#like I saw Kiss at a festival last year but I also saw bands like The Warning who have only been around for a few years | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

tyforthevnm · 2 years ago

Text

L.S. Dunes: “We didn’t realise how much we needed this band until we started writing for it”

After two decades of interlinking friendship, L.S. Dunes saw five of emo and post-hardcore’s most respected figureheads finally get together. Rather than trading on old glories, however, debut LP Past Lives is about parrying their shared experience – from firebrand beginnings to fatherhood – into some of the coolest ‘dad rock’ the world has ever seen…

November 9, 2022 Words: Sam Law Photography: Nick Karp

Of the thousands of fans queued nearly a mile around Chicago’s Douglas Park on September 16, 2022, none were sure quite what to expect. From the Misfits to Jawbreaker, the Windy City’s annual Riot Fest has become world-renowned for facilitating the reunions of some of alternative music’s biggest names. This year, though, the gathered masses were jostling to see a band they’d only just heard of play their first-ever gig. Thrillingly, L.S. Dunes’ live debut did not disappoint.

“I’d already had the show in my head 100 times,” grins vocalist Anthony Green, with a relish that suggests he’s re-run it another 100 since. “Sure, we were a little nervous, but it was the same nervousness you feel before you kiss somebody for the first time. It was that excited anticipation. There was tension in the air, but it was a beautiful tension. The levee was about to break!”

Despite only one of the six songs performed on a dusty Rise Stage that blistering Friday afternoon having previously been released, there was an electricity in the air. Part of that was down to Anthony’s impossibly charismatic performance: exorcising demons, crowdsurfing headlong, daring us to keep up. Part of it was down to his bandmates – drummer Tucker Rule, bassist Tim Payne, guitarists Frank Iero and Travis Stever – keeping pedal firmly to the metal. Mostly, though, it was about five masters of their craft unlocking something untapped in each other.

“It was my favourite first show with any band that I’ve ever been in,” smiles Frank. “To be 40 and still be having these firsts is fantastic. We’d maybe played together only five or six times before that, and it’s not easy to have a first show outdoors at a festival, but I was like, ‘Hey, I trust these guys. I trust in the songs. It’s gonna be an experience!’ And it was fantastic. It went off like a riot.”

Catching up with three of L.S. Dunes six weeks down the line and just a couple before the arrival of feverishly anticipated debut LP Past Lives, the enthusiasm is undiminished. Frank fizzles during a flying visit home to New Jersey between My Chemical Romance’s two mega-headlines at Las Vegas emo gathering When We Were Young. Anthony and Tucker bounce off each other on break from Thursday’s autumn tour at Angels & Airwaves guitarist David Kennedy’s coffee shop in San Diego, sporadically interrupted by planes roaring into the nearby airport. “That was a big daddy…” the drummer delivers a running commentary. “That one had a little front propeller!”

On paper, no-one in L.S. Dunes needs this band. As well as his legacy with Pennsylvanian rockers Circa Survive, Anthony just started psychedelic side-project Fuckin Whatever with members of Grouplove and Taking Back Sunday, and is gathering momentum as a solo artist. Even aside from renewed commitments with MCR, Frank has a slew of ‘solo’ projects, with latest EP Heaven Is A Place, This Is A Place dropping just last year. Travis remains a mainstay of Coheed And Cambria. Tim and Tucker have plenty on their plates with Thursday, with the latter also featuring on a slew of other releases including Frank’s EP. Collectively, they have over 100 years tenure in other outfits.

So why why start another?

According to its members, L.S. Dunes’ “addictive” qualities are threefold: connection, creation, camaraderie. As we pick at that mysterious band name, there’s a reluctance amongst the group to give too much away – a desire to keep some secrets for themselves – but Anthony reveals how the imagery of shifting sands resonated, and notes the serendipity of how their chosen title became an “accidental monogram” for LSD: a drug taken for those trying to achieve more dazzling inspiration and deeper connectedness, “with people, with nature”.

They liked the rhythm of the name, too, which reminded them of the literary initials used by esteemed authors. Like J.D. Salinger or W.B. Yeats? “Like R.L. Stine,” the frontman grins, with just a touch of mischief. Perhaps most telling is Frank’s observation that they often joked about how the L.S. stands for “low stress”.

“At the heart of it is the love of creating”

Hear Frank on how the band formed through a shared creative connection

Where most professional bands resemble multilateral marriage, built on a shared spark but inevitably burdened by expectation, responsibility and the need for compromise that comes with such personal and financial union, L.S. Dunes is an attempt to set those things aside in the name of breaking new ground. The project started with the working title ‘Dad Bods’ as an acknowledgement not just of the members’ cumulative wisdom and encroaching middle-age, but also that their growing real families come first. Their group chat was labelled ‘Father Dads’.

“No-one’s a ‘slacker’ or anything,” Frank elaborates. “Those conversations always happen in other bands. There’s none of that shit when it’s like, ‘Hey, guys, I gotta go take my kid to soccer.’ It’s like, ‘Yeah, I do too!’” With all their outside commitments laid on the table, it boils down to the well-informed faith that when one player needs to go and handle something else, there’s enough enjoyment and investment in the music that they will get back to it. And they always do.

“Not to say our other bands aren’t fun,” Anthony nods, “but there’s a sense that we can do things with this project – and get things from it, personally – that we can’t with our others.”

“We didn’t realise how much we needed this band until we started writing for it,” Tucker expands, offering a vivid metaphor. “When someone first drives through Denver, they stare out of their window, like, ‘Oh my God, look at those mountains!’ But someone who’s lived there a while can begin to take it for granted. That’s what music was to us. We are all in love with it – writing it, playing it, performing it – but this project made us fall back in love with it. Sometimes, you need that reminder. Sometimes, you need to fall back in love with things.”

When he first began work on L.S. Dunes’ vocals, Anthony had no idea who else was in the band.

“We didn’t know if or when touring was going to come back,” he shrugs, reliving early 2021’s darkest days of lockdown. “And, if it did, we didn’t know how it was going to feel, or what it was going to look like. I was just stuck at home losing my mind, trying to get people in my life to send me music, trying to have new stuff to work on all the time. Then when this came up, it was exactly what I needed. Tucker sent me the music across and I thought it was just him and some of his dad-friends from the neighbourhood he lives in. I was like, ‘Damn! Tucker’s friends are really good!’”

In reality, the shared history between the five members of what would become L.S. Dunes is almost too stubbornly complex to untangle. Frank, for instance, remembers looking up to Thursday as a kid starting out with Pencey Prep when they were his labelmates on Eyeball Records, and how MCR were asked to play their first “really big” show when Coheed had to pull out of a support slot for Jimmy Eat World at the Allentown Fairgrounds in August 2002. Anthony, meanwhile, cherishes memories of driving out to New Brunswick, Jersey City and Philadelphia as a fan to catch early Thursday house shows, before supporting My Chem extensively in Circa Survive throughout the mid-2000s. Talk of deeper collaboration had kicked around for the best part of those two decades. All it needed to come to fruition was the world grinding to a halt.

“It was one of those things you talk about,” Frank reflects. “But it doesn’t happen because you’re on tour, doing other things. We all have like 85 bands, and sometimes you just wanna hang out and not play. But the pandemic was the time when everyone stopped. Everyone was at home. Nobody knew what the fuck to do or how long we were going to be here. So we became each other’s lifeline and were like, ‘Hey, let’s start that band we’ve been talking about for 20 years.’”

“New music became that life-preserver,” agrees Anthony. “It put a light at the end of the tunnel.”

The pieces began to come together at some point in the autumn of 2020. Broadly, writing was as simple as a musical version of Pass The Story, with one person laying down the beginning of a song, then passing the instrumental along to be built upon. “It was very much an organic thing,” explains Frank, “like when you start a band in high school and call your friends. ‘Oh, I know this guy who plays this.’ Then you just get together in a room – well, a virtual room – and start swappin’ spit!”

Of the almost-complete compositions passed over to Anthony, his soon-to-be-bandmates presumed he would initially have a crack at the couple of sparser pieces, seeking space in which he could detonate his explosive vocals. Instead, he gravitated towards the busy three-and-a-half-minutes that would become Antibodies – the first track on which they had also completed work. That piece of symbolic serendipity, coupled with the sheer effort the vocalist put in, without knowledge of who else was involved, galvanised resolve.

“The ‘blind date’ kinda thing made it even cooler,” grins Frank. “As soon as we got the tracks back from Anthony, I knew that this was a band rather than just a fun project for during the pandemic.”

The next few months went by in a blur. Although there weren’t originally plans for an album, the bangers continued to mount up. The full quintet were forced to flesh-out their self-recording expertise, with Tim stepping up as a de facto in-house engineer. They convened in person for the first time at Frank’s place in mid-2021, confirming their chemistry beyond the digital realm. Time was booked with red hot hardcore heavyweight Will Yip to record at the end of that year. Even as they went into a Jersey City studio to complete preproduction, the songs were still pouring from them, with eventual debut single Permanent Rebellion being written in the last half-hour of that trip.

At a time when scheduling shitshows had become the norm, L.S. Dunes had found calm by going with the chaotic flow. A fall just before the finish line came perilously close to derailing things, though, when on August 1, with studio time just over a month away, Frank suffered a six-stringer’s nightmare after slipping from a ladder, breaking his right wrist and severely spraining his left.

“To be totally frank...” the guitarist pauses with a wry smirk, before correcting himself to match the weight of his story. “To be serious, I didn’t know if I’d be able to play again. Everything exploded in that fuckin’ wrist. It was a real serious break. It was nerve-wracking. But it was something that I wouldn’t let myself say out loud because it was also super-scary. Not to get too serious, but I said to the doctor, ‘If you think that I’m not going to be able to play again, just leave me on the table, because there’s no point in waking me up. I can’t not play. I have to. And if you’re not the guy who can fix this, we need to find someone who can.’ I was meant to record in September, but my session moved to December, three weeks after my last surgery, with the stitches still in my arm. It was like my Through The Wire. Anthony had to wait for me. That’s why this record took so long!”

“I didn’t know if I’d be able to play again”

Frank talks about the potentially life-changing impact of breaking his wrist

From its lunging intro to the dreamy curtain drop, the record was 100 per cent worth the wait. More than just a set of songs, though, Past Lives is a glimpse into how L.S. Dunes see themselves.

‘I’m not all my mistakes, no matter what they say about it…’ howls Anthony on the outstanding title-track, admitting today that although “we came to this project to do something new, in the process of doing that, we were sort of shaking off the dust, baggage and resentments from some of our other projects.

”L.S. Dunes is no ‘supergroup’. There is no album-padding filler here. The striking simplicity of Gordon Douglas Ball’s album art – five equal elements in perfect harmony – is very much on purpose. But it is the result of all those miles on the road leading to this point.

“I think it’s a moment in time,” reckons Frank. “It’s about the people involved in that room at that moment. And it’s a fine line. We’ve all been in touring bands, running the gamut of the successes and failures. We’ve lost friends. We’ve gone through it. All that shit that we’ve done has gotten us to this point. I’m proud of it. I wouldn’t change anything. But it also doesn’t mean that what comes next has anything to do with those experiences. Those were our past lives. This is the new thing.”

Indeed, hammering through the album’s 11 tracks, there are flickers of familiarity, but they’re in service of breaking new ground. The ‘lonely shadows’ and ‘lost souls’ of Grey Veins are wrapped around a masterful emo composition and massive chorus, destined to tug at heartstrings for years to come. Blender packs a little of the brooding post-hardcore of Thursday, but feels more texturally mature, with guitars set to stun. Grifter starts with the angularity of Circa Survive, but builds into a shadowy epic capable of holding up against the most grandiose compositions of Coheed or MCR have to offer. Then superb closer Sleep Cult does something totally unexpected: delivering Anthony’s treatise on “self-hatred and dealing with self-obsession” via 225 seconds of music that simultaneously pays homage to and woozily updates 1950s doo-wop.

There’s a willingness to speak harsh truths, too, most notably in garotte-sharp political observations of Bombsquad. “This band became a platform for me to really speak on a lot of those things,” the singer explains. “It’s about everything that was going on in our lives, from dealing with the depression and anxiety of the pandemic, to having to deal with a corrupt political system – the most corrupt empire that the world has ever seen – taking over, isolating and dividing us all.”

Perhaps most illustrative of the lot is searing album opener 2022. Back at Riot Fest, it was a number Anthony described as, “the most fucked-up song I ever wrote… about learning to get through shit, so that you don’t want to kill yourself every day.” Having started life as an acoustic confessional intended for a solo record (‘If I can't make it ’til 2022 / Least we'll see how much I can take’), the song was a designed to process the personal suffering and isolation he’d been dealing with over the last few years, but it took the input of his bandmates to properly realise its potential.

“On the original version, it felt like I was stuck in the hole of it,” Anthony explains. “Rather than make me feel better about the things I was writing, it made me relive a lot of stuff. So I sent it to Tucker and was like, ‘Yo, this is too sad, make it heavy!’ He alchemised what I’d written into something that felt much more triumphant: less like I’m digging myself into a hole and more like I’m digging myself out. Listening to it as the year is almost over, the emotion’s still there, but we did it: we made it through.”

“This band was built around making songs that feel good to play in every atmosphere”

Hear Anthony on the importance of taking L.S. Dunes on the road

So where do L.S. Dunes go from here? Throughout our chat, it’s reiterated that this shouldn’t be a one-off. The logistical effort to plan not just East and West Coast tours of the United States, but also a four-date UK run beginning at the Glasgow Garage on January 27, 2023 is evidence of their will to see this through. Festival dates for the following summer have begun to leak through. Anthony and Tucker make the tantalising observation that, if this record was what they were able to write with Zoom links and Dropboxes, who knows what they’ll deliver in the flesh.

Still, with the world accelerating into the post-COVID era, and other projects getting back up to speed (MCR, Coheed, Thursday and Anthony all have live dates booked within days of our chat) are there concerns about continuing to fit L.S. Dunes in alongside so many competing interests?

“Always,” shrugs Frank, with an easy grin. “But that’s with anything. Everyone has commitments, but everyone has commitments to everything: we all have families, other bands, we’re just doing our best to have the calendar to do it all in. And, so far, there hasn’t been a lot of push-back. I don’t mind the work at all – I live for it. But I don’t like planning shit. I’ll say yes to everything, then leave someone else to arrange it. But we all have great teams behind us – many of whom [overlap]. Everyone knows that we want to do this, and we’re doing it as a real band.”

“I would love for L.S. Dunes to become my main band,” Anthony stresses his enthusiasm. With Circa Survive recently confirming their ‘indefinite hiatus’, it feels like that might be a real possibility, though the timing of one band stopping as another starts, he insists, is purely coincidental. “It’s rare to find people that you connect with so well. Everything they send makes me want to keep writing. That’s a special thing. When you find it, you want to keep a hold of it and nurture it. We’re in a dance, right now, where the music has taken the lead. We’re just seeing where it goes.”

Tucker cracks another gleeful grin, even more buzzed as we end our chat than when we started.

“The stupidest thing to do when the music industry seemed to be dying during a global pandemic was to start another project. It’s all against the grain. We’re taking a risk, but we’re here for it. Everyone is always in search of that sick leather jacket that fits them just right. For us, this is it.”

Past Lives is released on November 11 via Fantasy Records

#ls dunes #interview #kerrang #nick karp #frank iero #anthony green #tucker rule #tim payne #travis stever #november 9 2022 #november 2022 #2022 #rica.archive

12 notes · View notes

vettelsavatar · 6 months ago

Text

thanks for the tag!! my current brainrots are probably soulsborne, devil may cry and avatar

SOULSBORNE GAMES

soulsborne games are my absolute favorites! i decided to buy bloodborne last december when it was on sale and it was one of the best decisions i’ve made. alfred’s executionussy changed my life bro

in all seriousness, bloodborne is the best and is so well written. i loved the character of father gascoigne so much that i went to my first convention as him. i’ve also recently branched out into elden ring; watching jacksepticeye’s dlc playthrough brought me so much joy. hi messmer

DEVIL MAY CRY

my dmc intro was kind of weird. i saw a clip of vergil spliced onto another video and was like “hey, this dude is cool,” so i googled him. the journey started from there: i bought dmc5 when it went on sale and then i was all in. the plots and gameplay are so much fun, i love dante and vergil and really enjoy learning about their pasts and their characters… nothing bad to say about the game series

AVATAR

for the love of god it is not the show or the movie please

i was at probably the worst point in my life last year when i was surprised with tickets to the sonic temple music festival in ohio. i was going for TOOL, foo fighters and KISS, but since it was a festival i wanted to check out some of the other bands. we got there early saturday and i was looking through the day’s lineup and recognized avatar’s name. one of my old friends really enjoyed them but i had never ended up listening to their music. since i loved ghost, i was like screw it, let’s go check them out. best decision i ever made. not only did it introduce me to probably the most influential band of my life, but i used their music to heal. tim and kungen inspired me to really dive into being a musician again, and I’ve been able to connect with so many new people because avatar was my true introduction to metal. i’ve never seen them headline but i WILL one day i swear. when i have time and money. love them dearly.

tags (you don’t have to if you don’t want to): @jamiejamz88; @illogicalrabbit; @edward-lygma-ballz

Current brain rot, and why?

I’ll go first!

Dan Stevens, Abigail (movie), and Doctor Who

Dan Stevens cause I’ve started crushing on him after watching Abigail for the first time. Abigail cause silly vampire movie, and lastly Doctor Who. Doctor Who is just a big part of who I am today. Also it’s been apart of my life since I was about eight or nine. So ofc it’s very near and dear to my heart(s) 🩵💙

No pressure tags ofc: @imwithyoutiltheendofthelinebucky @endofradio @lokidoki9 @iamthejam @tommyshelbysangel @blaineskindagay @reclaimedbythesea 🙂

#avatar metal #bloodborne #tag game #soulsborne #elden ring #devil may cry

114 notes · View notes

fairyofshampgyu · 2 years ago

Text

Fuck You Series: Final Part

genre: smut, bit of angst, fluff, band au, uni au, enemies to lovers au, crack, friends with benefits

Pairing: beomgyu x gn reader (afab tho when it comes to smut parts)

warnings: smut, sub!beomgyu, dom!reader, riding, titty sucking, eating out

synopsis: you and Beomgyu are both from infamous rival bands at the same uni, you being the bassist of your band: Blue Moon and Beomgyu being the lead guitarist of his band: Tomorrow x Together. You hate Beomgyu the most though and one night at a party you decide to “teach him a lesson” and become…fuck buddies ??

