#though. while we’re here… a little thing i liked about the chorus was how the lyrics drifted onto the screen

[deus-ex-mona]

for the record, this is a ✨nagisa safe space✨

~~please dni if you dislike nagisa and/or nghy~~

[goldenwilliamson]

back in training | leah williamson

pairing: leah williamson x reader

summary: ridiculously fluffy. leah is back in training after doing her ACL and reader is just very proud of her. showering together after training. general domestic sweetness.

a/n: thought this might become smut, but still doubting my abilities there. we're working on it. requests are welcomed and appreciated!

word count: 1.9k

What would have been a standard day at training in London Colney was made extra special thanks to the fact that Leah was out on the grass with you for the first time since her ACL injury. The entire training session Leah had a smile plastered on her face, and you did too. After almost a year of recovery and rehab, you were both itching to be able to share this part of your life together again. Leah being amongst the training sessions again was also one huge step towards playing games, which was what she wanted more than anything. 

While you harboured some secret concerns about whether Leah was ready to return, purely coming from a place of love and worrying about her injury, she proved you wrong. She was in full form, slipping into her role in the team with ease. There was an energy in the air having her authoritative presence around, and it seemed like everyone was taking their performances up a notch. Her loud supportive voice cheered everyone on, and you felt so much better because of it. In your opinion, Leah was the glue of this team, and you knew you weren’t alone in feeling that. When she did her ACL it was heartbreaking for the whole team, knowing they were losing one of the most valuable and dedicated players the club has ever seen. But now that she was making her eventual return, it felt as though things were returning to their natural order. 

At one point you and Leah jogged past each other and you lightly smacked her on the bum, unable to help yourself. 

“Oi,” Leah reprimands you with a grin on her face as you innocently shrug your shoulders. 

“What?” You respond, acting as though you had no clue what she was talking about. 

When training finished you and Leah came together and wrapped your arms around each others waists slightly leaning into each other as you and the girls did the walk back to the gym. 

“I can’t even tell you how good it feels to look up and see your face out here,” you tell your girlfriend, and she squeezes your waist just a little tighter. 

“I’m just buzzing,” Leah says, giggling a little bit. 

“So proud of you,” you say, kissing her on her cheekbone. You know how hard she has worked for this moment, and how difficult the mental journey has been for her. 

“Thanks baby,” Leah says, moving her hand up from your waist to stroke the back of your head. 

Back at the gym some girls stretch, some go into some strength training, but some also decide to call it a day and head home. You and Leah, not wanting to leave each others sides decide to head on home together. You go and grab your bags from the changing room, but before you go Leah tells you she just wants to talk to the girls for a minute. 

You walk back to where most of the others are working out and Leah grabs their attention.

“I just wanted to say thank you to all of you for the support you’ve given me over the last year, and for the love I felt out there today in training. It’s been one of the hardest moments of my life, but it was made so much easier thanks to you lot, so yeah, I appreciate you all, and I’m just so proud to be coming back to this team.”

She’s met with a chorus of love and support, as well as everyone coming over to give her a hug. 

“The look on your face,” Katie nudges you with her elbow, pulling your eyes away from Leah and towards your Irish teammate. 

“What? I’m proud of her,” you say, playfully defensive. 

“You’re so in love,” she says rolls her eyes with a smile on her face, “Go enjoy a romantic night together while we’re all here training.”

“Oh, we will,” you assure Katie, making her laugh. 

“Of course you will,” she shakes her head as she walks over to Leah to embrace her before finally the two of you head off. 

Leah reaches for your hand as you step out of the building and into the car park, happily swinging her arm as you walk towards the car. Before you move around to the passenger seat, you pull on Leah’s hand so she steps closer to you and you lean in to give her a quick kiss. You step away to find Leah looking at you like a lovesick puppy and you shake your head.

“That face kills me,” you point your finger at her as you begin to walk around to your side of the car, making Leah laugh. 

As Leah gets into the car and starts it, connecting her phone to choose the music for the drive home, you sink into the passenger seat. 

“I’m bloody exhausted,” you say, “How are you feeling?”

“I don’t think I’ve ever felt this good after training,” Leah says.

“I’m so happy for you Lee,” you say as she begins to reverse out and get on the road.

“Thanks. I was going to say something back in there, but I didn’t want to put you on the spot, but I hope you how much you helped me through all this,” she says.

“I’m glad to hear that, sometimes I felt so useless,” you say honestly.

“No!” Leah immediately counters moving her hand to hold your thigh, “You’re the reason I was able to stay positive through it, you were the biggest help, not useless at all.”

“Good, that’s good to hear,” you say, resting your hand on top of Leah’s on your leg, tapping it lightly. 

When you get home you walk into the kitchen first, opening the fridge to work out what you can have for dinner while Leah steps in behind you, grabbing glasses from the cupboard and getting you both some water. She hands your glass to you and then stands behind you, leaning down to rest her chin on your shoulder and peer into the fridge with you. 

“I’ll sort something out here, you can have a shower first,” you murmur to Leah. 

“Mm,” Leah hums right beside your ear, “Was kind of hoping you’d shower with me.” 

A smile spread over your face instantly, “I can do that,” you close the fridge door as Leah stands up straight, “You go get the water running, I’ll come up in a minute,” 

“Great plan,” Leah pecks you before making her way upstairs to the bathroom. 

When Leah goes up stairs you make a quick decision to call her favourite Italian restaurant to order some takeaway for dinner. Once you know that is on the way, you move your way around the kitchen and lounge room to light some candles and pour two celebratory glasses of wine for you two to have when you’re finished rinsing off the day. Finally you switch off the overhead lights to allow the space to be filled with candle light, looking awfully cosy. You could almost hear the voice of Kate McCabe telling you to enjoy your romantic night, and you knew she would get a kick out of knowing that you followed through with that. 

Moving quickly up the stairs you walk into your shared bedroom and can hear the water running in the ensuite. You strip out of your clothes from training and throw them into the dirty clothes basket before pushing open the door to the bathroom. 

“Finally,” Leah smiles, openly looking you up and down as you step into the shower with her. 

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” you say, pushing your hair out of your face as the water runs over your skin. Leah steps to the side, allowing you to take up some space under the shower head to warm up and rinse your body. 

“It was worth the wait,” Leah says, running her hands down the sides of your torso, letting them settle onto your lower back which allows her to pull you close to her for another kiss. This one is deeper, more passionate. 

“Spin round,” she tells you, and you know what’s coming. Your showers together is one of your favourite routines. Leah pours some shampoo in her hands and begins to smooth in onto your hair, running her fingers through your scalp and massaging your head as she does so. 

You sigh at the relaxed feeling settling into your body, “You’re so good at this, you could be a hairdresser in another life,” you tell Leah and she laughs. 

“Just want to make you feel good,” she says in her simple Leah way and she’s got you melting with her words in a matter of seconds. 

“Well you definitely know how to do that,” you assure her as she drags her fingers through the length of your hair, letting the shampoo rinse out. 

“Your turn,” you spin around to face her, motioning her to turn around too with a rotation of your hand. 

You imitate her movements, massaging the gel into her hair, letting your fingers trail lightly down her neck and over her shoulders. Leah’s head rolls back slowly and she groans slightly. 

“Does that feel good?” You ask.

“Mmhmm,” she hums, and from her lack of words you know that it must. 

When the shampoo rinses out next you both takes turn washing each others body’s with the shower sponge, taking extra care and much longer than you would on yourself. When you rinse the last bits of soap off of Leah’s body you remember the little surprise you have for Leah downstairs. 

“We’re starting to waste water now,” you say and Leah laughs at you. 

“Alright, out we get then.” 

You step out first and grab two towels off the rack, passing the second to Leah and loosely wrapping the first around yourself. You quickly pat yourself dry and then move out into your bedroom, going to your drawers to pull out something comfortable to slip into. Leah does the same, getting into some trackies. 

While you move back into the bathroom to comb through your hair, Leah tells you she’ll meet you downstairs. 

“Alright,” you smile, knowing what she will see when she walks downstairs. 

About five seconds later you can hear Leah calling out your name, and you go downstairs to join her. 

“What’s all this for?” Leah says sweetly, watching you as you move towards her. 

“For my girl being back in training,” you say and Leah can’t contain the smile on her face.

“Come here,” she opens her arms and you step into her embrace, finding solace and comfort in the way your bodies melt into one another. 

“There’s some pizza on the way too,” you inform Leah and she moves to kiss your neck.

“How did I get so lucky?” She says, her words muffled against your skin as she kisses you again. 

“Yeah I ask myself the same thing from time to time,” you say, placing a kiss against the side of Leah’s head. 

You suggest that you go lay down on the lounge, and Leah agrees, grabbing the two glasses of wine and setting them down on the coffee table. Leah lays down first and opens her arms for you to crawl beside her. As you lay together, arms and legs wrapped around each other watching telly for the remainder of the night, you realise it’s the first night in a long time that you haven’t felt a vague sense of separation from Leah. Finally, she is doing what she is meant to do again, being back in the team at Arsenal, with you, and everything feels back to normal. 

[exlelellzasapples]

Orpheus by Sara Bareilles is SOOOO Wolfstar coded during the war (no i can’t to a single song without thinking about them)

Either of them singing to the other after one comes back from a mission during the war (personally more of a Sirius singing to Remus after he comes back from a mission with a pack and can’t tell him and is scared it’ll hurt their relationship OR that one chapter in ATYD when they don’t give Remus any interesting jobs and he just watched Sirius come and go and starts resenting him through is worry ikyk)

“My love, I see you're growing tired

So set the bad day by the bed

And rest a while, your eyes can close

You don’t have to do a thing but listen to me sing”

They see each other becoming more and more drained by the war and want to escape it in their little bubble where they pretend it can’t hurt them anymore - beg for separation from their hellscape and find comfort in each other (which they start to loose as they become more worn down and isolated (or suspicious of each other and don’t trust them am i right???)) like a lullaby to take them away and comfort each other

I might just do the whole song cause it makes so much sense but I’ll try leave some bits so this isnt like 2000 words

“I know you miss the world, the one you knew

The one where everything made sense

Because you didn't know the truth, that's how it works”

Their futures were literally stolen from them to fight, and their lives they had planned where they go to pubs and get drunk and have fun and get to love each other until they’re old and rotting but the “truth” was they were always going to have to fight to love each other, war or not - but they didn’t know that because they were children, and they want to preserve the innocence of relationship.

“Don't stop trying to find me here amidst the chaos

Though I know it's blinding there's a way out

Say out loud, we will not give up on love now

No fear, don't you turn like Orpheus, just stay here

Hold me in the dark and when the day appears

We'll say we did not give up on love today”

This is just the chorus but it repeats so I’ve decided its fine: through the war they have to keep finding each other; to keep loving each other through all the heartbreak and grief because without the other they are lost in their other emotions. The war is “blinding” with all its overwhelming sadness but their love is their escape, and they can’t loose it, no matter how hard. They are promising they will keep loving each other through everything and won’t back away when that’s easier because ultimately it is their guide through everything. “When the day appears” is them knowing that there must be an ending point they are both looking at, knowing it is probably death (this could be Sirius going into the veil and Remus having to hold harry back as the dark consumes him), and knowing in the end they’ll have chosen each other every single time. <333

We’re getting to the best part I promise xx

“I'll show you good, restore your faith

I’ll try and somehow make a meaning of the poison in this place

Convince you, love, don’t breathe it in

You were written in the stars that we are swimming in”

Restoring their faith in each other (this means everythinggg to me), to remind each other they are there and not the fucking spy (I’m part of the anti-Remus believing it propaganda team he would NEVER), to make sense and find the point of war when it starts to feel very arbitrary and not to be affected by it; to keep separating it from their relationship so their lives are not as bleak as they seem. “You were written in the stars that we are swimming in” KILL ME UGHHHH I LOVE THEM SO MUCH do I need to explain this??? It’s perfect and I love UGHHHH imagine them looking up at the stars at night when they can’t sleep and finding themselves over and over even when they’re apart 😭😭

[buckyssoldat]

Chapter 54: Tempting

Warnings: smut, strong language, mentions of grief

A/N: This is part of my series, Forsaken - The Fallen Soldier. If you wanna be tagged in this, just send me an ask or a message. Feedback is always appreciated, don’t be shy to share your thoughts on this :)

Your head lies, full of fire

I'm risin' up, risin up

My heart loves, full of fire

Love's full of fire, love

Six months had passed since Alice and Steve first slept together. Since that day, Alice basically lived with Steve in his apartment. They had a happy life – during the day, Alice went to work at the coffee shop while Steve helped those who were affected by the Snap, including going to a support group near his apartment. And the nights were filled with late night movies, cuddles, and sex. It all seemed perfect. Steve might not be Bucky, and Alice might not be Peggy, but it was great, nonetheless. They had to move on, or at least try.

