friends at school it's "that weird cult town."

well, (un)luckily for you, your parents want you to have an amicable relationship with your stepbrother. so when the winter holiday comes around, they make plans to ship you off to that weird cult town so you can spend the next two weeks shacked up in the woods with your step-parent and stepbrother. and skully will get to return to your home come summer break! the whole arrangement feels much too complicated, and at this point you just wish your parents would stop trying so hard and divorce already. :/

but there's no getting out of it, so you pack your bags and are shipped off to the place you've not-so-affectionately dubbed Cult Town.

you've actually never been here before. when your parents first met, it was in the city and so you've only ever known the rush that is city life. but everything is considerably slower here in a comfortable sort of way. there's no hurrying after taxis or packing yourself into a crowded train. it doesn't smell like the city either. also, the internet connection is horrible. you spend your first few minutes in this town trying to get proper reception while you wait to be picked up. it's only two weeks, though. you're certain it will go by quickly.

skully is…still strange. you were never really close when you lived in the same house. he kept to himself just as you did, but right now he’s immensely welcoming. he carries your bags, offers to show you around town, and seems so pleased you've come to visit for the holidays. your step-parent notes he spent an absurd amount of time cleaning up the guest room just for you, but skully just flusters and babbles about how it's only right to treat a dear guest with hospitality. there's even a vase of pretty flowers waiting for you on the bedside table when you enter the tidy room.

you're not very thrilled to be here, but you content yourself with the fact that it's only two weeks. skully has a long list of things he'd like to do with you while you're here. you're not sure what you can possibly do in a town this small other than look at the same trees and meet the same townsfolk over and over, but anything's better than boredom.

you fall asleep in that old, creaky cabin that never seems to settle, and your dreams are filled with macabre imagery. claws scraping at the door in angry, jagged crisscrosses, as if something wishes to get in. frostbitten corpses frozen in permanent poses of agony. a faceless, shapeless monster lurking in shadows. and cold. so much cold. snow. ice. frozen lakes. you even wake cold, shivering even though the blankets are thick and warm. it's too quiet and too dark when you look out your window. no civilization in sight unlike in the city, where there are plenty of people and buildings and traces of humanity.

out here, the people hardly use their phones and it feels so old-fashioned and it's cold.

skully doesn't like it when you talk about divorce. he's still hopeful that your parents will mend their frayed bond and then you can all live under one roof again. :D you can only roll your eyes: "they're basically divorced already. maybe not legally, but definitely physically and emotionally." skully frowns at that, refusing to argue your point further. when you continue onwards down the dirt path, bundled in a woolen coat and wrapped up in a scarf (a gift from skully), you miss the way his expression sours. the way his orange eyes cloud over.

skully tells you they find bodies in the woods all the time. accidents. murders. suicides. "a forest is like an ocean," he says conversationally while the two of you stroll parallel to a dense treeline. "sometimes you happen upon things that just don't belong. things you don't expect to find in the vastness."

that night, you're tossing and turning again. your sleep schedule has been a wreck ever since you came here and you're almost certain this cabin is haunted because you keep feeling sensations that aren't there. like a whisper of breath on your neck or a hand on your cheek. and something's moving around in your room or beneath your bed or just outside the door at night. something from the forest, maybe? a monster? one of the many restless spirits left to wander aimlessly, never to know peace? you bring it up with skully the following morning: "do you ever feel...watched?"

he smiles around a mug of hot chocolate. "of course not. we drive malevolent spirits away every halloween. there's nothing that can bother you here. aah, if only you could have been here during halloween. it's simply wonderful! you must come next year."

somehow you aren't satisfied with this response, but skully's sliding a mug your way and suddenly any thoughts of local haunts disperse from your mind.

supposedly, chamomile tea aids in sleep. hoping to get at least one good night's rest while you're here, you purchase some from the market with skully when you go on a grocery run for your parent. "there's something so beautifully quaint about shopping together!" he notes, perusing a stall of various winter fruits. "it's very intimate. wouldn't you agree?"

"sure, i guess," you reply with a shrug, not quite understanding the point he's trying to make. maybe that's exactly the point: you're never going to understand him and his unusual ideals. "but isn't that why people spend quality time with one another?"

skully beams and plucks a frostbitten flower from a nearby bouquet, tucking the beautiful blossom behind your ear. "we have similar thoughts, you and I."

do we really?

you make yourself a cup of chamomile, bundle up in the warmest sweater you packed, and drink in front of a crackling fire. skully's sat at the kitchen table, scribbling away in a book and humming to himself. you asked him about it before and he told you it was "a catalogue of daily musings. nothing of great importance." you wonder what he writes about in there... probably stuff about how wonderful jack skellington is, a figure revered in this little cult town. you've never heard of him, but he seems interesting from what skully's told you.

miraculously, you drift off in the armchair, and you sleep through the night, enveloped in sweet, sugary warmth. your dreams are pleasant, too. it's the best night's sleep you've ever had.

skully asks if you like it here. his definition of 'like' is very different from yours, but you decide to humor him anyway. "it's a fine town," you say even though just the other day you were trying (and failing) to text your friends about how unsettling this place is. how life here is just so different from the city. you can't explain it, but if you stay here any longer you think they might accuse you of being a witch next with your city slang and fancy technology box (phone). "the atmosphere and the town are both very cute. it's like a little dollhouse when it's all dressed up and festive like this."

"what a flattering description! as expected, you view the world through the eyes of a poet, seeing loveliness in every little thing," he praises, holding his hands over his chest and swooning.

you feel just a little lovelier now that your sleep schedule is fixed, so you're inclined to agree.

usually, the chamomile knocks you out for the entire night. this time, though, you've awoken to a ghost. you crack your eyes open and slowly but surely shake the heavy sleepiness off. something's on top of you, holding you down in bed, their fingers cold and bony like the ones in your nightmares. you shift slightly, and the ghost freezes, still and silent as death. in the shadows, a pair of eyes search for your face.

a mouth at your ear. something stiff prods at your thigh. "shh," the ghost murmurs. "go back to sleep."

somehow you do. you feel warm again, cradled in the fluffiest of dreams. there's an encroaching coldness, though, a frigid draft threatening to creep in. you sleep through it. you'll talk to skully about it tomorrow.

maybe some ghosts aren't banished during halloween.

maybe some ghosts are made of flesh and blood.

[sevs-corner]

PART 2 to:

Same PSA(s) hehe✌️

• Before you guys arrived at the place, all of you undressed to civilian clothes and (try to) be lowkey

• Going out of the changing room at the airport, you couldn't help but smile at how the boys still had their signature fits on

• Price, of course, kept his signature beanie on him

• Ghost had a plain black mask on with sunglasses on making him extra edgy, plus the fingerless skeleton gloves which just tells you of his emo phase

• Gaz had his favorite hat on his head and a scarf around his neck (which you soon learn is actually Price's)

• Soap had his signature jacket that he wears around everywhere outside of missions (which you also come to learn is actually Ghost's)

• "Lookin' chic guys!" you complimented with a playful grin, hand on your hip while the other cups your chin and you took in their look up and down

• "why thank you lassie!" Once Soap sees you, he ruffles your hair and gives you a grin of his own. "Lookin' quite a beaut ya'self!"

• "Aw~ stop butterin' me up Soapie!" you quickly put Soap in a noogie position to which he took as a challenge and was about to the same until he catches the look on Price's face

• "we have to get goin'," Price decided, walking towards the direction of two cars

• "did y'all fix the stuff in the cars already?" you asked astonished at how fast they worked to place all the boxes of your things in the cars Laswell provided for you five

• Ghost nods, "wasn't much anyways," as he falls into step with you going to the other car to drive

• "sorry I took too long to help," you pouted and grabbed at Ghost's pinky who just looked down at you with his eyes crinkling

• "its all good pup," Soap chimed in, "you would've held us back anyways." Winking at your huffed out expression, Ghost couldn't help the chuckle at how easy it was for them to tease you

• "am I that big of distraction, huh?" you turn to Ghost for reaffirmation. "I'm not, right?"

• Ghost in turn just shrugs, "you talk too much."

• Leaving you agape in the dust, Soap cackled all the way to the car, quickly hopping in shotgun (knowing how you would always call it and would get you even more pissed)

• "Riley! MacTavish!" you cursed them, "you will rue to the day you called me yapper!!"

• "Corporal!" you feel the hairs on your neck stand on end, "get to the car already- asap!" Price shouted from the car that was already exiting the hangar.

• You huffed, mumbling a 'yes dad' then quickly jogging to the car, only to see a smirking Johnny from your seat.

• So you threw him a glare with a finger before swinging the door open and hopping in with a growl

• "Can't believe you even took shotgun."

• "Well, you took too long yapping pup."

• "… just pass me the aux cord."

• "aye aye~."

• "Don’t play that dogshit asian songs." Ghost silently remarks from the wheel to which you- once again- groaned out

• "number 1- its called 'k-pop'!" you lifted another finger, "and number 2- that's not my vibe right now so I'm playing some songs from the 80s."

• The two at the front had to suppress another round of chuckles to avoid annoying further but your reactions were too cute for them not to capitalize on

• "why the 80s?" Soap asks, already bopping his head to the beat of the first song you played

• "seems that’s the era where you old folks were born at," you sputtered at your snide remark, not able to continue your sentence from how funny you thought it was, and seeing it unfold- made all three of you laugh once more

• Blissfully unaware of whats to come in the coming weeks of living under one roof

• "Alright chaps meeting start NOW!" Price commanded and all of you quickly got into seats at the very bare living room

• Once you saw the mansion of a house at the villa from the address Laswell provided you all, you would think it would at least be furnished or furbished (tomato tomato)

• But no, it was like Soap's garden at your original base- barren.

• Hence the purpose of the current meeting

• "When Laswell said we'd be rebuilding our lives somewhere else- I didn't know she'd meant it literally."

• Hearing your spiteful words, everyone sighs in agreement.

• "She's doing too much."

• "But maybe its purposeful?" Gaz offers in consolation but all he got in return of a response was a glower from you

• "purposeful for my demise- that's what!" Soap agrees in tandem while Price return to the topic at hand

• "Alright, why don't we split responsibilities?"

• You instantly perk up once again, "I call interior designing the place!"

• Everyone looks at you incredulously, until resulting to a laugh once they realized your intention from the way you pulled out your lovely companion and perched 'em on your shoulder.

• "Ghostie has to come with me Price, please?" you begged, Price responding with an equally playful smirk to which Ghost paled at

• "You can handle the hardware stuff in the meantime, yea?"

• Ghost relents and nods while you came skipping in front of him with an excited smile on your face

• "You'll love the food there Ghostie- promise!" you offer Blahaj as a peace offering and he couldn't deny your bubbly self

• "Alright," he grunts whilst smiling, "as long as you pay, kit."

