#this is like a more exciting more popular more crowded beach

[lesbians-all-the-way-down]

Love the thought of Remus taking the Vancouver Conference for some reason and a) INSISTING on just buying her own hotel so she can be Cerberus and b) taking Cerberus for walks on the ocean 🥺

Bonus thought: her being just a little pregnant. Like the start of a bump. There are adorable little markets here with handmade baby clothes and I NEED her to browse them but for that I need her to have a reason.

[gyuzgrl]

don't be shy //csc//

summary- a variety show sparks feelings between you and your celebrity crush.

wc- 8k

You're ecstatic. Not even in your wildest dreams did you think you'd be invited to a reality show so early on in your career- especially not one as esteemed as 'one fine day'.

Having debuted only a few months ago, you had minimal expectations to begin with, but the overwhelming response from fans and your sudden rise to fame is still something you've yet to process.

It all happened so fast. Your debut stage was over in a wink and suddenly you were trending on twitter for your otherworldly visuals. Artists and idols you looked up to took to their sns accounts to praise you and your group for your talent and dedication- it was like a dream.

You never wanted to wake up.

That's how you found yourself here- in the middle of Thailand, surrounded by a bunch of loud idiots, sipping on some diet Coke as you hide under an umbrella.

You aren't sure what you expected when you received word that you were being invited to host and take part in the popular reality show- 'one fine day', with SEVENTEEN.

From what you'd heard, they had debuted just before you, and were doing just as well as you were. They seemed nice enough.

A sharp scream rips you from your thoughts, and you look up to see Dokyeom shooting across the sand, waving a pair of shorts in his hand, as a very angry short man chases him, wrapped in nothing but a beach towel.

You sigh, pinching the bridge of your nose and slump down against the sand.

This was going to be a long week.

"tired already?" Wonwoo asks, settling down beside you, "the members are... energetic-"

You grin, letting out a breathy laugh.

"yeah that's one way to say it"

"I'll have you know, by the end of the week you'll be a part of all this-"

"uhuh, we'll see" You shoot him a playful glare, only to have your jaw drop when you see something in the horizon.

Wonwoo follows your gaze and chuckles, shaking his head.

"I see you've spotted Sengcheollie Hyung"

"wh-what?"

"that's our leader"

The first day went by in the blink of an eye. You met all the members- except Sengcheol- and spoke to them for a while, getting to know each of them before shooting began.

You'd learnt from your conversations with each of them, that Seungcheol is as responsible, strong and warm, as he is gorgeous. Each one of the members looks up to him. From the youngest to the one's just as old as him, everyone leans on Seungcheol.

Not good.

How dare he be beautiful and dependable?

Your poor heart had already set its sights on him, and you hadn't even met the guy yet.

As you walk back to your hotel with the members and camera crew, you find yourself stealing glances at him every now and then. You tilt your eyes up once more, searching for him amidst the crowd, only to find him staring at you already.

Your eyes widen.

In an instant, you lower your gaze to the floor as you turn your head away. You've been caught.

Seungkwan chatters away next to you, talking about how exciting it is to host with you, but your mind is preoccupied.

Tentatively, you look back in Seungcheol's direction, and your eyes meet his. He shoots you a playful grin, eyes narrowing as you panic under his stare.

The air stills around you, growing heated, and you find yourself unable to look away. A deep blush bubbles up your cheeks, blood rushes to your head-

"...Noona?"

Seungkwan's voice snaps you from your trance, and you tear yourself from Seungcheol's grasp.

"yeah? what's- what's up?"

"you okay? you haven't said a word"

"I'm okay Kwannie, just a little nervous"

He blushes at the nickname, but in your distracted state, you fail to notice- just like how you didn't notice the way Wonwoo worked himself up to come talk to you, how Mingyu couldn't take his eyes off of you, how Chan stuck to your side all through lunch.

You were oblivious to the men around you.

All that mattered was Seungcheol.

Reaching the lounge, you wish everyone good night, and head off towards the elevator. The doors begin to close behind you, before a hand sticks its way through and coaxes them open, revealing none other than the man himself.

You grow still, unable to speak.

He waits as the doors close.

"I don't bite, y'know" he starts, his voice gentle as he leans against the wall opposite you, "did I scare you? I promise I'm not as scary as I look"

You lower your gaze in a futile attempt to hide your burning cheeks, and he sighs.

"I'm Seungcheol- I didn't get a chance to introduce myself, you uh- kept running away"

"y/n," you mumble, glancing up at him, "m'sorry about that"

He offers you a gentle smile, and you feel your heart twist painfully in your chest. The elevator stops on your floor, which coincidentally happens to be the same as his, and you scramble out, desperate to get some air.

In your haste, you lose your balance, and fall backwards, right into Seungcheol's strong arms. One hand supports your lower back, while the other grabs the back of your neck.

It's a simple touch, really. It's a hand Seungcheol extends out of courtesy, but god the electricity it sends rippling across your skin is undeniable. You know you shouldn't feel this way. You know- but it's so hard keeping your cool around him.

Its been a day. Just one. And you've already kissed your composure goodbye. What will a week do to you?

His lips curl up into a mischievous smile and he leans a tiny bit closer,

"think you can get to your room safely? I'd be more than happy to escort-"

"sh-shut up"

You straighten up, ignoring the raging blush on your cheeks, and stomp down the hallway to your room. He grins, trailing behind you to get to his own.

"oh we're neighbors," he muses, disappearing into his room as he calls out, "g'night".

Your heart thuds as you step into your room, back flush against the door, breathing hard.

The feeling of his hands on your body burns holes into your mind, and you find yourself replaying the scene over and over, while you unpack your suitcase, while you order room service, while you undress. You can't help but wonder how his hands would feel on your bare skin, can't control the way your mind wanders to how thick and beefy his arms are.

Thoughts of him plague you all night long, and you're certain the universe has it out for you when you hear him moving things around in his room, grunting with effort to pull heavy suitcases from one place to another.

The walls were thin.

This was going to be a difficult week for you.

The next day doesn't fare any better either, when you're told that everyone needed to assemble at the beach, dressed in swimwear.

You're devastated.

Breakfast gives you no respite when the man in question sits right opposite you, donning a pair of swimming trunks and a fitted black muscle tee.

As you try to focus on your cereal, he begins to speak.

"you slept okay?"

You peek up at him through your lashes and nod, before quickly breaking eye contact. There's a long silence, and you can feel him staring.

"y/n~" Mingyu calls, slinging an arm over your shoulder as he settles right next to you.

"hi hi," you greet, grinning up at him, "ready to hit the waves?"

"oh you bet baby,"

Seungcheol clears his throat, eyes dancing with a dangerous kind of fire, and Mingyu tenses, easing his arm off you. He mutters some lame excuse and disappears, leaving you alone.

With Seungcheol.

"how come you don't talk to me like that?"

"I- I just know the others bette-"

"bullshit," he interrupts, leaning into you, "you met us all yesterday- somehow the others have earned your affections and I haven't. have I lost to them already?"

Your eyes widen. Lost? What did he mean 'lost'?

"n-no it's just that I-"

Your hesitate, unable to formulate the right words. Saying the truth would reveal your feelings, lying would hurt his. How does one proceed in such situations?

"just what?" he urges, "tell me what I'm doing so wrong you can't even look me in the eye-"

The pained furrow of his brows makes your stomach twist. Your blatant avoidance, the way you didn't speak around him, how your eyes never met his for more than a second- he noticed it all.

You stay silent, now looking up at him helplessly. He sighs, leaning back in his chair, and shakes his head.

"I'm sorry, I just- I don't know what I've done wrong"

You're about to say something, about to reassure him and tell him 'no- you're perfect, you've done nothing wrong', when Jeonghan pulls a chair up next to you.

"morning," he mumbles, a slight smirk playing at his lips.

"hey."

"morning."

"nice to see you finally getting along," he glances at the two of you before continuing, "see? I told you there was no need to be nervous about ddaddu-"

Your eyes widen.

"nervous?" Seungcheol looks at Jeonghan and then you.

"no! no, Jeonghan's just being funny- right Jeonghan?"

Both of them share a knowing glance before Jeonghan grins.

"uhuh I was just being silly, you know me ahaha"

You excuse yourself, shovelling the rest of your cereal in your mouth, before shuttling off down the hallway to the safety of your room.

What you fail to notice, however, is the half-amused-half-defeated look on Jeonghan's face. As you speed off, far far away, he turns to Seungcheol.

"there's something going on here, isn't there?"

"dunno what you're talkin' about"

"oh there's definitely something going on here"

Hours later, at the beach, you're cursing the gods. You failed to take into account how swimwear worked a little differently for men.

He was in swimming trunks. Swimming trunks and nothing else.

Heaven help you.

You tried your best to put on a brave face for the cameras, you really did, but god- it wasn't funny how tongue tied you got at the sight of him, how your face would grow so red your makeup artists needed to pat on layer after layer of foundation.

Today's episode was supposedly focused on a game of tag. There would be two chasers, while the rest would have to run and hide, successfully, for two hours.

After a long game of rock, paper, scissors, Joshua and Seungkwan are chosen.

They get into a little van, counting till a hundred, while everyone else runs across the expanse of the beach, searching for shelter.

You slip into a little nook behind a couple of thick trees, tucking your legs under you.

Your cameraman graciously offered to leave you alone, lest you get caught, and you find yourself all alone, surrounded by moss and forest.

That doesn't last long.

Heavy footsteps draw your attention, and your ears perk up. Surely they haven't finished counting so soon?

Pushing your body closer to the walls of the tree, you peer up at the body making it's way to you.

Pale skin, black swimming trunks, no shirt-

"Seungcheol?"

"oh shi- move in, they're coming"

You oblige, schooching further in as he pushes up against you.

His shoulders shield you from the side, chest flush against your upper arm as his breath tickles the shell of your ear.

"sorry," he mumbles, trying to give you as much space as the little hull would permit- which, admittedly, is not very much.

"you're good,"

Silence settles on you like a heavy blanket, heating up the skin on both your bodies.

"you've uh, got a good eye for hiding spots"

"yeah I was undefeated at tag in the second grade"

He chuckles, shaking his head.

"sorry- you're just trynna make conversation I know-" you mumble, slightly guilty.

"don't be,"

You nod, shifting slightly.

"you're so tense," he muses, eyes trailing over your scrunched shoulders, "shouldn't be so on edge all the time y'know"

Amused by your silence, he continues.

"breathe, y/n"

You suck in a shaky breath, unsure of why your body listens to his command without question.

"that's it, good, now let go for me"

His voice is soothing like the tide; it ripples through you, smoothing out your trembling nerves.

"there we go, one more time,"

Following his voice, you feel your body relax completely. For the first time all day, you've felt your body calm.

"thank you," you mutter, and turn to face him.

Bad idea.

Bad. Idea.

All the breath work he'd helped you with goes flying out the window when you see how close his face really is.

The puffs of air he let's out fan over your face, hovering over the crimson of your lips. You feel your breath catch, your heart quicken, your face heat up.

He's so close.

An inch closer and his lips would be on yours.

Before your thoughts get any further, you look away, opting to look at the width of his shoulder instead.

"uh uh, you're looking at me" he tuts as he eases your chin back in his direction. The pad of his thumb grazes your skin, and your blush burns brighter.

An amused smile twists at his lips and obviously, you're aware of how pathetic you must look.

Just as you're about to push his hand away, he leans closer, whispering-

"do I make you nervous?"

There's a pull between your bodies, a magnet drawing you closer, closer still. Seungcheol's breaths fan over your face and his eyes drop to take in the plush of your lips. You follow suit, eyes darting from his own to his lips.

It's as though time stills around you, like you've been set in glass, and he's about to kiss you, when suddenly, you hear a familiar yell.

"SHUA HYUNG- THERE'S A FOOT OVER HERE!"

You jolt upright, pulling away from Seungcheol so quickly he can barely process what's just happened.

Your eyes dart to his lower body, and you see the way one of his feet stick out beyond the width of your hiding spot.

"wh-"

In a haste, you push a finger to his lips, silencing him.

"your leg-" you whisper-shout at him, tilting your head towards the traitorous foot.

His eyes widen.

Before you can say anything more, Seungcheol grasps your hand, gently taking your finger off his lips and places it against yours. Wordlessly, he rises to his feet, shielding you with his body.

"I GOT CHEOLLIE HYUNG-" you hear Seungkwan yell.

Quizzical as ever, you glance up at the man before you, brows knitting together. He shoots you a sly wink, and whispers- "you'll win for me, won't you?", leaving you red faced and confused.

"ya got me, I'll admit," he holds his hands above his head as he steps away, in Seungkwan's direction.

The next moments pass by in a haze, like you've been submerged under water. All you could think of was the way his breath felt on your lips, the way his voice simultaneously soothed and burned your nerves, the way he protected you- giving himself up instead.

Damn Choi Seungcheol and the way he had you wrapped around his little finger.

You remain hidden for the next twenty-or-so minutes, and the game comes to an end.

You've won.

You're told that your prize is a local dinner with a person of your choosing- staff or member, and it only makes sense to pick Seungcheol. After all, you wouldn't have won without him.

Failing to notice the dejected gazes and smiles the rest of the members sent your way, you walk past them, headed straight for him.

"I choose you." you say, standing in front of him.

The way his eyes widen, lips parting in an instant, tells you that this wasn't on his bingo list. You? Choosing him of all people? Hell- he thought he fucked up big time today-

"me?"

"you."

He's dumbfounded. Honest.

At the restaurant, you sit opposite one another at a table for two. Cameras surround you like endless ocean, and your table becomes an island.

You know he's thinking about today's events when his gaze flicks down to your lips. You know you're thinking about it too.

You also know, however, that this is not the place to discuss secret almost-kisses. Not when everything you do, everything you say, will be monitored.

"I'm still so surprised you chose me," he chuckles as you finish getting your makeup done.

"I couldn't have won without you,"

There's a smallness to your voice, one he hasn't heard these past few days. It's meek and soft and shy and god it's killing him. How could you be this adorable?

"oh c'mon, that was... nothing, honestly"

You shake your head, looking into his eyes earnestly, and he goes quiet. Flicking back and forth, from eyes to lips, you find yourselves sinking into dangerous territory.

The rich brown of his pupils seemed to grow darker as they held your picture within them. Each second he spent looking at you had them blowing wider and wider with something you couldn't help but swoon over.

Perhaps your feelings were being...returned?

Clearing your throat, you remember you're on camera.

"w-what are we ordering?" you blurt out.

"d'you have any preferences or would you like me to order for us?"

Your heart twists at the way he says it- 'us'.

Us.

"you can order...fo- for us" you mutter as your head drops ever so slightly, and you look up at him through heavy lashes and burning cheeks.

The corners of his lips turn upwards, into the softest smile he can fathom, and he nods- although more to himself that to you.

"how about Khao Soi? we can do that, some raw papaya salad and a sticky rice dessert to finish?"

You nod, letting your eyes skim over the way his throat moves with every word he says. As he beckons the waiter over, you can't help but notice how long and thick his fingers are, how veins trail across his arm.

