#in honor of the surprise rounds posted today

[lettuce-gremlin]

I almost forgot but I went to Hobby Lobby today and I could see the shade of this aisle from three aisles away and wanted to share

[svt-luna]

ʚིᵋ ⋆ GAME CATERERS X SVT ࣪ ! ˓ ౨ৎ ࣪˖ ─── episode 2-2.

Game Caterers x SEVENTEEN

synopsis: Episode 2-2! We officially begin the next segment— the music quiz with chaotic team groupings, team names, and competitive music quizzes for the competitive members.

surprise!! double post for this very special day!! in honor of Jeonghan’s birthday today, I finished this chapter for you, my lovelies! I hope you guys enjoy it! until the next one! all the love 🤍💛💚

╰ ౨ৎ LUNA-VERSE MASTERLIST

╰౨ৎ fan reactions ╰ ౨ৎ game caterers masterlist

[added captions are in brackets] ღ

bold dialogues are spoken in english ღ

After a refreshing break, the members of SEVENTEEN slowly trickled back onto the set, now subtly different from the previous round. The bright lights illuminated the space, highlighting pairs of chairs spread evenly across the room, each with a small table placed neatly in front. The casual energy from earlier seemed to linger in the air, but now there was an unspoken anticipation.

[SEVENTEEN is waiting again after the 'Super' Store]

Luna and Jeonghan strolled back together, a comfortable ease between them as they made their way to the chairs. Their steps were unhurried, but there was a spark of playfulness in Luna’s eyes. Without warning, she skipped ahead of him, her light steps carrying her straight to the chair beside Jun.

[Bunny hop, hop, hop!]

Flashing a grin over her shoulder, she dropped into the seat and leaned back, clearly satisfied with her choice. Jeonghan, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips, sauntered toward the chair separated from Luna’s but still positioned right next to hers. He settled down, casting a glance in her direction, the unspoken connection between them palpable even as they sat apart.

Jun glanced between Luna and Jeonghan, his brows raised in curiosity. "Is this a team game? One desk per team?" he asked, his voice thoughtful.

Jeonghan shrugged nonchalantly, leaning back into his chair. "I don't know," he replied casually, glancing at Luna.

Luna smirked and turned to Jun, "Are we a team then?" Her playful tone made Jun chuckle as he shrugged again, clearly just as clueless.

"I love it," Mingyu chimed in with a grin as he sat down nearby.

"This is so much fun," Dokyeom added enthusiastically, settling into the seat beside Jeonghan.

Jeonghan combed his fingers through his hair and nodded, joining in, "I know, it's fun." His laid-back demeanor added to the lightheartedness filling the room.

“I love it too" Luna exclaimed, leaning forward in her seat, the excitement evident in her voice.

"I'm having so much fun here." Seungkwan joined in as he seated next to Mingyu.

As the group exchanged their sentiments, Seungkwan suddenly turned toward PD Na, who sat nearby overseeing the setup for the next game. "You should call us again," Seungkwan called out, his tone eager.

"What?" PD Na replied, looking slightly confused, not catching what Seungkwan had said.

Jeonghan leaned forward, repeating with a laugh, "Give us a call again," which earned more laughter from the crew, including PD Na, who was amused by their antics.

[That was the best compliment ever]

"I want to be funnier," Mingyu confessed with a grin, shifting in his seat.

"We should try harder," Dokyeom agreed, leaning toward Mingyu as if to conspire.

One of the writers, clearly entertained by their banter, chimed in, "How can it be funnier than Omega-3?"

The mention of Jeonghan’s earlier answer during the quiz segment sparked immediate laughter. Luna, sitting on her phone while her hair stylist adjusted a few strands, giggled, remembering Jeonghan's hilarious ‘Omega-3’ answer from earlier. "No one can top that," she said with a wide smile as her stylist finished up.

PD Na, sensing the lighthearted mood, looked at them and asked teasingly, "Does that make you more jealous than the prizes?"

"I want to be funny," Mingyu repeated, pouting slightly.

"I'm jealous when someone's funny," Dokyeom added, his face scrunching up in exaggerated frustration.

PD Na mimicked Seungkwan’s earlier reaction, "Seungkwan was like, 'Oh, I should’ve got that.'"

[What a bummer]

Seungkwan could only laugh at the impersonation, while Wonwoo, ever calm and composed, chimed in, "I have to say, I was jealous." His deadpan delivery earned nods and more chuckles from the crew.

[They're jealous of people who are funny]

SEVENTEEN's break was nearing its end, and the set was slowly returning to life. Each member was doing their own thing— some sitting quietly, some talking to each other, while others scrolled through their phones.

Luna, however, was fully focused on Jun’s phone, which he had handed over so she could play a game.

[Pre-game game]

Both of their eyes were glued to the screen, fingers tapping in sync as they whispered in excitement. Their hair stylists stood by, fixing their hair or adding small touches to their makeup as they continued the game.

“Wait, wait! Go left!” Luna whispered urgently to herself, her hand swiping across the screen.

Jun leaned closer, trying not to laugh as their stylist added some hairspray to his hair. "You have to tap faster, Jiyeonie”

“I’m tapping! I’m tapping!” Luna’s eyes widened as she tried to clear the level, her concentration unwavering.

[They are not fighting]

The two were so focused that they barely noticed the rest of the room.

From their right side, Mingyu, Seungkwan, Dokyeom, and Jeonghan were passing the time by singing lines from their song 'Super.' Their voices melded together in a playful harmony, each taking turns with their individual parts, filling the air with soft but familiar melodies.

Luna managed to clear the level, her face lighting up in victory. “We did it!” she whispered to Jun, flashing a triumphant grin.

“Nice!” Jun smiled back, equally pleased with their success.

In the midst of the relaxed atmosphere, the voice of a staff member suddenly echoed through the room. "Audio director, did you raise the volume?" she asked, her voice carrying across the set.

"Yes," came the reply from the audio director, confirming the sound adjustments.

Before anyone could process what was happening, the opening beats of the BSS sub-unit’s song, 'Just Do It', blared through the speakers, startling the members from their casual conversations and games.

[Suddenly playing 'Just do it' by BSS]

Immediately, Hoshi, Seungkwan, and Dokyeom— the trio behind the song— sprung into action, instinctively singing along in their seats.

[Automatic response]

[For some reason, they just start singing]

As the song’s energy hit the room, several members started to join in. Jeonghan and Mingyu bopped along to the rhythm, while Luna, still seated, began singing the lyrics softly to herself, her body swaying with the beat. A couple of members even started to do the dance moves, half-committed but grinning as they moved in sync.

Then, as the chorus approached, a collective understanding seemed to wash over the room. Without needing to say a word, all fourteen members suddenly stood up from their seats, moving to the center in perfect unison to dance to the chorus.

“All of a sudden? But I just fixed my hair,” Seungkwan said, still confused, as he took his place at the front next to Hoshi and Dokyeom. “Just do it!” he called out with a grin, and at once, the members snapped into perfect synchronization for the chorus choreography.

[How scary]

The sight of all fourteen members dancing in unison brought laughter from PD Na, who was clearly enjoying the chaos unfolding in front of him. "Good job," he said, amused.

Seungkwan, ever the showman, took the opportunity to engage an invisible audience, as if they were back on stage. “Are you ready to have fun?” he shouted, mimicking their concert hype routine, his voice full of energy.

"What are you doing?" PD Na asked, laughing in confusion.

Dokyeom joined in, keeping the playful atmosphere alive. “Send lots of love to The Game Caterers: SEVENTEEN Special!” he called out, playing along with the mock concert vibe.

[No matter what we play, they dance, sing and speak automatically]

Just as the chorus ended, and everyone was catching their breath, PD Na pulled out a whistle from seemingly nowhere and blew it loudly, startling the members once more. “Two people!” he exclaimed over the noise.

Instantly, the members understood the next game— they needed to pair off. Chaos erupted as everyone scrambled to find a partner. Some ran across the room, while others grabbed whoever was closest.

Luna, who was nearest to Joshua, instinctively grabbed his arm, pulling him into a tight hug as they partnered up, just like the rest of the members who hurried to find a match. The pairs stood together, laughing and a bit breathless, still surprised by the sudden instructions.

“The person next to you is your partner,” PD Na announced with a grin.

[Oh]

There was an immediate chorus of responses from the members. Some hummed in approval, pleased with their pairing, while others groaned in playful reluctance, clearly unsure of their chances in the upcoming game. A mix of excitement and apprehension rippled through the group.

Luna and Joshua exchanged a glance before chuckling at their sudden fate as partners. They high-fived each other, and Joshua smiled, “Nice.”

“I think it's a music quiz. I’m not that confident,” Luna admitted, her brow furrowed slightly in concern.

Joshua gently pulled her toward their seats, positioned between Woozi and S.Coups’ team on one side and Dokyeom and Jun’s team on the other. “Don’t worry, I’m not good at it either,” Joshua reassured her, his easygoing tone making her giggle as they took their spots.

One by one, each pair started to settle into their designated seats. Seungkwan and Hoshi, who were still hyped from their spontaneous dance earlier, plopped into their chairs with grins. Mingyu and Jeonghan sat down next to each other, while Dino and Wonwoo silently found their seats, their quiet but confident energy contrasting with the others. Vernon and Minghao, always laid-back, took their seats in sync, effortlessly cool. Meanwhile, Woozi and S.Coups, ever the reliable duo, exchanged a few words before settling in. On the other side of Luna and Joshua, Dokyeom and Jun were still buzzing from their earlier excitement, whispering to each other as they sat down.

Once all the members settled into their seats, PD Na leaned forward with a curious look and asked, “Were you attracted to your partner by instinct?”

A few chuckles spread through the room as the members nodded in response, clearly reflecting on the hasty pairings. “Yes,” they answered in unison, playful smiles lingering on their faces.

“I said it out of nowhere,” PD Na recalled, earning more nods from the group, everyone in agreement about the abrupt nature of the instruction.

“You’re going to play a game as a team now,” PD Na announced, and the room immediately erupted in cheers and clapping. The energy was palpable, with every pair anticipating what was coming next.

“I’m sure you’re sitting with the person you have chemistry with,” PD Na teased, and the members, still buzzing from their spontaneous bonding, nodded eagerly. But then, PD Na's tone shifted slightly. “But… you may have something you don’t like about your partner. Let’s talk about one flaw of your partner.”

[Let's talk about each other's flaws]

The room fell into playful groans and laughter, knowing they were about to enter dangerous territory. PD Na gave them a few minutes to discuss privately with their partner, and almost immediately, whispered conversations broke out between the pairs.

Luna turned to Joshua with a grin. “Your flaws? You have none,” she said confidently, reaching up to smooth out a stray piece of his hair, her touch gentle as she adjusted it in place.

Joshua couldn't help but smile, flattered by her words. “You don’t either,” he replied, the sincerity clear in his voice.

But Luna, never one to let a moment go to waste, leaned in closer with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Your flaw is… you never age,” she teased, her smile growing as she met his gaze.

Joshua laughed at her playful jab, but before he could respond, she raised an eyebrow, daring him to come up with something better. “Your flaw is…” Joshua trailed off, glancing at her as if trying to seriously figure it out, his lips curving into a grin. “There really is none… that’s annoying. That’s the flaw.”

Luna burst out laughing at his cheeky comment and gave him a light nudge on the arm, shaking her head. “You can go harsher than that,” she challenged, still grinning, her eyes sparkling with humor.

Their laughter mixed with the sounds of the other teams discussing, each pair deep in their own conversation about flaws that weren't really flaws at all.

As soon as the time for brainstorming ended, PD Na called for attention, and the room quieted down. “Let’s start introducing the flaws,” he said with an eager smile, ready to hear what the teams had come up with.

The first pair to go was Mingyu and Jeonghan, both looking slightly amused by the eyes on them.

“Did you team up again?” S.Coups asked, his voice filled with playful disbelief. He shook his head, clearly amazed by the coincidence.

“You're meant to be,” Dokyeom chimed in with a grin. “I can't believe they teamed up again.”

[Mingyu and Jeonghan are always together]

Mingyu and Jeonghan exchanged a quick glance, trying to keep a straight face.

[What does Mingyu think Jeonghan's flaw is?]

Finally, Mingyu started the discussion, unable to hold back his laughter. “You need to stop burping,” he said, directing the comment to Jeonghan.

Laughter erupted throughout the room, the sudden bluntness of it catching everyone off guard.

[The unexpected biological flaw]

Jeonghan, in his usual relaxed way, simply nodded, lazily acknowledging it with a small shrug.

[The unexpected flaw of the good-looking face]

“It’s going to take a long time to talk about it,” Mingyu continued, shaking his head. “I'll just say he needs to stop burping.”

PD Na, chuckling along with the rest of the room, nodded in agreement.

[What does Jeonghan think Mingyu's flaw is?]

Jeonghan took a moment to think before coming up with his own response. “Don't fart after taking protein,” he said to Mingyu, causing the room to explode in laughter. The joke hit even harder than the first, especially with the way Jeonghan said it so nonchalantly. PD Na and the rest of the crew couldn’t stop laughing, their amusement echoing around the room.

“That’s an amazing start,” Luna said, chuckling at the ridiculous yet hilarious exchange.

“You had to say it,” Dokyeom added, nodding in approval as if Jeonghan’s comment had sealed the deal.

“They’re about physiology,” Seungkwan pointed out, wiping away tears from laughing.

“They’re perfect,” Minghao added with a grin, pointing at Mingyu and Jeonghan. “One comes from up, the other comes from down.”

[Fart] [Burp]

That sparked another round of laughter, especially from Mingyu, who decided to lean into the joke. “Can you play ‘Up&Down’ by EXID?” he asked, his tone completely deadpan, which only made the room laugh even harder.

[Giving up]

“I don’t care about the show anymore. I give up now,” Mingyu added, still keeping the deadpan expression, throwing his hands in mock surrender.

“‘Up&Down,’” Minghao repeated through giggles, and as if on cue, Vernon started singing the chorus of the song quietly to himself, making the atmosphere even more lighthearted and fun.

[We don't know how to wrap this up]

As the laughter died down from Mingyu and Jeonghan’s playful exchange, PD Na turned his attention to Vernon and Minghao. “Alright, next up, Vernon and The8,” he announced, giving the pair a nod to start.

[Next is Vernon and The8]

Vernon glanced at Minghao, an amused smile on his face as he reached over to gently tug at one of Minghao’s dangling earrings.

“The8,” Vernon began, trying to keep a straight face. “I don’t like your earrings.”

[The8's flaw: ugly earrings]

The unusual “flaw” caught everyone off guard, and laughter erupted around the room. Even Minghao looked surprised, his hand instinctively reaching up to touch the earrings Vernon had pointed out.

“You’re disrespecting him right in his face,” Wonwoo chuckled from his seat, shaking his head in disbelief.

Minghao, still grinning, turned his attention fully toward Vernon. He scanned him up and down in silence, as though seriously considering what flaw to pick. The room held its breath for a moment, everyone waiting for his response.

[Scanning]

“He’s looking for flaws,” Wonwoo pointed out again, gesturing toward Minghao.

After a brief pause, Minghao finally spoke, his voice calm and matter-of-fact. “There’s nothing,” he said, immediately making Vernon shy. The rest of the members burst into an exaggerated chorus of “Ooohh,” leaning into the moment.

“That’s his flaw,” Minghao added with a small smile, a hint of teasing in his tone.

“Cute,” Luna mumbled under her breath, just loud enough for Joshua to hear, who chuckled softly beside her.

Vernon, laughing along, tried to play it cool. “My flaw is that I have no flaw,” he joked, still slightly bashful from the attention.

“That’s perfect,” Jeonghan chimed in with a laugh, fully enjoying the banter.

“There’s nothing to talk about,” Minghao said, shaking his head, still amused by the whole situation.

Vernon chuckled, glancing back at Minghao. “Sorry about the earrings,” he offered, his grin widening.

Minghao smiled back, nodding his head with a lighthearted response, “Good job,” acknowledging the playful exchange as the rest of the group continued to giggle at their dynamic.

As the laughter died down, PD Na turned his attention to the next team. "Woozi," he said, his tone encouraging, "what do you think S.Coups' flaw is?"

Woozi paused for a second, his eyes drifting toward S.Coups, who waited with a playful smirk. "There isn't much," Woozi started, making S.Coups raise an eyebrow. But then Woozi continued, “But how can you get Park Bo Gum wrong?”

[Refer to SEVENTEEN Special Clip 1-3]

The reminder of S.Coups’ mistake from the earlier game sent everyone into another fit of laughter. Even S.Coups dropped his head down, sheepishly grinning at the memory.

“You were disappointed that he doesn’t know the name?” PD Na asked, clarifying Woozi’s point as the chuckles continued around the room. Woozi nodded, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

S.Coups, still laughing at himself, took a moment to collect his thoughts. Then PD Na turned to him, “S.Coups, what do you think his flaw is?”

S.Coups looked at Woozi, eyes softening. Without missing a beat, he responded, “There’s none. I’m always grateful. I love him so much.”

The room filled with a warm, appreciative atmosphere as Woozi’s face lit up with a smile, his laugh light and sincere. “Oh, thank you,” he replied, slightly flustered by the sudden display of affection from S.Coups.

[They sound old]

“Alright, moving on,” PD Na said, his tone playful as they moved on to the next team, Seungkwan and Hoshi. “Seungkwan, what do you think Hoshi’s flaw is?”

Without hesitation, Seungkwan jumped in. “You exaggerate when you mimic me.”

This drew a series of chuckles from the group. Hoshi nodded in agreement, his expression slightly guilty but amused.

[Don't exaggerate when you mimic me]

“So he goes overboard?” PD Na asked, clarifying Seungkwan’s point with a raised eyebrow. Seungkwan nodded again, more emphatically this time.

Turning to Hoshi, PD Na said, “Hoshi, anything you want to say about Seungkwan?”

Hoshi stood up, his actions drawing an immediate laugh from PD Na and the writers nearby.

[Going overboard]

"Oh no, he stood up," Luna giggled, sensing Hoshi’s dramatic flair about to take center stage.

Hoshi, now at the front of the table, began, “Seungkwan goes overboard to be funny.”

"He does," The entire room nodded in unison, agreeing with Hoshi’s assessment, with several murmurs of acknowledgment echoing through the space.

[Everyone agrees]

"Because I’m worried about the show," Seungkwan defended himself, nodding, but the grin on his face betrayed how much he was enjoying the back-and-forth.

As the focus shifted to the next pair, PD Na turned his gaze toward Wonwoo and Dino. The room fell into a comfortable silence, waiting to see what Dino had to say.

[What does Dino think Wonwoo's flaw is?]

Dino looked at Wonwoo thoughtfully before speaking, "Wonwoo… You need to speak."

[Silence]

The statement immediately drew chuckles around the table, Wonwoo smiling shyly at the mention of his introverted nature.

Dino continued, shaking his head with a playful grin, "He never talks."

PD Na, grinning, leaned forward as if the revelation suddenly clicked. “Oh,” he said with exaggerated understanding, making the group laugh again.

Now it was Wonwoo’s turn, and he seemed to take a second to gather his thoughts, his expression as calm and introspective as ever.

[A chance to talk]

After a brief pause, he turned to Dino and, in his typical understated tone, said, "I get that he's healthy because he's young, but he needs to drink less."

Dino’s reaction was priceless— his eyes widened in disbelief, clearly taken aback by the unexpected observation. The room burst into laughter at Dino’s dramatic reaction.

[Falsely charged]

From her seat, Luna couldn't help but nod along, her voice cutting through the noise, "He's right."

Her playful but firm agreement sent another wave of laughter through the group, with everyone knowing how much Luna disapproved of her members’ excessive drinking habits.

Wonwoo's shy smile widened as he noticed the support. Amid the laughter, S.Coups leaned toward Wonwoo and jokingly added, “Tell him to stop wearing sleeveless t-shirts.”

Dino, trying to defend himself, protested with a slightly exasperated tone, “I don't drink that much. I don't drink as much as you think.”

The room erupted again, this time with Seungkwan, Woozi, and Jeonghan chuckling while PD Na nodded in amusement.

“He’s worried as your friend,” Jeonghan chimed in from the other table, still laughing. “The youngest is always the healthiest,” Jeonghan added, his words punctuated by the light-hearted tone everyone carried.

"His liver is healthy," S.Coups followed up with mock sincerity, sending another ripple of laughter through the room.

"The youngest is a drunkard and a shaver," Woozi said, chuckling, making even Dino laugh at himself.

“We only say what’s true,” Seungkwan added with a wide grin.

“SEVENTEEN doesn’t lie,” Jeonghan said, turning toward PD Na as if to emphasize his point, his playful tone drawing even more laughter from the room.

