#then called the petal pushers for Reggie and Alex

[innytoes]

“Good morning, sleepy head.” for Ray/Rose!

Work had been chaotic, between three shoots that had all been rebooked on the same day, an editing emergency that had kept him up two nights in a row, and a potential client who could not make up their mind between A Professional and Cousin Kyle Who Will Do It For Free and wanted to 'compromise' by Ray doing thousands of dollars worth of work for a hundred bucks and would not take no for an answer.

So he was incredibly glad it was Sunday, and he got to sleep in. Rose had spoiled him a little last night, letting him take a long bath, even bringing him a glass of wine. She hadn't even made fun of him that he was in bed at nine, barely able to keep his eyes open long enough to kiss her goodnight before she went back downstairs.

He slept like a log. He hadn't woken up when Rose had come to bed, but he had in the early morning light of dawn, wrapped around her, nose buried in her curls. He'd sighed happily, reveling in the warmth, in how lucky he was that she was still there after all they'd been through. And then he'd dozed right back off to sleep.

The next time he woke, the clock read ten fifteen, which felt obscenely late even for a Sunday. He stretched out, reveling in how well-rested he felt, before getting up and using the bathroom, getting in a quick shave, and putting on some comfortable jeans and a Henley.

He was just about to head downstairs when Rose intercepted him at the top of the stairs, her arm catching his waist as she pressed a kiss to his lips. "Good morning, sleepy head," she said, teasing and warm and bright.

"Good morning," he said, all thoughts of coffee temporarily forgotten as she peppered kisses along his jaw. Well, there was a reason he'd shaved. He inhaled happily, wrapping his arms around his wife. "Thanks for letting me sleep in."

Then, he inhaled again. Deeply.

"Why do I smell pancakes?" he asked. "Who broke something?"

"Nothing broke!" Rose said, but she said it so quickly that it just confirmed his suspicions that these were Bribery Pancakes. Or at the very least Buttering Up pancakes.

"Rose..."

"So you know how we always talked about how we wanted a big family?" Rose started, which was not where Ray thought this was going. He thought they were softening him up for another crazy DIY project he was going to regret halfway through.

"I do," he said. Though they'd also had a long conversation when Carlos was one, about how two small children were kind of enough for both of them, but maybe they could foster or adopt when the kids were older.

There was commotion downstairs, and some very familiar voices hushing each other, and suddenly, everything clicked. "Which one?" he asked.

"Which one what?" Rose asked, trying to go for innocence and landing solidly in 'shifty' instead.

"Which one of Julie's friends did you adopt while I was sleeping?"

It wasn't like they hadn't talked about it before. How they wanted to be a safe place for Julie's band members to go to if things got bad at home. They'd both been worried about Reggie and the way he flinched at loud noises. Ray had sat him down once and told him he was always welcome to stay with them if he didn't feel safe at home.

Luke constantly fought with his mother about music, and had run away to the Molina's garage to spend the night and cool down more than once. And Alex... well, after he came out, they made sure to let him know that there were adults in his life that loved him for who he was, and would keep loving him no matter what.

Rose didn't say anything, just entwined their fingers together and pulled him down the stairs. The amount of bags in the hall were a bit concerning. Then, when they turned and came into the kitchen, he became even more concerned.

Reggie's black eye was the first thing that stood out. But Alex looked like he'd been crying for hours, his eyes red and puffy, his face blotchy. Luke sprang away from where he and Julie had been wrapped around each other. Which was usually funny, but now was a little heartbreaking, considering how upset he looked. He was even wearing sleeves, the big cozy flannel he wore when things got really bad.

"Hi Ray," Reggie whispered awkwardly, giving a little wave.

He strode into the kitchen, pulling all three boys into a hug. Reggie went willingly, plastering himself against Ray's side. Luke quickly followed, and Alex tensed up before sinking into the hug with a sniffle.

"Pancakes first," he said, after a long while, looking over their heads at his wife. "And then I want to know how you managed to pull all this off."

Rose shrugged. "I had help," she said, and oh, that was either a very good thing (Victoria) or a very illegal thing (the Petal Pushers), and maybe Ray didn't want to know after all. Oh well, he had spousal immunity, he wouldn't have to testify against his wife.

"And then," he said, looking down at the boys as he let go. Alex fidgeted, and Luke drifted back to Julie, but Reggie stayed close, so he kept an arm wrapped around his shoulder. "I think we need to go to Ikea and gets some bunk beds, or something."

Alex let out a great big sigh of relief. Luke sagged against Julie, while she grinned and hugged him. Carlos gave a little cheer, high-fiving Reggie.

And Rose? Rose just smiled at him, like she'd known all along that he didn't really need pancakes to butter him up. Because Rose knew him, knew how much he loved these boys. And knew that even if he did have misgivings, he'd follow her no matter what anyway.

Together, they'd get through anything.

[thedeathdeelers]

Juke au request:

where sunset curve is famous, julie carrie and flynn are backup dancers for this big epic gig and Luke sees julie right there on the spot onstage

👀

I got that vivid idea last night I can't write if my life so I asked someone else to write it but they don't write fir that ship it would mean a lot to me to see this fleshed out

hello! sorry i don’t really do requests anymore cause i’m nowhere near as motivated to write jatp fics, but here’s how i think this could pan out:

ok so julie being a backup dancer feels a little ooc for me in the way that i think she should always be the star of whatever she’s doing — and that although luke would be intrigued to see her cause she’s very Pretty, it wouldn’t be enough to fully captivate him. they both bonded over music and it’s how he fell for her so deeply

SO

my idea is that julie finds herself being a backup dancer with flynn and carrie because it was her only way to keep her promise: she still can’t bring herself to sing again after her mom’s death but rose made her promise to always be involved with music, to always have it in her life. so julie does the next best thing: she chooses to dance - she’s still surrounded by music all the time, it’s just slightly different to what she’s used to: she doesn’t sing

and maybe. maybe at this event/gig/festival that both luke and julie find themselves in, that’s where they first meet. i’m thinking that perhaps luke coincidentally walks past her backstage at some point before their performance and hears her hum a song (maybe one of theirs? maybe one by rose and the petal pushers?) and it peaks his interest cause 1. it’s his song (or a song by a legend called rose molina and he doesn’t often hear people listening to rose and the petal pushers) and 2. cause even with just the soft humming he can hear the quality of this girl’s voice

but before he can backtrack and approach her, maybe talk to her about music, he gets called over for sound check and then it’s just a busy day and he kind of forgets/lets it go

that is until later on when he sees the same girl dancing on stage and is a little surprised she isn’t the one singing — and shit, he also notices that she’s kinda cute too.

he’s Intrigued even more at this point. because he thinks he saw her look a little happier humming to a song backstage than she does dancing her heart out onstage

and now he wants to know more

cue him looking her up on instagram, and reggie and alex rolling their eyes at him. cue him going way back down her old posts until he stumbles on the earliest ones on her insta and it’s a short clip of her…singing

like singing singing. and now he’s sat there on their tour bus, mouth hanging open and heart beating in his throat because holy shit this is the most beautiful voice he’s ever hear

so he shoots his shot….and DMs her 👀

[solibrie]

girl help i keep staring at the girl band jatp art i rb’d earlier

i’m SOOOO easy i am So easily compelled by women 😭 the fanart including a girl bobby but tbh i think if we were going for narrative (especially considering how rock tends to be perceived as a masculine thing) i might prefer bobby to have been the only male member of sunset curve if only to inject some internalized misogyny into his theft and betrayal 🙏🏼

also tbhhh if sunset curve are girls i can imagine them fully recognizing rose as a petal pusher. they’d be definitely in tune in other women-led rock acts

((ALSO if i had to rename the girls. well alex can be the same but maybe for the sake of establishing an alternate canon we can work with lexi. & tbh my impulse for reggie was actually “nina” as a nickname for regina. and luke could be lucille, goes by luce??? i always think renaming characters really Direct feminine versions of their names is so corny 😭😭😭 but i’m already kind of fond of it… bc then julie can call her her luz…))

lexi is a lesbian… luce is bi… nina thinks she’s straight (the chemistry moment needs to happen ok. nina thinking she’s the token heterosexual is REALLY important)

jatp being a girl band also makes them more direct rivals for dirty candy i think. at least emotionally.

luce’s relationship with emily. also conceptually way more intense bc Only Daughter.

willie (can i name her wilhelmina...) also gets hit with the gender beam bc lexi has to be gay. anyways lexi and luce both being into girls is actually making me really happy so i need to Stop Before I Get Carried Away.

this is how i get really into jatp femslash 😭

[bluefirewrites]

‘A Flowery Back-And-Forth’- Juke Florist!AU

Juke AU where Julie’s mom had owned the Petal Pushers Floral Company, now run by her Tía Victoria and she helps by delivering orders on her bike. 

Another riff from the Triad Chat Vault. Happy JATP Appreciation Month!

"Alright, I'm on it, Willie!" Julie calls out, slipping the arrangement in her basket, foot primed to pedal-

"Wait!" Willie sidles up to her with a conspiratorial smirk, "Can you do me a teensy weensy favor?"

Her eyes shut, already groaning, "No, no. Willie, no-"

The skater sticks out his bottom lip, pouting, "Please? I'm willing to pay for the 'Julie Molina Special'"

Julie points to the sign hanging in the Petal Pushers shop, "Do you see a 'Julie Molina Special’ or arrangement up there?"

Willie presents her a wad of cash.

She eyes it warily, "You're shelling out so much for this, aren't you?"

"It's Alex," he says, eyes twinkling, "He deserves the best," he elbows her playfully, "Right?"

Shit. Romance isn't dead after all.

And Julie does need the money.

"Okay, fine," she pockets the cash and mounts her bike "One 'Julie Molina' delivery special coming up."

"Yes!" he hugs her from behind, careful not to squash the flowers, "Thank you. He'll appreciate it for sure."

"I'm doing this for you," she rings the bell and starts rolling down the street, "And you better properly introduce me to your boyfriend next time!"

"Here you go, courtesy of your boyfriend,"

"Will do!"

Julie bikes over to the address, not too far from her house. 

“He’s in band practice right now, so take the flowers there,” Willie had told her. 

She could already hear the music flowing from the garage as she pulls up and parks her bike. Carefully scooping up the bouquet, she knocks on the double doors. 

It takes a moment for anyone inside to notice the knocking due to the loud music (which is pretty good from what Julie has heard so far. And she doesn’t really listen to much music anymore). 

The guitars and drums are put to a halt. Then a voice calls out. 

“Who is it?” 

“It’s Petal Pushers Floral Company. I have a delivery for an ‘Alex Mercer’?” 

“Cool. Come on in.” 

Heeding instruction, she pushes the doors open and walks inside. She spots Alex immediately, by the drums. The blonde raises his hand and Julie comes forward with the large bouquet Willie ordered for him.

"Um..." Julie e starts, rubbing her hands together nervously, "There's more."

"Thanks!" Alex blushes, admiring the rainbow of flowers collected.

“And the card,” 

Alex quickly swipes the card, eyeing his bandmates in case either of them would dare to steal it and read it outloud. He reads the note to himself and he blushes even more. 

“Happy One Month, Hot Dog,” he recites an excerpt for everyone, to which they all go ‘aww’. Then Alex nods at her, “And you’re Julie, right? Willie tells me all about you. Thanks for coming by.” 

“Really no problem. Just doing my job. As a delivery girl and his friend.” 

Speaking of friend duties...

Then she looks around the room and shrinks in on herself seeing that she does have an audience, one that she recognizes. 

There’s Reggie from her Home Ec class and the other boy, Luke, she thinks, the one she always spots with a guitar case in his hands.

"Um..." she starts, rubbing her hands together nervously, "There's more."

"Oh," Alex says, surprised, "Really?"

"Yeah..."

