#there's a couple of mutuals where we've only said like

[visacardteamloverrr]

ex's or not? cs55

summary: y/n and carlos once were the it couple, how are their lives after the breakup? did everyone move on?

warnings: writing this i was sick, i was done and i was ready to delete so enjoyy

i also was supposed to write part 2 to i'll be waiting but oh well...

y/njazzy

liked by lilymunihe, carmenmundt, and 65 000 more

y/njazzy Prague you've been great, next up my beloved Vienna 🍒

comments

y/nstan mother is GLOWING

lilymunihe music to my ears (literally) 🫶🫶

y/njazzy i'm blushing 😊 💋

alexandrasaintmleux i haven't heard you play for agesss, see you in Vienna ig

y/njazzy and whose fault it is?? clearly not mine missy

alexandrasaintmleux oh look at the time, i have to go !!!

chillis the post breakup glow up is reaaal

loverofy/n can we expect some album soon queen?

charlesleclerc exactly @/y/njazzy, care to share with the class???

y/njazzy i will not confirm nor deny

y/njazzy and lord perceval do not push my limits. besides, if you would honour me with your presence, you would know. the choice is yours

charlesleclerc no comment.

user1 she calls him the way that carlos does...

jazzychill she looks so hot in red 🔥

chillistan don't you find it weird that after all charles is in her comments?

y/nfan through all the years y/n was with carlos, she formed a friendship with charles (especially with carlos in ferrari) and other people from the paddock, so it's nothing weird

jazzlover besides, alex and y/n are besties, no?

y/nlos do you remember how carlos would always melt when y/n wear red??? because i do.

carlossainz55

liked by landonorris, charlesleclerc, y/njazzy, and 2,093,728 more

carlossainz55 🌶🍔☀️

comments

soylago ON MY KNEEEES

charlosfan what do they feed our drivers, he and charles are soooo hot

chillis the second photo, two plates, carlos sainz is that a date?

landonorris and where are pics from our little golf tournament 🤔🤔🤔 oh, maybe they aren't here because YOU LOST AHAHAHAHHA

carlossainz55 cabron we all know you cheated.

landonorris what a sore loser we have here

charlesleclerc do you remember when we played uno once?

maxverstappen i wonder why you played uno only once

charlesleclerc lando almost lost an eye

landonorris I ALMOST DIED, HE TRIED TO KILL ME

carlossainz55 do NOT listen to them, those situations did not happen

carlossteponme Y/N LIKED???!!

y/nfan they actually still like eachothers posts, i believe they said something about mutual breakup and that there's no hard feelings between them

y/njazzy

liked by yourbestie, lilymunihe, and 64,728 more

y/njazzy new project coming up 🔜

comments

landonorris tell me who he is.

y/njazzy no❤️

landonorris and why exactly ???

y/njazzy i'll tell you, you'll tell oscar, oscar will tell logan, logan alex, and then magically the whole grid will know

landonorris you won't even tell your best friend?

y/njazzy you're talking about yourself or ?

landonorris PARDON #exbesties #friendshipover #offended

y/njazzy WAR IS OVEEEER

landonorris bye.

lilymunihe A MAN? A MAN? A MA-A-A-AN

lilymunihe girlies to the gc riGHT IN THIS MOMENT

lilymunihe avengers ASSEMBLE @/alexandrasaintmleux @/carmenmundt

carmenmundt i think we've missed a chapter here...

y/njazzy alex didn't.

carmenmundt excuse me !

lilymunihe SHE DID WHAT

alexandrasaintmleux tf y/n? i thought i meant something to you?

y/njazzy if i'm going down i'm taking everybody with me 😘😘😘

alexandrasaintmleux DO NOT QUOTE CHANDLER RN

user1 carlosy/nnation how are we feeling

user2 we don't.

user5 i have an idea...

user3 don't. don't give me hope

user7 fuck the guy NEW PROJECT IN THE MAKING ??? NEW MUSIC ???

user9 do i sense some movie soundtrack

liked by autor

user2 can you imagine

user5 Y/N LIKED !!!!!

carlossainz55

liked by maxverstappen, y/njazzy and 2,836,267

carlossainz55 getaway with mi amor

comments

charlesleclerc i pay my respects to her

carlossainz55 ¿disculpe?

charlesleclerc for putting up with you 😘

user carlos sainz jr i was NOT familiar

user1 which one of you bastards stole my man

reyesvdec ❤️

user2 APPROVED BY MAMA SAINZ

user6 i miss her and y/n together in the paddock

user5 that's y/n. mark my words

user1 i truly aspire to be as delusional as you

y/njazzy she's a lucky girl

carlossainz55 im a lucky boy*

user8 y/n's comment? im dead

user3 carlos' response?????? i am crying, the boy really is in love

y/njazzy

liked by carlossainz55, reyesvdec and 482,471 more

y/njazzy love. love love love.

comments

user8 our girl is in loooove 🥹

alexandrasaintmleux match made in heaven

carmenmundt you compliment eachother so well 🫶

landonorris you two are disgusting

y/njazzy jealousy, jealousy

user5 the luckiest girl???? i wonder why... maybe because she has carlos sainz

user ring ring, that's the mental ward calling for you

lilymunihe i'm heartbroken, how could you leave me

alex_albon execuse me? i'm right here??

y/njazzy lily it's just an act, let's run away together

lilymunihe i am ready to go

alex_albon HEY ITS NOT FAIR

alex_albon he can't even stand up for himself

carlosssainz55 he can

carlossainz55

liked by y/njazzy, landonorris and 5,839,821

carlossainz55 mi amor, you're the closest to heaven that I have ever been. I don't know what I did to deserve you, but I promise to cherish you forever. I am so incredibly grateful for you and everything you do. I want to thank you for being there for me, even after we broke up. there is no one else on this earth taht i would spend my life with. you are my person, and I am yours.

comments

georgerussell mate leave something for us

alex_albon what I am supposed to do rn, lily won't let me in to our apartment

charlesleclerc gentelmen we are so finished

landonorris die lol 👎

oscarpiastri yk that they can see you crying, right?

y/njazzy my one and only ❤️

user can somebody check on user5

user5 I KNEW I WAS NOT CRAZY

user5 PARENTS ARE REALLY BACK TOGETHER

y/njazzy

liked by carlossainz55, reyesvdec and 171,729,819 more

y/njazzy the only ex i would ever come back to 💋💋💋

comments

alexandrasaintmleux finally the ferrari girls are reunited

y/njazzy not for too long

alexandrasaintmleux foul

charlesleclerc too soon y/n, too soon

maxverstappen i won't even ask about the last pic

carlossainz55 the less you know the better you sleep

landonorris i cannot belive this is happening

y/njazzy sucks to suck ig

carlossainz55 only ex i couldn't move on from 🫶🫶🫶

y/njazzy you flatter me

user1 the difference in the capitions pls ✋️

[winterinhimring]

Ok ok ok, so we've all seen the Spiderman in Gotham AUs, but what do you think would happen if STEVE ROGERS wound up in Gotham??? Specifically, how would he deal with The Tortures People for Fun Joker?

Ooh, I like this one. I think the critical thing about Steve (from a vigilante perspective) is that he doesn't like killing, it's not his first resort, and he won't do it unnecessarily, but he absolutely will do it if it's clear that this guy won't stop any other way, especially if civilians are in danger.

That said, he also respects the rule of law, and he's now the only true enhanced on the side of the heroes in Gotham, so I think his first couple of run-ins with the Joker would probably end similarly to the way they would if it was Batman. Joker gets bruised up a bit, tackled away from whatever he was doing, trussed up and stuck in Arkham.

The exception is if Steve turns up in Gotham during a very critical point with a very specific Robin, because he's going to see a man cackling and beating a masked child with a crowbar. And, see, Steve had a masked kid follow him around once (if we mean comics!Steve), and that masked kid got hurt too, and yes he came back, but he didn't come back the same. He came back hurt and used in ways Steve would have given anything to protect him from. All of which is to say, I don't think the Joker actually lives long enough to know what hit him in this scenario.

But let's go back to somewhat less angsty AUs. The Joker, at this point, when he's been stopped and dropped in Arkham a couple of times, is likely to write Steve off as another man with a moral code he can manipulate. Which, fair, Steve is a man with a moral code, but the Joker's vision has been skewed by Batman, and he assumes all heroes have a no kill code. He proceeds to set up the same kind of mind games he would with Batman - he takes hostages, he hurts hostages, and he relies on 'well you'll never take lethal measures' to protect him. He might even throw in a few taunts. 'How easy it would be, if you weren't such a hero, with those clean hands.'

But Steve has an answer to that, an easy one. 'I'm not a hero. The guys who didn't come back, they're the heroes. I'm just trying to live up to them. And maybe my hands aren't clean. But the blood of a man who tortures children won't dirty them.'

At which point, RIP Joker.

Bruce doesn't know what to think of this.

Alfred, who hides guns in the mansion, even if he bows to Bruce's sentiments enough to use non-lethal rounds, has a new favourite person. (This does not displace any of his other favourite people, of course.)

Gotham winds up in the very interesting situation where, if you're a criminal, the Batman is no longer the man you fear most. The Batman is terrifying. He steps out of dark alleys like he materialised there, beats the daylights out of you, and leaves you for the cops, but you know he won't kill you.

No, the man you fear most, if you live in Gotham's underbelly, is the one with the shield and the star-spangled outfit. Because that shield is for defence, but it's for the defence of the innocent. And if you are a man who endangers the innocent, the man who carries that shield will not hesitate to stop you the permanent way.

Batman gives Gotham hope. Hope that will never stay down no matter how hard you hit or how badly you hurt it. Batman, ironically, is the light of dawn at the darkest of night, promising that a new day can come.

Captain America gives Gotham justice. Justice that will not be turned aside by crooked cops or Arkham's revolving door or hostages. Captain America is the light of righteousness that burns away what is evil. His justice can be tempered with mercy, but his kindness is not to be manipulated.

Together, they lead Gotham into a brighter future.

Bruce Wayne and Steve Rogers are mutually unsure what to do with each other. Their upbringings and philosophies are so different that I think it would be hard for them to be friends, at least at first. Alfred knows perfectly well what to do with both of them and thinks Master Bruce needs a friend who shares his commitment to justice, but also won't bow to his hangups. He invites Steve over for tea. They get on like a very polite house on fire. The current Robin thinks the shield is AWESOME.

However, I think Steve and Bruce share enough common ground that they would work through it eventually. (If we went with the Steve-saves-Jason scenario I think a lot of the wary dancing around each other would get skipped because they'd both be all in on 'save the kid' and only find out about their differences of opinion later.) They are both devoted to justice and the defence of the innocent; they differ on methods, but I honestly think the issues would be mostly on Bruce's side, because Steve is clearly, uncompromisingly good. But he's killed. He may kill again. It depends on how self-aware Bruce is about his no-kill line being a personal thing he can't do without sliding into revenge. If he knows that, and doesn't have an issue with others who don't have that personal knowledge, there might not be problems at all. There would be some entertaining rich-kid-poor-kid differences in worldview, but nothing so serious they couldn't be friends.