At those support group meetings, Steve never talked about Alice. He didn’t want to make it all about him, or make the other members feel bad.

“What about you, Steve?” the leader of the group, Jimmy, asked him since he had been quiet since the beginning of the meeting. “Got anything to share with us?”

“Umm…” Steve hesitated for a bit. “Yeah, I uh… I’ve been seeing someone,” he finally admitted, his gaze fixed on his clasped hands.

The group perked up, exchanging glances of surprise and curiosity. Jimmy leaned forward, his brows raised in interest. “That’s great, Steve! Moving on… that’s why we’re here. To help each other move on, to give advice and share our experiences.”

The others were already buzzing with excitement, throwing out questions like rapid-fire. Sarah, a young woman with bright eyes, chimed in, “Come on, Steve, give us something! How did you two meet?”

Steve sighed, realizing he wasn’t going to get out of this easily. “Uh, we… I guess you could say we met at work,” he mumbled, feeling the weight of the group’s anticipation.

“And how long have you been seeing each other?” Ron, another member of the group, asked, leaning back in his chair with a knowing grin.

“About six months,” Steve replied, his voice a little firmer now. “But it’s… it’s still pretty new.”

“Six months? That’s serious!” Sarah exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement. “How did you know she was the one?”

Steve shifted uncomfortably, his cheeks turning a faint shade of pink. “I… uh, I don’t know if she’s… the one, per se,” he stammered. “But she’s… she’s special.”

The group erupted into playful teasing, urging Steve to spill more details about his mystery girlfriend. And despite his reluctance, Steve found himself smiling, warmed by the friendship of the group. Maybe it was time to start opening up a little more about Alice.

Steve cleared his throat, gathering his thoughts. “Well, uh… she’s… she’s really into movies,” he began, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “We have these movie marathons, and she always falls asleep halfway through, but she insists on staying up till the end.”

A chorus of chuckles rippled through the group, and Steve continued, feeling a bit more at ease. “And, uh… she’s got this… this laugh that’s just… contagious, you know?”

Sarah sighed dreamily. “She sounds lovely, Steve.”

“And she… she loves to cook,” Steve added, a fondness creeping into his voice. “I swear, every time I come home, there’s something new on the stove. And even though… even though most times it’s a disaster, she always insists it’s the best thing she’s ever made.”

The group laughed again, nodding in understanding. Jimmy leaned forward, a gentle smile on his face. “Sound like you’ve found someone pretty special, Steve. We’re happy for you, really.”

Steve nodded, his gaze softening. “Yeah… yeah, I think I have. Thank you.” And for the first time, he felt a sense of gratitude for the support group, for giving him a space to share, even when it felt uncomfortable.

As the support meeting drew to a close, Steve felt a weight lift off his shoulders. Opening up about Alice, even just a little, had been surprisingly liberating. He exchanged farewells with the other members.

As he stepped out onto the city streets, Steve’s thoughts drifted back to Alice. Maybe it was time to take the next step, to let her in completely. He pulled out his phone, scrolling through his contacts until he found her name.

With a deep breath, Steve dialled her number, his heart racing with anticipation. After a few rings, Alice’s voice filled his ear, warm and familiar.

“Hey, Steve,” she greeted, her tone soft with affection.

“Hey, Alice,” Steve replied, a smile spreading across his face. “Listen, I was thinking… how about dinner at that Italian place downtown? My treat.”

There was a pause on the other end of the line. Alice didn’t know what to answer – on one hand, she liked being with Steve, it brought her comfort. On the other hand, she didn’t want to move fast too soon. But maybe it was for the best – it was no use waiting for Bucky, he was not coming back. “Sounds perfect, Steve. I’ll meet there in an hour.”

But Steve sensed slight hesitation in Alice’s voice, a hesitation he couldn’t ignore. “Hey, uh, Alice… would you like to go as, you know, a date?”

There was a moment of silence before Alice responded, her voice tinged with uncertainty. “Steve, I... I would love to go on a date with you.”

Steve’s heart skipped a beat at her acceptance, his smile widening. “Great! I’ll see you there in an hour then?”

“Yes, I’ll be there,” Alice confirmed, her tone more assured now. “Looking forward to it.”

“Me too,” Steve said, feeling a surge of excitement. “See you soon, Alice.”

As they hung up, Steve couldn’t wipe the grin off his face. Maybe their relationship started off a drunk night, but it didn’t matter. What mattered was that Alice had accepted, and he couldn’t wait to spend the evening with her. With a lightness in his step, Steve set off to meet Alice, his heart full of hope and anticipation for the future.

Steve made his way to the Italian restaurant, his mind was abuzz with thoughts of Alice. Despite the initial uncertainties, he was eager to take this step forward with her.

Arriving at the restaurant, Alice scanned the room, her eyes lighting up as she spotted Steve sitting at a cozy corner table, his smile radiant as he waved her over.

“Hey,” she greeted as she reached his table, a nervous yet excited grin playing on her lips.

“Hi,” Steve replied while getting up from his chair, helping Alice sit on hers, his eyes never leaving hers as she took her seat. “You know,” he began, a playful grin tugging at the corners of his lips, “I can’t believe you’re wearing the same dress from that night.”

Alice chuckled. “I figured it was fitting,” she replied, a twinkle of mischief in her eyes.

Their conversation continued late into night, each moment spent together feeling like a treasure. And as they shared a plate of tiramisu, Steve couldn’t shake the feeling that Alice had worn that dress to mess with him. His suspicions were confirmed the moment he felt Alice’s foot slowly caress his leg, then his thigh, and finally his groin. This action almost made him spit out a bit of tiramisu, which made Alice chuckle.

“You okay there, Cap?” she teased him.

Steve’s heart raced as Alice’s foot continued its tantalizing exploration under the table. He swallowed hard, trying to maintain his composure despite the unexpected sensation.

“Yeah, you just caught me off guard,” he managed to reply, his voice slightly strained as she shifted in his seat.

Alice smirked. “Maybe I should have warned you,” she teased, her foot still tracing light patterns against his leg. “And maybe you should punish me once we get home.”

Steve’s mind raced with a whirlwind of emotions and desires. He couldn’t deny the thrill coursing through him. Leaning in, he whispered, “Maybe I will punish you later. You’re dangerous, you know that?”

Alice’s grin widened, her gaze smouldering with intensity. “You have no idea,” she whispered back, her lips brushing against his ear.

As they left the restaurant, Steve couldn’t resist the urge to reach for Alice’s hand, intertwining their fingers as they walked side by side.

“You look really handsome tonight,” Alice began, keeping her gaze on the path in front of her.

Steve stared at her, curiosity showing in his eyes. “What’s up with you tonight? First you decide to wear that dress, then you decide to mess with me at the restaurant, and now you’re complimenting me? What do you want?”

“I don’t want anything…” she replied nonchalantly, a small smirk playing on her lips.

The rest of their walk was silent, with only sexual tension coursing through the air.

As they reached Steve’s apartment building, she turned to him with a playful glint in her eyes. “So, Captain,” she said, her voice low and husky, “are you ready to deliver that punishment you promised?”

Steve’s pulse quickened at the suggestive tone in her voice. He couldn’t deny the desire that burned within him, the need to lose himself in her completely.

With a smirk, her pulled her close, his lips brushing against hers in a tantalizing kiss. “Oh, I think I can come up with something,” he murmured against her lips, his hands trailing down her back.

The elevator ride to his floor seemed like an eternity, even though it was only five stories. Steve couldn’t wait to get home and finally have his way with her, the way she wanted him to. As soon as the elevator doors opened, he rushed to his front door. Always the gentleman, he let Alice in first, but once he closed the door, he pushed her against the wall and kissed her passionately, grabbing her hands and pinning her.

Alice gasped at the intensity of Steve’s kiss, feeling a surge of desire as he pressed her against the wall. His hands, strong and steady, held her wrists firmly above her head. She couldn’t help but let out a soft moan as his lips moved from hers to her neck, trailing hot kisses along her soft kiss.

“You’ve been very bad tonight,” Steve murmured against her ear, his voice low and commanding. “And bad girls deserve to be punished.”

Alice’s breath hitched, her eyes darkening with anticipation. “What are you going to do to me, Captain?” she whispered, her voice trembling with excitement.

Steve didn’t respond. Releasing her hands, he moved them down her body, savouring the feel of her curves through the thin fabric of her dress. He took a step back, his eyes locking with hers, filled with a mixture of lust and determination.

“Turn around,” he commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Alice complied, her heart racing as she faced the wall, feeling the cool surface against her flushed cheek. She heard the rustle of fabric as Steve slowly unzipped her dress, his fingers grazing her skin with tantalizing slowness. The dress slipped off her shoulders, pooling at her feet, leaving her in nothing but her lacy underwear.

Steve took a moment to appreciate the sight before him, his gaze intense and hungry. “You’re beautiful,” he murmured, his hands caressing her back before settling on her hips. “Now, bend over.”

Alice’s heart pounded in her chest as she bent over, pressing her hands against the wall for support. Steve’s hands traced a path down her spine, lingering at the small of her back, making her shiver with anticipation.

“Good girl,” Steve whispered, his voice a deep, commanding growl that sent a thrill through Alice. His hands moved to her hips, gripping them firmly as he positioned her just right. He could feel her body quiver under his touch, a response that only fuelled even more his own desire.

He leaned in, his lips grazing her ear. “Tell me, Alice, do you know why you’re being punished?”

Alice’s breath hitched. “For teasing you,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

“That’s right,” Steve murmured, his hands slipping around to her front, tracing the edge of her lacy underwear before tugging them down. “And do you think you deserve it?”

Alice bit her lip, her body trembling. “Yes, Steve. I deserve it.”

A satisfied smile tugged at Steve’s lips as he straightened, his hands returning to her hips. “Good,” he said simply, delivering a sharp, stinging slap to her right butt cheek. Alice gasped, the sensation sending a jolt of pleasure and pain through her body. He repeated the action on her left cheek, her soft moans filling the room.

“Do you like that?” Steve asked, his voice a husky whisper as he continued his ministrations, each slap making Alice’s body arch in response.

“Yes,” she breathed, her voice shaky with need. “I like it.”

Steve’s hands soothed over the stinging flesh, his touch gentle and comforting. “Then let’s see how much you can take,” he said, a teasing edge to his voice. He continued to spank her, alternating between sharp slaps and soft caresses, driving Alice to the edge of her control.

Each strike sent waves of sensation through Alice, her body straining against the onslaught of pleasure and pain. She could feel the wetness pooling between her thighs, her arousal growing with every touch. Steve’s name fell from her lips like a mantra, each gasp and moan a testament to the effect he had on her.

Finally, when he sensed she was nearing her limit, Steve paused, his hands soothing over her reddened skin. “You’ve done well, Alice,” he murmured, his voice filled with pride. “I think you’ve had enough punishment for now.”

Alice’s body quivered with relief and lingering desire. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

Steve turned her around to face him, his eyes dark with need. He lifted her chin, capturing her lips in a searing kiss. “Now, let me reward you,” he said against her mouth, his hands slipping between her thighs to find her wet and ready.

Alice’s knees nearly buckled as his fingers expertly teased her, her body aching for release. “Please, Steve,” she begged, her voice a desperate plea. “I need you.”

Steve didn’t need to be asked twice. He scooped her up effortlessly, carrying her to the bedroom where he laid her down on the bed. She watched him, eyes wide with anticipation as he undressed, his movements deliberate and controlled.