Word Count: 3k

song of the chapter: yours - maye

Ryujin spits out her tea snorting, “Wait so you’re telling me, he got all weepy, confessed to you drunkenly and then you just dipped?!” Wooyoung begins snickering at this too.

Both of them had stayed the night at yours after you had forced them to abruptly leave the party last night and hadn't explained the reason until now whilst you were having breakfast, well more like brunch.

“What was I supposed to do?!” You retaliate back.

“You know, drunk words are sober thoughts...” Wooyoung puckers his lips into a kiss and adds on sound effects, moving towards you from the opposite side of the table with ryujin laughing.

“Oh shut up, Wooyoung.” Rolling your eyes, you fly your hands in front of his face to get him to stop whatever he was doing.

“I just have a little question though...do you like Choi Beomgyu?” Ryujin takes another sip of her tea, trying to feign innocence whilst also having the most smug look plastered on her face.

They both look at you awaiting an answer.

“Guys...” You roll your eyes but they just keep staring. “Come on, guys.” You protest but they still have their eyebrows raised at you, “Guys?! Really?!”

Did you like Beomgyu?

You’d been racking your brains about it the whole night and hadn't been able to get any sleep over it. Hearing him say that had got you extremely confused and taken aback. Of course, there was the possibility that he really was just drunk and saying anything but for some reason it didn't seem plausible to you.

If you were being a hundred percent, completely, TRULY honest with yourself, you really liked beomgyu’s company and you had missed him like a lot. You forgot how much of a big impact he was on your life a few years ago. Sometimes you’d just use the sex part as an excuse just to see him...sometimes...But that didn't mean you liked him like that. You just missed your old best friend. You didn't think about his absolutely fucking gorgeous face all the time, his silky, soft hair, his cute, deep, brown eyes and really, really nice long eyelashes that reach his cheeks when they’re closed, his cute nose, that weirdly shaped dimple he has whenever he smiles or eats and his pretty fucking lips you wanted to kiss all the time - okay, shit.

Maybe you did just have the tiniest, teeniest, smallest crush on him. If you’d even call that a crush. You’d just get over it though. Maybe you were just really sick right now. You kinda feel like you have a headache...

“Hello? Earth to y/n?” Wooyoung snaps his fingers in front of your face a couple times.

“I don't fucking know! Maybe...” You put your head in your hands, lightly banging your head on the table and groaning. Oh god. fuck, shit. How could this happen?! How is this happening?!?! How could you like Beomgyu?! Beomgyu??!!! BEOMGYU??!!

“You owe me $20.” Ryujin points to wooyoung and he sighs grabbing a twenty from his pocket.

“Did you guys make a bet on me?!” You lift your head off the table.

“Maybe?” Ryujin shrugs sheepishly.

“To be fair, I thought you were in love with Choi Beomgyu too. I just bet for drama.” Wooyoung also shrugs.

“I’m not in love with him!”

“Whatever you say.” Both of them speak in unison.

“LEAVE! THE BOTH OF YOU.”

It had been a week since you last saw or spoke to beomgyu and the day of your uni’s music festival. Jay had hyped you all up and you guys have been preparing nonstop for the big day. A lot was riding on this, if you guys got first place, it was an easy ticket to getting signed and to a big and well known label such as Hybe. It could take years for bands to get signed and to a good label too. You guys could not let the opportunity go because who knows when the next time would be? Most independent bands don’t really become big by themselves. You were a little nervous to say the least. But also pretty excited.

After your band’s turn for their sound check, you could only wait along with the other bands, instrumentalists and vocalists behind the stage for the audience to start coming in.

You guys spot one of what you presumed to be Hybe’s casting agents in the crowd at the back, slick black suit attire, sun glasses and a clip board at hand. They were very intimidating and you all gulped at the sight.

After many boring, bad, mediocre and very few good performances you had to sit through for what felt like an eternity, your band and txt were the only ones left to perform and the only ones people actually came here to watch.

It was your band’s turn first.

All of you walked on the stage with your instruments, plugging it into the amps and testing for a second. Lights flashed down upon on all of you and you could see lots of little people down below, some cheering and roaring and some booing, being txt’s fans.

One of the heads of the music department introduced you guys and before you knew it, your newest track was being performed, Jay counting you guys in by hitting his drumsticks together 4 times and wooyoung starting to sing.

Your fingers glided across the fretboard on one hand and on the other hand, plucking with your two fingers the strings, playing the catchy bassline. After Ryujin’s and Hyunjin’s really incredible guitar solo, it was your turn for your virtuosic bass solo that would make the crowd go “wild” too.

You guys did well. You could tell since the crowd applauded and screamed even louder than you thought was possible and you really think you have a shot of catching the casting agent’s eye.

Once you’re all behind the stage again, the five of you childishly squeal and jump together.

“We did it!” Hyunjin goes to high five all of you.

You feel Ryujin nudging you and you look at the direction she was indicating at to see Beomgyu and his members going up on stage. All of them wearing cool, matching outfits and makeup and Beomgyu somehow looks even more attractive than the last time you saw him but he doesn’t pay you any attention.

All of you decide to go in the actual audience for the last performance and you stand together looking up at the band performing, their fans cheering and your fans booing at them. Soobin was on the drums, Huening kai on the keyboard, Yeonjun on bass, Taehyun with his mic and Beomgyu on the guitar.

Admittedly, they were really good. I mean, you did play with them once, well not yeonjun but the rest and that was actually really fun. But your band were the ones that needed to win this.

There were times during their performance where beomgyu would straight up look you in the eyes and when you prolonged the eye contact, he’d quickly look away from you, taking his attention back on his guitar instead or the rest of the crowd around you but not specifically looking at anyone else in particular.

As expected, once they were finished there was also a big round of applause and cheers. And now you only had to wait until the judges would announce who the winner was.

The judges whisper amongst themselves for a good 10 minutes until they come to a conclusion.

“The band that wins this year’s university music festival is...TOMORROW BY TOGETHER!!” There’s an eruption of cheers and shouts and Beomgyu’s band jumping together.

Oh. You’re not quite sure how to feel. You’re not as upset as you’d thought you’d be but maybe it’s because it hasn’t really sunk in yet. Your chance gone. Who knows when the next chance will be. You look around you at your band and they look incredibly bummed obviously. But jay takes you all to the back where there’s comfy seats and you all sit there in silence for a while and then you all attempt to cheer each one of you up a bit.

“We still did really good.” Jay states, coming back from getting everyone drink cans.

“Yeah that was probably one of our best performances yet!” Wooyoung chimes in.

Hyunjin thanks jay for the drink he hands him, opening it before speaking up too, “Yeah and did you see how many people were there and the reactions to when we finished?!”

“There’ll be so many other opportunities. Why are we acting as if its the end of the world?” Ryujin chuckles a bit before taking a big swig of her drink.

“Yeah and it was really fun just being on the stage and playing.” You agree and all of them hum their agreements too.

Ryujin nudges your shoulder again but it causes you to spill your drink. You give her a murderous glare before you look to where her eyes are occupied at to see beomgyu.

“You should go talk to him you know.”

“What?! Talk to him about what?!”

“Just shut up and go talk to him.” She rolls her eyes and very aggressively shoves you off the sofa in his direction. You give her one last look that says ‘I'm going to fucking kill you’ before approaching him.

“Hey...”

“...Hi. Come to tell me how we didn't deserve to win and that your band was better?” He jokes, awkward tension in the air.

“No actually...I came to congratulate you.” You say mater of factly and give him a look as to say ‘why would you even suggest that?’ when truthfully, you probably would have.

Was that really all you were going to say? What else were you gonna say? What were you supposed to say? Was there something you were supposed to say?

“...And also...I hated you. For like, a really long time, think I just used the part that you ruined the band or whatever as an excuse but actually I hated you because I missed my friend that just left me. And I've been thinking and I don't want you to not be in my life again. I think...maybe...I have...”

Ah, fuck it.

“I really fucking like you Choi Beomgyu! This day was all I should have been thinking about yet the whole time I was just thinking of you! You’re driving me fucking crazy and it’s really annoying actually!”

He stands there, staring at you with his wide eyes, dumbfounded and in disbelief, “Oh.”

“Oh?” You scoff, “Is that all you’re gonna say? I literally just unwillingly confessed to you.”

“Well, you already know how I feel.” He says, referring back to the night at the party when he was drunk. “But I'll say it again anyway, I really fucking liking you too, y/n.” He’s got that annoying, yet endearing goofy smile of his now.

“Great so like...what now?” You scratch at your head.

“Can we just makeout first I’ve been wanting to for ages!”

You laugh at him but give in, pulling him in closer and connecting your mouth to his, plushy lips moving perfectly against yours and making out with him until it’s necessary to breathe. “Well we’ve done platonic, sexual, so let’s add romantic relationship to that list now I guess.” He grins at you.

“Hmm...okay.” You can’t help the contagious grin of his taking up on your face either.

“Y/N!!” Ryujin shouts out your name, charging towards you, slight smirk when she see’s what’s going on, “Get over here right now!”

“Why? What happened?”

“THERE WAS ACTUALLY ANOTHER CASTING AGENT FROM A DIFFERENT LABEL UNDER HYBE AND THEY WANT TO SPEAK TO US!!”

“ARE YOU KIDDING? OH MY GOD.”

She shakes her head, out of breath from running up to you. You look at beomgyu in disbelief and he smiles back at you.

“I gotta go now and speak to this casting agent”

“Okay but after this you’re coming to my place! And then we’re gonna cuddle for hours and I also actually have to still teach you how to cuddle because you for some reason, don't know how to and then we’re also gonna watch a load of movies!” He shouts back whilst you leave.

“Fine but only if I get to pick the movie!”

“What movie...?” He narrows his eyes at you.

“My favourite one.”

“That’s still your favourite film?! Do you know how many times you used to force me to watch that?! Like, fifty times!!”

“And it’ll be fifty one after this day.”

He sighs but gives in.

“Stop teasing me, y/nnn! Just fuck me already!” Beomgyu whines, dramatically throwing his head on the pillow. You were at Beomgyu’s place now after the festival and you’d been teasing him for so long now, just fucking his dick with your hand and at such a painfully slow pace as well. “I’m so horny! We haven’t fucked in like more than a week.”

“God, say please then.” He really did have issues with patientness and you’d probably need to teach him that but not today anyway.

“Pleaseeeeee fuck me.” He pouts.

So you grab his dick and place it at your entrance, sinking down on it and he groans with knitted brows, his hands immediately touching and moving around every expanse of your body and bringing you closer to him. He was so touchy and needy today.

He latches onto one of your tits, kissing and sucking them and playing and groping the other, desperately. Seeing beomgyu suck your tits never fails to make you go absolutely crazy.

“I missed you so much.” He muffles in between doing this and then he lightly drags his teeth over the bud, making you gasp.

“It was a week.” You shake your head and chuckle slightly at him.

“Yeah well, I thought you were never gonna speak to me again. And what? You didn’t miss me at all?” He blinks up at you with his pretty eyes.

“Okay, I admit I did kinda miss you.” You roll your eyes and he smiles after hearing. You grab his chin, pulling it upwards and leaning down to pull him into a messy, rough kiss whilst you ride him and he moans into your mouth.

“Hold my hand.” He whimpers, and you do, squeezing his soft hand tightly, still kissing and fucking him.

You ride him faster and he lets out stuttering moans, continuously with his mouth parted and his long hair, messy and moving with each bounce.

“I’m so close” Beomgyu groans, his own hands grabbing onto your waist and pushing you down to meet his thrusts.

He starts rubbing your clit with one hand, making you throw your head back as you bounce on him and you move your hand upwards to play with his sensitive nipple, knowing he wouldn’t last long and his eyes squeeze tightly shut as he lets out one last pretty moan before you both are sent over the edge together, warm cum filling you to the brim as your own leaked out around his cock.

You’re both panting and laying on the bed when beomgyu suddenly gets up and moves down your body, situating himself between your legs and spreading them.

“Can I…eat you out?”

How the fuck could you say no?

He positions his face in front, looking at your pussy, then looking at you and then returning back to lick a stripe of your pussy slowly and then latches his whole mouth onto your clit, lightly sucking and swirling his tongue around it.

He continues sucking your clit but sloppier and messier and faster and you tug on his hair bringing his face closer and he whines out loud, adding two of his long, pretty, and slender fingers into you, pumping them in and out of you fast and making you moan.

“You’re doing so good.”

He gazes up at you from between your legs, his puppy eyes adorning his face. “I’m your good boy?”

How is he so fucking cute? What the hell.

“Yeah, baby you’re my good boy.”

And he dives right back in more intensely, breath catching as he gently shook his head deeper in your pussy, nose bumping against your clit and he looks up at you through his long eyelashes, eyes big and innocent. You swear you can cum at the sight and you do, bucking your hips again this face as he laps up every drop of your cum.

You gasp when it comes to the plot twist of your favourite movie.

“Why are you acting as if you don’t know literally every line of this god forsaken film?” Beomgyu raises his brow at you, propping his chin on your chest as you both cuddled on the sofa. You abruptly stop holding him in your arms and he starts having a fit, crossing his eyebrows and whining in his deep voice at you.

“Suddenly, I love this movie! It’s my favourite movie ever!…Now will you go back to cuddling me?” You huff, but go back to holding him in your arms.

“So now that we’re in the same company, doesn’t that mean we’re coworkers! We won’t be like rivals anymore and we’ll be in the same building and I get to see you every day!” Gosh, he’s never gonna shush and let you watch the movie will he?

“You’re down bad.” You gag.

“That’s it.” He grabs a pillow next to him, hitting it in your face. “You’re down bad! You just like to act like you’re not but you are! Admit it!” He continues to hit you but you grab another pillow too, pillow fight ensuing.

By now, he’s taken ahold of your pillow as well, no weapon left to protect you and so you surrender.

“Fine, fine! I’m down bad for you!”

“You’re not very romantic are you? I’m reconsidering.” He jokes, getting up.

“Okay, okay come back. I’ll give you a kiss! And I’ll plan and take you out on the most romantic date ever for you I promise.”

That makes him come back.

“It better be so romantic that I cry with tears.”

Comments & Reblogs are really appreciated !!! <333

a/n: omg it’s the end 😟😟 I'm pretty sad I liked writing this series ty for everyone who stuck around 😭 does it need an epilogue bc I feel like I ended it really badly ??

Taglist: @moonlit-yeosang @ii4enha-jwn @naniskpoptrashcan @kisshot-heartunderblade @gyulz @prplsoul @sonje78 @deez-nuts02 @cha0thicpisces @sweethyuka @laxatives4hre @beomgewwwwww @caratsmatic @shoooobin

515 notes · View notes

littlemisslipbalm · 3 years ago

Text

A Cool Christmas

Josh Kiszka x fem!reader

ugh crying at this gif, its literally so fucking perfect :')

Summary: She's neighbors with the Kiszkas and their families are close family friends, spending the whole holiday season together is the norm. When she comes home for the holidays for the first time in two years, she's confronted with the boys who used to annoy her to no end.

A little bit of a enemies to lovers moment, but I couldn't make them too mean bc Josh is just a love bug! Happy Christmas to those who celebrate!! I hope you have a wonderful time no matter what your situation is.

Warnings: kissing, being mean to each other, enemies to lovers as previously stated, idk its pretty tame I just wanted to finish on Christmas Eve lol, also the smallest bit of Jake is in there - like as a possible romantic partner

Word Count: 11.6k I believe :)

The drive to Frankenmuth from the Detroit airport was a journey she knew well, even if she wish she didn’t. She blasted TV Girl and Phoebe Bridgers through the rental car’s stereo as she looked out at the snowy landscapes racing past her eyes. Her brain was pushing her to turn the car around on the two lane highway. It’d be so easy, she reasoned, she could make a lie about how she actually didn’t make her flight. They said there was a storm coming in and who’s to argue that she didn’t feel safe even if they weren’t grounding flights yet after missing the first. She could get a room in Detroit and just…spend the holidays alone.

No, she shook her head to herself as she watched the pavement continue to disappear beneath the car. She had to go home. It wouldn’t even be that bad. Sure, she hadn’t been home and seen any of her family for two years and, yes, she saw the temperature outside the car and thought she might die, but she could do it. Surely her mom still had her winter clothes tucked away somewhere for her to pull out and use. There was simply no need for anything she had worn during winter times in Michigan to accompany her California. Living there for the last six years had allowed her to grow accustomed to the climate so much so that she feared going back to Michigan every holiday season and with the last two year break, the fear had come back all the stronger.

Still, as Frankenmuth began to actually show up on the highway signs and as the number of miles beside the name began to dwindle, she bobbed her head to the music and sang along to the music, screaming along to parts that were particularly important to her. While fear and worry were two of the strongest feelings she felt about this return home, she’d be lying if she said she wasn’t a little excited to see her siblings who also lived in different corners of the country and even world, in her brother’s case. Family was one thing that she knew she could handle even if they gave her plenty of headaches all on their own, but another thing was the nagging knowledge in her brain of something she was trying to push off.

The fact that her mother and father were best friends with their next door neighbors and Christmas Eve and many other festivities were tied together with their family. She would be subjected to sharing her time with her family with the neighbors as well, which was something she was far less excited for. Not that the Kiszkas weren’t lovely, well at least Karen and her husband were lovely, and she had no problem with Veronica, but the Kiszka boys… She had been in Josh and Jake’s class growing up and between that and being their neighbor, she knew them all too well. Now with their band having become rather famous, she always hoped they were more tolerable, but based on her last encounter she felt like they might be annoying and terrible in new ways.

Just as the town approached, the thoughts kept creeping in. Admittedly, she had listened to their music and had enjoyed it. She, too, was an appreciator of music, but adamantly refused to converse with them about it when they were all growing up. Her mom continuously pushed her to talk with them about the Beatles, who were her first true love, and the other musicians her mom knew they all liked but Y/N refused every time after the first time she took her mom’s advice. When she had been seven and she asked the twins their favorite Beatles song, Josh had told her that they weren’t all that good and she had turned on her heel and walked back into her house. From that day on, she refused to talk to them about music, even their little brother Sam since she felt like he was basically a third version of the twins.

