#the quiet percussionist

[thequietpercussionist]

[discocandles]

one thing about steve harrington is that he sucks at doing nothing. like he has to be doing something with himself lest the guy waste away. this has led to him being very good at fucking around with things especially when its something relatively quiet. the loudest steve will let himself keep his hands busy while stuck idle is tossing whatever's in his hand to himself and catching it, which usually bodes well for sports practice after coach learned that just because he was moving didnt mean he wasnt paying attention(usually the opposite).

he learned how to flip a pencil around his thumb in middle school and seeing someone in one of the meetings he sat in on doing it. he'll twirl anything he can around in his hand, especially while he was working in the mall. the scoopers were perfect for it. and any way youve seen a drummer/percussionist fiddle with a drumstick, steve knew he had to replicate it.

but even with all this movement and the fact the guy was barely ever not moving, it seemed like no one noticed it ever. a fact that nearly drove eddie insane when they were in high school together. because he did have the reputation of being restless, and in a constant state of movement. and he probably fucked around with random shit less, so how did steve "the hair" harrington not end up with the same reputation? the answer was just that he was way more quiet("and sneaky" -eddie) about it. and if the teacher hated when their students fiddled and futzed he'd be sure to try and keep the movement below his desk.

but it not that he only has to keep his hands busy. no no no, if bored or stuck waiting, and that won't suffice, steve harrington will pick up anything with words just to read it. anything. outdated newspapers, ingredients lists, magazines of any topic. he just mindlessly grabs for whatever and starts fucking reading. Robin could swear under oath to a court that her best friend has read the back of every vhs in family video. hell, she's seen him reading drugstore novels, like the fucking grandma smut and books with cover art of nicely dressed ladies running from a castle. and its her jock best friend reading it, instead of some repressed suburban woman who hates her husband. yes, this information is the bane of robin buckley's exsistance because its not like anyone would believe her.

idk just give me steve being restless but doing it quietly enough that no one really picks up on it.

[sosleepytiredsleepy]

hi my favorite mutuals this is not disability related except that if i dont do it my band friend will only not kill me bc im disabled (/j) BUT dont let me forget to practice the piano oh god dont let me forgor 🥺🥺🥺‼️‼️‼️‼️

[doyoulikethissong-poll]

Kiltro - All The Time In The World 2023

Chilean-American singer-songwriter Chris Bowers Castillo moved to the port city of Valparaíso and became a walking tour guide. Back in Denver, Chris had looked for a moniker that reflected the evocative and subtly rebellious musical concepts percolating in his head, and settled on kiltro - a word used in Chile for stray dogs or mutts. He then teamed up with bassist Will Parkhill and drummer Michael Devincenzi, later inviting Fez García to join the band as an additional percussionist on Kiltro’s live gigs.

Titled Underbelly, Kiltro’s sophomore album crystallizes those dreams and experiences into a post-rock manifesto of dazzling beauty. Its songs combine touches of shoegaze, ambient and neo-psychedelia with the soulful transcendence of South American folk – the purity of stringed instruments, supple syncopated percussion and elusive melodies that define the works of Latin American legends such as Violeta Parra, Víctor Jara and Atahualpa Yupanqui. From the propulsive, chant-like groove of “Guanaco” to the art-pop panache of “All the Time in the World,” Underbelly is the kind of record that invites you to quiet down and listen, savoring every single detail.

"All The Time In The World" received a total of 65,2% yes votes!

[katuschka]

Out On The Tiles – Prologue

Jake Kiszka x Chris Turpin Josh Kiszka x Chris Turpin

Yaaay, my first AU! Welcome to the 70s rock&roll hell, baby...

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction, intended for adult readers. Any resemblance to real persons is purely coincidental. Also, if you're under 18, go find some other entertainment elsewhere.

Warnings – this story will contain: substance abuse, infidelity, debauchery, same sex smut, hetero smut, rough sex, and as always, an unhealthy dose of heavy emotions and feelings

Special thanks to: @thewritingbeforesunrise and her genius, twisted mind that helped me form this story in my own sick brain.

