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[barbarasegalandassociates]

[mediaheights]

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[astrogre]

Astro observations 4

Lilith in Leo and Aries can have unconventional, rebellious hairstyles that stand out and perhaps aren’t considered what most say is beautiful but they do it for themselves e.g. a buzz cut, dying hair eccentric colours, having a flamboyant big hairstyle that others consider inappropriate to society

If you’re interested in being an actor, or ever wanted to know the roles you’d play best: look at the planets in your second house. They describe the kind of character you’d play well because 2H shows the skills and traits needed for us to make money. So if you were acting you’d get paid for showing the skills of the planets in your 2H in the role you’d get cast for. I’ve noticed actors who play roles that match their 2nd house planet become known, or most successful for it.

E.g Uranus 2H: Benedict Cumberbatch- Played as Sherlock holmes (role required themes of intellect, eccentricity, thinking outside of the box to be Sherlock) same with Dr Strange (very ironic because Uranus literally represents things that are weird).

Pluto 2H: playing as villains, morally questionable characters, surgeons, morticians, taxidermy artist, piercing artist, gang member, scaring people. Johnny depp has this placement and his most profitable roles were as Jack sparrow, Edward scissor hands, sweeny Todd, all to do with slicing using a sword scissors or a knife and immoral characters

I’ve noticed the fama asteroid doesn’t really depict the ‘good’ kind of fame, if you look into famous people’s charts, Fama tends aspect or to be in the house where they were in a scandal or something shameful.

E.g Kamala Harris has Pluto and Venus conjunct fama, she’s infamously accused of sleeping her way to power because her affair was made public

Ben Shapiro has his mercury conjunction fama, and I’m sure you know his views are not taken with the most respect. He gets harassed quite often for it.

Elon Musk has fama conjunct Uranus in 3rd house while he posts 4chan content and always is being called out for saying some ‘degenerate’ or ‘erratic’ opinion on Twitter.

Justin Bieber has Jupiter at 14 degrees conjunct the Fama asteroid in his 12th house—the house of hidden meanings and secrets. The degree, 14, aligns roughly with the age when he reportedly spent 48 hours with Diddy and was generously gifted a sportscar. He also got signed by Usher at 14 (Usher was Diddys mentee). Notably, this placement is in Scorpio, the sign associated with joint resources, power dynamics, and sex organs. Even now this remains a subject of gossip and speculation, with some suggesting that the generosity and “mentorship” (themes linked to Jupiter’s higher learning and expansion) from Diddy played a pivotal role in jumpstarting Bieber’s career, particularly in relation to the music industry’s power structures. Another thing to note is that he flew abroad from Canada to USA for this to happen to him which lead to him getting famous. (Jupiter represents foreign relations)

Fama is more of a humiliating but entertaining ‘tea’ placement. And not everyone wants to become a controversial kind of famous, some people may want to become famous for their talents and their contributions to the industry they work in. People who are famous and don’t have strong fama placements can actually have a good reputation with their fame. People won’t try to make fun of you or a spectacle of your life to mock you. This is why we can see very famous adored people like princess Diana have no fama aspects yet was in the limelight of it all. Whereas Camilla has Fama conjunct ascendant. Fama is more gossipy, the kind of stuff you don’t really want to be known for. Rumours that defame your character and make you look like a bad person.

If you want to see what nasty things people say about you behind your back, and what they gossip about, look at your fama asteroid.

I have noticed that Venus in the 8th house can result in them thinking someone is interested in them when they’re not. I’ve also seen that these natives really get hurt in love like there’s some unreciprocated dynamic in their relationships if they experience pain from them. It can be people trying to use them, like becoming friends with them so they can have access to a guy the native knows, you can have your partner “stolen” from you by others

Virgo Mars love to make their partners stressed or see them stressing out/ how they handle stressful situations. They will respect you a lot if you can take stress and high expectations, multi task them like it’s nothing, or taking in the toll but managing it with order and planning

Mars in 10th house have the scary smile. Your smile can be seen as rather menacing, uncanny. People like this that have this placement are Joseph Stalin, Joaquin Phoenix, Khloe Kardashian, Bruce Lee, Mark Zuckerberg, Usher, Charlie Sheen. I can’t describe it but it’s a smile that’s like “ILL KILL YOU 😁”, the eyes look haywire yet locked on target, the smile is exaggerated and almost too joyful, face distorted in excitement like it’s dying to start something, it makes sense since 10H can show bone structure and mars being here can add an edge to it.

Oh and don’t forget that Mark Zuckerberg smile meme (he also has Mars 10H), a lot of these natives are known for their menacing smile and presence. Also you guys are villainised yet kind of respected for it. I’ve seen it prevalent in the men. E.g Joaquin Phoenix’s joker smile, Charlie Sheen + Bruce Lee + Khloe Kardashian showing anti social behaviour and becoming respected for it. If you commit crimes people might like you more 💀

This made me think of the British musician Aphex twin, who has the creepiest smile. I looked at his chart and guess what? He has a Aries MC, midheaven ruled by Mars and look at that smile:

Mars in Cancer specifically in 1st house can hold a lot of resentment towards their mother, get into nasty arguments with her, name calling or blame their mother for how they look and find their appearance annoying. On a more positive note these natives can do everything in their power for their mothers. At best natives with this placement can be feminists, in support of women in power. At worst they can despise ‘pathetic’ women and end up treating their wives with the same level of hatred too. Or just degrade women because of their own insecurities

e.g. Lord Byron, a British poet who blamed his mother for his foot deformity and would often call her names and unleash his rage on his wife, cheating on her egregiously

Sun conjunct Uranus makes someone very good with innovation, numerical values, science and maths. Your big highlight in this life may be that you invent something not thought of before. E.g people with this placement: Ada Lovelace- the creator of the first algorithm, John Von Neumann- A scientific genius who pioneered the modern computer, game theory, nuclear deterrence. He was described as so smart he made his teacher cry from doing complex calculus in his head at the age of 6 💀.

Since 1H can show how you present yourself, it can tell you the clothing you wear in your daily outfits, which made me think of how each planet in the first house may dress.

Neptune 1H can wear fantasy clothing, cosplay, fancy dress, masquerade masks, covid masks, any mask, magical accessories like iridescent tights, tiaras

Saturn 1H can incorporate historical tradition clothing like a timeless TAILORED clothing, think top hats, timeless coats, Victorian style dresses, also can have corsets as Saturn shows restrictions. It reminds me of that 1800s kind of look

Moon 1H can wear soft comforting clothes like vintage slips, nightgowns, pyjamas and loungewear, babydoll dresses, chunky knit fleece/coat

Mercury 1H can wear smart uniforms, plaid skirts, blazers, graphic t-shirts with slogans or logos, suspenders, ties, glasses, just very witty and youthful

Pluto 1H can wear intimidating darker clothes like chokers, gothic clothes, long trench coats, hoodies, all black, latex, bodycon, face coverings

Jupiter 1H can wear cultural clothing like kimonos, sarees/lenghas, bohemian styles, togas/roman inspired clothing, or like embroidered tunics

Mars 1H can wear combat military clothing, like camouflage, leather, fingerless gloves, ski masks, harnesses, military jacket, those belts or garters that can hold weapons like knives and guns

Sun 1H can wear statement clothing, designer logo branded pieces, fluffy clothes like furr , jewellery, this one’s more varied because Sun is the expression of self so they can actually wear stuff based more on the sign

Venus 1H can wear standard beauty centered clothing like corsets, brooches, lace, satin, heels, off the shoulder tops, pointed loafers and ascots for men, impractical fabrics, they’re more likely to wear things that aren’t necessarily comfortable but they come at the price of beauty.

Uranus 1H can incorporate unique futuristic, punk, techwear, platform shoes , noticed men can look disheveled almost, unique pvc reflective metallic fabrics, can have tech in their clothes, asymmetrical clothing, shoes that don’t match, they can be known for their unique choices in clothing too. The kind that makes people stop and think “what am I looking at rn”

Planets conjunct your ascendant are basically the main contributor to the method you approach your life with. For an example an Aries ascendant conjunct 12H Mercury can have a “I CAN DO IT ALL” mindset to everything in their life while actually using their mind to whip up and improvise a plan quickly out of nowhere, whereas if mercury wasn’t conjunct - they may not be as quick witted for the situations that occur in their life or be as tactical, they’d be like action with little plan, a river with no path but trusting on its flow.

Neptune in 11H might make you difficult to find online, your stalkers are seething. Maybe you don’t post, can have hidden private accounts or your page can look really magical like a Pinterest board but it’s hard to get a lot out of you solely based on your digital footprint

Also another thing, Neptune is NOT your friend lol, Neptune is a deceiver. I find it so interesting because people see Neptune as pure but it distorts reality and blurs the lines but makes it really pretty. Reminds me of Glinda from Wicked or hextech from arcane. It can be difficult for even the native because they may not realise they can deceive others as much as they do it to themselves. Wherever Neptune is in your chart can show who you deceive. Or how you’re deceived 3H siblings, 4H lying to family or about where you come from etc. You can also be lied to about missing family members or the roots of where you came from. 7H could be your clients and romantic partners can lie to you about what they want, 12H people could lie about you behind your back but you can struggle to trace where it comes from, you can also be completely oblivious to your subconscious thoughts. 10h can easily make you the scapegoat at work.

Venus 6H and their consistency in their beauty routines e.g skincare is what many aspire to. They are constantly glowing up since 6H shows our daily routines and self improvement so having Venus here can make you look prettier day by day. It’s like that “oh you keep getting prettier than the last time I saw you..”

Uranus 6H can overcome an illness that nobody would have thought they would. This is because wherever Uranus is in the chart can show where you rebel and bounce back in a way that nobody expected. With it being in 6H which also rules your health, you can surprise others by your illnesses, if you are ill you can have a rare condition or you’re the kind of person who gets sick like all the time but recovers the next day

Virgo moons feel sooo much fulfilment in being the cause of someone else’s satisfaction, it made me think of the UK onlyfans model Lily Philips, she slept with 100 random men in 24 hours in a documentary, afterwards she cried and felt horrible and used and said that she was most upset about the fact that she couldn’t make them all finish. A very sad documentary. But it really highlighted the nature of Virgo moons NEEDing to serve, to please. They say Libra are the people pleasers but honestly I’d give that one to Virgo, except usually virgos pickier with who they decide to please.

Lily Philips also has Fama conjunct Neptune, she’s famous for the sexual fantasy she portrays and the false image she shows to others, she’s so different from how she acts when making her OF content. This also proves my earlier said point about fama being scandalous as well because Lily has SOOOO much hate and gossip due to her “deceiving” image that’s the influence of Neptune for you. Might analyse her chart later.

Having both Pluto and moon in the 1H can create a silent brooding type of attractive. Adrien Brody has this placement and really embodies an edgy but comforting gaze. He is tall, has emotional melancholic eyes from moons effect yet has high contrast, intense dark features. I think it’s a really interesting mix of traits to have in the first house

Chiron in Libra can make someone be rather insecure of their appearance, usually body and face or femininity. They feel like they’re not beautiful enough. Anya Taylor joy , Maisie Williams, Kylie Jenner, Dolly Parton, Freddie Mercury, have this placement and all have publicly known insecurities based on their appearance despite them being inspirational to others for getting the limelight and praise without looking like everyone else. They pick at themselves quite a lot.

I always raise my eyebrow when I see a Pluto conjunct Lilith/Uranus in a chart. That person can be very dark, they can bring about a side of humanity that most people don’t want to discuss yet are fascinated with. They are capable of some really…. scary things. Especially if all 3 asteroids and planets are conjunct to each other. Pluto is intense it’s dark, it’s controlling but when it’s conjunct Uranus it now has chaos, rebellion, Lilith also rebels but it’s unapologetic, it may make people scared and trigger primal fears because of how messy the person is, these people can be really explosive. They’re also really intimidating, i could imagine the group anonymous that leaked classified government documents having this kind of placement. They literally go into the guttural trenches of inhumanity and bring out its findings then present it to the naive public like a cat dragging a rodents scathed body to the owner expecting a reward. It can be impressive sometimes, you often think “how did you even come up with the idea to do this?”

[northopalshore]

Rising Signs in the MC persona chart

The rising sign in your Midheaven Persona Chart represents the way you are seen in your career or in your public life.

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How to find MC persona chart?

In the signs & degrees

Aries 1°, 13°, 25°:

You are seen as someone who is very honest, direct, stubborn and passionate. You might also be seen as a competitive or a very significant opponent. People will be especially judgmental with you.

Taurus 2°, 14°, 26°:

You are seen as very elegant, patient, friendly and lovely. You will also tend to be seen as a loverboy/girl that's down to earth. You could also be seen as stubborn, slow, or lazy.

ex: Lisa has Taurus rising (12° pisces) in her MC persona chart. She's seen as someone very friendly and relatable but also elegant and untouchable. (information from astrotheme, could be unreliable)

Gemini 3°, 15°, 27°:

You are seen as someone very quick witted and talkative. You are also seen as friendly and open minded. Some people might see you as fake or "loud"/annoying however.

ex: Cardi B has her MC PC rising in Cancer (27° gemini). She's seen as someone talkative, loud and very vocally genuine with her feelings. She's known to not hide how she feels with her audience. A lot of people empathize with her backstory. She's also great at conveying her feelings and frustration through rap/talking, writing.

Cancer 4°, 16°, 28°:

You are seen as someone very innocent or someone that needs to be protected. People could find comfort in your presence. You could also be seen as someone soft, genuine and emotional. On the downside, people could assume you are immature or too emotional.

ex: Jungkook has a Cancer rising (22° capricorn) in his MC persona chart.He's known as the youngest of BTS and people tend to mother/baby him well until now.

I also have this lol. My rising is Cancer (28° cancer) in the MC Persona Chart. Well, I think this one will unfold itself eventually so I won't write it here.

Leo 5°, 17°, 29°:

You're seen as a showstopper, someone with a big presence. The one to turn heads when they enter the room. People will see you as someone popular and talented. On the downside people can think you are somebody attention depraved or a pick me even when you aren't.

ex: Megan Fox has Leo rising (20° scorpio) in her MC persona chart. It's Megan Fox girl, no explanation needed.

Virgo 6°, 18°:

You are seen as someone practical, analytical and mature. People could see you as reliable and careful. You are usually used as a reference point for everyone else. People will also be very critical of you or think you are too judgy or harsh.

ex: Ex-US President Obama has Virgo rising (4° cancer). People see him as a very calm, rational person who is down to earth and connected to the people.

Libra 7°, 19°:

You are seen as someone flirty, beautiful and charming. Many people will be stricken by the way you look and dress. You are seen as fair and nonjudgmental. You could also be seen as petty, shallow or fake however.

Scorpio 8°, 20°:

You are seen as a baddie lol. A savage, ruthless and threatening. Your presence will likely be very impactful for those around you. People tend to judge you a lot however, you could attract a lot of hate just for existing in the public light.

ex: Megan thee Stallion has Scorpio rising (22° capricorn) in her MC persona chart. She's seen as someone savage, s*xual, hardworking and revolutionary i.e she's well known for being a weeb while being a rapper which wasn't as commonly addressed in the industry.

Sagittarius 9°, 21°:

You're seen as someone very friendly and relatable. People will think you're funny and witty, but also wiser than you'd first appear as. You could also be seen as rather preachy or have some sort of god complex.

ex: Billie Eilish has Sagittarius rising (9° sagittarius) in her MC persona chart. She's seen as relatable and opinionated, but super friendly and funny.

Capricorn 10°, 22° :

You could be seen as untouchable or unapproachable but hardworking and loyal. People may think that you are very serious or strict, not someone who would be tolerant of mistakes. People could think you're cold or very dominant at first.

Aquarius 11°, 23°:

You are seen as an independent person. Someone with zany antics and unconventional ideas or appeal. You will also be seen as rebellious and revolutionary. People might have their opinion about you (whether good or bad), because of the same traits mentioned.