Still, they were good musicians, she was a big enough person to admit that, but she never offered anything more than that if Greta Van Fleet was mentioned around her and certainly not any information about them if someone figured out she was from the same town as them. God forbid they know she actually was neighbors with them and she guessed the correct term was ‘close family friends’. It was almost nightmarish to think that there were pictures out on the internet of them when they were young that fangirls circulated and possibly speculated about who the random girl was beside them. It made her cringe just to think about, but still, the thoughts plagued her as her stomach flipped at seeing them all as she knew she inevitably would. As much as she hated it to admit it, they were some of the people who have been in her life the longest outside of her family. She wasn’t close with them if that wasn’t already abundantly clear, but she also hadn’t stayed in touch with anyone else from Frankenmuth after leaving for college either. And the friends she had made in California were mostly from after college, except her best friend from first year, meaning it was only a six year friendship. The Kiszkas had known her whole life and she was a significant part of their growing up in their eyes. It was a bond that she wouldn’t acknowledge, but it was undeniably there.

The last time she had seen them, Christmas two years ago, had been the usual besides the fact that they had really settled into being rockstars or famous or whatever they liked to call it, what had they said as she’d rolled her eyes? Successful. Right. So that was the first holiday season that they had been comfortable saying they were successful and they had just finished all of the intense touring they had been doing. So they of course were the talk of the town and dining table discussions for the entirety of the three weeks she had been home. What was next for the band? When was the next album coming? Shit like that and she had just been there, trying to have a nice time with her family when she wasn’t subjected to her mother telling her to be nicer to the boys. She had easily responded that they probably didn’t need one more person being fake nice to them and her mother had glared at her and began to lecture her about the holiday spirit and friendship and a lot of other things that she drowned out as she helped herself to another glass of wine.

Two years later and they were arguably more famous than before, somehow. The pandemic had really seen a lot more people get into music which she wasn’t upset about, but she guessed it was also the reason why a lot more people were head over heels in love with Greta Van Fleet, making her life harder somehow. More people inquiring about Michigan whenever it came up that it was her home state. More dodging questions about them if someone realized she was from the same town. More expensive tickets into Flint and Detroit (this likely wasn’t because of them, but she really really thought it was). And more people visiting Frankenmuth which meant there was more traffic on this road than ever before, specifically just as she was driving in.

So it was just the anxiety of seeing her family, the cold temperatures, and the Kiszkas making her want to turn around and go back the way she came from. Barely anything. She could do this. Christmas with the fam…and the entire Kiszka family…and the cold ass Michigan winter. She turned the music a little louder in an attempt to drown out her thoughts. Yearning for a nonexistent lover was far better than worrying about real life that was only five miles away now.

At her parents’ house, she’s greeted with hugs and jests about how cold she must be. She grinned genuinely at her parents and inquired about when her brother would arrive. Her sister and her husband sat in the living room when she dragged her backpack and small suitcase through the area to get to her bedroom. They laughed at her as well, seeing the grimace on her face when they asked about the drive from the airport and what she thought of the weather compared to California. They lived in Alaska, so this wasn’t anything for them anymore. She only rolled her eyes and huffed into her room.

Thankfully, there, her mother had laid out exactly what she had been hopeful for. Her Michigan winter clothes. Wool longjohns, a big puffer jacket, some waffle long sleeves she had cheesily cropped when she was a teenager, a thick pair of black overalls, and some University of Michigan and old Christmas sweatshirts. Her mother was one of her favorite people in the world, even if she could also piss her off to no end.

Before returning outside for her purse that she accidentally left in the car, she changes into the longjohns, one of the waffle long sleeves, and a navy Michigan hoodie. Not too much, considering she was only going to be out there for mere moments.

“I see you’re back, too,” A low voice calls as she reaches across the seats to grab her purse in the passenger’s seat.

Her eyes close at the sound as she grasps the strap of the bag in her hand, her body splayed over the seats and she thinks about the view this person must have of her in this moment – her ass and legs mainly, covered in her black longjohns and some fuzzy slippers she’d slipped on. She takes a deep breath before returning to a standing position and swiveling around while closing the car door.

Jake Kiszka stares at her, unabashedly letting his gaze travel from her legs up to her face, a quick flicker down again before meeting her eyes. He’s standing next to his family’s car in their driveway next to hers, holding two grocery bags and with his usual smug expression on his features.

She offers a grimace back that she doesn’t try to make any more pleasant and a half-hearted wave with her free hand, which only makes Jake’s smirk grow wider. His hair is longer than it was last time she saw him and it looks quite clean splayed around the shoulders of his navy wool peacoat, which looked terribly expensive.

“Had to come back at some point,” She finally says with a shrug, beginning to walk towards the front door of her house, locking the car behind her.

He looks a little perplexed as she clearly walks away from their conversation and begins to walk to his front door as well. “Nice sweatshirt,” He calls before she disappears inside with finality, no interest in speaking with him obvious when she doesn’t even shoot him a glance as she closes the door.

He shakes his head, a smile still on his face as he enters his own house and calls for Josh to help with unpacking the groceries.

“You’ll never believe who I just saw in the driveway,” He says slowly, taking out the egg carton carefully.

Josh opens the fridge and looks over his shoulder with his eyebrows raised, silently telling Jake to continue, surprisingly no guess at his lips.

“C’mon, guess,” Jake insists in a way that sounds cool rather than whiny, the hint of a joke mixed in his words.

“I don’t know,” Josh shrugs, raking his brain for names of their school teachers from their youth. “Ms. Young?” He guesses, knowing she was both their first crush in kindergarten.

“No,” Jake laughs, handing Josh two cartons of Egg Nog. “Try Y/N, our neighbor.”

“No way,” Josh says, truly disbelieving.

Jake nods, “I didn’t think she would be home this year too, and I don’t think she realized that she was wearing Dad’s college sweatshirt that he gave me in high school.”

“How do you know it was yours?” Josh asks, almost incredulous, Jake had been right when he said he wouldn’t believe him.

“Because I remember losing it during Christmas time one year and it has a nice big stain on the right sleeve that I saw when she waved at me like she wanted me to vanish into thin air. I’m sure her mom just assumed it was one of theirs if I left it lying around at their place.”

“I didn’t know waves could communicate that, but with her, I’d believe it,” Josh adds, not really caring about Jake’s sweatshirt all that much, thinking about his neighbor who had always really disliked him.

“I feel like we were kind of shitty to her in high school and then she has to see us every time she comes home, probably isn’t great,” Jake muses, finishing up the unloading of the groceries rather quickly. “Maybe we should apologize?”

Josh scoffs and looks at his brother with a humored expression, “Oh please, we could’ve been saints and she would still hate us. She’s just like…the worst.”

“Right,” Jake laughs and pushes a bit of his hair out of his face, “Maybe she mistook me for you, then – wouldn’t be the first time. I think I’m going to try to get on her good side though, I feel like we’re all adults now. Plus, it’d be nice to have someone around who isn’t asking for autographs or anything from us while we’re home to hang out with.”

“Good luck with that,” Josh calls as he walks back to the living room. His curly hair bobs as he disappears through the door and Jake can’t help but roll his eyes at his twin.

At her house, she mentions to her sister that she just saw “a Kiszka”. The only way she ever liked to refer to them besides “the Kiszkas” when she wanted to speak of them as a whole.

“Which?”

“Does it matter?” She says as she sits on their couch.

“I guess not,” Her sister, Heather laughs in reply. “Give me a hint though, long or curly. Those two always made you the most upset.”

“Long, thankfully,” She breathes, frowning at the thought of Josh, who was admittedly the one she disliked the most. He was too loud and always talked over everyone and was always far too peppy on early morning excursions when she was forced to attend things like morning hikes during the holidays.

“Do you think you’ll ever get over this hatred for them or are you just going to carry it to the grave?”

“Why do you say hatred like that?”

“Like what?” Heather’s brows raised at her little sister.

“Like I don’t actually hate them?”

Her sister just laughs with a coy smile. “You tell me.”

“Okay, fuck off,” She sighs, not really meaning it, but leaving to go to her room anyway.

At dinner that night, her mom informs the family that Joe, Y/N’s brother, was getting in tomorrow morning, but that was also when their family was supposed to get the Christmas tree. So her mom explains that someone needs to stay back to do that and Heather conveniently mentions that she and her husband were already tied up with something she was rather vague about, which was oh so convenient. Her mom and dad were adamant about both being there to pick up Joe from the airport in Detroit since he was flying in from Japan and returning home for the first time in over two years. Since she had been coming from California, they had no problem letting her get a rental car and just dealing with the drive, but no, Joe was special. He also was the youngest, so that probably added to the coddling besides the two years since they’d seen him in person. He was actually the same age as Sam Kiszka, so they got along pretty well, much to Y/N’s chagrin because it added to the reasons why she was forced to see the Kiszkas.

So, if her math was correct, that left her to get the tree. Which, how the fuck was she supposed to get the tree all on her own? This didn’t add up at all to her as her eyes flashed around the table at her family members like they were insane.

“So I’m getting the tree by myself tomorrow?” Her eyes wide.

Her mom nods, “Well, not completely by yourself. The Kiszkas have the same pickup time. So the boys can help you with it.”

“Mom!” She feels like a little kid when she says it, but can’t help it. This was exactly what she feared she would say, but it also inevitably was the only solution besides her dragging around a six-foot Christmas tree all on her own – which was, admittedly, physically impossible.

Her mom gives her a look from across the dinner table and she closes her mouth instantly, licking her lips before sighing.

“Okay,” she breathes out, “Don’t worry, I – I’ll be fine, I can do it.”

Saying she could do it and doing it were entirely two different stories because now that she’s at the tree lot with the Kiszka twins standing in front of her and at least five layers of clothes covering her shivering body, and she wants to run the mile home rather than stay here. Sam steps out of the car behind Jake and Josh and he smiles at her warmly, his gangly limbs hidden in a black Patagonia puffer and dark wash jeans that work to contrast with his brothers’ shorter statures. She didn’t even have time to take in their outfits, both of their haircuts being the loudest part about them (besides Josh’s voice, of course).

“Y/N,” Josh says gravely, in some form of greeting.

“Josh,” She says back, curtly. “Jake, Sam. You’re all…here.”

They nod and Sam gives a quick ‘yes’.

“I was told you’d help me with my family’s tree since they abandoned me.”

“We were told that, as well,” Jake says, “So we should probably get to picking two of these guys out?”

There’s a small beat of silence while she stares at them, not one of them shivering from the cold even though they didn’t live through Michigan winters anymore either.

“Yes,” She says when she realized they were waiting on her agreement. Idiots, she wanted to mumble but refrained.

They walk through the rows of trees while she informs them that her house needs a 6-foot tree, Sam tells her that they were also getting a ‘6 footer’ as well. Josh says something under his breath, but she pointedly doesn’t try to catch it, not caring what he could possibly have to say about Christmas trees. They’re successful after about fifteen minutes, there was a bit of an issue when Josh tried to insist that the Kiszkas needed the one she had picked out for her family, but Jake and Sam had been quick to cut the pair off from bickering too much. Jake pointed out another 6-foot tree to Josh and Sam stepped in front of the twins to say to Y/N that her family could have the one she wanted. She smiles graciously at Sam and Jake, but can’t help that it slips from her face when Josh returns into view, an annoyed look on his face.

The boys all hang back to begin loading the trees onto their respective cars while she heads to the checkout. Her mom had given her enough cash to cover hers and Jake had handed over the money for the Kiszka tree as well. She had honestly been grateful that none of them insisted on going to pay with her so that she didn’t have to wallow through aimless conversation that they struggled to keep up when she didn’t really offer much to add to it.

When she reaches the register, the cashier is a girl, clearly in her teenage years. They all looked so young these days, she was probably 16 or 17, but to her, the girl looked more like 12. The girl, whose nametag reads Maddy, smiles at Y/N giddily and there’s a glint in her eyes that isn’t quite placeable. Y/N nods and offers a normal greeting before telling her that she’s covering the two trees that the boys are beginning to secure to the car roofs and she gestures over that way. In reality, she wasn’t sure why she was offering so much information considering there was a specific time for this tree pick up, there were no other trees being bought at this time. Still, she was trying to talk in hopes that what she feared wouldn’t come to pass. The glint in the teen girl’s eyes was making her nervous and then she realizes that gesturing towards the Kiszkas was the worst thing she could’ve done.

It was enough to have Maddy speaking up and Y/N can’t escape it.

“I can’t believe you’re friends with GVF,” Maddy gushes, “I don’t think I’d ever be cool enough to talk to them, much less be friends with them. Do you know Danny too? Are you one of their girlfriends? I won’t tell anyone, I swear.”

She resists the urge to gag and roll her eyes at this kid because for her it really must be cool to be so close to see musicians you love, but god if only she knew. But a scoff still sounds and her mouth is talking before she can stop herself.

“Not cool enough to be friends with them? Oh hon, have you seen their high school pictures?” There’s a smile on her face as she says it, feeling smug in the fact that she knew these guys weren’t cool in high school, at all.

She shakes her head with a quick yes that she had indeed seen pictures of them in high school, which only made Y/N slightly uneasy, but let it slide. The transaction finishes on the register and Maddy is handing her the receipts, which Y/N takes gingerly before tucking her hands back into her pockets.

The cashier clearly wants to say more, but Y/N is already turning to go, yet her mouth is out of her control once again.

“Oh and for what it’s worth, I’m not friends with them – they’re actually not cool enough to be friends with me.” She flashes Maddy a wink and walks away.

Sure it was an arrogant thing to say, but it felt so damn good, she couldn’t wipe the grin off her face as she walked back to the two cars.

Sam hops off the side of her car where he just finished tying the last side of the tree down and creates a semi-circle by joining where the twins are standing, who were not helping – of course. She stands before them and presses her chin down slightly into her scarf, feeling cold and also trying to hide the smile from them.

No luck.

“What’s got you smiling like that?” Sam inquires with a tilt of his head, having a hard time imagining that she’d be so happy with them that she’d let it show.

“You should go give that girl an autograph or something, she seems like a big fan,” is all she says, voice deadpan.

When they don’t move to actually go over to the cashier, Y/N raises her brows expectantly. “Seriously, at least one of you. Or are you all bigger assholes than before?”

“Hey –” Josh starts, but Jake rests a hand on his brother’s forearm.

“Yeah, we can go over, but I seriously doubt that’s why you’re smiling. Right?” Jake questions.

Josh starts to walk towards the girl and Y/N turns to watch as the girl’s eyes light up with a mixture of giddy excitement and fear. Instead of responding to Jake, she just nods her head in the direction Josh went, encouraging them to hurry it up. The boys walk over there together and take a selfie with Maddy before scribbling their names on a random receipt, making the girl elated. Josh’s face is so pleasant as he chats with her, a genuine smile on his face, but Y/N doesn’t notice because she’s on her phone trying to ignore how cold she was and also the nice thing she had done for the cashier, despite disliking the boys. She had to prove they weren’t all that impossible or otherworldly to talk to, it was just like talking to normal people. So really it was more for her than for this Maddy kid, she told herself in reassurance.

Once they’re finished with the impromptu meet and greet, the satisfied smirk on her face is still present when she looks up at them standing next to her again.

“She was nice,” Jake confirms, “But why did learning she was a big fan make you smile? It certainly doesn’t sound like you.” He was unable to let it go.

“I just told her you guys weren’t as cool as she might think, certainly not too cool to talk to her. And that we weren’t friends, nothing crazy.” She shrugs and starts to go for the handle of the driver’s seat of her car.

Jake looks surprised and Josh has a scowl on his face, while Sam barks out a little chuckle.

“Don’t start with me Josh, I sent you over there to give her a picture and shit, I was being nice, even when I am freezing to death – I doubt my little comment tainted your image or anything, chill.”

“Do not tell me to chill.” He snaps, sounding annoyed, she knew the tone really well unsurprisingly. “Why did you even talk about us with her?”

“Hm, I don’t know, maybe she saw me walking around with you three and assumed we were friends so she brought it up as she was ringing up the trees? Seriously, she was word vomiting about how cool the band is and was wondering if I was dating one of you. I had to tell her that that was not the case.” She shrugs, opening the car door now, done with the conversation. “At least two of you will help me get this in my house right?”

Josh disregards her question by scoffing at the previous statements. “Just don’t point us out to people, okay, there are already too many people asking us for stuff without you advertising that we’re here and sending us over to meet fans. I don’t even know how you manage to do that while also talking shit, it’s a real talent.”

“Aww,” She croons, but her face is rigid with loathing, finally running out of patience with him, “I made Joshy mad.” She scrunches her face at him before continuing, “Better go realign those chakras, don’t want people to find out that not only are you uncool, but you’re also a huge asshole.”

“You are the –” But Josh is once again cut off by Jake telling him to get in their car.

“Sam and I will come over to help, just wait for us, okay?” Jake says finally, a bit of a harsh look on his face. Making fun of someone’s brother usually did that.

“Thanks,” She can’t help but say, maybe she’d been a little harsh, but didn’t Josh have it coming? He was always an asshole to her.

The tree gets put in the house by Jake and Sam with little to no unpleasantness. Sam apologizes to her about Josh being rude at the Christmas tree lot and tries to explain that they’re so happy to be home and have a little break from touring and famous life, that Josh is trying to take some time to relax and reconnect with himself instead of being the big frontman personality. She refrains from rolling her eyes when Sam can see, but she nods and gives a short wish of luck with that endevour. It was annoying how charming the Kiszkas could really be, because Sam was making her heart thaw just a little bit even if she’d never admit it to anyone. Like, maybe they had grown up a little bit – besides Josh, at least.

When Jake hangs back after they’ve finished setting the tree up where her mom had instructed her to tell them to place it, she’s once again shown that some of the Kiszkas have seemingly grown up. Jake looks at her with a soft expression and she returns it will a look of confusion.

“Yes?”

“I just want to apologize,” Jake starts.

“Yeah, Sam already did, it’s okay, Josh is an idiot, I know.”

Jake laughs, his hair shaking out behind his shoulders. He was just in a dark grey waffle long sleeve and there’s four necklaces hanging down on his chest over it. They all look unique and interesting and if they were close she might have asked to check them out.

“I mean, yeah, he is, but I meant for how I acted in high school and growing up with you. These past few years have allowed me to do a lot of reflecting on myself and teenagers are just such assholes, you know. I guess, I’m just trying to say that whatever I might’ve said or did when we were younger, I didn’t mean it and I’m not that kid anymore, so I’d like if we could put that behind us and actually talk since I know our families aren’t going to stop being close anytime soon – both physically and socially.”

