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suashii · 6 months

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— 𝒹𝒶𝓃𝒸𝑒 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝓂𝑒 ౨ৎ

kaeya alberich x reader. 1.4k wc. ﾉ sfw ﾉ fluff

when you return to mondstadt for a short and unannounced trip, the city center is blooming with life.

the statue devoted to the anemo archon barbatos is the heart of the festivities. your eyes drift to take in the sights; bards skillfully playing their lyres, songs of freedom and friendship spilling from their lips, citizens dressed in their best attire reserved for occasions such as these, the fabric of their clothes and the hair atop their heads wafting in the winds of mondstadt as they dance hand in hand. their energy is infectious and despite not knowing what’s being celebrated, you find yourself smiling, your aura brightening.

your gaze scans the crowd for a familiar face—maybe jean or amber—to make your presence known and perhaps learn more about the event. you’re not able to pick either of them out and it makes you wonder if they’re here at all, if they have the luxury of taking time off for leisure.

you turn on your heel with the intention of going to find one of them but are met with a chest instead. you take a step back, an apology on your tongue and halfway out your mouth when you look up to see who you nearly barreled into.

kaeya.

something about him looks different, you think. it dawns on you quickly; the garments you’ve grown accustomed to seeing him in are traded in for something more casual though still dressy—a flowy white shirt with a diamond-shaped opening at the chest tucked into a pair of dark pants. the navy hair you’re used to seeing resting on his shoulder in a ponytail is free from its tie, cascading freely down his back.

it’s a new look on him, one you almost didn’t recognize, though, the patch covering his right eye and the grin greeting you are unmistakable. between the never-before-seen hairstyle and the large amount of exposed, tan skin on his chest, you aren’t sure where to look.

“fancy seeing you here.” kaeya’s voice is all you need to focus your eyes somewhere—his face, where they should be. his one visible eye sparkles with a mixture of curiosity and humor, like he had taken note of your wandering gaze and found it entertaining.

“oh, hello!” you greet him louder than necessary, raising your hand in a friendly wave. your attempt at coming off as nonchalant only makes kaeya’s grin widen. the liveliness around you keeps you from dwelling on the embarrassing moment and gives you the opportunity to change the subject. you gesture to the people around you. “what’s the cause for celebration?”

“well,” he starts, “you have graced mondstadt with your presence during our annual windblume festival.”

you slowly nod and raise your eyebrows, patiently waiting for him to continue. a beat of silence passes between the two of you as kaeya surveys his surroundings, strands of his dark blue hair drifting in the light wind. his gaze falls on you once more. “many, many years ago, the festival was formed to celebrate mondstadt’s liberation from decarabian's rule. as such, the underlying theme of the day was freedom. recently though, the windblume festival is commonly viewed as an observance of love.”

the last word catches you off guard and you try to mask the surprise that instinctively takes over your face. the timing of your arrival is a bit awkward, you think—especially considering kaeya was the first person you happened to run into. you clear your throat before asking, “and which might you be celebrating today?”

he holds your eye and shrugs. “i appreciate both interpretations.”

the corners of your lips turn up in a smile as you nod before your focus unconsciously drifts to the other festivalgoers. you hadn’t noticed it before but there’s a romantic air about the citizens around you. in their dances, they clutch at each other as though they never want to let go. there’s adoration in their eyes as they look on at each other, roses blooming in their cheeks as they bashfully accept what you can only assume are love letters.

you suppose the overwhelming majority of people regard today as a ceremony of love.

“would you care to dance?” once again, kaeya’s voice is like an anchor, pulling you down from the clouds and grounding you on earth. when you turn your head to look at him, his gloved hand is held out between you, his palm up as an offering.

“you,” you point at him emphatically, “know how to dance?”

whether he senses the surprise in your voice or the gesture, kaeya lets out an airy laugh. “swordsmanship and dancing are actually quite similar. both require a certain level of rhythm and quickness on your feet, not to mention coordination and agility.”

it makes sense the more you think about it, though you still have a hard time imagining kaeya in the role of dancer when you’ve grown accustomed to him as a knight, a fighter. however, you will admit; he certainly looks the part today.

it’s only right to celebrate the culture of those you’re visiting. with that in mind, you take kaeya’s hand. the feel of leather on your palm is cool but the tips of his fingers not covered by the glove are warm. you try not to concentrate on it. “i’m afraid i’m not well-versed in the art of dance.”

he shoots you his signature smile. “do not fret, i will lead.”

his other hand makes a home on your waist and you follow the model of those around you, setting yours on his shoulder. it’s an unfamiliar position and with kaeya of all people but you can’t help but think it feels… comfortable. you tip your head up to meet your partner’s eye. without spoken words, his gaze asks: shall we?

hand in hand, you and kaeya sway to the sound of lyres and the musical voices of the bards that accompany the strings. you follow each step he takes—carefully at first, as if one misstep will pop the bubble you’ve found yourself in, ruin the moment you had no idea you were seeking. but as time passes and you pick up on the rhythm, it’s as though you don’t even think before you move.

before long, your focus isn’t on your feet but on the way the wind kisses your cheeks. it’s on the feel of kaeya’s hand pressed to your waist and how the warmth of his palm seems to seep through the leather of his glove and the fabric of your garments. it’s on the blinding smile that’s beaming down on you, warming you from the inside out.

you aren’t sure how much time passes before the two of you slow to a stop in front of the statue of barbatos. long enough for the bards to have moved onto of new song? long enough for the crowd of fellow dancers to have been replaced by another set?