As it moved on to Jun and Dokyeom's turn, the atmosphere in the room was buzzing with curiosity. Jun took a moment to gather his thoughts before looking at Dokyeom and saying, “Sometimes Dokyeom practices singing out of nowhere.”

The members instantly erupted in laughter, understanding exactly what Jun meant. Dokyeom’s habit of bursting into song without warning was no secret to anyone.

Jun continued, gesturing with his hands as if reenacting the moment, “He suddenly goes…” Jun let out a scream-like imitation of one of Dokyeom’s powerful high notes, which only made Dokyeom laugh even harder, throwing his head back.

[Screaming]

“Sometimes he sings out of nowhere. That scares me big time,” Jun explained with wide eyes, clearly exaggerating his reaction for comedic effect.

PD Na, remembering his own experiences, nodded, chuckling as he chimed in, “I heard a few songs too.” His words were met with more laughter as everyone could imagine Dokyeom’s voice echoing unexpectedly.

“All of a sudden, while he’s walking,” PD Na added, his tone half-surprised as if just realizing the randomness of it all.

[As loud as an emergency alert message]

Jun nodded vigorously, taking advantage of the moment. “I can’t complain because he’s practicing. But I’ll take this chance to…” He trailed off, pretending to offer some criticism.

Before Jun could finish, Dokyeom, still laughing, held up his hands in surrender. “Okay, I’ll try to keep quiet.”

Jun immediately shook his head, “No, tell me instead,” he replied playfully, sending everyone into giggles.

“‘I’m going to sing now,’” PD Na provided an example.

Dokyeom, clearly in on the joke, grinned and said, “I’m going to sing now,” mimicking the formal announcement.

“That’s right,” Jun nodded, satisfied with the playful arrangement they’d come to.

[Emergency alert message: DK's going to start singing soon]

From her seat, Luna chuckled and, in an amused tone, added, “I mean, if I had Dokyeomie's voice, I wouldn’t shut up either.” Her playful remark drew laughter from Joshua and Dokyeom, who couldn’t resist smiling at the compliment as Luna winked his way.

[Bunny doesn't mind DK's singing]

After the laughter died down, PD Na turned to Dokyeom and said, “You can talk about Jun.”

Dokyeom paused for a moment before speaking, “Jun is kind and innocent. He’s all nice, but he’s kind of short-tempered. He loses his temper quite easily. He should try not to get angry so easily.”

The members, who had witnessed Jun’s short fuse in certain situations, voiced their agreement almost immediately.

“Angry Jun,” Woozi muttered, nodding, which prompted Vernon to repeat it with a grin, “Angry Jun.”

Curious, PD Na leaned in, intrigued. “What made him lose his temper recently?” he asked.

Dokyeom thought for a second, then said, “When we were practicing choreography…” His words immediately drew laughter from Joshua, who clearly knew where the story was heading. “When we were practicing, we’re like, ‘Isn’t that #5?’” Mimicking Jun with an exaggerated seriousness, Dokyeom suddenly said in a stern voice, “‘Never.’”

[Mimicking Jun]

The imitation was spot on, and everyone burst out laughing, especially Joshua, who could barely contain himself.

“That’s what he does,” Dokyeom said, grinning widely as the room continued to roar with laughter.

PD Na, whose cheeks looked like it was going to tear open from laughing so much, clapped his hands. “You’re so good at mimicking him.”

From across the table, Minghao playfully warned, “Dokyeom, you’re dead now,” which made Dokyeom chuckle nervously, glancing at Jun beside him.

Joshua, grinning, pointed at Jun, who was sitting silently but smiling through the entire exchange. “He’s already angry.”

“He’s getting there,” Seungkwan quipped, pointing as well, sending another wave of laughter around the room.

“Jun’s angry,” Vernon added, nodding with mock seriousness, as Jun continued to laugh along, taking the teasing in stride

[That's his look before losing his temper]

As it finally came down to the last pair, Luna and Joshua, the room fell silent with anticipation, knowing this was going to be an entertaining exchange.

PD Na, grinning, leaned forward. “Luna, what do you think Joshua's flaw is?” he asked, setting the stage.

Luna turned toward Joshua, who sat beside her, the two sharing a brief look before Luna spoke. “Honestly, Shua has no flaws…” she trailed off, her tone sounding genuine, but the playful glint in her eyes said otherwise.

Joshua, already sensing the joke that was about to land, braced himself with a smile. Luna gave him a knowing look, one that seemed to say, Here it comes— just as they had planned earlier. “But, there’s one,” Luna deadpanned, her voice turning serious as she continued, “He thinks no one looks as young as he does.”

[The best baby face ever]

The room exploded with laughter at the sharp contrast in tone. Joshua could only laugh along, while PD Na and the writers chuckled, amused by how easily Luna delivered the playful jab. The members, who knew all too well about Joshua’s confidence in his youthful appearance, agreed instantly.

“Yes, that’s true,” Seungkwan chimed in, nodding.

“Really?” S.Coups added with a grin, turning toward Joshua as if surprised by this revelation.

PD Na, still chuckling, turned to Luna, “Is he annoying?” he asked as if confirming her statement.

Without missing a beat, Joshua nodded and said, “I’m annoying.”

Luna, clearly enjoying herself, continued, “And he knows he’s handsome. He keeps talking about it.”

[Stop showing off]

The group burst into more laughter, especially since Luna’s teasing tone made it clear she was only joking. Joshua, still laughing, couldn't deny the truth behind her playful words.

“Do you really think you look young?” S.Coups asked, now fully engaged in the banter.

Joshua, trying to defend himself, replied, “Among us.”

“Among us?” S.Coups repeated, raising an eyebrow in mock surprise. “You think you look young among us?”

The tension built as Luna, laughing but ready to jump into the fray, interjected as she pointed at herself, “Among all of us? Isn’t it me?”

Joshua, sticking to his point, quickly clarified, “Among people born in 1995.”

At this, Jeonghan, sitting quietly across from them, couldn’t hold back any longer. “I look the youngest among people born in 1995,” he spat out, almost incredulous at Joshua’s statement.

[Glaring]

The room broke into laughter again, the dynamic between the two quickly escalating into a playful spat.

Joshua whipped around to face Jeonghan, his expression shocked. “What?”

“I look the youngest,” S.Coups retorted, jumping into the fray and pointing to himself confidently.

[A fight occurs]

Now, the three ‘95-liners— Joshua, Jeonghan, and S.Coups— looked at each other in shock, each convinced that they were the youngest-looking.

[They're all serious]

PD Na could only laugh, pointing at the trio as they sat frozen in their disbelief. Meanwhile, Dino, the actual youngest, sat quietly to the side, looking over the entire situation with an air of exasperation as if wondering how they could argue over something so trivial.

[Dino is used to this]

Woozi, observing the scene unfold, chuckled and commented dryly, “They’re all alike.”

“Without your makeup, you all have bags under your eyes,” Seungkwan added, his voice dripping with sarcasm, which only deepened the laughter in the room.

At this, Joshua turned to Seungkwan, eyes narrowing in playful retaliation. “Ya! People think you’re the leader, Seungkwan,” he said, pointing at him.

S.Coups, laughing, joined in. “People think you’re the oldest,” he added, piling onto the playful accusations.

All the while, Luna sat back in her seat, chuckling to herself, clearly shocked at how far the banter had spiraled from her simple comment.

“No one thinks you’re the youngest,” Joshua finished, his tone light but teasing.

Seungkwan, always quick on his feet, stood up suddenly, grabbing the edge of the table in front of him and lifting it as if to use it as a shield.

[Defense]

The members howled in laughter as he swung the table around, pretending to aim it at Joshua and S.Coups. Joshua raised his hands in defense, laughing even harder. Meanwhile, Jeonghan remained silent, watching the chaos unfold with a calm smile, seemingly amused but determined to stay out of the fray.

“Stay out of this,” Joshua playfully told him, still laughing.

Hoshi, who was sitting close by, turned to PD Na and nodded. “People think Seungkwan is the oldest,” he said, joining in on the teasing.

Seungkwan, slowly putting the table back down, nodded along, grinning as he played along. “Right. That’s true.”

[Seungkwan is the second youngest]

“That’s true, though,” Minghao agreed from across the room, causing more laughter to ripple through the group.

Mingyu, still chuckling, glanced around and asked, “Really? Doesn’t Seungkwan look young?”

Jeonghan, never one to miss an opportunity for a quick remark, shook his head. “No.”

Seungkwan, attempting to defend himself, waved a hand dramatically. “People later realize that I’m cute, but if they don’t know me…”

He barely got the words out before Dino, sitting quietly up until now, cut him off with a firm, “No,” sending another wave of laughter through the room as everyone agreed.

[The real youngest finds it absurd]

Determined not to give up, Seungkwan stood up again and, with a mock-serious expression, looked around the room. “Is there any CARAT here?” he called out, pointing to the empty space beside him as if searching for a fan to back him up.

Silence met his question.

[Quiet]

“There’s none,” Seungkwan pouted dramatically, his expression exaggerated as he sat back down, making the group laugh even harder.

[No personal comments on set]

As the laughter from Seungkwan’s playful antics subsided, PD Na smiled, sensing that the energy in the room was still high. He glanced toward Joshua, signaling for the next round. "Alright, finally, Joshua, what do you think Luna’s flaw is?" he asked with a teasing grin, knowing this would be just as entertaining.

[What does Joshua think of Luna?]

Without missing a beat, Joshua, who had been waiting for this moment, immediately said, “Jiyeonie…she’s annoying too.”

His words were delivered with such deadpan precision that the entire room burst into laughter, Luna included. She threw her head back, clapping her hands in pure amusement as her laughter filled the space, the suddenness of his comment catching everyone off guard.

[They are both annoying]

PD Na, chuckling at Joshua’s quick response, raised an eyebrow. “What about her is annoying?”

Joshua turned to Luna, giving her a knowing look, as if they had discussed this moment before. There was a playful sparkle in his eyes, the kind that hinted at affection wrapped in humor.

He began to explain, his tone light but sincere, “Jiyeonie is perfect at everything.”

Luna, catching onto the impending compliment, glanced at him with curiosity while the others leaned in to hear what he had to say.

“She’s beautiful inside and out. She’s talented, she can sing, dance, rap…” Joshua listed, his voice softening slightly, as if recounting all the things he admired about her.

The members nodded along, acknowledging the truth in his words.

[They agree]

“She has good luck,” he continued, his tone growing a little more playful as he stacked compliments upon compliments. Joshua paused, and then with a smirk, delivered the final blow: “It’s annoying.”

[He's strange]

The room exploded into laughter again, louder this time, as the members clutched their sides, finding his reasoning both absurd and hilarious. Luna, already overcome with laughter, clung to Joshua’s arm as she tried not to fall off her chair, gripping him tightly to steady herself as her legs weakened from laughing too much.

“Sometimes she would be minding her own business,” Joshua continued with a playful shrug, still keeping his tone as if he was making a very serious confession, “and I look at her, and in the back of my head, I’m like, ‘she’s annoying.’”

This time, Luna was nearly doubled over, her laughter uncontrollable as she leaned into Joshua, barely able to catch her breath. The members couldn’t help but join in, their own laughter filling the room, while Joshua simply smiled, clearly proud of his comedic timing.

PD Na, chuckling as well, nodded in amusement. “She’s annoying because of that,” he said, clarifying the absurd logic, while trying to catch his breath.

Joshua nodded seriously, as if confirming a fact. “Exactly.”

It took Luna a moment to calm herself down. She wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, still giggling under her breath. Once she finally composed herself, she looked at Joshua with a fond smile, her voice still light with amusement. “Thank you,” she said, playfully acknowledging his “compliment”.

Joshua chuckled softly in response, the banter between them easy and affectionate, the kind that only close friends shared.

As the room’s laughter began to settle, PD Na smiled knowingly and addressed the group. “The things you just said— you could say that because you're friends. But for you to keep that in mind and fix it, that will be your slogans for the quiz.”

A collective “Ahh” of realization rippled through the members as the meaning sank in. The flaws they had just jokingly mentioned were going to become their slogans for the entire quiz.

Jeonghan scoffed out a laugh, a mix of amusement and disbelief. “That’s my slogan?” he said, half to himself as if still wrapping his head around it.

Mingyu, sitting nearby, let out a sigh as he too came to terms with the situation. “We were only trying to be funny,” he said, shaking his head with a hint of playful regret.

It dawned on him that their slogan might end up being “Fart and Burp,” which made the room chuckle again at the absurdity.

[Flaw: fart & burp]

Luna, having enjoyed the playful atmosphere, turned to Joshua with a smile, the humor of the situation not lost on her. “Ours isn’t that bad,” she said lightly, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

Joshua, always calm and composed, nodded in agreement. “I know, right?” he replied, sharing in her relief as they both realized they had managed to avoid the more embarrassing slogans.

Meanwhile, S.Coups, sitting with Woozi, grinned mischievously as he leaned toward his partner. “Let’s go with ‘Park Bo Gum’,” he joked, referencing the actor with a laugh.

Woozi, catching onto the joke, chuckled along. “Park Bo Gum,” he agreed, shaking his head.

PD Na, catching the banter between S.Coups and Woozi, raised his voice with a smile. “In case you decide it on your own, we chose it for you.”

At that moment, a couple of staff members appeared, stepping forward with name plaques for each team. These were folded pieces of paper with the teams' slogans written on them. As they placed the plaques on each team's table, the members eagerly reached for their signs.

Luna and Joshua picked up theirs, glancing down at the slogan they had unknowingly created. The two began chuckling at each other as they read it. The mix of humor and disbelief was clear on their faces.

“What is this?” Luna said between giggles, nudging Joshua lightly. “Doesn’t this make us sound so full of ourselves?”

Joshua, still holding the paper, gave a soft laugh. “No, it’s okay. It’s not that bad,” he said, reassuring her, though his grin suggested that he also found it a bit ridiculous.

Around the room, the members’ reactions were mixed. Some of them loved how funny and stupid their slogans were, clearly enjoying the lightheartedness. Others, like Jeonghan, Mingyu, and S.coups, were playfully whining and complaining, asking PD Na if they could change their slogans.

PD Na, of course, refused with a cheeky grin, only making the situation funnier. The playful complaints and reactions continued as the atmosphere remained full of laughter, with everyone leaning into the absurdity of the situation, preparing themselves for whatever quiz was coming next.

As soon as the laughter from their slogan reveals had subsided, it was time to test out their team slogans.

[Let's try your slogans]

First up were Seungkwan and Hoshi, sitting near the front of the set. With enthusiasm, the two tested their slogan brimming with energy. “Go Overboard For Show!” they shouted in unison, clearly embodying the spirit of their slogan.

PD Na chuckled, nodding approvingly. “Good job,” he praised, before moving his gaze to the next table. “Next… 1, 2, 3.”

Mingyu and Jeonghan, knowing what was coming, stifled a scoff before saying their slogan together, “Burp And Fart.” The entire room erupted into laughter, the absurdity of their slogan too much to contain.

Even PD Na couldn’t help but laugh. “Nice,” he said between chuckles, quickly composing himself before gesturing toward the next team. “1, 2, 3,” PD Na counted down for Dino and Wonwoo, who sat straight in their seats.

“Drink Less And Talk More,” they chimed, their tones calm but clearly amused by their ridiculous motto.

PD Na, still amused, gave them a nod. “Good,” he said before glancing over at Vernon and Minghao’s table. “Alright… 1, 2, 3.”

“I Don’t Like Your Earrings,” Vernon and Minghao deadpanned, eliciting a fresh wave of laughter from everyone, especially PD Na, who found their flat delivery the funniest of all.

“But I like them,” Minghao shyly added, his hand instinctively touching his earrings with a proud smile.

Jun, sitting at the end of the line, leaned forward with a playful grin. “Their slogan is so short,” he pointed out, only adding to the light-hearted teasing.

“Aren’t they cool?” Minghao responded, still touching his earrings with a hint of uncertainty.

Luna nodded at him with a smirk. “It’s the coolest, so cool, Hao,” she said, her voice laced with amusement, drawing a grin from the quiet idol.

PD Na then turned to the next team, S.Coups and Woozi. “1, 2, 3.”

S.Coups and Woozi took a deep breath before reciting their overly elaborate slogan, “I Don’t Know Who Park Bo Gum Is, But I Love Him And Cherish Him.”

The room burst into laughter yet again, S.Coups cringing at the overly dramatic line.

[He hates it]

“Their slogan is the worst one,” Luna commented between giggles, clearly enjoying the humor of it all.

PD Na moved on to the next team, now standing in front of Luna and Joshua’s table. He grinned as he counted down, “1, 2, 3.”

“We Are Too Perfect, It’s Annoying,” Luna and Joshua said in perfect sync, their voices full of mock arrogance, which sent the room into another wave of laughter.

The final team, DK and Jun, prepared themselves as PD Na gave the signal. “1, 2, 3.”

“I Get Worked Up And Lose My Temper Easily,” they said, prompting more snickers from the rest of the members.

As the slogans were finally revealed, the room continued to buzz with laughter and banter. Mingyu, shaking his head as if he couldn’t believe what had just happened, pointed at their team slogan and groaned. “Isn’t this worse?” he asked, half-laughing, half-complaining.

[Extremely stimulating]

“That’s something everyone does,” Dino chimed in, his tone a mix of logic and humor.

“The whole nation burps,” Seungkwan added in mock defense, his arms crossed as if presenting a valid point.

[He brings the whole nation into it]

“But it’s embarrassing,” Jeonghan said, shaking his head slightly with a small chuckle.

“It’s humiliating,” Mingyu followed, his voice teasing but still genuinely flustered. He laughed, his large frame shaking with the sound. “I feel like we’re still doing it.”

PD Na, amused by their antics, raised an eyebrow with a playful grin. “This will remain on YouTube forever,” he teased, making everyone laugh even harder.

Mingyu, not missing a beat, grinned mischievously as he leaned back in his chair. “I’m going to show my son later,” he joked, sending the group into yet another fit of laughter.

[That will create a distance between him and his son]

[They're going to play a game with these slogans]

The room was buzzing with anticipation as PD Na cleared his throat, grinning in that familiar, mischievous way that always meant something fun— and chaotic— was about to happen.

“Alright,” he announced. “It's time to reveal what game we’ll be playing.” He paused for effect before finally saying, “It's a music quiz.”

Immediately, the room exploded with excitement. The members clapped, voices overlapping as they reacted with gleeful energy.

“I love it!” Seungkwan exclaimed, dapping up with Hoshi who was equally as thrilled.

Jun, sitting a few seats down, gave a knowing nod. “This is what Seungkwan’s good at.”

Woozi chimed in, leaning back on his chair. “Seungkwan’s good at this,” he echoed, his calm demeanor not masking the playfulness in his tone.

[The member of Korea Music Copyright Association doesn't feel confident]

Luna chuckled, her head lowering slightly as she muttered to Joshua, “I’m terrible at this.”

Joshua, hearing her, chuckled too, shaking his head. “I am too,” he confessed, making Luna laugh even more at the mutual understanding of their inevitable failure.

[They are confident of their looks only]

“This is great!” Seungkwan nearly sang, his voice rising as he spoke, which Hoshi immediately mimicked, matching Seungkwan’s tone and enthusiasm, making everyone laugh again.

[The best players teamed up]

PD Na raised a hand, signaling for the members to settle down as he continued, now explaining the rules. “When I play the song, say your slogan. The first person is going to say the singer, and the next person has to say the title. Both people must get it right to win a point.”

The members listened attentively, some nodding here and there as they absorbed the instructions.

[For more details,they'll figure it out while playing]

PD Na wasn’t done. He leaned in, his voice dropping conspiratorially. “What matters the most,” he said slowly, “is the prize.”

That got everyone’s attention.

Both Jeonghan and Luna physically perked up in their seats, their curiosity now piqued. In perfect unison, they chorused, “Is there a prize?”

The two glanced at each other with matching smirks, clearly amused by their synchronized excitement. Luna leaned forward, catching Jeonghan’s gaze from across the room. He winked at her in reply, and she chuckled, shaking her head.

“What is it?” Minghao asked, voicing the curiosity that had taken over the room. His expression was intrigued, eager to know what the stakes were. “You’re spending a lot of money,” he added, his voice teasing but also genuinely curious.

Seungkwan, not missing a beat, grinned and gestured toward Hoshi, who was sitting beside him. “I get to play with a lucky boy today,” he said, referring to Hoshi, who had won both a Dyson hair dryer and a Korean beef set earlier in the previous game.

“I have Omega-3,” Mingyu pointed at Jeonghan with a laugh, alluding to Jeonghan's earlier answer in the previous quiz.

“I’m expecting something huge,” Seungkwan added, his excitement building as they all eagerly waited for PD Na to finally reveal what the prize would be.