• "Obviously!" you proudly huffed as Ghost ruffles your hair affectionately, while grabbing Blahaj with his other hand

• "Alright, grocery shopping… that's me and-"

• "Me?" Soap ask to his captain but was immediately shut down by Gaz who already had a shopping list in hand, making the former's jaw drop

• "Gaz." Price says so appreciatively in a hum that you swear that you saw some hearts flying out of the cap'n's ears

• "Don't worry cap'n, I got this." Gaz walks up to him and places a hand on his shoulder, pulling him into a whisper making you raise a brow with a pursed lip

• Seeing them do that made you do the same with Simon, who you had to climb to get even close to ear

• "..he has to be so down bad for him right?"

• Alas, whispering is not in your vocabulary.

• Making Soap cackle so hard while the others (including Ghost who had to support you by placing an under your ass to carry you as his side)

• "What do you mean by that..?" Gaz asks exasperatedly.

• You looked at him aghast, "means you're so deeply in love with cap that my theory was you're gonna fuck him later."

• Simon sputters, cracking your bravado façade as a detective but makes the other two groan

• "Sweetie…you're not letting us live this down, huh?"

• "Nope. Bye~!"

• "Hey! Wait what am I gonna do???"

• "Watch the house!"

• "WHAT AM I TO YOU FECKS? A GUARD DOG?"

• "yes."

• A unison surrounding agreement makes Soap fall to his knees, weeping while the two of you left.

• Price ultimately deciding to go with Gaz anyways for… reasons.

[ohdorothea]

This tournament is being run by and for queer fans, homophobes will be blocked on sight <3 More info about the tournament here!

Lyrics for the songs under the cut <3

Write in the tags your interpretations or propaganda for a specific song! Tags will be used to decide what songs may be saved if there are extra slots in the next round!

All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor's Version) (From The Vault)"

I walked through the door with you, the air was cold

But something 'bout it felt like home somehow

And I left my scarf there at your sister's house

And you've still got it in your drawer, even now

Oh, your sweet disposition and my wide-eyed gaze

We're singing in the car, getting lost upstate

Autumn leaves falling down like pieces into place

And I can picture it after all these days

And I know it's long gone and

That magic's not here no more

And I might be okay, but I'm not fine at all

Oh, oh, oh

'Cause there we are again on that little town street

You almost ran the red 'cause you were lookin' over at me

Wind in my hair, I was there

I remember it all too well

Photo album on the counter, your cheeks were turning red

You used to be a little kid with glasses in a twin-sized bed

And your mother's telling stories 'bout you on the tee-ball team

You taught me 'bout your past, thinking your future was me

And you were tossing me the car keys, "fuck the patriarchy"

Key chain on the ground, we were always skipping town

And I was thinking on the drive down, any time now

He's gonna say it's love, you never called it what it was

'Til we were dead and gone and buried

Check the pulse and come back swearing it's the same

After three months in the grave

And then you wondered where it went to as I reached for you

But all I felt was shame and you held my lifeless frame

And I know it's long gone and

There was nothing else I could do

And I forget about you long enough

To forget why I needed to

'Cause there we are again in the middle of the night

We're dancing 'round the kitchen in the refrigerator light

Down the stairs, I was there

I remember it all too well

And there we are again when nobody had to know

You kept me like a secret, but I kept you like an oath

Sacred prayer and we'd swear

To remember it all too well, yeah

Well, maybe we got lost in translation

Maybe I asked for too much

But maybe this thing was a masterpiece

'Til you tore it all up

Running scared, I was there

I remember it all too well

And you call me up again just to break me like a promise

So casually cruel in the name of being honest

I'm a crumpled up piece of paper lying here

'Cause I remember it all, all, all

They say all's well that ends well, but I'm in a new Hell

Every time you double-cross my mind

You said if we had been closer in age maybe it would have been fine

And that made me want to die

The idea you had of me, who was she?

A never-needy, ever-lovely jewel whose shine reflects on you

Not weeping in a party bathroom

Some actress asking me what happened, you

That's what happened, you

You who charmed my dad with self-effacing jokes

Sipping coffee like you're on a late-night show

But then he watched me watch the front door all night, willing you to come

And he said, "It's supposed to be fun turning twenty-one"

Time won't fly, it's like I'm paralyzed by it

I'd like to be my old self again, but I'm still trying to find it

After plaid shirt days and nights when you made me your own

Now you mail back my things and I walk home alone

But you keep my old scarf from that very first week

'Cause it reminds you of innocence and it smells like me

You can't get rid of it

'Cause you remember it all too well, yeah

'Cause there we are again when I loved you so

Back before you lost the one real thing you've ever known

It was rare, I was there

I remember it all too well

Wind in my hair, you were there

You remember it all

Down the stairs, you were there

You remember it all

It was rare, I was there

I remember it all too well

And I was never good at telling jokes, but the punch line goes

"I'll get older, but your lovers stay my age"

From when your Brooklyn broke my skin and bones

I'm a soldier who's returning half her weight

And did the twin flame bruise paint you blue?

Just between us, did the love affair maim you, too?

'Cause in this city's barren cold

I still remember the first fall of snow

And how it glistened as it fell

I remember it all too well

Just between us, did the love affair maim you all too well?

Just between us, do you remember it all too well?

Just between us, I remember it (Just between us), all too well

Wind in my hair, I was there, I was there

Down the stairs, I was there, I was there

Sacred prayer, I was there, I was there

It was rare, you remember it all too well

Wind in my hair, I was there, I was there

Down the stairs, I was there, I was there

Sacred prayer, I was there, I was there

It was rare, you remember it

Wind in my hair, I was there, I was there

Down the stairs, I was there, I was there

Sacred prayer, I was there, I was there

It was rare, you remember it

Wind in my hair, I was there, I was there

Down the stairs, I was there, I was there

Sacred prayer, I was there, I was there

It was rare, you remember it

Girl At Home (Taylor's Version)"

Don't look at me, you got a girl at home

And everybody knows that, everybody knows that, ah-ah

Don't look at me, you got a girl at home

And everybody knows that

I don't even know her

But I feel a responsibility

To do what's upstanding and right

It's kinda like a code, yeah

And you've been getting closer and closer

And crossing so many lines

And it would be a fine proposition

If I was a stupid girl

But, honey, I am no one's exception

This, I have previously learned

So don't look at me, you got a girl at home

And everybody knows that, everybody knows that, ah-ah

Don't look at me, you got a girl at home

And everybody knows that, everybody knows that

I see you turn off your phone

And now you've got me alone, and I say

Don't look at me, you got a girl at home

And everybody knows that, everybody knows that

I just wanna make sure

You understand perfectly

You're the kind of man who makes me sad

While she waits up

You chase down the newest thing

And take for granted what you have

And it would be a fine proposition

If I was a stupid girl

And, yeah, I might go with it

If I hadn't once been just like her

So don't look at me, you got a girl at home

And everybody knows that, everybody knows that, ah-ah

Don't look at me, you got a girl at home

And everybody knows that, everybody knows that

I see you turn off your phone

And now you've got me alone, and I say

Don't look at me, you got a girl at home

And everybody knows that, everybody knows that

Oh-oh

Oh-oh

Call a cab, lose my number

You're about to lose your girl

Call a cab, lose my number

Let's consider this lesson learned

Don't look at me, you got a girl at home

And everybody knows that, everybody knows that, ah-ah

Don't look at me, you got a girl at home

And everybody knows that, everybody knows that

Wanna see you pick up your phone

And tell her you're coming home

Don't look at me, you got a girl at home

And everybody knows that, everybody knows that

It would be a fine proposition

If I hadn't once been just like her

[radicalpeachez]

Man Is Five

A one shot where Vulpes Inculta finds Archer in the Atomic Wrangler and gets him drunk, seeking information on the man.

This is my first time writing a fic for both characters, it was for fun and exploration so i didn’t do any revisions 💜 enjoy.

Vulpes was seated at the bar of the Atomic Wrangler. He adjusted his bowtie for the millionth time, smoothing out his lapels and collar as he carefully avoided eye contact with the Garrets. As long as he averted his gaze, they couldn't care who he was or what his business was at their Casino. As long as he bought a drink and kept to himself, he was certain he'd quickly become their new favourite patron.

He was waiting for that Profligate, Archer. The one Caesar had him set his eyes the moment he'd gotten word of this supposed 'Dead Man Walking' making his way across the Mojave with nothing more than a pistol and a plan for revenge.

It was Nipton where they'd first met.

Vulpes remembered it clear as day.

The lottery cage had rolled, and the Powder Gangers as well as every other degenerate in that cesspool town laid dead or crucified. The Nipton Lottery, a great atrocity sure to capture the attention of their foes from the West.

As they were gathering their bearings to leave, a newcomer came rolling through.

Vulpes recalled every moment, the slight limp in the profligates gait but the confident strides he took that slowed to a halt when he saw the atrocities the legion had committed. He recalled approaching him when the Profligate lingered on the crucified degenerates, and how he didn't react till the very last moment of his approach.

"Don't worry, I won't have you lashed to a cross like the rest of these degenerates. It's useful that you happened by." Vulpes greeted coolly, looking up at the Powder Ganger who groaned in agony before his eyes fell to the man in front of him.

He was tall and broad, attributes while not rare, certainly uncommon amongst locals. He was no Legate Lanius in stature, but he was certainly imposing. His face obscured by a ratty old scarf, goggles, and a cowboy hat. What little skin that was visible was dirty and smudged, and his duster was spattered with blood much like his pants. It wasn't a rare sight to see a drifter in such a state.

"I had a funny dream like this once..." The man said, pulling down the scarf and off the glasses.

Under the protective layers, the drifter bore a strange expression, like he was smiling except half his face didn't respond to the command. It remained neutral drooping while the other side appeared to function as normal. He spied the scar on his temple, still fresh with crusted blood along the edge. The drifter's hair was uneven, one side shaved only in the front, remaining long and wild otherwise. His face was clean shaven and smile lines appeared when the one side crinkled into what would appear to be a friendly expression.

"Except I was the one on the cross. Hope you make good of that promise... not throwin' me up there." He added, with a southern drawl.

"That all depends on what you choose to do next." Vulpes replied calmly.

The Profligate took off his glove and extended his hand, maintaining that lopsided grin as he spoke. "Name's Archer Caddel. Nice to make your acquaintance."

"I am Vulpes Inculta, of Caesar's Legion."

Vulpes had expected for him to disappear into the desert sands and never hear the name again, but he was proven wrong in only a few weeks time. Archer Caddel. Courier 6. The dead man from Goodsprings. He'd managed to gain a reputation and name for himself in such short time, and soon enough Caesar was even interested in the man.

It wasn't long before he was tasked with keeping an eye on the Courier's movements. That's how he found himself sitting in one of these degenerate Casino's, waiting on his estimated arrival.

Archer had been granted the privilege of Presidential suites in every casino he'd entered. This he knew. What he also knew was he never returned to those Casino's outside of work purposes. He knew this because Archer hardly stayed in any of these places long enough to get roped into the tantalizing allure of the Vegas life style.

He was always on the go, he hadn't spotted him taking a rest once.