“you shouldn’t sell yourself short,” kaeya tells you as he slowly lets his hands fall to his sides. you do the same. “you are a very good dancer.”

“you flatter me.” your comment is punctuated with a laugh that makes kaeya smile. it’s softer than what you’re used to and, for some reason, it makes your heart thump violently against your chest.

silence blankets you for a short moment before you feel the urge to break it. “um, have you happened to see jean? i haven’t gotten the chance to announce my arrival yet.”

“she’s likely finishing up work at headquarters despite the festivities.”

you had a feeling you wouldn’t find her out and about.

“though, before you take your leave…” kaeya holds up his finger in a gesture for you to wait a moment. you do so as he turns on his heel and makes his way to a nearby stall that is selling flowers. he plucks one away from the rest and attempts to pay the girl but she shakes her head in refusal, surely insisting that the cavalry captain take the blossom free of charge. you breathe out a laugh at their exchange—the people of mondstadt truly love kaeya.

in the time you’ve known him, you can understand why.

his boots scrape against the stone of the ground as he returns, arms held behind his back. he reveals the flower once he’s standing in front of you. “to celebrate your first windblume festival.”

you smile as you accept his gift. you’ve always known him to be considerate, but the sentiment is so thoughtful that it makes your heart swell.

“why, thank you.” you look down at the dandelion in your hand. “i’ll cherish it always.”

thanks for reading! if you enjoyed, please consider reblogging or commenting :3

#₊˚ପ⊹ signed: genshin impact #kaeya x reader #genshin x reader #genshin impact x reader #kaeya fluff #genshin fluff #genshin impact fluff

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dreamings-free · 3 months

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'some visionary' 😂

“The festival has refused to screen it anywhere, saying it didn’t want to interfere with the live performances. So frustrated festivalgoers may want to head over to a camping field near a certain big red and blue tent, where some visionary has set up a flatscreen telly.”

— The Guardian reporting from Glastonbury 30/6/24

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dailytomlinson · 3 months

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Post-Shania, many people’s thoughts have turned to England’s game against Slovakia. The festival has refused to screen it anywhere, saying it didn’t want to interfere with the live performances. So frustrated festivalgoers may want to head over to a camping field near a certain big red and blue tent, where some visionary has set up a flatscreen telly. A couple of hundred people are currently taking in the action, many of them likely squinting a bit. Gwilym has gone back over to the impromptu flatscreen setup to watch England try and come back from a goal down. “A Glastonbury official has come to try and shut the England viewing down, or at least move it away from the main thoroughfare. He’s getting roundly booed. Chants of ‘cheerio cheerio cheerio’ as he eventually gives up and leaves. Oh and Louis Tomlinson is here watching!

The Guardian on the TV set up by Louis at the Glastonbury Festival to watch the Euros match

#louis tomlinson #300624 #the guardian

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thepastisalreadywritten · 11 months

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Story and photographs by Ronan O’Connell

September 26, 2023

In the middle of a field in a lesser known part of Ireland is a large mound where sheep wander and graze freely.

Had they been in that same location centuries ago, these animals might have been stiff with terror, held aloft by chanting, costumed celebrants while being sacrificed to demonic spirits that were said to inhabit nearby Oweynagat cave.

This monumental mound lay at the heart of Rathcroghan, the hub of the ancient Irish kingdom of Connaught.

The former Iron Age center is now largely buried beneath the farmland of County Roscommon.

In 2021, Ireland applied for UNESCO World Heritage status for Rathcroghan (Rath-craw-hin). It remains on the organization's tentative list.

Rooted in lore

Spread across more than two square miles of rich agricultural land, Rathcroghan encompasses 240 archaeological sites, dating back 5,500 years.

They include burial mounds, ring forts (settlement sites), standing stones, linear earthworks, an Iron Age ritual sanctuary — and Oweynagat, the so-called gate to hell.

More than 2,000 years ago, when Ireland’s communities seem to have worshipped nature and the land itself, it was here at Rathcroghan that the Irish New Year festival of Samhain (SOW-in) was born, says archaeologist and Rathcroghan expert Daniel Curley.

In the 1800s, the Samhain tradition was brought by Irish immigrants to the United States, where it morphed into the sugar overload that is American Halloween.

Dorothy Ann Bray, a retired associate professor at McGill University and an expert in Irish folklore, explains that pre-Christian Irish divided each year into summer and winter.

Within that framework were four festivities.

Imbolc, on February 1, was a festival that coincided with lambing season.

Bealtaine, on May 1, marked the end of winter and involved customs like washing one’s face in dew, plucking the first blooming flowers, and dancing around a decorated tree.

August 1 heralded Lughnasadh, a harvest festival dedicated to the god Lugh and presided over by Irish kings.

Then on October 31 came Samhain, when one pastoral year ended and another began.

