#i also like to think taylor wrote illicit affairs for this fic

[waitingforeddyneddy]

I didn't know that a showrunner of this show had compared this awful triangle to that of Diana / Camila / Charles. But I remember that an Edwina fan who hates Kate made this comparison in one of Kanthony's fics and on Reddit too. I'm not surprised by this because Tom Verica said that Kate was the other woman during a podcast with CC last year . One of the writers also said that She was listening Illicit Affairs by Taylor Swift when She was writing episode 5

I'd rather keep my silence on Edwina fans cause I don't want to risk my account.

Honestly the reason they even exist is because you got a paid professional director saying shit like that. Tom Verica calling Kate "the other woman" and then blocking all kanthony fans on twitter is what wraps the horror show that was s2 with a nice red bow.

No wonder you got idiots still calling Kate a homewrecking whore under youtube videos, on twitter and on tik tok. That's what happens when you make Edwina the protagonist with the empowering speeches of the scorned woman out of the blue, that's what happens when you make the actual leading lady be in the shadow for the entire season. When you give her nothing, no agency, no voice and make her exist only to be the woman the male protagonist wants to fuck.

Now we all love Kanthony, but it's only because the actors were good at selling it. If you think about it, they really wrote a story where the "mistress" gets the guy. No wonder they like to compare it with the Lady D/Charles/Camilla situation or say they thought of Taylor Swift's Illicit affairs. And to think we didn't even have a hot sex scene between them out of this, all the drama and the homewrecker accusations without the fun for Kate. Fuck them. They're not seeing heaven.

[enn-jay]

Okay I have something to say. I know you're not not gonna continue this series at least not for a while but I have been thinking about this situation. Wherever they end up after this fic, it's not together, they're not gonna end up with each other right? So how about you bring Calvin into the mix when you continue this series. Like Taylor starts dating him and haylor decides to be friends. There were rumours that Calvin told Harry to stay away from Taylor because Taylor confessed that they were hooking up before tayvin started dating. So you can use that and it can be like Harry stops talking to Taylor because Calvin told him that he wants to give Taylor everything Harry can't and Taylor deserves happiness and bla bla bla cause Calvin knows how much Harry meant and still means to Taylor. So Harry sacrifices their friendship in order for Taylor to have a healthy relationship with Calvin. Then Taylor is angry that he stopped responding to her texts without any explanation. Then she does that bbma stunt to annoy Harry and it works. Then there were rumours that Calvin was cheating, these were just rumours imo but idk if it was true. But you can make it true and have Taylor find out that Calvin is actually cheating when she was giving her all to thr relationship. Taylor calls Harry to spite Calvin. They meet and hook up even though that was not their intention. Illicit affair starts from then. But twist in the situation is that this time Harry is the one protecting his heart. As we heard in Perfect, he's not gonna make any promises but he'll make her feel good for the night from time to time. He still loves her that's why he can't pull himself away from this fucked up arrangement but this time he's keeping his distance. You can mix the hendall yatchgate and Taylor's jealousy, OOTW video release the same day, then Harry tweeting 22 lyrics, Tayvin relationship crumbling, April 29th...... there's so much more. I know you'll say that I should write it but this won't work without your Midnight series and English is not my language otherwise I'd have written it and given it to you so you could post it in this series. And I also don't understand emotions very well let alone write them. I'm not saying you have to write it or write it soon after this but maybe you can consider this plot if you wish to continue this and add a 2015 timeline. Let me know what you think. Also let me know if I'm being way out of line by giving you these suggestions. If I am them I'm really sorry. I'm just passionate about haylor and this universe you created for them even though I hate their sufferings in your stories lol

I reeeally like this idea but it doesn't fit with what I had in mind. I have an idea for something to happen in early 2015 that really wouldn't lend itself to this unfortunately. But the next main fic is gonna be set all the way in 2022 with flashbacks etc to tell bits of the story. ❤️

Just so you know, my friend who I write fic with also doesn't have English as her first language and she writes amazing fics! It's one of those things that honestly just takes practice. The first stories I ever wrote when I was 15 were shocking, but you get better over time. Tbh, most my fics are still pretty shocking now until Marta comments all over them and helps me knock them into shape. 🤣

Really think you should give it a try and you might surprise yourself. 🥰

[residentfangirl2104]

I'm sorry I couldn't pick just one question-

City of Stars (Are you Shining Just For Me?):

2. What scene did you first put down?

3. What's your favorite line of dialogue?

13. What music did you listen to while writing and/or what music do you think should accompany reading it? (Other than city of stars lol-)

-🦀🌶️🧂

You should know i had to go digging in my google doc and my old playlists for some of these because i wrote this so long ago and my memory is just that bad

2. The first scene I put down is the chronological first scene, because I had a very specific idea about setting up the status quo of Virgil's life; the idea was I needed to explore and show exactly what his life was like before the inciting incident, aka meeting Roman, so that it can really be clear how much things change afterwards.

3. This is a really hard one, but there is a specific one that comes to mind - "I am hopelessly, irretrievably in love with you; I am in love with Virgil Arquette, in love with the Storm Weaver, in love with every version, and every part of you, and regardless of what happens from here on out, I find it difficult to imagine a world where that changes." I also really like "No one is worth losing yourself over." and "This might seem to go against everything I've told you before, but the truth is, my image is not everything to me, Virgil. You are."

13. I did have a playlist I made which I listened to while writing the fic, but I'll just mention a few specific songs here which I think really influenced the mood of the story/I would suggest listening to while reading it

City of Stars, obviously

History Hates Lovers by Oublaire, I adore this song

Photograph and I Hear A Symphony by Cody Fry

Turning Page by Sleeping At Last

Like the Movies by Laufey

So This Is Love (yes, from Cinderella) as well as The Sleeping Beauty Waltz by Tchaikovsky

When the sun loves the moon by Reinaeiry

And lastly, loads of Taylor Swift. Like, i cannot emphasize how much. A few that were in my playlist were Love Story, Champagne Problems, Illicit Affairs, The Lakes, and You Are In Love.

[tricksters-captain]

Taylor Swift New Album / ‘Oh Dear’ Fanfic conspiracy!!

Hey guys, you know what, I am so convinced that Taylor has read my FP Jones story ‘Oh Dear’ and wrote the song ‘illicit affairs’ from ‘Folklore’ about the reader and FP Jones. 

No I know it’s unlikely but the song is perfect for the fic even if it’s completed now...

Let me just diagnose the lyrics for you... 

LISTEN: (Song Here) 

READ THE STORY HERE: (Masterlist of the story) 

*WARNING SPOILERS AHEAD*

“Make sure nobody sees you leave Hood over your head, keep your eyes down Tell your friends you're out for a run You’ll be flushed when you return”

The reader sneaking out to see FP, ‘you’ll be flushed when you return’ definitely runs throughout the story especially at the beginning when that relationship starts to bloom. 

“Take the road less traveled by Tell yourself you can always stop What started in beautiful rooms Ends with meetings in parking lots”

The road less travelled by is definitely the Southside and a nod to the fact she’d always sneak around Southside at the beginning to go to FP’s trailer or the White Wyrm. I like to picture that first walk back to her car when FP gives the reader his Serpents jacket. 

‘Tell yourself you can always stop’ is definitely related to both the reader and FP when they start thinking that they can’t do this anymore but can’t help but see each other and love each other.

‘What started in beautiful rooms ends with meetings in parking lots’ references the fact that they used to sneak around pretty easy before Hiram caught them and when the reader finally leaves Riverdale, the meetings end in parking lots. 