Entertainingly, this world also carries the possibility of Cap meeting Superman. I think he and Clark would be friends immediately and Ma Kent would adopt him as soon as she heard of him. No angst there, no confusion of different ideologies. You fight for peace, justice, and the American way? So do I! Same hat! Let's go stop those bad guys. Hey, cool shield!

(At some point in the future: Lex Luthor: Superman, I have your ultimate weakness! Kryptonite! Clark, keeling over: That's great, but have you met my new friend? Steve: *punches Lex* Lex, seeing what looks like a blonde Superman clone: How are you unaffected by this? It's kryptonite! Steve: ...I'm from Brooklyn.)

(Years later: Clark, picking up a kryptonite spear: I have to kill Doomsday. Steve: Gimme that. *yeets spear, impaling Doomsday* Steve: How many times do I have to tell you, *I* use the kryptonite weapons when something from your planet tries to kill us!)

[sweetcherryharry]

Begin Again — 04

Synopsis: Harry and Y/N had a secret relationship for almost two years, until they broke up. A year later, she shows up at one of his Love On Tour shows.

(masterlist)

There he stood, right in front of her, a smile playing on his lips as their gazes met. Y/N felt a rush of emotions, a mix of surprise, nostalgia, and an underlying current of something more profound. The unspoken words of their past seemed to linger in the air between them.

Harry, with his soft brown curls and a simple white shirt paired with jeans and worn-out vans, looked like a page from a memory that she had been trying to forget. Yet, as he stood there, the year they hadn’t seen each other melted away, and they found themselves suspended in a moment that defied time; it seemed like the past months never happened.

The Love Band's living room, with its soft lighting and the faint melody of Fleetwood Mac in the background, turned into a cozy space where only the current moment held importance, at least for Y/N and Harry.

"Hi, sunflower," he replied, the words carrying a weight that transcended the casual greeting. The endearment was a throwback to the days when Harry used to affectionately call her by that sweet nickname, a reminder of their time together.

To Y/N, hearing it from him sounded bittersweet, like the echoes of a melody that brought both the joy of nostalgia and the ache of what they were once.

As Harry spoke, his heart seemed to beat in his chest like the rhythm of a familiar song. In awe of her presence, he couldn't help but marvel at the woman she was. The way her eyes sparkled, the slight curve of her lips as she smiled – it was a sight he had missed more than he realized. 

In that suspended moment, their gazes held a conversation that words struggled to capture. Without a word, Y/N found herself stepping forward, drawn by an instinct that transcended logic. Harry, as if guided by the same unspoken force, opened his arms, a silent invitation.

As they embraced, the world seemed to fade away, leaving only the comforting warmth of each other's presence. The hug felt like coming home after a long journey, a familiar haven that resonated with shared laughter, whispered secrets, and the soft melody of their intertwined past.

For a moment, the cozy living room encapsulated the essence of what they used to be – a refuge where their souls met without pretense. The faint scent of Harry's cologne, the gentle rise and fall of their shared breaths, all contributed to the sanctuary of the embrace.

However, as they lingered in the hug, reality began to reassert itself. The made-up living room, once an intimate haven, became a stage where the complexity of their emotions played out. They reluctantly pulled away, a mutual understanding passing between them. The connection was undeniable, but so was the need for boundaries.

"I loved the show, Harry, you did amazing," Y/N said, a soft smile on her lips as she attempted to bridge the transition from the warmth of the hug to the safer ground of friendship. "I love the new album, too."

Harry's eyes crinkled at the corners, appreciating her genuine compliment. "Thanks, Y/N. It means a lot coming from you."

In his mind, he couldn't help but think that she was the muse behind the songs, wondering if she realized the entire album was dedicated to her. The melodies and lyrics, born from their shared experiences, whispered a silent acknowledgment of the impact she had on his creative journey.

"I can see how much you've all grown as a band," Y/N continued, her gaze drifting to the people surrounding them, all engaging in conversation between them, trying to give the couple a little privacy. "The Love Band has really evolved, and it's inspiring."

Harry nodded, a humble gratitude in his response. "We've put a lot of heart into it. It's been quite a journey."

"Speaking of journeys, these are my best friends, Natalie and Maia," Y/N chimed in, a playful glint in her eye, pointing towards the two girls that stood a few meters away. "Let me present you to them; they're fans, just like me." She joked, and Harry couldn't help but chuckle at the playful introduction.

Both Harry and Y/N walked towards them, and as they neared, Natalie and Maia exchanged excited glances, their smiles widening at the sight of the acclaimed musician in their midst.

"Harry, these are my best friends, Natalie and Maia," Y/N chimed in, a playful glint in her eye, gesturing towards the two girls who stood now close to the pair. "Natalie and Maia, this is Harry."

Harry offered a warm smile, extending his hand to each of them. "Nice to meet you both."

Natalie and Maia, both trying to contain their excitement —understanding that he was also their friend’s ex-boyfriend— shook his hand enthusiastically, exchanging introductions with genuine joy. "Nice to meet you Harry, we enjoyed the show so much," Natalie admitted.

Y/N, sensing the formal atmosphere, playfully rolled her eyes. "Okay, you two, you can fangirl. It's okay."

This broke the ice, and they all burst into laughter. The living room, with its soft lighting and the distant hum of Fleetwood Mac's tunes, witnessed the easy camaraderie of new friends. As they settled into conversation, the transition from fan admiration to genuine connection felt effortless, the shared laughter echoing in harmony with the melodies that surrounded them.

Y/N, sensing Natalie and Maia's eagerness to get to know one of the artists they both admired, decided to give them some space. With a smile, she excused herself, mentioning she needed a moment and headed towards the conjoined bathroom.

As she closed the door behind her, Y/N took a deep breath, grateful for the chance to collect her thoughts in the brief solitude. The room's distant chatter and laughter, though comforting, served as a stark reminder of the evening's unexpected reunion with Harry.

As her eyes met her reflection in the bathroom mirror, a mix of emotions played across her face. There was joy, undoubtedly, at the sight of Harry again after a year of separation. His presence evoked a rush of memories, laughter, and shared moments that had shaped a significant chapter of her life. Yet, intertwined with that joy was an ache, a reminder of the emotions she thought time had dulled.

The realization hit her; she had missed him more than she allowed herself to acknowledge. Seeing him, hearing his voice, brought back the echoes of the past, the shared dreams and the bitter taste of the breakup that lingered beneath the surface. It was as if time had folded, and for a moment, the wound felt fresh again.

She held back tears, feeling the weight of unspoken words and unresolved feelings. The bathroom, with its muted ambiance, became a sanctuary where she grappled with the bittersweet truth of their renewed connection. The mix of emotions was a testament to the complexity of their history, a narrative that had left an indelible mark on her heart.

Lost in her whirlwind of memories and emotions, Y/N hadn't realized how much time had passed. The knock on the bathroom door jolted her back to the present, and she hastily wiped away a stray tear. "Coming!" she called out, her voice betraying a hint of vulnerability.

A familiar voice responded, breaking through the door's barrier. "It's me, sunflower. Can I come in?"

Y/N took a big breath, her heart fluttering at the endearing nickname that held echoes of a shared past. With a decisive nod, she unlocked the door, letting him in.

The bathroom door swung open, revealing a smiling Y/N, standing amidst the faint glow of the room. Yet, as normal as she tried to portray herself, he knew her more than she knew herself.

Harry stepped in, closing the door behind him, his green eyes holding a mixture of concern and understanding. "Are you okay?" he asked gently.

Y/N nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Yeah, just needed a moment.” The bathroom felt like their own little bubble and privacy; vulnerable. And for a moment, this was her Harry —well, was— and decided to just be honest. “It's just… a lot to take in, you know?"

Harry mirrored her sad smile, acknowledging the weight of their reunion. "I understand. It's a lot for me too." He gently touched her arm in a comforting gesture, a silent reassurance that spoke volumes. "I never expected to see you in the crowd again… after everything.”

For him, the sight of her in the audience triggered a strong sense of déjà vu, as if time had folded back on itself, recalling the moments when she used to be a familiar face in the crowd every night during their time together.

Feeling the warmth of his touch and the weight of shared history, Y/N found herself enveloped in a spontaneous hug. Harry's arms wrapped around her, a familiar embrace that brought a rush of mixed emotions. At that moment, words seemed inadequate, so they let the hug speak for itself.

"I missed you, bug," Harry whispered, his voice tinged with sincerity. "I'm glad you're here."

Y/N, her eyes damp with unshed tears, managed a small, heartfelt smile. "Me too." The simplicity of those words carried the depth of the emotions they both felt. In the shared hug, amidst the echoes of their past and the uncertainties of the present, they found a moment of solace—a bridge between what was and what could be.

hellooo i'm back!! :) if you want to be added to the taglist, please reply to this post! thank you so much for the support, hope u enjoy <3

taglist: @samanddeaninatrenchcoat @one-sweet-gubler @jjsgirlp4l @lovingmesstuff @gem1712 @tinyhrry @kipperthedog2004 @behindmygreyeyes @theekyliepage @winterrays @drunk-teens-doing-drugs @slutforcoffein @a-strange-familiar @grapejuice-rry @tranquility-moon @tpwksummer @awkwardbisexuall @ameerakane20 @harryspirate  @that-one-little-soybean @voniikg @lovergirl42442 @daydreamingwithaseaview @harrysdaydream22 @lonelyxhabit @obsessed-with-every-book-ever @silenthappyplace @ameerakane20 @hesdebility

[african-international-magazine]

The Psychology of Gossip: Why We Do It and Why It's Harmful

We all claim to hate gossip. We despise it—or so we say. But the truth is, we all indulge in it. Why is gossip so tempting? And if it's so universally disliked, why do we often deny engaging in it?

The fact that we claim to hate gossip suggests that it doesn't sit well with our conscience. If it did, we wouldn't be so quick to deny our participation, would we?

Thanks to social media, we're now more comfortable than ever discussing the lives of others publicly. Gossip has become almost normalized.

Gossip as a Reflection of Entitlement

We tend to believe any gossip, no matter how outrageous, because it taps into something deeper within us. Our inclination to gossip reveals more about the state of our own hearts and minds than it does about the subjects of our conversations.

But first, what exactly is gossip? If you think you've never gossiped or that you don't enjoy it, think again. Gossip is sharing information about someone when they're not present. And let's be honest, we've all done that. However, not all gossip is negative or malicious.

It's important to understand that while not all gossip is bad, all slander is gossip. Slander involves spreading unconfirmed or negative information about someone without any proof. In essence, it’s equivalent to lying. Even when you're sharing true information about someone, if you know they wouldn't be comfortable with it being public, you're still engaging in harmful gossip.

Why Do We Gossip?

So, why do we gossip? It’s often said that two people become best friends when they share a common enemy. Many friendships begin with a mutual dislike for something or someone. When there's nothing else to discuss, we bring in juicy details about someone else's life, and nearly everyone at the table finds it hard to resist the temptation.

Gossip is a fundamental human behavior. Sharing updates about friends and family, discussing daily life, and confiding in friends about your problems is not gossip. It only crosses the line when you start obsessing over others’ lives to the point where it becomes your primary source of conversation or happiness. That’s when it becomes a problem.

