#but some people just open their mouths and beautiful music comes out and it’s incredible

[h0neyfreak]

I know it’s usually coming from a good/nice place but the idea that there’s no such thing as talent has become something really cynical and kind of sad. “oh anyone could do that with the same time/resources/education/practice” you believe that?? In your heart????? that there is nothing unique or special to people’s abilities?????? that there is something shameful in knowing someone who was born to see the world in just the right way to get calculus or write a heartbreaking novel or grow beautiful flowers??? idk I just feel like “it’s not talent it’s practice” is boiling down the human experience into a series of observable inputs and outputs

[gorgonwrites]

neuvillette headcanons

NSFW below the cut! minors DNI. 18+

author's note: ME AND BESTIE BACK AT IT AGAIN! oh gods, this beautiful dragon man. he deserves everything and then even more. my best friend and i are probably going to do more headcanons for more genshin characters, so expect those from me soon. enjoy! <3

So shy and timid when it comes to showing affection for another person. He’s always learning, but love is a foreign feeling to him. 

We already know it, but the man is the most respectful damn gentleman you’d ever find. Always opens doors for his partner, has his hand on the small of their back to guide them, and he offers his arm when out walking. He speaks gently, and is an excellent listener.

Has a serious shrimp allergy. He doesn’t feel like he’s missing much, though.

He hates being the center of attention, and it can even cause some mild anxiety if he’s caught off guard. Sure, he’s the Iudex and Sovereign of Fontaine, but if he’s not in the courtroom don’t expect him to draw attention to himself. 

Always sneezes in threes–  no more, no less. He has a dedicated handkerchief he carries with him everywhere to cover his mouth, and is always as quiet as possible as to not draw attention to it. If he’s in court and it happens, the entire audience blesses him. He used to ignore it, but he’s grown quite fond of the gesture and takes it as a small human act of kindness. As a result, if he’s ever in earshot when someone else sneezes he’s the first one to give them a blessing. He never skips over an opportunity to sow the seeds of kindness wherever he goes.

He’s learning how to cook. Not horrible at it, but he loves the idea of food inspiring community. He dreams of gathering the people he cares about most and cooking them all a yummy meal one day.

Can sing! And has such a pretty voice. He also has an affinity for most musical instruments he picks up. He’s quite used to the melusines asking him to sing them to sleep. 

Hardly ever gets sick (he does get stress fevers quite easily), but is used to caring for himself if he needs to. The first time he lets his partner care for him when he’s ill, he almost chokes on the vulnerability that starts to creep out of his bones.

Loves his hair being brushed or played with. This is another instance where he begins to feel vulnerable– he tries to avoid the feeling the best he can, but as he grows comfortable with his partner, he allows the feeling to make a permanent home in his chest. 

He loves being held. Even as big as he is, nothing stops him from curling up into his partner's arms to let his work fade away from his whirling thoughts. He has to grow accustomed to the closeness at first, but soon he can’t end a single day without at least having a few quiet moments in his partner’s embrace.

Receiving love, Neuvillette needs physical touch, quality time, and acts of service. He gives words of affirmation and acts of service to show his love. 

nsfw below <3

Has a beautiful blue marking between his belly button and his cocks that depicts his sovereign symbol.  

Neuvi’s ears, neck, and horns are extremely sensitive. Don’t mess with them unless you’re ready to have your brains fucked out. 

Has a praise kink (giving and receiving). Any kind of encouragement goes straight to his dicks. 

On that note- he absolutely has more than one cock. He’s usually so gentle, but if he’s worked into a frenzy he might just try to shove both cocks in at once. 

Has a rut cycle. When he’s not in his rut, he’s an incredibly soft lover. When he IS in his rut, don’t expect to be able to walk anywhere for a few days once his rut is over. 

Has a mild breeding kink. Sometimes he can’t help but think about his partner big and round with his child and it quite literally fries his brain a bit when he thinks too much about it. 

Aftercare once his rut is over is GOD TIER. Hot bubble baths, hair washing, massages, snacks, cuddles. The WORKS. He takes his time soothing his partners after completely wrecking them. 

ASS MAN!!! 

Has a serious overstim kink, both giving and receiving. One orgasm is simply just never enough (or two, or three, or four…). 

Is almost always dominant in his sexual encounters. He can be rough, yes, but he’s never mean. Think pleasure dom or service top. 

Has a body worship kink. He thinks humans are beautiful creatures and always wants to explore every inch of his partners when he can. 

Loves going down on his partner– probably his favorite thing ever after discovering it. 

TANTRIC SEX

Has a tail that occasionally makes an appearance if he gets too worked up. He WILL use it to fuck his partner silly. 

BITING. He loves leaving bites anywhere he can, even if no one else can see them. 

Will only take one life partner, though he may play with other people if allowed. Once he’s formed the bond with his life partner, they won’t ever be replaced. 

Will only allow his life partner to dom him. If he’s ever topped or dommed, it's a deliberate act of giving away his power to someone he trusts completely. These are some of the rarest moments where he willingly lets his worries and vulnerability spill out, and those moments are reserved for one person only. 

in conclusion, he is quite literally the best man ever.

[forteafy]

1 with Carlos or 5 with Fernando. Or maybe both if you can find inspiration 🤭

CS55 x 'You say you want to get over me?” “Yes.” “So why haven’t you?” “Because it’s you. Because whatever you do, I’m gonna come back to you, no matter what. And I’m trying so hard not to do that but… It’s you. It’s just you. You’re the reason why I can’t get over you.'

I'm in love with the smooth operator, your honour.

You knew the fifth shot was a bad idea. By the ninth? Your mind could barely correlate the link between your feet and the floor. 

You hadn’t been to Monaco in so, so long. The last time you came was on vacation with your ex boyfriend; it had been a weekend of walks, champagne, slow dancing and secret sex on his teammates boat. Charles would never forgive you for that one, his precious yacht had been christened in more ways than one. 

Charlotte had caught you by storm; a few phone calls and a promise of a night out so incredible, it would render every other evening numb, you’d been on a plane instantly, falling into your close friends arms, surrounded by a gaggle of girls, cooing about how you were glowing after…recent events. 

The night in question had been what Charlotte promised; loud music, screams and cheers whilst dancing in a group, even chatting to the occasional stranger about the busy streets. However, one cocktail had turned into two, two into three…it was always a slippery slope where expensive drinks and shots were involved. 

The brunch you had all booked for the next day seemed well out of question.

Three of the girls had already vanished; presumably heading home with different men, possibly with one another. Charlotte was gossiping with two girls sat on a table. She’d beckoned you over, but instead you’d wandered away; drunken mind mesmerised by lights. 

You would have probably wandered right out into the cool streets of Monaco, if a body hadn’t collided with yours. A light whine emitted from your lips, looking up, ready for a drunken apology to stumble out of your lips. Instead, your mouth hung open, breath caught from seeing those brown eyes. Those you were oh-so-familiar with. 

“Carlos.” You whisper, a slight sway still in your step. You had to be drunk, blackout drunk, to be seeing the figure of your ex-boyfriend stood in front of you. Frozen in your spot, the trance was broken when a figure appeared from behind him, eyes brightened to see you.

“Hey! Charlotte mentioned you were with her!” Charles calls out, grin resting on his face. “I came to get her- Carlos is visiting us for a few days.” 

Your mind couldn’t put the pieces together in that moment. Charlotte, your supposed best friend, had made sure you came to visit whilst Carlos was in Monaco. If you didn’t know her better, you’d say she was playing matchmaker, even after your intense speech of how adamant you were to get over the spaniard. 

“Yeah- she’s-“ You can’t get your words out, too drunk to comprehend any form of communication. Charles nods to his friend, silently hoping despite it all, he’ll stay with you whilst he goes to find his own intoxicated girlfriend. 

Carlos is nothing, if not a gentleman. Gently, he rests a hand on your lower back. The warmth radiates through the sheer silk of your dress. He thinks you look beautiful like this. Hair messy, makeup smudged, the lines on your face from how much you had been laughing alongside your friends.

“Let’s get you outside.” He speaks above the thump of the music deeper inside the club. “You need some air.”

The cold air dances across your skin the moment the two of you step out from behind the heavy doors. Carlos is already tinted a light shade of red from being inside the room for less than five minutes. His eyes scan over you, arm held out as you tentatively cling to it, stumbling like a baby’s first step. 

Carefully, the man leads you away from the direct entrance, giving you some space between the crowds of people. The cold air and movement gives into a sudden wave of nausea. Your body can’t control it, leaning over to the side of the road, trying your hardest not to make a mess. 

A gentle sigh is heard from behind you, soft hands holding your hair back, a warm hand on your shoulder. The comfort, you don’t deserve it. 

You eventually pull yourself back up, turning to thank the man in question. However, before you can say anything, one arm is resting around your waist, keeping you from stumbling, the other is resting on your cheek, his thumb gently stroking over you. 

“Why do you do this to yourself?” He murmurs, eyes soft, seeing the girl he cares so deeply for in this position. “Why?” 

“Trying.” You mumble in response. “Trying to stop thinking about you.” 

Carlos isn’t aware of Charlotte’s plan. When she had mentioned going out with you that evening, he had thought you were in Monaco as a happy accident. He had intended to come and see you, maybe ask if you’d like to go out for a drink. Maybe when he did, he’d change the idea to coffee. Alcohol didn’t seem to be the best idea anymore. 

“You say you want to get over me?” He mumbles, face closer to you, trying to find some emotion in your eye. 

“Yes.”

“So why haven’t you?” 

“Because it’s you. Because whatever you do, I’m gonna come back to you, no matter what. And I’m trying so hard not to do that but… It’s you. It’s just you. You’re the reason why I can’t get over you.”

The sudden explosion of words from your hazarded mind causes a trigger inside you. Tears begin to litter your lower lash line. Carlos has always hated seeing girls cry, especially those he cares about. Without thinking, he pulls you into his chest, quiet hushes, one hand brushing across the back of your head. 

“Don’t get over me.” He pleads, his own voice cracking. “Don’t. Because I could never get over you.”

[chansbabygirlsstuff]

Just a bet.... Chapter 1

Boring, that's how I describe math class, the teacher shits on us for not remembering the formula for x or whatever she is blabbering about.

let me explain how college works for me, There are always groups of everything and clubs for anything, for example, the soccer majors, you know the leaders there are amazingly fit and all, all the girls there want them for their own, but that's not how it works in here then you have the dance majors  who are incredibly sexy because the way they move is so ugh.....and music majors hot af, science majors they are actually the funniest and smartest of all the uni, theater majors, dramatic af, psychology majors they only read your mind and always so nosy in whatever is going around because they are 'trying to understand whats going on in their heads so they can solve it ', law majors super gossips, and more, you know at the end it's a university and there is lots of stuff to study. 

My name is Y/n and I'm a law major currently in my 2nd year here, but I really don't have friends, just being around so many people is not a good influence all the time but people talk to me sometimes ( when they need something from you)  some girls in my major are amiable and cute so maybe they are not a bad influence.

"Y/n" Yuna screamed my name from across the class making people look at her and then at me, as she walked towards me with her friend group: Tzuyu, Mina, and Lia.

"hey girl you still up for studying in the library?" "Sure" you answered remembering that they invited you to study yesterday for a group project. you stand up and follow them out of the class to change your path to go to your locker, as you put your stuff away you hear loud laughs and teasing between a group of boys passing through the hallways behind you, the sassy, fun, amiable guys at the school, the popular Boys they are pretty chill but of course, they have there bad shit like hookups during the week with different girls and then leaving them heartbroken after

Seugmin is a baseball major he pretty cool ngl, then there is Lee Know a dance major, Felix in computer science major, Han, Chanbing, and Bang Chan are Music majors but they also studying something else Han is in a Scientific major and Chanbing is in Economics Chan is in Business and then there's  I.N who also studies law and Hyunjin who is in soccer major and Accounting.

"Y/nnnnnnn" Hyunjin comes running toward me with a cute smile and a wobbly run and grabs me from my shoulders moving me side to side as I almost lose balance "What do you want Hwang?" I said annoyed because he only talks to me to annoy me or ask me for something, like last time...

Flashback* 

"Y/nnnnnn," he says screaming from the end of the hallway as I turn to him and say, "What Hwang?" I looked dead into his eyes "Oh don't be mean to me you love me" he said dramatically" " I just wanted to borrow 20 bucks please" he begged "For what?" he stayed silent and said "Well I bet Han that he couldn't fit his whole hand in his mouth and he did it but now it's stuck so Lee know is taking to the hospital, but now I owe that dumb fuck 20 bucks and I didn't bring cash with me, so please have mercy with this beautiful soul in front of you"he pouted his lips and gave the puppy eys as he almost kneeled down "fine! you better give them back tomorrow or you dead meat" I warned him as he left smiling and blowing a kiss at me jokingly 

End of Flashback*

"So... I bet I.N to do karaoke night yesterday at his house and I would've done his statistics homework but now I'm too tired to do it and it has Law examples, you and he study that so can I please copy yours for him" he pouted his lips as I sighed and open my locker to give him my notebook "thank you so much I owe you so much girl," he said screaming and running towards his next class as I got to mine.

12:05 pm 

it was lunchtime time so I went out to a cafe to get myself caffeine for the rest of the day and a chicken sandwich "That will be 14.99" the cashier said to me as I opened my wallet to get my card "I'll pay for that" a man next to me swiped his card for my order before I could even say anything "ok perfect please wait on the line and your stuff will be here soon" the girl said with a smile and left.

the man looked at me and smiled "Chan?" I asked confused as to why he was there and why he paid for my order "Hey, what up?" he said casually as he leaned against the table  "Can I get the same please?" he said to the cashier as he paid his stuff, "umm why did you pay for my things? I was going to do it" I told him while he smiled and told me "You Hyujins friend right? Y/n?"

