#some silly backstage shenanigans

[littlescribbs]

Drummer Freddie and greddie backstage shenanigans ✨

Bonus sketch: the kids are alright, no good beans were harmed! :D

[bubbles-for-all-of-us]

Worship

a/n I won’t say anything because what is there to say… Also, this is fiction idk why but I just feel the need to wave that flag here.

Summery: Just on stage shenanigans between you, the back singer, and the boys.

warning: no full on smut because there’s so much of that as it is but they are sex on legs so this does have sexual implications. I’m just a girl. And I feel like I should go confess my sins to someone.

All of them x reader

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Nothing truly beats the feeling of the stage lighting beaming on you. The radiant atmosphere and the beating of the crowd in front of the stage. It got addictive fast. And the rush of both adrenaline and freedom you never truly got over. Most of the time, it still felt like a dream. Like you weren’t there. There weren’t four other people. A whole band that people swooned over. 

You still remember the notification of the private message in your DMs. “We’ve seen your videos. The voice is to die for. Up to back us up?” You had stared at it for hours. Pressing the profile over and over again, convinced that one of the times it would take you to some scammy account, but it didn’t. So you took that leap of fate, and the roller coaster that unfolded still made your skin tingle at times. 

“How you don’t break an ankle in these is beyond me," II grumbled, gesturing to the high heels you were strapping around your legs. Before throwing the towel he had just used to dry his hair with, at you. You huffed back, “Of course you wouldn’t know; you sit and look pretty the whole show."  You shot him an overly exaggerated smile before flipping him off. “Put the claws away, baby," he said, lifting his hands up, “I would love to keep my eyes for some time longer." You lifted both of your hands, making sure to flex the black coffin-shaped nails, only earning a chuckle in return from II. 

“No form of violence is allowed backstage," III cut in, putting the mask over his face, “Unless it’s consensual, of course." The three of you snickered. There was never a dull moment with them. You weren’t sure exactly why you imagined them to be all cold and unapproachable, but you couldn’t have been more wrong. From the silly hats they happily took from the fans to messing around on stage barking. “We’re out in thirty,"  IV's voice cut through the snickering. “Vess?”, you questioned, standing up only to still feel tiny among them. It was unfair how even killer heels had you feeling minuter. “In his element, ready to go," the usual then. You turned to the mirror while doing the last checkups. Fiddling with the straps of your dress.

“Headset feels good?”, warm hands slipped up your beck, fidgeting with the wires as if he even knew what he was doing. “You just needed an excuse to put your hands on me, sir," you said, pushing back against IV’s chest. He already had his mask on, but from the way his blue eyes flickered, you knew he was smirking at you. “You can’t call the man guilty if you haven’t caught him red-handed, darling,"  he muttered in your ear, sending shivers down your spine. “And to my defense, the wire wasn’t plugged in,"  he snickers before pulling back. You shook your head as you watched him follow after the boys out. Reaching for your mask, you take a couple of deep breaths to steady your heartbeat. It was going to be a night to remember. You could just feel it. 

And your gut wasn’t wrong. The crowd was wild tonight, and that always set the bend into a different kind of frenzy. For most of the shows, you were usually up there on your pedestal. Looking like a vision cloaked in both light and darkness, there were some songs that Vessle liked having you down there with him. But you always felt almost guilty. You didn’t want the fans to feel like you were there to change the dynamic. Let alone take up a spot that wasn’t yours to take. 

So when you noticed Vessel striding towards you, you couldn’t help but silently shake your head. They had already all been all over each other all night. But you don’t get to run through all of your reasons as to why this was a bad idea before Vessel was in front of your pedestal. Hands reaching up for your ankles before he pointed for you to get down. You shook your head at him, continuing to sing your part. Not wanting the interaction to seem odd, you sank to your knees so you can touch his face, only realizing how wrong this move was once Vessel's hands grip the sides of your hips and you’re airborne before you can even blink. 

A small shriek slips past your lips as you hold onto his shoulders. But no matter what your reaction to this was, he was all smug about it. His white teeth bright against the black paint covering his body. “I don’t like it when you put on unnecessary fights," he mused before turning back to the crowd. So, you let the thrill of the beat take over. Playing into the role of the masked goddess. A siren. That was the beauty of the mask. Such little thing making the biggest difference. Giving one the chance to feel way more confident. 

And it’s II your legs take you to first. His eyes follow your movements all across the stage. With the drum set taking most of his platform he was sat on, playing games with this man was tricky. But it wasn’t impossible. So you slither behind him. Placing your hand on top of his head, you carefully make him look up at you. That same moment, the heel II was so found off finds its way between his parted legs. Without missing a beat, his face is pressed into your upper thigh, fingers dipping beneath the mesh overlay of your dress. And you know there will be hell to pay later on from the way he’s gripping your ankle. You push his face away from your body, throwing him a lighthearted kiss as you hurry down the platform stairs. The roar of the crowd filling all of your senses. 

III is left to your mercy next. And since his eyes were all over you, you knew that even if you were to walk right past him, he would follow you across the stage. So you stand there, motioning with your fingers for him to come to you. Right as your part of the solo vocals came. Ones that boys even called your siren song. You let the melody pour out of you. Watching III sink to his knees in front of you. Your brain blanks for a moment as he leans forward, and you just know why the crowd erupts in chaos. So your fingers find his head, pulling him even closer. Let him paint the picture of devouring you. Worshipping you. And you’re yet again so thankful for the mask covering your face because you know that your face would be as red as the paint on his skin. Especially after he stands back up. Fingers moved to brush over his lips as if he was cleaning them.

You can feel someone’s eyes burning holes in your body, and you’re not even one bit surprised to see IV with his eyes blazing. He was the one you flirted the most with backstage as well. Since day one, there was just that mutual fire you both shared. So the back and forth between you both was never-ending. But if there was one thing IV avoided, it was making any move towards you while everyone was on stage. And while boys took their sweet time being lunatics when it came to you. His play pretend ended with his bandmates. Yet you didn’t miss the glances he threw your way. Or how he would find himself close to your pedestal, close enough to touch but never leaning in. 

And while your head was telling you that maybe he just didn’t want to get involved, your heart was telling you to take yet another leap of faith. So you two stood in front of each other for a heartbeat. And right as Descending’s you came crawling back to me, filled the stage. Your finger hooked beneath the bottom of his mask as you pulled him closer. No matter the blast of sounds around you, you could still make out the growl that slipped past his lips. And since his eyes promised hell, you threw all caution to the wind as you leaned in, smashing your lips against his. You didn’t let it linger for too long; there was little fun in having two masks between you both, but it got the point across well enough. 

IV’s hand reached for you as you moved back away. A freaked-out giggle slipped past your lips as you darted towards your last victim for the night. Well, and shelter now, considering that you had to get away from IV. Vessel was someone you knew had to be worshipped in front of the fans. You weren’t living under a rock. His hands and fingers had separate fan blogs, not to mention his carved-out chest muscles. So you slipped behind him. Letting your fingers trail the sides of him. Finding the sweat-drenched skin. Dragging your nails over the paint, no doubt leave claw marks in its way. 

You rested your head against Vessel’s beck for a heartbeat, hoping to slip from behind him with ease. But you couldn’t have been more wrong because the moment you took the reassured stride away from him. A firm hand gripped your hair as he carefully, yet rather possessively, dragged you back to him. Pulling your head back so he could look down at you, shaking his head. But the smile gave his controlling demeanor away. “Whatever will we do with you, little Vixen?" You bit your lip, shrugging slightly. Playfully pushing at his chest, you slipped out of his grip. Swaying your hips as you slowly climbed back to the steps of your pedestal. Not letting your brain think of the hell you just set ablaze.

[fizzigigsimmer]

Very basic, but Nutcracker was the first ballet I ever saw and the love was born. I don't care how many times I've seen it, I get ridiculously excited to watch it, and it feels magical every time.

I think Billy would never admit it out loud, but after his experience at the academy Nutcracker is secretly one of his favorite shows. Because it's the first show he and Steve ever did in school, and the only show they performed together every year thereafter. In a way it chronicled every stage of their relationship from enemies - when he played the rat king an Steve was the nutcracker prince, to best friends and lovers - when they were seniors and it was time to pass the mantle to some of the younger talent in the room. He knows he'll never experience something quite like that again, feeling like just "some kid" for the first time in his life. Where being part of an ensemble wasn't about fighting to be noticed or maintain his status, but enjoying the experience and all the hard work he and his friends put into the show. He remembers all of the jokes and backstage shenanigans he and his crew got up to, and how many times he and Steve had to be shushed for giggling too loudly. He remembers ever silly challenge they came up with in their partnered dances and how each prize for the winner got dirtier and dirtier every show. And yeah, it was even kinda nice seeing all those hours of summer practice pay off for Max. He's biased or whatever, but she made a much better Clara in his opinion than any of the other girls ever did. It's the spunk.

He can't see snow fall without remembering dancing with Steve under falling snowflakes and stage lights. So yeah. It's cliche or whatever but he doesn't actually hate the show the way some dancers do after performing it a gazillion times over their careers. It'll always be just a little magical to him. Don't tell anyone though.

[dcafanzine]

Hi everyone! We’re super excited to start introducing our contributors! Let’s let them introduce themselves!

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Hellooo! My name is Meg (@ayyyimmaninja), and I am one of the page artists for the Backstage Pass zine! While I have done other nonprofit projects before in the past, this will be my first ever zine and I'm so excited to work with so many amazing artists!!

I had been somewhat familiar with the Daycare Attendant character from watching YouTube playthroughs but my hyperfixation didn't start until around January 2023 after a big scare regarding a family member. After watching loads of fan content about them I was immediately hooked and took great comfort in them, and it wasn't long before I started making fanart of my own and coming up with stories that some of you might be familiar with. I love these silly jester blorbos so much, they have my whole heart!

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Heyo! I'm KayCee (@craykaycee)! I'm contributing as a spot artist for both the main and bonus zines as well as a page artist for the bonus zine ^-^ !!! I've never done a zine before, but it's been super exciting! The DCA has intrigued me from the *moment* they had their transformation scene (so dramatic! but also UHM COOL?? :D), but it really jumpstarted with seeing others depict them as unsettling n' creepy AND soft n' caring :]c. Shenanigans and many *many* artworks and fic ensued! Drawing them in that uncanny valley (close to "biblically accurate") has been my favorite, especially with the ability to shift one small detail and change the mood so much!!

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Hi, I'm Lyna. I'm a page artist for the main zine. I did participate previously in a DCA project but this is my first time participating in a zine (nervous, honestly). Been into fnaf since the second game release, dropped after pizzeria simulator and came back with security beach. The DCA changed my brain chemistry twice with their voices and silly animations, from the moment I saw Sun's first appearance in game and then Moon's. It grew more when I started drawing them non stop, and there was no going back from that point. My longest hyperfixation to date with 2 and a half years! They are my first comfort characters.

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[rejectedscurvy]

Our Reflection(Zoe x Damien fic)

Word count: 4,178

Summary: What happens when you get a trans coded character with the girl who wasn't born one. Combing aspects of Damien's secret ending with Zoe's

On AO3? Yes

Spooky High, homes to some of the most unique students and a wide array of chaos and antics. Two people were usually front and center for any shenanigans. Yet this time around behind the bleachers Damien was just alone, participating in a hobby that’d be embarrassing for the tough and rough demon himself. Yet, out of nowhere…

  “Red!” The eldritch cutie appeared from thin air.

This started him and suddenly he threw a mannequin head attached to a wig. Zoe just stared at him blankly. He relaxed once realizing who it was. But stayed on guard.

  “What was that…” Zoe inquired.

  “Nothin…” Damien lied through his teeth.

  “That WAS something” She gained a smirk as she placed her head over his shoulder. She noticed scissors. Zoe smirked at the red demon. He tosses the scissors away, but Zoe latches onto it with one of her tentacles. “Come on Red, you know you can tell me anything.” She starts to fiddle with the scissors.

  “You sure?”

  “Yup”

  “You won’t judge.”

  “Nope.”

  “Won’t laugh?”

  “Not at all”

  “i wanna be a haistylist…”

  “What did my favorite demon say?”

  

He clicked his tongue and sighed. She knew how to push his buttons too well. Maybe this was why they were dating. Cause this spicy red baby loved the attention.

  “I WANNA BE A HAIRSTYLIST. AND THE BEST DAMN HAIRSTYLIST ANYONE HAS KNOWN.” Zoe hands the scissors back to Damien. “Had that headcanon for a while.” She stated. “Wha- how?”

  “You’re the classic bad boy with a soft side, it matched with your obsession with knives. It was that or a plastic surgeon…” She sat down beside him. “And you’re not gonna laugh?” He asked softly.

  “Nope, you said it yourself, we’re in this together, now why would you hide this from our friends? I think Vicky would love it if you redid her hair, and Scott would have a field day with the fur he has.”