Pisces 12°, 24°:

You are seen as ethereal, kind, passive, dreamy and soft. People will be drawn to you spiritually and they might even put you on a pedestal. You might also be seen as unrealistic or unreliable at times. You could also be seen as delusional.

ex: Ariana Grande has Pisces rising (11° aquarius). Many people idolise her in her career, seeing her as emotional and unparalleled to other artists. Innocent and almost untouchable. Her music is seen as revolutionary and unique (as she combines multiple styles to create her signature style).

₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ . ₊ ⊹ .₊๋₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ . ₊ ⊹ .₊๋₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ . ₊ ⊹ .₊๋₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ . ₊

₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ . ₊ ⊹ .₊๋₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ . ₊ ⊹ .₊๋₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ . ₊ ⊹ .₊๋₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ . ₊

*** entertainment only, reader discretion is advised***

Thank you for reading ♡

@northopalshore

[ghostlyferrettarot]

★Pick a Picture: ✨️🌌How the public would view you as a celebrity🌌✨️

•Pile 1 •Pile 2 •Pile 3

❗️This is a collective reading, take what resonates and leave the rest❗️

✨️Paid Services ✨️ (Natal charts and tarot readings) Open!

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🌌Masterlist🌌

🧡Pile 1: 8 of Wands, The Sun, 2 of Cups.

Hi pile 1! You will be really loved by the public honestly, you are giving me Chuu, the ex-loona member, vibes. You are really charismatic and loveable, so others will connect with you easily. You will be quite literally "the peoples princess"; it because your personality its so out-going and always kind. I see you many people wanting to work with you because of how nice and humble you are dispite your level of fame.

A really great public persona honestly. I see you having a really diverse fan base too, people will feel represented and at "home" when it comes to you and your art. I dont feel that you will be "relatable", but you will be really down to earth and sincere about your life and how you feel; and others will appreciate this a lot. You are quite the sunshine yourself and others will naturally gravitate towards you.

💎Pile 2: The Fool, 9 of Cups and Ace of Swords.

Hi pile 2! I feel like you will be really admired by others, its giving boss energy. Others see you as one of the best in your field, making you a bit intimidating to be around sometimes. Theres strong "The Devil wears Prada" references coming up, so this movie could be important; and the fashion industry too.

Regarless of this, i feel that people will respect and admire you a lot, to the point in which i feel you will reach a Cher level of iconic. People know that your time and art is gold, so they will be thankful for even a second of your time; they know you are not to be bother by others.

Many see you as an example aswell, someone that comes from a humble start and that reach this goals thanks to their talent and hardworking nature. I see you having many bussiness of your own, maybe your own beauty company, owning a brand, etc. A true boss!

💖Pile 3: 7 of Cups, The Moon and Queen of Cups.

Hi pile 3! I feel that others will see you as someone "otherwordly" somehow, thats literally the message i channeled!

Theres something really unique about you, they way you carry yourself and how you approach life, that makes others wonder about you a lot. I see that you will be talked about a lot, many will have a acrush on you even; so yeah, the public will like you alot but they will also be really on your bussiness quite a lot.

I see you being really carefree and private in many matters, so there will be a lot of speculations. Although, i feel you will have a solid fanbase that will keep you safe from the bad gossip that the media could put out.

You are giving me Lily Rose Deep, Alexa Demie type of unbothered. You are just living your life, but theres something about you that brings everyones eyes towards you. You are a mistery and people love it. I see you being "the muse" of many artists aswell. Lucky you pile 3!

🌌💎✨️Thanks for reading and tell me if it resonated✨️💎🌌

[truevedicastrology]

Unveiling the Enigma of Mars

🚀Mars, the celestial orchestrator of how you magnetize individuals and the manner in which you resonate. It delves into the intricate essence you exude and the perceptions people harbor about you. This cosmic force also embodies masculine energy, offering insights into the archetype of men you may allure.

🌌Mars in the 1st house unravels your allure externally, where your energy becomes swiftly discernible. You're characterized by responsiveness and a tenacious self-advocacy. Occasionally perceived as impulsive or irate, your sanctuary lies in self-indulgence, physical exertion, and athletic pursuits. The gravitational pull extends to men with athletic prowess or those with a self-centric aesthetic.

🌺Mars in the 2nd house manifests allure through olfactory allure, skin aesthetics, or indulgence in epicurean pleasures. Passion for culinary arts and a penchant for opulence mark your identity. Your charm attracts men of affluence or those generously disposed.

🏖️Mars in the 3rd house articulates allure through eloquence and the written word. Passion resonates in your speech, and the written realm becomes a source of profound joy. A proclivity for literature and related pursuits is evident. The enticement extends to multitasking, loquacious men, possibly educators or wordsmiths.

🏡Mars in the 4th house unveils allure in moments of domestic comfort, adorned in unassuming attire. Emotional energy becomes an irresistible magnet. Mars, discreetly nestled here, shares passion exclusively with intimate circles or family. Attraction extends to nurturing, emotionally expressive men, perhaps with a hint of moodiness.

🎨Mars in the 5th house radiates allure during dynamic activities, invoking attractiveness in motion. Passion is channeled into hobbies, joy, and a perpetual youthful spirit. The magnetic pull is towards confident, charismatic, and playful individuals.

🌈Mars in the 6th house renders allure through physique and an organized, health-conscious lifestyle. The zenith of well-being is achieved through proactive endeavors, organization, and animal companionship. Attraction is directed towards industrious, meticulous men, potentially involved in animal care or fitness training.

��Mars in the 7th house allures through aesthetic grace, fastidiousness, and a pursuit of justice. The epitome of well-being lies in harmonious relationships and aesthetic refinement. Attraction extends to men who embody beauty, meticulous grooming, and charm.

🔮Mars in the 8th house projects allure through intimate and sexual charisma, intertwined with an aura of power. Stability and emotional equilibrium define your zenith. This allure thrives in secrecy and spiritual pursuits, attracting individuals exuding intense energy, possessiveness, and depth.

🌐Mars in the 9th house emanates allure through vivacity, intellect, and captivating narratives. The ardor for exploration, diverse cultures, and distant realms is palpable. Attraction aligns with optimistic, adventurous men, including educators, professors, or those hailing from diverse cultures.

🏰Mars in the 10th house showcases allure in the public eye, accentuating tenacity and success. Energy converges into achievements and reputation, possibly bordering on work-centric tendencies. Attraction is drawn towards older, stable, and successful men, echoing qualities reminiscent of paternal figures.

📱Mars in the 11th house unfolds allure in the digital realm, exuding uniqueness that captivates social networks. The energy is invested in friendships, aspirations, and dreams. Attraction encompasses peculiar, distinctive men, thriving either in group dynamics or solitude, immersed in individual pursuits.

💖Mars in the 12th house mystically radiates allure, captivating through an enigmatic aura. Appreciation transcends the physical, delving into the spiritual and ethereal facets. Energy is channeled into artistic expressions, resonating with the profound. Attraction unfolds towards artistic, spiritual, emotionally profound individuals, potentially from coastal regions, with a transcendent connection that transcends verbal communication.

Follow our Facebook page Mage Magic Touch for personal consultations https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565561190268

[moonastro]

Juno persona chart

fama (408) asteroid in the houses

what is a juno persona chart? looking into juno persona chart gives more detailed insight of how the relationship and marriage overall of you and your spouse will be like. it also describes them in a sense as well. The Greek Goddess Juno is described to rule over love and marriage and hence why the asteroid is looked into for that theme.

the asteroid fama (408) represent how an individual may find success and fame hence the name. in the juno persona chart, the asteroid fama will indicate how the marriage will bring the individual themes of fame in such as attention, success or recognition.

reminder: this is my interpretation from observations and first hand experiences, so don't take this to heart.

fama in 1st house: couple may find success and attention from how they express their way, how they approach things and the way that they look ofc. mostly lenient towards the appearance of the couple, depending of the sign of the first house it may play out a bit differently, for example sagittarius may receive attention of how foreign they appear to be together either if its cultural or not.

other things related: arguments, conflict, independence, fast- paced, self-worth, self- made, strength, body, actions, face, facial features, beauty, cars, vehicles, head, scars, battles, defence, scars, burns, opinions.

fama in 2nd house: the couple may get recognition from their generosity to other people. from their voices so for example speaking up about matters going on in the world. may be recognised by the things they own to express their financial value.

other things related: patience, stubbornness, food, cooking, eating, singing, expressive voice, tone of voice, possessions, items owned, shopping, money earned, luxury items.

fama in 3rd house: it may start as a rumour and this placement gets attention from rumours that people make about them, I'm not even kidding this is the placement that is known from others talking about them, true or not.

other things related: communication, internet, social media, high school, high school friends, friends, siblings, neighbourhood, cars, early education, writing, publishing, books, articles, gossip, newsletter, news.

fama in 4th house: couple may get recognition and attention from having a big family. it may not be big but it may also make your family stand out that other people notice. couple may get attention from their heritage and from their homeland, they may also find success if they have a family member who is well known and so the couple may be known from that.

other things related: mother, house, land owned, land received, ancestors, caring nature, being empathetic, emotions, being vulnerable, crying, being upset, having a mental breakdown.

fama in 5th house: couple may get recognition quite easily. may find success in doing hobbies together or hanging out in entertainments events or industries such as dance, music, art, movies and acting.

other things related: laughter, hobbies, kids, romance, s*x life, cheating, flings, partying, clubbing, being wasteful, being dramatic, being loud, talent, stage, public, audience, speech.

fama in 6th house: literally getting noticed from having a busy schedule. others may speculate on maybe the couple having no free time and always on the move. also may get recognised by other people criticising them for example, if in scorpio criticising the couple on how private they are, cancer criticising the couple on how emotionally vulnerable they are and so forth.

other things related: pets, routine, hard work, being critical, being obsessive, being organised, being too strict, labour, ill- health, accidents, bruising, fighting.

fama in 7th house: couple may receive attention from the contracts that they hold, also from their relationship as a couple in general may cause attention. the enemies that the couple may have can give them attention. also the way the couple deal with things can raise awareness.

other things related: law broken, beauty, taste, relationships, enemies, other peoples opinions, other peoples doings, other people being involved, marriage, love, interests, fashion, clothing, make-up, skin care, vlogs.

fama in 8th house: marriage may find success when discussing taboo topics or not being afraid to transform into new versions of themselves whether it be changing habits or changing lifestyles-look at sign for more detail.

other things related: abusiveness, clubbing, spirituality, death, s*xual acts, being obsessive and possessive, tax, money received from other people, money earned, people giving money.

fama in 9th house: the marriage and the couple may get attention by their broad mind lifestyle. this includes all of the themes that may related to religion, spirituality, culture and education. may get attention from their education, like the degrees that they may have, a blog about teaching etc.

other things related: travel, higher education, spirituality, meditation, working on oneself, time of reflection, learning, cultures, languages, expressions, going off from one extreme to the next, in-laws.

fama in 10th house: the couple in the marriage may get recognised from their careers. they may be in a stable, hard working environment or perhaps they spend too much of their time focused on their career. this can also be an indication of the couple working together in the same industry or even having the same job.

other things related: career, money, age, time, public, job, coldness, high rank, being closed off, keeping to oneself, what other people see, rules, strictness, schedule, father.

fama in 11th house: couple may find attention and success in events where there is a gather of people. themes of hosting or even attending may cause the couple to find attention. being unconventional such as kissing in public or things like that can raise attention. not following the norm of society can also give the couple attention.

other things related: groups, social groups, uniqueness, friends, older siblings, internet, social status, recognition, technology, unconventional, breaking rules, not caring, being emotionless, being detached.

fama in 12th house: the couple may get recognition from their ability to be intuitive and empathetic for others. couple may find success in travels, assisting others in their spiritual journey, seeing the beaty in everything. couple may get rewarded for being imaginative and doing the impossible.

other things related: travel, overseas, holiday, hospital, bedroom, sleep, dreams, drugs, alcohol, addiction, mental health, abuse, isolation, being extreme, foreign environments.

this was a short post but its pretty interesting nonetheless but thank you for reading and have a nice dayy.

[astrocafecoffee]

Groom pc observation (part 2)

✨ For entertainment purposes only, enjoy ✨

☞ Groom pc observation (part 1)

💘 the ascendant/chart ruler of your groom pc is mainly related to your future spouse's asc or sun. Suppose, you have Virgo rising in your groom pc so your future spouse may have Virgo rising, Virgo sun , or mercury in their 1st house of their natal chart. The degree on rising is also important. Check that too. They can have those signs on their rising or sun.

💘 Regulus in 11th house means your future spouse is likely to have influential and powerful friends. Their social circle may include people of high status or those who hold positions of authority.

💘 Regulus in 10th house indicates your future spouse's career brings public honour and notable reputation. They may be seen as a leader in their field.

💘 Regulus in 3rd house means your spouse may excel in public speaking, writing, communication, or a good teacher.

💘 Industria (389) in 3rd house - they may be in music industry.

💘 Venus in 1st house - very good looking spouse, a prince charming. Good luck guys 🙂.

💘 Venus in 2nd house - very stable spouse (financially).

💘 Venus in 3rd house -

intellectual, creative spouse.

💘 Venus in 4th house - you may considered them as your ultimate home.

💘 Venus in 5th house - creative (inclined towards music , theatre, painting), romantic, playful spouse.

💘 Venus in 6th house - your daily companion, your biggest support system.

💘 Venus in 7th house - they will adore you , and you will experience that type of love you never experienced before.

💘 Venus in 8th house - they will be very protective of you, they seek relationships that empower them emotionally and spiritually, allowing them to grow and evolve through shared experience.

💘 venus in the 9th house - you will travel with them frequently. They may be attracted to partners who are well educated or who have a passion for intellectual pursuits.

💘 Venus in the 10th house - leaders, career in arts , fashion, beauty or authoritative figure. Maybe famous at some point.

💘 Venus in 11th house - has big social circle , your social circle will expand too when you marry/ dating them.

💘 Venus in 12th house - spiritual spouse. They may express their emotions through poetry, music etc.

💘 Fama conjunct Jupiter - famous spouse, Jupiter expands the possibility of fame. It will increase further if it's placed in 1st or 7th house.

💘 Groom conjunct Glo(3267) asteroid means their identity and how they perceived within the context of your relationship could be prominent or publicly acknowledged.

💘 webb(3041) conjunct fama - spouse is famous in social media.

💘 Webb in 1st house - strong online presence.

💘 Venus conjunct webb - showing creativity, beauty,in online.

💘 Varuna ( 20000) in 10th / 1st /11th house means spouse may have worldwide recognition.

💘 Starr ( 4150) conjunct Uranus - star in social media. If it's in 5th house then your fs may possess creative presence in online.

💘 Saturn in 7th house means you will get married later or find your spouse in later age.

💘 Aries descendant means your fs may want to marry you as soon as possible.

💘 moon in 7th house means your fs may be younger than you or you will marry at young age.

💘1st lord in 1st house indicates of focus on personal growth and development. the groom prioritise self improvement efforts and initiatives that enhance their skills, knowledge, or physical appearance.

💘 also the groom sign in your groom pc can be related to your spouse's big 3 ( sun , moon, rising) , again check the degree too.

💘 1st lord in 4th house - while this placement fosters strong family ties and emotional stability, it can sometimes lead to challenges such as being overly attached to family traditions or struggling with emotional boundaries between your spouse's personal and family life.

💘 1st lord in 8th house indicates that your future spouse undergoes significant personal transformations throughout their life. they may experience periods of profound change or evolution in their identity and self expression.

💘 7th ruler in 10th house - relationship in public eye or somehow impacts your public image.

💘 7th ruler in 6th house means your future husband may need to balance his dedication to practical matters with emotional expression and spontaneity in relationships, ensuring that both partners feel valued and appreciated beyond their daily routines.

End....

Thanks for reading ❤️

.......Piko✨

[botanicalsword]

Venus ✧ how you pursue love and beauty ♡⁀➷

Where Venus is located, that house is the area where we easily find satisfaction and happiness, a field where the energy of love and beauty manifests.

☽✧. ❦ • ✧• .✧ ✞

♡ Venus in the 1st House

This brings a beautiful appearance and a gentle personality to the Houser - They are skilled at dressing themselves and have good taste and temperament. They generally make a good first impression. Even if their genetics are not strong, they have great fashion and makeup skills.

