#sure it’s mid day at a music festival and like 45 minutes set but still <3333 | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

kindapinkskies · 5 years ago

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‘lolla baby || h.s

i was given the opportunity to write for @always-jackedup‘s 25 Days of Summer and so here it is. i'm day 21 and it honestly just turned into how i want to spend my time at concerts and how much i love the band LANY. i tried my best but life is exhausting me at the moment sooo i hope you enjoy it.

i am so grateful that i was given the chance to be a part of this alongside so many talented writers. i hope that this fits in alongside all the other amazing works of art that have been posted this month.

i love you all ready

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Harry stops mid-step as he’s entering the bedroom. His mouth is hung open and his spoon is stopped mid-air. He shifts the bowl in his hand and drops the spoon back down. Looking over at the clock his brows furrow at the early time before looking back over at you.

“Why are you dressed like that?” You jump at the sound of his voice and quickly turn around, looking at him almost guiltily. “You look like you’re ready for a festival.”

You look down at yourself and Harry takes the time to look, to really look, at you again. High-waisted jean shorts, a tight crop top with a long flowy, sheer cardigan. He stops at the shiny black combat boots before slowly raking his eyes back up to your face. Your face is done up with perfect makeup, jewels lining under the corners of your eyes. You looked good, real good, and Harry wanted to mess it all up.

He raises his eyebrows up in question, when you don’t answer, and goes back to eating his cereal, “So?”

“Well, I mean, I just, well, you see,” you babble, struggling to find a way to tell him that you both are going to a festival.

“Come on love, what’s going on?”

“We’re going to Lollapalooza today,” you rush out, smiling at him sheepishly. He looks at you with squinted eyes, his chewing slowing down tremendously.

“I’m sorry?”

See the thing is, Harry doesn’t like festivals. Thinks they’re too expensive to see different bands for 45 minutes all day long. It sucks because if you like the band you barely get to see them. Then you have to deal with all the people pushing you around, the over crowded lines for the restroom, the food lines. You have to pay an over abundance for water, when that should be free because... it’s water. It’s usually always too hot, too. Harry would rather stay at home than deal with a festival. He knows that you know that.

This isn’t the first time you’ve tried getting him to go. You ask almost every year. Sure, he feels guilty about the dejected look on your face every time. So he goes out of his way to make it up to you, avoiding Grant Park like it’s the plague. But, I guess this year you finally weren’t taking no for an answer.

“Harry, I really want to go.” You say defensively, widening your stance and crossing your arms across your chest. Harry’s eyes linger on your exposed cleavage for a second too long before making eye contact with you. The look of hope in your eyes almost makes him crumble.

“Then why don’t you go by yourself?” He shrugs nonchalantly and takes another bite of his cereal.

Harry tries really, really, hard to ignore the hurt that flashes through your eyes but he nearly chokes on the bite he just took because of it. Setting down his bowl, he goes to move toward you but you flinch back. It’s clear that his words struck a nerve, one he didn’t mean to hit, and it makes him frown.

“Harry, I just wanted to do something with you but fine. Whatever, it doesn’t matter,” you snap, trying to desperately hide the waiver in your voice. You quickly turn back around and face the mirror because the longer you look at him the more likely you’ll cry. And you can’t cry, your makeup just looks too bad ass.

Even though Harry was feeling guilty at what he said, he still wasn’t quite understanding. “We do plenty together.”

“Forget it.” You shrug, going back to adding on a few more jewels to your eyes.

“Well now I’m not going to. You’re mad at me and I don’t like it.”

Rolling your eyes, you shift a little to look through the mirror and make eye contact with him, “Too bad, Harry. Deal with it until after I come back.”

Harry takes in the way your body has gone rigid and he really does feel bad that he’s ruined your mood. You looked so happy and carefree just minutes ago. He goes to step forward again but stops when he sees you flinch at the noise of his movement.

“Harry. I just want to experience life with you, things I like with you. I know we do a lot together and we always do things the both of us like but I’ve always wanted to go to this festival. It’s been a dream of mine since I was a kid and I’ve never been able to go. I want to go with you, someone I have fun with, to make my first time the most enjoyable.” You explain and it feels a little childish but you don’t care, you just need to get it out.

“I just figured you’d find someone in the crowd like you normally do at concerts.” Harry shrugs. He understands you now and it makes him feel like shit. Something he enjoys the most in this life is doing things with you. His favorite thing to do is go shopping a record stores and it’s ten times more enjoyable when you’re with him, picking out your own classic albums.