Rathcroghan was not a town, as Connaught had no proper urban centers and consisted of scattered rural properties.

Instead, it was a royal settlement and a key venue for these festivals.

During Samhain, in particular, Rathcroghan was a hive of activity focused on its elevated temple, which was surrounded by burial grounds for the Connachta elite.

Those same privileged people may have lived at Rathcroghan. The remaining lower-class Connachta communities resided in dispersed farms and descended on the site only for festivals.

At those lively events they traded, feasted, exchanged gifts, played games, arranged marriages, and announced declarations of war or peace.

Festivalgoers also may have made ritual offerings, possibly directed to the spirits of Ireland’s otherworld.

That murky, subterranean dimension, also known as Tír na nÓg (Teer-na-nohg), was inhabited by Ireland’s immortals, as well as a myriad of beasts, demons, and monsters.

During Samhain, some of these creatures escaped via Oweynagat cave (pronounced “Oen-na-gat” and meaning “cave of the cats”).

“Samhain was when the invisible wall between the living world and the otherworld disappeared,” says Mike McCarthy, a Rathcroghan tour guide and researcher who has co-authored several publications on the site.

“A whole host of fearsome otherworldly beasts emerged to ravage the surrounding landscape and make it ready for winter.”

Thankful for the agricultural efforts of these spirits but wary of falling victim to their fury, the people protected themselves from physical harm by lighting ritual fires on hilltops and in fields.

They disguised themselves as fellow ghouls, McCarthy says, so as not to be dragged into the otherworld via the cave.

Despite these engaging legends — and the extensive archaeological site in which they dwell — one easily could drive past Rathcroghan and spot nothing but paddocks.

Inhabited for more than 10,000 years, Ireland is so dense with historical remains that many are either largely or entirely unnoticed.

Some are hidden beneath the ground, having been abandoned centuries ago and then slowly consumed by nature.

That includes Rathcroghan, which some experts say may be Europe’s largest unexcavated royal complex.

Not only has it never been dug up, but it also predates Ireland’s written history.

That means scientists must piece together its tale using non-invasive technology and artifacts found in its vicinity.

While Irish people for centuries knew this site was home to Rathcroghan, it wasn’t until the 1990s that a team of Irish researchers used remote sensing technology to reveal its archaeological secrets beneath the ground.

“The beauty of the approach to date at Rathcroghan is that so much has been uncovered without the destruction that comes with excavating upstanding earthwork monuments,” Curley says.

“[Now] targeted excavation can be engaged with, which will answer our research questions while limiting the damage inherent with excavation.”

Becoming a UNESCO site

This policy of preserving Rathcroghan’s integrity and authenticity extends to tourism.

Despite its significance, Rathcroghan is one of Ireland’s less frequented attractions, drawing some 22,000 visitors a year compared with more than a million at the Cliffs of Moher.

That may not be the case had it long ago been heavily marketed as the “Birthplace of Halloween,” Curley says.

But there is no Halloween signage at Rathcroghan or in Tulsk, the nearest town.

Rathcroghan’s renown should soar, however, if Ireland is successful in its push to make it a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Irish Government has included Rathcroghan as part of the “Royal Sites of Ireland,” which is on its newest list of locations to be considered for prized World Heritage status.

The global exposure potentially offered by UNESCO branding would likely attract many more visitors to Rathcroghan.

But it seems unlikely this historic jewel will be re-packaged as a kitschy Halloween tourist attraction.

“If Rathcroghan got a UNESCO listing and that attracted more attention here that would be great, because it might result in more funding to look after the site,” Curley says.

“But we want sustainable tourism, not a rush of gimmicky Halloween tourism.”

Those travelers who do seek out Rathcroghan might have trouble finding Oweynagat cave.

Oweynagat is elusive — despite being the birthplace of Medb, perhaps the most famous queen in Irish history, 2,000 years ago.

Barely signposted, it’s hidden beneath trees in a paddock at the end of a one-way, dead-end farm track, about a thousand yards south of the much more accessible temple mound.

Visitors are free to hop a fence, walk through a field, and peer into the narrow passage of Oweynagat.

In Ireland’s Iron Age, such behavior would have been enormously risky during Samhain, when even wearing a ghastly disguise might not have spared the wrath of a malevolent creature.

Two millennia later, most costumed trick-or-treaters on Halloween won’t realize they’re mimicking a prehistoric tradition — one with much higher stakes than the pursuit of candy.

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chirp-a-chirp · 28 days

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Simmer

Story Preview: “You keep saying my name like you can’t remember it,” Carla jokes, her breath hitching at his movements. “I promise I know what my name is.”

“Oh, I know.” Leon’s eyes darken. “But I’m aiming to make you scream mine.”

For @xxsycamore Sexy Ikemen Summer Creation Challenge! • Challenge Prompts: Blowing air on neck; not wearing underwear • Rating: Mature 18+ (MDNI) • Fandom: Ikemen Prince • Pairing: Leon Dompteur X OC (OC named Carla, f!character) • Word Count: ~2400 • Tags: Teasing; Vaginal Fingering/Sex; Pet Names; Kissing

…

Music from a summer festival floats in the breeze, lively and vibrant. Street lanterns give way to bright lights within a boisterous tavern. Festivalgoers line every available table and bar stool, enjoying rowdy jokes, copious mugs of ale, and simmering plates of food.