And his voice- god, his voice. The deep, rich timbre of it has you feeling weak in the knees every time you hear him speak.

"-and to drink, we'll get two coconut waters," he concludes, sending the waiter off with your orders. "I wonder what the others are doing,"

"me too, I feel a little bad y'know... we should've all come together" you pout.

"yeah I can't say they're very happy to have missed this-"

You smile- "missed the food, right?"

"sure"

You exchange knowing glances, your eyes having their own secret conversation, unbeknownst to the cameras around them.

Dinner flies by like a cool summer breeze, and you find yourself falling deeper and deeper into Seungcheol's charms. Not only did he ensure that you were served first, he also made sure to cut your chicken into bite sized pieces, and remembered little details from your earlier conversations.

A flirty remark was thrown in every now and then, some more obvious than others, and you found yourself turning red so often, you might as well have gotten a permanent sunburn.

You talk about music and the people you look up to, the stars, highschool memories- everything. Conversation just came so easily with him.

The plates and bowls before you lay empty on the table, the cameras have been turned off, and your mics have been taken away.

Seungcheol gets out of his seat, moving to your side as he offers you his hand. You take it, graciously, and rise from your chair.

"thanks," you mumble, slightly tipsy from the blood his touch sends rushing to your head.

"mhm"

You step outside, trailing behind the staff members while you walk towards your hotel.

"so," he starts, when you've kept a safe distance from prying ears and eyes, "about today..."

Before he can say anything more, you shudder, suddenly feeling nervous.

He looks at you, brows furrowing, but chooses to move on anyways.

"...I uh, did I scare you? was that too much?"

"no! no I just- it caught me off guard is all"

"I seem to be doing that a lot huh?" he muses, fighting back a sly smirk. Seungcheol steps closer, shoulders bumping into yours, and you let out a surprised squeak.

Embarrassed, you turn away as he laughs beside you. A pout takes over your full lips, causing his laughter to increase its intensity.

"tha-that wasn't-" you huff out, to which he raises an amused brow.

"wasn't what? wasn't 'cause of me- wasn't 'cause I make you nervous?"

Oh.

He had you figured out.

You might as well have been stark naked under his stare, 'cause frankly- there was nothing left to hide. Not from him.

Still, you make one last attempt at disguising your feelings towards him. Through deep red cheeks, flushed skin, you speak-

"you- I'm not nervous!"

"uhuh, sure you aren't, sweetheart"

Your heartbeat quickens at the petname. Surely, he didn't just-

"hey-" he snaps you out of your thoughts, "I can practically hear the gears turning in that head of yours,"

"let me beeee" you whine, nudging him away lightly with your fingers knocking against his bicep. Seungcheol brings a hand to his chest and pouts in faux pain, eyes scrunching shut.

"I'll leave you alone then," he begins to step away from you, and you panic. Without thinking, you pinch the fabric of his shirt sleeve between your fingers, and tug him back, preventing him from leaving.

You stay silent when he twists his gaze to you, and whatever semblance of mystery, of uncertainty, you'd built up comes crashing down. The gentle grasp of your fingers on his shirt tells Seungcheol all he needs to know.

The two of you walk in silence, and before long you find yourselves at the hotel, bidding people goodnight as you enter the elevator together.

"it's cute when you do that, y'know?" he says, suddenly, motioning to the nervous twiddling of your fingers.

"it is?"

"uhuh, even that little pout you make everytime you're flustered-" he brings his hands down to meet yours, grasping your fist gently. You fingers lace together like pieces of a puzzle, and he steps closer.

"really?"

"mhm" Another step.

"Seungcheol," you breathe. The air feels heavy, dense with desire and want. A little voice at the back of your head urges you to step back, to stop whatever this is, but you can't help yourself.

"tell me you want me to stop- tell me you don't feel this,"

There's a rawness to his voice, something akin to desperation. He begs you with his eyes to say something, anything, he's been losing his mind over you and it hurts to have you this close but still out of reach.

"I-" you start. The elevator dings, signalling your floor, and your eyes snap to the open doors. "it's late, we should-"

"do you feel this, y/n?" he pleads, loosening his grip on your wrist.

"we shouldn't-"

Seungcheol lets out an exasperated groan as you slip out of his grasp, slowly backing away down the corridor and into your room. He watches you disappear and something inside him begins to snap.

It had been two days. Two days since he met you, but it felt like his heart had been searching for you since forever. The way you'd fit perfectly into his arms, the way your shy demeanor mellowed out his intimidating one, how easy it was to talk to you- Seungcheol knew deep within, his feelings for you were more than a simple crush.

You wake up the next day, and head down for breakfast. Avoiding the pleading glances Seungcheol sends your way, you force yourself to eat. You aren't sure why you do this- it's not like you feel uncomfortable, hell you feel exactly the way he does. So, why was it so hard to look at him?

Seungkwan and Vernon strike up a conversation with you, talking about what was in store for today.

"our hair-makeup Noona told me that we're going shopping!" Seungkwan beams. Vernon nods, shoving a piece of toast in his mouth.

"shopping?"

"yep we're gonna buy clothes and food and stuff and I think there's a mini game in the evening"

You nod, finishing up your breakfast, and soon enough, you're all on your way to a large market place.

Bright stalls lit up the street, the smell of fresh food filled your senses, and the sun shone down, illuminating the world around you.

You had till the evening to do as you pleased.

Splitting off into groups, everyone begins to explore the market place, and you just so happen to be with Jeonghan, Joshua and Seungcheol.

If the past few days have taught you anything, it's that the twins cannot be trusted. The moment you see Joshua flash you a cheeky grin, you know they're up to no good.

A stall catches your eye, decorated with the most beautiful jewellery you've ever seen. Seashells and gem stones wrapped in thin gold wire made the prettiest necklaces and earrings, and you couldn't help but pick one up for yourself.

"see anything you like?"

It's Seungcheol. He plants himself behind you, chest pressed to your back, lips hovering dangerously close to the shell of your ear.

You freeze, holding the necklace in one hand. Before you can respond, an arm reaches out beside you and pries the item out of your hand.

"pretty," he mumbles, sending shivers down your spine.

You crane your neck to the side while your eyes search for his, and you see him staring directly at you.

"I uh, yeah it's um pretty"

Seungcheol places the piece back down, leaning into you as he reaches over the table- essentially trapping you between the display and his body.

Your breath hitches at how close he is. One wrong move- one right move- and his lips would be on yours. You don't dare to look away.

"aren't you gonna buy it?" the stall owner cuts in, "pretty necklace for pretty lady, eh?"

You shake your head as you step away- "I shouldn't-" you trail off, suddenly realising that Jeonghan and Joshua are nowhere to be seen.

"hey where'd those two go?" You set off, walking ahead to look for them- an excuse, obviously, to get away from Seungcheol. The blood rushing to your head was making you feel dizzy.

The day passes, you explore the market, eating all that you could. Taking in the new sights and smells, you feel so alive. Happiness really doesn't need much, does it?

Back at the hotel, you find yourself in your room with Joshua and Seungkwan as they try on all the new clothes they bought.

"kay this is the last one I think-" Seungkwan says, appearing in a blue Hawaiian shirt and some funny looking sunglasses.

You give him a thumbs up, turning to Joshua.

"you're done too?"

"mhm, I didn't buy too much"

You talk for a bit before they say their goodbyes, turning in for the night, and you're left alone in your room with nothing but your thoughts to entertain you.

'pretty'

Seungcheol's voice soothes through you and once again, you find yourself drifting off into thoughts of him. A sneaky hand slides down your body, past your sleep shorts, and you let your mind think back to him.

Day four begins uneventfully. It's a lazy morning, you order room service, read a little.

The real fun begins at night.

At 8 pm, you're ushered into the hotel bar, right by the pool. Bright neon lights hanging from the ceiling, the pool is illuminated by electric blue, and a large table- enough to seat 14- is placed in the centre.

"oh shit," Vernon comments from beside you, lowering his phone as you all take in the space around you.

A speaker comes to life from somewhere in the corner, and a distorted voice booms throughout the setting.

"night has come. prior to this evening three of you have received chits, revealing your role as the mafia."

Excited oohs and ahs leave everyone's lips as you wait for further information.

"the mafias have been allowed to meet and plan their strategy, the policeman and doctor have been chosen as well, but are not aware of each other's identity. if the mafias succeed in killing a majority of the civillians, they win. if the civillians kill all three mafia members, the civilians win. hidden in this space is a seashell. find it, and you win 500,000 won. if you don't find it- the money goes to the mafias, and they win. note- the pool is not off limits. please be seated at the table, and place your first guesses"

In a flurry of excitement and energy, you sit down. Everyone's on edge. The air is electric. A sly smile threatens to ruin your facade of innocence, but you push it down, putting on your best performance.

Earlier this morning, you, Minghao and Jeonghan had met up in your room, planning your victory.

The plan was simple. You had to tug on a couple heartstrings- use your charm to your advantage.

As long as you weren't suspected, the mafias would win.

And so, the game begins. Accusations go flying back and forth- fingers point wildly as voices raise to shocking decibels.

You watch your partners carefully.

Minghao is cool, composed, quiet- just like he usually is. Jeonghan uses his words, spreading accusations like wildfire, and the others eat it up with no hesitation.

All of a sudden, Soonyoung jerks out of his chair, rising to his feet with revelation written all over his face. His eyes widen momentarily before they narrow at the poor soul sitting opposite him.

"guys- IT'S MINGYU- TRUST ME GUYS, I'LL EXPLAIN IT ALL LATER IT'S MINGYU-"

The larger man huffs, shoulders slumping as he accepts defeat.

The game goes on, Mingyu has been killed, and the first round of searching yields no results for the civillians.

"night has fallen. mafias please select who you want to kill"

You point to Wonwoo.

The doctor fails to save him.

"morning is here- innocent civilian Wonwoo has been killed"

And again, chaos descends upon the room. Accusations settle on Woozi now, who's been suspiciously quiet according to the other members. You join in as well, agreeing with the majority, and Woozi is killed.

You, Minghao and Jeonghan share secret smiles.

The second round of searching begins and you wander off, pretending to search around.

"I can see right through you, y'know..." Seungcheol says, appearing beside you.

"wh-"

"nah I'm just kidding- who d'you think it is?"

"why would I reveal my cards? what if you're the mafia?" You narrow your eyes at him, backing away slightly in jest.

"cause I'm the police officer. and I think we should form an alliance-"

Hook, line, and sinker.

An grin takes over your features and you nod, "yeah I'd like that" You stare up at him, eyes wide, shining with innocence, and he melts instantly.

To him, you're intentions are all good. After all, how could you- an actual angel on Earth- betray him?

"night has fallen, mafias please select who you want to kill"

As Jeonghan and Minghao raise their heads, you mouth- 'Seungcheol- he's the police officer', and point to the man in question.

Jeonghan shoots you a proud smile before returning to crouch down on the table.

Once again, the doctor fails, and you succeed.

Seungcheol is dead.

"morning is here- policeman Seungcheol has been killed"

His jaw drops. Looking at you, Seungcheol is astonished at your effortless deception.

The third round begins and you sneak away into a closet, pretending to search. Seungcheol comes up behind you, and smirks.

"sly girl," he says, voice low and sultry, "got my guard down with that pretty face"

Your breathing halts.

Pretty.

Oh.

"what are y-"

"oh cut the bullshit, you knew exactly what you were doing- looking at me with those eyes,"

A bashful smile plays at your lips and you take a few steps back, coming in contact with the wall behind you. He smirks, stepping closer and closer with one hand tucked loosely in his pocket while the other reaches up to brush your hair out of your face.

The contact makes your skin flush, and he chuckles in disbelief.

"fuck you're adorable-"

He leans down, lips ghosting over yours, as his eyes grow heavy.

Time, unfortunately, isn't on your side, and the round comes to an end. You pout, mouthing a quick "sorry", and leave as his arm chases your parting figure.

"night has fallen, mafias please select who you want to kill"

The next couple of rounds pass by quickly, and finally all the members are killed, save for Soonyoung and Jun.

Your victory is announced, and you head back to you rooms after a hearty dinner.

Seungcheol and you make your way to the elevator, after saying your good-byes, and for the first time, you see him scowl.

"what's wrong?" you giggle, leaning against the elevator wall.

"oh nothing nothing," he mutters, stepping closer with each word, "I've been trynna kiss this girl for a while now, but I think God hates me"

You laugh, tipping your head back against the cool metal wall, and Seungcheol stands stunned. You were just so beautiful.

After a moment of silence, you straighten up, facing him once more, only to find his gaze already fixed on you. There's sure shot desire and awe burning behind his eyes. It's clear as day.

You stare up at him, and it's as though the world stops. The same pull you felt all these days, draws your bodies closer. Like a moth to flame, Seungcheol finds himself drawn to you. He's helpless.

He stands in front of you, your faces dangerously close, and you feel your breathing quicken. One hand cradles the nape of your neck while the other finds your waist.

"Seungcheol-"

"hm?"

"please-"

And his lips are on yours.

Colours blur together behind your closed eyes, fireworks go off in your head, your skin hums under his touch- it's nothing short of perfect; like a kiss straight out of the movies.

Your lips push against each other with a desperation you've never felt before, and his hands pull you closer. Seungcheol moves with such expertise, you can't help but feel your knees weaken with every motion of his body.

The ding of the elevator pries you away from each other, and you pull away panting. Your chest heaves like never before, and he shoots you a knowing glance. With his eyes he asks you- 'shall we continue?'

You rush out of the elevator, heading straight for his room. Shaky hands slide his keycard into the door and you're in.

Stepping inside, reality hits you like a truck and you pause.

"what's wrong-"

"what if someone finds ou-"

"shut up"

"what?"

"shut up" he breathes, pushing his lips against yours once again, effectively silencing you. All your doubts melt away, it's like the world's forgotten.

A hand sneaks down to your lower back, pulling you closer, and you gasp. Seungcheol smirks, taking advantage of your parted lips as he slides his tongue into your mouth. You whimper at the motion and his lips quirk up.

He loved it when you got all flustered for him, but this tops it all. Once he heard the little sound you made, there was no containing himself. The little control he'd managed to retain, finally snapped, and he let himself go.

The kiss turns hotter, wetter, and you both know where this is going.

Your chest burns, you heart races, and you pull away, panting. His eyes narrow in on the unsteady rise and fall of your chest, the swollen pout of your lips, the unmarked, tender flesh of your neck.

Backing up, Seungcheol settles down, sitting at the foot of the bed with his legs spread slightly as he adjusts his trousers. He looks up at you.

"c'mere baby" his voice is sinfully sultry, fingers beckoning you over to sit on his lap.

Your feet follow before your brain does, and you straddle his thigh, whimpering when your sex comes in contact with the firm muscle of his leg.

"oh?" he teases, hands smoothing over your hips, grabbing at the tender flesh as he forces your body to work against his thigh. "wanna ride my thigh, sweetheart?"

Your head dips into the crook of his neck and you nod, feeling small under the weight of his stare.

"c'mon, you gotta look at me-"

You whine into his neck, and he shudders, grabbing the back of your neck, pulling you into place.