If you like the story and want to get notifications, you can join the Taglist.

AND if you already received the notif, but you're not interested in this particular story, just send me a message.

I'm just a simple guy, I live from day to day A ray of sunshine melts my frown and blows my blues away There's nothing more that I can say but on a day like today I pass the time away and walk a quiet mile with you All I need from you is all your love All you got to give to me is all your love

Prologue

1994 was an eventful year for the Kiszka twins. After years of unsuccessful attempts to launch respectful solo projects they could build upon after the infamous breakup of their band, they had been finally labelled as “has-beens of rock” when grunge hit the mainstream, only to rise up again like a phoenix from the dust of their once stellar career. 

Josh and Jake, THE ultimate enfants terrible of the 70s rock&roll music scene. Angel-faced devils, as they were called. 

It was no longer true, but it kept haunting them anyway. How could it not.

Born to free-thinking parents who never made it to Frisco with the other beatniks, but instead decided to “settle down” in a small town in Michigan after their mother became pregnant, they were raised – together with their younger brother Samuel – in what you could call a “respectful neighborhood”. But everything was different behind the closed doors, as their parents never grew out of love for art, music and literature. 

Their mother was not only a wonderful and respected teacher, but she could also bake devilishly good sweet treats, so the neighbors somehow “tolerated” the fact that she often indulged in painting “weird pictures.” 

Their father played the piano in church on Sundays, while their own house was filled with the sound of delta blues, bebop and rockabilly on Friday nights. 

Even as young kids, they never had to hide their passion for the new music made by Elvis and Chuck and Little Richard. In fact, their father encouraged it, together with their attempts to learn how to play and write their own stuff. Their longing to create was inextinguishable, partly inherited and wholeheartedly shared, so by mid sixties, they were already in a band. Their band, which they founded together with Sam’s friend, a talented percussionist from the school orchestra. And a cool kid, too. 

After the wave of new British bands hit the US coast like a tsunami, invading the music scene as well as their own ears, they finally found their own sound and everything snowballed pretty quickly during 1968 and 1969. They got signed, they hit the road and their career literally exploded! Air Javelin were on their way to become one of the most influential bands in rock&roll history. 

Fast forward back to 1994, they now found themselves sitting next to David Letterman, eager and ready to discuss their new mutual music project. 

It was good. In fact, it was great, already receiving many well-deserved accolades and praises from the very same people and magazines who used to shit on their music more than two decades ago. 

The only problem being that they were probably the only people who were eager and ready to discuss it at the moment. 

Josh’s recent coming-out was already old news and the questions that focused on that grew stale pretty quickly. It was the 90s after all, and things were getting better slowly but steadily. If anything, it made the message he managed to lace their new music with even more acute and sharp. The first single was a huge success not only among their old fans; it hit the charts with nearly the same force their old hits once did. 

Unfortunately, two weeks after the long-awaited release of the whole album, a book appeared on shelves of bookstores all across the country, and turned into a sensation almost overnight. 

Written by their former road manager Robert Mole, it was packed with juicy and scandalous stories from their heyday. The timing was deliberate. Robert just wanted a piece of the freshly baked cake, and so did the publisher. 

A lot of it had already been somewhat known, and perceived as public secrets for years and years. People may not have known all the details Robert decided to disclose, but it shocked no one. Those were the stories and anecdotes from a long-gone era. EVERYONE was already familiar with the infamous octopus story anyway, even though no one knew what really happened that day. That was the beauty of it. And as Jake already said in another interview, Robert had spent most of those days either drunk or high, often both, so a lot of the shit mentioned in that book was simply made up or blown out of proportion.

So, when Letterman asked about the contents of the book again, Jake replied nonchalantly: “Let’s put it this way, David. I can’t remember half of it, and neither can he!”

The audience laughed, but the host did not give up. 