He gets it. But, fuck. A festival?

“I mean, probably so it’s fine. Don’t come. I’ll just go alone and be around all those people. Alone.”

Harry smiles at the dramatics you’re putting on and how unnecessary it is. He knew from the moment you told him, that he’d be going to a festival today. There’s nothing in this world he wouldn’t do to make, you, his girl happy.

“I mean, do you really want me to go alone to a place that big. Don’t you love me?” Even though he can’t see you, he knows you said that with a pout and it makes it his heart jump into his throat.

And he knows it’s just a joke but he can hear the underlying seriousness to it.

“Hey, baby, come on. Don’t play like that, you know I love you.” He mutters, quickly getting up and moving behind you. He feels you suck in a deep breath as he brings a hand to move some of your hair and press his lips to the skin of your neck. “What should I wear to look good next to my bad ass girlfriend?”

The smile that overtakes your face is worth all the hell Harry knows he’s going to endure today.

“Drink this and loosen up will you? You’re going to have fun. This will be fun.” You smile broadly, shoving a beer into Harry’s hands.

He looks down with wide eyes, “Where did you get this? I looked away for 2 seconds.”

“Don’t worry, drink it. I’ll race you?”

“It’s only 11am.”

“Who cares,” You smile sweetly and you can see Harry’s facade start to fade. “Come on, baby.”

Well, what the hell.

He clinks his plastic cup to yours and stares you down as he brings the rim to his lips. You follow his movements and before you know it, you’re racing to see who will finish first. He does, he always does but you’re not too far behind him. Taking in a deep breath, you wipe at your mouth with the back of your hand and immediately surge forward to kiss Harry. You’re already so happy, you don’t want this day to end.

“That was hot.” He mumbles against your lips, wrapping an arm around your back.

You giggle blissfully and Harry nearly falls over at the look on your face. He kisses you once more before you pull away and throw the cups into the recycling bin. The music is already playing and there’s already people jumping around and having a good time. Harry takes in the scenery and the way you fit in so perfectly. The way you sway in front of him, dancing to the nearest music, the way your hand sways in his as you tug him along, the way your face hasn’t stopped being happy since the moment you walked in. You belonged here and Harry was glad he got to witness it.

Maybe today won’t be so bad after all.

You stop in front of the stage a few minutes later, pulling him through the massive crowd until you’re almost directly in the middle of it all. The smile on your face makes him forget about the close proximity of all the people and only on you. You’re explaining to him that this is a band you both like and that he’s going to have so much fun.

So much fun. The words you haven’t stopped repeating. He’s starting to believe them.

First the drums started and then they were drowned out my deafening screams as band members filled the stage. When the music started and the lyrics filled up the space, Harry understood why you’ve always wanted to be here. Sure he’s been to concerts but this is a whole other level. The way the crowd reacts and interacts with the band, with the music is mesmerizing. Harry finds himself jumping up and down, dancing and singing along to the lyrics he’s listened to so many times before.

You end up grabbing onto him, moving his hands wildly around the two of you. You’re singing to him and with him and he swears he’s never seen you so carefree before. Pulling his phone out he captures pictures of the sight in front of him, the sight of you living your best life. The highest form of elation is spewing out of you as you dance and sing along.

“Make me feel like I am breathing.

Feel like I am human.”

Harry laughs at the little dance you do for the camera before singing along as well.

“Dancing through the night

A vodka and a sprite

A glimpse of the silhouettes

A night that they never forget”

When the band announces they’re goodbyes you boo along with the crowd as they walk off but you’re quickly turning around and throwing your arms around Harry’s neck. He stumbles a little in surprise but places his hands on your hips to steady you. You kiss him again, sweet and innocent.

“I love them,” You smiles wistfully, glancing at the stage quickly before looking him in the eyes. “Come on, let’s get to the other stage for the other band.”

And the same thing happens over and over again for each band. Harry can’t find a reason to complain about it. The feeling of the crowd, the music, you, it’s so much but it’s so good. He’s honestly having the time of his life and yeah, the alcohol in his system is probably helping with that but he doesn’t care. It’s all good, so good.

Finally the both of you take a break, around mid afternoon, to use the restroom and to get some food. Your hair has made it into a bun and your long, sheer cardigan is tied up right under the hem of your shorts, a knot holding it up. Harry’s almost shirtless, as he’s folded his shirt up under itself to get some air to his abdomen. It’s just so hot.