"uh uh, this isn't up for debate baby," he tuts, "wanna see that pretty face"

You bite your lip, stifling a moan, when he rocks your hips into his thigh. The friction of your panties and the texture of his trousers sends you spiralling into a world of pleasure. Your skirt pools around your hips as he holds you steady, now bouncing his legs ever so slightly.

He pulls and pushes you as he pleases, manhandling your body like you were a toy- but god that made you feel some type of way. How he could move you and touch you and command you with such ease, had your panties soaked through.

You needed to feel him in you. Needed him to fill you up and fuck you so good you only remember his name.

"that's it, shit" he groans, pulling you harder until your clit snags ever so slightly on the fabric of his pants. You moan, legs twitching at the stimulation, and he smirks.

"you like that, huh?"

You nod, helplessly.

So he does it again. And again. And again, until your legs spasm around this thigh, until you moan and whimper, until you come undone.

All for him.

"aw sweetheart, you made a mess," he coos, as his hands run along the curve of your ass.

"don't- fuck don't say that"

You face is beet red- if he didn't know any better he would've been concerned right about now.

"d'you wanna keep going baby?"

You nod, eyes shining.

"so eager," he grins, "here, lie down for me-" Seungcheol pushes you gently so that your body rests comfortably on his mattress, and crawls atop you, legs settling at either side of your hips.

As much as you've thought about this very scenario, as much as you've imagined how he'd be on top of you, nothing could've prepared you for how breathtaking Seungcheol looks like this.

His hair's messy, his cheeks are flushed, and the look in his eyes has you burning with anticipation. How someone could be so gorgeous is beyond you.

"m'gonna make you feel good, hm?" he murmurs, dipping his head into the crook of your neck, sucking little love bites into the tender flesh. You groan, tilting your head involuntarily, and nod.

He grins against you, lips streching in a knowing smirk. Trailing his kisses lower to your collarbones, to the swell of your breasts, Seungcheol glances up at you-

"may I?" he asks, fingers sliding under the hem of your top, splaying against your tummy.

"mhm, please"

Pleased, he lifts your top off, tossing is aside before working your bra. Deft fingers slide under your back, clicking your clasps open with ease, and suddenly, you're bare under him.

Your nerves catch up to you, and you realise that he's staring. He's staring hard. Like you're the eighth wonder of the world and he's just discovered you. Like you're the long lost city of gold and he's been searching for you all his life. Like-

"you're so beautiful," he breathes. "fuck- let me look at you"

You turn away, a bashful smile lighting up your face- "stopp"

"I'm serious, you're honestly so-" he huffs out, unable to find a word big enough to fit how he feels about you.

A giggle bubbles out of your throat and he smiles. His eyes crinkle, forming tiny crescents, as he looks down at you so fondly you think you're heart's going to burst.

He presses his face into your chest, inhaling the scent of your skin while his lips press tender kisses to your breasts. The wet smacks he leaves across your skin burn cool under the gentle breeze swaying through the room. It tickles your skin.

Feeling his lips move along your skin, your desperation only builds.

"Seungcheol," you whine, drawling out the last syllable, "hurry please"

He tuts and sinks his teeth into the flesh of your breast, your body jolts in response.

"patience," he mumbles into your skin, "patience, baby", leaving goosebumps as he speaks. A shiver wracks its way through you, uncontrollable and intense.

"oh sweetheart-"

Choosing to be merciful, Seungcheol kisses a trail down your naked torso, stopping above the waistband of your skirt.

"this okay?"

"more than okay- just god, please don't stop" you whimper, hips jerking involuntarily into his hand.

Slowly, meticulously, he dips two fingers under the edge of your skirt and drags it down, letting his nails rake over the expanse of your thighs.

You shudder under his touch, completely at his mercy.

Once your skirt is off completely, he presses a gentle kiss to the inside of your ankle, and crawls up to face your cunt.

"god you've made such a mess of these," he rasps, running a finger along your slit through your soaked panties. Automatically, your hips roll up, seeking something more, but he forces them down firmly.

One hand holds you down while the other prods at your clothed entrance. He shoots you an evil smirk, and your breathing grows shallow.

"I hope you don't like these too much,"

All you hear is fabric ripping at the seams, and your eyes widen to the size of saucers.

"wha- oh my god" you cut yourself off with a loud moan as Seungcheol licks a thick stripe up your slit.

He winks up at you, eyes flashing with pride, and begins his work.

It's true what they say about rappers- their tongues really are built different.

Seungcheol devours you like he's been starved for years, like he begins and ends with you, like the taste of you is intoxicating. His tongue dips down into you, collecting your arousal before spreading it over your clit it firm waves.

The way he works that muscle against you isn't funny. It has you yelping, whimpering so pathetically you're both embarrassed and turned on at the same time

He laves at your clit, lapping up your juices greedily as if it gave him more pleasure than it did you.

"you taste divine," he mutters, half to himself, before plunging two fingers into your aching sex without warning. You moan, back arching off the bed, hips rolling up to meet his lips.

Seungcheol flicks his tongue rapidly against your hardened bud while his fingers piston in and out of you, curling up into you- oh, right there.

Your limbs tremble under his hold and your stomach tightens deliciously, waiting eagerly for your release; with the way he works your body, it isn't far away.

"Cheollie m'close-" you gasp, hands flying down to hold him in place, lest he decide to deny you of your orgasm. He groans when you tug at his hair, sending sound waves vibrating through your nerves.

A thin film of sweat settles over your skin, coating you like gloss. Your body writhes under his touch, and within moments, you feel yourself slip into blinding pleasure. The knot in your stomach snaps, and you limbs twitch helplessly.

Seungcheol eases you through your orgasm, slurping at your folds to taste your arousal. He pulls away with a smacking sound, his chin coated in your slick, and smirks at the fucked out look on your face.

"that good, huh?"

Cocky bastard. You want to smack that stupid smirk off his face, you want to throttle him and yell and hide all at the same time- but you know he's right. It really was that good.

So, you nod, looking away bashfully, red smeared across your pretty cheeks.

"wanna see you," you whimper, when he finally rises to his feet, towering over you.

He cocks a brow at you, a challenge dancing in his eyes, and you pout.

"please"

His expression stays the same and you can't help the exasperated huff you let out.

"please Cheollie I wanna see you,"

Finally, he smiles, obliging- "there we go, that's my good girl"

You aren't sure what you expected from him, but the moment he lifts his shirt off, time begins to slow. The lean, hard muscle of his chest, the defined ridges of his abs, the sinful swell of his biceps- you were drooling.

"can I-"

You trail off, sitting up so that you're seated at the edge of the bed, your face right in his abs.

"you can do whatever you want, sweetheart, m'all yours"

You giggle, "c'mon we've known each other for all of three days,".

"a lot can happen in three days,"

"mhm, but still-"

"hey," he turns serious for a second, "if this is going too fast for you, we can take things slower, okay?"

And suddenly, your desperation skyrockets. You've needed him from the moment you first saw him, and now that the time has come, it'll take an earthquake to stop this from happening.

Eager hands rake down his torso, tucking under the waistband of his pants. He hisses at the contact, eyes fluttering closed as you undress him.

"I want this," you affirm, voice soft and sultry, "I want you."

Leaving him in his boxers, you press a kiss to his abs, letting your hands roam over his defined torso, and then a little lower. Hard earned muscle greets your touch, and you can't help the way your cunt begins to clench up.

Seungcheol has the body of a god.

"baby-" he rasps as he threads his fingers through your hair, "fuck, you're gonna make me cum just like this-"

You giggle, letting him push you gently back onto the bed. He stares you down, eyes locking onto yours, and slides his last garment off so slowly you could cry.

"hurry" you whine, spreading your legs desperately.

Seungcheol has to compose himself. He really does. The sight of you, all spread out for him, so eager for him, has his head spinning. He curses under his breath, kicking his boxers off, and crawls above you, rubbing his cock along your wet folds.

A broken whimper claws up your throat at the contact, and you actually sob when he begins to push himself into you. Two fingers couldn't hold a candle to the girth of his cock.

"y-you're so big" you gasp, tears pricking at your eyes, and for once, you aren't lying just to feed a male ego. He was huge.

Your walls stretch deliciously around his girth, and you let out a shrill cry when he pushes further. You've taken big cocks before, but this? This put your toys to shame.

"just let go, doll, that's it baby, that's it-" he soothes, sucking in shaky breaths, trying desperately to control himself.

After what feels like an eternity, Seungcheol finally bottoms out inside you, his tip kissing your cervix with ease.

"oh," is all you can manage, feeling your insides make room for him. The shape of his cock presses into your walls, and your certain you won't be able to walk tomorrow. He's thick and long and heavy, and god you feel like some cock-hungry slut, with how desperate you seem to have gotten for him.

"fuck- you're so tight-"

"pl-please move," you whimper, jaw falling open when he draws his hips back before slamming into you.

Tears spill over the dams of your eyes, staining your flushed cheeks. Your eyes glisten with desire as you stare up at him, watching how his face contorts in pleasure.

"that's it, sweetheart," he seethes, supporting his weight on his forearms, caging you with his body, "takin' me so fucking good".

The drag of his cock, in and out of your sloppy cunt is nothing short of addictive. With every snap of his hips, you find yourself craving more and more, wanting him to burn, break, bend you.

"Cheollie please," your nails rake down his back, leaving marks you're sure you'll get in trouble for tomorrow, but you don't care and neither does he. All that matters is you, him and the pleasure you feel in this moment.

As Seungcheol pounds into you, his eyes remain trained in on your face, never losing focus of what matters most- you. There's a tender adoration in his gaze, how he looks at you so fondly, like you're the prettiest damn thing in the world.

"good fuckin' girl," he groans, "keep those eyes on me."

The room fills with the smell of sweat and the sound of sex- skin on skin, moaning, panting. You'd have been embarrassed of the lewd noises slipping past your lips if you'd have had your wits about you. The walls are thin. You know this. You know this, but still- feeling as good as you do, you can't bring yourself to care. Dealing with angry neighbours is tomorrow's problem.

A hand slips in between your legs, thumbing your clit, rubbing tight circles into the sensitive nub, and your eyes screw shut.

That all too familiar knot in your tummy begins to form, and Seungcheol forces his cock into you harder. The combined stimulation of his dick inside you and his hands on you is intoxicating, and you sink into the mattress, feeling a wave of release wash all over you.

But he's far from done.

"fuck-" he moans, feeling your walls spasm and squeeze around him as you cum all over his cock, "take it for me, yeah? you can take a little more, can't you?"

You whimper, legs quivering from overstimulation, and your body jerks under him as he continues to thrust into you, using your body as he pleases.

"shh, I know baby, I know," he soothes, dipping his head into your neck, sucking deep red bruises into the skin there.

Tears pool in your eyes, you nerves scream for respite, but you can't bring yourself to stop.

You can't help it.

He grabs your thigh, hooking it over his back, and pushes into you, reaching further than before. The new position sends you reeling from pleasure, and you swear no man has ever made you feel like this.

Despite having just cum, you feel another orgasm build in your belly- this one approaching much faster than the last.

"m'gonna- Cheollie please please, gonna cum" you sob, clawing at his back as his thrusts grow sloppy and harsh.

"cum for me."

And you do, clenching down hard around his length, leading him to his own release. He fills you up, emptying white hot fluid into your greedy hole, and finally, you're satiated.

Your limbs tremble and spasm, your skin feels sticky and hot, and your lips are swollen- but you wouldn't have it any other way.

Seungcheol collapses onto you, putting pressure of your stomach, causing your combined arousals to seep out of you, trickling onto the duvet.

"let's get a bath going for you," he chuckles, lifting his body back up and walking to the bathroom.

He fiddles around with the taps for a minute before coming back out, plucking a little box out of his bag as he settles down next to you.

"for you," he smiles, pressing the item into your hand.

You pry it open, and your jaw drops.

It was the necklace you wanted. The pretty one with the seashells and gems. You turn to him, eyes glistening and pull him into a sweet kiss.

It's different from your earlier ones. The way his lips move against yours aren't as agressive, and desperate as before. This time, he seems to be showing you how he feels, showing you his sincerity- it's almost as if he's trying to ask: "will you be mine?"

You pull away, breathless. His eyes sparkle as he looks fondly at you.

"pretty necklace for pretty lady," he grins, "right?"

[zot3-flopped]

Sylvia Plath did not stick her head in an oven for this! When Taylor Swift took the Grammys stage last month to claim her award for Best Pop Vocal Album for Midnights, she saw that spotlight as an opportunity to announce her 11th studio album: The Tortured Poets Department. The follow-up cut to audience members—Swift’s music industry peers, mind you—told us all that we would ever need to know, and the collective disinterest across the crowd echoed through our TVs.

Folks from all walks of life took to social media to express a multitude of reactions. Swifties clamored to their beloved monarch’s forthcoming era, while others lambasted the terminally cringe title and artwork and ridiculed Swift for making a night recognizing musical achievements across an entire industry about herself—knowing perfectly well that it would send her fanbase into a surge that would, no doubt, overpower the excitement around the ceremony itself.

Quite a few people questioned whether or not that moment suggested that a critical—definitely not commercial—tide would turn against the world’s most-famous pop star. And, perhaps it has—but, to most, it will look like nothing more than a single ripple in Swift’s ocean of successes.

Swift remained relatively hush-hush about The Tortured Poets Department up until its release, leaving her fans, admirers and haters alike with nothing but an album title to ponder about. And it’s a bad title.

If you have never been in Swift’s corner, her taking the route of labeling her next “era” as “tortured” was likely catnip for your disinterest. If you are a fan—not necessarily a Swiftie, but even just a casual lover of her best and brightest work—you might be beside yourself about the first Swift album title longer than one word in 14 years.

In terms of popularity—certainly not always in terms of quality—no musician has been bigger this century than Swift, which makes it impossible to really buy into the “torture” of it all.

This is not to say that Swift being the most famous person in the world makes her immune to having multi-dimensional feelings of heartbreak, mental illness or what-have-you.

But, she has made the choice—as a 34-year-old adult—to take those complex, universal familiars and monetize them into a wardrobe she can wear for whatever portion of her Eras Tour setlist she opts to dedicate to the material.

Torture is fashion to Taylor Swift, and she wears her milieu dully. This album will surely get comparisons to Rupi Kaur’s poetry, either for its simplicity, empty language, commodification or all of the above.

And, sure, there are parallels there, especially in how The Tortured Poets Department, too, is going to set the art of poetry back another decade—as Swift’s naive call-to-arms of her own milky-white sorrow rings in like some quintessential “I am going to take pictures of a typewriter on my desk and have a Pinterest mood-board of Courier New font” iPhone fodder. 2013 called and it wants it capricious, suburban girl-who-is-taking-a-gap-year wig back!

Soaking our book reports in coffee or having our moms burn the edges with a kitchen lighter cannot come back into fashion; the cyclical notions of culture cannot make the space for such retreads.

There is nothing poetic about a billionaire—who, mind you, threatens legal action against a Twitter account for tracking her destructive private jet paths—telling stadiums of thousands of people every night that she sees and adores them.