Gossip and Low Self-Esteem

Research shows that people who spend a large portion of their conversations discussing others' personal lives—especially the negative aspects—often suffer from low self-esteem. They derive validation from others' misfortunes. When they share information about someone else’s struggles, they’re subtly affirming that their own life is better.

One study involving over 100 couples found that if partners frequently discuss other couples and how they do things, it may be a way of avoiding real conversations and failing to address their own issues.

Yes, we should count our blessings and sometimes compare our situation to others to appreciate what we have. But if our happiness depends on others’ less-than-perfect lives, it indicates a poor self-image. Research tells us that gossip releases serotonin and dopamine—the hormones responsible for happiness in our brains. But just like drugs, addiction to these hormones can be dangerous.

How to Resist the Urge to Gossip

So, how do we resist the urge to gossip? When you feel tempted to share intimate or personal details about someone, ask yourself some tough questions:

1. What’s the purpose? How does sharing this information help you or the other person? Why do you feel compelled to share it? If there's no valid reason, don’t share it.

2. Check your motives. Are you sharing this information out of malice or envy? Or simply to validate your own life? If so, stop right there.

3. Consider the impact. Are you sharing the information out of enmity? If yes, you know exactly what you're doing, and it’s damaging for both your enemy and yourself. It harms your heart and soul.

Passing on personal details about someone else’s life without good intentions may seem harmless, but in the long run, it affects your credibility and damages your sense of well-being. You start to rely on gossip and slander for happiness and validation, which is neither healthy nor beneficial for personal growth.

A Better Way Forward

Instead of gossiping, try opening up to others about your ideas, dreams, hobbies, or ambitions. Sharing concerns about friends or family in a constructive way is normal, and I encourage it. But as much as possible, steer clear of slander or spreading negative information about others.

Is It Really Necessary?

I follow a personal rule before sharing information about someone’s life: Is it necessary? How would I feel if someone shared such information about me? Do I have something better to do or something more positive or valuable to share?

If I’m sharing information to warn someone or out of genuine concern, I usually proceed. But if I’m sharing just to unburden myself, I refrain.

The art of not gossiping lies in knowing what to share, with whom, and why. But more importantly, it’s about recognizing when to keep a piece of information to yourself.

I sincerely hope that after reading this, you'll reconsider before sharing someone’s personal details publicly. This reflection gave me a chance to evaluate myself, and I hope it does the same for you.

[wintaerbaer]

things we don't say: part 5 TEASER (kth)

banner credit: @itaeewon

summary: Three years after graduating college, everything seems to be falling into place for you: stable job, cozy apartment, and a long-term boyfriend with a ring box hidden in his desk drawer. But when a mutual friend makes a remark that your best friend of nearly two decades is clearly in love with you, you realize that life may not be as simple as it seems.

pairing: Taehyung x Reader (with some VERY brief Seokjin x Reader and Yoongi x Reader)

rating: 18+

genres: best friends to lovers, idiots to lovers, slow burn, angst, fluff

word count: 721 (for the teaser; full chapter is expected to be 8-10k)

chapter warnings: weddings!, feelings, seventeen is here now because i fell into a rabbit hole and needed fill-ins, jimin kinda ruins everything, jk is relatively well-behaved, kissing?!

a/n: given that it's been the craziest time of year for work (and i may be focused on a jk oneshot rn), i figured i'd throw out a teaser since it's taking me longer to write! i'm heading into my job's off-season soon though, so i'll have more time to write and will aim to have this next part out by end-of-year :)

PART 4 // SERIES MASTERLIST

You look up to find Taehyung's eyes gazing steadily down at you, a small but confident smile playing on his lips.

"Dance with me?"

And in spite of the unease that had plagued you only moments ago, you don't hesitate to let him wrap up your small hand in his large one and lead you to the dance floor. His palm settles on your lower back to pull you in close, and maybe it’s the proximity or the intoxicating smell of his cologne that weakens your resolve, but you find the words spilling out.

"Did you get her number?"

Taehyung looks at you quizzically, brow furrowing in confusion. "Whose?"

"The woman at the bar."

His face relaxes as he realizes. "Oh, yeah. I did."

"Good." You manage a smile. Why does it feel so hard? "It really is…good you're getting back out there. Are you going to ask her on a date?"

He laughs, mischief in his eyes. "I don't think her fiancé would like that." And now it's your turn to look confused.

"Her fiancé?"

"I met the two of them through Hoseok a couple times so we've chatted. Nice people." He nods his head, and you look over to see the woman now dancing with a man not too far from you. "They just got engaged, and she knows I'm a photographer so she asked if I'd be interested in doing the wedding. I said I'd call her this week to talk about it."

"Oh." You can feel your face flush, but there's no doubting the relief that floods through you. And Taehyung surely notices, grinning down at you in amusement.

"Were you jealous?"

"No!" you say, but perhaps a little too quickly because Taehyung laughs, his fingers applying a gentle pressure to your back to pull you closer.

"I'm here with you," he murmurs matter-of-factly.

You shake your head at him. "It's fine, Tae. If someone catches your eye…like I said, it could be good—"

"I'm here with you," he repeats, more firmly this time. He releases your hand for a moment to tuck a stray curl behind your ear, and you have to look away. You spot Hoseok and Sunny swaying together in the middle of the dance floor, pressed closely together and smiling at each other like they're the only two people in the world. What it must be like to have someone look at you like that, you think, to hold you like you're something precious to be cherished. You had thought Jace made you feel that way, but now, watching your friends gaze at each other so delicately, so in love, you're no longer sure he even came close.

"What are you looking at?" Taehyung's voice rouses you out of your thoughts, and you suddenly notice his hand has drifted a little higher to where the back of your dress dips down low, exposing your bare skin.

Trying to pass off the shiver that involuntarily runs through you as a nod, you gesture at the newly married couple. "They're so good together."

Taehyung follows your line of sight, watching Hoseok lean down to murmur something in Sunny's ear that makes her giggle and press her face into his chest. "They are."

"Can you imagine loving someone like that?" Your voice is a bare whisper as if the words slipped out of their own accord, like a wish you didn't even realize you were making.

Taehyung's fingers splay at your spine, gently tugging you in until your hips are bumping his. Startled, your eyes snap back to him, breath catching in your chest. He's gazing at you intently, but as opposed to the intense fire that you've seen from him at times, there's only a deep warmth to his brown irises that you're not sure you've ever seen before. He looks at you with softness, with both a sense of familiarity and wonder that can only be attributed to your many years of companionship, and you see it all swimming behind his eyes—every day spent together seeking refuge from your families, every stupid childhood fight, every time you comforted each other through the bad days. And before you can deflect, can explain away the question as a rhetorical slip of the tongue, you hear his answer come out on a breath.

"Yes."

[collapsedglasshouses]

PLEASE SHUT UP || Nick Ruffilo x fem!Reader [Part One]

DIVIDER ART WORK BY @saradika-graphics

PICTURE FOUND ON PINTEREST

REQUEST [by @yumikitten]: I'm just gonna keep on this Ruffilo train if everyone is okay with it. Ahem. What if Y/N and Nicholas got into a fight? Something that really made them snap and started yelling at each other, saying things they weren't really meaning? It could also just be something super silly tbh. We've all been there. 😅 But Nick finally gets suuuuper tired of screaming at each other and just kisses her to shut her up, which then leads to makeup sex. 😉 I could see him spitefully telling her at some point that he's gonna have to remember this if it got her to shut up so quickly. 🤣 Please don't feel obligated. 😁 My mind is just going zoom. 💕

A/N: FIRST OF ALL, I'M DEEPLY SORRY THIS TOOK ME SO LONG. I had a severe writers block over the last couple of months and couldn't bring myself to work on requests. As compensation i have decided to make a two-parter out of the request. The setting is a maybe a bit different than expected but I hope you like it anyways! Part Two will hopefully be posted soon! ♡♡♡

WARNINGS: angst, cursing, fear of failure, fighting, small room, ... (let me know if i missed something)

TAGLIST: @measuredingold @cncohshit (Let me know if you wanna be added to my general taglist!)

Ever since Y/n had been a child, she was surrounded by music. Her dad was the guitarist of a local rock band and her mom had been playing the violin since forever.

She remembered clearly how her mother had told her that one of the first things she did as a child was smash hey tiny little hands onto the piano that stood in the family’s living room.

As Y/n grew older, her taste in music also changed. Even though she had been learning to play the piano since the age of just four, she noticed how her taste shifted from soft and classical music to later pop and then heavier stuff.

Maybe it had been some kind of rebellion in her teenage years, maybe it had been her father’s taste in music that influenced her or maybe it was her first ever boyfriend who introduced her to Bring Me The Horizon, when she was just fourteen. All Y/n knew, was that she soon found herself sucked into the world of metal and metal core.

It was no shock to anyone close to her, when she was hired to play the keyboard in a band called Bad Omens.

She had met Noah through mutual friends while gaming during the pandemic and they soon became close friends. The band had been working on their third album back than and though it sounded more than good when Y/n first listened to it, Noah thought something was missing. That was when Y/n came into the picture. She had delivered them some parts that amazed the boys so much that they offered her a place in the band. She had gladly accepted it.

Since than the band had been thriving. From tours all over the world, making Y/n travel to parts of the world she had only imagined as a child, to streaming records that made her dad jump in excitement, every time she visited her hometown. Everything was going well for the band.

For Y/n in particular though, nothing was well. Nothing had been like she hoped it would be. While she had grown close to three of her bandmates, one seemingly hated her guts without explanation.

At first, Nick and she had gotten along quite well. She remembered nights where they sat outside and chatted about the most random things while seemingly not getting enough of each other’s presence.

But over time, things had changed. First, he started to distance himself to the point where it couldn’t be called anything but avoidance. Soon, the complaining began. He began to roll his eyes when she said something that made the others laugh. He started making snarky side comments every time she did something slightly different in her performance. Nothing Y/n did was good enough in Nick’s eyes and hell did it annoy her.

She couldn’t wrap her head around what she did to him to make him act that way towards her, considering she was the only one that suffered under his behavior. With everyone else, he was an angel on earth. Always sweet and caring.

Even though she missed the time where Nick acted like that with her, she began to mirror his demeanor. She began to criticize him just as much as he did with her. She was so fed up that she even started to loathe the time she needed to spend with him in one room.

Saying that was difficult was an understatement. Everyone noticed how they started to act and soon the mood started to deteriorate because of their behavior.

But the breaking point was only yet to come.

The stage was set, the lights were dimmed, and the crowd buzzed with anticipation. The band was about to kick of another concert on their tour and Y/n could feel the familiar hum of excitement and nervous energy that waved through the packed room. This was nothing new for Y/n, yet tonight was different. There was an additional weight pressing on her tense shoulders – the intense gaze of Nick, whose eyes seemed to bore into her from across the stage.

As Y/N's fingers glided over the keys, she couldn't shake the feeling that every note she played was being criticized. She stole a glance in Nick's direction, only to find his expression unreadable, yet filled with an intensity that made her uneasy. The rhythmic thump of the bass only increased her anxiety, and the once effortless connection she felt with the music began to waver.