I looked at him suspiciously and said "Yes and no I'm not giving homework for free" "Technically is not free, I just paid for your meal, but I'm not here for any favours no worries" He said as we took a seat in one of the tables, I ate my food feeling weird cause wtf do he want now? " so is there anything you need?" I said and he looked taken back at my comment that yeah... it was kinda rude.

"no nothing I just saw you were a good friend of Hyunjin's and you seem like a fun friend to have around, so I wanted to be friends with you too," he says smiling at me as I looked confused at him "Plus you're cute," he says with a little smirk appearing in his face "No seriously what do you need?" I said a bit annoyed by his comment and he just chuckled "Nothing relax I just want to be friends, as I said you look like a fun girl" he said as we continued eating, and then before I was finished someone entered the cafe "Chan my man" they fist bombed as the other male sits " hi in Han, your Hyujins friend right?" "OK, what does Hyunjin need now? cause this is weird"

"what do you mean? can we just talk to you?" Han said as he looked offended by my feistiness, I put my head down in shame but you can't trust these guys, they are always up to no good, as I tried to finish my food and just replied to their questions and small talk I got up and picked my stuff "ok I need to go, class is going to start soon, it was nice meeting you all" "let me take you to class" Chan said as he got up to accompany me but I stopped him before anything else "oh you don't have to don't worry I have to go to the library to study anyways" "I was heading there, lets study together" he said keeping up with me as I walked " I have a project with the girls so you will be stuck listening to us, so if your planning to pay attention to what your studying then I recommend to study in another table, they can be loud sometimes" " no worries I would like to learn what you know" he smiles as he follows me, why is he acting as he knew me since forever? doesn't he know that he looks like a creep who is about to kidnap a 23 female or what?.

[scholastic-dragon]

hey!! is it alright if i asked for like a fluffy 'nd angsty kinda songfic with the reader referring or viewing the bay!tmnt with the lyrics, "your beauty never, ever scared me." by Ghost's Mary On A Cross? (bc im pretty sure they all share an insecurity abt their specie and physical appearance yk but reader loves n reassures them ,, thank you!!! <3)

I absolutely agree, they definitely have a lot of insecurities about how they look.

I'm doing this as a Turtle of Choice thing, so you can imagine your favorite dude <3

This is heavily inspired by @turtle-babe83 post about insecurities but for the S/O not from the boys. (Please click the link her works are so good!)

Turtles x Gn!reader

Beauty

Word Count: 822

Warnings: insecure turtles, them being soft bois, established relationship, first "I love yous", spelling mistakes

Summary: after hearing a lyric from your favorite song, your boyfriend opens up.

Spring cleaning.

Worst time of the year because it comes right after seasonal depression and cabin fever which beat your ass. Every. Single. Year.

But now you had a boyfriend to help with all your chores and keep you...mostly...on track.

He offered a helping hand when needed, willing to do anything and everything you asked. Even if it was just sitting on your bed whole you folded laundry.

He knew you struggled a lot and if he could help you in any way he would.

Now it was late evening, the sun was setting, turning the sky pink, orange, and purple, and small stats were appearing in the sky.

You two were washing the dishes, listening to your favorite Playlist. You would scrub and rise the dishes then hand them to him, he would dry them and then put them away.

It was a perfect system, keeping you focused but making it a little fun. You'd tell him about your day, why this plastic cup was your favorite, or why you loved a certain song.

He found it so endearing listening to you talk about your interests and to do simple mundane things with you.

"Oh, I love this one!" You happily start humming and mouthing the words.

It was cute watching his face try to figure out if he knew the song and try to hear the words. His brows furrowed and he gently swayed to the music.

"It's from tiktok," You lean in, whispering as if it were some great secret.

He nodded, the gears finally clicking in his head.

"I would've gotten it," He mumbled, drying off a glass cup and putting it in the corner cabinet by your side.

"Eventually," You add, nudging his arm playfully. He laughed, taking the plate from your hands.

"Oh, this line reminds me of you," You gently touch his arm. He lowers his arms, still holding the towel and plate, listening to the song coming from your small speaker.

🎶"Your beauty never ever scared me," 🎶

You saw the moment the words registered in his mind. The way his mouth opened slightly, his eyes going slightly wide, the sharp inhale.

"That-that line?" He asked, cautiously. "Reminds you of me?"

You nod, as if it were something simple.

"But....But, I'm, well you know," Setting the plate down he awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck.

"What? Incredibly handsome? Yes I know,"

"No, I mean," You could tell from his tone he was being serious. You turned off the sink and set your dishcloth down.

"I'm not human, Y/n, I'm a...I'm a turtle and I can't ever give you things that normal people can,' He held up his hands, fingers splayed as if he didn't recognize them.

"You've given me more than I could ever want," You gently touch his forearm, meeting his eyes. "More then I've ever gotten from a "normal" relationship, you're my everything,"

"But I-" He tried to fight again, feeling his stomach and chest tighten with anxiety.

"You are the love of my life, my best friend and everything I could ever want from a partner. I don't care that you're a turtle, I don't care that you're green or have two fingers or a shell. You have a massive heart and one of the kindest souls I have ever met. You have an amazing family that loves you dearly and you make me so happy." Your hand came up, two fingers pushing his lips together to stop him. "I love you and I couldn't imagine my life without you,"

Your voice cracked, lowering your hand as he exhaled.

"I love you too," He was quick to respond, leaning in and pulling you in for a tight embrace. "You've given me everything too,"

Burying your face in his neck, you both stand there for a moment, just enjoying each other's warmth.

"How about we make a deal," You offer, pulling away from him slightly, still in his large arms. "I promise to work on my insecurities, and you promise to work on yours as well. Because we don't have to do this alone and we can rely on one another for whatever we need," looking up at him you press your chin on his chest, feeling his heartbeat.

"Deal," He leaned down, you pressed up on your tip toes and gave him a big kiss. Showing him how much you love and care for him.

"Hey," He pulled away, rubbing his nose against yours.

"'Hey' what?" You ask, pecking his lips then the tip of his nose.

"I love you," He murmured, giggling softly.

"I love you too," You laugh with him, kissing him again. And again. And again.

You kissed him enough times to wash away any and all negative thoughts he'd ever had. Reminding him how much he meant to you. How much you cared for him. How much you loved him.

[givemea-dam-break]

ephemeral - chapter one

a/n: hello everyone!! finally had some inspiration, so this will be the first part of a lockwood x reader multipart series!! i hope you enjoy!!

warning: angst, mild language gn reader

full collection: here

It's a warm day out, and you can feel the heat of it even deep within the kitchen at Arif's, intensified by the humming ovens. Sunlight beams through the open window, and you can faintly hear singing birds within the bustling noise out in the front of the store. Summertime is always busy, and although not many people can actually sit in, queues are often out the door, bringing with them loud conversations and whispered gossip.

Soft music plays from a speaker as you roll out some dough, hands dusted in flour, and you find yourself quietly singing along. The smell of pastries of all kinds baking is soothing.

You're the only one working in the back. Arif is dealing with orders at the counter. Kate and Lana are off running deliveries. Jack is on holiday, revelling somewhere in the Scottish countryside. But you don't mind. Even with all the customers, the rush is something you've grown used to over the past few months, and you've found ways to manage it. The less you rush, the quicker the food gets done, as strange as it sounds.

When Arif appears in the kitchen doorway, your hands are buried in a fresh batch of dough you're in the middle of making.

Arif's a big guy, but he's got a sweet face and an incredible recipe book, so it's no wonder he's so popular in this part of London. Even though he's been working out front, he wears his trademark pink apron that had been a gift from you and the others for his birthday. He's smiling, rubbing his hands together enthusiastically. A habit, you've found, when he's about to start baking.

"Shift swap?" you say.

He nods. "A few customers sitting in, but the queue has died down for now. I'll wait out front while you clean up."

It doesn't take long to finish making the dough and clean your hands. Swiftly, you swap your flour-covered apron for your front-of-house one, which looks much more presentable, but Arif still has to dust flour from your hair as you pass him.

It's routine now. Come to the bakery in the morning, work the kitchen until lunch, and then swap into the front until closing. Surprisingly, it took only a few days for you to fall into the routine, despite the dozens of late nights you worked in your previous position, and you've found yourself enjoying it.

Even if you have to hear his voice almost every day.

He comes in around ten in the morning, so it's not like you have to see him or be the one to serve him. Usually, you're in the middle of making a fresh batch of pain au chocolat or scones, depending on what day it is and which regulars have arrived, and you know that that's down to Arif's rota. Unknowingly, he's saved you a lot of unease. You're not even sure that he's aware you work here now.

But today is the exception.

You're in the middle of refilling the display cases with doughnuts and croissants when he appears, framed with beautiful golden sunlight. His hair falls over his forehead, brushing just above his dark eyes, lined with thick lashes. The past few months of summer heat have not permitted him a tan, but there are a few very faint freckles on the bridge of his nose. And despite the temperature, he still wears that ridiculously long greatcoat.

"Surely you're melting in that," you say, closing the case and coming to stand by the till. "It's twenty-five degrees out."

It's now that you notice the frozen look of shock on his face. His eyebrows, barely visible under his hair, are almost comical in their position, raised halfway up his head, and his mouth hangs open slightly.

"(name)," he says after opening and closing his mouth a few times. "I didn't - um, where's Arif?"

"In the back making the goods." You keep your voice light, but it's easy to pick out the undertone of strain in it.

You haven't seen Anthony Lockwood in eight months. Yes, you've heard his voice frequently when he's come to place orders. Yes, you've even made his orders - and been tempted to replace the almond sauce he likes with lemon - but it's insanely different from standing in front of him now. Even though he's uncharacteristically quiet, all you can hear is your last conversation together and the horrible things you both said.

"What can I get you?" you ask, trying to shove down the awkward tension that's forming between you both. "Just the usual?"

"You know my order?"

"I've been making it for the past eight months. And I also used to be on the receiving end of the deliveries." Already, you're typing it into the register. "Two jam doughnuts, one glazed, half a dozen almond fingers, and three croissants, all for delivery, right?"

He looks even more shocked than when he first saw you. "Uh, yes, please... Oh, and -"

"Three teas to go?"

That part isn't memorised because of your job. That part you know from your time spent at Portland Row. You know exactly how much milk to put in each cup.

"Erm, yeah, if you wouldn't mind."

"I don't mind at all. In fact, I get paid for this."

He hands you the money for the total order, and you print out the delivery order, slipping it through a small window behind the counter that leads to the kitchen. Arif's hand, covered in chocolate chip cookie dough, snatches it away.

Lockwood stands as you fill the to-go cups with tea and milk, and he watches carefully as you squeeze a dollop of honey into one of them.

"You know," he says, "I've actually been looking for you. We need to talk."

You hand him the cookies, eyeing the bakery door. "Yes, well, you've found me, but talking will have to wait. I've got customers to serve."

As if on cue, a short old woman, one of your favourite regulars, clears her throat behind Lockwood. Next to him, she looks tiny, but the look on her face has him shuffling to the side and out of the way.

"Just the usual, Nancy?"

She nods, and you type in her order.

"When do you finish?" Lockwood asks as you step back over to the coffee machine and begin making the order. You take a few cookies out of the case as you wait.

"That's for me to know," you say. Then, plastering on your customer service smile, "Thank you for popping in. See you around."

But he doesn't leave yet. He watches as you serve the next few customers, only hesitating when the queue begins building up again for the lunchtime rush. Relief overtakes you when he does leave, finally free from the weight of his gaze, and you can breathe again.

You're not very lucky, though.

An hour later, he reappears just shortly after the rush has died down and there are only a couple of customers left, sitting and chatting at the tables. He saunters up to the counter, filled with the confidence he lacked earlier.

But you know him. You can see that it's not entirely genuine from the way his fingers discreetly tug on his pocket zip and fiddle with the hilt of his gleaming rapier.

"Hello. What can I get for you?"

"A few minutes of your time."

Resisting the urge to roll your eyes, you say, "I'm afraid that'll be quite expensive. And, unless you're going to order any food or drinks, it's also quite improbable that you'll get that order."

"Fine. I'll have one of those."

Your eyes follow his pointed finger and you raise your brows. "Apricot Danish? Lockwood, you don't like apricot."

"Lovely of you to remember. I'll have one anyways."

Begrudgingly, you pluck one out of the case and place it in a little box once he's handed you the money owed. The whole time, his eyes follow you.

"Now, how about those few minutes of your time?"

You almost smile, ready to tell him that you've no time to spare, and another customer is entering the bakery, but Kate, one of your coworkers, appears, smiling.

"I've finished deliveries," she says, brushing her dark hair into a ponytail. "Arif says you're on break."

The look you give her is murderous, but she only grins, nudging you out of the way as she pulls on a pair of gloves and greets the next customer. Lockwood looks slightly too happy.

"Go sit somewhere," you grumble. "Give me a minute."

He disappears, and you huff as you tear off your gloves and apron.

Although it's been over half a year since your fight, seeing Lockwood brings it all up to the surface, bubbling and boiling. Your skin feels hot with anger and sorrow you haven't felt for a good while, fresh as if you've been transported back to the day it all happened.

Lockwood is sitting at one of the corner tables, far from the other customers, nudging the box holding his purchase. At the sight of your approach, he perks up, donning that infamous white-toothed smile of his.

"Here you go." He pushes the box over as you sit.

You stare at him. "What?"

"For you. You used to get them all the time."

Part of you wants to leap with joy at the fact that he remembers a small detail like that, but it's squashed almost instantaneously by your anger and confusion. You don't touch the box as if it is contaminated. It hurts that someone so distant from you now remembers such a thing.

"What do you want?"

"We need to talk."

"Yes, you've mentioned. We're currently talking."

He shoots you a look, but there's no anger behind it. Not even frustration. "I need your help. We need your help."

"We being you, Lucy, and George?"

"Yes."

"And what makes you think I'll help you?"

The question stumps him, but he recovers quickly, brushing imaginary dust off his pristine white shirt. It's infuriating how the sunlight hits his face, emphasising all of his perfect features. His eyes sparkle like molten bronze.