[Chorus] “And that's the thing about illicit affairs And clandestine meetings and longing stares It's born from just one single glance But it dies and it dies and it dies A million little times”

This one is pretty self explanatory. Their relationship is an illicit affair. It’s a relationship that shouldn't have happened due to the social rules, FP is the reader's father’s best friend; not to mention the age gape and the fact that FP is the leader of the Serpents and the reader is this ‘perfect’ Northside angel at the beginning of the story.  ‘Clandestine meetings and longing stares’ is basically the whole fic. They have to meet in secret, they can’t help but stare at each other when around Jughead and Fred.  ‘It dies and it dies and it dies a million little times’ Is a reference to the fact that the relationship/happy feelings die over and over again towards the end, things just can’t seem to work out for the couple yet they can’t help but push through it only to fall apart again. Especially when FP starts seeing/flirting with Alice and the reader notices. 

[Verse 2] Leave the perfume on the shelf That you picked out just for him So you leave no trace behind Like you don’t even exist Take the words for what they are A dwindling, mercurial high A drug that only worked The first few hundred times

The perfume is the reader herself in our readers case, she would never leave behind anything of hers when they started sneaking around except for that polaroid which had to remain hidden like she didn’t even exist. It was just the way it had to be. 

‘Take the words for what they are...’ this part of the verse hurts in a way as we do watch Fp and the reader become drugs to each other, the reassurance they have to give each other constantly throughout the fic ‘only worked the first few hundred times’. 

[Chorus] And that's the thing about illicit affairs And clandestine meetings and stolen stares They show their truth one single time But they lie and they lie and they lie A million little times

The lie is that their relationship could ever work. The reader and Fp seem to just lie to themselves throughout the fic thinking they could work out but in reality they had to split due to the town they live in and the situation. Their relationship couldn’t be accepted with Archie and Jughead being best friends and the fact Fred is the reader’s father, who would then kill FP if it was discovered. 

[Bridge] And you wanna scream Don't call me "kid," don't call me "baby" Look at this godforsaken mess that you made me You showed me colors you know I can't see with anyone else Don't call me "kid," don't call me "baby" Look at this idiotic fool that you made me You taught me a secret language I can't speak with anyone else

This bridge is sung by the reader. ‘Don’t call me kid, don’t call me baby’ is whenever they fought within the fic or whenever Fp would purposely mention how young she was compared to him.  

‘Look at this Godforsaken mess that you made me / look at this idiotic fool that you made me’ this is the readers talking about how much she’s changed. She was once the straight A cheerleader who did everything right and was the pride of Riverdale but he helped her become more become the ‘mess’ she is now where she isn’t going to college, where she acts on her own thoughts and feelings, where she fights for the Southside Serpents. But its also a slight anger towards FP because she knows that she’s so in love with him that she would do anything for him including getting hurt/hunted by the ghoulies purposely because she’s FP’s girl. The ‘idiotic fool’ can also refer to the fact she feels like a fool for loving him when it won’t work, when there’s Alice there too.. 

‘You showed me colours you know I can’t see with anyone else / you taught a secret language I can’t speak with anyone else’ This is for the both of them. They both know that the. other showed them a world that will change how they are forever. They will forever care for each other and love each other, they have a secret language which is the love they have for each other. 

[Outro] And you know damn well For you, I would ruin myself A million little times

The reader is definitely saying this to FP. I feel like FP also feels the same but the song is definitely about the reader and their relationship with FP.

She did anything for FP and she would again if he asked. 

Find the playlist dedicated to ‘Oh Dear’ (here)

[smolbeandrabbles]

Illicit Affairs - Harold x Reader (Adore)

Cruel Summer / Magnets / The Next Best Australian Record

GIF CREDIT: X

@wltz-bby​ @happyskywhale​

 Author’s Note: I know I said I was kinda finished with these two as far as I thought safe to take them.  Oh, but this song I haaaaaaad to...

So here’s another one on the list of ‘how long does it take you to write a fic’. I decided I was writing this on 8th October (when I wrote my plot notes. at like 11pm) then I wrote and finished it on 10th/11th.  Whereas sooooome stuff gets stuck in my drafts for like 6 months. And honestly I really don’t know how I do it. There’s a fic on my side blog that I turned around in 24 hours, which is another thing entirely but I am the most inconsistent writer! 😅🙈😬 I don’t know how you all put up with it, to be honest, but I’m glad you’re all here!

Ah shit we being and ‘end’ with Taylor again?! Ah well, can’t be helped!

Disclaimer: Adore/Adoration not mine / gif not mine / lyrics not mine

Premise: With Harold now divorced things get a little easier for a while, but you shouldn’t expect things to remain so un-convoluted for long, especially when you receive an invite to Tom’s wedding...

Words: 6418

Warnings: Sexual connotations / Sexual Pre-Amble / Swearing

_______ Make sure nobody sees you leave Keep your eyes down Tell your friends you're out for a run You'll be flushed when you return Take the road less traveled by Tell yourself you can always stop

And that's the thing about illicit affairs And clandestine meetings And longing stares It's born from just one single glance But it dies, and it dies, and it dies A million little times

Take the words for what they are A dwindling, mercurial high A drug that only worked The first few hundred times

And you wanna scream Don't call me kid Don't call me baby Look at this godforsaken mess that you made me You showed me colors you know I can't see with anyone else Don't call me kid Don't call me baby Look at this idiotic fool that you made me You taught me a secret language I can't speak with anyone else

