#there are a million trillion other songs i could have put in there

[krakenshaped]

ANYWAY back to our regularly scheduled hero propaganda

[missmaywemeetagain]

Dear Miss Madisyn May,

I don't know if I totally understand how Gala's work, and when I don't understand something I usually hesitate and lurk around, but I've been following your's and worked up the nerve to send you a message. I first found Pink Scarf on A03, and it is something I go back and reread when I want cheering up or inspiration. Like so many I was immediately captivated by your writing and I love your newest fic Broken Glass and also the epilogues/one-shots/shorts you've written. I'm relatively new to active fandom, I have been a lurker for the last few years reading here and there, I feel like I came to fic late in life (32-33ish) and only just started writing it last fall. It has become one of my favorite pastimes and I wish I had found it sooner, but oh well.

I was wondering if you would be willing to share your own process for how you map out where your stories will go and how you work out plots, or find inspiration and work through writer's block, and/or honestly any advice you'd give someone starting out writing fic.

cheers,

norah

A little black-tie a little black-tie E and Frank ready for your Gala...

Dear Lil’ Miss Darlin’ Norah,

Firstly, I’m sorry this took me a million trillion years to respond to!! This is the sweetest and loveliest, and thank you for coming by to share and ask such a great question!! 💜 I, too, came to fic late(ish) and was also most definitely a lurker, so I can very much relate.

Oooh, boy, my writing process is a bit of a mess, honestly. I wish I could say that I was a super outliner/organized writer, but that’s just not who I am, and I think trying to be that writer got in my way for a very long time. I find that I get stifled if I’m outlining really specifically because my brain tries to lock everything in even if the story needs to go in another direction. So for me, I take more of an organic approach.

I tend to think in scenes or beats that I want to hit instead. Often, my ideas start from daydreams, so it’ll begin with a “scene” that I then want to build a story around. Sometimes that scene is really clear but may not happen for many chapters into a fic, so I have to figure out how I actually get my characters there. But giving myself time to daydream is one of the most important things to me as a writer. Usually when I’m having trouble figuring out a scene or arc or pushing through the writing, it’s often because I literally haven’t closed my eyes and laid down and let it play out in my head.

And inspiration can come from almost anywhere! Writing Elvis in particular, I’m heavily inspired by historical events and personal anecdotes. I love weaving real moments into my E fics!! There are honestly too many to count for PS.

For Broken Glass, Dolores came to me first as a character and I was like, “hmmm, that’s interesting,” and I am super fascinated by E’s health journey, so I was like, how do I put those together?

Songs are also often big sources of inspiration, like with Power of My Love and Without Love for PS. I try to consume a lot of media too, which gets my brain going—what I mean by that is the more I’m reading books and fics and watching shows/movies and listening to music, the more goes in my brain bank, so to speak.

I am by no means an expert, or even a professional writer (yet!), so this is just part of my process which (usually) works for me. Take of that what you will, but of course every writer is different and there is no one “right” way. I definitely struggle with perfectionism, and that tends to be my biggest source of “blocks” or frustration. So I’ve found that I just need to write. Practice. Get something on the page, even if it sucks lol! Cuz I’m always gonna go back and revise and tweak it anyway.

Anyway, I hope that’s helpful! Thank you so much for supporting my little stories and wishing you all the best in your writing adventures! 💜 Feel free to drop in my DMs if you have other questions or tag me in your works!

And I looooove me some black tie E and Frank!! To have been in that room…phew! 🥰😏🤩

💗 Madi

[ask-thedepressedkidatthetable]

*Throws all of the 50 Qs into your ask box and twirls away*

50 Q’s For The Mun

1.) describe yourself through the eyes of a stranger? The perpetual foreigner. Or, if they do happen to be from another country, a like-minded friend. (People say I have an accent .  .  . Spoiler, I don’t think I do.) People have said that I look interesting, am quiet, awkward, scary, and that i know a lot. 2.) what is a quality you’d like to change about yourself? I feel like I’m very flighty and have a hard time following through with what I say- if I can at all. I’d like to change that someday. 3.) what is your worst potential fear for the future? I think .  .  . That I’ll be caught between mildly depressing comfort and the chance to actually grasp everything I want in life for a little risk and I’ll make the wrong choice. 4.) which television series do you use as a form of escapism? I use YouTube for that primarily. Um .  .  . Maybe The Addam’s Family. 5.) share a secret about yourself? I think in some ways, I actually live a double-life. So that’s a thing. 6.) if you could choose any place in the world to visit, where would it be? why? Oh, I’d like to go to Germany someday and visit some of the sites associated with Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. He was an interesting person. 7.) what advice would you give your childhood self? Um .  .  . honestly? Be more of a jerk. It more has to do with having a hard time setting boundaries and saying no to things. Or calling people out when they’re acting inappropriately. Not great life advice though? 8.) describe how you envision your ideal life partner? I suppose someone I can connect with on an intellectual and emotional level. Someone understanding and compassionate enough to help me pull through my own problems and a team player when we have joint problems we need to solve in life. 9.) what is your favorite environmental season? why? I like when it snows in winter, but otherwise probably fall xD I do not love being out in the super freezing temperatures with no snow. 10.) what’s one book you’d suggest every person should read? Mathematics for the Million - Lancelot Hogben (That’s the one that talks about how when America reached the trillion dollar debt, that if you lined it all up in twenty dollar bills, it’d basically stretch for sixty miles .  .  . Honesty there’s a lot of books on this list. It’s not just one.) 11.) what is one song that’s able to bring you to tears? 1,000 Light Years Away - Slime Rancher 12.) describe your best friend? Kind, compassionate, smart, doing no harm but taking no shit from people, and just... incredibly driven, even in hard times. 13.) what was the premise of your last dream? Well .  .  . I was at my old job, and for some reason we were running pads (for furniture), but for some reason, instead of pads it was coming out as pants and shirts, long and wide ways. And who do I see but an old coworker / friend? So he was stacking, and it’s supposed to be twenty-one to a bag and they’re coming off three at a time pretty fast. So, since he’s never done that before I was like, out of my way, I’ll handle this. Of course the line starts moving really fast, and with the way it’s coming, you can’t just push it back and throw it in a nice stack. So we’re bagging stuff anyway, just trying to keep it off the floor and he’s like, “Hey, how many is it supposed to be in a bag?” And I told him, “Twenty-one.” “Some of these bags don’t have twenty one in them.” We were doing shit like putting five things in a bag, forty in a bag, whatever! And I just told him like, “I don’t give a shit. We’re sending it anyway.” So quality control is out and we’re both basically like, cool. We’re talking and all, and he mentions that some other coworkers came back and are working in other departments now. One went to maintenance, the other somewhere else, and it kind of swung around to the fact that they were all wearing matching shirts that said, “I’m a thief.” on a nice, tattoo style gothic font on the back and that no one else was getting the joke! I was the only one that brought it up.  .  .  . 14.) what’s your favorite warm beverage? Crappy (very important) black tea with honey and milk. 15.) name one musical album that greatly impacted your life? why? Sandcastle Kingdoms by NateWantsToBattle / It summarizes some of my fears in life and like, pulling through for that one person. Because you don’t see it, but they believe in you, and sometimes that’s enough. 16.) what’s your favorite form of flattery? I enjoy flirting for the sake of it, does that count? Flattery tends to make me uncomfortable, so I’m not sure there’s such a thing as a “favorite.” 17.) what’s your favorite painting? and describe how it makes you feel? It’s a painting I got at the antique store. It’s a moon in a red forest background with silver mixed in. It makes me feel like there’s a sense of adventure and comfort just over there. The forest is in your own backyard. 18.) describe your personal style? Want to be a lot more alt leaning, but currently you’ll catch me in a lot of gray and layers. Kind of a grunge, t-shirt video game nerd, and alt mashup. 19.) what was the last concept that inspired you? @heartxshaped-bruises Casper. 20.) who was your very first artistic inspiration? My very first one? I liked rainbows and architectural drawings. Drew a lot of houses as a kid. 21.) how long have you used tumblr for? how has your style changed over the years? About seven years now. I guess I use the queue a lot more, prioritize life a little more, and tag a lot less on my main blog! xD 22.) what was your first cell phone? Um .  .  . Basically the same model I have now, only it let me use Google Music instead of YouTube music. Android piece of crap. I never wanted a phone. It was thrown at me one day and I couldn’t take it back -_- 23.) what is your favorite fruit flavor? Kind of want to say rambutan right now. 24.) whom would you resurrect from the afterlife? which 3 questions would you ask them? Storyboard artist Harold Michelson .  .  . I’m not sure what three questions I would ask specifically. Probably things like where how he learned to do the stuff, how you learn it, important tools, all that. 25.) if you could choose only one meal to eat for the remainder of your life, which would you choose? Lentils and rice. Because it’s yummy and you can add a lot of stuff with it! 26.) which of the 7 deadly sins do you struggle with the most? and which the least? Wrath and .  .  . I think envy. 27.) your latest obsession? and why? @heartxshaped-bruises Casper. He’s such an interesting character- Tragic, strong, kind with a bit of bite to him. I’m so totally in love! 28.) if you could domesticate any animal as your pet, which would you choose? Sharks. They’re nice. 29.) what’s your least favorite smell? Crack. Had a hard time thinking of it, but it’s crack. Gives me an instant headache that won’t go away for hours. 30.) favorite “mythological” creature? and why? Dragons. Any form of dragons, they’re strong and have good ideals. 31.) name a scene from a movie that makes you cringe? No one specific scene comes to mind, but in general, poor survival skills in movies! It’s like fatal funnels aren’t even a thing! 32.) favorite piece of memorabilia you own? I own the sheep mask from this music video here! :D 33.) your personal favorite oddity about yourself? I can climb like a mountain goat real good! 34.) favorite concert/show you’ve attended? I went to an All Time Low concert in my hometown. Oh my god that thing was a riot! They almost got booed over nice-y small-talk XD 35.) what’s one thing you would tell to the last person who betrayed you? Honestly, I have no idea. There’s more to say, but at the same time, everything that needed to be said was said. 36.) your favorite mantra to live by? I’m not sure I live by it the way I want, but I like, “Don’t tread on me.” 37.) do you have any strange habits? Not sure if it’s really strange, but I always make sure people aren’t following me when I go anywhere. 38.) what’s your favorite white-noise to fall asleep to? Just random YouTube lets-plays. 39.) what is your favorite gemstone? why? This answer is sure to change, but I like tourmaline. 40.) how do you choose to cope when you’re upset? I like being alone in my room. No one to talk to on the phone or on social medias, maybe watch some YouTube or just sit in silence for awhile. 41.) what are you currently trying to accomplish? Trying to center who I am with who I want to be. 42.) what’s your favorite item you’ve purchased secondhand? A Franklin chair! It was half off at an estate sale! 43.) describe your personality is only 3 words? Stubborn, sarcastic, awkward 44.) how is your relationship with your parents? Fine. Maybe a little distant. 45.) an instrument you aspire to learn how to play? The bagpipes! Growing up, there was always this one neighbor that played Amazing Grace at certain times of the year. Sounded pretty good! Never-mind that bagpipes are loud and I live in an apartment.  .  .  . 46.) relate yourself to one movie character? 47.) least favorite music genre? why? Not exactly a singular genre- but pretentious music in general. Pop and Christian music in general come to mind here. I don’t mind the actual music per say, but people act all weird about some of it. 48.) which animal would you be the most terrified to encounter? Probably a bear. 49.) name a public figure you find to be overrated? why? Jim Carrey. God, fuck that man. A: Canadian (not a plus.) B: Everyone goes on and on about how nice he is and it’s just not believable! I don’t care what they say, I think he’s an asshole, and the only things he’s in that’s any good are when he’s playing assholes! 50.) what purpose do you get out of using tumblr? Ideal social media. Instagram is bullshit, more features than Discord, always hated Facebook and Twitter. Tik Tok is just propaganda .  .  . Ugh. Let’s end this here.

[seriously-mike]

This isn't just fiction, it's nonsense.

The phones of early 2000s already had cameras. They also had a lot of proprietary format bullshit going on that gave me no end of trouble, and monetization features like ringtones and wallpapers that you could only purchase and not load for free from your computer. I mean, best of fucking luck digging through your box of cables to find that one specific one used to transfer data to and from your Sony Ericsson phone, because it's entirely different from the one used by Siemens. And if you upload your favorite MP3s (that you have to convert to shittier quality because you can't expand the internal memory and it fits about eight songs at CD quality) to your Nokia using their proprietary software, you can't download them back to your PC because they're converted into a bizarre format nobody uses.

Every major company tried to push their proprietary audio formats they could control. AAC. ATRAC+. WMA. To quote a classic: "THEY FAILED! As they were SMASHED! INTO THE GROUND!" Defeated by the humble MP3 created in an university lab.

Navigation on current generation smartphones is THE thing that puts the biggest strain on battery. On my previous phone it would cut the battery life in half. Also, for comparison: Nokia 3310 battery had about 700 mAh capacity. Current generation smartphones have batteries with capacity of about 5000 mAh, seven times larger. Why? Mostly navigation, then data transfer used by third-party apps.