Until he found out where he truly frequented.

If the Tops, Gomorrah, and Lucky 38 were the epitome of a cesspool, then the Atomic Wrangler was ground zero.

He didn't think it could get more depraved than Gomorrah, but even he could be proven wrong.

News traveled fast through word of mouth. Freeside praised the Courier's actions and it all traced back to the atomic wrangler where he was still seated, waiting for Archer to make an appearance. He didn’t wish to linger longer than he had to, as that cowgirl ghoul was giving him a strange look as though she was ready to pounce and eat him.

He idly swirled his drink, a sunset sarsaparilla mocktail. The legion frowned upon the indulgence of such vices, but he did what he must to blend in. That was the job of the Frumentari, do or die.

Just as he was getting ready to leave, the door swung open and the Courier entered. His eyes blazed something ferocious, and as they briefly scanned the area Vulpes knew they had landed on him, but the vacant expression on the other mans face told him all he needed to know… that he’d essentially saw through and past him.

Archer dragged himself over to the stool next to Vulpes and sat down, rapping his knuckles twice against the counter.

“Whiskey please, Francine.”

“That’ll be 6 caps Archer.” Francine Garret said, grabbing him a glass.

The drifter was different now than how he was at Nipton. The scar on his temple had healed into a pale mark that dipped inwards, partially covered by his hair that had grown longer, enhancing its unevenness and he’d grown a rough stubble over his chin. He had a few new scars peaking out from under the collar of his shirt as well.

The Wasteland had been far from kind to him in the last couple months, that was certain

Archer had a hardened expression on his face as the cup was slid over him in exchange for the bottle caps, guaranteed the first drink of many that night.

"I hate that number." He’d muttered, words as bitter as absinthe as he brought his cup to his lips.

"Are you superstitious?" Vulpes piped up, almost amused by the prospect.

"Let him take it... let Courier six take the package..." Archer continued nonsensically, as though he hadn't heard Vulpes' question. He just leaned back in his seat and threw back the rest of his drink. The moment his cup hit the counter, was he already knocking the bar for another. "Six, six, six... the doggone devil's number!"

Another cup was in his hand just as fast and Archer threw down a handful of caps that James Garret swept up this time as he walked past, nodding to him.

Vulpes sipped his own drink, eyeing him curiously. He wouldn’t ask what happened, he couldn’t care less what kind of wasteland hell Archer was subjected to moments before arriving. However if it meant loosening his lips for the sake of information, he wouldn’t mind spending the caps to help speed up the process of getting the drifter into the throes of his vice.

He flagged down the Garrets and purchased a few bottles of their whiskey then shifted to fully face Archer, refilling his drink when his head was bowed, hidden in the palms of his hands.

“The devils number… what’s your lucky number then? A gambling man such as yourself should have one…” Vulpes asked, finally.

Archer lifted his, looking Vulpes up and down before he straightened his posture. His expression read like he was sifting through a fog to grasp what was in front of him, seemingly thinking of how to answer the question.

It wasn’t scrutinizing the way he looked down at him, no. Vulpes would compare it to someone hard of seeing the way he scrunched up his face..His silence never malicious, Archer was truly taking the time to remember or understand. The price of this was, more often than not, Archer getting attacked before he could fully comprehend what was going on before him.

Vulpes had watched this happen at least 3 times prior to their current meeting.

“I ain’t a gambler… it’s all luck and my luck is shit.” Archer muttered, taking the glass again.

“But you must have a lucky number? Even we do in the…” Vulpes trailed off, the slightest chuckle in his voice as he prepared to change the subject. He understood now. Archer truly didn’t recognize him in this disguise. “My lucky number is 5.”

There was a pause, Archer shifting in his stool to be fully facing Vulpes.

“85.” Archer replied, taking a more polite sip of his drink.

“Why 85?”

“Well why 5?”

Vulpes closed his eyes, finishing his drink, which was nothing more than watered down soda at this point, and tapped his index against the thin handle of the glass.

“There is strength, in the number 5. It is how many… men I take with me on expeditions.” He spoke carefully, his expression thoughtful as he wove in the reasoning to the made-up statement. Quick on his feet he was, as usual. “Five fingers, five toes, five limbs…”

“The head ain’t a limb.” Archer interrupted.

“An extension of the body, the head is an appendage. It is a limb.” Vulpes responded a little too quick for his own liking. He smoothed out the front of his jacket again, which hadn’t even gotten a mere crinkle in the fabric. “The point being, 5 is the natural order of being.”

Archer scoffed and leaned back into his seat, seemingly ruminating on the concept.

Vulpes managed to refill his glass two more times before Archer spoke again.

“Man is five, I guess that makes sense... makes the devil six." He decided out loud, running a finger around the rim slowly.

Vulpes could see Archer’s eyes were now glazed, his pupils dilated, and jaw relaxed. From their proximity alone he could feel the vibration of the other man humming along to the music of the nearby radio. The tremor in his hand seemed to have left too as the alcohol ran its course. He wondered if Archer knew when to stop, or if he would drink as long as the tap was flowing until he drowned himself in his vice.

"Now you have to tell me why 85 is your lucky number. What’s the significance?” Vulpes said while topping up Archer’s glass.

“Nothin’ to it.” Archer answered. “Just see patterns… it always follows me so I figure it must be important somehow.”

He reached into his pocket and after some rummaging pulled out three items. The chip, a lighter and an oviod shaped metal container.

Archer, although he didn’t speak, pointed at the number on each one. The chip, a token from the Lucky 38 of course, had an 8. It took everything in his power to not reach out and take the chip the moment it hit the bar and run out the door, but he couldn’t do that. Caesar wanted to meet the dead man walking himself, see what drove him to pull himself out of the ground and march to hells gates. He had to follow the plan… even if the chip was right there, it would fall into their possession soon enough.

He turned his attention instead to the lighter, which had Archer’s name and last name inscribed on it and on the very bottom read 85. The last one on the top had an inscription in the exact same font saying ‘Home is where the heart is’

Nothing on there was a number.

It was as though Archer had read his thoughts. His movements were sluggish as he picked up the item, and reached into his shirt where he pulled out a key attached to a chain. When he inserted it into the key hole and twisted, the lock released and the top part lifted.

The moment it opened, it started playing a haunting little melody, some notes sounded off and others went unplayed. Inside was a compass, its arrow spinning wildly without rhyme or reason. It would stop for a moment, then start spinning the other way before repeating the cycle.

Vulpes was nearly mesmerized by the movement, almost missing the 51 engraved on the inside of the lid, and underneath was a star.

Out of all these items, Archer had combined 85 to be a pattern. It sounded ridiculous, making him scoff. The whole conversation was ridiculous from the start.

“Wanna hear about the dream I had?” Archer asked, shutting the compass which abruptly cut off the music.

Vulpes watched as he picked up the chip and shoved it into his pocket with the compass. Archer took the lighter into his hand, flicking it open and closed with his thumb.

Over, and over, and over.

“Why not.” Vulpes replied after a moment of hesitation, watching the courier fidget with his lighter.

“Think it was another warning… I had a really bad headache before it happened.” Archer began, igniting a flame. “Didn’t see Christ that time… but I was in a field. A big, green field, with cat tail weeds ticklin’ my finger tips. I was all by myself staring at the empty field, the sun to my back.”

“Any wastelander would kill for a moment of peace like that.” Vulpes grabbed Archer’s cup and pushed it closer to him.

“You’d think… but I couldn’t relax. I was cemented to the ground and paralyzed… I felt eyes on me from every angle, and my heart was poundin’, beggin’ for me to move.” Archer accepted the glass, sparing Vulpes a glance with a strange expression on his face, an express he couldn’t quite name. It didn’t matter cause Archer clearly didn’t have a reason to refuse the drink, and down the hatch it went in one gulp.

Amazing, like a bottomless pit.

Clearing his throat, Archer continued.

“Then a little fox came out of the bush, the details were all kinds blurry. It weren’t a red fox, it was white. Can’t remember the doggone word for it, but it’s an illness. That little fox stared at me with it’s big ol’ eyes and I felt just about the same way I did when I was face to face with a death claw.”

“But a fox cannot hurt you like a deathclaw can.” Vulpes reasoned, uncorking a second bottle of whiskey. Before he could fill Archer’s glass, the other man covered the cup with his hand and shook his head.

“Don’t matter what’s real or not. A dreams dream, means it ain’t real. It’s got meanin’, and that little fox sure as hell meant more than what was bein’ seen.” Archer added. “That sensation wasn’t just a memory, it was as true as could be. I have no damn clue what it meant, but it meant somethin’.”

Archer flicked the lighter closed, snubbing the flame as he scooted out of his chair to stand. “Course I knew it was one of them visions… woke up several miles from my last pit stop in a ditch with a sunburn… I wouldn’t call it sleep walkin’, but when the headaches are bad enough I end up blackin’ out then surely it’s a warning.”

“What on earth could you possibly need to be wary of?” Vulpes scoffed, mimicking the pretentious drawl many gamblers used. He understood the concept of omens well enough, having his fair share of them.

Archer didn’t need to know that.

To Archer, he was just another gambler on the cesspool that was the Vegas strip.

Just another face in the crowd.

And tomorrow? A different face.

The fox in the tall grass, with the presence of a Deathclaw.

“I’ll figure it out. I always do.” Archer grunted, pocketing his lighter then tossing a handful of caps onto the bar. “Thanks for the drinks.”

Vulpes turned on his stool, watching the Courier saunter his way up the stairs and down the hall towards the room, a certain sway in how he walked as the drinks clearly had done their job.

Too little, too late.

That didn’t matter in the moment. Soon Archer would make his way to the cove , and until then Vulpes would keep an eye on him.

Always five feet behind, watching, and listening.

[letmeapologise]

Vacation with erling in norway and going to watch his old club molde play and him getting all nostalgic?

❝ 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰 𝐦𝐞 ❞

.ೃ 𝐬𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬 ! 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐟 𝐠𝐨 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐛 𝐧 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞 ✰ ´ˎ˗

⋆ ｡ ˚ ⋆ 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 ⌇ 𝐟𝐞𝐦 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫. 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐚 ੈ✩‧₊˚

˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆ 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 ⌇ 𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐱 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 ✧˚ ༘ ⋆｡♡˚

ೄྀ࿐ 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 ⌇ 𝟐.𝟎𝐤 !

↳ 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫'𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞 ೃ⁀➷ 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐮 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭 ! 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞. 𝐢 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐬𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐬 "𝐡𝐞𝐲𝐲. 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐲𝐞𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐢 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐬𝐤 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐢 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐲𝐩𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐧𝐭? 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 <𝟑😭 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞" 𝐧 𝐢'𝐦 𝐬𝐨 𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐢 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐚𝐛𝐭 𝐢𝐭. 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐨𝐤𝐚𝐲 𝐰 𝐮? 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐢𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐫'𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐧 𝐧 𝐢'𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐬. 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐮 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐧 𝐢 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐮 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞 ! 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞, 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐬 !

“ARE YOU READY?” you asked your boyfriend, lounging around in the pool with a cocktail in hand. He raised his sunglasses onto his forehead, giving you a sly grin. “Give me ten more minutes,” you rolled your eyes at him, his ability to wait until the last minute to do things and then actually do it infuriated you, whenever you did so you were late due to preparing yourself for hours in advance.

“You still need to dry off, Erl,” he glared at you as if thinking over the truth behind your words, then practically leaped off the inflatable bed he was on.

You turned your back to him on instinct, the water only splashing a few droplets onto your jeans, you were wearing his old Molde shirt – fitting, really – that you had conveniently found the week prior in an old laundry hamper, it wasn’t in much use now that he had transferred to three other clubs, but you still kept it around – for sentimental value – you insisted, he just turned his nose up about it.

Yet here he was, leaping at the opportunity to see his old club play, well – not exactly – he was still in the process of trying to lift himself out of the pool and flopping himself on the side. It wasn’t a very long drive to Erling’s first stadium, the Aker Stadion, and was beautifully situated by the sea that made for some very scenic pictures that you forced him to take of you and him both.

Then you made your way into the stadium, relatively empty, and surprisingly – not surprisingly if you had originally thought about it – were introduced to by the club’s president and other senior high ranking officials for Molde; likely wanting to see their golden boy who flew off from the nest. 

Erling shook their hands politely then returned his hand to the small of your back and guiding you to the seats in which you would be sitting. Eventually the stadium began to get more crowded, people flowing through the entrance to the far right of your seats, some waving over and jeering at Haaland; one being motivated enough to walk through a good few dozen people just to reach your reserved seats.

Erling laughed, waving him off as he came to him but nonetheless he persisted and your boyfriend signed the front of his shirt and a Manchester City scarf conveniently brought to the game.

You raised your eyebrows at it, scrunching your nose in confusion, but Erling simply nudged you. “He’s been supporting the club for ages, no doubt he would have recognised me,” you scoffed, laughing. The stadium now getting a bit rowdier, waves of blue and black as people flocked in to find their seats, then the chants started. “Haaland, Haaland!” and his ears practically prickled up at it, looking around while grinning.

Most fans had picked up on the fact he was here, but those who actually saw him were now pointing jokingly at him as they chanted, scarves of different colours being pinned to the air as they did so.

The atmosphere wasn’t electrifying, you found resemblances to the Premier League in which you found the best so far, Haaland still insisted the Bundesliga was the best. But you couldn’t miss the way his eyes gleamed upon watching the players walk out for the pre-match warmup and you were sure he was about to sprint onto the pitch and grab a shirt for himself to play for his childhood team.

His eyes, if you looked closely in a split second — as if it was a rare phenomenon, a shooting star streaking through the sky once in a million years — sparkled with anticipation, and for a split second you saw him playing for this club, before you. It was as if you were competing in your head for his love, you or his first passion for the game, without this club he wouldn’t be the person you love today.

Even if he never admitted it, you knew he loved this club with his dying breath, he looked like he was warming up in his head along with the other players. You doubted he recognised any of the current players, too far from his time, maybe you were wrong. Maybe he kept himself updated on them, checking fixtures. He definitely did. You knew by the way his eyes were fixated on the pitch, eyes targeting in on the ball.

You smiled at his side profile, giggling softly to yourself and then resting your head on his shoulder. He looked down, kissing you quickly on the forehead and patting over your hair softly, then glanced back over at the game. You knew his love for this club outweighed you, you were okay with it, it wasn’t a jealous thing. It was just like seeing a glimpse into his past, like looking at baby pictures of each other knowing you had no idea about the other at the time.

Yet here you are, you feel like you’ve known him your whole life and are destined to be with him. Maybe that’s what he felt like with Molde. Did he want to leave? Or did he have to in order to succeed?

If anything he looked at them like they were the best on earth, and now you simply had to agree with him, anything he looked at this way was worth your time and attention, anything he loved you loved. Half-time swung round quickly and he turned to look at you with a completely neutral expression, his starry eyes still remaining though.

“Good game so far?” you chirped, he nodded. “I thought so.” It was going well for Molde, being one nil up against Rosenborg, Erling sipped peacefully on his drink, no longer glued to the pitch laid out in front of him. Then an idea popped into your head. You excused yourself from your boyfriend momentarily, him clinging onto your leg and insisting he come with you when you claimed you were going to the toilet — a lie, obviously — and you shook your head at him.

“Am I not an independent woman?” he rolled his eyes at you. “That’s the problem,” he mumbled, letting go of you and resting his arms by his side, facing forward away from you as if in a toddler tantrum. You grinned to yourself, heading towards the area where you were stopped by the club’s president, finding him quickly — only hoping your boyfriend had fallen for your lie and wasn’t scouring the area for you, seeing as his box was near your seats — and giving him a small wave.

He beckoned you over with a polite smile, recognising you immediately. “Hello?” he asked, as if to say — what do you want? 

You smiled at him courteously, returning the favour, before coughing and preparing your question. “Would it be alright if Erling met some of the players after the match?” you inquired anxiously in Norwegian, relying on his kindness to surprise Erling.

He looked at you momentarily, eventually cracking a smile and chuckling to himself, an individual next to him who you assumed was his friend joining in with him. You gave him a lighthearted smile in return, and he simply nodded. “I’ll sort it out to have someone come to your seats,” he nodded, his eyes wrinkling up as he spoke. “Thank you very much,” you grinned, bowing your head slightly down as a polite goodbye gesture and walking back towards your seats.

“Why’d you go that way?” Erling asked, scrunching his nose up. “The toilets are that way,” he pointed in the opposite direction and you scoffed, shrugging at him as you took your seat next to him as he tucked his legs in to allow you to pass through.

“I don’t know where I’m going,” you admitted. “You left here basically as we started dating so I’ve only been here once or twice,” it was a half-truth, if anything a very well put together lie on your behalf, and yet he wasn’t fooled.

“You’re not a good liar,” he said, facing his head straight on as the players started coming out again for the second half. You glared at him, smirking as he presumably saw you through the corner of his eye, despite barely paying any attention to you due to the game.

“It’s a surprise, so shut up.” You pushed him lightly and he laughed, grinning at you before becoming addicted to the pitch in front of him once more. The second half went by smoothly, and upon the ref blowing the whistle fans roared, the result being three nil to your boyfriend’s first club, Molde.

He had a smile up to his ears and practically hopped up with excitement, allowing you past him and taking your hand in his, turning to the exit, you pulled him towards you. “My surprise,” you nudged, sitting back down. He frowned at you, furrowing his brows and half-collapsing onto the plastic chair in impatience.

“It’ll be worth it,” you nodded, watching as people flocked past you, Erling half-buried his face in your shoulder to hide from people in case they asked for autographs and so on and so forth, but he couldn’t hide his height or stature. 

If anyone just saw his shadow, not his face, they would know it’s him. Who else puts their hair up in a blonde ponytail like that?

Two or three people tapped him on the shoulder, two of which being teenagers or young adults and the other a middle aged man, you were surprised the fan from earlier didn’t come along to say goodbye. Of course, upon Erling looking up and signing various objects, more people realised he was there and gathered around him; he was about done with the thirtieth person or around that mark, making it impossible to leave your seats, and you were beginning to think maybe your surprise was a bad idea.

What if the president forgot? What did he mean by someone ‘coming to your seats’? Did he mean the next match? 

You grumbled profanities under your breath, watching as your boyfriend turned away from you to sign things and take photos with fans. He was finally finishing up, returning to sit back down and asking you when your ‘surprise’ was meant to happen, when someone else tapped on his shoulder. You had just shrugged in response, but when you looked up to see who it was you grinned. Erling was still looking down, waving a hand to the person behind him in assumption that it was another fan wanting to meet him.

“Not now, sorry,” he politely chuckled, still not looking up.

He obviously didn’t hear the sound of them walking away, so he looked up and turned around, mouth open to make another excuse. “Sorry, I’ve just–” his jaw slacked open in place, his old teammate Aursnes. He stood up and grabbed him, pulling him in for quite possibly the tightest hug you’ve ever seen in your life. He broke off of the hug, twisting his head back at you.

“Is this the surprise?” you scoffed, nodding at him with a grin plastered on your face at his reaction. He hummed in satisfaction, eyes darting back to his friend.

“How’ve you been?” he asked in Norwegian, catching up with Aursnes. He nodded back, slapping his back. “Good, you?” he inquired, staring at him thoughtfully. “Seen you’ve been doing well at Manchester City,” your ears perked up at the English word, grinning slyly to yourself. “Yeah,” he hummed, thinking out-loud. “It’s been good, the Premier League is very different to here.”

Aursnes laughed, stuffing his hands in his short pockets. “Guess it helps to be six four,” he chuckled, Erling just nodded until he started leading him off down towards the pitch.

He looked back at you, tilting his head with a smile as you watched him traverse down the tunnel of his childhood club, and you made a mental note to book another trip back here very soon – if Man. C. would allow it, if they saw what you saw they’d think he was one step away from transferring back.

୨୧ @𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐞. 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐝. 𝐝𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞, 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭, 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 ୨୧

[ask-missparker]

I Remember It All Too Well..