The day had been spent in a blur of dancing and celebration. However, the only thing occupying Leon’s mind now is the pair of playful, simmering blue eyes following him. Leon takes Carla’s hand, fingers twining together, leading her away from the crowd.

There’s an energetic warmth the fourth prince emanates, framing a wide smile and sparkling eyes holding more love than words could ever express. The tavern lights catch in Carla’s hair, reflecting a kaleidoscope of rich copper and golden tones. Her hair cascades past her shoulders, strands flying with abandon expect for a single wisp tucked behind her ear, held in place by a yellow flower. The flower recalls warm memories from earlier in the day.

🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼

“A pretty necklace for a pretty lady!” An eager shopkeeper had made a pitch to Leon at the festival earlier in the day, showing off a series of glittering jewels from behind a table at an outside market stall. “Make her day more splendid by buying one of these.”

Carla laughed joyously, shaking her head. “The day is already beyond splendid with him here.” Carla did not care how saccharine her words sounded—they were the truth, and that showed in the vividness of her smile. Her arm curled around Leon’s waist as she leaned against him. “Besides, I’d rather wear flowers in my hair than diamonds around my neck.”

“That can be arranged.” Leon grinned, bending down to pluck a yellow buttercup growing in the cracks of the cobblestone road. His fingers gently wove the flower in her hair, just behind her ear. The shopkeeper left to talk to another potential customer. Leon bent his face and whispered so only Carla could discern his words.

“Wear this for me later tonight. And nothing else.”

Carla’s cheeks turned bright pink. She murmured back teasingly. “If you’re THAT impatient, we can get things started—once the flower drops from my hair.”

The air simmers with adoration, laced with anticipation. Leon’s breath caressed her ear as he replied. “Until it drops. Not a moment longer.”

🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼

The buttercup clings tenaciously to Carla, as if it wants to prolong the wait. The tavern Carla and Leon are in doubles as an inn, with several bedrooms and a spacious suite for the more well-heeled clients. Leon leads her upstairs, winking at the barkeep. Carla has her suspicions of what’s to come as a trail of red rose petals lines the stairs towards the double doors of the suite. Those suspicions are confirmed when Leon picks her up bridal style and carries her over the threshold.

“A year since we met.” A soft grin tugs at Carla’s lips at Leon’s words. From the moment they met, Carla had been drawn him, and he to her. Carla was delicate in form, yet strong in will; her compassion and fearlessness enveloped his senses. Leon exuded a natural magnetism that glittered and shone brightly even in the darkest corners. Carla looked forward to the next year with Leon and the next. But now, she looks forward to tonight and what it will bring.

“I love you so much, it’s absurd. So, I thought we should celebrate. Proper like.” A loving purr rings in Carla’s ear.

“Proper,” Carla snickers, wiggling out of Leon’s arms. “Your tongue is many things…proper is not the first that comes to mind.” Carla’s hands lift Leon’s black shirt, her fingers tracing his lower stomach.

“Eager already?” Leon teases, leaning towards her neck, his fingers grazing the petals of the nearby buttercup. At that precise moment, Carla’s stomach rumbles. Leon laughs. “Let’s eat. We’ll have our little fun soon enough.”

“Little fun? You’ll pay for that!” Carla huffs at the short joke, sauntering her hips as she walks towards the small kitchen in the suite. An appreciative chuckle and subtle tweak to her backside her tells Carla that Leon riled her up intentionally…and she fell for it. Two muscular arms encircle her waist from behind.

“Well worth the price.” Leon’s chin rests on top of her head. Carla leans back against his chest reveling in his warmth. He marvels in how effortlessly they fit. Fun-sized Leon often called her. But a presence larger than life. She turns in his arms, smirking. “It’s not like we lack for choices. So, which is it—hot and hearty, or quick and efficient to satisfy?” The tone in her voice implies other meanings.

“Ha, either as long as it involves you.” Calloused hands trace the small of her back.

Carla’s eyes dart towards Leon’s waist and back at him. Her hands resume exploring the threads of his shirt, raw desire radiating from her. From their beginning, there was no hesitancy. His warmth drew her in, making her want to bask in all that was her Leon. Hers. Carla nips affectionately at the triangle of exposed skin just below his throat. “And something of substance, I hope.”

Leon’s amber eyes flash with heat. “Hmmm, I do have something pressing for you.”

“Oh?”

“Come closer and find out.” His eyes dilate as Carla leans further in, their bodies just pressing together. Leon’s smile grows as he tries to keep a cool demeanor. “Put your arms around me,” he intones huskily.

“So that’s how it’s going to be.” Carla wraps her arms around his upper back as she stands on tip toes.

“Hold yourself just like that...if you can.” The playful challenge is impossible to ignore. Her lips ghost his neck, her breath caressing Leon’s skin. “No mischief little lion.” Carla chuckles as she twirls fingers in his dark hair.

“Good girl,” he praises.