The old internet had a FUCKTON of ads, this is why adblocks were invented in the first place. Banners. Pop-up windows. Pop-under windows. Obnoxious music. Shit that would drive today's kids insane. No oversight whatsoever, anything goes.

Half of the websites wouldn't work without you installing five different plugins. Java, JavaScript, Macromedia Flash Player, RealPlayer, Apple Quicktime, Adobe Acrobat Reader, some exotic stuff that could as well be malware.

I remember the "stickers" from early social media websites that were a lot like likes, but meaner. Aside from things like "hot", "princess" and other positive "stickers", there were things like "monkey", "spanner" and so on. Hell, DeviantArt had the number of people who added the drawings to their favorites visible since always.

The appearance of social media profiles was hardly more customizable than today, and only before someone got the bright idea to hide iframes with malicious code on sites that didn't disallow that. Blogs were a different matter, but even now you're able to format your Tumblr blog to a fairly large extent, as long as you're able to chew through mile-long CSS sheets and have some place to store the background images.

Those are just some things that you have never experienced, but I do remember thanks to being a fucking dinosaur.

I had my own website built in Windows Notepad, with icons stolen from wherever, simple formatting and so on. This is also why I don't give a shit about image generators running on stolen art: the internet ALWAYS ran on stolen art, as much as people are trying to deny it. Marcus Ranum's stolen fetish photos with shitty captions all over people's Myspace pages. Memes that were just stolen drawings like "The Biting Pear of Salamanca" with nonsensical captions. AMVs on Youtube made from bootleg anime and songs ripped from CDs. Porn scans. Fantasy art scans from obscenely expensive albums available in like five countries only, because you couldn't even order them online.

We stole the internet. If your fictional "early internet" isn't a mess full of stolen content, annoying music playing fuck knows where and fuck knows why, millions of toolbars of which half is malware and the other half advertises one specific website, billions of ads and trillions of garbage sites built in Windows Notepad, hosted on free 5MB accounts and entirely unmoderated, you don't know SHIT about early Internet.

Because I was there, Gandalf. Three thousand years ago. And it wasn't any better than now.

Low Tech Solarpunk

The level of tech in my personal version of Solarpunk is a lot more like tech in to 90's and early two thousands

Physical media libraries (books, video games, movies)

Phone booths

Small phones (of sustainable materials) with long battery life and with basic internet (for navigation and safety necessities etc), no apps or camera

The internet itself being more like the old internet so no algorithms, and there would be no ads other than for free events

You won't see the amount of likes, followers or views on other peoples content or profile, only on your own

Social media profiles' appearance would be a lot more customisable and fun again

Those are just some things that imo we got right the first time and honestly wouldn't mind going back to

[qrupafjzvm1]

birthday!

a neatly-folded letter is placed under a bottle of vanilla extract.

pretty sure it's been there for more than a day. you have a feeling that you were late.

hello hi if you're reading this i'm probably going in pmd to become an eevee WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

if i'm not please return this where you found it thank you very much

anyway what the heck is this letter about.

i have a tradition that started on another site where i'd talk about what I've done for the year and my resolutions for the next.

it's a gaming site, sooooooooooooo not much fanfare is possible in those posts. only about the game and the community.

so i decided, since i'm using like 5 different sites now, why not make 3 recaps?

so yeah this is one of 3 you can find, honestly would rather you don't find any of the other ones but who knows :shrug:

this one's gonna go very in-depth about fandom stuff! well, as much as i can, anyway. i didn't do much this year.

ANYWAY! first 6 months had absolutely nothing. i was locked into irl stuff and honestly had no time to think about anything else. ended in complete failure btw.

so yeah life was miserable

and then vocaloid happen.

whoo boy, fun fact: i didn't understand why people liked music they can't understand the lyrics of. like I'm a lyrics kid, i need lyrics to sing them songs, how can you enjoy a song without singing it

yeah turns out you can and WHOOOOOO what a turnaround now i'm rolling all around for a trillion years and a night while getting mesmerized and ok i'll stop

vocaloid would later bring me to other Japanese songs which i also love (yorushika anyone? pls recommend some more too)

anyway then ES happened and yup i can dream again that's great

yeah 2 years of depression and half a year of failure really takes a toll out of you, but then ES and PMD came from heaven and rescued me from the grasping hands of hell (no depictions available)

the fandom (and pokemon as a whole) probably brought me back to life in many ways i thought only techno's vids could do sooooooooooo yeah i love 'em

got an eevee plush recently actually can anyone recommend me a small pouch to go with so eve can be an explorer

oh and also ssrpg but that's honestly old news and you guys probably don't know 'em too so we'll just pass that

and splatoon, and doraemon (you didn't expect that did you), inside out had a page for a while, i was joining a dozen fandoms lmao

anyway so big problem. i can dream again. i have like, a full a4 page of fic ideas, in 11px times new roman. i can't write any of 'em.

no, i'm not saying that like i can't can't, it's more like i put myself down to write and 10 million things happen in my brain and now i'm playing the same boring games and can't write for naught

truly a curse (i'd call it adhd but i cannot get to a therapist so yeah that ain't happening)

the plan is for eve to be my hyperfixation so i can focus better? i mean i hope it works

anyway resolution!!!

i mean when it coms to fandoms my only resolution is to write more fics. i'ma be honest it's only that. you really shouldn't expect much more.

actually you can expect much more i'll try to pick up drawing at some point if i have time

so yeah that's the end of this random rambling, honestly i wanted to write more but the page's ending and so is my time, the gate to pmd's closing in like 15 minutes eek

sayonara (i'll be back with a fic i swear)

=================================================

there's something on the back of the page. "why did you expect me to use the back of a page. i am disappointed in you."

[glenrocklibraryteens]

Title: Pele; why soccer matters Author: Brian Winter Rating: 4 stars Genre: memoir Reviewed by: Victoria Horton

Futbol or Soccer is the most popular sport across the world, with large names such as Messi, Ronaldo, Vini jr, and most importantly Pelé. He is known as the best soccer player ever known, besides Madonna. During his twenty-year career he won three world-cup championships and scored a total of 1,283 goals. This book talks about the legacy he began, his hardships he faced, the dreams he carried on from his parents, and his character he displayed on and off the field. Pelé will forever be remembered and known by all in our hearts. This Memoir depicts his life growing up to the near end of his career with a play of vocabulary, beautiful photography, and how he made his way to the spot he would later be known as. The life of living in the colorful, beautiful, and loud Brasil shows his pride even with the President. This book was very good and shows the reality of what he went through and the game. This truly is a book for all ages.

My options on this book are that it is very well written and highlights the best personality traits of Pelé while also showing the reality of his situation. As he grew up in poverty which is said on the book summary and what he sacrificed to simply be allowed on the field once shows true dedication to the game. I admire his wisdom, kindness, and ability to stay focused on his goals when he needs to. Pelé was a true hero to many and shows that when you put your mind to it, it is possible. All of us have an inner Pelé but it's up to us to unleash it. He continuously shows his courage and strength in everything he does. Pelé will always be the legend he is not just from documentaries and books, but from the impact he left off the field. From families, to children, to aspiring soccer players, they will remember him in their own work, for he was a hero for all.

Playlist for Pelé

Waka (this is Africa)- by Shakira: I believe that this song is really good for this book because it was used in the World Cup. This was also about Brazil which Pelé is from and shows the pride of soccer which the song and him both have.

Ginga- Pelé Ginga: Not only was this song performed and sung by him but it shows his emotions when he didn’t express them though his sport it was through his music. The beat is upbeat and pleasant to hear along with the fact that he is his music.

drive ME crazy! (Lil Yatchy)- this song I believe he would enjoy because of the upbeat tune and the lyrics depict his happiness when he sees all the smiles and cheers in the stadium along as the love in the song can be him with the sport he loves so much.

Bad Religion ( Frank Ocean)- This song reminds me of him from the fact he always was thinking of soccer, what he would do next, how to get better, more he could do. The bad religion can be from when you are focused on something so much, sometimes it can drive others away but bring so much more which is what exactly happened to him, you must lose in order to gain.

EVERYTHING MUST GO (Tyler The Creator)- this short song/message reminds me of Pelé because his gratitude is on that same level. He constantly shows how he is forever grateful for all the blessings he’s received in his career.

Ride or Die (Durand Jones/The Indicators & Aaron Fraser)- This song is about falling in love which he believed was one of the strongest emotions people can have and admired the true/genuine love he would see around him. He would totally jam out to this in his free time with the nice instruments and vocals.

DTM (Diamond Boy by SZA)- He would like the vocals of this song a lot. This song would remind him through the lyrics “am i doing too much” showing that is all his efforts truly getting him somewhere when he finds himself struggling.

Trillions (Alicia Keys ft. Brent Faiyaz)- this song talks about love which earlier stated was what Pelé states is one of the most powerful emotions. Saying they are on in a million, just like the legacy he would later leave for generations to come.

Simply Paradise (Mac DeMarco and Ryan Paris)- This reminds me of how he felt when he met his wife. The feeling of falling in love with someone so deeply and admiring everything about them through kind words is just as Pelé shows his whole life.

Ooo Baby Baby ( Smokey Robinson & The Miracles)- This song reminds me of when with his wife he would sometimes have to make choices that can hurt his wife in which this song shows that. He proves that he is only human and still will love her forever.

[narrowtriangle33-blog]

Conservatives, even when all of the facts are in your face, you still deny the reality of systemic racism.

"I mean really? What in the hell makes a group of people with a history of enslavement , genocide and apartheid in order to achieve what they have belive they have been so sucessful that they can lecture others. Without enslavement, genocide and aparthied, whites in America would have very little, if anything." "People in this forum have the opinion that blacks should do things like whites and if we do so, we can make it in America. So then what we need to do is orchestate a bloody coup, confiscate all property owned by whites, jail all whites who oppose the coup, write a new constitution that declare citizenship and it's protection only for non whites, make whites chattel for the forseeable future, make it illegal for whites to reald, own property or access information and create laws where if whites get out of line they can be beaten and killed." "Because this is how whites have done it." "In another forum, I stated that the root cause of the problems blacks face is white racism. One of the whites there decided to say this: “The root cause of the problems faced by most blacks today are people like you who misidentify or ignore the real problems they face to further their own personal agendas.”" "'This is another of the long, long line of idiotic comments made by right wing whites. White racism was determined to be the problem 53 years ago by the Kerner Commission."

""What white Americans have never fully understood but what the Negro can never forget--is that white society is deeply implicated in the ghetto. White institutions created it, white institutions maintain it, and white society condones it."" ""White racism is essentially responsible for the explosive mixture which has been accumulating in our cities since the end of World War II."" "But the excuse will be made about how that was 50 years ago, and that stupid ass song will be sung titled, "That was in the Past."" "On February 26, 2018, 50 years after the Kerner Commission findings, the Economic Policy Institute published a report evaluating the progress of the black community since the Kerner Report was released. It was based on a study done by the Economic Policy Institute that compared the progress of the black community in 2018 with the condition of the black community at the time of the Kerner Commission. Titled “50 years after the Kerner Commission,” the study concluded that there had been some improvements in the situation blacks faced but there were still disadvantages blacks faced that were based on race." "Following up on this, Richard Rothstein of the Economic Policy Institute wrote an op-ed published in the February 28th edition of the New York Daily News titled, “50 years after the Kerner Commission, minimal racial progress.” It had been 50 years since the commission made their recommendations at that point, yet Rothstein makes this statement: “So little has changed since 1968 that the report remains worth reading as a near-contemporary description of racial inequality.”" "So 3 years ago the same conclusion was made. "The root cause of the problems blacks face is white racism."" "On October 24, 2013, the Kellogg Foundation sent out a press release about a report they had done entitled, “The Business Case for Racial Equity”. This was a study done by the Kellogg Foundation, using information it had studied and assessed from the Center for American Progress, National Urban League Policy Institute, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies and the U.S. Department of Justice."