SpiderMan Far From Home

Setting: Phase 3– Post Endgame

Continuing this post

~

Pairing: Quinten Beck x Amelia M. Parker

~~~

Take a break she says, it’ll be fun she says..

Nothing on the schedule said anything about being dragged into SHIELD work, taking care of a bunch of teenagers and seeing in person you haven’t talked to in years…

It was late at night.

Most of the students and teachers were at the hotel probably asleep, and here stood Amelia taking a walk, scouting the sights for the trip. As well as snapping pictures for Fury.

She wasn’t even technically working for Fury anymore and yet, she was still be given orders by her old boss. Hill wasn’t even far behind.

And what made it worse than Fury’s orders, was the man that was supposedly working with them on this new project.

Beck.

She swear that moment she heard his name and saw his face, she froze. His hair was longer than she thought, his built was carved out within a green silk suit, and the polished attuned ways of talking to them.

Every word he uttered could’ve easily been a lie.

But then again, she wasn’t seen him in years. Hell, they didn’t really know too much about one another, as their relationship only lasted a few short months.

She wish she could just—

“Didn’t expect to see you here at this timely hour?”

She whipped her head around to notice him floating down from the steps and catching up to her feet quickly enough. He took that moment to study her features, her hair was darker, her facial expression were more angular than her softer appearance years before, and her eyes still spoke the same tone of the day they first held hands.

Beck couldn’t resist the sudden thought of the moment he stupidly broke her heart. He broke up with the girl over a text message and kept her scarf from the very first week, as it seemed like innocence, but smelled like her.

Everything felt like a blur now.

Each bad moment seemed like a thousand words different from the good.

Blurry lines and blurry images came into play as he watched her eyes scan his very own.

“Is this the part where you tell me that you were wrong and I was right? That you shouldn’t have stood there clueless when I walked in.” Amelia responded ever so softly and shrugged.

He sighed as a small scoff came under his lips, “I had no clue you were coming here. I didn’t even want you to get in involved with any of this.”

“A little too late…”

“Yeah, right, I didn’t want anyone in there to suspect that we had something going on beforehand. So I had to act stupid, sorry.”

“Alright. I guess that’s fair…you look, good.”

“I feel good…you um, you look like you haven’t aged a day. Still the same pretty face I met all those years ago.”

She scoffed as a light smile brushed against her face, “Flattery will get you nowhere, Beck.”

“Eh, had to try to make up for earlier.” He replied, smiling, as he declared that he’ll follow beside on this walk.

“…you don’t have to walk with me. I can handle myself.”

“I know. But I want to. I want to…apologize for everything.”

“Hmm how so?”

“I wasn’t sure what I had until I lost you twice..I wished that I was good enough to realize it.”

“Tell me more, tell me something I don’t know…”

“I was upset, confused and frustrated…I wasn’t appreciative of you, how you treated me so well…”

“We both had issues..I’m sorry if I offended you any further than I did, especially when we fought..”

“And I forgive you for it.”

The two smiled and nodded.

“You remember how much you would waste my time?” He said softly chuckled.

She looked at him lightly chuckling, “We wasted it right. I would take you out for coffee and you would cuddle with me at the cafe.”

“Then I would take us to my place for computer sessions, securing models for my new ideas…and I would’ve ordered us some burgers…I miss those days..I wished I told you that before..”

“Then time went on, we got busy, we would fight..I thought…I just wished you cared a little more, where you could stayed longer...I got tired waiting for us to move forward or do something else..”

“But you liked it…coming over to my place when nobody was home, find me coding or working on a new invention..we would just stay a while on the floor working…”

“Yeah..”

“You know, I did want us to eventually move forward, do something bigger…I wanted to buy us a bigger space..i had a gift for you too..”

That struck a chord with Amelia.

“A gift?” She asked, looking over her shoulder at his tall frame.

He half smiled, “I had a bracelet...I was planning on giving to you some time that summer..but I broke it off..”

“Why did you?”

“Hm?”

“Why did you break off with me? Over text? I tried calling but you never answered.”

“I just wasn’t in the right place at the time…work was hard, we were both very busy…I just wasn’t thinking straight.”

“And you weren’t even honest enough to tell me more about you..”

“The being from another earth thing..yeah, I was gonna tell you soon. But it never came up.”

“Which I don’t believe is fully true and neither is the power thing. But I will go along with whatever it is that you’re saying.”

The two just looked at each other, staring into one another’s eyes as if searching for answers…

—

———

Ahh that’s all folks! Let me know what you think 💭

TAGS: @blueboirick @rickb-chaos @missstrawbs2001 @purpleprincessonfyre @ask-starrk @meiramel @gcthvile @cherrysft @wizzzardofoz @luna-d-marsh

[arale2126]

They remember it all too well

And I know it's long gone and that magic's not here no more And I might be okay but I'm not fine at all

[...]

You told me 'bout your past thinking your future was me

[...]

"Any time now He's gonna say it's love," you never called it what it was

[...]

And I know it's long gone and there was nothing else I could do And I forget about you long enough to forget why I needed to

[...]

And there we are again when nobody had to know You kept me like a secret, but I kept you like an oath Sacred prayer and we'd swear To remember it all too well, yeah

[...]

And maybe we got lost in translation Maybe I asked for too much But maybe this thing was a masterpiece 'til you tore it all up Running scared, I was there I remember it all too well

[...]

They say all's well that ends well, but I'm in a new hell Every time you double-cross my mind

[...]

Time won't fly, it's like I'm paralyzed by it I'd like to be my old self again But I'm still trying to find it

[...]

But you keep my old scarf from that very first week 'Cause it reminds you of innocence And it smells like me You can't get rid of it 'Cause you remember it all too well, yeah

[...]

'Cause there we are again when I loved you so Back before you lost the one real thing you've ever known It was rare, I was there, I remember it all too well

[...]

And did the twin flame bruise paint you blue? Just between us, did the love affair maim you too?

[...]

Just between us, did the love affair maim you all too well? Just between us, do you remember it all too well? Just between us, I remember it (Just between us) all too well Wind in my hair, I was there, I was there (I was there) Down the stairs, I was there, I was there Sacred prayer, I was there, I was there It was rare, you remember it all too well Wind in my hair, I was there, I was there (Oh) Down the stairs, I was there, I was there (I was there) Sacred prayer, I was there, I was there It was rare, you remember it (All too well) Wind in my hair, I was there, I was there Down the stairs, I was there, I was there Sacred prayer, I was there, I was there It was rare, you remember it Wind in my hair, I was there, I was there Down the stairs, I was there, I was there Sacred prayer, I was there, I was there It was rare, you remember it

[a-simp-named-slickback]

Star-Crossed | Basim x OC | Part 1

This is the first chapter of my AC Mirage fan fiction featuring my OC Nashira, an astronomer’s daughter who Basim befriends in his youth.

Basim dashed through the streets of Abbasiyah, holding a purse of coins tight against his chest. He knew swiping money from that merchant in the bazaar was a risky move, but it was a risk he was willing to take at the time.

To the merchant, this amount of money was nothing compared to the rest of his fortune, but to Basim it could buy him food for the next couple of days, maybe even a week if he was frugal enough with it.

He panted as he ducked and dodged through the crowds. He glanced behind him, seeing the guards still hot on his trail. He had hoped to lose them by now but they persisted. At this rate he would soon tire and slow down, making it easy for them to capture him. If that happened, not only would he lose the money but his hand as well.

Basim kept his eyes peeled for any place he could hide: a dark alleyway, a crate, an abandoned home, anything. He knew Baghdad like the back of his hand. One learns a lot about a city when you’re always running away from someone. Soon the courtyard of the House of Wisdom came into view with its luscious gardens and crowds of scholars providing ample places to hide. As he sharply turned a corner his eyes landed on an open window with thin curtains billowing in the breeze. Without thinking, he bolted for the opening, jumping inside.

He landed with a huff, looking behind him to see if they followed. A barrage of footsteps ran past, growing fainter with each step until Basim could barely hear them anymore.

He let out a breath “One step ahead, as usual.” Basim thought to himself as he slipped the purse into his satchel. Now that that was over, Dervis would be expecting him for work soon. He’d need to head back to Anbar before it got dark, and Basim was a long way from home. He turned on his heel to dash away for good.

Just as his heartbeat returned to normal, he felt himself collide into something with an impact strong enough to send him straight to the floor. A thud rang out in the area, and Basim quickly scurried to the nearby wall where the window was. He looked up to see what, or rather who he bumped into, feeling his heartbeat skyrocket when he spotted a girl staring wide eyed back at him.

A girl, who with one scream, could summon the guards.

With a gasp, she quickly stood up, backing away from Basim. Her golden brown eyes bore into his. She looked quite young, if he had to guess she was somewhere near his age. Judging by the brilliant blue salwar kameez and the fine silk scarf around her neck, they lived very different lives. A number of scrolls and books were scattered around her, no doubt having fallen because of their collision.

He looked around to figure where he was. In his haste to get away from the guards, he hadn’t realized he’d made his way to the library. There were rows and rows of bookshelves and desks surrounding him. It didn’t seem like anyone else was in this room except for the two of them. That was good; even if she did scream he’d have time to dash before she could point him out.

Suddenly a guard came to the window, “You, girl! Have you seen a boy running through here?” He asked her.

Basim shrank from where the guard was, hoping he wouldn’t look down and see him cowering below. Still, he instinctually positioned himself so he’d be ready to run at a moment's notice if he needed to.

The girl glanced down at Basim, “I…um…” She watched as he silently pleaded with her to not tell the guard his whereabouts, but Basim saw the uncertainty in her eyes.

This part of the library held old tomes from scholars in the past, including texts from around the known world requested by the Caliph himself. Therefore, this room in the library wasn’t open to everyone. They had to have special permission from the head Scholar, which this boy clearly didn’t have.

Still, he was just a boy. A frightened looking one at that.

“Please,” He mouthed to her, as if to beg her to keep quiet about his whereabouts.

She looked up at the guard and cleared her throat, “I saw him go that way.” She pointed in the opposite direction and the guard darted that way in an instant.

The girl craned her head out the window, making sure he was long gone. She crouched down to meet Basim’s eyes, “It’s safe to come out now.” She said just above a whisper, as if she were scared the guard could somehow hear her.

Immediately, he let out a breath he wasn’t aware he was holding in. That's when eyes landed on the scattered books and scrolls along the floor, no doubt a result of his colliding with this girl. Feeling guilty, he crawled forward to gather them for her.

He cleared his throat, “Thank you…for not giving me away.” He said, looking up at her.

The girl gathered some books herself, “There is no need to thank me. I’m happy to help.”

The two of them carefully gathered the books as a silence hung over them. Every now and then

Basim would steal a glance at the girl next to him. The evening sunlight cast its golden glow on her, illuminating her soft features. Scattered across her face were a series of moles, the most prominent one just above her left eyebrow. Her dark curls billowed out of her scarf, framing her full cheeks.

She glanced his way as well and Basim quickly averted his gaze, realizing he had been staring at this girl for some time. He only hoped she could not see the redness spread across his cheeks. He shook off the feeling, choosing to instead turn his attention to the writings he held in his hands. He read the titles of some of the books as they both stood up.

He gasped when he saw a familiar name, “These are all writings by al-Khwarizmi?” he asked her.

The girl nodded, “I was just grabbing these for my father. al-Khwarizmi was his mentor. Do you know of him?” She asked.

“Know of him? I knew him,” He grinned, “When I was little I used to sneak into this very library and he would teach me mathematics and astronomy.” Basim smiled as fond memories of his time with that old man filled his mind again.