"I don't know what it is that makes me love you so...I only know I never want to let you go...'" she sings, snapping to the beat, trying hard not to look at anyone else but Alex.

I'm so gonna kill Willie for this...

She clears her throat. And goes for it. 

"'Cause you started something, can't you see...That ever since we met you've had a hold on me...”" she starts moving around the space, spinning and dancing like an old-timey singing-gram.

Coming back around, she catches eyes with Luke, and she immediately averts her eyes, turning red.

No, Julie... just keep singing. This would all be over soon. So you won't have to keep embarrassing yourself in front of cute boys...

“It happens to be true.... I only want to be with you!" she finishes on own knee, with jazz hands.

She's met with a round of applause as she stands up, feeling awkward.

"Wow!" Reggie claps, "Your boyfriend got you flowers and a pretty girl to sing you a song."

"That was great," Alex beams at her, "You're really good!"

She blushes, waving off the compliments, "Not really a thing we do at the shop, but Willie insisted."

"What a shame," Luke finally pipes up, his eyes never having left her ever since she walked in, "I bet a lot of people will buy flowers... if they're being delivered like that."

Julie swears she's glowing red like Rudolph at this point, with the way he stares. 

Julie walks her bike up to the garage, finding only Luke there playing away on his guitar.

"Thanks..." she mutters shyly, rushing out the door and towards her bike, “Have a good one guys. And you sounded great by the way.” 

“We’re Sunset Curve,” Luke shouts after her. 

“Tell your friends!” Reggie follows up. 

Julie politely waves at them and bikes away, all too keen to continue on with her route and try to put this whole embarrassing moment behind her. 

If only Luke Patterson was planning to do the same. 

Ever since she made the delivery, the guy would try to flag her attention at school. With a ‘Hey Flower Girl’ and striking up conversation, which throws her off balance. 

She tries not to associate with people in the music program as often, not since she left due to... personal reasons. (Flynn is a notable exception)

Julie would be friendly, to Alex and Reggie to an extent as well, (to Alex especially since he is Willie’s boyfriend), but she’s just trying to get by with her busy schedule of school and her job at the flower shop. 

She goes to work after school two weeks later and makes her rounds with the deliveries Tía sends her on. Tía only gives her the remaining orders that the trucks couldn’t take, last minute ones that are within riding distance.

(Julie can’t wait until she’s able to get her license and really make a contribution to her family’s business). 

She’s just about to call it a night when Tía surprises her with one last minute arrangement. A call made while she was out. 

It’s about 6 at this point, getting darker and so she packages the bundle of peonies quickly, puts it in her basket and looks at the address. She rolls her eyes when she reads where it’s going and who it’s for. 

She knocks against the door, bearing the small bouquet of peonies, "Ahem?"

It startles the boy and he fumbles with his instrument. He looks up to find her standing there and grins. Soon, the guitar is off his person and he's meeting her at the door.

"Hey," he greets.

"Hi," she smiles, although confused, "Delivery for 'Luke Patterson'?"

The boy glances around the empty space before feigning realization, "Oh! That must be me!"

"Looks like," Julie couldn't help but giggle. She gives him the flowers, their hands making brief contact during the exchange. 

"You like peonies?" Luke sniffs the flowers, playing with the paper wrap.

She pulls back, clearing her throat. She wants to ask that question at the forefront of her mind, but she really shouldn’t assume anything about their customers. But she couldn’t help but wonder who the flowers are for. 

So she just settles for: "Nice arrangement.”

"They're pretty, yeah,"

He tilts his head, "But are they your favorite?"

Julie purses her lips, "Nope. Not really."

"I swear you give me a peonies kinda vibes,"

"That's a thing?"

Setting down the flowers onto the table, Luke nods, "Oh yeah. Don't you try and guess what kind of flowers people would buy when they come in?"

"Sometimes,"

"But still," he pinches a peony from the bunch and offers it to her and Julie's breath hitches.

"For you,"

She crosses her arms, despite the butterflies. Instead of accepting it, she raises an eyebrow at him.

"I'm not one to take a customer's flowers,"

He shrugs, "Consider it a tip?"

"Why? ‘Cuz you don't have any money?" she jests, making her way down the driveway.

"C'mon, Julie," he calls from the open garage, "Here." he holds out the flower again.

Rolling her eyes, she mounts her bike, "I'm not a peony-kind of girl, remember!"

"I'll figure out what kind of girl you are," he says, almost like a promise.

"Good luck with that!" she shouts back, racing down the driveway and onto the street.

The last thing she sees is him grinning like an idiot in the doorway, tossing aside the peony, and watching her ride off into the evening.

Little does she know that this is only the start of their little flowery back-and-forth...

Tagging: @blush-and-books​​ @lydias--stiles​​  @thedeathdeelers​​ @ruzek-halstead​​, @pink-flame​​, @ourstarscollided​​, @nottheleastbrave​​, @echocharm17618​​ @smolfangirl​​ 

[missmitchieg]

Julie And The Phantoms: A (Unhelpful) Guide For The Newbies

Julie Molina:

- Played by: Superstar Madison Reyes, funniest human alive

- Nicknames: Underachiever, Jules, Star

- The Star

- Co-lead singer and pianist/keyboardist of Julie And The Phantoms

- Would stan Sunset Curve

- Fashion icon

- Wants to learn the fiddle

- Bisexual icon

- Stans Selena Quintanilla

- Lowkey stans her 'bully''s musical group

- Her type is white guitar boys and all girls

- An angel

- Needs a hug

- Human Wrecking Ball™

- Crescent moons

- TALENT

- A little bit in love with her bestie tbh

- Queen of setting and enforcing boundaries

- Great judge of character

- Accidentally fell in love with a handsome ghost, whoops!

- Always nice to literally everyone, even when she's beefing with them

- Loves purple, butterflies, flowers and glitter

- Daydreamer

- Saturn

- Songwriter & Poet

- Can. Not. Lie.

- 👐 Jazz Hands 👐

- Good at apologizing

- TALENT

- Doodles

- Space

- GIRL CAN DANCE

- Awkward but in a cute way

- Literally Magical

- Pretty sure she's a Siren/Witch Hybrid, I have Evidence

- TALENT

- Good lungs

- Loud voice

- CAN R U N

Rose Molina:

- Played by: Danube Hermosillo

- Julie's mom

- SIREN QUEEN

- Sunshine

- Fashion icon

- Loves music

- Loves dahlias

- Songwriter

- Stans Sunset Curve

- Has been in a couple bands, one of which was called Rose And The Petal Pushers

- Plays piano, probably also guitar

- Super nice

Ray Molina:

- Played by: Carlos Ponce

- Julie's dad

- One cool dude

- The Best Dad Ever

- A King and a Witch (trust me)

- Probably also bi tbh

- Photographer

- Supportive and loving

- Knows the words to Julie's songs

- Good at apologizing

- Films Julie And The Phantoms performances for their youtube channel

Carlos Molina:

- Played by: Sonny Bustamante

- Julie's little brother

- BEST LITTLE BROTHER

- Went into Protect Mode when Julie was scared of the ghost in the garage

- Helped a ghost chef cross over

- The Ghost Toaster

- Youtuber

- Plays baseball

- Likes rap music

- Stans Julie And The Phantoms

- Also films their performances

Flynn Taylor:

- Played by: Jadah Marie

- Nickname: Disappointment

- Julie's bestie, marketing team, manager and roadie

- Will not tolerate lying and secret keeping

- Crazy glue of best friends

- Also stans her 'bully''s musical group

- Is in love with her 'bully' and is Big Mad about it

- DEFINITELY a lesbian

- The coolest person ever

- Cat person

- Eat The Rich

- She/they

- Literally The Most Supportive Friend

- Also a fashion icon

- Made a promise with Julie they would form a band called Double Trouble when they were 6, made t shirts for said band, wasn't mad when Julie formed her own ghost band

- Came up with the name Julie And The Phantoms

- Rap Queen

- Gives me Destiny's Child stan vibes

- Knows who Julie likes before Julie knows

- A Very Literal Person

- Sass™

- Also films performances

Victoria:

- Played by: Alison Araya

- Julie's maternal aunt

- Also a fashion icon tbh

- Probably has a succulent named Pablo

- Terrified of demons

- Has seen enough horror movies to know that when shit's going down in a house, you leave the damn house

- Knows how to relieve you of demons

- Drops in with food so they don't eat leftovers every night

- Occasionally babysits Julie and Carlos

- Is on Julie's school mailing list

Luke Patterson:

- Played by: Charlie Gillespie

- Handsome Ghost Boy #1

- Julie's best friend, boyfriend and Soulmate

- Flirted with Julie's mom once, oops!

- Former lead singer of Sunset Curve

- Current co-lead singer and guitarist of Julie And The Phantoms

- HOO BOY DOES HE NEED A HUG

- His type is dark curly haired latinas and all boys

- Really, really, really likes roses

- No one knows how to describe his eye color

- BAD handwriting

- 👐 Jazz Hands 👐

- The Most Supportive Boyfriend

- If Julie doesn't like a thing, he doesn't like it, either

- Tied with Flynn for #1 Julie Molina Stan

- Would do anything for Julie Molina

- ANYTHING. FOR. JULIE.

- Ships Willex & Boggie

- Music is in. his. soul.

- Literally died for music

- D E T E R M I N A T I O N

- Kinda bad at apologizing at first but he gets better

- Does not give a damn about school

- Just really loves his parents

- Guitar Boy

- Preeeetty sure pretty boy is pan/ace

- Has chemistry with everyone he sings with

- Probably has ADHD

- Loves food

- Appreciates a good show

- Sleeves? Don't know him

- Cries a lot

Alex Mercer-Molina:

- Played by: Owen Joyner

- Handsome Ghost Boy #2

- Gay Little Drummer Boy

- Allergic to girls

- Formerly Sunset Curve drummer

- Currently Julie And The Phantoms drummer

- Julie's other bestie/older brother tbh

- Pink

- Garbage parents

- Needs a hug so bad

- Also literally died for music

- Ships Jukebox sooooo hard

- Fashion icon

- A N X I E T Y

- Thinks he's the smart one

- Whitney Houston and David Bowie stan

- Boy can SING

- Dancer

- Does not subscribe to Luke's 'if Julie doesn't like it, I don't like it' thing

- Sass™

Reggie Peters-Molina:

- Played by: Jeremy Shada

- Handsome Ghost Boy #3

- Julie's other other bestie/older brother

- Bisexual

- Also flirted with Julie's mom

- Formerly Sunset Curve bassist

- Currently Julie And The Phantoms bassist

- Parents hate each other, no one knows where they are now

- Doesn't handle yelling well

- In desperate need of a hug

- Protect Him

- Golden Retriever Puppy

- Red, black and white

- LOVE HIS VOICE

- Country Boy

- Shreds on a banjo

- Also literally died for music

- BEST BOY

- Jukebox & Willex Stan #2

- The Actual Smart One

- Is also The Cute One

- FUNNY

- His religion is leather jackets and flannels

- SWEETEST ANGEL BOY

- Loves Julie's dad

- Hypes up his friends a lot

- Just wants his friends to be happy

- BABIE

- Star Wars stan

- Hates Jar Jar Binks

- Gives me Disney fan vibes

- Had a massive crush on Trevor Wilson, known as Bobby at the time

[where-theres-smoak-2]

10 Little Things I Missed in JATP The First Time Around.

So after binge watching Julie and the Phantoms in one day naturally the first thing I did was go back and watch it all over again and on the rewatches I noticed some things that I didn’t the first time around. Now I’m a few months late to the party so most of these are probably things that most people have already spotted but I figured I’d share them with you anyway just because I love how much detail they put into this show and I need to fangirl about it lol. Obviously there are spoilers. 

1) Missing Persons. In episode 1 when the boys are eating the hotdogs, behind luke you can see his missing person poster showing that his parents were looking for him and trying to get him to come home which is honestly just heartbreaking and tears at my soul. 