  “Eh I’m not good enough, I gotta be perfect… So that nobody can tell me what I can or can’t do.” He examined the scissors in his hand.

Zoe actually quieted down. A realization struck Damien.

  “Shit did I say somethin wrong?”

  “No, just, I understand… here.” She positioned herself infront of him, her tentacles becoming more of a blob. “You can practice on me, my form is basically just silly putty.” Damien had a softer smile as he held his scissors up again. The two were catching up on their individual playthroughs of Hades. By the time they caught up Damien finished, he formed her hair into dutch braids, with the eye in her hair acting as a flower. Damien pulled a mirror from his backpack. Zoe had a soft gasp.

  “I! Love! it!” She examined herself closer in excitement. “How do I thank you?”

  “Yah don’t gotta thank me.” He had the softest smile you’d ever seen. Zoe just wanted to treasure this. Yet Zoe gained a smirk, as she decided to hold his hands closer to her.

  “You know with such talent I can only imagine what you can do with these hands.” This statement made Damien blush slightly. “Well guess we just find out.” This made Zoe squeal. “This is just like my self-insert fic I wrote about you!” Damien laughed a little. “Well guess you’re leadin this one huh.” Zoe held Damein face to face. “Oh no, I NEED you to take control of this one, or else the flow, the body language, the deep look of fire and passion. It’ll all be for NOTHING.”

Damien just shrugs as he’s dragged off by Zoe in an off screen steamy encounter to be written another time.

Damien gained +1 Confidence +2 Zoe affection

A few days later we meet in the Auditorium, we’re backstage and Damien has a makeup kit ready to go. Already prepping Zoe for her part.

  “You don’t have to do this Red.” She giggled a bit. “Well I gotta get better at my stuff somehow, Vera and Miranda can’t shift like you do.” He was focused in, face to face with Zoe, making Zoe blush a bit. After a while he finished. “I don’t look that much different. But I still love it.” She examined herself. “It’s a natural highlight, can’t overdo it or yah look like a clown.”

  “Fair enough, wish me luck Red!”

Their play was a fantasy set in the medieval ages. This scene was Scott as a Tree, Polly as a Plague Doctor and Zoe as an Alchemist. Narration came from the wonderful wizard, Oz!

  “Nighttime in the forest, you could only hear the hooting of owls, the distant crickets and the sounds of trees-” 

  “TREE NOISES!” Scott yelled which led to an immediate sigh from Oz. “We see our tireless Alchemist Zoey brewing concoctions of all sorts in the middle of the forest. Yet a failed brewing led to the scent of death and pestilence, which always attracted one type of person.”

  “An alchemist? In these parts, you might want to explain your business…”

  “Plague Doctor Pollina was an expert in this regard, known across the lands.”

  “A brewing, for the king himself, these animals often lend themselves use.”

  “Yet it smells like the morgue, are you… plotting?”

  “Me? Plot? Never! I’m a taxpayer like any other, I’m planning on imbuing life from death, and these things have been dead for a while, watch and BEHOLD!”

Zoe hands the empty bottle to Scott, he drinks it on instinct.

  “Wait, can I talk now? Why was this empty?”

  “Incredible… It seems to not have any object permanence though…”

  “I’m flattered, now if you’ll excuse me…”

  “Zoey soon went back to experimentation, with Pollina’s worries put aside so she could rest easy. At least, until disaster struck. End Scene.”

The Audience clapped, leaving the actors on stage talking to one another. Damien soon joined and dropped in on the middle of a conversation.

 

  “Woah Zoe, looks like you used to be a helluva prankster back in the day.”

  “You betcha! I was what you would call in this realm “da shit”!”

  “Hey you still are, think you’re better than before.”

  “Aw shucks, thanks Red.” Zoe gave him a peck on the cheek.

  “I think you’re an even better prankster now!” Scott yelled.

  “Really?���

  “Yeah, being happy with yourself is a whole lot better than being Z’Gord.”

  “Hell yeah dude!” Polly said in agreement.

  “NONSENSE!”

A voice came from almost thin air. It was none other than the insufferable Leonard.

  “Oh Leonard, got anything to add this time?” Zoe remarked.

  “Yeah I heard you talking about how precious it was when you changed from an eldritch being into a highschool girl. I mean it’s so sexy to be a minority isn’t it?”

  “Wha-?” Polly took off her mask just to blankly stare the weirdo down.

  “I mean change seems to be the new fashion. Artstyle changing for reboots, people changing identities, Steven universe gems changing form, even the climate apparently. What’s next? Should we change our ideas? Should I change how I dress? Should I change my signature smell?”

  “Yeah…?” Zoe said blankly.

  “NO to all the above, I, Leonard must be the beacon of hope for the majority before we become the new minority. I will continue this role by being generally obnoxious and saying my opinions without anyone asking and shoving them down people’s throats because I’m the only one who doesn’t need to change. And nobody can change my mind. BECAUSE CHANGE FUCKING SU-”

Before Leonard can finish his rant Damien tosses a blade at him, but barely grazing his forehead. Leaving the man dumbfounded.

  “Geez, just shut the HELL up.” Damien says as he plays with a knife in his hand. “Change is somethin you gotta do, me and Scott change our Pokeman comps to try and match meta. Dude I fuck around with Yu-Gi-Oh decks constantly cause I love changing my decks. I remember you dueled me with a Blue eyes deck, then your dumbass chose a Toon Force deck into Maxx “C” like come onnn.” Damien points his blade towards Leonards neck as he leaned down. “At least be consistent dude.”

The blade was just inches away from his throat, almost a threat rather than a promise.

  “Well uh, it was just comp and- uh- I’ll make angry tweets about this.” He soon ran off. Afterward Zoe lightly punched his arm. “Thanks dude you didn’t have to do that.”

  “Wait wha just happened? Scott asked.

  “Leonard got scared of our demon boy, and of his own stupidity, great play as always dude. The two fistbumped. “Ain’t nothin, should’ve stabbed him honestly.”

  “So Team Zoe won?” Scott asked. “Yes, team Zoe won.” Zoe just laughed.

The quartet had the sweetest group hug and parted ways after a while.

Zoe gained +2 Damien affection and +1 Affirmation

We tune into Zoe’s humble abode. Scattered figurines, games, consoles, and trading cards everywhere we see the two on the bed. With Damien messing around with Zoe’s hair once more..

   “Yah know, this doesn’t make me feel like I’m gettin any better.”

  “Really? I think you’re selling yourself short. You make miracles, like a hair alchemist. Wait… do you have a state license to be one?” Zoe remarked.

  “Nah dude, guess you gotta send the sin of wrath after me, lil hint the dude is actually super chill.”

  “This is when Amira would say something like have a rival or almost lose a loved one.”

  “I mean it might work, just gotta get into the zone.”

Damien thought for a while, he remembered something. He starts moving his hands and tools with a fervor and precision not seen before. It isn’t blind rage or even sadness. There’s a touch of passion for the career of his dreams ladened with each transformation. 

After two hours it was indescribable the beauty that was on top of Zoe’s head. She gasped softly.

  “Dude… this is witchcraft, how did you-“

  “I just… did, thought about losin somebody I love.” He held onto Zoe closer than usual. “At this rate you’ll take my breath away.” Damien leaned his head onto her shoulder. “I mean it, for real.”

A shaky breath escaped her lips, her eyes shaping into spirals. “Dudeeeeeee, I might go off script and pay you back ten fold today.” Damien laughed. “Bring it! I ain’t afraid.” Zoe turned to face him, pinning him to her bed, her tongue extending beyond comprehensible lengths, locking him into a deep passionate kiss to the point he could feel every inch of her tongue wrapping around his. They broke apart, saliva trailing where their lips met. “I mean it for real, fuck the script, it is going down.” Damien just laid down. “Then let’s get this show on the road.

Due to this encounter going off script I can’t even narrate this. 

But  Damien gain +5 Affection for Zoe, +100 skill and infinite hickies

Soon we set our next scene in the classroom. But you could hear chanting nearby. It was the cultists.

  “Guys, I’m not Z’Gord anymore, my name’s Zoe…”

  “Is this a test of faith? Giving us a false name to prove we know it’s not you. We know your name is Z’Gord and that is true.”

  “Guy’s I’m-”

A cultist getting hit over the head with a rolled up newspaper cut Zoe off. 

  “Bad cultist, bad cultist, now scram.” Vera said while continuously hitting the cultists.

  “Those damn cultists?” Damien asked. “Yup… they keep referring to me as it thanks again Vee”

  “No prob.”

  “Yo Broskis” They turn to see the Wolfpack. “Heard from those cultists you used to be Z’Gord. That true?”

  “I guess in a way it’s not wrong.”

  “They told us all about you! They were talking about us being good cult material. Something about being pack-minded.” Confusion rang in his voice. “But why would you go from being a big ol’ monster to a little girl? Seems kinda puny.”

  “Cause I didn’t feel like I was Z’Gord. I wasn’t Zoe.”

  “Sounds convoluted as hell…”

Soon the same irritating voice appeared out of nowhere.

  “Well she’ll still never be Zoe. She’s purposely confusing you for attention. Everyone treats this thing like a change of clothes. I identify as a-” Before he could finish his very original joke he gets stabbed by Vera. “My spleen!” He then disappears.

  “Nice one” Damien said as he put away his knife.

  “Thanks again Vee,”

  “Sure. You know: we’re sisters, not cisters.” She takes her blade and holsters it again.

  “No but dude, like why would yah change all that? Pronouns, name, all that. I still don’t get it.” They sounded genuinely confused once more. “I’m getting tired of explaining all this, I’m clearly not getting to them.”

  “Don’t look at me, my bit is stabbing.”

Damien’s is too but he looked at Zoe. Baton pass to Damien.

  “Well it’s like…”

Spotlight was on him, and words aren’t Damien’s best aspect. Guess now was the time to show his heart.

  “Like you aren’t a wolfpack. You were born as somethin you weren’t supposed to be, somethin that never wanted to exist. Like whatever box people put you in based on how you looked was somethin out of your control, so yah started presentin differently to take control on how people saw yah. Weren’t you somethin before the wolfpack?”

  “Yeah?” The wolfpack said softly.

  “Did you want to stay that thing? Be somethin that wasn’t the wolfpack, never to do what you want as the person you wanna be?”

  “I think I kinda get it, sorry Zoe.” They were much more quelled.

  “It’s fine, I’m glad you understand.”

The wolfpack left Vera, Zoe and Damien there.

  “I think I’ll go too, I have to talk to someone after that.” Vera spoke.

  “Who?” Zoe asked.

  “Maybe anyone.” Vera, stunned as she was, left as well.

  

Zoe sat next to Damien.

  “I knew you had that in you honestly.” Zoe admitted softly. “Yeah, but it’s cheesy, sappy, and I don’t know how Vera will think of me.”

  “Well, it’s the man I adore and cherish, so don’t try hiding it now. Guess I’ll have to share you with the world.” Zoe lightly teased as her tentacles gently pulled them closer. The final bell rang which startled the two slightly but they walked out the building. As they exited they heard a car horn honk, turning to See Vera, Brian and Valerie in one car.

  “GET IN LOSERS, WE’RE GOIN SHOPPING!” Valerie yelled. Brian sighed. “Heard we had some folks needing a new closet after exiting their closet. But do I seriously have to pay?” Vera glared at him. “Just get in you two, it’ll be a fun time, I think…” Brain stated.

The duo got in the car. The rest of the day they were trying on dresses. Even suits as well. The best way to play dress up.

  Zoe gained +20 Affection for Damien + Many many outfits

Damien’s place was hellish, pun intended, but very elegant on the outside. Guess that what you get when you're the prince of an entire sector of hell. Our duo was just outside the door.

  “Shit I’m nervous, like really really fuckin nervous.”

  “Damien, they’ll accept you.”

  “Yeah but I also really haven’t told them about us either.”

Zoe stared at him a bit blankly, not in disappointment, just in confusion.

  “Can I ask why?”

  “Well I dunno, I’m supposed to be the tough rough independent prince of hell, not needin nobody. It’s kinda hard…”

  “Then they’ll know today, and they’ll have to accept.”

  “What if they don’t?”

  “I will unleash the wrath that I have contained in the form. Easy.”

Gee that was scary, but kinda hot in a sense for Damien.

  “Hey calm down horndog, we have to at least get through this first.”

  “Fine…”

  

Damien unlocked the door and entered. The inside was incredibly casual. The only thing that made it lavish was the amount of rooms and the size of it all.

  “OUR LITTLE PRINCE!”

The two kings said in unison while hugging their son.

  “And do I see… a possible daughter in law?!” Mr. LaVey extended his hand eagerly.

  “Now Stan, don’t scare the poor girl off.” Lucien spoke up.

  “It’s fine, my name’s Zoe, it’s an honor to finally meet you.”

Lucien gestured to the table.