There was one more story, one that they had managed to keep hidden, but which kept haunting them because it was extremely and painfully personal. Like a cold sore, it would never go away. It was also the reason why Sam still refused to speak with either of them.

They used to like Robert; he was once regarded and treated almost as a sixth member of the group. However, the fact that he decided to include this in the book turned him into an unscrupulous piece of shit in their eyes. 

Back in the day, when their heads were so big it was a wonder that they didn’t float above their shared stage, they thought no one could possibly push them out of their pedestal. But new bands appeared, some of them equally good. Bands such as the British wonder Mellow Yellow, with their charismatic, blonde frontman…

“Alright, alright,” Letterman raised his voice before the applause died down completely. “But I’m sure EVERYONE wants to know the truth behind those accusations that the real reason why Air Javelin split up was the affair you BOTH had with the late Chris Turpin.”

@thewritingbeforesunrise @fleet-of-fiction @writingcold @lvnterninthenight @its-interesting-van-kleep   @takenbythemadness   @edgingthedarkness @myownparadise96 @gvfstuddedmajesty @jazzyfigz @sanguinebats @josh-iamyour-mama @lyndz2names @wetkleenex-gvf @peaceloveunitygvf @cheersdannyx2 @fleetingjake @lizzys-sunflower @emojakekiszka @gvfmarge @Dayumclarizzel @lipstickitty @clownstarr @gretasfallingsky @musicislove3389 @i-love-gvf @psychedelectable @allof--mylove @sacredsparrow

[lookstairs]

Batboys Band meeting

Duke: Alright so Tim will be bass, Jason’s lead guitar, dami-

Damian: Wait why is Jason lead guitar?

Jason: Aww whats wrong little bird? Jealous

Damian: Of you? Pfft I just doubt your ability to be lead anything

Jason: Brat

Duke: Anyways Damian will be drums-

Jason: You know I saw a drum set at the store, it said ages 3 and up want me to get it for you Dami?

Damian: QUIET YOU STREET-

Duke: OK! Moving on, I’ll be-

Tim: Um why am I bass?

Duke: I don’t know it just fits I guess?

[Jay and Damian nod]

Duke: And I’ll be the lead singer!

Damian: What about Dick?

Duke: Dick will be the sassy percussionist

Dick: [Shaking a tambourine]

[tytarax]

Please, please, please 🙏

I'm thinking of a reader with a tail, saiyan? I'm making a headcanon that all saiyans have their tails left. I love tails so much!

I like to imagine the Reader hugging Zenon, Priest, and Shin with his tail. Zenon loves that extra “limb” and how it can lift him up.

Hugging Shin's waist or Daishinkan's waist with the tail. What if they hold the tip of their tail in their hands while the reader stands nearby?

It sounds weird, but I love tails as well, like a lot!!

I'll write it as hcs, hope you don't mind

Zen chan is obsessed with your tail. To him, it's the coolest think ever! Like the way it moves on its own fascinates him, and he loves watching it flick and curl when you're excited.

Sometimes, he would grab your tail and laugh as he's effortlessly lifted off the ground. He would occasionally demand "Again! Again! Higher this time!"

During the quiet moments, he wraps his tiny arms around your tail and holds on it like it's a soft toy.

Might even fall asleep like that, using it as pillow.

And of course, he would love to play catch the tail, like just chase after it while you sway it side to side.

Daishinkan finds your tail interesting but remains composed about it. He'll gently take the tip of it between your fingers, inspecting it with curiosity, and maybe comment on what unique traits Saiyans have.

He holds your tail absentmindedly, especially during meetings or standing beside you. It's a grounding action for him.

When you hug him with your tail, he'll raise an elegant brow but accept it with a warm smile. Might pat your tail lightly in return.

If you got your tail pulled or injured he is the first one to step in. He'll heal it and remind you to be more careful.

Shin on the other hand gets so shy whenever your tail wraps around his waist. He blushes like crazy "Y-Y/N, your tail... it's, um... t-tight"

But he secretly loves the attention

He's pretty careful with your tail, knowing how sensitive it is. If anyone tries to pull it, he will intervene.