♡ Venus in the 2nd House

Houser with this placement have a pursuit of a good life, and their way of earning money is related to art or luxury goods. They are willing to spend money to improve their quality of life as long as they are not severely afflicted by Saturn. Usually, they can easily earn money, and their quality of life is quite high. However, if they are heavily afflicted by Saturn, they may easily become materialistic or even take loans to consume luxury items.

♡ Venus in the 3rd House

People with this placement are interested in art or emotional intelligence. Generally, their communication style is pleasant and gives people a refreshing feeling. They have a great sense of aesthetics and tend to be specialist in the field of beauty. It is very comfortable talking with them without much pressure.

♡ Venus in the 4th House

This position indicates a strong concern for the home environment. They have high requirements for comfortable living and enjoy spending money on decoration and arranging their living environment. In childhood, they often come from families with love or artistic heritage tendencies.

♡ Venus in the 5th House

People with this placement have a strong sense of love and know how to indulge in romance and pleasure. They seek to experience and appreciate the beautiful things in life, such as art and music. They often have a good relationship with children as well. The 5th house represents children and Venus, a planet associated with femininity.

♡ Venus in the 6th House

In this position, the work atmosphere is usually good, or the work is related to art and beauty. Additionally, this is the house of health. Venus placed here can easily lead to problems due to unhealthy or indulgent habits. Venus is not a planet of discipline but rather seeks beauty, so it is natural to indulge in things like drinking milk tea occasionally - attention should be paid regarding healthcare.

♡ Venus in the 7th House

This position is quite favorable. The native understands interpersonal relationships well and has high emotional intelligence. They are particularly good at making themselves comfortable through one-on-one relationships, whether it is finding a partner or a business collaborator who can make their life better. However, they should be cautious not to develop a mindset of pleasing or appeasing others too much, nor should they become overly dependent or immersed in relationships.

♡ Venus in the 8th House

This position is beneficial for financial investments. They are adept at utilizing collective resources and have a keen sense. They often have good luck in inheritance and are interested in mysterious matters. They tend to have a deeper understanding of things.

♡ Venus in the 9th House

This is a sign of having exotic love affairs. People with Venus in 9th House are easily attracted to people from different cultural backgrounds and are likely to encounter romance and adventure during foreign or long-distance travels. They also enjoy different cultures and artistic topics. They are experts in discussing popular brands from abroad.

♡ Venus in the 10th House

They are highly concerned about their public image. They channel the energy of love and beauty into their careers and spread love and beauty to the public. They tend to work in industries, such as wedding photography, beauty salons, cosmetic procedures, makeup artistry, and image consulting, all of which are fields dedicated to spreading beauty.

♡ Venus in the 11th House

This benefits forming collaborations with like-minded people. People with Venus in the 11th house are often popular in groups, and they are skilled at finding common ground and creating a harmonious atmosphere. They tend to have many friends and acquaintances.

♡ Venus in the 12th House

This is a hidden placement, it often indicates the hidden traits of Venus. On one hand, people with this placement tend to be reserved in matters of the heart, which may lead to unrequited love or similar experiences. This can be used for understanding, but not for definitive judgments. Additionally, people with this placement have a good sense of art and often possess a unique charm.

☽✧. ❦ • ✧• .✧ ✞

>> Masterlist | explicit contents

[uyuforu]

Astro Observations X: Career Edition

All pictures were found on Pinterest

Other posts you could like:

જ⁀➴ Astro Observations VII

જ⁀➴ Astro Observations VIII

જ⁀➴ Astro Observations IX 18+

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This post was based on observations on Natal Charts only.

⊹₊⟡⋆ 6H ruled by Mercury often can indicates working in the music industry, or a career where you'll use your voice.

⊹₊⟡⋆ 6H Ruler being Mercury and is placed in the 8H can mean people can be obsessed with your voice, with how you sound, with how you speak.

⊹₊⟡⋆ Asteroid Carrera (3050) conjunct Sun can mean you'll be an important figure in your career, job and industry where you'll work in. You can either become a role model or just it means you'll appear often in front of a public. For example, Jungkook has this placement, and him as an individual is very important for his career, his image and how he stands in front of people, in a crowd too.

⊹₊⟡⋆ Asteroid Carrera in good aspect to Ascendant can often mean your physical appearance will play a very important role in your career.

⊹₊⟡⋆ Asteroid Industria (389) in 3H can also mean working in music, singing fields, but also in a field where you'll use your voice often, words, expressing yourself, etc.

⊹₊⟡⋆ Industria conjunct Saturn can mean you'll have a very long career.

⊹₊⟡⋆ Industria in good aspect to Jupiter can be a sign of fame, at least big success in your career.

⊹₊⟡⋆ Pisces 6H can mean your career will be related to art and the creative field.

⊹₊⟡⋆ Gemini 6H can also be a sign of being a comedian, making people laugh, or using your voice and words to make some comedic effect.

⊹₊⟡⋆ Asteroid Carrera or Industria conjunct Venus/ Juno/ in 7H can mean working with your spouse.

⊹₊⟡⋆ Asteroid Carrera or Industria in 9H can be working with television, it can also be eventually being an icon or one of the pioneer of your industry. You'll be seen as a mentor.

⊹₊⟡⋆ Venus 6H/ 10H or Venus conjunct Industria/ Carrera means working as a model, or working and your beauty and charisma is part of your job.

⊹₊⟡⋆ I have noticed that a lot of celebrities that are adored online, mostly being icons or IT girls had Industria/ Carrera 11H.

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⊹₊⟡⋆ Capricorn 6H can mean having your own business, being a CEO. If Ruler is in 7H, it can be linked to fashion or make up industry. For example, Selena Gomez has Capricorn 6H and Saturn 7H, and she is the CEO of her make up brand, Rare Beauty.

⊹₊⟡⋆ Carrera/ Industria 9H often comes back with people who worked on sitcoms and tv shows.

⊹₊⟡⋆ Industria/ Carrera conjunct Uranus often indicates that you'll do different jobs at the same time. You can often have different opportunities which are all very different.

⊹₊⟡⋆ Carrera/ Industria in Leo often appears on amazing performers. Also appears with people who have intense charisma, or people who are often considered the ideal type of people.

⊹₊⟡⋆ Carrera/ Industria conjunct Moon can mean playing with your emotions, faking emotions can be part of your job. Many actors have that.

⊹₊⟡⋆ Industria/ Carrera or 6H in Taurus often can mean the person will work with beauty in general. This doesn't mean necessarily physical beauty but more beauty in words for example, such as writing poems, writing beautiful songs, or even just writing beautiful stories.

⊹₊⟡⋆ Union (1585) conjunct Carrera or Industria means your job can be part of your love story or how you get with your FS.

⊹₊⟡⋆ Industria or Carrera opposite Ascendant can mean your physical appearance will not be part of your career, you will not perhaps have to even show up to work. Perhaps you will work in a field where you can work from home. Your projects will be important, but you to be seen will be insignificant in this case.

⊹₊⟡⋆ Carrera or Industria 8H often appears with people who are talked about a lot. People who are stalked by many, or attention is constantly on them. Being popular this way can also be part of your job somehow. Meaning you can use this as a way to work with your career. Also can mean being under the spotlight pretty much all the time.

⊹₊⟡⋆ 4H Ruler conjunct MC can mean you can work with your family. It can also mean starting your career very young.

⊹₊⟡⋆ 9H Ruler conjunct MC can mean working with tv shows, or working in foreign lands.

⊹₊⟡⋆ 5H Ruler conjunct MC means you will do a very creative job. You can also have a lot of fun in your career. Moreover, this can mean working with or for a younger public.

⊹₊⟡⋆ Henry Cavill has Industria 8H in Scorpio, not surprising since he is considered as a s3x symbol and people are obsessed with him for that.

Thank you for reading!

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[sgtpeppers]

"A dark shadow on an otherwise beautiful record": PR, McCartney and The Beatles' Split.

“No, I wasn’t angry – shit, he’s a good P.R. man, that’s all. He’s about the best in the world, probably. He really does a job. I wasn’t angry. We were all hurt that he didn’t tell us that was what he was going to do.”

(John Lennon in Rolling Stone, 21 Jan 1971)

To cut to the chase, I want to explain why this statement from John, claiming Paul is a good PR man is wrong. Largely thanks to quotes like this from John, Paul gets painted as the Beatle with a good media strategy, the insinuation being of course, that he is disingenuous and inauthentic. I don’t believe this is true in general, but what I really want to focus on, and what John is referencing in that quote, is the publicity around Paul’s 1970 album McCartney, which got all tied up with the news of The Beatles split, and how actually, mistake after mistake was made, rather than it being what John claims - a purposeful move to get more publicity for his album. 

This isn’t a moral judgment on either John or Paul, or me saying Paul is stupid for not doing more. In fact, I think it playing out this way is far more interesting and we can gain a lot of insight about his mindset and relationships from his press activities around this time. 

I’m going to do this chronologically as much as possible, but before we dive in it will be helpful for us to keep a few basic PR strategies and tools in mind to help us understand what’s (or perhaps more importantly, what’s not) happening. So what are some things that make for good public relations? 

A clear, cohesive message. What's the story of the album? There should be key phrases that are repeated throughout press activities, and also allow an easy fall back when faced with questions that haven’t been prepared for. Broadly speaking, you want to highlight the good and ignore the bad, without lying or appearing to hide anything.

A good relationship with the press. Having even a couple of journalists on side can be a huge benefit, it makes for friendlier interviews and more forgiving assessments (which isn’t to say journalists are being fake or can be incentivised, but it’s just human nature that if you make friends, you’re going to have an easier time.) Furthermore, you want a reputation in the industry as someone that’s nice to interview, because journalists can and will talk, and if they’re going to come in with a preconception about you, you want it to be positive. 

Reactive messaging. If something comes out that you don’t want to be out, be prepared. Ideally potential problems have already been planned for. Know which journalists to reach out to, know what the story is, then be prepared to go quiet and leave things alone.

Pre-prepared Q&As or FAQs should answer more questions than they generate. They also shouldn’t require in depth answers - save that for conversations where there’s time for explanations. 

So, let’s start back in 1969. The Paul is dead rumours are in full force and Paul, Linda, Heather and Mary are living up in Scotland, trying to escape the goings-on back in London. 

On 24 October, Paul gives an interview to the BBC dispelling the rumours about his death, which goes out on 26-27 October in two parts. A few days later, Dorothy Bacon and Terrence Spencer from Life Magazine make the trip up to his farm to try and get another interview with him, for a piece they’re also doing about the rumours. 

Paul throws a bucket of dirty water at them, they get pictures, and then realising how this will look if published, Paul gives them an interview and promises to have Linda send them some family shots for the articles. In exchange they get rid of the photos they took earlier in the day.

So the first point here, that hopefully I don't need to spell out, is that you don’t wanna go throwing buckets of water at journalists. Thankfully, Paul did realise this and course corrected, but I can only imagine what the fall out would have been had he hadn’t gone after them. But what’s important for this story is that Paul is fed up with journalists and having to share his private life, he's emotional, and his instinct is to lash out.

The other thing that’s interesting here is a line that goes completely unnoticed. At this point, The Beatles split is not public knowledge. 

The Beatle thing is over. It has been exploded, partly by what we have done, and partly by other people. We are individuals, all different. John married Yoko, I married Linda. We didn’t marry the same girl.

(Paul McCartney in Life Magazine, November, 1969)

This is huge, and it doesn’t get picked up by anyone else. It’s not made a big deal of in the Life article, it’s perhaps the clearest statement we get about the state of The Beatles, and yet it flies under the radar. I’d love to know exactly what the deal is here, but there’s not much we can do about that, but what we should start keeping in mind in this: there is no plan in place around The Beatles split. There is just an agreement to not make it public yet. 

The McCartneys go back to London and Paul starts recording music with his new equipment at home. Later he books studio time when he decides he can make an album out of the songs he’s been working on. 

Some key dates: 

Paul finishes the album on 25 February.

The album is set to release on 17 April.

Ringo’s album get rushed to release two weeks early on 27 March and Let It Be is also supposed to be released in April.

On 31 March John and George send a letter, delivered by Ringo, asking Paul to delay the release of McCartney. Paul refuses and Let It Be gets moved instead. 

Which brings us to April. Prior this, Paul realised that if he’s going to be putting an album out he’s going to have to do some publicity, but the problem is… well, there’s a few; he’s never had to do publicity for a solo album and simply doesn’t have the knowledge, his relationship with Apple has completely deteriorated which includes the people who have been handling this stuff for him in the past, and lastly, he doesn’t want to be dealing with press. Refer back to him and the bucket. 

Thankfully, Peter Brown and Derek Taylor from Apple’s press office, tell him he does need to do something and to an extent, he listens. They select a handful of papers he’ll do interviews with, and Peter Brown puts together a Q&A for Paul to answer, which will go out to journalists in the press kit with their early copy of the album (x).

What I would love to do here is a question by question breakdown of that press kit Q&A but I’m conscious of how long this is already so I won’t… but before we get into that, here are a few more key events: 

7 April: The Eastmans issue a press release with news about Paul’s solo album and his acquisition of the film rights for Rupert The Bear. This is covered mostly by American press on 8 April who speculate that this could mean the end of The Beatles. (An important note here is the lack of communication between the Eastmans and Apple, not knowing what materials each other are providing is not helpful).

9 April: McCartney press kits are sent to journalists. 

9 April: Before Don Short at the Daily Mirror clocks off for the night, he is called by an Apple employee who tells him Paul has definitely quit. 

10 April: The Daily Mirror breaks the news with the headline ‘Paul Is Quitting The Beatles’. 

10 April: After doing interviews all day, Derek Taylor issues a statement regarding The Beatles. It doesn’t say much, which he acknowledges, because there’s not much he can say at this point. Another important note here, is that not even the head of publicity of Apple knew what was going on with The Beatles. There is no communication, and with no communication there can be no plan.

(Paul McCartney Project page that covers all this)

So what happened that made The Beatles split go from speculation to a certainty? It’s all to do with that Q&A. Of course, with the Eastman’s press release people were going to start connecting the dots, but that call Short got from his source isn’t presented as a rumour. 

Now, there’s a lot to say about this Q&A because Paul's answer are so unhelpful and you can feel his attitude. I think the fact this was allowed to go out is a fundamental piece of evidence of Paul’s relationship with Apple at the time. No one wanted to tell him no, and he certainly wasn’t going to give them more than the bare minimum. 

And lets be really clear here. This is a Q&A for his new album. Obviously the state of the Beatles was going to be brought up which is why Peter Brown included the questions, but the number of the questions on that topic and then Paul’s answers, make it really confusing and it’s no wonder this is what press picked up on, rather than just talking about Paul’s album. There are 41 questions in total, and 13 of them are asking him about his relationship to the other Beatles, Apple and Klein. That’s just over a third of the Q&A talking about things that he doesn’t want to be talking about. The fact he didn’t just tell Apple that he wasn’t going to answer some of the questions shows how little forethought went into this on his part. There was a much more concise way to do this, and I do not believe for a second Paul wanted further questions about the state of the Beatles when he’s trying to promote his first solo album. 

And remember what I said at the top, about how if you’re gonna be promoting something in the press you want clear messaging around it? That’s already going be difficult now this Q&A has tied so much of the Beatles split into their messaging, despite Paul actually having a pretty clear idea of what the album’s story is aside from that, but the answers Paul gives to those questions just add further confusion. 

Link to full Q&A.