  “Dinner is ready, and I imagine we have a lot to talk about.” 

  “You know what to do my little prince.” Stan ruffled Damien’s hair.

  “I gotcha Dad.” Damien went to the kitchen to gather utensils.

Damien and Zoe set the table, the dinner? Mutton with a side of mashed potatoes plus bread. Zoe looked eagerly at the food. After the table was served they dug in.

  “I’m so glad you finally brought someone home!” Stan leaned in to whisper in his son’s ear. “And if you need some privacy we can leave, we have some business later either way.”

This flustered Damien funny enough.

  “Dear, at least let our lovely boy speak up. I imagine he has a lot to tell us today.” 

Gee this felt awfully familiar. But with all eyes on him he gained some courage.

  “I think I know what I wanna do after I’m done with school… I wanna be a hairdresser.”

  “Oh that’s lovely!” Lucien spoke as he passed some salt to Stan.

  “Glad you finally figured yourself out son.” He poured the salt on the mashed potatoes

  “Wait… you two aren’t mad, I’m like the only heir.”

  “Son, I know love that matches ours from a mile away, and at this rate I don’t think I need to worry about an heir.” Stan bit into the lamb chops for a moment then continued. “Even if that weren’t the case, being the ruler of this circle isn’t something we’ll force upon you. You’re still our little prince.”

  “You shouldn’t speak with your mouth full… but he’s right. It’s our right and job to support you through and through. You’re also paving the way, just like we did. Love conquers all as they say.” Lucien held Stan’s hand.

  “See how easy that was.” Zoe just slyly smiled.

  

Damien sighed as the table laughed. 

  “Hey dear don’t we have some business soon after this?”

  “Why we do, and won’t be back for a while.”

And after lunch finished up the two kings left the duo alone. Damien sat on the couch and looked at the ceiling. Zoe stood above him and met his gaze.

  “So, how dumb is my favorite demon feeling?”

  “Pretty damn dumb… Sorry Zoe.”

  “Dude it’s fine, plus.” She gently held his face. “I get you all to myself.”

  “You know they know what we’re doing right?”

  “Who cares! Besides, now I get to love you even more!” Zoe soon let go but sat herself on his lap. “Come on Damien, you know you can’t resist.” 

He stared at her down, but she had a look in her eyes that couldn’t be resisted. Soon he smiled and tossed her over his shoulder. “Hey! Let me go, you big dork!” She playfully hit his back while giggling. “You said you wanted this, now we go.” Zoe sighed. “This is so fuckin hot, I love you so much.” He placed her on his bed kissed her cheek. “Love yah too.”

Think you get the bit by now.

  Damien gained +30 affection for Zoe + a restless night

We tune to the great outdoors. The home of many of Spooky High’s greatest parties. Zoe and Damien found a corner to game on their DS’s

  “Dude! Monster Prom is coming, I finally found some dresses that will totally highlight my tentacles.”

  “Oh cool-” He was interrupted once more.

  “STOP RIGHT THERE YOU PURPLE TENTACLED PHONY.”

  “Hey again Leonard.”

  “Thought Vera stabbed you…”

  “That doesn’t matter, what does is the fact that no matter how many dresses you wear you’ll never be a girl.”

  “Leonard… I’m wearing a dress cause I fucking want to, it’s about how I feel not you…”

  “Of course it’s about me and how I feel, what if I find a gamer girl and she turns out to be an imitator like you. You fuckin Z’G-” 

Without warning Damien immediately lights Leonard on fire. He dissolves into a pile of ash. But you can hear a cough from the pile as it moves. It was almost cartoonish in a vague sense.

  “You know I’m not gonna lie, I thought you’d do the same as Leonard when I first met you.”

  “Geez, I know I’m an asshole but I ain’t a bigot. We’re like two sides of the same damn coin. Sure being a deity of endless despair sounds metal as hell, but defining yourself and being yourself while everyone might hate you, that makes you twice as metal, and a fuckin million time braver than me dude.” He smiled a bit. Zoe laughed a little afterwards. “You big dork, you sure have a way with words.” She went in for a quick and gentle kiss and the two laughed a little.

Before this sweet moment could be continued they were interrupted.

  “Z’Gord, you’re still trapped in this-” One cultist was burned, another took their place. “Pathetic form, let us” Another burned, another returned. “Perform a ritual to.” Three down thousands to go. “Free you from this pathetic form that isn’t yours.”

  “I can do this all day.” Damien said as he readied himself for mass arson. 

  “Nah no point, they’d just come back, guess this is karma for torturing people for millennia.”

Calculester eventually popped up from out of the blue, running from Liam.

  “I will not let friend Liam use me to argue against people online.” There was a D: on his screen

 “The masses are uncultured, I need to tell them how Starco is morally wrong on so many degrees.” He said while running out of breath.

The two paused and looked at the scene. A Neon Genesis Evangelion Figurine dropped from Liam’s bag. The cultists examine the figurine of the EVA.

  “What is this totem?”

  “You buffoons!” He snatched it from the cultists. “This represents the most depressing show with countless layers of devotion and subtext. With the amount of information and metaphors packed into this no simple person would understand.”

  “So… it represents Z’Gord?”

  “Sure if that’s your interpretation.”

The cultists look at each other.

  “And it’s like it’s still trapped in that totem.”

  “It’s not statistically improbable.” Calculester spoke up.

The group huddled for a moment then came to a conclusion.

  “Allies! Z’Gord is trapped in that very totem! We must take that totem and learn about it to release it upon this realm. You there, how could we learn more?” They turned to Zoe. “Well um.” Zoe handed them a collection of NGE Dvds. “This is a documentary on how it works, there’s also a deeper meaning to the totem online.”

  “Thank you random girl, NOW CHASE THEM DOWN AND FIND OUT MORE.”

Calculester and Liam run from the cultists, leaving Damien and Zoe alone.

  “Wait, I thought it was just a cool show bout fighting angels in robot mech suits.” Damien said in confusion. “Damien, listen to me, don’t go any deeper, trust me, once you get into the subtext, you never escape.” Damien pulls out his phone and Zoe immediately pockets it. “HEY-”

  “I said, YOU. NEVER. ESCAPE.” Damien sighed. “Alright I getcha, but I’m kinda hungry, wanna get some sushi.” Zoe smiled widely. “No more people bothering me about who I am and Sushi, dude I’m gonna marry you, like, at this rate you better propose at prom.” This made Damien flustered, especially spending life with someone he loves.

  “Well come on, let’s get goin.”

The two ate sushi and avoided talks about the show to not fall deeper into the rabbit hole.

Zoe gained max affection for Damien + a stomach full of sushi

The week before prom, and when it came to the question of WHO WILL YOU ASK TO PROM Damien and Zoe had their answers. Damien was able to use his skills confidently, doing the makeup and hair of his friends and Zoe. By the time the night arrived it was incredible. They danced, they talked, ,ate a ton of food and got into a lot of shenanigans, but more importantly they had each other. Nothing beat that slow dance, the jealous eyes surrounding them, made them feel like the world was in their palm. Especially the kiss under the stars, it felt leagues above everything.

 Damein gained Max Affection for Zoe + the spark to chase his dreams

After prom was just as magical. Confirming the bond in a way they knew how. After high school Damien opened up his own hair salon, with Zoe supporting him. Through it all he was able to rise to the top quickly with support from all angles. And each second Zoe was affirmed was better than the millenia spent as Z’Gord. Maybe this world needs more love than hate, but what do I know, I’m just a goofy writer.

FIN

[jules-has-notes]

2018 VoicePlay summer activities — projects, planning, and the Philippines

Summer is often a time for fun and relaxation. For the VoicePlay guys, the summer of 2018 was largely a time of planning, rehearsing, and pursuing some individual projects. Though they did also do some significant travel.

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Following a comfortably busy spring, they took the beginning of July as a time to rest a bit and work on other things.

"You're not going to start chasing me like Eli does, are you?"

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J.None spent the Fourth performing with Paradigm at a local event, before zipping up to Virginia for his aunt's wedding.

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A post shared by J.None 🧈🎶 🎙📝🎬🎹🎸📽🤣 (@itsjnone)

J.None sings "Why I Love You" by Major. at his aunt's wedding reception.

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When the weekend rolled around, the PattyCake guys took over a grocery store in a nearby town for an overnight video shoot with the ladies of 4Eva29 and a group of dad friends.

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All aboard

The second week of July began with a flight to Puerto Rico so VoicePlay could board the Disney Fantasy and perform on the last third of its trip back to Florida.

When they were ashore once more, they released their epic Panic! at the Disco two-parter, which received a flood of attention. They then spent the rest of the month preparing for the coming months.

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A post shared by Layne Stein (@laynestein)

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Up, up, and away

August kicked off with a trip up to the northeast, returning to New Jersey, where they'd received a warm reception the previous winter.

photos by Duane Smith and Leon King

Leon also posted a few short clips to his Instagram.

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On your marks…

A week later, they convened at Rayne's Room to film three short music videos geared toward social media that they could release over the following weeks, as well as a promotional video for their upcoming concert with Rachel Potter in the Philippines.

Recording all of that in one sitting was apparently a little rough on their bass man, though.

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A post shared by EArl Elkins (@earlzshore)

Earl and J teasing Geoff for indulging in a moment of younger sibling behavior

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Get set…

The first item from that marathon session they released was, of course, the announcement of their concert in Manila.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by VoicePlay (@thevoiceplay)

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Go!!!

A few days later, they boarded their flight to The Philippines. Once they arrived, they had a little time to get acclimated, so they decided to visit The Dessert Museum and sample some local sweets.

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The show itself went swimmingly, and the crowd had a grand time singing along with some of their best tunes. The only hitch was Geoff having to tough it out with a minor case of food poisoning.

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The next day was the party with their hosts. They gave the tiny birthday girl a private preview backstage. (Scroll to the third slide.)

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A post shared by Rachel Potter (@therachelpotter)

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A post shared by Layne Stein (@laynestein)

Carrot shenanigans will continue indefinitely.

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The trip happened to coincide with Eli's birthday as well, so their hotel surprised him with a tasty treat for the occasion.

Some of the food might not have agreed with Geoff, but Earl clearly enjoyed himself more and found a new favorite dish.

After just a few days on the other side of the world, it was time to head home.

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And for our next trick…

While the rest of VoicePlay recuperated from their globetrotting, Layne and Tony announced upcoming auditions for PattyCake's second scripted series, The Princess Academy.

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Once they were well rested, VoicePlay hit the road again to kick off the main stage performances at the Woodstock Fair in Conncecticut. They were in a double header with Lee Rocker from the Stray Cats.

photo by Duane Smith

post show silliness // travel advice

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As the rest of the guys spent some more time at home, J.None headed over to Dallas to visit with friends. He even happened across a bonus pal from high school.

When he got back to Orlando, J was greeted in a brotherly fashion (by his fellow mischievous middle child Layne, of course).

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A post shared by Layne Stein (@laynestein)

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Just a few months after VoicePlay had hit 300K subscribers on YouTube, they celebrated gaining twice as many followers on Facebook.

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Here, there, and everywhere

Since they weren't returning to Disney World for the holiday season, the guys announced a much more reasonable tour schedule for the end of the year.

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As the month hurtled toward its end, Layne and Tony gathered a cadre of their favorite Disney antagonists to film the first episode of their new Villains Lair series.

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A couple days later, VoicePlay hopped up to Little Rock for the ACANSA Arts Festival at the University of Arkansas.

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Over the ensuing weekend, J.None made another trip up to Virginia. In addition to visiting family, he also fit in a video shoot with his longtime friend Najee for their song "Dues".

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Everybody scream!

VoicePlay closed out the summer by preparing for their favorite time of year with an elaborate music video shoot. After two long days of props, prosthetics, silliness, snacks, and hard work, the boys had the makings of a fantastic visual tale to accompany their wonderful singing.

[silverior968]

Heyo ^-^ I hope you're recovering well!

What are the silliest (modern or otherwise) headcanons you have for the deadmen as a group? Shenanigans and such 👀

Howdy and thank you, both for the ask and for the well wishes. I realized just now that I'm not sure if I ever posted about it, but I made a full recovery! Not only that, but during my 3-month check-up my cerebellum looked astoundingly normal, and my headaches have quieted down considerably. I couldn't be happier, I have so much more energy now.

