#only if you dance with meeee

[ghelullu]

Okay I survived this ritual surprisingly and wrote down a few thoughts, in a mostly chronological order and I probably forgot 90848 things

Tldr: Absolutely fabulous 20/10 he sounds amazing and he looked so happy the whole time

Spoilers under the break(also for length of rambling) :)

octogonal (with the usual nose in the middle) stage setup, they can walk around the while thing now (a bit similar to the cardi days setup but no elevation in the back)

No new ghouls except for the one new ghoulette, also none of the "more ghouls" that were spoken of in that one interview

Peacefield sounds cool!!!

Lachryma live is 🤌🏽🤌🏽🤌🏽he did the high notes himself!

Spirit! Pinnacle!! So much meliora on the setlist!

Papa talked very little sadly, but when he did it was fun! No accent, too!

He said he's new and asked us to be nice to him since it's his first time; then wanted us to treat him rough instead after someone said no

Almost ran the mic stand over during ftpttp

Entertainer!Phantom!! He was phenomenal the whole night tbh, incredible guitar player

Papa in full robes sitting in the back of the stage being lifted by some thingy while singing Majesty (hands free mic!)

TFIAL made the audience go crazy, changed the lyrics to 2034

Cirice without wings

DATHOML! Much better live than I expected honestly

I think he has a screen now at the front of the stage where he can read lyrics? Not sure though, but from my seat it looked a bit like it, good for him

Still managed to miss some and now we know his "fuck, wrong lyrics" face

FACE! SO MANY SMILES AND FACES HE MAKES!!

No really, he looked SO happy seeing everyone vibe and sing 20/10

Big robes only made an appearance for majesty, other than that It was a black leather jacket with batwing seams on the bottom, the silver jacket (it has a sparkly grucifix on the back), the cassock (BEDAZZLED SPINE AND RIBS AND HIP BONE AND TAIL????) and a pink jacket for squammer

"Whoo!" - Papa V

Appeared from below the stage via trap door to deliver a cowbell to Swiss lmao, umbra rocked - but the mix was bad, you could barely hear his singing, sadly

He sounds amazing without the mask

Especially the new songs are sung rather raspy, incredibly hot. Older songs sound more copia/terzo, but I assume that will change as usual, transitions are never immediate with him

In general he's very copia, but moves different than him, less focused and dancer-y, more.... Theatrical, joyful idk the right word?

In general less horny than copia, fewer action in mummy dust(jumped kneeling on the stairs though), no fingering in ritual, no serpent deceive, etc, but some thrusting in dance macabre etc hehe

The way he ran to change into the cassock for year zero rip, man was in a HURRY

The explosion at the end of year zero shattered the stained glass backdrop and then he performed he is in front of the splintered glass, beautifully done, especially as it reassembled into a religious image again

Generally lots of cool effects for the backdrop during majesty too and then afterwards BECAUSE

for rats the whole backdrop exploded, the church architecture deflated! and it was performed in front of a wasteland, super cool

Frater money!

Really his facial expressions the whole time help

lipstick was GONE

I can't read my notes anymore lmao

He said he's only there to show up and shake ass and that's what he did

MONSTRANCE CLOCK - HE DID THIS FOR MEEEE

Encore was the usual (Good!!!) and there were so many people left after monstrance clock lmao???

Inrpobably forgot a ton but holy moly that was so much and so cool and he sounds SO GOOD I CAN'T SAY IT ENOUGH, he looked extremely happy and comfortable, it was nice to see, audience was great and engaged, the whole new setup is very cool (and expensive looking damn)

10/10

[dearharriet]

I Want Your Video; Steve Harrington x Reader 📼

summary: steve always takes care of you on a night out.

word count: 1.4K

warnings: drinking, smoking, swearing, fem!reader, fluff

a/n: inspired by a djo song with the same title. i’m such a sucker for steve <3

“I ‘ave to go t’the bathrooom,” you tell Steve, holding tight to the hot skin of his bicep. In a drunken stupor, your thumb swipes sweetly over it once, unable to resist.

His other arm, the one you’re not holding to, has your clutch tucked under it. It’s unclear if he’s being gentlemanly or if he’s monitoring your intake. He certainly didn’t take Nancy’s or Robin’s. Or Argyle’s belly bag.

“‘Kay, be safe,” Steve says, patting your elbow. He looks a touch hot, red-cheeked and a little damp around the edges. Dancing must’ve made a mess of you if he looks so disheveled from just standing and talking. You furrow your brows.

“Come with me?” Pouting, your grip slides down to take his hand, but he pulls away.

“Uh—maybe Nance or Rob should do that.”

He says it like such a request is verboten. You look back towards Nance and Robin, relentlessly moving on the dance floor.

“They won’t go with meeee—“ you whine, and then simper when he sighs in defeat.

Steve steers you toward the stairwell that leads down to the toilets. While you weave through the crowds, he stays behind you, a steadying force at your back.

The stairwell is much cooler than the bar. It’s a relief to suck in air that’s not muggy with sweat and beer. At the bottom of the dingey stairs a couple is draped over one another talking closely, and nearer to the bathroom there’s a trio of people sharing a smoke and waiting. Steve and you take up residence just next to them. The concrete wall is cooling on your hot back and it elicits a sigh.

“Having fun?” Steve asks, facing you with his arms crossed and a shoulder leant on the wall. Your clutch is shoved in his front pocket like a miniature Bible.

“Uh-huh.” You nod with exaggerated windedness. “Wish you’d dance with me, though.”

The bathroom door clicks open and a guy comes out, nodding awkwardly at all seven heads turned his way. The queue dwindles to three again—plus Steve, who is smiling at you apologetically.

“Nah, you wouldn’t wanna see me dance. I tend to intimidate people with how skilled I am.”

A laugh bubbles out of you. “Ohhh, right,” you nod. “Must be hard, having all that talent. And you’re s’busy keepin’ me sober.” You speak so fast the words slur on the way out, and Steve chuckles teasingly.

“I’m doin’ a shit job, aren’t I? You’re in a state already.” He reaches out and brushes your arm when he says this, his knuckles leaving goosebumps behind them. When he pulls his hand back he’s grown more sincere. “Who said I’m keeping you sober? I’ve let you drink all you want.”

“You let me,” you tease, “But you’re keeping my wallet. And you’ve been watching me all night.”

“Yeah, well.” He looks defensive. “Someone’s gotta have your back.”

The bathroom door opens again, and the line shrinks even more. You pick the conversation right back up.

“What ‘bout Nance and Rob? And the guys?” Turning toward Steve, your arms cross so you’re mirroring him. “They’ve all got their wallets.”

“They’ve got each other, too.” Steve playfully swings at your shoulder, and you take the hit willingly. “Who’s got you, huh, rockstar?”

A smile splits your face with glee at the nickname. You step closer and you’re about to answer—you, you’ve got me—when Steve clears his throat.

You frown, and Steve smiles, juts his chin toward the bathroom door. It’s empty, you realize, and Steve and you are alone. It seems the third member of the bathroom trio was only company, like Steve.

“You know what to do,” Steve mutters, and you reluctantly peel away from the wall.

“Oh, wait!” You whip around and offer a hand out for your wallet. Steve gives it over wordlessly, and then you’re locking the door behind you.

As suspected, you look a mess. Your hair is frizzed and a touch tangled. Dark mauve eyeliner has smoked itself out—all over your undereye—and your cheeks are red and dampened with sweat.

Despite it all, you feel good. You brought your clutch so you could touch up your lipstick, and you do, but you don’t need to. It’s almost like what Steve said; You’re a rockstar. You look like one, anyway.

After washing your hands, the only thing you do to your appearance is fluff your hair up even more, playing up this smudged version of your original look.

It feels impossibly easy to grin at Steve once you emerge from the bathroom. Steve laughs.

“Why do I feel like you got more drunk while you were in there?”

You tighten your smile primly. “Not drunker, just better looking.”

Steve pulls his brows together almost painfully, his features unreadable. You saunter over to him anyways, stepping into his bubble. His full back is pressed to the wall now, a leg kicked up, and you’re as close as you can get without being thigh-to-knee. Steve’s nervous eyes scan you.

“Want me to take that?” Steve points to your clutch. You nod, but ignore the hand he has waiting for you. Feeling bold, you reach around him and tuck it into his back pocket. Your chests meet, and then crush closer as you both gasp. Pulling away feels suddenly impossible, so you don't, and Steve doesn’t make you. He licks his lips.

“Y’didn’t lock the door,” he mumbles, but your brain jumbles as his hand smooths over your ribs.

“Hmm?” You can’t be bothered with words, feeling more intoxicated by his touch than the three drinks in your system.

Steve rubs a small circle over your side. “The bathroom door,” he says softly, “it stayed on vacant the whole time.”

Oh, yeah. It had. Your mouth pops open, and then you shoot him a wry grin.

“Whoops.”

Steve’s responding head shake is exasperated but fond.

“You trust me too much,” he sighs.

It’s not a joke. A string of insecurity holds the sentence together, and you know what it is. It’s easy to see that he knows, too. Moving closer, committing to the embrace you’ve found yourself in, you pin Steve with a sincere stare.

“Do I?” It’s excessively rhetorical, stilling any rebuttal he has. Steve purses his lips together, and then glances at yours. You toe up ever so slightly, in anticipation. Both of Steve’s hands are on you now, though they’re holding your arms, keeping you at bay.

“We can’t,” Steve whispers, glancing at the stairwell, and you realize the bar is still upstairs with all of your friends. They’d probably come looking soon, vying for another round, another dance. You look to the stairwell too, and then to the other side of the hall, and back to Steve.

“Yet here we are.” The murmur is sultry, luring Steve closer, tempting his hand to wind into the soft hair at the nape of your neck.

“Here we are,” Steve repeats, and then your lips are abruptly too occupied by his to respond.