[Here's the prize]

PD Na smiled, letting the suspense hang for just a moment longer before finally revealing, “It’s worth $1,000. For example, if you want something… we will pay for it.”

A wave of pleased reactions rippled through the room. The idea of a grand prize worth that much immediately captured everyone’s interest.

“For example,” PD Na continued, “two Dyson hair dryers. Then you can have one each.”

The members nodded, impressed by the prize's flexibility, but PD Na wasn’t done yet. “Or,” he added with a sly smile, “if it’s a mental wish, like something we can grant.”

[Producer Na's host coupon] [Or anything else we could grant]

With that, he handed out a piece of paper to each team, letting them know that they could write their prize of choice on it. The excitement in the room was palpable as the members huddled in their respective teams, whispering and muttering among themselves as they tried to come up with their wishes.

[Each team writes the prize they want and submit it]

[We'll give them a chance to pick one after mixing with 60 duds]

[Draw chances] [1st place, 5 times] [2nd place, 3 times] [3rd place, 2 times] [4th place, 1 time]

On the left side of the set, three teams began conspiring with each other. Woozi and S.Coups were the first to exchange glances and start scribbling something down, which caught Luna’s attention. She took a quick peek at their written wish and burst out laughing, trying to cover her mouth to keep it quiet.

“What?” Joshua whispered, leaning toward her curiously.

Luna, still chuckling, whispered something into Joshua’s ear, making him grin. Before they knew it, Dokyeom and Jun, who were seated nearby, had noticed the laughter and leaned in to join the conversation, their curiosity piqued by the sudden excitement.

Whatever the three teams were planning, it was clearly something mischievous, as they were all buzzing with excitement when they finally finished writing their wishes. Nobody else knew what had them so giddy, but it was clear that they were up to something.

Once all the teams had finished writing their wishes, they folded their papers and placed them into a small pouch filled with sixty duds.

PD Na reminded them, “If you pick someone else’s wish, you get to take it too.”

The members nodded in understanding, letting out a collective “oooh” in chorus, clearly intrigued by the added layer of fun.

“And the bonus prize,” PD Na announced, his voice rising with enthusiasm, “MHP: Most Hip Players.”

[The prize for most enthusiastic players]

This caused an even bigger stir among the members, their excitement peaking at the mention of a special bonus.

“You’ll get two chances,” PD Na added, watching as the members’ competitive spirits ignited.

Joshua nudged Luna playfully and said with a grin, “Jiyeon-ah, this is it.”

“Alright,” Luna chuckled, nodding in agreement.

[They aim for MHP]

“That’s our only hope,” Dokyeom murmured to Jun, clearly focused on the MHP title now.

“Can you win MHP?” Minghao asked Vernon, his expression filled with determination.

“Let’s do it,” Vernon replied, equally serious.

[They all want MHP more than 1st place]

Once the members heard about the bonus prize, they lost all sense of reality. The atmosphere shifted as whispers and hurried conversations filled the room. Everyone had their eyes on the special title now, scheming and strategizing in hushed tones.

[They're thinking about being funny when they have to solve the quiz]

[This is who SEVENTEEN is]

PD Na noticed the sudden surge of energy, chuckling as he watched the chaos unfold before him.

[We miscalculated the probability]

[This would bring a tremendous result]

[Their wish will be revealed after the game]

The air in the studio was thick with anticipation as the members of SEVENTEEN sat at the edge of their seats, eyes fixed on PD Na. Each one of them was ready, muscles tensed as if they were waiting for the starting signal of a race. The weight of the potential prize— and the glory of winning— hung heavily in the air.

[Music Quiz begins]

PD Na held up his hand, a sly grin on his face as he gestured toward the speakers. The tension built for a brief moment longer. And then, the faint sound of a song began to play— just the riser of the music, barely distinguishable.

[Here's Question #1]

For a second, everyone froze. Their ears perked, heads tilted slightly, straining to hear what song was coming up. The silence before the storm. Then, in a flash— almost too fast for the others to react— Seungkwan and Hoshi were already on their feet, hands shooting up in perfect sync as they screamed their slogan, "Go Overboard For Show!"

[As soon as the music plays]

Their voices rang out in unison, clear and loud, cutting through the silence. The room erupted in gasps, and the rest of the members could only watch in awe as the duo had beaten them to the punch, claiming the first chance to answer.

PD Na pointed at them, grinning. “Go Overboard For Show,” he said, “what’s your answer?”

Hoshi spoke first, his voice brimming with confidence. “SHINee,” he declared, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

Without missing a beat, Seungkwan followed up with, “‘Sherlock,’” his voice triumphant as the answer left his lips.

PD Na smiled, nodding. “You got it.”

In an instant, the familiar chorus of SHINee's 'Sherlock' burst through the speakers. Without hesitating for even a second, Seungkwan and Hoshi exchanged a glance, grinning like they had just won the lottery, before they bolted toward the front of the room.

As if possessed by pure adrenaline, they started dancing, moving through the iconic choreography with precise, practiced ease. Their feet shuffled across the floor, arms swaying to the beat, while their voices echoed as they sang along to the chorus.

[Full of adrenaline]

The rest of the members watched, amused yet unsurprised by the duo’s exuberant display. It was as if this level of excitement had become routine with Seungkwan and Hoshi.

PD Na sat back, arms folded, a chuckle escaping his lips as he witnessed the lively performance unfold before him. There was something endearing about how they threw themselves into the song, as though they were back on stage performing for a stadium full of fans.

[Singing with passion]

By the time the chorus ended, Seungkwan and Hoshi struck a final pose, arms extended and chests puffed out dramatically as they finished their impromptu performance.

[The ending pose]

The room erupted into applause, a mixture of cheers and laughter filling the air. Both of them were out of breath, their faces flushed from the exertion, but their eyes sparkled with satisfaction.

“They’re trying to win MHP too,” PD Na remarked with a chuckle, watching as the two performers made their way back to their seats.

[Going overboard]

“They were good,” Wonwoo commented, nodding with genuine appreciation for their effort.

Vernon added, “It’s not easy to beat them.”

Seungkwan, still panting from his earlier display, pointed a finger playfully at the rest of the group. “How dare you challenge me for a music quiz?” he declared, though the smirk on his face betrayed his playful teasing.

PD Na chuckled, “You danced till you pant. You got 1 point.”

Seungkwan dramatically wiped an imaginary bead of sweat from his forehead. “I worked so hard, but it’s only 1 point,” he sighed with exaggerated exhaustion, making the rest of the members burst into laughter. “Still, thank you,” Seungkwan added, his tone mock-solemn, which only caused more giggles to ripple through the room.

PD Na sat up front, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he watched the energy simmering among the members. “Here’s the next question,” he announced, his voice clear and steady.

On cue, the intro of a familiar song began playing through the speakers, causing a ripple of recognition among the group. It was a sound that at least all of them recognized, and the reaction was immediate— chaotic, even.

[It's a mess]

Five out of the seven teams shot to their feet, shouting their slogans in unison, their voices overlapping in a cacophony of noise. Laughter echoed around the room as the teams scrambled, each one determined to be the first to claim the answer. It was a mess— arms flailing, chairs squeaking, slogans filling the air as they all fought for the spotlight.

But in the middle of the frenzy, the fastest to react was Mingyu and Jeonghan. Their team slogan, much shorter and quicker to yell, cut through the chaos first. “Burp And Fart!” Mingyu yelled, his voice carrying above the others.

[Fart was faster by a split second]

There was a brief moment of stunned silence as the absurdity of the slogan sunk in. PD Na chuckled, raising his hand to acknowledge their speed. “You have to admit that ‘Burp And Fart’ was fast,” he said, giving credit where it was due.

Mingyu, eager to seize the opportunity, raised his hand, ready to say the artist’s name. His confidence radiated off of him as he prepared to answer. But before the words could leave his mouth, Jeonghan beat him to it. “TWICE,” Jeonghan declared, his tone confident and sure.

A chain of reactions immediately followed. There were gasps, yells, wide eyes, and some stifled laughter. Most of the members knew right away that Jeonghan had made a mistake, and Mingyu's face was a picture of shock. His eyes snapped to Jeonghan, disbelief etched into his expression.

“No, it’s not,” Luna chuckled softly from her seat, clearly amused by Jeonghan’s bold but incorrect answer. She raised her hand, prepared to shout her team’s slogan, but before she could, another voice rang out.

[It's not TWICE]

“I Get Worked Up And Lose My Temper Easily!” Dokyeom yelled, practically leaping out of his chair.

[Hyenas never miss the chance]

PD Na nodded, signaling for Dokyeom to give his answer. “Who’s the singer?” he asked.

“STAYC,” Dokyeom answered confidently, and a beat later, Jun followed up, “'ASAP.'”

“You got it,” PD Na confirmed with a grin. Immediately, the chorus of STAYC’s ‘ASAP’ began to play, filling the room with the upbeat, catchy tune.

At once, most of the members, except for Mingyu, Jeonghan, S.Coups, Woozi, and Luna, leaped from their seats and rushed to the front. They began dancing to the song, their movements enthusiastic and playful as they mimicked the choreography with varying degrees of accuracy.

[People aiming for MHP barge in]

The sight of SEVENTEEN, one of the most skilled performance groups, dancing to a girl group song brought waves of laughter through the room.

Luna, though staying seated, couldn’t resist moving along. Her shoulders swayed and her head bobbed to the beat as she grinned, enjoying the show from her spot. She even mimicked some of the hand gestures, laughing as she watched her fellow members execute the choreo with varying levels of precision and commitment.

PD Na, also amused, watched from up front, grinning broadly at the chaotic yet endearing scene unfolding in front of him.

[He loves his job]

The members danced with wild abandon, some more committed than others, while PD Na’s chuckles mixed with the melody.

Luna, still seated, couldn’t contain her amusement as she continued to watch, occasionally throwing in a little dance move from her seat. Her eyes sparkled as she saw the members letting loose and having fun.

When the song’s chorus ended, the dancers made their way back to their seats, still out of breath but beaming with satisfaction. The air was filled with post-performance energy, the room buzzing with excitement and laughter.

“Good job,” Luna said, turning to Joshua with a smile.

Joshua, still catching his breath from the unexpected performance, grinned back at her. “Thanks.”

Nearby, Dokyeom turned to Jun, his face lit up with excitement. “We got the answer. This is great!” he said, the pride in his voice evident. Jun gave a satisfied nod, a small grin tugging at his lips as they both settled back into their seats, ready for the next round.

As the members settled back into their seats, catching their breath after the chaotic dance, PD Na turned his attention to Jeonghan, a playful grin on his face. “What did you say earlier?” he asked, chuckling lightly, clearly referencing Jeonghan's earlier mistake.

Completely unfazed, Jeonghan leaned back in his chair and shrugged, his expression cool as ever. “We said TWICE,” he answered, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

[Absurd]

“I see why you said that,” Hoshi chimed in, noticing the similarities between the artists' sounds. He leaned forward, his face lit with amusement.

Mingyu, on the other hand, was still pouting, his arms crossed as he pointed accusingly at Jeonghan. “He should’ve stayed quiet,” he muttered, his tone playful but clearly teasing his teammate for the mix-up.

Jeonghan, noticing Mingyu’s sulking, turned toward Hoshi, his eyes narrowing mischievously. “What’s this one?” he asked, his hands moving in the familiar choreography that had caused his confusion earlier.

Hoshi immediately recognized the dance. “‘TT,’” he answered, his voice confident.

Seungkwan, always quick to pick up on details, leaned forward with a knowing look. “Because it’s the same producer,” he added, offering a possible reason for Jeonghan’s mix-up.

[It makes sense]

Despite the teasing, Mingyu’s pout remained, his expression still exaggeratedly wounded.

[Sullen]

Jeonghan, quick to catch on, rolled his eyes at his younger teammate. “Sometimes I get confused, you fucking punk,” he said with his whole chest before suddenly poking Mingyu on the head with the pen he’d been fiddling with in his hand.

The unexpected cursing caused a ripple of laughter from the members while the action earned a shocked chuckle from Mingyu, his eyes wide with surprise at Jeonghan’s nonchalant attitude.

[It's okay. They're SEVENTEEN]

From across the room, Luna sat with her chin resting in her hand, watching the playful back-and-forth with a soft smile. Her gaze was warm as if she were watching her favorite movie unfold in front of her. She chuckled quietly to herself, thoroughly entertained by the banter between the two.

[Bunny no. 1 is having a blast]

Still laughing softly, Seungkwan asked, “Were you confused for real?” His tone was light, clearly enjoying the exchange.

Jeonghan, still chuckling, shook his head. “No, I had no idea,” he admitted, patting and affectionately rubbing the spot on Mingyu’s head where he’d poked him, trying to soothe the mock wound.

[Patting]

Mingyu, now recovering from his playful scolding, quickly explained, “We made a rule. I said I’d say the singer, so he could say the title.” His voice was animated, and he mimicked Jeonghan’s earlier moment of confusion with dramatic flair. “Then he was like, ‘TWICE.’”

Jeonghan laughed again, this time shaking his head in disbelief. “I didn’t hear that rule,” he claimed, still grinning from ear to ear. His casual demeanor made everyone laugh even harder, as it was clear Jeonghan was hardly concerned with the mistake.

“They’re perfect,” Wonwoo remarked, his voice low but full of amusement as he watched the duo.

Mingyu, now on his feet and ready to move on from the mix-up, turned to Jeonghan, determination in his eyes. “Do it right. Let’s win this,” he said firmly, though the playful tone in his voice remained.

“I’ll stay quiet,” Jeonghan promised, though the grin on his face suggested that staying quiet wasn’t something he was particularly good at.

The room filled with more laughter as the members shifted in their seats, the light-hearted moment helping to keep the mood playful as they prepared for the next question.

“Are you ready?” PD Na asked, a teasing glint in his eyes as he scanned the members. Before anyone could even think to respond, an older-sounding intro to a song started playing through the speakers, its melody both nostalgic and unfamiliar.

“Hurry up. Say it,” Jeonghan whispered to Mingyu, his voice mockingly urgent, clearly poking fun at his teammate.

Another beat passed, and suddenly, two teams shot up, hands raised as their slogans rang out across the room.

“Go Overboard For Show!” Hoshi yelled first, his voice booming as he raised his hand, eyes locked in determination.

“I Don’t Know Who Park Bo Gum Is, But I Love Him And Cherish Him!” S.Coups followed a millisecond later, his slogan loud and filled with energy.

PD Na chuckled as he acknowledged the faster group. “‘Overboard’ was faster,” he said, pointing at Hoshi and Seungkwan’s team, causing the others to groan in playful disappointment. “1, 2, 3,” PD Na counted down, gesturing for them to answer.

“(G)I-DLE,” Hoshi said confidently, his face glowing with anticipation.

“Wrong,” PD Na immediately responded, crushing Hoshi’s hopes as Seungkwan groaned loudly.

“Burp And Fart!” Jeonghan raised his hand suddenly, cutting through the noise with his usual confident flair.

[Jeonghan never holds back]

Luna, who had been watching the chaos unfold, immediately started laughing, recognizing Jeonghan’s usual antics. She could tell he was up to something.

Jeonghan, rather than giving an answer, turned to Mingyu, his expression overly serious. “Mingyu, you said you’d go first,” he said with mock urgency, calling out Mingyu’s earlier claim that he would be the one to answer first, fully knowing that Mingyu had no idea what the answer was.

Mingyu, caught off guard, could only chuckle in disbelief, shaking his head. “What’s wrong with him?” he asked, his voice filled with exasperation but laced with humor as the rest of the members erupted into laughter.

Luna, who was watching this unfold, couldn’t contain herself. She burst into loud, cackling laughter, her head dropping onto the table as she shook with amusement.

The song intro continued playing, the melody filling the room as the members strained to make sense of it. The confusion was palpable as they exchanged glances, waiting for something recognizable. Luna voiced what was on everyone’s mind. “What is that?” she asked, her eyebrows furrowed as she tried to place the unfamiliar sound.

[Going over the melody]

“I have a feeling the sound will change,” Seungkwan said thoughtfully, his face showing focus. And as if on cue, the beat shifted, surprising everyone and causing a ripple of excitement and even more confusion.

[Even the K-pop professor doesn't know]

“What’s that?” Jun exclaimed, his eyes widening at the unexpected change in tempo.

[It's a familiar melody]

“It sounds like Cool’s song,” S.Coups suggested, tilting his head in thought. He seemed half sure, yet the room was filled with uncertainty.

“How come we don’t know?” Seungkwan added, sounding both amused and exasperated by how elusive the song was.

“Is this an idol song?” Dokyeom asked, a mix of curiosity and frustration lining his voice.

Luna, more perceptive, tried to reason with them, “It’s probably an older song.” Her guess seemed reasonable, especially given how much the tune didn’t match the newer, trendy hits they usually heard.

The beat started to speed up, and the lively rhythm quickly filled the air. Some members started bobbing their heads up and down, following the tempo, while still trying to recognize the song. A few seemed to catch onto the melody but couldn’t quite place it.

For a few seconds, they just listened. The intro continued teasing them, dancing on the edge of familiarity but not quite crossing into recognition—until Dino suddenly stood up, surprising everyone. “Drink Less and Talk More!” he yelled their slogan with an air of confidence. Wonwoo stood up next to him, far quieter but no less determined.

PD Na acknowledged their attempt with a nod. “Drink Less and Talk More,” he repeated.

“Zaza,” Wonwoo said the artist’s name, eyes narrowing as he tried to be sure.

“‘Inside the Bus,’” Dino quickly followed up with the song title.

“No,” PD Na said, shooting them down, and both Dino and Wonwoo sat back down, shaking their heads as the others laughed.

[It's a completely different song]

The song continued playing, growing more familiar to some and just as confusing to the others. Half the members looked frustrated as if the answer was just out of reach, while the rest looked utterly clueless, lost in the unfamiliar melody.

[They're in an unfavorable situation]

“People who know must be frustrated,” Seungkwan said, glancing around the room, his voice tinged with a hint of defeat.

“How come I don’t know this song?” S.Coups muttered to himself, clearly baffled.

PD Na was watching the chaos with amused eyes when he caught sight of Minghao craning his head toward their staff, clearly looking for clues.

Chuckling, he called him out. “The8, what are you looking at? What’s there?” His voice carried light amusement as the members turned their attention to Minghao, who was now trying to act innocent.

[Cheating straight up]

“I have no idea,” Minghao responded, his voice cool and nonchalant, though everyone knew he was up to something.

“The song is almost over,” Luna said with a sigh, clearly on the verge of giving up on this round. Her tone carried the same resigned frustration the others felt.

[The 1st verse is nearly over]

“We have no idea,” Minghao echoed, his words summing up the group’s collective bewilderment.

PD Na glanced around the room with a playful grin. “You all have a chance,” he said, encouraging the members as they remained perplexed by the song’s difficulty.

Without missing a beat, Jeonghan raised his hand, his tone casual but determined. “Can I try? Burp and Fart!” he called out his team’s quirky slogan, causing a few giggles to ripple through the room. PD Na pointed at him, giving him the floor.

[Burp raises his hand]

“Cool,” Jeonghan said confidently, standing up, naming the artist before Mingyu followed suit, standing up beside him and guessing, “‘Fate.’”

“You got it,” PD Na confirmed, and Jeonghan clapped nonchalantly, as though it was no big deal. Mingyu, on the other hand, was thrilled. He grabbed Jeonghan and dragged him to the front as the song’s chorus began to play.

[They got up to celebrate]

“What are we doing?” Jeonghan asked, letting himself be pulled along with little resistance. They linked their hands in a dramatic, over-the-top gesture and began to dance, a messy combination of jitterbug, waltz, and salsa. Their steps were comically uncoordinated, sending waves of laughter through the room.

[Jitterbug]

“Yes, we’re meant to be,” Mingyu declared, continuing to twirl Jeonghan around, who barely moved and only lazily followed his lead, adding to the absurdity of the dance.

“Yeah, it’s great,” Jeonghan said, nodding in mock enthusiasm as Mingyu kept the energy high.

From their seats, Seungkwan yelled, “Burp and fart, please!” teasing the duo who had now taken their choreography to even more ridiculous heights.

[We'll stop here for their reputation]

Finally, after the chorus ended, Jeonghan and Mingyu slowly walked back to their seats, laughter filling the room.

“I guessed, but it was still right,” Mingyu said, breathless but satisfied as he glanced at Jeonghan.

Jeonghan gave him a small nod of approval, still calm and composed as if the whole spectacle hadn’t happened.

[Team Burp And Fart got lucky]

“Next,” PD Na said, as a new song immediately began playing, its intro familiar to at least half of the group.