In the midst of a song, Nick shot her a look so disapproving, Y/N lost it. She stumbled over a chord, the crooked sound echoing through the venue. Panic set in as she struggled to regain her composure. She knew the crowd hadn’t noticed but for her it was a disaster. For the rest of their set, her heart seemingly jumped out of her chest in a mix of fury and anxiety. Nick's disapproving glares persisted, each one a sharp stab at Y/N's confidence. The usually seamless collaboration between band members now felt like pure pain to Y/n. All she did for the rest of the evening was desperately trying to avoid the heavy judgment of Nick’s eyes.

As their performance ended, Y/n felt empty. Heavy tension lingered in the air when they went backstage to compliment each other on another successful concert, but Y/n couldn’t bring herself to feel good. She fucked up bad and only because Nick couldn’t stop with his childish behavior.

After Noah and Jolly comforted her for a second, she came to a stand in front of the bassist. The rest of the guys walked away to calm down, while Y/n’s eyes bore into Nick’s.

Without even thinking, she dragged him into a small room filled with technical stuff.

“What the fuck are you doing, Y/n?” Nick protested as she closed the door behind them.

“What the fuck I’m doing? Could you tell me what the fuck your problem is, Nick?” She shouted at him, not holding back one bit.

“I did nothing.” He quickly defended himself and wanted to grab the door handle, but Y/n walked between him and the exit.

“Keep your fucking judgement to yourself next time.” She warned him and looked into his blue eyes. The rage that fumed inside of her quickly caught up to him.

“Maybe don’t fuck up your notes next time.” He hissed at her.

In the dimly lit room, Y/N couldn't hold back her frustration any longer. "Nick, you can't just keep brushing off my opinions about fucking everything!"

Nick's eyes flashed with irritation. "Well, maybe if you understood music better, your opinions would matter."

The words hung in the air, heavy with tension, as Y/N shot back, "You know, not everyone worships your bass lines, dickhead!"

“Oh, come on, are we this low now?” Nick mocked her and tried to get out of the room again.

“I’m not letting you get out of this room until you finally tell me what the fuck I did to you, Nick.” She fumed at him, her back now pressed against the door.

As the argument escalated; Y/n trying to get answers, Nick trying to avoid the talk; both felt a surge of anger and hurt. But suddenly, Nick, became quiet, took a step forward, his eyes meeting Y/N's defiant gaze.

“You really don’t get it, do you?” – “What?”

Before Y/n could react, Nick grabbed her face and, with an unexpected intensity, kissed her. Time seemed to stand still as Y/n noticed what was happening. She was confused but at the same time she couldn’t bring herself to push him off her. Her eyes fluttered shut as another feeling entered her.

Need.

A feeling she had been suppressing since the second he became cold towards her. She wrapped her arms around his neck while he pressed her firmly against the door. It was a kiss full of anger, frustration but also passion as Nick devoured her lips. Soon he travelled down to her neck and even though a small Parton her was still furious about his action, she definitely needed him more than anything in this moment. He bit her exposed skin, not caring a single second about the marks he was leaving on her as she whimpered in pure bliss. When she tugged at Nick’s hair, he softly moaned against her neck, signaling her she wasn’t alone with her thoughts.

Right as his hands started to travel down her shirt, she remembered what was going on and grabbed his wrist.

A stunned silence enveloped them, broken only by Y/n’s words as they looked into each other’s eyes. "You can't just kiss me to end an argument!"

Nick looked at her with wide blown pupils. It looked like he tried to find his words, but nothing came out.

“Oh look at you, now you can’t even talk to me anymore.” Y/n mocked him with hate in her voice, before she pushed him away from her. She left the room with agony.

She hated Nick for making this whole thing even more confusing than it already was. But she knew one thing.

This was never happening again…

PART TWO COMING SOON

[bbanghiitomi]

| lukewarm.

synopsis: you're neither cold nor warm, neither mad nor happy. you don't hate minji, and no — don't get the wrong idea, you definitely love minji even if you tell yourself you don't anymore.

— nonidol!kminji × nonidol!vballplayer!fem!reader

ʕ⁠ ⁠º⁠ ⁠ᴥ⁠ ⁠º⁠ʔʕ⁠ ⁠º⁠ ⁠ᴥ⁠ ⁠º⁠ʔʕ⁠ ⁠º⁠ ⁠ᴥ⁠ ⁠º⁠ʔʕ⁠ ⁠º⁠ ⁠ᴥ⁠ ⁠º⁠ʔʕ⁠ ⁠º⁠ ⁠ᴥ⁠ ⁠º⁠ʔʕ⁠ ⁠º⁠ ⁠ᴥ

"nice shirt, i noticed you have a lot of those." yeeun pointed out to minji as the tall girl pulled the hem of her shirt to fix the creases on the fabric. minji laughed and took a seat on the couch inside their friend's living room. "yeah, i do have a lot of these but i can't wear them for now." minji replied, looking down then scratching her nape with a sheepish expression.

"why not?" yeeun asked, leaning on the couch, hanni entered the living room with three cans of soda and placed it on the table. minji looked at hanni then to their classmate. "some of my clothes are still inside y/n's room." hanni laughed, covering her mouth. minji sighed as hanni tapped their classmate's shoulder. "hey, go on drink!" she said, pushing a can on the girl's hands.

"oh, i didn't know you two broke up." yeeun stated, opening the can as the sound of fiz rang inside minji's head, reminding her of the sound y/n's favorite drink makes.

"they did quite a long time ago." hanni piped in, looking at yeeun with the signature look on her face that said "can you believe that?" yeeun nodded but minji rolled her eyes and sighed. "not quite, it's only been two weeks and a half, remember when we presented our research? we've already broken up at that time." minji corrected.

"so it hasn't been that long huh?" yeeun muttered and chugged the drink. hanni shook her head and waved her hand. "well, that has to be at least the longest, because i remember when they broke up and it only lasted for like 2 days." hanni received a chuckle from yeeun and a groan from minji.

"you're so weird hanni." minji scoffed.

"but it's true, right? you act like you're not hoping to make up with her — but she's been ignoring you for days, on repeat." hanni nudged her friend, yeeun shrugged and spoke. "i did hear hiyyih mention that you once broke up with her and then got back up after a few days." yeeun remembered during one recess where hiyyih was talking with friends and mentioned your argument with minji.

minji nodded. "technically, that's true. but it's different now, it's not just a burst of negative emotions, she's serious this time. and i'm starting to think this isn't gonna get better anytime." hanni sighed. "well friend, guess what? it's not gonna be just her being moody, you can't just fix it with a date on a saturday morning."

"i never said i can. i literally saw her shitting on me on her twitter account — she even blocked me on her instagram." minji pushed her hair back and rolled her eyes. "that's probably what being sick of each other's faces gets you." she added.

yeeun looked at hanni then to minji. "well what happened? is that why you were moody after we got scolded during our presentation?" yeeun asked, placing the cold can on the table. minji nodded. "it's not really just that but mostly yeah, remember during the festival at our school?" minji asked yeeun.

it was the day after she lied to you about staying out at a classmate's house late at night for their class' stall. in reality, she was indeed helping out but most of the time was spent on drinking. she told you she was going home at 11pm and asked you to sleep — you were convinced because hell! she had you on a video call, showed you the surroundings, table and there was no fucking alcohol to be found, you even asked her classmates, specially the closest mutual; kim jiwon.

jiwon's answer was: "honestly, i don't really know — but they did go there to continue building our stall, i was informed by yeeun that they were there for a couple of hours."

so you were convinced, but it only took you two days to realize — you had a conversation with jiwon's friend during your volleyball training; naoi rei, she mentioned that she was tired from that night, that she had to come home at between 1am and 2am, they stayed over late because they weren't able to finish the stall up until 1am due to the fact they got drunk.

you were fucking pissed, you realized that was the reason minji came to school late that festival, was literally sitting behind their stall asleep, drunk 3 cups of coffee to stay awake.

and she even had the nerve to come to your class' stall and "support" you.

during the night before the research presentations, you had a conversation with her. that's where you poured out all the hidden anger you've been bottling up lately, you don't care how much she spent time watching you play volleyball — you know damn well she's doing that because she's done something stupid.

then, you started ignoring her — heck, even your homeroom teacher and hers had to get in between for the tea.

everyone, including her classmates and your classmates were surprised, you were the IT couple of the batch and it was all poured down the drain because of one stupid night.

"well, yeah. you got drunk the night before right?" minji slapped a hand on her face when yeeun mentioned it. "yes, and fuck she got so mad." yeeun scratched her head. "i thought everything was good, you even ate lunch with her the day after the festival."

"she found out i lied, and i seriously thought it was not that serious but she just bursted out mad at me." minji added, rubbing her face. hanni scoffed and hit her friend on her shoulder.

"you're lucky she just screamed at you, i would've punched you in the face, scumbag!"

yeeun laughed. "wow, no wonder she went out with wonyoung instead after they won the volleyball match."

"yeah and that's why i didn't ask you to watch, because imagine if she just spiked the ball at my face." yeeun couldn't help but laugh harder, hanni scoffed. "so what now, loser? her parents are still attached to you and the school ceremony for top student's next week, wouldn't that be awkward?" minji stared at her friend with a stone cold expression.

"i haven't even gotten my clothes yet."

hanni threw her head back and frowned. "but minji! you can have all the time to get those things back, we know y/n would return it but… dude does your parents even know what happened?"

yeeun winced. "ugh, that'll be hard."

minji nodded. "yeah, i don't think she's ever mentioned anything about it. her parents are pretty strict and care more about her education, i'm even shocked they let her be with me. i feel like she's only told them about our break up, nothing more than that."

"well good luck then." hanni stated.

minji sat by one of the chairs surrounding a round table, her eyes are on the people mingling around people, wearing smart casuals. it's the ceremony and her mom isn't somewhere to be seen, she said she'll be talking with the other guests and left minji. minji sighed.

you on the other hand preferred being with your friends, wonyoung and yoona. you really never expected anything surprising other than seeing the face of your stupid ex, you spot minji sitting beside yeeun and hanni, the two talked but minji sat there with a frown.

you snickered.

everything is supposed to be okay, until you saw your mother with minji's mom, they both approached minji and you couldn't help but wince, turning your back against the view, refusing to even get yourself involved on your mother prying over your relationship.

"minji! i haven't seen you in a long time." minji looked in front of her and saw your mother and her mom. she stood up quickly and greeted the older woman. "good evening,"

minji's mom laughed. "ah, minji's been busy doing her own stuff. by the way how's y/n doing?"

"she's joining the varsity for volleyball, i signed her up and she's getting more training than before. it's a shame really, minji would've been there to watch over my daughter."

minji laughed sheepishly. "y/n's a big girl already, don't worry i'm sure she can handle herself."

"i'm so proud of her! she's been excellent lately, i wish minji would join extra curricular activities, just to boost her qualifications for the future!" you have always been excellent, even before you had minji, even after you lost her — in the end, minji had to say it was her loss, never yours.

she had been distracted a lot after you broke up with her, meanwhile you used that as a motivation to be better than minji — you are just very petty.

she hated and loved that part of you.

so competitive.