Tavi Gevinson says it well in her Fan Fiction zine: “When 80,000 people are also crying, you become less special, too.” If Swift can return to one of her dozen beach houses across the world, kick up her feet and say “I’m a poet of struggle,” then who is to say that millions—maybe billions—of people with access to a notes app and a social media account won’t dream that dream, too?

Maybe that looks like a net-positive, but it’s inherently damning and destructive to take an art form that has long stood on the shoulders of resistance, of love and of opposition to power, systematic injustice and climate warfare and boil it down to the new defining era of your own 10-digit revenue empire. “My culture is not your costume,” yada, etc.

The Tortured Poets Department does begin with a shred of hope that, just maybe, Swift knows what she’s talking about—as she sneaks in a cheeky “all of this to say,” textbook transitional phrasing for poets, on opening track ��Fortnight.”

But “Fortnight” unmasks itself quickly as a heady vat of pop nothingness, though it isn’t all Swift’s fault. “I was a functioning alcoholic, ‘til nobody noticed my new aesthetic,” she muses, attempting to bridge the gap between a behind-the-scenes life and on-stage performance—only for it to occur while propped up against the most dog-water, uninspired synth arrangement you could possibly imagine.

Between producer Jack Antonoff’s atrocious backing instrumental and the Y2K-era, teen dramedy echo chamber of a vocal harmony provided by out-of-place guest performer Post Malone, “Fortnight” chokes on the vomit of its own opaqueness.

“I took the miracle move-on drug, the effects were temporary,” Swift muses, and it sounds like satire. This is your songwriter of the century? Open the schools.

The Tortured Poets Department title-track features some of Swift’s worst lyricism to-date, including the irredeemable, relentlessly cringe “You smoked then ate seven bars of chocolate, we declared Charlie Puth should be a bigger artist / I scratch your head, you fall asleep like a tattooed golden retriever” lines glazed atop some synthesizers and drums that just ring in as hollow, unfascinating costuming.

Aside from the Puth nod, which I can only discern as a joke (given the fact that he is one of the 150-most streamed artists in the world and is one of the blandest pop practitioners alive—I don’t care if he can figure out the pitch of any sound you throw at him), I think Antonoff should stick to guitar-playing. Get that man away from a keyboard, I’m begging you.

Synths can be, if you use them correctly, one of the most emotional and provocative instruments in any musician’s tool-box. There’s a reason why keyboards defined the 1980s; they rebelled against the very oppressive nature existing outside of the cultural company they kept. There’s resistance in electronic music that, while they brandish an aesthetic that, to a layman’s ears, seems like technicolor hues for any infectious pop track, it’s a genre that aches to tell its own story. That is simply not the case here, and that electronica hangs Swift out to dry when she drags us through the lukewarm “I laughed in your face and said, ‘You’re not Dylan Thomas, I’m not Patti Smith’ / This ain’t the Chelsea Hotel, we’re modern idiots” lines, only to hit us with a softly sung F-bomb that sounds like a billionaire’s rendition of that one Miranda Cosgrove podcast clip.

I used to rag pretty heavily on Reputation—mostly because I thought (and still do, mostly) that it sounded like Swift had given up on making interesting, progressive pop music; that, in the wake of her (arguably) best album, 1989, it seemed like she’d lost the plot on where to go next. But as she’s put out Midnights and The Tortured Poets Department back-to-back, I find myself clamoring for the Reputation-era more than ever—at least seven years ago, Swift wrote songs like she had something to prove and even more to lose.

That was the always-obvious charm of Reputation, even despite the downsides—that she took a big swing from the echelons of her own musical immortality, that the comforts of winning every award and selling out the biggest venues in the world were no longer pillowing her aspirations. Even though that swing didn’t land, she still made it in the first place—and Swift is at her best either when she is clawing upwards (Reputation) or faced with nowhere to go but into the studio and noodle with the bare-bones of her own sensibilities (folklore).

You get something like The Tortured Poets Department when the artist making it no longer feels challenged, where she strikes out looking.

The mid-ness of The Tortured Poets Department will not be a net-loss for Swift. She will sell out arenas and get her streams until she elects to quit this business (a phrase decidedly not in her vocabulary, surely).

She will sell more merch bundles than vinyl plants have the capacity to make, and rows of variant LP copies will haunt the record aisles of Target stores just as long as Midnights has—if not longer.

Perhaps, in five or six years’ time, we will speak of this record just as we now do of Reputation. But right now, it is obvious that Swift no longer feels challenged to be good. The Tortured Poets Department is the mark of an artist now interested in seeing how much their empire can atone for the sins of mediocrity.

Can Swift win another Album of the Year Grammy simply because she released a record during the eligibility period? The Tortured Poets Department reeks of “because I can,” not “because I should.”

On “I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can),” Swift tries stepping into the shoes of the country renegades who came before her—the Tammy Wynettes and Loretta Lynns of the world. But her self-aggrandizing inflation of importance, glinting through via a seismically-bland bridge, is backed by a minimal set dressing of guitar, drum machine and keys.

“Good boy, that’s right, come close,” she sings. “I’ll show you Heaven if you’ll be an angel—all mine. Trust me, I can handle me a dangerous man. No, really, I can.” On “Florida!!!,” Swift calls upon Florence + the Machine to help her sing the worst chorus of 2024: “Florida is one hell of a drug / Florida, can I use you up?”

Even Welch, who is a fantastic pop singer-songwriter in her own right, delivers a grossly watery verse: “The hurricane with my name, when it came I got drunk and I dared it to wash me away.”

Not even the typos on the Spotify promotional materials for this album could have foretold such offenses. I won’t even get into the sonics, because Antonoff just rewrites the same soulless patterns every time.

What separates The Tortured Poets Department from something like Reputation is that, on the latter, Swift made it known what was at stake and who she was making that album for—herself, in the aftermath of her greatest long-standing criticisms (“Look What You Made Me Do” triumphs exactly because of this).

On The Tortured Poets Department, there is a striking level of moral nothingness. The stakes are practically non-existent, and the album sounds like it was made by someone who believes that they had no other choice but to finish it, as if Swift fundamentally believes that her creative measures are firmly embedded in the massive monopoly her name and brand currently hold on popular music. That’s how you get meandering pop songs about hookups, wine moms, Stevie Nicks comparisons, Jehovah’s Witness suit mentions, hollowed-out, tone-deaf nods to white-collar crime in lieu of empowerment and, topically, Barbie dolls.

(Don’t even get me started on the Anthology lyrics, which feature these absolute barn-burners: “Touch me while your bros play Grand Theft Auto” and “My friends used to play a game where / We would pick a decade / We wished we could live in instead of this / I’d say the 1830s, but without all the racists / And getting married off for the highest bid.”) This album and its hackneyed grasps at relevance exist as “Did I just hear that?” personified, but in the most derogatory sense of the notion.

My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys” features another low-point in Swift’s lyrical oeuvre, as she sings “I felt more when we played pretend than with all the Kens, ‘cause he took me out of my box”—perhaps a measure of her capitalizing on the Barbenheimer mania that none of us could escape, not even the musician who spent most of 2023 flying across the world from one country to another.

But you, us, the listener—we want to believe that Swift makes these records because she has the artistic will, drive and interest to continue giving us parts of her story in such ways that they exist as an archival of her life.

But the problem is that, on The Tortured Poets Department, Swift is packaging her life into a form that is easily consumable for the 17 or 18 years olds who pour over her music. Just because her Eras Tour film is on Disney+ doesn’t mean she has to strip her songwriting (which we know can be, and has been, phenomenal) down for the sake of it being digestible by a wide spectrum of ages.

And, sure, maybe that makes the work accessible. But on The Tortured Poets Department, Swift makes Zoomer jargon her bag—titling a song after one of the most popular video games in the world and conjuring flickers of “down bad” and “I can fix him”—and it feels like she’s cosplaying because the Fountain of Youth was out of order.

Now that Swift is in her 30s, it sounds like she is infantilizing her own audience more than ever before—that singing to them at a level that could force them to reckon with something more akin with adulthood would be some kind of kink in the coil or her consumeristic threshold, that writing lyrics that sound like they were penned by a 30-year-old would, somehow, deter the interests of the billions of people who adore her.

If making one, continuous coming-of-age album is what Swift has been doing for 15 years, folklore and evermore were hiccups in the timeline—existing as the most fully-formed renderings of Swift’s own insecurities and concerns. They mirrored our platitudes towards an uncertain future with sweet, stirring remarks about isolation and heartbreak and the unavoidable, hard-worn truth about getting older. On those records, her larger-than-life living seemed, for once, to truly feel as close to the ground as ours.

Now, though, Taylor Swift is at the top of the mountain. Far better artists have made far worse records than The Tortured Poets Department, but you can’t read between the lines of this project. There is nothing to decipher from a place of quality.

Sure, Swift’s fan base will pour over these lyrics for the rest of their lives—insisting they know, for certain, which song is about who. But you cannot place a bad album on the shoulders of lore and expect it to be rectified.

We are now left at a crossroads. Women can’t critique Swift because they’ll run the risk of being labeled a “gender traitor” for doing so. Men can’t critique her because they’ll be touted as “sexist.”

And, sure, Swift is probably too easy a punching bag in this case—and most of the time, I would argue she is undeserving of being a victim of such barbs. But, you cannot write about someone being a “tattooed golden retriever” and get away with it and still retain your title as the best songwriter of your generation. You just cannot.

Sisyphus should be glad he never got the boulder to the top of the mountain—because Taylor Swift is showing us that such immortality and success ain’t all it’s cracked up to be. And, when you’re standing on the peak alone, who else is there left to hit?

In a recent interview with The Standard, Courtney Love said that Swift is “not interesting as an artist,” and I think The Tortured Poets Department proves as much. She has nothing to fight for, no doubters left to drown.

So where does she turn? Well, to boredoms of celebrity thinly veiled as sorrow everyone and their mother can latch onto—because we’ve all had to “ditch the clowns, get the crown” at some point in our lives, right?

The billionaire is having an identity crisis, but there are no social media apps for her to buy up. So she sings like Lana Del Rey and writes meta-self-referential songs about looking like Stevie Nicks.

What’s hollow about The Tortured Poets Department is that the real torture is just how unlivable these songs really are. No one can resonate with “So I leap from the gallows and I levitate down your street, crash the party like a record, scratch as I scream ‘Who’s afraid of little old me?’ You should be.” And normally, that wouldn’t be an end-all-be-all for a pop record—but when your brand is built on copious levels of “I’m just like you!” as the demigod saying it to their fans does so from a multi-million-dollar production set, it’s hard to not feel nauseated by the overlording, overbearing sense of heavy-handed detritus we’re tasked with sifting through on The Tortured Poets Department.

Love’s words to Lana, her advice to “take seven years off,” should be applied to Swift. Now, that doesn’t mean that, to make a good album, you must sit on material for years and labor extensively through the sketching, shaping and recording in order for it to be transcendentally landmark. But it’s obvious now that not even Taylor Swift wants to be the head of an empire—that she, too, can’t outrun the damning fate of being plum out of ideas by hopping in her jet and skirting off to God knows where.

See you at the Grammys.

****

[littlelamy]

𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓻𝓸𝓭𝓾𝓬𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓱𝓸𝓵𝓵𝔂!𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓮𝓻

author's note: so excited to show introduce you guys to holly!reader. also HUGE credits to @rafesplaymate for inspiration. i read her glamourmodel AU and became obsessed to say the least.

holly!reader has everything the kook life offers—money, power, designer everything—but honestly? she can't stop thinking about the pogue life. it's messy, it's chaotic, and it's fucking free. she loves the way they don’t give a shit about all the fake crap she’s surrounded by. she craves the simplicity of living in the moment, without having to worry about her daddy’s expectations or some fancy-ass gala. the pogues are wild, and that's exactly what she wants. it's her dirty little secret, but she's obsessed with it.

whenever holly!reader’s old man is off doing his bullshit corporate stuff, she knows it’s her time to escape. she doesn’t need anyone else but jj. he's always ready to ditch whatever he's doing just to pick her up, and she loves that. no questions, no bullshit—just him, her, and a car ride to wherever the hell they feel like going. she doesn’t have to play the perfect kook when she’s with him. it’s just fun, no strings attached. and let’s be real, jj’s exactly the kind of guy she needs to get out of her head. sure, it’s john b’s beat-up van, and the thing probably smells like a mix of saltwater, beer, and whatever they dragged in from their latest adventure, but it’s still the best fucking ride. it doesn’t matter if it’s not a shiny sports car—whenever jj’s driving, everything else fades away. he’s the only one who can make her forget about her fake-ass world, even if it’s just for a little while.

though the kook is very popular on the island, she has a special place in her heart for the pogues. holly might be the golden girl in figure eight—always smiling, always looking flawless—but deep down? she's tired of the fake ass smiles and shallow conversations. yeah, she’s got a crowd, but it’s the pogues who really get her. they don't care about appearances or how much money she’s got. they just... live. no masks, no games. she’d trade all the glitz and glam for a night spent with them in a heartbeat. but of course, she'd never admit that to anyone, 'cause that’d be a hell of a confession.

holly!reader is a definite tease. let's be real—holly knows exactly what she’s doing. whether it’s that flirty little smile or the way she twirls her hair when she’s talking to someone, she’s always got people on edge. she’s got the looks, the charm, and the attitude that drives people insane. but she’s not dumb—she knows how to use it. keep them hanging, keep them wanting more, but never give them what they want. it's all a game to her, and she’s winning.

holly!reader gained the nickname ‘playmate.’ it didn’t take long for everyone to start calling her 'playmate.' it's that mix of innocence and sex appeal, that perfect balance between the girl next door and the one you wanna fuck. holly owns it. she’s got that glamour look down to an art, posting sultry shots of herself in the most random spots—like, by the marina, on the beach, or even in her daddy’s mansion, just looking effortlessly hot. people talk about it, but hell, she’s the one getting all the attention. it's not her fault they can’t stop staring.

holly!reader is known for her glamour photos. you know the deal—holly!reader is always posting something. she's the queen of Instagram on the island, with every photo making people want to drop everything and come meet her. she's got the glamour shots, the beach shots, the “casual” shots of her looking like a fucking goddess no matter what she’s doing. you know she’s not just posting for fun—each shot is her way of saying, "look at me, fuckers." and honestly? it works. the Cut’s her playground, and she's the star of it all.

taglist: @namelesslosers @maybanksangel @averyoceanblvd @iknowdatsrightbih @rafesheaven @anamiad00msday @ivysprophecy @wearemadeofstardust0 @rafesangelita @sstargirln @rafedaddy01 @soldesole @bakugouswaif @skywalker0809 @vanessa-rafesgirl @evermorx89 @outerhills @ditzyzombiesblog @slavicangelmuah @alivinggirl @auroramadelyn

[bellewintersroe]

Jenson Button x FamousReader!2009

this is like a second part (can be read individually) to THIS. Here’s just some more headcannons of what it would be like when Jenson is in a relationship with a famous British celeb who’s extremely popular, especially amongst the party scene. warnings: mentions of sex, oral sex, nothing too graphic but I just knowww Jenson gets down and dirty. mentions of alcohol and some drug use? not to glamorise it we all know celebs ain’t innocent ok. for this case 18+ 😇

Jenson is a cutie ok, the more he falls in love with his SO the more he finds himself looking out for her in the garage. Whether this be before or after his race, just imagine his head poking out of his car, or he’s fully suited, helmet still on, glimpsing around trying to find her.

lots of cuddles, he’d keep an arm slung around her, especially if they’re in public where there’s paparazzi- in that case he’s keeping an extra tight grip on her.

despises the paparazzi ok- he’s a polite man, pretty tame, but British press in the 2000s were VILE and for his girlfriend, he can’t stand the idea of them even looking at her.

helps shields her eyes when the flashes are too bright.