"It's a big case, a lot of money involved, and you could get a decent cut of it. There are some things we need, but that involves -" He lowers his voice, leaning close to you - "stealing." Sitting back again, he speaks normally once more. "Now, if this were any normal case, we'd be fine on our own. But it's not a normal case. The documents we need are at the Rotwell building, and nobody knows that building like you do."

You cross your arms. "You're telling me all of this as if I'd accept. Judging from the fact that you want me to steal from the second-largest agency in the country, it'll most likely be a pretty dangerous job and, while that would rack up a lot of money, I'm sure you can tell that I'm not an agent anymore. I'm rusty."

"(name), you know I wouldn't be here asking you for help unless we really needed it."

"The last time we saw each other, you called me a hindrance to the team and demanded I leave lest I kill myself or the others."

He winces. "And if I remember correctly, you called me, and I quote, 'a massively conceited asshole who cares more about his company's status than the lives of his agents'."

"And I'd say it again. But if I'm such a problem, why come to try and hire me again?"

"It's temporary," Lockwood says. "And, like I said, you know Rotwell's just as well as George knew Fittes', if not better. We need this information."

"What do I get out of it? Peace from you? A written apology?"

"A cut of the money."

"Yes, you said, but do you really think that a sum of money is going to console me when I'm working with the guy who fired me because of a small slip-up?"

"It wasn't small -"

"It most certainly was. Do you think I meant to trip over Lucy? The iron circle had been fixed immediately, and no one other than me was hurt. My arm was in full working order a week after it happened, thank you for asking."

He's quiet for a minute, pondering, but his eyes are unnerving. They follow your every move as if waiting for you to pounce. You don't miss the way his fingers tap on the table, a tell-tale sign of his nerves.

"You won't see me again."

"What?"

"You heard me." He finally looks away, finding the Apricot Danish more interesting than you. "I'll make sure you don't see me again. Things ended badly, worse than they should've, and there's obviously still a lot of animosity on your part, so I'll stay away until you're ready to speak to me again, or forever if I have to."

Forever...

A small part of you, the same part that enjoyed the feeling of being known, is screaming, begging you not to accept. But, at the same time, it's painful merely sitting in front of him right now, and, if he's offering you peace from that, you should take it. It won't take long to get this job out of the way, and then you can be free of him.

"You don't have to decide right now," he clarifies. "But, if you accept the offer, come to the house once your shift finishes. We can discuss things then."

As he stands, he pushes the box holding the Danish closer to you.

Then, with a swift brush of air, he's gone, leaving nothing but a sense of... confusion, anger, and a little lingering absence, in his wake.

<- full collection part 2 ->

[landwriter]

Are you doing the Spotify wrapped thing as well? If so, could I ask for the Nr. 4? If not, just ignore this, it's just that I have resigned myself to appear as the greedy being I apparently am and figured I'd just ask.

greedy beings unite <3

this is the incredible, perfect, flawless Hot Knife by Fiona Apple. i would write a meta/personal history on it

originally i was going to sort of throw up my hands and say it's just oaths - it is so incredibly oaths: two people who are very much a bit unhinged by one another, both hot knife and butter at once, hearts made cinemascopes etc.

BUT - butter, okay, hot knives, ok, perhaps - Hob is a scruffy professional baker who owns a little patisserie and Dream is a miserable IP lawyer at his family's law firm, which is incidentally located only two blocks away on the other side of a small city park.

Perhaps - one day a harried Matthew bursts in to Hob's bakery and says, since it's empty, and he has a flair of the dramatic, "I need all of your croissants for my lawyers." The caterer hadn't shown up and Matthew had actually been jogging down the street in his dress shoes and panicking when he saw Hob's storefront. The meeting starts in ten minutes.

"How many?" asks Hob.

"Lawyers, or croissants?"

And so Matthew leaves three minutes later with two dozen croissants, muffins, and a couple palmiers for good measure, as well as a sympathetic grin. When Dream, who is hanging on by, and I cannot stress this enough, an absolute thread, absent-mindedly shoves a blueberry muffin in his mouth, he pulls out his phone right in the prep meeting and texts Matthew at his desk: Who made these

Matthew writes a very hot dude who had flour on his face and then decides he likes his job, actually, and texts Dream the name and address of Hob's shop.

Dream means to go, but work comes first, and he keeps finishing long after they're closed. One day he finishes so late it's actually close to the bakery's opening hours, so, exhausted, he decides to show up.

Hob normally wouldn't answer the door except anyone who can knock loud enough to be heard over his music is probably the cops or the fire department - which is enough to get him out of the kitchen, and then when he sees Dream, he decides to open up anyways. He can tell this man isn't up early at 6 AM, he's up late, Hob knows the look - and also, well, he's beautiful, so he unlocks the door while Exodus' Toxic Waltz is blaring from the back, is halfway through apologizing for the mess and music (Why is apologizing? He's not even open yet.)

Dream blinks once, slowly, and when he opens his eyes again he understands he's fallen in love. He puts this knowledge aside for the moment, and stiffly offers his hand to shake (Oh, shit, sorry, yeah, let me just - oh god I've gotten flour on your suit) and introduces himself. "Do you have any more blueberry muffins?"

Hob, even though he has a thousand other things to do, for some reason hears himself saying, "For sure, yeah. I mean. Not right now. But I could. If you want to come in and sit?" and then mortifyingly continuing to say, "I have a coffee machine - I mean, I don't use it, but I have it, I'm pretty sure it works - do you want a coffee, are you going for the full 24 hours thing, or if not, I do also have a shitty couch in the office, you can nap?"

Then he realizes he needs to let go Dream's hand.

And so begins our love story, in the liminal hours between night and day, when Hob wakes up early to bake and Dream finishes work late. They make a routine of it, and although Hob is a little freaked out by Dream's apparently work-life balance and sleeping schedule, he doesn't mind the company, doesn't mind it either when Dream just shuffles to his back room and curls up on his sofa, because at least he's sleeping sometime.

They both try and impress the other - Dream by requesting increasingly obscure confectionery, Hob by nonchalantly making it perfectly. (He thinks he's found the culinary history book Dream is using and is staying one recipe ahead, in secret.) They both challenge each other and get under each other's skin, and think about the other person far, far, too much than appropriate. I think this one would be mostly sweet (ha) but with some proper actual We Can't Be Together Because of X or Y obstacles. I think this is the sort of story where they actually have a huge blowout argument in the second act about, like, the protestant work ethic, because they might be nursing massive crushes, but they also both are nursing massive proprietary feelings as a result, and have very different values surrounding work and hedonism and a life well-lived etc. Do they work it out! I think so! I don't think they can stay apart! And every chapter would be titled after a thematic baked good.

(p.s. alternative song mood for this fic: The National's Fake Empire) (p.p.s. i do imagine dream in this as one of those lawyers who makes buckets of money and drops a LOT of it on his version of therapy, which is gradual progress on like, an entire gorgeous tattoo bodypiece, some gorgeous hyper surreal cosmology thing, and i do think hob accidentally walks into a post one day when he glances into a tattoo shop where dream happens to be having his monthly session)

[romanarose]

Ese Error Es Cosa De Ayer

Jake Lockley X Reader

Masterlist

Summary: After getting your heart broken at a wedding and being left stranded, Jake comes to your rescue.

A/N. So this story is basically what happened to me this weekend. I was just left sobbing outside the hotel, scared and hurt, and the only thing keeping me together was thinking of Jake helping me. So yeah, there's a lot of useless backstory and this incredibly self-indulgent but this event hurt me really, really badly and I needed to write this to comfort myself. So if you hate it, I'm sorry but not sorry. This was for me. I needed to pretend that somewhere, there was a guy who thinks I'm pretty, who thinks I'm kind and would actually respect me enough not to abandon me alone. Shit hurt me really bad and it was scary. No Jake Lockley came for me, but my friend did <3

Anyway, the title is from a Selena song that will be in this fic. Reader speaks some Spanish bc I am learning via doulingo and spainish language music and just from the friends I grew up around so I incorporated some. Translations aren't exact due to the way translation works but I tried my best.

WARNINGS: Broken heart, men being shitty, a lil bit smutty at the end?

IF YOU WANT A PART TWO WITH FULL SMUT, COMMENT AND REBLOG!!! Reblogs are super super important in tumblr world, theres no algorithim like on tik tok. Thank you! I feel way better after writing this

PART 2 IS UP

**********************************************************

You felt like a fucking idiot. Again.

After all these years, no matter how much you had moved on and no matter how little you thought about him and despite having no romantic feelings towards him today, he still managed to hurt you.

Again!

It had been 3 fucking years since you had any contact with him whatsoever, but when you got the wedding invite for two of your old friends, you immidetly knew you’d see him. His name was David, and he was beautiful. He had these big blue puppy dog eyes and a bright smile that, when focused on you, made you feel like you were the center of the universe. You know the type. You all worked together in college and you quickly caught feelings, before you realized he had a girlfriend. Well, you’re not a homewrecker, so you minded your business. The problem is, you and David had already become friends, and you had become friends with a group of people at the resteraunt. So, you spent many nights with them at bars and watching movies and going to summer events, falling in love despite yourself.

You met David’s girlfriend, Sadie pretty quickly, and you liked her, that’s what really complicated things. Well, that and the fact David and his girlfriend, were miserable. That wasn't you projecting, everyone knew it. You liked both of them individually, but together they were horrible. Both of them would confide issues in you, making things painfully hard when you realized you loved him. And oh, was there so much to love. He was the picture of selfless kindness. But by the end of the year, you felt like boundaries had been crossed. You no longer felt comfortable with trying to fix their relationship, you felt like you were holding it together. 

After one particulary drunk night right before you graduated college, you cried in a barn with another friend about him again, you decided it was time. So you graduated, and left the state. You and Sadie shared facebook comments here and there, but David was no contact. Things ended on a good note. You said goodbye to him one night out at the bars and danced the night away with Sadie. Clean cut. You moved on. You were excited to see them again. They were engaged now. You hoped they worked out their issues, but really it probably had something to do with them having a kid. Oh well, that’s their business.

So why, pray tell, were you crying on the crub of a hotel at midnight?

He had ignored you almost all night. Any attempt to talk to him was cut before you could open your mouth. He always seemed to go somewhere else. Groomsmen duties and whatnot. He had other people to talk to. When you saw him standing up there on the altar with his friend, you were delighted and relieved to realize that, although he was as beautiful as the day you left, you felt nothing but the warmth of nostalgia. But when you realized he was ignoring you, when you realized he wouldn’t meet your eye, you were desparate. You needed something, you needed him to ackowlege you somehow. There were brief moments when, after hours of vying for his attention, he gave you a crumb. You felt like a teenager, following her crush like a puppy. 

One of those little crumbs is what led you here.

The night wasn’t too cold, thank god. A nice September evening to be married on. You were in a rust-red dress that showed off your breasts in a classy-but-sexy way and appropriately formal for a hotel reception. There was a chill, but you had a thin shawl wrapped around your shoulders. And thankfully, you had opted to wear boots. Boots with insoles because despite being young, your feet were shit. This would come in handy, because somehow you had to get to your hotel with no access to your money and your car parked at none other than David’s. He fucked you over, leaving you in this position, crying off your make up. 

You had your knees pulled in, your arms crossed on the top and head buried in the arms, sobbing. Bawling was probably a better word. You felt like a fucking idiot for letting him hurt you again. 

You heard a car approach and you tuck your toes in further just to be safe. You heard the window roll down. Great. You thought. Someone to witness my humiliation.

“You alright, Muñeca?”

You look up. It was the oddly handsome limo driver for the wedding. You had chatted with him at a few points during the night. After he drove the wedding party to the hotel, they invited him in for the food and drinks. His name was… Jake? Yeah, Jake. You teased him for drinking on the job (although you think he had maybe one at most), and although he took the gentle ribbing, he also explained that he was technically off the clock. Since it was his own limo business, he’s repaying the bride and groom for their hospitality by driving them to their hotel at the end of the night which was… 45 minuets ago? What was he doing here?

“Cariño, are you okay?” He repeated when you didn’t answer him.

You were exhausted. The dancing and drinking and crying took it all out of you. 

He frowns, stepping out of the limo and taking of his jacket, he wraps it around your shoulders. You didn’t realize your teeth had been chattering. It feels good on your arms. 

You barely manage a thank you.

Jake is slightly bent over, scanning you as you dodge his eyes “Did someone hurt you?” He asks softly, but firm.

You shake your head. “No. Not like that.”

This did was not encouraging. Jake had come back to the venue to grab his flat cap he had left on a table when he saw a girl crying on the street. Never a good sign. When he pulled up closer, even before he saw your face, he realized it was you; the pretty girl who had given him a cookie. This was the nicest wedding party he had ever served. He had never been invited in for the reception before, and everyone was encouraging him to the dance floor. But you, you had brought him a cookie. Why that had stood out to him, he didn’t know. You had talked to him a few times during the night, and had even pulled him to dance the Cotton Eye Joe. He didn’t do the dance (line dancing wasn’t his thing) but he marveled at you as you lead the crowd. You knew the dance and taught everyone the moves, guiding the direction and flow. You had a broad smile on your face the whole time, eyes wide and he just watched, soaking in your lust for life, curly hair flopping around wildly with every move.

Now here you were, crying. He was willing to bet it had something to do that that guy you were following around like a lost puppy all night. He had watched you as you watched him. The man hadn’t heard you when you called ‘Are you going to talk to me at all tonight?’ but Jake did. He didn’t understand why he was ignoring such a pretty, fun loving girl, but when he saw him with another girl, he connected the dots. Jake was willing to bet he could take your mind off him, even if he wasn’t 6’4, but when a slow song came on, the last song, you were gone. The song ended before he could ask you to dance. He partially wished he hadn’t offered the couple a free ride, but the happy young couple was as deserving of a treat as anyone, so he took them home. Jake resigned himself that you had left and he lost his opportunity. Now, seeing you sobbing on the curb, sealing a dance might have been the furthest thing on his mind. When you briefly glanced up at him when he rolled down the window, your eye makeup was all over your face. Not just falling down a stream of tears like in movies, but all over your nose and forehead and temple… and arms and hands. You had been hurt badly. When you didn’t answer him, he stepped out of his limo, trying to see if you had been hurt. In the dark, it was hard to see if you had any bruises, seeing as your make up was everywhere.