Q: Were you influenced by John’s adventures with the Plastic Ono Band, and Ringo’s solo LP? A: Sort of, but not really. Q: Will they be so credited: McCartney? A: It’s a bit daft for them to be Lennon-McCartney-credited, so ‘McCartney’ it is. Q: Will the other Beatles receive the first copies? A: Wait and see. Q: Is it true that neither Allen Klein nor ABKCO have been nor will be in any way involved with the production, manufacturing, distribution or promotion of this new album? A: Not if I can help it. Q: Did you miss the other Beatles and George Martin? Was there a moment eg, when you thought ‘wish Ringo was here for this break?” A: No. Q: Are you planning a new album or single with the Beatles? A: No. Q: Is this album a rest away from the Beatles or the start of a solo career? A: Time will tell. Being a solo album means it’s the start of a solo career… and not being done with the Beatles means it’s a rest. So it’s both. Q: Is your break from the Beatles temporary or permanent, due to personal difference or musical ones? A: Personal differences, business differences, musical differences, but most of all because I have a better time with my family. Temporary or permanent? I don’t know. Q: Do you see a time when Lennon-McCartney becomes an active songwriting partnership again? A: No. Q: What is your relationship with Klein: A: It isn’t – I am not in contact with him, and he does not represent me in any way. Q: What is your relationship with apple? A: It is the office of a company which I part-own with the other three Beatles. I don’t go there because I don’t like the offices or business, especially when I’m on holiday.

So what can we get from this? It’s the start of a solo career for Paul, he doesn’t know if The Beatles break is permanent or temporary, he’s not in contact with Klein and Klein doesn’t represent him, he owns part of Apple but he doesn’t like going there, and he seems very certain that the Lennon-McCartney partnership is over, despite not being sure if The Beatles will play together again or not. 

It’s a mess. It raises further questions. The only reason I can think of for it being so long is Peter Brown trying to cover absolutely everything he could think a journalist would ask, but it’s given Paul far too much scope for muddled answers, and in some cases, factually incorrect ones. He is tied up with Klein whether he likes it or not, because Klein’s tied up with Apple and Paul still has a contract with them. 

It’s no wonder that this becomes the focus of the media narrative, and it makes Paul panic. 

So on 16 April, the day before McCartney was released, Paul sits down with journalist Ray Connolly. And we move from story making, into reactive messaging. There is some thought behind this - Connolly is friendly with The Beatles and had actually already been aware of the split thanks to an off the record chat with John, so he was a good choice. The interview was published in the Evening Standard, a few days after the album had come out. 

And here’s why you want a friendly journalist to talk to, because as the world rushed to say that Paul had broken up the band, Connolly led his article with this: 

Paul McCartney didn’t kill the Beatles. If the group is dead, McCartney might be seen as the last survivor. If he has quit, and he still hasn’t confirmed it, he was the last to go.

(Paul McCartney in the Evening Standard, 21-22 April 1970)

However, the interview is also extremely telling about where Paul’s at emotionally in this moment. 

A few days ago Paul McCartney decided to break his year-long silence and be interviewed. He wanted to clear up the confusion about his relations with the other Beatles and Allen Klein, and to kill the rumours that he was now ‘a hermit living in a cave somewhere with a ten-foot beard’. He wanted to show that he really was a happily married man with ‘a nice family and a good life’. But most of all he wanted to talk, to work things out in conversation, as much, I suspect, for his own benefit as anything.

This is not what you want to be doing with a journalist, you want to have this worked out before the conversation. 

We met for lunch in a Soho businessman’s restaurant. With hardly moments for the hellos, he’d launched into his theme, talking rapidly and intently, and only occasionally allowing Linda to come in as support and verification. He wanted to put it all straight, to show that no one was to blame for what had happened, and when after two and a half hours’ non-stop talking he had cleared up his mind and mine too, he laughed, said he felt better now, got into his car and went home.

This demonstrates the lack of media training he had. It’s a stark difference to the confidence he had doing press with the other Beatles, on his own and with a particular idea to get across he appears nervous and controlling. Long form interviews like this are a marathon, not a sprint, and had he had an advisor or representative that was willing to push back against him, he would have known how to handle this better.

Moreover, an interview of this sort should have been done and published prior to the album coming out, or at least on the day of. Yes, there were always going to be questions about The Beatles tied up with this release, but one long interview like this, that had been properly prepared for, could have gone a long way to keeping the story straight. He also, despite his steamroller-ing of the conversation to begin with, comes across much more balanced about the situation than he does in those Q&A answers, so leading with something like this would have put him on much better footing.

So let's just pause here. What have we got so far? We've got Paul wanting to do as little press as possible, and with a breakdown of communication with his press team resulting in minimal planning and advice. This goes completely against the picture John is trying to paint.

And I’m not done yet. Because now we need to talk about the response to the album which wasn’t what I imagine Paul had wanted. There are two reviews I’m going to focus on here, firstly from Disc & Music Echo, written by Penny Valentine. 

I don’t know what he was thinking when he planned this album. Perhaps he is laughing at us all. That’s fine, but it’s a pretty cruel way of doing it… almost a betrayal of all the things we’ve come to expect.

(Disc & Music Echo review, 18 April 1970)

It’s really harsh, but also this is within her right as a journalist. And what should someone do if they’re getting bad reviews? Ignore them. Thank the fans. Thank the people who say nice things. Don’t highlight negative attention, and certainly don’t lash out. 

And look, there’s a lot to be said about Paul, Linda, John and Yoko’s press communications over the 70s, the Melody Maker letters spring to mind, and I’m very aware that I’m looking at this from 2025 when PR is much bigger and better oiled machine, almost to the point of it being quite boring and predictable. I do, however, also think that ‘don’t lash out at journalists who don’t like your work’ is common sense. 

So Paul and Linda writing to Disc & Music Echo is a bit much to my eyes: 

Dear Penny hold your hand out you silly girl I am not being cruel or laughing at you. I am merely enjoying myself. You are wrong about the McCartney album. It is an attempt at something slightly different, it is simple, it is good and even at this moment it is growing on you, love. – Paul and Linda McCartney.

(Paul and Linda's telegram to Disc & Music Echo, 25 April 1970)

It’s condescending, and if you want to plant the seeds of what your album is meant to be, there are much better places and ways to do it. Again this is reactive, showing little to no planning earlier in the year. 

But here’s the thing that actually, completely baffles me. On the same day, in the same paper, another article gets published, this time by Derek Taylor, with the by line reading ‘Derek Taylor, Beatles Press Officer’. This just shouldn't happen. I can’t think of another case where someone’s PR is coming to their rescue in print. That’s not their job, and yes, Taylor used to be a journalist but he’s not anymore. I think this is way more to do with the way the people that have been with the Beatles since the early days are so emotionally wrapped up in this, they weren’t the people that should have been handling this.

(x)

It also shows though, that however much Paul was distancing himself from Apple, there were people still there who loved him. It’s an emotional, beautifully written piece calling for people to leave Paul alone, but also not a good PR move, especially when he’s highlighting a specific journalist. Whether Paul asked Derek to do this, or Derek did it of his own accord, I don’t know, but it looks defensive and if I was a journalist, I’d be rolling my eyes. 

Which brings us to the final part of this, the Rolling Stone review, published on 14 May 1970, nearly a month after the album came out, and largely not about the album at all, but a lot of  focus on Paul’s handling of the situation. 

The review of the actual songs is pretty complimentary, but this is also a personal attack on Paul. 

(Full review)

Unfortunately, there is more to this album than just music. Accompanying the release of McCartney was a mass of external information — all of it coming directly from Paul himself — which casts real doubt on the beautiful picture which the songs create. 

The sheets contain even more assertions about how happy and peaceful Paul and Linda are these days, and some interview statement from Paul concerning his relationship to the Beatles — statements which drip a kind of unsavory vindictiveness.

My problem is that all of the publicity surrounding the record makes it difficult for me to believe that McCartney is what it appears to be. In the special package of information which Paul wanted to include with the album we find startlingly harsh statements.

The lasting effect of this publicity campaign is to cast a dark shadow on an otherwise beautiful record. Listening to it now I cannot help but ask if Paul is really as together as the music indicates, how could he have sunk to such bizarre tactics?

I don't think this needs much commentary. You know something’s gone wrong with your PR when that becomes the focus, rather than the thing you’re actually trying to promote. 

If we return to the four things I listed above, I think we can pretty resolutely lay out what I wanted to do. 

Was there a clear, cohesive message? Around the album itself, sort of, Paul knew what it was. But it got tied up with the news of The Beatles split, the messaging around which was confusing with no one sticking to the same story. He also didn't do enough before the album came out, to get that messaging about his album stuck in people's heads. So overall, no. 

Did he build good relationships with press? No. He threw a bucket at one. He provided confusing press kit material, even to journalists he was friendly with he came across in a manner that was worth noting in an article, he sent a bitchy telegram to a journalist who wrote a bad review, and this all culminated in Rolling Stone spending more time talking about his publicity than his album.  

Did Paul have reactive messaging prepared? Evidently not, and then given the chance to provide some, he came across as panicked to the journalist he was speaking to. 

Did his Q&A provide clear, simple answers to common questions he was likely to get asked? No, it was overly long, asking the same questions in multiple ways and no editing was done to his short, snappy, confusing, and incorrect answers. 

I don’t want to give the idea that Paul, overall, is just shit at PR. (I mean, there's a difference between being a good spokesperson and good at PR but I won't get into that). He’s a highly successful musician who by all accounts, is now extremely good at interviews and making journalists feel at ease. He’s Paul fucking McCartney. But John saying this, in direct reference to this period of press activities is just not true. The album did well for Paul in the charts and sales, yes, but I’d argue that’s despite all this, rather than because of it. 

And it’s also important to reiterate, that Paul simply wasn’t interested in doing a lot of publicity. He wasn’t even sure this was going to be an album when he started writing the songs. He didn’t want people coming to his farm, invading his new family life (and rightly so), he didn’t want to be on TV or the radio every day. That’s why his Q&A is so terse and why he hadn’t put any thought in how he was going to talk about The Beatles. And whilst how he felt is understandable, what he needed were a team around him willing to push back, steer him, and were separate from Apple. That’s the only way, I think, this could have gone differently.

Even then, he probably wouldn’t have listened to them anyway: 

I don’t think I need a manager in the old sense that Brian Epstein was our manager. All I want are paid advisers, who will do what I want them to do. And that’s what I’ve got.

(Paul McCartney in the Evening Standard, 21-22 April 1970)

And that’s really the crux of it all, because you can’t do good with PR with someone who doesn’t want to take advice and thinks they know best. And I love him for it. 

[wonyowonyo]

Between Us (A. Yujin x M! Reader)

This one is actually a request that is long overdue, this was suppose to be posted earlier but I messed up and accidentally deleted the Ask of the anon requester. So if you're reading this anon I'm really sorry TOT. Anyways let's get started! Hope you enjoy this one.

Life as an idol was a whirlwind of practice, performances, and public appearances. As a member of the popular boy group Zenith, you have experienced it all—the adoration of fans, the pressure of maintaining a perfect image, and the relentless demands of the industry. Despite the chaos, you loved every moment, especially because it had brought you closer to someone special: Yujin from the girl group IVE.

You and Yujin had first met at a music show where both your groups were performing. During the chaos of backstage preparations, you had accidentally bumped into her, almost knocking over her makeup kit. Apologizing profusely, you had helped her gather her things. Yujin had laughed it off, her warm smile instantly putting you at ease.

"It's okay, really," she had said. "These things happen."

From that moment, a friendship had blossomed. Despite your busy schedules, you found time to support each other, often running into each other at award shows, music festivals, and variety programs. You admired Yujin's dedication and talent, and she appreciated your kindness and sincerity. Slowly but surely, your feelings for her grew, and you couldn't help but wonder if she felt the same.

One evening, after a particularly grueling day of rehearsals, you received a message from Yujin.

Yujin: Hey, do you have a moment to talk?

You smiled at your phone, glad to hear from her.

You: Of course. What's up?

Within minutes, Yujin called you. Her voice, though usually full of energy, sounded tired and strained.

"Hey, are you okay?" you asked, concern evident in your tone.

"I'm fine, just exhausted," she admitted. "Sometimes it feels like there's no end to all the work, you know?"

You understood all too well. "I know exactly what you mean. But remember, you're not alone. We all go through it."

"Thanks," she said softly. "It's good to hear that. By the way, are you free this weekend? I was thinking it might be nice to take a break and hang out, just the two of us."

Your heart skipped a beat. "That sounds great. I'd love to."

————————————————————

On Saturday, you met Yujin at a cozy café tucked away from the bustling city. It was a place where you both could relax without the fear of being recognized by fans. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, with soft music playing in the background.

Yujin was already seated when you arrived, her face lighting up as she saw you. You joined her at the table, and for the first time in a long while, you both let go of the pressures of being idols.

"I ordered your favorite coffee," Yujin said with a smile.

"Thanks, you always remember," you replied, touched by the gesture.

As you chatted about everything from music to hobbies, you noticed how comfortable you felt around her. Yujin had a way of making everything seem lighter, her laughter infectious and her presence soothing. You cherished these moments, knowing how rare and precious they were.

"Have you ever thought about what you'd do if you weren't an idol?" Yujin asked suddenly.

The question caught you off guard. "I guess I haven't really thought about it. This life is all I've known for years. But maybe I'd do something related to music, like producing or songwriting. What about you?"

Yujin pondered for a moment. "I've always wanted to travel, see the world beyond the stages and studios. Maybe I'd become a travel blogger or a photographer."

"That sounds amazing," you said, imagining her exploring exotic locations and capturing beautiful moments.

There was a brief silence before Yujin spoke again, her tone more serious. "Do you ever wonder about what it would be like to date someone in the same industry?"

Your heart raced at the unexpected question. "Sometimes," you admitted, trying to gauge her expression. "It would be difficult, with all the secrecy and the scrutiny from the public. But it could also be really special, having someone who understands what you're going through."

Yujin nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, I've thought about it too. It would be nice to have someone who truly gets it."

You looked into her eyes, searching for any hint of what she might be feeling. "Yujin, is there something you want to tell me?"

She hesitated, her eyes flickering with uncertainty before she finally spoke. "I… I've been thinking about us. We've become really close, and I can't deny that I have feelings for you. But I'm scared, scared of what it could mean for our careers and our friendship."

Your heart swelled with emotion as you reached out to take her hand. "Yujin, I've felt the same way for a long time. I care about you deeply, and I've been afraid too. But I believe that if we both want this, we can make it work. We'll face whatever challenges come our way, together."

Tears glistened in Yujin's eyes as she squeezed your hand. "I want to be with you, more than anything."

With those words, the weight of uncertainty lifted, replaced by a sense of hope and determination. You both knew that the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but you were ready to face it together.

————————————————————

In the weeks that followed, you and Yujin navigated the delicate balance of your secret relationship. You cherished stolen moments, meeting in private places where you could be yourselves without the prying eyes of the public. It was exhilarating and terrifying at the same time, but the love you felt for each other made it all worthwhile.

During a particularly busy month of promotions, you found solace in each other's company. Despite the grueling schedules and the constant pressure, knowing that you had Yujin by your side made everything more bearable.

One evening, after a successful performance at a music show, you managed to steal a few moments alone with Yujin in a quiet corner of the backstage area. Her smile was radiant, and you couldn't resist pulling her into a hug.

"You were amazing out there," you whispered, holding her close.

"So were you," she replied, her voice filled with pride. "I'm so proud of you."

As you held her, the world outside seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of you in your own little bubble of happiness. It was in these moments that you realized how much you cherished your relationship, how much you needed her.

"I wish we could always be like this," Yujin murmured against your chest.

"We will be," you promised, kissing the top of her head. "No matter what happens, we'll find a way to be together."

However, the reality of being idols soon caught up with you. Rumors began to swirl, fueled by fans who noticed the subtle interactions between you and Yujin. The pressure to keep your relationship a secret intensified, and you both knew that it was only a matter of time before the truth came out.

One day, as you were preparing for a concert, your manager approached you with a serious expression.

"We need to talk," he said, leading you to a private room. "There are rumors about you and Yujin. They've started to gain traction, and the company is concerned."

Your heart sank at the news. "What are we going to do?"

The manager sighed. "For now, we need to deny everything. Focus on your work, and avoid any situations that could fuel the rumors. We can't afford a scandal right now."

You nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. But as you walked back to the dressing room, you couldn't shake the feeling of dread. The thought of losing Yujin, of being forced apart by the industry, was unbearable.