Steve’s hand that’s not gripping your neck winds over your shoulders, keeping you close. His nose crushes to your cheek as he drags his mouth over yours again and again.

A part of you—the same part that’s observing how good of a kisser he is—can’t believe you’re mouth to mouth with the Steve Harrington from high school. The other half, probably the truer half, knows it’s been a long time coming. Years of patching up and skirting around each other, protecting each other because you had to, and now taking care of each other because you wanted to. Because no one else would.

When you separate, you’re both breathless and effervescent. Steve is staring at you like you hung the moon.

“You’re so beautiful,” he coos, his thumb caressing the rosy apple of your cheek. Steve has a way of marrying sincerity and charm, and it needles at your heart ruthlessly.

You beam and kiss him again as a thank you.

“Think you might be glowing,” he continues, speaking right into your mouth. His teeth clack against yours as the kiss grows too smiley for its own good.

“You look pretty, too,” you goad, tracing his lips. “Cherry’s a good look on you.”

Steve pinches his brow and then notices your smeared lipstick.

“Aw, come on.”

You laugh and help him wipe it off, but when you return to the bar later, Argyle still complements Steve’s beautiful makeup.

+

thank you for reading ! my requests are open :)

masterlist

[kdogreads]

Love Story

Richie Jerimovich x f!reader fun flirty blurb where your friends are visiting you in Chicago 🤪🫶

Just fluffy funsies here but still 18+ as always bc why not. Love yous all💕

———————

The restaurant is mostly void of customers as the busy Saturday dinner service winds down. You look up from your glass as the last sweet drops of whatever wine Richie picked for you tonight dance onto your tongue. That sweet smile you love so much comes into view.

You are wrapping up an evening out with some close friends visiting Chicago. As perfectly timed as always, Richie approaches your party.

“Ladies,” Richie practically sings as he nears the table occupied by you and two of your closest friends, “It’s been my sincere pleasure serving you tonight, and watching you get my lady wine drunk.”

Giggles erupt as your (also slightly wine drunk) friends make heart eyes at you and Richie.

“Richie!” You screeched in mock-anger, “I am not that drunk, thank you very much. Even if I were… That’s on our host for over-serving meeee.”

More giggles dance from your table as your friends enjoy the show you and Richie are putting on.

“You’re right, sweetheart,” He winks your way, loving this game you play, “My apologies to our distinguished guests.”

Wine-fueled cackling erupts as you and your friends eat up every minute Richie spends with you. He really does make you swoon even when he isn’t trying to.

“One last thing before I turn you lovely ladies loose on the town,” The lilt in his voice has you all exchanging looks of excitement, “Dinner is on us tonight. Thank you for being here tonight and showing my girl such a good time.”

Richie’s hands cross over his chest, his gratitude on full display for the world to see. A series of happy sounds and light cheers fill your ears but all you can focus on is how damn blue Richie’s eyes are. How sincere his expression is.

You and your friends clink your wine glasses in a celebration and shrill “cheers!”

None other than the Neil Fak passes behind Richie and slips him a note during your toast. He glances down at it, smirks slightly, and flips it so you can see:

A scrawled out “last guests :)” in black ink. They are professionals to the minute.

Richie’s demeanor changes immediately. He loosens his tie and unbuttons the top button of his crisp white dress shirt. The way his strong shoulders relax slightly let you know that now he can be just be Richie, not maître d’ Richie.

Servers begin cleaning up around you but Richie shows no sense of urgency to leave. He pulls up a chair next to you and takes a sip of your wine, silently nodding to himself at his excellent choice. You shake your head at him teasingly but lean in to kiss his plush lips anyway.

Someone turns up the chill house music and your group settles into comfortable, lively conversation. Carmy and Syd come out to say hi while Fak brings yet another bottle of wine out for you to enjoy. It’s only then that it hits you: Richie is turning the restaurant into a private little nightclub for you and your girls to enjoy. Swoon.

“You look real pretty, baby,” He whispers in your ear and leaves a tender kiss on your temple, “Beautiful.”

Heat rises in your chest as you smile over at him, “So do you, Richie.”

You slide a finger over his exposed neck and find yourself practically drooling at the warm, smooth skin you find.

Richie sees the fire in your eyes and smirks back at you, one eyebrow cocked. He wraps his strong arms around you and pulls you close, his warm body sending goosebumps dancing across your skin.

“Patience, baby,” he whispers deeply in your ear. You pout jokingly for a beat before nodding your head slightly with a giggle. You know he’ll be worth the wait.

You begin to settle into his embrace when you realize the beginning to Love Story (Taylor’s Version, of course) is playing from the hidden speakers. Richie literally gasps in excitement, jolting you slightly before pulling you onto your feet.

“Hell yeah! We love T Swizzle! Right, baby?” The way he lets the joy radiate off of him sends butterflies to your stomach. It’s infectious you think as your closest friends join you in dancing along to this classic love song.

God, you love this man.

You feel the wine and the excitement and the love as you float around the room with Richie. By now, most everyone from the kitchen has joined your group. All you can see around you is a collection of your favorite people having so much fun and living in this very moment.

Your eyes feel watery as Richie tilts your head towards his and smiles warmly. The look of love his face filling your heart up to the very brim.

He gives you small, inquisitive look — silently checking in and making sure you’re okay. You nod and lift your lips in a smile to let him know that you’re perfect. This is perfect.

Richie twirls you around gently as your friends belt out the chorus: Romeo take me somewhere we can be alone.

You swear someone replaced Romeo with Richie and you’re 95% it was the goofy man himself.

“Thank you for this, Romeo,” You whisper to your man, adoration oozing from your lips. You’re lost in his kind eyes as he leans in for a quick kiss.

“Anything for you, my Juliet.”

———

The night slips away slowly, sweetly.

You spend hours just dancing, talking, enjoying the company around you, snacking on whatever Carmy or Sydney or Marcus want you to try next. All around you are your favorite people just having fun and being together.

While The Bear won’t be debuting its new nightclub hours anytime soon, this one-night-only event sneaks its way into your core memories. It’s fun, and comfortable, and happy.

You realize at some point, lost in the music and the emotions just how lucky you are to get to do all of this with Richie.

It hits you suddenly and wholly that you are so, so in love with Richie Jerimovich.

It’s a love story, baby just say ‘yes.’

Tagging some friends just for fun! 🫶 @foreveraimingtowardsthesky @ankhmutes @thebearer @potato-with-hair

[hotvintagepoll]

Propaganda

Cyd Charisse (The Bandwagon, Brigadoon, Singin’ in the Rain)—LEGS LEGS LEGS I would sell my soul for the legs of Cyd Charisse - she oozed style and glamour and sex appeal!! And she could DANCE! She was dancing next to the greats - Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire but they are never who you're looking at because why would you when you can look at her. I will only sit through too long ballet breaks for her. If there was any woman who you could call sex on legs it was her. These dances are everything to meeee (she comes in at the minute mark) and this dance too of course is iconic. In the words of Fred Astaire 'When you've danced with Cyd Charisse you stay danced with'

Rosaura Revueltas (Salt of the Earth)—She was a Mexican actress who is best known for starring in salt of the earth, an amazing pro-labor movie made by blacklisted filmmakers. She also starred in the Mexican remake of madchen in uniform, one of the first representations of lesbian romance onscreen. She was really dedicated to making progressive films and was also such an incredible actress and artist I truly believe more people should know about her and her work.

This is round 3 of the tournament. All other polls in this bracket can be found here. Please reblog with further support of your beloved hot sexy vintage woman.

[additional propaganda submitted under the cut.]

Cyd Charisse:

Arguably the Best female dancer of her time, she supposedly insured her legs for $5 million dollars. Stole the show whenever she had a dance number, even if she went uncredited. Musicals started to go out of fashion so unfortunately she didn't have as many big roles as she should have, but those she did are unforgettable. The Broadway Melody number in Singin' in the Rain - the green dress!

Incredibly, Cyd Charisse only started learning to dance as a rehab exercise to strengthen her body after a childhood bout of polio. She was in high demand as a dance partner, Fred Astaire called her beautiful dynamite and said "When you've danced with her, you stayed danced with". She was one of a few leading ladies to dance with both Astaire and Kelly, declaring them both delicious. Kelly apparently was stronger, while Astaire was more coordinated. She also said her husband would always know who she had been dancing with because Kelly left her bruised, while Astaire didn't leave a mark. She's better known for her dance numbers today, but she was a leading lady in her time! Her Scottish accent in Brigadoon leaves a lot to be desired, but compared to the other actors in the movie, it's almost good. She appeared in The Harvey Girls alongside Judy Garland and Angela Lansbury in her first speaking role, but she really burst onto the scene with Singin' in the Rain and her infamous Broadway Melody Ballet number with Gene Kelly (no one could handle a length of fabric like Cyd Charisse). She was brought in because Debbie Reynolds wasn't really a dancer and Kelly was notoriously a stickler about his Vision. After that she starred opposite Astaire in The Band Wagon, which was a bit of a flop but created some enduringly incredible dance numbers. She went on to star in a number of MGM movies, and was one of the last of the Studio era stars to remain on contract. Since we've got up to 1970, I'm including her opening routine in The Silencers (1966) to show just how long she was making a splash - she's into her 40s here and still a siren:

and of course, the iconic Broadway Melody Ballet -

Photos do not do Cyd Charisse justice, unfortunately, because she is at her hottest while dancing, which she was exquisitely good at. Just go watch her first number in Singin' in the Rain, in that green dress; nothing I could say here will be more convincing that that.

She had amazing legs, and she knew how to use them! You probably know her best from the dream sequence in Singin' In The Rain. She was such a stunning dancer, and all her dance scenes are hard to look away from.

Dancing in the Dark clip:

She's an amazing dancer and my favorite from the period. Here's her and Fred Astaire in the Band Wagon:

I just like a woman who's there to be really incredibly good at dancing.