Her eyes widen at Jake’s words and she leans against the wall behind her as he speaks to her in her kitchen. They were right beside the side door that allowed him to get back to his house quicker than going through the front door. An apology for childhood wrongdoings. She really hadn’t expected that.

When she’s silent, Jake continues, “I guess you don’t need to necessarily forgive me, but I just wanted to tell you I was sorry. And that you won’t have any trouble from me this holiday season.”

The smile that spreads on her face is genuine as happiness washes over her. Jake looked sincere as he pushes a stray hair out of his face instinctively, waiting for her to say something, anything.

“Thanks Jake, it is nice to hear. Also I know I can be a bitch sometimes, so sorry about that too, I guess, but seriously you two were menaces growing up.” She decides to relent a little, to not present the hard exterior that had been reserved for the Kiszkas when she was younger. Jake was right, she wanted to be an adult too, if he was willing.

He laughs and mumbles another sorry. She tells him she’ll see him around, of course, and that she’d report to her mother that they had been lovely, so her mom could tell Karen the boys had been good. He thanks her for not mentioning Josh’s little outburst in advance.

As she watches Jake disappear through a crack in their shared fence that she had forgotten about back to his house, a memory of Christmas past comes to mind. When she and the twins had been seniors in high school.

She was laid out on the couch in her family’s living room as everyone was hanging around in the kitchen and dining room after diiner. She had disappeared to read to avoid teasing from the twins who found it endlessly enthralling to make fun of her in every way imaginable. She would have thought they would have gotten bored with it after all these years, but they still found it more interesting than cleaning up or talking with grown ups about their lack of interest in college.

“Are you seriously reading Nietzsche and listening to Christmas music?” Josh asks, seeing her with the book in front of her face as she’s on her back.

“Yeah?” She calls back, not bothering to lower the book or tell him that it wasn’t her who put the Christmas music on anyway.

“You’re twisted,” He says as he crosses to stand next to the couch, placing himself so that when he leans over the side of the couch, his face is above hers, separated by the book.

He pushes at the book, attempting to see her face. Her hands relent and it comes to rest on her chest and she stares up into his dark brown eyes, not lit up by anything as his back faces the fire in the room and it’s dark outside. His hair curly but short at the sides, he had recently gotten rid of his middle part almost bob that she actually thought was cool, but would never have told him about. Now he looked like the asshole he was, rather than the cool hippie he had been impersonating for the last year or so.

“And you can’t even spell Nietzsche properly, so just, can you go away?” She asks, but a smirk slips onto Josh’s face at that.

He continues to stare down at her, playfully, while she stares back, unamused.

“You know,” Josh starts and pulls around the couch and gestures for her to make room for him. There isn’t a fight she wants to get into less than Josh trying to sit on her if she doesn’t move, so she sits up and scoots into the corner of the couch. Josh sits in the center and looks at her. She rolls her eyes in annoyance. “It’s actually bad luck to wear black all the time.”

“You’re such a fucking liar, Joshua.”

“I bet Nietzsche won’t tell you that,” He raises his eyebrows at her.

Another eyeroll ensues and he’s still smiling because he loves just how easy it is to get under her skin. She gets up and leaves the room after that, unable to enjoy - well, enjoy was the wrong word as reading philosophy was pretty unbearable to get through, but a necessary evil to communicate her anti-cool girl persona she had worked tirelessly to cultivate in high school - her book. Not being allowed to go to her room by her parents instruction and not wanting to be in either the kitchen or dining room, she heads to the side door and slips outside. The air is freezing but it’s better than being bugged by Josh and at the time, she had been accustomed to the Michigan winters, her skin a little thicker.

When she’s finally peacefully alone, she sighs a breath of relief. But then there’s a rustle behind the fence in front of her and she’s widening her eyes, slightly unsettled. There’s a little smoke raising on the other side as well, but she doesn’t notice it.

“Is someone there?” She calls after another rustle, feeling anxious, but then kicking herself for calling out when a head pokes through the hole in the fence.

It was Jake and his eyes are as wide as hers until he realizes it’s her.

“Oh, it’s just you,” He says as coolly as possible, stepping fully into her family’s yard, a half-smoked cigarette still burning in his left hand.

“Sneaking off to smoke a cigarette at family Christmas dinner? Scandalous, Jake,” She laughs at his face that is set in a hard line at her joke.

“Don’t act like you don’t smoke just as much as I do, I’ve seen you at parties.” Jake says quickly, trying to discern whether she’ll tell his parents on him. Sometimes it felt like they were almost friends, comrades in their adolescence.

She laughs, but shakes her head before motioning for him to pass her the cigarette. He obliges and she takes a drag, the smoke instantly warms her up from the inside out.

“You and your brother are dicks, you know that,” She muses after a few silent moments of them passing the cigarette between the pair.

Jake kicks at the ground for a second after dropping the cigarette to the group, knowing it was done.

“I feel like it’s him more than me, though,” He mumbles, “Your face is just so… cute when you’re upset, for what it’s worth.” He decides to add, the darkness making him brave.

She definitely would agree that Josh made her more angry than Jake. Jake’s teasing was never extensive if he was without his twin. This maybe should have clicked something in her brain, but as a 17 year old, she really wasn’t as smart as she thought she was.

“Right,” is all she says.

Maybe if Jake had been braver that night, she would have finally understood why the twins teased her so much. There were plenty of times that school year when Jake and Josh both got close to saying it, for leaning in, for doing the thing. But they were 17 and stupid and teenagers didn’t really understand exactly what to call the feelings they had inside of them. Plus, she probably would’ve punched them in the nose if either of them had actually made a move. In her eyes, they really were just the next door neighbors who were absolute idiots and who tormented her to no end.

Looking back on it, she recognized a bit more of those tell tale signs that a boy like the Kiszkas had a crush on her in high school. At 25, she was sure shit like that didn’t linger around. Now, Josh was just an asshole to her because he liked to be, she was sure of it.

For two days, she is free of seeing the Kiszkas, or she guessed just Josh now. But either way, she was free from annoyances. She had gotten a little more acquainted with the cold weather again and her family wasn’t being too naggy about everything she did. It was good to see Joe again and spend time with everyone, just the six of them – since their family included Heather’s husband now.

The third day, she isn’t so lucky. Her mother informed her the night before that they were set to be doing their annual gingerbread house decorating with the Kiszkas at their house. She didn’t even try to get out of it, knowing better than trying to find an excuse for this event. It entailed each child to make a house because it had started when they were children and everyone wanted their own house. Now their parents insisted on it because they had grown used to it and there was no point in arguing with their mothers even though everyone thought it was a waste of materials and time now. Not everyone, but definitely Y/N and she knew Sam was one her side about it, too.

The Kiszkas are loud. She knew this from years of experience confirming this fact over and over again. But today, the house is somehow louder than ever before which she thought was impossible since they were no longer shrieking eight year olds. Maybe her ears were just more sensitive now. Still, the music was blaring from the expensive stereos in the family room when she walked in. Ronnie is yelling at Sam about stealing a sweater. Jake is laughing too loudly at something Josh just said, a grin still evident on his face as he beams at his brother. Karen is in the kitchen with Y/N’s mom making sure all of the houses are stable enough to be decorated.

She walks lazily into the dining room, head down, not looking to speak with anyone as Heather talks with her husband and Joe hugs Sam and begins talking about Japan with him. She feels Josh’s presence before he speaks, but she doesn’t look up. Not particularly interested on staring at his curls or his very well trimmed goatee and mustache up close. She thinks about how unfair it was that she had been in a family that was friends with famous musicians, but not musicians that she particularly cared about. Why couldn’t it have been Phoebe Bridgers’ family who had been her next door neighbors. She would’ve loved that. But no she had to be born in fucking Frankenmuth.

“Look,” Josh starts and her gaze finally meets his face, when he realizes she isn’t going to look up unless he says something. “I am sorry I was a dick at the tree lot. I understand that my brothers both apologized for me and that just…felt weird not to say it myself.”

“Okay.”

“Okay?” He raises a brow and she watches it disappear beneath his fluffy hair rather comically.

Her lips press into a thin line, she knew he wasn’t sincere. She hadn’t said anything to Jake’s apology and he had been kind, she tells Josh ‘okay’ and he gets upset.

Before anymore words can be exchanged, their moms rush in and tell the children to take their seats, despite everyone being adults. The youngest were both 22. Jake brings out a whole ice chest of beer and places it in the corner, near the head of the table, where he sits, right beside Y/N. He grins and passes her a can, wordlessly, and she nods appreciatively.

“Joshua, go sit right there, please,” Karen says when he’s the last one standing somehow, despite him being one of the first people in the room.

Right there. Right where? Oh, right. Right next to Y/N, the last open seat. It was fine. She could be between the twins throughout this ordeal. They weren’t kids anymore. They were adults. And Jake had apologized and just given her beer, so they were good. And Josh had…well, he tried at least, but only because his pride wouldn’t let his brothers apologize for him. She was pretty sure she was going to be sick.

Jake gets caught up with Heather as they decorate the gingerbread houses, so that really only leaves Josh as a possible conversational partner, considering once her sister started talking about Alaska, it was hard to talk about anything else.

“I can’t believe you won’t accept my apology,” Josh hisses in an angered whisper to her, trying to make sure no one else heard him, for once. “And I was being nice not requesting one back from you.”

She closes her eyes as she’s holding the frosting pipette. They felt like they were burning from concentrating on the little cookie house in front of her for so long and the sound of the demon beside her. After one breath she opens them and turns her head to look at Josh beside her. Her eyes bright with something he couldn’t put his finger on. He unconsciously runs his tongue over his lower lip to wet it and then bites at it. She shakes her head in disbelief.

“Requesting one from me,” She whispers back. “You’re the one who all but yelled at me for doing something nice for a child, where’s the holiday spirit, dude?”

“That was not the reason why you did it,” He throws back.

“Yes it was,” She cries a little louder, she couldn’t believe Josh thought so little of her.

“Whatever,” He sighs, his eyes flickering away from her face to something behind her for a moment, “Let’s drop it.”

She nods, but rolls her eyes at her sister when she notices her staring at her and Josh.

“Can you pass the mini gumdrops, please,” She asks after a beat of silence between her and Josh.

He was in the middle of running his hand through his hair, which she refrained from saying was gross at this moment because she knew he would probably strangle her. His left hand takes the little bag and moves it so that it sits between their two houses, still slightly closer to his, but she again wasn’t going to mention it. Trying to be an adult was so damn hard with him.

By the time the gingerbread houses are getting close to being finished and their moms have taken enough photos to fill three photo albums, she was four beers in and fully relaxed. Josh and she had actually chatted aimlessly for a bit of the decorating time without being unpleasant with one another. She wouldn’t categorize it as pleasant either, but it was definitely bearable. The buzz of the alcohol might have helped with that. Still, she counted it as a win. She also refused to speak of the times when her and Josh were sharing a decoration, like the mini gumdrops, and their hands had grazed against one another. They were split seconds in time, when his warm fingers would touch her cold ones and one of them would pull away like they had been burned. She didn’t notice the terrible blush that would turn up on the tops of Josh’s cheeks when it would happen because why would she be looking at him.

It’s Christmas Eve eve when she finds herself in the presence of Josh Kiszka once again. And once again, she’s wondering why her family hates her so much. She’s sitting in her Dad’s old pick up truck that disturbingly says “fight crime shoot back” and Josh is in the driver’s seat. The heat doesn’t work very well – it allegedly blew some hot air, but not enough for any person who wanted to live – so they both have an old blanket over their legs and it’s too small so she’s in the middle seat, right beside him. Fate was a cruel lover.

This happened after ten minutes of back and forth over who really deserved the blanket and finally she had relented to sitting beside him just for the time being so that neither of them had to go without the extra warmth as they drove to the supermarket a half hour before it closed for the holiday – in Frankenmuth, stores were closed all day on Christmas Eve somehow. The pair had been sent on the last minute grocery store run for both the families for some reason. Her mother had said that no one else was available because they had other tasks, present wrapping, cooking prep for Christmas Eve, etc. etc. She likely wasn’t assigned present wrapping since her mom didn’t particularly like the way she would wrap presents so that explained that one at least. Still, it felt like a punishment, especially being required to go in the truck which she put her foot down at driving in the new snowfall. How Josh was assigned to this task was also questionable, it possibly was due to the fact that everyone had their fill of Josh’s ramblings for the night, which her reply was why did that mean he should be sent with her. But sent with her, he was.

“See, sharing is caring.”

She shakes her head at Josh’s silly grin as he looks at her shivering body tucked almost against him. She wouldn’t admit it but being beside him allowed her to leech from his own personal heat supply that seemed unending.

“I hate you, I really do.”

“You say it, but it just doesn’t pack the same punch it used to,” He remains smiling. She decides to stay quiet.

He fiddles around the case of CDs her Dad keeps in the car and finds exactly what he’s looking for. The serendipitously named Back Home Again album by John Denver. His fingers deftly open the worn plastic case and slips out the disc carefully and slips it into the reader. The machine wirs a bit as it recognizes there’s a CD inside now and gets to work playing throughout the car. She watches him complete the task and can’t help but smile at the opening notes of the first song, eponymously “Back Home Again”. He smiles at her and she can’t bring herself to frown at him. John Denver’s voice was too sweet. His voice made her feel a little warmer and Josh’s eyes glint from the street light outside the car as he puts the car into drive. She turns to look out her window, taking in the words.

“Hey, it’s good to be back home again…sometimes this old farm feels like a long lost friend.”

She thinks back on those times when she had told Josh she hated him in high school and the feeling she had when she said it at the time. Maybe he was right that she didn’t feel that way anymore. Her words were empty memories now. It’s the little things. They were saying the same words, but they clearly weren’t the same people they were. What was stopping her from being friends with the guy who also loved John Denver. She wanted nothing more to hate him, it felt like that’s who she was supposed to be but in this moment she couldn’t play the part. Not with him softly singing along to the words. Not shouting louder than John’s voice for once. It made her turn back to him. His voice was beautiful too, it was an unequivocal fact. His eyes focused on the road as the windshield wipers swiped the snow from the glass in front of them. His hair perfectly flowing around his face and framing it. He was attractive in a way she had never seen in anyone else – besides his siblings obviously, but even then it was slightly more. He had a glow that was undeniable, even in the dark of the winter night.

“Why are you staring at me?” He finally asks, just above John Denver singing “Matthew” now.

“You’re right.”

“What was that?” He tilts his head to her, his eyes lighting up at the frown she does give him this time. He could be so difficult with her.

“I guess I don’t really hate you, it was really easy to do in high school, because, you know, you deserved it. But now,” she trails off as the mischievous expression on Josh’s face switched to his serious one, showing he was actually listening to her.

“I know what you mean,” He says, eyes back on the road. “When Jake said you were back, I assumed everything would be the same, but it just feels exhausting to pick fights with you. Like, I am not the 16 year old idiot who has a crush on you anymore, so I don’t even know what I’m fighting for.”

She laughs at that, finally hearing Josh admit it. “You bullied me because you had a crush on me? So cliché, Joshua.”

He smiles a rather sweet smile, one that she never saw directed at her. It was genuine and it was filled with malice, it was kind. He loved when she called him his full name, it felt so nostalgic, in the best way.

“Hey! I was a stupid boy, I said that. It’s not like you made it easy not to like you, you were so cool. Teasing was the only way to get your attention, you never gave me the time of day otherwise.”

“I’ll take the compliment, but for what it’s worth, I was a nervous wreck behind that cool facade. I was obsessed with looking like I didn’t give a fuck, which is just, so paradoxical.” She smiles when he laughs now.

“You had me fooled,” He says, “I remember one time talking about you to Jake when we were in high school and I was so in awe that not only did you read Nietzsche for fun, but you also pronounced his name right and didn’t misspell it.”

“God, I was so pretentious reading philosophy books for fun,” She laughs at herself now, finding it funny that she had also remembered a similar memory just the other day.

“No, no,” He insists, “And you were the reason I started listening to more of the Doors and George Harrison’s solo stuff because I would hear you blasting both of them from your bedroom. And Twin Peaks, I remember you mentioning that you watched the show one time and I went and rented it from Betty’s because it wasn’t on Netflix.”

“Oh my god,” She says in disbelief, but Josh’s sparkling grin is present on his face when he raises his bushy brows in insistence that it was the truth.

Soon the car is filled with laughter from both of them as they recount high school memories. Mostly Josh explaining more moments in their youth when he was really just trying to communicate his crush to her and she got mad instead. He was being so sweet right then. Telling her all the nice things he thought about her when they were kids with no embarrassment. It felt really good to hear all of it because sometimes she didn’t always think the best of herself. But if someone could’ve liked her even in her adolescence, then that meant that she was worthy of love now – by others and herself. She saw so much goodness in Josh that she hadn’t before, teenage idiocy blinding her from it before. But that car drive to the supermarket seemed like a restart for them because she realized just how much they had in common. God bless the angelic voice of John Denver for softening her up.

Their families stare at them confusedly when they walk back into the house, arms filled with groceries and laughter on their lips. She shrugs at her sister and Josh winks at Jake, a smug smile on his lips when his twin looks at him in slight confusion. At the store they had giggled up and down the store aisles and on the ride home they had promised to explore this new friendship while they had the chance. Neither of them acknowledged how they would be leaving in a week or how their stomachs flipped a little in a way that was a bit more than friendly when they looked at each other.

She laughed on Christmas Eve when her brother prodded her for information on why all of sudden her and Josh were seemingly friends.

“I know you’ll just go running your mouth to Sam and end up embarrassing me, so the answer is no comment.”

Christmas Eve dinner is just her family which she is happy about initially and then sad at the thought that she wasn’t going to get to see Josh. How quick things can change. But soon enough it’s Christmas day and their families are set to do their annual Christmas dinner, that started at 3pm. She spends a little extra time on her makeup and adds some golden glitter just below her eyes and up slightly on her cheekbones. Her dress is black and understated, but it fits her perfectly, accentuating all of the right places. The dress has a low neck as it as a collar and buttons down the front. Instead of a necklace, she puts on her Dad’s old bolo tie that he gave to her when she said she wanted one. It was a light brown braided cord with a silver eagle and matching engraved tips. The tips laid just between her breasts, where the dress parted. Since they’d be staying inside the warm house tonight, she doesn’t bother with tights and chooses matching brown high heeled round tip boots since she’d left her cowboy boots in California even though they would have perfectly completed the look she was going for.