And you know damn well For you I would ruin myself A million little times ---

Life all seemed a little easier after his divorce. You still had to be careful, that much was certain, but it didn’t feel like a full affair. The only attachment either of you had was each other. For you it felt like a weight was lifted - a worry. If you only had to worry about what your friends and the University would think if they found out, all that really mattered was being careful on campus. Surprisingly easy; longing glances in class could have meant anything (didn’t they all already know you had a massive crush?), but that ‘catch you later’ smile on his face was the best new thing. Not every night, but a few of them you would spend back at his place. It felt like a real relationship now, you’d found something meaningful. Now you could spend time with him off campus, you seemed to get even more careful on it. It wasn’t the only place you could touch him, hold him, kiss him anymore. You’d been concerned about him leaving you. The age gap in itself would give him more than enough reasons. But he didn’t; Harold stayed. And eventually it wasn’t just belief that he wouldn’t leave you, you knew he wouldn’t. So another year at university ended, and this summer was the first you’d spent between Sydney and home. Obviously, Harold wasn’t going to be coming back. And far be it from your parents to stop you from going back to see your friends. They were just glad to see you happy, and having your own adventures. And you did get to have adventures, even if you never left his house. Summer bled into another year of university, important as your final one, strange in every social context you could possibly think of. Unusually tough to balance – and it made you only too glad to immerse yourself in your class work rather than your relationship. One of the blessings of Harold being that much older than you and having been there before (and heck as if he didn’t know about stressed and struggling university students), was that he understood and let you get on with what you thought was important. You still saw him, just not as often, and it affected nothing between you. Tom wanted to see more of his father, again that was understandable to you, but it was weird to see him kicking around Sydney and occasionally in your classes. On the instances you did bump into each other – and none of them very compromising, that you made sure of – you were civil. But there was never anything more to it than that, until Mary. Your first thought should obviously have been ‘I guess his girl back home didn’t work out’. Instead it was more about things becoming even more convoluted. Harold had come to you with the great idea that, as a final year and preparing to take that leap into the world of acting, you could mentor the lower years on your experience. Your mentee met your ex-boyfriend, and the next thing you knew they were dating. Harold thought it was hilarious, you weren’t so sure – but were at least prepared to see the ironically funny side. You certainly neglected to mention it any time you talked with her though. You weren’t sure you could get through a conversation without ‘Oh yeah and by the way he’s a cheater…’ Highly inappropriate! As you did start to consider your future seriously, the path you found yourself on came from an unexpected place. A new friend – a guy in class who you knew of, but had never really worked with. Stuck together for one of your many final projects, this wasn’t just about developing a few scenes – but a whole two-person stage play. It was like a light bulb moment, how well your energy and creative process and thinking matched. On the same page from the first moment, you weren’t sure which one of you had suggested doing this past your final year, but it seemed like the most logical thing in the world. As expected, Harold was nothing but supportive. Even joking that you’d get your work finished and produced before any of his. Before you hushed him with kisses and let him know how much you believed in him. Adding to your mad year, Harold also moved house – still beach front, modern and pretty. But it maintained a nice rustic aesthetic. Polished wood and steel. He whisked you up to see it before he’d even bought it – because apparently you got a say in things like this now. ‘Why? You’re the one living here.’ ‘I want you to still want to visit me.’ ‘I’d visit you if you were in a 1 bedroom flat with peeling paint and a leaky kitchen sink, you know that.’ ‘Yeah but, maybe it won’t always just be my house.’ You hoped he didn’t expect to be met with anything but joyful screaming at that. The very last thing – as if everything else wasn’t enough - was the final year production. Gruelling auditions were worth it once you got the main part, opposite your future business partner. It was nice, it was going to give you a taste of the future, a trial run. Harold unfortunately was in charge of the second years instead, but he brought Tom over to help manage it – no prizes for how he met Mary. Still, you went along to watch and support. Wondering how exactly you could make him a piece of the puzzle… proud of him and his vision. It made you nothing but excited for that original work of his to be complete – it would be nothing but an honour for you to star in it. Yet it also meant that he didn’t get to see yours until it debuted, and somehow having him on the front row provided you with a confidence boost. And that little wink he gave you as you took your bows gave you all the hints you needed about where your night was going… You wouldn’t lie to yourself anymore, Harold was everything you had always wanted. *** You gave it almost exactly a year after you had finished studying before you ‘came clean’ to your friends. Oh, you were never going to tell them the full details, and you certainly weren’t about to tell your parents everything: just that you were with someone, and you were happy… really happy. In your opinion that was all that should have mattered to them. Your friends were all incredibly shocked at first, but then supportive, and they instantly brought back some of their old favourite jokes ‘Holy shit! Good marks eventually DID get you in his pants after all!’ The truth was not the official line: You had met in a café like total coincidence just to catch up, once… twice… turning into a fair few times… turning into chemistry. Still totally weird, still with that age gap that made everyone (and you meant everyone) caution you, still this ‘he was your teacher once-!?’ that hung around. But not the truth, not that this had been going on so much longer than that. A story that you were both happy with – because no one ever needed to know the full story. And Harold was right about his house; although you had a small apartment across town you hardly stayed there – you spent all your time with him at his. You didn’t want to call it yours, didn’t dare speak the word ours until he did it first. But it always hung there, unspoken… Soon enough your friends grew to love him. How different things were out of the classroom, the conversations and interactions between them. Them all telling you that they finally got it – and then understood why, upon you meeting up again, why you’d hooked up. Which only had you pitying them for not seeing how gorgeous and amazing he was in the first place. There were a lot of shared evenings that happened around his house, where he’d let you invite your friends over but stayed well out of the way. Harold also let you invite them to his birthday though, and after the initial celebrations he and his friends stayed inside, whilst your friends stayed out on the porch. There was a chill in the air, but the fire was still going and you were all huddled together under blankets. As one by one his friends left and you were still sitting out giggling and sipping wine and beer, Harold came out to check you were all okay. Because he cared about them as much as you did. It made you love him even more, if that was at all possible. They probably loved that they could wind you up over this more than anything else, but that was fine for you, you knew it would take time for them to get used to the idea, although the tide was already turning; it was weird but they were also loving it. No one had left, somehow in all this madness you’d kept everything. It all seemed a little too good to be true sometimes, so you made sure to count all your blessings.

 Harold’s play still wasn’t finished; he always said he was almost there, but seemed to be taking an age to edit it all – he’d let you read nearly everything but the conclusion. “Why? Won’t I like it?” “I just want it to be the final-final version before you read that. I guess it’s more… thought provoking than satisfying.” So he kept you guessing. You’d become more of a stage actor than you’d ever expected… perhaps eventually you’d commit yourself to film and TV too. You’d done a few here-and-there episodes but nothing concrete. But it was the dynamic between you and your writing partner – who, if you were honest, was quickly turning out to be your best friend – that kept you in stage work. You’d started a small production company to write and produce these plays and they were pretty successful. But you’d also been included in other, sometimes large scale, productions. And, yes, as ever, Harold was front row for as many of these as he could be. You spent your spare time as you had before, tangled up with him, reading or writing together. With always the promise of: ‘Once I finish I’m casting you in this!’ and any time the school did a production, well… it was your turn to be front row for him.