Anyways, onto the shenanigans! If we start with the war-era ones, they absolutely had the most dramatic snowball fights in history. Like they'd go all in on it, cue absolute chaos. Same with water fights. And fallen leaves. And seaweed (my family used to have this game of throwing seaweed at each other on the beach, I highly recommend). If it is non-lethal and can be thrown or splashed, they've probably thrown it at each other. During the war they'd probably have to wear disguises or play characters to stay hidden, both from Mevolent's forces and mortals. Some of them would be better at it than others, namely Larrikin and Erskine. One very silly headcanon I have is that sometimes, if a battle is still going on or they have to clean up after it, but mortals are heading that way, they'll get Anton to pretend to be a ghost. This is a role he plays exceedingly well, especially if he's used the gist. He's quite scary, but in a quiet way, and he has that indescribeable sadness about him that ghosts also harbor. He'll just stand on the road, look haunting and speak vaguely to any passersby so that they turn right back around. I feel like the Sanctuary might have put on plays to boost morale, and the Dead Men would obviously participate when not on a mission. Larrikin and Erskine go full on theatre kid mode to a scary extent. Skulduggery goes theatre kid mode to a less scary but more insufferable degree. Ghastly likes making costumes, Anton and Hopeless also prefer doing backstage stuff. Hopeless makes sure that everything is ready for scene changes, while Anton works the curtains (he also participates in making props!). Dexter and Saracen always ask for minor roles and always have fun doing them. The plays range from pretty good to total disaster, but they are effective in boosting morale.

Then for some not necessarily war-era shenanigans: They keep their habit of throwing stuff at each other (of course they do). Both during the modern era and war era, they'd probably play some music, do pranks, tell stories and get weirdly competitive at sports/board games/ card games. Do NOT give them Monopoly. A common prank they'd do is pile tiny items on top of any unfortunate soul who has passed out or fallen asleep among them. Skulduggery commonly wakes up from meditating with a meticulously built tower of pencils on top of his head. I also feel like they've all done drag at least once. Larrikin's genderfluid so for them it's not always drag, sometimes they present feminine because they identify as feminine, but sometimes they do drag because it's fun and the vibes are different. Out of all of them I think Dexter and Saracen are the most likely to do actual drag shows. Anton wouldn't step foot on a stage but has, on several occasions, donned an Edwardian mourning dress, not to mourn anyone but simply for the vibes. I mean that is peak fashion. When Valkyrie joins the Dead Men they all go either weird (positive) uncle mode, mom friend mode or dad friend mode. In an ideal world I'd like to see her go do fun activities with them. Like bowling! It would end in some sort of minor disaster but it would be fun regardless. Or perhaps a kayak outing, which also ends in a minor disaster but is fun regardless? There is a certain pattern there.

[thebowieconstricker]

Welcome Home Theatre Kid AU! 🎭 🍎 🎶

I have an idea that’s like the cast of Welcome Home except the town of Home is a community theatre and they all just put on plays and musicals so TAKE SOME DRABBLES GO FETCH

Wally Darling is your standard tenor boy that always gets the lead. Also everybody lowkey has a crush on him but no one can tell what he’s into because he just ends up flirting with everyone (he just thinks he’s being friendly but people are swooning left and right). The only thing is he’s not cocky about it, he sees every role as equally important and loves to put on a silly show with his friends.

Barnaby Beagle is, to absolutely NO ONE’S surprise, always the sidekick/comic relief. He’s at the point where auditioning is just a formality, cause he’s always the main characters bestie. But he’s fine with that, he’s happy to support his pals and he has a great time. He’s also the type to argue with the director, constantly saying “I think my character would do this”, but it’s always just to annoy her (the directer is Sally obvi).

Julie Joyful is that one soprano who just. Keeps. Riffing. And they sound great, like go off, but STILL. She’s usually the female lead but she loves to help with everything, painting sets, making costumes, always an extra hand. Also the biggest hype person backstage, cheering everyone on and just so excited all the time.

Frank Frankly is the tenor that always ends up in the shadows. Like they’re singing so beautifully and with such good technique but they always end up in the ensemble??? Like give him a chance??? Also a great shoulder to cry on during tough rehearsals and shudder tech week.

Eddie Dear definitely got into theater because Frank did, and while Frank really would like to be in the spotlight, Eddie is happy to be in the ensemble. He also loves to make up backstories for his characters most of the time it’s that him and Frank are husbands. Eddie also has a lovely bass voice but it’s more fun to just listen to him sing, the technique isn’t really there. Frank doesn’t mind though, you can always catch him smiling when Eddie sings one of his (very few) solos as Townsperson #2. Also he wouldn’t mind cross dressing.

Sally Starlet is your resident done-with-everyone’s-sh!t director. She always starts the show with a vision and it always goes down the drain as soon as rehearsals get started. Very much so stressed and depressed but trying her best tm. Unlike the others, she has a deep passion for the arts, so while everyone else is just having a fun time, Sally is sobbing into her BFA. But the show always ends up going well, so she keeps putting them on.

Poppy Partridge is THE stage mom. Making costumes, finding props, baking sweets for everyone backstage. Yes, it’s very hectic but gosh darn it her children friends need her and her mission in life is to support them. Also on opening night, she’s always front row, crying and clapping and going “BRAVO!” and she has a red rose for everyone.

Howdy Pillar somehow always ends up being stage manager. With all the arms, he’s just most helpful when pulling the curtains or helping to apply mic tap. He’s happy to help the show run smoothly, but dealing with all the backstage shenanigans gives him a headache. Barnaby’s always ready to give him a joke though, so that helps. Also he can tap dance. I don’t make the rules.

[wwebrainrot]

Intro!

Hello, welcome to my side blog for everything wrestling.

I’ve been into wrestling for a very long time, since I was a toddler but I’ve only recently gotten back into it with the arrival of the Bloodline storyline.

Quick forewarning, I don’t keep up with wrestlers personal lives since I frankly, don’t really care, so any outside ‘drama’ (and I mean drama not criminal charges) will not effect my opinion of the wrestler. Continue reading for some silly stuff.

Favorite Wrestlers?

I used to be super into Becky and Charlotte but since the Man storyline I haven’t been into either of them. Currently, my favorite wrestlers are as follows: Liv Morgan, Cody Rhodes, The Judgement Day, LA Knight, and unironically Logan Paul.

I feel that since Liv’s entrance into the company, she only grows into a greater star every year and I’m excited to see where her storyline will go.

I’ve been following Cody for a very long time, since his beginning as the Dashing Cody Rhodes. I followed him when he went to AEW and I followed him back to WWE, and he’s simply my favorite male star.

As for the Judgement Day I enjoy the storyline with Dom and Rey, since it has some callbacks to Eddie Guerrero, and I love him, so of course I’m a fan. I enjoy some good villains and that’s exactly what they are, lying cheating villains. Seeing Damien’s and Finn’s Payback match against Sammi and Kevin was hilarious. Just watching more and more people coming out to help the Judgement Day provided me endless entertainment, and that’s hard to come by these days.

I had to add LA Knight in there because my dad is a huge fanboy of his and the hypes rubbed off on me too. I mean he’s got a good personality, great with a mic, and hilarious, he’s practically perfect! I can tell he’s going to be the next big star of WWE, all he has to do is bide his time and wait.

Now you might be saying, Logan Paul, seriously? The suicide forest guy? Yeah, him. I feel like he’s grown since his more ‘problematic’ days. I can tell he has a serious passion for wrestling just watching him talk about it backstage or on his podcast (that I only tune into when he has a fellow wrestler on, I don’t have time to listen to him argue with his brother). From his performances so far he’s done phenomenally well, he’s performed some crazy good spots and I respect him for that. Hopefully, this continues and I can watch him grow, albeit slowly, into a nice well-rounded superstar.

Misc.

I don’t care about spoilers, I might post them. I might not.

I reblog more than I do anything else, so don’t expect anything big out of me.

I also don’t care about drama of any kind, I in fact actively avoid it so don’t complain if I accidentally wander into some.

WWE Supercard Shenanigans…

I make it my mission on Supercard to go up against anyone with a Liv profile picture and for some reason I think it’s the fucking funniest thing ever so I will continue to do it.

I also do it to people with Cody profile pictures, so they’re not safe either.

Sayonara!

Alright, that’s all I have to blabber about. You’re welcome to remain here or leave, but above all else have fun and stay safe. Don’t let people on the internet bully you.

[lilyvines]

Do you have any DSMP Crack fic recommendations?

yes! a lot of what i read/recommend (tagged under #fic rec or #fic recs) is crack/humor based! i also answered an ask similar to this here! but here are some more anyway anon :D (not all of these are necessarily crack, but i have a loose definition of crack)

VVIP Backstage Passes by AdrianaintheSnow

clingyduo + wilbur! wilbur soot is a famous musician, and tubbo is a fan at a concert who is informed by a blonde kid he's never met that he can get him backstage. shenanigans insue. this one is more fluff but it's still very funny (~2k, finished)

Tommyinnit's unbeatable method of avoiding sudden death by eneli

ok hear me out: if you want crack this fic is super funny provided you dont read certain chapters. you just have to avoid like the end and some of the chapters (she tells you which in the tags) and you'll have a great time! it's like the original vigilante au! i cannot be held responsible for any tears shed if you read the rest (~80k, finished)

A Hell of a Good Time by tenella

i'm not finished this one but it's an awesome premise! tubbo wants friends and so he summons SBI (who are demons!) (~25k, unfinished)

ok maybe ghosts exist by sootified

this one is a series! it's about "ghost hunter" wilbur who meets ghost!tommy. it's light and funny :D (~12k, unfinished)

I'm a Hotel Owner, Not a Hero by khaoticwoes

tommy gets summoned into a different universe, but instead of being minecraft, it's like a realistic fantasy universe! there's alternate universe versions of his friends, and there's a lot of chaos and clash between minecraft mechanics and magic realism which leads to funny (~48k, unfinished)

all your obstinate eccentricities, unconditionally by fensandmarshes

SBI are some of phil's crows who shapeshifted into humans and are now giving phil a headache :D very funny (~3k, finished)

Above Average by fensandmarshes

i may have already recced this before but i like it a lot and also it's based on one of my posts so uhh here it is again! mundane tommy who is surrounded by magical/powered people and just doesn't notice. crack and humor, so much of it (~2k, finished)

How to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse for Dummies by iorion

i also haven't finished this one but it seems good! it's a humor/crackfic set in the Zombie Apocalypse! very silly n fun (~45k, unfinished)

The Unexpectedly Endearing Chronicles of Buzzkill and Amalgamation by miss_match

i may have also recced this one before but i love it so whatever my recs my rules. beeduo villain au with superhero sbi and morally grey tommy who's just kinda there and having a good time. funny and good and i loved the prompt when i first saw it so of course i love the fic (~5k, unfinished)

[jaskiers-sweetkiss]

The Mercer Legacy - Part 2

Pairings: Reggie x Luke x Reader, Willex

Word Count: 2.4K

Warnings: swearing

a/n: ahhh here’s part 2 of The Mercer Legacy!! I have been super busy and also told myself I wouldn’t write more of this until Sunset Swerve was finished (which it’s technically not bc it’s still missing an epilogue but shhhh) but I’m really excited to share this with y’all!! As always, please let me know what you think and comment/send me an ask if you’d like to be added to my taglist!! Oh, let’s all pretend that Luke and Reggie are in their concert blacks backstage at the event from Part 1 in the second edit, thanks :)

Part 1  Masterlist  TML Masterlist 

___

You met at the place where your front lawns touched, both of you storming out of your houses at the same time to confront each other.

“I can’t believe you lied to me!”

“I can’t believe you tricked me!” 

You both paused, having yelled at each other at the same time and needing a moment to comprehend what the other had said.

“Really?” You spoke first, quirking a brow and pursing your lips as you stared down your best friend. “You’re going to whine about a harmless prank when you’ve been living a freaking Hannah Montana double life?!”

“A Hannah Montana double life?” Alex repeated as if he couldn’t believe those were words that had just come out of your mouth. 

“Yeah, asshole. You’ve got secret cute friends, you’re in a secret band-“

“Actually can we talk about this inside?” He cut you off, looking around frantically as if he just remembered that you were outside and anyone could hear you. 

You glared at him for interrupting but turned to lead the way back towards your house. 

“Now I understand how Lily felt,” you grumbled and you could practically hear Alex roll his eyes. 

“You’re ridiculous.” 

“Oh, fuck off!” 

___

“So what I still don’t understand is why you didn’t just tell me all of this to begin with,” you finally spoke after Alex explained to you everything about meeting the guys and forming the band. You were sat across from each other on your bed, normally you’d sit side-by-side against the pillows or cuddle but this was serious. “Do you not trust me?”

Alex snapped his head up at that, looking you straight in the eyes as he spoke. 

“No! Y/N, of course, that’s not it! You know you’re my best friend, I’d trust you with my life!” He rushed to reassure you. 

“Then why not this?” 

Alex sighed. 

“I don’t know, it just...it all happened really fast and telling you slipped my mind and then it seemed too late to tell you and I just- I didn’t want you to be mad at me,” he rambled and you shook your head fondly. 

“You’re an idiot, you know that right?” 

“That’s why I need you, you have all the brains,” he was quick to respond, breaking out the innocent look he usually reserved for parents. 

“Kiss ass,” you grumbled but gesture for him to join you against the pillows anyway. 