Taxis home together at questionable hours of the morning, limbs sprawled over each other and getting caught snogging in the backseats.

drunk sex- especially when he wins the championship, he’s so smug and proud, fucking into her with all his energy, cos he’s world champion baby 😏. lovesss seeing her legs pinned up over his shoulders.

thanks his girl publicly after he wins his championship.

as I mentioned in the part prior to this, Jenson LOVES going on holiday with her, like he’s a bit of a perv when it comes to seeing y/n in a bikini, especially after he’d already seen to many shoots of her before even meeting each other.

never admits to being a fanboy of her but the smirk would say otherwise.

getting down and dirty on a yacht, hidden by a beach towel whilst he fingers her, he has his sunnies on and he’s smirking, pressing kisses to her temple and whispering sweet nothings.

“you’re doing so good aren’t you?” “all these people taking pictures of you and nobody has a clue what we’re doing.” “should put on a show for them, shouldn’t we?”

so mf dirty, his British accent makes it 10x sexier too.

sex in the pool of a yacht, and every single room in there, wants to try everything with her, but he isn’t pushy in the slightest- Jenson wouldn’t ever come close to making her feel uncomfortable.

They’d deffo see pictures released of them both the next day and giggle because nobody would have a clue what was happening under that towel.

can be really soft in sex, like stroking her face, talking her thru it -omfg I need him.

Deffo wants to try like anal, and certain kinks- I feel like she would too, idk when they’re both drunk they’d decide they wanna try something and sometimes it’s an utter fail.

other times it’s just giggly, exciting sex where they’re both eating fucking whipped cream off one another or something.

soft, gentle moans from him, especially when the sex is more passionate, when it’s rougher I feel like he’d be quiet but let out some grunts whenever he’s out of breath or gets really into it.

He’s a sucker when she goes down on him, like he’s a mess omg- if there’s one way to elicit moans from him that’s exactly how and she’s soooo good at it- he makes plenty of public innuendos about this.

I feel like y/n would wear the smallest little mini skirts, like she’s a Y2K queen and befriends lots of other wags at this stage- constantly pictures walking around the paddock looking cool asf.

Deffo a trend setter, but they’re the type of couple in 15 years that the younger generation look at and go ‘they’re together?!?’

as they get older they deffo become more private, but not secretive.

can spot each other in a crowd instantly, when he wins a race you best expect him to practically JUMP onto her, sometimes he forgets he’s bigger than her lmao.

The cameras go CRAZY for this and their faces are printed all over the newspapers.

Quiet, lazy mornings in England, especially when it’s cold out and Jenson finally has time off- the two of them can really appreciate the quiet side of life at home.

makes him want to settle down- but I think he’d be worried at first about bringing a child into the world- they’re having too much fun with each other, but I think they would calm down after a few years.

occasional bickers, maybe they both walk out of a nightclub and she’s storming ahead of him with a face like a slapped arse. Jenson would make a comment and y/n would be pissed that all the onlookers heard.

Y/n and Jenson’s relationship on the rocks?!

bitch the next morning he’s on top of her having the best make up sex ever.

Seriously their stamina is insane so they fuck like rabbits.

I feel like because y/n maybe has grown up in the public eye? Or fame came in her teens, her behaviour can be fairly erratic at times- like especially before Jenson the partying and boozing was out of control, but being a few years older he really settles her down in life.

like not that she’s troubled (I’m not gonna glamorise it but it’s real life) but it can’t be easy dealing with everything and fame at a young age, I feel like Jenson would take care of her at times, like if she gets wayyyy to drunk he wouldn’t lecture her, but he’d deffo have this sad look on his face, clearly he’s worried.

she’s ok tho, especially with him and like I said she settles down and matures a lot with Jenson.

She’d probs smoke weed every now and then and idk if Jenson would like it, especially when he’s so focused on racing, but he tries it once or twice and would probs just fall asleep immediately.

I feel like he’s so cuddly at times, like in the middle of the night he’d just snuggle up to her. So cute. On holiday on sunbeds he’d be so cuddly, grabbing at her and it causes for some really cute paparazzi pictures.

not to glamorise droogz and drinking but them two probably party a lot in the first year together.

Jenson is the type to eye his gf up from the other side of the room, nods her over or something sexy.

hand would start on your shoulder and end up on her ass- so many headlines the next day…

But yeah they’re such a popular, attractive couple, you either want to be with them or want to be them.

[wonyowonyo]

Sanctuary (H. Yunjin X M! Reader)

Hello there again! Another lsrfm fic by yours truly. This one is a request by (@dav1233555) that was long overdue, so once again I apologize for taking too long! And that also apply to other requests that are currently queued hehe, apologies for the long wait as I'm currently busy with other stuff going on! Anyways, enough about yapping; this one was abt 4.3k words, hope yall enjoy! I'll see yall on the next one. wonyo out!

As the sun began to set on the bustling streets of Seoul, Huh Yunjin, a member of the popular K-pop girl group Le Sserafim, couldn't help but feel a mix of exhaustion and excitement coursing through her veins. She had just finished a grueling practice session with her group, her muscles aching from the hours of intense choreography and vocal training, but the thought of spending the evening with her beloved boyfriend, Y/n, was all the motivation she needed to push through the fatigue.

Yunjin's eyes scanned the crowded street as she walked out of the practice studio, searching for the familiar face of her partner. It didn't take long for her gaze to land on Y/n, who was waiting for her by their car, a bright smile lighting up his features. Yunjin felt her heart skip a beat at the sight of him, and she quickened her pace, desperate to reach him.

"Hey, love," Y/n said, his voice warm and inviting as he opened the car door for her. "You look stunning, as always."

Yunjin couldn't help but blush at his compliment, playfully rolling her eyes as she slid into the passenger seat. "You're biased, but I'll take the compliment," she teased, her lips curving into a smile.

The drive to the beach was a familiar one, a route they had taken countless times before, but the excitement Yunjin felt was still palpable. She had been looking forward to this evening all week, the thought of spending some much-needed quality time with Y/n just what she needed to unwind and recharge.

As they arrived at the secluded spot along the coastline, the sound of the waves crashing against the shore and the warm, salty breeze immediately put Yunjin at ease. She slipped off her shoes, feeling the soft sand between her toes, and walked hand in hand with Y/n along the shoreline, their fingers intertwined.

The sky was painted with hues of pink and orange as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow over the ocean and the surrounding landscape. Yunjin couldn't help but feel a sense of serenity wash over her, like she was exactly where she was meant to be.

She turned to Y/n, who was watching her with a look of pure adoration, and Yunjin felt her heart swell with emotion.

"I'm so grateful for this, for us," she whispered, her voice barely audible above the sound of the waves.

Y/n's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled back at her, his grip on her hand tightening ever so slightly. "I'm grateful for you, Yunjin. You're the sunshine that brightens up my day, every day."

As the stars began to twinkle in the night sky, Yunjin and Y/n decided to head back to his cozy apartment, where they spent the rest of the evening cuddled up on the couch, watching their favorite TV shows and sharing snacks.

At one point, Y/n turned to Yunjin, his expression almost wistful. "Hey, can I ask you something?"

Yunjin looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Anything, love."

"Do you remember the first time we met, at that music festival years ago?" Y/n asked, a faraway look in his eyes.

Yunjin's face lit up with a smile, the memory of that fateful day flooding her mind. "How could I forget? You were so awkward and charming, I couldn't help but be drawn to you."

Y/n chuckled, a faint blush creeping up his cheeks. "I was so nervous, I think I stuttered through our entire conversation."

"But you still managed to ask for my number," Yunjin teased, playfully nudging him with her elbow.

"I knew from that moment that I wanted to spend more time with you," Y/n said, his voice filled with sincerity. "And now, here we are, living our best lives together."

Yunjin's heart swelled with emotion as she looked at Y/n, her gaze filled with adoration and affection. She knew that their relationship wasn't without its challenges – the K-pop industry was notorious for its demanding schedules and intense scrutiny – but in this moment, she felt like they could conquer anything as long as they had each other.

As they continued to watch TV, Yunjin snuggled deeper into Y/n's embrace, feeling his warmth and comfort envelop her like a gentle hug. She knew that this was where she was meant to be – in his arms, surrounded by love and support.

The night wore on, and the TV show they were watching faded into the background as they began to open up to each other, sharing their hopes and dreams, their fears and vulnerabilities. It was one of those heart-to-heart conversations that only happened when you felt completely safe and trusted with someone.

"I'm scared, Y/n," Yunjin confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm scared of not being able to balance my career and our relationship. The demands of this industry are so relentless, and I worry that I won't have enough time or energy to devote to us."

Y/n held her tighter, his grip reassuring and comforting. "We'll figure it out together, love. We've made it this far, and I know we can face anything as long as we have each other. Your career is important, but so are you, and I'll always be here to support you, no matter what."

Yunjin felt a wave of relief wash over her, her worries slowly dissipating as Y/n's words sank in. She knew that he was right – they had weathered the storms of her demanding idol life before, and they would do it again, side by side.

As the night drew to a close, Yunjin felt a sense of peace wash over her. She knew that she wasn't alone in this journey, that Y/n would always be there to support her, to love her, and to cherish her.

In this moment, surrounded by the silence of the night, Yunjin knew that their love was pure, true, and strong enough to overcome any obstacle that came their way.

————————————————————

The next morning, Yunjin woke up feeling refreshed and energized, the fatigue from the previous day's practice session a distant memory. As she stretched her limbs, she couldn't help but glance over at Y/n, who was still sleeping peacefully beside her, his features soft and relaxed.

Yunjin reached out and gently brushed a stray lock of hair from his forehead, a tender smile playing on her lips. She loved these quiet moments, when she could simply observe Y/n and bask in the warmth of his presence.

Suddenly, Y/n's eyes fluttered open, and he greeted Yunjin with a sleepy smile. "Good morning, my love," he murmured, his voice thick with sleep.

"Good morning," Yunjin whispered back, leaning in to press a soft kiss to his lips. "Did you sleep well?"

Y/n nodded, his arms wrapping around Yunjin's waist as he pulled her closer. "Mhm, better than I have in a while. Having you by my side makes all the difference."

Yunjin snuggled into his embrace, relishing the feeling of being surrounded by his comforting warmth. "I'm so grateful for that, for us," she murmured, her fingers tracing patterns on his chest.

Y/n pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head, his lips lingering for a moment. "And I'm grateful for you, Yunjin. You bring so much light and joy into my life, and I can't imagine it without you."

They lay there in comfortable silence for a few moments, simply enjoying each other's presence and the tranquility of the morning. Yunjin could feel the tension slowly leaving her body, replaced by a sense of contentment and peace.

Eventually, they reluctantly dragged themselves out of bed, knowing that Yunjin had a busy day ahead of her. As they prepared for the day, Yunjin couldn't help but feel a twinge of anxiety at the thought of returning to the demanding schedule of her idol life.

Sensing her unease, Y/n reached out and gently squeezed her hand. "Hey, it's going to be okay. I know it's not easy, but we'll get through this together, like we always do."

Yunjin gave him a grateful smile, her fingers intertwining with his. "I know, and I'm thankful to have you by my side. You always know just what to say to make me feel better."

They shared a final, lingering kiss before heading out the door, Yunjin's heart feeling a little lighter and her steps a little more sure. As she made her way to the practice studio, she couldn't help but reflect on how lucky she was to have someone like Y/n in her life – a partner who understood the demands of her career, who supported her unconditionally, and who made her feel loved and cherished, no matter what.

The day was long and grueling, with endless hours of rehearsals, vocal training, and choreography. Yunjin's body ached, her muscles protesting with each movement, but she pushed through, fueled by her determination and the thought of seeing Y/n again later that evening.

As she finally stepped out of the practice studio, Yunjin felt a sense of relief wash over her. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm, golden glow over the city, and the familiar sight of Y/n's car waiting for her was a welcome sight.

"Hey, love," Y/n said, a bright smile on his face as he opened the car door for her. "You look exhausted, but as beautiful as ever."

Yunjin couldn't help but chuckle, the tension in her shoulders easing as she slid into the passenger seat. "You always know just what to say to make me feel better."

The drive back to Y/n's apartment was filled with comfortable conversation, Yunjin sharing the highlights and challenges of her day while Y/n listened attentively, offering words of encouragement and support whenever she needed them.

As they arrived at their destination, Yunjin felt a sense of relief wash over her. This place, Y/n's cozy home, had become a sanctuary for her, a safe haven where she could truly be herself, away from the prying eyes of the public and the demands of her idol life.

"I don't know what I'd do without this place," Yunjin murmured, her gaze sweeping over the familiar surroundings as they stepped inside.

Y/n wrapped his arms around her from behind, pressing a gentle kiss to her temple. "And I don't know what I'd do without you, my love. This place is our haven, our refuge, and I'm so grateful to share it with you."

They settled onto the plush sofa, Yunjin snuggling into Y/n's embrace as they turned on the TV, the soft glow of the screen casting a warm light on their faces. Yunjin felt her muscles begin to relax, the tension slowly melting away as she allowed herself to be enveloped in Y/n's comforting presence.

As they flipped through the channels, Yunjin suddenly remembered their conversation from the previous night, the one where she had confessed her fears about balancing her career and their relationship.

"Y/n?" she began, her voice soft and tentative.

"Hmm?" he hummed in response, his fingers gently tracing patterns on her arm.

"About what I said last night… I want you to know that I'm truly grateful for your support. I know it can't be easy, dealing with the demands of my idol life, but you've always been there for me, no matter what."

Y/n pulled her closer, his grip reassuring. "Yunjin, you don't ever have to thank me for that. I love you, and I'll always be here to support you, no matter what challenges we face. We're in this together, remember?"

Yunjin felt a lump form in her throat, overwhelmed by the depth of Y/n's love and devotion. "I love you too, so much. I don't know what I'd do without you."

They fell into a comfortable silence, simply enjoying each other's company and the warmth of their embrace. Yunjin knew that as long as she had Y/n by her side, she could face anything the world threw her way.

As the evening wore on, they decided to order in some of their favorite takeout, filling the apartment with the enticing aromas of their favorite dishes. Yunjin's stomach growled in anticipation, and Y/n couldn't help but chuckle at the sound.