*** Your joint influence on the people in your lives became more apparent, and also came as a surprise. To you at least. And your question was tentative even if you knew the answer already. “Harry… did you… get an invite to Tom’s wedding?” He pointed up to the fridge upon which was stuck the invite; very pretty, clearly there had been a lot of thought put into this and you would think a lot of effort would be put into such a wedding. You crossed the kitchen to look at it: Plus One, interesting. “Does he know?” “He knows I have somebody but not who, why?” By now he’d caught the piece of card you were holding in your hands, and you held it up. “I didn’t expect to get one myself, but here we are. I mean if I was going to be included at all, maybe I’d be on my parents one, but-” “Oh! Mary’s influence?” “Perhaps. I haven’t told her anything either, but why me? I’m his ex and I’m friends with her… but not very good friends.” “Family friends, maybe that’s it.” “A courtesy invite? I suppose it could be. But it’s not like my parents knew you and Roz that long, I didn’t grow up there like Tom and Ian-” You thought better of it and held that thought. You scored the invite with your nails, “Do you… want me to go?” Harold tilted himself back slightly, folding his arms, “Why? Are you thinking of not going?” “It’s not that, it’s that my parents are going. They’ve already discussed it with me, I’m certainly not ready to out this. And I don’t want you to spend your son’s wedding worrying about that. It’s a big day for him and you!” “Would you go anyway?” “Harry-” “It shouldn’t be about me.” “No, it should only be about you! Yes, I would like to go, but not if it makes more sense for me to stay away.” “Then accept and come.” You blushed gently, “Is that what you want?” “Of course I do. We can play it safe, geez, the last time we were around your family was when this started and was at its most dangerous. It’s not an affair anymore, you’re not my student anymore. If something happens then it happens, but look at you. You’re a star in your own right now, you’re an adult and your life is your life!” “It’s the family friends thing, they will go crazy. Even with the story line we made up, I doubt they’ll speak to me ever again.” “Do they know you’re seeing anyone?” “They’re vaguely aware.” Vaguely was certainly the operative word – more because you certainly expected for talk to get back to them that you had a relationship. You’d never made it sound serious to them, but you told them a little to sate their curiosity. “Well then,” He walked forward, cupping your face, “we’re on the same page and we’ll be fine.” “If you say so.” “I do, don’t you trust me?” You giggled, before leaning forward and grazing your lips to his, “No offense, but that’s a stupid question!” *** You were right, there was a lot of effort put into the wedding. There were less guests for the ceremony, but from what you’d been hearing there’d be quite the after party. As you were on your own invite, you also got the perks of a separate room to your parents. You didn’t hang around the wedding party when you arrived – you weren’t about to turn up here and make yourself a nuance - and it gave you time to relax and prepare yourself for tomorrow. You’d have to try to be on your very best behaviour, no matter what Harold had said, you didn’t want there to be any incidents. Your dress was in a colour that flattered you, covered in little appliques of your favourite flowers, sensible heels in the same colour. The opportunity to do your own make-up and hair; though you kinda missed having backstage stylists… The idea was simply to follow Harold’s lead, considering this was Tom’s wedding. He greeted you with familiarity; his ex-student who he’d seen in many a production since you’d graduated. He even seemed to indicate that you had in fact met up a few times just for general interest catch ups. To which Harold also added ‘maybe I’ll get you in to talk to my students sometime.’ Your parents did ask how exactly it was that you’d leave this detail out. ‘It’s just day to day stuff! You don’t tell me every time you see your friends-!’ Now, ‘friends’ wasn’t a word they questioned. You knew you weren’t going to get to sit next to him, but your family was sitting behind him and that was adequate, he might have only glanced back a couple of times, but they were enough to have you beaming. The ceremony was sweet, smooth sailing; they really did look in love. It gave you pause for thought – was that how you looked at Harold? Still? You’d been together a while now, but then you supposed so had Tom and Mary. Maybe that was just a wedding effect – after all, was there a more romantic day for two people? You also smiled a lot, it was such a lovely occasion to behold, even the atmosphere – like everyone was finally in the place they were meant to be. Which, considering the convoluted way this had all started that fateful summer, was fairly incredible. Harold placed his hand delicately on the small of your back, as you both left the chapel. “Don’t want you to think I don’t think you look beautiful…” You nudged him gently, “If you’ll let me return the compliment.” He chuckled, “No.” “Yes! I mean that’s got to be one of the main reasons I’m here!” His cheeks turned pink and he looked a little bashful, removing his hand from you, far enough away from everyone else to sneakily lace your fingers behind your back instead, “But I mean it.” “Thank you, that’s very sweet… Yet I’m hardly the main spectacle. It’s all stunning and her dress is flawless.” “I don’t disagree, it’s very lovely. We have the rest of the day and the party yet.” “Well alright, I know you’re privy to everything.” You smiled, “I’m just happy you’re involved.” “Hmm. It’s humbling.” “You’re his father!” “He’s spent more time with Roz. Tom didn’t have to ask me.” “Well, I suppose you can’t change my opinion… As long as you know my opinions of you!” “Oh.” He let you go as you approached the drinks reception and winked, “Yes, I would think I did!” The drinks reception and dinner afterwards had exactly the same set of increasingly hilarious conversations. You weren’t always in ear shot of each other, or in the same social circles, but everyone wanted to know about the people you were respectively dating. You were a couple of drinks in, and became much more willing to open up – to the point where you were positively gushing about him. You gave your partner no name, age, or any of the questions they were asking that would be more revealing, but were more than willing to tell the rest of the story. And when you heard him being asked roughly the same questions - and sometimes you were standing together at these points - he was doing exactly the same thing. You were surprised one of you hadn’t broke out in a beaming smile or had glowed in sweet embarrassment yet. And yet it did make you feel so happy that Harold was happy to talk about you in the same way, and every so often you’d catch each other’s eyes and you would smile just like that. There was something about both being in on such a secret; you were happy you’d decided to come and be here – even if you weren’t with him, you were most definitely with him. You didn’t approach Tom and Mary until a little later but they were both so happy to see you. And you congratulated them with about as much enthusiasm. “First up you both look gorgeous! And this wedding is so beautiful… oh my gosh, you guys!” You hugged them both tight. “Congratulations, I’m so happy for you both!” “Hey,” Tom nudged you, “What’s this I’ve been hearing about you, though!? Get him married.” “AHaha-” You excused yourself from your laugh, “I mean I dunno I… maybe.” You quickly turned the conversation back on them, “You both look so joyful, and so great together. Enjoy it, alright.” You pointed to Tom, “Extra enjoy it for me, I’ll see where I go.” “Oh, I will!” He grinned, hugging you again. You wondered if he ever had told Mary that you’d dated. You supposed it wasn’t the relationship with him you needed to worry about so much. Mary pulled you back to her, “Thank you, so much!” “Oh, you were always star material…” you squeezed her tight, “But you’re welcome. Maybe we’ll get to be in a production together soon!” “I’ll hold you to that!” She giggled, wishing you well as you let her go. You breathed a sigh of relief as you made your way back to your parents, all’s well that ends well…

 ***

It was a little later, after the first dance, and when everyone was moving around the party freely: everything now in full swing and at least a few of them having already having had too much alcohol, that you realised your assumption was wrong. Some people here weren’t having a good time. You were alright to sit alone and observe for now. You’d known what you were getting into. Ian, best man and from what you’d been told by Harold the one to start this whole ball rolling, was sitting around rather dejectedly. You’d watched him intently for a little while, and he seemed to be getting confrontational with just about everyone – including your man. Now he just appeared to be sulking. So much for us all being more grown up now… Eventually you’d clearly stared at him long enough to have caught his eye, and you offered somewhere between a sympathetic and fed-up smile. Attempting to give an air of ‘yeah man, I know the feeling!’ considering you were also sitting here alone, but his face just scrunched into an even bigger frown as he huffed, crossing his arms before looking away. Okay then, sorry I tried! You weren’t left alone for much longer than that, as Harold wandered over. “Hey, you doing alright over here?” “Yeah, fine.” You waved off Ian, just in case he’d seen any of that brief exchange, “Just taking some quiet time.” “Well, that’s an awful lot of quiet time…” He held his hand out for yours, “Come on, come dance.” Your eyes immediately widened, and you looked from his hand to his face, “With you!?” “No, with someone else – yes, me!” “Harry, I don’t think that we should-” “I want you to enjoy yourself… c’mon.” You closed your eyes, taking a deep breath and praying this wasn’t the worst idea you’d ever had, as you placed your hand in his and he pulled you up.  “Think of it as like… a father daughter dance.” “Oh no, you just made it worse.” His laugh was embarrassed, “Oh, yeah I guess I did, didn’t I – sorry!” Harold didn’t try to make it romantic, although clearly because it was between you it was, and you supposed it was something a little reminiscent of ‘father of the bride’. Well, no one else – not even your family – was dancing with you, so why the hell not? Still you voiced the question. “Should we be doing this?” To which you were only presented with your own question: “Shouldn’t we really be beyond caring?” You couldn’t help but laugh, “You been drinkin’?!” “Not that much, give me some credit!” Oh, the want to pull him closer, your wish to lay your head on his shoulder and close your eyes as he swayed you gently on this dancefloor. To look into his eyes like you really wanted to, and were using all your self-control to make sure you weren’t. For him to just wrap you in his embrace right now. It didn’t happen, and you didn’t expect it to, but it hurt a little. Still, here you were and he was ‘holding’ you – it was as close as you were going to get, and you savoured every single second of his skin on yours. Eventually you did actually get to dance with your father and then some younger ‘gentlemen’ (though, whether you’d call them that…) cut in and you let them dance with you the way you wished that Harold could. At least you were enjoying yourself, to you that was the most important thing. But, you ended up back over by the drinks table with your actual other half, observing the party once more, and you broached the subject of the catalyst. “What did Ian say to you?” “Huh?” He turned, bottle half way to his lips. “I mean it looked like he was getting a little irate.” Harold just looked confused, so you sighed with an eyeroll, “Earlier!” “Oh.” Then he laughed, “Well clearly he’s the least happy person at this entire wedding, and he ironically said this was all my fault.” Your eyebrows raised, “Sorry!?” “Well I did take Mary to Tom’s 21st. So, I guess… that’s where they became a little more serious.” You snorted, “Holy shit. The wedding is your fault!? But what’s wrong with the-” you looked back out to the guests and then it clicked, “Everyone was growing up… You think they ended all the affairs at home?” He gave you a face to say he agreed with your deduction, “I’m glad we didn’t get the memo.” You only laughed, “I don’t think I would have agreed to the memo!” “Now we’re on the same page-!” **