Sometimes he'll reach out and lightly tug on your tail's tip to get your attention. It's a way of saying "I need you rn"

Overtime he becomes more comfortable with it and might gently wrap his hands around it while you're nearby.

---What ifs---

If Beerus is around, he will try to use your tail for entertainment. He might flick it or tug on it lightly, teasing you in his usual bratty way. “You Saiyans and your ridiculous attachments.” However, if you whip your tail in his face, he’ll quickly back off.

If you’re ever with Goten or Trunks, they’ll be insanely jealous of your tail and probably try to grab it. You’ll have to remind them (with a light bonk) that a Saiyan’s tail isn’t a toy.

If someone dares to harm your tail, Zeno will get adorably serious about punishing them. “No hurting Y/N’s tail! It’s too fun!” He might even order the offending party to apologize directly to your tail.

Masterpost

DBS Masterlist

@ultimate-percussionist

[geodethecrow]

GOALS FOR THE WINTER AND SPRING

make a new soup every month (extend for the full year)

turn my jacket into a battle jacket!!

finish sewing my pirate shirt in time for prom

finish knitting my fingerless gloves

learn to spin with a drop spindle

make redbud jelly

live and love loudly and lusciously

patch and paint ideas for battle jacket

cicada on the top back in sort of a mystical design

nebulas/stars on the cuffs and up the sleeves

fish fear me women fear me men fear me I fear me

some quote from Hadestown

anarchy symbol made out of a yarn ball and knitting needles

green carnation

save a drum bang a percussionist

something trans flag

treble clef and shape notes <3

decay exists as an extant form of life. you cannot kill me in a way that matters

soil composition triangle

"be quiet, silica gel, can't you see I'm starving"

moss and/or lichen (on top of other things)

[hallo-anon]

141 Band/College Au Pt 2ish

I wanted their callsigns to be like school wide nicknames, so these are the stories/reasons for their nicknames.

Ghost:

We all know how quiet Ghost is, so I thought it would be funny if even as a percussionist, he has managed to scare the shit out of everyone. That includes Price and Nik, on multiple occasions.

Gaz:

This one was probably the hardest one. In the games, his callsign is Gaz because "because he doesn't say much, according to Captain Price." so I tried searching for a different meaning, and I found one. The story of Gaz's nickname was from one mistake by Nik. When Nik first heard Kyle's full name, he heard Gary instead of Garrick. He started calling him such and when no one corrected him, it turned to Gaz. Now everyone calls him that. No one has corrected Nik

Soap:

Johnny earned this nickname in his first year of guard. His captain at the time was amazed at how fast Johnny could toss his flag during his auditions. After he joined the team, everyone else took notice. One of the students said "It's like his hands are coated in soap or something." It just stuck.

Roach:

This one is my favorite. As a past colorguard member in highschool, I can tell ya, you get hurt a lot. Bruises, scrapes, friction burns from the silk. No matter how many times Gary gets hit by his flag/rifle/saber, he just keeps going. He got the nickname after a performance when his rifle but slammed into his nose. Even though his nose was bleeding, he preformed the entire time.

[solovivopaz]

Maya Biography

Maya Biography

Name: Maya

Species: Sea anemone

Gender: Women

Instrument: Percussion

Appearance:

Maya is a short sea anemone with light green skin that gives her a fresh and lively appearance. Its tentacles, which resemble a mane with a tail, are a vibrant purple color, which contrasts beautifully with its skin. Its unique and striking appearance makes it stand out in any setting, capturing attention both visually and aurally.

Personality and Traits:

Maya is a quiet and reserved person, often expressing her emotions through music rather than words. Her uniqueness is reflected in her exclusive use of an emoticon, (*), to communicate her feelings, letting the context speak for her. She is known for her diligent approach and passion for music, which leads her to always seek perfection in her performances. Although she initially appears shy, she is incredibly dedicated and possesses great inner strength.