"Looks like someone's hungry," he teased, pressing a playful kiss to the tip of her nose.

Yunjin playfully swatted at him, her lips curved into a smile. "Well, maybe if someone didn't keep distracting me from eating, I wouldn't be so hungry."

Y/n raised his hands in mock surrender, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "My apologies, my love. I'll be sure to let you enjoy your meal in peace."

They settled in to enjoy their dinner, their conversation flowing effortlessly as they recounted the highlights of their day and made plans for the weekend. Yunjin couldn't help but marvel at how seamlessly their lives had become intertwined, how every moment she spent with Y/n felt like coming home.

As they finished their meal, Yunjin leaned back into the couch, letting out a content sigh. "I don't know how I'd get through this without you, Y/n. You always know how to make me feel better, no matter what."

Y/n reached out and gently tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, his touch feather-light and tender. "And I'll always be here, Yunjin, to support you, to hold you, and to love you, no matter what. We're in this together, remember?"

Yunjin felt a surge of emotion wash over her, and she leaned in, pressing her lips to Y/n's in a deep, passionate kiss. In that moment, she knew that as long as she had him by her side, she could face anything the world threw her way.

As the night drew to a close, Yunjin and Y/n cuddled up on the couch, their limbs tangled together as they watched the stars twinkle outside the window. Yunjin felt a sense of peace wash over her, her worries and anxieties from the day melting away.

"You know," Y/n began, his voice barely above a whisper, "I remember the first time we met, at that music festival all those years ago. I was so nervous, I could barely string two words together."

Yunjin chuckled, the memory bringing a smile to her face. "And yet, you still managed to ask for my number. I was so charmed by your awkward charm, I couldn't say no."

Y/n pulled her closer, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "I knew from that moment that I wanted to spend more time with you, to get to know you better. And now, here we are, building a life together, facing the world side by side."

Yunjin felt her heart swell with emotion, overwhelmed by the depth of the love they shared. "I'm so grateful for you, Y/n. For your unwavering support, your patience, and your love. I don't know what I'd do without you in my life."

"And I'll always be here, Yunjin," Y/n murmured, his fingers gently tracing the outline of her face. "Through the good times and the bad, the highs and the lows. We'll face it all, together."

As the night wore on, Yunjin and Y/n continued to share their dreams, their fears, and their hopes for the future, their conversation flowing effortlessly. Yunjin felt a sense of security and belonging that she had never experienced before, and she knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, she would face them with Y/n by her side.

As the first rays of dawn began to peek through the curtains, Yunjin snuggled deeper into Y/n's embrace, feeling the weight of her exhaustion slowly dissipate. She knew that the coming days would be filled with demanding schedules and intense scrutiny, but in this moment, she felt a sense of peace and contentment that she hadn't felt in a long time.

Yunjin pressed a tender kiss to Y/n's cheek, her voice barely above a whisper. "I love you, Y/n. Thank you for being my safe haven, my rock, in this crazy world."

Y/n's arms tightened around her, his lips curving into a warm smile. "I love you too, Yunjin. Always and forever."

With the sun rising on a new day, Yunjin felt a renewed sense of determination and strength. With Y/n by her side, she knew that she could face anything the world threw her way. Together, they would navigate the challenges of her idol life, their love a beacon that would guide them through the storms.

————————————————————

As the morning light streamed in through the window, Yunjin slowly opened her eyes, relishing the warmth of Y/n's embrace. She traced the contours of his face with her fingertips, marveling at how peaceful and serene he looked in his sleep.

Carefully, Yunjin disentangled herself from his grasp, not wanting to disturb his much-needed rest. She padded quietly into the kitchen, the soft patter of her feet on the hardwood floor the only sound breaking the stillness of the apartment.

Yunjin set about preparing a simple breakfast of toast, scrambled eggs, and freshly brewed coffee – Y/n's favorite. As she cooked, the tantalizing aroma of the food filled the air, making her own stomach rumble in anticipation.

When the meal was ready, Yunjin carried the tray back to the bedroom, the corners of her lips curving into a gentle smile as she watched Y/n begin to stir. His eyes fluttered open, and he greeted her with a sleepy grin.

"Good morning, my love," Yunjin said softly, placing the tray on the bedside table and settling back down next to him.

"Morning," Y/n murmured, his voice still thick with sleep. He reached out and pulled Yunjin close, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. "You're up early."

Yunjin nodded, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on his chest. "I wanted to surprise you with breakfast. You've been working so hard to support me, and I wanted to do something special for you."

Y/n's eyes softened, and he cupped her face in his hands, his thumb gently caressing her cheek. "You're too good to me, Yunjin. I don't know what I did to deserve you, but I'm grateful every single day."

They ate their breakfast in comfortable silence, savoring the simple pleasure of each other's company. Yunjin couldn't help but notice the way Y/n's eyes followed her every move, the adoration and affection in his gaze making her heart swell with emotion.

As they finished their meal, Yunjin reached out and intertwined their fingers, her expression suddenly serious. "Y/n, I want you to know that I'm fully committed to making this work – to balancing my career and our relationship. I know it hasn't been easy, but you've been by my side every step of the way, and I'm truly grateful for that."

Y/n squeezed her hand reassuringly, his lips curving into a warm smile. "I know, Yunjin. And I want you to know that I'll always be here, no matter what. Your dreams and your passions are a part of who you are, and I love every single aspect of you."

Yunjin felt a lump form in her throat, the depth of his love and acceptance overwhelming her. "I love you, Y/n. More than you could ever know."

They shared a tender, lingering kiss, their bodies molding together as if they were made for each other. Yunjin knew that with Y/n by her side, she could conquer anything that came her way.

As the morning wore on, Yunjin couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation for the day ahead. She had a busy schedule, with rehearsals, photo shoots, and interviews lined up, but she knew that she was ready to face it all with renewed vigor.

Y/n, sensing her energy, gently squeezed her hand. "You've got this, Yunjin. Just remember to take care of yourself, okay? I'll be here, waiting for you, whenever you need a break."

Yunjin nodded, a grateful smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I know, and I can't thank you enough for that. You're my rock, Y/n, and I don't know what I'd do without you."

As Yunjin prepared to leave, Y/n pulled her into a tight embrace, his lips pressing a lingering kiss to the top of her head. "I love you, Yunjin. Always and forever."

Yunjin savored the moment, committing the feel of his arms around her and the warmth of his touch to memory. "I love you too, Y/n. See you tonight?"

Y/n nodded, his eyes sparkling with affection. "Absolutely. I'll be here, waiting for you."

With one final kiss, Yunjin reluctantly headed out the door, her steps lighter and her heart filled with a renewed sense of purpose. As she made her way to the practice studio, she couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude and love for the man who had become her safe haven, her rock, in this crazy world.

The day was long and grueling, as Yunjin had expected, but she pushed through, fueled by the knowledge that Y/n was waiting for her, ready to offer his unwavering support and love. Each time she felt her energy waning, she would think of him, of the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled, of the warmth of his embrace, and she would find the strength to carry on.

When Yunjin finally stepped out of the practice studio, a wave of exhaustion washed over her. Her muscles ached, and her voice was hoarse from hours of vocal training, but the sight of Y/n's familiar car waiting for her instantly lifted her spirits.

As she slid into the passenger seat, Y/n greeted her with a warm smile, his eyes filled with concern. "You look exhausted, my love. How was your day?"

Yunjin let out a weary sigh, leaning her head back against the headrest. "It was long, but I made it through. I'm just glad to be here with you now."

Y/n reached out and gently squeezed her hand, his touch soothing and comforting. "I'm proud of you, Yunjin. You're incredible, you know that?"

Yunjin felt a blush creep up her cheeks, and she couldn't help but smile. "I couldn't do it without you, Y/n. You're my strength, my inspiration, and I'm so grateful to have you by my side."

The drive back to the apartment was a quiet one, but Yunjin didn't mind. She was content to simply bask in Y/n's presence, to feel the warmth of his hand in hers and the steady rhythm of his breathing.

As they stepped through the front door, Yunjin felt a wave of relief wash over her. This place, their haven, was a sanctuary where she could let down her guard and just be herself, without the constant scrutiny and demands of the outside world.

Y/n, sensing her tension, gently guided her towards the bedroom, his touch featherlight and soothing. "Come on, love. Let's get you into a hot bath and then we can order in some of your favorite food, okay?"

Yunjin nodded gratefully, her body practically sagging with exhaustion. "That sounds perfect, Y/n. Thank you."

As she sank into the steaming water, Yunjin felt the tension slowly leaving her body, her muscles unwinding with each passing minute. The familiar scent of her favorite bath products filled the air, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of calm wash over her.

Yunjin closed her eyes, allowing her mind to drift, and found herself thinking about the future – about the challenges and triumphs that lay ahead, and about the unwavering support she had in Y/n.

She knew that the road ahead would not be an easy one, that the demands of her idol life would continue to test the limits of her strength and resilience. But with Y/n by her side, Yunjin felt like she could conquer anything.

As she emerged from the bathroom, refreshed and rejuvenated, Yunjin found Y/n waiting for her, a warm smile on his face. He pulled her into a gentle embrace, his fingers gently tracing patterns on her back.

"Feeling better?" he murmured, his breath tickling her ear.

Yunjin nodded, her arms tightening around his waist. "Much better, thanks to you."

They settled onto the couch, cuddled up together as they enjoyed their dinner and watched a mindless TV show. Yunjin couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment and peace wash over her, her worries and anxieties from the day slowly melting away.

As the night drew to a close, Yunjin turned to Y/n, her eyes shining with affection. "Y/n, I don't know what I'd do without you. You're my everything, and I'm so grateful to have you in my life."

Y/n pulled her close, his lips pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. "And I'm grateful for you, Yunjin. You're the light of my life, and I'll always be here, no matter what challenges we face."

They held each other in comfortable silence, their heartbeats in sync as they basked in the warmth of their love. Yunjin knew that with Y/n by her side, she could face anything the world threw her way, and she couldn't wait to continue building their life together, one filled with love, laughter, and unwavering support.

[darksaiyangoku]

RWBY: Grim Tales

Moonslice Makai

Dedicated to @johndorythesnowking

[Mistral City]

Velvet wandered around the streets of Mistral, camera in hand, grinning from ear to ear. For 4 years, she dedicated her life to exploring Remnant, from bustling cities to quiet countrysides and even the majestic beaches. Her blog, Scarlet Travels, might not be the most popular but it was her passion and she wouldn't trade it for the world. The sounds of children's laughter made Velvet's rabbit ears twitch and she laughed along with them as they rushed past her dressed in spooky costumes. The smell of pumpkins were beginning to make her stomach growl and her mouth filled up with saliva.

Velvet: Oh shoot! *giggles* I hope no one saw that.

Wading through the crowds, Velvet approached a nearby cart selling pumpkin pies, dusted with powdered sugar. Her eyes sparkled with excitement. The vendor was a tortoise faunus and greeted her with a smile.

Vendor: Ah good evening! Would you care for a slice of pumpkin pie?

Velvet: A slice? Make it 5!

Vendor: *laughs* Coming right up. *hands her the pies* 25 lien please.

Velvet paid the vendor and bid him goodbye, heartily helping herself to a piece of pie. The combination of the savoury crust and the sweet filling made her tastebuds dance.

Velvet: *mouthful* Mmm!! Sho good!

Just as she was about to take another bite, she heard crying from over the road. She turned around and saw that a child, dressed as a pirate, has accidentally dropped his candy floss. His parents and older sister tried to calm him down but it wasn't working. Velvet looked at her bag then back at the family and she had an idea.

Velvet: *walking* Aww, don't worry. Here, you can have mine.

Pirate kid: *sniffles* H-Huh?

Velvet: *offers pumpkin pie* Go on. Take it. *smile*

Pirate kid: *takes pie and bites it* Hmmm. This is good. *smiles and hugs* Thank you, miss!

Velvet: *chuckles* It's okay. *offers bag* Here, why don't you all dig in?

Mother: Oh we couldn't possibly. You've done more than enough.

Velvet: No, I insist! There's no way I could possiblh eat all these and I refuse to let them go to waste. Go on, take them.

Father: *chuckles* Seems like there's no getting out of this one. I guess you've convinced us. *takes bag*

Sister: Miss Bunny, could you take a picture of us? Please?

Pirate Kid: Yeah!

Mother: Now, now. I'm sure she's very busy and we've taken up too much of her time as it is.

Velvet: Oh I don't mind at all. Do you have a camara?

Father: Here, you can use my scrollphone.

Velvet: *takes scrollphone* Alright now, get in real close. Say 'pumpkins'!

Family: *cheerful* Pumpkins!

Velvet grinned as she looked at the photo. They was the quintessential Halloween family, all dressed up in costume and having a wonderful time. The son dressed as a pirate, the daughter as a ghost and the two parents as both Frankenstein's monster and his beloved undead bride.

Velvet: Wow! Would you mind if I use this in my next article? I'm a travel writer and I'd love to feature you.

Father: That sounds great! Here, I'll send the pic to you now.

Velvet: Wonderful!

[Velvet's Apartment]

In her room, Velvet booted up her laptop started typing away. She browsed through the images on both her scrollphone and her camera and selected two which would work best for her article. The first were statues of bat-warriors that stood to guard one of the most prestigous landmarks of Mistral, the Huánglong Palace. In her home nation of Vale, bats were seen as harbingers of fear and death. But in Mistral, they were sacred animals of good luck and protection. As Velvet was about to post the second image onto her article, something strange caught her eye. Standing beside the mother was a shadowy figure. It was blurry, but Velvet could see a faint image of a forked tail and two, large horns on its head.

Velvet: *backs away slowly* What the hell?

Velvet began to feel uneasy. Goosebumps formed all over her body and her throat became dry. Suddenly, her laptop screen began to flicker in all different colours and a hoarse moan filled the room. Velvet fell from her chair as she saw the shadowy figure move and open its eyes, white as bone. She tried to scream, but her voice seemed to vanish. A black hand peered from the screen, followed by a devilish face. The creature drew closer and closer until it crawled out and stepped into her room. Velvet couldn't believe what she was seeing. The hideous creature snarled and protacted sharp claws. Was this it? Was she about to die?

Crash!!!

Both Velvet and the creature turned around to see the window shattered and crimson-red armoured knight wielding a chokutō sword. The creature shifted its focus on the knight and prepared to attack. However, its arms were immidiately sliced off and slimy, black blood seeped from the wounds. The knight grabbed it by the throat and began violently slamming its head onto the wall. The creature made a horrible pained noise, trying to escape from the knight's grip. The knight threw it to the floor and stepped onto its back to keep it pinned. Raising the sword high, it swung at the creature and decapitated it in a swift blow. With one final hiss, it disappeared into black smoke. Velvet stared at the knight in both fright and gratitude. Truth be told, it frightened her more than the creature. However, she would've ended up dead had it not been for the intervention. A bright light shone and pieces of the armour seemed to disappear into thin air, revealing a tall, redheaded bull faunus man, wearing a long, black coat and maroon trousers, with his sheath hanging over the side. On his face was an eyepatch covering his left eye.