The girl's eyes widened, “Really? That's amazing!” She marveled, “What was he like?”

“Brilliant,” Basim answered, “Not very patient when I made mistakes, but he was kind nonetheless.” He looked down and realized he was still holding on to her books.

He cleared his throat, “Here.” He handed the girl her things, feeling a tingle shoot through him when his fingers touched hers.

He felt it again when she grabbed his arm, leading him out of the library and down the hall.

“You must meet my father!” She insisted, “He would love to meet another student of al-Kwarizmi.”

Basim stumbled behind her, not knowing what he got himself into, but nevertheless deciding to go along for the ride.

____________________________________________________________________________

Moment’s later, Basim found himself gazing at the ceiling of the room he entered. The girl brought him to what looked like an observatory, judging by the dome shaped ceiling with beautifully intricate designs of celestial bodies adorning it.

All around the room were star maps and other drawings. There were telescopes, compases, and many other tools along the walls, as well as large stacks of books messily gathered in the corners. There were two desks: one was full fo papers and scrolls with various compases and writing tools scattered around it, and the other was neatly organized with an large older man sitting there.

The girl gently sat the books and scrolls on a nearby table, scurrying her way over to the bearded man near the center of the room, “Baba, Baba!” she tugged on his sleeve to get his attention, though he seemed very deep into his work.

“One moment azizati, just need to figure out this calculation…” The older man stroked his graying beard, then fiddled with a nearby counter, “This doesn’t seem right…” He muttered to himself.

Basim watched as the girl drummed her fingers on the table, patiently waiting as her father wracked his brain over the mathematical formula. She sighed, looking over his shoulder at his work. She pointed to the paper, “You forgot to carry the two here, Baba.”

The man blinked, then threw his head back in a hearty chuckle that seemed to nearly shake the walls around them, “So it seems I have! Clever girl,” He patted her on the head, “Now, what was it you wanted to tell me?”

The girl motioned in Basim’s direction, “I want you to meet someone! This is-” She paused, “Oh, how rude of me. I haven’t even asked you your name.” She said, seeming embarrassed.

Basim waved her off, “It is alright. I am Basim.” He said, slightly bowing his head towards the two.

“It is nice to meet you, Basim. I am Nashira, and this is my father Khalid ibn Mohammed, the head astronomer here at the House of Wisdom.” she said proudly.

Basim felt something brush against him, causing him to look down to see a fluffy white cat rubbing itself against his legs. The cat had big green eyes and a pendant around its neck with a moon design on it. He crouched down to pet the creature, delighting in its soft purring. He quite liked cats, as there were many stray ones roaming around the streets. However this cat was definitely a purebred unlike the ones he found in Anbar.

Nashira giggled, “And that is our cat, Halah!” She turned to her father, “Baba, Basim was a student of al-Kwarizmi. And we just happened to…run into each other in the library. Isn’t that something?”

Basim was thankful she embellished that bit of the story.

Khalid’s eyes widened with surprise, a trait Basim could already tell his daughter inherited from him, “Mashallah!” He quickly rose from his seat and made his way to the young man, wrapping his arms around him and lifting him off the ground, “Any friend of my old mentor is a friend of mine.”

Basim squirmed a bit in the hold, but smiled nonetheless “Nice to meet you too, ustadi.” He strained to say.

Khalid gently set Basim down, dusting his shoulders as he let out another hearty chuckle, “I wish we could talk more, but I have a lecture to give. Please, make yourself at home here, my daughter can show you any studies you’d like to see about astronomy while you are here.”

Basim nodded, waving to the man as he left for his lecture. Nashira made her way beside him, now holding Halah herself.

She chuckled, “My Baba has never met a stranger,” She let Halah jump down from her arms, motioning for Basim to take a seat at the nearby table as she rummaged through a cabinet.

“I can tell,” He coughed out, rubbing his chest as he still felt the hug Khalid gave him. “How is it you have not met al-Kwarizmi? Seeing as your father is an astronomer and all.” He asked.

Nashira exited the cabinet, holding a plate of dates and a vase of water that she set on the table, “I was too young to come to the House of Wisdom back then. Baba hired a Nanny to take care of me while he studied under him, and once I was old enough I came here to study here under my father.”

Basim nodded as he made sense of what she was saying. Seeing as she was raised by a nanny in her childhood, he figured it was safe to assume her mother died when she was a baby. It made sense then why she got to study in the House of Wisdom if she was under her father’s care.

Basim nodded, “I see, that must have been after al-Kwarizmi passed. I was wondering why I had never seen you here before,” He graciously took the cup of water she poured for him, “I’m sure I would have remembered a girl like you.”

Nashira gave him a cheeky smile, raising an eyebrow as she did so.

Basim flushed, realizing how he sounded.

“What I mean is, there are not many young girls like yourself in the House of Wisdom.” He quickly added, hoping his last comment didn’t come off as him being fresh.

He felt himself relax when he heard her laugh, “Calm down, Basim. I am only teasing.” She sat down on the other side of the table, reaching for a date to snack on, “But you are right about that, not many scholars devote their time to teaching girls. So I count myself lucky that my father is one. It's just me and my Baba, studying the stars.”

Halah let out a meow, jumping on the table.

Nashira petted the cat, “And you too, Halah.” She gave the cat a date as well.

Basim smiled, “That sounds like quite the life.” He said, taking a sip of water and realizing how thirsty he had been. He then reached across the table to scratch Halah under the chin, smiling when she purred. Perhaps in a different life he’d be doing much the same with his father, learning the ways of an architect.

Some time passed as they enjoyed their snack together before Nashira spoke again. “Now if you don’t mind me asking, why were those guards chasing after you?” She placed her chin in her hand, waiting patiently for him to answer her.

Basim gulped. He should’ve known better than to think he’d get off completely Scott free.

“Well…you see I was…” He tried to think of any possible explanation that wouldn’t make him look bad but came up with nothing. He slumped, feeling it best to be honest, “I was caught stealing in the market.”

Nashira’s eyes widened, “Stealing? Why would you do that?”

Basim slumped even more, feeling shame set in.

Nashira’s eyes looked over Basim, taking in his appearance. His clothes were old and tethered, some of his garments looked worn beyond repair. Her eyebrows furrowed, feeling ashamed of herself for asking such a question.

“Nevermind, you do not need to answer that.” She told him.

Basim felt a bit of relief. Still, he could tell she pitied him, which didn’t make him feel much better.

He noticed the setting sun from the open window. Dervis would be expecting him soon and he’d need to leave if he wanted to get back to Anbar.

He stood up, “It is getting late, I really must get going,” He stood up from his chair, “Thank you again for helping me today, Nashira.”

She frowned, “You’re leaving already?” She asked, sounding saddened by the news.

He nodded, “I have to go home. Someone is expecting me.”

She took another glance at his clothes, “Where is home for you?” She asked carefully.

Basim bit his lip, “...Anbar.” He hesitated to say.

Anbar, the slums of Baghdad. Nashira had not learned much about her new friend, but with that in mind, certain things were starting to make sense. No one in their right mind would risk stealing unless they had too. Not when the punishment for stealing was losing a hand.

She gathered the remaining dates into a small pouch, “Please, take these with you.”

Basim shook his head, holding his hands in front of him in protest, “No, please, I do not want your pity.” He pleaded. The last thing he wanted was for this girl to feel sorry for him.

She tilted her head, “Pity? Baba always buys me too many dates. I never have anyone to share them with, so if you don’t take them they will just go to waste. You would be doing me a favor by taking them off my hands,” She smiled at him softly and shook the bag a little, hoping he would take them.

Basim felt the tension in his shoulders lessen. His eyes softened. Basim gave her a small smile as he took the bag of dates and placed them in his satchel. He felt his stomach grumble thinking about the sweet, juicy contents of the pouch. Nehal and the other children who worked for Dervis would love them as well.

He made his way toward the window, “Thank you Nashira. It was nice to meet you.” He said, meaning every word.

She watched as he jumped down onto a nearby ledge, then down to the courtyard below, “Come back and see me!” She called out to him.

He looked up at her, seeing her smiling face above, “I will!”

“You promise?” She asked.

“I promise!” He said back, waving as he did so. He was just about to turn around when he heard her call his name once more.

“And Basim! Next time, just use the front entrance.” She smirked.

He laughed, “I will try to remember that!”

[lightofraye]

Taylor Swift - All Too Well (10 Minute Version)

I walked through the door with you, the air was cold But somethin' 'bout it felt like home somehow And I left my scarf there at your sister's house And you've still got it in your drawer, even now Oh, your sweet disposition and my wide-eyed gaze We're singin' in the car, getting lost upstate Autumn leaves fallin' down like pieces into place And I can picture it after all these days And I know it's long gone and That magic's not here no more And I might be okay, but I'm not fine at all Oh, oh, oh 'Causе there we arе again on that little town street You almost ran the red 'cause you were lookin' over at me Wind in my hair, I was there I remember it all too well Photo album on the counter, your cheeks were turnin' red You used to be a little kid with glasses in a twin-sized bed And your mother's tellin' stories 'bout you on the tee-ball team You taught me 'bout your past, thinkin' your future was me And you were tossing me the car keys, "Fuck the patriarchy" Keychain on the ground, we were always skippin' town And I was thinkin' on the drive down, "Any time now He's gonna say it's love," you never called it what it was 'Til we were dead and gone and buried Check the pulse and come back swearin' it's the same After three months in the grave And then you wondered where it went to as I reached for you But all I felt was shame and you held my lifeless frame

And I know it's long gone and There was nothing else I could do And I forget about you long enough To forget why I needed to 'Cause there we are again in the middle of the night We're dancin' 'round the kitchen in the refrigerator light Down the stairs, I was there I remember it all too well And there we are again when nobody had to know You kept me like a secret, but I kept you like an oath Sacred prayer and we'd swear To remember it all too well, yeah Well, maybe we got lost in translation, maybe I asked for too much But maybe this thing was a masterpiece 'til you tore it all up Runnin' scared, I was there I remember it all too well And you call me up again just to break me like a promise So casually cruel in the name of bein' honest I'm a crumpled-up piece of paper lyin' here 'Cause I remember it all, all, all They say all's well that ends well, but I'm in a new hell Every time you double-cross my mind You said if we had been closer in age, maybe it would've been fine And that made me want to die The idea you had of me, who was she? A never-needy, ever-lovely jewel whose shine reflects on you Not weepin' in a party bathroom Some actress askin' me what happened, you That's what happened, you You who charmed my dad with self-effacing jokes Sippin' coffee like you're on a late-night show But then he watched me watch the front door all night, willin' you to come And he said, "It's supposed to be fun turning twenty-one" Time won't fly, it's like I'm paralyzed by it I'd like to be my old self again, but I'm still tryin' to find it After plaid shirt days and nights when you made me your own Now you mail back my things and I walk home alone But you keep my old scarf from that very first week 'Cause it reminds you of innocence and it smells like me You can't get rid of it 'Cause you remember it all too well, yeah 'Cause there we are again when I loved you so Back before you lost the one real thing you've ever known It was rare, I was there I remember it all too well Wind in my hair, you were there You remember it all Down the stairs, you were there You remember it all It was rare, I was there I remember it all too well And I was never good at tellin' jokes, but the punch line goes "I'll get older, but your lovers stay my age" From when your Brooklyn broke my skin and bones I'm a soldier who's returning half her weight And did the twin flame bruise paint you blue? Just between us, did the love affair maim you too? 'Cause in this city's barren cold I still remember the first fall of snow And how it glistened as it fell I remember it all too well Just between us, did the love affair maim you all too well? Just between us, do you remember it all too well? Just between us, I remember it (Just between us) all too well Wind in my hair, I was there, I was there (I was there) Down the stairs, I was there, I was there Sacred prayer, I was there, I was there It was rare, you remember it all too well Wind in my hair, I was there, I was there (Oh) Down the stairs, I was there, I was there (I was there) Sacred prayer, I was there, I was there It was rare, you remember it (All too well) Wind in my hair, I was there, I was there Down the stairs, I was there, I was there Sacred prayer, I was there, I was there It was rare, you remember it Wind in my hair, I was there, I was there Down the stairs, I was there, I was there Sacred prayer, I was there, I was there It was rare, you remember it