When the Kiszkas arrive, she was one beer in, her parents saying they had to wait for the Kiszkas to open the champagne, which usually would have made her roll her eyes, but now it just made her slightly giddy.

Josh walks in and he’s wearing an outfit she guesses was the only thing he owns. It seemed to be the only thing he’s worn this entire week, besides a few Christmas sweaters that his mom had obviously given him. It’s a long sleeve crewneck style white shirt and dark skinny khaki pants and slip on white vans. He takes off his winter overcoat and it reveals that he has on a long silver necklace today instead of the usual wooden beads. He must be feeling festive. He places down the salad bowl he had carried over and crosses to her at the edge of the kitchen when he sees her.

They smile simultaneously and she doesn’t miss how his eyes sweep over her outfit. She takes an inconsequential step backwards, but it effectively takes them into the hallway away from the rest of their families without being conspicuous.

“That dress is fantastic,” He breathes.

“You think?” She asks before giving a twirl.

“Yeah, where did you get it? It looks like it was made for you.” His eyes still on her figure, not a single shy bone in this man’s body.

She smiles at the words and runs her hands over the fabric, showing it off a little more than the occasion called for, but Josh wasn’t complaining either. His eyes taking her in in her entirety, letting her have her moment.

“I thrifted it, would you believe?”

“Wow, that’s just, amazing,” He looks to her face again finally when she stops preening from his gaze. “And the glitter… I think I might need some of that.”

“Really?” She asks, but she can tell he means it from the look on his face. It makes her eyes light up with complete joy. “C’mon,” she beckons for him to follow her and quickly turns to go to her room.

She takes the glitter from her makeup bag and turns to Josh who followed quick behind her. Her hands hold up a white glitter and the same gold glitter she has on her face. He stares at both and then back at her face. She bites her lip, refraining from the unbridled giggle her chest wants to let out at his happy face.

“Which one do you think? The white would match your outfit and it would reflect rainbow when it hits the light. Gold will match with me.”

“Ooh,” Josh’s eyes widen at the decision. “Let’s match, but I want to see the white in action sometime.”

“Deal,” She agrees. She motions for him to sit on the edge of her bed so she can apply the glitter for him. He complies and she sits beside him, one of her legs folding beneath her as she goes. Their faces are level as she unscrews the cap and dips her finger into the pot. “Dots, lines or like mine?”

“Surprise me,” He says, his warm brown eyes piercing hers, seemingly looking deep into her soul. She nods and he lifts his chin and closes his eyes, settling in to her taking charge. It would be so easy to lean in and kiss him on his soft looking lips right now. She pushes the thought away.

Her right middle finger goes to his cheek, right beside his sculpted nose. She presses down lightly and he refrains from humming from her soft touch. He can smell her perfume, which smells like lavender and cream, like the cleanest sheets on earth. Her finger moves down ever so slightly and then pulls away. She repeats the motion four times on each side of his face, the last one on the outer edge of his eye going down the longest. She’s done for about thirty seconds before she actually tells Josh she’s done and in those thirty seconds, she gets to admire just how radiant he is. His face peaceful yet glowing, not just because of the glitter, but it does add to it.

When he looks in her little desk mirror that she holds up to him, he laughs heartily, his top row of teeth making a full appearance. She gets to see the little gap in his two front teeth and she finds it terribly endearing. She had gone so soft for this man in no time, it was a little embarrassing, but as long as she didn’t tell anyone, who cared.

“Thank you,” Josh says sincerely. “It’s a Christmas miracle.”

She quirks a brow at him, “What is?”

“This. Us. I wouldn’t have thought just four days ago that you’d be putting glitter on for me as we hide away from our families at Christmas dinner. It’s funny.”

“Blame John Denver, he made me feel really sentimental in my dad’s truck the other night.”

Josh laughs at that. “He really is a miracle worker.”

Then they say simultaneously, “He’s the best.”

It’s silent for a moment. Just the two staring at one another, inches away on her bed, smiling like they’ve never been happier. Josh darts his tongue out to wet his lips and his eyes flicker from her eyes down to her lips which are still spread in a smile. Maybe both of their heads inch forward inperceptibly.

But then there’s a call from somebody down the hall. “Josh! Y/N! It’s champagne time! Stop…whatever it is that you’re doing?” The last part is a question because not a soul in their families really understood what was going on with them, but they also didn’t want to question it too much as there was finally peace between the households. No angry tension at the dinner table for the first Christmas ever. It was going to be fantastic.

“Maybe some champagne and caviar?” Josh says with a smile and a single brow raise, smoothly recovering from whatever it was that almost just happened.

She simpers and offers her hand out to him to help him stand. He doesn’t need it but takes it nonetheless. His palm is smooth and warm in hers and he squeezes it to envelop hers.

“Why are your hands always so cold, mama?” He says quietly, it was just above a whisper.

Her expression shows her surprise at the nickname, another thing she had seen Josh say, but never directed at her. She finds herself basking in the warmth the name fills her with. His fingers rubbing at her soft skin remind her of his question as she refocuses on his eyes. They were almost the same height with her boots on, which didn’t seem to bother Josh. She liked seeing him from this angle, his hair sitting in a way that she could see the glint of his small golden hoops in his ears, in a way that was unfamiliar.

She hums in thought, it wasn’t like they were outside so she couldn’t blame it on the weather. “I just run cold, I guess.”

“I’m happy to warm you up,” He offers and the deeper meaning is clear as she purses her lips and pulls herself from him reluctantly, knowing someone will come into her room if they don’t emerge soon. Even though she doesn’t say anything, Josh knows she understands from the look she chances at him again as she walks out of the room ahead of him.

That night at dinner is filled with stolen glances and fingers brushing against each other as they reach past one another for salt shakers and platters. Jake arches an eyebrow at her and she simply shrugs in response. Her mother comments on Josh’s glitter and he praises Y/N’s handiwork, saying he felt filled with the Christmas spirit with it on. When each of them tell jokes the other laughs a little harder than is probably necessary but no one says anything about it. Sam and Joe share a fleeting look.

After dinner she slinks off to the living room, reclining herself onto the couch, hands twiddling with the champagne flute in her hand. The little charm on it was a penguin with a green scarf. She fiddles with it for a moment before tilting her head back and taking a sip of the bubbly liquid. Her eyes slip closed, savoring the taste. When they reopen, Josh has appeared beside her, standing quietly, watching her move. He beams at her and the glitter looks like the radial lines that reflect off the sun.

She motions for him to sit beside her, scooting over just slightly. He places his body snug between the armrest of the couch and her, the space that she provided for him was minimal, but perhaps on purpose. He doesn’t complain at the proximity.

“Sam said something the other day about you trying to take a break from your big frontman personality,” She says after a moment of silence and Josh turns to look at her, his eyes slightly widened at her words, “What does that even mean? You seem like the same guy as the one on the stage, granted from the little that I’ve seen. If I’m honest, I’ve avoided anything to do with your band as much as possible. I hate when people figure out I’m even from Frankenmuth these days.”

His lashes flutter softly as he blinks at her words, a soft chuckle falling from his lips. His tongue darts across his lips before he reopens his eyes, he exhales a quiet sigh. “I just never want it to become an act. The me on stage. I always want to feel that way, but there’s so much more to it than just Josh from Greta Van Fleet on stage, there’s me in interviews and everything else. People just except so much. It feels like they forget I’m only human.”

She twists her lips into a sad smile, her free hand instinctively goes up to his shoulder closest to her. Her hand pets down the soft cotton of his shirt. It rests on his forearm and lingers there with a gentle squeeze.

“I’m sorry I didn’t always see you as a human. I feel like I was also quite hard on you when I have no idea what your life is really like. Just assumptions.”

“I forgive you, as long as you forgive me too.”

Her eyes shut as she smiles self consciously. Josh’s eyes are too bright as they look at her. It’s like the sun is staring at her. She both is simultaneously being pulled into it and wanting to run and hide away. But the urge to be pulled in is far greater. When she reopens them, he’s still staring at her, but his face is much closer. She nods when he gives her a look of needing some reassurance. The right side of his plush mouth curls up in a half smile before fluttering his eyelashes closed and leaning in. She watches it, this stolen moment before the fall. Before it all changes, she allows herself to watch him look so lovely as he gets closer to her than ever before. They’re unobserved as his lips brush lightly against hers and at the touch her eyes finally relent, closing as well. She is hyperaware of every small movement Josh makes against her. His nose is warm and softer than she knew to be possible as it nudges against the small indent between hers and her cheek. She feels his breath as he sighs softly into the kiss. Then he pulls back just the smallest bit, his forehead ever so lightly touching hers, their lips don’t touch but when he speaks they brush up against each other once more.

“Maybe you won’t try to hide that you know me anymore.”

She nods emphatically, laughing a little at herself when both their heads move. She covers it up by pressing her lips to his again, with a little more force. Their lips move against one another with brushes and sighs and soft timid licks against each other that make each other giggle childishly. Josh’s hands had traveled up to rest on the side of her neck and the other lightly cupping her jaw. Her’s had slithered onto his chest and ocilated between right over his upper chest and the dip in his collarbones that felt so deliciously warm, she couldn’t stop her hands from moving if she wanted to.

“And maybe,” Josh whispers against her lips, a hint of something in his words, “You can stop telling people I’m not cool.”

She laughs and bites her slightly swollen lips, pinkened from Josh’s attention. “But you aren’t… or at least not as cool as me.”

“That’s fair, I guess,” He laughs along, the hand that was on her jaw traveling to swirl around some of her hair. His fingers playing with it absently as they stare into each other’s eyes now, happy to just have gotten here.

“What the actual fuck is going on in here?!” A voice sounds from across the room and both of them whip their heads to it.

Sam is standing in the doorway with a fresh cocktail in his hands, mouth agape and the biggest eyes she’s ever seen. “I fucking knew it,” He follows his own exclamation and turns on his heels and walks back out. She wants to turn into a puddle of embarrassment, but Josh’s unwavering calmness grounds her when she looks back to him. It makes her smile.

“Happy Christmas,” He winks, “You think we’ll ever hear the end of this?”

“Not a chance.”

#josh kiszka fanfiction #josh kiszka x reader #josh kiszka fluff #josh kiszka gvf #josh kiszka x you #josh kiszka x yn #greta van fleet imagine #greta van fleet fan fiction #greta van fic #greta van fleet fic #greta van fleet fluff #a little jake if you squint #josh kiszka angst #i guess #enemies to lovers #enemies to lovers!josh #christmas!josh

553 notes · View notes

neocrush · 4 years ago

Text

— enhypen reaction to hearing you sing for the first time !

genre: fluff + established relationship for heeseung and sunoo

pairings: idol!enhypen x gn!reader

note: requested by anon ♡

★ heeseung

you got into an argument, a dumb one actually

but you both being the stubborn people you are, you decided to give each other the silent treatment

you couldn’t handle it much longer

you just wanted to say sorry and cuddle with him

but then again - you didn’t wanna deflate your ego

so directly speaking to him was a no-no

so you sat there in his bed, grabbing his guitar and started strumming it

until you started playing and singing get you by daniel caesar

heeseung must’ve heard you as he slowly walked towards his room, pressing his ear on the door

he didn’t know you could play the guitar and sing

pls he had massive heart eyes

was convinced he fell in love with you all over again

he completely forgot the argument ever happened and just barged in

“you’re the love of my life.”

you stopped playing and singing and just went *instert shocked pikachu face*

“can you sing for me? please?” and you just shake your head no

pouts and gives you puppy eyes

you give in and kiss his cheek “fine, but only if you do it with me”

he nods and cuddles you as you both sing each other to sleep

★ jay

you were a new trainee at belift and he was at the studio, preparing a new song with jake and a producer

the producer had called you in to record a demo for one of the hybe groups

he wasn’t that fazed when you entered the room - the both of you having a mask and bucket hat on

as you entered the recording booth, you removed your mask and hat

you listen to the instrumental and re-read the lyrics once again as you asked the producer if you could record the song without instrumental first

the producer agreed and started recording

you got straight into the chorus, surprising jay

that specific part was in a very high key and he was shocked at how effortlessly you sang it at the first try

the recording went pretty well

but the way jay kept on looking back and forth between the lyrics he was writing and you in the booth didn’t go unnoticed by jake

you were done and had to return to practice as you bowed to the boys and producer - leaving the room

jake nudges jay, signalling him to go follow you and at least say something

jay took the hint and left the studio

“y/n!” he called out and you turned around

“your voice is beautiful. would you want to record with me- i mean enhypen some time?”

★ jake

you were part of a girl band

you played the bass and was also the lead singer

your company - a fairly small one - was just recently bought by bang pd so you were under hybe labels

your group used to perform for different high school festivals and you just happened to have performed at sunoo’s

after hearing the news that you were under hybe too, sunoo begged his members to come with him see your band at the company

“sunoo they’re there to practice, not to do free concerts” - jungwon

jake chuckled and he was the only one who agreed to come with sunoo

“hyung did you know their lead singer is the same age as you” sunoo said wiggling his brows as they both made their way to your practice room

jake just shook his head at his younger member

hearing a familiar melody, sunoo dragged the older member to what he was sure was your practice room

“sunoo you can’t just barge i-“

was he seeing an angel?????

“sunoo i thought they did rock”

“yeah but they have bsides in other genres too yknow”

you were singing your solo song twilight

jake nodded and watched you in awe, admiring how into the song you were

your members weren’t there and it may seem lonely but your voice echoing throughout the room made the atmosphere feel heavenly

once the song was over, sunoo cheered and clapped his hands as you grew shy, finally acknowledging their presence

the two boys introduced themselves to you and you did the same to them

you chuckled as you saw jake fumble on his words

“i know who you guys are, i watched your very good cover. you should try doing rock sometime, it seriously fits you guys!” you complimented them

as they grew shy, you couldn’t help but notice jake’s unique smile and how he plays with his hands when he’s nervous

“do you wanna grab lunch with us?”

“is the jake sim asking me out?”

“is the y/n l/n rejecting me?”

you both laughed as sunoo playfully rolled his eyes and you went to go get lunch with the two

★ sunghoon

you were at karaoke with the guys

all of them were having the time of their lives, doing song after song without taking breaks

jay and riki were singing new face and you were busting your lungs out watching them get tired of the never-ending song

remember when yoongi went “when does this song end” when bts was singing new face during that one run episode? yeah that’s them

when the song finally finished, jungwon noticed how you have been laughing and just sitting there the whole time

so he took the mic and pointed at you

that little shit

sunoo had already queued asap by stayc for him to sing, but jungwon insisted that you sing it since you should at least sing one song

“but that’s my song!” - sunoo

“sunoo you can do the choreo while y/n sings” - jungwon

sunoo nods, also wanting to hear you sing

(ps he wanted to do the choreo lol)

you refused and kept shaking your head until your crush, sunghoon, placed his hand on your shoulder, making your heart do backflips

“cmonnnn y/n, please?” he pouted at you

finally giving in, you stand up and grab the mic from jungwon

starting the song, your body was stiff

but once you reached the chorus, you and sunoo were doing the choreo while you sang with a big smile on your face

not you being a whole kpop idol whoop

sunghoon couldn’t help but look at you and smile to himself and blush - you looked so cute and your voice was so addicting

you even lipsynced the “i think you’re really cool” part (the one before the chorus) while winking at him

the song really brought out your inner confidence as you made sunghoon a flustered mess

once you were all finished and went home, riki showed you a video he took of sunghoon when you were singing

“dude i swear he’s super into you! look at him smiling ear-to-ear!!! he looks like he just saw an angel”

“oh shut up riki”

you mentally thanked jungwon for setting you up like that

★ sunoo

“can you sing me to sleep please?” you asked sunoo asked with puppy eyes

he poked your cheeks, nodding

“you’re so cute. of course i’ll sing you to sleep baby”

getting in bed with him, he started playing with your hair and caressing your shoulder

he softly sang love is not over by bts

what took him by surprise was that you suddenly joined in, harmonizing with him

he knew you liked music but wasn’t aware that you had such an amazing voice

he held your hand as you both finished singing the song, giggling

“baby you have the sweetest voice ever, you should sing more often” he playfully pouted

you softly laughed as you moved his bangs out frame, kissing his forehead

“i’ll only sing for you darling, i don’t want others to fall for me”

he playfully hit you as you laughed at your own joke

facing you, he looked into your eyes

“i love you so much.”

you blushed at his words

“i love you even more sunoo.”

★ jungwon

your group and enhypen were appearing on weekly idol together

your members kept on teasing you because you had previously revealed that jungwon was your ideal type on knowing bros

what you said garnered a lot of attention from knetz and engenes, some negative but most of them positive

“they would make an adorable couple”

“i wanna see them sing together”

“their visuals together would shake the whole country”

you were glad engenes didn’t hate your guys for being open about your admiration towards the boy

you being nervous was an understatement - this was your first time seeing jungwon in real life

and you expected the hosts to bring up what you said about him so you were prepared to face him directly

pls this sounds like ur about to have a boxing match w him

anyways filming started out okay until the hosts (ofc) brought up what you said

a few laughs here and there but suddenly they had an idea

“so you’re the main vocal, correct?”

you nodded at one of the hosts

“that’s perfect because it’s time for our karaoke session!”

you ended up getting paired up with jungwon to sing just one day by bts

you made eye contact the whole time and it didn’t take a genius to see the instant chemistry

your voices went so well with each other that even you and his members were shocked at how heavenly you both sounded together

you were both smiling and you could just melt right then and there

once you were done, you covered your face with your hands as you were a blushing mess

your members and enhypen clapped and one of the hosts went “you guys should sing an ost together”

you both got super shy and the rest of filming went well

a month passed and the episode aired

engenes and your fans went insane on sns and knetz were demanding a collab

it wasn’t anything serious until your ceo brought you in in a meeting with hybe executives and he popped up the question

“how would you like to feature in enhypen’s newest album?”