“Striving for racial equity – a world where race is no longer a factor in the distribution of opportunity – is a matter of social justice. But moving toward racial equity can generate significant economic returns as well. When people face barriers to achieving their full potential, the loss of talent, creativity, energy, and productivity is a burden not only for those disadvantaged, but for communities, businesses, governments, and the economy as a whole. Initial research on the magnitude of this burden in the United States (U.S.), as highlighted in this brief, reveals impacts in the trillions of dollars in lost earnings, avoidable public expenditures, and lost economic output.” "The Kellogg Foundation and Altarum Institute In 2011, DEMOS did a study named “The Racial Wealth Gap, Why Policy Matters”, which discussed the racial wealth gap, the problems associated with it along with solutions and outcomes if the gap did not exist. In this study DEMOS determined that the racial wealth gap was primarily driven by policy decisions." "“The U.S. racial wealth gap is substantial and is driven by public policy decisions. According to our analysis of the SIPP data, in 2011 the median white household had $111,146 in wealth holdings, compared to just $7,113 for the median Black household and $8,348 for the median Latino household. From the continuing impact of redlining on American homeownership to the retreat from desegregation in public education, public policy has shaped these disparities, leaving them impossible to overcome without racially-aware policy change.”" Harvard. "“Racial inequality in the United States today may, ultimately, be based on slavery, but it is also based on the failure of the country to take effective steps since slavery to undermine the structural racial inequality that slavery put in place. From the latter part of the nineteenth century through the first half of the twentieth century, the Jim Crow system continued to keep Blacks “in their place,” and even during and after the civil rights era no policies were adopted to dismantle the racial hierarchy that already existed.”" "HOUSING DISCRIMINATION AS A BASIS FOR BLACK REPARATIONS, Jonathan Kaplan and Andrew Valls, Public Affairs Quarterly" "Volume 21, Number 3, July 2007" "McKinsey and Co. “It will end up costing the U.S. economy as much as $1 trillion between now and 2028 for the nation to maintain its longstanding black-white racial wealth gap, according to a report released this month from the global consultancy firm McKinsey & Company. That will be roughly 4 percent of the United States GDP in 2028—just the conservative view, assuming that the wealth growth rates of African Americans will outpace white wealth growth at its current clip of 3 percent to .8 percent annually, said McKinsey. If the gap widens, however, with white wealth growing at a faster rate than black wealth instead, it could end up costing the U.S. $1.5 trillion or 6 percent of GDP according to the firm.”" "Citigroup" "Cost Of Racism: U.S. Economy Lost $16 Trillion Because Of Discrimination, Bank Says" "Nationwide protests have cast a spotlight on racism and inequality in the United States. Now a major bank has put a price tag on how much the economy has lost as a result of discrimination against African Americans: $16 trillion." "Since 2000, U.S. gross domestic product lost that much as a result of discriminatory practices in a range of areas, including in education and access to business loans, according to a new study by Citigroup." "Specifically, the study came up with $16 trillion in lost GDP by noting four key racial gaps between African Americans and whites:" "$13 trillion lost in potential business revenue because of discriminatory lending to African American entrepreneurs, with an estimated 6.1 million jobs not generated as a result" "$2.7 trillion in income lost because of disparities in wages suffered by African Americans" "$218 billion lost over the past two decades because of discrimination in providing housing credit" "And $90 billion to $113 billion

in lifetime income lost from discrimination in accessing higher education" "Why this is just a bunch of liberal jibberish to to blacks in order to keep them voting democrat. Those aren't the problems, what we conservatives tell you is the real problem. Why if you just had a father in the home none of this would happen." "Black Workers Still Earn Less than Their White Counterparts"

"As employers in the U.S. tackle issues around racism, fresh attention is being given to the racial wage gap and why black men and women, in particular, still earn substantially less than their white counterparts. Nearly 56 years after the passage of the Civil Rights Act, "we find equal pay for equal work is still not a reality," noted Jackson Gruver, a data analyst at compensation data and software firm PayScale."

"Last year, PayScale analyzed differences in earnings between white men and men of color using data from a sample of 1.8 million employees surveyed between January 2017 and February 2019." 'Among the findings, Gruver reported: "Even as black or African-American men climb the corporate ladder, they still make less than equally qualified white men. They are the only racial/ethnic group that does not achieve pay parity with white men at some level."' "The study found that black men had the largest "uncontrolled pay gap" relative to white men, when comparing the average earnings of black men and white men in the U.S."

"On average, black men earned 87 cents for every dollar a white man earned. Hispanic workers had the next largest gap, earning 91 cents for every dollar earned by white men."

"To put that in perspective, the median salary of a white man in our sample is $72,900; the controlled median pay for black or African-American men is thus $71,500," Gruver said. "This suggests a $1,400 difference in pay that is likely attributable to race."" "So daddy lives at home and the family still makes less than whites. Because:" "NWLC calculations, based on the U.S. Census Bureau's Current Population Survey for 2016, revealed that when comparing all men and women who work full time, year-round in the U.S., women were paid just 80 cents for every dollar paid to their male counterparts. But the wage gap was even larger when looking specifically at black women who work full time, year-round—they were paid only 63 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men." "Stephen Miller, Black Workers Still Earn Less than Their White Counterparts, www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/compensation/pages/racial-wage-gaps-persistence-poses-challenge.aspx" "So a white working couple will make 90 cents on every dollar while a black working couple makes 75 cents. To allow you to understand this reality a white female worker makes 80 cents on every dollar a white man makes. White females are demanding equal pay and rightfully so." "And you black folk really need to start taking education seriously." "Black unemployment is significantly higher than white unemployment regardless of educational attainment" "The black unemployment rate is nearly or more than twice the white unemployment rate regardless of educational attainment. It is, and always has been, about twice the white unemployment rate; however, the depth of this racial inequality in the labor market rarely makes the headlines." "Over the last 12 months, the average unemployment rate for black college graduates has been 4.1 percent—nearly two times the average unemployment rate for white college graduates (2.4 percent) and equivalent to the unemployment rate of whites with an associate’s degree or who have not completed college (4.0 percent). The largest disparity is seen among those with less than a high school diploma: while whites with less than a high school diploma have an unemployment rate of 6.9 percent, the black unemployment rate is 16.6 percent—over two times the white average." "The broader significance of this disparity suggests a race penalty whereby blacks at each level of education have unemployment rates that are the same as or higher than less educated whites." "Valerie Wilson, Black unemployment is significantly higher than white unemployment regardless of educational attainment, www.epi.org/publication/black-unemployment-educational-attainment/" "African Americans are paid less than whites at every education level" "While the economy continues to improve and wages are finally beginning to inch up for most Americans, African Americans are still being paid less than whites at every education level. As you can see from the chart below, while a college education results in higher wages—both for whites and blacks—it does not eliminate the black-white wage gap. African Americans are still earning less than whites at every level of educational attainment. A recent EPI report, Black-white wage gaps expand with rising wage inequality, shows that this gap persists even after controlling for years of experience, region of the country, and whether one lives in an urban or rural area. In fact, since 1979, the gaps between black and white workers have grown the most among workers with a bachelor’s degree or higher—the most educated workers." "Valerie Wilson, African Americans are paid less than whites at every education level, www.epi.org/publication/african-americans-are-paid-less-than-whites-at-every-education-level/"

"But to say white racism is the cause of things no matter how much proof we show your white asses, you have some kind of idiotic ass excuse, like we are blaming whites for our failures or;" "We misdiagnose and ignore the "real" problem to fit an imaginary agenda racists in tha white community invented so they can deny how THEY are the root cause of the problem." "You right wing scrubs are always talking about responsibility." "Take some instead of running your mouths."

[sorry-i-ship-drarry]

I'm yours

prompt used - falling asleep on other’s shoulder | fluff| Day 21

“ potter “ draco nodded as harry walked with notebooks in his hands to the staff room, being morning it was pretty empty 

“ malfoy “ harry nodded at draco and sat down in front of him  

“ how’s the morning coming along ?” he asked with a warm smile occasionally drinking his coffee after having it miss this morning due to an eventful morning.

“ well there was a mass murder in the bathroom this morning but other than that really pleasant" harry gave him a little head tilt with a little smile.

“ really ? what was the mass murder of ?” draco chuckled leaning back in his chair to listen to harry’s interesting morning story 

“ mosquitoes. apparently my very attractive irresponsible husband left the window open and it welcomed the entire narnia of mosquitoes “ harry answered 

“ oh well, i’m sure he did it by mistake but rest in peace to all those mosquitoes” draco chuckled 

“ how was yours ?” harry asked smirking 

“hm, well eventful. It’s our anniversary so breakfast in bed before work and well you know the rest. Love these anniversaries “ draco bit his lip before giving harry a wide grin 

“ ooh anniversary, what have you planned ?” harry narrowed his eyes in a sneakish way 

“ oh just a bit of this, a bit of that. surprises you know. Don’t want to go about spilling the beans. Its a secret between me and me” draco smirked and finished the rest of his coffee 

“ potter, malfoy, to classes “ Ms. Mcgonagall walked by announcing them to cut their chatter and they did so. The rest of the day harry and draco Passed by each other a lot offering each other small smiles.

" sir is it true that it's your 6th anniversary?" A student asked in Draco's class abruptly.

" well I don't see how it's in the reference to whatever I've given you to write about " Draco answered searching for the voice

" cut them a slack Mr. Malfoy, they're merely being curious like everyone else including me " Harry walked in from the back door Grinning

" well If that is the case- yes it is true. It will be my 6th anniversary as of now " Draco raised an eyebrow at harry

"professor forgive me but if it's your 6th anniversary then you must be giving them something really special right ?" Asked the same voice but it was no lie that the entire class was curious.

" yes but I think it will be about time you focus on your work while I give Mr. Potter a word about interrupting my classes " Draco raised from his chair, Harry following him outside.

" how may I help you Mr. Potter ?" Draco asked in a professional way.

" well- I just came by to inform that today's meeting have been moved forward " Harry told him.

" well that works in my favour " Draco tilted his head in surprise but not entirely surprised , he expected It if anything.

" I must say your lover sure is a Lucky person " Harry smiled

" I think your husband is as equally lucky " Draco smiled. Lingering in the moment for a smile, Harry walked back off to his office with a little grin.

When the day came to an end, harry was busy stacking things up over his desk and drawers when he heard a little knock on the door and saw Draco leaning over the door.

" 2 minutes " he smiled. Harry looked up at the watch on the wall before he walked towards Draco and dragged him inside.

" 1 minute "

" 10 seconds "

" 2 seconds "

And then Harry pulled him closer, closing the door behind him and kissing him over the lips.

" I missed you " Harry mumbled against his lips

" you saw me an unusually lot Harry" Draco smiled not moving an inch apart

" well I missed my husband " Harry said as he gave him a chaste kiss again to show how true his words were

" in that case, I missed my husband too but I think I like professor potter better, he's got a- well nice ass " Draco chuckled creating a little space to grab Harry's ass just a little

" lucky for you, we're both the same people or you would've been a dead man " Harry chuckled intertwining their finger's together

" like the mass murder in the bathroom this morning ?" Draco laughed . Joining along in the laughter, Harry nodded.

" come home after 15 minutes, get dressed and follow little white notes okay. See you soon babe " he spoke so fast that Harry barely understood a word but he left faster than he had spoken leaving Harry excited and confused.

Just like Draco had said, Harry returned home 15 minutes later, freshened up, got dressed and finally started finding little white notes. The first one he found quite easily right over the mirror.

" find me where you know I hate those little rings "

Harry thought for a moment, wondering about wherever he hated the rings but Draco loved them. And suddenly just then his eyes fell upon the glass of water, a coaster beneath it. The ring Draco hated, water rings. He immediately ran out to the living room and looking over the coffee table.

" found it " Harry Whispered to himself picking the little white note from beneath the coaster. He went one after another notes, taking his time to solve the riddle and swearing Draco for the most part for doing something like that.

He finally reached the last note reading it only one and figuring it immediately

" meet me where the green had never looked so good and the storm had never raged "

Painting Harry reached the Richmond hill, London, a patronus waiting for him right there. He followed the little light, leading to Draco who was staring over the hill enjoying the view. He must've crushed a stick Because immediately turned around

" damn you're slow" Draco chuckled as he saw Harry

" hey I got confused with the 2nd and 3rd one, I figured the last one pretty easily, also 6 years into relationship you should know that I'm shit at riddles " Harry told

Shaking his head with a little smile Draco continued " you remembered ?"

Harry furrowed his brows with a little surprised smile " what? You thought if it were the 4th date, I wouldn't remember it! The green never looked so good and the storm had never raged? It was the easiest one, I remember everything draco. You told me that night that green-"

" is your favourite colour because of my eyes-"

" is my favourite colour because of your eyes" they said simultaneously. Smiling at the verbal connection Harry enclosed the distance between them.

" your eyes still just as beautiful as they were that day " Harry Whispered smiling.

" they still vary colour everyday " Harry added

" well If you could only see you from my eyes. You'd understand why it does it everyday " Draco smiled putting his arms Around Harry's waist, fondly looking in Harry's eyes which glowed with little yellow freckles because of the reflection of the lights Draco had decorated the place with.

" thought you said it's a pureblood thing ?" Harry frowned putting his arms around Draco's neck

" it is. But it varies colours because each day I look at you in a different way than I have before. One for each day I have loved you so long " Draco smiled. With a flick of his wrist, Draco turned on the slow music, I'm yours by Jason marz playing slowly over the radio.

Harry was left speechless, finding it hard to describe in words how much more he loved Draco but he suspected that even if Harry's eyes didn't change colour each day, Draco knew that Harry loved him in ways he'd never loved anyone else and probably would never love anyone else more. Smiling Harry put his head over his shoulders and started swaying. lightly to the music.

" I remember this song playing from the car parked not far from here " Harry Whispered

" I think it suits well for both of us" Draco mumbled tightening his grip around Harry's waist.

Harry smiled knowing Draco was smiling just like he was. 6 years of being together yet they loved each other just like they had loved one another when they first confessed their I love you's, the same way when Harry was away for the first Christmas, the same way when Draco was banished from malfoy family, the same way when Harry was away for a mission for 2 months, the same way when they loved each other during and after the first fight, the same way they had felt on the day of marriage and had promised to love everyday till death part them. In a way just like million others this song was also Just their own and they found it quite nice to having been a part of something they chose to belong to even if it also belonged to the rest of the world. In trillions of moments, the song by Fate had played in that moment but they were 2 simple boys having no choice bought together by fate, and had they never regretted it.