You shove another beer into his hand and you both chug one down as you stand in line to get food. Neither of you are sure what it is but it smells good and at this point anything will do. You’re both stumbling and tripping over your words a bit more than you should be. Beer has been really the only intake for the day and while that’s not the healthiest, it’s enhanced the feelings. Everything just feels right and Harry’s glad you forced him to drink that first beer in the morning, it really did loosen him up.

“Here, love, lets sit here in the shade.” Harry points out before sitting on the plush grass. He grabs at your hands and pulls you down, carefully grabbing the food out of your grasp in the process.

You sit criss cross in front of him, between his legs, resting your knees atop his thighs. He smiles at you and leans across to set a kiss to your lips. Smiling back at him you peck his lips three more times before pulling away and eating the food. You don’t speak much, the food consuming most of your attention as well as the music being played in the distance. Swaying to the music, you observe everything around you and just take it in completely. This is everything you’ve ever imagined it to be and you’re so ecstatic Harry came even if he was so against it.

“LANY is playing tonight. That’s why I really wanted to come.” You mention. All the food has been demolished and you’re sobering up a little with all the food finally in your stomach.

Harry leans forward, an amused smile on his face as he takes a napkin and wipes something off your cheek. You quietly thank him just as he responds, “Yeah?”

“Yeah. And I know I’ve seen them a few times already but they’re my favorite band and I need to see them play something like this. Also, I wanted you to finally see and feel what I do when they perform.”

He pecks at your lips again, “I can’t wait.”

If anyone were to ask, Harry would say he feels like he’s living in a dream. He feels like he’s outside of his body right now, like his soul is above himself and watching him. There’s really no clear way to explain it but that’s the best he can do right now. His eyes are glossed over, he knows that they are, as he watches you move around. You somehow made it to the barricade and the elation on your face was indescribable. It made him feel warm and tingly.

The sun was in its precious golden hour and the lights from the stage were starting to make themselves known in the dimming outside light. The left over sun was hitting against your skin perfectly and it was making you look like an absolute angel; like you were glowing. Harry found himself taking pictures of you as you talk with a girl next to you, waiting for the band to come on.

Harry knows you’ve seen this band multiple times and you always speak so highly of them so he’s excited to finally witness it himself. He’s heard the music before too, for obvious reasons, and he admits they’re good. Songs you can feel deep down whether you’ve personally been through the same situations or not. He smiles as he hears you laugh and he can’t wait until the music starts so he can hear more of it.

“Babe, there you are.” Someone comes out of nowhere, startling Harry a bit, and stops just behind the girl you’re talking to. “Do you understand how hard it is to get through a crowd like this?” He sounds exasperated and Harry finds himself chuckling under his breath. He said the exact same words, although way more irritated, this morning when they first arrived.

He’s glad his mindset has changed because he’s had the time of his life so far.

They engage in some sort of conversation and it makes you turn around and learn against the barrier. You smile a bright smile, the smile that hasn’t left your face all day and Harry quickly takes a picture before you turn bashful and push him away. A whine leaves you and you slump against him and try to get him to delete the picture. There’s no way he’ll do that though because the sun is still hitting you so perfect.

“You’re going to fall in love with this band.” You exclaim, throwing your arms around his neck and forgetting all about the picture. You plant a kiss right on him and he barely has time to respond because you pull away just as quick as you came.

Now, you kiss him a lot but nowhere near as much as today. You’ve placed kisses onto his lips at the most random times all day. You’ll be dancing wildly to a song and just stop to quickly kiss him before you’re dancing again. You’ll be in the middle of a drink and you’ll just stop and kiss him. If the songs are a little slower, you’ll be close to him, mumbling the lyrics against his lips. Harry’s not sure what’s gotten into you but he supports it. He’d kiss you all day if he could.

“Aren’t you worried I’ll fall more in love with them than you?” He jokes, moving his hands completely around your waist.

You roll your eyes mockingly, “God no, have you seen yourself. You’re so in love with me, that’s not possible.”

Harry feels his cheeks warm up under your words and he turns his head down to smile bashfully at your feet. You’re so correct.

Just then there’s a deep rumble of bass and screams, simultaneously, and Harry nearly goes deaf. You’re turned away from him in a heartbeat, your hands wildly flailing around and your scream filling his senses more than all the others. You’re jumping up and down as the music starts and bright pink lights overtake the crowd.