You were standing outside on the patio, admiring the stars and lit scenery, when Tom caught up with you again. “Can I ask you something?” “Yes. And you just did.” That had him laughing, and you only slipped into chuckles too, he still liked how fast you were at quipping. Suddenly you were transported back – what would this have been if it didn’t become such a mess. “Your boyfriend…” “Mhm.” You straightened to the edge in his voice, and although Tom was looking at you seriously there was a hint of playfulness to his voice. “How long have you been together?” You couldn’t tell if he’d figured you out yet. “What if I said, it’s the same guy that I first mentioned to you in that massive argument we had?” He leant back against the railing, breathing out heavily. “I feel like I should have… figured it out before now.” “Considering I don’t know what you’ve figured out – you want me to help?” “It’s my dad, isn’t it.” It wasn’t even a question. You were a little affronted by his tone: “You don’t have to make it sound so creepy. In fact, if you want me to bring up glass houses…” He was a little taken aback that you’d just admit it, “Shit, you knew about-!?” “I told you I did. Yeah, that’s how this all started, you and Ian and…” you waved your hand and then pointed at yourself, “Only I stayed with mine… Geez, I’m sorry.” “Sorry?” He laughed, “Why?” “He’s… your dad. That’s not why I dated you, it’s just how it happened.” “You don’t have to explain!” He waved his hands around, “He’s happy, you’re happy, you’ve spent a lot of time together today, I have observed, and it just… I dunno, I guess it clicked. Everything he’s said about – well you – but his other half, and everything you’ve said.” “Oh, damn, is it obvious?!” “No. I just have all the pieces, don’t I?” “You’re… a little too cool with this.” “I told you we were cool before.” Tom’s look was significant, “We’re still cool. And I’m not gonna go telling everyone, until you’re ready to go do that yourselves. Besides,” he nudged you with a smile, “you seem to have enough dirt on me!” “Uh, I would never. You go off and enjoy your married life to an amazing woman, you idiot!” “I’ll do my best – but I’m never gonna call you mom!” “I’m just glad I’m older than you!” You folded your arms with a grin as he left you, with a wave, before turning back, “Why’s that!?” “The likely inevitability of grandbabies. I’m just gonna have to be the cool aunt or something!” You didn’t think you’d heard anyone laugh so loud in a long time. ***

It continued to get later, although the party was still going on and you could hardly take it anymore. You’d watched him move around in it all day, and now all you wanted was that suit on your hotel room floor, or his. That single button he’d undone and the slacked nature of his tie was nowhere near enough for you. But it was hard to let him know that when you couldn’t just go over and grab his hand; you had to just rely on glances and hope that he got it. And clearly he did, as he crossed the room back to you. Although instead of telling you that he was ready to go, he came with a cautionary tale. “We need to be careful about this.” “And your suggestion is?” “Well, we have to stagger when we leave, but you might want to say goodbye to people. Because your parents will notice you’re gone.” “Oh, your son isn’t gonna notice you’re gone, huh?” It was then Harold decided to tell you he’d seen your conversation with Tom, “Well he knows, doesn’t he.” It wasn’t a question, and you were stuck on how to respond, “I didn’t hear, but I saw you two. Is there anything you want me to say to him?” “…Well, that’s between you…” You lowered your eyes, “I didn’t tell him, he guessed.” “Sweetheart, it’s okay.” Harold couldn’t touch you, so his nickname made you look up. “I’ll talk to him, maybe not tonight… You go, I’ll watch you, wait for me.” You nodded and he gave you a gentle wink before you both headed in different directions. You had one more drink before you started to play the tired card – although really you were far from it – and said goodbye to your parents, a few of the others you knew here, and finally bride and groom before you headed off. Outside of the reception room the hotel was cool and quiet (you supposed it was pretty late) and you could take a breather, sliding out of your heels on the steps it felt so good to be back on the floor. You wandered slowly up the corridor and across hotel reception, you weren’t exactly sure whose room you were heading to, but nearly everyone was on the same floor and you were all certainly on the same wing. You were just finding your way up the steps on the other side of reception when you heard the footfall of smart dress shoes behind you, and turned to Harold saying a goodnight to the receptionist who had pulled night shift. He continued his pace as he caught you, turning up the corridor but not before turning back and wishing you a goodnight. You couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow: who were you keeping up appearances for now? Hotel staff? You shook your head and turned, finding him back at his room, apparently having trouble with his key.

“Would you like some help?” You slipped yourself between him and his room door. “If you would be so kind.” “Not sure I was talking about your room key…” You smirked, prising it from his hand, waiting for the beep to pull him to your lips by his tie, you stumbled backwards into the room as he pushed the door. Harold waited until it had closed to pull you into him, hands into your hair. It felt so good to have him touch you again, and you realised how much you’d yearned for it all day, as his hands moved down your neck and shoulders to your back, he continued to pull you closer. “God, I love you.” You almost whimpered it – kisses leaving you breathless, and you weren’t sure if that was because of the whole wedding atmosphere, or that you hadn’t had even a single chance to tell him face to face in nearly two days. But he needed to know, urgently. He chuckled, nuzzling your face with his own, “I love you too.” Your breath still caught every time he said it, even now. After having to wait so long for his first, there wasn’t anything any less special about it a hundred, a thousand, a million times later. He was still nothing ever but delicate with you, guiding you across his room to the bed before his hands collected on your shoulders again. Harold took a step back, the low level lighting set the perfect mood, but he moved his body so the moonlight could shine on you through the still open curtains. “You are so beautiful.” His fingers gathered under your chin, to keep you from shying away from his eyes as your own hands collected on his chest, ready to push his jacket down his arms. “You truly are.” As if he didn’t already affirm this nearly every day of his life, and Harold kissed you again. “Me?” Your instinctive reaction to flirting was always to nervously joke, “You look in a mirror, lately?” Harold shook his head before his lips traced yours again and he let you relieve him of his jacket, you were quick to unfurl his tie too. You stilled at the buttons of his shirt because his hands were back on your shoulders again and you relaxed your stance, releasing his lips to watch him push the straps of your dress down, guiding his hands across to the slight zip, he ghosted you a kiss in thanks before he let your dress fall to the floor. This time as you caught his collar to run through the buttons you kissed him harder, pushing your body into his – encouraging him to touch you and moaning into his kiss as you did so. His shirt was off quick and joined your dress as he deepened the kiss and you wound yourself around him, enjoying the taste on his tongue. Your kiss continued to get hot and heavy as your hands shot to his belt; he was no longer of the persuasion to stop you on bedroom thresholds, opening his body up for you to relieve him of it and undo his suit pants. Relenting as his hands caressed your back, finding your bra clasp; you always felt so fragile under those large hands of his, but all Harold ever did was take care of you. He lifted you gently from the floor and laid you both back in the sheets, kicking off his pants as he did so. You remained locked in your kiss as he caught you in an embrace, pulling your panties slowly down your legs, your breathing was a little shallower, at the friction of his hips against yours. You could hardly wait for him now, eagerly reliving him of his own underwear. “Shh shhh…” Harold gathered your hands in his, breaking the kiss and you whined, making him chuckle, “Darling, we have all night…” “…Harry…” The way you whined his name was delightful and that flicker across his eyes that he couldn’t control had you craving more of him, “please.” And you knew he wouldn’t deny you if you asked politely. “All night.” He repeated, and all you hoped was you weren’t going to be too loud when the other guests retired to their rooms for the evening. Hooking your leg over his hips he made sure you were completely comfortable before he entered you. You held him tighter, trying to stifle your moans in his skin. But he groaned gently too, and it was an exquisite little sound. In the comfortable quiet before you moved together, you kissed him gently again, reaffirming what you’d said before, “I love you.” Free to tell him all night now, you weren’t about to waste any opportunity. He rubbed his hands over your skin, sweet and delicate, “Darling I know… I’ve known that for a very long time.” He caught your lips once more, “I only hope I remain deserving of such love.” You weren’t sure why he occasionally said things like that to you, maybe sometimes he felt guilty about the whole thing, but you would only ever reassure him. He was deserving, and you knew he would always remain that way.