“I’m glad you know now,” Alex said quietly as he settled next to you, slinging an arm around your shoulder and pulling you into him. “Don’t replace me with Luke and Reggie though.”

You laughed at that, quickly reassuring him that you could never before pulling out your phone. 

“What’re you doing?” Alex asked curiously, trying to get a look at the screen. 

“I’m changing your contact name to Hannah Montana,” you answered simply as you tapped away on your phone, doing just that. 

“Oh my gosh, seriously? You’re never gonna let that go are you?” He groaned. 

“Listen, I really don’t think you’re appreciating how clever that was. I’m a genius.” 

“Of course, my genius best friend,” Alex teased, hugging you closer to him briefly. 

You nuzzled your head into his shoulder, grateful for the show of affection. You knew Alex wasn’t a very physical person so the fact that he was comfortable enough with you to express his affection in this manner was huge. You always joked that he was the brother you’d never asked for and it was like he caught the cuddle bug when the two of you hung out. You’d spent many an afternoon or sleepover cuddled up just like this. 

“Oh! I should probably text the guys and let them know you’re alive,” you spoke after a moment, reaching for your phone once more. 

“The guys,” Alex repeated in disbelief at the casual reference to Luke and Reggie before the rest of your statement registered in his mind. “Wait, let them know what?!”

“Shhhh, it’s fine,” you waved him off as you sent a text in your group chat. “I just might’ve threatened your life for lying to me.”

“You threat- y’know what, I shouldn’t even be surprised anymore,” he sighed exasperatedly. 

“You really shouldn’t,” you laughed. “Luke says you’re late for band practice.”

“Oh shit!” Alex exclaimed, sitting up suddenly, the movement forcing you to sit up as well. “I gotta go- wait, do you wanna come with? I’m sure the rest of the group won’t mind.”

“Do I want to come... y’know I was joking about me having all the brains in this friendship but now I’m starting to think it’s true,” you huffed as you followed your best friend out of the room. 

___

“Hey guys, sorry I’m late!” Alex apologized as he rushed into the garage where the band apparently practiced. 

Upon entry, you found the garage had been converted to a well-lit and nicely decorated studio, equipped with everything you assumed a band of high schoolers could need. As you followed Alex in he gestured over to a couple of armchairs and a couch clustered across from the band setup for you to sit in before he quickly made his way behind the drum set. 

“No problem man, we know you were making up with- y/n!” Luke exclaimed, catching sight of you seated in one of the chairs in front of him. 

“What’re you doing here?” Reggie blurted out, having spun around to face you when Luke had said your name and you felt your cheeks heat up in embarrassment. 

“Um, Alex said I could come watch you practice?” You tried to explain but it came out as more of a question in your flustered state. “He didn’t think you guys would mind but if you do I can just head back home...”

You moved to stand up from your chair but the boys were quick to stop you. 

“No!” They shouted simultaneously. Thank goodness for guitar straps because each boy nearly dropped their instrument in their haste to keep you from leaving. 

“You just... caught us off guard. That’s all,” Luke explained, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. 

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” you heard Alex groan from the back, drawing your attention. 

“What’s up?” You called back to him, settling back into your seat and sending Luke and Reggie a grateful smile before giving your best friend your undivided attention.

“Huh? Oh! I, uh, one of my sticks looks like it’s starting to crack,” he excused, sounding like he hadn’t meant to be heard. You narrowed your eyes suspiciously at him, knowing he was leaving something out but you wouldn’t push it. At least not in front of Luke and Reggie. “Anyways, where’s Jules?”

“She just ran inside to grab some water,” Reggie answered, and if on cue the studio doors opened and a smaller girl carrying an armful of water bottles who you assumed must be Julie stepped in. 

“Y’know, one of you guys could’ve offered to help,” she huffed, walking over to each of the three boys to hand them a bottle. 

Like Luke and Reggie, it took her a moment to notice your presence as she jumped slightly when she turned around and spotted you. You smiled sheepishly, feeling that embarrassed heat rise into your face once again. 

“You must be Y/N!” She exclaimed, grinning at you. “I’m Julie. Do you want a water?” 

You graciously accepted the offer from the curly-haired girl, thankful that she didn’t seem to mind that you were there. After making sure you felt welcome Julie was all business, getting the band started on their rehearsal. The same could not be said for the guys. 

Luke was the first to start goofing off while Reggie had been pointedly averting his gaze whenever you looked at him. It was a complete tone shift from the confident boy who had winked at you at the debutante ball but Luke’s showing off seemed to empower him. The brunet, on the other hand, hadn’t wasted any time doing silly rockstar moves and adding in guitar riffs that you could tell weren’t typically apart of the songs by Alex and Julie’s fond but exasperated expressions. Not long after, Reggie joined in on the shenanigans, the two boys competing for your attention. 

For his part, Alex did seem to be doing his best to maintain his professionalism but, well, once Luke and Reggie started acting out you weren’t surprised that he followed. You thought it was cute, your best friend was jealous. Whether it was because he thought you were stealing his friends or they were stealing you was yet to be seen, but you thought it was endearing despite knowing that he had nothing to worry about. 

Well, maybe he had to worry about you stealing Luke and Reggie. Despite not knowing them for very long the two boys had quickly grown on you and you were grateful for opportunities like sitting in on band practice to get to spend more time with them, even if you weren’t talking or interacting with them directly. You got the feeling that music was a language of their own, especially for Luke. Even as he did everything in his power to gain and keep your attention you could tell that each song was important to him. 

You were surprised and bummed when they finished rehearsing, your personal mini-concert over. However, you hadn’t realized practice being over didn’t mean you had to go home. Apparently, the guys often stayed late in Julie’s garage just hanging out. 

“So, what exactly do your parents think you’re doing when you’re here?” You asked Alex much later, having just noticed the sun had long since set and wondering how the boy had escaped his parents’ curiosity and strictness for so long.  

You had migrated to the couch at some point in the evening, your legs draped across Luke’s lap as you stretched out on the sofa. Reggie and Alex occupied the two closest armchairs. 

“Usually I just say I’m at your house,” Alex shrugged and you sat up abruptly, staring at him as if he were insane (which, by the way, he was). 

“And you never thought to tell me that I was your alibi?” You questioned in disbelief. “What if they had checked in?!” 

“They wouldn’t have checked in.”

“They’re helicopter parents!” 

“But they trust me,” Alex smirked and you huffed. 

“Right. How could I forget you’re the Golden Boy. Every parent to ever exists trusts you immediately by default,” you groaned, flopping back onto the couch dramatically. 

The guys all laughed at that and you smirked victoriously to yourself, proud that you were able to do that. The boys led the conversation after that with you jumping in occasionally, just content to be there. You weren’t sure how much time had passed before your eyelids grew heavy and you decided to close them, believing you could still listen and participate in the conversation with your eyes shut.

The boys didn’t realize you were asleep until Luke felt you shiver, your legs still laying across his lap. He looked over to find you with your eyes closed, a peaceful expression on your face, and goosebumps all over your arms. You were freezing. 

Realizing that there were no blankets nearby, Luke began to slowly shrug off his flannel so as to not disturb you. The same flannel that Alex had made fun of him for wearing because “It’s June in LA and it’s a million degrees out.” Well, suck it, Alex, because now he was able to drape it across your torso. 

A warm, fluttering feeling erupted in his chest when you unconsciously grasped onto the fabric, snuggling further into the material. 

At this point, Alex and Reggie had caught on to the fact that you had fallen asleep and while the boys did resume their conversation, there was a noticeable shift in volume. Luke flinched the next time he felt you move, thinking their talking had woke you up. However, he looked to see that your eyes were still closed, no signs of consciousness to be found in your features and he let out a small sigh of relief. 

“Hey, Reg can you go grab a blanket from the loft?” Luke asked, looking away from you to give his friend his signature puppy dog eyes. 

It turned out he didn’t need to though as Reggie had already jumped up from his seat and started making his way quickly and quietly to the ladder. He made it up and down from the loft with no troubles but it didn’t last. Barely two steps away from the ladder Reggie tripped, falling into Alex’s drum set. Luke and Alex watched with wide eyes as at the last minute the boy attempted to launch himself in the opposite direction, not wanting to damage the drums and he nearly managed to save it, until he knocked the high-hat over with his foot. 

The cymbals hit the ground with a loud crash and you startled awake, eyes flying open and heart racing at the sound. 

“What the fuck was that?” You gasped, sitting up as you tried to make sense of your surroundings. “Was I asleep?” 

“That was Reggie knocking over the cymbals and yeah, you were knocked out,” Luke chuckled, smiling lightly at you. Alex had already jumped up, rushing to the back to make sure his high-hat and friend were okay. 

“Oh my gosh! Are you okay Reg?” You asked, your head snapping to the band set-up just in time to see the boy in question stand up, brushing off his pants before carefully making his way back to you. 

“Yeah, I’m all good,” he replied cheerily before handing you the waded-up ball of fabric. “I was grabbing you a blanket, you were shivering in your sleep.” He explained softly and your heart warmed at the gesture.

“Aww babes, that’s so sweet,” you cooed accepting the blanket from the blushing boy even though you were no longer sleeping. As you set down the blanket you noticed Luke’s flannel already laying in your lap and you felt heat rise to your cheeks at the realization that he must have placed it over you in your sleep. 

“Babes?” Alex repeated as he walked back, looking at you funny and you sent a puzzled look back. 

“What? I used to call you babe all the time before you got permanently relegated to ‘asshole.’” Alex rolled his eyes at that while Luke and Reggie chuckled. 

“Okay, it’s time to go,” Alex huffed, pulling you off the couch and you pouted. 

“Well, bye I guess!” You whined, waving at the boys while Alex tried to forcibly remove you from the garage as quickly as possible. “Asshole.” You cursed him quietly under your breath. 

Part 3

___

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[aggresivelyfriendly]

Tryst-Chapter 10

I did it! I finally edited this thing. Still not completely happy, but they are, so 🤷‍♀️s! If you enjoy let me know. I love a like, reblogs are love, and anons are lifeblood! 😘!!

Tam

Inglewood

There seems to be an equilibrium they have reached, Helene decided one balmy afternoon home alone of her tiny apartment patio. She pictured it like a piece of a Johnny Cash song, them walking the golden line in the middle of U.S. streets. If they were to veer either way the emotional equivalent of oncoming traffic would flatten them.

Though she supposed that line felt pretty roomy, like an estate broker's favorite word, spacious.

Maybe it's a tightrope, and any imbalance means they smash upon the hard, unforgiving ground.

Helene had convinced herself that this was her own conception, that her lover, her boss, her Harry, didn't feel it as well.

Until she heard the album.

She'd been at the Paris listening parties, so she'd heard snippets, and she'd been in the studio a time or two, so she had heard rough stones being polished to diamonds, chord progressions and roughed out lyrics and melodies. That was all up until this point.

Helene was offered a choice, the whole of staff was, to hear the album early or with everyone else.

She had declined. Because she had a very clear picture of what it was about, who it was about. It stung. Not because she was unaware of his sorrow, or how he missed her, the other French girl, the one worthy of homage, but because, she had been there too- with him too. Every step of the way and through Paris and Rome, and Japan and Australia too.

It hurt.

As much as her eyes were open, muscle memory of the drill, the words cemented on her brain to console herself. He was in an open relationship, Helene was not in that relationship, she was simply a reason for the unbolted window. Always making cameos, never the headliner.

So, the album, as great as she kept hearing it was, would be confirmation of her role, or lack thereof. She wasn't ready for that truth.

She'd better get ready. Helene would be hearing it soon no matter what, and seeing him. It had been a little bit since Cancun, but the show was going on, and she was involved, expected. It wouldn't do to cry over her lack of lyrical odes in front of the fans, they all knew her name and face, and she wasn't so good a liar they'd believe a disclaimer of happy tears.

Before the first show went on, her own show needed to get on the road. It was time for her to break a leg, or her heart as it were. Her set up was optimal for a breakdown.

Empty hotel room, qui Tissues on the toilet seat, qui Full hot bath, qui Goblet of red wine, tout a fait.

Helene was as ready for heartbreak, or it's residue if that's where she was now, as ready as one can be.

Her clothes are easy to quit, sweats and a TPWK tank exclusive to crew. The water is hot, her skin will redden to match her tear streaked face.

The level of melodrama she's reaching for this is impressive to even herself.

"Allons-y" she mutters and presses play.

And Clairemeant, she loves it. From first cord, she can imagine being in his stupid convertible driving to Shanghri la. Helene wishes he had played this when they went, a moment of California dreamin. She knows the next couple, as everyone does, in his world at least. Soon the whole world probably. They were radio besties, not just friendly.

It's the next few tracks where her preparations pay off. The tears come. For him, for her, and for Helene herself. The worst part isn't even her own pain; the waterworks are for Harry. She can hear his broken heart and bad decisions.