“Did someone hit you?”

You shook your head, looking at the ground.

“Did someone touch you?”

You shook your head again.

“Then what happened? A quien tengo que lastimar?” 

A 3rd head shake. “You don’t have to hurt anyone. I was an idiot, that's all.”

“You speak spanish?” He had said that part mostly for himself.

You shrug, the sequins in your shawl shimmer in the street light. “I took Spanish in college and I listen to Spanish language music so it kind stuck… comes in handy at work…”

A pause. “Why are you crying?”

“I told you, I was stupid.”

You said it with such conviction that Jake felt bad for you. “Is it that boy.”

You groan and throw your head on your arms again, crying. 

“Hey now, hey… merida!” Jake panicked. He could handle comforting, he was not good with crying women, unless there was someone nearby that he could punch.

“I must’ve looked really pathetic if you even noticed.”

Does he put his hand on your shoulder? Your hand? Pat your back?? “What happened? I saw he… well he was ignoring you…” He wanted to say I’m sure no one else noticed, I was just watching you intently because you might be the prettiest thing I’ve seen in years. But he didn’t think this would help.

You continue to not look at him. He was so fretfully beautiful, you were sure you couldn’t take it if you saw him in the state you were in. “Yeah. We used to… it’s complicated. But now he’s acting like we were never even friends…”

“Muñeca, I promise you, a man whose attention you have to fight for isn’t a man you want…”

Finally, fucking finally, she looked at Jake, her pretty eyes meeting his. There was the faintest smile quipping on one side of her mouth. It was small, but it reached her eyes. Good, the light was still there. “Thanks mom.” There it was, there was the gentle teasing she had given him sporadically throughout the night when she wasn’t chasing the boy. “But that’s not why I’m crying. Well, that's part of it I guess, but if that was it, I could’ve just waited until I got in my hotel room.”

Jake’s frown deepened. “Then what happened.”

Jake saw your lip quiver. “He left me.” Your voice cracked, a few fresh tears welled up in your eyes, spilling over and onto your dress. Jake looked at you quizzically, urging you on. “His fiance, she got in a fight with a bridesmaid and was leaving. She started walking so I just let her take my car so she’d get home safe, and Davy was supposed to take me home at the end of the night so I could get my car. And he just fucking left and I can’t get ahold of them and I’m stranded here, and I can’t get a lyft because my card is frozen-” Your voice is breaking and there are small choked sobs peaking through the words. “-because the bank seems to think the card was stolen, and I’m stuck here in a city I don’t know!” You break down again. “He couldn’t even look at me all night and then he just fucking leaves me alone here! Like I’m fucking nothing to him!” Your head is in your hands, body wracking in sobs once more.

Jake takes a leap and softly pulls you into a side hug, careful to only touch enough for comfort and not make you nervous. “Pendejo” Jake mutters to himself. He allows you to cry it out again, but as you calm down he starts speaking “That’s a dick move on his part, Cariño. He was going to let his fiancé walk home alone, you were very kind and let her take your car and he leaves you alone here? In a city, I’m guessing you don’t live in?” You shake your head. “Yeah, el hijo de perra es en nino, no un hombre. It’s dangerous out here alone. That’s childish behavior on his part. But-” Jake stands up, extending a hand to you. You take it, feeling the leather as he pulls you up “Don’t worry about getting there, I’ll take you.” He smiled softly. (The son of a bitch is a boy, not a man)

“Jake, you don’t have to-” You start to protest. As shitty as you felt getting left, you also felt awkward with charity.

He held up a finger to stop you. “If you feel uncomfortable getting in a limo with me, you can text the bride or groom where you’ll be, or tell a worker at the venue or a friend. But I’m not leaving you out here.” He looked at you intently “I’m not him.”

You consider this. You hadn’t even thought that you should be nervous alone with a strange man. You trusted him inexplicably. “No estoy seguro… I don’t know if he’s going to answer the door. They aren’t answering my texts.”  (I'm not sure...)

“We’ll figure it out, it’ll be okay.” He looked at you, pleading with you to take him up on it.

“Okay...”

You gave a small smile, and he returned it with a grin. “Perfecto, but first…” He leaned into his limo to grab a few things. You couldn’t help yourself, the way his butt looked in those pants… oh shit he saw you looking. Is that a smirk? Fuck, he’s cute. “Here.” He handed you a few tissues and a small trash bag after you blew your nose. Then he pulled a makeup wipe.

“Why do you have a makeup remover?” You teased. “Pulling a Billy Joel Armstrong with the eyeliner?” Honestly, you’d like too see that…

He chuckled “No, I just have a lot of women in my limo, I like to come prepared. Happy brides and heartbroken teenage girls at prom make good use of it.”

“That’s nice of you.”

Jake shrugged “It’s good business” but you had a feeling it was more than that. “Tilt your head up a bit for me.”

“I can-”

“Up.”

You obeyed. Jake took his gloves off and gently held your face as he cleaned off your face of all the black and brown of your eye make up. As he carefully turned your face in the streetlamp light, you studied his features. He really was handsome, sharp jaw, beautiful eyes and plush lips, oh his lips…. You could imagine how they’d taste… He took a tissue and ever so slightly dabbed it on the wet wipe, then went under your eye. He saw you looking confused “I didn’t want to accidentally get the chemicals in your eye.” He tilted your face by your chin as he finished cleaning you up. “Bella…” he muttered. Shit, was that outloud? Lastly, he took your arms and wiped them down, clean of the makeup you rubbed off onto them. (beautiful)

He threw the items away and held your face in his hands, so close you thought he was going to kiss you. Oh god, you wanted him to kiss you. And Christ, he wanted to kiss you too. So, so bad. But he had a job to do. Generally, when he came to women's rescue, the circumstances were more dramatic and the men a whole lot worse. But you didn’t deserve this. You were a sweet girl, kind. You were only in this position because you let his fiance take your car! And this is how he repays you?

He almost moved in, but stopped himself “Listen to me, Muñeca.” And you were, oh boy you were listening. You hung onto every word. “Never let them see you cry.” 

He swiped his thumb over your cheek, so close to your lips, but not quite. You nod. He takes you around the side and opens the door. You get in and he knees down, gathering the train of your skirt from the ground and safely into the car. He glances up at you, you are nearly in tears again. “What’s wrong?” he asked, panicked.

“Nothing. You’re just… very sweet, is all.” 

He stands up and leans into the car, once again holding your cheek “It’s what you deserve” And he kissed the top of your head. You felt like you could explode. Jake looked at you, briefly frantic thinking he crossed a line. You were beaming up at him. He smiled back and returned to his seat. “You said you like Spanish language music? You like Selena?”

You scoff “Me guesta Selena Quintanilla Perez?!” (Do I like Selena Quintanilla Perez?!)

Jake chuckled “Stupid quesion, I get it. Here, I think this one is relevant.” He put on Si Una Vez 

“Si una vez dije que ti amaba

Y que por ti la vida daba

Si una vez dije que ti amaba

No lo vuelvo a hacer

Ese error es cosa de ayer

(If I once said that I loved you

And that for you I'd give my life

If I once said that I loved you

I won't do it again

That mistake is something of yesterday)

You gave him the address and listened to Selena in silence. When you pulled up to the house, you see your car. “Ahí está. With all the stickers.” You turn over and see him shaking his head and you feel anxious. “What? You think the stickers are silly?” (there it is.)

Jake turns to you, confused. “What?! No, why  would I-” he shakes his head again, why would he judge you on tonight of all nights? “They are cute, Muneca.”

“Then why are you shaking your head?”

“He walked past your car and just… did nothing. He knew damn well what he was doing.” You heard the creak of the leather as he gripped the steering wheel. “He should be waiting outside for you.”

“It’s okay. I’ll go knock, see if he answers.” You go to open the door, but you feel Jake’s hand on yours, urging you to turn to him.

He’s looking at you, compelling you with his beautiful, large brown eyes “Remember. No dejes que te vea llorar, Princesa.” (Don’t let him see you cry, princess)

“Okay.” You whisper, too busy looking at him.

You go to the door and knock. And knock. And knock. 5 minutes go by. Nothing fucking asshole. You feel the tears come, but you remember Jake’s words. Don't let him see you cry. You take a deep breath and go to knock again. Before you can, Jake is beside you, banging on the door “HEY ASSHOLE!” He shouts.

“Jake” You grab his arm. “The neighbors”

He turns to you bewildered. How do you still care about the neighbors after everything that happened? He continues banging, but doesn’t yell. He notices your arm is still wrapped around his.

Another 5 minutes go by and nothing. His knuckles hurt.

“Jake, it’s fine. I’ll deal with it in the morning. I have my room key, it’s okay."

When he turns to you to protest, but you look so weary, he can tell you want to go to bed. “Okay Carino, I can take you home.”

Guilt wells up in your stomach again. He’s been so, so nice. He’s been a gentleman and more, you didn’t want to keep him any more. “Esta bien, I’ll just walk, my hotel isn’t far.” (it’s fine)

He looked at you like you were a crazy person. “Are you insane? I’m not- god. I’m not leaving you.” It was 1 am.

“It’s really fine, it’s super close.”

He studied your face. You were a good liar and you hoped it worked. “See, that’s odd, because this is a residential area, and the nearest hotel is 2 miles at least. Don’t lie to a driver about my city, Carino.”

You sigh, and let him lead you to the car, once again opening it for you and helping you inside before getting back in his seat. “Which hotel?” he asks.

You hesitate, looking away, but you feel his eyes burrowing into you as he starts the car and begins driving. Eventually you answer, “The Hilton on 33rd and Maple.” You practically mutter, knowing you were caught.

“Jesus! That’s ten miles from here! You were just going to walk?” To his horror, you break down into sobs. “Mérida, lo siento Querida, No quise gritar” (Shit, I’m sorry dear, I didn't mean to yell)

You shake your head. “No es por eso que” (that’s not it)

“¿Por qué lloras?” (Why are you crying?)

“I feel like a fucking idiot!” You shout, looking out the passenger window and turning away from him. Jake didn’t speak, allowing you to keep going. “When I saw him today, I was happy because I didn’t feel anything for him, ya no lo amo… But when I tried to say hi, because we were friends, he just gave me nothing and that just… I don’t know. I just wanted him to look at me and talk to me like we used to, I wasn’t trying to steal him!… I don’t know…” (I don’t love him anymore)

“You were friends, years ago, si?”

“Si.”

“You wanted to talk to an old friend. You wanted him to treat you like a person.”

You flop your head back on the seat. “I didn’t think he could hurt me again. I didn’t think he was capable of hurting me, not like this. He was never like this.” You finally turn to Jake, his face beautiful in the moonlight. “The first time I went out with him, I got super drunk, he wouldn’t let me take an Uber home because he was worried what would happen if I passed out… He drove and made sure I got home safe... 3 years latter this happens. I don't what changed about me, I don’t know what I did to-”

“Stop, please… don’t do that.” He glanced over to you briefly. You were still the most beautiful thing he’d seen in a long time, even so sad. “I don’t understand how you look like that and he managed to ignore you, but I promise you, there were a dozen other guys who couldn’t keep their eyes off of you all night.”

You look to the floor, smiling but unable to take a compliment. “Thank you.”

“Carino?” He called and you look up at him again, he’s as sharp and stunning as ever. “I was one of them.” The sincerity in his voice, the longing in his eyes… you knew he was serious.

You smile brightly at him, your previous heartbreak long forgotten. “I’m sorry I didn’t… I was a little preoccupied, but I think you are kinda… stunning.” You blush, trying not to look away. His eyes were still on the road, but he looked at you every chance he got.

“You are… so beautiful. He should count himself lucky you ever looked his way” he pulled into the hotel parking lot and came around to open the door for you. This time, when he took your hand to help you out of the car, he didn’t let go. Taking your other hand in his, he leaned closer. “I was going to ask you to dance at the end.”

Your heart was beating wildly out of your chest, you wanted to come up with a clever quip or a tease… but you couldn’t. “And what… What would you do when the song ended.” Not your smoothest moment, but it worked.

He smiled fondly at you, happy for an easy transition. “This.” Jake cupped your face in his hands, holding you still as he moved in, your mouth opening to him. This kiss was immediately far from chaste, it was deep and needy, his tongue slippin into your mouth and your hands wrapped around his firm back. He pushed you on the limo, gently guiding your back down onto the hood where he came onto you, his thigh sliding between your knees. His hands found yours sides and caressed your body, mindful of remaining respectful but god, he had to feel you. “You are so fucking gorgous, so damn beautiful. Soy muy afortunadode tocarte  (I am so lucky to touch you)

You wanted him, you wanted him so fucking bad, you could feel yourself getting wet from the subtle friction of his thick thigh ever so slightly touching between your legs. When his mouth moved to your neck, you took the opportunity to use our mouth to plant small kisses along his jaw and cheek as you worked up your courage.

“Jake?”

He mumbled and small hm? As he worked further down your neckline.

“Do you want to come upstairs?” you ask, feeling the muscles on his back.

“Oh, Carino,” His hand slid up your dress and his thumb grazed over your nipple, teasing you. “I would like nothing more in this world than to show you all the attention your body deserves."

THANKS FOR READING! Come check out my other fics, including more Moon Knight fics on my masterlist

You can support my work at Buy Me a Coffee or $romanarose

[honest-moth-of-silver-grove]

Hi mothmom! I’ve been super excited waiting for your ask box to open, after finding your stuff in like, October? Your writing is awesome! It helps I’m a sucker for BG3 content.