“We met last summer!!” The crowd is so loud that Harry laughs. But it’s an overwhelming laugh, the one where you can’t really believe what you’re witnessing.

“Found my way to you!!” You’re turned back around pointing at him as you scream out the lyrics. “Gave me your number, to see if I’d come through!!” And then you’re turned back around, paying attention to the man up top and screaming out the lyrics like your life depended on it.

As you dance, Harry watches, completely mesmerized. He’s never seen someone look so carefree before. You hold your hands to your chest as you tip your head back and sing along to the sky. One look at you, anyone could tell you were in complete bliss.

The same thing happens for almost every song. Each one becoming more and more whimsical. Their sound is so original, unlike anything Harry’s ever heard before and he can see how anyone would love this band. The talent that oozes from them and the way the fans react. They deserve all this attention. They deserve all the attention you're giving them.

Harry can barely take his eyes off of you though. He’s in complete awe at how you move and sing along to the songs that clearly mean so much to you. Now this is when Harry would say he’s in a dream. The way the music sounds around you looking at him, singing the words to him like it’s your lifeline.

“Everything was better when

You would call and I'd be like "yea, babe"

We should talk about love again

Every night I'm wide awake

I almost call you, then I'm like no way

Oh, no way”

Your hands are intertwined with his as you dance in front of him, not once breaking eye contact. Everything seems to be drowned out and it’s only you, singing to him. He twirls you around and feels his stomach swoop when your giggle fills your space. Harry will never get over how unbothered you are. You look completely relaxed, like none of your problems exist anymore.

When the area is covered in a deep red and the music is slower, Harry pushes up behind you and sways along to the melancholy beat. He can feel your voice vibrating through your back and against his chest. You have a lighter up in the air as your hand moves back and forth. You sing along to the words so passionately that if Harry didn’t know you so well, he’d be sure that you’ve been through the worlds most massive heartbreak.

“I know your heart hurts the most at 3AM!”

You lean back into him as the words echo around him from everyone watching. One of your arms wraps around his neck and you continue to sway along, your other arm still up with a lit lighter.

“I’ve done my best to carry all this weight

I love you still

I always will

But this needs to change”

Your hands wrap in his hair at that lyric and you scratch at his scalp a bit. You’re entire body weight is almost completely on his but he doesn’t care, he holds you close and let’s you lose yourself in the song. The lyrics are deep, emotional, and you can feel them in your soul.

And Harry hates that the song ends because you step away from him and go back to gripping the railing in front of you. The atmosphere is immediately back to the way it was before, quick and upbeat. Everyone’s happy and jumping around and it’s such a whirlwind that Harry nearly feels like he's gotten whiplash. How one band can get so sad then so happy again is beyond him.

The crowd seems to burst even louder when the notes to the last, as they announced, song starts. Everyone screams the lyrics at the top of their lungs and Harry’s positive that if he were home right now, he'd be able to hear it at his apartment complex. He recognizes the song though and he knows that its one of their most popular songs.

He's heard this song multiple times. You sing it to him every chance you get and he gets giddy at the fact that you turn around to face him, completely ignoring the stage behind you.

“And you need to know

You're the only one, alright alright

And you need to know

That you keep me up all night, all night”

Your hands are in his and you're jumping up and down as you sing to him. He’s fallen so much more in love with you, in the last hour, and he didn’t think it could be possible. But it is. Harry can't help but lean in and sing right along with you. Your noses are just brushing and your arms are spread out beside you. Not giving a single care to the outside world around you.

“Oh, my heart hurts so good

I love you, babe, so bad, so bad

Oh, oh my heart hurts so good

I love you, babe, so bad, so bad”

Harry twirls you around a few times before grabbing your face and kissing you. So hard. It’s a deep kiss and the music only seems to intensify it. The immediate crowd around him seems to get louder but he pays no mind and only continues to kiss you to the song. Just like he has multiple times before.

The bass rumbles through him and he feels it in his chest, alongside your hands planted firmly there, right where his heart is beating too wildly.

“And you need to know

That nobody could take your place, your place

And you need to know

That I'm hella obsessed with your face, your face”

You finally pull away and smile brightly before immediately returning to the lyrics, like you hadn't just missed a whole verse. You could sing these words in your sleep. Harry didn’t think it was possible but he’s pretty sure you’ve gotten even happier looking. You’re like a shining star in the night sky right now and Harry cannot look away. He doesn’t want to look away.

You’re in each other’s faces again, screaming the lyrics at each other with smiles wide on each of your faces. Your noses only continue to brush together while you sing and it’s a sight for sore eyes honestly.