[Here is the next question]

Before anyone else could react, Luna stood up confidently, raising her hand with a triumphant declaration, “We’re Too Perfect, It’s Annoying!” Her quick movement surprised Joshua, who sat next to her, clearly unsure of the answer, his eyes widening in shock as he realized they had to answer together.

[Shocked deer]

“Yes, your answer?” PD Na acknowledged their team by pointing at them.

Luna barely glanced at Joshua, sensing his hesitation, before confidently announcing, “SUNMI” The members nodded, some clearly recognizing the song, but the real trick came right after.

Luna, with her back suddenly turned toward PD Na, slyly faced Joshua and mouthed the answer, “‘Gashina’,” while performing the song’s iconic finger-gun hand movement, signaling the choreo that would give it away. Joshua caught on quickly, chuckling at her not-so-secret tactics.

[What are they doing?]

The members noticed but said nothing, instead laughing quietly at Luna’s subtle cheating, particularly Jeonghan, whose smirk had grown into a proud, delighted grin. He always appreciated clever tricks like this.

Joshua, now filled with newfound confidence, stood up straight and said, “‘Gashina’.”

“You got it,” PD Na confirmed, unaware of Luna’s discreet coaching. As the song’s chorus filled the room, Luna and Joshua exchanged a quick celebration.

“Nice,” Luna said in english, high-fiving Joshua, who responded with, “Let’s go.”

Seungkwan, from his seat, tilted his head and scoffed with a laugh. “She’s shameless, really,” he teased, watching the two head to the front for their victory dance.

As the chorus of Sunmi’s ‘Gashina’ played, Luna took her position in the center, exuding confidence, while Joshua stayed a few steps behind, clearly reluctant to dance. “Come here,” Luna called, waiting for the iconic drop in the beat.

“I don’t know the dance!” Joshua laughed but cheered her on from a distance.

The second the beat hit, Luna’s demeanor completely shifted. Her body moved fluidly to the music, her sharp yet graceful movements perfectly matching the song’s energy.

[Scary shift]

She nailed the signature choreo — the finger-gun gesture aimed directly ahead, followed by the sharp turn and strut that Sunmi made famous. The members cheered loudly from the back, fully absorbed in Luna’s performance.

When the chorus ended, Luna gave a small bow, grinning as the members clapped and whistled in approval. She headed back to her seat, a satisfied look on her face.

As she crossed paths with Joshua, she pouted playfully, “Ya! You left me.”

Joshua chuckled, wrapping his arm around her shoulder as they made their way back. “No, I was there. You did well.” They both sat back down, still sharing the buzz of excitement from their win.

[What's the next question?]

The next round began, and all the members sat in anticipation, waiting for the song to play. As the intro of the new song echoed through the room, Dino’s hand shot up almost instantly, cutting through the initial few beats. “Drink Less And Talk More!” he shouted their team slogan with a burst of excitement. His sudden reaction caused everyone to turn toward him, their faces full of confusion.

PD Na acknowledged them, pointing to Dino’s team. “Drink Less And Talk More,”

“SEVENTEEN,” Dino confidently said, as if the artist was obvious.

At this, the rest of SEVENTEEN looked at each other, their confusion deepening. Was it really one of their songs?

[It's SEVENTEEN's song?]

“‘CLAP,’” Wonwoo stood up and declared the title with a surety that baffled the rest of the members even more.

PD Na, smiling knowingly, confirmed, “You got it.”

[It was 'CLAP'?]

Cheers erupted from Dino and Wonwoo, but the rest of the group remained frozen in place, looking at each other as though they had all missed some crucial detail.

“It’s ‘CLAP’?” Jun asked in disbelief, his voice echoing the collective confusion.

“How was that ‘CLAP’?” Luna asked, her brows furrowed as she tried to connect the intro they had heard to the familiar SEVENTEEN track.

“‘CLAP’?” Dokyeom repeated, looking equally lost.

“Why is it ‘CLAP’?” Jun asked again, glancing around as though someone else could provide the answer.

[Puzzled]

S.Coups and Joshua both suddenly straightened up, their eyes lighting up with realization. “It’s in the beginning of the music video,” they chorused, their voices overlapping in understanding.

Vernon groaned and stood up, pointing dramatically at PD Na. “Oh, the music… the music video,” he whined, realizing that the intro had been the sound effect used at the start of the ‘CLAP’ music video, not the main song itself.

The realization dawned on the rest of the group just as Dino and Wonwoo continued dancing to their own song.

[Despite the chaos they continue celebrating]

The chorus of ‘CLAP’ filled the room, and while the two danced excitedly in front, some of the other members started doing the choreography from their seats, unable to resist joining in despite their lingering confusion.

When the song ended, Dino and Wonwoo made their way back to their seats, satisfied with their win, grinning at the members who were still recovering from the surprise.

As soon as Dino and Wonwoo settled back into their seats, PD Na addressed them with a playful smile, “Congratulations to Drink Less And Talk More. The rest of you, what happened?”

Vernon was the first to jump in, pointing accusingly at PD Na, “That was the music video version!”

Woozi, shaking his finger thoughtfully, nodded in agreement. “That’s not the original music,” he reasoned, his tone carrying just a hint of disbelief.

Dino, still buzzing with the excitement of their win, elaborated, “In the music video, Woozi is standing in front of a store.”

“Right,” Vernon and Luna echoed, nodding along as they finally made sense of the confusion.

Vernon, still baffled by the trickery, repeated, “It’s the music video version.” He was clearly not over it yet, but his grin gave away his amusement.

PD Na shrugged, unfazed. “Someone still got it.”

Vernon chuckled in reluctant acceptance. “You’re right.”

At that, Jun raised his hand apologetically, his voide deep as he chukled, “Sorry. It’s our fault. Sorry.”

The room broke into laughter, the light-heartedness quickly spreading as PD Na turned to Woozi, who produced the song. “Woozi, what happened?”

Woozi chuckled before responding. “Since someone still got it, I can’t argue. If no one got it, I can try to argue. But since you got it, I have nothing to say,” he joked, eliciting even more laughter.

Hoshi leaned over to Seungkwan, muttering under his breath, “I thought it was (G)I-DLE.”

“We filmed the music video a long time ago,” Woozi explained, shaking his head as if recalling the time that had passed since then.

Minghao chimed in, looking at Dino with playful admiration. “Dino monitors music videos often. No wonder you were good at it.”

Seungkwan, never one to miss a chance to tease, leaned forward and declared with exaggerated seriousness, “Now that you all had a chance, we won’t cut you any slack anymore.”

His comment made Luna point at him and chuckle. Seungkwan’s playful competitiveness was always a source of amusement for her.

PD Na, watching the banter unfold, informed them with a knowing smile, “We got the music from everywhere.”

[There will be all kinds of songs]

The group nodded in understanding, now fully aware that they couldn’t rely on just the original versions of the songs anymore.

[Next song]

As they waited for the next song to play, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation.

[As soon as it plays]

Then, a very familiar tune began to fill the room, immediately prompting all the teams, except S.Coups and Woozi, to spring to their feet. Hands shot into the air, slogans echoed in unison, but it was Seungkwan and Hoshi who were quickest.

“Go Overboard For Show!” Hoshi shouted triumphantly, earning an acknowledgment from PD Na, who pointed at them, waiting for their answer.

[Hoshi was accurate and fast]

“NewJeans,” Hoshi announced confidently, naming the artist.

“‘Hype Boy,’” Seungkwan added, already walking to the front with Hoshi before PD Na could even confirm, “You got it.”

As soon as they reached the center, the chorus started playing, and the two immediately began dancing in perfect sync, effortlessly hitting each move with the same energetic precision. The lively beat had an infectious effect— Minghao started dancing in his seat, and Vernon and Dino soon joined Hoshi and Seungkwan up front, effortlessly blending into the choreography.

[It's fun to play together]

Meanwhile, the rest of the group watched, with some dancing and singing along in their seats.

“How do they know everything?” S.Coups muttered, watching them with a mix of awe and amusement.

“I know,” Joshua agreed, equally impressed.

Jun, not to be outdone, added, “How are they good at it? They’re good.”

At the same time, without even trying, Luna and Dokyeom harmonized softly to the lyrics, “‘You know, I hype you, boy’,” their voices blending perfectly in unison.

PD Na, watching the scene with a grin, commented aloud, “You’re good. Why is that team so good?”

When the song ended, the group cheered, applauding Seungkwan and Hoshi as they made their way back to their seats.

Dino, still buzzing from the excitement, turned to PD Na with an expectant grin, “Do I get MHP?”

[They're ahead of everything]

“What?” PD Na asked, raising an eyebrow.

Before Dino could repeat himself, Jeonghan, ever the calm one, chimed in lazily, “It’ll be announced at the end.”

Dino nodded in understanding, though he looked eager for the results.

With a playful tone, PD Na then looked over at Jeonghan and Mingyu and teased, “Team ‘Burp And Fart’, you’re not likely to win MHP.”

Considering the fact that Jeonghan and Mingyu had been sitting out for most of the game, his comment was met with laughter from the group.

Jeonghan and Mingyu, however, only nodded in agreement. Jeonghan, ever laid-back, responded casually, “It’s okay. We’ll do our best to answer it.”

Mingyu, more serious, added with determination, “We’ll focus on the question.”

As the room fell silent, everyone waited for the next song. The moment the first beat dropped, Seungkwan was already on his feet, shouting their team slogan: “Go Overboard For Show!” The rest of the members could only gape in amazement at how fast he was.

[Seungkwan is dominant]

Hoshi stood up slowly next to him, struggling to recall the song’s title. “Gosh, wait,” Hoshi muttered under his breath, still trying to piece it together.

PD Na acknowledged them by pointing in their direction, and Seungkwan quickly blurted out the title to help his teammate, “‘Full Moon’!”

That was all Hoshi needed. “SUNMI!” Hoshi yelled, his face lighting up with recognition.

Just as Seungkwan was sprinting to the front, confident in their victory, PD Na’s voice rang out: “Wrong.”

Seungkwan collapsed dramatically onto the ground, completely shocked, and instantly, there was a loud chorus of yells from all the teams, trying to steal the answer. Both Luna and Joshua were among the first to raise their hands, but in their haste, they both forgot their team slogan, which made everyone laugh.

[Serious about stealing]

Vernon, however, shouted from the back, “I Don’t Like Your Earrings!” catching everyone off guard. PD Na turned to acknowledge their team.

“SUNMI,” Vernon confidently said, naming the artist. Minghao, picking up from there, added the correct title, “‘Full Moon.’”

Meanwhile, Dokyeom was leaning over to explain to a confused Jun why Hoshi and Seungkwan got it wrong. “You have to say the singer first,” Dokyeom said, giving Jun a knowing look.

“Aigo, that was a waste,” Luna muttered, shaking her head sympathetically at Hoshi and Seungkwan’s mistake.

PD Na nodded, smiling at Vernon and Minghao. “You got it.”

Realization dawned on Hoshi as he turned to Seungkwan. “Oh, I have to say the singer first,” he muttered, still processing their blunder.

The song began to play, and Vernon and Minghao danced to the few steps they knew, looping the same moves over and over again, causing the entire group to erupt in laughter.

[They repeat what they know]

“That’s all I know,” Vernon admitted with a shy smile, his usual confidence melting into humility.

“They’re so cute,” Luna commented, watching with a fond grin as the two shyly continued dancing.

As Minghao and Vernon made their way back to their seats, Seungkwan suddenly dashed up to the front and sang a quick part of the song, making everyone laugh even harder. “‘Perfect weather can’t get no better,’” he sang, dramatically bowing before retreating back to his seat.

[Leaving quickly]

“Did you go out there just to do that?” Hoshi asked Seungkwan with a chuckle.

Once everyone settled back down, Seungkwan, still curious, turned to PD Na. “Is it always the singer’s name first?” he asked.

PD Na nodded. “Yes, then you’re more likely to get it wrong. You might accidentally give away a hint with the title.”

“How did you know it was ‘Full Moon’?” Hoshi asked Seungkwan, still amazed by his teammate’s quick thinking.

Seungkwan simply shrugged, flashing a confident smile. “I know everything.”

[He answers all questions in less than a second]

“It’s impossible to beat Seungkwan in this game,” Mingyu said, shaking his head in disbelief.

[Next question]

The room was filled with anticipation as the next song prepared to play. Just as the riser barely touched the air, Seungkwan leaped to his feet once more, quickly followed by a bewildered Hoshi.

“Go Overboard For Show!” Seungkwan yelled with his usual energy. The other members could only watch in disbelief.

[He got it right away]

“This isn’t fair,” Mingyu muttered, shaking his head in resignation.

“He’s monopolizing,” Woozi added, half-amused, half-astonished.

“I didn’t even realize it played,” Luna said, her brows furrowed in confusion.

“How do you know?” Dokyeom and Jun chimed in unison, staring at Seungkwan as if he had some magical insight.

Seungkwan gave Hoshi a nudge, whispering, “You go first.”

“Who is it?” PD Na counted down, “1, 2, 3.”

“TOMORROW X TOGETHER!” Seungkwan blurted out the artist’s name, his arm wrapped around Hoshi in encouragement, hoping he’d get the title right.

“‘Run For You’? Is it?” Hoshi said hesitantly, clearly unsure, his confusion spreading across the room.

A wave of laughter broke out. “Run for who? Who’s you?” Seungkwan teased Hoshi, trying to contain his own laughter.

Vernon shot up to steal the chance, “I Don’t Like Your Earrings!”

“TXT,” Minghao said confidently, followed by Vernon who guessed the title, “‘Run To Me.’”

“Wrong!” PD Na said with a chuckle.

[The answer is 'Run Away']

Mingyu quickly raised his hand, jumping in. “Burp And Fart!” he shouted, the room filling with amusement.

“TXT,” Jeonghan said the artist’s name before Mingyu followed up with another guess, “‘Running For You.’”

“Wrong,” PD Na replied again.

[They have no clue]

“Sorry, TXT,” Mingyu apologized, laughing as the absurdity of it all sank in.

At this point, everyone was shouting out random guesses, trying their luck. Dino and Wonwoo were next, springing to their feet.

“Drink Less And Talk More!” Dino declared as PD Na turned to them.

“TXT,” Wonwoo said calmly.

“‘Running To You,’” Dino guessed.

“Wrong!” PD Na replied yet again.

It was chaos now, as S.Coups raised his hand with a determined look. “I Don’t Know Who Park Bo Gum Is, But I Love Him And Cherish Him,” he said their team slogan.

“TXT,” Woozi said, and then pointed to S.Coups for the title.

“‘Run… To You’?” S.Coups guessed.

“Wrong!” PD Na said, shaking his head.

Luna raised her hand, calling out her team slogan to try next. “We’re Too Perfect, It’s Annoying!”

“TXT,” Joshua said the artist’s name.

“‘Running With You,’” Luna guessed, hoping they were close this time.

“Wrong!” PD Na said once more, making Luna sigh in frustration. “What is happening?” she deadpanned, turning to Joshua, who could only chuckle in response.

[They are tired of running]

Dokyeom and Jun were the last ones who hadn’t tried yet.

[If they get it wrong,everyone gets a chance again]

“TXT,” Jun said, preparing to throw his hat in the ring.

“‘I Will Be Running For You,’” Dokyeom added with cautious optimism.

“You’re close!” PD Na said, making everyone sit up a little straighter.

Seungkwan, still determined, stood up and yelled their slogan again, “Go Overboard For Show!”

“TXT,” Seungkwan announced once more, and Hoshi finally, with newfound certainty, said, “‘Run Away’!”

[Perfect answer]

“You got it!” PD Na confirmed, and the room erupted in cheers.

Seungkwan and Hoshi made their way to the front, where they broke into the choreography for ‘Run Away’, the other members watching in amusement. Seungkwan took the lead with confidence, effortlessly dancing and singing along to the key movements of the choreography.

Hoshi, however, was a little more spontaneous— making things up as he went, copying Seungkwan’s steps on the fly while improvising in his usual comedic style.

[Free dance]

Vernon, watching from his seat, couldn’t help but laugh, pointing at Hoshi as he commented, “He doesn’t know.” The other members chuckled along, entertained by Hoshi’s attempts to keep up with Seungkwan.

Seungkwan, though, was in full control of the performance, his moves sharp and perfectly timed with the music, while Hoshi followed along, creating a hilarious contrast. The sight of the two dancing in sync— yet slightly off— had everyone grinning and clapping.

[No matter what Seungkwan does, he can copy it on the spot]

As the song ended, Seungkwan dramatically scooped Hoshi up, carrying him away as they both laughed and headed back to their seats. The room filled with cheers and applause, their teammates playfully shouting their names in encouragement.

[Next song]

As soon as the next song’s intro filled the area, Seungkwan shot up to his feet, shouting their team’s slogan, “Go Overboard For Show!” Hoshi hesitantly stood up next to him, looking petrified because he clearly didn’t recognize the tune.

The other members gaped at Seungkwan, stunned by his quick reflexes.

“What are you?” Jeonghan asked Seungkwan in disbelief.

[K-pop professor]

Luna giggled, pointing at Hoshi who stood frozen. “Hoshi doesn’t know.”

Seungkwan clapped his hands together once, his face tense as he physically struggled to remember the answer. “It’s that song… Jeonghan… Jiyeonie noona…” he muttered, his brain visibly working overtime as he pointed at Luna, drawing confused laughter from the group.

Both Luna and Jeonghan raised their eyebrows, confused by Seungkwan’s mention of their names. Luna leaned back, arms crossed.

[They are just as confused]

“What was it again?” Seungkwan asked her, still trying to guess the answer.

[Shamelessly asks her for the answer]

“How should I know? I didn’t hear it well, and even if I did, why would I tell you?” Luna shot back, making the whole group erupt in laughter.

Realizing he was stuck, Seungkwan chuckled and grabbed Hoshi’s arm, dragging him back to their seats in defeat.

[Gives up]

The song played again, and this time, Luna and Jeonghan both visibly lit up, saying “Ah” at the same time as the familiar tune clicked. The other members exchanged looks, starting to recognize the melody, but since it was in English, they hesitated on how to answer.

“Ah,” Luna smiled, raising her hand and calling out their team slogan, “We’re Too Perfect, It’s Annoying.”

PD Na pointed at her, acknowledging their team’s turn. Luna turned to Joshua, leaning closer to whisper, “Do you know the answer?”

Joshua nodded confidently, raising his hand to indicate he’d go first. “Ellie Goulding,” he said with certainty.

“‘Love Me Like You Do,’” Luna answered, her British accent adding flair to the title.

A few members playfully mimicked Joshua’s LA accent and Luna’s British one, as PD Na said, “You got it!”

Seungkwan groaned, “I knew the song, but I wasn’t sure of the title. Noona covered it before,” he whined.

Luna had indeed covered ‘Love Me Like You Do’ nearly two years ago, and it had become one of the most beloved videos among her fans. Her rendition was hauntingly beautiful, showcasing her powerful voice and emotional depth, and it was a favorite amongst their fanbase.

Joshua reached out, taking Luna’s hand to pull her up to the center. “There’s no dance to this,” she protested with a lighthearted chuckle.

“It’s okay,” Joshua reassured her as he twirled her around playfully.

[Improvising]

When the chorus played, the members all sang loudly, but in a teasing, over-the-top way, making everyone laugh.

[The most excited they have ever been]

Seungkwan, Hoshi, and Dokyeom suddenly stood up and began dancing playfully right in front of Jeonghan, their faces filled with mischievous smiles as they dragged him to join them.

Luna, still dancing with Joshua, didn’t notice at first.

Joshua had a teasing glint in his eyes as he looked over Luna’s shoulder. With a playful spin, he turned her around to face Jeonghan, who had been pulled up front.

Unseen by the cameras, Luna shot a warning look at Seungkwan, Hoshi, Joshua, and Dokyeom, silently telling them not to be too obvious.

Unbeknownst to the world, after Luna had covered the song, Jeonghan had half-jokingly, half-seriously told the members that this should be their wedding song— a detail that only made this moment more comical for those in the know.

The song ended with the sound of applause, and Luna and Joshua headed back to their seats. As she sat down, Luna felt eyes on her and looked up, locking gazes with Jeonghan from across the room. His eyes were focused, soft, with a silent understanding passing between them. It was as if they were having an entire conversation without saying a word.

After a moment, Jeonghan winked at her, causing Luna to blush slightly before she quickly looked away, her heart racing.

[The next question is for the world that only remembers 1st place]

“Let’s start,” PD Na said, signaling the beginning of the next round. The members settled back into their seats, waiting for the next song to play. As soon as a beat echoed through the room, Seungkwan and Hoshi sprang to their feet. At this point, the rest of the members weren’t even surprised.