2) Signs, all the Signs. In episode 2 when they go to check on reggie’s parents and find the bike shop the name of the bike shop is ‘Petals on the Beach’. Julie’s mum was in a band named ‘Rose and the Petal Pushers.’ Then in episode 5 when we see Willie at the Hollywood Ghost Club we can see that he has a flower pin on his jacket. 

I don’t know for sure if it’s a dahlia or not but it does look like it is to me. Then in episode 6 when Luke goes to see his parents there is a vase of Dahlia’s on the counter behind them. Obviously these flowers link to Julie’s mum and I think it’s interesting that these three things are being linked to Julie’s mum. My theory is that these are connected to each of the boys unfinished business somehow and Rose is leaving hints for the boys. I also think their unfinished business might link back in someway to their parents. We know that they all left their parents on bad terms. Reggie’s parents were having troubles and were close to divorce, Alex’s weren’t accepting of his sexual orientation and Luke ran away leaving on bad terms. We’ve seen a little bit of resolution in Luke’s regard but the other two still haven’t had any. I also don’t think its any one thing that’s their unfinished business but more like a collection of milestones they need to resolve. 

3) Fire, Water and Leather Vests. In episode 6 when the band performs finally free Julie is wearing her mum’s vest, its the same one we see Rose wearing in episode 1 when she meets sunset curve. 

Since then either rose or julie has added doodles to it. One of the doodles looks like flames, fire is a symbol of rebirth or resurrection. Another of the doodles looks like waves/ water. Water is a symbol of both life and freedom which makes it kind of perfect for a song called ‘finally free’.  

There is more fire symbolism in Stand Tall with the special effects behind the band showing fire like imagery. Throughout the performance it shows glowing embers and fireworks. 

Which is also similar to the firery effect made by the lights in the background of their Finally Free performance. 

These along with other symbols of rebirth and resurrection is obviously connected to how the boys were brought back to ‘life’ again by Julie but also how they brought Julie back to life too. 

4) More Doodles. Again sticking with episode 6 when we see Julie drawing on her microphone she is drawing a birthday cake which is meant for Luke. We know that she only seems to draw things that are important to her on the microphone the other doodles include a rose and a dahlia obviously symbolic of her mother, the words double trouble which links her to Flynn, the words I’ve got the music and music notes, this is her connection to music. Then the final thing she draws on it is the birthday cake which shows how Luke is important to her. I also think its important that she does this right after learning more about him and seeing a deeper side to him, I do think this is when her feelings for him really deepened. 

5)  Braided Together. This is one that I think alot of people noticed but the braids in Julie’s hair in both I got the Music and Stand Tall are the colours of the three boys, red, blue and pink. Again showing how intertwined all of their souls are with each other and with music. I think it very much represents how the boys brought music back into her life.

6) The Power of Purple. Both Caleb and Julie have the rare power of being able to make ghosts visible to lifers and most likely have other mystical powers too if that last scene with the band glowing and being able to be touched by Julie is any indication. Both of them wear the colour purple. 

The colour purple symbolises magic, mystery and spirituality. I do feel like Julie and Caleb are the opposite sides of the same coin. They both posess similar powers but they are using them for very different reasons. I think they very much represent the living and the dead. Julie kind of brings people back to life whereas Caleb draws people to the otherside, the afterlife. 

7) Greek Mythology. Speaking of the afterlife, in episode 5 when at the Hollywood Ghost Club, Caleb encourages the boys to eat some food, on first watch this just came across as a kinda funny scene but when I rewatched it I realised something. I actually think this is a nod at the myth of Persephone and the pomegranate seeds. In greek mythology if you ate or drank anything in the underworld then you would be trapped there forever. Obviously we know not long after eating Caleb brands the boys with his club stamp forcing them to make the decision of joining his band for eternity or being destroyed by the jolts. He decieves them just as Hades decieves Persephone.  

8) Full Circle. Both the band’s first performance (Bright) and last (stand tall) starts with Julie on stage alone unknowing that the boys are going to show up. In the first performance she doesn’t know yet that they can be visible when on stage with her and in Stand tall she thinks they have been destroyed by the jolts already. It brings her journey full circle. 

9) Maternal Ties. The first time we see Luke perform and the last he has the same scarf tied around his arm.

He also has this same scarf in his back pocket during finally free both the performance and the episode as a whole. My theory is that the scarf belonged to his mother. During Unsaid Emily when you see him packing and arguing with his mother the scarf is in his back pocket. You can see it in his back pocket again during unsaid emily when he is singing as a ghost if that makes sense. 

It tends to show up, from what I can tell, either when Luke is having a big moment like the night that was suppose to be sunset curve’s big break at the Orpheum or Julie and the Phantoms performance at the Orpheum. Or when it has something to do with his mother like in episodes Finally Free and Unsaid Emily. I think he carries it as a good luck charm. 

10) Butterflies and Roses. In episode 7 during the edge of great performance the butterflies on julie’s top are the colours of the band. Red for Reggie, blue for Luke, pink for Alex and purple for Julie. Butterflies are a symbol of transformation and again another symbol of rebirth and resurrection. Also during the final performance Reggie has butterflies and flowers on his vest. Luke has roses on his guitar strap (also skulls but lets ignore that for now) and Alex has a rose in his suit jacket. 

Again the butterflies are symbolising the rebirth of the group but also could be to do with that transformation the boys go through at the end where they can now be touched. (I have soo many questions about that scene.) Also we have the roses which again shows the link to Rose and how she brought Julie and the boys together. 

Like I said I’m sure most of these are really obvious but I get excited about little details like these and the producers really did do an amazing job at weaving them throughout the show. I’m sure there are even more that I’ve missed so if you know of anymore please feel free to enlighten me. Still keeping my fingercrossed for a season 2.

 Edit: I found more fun little details and yes I am obsessed, part 2 can be read here if anyone is interested. 

[bright-molina]

Babylon - Everything I Didn’t Say (part 2)

synopsis: As the months go by you find that not everything is always easy. Bobby continues trying to make it big and you continue working on Luke’s song. Time starts getting away from both of you until one day everything changes more than you thought possible.

word count: 5.3k

pairing: Luke Patterson x reader

warnings: a little more of reader and Bobby working through the grieving process, mentions of a car accident

a/n: I’m so late but this is for @jatpx5sos​​ Week Day Four: Sad Song! The song I used was Babylon which is like, a vibe, but also the lyrics get me. Part two of the Everything I Didn’t Say Series and we’re definitely picking up now.

Also disclaimer, I know absolutely nothing about law so keep that in mind

part one

The songbook kept its place in your bag but it felt less heavy now. 

Every time you opened the book it got a little easier. Soon enough you were finishing your list and you could feel the spark that had nearly disappeared growing stronger once again. 

Getting back into music helped. At first it was just listening as Bobby messed around on his guitar when you finally dared to go back into the garage with him. It was one of those times that you’d stumbled across a shoebox filled with pictures and notes, much like the one you had in your room. 

“I forgot we kept those in here,” Bobby had spoken softly as he looked through all the pictures with you. 

“I didn’t know you guys had these.” You smiled as you flipped through polaroids and photo booth sheets and negative film strips. “Honestly didn’t think you were picture people.” 

“We weren’t,” It was then that Bobby recalled one memory in particular. “Alex showed up for rehearsal once with some pictures he’d gotten developed for you. Said you liked them cause they were reminders of memories that made you happy for when you needed them. After that we just kinda started collecting them.”

“I -” You paused as you thought back, now being able to recall dozens of little moments you didn’t think twice of at the time. “I never knew.” 

Bobby looked up from the picture he’d been looking at before walking over and handing it to you. It was one of all five of you the morning before a gig they’d gotten. 

“Keep it,” His voice came out soft and you were a little surprised but he quickly moved on after reassuring you that it was okay. “Let me show you something I’ve been working on.”

When the coffee place you and Bobby frequented started hosting open mics you were the one to suggest he sign up. When he finally decided to, you were always at the very front alongside Rose. And when she started performing with her new band you were just as eager to support her.

The two of you had gotten considerably closer over the last few months and she was the only one that knew you were working on the song Luke had started. She’d been beside you when you first tried and it had very quickly and very easily grown into talking and the occasional songwriting session you realized you had missed.

You were the first one she gave tickets to when Rose and the Petal Pushers got a gig at a particularly popular club. It was the day of the show as you were standing in line that you finally gathered the courage to tell Bobby. What you didn’t know was that he had news of his own.

“Guess what I’ve been doing”

“I need to tell you something”

The amusement laced with a bit of nerves was more obvious than ever. In both of you. Bobby was the first one to work through it, though, as he tried to put off telling you what he’d been about to say. “You first.”

“You know,” For just a moment you hesitated, thinking of the songbook you’d left behind for the first time since receiving it. “You know that song you said Luke was writing? I’ve been trying to finish it.”

For a moment Bobby didn’t say anything and you weren’t quite sure what was going through his head. Your worry only lasted for a second before he practically beamed at you.

“That’s amazing Y/N,” There was nothing but pride on his face as he spoke his next words. “Luke would love that you’re doing this again.”

“He really would.”

And for the first time in six months, right there outside a concert venue, you thought about Luke and Reggie and Alex and didn’t immediately feel a little broken inside. The cracks were starting to heal and though you knew it wouldn’t always be this easy, it was a start.

“Tell me your news now.” You were the one who grinned then as you took a couple steps forward in line. When you stopped to look at Bobby, though, you saw a look you hadn’t seen in a while. His hands were shoved deep in his pockets and he was staring at the ground beneath his feet with concentration twisted on his face.

“I, uh,” He just barely managed to look up at you and you knew then something was bothering him. “Some guy called me after that open mic thing at the coffee place the other day. Said they were interested and now I have a meeting with some producer in a couple days.”

“Bobby that’s great!” You smiled right away but he didn’t seem to notice your excitement for him.

“Yeah, I’m not gonna go.”

The two of you took a couple more steps forward and you pulled out the tickets Rose had given you, taking a second to compose your own thoughts. Finally you asked, “Why not?”

“I don’t,” His stare once again returned to the floor. “I don’t want to do this alone. I wanted to do this with you and Alex and Reggie and Luke but they aren’t here and I just -”

You could see him spiraling quickly and so you reached for him gently, just as he had done for you dozens of times over the last few months. Bobby turned towards you then and found only the most reassuring look in your eyes. He was reminded then that no matter what thoughts filled his head he could tell you absolutely anything.

“I don’t think I can do this without them.”

“Of course you can,” You paused only to hand the person at the door your tickets, stopping just inside the door to make sure he actually heard the words you were saying. “You think those boys would let you bail out on this opportunity? They’d want you to do this more than anyone. You still have me and I’m telling you you’ve got this. Now what is it you always told each other when one of you got like this.”

Bobby laughed as the phrase echoed clearly in his head and for a second he was reminded of the last time he’d heard it. His smile softened a bit but it still remained as he repeated the words. “Own your awesomeness.”

“Exactly,” You nodded firmly, oblivious to the memory that was playing in his head. “You’re going to that meeting even if it means I have to force you there myself and you’re going to crush it.”

*

Three days later Bobby met you at the coffee shop that had become a safe haven for the two of you. You were sitting at the table right by the windows as always with his usual tea already waiting for him. It took no time at all for him to start telling you everything.

“Most of it sounds pretty okay.”

You knew right away there was something missing to the story, his eyes had moved to train on the table. “But?”

“They asked about experience and I told them about Sunset Curve,” He stopped bouncing his leg just long enough to take a long drink from the mug in his hands before resuming the action. “They want me to change my name.”

“I -” You frowned as you leaned forward on the table, not too sure if you’d heard the right thing. “What?”