Admittedly I’m a bit nervous asking (I’ve gone over your rules list like 15 times), and hopefully no one has asked this yet!

I wanted to make a request for the BG3 male companions (especially Wyll) supporting tav as they come out as Trans? Specifically trans masc if you don’t mind. Thank you so much! Super excited to see what you come up with ❤️

A/N: Oh my gosh! It warms my heart to hear you’ve been waiting that long for something I’d write. Oh wow, I feel so honored! And what a great question! It fits within the rules just fine, don’t worry! Here’s how I think the main three male companions would respond. BTW, I used he/him pronouns for Tav here, hope that’s okay!

TW: Gender Mention, Gender Identity, Gender Dysphoria 

Male BG3 Companions Reacting to a TransMasc! Tav

Astarion: 

Astarion is completely on board with the idea, so long as he gets to go shopping with Tav/give them the occasional bit of fashion advice. After all, Astarion thinks himself the best-dressed guy in camp, so, of course, it makes sense for Tav to take style advice from him. 

Astarion’s not very reactive. He was a high elf, born into the upper social classes of elf society in Baldur’s Gate. Certain high elves have been known to be blessed by Corellon, the androgynous leader of the elven pantheon, and the deity of Magic, Music, Arts, Crafts, Poetry, and Warfare. As the creator and preserver of the eleven race, he’s incredibly powerful. So powerful that in certain, very rare cases, special elves who receive a special blessing from them can change their gender following every long rest. These elves, known as "blessed of Corellon", can choose to be male, female, or 'neither' based on their moods or feelings. So the concept of changing one’s gender or appearance isn’t at all foreign to Astarion. 

Astarion does his best to listen to Tav though, especially if this is a difficult subject for him. Astarion knows what it's like to not be in control of your own body, of your destiny- it’s awful, rotten, and certainly, not something he would want to intentionally inflict on another person, especially someone as important to him as Tav. 

Astarion will listen intently, and take mental notes as to how Tav prefers to be treated. If he asks Asation to give him more credit in physical battles or to maybe lay off pet names like ‘Beautiful’, Astarion will respect Tav’s wishes. It may take Astarion some time to adjust, but he does make an immediate effort to. 

Astarion will also not hesitate to cut a bitch who insults Tav or disrespects his pronouns or appearance. Astarion is basically the living, walking embodiment of that “respect people’s pronouns or I’ll make yours ‘was/were’”.

Gale: 

Gale may put his hand in his mouth a handful of times when he talks to Tav about it at first, but he really does mean well. Gale’s just very curious about any magic or spells Tav has used, if any, in trying to alter their appearance or gender. Have they tried any transmutation spells? Polymorph? Any alchemy at all? Gale is very much on board with helping Tav achieve their desired look or body via magical means if that’s what he wants. 

Gale offers assistance via magical means of course, but he also offers a sympathetic ear should Tav ever want to talk about it. Gale has met plenty of alchemists who struggled with their own identity, so he knows it can weigh heavy on one’s mind. And when you already have a mind flayer parasite on the mind, well, that’s quite a lot for just one mind to handle!

Gale’s very excited to share shaving and grooming tips, especially when it comes to beard upkeep. That is if Tav is interested in trying out a beard. Gods know Gale’s been dying to talk to someone about it, someone who appreciates a handsome face when they see one. Tara won’t stop bugging him to shave it, and he could use another fellow on his side. Maybe together he and Tav could persuade Tara into liking it. (I mean, probably not, but it’s worth a shot.)

Gale isn’t one to initiate conflict, but should someone disrespect Tav or talk down to him, Gale would certainly have some words for that individual. Granted they may be murmured or said under his breath so as to not start yet another fight on their journey but in the end it’s the thought that counts, right? And if those words just happen to be some sort of mischievous spell as revenge, well, some things just can’t be helped, can they?

Wyll: 

Wyll is extremely kind and understanding when Tav tells him. He’s always very encouraging and does his best to uplift Tav anyway, but now that Wyll knows this, he tries even harder to do so. 

Wyll knows how much other people’s perceptions of yourself can mean. Wyll himself was so used to people seeing him in one light before Mizora cast him into another. Adjusting to the horns has not been easy, but just as Tav stood by him through all of that, Wyll vows to stand by Tav. 

He’s very polite, so he doesn’t ask a lot of questions unless Tav explicitly tells him it's okay to. If it is, Wyll will ask Tav about how they’d like to be addressed, how they’d like to be perceived within the roles of the team, and if there’s anything Wyll can do to make this process any easier for them. 

You know how in the latest patch, there was a fix that said “Duke Ravengaurd will now use the player's correct pronouns when addressing them”? And collectively we were all like, so Wyll sat him down and gave him a talk, huh? Yeah, that. 

Wyll’s very old-fashioned, not in his beliefs in gender roles, oh gods no, but in his belief that everyone should be treated with respect. (Well, sans goblins and like, bad guys, I guess.) So if Tav says they want to be called something, you can bet Wyll is the first one to remind the others if they slip up. 

Wyll thinks Tav is just an incredible person and an all-around amazing guy. He’s so happy to have met them. It’s kind of silly, but in some ways, Wyll still sees himself as this sort of knight-in-shining armor, a hero sworn to protect the people. But what’s amazed Wyll time and time again is how often Tav reminds Wyll and everyone else by extension, just how capable he is, as a leader and a friend. Tav isn’t helpless in need of rescue, he’s very capable in his way. Wyll finds it captivating, all the time Tav has come to his rescue. 

[luxrayblues]

Can you do a Kabu x Reader where the reader is doing some fire performing (with their pokemon, similar to a Pokémon contest) and Kabu is just very impressed with the reader's skills?

Excited for some Kabu! Thank you for the request, I hope you like it!

Kabu x reader - Set Ablaze (SFW)

Pokemon contests weren't as common in Galar as they had been in Hoenn. When he heard about the impromptu contest going on, he simply had to visit and see what sort of displays the contest-goers would exhibit.

He had come quite a long way, but he was incredibly excited as he sat down with a bottle of water he'd bought. No one would be able to tell he was elated from his stoic expression, but he certainly was.

You take a deep breath and glance at the arcanine at your side who was all amped up because you were. You had dreamed about being part of a contest since you were young and now you finally had the chance to show off your skills. Maybe this would lead to something greater for you and your companion.

The announcer excitedly tells the crowd that you're next as you step out into the arena. You can hear people in the enormous crowd gasp and clap at the outfit you had made yourself which matched arcanine's fluff and stripes. It was a little cheesy, but it was perfect for something like a contest. You could feel the heat radiating off of arcanine in his excitement, which got you all the more excited, letting go of the fear you'd had up to this point.

Kabu can't help but to smile as he watches you walk out there, looking small next to the large dog-pokemon. It was only a moment before the music started up and you began to move, skillfully dancing opposite arcanine who began to move in a similar way. It's a mix of fire and dancing as you move around one another, perfectly in sync.

The crowd was amazed by you. None more than the fire gym leader himself who sat front and center, absolutely blown away by your blazing show. The way you moved around arcanine and the fire it created without being burned was a talent in itself, but the fact that you were dancing and telling a story with your body was simply incredible. He had signed up for a makeshift contest, he hadn't expected to see the most beautiful display he'd ever witnessed.

The crowd cheered during lulls in the music. As the song came toward the building end and you lifted up a stick which arcanine caught on fire for you, the crowd went wild. Everyone clapping for you as you spin and toss it skillfully between yourself and arcanine, making a display of both of you. You had gone to a lot of effort to perfect the choreography and clearly it had paid off.

As you finish and both of you bow, panting heavily, Kabu is the first to stand up. He claps loudly for you both. Seeing such a brilliant display of fiery perfection at really left an impression on him. Even he, the often stony man, had a slight smile on his face as he admired you both taking your bows.

The rest of the contest was more of a blur than your own performance. You were so excited and wracked with nerves because of the other acts being so amazing. Each one seemed to be better than the last, though as the ending ceremony neared and they gave everyone a short intermission while the judges contemplated you felt like your heart was in your throat. You were worked up enough that the sound of Kabu's voice made you jump and scream.

He holds his hands up to show his innocence as you whip around to see him. Instantly your face is as red as flame when you realize you'd just screamed at Kabu of all people?! "Oh my Arceus? Kabu! ...? I.. I'm so sorry, oh gosh!"

You watch as he calmly waves off your panic and embarrassment. "I didn't mean to startle you." He says simply, his expression up close seemed less intense and more kind than you expected. Before you can respond he opens his mouth again. "I simply had to come find you. I've never seen such a display of power and skill combined into something so beautiful. I thought I might learn something today, but I'm blown away by your passion!" His excitement at you was shown in the slight smile he wore as he spoke.

"Oh wow.. thank you, I.. That means so much. Especially coming from you, Kabu!" Of course you admired the older gentleman. Watching his battles with his own arcanine had only given you more resolve to become the best at what you did. His words were always so encouraging, even when he lost battles.

He smiles slightly and nods, closing his eyes for a moment before looking at you again. "Would you join me after the contest for a victory meal? I'd love to ask you about your techniques." He gives you a long look as your heart beats like crazy. Kabu- KABU was seriously asking YOU about YOUR techniques?! How could you say no? You couldn't, that's how!

"Of course, absolutely!" You beam up at him excitedly. You couldn't believe how impressed he was with you. It would be hard for this day to get any better, though it surely did when you found out you had won. Rushing back out, you cling to the ribbon as you meet up with Kabu who was almost as excited for you as you were. It didn't show on his older features the way it did on yours, but you could tell he was happy for you and happier still to pick your brain over a well-earned meal.

[glindaupland]

The Phantom of the Opera | Seoul, South Korea | 동팬텀 x 송크리 Review 3/6

October 12, 2023

The Phantom of the Opera | 전동석 Jeon Dong-seok

Christine Daaé | 송은혜 Song Eun-hye

Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny | 황건하 Hwang Gun-ha

Carlotta Giudicelli | 이지영 Lee Ji-young

Round 2 of Jeon Dong-seok! Ah let's see what my excuse was this time... "How could I possibly let go of a center 5th row seat that I snatched? And a different Christine, Raoul, and Carlotta means it's a different experience!" Sure, whatever helps you sleep at night, Elisa. But hey it was very different!!!

Here's my second silly little Dong-seok ticket holder because I booked both of his seats on Yes24. I was 5th row center this time, which was almost out of the chandelier's range and just ever so slightly more to the left than my previous seat. But this is still an incredibly close view …and I still brought my binoculars to stare everyone down despite that.

Hannibal Rehearsal / Think of Me

I'm really in love with Lee Ji-young Carlotta. She definitely acts like a very classy and elegant normally, but she's really cute and dramatic when she gets angry. She leans more into the Italian accent and the stubborn demanding diva attitude. I thought she fit very well with Park Hoe-rim's Piangi because of her personality and voice.

I like the detail right before 'Think of Me' starts when Song Eun-hye's Christine does this little throat clearing and nervous swallow. Her eyes were wide like a deer in headlights. Ji-soo acted more timid like she was about to melt on the spot, but she was about to bolt I think this is one of her best moments in the show. She's radiant and truly looks like a new soprano making her debut. Despite her voice still being a little strained from illness (you may or may not recall she was out a few days which resulted in the understudy Kwon Ga-min's very eventful debut), I still enjoyed her vibrant enthusiasm that shined through. Her cadenza is beautiful and she holds her last notes for such a long time before she gives the cutest proudest bow to complete the song. Hwang Gun-ha's Raoul is so funny when he gets up to cheer for Christine because he's really loud and boisterous. He's probably especially embarrassing for the managers to sit with bless his heart Unfortunately, you can't appreciate the full acting and extension of her notes with this video but you can still at least appreciate her voice:

Angel of Music/Little Lotte/The Mirror

She has lots of little girlish mannerisms in addition to the cute awkwardness before 'Think of Me'. When Meg wanted to know who taught her, Christine opened her mouth excited like she was about to speak, but then paused looking like she was very stumped about how to even begin explaining. After hugging Raoul, she was particularly flustered by the closeness and looked around nervously. She also looks at her hand and touches it in surprise when he kisses it on the way out of the dressing room. Gun-ha's voice is very unique and quite deep for a Raoul. His Raoul definitely has that charismatic aristocratic feeling. Some people find it strange, but it doesn't bother me honestly. My grievances to air are about other things that I'll explain later. I had a much closer view and better angle of 'The Mirror' this time both with and without binoculars (yes even that close I was pulling those out okay) so I was able to see the Phantom's face a lot clearer in the mirror. At one point he closed his eyes and breathed in deeply with his hand to his chest like he was really satisfied hearing her plea to him. I think SEH Christine's reacted to the Phantom like she finally needed to understand who her Angel of Music was. She was nervous, but looked slightly excited as well.