One of the most talented female dancers in Hollywood history, but what sets her apart from other competitors for that title is that she...umm...well let's be blunt, she was the dancer who put sex into it. The one who said "Hey, you know that A+ leg tone that naturally develops from doing this for a living? Why don't I let people see that? Like at every opportunity?" She reportedly insured her legs for five million dollars after hitting it big, which just goes to show that fame makes you crazy. It should have been ten million.

She could pirouette in pointes or tear it up in taps. Fred Astaire called her "beautiful dynamite" and wrote, "That Cyd! When you've danced with her you stay danced with." Gene Kelly partnered with her three times. Her legs were (reportedly) insured for $5 million in 1952 ($57.8 million in 2024 dollars)! Everyone in this poll will be iconic, but for raw physical grace, Cyd is up there with the best.

Legs for days, beautiful dancer in the most iconic scenes of Singin in the Rain. She's glorious. As some guys sung to her in It's Always fair weather, 'baby you knock me out!'

No additional propaganda was submitted for Rosaura Revueltas. Please send me some.

[yippee-optimistically]

there is a shockingly low amount of tmnt on this blog for how long ive been into it. big tmnt'12 dump bc ive been trying to binge it recently

general sibling interactions.. very attatched to the idea of karai getting to be their sibling + i was so sleepy i kept thinking abt the turtles brumating

more sibling karai. thought itd be funny if bc of the yokai/time travel ep when mikey did that weird dance at baby karai he was implanted in her brain as an automatic Favorite. hes so peculiar

read this fic abt the aftermath of shellacne. the last line from donnie has been repeated by my sibling since i sent it to them

ougugghhh into dimension x you are so famous to everyoneee.. 1st one is me thinking abt how mikey had to be So insane to get a KRAANG SKULL? strange guy. and i dont remember which one but i read a fic where mikey's breathing apparatus breaks n he ends up getting used to the dim x air and um. consequences back on earth

RENET!!!!!!!!!!! renet tilley you are SO FAMOUS TO ME milf shirt is bc april in s3e1 really makes it sound like mikey was the only one doing house chores. cooking cleaning caring for animals etc. single mom

!!!! concept for a weirrrddddd savage mikey rep thatd be in his head in Journey To The Center of Mikeys Mind. was thinking that instead of being outside in that checker floor area, hed stick around core mikey. protecting him n protecting that last bit of childhood innocence. hed stand very tall and intimidating. core probably wouldnt even really know where he came from?? smth abt the brain blocking out traumatic memories. i like him

tang shen aus... more specifically inspired by this fic that i need to finish catching up on.. mikey and karai sibling relationship is so special 2 meee

2012 LEO YOU ARE EVERYTHING 2 MEEEE wishing so bad we got to see more of him and mikey.. mikey and his brothers ... ougghhhhh

and a little bit of smth from a personal iteration im working on ... definitely excited to post abt them once i have more solid outfits designed

[frenchkisstheabyss]

♡ Once More, With Feeling ♡

♡ Pairing: poly!hyunlix x gn!reader

♡ Genre: fluff/angst

♡ Summary: Unable to sleep after a major argument leads to a breakup, you return to a place that's close to your heart to find comfort and end up with something much more special.

♡ Word Count: 1.4k-ish

♡ Warnings: None.

♡ A/N: I was listening to dreamy low-fi indie music and got in my feelings so, like, come get in them with meeee.

It’s 3:23am and you can’t sleep. Two tablets of melatonin, three cups of chamomile tea, and an endless loop of soothing rain sounds have done nothing to change that. Your heart aches, it’s unbearable, and there’s not a single thing you can do about it. Rolling onto your back, you rip the covers off, only now realizing how much you’ve been sweating from the anxiety of cycling through last night’s events over and over in your head.

None of this feels real, losing Felix and Hyunjin, the ones you love the most. Maybe it was a bad idea from the start, the three of you being together. Maybe you weren’t as well equipped to keep them both happy as you thought. Every “maybe” hangs over you as if it’s written in glow-in-the-dark paint on the ceiling, taunting you from the void. Does any of it even matter now? Whatever it was that led to the eventual downfall of your relationship, the argument that ended it all, you can’t go back and fix it.

Even still, your heart longs for the possibility that you’ll be together again someday. You’ve always liked to think that when you truly love someone you’ll find each other no matter what, in this life or the next. It could be wishful thinking, the musings of a hopeless romantic. What does it hurt to wish, you figure, if that’s all you have? You take a long, deep breath in, allowing your breath to slowly flow back out as you squeeze your eyes shut. If I lay here long enough I’m bound to fall asleep. Right?

“Fuck it” you groan, popping up out of bed and throwing on your fuzzy bunny slippers. Felix thought it’d be cute if the three of you got matching pairs. You hate how right he was. You’ve been fighting tooth and nail with yourself all night not to drive down to the pier. For years it’s been the destination of endless late-night drives. It’s where you snuck away together when the rest of the world felt like it was too much. Your memories of being there, as much as they might sting, are the dearest things to you and you need to drown yourself in them now more than ever.

So, before you know it, you’re headed out the door pulling a hoodie over your head, car keys in hand, desperately seeking solace in nostalgia. It’s a long, lonely ride to the pier. The combination of empty streets and too-long traffic lights gives you the sense that the world has come to a screeching halt. Whether it has or not for everyone else, it has for you. The light flashes neon green, bringing you back down to earth just as you begin to drift away, and you’re making the right turn that takes you to your usual parking spot. 

Turning the car off, you take a moment to sit and inspect the other cars around you. There are a few on your side, a dozen more on the other, but there doesn’t seem to be anyone out here. Probably all people who live nearby. Confident that you’re alone, the wall you’ve put up comes crumbling down, tears falling down your cheek faster than you can wipe them away. Why am I doing this to myself? You shake your body in what would look to a passerby like a cute, albeit strange, dance of sorts in hopes that some of the emotions overwhelming you will fall away like leaves.

Get it together. Summoning all of the courage you have, you make your way to the stairs leading up to the pier. You almost slip on the gritty, sand-coated steps, but manage to make it to the top without breaking your neck. As you venture forward you already hear the waves crashing to shore. You feel the stars watching you, their gaze intense and overwhelming. Only it’s not their gaze at all. There’s someone at the end of the pier staring back at you, teary-eyed and stunned. That intensity, that overwhelming emotion, it’s his.

Felix? No, no, no. You turn on your heels, racing back to the car before you lose it completely. “Wait!” he yells, running after you. Felix hadn’t expected to see you here either. He’d typed a million text messages asking you to come but he’d deleted all of them, thinking you wouldn’t want to see him with everything being so fresh. He’s been wishing too, as much as you have, and he can’t let this moment slip away. Your car door’s halfway open when he reaches you, your fingers held tightly around the handle.

“Can we talk?” he asks, his hushed voice skimming your neck as he pushes the door closed. You don’t fight him. You don’t want to. The feeling of his chest against your back, the wind blowing his hair so that it tickles your cheek, makes you want to melt into him. Turning to face him, melting is the first thing you do, straight into his arms. He doesn’t hesitate to hold you tight to him, the tension soothed by the simple act of having you near him again. “I’m really sorry” you weep, “I should’ve seen that you weren’t happy.” 

Felix shushes you, his fingers stroking your neck, “Stop, don’t say that. I was happy. Me and Hyunjin…working with each other, we just get frustrated sometimes and it wasn’t supposed to come home but it did. I should be sorry” “What? No invite to the family reunion?” you hear Hyunjin ask and you’re positive that you’re hallucinating. But when you look up he’s standing there staring at the two of you with an expression you can’t quite make out. “I…no…we didn’t…” Felix stutters but Hyunjin’s already walking away, heading for the edge of the pier, ignoring you like you’re strangers.

You’re so much more than that and he knows it. Enough time hasn’t passed for him to erase what you shared from his mind. Even if he could, he wouldn't. Why else would he be here? Hyunjin shoves his hands in his pockets, stopping to make a half-turn toward you. “If I admit I’m an asshole will you come with me?” “I mean, we already know you’re an asshole so…no” Felix teases, getting a laugh out of both of you. “What if I say I’m sorry and that I’d really like to not be alone…to be with you two?” A long stretch of silence separates his question and your answer.

“Wait up,” you smile, taking Felix’s hand and dragging him along with you to catch up to Hyunjin. Meeting him at the center of the pier, you take his hand too and the three of you walk to the edge together. Any other time the minutes would fly by, all of the laughter and kisses making hours feel like minutes. But, in the presence of lingering pain, minutes feel like hours. “It’s not the same,” Hyunjin sighs, picking at his already chipped nail polish and flicking it into the sea. You want to deny it but you can’t. “No, it’s not.” Felix sits down, crossing his legs as he frustratingly tousles his hair, “So that’s it, then? We’re done?” 

You take a seat beside him on the ground, sick to your stomach at the thought, “I mean, is that what you want?” “Of course not. It’s never what I wanted. We are what I want.” You turn to Hyunjin and he’s already sitting down on the other side of you, his head resting on your shoulder. “Me too” he yawns, “But what about you? It doesn’t matter what we want if you don’t—” “I do. I always will.” Their faces brighten up, even in the midst of their exhaustion. Felix takes his jacket off, gathers it in a little bundle in your lap, and lays down. “Maybe it shouldn’t feel the same this time,” he muses, “We should make it better.”

You pet Felix’s hair, “I’d like that.” Hyunjin nuzzles up closer to you, seconds from falling asleep, “Better sounds nice.” Stroking Hyunjin’s cheek, you lean into him too, every sleep aid you tried kicking in at once. Suddenly the world feels like it’s moving again, bursting with life even in the dead of night.

You’ve always liked to think that when you truly love someone you’ll find each other no matter what, in this life or the next. How beautiful it is that it turned out to be this one after all.