History and Background:

Maya joined Ink Theory after graduating from a prestigious music academy, where she stood out for her talent and dedication. Her music teacher saw great potential in her and recommended she become a music instructor. However, Maya decided that she would rather gain experience creating and playing her own music before teaching others. This decision led her to join Ink Theory, where she found a home for her creativity and skills. In addition to playing with Ink Theory, Maya occasionally works as a freelance percussionist for other bands, allowing her to explore different styles and expand her musical repertoire.

Relations:

Karen: Maya has a close and friendly relationship with Karen, the pianist of Ink Theory. They support each other and share a deep connection through their passion for music. Karen is a positive influence on Maya, helping her overcome her insecurities and encouraging her to experiment with new musical styles.

Yoko: Maya and Yoko have a strong friendship based on mutual respect and dedication to the band. Yoko, as the band's leader, relies on Maya to keep up the pace and energy in her performances. Despite Yoko's occasional insecurity, Maya is always there to support her and offer words of encouragement.

Axol (my OC): Maya doesn't know Axol well, but she has heard about him through Yoko and Bibi. He knows that he is a close friend of Bibi and someone who can be trusted. Maya is interested in getting to know him better and seeing how he can contribute to the dynamics of their friend group.

Grandma: Maya and Bibi have a relationship of friendship and companionship. Maya greatly values ​​Bibi's positive energy and enthusiasm. They enjoy spending time together and always find ways to have fun, whether at work or in their free time.

Oonie: Maya and Oonie share a professional and friendly relationship. Although their musical styles may differ, they both have a deep respect for each other's talents. Maya appreciates Oonie's unique perspective on music and values ​​his contribution to the band.

Kitamura: Maya and Kitamura have a friendly and collaborative relationship. Maya admires Kitamura's dedication and talent as a drummer. They work well together and enjoy exchanging ideas on how to improve their music and performances.

Skills and Talents:

Maya is an exceptional percussionist, known for her rhythmic precision and ability to maintain energy during performances. His classical training has given him a solid foundation, and his experience working with various bands has allowed him to adapt to different musical styles. In addition to her musical talent, Maya has a great ability to work under pressure, staying calm and focused even in challenging situations.

Impact on Ink Theory:

Maya is an integral part of Ink Theory, providing the rhythm and structure that allows the band's music to flourish. His dedication and talent have contributed significantly to the band's success, and his unique style adds an extra dimension to their performances. Through her work both in and out of the band, Maya has proven to be a versatile and committed artist, inspiring others with her passion for music and her constant pursuit of excellence.

[shiitake-transcendent]

Hiding lore under the cut:

The Thems are an amateur band that play anywhere that will have them in the Land of Quint. As far as bands go, they aren't terribly uh. Good at it.

In order we have:

Adelaide (they/them), the group's lead singer and decent enough guitarist. They're a spirit from a dead world who manifested into physical form through spite and spite alone. They traveled for a long time before ending up in Quint and still haven't settled into the idea of staying here permanently.

The Mad Maestro (they/them), player of many instruments but favoring keyboard and keytar, depending on the day. As a holder of the title of Mad Maestro, they can bend reality to their will. Or, theoretically they can. Why would they do a thing like that? They're energetic and bombastic and really just happy to have some friends.

Tsundoku (she/they), the Thems' percussionist who's also been known to play the theremin on occasion. Her origins are unknown, though they seem to be a childhood friend of Maestro's. Their "body" is only a porcelain shell for some unknown horror within. Doku is quiet, and the most level headed of the group. This has resulted in an accidental "aura of mystery" that she would very much like to dispel, if only she could figure out how.

Anyway this concludes my initial lore ramblings on eldritch horror type beings in extremely mundane scenarios. Also these three idiots are roommates.

[thequietpercussionist]

Please reblog for a larger sample size!

[screamingforyears]

IN A MINUTE: // A NEW MUSIC ROUNDUP….