The Phantom of the Opera

I got to experience Dong-seok's third boat failure. That's four if you wanna include him crashing his Y&K Phantom boat (yes I'll always bring it up and make fun of that it's funny) I was wondering why the boat hadn't come out yet and I thought maybe it'd be okay when I saw the front peeking out a bit even though it was oddly coming out from the side rather than the back...and then I saw him uselessly rowing without moving until he just gave up. Anyway, Jesus miracles were performed once again! He very sweetly guided Christine, lighting the way for her and showing off the view. They looked at each other when they sang the "fantasies/secrets" line and he lifted her chin up to meet her eyes. He smiled when he nodded once with SJS, but because of the unique situation here, it seemed even sweeter. :') Also, since I was so close, I could see the doubles they used for the walkway above with my binoculars

The Music of the Night

SEH Christine takes a bit longer to warm up to the Phantom. She started off more hesitant and wary yet still curious. I wouldn't say she's afraid, just uncertain. JDS Phantom was especially awkward and inexperienced, even more than the last time. He felt like a younger man experiencing his first love. I just think he feels and tries to be seductive, suave, romantic, etc, but he gets so overstimulated easily that he ends up fumbling. It was like she was an alluring fire that he was drawn to, but he kept foolishly burning himself getting too close. Like before, he touched her shoulder lightly and briefly, but pulled back nervously with a wavering voice before using his other arm to wrap around her. But you could see a bit of subtle relief when she relaxed in his arms. I remember Christine sort of nuzzling in closer to him which gave him more confidence to lean in as well. He was still a little shaky though trying to hold in his emotions By the end of the song SEH Christine a lot more at ease with the Phantom and actually captivated by him. She was finally starting to understand the beauty of this music of the night that he was trying to show her. Both Christines would get very moved at the end with watery ears, but I think this is the show I actually saw the tears falling from one of them. I could see him wiping the tears from her face gently when he had put his cloak over her at the end

Stranger Than You Dream it

I'm trying not to laugh typing this, but I think the pose he had here when he turned to face her looked so...here I'll leave this:

It was this, but he was angry and covering his face with the hand that's not holding him up and leaning forward more. Everyone else was on their knees, but he had to stick his long leg all the way out for some reason which is really not important or notable I guess, but I found it amusing okay SEH Christine always watches the Phantoms while SJS looks down until the end when she starts to feel bad for him. He and Christine had a moment where they reached out to each other at the end of the crawl almost touching before he turned away quickly. I don't think she was really fully afraid of his appearance. It seemed more like his reaction was what upset her. She looked disappointed that she couldn't reach him

Notes I/Prima Donna

LJY Carlotta is so perfectly expressive and she matches so so well with Piangi. I love how she started off Prima Donna so pouty-faced. It seems like she's slowly warming up, trying to hold back from showing that their words are sort of pleasing her because she's still mad and stubborn (and maybe it's also so they can continue showering her with praise)

Il Muto

SEH Serafimo is so sassy. She just makes the silliest most exaggerated looks like pure disgust at the kiss or huge goo-goo eyes at the Countess. She puffs out her chest with her hands on her hips making a pouty face like she's this little charming tough guy. Words don't do it justice honestly. This is my favorite version of this scene

LJY Carlotta also kills me. The way she still tries to act put together, but clearly cannot keep her shit together. She lets out "말하지말고 / Don't speak" as a loud growl like she's emphasizing what she just said to her out of character before. It was hilarious watching Monsieur André's interaction with the conductor below when he was pushing for the ballet to start from this close. He was seriously about to lose his mind.

Masquerade / Why So Silent?

Sitting in a much closer seat, I think I can understand what people mean about hearing Dong-seok sing during Why So Silent. It's not so loud, but it was definitely there under the pre-recording. Under the skull his mouth moved in a much more natural way rather than the exaggerated way needed for the skull to move (which meant the mask didn't move much)

Twisted Every Way

SJS Christine looks so tired of everything during this scene, but SEH Christine is a lot more shaken up whenever she's in distress. I think it's another way her Christine feels a bit younger? But by 'Wishing' you can clearly see the growth she's gone through (although it was stronger in the second two performances I saw because she still seemed a bit ill this one) LJY Carlotta develops some more sympathy towards Christine at this point so when she says 미쳤네/she's mad, it sounds more like she's genuinely concerned for her mental state HGH Raoul. is so loud at the end I thought my ear drums would explode in the 5th row. You can accumulate severe ear damage between him and the ballerina screams. (Although I also just think the sound in the theaters I went to was incredibly loud because Rebecca Act 2 almost burst my eardrums as well in 2nd row)

The Point of No Return

And again, the more he's around Christine, the more destructive it is for him. You're just hurting yourself, king! He was extremely anxious around her, back to his usual route. Rather than the frustration he had before, he had quickly rising anxiety. He clutched his chest during the same line that KJT Phantom had mimicked Christine's movements at his performances. As he reached back for her on the bench, he was shaking and not brave enough to lean closer to her. This proposal he was a spineless disaster. He could barely get near her to put on the ring when he had been so forceful about it the previous performance. It didn't feel inconsistent though. It just seemed like a different branch for his Phantom, an alternate outcome for the same characterization.

Final Lair

SJS Christine was so afraid looking around and clinging to the edge of the boat when she would get taken down to the lair in 'Down Once More'. SEH looked frightened as well, but then in response to the Phantom's words she turned cold. Every performance SEH Christine would plead "잠깐만! 잠깐만! 잠깐만!" (- Hold on, hold on! or Wait, wait!) til he let her go. JDS Phantom was especially childish this performance. Or I guess in a different way? The previous show he had his angry tantrum, this one he was a complete wet mop of a man. When he said his face is what poisoned his love reaching out to her, she rejected him, turning away bitterly. But when she told him she wasn't afraid of his face, she tried to touch him and he gasped and started hyperventilating a little The energy JDS Phantom and HGH Raoul had when arguing though like oooo the girls are fiiiiightiiiing~ It was a little funny Most of his reactions to Christine's rejections like the veil throwing were actually chipping away at him this time instead of building an icy wall. I also think since SEH is the "stronger" more independent Christine these responses were maybe rougher to this more sensitive version of his Phantom When he was on the throne at the end, he reached to touch her face, but stopped and began to stutter out "날...날..시ㅣ험...하지마..." ('Don't test me") trying to stop himself from crying. This performance he opted for one of his occasional line changes - "선택해 - Choose" to "날 선택해 - Choose me!" Tears were pouring from his face and he was pulling at his collar again like he was struggling to breathe while sobbing. The kiss was similar to the one before, but I think he looked sadder When he sang "사랑해 / I love you" the first show, it was so soft you could barely hear it and the end was barely audible. This time he was choking on the word while SEH also struggled not to cry. She tried to reach out to him from the start, but because he was so stuck in his self-hatred and insecurity, they were never given a chance. So this is where they ended up. After Christine and Raoul got into the boat, he picked up the veil smiling before he slowly began to sob intensely into it. He looked like he had completely fallen apart

I think I preferred the October 8th show just because it felt so unique, but I felt so happy I could see Jeon Dong-seok twice (well three times on the trip, but twice as the Phantom) and get such different experiences out of it each time. I'm also really glad he was able to achieve his longtime dream role ❤️ I'd like to hope that in another decade-ish whenever POTO comes back he can return to the role and give us an new version with even more skills he's learned overtime (also because I think he'd be the perfect age then)

I feel like I should now mention they already had the Dracula video ads up in the theater since he made a u-turn back to the Charlotte for the show. He'll be on one of the 3 CDs for the new Dracula cast recording (why couldn't they do this for POTO) So there was double Dong-seok all over the theater. What a nice sight for me 😌

I will drop promo just because I can! He is now unmasking himself to reveal a pretty face instead of unmasking to reveal uh...well what the Phantom has going on?

Since there's not really official content of his ALW POTO, you can also have a taste of his Y&K Erik (there is also a version of the live cast recording with him as Erik with Kim So-hyun as Christine) Come join me as I pray for him to return to the show for the 10th anniversary in 2025 so I can go see him.

[innytoes]

Rulie, Flower/Tattoo Shop AU

The first thing Reggie noticed about the woman who ran the new tattoo shop next to his flower shop was that she was beautiful. The second thing he noticed was the beautiful dahlia tattoo that covered most of her forearm.

So of course, when the shop was celebrating its grand opening, he went to congratulate her with a big bouquet of dahlias. In a vase, of course. He didn't think a newly opened tattoo shop would have vases. The way the tattoo artist - Julie, she introduced herself - smiled at him made his heart flutter.

She carefully placed the vase on the counter, and introduced him to some of her friends and family. The DJ turned out to also be their piercer, and the guy with the big camera taking pictures of everything was her dad.

In turn, Reggie stuck around and introduced the other people who had shops on the street, who came by after their own closing to say hi. Luke from the music shop. Alex and Willie from the queer bookshop slash cafe. Nick from the pet store.

Every other week or so, Julie would come into his shop to get new flowers for her store. "After all, I have the vase now," she joked. When the dahlias weren't in season anymore, she asked for his suggestion. He made her a beautiful bouquet, severely undercharged her, and winked as he said it was the Beautiful Lady discount.

"But it's not like I can return the favour!" he complained, flopped dramatically sideways on the cozy patched up couch in Alex and Willie's bookstore. His shop was closed for lunch, and he'd gone over to get himself a muffin and complain. "It'd be weird to go and get a tattoo like, every month."

"Why not?" Willie asked, from where he was shelving books. "You'd look hot all tatted up. And Julie does great botanical tattoos, I've seen her work."

"I would look hot all tatted up," Reggie pouted. From behind the counter, Alex snorted. "Except I'm afraid of needles. The last time I had to get vaccinated I fainted in the chair."

He looked up at Willie from where he was sprawled on the couch, no doubt looking incredibly pathetic. "But she's so pretty. I just want to spend more time with her. I keep making her fancier, more difficult bouquets just so I can get to talk to her longer."

"You're such a dweeb," Alex sighed. "Just ask her out."

"No!" Reggie said. "What if she says no? I don't want to make things weird. Do you think I could get lost in her eyes so much that I don't feel her stabbing me with tiny needles over and over and over?"

Willie looked down at him with some mixture of sympathy and mirth.

"Why don't you ask her?" he grinned, and Reggie shot up. On the other side of the couch, Julie stood, her hand over her mouth to hold back her giggles.

"Julie!" He flailed. "Um... hi."

"You don't have to get a tattoo just to spend time with me," she said, smiling. "We can try coffee first. Though if you do want a tattoo, I'd be happy to help you out."

For their first anniversary, he did finally get that tattoo. And every time he got woozy, Julie would stop and give him kisses until he felt better.

[star-shard]

Late Night Bite 

Elvis x Vampire!Y/N

Premise: Blood is blood, but nothing tastes quite like Elvis Presley. It’s worth the trip to Graceland and he’s especially eager tonight. 

Word Count: 2k

Warning: Biting, momentary breath!play if you squint, sexual themes

Note: 1960s!EP, Elvis giving off some sub vibes 👀

It’s incredible, that even at this hour, there are still fans anxiously hanging around the gates of Graceland. Elvis had only just recently gotten back from some filming. You personally didn’t mix well with Hollywood, there was so little privacy out there. But here, this slice of Memphis, was it’s own kingdom. And you felt nothing but at home as you simply moved passed the gaggle of girls to tap on the gate. “Excuse me,” you said simply to the guard near by, “I’m here to see Elvis.”

The man on the other side, a new guy by the looks, with a mustache and a hat both a bit too big for him chuffed back, “you and everyone else,” he mumbled on with a sip of his coffee. Now, you weren’t one to be rude. After all, how would he know about the special relationship you had with Elvis Presley. 

“Tell him that, Y/N is here.” That got the slightest response from him, the coffee cup lowering. Even if a new guy, all front gate operators were informed about your name. That if you arrived, you were to be let in. And for a moment while he seemed flustered, looking through a pile of papers, as if trying to see if there were any pictures of you to confirm you were indeed Y/N, “no need for that, I don’t photograph well.”

But still, the man did his job. He phoned the house and described you. And it didn’t take long for him to nod and gesture for the other girls to clear out to the side. A little smile came to your lips and you gave the others a little nod, “I’ll see if I can’t bring a souvenir back for you ladies,” that alone turned their frowns back into giggles. 

The stroll to cross Graceland’s grounds was always pleasant. You recalled the time a car was sent your way and while touched, you preferred just enjoying the walk up the drive. Elvis could be patient when needed. 

Before you were even on your second knock on the door, the maid had opened it. “Hello, Dorris, how good to see you,” you smiled politely at her. “May I come in?” It was only manners. But of course there was an extra layer to your asking that most people didn’t know about. 

Dorris had been working here a few years now, and she had a bit of instinct to be careful around you. Which you understood. It hardly insulted you, if anything you admired her wariness. It meant she was good at keeping out the wrong strangers. “Of course, miss,” she said standing off a little, “you know, he’s already gone up to bed but, I could see about getting together supper?” 

You held back a chuckle at the idea but declined, “thank you, but I’m not very hungry for supper.” Fully in the door you already had caught his scent. On the top note there was the usual men’s cologne, a bit of sweat, but the undertone was something only you could catch, something deeper and under the skin. It’s what had gotten you so smitten in the first place. That and everything that beautiful mouth could do. Both musically and otherwise. 

Dorris nodded and took your coat, which you thanked her for. And as she hobbled off to her usual duties, sparing a double take back your way before heading down the hall, you felt just the bare edges of craving. The air was thick with him. But, keeping yourself as composed as ever, you simply headed up the stairs. And as your shoe creaked against a loose step, you swore you heard some rustling in his room. He must have been feeling eager.

And unlike at the front door, it only took a grazing of your hand to bedroom door for him to say, “come in.”

You preferred being together in a bedroom, it was private here, and the only light that got in here came from the glow of a television. It was simply his style but the darkness certainly ended up suiting you. “Well, aren’t you a picture,” your hand shutting the door behind you, shutting you both in. “The girls waiting outside were making just that expression you got on right now,” you point out.

Elvis sat on the edge of his bed, he’s all silk pajamas and the shirt completely unbuttoned, it’s already half off with his neck on display. “Teasing early, you must have really missed me,” he said with just a bit of a cheeky inflection. That was apart of his charm, if Elvis were to fall to his knees he’d do so smiling. 

“Well I can’t exactly bite a record, can I?” You responded coyly, stalking a little closer in his direction. Even if he had that little smile on, you saw him grip the sheet at your approach in anticipation. Elvis had always enjoyed being bitten. The moment of pain followed by pleasure. Even with you two first met, back when he was kid faced with a hit song on the radio, he liked the rush. And boy had he aged like a fine wine.

Elvis leaned back a little, opening his legs from where he sat so you could get in closer. “There should be enough of them, would fill you right up.” And now, looming above him, you two were closer than you’d been in a regretful couple of months. His career had been a whirlwind since day one. And you admired his talent, his success, but lately it had been keeping him busy. Maybe too busy. 