[Overwhelming speed]

“Go Overboard For Show!” Seungkwan shouted with determination, while Hoshi clutched his head, clearly in pain trying to recall the song. The energy shifted, the others watching as the two fought to piece together the answer.

“1, 2, 3,” PD Na counted down, adding to the tension.

“I’ll say it. Wait,” Hoshi muttered, his brows furrowed as he seemed to dig deep into his memory, everyone waiting in suspense.

Finally, there was a beat of silence before Hoshi blurted, “BoA.”

Without missing a beat, Seungkwan followed, “’NO.1’!”

PD Na blinked, his expression confused. “Wrong.”

The two stood there, dumbfounded, shocked that they might’ve gotten it wrong. But PD Na quickly shook his head, realization dawning on his face. “I mean, you got it.” He chuckled, and the rest of the members joined in, laughing at the slight slip-up.

Seungkwan and Hoshi moved up front, ready to perform the dance. As they grabbed each other’s hands, they started spinning around dramatically, clearly enjoying their victory.

“We did this before,” S.Coups said from his seat, referring to the time they had covered this iconic BoA dance as a group.

“Didn’t we do this dance?” Wonwoo added, a hint of nostalgia in his voice.

[You totally did]

The chorus kicked in, but both Seungkwan and Hoshi visibly hesitated, their movements buffering as they tried to recall the choreography. They began doing random dance moves in unison, clearly lost.

[He barely remembers it]

“That’s ‘Candy’!” S.Coups pointed out, recognizing the choreography from an entirely different song.

Seungkwan, realizing they were floundering, suddenly started doing BLACKPINK’s ‘DDU-DU DDU-DU’ gun dance instead, causing an uproar of laughter as Hoshi, always quick on his feet, followed suit.

[DDU-DU?]

“‘Hit you with that DDU-DU DDU-DU,’” Seungkwan sang, throwing himself into the new routine, which only made everyone laugh harder.

[HYBE artist brings SM and YG together]

“He’s good at that,” Luna chuckled, watching them fondly from her seat, her eyes shining with amusement.

Seungkwan and Hoshi, realizing they’d lost all hope of remembering the original dance, gave up entirely. Instead, they started following the jib camera, performing as if they were shooting a dramatic music video, serenading the camera with exaggerated expressions.

[Seungkwan and Hoshi love the jimmy jib]

As the song ended, everyone clapped enthusiastically for the two, and the room filled with the sound of applause and cheers.

“Good job,” Minghao said with a grin as the two made their way back to their seats, both out of breath.

“We performed this song, but I can’t remember,” Seungkwan confessed, panting as he sat down.

Luna chuckled softly. “Your dance was better,” she teased.

Hoshi leaned toward Seungkwan, still catching his breath. “I almost got confused with S.E.S. I wasn’t sure if it was S.E.S. or BoA.”

The two shared a look, realizing how close they’d been to getting it wrong but also reveling in their playful performance as they rejoined the rest of the group.

As the next round began, the room fell into a quiet anticipation. The group listened intently, awaiting the song that would determine the next winners.

[A special question for Woozi]

Suddenly, a couple of familiar drum beats filled the air, and chaos erupted. Almost all the teams, except for S.Coups and Woozi, shot up from their seats. Dino and Wonwoo were the first to raise their hands and shout their slogan, though their voices got lost in the overlapping chorus of yells as the members all tried to shout over one another. Woozi remained seated, completely confused as he observed the spectacle unfolding around him.

In the middle of the commotion, Luna quickly raised her hand. In unison with Joshua, she shouted, “Me!” while Joshua yelled his own name, “Joshua!” Both of them got so caught up in the excitement that they completely forgot their slogan.

[What?]

“Drink Less and Talk More!” Dino yelled, his voice the clearest and fastest as he stood up alongside Wonwoo, who quietly followed suit.

Luna chuckled when she realized their mistake, grabbing the name tag paper from the table and playfully smacking Joshua with it. “Ya! We forgot the slogan,” she said, still laughing, as Joshua joined in, chuckling at their blunder.

“Team Drink Less and Talk More was faster,” PD Na confirmed with a nod.

“SEVENTEEN,” Dino said, confidently giving their own group name.

“‘FML,’” Wonwoo followed, delivering the title of their own song with equal confidence.

Mingyu, unsure of himself, stood up and said, “Burp and Fart,” as if expecting it to be wrong.

“No? It is,” Dino said, a bit confused but reassured by the reaction around him.

“You got it,” PD Na confirmed with a smile, giving Dino the win.

“Oh, you got it.” Mingyu said, shocked at Dino’s correct answer.

['FML' by SEVENTEEN]

[The double title song of SEVENTEEN's 10th mini album]

Dino and Wonwoo celebrated, heading up to the front as Woozi threw his head back in defeat, realizing that he was the only one who didn’t recognize their own song— especially a song he had produced himself.

Both Dino and Wonwoo started vibing to the song in front, the music filling the air. Since the song had no official choreography, the members were shocked at the sight.

“This isn’t even out yet,” Vernon said, eyebrows raised in disbelief.

“This song has no choreography,” Joshua pointed out, looking amused.

Dino, however, was completely in his element. He walked around with a sort of drunken swagger, while Wonwoo awkwardly paused to watch as Dino laid down dramatically on the ground, making the whole group laugh.

[He lied down]

Vernon stood up, making his way over to Dino, and gently pulled down Dino’s shirt, which had risen up during his dramatic flop to the floor.

Seungkwan, never one to miss an opportunity, walked up front and started acting like he and Dino were in a skit, playing along with Dino’s antics. He knelt beside Dino, patting his leg. “Sir, I called the chauffeur service. You should go home,” Seungkwan said in a concerned voice, making everyone burst into laughter.

“Just a bit more,” Dino played along, slurring his words like he was actually drunk.

“You can’t lie down here,” Seungkwan continued, keeping the act going.

“Just one more bottle,” Dino said again, playing the role to perfection.

“I already called the chauffeur service,” Seungkwan sighed, pulling him up and getting more laughs from the group.

“Let me just get the razor,” Dino joked as he allowed himself to be pulled to his feet.

“I’ll get you the razor,” Seungkwan responded, still in character.

“Okay,” Dino said, and they walked away, continuing the act.

“I already ordered it. I ordered six blades,” Seungkwan added, patting Dino on the back, keeping the joke going until the whole group was laughing uncontrollably.

“That goes perfectly with the song,” Dokyeom said, clapping his hands in amusement at the skit they had just performed.

PD Na, still laughing himself, turned to Woozi, who was chuckling in disbelief at his own failure. “Woozi,” PD Na said, drawing everyone’s attention to him.

“Woozi had no idea,” S.Coups added, teasing his fellow member.

“I’m in vain,” Woozi sighed, shaking his head.

“Because I have a lot of old-school samples, I thought it was something else,” Woozi explained, trying to defend himself. “I knew I was wrong. I was like, ‘Oh, right.’”

[Losing his mind]

Seungkwan and Luna, who had been watching the entire exchange, spoke in unison. “It hasn’t been released yet,” they said, sympathizing with Woozi’s confusion.

“I never expected it,” Vernon agreed, nodding along.

“I never saw it coming because it’s not released yet,” Woozi said again, shaking his hand in disbelief.

“And this has no choreography,” Wonwoo reminded everyone with a small smile.

“We haven’t practiced the choreography yet,” Vernon added, backing him up.

Woozi repeated once more, “This isn’t released yet. I never saw it coming.”

“He has an excuse for everything,” S.Coups teased, making the room erupt in laughter again.

“Stop. You talk too much. Too many excuses,” Seungkwan deadpanned, playfully shutting Woozi down, causing the whole group, including Woozi, to laugh even harder. Woozi threw his head back, laughing in defeat, realizing there was no escaping the teasing that day.

“Next question,” PD Na announced, his voice cutting through the lingering laughter.

[12th question]

The music for the next round began, and within just a few beats, chaos broke out. Every member shot up from their seats, hands in the air, shouting their slogans, eager to claim the answer.

[They all raise their hands quickly]

But Vernon and Minghao were the fastest.

“I Don’t Like Your Earrings!” Vernon called out, the speed of his response leaving everyone else in the dust.

“I Don’t Like Your Earrings,” PD Na acknowledged with a nod.

“G-DRAGON and Taeyang,” Minghao said confidently.

“‘Good Boy,’” Vernon finished the answer with the song title.

“You got it,” PD Na confirmed, allowing the duo to take the stage for the performance.

Minghao and Vernon moved to the front, preparing for the dance. “That was so easy,” Woozi whined from his seat, his expression one of playful regret.

“You might as well do your best,” Seungkwan urged them, referring to the iconic choreography they were about to perform.

“This is what we should’ve gotten,” Woozi groaned, feeling the sting of missing out on such a well-known song.

The familiar opening lines played, and the energy in the room shifted. As the lyrics ‘Put your hands in the air’ echoed through the speakers, everyone in the room followed suit, raising their hands in perfect sync with the words.

“‘How y’all feeling out there?’” Hoshi growled dramatically, mimicking the ad-libs, drawing laughter from the group.

“We even know the ad-libs,” Seungkwan commented, sounding impressed at their collective enthusiasm.

As the song progressed, Vernon and Minghao bounced along to the beat, getting ready for the iconic chorus dance. The rest of the members were already singing along, hyping up the two performers at the front. Some of the members, bopping in their seats, were already on their feet, fully immersed in the song.

As the chorus neared, Vernon and Minghao spun around, their movements hyping up the rest of the group. They danced with ease, executing the iconic choreo to perfection. Behind them, a few of the other members followed along, mimicking the moves, while the rest sang along, doing ad-libs and enjoying the moment.

When the beat dropped and the chorus hit, the room was filled with energy. Minghao and Vernon performed the dance flawlessly, while the rest cheered, some joining in with the choreography. The atmosphere was electric, as everyone got caught up in the nostalgic excitement of the song.

As the song ended, the members clapped and cheered, their applause loud and enthusiastic as Vernon and Minghao returned to their seats, looking pleased.

“They were great,” Dokyeom commented, still clapping.

“That was cool,” PD Na added, clearly impressed by their performance.

“I should’ve gotten that one,” Woozi lamented again, shaking his head.

“I underestimated Team Earrings,” PD Na teased, turning to Woozi and S.Coups’ team. “I thought you’d barely get any, but you’re doing better than I expected— whereas Woozi got nothing.”

“This is never easy,” Woozi said, throwing his hands up in exasperation.

“This isn’t easy,” Mingyu agreed from across the table, giving Woozi some backup.

“It’s okay,” S.Coups chimed in, offering a reassuring nod to his teammate.

“Okay, next question,” PD Na announced as the group prepared for the upcoming challenge. They waited expectantly for the next song to start, but instead of a melody, a doorbell sound echoed through the room.

“Mommy’s here,” Jeonghan teased, his usual playful tone making everyone chuckle.

“Who is it?” Minghao followed, leaning into the bit.

“Delivery,” Jun chimed in, not missing a beat.

“You can leave it at the door,” Seungkwan quipped, playing along as well, causing laughter to ripple across the room.

Suddenly, Dokyeom’s voice echoed as he confidently shouted, “I Get Worked Up And Lose My Temper Easily!” He stood, hands raised in triumph, clearly thinking he had nailed it.

PD Na pointed at him, waiting for his answer.

“Halli Galli?” Dokyeom guessed, looking hopeful. His answer caused the entire room to erupt into laughter.

“Wrong,” PD Na said, shaking his head.

Luna, laughing, added, “That’s a board game!”

[It is a board game]

“Isn’t it right?” Dokyeom laughed along, realizing his mistake.

“Wrong,” PD Na confirmed again, adding to the hilarity as the group continued laughing.

[They're lost]

They quieted down, listening more intently as the music played on. S.Coups stood up, raising his hand and saying their team’s slogan: “I Don’t Know Who Park Bo Gum Is, But I Love Him And Cherish Him.”

PD Na nodded at him, waiting for his answer.

“Sobangcha,” S.Coups guessed.

“Wrong,” PD Na said, and S.Coups groaned, “That’s not it,” as he sat back down, shaking his head.

The song kept playing, the tension in the room thickening. Some of the members seemed familiar with the tune but couldn’t quite place the title. Mingyu, in particular, was whining as he sat forward, the answer clearly on the tip of his tongue. Meanwhile, others like Wonwoo, Woozi, and S.Coups were thinking hard, brows furrowed in concentration.

[They've been doing this for a while]

Luna and Joshua, however, leaned back in their seats, both looking completely lost. “I have no idea,” Luna admitted, turning to Joshua.

“Me too,” Joshua chuckled, sharing her confusion.

“Let’s try to win the MHP at least,” Luna suggested, a grin forming as she teased him. “You have a high chance of winning it,” she said, making Joshua nod as he focused on the next strategy.

The song continued, and suddenly, Vernon stood up with his slogan ready, “I Don’t Like Your Earrings!” he shouted.

[Vernon raised his hand first]

Minghao, who had no clue, was startled by Vernon’s sudden movement, his face full of surprise.

[He's lost]

PD Na laughed, pointing at a shocked Minghao, “The8 doesn’t know why he’s up.”

The room erupted in laughter once again.

“Vernon, you have to say it first— 1, 2, 3,” PD Na counted down, waiting for the answer.

Vernon paused, looking at a clueless Minghao, then gestured toward Dino and Wonwoo’s team with a sheepish smile. “Can I make a concession?” he asked, making the group laugh harder.

“Are you making a concession?” Wonwoo stood up, chuckling as he crossed his arms.

Realizing he had no hope, Vernon gave up and grabbed Minghao’s hand to sit back down, shaking his head in defeat.

[They were nice enough to make a concession]

“Team Drink Less and Talk More?” PD Na offered, turning to Dino and Wonwoo’s team.

Dino sat frozen, clearly paralyzed by indecision, while Wonwoo managed to say the artist’s name, “Shim Soo Bong?”

“Wrong,” PD Na said.

Jeonghan, still seated, raised his hand and recited their slogan confidently, “Burp and Fart.”

[Burp was waiting for his chance]

PD Na acknowledged them, nodding.

“Yun Soo Il,” Jeonghan said, grinning slightly.

PD Na then counted down for Mingyu, “1, 2, 3.”

“‘Apartment,’” Mingyu said, the answer finally clicking into place.

“You got it!” PD Na confirmed, causing the members to gasp in disbelief. Mingyu and Jeonghan celebrated immediately, high-fiving with big smiles on their faces.

“How did you know?” Mingyu asked, turning to Jeonghan with curiosity.

“My dad’s favorite singer,” Jeonghan replied, as casual as ever.

[You're also a good son]

The song played again, and this time, a handful of the members went up to the front to freestyle dance to the old tune. Vernon, Minghao, Wonwoo— who was pulled up by Dino— Dokyeom, Seungkwan, Hoshi, and Jun all jumped up, eager to join the fun.

[There are always people who do this on 'National Singing Contest']

The rest of the members, including Mingyu, Jeonghan, Woozi, S.Coups, and Luna, sat back down, content to watch the others perform. Luna, however, gave Joshua a little nudge, pushing him forward to go dance.

“Go, go,” she urged, laughing as Joshua reluctantly joined the group.

[Under pressure]

As the members danced, most of them played up the comedic aspect, especially Joshua, who started mimicking a well-known meme. His exaggerated movements caused the members to burst out laughing, several pointing at him as they realized the similarities.

[Drunken Disney princes]

“Good job! Good job, Shua!” Luna cheered him on, her laughter contagious as she clapped for him.

Once the song ended, the members slowly returned to their seats, still chuckling and catching their breath. Luna continued clapping for Joshua as he plopped down next to her.

[Joshua won]

“Joshua, that was cool,” Seungkwan said, still smiling at his friend’s antics.

“We’ll give up on MHP,” Mingyu declared, shaking his head, a grin tugging at his lips.

Jeonghan nodded in agreement, both of them still relishing their small victory from earlier.

[We're out of energy]

As the lively atmosphere settled, the room buzzed with the afterglow of laughter and excitement. PD Na’s voice broke through the hum, preparing them for the next question. The members, some leaning forward eagerly while others relaxed back in their seats, prepared themselves for what was to come next.

The game wasn’t over yet, and the friendly competition had only just begun.

[To be continued in Clip 3-1]

ೃ⁀➷ comment or message me to be added to the tag list :)

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ SUBMIT A REQUEST AND ASK ME ANYTHING!

: ̗̀➛ requests are always open ♡ - lunaఌ

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[juullllssss]

Knightorder 141 x f!reader

Part 1 Part 2

Thank you, for telling me about the original! If you have not read it i really recommend it, it was the inspiration for this. :) btw. if someone could tell me how i can link the first part into the post? that would be really kind.

The Inspiration

The Sound of the Lance on the wood railing brings you back to reality. You shot a glance to your sister, her seeming just as shocked as you.

You stand wringing your hands nervously, looking over the railing you see one of the handsome knights meeting your gaze. His helmet is open, showing his adorable smug grin when you come into view. Without a word be brings the lance closer to you, a plea in his blue eyes that makes it clear what he wants. The flutter in your chest and stomach takes you back, never would you have thought you could feel so much with just one glance. Taking your embroidered handkerchief you carefully tie it around the lower part of his lance.

"It is an honor my lady, will bring me luck today, ey?" With another grin and a amused light in his eyes he brings his horse back to the rest of his unit. The light blue of your handkerchief blending nearly perfect into the color of his lance. It seems like they were already waiting for him, eyes eager for him to get back. But it could also be a trick of your mind.

The rest of the tournament goes by in a blur, not even the chattering of your sister reaching you. The only thing in your eye are the handsome Knight and the rest of his unit. They all prove to be excellent rider, not even getting one scratch will their opponents end up on the dirt ground, some more wounded then other. In the last round it is the turn of the masked knight again. His helmet being as black as the rest of his armour. You should be concerned but you can bring yourself to fear him or find him intimidating. Nobody is surprised when his opponent ends up on the ground, his lance brocken of and probably with a nasty headwound. His victory is declared and you notice how he seems to be searching your gaze. When you look in his direction you can see his piercing stare, dark eyes seemingly trying to get some kind of message across. When the King announces the winner is it one of the knights of the unit. He is a little older then the others, with a beard that seem well taken care of and a smile that makes the ladies around you sigh in adornment.

Your sister nudges you hard in the shoulder, "look i think he is looking over here!" and really his baby blue eyes are crossing your own, his charming smile directed at you as he lifts a hand in greeting. You blink in confusion, luckily your manners dictated that you respond quickly with a nod and smile of your own. At this point you are utterly confused, their intentions escaping you. Why would they pay so much attention to you? Shifting in your seat again you simply let yourself be delusional for a moment. Allowing yourself to think that they try to get your attention, want your amazement at their skills, want to impress you. Do they know you? Do they know what people say about you and your luck in finding a partner?

As you and your family are leaving the festival you can't help but look back a couple of times. Hoping you would see them again. You were able to get their names from the other women around you. You could not really believe that you would meet them again, thinking in your mind that this was just a one time encounter, in which they were simply Gentlemen to a lonely women, with a reputation for being undesirable. But you could not lie to yourself fully, knowing you would probably dream about them, about the 141 Knightorder...

[ave09]

Today (July 1st) is Indiana Jones’ birthday!!! Maybe Reader and Short Round help Indy celebrate his birthday!

hi! i would’ve loved to post this on his actual birthday, but i’m visiting family and their service was horrible so i was off the grid for a good twenty-four hours

i’m also currently working on another request for indy, but it requires some research, but here’s a lil hint, it revolves around the fountain of youth 👀

indiana jones x wife!reader

“shh!”

“don’t shh me!”

“you’re being a lot right now, shorty, i just need a moment of quiet.” there was silence for .5 seconds, and then he started up again.

“what time will indy be home?” 

“soon,” you replied, sliding on your oven mitts as you moved to the oven where a chocolate cake was currently baking. “soon? the cake won’t be done by then!” 

that was very true. it still needed to cool, and be frosted, cooled again, and decorated. this should’ve been done last night. indiana was to return from one of his adventures, and the date he returned just happened to be on his birthday. you and shorty had decided to make it a big one, so you’d planned to bake a cake and decorate the house with festive colors in honor of his special day.

but things quickly went downhill.

you’d been called in for a conference with a student at college, which had occupied way too much time. and upon coming home, you found out that your adopted son, short round, had taken it upon himself, to start baking the cake.

one could only imagine how that happened. you had to run to the store, pick up more ingredients, and now here you were. indiana could be home any minute, and nothing was going the way it should.

you knew that he would love it either way, but you wanted it to be perfect. 

“just-“

“hello!” the sound of that familiar voice and the slamming door caught your attention. “indy!” short round exclaimed. 

well shit.

the young boy hopped off of the counter, rushing toward the entrance of the kitchen where indiana jones stood, his arms outstretched, a smile on his face, “hey shorty!” he exclaimed, picking the boy up, hugging him to his chest, “how ya doing? have you been taking care of my girl?” 