God, she hopes he does not count her among those.

But She, She is a new place to be. It's exactly what she would expect him to make and miles beyond expectation.

Then Sunflower, god, is it ridiculous to feel like there are glimmers of them? If kraft services counted as kitchens. It's the toothpaste. It's the fact that on their first go, they didn't know each other. Not really. She was his employee. She knew him, intimately, from all the watching, much less creepy than it sounds when it was her job. But she was somewhere between an insider and an outsider. Always an observer, never a participant was the lot of a photographer.

Except when Harry pulled her into the shenanigans, onto his lap, or some other harmless flirty gesture she couldn't forget.

Helene never lived in a canyon, though all of Paris seemed to rise around her some days. That one was nothing to do with her, and after a couple songs reprieve her heart seized all over again.

Helene loved that he'd made a song for his motto. It had all the silly he made cool. Even if he broke her heart sometimes, she loved how her kindness grew watching him cultivate and sow his own. The harvest was in the venues, and her heart.

After that happy high, she's not ready for the closer. Though she suspects she may never have been, no matter practice or preparation.

Fine Line throws her, thrills her, and makes her think.

Is it her? Is it them? Is it like most of the rest,  Camille?

Helene is aware she is simplifying. Music isn't exactly clear in its inspiration or intention. There may be shades of her throughout.

In this last song, she feels more than shades.

Had they ever been anything besides a fine line? Somewhere between one thing and the next.

She hesitates to think something more, that denigrates their friendship. Romance isn't necessarily superior, that's a bought and sold fairy tale she has tried to unlearn.

But, if she is honest, being together would have felt like more, better. Because she wanted him, wanted him to want her.

Some of the lyrics trouble her.

She didn't think she was unknowable though. Maybe at the end, when she let him open her completely everywhere, and then promptly hopped over into one territory and only tread their old familiar line  accidentally once.

Could she ask him? Would she? Tomorrow?

Non, that's not like her. Helene's direct in desire, but not in definition. Probably why they got stuck walking the line.

But they were alright. What a comfort that was.

Whatever the truth, the inspiration, when she heard it live, tomorrow, she would pretend or hyperextend. Believe. She'd believe it was about her.

———————————————————————————

Helene always forgets what it's like to see his face in person, be in a room with him. On paper and in her mind when she is away, she can rationalize. 'He's handsome. But not extraordinary. You know better looking men, have shared more time with some.'

And then he is nearby, and her entire body is aware of him.

Moreover, so is everyone elses. That is his power, super prowess. He has this energy that galvanizes every libido in range. The hell of it, it turns on a dime and you want to ruffle his hair just after riding his face. He's so sexy and frustratingly endearing.

His gap between adorable and sexy is so small, and bowtied to perfection.

"What's new pussycat?" He whispers near her left shoulder before she can even fully take him in.

"Enfin!" She could see the rear of her brain case. Harry turned her body into his hug and was responding to her exaggerated exclamation.

"See Jeffrey, I told you she had the best eye roll!" He giggles a bit and holds her long, in that way anybody else probably couldn't get away with. Someone might rightly think they'd tasted every part of one another if he didn't hold everybody like this.

Helene takes the opportunity to smell him. He always smells good to her, even his stink. Sweat drenched and ball's empty or dandied up and stage worthy, he tasted like her first meal out when she returns home to Paris.

" I cannot believe you remember that conversation." She said into his neck.

It quelled his laughter.

"How could I forget the look of disgust on you and Sarah's faces. Too good to not use!"

"You gonna use it on Sarah too? Or would Mitch put your nose between your pretty eyebrows?"

"Don't mock my eyebrows!" He pulls back, but she's still within the walls of his body, bracketed by his arms. "They just grow like this."

"Qui," she snorted. "Don't forever I've photographed you being groomed, ma belle."

"She's  just cleaning them up! I swear."

"She just took your man card Harry." Jeff 's snickering.

"He didn't have a man card since long ago." She and Jeff laugh together.

"Heeeey!" His offended face goes soft around his smiling eyes. He tilts her body away from the small backstage crowd and she wonders where they are going. She's still going; her toes have all but left the ground while he leads her with his whole body.

She follows her heart.

Helene always feels small, but he makes her feel deliciously tiny. He leads her down a corridor, past people he waves to and she would have stopped to hug in other circumstances. She'd missed this circus family. Finally, she just has to ask, "Harry, where are we going? I don't have my equipment." If he wanted her to capture the moment, she needed a camera. He did this sometimes, this drag to a piece of personal history or set up he saw well in his mind's eye. His enthusiasm always contagious.

He didn't exactly have that energy going on now, he seemed nervous rather than excited.

"That's a bit unfortunate. S'ok though I only want a mental picture of your face. When you tell me." He pulls her through a door, a different dressing room from last time, which she realizes upon entry is actually an office.

"Where are we?" Helene asks as he positions himself between her and the door like she might make a break for it.

"Irving's office." He explains off hand. "Now tell me, what' d you think?"

"Quoi?" She can feel the screw of her face to the left. She has no idea what he could mean, she'd been so busy keeping up with his footsteps, she had no idea what he was on mentally. They didn't always connect easily, he wasn't always an open book, but she'd figured out how to crack him a time or two. It was easier with a camera at her eye, or both of them naked.

"Of the album, my album." He pinches his bottom lip and wrings his hands a tad.

"The album?" Her brain's slow. Why were they talking about this?

"You' re the only one who hasn't text me, or responded. That's included I mean."

"Included?" What?

"Please stop repeating me in one word questions, Helene!" He looks up and blows out a breath. "Did you like it? Are you upset?"

"Upset?"

"Helene!"

"Harry, lower your voice."

"Apologies." He takes her hand. "Now, did you like it?"

Ah, it was easy to forget how praise was like water on a neglected plant to him. He just wanted assurance that her love of his work would fill her photos again.

"Qui, clairement, it's gorgeous."

"And?" He looks, she couldn't quite place it, Like a puppy trying to sneak into your bed. Hopeful but preemptively scolded.

"And?" She opens her palms to him, subconsciously trying to release his nerves about whatever he's asking her opinion of.

"Did you hear it? At all." He rolls his eyes, but it was so clearly at himself that Helene takes no offense. "Hear us I mean?"

"I didn't want to presume." She starts after a pregnant pause.

"Presume, tournesol, presume." He leans close and she can really smell him. Not pungent like Mexico after hours of sun, or after a night on stage. But, days lazing or loitering in Italy under warm skies.

She shakes her head at him. She felt a spark of recognition that she'd classified as hope during that song, but, "that one is not all me."

"No, not entirely. It is an idea, a feeling fleshed out, but an ode none the less." He assures her, all eye contact and vulnerability.

He's closer now, enough to touch. And she could have? Would, but she had a more important question, a deeper song to address. Though she had to admit, most days Sunflower was her favorite. "Am I in any others?"

"Glimpses. Though one is mostly you." He gives her an encouraging smile, mischief around its edges.

She sucks in a breath. She really wants to know, she's become so much more that she was since she met him. Braver, kinder, richer in many ways. Could she be direct as well? What would Dominique, her most forward friend, do? "And the ending. That feels like a beginning?"

"Fine line?" His dimple's out. Helene might feel upset that he's a cat and she's the mouse if he wasn't a Tom to her Jerry.

"Qui, fine line?" If she just lifts her hand, his jaw will fit just so, always has., or the beautiful curve of his shoulder.

"That one," he's smiling like the time he presented her cake on her birthday. "I realized in Mexico is you!"

"Not until Mexico?" Now she didn't want to touch him, not even his fine shoulder.

"I knew while writing, the glimpses of you, but only one part was, her, was" he swallowed. She hoped it wasn't still pain slicing his throat as he forced the feeling down. She'd even take regret. "Camille" he took her hand. More friendly than the conversation. "The rest, the hope, is you." The nerves were foreign to him when he was with her, he didn't wear them well, his only awkward fit.

Helene let's her eyes fall closed while his breath wafts over her face. That was more Harry. The taste of caffeinated mint. The familiarity messes with her head, it's a bit false but never forced.

She wants to accept his compliment, even though he's undercut it with an inconvenient truth. Their relationship was not one. They were friends, they slept together sometimes, he was her boss and her muse. But they were never together, and  "that's nice, Harry, but, forgive me if it seems, well convenient."

"Convenient?" Oh, his brows are as tangled as his growing curls. Damn him.

"Me belle, it's hard not to notice who is not here, but everywhere on the album." He narrows his eyes in response to her observation. "And I also have someone else to call baby."

"You're with someone?" His pretty brows nearly touch above his nose.

"Qui." It was a bit of a stretch, really. A man she is dating, fucks occasionally. They're not exclusive, and she likes him, Rene, but no more has developed With anybody else, since she gave Harry Carte Blanche with her body. She had liked him, them, a few of them, thought they had potential. She supposed they still did, it just hadn't developed. Helene has never pushed them down the hill.

It hadn't stopped her from being with Harry in Mexico.

Helene talks about him now, hoping it will slow down the ball rolling from the top of the hill in Harry's mind. If he'a just realized he wrote about her and still believed sharing that notion just after she spent several hours marveling, begrudgingly, over his words to another woman, her clothes would fall off over one song for herself, well, he might be right. But she needed some kind of defense mechanism.

She's lacking a chastity belt, Rene's specter would have to do.

"How long?" He asks quietly.

"A bit." She wasn't going to give him details. That was showing him the chinks in her honor.

"Oh, ok, well, that's good." He clears his throat, looks at her with murky eyes. "I'm happy for you."

"I'm happy for you, as well." She hugs him, to touch him and reassure him. "This album, tour, will be a great success."

"Yeah, yeah." He says trying to believe it. "Now that it's out there, I hope so. But we are going to make it fun. You up for some fun, Helene? This time out?"

She's  confused, last time was fun, but she supposed her life was changing so fast, she had no grand expectations to carry on her shoulders and no one broke her heart during tour.

That came after. He must be going into this round with a different attitude.

"Yeah, fun sounds good." He high fives her and she can't help but laugh at him. It turns into another hug, and all the distancing she'd done during this conversation ceased when he kissed her flaxen hair.

"Break, break a leg, Harry." He smiles, the nerves making it quiver just a bit as they go their separate ways.

—————————————————————————— The album closer is approaching and Helene is suddenly nervous. Sunflower kinda made her shake, luckily it's such a damn happy jam, her feelings didn't sweep her away. It's already been a magical night, and she knows the magic doesn't end with the album. Harry has some amazement up his pink sleeve.

His outfit had been distracting, not like Paris or Madrid, but it's so pretty and such a cute silhouette. Helene realizes while she is snapping away. It was distracting because she wanted it herself. It might overwhelm her small frame, but that pink would look good on anyone. He might loan it to her, Sarah and Mitch wore his clothes sometimes.

She's at least as close.

Closer.

He says something before he begins, and it's loud so Helene has to translate it twice, figure out his words and then think them in French. The song's started before she realizes he's said its a difficult song to perform for the first time.

She can't put her finger on why, but she feels for him, for herself. Her brow is knit up like that time she tried to make a Christmas scarf and the little piece of her heart she took back from him breaks free from its stitches and goes to him, right where he stands on his big stage.

The music starts and it's the build that gets her. Just like the first time. She admits she listened to this one repeatedly, Listen one- physical experience, listen two- listening for the glimpses she thought she had caught of herself. Listen three- cry time.

Helene does not want to weep, but it seems she might be in good company. Harry's doing his closed eyes thing. She teased him about that onetime.

"Is it easier to hear how good you are if you close your eyes?" She'd asked this from the head of the bed while he lay across the bottom rubbing her feet.

"What?"

She supposed it was a nonsequiter. "When you sing and when you fuck, you close your eyes sometimes. Is it so you can focus on the screaming?" She pushed him with her foot and gave him a flirtatious smile.

"I don't need to hear the screams to know I'm good." He'd smirked at her and she would have kicked him off the expensive high hotel bed, but he continued too quickly, "To be honest," oh he was serious now, "It's when I get emotional. Or I need to focus."

"Like to hit a note?" She likes his explanation. He keeps his eyes closed sometimes when he's inside her. She hopes that, she, makes him feel; she's too afraid to ask him about that though.

"Or to make you hit a note!" He'd dropped his emotional temperature quickly, grinned and tackled her. "Let's see if we can get you to a G7!"

She did not hit any whistle notes, her orgasm had actually been pretty silent, but the build up had been harmonious.

The conversation came back to her now. His eyes were definitely closed, as they had been during Falling, and a few other times. But, he'd said this was hers, theirs, and he seemed to be feeling, if her memory served, and she remembered so much about Harry, she trusted it.

And then, as her eyes are unquestionably about to spill over to wet the forum floor with her fellow Harry fans, his open. They find her like he's been tracking her all night, and that may be true, though that is more her job, to always be aware of him and his location. But she's rooted there now. She may never leave this spot, Because there is emotion in his eyes, it's not humid like hers, but it's intense.