★ riki

your classmates were cleaning the classroom as it was the last week of the whole school year

you were sweeping the floor, humming the song that was silently playing in the background as the room was filled with chatter

riki was removing the decorations on the walls, listening to your soft hums

the songs that were being played were fairly calm

until a more energetic song suddenly played

your classmates suddenly became all energetic when i can’t stop me by twice started playing

you smiled, singing along

you were just playing around but you didn’t realize that you just hit nayeon’s high notes

“woah! y/n??? you’re really good”

you saw that riki was listening the whole time (and so was the rest of the class lol) and you got shy

you shook your head and stopped singing

“no keep going!” - a classmate

you gave in and went on with the song and riki gave you a “you’re so awesome” look

once the song was over, your classmates started playing even more hype song

a guy went “lets do karaoke!”

a girl chimed in “y/n has to go first!”

riki softly laughed and nudged you to go sing

you used the broom in your hand as a fake mic and mic stand as you sang blue hour by txt

he filmed you, zooming in on your smiling face

he was sure going to cherish that video forever

571 notes · View notes

emometalhead · 2 years ago

Text

Aftershock Day 2 recap!!

First, the bands I saw: Set It Off, Motionless In White, Falling In Reverse, Apocalyptica, Gwar, and Kiss

My dad and I had planned to see Archetypes Collide, but we ended up getting to the venue too late due to a bad parking situation. Rather than catch the last 10 minutes of their set, we opted to get close for Set It Off. Set It Off was SO MUCH FUN! I was jumping and singing for most of their set. Cody has soooo much energy, and it definitely pumped up the crowd. I touched the setlist when he threw it, but wasn't able to catch it 😭. I'm so sad about that. My dad was close to catching a drum stick, but would've had to (in his words) "push some Ashley sized chicks", and he understandably didn't want to be an aggressive jerk.

It was so damn hot during Motionless In White. Totally worth it though. Luckily, the crowd was fairly chill where I was, so there wasn't any extra body heat or sweat being transferred lol. I was disappointed they didn't perform Voices, but they covered Somebody Told Me by The Killers, and that was really cool! I had a good time during them, despite trying not to be too active to preserve my energy. My biggest issue was that there was a little kid on someone's shoulders, and crowdsurfers kept getting pushed toward him. The kid got kicked! I was so pissed to see that. The kid ended up leaving the crowd, and I felt so bad. Beyond that, because I feel like this paragraph is just complaints, I had a great time!! Chris Motionless is awesome, so just seeing him again was nice. We got a lot closer this time too!

My dudes. Falling In Reverse was incredible. I've been wanting to see them for years. They were at the festival one of the other years I went, but I was out voted and didn't get to see them. I went HARD for them. I was screaming all of the lyrics, jumping around like crazy, and headbanging majorly. I was soooo drained after their set, but it was entirely worth it. I had an amazing time. The band sounded great, and I enjoyed how they interacted with the crowd. It was also fun to hear my dad yelling along to a couple songs. I was trying to recover a little during Voices In My Head, because I was super sweaty and not feeling 100%, but then I heard my dad yelling every lyric behind me. He's a really recent fan, so I was glad he had such a good time as well.

Omg Apocalyptica was insane. As a cellist, I just have to say those dudes are gods. I was in awe of them. I love the band, but seeing them live took my love to another level. I actually stood their with my jaw dropped for a minute, because I couldn't believe the talent I was witnessing. They were also the only band in the last 2 days that I saw with my brother, so it was nice to be able to experience that with him.

My dad and I took a break to eat and sit down after Apocalyptica. Afterwards, we decided to check out Gwar. They always draw huge crowds, and we've heard that their performances are insane. We were disappointed to say the least. For one, we just weren't super into their gimmick. Like they looked cool, but the theme of their songs and conversations didn't vibe with us. They also made really tasteless commentary about Ukraine, so we left. We will not being checking them out again should they return to the festival.

Kiss was tonight's headliner. I am admittedly not a Kiss fan. I went in with fairly low expectations. Sorry to my Kiss mutuals. They surprised me. The crowd was really into it, and they had a good vibe. I definitely am not a converted fan by any means. I will likely never willingly listen to their music again, but I didn't hate what I heard. I also had a really good view of the stage despite my dad and I making no effort to actually get into the crowd. I watched about half of the set before leaving. Honestly I only stayed that long because my dad was clearly having a great time, and I didn't wan to ruin that. My feet were tired though, and everyone around us was smoking. Even with my mask, I couldn't stop coughing. I ended up leaving and hanging out with my brother. That was way more enjoyable.

Highs and lows of Kiss: The guitar solos were cool! Solos aren't too common of an occurrence, especially such long ones, so I liked them. On the flip side, I hated just about everything related to Gene Simmons. His tongue, and everything he did with it, grossed me out. He had so much saliva dripping from his mouth and from his microphone. It was disgusting.

Lastly, some photos. In order: Set It Off, Chris Motionless from Motionless In White, Paul Stanley from Kiss (the band was so difficult to photograph!! They're too bright!!), the backdrop from Falling In Reverse, the stage set up with pyro warnings for Kiss.

#slightly chiller day #less bands and a little more down time #it was necessary #day 1 was a lot and day 3 is going to be BUSY #ashley overshares #heading to sleep now because I will be back at the festival in 12 hours

8 notes · View notes

baku-bowl · 3 years ago

Text

broke 1,000 followers (the fuck? I don't even make content people), so decided to write up a list of some (but not all, I'll make other lists later) of my favorite Bakugou-centric fic recs. my tastes run towards hurt/comfort, as you'll probably figure from the list. if there are some Baku-centric fics that you've enjoyed that aren't on here, please add them - this is definitely not a complete list of the ones I've read and love, but I'm always up for some recs. <3

fair warning, most of these are wips.

------------------------------------------------

Social Media 101 by WindsChild8178

Part 1: Survival Guide to Fucking Up

[Solely Bakugou’s point of view]

Katsuki Bakugou doesn’t have a gentle bone in his body. He’s aggressive in everything he does and does everything with 100% of his heart in it. After the Sport’s Festival, Katsuki starts to get harassed by strangers for his unheroic demeanor. It starts with letters but it doesn’t end there. The moment Katsuki realizes the harassment has entered dangerous territory and he needs to tell someone, it’s already too late.

Part 2: Post Traumatic Life Disorder

[Point of View opens up to Bakugou, teachers and classmates]

When the Dorms are finally built, everyone is settling in well, but things become tense as people begin to realize something isn’t right with the recently rescued Bakugou.

[Cannon compliant right up to after the License Exam]

hands down my favorite fic in the fandom right now. it’s the one that converted me into a Bakugou lover. if you have any fondness for Bakugou as a character then it’s likely you’ve read this one already, but if not, I can’t recommend it enough. incredibly depressing, but with the hope that comfort is coming soon in the next few chapters.

The Kids Will Be Alright, Eventually by NotWithThatAttitude

Bakugou is spiraling in the aftermath of Kamino and his friends are starting to notice. He's stubborn, aggressively independent, and less than willing to dig into his past, but after a breakdown that ends with a painful secret revealed, he starts to get help.

Whether he likes it or not.

Meanwhile, a new kind of villain threatens an uneasy peace following the loss of Allmight. Whispers build as a new narrative slowly takes shape:

Hero society needs to change.

Feat. Therapy, Dadzawa, best boy Kirishima, dysfunctional families, healing, growing up, and the mortifying ordeal of being known

guys.. the medical accuracy of this fic is just... *chef’s kiss*

I rarely see mental health genuinely handled well in fics, but this one goes above and beyond. kudos to the author for doing such excellent research into psychology, and making the application of it in here not-boring. also, while this one does have abusive!Mitsuki, it’s done in a way that feels realistic, and how I usually will see it occur in real life, rather than just for the hurt/comfort feels.

fair warning, the fic can be incredibly triggering (themes of severe depression, PTSD, panic attacks, rape survival, abuse survival, suicidal ideation/attempted suicide, among other things), so be safe and heed the tw’s if you decide to read. legitimately one of my Top Favorite fics in this fandom.

Lock and Key by autochorystalize

Bakugou made a choked, gravelly noise before croaking out a low, “You can’t be serious.” His fingers ached to blow up everything in the room.

“I’m sorry, young man, but you can’t change reality! This sometimes happens.” Recovery Girl clicked through his file, adding a new symbol in a previously empty slot.

- - -

A pair of eyes discreetly locked on to an explosive blond plowing his way forward, parting people in his path. He recognized the kid, of course. Anyone in the underbelly of society would recognize him, after the publicity of both UA’s Sports Festival and the events leading up to All Might’s fall. The uniform he was wearing cast away any doubts about the young man’s identity.

It was a bit of a surprise that the little firecracker presented as an omega.

- - - - - - - - -

Or: there are certain types of evil that seemed too distant, archaic violations and perversions that would never actually threaten bright-eyed heroes-in-training in the clean, modern world...but sometimes those evils aren't as distant as one might think.

remember when I said that I love a/b/o fics that are full of plot and world-building and gender-induced tension? that’s this one. the OC’s are fabulous and you love to hate ‘em. also, it’s the fic that made me fall head-over-heels for the TodoBaku dynamic, so it’s got a special place in my cold, dead heart.

be warned, there are rather explicit non-con scenes between an adult (OC) and a minor (Bakugou) in this one, but the author warns for them in advance, and you could likely skip those parts without missing too much if you need to.

Never and Always, Eventually by Wawa_Boonliang

"Katsuki can remember the exact moment that he and Deku…that he and Midoriya Izuku became friends. He can also remember the moment he and Izuku became fierce rivals, a time when they were almost enemies.

However, what he remembers most clearly about their relationship is the moment that they moved passed rivals and became something more close than mere friends. Something more like brotherhood, something forged in fire and secured in the middle of a battlefield or in the midst of natural disaster where the number of the dead was climbing ever higher. And then it was torn from him."

Katsuki is given a second chance. A chance to save everyone. A chance to change everything.

But should he?

y’all. I’m a slutty, slutty whore for time travel fics. a time travel fic with autistic!coded Bakugou? it was love at first read.

Lessons Learned by Sif (Rosae)

Rather than the police station, Katsuki's friends bring him to a hospital after rescuing him from the villains. His wounds were minor, but it didn't make having them treated any less important. As it would so happen, Best Jeanist was also brought to this hospital after the attack.

Sometimes, small choices have a big impact on how a story plays out.

classic Bakugou hurt/comfort. this fic opened me up to the potential that could be a genuinely good Best Jeanist & Katsuki mentor-mentee relationship, and I kind of dig it and search ravenously for it in other fics now. I’m also a huge fan of the behind-the-scences Pro Hero Chat group.

Slope by sunfleurmoon

“I’m not a hero. Or a good person,” Katsuki says, giving Aizawa a pointed look, “So leave me alone. I don’t care about the League or UA, or you—” The two years he’s been away have been fine, more than fine, fucking fantastic actually if you ignore the bi-monthly near-death experiences. He doesn’t need this place. He doesn’t miss this place.

And yet, longing, a childish desire to tear up, or maybe blow something to bits, they all twist in his chest like a band of traitors regardless. “—I just want to go home.”

Or: the one where Katsuki and Izuku fail the first term exam, Aizawa discovers their pasts, and Katsuki is booted from UA. Featuring questionable descriptions of villain organizations, a slightly illegal moving shop, and your favorite emotionally constipated badass in distress with a newly discovered penchant for collecting strays.

paaaaaaiiiiiiiin. the hurt is ALIVE in this one. lots of tortured, angsty exploding child goodness. the OC’s are excellently crafted, and the Bakugou & Eri relationship? beautiful. definitely deserves a read.

Ground Zero by WindsChild8178

In the wake of Kamino, Katsuki is tested more than anyone could imagine. Bound by a villain’s quirk to keep his silence or die, he lives each day knowing it might very well be his last. He continues to work towards becoming a hero, keeping his secret from his classmates and teachers, focusing on making it through each day and trying not to allow the panic or depression to get the best of him. When the villain finally corners him with demands in exchange for his life, there is really only one answer Katsuki Bakugou can give.

honestly don't know which I want updated more - social media 101 or ground zero. this author's fics are amazing, and I really wasn't expecting the twist in this one. can't wait for windschild to come back to this fic some day.

The Defect by LadyGreenFrisbee

"Why do you want to win the Sports Festival so badly?"

Because I want to see if the defect could usurp the masterpiece.

(In which Endeavor holds a terrible secret and Bakugo has to suffer since childhood for it.)

a great concept, and I adore the shouto and Katsuki sibling interaction here. hoping the author will come back to this one some day.

A Name That You'll Remember by Heronfem

Kirishima Eijirou is a Hero. Bakugou Katsuki... is not. Trapped in his toxic workplace and increasingly desperate to get out, Red Riot's days are only brightened by a new villain known as Caution, who's not exactly villainous and keeps accidentally doing good deeds. But when a real villain appears, a threat from the past that demands that Red Riot make the ultimate sacrifice to keep the public safe, Bakugou is forced into saving the day... and eventually, Red Riot himself.

sob story good guy villains are my weakness, this fic is a gem, and I'd kill for the sequel.

Our Hero by AnonymousTwit

He felt everything jerk to the side and throw his balance off before he saw anything, dust clouding his vision and irritating his lungs as the earth itself opened up to swallow them whole. For a single moment, in a millisecond's time, his wild eyes locked with Raccoon Eyes', hers alight with fear and adrenaline-fueled desperation. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he realized that it was the first time she'd looked at him with something other than long-deserved hatred in days.

And then he was free falling.

After a particularly nasty encounter between childhood friends, the class learns about Bakugou and Midoriya's dark history and practically ostracizes Bakugou while trying to defend Midoriya. An earthquake during an outing has all sides regretting their decisions.

just fucking tear apart my self-sacrificing faves in every way imaginable while their loved ones watch on in terror. 💖🥰💖 this one is heavy on the Bakusquad and Class-1A feels, and VERY heavy on the Mina & Bakugou relationship (platonic).

Running back the tape, watching it replay by Faralyne

For someone ripped from their time, ripped from the few but strong relationships built by time and personal development, by self-reflection and swallowed pride, ripped from the one thing that made him feel worthwhile and needed and put-together, and forced to forge everything over again—Katsuki thinks he is handling it pretty fucking well.

A villain’s quirk sends a 29-year-old Bakugou back in time to his middle school days.

am I a sucker for time travel? yes. am I a sucker for vigilante!bakugou? also yes. am I a sucker for this fic? literally refreshing the page in wait for an update as we speak.

Liability by sandelf

After All-Might dies rescuing Bakugou from the League, Bakugou is determined to prove it wasn't for nothing.

But the world is against him, his grief is overwhelming, and his stability is splitting at the edges.

very self-indulgent bakugou angst. tw for harassment, severe depression, and suicidality.

Special Mentions:

How To Win The Sport Festival: A Step By Step Guide by mhwright

Short re-imagining of the Sports Festival Arc if Shinso had planned a little better and worked a little harder to win the Sports Festival and if the match-ups had been slightly different. Self-indulgent fic of watching him succeed.

this is completely Shinsou-centric, not Bakugou-centric, but I love and adore it and am dying for a sequel. Shinsou is Best Boy here and you'll be rooting for him the whole time.

#fic rec #katsuki bakugou #bakugou #seriously though if you have a rec for me please always assume i will be unbearably grateful for it #and hit me up with it in the comments or through messaging #thanks for the follows y'all!

63 notes · View notes

animeangst · 3 years ago

Text

One More Time

╭─━━━━━━━━━━━━─╮

𝘗𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨: Zeke x Reader

𝘎𝘦𝘯𝘳𝘦: Angst Oneshot

𝘞𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴: Major Character Death, Manga Spoilers, Graphic Depictions of Violence, starts off with fluff, angst ending, Marlyean!Reader

𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵: 3.1k

╰─━━━━━━━━━━━━─╯

This for the Reiner and Zeke birthday collab with @saccharine-darling

So this is my first collab!!! Very exciting! It is for my lovely husband's birthday so of course I am going to be dishing out the feels!

I thought it would be interesting to explore a Marlyean!Reader. I see a lot of Paradis focused content and I thought it would be cool to see it from the other side.

This does contain Season 4 spoilers! Manga Spoilers at the end that will be tagged so if you aren't caught up you can read until that part

---

You woke up in the War Chief's bed like usual. The soft covers shielding your naked body from the cold air in the room. Zeke however was missing. You figured he had gotten up early to work on the plans for the next advancement for Marley.

You were crawling out of bed gripping the covers to your body when you heard a knock at the door. You didn’t say anything hoping the person would just leave. However, Porco opened the door.

“Oh, y/n.” He said unfazed. Your half lidded eyes met his; thankfully the covers were shielding your tired body from Porco’s harsh gaze. The two of you didn’t move a muscle, both filled with an awkwardness neither of you knew how to handle

“What do you need?” You asked quietly, the embarrassment starting to catch up to you.

“Well just tell Zeke I need to talk to him.” Porco replied; with that he left, closing the door behind him. You let out a sigh as you dropped the sheets from your body allowing yourself to get dressed in last night’s clothing.

The walk home from Zeke’s room in the command building was familiar. You have known him practically your whole life, and it was pretty much fate that you ended up together. You have come to know all of the Warriors in the time you have known Zeke. They spend most days together, and when they are not doing great things for Marley you get to spend time with the great heroes as well.

You were grateful to be able to be an Honorary Marlyean due to your relationship with Zeke. He had proposed last year, but with the war going on up until recently there was no time to get married.

Tonight was going to be the Festival! You had been looking forward to this for weeks. You hoped that there would be time other than nights for you and Zeke to be together. You had gotten to your own small apartment that you shared with Zeke, or well when he is not at the command building.

In reality it was just your apartment, nothing fancy. You walked over to your small table, by the window. There was a wilting flower that Zeke had brought to you when he got back from the War effort. You smiled, not only was he a great Warrior, he thought about you while he was gone.

You tidied up the stack of letters, and took the flower from the vase. You took a book from the shelf and placed the flower inside. The book was practically overflowing with press flowers. You were unable to let yourself throw them away. Anything that Zeke sent you was precious.

You got dressed for the day, you fixed your red armband to your left arm and brushed your clothing down. You adorned some of your finer clothing for the festival. You looked at yourself in the mirror as you fixed your hair.

You heard the lock on the front door turnover as you walked out of the room. Your heart swelled as you saw Zeke come inside, he walked over to you enveloping you in a strong hug. He was wearing his normal military uniform, which you expected; he looked great. You smiled up at him, breaking away from the hug. He held out his arm for you to grab.

“Well let’s get going, y/n.” He walked with you, leading you down towards the street. “We have lots to do before tonight.”

Zeke brought you to the festival. The streets are packed with Marleyans and Eldians alike. There were different stalls sporting trinkets and food. It looked magical. You have never seen anything like this before. The excitement bubbled over in you like a little kid. You saw the Warrior candidates run past you, Reiner trailing behind them.