“yes, indy! just like you told me too!” the man let out a hearty laugh before setting the boy down, “now if you excuse me, i gotta see my wife.” 

the man then sauntered over to his wife, pulling her close, catching her in a surprise kiss as he smashed his lips against hers. there was passion, yearning, you’d have gone with him were you able to find a sitter for shorty. 

and oh, how you missed him.

you pulled away before the kiss escalated, glancing up at him. you loved indiana for who he was, but you were an absolute sucker for his post-adventure look. his hair was always mused under his hat, and his stubble was prominent, an almost beard, he was always in a happy mood upon returning home and it made her love him more.

“hi sweetheart.” he greeted. “hi honey, happy birthday.” you replied, pecking his lips softly. indiana smiled, his eyes sliding to the cake pan on the counter behind you.

he arched his brows, “that for me?” 

you nodded slowly, “it was supposed to be finished but i ran out of time.”

“it’s the thought that counts, darling. plus, i already have everything i could ever need: you and the kid.”

“i have a name!” shorty interjected as indiana pulled you into another kiss.

the three of you had spent the rest of the day decorating the cake, making homemade pizzas, and watching old movies. it was a grand time and you could tell indiana was having a blast watching shorty criticize the television for the stupid actions of the characters. 

at the end of the night, once shorty had been put to bed, you and your husband climbed into bed. “so, how was your special day?” you asked softly as indiana hovered over you, propping himself up with his elbows. “it was beyond amazing darling.” he replied, kissing you passionately. you smiled into the kiss, deepening it.

“i love you,” you whispered between kisses, and he gave you that smartass response you knew and loved:

“i know.” 

[schmergo]

The Olympic Trials for gymnastics start tonight and there is one gymnast named Skye Blakely who I believe is under a witch’s curse.

Full disclaimer that although I follow gymnastics and root for my favorite gymnasts for personal/ narrative reasons, I have basically zero technical knowledge of the sport behind being able to distinguish between a good, mid, and disastrous routine. So this post will not get very technical, it’s just more about the story arc.

Skye is a talented young athlete who was too young to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics… until they got pushed back to 2021. She performed so well that she qualified for Olympic Trials, which is no easy feat, especially when you didn’t expect to be training for the Olympics so soon.

At WARMUPS for Olympic Trials in 2021, so not even getting to compete at all, she fell while running to the vault and tore a ligament in her elbow, ending her season and her chances at the Olympics.

Now, you might say, Skye never had a huge chance of making the 2021 Olympics anyway. That’s true, but it gets worse.

Since recovering from her elbow injury, Skye has performed well in national competitions and is especially well-known for her talent on balance beam. But every time she gets selected for an international competition, she falls off the balance beam.

She made the 2022 World Championships team, which is a huge deal. There, she had two bizarre mishaps. For one, her hair ribbon came untied and got in her face while she was competing on balance beam, messing up her concentration. For another, it was stormy outside and there was a leak in the ceiling, leading to A PUDDLE OF WATER on the balance beam while she was competing!

She got her chance for redemption at the 2023 World Championships, which she qualified for again after winning 3 silver medals at the US National Championships (huge achievement).

This time, she didn’t even make the event final for balance beam. During the qualifying rounds, she performed a really good beam routine, dismounted, and literally landed on her head instead of her feet.

But in 2024, Skye came back strong and surprised everyone with an extremely good performance at the USA National Championships, second only to Simone Biles. Never very well-known for her vault, she suddenly came in with a massively upgraded vault that outscored the nation’s best vault specialists (except for Simone).

The conversation quickly turned from “Skye has a good chance of making the Olympic team” to ”Skye is a 100% locked-in, sure thing member of the Olympic Team.”

Yesterday, the athletes chosen for Olympic Trials got a chance to practice on the equipment they’ll be competing on this weekend. While practicing a floor routine— so again, not even getting a chance to compete at Trials— Skye fell and injured her leg so badly that she had to be carried off the floor. Obviously everyone was super worried.

Today the news came out: it’s an Achilles’ tendon tear. She won’t be competing in the Olympic Trials this year. For the SECOND TIME in her short 19-year life, Skye qualified for this major honor only to miss out on her chance to compete at the very last minute.

It’s a witch’s curse, I tell you.

[depressedhouseplant]

More Stats! More Stats!

Today we have some slightly different stats! The Top 10, Bottom 10, & Apocalypse AU entries as of yesterday afternoon.

My criteria were simple: straight up likes. If there was a tie then I’d go to reblogs to break the tie. However, there were no ties in the top 10. What I’ve learned over the past few months is if an entry is going to take off, it’s going to do it within the first 24 hours of being posted. So it’s not like I was necessarily being unfair to entries posted more recently. I’ll get a like or reblog here or there, but generally if an entry is going to succeed (whatever that means) it’ll do it relatively quickly.

The Top 10 JFW Entries (literally no one will be shocked by these results):

Felix Doting Boyfriend Y/N - posted January 26 - 136 likes

Yunho Best Man / Maid of Honor Y/N - posted January 24 - 76 likes

Ateez OT8 Valentine’s Day Y/N - posted February 14 - 63 likes

Wooyoung Next Door Neighbor Y/N - posted February 20 - 48 likes

Yunho Best Man / Maid of Honor Y/N pt 2 - posted February 1 - 43 likes

Yunho Royalty Y/N - posted March 7 - 42 likes

Yungi Youth - posted January 17 - 35 likes (the only M/M pairing to make the top 10)

Hyunjae Strangers at the Club Y/N - posted January 29 - 34 likes

Felix Doting Boyfriend Y/N pt 2 - posted February 5 - 32 likes (over 100 likes less than the first installment)

Juyeon / Aeri Hookup - posted April 24 - 25 likes

Most Popular Apocalypse AU Entry:

Part 4 - not coincidentally the only NSFW entry thus far

Least Popular Apocalypse AU Entry:

Parts 5, 7, 10, & 12 were all tied with only 2 likes & no reblogs. Part 5 is the official worst performer as it has the earliest posting date of the 4.

I also thought it would only be fair to include the bottom 10 entries as well. There were 23 entries tied with only 2 likes and even after weeding out for reblogs there were still 20 entries with 2 likes. I opted for oldest to newest to round out the bottom 10 and nothing that was bonus content for other works.

The Bottom 10 JFW Entries (read: go give these babies some love if you haven’t already):

Namgi Mirrors on the Ceiling - posted January 11 (my birthday you ungrateful heathens) - 0 likes

Jumil Oops Wrong Person - posted January 2 - 1 like (0 reblogs)

Chanlix FWB - posted January 4 - 1 like (0 reblogs)

Juric Just Talk to Me - posted January 7 - 1 like (2 reblogs)

Taegi Caught on Kiss Cam - posted January 8 - 2 likes (I’ll be honest, I wasn’t happy with how this one turned out. It was way better in my head)

SOPE Depression - posted January 25 - 2 likes (this one touches on a heavy subject so I’m not surprised it didn’t do well)

Bbangju Hooking Up with a World Famous Idol - posted February 11 - 2 likes (I thought Chanhee & Changmin were pretty funny here)

JiHope Hobi’s Birthday - posted February 17 - 2 likes (I admit this one was a bit disappointing because it had the potential for a great smutty entry but I didn’t have the energy at the time)

Yeonbin / Female OC - posted February 26 - 2 likes (This only bolsters my belief that female OCs are not a good bet if you want something to do well)

Eric & Jongho Grief - posted March 10 - 2 likes (This one also touches on a heavy subject so I’m also not surprised it didn’t do well)

Honorable Mention:

Sunwoo x Yeji / Yeji x Belle - posted May 10 - 2 likes at the time of this writing. (I’m guessing the F/F pairing was not a good choice. Sorry y’all)

I can’t say I necessarily learned anything new from these results, but more had things I already knew / suspected confirmed:

NSFW is more popular than SFW

Hotteoks (Yunho stans) are collectively the thirstiest, but Pixies (Felix stans) show up in larger numbers

Female OCs or F/F pairings are literary suicide

Y/N will always bring in readers

Sequels / continuations never do as well as the first entry / installment

But Emily I want more of (pairing / scenario / activity) that isn’t popular! Help!

Send in a request! You can either use the AMA function or DM me. There’s very few things I won’t write. I will get around to the Sunwoo / Wonyoung pt 2 that was requested multiple times, but it’s behind several other things in my mental queue right now.

Also don’t be a lurker! Like, reblog, comment, interact! I’m far more likely to prioritize requests from people who regularly interact with me. The AMA defaults to anon, but you can turn it off. Both @m-is-mickey & @theboredsquirrel can attest I don’t bite (and also will recognize you every chance I get because I love my interactive readers 💕).

Thank you to everyone who takes time out of their day to read my silly little stories. I hope it brings joy to your day whatever that day’s entry is. There are 234 days left in 2024 & here’s hoping I’ll get something for at least 100 of them 🤞🏻

[tideswept]

I was tagged by @yourfavoritefridge and am taking a page from @sendpseuds ('s) book and answering this while deeply compromised. Sober, I am not.

You have been warned!

1.) How many works do you have on ao3?

62!

2.) What's your ao3 word count?

800,347! (Ooh, big round number!)

3.) What fandoms do you write for?

Currently: Kingsman & Star Wars. (I really never thought I'd be in either of them but I'm glad I am.)

4.) What are your top five fics by kudos?

gold and pink and glittering: 498, Hartwin, E. I'm still surprised to this day how much people liked it. First smut in several years.

the lean and hungry type: 453, Obikin, E. First time getting to do alpha/beta, and written from around 11pm to 4 am and then another hour proofreading. I was mildly delirious, ngl.

offer a little salt for that wound: 463, Hartwin, E. OOH man I had this one in my head and wouldn't leave me tf alone. My plot bunnies aren't USUALLY visual, but this one was!

cold water on your tongue: 429, Obikin, E. Still surprised this one took off tbh! I had a lot of moments where the fic felt awkward to me and not worth salvaging. But I think it makes people happy, and god, I can't really ask for more than that!

somebody to lie in the dark with: 302, Obikin, E. That's the second time today I've typed something instead of someone in that title. HMM. (Sith-Wan, my darling!)

5.) Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

I do when I can! Have a pretty decent streak going, I think? I think I owe a really lovely commenter from like 5 days ago and nnnghh the guilt is heavy.

6.) What's the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Potentially empty spaces, empty phrases (Obikin) depending on how you decide the ending goes! But objectively: let me stay (TimJon).

7.) What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

oh fuck, who are you, the cops? (me, looking at my fics in despair)

I think the honor goes to cold water on your tongue. Everything else tends to end in a bittersweet or incomplete ("to be continued") kind of way.

8.) Do you get hate on fics?

Not outside of TMA. It's been absolutely lovely being in Kingsman / Obikin fandoms. I genuinely showed up here low-key scared for my life, and I've been shown nothing but kindness and support.

9.) Do you write smut? If so what kind?

Yes, and welcome to the first of the "UH IDK? [awkward shrug/hand wave]" questions because... I have no idea how to answer that. Like, what are the quantifiers here? Level of depth (NO PUN INTENDED) in how explicit it is, or what bits are rubbing against what bits, or like, if I specialize in any particular kind of smut (if there aren't pins for "I WRITE BDSM SMUT", I demand we print them) or— tldr: IDK. Vibe. The vibe kind. oh my god not vibrator vibe brain why are you doing this

10.) Do you write crossovers? What's the craziest one you've written?

Nope. I've thought about fusions, though! Like, I feel a fic where Obi-Wan is a Kingsman and picks Anakin as his candidate--maybe it was Qui-Gon's dying request still, and when Obi-Wan became a knight and a seat next opened up, he reluctantly said, FINE.

(Now I'm wondering what knight Obi-Wan would be. Gawain? The original version of him, not the vulgarized mythos of later romances. Which leaves Anakin to be Agravaian, which is pretty perfect tbh. I mean he could also be Mordred since they're all brothers)

11.) Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Yup! Multiple times. It never stops feeling Not Okay.

12.) Have you ever had a fic translated?

Not that I know of?

13.) Have you ever cowritten a fic before?

Nope.

14.) What's your all time favorite ship?

oh fuck you are the cops.

Uh. tbh this is a really hard question until I asked myself: a 100k fic written by an amazing author: what pairing would you be more excited about? And my heart... my heart said Hartwin.

15.) What's a WIP you'd like to finish, but doubt you ever will?

Ahh, sadly the post-Vday canon divergence Hartwin fic. I'm told it stands on its own as is, though. So maybe that counts for something?

16.) What are your writing strengths?

I have no idea. You saw what happened during the smut question, I fell apart like a jenga tower! And that was a simple question!

Honestly though, I don't know. That I manage to carry enough vibes to be entertaining? That's pretty good.

17.) What are your writing weaknesses?

I will not clutch the camera and shove my face into it and whisper everything in a voice ragged with despair I will not clutch th—

18.) Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

Google Translate, my dearest friend. (Unless it's Spanish, I can handle that on my own.)

Granted, if I have a friend who speaks the language, you can bet I'm knocking down their door like a SWAT squad.

19.) First fandom you wrote for?

UH SO FUNNY STORY. I watched IT (the TV series) when I was like, 7. Was very confused for many reasons (partly because I missed the first hour) but also i was a Weird Child, and also Not American.

But! I didn't know it was based off a book written by a dude, so one day I just... started writing the story down in a notebook when I was 8. Because I figured I liked the movie (I assumed it was a movie at the time) so much, why NOT turn it into something to read?

20.) Favorite fic you've ever written?

Beholding's Own. Lightning-in-a-bottle kind of situation, 10+ year break from writing, and also re-entering fandom after said 10+ year long break. It's really hard to live up to that kind of fondness.

From new fics? the devil is a gentleman. I can't help it, this Obi-Wan and Anakin are hilarious. They are so dumb and yet so smart.

I'm supposed to tag people now for this, so imagine me throwing Your Candy of Choice at @irrationalsense, @veloursdor, @kingdomvel and @howlbrooklyn like a fastball. (And anyone else who'd like to do it!)

[boysplanetrecaps]

The BUILD UP BRAPPIES, 3x3 Death Match edition

Time to take a another brief break from my MNET Build Up Recap Project to hand out some BRAPPY Awards for Excellence in the Field of Excellence! In this post, I’ll be giving out BRAPPIES based on how everyone did in the 3x3 Death Match Mission. Let’s go!

Before we dive in to the BRAPPIES, I just want to say thanks again for being part of this! I enjoy shows like this more if I spend time on them, because otherwise they just sort of go in one eye and out the other, so thanks for hanging out with me while I do.

Favorite Performance Overall

And the BRAPPY goes to...

Bad News!

I mean, my overall favorite (Bain) on a team with two other favorites, performing a great song by my favorite rookie group…? And doing well? And all three of them surviving? YES! 

Favorite Song Discovery

This was tough because there were two really sharp contenders -- Nakka by Akmu, which I have had stuck in my head since I watched the show, and Enough by Hoppipolla, which I listened to in a one-hour loop twice through while working online. 

And the BRAPPY goes to…

Nakka by Akmu!

“Wow, BPR-Noona chose our song as the one she was happiest to find out about via watching Build Up! That’s such a surprise because I’ve never heard of Build Up or BPR Noona! But I guess it’s nice to win another award. We’ll put it on the shelf with the others and then eventually turn it into a cat toy. We’ll get a cat just so we can make it a cat toy. Thanks!” 

Favorite Performance of a Song I Don’t Like:

I’m going to give this one to Pray. I find the song itself a bit meh, but their performance was impeccable. 

Honorable mention: Fever 

Best stage outfits:

And the BRAPPY goes to…

Jeup’s team, specifically, Jeup! 

Jeup, would you like to accept the award?

Oh, you don’t want it?

That’s cool, it’s just an AI generated image anyway. See you later! 

Worst Stage Outfits:

Team Sweeties, with their paper towel blazers. 

I just don’t understand the thinking. There had to be other white outfits that wouldn’t have looked quite so… absorbent. 

Oh no, Sunyoul, don’t look at me like that!

Ok, I’m sorry. I’ll give it to Neon’s team instead. Neon’s sweater was inexplicable, and they all just sort of look like they’re wearing whatever they happened to be wearing today. 

Oh no, they’re sad now.

Well as long as Sunyoul is happy, I’m happy. 

Performance Helped Most By Song Choice:

And the BRAPPY goes to….

Team Underestimated for Enough.

I think these are all really great singers, and I also know they didn’t even win, but I think that this song is part of what helped them almost make it, and what weighed in to the judges’ decision to save Woong. 

Performance Hindered Most By Song Choice:

And the BRAPPY goes to: Team Forest! It seems obvious that the song was a bad choice overall and allowed only Sanghyun to really sing well, which was bad for the team as a whole. But hold on, team Forest -- there’s another Brappy coming your way….

Teammate Most Screwed Over By a Teammate:

And the BRAPPY goes to: Neon and Taewoo! They were both royally screwed over by Sanghyun, who would not go out of his extremely limited comfort zone and then managed to get all three of them eliminated. Thanks, Sanghyun! Thanghyun. 

Don’t worry, I’ll mail those Brappies out to you soon. 

Team Most Screwed Over By The Team Itself:

And the BRAPPY goes to...

Team Maknae!

Don’t get me wrong -- I think this was a great team. All three of them are great singers and their voices blend well. I just think judges are biased against young members and automatically discount them. If they had been split up amongst different teams, I think they would have had better outcomes, and we might have able to keep Joohee somehow. 

Biggest Glow Up from Previous Round:

And the BRAPPY goes to…. Seunghun!

Seunghun looks great in a suit and that shade of ash-blonde suits him pretty well. (I think he looks even better with his original dark hair, but still, he is just looking great over all!) 

Honorable mention: Bain

I think this is the best he’s looked this whole series. As his hair gets less orange, he gets more handsome. 

Best judging face

So many great nominees for this one! 

Wendy during Fever

Solar during Pray

VCG during Bad News

Eunkwang during Forest

Baekho watching Geonu dance:

And the BRAPPY goes to…

This was tough, you guys, but I had to give it to Baekho for just… expressing the truth about Geonu’s dancing. 

Hey, how do you feel about this blog, Baekho?

Aww, you’re so welcome! Anything else?

Oh, if you have to go, you have to go. Sorry your shirt fell off. See you later!

Most Irritating Judging Moment:

It’s a tie: (1) when they gave the win to Team Taco over Team Maknae, and (2) when they decided not to save Neon. Fuck that shit. 

Honorable mentions: Not saving Park Joohee.

Best Sweater:

And the BRAPPY goes to…

This fuzzy delight, worn by Jeon Woong! 

Honorable mention for obvious reasons:

Team That Seemed To Have the Most Fun:

Obviously, Team Taco. 

Team That Probably Cried The Most:

The BRAPPY goes to Sunyoul’s team, since they had to change from Piano Man to Drawing Our Moments at the last minute.

Biggest Coat-tail Rider:

Geonu again. 

Baekho, what do you think?

Yeah. Yeah, I know. 

Funniest judging moment:

And the BRAPPY goes to…

When Baekho told Jeup he’ll “lose his muscles” if he keeps crying. 

I feel like there’s a certain… theme to my BRAPPY awards? But I can’t quite put a finger on what it is. 

Oh, Jeup put a finger on it. Thanks, buddy. 

Best Dahee moment:

The moment she decided to wear this. Whatever this is. 

I love her. 

But also when she was so happy for Team Badnews when they got so much praise from the judges:

Ok, that’s it for the BRAPPIES for this round!

See you soon! <3 Click here for the next one: Drowning.

[novafire-is-thinking]

Round Five is Complete!

Wow, guys. That was quite a round. We got a couple of surprises. 👀 The Google Sheet is updated, so here are the highlights and announcements. I’m skipping stats since there are more interesting things to note:

Contrary to my last prediction, Ratchet came out on top. When I first started this event, I expected him to make it to the finals, but then Cyclonus’ victories made me question my intuition. I should have stuck with my prediction, apparently. Congrats, Ratchet fans. Your beloved grumpy medic is in the Semfinals, and I expect him to make it to the final round. 🎉

Knockout lost to Breakdown by 1-2%. Seems you guys do have your priorities in order. 😉 Not to worry—their relationship is fine, I’m sure.

I will post the Semifinals momentarily.

A note on the Semifinals:

The people have spoken. Thundercracker WILL go on to the next round. 😎 However! He will be competing against Soundwave AND Jazz in a Triple Threat match. This compromise is intended to satisfy the majority’s wish to see TC face defeat with honor and my own desire to stick to my timeline.

Posts coming later today:

A summary of Round Five in memes and gifs

My favorite tags

Another ask game, perhaps. We’ll see.