*** It was very early morning when you awoke, too much excitement in the air – even in the aftermath of the wedding - for you to sleep. You stood out on the balcony, watching the watery sky as the sun began to break through.  Harold was content to watch you from the bed as you were draped in his shirt and the bed sheet, looking out towards the ocean. There was always something about all these ocean views… He stood and half-dressed himself before joining you, he almost didn’t want to break the silence and how serene everything was. Harold opted instead to simply stand with you, caressing your exposed skin, stroking the small of your back delicately. You wore a soft smile, and although you weren’t looking at him, he knew that he was where all your focus stayed. Eventually you tilted yourself, so your head rested against him – and the noise you made was of content. The silence remained for a long time, because there was nothing for either of you to say. Why say ‘I love you’ when you’d spent your night showing each other how in love you were, and how much you appreciated the opportunity to be with each other… There was something even more beautiful about you in the afterglow, but Harold wasn’t sure he could handle just telling you that yet. There was something about the time of day, about the time you’d just spent with him, all the joy that surrounded the wedding that made you speak honestly. Something had weighed on you for a long time; it wasn’t a bad weight, just a muse you were almost too scared to voice. But after everything, right now felt like the best and only time to say it. So you did. “Is it crazy to want this... for me to wish this could be us one day?” You couldn’t look at him for fear of becoming so embarrassed that you’d stammer ‘forget it’ and run from the room. That perhaps all you would see in Harold was hesitation, and it might break your heart in two right then and there. You assumed his answer; that he would chuckle at you, and be as lovely with you as ever but tell you not to be so stupid – this wasn’t to be your fate. That wasn’t what Harold said, and the silence didn’t hang because he didn’t know what to say, but because what you’d voice demanded the gravitas and respect of a real answer, a thought out answer. He took a breath, looking out to the sky as you were, before smiling and taking your hand, pulling your body into his embrace and kissing the crown of your head. He kept his voice low and gentle, as delicate with you as ever. Why had you expected anything less? “No. I don’t think it’s that crazy at all.”

---

Thanks so much for reading 😘🤗

[mooosicaldreamz]

Have you listened to folklore yet?? Can you do commentary on all the songs??

it’s time.

THE 1

This song has a funny vibe in comparison with “I Forgot that You Existed” - it really sets a tone of calm, quiet vibes in comparison to the more bombastic stuff on Lover. Also this song is kind of a banger. It has a very gentle rhythm, like I’m in the sun in the woods and I’m in my hammock. I have a hammock now and I’m considering moving into it. “It would’ve been fun / if you would’ve been the one.” Also I love the “I had this dream you’re doing cool shit” - so fun, so sweet. Taylor said a curse word.

CARDIGAN

This song is proof to me that this album was produced by a Dessner because it has the same repetitive piano that I would say is a hallmark of National songs - it sounds a lot like “Light Years” to me. That song is, by the way, an absolute banger. This song? Fun! It’s an interesting metaphor, and an interesting way of saying the point of the song. And I think it’s much more grounded than some more old school Taylor metaphors of like fairytale stuff. “Tried to change ending / Peter losing Wendy.”

THE LAST GREAT AMERICAN DYNASTY

As we ALL KNOW, this song is about Taylor’s wonderful little house wherein the great Fourth of July celebration took place all over Instagram in the Red era. I googled it and it’s semi-biographical! I think it’s clear that Taylor is making commentary on her life on the Cape just as much as she is telling the story of this person, Rebekah Harkness. It’s an interesting piece of self-awareness to compare herself to an oil heiress who caused quite the stir in a segment of the world that is full of big stirrers (ie the Kennedys who I’m pretty sure she was neighbors with somewhere down the beach). I’m intrigued. She is having fun.

EXILE (FEAT BON IVER)

This will sound like absurd hyperbole but between Bon Iver and Taylor Swift, I’d be hard pressed to name two artists who have fucked up my life more. Getting to hear his beautiful baritone without layers of distress like he’s been rolling with lately is a gift. Thank you to Taylor Swift. “I can see you staring, honey / like he’s just your understudy / like you’d get your knuckles bloody / for me.” VIBEZ???? ARE WE VIBING????? I AM VIBGIN!!!!!! “Those eyes add insult to injury????”” BANGER!!! IT’S A BANGER.  THAT BREAKDOWNN!!!! LET’S ROLL!!!! LET’S GET FUCKED UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m PUTTING THIS ON SO MANY PLAYLISTS!!!!!!!!!!

MY TEARS RICOCHET

LET’S GET EMO !!!!!!!! You know, just recently I was discussing with Lynne (or myself? I talk to myself about Taylor a lot) about how she’s gonna go on her like farewell tour when she’s 50-60 or whatever and it’s gonna be all these low-down sexy baller mixes, like when Cyndi Lauper did her greatest hits cover release (it’s a banger!). This album is just an excuse for her to sing in her low register. God, I’d die for her. I love how sad this is. I have too many favorite lines. “I didn’t have it in myself to go with grace / ‘cause when I’d fight, you used to tell me I was brave / And if I’m dead to you why are you at the wake?” ALSO “And you can aim for my heart, go for blood / But you would still miss me in your bones.” OKAY HONEY!!!!!!! This is a clear Supercorp song. Since I know this is why you are asking. Start here for fic titles.

MIRRORBALL

Oh, okay, Taylor went to the woods and listened to Ryan Adams, Bon Iver, and just fucked around and made shoe gaze pop? What kind of talent!!!! Her last album was premium pop. Why is she like this. This song is very interesting. It’s very sweet. The phrasing on “tallest tiptoes / highest heels” oh my God. I love this song. I might cry.

SEVEN

Another absolute National-style production, God, we are living in my dream world on this album. “I’ve been meaning to tell you / I think your house is haunted / Your dad is always mad and that must be why / And I think you should come live with me / and we can be pirates.” WHAT A JOKE. WHAT A JOKE!!!!!!! What a beautiful portrait of childhood. There’s a scene in Spring Awakening (the musical, I can only assume now that Taylor is a big fan), where they talk about playing pirates when they were younger and now everything is tragic. “Are there still beautiful things?” It shouldn’t be that easy bro.

AUGUST

This, like “Seven” is an Antonoff production, which is just vibes. The dreaminess. We are vibing. As much as I am inclined to hate the line, “August slipped away like a bottle of wine” it is phrased so well and delicately that it comes across more dreamy than wine mom memey. I also just want to say that I bought the OG vinyl and the “meet me behind the mall” vinyl and after hearing the song that it comes from it’s a vibe. This is obviously a teenage romp song, which is really great because obviously Taylor wrote about being a teenager in love when she was a teenager and wrote about like, the classic world-ending Romeo and Juliet style fairytale. But this is….”meet me behind the mall.” Which is such an adult perspective on what being a teenager is. It’s so wonderful to see that artistic depth in an artist we’ve literally watched grow.

THIS IS ME TRYING

I feel like this is the depression song that should have been on Reputation but was so out of step with the rest of the album between it’s thunderous anger / thunderous oh-shit-I’m-into-this-dude that they couldn’t work it in. And it doesn’t quite vibe with Lover either…this whole song is GREAT. It’s very depression 101. It makes me cry also. “They told me all of my cages were mental / so I got wasted like all my potential / and my words shoot to kill when I’m mad / I have a lot of regrets about that.” I LOVE the way she sings “I have a lot of regrets about that.” Also “and it’s hard to be at a party / when I feel like an open wound.” Absolute banger.

ILLICIT AFFAIRS

I feel we should give this song the true banger status because Taylor wrote a song about a girl who is the other woman and it’s empathetic. God, we love progress. This song also does a good job of being about the other woman, but also has a little more universal appeal. I know when I heard this I was like, “oof, okay, I don’t miss being 16.”  The word mercurial is used in this song.