Steve’s gaze was intense as he joined Alice on the bed. He kissed her deeply, his hands exploring her body with a mix of tenderness and urgency. The room filled with the sounds of their desire, each touch and kiss heightening the connection between them.

As he positioned himself above her, their eyes locked, a silent understanding passing between them. “Are you ready?” he asked, his voice low and husky, laced with need.

Alice nodded, her breath hitching as she felt him press against her entrance.

“I need to hear an answer,” Steve said in a serious tone.

“Yes, I’m ready,” she finally managed to reply.

He entered her slowly, savouring the sensation of her warmth enveloping him. They moved together in a rhythm that felt both new and achingly familiar, each thrust deepening their bond. Alice’s fingers dug into his back, her nails leaving marks as she pulled him closer, urging him deeper.

Their pace quickened, the intensity building with each passing moment. Steve’s breath was hot against her ear, his whispered words of encouragement and love driving Alice wild. She felt the pressure building within her, her body responding to every movement, every touch.

“I’m close,” she gasped, her voice breaking with need.

“Me too,” Steve replied, his own voice strained with effort.

With one final, powerful thrust, they both tumbled over the edge, their cries of release mingling in the air. Waves of pleasure washed over them, leaving them breathless and trembling in each other’s arms.

For a few moments, they lay entwined, their bodies still humming with the afterglow of their climax. Steve pressed a gentle kiss to Alice’s forehead, his heart swelling with affection.

“You’re amazing,” he whispered, his fingers brushing a stray lock of hair from her face.

Alice smiled, her eyes shining. “So are you.”

They spent the rest of the night wrapped in each other’s arms. As they drifted off to sleep, Alice couldn’t help but feel a sense of contentment. With Steve by her side, she would never be alone again.

The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm flow over the room. Steve woke first, his body comfortably entwined with Alice’s. As he watched her sleep, memories of the previous night replayed in his mind, a mix of pleasure and concern settling over him.

Carefully, he disentangled himself from her embrace, not wanting to disturb her rest. He lay on his side, propping himself upon one elbow, and gently brushed a few strands of hair away from her face. As if sensing his gaze, Alice stirred, her eyes slowly fluttering open. She smiled sleepily when she saw him, a look of contentment on her face.

“Good morning,” she murmured, her voice still husky with sleep.

“Good morning,” Steve replied softly, his brow furrowing slightly. He then noticed the faint purple bruises in the shape of his hands on Alice’s butt cheeks. Guilt twisted in his stomach, and he quickly approached her, his expression turning serious.

“I’m so sorry. Look at these bruises… I didn’t realize I was that rough.

Alice placed a finger on his lips, silencing his apology. Her eyes were warm and reassuring. “Steve, you were perfect. I loved every moment of it.”

“But still,” Steve insisted, his voice tinged with worry. “I never wanted to hurt you.”

Alice’s eyes sparkled with affection as she took his hand and led him to the mirror in the bedroom. “Let me show you something,” she said, turning him so his back faced the mirror.

Steve’s eyes widened when he saw the angry red scratches running down his back, courtesy of Alice’s nails. “Wow,” he breathed, a mixed feeling of surprise and understanding.

She wrapped her arms around his waist from behind, resting her cheek against his shoulder. “See?” she whispered. “We both got a little carried away. You don’t need to apologize.”

Steve turned to face her, his hands gently cupping her face. “You’re incredible, you know that?” he said, his voice filled with admiration.

Alice smiled up at him, her eyes filled with warmth. “I know,” she smirked, leaning in for a tender kiss. “Now, how about breakfast?”

With a lighter heart, Steve nodded, allowing himself to relax. “Breakfast sounds perfect,” he agreed, slipping into his boxers and grabbing a t-shirt while Alice just put on a big shirt.

As they moved to the kitchen, Alice playfully smacked his backside, making him jump. “And remember, next time is me who does the punishment.”

Steve couldn’t help but laugh at Alice’s playful remark. “Deal,” he replied with a grin, pulling her into a tight hug. “But just so you know, I might not enjoy being punished as much as you did.”

Alice chuckled, leaning into his embrace. “I’ll keep that in mind,” she teased, pressing a kiss to his cheek.

Together, they set about making breakfast. As they cooked and joked, Alice couldn’t shake the feeling of contentment that settled over her. Maybe Steve wasn’t Bucky, and she wasn’t Peggy, but in each other, they had found something special.

“I’m gonna meet Natasha later today,” Steve shared as he ate one of the pancakes Alice had made. “You could come with me, she misses you.”

Alice smiled at the mention of Natasha. “I’d love to see her again,” she replied, a warmth in her voice. “It’s been too long since we last saw each other.”

Steve nodded, his expression thoughtful. “Yeah, it has. She’s been through a lot too. It’ll be good for both of you.”

Later that day, Steve and Alice made their way to meet Natasha at the compound. It had been a year and a half since Alice had last seen her. During that time, they would occasionally text each other, just to say they’re okay, but they hadn’t seen each other.

Steve was the first to enter the briefing room of the compound, with Alice following behind him. Natasha was sitting at a desk, typing something into the computer.

“Hey there,” Steve greeted her.

Natasha rose from her seat, returning Steve’s smile with one of her own. “Hey,” she replied, stepping forward.

“I brought someone to see you,” Steve announced before the scootched to the left, showing Alice standing behind.

Natasha’s eyes widened in surprise as she took in Alice’s presence. “Alice! Oh my god, I can’t believe it’s you!” she exclaimed, rushing forward to envelop Alice in a tight hug. “It’s been way too long!”

Alice laughed, returning Natasha’s hug with equal enthusiasm. “I know, right? It’s so good to see you, Nat.”

Natasha pulled back, studying Alice with a mix of curiosity and affection. “You look great,” she said sincerely. “How have you been?”

Alice smiled, a warmth in her eyes. “I’ve been good, thanks. Just taking things one day at a time.”

Natasha nodded, her expression understanding. “I hear you. Well, I’m glad you’re here. We have a lot of catching up to do.”

“Well, I’m gonna give you ladies some time alone,” Steve began as he grabbed his bag. “I’ll be at the gym if you need me.”

As Steve left the room, Alice and Natasha settled into comfortable chairs. When Alice sat down, she moaned in pain due to her previous night spent with Steve. This made Natasha raise an eyebrow in suspicion, but she didn’t say anything about it.

Their conversation was flowing easily as they caught up on each other’s lives. They talked about everything.

“So, how did you and Steve find each other?” Natasha asked. “You guys had a pretty bad fight, I thought you were not gonna speak to each other for years.”

Alice chuckled, remembering the argument she had with Steve. “Yeah, we did have a rough patch,” she admitted. “But we both realized we said some pretty bad stuff. We accidentally met each other at a bar a few months ago.”

“A few months ago?” Natasha asked in shock. “Why didn’t you tell me about this?”

“I don’t know, I didn’t wanna make a big deal out of it,” Alice replied. She didn’t know if she wanted to tell Natasha about her and Steve. “We apologized for the stuff we said and then drank together. But enough about me. What about you? What have you been up to?”

Natasha leaned back in her chair, a thoughtful expression crossing her features. “Well, you know, same old, same old,” she replied with a small smile. “Dealing with the aftermath of the Snap, trying to keep things together. It hasn’t been easy, but we’re managing.”

“I can imagine,” Alice said softly. “But you’re strong, Nat. You always find a way to make it through.”

Natasha’s smile softened. “Thanks, Alice.” She hesitated for a moment before continuing, her expression growing serious. “Listen, I know things have been tough for you too, especially after… after everything that happened, and loosing Bucky…”

Alice’s heart clenched at the mention of Bucky’s name, a pang of sadness washing over her. “Yeah, it’s been hard,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “But I’m trying to move on, you know? Trying to find some semblance of normalcy.”

Natasha reached out, squeezing Alice’s hand in a gesture of comfort. “I get it,” she said softly. “And I’m here for you, whatever you need.”

Alice smiled gratefully, feeling a surged of warmth at Natasha’s words. “Thanks, Nat. It means a lot to me.”

Their conversation continued late into the afternoon, the hours slipping away as the shared stories and laughter. By the time Steve returned to the briefing room, shirtless and sweating from the gym, Alice and Natasha were deep in conversation, their bond stronger than ever.

“I take you ladies have talked about everything you needed to,” Steve said as he wiped some sweat from his forehead with a towel.

“Yeah, we did,” Natasha shared a smile with Alice.

Steve turned around to go to the kitchen and grab a cup of water. This made Natasha see his back, filled with scratches.

“Steve, what happened with your back?” she questioned suspiciously.

Steve froze, caught off guard by Natasha’s question. He glanced back at her, trying to think of a plausible explanation. “Oh, uh…” he stammered, his mind racing. “I, uh, fell yesterday. Nothing serious, don’t worry.”

Natasha raised an eyebrow, her expression sceptical. “You fell, huh?” she said, her tone teasing. “Looks more like someone got a little too carried away.”

Alice’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she realized Natasha had noticed the marks on Steve’s back. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, unsure of how to respond.

“Well, you know how it is,” he said with a nervous laugh, trying to play if off. “I just slipped and fell.”

That was the moment Natasha put all the pieces together – the scratches on Steve’s back, Alice moaning in pain when she sat down, and they arriving together at the compound.

“Oh my gosh,” Nat’s eyes widened as realization dawned her. She glanced between Steve and Alice, a knowing smirk playing on her lips. “You two…” she began, her voice filled with amusement.

Steve shifted uncomfortably, his cheeks turning a faint shade of pink. “Nat, it’s not what you think,” he protested, though his tone lacked conviction.

Alice couldn’t help but laugh at the situation. “Yeah, it’s exactly what you think,” she admitted.

Natasha chuckled, shaking her head in disbelief. “I can’t believe you two are sleeping together,” she said, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Well, I’m happy for you both. It was time to move on. And you make a cute couple.”

Steve and Alice exchanged sheepish glances, their embarrassment quickly giving way to amusement. “Thanks, Nat,” Steve said with a sheepish grin.

“We’re still figuring things out, but we’re happy,” Alice added.

“Well, I won’t keep you two lovebirds any longer,” Natasha said, standing up from her chair. “But we’ll definitely have to catch up again soon.”

“Definitely,” Alice agreed, a smirk tugging at her lips.

As they said goodbye to Natasha and made their way out of the compound, Steve couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief. Despite the awkwardness of being caught, he was grateful to have Natasha’s support and acceptance.

“So, that went well,” Alice commented as they walked side by side down the street.

“Yeah, surprisingly well,” Steve agreed, a hint of relief in his voice.

Alice bumped her shoulder against his playfully. “Well, I guess the cat’s out of the bag now,” she teased, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “It’s only a matter of time before Rhodey, Carol, Okoye, Nebula, and Rocket know about it.”

Steve chuckled, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “Yeah, I guess you’re right,” he admitted.

tags: ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​@capswife

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masterlist

[aristocratic-otter]

Hello all! I've been tagged on so many lovely things the last couple of weeks and, while I've been writing, it's just been one step to far to post with everything else I've got to do. But I've got time today, hooray! So first to thank all the lovely folk who keep tagging me even when I disappear:

@ivelovedhimthroughworse, @katmiscellanious, @prettygoododds, @messofthejess, @j-nipper-95, @rimeswithpurple, @aroace-genderfluid-sheep, @you-remind-me-of-the-babe, @wellbelesbian, @alleycat0306, @hushed-chorus, @ionlydrinkhotwater, @whatevertheweather, @ileadacharmedlife, @confused-bi-queer, @cutestkilla, @nightimedreamersghost, and @shrekgogurt.

On to the sentences!

From Westward Son:

“Mistress Penny!” he shouts. “My little brother is coming, and my mother wants your help!”

We all straighten. We’d thought Chapa was heavily pregnant months ago, but she’s only gotten more immense since. She’s had to ride in the wagon for the last two months, once her bulk meant she couldn’t keep up with the slow pace of the wagon train. Penny is certain that she’s carrying twins, given the size of her.