“INTERSTITIAL ENMITY” is the lead single from @aberrationdeath’s forthcoming debut album titled ‘Refracture’ (3/22 @sentientruin) & it finds the Minneapolis-based quartet of JH (Aberrations), DH (Emanations), AW (Lacerations) & EC (Abominations) spreading their “Light-devouring abyssal death metal (featuring members of Void Rot, Suffering Hour & Nothingness)” vibe across 7 sprawled out mins of blackened DeathMetal.

“PASTEL PRISON” is the second single/lead track from @doodseskader’s forthcoming sophomore LP titled ‘Year Two’ (3/8) & it finds the Belgian duo of vocalist/bassist Tim De Gieter & vocalist/drummer Sigfried Burrough embracing their sensually soft side while dealing w/ an isolation that spawns a “longing & desire for companionship” across 4+ mins of grungily blown-out & caustically quiet DoomerNoize.

@lessercare are fucking back w/ “STREETWEAR,” a sampled taste from their forthcoming LP titled ‘Heel Turn’ (3/22) & it finds the EPTX-based duo of composer/lyricist/vocalist/guitarist Andres Chavez & drummer/percussionist/vocalist Zane Pacillas (w/ a special shoutout to bassist/guitarist Angel Yglecias) bringing those glammy gloomer goods across a surging 3:43 clip of six-string ringing, low-end pushing & passionately cooed PostPunk.

“SPLICE” is the lead single/track from @m00npuss’ forthcoming LP titled ‘Death Is Coming’ (5/3 @tgic_recs) & it finds the Denver based trio of vocalist/bassist Crissy Cuellar, guitarist Ethan A Hahn & drummer Cory Hager stutteringly agitating their way across 3 mins of murkily morose & start/stopping NoiseRock.

////

[dustedmagazine]

Elena Setién — Moonlit Reveries (Thrill Jockey)

Photo by Pablo Axpe

Elena Setién’s soft, eerie songs blend folk and jazz, pop and torch music in shivering nocturnal trance-states that haunt the space they live in. She has not, up to now, been much concerned with rhythm or propulsion — hers are not generally songs that make you want to move — but that all changed when she decided to collaborate with Wilco percussionist Glenn Kotche.

The two met when Kotche toured Spain with Wilco in 2022 and soon began conspiring to splice Kotche’s beats to Setién’s witchy melodies. Kotche’s A Beat a Week drum instruction manual served as a jumping off point. Setién constructed “Surfacing” and “Arrival” atop percussive patterns from the book. The process turned collaborative with Setién sending her ideas off to Kotche, him altering or embellishing them and sending them back. The idea of beats filtered into the other instrumentation as well. Setién’s guitar playing, while quiet, has a sharp rhythmic edge. One track, “Pintado II” grew out of Kotche’s On Fillmore project; it emerges as an intricate mesh of tonal percussion and Setién’s narcotic voice.

These are two very different artists who converge without compromising. The music exists in a neutral area that is distinct from either player’s comfort zone. “Asking” for instance, lets fly a rambunctious spray of percussion, a bit that rattles and clatters and intermittently explodes, rampaging all over the kit in a repeating pattern. It runs under the whole song, an ongoing undercurrent of punch and aggression that transforms Setién’s fluid melody, giving it urgency and fire. A cacophony of mallet play — xylophone, vibraphone, marimba, something like that — cascades in like splinters of multi-colored glass. The tune is sharper, more insistent than it might otherwise have been.

The title track is subtler in the way it employs rhythm, framing a baroque folk fairy tale narrative in ghostly motifs of harpsicord, guitar and glockenspiel. “When all our queens/Left wandering/They walked through fields/Through valleys deep,” croons Setién, in a fay, wondering way, amid glittering sonic architectures. Yet even the tracks where Kotche didn’t participate, especially “Coloured Lizards” have a syncopated swagger, a stop start guitar pattern anchoring Setién’s folk romantic delivery. She sounds a little like Josephine Foster on this one.