“For now, love.” The more Carla tries to focus, the more Leon tries to distract her. His lips graze her forehead and down her cheek. He blows a gust of air onto the buttercup, shaking it mostly but not completely away from her hair. “You can say you want me you know Carla. I won’t bite…hard.” Goosebumps prickle her skin at the thought of Leon loving her without abandon. “You’re practically begging for it.”

“Says the man who uttered the word beg first.” Her lips are tantalizingly close to his.

A wave of lust and affection overtakes him. “I could kiss you now.”

“And just like that you admit defeat.”

An amused snort escapes Leon. A part of Leon wants to continue their banter, but he wants to immerse himself far more in everything Carla brings. He leans in to kiss her, pressing Carla against the kitchen counter. The flower is freed from its confines, falling to the floor.

“Hmmm…” A rush of fiery warmth envelop the pair. Leon’s mouth pours everything into these kisses, licking into her mouth, open and eager. Carla mewls against Leon’s lips, eliciting a low guttural moan of his own, telling her she was not the only one swept away. Carla hooks his hip with one of her legs to pull him even closer. Her skirt floats up her legs, exposing more of Carla’s glorious skin. Leon’s hand slides up her thighs under her skirt and travels further upward, grasping her ass, pressing heavily against her skin. His eyes widen at the lack of fabric underneath his fingertips.

Baritone laughter reverberates in the air. “Forget what I said about you being a good girl!” Leon teeth graze the shell of Carla’s ear.

“You aren’t the only one who can surprise their lover,” murmurs Carla. “Took you long enough to find out.”

“Let me show you my appreciation then.” His tongue teases, slowly sweeping across her lower lip, mirroring his fingers as they circle intently around her wet, unclothed entrance.

“Leon…please…”

Carla’s soft voice, muffled against his lips, briefly stops his movements. Her head nestles against the crook of Leon’s shoulder, her breath shaky. Is this too much? His fingers trace backwards along her inner thighs, away from her core. His kisses become lighter, scattered across her hair, still carrying the same warmth Carla craves. “Carla,” he murmurs.

“Sweetheart…” She laughs breathlessly against his skin, feeling cherished yet bursting with need. “That was a plea to continue. Just in a way I can return your affections better.” Her eyes move to the bunched-up position against the counter.

How is she so cute and sexy at once? A mini battle of Leon the gentleman versus Leon the lover plays out before Carla’s eyes. Spying a plush beige couch in the suite, Leon half runs, half drags Carla there. Intuitively sensing her lover’s thoughts, Carla pushes him in a seated position on the couch. He reaches out and pulls her in his arms and onto his lap, kissing her hungrily, hands roaming her curves.

Carla’s hands travel greedily down his shirt, quickly undoing his buttons. “Hmmm…” Her fingers skim Leon’s exposed muscles. “I do appreciate a man of substance.” Carla flashes Leon a naughty smile as lips join fingers, skating across his pecs with sweet, ravenous intent. Leon’s black shirt slides off his arms and is quickly discarded.

A gasp of surprise is heard as Carla’s blouse and bra fly off with Leon’s skilled hands. “Impatient man!” Carla lets out a delicious giggle, her hands looping around his neck. Her body begins rolling against him.

“You’re one to talk lioness.” Leon’s predatory smile belies his chiding words. His hips thrust upward towards her heat, his taut pants providing some but not nearly enough friction. “Carrrrrrrrrla,” he pants.

“You keep saying my name like you can’t remember it,” Carla jokes, her breath hitching at his movements. “I promise I know what my name is.”

“Oh, I know.” Leon’s eyes darken. “But I’m aiming to make you scream mine.”

Carla stills at that proclamation, her teasing bravado vanishing under the intensity of his gaze. Leon pulls Carla’s body so that his face presses against her chest, hands traversing under her billowing skirt to grip her hips and butt.

“Eyes on me love.” He looks up at her, his eyes the color of liquid amber, reflecting the lust boiling through him. His lips press invitingly on her soft mounds, licking stiffening peaks with hunger and precision.

Carla throws her head back and closes her eyes. “Oh GOD,” she cries, not bothering to lower her voice.

“Leon.” The mischief in Leon’s voice, though muffled underneath bouncing flesh, is readily apparent. “That’s my name. Say MY name when I give you pleasure like this.” His lips wrap around a pert nipple.

“What,” Carla mumbles, her thoughts scattering at his flickering tongue. Those thoughts reassemble at the cocky smirk she feels rising on Leon’s lips against her chest. Carla’s mouth opens and shuts without a sound before she laughs loudly. “You REALLY need a modesty lesson!”

“Just telling you what I’m going for, that’s all.” Leon shrugs his shoulders lazily. “I’ll wait. Show you what patience looks like.” Leon grins, leaning slightly back against the couch, a wet nipple popping out of his mouth.

Her half-lidded eyes widen at the threat. “Don’t. You. DARE.” Carla gasps, her breasts rubbing against Leon’s face. Her fingers grasp the back of his head, threading through his hair. “Don’t stop…please.”

“Please what?” Leon purrs.

“Please…Leon…”

Carla’s voice, soft and pleading, leaves Leon beyond pleased. His grin widens against her chest, his fingers caressing the back of her thighs.