And for the second time in the entire life they spent together, in the moments of revelation, the song played for the second time

" and the world said we'd never make it through " Draco smiled staring up at the sky at the stars, Harry's head over his shoulders, his face nuzzled in Draco's neck, cuddling comfortably.

Harry hummed in response, his arms hung loosely around Draco's body. It was not long after when Draco heard Harry's light snoring. Smiling to himself, Draco retrieved the blanket, covered both of them us and slept peacefully, just like he did for the rest of his life for he never loved anyone like he did Harry, he didn't had to. He was enough; more than enough if so.

Requests open

Day 21- little jars of love | Day 23- ten times Harry fell for Draco

[imnotwolverine]

Good enough

Henry Cavill x reader drabble

Disclaimer: angsty fluff, insecurity, slight possessiveness, some strong language (and tickle danger)

Word count: 1.769

Author’s note: On request of a dear Nonnie: “could u write something about henry comforting the reader when she feels insecure in their relationship?” + fluffy. Now, nonnie, I think Henry has all kinds of ways to comfort his lady, but this? After a few drinks? Definitely. 

Song I listened to while writing: Matt Corby - Miracle Love

(Link to my Masterlist)

--

Oh! These darn long legs. Those unblemished skins that basked in luxurious licks of expensive French cosmetics, finished off with whiter than white million dollar smiles. Literal million dollar smiles. 

All night you just stood there, watching one after the other cookie cutter beauty “casually” greet Henry. You just stood there and stood there, sipping on boozy drinks as you watched one after the other, old and young, bold and beautiful, try a best attempt at some “innocent little flirtation”. Especially when you pretended not to hear them over the loud noise of the after party.

But you could. 

Oh yes you could. 

You weren’t deaf, you weren’t blind, and despite your best efforts to just let it slide, your painted lips turned into fake a smile..you couldn’t help but let it affect you. 

It hurt. 

You were no cookie cutter beauty. Peculiar, perhaps. Unique, your mom would say. But as the night progressed it appeared that unique, peculiar beauty brought you nothing but the sensation that you didn’t belong. That you weren’t thin enough, that your boobs weren’t big enough, you face not symmetric enough. 

Just not enough. At least not the be here with Henry. 

Returning home after what seemed like the longest cab drive ever - once more because maddening crowds couldn’t leave your celebrity boo alone -, all you truly wanted was to just close your eyes and forget about it all. Your shared bed beckoned you to come, was willing you to dive into its warm, silky embrace.  

Henry, however, had other plans. 

As the two of you maneuvered around the living room, slightly inebriated after a cocktail too many, you felt his eyes on you. Which meant you either had to get to bed real fucking fast, or just give in. Not that is was a bad thing. Henry was rock in the turmoil of your life. He always wanted you, showed it in every way possible and if he needed to tell you a million times how much he loved you, he would say it a trillion times. 

And when he gave you that look, like he did right now, it was clear that he was very adamant on showing you yet again how much he loved you. He would envelop you in his arms and kiss every little concern away. 

Because he was a good man. He knew when you weren’t feeling okay. 

And he cared. 

Tonight though, you didn’t feel up to it, your face pulled into a dark frown as you struggled to get out of the painful contraptions that were your high heels. Finally, after some awkward tugs, the little straps released your sore feet and you quickly made for the stairs. Not quick enough though. Strong arms enveloping you, just as expected. 

‘Hey you.’ Henry hummed, the alcohol running thick in his bear-like veins, his voice slightly husky. Even if you wanted to, you couldn’t possible escape the steel strength that lingered beneath his warm skinned arms. 

‘Henn..I’m tired..just let me go to..’ - ‘Are you okay?’ He easily broke off your half-arsed attempt to fend him off, his voice now far more gentle and inquisitive, blue eyes searching yours as he turned you in his iron lock of love. You sighed, your frustration quickly sinking away as those ocean blue orbs studied you, willing you to break down whatever wall you were building up. 

‘It’s fine.’ 

‘Fine?’ 

‘Yea..fine. I’m fine. You’re fine. We’re all fine! UGH! Now just..’ You tried to push his arms away before the last of your frustration was taken away by him again. Somehow you wanted to feel frustrated for a bit. You had the right to be frustrated, right? Who wouldn’t be frustrated after..after..this? 

Henry licked his lips, his brows furrowing in a thoughtful frown. ‘No.’ He simply stated, which made you frown in turn. ‘No? No what Henry?’ 

‘Just no. You’re not fine.’ He shook his head once, as if that was decided, then cupped your cheek in one hand, keeping the other safely wrapped around your lower back. ‘And either I’m going to guess all night till I get it right. Or you’re going to tell me what is up.’ 

You rolled your eyes. ‘Hennn...ugh..come on let’s just go to sleep. It’s nothing, really.’ 

‘Hmm..very well then.’ Henry’s face relaxed, a glint of cheekiness etching his lips and before you could even question what was up, you were lifted into the air and thrown over his shoulder, your pretty Greek-inspired gown making you look like the helpless Persephone as she was stolen away by Hades. Squirming like a little leaf that weighed nothing in the clutch of his bear hands. 

‘HENN! PUT ME DOWN!’ 

‘Shh..the neighbors.’ He teased, patting your butt playfully. 

‘Henn..’ You warned more quietly now. ‘I’m not in the mood...’ 

‘I know, I know. And I promise you’ll get to bed soon enough. But first..’ He moved you to the couch and carefully placed you in your favourite spot in the corner, licking his lips again as he settled next to you, folding your legs over his lap like you always liked to them be when you were together. Watching movies or just cuddling.  

‘Hmmm...maybe it’s the shoes? Hmm? Painful shoes?’ 

You didn’t respond, just watching him as he picked up your feet, strong digits starting to massage the painful skin there, rubbing away all sore spots with mighty precision. You sighed quietly, closing your eyes for a moment - it was good. 

‘Mmm..’ He peeked back at you, then shook his head. ‘Nope, it’s not that.’ He stopped his massage instantaneously. You swatted his arm, not agreeing with him stopping as quickly as he started, then swiftly turned your face back into a frown. 

‘Hmm...maybe it’s...the bra?’ He reached out an arm to unclasp the clip of the bra you wore beneath your dress, but you quickly pushed away his hand. ‘No.’ You said with an angry pout on your red painted lips. 

‘Alright. Fair enough. Not the bra.’ He licked his lips again, thinking aloud. ‘And not the hair, the make-up, the food? The food was good, right?’ He teased, feigning innocence as he continued to list anything and everything that obviously wasn’t the problem. 

‘Perhaps it was the setting. Yes, that might be it. I too get a little bit of an iffy feeling when I’m in a museum. All the artworks..the..’ He sat back in the couch, as if readying himself to list every item to be found in a goddamn museum. 

You sighed with exasperation. ‘No..Hen. Ugh. Fine. I just feel insecure. You happy now?’ You folded your arms over your chest and evaded his gaze, his warm eyes studying you after his tiny victory. You had answered, finally. 

‘Talk to me about it.’ 

‘No.’ 

‘Baby..’ He raised an eyebrow and from the corner of your eye you could see him reach an arm out again, this time obviously ready for a tickle assault if need be, his hand sprawled out like a spidery claw. 

Honestly though; this man had some absolutely barbarian techniques to get you out of a foul mood. Tickle fights? Oh yes he was brutal like that. Quickly snapping your head back at him, you glared at him with widened eyes. ‘Don’t you..DARE.’ You hissed through clenched teeth, barely managing to hide the slight amusement that trickled into your voice. 

Amusement? Why yes. Tickle fights with Henry were actually kind of fun, because he was ticklish, too. Two could be barbarians. And he knew that once instigated, he wouldn’t get out of this assault unharmed, “ungiggling”. 

Reaching an arm out with equal impending doom you were now right in the middle of some type of Mexican stand-off, both of you holding out a clawed hand, ready to snap into a tickle assault. 

‘It’s a fine day for a tickle fight.’ He said airily, offering you a bastardian grin. ‘Oh you do not know what you’re getting yourself into Cavill..’ You warned, your voice getting heavier with amusement, slow seconds ticking away.

Here you were, sitting in full gala getup, folded over each others laps, holding out clawed hands at each other. 

Because you were silly dorks, it had to be admitted. 

And this..well this was kind of cute..that needed to be admitted, too.  

You weren’t feeling quite so annoyed and insecure anymore, but you most definitely weren’t going to admit that just yet. Keeping your face pulled into an unamused frown you peered back at him over your outstretched claw, ready to pounce.  

‘Very well, Mr. Bond.’ You purred, dangerously, your cat-eyed eyeliner perfectly fitting in your newly found role.  

‘Mmm..what say you, Pussy? You, me..a tickle fight?’ He purred back, a devilish smirk appearing on his Bond-esque lips. It was fitting. He was every bit the James Bond like this. Smooth shaven jawline, crisp tuxedo, smoothed back chocolate hair. And that smirk. That DARN smirk. 

‘Why..was that a question?’ You raised a teasing eyebrow, as if enticing him to start the fight. But he didn’t take the bait, his eyebrow also raising up high. ‘Why? Mmm..’ He dropped his voice an octave. ‘Well..maybe Pussy wants something else entirely?’ His tone may have been playful, but the message beneath his words was clear; tell me if you want me to stop. Tell me if you want to talk. 

You sat up a bit, lowering your clawed hand slightly. 

‘Tell me..Mr Bond..of all the vixens in your vicinity. Why me?’ Your voice kept its deep, teasing purr, but also here there was a message laced through its syllables. A message that did not go unnoticed, Henry also shifting his weight slightly, moving in closer, lowering his arm. 

‘Why? Because there’s only one Pussy for Bond. And she’s a funny thing, she is.’ He lilted with a heavy Brit accent, leaning in even closer. ‘..and far prettier than the rest of ‘em too...’ He smirked as you rolled your eyes. ‘..and by the Gods..can she kick my butt if need be.’ 

You both chuckled. 

‘Good thing I’m unarmed.’ You said, smiling finally as you fully lowered your arm. ‘As am I, Pussy, as am I.’ He grumbled, being so close now that all he needed to do was press his lips forward. 

But he didn’t. He just smiled. Huffing quietly - what a tease he was - you closed in the last bit of distance between you, lips locking with his. Slightly tangy with alcohol, slightly musky with his breath, slightly gasping as you didn’t want it to end, you just sat there, almost entirely hidden away on his lap. 

Kissing. 

Because you WERE good enough. 

More than good enough. 

And he’d make sure you knew it and felt it every..single..day. 

[gothfoxx]

Day 2 song/stars

He had miscalculated. That was the only explanation for what was happening, or not happening. Yesterday he had set up a surprise for their 4 year anniversary, no they weren’t dating, it was the anniversary of their friendship. Which are just as important as romantic bonds! But that doesn’t matter right now because he messed up, obviously, given that he had not seen the other at all after the surprise. Logan was wrong again and he was hurting, so he did the only thing he could think of and turned on the radio.

“There's a million, billion, trillion stars

But I'm down here low

Fussin' over scars on my soul

On my soul

On my soul

On my soul

On my soul, I am so

Infinitesimal, oh

They say it started with a big bang

But they say it came out of a small thing“

“Lately, I've been, I've been losing sleep

Dreaming about the things that we could be

But baby, I've been, I've been praying hard

Said no more counting dollars

We'll be counting stars

Yeah, we'll be counting stars

I see this life, like a swinging vine

Swing my heart across the line”

Virgil was hopping around flapping his hands in excitement. He got a present from his crush slash first friend Logan! It was custom and pretty and just nerdy enough to make it the perfect debate anniversary gift! Which was already kind of nerdy but it was also sweet just like Logan, no Virgil was not biased in that opinion it was the truth. But anyway he was so happy that he didn’t notice that he had been listening to peppy music all night and now it was late morning. He was too caught up in his jittery happy energy to feel tired.

“I feel your love and I feel it burn

Down this river, every turn

Hope is our four-letter word

Make that money, watch it burn

Old, but I'm not that old

Young, but I'm not that bold”

“They say it started with a big bang

But they say it was really just a small thing

Strangely I'm feeling like a big bang

'Cause I've been making mountains out of concaves”

Logan didn’t cry, well he didn’t cry often but having his best friend ignore him was too much to bear after all the year had thrown at him, then it was logical to cry. So he turned up the music and let the tears flow, tomorrow he would go back to just being coworkers with Virgil and hope that the anxious side would be civil as well.

“And did you know that when you really get close

Nothing really touches, bro, just kind of floats?

So when you think it might just come to blows

Just so you know, it won't, because it can't, bro”

“And I feel something so wrong

Doing the right thing

I couldn't lie, couldn't lie, couldn't lie

Everything that drowns me makes me wanna fly”

He should make Logan something to show how much he loved his present, something to show that he listens when Logan talks… The local nerd had been talking about the science of baking, maybe he could find one of those cookbooks with the fandom cookies and cakes? No that’s too generic, wait! hadn’t he seen a cookie book all about using jam and jellies!? That would be perfect! Now he just had to find it again and conjure it up. That wouldn’t be too hard!