“On babysitting duty, Reiner?” You asked playfully. He gave you a weak smile, his eyes looked tired.

“You could say that.” He mumbled. You could hear the kids calling his name in the distance. “I think I’m needed up there.” He walked away, the candidates flocking around him like little birds.

“That could be you one day.” Zeke whispered into your ear. You chuckled, blushing slightly.

“Let’s worry about getting married first, huh?” You retorted. Zeke gave your hand a squeeze; he led you to a stall selling small glass animals. You were quick to pick up one that looked like a monkey to show your fiance.

“Is that all you think of me, y/n?” Zeke asked dramatically. You chuckled.

“Well you are the greatest beast titan in our history, so… yes!” Zeke sighed, shaking his head. He too looked over the little figurines.

“And you, my dear y/n” He picked up a small figure of a cat. “Are a scared little kitten.”

“Hey I’m not scared!” You interjected. “I have you to protect me.” You looked up at Zeke, he was right. You were a scared kitten, but you had Zeke and that was enough to make you feel better in any situation.

“You know I’ll always be on your side.” Zeke said lovingly pushing a stray hair behind your ear.

“Of course, Zeke. I love you.” You looked up at him. He gave you a gentle kiss, his warm lips on yours. He held you gently as if you were one of the glass figurines, and even the slightest touch could shatter you.

“You know, y/n.” Zeke looked at you, squeezing your hand. “Since the war is over, we can actually get married.” Your heart swelled, he was right. The two of you had practically planned the whole thing in the letters you two sent to each other. Zeke pulled you into a hug, his strong arms enveloping you in his warmth. He smelled slightly of cigarettes and coffee, something you have come to love.

“There are just a few more things I need to attend to. Then I am all yours for the rest of my time.” Zeke said, faltering a bit on his last words. Zeke didn’t have much time left, but that didn’t matter to you. You were always Zeke’s from the beginning. You knew that there was a time limit between you and him, but no matter what you love for him would not expire.

“I’ll always be here. I can wait a little longer.” You laugh looking up into his eyes. He smiles down at you, his hand brushing your cheek.

“You know, I wish I could ask you to marry me all over again.” He placed his forehead on yours. “Your reaction will be burned into my memory forever.

He was right, it was quite the reaction. You couldn’t stop sobbing and Zeke thought he had upset you. When all you could do was nod your head yes and run into his arms, he knew that he made the right decision.

You looked down at your matching rings, very simple silver bands. You could see the tan line on Zeke’s finger from where his ring normally sat. You don’t believe that he has taken it off since he had put it on, same with you. There was always a piece of one with the other.

Zeke walked off from this booth and went on to the second, and the third and the fourth. The two of you walked through the whole festival eating snacks along the way. You were stuffed by the time the sun was setting.

“Today was amazing!” You exclaimed. “I wish we could do this everyday.” You let out a deep sigh.

“Maybe we can.” Zeke said quietly, now in thought. You looked up at him in wonder.

“You really think they would let us?” You asked excitedly. Zeke smiled down at you.

“I think so.” He whispered into your ear, giving you a gentle kiss on your temple. “Come now, let's go get good seats.

The sun was set by the time you walked over towards the stage. There were so many chairs layed out for the show, and you were becoming more and more excited.

“Oh I see the other warriors, let's go sit with them!” You said, starting to walk over.

“No.” Zeke interjected, grabbing your hand. “Let’s sit near the back, just the two of us.” He smiled at you, and that you did. You found two open seats near the back of the section. Zeke placing his hand in your lap.

You both waited patiently for the show to start. You saw Willy Tyber take his place up on the stage. You also saw Reiner and Falco leave.

“I wonder, where are they going?” You whispered to Zeke.

“Hmm, I don’t know.” He replied. “I have to go to the bathroom, wait here.” Zeke said. Before you could stop him, Zeke had gotten up and left. You watched the show happening in front of you hearing about the “true history” of Eldia.

You thought it was just a bunch of hogwash, that was until you were knocked from your seat, large pieces of the adjacent building narrowly missing you. All you could do was run for your life. You had no idea what was happening, or what had happened. Your legs carried you without thinking into an ally.

You could hear a titan’s ear piercing roar; it felt as if your eardrums had burst. You covered your ears and peaked around the corner to see who you assumed was Eren Jaeger.

This was all his fault.

All you could hope for was that the Warriors would take care of him. You wondered where they were; you wonder where Reiner and Falco went off too.

You continued up the ally, hoping to get further away from the destruction behind you. You heard an unfamiliar whirring above you. You looked up to see people flying above the buildings. Ropes attaching them and pulling them through the air. You had heard stories from Reiner about this gear, it was from the island of devils.

You could see someone land on the roof above you, a tall man with a goatee and medium length hair. You looked up at him, fear apparent on your face. You figured he would kill you, but instead he did a “shooing” motion urging you to continue running in the direction you were heading. Which you did, your legs working on their own dragging you to somewhere hopefully safe.

Your heart pounded, you heard screams and crashing behind you. Your ears still ringing from the screeching of the titan battle. All you could think of was, Zeke. How you hoped that he was okay, he would save you. Zeke was the strongest man you knew, you held out hope that he would find you.

You rounded a corner, there you saw Zeke’s crumpled titan form. You ran towards it, calling out for him desperately. You could see a man with short black hair, and that fancy gear the other enemies were wearing. The man cut Zeke out of his titan.

“Wake up, Zeke.” You screamed, stumbling as you tried to rush to his aide. The loud clashing of the titans behind you made it impossible for them to hear you. It looked as if they were talking, the man was giving a disapproving glare at Zeke. If you didn’t know any better you would even think that they knew each other.

You finally made it to where you could hear their conversation. The raven haired man hadn’t noticed you, nor had Zeke.

“I hope you like what your plan caused.” The man said to Zeke.

Your plan?

“Well I didn’t account for everything of course.” Zeke replied, the steam of his healing obscuring his face.

“Zeke?” You whimpered out. Both Zeke and the raven haired man whipped their heads around to you. You were standing there gripping at your jacket, which was covered in dirt and blood. You were barely able to stand, your injuries as well as the exhaustion was catching up to you.

“What did he mean by your plan?” You questioned, stumbling in his direction. “He’s lying right? Just like a devil would.”

You stifle a laugh. This had to be a joke; this man, whoever he was, must have manipulated Zeke.

“See, I didn’t account for everything.” Zeke said to the man.

“Who is that?” The man asked disinterestedly. He looked at you like you were a speck of dirt.

“That, Levi, was my fiance.” Zeke sneered, looking at you down his nose.

“Was?” You looked up with pleading eyes. “No matter what, Zeke. I’m on your side.” You tried to climb up to where they were standing. “Please, he’s lying to you.” You slipped, falling back onto the rubble below you.

“Y/n.” Zeke cooed. “It’s alright, everything will be alright.” He came down to meet you, taking your face in his hands. Levi came down with him and let out a ‘tch’ sound.

“Let’s go Furrball.” He commanded. Zeke helped you up, and practically dragged you inside the building.

“Where are you taking me?” You questioned, you were practically shaking in your boots. Everything was happening so fast and there was so much you didn’t understand.

“Hush, y/n.” Zeke whispered, squeezing your shoulder to calm you. “I’ll explain on the airship.” Air ship? Were you being kidnapped?

“No!” You shouted, wiggling out of Zeke’s grasp. If looks could kill, Levi’s death glare would have been the end of you. “What is happening? What about Marley and the other Warriors? They need you Zeke, you need to defeat Eren Jaeger.”

“Move.” Levi commended, Zeke hoisted you up, not acknowledging your questions. He carried you to the roof of the building, you were too exhausted to fight back.

“Please, Zeke.” You whined. “What is happening?”

Zeke placed you down, you could see an airship in the distance following lights placed on the buildings. There were fires everywhere, buildings were destroyed.

“I can’t say everything right here, but if you just come with us I can explain the whole thing.” Zeke said, rubbing your shoulders.

“I can’t!” You scream. “I’ve been a good Marleyan, I can’t just go with them.”

“Y/n, it’s not what you think.” Zeke said lightly, trying to get you to calm down.

“Whatever you are doing, I bet it’s him controlling you.” You pointed at Levi, he looked unamused with your accusation.

“We can’t take her with us.” Levi said sternly. Zeke sighed.

“No, y/n. It’s not like that.” Zeke shook his head. You wiggled out of his grasp, he frowned. You could see the cogs turning in his head, trying to find the right words. “You just don’t know the whole truth. I know you don’t want to hear it, but please know that I love you, y/n”

Zeke pulled you in for a kiss, you could feel all of his emotions through it. His love, his sadness, his anger. He held you, as if he never wanted to let you go. Zeke broke away, leaving you breathless.

“Wait for me, y/n.” He whispered. “I know you’re a good Honorary Marlyean, but you mustn't tell anyone what happened here or about me.” He had crouched down slightly to look into his eyes, you could see he was very serious.

“I won’t, Zeke.” You muttered, it was the only thing you really could say. In reality you have no idea what is going on, but it may be worse if you did. “I’ll wait.” You looked into his eyes, determination shining in yours.

“Good.” Zeke smiled standing up. You could feel Levi’s eyes burning a hole in the back of your head. “I love you.” Zeke said, a small smile tugging at his lips.

“I love you, too.”

Zeke grabbed your hand and kissed the ring on your finger.

“Don’t you dare forget me.” Zeke chuckled.

“Never.” You replied. “You’ll be back, I know it.” With that Levi started to drag Zeke away, the large airship closer now, almost to the building. You saw Levi latch onto the railing with his special gear, and dragged Zeke with him.

You ran back down to the street. Everything seemed to have died down. You looked for anyone you may know to get you out of here.

“Y/n!” You heard behind you. Reiner came up to you, he looked awful. “Come on. Let’s get you out of here.”

He took you, his arm around your shoulders gently coaxing you to walk with him. You looked up, seeing the airship fly away. All you could do was watch as yet again Zeke left once more.

---

You had waited for a month now. You were starting to think that Zeke was never coming back. The warriors had left for the Island a bit ago, and you hoped that they would send word about him.

You sat in your normal spot by the window, placing your coffee down on the table. You were often here, hoping to see Zeke come home. It was really all you could do.

You were about to take another sip as ripples formed in the smooth dark liquid. You could see dust flying through the air, and there was a slight shake to the ground. You looked around wildly, the only thing that you knew could do this would be a Titan.

You dropped your coffee, the mug shattering on the ground as you ran down to the street. There you could see it, tons of 50 meter titans walking steadily in your direction. You were frozen with fear, there was nothing you could do.

You just hoped that Zeke would be here soon, but he wasn’t. You knew that running away would be fruitless. You were not able to move from the spot on the street out of fear. Others scrambled to get away, pushing you around.

Something inside of you told you to stay, that this was how you would see Zeke again. You couldn’t help but stare up at the titans coming your way. This was the first time you were truly able to see them. The titan shifters looked nothing like these terrifying beasts.

You almost felt bad for the Devils that had been tortured by these monsters for all these years. The stories of them from Reiner fill your mind.

Reiner, I wonder if he’s okay

You closed your eyes, accepting your fate. The ground shaking beneath you. You weren’t scared anymore, you could barely feel your own body. You felt weightless. The last thing you remembered was Zeke, kissing you goodbye for the last time. All you hoped for was to see him, just one more time.

#reize birthday collab #zeke jaeger x reader #zeke yeager x reader #zeke x reader #zeke drabble #aot zeke #snk zeke #attack on titan zeke #shingeki no kyojin zeke #zeke angst #attack on titan #shingeki no kyojin #aot #snk #aot angst #aot x reader #snk x reader #snk angst

101 notes · View notes

ballodellamarlena · 4 years ago

Text

m o o n l i g h t

damiano david x reader + ex!gjon muharremaj (gjon’s tears)

genre: fluff, minimal angst

wc: 1.7k

notes: non-canonical OOC, also my first fic in a long time, this is a result of me ignoring my finals with a dash of projecting

feedback is appreciated! if you are interested in reading more i have more ideas :)

2021 just can't stop surprising.

In hindsight, it was worse for some in comparison to year prior, but life goes on.

And so does Europe's most famous song competition.

2021 just can't stop surprising. In hindsight, it was worse for some in comparison to the year prior, but life goes on. And so does Europe's most famous song competition.

2020's cancellation of Eurosong was devastating, to say the least, but now it's back and in full shine; different singers, different songs, lots of changes made. Your job as an audio technician swept you off to places you'd never thought you'd see. From concerts to musical artists in recording studios in their whole essence; the making of a song, the process fascinated you. It kind of didn't surprise you when you were accepted to be a part of Eurovision's sound squad. It was, after all, everything you've been working for.

It was not soon after Tel Aviv when you met Gjon in a recording studio, where you were temporarily stationed before departure to Rotterdam to start preparing for the next year. Gjon was a nice constant to your hectic life, always there to shine on a new perspective and always there to comfort you on your worst days. In turn, you were there during his journey to be chosen as Switzerland's contestant in 2020's Eurovision. You were there when he wrote his song about being and belonging. Your blossoming relationship became too great to ignore, and soon you became the team's sweethearts; his firm but soft composure meshing with your assertive and curious nature in the best of ways. You were not afraid to say that you knew him, and vice versa. Everything really was perfect. Until the epidemic hit.

It was like a domino effect, one thing encouraging everything else to fall apart. Being in a foreign country while it was in a state of emergency was not the most ideal, and it didn't really help your job. Your recently appointed position in Eurovision's sound squad was gone with the wind when the cancellation was announced, and so did Gjon's hard work. Tensions rose, and while your relationship was as healthy as could be, it simply wasn't enough. Or maybe it was never supposed to be something more than a prolonged period of deep infatuation between two human beings.

The departure was bittersweet, to say the least. But you knew, a year with him would never compare to anything else. You two parted gently, on a windy airport, almost ignorant to the tears in Gjon's eyes; you saw regret, pain, and fear, but you both understood that if you decided to give your all to each other before knowing what that 'all' even is, it would hurt much more.

You remember his arms around for the last time, whispering promises of sunnier days and warm reunions, the lump in his throat preventing him from promising you a better him.

You haven't been able to completely process his intentions, too keen on leaving. You were itching for something different, but everything seemed too claustrophobic in this state of the world. So you accepted the first job offer that presented itself to you and flew off to Sanremo.

"You okay?"

You turned abruptly towards Victoria, one of the band members you were here with here in Rotterdam in the middle of rehearsals and navigating through Rotterdam.

Your job offer as one of Eurovision's sound technicians still stood even throughout the epidemic but after Måneskin's success at the Sanremo Festival that granted them the first row in the finals of Eurovision you decided to stay with them, so the job kind of integrated being an official technician in charge of Italy and being their personal plus one.

You stared at Victoria with a blank stare, reminiscing the past short few months; Sanremo brought new experiences and new people. Italy's contest for the contestant at 2021's Eurovision started from square one, giving new chances.

Maybe Måneskin was just what you needed, the four of them. Victoria, Thomas, Ethan, and Damiano.

Damiano was a breath of fresh air. A breeze of fast wind. Assertive and confident. You couldn't deny it was attractive. You tried not to let his aura control your way of seeing him, but very soon you found him to be one of the best people you've ever met. You helped you express yourself more, welcomed you like family, made you see life and yourself like something more than you had originally thought. You two clicked, and between new friendships and an interesting job position you allowed them to take you with them to Rotterdam. And you did so without hesitating.

Besides, no one could deny something heavy between you and Damiano.

Back to the present, at Italy's table with the band and the delegation, Damiano comfortably sitting on your left, you stared at Victoria to your right, trying to come up with an answer when you heard it again.

"Will Switzerland's contestant please begin their rehearsal?"

And there he was, no different than that day at the airport. Last you heard about Gjon he came with a new song, after managing to keep his place as the contestant, something many preparing contestants had to give up prior to this year's competition.

You were sitting on the edge of your seat, elbows on your knees. You felt Damiano's fingers twirling one of your locks on the back of your hair, a bit uninterested to be watching somebody else's rehearsal while the band was already done with theirs.

"Yeah." you smiled lightly. There was no lie, why wouldn't you feel fine?

You felt Damiano's hand weaving with your elbow, pulling you to him, and you leaned back against the cushion, leaning your head gently against his shoulder. And if he noticed you seemed lethargic all of a sudden, he didn't say anything.

You stared intensely towards the stage, but relaxed and turned to the rest of your company after realizing this rehearsal only included the technical side of things. No song from him today.

22nd of May, 2021

Entirely skipping the semi-finals, you and your team only focused on your own band. Being one of the Big 5 was admirable, and everyone expected a show.

The clothes fit, the makeup was on, and the band was ready to enter the arena along with you and Italy's delegation. Nine pm was nearing and you were going to be sitting through all of the 26 songs, along with voting.

Songs went by fast, some fun, some less, but all were good until it was time for Switzerland. You were about to hear his new song.

Je vois derrière nous des morceaux de toi Et ce que la douleur a fait de moi

The somber tone, the lyrics. Your limited knowledge of french allowed you to understand the basic point of the song.

Nos deux cœurs sous la terre

He was still not over you.

But maybe he was but was singing about somebody else, you tried to rationalize.

Damiano squeezed your hand that you didn't even realize he was holding, you were so tense. The band was aware of your previous association with the Swiss singer, but you didn't even want to know what they were thinking about.

You only thought about the song. The melody, the words sang of his anguish, and it wasn't a bad song. You wanted so desperately to heal him but knew it was not your job to do anymore.

Comment soigner nos coeurs qui éclatent?

Your eyes made contact, and it was like going back in time. But all songs end, and so did yours.

The crowd cheered, it was a great performance. The table clapped and you watched him getting off the stage, not knowing what to think.

"It's going to be okay, carina."

That one pull you needed, and you didn't doubt anymore.

An hour and a half later, after Italy's performance, which was quite an experience, finals were coming to an end, and the voting began.

You will never get used to feeling nervous about getting results, even when you weren't the object of it. But watching Switzerland get so many points from the jury made it a whole new experience. Italy was places below and everyone was silent.

The televoting points change everything, it was unpredictable, just like the whole competition. You had Damiano's hand in your left and Ethan's in your right, squeezing them, but adrenaline prevented you to feel anything else besides your heartbeat.

You wanted them to win so bad. They worked so hard to get where they are today, and while all contestants deserved a chance, you couldn't not be a little biased.

The 318 points to Italy were a game-changer, the crowd cheered, Victoria and Thomas jumped and screamed, and Damiano pulled you up into a hug, cheering with them; they were in the first place now. Crowd's favorite, obviously.