[mariacallous]

We’re not out of the woods yet, though there’s good news in markets: Most economists are forecasting a soft landing in 2024. But a geopolitical hard landing could get in the way.

There are tools and processes to handle macroeconomic challenges. When inflation is too high, the Federal Reserve calibrates monetary policy and interest rates, often coordinating with peer institutions like the Bank of England and the European Central Bank. The results aren’t guaranteed or uniform—economists, investors, and policymakers debate policies and their consequences. However, if higher interest rates slow the economy and reduce inflation without causing a recession, we get a soft landing. That looks like the outcome we’ll ultimately achieve, with inflation down from its peak (though still above the 2 percent target), 353,000 new American jobs in January, and the International Monetary Fund revising its global growth forecast up to 3.1 percent.

The playbook in geopolitics is not as clear, and geopolitics has become a much more pessimistic field than the dismal science. There are wars in the Middle East and Europe, tensions in the Indo-Pacific, and deeper questions about what else the “end of the post-Cold War era” will bring. A geopolitical hard landing would entail multiple, connected, and expanding conflicts and crises that could overwhelm U.S.-led international system. The results could shift the balance of power and upend global markets.

What happens in geopolitics matters for global markets and for the way we live. Today’s geopolitical challenges aren’t transitory, they’re here to stay. They require timely interventions that consider realities of politics and resources, as well as factors like fear, honor, and interest, and the priorities and interests of sovereign nation-states. Too hawkish an approach can lead to overreach and blowback, while too much dovishness invites aggression and escalation. In fact, if the United States and its partners don’t get the trade-offs right in 2024, a geopolitical hard landing looks increasingly plausible.

Today, the world faces cascading conflicts of the type we haven’t seen in decades. After a chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, deterrence failed to prevent Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In 2023, deterrence also failed to prevent Hamas’s terrorist attack on Israel and Iranian-backed regional proxy attacks across the Middle East. Could deterrence one day fail in the Indo-Pacific, the world’s most populous and dynamic region? Where will the cascades stop?

Across Eurasia, the picture is not improving. Two years into a full-scale war defending themselves against Russia, Ukrainians now control more than 80 percent of their territory. But the situation on the ground remains fragile and political gridlock in Washington could result in a reversal of those gains—just recently, the Ukrainian-held town of Avdiivka fell to Russian advances. The Senate just passed by a vote of 70-29 a $95 billion aid package to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan—much of which would be spent in the United States restocking depleted weapons supplies—but the bill’s fate is uncertain in the House, and the United States has done its last drawdowns for Kyiv under existing authorities. And while the 27 members of the European Union agreed to a $54 billion package, they don’t have a robust industrial base and can’t produce enough artillery shells to meet their pledge of 1 million rounds by March. Meanwhile, Ukraine is rationing ammunition, and after Russia’s presidential election later this year—no surprises expected there—Vladimir Putin might be emboldened to order a larger mobilization.

Markets have largely priced in the current Russia-Ukraine war. But they may not have accounted for its long-term significance or what the war could mean for Europe. With Russia probing Finland and Estonia, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius gave a sobering speech detailing what that could mean, saying that Germany needs to take into account that Moscow could “even attack a NATO country” in the next five to eight years.

In the Middle East, the conflicts after Hamas’s terrorist attacks on Israel on Oct. 7 represent the region’s greatest geopolitical test since the Global War on Terror. Israel continues operations to destroy Hamas while Iranian-backed proxies are escalating across at least six different theaters. The global economy and the U.S. Navy—which has been protecting international commerce since the days of the Barbary pirates—are under fire from the Houthis in Yemen. A full-scale regional war is likely not in the cards, although any escalation that brings the United States and Iran into direct confrontation could quickly change that. It’s not hard to see how it could happen, and if Iran—dominated by an 85-year-old Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the region’s longest-ruling leader—were to succeed in building a nuclear weapon, it could accelerate the chaos.

What has Washington, Wall Street, and global political and financial capitals around the world most worried, though, is the Indo-Pacific. For geopolitical reasons, China is pushing a “dual circulation” economic model and greater self-reliance at home, combined with economic embargoes against not only the United States but also countries such as Australia, Japan, Lithuania, and South Korea. At the same time, most of the tariffs that began under the Trump administration have continued under President Joe Biden, and U.S.-led restrictions have reduced semiconductor exports to China by billions of dollars. The focus on national security-sensitive supply-chain chokepoints in everything from microelectronics, to pharmaceuticals, to critical minerals and rare earths is adding friction to the global economy in ways that create risks and opportunities in other theaters.

The worst-case scenario—a military confrontation between China and neighbors such as Taiwan or the Philippines, backed by the United States—could lead to untold human losses and the greatest economic shock in generations. Bloomberg Economics recently estimated a cost of $10 trillion in the event of a war with the People’s Republic of China over Taiwan.

Historically, shocks like the 1973 Arab oil embargo and Russia’s war on Ukraine have disrupted but not upended global commerce. Today’s dynamic could be different, with acute and connected challenges across all three major regions of Eurasia, not to mention crises not in the headlines every day, such as a belligerent North Korea and contentious Venezuela-Guyana border.

The world as we have known it has assumed the leadership of a credible great power: the United States. Working with its allies and partners, the United States has built and supported the international security and economic architecture that benefits not only Americans but populations around the world. Another assumption was that no other country would have the intention and the capacity to reshape this U.S.-led international order. With challenges to U.S. leadership and a growing closeness amongst China, Iran, Russia, and even North Korea, neither assumption can be taken for granted.

The assumptions may have changed, but as with economics, nothing is inevitable in geopolitics. Last year, some forecasters said there was a 100 percent chance of a recession in 2023. They were wrong. However, soft landings don’t happen on their own—they require leadership across domains.

The war in Europe isn’t what it was a year ago. Ukraine’s 2023 counteroffensive didn’t succeed. Kyiv’s on the defensive, unlikely to take back significant territory in 2024. Russia is pushing forward and now spends 6 percent of its GDP on its military, up from 2.7 percent in 2021, and bolstered by munitions from Iran and North Korea. Meanwhile, as former Google CEO Eric Schmidt warned, Moscow has “caught up in the innovation contest” with Kyiv, domestically producing drones like the Orlan-10 and the Lancet. And after pivoting to Asian markets, Moscow has mitigated Western sanctions, while the IMF recently upped its forecast for Russia’s economic growth to 2.6 percent.

Despite setbacks, several factors still favor Ukraine even if the prospects of victory seem elusive at best. Without a single American in the fight, and at a cost of 5 percent of annual U.S. defense spending, U.S. intelligence now estimates that Moscow has lost as much as 90 percent of its 2022 invasion force. Ukraine is winning the battle of the Black Sea, and the grain corridor out of Odessa was open to over 33 million tons of grain and foodstuffs in the first six months of last year, two-thirds of which went to the developing world. Ukraine is targeting Russian-controlled infrastructure, including around Crimea. Kyiv is also expanding its defense industrial base, launching a Defense Industries Forum with 252 companies from 30 countries.

While Europe has been slow to bolster its own defense infrastructure, there’s momentum. European defense spending was up 6 percent in 2022, led by front-line democracies like Finland, Lithuania, Sweden, and Poland. Still, most of the NATO alliance’s members fail to meet their 2014 Wales Pledge to spend 2 percent of their GDP on defense, and even U.S. defense spending as a percent of GDP is projected to decline over the next 10 years, from 3.1 percent in 2023 to 2.8 percent in 2033. Ukraine cannot hold back a country 28 times its size, and with a population more than three times larger, without Western assistance. Likewise, European—let alone global—security can’t be sustained by diminishing deterrence capabilities.

In the Middle East, the main questions being asked today are about the “day after” in Gaza, or when and how the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and Iranian-back proxy attacks in Iraq will stop. Tehran has created a new normal of instability and chaos and has little incentive to see a ceasefire hold. The Houthis—once a relatively obscure Shi’a proxy group in Yemen—are now the heroes of much of the Arab street.

Iran’s strategic advantage in the short term has been enhanced by a radically changed information environment, where the “social-mediafication” of war means there are more hours of footage uploaded across all the popular social media platforms than there are seconds of the war. The ramifications are unpredictable—after all, many of the al Qaeda terrorists behind 9/11 were radicalized by pre-algorithmic content they saw coming out of war in Bosnia in the 1990s. Today’s AI-powered algorithms supercharge the risk.

The return to the bad old days, made worse by hyper-targeted online radicalization, needn’t happen, however. The Abraham Accords are holding. The Sunni Gulf countries are focused on transformation projects like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, as they work to ensure that their economic progress is impacted as little as possible by geopolitics. Despite what’s happening in the Red Sea, their engagement with the international business community is largely uninterrupted. The same is true with Qatar.

The two factors that would bring the region back from the brink are restored deterrence against Iran and integration between Israel and the Gulf States. That means recognizing that Iran and its “axis of resistance” are the cause of today’s chaos. It requires working with partners like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, which has relaunched defense talks with Washington and whose senior officials have said repeatedly that they are “absolutely” still interested in normalization with Israel.

The South China Sea and Taiwan Strait are dangerous but, thankfully, at peace. There was good news out of San Francisco from the November meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Biden. China’s responses to Taiwan’s election on Jan. 13 were more restrained than many expected. Now, much depends on how Beijing reacts to William Lai’s inaugural statements when he becomes Taiwan’s president in May.

But while Taiwan occupies our strategic focus today, it’s not the only potential hot spot. China borders 14 countries, giving it more land neighbors than any other state. Beijing has territorial disputes with nearly every country with which it shares a border; each of those disputes presents risks.

Still, maintaining an acceptable peace in the Indo-Pacific is possible. China’s more aggressive posture has driven significant changes in Australia, India, Japan, the Philippines, and South Korea, leading to minilateral coalitions for stability. The Quad, AUKUS, summits with South Korea and Japan, and basing agreements with the Philippines are a few such examples of how these countries are tightening cooperation with each other, and with the United States, Japan has committed to a sea change in defense policy that could turn the Japanese military into the world’s third largest by 2027.

In all this, however, there’s a missing link: Washington doesn’t yet have a strategy for economic engagement in the region. While agreements like the Beijing-backed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership expand, the Biden administration’s Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) is stalled, and IPEF—which the White House has described as “not a trade agreement”—is not a replacement for the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Washington’s economic policy should communicate that it is not a distant power but a reliable economic partner. As the NATO alliance nears its 75th anniversary, leaders need to be committed both rhetorically and in practice to sustaining peace and prosperity wherever it is challenged.

These geoeconomic forces are of concern to publics around the world. They aren’t, however, the domain of the public sector alone. Many of the same market dynamics bringing us in for an economic soft landing can be assets in global affairs. Global companies cannot succeed in a world at war, and the United States and its allies and partners can’t keep the peace without the growth and innovation made possible by the private sector.

The two sectors where this dynamic is clearest are in energy and emerging technologies. Developing new and sustainable energy sources is one of the best geopolitical and economic moves possible, and it’s largely due to private sector-led innovations that the United States has been the world’s top crude oil producer since 2018 and top liquid natural gas exporter since last year. In the coming years, technologies such as generative artificial intelligence—where the United States is leading—will be wildcards and lifelines in geopolitics, and technology companies will become greater geopolitical stakeholders. Such domains are where democratic societies—with deep and open capital markets, the rule of law, and property rights—have advantages that are sources of legitimacy, stability, and growth.

Building on those advantages this year, when 60 percent of the world’s population is heading to the polls, is a necessity. Billions of people voting for their leaders is welcome news after years of democratic decline globally documented by organizations such as Freedom House. But the coming changes in governments around the world could also make the end of this year very different from its beginning.

In particular, the 2024 U.S. presidential contest may be the most consequential in decades, not to mention one of the most significant geopolitical issues for other countries. Foreign policy is rarely top of mind for voters, but the people’s choice may have even greater ramifications for global affairs than for the economy. Trade and industrial policies adopted by either administration may bolster some sectors at home but elicit pushback abroad, including from partners. New approaches to America’s role in the world can reassure friends or embolden adversaries. And every leader is preparing by hedging their bets for either a Biden or Trump outcome.

In 2023, we understood what an economic hard landing might mean and took timely, prudent actions to prevent it. In 2024, it’s time to recognize that a geopolitical hard landing is possible and for every sector of society to meet this moment with the seriousness it demands.

[maxtalksalarmclocks]

Spotlight: Philips Clocks by Michael Graves

I've realized, since writing my post on alarm clocks that look cool, that part of why I love alarm clocks so much is their aesthetic design! Which makes sense, considering I love aesthetic design of products in general. (As an example, I recently bought this wild-looking 20-year-old digital camera from Olympus!)

Today I'm going to lean into the aesthetic design side of things with two clocks that are pretty darn boring when it comes to features, but pretty darn cool when it comes to appearance! They are the Philips clock radios designed by Michael Graves. Let's dive in!

About Michael Graves

According to Wikipedia, Michael Graves "was an American architect, designer, and educator." I'm not a biographer, so I'm not going to get too far into it, but one of Graves's occupations was a product designer.

Circa 2001, Graves partnered with Target and several manufacturers to create a line of Target-exclusive designer housewares. (This seems to me like the ancestor of all Target's cute-as-heck in-house brands today. I buy half my wardrobe at Target.) Unlike a lot of designer products, my sense is that the Michael Graves line at Target was quite affordable, which I really appreciate. Products that bring joy should be accessible to normal folks!

Here are some photos of the Michael Graves Design collection of products:

Just Google "Michael Graves Target" and you can find tons more photos (like this slow cooker, or this answering machine).

You'll probably notice a few shared design details in the products shown above. They tend to be neutral colors, either white or black. They have rounded shapes with as few hard edges as possible. They have orange and blue accents (opposites on the color wheel). In particular, the toaster, blender, and slow cooker (all manufactured by Black & Decker) have little orange dials front and center, with silver buttons arcing over the dial like a little rainbow. And finally, many of these products stand up on cute little feet, rather than lying flat on the counter.

That brings us to the alarm clocks!

MG-C200/17 (black) and MG-C205/17 (white)

Philips manufactured two alarm clocks for the Michael Graves Design collection at Target. This is one of them, and it's my personal favorite!

It's got all the trademarks of this product line that I mentioned. The orange dial right at the center, the silver buttons arcing over it, the blue accents, the stubby little feet, the curvy shape.

It's also got two round adorable speakers, one on either side. A lot of alarm clocks conceal their speakers, covering them in fabric or hiding them on the sides, back, or bottom. But this one wears them loud and proud! I think they add to the retro feel of this machine.

And geez, I love that orange dial SO MUCH. I want to grab it so bad. It's so bright and fun and tactile, and it's right at the very center of the controls. Lots of alarm clocks hide their volume dials too, but again, this clock wears it loud and proud.

I also love the single orange switch hiding on the back of the clock, for setting the time or alarms. It's a little impractical on the back, yes. But I feel like it's kind of an adorable surprise. Like, wait, there's one more thing! And it makes me think of the clasp on a briefcase, both in where it's located and what it does. It's a latch at the top of a boxy-ish thing that you slide when you need to use that thing, and then slide again when you need to restore the thing to its resting state.

As I said, feature-wise, this clock is very boring. It has an AM/FM radio with digital tuning. It has a self-powered backup. And that's it!

But what's so interesting about this clock is how it wears its clock-ness as a badge of honor. I've showcased beautiful clocks before that do a lot of concealing their more functional parts, allowing aesthetics to take center stage. (The Philips AJ4000 is a good example, with tons of its switches and dials hidden on the sides.) But this clock draws attention to its speakers, and volume dial, and preset buttons, and setting switch. It finds beauty exactly in all the things that make it a clock. How fun is that?

MG-C100/17 (black) and MG-C105/17 (white)

This is just an egg. Or maybe it's a penguin, with its silly little round toupee (you know penguins and their toupees) and two little blue buttons for a forehead. And the speaker is its little tummy!

(Clearly it's time to go to bed. I'm losing it over here.)

This clock has less of the Michael Graves trademarks shared by the other products. No cute little feet, no orange dial, no silver buttons arcing. It's also a little bit less functional than the other clock I shared, with analog rather than digital tuning for the radio.

But it's still round and cute, and it's got blue dials and buttons paired with orange switches, plus a giant snooze button right at the very top. There's also something kind of interesting to me about how this clock has almost none of its controls on the front. I don't know, there's something sort of casually subversive about having all the important stuff on the sides and back for no reason. Like a person who lives their life totally differently from you, but they're doing fine!

That's all!

I hope what I'm writing makes any sense at all, but even if not, there's cute alarm clock photos and that's what matters!

Also, I've had an interesting realization. I've always loved Sony alarm clocks most, because there's a ton of them and they're all cool. But I'm realizing I like almost as many Philips clocks! These are the sixth and seventh (I think) that I've discussed on this blog, and I actually have an eighth in mind to share soon. I think Philips's clocks have less in common with each other, so my brain likes them individually but forgets to mentally group them into a single category. But they are indeed made by the same company, and that company has given us a lot to talk about here, which I appreciate!

See y'all soon!

Image credits:

Google Images, Newfields, Reddit, Gibson's, Minneapolis Institute of Art, Burnrate, eBay, eBay, eBay

[attheexactlyrighttimeandplace]

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described the course of the American election campaign as a "sad scene," while he considered that the French elections "do not represent democracy very much," noting that "the second round is designed to manipulate the will of the voters."

This is definitely the quote of the day.

This sums up everything I think, and I am convinced that Lavrov is not trolling anyone, but simply sharing what he knows and what he believes.

Today is election day in France, the second round of legislative elections which began in June. I talked about it in a previous post, and nothing about the potential outcome has changed since then.

Everything is in place to guarantee the victory of the white supremacists and their far-right party "The National Rally". This is a result:

which has been announced or rather hammered home by the major media, public or private, for weeks as if it were the only natural outcome,

which has been carefully constructed in my opinion, as I implied in my last post, for at least 2 years.

By that I mean I'm convinced the election is rigged.

The 2022 presidential and legislative elections were only won by Macron and his party through massive electoral fraud, as his popularity and electoral base had already collapsed by that time.

The presidential race already gave a lot of suspicious clues: Macron refused to lead his own campaign, he used the war in Ukraine as a pretext when France was not at war and no French soldier was fighting on the ground, at least officially.

His campaign team barely promoted his candidacy: he had no political posters, distributed a limited number of leaflets, had no volunteers to go door to door and did not even ask the general public to finance him to pay his campaign expenses.

He only organized one big meeting before the elections for which he rented the largest stadium in Paris with 40,000 seats but was only able to fill it half. And a meeting between the two rounds which was only accessible by invitation and only brought together 2,000 people to the surprise of the independent journalists present at the meeting (the major media used the images provided by its communications team and acts as if everything was normal).

Polls kept his popularity ridiculously high as France was just emerging from two years of pandemic mismanagement in which his government lied about just about everything. The death toll reached 150,000 victims but no ceremony was organized to honor the memory of the dead, to pay tribute to their families for their courage given that many survivors were unable to attend the burial of their loved ones, nor to gather around him the French Nation which has suffered so much.

The culmination of this charade was the debate between the far-right party candidate and Macron. Polls said that 75% of French people rejected this duel and yet they both won the first round! Macron was publicly rumored to be embarrassed to debate with Marine Le Pen, who led the far right, because her political culture and communication skills were very limited. So, as major national and regional media reported, he sent deputies (members of parliament) from his own party to train her in debate!

Can you imagine Clinton in 2016 sending members of Congress to train Trump on the most important issues that concerned the American nation to ensure that the debate was of decent quality?

After Macron's victory, Marine Le Pen went on vacation, as if 2 months later there had been no legislative elections! Her party won 90 seats without doing anything: the far-right candidates were so out of their element that the only subjec on which they could respond to journalists was immigration. Any other subject created a humiliating silence.

90 seats is also the number of seats won by the conservative party Les Républicains. Such perfectly equal figures, which resemble a sharing of the cake, have never been seen in France under the Fifth Republic, founded by General De Gaulle in 1958.

Another thing this Republic has never seen before is the fact that Macron's party won when it was at its lowest in the previous elections. He lost the 2020 municipal elections: his party finished last with 2% of the vote for a very low turnout of 41%. Same thing in 2021 during the regional elections where his party came fourth with a participation rate of 34%!

However, we were supposed to believe that a year later, Macron's party overcame these massive defeats and once again became the leading party in France with 245 seats (even if it lost the majority that would allow it to govern without an alliance), because it was a national election which does not present the same issues, according to the mainstream journalists who interpreted the results!

In my opinion, what happened in 2022 happened again in 2024 during the European elections and now during the legislative elections, which is why I did not vote in the legislative elections.