[haetrack]

mark couldn’t help it. he couldn’t help but to place his hand over his pants, palming himself when the only thing racing through his mind was how pretty u looked today, ordering a coffee from the cafe that he worked at. he thinks about how u pursed ur lips, reading the menu in concentration, the way ur chest heaved up and down when u came running into the store, escaping the rain. a groan catches in his throat, knowing that this was so wrong, getting off to someone he’s never even talked to, but oh god did it feel so right when his hands slipped past his waistband, fingers curling around himself. the outline of his hardening dick was too prominent thanks to the plaid pyjama pants he wore. he bit his lip, inhaling deep breaths as his hand started stroking himself. he remembers the spark he felt when ur hands brushed his as u handed him ur credit cared, he imagined it was ur hands that were rubbing against his skin right now, ur hands that were playing with the warm pre-cum that was dripping out of his swollen tip. the little voice in the back of his head was still telling him that it wasn’t too late to stop, but all he could hear was how silky smooth ur voice was ordering a drink, he wished he could listen to all the pretty sounds u would make if he was buried inside u. his pace quickens at this fantasy, imagining that he was fucking u right now, not his right hand. groaning at the thought of how good he would feel surrounded by ur warmth, his hips thrusting up into his fist harder and faster. his grip tightens when he remembers how ur white tshirt had gone slightly see through from the rain, how he must’ve been the only one who had the honour to see the traces of ur blue lace bra before u threw a crewneck on top. he couldn’t help but smile at the fact that u were wearing his favourite colour. his deep breathing now morphing into shallow whines with how long the pleasure has been building up inside. it’s the thought of ur pure, innocent smile that pushes him over the edge. the orgasm causing a string of swears being grunted out. his hips sputtering at the thought of cumming all over ur sweet face. his hands continue stroking, milking himself for everything he has. the clarity starts to settle and shame creeps over him at that fact that he really did just get off to a total stranger. but the shame didn’t last long when he discovers that none of his cum spilled and he doesn’t have to change his sheets, grateful for the fact that he was so horny, he didn’t even bother to take off his pants.

ngl smoothie dance practice mark has me in such a chokehold i had three other scenarios i started writing for him but they were all getting SO long i had to stop myself 🧍‍♂️ mark pls hmu i want u so bad 🙏

- 🌱

GODDDDD WHY MEEEE... perv mark who doesn't even realize he's being a little perv... i need him. 🌱 anon get in line bc i need him FIRST!!!!!

he would tell himself it wouldn't matter that he got off to you. it was probably just a one time thing that you came to the coffee shop he worked at. if he doesn't have to see you, it doesn't matter that he came in his pants because he'll probably never see you again anyways.

except, there you are again, pretty smile on your face as you enter the cafe. you're not drenched this time, but you are wearing a low-cut top. you're quick to order this time, same order as last time. mark tries so hard not to stare too hard at your chest, but when you hand him your card, he takes a moment too long to grab it, too busy staring at you. you clear your throat, and you're met with a sheepish look as his face turns red.

he's trying hard not to mess up your order, hands fumbling all around in embarrassment. he's also trying very hard not get a boner at his job where quite literally anyone can see him. when he calls out your order, he swears that your hand lingers on his for a while, and he swears it's on purpose. he watches you walk away, saying goodbye to him as you go about your day.

he waves goodbye to you. although he said it was a one time thing, he might just have to fuck his fist again tonight because of you.

[missamyrisa2]

Love your blog. I appreciate how long your responses to asks are. Being teased and edged is just （｡>‿‿<｡ ）Could you please give a situation where I'm being teased and edged on my girl pearl for being naughty? (ㅅ˙³˙)♡

Why thank you sooo very much darling ~ yesss oh my gosh. I was not into edging at first. Like I was always about the overload and post-ticklegasm tickling, which I still adore of course but there's somethingggg just sooooo unbelievably ticklehottt about being tickled and teased right to the sparkly brink and taunted right there. It's like the next step up in tickling in a way, because tickling is sort of hacking someone's body and making it do what you want which is to dance all silly and wiggly while making uncontrollable cute sounds. It's a hotttt hotwire to pleasure someone teasingly while tickling, but edging them is like the way to tickle those royal parts properly. And there's that little ancillary benefit of letting them tingle on the edge and recover much faster than if they had came ~ and when you come off the fuzzies you're going to be that much more flustered and likely to sass which is just gonna necessitate more tickles and edgies~

heyy are you paying attention? This is important stuff. This is why you need to be punished my wiggly girl. This is why you were pulled by the Wellness Bot and brought to me. Isn't she so efficient? Holding your wiggly body open for meeee and my lil feather ~ ahh yes, this little red feather. Everrrr so perfect at coaxing out the naughties. And you are soooo so very naughty. So let's try again hmmm? Gonna be a good girl for me and gett alllll swollen pearlyyyy yeah? Get all hot and bothered and blushy buttoned down there? Ah ah ahhhh ~ nooope you can't escape this my precious gem. The bot has you and she's not letting goooo. Don't worry about the brushies on your ribs and under your arms and ooh yes, under your toes. That's all part of the process. You give me that sass and I'm turning on those tush buffers.

Now then. Does my naughty girly with the naughty pearlie need the fastttt feather? Or slooowww? Oooh look at how you quivered ~ I think slowww I think yess ommmh oh yes, slowwwww red feather just caresssssing up your girlihood and aroundddd and around the pearlyyy. Mmmhmm that tickles so good huh, hun? Yeahhhh. And oooh. Look at how your belly twitchessss ~ do you feeel it right there? Yeahhh? Maybe I need to give you the belly rubs while we edgy edge. Mmmhmm yesss I can feeeel your gigglyyy moans here. Sooo cute. But ever sooo naughty. My gooodness would you just look at how stiff that's getting? I'm only tickling you ~ and you're sooo aroused. My goodness, how are you so naughty?

Mmmh yes we need the tushy tickles yes we do. A naughty thing like you has a naughty booty. Mmhmm see here's my remoteee and I just press this dial and oooh there we go. They're so buzzy huh? I love that sound! Don't you just dieeeee at the sound of machinery spinning up so happy to do what it needs to do? The bot just loves youuuu. Ah yes, here they come, the spinning brushiesss gonna get those booty cheeks ~ are you ever so ticklish down there? I knoww I know it tickles. That's why I'm doing this. You're ticklish. You are very ticklish and sooo naughty and you need to be tickled and teased and taunted until you can't even sass ~

Ah yes, these royal chest buttons too. Mmhmm. That doesn't tickle does it when I kiss? Yeahhh kissiess riiight on your naughty stiff buttons. Amy always makes it better. But oooh. Sooo naughty here too! You need button feathering. Come on, work that booty while I tease your girly royal chest buttons with my feather. Let's see if we can make these cute tits as tickled pink as your sweet pearlyyyy ~ Oooh how is it with my lip just brushinggg right under your button and my feather follows ~ tickle tickle tiiickle~!

Tsk tsk tsk. So moany. So bucky. Those hips are so fucking naughty bucking like that I'm gonna just have to kisssssy them toooo~! And rubby rub with my thumbssss mmhmm and now back to the pearlyyyy ~ ah yes, the tushy tickles make you bounce up riiight to my feather. Why, I'll send this detail brush to get you right between those cheeks so I can hold my feather here in front of your pearl and you'll tickle tease yourself huh ~ oooh let's see that again. You can't not laugh! You can't not moannnnh.

Oooh gonna cum? Yeahh are you gonna? Gonna? Oooh noooo ~ ooh no~! What happened? Did you cum? Didja? Noooo? Uh ohhhhhh uh oh! Awwww pooooor thing, poooor gigglegirl alll worked up and nowhere to go soooo swollen on that ticklish pearlyyy and can't even cum. My, my, my. You are just too naughty! Naughty girls get tickles yes they doooo. Let's get those feets all scrubbed mmhmm. Let's seal in that edgy edgy oooo ~ I have my soft scrubby brush and you have two feet and the bot has your ankles up for mee and we're gonna work those clenched toes and get all your spots cleansed until you're a melted gaspyyy mess right off that naughty edge.

And then darling ~ we'll start alll over. We'll start alll over with my feather and let's just see how my naughty girl does ~<3

[annymation]

My Thoughts On Wish Deleted Scenes

Now that we got all the deleted scenes out, I thought it would be fun to share my thoughts on them... Mostly rant, yeah, I might get pretty heated with this heheh but it'll be fun.

Villain Couple

So let's begin with my personal favorite, the villain couple that we could've had

I am literally scared with how I nailed their characterization in my rewrite, like, that's them, that's King Magnus (Magnifico) of Rosas and Amaya (Amable) of Rosas right there. The dramatic, power hungry dude that can barely control his temper + a cunning, calm and collected queen that thinks before acting but is just as vicious as him.

AND THEY CALL EACH OTHER SO MANY PET NAMES! SHE CALLED HIM "GOOD BOY"!!! HE PULLED HER FOR A ROMANTIC DANCE UGHHH DISNEY YOU TOOK THEM FROM MEEEE!!!

Now let's talk about... WHY this was scrapped, according to Mark Kennedy, the head of story in Wish, he says in the Behind the Scenes documentary that the reason they changed this, and I quote:

"We didn't want people to know Magnifico was evil right away, we wanted the people of Rosas to love Magnifico, and have only Asha realize he's not as good as he seems"

... Okay? That's not a reason to not make him SECRETLY evil, just have the rebels be like a group of people who are considered ungrateful weirdos by the people of Rosas, and the king spreads rumors that they're a threat, since they think NO ONE should get their wishes granted. So we have Asha being part of this rebellion, that doesn't fully know what Magnifico does with the wishes, but they know he's doing something bad, so it's up to Asha to find proof and open the eyes of the citizens of Rosas who love Magnifico, easy.

"Also it serve the story better to have Amaya be a good person"

Why? Because she distracted Magnifico and told them about the pulleys they needed to open the castle's ceiling? Just have one of Asha's MANY FRIENDS be a spy of the rebels that became close to the king and queen, maybe the king's apprentice, let's say Safi, and he tells them that info and also distracts them if needed, there, no need for good queen.