Bull-faunus: You should leave while you still can. You might not be marked by Horror, but you will run into more eventually. Get out now.

He was about to jump out of the window when he felt Velvet grab his arm.

Velvet: Hold on a minute! What was that thing you killed? Where did you get that sword? And who are you?!

Adam: *sighs* I can't tell you much, I'm afraid. I don't have the time. Forget what you saw and try to live a long, good life. But... my name is Adam. That much I will say. *jumps*

Velvet stood in shock as the Adam leaped into the moonlight, armed with his trusty sword. She grabbed her scrollphone from the bed and began to type something on her notepad. Her days of being a travel writer had now taken a sinister, yet interesting turn.

Knights Among Us?

[shalini-yadav45]

Unveiling the Best Time to Visit Cebu

Planning a trip to Cebu, the Queen City of the South? We've got you covered with comprehensive insights on the best time to visit Cebu. Whether you're into stunning beaches, rich cultural heritage, or thrilling adventures, Cebu offers a myriad of experiences all year round. But to make the most of your visit, timing is key. Read on to discover the optimal time to explore this enchanting destination.

Peak Season: December to May

December to May marks the peak tourist season in Cebu. During these months, the weather is at its finest, with sunny days and minimal rainfall. The dry season, characterized by clear skies and balmy temperatures, creates ideal conditions for beach hopping, island hopping, and outdoor activities.

Off-Peak Season: June to November

June to November brings the rainy season to Cebu. While some travelers may shy away from visiting during this time, the off-peak season has its own charm and advantages. With fewer crowds and lower accommodation rates, it's an excellent opportunity for budget-conscious travelers to explore Cebu's attractions without breaking the bank. Plus, the lush landscapes and occasional showers add a refreshing touch to the scenery.

Festivals and Events

One of the highlights of visiting Cebu is experiencing its vibrant festivals and events. From the grand celebration of Sinulog Festival in January to the colorful Kadaugan sa Mactan in April, there's always something exciting happening in the city. Planning your trip around these festivities will not only immerse you in the local culture but also add an extra layer of excitement to your Cebu adventure.

Best Time for Diving and Snorkeling

For diving enthusiasts, the best time to visit Cebu is during the dry season from December to May. During this period, the waters are crystal clear, offering excellent visibility for underwater exploration. Popular dive sites like Moalboal, Malapascua, and Oslob are teeming with marine life, including colorful coral reefs, sea turtles, and majestic whale sharks.

Ideal Months for Beach Getaways

If you're dreaming of pristine beaches and azure waters, plan your trip to Cebu between January and April. During these months, the weather is perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and indulging in water sports. From the famous White Beach in Moalboal to the secluded Bantayan Island, Cebu boasts an array of stunning beaches waiting to be explored.

Cultural Immersion Opportunities

To delve into Cebu's rich cultural heritage, consider visiting during the Sinulog Festival in January. This annual event celebrates the island's conversion to Christianity and features colorful street parades, traditional dances, and religious processions. It's a fantastic opportunity to witness the vibrant spirit and hospitality of the Cebuano people.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the best time to visit Cebu depends on your preferences and interests. Whether you prefer sunny skies and bustling crowds or tranquil beaches and cultural experiences, Cebu has something for everyone year-round. By considering factors such as weather, festivals, and activities, you can plan a memorable trip to this tropical paradise. For more information click here

[tribaltshirts]

Why You Must Consider Buying Neon T-Shirts

When it comes to fashion, experimenting with bold styles and vibrant colors can make a statement. Neon t-shirts have become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. These eye-catching garments add a touch of retro flair to any outfit and are a great way to show off your unique personality. In this blog post, we will explore why you should consider buying neon t-shirts and how to style them for different occasions.

First and foremost, neon t-shirts are incredibly fun and playful. The vibrant colors instantly grab attention and make you stand out from the crowd. Whether you're attending a music festival, going out with friends, or simply want to add some excitement to your everyday look, a neon t-shirt is the perfect choice. You can choose from a wide range of neon shades, including bright yellow, electric green, hot pink, and more, allowing you to find a color that suits your taste and skin tone. Get more facts about tee shirts at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_(clothing).

Another reason to invest in choose life t shirt is their versatility. You can easily dress them up or down, depending on the occasion. For a casual daytime look, pair your neon t-shirt with jeans or denim shorts and sneakers. Add some accessories like a baseball cap or sunglasses to complete the laid-back vibe. If you want to take your outfit to the next level, opt for neon t-shirts with bold prints or graphics. This allows you to showcase your personal style and make a fashion statement wherever you go.

Furthermore, skinhead t shirt are a fantastic choice for summer fashion. The bright colors perfectly complement the sunny weather and add a cheerful touch to your wardrobe. You can wear them to the beach, picnics, or any outdoor gathering. The lightweight and breathable fabric of t-shirts ensure that you stay comfortable even on the hottest days. Pair your neon t-shirt with shorts, skirts, or swimwear, and you'll have a trendy and stylish summer look.

In conclusion, buying neon t-shirts is a great way to add a pop of color and excitement to your wardrobe. These stylish garments are versatile, fun, and perfect for making a statement. Whether you opt for a solid neon color or a bold graphic print, you're sure to attract attention wherever you go. So go ahead, embrace your bold side, and rock a neon t-shirt with confidence!

[onroadz123]

Your Complete Guide to Stress-Free Travel with Car Rental in Chennai

Traveling to Chennai, the cultural heart of South India, is an exciting experience, offering a vibrant mix of history, heritage, beaches, and modern attractions. Whether you’re here for a business trip, a vacation, or a weekend getaway, getting around the city comfortably and efficiently is essential to enjoying your time. While taxis and public transport are available, they can be unreliable, especially during peak hours. That’s where car rentals come in, providing you the freedom, comfort, and flexibility to explore Chennai at your own pace.car rental chennai

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how renting a car in Chennai can make your trip stress-free, along with tips for choosing the best rental service and enjoying your time in the city with ease.

Why Rent a Car in Chennai?

Renting a car in Chennai offers a variety of benefits that make your travel more comfortable, convenient, and enjoyable:

Flexibility and Freedom When you rent a car, you’re in control of your schedule. No waiting for taxis or crowded public transport. Whether you want to explore the cultural sights of Mylapore, spend a day at the beach, or take a road trip to nearby destinations like Mahabalipuram or Pondicherry, having a rental car gives you the ultimate freedom to move around as you wish.

Comfort and Convenience Traveling in a car that suits your comfort needs—whether it’s a compact sedan, a spacious SUV, or a luxury vehicle—ensures that you enjoy every part of your journey. You won’t have to deal with the discomfort of cramped spaces or long waits in the heat. Air-conditioning, a private space, and flexible travel times are some of the many benefits of renting a car.

Cost-Effective for Extended Stays If you’re staying in Chennai for an extended period, renting a car is often more affordable than using taxis or rideshare services. With competitive pricing, daily or weekly rental options, and the ability to choose a vehicle that fits your budget, a car rental can help you save money while offering greater convenience.

Exploring Beyond Chennai Chennai’s proximity to several historic and scenic locations such as Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry, and Kanchipuram makes it a great hub for short trips. With a rental car, you can easily explore these destinations without relying on tour buses or fixed schedules. Your rental car gives you the flexibility to stop wherever you want and take in the sights.

How to Choose the Best Car Rental in Chennai

Selecting the right car rental company in Chennai is crucial to ensuring a smooth and enjoyable travel experience. Here are some tips to help you choose the best rental service:

Look for Reliability and Reputation Check for well-known and trusted car rental services that have positive reviews and ratings. Companies like Zoomcar, Drivezy, Revv, Myles, and Onroadz are popular in Chennai for offering a wide range of vehicles, customer support, and reliable services.

Consider the Fleet Options Make sure the car rental service offers the type of vehicle that suits your needs. Whether you require a compact car for a solo trip, a sedan for a family, or an SUV for a road trip, choosing a rental company with a diverse fleet gives you more flexibility.

Check Pricing and Discounts Different rental companies offer different pricing structures. Compare prices, check if there are any discounts, and decide whether you want to rent a car on an hourly, daily, or weekly basis. Ensure there are no hidden charges for mileage, fuel, or other services.

Read the Terms and Conditions Before booking, read the rental agreement carefully. Pay attention to the fuel policy (whether you need to return the car with a full tank), mileage limits, and any other conditions that may affect your rental experience. Some services may offer 24/7 roadside assistance, insurance, or other perks that make your rental experience stress-free.

Look for Convenient Pickup and Drop-off Locations Consider renting from a company that offers convenient pickup and drop-off points, or even doorstep delivery, so you don’t have to worry about going out of your way to collect the car.

Top Car Rental Services in Chennai

Here are some of the best car rental services in Chennai that can ensure a stress-free experience:

Zoomcar Zoomcar is one of the most popular self-drive car rental services in Chennai. They offer a variety of cars, from budget-friendly hatchbacks to premium sedans and SUVs. Zoomcar’s easy-to-use app and transparent pricing make booking your car a breeze. You can also choose hourly, daily, or weekly rentals to fit your schedule.

Drivezy Drivezy offers a large fleet of well-maintained cars, scooters, and bikes. Their services include flexible booking durations, home delivery of vehicles, and competitive pricing. Drivezy is an excellent choice for those who need a hassle-free

[cyc-event-company]

North Goa vs South Goa: Which is Best for Your Destination Wedding?

When it comes to choosing the perfect location for a destination wedding in Goa, the debate often boils down to a choice between North Goa and South Goa. Both regions offer breathtaking landscapes, unique vibes, and world-class wedding venues, but each has its own personality. So, how do you decide which is best for your wedding day? Let's take a closer look at the key differences between North and South Goa to help you make an informed decision.

North Goa: Vibrant, Lively, and Full of Energy

North Goa is known for its vibrant, energetic atmosphere. If you're the kind of couple that loves the buzz of a lively setting, North Goa might be the ideal choice for your wedding. Popular beaches like Baga, Calangute, Anjuna, and Vagator are known for their bustling beach clubs, laid-back vibe, and vibrant nightlife. This makes North Goa the perfect spot for couples who want a fun, relaxed wedding with plenty of entertainment options for their guests.

What makes North Goa great for a wedding?

Excitement and Energy: If you're planning a destination wedding with lots of guests, North Goa offers plenty of entertainment options, from beach parties to adventure activities. Your guests can enjoy the nightlife, shop at local markets, or indulge in water sports.

Variety of Venues: North Goa offers a variety of wedding venues, ranging from beachside resorts with stunning sunset views to boutique hotels with a rustic charm. If you're looking for a trendy, boho-chic vibe for your wedding, you’ll find plenty of options here.

Accessibility: With its proximity to the Goa International Airport and bustling commercial hubs, North Goa is easily accessible for both domestic and international guests.

Cultural Diversity: North Goa has a cosmopolitan atmosphere, attracting people from all around the world. If you want a wedding that’s full of life and color, North Goa’s vibrant culture is sure to inspire you.

Things to consider:

Crowds and Noise: North Goa can get crowded, especially during the peak tourist season (November to February). If you're looking for a peaceful, secluded ceremony, the lively crowds might not suit your vibe.

High Prices: Due to its popularity, prices for venues and services can be higher in North Goa, especially during the high season.

South Goa: Serene, Tranquil, and Romantic

On the other hand, South Goa offers a more peaceful and laid-back atmosphere, making it the perfect choice for couples who prefer privacy, serenity, and natural beauty. Beaches like Palolem, Agonda, Colva, and Betul are known for their untouched, tranquil charm, offering secluded settings where you can exchange vows with the sound of the waves as your only backdrop.

Why South Goa might be perfect for your wedding:

Privacy and Seclusion: South Goa’s beaches are quieter, less crowded, and often more exclusive. This is ideal for couples looking for a more intimate wedding experience, where the focus can be entirely on the couple and their guests.

Stunning Natural Beauty: South Goa’s natural beauty is unrivaled, with lush green hills, pristine beaches, and a laid-back vibe. Many beach resorts in South Goa offer stunning sea views and are perfect for couples seeking a peaceful wedding setting.

Luxury and Exclusivity: South Goa is home to some of the most luxurious and exclusive resorts, many of which offer all-inclusive wedding packages that cater to every need, from décor to catering. If you’re looking for a lavish, elegant wedding, South Goa delivers on both luxury and serenity.

Peaceful Atmosphere: If you're envisioning a wedding ceremony at sunrise or sunset, South Goa's peaceful beaches provide the perfect setting for stunning, intimate photo opportunities.

Things to consider:

Less Vibrancy: While South Goa is ideal for couples seeking peace and privacy, it may not suit those who prefer a more dynamic or social atmosphere. The region is quieter, and entertainment options are more limited compared to the vibrant North.

Accessibility: South Goa is farther from the airport compared to North Goa, which could mean longer travel times for your guests. However, this is a small trade-off for the serene and exclusive atmosphere.

Which One Is Best for Your Wedding?

The choice between North Goa and South Goa depends largely on the type of wedding experience you envision.

If you love energy, vibrant nightlife, and a lively atmosphere, North Goa is a natural choice. It’s perfect for couples who want a fun, lively wedding with a party vibe that carries into the night.

If you're seeking peace, tranquility, and privacy, South Goa is the better option. It offers an intimate, exclusive experience for couples who want to exchange vows in a serene, natural setting, away from the crowds.

Ultimately, Goa offers something for everyone. Whether you choose North or South, you’re guaranteed to have an unforgettable wedding in one of the world’s most beautiful and sought-after destinations.

Final Thought

Your destination wedding in Goa should reflect your personality as a couple. So, think about what’s more important for you: a lively, social atmosphere with plenty of activities, or a peaceful, intimate ceremony surrounded by nature’s beauty. Whichever you choose, Goa will provide the perfect backdrop for your dream wedding.

[traveljunctioncanada]

Begin the New Year in Style: Discover Amazing Flight Bargains for Your Upcoming Journey

The New Year opens a door of bright opportunities, and midnight is the right time to pack your bags and explore some exciting destinations. Travellers love to breathe in the fresh air because airlines continue to have seat-filling sales during those post-vacation days, making it the best time for travel. Get that exciting journey from tropical beaches to a hustle-and-bustle city and mountains where you can kickstart your year with these once-in-a-lifetime experiences. It is the right time to acquire incredible New Year travel cheap flight Deals, spot most sought-after destination, and learn to discover the latest trends that simplify travel planning.

Why the New Year is the Best Time to Travel

January and February are generally the best months for budget travelers. The festive holiday season is over, and the fares are dropping; it's time to grab some bargains. Also, the crowd that comes during peak season is gone, so visiting places, shops, and restaurants is more fun and relaxing. 

How to Get the Best Airfare Deals

Escape Winter Blues

Living in snow requires a balance between the need for sunshine and the need for warmth in colder climates. The Maldives, Mexico, and Thailand become hotspots for travellers who want to surf far from the cold weather.

Refresh and Recharge

Travelling on New Year can help you get a common routine and refresh your mind and body. A change of scene and experiences will help introduce inspiration and energy during your trip.