From my Age of Sail AU:

When I emerge onto the beach, blinking rapidly against the sunlight, the tide has gone out, and the rock spur our ship is hung up on is surrounded by prolly only a foot or so of water. 

“Ah, there you are, Simon lad,” Davy appears at my elbow, and I turn obediently to listen. “The tide’s low enough,” he tells me. “We’ll take the raft out an’ you and the Pitch boy can climb around the ship like the monkeys you are and retrieve anythin’ that’s of use.”

“Aye, sir,” I tell him. I’m bone tired, but we’ll need those barrels and boxes of goods on the ship if we’re to survive here.

From this year's COTTA: Snow Fox

Penny’s horse was done in from her wild ride to Snow Island, so she’s mounted up behind me, clinging to my waist, and Shepard is riding behind my second in command. Which would be fine were she not using her position to hiss angry rebukes in my ear. 

Finally, I’ve had enough. “Fine, I get it, Pen. I’m an arsehole! What can I do about it now?”

“Now?” she shouts back. “Now you can save my brother. Later? You’re going to train me, and Shepard, so that we can defend our family and make sure this never happens again!”

From To Heal A Broken Mind (final chapter!):

His head is tilted down, his hair loose and falling into his face. He tends to do that when he feels vulnerable, I’ve noticed. Like his hair is a mask that will protect him from a harsh world. It’s odd..I never used to think of Baz as someone who’d ever need or want protection. But I know better now, and I’m glad for it. Glad that he lets me see this side of himself. 

And From Saving Simon Snow

“Now grab Baz’s hand, Simon, and think about what I told you to,” she directs. Simon does. I do my best to clear my mind, though when Simon closes his eyes and concentrates, I can’t help but think about how erotic he looks, with his closed eyes turned towards the roof of the car, his lower lip sucked into his mouth, his forehead tense with concentration. Crowley, he looks like he’s in the midst of an orgasm! 

And that’s when I feel a surge of excitement, mixed with joy and incredulity. The feelings aren’t completely at odds with my own, but I still report them dutifully to Bunce.

Yes, only five WIPs! Except actually there's a secret project going on that I can't share yet...and CORB choosing starts soon...so, yeah.

Tag Backsies to everyone above for Wednesday, along with these folks:

@artsyunderstudy, @angelsfalling16, @bazzybelle, @bookish-bogwitch, @carryonsimoncarryonbaz, @dragoneggos, @erzbethluna, @fatalfangirl, @facewithoutheart, @ic3-que3n, @krisrix, @larkral, @letraspal, @moodandmist, @frjsti, @raenestee, @thehoneyedhufflepuff, @theearlgreymage, @tea-brigade, @upuntil6am, @yellobb-old.

[thislovintime]

The Monkees, 1966.

“‘Do you know, while we’re sitting here talking, I’m getting mad because I got kicked out of Disneyland because I have long hair?’ Dolenz asked. ‘Our show is going to go higher and higher in humor,’ Jones said. ‘We are trying to take Peyton Place’s audience away.’ ‘Mike wore a hat as a trademark,’ Tork said, ‘but as soon as he had to wear it, he got tired of it. So he began wearing a bowler in public.’ ‘I’m having the original hat bronzed,’ Nesmith said. ‘We’re doing a story about a kid who is tossed out of Disneyland because he has long hair,’ Dolenz said. ‘Micky has a monorail mind,’ Tork said. ‘Tell your readers to picket Disneyland,’ Jones said. ‘Don’t pick it, it will never heal,’ from Tork. Peter picked up his guitar and began to sing. ‘Peter sings at the drop of a hat,’ [Davy] said, dropping Mike’s green wool hat. They all joined in for a pretty chorus.” - Article by Joan Crosby, Hope Star, October 22, 1966

“[Before filming the pilot episode] they put us in a room with $20,000 worth of equipment and told us to sort out who would play what. I could sing but couldn’t play anything. I was trained as an actor. Micky Dolenz was a guitar player but we needed a drummer so he took up the drums! Peter Tork can play about 10 instruments so he got hold of the bass guitar while Mike Nesmith picked up a guitar, an instrument he’d taught himself.” - Davy Jones, Record Mirror, January 7, 1967

“[Peter’s] really a genius, a prolific musician — he plays about seven instruments.” - Micky Dolenz, Record Mirror, February 11, 1967

“The most important thing is that we’re such different people. Know how I see us? Well, I’m tall and skinny and ugly. And there’s Micky who’s wild and keen like a little chihuahua. And Davy who is cute and cuddly. And Peter who is the one who plays a dummy, though he isn’t a dummy and he sort of makes a comment on that.” - Mike Nesmith, Record Mirror, February 18, 1967

“It makes me mad and violent to hear people putting the others down. I know how darned good they are on their instruments and in their playing and in their acting. I don’t care for myself because I’ve been around long enough to be able to look after myself… but to say guys like Mike and Peter don’t play is just plain ridiculous.” - Davy Jones, Record Mirror, February 18, 1967

“I have a great deal of respect for Mike as a musician and a songwriter. He’s very good. He could make it on his own easily. Also he’s one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. Micky has a practical side that he tries to hide behind his jokes and imitations, but it’s there nevertheless. I’m not practical at all, so I admire this in him. He’s got his business affairs in order at all times and knows just what happens to all his money and things. I never do. I can’t keep track of how much money I have with me at a given time. Davy has a lot of guts. Internal fortitude if you prefer. I wouldn’t want to be as popular as he is. I mean, I’d like it, but it scares the heck out of me to see the way twenty million girls will rush him at once. What knocks me out is that it’s always me or Mike that’s trampled or ripped. Little Davy (oh, I hope he doesn’t see that) is never harmed, though there will be twice as many after him. I think it has something to do with small people being quick and light on their feet and big people being slow and plodding.” - Peter Tork, Flip, August 1967

[communist-ojou-sama]

Too late, we’re doing it live. You’ve got to understand. Please understand.

What little analysis I’ve seen of Magic Theorem focuses narrowly on Dorothy’s twisted ethics and about the events of Dorothy’s Vision, that the light fluffy lo-fi atmosphere is supposed to contrast with the darkness of the things she’s doing. I get that this is open to interpretation but I don’t think that this is what’s going on with this song at all.

When the sun fades out of sight, Constellations come to life. The serotonin keeps us floating. We contemplate our lives.

The first verse sets the scene, when the lights are low, beneath this false sky from which the catastrophes rain down, Dorothy, driven by her sense of purpose, is contemplating her life.

Though the numbers safe and sound, My hypothesis abound. I've got a theory, you're there with me, Transcending data found.

I can see how this gets assocated with the liquids if you just take the first two lines of this stanza: There’s a set theory of originium reaction, that precludes what she knows to be possible, but she’s got an idea on how to break through, sure, but I don’t think you can quite fit the last two lines to fit into that mold, no. The meaning here is that while she knows that what she’s hypothesizing about isn’t possible, a theory of “you” being with her.

I’ll skip the chorus for now because that’s what ties it all together, and is the part that is currently causing my brain to unravel

Falling for a simple dream. A theorem of a fantasy, I- Live fully.

Now, keep in mind, Dorothy is a brilliant scientist and a science minded person here. I want to argue that “fantasy” here refers to “something that is prima-facie impossible.”, her simple dream.

Life is a gift to me, I'm here for it. Like a smile at a party, I swoon. Measure time by the moon. Is it over too soon?

Now we’re getting into it: Life is a gift to her, so she must before it. Remembering this, she��s overcome: Will she have enough time to to make good on this gift that’s been given to her in such a cruel fashion?

Take a picture, don't forget her. Let it linger in your view. The formula for finding magic. One plus one, just me and you.

Full disclosure: tears are dripping onto my keyboard as I try to put this into words. Why is life a gift for Dorothy Franks? Because when she was just a child she went off to nurture her scientific gifts, her pioneer mother and everyone else in the camp was dead. The subject matter here is deeply personal. Take a picture of her, her mother, never let her stray from her heart. Like, literally her mother is always “lingering in her view”. The thought of being with her again, that simple 1+1 animates the “magic” that pushes her research forward. Never forget the pain, the cruelty that tore her from you, end despite all your scientific knowledge, never give up the dream of being here again. These lyrics express the sheer impossibility of Dorothy’s simple desire to see her mother again, the perceived enormity of the gift that’s been placed on her shoulders, and how the pain really does never go away.

[strifesolution]

The last chapter was so good!! And since you were talking about the fic's details, I was wondering about the playlist (I am listening to the main one on a daily basis) and I imagine that every songs were carefully chosen. I can guess what some songs mean about 5r6c. Like, From Eden is probably about Eden and Callie. You also mentioned that Genghis Khan is Dan and Wilbur's song.

Would you mind explaining how did you choose these songs and how some of them are related to the fic ?

(If this is too bothersome or would spoil too much of the fic, feel free to ignore the question)

LET’S GOOOO we’re so happy you like the playlist :D you’d be correct, most of the songs are chosen pretty deliberately, though a handful are more just there for the “vibe” of the AU rather than specific lyrics.

Link for anyone who hasn’t seen it; we update pretty often! I added Flu Game last night actually. Expect... a lot of art for this AU with the new Fall Out Boy songs LOL

Since there’s… a lot of songs, and a good amount of them would be kinda spoilery, we’ve both chosen one of our favs and wrote up a little analysis.

Here’s Van’s (@irished-lads) of Neon Moon by Brooks and Dun copied straight from our DM’s

~~~

fun fact, this is one of the songs i listened to on repeat while writing the earlier chapters. this is the ideal chapter 16 song in terms of story and vibe, and while an early 90's country song may have not intended to talk abt the intricacies of gay cowboy polyamory, I Sure Can Make It Do That.

peep the beginning;

There's a rundown bar 'cross the railroad track / I got a table for two way in the back / Where I sit alone, and think of losing you

thinks about kevin and sean having their degrees of feeling alone at this point. sean's always had a little bit of a thing for dan (not to mention kevin flirting with sean nigh all the time- note that kevin's only had to pay for one drink), and while kevin may be. erm. Physically Intimate (this is a pg-13 blog) with dan,he also wants more. its that disconnect that him and dan has that feels a mile long. Now. see the chorus:

Now if you lose your one and only, / There's always room here for the lonely

well hey. look at that. some of the loneliest guys in aurora sitting next to each other in a bar sharing a bottle of whiskey. they're friends, sure, but in that moment (ch 16), they recognize that they both can be more than that. to each other, and to dan. theres always room here for the lonely.

~~~~

And here’s mine (Emma here!) of STRIKE 3 by Ferry

This song is where the lyric in the fic's description comes from; it’s one from the PMV series Parties Are For Losers. You don’t need to watch the series to get the gist of the song (it is really good though!) but within the context of the narrative, the singer is voicing their frustrations as they desperately try to help those they care about who keep putting themselves in harms way. “You spin the barrel of a fully loaded gun” is just a fancy way of saying “STOP BEING RECKLESS!!!” because, y’know, it’d be a literal death sentence to play roulette if the gun is fully loaded...

In terms of 5r6c… well, one of the fics' central themes IS protecting the people you love. Dan continuously worries about what life Daithi and Brian had before this that made them criminals, and Sean and Kevin are protective of Dan, thinking Daithi and Brian are dangerous in arc 1, and suspicious of Spiff in arc 2. Here’s a bit from the first chorus…

"If there's no winning, might as well just have some fun." I want to scream, when will you get it through your skull that I will not let you drown? "The light is gone, the thought keeps running through your mind, but fearing life is easier than fighting, right?" Oh please, just hide behind this back of mine and save your helpless spite.

Which is peak sheriff’s office argument back in chapter 7...

I also really like the first verse relating to Daithi and Brian in the gang.

Channeling love through the fear of being torn apart by crowds of your barbarian peers. The human filth around us wants to trample all that is dear under the guise of watchful reason.

We learn from…pretty much every time one of them brings up Evan that it is NOT a very happy place to be, particularly in Brian’s POV of chapter 9.

Lastly, we have the pre-chorus.

A thousand years ago, it was a tepid autumn day. A lock has sealed this door— But no more.