[flailingdreamist-blog]

[Verse 1] I walked through the door with you, the air was cold But something 'bout it felt like home somehow And I left my scarf there at your sister's house And you've still got it in your drawer, even now

[Verse 2] Oh, your sweet disposition and my wide-eyed gaze We're singing in the car, getting lost upstate Autumn leaves falling down like pieces into place And I can picture it after all these days

[Pre-Chorus] And I know it's long gone and That magic's not here no more And I might be okay, but I'm not fine at all Oh, oh, oh

[Chorus] 'Cause there we are again on that little town street You almost ran the red 'cause you were lookin' over at me Wind in my hair, I was there I remember it all too well

[Verse 3] Photo album on the counter, your cheeks were turning red You used to be a little kid with glasses in a twin-sized bed And your mother's telling stories 'bout you on the tee-ball team You told me 'bout your past, thinking your future was me And you were tossing me the car keys, "Fuck the patriarchy" Key chain on the ground, we were always skipping town And I was thinking on the drive down, any time now He's gonna say it's love, you never called it what it was 'Til we were dead and gone and buried Check the pulse and come back swearing it's the same After three months in the grave And then you wondered where it went to as I reached for you But all I felt was shame and you held my lifeless frame

[Pre-Chorus] And I know it's long gone and There was nothing else I could do And I forget about you long enough To forget why I needed to

[Chorus] 'Cause there we are again in the middle of the night We're dancing 'round the kitchen in the refrigerator light Down the stairs, I was there I remember it all too well And there we are again when nobody had to know You kept me like a secret, but I kept you like an oath Sacred prayer and we'd swear To remember it all too well, yeah

[Bridge] Well, maybe we got lost in translation Maybe I asked for too much But maybe this thing was a masterpiece 'Til you tore it all up Running scared, I was there I remember it all too well And you call me up again just to break me like a promise So casually cruel in the name of being honest I'm a crumpled up piece of paper lying here 'Cause I remember it all, all, all

[Verse 4] They say all's well that ends well, but I'm in a new Hell Every time you double-cross my mind You said if we had been closer in age maybe it would have been fine And that made me want to die The idea you had of me, who was she? A never-needy, ever-lovely jewel whose shine reflects on you Not weeping in a party bathroom Some actress asking me what happened, you That's what happened, you You who charmed my dad with self-effacing jokes Sipping coffee like you're on a late-night show But then he watched me watch the front door all night, willing you to come And he said, "It's supposed to be fun turning twenty-one"

[Verse 5] Time won't fly, it's like I'm paralyzed by it I'd like to be my old self again, but I'm still trying to find it After plaid shirt days and nights when you made me your own Now you mail back my things and I walk home alone But you keep my old scarf from that very first week 'Cause it reminds you of innocence and it smells like me You can't get rid of it 'Cause you remember it all too well, yeah

[Chorus] 'Cause there we are again when I loved you so Back before you lost the one real thing you've ever known It was rare, I was there I remember it all too well Wind in my hair, you were there You remember it all Down the stairs, you were there You remember it all It was rare, I was there I remember it all too well

[Verse 4] They say all's well that ends well, but I'm in a new Hell Every time you double-cross my mind You said if we had been closer in age maybe it would have been fine And that made me want to die The idea you had of me, who was she? A never-needy, ever-lovely jewel whose shine reflects on you Not weeping in a party bathroom Some actress asking me what happened, you That's what happened, you You who charmed my dad with self-effacing jokes Sipping coffee like you're on a late-night show But then he watched me watch the front door all night, willing you to come And he said, "It's supposed to be fun turning twenty-one"

[Verse 5] Time won't fly, it's like I'm paralyzed by it I'd like to be my old self again, but I'm still trying to find it After plaid shirt days and nights when you made me your own Now you mail back my things and I walk home alone But you keep my old scarf from that very first week 'Cause it reminds you of innocence and it smells like me You can't get rid of it 'Cause you remember it all too well, yeah

[Chorus] 'Cause there we are again when I loved you so Back before you lost the one real thing you've ever known It was rare, I was there I remember it all too well Wind in my hair, you were there You remember it all Down the stairs, you were there You remember it all It was rare, I was there I remember it all too well

[Verse 6] And I was never good at telling jokes, but the punch line goes "I'll get older, but your lovers stay my age" From when your Brooklyn broke my skin and bones I'm a soldier who's returning half her weight And did the twin flame bruise paint you blue? Just between us, did the love affair maim you, too? 'Cause in this city's barren cold I still remember the first fall of snow And how it glistened as it fell I remember it all too well

[Outro] Just between us, did the love affair maim you all too well? Just between us, do you remember it all too well? Just between us, I remember it (Just between us), all too well Wind in my hair, I was there, I was there Down the stairs, I was there, I was there Sacred prayer, I was there, I was there It was rare, you remember it all too well Wind in my hair, I was there, I was there Down the stairs, I was there, I was there Sacred prayer, I was there, I was there It was rare, you remember it Wind in my hair, I was there, I was there Down the stairs, I was there, I was there Sacred prayer, I was there, I was there It was rare, you remember it Wind in my hair, I was there, I was there Down the stairs, I was there, I was there Sacred prayer, I was there, I was there It was rare, you remember it all too well

[Spoken Outro] I love you guys so much

[hornedchick]

Here's a short thing I wrote based on a roleplay I used to do with a friend years ago. It might go on from here, it might not.

Moving On

The first two weeks, she barely left her apartment; truth be told, she barely left her bed. She got up to use the bathroom, or to find something to eat when her body protested that she’d been ignoring it too long, but otherwise, she just collapsed onto the bed and didn’t move. Sometimes the sorrow and anger she’d been bottling up got to be too much, and she cried until she felt weak and exhausted.

When she allowed herself to think about it, to remember for more than a few minutes, she could still feel the pain in the pit of her stomach, just like that first afternoon. It replayed like a video in her brain: she stepped off the ferry, climbed the steps to the house, and let herself in, as she had many times since their relationship had become serious. But this time… this time, the place was empty. The furnishings were still there, but there was no indication that anyone had been living there. All his personal effects were gone. She looked around all the rooms, beginning to panic, and it was clear from the fine layer of dust that he’d been gone for some time. 

The trip back home was a blur. She would not allow herself to cry in front of the ferry captain and his first mate; they were sorry, they wished they could help, but they didn’t know where he had gone. 

She kept going over their last time together in her mind, trying to figure out what might have happened. He had seemed happy, they had spent a pleasant weekend together… she couldn’t think of anything she had done or said that might have led to this. There had been no note, no phone call, no word of explanation at all. He was just gone.

When the initial pain finally lessened enough to let her begin to think of anything else, when she was finally sick and tired of crying, she started moving on in the simplest way possible, by packing away a few things. It was still painful, and the big cardboard box was sometimes marked by tears, but she made herself gather up all her mementos of him and toss them in. Anything he’d especially liked seeing her in also went into the box: that short black dress, the over-the-knee boots she’d saved up for, anything she couldn’t stand to look at again. She shoved the box to the back of her closet; out of sight, out of mind. The long flowy pink scarf was already gone, surrendered to the sea on the final ferry trip back, after she’d left a letter and her spare key in his mailbox. She didn’t know or care at this point if he’d ever see the letter.

When she felt strong enough, she spoke to her aunt, wanting to make provisions for renting the apartment in her absence. (Nonsense, her aunt insisted, you need a home to come back to. Take all the time you need. It’ll be fine.)

Finally, she prepared to travel. It was time to move on, leave the memories behind for a while, let them fade and die. She wove her long red hair into a braid and put on her favorite old jeans, the biker boots that had already withstood many years and many adventures, a black t-shirt she had stopped sleeping in when they had started dating. It was time to reclaim it. Last, she pulled on a leather jacket she had borrowed from her brother years ago; she always wore it when she needed to feel comforted and loved. She stuck a few essential items in the zippered pockets, then took the special key on its chain from her desk drawer.

It looked almost like a vintage skeleton key - but not quite. The design was unusual, seeming sometimes to change if you looked away for a moment. The chain was strong, very strong. She had made sure of that. She could feel the key’s slight warmth as she hung it around her neck, almost as if it was welcoming her back. 

It was time. She took one last look around, left her spare apartment key and a note for her aunt on the table, and stood facing the door. 

She lifted the key on its chain and closed her eyes, remembering all the worlds she had visited in the past. She needed somewhere quiet, somewhere she could go to escape this life for a while, to just exist. She whispered a word and touched the key to the door. It swung open, not into the hallway but into a meadow. A full moon shone in a deep blue sky, and the sound of waves came from somewhere in the distance. It was just as she remembered it. She stepped through the doorway and closed the door, and watched with a little smile as it disappeared. As always, she would find it again when she needed to. She took a deep breath of sea air and grass and started walking.

[drivemysoul]

Pollution Queen’s music sucks

I walked through the door with you, the air was cold

But something 'bout it felt like home somehow

And I left my scarf there at your sister's house

And you've still got it in your drawer, even now

Oh, your sweet disposition and my wide-eyed gaze

We're singing in the car, getting lost upstate

Autumn leaves falling down like pieces into place

And I can picture it after all these days

And I know it's long gone and

That magic's not here no more

And I might be okay, but I'm not fine at all

Oh, oh, oh

'Cause there we are again on that little town street

You almost ran the red 'cause you were lookin' over at me

Wind in my hair, I was there

I remember it all too well

Photo album on the counter, your cheeks were turning red

You used to be a little kid with glasses in a twin-sized bed

And your mother's telling stories 'bout you on the tee-ball team

You taught me 'bout your past, thinking your future was me

And you were tossing me the car keys, "fuck the patriarchy"

Key chain on the ground, we were always skipping town

And I was thinking on the drive down, any time now

He's gonna say it's love, you never called it what it was

'Til we were dead and gone and buried

Check the pulse and come back swearing it's the same

After three months in the grave

And then you wondered where it went to as I reached for you

But all I felt was shame and you held my lifeless frame

And I know it's long gone and

There was nothing else I could do

And I forget about you long enough

To forget why I needed to

'Cause there we are again in the middle of the night

We're dancing 'round the kitchen in the refrigerator light

Down the stairs, I was there

I remember it all too well

And there we are again when nobody had to know

You kept me like a secret, but I kept you like an oath

Sacred prayer and we'd swear

To remember it all too well, yeah

Well, maybe we got lost in translation

Maybe I asked for too much

But maybe this thing was a masterpiece

'Til you tore it all up

Running scared, I was there

I remember it all too well

And you call me up again just to break me like a promise