“Well, since you asked so nicely lioness.” I NEED you. Need you to be as crazy for me as I am for you. His grip becomes lighter, palms traversing up and down the back of her upper thighs and rear, wet kisses raining down her chest. Carla sinks into his touch, melting like molten golden onto him, crowning their love. She shakes with anticipation and then pleasure as two fingers swirl within her. For several minutes, her body rocks against his fingers until it becomes too much. Her hands quiver as she unbuckles Leon pants.

Leon knows he’ll be quicker at this activity than her. He plucks Carla off his lap, setting her on the side of the couch. Shoes are hastily removed, and his remaining clothes shucked off in one quick, effortless movement. As he picks Carla up and puts her back in his lap, he notices she’s taken her skirt off, rendering her fully bare before him.

“Yes,” Leon growls.

They crave. They want. They come together, their shared body heat comforting yet electrifying. Their names fly from one another’s mouths in unrepressed delight.

“Carla,” Leon rasps, his heat thrusting into hers, her encompassing warmth and pressure capturing him completely. He pants, pushing down the waves of pleasure cascading through his veins to prolong the moment. Carla shudders, overwhelmed, eyes glazed over as she bounces up and down Leon’s lap. The fire in Leon eyes tells Carla he feels the same. Their lips crash onto one another as she bucks against him, clinging to his shoulders and curling her toes tightly, her rhythm matching the heat rapidly pounding into her. They grip one another, crying out as they release, their world going dark in a scorching blaze.

Leon sinks against the couch in the aftermath, arms still tightly wound around Carla’s waist. Carla collapses against him with a groan, nestling on his chest.

“Leon…” The room is filled with heavy panting and intermingling breath. She presses her forehead to his, still craving a connection to him. Sounds of the festival and tavern below are faint and distant.

“God, I love you.” Carla laughs tiredly, blushing, placing a feather-like kiss on the tip of his nose. His heart leaps at her words—unvarnished, direct, vulnerable, like Carla herself.

“And I love you.” Leon gives a soft, lop-sided grin. “You really are too much.”

“Happy anniversary Leon. The first of many I hope.” The tender note in her voice tells Leon how much she truly means it.

“The first of many, I KNOW.”

“You hungry?”

Laughter echoes in the suite. Carla tumbles on the couch, Leon’s arms enfolding her as he lays overtop her. Smoldering flames of desire reignite from the top of her head to the tips of her toes as his lips press against her neck eagerly.

“For you, Carla? Always.”

#ikemen prince #ikepri smut #ikemen prince smut #ikemen prince leon #sexy ikemen summer #sexy ikemen summer cc #otome #otome fanfic #ikemen smut #ikemen fanfic

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louisupdates · 3 months

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Glastonbury 2024

One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson stages impromptu England match screening at Glastonbury

After festival organisers refused to screen Euros clash, pop singer bought flat screen TV and generator from Argos on Sunday morning and set them up in camping area

Gwilyn Mumford | 30 June 2024

Festivalgoers at Glastonbury were given the opportunity to watch England’s Euro 2024 last-16 match against Slovakia by an unlikely figure: former One Direction star Louis Tomlinson, who livestreamed the game in the festival campsite on a flatscreen television he’d bought from Argos earlier in the day.

Glastonbury officials had announced earlier in the week that the match would not be shown at the festival due to clashes with performances on the major stages, forcing fans to find enterprising ways to watch it. Tomlinson was more enterprising than most, purchasing a flat screen TV and generator on Sunday morning and streaming the game using wifi. He said that he had initially intended to watch the game in the hospitality section but was thwarted by spotty reception, so brought the TV to the main festival site instead.

“It’s the second screen I’ve bought,” Tomlinson told the Guardian during extra time. “The first got cracked. I wasn’t going to take credit for it because it looked like we were going to lose in normal time, but now that we’ve equalised I’m happy to.”

By kick-off a sizeable crowd had gathered on a thoroughfare near the Pyramid stage to watch, with Tomlinson sat with friends towards the front. Initially festival staff had been concerned by the gathering, fearing that it might lead to a crush with attenders leaving the Pyramid stage. Staff said that some fans had been abusive when they said that the impromptu screening would have to be ended.

However, a compromise was found, with Tomlinson’s screen eventually angled away from the thoroughfare. There were cheers as the crowd safety officer confirmed that the screening could go ahead as planned.

For much of the game the mood was tense in the campsite, with England a goal down and struggling to break down a stubborn Slovakia backline. Tomlinson, dressed in a retro England windbreaker with a cross of St George’s flag wrapped around his neck, briefly had to intervene when the stream cut out in the second half. After frantically working the remote control, fans were able to resume watching.

Their mood was lifted further when Jude Bellingham equalised for England in injury time, prompting wild cheers and the brief appearance of a flare. England eventually won the game 2-1 with Harry Kane scoring the winner in extra time.

Tomlinson has had a long association with football. A lifelong fan of Doncaster Rovers, he made an appearance for the club’s reserve team in 2013, and was briefly involved in an attempt to buy the club.