This one is the cheery on top, are you guys ready? I don't think you are, but here goes... "Additionally we couldn't really answer the question of why Magnifico wanted a star, and what it would do for him."

............................. I don't know if I can put into words how ENRAGED this make me feel, but I will try.

Mark, my guy, I'm sure you're a lovely person, but I know for a fact that you are lying. Because in a room full of professional screen writers THAT MADE IT TO DISNEY there's absolutely NO WAY no one stepped in and said "Oh but why does the villain want power though?"... THAT'S LIKE ASKING WHY JAFAR WANTED THE LAMP OR WHY URSULA WANTED THE TRIDENT!!!! HE'S A VILLAIN!!! VILLAINS ALWAYS WANT POWER!!!

"Oh buT MaGNiFicO Is DiFfERRenT bEcAuSE He'S A kINg sO He alREadY HaS pOWeR" SO WHAT??? Villains are never satisfied! Magnifico says it himself in the deleted scene

"I can't take it, this wanting that is never satisfied"

THERE! That's your villain motivation, he wants to fill a cup with no bottom, he wants more and more than he already has! Which makes him a PERFECT FOIL to Asha, because Asha wishes for more to her people, because they indeed are struggling, she wants what they need! And she'll fight for it, while Magnifico will only lie, cheat and steal his way into more power! GAAAAH IT WOULD BE SUCH A NEAT CONFLICT I'M GOING FERAL!

Anyway, on to the next one

Wishing Tree

Deleted Sabino my beloved, you only get one scene in my rewrite, Tiana's father style, but I love you so much you sassy old man

I love this concept of the wishing tree so much, because this is actually a tradition here where I'm from, we take colorful ribbons, think of a wish, and tie them on a tree.

Would be lovely if Wish showed many types of different traditions of wishing besides just wishing stars, like blowing dandelions, throwing a coin down a well and soon.

But I digress, Asha has such an inspiring personality here, her writings show how she's fierce, longing for adventure

SHE HAS KNACK FOR SWEARING LMAO

She has an undying hope in her, and she wonders if it'll take Magnifico to DIE for her people to be free to wish, this is amazing, this is what I wrote my Asha into in Kingdom of Wishes

@uva124 joked the other day saying I might secretly be one of the disney writers just pretending to be a fan and sharing the original script, guys I swear that's not the case, they just communicated with me telepathically.

Jokes aside, this scene is so beautiful, Asha had everything to be an amazing protagonist.

Now for what Mark said in the documentary... Oh boy...

"The people of Asha's village keep their wishes a secret, and don't say them out loud, because if they do Magnifico will find their wishes"

Now THIS is very interesting, making Magnifico this almost omnipresent threat that even if you just SAY what you desire he might hear with his magic, maybe with a crystal ball or something Idk but regardless this is a great way to make him aware of who Asha is.

Cause think about it, Asha does make a wish, upon a star, so Magnifico would probably feel that wish, and thus he'd know Asha is the one who summoned a wishing star, so the chase would begin.

Heck, with this concept he could manipulate Asha into giving away star by promising that if she did so all her people would be free and he'd stop eating wishes all together because he wouldn't need more power anymore, obviously that'd be a lie, but it would make Asha have to choose between taking the easy way out and giving away her friend/love interest in exchange of her wish coming true, or risk it all and protecting him at all cost, ya know, a internal conflict.

"We wanted people to love Magnifico, and Asha to be the only one who finds out about his true evil nature, that way, when she tries to tell people, nobody believes her, and that's make fighting him much harder for her"

See Mark, that's a good idea, thing is, that's not what happened... Asha didn't try to tell people, and the times she did tell her family that Magnifico would never grant their wishes, they DID believe her, and Sabino got mad she wanted to tell him his wish. And when she told her friends, they didn't question her much about the fact she challenged the king, Dahlia just rolled with it like it was no big deal...

So yeah it would've been great if Asha tried to spread the truth but people didn't believe her, it really would, but that's not quite what we got

Star and Asha Chase Scene

And there it is, the closest thing we'll ever get of Star Boy, and I love him

Star can take shape of any animal in this version, and that made him too similar to Maui and the genie, well, dear Disney, riddle me this, why didn't you just scrap the idea of him being a shapeshifter? There are many ways for a being to embody magic and creativity that don't involve them turning into animals, maybe have them be- oh I don't know- ANIMATED IN 2D???

"The ability to change into anything made star very powerful"

Here's an idea, make Magnifico MORE powerful than star, by making forbidden magic Star's weakness

"We wanted Asha to be our hero, and we wanted her to solve all her problems by herself, without too much help from star"

Bruh, Walt Disney said himself "You can design and create, and bild the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make that dream a reality" Asha could NOT do this on her own, and that doesn't make her weak or less of a hero, it just means the threat was too big.

And if she was the one who had to make her wish come true, GREAT, just use Blue Fairy logic, she couldn't make Pinocchio a real boy right away, all she did was give him life so he could pursue that himself, same could happen to Asha, star gives her some magical intervention, but he can't do everything for her.

Also let me just say, that interaction between Asha and Star?

"Star we'll have to be very discreet" "Discreet? Got it, sounds like another plan, I'm getting pretty good at this planning stuff" "Uh you know what would help that plan? If you weren't so bright" "Oh-hoho thank you!- oh wait, you mean-" "Shinny, glowy, way too much light, turn it down"

I can SEE KOW!Asha and Aster having this exact same interaction!

And then that scene Star holds her hand under water! Bruh don't tell me they wouldn't be a thing Disney!

And all the sea creatures coming together to make a big spectacle, THAT felt like Disney magic, that WHALE!!!

That would've been so beautiful to see fully animated.

In The Dungeon

Can't believe that I also wrote a scene of the 7 teens and Asha going to the dungeon before this scene came out, like, it's such an specific scenario

Anyway, so once again we see this better version of Asha, that is caring, smart and inspiring.

And Magnifico being a freaking DESPICABLE monster, saying that Dahlia is a burden that no one would miss because of her disability, like DANG that's something I never considered writing because it's so heavy, but they almost did include it, and I think it would've been great to show just how evil he is, and in turn, how amazing Asha is because of what she says next

"He underestimates you, and that's a good thing. When you're underestimated, they don't see your power coming until after it changed the world"

Thank you Wish deleted scenes, I'mma take this line and fit it in my rewrite somehow cause WOW imagine that, the 100th disney princess teaching something very valuable for children of today!

Think of all the disabled kids that would've felt seen in this scene! Instead Dahlia's disability is more of an after thought, and from what I've read, the way she walks doesn't even seem like she's disabled according to some crutch users.

"Also, Asha already had 7 friends, and we thought adding another one was too many"

I agree Mark, so here's a thought, make ONE OF THE 7 TEENS the apprentice that gets locked up in the dungeon, like Safi for example, and they find him by hearing him sneeze! There, suddenly the character whose only personality is sneezing get's something to do!

Magnifico breaking the wishes of people "No one would miss" is actually a thing in my rewrite, I didn't explore it that much cause it wasn't that important, but I'm glad I also got that right

Star was more useful in this clip than he was in the whole movie

Climax

Not much to say about this one, hot take, but I'm actually glad this one was changed, sure I like Magnifico eating a bunch of the wishes to get more powerful, but personally I'm not a fan of him turning into a giant muscular monster, but I understand if you're into that.

Though, it's still a funny scene, it's silly yeah, but it's definitely entertaining, which is more than what I can say about the movie

Also Valentino is cute here

I like how Magnifico uses the wishes to shine a spotlight on Asha

This face, lmao

"THATS JUST A GOAT!"

The thing about this scene though is that... I can't imagine where they were going with this, like, then what? Magnifico climbs the tower to get star and Star manages to defeat him somehow? If so then yeah no wonder you deleted star for doing all the work for Asha, what's Asha supposed to do now that the king is all powerful???

Star saying "We just need one more ingredient" YALL MAKING A POTION??? This feels weird, a magical being making a potion... Wait hold up, I thought of this in this second, was the last ingredient Asha? Like she goes up there to warn them and it turns out she was what they needed to figure out how to defeat Magnifico?... Probably not but who we will never know.

Wish Worth Making

This made me CRY when I first watched it, like WOW Disney, are you TRYING to make this movie as soulless as possible???

This is such a powerful moment that would make us actually CARE about Sabino, feel what Asha feels, and it's a calm and beautiful moment in this movie that never stops to just BREATHE.

Can you imagine Magnifico showing up after THIS?? It would've been so scary because it was the calm before the storm.

Imagine him breaking not only Sakina's wish but also Sabino's lute!

If I was Sabino's voice actor I'd be pissed to find out they deleted my song but kept the chicken dance song... That was a thing.

Anyway, hope yall had fun with this little rant, let me know YOUR thoughts on these scenes too! See ya next time!

Thank You For Reading!

[mrmistoffeleesiscrowleyscat]

Little notes about the Cats International Tour show in D-Dorf, Germany:

Mostly just for me to remember... Honestly this is probably not new information, the tour has been going for a while after all.