“Oh, take that money, watch it burn

Sink in the river the lessons I've learned

Take that money, watch it burn

Sink in the river the lessons I've learned

Take that money, watch it burn

Sink in the river the lessons I've learned

Take that money, watch it burn

Sink in the river the lessons I've learned

Everything that kills me

Makes me feel alive”

“There's a million, billion, trillion stars but I'm down here low

Fussin' over scars on my soul

On my soul

On my soul

On my soul

On my soul, I am so

Infinitesimal, oh”

Reluctantly Logan went back to work for the day, checking and rechecking schedules and logging in info that needed to be remembered for later. The music played in the background as stray tears blotted the odd calendar or paper. Work was always there, it never ignored him.

“They say it started with a big bang

But they say it was really just a small thing

Strangely I'm feeling like a big bang

'Cause I've been making something out of nothing

Like my soul, just like my soul,

You think it's so infinitesimal”

“Lately, I've been, I've been losing sleep

Dreaming about the things that we could be

But baby, I've been, I've been praying hard

Said no more counting dollars

We'll be, we'll be counting stars”

Virgil was rocking it with this return gift, he found the book and it’s sequel, conjured them into the mindscape, wrapped them and even found a big black shimmering bow to put on top! Yeah he was totally nailing this! He couldn’t wait to see Logan’s face!

The songs used were Mother Mother’s Infinitesimal and OneRepublic’s Counting stars

@analogicalweek

[hardforbenhardy]

scandal | rogerxfem!reader

summary: you and roger had been married for multiple years and now, and your relationship could not have been going better. or so you believed.

warnings: angst, cheating, basically dickhead!roger

word count: 2.8k

this was the first fanfic i ever wrote for roger, and i must say i’m kind of proud of it! it’s pretty sad but yakno. there’s a lil snippet at the end some may recognise because this oneshot was inspired a lot by the song ‘burn’ from hamilton! hope you enjoy :) (it starts as a news article btw)

i’ve decided i will make a part 2 if this gets 100 notes :)

Queens Second Scandal?

Just after the release of the bands hit Scandal, drummer Roger Taylor has been caught getting cosy with a mystery woman, despite being in a 6 year marriage with wife Y/N Y/L/N at the time. With Queen being on hiatus after the Magic Tour of '86, Taylor formed new rock band, The Cross. With the band having been on a 3 month tour of the UK and Germany, his wife was left to her own devices; evidently giving the member free reign of the well-known strip clubs around Germany and nearby cities. Being the 'sex on legs' of Queen, all fans were sceptical of the idea of Taylor finally settling down with marriage and children – seemingly, being correct to do so after pictures have recently been released of the musician leaving a nightspot with one of the workers of a German sex club, arm in arm, getting into a taxi.

You were reluctant to ever marry Roger; marriage was never something you expected to happen in your future, having commitment issues after your first relationship left you single for a majority of your life. Men seemed to be the bane of your existence; every man you had tried to get close to turned out to be lowlife scum who either tried to use you or just turned out to be downright arrogant. So, of course meeting Roger Taylor instantly put you off him; he was cocky, conceited and far too overconfident in his charm and good looks. Yet you could not deny that there was something about him that made him so alluring, meaning you fell very hard very quickly. He proposed on your one year anniversary in the year of '82, by taking you on a romantic holiday to the country you had been wanting to go to for years; Italy. He had it all planned out;

"Roger, you remembered" You breathed, chuckling softly in disbelief that he had done all this for you. You held the delicate, flowy material in your hand, admiring the floral patterns that canvased the dress. You had seen a summer dress in a shop down the street from your hotel a few days before, and obsessed with it the moment it had met your eyes. Your favourite part was the blue floral print; there were bellflowers, bunneras, columbines, desert bluebells, irises, sea hollies – all of which contrasted with the background white. The neck cut was rebelliously low, but you knew it would look ravishing when on your body – it was like the dress was made just for you. There was one problem; it cost far too much for you to afford, and after spending all the money on this trip, you didn't want Roger to have to splash out again. "I thought we agreed it was far too expensive?"

"Y/N, you are the love of my life – I'm always going to splash out on you when I get the chance. And it's our anniversary, you deserve it for being the most incredible girlfriend I could ask for" Roger cooed, making you blush and face the ground, only for Roger to place his hand gently under your chin to lift your head to face his once again. You stared into his piercing, ocean eyes before saying "Thank you" and planting a soft, passionate kiss against his rosy, plump lips.

"Well, go try it on! I want to see my sexy girlfriend in the dress I spent hundreds on" Roger laughed, pushing me into the bathroom to try on the dress. Let's just say, he got to see his girlfriend with the dress for about 5 minutes before it was off again.

He finished the romance-filled day with an evening boat ride down the Grand Canal; the idea having been on your bucket-list since you were a teenager and discovered a thing called romance. Having voiced this to Roger multiple times during late-night drunken conversations and post-sex pillow talks, you weren't shocked he had picked this to be way to end the day. It was more the action after the ride that rendered you speechless. While you turned around to admire the view behind you, Roger had found himself knelt on one knee in front of you, ring box in hand. So of course, when you turned, you were met with the one image you had only dreamt of.

"Y/N, will you make me the happiest man on earth and marry me?" Those words alone had you hooked and you were sure, in that moment, you wanted to spend the rest of your life with this man. There was nothing that could change that decision.

That was until the events of this morning. After being sent by Freddie down to the studio reception to collect the weekly paper, you didn't quite expect something so disturbing to be plastered on the front page. The paper fell to the ground out of your hand, unable to read on. Your mind repeated the words 'getting cosy with a mystery woman' over and over, completely unable to comprehend what you had actually just read; Roger cheated on you?

Of all the ways you saw your relationship crumbling, cheating was not one of them. Of course you knew Roger was previously known for sleeping around, he was basically a fairground for all the groupies. But he had made it very clear; he would never, ever in a million trillion years cheat on you. And you believed him. You seriously, truly believed him.

You bent down to scrunch the paper tightly in your grasp, before storming up the stairs back into the studio. You threw the door open, your hand clenching tighter and tighter around the news second by second. Unsurprisingly, you immediately drew the attention of everyone in the room; Brian and his current girlfriend were slumped on the couch talking about astrophysics, Freddie was pacing around the room warming up his vocals, John was sat cross-legged on the floor tuning his bass, while Roger sat at his drum kit banging the melody to recently released Scandal. They had all clearly noticed the streams of mascara-stained tears cascading down your cheeks and your increased breathing rate as they all stopped in their tracks to look up at you. Though your eyes remained solely on Roger; his head shot up in an instant, stopping the beats he was making to jump out of his chair and make his way over to you.

"Y/N, love, are you okay? What happened?" He fretted, his arms searching up and down your body for any sign of injury or physical harm that may have caused your sudden outburst. John was also quick to his feet, handing you a tissue to wipe away the tears, but you angrily declined telling him to fuck off. Admittedly, John did nothing to deserve such a reaction, in fact he deserved completely the opposite reaction; but you were too choleric to even entertain the idea of being polite to people. "Y/N, what on earth has gotten into you?"

"You said you would never do that to me." I breathed, scoffing at his utter arrogance of the situation. He knew exactly what he had done, and you knew it, but you knew he wouldn't admit it without you confirming you knew. "You promised"

"What are you talking about?" He questioned, furrowing his brows in confusion, looking you up and down. You couldn't bring yourself to say it, knowing you would easily breakdown if they even touched the tip of your tongue. Instead, you shoved the paper harshly against his chest, making him stumble back slightly and grab onto the crumpled paper you had slammed into him. He began to unscrew it open, reluctant as he could see exactly where this was going. His eyes scanned over the first sentence, and you noticed them glass over. "I'm talking about that"

He grasped onto your lower arm, yanking you into the room next to the studio, as to keep the commotion away from the rest of the band; it being a private matter of course. Your anger only grew at the fact he had the audacity to seem irritated at you right now, he was the one who had cheated on you. You stormed to the other side of the room, turning away from Roger as you could barely even look at him. You leant forward on the office desk, hanging your head low as you tried your hardest not to carry on crying. There was a choking silence filling the room, eating away at the tension of the atmosphere, which was quickly broken by Roger. "You seriously believe this? The tabloids always lie, they take every chance they can to twist a story, because it makes them money. Y/N, you know I would never do that to you, I-I love you" His voice cracked saying the three final words, alerting to you Roger wasn't angry – he was ashamed, upset, distraught even.

"Do you? Do you really? Because that German hooker seems to have a different opinion" you spat, turning around to finally face Roger and pointing you finger firmly against his chest. You did your best you could to avoid meeting Roger's sorrowful eyes, but failed miserably when your eyes flickered up to witness tears rolling down his crimson cheeks. You almost felt conscience-stricken and apologetic; how badly you just wanted to give into your wifely instincts and wipe the tears away, caressing his cheek gently and holding him tightly in your arms for comfort. That was until you remember exactly why he was like this. He had betrayed you. Roger urgently lifted the paper back to this view, scanning over the page even more for some kind of indication of what you meant. That's when he saw it:

"[Roger] had spent the whole evening in the club, indulging in the performances and everything we had to offer – he seemed extremely stressed, and was most likely looking for a form of relief that his wife was unfortunately unable to provide at the time" - The worker, seen leaving the nightspot with Roger, has explained – "I had asked, ensured both his wife and him had given full consent before he took me home and we had an eventful evening. I can't deny; he lives up to the expectations of the nickname."

"You told her I had given consent for you to go fuck another woman? Are you out of your mind? She has told the whole world how you brought this girl into our bed. In clearing your name, she has ruined my life. You are always so paranoid how people perceive you – you, you, and you. Never me, never our relationship, never our two children. Did you ever stop to think how this might affect me, how this might affect Felix and Rory?" You cried, struggling to even say the names of your two children.

"Y/N, I swear this isn't how it looks-"                          

"Isn't how it looks? Roger, she made a fucking statement saying you had fucking sex – and you told her it was okay?! How can you say this isn't how it looks?" You sneered, getting closer and closer to Roger every second, only for him to stand there rendered silent. He didn't know what he could say to fix the situation, considering you wouldn't let him get a word in edgeways without having some form of comeback, although he certainly didn't blame you for the way you were acting. Therefore, he let you speak; he let you pour out every emotion before he would even try to make a contribution. "You know, I saved every letter you wrote me. From every single tour; The Game tour, Hot Space, The Works, even the Jazz tour when we weren't even dating. And from the moment I read each one, I knew you were mine – you said you were mine. D-do you know what V said when we saw your first letter arrive? She told me how she could see how much you truly loved me, apparently John called it to. Told me to be careful, he'll do what it takes to succeed. I re-read each of those letters every single night when you would be out recording, or drinking with the boys, or doing a press conference. I was scanning and searching for answers in every line, for some kind of sign, that you still loved me. You want to know why I believe it, why I believe her? Because for the past year, you barely ever put the effort in. You were never home; you would turn down sex way too often for someone with the nickname 'sex on legs'; you always found excuses for me to stay home while you hung out with guys; y-you took every chance you could to sleep on the couch; we'd argue way more than usual. That's why I believe it. Because as I kept falling in love with you every day, you started falling out of love with me" Your voice was barely above a whisper with your last words, the tears you had been holding back finally taking their course, joining the other stale tears you cried when you first read the paper less than 10 minutes ago.

"Y/N, baby, no please don't think that. I love you, I love you so much. I will always love you with all my heart, nothing can change that. Not the boys, not the boy's wives, and certainly not some German prostitute."

"Then why did you do it?"

"Look, it's a long story and I can't explain it all right now, please can we just go home and we can sit down and have a proper talk about it all" He tried to comfort you, rubbing your upper arms slowly and caressingly. But those words alone stood you frozen.

"So you did do it? You slept with her? God, why did I ever trust you? From the moment I met you, I knew I would want to spend my life with you in some way or another. A-and when you proposed, on that boat ride in Italy, I knew for sure the way I wanted to spend my life with you was married, getting a family, living together – you know whole shebang. I thought it was too good to be true, and it turns out it was. I'm erasing myself from this narrative; let the journalists wonder how Y/N reacted when you broke her heart. Roger, the world has no right to my life; they have no right to our bed. And when the time comes, you can explain to the children all the torment and humiliation you put their mother through – when will you learn that they're your legacy; I'm your legacy?" You practically spat, not even feeling a hint of sadness anymore but rather just pure resentment and fury for the man, all the care and love you held for Roger had dissipated. How dare he put you through such distress when all you had done was love and support him through everything he did; he had the audacity to make you feel like you meant nothing to him as if he hadn't spent the last 10 years with you.