“And you need to know

You're the only one alright, alright

And you need to know

That you keep me up all night, all night”

The music for the song starts to fade as the ending lyrics keep repeating in your ears. Harry wraps you up again and plants a kiss on you before you’re pushing him away, giddily, and turning to the front again. You’re screaming along with the rest of the crowd as the band says their goodbyes. You’re waving your hands uncontrollably, like you’re trying to get their attention.

And it seems to work because he jumps down and runs along the barricade, occasionally jumping up in front of the crowd and leaning over the railing to hug people. He finally stops in front of you and gives you a hug. Your arms are wrapped tightly around him and Harry can’t help the smile that falls on his face.

He suddenly feels a hand grip his shoulder and when he shifts his eyes, he sees the singer looking between the two of you. Harry leans in when he gets pulled on and steps as close as he can.

“You two are the reason my songs come alive.”

And then he’s gone and you’re looking at him again with tears in your eyes. You lunge forward and kiss him, it’s barely a kiss though because its all teeth. Your smile is making it nearly impossible to kiss but Harry still does it.

The rest of the night goes by similar to the earlier portion in the day and by the end, Harry’s entire body is sore and he’s a bit buzzed again. You’re still a bubbly ray of sunshine, even in the night sky, and you jump around as you’re walking to the exit. The amount of drinks you’ve both consumed in the past couple hours was a bit much but it didn’t matter. It just made everything much more enhanced. Harry felt and heard everything. It’s been a beautiful day.

Harry can’t believe he’d been so against something like this. But, he’s aware it’s only been so enjoyable because it was spent with you.

With your hand intertwined with his, you swing your hands back and forth as you hum along to a song that you’d heard today. “Thank you for today.”

Harry smiles lazily at you, the alcohol in his system making him feel heavy now that there’s no adrenaline rushing through him, “Thank you for making me go.”

“That was everything I could’ve imagined and more. I can’t believe Paul said that to us!”

Harry smiles wistfully at you. That’s all you’ve been able to talk about since it happened. You step closer to him and hug his arm close, nearly skipping to keep up with his long steps. He speaks whats been on his mind most of the day, “I’d do it again next year.”

You smile the biggest smile, Harry thinks, you’ve smiled all day. “Really?”

Nodding immediately, Harry pecks your lips for the millionth time that day, “Oh yeah.”

You stop and step in front of him, swaying a little as you do, before wrapping your arms around him. The makeup on your face is a little smeared and some of your jewels are gone. Your hair is tied back in a loose bun and you have hairs sticking up everywhere; a complete 180 from this morning. But Harry still thought you looked just as good as you did before all this started.

“I told you, you’d have fun.” Your tone is teasing but your eyes show something completely different. Leaning in, you kiss him again. This time making it last. It’s languid and passionate. All tongue to deepen it, to get as close as possible. So many emotions mix around in the kiss and it makes Harry feel like he’s vibrating. You grip onto him for dear life and Harry can’t find it in him to protest, not that he ever would.

You pull away completely breathless, still smiling, and quickly place three more kisses to his lips. “I can’t wait.”

Harry grins at the copy of his words earlier in the day and wraps an arm around your shoulder to continue the walk to your shared apartment. Today had been one hell of a day and while he had fun, Harry couldn't wait to go to sleep. He was exhausted and he knew that you were too. He also knew that your feet were going to be swollen and you're going to be complaining about then all day tomorrow but it won't be that bad. Festivals do that to you. They beat you up and steal your money but they're worth it.

Worth it when you're with the right person.

And maybe they’re still hell but they're not that bad.

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my masterlist is in my bio

please make sure to check out all the other lovely writers/pieces participating in this lovely 25 Days of Summer, the links should be in @always-jackedup‘s bio as well

#harry styles #harry styles imagine #harry styles fluff #harry styles concept #harry styles one shot #harry styles drabble #harry styles angst #harry styles fanfiction #harry styles writing #harry styles imagines #one direction #one direction imagines #one direction fanfiction #one direction one shot #harry styles x reader #my writing

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castielslostwings · 5 years ago

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All I Want For Christmas (Are Earplugs)

Ficlet: 3k of fluffy, explicit (at the end) Christmas-y DeanCas.

The challenge: "Write something about Cas being stuck in the gas n sip where "All I Want For Christmas is You" plays on an endless loop for 3 months until he's nearly homicidal 😂 ...and then dean shows up and they bang in the storeroom while it's playing and the song is still awful and plays every 45 minutes but at least Cas has a positive memory to associate with it now!"