"hey minji, visit our place anytime you can alright? we really miss you." your mom smiled at minji and patted her shoulder. "but what about y/n? it's awkward." minji spoke, scratching her nape with an airy laugh.

"don't worry about her! she's just playing hard to get, try harder maybe you can have her back." your mom winked at minji and laughed.

okay, maybe she should?

kim "idiot" minji

hey

hope you don't mind if i visit your place

i'm gonna go get my clothes and things i left

:(((

seen.

you rolled your eyes as soon as you spotted the familiar pair of shoes on the doorway, you entered and saw minji sitting on the sofa with your brother. you ignored them and walked your way to a corridor, then inside your room. minji saw you and stood up.

"hey, i'm just gonna fetch my clothes in your sister's room." minji smiled at your brother, and the younger boy shrugged. "good luck then."

it felt like throwing oneself inside a lion's den, as minji stood in front of your door, she didn't have any idea what she should say — she knows it isn't a great idea, but there are no ideas left, if she'll only be able to claim her things back, or if she'll have your heart — it would be better if comes home with both.

chances are slim of course, her image has been tainted, even with that one mistake — still, you didn't really know if your decision of breaking up with her is for the best; a part of you screamed for her to leave you alone — and the other part wished you could've had more time to get your shit back together.

you don't know whether it's too late, but you had her things already packed in case she comes back looking for them.

you heard a knock and you took deep breaths before stomping your way to the door. you found yourself shaking as you held the cold door knob, not knowing whether it's you or the air inside your room. why is it freezing cold? why are you nervous? you chose this path.

twisting the knob, your eyes met minji's round ones, her thick eyebrows that stood so prominent, catching your attention as it furrowed. minji cleared her throat. "hey, y/n… i'm sorry for barging in. i was just — i'm here to get my things that i left." you nodded at her and opened the door wider for her.

"go on, i already packed them for you." minji nodded and made her way inside. goddamnit, the smell, it hit her that she might not be coming back to this room anymore, the room she had been even before you became her girlfriend, and after everything. it's sad, she spotted her clothes, hoodies, even the notes she left packed in a box.

minji wished you hadn't done that, because first, even if you hated her, you're just way too nice — second because she wished she had more time in your room to get her shit together and think of something, just something to convince you to come back to her.

"what are you waiting for? are you just gonna stand there?" you asked. minji took deep breaths and closed her eyes before turning around to face you. "hey, y/n can we please talk about this more? i know i only came here for my clothes but — bro…" you wanted to laugh, but that'll be too mean.

you rolled your eyes and shrugged. "is there anything else left for us to discuss? i thought you said you're tired of explaining."

minji rubbed her face with her hands and groaned. "i know i did, i'm sorry that's so fucking stupid of me. but please, we were both mad and upset that time, if we were both calm, you know we can discuss it better, right?" minji pleaded, walking towards you, you scoffed — looking away from her.

"you're the only one who thinks that way, minji. and i don't have time in this world to accommodate your stupidity." now you're getting mad again. minji took deep breaths, you looked at her and frowned. "calm down—"

"shut up." you cut her off.

it was silent for at least 5 minutes, you were thinking, twice — if you would listen to her ramblings, give her a chance to redeem herself, you wanted to you just can't accept that you actually want to give her a chance because if you didn't want to, you could've kicked her out already.

you regained your posture. "say what you want to say then, before i get pissed and kick you out, throw your things on the road."

minji nodded. "thanks! i know i lied, i'm sorry, i know it hurt you, sorry for not trusting you because you really did trust me a lot and i broke it. i lied because i know that it was wrong, i was scared you might get mad at me now i learned my lesson! was there another time where i lied to you? if yes — i'm so sorry y/n please forgive me! i'll do anything just to have you back, even if i tell myself that i'm fine without you. i know i'm not! and i admit that it's my loss, that you can live a life the same way, even better without me — but it's the opposite for me."

no, minji has never lied to you other than that time — because you're a very petty person okay? you hold grudges for over a long time, minji knows that, you remember when someone did you wrong; you'll take that to your grave, swearing to never forget. maybe that's why it's serious for you, because she built your trust over the time, you loved her because you know she would never, and she had never lied to you; that time you found out, it didn't make sense because why would she lie?

"i know, you never lied to me other than that time — but that's why i felt that way right? i don't understand why you lied, because you never did before and there is no reason why you should! i can't explain it, because i never imagined you to be that type of a lover, so when reality hit me that if you got the chance again, you'd make me an idiot again. and i wouldn't want that to be my cycle." you had a lot of pride, because in all honesty, you can proudly say you have never lied to her.

minji knows your schedule, you always tell her what you are up to, your plans — when you stay out late, you exactly tell her what for! and when she demands that she takes you home, you allow her.

there's no reason for you to be scared of what clapback minji has; because she has none.

"i can still be your honest lover, i swear! and no promises, but you can always remember what i'm saying right now. i would never lie to you ever again. mark my words, kill me if i do again, i'll let you." you laughed, minji was serious — but you laughed, because you know you will seriously kill her if she does lie again.

"don't worry i will." you scoffed. minji smiled. "i'm sorry, babe?" minji didn't hesitate, you gave her a blank stare as she gave you those puppy eyes. you huffed and turned around, you had your bacm facing her you let her be as she embraced you in a hug, resting her chin your shoulder while gently rocking you.

"i'll get back at you okay? we can study together here for the whole month." minji pouted, you looked at her and shrugged, a blush creeping up on your cheeks. "whatever." minji chuckled and kissed your cheek. "i love you."

you sighed. "hmmm… yeah me too."

at the end of the day, you still love minji, even if she's a huge idiot, sometimes an asshole — you have to admit that you had a burst of emotion that night you broke up with her, you still think it's valid though. but yeah, minji is a good lover, you just hope she doesn't do something stupid ever again.

minji snuggled close to you, holding you with her big hands. you're still putting up a wall though, she's not gonna get the satisfaction of seeing you all over her again for a week or two.

you have to show her who's the boss.

and it's you.

[notnights]

i legit love the idea of jax leaving anonymous gifts for gangle, and enjoying being on stage w/her bcs he's actually challenged and active enough to a point where he isn't feeling boredom or dread. also, there's a certain escapism in taking on the role of a character.

hmm, other ribbun scenarios? i can imagine gangle infodumping to zooble abt smth she used to watch, and jax feeling irritated by her rambling at first, but soon becoming accustomed to it and enjoying hearing her voice and opinions. perhaps he even remembers some of the shows she talks about. maybe he chimes in absentmindedly from his hiding spot and zoob n gangle are both like "u were here this whole time ??"

or what about caine using his ringmaster authority to make sure that jax is kind to gangle for a day? and now he has to do whatever gangle asks, and he's not allowed to break her mask. i wonder what she would do with that opportunity? dress him up in silly outfits? get him to pose in different ways for art references? like a mannequin doll.

i love seeing dynamics like these in moments where they have to work together for a common goal, as well. like, they get paired up together in an event and the reward is like. new crayon colours and a can of silly string/sticky hand/centipede or smth. i imagine a lot of yelling and fighting and cartoon violence shenanigans, but maybe, mayhaps, a "good job! we crushed em!" every here and there when things go well.

i also think jax trying to drag gangle away from a teaparty (hosted by ragatha ofc, no jaxes allowed) so that he can have an accomplice in ruining said teaparty for everyone would be fun. he wants to cause some chaos with his favourite victim

anyway hope u like these misc thoughts. idk im new to their dynamic :3c

1). Yeah it's a good thought! For a moment he can be someone else, someone who cares or someone who is open about being in the company of others.

2). I like to think sometimes Jax enjoys Gangle talking... but that's also why he doesn't like it. Doesn't like that something as simple as Gangle going on about something she likes makes him happy. Doesn't know why yet. Too close, too sentimental maybe. Feelings he's not ready for. So then he breaks her mask to shut her up. :(

3). I really want to imagine Jax and Gangle can get along in that way a bully and his lackey does. Bully picks on his lackey too but sometimes they get up to nonsense together and laugh at others together. Comedy!Gangle liking funny things too, which can range from something as silly as giving one ice cube to someone who asked for a couple, to seeing people get physically hurt (to the extent it happens in the DC anyways).

She won't go as far as Jax, when the going gets tough she'd start feeling guilty before Jax does, but up until then she's laughing and fooling around at Ragatha stepping on and getting slammed in the face by a misplaced rake.

Rare moments where they get along because Gangle is acting more willingly in Jax's interests. Idk if this idea has any merit with what we've seen so far. We still have no reference for Comedy!Gangle, and Jax atm really doesn't have any respect for her as an actual friend, at least when she's Tragedy!Gangle. I can only really imagine him getting along with Comedy!Gangle if she really is completely different though, and again we don't know if she is yet.

So it's an idea I haven't worked too much with despite how much I want it. I want them to be silly together. They both ave forever smiles in that aspect.

(concept for the next chapter-promo for the zooblecaine fic)

Anyways, with that said yeah something that gets them working with mutual goals is a good way to get that kind of interaction going. Awful together in a different way. Awful at each other vs Awful together at others lol.

4). Yeah I like the idea he'll drag her to help him with things too. Much to her dismay but she goes along with it, she doesn't really have a choice poor girl. Drags her around like a wet rag until he gets bored of dragging her because, what a drag!

"Wants to cause some chaos with his favorite victim," is such a good line also. I hate Jax, love to see him be awful. My poor girl Gangle deserves better.

[aheathen-conceivably]

🎈🌸 jo and gio

🍷 🍭 zelda and antoine

and a bonus… 🧁🌼 jo and val

Hello, Nonny! I love how we've collectively decided that these are the couples on this blog this Valentine's day 😌

Jo and Gio

🎈 Where did they first meet? Was it a tame first encounter or was there a bit of banter at first?

Hehe yall really must know I'm cooking up a flashback scene, don't yall? They met at one of Jo's many house parties back in the early 20s! Yes, there was banter. Yes, it was witty and a little drunken. No, it was very much not tame.

🌸 Is jealousy a problem in their relationship? Which of them is more likely to be the jealous type if so?

Ahem. So. Would a yes even suffice here? 😅 All jealousy in this relationship is coming from Gio. Jo would honestly fare pretty well in a polyamorous or open relationship if she could resist manipulating the parties against each other. Gio, however? Yeah, no Gio is jealous (it is quite literally one of his four in-game traits). Now that alone is bad enough, but Jo knows. Not only that, but she has and absolutely will use it against him when she needs to, only making him more possessive and insecure in the long run.

Zelda and Antoine

🍷 Were they supposed to be endgame? What changed if that wasn't the case?

Yes, always. I started writing Antoine back in the 1900s and was just positively waiting for the moment they got together. Even in the very early 20s when I had to keep them apart, and through that decade when they couldn't get married, their engagement was always endgame of the whole decade and their wedding the start of the next.

🍭 What's a fact about them that could have people raising an eyebrow upon hearing?