Extended Tap Solo in Gumbie Cat!!! Also Munkustrap I love u (did not participate in the tap dancing, instead electing to sit extremely pretty on the tire - that's right king you deserve a break after singing so good and being leggy all over the stage)

Tugger went HARD on the ad-libbing and falsetto, it was AWESOME. But German crowds don't really holler or whistle or stuff, so he unfortunately tried to get a cheer twice mid song unsuccessfully

Misto seemed so genuinely offended during Tugger's number lmao. No contact of any kind after his line, just the leggy choreo, and during the bonus dancing at the end, when the group came towards the car where he was perched, he swiped at them and didn't join in

Tugger physically covered Rumpleteazers mouth with his hand/paw (instead of blowing a kiss)

They did the "He's a fiend in feline shape - a monster of depravity depravity depravity" thing that Broadway does after the second Macavity Scare

Jellicle Ball was mostly the original choreo iirc. But no Misto hiding behind Old-Deut and shaking at the start of it

Plato and Victoria were amazing. Really beautiful lines during the lift, and went in and out of it with zero trouble. Victoria's solo at the start was also insanely good, extremely high extensions without ANY shakiness

When the cats came back in towards the end of the intermission, Bombalurina greeted meeee (and as previously mentioned Munkustrap hissed at me). Skimble stayed mostly on the floor and did a few roly-polys. Munkustrap creeped up behind some audience members and stuck his head between them from behind, and also let a few kids touch him - although he was wearing his serious face the entire time

It was unfortunately really unclear if we were allowed to film or not during that part - at some point, when the lights were still on an usher said to not do it anymore, but since the cast deliberately interacted with some of the people who did, it was quite confusing.

Gus did his Peke & Pollicles with Music From Growltiger thing - "mystic Chinese" line, no Bagpipes for Tugger but he did HOWL LIKE A WOLF during the parts were the Pollicles were supposed to bark and strutted around on the Pekes half of the stage.

Skimbleshanks was amazinggg!!! Because the theatre is so small, the train light really illuminated some people in the audience - Misto, who was holding the light, waved at them excitedly

Bomba and Demeter were SO SO SO SO SO SO SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. They were so. Just. So.

Macavity fight choreo was cool! Alonzo struggled a bit to get into position during his lift but the rest really flowed nicely. Demeter was not lifted, but dragged.

Tugger said "Felines and Friends" again!! I know it's been pretty much standard for the tour for a few years but it makes me happy every time

Misto flew in diagonally from the side rather than lowering straight down - it was hard to see what kind of rigging he had but he looked very poised and elegant mid air

Misto's jacket seemed to have an issue - only one half was lit up.

Misto did NOT high five, low five Tugger, although it seemed like Tugger wanted to and was dismissed - lol. He did link arms with him, do the mirror dance and whisper in his ear no problem though. These two seem to be very hot and cold this time around

Misto interacted with Teazer and Mungo for a bit before freezing them, making them look stumbly and woozy

Memory gave me goosebumps.

Singular Note on Bows: Munkustrap did a slide, it was so cool?

As for post-bows: I was very distracted because Skimble was dancing his ass off right in front of me (at first he pulled a serious face and was kinda being low-key, and then he smiled and pulled out the moves), but I did see Munkustrap lift Misto princess style and twirl him, and Misto also linked hands with Jenny and Gus and danced in a circle like kids with them. Munkustrap did the shoulder shimmies with someone.

I unfortunately didn't manage to pay much attention to passing background interactions during the numbers - generally, Deme and Bomba were together, unsurprisingly, and Misto played with Plato a few times I think. Tugger seemed very sweet with Munkustrap and with Gus and Old Deut.

The Capitol Theatre is kinda small - there's not a lot of passageways in the audience, the fairy lights were spread over a good third of maybe even half of it and even the stage seemed smaller to me... Sometimes cats were honestly clambering over each other. It was cute

That's it.

[drdemonprince]

this will sound like one of those "let men be masculine" level niche internet community brained posts, but i honestly really was embarrassed of how much i like drag for a while. in the circles that i run in, liking drag too much is seen as pretty cringey and for wealthy cis gays. like everybody knows a few cool avante garde local performers that they fuck with who run queer dance parties that are inclusive and the like, but very few people that i know will just go to a drag show at an entertainment or social engagement for their own sake. it's almost seen as a tourist thing, a normie gay thing.

but its one of the few spaces where i can actually recognize a lot of feminine men and nonbinary man-thing-girly-freaks like of the particular type that i am. leather bars are so masc and buff and im often invisible. bear bars are really nice and i do feel welcome there! but people are only feminine in their mannerisms, not presentation very often. the more explicitly gender inclusive trans/queer spaces cater to more of a wlw and adjacent crowd whose relationships to masculinity and femininity are different from mine. circuit gay bars are obviously terrible.

drag is nice. there's guys with weird little haircuts and long earrings who aren't buff and are swishy and dress interestingly but are a little uncomfortable as their regular selves and have to don alternate personas in order to be outgoing. and i even like that it's okay to be bitchy and insulting sometimes in drag world, like sometimes that is just your genuine feedback on the work someone has done and it's not the end of the world. there's lot of open conflict in the drag world that actually works out pretty alright.

it's a local nightlife scene like all the rest, its got its theater kid bullshit and egos and superficiality out the ass and so many people are trying to be famous or make money, but even to this day i forget that i can just be a really weird feminine guy until i'm around some of them and watching them prance about. i worry about how i look or am being read and then even just watching a fucking drag race episode i'll see like 9 different guys who are so fucking androgynous with their weird assymetrical self cut haircuts that they pass less than i do and they're cis men. they have bodies or faces like i do. and in the local scene it's obviously even better because you're looking at real life people. maybe i should be over it by now but im not, i need to see weird little awkward feminine guys with funny outfits playing dress up and crying and fighting with one another because they never got over their last picked in gym class baggage. its meeee i relateee. i even like that its a little toxic! we've got some issues out here, let's joke with them and make a character of them instead of pretending to be nice!!

i tend to be pretty skeptical of "representation matters!" type shit but part of that is probably because i never really feel represented. i know, boo hoo, thin white man doesnt feel depicted on screen, sounds very silly. but then i see kade gottmik on drag race and i swell with emotion and suddenly feel like who i am is POSSIBLE in this world and i realize that even with all my privileges i am starved for representation and that it does benefit you to have it. theres trans guys on screen but thats not close enough to ping that ooh!!! ahh!!! i can love myself!! radar for me. it has to be a very particular kinda person. matt bernstein makes me feel similarly

[hotvintagepoll]

Propaganda

Cyd Charisse (The Bandwagon, Brigadoon, Singin’ in the Rain)—LEGS LEGS LEGS I would sell my soul for the legs of Cyd Charisse - she oozed style and glamour and sex appeal!! And she could DANCE! She was dancing next to the greats - Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire but they are never who you're looking at because why would you when you can look at her. I will only sit through too long ballet breaks for her. If there was any woman who you could call sex on legs it was her. These dances are everything to meeee (she comes in at the minute mark) and this dance too of course is iconic. In the words of Fred Astaire 'When you've danced with Cyd Charisse you stay danced with'

Suchitra Sen (Harano Sur, Chaowa Pawa)—Suchitra Sen! She had a 25-year career in Bengali films, and was at the height of popularity for a solid two decades as half of the wildly beloved pair of Uttam-Suchitra, who were practically the entire romantic genre of Bengali films by themselves. She acted in literary adaptations, romantic comedies, (melo)dramas and inspired-by-current-events films. She was the first Indian actress to receive an international award at the Moscow International Film Festival. In 1978, after the release of her last film (a box-office flop) she pulled a Garbo and put herself out of the public eye completely. She made no appearances, gave no interviews, refused awards, all of it. She didn't even show up for her daughter's or grand-daughters' debuts! She was taken for funerary rites in a covered hearse! The glamour! The mystery! That blinding smile!

This is round 2 of the tournament. All other polls in this bracket can be found here. Please reblog with further support of your beloved hot sexy vintage woman.

[additional propaganda submitted under the cut.]

Suchitra Sen:

Not to take away from her costars in Devdas (1955), but the great Indian cinematic tradition of Tragic Romantic Yearning would not, I argue, be what it is without Suchitra Sen's performance in that film. I root for things to turn out better for her every time, even though I know how things are going to go.

A Bengali cinema icon. Liked crows (per Gulzar, "It was an astonishing sight. The crows used to pick at the grapes from her hand").

Linked gifset

She once rejected Raj Kapoor's movie offer (one of the most successful actor and director at the time). She was quoted saying, “In men, I don’t look for beauty. I look for intelligence and sharp conversations. I had refused Raj Kapoor’s offer almost immediately. He came to my residence offering a lead role and, as I took my seat, he suddenly sat near my foot and offered me a bouquet of roses while offering the role. I rejected the offer. I did not like his personality. The way he behaved – sitting near my foot – did not befit a man.”

Legendary poet, lyricist, director and writer Gulzaar had this to say about her "Glad that my ‘Sir’—that’s what I call her— got the Dada Saheb Phalke award during her lifetime. Contrary to people’s perceptions, Suchitra Sen is an extremely warm and very very friendly person. I adore and respect her. But she has the right to choose her friends. Surely she’s justified in keeping away from every Tom, Dick and Harry. She’s the only example of such quiet dignity in show-biz. That’s why the media compares her with Great Garbo. Suchitra Sen is my Sir. I’ll explain. During the shooting of Aandhi she started calling me Sir. Everyone in Kolkata calls her Madame. Since I’m her junior I requested her not to call me Sir. But she insisted. (We always converse in Bengali). So I call her Sir and she calls me Sir.”

Linked musical number [won't let me display embedded for some reason]

Cyd:

Photos do not do Cyd Charisse justice, unfortunately, because she is at her hottest while dancing, which she was exquisitely good at. Just go watch her first number in Singin' in the Rain, in that green dress; nothing I could say here will be more convincing that that.

She had amazing legs, and she knew how to use them! You probably know her best from the dream sequence in Singin' In The Rain. She was such a stunning dancer, and all her dance scenes are hard to look away from.

Dancing in the Dark clip:

She's an amazing dancer and my favorite from the period. Here's her and Fred Astaire in the Band Wagon:

I just like a woman who's there to be really incredibly good at dancing.

One of the most talented female dancers in Hollywood history, but what sets her apart from other competitors for that title is that she...umm...well let's be blunt, she was the dancer who put sex into it. The one who said "Hey, you know that A+ leg tone that naturally develops from doing this for a living? Why don't I let people see that? Like at every opportunity?" She reportedly insured her legs for five million dollars after hitting it big, which just goes to show that fame makes you crazy. It should have been ten million.