“Apparently your dad did too good a job of keeping our names out of all the papers after -” You knew exactly what Bobby meant. Neither of you had even known any reporters were looking for you until you’d been cornered a few days after the accident. “Anyway they said something stupid about not wanting my name connected to the whole thing.”

“So they want you to change it in order to separate yourself?” You watched as he silently nodded. The only acknowledgement he gave of the proposition he’d been given. “What do you think about it?”

“I don’t know,” Bobby gave a heavy sigh before throwing back the rest of his tea. The cup clattered against the table and he leaned forward, thoughts racing back and forth in his mind. “I don’t want to separate myself from it. It happened and it's a part of me and it always will be. But changing my name doesn’t take that away, you know?”

You glanced at him and found him deep in his own thoughts. “Yeah. I guess not.”

When Bobby looked at you he knew. You’d always been able to read him easily but he could do the same thing now. Your fingers twisted the ring covered in butterflies that Rose had given you for your birthday back and forth and he knew. You didn’t know what to say and he wasn’t too sure how to tell you that was okay.

So instead he opted for changing the focus of the conversation. “Tell me how the song’s coming along.”

And it worked. Immediately you grinned and pulled out the songbook to show him your progress. It wasn’t long before you launched into an explanation of what you wanted to do, anything and everything else being pushed away to the back of your mind.

Only a couple of weeks later you were getting ready for his first show alongside Rose. The three of you had slept on the various couches in your living room the night before and while Bobby had left earlier, you and Rose were taking your time.

It was then, though, that you realized Bobby had taken your only means of transportation. When you brought it up Rose only smiled. “Someone’s picking us up.”

“Who’s someone?” You couldn’t help the smirk that flashed on your face, as you scribbled more notes in the margins of the songbook. “Like a date?”

“Just someone,” Rose looked over at you then only to find you with a pencil in your hands. It was the same position she found you in more often than not. “You know there’s a few people I know who I think you’d like.”

That comment made you look up and as hard as you tried, you couldn’t help the image of Luke that appeared in your head. You thought of him. Of flashes of moments. Hands held, smiles that were a bit too soft, looks that lasted a little too long. A collection of almosts that never turned into more for fear of ruining what you’d now lost either way.

You shook your head much too easily for her liking. “I’m okay.”

“Y/N, I’m telling you this because I love you,” Rose moved to sit beside you and gently set her hand on top of the songbook you barely ever let out of your sight. “Eventually you’ll finish the song and when that happens you don’t want to jump head first into something you aren’t ready for. You’re doing so good and I’m proud of you. There’s a lot more out there, though, and if you want I can help ease you into it.”

You knew she was right. She always was.

“I’ll let you know when I’m ready,” You promised her and she accepted the answer. Then you pointed to the page under her hands. One that was clean, sharp white pages as opposed to the well loved ones she was used to seeing. “If it makes you feel better this is a new one I’m working on for Bobby.”

“Can I see?” Rose looked at you excitedly and waited until you nodded to start reading the words on the page.

It was as you watched a grin grow larger on her face while she read the lyrics that you smiled and reached for the camera you’d invested in after finding the pictures in Bobby’s garage. You stood and dragged her out of the room with you.

“Come on,” You took her into the backyard where the sun was shining high in the sky, both of you ignoring the chill that came with the winter months. You started fiddling with the buttons of the digital camera you’d only just figured out how to work.

Rose watched you play around with the buttons for a few moments before shaking her head in amusement. “When’d you get into photography?”

“I’m not,” You moved to stand next to where she was and beamed at her. “I just like keeping the memories.”

You weren’t surprised at all when only a month and a half later Bobby was giving you tickets to a show he’d booked at the Troubadour.

“Bobby this is amazing,” You grinned as you hugged him, the envelope clutched tightly in your hands. The two of you were once again at the coffee shop but this time you’d moved towards the back.

The last time the two of you had been there a few days before several people had recognized him, cutting into your conversation more than once. This time you’d agreed to take precautions.

“Trevor.”

“What?”

“There’s lots of people around,” Bobby watched as your face fell and he quickly shook his head, twisting a bit in his chair to face you completely. “Just when we’re out like this. I’m still -”

But he didn’t continue. Nevertheless you knew what he meant so instead you gave a short, awkward laugh. “That’s gonna take some getting used to.”

There was a pause for a moment and you had no clue what to say. This was completely new territory and you’d be lying if you said the whole thing didn’t throw you off a bit. A sudden shrill beeping noise cut through the silence and Bobby pulled out his phone, frowning when he saw the number.

Instead of answering, though, he quickly pressed the red button and gave you his full attention. “Tell me about what you’re working on.”

He still knew you better than anyone and watched as you eagerly pulled out the almost pristine songbook. The one filled with new projects the two of you had started together. He shook his head though and nodded towards your bag. “Forget those. Show me what you’ve been writing.”

You knew exactly what he meant. The song Luke had started. The very one he knew you’d been struggling with recently. Your smile turned softer then and you pulled out the other songbook. “Alright.”

The two of you sat together for a while longer. It was different writing with him than it was writing with Rose. You bounced ideas off of him and he told you exactly what he thought, good or bad. He helped you think of how the melody could go and what might work better. It was simple and easy and an experience you had missed over the last few weeks.

That only made it a bit harder when someone came in and made a beeline for your table. Bobby introduced him to you as his manager and soon enough he was apologizing as he was dragged away with a promise to call you later.

Once the car he’d gotten into pulled away you let your smile fall as a sigh escaped you. Then you caught sight of the envelope on the table and you slowly reached for it. Inside was three tickets and you really couldn’t help the way your frown deepened as you read the words printed in big bold letters. Trevor Wilson: Live at the Troubadour.

*

“I have something for you.”

Two months after playing the Troubadour, Bobby showed up at your house at almost midnight looking wide awake and excited. You could count the number of times you’d seen him since then on one hand. You could understand the fact that he was busy well enough but that didn’t make it any easier. Especially knowing what was coming up soon.

“Hello to you too,” You sighed with a tired look in your eyes. His interruption was more than welcome, tearing your attention away from the exams you had been studying for. Where Bobby had jumped right into making music full time, you had been ambushed with work when you started school again a semester late.

“Close your eyes.”

“What?”

“Close your eyes,” Bobby repeated his own words and waited until you did so. You could feel him reach for one of your hands, open it, and then place something in your palm. “Alright you can look now.”

You were met with a cd case that had a picture of him on the cover. Almost immediately you knew what it was and you gasped excitedly as you read the title and opened the case. “No.”

“Yes. That’s the very first copy of the EP,” Bobby laughed when you ran past him and towards the cd player, fumbling as you raced to put it on. “I wanted you to have it.”

Moments after you pressed play the sound of an electric guitar filled the room and your delight bubbled over. Soon you and Bobby were both jumping all around the room as the two of you screamed along to every song at the top of your lungs.

“You missed my favorite part though,” He announced a while later as he opened the cd case and removed the little booklet. You set down your camera, having insisted on taking a picture of him with it, and moved towards him, watching as he flipped to the first page.

Underneath the album art and lyrics was a list of credits. Bobby was quick to point out one line in particular.

Written by: Y/N Y/L/N and Trevor Wilson

“We did this together,” He said, watching as you stared at the words with wide eyes. 

He could very easily recall the dozens of conversations you two of you had had over the last several months. There had been more than a few moments he hadn’t been sure he could get through. Moments that he had powered through thanks to you. “I’m sorry I haven’t been the best at keeping in touch lately. That’s on me.”

“Don’t worry about it.” But as soon as the words left your mouth he was hugging you tightly.

“You didn’t have to stay,” He held you a little tighter as the realization hit him. This feeling, the one of having you by his side, was familiar. Welcoming in a way he hadn’t felt in a while. It reminded him of everything he had had before. Everything the two of you had lost. “But you did.”

You weren’t too sure where the sudden flood of emotion came from but you weren’t opposed to it. It was something you had missed. And so you held on a little tighter in an effort to silently show it. “I always will.”

Things were a little bit better after that. Sometimes it was just the two of you while other times Rose joined you. There were even a few occasions when she brought Ray along and the four of you just talked about anything that came to mind. That only lasted a couple weeks though.

A month after the release of the EP, Bobby was pulled away for a show and the visits became calls. Eventually even the calls became more sporadic. Show after show happened and while you tried to go to some you simply couldn’t find it in yourself to go to all of them.

Especially considering it was July again already.

Four days, you thought to yourself as you stared at the words on the pages of the now well worn journal. There were still a few bits and pieces that weren’t quite done yet. Nothing you had tried lately was working and you hadn’t been able to finish it. Not alone.

“You can take a break from it, you know.” Rose told you after watching you drop your head to the table.

“It distracts me.” Your voice came out muffled and when you turned to lay your head more comfortably in your arms she noticed the way you seemed off. And she knew exactly why.

“It makes you feel better,” Rose waited until you nodded in confirmation before disappearing from the room, returning moments later with an acoustic guitar she held out to you. “Do you know how to play it?”

“I, uh,” You slowly sat up in your seat again as you stared at the guitar. “Yeah. A little.”

For a second, though, you sat unnaturally still. The timing of the moment pulled a very particular memory to the front of your mind. When you reached for the guitar your hand was shaky and you gulped, recalling the event you were thinking of.

“Luke taught me,” You adjusted the guitar and you were almost certain you could still feel his hands moving yours to the right place on the instrument. “They - they all did. They taught me a little of everything for when I wanted to add music to the songs and they -”

As hard as you tried you couldn’t push away the stinging behind your eyes. You did, however, manage to keep the tears in. “For when they weren’t there.”

“Play then,” Rose smiled gently as she sat back down beside you. “Maybe it’ll help.”

You weren’t too sure if she meant with the song or with the overwhelming amount of feelings and memories that had overtaken you as the one year mark of the Orpheum show quickly approached. You listened to her though and soon enough you were strumming a few chords a bit warily.

The hesitation didn’t last long. It was easy to get lost in the music after only a couple minutes. You didn’t even notice when Rose snuck your camera out of your bag and took a picture of you working on it.

Only an hour later you were excitedly asking her if you could use her house phone. The number you dialed was Bobby’s, eager to tell him your news. You had finally finished the song. Yours and Luke’s last song together.

There was no answer though. Instead the voicemail message rang loud in your ear. Hey! It’s Trevor Wilson. Can’t come to the phone right now but leave a message.

Despite not being surprised to hear the name on the message it still threw you off a bit. With a quiet sigh you hung up the phone without leaving a message and turned back to where Rose was sitting. Your smile returned then and you walked back over feeling strangely at ease.

She looked up when you sat back down next to her and you paused for only a moment before asking, “Can I play it for you?”

Rose nodded and dropped the pen in her hands while pushing the sheet music away from her. “Of course.”

And so you played the song for the very first time. You were able to get through the part you’d written with little difficulty. It wasn’t until you reached the part of the song that Luke had written that you hesitated. The crack in your voice was evidence enough of the memories playing in your head. You focused instead on the words he’d written to you, pushing back the tears in your eyes.

The sheer level of emotion in your voice brought tears to Rose’s eyes. You were reliving one of the worst moments of your life, sure, but she was also positive then that you were going to be okay. This was the last step you’d needed to take and she was more than happy to be there with you in that moment.

Rose was quick to take the guitar out of your hands as soon as the last chord died out. You didn’t even realize the tears had fallen until she pulled you in for a hug. She held you close until she was sure your silent cries had stopped, waiting until your breathing evened and the tears were nothing but stains on your cheeks.

Finally she pulled back to look at you and nodded. “It’s ready.”

Three days later you finally saw Bobby again. It was near closing but the two of you sat in the coffee shop like always. Near the back away from people again, but still. He looked a little tired but for the most part he was still him. You had to remind yourself of that when he told you he would be busy the next day.

“I can’t do this alone, Bo -” You shut your eyes, shook your head, and gave a heavy sigh. “Trevor.”