"Y/N, please, give me a chance to expla-"

"No, you don't get that chance. You lost that chance when you took the girl back to your fucking apartment and fucked her fucking brains out." You breathed, before shoving past Roger's paralysed body, approaching the door. You were almost resistant to walk out, considering you knew all the boys would be sat out there – most likely having heard the conversation that had just took place taking into account you weren't exactly quiet through any of it. The only thing that tipped you over the edge was the fact you could not stay in the room any longer with that cheater. You turned to face Roger one more time, seeing him stood there more fragile than you had ever seen before, before pulling your ring off your finger and placing it on the table that was beside you. Roger's eyes widened at the sight, tears pricking his eyes once again as his breath hitched in his throat. "N-no, please, keep the ring on, don't take it off."

"Hey, Rog, at least she got a good orgasm though" You mumbled, sarcasm running sharply through your tone before opening the door.

"Y/N, please no. Y/N wait-"

And with that, you were out the door.

[swinterr]

Valerie II

before reading the story please take note of this:

viviane valentin is played by the beautiful irinashayk

and vernon valentin is played by this greek god—francisco lachowski

Before Valerie and her family went to LA. Valerie cleaned up her closet, taking out everything that reminds her of Shawn. I mean if you want to move on you need to forget right? How could you forget if you still have some things that reminds you of you ex.

Picking up Shawn’s Harvard hoodie, she remembers when she got accepted to the school.

Valerie is sitting between Shawn’s legs the couple are in the living room on their condo, Valerie recently applied to Harvard University. Her mom wants her to be a model but she wanted to finish college first.

“Shawn stop moving your makin’ me nervous.” She placed her laptop in her lap and cuddled close to Shawn.

As Valerie opens her laptop Shawn keeps on kissing her neck and cheeks. “Dudeee, stop it.” Valerie whined.

“I can’t you’re so cute, I wanna be with you forever” Shawn hugs Val closer to him, if that’s even possible.

“Stop being sappy, you’re making me blush”

I wanna be with Shawn forever too.

Valerie is again tearing up as she reminisce the memory. She misses him so much.

Then she saw his HEAVEN shirt that she loves so much Shawn gave t to her.

Shawn is sitting at the railing while he is having a little photoshoot.

“Can we take a break I’m tired, I need my girlfriend’s kisses.”

“Val come heree.” Shawn whined.

He looks so cute, dressed in blue jeans which is new and kinda hot and white shirt that says HEAVEN, well heaven indeed he looks like an angel.

Shawn smiles as he sees Valerie making her way to him. He is about to get off the railing to get Valerie but she stopped him by placing her hands on his thighs.

“Lovee, you look so fucking cute. I can’t even.” Valerie rub his thighs softly as he pulls Valerie closer he gave her this lovesick smile that is only reserved for Val and only for Val.

He gives Valerie an eskimo kiss before he softly kisses her lips.

“Val, lets go mum and dad are already in the car.” Vernon knocked the door, ruining the moment she thinking of and soon two little kids came inside her room and began attacking her with hugs and kisses.

“Valaliii!” baby Milo shouted. Kids are great, they don’t know anything except be happy. They haven’t felt the cruel side if the world. Valerie wished she never grew up.

“Let’s go babes, nana and papa’s waiting for us at the car.” Jess said taking Laslo and Milo’s hands.

Valerie placed the box full of Shawn’s shirt and his gifts to her beside her bed.

-

Meanwhile, Brian saw Valerie message to Shawn backstage. The guys are rehearsing Señorita, how ironic.

Brian walked to the arena and sat on one of the amplifier.

In the middle of the break, Brian though it will be the good time to speak to Shawn.

“Shawn c’mere!” Brian shouted even though Shawn is like 3 feet away from him.

Shawn rolled his eyes at him then sipped his water.

“So you and Val broke up?” Brian ask straight forward. Brian is like a Prose he does things straight forward.

“Huh? When” Shawn wondered, he knew Val texted him but he don’t know what’s the content of the text

“Dude you asshole! She broke up with you through text.”

“It’s okay, she will come back to me eventually.” Brian rolled his eyes at him, he never knew Shawn could say something like that.

“You’re fucked dude.” Brian just walked out, he cannot deal with Shawn right now.

-

The Valentin’s have separate private jets for themselves. As you know Vernon has 2 kids plus his wife, they have their own jets so is Viviane and her family and Valerie’s parents. Of course Valerie has one too, but she doesn’t want to be alone. 5 hours in a jet without talking to someone, she usually talks to Shawn in this case but she guess that will never happen again.

“Bye mommy, bye daddy have a safe flight I love you.” Val waved at her parents and blew a kiss.

Her plane is the last one to take off resulting that she will be the last one to arrive at Los Angels later.

Valerie locked herself in a small room on her jet, she just cried and sleep the whole 5 hour flight.

Eh not really she woke up after a 3 hour sleep and she got nothing else to do so she took some pictures of the clouds and herself, Shawn always says that he is lucky to have her as his girlfriend, he also said that he likes her big plump lips and her cute button nose— just like how he describes it. She also read some books.

By the time the jet will be landing, Valerie fixed her outfit and put on a eye cream hoping that her puffy eyes will magically disappear and put on a concealer under her huge ass dark eyes, that what you get when you break you with boyfriend for 3 years kids.

She is wearing a Alexander Wang crop tee, and Adidas Original sweatpants a pair of worn off white Saint Laurent sneakers and an Off-White handle bag paired (also with an Off-White luggage, packed with all of her things but she doesn’t have this luggage right now)

This particular week is so hard for Valerie, maybe the fact that Shawn and his girlfriend and are in the same city.

Or maybe there’s a chance that they will bump into each other.

Or that she will break down if she see them.

Her family are probably in their way to their houses. And now she’s alone.

The good thing about having a known parents are you have security around you when you are in a crowded place.

The kind flight attendants waved her goodbye as she step down to her jet, she can finally receive messages from her family.

From: Mama 💕

Hey sunflower, Anwar said he’s gonna pick you up at the airport today. We are already at the house, next to the Hadid’s. I love youuu 💞

Valerie smiled at the sweet text she got from her Mom. She waited at the baggage carousel in the VIP section, she immediately sees her Off-White bag.

She’s in LA, it finally hit her. Paparazzi will flash their big cameras at her, some throwing rude questions, some may shove their cameras at her. Fear spread all over her body by the thought of it.

“Yowww, my favorite Latina is heree. BabyVal I miss youu.” Anwar Hadid, 20 years old. Valerie is still older but Anwar likes to act older, but he still thinks like a kid.

“I’M NOT LATINA!! I’M ITALIANA! DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND THAT!” Every time— literally every time they see each other Anwar always calls her Latina.

To clear something Valerie’s doesn’t have beef with Latina’s, she is just mad about Anwar miss understanding her ethnicity, they’ve know each other since they were kids and yet Anwar still doesn’t know her ethnicity.

“Eyyy doesn’t be mad at me baby, I’m sorry okay.” Anwar laughed lightly. He always like to tease Valerie because they’re close- almost the same age.

They call each other baby girl, baby boy, babe and baby. Their parents though that they will be in a relationship when they turn older. It is normal for them to call each other like this. Shawn doesn’t see this bad too, I mean he calls her fans honey and other cute stuff.

Valerie hugged Anwar so hard that Anwar moan on how tight Val hug is.

“I’m sorry I just need a hug so badly.” Valerie mumbled on Anwar’s chest, still not letting go. Valerie is around 5’6 and Anwar 6’1.

Anwar basically grew up with Val, so he is very close to him. When the news blew up about their relationship, Anwar was furious. He met Shawn a few times and for Anwar he seems the perfect match for Valerie.

“You’re okay Val right?” Anwar brushed Valerie’s hair that was on her face when she let go of him.

Valerie’s eyes is already glistening with tears. Anwar though that Valerie is pretty, Shawn is stupid to let her go.

“Shall we go baby, I got some news for you at the car. Now let’s brush those tears away, he doesn’t deserve to be cried on.” Anwar held Valerie’s cheeks as he brush her tears away around her eyes. He helped her carry her suitcase and she carried her bag.

Valerie latched herself on Anwar’s arm as they went outside and Val was right, Val wore a Marc Jacob bucket hat hoping that it will at-least cover up some flash form their cameras.

Paparazzi throwing questions about her relationship.

“WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT SHAWN AND CAMILA!?” they look good together.

“HOW DO YOU FEEL RIGHT!?” terrible.

“ARE YOU STILL TOGETHER!?” I don’t even know.

“WHAT CAN YOU SAY ABOUT THEIR NEW SONG, IT’S A HIT!?” good for them then.

“IS ANWAR YOU NEW BOYFRIEND!?” fuck off asshole.

Sometimes Valerie wanted to speak up when they throw questions at her but she stops herself before she say something stupid.

Speaking while angry is a big NO for her.

At last they safety got to their ride, her Jeep Wrangler. Some Shawn’s fans say that there are goals because they have the same car.

“Wait isn’t this my car?” Val looked at Anwar at the back who was putting her luggage at the back.

“Yep, I stole it.” Anwar said and shuts her back part of her car before Val can even say a thing.

“Jeez, please be careful of my Jeep.” She whispered and rolled her eyes at Anwar.

Anwar and Valerie are finally on the road but still paparazzi are still following them.

Big Sean’s iconic song I don’t fuck with you is playing in the background .

You little stupid ass bitch, I ain't fuckin' with you

You little, you little dumb ass bitch, I ain't fuckin' with you

I got a million trillion things I'd rather fuckin' do

Than to be fuckin' with you, little stupid ass

I don't give a fuck, I don't give a fuck

I don't, I don't, I don't give a fuck

Bitch, I don't give a fuck about you

Or anything that you do

Don't give a fuck about you, or anything that you do

“I like this song. So what’s the tea?” Valerie starts.

Anwar eyes widen, this isn’t usually Valerie’s types of songs.

“I’m dating Dua Lipa.”

“REALLY!?”

-

The Valentin’s siblings are in downtown LA.

Viviane and Vernon cleared the schedule so that they can spend time with their baby sister.

And they managed to get Valerie out of her room.

To be honest Valerie doesn’t want to leave their house just because she is afraid that she will see them.

It is quite hot in LA recently so the sibling just went casual.

Valerie wore a white and red crop top with a black short and a sneakers along with a pair of bag.

Viviane just wore mom jeans a black crop top and boots along with a pair of bag and a bucket hat.

Vernon just wore a white shirt and joggers with sneakers and a pair of glasses.

The siblings are quite fashionable aren’t they? When they were walking down the street people can help staring at them, whether its Vernon soft visual or the two exotic beauties beside her.

Valerie stands along the crowd with her brother and sister beside her. She saw Shawn and Camilla, they look so happy. She thought.

“What’s happening? “ Vernon ask, Viviane gave him a dirty look.

“It’s Shawn and Camilla, they look so happy!” some girl said without looking at him.

Valerie is quiet, she doesn’t know what to do. She wants to be happy but she can’t.

I wish that- NO VALERIE. Her mind speaks.

“Yeah they do look so happy. I wish we were like that when we we’re together.”Valerie whispered and the girl in-front of her apparently heard her.

“Dream on sis have you se-“ the girl stopped taking pictures of them and turned around.

“Oh my gosh you’re V-valerie, The Valerie Valentin, I’m so s-sorry I didn’t mean to-.” The girl stuttered but Valerie cut her off.

“No it’s fine, they do look perfect.” Valerie walked out. Vernon and Viviane saw the flush of hurt in their baby sister’s eyes.

And Vernon being the man in the family stepped in. “Thanks for that sis.” He rolled his eyes and walked out to find Valerie.

“Sorry for that hun Vernon is a little over protective on Val.” Viviane softly smiled and followed her two sibling.