So casually cruel in the name of being honest

I'm a crumpled up piece of paper lying here

'Cause I remember it all, all, all

They say all's well that ends well, but I'm in a new Hell

Every time you double-cross my mind

You said if we had been closer in age maybe it would have been fine

And that made me want to die

The idea you had of me, who was she?

A never-needy, ever-lovely jewel whose shine reflects on you

Not weeping in a party bathroom

Some actress asking me what happened, you

That's what happened, you

You who charmed my dad with self-effacing jokes

Sipping coffee like you're on a late-night show

But then he watched me watch the front door all night, willing you to come

And he said, "It's supposed to be fun turning twenty-one"

Time won't fly, it's like I'm paralyzed by it

I'd like to be my old self again, but I'm still trying to find it

After plaid shirt days and nights when you made me your own

Now you mail back my things and I walk home alone

But you keep my old scarf from that very first week

'Cause it reminds you of innocence and it smells like me

You can't get rid of it

'Cause you remember it all too well, yeah

'Cause there we are again when I loved you so

Back before you lost the one real thing you've ever known

It was rare, I was there

I remember it all too well

Wind in my hair, you were there

You remember it all

Down the stairs, you were there

You remember it all

It was rare, I was there

I remember it all too well

And I was never good at telling jokes, but the punch line goes

"I'll get older, but your lovers stay my age"

From when your Brooklyn broke my skin and bones

I'm a soldier who's returning half her weight

And did the twin flame bruise paint you blue?

Just between us, did the love affair maim you, too?

'Cause in this city's barren cold

I still remember the first fall of snow

And how it glistened as it fell

I remember it all too well

Just between us, did the love affair maim you all too well?

Just between us, do you remember it all too well?

Just between us, I remember it (Just between us), all too well

Wind in my hair, I was there, I was there

Down the stairs, I was there, I was there

Sacred prayer, I was there, I was there

It was rare, you remember it all too well

Wind in my hair, I was there, I was there

Down the stairs, I was there, I was there

Sacred prayer, I was there, I was there

It was rare, you remember it

Wind in my hair, I was there, I was there

Down the stairs, I was there, I was there

Sacred prayer, I was there, I was there

It was rare, you remember it

Wind in my hair, I was there, I was there

Down the stairs, I was there, I was there

Sacred prayer, I was there, I was there

It was rare, you remember it

[breadstickposting]

i walked through the door with you the air was cold but something about it felt like home somehow and i left my scarf there at your sister's house and you've still got it in your drawer even now oh your sweet disposition and my wide-eyed gaze we're singing in the car getting lost upstate autumn leaves are falling down like pieces into place and i can picture it after all these days and i know it's long gone and that magic's not here no more and i might be okay but i'm not fine at all cause there we are again on that little town street you almost ran the red cause you were looking over at me wind in my hair i was there i remember it all too well photo album on the counter your cheeks were turning red you used to be a little kid with glasses in a twin-sized bed and your mother's telling stories about you on the t-ball team you told me about your past thinking your future was me and you were tossing me the keys fuck the patriarchy keychain on the ground we were always skipping town and i was thinking on the drive down anytime now he's gonna say it's love you never called it what it was till we were dead and gone and buried check the pulse and come back swearing it's the same after three months in the grave and then you wondered where it went to as i reached for you but all i felt was shame and you held my lifeless frame and i know it's long gone and there was nothing else i could do and i forget about you long enough to forget why i needed to cause there we are again in the middle of the night we're dancing around the kitchen in the refrigerator light down the stairs i was there i remember it all too well and there we are again when nobody had to know you kept me like a secret but i kept you like an oath sacred prayer and we'd swear to remember it all too well well maybe we got lost in translation maybe i asked for too much but maybe this thing was a masterpiece until you tore it all up running scared i was there i remember it all too well and you call me up again just to break me like a promise so casually cruel in the name of being honest im a crumpled up piece of paper lying here cause i remember it all all all they all's well that ends well but i'm in a new hell every time you double-cross my mind you said if we had been closer in age maybe it would have been fine and that made me want to die the idea you had of me who was she a never needy ever-loving jewel whose shine reflects on you not weeping in a party bathroom some actress asking me what happened you thats what happened you you who charmed my dad with self-effacing jokes sipping coffee like you're on a late night show but then he watched me watch the front door all night willing you to come and he said it's supposed to be fun turning twenty-one time won't fly it's like i'm paralysed by it i'd like to be my old self again but i'm still trying to find it after plaid shirt days and nights when you made me your own now you mail back my things and i walk home alone but you keep my old scarf from that very first week cause it reminds you of incense and it smells like me you can't get rid of it cause you remember it all too well cause there we are again when i loved you so back before you lost the one real thing you've ever known it was rare i was there i remember it all too well wind in my hair you were there you remember it all down the stairs you were there you remember it all it was rare i was there i remember it all too well and i was never good at telling jokes but the punchline goes i'll get older but your lovers stay my age from when your brooklyn broke my skin and bones i'm a soldier who's returning half her weight and did the twin flame bruise paint you blue just between us did the love affair maim you too cause in this city's barren cold i still remember the first fall of snow and how it glistened as it fell i remember it all too well just between us did the love affair maim you all too well just between us do you remember it all too well just between us i remember it just between us all too well wind in my hair i was there i was there i was there down the st

[uniquejellyfishqueen]

1/21/2014 - 1/27/2020

2197 days.

But it's been two thousand one hundred and 90 days of our love blackout

2197-7= 2190.

That extra 7 days might belong in the lyrics to All Too Well. Which btw is that supposed to be a mirrored acronym for a local bus department?

“But you kept my old scarf from that very first week, cause it reminds you of innocence and it smells like me.” Or possible that week was a long hard one like she mentioned in I Almost Do (so like she has written about a fictional wedding story line throughout her music, does the I almost do mean that she couldn’t go through with the wedding? Was her heart not in it? Or was timeless trying to tell the story of lovers literally torn apart by her father?)

Lyrics at a glance

Alec Blacc first…

I believe every lie I ever told

“For every lie they tell me, I tell them 3.” (13)

I played my cards and I didn’t fold”

“No one sees when you’re playing solitaire.”

Somewhere I heard life is just a test

“Honey life is just a classroom”

Stand up now and face the sun

“I’ll stare directly in the sun but never in the mirror.”

Won’t hid my tail or turn and run

“They are the hunters, we are the foxes and we run”

I’m a soldier standing on my feet

“I’m a soldier returning half her weight”

When I remember people I can pinpoint a song that I can associate with that person and memory. My not ex, saying past partner is just too clinical, eh I used to call him douchebag but like he wasn’t I was just a brat and thought I was funny. Don’t get me wrong I still find myself funny it’s just now I see that I have met actual douchebags in comparison… moving on. So he liked Alec Blacc’s version, I wonder if he jams out to Taylors Version… see what I did there 🤭they might have a kloss in common too, who knows I recall he played this song a couple times. I wonder if he still eats tums like candy?… “help, I’m still at the restaurant, when I was still the one you want” “dust collected on my pinned up hair” (like the excessive Bobby pins in the Fortnight video?) maybe he likes the Evermore album?

[darrenmerculieff]

I walked through the door with you, the air was cold

But somethin' 'bout it felt like home somehow

And I left my scarf there at your sister's house

And you've still got it in your drawer, even now

Oh, your sweet disposition and my wide-eyed gaze

We're singin' in the car, getting lost upstate

Autumn leaves fallin' down like pieces into place

And I can picture it after all these days

And I know it's long gone and

That magic's not here no more

And I might be okay, but I'm not fine at all

Oh, oh, oh

.

'Causе there we arе again on that little town street

You almost ran the red 'cause you were lookin' over at me

Wind in your hair, I was there

I remember it all too well

.

Photo album on the counter, your cheeks were turnin' red

You used to be a little kid with glasses in a twin-sized bed

And your mother's tellin' stories 'bout you on the tee-ball team

You taught me 'bout your past, thinkin' your future was me

And you were tossing me the car keys, "Fuck the patriarchy"

Keychain on the ground, we were always skippin' town

And I was thinkin' on the drive down, "Any time now

She's gonna say it's love," you never called it what it was

'Til we were dead and gone and buried

Check the pulse and come back swearin' it's the same

After three months in the grave

And then you wondered where it went to as I reached for you

But all I felt was shame and you held my lifeless frame

And I know it's long gone and

There was nothing else I could do

And I forget about you long enough

To forget why I needed to

.

'Cause there we are again in the middle of the night

We're dancin' 'round the kitchen in the refrigerator light

Down the stairs, I was there

I remember it all too well

And there we are again when nobody had to know

You kept me like a secret, but I kept you like an oath

Sacred prayer and we'd swear

To remember it all too well, yeah

.

Well, maybe we got lost in translation, maybe I asked for too much

But maybe this thing was a masterpiece 'til you tore it all up

Runnin' scared, I was there

I remember it all too well

And you call me up again just to break me like a promise

So casually cruel in the name of bein' honest

I'm a crumpled-up piece of paper lyin' here

'Cause I remember it all, all, all

They say all's well that ends well, but I'm in a new hell

Every time you double-cross my mind

You said if we had been closer in age, maybe it would've been fine

And that made me want to die

The idea you had of me, who was he?

A never-needy, ever-lovely jewel whose shine reflects on you

Not weepin' in a party bathroom

Some actress askin' me what happened, you

That's what happened, you

You who charmed my friend with self-effacing jokes

Sippin' coffee like you're on a late-night show

But then he watched me watch the front door all night, willin' you to come

And he said, "It's supposed to be fun turning twenty-one"

Time won't fly, it's like I'm paralyzed by it

I'd like to be my old self again, but I'm still tryin' to find it

After plaid shirt days and nights when you made me your own

Now you mail back my things and I walk home alone

But you keep my old scarf from that very first week

'Cause it reminds you of innocence and it smells like me

You can't get rid of it

'Cause you remember it all too well, yeah

'Cause there we are again when I loved you so

Back before you lost the one real thing you've ever known

It was rare, I was there

I remember it all too well

Wind in my hair, you were there

You remember it all

Down the stairs, you were there

You remember it all

It was rare, I was there

I remember it all too well

And I was never good at tellin' jokes, but the punch line goes

"I'll get older, but your lovers stay my age"

From when your Brooklyn broke my skin and bones

I'm a soldier who's returning half his weight

And did the twin flame bruise paint you blue?

Just between us, did the love affair maim you too?

'Cause in this city's barren cold

I still remember the first fall of snow

And how it glistened as it fell

I remember it all too well

Just between us, did the love affair maim you all too well?

Just between us, do you remember it all too well?

Just between us, I remember it (Just between us) all too well

Wind in my hair, I was there, I was there (I was there)

Down the stairs, I was there, I was there

Sacred prayer, I was there, I was there

It was rare, you remember it all too well

Wind in my hair, I was there, I was there (Oh)

Down the stairs, I was there, I was there (I was there)

Sacred prayer, I was there, I was there

It was rare, you remember it (All too well)

Wind in my hair, I was there, I was there

Down the stairs, I was there, I was there

Sacred prayer, I was there, I was there

It was rare, you remember it

Wind in my hair, I was there, I was there

Down the stairs, I was there, I was there

Sacred prayer, I was there, I was there

It was rare, you remember it