“I know and I’m sorry,” Bobby - Trevor - whatever it was he insisted on going by leaned forward on the table, catching your attention again. “I tried to get out of this show, I really did.”

“Tomorrow’s gonna be a year since -”

“I know.” Bobby could tell what you meant even when you cut yourself off.

Frankly that had been the very reason he hadn’t minded being kept busy the last few weeks. But he’d been so caught up in shows and promotions and everything else that he’d forgotten he wasn’t the only one remembering that night a year ago.

“The second I get some time off I promise I will be right by your side.” He waited until you were looking at him again to continue. “We’ll go see them and you can play him your song. Is that okay?”

“Yeah,” It took you a few moments until you agreed but you did. The knowledge that Bobby was still right there did in fact comfort you a bit. “Yeah. Sounds good.”

*

It took four weeks and a lot of rescheduling of Trevor’s schedule before finally the opportunity came up. To his credit, though, he did in fact start dragging you places with him if you were up for it. Especially the recording studio where the two of you and Rose had just spent hours in a few nights before messing around.

Finally one year and a month after the night at the Orpheum you were meeting Bobby to go see your boys together. You’d planned to meet him at the studio building though since the only thing he couldn’t get out of was a meeting they’d scheduled last minute.

You were on your way to the building, your old backpack on one shoulder, guitar case on the other, and a textbook in your hands. Every time you stopped you shifted them, trying to get more comfortable carrying everything.

You weren’t used to carrying that many things. Not at all. That was evidenced by the way you shifted everything on your person every single time you stopped at a crosswalk. 

Your backpack was falling off one shoulder, filled with pictures and lyrics you’d been collecting. The guitar case on your other shoulder at the very least stayed in place. The textbook in your hands you’d just picked up was quickly growing much too heavy when paired with everything else.

Meanwhile Bobby sat just a few blocks away in an office that was much too pristine for his liking. There wasn’t a single thing out of place and it did nothing to calm the anxiety quickly filling him up. 

The bouncing of his shoes against the linoleum floor was the only sound echoing loudly through the room. His focus was on his own reflection staring back at him from the glass table under his hands. He wasn’t too sure how he’d landed himself there in the first place.

Finally, he worked up the courage to speak, “No.”

“Trevor, these are good songs,” The executive he’d already forgotten the name of spoke in a tone that didn’t leave much room for arguing. That wouldn’t stop him though. “Perfect for your first album.”

“No. I’m not using them.”

“You will.”

“I’m not going to!” These were the people that held his career in their hands but Bobby couldn’t bring himself to care. He only cared about one thing. “They’re not mine. They belong to a friend that I lost and I am not doing that to him!”

One cold, emotionless smile paired with a chuckle void of any sort of empathy told him there was no taking anything back now. “You don’t really have a choice in the matter.”

You weren’t expecting your phone to ring so when you stopped in the crosswalk to dig it out of your bag you missed the walk light completely. People all around you grumbled as you shifted all your things again until finally you looked at the little screen to see Bobby’s number.

“I know, I’m running late. I’m almost there, B -” You were suddenly reminded of the people along with the building across the street. “Trevor.”

“They want me to use Luke’s songs for the album.” For a moment all Bobby heard was the sound of traffic on the other end as he paced the empty hallway. Finally, to his relief, he heard your voice on the other end of the phone held tightly to his ear.

“What are you talking about?”

“The songs Sunset Curve never recorded.” Bobby stopped pacing then and leaned against the wall, thinking of what the two of you were supposed to be doing instead. “I gave you the songbook back when you left it here after you and Rose visited but they saw it before then. Word spreads fast and they’re saying it’s in my contract.”

“Bobby, what are you talking about? What contract?” You didn’t even realize he hadn’t corrected you.

“The one that signed me to the label. There’s a section on writing and credits in the fine print and if I don’t take credit for the songs Luke wrote then they will. Y/N, I can’t let them do that. He worked hard on those. They don’t care though. As far as their concerned he doesn’t need the credit since -”

“Since he’s dead.” Somehow the words sounded harsher coming out of your mouth. Bobby only nodded despite the fact that you couldn’t see him.

“There’s no choice then, is there?” You shook your head as you adjusted the guitar once more, getting ready to actually walk across the street.

Your anger blinded you. You knew better than anyone else the effort that went into writing all those songs. Late nights drifting into early mornings until some semblance of a song filled every page in countless journals.

Even now you could still remember the spark in Luke’s eyes whenever he finally managed to work something out. The eager bounce in his step every time he declared he had something to show you. The ease with which the words just flowed out of him. You were never happier than in those moments you spent writing beside him.

“Bobby I have an idea.”

“What?”

“I wrote some of those songs with Luke, right?” You glanced down at the textbook in your hands and for the first time since you’d been forced to go into a field you had no interest in by your parents you smiled. Introduction to Entertainment and Intellectual Property Law.

“Yeah. What are you saying?” Bobby was already piecing it together though, already feeling slightly more at ease than he had been before.

“I’m saying we put my name and his together.” Out of the corner of your eye you saw the walk sign flash on and you started crossing the street. You opened the book with your free hand, oblivious to anything and everything else. “Partial credit is better than nothing right?”

“Yeah. Yeah you’re right.”

“I always am, aren’t I?” You grinned as you stared down at the table of contents, already knowing exactly where to look. “I’m right down the street just give me a couple minutes to -”

Everything happened too fast.

All you were focused on was the situation you’d found yourself in and how to fix it. You didn’t notice the commotion of people behind you and in front of you scrambling to get out of the way. You didn’t see the car skidding past their red light, screeching and honking from every direction left behind in their wake. You didn’t hear Bobby shouting for you over the phone from where it had fallen.

All you saw surrounding you when you opened your eyes was a dark room with no one else in it.

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[fiddlepickdouglas]

Viva Las Vegas, Pt. 16 - Be Careful

Summary: Sunset Curve Alive AU, Willex, can they bear the news?, 2.2k

@trevor-wilson-covington is the bestie who makes these lovely edits, we stan supportive friends

WARNINGS: cancer mention

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15

Julie sat beside Luke at the small table they had set up beside Rose’s bed. A stack of photos, glue sticks, stickers, scissors, and tons of colored paper covered the table, as well as another stack of photos sitting within Rose’s reach.

“Oh, look at this picture of Carlos,” Rose said in her raspy voice. She lifted one of him as a chubby two year old wearing a baseball cap that was too big, clapping his hands together.

“Aww,” Julie looked affectionately at the photo, tilting her head.

“He’s a cute kid, Mrs. Molina,” Luke said. He continued cutting music notes out of a sheet of purple paper.

“Thanks for visiting me today,” Rose said. “I heard you and the boys have been busy in the studio?”

Grinning like the goof he was, Luke nodded. Julie couldn’t help suppressing a giggle. Even though she knew he was tired from long hours and he only had a little time to get away, he’d still been all about coming with her to visit her mom this morning. She wasn’t sure he was that interested in scrapbooking, but it was sweet of him to come along.

“Yeah, it’s been so fun,” he was saying. “I don’t know how the guys in production make us sound so good. I mean, we already sound awesome, but they make it just perfect. I feel like I would go out and buy ten copies of the album when it gets out.”

Rose chuckled. “Really? That’s great to hear. I remember with the Petal Pushers, I could’ve spent hours in production, tweaking everything until it was just right. That’s why it almost took us two years to release our debut.”

“Two years?” Luke sat back, letting it sink in.

“I was a bit of a perfectionist; the rest of my band wasn’t so patient. I don’t mind though, I had other things to put my time into.” She gazed fondly at Julie, who looked back with a similar fondness, if not slightly clouded.

She wasn’t responding to treatment anymore. It had just become official last week and Julie wasn’t ready to break the news to Luke or anyone else. There wasn’t anything she could think of that would make it easier, no matter how much she knew she needed to let them know. It just seemed like everyone else was doing so well: the guys were finally moving on up, Flynn was coming out with her own music, and even she had barely finished a successful tour. But this was more than just a wrench in the gears.

In the middle of cutting out a heart, she was too lost in thought and snipped on the end of her thumb.

“Ow!” she cried, immediately sucking on it. “Do we have band aids in here?”

“Oh, sweetie,” her mom said fretfully. “I can’t remember where they are, but let me call the nurse.” She pressed a button on the remote beside her bed. Luke tried to get a look at the cut, but Julie insisted on sucking on it.

Moments later, the same woman Julie had seen before entered the room. Her hair was in a braid today, and Julie tried to smile at the sight while her thumb remained in her mouth.

“Hey, Rose, what’s up?” she asked, appearing surprised to have gotten a call.

“Sorry this isn’t a big emergency,” Rose apologized. “My daughter just cut her thumb and I can’t remember where you put the bandages.”

“Oh, don’t worry, I’ve got you,” the nurse said, going to a cabinet and pulling out supplies to bandage Julie’s thumb. “Here, let me see it.”

Finally releasing it, Julie held her hand out and let the nurse sit down and get to work cleaning and wrapping it.

“What are we working on here?” the nurse wondered aloud, looking at the table of craft supplies.

“We’re putting together a scrapbook,” Julie told her, knowing she was using the conversation to distract her from the pain. “You know, so we don’t forget the good things.” She got a knowing look from the nurse. Her eyes were soft and full of understanding, and Julie offered her a little smile. “I know I’ve seen you before, but what was your name?”

“It’s Renee,” the nurse said. “I was just realizing that I never properly introduced myself, either.” Closing the band aid around Julie’s finger, she patted her hand and stood up.

“Well, it’s good to see you again. This is Luke, by the way.” Julie pointed toward where he was simply watching them, slightly spaced out. He blinked for a minute before smiling at Renee and nodding.

“Nice to meet you,” he said. “You’re a lifesaver.”

Renee smiled demurely. “Oh, well, I certainly aim for that at the end of the day.”

Luke could only respond with his dorky grin.

“Luke, here, is a musician like Julie,” Rose piped in.

“Is that right?” Renee replied, raising her eyebrows in interest. “Your family seems to attract the most talented company.”

“Oh, well, I’m definitely talented,” Luke said. “But Julie’s the real wrecking ball. It doesn’t surprise me she got to touring before me and my band.”

She rolled her eyes, but Julie enjoyed the compliment. That was pretty modest for him when it came to music.

“Yes, I remember mentioning my niece is a big fan. I have to refrain from telling her you’re related to Rose, otherwise she would ask for a lot of favors.”

“Oh, how old is your niece?” Julie asked.

“She’s thirteen,” Renee said, leaning on her hand. “Just started middle school.”

“Oh, middle school is rough,” Luke murmured.

“She’s definitely having a rough time,” Renee said to all three of them. “But I think your music has made a difference. Her mom might buy her keyboard for Christmas.”

Julie looked back at Luke, who was already beaming at her, and knew what he would say. He didn’t have to, but she could hear his mantra about the importance of music echo in her brain: it’s about connecting with people, making a difference in their day. She turned back to Renee, whose pager was beeping and made her turn to leave.

“Thanks for the bandage, and of course being there for us,” she said.

“You’re welcome. Glad I could see you, too, Julie.”

“I’ll see you later, Renee,” Rose rasped as she disappeared.

“She seems pretty cool,” Luke said, picking up the music note he was still trying to cut out.

“Yeah, I like her,” Julie told him. “She gave me some good advice.”

“I know she kept talking about her niece, but I think you have another big fan,” Rose said.

“Maybe,” Julie shrugged, trying to focus again on the scrapbook.

As she and Luke left the hospital, Julie had to steal a long glance at her mom, now fast asleep. She had to remember the good things, but there were so many questions she felt like she had to answer. Now that she was off tour and back in school, it was only a matter of time before she had to return to the studio. Once that happened, visits like this would be nearly impossible. She felt a hand slip into hers and fingers interlocking, and she looked up at Luke gently nodding at her to move onward. His puppy-like eyes gave her enough courage to go.