At Twitter that same day:

SHAWNNN💞 @iloveshwanm • 7m

oh my god guysss! i saw valerie right now, like right now she is with her sibling and let me tell yall they are greek gods and goddesses!!! valerie sister looks like a modell! her brother looks likes my future husband!!! too bad he’s a little bit moody. but its okay he still looks good 👌🏻

-

i want to update before i’ll study, my exam is in few days

enjoy reading 💕

taglist:

@alinashawn

@feliciaceciliamariajacobsson

[iicewitch]

✨ bleed magic

a playlist for @glitchedwitch​ link to playlist: here tracklist and favorite lyrics below:

1. poniko’s room [lights on] - yume nikki ost instrumental 2. distant past - everything everything Take me to the distant past, I want to go back Save me from the distant past, I wanna survive Canine fangs about my throat You're bleeding over Eden like a goat Tall blade dripping in every field I'm blooming like a fuming human shield 3. president heartbeat - everything everything Were you born in a cave now? Do you live in a cage now? If you burst into flame now Will they call you a human being? And your spine is a glass spire And your flesh is the concrete And your blood is the sewer And your skin is the city wall 4. orange caramel - catallena The small, dancing Catellena (Red Sun) Without knowing, I’m falling for you Chic and proud, Catallena (Red Sun) Jutti meri oye hoi hoi, I’m bewitched 5. wings - little mix Mama told me not to waste my life, She said spread your wings my little butterfly Don't let what they say keep you up at night And they can't detain you 'Cause wings are made to fly 6. eighth wonder - lemon demon Extra clever. Earthbound spirit. Ghost in the form, of a mongoose. And I have hands. And I have feet. I'll never die, I am a freak. Hello, I'm here, I'm living in the wall, I know I might be small, but I am a... Freak 7. the will of one - the protomen As I walk through the city streets These frightened people watching me pass There is an evil that holds them here Yet they won't try breaking its grasp But if I stay here with you Then I will leave them to their doom Do not say this is how it has to be You do no better than the fools of this burning city 8. father of death - the protomen What have I done? Though I did not pull the trigger, I built the gun That he holds in his hand Last night I dreamed I climbed to the top of a mountain of metal For miles I could see the destruction of man If the shadow blocks out the sun... there will be Light! If it stays 'till the sun is set... there will be Light! If the sun never shows its face again... there will be Light! No matter how dark the city gets... there will be... 9. i’m a hex girl - hex girls With this little cobweb potion You'll fall into dark devotion If you ever lose affection I can change your whole direction I'm a Hex Girl and I'm gonna put a spell on you I'm gonna put a spell on you 10. free - mother mother Love, let my anger Turn into peace Love, let the doves cry out in the streets Love, let the poison bleed out of me Love, let my love inside go free A bloody war Behind my eyes I come out right on the other side 11. the sticks - mother mother  I'll be gone for good Out there with the creatures in the woods And I'll be understood Make friends with the pagans in the nude I'll be no different Just a little less interested In all that new world shit 'Cause there ain't no new world in the sticks 12. infinitesimal - mother mother There's a million, billion, trillion stars but I'm down here low Fussin' over scars on my soul, on my soul, on my soul, on my soul On my soul, I am so infinitesimal, oh They say it started with a big bang But they say it was really just a small thing Strangely I'm feeling like a big bang 'Cause I've been making something out of nothing 13. burning pile - mother mother My mama, lonely maid Got her buns in the oven, and she never got laid My papa, renaissance man Sailed away and he never came back again All my troubles on a burning pile All lit up and I start to smile If I, catch fire then I change my aim Throw my troubles at the pearly gates 14. build god then we’ll talk - panic at the disco Raindrops on roses and girls in white dresses It's sleeping with roaches and taking best guesses At the shade of the sheets and before all the stains And a few more of your least favorite things 15. life is looking up - forgive durden Could this be the day I've waited for When all my hard work doesn't go ignored? Maybe she was right, the will realize I can change the world open us their eyes They know I am more than some eager blood Not some average bones, I believe in love I just want to prove I deserve this gift I will change the world, maybe this is it 16. bleed magic - idkhbtfm Crawling up your skin Potions pills and medicines To drain you And bleed your magic out 17. the oracles on the delphi express - the dear hunter You've been stuck in the middle of patience and animosity. With a lust for solidity, and a cryptic history, your luck's running thin. 18. chattering lack of common sense - GHOST Wait, what is going on here? I'm a little out of sorts I've been contemplating fallacies and things that scare me "Why not try to let go?" I've been feeling out of order I'm allowing change, so take a good look; This is me This is what I've come to be This is what I've come to be 19. daydream - j-hope  Wishing on a sky Wishing on a scar If there’s the sun I want to dream Wishing on a sky Wishing on a scar If there’s the moonlight I don’t want to wake up from it 20. witch flight - yume nikki OST instrumental 21. wiggle - cosmo sheldrake Hey ho, where did you go Did you wriggle or roll Did you giggle or grumble through Tom Thumb from where did you come Did you toggle or run Did you skip, trip, or stumble through 22. counting stars - one republic I’m old, but I'm not that old Young, but I'm not that bold And I don't think the world is sold I'm just doing what we're told Lately I been, I been losing sleep Dreaming about the things that we could be 23. urban caravan - fake type Because there’s a surely a bunch of fresh possibilities out there If I don’t try it out, ain’t that just a waste? In the end, it looks like the world is so wide that curiosity is inexhaustible There’s war songs but also songs of peace, The feelings remain just the same Keep your unwavering faith’s compass close to your heart 24. counting cards  - rainbow kitten surprise Jokes we tell to laugh, dear Laugh to hold back the pain Pain is in the mind, dear Stars are much the same Gone in the time it takes the light to reach In time you'll find We're blind to the things we don't believe Paint me red, paint me red Picture that, picture that Picture us and God shaking hands just because we can 25. god of marie - MASA This is our creed, aimed at a God that’s gone all floaty. We’re pure! We’re fans of Marie. We’re not doing anything wrong! Hm? Are you a fan of Marie, too? The stoned Reverend and his crazy worshippers Are surrounded by smoke in the cathedral The highest god has come down. We give thanks to ganja! 26. bad apple - nomico Will I exist in a place like this? Will I exist in a time like this? If someone like me can change, if I can change, will I turn white? Am I dreaming now? Or seeing nothing? My words are useless even if I speak I'm just tired of being sad, I should go on without feeling anything 27. my songs know what you did in the dark - fall out boy All the writers keep writing what they write Somewhere another pretty vein just dies I've got the scars from tomorrow and I wish you could see That you're the antidote to everything except for me 28. magia - kalafina If I can follow my path without wavering, I care not if my heart shatters. I wish I had a spell to stand against the sadness that's ever before my eyes Back when I loved books about wonderland where a captive sun shines, I believed the fairy tales that told me all my wishes would come true 29. immortals - fall out boy I'll be the watcher (watcher) of the eternal flame, I'll be the guard dog of all your fever dreams, Sometimes the only pay off for having any faith, Is when it's tested again and again everyday, 30. the last of the real ones - fall out boy 'Cause you're the last of a dying breed Write our names in the wet concrete I wonder if your therapist knows everything about me I'm here in search of your glory There's been a million before me 31. interweb - poppy And the world feels smaller When it's at my fingers So let's keep talking Tell me what day is it Can't turn it off yet, I'm wrapped up with it So let's keep talking Tell me what day is it I caught you in my interweb I caught you in my internet Well, maybe I'm a spider 32. armed and ready - casey lee williams Remember all too well My time of living hell The night my enemy would conquer But now I've been set free Lived through the tragedy You'll wish you'd killed me, now I'm stronger! Feel like I'm finally unbroken Oh, now I'm back from the dead Strength back, confidence growing Out of my way 'Cause I'm armed and ready (armed and ready) 33. red like roses part 2 - casey lee williams I couldn't take it, couldn't stand another minute Couldn't bear another day without you in it All of the joy that I had known for all my life Was stripped away from me the minute that you died I wanna tell you that you're all that ever mattered Want you to know that, for eternity, I'm shattered I tried so hard just to protect you, but I failed to And in a prison of abandonment I've jailed you 34. lapis lazuli - zach callison She wanted to leave this place And get herself back in space Lapis Lazuli You fled into the bottom of the sea Lapis Lazuli You were so mad but then you came around to me 35. unreasonable behavior - OFF ost instrumental 36. devil’s train - the lab rats Or I can be the bee in your bonnet, your best friend forever Two peas in a pod flockin' like birds of a feather And you never have a need to beg, work, or steal If all this sounds worth it then let's make a deal Sitting on the tracks waiting for the night train Looking down the road, ain't never gonna go back Listen for the whistle through the wind and raindrop Who's gonna ride the devil's train tonight? 37. the room where it happens - leslie odom jr No one really knows how the Parties get to yesssss (Parties get to yesssss) The pieces that are sacrificed in (Ev’ry game of chesssss) Ev’ry game of chesssss We just assume that it happens (Assume that it happens) But no one else is in (The room where it happens) The room where it happens We want our leaders to save the day— But we don’t get a say in what they trade away We dream of a brand new start— But we dream in the dark for the most part Dark as a tomb where it happens 38. the perfect fit - dresden dolls I used to be the bright one Smart as a whip Funny how you slip so far when Teachers don't keep track of it Can't you just fix it for me? It's gone berserk Fuck, I'll give you anything If you can make the damn thing work 39. million years - nico vega You better learn from a man who's afraid to dance With a witch like me, and a wicked trance, 'cause A spider bite is a natural wound, but a dagger in the back is a plastic tomb Ain't nobody knows the trouble I've seen, but they know the sound of their own damn scream, well Lady bug! Bring me news, or a soul so rich and a crystal pool Let it burn, let it burn, singing songs of truth 40. i want you - savage garden Anytime I need to see your face I just close my eyes And I am taken to a place Where your crystal mind and magenta feelings Take up shelter in the base of my spine 41. pursuing my true self - shihoko hirata Loading loading loading Quickly reaching maximum capacity Warning warning warning Gonna short circuit my identity We are living our lives Abound with so much information 42. backside of the tv - persona 4 ost Lost destiny Far outcry They hear you no more Numb feeling Whole dizziness Deep scars No pain No sanity Body aching Control your own fate Invisible Real enemy Bring your mind Deep Down A moment of truth, tell me what's really happening Their rhyme is nothing but you've got everything Bro, you've got everything but you don't know anything 43. rivers in the desert - shoji meguro A river in a dry land The last ace in a lost hand When the hope of new beginnings burned our feet Now we need it: A heartbeat for a tin man An oasis in a singed land Remind us what we're here for: Creating new life Creating rivers in the desert 44. again - yui I'm wanting to scream that we're living to make our wish come true can you hear it? We won't be able to take it safe, because we have no place to go back to I'm always grateful for your kindness, that's why I want to be strong I'll welcome friend or foe for the sake of moving forward You still have too long a life left to erase these feelings completely, don't you think? I want to redo the things I left undone, So let's go, one more time! 45. komm susser todd - arianne It all returns to nothing, it just keeps Tumbling down Tumbling down Tumbling down It all returns to nothing, I just keep Letting me down Letting me down Letting me down 46. the spider and the lamps - forgive durden I'm the Spider, Crawl inside her! They don't understand, This is their last chance, No more idle hands, I'll destroy the lamps, Then they'll know, Whose in control. 47. here comes a thought - estelle and aj michalka You're losing sight You're losing touch All these little things seem to matter so much That they confuse you That I might lose you And it was just a thought, just a thought, just a thought, just a thought, just a thought It's okay, it's okay, it's okay, it's okay, it's okay We can watch, we can watch, we can watch, we can watch them go by From here, from here, from here 48. black paper moon - tommy heavenly6 Don't be scared of the pumpkin carriage the witch drew Cuz it can show in your eyes A symbol rises to the top on the card I dropped in the sweet crimson jam Your destiny - if you wish Any sort of world Can be yours 49. to zanarkand - ffx ost instrumental 50. poniko’s room [lights off] - yume nikki instrumental

[hyphypmic]

Jakurai: Single Mom

Anon asked: I love your take for the Samatoki/Single Mom scenario. I would like to make a similar request, but with Jakurai. Maybe add in a, “Mom! Can he be my dad?”

Sure!!!

The door to Jakurai’s clinic burst open, the door nearly flying off its hinges. The doctor immediately got to his feet and wrapped his hand around his hypnosis mic. He was just about to whip it out when he felt a small something bump into him and wrap its arms around him.

He looked down and blinked. Well, he was expecting someone else, but this time he got a literal child.

Jakurai relaxed and released his iron grip on his mic. “Hello.” He said simply.

The little boy looked up with a gap toothed smile, the first two front teeth missing. “Hello! You’re Jakurai Jinguji!” He pulled away and jumped up and down. “You’re so cool!”

Jakurai chuckled, relieved that he had this brief respite from the boringness of sitting in a chair. “Thank you.”

“Yeah! I love Matenrou and and and!” He unzipped his jacket to reveal the grey shirt that had the Matenrou logo on it. Jakurai’s heart instantly warmed. “I really am a fan of MC Gigolo and MC Doppo!” The kid stopped jumping. “And and and you guys are so cool! And you won the division battle! Wow you guys aren’t just Shibuya anymore!”

Jakurai smiled, waving off his secretary who had appeared in the doorway. He knelt down on one knee so he was eye-level with the boy. “How old are you young one?”

“Thsixth!” He lisped. “Oh! And my name is Riku! But my friends call me Ri!”

“Ri.” Jakurai smiled and rubbed the boy’s head. “Nice to meet you.” He looked at his watch, knowing full well he had a patient to see. “Where’s your father?”

Ri’s bubbly mood suddenly changed. “Don’t have one.”

Jakurai’s eye ticked. “I apologise.” He hit himself internally for being so blunt.

The boy broke into a smile again. “That’s okay! I have my mommy with me anyway!” He smiled wider. “Wow did I thsay already that you’re cool? I really love your sthongsth and the vocalsth! The musthic is so cool I really love it and!” He nearly squealed, his lisp getting more evident the faster he talked. “Wow you’re just so amazing I really love Matenrou did you know your video hasth a million views! I’m sthure you can reach a bathillion-“

“Bazillion?” Jakurai said bemusedly.

“Yeah! A bazillion trillion million!” The boy clapped his hands. “I love your song and Papillion! I dance to it all the time and mommy says I should lower down the volume to it but I love it so much it’s so fun!”

The boy continued to ramble and gush over Jakurai while the doctor just smiled at him. The only thing that got him interrupting the boy again was the fact that the clock was ticking.

“Ri, where’s your mot-“ Jakurai tried cutting him off.

“Riku!” A female voice shouted. Jakurai heard the rapid click of heels on the floor, and seconds later, you appeared at the doorway.