Arguably the Best female dancer of her time, she supposedly insured her legs for $5 million dollars. Stole the show whenever she had a dance number, even if she went uncredited. Musicals started to go out of fashion so unfortunately she didn't have as many big roles as she should have, but those she did are unforgettable. The Broadway Melody number in Singin' in the Rain - the green dress!

She could pirouette in pointes or tear it up in taps. Fred Astaire called her "beautiful dynamite" and wrote, "That Cyd! When you've danced with her you stay danced with." Gene Kelly partnered with her three times. Her legs were (reportedly) insured for $5 million in 1952 ($57.8 million in 2024 dollars)! Everyone in this poll will be iconic, but for raw physical grace, Cyd is up there with the best.

Legs for days, beautiful dancer in the most iconic scenes of Singin in the Rain. She's glorious. As some guys sung to her in It's Always fair weather, 'baby you knock me out!'

Incredibly, Cyd Charisse only started learning to dance as a rehab exercise to strengthen her body after a childhood bout of polio. She was in high demand as a dance partner, Fred Astaire called her beautiful dynamite and said "When you've danced with her, you stayed danced with". She was one of a few leading ladies to dance with both Astaire and Kelly, declaring them both delicious. Kelly apparently was stronger, while Astaire was more coordinated. She also said her husband would always know who she had been dancing with because Kelly left her bruised, while Astaire didn't leave a mark. She's better known for her dance numbers today, but she was a leading lady in her time! Her Scottish accent in Brigadoon leaves a lot to be desired, but compared to the other actors in the movie, it's almost good. She appeared in The Harvey Girls alongside Judy Garland and Angela Lansbury in her first speaking role, but she really burst onto the scene with Singin' in the Rain and her infamous Broadway Melody Ballet number with Gene Kelly (no one could handle a length of fabric like Cyd Charisse). She was brought in because Debbie Reynolds wasn't really a dancer and Kelly was notoriously a stickler about his Vision. After that she starred opposite Astaire in The Band Wagon, which was a bit of a flop but created some enduringly incredible dance numbers. She went on to star in a number of MGM movies, and was one of the last of the Studio era stars to remain on contract. Since we've got up to 1970, I'm including her opening routine in The Silencers (1966) to show just how long she was making a splash - she's into her 40s here and still a siren:

and of course, the iconic Broadway Melody Ballet -

[crashingstar69]

OMG CRASHING I WAS WATCHING ONE OF NICKS POKÉMON STREAM (the one a few days/a day ago, not today) AND APPARENTLY HES BEEN GOING TO DANCE CLASSES??? EXCUSE ME?? He’s so fucking lovesick bc he commented about how he’s not flexible at all but he’s still trying to learn how to dance angways, the fucking bozo- he also agreed with chat about learning dance moves from Vern BYEEE I’m so sick thinking about it

now I’m imagining Nick sheepishly asking Vern to teach him how to dance as a way to get closer to him, maybe in a modern/fantasy au where he hasn’t confessed yet. Vern’s eyes lighting up and he gets all excited but Nick is lowkey jolting every time Vern presses himself against him in order to help his posture. Nick being so tense and awkward that he ends up tripping and they fall down together and end up THAT manner on the ground but also they’d either be really be flustered and embarrassed or they’d both start laughing uncontrollably, their bashfulness washing away-

THAT or Nick offering his hand to Vern at the beginning dance, cocking and eyebrow with his signature smug grin and making Vern laugh as he takes his hand, only to be genuinely surprised by Nick’s increased talent in his dance skills. Vern commenting that he didn’t peg Nick as the kind of guy to learn how to dance, and Nick jokiningly bragging about being good at everything. He jokingly comments about his improvement and how he might get better than Vern, only for Vern to take that as a challenge and literally sweep him off feet, making both of them burst out laughing as Nick succeeds that he’ll never be better than him, and Vern supporting that idea as he straightens them back up to a standing position-

ANYWAYS this is just a lil cute something for my not-as-doomed pairing bc I have so much cooking for mon cheroi’s child and ALL OF THE DAMN POSTS THAT YOUVE REBLOGGED HAVE JUST GIVEN ME MORE IDEA LIKE I WANT TO WRITE OTHER PPLS DRABBLES OUT FOR THEM AUGH-

@starry-sophrosyne

I DON'T GO TO THE TCNATION OFTEN SO THANK YOU FOR SPREADING THE NEWS!!

THAT'S REALLY CUTEEEEE AND ALL YOUR IDEAS MAKE ME EFJKWNFKEWSNFKESNFKJSEFNESK

NICK WANTING TO IMPRESS VERN AND VERNIAS JUST SWEEPING HIM OFF HIS FEET?!?! AAAAAAAA TCVERN3 SAVE MEEEE

(I am not ready for the Mon Cheroi child and the King of Soph angst)

[exorcqism]

heyy can u do a dom choso and sub reader with brat taming and spanking (i sent rhe same request but i worded it wrong)

𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐒𝐎 𝐊𝐀𝐌𝐎

„𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐄”

: ̗̀➛ 18+ CONTENT!!!

: ̗̀➛ afab!reader, some sexxxxx, brat taming, praising, some degrading, spanking(?), dom!choso, sub!reader. not proofread so i apologize in advance for any mistakes if they’re made.

: ̗̀➛ art creds by;; currently unknown. dividers are not mine, if you own these, you may claim them in comments.

: ̗̀➛ WORD COUNT;; 1.17K

* dark mode recommended

* do not copy this plot. i’m perfectly fine with inspirations but give creds. if this plot his stolen in any way, the post will be taken down and you will be blocked.

𝐃𝐀𝐊𝐎𝐓𝐀𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐒 ✉️🖇️;; yurrr. i feel like ya caught on to the fact that i really like writing for choso…okay but that’s obvious. he just so fine. i also don’t know how good imma do this but i’ll figure sum out. ANYWAY REBLOG TO SUPPORT MEEEE AND IF YOU WANT MORE :D

did you ever learn? you had choso treating you like you’re his daughter because you didn’t know how to behave yourself. he’d be lying if he said that it didn’t piss him off a little.

you were ignoring choso because he wouldn’t buy you the dress that you wanted. you were at that mall, gripping onto his clothes, begging and pleading for this dress but choso just had a stale face and he’d tell you no as calmly as he possibly could. but you could hear the slight annoyance behind his relaxed tone.

it’s been a few days and the silent treatment was driving him insane. not only that. it was pissing him off. the second you came through the door of that apartment, he’d grab you and pin you against the wall and smash his lips onto yours, kissing you with pure passion behind it but the aggression was kicking within him. after that, he moved his mouth up to your ear.

“get your ass to the bed….now.” he commanded before he let go of you. “and you better be ready when i get in there…you got thirty seconds.”

you were confused at first but you didn’t want to piss choso off any more than he seemed to be. you headed into his room and got on the bed, removing your clothes as you did.

the bedroom door opened and there stood choso with that usual bored expression that had a hint of lust and mischief behind them. he’d take his shirt off and climb on top of you, his bare chest making contact with yours. he kissed and sucked on your neck, making marks that were sure to turn purple when he was done with you.

“you piss me off so fucking bad,” he said in your ear, “but i can get you in order. just be a good girl and listen to what i tell you to do.”

choso slapped your thighs before he gripped onto them tightly, forcing your legs apart. his fingers moved slowly from your waist down to your soaked cunt. the male smirked before tracing your entrance. he glanced at you.

“i wanna make you feel good but i don’t know…” he paused, “i don’t think you deserve it. maybe i should make you beg first.”

“what do you-” you started but choso’s hand quickly covered your mouth. he glared at you.

“did i say you could speak? you speak when i say you can.” the violet eyed male boomed. with his other hand, he pressed his digits into your entrance after licking his fingers as if you weren’t wet enough already.

he’d pump his fingers in and out of you as he listened to your muffled moans underneath his hand. he was looking you in your eyes as he fucked you with his fingers. choso moved his hand off of your mouth. just when you believed you could moan out loud without choso getting in your way, he’d smash his lips onto yours again, consuming your moans.

his tongue pushed through your lips and danced around yours. as he kissed you, you could feel his fingers curling up inside you, finding your sweet spot. you immediately crumbled underneath him. you tried to grab onto his hand and push him away but he slapped your hand away and continued to finger you, being more aggressive now that you tried to stop him.

you were pissing him off even more but he was enjoying hearing you pleas for him to stop or slow down. he would pin your wrist down to the bed over your head and just when you were about to have your release, he removed his fingers from you.

“don’t think i’m done because i took my fingers out,” choso looked at you, sticking his fingers in your mouth to make you taste your own fluids. he wouldn’t move his hand until you licked him clean. as he was doing this, you genuinely thought he was torturing you…but you liked it and you weren’t going to stop him from what he was doing to you.

again, choso pushed your legs apart a little more, feeling satisfied after he prepped you. he wanted to hear you drown in pleasure now. he would pull down his boxers, revealing his hardened member. he didn’t waste any time. choso forced his length into you. you yelped as you felt everything hit you all at once.

choso’s groaned as he sank down into you, biting his lip. “take all of me. you were doing so good. don’t get scared now.”

his strokes were slow at first, trying to ease you into it and trying to get you used to being stretched out by him. your moans and you folding underneath him made him wanna go faster, though. so he did. choso was slamming into you, his pelvis making direct contact with yours.

“now, i told you about acting up but you don’t listen to me,” choso rasped, his eyes narrowing down at you. “i’m starting to think you like being punished all the time. you’re a dirty little girl, you know that? you need to be taught some respect.”

his words made your heart drop. his voice was just so soothing and the fact that he was degrading you…it excited you a bit more. he was probably right about you enjoying this a bit more than you should.

your moans progressively got louder. you were starting to think if his neighbors could hear any of this. slowly, your eyes began wandering around the room. choso didn’t like that, though. he put his free hand under your chin and forced you to look at him. you could feel him squeezing your cheeks a bit but not enough for it to hurt.