If you recall in chapter 16, we learn the raid on the farm where Dan’s family died was in the fall (not directly, Dan always visits the bar on the anniversary and Sean makes the connection himself…but anyway)

...this is because ding ding ding of this song!

Unfortunately I can’t really talk about the last chorus and outro without SPOILING EVERYTHING so you’ll just have to guess from there ;>

~~~

Hopefully that's some food for thought! Honestly we COULD go over every song on the playlist but then this ask would be WAY too long. Just really quick: Hell's Comin' With Me is a HUUUUGE full story song but I really can’t say who it's about without giving away everything, Ambrosia Wine is the Kiwo/Mango dynamic, and Devil's Train (not on Spotify but would be on the playlist if it was) is gonna fit really well for the next few chapters!

[jackalsinthekitchen]

pop report #5: endless summer edition (9/16/23)

a sundazed glance at Billboard’s top 20 from two weeks ago – bitch, I said what I said

Summer’s over, the heat from the proverbial kitchen and literal sun still burning the other cheek I feebly turned to both. Per tradition, we’re bidding the season goodbye with a smattering of typical plaints that it wasn’t long enough, or felt like it didn’t happen. But here in Texas, it’s in full swing by early May, with not much mystery over what we’re in for beyond what degree (Fahrenheit) of punishing. So yeah – we’re pretty sure it happened. Yet again, we thought we were ready for it, and yet again, it went a little harder on us than it needed to. Whatever else went down, that lucky old sun made it cruel enough to justify a now-ancient Taylor chorus shooting up the pop charts. Like anything else that shoots up the pop charts these days, reasons why were imperfectly clear. One more testament to the inimitable inhabitability of the One True Pop Star’s catchy canon, perhaps? My summer wasn’t my fave; I can still feel it from here.

I’ve barely touched this new blog o’ mine, which I dreamt of putting up for years – the present you ogle at through the shop window for ages only to take it home and unwrap it, and see all that built-up desire instantly brown with oxidization. While Jackals! still doesn’t have a hook, for the first four weeks of 2023, at a rate of productivity that was ultimately to no one’s benefit, I looked at the pop charts and decided to think out loud about what they meant. But the thing is, in a year when people are thinking about it more out loud than usual, nobody seems to know exactly what they mean. There are analyses trenchant and muddled, and scattered rebuttals to both, strewn throughout comments sections we’ll never read. I’m too bored to even try to recap what I think I know about how these numbers are measured. Even my late best friend’s agitated analyses resisted my comprehension. Why dull the aesthetic with the statistical?

Suffice it to say, there are so many theories about “gaming the system” floating around, it feels a bit like last election year. Most of the people on my radar are in some way convinced that one Oliver Anthony Music’s “Rich Men North of Richmond” won its surprise Billboard victory through nefarious right-wing interference – comparable, you hear, to that Jim Caviezel movie about (fighting) child trafficking, where people bought out whole theatres just to stick it to Brandon. It’s not about the music, they say, it’s about waving a righteous-anger rag, and the rallying cry might as well be coming from any red-faced red-haired Bible-belt boy with a banjo who caught the Qanon virus at très-unmasked family get-togethers. A more neutral friend points out that “Rich Men North of Richmond” hung in at a basically ungameable top 3 place on Spotify for a bit. It was all great industry all around: for MAGAfolk, thinkpiecers, Billy Bragg.

Times change fast, though, so even if a few people are still reeling from them, the Billboard chart – much less Spotify’s Today’s Top Hits, where Anthony has vanished – has moved on to its latest single-star infiltration. That star is Queen Zillennial Olivia Rodrigo, whose guts are is filled with readymade hits, and who may portend a long-awaited pendulum swing back to a more rockist zeitgeist. But because it still literally does not matter what I do here, I wanna warm up these lazy fingers some by casting an eye back to two weeks ago, a whole world away, when the charts looked a bit more like they did in the middle of swelter season. At the ground floor of that top 20 was the indefatigable fatigue-pop of “Anti-Hero”, my most favorite song, which does not seem to have engendered a self-reflection revolution here on earth. But hey, maybe people are just keeping quiet about it. Even Taylor is going through some shit.

#19 is “Thinkin’ Bout Me”, by Morgan Wallen, the, uh, hot-button country artist about whom many folks certainly have thoughts. I haven’t heard this song as of this point in this paragraph, and I suspect it’s not as good as Frank Ocean’s pillow-pop classic “Thinkin’ Bout You”, which is the next song you get when you type “thinkin bout” in the search bar. Mr. Wallen, a reformed butt-rocker, has a harder edge than many of his southern-pop peers, and an excellent article I linked to earlier in this piece, written by a (non-right-wing) writer who’s spent just a little more time with young Wallen’s proudly endless albums than I have, suggests his lyrics even bespeak hip-hop (gasp!) influences. Perhaps this explains some words he enjoys using. The beat of this one is ripped unaltered from hip-hop; the lyrics might pass too, if rapped, though not in what I perhaps unfairly call “truck nuts voice”. Wallen is feeling upset, and entitled, about a recent breakup in this enduring hit, not helping his case by singing the song like an asshole. (More on this later.)

Country really is in its butt-rock era, in a sense – the guitars are amped-up and grinding, the (male) vox are growly and real-ass proud about it. “Need a Favor”, by something called Jelly Roll that’s miles away from Morton, was cited recently in an AA meeting I attended by someone it caught unsuspecting on the radio. We’re a very talk-to-God crowd in AA, and contra Wallen, there’s a humility in this song that’s not matched at all by its sound, but which pushes its stridence into something resembling passion. I’ve just found out via Google/Wikipedia that Jelly Roll is apparently an “American rapper”. He looks like a heavier Post Malone – also an “American rapper” even though everything he puts out sounds just like a pop song – and has a narrative about being incarcerated many times, which also lends some poignant complexity to his hit’s hook. Verdict: annoying if you’re in the wrong mood, but not necessarily bad for your health.

Next in my discovery journey is finding out who the War & Treaty are – they’re a Black husband and wife who weave country and rock into more traditionally Black styles like soul and blues. It makes sense that they’d team up with Zach Bryan, one of the better and, dare I say it, more soulful heavy country hitters hanging out in the high end of these charts. “Hey Driver”, which doesn’t trouble you with electric guitars or even drums at the top, is really stirring. The juxtaposition of tW&T’s full-bodied harmonies against Bryan’s voice, which crumbles once it hits the air, is gorgeous, and the lyrics boast a complexity rarely troubled with on most of these hits. It’s all sincerity, but for the most part, I feel like it earns it. Though the Billboard charts continue to exhibit a kind of separate-but-equal mélange of genres, this sort of crossover still feels rare – even if so much pop, R&B and country takes production cues from hip-hop.

At #16 (we’re at #16 btw) is the ever-restless, currently-somewhat-exhausted Miley Cyrus, whose tired but empowered “Flowers” is already one of pop’s great breakup anthems and stands as one of the songs of last summer. I spent some time in Ms. Cyrus’ canon last spring for a piece I’m proud of, but it didn’t dispel the impression I’ve always had that behind that fabulous voice and insouciant demeanor is not a very clear artistic vision. Cyrus swings from new tack to new tack, and unless she’s put a truly fantastic single together – she does this every so often – there’s always a trace of “unconvincing” there for me. “Used to Be Young” is scarcely different. A piano ballad, something she seems to personally favor, it has an air of reflective weariness (cf. “Malibu”) and light penitence (perhaps for She is Coming?). The media was rarely kind to her, but the hurt only comes out in her songs. The hook is solid, if a little programmatic (“you say I used to be wild, I say I used to be young”), and the music narrowly avoids sappiness with an atmospheric, beaty arrangement. And the fact is, when she starts to belt, she thins out her competition.

“Religiously” by Bailey Zimmerman – I would’ve typed “Blake” based on his face and sound if I hadn’t looked twice – is another revved-up, growly country song about having been deserted, and unlike Mr. Wallen, Zimmy doesn’t wink at you that she was super wrong to leave. The chorus – “I ain’t got the only woman who was there for me/religiously” – skirts patriarchal discomfort, but the lucky among us have had a deeply patient, unwaveringly supportive partner, so the regret is broadly relatable. The religious content is also rather muted – not like this is worship music or anything, though I guess it could pass if it were cornier – weaving the spiritual and secular in a seemingly seamless way. But it’s not not corny. It’s not clear if BZ has a sense of humor, and while his voice has some nice gristle to it (a la ZB), like most of country’s current heavy hitters, the music sounds straight from the factory (a factory with mandolins).

Lil Durk (feat. J. Cole)’s “All My Life”, #14, is also corny, but not enough to drag it down. The slow unfurl of its polysyllabic ruminations (there’s an element of hip-hop the rest of pop would do well to absorb), the classic-Kanye style kids’-choir hook, the simple, gorgeous chord progression: this is a song that aims to make you cry, and more or less earns it. Cole’s climactic middle section about slain young rappers is the highlight, of course; never were more brilliant pop stars cut down too soon than in the modern rap era. But the whole thing has a humility and sense of dynamics that arrests you the whole way through, even the verses you’re not following perfectly between choruses. There is a problem here, though – the single’s sweet sugar was harvested and glazed over by none other than Dr. Luke, one of music’s accused whose charges seemed credible enough to strip him of his license to practice. Can’t Ke$ha count on us?

#13 is “Flowers”, and #12 one of three fantastic hits from the indisputable movie of the summer. Barbie was fainter for me than I wanted, though I’m not sure how much more subversive – it’s quite subversive! – it could’ve been while still nailing the something-for-everyone thing. And anyway, what do I know? I’m just a Ken (or perhaps an Allan). “Barbie World”, the #12 in question two weeks ago – remember, this is all two weeks ago, I make the rules here – is the weakest of the trio. It’s a trap-haze interpolation of the old Aqua hit, a great song which nevertheless felt so aggressively hyper back in the ‘90s, it could hit like a form of torture in the wrong mood. Nicki Minaj, my original 2010s hero, hasn’t helped herself personally for a bit, but her effortless, earth-scorching command, even at a low temperature, is a perfect vessel for the universal empowerment this theme and its film intend – “all of the Barbies is pretty” indeed. #6 on this chart is Dua Lipa’s mint-condition, made-to-order disco anthem “Dance the Night”, the sort of banger that feels like it’s been around forever. The last Barbie hit, Billie Eilish’s startlingly canny “What Was I Made For”, a ballad that astounds a little harder every time it languidly unfolds, hung in at #22.

Oliver Anthony Music had dropped just outside the top 10 at this time. Part of my picking an earlier chart is that I wanted to write about him; that said, I don’t know that a single song has had more written about it in the recent past, and all in one week. Much was made of Anthony(whose beard conceals his build)’s irritation with people who use taxpayer-funded welfare to buy cheap treats. In fact, his fatphobia is the clearest toxicity in the lyrics, though the reference to “minors on an island somewhere” – as if the U.S. government did a thing to keep Jeffrey Epstein from hurting people – codes conspiracy theorist. But all the carping about his fishy success belies the fact that the song sounds great. Mr. Music’s voice is searing and powerful, the stark banjo and the outdoor ambience a production coup, and if it wasn’t so clear he was coming at this from the wrong place (though to be fair, he’s abjured any party affiliation), it would speak to the great open secret of U.S. politics, which is that bullshit pay is everybody’s problem, and these wedge issues, however serious, are there to distract us from uniting against our oppressors. As Billy Bragg put it in his pitch-perfect rebuttal, “join a union”. We’ve just been reminded strikes still work.

Having already touched on #6, I’ll breeze through 10 to 7. 10 is Rema & Selena Gomez’s “Calm Down”, an Afrobeat-graced pop hit with a vibe much resemblant of Bad Bunny and other recent Latin pop. Gomez’s post-Waverly Place penchant for coming on like she’s absolutely done with everything and is too tired to be bothered anymore suits the single’s quiet storm perfectly. “Vampire” is Olivia’s current piano-kissoff coup, and you already know how much it doesn’t suck. Gunna’s “Fukumean” gets stuck in my head here and there – well, just the “Fukumean” part – and I always subsequently wonder what it sounds like on the radio, where you still can’t quite say exactly what the fukumean. The music feels generic if peppy; the lyrics are conventional hip-hop aggro-bravado. SZA’s “Snooze” is no snooze, but also no “Kill Bill”.