Well...at least in their time period, their daughter was born out of wedlock and they lived "in sin" (GASP!) for almost nine years. Hell, that one may still make a couple grandmas raise an eyebrow or two around these parts.

and now for the bonus level!

Jo and Val

🧁 Their most common love language(s)?

Does mocking each other count? 😂 Like not full blown, schoolyard bullying, but they both do enjoy kind of prodding at the other's pride and competitiveness in a mutual way to get a rise out of them. When they're on good terms, its alot more jovial, like their nightly competitions; but especially now that Val feels kind of put out by Jo, she flirts with her by making her flustered, and by not taking her shit. Is Jo into it? She is trying very hard not to be lol

🌼 What are their orientations? Did they end up helping each other figure those orientations out, or were they already aware before starting to date?

Hey! I love this! Especially because I know I said eons ago that Jo was bisexual, however I don't think it’s been said that Valcita is a lesbian. I have also said that Jo has been out to her friends since the early 1920s. Gio, Zelda, and Antoine are all aware of this, especially since she was dating a woman named Amiya when she first met Zelda. So no, Val didn't help Jo figure that out. And while we haven't seen any of Val's backstory yet, her romantic past will remain a mystery to us. But she isn't "confused" or "tormented" about her sexuality the way that is often assumed in a period story. Val accepts things in a "matter of fact" way, and I think she took the awareness of her attraction that way when she was younger. She’s been with other women before, but more than anything, I think Jo is the first woman she finds interesting, and to her that is the new element of her romantic attraction that she's trying to grapple with.

[inkblackorchid]

I know the 4kids dub is terrible, but what do you think of each main cast English voices in general do you think they fit for who they are?

Just for you, I went back and got a quick refresher on the English voices, because it has actually been so long since I saw any significant portion of the dub that I genuinely forgot how some of them sounded. For reasons of the dub episode listing being a mess due to cut episodes, meaning that I have no idea where to reliably hear which character talk and thus had to pick a couple episodes at random, I'll just go over the signers if that's okay.

So, first off, Yusei. Honestly, purely from a voice acting standpoint, I think Greg Abbey is perfectly fine. The fact that his dub Yusei voice is one of the voices that stuck with me is a testament to that fact, I think. I'm not too hot on how they changed Yusei's personality in the dub, but that's on the writing, not on Greg's performance. And for what it's worth, I think he does a decent, more sarcastic Yusei. That said, in emotional scenes, I do think he lacks some of the oomph that I adore Yuya Miyashita for in the sub. That guy has a pair of lungs on him, whew. But Greg gets a solid 8/10 from me.

Then, we have Jack. Jack, to me, has arguably the best dub voice. Not only does the over-the-top accent Ted Lewis does make him sound suitably arrogant and haughty, there's also a really cool headcanon I've seen floating around again recently that I think goes perfectly with it—namely, that Jack has a Cockney accent (commonly regarded as a lower-class British accent) which he picked up because he wanted to sound posh, whilst not realising that what he's speaking still outs him as a former lower-class citizen. (If somebody could point me to the op of that headcanon again I'd be grateful, tumblr search is being as useless as ever.) The only criticism I could offer is that I do think Takanori Hoshino's even deeper voice in the sub fits Jack just a smidgen better than Ted's. But for these two, honestly both work for me. 10/10 for the posh accent, cheers.

Next up, Aki. I don't necessarily think Erica Schroeder does a terrible Aki voice, but tbh, between her and Ayumi Kinoshita, I prefer the latter by far. It's mostly because of the vocal range, though, which in fact recently came up with a tumblr mutual of mine. Ayumi simply manages to reach deeper registers, which works especially well towards the first half of the show, when Aki's still occasionally making threats as the Black Rose Witch. Erica's performance by comparison isn't terrible, but it's on the whole a little more higher-pitched and soft, almost, whereas I feel like Ayumi gives Aki more depth with her performance, because especially during the Fortune Cup and Dark Signers arc, Aki isn't just the girly female lead, so it fits that she wouldn't sound like it, either. Also, I feel like it was a bit of a missed opportunity that they didn't give her a slightly more posh accent in the dub, too, given that she comes from a very well-off family. So 4/10 for Erica.

As for Crow. With him, I have the opposite problem. The performances Clay Adams and Tom Wayland give are fine character-wise, but their voices honestly sound a little too deep to fit the character well for me. Shintaro Asanuma, by comparison, sometimes breaks out into these higher-pitched squawks in moments of outrage, which I think fit Crow perfectly. It also contrasts his voice better with those of Yusei and Jack. That said, I find it funny how all three of them seemed to share the idea that Crow would have a slightly scratchy voice, as befits his namesake. Also somewhere around 4, maybe 5/10.

Then we've got Ruka/Luna. She's probably the one I have the weakest opinion about. Cassandra Morris and Eileen Stevens both do a decent job with her, though I have to admit I have a bit of a weakness for the specific softness Yuka Terasaki gives her in the sub. But both (or rather, all three) work decently here, I think. 7/10, not bad, not stand-out.

And finally, Rua/Leo. I'll admit, I don't like the performances Morris and Stevens give here (again) nearly as much as Ai Horanai's Rua. I think it's because Horanai's Rua sounds like a much more believable, excited young boy to me. She captures his exuberance and occasional embarrassment in a way that feels less performative than the two English VAs do to me. That said, Leo's personality still tracks perfectly, so 6/10 for the English VAs.

(Let me tell you one thing, though: It was weird hearing the dub voices again after I've stuck to sub watching for so long now. Both in a good way (they're so funny) and a bad way (Crow, are you hoarse?).)

[ravensvirginity]

The newly released valentine special of bb///rae just lacks chemistry. Where is the romance? Where is the bonding? Where are the feels? And most importantly, where is BB's effort in making the date memorable???

The issue is just about Raven trying everything to GIVE him the best valentine's day (which is traditionally wrong in the first place - the guy should be the one treating his girl on valentine's day, and then the girl reciprocates on the white valentine's day, at least that's how it's done where I live), while BB doesn't even give her any gift in the end.

Like where is the effort??? Couldn't he at least just find her a glass of Perrier??? Or maybe just have Raven remember all the kindness he has given her, how he has always spoiled her, which makes her fall in love and determine to reciprocate through their valentine date every year. But no.

I would understand if this is his birthday. But this is valentine, and a relationship is a tango that requires two people. I have no complaints about letting Raven be the caretaker in the relationship, but I expect mutual effort in a couple-focus comic issue.

I get your point, but to be fair to the comic I think there's reasons in the story for why we didn't really see Gar doing anything for Raven. There's like one page of Raven thinking she wants Gar to have a great Valentine's Day before the plot is derailed by Brother Blood. The issue is just short in general because it's only one small bit in an anthology comic so there's not much time for anything but the Brother Blood stuff.

White Valentine's Day is not really a thing in the USA. I'm a lesbian so I don't have firsthand experience with being with a guy on Valentine's Day, but from what I see in pop culture and social media I think these days Valentine's Day planning can go either way. There's no strong expectation that the man will do everything. Since Raven is unfamiliar with Valentine's Day and it has no real significance to her but it does to Gar it makes sense that she's doing something for him rather than the other way around.

I do get your point and I don't really disagree when you compare how BBRae has been written overall the main comic. We've seen very little of what Gar does for Raven or what draws them together. A good microcosm of this is how in the Tales series from 2023 Gar wasn't in Raven's issue at all but Raven was basically just the mom girlfriend in Gar's, taking care of him with no regards to her characterization as a closed off emotionally unavailable person. Beast World as well had a ton of Raven trying to look after Gar and pining for him while Gar never really did the same in Raven's Dark Wing Queen arc.

That being said, the writer of this mini issue didn't write any of those and were probably just told "write a short cute Valentine's Day story". For what it is, I honestly was expecting much worse and I think it's fine as ship content in a special issue. It's how Raven and Gar are written in the main series that I'm more concerned with.

[pensbridge]

I love talk about any couples' love languages. It reveals so much to a character's core, provides background, and tells us about who they are!

We all know Colin's love language is physical touch; I suspect he will greatly receive love by way of words of affirmation (we've already seen "you merely believed yourself in love; one should never apologize" exhibit A and 'purpose' scene exhibit B). Imo, Penelope shows her love with words of affirmation/she will receive love through physical touch and acts of service; I feel Penelope would be the type to take into account actions shown to her over what is said, and of what seems too good to be true.

There's just such a long list of what we could see-

Physical Touch: 1001 ways Polin shows their affection inc Carriage scene ✔️confirmed, Mirror scene ✔️confirmed, also the unholy trilogy.. (parts 1, 2, & 3+) of Every Couples' Journey to Acceptance of their Feelings for One Another: The Unplanned Moment that Catches You Off Guard, The "I need this to happen again to confirm what I think is right" Initiation by 1 Participant Re-moment, & The Establishing "this is where we're at--'so in love, but we haven't said it yet'," Mutual Affair that makes a couple look completely at ease and settled even though they've only been together for like 3 weeks atp, (often times shown in a montage).

Also) the most casual touches/shows of affection-Penelope sitting on Colin's lap, hand-holding, hair brushing or brushing hair behind ear, etc. etc.

Words of Affirmation: Colin telling Penelope he loves her and all the things he loves about her in a big speech; Penelope telling Colin she loves him and going into depth of her long-term affection for him; Penelope complimenting Colin's writing, and encouraging him about his writing; Colin complimenting something of Penelope in their lessons; admiration and affection for one another's snark; Colin complimenting Penelope's makeover dress; Colin complimenting Penelope's writing 😯; Penelope accidentally letting it slip something she likes about him while she's trying to remain mad and it being the cutest thing that can't help but make even the antis go "aww"

Acts of Service: cooking for the other; Colin trying to 'protect' Pen with his heroicism x 20; Penelope making a dessert for Colin

Quality Time: Lessons aka Colin finding excuses to stay near her; reading together; writing together; long walk together; calling upon one another at their houses; standing together x50 at balls; dinner?; Lady Danbury-Polin interractions plzzzz; if Colin somehow takes Penelope on a date; drawing room, if Penelope and Colin spend time with Eloise as the third wheel- time with other siblings where we see how they are a third wheel...