“Darling, have you been sleeping?” You ask off handedly, observing the view below you. Your hand cups his face and a finger runs across the dark circles under his eyes. You remember when it was only his make up running that would get on your finger tip. But no, that’s just something like real tiredness. You shake your head and click your tongue in concern.

After all, you two have a unique relationship. And you can’t deny that you’ve come to care for him. 

Elvis just put his warm hand over your icy one, leaning into the touch, “guess the girls in LA just keep me up all night.” It’s a little dig, his playful smile though saying he wants a little roughness in return. And you are more than happy to oblige, your grip lowering down to his neck. You see his pupils go wider at the sudden grip and the slightest gasp escapes his lips. 

“God… so needy it’s almost hard to watch.” You can feel his pulse right up against your fingers now, beating hard and fast, you can actually feel his blood rushing under his skin. And it’s enough to make your fangs come out with a hiss. They’re pearly white but that’ll soon be fixed. “Boys like you are nothing but trouble, too gorgeous for their own good.”

You can see Elvis’s hips start to jostle a little, like he wants attention down there as well. Now he’s far from a virginal feed, you know hat he gets up to. But those flings truly are distractions compared to what a man can get from a vampire. 

So often Elvis was the center of his universe and no one dared talk down to him. But in here, in their little momentary world, Elvis released all of that. 

You lift your knee to prop between his legs, giving just the bare minimum of attention and enough friction for him to rut a little. “Just like a puppy,” you chuckle, your hand going down to trace his collar bone as your fangs lower to scrape at his neck. Just the slightest contact. “Bet you could just live it up like this, in a bed for me whenever I want, whenever I get peckish…” His nod in response causes your fangs to graze him again and you hear a whine escape. 

Your knee then applies some pressure to his crotch and you can tell he’s holding himself back from touching you. He knows better at this point. “Please,” he breathes, the word almost getting caught in his throat, “Please feed… mistress.” You give a little shrug. Since he was so polite as to ask.

Your fangs stick down into his neck, precise and clean. And pure red velvet fills your mouth. It’s just as good as it was in the back of Club Handy that first night, when he was all shook up from the music, when you could practically feel rhythm going down your throat. In your life time favorites came and went. You had your regulars in rotation to satisfy your needs, but nothing tasted quite like Elvis Presley. He was a treat.

By the time you lift away from his neck the only sign of your work is the already slowly healing puncture wounds, and a single drip that happens to travel down from his neck and traveling down to his chest. His eye lids flutter in time his his heartbeat and he leans back to catch himself. Before he can go back any further you catch his lack of etiquette. “You gonna let sweet Miss Dorris clean after you now?”

Elvis, knowing it’s not done quite yet holds his position and stays still as marble as he waits for your tongue. You let that blood drip go down to his belly button before scooping it up with swipe, slow all the way back up to his neck, he’s shivering, sweating, it just makes it taste all the better. And to finish off, a kiss on his neck. 

“There’s a good boy…” Only then do you allow him to fall back onto the bed, his chest giving light raises and falls. You allow him to relax. Pleasurable as it is, a vampiric feeding is intense for who’s getting fed on. Both arousing and draining. You’re one of the few people to see him exposed like this, to see him so human and vulnerable. You can tell by the droop of his eyes how much he needed this. 

You give your lip stick a little swipe with your nail, making sure it’s in order. “Live with me,” Elvis mumbles your way. You’ve heard similar things from your victims. You’ve lost count of the number of men that have said those very same words. It’s amusing, but you can’t help but half wonder if he means it. 

“Darling, I’m hardly a housewife,” you quip as you head to his closet. While feeding takes a lot out of a human, it only energizes you. “Besides, I think you’d get a little tired giving me permission to enter every room.” You pretend to adjust your hair in the mirror, as if you could see a reflection anyway. 

Elvis looked up through those thick eye lashes of his, those doe eyes, “I’m up all night anyhow” he reasoned, not much strength in him as he lifts himself up slightly, “Why not be up for a good reason…” You come out of a closet with a scarf in hand, red silk. It seems to excite him enough for him to prop himself fully back up.

“You’re up enough, love bug,” you say, putting the scarf against his nose and lips. It restricts his air flow only slightly, just enough for a little excitement. “…Now kiss me.” It’s only a bit of thin cloth between you as his lips reach out for yours. It’s cold meets hot and even with the less blood he’s still as feral as a tiger in his kiss. Even with the wisp thin cloth dividing you.

This is how it has to be with humans. As lovely as they are, as lovely as they taste… and as they sound, you know a serious relationship would only drag the both of you into the fire. There’s too much life in him, and a lack of it in you. It’s easier to tease him. “If you’re wanting a piece of me, you could take one of my jackets,” he points out as he watches you tie that very scarf around your neck.

He’s being cute, you smile in his direction, “oh it’s not for me, darling. It’s for those girls outside… I already got a piece of you.” You lick your lips which earns just one more skipped beat from that beautiful chest of his. After all, this was just a quick bite, some satisfaction. And also, that boy needed his sleep right now more than anything. You were sure he’d dream of fangs and pleasure. 

[romeoandjulietyouwish]

this is for @awkward-bard for filling out my survey! thank you so much!

prompt: more ballet au

Percy sits on the floor of his dressing room, stretching slowly as soft music plays in his headphones. His eyes are closed as he focuses on his pre-show ritual, his routine stretches. He can smell lavender coming from Keyleth’s dressing room across the hall, she always has that diffuser running before shows. At the Briarwoods’ company that would never have been allowed, neither would the music currently playing in his headphones, but he takes deep breaths as he shoves those thoughts away.

He can hear people talking in the hallway. It sounds like Allura and Vax. Percy just turns his music up louder, fighting off the anxiety that’s building in his chest at the sound of Allura’s voice. The differences between the Emon Company and the Briarwoods’ are stark and surprise him every day, it’s gotten easier thankfully. But the sound of the ballet mistress backstage was never good.

He adjusts his headphones to cancel noise as he switches to the score of Swan Lake, the ballet they’re currently doing and closes his eyes. In his mind he goes over the steps, picturing them as clear as day. He doesn’t need the practice, but it settles something in his mind, reassures him that the show will go well even though they’ve been doing performances for two weeks now.

He can almost feel the weight of Vex in his arms, holding her as she spins, lifting her into the air, catching her as she leaps into his arms. She is…there’s no other word for it, breathtaking.

Her poise and talent is like nothing he’s ever seen before. Not to mention her kindness. How she takes him out to dinner so she makes sure he’s had a meal, cuts off his bad thoughts about himself before he can even think them, and kisses his cheek after every mistake.

With his eyes closed and beautiful music playing in his headphones, for a brief moment he imagines himself having the confidence to pull her into the wings after the show and profess how much he adores her. He imagines her warm hands on his cheeks as her dark eyes meet his. He imagines kissing her as softly as she deserves to be kissed.

Percy is yanked from his thoughts by a hand on his shoulder. He jumps, eyes opening quickly as he flinches back. He finds Vex crouches on the ground in front of him, her brow creased in concern. Her hair and make up are already done for the show, the swan hair piece fastened securely. But while Percy is wearing his costume already, she’s clad in pajamas covered in bears.

“Percy?” She asks softly as he pulls his headphones off. “You alright?”

He nods, “You startled me is all. Do you need something?”

Vex sits down on the floor beside him, crossing her legs as she hands him a chocolate chip cookie in a paper napkin. “Keyleth made them for everyone and I figured you wouldn’t take one unless I forced you too.”

Percy smiles a little as he takes it, “Thank you and you’re…right.” He breaks off the edge and nibbles on it, knowing that Vex won’t be satisfied until she sees him eat some of it. “Are you ready for the show?”

Vex nods, yawning as she leans her head on the wall. “You know we don’t have to be in costume for half an hour.”

Percy shrugs, “I don’t know if I would feel comfortable being in my pajamas or casual clothes here.” He doesn’t have to say it, but he can tell that Vex understands he’s talking about his previous company. “Besides, it’s part of my routine by now.”

Vex hums and reaches over to break a piece of his cookie off and pops it into her mouth. “My father’s coming to the show tonight,” she tells him apropos of nothing. “He’s bringing his wife.”

“Oh?” Percy has yet to hear much about Vex’s family outside of Vax and her half sister who’s also a dancer apparently. Nothing about her father before now. “Is that…good?”

Vex nearly chokes as she laughs, “Gods no, he’s a piece of shit.” A surprised laugh pulls itself from Percy’s chest. “He’s incredibly strict and nothing I’ve ever done has been good enough for him. No doubt when I see him after the show he’s going to give me a laundry list of all the things I did wrong.”

Percy frowns, “So don’t go and see him then, just leave.”

“I wish I could,” Vex sighs. “But it’s not polite and as the principal ballerina, I really should be there. Just if you see him trying to talk to me, can you interrupt and say that Allura needs to talk to me?”

Percy squeezes her hand, “Of course. Shall I do the same for your brother?”

Vex smiles in surprise and nods, “If you wouldn’t mind.”

“You and your brother have helped me through more than my fair share of hard times, it’s only fair that I do what I can to repay you.”

Percy nibbles on another piece of cookie. They fall into a comfortable silence for a long moment, music still playing softly from Percy’s headphones. He’s never been comfortable like this with anyone, not since his family died. He splits the cookie in half and gives the bigger one to Vex, she gives him a look and switches their halves before eating.

“You don’t have to repay any of us, by the way,” Vex tells him with a mouth full of cookie. “We’re a family at this company and we take care of each other, okay?”

Percy nods softly agreeing, “Okay.”

She leans forward and kisses his cheek, smiling when he blushes, “I need to go finish getting ready. See you on stage, darling.”

“See you,” Percy murmurs as she leaves. Still fighting off the intense blush gracing his skin. Gods he’s falling deep for her.

[tunastime]

hi!! scarian anon here or can I be 🔥📱(/ref to your ao3 comment section I’m lurking there too!) scarian just makes me go insane and now I’ve made it my mission for scarian to hit every prompt on the list so can I get 4 with them, much appreciated <3

4. sincere / blues (x) (753 words)

The world is ending.

It's not really a problem. Scar has an escape plan. But the world here is kind of ending and he can’t help but feel like everything has to be laid out on the table before it does.

Grian sits with Scar in the grass outside his house. It’s a last hurrah type of thing. Tomorrow there’s a big sending off party and drinks and music and pretending like it's not true that some people might not make it out (and even though they’ll be back, even though, it’s a notion enough to have Scar’s heart leap in his throat).

Well. Here they are. Grian passes him back the bottle. Scar won’t ask him whose it was originally. It’s for tomorrow, but it’s theirs tonight.

He drinks.

It's not very good. When he's finished, Scar traces the back of his own teeth with his tongue. The words shuffle out in a way that makes him feel like he might be chewing the inside of his cheek.

"Do you love me?"

Grian, still propped up on one elbow in the grass, lets his eyes slide open. They're far away, heavy and glossy. In this light he might be the most beautiful person Scar has seen in a long time. Lantern light licks his cheeks. He smiles, a bit sleepily.

"Yes, I love you."

Scar clears his throat, thumping his chest with his fist. The liquid in the bottle is souring. 

"I mean," he says, still muttering, working the inside of his bottom lip between his teeth. "I mean do you like-slash-love me?"

Grian sits up slowly, tilting his head. What do you mean, it says. What does that mean? Grian says I love you but means something else. He's sincere, but I love you in this context isn't romance. It's not that. Is it?

Well, what does Scar mean? Yes yes yes I like you I'm afraid of the stronger word. Grian's chin comes off his hand and settles to trace the grass like he might be counting the individual blades. Scar swallows.

"Are you in love with me?"

"Depends."

Scar snorts. That word is a brick to his throat. Of course. Of fucking course. He can feel a burning bubbling up through his chest and his cheeks.

"On what?" He manages to squeeze out before his lungs deflate.

"On if you love me back."

Oh. Scar's heart is a thing that beats in his mouth. Grian is full on looking at him now, his fingers twisting in his sweater sleeve, turning it around in his fingers. It sounds like a roundabout question. He wants to say: of course I would. I wouldn't ask if I didn't. I wouldn't see if you did if I didn't already love you. It's been months. Months. 

If Scar would really study him, he might be able to note the squareness of his shoulders and how taut his spine is, how he hasn't breathed a full breath in about half a minute, and how his heart, too, thuds away in his throat, desperate to be heard. Scar doesn't notice these because he's too busy realizing that he wants to memorize the shape of his mouth.

"As I live and breath," he says, not sure if he's actually speaking it until Grian says:

"Yeah. Me too."

And Scar laughs. It's a sound that was pinned in his chest and releases as he and his heart sink back, he on his haunches, from where he was kneeling in the grass, and his heart into his ribcage. He sighs, too. It's a nice feeling.

"Yeah?" Scar asks, mostly out of habit. Grian laughs, too, something soft and far too relaxed to be for a spot in the grass in the middle of Boatem in the middle of the world ending. The moon is too big but Scar is too busy looking at Grian shuffling over to him. Too busy feeling his hands, incredibly slowly and cautiously, slot around his face like they were meant to hold it. It wasn't the first time, it won't be the last, but it was this time. The memory sears into his brain. Grian's eyes flick over his face, gentle and dark brown and so easy to keep eye contact with. Scar stops himself from leaning into his palm. Almost stops himself.

"I'm sorry it was too quiet to notice," Grian says, nearly in a whisper. "I loved you for a while. I did, I did, I do now."

"I was just making sure," Scar says, smiling. "Just kiss me already."

Grian kisses him and it feels like static electricity. And Scar kisses him back.

Somewhere, Pearl’s voice is beckoning them in for dinner. They finish the bottle. Grian finds his hand and doesn’t let it go.