“don’t look over there, look at me. i want you to look me in my eyes when i’m fucking you.”

of course, you wanted to listen to him before he made your entire body sore but it was harder than you thought. your eyes began to get lazy and they rolled back into your head. tears formed into your eyes. you never thought someone as distant and quiet as him could be so aggressive in his own way.

“choso,” you moan softly, putting your arms around him and kissing him. he moaned in your mouth as his hips continued to move back and forth with each stroke. he loved the feeling of being milked by you. he wished he could make this last forever…but he was here to teach you a lesson. he wiped the tears from your eyes.

“don’t cry. this is punishment—fuck…” choso groaned as he reached his climax at the same time as you did. the two of you were panting, trying to catch your breaths. he’d pull out of you and lie down beside you, putting kisses on your neck and shoulder then rested his head onto the pillow beside you.

“i hope you learned your lesson. don’t make me repeat myself.” choso rubbed his tired eyes. “sleep well, princess.”

𝐄𝐍𝐃.

⋆｡࿇ ·࣭࣪̇˖ 𖦹°༅༚

[pillarmen-lover2080]

Octotrio and yuu 🩷

Omgggg I love octanvinelle so much! Sorry for being inactive for a little while~~

Warnings: Slight innuendos

Azul 💙🩵💜 :

Azul loves you. He really does. From your beautiful eyes to your sweet smile. He loves everything about you. He especially loves your voice. He hangs off of every word you say, listening to the tone of your voice and the way you pronounce things. He thinks to himself: "Ah my yuu...what a lovely voice you have. I wish I could listen to it forever....I wish I could make it mine forever..." Azul just wants to make you happy. He wants you to feel safe and secure around him. He wants you to want to stay with him and he'll achieve that tthrough spoiling you with gifts and treats from the Mostro Lounge. He may not be ready to say that he loves you, but he is more than willing to show it. Please love this man back.

Jade 💚💜🩵:

"Oya, what a sweet thing I have here...I am so lucky to have you, my dear~" Jade will coo all sorts of loving phrases towards you. You are his sweet Yuu after all. He loves watching you and listening to you talk about all the things that makes you happy. Jade is fully confident in himself and has no problem telling you just how much he loves you. "Oh my darling Yuu, you are my most treasured pearl", he'll say while holding you close. "So special that I just can't let you go!" Jade loves you so much and he intends to keep you forever.

Floyd 🩵💜💚:

"MY CUTE SHRIMPY!!!" Unlike Azul and Jade, Floyd is a wild card. Floyd is unpredictable with both words and actions. He may want to cuddle and then suddenly he wants to dance with you. It only matters that he wants to do everything with you, right? "Hehehehehe Shrimpy~ come cuddle with meeee", he will say while pulling you to his room. "I promise I don't bite...hehehe I just wanna squeeze ya real good!" Please just listen to the man. He fell for you and fell hard, now there is no escape. Floyd obviously things you're adorable. He thinks you're so small compared to him and squeezable. "Ehehehe I promise i won't be too rough~"

[puffins-muffins]

In Love on Christmas

Pairing: Will 'Ironhead' Miller x F!Reader Word Count: 1353 Summary: You and Will decorate for Christmas 🎄 Warnings: 18+ only please - Fluff, fluff, and more fluff with our beloved Captain, and some kissing, too. A/N: written/edited by meeee, all mistakes are my own. Merry Christmas, loves!!

The cabin was small but cozy, tucked away into the woods like a secret no one knew about. Snow blanketed the world outside, muffling every sound except the occasional crackle of the fireplace. The warm light bathed the room, adding to the fresh scent of pine mixed with the faint aroma of cocoa steaming on the nearby stove.

Will was seated at the kitchen table, his broad shoulders hunched over a mess of Christmas lights he was attempting to untangle. His brow furrowed in concentration, his hands moving with the precision of a man used to disarming bombs rather than holiday decor.

“Alright, soldier,” you teased, carrying two steaming mugs of cocoa toward him. He glanced up, his tense expression softening when his eyes met yours, a rare smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

“Status report?” you asked, setting the mugs down.

“Tangled beyond all hope,” he replied, his voice low and rumbling. “Should we cut our losses and buy new ones?”

Leaning down, you kissed his temple, your lips lingering there for a moment. “Where’s the fight in you, Captain? I thought you didn’t quit.”

His smile grew as he tilted his head, catching your lips in a warm, lingering kiss. The heat of his touch sent a warmth through you, a stark contrast to the cool winter air that still clung to your skin. When he pulled back, his voice softened. “Fair point. Guess I’m not about to let a few knots get the better of me.”

You slid into the chair beside him, grabbing a section of lights with a playful grin. “Don’t worry, I’ve got this. Christmas is my specialty.”

Will chuckled, shaking his head as he watched you try and untangle the wires with exaggerated focus. “I can tell. You’ve been glowing since December first.”

“And I’ll keep glowing until the New Year,” you grinned, nudging him ever so gently. “Now, pay attention—we’re making magic here.”

Together, you began working through the mess, your hands brushing against his as you both pulled at the wires. Each touch sent a spark through you, a reminder of just how much you loved the quiet moments like this. Outside, snowflakes danced in the glow of the lights already wrapped around the porch railing, casting a faint shimmer into the darkened woods.

When the lights were finally untangled, you both erupted into cheers, your voices echoing through the cabin. “You did it!” you exclaimed, laughing as you tossed the pile of neatly untangled wires onto the table. “Captain Christmas saves the day!”

Will smirked, sitting back in his chair with mock pride. “Not bad, huh? Might add ‘Master Light Untangler’ to my résumé.”

“You should. That was heroic,” you mused, leaning over to press a quick kiss on his cheek. “Christmas is officially saved.”

His smile softened, his eyes crinkling at the edges as he looked at you. “Only because you make it worth saving.”

You blushed at his confession, heat flooding your chest and sending butterflies fluttering through your belly. It was true, and he never tired of reminding you of it. When you’d met Will a couple of years ago, he had been lost in the dark shadows he carried with him. But it was your warmth, your grace, that had shown him just how loved he deserved to be.

You were the softness his rough edges needed, the light that had quietly guided him out of the darkness and into a life where he could finally feel whole again.

You brushed your hand against his cheek, stroking his beard and admiring the man you loved so deeply. A rush of affection swelled in your chest, but as always, you struggled to take compliments. Instead, you made a silly face at him, scrunching up your nose in a playful attempt to deflect.

“Come on,” you said, your tone light as you pulled him from the chair. “Let’s get this tree decorated before Santa shows up and judges us.”

You moved to the small tree in the corner, already fragrant with the fresh scent of pine. Will held the lights while you carefully wrapped them around the branches. As you reached up to adjust a section near the top, his hands settled on your waist, steadying you.

“Careful,” he hummed, his voice close to your ear.

You turned your head slightly, and he took the opportunity to press a soft kiss to your neck, his scruff tickling your skin that sent a pleasant warmth through you. He kissed you again, slower this time, lingering at the curve where your neck met your shoulder. “You smell amazing,” he breathed against your skin, sending your pulse racing.

Your fingers faltered on the string of lights as his hands slid around your waist, pulling you flush against him. “Will…” you began, but you trailed off into a breathless laugh as he continued to nuzzle into your neck, his lips and beard grazing every sensitive spot.

“Distracting you?” he asked, his kisses growing hungrier. His hands tightened on your hips, holding you firmly in place, his body warm and solid against yours.

“Completely,” you admitted, your hands slipping from the lights to rest on his arms. You tilted your head, giving him better access, and he took full advantage, his mouth exploring with an adoration that made your knees weak. You let yourself get lost in the heat of him—the way his lips traced lazy patterns along your neck, the way his hands gripped you like you were the only thing keeping him steady.

He pulled back slightly, his lips still grazing your skin as he spun you around to face him, his eyes locked with yours, dark with a hint of mischief. “Worth it,” he growled, leaning in to kiss you again, slow and deliberate, as if he wanted to pour everything he felt into that single moment.

When you finally pulled apart, both of you breathless and flushed, he glanced at the half-decorated tree and grinned. “Think we’ll finish this before Christmas morning?”

Laughing, you rested your forehead against his. “Only if you behave.”

He chuckled, his hands still resting firmly on your hips. “Alright,” he conceded with a groan. “Let’s finish this tree before I lose my self-control completely.”

The rest of the evening passed in a blur of laughter, stolen touches, and shared memories. You hung ornaments together, pausing often as Will pulled you close, stealing kisses and whispering quiet, teasing compliments in your ear. At one point, he stepped back, arms crossed, watching you with a look so tender it made your breath catch.

“What?” you asked, smiling despite yourself as you adjusted an ornament.

“Just wondering how I got this lucky,” he said quietly, shaking his head as if he couldn’t believe it. His grin spread slowly, lighting up his face. “I like seeing you like this. Happy.”

Your heart swelled at his words. Setting down the ornament, you reached up to cup his face, your thumb brushing along his cheekbone before your hands slid down to rest against his chest. You pressed closer, wrapping your arms around him and resting your cheek against his solid warmth. His strong arms came around you, holding you securely as you closed your eyes, savoring the way he made you feel—safe, cherished, loved.

“You make me happy,” you stated, your voice full of emotion.

When the tree was finally finished, glowing softly in the corner of the room, Will stood behind you, wrapping his arms around your waist and pulling you back against his chest. His chin came to rest gently on the top of your head, and you could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against your back.

“Merry Christmas, sweetheart,” he murmured softly, voice rich with affection.

You turned in his arms, resting your hands on his chest as you gazed up at him, love shining in your eyes. “Merry Christmas, Will.”

And as the snow continued to fall softly outside, the fire crackling gently in the background, you knew with absolute certainty that this moment—this love—was the greatest gift of all.