Gifts: Necklace?; Colin brought back something else from his trip for Pen (bonus if he gives it to her once they're engaged due to the circumstances); Penelope's potential letters she never sent (is this a gift? I'm counting it.); flowers

[advertisesouls-a]

#𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐒𝐄𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐒: an independent, private, selective and mutuals only blog for my h.azbin h.otel oc xifeng. please note that i am unaffiliated with the fandom and do not condone anything that v.ivziepop has done and continues to do. my name is solar, 31, and i use they/them as my pronouns! thank you sm for your interest! ♥ please also note that everything here is still a huge wip, too! also, with the nature of xifeng's character, there is a dead dove warning on her.

about | history / involvement in the series!

rules are underneath the read more!

considering the nature of xifeng's character as well as hazbin hotel as a series, there's a good amount of topics that i'll be tagging for in threads. these are, but will not be limited to: cannibalism, gore, murder, suicide, attempted sexual assault—amongst a handful of others. i will always tag for these if they come up in threads!

i must ask for my own comfort, however, if you would like to follow me, please be mindful and tag for the following: adultery/cheating/infidelity, domestic abuse, gaslighting, sexual harassment and alcohol abuse/alcoholism (i am completely fine with casual drinks in threads. this is mostly stemming from angry drunks!) thank you for keeping these in mind when we're interacting — it does mean a lot!

if there's a specific thing you'd like for me to tag for, then please let me know! your comfort always comes first! ♥

as far as my dni criteria goes, it's the usual: no racism, lgbtq+phobia, ace erasure, etc. i will also make it abundantly clear that  i, in no way, will tolerate proshipping in any form, so if you do support this, then please do me the favor and kindly hardblock me. 

i do not want to hear your justification as to why proshipping should be allowed on this platform, thank you.

besides that, please be mindful that i am only here to have fun. this is a hobby and will be treated as such. please do not badger me for replies (a small reminder here and there is fine, though) as i suffer with chronic fatigue and pain and also have to be my mom's caretaker 24/7, so i may also be away from my pc at times. i also suffer from adhd, major depressive disorder and general anxiety disorder and my spoons are virtually nonexistent all the time.

please do not use me as a meme/aesthetic resource, do not like every post i make, etc. shipping requires both chemistry and effort as i do not want to be the one solely expressing interest in continuing said ship. if no interest is expressed within a couple of months, i will consider the ship to be dropped. you are more than welcome to approach me to ask to continue the ship, however! as far as romantic shipping is concerned, it's very unlikely to happen as i ship xifeng with @praeteritus-memories' alastor and we've plotted extensively for them to where i consider lu's alastor to be both my main and exclusive alastor.

also, please do not drag me into drama. i don't care for it. i don't have time for it. i don't have spoons for it. If there is someone that i’m interacting with that is considered a threat to the RPC, then by all means, feel free to privately contact me to give me a heads’ up. I am pro-callout to a degree, but only when there’s irrefutable evidence in the callout itself. lastly, please don't use my tumblr ims or discord dms as your personal venting space. i'd prefer to be asked beforehand if it's alright to vent to me because my spoons are always low. another thing that i would like to emphasize is if you interact with or condone the actions of the following, then please, hardblock me as well: aku, damon / omen / rxgelord (eyesofbluebitch/burnyoubastard), hearty, zero / kign typo, myers, loke / neku, miles, shannon / pink. this list will be periodically updated should further callouts emerge.

psd / template credits go to @frcknbats, @robsources, @queenofseouls, @carestuff, & @supersources!

[black-arcana]

AREJAY HALE Hopes To Release Next HALESTORM Album In 2025

During an appearance on the latest episode of The VORTX Podcast with host Ethan Jackson, HALESTORM drummer Arejay Hale was asked when fans can expect to hear new music from the band. Arejay responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I'm hoping next year… We always say the same thing. It's, like, it'll be out when we're done with it [laughs] and the whole process after it — getting it mixed, getting it mastered, getting the promotion campaign together and all that. There's a lot to it. But the experience has been great 'cause we're doing it in Savannah with [producer] Dave Cobb, and Dave Cobb is absolutely killing the game right now."

Regarding HALESTORM's decision to work with Cobb this time around, Arejay said: "It's always good for a band to, if you want your sound to evolve, bring in some fresh minds into it. And the cool thing about Dave is that he's a total hard rock and metalhead at heart. A lot of his most successful projects have been a lot of country, a lot of alternative — I mean, he's all over the spectrum — so when works with us, you can tell… There's a really great mutual respect between [us], 'cause we've been doing this long enough and he's been doing it for so long. We've been a huge fan of his as well, so there's a lot of mutual respect between the two of us, and you can feel it in the room."

Asked if he and his HALESTORM bandmates set a date for themselves for when they want to be done with a record, Arejay said: "It used to be a lot more stringent in the early days. 'Cause when you're trying to get the band off the ground, you really wanna kind of keep that momentum going. But our last couple of records have been a little bit more laid back, which is nice. It kind of gives it room to breathe. It gives us time to like really assess where we wanna go. And definitely COVID changed everything."

On the topic of whether the HALESTORM members do more work remotely now or if they still all get together in the studio and collaborate on ideas in one room, Arejay said: "Oh, it's so much more effective for us to be in the same room. I think it kind of forces you to just… I guess we work well under pressure, 'cause, going back to your last question… We definitely feel the pressure to get the album out at a certain time, but what really cranks up the pressure is the fact that we're leaving Nashville and going to Savannah for only a set period of time, 'cause Dave [only has certain] windows [of availability]. And it really forces us to just dig into your gut and just pull things out. And when we're all together in the room and Joe [Hottinger, HALESTORM guitarist] starts playing around with the riff and I start jamming with them, things just come out, things just happen. There's a magic there."

Last month, HALESTORM frontwoman — and Arejay's sister — Lzzy Hale was asked by Decker of the rock station Razor 94.7/104.7 (WZOR) about the progress of the writing and recording sessions for the follow-up to 2022's "Back From The Dead". Lzzy said: "We've been in the studio with Dave Cobb for some time now, and it's been different this time. It's been very sporadic. It isn't like we mapped out, like, eight weeks of time and we're gonna get a record done. We started going to him — first it was three days to test him out and we wrote a song together from scratch. And everyone was, like, 'Wait. What is this?' And then we went back — we went out on tour, we came back, had another session with him for about two weeks, and then we had another one for three weeks. It keeps getting a little more. And so we have one more session fully booked for August after this tour to kind of finish up everything. But it's really exciting."

Elaborating on HALESTORM's working relationship with Cobb, Lzzy said: "The process has been very like A.D.D., which I really love, because all of us are a little touched by [it] [laughs], if anybody has noticed over the years. But it was a great challenge, because this is Dave Cobb. He's worked with RIVAL SONS and AIRBOURNE, but that's like the rock world that he's in. He's made most of his name from Brandi Carlile and Chris Stapleton and Jason Isbell, whom I love, all three of those artists, so much."

Lzzy went on to say that she and her HALESTORM bandmates initially "got a lot of pushback" from their team about the prospect of working with Cobb. She recalled: "We were saying, 'Oh, wouldn't it be cool to do a record with Dave Cobb? Because that would be something that nobody would really expect from us. And I bet you he would come up with some crazy ideas. Don't know the guy, but let's figure it out.' And everybody on our team was, like, 'No, no, he's too busy. That's not you. He's got this stuff going. He's got, like, nine Grammys with Chris Stapleton. That's not your scene.' And so we kept pushing back. We're, like, 'No, no, no. Just ask him. Just ask him. We can handle rejection, but just ask him.' And so finally, our A&R guy at our label is, like, 'Fine, I'll reach out. Whatever. Just stop bugging me.' And so he reached out, and then he called me, like, the next day. He's, like, 'Hey, I heard back from Dave Cobb. And guess what? Not only does he absolutely know who you are, but he's been wanting to make a record with you for, like, seven years. And he has a plan already of how he wants to do it.' And we're, like, 'What? This is sick.' So anyway, we went to go test the waters, and we go into the studio. And look, I write every day. When I die, there's gonna be so much that everyone has to sift through, just gibberish songs, all that. So I always have, like, a bank with me, like, 'Here's riffs, here's songs, here's subject titles, here's poetry.' And he was, like, 'No, no, no. We're not gonna do anything that you already have. Nothing.' I'm, like, 'Uh. What?' And he's, like, 'No, we're just gonna start.' Everyone's sitting in a circle and we're, like, gonna kumbaya. So everyone got an instrument, like, 'All right. So what are we feeling today?' I'm, like, 'Is this a therapy session?' And we ended up — it's crazy, 'cause then we'll like grab on to something 'cause of that pressure of, like, 'Well, I was thinking about this as this is happening.' 'Cool. Let's go there.' And so he has this amazing instincts that are very, like, you can't see it when you're in it. And then, as soon as we start like putting stuff together, we kind of zoom out and, like, 'Oh, wait a minute. This is so wild and awesome and exactly what we do.' So it's very strange. But we're all very free. And then the other thing is that while we're writing it, we're recording it at the same time. So these tracks are, like, us discovering the song for the first time as well as we're performing them. There are some things that we're performing them all at the same time. There's one track in particular that we completely forgot to put the click track on, and we did like three takes like that, and then we're, like, 'Oh, wait. We don't even have a click going.' Arejay [Hale, HALESTORM drummer and Lzzy's brother] said something, like, 'Were we supposed to have like a click track so we all are on time together?' And everyone's, like, 'We didn't even notice it was gone.' And so we did another take with the click. We're, like, 'No, we like that other one better.' So there's stuff like that. A lot of weird surprises. There's a lot of space. And we're really excited because we're not going country or anything like that, or Americana. This is such a new — it's got so much teeth, and it's so different than what we just did with 'Back From The Dead', but in this almost weightier, heavier way. And the lyrics are — I'm tackling subjects I've never tackled before because I'm having the freedom to do so. So I'm very excited."

HALESTORM and I PREVAIL recently embarked on summer 2024 co-headlining tour. Produced by Live Nation, the trek kicked off on July 9 in Raleigh and will run through August 17 in Las Vegas. HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD and FIT FOR A KING are serving as support. The tour is also the catalyst and the creative spark for HALESTORM and I PREVAIL's collaborative track "Can U See Me In The Dark?", which was released last month.

HALESTORM has partnered with mental health organization Sound Mind Live to engage fans to pledge support that will provide free-to-the-community mental health programming across the country for fans and the broader community.

"Back From The Dead" has tallied over 100 million streams worldwide. Rolling Stone called the title track "a biting but cathartic howler about overcoming all obstacles," and that song as well as "The Steeple" marked their fifth and sixth number ones at rock radio, respectively. Associated Press said the album "will definitely be in the running for best hard rock/metal album of the year." Their previous album, "Vicious", earned the band their second Grammy nomination, for "Best Hard Rock Performance" for the song "Uncomfortable", the band's fourth #1 at rock radio, and led Loudwire to name HALESTORM "Rock Artist Of The Decade" in 2019.

Fronted by Lzzy with Arejay, Joe and bass player Josh Smith, HALESTORM's music has earned multiple platinum and gold certifications from the RIAA, and the band has earned a reputation as a powerful live music force, headlining sold-out shows and topping festival bills around the world, and sharing the stage with icons including HEAVEN & HELL, Alice Cooper, Joan Jett and JUDAS PRIEST. Additionally, Lzzy was named the first female brand ambassador for Gibson and served as host of AXS TV's "A Year In Music".

[basedhighsenberg]

Have you ever met somebody, and talking with them is so easy and you get along so well, feel like you've known them a long time?

That was about how yesterday went.

I planned on maybe spending 10-15 minutes visiting this girl at her LeVian show, depending on the vibe.

I wound up staying for an hour talking to her the whole time.

When she first saw me at the counter her jaw -literally- dropped, and she's like "I recognize you! I'm so glad you actually came!"

The store was fairly busy. I made no attempt to pull her away from anyone or anything, but she was whipping the crowds such that somehow she was able to break away every few minutes just to come talk to me. She showed me a few pieces, a massive signet ring she had in mind for me, a dragon ring she designed herself (that she made me promise not to show anyone else lol).