He eventually shifts to connect with a paying customer, but Helene is a mess. She has to go back stage to collect herself.

She almost misses Stevie, and even if he wrote songs about her, Helene is fairly certain she would get fired for that. The rest of the show is a blur. She snaps it by muscle memory.

Helene also doesn't stay for the after party, it's all to much. It's a departure from her normal behavior, she would almost always stay, with her camera, and to be with everybody. Tonight she's planned to. She missed them dearly, she just couldn't after that moment.

Harry doesn't have that luxury, it's his party, which is why he doesn't knock on her hotel room door until 3am.

She thought she'd got away with it.

Helene's still awake, barely, and when she answers the door, she knows she's mussed. He's seen her like this before, he's caused it. She's too tired to care much.

"Harry," she sighs. "It's late, Cherie."

"You left, and I needed to talk to you." He walks in like he owns the place. She supposes he did pay for it. He just turns to look at her, and if she didn't already feel exhausted beyond measure, those eyes on her may have sparked the fire he lit long ago in her belly.

"Go ahead." The sooner he unburdens himself the better, she looks longingly at her bed.

And then he just sighs and says, "are we?"

She's doubts the face she makes is attractive, "are we what?"

"Alright? Are we alright?"

God, that's a major question. What they are is a shadow of existence, some half way place between what they could have been, what they should be, and then what they are. It a very strange set of loops, like the comparison charts from school. They are colleagues, no doubt, friends, thankfully, and lovers, occasionally. Do any of those designations mean they are alright?

Because she doesn't want occasional lovers. She's put distance between them because she wants more. Halfway is not alright to her.

"Helene?" Oh, she's just been biting her lip this entire time. She really wants to go to bed, but, they should get this done before tour. Does she tell him she wants to be the dead center of his life, or just leave it at they are alright and go to dreamland.

Either are scary in their own right and he's distracting.

He's wearing comfy clothes, the yellow shirt and large trousers she'd snapped him arriving at the forum in. The shirt hugs his body and it makes it difficult for her to pretend she doesn't want to be really open about her feelings. Sometimes isn't enough, not anymore, maybe not ever.

"Let's sit."

"Uh oh." Harry exhales.

"Uh oh?" She looks up at him.

"Is the next sentence 'we need to talk?'"

"Well, we do, or you wouldn't be here on the wrong side of the sun."

"Fair enough." He sighs and sits back, his head hits the back of the couch. He's stretched out, and her small frame would fit well between his hips and chin. She's tempted to do it, to straddle him. Then the talk won't happen, and all these things will be left up in the air. And she will be narrative adjacent, still.

But she's in his narrative, right? If the song is about her? Is that enough?

So she sits with him. "Harry," she takes his hand and he looks so hopeful. "What does it mean to be alright?" Helene is surprised by her own question. It's direct, perhaps not as direct as it could be. She's unsure what he's asking. Is he asking her for more of the same? Today's same, where they are flirty friends and colleagues. Or the alright of yesterday, where she's his friend and employee with benefit.

That's not alright.

Or does it mean something else, something more. Like the feeling after the build in the music, hopeful, open ended: a chance taken.

He finally yanks his eyes open, and Helene remembers he performed an entire concert and went to an after party. That he is center stage in many peoples life. Is she insane to want to be his locus? Harry opens his mouth, then closes it.

"I guess, I don't know."

Helene nods. It's not a surprise, he just wants harmony and everybody happy. He may not have thought beyond them being ok on the surface. He's not ready for the conversation she thought he was asking about.

"We're fine Harry. You're tired, you should get to bed." She stands to show him to the door,  is suddenly back to wholly exhausted herself.

He's shaking his head.

"Harry's it's 330. We need sleep."

"I didn't like that you left."

"You don't get to make me stay at a party. It's not part of my duties."

He's still shaking his head. "No, I'm not saying this right. It's not alright."

"What isn't?" God, she's frustrated, wants him to be clear.

"That you don't want to be around me. I miss you." Well that's obvious for him, and wrong.

She closes her eyes. "Did you ever consider, maybe it's that I want to be around you too much."

"What do you mean?" He looks puzzled but there is light around his eyes, blue skies and clouds.

She sighs. Someone has to be vulnerable, Might as well be her. She knows how straightforward he just was must pain him. "I mean, I don't want to be with you at the party," he's cringing. "well, not just." She takes a fortifying breath. "I miss you too, but I miss what we could have been as well. And I can't," she could do this. "I can't just sleep with you when you are feeling lonely anymore. We are either friends or we are more. It's not fair to me. I can't walk the fine line anymore."

He's looking at their interlaced fingers. A drop hits her hand.

"Harry?"

"I'm sorry." He whispers

Her heart breaks. He doesn't want this. She tries to take her hand from his. Dammit, why did they have to do this in her room? She can't run away now.

"No, no." He looks  up. Why's he sad when she's getting rejected? "I'm sorry I took you for granted, or made you feel like you were my second choice."

She'd not said that.

"I can read between your lines, Helene." He touches her cheek. "I had feelings for you, but I was already with Camille. And then, I was mourning. And it takes me bloody ages."

She wants to role her eyes. She supposes it's kinda true, but he was mourning his rejection.

"I've realized since then, my heart was bruised, but my ego was what got broken. And I wasn't in a place to offer you anything. Not until Mexico, but then things just got busy and we didn't talk."

"We never do." She purses her lips.

"We need to." He holds her chin in his hands. "So, I'm asking. Will you cross the line with me?"

God, her heart is swelling, and she's afraid to look at his face. Is he really asking what she is hearing? "Harry, amor, what does that mean? I can't speak in metaphors." She can, but it's trouble with him. He's a metaphor himself with his figurative edges and blurred meanings.

He sighs, chuckles to himself, and lets go of her hand. He cups her face and draws her eyes up to the tide pools of his. The tides in, he's teary. "I want to do it together, not have you cross the line hoping I follow, or me waiting on the side for you thinking you understood what I was asking for. But together."

She huffs, she stilll, always, doesn't know what the fuck he is talking about. "What line Harry?" She assumes when someone is holding your face gently you shouldn't be yelling in their face in return, but he is so frustrating. "I still don't know what you are saying."

He laughs at himself, or at her, or them. "I'm saying, we should do this, you and me. Like a real relationship. Not just when we are together on tour or meeting up for me to work. But you come home with me to London, or Malibu, or wherever. Or I go with you to Paris, and we don't leave."

"Are you suggesting we move in together?" She's smiling, finally. The edges of her lips would be at her  earlobes if they could be. "You may want to ask me to be your girlfriend first."

"We've been moving at a glacial pace for years. But that's not really what I meant—"

"I know." She shakes her head fondly. "So?"

"So-" he takes a big breath. "Will you be my girlfriend, Helene?"

Oh god, this is what it feels like to look at the sun. To be the sun. "Yes!" It's a whisper, but full of emotion if not voice.

She's not sure why she is so overcome by it that she can't speak, but she can move, she's straddling his lap a moment later.

He laughs, "it's hard to kiss you when you are giggling." But he's vibrating along with her and his bunny teeth clack against hers just as much. His hand is in her hair and it's not until it slides down to cup her jaw that she can't laugh anymore.

Not when he is looking at her like that. His heart is in his eyes and her face is in his hands. Harry's eyes always sparkle, but the combination of mirth and awe shakes her like an earthquake.

The kiss goes better then, or it more closely resembles a kiss, in that their lips form to one another, going from right angle to straight line to acute in time. His tongue has always been devilish and she wonders if it's vocal training that renders it so.

She's more vocal than him, as always, and she's panting his name when his hand engulfs her throat before sliding her silk pajama top off her shoulder to kiss her neck, collarbones, the tops of her breasts. Her nipples stand high on her plum sized mounds and they always trill along the roof of his mouth deliciously. His other hand is around her hip and he's gripping it fiercely to move her over him.

She's halfway there on his question alone, but their venue seems a bit uncomfortable. Helene almost reconsiders her position on their positioning when Harry has that perfect mouth between her breasts and below and the back of the couch is perfect to hold onto while she arches back, back, back. She's bent in two when he pulls her up to his mouth.

This time she is getting his teeth. Why's he giggling again, this is serious business? If she could just concentrate, get him to focus for a moment, she can have her first orgasm of the night.

"Harry, Cherie." She tríes again, her tongue ready to slide over his lips and into that pattern that makes her shiver when his teeth block her again. "Please kiss me!" She's frustrated.

"I was going to ask you if you wanted to move to the bedroom, girlfriend, but you're very focused." He's still smiling and her ire melts at the appellation.

Does she want to go to the bedroom? She won't have the back of the couch to hold onto, but she will have Harry.

She stands and drops her loose shorts. As is usual, Harry has most of his clothes on and she's suited up for her birthday.

"Alright." He breathes and she's in his arms and he's finally giving her the tonguing she loves en route. Her in the altogether seems to have finally got him from mirth to girth, pressing against her and filling the void at the apex of her thighs the way only he has.

She's happy Harry seems to have been enjoying their bodily arrangement as much as she is, when he sits on the side of the bed and maneuvers to the middle with her still draped around his waist. He's said before he loves how maneuverable she is, and she is loving her tiny stature at the moment too.

Her hands are pulling his t shirt free and tossing it away. She loves the golden hue of his skin, he's always a little tan, even in winter. The milk and honey of their bodies against one another always delights her. She goes for the button on the jeans she'd like for herself. They won't fit her, but he always fits, snug at first and then just right.

He kicks them free and then she's back on top of him doing the wiggle to get his inside her, pressing over the largest part before the pressure keeps up and then everything slips into place, the audible pop of his tip still her favorite part.

They both exhale, and smile into each other's eyes. Helene touches the corner of his eyes and they twinkle back at her. "Hi boyfriend."

He chuckles and she moans over the tiny vibration it causes. "You're ready then?"

He already knows the answer to this question. Helene braces her hand behind her while she nods and then his hand is beneath her ass flexing her pelvis over his own.

He really is her prince of rock and roll. She rolls up over him and rocks over his dick until he's closing his eyes and drilling her hips. He's split her open, bottom up and it's intense.

"Give me a minute." He chokes after less time than she expected.

"Too much?" She likes that the shoe is on the other foot, usually she needs a break from his unrelenting physicality, Harry the athlete in the bedroom as well.

She supposed it takes emotion to force Harry to a quick release.

She's keeps flexing around him until he puts his head to her collarbone and then looks up to glare at her. "You're walking a fine line!" He says before he laughs at his own joke.

"I'm not waking anywhere. I'm loving you." She let's that sit there while her hips are quiet. That's all she's going to say about that. He stares at her intensely.

"Let me see you love me, then." She likes when he gives orders, even when their sex is closers to making love than fucking.

Helene obliges him, caves her belly back and starts the ride again, notches her head next to his, like the teeth of zipper, so she can watch with him.

It gets her there, but he's a little ahead of her. He's stilling her hips again. "Stop." It's a beg.

"Just come bebe." She whispers into his sweaty skin.

"You're not ready." He protests.

"We have all night, you can spread me open, all. night. and all day tomorrow, and after." She smiles at him. "All the time in the world to know me!"

"Yeah?" He's gleeful like a kid finding tooth fairy money.

She nods and starts moving, directs his gaze down. The edge of pleasure closer than she expects. Harry is rarely wrong about pleasure. Helene's happy her climb surprises them both.

She reaches the peak and plummets with him on the rollercoaster of emotions tonight's brought. Screams with the thrill.

It's more than fine, the white light explosion behind her eyelids. They've found the right side of the line.

They'll be alright.

[mottlemoth]

I do not think of darling precious with Mycroft Holmes. That is so soft. Why is he so soft for you?

I only ever call him that on Tumblr ❤️ Same way I use ‘Greggles’. It’s a soft, silly and overly familiar nickname for a complex, powerful and serious man, who would naturally expect to receive a lot of respect when people address him.

You’ll never hear him called that in my fics. ‘Tis just backstage shenanigans.

I got flamed halfway through The Sheltering Tree for leaning Mycroft towards fear in a threatening situation (rather than “in that case, young ruffians, I shall stab you up”) but I present this gif in my defence:

Some people like their Mycroft with a heart of iron and mad kung fu skillz. Some people like him more obviously human. It’s just a flavour thing ❤️ There’s evidence in canon for both.

I like him softer for a couple of reasons.

There’s more you can do with him as a writer when he’s got emotions, worries and the ability to change. 

“I feel nothing, I am simply a machine” lasted for two-ish seasons in canon, then the cracks started to show. Characters like that feel unreal to me and they’re irritating. If they care about nothing, what’s the point in me caring about them? In Mystrade fiction, where Mycroft is a protagonist rather than a supporting character, he’s got more mileage when he has more humanity and depth.