I went through a breakup this summer, right around the time Morgan Wallen’s “Last Night” blew up. His music is insistently catchy and melodically brawny, so for a short time “no way it was our last night” was sort of a pet chorus in my head. But this deteriorated quickly, paying attention to the rest of the lyrics – said night was booze-fueled, not the most relatable or charming thing for a grateful recovering alcoholic, and once again, Wallen’s greasy cockiness is an automatic turn-off. There’s very little indication that his ex wants to stick around, much less that Wallen, whose cultural function is primarily as a “cancelled” superstar half of the country is propping up in retaliation, has done a lot of self-interrogation about it. The song really does sound great, and its hook is invincible, but once again, it isn’t exactly good for you.

The late-breaking triumph of Taylor’s “Cruel Summer” would also leave a bad taste if the song weren’t one of her best. I say this because of the recent scenario in which our new pop hero Olivia Rodrigo had to pay Swift, whose business acumen seems genuinely frightening, for a touch of inspiration from this song (a chanted section…?) that could be ungenerously interpreted as some sort of theft for which some sort of repayment is in order. Their lawyers worked it out, but bad blood feels inevitable; Swift famously supported Rodrigo in a deliberately maternal way when “Drivers License” (sorry, “drivers license”) hit, but it’s not impossible to imagine that zillionaire cipher feeling a twinge of jealousy from which a few petty things might result. Rodrigo’s evasive responses in interviews seem to give credit to this suspicion.

Into the top #3, and here sits one of my favorite curios, Luke Combs’ musically beefed-up but lyrically unaltered cover of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car”. Combs absolutely has truck nuts voice, and I’m still not clear what people who prefer that voice above all others do when he drops the line about his time as a checkout girl. It’s hard to pinpoint anything nefarious here; Combs has just sent an influx of money into the bank account of a more-or-less forgotten Black female singer-songwriter – though that song endures, and is now living in the high reaches of the charts, because it’s fucking fantastic. But then, I haven’t read any thinkpieces about it, and I’m getting about as tired of writing as you are of reading, so we’ll move on.

My boy Zach Bryan and our girl Kacey Musgraves are (well, were) at #2 with their gently broken collab “I Remember Everything”. With its soft bass-drum pound, quiet strumming, slowly sawn violins and swaths of echo, it sounds a bit like mists floating grimly over fields (antebellum, perhaps? Nah, not for Kacey). Here are two of our deftest, most openhearted country stars, and, finally, a country breakup hit with not a kernel of corn, setting its scene through pure suggestion instead of beating you over the head with a big new cliché in a sack full of old ones. Its magic dispels a little the closer you look, but it really works. So does the unflappable Doja Cat’s “Paint the Town Red”, noted by chartwatchers as the first rap hit atop the hot 100 in a hot minute. As with “Dance the Night”, once DC rolls in over the music, the song feels classic and eternal. Not unlike Dionne Warwick’s “Walk on By”, the source of its sample – a 60-year-old hit of such intense and incongruous fragility, it’s astonishing how well they worked it in. In the Spotify age, all pop is eternal. To that end, any summer whose soundtrack is woven into your soul is endless.

[infinitelytheheartexpands]

Le prophète (Karlsruhe, 2015): Reactions, Part I

new (ish) filmed production of le prophète just dropped??? there go any other plans i may have had for this friday night

no loitering allowed

this chorus is essentially just “thank fuck that it’s sunny and not storming” which…i get it bc i live in tornado alley, but also as we come out of a VERY hot summer…storms are nice every once in a while

also: no room for sun in a neon capitalist/oligarchist hellscape

berthe’s got rocker girl vibes!

the waitress: “eh might as well listen to your story not like i have anything better to do on company time”

this does not feel very heterosexual on berthe’s part

edit: scratch that apparently that was fidès, in which case…why have her come in before she’s supposed to be there, director

also though: as a friend said, (paraphrased) “if y’all ship filippo and rodrigo i should be able to ship fidès and berthe bc it’s basically the same thing”

“tomorrow this place is ALL YOURS!!!”

(we love women business (co) owners)

she got all her papers in order, she’s done everything RIGHT, and yet…

THE ANABAPTISTS ARE HERE

also: i’m sorry but i find it so fucking funny that they’re dressed up like mormons. idk why that’s so funny to me but i saw a production of the barber of seville once where one of almaviva’s disguises was as a mormon missionary and i lost my shit laughing. anyway back to the opera

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA THEY WENT TO FIDÈS’ PLACE THAT MAKES THIS EVEN FUNNIER

(on the other hand, though: why is everything such a huge problem if fidès and jean live in the same town as berthe??? a big part of it is that berthe is asking to LEAVE oberthal’s domains. i wonder what the modern equivalent is)

“nah not interested” *slams door in their faces* yes you go fidès 

weird cuts but THIS CHORUS NEVER FAILS TO BLOW ME AWAY

the power of community organizing! (unfortunately done by people with…less than great intentions)

fun activities with friends: doing acrobatics and breakdancing on police cars

everyone reading each other for filth. it’s fun but they all suck

also, no picture but: LUCIA LUCAS IS IN THIS??? (she plays Mathisen) NICE!!!!!!!!

two brave women supporting one another we love to see it (also: one of the prettiest duets you ever did hear)

oberthal you little bitch

you’re just gonna leave her chained to that? 

WAIT OBERTHAL WAS IN THE BACK SEAT WITH BERTHE THE WHOLE TIME OH FUCK

talk about mood whiplash! (also: this chorus BOPS)

uh oh (also especially with the mormon missionary-esque costumes, their being at more or less a sports bar is hilarious)

jean is a tenor with no brain cells and he’s able to admit it, unlike most tenors with no brain cells

his dreams could be prophetic for real, or a fluke…but either way they are GOING to be manipulated 

“no sports. only our warped version of Jesus”

“guys. stop kneeling before me. i’m not Jesus or any warped version thereof”

(also i REALLY want them to start singing “hello”)

THE WAY HE LAUGHED AT THEM YES JEAN GET ‘EM

“DUDE, we’re not supposed to have beer”

“oh sorry”

he’s just a guy who really loves his mom and his rocker girl fiancée! 

so jean. about that marriage tomorrow.

oh HONEY

HOW DO YOU NOT SEE HER OH MY GOD

i’ll try to put the rest in a reblog bc apparently you can now only put in 30 images per post, which is STUPID and DUMB and i HATE it

[eoieopda]

Hihi, Jade! Hope you’ve been well and are doing good hehe

I started learning the pre-chorus + chorus to Like Crazy and when I tell you it’s groovy as shit. Like damn. Though, if this doesn’t improve my hip-control, I genuinely have no idea what will 🤡

On another note, I’m meeting up with one of my friends on Monday! We’re going out for coffee and window shopping and I’m pretty excited because I haven’t seen her since the beginning of February of this year, and I’m excited to talk to her face to face (hah see what I did there ;))

I also did a little brainstorming for a story I’ve wanted to write since August of 2020, and I’m hoping it’s gonna help with my immense writers block concerning the idea itself lmfao

I was also wondering, but do you bake? I know it’s a pretty random question but a lot of my friends bake, and I’ve only ever baked once with one of said friends. We made chocolate muffins and, despite them being relatively messy, they actually tasted pretty good! I’m a bit sad we didn’t have chocolate chips though, I would’ve loved to take the famous(?) “you measure that shit with your heart” post as inspiration to make a mostly choc-chip choco muffin hehe.

Do you draw at all, either? I don’t draw much, and when I do I almost always draw exclusively doodles, but I’ve had a couple which came out pretty well. I drew this really tiny dragon a while ago (probably a few years back) which I thought came out pretty well hehet.

By the way, on a less random and softer note, I’ve been meaning to tell you but kept getting shy and insecure about how to say it, but I really appreciate you, you know? I know we don’t know each other super personally and everything, but our exchanges have been a consistent highlight to my everyday life since I’ve become your mutual.

Like, I can’t even begin to say how big of an impact you’ve had on me as a person just with a couple of our (admittedly short) interactions. Your posts brighten up my day, and I really love how full of love you are, and how you’re so unapologetically yourself. It’s really pushed me to become more comfortable in my own skin, which I couldn’t thank you enough for.

I know that probably went from zero (0) to one-hundred (100) real quick, lol, but I thought it was about time, you know? Sorry for putting something like this in an ask, I probably should’ve sent it in a PM but I thought, “I’m here, I might as well do it while I have the courage” 🥹

Anyway, sorry for all the blabbering xd.

I hope you have a wonderful day (or night, I’m not 100% what time of day you’re at rn)!

I hope this isn’t coming off as creepy as it’s starting to sound in my head 🥹 I admire you a lot is all; sorry if this makes you uncomfortable if it does lemme know pls. Okay bye ily 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻

this is quite possibly the sweetest thing i anyone has told me in a very very very long time, and i am — OOF — misty in the damn eyeballs. like, i don’t even know how to thank you for that 😭🫠 i’m a whole mess omg. YOU ARE SO SPECIAL, LIL BABY HAN 😭💓💕💗🫶🏻

now i’m gonna stop wheezing and answer your actual questions and pretend i did not just fully tear up, lmao.

i do bake, but not as often as i used to? i kind of only do it when i’m home with my mom which is rare but will resume soon when i move back to my home state to be close again!! def prefer baking to cooking because there is some ridiculous disconnect in which i can do one fairly well but will burn the shit out of whatever meal i’m attempting and/or burn myself. i do not know why i am like this!!

i draw, but also not as often as i used to 🤪 like, i drew/designed all of my tattoos and used to be really into art, but my brain only lets me have 1-2 hobbies at a time, and this one fell by the wayside 🥲 rip art-phase jade.

and good luck with your wip!!! seriously, tag me in anything you post because i love FFF so much that i would surely love whatever else you write 💕🥹

[dailykoreanpop]

Music Fans Think G-Eazy’s Verse on ATEEZ’s ‘Work’ Remix Is a Callout to Halsey: ‘This Was Not on My Bingo List’

G's mention of Libras raised eyebrows in his new remix to the K-pop group's No. 1 hit.

With the newly released version of ATEEZ’s No. 1 single “Work” poised to make crossover impact for the K-pop group via the all-English remix featuring G-Eazy, the rapper’s verses have also sparked speculation among fans online that he used the track to take a jab at his ex-girlfriend, Halsey.

Released Friday, Aug. 9, the “Part 4” remix of “Work,” which topped World Digital Song Sales in June for ATEEZ’s first chart-topper on the ranking, features G-Eazy delivering a verse that has fans talking: “Actin’ innocent, no, it’s not your first time/We’re far away if Libra is her sign/ Oof, danger, danger (Danger, danger)/Don’t be a stranger (Don’t be a stranger)/ She said no one can save her.”

This particular line has drawn attention due to Halsey’s Sept. 29 birthday, making her a Libra and leading to widespread speculation that the lyrics could be a thinly veiled reference to his experiences and their past relationship. The stars were in a highly publicized relationship from 2017 to 2018 before an abrupt breakup in July 2018. While neither has spoken up directly about what ended their time together, both artists have released music that fans believe alludes to their breakup. Halsey has also previously mentioned being in an “abusive relationship,” though she has never explicitly confirmed if G-Eazy was involved.

After the collaboration’s release, one user on X (formerly known as Twitter) wrote that they “got weirded out when he sings that [because] I immediately remember Halsey…this is ATEEZ’s song why tf did u make it about u.” One X user added, “A collab of all things to make a little diss at your ex,” with another saying, “G-Eazy shading Halsey in a K-popcollab…this was not on my bingo list AT ALL.”

As some fans have noted, the particular lyrics in G-Eazy’s verse stand out against the backdrop of ATEEZ’s original message in “Work,” which is about focusing in on pushing toward your goals and achieving success. One fan on X wrote, “We’re talking about clocking in and he’s over here harassing his ex.”

Indeed, the K-pop group sings about the hustle in lines like, “I like to party when it’s a party/That’s payin’ me to pull up” and the addictive chorus of “Gotta work, gotta work / Gotta make that money, make purse.” G-Eazy later adds, “Work, flex, work, flex, always in the lab/ How I earn checks/ Hundred thousand dollars for a verse, yes/Wouldn’t lift a finger if it were less.”