The idea of collaboration is to take you out of your own head, to prompt new ideas and approaches, and Moonlight Reveries clearly accomplishes that. This album won’t shock or alienate longtime fans of Setién—it’s not that far from what she was doing in Unfamiliar Minds—but it does extend the idea of what this songwriter is capable of. Bravo for that and for the risk worth taking.

Jennifer Kelly

[burlveneer-music]

Michael Byron - Halcyon Days - pieces for percussion, and other pieces for two pianists

Michael Byron’s “Halcyon Days” is unique percussion (marimbas, xylophones, vibraphones, glockenspiels, tubular bells, maracas) and keyboard music that’s both wild and pensive, played by an all-star group of new-music performers that includes William Winant, the William Winant Percussion Group (Winant, Tony Gennaro, Michael Jones, and Scott Siler), Lisa Moore, Vicki Ray, and Aron Kallay. Except for the final track (a piano solo written in 2016), these pieces are from a previously under-documented period of Byron’s work—the mid-’70s, when he composed unique and remarkable minimalist-styled music. This album treats us to clangorous clouds of polyrhythms and simple, direct, quiet works, both of which explore rich harmonies and bespeak a sense of transcendent motionlessness. Byron comments about the album, “Poet Anne Tardos wrote that ‘Time doesn’t pass. We pass.’ Most of the pieces on this CD were composed in the 1970s. It seemed like everything was beginning then. Lifelong friends were made, and improbable ideas were shared; composing neither began nor ended. This CD features virtuoso percussionist, and my oldest friend, Bill Winant. Over the last 50 years he has performed and premiered every percussion piece that I’ve ever composed.”. Michael Byron’s music tends to be harmonically rich, rhythmically detailed, and virtuosic. It’s often praised for its ability to create dense constructions out of relatively limited materials. His works have been performed and recorded by such new-music champions as Sarah Cahill, Joseph Kubera, William Winant, FLUX Quartet, Kathleen Supové, and Thomas Buckner. The Wire’s Julian Cowley has written that Byron is “one of those contemporary composers who can justifiably be classed as crucial. . . . Byron’s music dances with tremulous iridescence.” (Byron’s music has appeared on seven previous Cold Blue Music albums.) William Winant, tubular bells, maracas, marimba, xylophone, glockenspiel, and vibraphone William Winant Percussion Group (Winant, Tony Gennaro, Michael Jones, and Scott Siler), marimbas, xylophones, glockenspiels, and vibraphones Ray-Kallay Duo (Vicki Ray and Aron Kallay), piano four-hands Lisa Moore, piano Produced by Jim Fox, William Winant, and Scott Fraser

[aaronpaceluvbot]

mago (aaron pace x reader)

Title: MAGO

Summary: in which you and aaron are best friends, and he realizes things a little late (better late than never!). 

wc: 1.1k

Before you read: very loosely based off of the song mago by gfriend but not really?? but also kind of?? Also this is my warmup to get back into writing writing again! probably a little choppy and it’s not proofread so if there’s major issues lmk! gender neutral reader ?? but reader doesn’t get referred to by anything at all!

You remember when you first met aaron. The two of you were in elementary school and he sat next to you in class. Both of you were both pretty quiet kids, minding your own business and interacting with each other only when necessary. The seating arrangement was perfect for the two of you since you’d both rather focus on what you were working on than conversing with others. However, this was soon to be ruined. 

Your teacher changed the seating chart and now you were stuck next to kids that you didn’t know and quite frankly, stressed you out. They were loud and you couldn’t focus and all you could think was that you wanted Aaron back. So, during recess you approached him with an upset look on your face as you asked if he’d be willing to go with you to ask your teacher to put you two next to each other again. You were surprised when he said yes, but as it turns out - the two of you were in the same dilemma. You were both stuck next to seatmates that were for lack of better terms, not your favorite. You’d rather sit next to each other. 

After recess, the two of you made your trek back to class a little bit earlier so that you could ask your teacher about the new seating arrangement. “Ms. Smith?” You ask, peeking your head through the door. She was sitting at her desk and she made a come hither motion, so the two of you stepped into her classroom. 