He initially shot to fame with One Direction, who had a hugely successful career after winning TV talent show the X Factor – between 2010 and 2016 they had four chart-topping albums in both the UK and US. Since going on hiatus, Tomlinson has switched to a more indie-rock style, releasing two studio albums. The most recent, 2022’s Faith in the Future, reaching No 1 in the UK. He also founded his own music festival, Away From Home.

#the guardian #louisglasto24 #louiseuros24 #euro 2024 #glastonbury 2024 #louis tomlinson #30.6.2024 #louis press

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louistomlinsoncouk · 3 months

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#louis tomlinson #press #30jun24

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it-happened-one-fic · 1 year

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Dead of the Night - Diluc (Part 1)

Author's Notes: This is the first part of my Halloween/October fic series for Genshin Impact! This is going to be a Vampire! AU, so heads up for the folks who don't like vampires. I wrote and edited this series exclusively to "Is this Love" by Whitesnake which did kind of influence how this series came together. Also, this a fair bit more lengthy than my usual works. As per usual, Reader is gender-neutral. I hope you enjoy!

Type: Gender-Neutral Reader/ Vampire! AU/ pining/ romance/ some drama/ fluff with a touch of angst

Word Count: 2578

{Part 1: You're here!}, {Part 2}, {Part 3}, {Part 4}

Also available on AO3 (link deleted due to glitches)

Trigger Warning: Reader does get attacked by a vampire, but all is well.

I frowned up at the grey clouds overhead that were currently hiding the usually glorious sunset that no doubt painted the sky the same colors as the autumn leaves that clung to trees in a show of their final glory before they fell under the pressure of the strong October winds.

But I wasn’t frowning because I couldn’t see the sunset. No, I was frowning because the forecast called for it to be overcast for the entirety of October, which meant one thing.

And that one thing was the very subject that I could already hear being discussed loudly at Angel’s Share as I approached the tavern to meet up with my friends.

“It’s bad enough that it’s October, but it's supposed to be overcast for the entire month now! How are we going to survive the annual influx of vampires when the bold ones will even be out during the day?!”

I sighed at the overly loud shouts from the other people at the tavern, but it came as no surprise. The normally laid-back people of Mondstadt had gotten into the habit of becoming uncharacteristically tense in October, when I’d still been young.

It was back then that they’d come with the Fatui, the vampires. A plague from the cold lands of Snezhnaya, where they thrived in the terminally overcast conditions. They had followed the Fatui, probably laying hidden within their ranks, and come to Mondstadt in my youth. And ever since then, there had been vampires in the land of freedom.

They usually remained quiet, with few attacks ever being heard of. But for unknown reasons, they always seemed to become agitated around the time of Halloween, with October being noted as a month full of attacks.

Usually everyone got their work done during daylight hours and stayed indoors with every conceivable entrance locked as soon as dusk came. But this year it would be overcast throughout October, and, just as the man had loudly explained, some vampires would inevitably take advantage of the lack of sunlight.

“Loud crowd tonight, hm?” I lifted my shoulder in a half-shrug at Kaeya’s words. It was nice to see that even now Kaeya was managing to be as relaxed as ever, despite the gossip flying around about vampires.

“I can’t really blame them, but I’m sure it’s rowdy with the Knights of Favonius too,” I smiled sympathetically at the calvary captain as I sat down next to him. Watching as he swirled the liquid in his mug.

“When is it not? Jean is taking precautions, though,” Kaeya leaned back in his seat, giving me a look that told me everything I needed to know. Just like always, poor Jean was probably overworking herself and doing her very best to soothe a public who would not be soothed.

“I just hope this doesn’t get in the way of the festivals,” Venti frowned poutily at his wine bottle, earning a grin from both me and Kaeya as we both looked towards the sulky bard. But Venti did love festivals. It was a good time for him to perform for joyful festivalgoers and also get wine for cheap.

“What’ll it be, Y/n?” I blinked in surprise at the voice that sounded from behind me, causing me to twist in my seat to look wide-eyed up at the redhead that I definitely had not been expecting to see but who was currently looking down at me as calmly as ever.

Even though he owned the establishment, it was odd to see Diluc at Angel’s Share. He was usually busy dealing with his massive wine business. Either from abroad, dealing with local merchants, or at the Dawn Winery, one.

“I’ll…. Just some Sweet Cider Lake... Thanks,” I faltered under his expectant gaze, but if he noticed, he didn’t react. Instead, he just nodded and headed off towards the counter to prepare my drink.

But unlike his lack of noticing my faltering, I twisted to find my two friends wearing matching grins as they watched me.

I scowled slightly at the two men, only for Venti to let out a mischievous giggle as Kaeya chuckled and held up his hands as if he were surrendering, “Alright, sorry. I should’ve warned you he was here today.”

I crossed my arms, watching Kaeya closely as he smiled far too smugly down at the warmed wine that he continued to swirl in his mug even as I began to question him, “And is that why you wanted to meet up here today?”

The man’s single visible eye widened at my words, and he pressed one hand to his chest, “What? Of course not! I simply wanted my good friends to partake of these delicious seasonal drinks, that’s all.”

His honeyed tone was impressive, but I was hardly convinced.