“So how long do you have to be in the studio today?” she asked him, forcing her mind to switch gears.

“Uh...till about seven,” Luke said. “We’re mostly working on Lakeside Reflection today.”

“Aww, I love that one,” she melted into his side as they stepped into the elevator.

“I know you do,” he chuckled softly. She continued leaning on him, feeling his thumb rub over the top of her hand like a lullaby. They remained silent the rest of the way down, just enjoying each other’s company. Julie loved Luke’s calm, quiet moments where he didn’t need to use words. Like the way he used music to speak his mind, he could also communicate with the way he held her. He offered the best comfort. Stepping out of the elevator and to the front of the hospital, Julie saw Bobby’s van already waiting.

“Do you need a ride?” Luke asked.

She shook her head. “No, my tía is taking me and Carlos to see a movie. She’ll be here any minute.”

Forever a pleading look in his eyes when they said goodbye, she shook her head and rolled her eyes at him before he could suggest she change her plans. It happened so often now that she’d had to learn how to say no, no matter how hard it was sometimes.

“Okay, fine,” Luke said, the silent argument over. One hand grabbed onto her head as he planted a kiss on her forehead, letting the other slowly slip out of her fingers as he went to climb into the van. Julie waved at all the guys inside as Bobby took off before looking back down at her bandaged thumb. She still couldn’t tell them about her mom.

Tapping his fingers on the seat, Alex nervously fought to decide if he could break the news to Luke and Bobby. Reggie peeked back, giving him an uncertain glance. They hadn’t exactly discussed it or practiced what they’d say to them, but the clock was ticking. Luke and Bobby needed to know what Caleb was really like now. For some odd reason, Alex’s tongue remained on lock for the whole ride, and it seemed to plague Reggie, too. He felt his muscles twitch as they pulled into the parking lot at the studio. Listening to the squeak of Bobby’s brakes, inertia let them all lightly lurch forward before coming to a full stop.

“Guess who me and Reggie ran into last night?” Alex cried out, almost reflexively. All the guys turned back at him.

“Who?” Bobby prompted.

“Willie.”

The two of them stared at him, stunned, as Reggie took in a deep breath. It was hard to tell whether it was relief or something else.

“Reggie, is he okay?” Bobby asked him.

“Actually, yes he is,” Reggie stated solemnly. “I saw Willie too. He’s here in LA.”

Bobby looked at Luke.

“Caleb said he died. There’s no way he could be here.”

“Well, he is,” Alex said firmly. “Flynn can prove it too, we ran into her as well.”

“Alright, that’s good news, but why are you guys telling us now?” Luke queried.

“Because he knows things about Caleb,” Alex said. “Really bad things.”

Luke and Bobby both blinked and then looked at each other. Alex shot a glance over at the door to the studio. He was already afraid to enter. Caleb wasn’t always there, but he always arrived unpredictably.

“Like what things?” Luke asked.

Later that evening, all the guys sat in the garage where they usually practiced. Luke was lying on the couch, despondent as he gazed at the ceiling. Bobby was sprawled on the floor while Reggie had lain sideways across the armchair. Alex paced, occasionally running his hand through his hair.

“Anyone else never want to set foot inside that studio again?” Reggie offered cheerlessly.

“We can’t just quit making a record,” Luke contested.

“Maybe we wouldn’t feel like we want to if we hadn’t jumped the gun and just signed onto the first place that wanted us,” Bobby said. Luke sat up, clearly bothered by those words.

“Dude, what are you saying?”

“Caleb’s a creep,” Reggie supplied. “I don’t know what his game is, but if what Willie says is true, then working with him is a major no go.”

“If?” Alex retorted, stopping to target Reggie. “If we’re gonna trust anyone between the two of them, I would trust Willie. He’s not the one killing people for convenience.”

“Hey,” Bobby interrupted. “You can defend him all you want. We’re not saying we don’t trust him.”

Alex took back to pacing again. Sighing heavily, Luke sat upright on the couch.

“So what, do we just give up?” he demanded. “We didn’t work so hard to get this far just to drop our dream over one shady guy. I mean, what else could he possibly want with us?”

“Look, I don’t know,” Alex said. “But what if it’s not just about us. I mean, thanks to Caleb, Willie can barely remember who he is.” The guys fell silent and serious as that reality sank in. “I mean, he’s not the only one that Caleb has messed with for years, manipulating them into working under him and giving up almost all of their control. Maybe he doesn’t need to get foster kids for it anymore. What if we’re next?”

“So what should we do?” Bobby wondered. “Break the contract and risk losing the rights to all the work we’ve been doing?”

He had a point. Joining Luke on the couch, Alex rested his face in his hands, feeling the frustration seethe out of him.

“No, guys, we need to think about this,” Luke began saying. “I know this is messed up, but I also know that backing out isn’t the right answer. And I know I’m usually not the one to say this stuff but...we need to be careful.”

[fckingflaminghomosexual]

a fairly extensive list of my favorite jatp headcanons

• trans pan luke!!! he wrote a song called "my name is luke" and has the energy of a post-top surgery trans guy with all his tank tops (also he could be unlabeled or queer instead of pan, i think it could go any way like that)

• he/they foster kid willie!!! i get the sense that willie has never had a real family and that's part of why he joined the hgc

• she/they lesbian flynn!!! i don't have an explanation for this one, it just feels right

• bi julie!!! "you know who i'm liking way before i like them, duh cause you like them first" (this could also mean bi flynn which is also hella cool!) and she wears the bi colors all the time!

• nick danforth-evans!!! we all know this one, his dads are obviously chad and ryan

• math genius bi reggie!!! i will die on this hill bc reggie is not stupid! he's also neurodivergent in some way!

• flynn/carrie is the enemies to lovers ship we NEED

• reggie/nick is an underrated rarepair and i need them to meet in s2 (when caleb isn't possessing nick)

• willie was a member of rose and the petal pushers!!! this would explain his dahlia pin and could maybe explain the possibility of julie being able to see him (assuming she can only see ghosts that are connected to her)

• alternatively willie died saving rose's life!!! this one probably makes more canonical sense since he supposedly died in the 70s or 80s

• ghosts get jolts based on how they died, which is why the boys get jolts in their abdomens, meaning willie would get jolts in his head

• since the hgc is a time warp willie hasn't experienced all 30-50 years that he's been dead (this is not a twilight situation i stg), and ghosts probably don't mature past their death age both physically and mentally

• alex and luke dated very briefly in their early teens (like 13-14) because they both like boys and love each other but realized they were better off as friends

• reggie has a crush on luke!!! or at least he did at some point (possibly his bi awakening)

• @bitch-boy-nerd and i talked about this a little but alex and reggie probably had a brief thing as well but it's unclear exactly what that entailed

• reggie has multiple siblings and is probably a neglected middle child

• alex has a little sister!!!

that's all i can think of right now but i'm sure i'll add more later and feel free to reblog with your own!!!

[flynn-taylor]

KEEN (since you love it so much), MAIL, touch, tears, regret, belong, death, and Bobby

keen (my beloved):

“Ah yes,” Julie teases. “The infamous boyfriend.” Alex is keen to keep Willie out of the public eye for as long as possible so she knows she can only pry so much but it is fun to watch Alex’s cheeks bloom pink as he talks about his beau. “How is it going between the two of you?”

mail: (this one is boring, sorry!)

Julie makes her way to her mail slot, reaching in to withdraw several standard white envelopes and a large, padded brown one before making her way to the elevator. She places her coffee cup on the top of the trash can and presses the call button on the elevator; rifling through the envelopes as she waits, she quickly discards three of the white envelopes, leaving only one other—which looks suspiciously like a speeding ticket—and the padded envelope in her hands.

touch:

He loops the rough rope around her wrists, binding them tightly together before slipping the tail of the rope under the cinching ribbon at her waist. She feels him loop the rope all the way around her waist, threading the cord through on itself then back around to her spine before creating a loop there. The loop is the perfect size to slip his hand through, tethering her to him in a mocking imitation of a polite touch; the touch of a gentleman against his lady’s lower back.

tears:

The tears begin to trickle down Julie’s cheeks and Luke reaches for her instinctively. This time, she moves towards him, pressing her cheek into the cup of his palm. Her eyelids flutter as he gently strokes the soft skin of her cheeks, smearing the salty trails before they have time to dry. Julie reaches for him too, winding one hand in the front of his t-shirt and placing the other on the outside of his hand, leaning her head more heavily into his palm.

regret:

“Ah ah ah,” Caleb stops her protests with a simple hand gesture. “Let’s not say anything we’re going to regret, shall we?”

Julie's mouth slams shut. The threat in Caleb’s tone whispers across her skin, the cool unease trickles down her spins as the hairs on the back of her neck rise. Still, she forces herself to keep her eyes on his. “Leave my brother alone.”

Covington’s eyes flash dangerously. “I’m sure we’ll meet again, Julie.”

belong:

With each line, a new memory flashes behind Julie’s eyelids. It starts with Luke in various guises—on the cover of the demo C.D., at the diner, wearing headphones at the interview, up on stage where he belongs—before the images become her mom. She sees Rose singing at their family piano, harmonising with Ray as he stirs a bowl of pancake batter; Rose on stage with the Petal Pushers at a small family-friendly venue where Julie had pushed her way to the front just to exclaim, “That’s my mom!”, to everyone who would listen; Rose as she gradually lost her hair and her voice. All of her memories rush at her at once, a kaleidoscope of colour and emotion that encompasses everything else except the melodic tone of Luke’s voice.

death:

Death means paperwork. The stark whiteness of the blank paper is almost as hollow as the chests of the paramedics as they look at the three teenagers sprawled on the ground.

Time of death: 7:38pm.

Time of death: 7:39pm.

Time of death: 7:42pm.

Bobby:

Reggie closes the gap between them, fisting his hands in the collar of Bobby’s shirt and crushing his lips to his. He pulls Bobby as physically close as he can, his hands ending up crushed between their chests as one of Bobby’s hands slides around his waist to settle on his lower back. Bobby’s other hand winds itself into Reggie’s hair, gripping tightly as the silken strands to anchor himself.

[invisibleraven]

And one more to get you to your 500 faster and not at all because I'm greedy: playing with each other's fingers for Ray/Rose/Reggie please and thank you

Reggie had kind of hoped that five AM wake up calls were a thing of the past now that Julie was sleeping through the night. But of course he forgot about his insomniac night owl of an agent, Marcy.

He joked with her once that she must be a vampire given her tendency to never sleep, and she had flashed him a wicked smile in response which almost made him shudder. But Marcy was the best in the biz, patient and kind, but tough as balls. He couldn't ask for any better.

That didn't mean he didn't want to downright murder her when she called the house looking for him at the ass crack of dawn one Sunday.

"Please don't tell me you need me to bail you out," Reggie grumbled, rubbing at his eyes. Rose was still snoring against his back but Ray was blinking up at him sleepily. "Go back to sleep hun, it's just Marcy."

"Just Marcy huh? Is that how you talk about the woman who is gonna change your life?"

"You already did, several times over. But that still doesn't explain why you're calling me before the sun has risen. Some of us enjoy sleep you know?"

But then she spoke and Reggie's world turned on its axis. "The Grammy noms are out, and you scored three."

"WHAT?" Reggie shouted down the line, sitting right up in bed. Ray jolted awake, sitting up next to him. Rose slumbered on-that woman could sleep through the end of the world, he swore. "What do you mean I scored three? I didn't even put the album in for consideration!"

"But I did," Marcy said, and Reggie could almost hear her smirk through the phone. "You can thank me later, but you have a full day of interviews ahead of you, so get up, get beautiful, and start writing your speech."

With that the call was over, and Reggie just stared at the receiver in his hand until Ray gently eased it out, returning it to it's cradle. "So you got nominated for an award?" he asked gently.