INVISIBLE STRING

Not to get too emo about it, but this song is adorable and it’s messed up that she wrote it. The idea behind it that I think must be fairly common for people who are in love, that their lives have unique crossover moments, and there’s this hope/want to believe that you were always going to end up in this place because of all those connections? That’s kind of a complex thing (imo) to express. And she WROTE IT!!!! God. If I were Joe Alwyn I would cry every day.

MAD WOMAN

The fact that Taylor would ever attempt to make me believe this is not about Scooter Braun is insane. I love this song. Proof of concept that you don’t need to yell to show how mad you are.

EPIPHANY

This song is sad. But very interesting. I don’t think I’ve ever heard her write anything like this. I think the back half of this album is a little more experimental.

BETTY

I’m not sure what I’m expected to say here. I know that this song is not actually gay. But I don’t care. It’s country twang from a boy’s perspective and you know what? We’re taking it. We are taking it for ourselves. But also, I love that she chose to write this weird “teenage love triangle” set of songs and that she chose to write none of them from like, her perspective? Right? “August” is James cheating on Betty, “Illicit Affairs” is the other woman, and this is James…when Taylor was 17 she would have written this song from Betty’s perspective. And that’s what we would have got. There’s real growth in storytelling here, and a real interest in expanding the canon of what she’s writing about. It’s really great to see an artist do that. Also the way she sings “The worst thing that I ever did / was what / I did to you.” This whole song is a masterpiece. I hate her.

PEACE

I just learned that Joe Alwyn is a Pisces. I am A PISCES. TAYLOR!!!! WE COULD BE TOGETHER.

I love the “I talk shit with my friends / It’s like I’m wasting your honor.” This song is so adult. She’s in like. Real love bro. BRO. I AM HAPPY FOR HER. BRO!!!!!!

HOAX

I am interested in why this is the last song on the non-deluxe version of the album. I don’t have a lot to say about this but that it reminds me of Wuthering Heights. Also if you wanted to get emo this is probably a good SC song.

[seblore]

do you have a favorite song off of the Folklore album? also could you pick a favorite lyric I'm curious. Also I hope you have a great day/night/afternoon/morning! <3

HEY ANON!!! hsbznms im honored you even felt the need to know my favorite folklore song <333 and a rant about folklore was a long time coming so this was the perfect opportunity tysm :D

my favorite song to listen to is 100% between cardigan & mirrorball.. they are just so... SO.... S O . . . . just. the entire ‘but i knew would linger like a tattoo kiss // you’d come back to me’.... THE SINKING FEELING I GET EVERYTIME... vile. and the ‘hush’ & the bridge in mirrorball... WORK OF ART <3 mirrorball was the first one that HIT after my first listen so yeah it is very dear to me

now emotionally? this is me trying takes the win & epiphany a very close second. i literally had a full breakdown while watching the this is me trying part of the long pond sessions. just the whole song hits so close to home justgrrgrrbarkbarkwoofwoofGRGRGRRGRG. ‘i was so ahead of the curve the curve became a sphere, fell behind all my class mates and i ended up here’ gurl bye <3 anyways moving on because im on the verge of tears L O L..... epiphany MAKES ME FEEL THINGS. not in the way of this is me trying rather a completely different feeling. it just leaves you hollow for a few moments doesnt it? and hearing taylor talk about the song really made it for me. ‘only twenty minutes to sleep but you dream of some epiphany.....’ [blanK STARE]

and favorite lyric??? singular??? NO <3 hehsjsks im gonna do one from each song 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

the 1: i thought i saw you at the bus stop, i didn’t though. WTF WTF WTF WTF?!?!? FELONIOUS.....

cardigan: literally the whole song bye

the last great american dynasty: they say she was seen on occasion pacing the rocks staring out at the midnight sea. . . the story telling the imagery the alliterations WHAT GOES ON INSIDE HER HEAD. MISS TAYLOR SWIFT IS NOT OK.

exile: those eyes add insult to injury. 👁 👁

my tears ricochet: and you can aim for my heart go for blood, but you would still miss me in your bones. i SCREAMED when i heard this for the first time.

mirrorball: the whole chorus whole bridge bye

seven: LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND TO SATURN and literally the whole song. THE BRIDGE??? m8 m8 m8.. ive been meaning to tell you i think your house is haunted....... .... ... no maam your mind IS haunted.... the complete innocence in the whole song i—

august: salt air and the rust on your door i never needed anything more. A SONG OPENS LIKE THIS WYD??? DO YOU CRY DO YOU LAUGH DO YOU GO FERAL WYD?????? and babe im not even gonna go on a tangent talking about the betty james august saga i just cant I CANNOT I CAN NOT

this is me trying: yeah like i said before... i dont wanna talk about this im gonna cry djsjsksk NEXT

illicit affairs: take the words for what they are, a dwindling mercurial high, a drug that only worked the first few hundred times. :SIGH: taylor allison swift you know damn well for you i would ruin myself a million little times

invisible strings: ✨💖✨💖✨💖 chains around my demons wool to brave the season.. one single thread of gold tied me to you. and then timee wondrous timeee give me the blues and the PURPLEPINKSKY ✨💖✨💖✨💖 honestly i cant believe she wrote a ao3 dot net certified soulmate au fic song

mad woman: WHEN YOU SAY I SEEM ANGRY I GET MORE ANGRY :D

epiphany: holds your hand through plastic now. how does she do this everytime i want to know........ the implications the accuracy the attention to detail... a perfect example of what makes a taylor swift song. this tiny little thing that happens in our everyday life that never jumps out to us, she takes that and makes it a whole moment... of course doctors touch us with a glove on... HOLDS OUR HAND THROUGH PLASTIC... PLEASE I AM .:;().(;):$;&.@.9

betty: :DDD WILL YOU KISS ME ON THE PORCH IN FRONT OF ALL YOUR STUPID FRIENDS?????

peace: the whole song really is a piece of art that is so under appreciated but if i have to choose a lyric it would have to be: give you the silence that only comes when two people understand each other..... again,,,,,, we all know this feeling so very well we all could feel the rush of emotions upon hearing this but have we ever sat down and really thought about this??? how we want to give the one we love a silence that only comes when two people understand each other?? NO WE DIDNT. AND SHE DID. This whole song TJIS WHOLE SONG ARSGSHHSHAGAH

hoax: my best laid plan. your sleigh of land. my barren land. i am ash from your fire. and then... my only one. my kingdom come undone. my broken drum [SCREAM]. you have beaten my heart.

the lakes: is it romantic how all my elegies eulogize me. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN WTF I AM ILLITERATE. WHY WOULD YOU OPEN A SONG LIKE THIS VILEVILEVILEVILEVILEVILEEEEEE

I AM OUT I AM RUNNING AWAY 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️ why is she like this why why why why w—

[pappydaddy]

Congratulations on getting 300 followers 💛

🏆Songs of the Folklore album aka my favourite TS album 💛😅

Lord lovelies, what is with all the hard ones? Folklore is defiantly in my top favourite TS albums! But, nonetheless, I thank you for all the support and this submission lovely💛!

Reminder: this is ordered from LEAST favourite to MOST favourite

17. last great american dynasty

Look, I love this song. There isn't a single skip on this album, but something had to be my least favourite. Idk why this is my least favourite, I just don't love it as much as I love the other tracks.

16. seven

This makes me cry, more than the others and for different reasons. The story is just so sad. It shows the innocence of children, but it also shows that they are so perceptive. The fact that this tells the story of a child noticing something is wrong with their friend's family while nobody else does. I just cry and that's why this is placed at 16.