That evening, you met Yujin in a secluded park, far from prying eyes. She looked worried, her usual brightness dimmed by the weight of the situation.

"I heard about the rumors," she said quietly. "What are we going to do?"

"We'll deny everything," you replied, taking her hands in yours. "But Yujin, I don't want to lose you. We'll find a way to make this work, no matter what."

She nodded, tears brimming in her eyes. "I don't want to lose you either. We'll be careful, but we have to stay strong."

In the days that followed, you and Yujin maintained a facade of normalcy, focusing on your work and avoiding any interactions that could draw suspicion. It was a difficult and painful period, but you held onto the hope that you would get through it together.

As the months passed, the rumors slowly died down, replaced by new scandals and gossip. The industry moved on, and you and Yujin breathed a sigh of relief. But the experience had left its mark, making you both more cautious and aware of the challenges you faced.

Despite the hardships, your love for each other only grew stronger. You found solace in the moments you could steal away together, in the quiet conversations and the shared dreams of a future where you could be open about your relationship.

————————————————————

One evening, after a particularly grueling day of rehearsals, you and Yujin met at your favorite spot in the city—a secluded rooftop garden that overlooked the twinkling lights below. It was a place where you could be yourselves, away from the pressures of the idol world.

As you sat together, the cool night air wrapping around you, Yujin rested her head on your shoulder.

"Do you ever wonder what it would be like if we could be open about us?" she asked softly.

"All the time," you admitted, running your fingers through her hair. "But I believe that one day, we will be. We'll find a way to make it happen."

Yujin looked up at you, her eyes filled with hope and determination. "I believe that too. We'll make our own path, no matter what the industry says”

You smiled, feeling a surge of determination. "Exactly. We just need to be patient and stay strong. We have each other, and that's what matters."

As the night wore on, you both talked about your dreams and aspirations, about the future you hoped to build together. The conversation flowed easily, and the connection between you deepened. You felt a sense of peace and happiness that you hadn't experienced in a long time.

In the weeks that followed, you and Yujin continued to navigate the challenges of your secret relationship. You became experts at hiding your affection in public, communicating through subtle gestures and stolen glances. Despite the difficulties, the bond between you grew stronger, and you found comfort in knowing that you had each other's support.

One day, while you were at a photoshoot, you received a message from Yujin.

Yujin: Can we meet tonight? There's something I want to talk about.

You: Of course. Same place?

Yujin: Yes. See you at 8.

As the day went on, you couldn't shake the feeling of anticipation. You wondered what Yujin wanted to discuss, hoping it was something positive. When the photoshoot finally ended, you quickly made your way to the rooftop garden, arriving a few minutes early.

Yujin was already there, leaning against the railing and gazing out at the city lights. She turned as she heard your footsteps, a smile spreading across her face.

"Hey," she greeted you warmly.

"Hey," you replied, walking over to her. "You wanted to talk?"

She nodded, her expression turning serious. "I've been thinking a lot about our situation. I love you, and I don't want to hide it anymore. I know it's risky, but I believe that we can handle whatever comes our way."

Your heart raced as you took in her words. "Are you sure? The backlash could be intense, and I don't want you to suffer because of me."

Yujin reached out and took your hands in hers. "I'm sure. We've been careful for so long, and I think our fans deserve to know the truth. Besides, I don't want to keep living in fear. I want to be able to hold your hand in public, to support each other openly."

You felt a swell of emotions, a mixture of love, fear, and hope. "I want that too. If you're ready, then so am I. We'll face this together."

She smiled, a look of determination in her eyes. "Together."

————————————————————

In the days that followed, you and Yujin prepared to go public with your relationship. You discussed the best way to approach the situation, deciding to make a joint statement through your respective companies. You knew that the announcement would come as a shock to many, but you hoped that your fans would support you.

The day of the announcement arrived, and you found yourself filled with a mixture of nerves and excitement. As you watched the statement go live, you held Yujin's hand tightly, drawing strength from her presence.

"We're in this together," she whispered, giving your hand a reassuring squeeze.

The response was immediate. The news spread like wildfire, and social media was flooded with reactions from fans and the media. While there were some negative comments, the overwhelming majority were supportive, expressing happiness for both of you.

As the days passed, you were relieved to see that the backlash was not as severe as you had feared. Your fans rallied around you, showing their love and support in countless ways. The industry, too, began to adapt, recognizing that love and relationships were a natural part of life, even for idols.

With the truth out in the open, you and Yujin finally felt a sense of freedom. You no longer had to hide your affection, and you could openly support each other in your careers. Your relationship flourished, and you both grew stronger, both as individuals and as a couple.

One evening, as you sat together in your favorite spot, you looked out at the city lights and reflected on your journey. You had faced countless challenges, but you had done so together, and that made all the difference.

"I'm so proud of us," Yujin said softly, resting her head on your shoulder.

"Me too," you replied, wrapping your arm around her. "We've come a long way."

She looked up at you, her eyes shining with love. "And we'll go even further. No matter what, we'll always have each other."

You smiled, feeling a deep sense of contentment. "Always."

As you held Yujin close, you knew that your love would continue to grow, transcending the obstacles that came your way. Together, you were unstoppable, and the future was yours to shape.

[seraphicloves]

𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒂 𝒃𝒊𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆

❀ summary: Hyunjin never expected falling in love to be so…peaceful. Like a feather blown in the breeze, slowly and gently settling to the ground. He expected it to be harsh, dramatic, and loud. He expected one day for a brick to plummet in his heart with a You're in love! written in big bold letters.

❀ warnings: long ass story, physical descriptors being used but no name, they could be ooc i am not a skz expert, mentions of other kpop bands & people i have no clue about, almost 5k words 💀

❀ notes: i took multiple months to write this and i might have to separate it into multiple parts bc it is annoyingly long. I dunno if its super good but I wrote it for my bestie who loves hyunjin 😁

Hyunjin never expected falling in love to be so…peaceful. Like a feather blown in the breeze, slowly and gently settling to the ground. He expected it to be harsh, dramatic, and loud. He expected one day for a brick to plummet in his heart with a You're in love! written in big bold letters.

But watching her, with her fluffy purple hair and glittering dark eyes, he couldn't help but picture falling in love like cozying up against a fireplace after a long day playing in the snow. Falling in love with her felt easy. It felt like something he'd known all his life without fully realizing.

It was unfortunate that they seemed to be in entirely different realms. She was an American streamer with funny jokes and a big smile. He was a Korean idol who could barely utter a word lest the public eye shun him. Sure, it had gotten better since JYP had passed his entertainment industry to his much more progressive daughter, but still.

His fingers idly curl around his pencil, light strokes against the thick pad of his sketchbook as he watches her most current stream. She was with her friends, having a simple talk with her fans. It reminded him of the lives he did for his own fans, although he was sure her videos were not as filtered.

“Oh my favorite music? I have really liked K-pop since I was in middle school.” she says, her lips curving into that grin that never failed to send butterflies to his stomach. Of course, this led comments to flood all of them asking about her favorites.

“My favorite when I was in high school was Stray Kids,” She explained, making Hyunjin’s heart lurch in his chest. He set his drawing supplies down, fully turning to look at her as if studying the pixels of the screen might help him understand the real her better.

He caught a glance at the comments, asking who her bias was (something he has shamefully been tempted to do) and sat silently hoping she'd answer the question.

The heavens must have been looking out for him because she said, her voice like a melody made by Apollo, “My bias is Hyunjin though I love them all.”

Was he dreaming? Should he get Felix to pinch him? He shook off his thoughts, trying to clear his mind to make sure he heard you right. You kept talking about how you liked Stray Kids as a teenager, how they helped you through difficult times. Hyunjin struggled to understand the way his heart beat in his chest, the swell of pride in his stomach.

He took a glance at his unfinished sketch, yet another futile attempt at capturing the beauty of you. He could never feel like he got it quite right. He needed it to be perfect. One crafted by the gods must be worshiped, not tolerated.

Hyunjin continued to watch your stream until it ended, although his mind was still focused on that moment. It repeated in his head like a broken record, one that he was grateful had broken. If he was to be stuck in one moment eternally, he would choose that one easily.

As though he had been summoned, Felix bounced into Hyunjin's room. He wore a big smile, ready to poke and prod Hyunjin as if they were blood related brothers. However, the older boy was on a mission, and it could not be interrupted.

“Have you heard of this streamer..?” Hyunjin asked, her name slipping past his lips easily. Felix, as chronically online as he is, nodded that he had. Settling the nerves in his stomach, Hyunjin knew he ought to explain.

And so he did. Multiple times, actually, because Felix decided to involve the entirety of the band. Hyunjin couldn't even be that upset. They were a close-knit family. And he knew they would help him.

….

He was fairly certain that everybody around him was fully and clinically insane but he couldn't bring himself to care in the slightest bit. Somehow, he had managed to get an entire event hosted by JYP, which invited all sorts of streamers….namely her.

Although Hyunjin couldn't guarantee she would show up, he was certainly hoping against all odds. So was the rest of the Stray Kids.

“Hyunjin’s got a crush~” Bangchan teased, wrapping his arm around Hyunjin's neck and bringing him closer so he could ruffle his hair. Hyunjin laughed while he tried to wriggle out of the older boy's hold.

Finally, he got out of his hold, just as Hwa-Young entered. She was dressed as formally as ever, a crisp suit and perfectly styled hair.

“Please treat all our guests with respect and understand that the reason they are here is to advertise JYP Entertainment and the music festival at the end of the weekend.” She explained, letting her eyes travel across the people here. All bands under her company had been gathered to discuss this, making for quite the large display.

Hyunjin listened carefully, knowing that part of the reason was so she would come to South Korea. All expenses paid trip in exchange for her to advertise and spread publicity for JYP. He hoped she would spend time with Stray Kids the most.

After she had finished discussing basic ground rules for having a bunch of American social media influencers all around for two entire weeks, she gave a smile and said they would be arriving later that afternoon. It would be a lot, but it would be good for getting international fans for some of the lesser known bands.

All Hyunjin could do was pour all his emotions into the dance rehearsal while he waited to meet her for the first time. Each step helped make him stop overthinking, terribly anxious thoughts plaguing his head.

He just kept moving, making his blood flow through his body. He focused on each step of the dance until it was etched into his bones. Eventually, he had to succumb to the natural progression of exhaustion all humans must deal with. It was conveniently timed because the influencers were starting to arrive.

He wiped off some of his sweat with his shirt and took a swig of his water. Then he walked with the rest of the band with the hopes he didn't look gross.

…..

His eyes immediately darted to her as the crowd emerged, her arm wrapped around her friends’. She was even more breathtaking in person, the red of her shirt complimenting her skin. She wore black cargo pants with a metal chain wrapped around her belt loops, with red combat boots, and a red off the shoulder, slightly oversized top. Hyunjin tried to suppress his smile, happy that she was even fashionable just like him.

Bangchan hurried over to them before he had a chance, after he was the leader and the most sociable of the group. Without thinking much of it, Hyunjin followed closely behind with the rest of the Stray Kids.

“Hi!” Bangchan said, greeting both women with a hug. They accepted it with warmth, both being enveloped by Chan. Hyunjin watched from his spot, trying to stop him from running away screaming. She was rather intimidating!

I really need to go say hi. I don't want to seem unfriendly. He frowned a bit, trying to get his feet to move. With a small burst of relief, he felt himself move closer.

He was standing in front of her, in all her gorgeous glory. She was shorter than him, her head tilting up so she could see his face. Hyunjin wanted to paint her and capture her beauty forever. He wanted to study every feature and examine every inch of her. He wanted to worship her.

Hyunjin’s face flushed when she waved at him, suddenly making him realize where his train of thoughts had been going. He couldn't possibly expect to memorize her body if she didn't even know what he's like beyond a stage presence. (He wondered if they had ever met before, if she had gone to a concert long ago.)

“Hi.” He finally said, pushing the words off of his tongue and into the world. It sounded awkward and shy, like he sometimes felt when placed in front of a camera. Hyunjin wished he could be the painter instead of the muse sometimes.

She smiled brightly, her cheeks curving to allow such a beautiful expression. He was sure he had died and gone to heaven. Why else would an angel look at him so beautifully? He tried to ignore the blood rushing in his ears and hoped that it wasn't obvious he was warming up feverishly. (Would she mind if he kissed her? Just a small one, just to get a taste.)

“It's nice to meet you, Hyunjin.” She said, still looking up at him, “I've been a big fan for years.”

Maybe this was all a very big dream. Maybe the Sandman had decided to give Hyunjin something to enjoy, and he gave him…her. If this was a dream, Hyunjin didn't want to wake up. If the only way he could be in the presence of this woman was through his fantasies, so be it.

Oh, I still have to reply.

Bangchan glanced at Hyunjin expectantly, probably wondering why he was forgetting to speak. His brain was so full of thoughts that he couldn't help the way he got sidetracked.

“Well I am a big fan of you too.” He said with a smile, “I like your streams.” Was that too honest? Would she feel uncomfortable by his confession? He'll repent if she needs him to wash his hands with holy water and pray his awkwardness goes away.

She looked a bit shocked, her warm brown eyes widening ever so slightly. But then she warmed up again, like chocolate melting on his tongue. She was comforting without even realizing it.

“Who would've thought we'd be fans of each other?” she said with a shrug and a laugh before eventually moving on to greet the rest of the people. He wished he could make her stay, say something so stunning she can't help but feel transfixed by him.

Instead, he watched her walk away, trying to ignore the way his heart deflated. It made sense that she needed to walk away and do what she needed to do. It was understandable.

…..

The first day of advertisement was pretty boring. Hyunjin doesn't like to complain much, but he barely got the chance to hang out with her, and he was stuck going over plans. There were a lot of conference meetings, with stale cookies and uncomfortable seating. (He wondered if that was what it's like to work an office job - he's suddenly glad to be an idol.)

“Can we go home soon?” Han whined, already flopping on top of a displeased I.N. Hyunjin couldn't help but understand Han's frustration. They had been holed up for hours doing nothing.

Hwa-Young nodded in sympathy and said, “One more thing to discuss, then you can return to your dorms.”

Hyunjin perked up a bit at this, happy that today was almost over. He had been hoping to spend more time with his love, but she had been placed with the also influencers on the other side of the conference room. His eyes flickered to her as if he were a moth drawn to a flame.

She was listening intently to Hwa-Young, her arms crossed across her chest. She looked more relaxed, maybe even a bit sleepy, based on the way her eyes started to flutter shut. She was so pretty, and Hyunjin would be happy to die if it meant he could look at her forever.

“We have hotels for everybody. Listen carefully to your name so you can retrieve your housing information.” Hwa-Young explained before she started to talk about everybody. Soon, all the streamers left, all of them except for her and her friend.

Hwa-Young blinked in surprise, reading over her list once more before she flushed. Hyunjin watched with a bit of confusion, wondering what happened.

“I am terribly sorry, miss.” Hwa-Young said, hurrying over to whisper in the woman's ear. They talked quietly before Hwa-Young turned to face the bands.

“Will anybody volunteer to house these lovely ladies?” Hwa-Young announced, making Hyunjin’s heart fail. Maybe he was going into cardiac arrest because what the fuck?

Before Hyunjin could even begin to process Changbin stood up, with Bangchan giving an encouraging smile. Oh no, oh no no no.

“Hyunjin can take them in, as long as they are comfortable with it.” Changbin said, giving a charming smile to the foreigners. He was annoyingly friendly, like a gym bro teddy bear or something.

It didn't take long to convince her and her friend, Changbin was very good at charming people. She smiled and said, “Oh if he offers I would enjoy that very much. But I don't want to intrude.”

Hyunjin forced himself to speak, opening his mouth and saying, “It's not intruding. You can stay with me and Changbin.”

He didn't want to do this. He needed to escape her even for a moment. What if his heart gives out from racing so much? Hyunjin did not want her to stay with him, to leave him without any way to stay calm. But he would be kind (mostly because Changbin forced his hand.)

“Thank you, that's very nice.” Her friend also added, still standing beside her. Hyunjin noticed his love’s friend seemed to be rather awkward, looking anywhere but at the group of people before them. He supposed he could understand, but he hoped Changbin might get along with her. Hyunjin would be housing his favorite person in the whole wide world.