Read it on AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/21656614

Or check out this excerpt (cut because Tumblr will eat my smut):

Corporate doesn’t even hold off until Thanksgiving is over to move onto Christmas, not anymore. In the age of instant gratification and having everything a person could possibly want only a finger swipe away, waiting until after Thanksgiving to break out the Christmas theming would render it all relatively pointless. Thus, the day after Halloween, that’s when it starts these days. Castiel doesn’t get it, not really, especially considering the Gas’n’Sip is, well, a gas station. No one is looking to their shelves for holiday sales and the opportunity to grab this season’s hottest items before they sell out. Not unless one considers snack cakes and travel-sized tubes of toothpaste to be the perfect holiday gifts. Not that Castiel’s judging.

It’s just that those realities make the auditory horror Castiel’s subjected to for nearly three months straight all the more baffling. Why he has to suffer so the Gas’n’Sip can claw uselessly at retail relevance is beyond his understanding. It’s not as if they’re succeeding. That little “Last Minute Gifts!” display doesn’t get any sort of play at all until the twenty-third, and even then people have to grimace their way through choosing between cheap shower product sets and crappy mugs with teddy bears holding chocolates stuffed inside them. By November first, Castiel’s already practicing the most tactful ways to interrupt those poor procrastinating saps and suggest simply buying lottery scratch-off tickets.

The thing is, the decorations aren’t so bad. A little tinsel here, a few red glittery signs there, couple of candy-filled endcaps with Santa theming, whatever. Even the little Christmas tree that sits next to the register and Castiel can’t stop knocking into with his elbow every time he goes to make change is more festive than frustrating. None of those things are particularly bothersome at all. In fact, Castiel barely even notices them (aside from diving to catch the tree and keep it from crashing to the ground every ten minutes). And the twinkling, color-changing string lights that Castiel spent the better part of a day stapling around the top of the store, along the windows, and over the register are actually fairly enjoyable to look at. So much so that he strung a set around the shelves of the storeroom for when he’s stuck back there organizing or doing inventory. Very cheery.

But the songs. The songs are the worst. Well, no, that’s not exactly it either. The holiday songs on the corporate-provided CD that loops endlessly on a forty-five minute spiral in the background definitely still play in Castiel’s head long after he’s dumped the coffee, turned out the lights, and locked the gas station doors. They infiltrate his quiet moments in the evening after he’s returned home, dance across his mind obnoxiously when he should be enjoying his free time away. It’s only the beginning of December and already Castiel’s starting to lose his mind. Last night, full of a spectacular dinner and tucked warm and snug in bed with Dean squirming underneath him, Castiel was screwed out of an actual orgasm by the painfully catchy crooning of Mariah Carey relentlessly belting out those high notes in his head.

Because really, at the end of the day, it’s not all the holiday songs, it’s that holiday song. The bane of retail workers everywhere, Castiel’s sure of it, “All I Want For Christmas Is You” is single-handedly making his holiday season as un-merry as it could possibly get. A grating earworm that’s starting to feel more “nails on a chalkboard” than singing at all, Castiel’s forced to enjoy it on a repeat cycle every forty-two-point-five minutes of every single workday. And now, it’s messing with his off-time, his intimate evenings with Dean, those relax and reset moments that Castiel counts on to get him through the next day and the one after that. Retail is hard enough on a regular old Tuesday, never mind during the holiday season when everyone’s so desperate to squeeze in as much merriment as possible that they’re willing to steamroll right over people like Castiel to do it.

Most of the time, Castiel doesn’t mind being a faceless cog in the machine, hell, he enjoys it some days. There’s a quiet dignity in his job, in providing food and fuel for weary travelers just trying to get from Point A to Point B. Keeping the coffee pot full, the hot dogs warm, the cigarette cartons stacked. Perhaps other people might look down on him for being satisfied with that type of work, that type of life, but Castiel has no interest in what other people think of him. Well, anyone besides Dean, of course. And Dean loves him, is proud of him, and that’s more than enough to make his days, every single one of them, merry and bright.

So it would be Castiel’s preference that he subsists through the rest of the Christmas season without murdering the one man who makes his existence tolerable, and that fucking song is beginning to threaten that theoretically simple wish.