All that was left to hear was the number of points for Switzerland.

You've got to be kidding me, you thought.

It was tension between Switzerland and Italy, and you honestly didn't know who would win. But did it really have to be the two of them?

You felt the cameras focusing and your table, And everything was silent. You felt Gjon's stare, piercing through you. But the only thing you could focus on was Damiano's skin touching yours, his fingers intertwining with yours, and you knew that no matter the outcome, everything would be okay.

But alas, the points weren't enough to overthrow Italy, and you grinned, suddenly feeling Victoria's arms around you and Damiano's tears of joy on your neck. Everyone's screams made it seem like total silence and you smiled big, proud of your friends.

You were so happy you didn't realize they were soon dragging you with them to the stage to perform once again. In fact, you never felt so happy, you even started to sing loudly with the crowd.

Damiano, in his whole element, shining with pride and glory, motioned you to the stage by the end, pulled you in, and kissed you deeply, holding you close, and silently thanking you.

You knew life wasn't always going to be this pretty, but you thought, maybe you could live in this moment for a little while longer, kissing your frontman and giving yourself completely to the blinding lights of a victorious arena.

It was time to move on.

a/n: this was so bad i'm so sorry

#damiano david #damiano maneskin #maneskin #damiano david fanfic #damiano fanfic #maneskin fanfic #fanfiction #eurovison song contest #esc 2021 #gjon muharremaj #gjon's tears #damiano david rpf #gjon muharremaj rpf

125 notes · View notes

unanuvola · 3 years ago

Text

Come sarò io e come sarai tu (con qualche giorno in più)

Pairing: Damiano David x reader; Ethan Torchio x reader

Characters: Damiano David, Ethan Torchio, Victoria De Angelis, Thomas Raggi

Genre: Romance

Warning(s): Swearing

Summary: What if after fifteen years the past you really want to forget comes back to you at work? What would you do?

Note: thanks to my friend @tezz1n for the translation <3

⁂~⁂~⁂

PROLOGUE

June 2005

It was terribly hot for the beginning of June and I was in the middle of a chaos of people. It was as if most of the Manzoni High School students had the same brilliant idea as me and were trying to grab something to eat before the Måneskin concert. My patience reached its limit when I was surrounded by armpits’ smell. God, why are guys so afraid of washing themselves?

"Excuse me... Please…" I said while trying to break free from sweaty and sticky people.

"Let her pass that her fiancé is going to perform! She can’t wait to throw her bra on stage!"

I heard them clearly because, after all, they weren’t trying to hide themselves and I didn’t even need to look who was talking, ‘cause I knew them all too well. Mariani and Russo from fourth grade, two losers with little desire to study and a big desire to be a pain in the ass. They started a little while ago, but I was trying not to care too much, in a little bit more than a month the final exams would have been over and I would have not seen those bastards ever again.

"You know what? His boyfriend? In my opinion he fucks with all of them, also the lass from International!"

While they were still laughing, I reached my table. I took a plate and a handful of cheese fries and asked for a cup of Fanta. I thanked and turned around, fries in one hand and a fully filled cup in the other. I’ve not even had the time to take a step when someone on my right pushed me and my orange flew on Russo’s white shirt.

"Holy shit!"

My gaze went from the orange stain growing on the fabric to the livid face of Russo and a laugh broke free. The more he looked at me with hate, the more I could not stop laughing.

"The fuck are you laughing at, dickhead? Look at what you’ve done! Where do you think to go? Come back here, bitch!"

But I was already slipping in between the crowd with my medium finger well high so that the two losers could clearly see it.

I sat in front of the stage that the end-of-the-year festival committee had placed in the middle of the school yard, and took my phone from my crossbody bag. Two missed calls from mom. I rang her ‘cause obviously I had no credit and, after some minutes, the phone started to buzz.

"Ehy momy! Something happened?"

"No, just wanted to know if you’ll be home for lunch."

"Don’t know… it depends on what they guys are going to do after the concert," I said nibbling my lips, "but this evening I’m home for sure. I’d like to speak with you about something."

"Ok, honey! See you at dinner. Please, on time. Have a good concert and say hi to Ethan!"

"Ok! Bye, bye, bye!" and I hung up.

So, this evening I would have said to my parents that I’d have liked to sign up for university here in Rome and to not come back to Turin. Was I ready? Absolutely not, but that was not the time to worry myself for sure. I would have thought about it later.

The other students from the Manzoni were starting to crowd and I had to stand up. I was about to put the phone in my bag when it buzzed. A message.

From: Damiano

Without thinking twice I gave him a ring and then I started staring at that little heart mindlessly. Shit, I’m screwed - I thought while placing the mobile in my bag and taking my oh-so-precious digital camera, a birthday gift from my parents.

I liked Damiano, well, I liked him a lot and, inexplicably, he liked me too. I wasn’t able to understand how such a miracle was even possible, but it was and the best thing to do was to live it every single day.

The principal took the stage and, after the usual recommendations (“No pogo, no throwing things on stage and no inappropriate behaviours."), he introduced the band.

"And now a big round of applause to Måneskin!" he exclaimed, gesturing for my friends to get on stage, "Have fun everyone!"

The firsts to get on stage were Thomas and Victoria, already carrying their guitar and bass over their shoulders. Then it was the turn of Ethan. His eyes were frantically moving over the crowd until they set on me. He smiled at me before sitting behind his drums. At least, it was the turn of Damiano. He went past me and winked, I could not do or say a single thing such was my bewitchment. The long hair over his shoulders, the shirt opened that allowed a glimpse at his abs. The same abs I was caressing only some evenings ago.

"Hey-yo this is Måneskin! The first song is for you, Malibù." Damiano said at the microphone and the unmistakable notes of Luna by Verdena started to fly in the sky.

Yes, Malibù is me. No, Malibù is not my name. It’s the nickname Damiano gave me one of the first times we’ve met. And in that moment, he was dedicating me one of my favorite songs. Saying I was in cloud nine was not enough. I sang every line, at the top of my lungs, and only when they started singing the other songs I decided to take some picture. I tried my best, but I was almost sure that all the pictures would end up being blurred because the guys were moving worse than snakes. What kind of official photographer would I be if I couldn’t even take a picture in focus?

At the end of the concert - too early for my taste - I ran in the classroom that had been set as backstage. I wanted to congratulate the guys and, even more, I want to jump on Damiano, saying to him that he’d been oh-so-good and then kiss him for the rest of my life.

The classroom door was half-closed. Instead of opening it, I peek through the crack and what I saw turned my blood into ice. Without even noticing, I started crying. I covered my mouth with my hands to lessen the sobs, but it was too late. Victoria, her lips still on Damiano’s, opened her eyes and saw me.

I started running, fast. My eyes were burning terribly and my brain couldn’t react to what I’ve just seen.

I have not had the time to leave the school when I felt someone grabbing my arm. Even if my sight was blurred by the tears, I turned and saw Ethan.

"What happened?" he asked me. His voice sounded so far away, like a distant murmur, "Would you tell me what happened?". His usual composure was gone. I squirmed and ran away without looking back.

I exit the school building not knowing that that was the last time I would have seen Damiano.

#damiano david x you #ethan torchio x you #damiano david x reader #ethan torchio x reader #damiano david #ethan torchio #victoria de angelis #thomas raggi #maneskin fanfiction #maneskin #måneskin fanfiction #måneskin #come sarò io e come sarai tu #my writing #csi&cst

79 notes · View notes

daraanna · 4 years ago

Text

Festival

When Sakura told him about the festival organized by Hokage to celebrate Konoha’s friendship with Kirikagure, he hadn't expected something like this. The whole thing was like a strange combination of a concert with a party and a barbecue. It was supposed to be made in the style that festivals are organized of the northern region of Water Country. He tried to escape, but as soon as they got there, his wife was kidnapped by Ino to the dance floor. In addition, his daughter was dragged by her friend to the buffet. Sasuke sat down on the bench and watched the rest from a safe distance. Yamanaka and Sakura really enjoyed themselves. Hinata and Naruto were dancing not far from them, although in the case of an idiot, dancing is too much to say. Temari and Shikadai looked much more representative than Hokage and his wife, even though Nara had an expression that clearly showed how troublesome the whole event was to him. Just like his son, who together with Inojin played some card game on one of the distant benches similar to the one on which he was sitting now. Choji was at the buffet until his wife forced him to dance. There were also three girls on the dance floor whom he knew as his daughter's friends. They danced in a small circle with Lee’s son and two boys he did not know. Boruto, who had apparently inherited his dancing skills from his mother was very popular among young kunoichi and civilian girls that came for the party. Sarada broke his deliberations as she sat down beside him with salad to eat.

-Chocho decided to teach Mitsuki how to dance ...

He looked at her, but the girl was busy separating the tomato slices from the rest of her food.

"And you don't want to join them?" He asked.

"Not really..." she replied shifting her plastic plate to him.

“Hn” he replied eating the tomatoes left by her. The head of the Uchiha family definitely understood that you might not like this type of activities. Besides, sitting next to her, he could keep an eye on the teenagers who were checking out his daughter.

They sat like that for a long time. Sarada kept staring at the dance floor while he gave a murderous glare to any boy, who wanted to approach their bench. Until Sakura came back to them. Involuntarily, all his attention shifted to her.

“Who's going to dance me?“ She asked, stretching her hands to both Uchihas, causing them a slight consternation ”I know that you want this~”

"Tch," he grunted, there was no way he could be acting like a fool in front of so many people. Fortunately, this time his wife amazing gift of persuasion lead his daughter on the dance floor. The young kunoichi seemed a little nervous at beginning, but soon she relaxed and danced to the cheerful music with her mother. He smiled gently seeing his two loved ones having a great time. However, he grimaced as soon as he saw the young Uzumaki asking his daughter to next dance. His parental instinct told him to intervene just as the music slowed down. Boruto may have been his trusted student, which did not mean that he would allow him to pick up his little peanut. However, before he managed to reach the middle of the dance floor, someone put his arm around his neck and pulled him against her body. Confused, he looked at his wife, whose face was so close to his.

“Sasuke-kun let's dance” she said in a sweet tone. He knew he was trapped. He was rarely able to deny her anything, but now he was on the mission to protect their child.

“Sakura ... I have to ...”

“Oh Anata, let them have some fun” it did not comfort him at all.

"They are 13 years old!" He gasped in disgust as he watched the idiot's son embrace Sarada around her waist.

"Exactly and I'm sure they won't do anything stupid," she said, grabbing his face, "Sasuke, look at me ..."

He looked at her green eyes, a soft smile, her hair was gathered in a loose bun. She looked lovely, as always.

“Hn.”

Sakura smiled wider and rested her head on his shoulder, and he embraced her with his only hand.

"Just relax and listen to the music" she whispered soothingly. He slowly began to relax, focusing on this moment he was spending with his wife, completely forgetting about the world around them.

.................................................. .............

She felt so awkward. Unfortunately, most of her interactions with Boruto lately have been terribly awkward. She wasn't sure when it started, they had been friends for as long as she could remember, but since when she began to be so aware of their every touch. Since when sight of his blue eyes made her heart beat like mad. Since when did he take over hers thoughts? At first she had no idea what was happening to her, but over time her mind found a terrifying explanation ... She was in love with her teammate. What’s worse, she thought that he noticed this, because he has recently acting really strange towards her. She couldn't let her stupid hormones destroy their the most important friendship. Even though Boruto was annoying he was her best friend, she couldn't lose him.

“Thanks for the help. I thought they won’t leave me alone!” Hers thoughts were interrupted by his voice. He was right in front of her, his hands holding her waist, while she had no idea what to do with her hands on his shoulders.

"That's what teammates are for, right?" She smiled nervously. Her eyes fell on the group of girls glaring enviously in their direction. As the son of the Hokage, Boruto has always attracted attention. With his character, he made new friends easily, and being handsome, he also made his own fan club in the village. Civilian girls and students of the last grades of the academy, to the genins and younger chunins of their village. Sarada never paid much attention to her appearance. Her clothes needed to be comfortable and neat. She didn't think she was pretty or ugly. She thought she was average, but now she felt insecure. All these girls were really pretty, and she ... she wondered if he find her pretty... Tch... annoying ...

“Is everything okay? “she realized that she had been staring at his shirt for several seconds, and how stiff her whole body was “ I know that the music is a little bit boring, but maybe you want share with me another dance ?” he added, smiling in the same way he always did when he was cheering her up. She couldn't help but smile back.

"Are you sure your fans will allow it?" She teased. The boy just rolled his eyes.

"I should have asked you at the beginning, they are too aggressive ..." he said and she blushed. Even if it's stupid, his words made her happy. When the band started to play something faster, she relaxed a bit. To her surprise, Boruto was very good at dancing and she was able to predict his movements as good as when they fought together. She quickly forgot about her worries. They danced and fooled around. She didn't notice when one song turned into two and then three ... When the melody slowed down again, she wasn't sure how much they danced together. He hugged her waist, but this time they were even closer together. They were both out of breath, as after hard trending. Feeling more confident, she embraced his neck. Looking at him like that, she felt week. He looked so handsome in the suit. In addition, the pink shirt highlighted his blue eyes. Her attention finally caught his lips. She began to wonder what it would be like to kiss him. Their faces were centimetres apart, it would not be difficult to... Suddenly she felt strongly embarrassed by her own thoughts. To avoid doing something stupid (and to hide the flush on her face), she leaned her head against his shoulder, lightly tucking her face against his neck. They swayed slightly to the sounds of a quiet ballad, and although her heart was pounding, she felt wonderful. His presence always gave her a sense of security, he smelled of a combination of the scent of the sea with some cologne probably borrowed from his dad, and his body gave her a pleasant feeling of warmth that she could stay that way forever. However, before the song ended, the boy suddenly moved away from her. She looked at him confused, and he smiled and scratched his head nervously.

“ Aren't you thirsty? I saw a Bubble Tea booth here ... let's go ... “before she could answer, he grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the stalls behind the stage. She wasn't sure what to think about it.

.................................................

The situation was bad. He was sweaty and nervous and felt like he was about to pass out. That's not good way to impress a girl that you maybe have a crush on..

"Are you okay?", She asked when they reached the booth.

"Sure, of course, why are you asking?", He blurted out a little too quickly.

"Um ... You're still holding my hand" he get even more nervous, for two months now, he had been trying to invite her for date... like date date. The problem is that despite how intelligent, person she is. Sarada remained absolutely unaware of his attempts to flirt. The little fan club following him everywhere didn't help. The problem was also that the Uchiha did not seem to notice that she herself was attracting the attention of more and more men. It started after the chunin exam, when his classmates started to have a crush on her. At first it seemed silly to him, after all, it's not that she has changed somehow. However, he quickly began to be disturbed by the boys who were courting her. He felt some strange need to protect her from them. Only after a few months he did realize that he was jealous ...

“Do you want me to stop?” The girl was silent for a long time, and he thought that he would pass out.

"No ... it's okay ..." She replied without looking at him.

"So what for you?", He asked, looking at the blackboard with flavours.

“Black tea with kumquat and passion fruit boba.”

Hearing this, he ordered two drinks, mango and tapioca for himself. He then ignored Sarada's pout as he paid for both of them and the teasing smile the guy sent them. Even after they got their drinks, his friend didn't let go of his hand. It gave him courage.

“Let’s look for a place where we can clearly see the fireworks?”

“Hn. Something far from this crowd ...” she replied finishing her tea and throwing the cup into the trash can on the path leading into Senju Park. He couldn't take his eyes off her. She was wearing a summer dress with spaghetti straps with a pleated skirt that ended just above her knee. It was red with a navy blue belt emphasizing her waist. She looked cute and beautiful, red was definitely her colour. However, as darkness fell, the temperature dropped sharply, and he was able to notice that her arms began to tremble. He took off his jacket and covered her shoulders with it.

“Well, who would have thought that you are a such gentleman ...” she teased.

"As always, of course," he replied, adoring her.

"You're sure you won't be cold," she asked, changing her tone to concerned. She always cared about others. It was one of things that make him love her. He still felt a little lost in his feelings, but he had to tell her before someone else do this before him.

"Sarada ..." he began, but suddenly they heard a loud sound. His friend, frightened, made a very not-ninja-like movement, bumping into him. Instinctively, he grabbed her by the waist and searched for the source of the noise to see colourful lights in the sky. They both burst out laughing, when they saw that they were scared of the fireworks. The colours began to light up the sky creating fantastic patterns. He looked back at her. She looked at the sky with a smile, colours shone in her black irises, giving her an almost mystic appearance. Their eyes met, and for the second time this evening he felt like a force was drawing him to her. Sarada, to his surprise, also moved closer. He wasn't sure which of them closed the gap between them. Their first kiss was soft, short, and rather clumsy, but it was also the greatest feeling of his life. When he opened his eyes, he saw her biting her lip with a slight flush on her face. He wanted to say something but heard someone's loud grunt. He felt himself freeze as he noticed purple-red eyes staring at him ...

.....................................

It was supposed to be a quiet dance party and it was like that until her husband and Naruto decided to compete in which of them is the best dancer. Unfortunately, despite their great efforts, none of them proved to be really gifted. All the competition only took their time and energy. They were supposed to go home after the fireworks, but Sarada was nowhere to be found and when they finally find them, they accidentally turned out to witness their daughter's first kiss. While Sakura herself found it cute, her husband didn't take it so easily. However, before he did something stupid, his daughter stood between him and Boruto, also with an active sharingan. It make Sasuke freeze. All he said was they were coming home.

Sarada answered him only with a short "Tch" but after saying goodbye to Uzumaki, she returned home with them. Unfortunately, she now had two pouted Uchihas in the house. Sarada immediately ran to her room, while her husband stayed downstairs in the kitchen complaining about protecting some innocent peanuts? She couldn't help but sigh. Tomorrow she would have to talk to them seriously.

................................

I’m not sure is it more Borusara fic or overprotective Papasuke fic, also I'm not sure if I broke the rules, I hope I didn’t^^’ Okay in the end I edited it, I just felt too guilty XD

Also I’m so happy to see so much Borusara content! This week is a true celebration of our favorite ship!

@borusaraweek2021

#BoruSaraW2021D1 #BoruSaraWeek #boruto uzumaki #borusara #uchiha sarada #Sasuke Uchiha #PAPASUKE #sakura uchiha #sasusaku

95 notes · View notes