Maybe that's a bit aggressive to say though, she may bias Hyunjin but that doesn't mean she likes him all that much. So Hyunjin kept his thoughts locked up tight, not wanting a single one to slip through the cracks.

“Well, now that it's all settled we can head home.” Hwa-Young said with a smile and a clap of her hands. She stood up along with the other idols, all heading to their various dorms.

“Well, I guess we'll be off.” Bangchan said with a sly grin, having the other members follow behind him like ducklings following their mother. It was just Hyunjin and her, well and her friend and Changbin. But they were basically alone!

“Do you want to head to the dorm now?” Hyunjin finally asked, hoping his expression was calm and collected. Basically, it's the opposite of how he was feeling.

She nodded and allowed Changbin to lead the way with her friend following close behind. She walked side by side with Hyunjin, her hand brushing against his.

Surely he would explode, his heart would inhale until it was bursting with excitement. Hyunjin was totally going to die over this weekend. But maybe it wouldn't be that bad.

…..

He did not get a single wink of sleep that night. All he could think about was the fact she was sleeping outside his room, on the couch. She was so close to him, how could he possibly be expected to sleep?

Hyunjin got dressed the next morning, not being sure what to expect. What sort of videos might they film today? Who would he be filming them with?

With a yawn, he exited his room and noticed that she was not there. She must have gone already.

Changbin was waking up around the same time, stretching his muscular arms. His black hair was a bit messy and curled, since it was without the products he puts his hair in.

“Are we heading to the studio today?” Hyunjin asked the older man, tilting his head slightly. Maybe they would be showing the influencers new dances or something. Or maybe they would be writing songs and collaborating. There were many things they might do.

“Yeah, and we're late so c'mon.” Changbin said, walking towards the door and wrapping his arm around Hyunjin's neck. He dragged the younger boy with him, despite Hyunjin's attempts at getting free.

Hyunjin groaned, but allowed Changbin to ruffle his hair and do all the things he usually does. He is like a strange older brother, with the way he likes to tease and is awfully goofy. But Hyunjin likes it.

They walked quickly to the studio, remembering that the boys often left clothes there. So they would be able to change once they were there.

Once they arrived, Hyunjin felt incredibly underdressed compared to her. She was wearing a lavender chunky sweater with a black mini skirt and black tights. She was so elegant and pretty, he couldn't help but feel awkward still dressed in his lounge wear.

She smiled upon seeing Hyunjin, making his heart swell with a strange sort of fuzzy feeling he was unused to. Sure, he always felt warm and safe with the other members of Stray Kids. But this was a sort of feeling that made him want to wrap it around himself like a blanket. It was so lovely.

“What are we doing today?” He asked, momentarily forgetting he should probably apologize for being late or maybe he should get ready instead of staring at her with a look of amazement. He was certain his eyes had glazed over and he had his lips parted, staring as if she had just descended from heaven.

“Oh we are going to be doing some Tik Tok dances together then later we are going to do a kitchen stream,” She explained, her voice confident and self assured. Hyunjin wasn't completely inept when it comes to social media but this still wasn't his speciality. She was in her realm and bringing him in, despite his confusion.

“Oh,” He nodded, only half understanding what she meant. But he didn't want to look dumb in front of her- he wanted her to be impressed. A stream about kitchens? How strange, but if it worked for her Hyunjin would do it without complaint.

“While you get changed, I'll set up the camera.” She said with her lips curved up with a delightful grin. How was he expected to function when she looked at him like that? Like she saw him as more than an idol. Perhaps he was as deluded as his fans, but he wondered if there was a chance she liked him as he liked her.

Hyunjin nodded and moved away, wanting to get dressed as quickly as possible so he could spend time with her. She was calmer in real life, or maybe that's because she needs to be professional. (He wants to uncover each facet of her personality, to peel away the layers until he is greeted with her, the whole and true of her soul.)

…..

“I regret doing dances with professional dancers,” She grumbled, taking a swig of water. Hyunjin watched her from behind, trying his best to not let his eyes stay on her for too long.

“You're doing great,” he said, with an attempt at an encouraging smile. She definitely wasn't a dancer like he was, but she was trying her best. And he was sure fans would find her attempts at doing the Beabadoobee dance to be amusing.

“Well, it's okay since we are going to do the cooking video now.” She explained, turning to look at Hyunjin. Her brown eyes were shimmering delightfully, reminding him of dark glittering jewels. He could stare at her for hours and never get bored, memorizing every line of her face would be the best of tasks.

“What are we going to make?” Hyunjin asked, following her to the kitchen. The other members of Stray Kids were working with other streamers and influencers, doing a variety of activities from singing to doing the hear me out trend.

“Empanadas.” She hummed in reply, pulling Hyunjin’s thoughts back to her. He was like a moth to a flame, helplessly attracted to her. He was weak against her attacks, her ability to reel him in constantly impressive.

She pulled out ingredients while Hyunjin turned on the camera, flickering it onto a stream. A steady flow of viewers came in, making the count get higher and higher. He wished his English was better so he could better read the constant stream of comments in the corner of the screen.

“Hi everybody! Welcome or welcome back depending on if you're new here.” she said, glancing at Hyunjin, “Today's stream is extra special because I have a guest with me! Hwang Hyunjin from the band Stray Kids!”

The chat spammed with excitement, using a lot of smiling emojis and capital letters. He smiled at the camera, trying not to get suddenly shy. He was used to being in the public eye- just not used to it with his crush right next to him.

They got started, with her giving Hyunjin instructions and working carefully on the empanadas. He did as he was told, trying to focus on making food while also appearing entertaining. (How did she do this on a daily basis? At least Hyunjin has his other members to lean on whenever he gets tired. She works alone and works constantly.)

“Guys, stop.” She scolded suddenly, causing him to turn around so he can read what's happening in the chat. He read a few of the comments, a flush rising in his cheeks. Were.they teasing her for having a crush on him? He was so bewildered he didn't realize he had been staring blankly at the screen until she made a noise.

She said to Hyunjin, “Okay, I will admit I had a crush on you back when I was in highschool. Hopefully that will appease chat enough for them to stop bothering us.”

She sent a playfully stern look at the camera, unaware of the way Hyunjin felt like he was going to explode. She had a crush on him when she was in highschool. Which meant she used to have feelings for him. Holy shit.

The rest of the day went by extraordinarily quickly, but perhaps that's just how it felt since he was still distracted by the revelation. Did she still have feelings for him? How deep of a crush did she have back then? Had she talked about it before and how had he not noticed if she had? He watched her videos almost religiously, he couldn't possibly have missed a video of her talking about him. He would have remembered surely!

He couldn't get to sleep for the second night in a row. He was busy thinking about what he learned, how she used to have a crush on him. Maybe he was just overthinking, maybe it didn't matter that she had a crush on him in highschool.

But he couldn't let it go no matter how hard he tried. There was a strange feeling in the smallest part of his heart that told him she still felt the same.

…..

“Hyunjin,” Han said suddenly, snapping his fingers to get his friend's attention. Hyunjin turned around, flustered that he was very likely caught staring at her. It didn't help that she was working with TWICE so close by. He could probably feel the warmth of her skin, smell her perfume. Hyunjin was trying his very best to not get distracted.

“What do you need?” Hyunjin asked, stretching his arms. They were doing some sort of challenge where they needed to run and sing at the same time. It sounded complicated but it could be helpful for when they would go on for a concert.

“You should tell her how you feel.” Han replied, looking up with a rather serious look. He had his arms crossed in front of his chest, tapping his foot against the wooden floors. Hyunjin’s eyes widened, his lips parting a bit with shock.

Was Han serious? Did he actually expect me to bare my soul to the girl of my dreams so casually?

“Why? She probably doesn't like me back.” Hyunjin dismissed with a wave of his hand, looking away as though he couldn't fathom admitting this while making eye contact. Feelings are so troublesome it seems.

Han laughed and put his hand on his friend's shoulder, still staring so intently at him. “You can't be serious, Jinnie. She has fallen for you, almost as hard as you have for her.”

He turned away to look at her. She was busy with Momo, helping the girl do some sort of silly TikTok. However, what Hyunjin noticed when he also turned was the fact she was looking at them.

Her mouth broke into a smile and she paused enough to wave at Hyunjin, acting so casual despite the fact she was setting his heart on fire. Did she really feel the same way? Could she possibly want Hyunjin the way he wants her?

Hyunjin looked back at Han, and grumbled in a low tone, “How would I confess to her anyway?”

Han grinned at that, clapping his hands together. The shorter boy said, “Do what feels right to you, Hyunjin. What's a good way to confess?”

Then he walked away, returning to the influencer they were working with currently. Hyunjin stood in place, feeling almost as if there was cement in his bones keeping him still.

How would he confess? Should he write a letter to her? Maybe he should march over there and demand they go on a date! Okay..maybe that's a bad idea. But still, how should he confess?

She will only be around for the concert tomorrow and then she'll be returning to America. Suddenly he faltered, his heart racing with excitement.

What if…? Hyunjin could barely contain his sudden happiness, wanting to already put his plan into action.

…..

“This was a bad idea.” Hyunjin said, attempting to wrangle himself out of Changbin's strong grip so he could avoid getting on stage. It was a futile attempt, with the older man wrapping his arms around Hyunjin's shoulders.

“Nope, you're doing this.” Changbin said, shoving Hyunjin even closer to the stage. There was no getting out of this- he was going to confess to her.

“Fine, fine.” Hyunjin relented, pushing Changbin away with a half hearted glare. Then he shook his hands, trying to be rid of the nerves rattling around his chest.

He walks onto stage, ignoring the way his heart was pounding against his ribs. Looking up, he immediately found her. She was as beautiful as always, staring up at him with awe. He needed to do this - he needed to confess properly.

He said her name like one might a god, worshipping the shape of the vowels on his tongue. “I love you, so very much. I wish to be with you forever, and so I sing this for you.”

Then Hyunjin did what he does best: sing. He chose to sing Ice Cream, knowing it was one of her favorite songs after he had done his research. He put his soul into the lyrics, every ounce of his love into the silky tones of his voice.

…..

After the concert, he was greeted by her. She was a vision, something he wished to see in his mind's eye every time he goes to sleep. He might dream of her forever, use her as solace from the grim realities of the world. If he had her, he might be able to survive anything.

“You love me?” She asked, reaching out to grab his hands. Sparks shot through his fingertips, warm rushing through him wherever she touched.

Hyunjin nodded and said, “Yes, I do. I have loved you for a long time.”

She took a moment to process his words, squeezing his hands. She kept touching him, even the slightest brush of skin sending shockwaves directly to his heart. She was so lovely and she was holding his hands, was she trying to give him a heart attack?

“I love you too, Hyunjin.” She whispered, looking up at him. Her brown eyes glistened with an intense emotion, and something he is finally realizing is love. She stared up at him with a sense of adoration he had only dreamed of previously.

He leaned down, feeling her breath warning his cheek. He wanted to stay like this forever, holding her hands and keeping his face close to hers. With a small dose of courage, potentially regrettable or not, he leaned in close enough to kiss her.

He brushed his lips over hers, savoring the taste of her chapstick. He removed his hands from hers to hold her hips, pulling her flush against him.

She kissed him back, her hands pressing into his chest. She was so perfect, and she was his now, his to love and his to care for.

He pulled away and leaned his forehead against hers, letting his eyes flutter shut. This was everything he had ever wanted and more. If this wasn't heaven, he wasn't sure what was.

“Will you give me the honor of being your boyfriend?” He asked softly, still holding her close. If he could put her inside his heart, he could.

“As long as you'll let me be your girlfriend.” She replied, curling her fingers into his hair. Hyunjin could barely think, barely do anything except get her closer and closer. He wanted her, and now he had her. He was the luckiest man in the world.

Hyunjin didn't expect to ever fall in love the way he did. It was a gentle and slow descent, like ice cream melting on a summer's day. He was melting for her, his cold heart thawing to recieve her love. Having her in his arms was like coming home. He might nog have expected to fall in love like this, but he was incapable of regretting it. It was lovely, just like her.

lori © 2024. please don't copy, modify, or do anything weird with my writing! i like reblogs and comments but please be kind as this was my writing.

[justlookfrightened]

A Boy Can Dream

Filling a prompt from @doggernaut: Bitty and Jack in their first summer dating, still secret, and Bitty seeing pictures of Jack escorting Alicia on a red carpet at some event she has and wondering if they’ll ever be able to be public like that. (And then maybe a flash forward where Jack is escorting Bitty at an event where he’s receiving an award?)

Bitty knew all about Jack’s trip to California. He knew that Jack didn’t want to go, except that he sort of secretly did, because he was bored alone in Providence. 

He knew that it was a favor to Jack’s mother, who was Alicia Montgomery, a fact that Bitty still couldn’t quite wrap his head around. 

Maybe Bitty was less comfortable with Jack's famous mother than he was with Jack's famous father because he’d met Bob a couple of times already before Jack’s graduation, or because Bob was so enmeshed in the world of hockey, Bob seemed … logical … for Jack to have as a parent. He fit, difficult relationship with Jack and all. When it came to trying to live up to a father’s athletic legacy, Bitty could relate. Bitty could relate hard enough that he noped right out of there at age seven.

He also knew that Jack loved his mother, loved Alicia Zimmermann, who wore faded jeans and oversized sweaters in the winter, and T-shirts and khaki shorts with sneakers in the summer. Who pulled her blond hair into a neat ponytail and didn’t wear much obvious makeup. Who was a terrible gardener, but loved it anyway, and who was a far better poker player than her husband or son.

Not that Bitty knew all that about Alicia from his own experience; he’d only ever met her at Jack’s graduation, when he was just Jack’s former teammate come to wish the graduating seniors farewell. But he and Jack had spent hours on Skype since then, not to mention the days Jack had spent in Georgia over the Fourth of July.

He’d listened as Mama and MooMaw asked Jack about his mother — Alicia Montgomery to them — and what she was like, and he’d listened to Jack talk about his favorite memories of his childhood and the week he’d spent with his parents at their cottage in Nova Scotia in June. He’d seen the family pictures on Jack’s bedside table, on his desk, on the kitchen shelf, during Skype calls.

Over the weeks, Bitty had come to an understanding that to Jack, Alicia Montgomery was not his mother. Alicia Montgomery had a job that took her away from her family for months at a time when Jack was young, a job in an industry that held impossible beauty standards not just for women, but for men and even kids, and those standards had been used to hurt Jack when he was a child.

Not by Alicia Zimmermann, certainly, and not even by Alicia Montgomery, but by the jackals that preyed on women like Alicia Montgomery, women who tied themselves to the stake as bait to get the attention they needed to get to earn the money and gain the status they needed to succeed in an entertainment industry run by men in a patriarchal society.

Okay, maybe Bitty was a little overwrought about this. Maybe he should talk to Shitty about it to get his head screwed on right and stop spinning in circles. Maybe it was no accident Jack took both Gender and Warfare in Early 20th Century America and Women, Food, & American Culture when he was at Samwell.

But one thing Bitty knew was that Jack’s relationship with his mother — who undoubtedly loved him so much it hurt and was proud of him, and would be whether he ever set foot on an ice rink or not — was just as fraught as his relationship with his father.

So when Jack had mentioned a week or so ago on their nightly Skype call that he was accompanying his mother to a benefit dinner in Los Angeles where she would be accepting an award for supporting aspiring women filmmakers, Bitty was surprised.

“Papa can’t make it,” Jack said. “He already had a fishing trip planned with Uncle Mario. And I had a tux made last year. Might as well break it out.”

Bitty’s mind had broken a little at that. He was secretly dating (were they dating? Or just, like, making out whenever possible over video call and in person? No, he was pretty sure they were dating) a man who had a tuxedo made — not rented, not bought off the rack and altered, but made for him — without even having a specific event in mind, just knowing that there would be events at which he would have to appear in a custom tuxedo. Even if he’d rather be home in his track pants and T-shirt watching tape.