The collaboration comes after ATEEZ’s established admiration for Halsey. The K-pop group’s fans, known as ANTINY, know the members frequently share music recommendations: Both Wooyoung and Jongho have shared their fondness for “Boy With Luv,” her hit collaboration with BTS, Yeosang has recommended Halsey’s chart-topping Billboard Hot 100 hit “Closer” with The Chainsmokers to fans. Mingi has also praised G-Eazy’s work, notably his Hot 100 hit “Me, Myself & I” featuring Bebe Rexha, and previously recommended Calvin Harris’ Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2 album, where Halsey features on two tracks.

Representatives for G-Eazy nor ATEEZ did not return Billboard‘s request for comment at press time.

Even if the potential diss has dominated most of the conversation, it’s important to recognize the latest steps in ATEEZ’s barrier-breaking 2024 that includes multiple “Work” remixes, being named an “Up Next” star in Variety’s Young Hollywood Impact Report, and the ongoing [Towards the Light : Will to Power] in North America arena and stadium tour that just took over New York’s CitiField on Saturday, Aug. 2. This year has also been momentous for G-Eazy with the June 21 release of his seventh studio album, Freak Show, marking his first full-length project in nearly three years, which precedes a world tour hitting North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand through this and next year.

Listen to Part 4 of ATEEZ’s “Work” with G-Eazy below:

Credit: Billboard

[existentialmagazine]

Review: Chloé Sautereau’s new bare-faced acoustic-pop single ‘Ten Thousand Stories’ merges warm guitar with a narrative of finding your place in the world

The Swiss born and raised, New York based singer-songwriter Chloé Sautereau has slowly but surely finding her place within the music scene, sharing bare-faced pop that blurs catchy hooks with intimate storytelling. With influences such as artists like Amy Allen, FINNEAS and Julia Michaels, Chloé is a familiar but uniquely striking force to be reckoned with, and she only continues to grow with every new release. Since her debut ‘Get to Know You Game’ earlier this year, Chloé now shares her latest offering ‘Ten Thousand Stories.’

As songwriting lies at the heart of everything Chloé does, ‘Ten Thousand Stories’ spills out with admissions of her ever-changing environments and headspaces, coming to terms with her new reality based within New York city and the way her life has shifted both internally and externally. Consumed by the big city, the endless faces, thousands of apartments and passing cars, bright lights and nightlife, the world Chloé now finds herself in is one that never stops moving, and that causes a lot of introspection. As she sings ‘sleeping here can get a little lonely’ , it’s almost like the masses of crowds and bustling streets can emphasise the loneliness of her solitary apartment, surrounded by so many and yet spending every night alone. The chorus hook continues ‘I’m ten thousand stories tall but I’m falling… I’m trying to keep up with the city lights’ , expressing how Chloé’s new life leaves her feeling a little lost within the world, constantly in a cycle of needing to be moving and doing something just like everyone around her. Just like we all experience and put on, there’s an inherent external pretence buried within her words, with Chloé feeling she must keep her emotions within to save face but allowing herself the freedom within her lyrics to come clean: ‘when I think about tomorrow, is it okay if I say I’m a little scared.’ As we’re all constantly pushed to grow, learn, make money and progress in our lives, ‘Ten Thousand Stories’ really flows out like the internal monologue most of us have buried within us, trying to make peace with the reality of life’s consuming needs. But littered within her self-analysis is just as much light as there is turmoil, as Chloé sings ‘have you seen how the morning sun makes every little thing so lovely’ , finding a new home in a place that glows with endless life. Erring between overwhelm and a newfound appreciation, ‘Ten Thousand Stories’ is here to give you an anthem for those days it all gets a little too much, guiding you through while Chloé’s figuring things out just as much as we all are.

Between the breathing lungs of her lyricism is a soundscape that’s both tender and warm, extending a welcoming hand to anyone needing to find the strength and familiarity of a friend to get them through and feel a little less alone, even if that’s in the distant form of Chloé from afar. Beginning with gentle acoustic guitar strums and intermittent plucks that ring out into the vastness of the sound, ‘Ten Thousand Stories’ captures an immediate intimacy that you can’t help but resonate with, built up with occasional dreamy electric guitar twangs. The chorus surrounds you with a cloudy haze of soft instrumentals, layering differing guitar strums and plucks within each other, showing more of a strength in their delivery than the verse’s more melancholic hums. Chloé’s vocals truly take centre stage though, soaring through a clean and airy higher range with a haunting delicacy, bridging the gap between powerful vocals with a lighter edge. Towards the track’s closure, radiant backing vocals make her words all the more engrossing, creating an atmospheric aura before things calmly fade out. All in all, the soundscape of ‘Ten Thousand Stories’ is intentionally minimal, there to soothe but not to take the focus of a narrative that Chloé is determined to have heard.

Check out ‘Ten Thousand Stories’ here to journey through Chloé’s heartfelt storytelling and whimsical sound!

Written by: Tatiana Whybrow

Photo Credits: Unknown

// This coverage was created via Musosoup, #SustainableCurator.

[mythica0]

Reddit is being stupid so I’m writing this here to link there- this is inspired by a writing prompt.

“Hey guys!” I called out to my friends-Kyle and Jane- who were sitting at the lunch table.

As usual, my *other* friends were following me. The imaginary ones. I slipped up sometimes- spoke to them in front of other people. They always called me crazy.

But that’s not important.(yet.)

“Hey Gabby!” They called out in sync, waving at me.

I sat down at the table, the dragon siblings( there are eight ,all based on an element. Can be tough to deal with.) laying next to my tray. Gaiya sat on the floor, while Harley and Dazzle elected to stand.

“Oo! Lunch time is always fun!” Ollie spoke, his mermaid-like tail flopping next to him, his wings settled on the table.

“I don’t agree. Too boring.” Fiona sneers from her spot across from him. Her tail, Fire-tipped, crackling but not alighting anything.

I tried to ignore the chatter my friends couldn’t hear.

“How are you guys?”

“We’re awesome!” Jane exclaimed ecstatically.

“Damn right we are.” Kyle replies lightly, with a smug grin on his face.

I roll my eyes and scoff. “Maybe we are. You? Not so much.”

He gasps over-dramatically. “How *dare* you!”

We all dissolve into laughter.

——————

In biology, Gaiya helps me. Her vine-like hair and antlers blocking my view as she looks at my paper. Her gentle, quiet voice is hard to hear in the loud room, but i hear it all the same.

“Oh, actually you flipped those two.” She says, gentle and non-judgmental, pointing to the diagram if environmental progression I was drawing.

I don’t know how she know things I don’t. Considering she, and all of the others, come from my imagination. But sometimes I talk to her about biology and ecosystems late into the night. Or let her talk in her soothing voice until I fall asleep.

—————

In chorus, Dazzle sings along with me. We harmonize together, her thin, ribbon like tails swaying with the music. Her voice is a little higher than mine, she a soprano and I an alto. Her glittery freckles and pink skin shine in the light through the window. She would be an excellent stage performer were she real. Her curly purple hair and bright pink skin might get in the way though.

—————

After dinner, I sit out on the porch. It’s Friday, so I can stay up as late as I want. Harley sits with me. Harley is an odd one out amongst my friends. While the rest are very colorful and bright, Harley is more dark and subdued. He has piercing green sclera, and white irises. I don’t really know what he is. He has the body of a werewolf, but he also has bat wings and a snake as a tail. I suppose he’s the manifestation of my love for Halloween.

We look up at the stars.

—————

The dragon siblings fight a lot. It makes sense, theirs eight of them. All of them are ampitheres(meaning dragons with no legs but two wings)

Ollie is the water dragon. Scarlet is the air. Ellie the lighting, Tourmaline the earth, Fiona the fire, Ivan the ice, Leviathan(or Levi) the light, and Dahlia the Dark.

“Are w-we going anywhere fun today?” Ellie asks, her stutter getting in the way of her speech.

“Maybe. Might go for a walk later.”

My mom here’s me speaking. “Are you talking to yourself again?”

I sigh. “Yes mom.”

She doesn’t see them. Only I do. It makes sense, they’re imaginary after all. (…right?)

Tourmaline flies slowly up to me, his tail weighed down by the large stone attached to it.

“I wonder what she made for breakfast.”

“Yeah, me too. Let’s go and see.”

“I’m cool with whatever. Pun intended.” Ivan flies up as well. He loved making puns about everyone’s element, but especially his own.

“Yeah! Race you down!” Scarlet said, quickly zipping away.

“No one is racing you!- and she’s gone.” Ollie replies.

“I keep telling her no one will race her because we all know she’s the fastest, but will she listen? No.” Dahlia rolls her eyes, following down the stairs.

“I hope we can find something colorful!” Levi pitches in, completely missing that the topic had moved on from what we were doing today.

I chuckle a bit. “Yeah, bud. Me too.”

————

The next day I go to the park with my friends. The real ones this time.

We have a blast together, that is until-

“Ugh, I want expecting to be in the presence of losers today.”

Great. Harold. The name of my entire existence.

He chose me and my friends as targets, I suppose. Bullies us for no reason.

“We may be losers but at least we have friends!” Kyle replies, snarky.

“Yeah. This guy is such a jerk.” Gaiya whispers next to me.

Dazzle shouts: “Oi! We may be strange but we’re also awesome! And unlike you, we have *good* opinions.”

Harold’s head perks up. “Which one of you bozos said that?! I have amazing opinions!”

I startle. He heard her?

He stares in our direction for another moment. “Who are all of you? ***What*** are all of you?”

My friends look at him, confused. Internally, I’m panicking. We’re they real this whole time? How does he see them?!

“We’re dragons!” Ollie calls. “Not that we care about you. Jerk.”

Dazzle glares at him. “Cooler than you, that’s what.”

Harely stares at him, Ears back, the snake that’s attached to him hissing. “That’s none of your business, buddy.”

“….what is going on?” Jane asks, completely befuddled.

“Your loser of a friend is surrounded by *freaks* that’s what!”

“Hey, we are not freaks…” Gaiya whispers, sounding disheartened.

“Don’t listen to him Gaiya, he’s just a jerk and an idiot.” I whisper back to her, holding her hand for a moment.

A pause. “Gabby? Is there something you’re not telling us?”

As Kyle speaks, my other friends chase Harold away. I have a feeling he won’t bother us for a while.

“…. I thought they were imaginary.” That’s the only thing I say at first. Jane prompts me to elaborate.

“I have..apparently not-so-imaginary friends. I don’t know how, but Harold just saw them. And heard them.”

“Really? Wow!” Kyle exclaims.

I whip my head up to look at him. “You believe me? You don’t think I’m nuts?”

Jane spoke this time, amusement in her voice. “I mean, we all saw what just happened, I think the evidence is there.”

“I wish you could see them…”

“Well, tell us about them!” Kyle pipes up.

“Alright! So there’s the dragon siblings, Dazzling, Harley and Gaiya….”

Maybe they would see them one day. Maybe they wouldn’t. Who knows. All I know is that *all* of them are my friends, real or ‘imaginary.’

[theeverlastingshade]

Girl with Fish- feeble little horse

Philadelphia has been the epicenter of indie rock for roughly a decade by this point. Brooklyn was the indie rock mecca for the first decade of the 21st century, but after becoming financially unsustainable for the vast majority of artists who aren't bankrolled by family, Philly swiftly became the de-facto feasible alternative. The scenes there have flourished, and have been a home base for forward-thinking iconoclasts like Alex G and Spirit of the Beehive as well as timeless-sounding singer-songwriters like Kurt Vile and Waxahatchee, and musicians of all sorts of stylings in-between. While much has been made of how absurdly high above their weight class Philly has been punching throughout the last decade, I haven't been privy to nearly as much coverage w/rt to the cross-state indie rock scene that's developed in Pittsburgh. And hopefully I'll see that start to shift following in the wake of Girl with Fish, the excellent sophomore LP from feeble little horse. While steeped in the DIY sensibilities of Philly indie (most obviously Alex G) flh have managed to carve out a lane for themselves by playing a style of noise-pop that fuses the delicacy of twee with the brutality of shoegaze, resulting in a sound that feels familiar but is ultimately unlike anyone else making music right now. Their first LP, Hayday, and their lone EP, Modern Tourism (both from 2021) are promising records that showcase the seeds of the sound that they would go on to develop, and on GwF those seeds have begun to blossom into some of the sharpest indie rock that I've heard all year.