Today, for instance, it’s four in the afternoon and Castiel is working a double. Which means that since the Gas’n’Sip opened its doors at six AM, Mariah Carey’s syrupy-sweet caroling has set his teeth on edge going on fourteen times. Fourteen. Chinese water torture would be kinder. Two hours and two more rounds of the nightmare in G Major later, Castiel texts Nora, his manager, and begs her to let him change the music. “ Just for the today, just for the rest of my shift”, he pleads, even going so far as to say he’ll tune the radio to their local Christmas music station.

Nora sends back, “ LOL, Castiel you’re so funny”, and Castiel dies a little bit inside. Business is slow and the lackluster trickle of customers comes to a stop completely around ten PM, leaving an entire hour for Castiel to count down the minutes to the next time that awful song is going to play without any kind of distraction. When the bells tied to the doors finally jingle signaling a customer around ten forty-five, relief doesn’t even come close to what Castiel feels. That doubles when the face that appears across his countertop is Dean’s.

“Hello, Dean,” Castiel says warmly, and he’s not exaggerating when he thinks he may never have been happier to see the man. Although, it’s never unpleasant to see Dean.

“I'll have some beef jerky and a pack of menthols,” Dean replies cheekily, leaning across the counter for a kiss which Castiel gladly provides. Not the menthols, though.

“Funny,” he murmurs and then sighs heavily. “Dean, I’m going to lose my mind if I have to put up with this—” Castiel jams his finger in the direction of the ceiling speaker above his head, “ Horror show for another three weeks.”

Dean looks up from where he’s fingering the different flavors of Bubble Yum and slides a pack across the smooth surface, reaching for his wallet to pay. Castiel waves him off, grabs a couple of singles from his own pocket and runs the transaction absently. “It can’t be that bad,” Dean says and Castiel’s fingers halt mid-button-push.

“My ears feel like they’re bleeding, Dean,” he protests with a glare. “Every forty-two-point-five minutes exactly it comes on and I’m in hell.” Clocking Dean’s badly-suppressed smirk, Castiel works his jaw and folds his arms across his chest. “Perhaps I’ll call Bobby and offer him a free month of advertising in the Gas’n’Sip window. All he’ll have to do is play a particular CD on repeat in the auto-repair bay from tomorrow until Christmas.” Satisfied with the way Dean’s face pales and the smirk disappears, Castiel feels absolutely no need to remind him that approving free advertising isn’t remotely in his job description. Honestly, if Dean can’t figure that out from the knowledge that he isn’t so much as allowed to change the store’s chosen music, that’s on him.

“Don’t mess with my classic rock, Cas,” Dean warns him. “Some shit is sacred, you know.” Annoyed again, Castiel raises his hands and gestures around him emphatically. “Alright, alright,” Dean relents. “I see your point, it sucks.” Sucking his lip distractedly in between his teeth, Dean glances around the store. “So, where are your security cameras at?”

Rolling his eyes, Castiel points to several different corners and just above his head behind the register. “There, there, there, and there. Don’t you think if I could have moved them, I would have? Changing their direction sends a notification straight to Nora’s phone.”

“That’s not what I—what about the storeroom? There any cameras there?”

Castiel narrows his eyes and regards Dean curiously. “No… There was one, but it broke weeks ago and Corporate hasn’t yet responded to Nora’s service request.” With a mild hum and another glance around that includes a sweep of the deserted parking lot outside, Dean wanders over to the doors and locks them. “Dean?” Castiel doesn’t protest, just watches as Dean flips the sign that says, “Back in 5 minutes!” Castiel rarely uses it himself, but every so often nature calls and the store has to be locked in the meantime. It’s interesting that Dean remembers that.

“C’mon,” is all Dean says on his pass back through the store, reaching out to grab Castiel’s arm and tug him out from his little alcove and across the floor to the storeroom.

“Dean, what—”

“How long until that song plays again?” Dean asks as he pulls Castiel inside and shuts the door behind them.

Checking his watch, Castiel does some quick mental math as well as cocks his head to listen for whatever song is playing now. “It’s next,” he groans, but Dean just grins.

“Awesome timing,” he replies, grabbing Castiel’s waist and manhandling him around until his back is up against some stable-looking shelving. “We’re gonna play a game, alright?” Dean’s bright green eyes are sparkling and shining and Castiel definitely knows that face. He also knows he should stop him, should tell Dean no to whatever mischievous thing he’s plotting, but it is only minutes to closing time and hell, Castiel’s day has been pure, undiluted shit.