He didn’t say any of that. What he said was, “You like the Hollywood stuff?”

Jack’s image on the screen had shrugged.

“It’s whatever,” he said. “I used to hate it, but now no one pays much attention to me. I’m just the appropriately dressed non-scandalous escort. And it’ll be nice to spend some time with Maman. She’s fun to sit next to. She knows everyone and all the backstories and she can be really snarky. Quietly, of course.”

Another piece of the puzzle fitted into place: Jack could be with Alicia Montgomery, and still see her as Alicia Zimmermann, at least now. Maybe it was harder when he was little?

So, given all of that, Bitty wasn’t surprised to see a Google notification for Jack Zimmermann pop up on his phone the evening of the benefit. It stood to reason that someone covering the dinner would note who the guest of honor’s escort was.

It turned out not to be one mention. There were at least half a dozen, with photos and video. The tux … did things for Jack. Did things to Bitty. He was glad California was three hours behind Georgia and he was already alone in his room when he started getting the notes. He wanted to unwrap Jack like a present, uncover the broad shoulders that the sharply tailored jacket emphasized, work the trousers down over the magnificent —

Down boy, he admonished himself.

But the photographers and videographers had clearly been enamored of Alicia and Jack, her so blond with a deep blue dress that made her eyes — eyes like Jack’s — pop, Jack so pale with dark hair, mirroring the classic black and white of his evening suit. Alicia was tall and slender, Jack was tall and thick (there really was no other word for it), and those eyes and that jawline were made for the camera.

Bitty could see now why the photographers had always been after Jack’s family when he was a child. Alicia was still a beauty, but back then … and Bob had looked much like Jack did now, unfairly handsome for a hockey player.

Bitty watched a red carpet interviewer try to engage Jack, while Jack looked bemused and said he was only there to honor his mother and support her professional eneavors. Yes, he had signed with the Falconers. Yes, he was looking forward to the season. Sorry (with that long Candadian O sound that always came out when Jack wasn’t really sorry), must go.

Bitty closed his laptop; there would be no Skype call tonight, since the dinner would not end until well after midnight on the East Coast and Jack refused to keep Bitty up so late when he had to work at camp the next day. There had been a quick phone call earlier, a few stolen minutes between camp and home, when Jack told him about the hotel and how many A-list stars his mother had had meetings with.

He lay down and tried to imagine himself living that kind of life, the kind where there were red carpets and people asking about his clothes, walking arm in arm or even hand in hand with Jack. Jack would probably have a fair few red carpets of his own during his career, not just the ones before the first games of the season — players did those on their own — but he’d surely win awards. 

If Bitty was accompanying Jack, what would he wear? Classic black, like Jack? (Would Bitty ever be able to talk Jack into anything else in formalwear?) Or a subtle contrast, maybe a navy blue tux, or deep burgundy? He would stand at Jack’s elbow while interviewers talked to Jack, and look up adoringly at his … boyfriend? Husband? Who knew? A boy could dream. But the adoring look wouldn’t be hard to maintain; he could just look at Jack the way he always wanted to, without having to try not to be obvious.

When the interviews were over, Jack would take his hand (yes, definitely hand in hand. Jack’s huge hands enveloped Bitty’s, made him feel loved and protected) and sweep him off down the carpet into whatever venue they were about to enter. Jack would stay at his side, and tell him who the people he didn’t know were, and give him the tea about who cheated with whose girlfriend and …

What was he even thinking about?

None of that was going to happen. Jack was closeted, and for very good reason. If this thing — whatever it was — with Jack lasted, beyond Jack’s first season, beyond the summer, even — Bitty could never look like any more than Jack’s friend from his college team. A good friend, sure. But no more than that. 

Because Jack loved hockey. Bitty hadn’t needed the talks of the past few weeks to tell him that. He’d known that hockey came first in Jack’s heart before he ever thought he might also have a place there — before he ever thought he’d want a spot in a place he once imagined was as cold as the ice.

No NHL player had ever come out as anything but straight.

There was no way Bitty would ever make him choose between hockey and their relationship, whatever it was. There was no way Bitty would win.

He sighed. Still, a boy could dream.

*

Bitty held out his phone and opened the camera app to check his teeth one more time.

“You’re fine,” Jack said, squeezing Bitty’s other hand. 

Bitty turned to Jack and said, “But am I ‘fine’ or am I fine?”

“You know I think you’re fine,” Jack said, trying to imitate Bitty’s accent and emphasis. 

Bitty giggled and leaned over to kiss Jack briefly.

“Mmm,” Jack said. “Definitely fine. But we’re almost there.”

Bitty leaned back against the limousine’s seat and took a deep breath.

“You seriously think the blue is okay?” Bitty asked, brushing his hand down the tuxedo jacket. “And the brocade? I shouldn’t have gone with something simple and classic, like yours?”

“I think you look wonderful,” Jack said.

“Not an answer,” Bitty said, as the car started to slow.

“I think it’s more than okay,” Jack said. “I think it’s perfect. You got nominated for an Emmy. You know you’re going to win.”

“A daytime Emmy, Jack,” Bitty said.

“Still an Emmy,” Jack said. “Ready?”

At Bitty’s nod, Jack opened the door and unfolded himself from the car, extending his hand to help Bitty out.

“Mr. Bittle! Mr. Bittle!”

The interviewers were lined up and waiting. Jack took Bitty’s hand and led him over to face their questions.

[honeyhae-svt]

🎮01 | Schedule🎭

Part-Time Lover | JxW - masterlist

⚠️ WARNINGS ⚠️: strong language (profanity), petty arguments, depictions of stress/anxiety related to online and work life, light suggestive jokes/humor. (thats about it in this chapt) smut warnings: n/a (yet) wc: 4600

01

It was a normal Monday—or, well, as normal as it could be after two weeks of working as a make-up artist at the top beauty company in the industry. Two weeks in, and instead of painting glamorous looks on celebrities and idols, you were running out of the office, battling public transit, just to fetch your CEO his daily coffee from a café so exclusive it required two bus transfers and possibly your sanity.

You weren't a secretary. You weren't an errand girl. You were a licensed, certified make-up artist for crying out loud! Yet somehow, in this strange hierarchy of tasks, you'd managed to become both his personal coffee runner and his private, exclusive make-up artist. Every morning, bright and early, you trekked to his ridiculously luxurious penthouse to "work your magic"—a process that usually involved two dabs of foundation, some lip balm, and you expertly applying his skincare routine.

Why did he need skincare at 6 a.m.? He didn't. He was the type of guy whose flawless complexion could sell serums just by existing. But apparently, making your life harder was his morning cardio.

This morning was no different. The croissant you grabbed was warm when you bought it. The coffee—a very specific order of Jeonghan's signature honey macchiato, no sugar, extra foam—was piping hot when handed to you. By the time you plopped it onto his pristine desk, though, it was "too cold" for his tastes. Of course, he wouldn't ask you to reheat it, because "it's not freshly made anymore," as he oh-so-smugly liked to remind you. But that smug little smile he flashed before you left his office? Oh, that was the cherry on top.

Jerk.

By the time you returned to the studio, the models were already lined up, waiting for their faces to be transformed. A much better use of your talent, if you said so yourself. As you worked, your co-workers showered you with praise during the break. 'You're doing amazing for someone so new!' they gushed. And sure, maybe part of you wondered if they were being extra nice because they knew you were being run ragged by the boss. But still, you let yourself bask in the compliments. You deserved it.

Flashback to two weeks ago, your interview day.

It was supposed to be the start of something great. A fresh chapter, a dream job. And yet, from the moment your toe slammed into the edge of your side table that morning, you knew the universe had other plans. By the time you boarded the bus, traffic had already declared war on your schedule. And if that wasn't bad enough, when you finally made it to the company's towering glass headquarters, you collided with some guy in the lobby—face-first, right into his shoulder.

He didn't even flinch. You, on the other hand, hit the ground like a sack of potatoes. Your skirt askew, your blouse wrinkled, and your pride in shambles, you scrambled to your feet and mumbled a hasty apology before bolting toward the interview room.

The interview itself went well—at least, you thought so—until someone pointed out the blood trickling down your knee. Apparently, you'd scraped it in the fall but had been so focused on making it on time, you didn't even notice. Typical you. Priorities, right?

Back in the present, you can't help but think: maybe your boss's smugness, the ridiculous coffee runs, and his insistence on morning skincare aren't random. Maybe this job is some kind of cosmic test. Either way, you're determined to ace it—even if it means surviving another 6 a.m. call time at his penthouse tomorrow.

After slipping into your gaming chair, you took a deep breath, brushing back stray strands of hair as you adjusted your bunny-ear headphones. The LED lights of your room, set to a soft pink glow, reflected faintly on the camera feed. Your overlay—a minimalistic design featuring your username in sleek gold letters—flashed as the stream began. The familiar ding of chat messages filling up the screen brought a faint, almost imperceptible smile to your face.

"Evening, chat," you said, voice calm, almost bored, as your hand moved the mouse effortlessly to launch the game. "Let's make this quick. I have a meeting at seven tomorrow."

The chat exploded, as expected:

- "LOOKING SO CUTE IN OFFICE CLOTHES?!" - "MISS BOSS LADY ATE THIS LOOK." - "Wait, you have a job?!" - "Noooo don't stop streaming full-time T_T."

You scrolled through, giving a few nods to the flood of comments, before spotting the one you dreaded seeing. "You're boring," it read, the username unmistakably @everyone-woo.

You rolled your eyes and muttered, "Wouldn't be here if I was." That was enough to set your chat into a frenzy.

Wonwoo. That guy was a walking headache wrapped in a smooth voice and annoyingly skilled gameplay. Ever since Seungkwan introduced you two at that gaming expo, he'd made it his life's mission to be a thorn in your side—whether in streams, ranked matches, or random Discord voice chats. But, if you were honest, your win record against him was one of your greatest flexes.

The game lobby loaded, and your fingers moved automatically to adjust the settings. You glanced at chat once more before you dove in. "You're loud today. Let's see if you'll keep that energy when we hit Master rank tonight," you said, raising an eyebrow. That earned a fresh wave of excitement from your fans.

- "She said MASTER RANK tonight." - "SHE'S TOO CONFIDENT???" - "wonwoo crying rn"

But just as you were about to start, a Discord notification pinged in your headset. Of course, it was him.

@everyone_woo: "Play duo with me, coward." You sighed. Why was he always like this? Ignoring him wasn't an option because you knew he'd just spam you until you caved. So, begrudgingly, you invited him to the match.

The loading screen transitioned into the game's map, a vibrant cityscape filled with sniper points, tight alleyways, and glowing neon signs. You were on a high-stakes mission to extract rare data cores while eliminating rival players. The game began, and your hands flew over the keyboard, your voice sharp and commanding.

"Cover the left, and don't get caught out again," you barked over comms as you eliminated two enemies in rapid succession. "You act like I don't know how to play,"Wonwoo replied, his tone smooth. "Just focus on not dying this time." "I don't die. I win," you shot back, smirking as you caught him lagging behind and threw a smoke grenade his way, effectively trapping him while you took out another enemy solo. The chat went wild:

- "WONWOO CARRIED IN SMOKE RN LMFAOO." - "MISS OFFICE LADY DOESN'T PLAY." - "IMAGINE LOSING TO HER AGAIN."

By the end of the match, you'd racked up MVP with an impressive kill streak, while Wonwoo was a distant second. Your fans cheered in chat, throwing praise and laughing at Wonwoo's apparent frustration.

"GG, everyone," you said, leaning back in your chair as you took a sip of water. "GG?" Wonwoo scoffed. "You call bullying your teammate GG?" "You deserved it," you replied, not missing a beat.

He chuckled, and for a moment, the teasing dropped, his voice softer. "You're getting better, you know. If you keep this up, I might have to actually try."

You paused, caught off guard by the rare, genuine compliment. But before you could reply, he added, "Or maybe I'll just start taking all the credit for training you."

"And there it is," you muttered, shaking your head. The chat roared with laughter as you ended the match and turned back to engage with your fans, leaving Wonwoo behind to stew in his defeat.

As the stream wound down and the camera focused on your face, you finally smiled—a small, tired one that barely reached your eyes. "Thanks for watching, guys. See you next time."

You clicked the stream off and leaned back, staring at the ceiling. The adrenaline was fading, and reality crept back in. Work tomorrow. Rent due next week. Your mom's treatments. It was a lot, but you'd manage.

You always did.

The next day, you were already too irritated to function properly. It was too early for this. You groggily squinted at your phone. 3:37 a.m. in. the. fucking. morning., and it wouldn't stop ringing. Seriously, who calls at this ungodly hour?

You glanced at the caller ID and groaned. Jeonghan. Of course. The man really didn't believe in boundaries.

With a heavy sigh, you swiped to answer, your voice equal parts sleepy and annoyed. "Hello?"

For a moment, there was no response. Just silence on the other end. What kind of sick joke was this? You were about two seconds away from hanging up when his voice finally came through.

"I have a meeting early today. Come get me set."

And just like that, the call ended.

You stared at your phone in disbelief, blinking slowly as if processing what had just happened. "What the actual fuck?" you muttered to no one in particular.

Was this even legal? Well... yeah. It was in the contract. You knew it when you signed up for this job, but that didn't make it any less irritating. Begrudgingly, you dragged yourself out of bed and began to get ready.

By the time you arrived at Jeonghan's penthouse, the clock read 4:15 a.m., and your irritation was teetering dangerously close to snapping. The building's elevator ride to the top floor was silent save for the quiet hum of your thoughts: Why is this my life? You'd slept a grand total of three hours, and now you were about to do the minimalist, yet somehow necessary morning routine of your boss—a man whose face looked like it had been Photoshopped into reality.

You'd been here enough times that you were starting to get used to the spaciousness of the place, even though it screamed, I have more money than you'll ever see in your lifetime.

Knocking softly on the door to his bedroom, you waited for his reply before stepping in with your makeup kit in hand. Jeonghan was already in his usual spot, sitting gracefully in that ridiculously luxurious chair of his, looking like he'd just rolled out of a photoshoot.

Sometimes, you couldn't help but think about how unfairly pretty he was. Sure, he was a man, but why did he look prettier than most women and still manage to be ruggedly handsome at the same time? It was like the universe had decided to give him every aesthetic advantage possible. And it wasn't just his looks. He had the personality to match—charming, charismatic, and annoyingly easygoing in a way that made everyone at work either idolize him or fall in love with him.

The man was running a beauty company, and somehow, just one look at him was enough to convince people to buy into the brand. Honestly? You got it.

Still, that didn't mean you were happy to be here at this ungodly hour.

"Morning," you muttered, setting down your kit and trying to sound professional despite wanting to scream into the void.

Jeonghan smirked, the kind of smirk that made you want to both slap him and admit he had the face of a god. "You look tired."

You froze, hands hovering over the foundation. "Gee, I wonder why."

His laughter was soft but infuriatingly smug. "It's in the contract, isn't it?"

You didn't bother to respond and got to work, dabbing foundation onto his already flawless skin. Why he even needed you for this routine was beyond you. His skin was perfect, like he bathed in unicorn tears or something. Honestly, you felt like this was less about necessity and more about his weird desire to mess with you.

"Stop glaring," he teased, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

"I'm not glaring," you shot back, pressing the sponge into his cheek just a little harder than necessary. "Just thinking about how ridiculous this is."

"You say that every morning, but you still show up," he pointed out, tilting his head slightly to let you apply concealer.

"Because it's my job, Jeonghan," you snapped, finishing up the final touches with a flourish.

He hummed thoughtfully, clearly enjoying your irritation. "You're very good at it, though. I'm starting to think I hired you for the wrong department."

You rolled your eyes and started packing up your kit. "You mean the department where I'm supposed to work on models and celebrities instead of you? Yeah, me too."

His laugh was annoyingly melodic, and you hated that it made you momentarily forget why you were pissed.

"Well," he said, standing and stretching—his shirt slipping off one shoulder in a way that felt way too intentional. "I do appreciate your dedication. Let's go."

"Go where?" you asked, blinking at him in confusion.

"To the meeting," he said casually, grabbing his blazer.