I also find it really interesting to take tiny little glimpses of things in canon and explore them more deeply. This is why I delve into the issue of Greg’s wife quite a bit - those little crumbs we can turn into feasts. I love that stuff.

The short answer here is, “I like him that way.” 

And it’s a nice chance to acknowledge how fanfiction is cool like that. We all get to have a go ❤️

My least-soft Mycrofts are probably this one, this one, this one and this one, but he’s still got a heart somewhere in all of them.

My softest Mycroft is definitely in Under the Rose - and it’s by far my most popular fic.

So it looks like I’m in good company ❤️

[beanfic]

Backstage Shenanigans

Pairing: Tyler Joseph x reader

Word Count: 1029

Warnings: There is a singular bad word… but besides that none!

Author’s note: I am back! Let’s start with some good ol’ tyler fluff :) I hope you guys enjoy!!

“Have a good show,” you whispered into Tyler’s ear, standing on your toes so you could reach. You planted a kiss on his cheek.

“Thank you, love.” He rolled his shoulders back and forth as he waited for the message from the crew telling him that it was almost time to go on. 

“You nervous?”

He shrugged, “Not particularly.” He messed with his earpiece a little before giving out a sigh.

“Something seems off,” you frowned.

“I promise I’m okay! I’m just hungry.”

You giggled, “Ty! I told you to eat something.”

“I’ll be okay! Can we get sundaes after the show?” he flashed a smile.

“Josh is on meal duty today so that’s up to him!”

“He always wants pizza though, and I am so sick and tired of having pizza!”

“Maybe he will let you choose dessert if he decides on dinner?” you suggested.

“Perhaps,” Tyler pursed his lips together and put two fingers towards his earpiece. “I’m on!”

“Good luck my love!” you shouted as he walked towards the top of the car. The music for Jumpsuit started and the arena was quickly filled with shouts and cheers. Tyler looked over at you and blew you a kiss. You acted like you caught it and held it to your chest.

The car slowly rose to the top and you quickly pulled out the earbuds Tyler had given you at the very first concert you had ever gone with him. You shoved them into your ears to down out the heavy bass and ear-pitching screams from the die-hard fans. 

Usually, you would be out there watching the show, but tonight you decided to just relax backstage. You decided on heading over to Tyler’s dressing room and eating some of the free snacks the venue provided for him, and as you were shuffling down the hallway you heard the familiar bark of your favorite golden retriever.

Jim came pouncing down the hallway dragging a security guard with him. His tail wagged furiously and drool sloshed around as he licked his mouth. You bent down and scratched behind both his ears.

“He’s a puller!” the security guard chuckled. You nodded.

“Who’s my favorite Jim?” you cooed. He had now laid down and rolled onto his back, allowing his tummy to be exposed for rubs. “You want a belly rub?”

“You not watching the show?” the security guard asked. You shook your head no as you scratched Jim’s belly.

“Not that I don’t love watching Tyler play, I just feel like relaxing tonight back here.”

“Ah, okay I need to move Jim towards Josh’s side so he can be over there in case needed!”

“Yes!” you stood up and gave Jim one last pat on the head and he smiled up at you, tongue hanging out of his mouth as usual. You continued your way towards Tyler’s dressing room. 

You only had to show your badge to four different employees who thought you were some crazy fan that somehow managed to sneak back there. You thought that after a year of you dating Tyler, people would recognize you, but you also had gotten used to it. 

Tyler’s dressing room smelled like oranges, which was surprising since his dirty underwear also happened to be laying right smack dab in the middle of the floor. With a groan you snatched it up and tossed it into the suitcase that carried his show outfits around.

Tyler would get very upset if you called his show outfits “costumes” but that never stopped you from constantly teasing him. His floral kimono was your favorite for sure. You also were a fan of the yellow jacket, but it also might be because you were the one who picked it out for him. 

You started munching on the brownies that were on the snack table. They were moist in the middle and crunchy on the edges, the best kind. The vegetable plate sat there mocking you as you picked up another brownie and popped it into your mouth. 

Tyler’s phone sat on the charger and you quickly decided you were going to leave him a silly video. You entered in his password, which was 12345678 in case anyone was wondering, and opened up the camera roll. The bottle of water was acting as a great stand for his phone and you clicked the record button.

“Hello Ty Ty!” you waved your arms above your head towards the camera. You probably looked so dumb and you were glad no one was watching you film this.

“You are on stage right now singing, and it should be the start of fairly local? Holy shit fairly local I need to go find you!” you shouted and rushed to his phone and turned it off. Your favorite game was trying to find Tyler running through the arena to switch places. 

You ran towards the stage and it was still the end of levitate, which you were thankful for so you could meet him when he got off stage. After a few seconds, the audience erupted with shouting and applause and you saw Tyler run off the stage. 

“Y/N!” he shouted! He grabbed your hand and pulled you with him. He was a fast runner since he had to make it there on time so it took you a second to match pace with him. This was always a fun little game. 

“How is it going?” you asked.

“I have to pee!” 

“Tyler!” you giggled. He stopped running as a security guard pointed to a hallway into the upper seated section. 

“I have to go now!” Tyler quickly kissed you and slid under the curtain. Your heart was racing from running as adrenaline pumped through your veins. You couldn’t wipe the smile from your face. This was your favorite thing. Being able to watch the love of your life do the thing he loves and gets to have fun with him.

Tyler used to be worried about you being bored on tour but you always found a way to keep yourself entertained, even if that did mean eating Tyler’s free food. I’m sure he won’t notice a brownie or two missing.

[jules-has-notes]

2012 VoicePlay fall tour shenanigans

From September through mid-November of 2012, VoicePlay traversed most of the continental U.S., sharing their music and silliness. But not all of the fun happened in front of live audiences. Fortunately for us, though, the guys captured some of the behind-the-scenes hijinks and highlights, and posted them online. I've collected a bunch of my favorites here.

YouTube videos:

The Van Down By The River (VoicePlay's channel) — putting their signage on the tour van before setting forth

fake apple bite (Eli's channel) — Snacks in the travel cooler may not be what they seem.

before & after Earl eats a 32-oz. steak (Eli's channel) — and reportedly still feels great. Doing various restaurants' eating challenges was clearly A Thing on the road.

kids at a student workshop sing Happy Birthday to Paul the sound guy (Eli's channel, Layne's channel) — a sweet gesture to balance out some of the teasing he endures

Happy Fun Time with Layne and Earl (VoicePlay's channel) — late night supply runs sometimes become ridiculous

Can't take these goobers anywhere when they're overtired.

Video Response to Ino-Ogo School (VoicePlay's channel) — the guys answer fan mail from attendees of a student workshop a month before

The first rule of VoicePlay is: "Not the face!"

Tony is bigger than Elvis (VoicePlay's channel) — but he's not entirely certain how he feels about being a heartthrob to middle schoolers (headphone warning: contains excited tween shrieking)

Intermission (VoicePlay's channel) — Geoff and Layne play a pencil snapping game to amuse themselves backstage

tour van before coffee (Eli's channel) — a fun bit of animation practice from our resident digital effects geek

.

Instagram photos:

.

Twitter tidbits:

Part of their tour prep involved a trip to Build-A-Bear for fuzzy doppelgangers that they used for an audience participation bit.

Somebody at the Universal Studios "Beetlejuice" show (presumably Kathy) got Geoff and Tony a send-off cake.

Sometimes during student workshops, the guys arrange themselves by height.

And they're good sports during post-show photos. (If you know, you know. If you don't, stay tuned.)

Traveling musicians are sustained by coffee, soda, snack cakes, chain restaurants, and local diners.

One of their East Coast tour dates was postponed because of Hurricane Sandy. :( So they acquired some adult beverages on their way to their next hotel and hunkered down for an unexpected night off.

All told, the tour spanned "11 weeks. 20,000 miles. 62 performances." That sounds both exhausting and incredible.

[puroresu-musings]

NJPW NEW JAPAN CUP 2020 Second Round Review (June 24th, Tokyo, Korakuen Hall)

Taiji Ishimori vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru  ***

Togi Makabe vs. Tomohiro Ishii  ****

Kota Ibushi, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Taichi, Zack Sabre Jr & DOUKI  ***1/4

Toru Yano vs. Hiromu Takahashi  ***1/2+

Kazuchika Okada vs. Yuji Nagata  ****1/4

Photos.

So this was most likely my favourite show of the tour so far. It was just a ton of fun from start to finish, and its sub two hour runtime made it breeze by. NJC action continued with a battle of the heels as Bullet Club’s Ishimori took on Suzuki-gun’s Kanemaru in a good little match. Kanemaru jumped Bone Soldier during his entrance, and the shenanigans began. There was an amusing spot where Kanemaru tried to spit the whiskey at his opponent, but Ishimori grabbed his face and made him swallow it, forcing Kanemaru to gag on the stuff. They both escaped each others finishers, then Ishimori caught him in the Tombstone on the knees facebuster spot, and hit Bloody Cross to advance in 9:18. Next up, it was time for a slugfest, as Ishii squared off with Makabe. We all know what happened here, these guys always have the same kind of match, and it’s always great. They slammed into each other with shoulder tackles, hard chops and Lariats. After surviving a German into the corner, Makabe tried the Spider German, but Ishii fought him off. Makabe instead hit a Spider Belly To Belly, but Ishii popped back up and hit a big Superplex, but Makabe popped up from that too and they clobbered each other. Ishii hit some cyclone elbows, a stiff headbutt and a Lariat, which allowed him to follow up with the Vertical Drop Brainbuster for the win after 13:28 of great action. This match was the perfect time too. I feel these empty arena matches would benefit from being briefer than usual. Ideally, they should really go between 12 and 15 minutes, as once you get beyond that, they can start to drag. There have been obvious exceptions of course (including later on this show), but in general I think this is the case.

Ibushi, Tanahashi and Taguchi were victorious over the Suzuki-gun trio of Taichi, ZSJ and DOUKI in a really good six man outing. The usual suspects all worked together, and the heels destroyed Tanahashi’s knee again throughout. Taguchi scored the win for his team when he hit the Dodon on DOUKI at 13:55. The tournament rolled on with the third second round match of the evening... and what a match it was. Hiromu Takahashi battled ‘Barber’ Yano, in a unique match to say the least. Look, this was total comedy, and you won’t see many more matches as preposterous as this, but it all worked. The story was; Yano has been threatening to cut Takahashi’s hair, and Hiromu has been traumatised by this. Yes, this was a match built around one guy trying to cut the other’s hair, and that other guy being deathly afraid of this. Hiromu came out in a hard hat, and Yano had numerous barbering implements hidden around his person. Hiromu fighting off the shears as if he were fighting for his life was hilarious. Outside the ring, Yota Tsuji gets involved to try and prevent the haircut happening, but Yano nails him and tapes his and Takahashi’s legs together, and trims a bit of Hiromu’s hair off with like his third pair of scissors he pulled out of his tights. The Junior Champion, desperate not to lose anymore locks, fights back, dragging Tsuji with him. They end up backstage, where Hiromu tapes Yano’s hands together, then tapes a blindfold over his eyes, calls an elevator (Korakuen Hall is on the 5th floor, you see), throws Yano in, and sends it to the ground floor. Hiromu and Tsuji then have a three legged race back to the ring as the referee starts the 20 count, and they make it in, allowing Hiromu to take the win and advance at 9:17. Yes, it was incredibly silly, but it amused me to no end and was inventive as all hell to boot, so this gets a thumbs up from me.

The main event was a more serious affair as Okada took on his NJPW trainer, Yuji Nagata, in an excellent wrestling match. This is only their second match together, having previously faced off in the 2015 G1. This wasn’t quite as good as that match. I don’t think, but it was great stuff nonetheless. After wiping the veteran out with the John Woo Dropkick, Okada went up for the elbow drop, but Nagata brought the fire, turning the clocks back and hitting a tope rope Exploder for a near fall. Okada fought back with two dropkicks, and tried his new submission finish, but Blue Justice countered into Nagata Lock II, but Okada made the ropes. He again tried his Cobra Clutch/Anaconda Vice submission variant, but Nagata Explodered his way free. This broke down into a strike battle, which was great, then Okada tried a spinning Rainmaker, but Nagata ducked and hit the Backdrop Driver for a believable near fall. Okada then caught Nagata again in his new sleeper. The veteran battled valiantly for the ropes, but it wasn’t to be, as after a great struggle, Nagata tapped at the 20:14 mark, to give Okada the win. This match was so good, Nagata, one of the best ever, was absolutely great in this tournament, and showed theres still life in the old dog yet. They’ve also done a great job in getting this new modified Cobra Clutch finish of Okada’s over, as he’s won both tourney matches with it so far. Okada cut a promo in the post match, promising to win the tournament and the belts at Dominion.

So the first half of the third round sees Hiromu take on Ishii, which could be incredible, and Okada vs. Ishimori, so its Jr’s vs. Heavyweights, which should be interesting.

NDT