Fbl consists of guitarists Seb Kinsler and Ryan Walchonski, drummer Jake Kelley, and bassist/vocalist Lydia Slocum, and throughout the course of GwF they play with genre conventions while slyly upending them. They've described their music making aspirations along the lines of what they call Ableton-core (they've acknowledged SotB as a guiding force in this realm) and it's not hard to hear that sort of chaotic discipline guiding the music here. Opening cut "freak" opens to a trail of feedback before massive guitar chords flailing into the red emerge, and within short order the band are delivering honeyed vocal melodies that see-saw between relatively clean playing and effects-laden guitar passages rounded out with bashed cymbals. The whole song is barely 1:45 long, but the intoxicating effect lingers much longer and sets the stage for the proceeding 25 minutes of melodic mayhem. While the band don't deal in outright abrasion on every single song, everything here exudes some kind of off-kilter presentation, whether we're talking about the pitch-shifted warbling guitar on "Paces", or the mountains of distortion that threaten to steamroll the gentle vocal melody on "Steamroller" but never quite do. Nothing here exceeds the 3.5 minute mark, but nothing ever comes close to sounding slight or tossed off either. Fbh wisely give their ideas plenty of room to breathe, but they change course before anything ever wears its welcome. The result is a lean album overflowing with ideas that contains enough momentum to work superbly in any way that you want to experience it.

The ingenuity on display ensures that GwF is an engaging listen from start to finish, but even though everything here works there are still a handful of clear standouts that are just as strong as anything that I've heard this year. The aforementioned "freak" kicks things off on an extremely high note with its infectious juxtapositions, and mid-album highlight "slide" plays a similar trick. Throughout "slide" the band alternate between jangly acoustic guitar passages and an otherworldly 16 bit synth melody that lulls the listener into a sense of tranquility before thick slabs of in the red guitar distortion and one of Slocum's tightest vocal melodies yet come barrelling into the frame. The quiet/loud/quiet verse/chorus/verse structure is one of the most well-worn tropes in all of rock music, but it's rarely executed with this kind of immediacy and stylistic variation. It sounds remarkably fresh and inspired despite its colossal precedence. And there's no way to do a conversation about this band justice without mentioning the absolute showstopping "pocket", which isn't just their best song, but easily one of the best songs that I've heard this year. On "pocket" the band open with a twee melody over softly strummed guitars, lush synth chords, and a tender baseline, they slowly build up steam with faster strumming and bird chirps, transition into a funk bridge, turn up the amps for an abrupt pivot into hardcore, and then close things out with the initial twee stylings all in less than 3 minutes. It's an astonishing statement of purpose that deftly showcases their bold approach and somehow doesn't collapse under the weight of its ambition. The forms may well-worn, but on GwF fbl are taking them to bracing new heights.

Essentials: "pocket", "slide", "freak"

[slafkovskys]

hear me out girl dad beech

baby was born senior year of high school and the mom is out of the picture so Beech is trying to juggle his junior year and a two almost three year old.

tell a friend to tell a friend, she’s baaaccckkkkkk

“do you want your water?” you ask the little girl, looking down as she curls her arm around your knee. she’s quiet for a moment, staring at a group of boys on bikes passing by across the street and you clear your throat, smiling down at her when she looks up, “earth to leni.”

“daddy?” she responds, pointing her finger toward the arena. her tiny fingers poke at your knee as she looks at you curiously.

“yes, we’re going to see your dad, len, but do you want your water, ma’am?” the almost three-year-old takes a deep breath before looking away, back towards where the bikers had now turned the corner and disappeared. going with your gut, you grab the starbucks cup that was full of water and shut the car door, and hold out your hand, “hold please.”

her tiny hand grabs onto your bigger one and you start in the direction of the arena. she asks for her water and you hand it over, grateful that you now had one less thing to hold onto as you come to the door. you type in the code that you absolutely were not supposed to know, but johnny had given you anyway, and hold the door open for the little girl in the lavender leotard. once the door closes behind you, leni looks up, a silent ask of permission, and you let go of her hand, letting her weave her way through the hallways of yost. you stay hot on her trail though and when you finally make it to the open arena, it doesn’t take long before her presence is noticed.

“noureen!” a few of the boys chorus and she giggles, grabbing onto your hand again for help down the stairs.

“hi,” leni (real name eleanor, but growing up around hockey was rarely called eleanor) says as she gets to the glass. “daddy!”

johnny skates over, looking at you with raised eyebrows as you lift leni to stand on the brim of the glass, “hi baby. how was dance class?”

“we played and then i, i got a cake pop!” leni turns to look at you, “can i have my shirt honey?”

leni knew that your name was y/n, but after she heard johnny’s mom call you that once, she had refused to call you anything but. you hum, “yeah babe.”

you set her on the ground and pull the umich sweatshirt over her head picking her up again as the boys start to swarm, “cake pop? where’s mine?”

she hides her face in your neck, “i ate it.”

grano gasps, “i thought we were friends, noureen! now, who am i supposed to watch finding dory with?”

“not me,” eric chimes.

johnny, who looks more than annoyed with his roommates’ banter with his daughter, nods his head towards the bench, “bring her over here.”

you follow him over, carefully handing her off to him, “sorry to disrupt practice but she got bored at the library after like twenty minutes. she’s not big on russian art through the ages apparently.”

“is anyone?” johnny scoffs, pressing a kiss to his daughter’s cheek, “i missed you.”

“missed you,” she mumbles, throwing her arms loosely around his neck as she watches the boys skate around the ice. “can i go out there, daddy?

“in a minute, baby,” johnny looks at you expectantly, “are you coming?”

“you are such a delight, beecher,” you grumble, squeezing your way through the gate. johnny sets leni down, beckoning jacob over to take her out onto the ice with him while you make your way over to the bench, “how was your day?”

“better now that my girls are here,” you think you hear him wrong and when you look up, he’s gesturing for you to go in front of him. you press yourself against the barrier, watching as leni is surrounded by those she affectionately calls her uncles and she starts directing them on what to do, “what about yours? she didn’t cause you too much trouble, huh?”

“she never does,” you shake your head.

“are you cold?” johnny mumbles, leaning against the barrier beside you. you hadn’t even realized that since leni had been taken from you and your arms were now free, you had subconsciously wrapped them around yourself. you shrug your shoulders, avoiding his gaze as leni’s loud squeals fill the open arena as nick passes a puck to her and she stops it with her ballet slipper-covered foot. she looks up at her father’s teammates for approval, grinning widely when they all cheer for her. johnny’s glove-covered finger pokes at your side, “hey, there’s a sweatshirt in my stall. go and grab it.”

“i’m not cold, john,” the lie slips from your lips and you can tell by the look on his face that he doesn’t buy it in the slightest. michigan had just reached its transitional period from summer to fall and while you were outside, your leggings and t-shirt were fine. however, walking into yost, a room full of ice, did not pair well with your bare arms. “i swear-”

“go get it or i’m going for you,” he raises an eyebrow and when you keep your feet planted in your spot, he sighs. “you’re so stubborn, y/n.”

you turn your attention back to leni and the boys, not watching as he stomps past on his skates in the direction of the locker room, “and you’re kind of a dick, john.”

he wasn’t a dick. the furthest thing from it really. well, these days anyway.

you’d been watching leni since she was only a couple of months old, having been recruited because you knew one of the upperclassmen at the time when you and johnny were both freshman and johnny was in between babysitters for her. from the moment you met leni, she had you wrapped around her tiny little finger (just like she did with everyone) and johnny, just a few months shy of turning nineteen and still working out how to balance hockey while raising leni on his own, with bags under his eyes and a scratchy voice, grunted out, “when can you start?”

you’re alone for only a minute before dylan skates up, a lopsided grin on his lips, “have you considered my proposal any?”

“yes dylan, and i don’t care if it will make my tuition any cheaper,” you sigh, “i’m not going to marry you.”

he pouts, watching as you take a seat on the bench and tuck your hands under your legs in an attempt to warm them, “why not?”

“because you’re just too young for me,” you tell him and when he opens his mouth to argue, he’s interrupted by the sound of skates making their way down the hallway. johnny emerges and drops the sweatshirt into your lap without uttering a single syllable before hitting the ice again. he skates in the direction of his daughter and she beams as he picks her up and carries her away from the gaggle of boys that have taken part in raising her over the last three years. your cheeks burn as you pull the team issued sweatshirt over your head, johnny’s number bold on your left arm on. you click your tongue, “i don’t want to hear it.”

dylan makes a face, “don’t want to hear what?”

“whatever you’re going to say.”

“i just can’t believe you two haven’t, like, at least hooked up yet,” your mouth falls open and he chuckles, “it’s so obvious that you two are into one another. so why not stop making everyone watch this- whatever it is and just get down to business?”

it’s your turn to make a face, “it’s not like that. i just babysit leni-”

“y/n, respectfully, i don’t think either of you could see the ocean if you were on a boat in the middle of it,” he sighs leaning over the barrier, “you didn’t hear this from me, but i’ve been here less than two months and i’ve been able to put two and two together and it’s not even something i’m involved in. you may be choosing not to see it, but he looks at you like you hung the moon.”

“i-” you try to find the words to object to his claim but you can’t and just in the nick of time, johnny comes gliding over with leni beaming in his arms.

“don’t you have drills or something to be doing, duke?” johnny quirks an eyebrow as he sets leni carefully down on the barrier, smoothing out her lavender tutu for her when she makes a noise of disapproval when it’s wrinkled.

“what? this isn’t family skate anymore?” dylan asks, looking between you and johnny. when he doesn’t get a laugh from either of you, only an ice-cold stare from leni’s dad, he clears his throat and nods his head towards center ice, “i’m gonna go do drills now.”

“that would be smart,” johnny nods in approval, turning his attention to you. his eyes take in you and his sweatshirt and he smirks, “so you were cold.”

you roll your eyes, ignoring his statement when you ask, “do you want me to take len now so you can get back to practice?”

“actually, we-”

“come get pizza?” leni asks, eyes wide as she waits for your answer.

“you want to go get pizza?” you ask for confirmation and her brown curls bob atop her head as she nods. “i don’t know len, i’m still full from that cake pop earlier-”

“she was asking, i’m not. you’re coming.”

and that’s how you found yourself across from johnny and leni in a booth at her favorite pizza parlor barely an hour later after johnny had convinced whoever he needed to convince to let him leave early. honestly, he had taken leni with him and he likely just told her to bat her eyes and pout her lips and plead with them to ‘let daddy go’ and they just did. she was a weapon.

you’re watching leni color a picture of a dalmatian when your phone lights up beside you. you look over and when you see that it’s from dylan, you roll your eyes and look at it anyway. it’s a picture of him and who you can only assume is his father, but it’s the background that makes you swallow the lump in your throat. it’s you and johnny, your arms wrapped loosely around his waist while his are draped delicately over your shoulders. your head is pressed against his chest while you’re looking over at his brother (who wasn’t pictured) who was holding onto a barely awake leni, but all of johnny’s attention is on you. his usual, stone-cold expression is replaced with a warm smile as he looks down at you. you remember that day, it was only last weekend.

dylan sends a second message, words this time, the moon, and suddenly you’re hyper-aware of the way that johnny is resting his foot against your ankle even though there’s plenty of room in the booth. suddenly you’re aware that you’re still wearing his sweatshirt even though it’s fairly warm in the pizza parlor. suddenly you’re aware that this is everything that you’ve been wanting for the last three years. and suddenly,

you’re aware that you’re in love with john beecher.