“What’s wrong? Are you two in trouble? If so I’d be shocked-” She gets cut off by Aaron. 

“No… We just want to sit next to each other… We’d rather sit next to each other since it’s harder to focus with the people we sit by,” he says quickly. You’re surprised that he came up with that good of a reason that quickly. Your teacher nods.

“I see… well your grades have been a bit lower and you two have seemed to be less attentive in class, so I’ll make some changes to the seating chart for tomorrow, but for now, the two of you can sit together in the back at the half table, alright?” The two of you nod and thank her and head back to your new seats. 

When you two sat down, he was about to say something, but you beat him to it. “Here, this is for you,” you say, handing him one of your many friendship bracelets. He examines it and looks back up at you with a confused look. 

“What is this?” He asks, fidgeting with beads and sliding them around on the string.

“It’s a friendship bracelet! Since we’re friends now, right?” you ask, now afraid that he might decline. He slips it on.

“Friends.” 

—

The two of you head off to middle school, excited as can be. You both were joining band! You two were in the same class and you both branched out and met more people. You became friends with Cadence, Susie and Tom and Aaron became friends with other percussionists. Even though you both were making more friends, you still kept in contact and would talk to each other in your other classes. This stayed the same until high school, when you befriended a certain trumpet named Peter Dang. He was sweet, but he was sweet to everyone. But a friend to all, is a friend to none. He wasn’t the one that you grew up with and he certainly wasn’t the one who would be there for you all those times.

Aaron was the one who watched you run out of homecoming Junior year because Peter had the audacity to break up with you in the middle of the dance, even though you were his date. He chased after you, but not before giving Peter the dirtiest look he could muster. He found you in the parking lot, sitting on the curb by where you parked your car. When he sat next to you that night, he realized two things. He’s had a crush on you ever since you two were little kids and that you deserved a lot better than Peter. 

He let you bawl your eyes out into the fabric of his uncomfy suit as he tried to soothe you and make you feel better. “I really thought he was the one,” he heard you murmur. You shook your head and let out a dry laugh. “I guess not then.” The two of you stay like that, closer than you two had been in a while. 

“He wouldn’t be the one for you anyways. I’m pretty sure that if you asked him what color your eyes were, he wouldn’t know,” he mutters. When he realizes that you heard that, he makes a face and immediately opens his mouth to apologize. Instead of being upset, you laugh.

“I’m pretty sure he didn’t, if I’m being honest,” you say, shaking your head at yourself. “But it’s fine. At least I know you’ll always be with me. You’re such a good friend, you know that?” You ask, finally choosing to look him in the eye. Those words brought an odd pain to him. This wasn’t the first time that your friendship was referenced, but hearing it coming from you felt odd. It felt odd and it hurt that you didn’t see him as anything that could be more than friends.

“You know, this feels so silly, but a few months before I met Peter last year, I had the biggest crush on you. But I never really said anything until now because I was afraid that you’d hate me or something, but you probably wouldn’t because it’s in the past now, right?” you ramble. He internally winces. He had a chance to be with you all along? 

“I would care actually because I have a crush on you right now. I’ve had a crush on you since we were little kids,” he thinks. Your eyes go wide and he feels himself burning up. Did he say that out loud?

“Aaron,” you murmur, looking him in the eye. “Are you sure?” You ask, looking slightly upset. He nods. 

“I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable or anything like that-”

“No. No it’s not that. Not at all. I feel relieved actually,” you say, giving him a soft smile. “I’ve liked you since you went with me to ask our teacher to switch our seats so we could sit together. I guess I just gave up hope on you liking me back, so I decided to ignore my feelings for you.” He nods at your words and pulls you closer. 

“Is that why you dated him?” You shrug at his words. 

“Not sure. It was probably for a lot of reasons that I won’t understand later on, but if I’m being honest there’s one thing I’ll always understand.” You leave it at that, and Aaron immediately knows what you’re referencing. 

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