15. the lakes

I just kinda forget about this sometimes. When it comes up or when I remember it, I absolutely love it. It just obviously can't be ranked better than other ones that I actually remember😂

14. mirrorball

Same vibes as last great american dynasty. I have no idea why this isn't as high as some others, but I guess I just like other tracks better? I honestly have no idea what to tell you guys about this one.

13. betty

I think I just played this too much when the album was first released. Also, when I'm relaxing to the album in my hammock or by the open windows imagining myself in a cottage overlooking fields upon fields of wildflowers, the harmonica at the beginning scares me. But still not a skip, I still fucking love this song.

12. epiphany

Another one that I cry about. Idk why, this one just makes me cry. Maybe some deep-rooted trauma, maybe reasons to be revealed in therapy, maybe I'm just emotionally damaged and cry at weird things? I have no idea what it is, but I will still love the song forever.

11. peace

Yep. Still have no sweet clue what to tell you guys.

10. august

I think this one I also overplayed when the album was first released. I had this on repeat for a solid week (at least) at one point.

9. this is me trying

Hits really close to home, which I like, but then it also hits too close to home to be higher on the list.

8. illicit affairs

I love this song. I love the imagery, I love the story composition within the song, it's a masterpiece. I think it's just the idea of being a mistress with a person who treats you and their s.o. horribly. Like, that person doesn't deserve EITHER of you.

7. hoax

This is another one I have no idea what to say about. I don't know why I like it so much yet, nor do I know why it's not higher.

6. mad woman

I fucking love this song. It makes me feel so powerful and it reminds me of how strong and relentless women are. It is a song full of great advice for young girls about how life will be like for them unless we can find a way to change this world. Great message, great delivery of the message, just overall perfection. Still don't know why it's not in the top five tho.

5. invisible string

Everyone who is following my Folklore/Evermore Collection (especially the Harry Potter ones) knows how much I love this song. I mean, I wrote a long-ass George fic based on this song (over 20 pages). Safe to say that this was gonna be in the top five.

4. the 1

Another one I have no idea why it's not higher. I think it's just compared to the other songs left to rank, I lean towards the others more.

3. my tears ricochet

Another one that hits really close to home. But I also like the line "I didn't have it in myself to go with grace/and you're the hero flying around, saving grace". I have multiple other lines from this song that I absolutely love, but I'm not getting into all that on this post - maybe another time.

2. cardigan

Call me basic, but I loved the song when the album was first released and I still fucking love it now.

1. exile (feat. Bon Iver)

Bon Iver and Taylor Swift. That is all that I have to say about this ranking.

This really was a hard one lovely, I thought the farther I got, the easier it would become, but that was definitely not the case. I think it actually got harder.

Feel free to send in more submissions for the EVENT found on my PINNED POST lovelies 💛!

[regthelionhearted]

Reblogging this to add on a list of my top 10 jegulus songs let’s go:

Disclaimers- there will be a lot of Taylor Swift; I plan on keeping my explanations for each song as concise as possible. Also, I’m currently reading ‘Choices’ by Messermoon so lately when I think of jegulus, I think of their portrayal in that fic so a lot of my songs are based on how they’re portrayed in that fic.

#1. Astronomy — by Conan Gray

First off, this song just sounds like Jegulus if that makes sense, with it’s melancholy and the feeling the whoever wrote it has already given up if that makes sense. Then there are the lyrics: “we’re two worlds apart” which is like ahhh the feels bc jegulus are truly starcrossed lovers as they are on two sides of a war that they never wanted to fight in. Then the bridge. Do I have to say anymore? It really reminds me of regulus and James trying to stay together against all odds, and eventually having to leave eachother when everything becomes too much. Damn I just made myself sad. Ok that wasn’t at all concise I’m sorry.

#2. Don’t Blame Me — Taylor Swift

I definitely think that this song encapsulates the taboo-ness of their relationship, and how they shouldn’t really be together but are anyway. I also think the lyrics “don’t blame me, love made me crazy” can be interpreted as James and regulus talking about their relationship, as they both do things they might not do before because of their relationship with one another.

#3. Waiting Room — Phoebe Bridgers

This song shows how much James and regulus care about eachother, and how they would do anything to stay together, even though it isn’t enough. This failure to stay together comes to culminate with the lyrics “know it’s for the better” which I think is how regulus sees what happened. He thinks that being apart from his true love is for the better, if not for him for James.

#4. Two Ghosts — Harry Styles

I think that this song is about James and regulus’s relationship, and how it changes when the war worsens. Even though they are both in school, and are both kids, they are beginning to feel sides form more distinctly, and are realizing that they are on opposite sides. I think that the lyrics “we’re not who we used to be” really represents how they are losing their naivety to what is going on in the world around them, which is ultimately changing the dynamic of their relationship. I think that when they get to this point, they begin biding their time, knowing that their relationship was never meant to last forever.

#4. ICU — Phoebe Bridgers

Simply “I hate your mom” no but really this is such a jegulus song. The “i hate your mom” is such a thing James would say, or just think constantly. And then the part that’s like: “I feel something when I see you” is totally regulus. Honestly every single lyric in this song screams jegulus and I’m here for it.

#5. My Tears Ricochet — Taylor Swift

This is such a jegulus song, because of the lyrics “and I can go anywhere I want, anywhere I want just not home.” These lyrics remind me of how to James and regulus, they were each others homes, and how they can’t be with eachother, can’t be home. Credits to little-shit-Soph for first bringing this connection the my attention.

#6. Achilles Come Down — Gang of Youths

This song reminds me so much of jegulus because of the Achilles/Patroclus parallels with jegulus brought to light in messermoon’s “Choices.” I always interpreted that parallels as achilles being regulus, and Patroclus being James. Because of this, I see this song as James begging reg to stay, and not follow the path of his family. The lyrics “it’s not worth it achilles” really brings this point home to me.

#7. Illicit Affairs — Taylor Swift

Just the title alone is so Jegulus. I feel like this song is about Regulus being bitter about his relationship with James, not because he wasn’t happy in it but because he WAS so happy in it, and knew that it couldn’t last forever. “Look at this godforsaken mess you made me” is very regulus thinking about James, because to him James made him vulnerable, and which was hard when he was back with his family, and anyone other than James really.

#8. Miserable Man — David Kushner

This song is all about running away with the person you love. This reminds me a lot of regulus wanting James to join his side of the war so that he could be safe, and wanting to run away with him after. The lyrics “all we wanted was a place to feel like home.” Is very them. It’s just… *chef’s kiss* AND THEN THE PART ABOUT IT BEING A FEW YEARS LATER AND HAVING KIDS. JAMES LEAVING REGULUS AND HAVING HARRY WITH LILY. AHHH. sorry about that. It’s just the emotions.

#9. Fourth of July — Sufjan Stevens

This another song that just really sounds like Jegulus. I think that the lyrics are also really about the aftermath of their relationship. The lyrics “I’m sorry I left, it was for the best though it never felt right.” Very jegulus, very jegulus. I also feel like it reminds me a lot of Regulus in the two years later chapters, when he is beginning to “rot” in his misery. I also feel like in the back of his mind, regulus has always known that he was fated to die young, whether he admitted it or not. Because of this, I think the the “we’re all gonna die” lyrics is him and his observations on the war.

#10. Golden — Harry Styles

Ending with a semi-happy one let’s go. As we see in messermoon’s beautiful writing, though regulus might seem hard and cold to basically everyone, he’s golden to James. “You’re so golden,” reminds me so much of jegulus’ early kisses, and James realizing who regulus really is underneath his hard exterior. And then the “I know that you’re scared because I’m so open.” Very jegulus. All I can say.

Not to brag but my jegulus playlist is literally my pride and joy y’all should go give it a listen

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7yCGVZ6ugiaCZ9L3tHgzHn?si=VnePNLOHSLqVKVMn8fz97w