Jakurai was taken aback slightly. Surely, with his popularity, he’s seen many, many beautiful women... however, even with your messed up hair, rumbled clothes and bare face as if you couldn’t be bothered with makeup, you were quite radiant.

“Riku!” You said and grabbed your son. “What did mommy tell you about wandering off?”

“But I saw Jakurai Jinguji’s name plate outside! And you said we could go see him.” Riku pouted.

“No I didn’t!”

“Yes you did!” Riku crossed his arms. “You said we could!”

“Maybe I wasn’t listening.” You sighed defeatedly. “Please, please don’t do that again.. you made me very worried.”

Your son looked a little guilty at that. “Okay mommy.”

Your kissed your boy on the cheek and ruffled his hair as you stood up straight. “But no chocolate cake today.”

“Mommy!” Riku wrinkled his nose.

You put your hands on your hips and sighed. You raised your head then blanched. You nearly forgot you were in Jakurai’s clinic.

You bow your head. “I’m sorry sensei! My son-“

“It’s no problem.” Jakurai chuckled and stood up. “Wonderful child really.” He smiled softly. “I needed a break anyway.”

You laughed a little at that and you were just about to reply when you felt a tug on your skirt. You looked down at Riku. “Yes baby?”

“Can he be my new daddy?” The young boy asked innocently.

Your eyes widened at the question and your cheeks coloured. Jakurai gave a pointed cough at that, the doctor also blushing. “Honey,” You said, “It’s not that easy...”

Your son pouted. “Aww... but he’s so cool!”

You sighed, making it a point not to look at the doctor. “Yes I know he’s cool, but...,” you exhaled. “Why don’t you just wait outside?”

Your son gave one last look at Jakurai before reluctantly going outside.

You look at Jakurai, a blush high on your cheeks. “I’m sorry again about the trouble.” Your voice, a tad bit higher than what you wanted, your son’s comment embarrassing you a little bit. “I believe I owe you-“

“No.” Jakurai put his hand up to stop you. “It’s alright.” He looked at his watch again. “However, I do have a patient to see.”

“Oh right sorry-“

“Yes, but-“

You both stopped when you realised you were speaking over each other. He bit the inside of his cheek. “Perhaps we can get... a coffee?” He put his hands in his pockets.

“I couldn’t ask-“

“You weren’t-“

You both blushed a little, the two of you behaving like high schoolers. “You first.” You mumbled.

“You weren’t asking.” Jakurai said with a smile.

“I couldn’t possibly-“

“Your son is a wonderful boy.” Jakurai continued, this time interrupting you. “And I do give time to whoever walks into my clinic.” He sighed as he looked at his watch. “Which I unfortunately don’t have time.” He picked up his prescription pad and handed you a pen. “Can I have your number?” He blushed a little. “And your name... of course.”

You blushed. “Uh well...” You mastered yourself and picked up the pen. “I’m Y/N.”

“Y/N.” He repeated as he watched you write down your number on the prescription pad. He took them from you and set it on the table. He stuck out his hand. “Pleasure meeting you.”

You nodded, the smile on your face nowhere near ebbing. “Yeah. Uh... yeah.” You laughed as you took a step back. “You... you too yeah.”

You awkwardly waved to Jakurai as you practically ran out of the clinic, grabbing your son and walking away.

Jakurai sat back down on his chair with a loud sigh. “Send the next one in.” He called to his secretary. He glanced at your number on the prescription pad and smiled to himself.

—

Your phone buzzed, and you were sure it was probably just another telephone company reminding you to pay your bills or something. You weren’t expecting an unknown number though.

You smiled and glanced back at your sleeping son. Perhaps... maybe your son was on to something indeed.

You picked up your phone to reply, just to answer the doctor’s text.

[whateverittakestoavenge]

A Night In

Avengers X Reader

Request: Natasha, Wanda and reader girls night in? They’re like listening to music and dancing in the living area when the boys walk in and it’s gets super awkward?

———

Y/n was in a rush, she had an important package to deliver to the team. This package could unite or divide the team. She had to get it to the common room as soon as possible. Y/n was rounding the corner of the hallway when she bumped into a nicely dressed Bucky Barnes.

“Weird,” she thought to herself. He was never one to dress up. She had no time to let her mind wander. She had to deliver the package.

Natasha Romanoff was sitting on the couch, scrolling through her phone in her left hand and twirling a knife in her right. Wanda Maximoff was sitting on the other side of the couch flipping through a Better Homes and Gardens magazine.

It was safe to safe she was a little pissed off when she saw what all the guys were doing. All of the guys were dressed to go out. Even Steve was letting loose.

“What the hell? Guys were supposed to have a team bonding night! I brought supplies,” she exclaimed.

Sam was the first one to acknowledge her. “We are bonding, Y/n. By having a guys night out. Anyway, we would love to stay and chit chat but”- he started to giggle at this point- “adventure awaits.”

Y/n was disappointed. All she could do was huff and dramatically throw herself on a couch.

Wanda could sense that the woman was upset. “What’s wrong, Y/n. A guys night is a good thing. Maybe we could have a girls night out sometime.”

“I know it’s stupid to be upset about it, but I’m the new kid. You guys have known each other for years and I guess I just wanted to try to fit in.”

“Y/n that’s bullshit, ” the former spy had piped in. “Wanda was new once and now she’s one of us. These things just take time and maybe, some bonding. Any ideas?”

Y/n had perked up at the idea of a girl’s night in. “Well, I do have one idea.” She then got up to reveal the contents of the box she had carried in.

“No way!”

“Oh, hell yeah!”

Y/n had shown them her old karaoke machine. Shit was about to get real.

Wanda’s go to song was a very off-key version of Beyonce’s “Irreplaceable.”

Nat gave a surprisingly good rendition of “Dancing Queen”

Y/N wasn’t one to shy away from a challenge. She was brave and chose “I will Always Love You”

Together the girls decided to turn it up a notch. They chose Big Sean’s “I don’t fuck with you”

They were having the time of their lives. Dancing, singing and laughing. They even had Friday put on a light show as they performed and Wanda had the pillows whirling around the room.

“You little stupid ass bitch, I ain't fuckin' with you

You little, you little dumb ass bitch, I ain't fuckin' with you

I got a million trillion things I'd rather fuckin' do”

They happened to be in the middle of the second chorus as the guys walked in.

The guys didn’t announce their arrival until the song was over, by giving their applause.

To say Y/n was mortified would be an understatement. No one really knew what to say. All of the Avengers spent a good two minutes staring at each other. Steve whole face was blood red and Bucky just looked around, trying not to make eye contact.

Y/N wanted death to strike her down right there.

 It was extremely awkward until Sam Wilson giggled.

“I don’t suppose you guys mind if we join you all?”

The girls all just shrugged and passed around some more microphones. The embarrassment that Y/N was feeling was suddenly replaced with a very warm feeling. Looks like she was finally getting the team bonding that she wanted.

And that’s the story of how Pepper and Tony returned from their date to several of the Avengers aggressively singing Bohemian Rhapsody.

[seth-storm]

27 Fans

(A short fic before I get the next chapter of Leaving the Pond done)

Characters: Roman (main), other sides minor

I wrote a song and wanted to write a Roman fic off of it, sue me!

Roman clicked record on his iPhone four, propped against his laundry bin and a bunch of piano books. “Um, hey guys! Creativity Prince here and welcome to my first video! I mostly write my own songs and... mostly play the ukulele. Call me basic.” He laughed awkwardly. “Anyway, yah, that’s what you can expect from me, and I expect my first video will be out fairly soon!”

He uploaded a song he wrote every week for months, almost a year. But he was disappointed. He wanted for his channel to blow up overnight, but apparently he just wasn’t good enough for that. He looked at the number on his screen.

27 Subscribers

It was discouraging, to say the least. But Roman kept going. He had dreams. Dreams of being famous, of inspiring people the same way singers inspired him. Of not being a nobody anymore.

~~

It had been two and a half years since Roman started his YouTube channel. He had kept up his routine, posting a video a week, although he had to have some filler videos. He was making videos faster than he could write songs. The number on his screen seemed both massive and tiny at the same time.

27,000 Subscribers

He had friends at school like “Deceit” who were famous on other platforms, and always envied the people who had more fame than they seemed to know what to do with. But Roman and his iPhone 6 could just keep trying. He didn’t have any fancy equipment, just his voice and two ukuleles (Patton had bought him another one as a gift). Remus encouraged his brother to keep making videos, but Roman was starting to be discouraged.

Until one day, it happened.

“Dude,” Virgil texted Roman, “Have you seen your new song? It’s blowing up!” Roman’s eyes widened as he checked the video. 80 million views. Roman’s mind was blown. What was so different about what he had done in this video to warrant this?

2,700,000 Subscribers

He pestered Logan about it all day, and strangely his best friend seemed put out. When Deceit asked Roman if he’d like to sit with his group, Roman eagerly accepted, leaving his brother and his friends in the dust. Roman “Creativity Prince” became the most popular boy in school, swarmed by boys and girls alike. They all admired him and looked up to him. Some of them told him he was their favorite YouTube creator. It was everything Roman ever wanted. And it honestly felt really good. He didn’t talk to his friends very much anymore, but he was always surrounded by people, so he never felt lonely. He loved the attention.

But everything slowly dies down.

Months of hard work went by, but after that one song, Roman’s fans felt like nothing could measure up. Roman became what he had always feared: a one hit wonder. His channel started losing subscribers with each video on his iPhone 8 that didn’t quite “measure up”. He saw his channel, his life’s work, his passion, and ultimately his fame, die in front of him. His friends didn’t want him back. After how fast he ditched them, they thought he was fake and uncaring. In reality, he’d just gotten swept away. Roman went from a popular trend to an abandoned rock so quickly that his subscriber gain and drop was unprecedented. YouTube, thinking bots were being used to manipulate the channels statistics, banned Roman. When Roman submitted an appeal, it was denied. He still had every video saved on his computer where he had stored them on a hard drive, but all of his subscribers, and four years of work, were for nothing. Roman “Creativity Prince” disappeared, and everyone forgot.

Roman did start a new channel, however.

27 Subscribers

He started back at square one, and never made it much farther. He’d lost friends, but was trying to get them back, and seemed to be making progress. Every now and then, Roman would be recognized on the street, or told that he was someone’s favorite, but these times were now few and far between. It brought tears to Roman’s eyes that people did remember him, and to some people he wasn’t just a trend. So, he decided to write a song telling his story but projecting it on to a young girl going through the same problems. If it didn’t help people, it would at least be therapeutic to write, and since most of his audience was female, on the off chance it went big, they might relate more.

He switched on the camera of his iPhone X and immediately started playing the ukulele Patton had given him, trying not to cry at the pain of not talking to his friend for so long.

She just wanted people to know her name

Is that such a crime, is that such a crime?

She wanted just a taste of fame

That's not a crime that's not a--

She knew envy was a sin

But what about ambition?

It's not like she could ever be

One in a million

She wanted people to recognize her on the street

Immediately recognize her as one of the elite

She wanted someone to say she was their favorite artist

Then she'd smile with her lips glowing scarlet

She wanted so badly to hear cheering in her stands

But at first she only had 27 fans

She slowly built her reputation up

And it wasn't long, it wasn't long,

Till she was bigger than she thought she'd ever be

But it wasn't long it wasn't--

She knew envy was a sin

But what about ambition?

It's not like she would ever be

One in a million

She wanted people to recognize her on the street

Immediately recognize her as one of the elite

She wanted more people to say she was their favorite artist

Then she'd smile with her lips glowing scarlet

She wanted so badly to hear cheering in her stands

But she only had 27 thousand fans

She knew pride was a sin

But what about ambition?

It's not like she would ever be

One in a trillion

She wanted more people to recognize her on the street

Immediately recognize her as one of the highest elite

She wanted more people to say she was their favorite artist

Then she'd smile with her lips glowing scarlet

She was so happy to hear cheering in her stands

But she only had 27 million fans

She let the fame get to her head

That poor little girl wound up dead

Her spotlight faded, flickered out

She ran out of things to sing about

And slowly they forgot her

Slowly she went back to who she was before

She knew laziness was sin

What happened to her ambition?

She remembered fondly when she was

One in a million

She loves when anyone recognizes her on the streets

Or say they still think of her as elite

She cries over letters saying she's their favorite artist

And she smiles with her lips slightly parted

She used to be happy to hear cheering in her stands

But now she's happy with 27 fans.

That video didn’t go big. It didn’t get 80 million views. But Roman did have more than 27 fans after that, he had 30. After apologizing for about half a year, his friends agreed to give him another chance. They also all subscribed to his YouTube channel. Logan, Patton, and Virgil sometimes appeared in Roman’s videos, but not as often as Remus, who would bust down the door and start singing with Roman because he already knew the melody (due to Roman’s extended rehearsal of the song). Deceit’s popularity also faded over time, and he eventually found a place with the one hit wonder he knew a long time ago. And to this day, every time Roman gains a subscriber, he smiles at his phone screen in pure joy.

Because now he understands that the number on his screen isn’t a popularity score, it’s the number of people who believe in him.