Whoever controls the results uses the same method each time which obviously includes the use of AI, and the enormous data collected for decades on the sociology of votes city by city, village by village by many public institutions responsible for mapping the territory of France and its population.

In my last post, I explained how Macron could use article 16 of the constitution to impose a dictatorship, and this remains a very credible result for me. He enjoys the support of the Chief of Army Staff and all senior officers. Before the pandemic, 300 senior officers wrote him a letter asking him to take power by force. During the pandemic, he has had dozens, if not more, of secret defense cabinet meetings with the Army chief of staff and other military personnel.

The French media seem to think that he can govern with the far right as long as they do not have a majority to govern alone, which would force them to form an alliance with the conservatives, while they would be under threat of an activation of the party. article 16. This situation would keep them under pressure from the president, even if legally the government must be the only one responsible in a situation where the government and the president are from different political sides and must coexist.

But their theory does not take into account the massive rise in racist and violent incidents in recent weeks against black and Arab populations. 30,000 police officers are deployed today throughout the country to contain the most violent protests. But it's not just about voting day, I don't see the situation getting any less tense if the far-right party wins, because they simply don't control their voters.

The only response to this violence seems to be the use of art 16.

[delta-pavonis]

*cracks knuckles* Let's do this.

CW: BDSM, established D/s relationship, Dream is jealous and a tad vengeful, voyeurism

Thanks to @mayhemspreadingguy for their support in writing this one _______________________________________

When Hob appeared in the Dreaming it was to find himself wearing the exact same suit he had worn to opening night, the one he had taken off just before crawling into bed.

As a major supporter of the Staatsoper Hamburg during its latest interior restoration, Hob had easily been able to secure private loge seating at this special season premiere of the Ballett von John Neumeier. The obscene amount of euros he was willing to pay didn’t hurt, either. 

And, because he had carefully cultivated his persona in this lifetime as a somewhat reclusive and definitely eccentric wealthy patron of the arts, no one batted a single eyelash at the fact that only two people ended up sitting in the 15-person box. 

The whole thing was an extremely exclusive event. The sets and choreography and costuming for this production of Ein Sommernachtstraum were supposed to be "peak avant-garde" and "the future of modern ballet." Therefore, unsurprisingly, the people in attendance were the elite of the elite, the upper echelons of what passed for pan-European Society today. 

And boy did Hob love fucking with them.

So as they stepped into the post-curtain reception of course Hob unbuttoned the top buttons on his black shirt, first the three holding the high collar closed, then another two beneath those, down to the top of his sternum. When he was done Dream had quirked one perfect raven's wing eyebrow at him, icy blue eyes darting down to Hob's neck once and then back. Hob felt a thrill electrify his spine as the King of Dreams tried and failed to hide his smirk behind a sip of five-thousand-euro champagne. 

And Christ on the cross… the simple act of opening his shirt to show a glimpse of his neck to the world? It was so. Fucking. Worth it. 

Nothing in the past three centuries had quite compared to watching a gaggle of goddamned British Royals realize that the man in the bespoke Burberry suit and limited run Louboutins was wearing a black leather collar from which hung a two-inch long gemstone to rival the Black Prince’s Ruby. 

Not that the collar had been the first thing to turn heads. Oh no, that honor had gone to the jewel on Hob’s arm: Dream, looking like nothing less than the distilled perfection of the masculine human form poured into a gauzy shirt, waist cincher, and black leather. Who at such a party wasn't going to notice the Platonic ideal of a leggy goth dom, in three inch heels with his tits out, pressed possessively to Hob's side?

Elegant pianist's fingers toyed with the hair at his nape and Hob realized that he could not wait for the rumors to spread. It was almost too bad that the society pages of newspapers didn’t exist anymore. 

But as the night had gone on, Dream had gotten more and more stiff, more and more sharp and unpleasant. So much so that Hob was not surprised that his lover had fled the Waking World and left him to go to bed alone.

“Like the suit, did you love?” Hob ventured as said lover stepped out of the shadows of Hob’s bedroom represented in the Dreaming. 

Dream approached on quick feet, also wearing the same outfit as earlier, heels clacking on the oak floor. He rounded on Hob with a ravenous expression. His eyes had already gone fully black and novae burst bright in their depths. 

Oh. Things were about to happen. Dream was worked up.

Hob gasped as his blazer and shirt disappeared and he was pushed to his knees by unyielding hands. “Yes.” Long fingers grabbed at the ruby nestled in the hollow of Hob’s throat. “Clearly." He tilted his head to the side, considering Hob with an unblinking stare. "It was the suit.” Dream yanked and Hob fell forward, landed on his hands, almost choking himself on the unmoving ring of leather around his neck. “That caught my eye.”

Before Hob could look up one of Dream’s boots was on his shoulder and shoving him back upright. Hob laughed up at his lover, overcome with the urge to taunt the gorgeous eldritch entity who owned him heart, body, and mind. If Dream was going to be on fire, it might as well be a right proper blaze. “Caught lots of eyes in that suit, I did.”

Dream snarled and grabbed at Hob’s hair in one hand. With a snap of his fingers, the Dream King summoned manacles, connected by a steel chain, to clamp around Hob’s wrists. The grip of the leather was tight and familiar and Hob couldn't contain his moan. "Everyone who saw you in that suit wanted you. But then you decided to show off and they all wanted to own you, too." Dream growled. "I could smell their daydreams. Taste their entitled unimaginative little fantasies. How dare anyone even think of taking what is mine."

Hob stared up in wide-eyed awe, as the fury in Dream started to cause parts of his form to blur, his hair wafting away into shadow, his shirt evaporating into the ether, his eyes bleeding out ink that did not obey gravity.

"Tonight each one of their dreams–nay, nightmares–will be to watch as I reassert my claim on you. And each person will know, in their very marrow, that they will never, ever experience love with such fervor."

The boot on Hob's shoulder dropped to press on the chain, drawing Hob's hands down, but not to the floor. When Dream let go of Hob's hair he picked up the ruby at his neck, pulled it taut. "What say you, pet? What say you to having a hundred people watch as I fuck you until you forget every name you have ever been known by? Until you no longer remember what century it is? Until you scream?"

Hob could only come up with one answer: Yes.

I just wanted to draw Dream wearing tight pants and fancy shoes... idk how this happened but it escalated quickly XD

[wanderinglotus7]

A Round of Applause

It's okay to reflect and speak upon your successes and achievements while still remaining humble. This concept has been a struggle of mine for a long time. It's okay for me to talk about what I've been able to accomplish because I put in the work and made the sacrifices to get where I am today. Unlike some folks, I never forget where I came from, and I never forgot about the people who helped me along the way. I'm not coming from an ego feed mindset. I'm coming from a place of gratitude. On a spiritual level I give the glory to the Lord for guiding me even during the times when I drifted away from my path.

Compiling this list, I will probably forget a few things, but this is really just my gratitude list. Above all else, I'm proud of myself for taking risks. Whether labeled as a success or failure, if I never took any risks, I probably would've the life I have now.

Despite the odds I spent 6 months studying abroad in Thailand.

Since kindergarten, I've been on A or A/B honor roll.

In middle school I stepped out of my comfort zone and played a season of field hockey.

I surprised a few people and did what's best for me and decided not to play basketball my last two years of high school.

For the W.E.B. Dubois Honor Society, I was the secretary and vice president.

Being new to the world of Public Speaking, I competed in the local American Legion public speaking contest and came in 2nd place.

It was a long shot, but I tried to run and get elected to be the junior queen for Homecoming (GHS) (it didn't happen).

Even though I got a few Ds in my psychology classes, I still graduated with my bachelor's degree in psychology.

I took it upon myself and self-published my first poetry collection.

Though I didn't spend many years cheerleading, I did my best and tried out for Bridgewater College's cheer team (I ended up cheering all 4 years).

Because of my hard work, my first year of undergraduate school was paid for.

It was difficult, yet, I had a heart-to-heart conversation with my distant father (for the first time I spoke my truth).

At the time, I was the first sophomore psych major to receive an internship at Bridgewater.

In my freshman year of high school, I stopped snorting pills and cutting myself.

I received a scholarship to attend Boston College for graduate school.

I was scared to shit, but I took a risk and told a close friend of mine that I was interested in him (that was a complicated situation but we're good).

I said I was gonna maintain a 3.5 or 3.6 GPA during my MSW program and I did it!

I didn't drop out my first semester of graduate school.

Very surprised, I ended up spending my first-year internship with Amirah which was my first choice.

Feeling discouraged after 5 rejections for my second-year internship, on my 6th interview I got a paid in-home therapy internship (kind of regret lol).

I didn't let the pandemic and my first "Karen" experience make me quit my job at Chipotle.

Though my romantic life hasn't been the greatest, I haven't given up on love and allow disappointment to turn me bitter.

Two or Three months before I graduated BC, I already had three post-grad job offers (and these organizations really wanted me).

Not realizing that they rejected my application the first time, I am a social work advocate for the human trafficking program Adelante.

Bridgewater did a magazine story on my study abroad experience along with my experiences at Bridgewater College & Boston College.

I passed my ASWB Master exam (licensure exam) on my first attempt.

I never gave up on therapy!

It was nerve wracking, but I used social media to be open with my eating disorder.

I found the courage to tell my mother about my sexual assault that happened in college.

I didn't commit suicide (there's been plenty of times that I've thought about it).

I graduated high school at the top of my class with a 4.6 GPA.

I can cross off attending a Chris Brown concert off my bucket list.

I've been to Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Costa Rica.

In my darkest moments, I didn't lose my relationship with God.

[confusedminx]

15 Minute Lunch Break | Eddie Munson x Reader

warnings: Afab reader, use of the terms girlfriend and princess, no pronouns, vagainal sex, riding, semi public sex, not proof read

A/N: Hi hi, first time posting on this account. I plan on being mostly slasher centric but like Eddie munson brain rot yknow how it is. I also posted this on AO3 under the same user :>

It had been a slow day at family video, which was surprising for a Saturday. Maybe 5 people came in today and it was only 12. You had missed breakfast and were already starving, so when you saw a mess of brown hair smiling at you through the glass door, holding 2 bags of food from your favorite burger joint you almost jumped with glee.

Eddie strutted through the door "Hello my dear movie selling friends" He threw a wink at you "and girlfriend." Eddie set the bags of food down on the counter, before leaning over to give you a quick smooch on the mouth.

"Alrighty Munson," Steve said, walking over to you both, Robin following "What do you got for us?"

This was a pretty often occurrence recently, Eddie will come by almost everyday to bring you guys lunch. Steve pays him back, it's usually an argument between them for Eddie to take the money.

"No, dude, this is out of the kindness of my heart. I don't need to be paid back."

"Eddie shut up and take the 10 bucks."

You smile at the two of them, enjoying the memory that will probably happen again very soon.

"OK so, we have a..." Eddie reaches into the bag very dramatically, before pulling out a few foil wrapped chicken straps. "Chicken tenders for the lady" he passed them to Robin. She thanked him and went to sit on top of the counter. "And…" he mimicked a drum roll sound with his mouth "Chili fries for this devilishly handsome gent over here." he slid them over to Steve, who rolled his eyes.

"Devilishly? more like trollishly handsome." Robin snorted out, munching on a chicken strip. Steve glared at her.

"Says the one who looks like a corpse." Robin gasped and threw a crumb at him.

"Hey it was your words not mine!" The two best friends started a back and force bicker. Eddie looked at you and smirked.

"How about we eat in the break room." He said quietly. Even if he said it louder the other two wouldn't even notice, too engrossed in their banter. You picked a fry out of Steve's tray and looked at Eddie.

"Sorry employees only." You smirked back at him, popping the fry in your mouth. He pouted and laid his abdomen across the counter.

"Oh come on, you're assistant manager. Can't you make an exception" His pout turned back into his usual smirk very quickly, "I'll make it worth your while." You rolled your eyes.

"You're insufferable, Munson." You sighed, grabbing the bag of your food and walking to the break room. Eddie smiled, hopping the counter and following you quickly. Steve's head whipped around quickly.

"Hey no funny business you two!"  Eddie turned around, taking a salute stance.

"Scouts honor." He saluted Steve, turning back round to follow you. 

"You know… I was never a boy scout." He said, smirking at you. You raised an eyebrow, setting down your food on the small side table.

Eddie opened the rickety door that said 'Employees only' smiling when he saw you sitting on the old couch in the small room, eating your favorite order. He plopped down next to you, sliding his arm around your shoulders.

"Are you suggesting we engage in funny business," You turn your body to the side, laying your legs across his lap. "Which would directly be against the king's orders." Eddie rolled his eyes.

"Well technically you're his boss sooo…" he dragged out the word, leaning in so his breath ghosted your face as he talked. "What you say goes." His hand slid up your leg and gripped at your thigh. 

"If I didn't know any better I'd say you're trying to seduce me." You smirked.

"Oh come on, Princess..." his lips finally landed on the soft skin of your neck, he started laying kisses up towards your jawline. "Don't play with me right now." He finally reached your lips and kissed you with a fiery passion. You kissed back, your hand finding the back of his neck, your fingers tangling in his hair. Both of his hands gripped your thighs, pulling you over to straddle his lap. You grinded softly, feeling him already half hard.

"Aren't you easy, Munson?" You giggled, continuing to grind down on his lap. His hands were making quick work of the buttons on your work vest.

"Only for you, Princess." The vest came off and hit the floor. You quickly took off your shirt, finding the same place on the floor as your vest. Eddie's hands slid up your sides until they reached your breasts, cupping them through your bra. "Only for you." He repeated softly, leaning in to suck on the delicate skin of your breasts. His hands ran to your back, unclipping your bra. You let it fall down your shoulders, and he popped your left nipple into his mouth as soon as it was exposed. 

Your hands reached down, unbuttoning your pants. You pulled back and stood, quickly sliding down your pants. Eddie slipped off his vest and jacket then unbuttoned his pants as well, pulling them and his underwear just to where his dick was exposed. It stood at full attention, precum leaking down the side. You straddle his lap again. His hands grip your hips as he looks up to meet your eyes.

"You gotta be real quiet for me, Princess." He said, sliding you down on his cock. You gasped out, your thighs settling on his. His hand flew to your neck, very lightly gripping. "What did I just say?"

"I-I'll be quiet, I promise." You choked out. You put your hands on Eddie's shoulders, pushing yourself up and down on his cock. You bit your lip to keep from moaning. Eddie's head fell back, you hear a whisper of "fuck.." as his hand slips down to your neck, to grip at your hip once more.

Now, with both hands on your hips, Eddie assists you in moving your hips up and down on his cock. You let out small moans, before your head falls into his neck and you bite down to stop from screaming. Eddie smiles, picking up the pace. Slamming your hips down, filling the small room with sounds of your thighs hitting his.

There's a jangle of the doorknob, Steve walking through.

"Hey, Munson here's the money for the fo- HOLY FUCK." Steve drops the 10 bucks on the ground as he makes eye contact with you both. You stop moving, mortified. Eddie grabs his jacket, covering you best he can. You lean into Eddie, trying to hide any dignity you have.

"I NAP ON THAT COUCH HOW COULD YOU- GET DRESSED." Steve turns on his heel and walks out. Eddie lets out a snicker.

"This is not funny!" You get up, trying to quickly redress.

"It's a tiny bit funny." Eddie zips up his pants, then helps you redress. He slips your panties into his pocket. You sigh, annoyed.

"Eddie, I need those."

"Don't worry, I'll give them back when we finish this little thing later." You rolled your eyes, pulling on your pants. You fix your hair before sighing.

"Ready for the walk of shame?"

"Pft, this is the forth time Harrington's walked in on us, it's on him this time." He picks up the ten bucks, grabs your hand and walks out of the room with you.

[moemammon]

An MC that steals clothes to the point where they have more of the boys clothes than the boys do

Big Boyf hoodies

The Demon Bros react to MC Stealing their Clothes!

Lucifer

You have ten seconds before you're subjected to a vibe check

Jk, Lucifer MIGHT be okay with you wearing his clothes, depending on his mood. If he's got things to do, you'd best leave his stuff alone

Otherwise, the sight of you walking around wearing that huge fur coat of his is enough to put him in a much better mood for the rest of the day. Maybe he won't beat Mammon's ass today after all? 🤔

As long as you keep his fancy coat clean, he's happy. He might even start "accidentally" leaving things out for you to get to, and his ego inflates tenfold when he sees you've found them.

He'll tease you a little bit about it, asking "Did you miss me so much that you had to wear my clothing?"

Mammon

Bruh???? Where the hell did his jacket go-

He tossed it in the dryer and now it's gone! Time to destroy his room in the search-

And that's when he sees you walking around wearing it, like it's no big deal. You haven't even spotted him yet but boy is he staring

He doesn't even have a CHANCE to think about being mad at you, because you chose to wear his clothes specifically. His ego? Through the roof. Definitely considers buying you things to match what he wears.

Now everyone knows you're HIS human! He'd never let anyone else wear his stuff, after all! "You're the one that's been takin' my jacket?? Well.... I guess it's only natural that ya wanna wear the Great Mammon's clothes! S-so don't go takin' it off, ya hear?!"

Levi

The normie??? Is wearing HIS clothes??? Specifically the Ruri-chan shirt he sleeps in?????

The fact that you went out of your way to get them... He doesn't know if he's horrified or honored, but he's definitely somewhere in the middle considering the look on his face. And honestly he's so damn shocked that he thinks his heart might explode.

This is LITERALLY an epic gamer anime moment. When the male protagonist finds his lover/love interest wearing one of his oversized shirts.... m-moe...

He can't even look at you directly, so he has to do it through his camera lens. Did you really think he wouldn't fill up his entire phone's memory bank with photos of you? Think again. Maybe if he leaves some cosplay out, you might wear that too..?

"Wh-Huh? O-o-of course I knew you took my shirt! There's no way I wouldn't notice. B-But you don't have to take it off! I mean... you can keep it if you want... I have three more."

Satan

Satan doesn't know how to wear a coat properly anyway so it's no wonder you took it, to show him how it's done one sleeve wearing ass

It didn't take detective Satan very long to find out where it'd gone, because he soon spots you wearing it.

You're sitting in an armchair with his coat draped around you, clearly content and comfortable with your newly acquired clothing.

And he pauses, just outside of your line of sight so he can compose himself. He’d be lying if he said his heart didn't skip a beat when he saw it draped over you. It made him want to gather you up on his lap and keep you there forever.

Instead, once he's calmed down, he rounds the corner to question you about it. "If you were cold, why didn't you tell me? Here, let me sit next to you. Ah, you can keep the coat on. It suits you."

Asmo

This is literally all he's ever wanted tbh. He's not even surprised that you want to try on his clothes, because?? They're HIS.

But he's gushing about it forever. He's so quick to snap a million photos of you and posts them to devilgram, sets it as his home and lock screen, maybe prints a couple of photos to keep-

You never hear the end of it. Whether you were trying to be covert or not, he's got you and he's never letting go.

He'll literally give you the clothes he thinks will suit you best, and gushes over the say they compliment you.

"It's like having my own doll to dress up! You don't know how happy I am to put my clothes on you~! Shall we buy matching outfits? Or maybe... you prefer that they belong to me~?"

Beel

Beel can be a little forgetful, so sometimes he misplaced his jacket. He always finds it in the end, either through his brothers or his own means, so he's completely stumped when he's looked everywhere and STILL can't find it. And he's starting to get hungry again, so now he's more interested in going to the kitchen.

Then he finds you exiting your room, rubbing the sleep of your afternoon nap from your eyes. You don't seem to notice him and just quietly wander past, wearing Beel's jacket.

He doesn't even stop you, just watching you go before he's suddenly forgetting all about his hunger pains, and more interested in quietly following you like a dog.

You both end up in the kitchen, and he's still watching over you happily while you eat some chips. Don't mind him while he uhhhhh picks you up and takes him to his room so he can hold you lmao

"MC.... did you have my jacket this entire time? I was looking for it. Oh, I'm not angry or anything, I like seeing you wear it. You should do that more often."

Belphie

He realizes that you took something so fast-

Belphie may be able to sleep anywhere, but he has to be comfortable enough for it. That comfort usually comes in the form of his jacket, so when he discovers it's missing and has looked everywhere, he gets a little agitated.

Grumpy boy goes to find you to force you to take a nap with him until he feels better, and discovers that you're guilty. But his annoyance is replaced by pride when he sees how comfortable you look, napping away in his jacket.

He's not letting you keep it of course, but he's sure there's something else he can let you wear instead. Part of him is convinced you're only wearing it because it's comfortable, while the other part wonders if you're wearing it because it's his...

So he pokes your face until you wake up, and demands an answer. "You took my jacket without asking, huh? I couldn't sleep a wink because of you.....If you wanted to feel like I was with you, you should've just went to my room. Scoot over, I'm joining you."