Reggie hung his head. "Grammies. Three Grammies."

"And this is a bad thing?"

"I... I don't deserve them," Reggie said.

"Bullshit."

They turned their heads and there was Rose, scowling up at Reggie. "That album is amazing tesoro, you deserve all that and more."

"But the Petal Pushers..."

"Pssh," Rose grunted, sitting up and taking his hand in hers. "I love my band, but we play for fun, not for accolades. I don't need awards to know we're good."

Ray took his other hand, and then Rose's, their fingers tangling together, twisting and playing so that Reggie could fidget without leaving the bed. "You deserve all this and more my love."

"It just feels... I always thought if I got here, the guys would be there beside me, you know?" Reggie said, snffling. Even after all these years, it still hurt. Not as much as it did thanks to time and therapy. But it felt almost hollow to be nominated without Luke, Bobby, and Alex's names there beside his own.

"I bet you, wherever they are, they are so so proud of you Reggie," Rose assured him, pressing a kiss to his shoulder. "You keep them alive in every song you sing, so don't deny yourself this honour out of any obligation to them. They would hate that."

"They really would," Reggie said with a wet chuckle. "I still might not win."

"You will," his partners chorused and Reggie grinned, always bolstered by their faith in him. Squeezed their hands, and nodded. Even if the bittersweet feeling never really left him at the feeling that history was funny in the way it worked.

The night of the ceremony though, with Rose and Ray's hands clenched in his, Reggie felt... okay with being here. He had a Sunset Curve tee under his suit, a bracelet from each of his boys on his wrist, and he knew that somewhere, they were cheering him on.

But when he won, Reggie still cried a little at the empty spaces beside him on the stage. "Oh wow, I um, never thought I'd get here." He looked at the camera. "Julie, look! Daddy won! Now go to bed baby girl, okay?" The audience chuckled, and Reggie went through his speech, making sure to thank his team, his partners, and then finally, he held up the award. Sure it was for country, not rock. But still...

"I wouldn't be here today if not for my friends," he said, stifling a sob. "They... they meant the world to me. So Luke, Bobby, and Alex? this is for you."

He wiped away a tear, blew Rose and Ray a kiss, then walked off stage. The award feeling so heavy in his hands, but his heart felt a million pounds lighter.

[nephilim-at-heart]

Empty Spaces

I’m in a not-great mood today, and my grief apparently wants to see others suffer, so... Here’s to posting my first fic on Tumblr! 

Fandom: Julie and the Phantoms Character(s): Bobby mostly, also feat. Rose and Petal Pusher!OCs Word Count: 1315  Warnings: Mention of the boys’ deaths and heavy themes of grief. Also a lack of fact-checking and editing (because Unsaid Emily started playing while I finished this, thanks Spotify)

Also! I did mesh some headcanons that I really liked from others in the fandom, so thank you to all the creators that helped shape this without knowing.

Fifteen minutes after the others left to get street dogs, Bobby headed out of The Orpheum for the deli down the block, his conversation with Rose running through his mind. In just under two hours, they were going to play the gig of their lives, and everything was going to take off.

An hour before their performance, he was alone in their dressing room backstage, but all four of them pulled close calls in the past. Not to mention the roads surrounding the theater were a zoo as people continued to arrive early for their showcase.

Half an hour before opening, he was sitting restlessly in one of the dressing room chairs, leg bouncing up and down as he fought the urge to bite his nails. The guys were too excited to be this late coming back, especially with the front doors now open so people could find their seats.

Ten minutes to go, and he was ducking around stage crew members to the mini bar set up specifically for the band.

Rose caught his anxious frown from where she sat with a friend –– Holly, he thought, but his mind was too full of nerves to remember clearly. “What’s wrong?” Rose asked, straightening.

“I don’t know.” Suddenly the walls seemed too dark, too overbearing. “But something is. The guys...”

The two girls exchanged a look that didn’t ease the twisting of his stomach. His sandwich hadn’t tasted like lead earlier, but it certainly felt like that now.

Five minutes, and he was back in the dressing room pacing like a caged animal, Rose and Holly keeping him company. It didn’t help at all.

When the knock at the door two minutes before stage call revealed his mother instead of one of the crew, Bobby felt the world tilt out from under his feet.

~

Though small, the ambulance could hold a surprising amount of people –– Luke was strapped to a gurney and various mobile monitors in the middle, unconscious –– Alex was coming in and out, curled into himself in one corner with an EMS worker next to him –– and Reggie was retching up the contents of his stomach on the opposite side with a second worker somewhere between him and Luke’s head.

Alex was awake when Luke flatlined, and Reggie could only remember clipped orders passing between the EMS to try to revive him. He was shivering when Alex mentioned Bobby… The Orpheum…

He couldn’t remember reaching the hospital, but he knew when Alex was strapped onto a gurney and taken away. He was fairly sure he screamed after his friends, neither one of them moving… neither alive as they were wheeled through the E.R. doors.

Reggie could barely process all the chaos, but suddenly he was on a gurney, too. Someone talked over him as he asked about his friends, including Bobby, about himself but mostly them, and his heart beat an irregular rhythm when no one answered.

He clung to the thought of his bandmates as his eyes slipped shut.

~

Bobby was vaguely aware of the theater manager saying something about ticket refunds, and his mother wrapping her arm around his shoulders while she held the conversation for him. The poor stage hand in charge of bringing out the band walked in on that situation –– two grown adults not quite yelling at each other near the door, two teenage girls mumbling to themselves in the back –– and Bobby caught in the middle, everything and nothing running through his head all at once.

He wasn’t sure if he spoke to them before heading out to the stage. He didn’t really have a plan beyond grabbing his guitar, but then he was out in the spotlight, alone, the mics where Reggie and Luke stood and Alex’s drum set all empty while somebody brought out a barstool for him to sit on closer to stage right than the center.

He knew he spoke then, because the words were forever branded into his mind. “Hello, Orpheum!” Cheers answered his words, which sounded forced to his own ears, in that realm somewhere between fake happiness and a mental breakdown. “I’m Bobby of Sunset Curve! And, um, the others got a little held up before the show, so I’m just going to start things slow. Hope no one here minds some acoustics!”

He played songs that he and his guitar could manage alone, but he wouldn’t remember later what they were. Or how Rose went from signaling to him from her place backstage, suddenly flanked by two others alongside Holly, to joining him in the spotlight as he got to his feet.

Their band covered other artists with him, just to keep the concert going, to keep him from collapsing to his knees in front of a sold-out Orpheum, to keep death away a little longer. And when they closed with Now Or Never, arguably the most famous Sunset Curve song so far, he managed to silence the part of his mind that was screaming this wasn’t how it was supposed to sound, this wasn’t his band––

“Thank you, L.A.!”

It wasn’t until he was back in the dressing room, alone, always alone, that the façade crumbled. His mother somehow caught up to him before he fell to the floor, hot tears blurring the room around him, his heart beating so hard he was sure it wanted to die, too.

He’d managed to play The Orpheum. The one place they all wanted to star, to prove that they could make it farther than so many others. He gave Sunset Curve that much.

He wasn’t sure if he could do it again.

~

Their fans found out, of course. It was plastered in most local newspapers the next morning, and from there, word spread. He just hid from the world as long as he could.

The stupid letters, though, forwarded straight from The Orpheum itself –– people saying they were sorry, they hoped he was doing okay, they’d never forget the band–– 

It was either the first or second day after they started rolling in that he destroyed his room. He didn’t remember much of that, or the twin looks of grief from his parents, or his father’s resigned sigh when he dodged under the man’s outstretched arm. He didn’t stop moving, completely on autopilot, until he reached the studio. And screamed into the deafening silence he found there.

Part of him wanted to destroy this room, too, but he couldn’t. This wasn’t just his home, and he wouldn’t do that to his best friends, even if they managed to leave him alone all these days.

Eyes burning with fresh tears, he just curled up on the couch with Luke’s songwriting journal and forced himself to be careful turning the pages.

~

On the anniversary of it all, Bobby found himself outside a record exec’s office not too far from that stupid theater, Rose and her friends at his sides. Most of the year passed in a blur, but he was grateful for the days he let them into the studio to breathe some life back into it, and the ones he joined them at various shows around the city, even when he didn’t want to go.

It wasn’t the same, not by a long shot, but it meant he was still moving. Still doing things for the others that lived inside his brain… just his brain. Nowhere else.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Dahlia pressed a hand to his shoulder.

When did he start shaking? He took a breath and tried to stop, to swallow back new sobs clawing at his throat. “I have to. For their sake.”

“We’ll be right here when you’re done.” Rose nodded to the office doors. “You’ve got this.”

Taking another breath, he started the rest of the way inside. Always alone nowadays, at least at heart. He’d played The Orpheum for his friends, because they’d all worked too hard for him to just throw it away. He could finalize a deal and record some of their songs for them, too.

He owed Alex, Luke, and Reggie that much.

[bluefirewrites]

'A Floral Fixation’- Juke Florist AU Part 2

Continuation of my last post about Flower Delivery Girl!Julie where she works at her family's flower shop, The Petal Pushers, and ends up making regular deliveries to Luke. 

Note the title is silly. Does not allude to anything else :)

Julie has no clue how one favor for a friend could lead to all of this. 

Ever since her brief stint as a singing telegram as well delivery girl, she’s now playing this... game? Yeah, game is the appropriate word for it. This ‘game’ with Luke Patterson. 

And it would go like this:

There would be a delivery for Luke Patterson, Julie would drop it off, wondering why yet another flower arrangement is being delivered to a 17 year old boy on what seems to be on a regular basis, he offers her a flower, she declines, then leaves.  

Julie's only the messenger, she doesn't see who keeps ordering them for Luke or if Luke's ordering these for someone. She doesn't check the card.

Or she would if there is one. There would usually be a card with each order. Tía nowadays just hands over the flowers with a telling arch of her brows and Julie instantly knows she's pedaling those to Sunset Curve's garage.

But she’s convinced that it really is Luke calling in and making the orders because every delivery she makes to him is always different and every time she would give it to him, he would always ask if they were her favorites. 

Julie found the whole thing amusing, toying with him. But she had made numerous attempts in the past to get him to stop. She couldn’t imagine what kind of strain this would have on his wallet (flowers ain’t cheap), and she didn’t plan to string him on like that. It wasn’t fair. 

But Luke Patterson is determined. 

Why? No clue. By her deeming it a ‘game’ implies that there is a winner. Some sort of prize when they reach the end. 

Whenever that is. 

Maybe she doesn’t want it to end so soon. Not when these deliveries may be an excuse to go see him after school. She doesn’t stick around though. She is on the clock after all. 

In the meantime, she’s good to play. And when Luke Patterson manages to guess her favorite flower (there’s no chance), she will accept it when offered to her. 

So far, it’s been sunflowers, hydrangeas, chrysanthemums, and many other kinds of flowers.  

This time, as she pedals up to the garage, it's zinnias in her basket.

And this time, the rest of the band is there.

Julie knocks on the door again and Luke's the first one to reach her. He leans against the entryway, taking the bouquet from her, picking one flower, and tilting it in her direction- the usual dance.

"Zinnias. Tell me that I'm right,"

"Hmm..." she makes the move to take it and Luke brightens...

Only for her hand to land on his forearm instead, where she gives him a couple of pitying pats.

"Nice try," she smirks, swiftly turning on her heel and walking back to her bike.

She could hear Alex and Reggie jeer at Luke's dumbfounded expression, 'ooooh'-ing at her trick.

Luke, after shooting his friends a glare and tossing the bouquet at them, he catches up to her as she mounts her bike.

"I'm getting close, aren't I?"

"What makes you think that?" She ensures the rest of her deliveries are secure in the back and front, pretending not to know what he's talking about.

"You're not a dainty flower girl. I know that for sure. That's not who you are."