Amusingly, after a bit several of the customers started talking to her and I like we were some sort of pair. I don't blame them because I felt like I had been talking to someone I've known for a minute. She interjected at one point too and said I was her "friend who came to visit". This one couple asked us how long we've known each other, and when I said we only met last Friday they were like "huh?"

At some point,some of the other employees at the store noticed I was lingering and talking to her so they came over to 'vet' me (as they should). I was honest and told them I was from a competitor store, and joked that I was here to "spy". I wound up discussing business with them as well, and I "accidentally" flexed on them- their store does 1.2m a year, mine should about 5m this year. I also mentioned how I essentially forced the old manager out for being incompetent, and one of the employees there apparently knew him and thanked me because he had also had to deal with his asshattery as a customer over a year ago.

Her and I also discussed business a little bit when she got free. She was at the JCK show in Vegas in June, and I mentioned had clients there that rang out the first sale of the show for like $94k. I showed her the pieces my clients bought and she was like "oh my god, that was them!" We also discovered we have mutual friends with LeVian, my store rep and his wife are good friends with her.

My store was also having a jewelry show for the Lalli brand, which I tried to invite her to, although it was a lot smaller and we had already hit goal by the time I went out. We discussed a few brands- Lalli, Kallati, Effy- but Levian was very clearly her favorite. So I showed her the LeVian ring I wear on my left hand and she LOVED it- apparently she had only ever seen it once before and remarked about how rare it was.

I also showed her my other ring, the 18k gold Alexandrite. At first she thought it was tourmaline, but when I told her it was Alexandrite her jaw dropped again, and she literally grabbed my hand hard with both of hers (her hands were hot to the touch, as were mine) and brought it super close to her face so she could get a better look- it was a little surprising and for a split second I thought she was gonna eat my hand to get the ring lmao.

I got a little more bold and decided to ask her about how she liked staying in Utah, and if she's been doing anything fun here. She mentioned she was in Park City Sunday and got a sunburn, and motioned to the burn on her chest. I laughed and asked her how much longer she was gonna be in town, and she, sensing where i was going with the conversation I'm sure, smiled and essentially gave me her entire detailed itinerary for the rest of the week- she's doing a bunch of shows up in Salt Lake and was flying out Saturday.

At this point I was actually going to ask her out, but the store got busy and another employee stepped in to pull her away. Great timing but no problem, I continued to browse and made some more small talk with the other employees. Then I noticed that I had been there for like an hour already.

She sensed that I was angling to leave, so she got free one more time and came over to say goodbye and thanked me for coming to see her show. I also thanked her and said I had a good time.

I truly did, I've met few people with a personality/vibe that warm. The feeling that I've known her longer than a few days still sits pleasantly heavy with me.

Before I walked away, I had my hands resting on the class counter. She reached out and put her hand over mine, smiled and squeezed gently before we both turned to go back to our days. I must have had the biggest, dooffiest smile on my face walking back to my truck.

As soon as I got inside, I immediately texted her. I told her that if she wanted to see the sights a little more before she left, that I'd love to take her out and get to know her better. She thanked me for the offer and said she'd let me know.

I had planned/preferred to actually ask her in person, but the crowd were not allowing it- which is fine. I have no idea if anything will happen- I know what the life of a traveling rep is like and on the road it's hectic and schedules are down to the wire. But I think given the context and how the hour went, overall it was a very positive experience. I'm glad I have it a chance, and extremely grateful that I didn't listen to my initial doubts.

At this point, all I can do is put it in God's hands.

Who knows, right?

[theheightofdishonor]

I'm gonna take the leap and finally talk about only friends on here. There's only one episode left so I think it's a good time to just write about it

Top and Mew

I won't lie, these two are probably the most boring pair to me and from the little i have perused through the tags, it seems like it's the same for a lot of people? But I do appreciate them. I think the lack of chemistry between them is 100% intentional. We know Force and Book can pull off chemistry. And on top of that, this crew is wonderful in bringing out the best from its cast so the fact that Mew and Top feel like they're missing something, that's on purpose. I think @shortpplfedup has mentioned a couple times about how Top and Mew's relationship is wrapped up in ego and image and how it warps their perception and expectations from each other and I agree! Even when they're vulnerable with each other, there's a guard there because they're unable to not be playing this game they've got going on with each other. And this tracks into ep 11 because the only reason Mew agrees to forgive Top is because Top threatens to walk away for good (because he can't handle the idea of being the loser in this relationship forever) and Mew can't have that because that would make him the loser permanently. I've been referring to their situation as 'gone girl-ing' irl because they're that couple who don't really like each other? but they're still never going to leave because they know they're well matched and would be more miserable with someone else and also leaving would mean admitting that they've made a bad choice so they stay together but they also kind of enjoy this mutual toxicity? Like Mew is 100% going to run to his friends again complaining about Top and then when they suggest breaking up, be like 'well, I should but" until it gets exhausting for everyone involved.

I know tons of people like this in real life. And they're not my favourite but i've made peace with it. That being said, I still don't quite understand what the team's intention is with Top because he really is very neglected in this cast. We know nearly nothing about him and the things we do know never get looked at. Again, I do think this is intentional and Force is doing a phenomenal job with the character but I just don't get what they're leading to. I won't make a solid judgement on this though til the finale airs so moving on

Nick and Boston.

My favorite pair and favorite characters? Yeah they are. Nick, my adorable little psychopath, we've had our ups and downs and I was skeptical if you'd ever stop being embarrassing but you did and I am so proud of my absolute favorite boy. He's accepted his own toxicity, taken a good hard look at himself and his feelings for Boston and he is on top of everything. When he's telling Ton in the club to not look at other men, there's (to me at least) no hint of that worry or insecurity from the first couple episodes. And Boston's reaction too was more of a guy who's heard his partner complain about the same thing a million times instead of taking it as a sign of Nick's clinginess. It felt like echoes of an old, worn 'argument' that's just rote. And then in the conversation where Boston offers a short term committed relationship? He doesn't just jump into and instead thinks about whether it's something he really wants and what it means for him and what it means for them. Not to mention how well he was able to establish expectations with Daddy Dan about their relationship. There's still time for him to backflip next week but for now, baby boy is winning.

And Boston! I think his character arc so far has been very well done. He's not had a complete personality makeover but he's changed too and has made adjustments to the way he looks at things. The entire conversation about a committed relationship with Nick was everything. It's such a huge step for him and you can feel it in just Neo's posture and his tone how much it means to him. I don't actually think I have the words to dissect him well and I think people far more eloquent than I have already done so so i'll just leave it at that.

Oh wait actually brief mention of the Atom-Ton thing because I don't know yet how I feel about Atom being let off so easily. On one hand, it feels true to where Boston is now that he doesn't want to pursue it too much, especially when he's leaving in a couple months and he's also had some revenge with Nick. On the other hand....I don't know. I guess i've shelving this til the last ep too.

One more thing, I've seen the idea that Nick and Ton haven't had enough screentime and I disagree, I think they've made a perfect amount of sense with the amount they've had. Would I complain about seeing more, of course not. But i'm not dissatisfied and their time's been used well and where their arc is at now, they don't need a lot either. Though from the preview, it seems like we will be getting a fair bit of them next week due to the Boston-Boeing storyline.

Sand and Ray.

If I had a firstkhao bias going into this show, it's definitely been worn down. I've more or less given up on Sand developing any sort of backbone or self-respect + the idea of Ray finally reciprocating and taking care of him. They're still cute though and I don't mind any longer that it's an imperfect relationship. That being said, it was so fun seeing Boeing come back to wreck them this episode. Sand's mom tells us that the way Sand is with Ray is just how he is with everyone he cares about but I don't think Ray understood that til we see Sand and Boeing in action. Sand is very clearly uncomfortable in Boeing's presence and yet! He says they can be friends, he asks about Boeing's job, he tells Ray to leave so they can talk in private, sweetheart this man CHEATED ON YOU?? And on top of all of this, he brushes away all of Ray's attempts to claim him in front of Boeing too. Talk about creating all your own problems.

I do want to muse for a bit on Sand saying that Boeing is exactly his type and how he doesn't deny it when Boeing says Ray is the opposite of that. I think they're actually more alike than they seem on the surface. Their mutual disregard for boundaries and willingness to exploit Sand's weaknesses are sure similar as is the need to be seen as special. Boeing turns nasty at the idea of Mew meaning more to Top than he did and a lot of what draws Ray to Sand is the way Sand treats him as something special (and he's not happy either when it's revealed that Sand's behavior towards him is something he gives everyone) On the other hand, Boeing is very put together and barely shows a hint of vulnerability whereas Ray wears his faults on his sleeves and is generally a mess. I haven't quite verbalized any conclusions about this yet but i'm mulling over it. We'll see if I have time to write something up later this week.

Now Ray. Ray's having the time of his life parading around as Sand's boyfriend until it all comes crashing down. They're having cute record shop dates, talking about their future, being domestic in front of elementary school kids, the whole nine yards and even when Sand is being so shifty bringing up Boeing, he's confident enough in where he stands that it doesn't faze him whatsoever. I love Ray but seeing his uncomfortable crawling realization that perhaps Boeing might pose a threat was everything I wanted. The confirmation about his threesome proposals being a front was unneeded but fun. I'm looking forward to seeing how he continues to react to Boeing next week. That little look they shared when First stepped into the water? I suspect these two are going to eat that man alive.

Boeing

Boeing is my darling little agent of chaos. He had his turn with TopMew, he's currently wrecking SandRay and from the looks of it, he's moving onto NickBoston next week. I adore that he's apparently the final boss for all our main couples. I think he's gonna lose 3 for 3 which i'm a little crestfallen about but it's a fun time. I'm enjoying the chaos. I do hope we get to see a little more about his motivations and personality next week though.

Cheum

The fandom's response to Cheum is so weird. First she's on this pedestal of being the perfect girl who can do no wrong amongst these dumb messy boys and now she's the worst of the worst. It's the messy gay show and she's being a messy gay. I've been waiting for her to do something properly awful. The show's not done yet so I do think her response to the Atom-Boston thing will get more screentime next week. Of course I'm not trying to gloss over how terrible her treatment of Boston was but I'm also not expecting her to suddenly grovel nor do I think she should because it's not something she feels sorry for! Her just apologizing for it and feeling bad would be glossing over the fact that these are genuinely things she's thought about Boston all along and that she was just using the opportunity Atom provided to say it. The fact that Boston didn't do what she thought he did doesn't matter to her. And that's what they should address. This storyline is still ongoing though so again, holding out judgement til the end.

Overall, I've loved following this show week to week. It's been messy, it's been dramatic and it's had a lot to say about promiscuity, friendship, relationships and fandom amongst like a dozen other things. Watching the show and fandom reactions to it have been eyeopening. Additionally, the performances have been excellent. Only Friends is proof of how a good director and environment can bring out the best in all its cast because I honestly can't pick who has given the best performance here since they've all just been that good. Even if this show somehow flops next episode, I won't even be that mad because it's been so good and enjoyable that it deserves a bit of leniency and i've enjoyed it all the way through.