“What sort of game?” Castiel asks, unable to keep the note of amusement out of his voice as he watches Dean’s eyes dart down to his own lips. Without answering, Dean leans in, kisses Castiel’s bottom lip and then his top, pulls back just far enough to look down and slot their groins together in a way that won’t have anyone’s belts causing unwanted, painful havoc. Then he’s back, tongue poking at the seam of Castiel’s mouth, and despite everything, Castiel recognizes that this is Dean asking for permission. If he really doesn’t want to do this, in his store or at all, he need only close his mouth.

As much as he appreciates the asking, though, Castiel knew what he was getting into when he stepped inside the storeroom. Dean has a bit of an exhibitionist side, and this isn’t their first rodeo in a semi-public space. Though the likelihood of being walked in on is extremely low, there’s still a bit of a thrill Castiel gets over doing something naughty, and maybe he’s more into it than he lets on. The whole concept has him hardening up nicely and Dean’s grinding isn’t hurting either, but just as they’re setting a pretty nice pace, the first notes of The Song come on.

Growling into Dean’s mouth, Castiel reluctantly pushes him back. “I can’t,” he says, frustrated. “I don’t want to associate having sex with you with this demonic lullaby.”

Read the rest on AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/21656614

#destiel #ficlet #christmas #holidays #deancas #my fic #all i want for christmas (are earplugs)#fic rec #castielslostwings

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doomedandstoned · 5 years ago

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A Listener’s Guide to ‘Defying The Righteous Way’ by Cardinals Folly

~By Billy Goate~

~Photographs by Murder Basement Studios~

CARDINALS FOLLY belong to the Reverend Bizarre school of doom, but also takes its cues from '80s Gothic rock. In this way, Cardinals Folly (who started life as The Coven in 2004) and Lord Vicar were among the first to pioneer a sound that soon caught on with other bands like Acolytes of Moros, Caskets Open, and Weird Tales, to name a few. Their style makes for a transfixing listening experience and I've been enamored of the band since discovering their first LP, "Such Power Is Dangerous!' (2011). Who would have dreamed then that the trio from Helsinki would one day be playing Doomed & Stoned Festival?

It's also hard to believe that the doomed crew of Count Karnstein (bass, vox), Nordic Wrath (guitar), and Battle Ram (drums) are now on album number five, with two EPs and two splits also under their belt. As prolific as Cardinals Folly seem, they don't seem to have lost their edge on 'Defying The Righteous Way' (2020). After all, this far into an artist's discography I'm used to picking up on notes of lethargy, with some bands having to really stretch the definition of a "song" just to get another album out there (usually under contractual obligation). When you do what you do for the love of music, the compositional pen flows freely.

Let's start with the title. Defying The Righteous Way is an obvious dig at one of the Norseman's truest adversaries: Christianity. When the religion of Jesus came to Finland it was an aggressive ideology of conquest co-opted by the Catholic Church. The Northern Crusades saw to it that one way or another the Skandanavian people were converts, even if in name only. Before metal, there was still a heavy underground, so to speak, comprised of resisters who may have given lip service to The Cloth, but a very pagan connection to the earth.

The modality of Cardinals Folly quite often marries doom with ancient mannerisms of song, illustrated in the stately Medieval rhythm and the chanting chorus of "The Great Santur." I think it is this aspect of the band's output I've enjoyed the most, as it feels like they're somehow bridging a connection to the past, when resentments simmered for clergy and king alike.

For newer listeners, Defying The Righteous Way makes as good an introduction as any to the band's characteristic sound and style portfolio. Cardinals Folly toggles between fast-trotting songs like "Witchfinders," mid-tempo stompers like "Last House On The Left," and the more traditional slow burners like "Stars Align Again." In this way, they call to mind Saint Vitus (especially the Scott Reagers-era) out of all the Fathers of Doom.

If I have any complaint, it's simply that there isn't enough sadness on the album for my taste, with the exception of "Last House On The Left," which has some very effective moments of melancholia in its second half. Maybe it's because Mikko Kääriäinen's vocals have always hinted of sorrow for me, but they're mostly used to express gravity. I suppose "Strange Conflict" does come closer to scratching my depressive itch. By the way, I do love its Joy Division-esque pulse during the six-minute mark.

While the songs may not pop out immediately in a sing-along sense, the collective vibe does grow on you. There's an undeniable energy about Defying The Righteous Way that reveals a band with finely tuned musical instincts and a damning fire within, still longing to Burn The Priest.

Give ear...