Julie squints at him, "We haven't started talking until now. How can you say that 'know' me?"

"I heard you sing," Luke says. That makes her bristle slightly. "Trust me. I know everything I need to know about you from that. And with that powerhouse of a voice? No way you'd be a daisy or a daffodil."

Julie tries not to smile, not wanting to give any indication that he was heading in the right direction. The compliment, however delivered in his own Luke way, nearly makes her grin. Yet, it’s the singing part that reminds her way she’s been keeping the boy at arm’s reach and not outright telling him her favorite. 

She and music have a complicated relationship at the moment. Her singing the first time she was here had been a one off. If Luke’s expecting her to belt out songs constantly and be as passionate about music as he is, then he’ll be sorely disappointed. 

And Julie’s done disappointing people. She’d rather do something new. Even though a really cute guy is humoring her with these antics. 

“You know there’s over 300,000 species of flowers?”

“352,000″

Julie raises an eyebrow. 

“I research,” he proclaims proudly, rocking on his heels. 

Wow, he’s really pushing this. 

“What are you getting out of this, Luke?”

“Maybe I’m just very interested in... flowers?” 

“Uh-huh,” Julie purses her lips, reading between the lines, “Flowers. Right.”

“And I’m gonna continue to feed that interest... as long as it takes,” 

“Or as long as your allowance can take it. Do you even have a job?” 

“I work at the diner. But,” he sidles up to her, “If you’re so concerned about my funds, then maybe give me a hint? This can all be over quicker if you’re so eager to get rid of me.” 

The shit-eating grin on his face makes her roll her eyes. This boy... 

"I guess..." Julie debates internally, "I guess you can cross small flowers off," she ends up admitting.

"Ha!" he jumps, "I was right!”

“Still not the right flower though,” she reminds him.

“Nah that's a victory for today and I'll take it,"

She shakes her head at him, "You’re ridiculous,"

“See you next week then?” 

"Oh my god, Julie goes ahead and embarks on her bike, “More business for us, then. Be seeing you, Patterson.” 

She rides down the street is about to turn the corner when she hears faint yelling from behind her. 

"Your voice does sell more flowers!"

Stopping by the neighbors yard and looks back, "What?” 

It’s Luke, standing in the driveway still. He cups his hands and shouts, “I was right!” 

“What?” she answers back. 

Now that does it. And she breaks out into a laugh, throwing her head back as she does. Luke Patterson- what a clown. 

Julie promptly bikes away, and when she returns to the store, Tía clocks her smile immediately and asks about their favorite customer.

“An idiot, as always,” Julie reports back. 

A cute idiot. 

Tía hums something Julie couldn’t comprehend. Then she returns to pruning the flowers. Julie helps her. 

“Well... whoever that young man is. He must have a really special girl in his life. To be ordering this many flowers.” 

“Yeah... I guess,” Julie agrees, absentmindedly, focusing more on the task at hand. 

“And I hope that girl knows just how special she is too,” 

“Yeah- wait. Huh?”

Julie doesn’t get anymore out of her aunt that day, just knowing glances as if she’s meant to be in on this inside joke, but she isn’t. 

Oh well. 

And when she spots Luke the next day at school, he breezes past her, smiling, hints of floral scents radiating from his person. Much like how the shop would smell. 

“Mornin’, Flower Girl,” he greets, tipping an imaginary hat her way.

“Morning, Diner Boy,” she shoots back, taking satisfaction from how thrown off Luke looks by her response.

He recovers and shoots her a wink, “Touchè”

Hey! If he knew what her job was, then she should too. And use it to her advantage. Maybe go to his work and tease him there, pester him about his favorite order, maybe and not be a passive player in this game they have.  

Now wouldn’t that be a fun idea...

Tagging: @blush-and-books @lydias--stiles  @thedeathdeelers @ruzek-halstead @pink-flame, @ourstarscollided, @nottheleastbrave, @echocharm17618 @smolfangirl @garc-i-a @simp-for-julie-molina @teenagepeanutbird @ifitsallyoudo @fandomscraziness22 @writerownstory​ @heademptynothoughts​ @writeineveryemptyspace​

[missmitchieg]

Julie and The Phantoms Season 2 (maybe 3 and 4? Dunno how long they’ll keep it going.) Wishes

Luke calling Julie Butterfly/Mariposa (but maybe once or twice, he slips up and calls her Mi amor).

Luke calling Julie Star/Starburst/Supernova (hi @metaorigin 👋 That concept is beautiful and wonderful)/Superstar/ESTRELLA.

Luke calling Julie Sun/Sunshine/Sunbeam/SOL.

What I’m saying is GIVE ME LUKE LEARNING SPANISH AND JULIE SWOONING OVER IT BECAUSE IT’S REALLY CUTE WHILE ALEX AND REGGIE ARE OFF TO THE SIDE LAUGHING THEIR ASSES OFF AT THEM.

Julie calling Luke Lucas teasingly. She will be the only one allowed to call him that because “it’s cute when she says it.”

Reggie and Alex casually calling her Jules.

Reggie catching up on Star Wars and complaining about Jar Jar.

More group hugs.

Carrie redemption.

Luke being jealous AF of Nick but in his cute Luke way.

Reggie/Julie bonding.

Disaster Bisexual Reggie being a Disaster Bisexual because yes, he is.

Distinguished Bisexual Julie being a Distinguished Bisexual because yes, she is.

When Reggie realizes he’s not entirely straight but also not gay, he nervously goes straight (lol) to Julie and says “I don’t know if there’s a word, in 2020, for what I am, but I know I like both boys and girls.“ and Julie just hugs him and says “Me, too.“ Luke is Super Very OK with this (because he’s a little not straight, too.) and loves his best friend and his Julie just the same. Alex is kind of happy to not be the only not straight one in the band.

Julie and Reggie having cute little matching Pride bracelets.

A scene where Julie comes home absolutely fuming and says “Guys, I need you to haunt someone.” A wide eyed Alex, slightly terrified of an angry Julie, says “Ok.” and Luke instantly, fists clenched, jaw clenched, eyes squinting, like he is pissed just because his Julie is pissed, is like “Who made my girl angry?” and Reggie is like “I will steal all of their left socks!“ Absolute chaos ensues. Alex is awkwardly knocking stuff over while Reggie steals left socks and a shoe lace. Luke is just going full Paranormal Activity in this house, messing with the curtains and blinds, knocking more stuff around, turning the TV on and off, just bonkers over whatever this person did to Julie or Flynn that Julie said she needed them to haunt this house. Post haunting Juke hugs ensue.

More of Julie’s cute doodles.

Carrie, Julie and Flynn being friends again.

Carrie and Alex becoming besties.

More Sunset Curve flashbacks and songs because Now Or Never and Bright both SLAP and I need more.

Julie schooling the boys on all the music they missed out on.

Willie watching Julie and The Phantoms performances.

Alex/Julie bonding.

Julie teaching the boys about technology.

LUKE FINDING OUT ABOUT PERFECT HARMONY.

Perfect Harmony but not a daydream this time.

More group hugs.

More of Carlos being The Best little brother.

A Willex reunion and hug.

Flynn deciding the boys need some clothes that isn’t 25 years old and going shopping with them. “You can’t just wear the same five shirts all the time.” (Can they wear clothes that’s new/not theirs? Eh, whatever. They should.)

ALEX BEING SUPER CUTE AND EXCITED IN THE PRIDE SECTION AT TARGET. “GUYS. GUYS. THEY HAVE GAY PRIDE STUFF HERE.“ JULIE, FLYNN, LUKE, REGGIE AND WILLIE BEING SUPER HAPPY FOR ALEX.

I love Julie’s season 1 fashion, but I kind of want the boys’ fashion senses to bleed into hers a little bit. Like, give me Julie in her usual cute, girly outfits but with a familiar looking orange beanie. Luke and Julie wearing orange beanies at the same time. Give me Julie in an Alex-esque distressed jean jacket but there’s stars or butterflies embroidered on the sleeves. Give me Julie in her cute little butterfly hair clips and a leather jacket. Give me Julie in a snapback and skull print skater dress. Give me Julie in 90′s band tees and a flannel. OH. Give me Julie wearing Rose’s bedazzled Sunset Curve shirt. GIVE ME JULIE IN LUKE’S FLANNEL.

JULIE’S FASHION SENSE BLEEDING INTO THE BOYS’ FASHION SENSES. LUKE WITH A STARRY GUITAR STRAP. LUKE WEARING A CRESCENT MOON MUSCLE TEE THAT MATCHES JULIE’S NECKLACE. LUKE WEARING A SUNFLOWER SHIRT THAT MATCHES JULIE’S. REGGIE IN MORE BUTTERFLIES. ALEX WEARING GLITTER. ALEX WITH CUTE, COLORFUL STREAKS IN HIS HAIR. LUKE AND REGGIE WITH COLORFUL STREAKS. LUKE WEARING BUTTERFLIES. LUKE AND REGGIE WEARING GLITTER. THE BOYS WEARING SHIRTS JULIE DOODLED ALL OVER AND LOVING THEM. LUKE AND REGGIE WEARING JULIE DOODLE GUITAR AND BASS STRAPS. LUKE, REGGIE AND ALEX WEARING BLACK NAIL POLISH. LUKE, REGGIE AND ALEX WEARING PRETTY COLORED NAIL POLISH.

Phantom/Flynn bonding.

Movie nights.

Carlos meeting the phantoms for real.

Carlos and Luke mischief.

Willex dates.

Julie/Willie bonding.

Flynn/Willie bonding. I JUST WANT EVERYBODY TO BE FRIENDS AND BE HAPPY.

FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS WITH LITTLE GHOST CHARMS.

Did I mention more group hugs.

I wanna see what’s gonna happen with Caleb!Nick.

More of that cute thing where Reggie sings into Luke’s mic.

More of that other cute thing where Reggie and Julie sing back to back together.

Learning Alex and Reggie’s last names and more about their parents.

More Dirty Candy performances with Alex poofing in.

WILLIE WATCHING ALEX DANCE WITH DIRTY CANDY.

BOBBYTREVOR KNOWS ABOUT THE PHANTOMS AND I NEED MORE TIME WITH HIM PROCESSING THAT THEY ARE A GHOST BAND NOW.

Willie, Alex and Reggie being the biggest Juke (Jukebox?) shippers.

Julie, Luke and Reggie being the biggest Willex shippers.

Luke teaching Julie guitar.

Julie teaching Luke piano.

Reggie solos.

Alex solos.

Willie solos.

Willex duets.

Willie teaching Alex how to skate.

Alex teaching Willie how to drum.

Alex wearing Willie’s bracelets.

More Jukebox duets.

CHARLIE AND MADI WRITTEN JUKEBOX DUETS BECAUSE THOSE TWO REALLY WENT OFF WITH PERFECT HARMONY AND I NEED MORE.

MORE GROUP HUGS.

Reggie just absolutely killing it on a piano and Julie being obsessed with it.

A scene where Julie trips over something and Luke catches her and they Have A Moment. Bonus points if the boys witness The Moment.

ROSE AND THE PETAL PUSHERS FLASHBACKS.

ROSE IN GENERAL FLASHBACKS.

Alex becoming a Louis Tomlinson stan. Willie’s only a little jealous and Alex thinks it’s cute.

Reggie becoming a Keith Urban stan.

Luke being #1 Julie stan.

Julie being #1 Luke stan.

CUTE LITTLE PRIDE STICKERS ON THEIR INSTRUMENTS.

JULIE DOODLES ON THEIR INSTRUMENTS. OH MY GOD, JULIE DOODLES ON THEIR MICROPHONES LIKE HERS.

Nick showing off more guitar skills because we saw that like, once in season one.

More of Nick being a Julie and The Phantoms stan having a blast and a half at their performances.

MORE. GROUP. HUGS.