Seasonal Promotions

Airlines and travel websites usually provide cheap flights for New Year travel in January. Some airlines offer "two-for-one" deals or tickets on specific routes that can be booked at low rates. Check out multiple online comparison websites to find such sales.

Book in Advance to Save Big

While last-minute deals are the best option for very low prices. In general, planning is usually the best way to ensure low prices. Booking 6–8 months in advance will provide you with the cheapest price on domestic and international routes.

Popular Spots for Next Year

Dubai

Dubai has a historic flavour with a modern touch. Visitors come to Dubai for sunshine, adventure, and great shopping. The January shopping festival is a popular attraction due to the ridiculous discounts offered at malls and markets.

Santorini, Greece

Santorini is known as a summer destination, but visiting this destination during winter would save money, and you can see very few crowds in an amazing place with beautiful villages.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

During summer, travellers can experience Buenos Aires, a bustling destination, in January. Visit here and see the eclectic culture and tango performances, and also taste excellent food.

Cape Town, South Africa

January is considered the full summer month in Cape Town. During this time, the region offers ideal beaches, hiking at Table Mountain, and exposure to its vibrant wine regions.

Emerging Trends in Travel 2024

Slow Travel

All of us are becoming slow travellers nowadays, where a tourist spends more days in one destination, immersing himself in the way of life of the locale. Such places include Tuscany, Bali, and Kyoto.

Responsible Tourism

With increased consciousness over climate change, people are becoming keen to book eco-friendly tours. Travel packages offering carbon offset schemes, green accommodations, and experiencing a healthy environment during travel also attract much attention nowadays.

Leisure Travel

Remote work blurs the lines between business and leisure travel. Many have transformed business journeys into a break or scheduled a holiday for when they can be at places to work away from the office.

Immersive Culinary Experiences

The latest trend in travel involves booking destinations with a significant type of cuisine. Fine dining, cooking classes, wine tastings, and food tours in places like Barcelona, Bangkok, and even Istanbul are favourite options among travellers.

Why now is the Best Time to plan

Starting a year involves setting resolutions and determining the entire year. Planning early sets the tone for your first trip of the year so that you can book your cheap flight tickets at the last minute.

January and February offer ample travel excitement for every traveller this New Year celebration with thrilling tour packages to winter landscapes; you can also take part in summer festivities across Asia.

Conclusion

Many of us start the New Year with a trip. It's not only a way of shaking up routine but also a great method to build memories while embracing a new culture all year long by keeping an eye on seasonal discounts and trending destinations and staying on top of all the trends. Anyone can unlock incredible cheap New Year lights & travel deals.

This year, prioritize your travel dreams and not let them remain on your wish list. Start planning today and make 2025 a memorable year.

[roberthunter789]

Exploring the Wild: A Komodo Dragon Tour Adventure

Imagine stepping into a world where prehistoric giants still roam freely, their ancient lineage stretching back millions of years. This is the allure of a Komodo dragon tour, a unique adventure that takes you to the heart of Komodo National Park in Indonesia. Home to the world’s largest lizards, the Komodo dragons, this destination offers an unparalleled glimpse into the natural world.

The Journey Begins

Your adventure kicks off in Labuan Bajo, a quaint coastal town on the island of Flores. Labuan Bajo is the gateway to Komodo National Park and a hub for travelers seeking the thrill of encountering Komodo dragons. From here, you’ll embark on a boat trip to the park, with options ranging from day tours to multi-day liveaboard experiences. Liveaboard tours are particularly popular as they allow for extensive exploration of the park’s islands and dive sites.

Komodo Dragons Up Close

The highlight of the tour is, of course, the Komodo dragons. These formidable reptiles can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh over 150 pounds. Despite their fearsome reputation, Komodo dragons are fascinating creatures, known for their keen hunting skills and unique adaptations. Guided tours led by experienced park rangers provide the safest and most informative way to observe these magnificent beasts in their natural habitat. The rangers share intriguing facts about the dragons’ behavior, diet, and the critical conservation efforts underway to protect this endangered species.

The Islands of Komodo National Park

Komodo National Park comprises several islands, each offering its own unique experiences:

Komodo Island: The most famous of the park’s islands, Komodo Island is the prime habitat for the dragons. Guided hikes here offer not only dragon sightings but also breathtaking views of the island’s rugged landscape.

Rinca Island: Often less crowded than Komodo Island, Rinca offers equally exciting dragon encounters. The island’s diverse ecosystem is home to other wildlife, such as deer, wild boar, and a variety of bird species.

Padar Island: While it has fewer dragons, Padar is renowned for its stunning panoramas. The hike to the top of Padar’s hills provides spectacular views of tri-colored beaches and turquoise waters.

Beyond the Dragons

A Komodo dragon tour isn’t just about the dragons. The park’s diverse ecosystem supports a variety of wildlife both on land and underwater. Snorkeling and diving in the waters around Komodo National Park reveal vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life, including manta rays, sea turtles, and an array of colorful fish. Popular dive sites like Batu Bolong and Manta Point offer some of the best underwater experiences in the region.

Practical Tips for Your Tour

Guided Tours: Always opt for a guided tour to ensure safety and to gain deeper insights into the park’s wildlife and ecosystem.

Respect Wildlife: Maintain a safe distance from the dragons and other animals. Follow all guidelines provided by your guide to avoid any disturbances.

Pack Essentials: Light, breathable clothing, comfortable hiking shoes, sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water are crucial. The tropical climate can be hot and humid.

Stay Connected: Inform someone of your travel plans and keep a charged mobile phone for emergencies, even if you’re enjoying a digital detox.

Conclusion

A Komodo dragon tour is more than just a visit to see impressive reptiles; it’s an immersive experience in one of the world’s most unique natural environments. From the thrill of encountering Komodo dragons to exploring the pristine landscapes and vibrant marine life, every moment of this adventure is unforgettable. Whether you’re an avid wildlife enthusiast, a diving aficionado, or simply seeking a distinctive travel experience, a Komodo dragon tour offers a journey like no other. Pack your bags and get ready for an adventure into the realm of the dragons.

[tripncare]

Tips for Solo Travelers in Malaysia: A Safe and Memorable Journey

Malaysia is a dream destination for solo travelers. Its vibrant culture, diverse landscapes, and welcoming locals make it an ideal choice for anyone exploring the world on their own. Whether you're wandering through bustling cities, trekking in lush rainforests, or relaxing on pristine beaches, Malaysia offers something for every traveler.

1. Is Malaysia Safe for Solo Travelers?

Malaysia is one of the safest countries in Southeast Asia, known for its low crime rates and tourist-friendly environment. However, like any destination, solo travelers should take precautions.

Safety Tips

Stay alert: Keep an eye on your belongings, especially in crowded areas.

Use reputable transport services: Opt for Grab (a ride-hailing app) or official taxis.

Dress appropriately: In conservative areas, especially rural or religious sites, modest clothing is appreciated.

Why It’s Ideal for Solo Travel

English is widely spoken, making communication easier.

Public transport is efficient and affordable.

Malaysians are generally hospitable and eager to help travelers.

2. Best Destinations for Solo Travelers in Malaysia

Malaysia offers a mix of urban excitement, natural wonders, and cultural experiences. Here are some must-visit places:

Kuala Lumpur: The Urban Hub

The capital city is perfect for first-time visitors. With landmarks like the Petronas Towers, Batu Caves, and Jalan Alor food street, there’s plenty to explore.

Solo Tip: Use the LRT and MRT for safe and affordable travel around the city.

Penang: The Cultural Melting Pot

Penang, particularly George Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site brimming with history and street art.

Don’t Miss: Sample local dishes like char kway teow and laksa at hawker stalls.

Langkawi: Island Paradise

Langkawi offers breathtaking beaches and stunning sunsets, perfect for some solo downtime.

Solo Tip: Rent a scooter to explore the island at your own pace.

Taman Negara: Nature’s Retreat

One of the oldest rainforests in the world, Taman Negara is perfect for trekking and wildlife spotting.

Solo Tip: Join a guided tour for safety in the dense forest.

Malacca: A Step Back in Time

This historic city boasts colonial architecture, vibrant markets, and a rich cultural heritage.

Highlight: Walk along Jonker Street for unique souvenirs and local cuisine.

3. Navigating Transportation in Malaysia

Public Transport

Malaysia’s public transport system is extensive and reliable. Use buses, trains, and monorails for budget-friendly travel.

In Kuala Lumpur, the RapidKL system connects most major attractions.

Ride-Hailing Apps

Grab is widely used and offers safe, convenient rides.

Domestic Flights

For long distances, domestic flights are affordable and save time. AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines are popular choices.

Tips for Solo Travelers

Avoid unmarked taxis.

Always negotiate the fare for rickshaws in tourist-heavy areas.

4. Accommodation Options for Solo Travelers

Malaysia offers diverse accommodation options to suit every budget:

Hostels

Popular among solo travelers, hostels provide affordable lodging and opportunities to meet fellow adventurers.

Recommended: The Frame Guesthouse (Penang) and Paper Plane Hostel (Kuala Lumpur).

Boutique Hotels

For a more private experience, boutique hotels offer comfort and charm.

Recommended: Ranee Boutique Suites (Kuching) and Seven Terraces (George Town).

Homestays

Experience local culture by staying with a Malaysian family through platforms like Airbnb.

Solo Tip

Choose accommodations in central, well-lit areas for added safety.

5. Embracing Malaysian Cuisine as a Solo Traveler

One of the highlights of traveling to Malaysia is indulging in its incredible food.

Must-Try Dishes

Nasi Lemak: Malaysia’s national dish, featuring fragrant rice cooked in coconut milk.

Roti Canai: A flaky flatbread served with curry.

Satay: Grilled meat skewers with peanut sauce.

Where to Eat

Hawker centers and food courts are ideal for solo travelers, offering affordable and delicious meals.

Popular spots: Jalan Alor (Kuala Lumpur) and Gurney Drive (Penang).

6. Cultural Etiquette for Solo Travelers

Understanding local customs is essential for a respectful and enriching experience:

Greetings: A simple “hello” or “salam” is appreciated.

Shoes: Remove your shoes before entering homes or religious sites.

Modesty: Dress conservatively when visiting mosques or temples.

Solo Tip

When in doubt, observe how locals behave and follow suit.

7. Activities Perfect for Solo Travelers

Adventure Sports

Scuba diving in the Perhentian Islands.

Hiking trails like Mount Kinabalu and Cameron Highlands.

Cultural Experiences

Batik workshops in Kuala Lumpur.

Exploring traditional longhouses in Sarawak.

Relaxation

Spa treatments in Langkawi.

Visiting tea plantations in the Cameron Highlands.

8. Budgeting for Solo Travel in Malaysia

Malaysia is an affordable destination for solo travelers. Here’s a rough daily budget:

Accommodation: $10–$50 (hostels to boutique hotels).

Food: $5–$15 (street food to mid-range restaurants).

Transportation: $2–$10 (local transport and Grab rides).

Money-Saving Tips

Use public transport whenever possible.

Eat at hawker stalls and food courts for budget-friendly meals.

Look for free walking tours in cities like Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

9. Solo Travel Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Language Barriers

While English is widely spoken, some rural areas may pose challenges. Use translation apps to bridge the gap.

Loneliness

Join group tours or stay in social hostels to meet fellow travelers.

Navigation

Google Maps works well in most areas. Download offline maps for rural destinations.

10. Best Time for Solo Travel in Malaysia

Peak Season: December to February and June to August. Ideal for beaches and festivals.

Off-Season: March to May and September to November. Expect fewer crowds and lower prices.

Conclusion: Malaysia Awaits Your Solo Adventure

Solo travel in Malaysia is an enriching experience, offering a perfect balance of adventure, culture, and relaxation. With the right planning and a spirit of exploration, you’re sure to create memories that will last a lifetime.

[buyprivateluxuryvilla]

Buy A Villa In Goa And Experience Luxury And Comfort

Have you ever dreamed of a place where the sea wind rustles through the palm trees of an idyllic sanctuary? Goa truly could be that paradise for you. The increasing demand for Buy Villa In Goa has made the time ripe to do something about it. You can either take it as a peaceful getaway or a smart investment; the beautiful state of Goa's real estate market promises endless possibilities. 

Why Should You Buy a Villa in Goa?

Imagine waking up to the beauty of the ocean, diving into a private pool, and then enjoying a laid-back breakfast in your lush garden. Here are some great reasons to consider investing in this space:

Unbelievably Comforting: The villas offer superb amenities in Goa that will match revelry with relaxation. 

Vacation Living & Earnings: This can be an escape for you personally or a reliable income-generating asset during busy tourist seasons. 

Prime Spots: Even if you like the tranquillity that South Goa offers or the lively atmosphere filled in North Goa, you have something for everyone here. 

From a time perspective: Goa has consistently been a growing place and therefore a good place to invest.

Explore Affordable Options for Villa Buy in Goa

Most people perceive it to be very expensive to get a villa in Goa, but it isn't like that. The property market has put forth innumerable options, from a small and cosy two-bedroom house to a palatial estate, depending on your budget. Simply put, if you're looking for a villa, whether during the hustle and bustle of Calangute or the tranquillity of Palolem, there is something for everyone.

What Makes Goa’s Villas Unique?

Owning a villa in Goa means much more than providing roofs over heads; it inculcates into the dwellings an access point to an outstanding lifestyle. Truly, a contemporary artefact based on Portuguese heritage, every villa promises its interesting tale. Swimming pools, colourful gardens, and large interiors, however, become perfect spaces for residents.

Benefits of Owning a Villa in Goa

Cloistered Space: The privacy and exclusivity of villas are unmatched compared to those of crowded hotels or apartments.

So Close to Nature: Maximize the advantages of modern amenities against the backdrop of mind-blowing natural scenes in Goa.

High Returns on Investments: As the number of tourists keeps increasing, renting out your villa would give amazing returns.

Dive Deeper Into Goa’s Real Estate Opportunities

Apart from its nice beaches and partying at night, Goa seems to attract one because of the quality of life it offers. A villa that makes you an owner here gives you a chance to enjoy this beautiful place full of great energizing serenity. It can be a residence, a holiday retreat, or an investment for rental; the possibilities are limitless.

Popular Areas for Villas in Goa

The North of Goa is known for its lively nightlife with renowned beaches like Baga and Anjuna, as well as trend-setting cafes. The South of Goa is meant for people who love to relax. It has beaches like Colva and Agonda, which are simply beautiful and, of course, perfect for relaxation. Panaji capitalizes on the combination of modern facilities and ancient history. Newer districts, namely Pernem and Canacona, are well-suited with budget villas that are an exciting potential hotbed for the future.

Ready to Make the Move?

This is the place where your quest for the perfect villa purchase in Goa ends. The villas in Goa fit the bill for both a seasoned investor and a first-time buyer. Get on with your search right now to find that villa that is in line with your dreams and your means.

Take the First Step Today

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If you have ever dreamt of Villa Buy In Goa, now is the time to realize your dream. Consult reliable real estate agents, see what properties are offered, and take that first step toward an affluent lifestyle in the mesmerizing heart of Goa. Paradise is waiting for you!

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