[lilys42]

Bandmates (Josh Dun)- Chapter Four

I wake up late into the morning, unsure of whether or not I had dreamed the whole experience last night. I open my phone and go through my contacts, and sure enough, Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun are listed. I immediately think about their offer to tour with them, and a mixture of excitement and anxiety churns in my stomach. I’m torn between staying in the small town band life I’m used to and traveling around the world with a well-established and famous band. I would no longer be practicing in basements and playing in old bars, half the patrons paying attention and the other half lost in their own conversations. I wouldn’t be making sandwiches with the expired ends of a loaf of bread because I didn’t get enough tips at my last gig to afford more, wouldn’t be making my own band merchandise and drawing my own logo. But wasn’t that the life I’d always wanted?

Ever since I graduated high school and flunked out of college my first year, I knew I wanted to be a musician. Rarely do bands make it to the status of the lucky few like Twenty One Pilots, but I didn’t care that I only had the smallest possibility of making it. I’d work part time jobs to make just enough money to get by as long as I could play music. I spent all my time during the day working so that Lukas, Flynn, and I could have late nights brainstorming new song ideas. We spent a lot of time practicing drunk, which never yielded good songs, but we didn’t have a care in the world.

I pull myself from my thoughts about the past and walk to the kitchen to get some coffee and breakfast. Rhea perks up from her spot on the couch when I appear.

“Morning. Did you get some good beauty sleep?” She asks with a glint in her eye.

“Yeah, I was exhausted when we got back. How about you?”

“Have any dreams about Ohio boys?” She completely ignores my question, obviously wanting to immediately grill me about Twenty One Pilots.

“Not that I remember. But I have been thinking about their offer.” I sit down next to her with my bowl of cereal and coffee.

“Oh? Do tell.” Rhea rests her hand on her chin and smiles at me in anticipation.

“My first instinct is to say yes. Even after mulling it over, I can’t ignore how incredible of an opportunity it is.” I begin.

“But..?”

“But it does make me a little scared. A lot scared, actually. I’d have to leave the only life I’ve ever known, and I’m so used to being a starved musician that barely makes enough money to survive that jumping to a band that makes millions would be a shock. And honestly, I’m most scared of losing my creativity. Everything about the tour is already planned out: the setlist, the stage design, the venues, the dates, even the songs themselves. Maybe they already have the harmonies worked out for me to sing, and who knows if I’d get to play my bass. I’m terrified that I’d miss the freedom of starting from scratch, you know? I don’t get to write lyrics and a melody, then get my bandmates to write the drums and guitar and finish off with a bass line that brings it all together. Isn’t that the beauty of being in a band? The chance to figure it all out together and have that unmatched feeling of finally pulling a song together?” When I finish and look over at Rhea, she’s looking at me with her mouth wide open.

“Damn, and here I was thinking it’d be a simple answer. I never considered…all of that. I completely understand where you’re coming from, but wouldn’t it be fantastic to get yourself recognized? You’ll have people lined up wanting to be in a band with you after they see you’ve worked with Twenty One Pilots. You’ll get your name on the map, and it won’t be so hard to start over with new bandmates. Plus, you pretty much have the guarantee of financial security. The pros outweigh the cons, do they not?” I think for a moment, but I still can’t come to a clear decision.

“I just don’t know.” She smirks at me knowingly, and I can easily guess what she’s about to say before the words come out of her mouth.

“Do I even need to mention how you’d get plenty of unsupervised time with that hunk of a drummer?” I can’t help it, my cheeks blush. We would be spending time together on a cramped tour bus, then hotel rooms, and backstage. And when Tyler goes to spend time with his wife, and we’re left alone…

“Look, why don’t you communicate with them about this? Maybe the decision will be a little easier if you tell them what you’re feeling. They might be able to ease some of those concerns.” Rhea suggests. And it’s a great idea. I finish my breakfast and text Tyler, asking if the three of us can meet up somewhere and talk about their offer. A few minutes later, I receive a message in response: Absolutely. Do you want to come to my house? Jenna and I are out getting coffee right now, but I can get Josh to come let you in and hang until we get back. I reply to his message, saying sounds good. He sends me his address, and when I look up from my phone again, Rhea is looking at me with her eyebrows raised.

“What?” I ask.

“You’re grinning like an idiot. Come on, give it up.” I hand her my phone, and she starts to smile too once she reads through the messages.

“Alone in a house with your drummer. You’ll have to take advantage of that opportunity.” She smirks knowingly.

“Oh, stop it. Will you drive me there?”

Twenty minutes later, Rhea pulls up in front of Tyler’s house. There’s a car in the driveway that I assume to be Josh’s, and my nerves light on fire all of a sudden.

“Deep breaths, Dani. They’re people.” Rhea reassures me, easily reading my thoughts as always.

“I know. I’m just still not used to this. What if I make it awkward?” I say.

“You won’t. I know you won’t. Once you get used to being around them, the conversation will flow easily. Now go on, it’s starting to feel like I’m dropping you off for your first day at kindergarten.” I chuckle, then force myself to open the door and walk up to the house.

“Text me if you need anything. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” Rhea drives off, and I knock on the door. The muffled sound of barking and paws scurrying across the floor comes from behind it, then footsteps. I take another deep breath, then Josh is standing in front of me. I take him in: brown hair tousled and un-styled, black t-shirt and gym shorts, and a pair of scuffed white Nikes. He gives me a wide smile, then his golden retriever, Jim, shoves his head between Josh’s leg and the doorframe to greet me.

“Hey Dani! It’s good to see you again.” He says brightly.

“It’s good to see you too. And to finally meet Jim.” Josh opens the door for me to come in, and I immediately lean down to pet the dog. His tail swishes back and forth excitedly.

“How are you doing? I know last night was…a lot.” Josh asks.

“A lot better. It really helped having you and Tyler there when I was freaking out. I will admit it was a bit embarrassing to have a panic attack in front of people. That’s why I usually hole myself off from everyone.” I explain, opening up a lot more than I initially thought I would. I’m not the type to show my true feelings around anyone when I first meet them. Maybe it’s because I’m a fan of Twenty One Pilots, so I feel like I already know them, but it’s more the way Josh looks at me. He gazes at me with his brown eyes so full of concern and interest, and I can’t help but to spew every thought I’ve ever had. He looks at me like he cares.

“There’s no need to be embarrassed. At all. Ty and I both know what it’s like to feel overwhelmed like that, so we want to help. But I understand the urge to run and hide. Did you want to talk about the tour, or would you rather wait until Tyler gets here?” I smile at how much he’s making sure I’m comfortable, and I tell him we can go ahead and discuss what I’ve been thinking. We sit on the couch side by side, maybe a little closer than necessary, and Jim hops up next to Josh, affectionately laying his head on his lap. Josh strokes his fur absentmindedly, and I can’t help but watch the prominent veins in his hand as it moves. When I look back up to meet his gaze, he’s looking at me with a slight smirk on his face, like he knows exactly what I’m thinking. I ignore the heat creeping up my neck and say,

“I’ve kind of been spiraling, to be honest. Going on tour with you guys seems like a no-brainer, but it’s a really big deal, and I’ve never performed on a scale like that before.” The moment I start talking, I can’t stop. I didn’t expect to be trauma dumping to him, given that I’ve known him for less than twenty-four hours, but here I am anyways. I relay everything I said to Rhea, all my deepest darkest fears about the slim chance of being successful in music. He listens patiently, and when I’m done, tears are trailing down my face.

“God, I’m sorry.” I wipe my face and look away from him, my cheeks flushing from embarrassment this time. Josh brushes my arm lightly, and I turn to face him again. He’s looking at me with furrowed brows and a slight frown on his face. Not out of pity, but pure understanding and concern.

“Can I give you a hug?” He says quietly.

“I’d like that.” I expect him to stand up, but he pulls me to him on the couch instead, wrapping his arms around me, holding me sure and steady. My body immediately relaxes, and I press my face against his shoulder. Then he does something I really didn’t expect: he rests his chin on the top of my head. It’s such a simple gesture, but it’s so intimate. Maybe Rhea was right. Maybe he is into me. Or maybe I’m delusional and he’s just being nice.

“Thank you for sharing all of that with me. I know it wasn’t easy. If it helps you decide, Tyler and I talked about giving you a lot of creative freedom. This would be a collaboration more than us telling you what to do onstage. Sure, it’s a job, but we want you to have fun, first and foremost. Plus, I saw your energy when you were singing. You were genuine. You felt the music deep in your soul. That’s definitely the kind of person I want to hang out with for months on end.” Josh says honestly. I can hear a smile in his words as he talks. We let go of each other, and I suggest,

“Why don’t we all play a song together? That way we can get a feel for each other musically and if this would really work.” Josh suddenly grins from ear to ear.

“So, you’re considering saying yes?”

“I guess I am.” I laugh as he jumps up from his seat on the couch, Jim getting up with him and mirroring his energy. He grabs the dog’s front paws and lifts him up onto his hind legs, dancing with him and looking like a complete fool. I laugh harder, and all traces of panic or sadness leave me.

Suddenly, the front door swings open; Tyler and Jenna take in the very odd scene before them, and Tyler says,

“Am I interrupting something?”

“As a matter of fact, you did. Jim and I were having a moment.” Josh replies in a sassy tone. The golden retriever wrangles free from his grasp and goes to greet the couple.

“Well anyways, hi Dani! This is my wife Jenna.”

“Nice to meet you. Glad you kept this one in check and didn’t let him destroy the house while we were gone.” She says, pointing to Josh. I giggle at the fact that they keep talking about him like he’s their teenager.

“It’s nice to meet you too. Your house is beautiful.”

“Well thank you. I’ll leave you three alone to work on your music.” She smiles, kisses her husband, and heads upstairs. Tyler watches after her with an expression of pure love and adoration.

“So, how’s it going?” Tyler looks mainly to me when he asks this question, presumably checking in on my anxiety level exactly like Josh did.

“Better. Josh and I talked everything through a bit before you got here.” I explain everything that I told Josh and Rhea, and Tyler listens intently. Once I’m finished, Josh brings up his proposal to play a bit together so I can make a definite decision.

“Sounds like a great idea! And Dani, your fears and anxieties are completely valid. I mean, if you’d taken me out of my parents’ basement when I was first learning to write songs to perform in front of hundreds of thousands of people, I’d freak out too. This is a big step, so let’s work through it together. Come on, let’s go downstairs.” Tyler says. I want to tear up at how good they’re being to me, but I fight back my breakdown this time. Josh scans my face and gives me a slight smile, like he can read the emotions just by looking in my eyes. He puts a reassuring hand on my shoulder as we go down to the soundproof basement. I miss every point of contact once he takes his hand away.

I feel a wave of calm wash over me as soon as I enter the room. There are a couple bass guitars lined up along the far wall, along with an electric guitar and a couple amps. Tyler has hung his ukuleles up on the wall, on full display. I recognize the instruments he plays onstage immediately, and they’re noticeably more worn down than the others, the wood and frets worn down from years of hands moving across the neck. Then, there’s Josh’s drum set. It’s a basic kit that doesn’t have all the bells and whistles like his stage drums do. They’re plain white, and he has a couple backup drums, cymbals, and piles of drumsticks tucked away in a corner. Theres also a couch across the room and a mini fridge, which I imagine is full of Red Bull, Tyler’s drink of choice.

“So, do you play any instruments?” Tyler asks as he picks up a white electric bass and plugs it into an amp.

“I play bass, actually. I tried to learn drums, but I guess I don’t have the coordination. As soon as I touched the kit, it’s like I forgot any sense of rhythm.” Both the boys laugh softly, and Josh says,

“I could teach you sometime. If you want.” His hands are stuffed in his pockets, and he looks nervous. I can’t tell if it’s because he’s about to play his music with a new person, or if he was anxious to offer drumming lessons to me. Maybe a little bit of both.

“I’d like that.” I respond, and he lets a breath out. Tyler looks between us with his eyebrows slightly furrowed, then smirks.

“What songs of ours do you know on bass?” He breaks the weird trance between Josh and I, and I falter. It’s like every time I look at him, I forget how to be a person. I forget how to breathe, how to speak. The only thing on my mind is him, and the only thing I can focus on is trying to impress him, trying to make him like me. I can hear Rhea’s voice in my mind: just be yourself. He’s a person, just talk to him. I bring myself back to the present moment, and both Tyler and Josh are looking at me expectantly.

“Quite a few. My favorite to play is Jumpsuit. I’m working on a couple from Scaled and Icy, but since the album just came out and the tab isn’t available online, I’ve had trouble picking out the bass line.” I explain.

“Jumpsuit is a fun one. I can also look at some Scaled and Icy songs too with you. I could always give you the tab for it, and you can practice it on your own. Feel free to grab a bass and mess around.” Tyler points to the instruments, and I pick up a black one. I plug it into an amp, turn it on, and mess with the settings a bit until it sounds how I want it. I feel eyes on me, but when I look over to Tyler, he’s fiddling with the knobs on his own bass. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Josh hovering near me, watching my hands as I pluck a few strings on the bass. Just like I was watching him earlier.

“Alright Dun, get situated.” Tyler says. He reluctantly turns from me and heads over to his kit, his best friend nudging him with his elbow playfully before he sits down. As soon as he’s in the stool and there’s drum sticks in his hands, he visibly relaxes.

 I take a deep breath, listen to Tyler counting down, then begin the song’s low opening bass notes. He watches me for a moment, and once Josh comes in on the drums, he starts improvising some backup notes. Tyler sings the first verse, and then nods to me once the second verse comes around. I sing quietly and unconfidently at first, and Tyler walks a few steps closer so he can hear me better. I look over at Josh, and he gives me an encouraging smile. Tyler starts to sing with me again, and the three of us find a comfortable rhythm that makes me let go of my lingering nerves. I start to move around just as I would onstage, close my eyes, and feel the music. Once I’m confident enough to sing at a normal volume, albeit slightly louder so I can hear myself over the drums, I realize Tyler and I sound good together. Really good. Our voices compliment each other: mine light and airy, his more raw with emotion and feeling.

Once the final notes of the song ring out, Josh and Tyler look at each other in wonder. “You know,” I say, “I think this just might work."