"Wait. You're dragging me along?"

"Of course," he said with a wink, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "You're my secret weapon."

You stared at him, dumbfounded. What the hell did that even mean? Whatever it was, you had a sinking feeling that your day was about to get a whole lot worse.

The meeting was held at a ridiculously upscale hotel that made you feel like you didn't belong the second you stepped into the marble-floored lobby. Jeonghan, of course, walked in like he owned the place—which, for all you knew, he might as well have.

You followed a step behind him, clutching your bag and trying to ignore how many people were staring at the two of you. Well, mostly him, you corrected silently. Jeonghan had that effect on people, making heads turn wherever he went. It was like his beauty made him untouchable, and yet here you were—running on fumes and three hours of sleep—dragged along like a reluctant sidekick.

The meeting room was filled with men in sharp suits and women in designer dresses. Everyone exuded confidence, their laughter and chatter echoing off the high ceilings. As Jeonghan sauntered in, the room seemed to quiet just a little, all eyes flicking toward him.

"CEO Yoon," one of the executives greeted with an overly polished smile. "Always a pleasure."

Jeonghan returned the greeting with a smile of his own—charming, disarming, and entirely fake. You could tell because you'd seen his real smiles, rare as they were, and they didn't have that calculated gleam.

You stood awkwardly near the back of the room, unsure of what to do. You weren't supposed to be here, really. The makeup part of your job was done, so why had he insisted on dragging you along? You were still wondering when Jeonghan turned to you, gesturing for you to come closer.

"Stay by my side," he said under his breath, his tone low enough that only you could hear.

Your eyebrows shot up. "Why? I don't even know what's going on."

"You don't need to." He flashed that infuriating smirk again before turning back to his associates.

The meeting began, and you quickly realized just how out of your depth you were. They were talking about brand expansions, marketing strategies, and other high-level corporate stuff that flew right over your head. Yet, every so often, Jeonghan would glance your way, as if silently checking to make sure you were still there.

It wasn't until about halfway through the presentation that you started to piece it together. The execs were pitching ideas for a new ad campaign, and every suggestion seemed to revolve around using make-up artists to market the brand.

Ah, you thought, your irritation bubbling back to the surface. So that's why I'm here.

Jeonghan leaned over, his voice barely above a whisper. "See? I told you you'd be useful."

You shot him a glare, barely resisting the urge to kick him under the table. "You could've just asked," you hissed back.

"Where's the fun in that?" he replied, his smirk widening.

The meeting dragged on for what felt like an eternity, with Jeonghan occasionally throwing you under the bus by mentioning your professional make-up abilities and asking for your "input." It was infuriating, especially since you weren't prepared, but somehow, you managed to string together a few coherent answers.

By the time it was over, you were seething. The second you were out of earshot of the execs, you rounded on Jeonghan.

"You used me," you said, jabbing a finger into his chest.

He raised an eyebrow, looking entirely unbothered. "I utilized your strengths. There's a difference."

"You dragged me out of bed at 3 a.m. for this. You didn't even warn me."

"You handled it well," he said simply, shrugging as if that was supposed to make everything better.

"You're a nightmare," you muttered, running a hand through your hair.

"And yet," he said, his voice dropping to that annoyingly soft tone he used when he wanted to mess with you, "you keep showing up."

You opened your mouth to retort, but nothing came out. He was right, and you hated that.

"Let's get breakfast," he said casually, already heading toward the exit as if the argument never happened.

You stood there for a moment, torn between wanting to strangle him and being too exhausted to argue further. Finally, with a resigned sigh, you followed.

This job is going to kill me, you thought as you trailed after him, wondering why, despite everything, you couldn't bring yourself to quit.

The day had been long, but Jeonghan letting you off early felt like a rare, unexpected win. Maybe he wasn't entirely the devil in disguise. You got home earlier than usual, but exhaustion weighed down your every step.

Dropping onto your bed, you stared at the ceiling. You were too tired to do anything—too tired to even exist at this point—but the thought of skipping a stream wasn't an option. The donations from your loyal fanbase added up to a decent amount, enough to make a real difference for your mother's treatment.

For every two-hour stream, you usually pulled in somewhere around ₩200,000 to ₩500,000 (about 140 - 360 in USD) in donations, and that was on top of ad revenue and sponsorships. Not streaming meant losing that cash. You couldn't afford that luxury.

Dragging yourself up, you splashed cold water on your face, applied makeup to hide the evidence of your exhaustion, and slipped into your favorite hoodie and sweatpants—ultimate comfort mode. At least, this way, you could collapse straight into bed after the stream.

Once you were set up, you logged into League of Legends and hit the "Go Live" button. The familiar ding of viewers joining flooded your screen, and the chat started scrolling faster than you could read.

- "oh wow she's streaming early!!" - "How are you this pretty AND good at games?? life's unfair" - "no way this girl just got back from WORK and still streams for us 😭"

You couldn't help but chuckle softly. "Yeah, long day," you muttered, scrolling through the chat. "Let's just say it involved too much coffee and a certain boss who doesn't know boundaries."

The chat exploded with questions, but you quickly brushed them off. "Alright, enough about that. Let's play."

You loaded into Summoner's Rift and invited Mingyu and Hoshi to your party. Their voices came through your headset loud and clear.

"Finally," Mingyu said with a dramatic groan. "You took forever."

"Busy life," you replied flatly, your fingers already moving across the keyboard.

"Yeah, yeah. Let's see if you're still sharp after that 'busy life,'" Hoshi teased, laughter in his voice.

The three of you dove into the first match, the synergy between your champions clicking effortlessly. You picked Ahri, your favorite mid-laner, while Mingyu locked in Jhin as ADC and Hoshi went full chaos with Nautilus support.

The game started off smooth. You roamed bot to help Mingyu secure a double kill early, and Hoshi's crowd control locked down enemies like a pro. "Easy," you muttered, watching Ahri's Orb of Deception slice through their mid-laner.

The chat loved it, spamming:

- "SHE'S ON FIRE TODAY 🔥🔥🔥" - "carry them!"

But then, things took a turn.

A new match started, and suddenly, a mysterious player joined the enemy team. Their username was obnoxiously simple—W1NN3R—but their gameplay was anything but basic.

From the first five minutes, it was clear: this player was insanely good. They picked Zed and dominated mid-lane, completely shutting down your Ahri.

"What the fuck?" you muttered, narrowing your eyes as Zed solo-killed you under your turret. The chat immediately lit up.

- "REPORT THAT GUY OMG" - "hes gotta be scripting. no way."

Mingyu laughed through the comms. "You good over there? Or do I need to come babysit?"

"Shut up and focus on your own lane," you snapped, though your tone wasn't harsh.

Hoshi chimed in. "Seriously though, this guy's movement is nuts. Think he's cheating?"

"Doesn't matter," you muttered. "We'll handle it."

But "handling it" proved impossible. Zed didn't just dominate mid; he roamed with brutal efficiency, turning bot lane into a slaughterhouse and even outplaying Hoshi's Nautilus hooks.

The chat was losing its mind.

- "WHO IS THIS GUY?!" - "he's playing like Faker, wtf." - "Shes gonna snap, I feel it"

By the time the enemy Nexus was destroyed, you were glaring at your screen, jaw clenched.

"Rematch," you said flatly.

Mingyu snickered. "You sure? You look like you're about to throw your keyboard."

"Shut up and queue," you shot back.

The next match started, and, of course, W1NN3R was there again, picking Lee Sin this time. It felt personal now.

The early game was brutal. Lee Sin invaded your jungle, stealing buffs and setting your team back. By mid-game, he was everywhere—dragon pit, Baron lane, even popping out of bushes just to taunt you with an emote before disappearing.

"Okay, now I'm pissed," you muttered, fingers flying across the keyboard.

"Join the club," Mingyu grumbled, watching his Jhin get obliterated in a 1v1.

But then something clicked. You and your team started coordinating like never before. You baited out Lee Sin's Flash with a well-timed Charm, Mingyu's ultimate picked off their ADC, and Hoshi's Nautilus hook finally nailed Lee Sin.

The chat erupted:

- "LET'S GOOOOOO!!!" - "comeback incoming??? 👀👀👀"

Your heart pounded as the match entered its final moments. With Lee Sin down, you and Mingyu pushed mid, taking out two inhibitors while Hoshi distracted the enemy team at Baron.

It was chaos, pure and simple, but in the end, you stood victorious as the enemy Nexus exploded.

"Fuck yeah!" you shouted, throwing your hands up in triumph. Mingyu and Hoshi whooped through the comms, and even Seungkwan—who had joined as a spectator—cheered.

The chat was in full celebration mode:

- "SHE DID IT OMGGGG" - "THAT WAS INSANE!!1" - "better than the LCK finals tbh"

But just as you were about to log off, a private message popped up on your screen from W1NN3R.

"Not bad, rookie."

Your jaw dropped. "The hell does that mean?"

"Looks like you've got a rival now," Mingyu teased, laughing.

"Oh, shut up," you muttered, though your lips quirked up in the faintest hint of a smile.

Jeonghan leaned back in his chair, the faint glow of his monitor illuminating his face. His lips curved into a knowing smirk as he scrolled through @kitsunya's stream highlights on a private browser tab. The username was one he'd first come across by accident—or so he told himself. In truth, it was impossible not to hear about you.

For months, your name had been everywhere. His friends—Mingyu, Seungkwan, and even the perpetually chill Vernon—couldn't stop raving about you. "You have to see this girl play," Seungkwan had said during a casual hangout. "She's insane, like, not just good—insanely good." Mingyu had chimed in, grinning ear to ear, "Plus, she's got this vibe, man. You know, that 'I don't give a shit' attitude? People eat that up."

At first, Jeonghan had been indifferent. Streamers came and went, and he wasn't particularly interested in gaming content anymore. But the buzz around @kitsunya became impossible to ignore. Curiosity eventually got the better of him, and one night, he pulled up one of your streams on a whim.

You were playing League of Legends, your Ahri effortlessly decimating the enemy team. But it wasn't just your skill that struck him. It was your demeanor—calm, focused, and entirely unbothered by the chaos in the chat. The way you'd glance at the comments, roll your eyes at the ridiculous ones, and occasionally smirk when someone said something clever made you... different. You weren't trying to please anyone, yet people couldn't help but adore you.

And Jeonghan? He found himself watching more streams than he cared to admit.

The moment you walked into his office for the job interview months later, he recognized you instantly. You were dressed professionally, hair neatly styled, no hint of the gamer persona he'd seen on screen. But the moment you sat down, with that same composed, no-nonsense attitude, Jeonghan's suspicions were confirmed.

"Kitsunya," he had thought, barely able to keep the smirk off his face.

It was surreal. The person the internet simped over, the one who had his friends screaming in Discord chats, was sitting across from him, asking for a position at his company. You had no idea he knew. He decided then and there that he wouldn't tell you.

You were professional, articulate, and undeniably qualified for the role. He almost didn't hire you—not because you weren't good, but because he wondered if it was too much of a coincidence. What were the odds? But curiosity won. He wanted to see you up close, to figure out if the composed, almost unapproachable aura you projected was real—or just another layer of your persona.

And maybe, deep down, he wanted to test you. Not out of cruelty or envy—no, Jeonghan wasn't that petty. It was because he found you... interesting. There was something fascinating about the way you carried yourself, like you'd built walls so high no one could touch you. He wanted to see what was behind them.

Now, as he queued up for another match on League, the familiar sound of the loading screen filled his penthouse. He glanced at the username on his anonymous account: W1NN3R. It was a name he used only on this account—a throwaway he'd created for casual games. No one knew it was his alter account, not even his friends.

The match started, and as expected, your Ahri was mid-lane. Jeonghan leaned forward, resting his chin on one hand as his Zed effortlessly weaved through your skill shots. He wasn't going easy on you—not that you'd want him to. That much, he was certain of.

He smirked as he landed a flawless combo, taking you down under turret.

"The fuck?" Your voice filtered through the stream. Jeonghan chuckled.

He could hear Mingyu and Hoshi on comms, their playful banter trying to lighten the mood. But you weren't laughing. Your frustration was palpable, and the chat was eating it up.

- "WHO IS THIS GUY?!" - "he's toying with her 😭" - "Someone better REPORT."

Jeonghan's smirk widened. He wasn't trying to piss you off—not really. But he couldn't deny how entertaining it was to see you so riled up. The composed, unbothered streamer he'd admired was slipping, just a little, and he found it... captivating.

By the time the match ended, Jeonghan had secured victory, but not without effort. You and your team had pushed him to his limits in the late game, and for a brief moment, he thought he might lose.

As he typed a message in the game's chat—"Not bad, rookie."—he imagined your reaction. Would you roll your eyes? Scoff? Curse under your breath?

He didn't stick around to see. Exiting the game, he leaned back in his chair and stretched, glancing at the time. It was late, but he wasn't tired. Not yet.

Scrolling through his email, he saw one from you—a quick report about the latest product launch. Always efficient, always thorough. He smirked again, shaking his head. The stark contrast between the professional you at work and the fiery, competitive gamer on stream was something else entirely.

Maybe one day, he'd tell you he knew. But for now? He liked having this secret to himself. Watching you navigate both worlds, unaware that he was observing from both sides, was just too... fun.

Jeonghan closed his laptop, his thoughts lingering on you longer than he'd care to admit.

"Interesting," he murmured to himself, a small smile playing on his lips.

And maybe—just maybe—he'd queue up as W1NN3R again tomorrow.

a/n: posting chapter 2 asap. wait for it, tomorrow 9pm sharp ;)) #iamnowuploadingdailytogetthislazyassofmineworking AND I AM CURRENTLY MAKING A JEONGHAN FANFIC REQUESTED BY SOMEONE (i'll be posting it next week)

i have a taglist so if you want to be updated, reblog / comment on this post / teaser / part-time lover masterlist and you'll automatically be tagged on every chapter ! im a (wo)man of my word LOL

___okay looking back now, i made a few changes cause wtf. the plot isnt plotting. i suck at writing, sorry.

taglist: @asyre @choppedballoondetective @kpoppiesofinternet @syluslittlecrow (thankyou for reblogging !)

[robsheridan]

From the pages of SPECTAGORIA magazine issue 6, 1974. Spectagoria was a renowned underground fashion photography magazine surrounded by rumor and mystery. Founded by iconoclastic photographer/filmmaker Sera Clairmont initially as a showcase of her own work, the publication drew controversy for its dark themes and morbid imagery, which often used beauty, sexuality, and fashion as a means to, in Clairmont’s words, “let speak the darkness that surrounds us from other worlds.”

Christian groups in the United States called for a ban of the magazine, with Jerry Falwell accusing Clairmont of being “a witch and a pornographer in league with the devil himself.” Clairmont dismissed the accusations as “just more blatant examples of the sexism and double-standards that led me to forge my own path in a male-dominated industry.” But the boycott drew scrutiny to the magazine’s photographs, which at times contained images that seemed impossible, even supernatural, in nature. Some wondered if Sera Clairmont was related to Seraphina Clairmont, the famous Manhattan mystic who “spoke to demons” and lived at the mysterious Zorovic Building at the turn of the 20th century, and was rumored to have been buried alive in the building’s 1913 destruction.

Sera Clairmont went into hiding in 1976, but continued to publish Spectagoria until the early 80s, growing stranger and darker with each issue, fueling even more speculation that otherworldly powers were behind it before its abrupt end. No one knew where it was being published from, nor where - or *how* - its photos were taken. Very few copies of each issue of Spectagoria were printed, and today only a handful of scattered pages have been located and scanned. I will continue to share more pages as I find them...

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NOTE: This is a work of fiction created by me. This alternate reality horror story is part of my NightmAIres narrative art series (visit that link for a lot more). NightmAIres are windows into other worlds and interconnected alternate histories, conceived/written by me and visualized with synthography and Photoshop.

If you enjoy my work, consider supporting me on Patreon for frequent exclusive hi-res wallpaper packs, behind-the-scenes features, downloads, events, contests, and an awesome fan community. Direct fan support is what keeps me going as an independent creator, and it means the world to me.