I didn’t get to say anything, though, since Venti spoke up before I could. Leaning forward with a grin as he eyed Kaeya, “Oho, So you’re going to be buying our drinks then?”

I twisted to look towards Kaeya, so that me and Venti were both looking at the cavalry captain expectantly as he raised his hand in laughing surrender, “Just one round.”

“You’ll all need to be headed home at that point anyway… It’ll be getting late,” Diluc’s voice came from behind me, and it caused me to still once more as he sat down my mug.

His bright red eyes flickered my way from where he’d leaned over to set down my drink, meeting my gaze as he gave the slightest of head nods, “Enjoy.”

It was odd. Speaking to him this way. Ever since that day all those years ago, he’d become more withdrawn.

Just like everyone else in Mondstadt who’d been close to him as a child, I’d awaited his return from his journeys. Praying that, with time, he’d recover from the wounds of his past. But when he’d finally come back, he was still changed, and I suppose I shouldn’t have expected any less considering what he’d experienced.

By now, I was used to it, so in no way was his distantly polite behavior strange to me. But, nonetheless, it was still odd when I talked to him considering that, unlike our other friends, the two of us had never managed to reconnect since our youth.

It was a distant sensation, speaking to someone I’d once been so close to but now seldom saw. Almost like I was looking at him from a long way off, even though he was right next to me.

And I didn’t even know which one of us maintained the distance. Only that it remained between us.

I nodded though, my voice coming out unintentionally soft as I responded with a quiet, “Thank you.”

It was this strangeness, I was certain, that had caused so many to believe that I was smitten with Diluc. And though it was true that I did like Diluc, it was also true that, for the most part, the strange taint to our interactions was what made the atmosphere so awkward.

If anyone realized that, it was Kaeya. Because even though he teased me, he would sometimes go out of his way to have the two of us meet up. Almost like he was trying to ease that strange tension.

Even now, he watched the two of us closely. His brother as he walked away from the table with his usual calmness, and me as I looked away from my old friend and down at my drink.

The sweet mixture of fruit juice and milk I recalled getting when I was young and always begging Crepus for a decorative cinnamon stick just like the one that currently swirled in my mug lazily.

It seemed that even despite this distance, Diluc still remembered things from our shared childhood. Even the little things.

Conversation flowed freely between me, Venti, and Kaeya. With the cavalry captain keeping his promise and buying each of us another round of drinks before we began to trickle out the door with fond farewells on our lips.

I lingered the longest, my brain having been preoccupied ever since I’d begun pondering what it was that had changed all those years ago in my interactions with Diluc.

Was the reason our relationship had not progressed since then my fault? It was possible, but it wasn’t like I hadn’t made an effort. In fact, I’d been one of the first ones to go and welcome him back home when he’d first returned.

I couldn’t blame him either, though. He hadn’t been cold or tried to drive me off in any way. Rather, it was like we drifted apart in the most natural of ways. But it still left a sadness in my heart when I thought about what, exactly, had become of our friendship.

I stood, turning to head towards the door, only to be stopped by a cautious hand on my shoulder. I turned to see Diluc looking at me, his other hand resting on the table that he’d no doubt just come to clean before closing the tavern for the night.

“Be careful going home. Night has already fallen.” Unlike his usual words, these seemed to be tinged with unsteady awkwardness. Almost like he, too, was at long last feeling that same tension that I’d felt all this time.

But I was relieved nonetheless, and I smiled at him, “I will be. But you ought to be careful as well. After all, you’ll be leaving even later than I will.”

A smile flitted across Diluc’s face, so fast that if I’d blinked, I would have missed it before he shook his head, “No, I’ll be fine. Thank you, though. Take care Y/n.”

I left Angel’s Share with a smile still on my face and a brief wave towards the young man, who was once a close friend and now wasn’t quite a stranger. I knew him too well for that to ever be the case.

Even if the Diluc I’d gotten to know had been the young one, some of the same things still held true for the man that had been true for the boy. And, strangely, it was a comfort to know that.

I glanced up at the sky as I strolled down the street, noting how the clouds had cleared so that the starry sky was perfectly visible. I smiled to myself at the common sight.

Perhaps all of October wouldn’t be cloudy, and it would be just as normal as could be, with one only having to be careful of vampires at night.

No sooner than those thoughts had registered, than the sound of something on the rooftops just next to me had me freezing in the darkened street.

I frowned almost immediately as the sounds stopped at the very same moment my footsteps had halted. But those sounds had been too heavy to be one of the cats from the Cat’s Tail.

With a creeping feeling of dread as all of those comments about vampires came back to haunt me, I turned and looked up.

I swallowed thickly as I gazed up at the ominous silhouette that I was almost positive did not belong to the rumored Darknight Hero. And when the man leapt down, landing easily on the stone pathway in front of me, I didn't wait to find out. Instead, I turned and ran. Bolting down the pathway only to hear the sound of heavy footfalls that signaled that I was indeed being chased.

Internally, I cursed myself for having become so lost in my thoughts earlier that I let the hour get so late. If I hadn’t been so busy thinking about the past and how it had led to the present, I wouldn’t have been in this situation. I would be at home, safe and sound. Free to mope over Diluc in safety.

But thinking about it wouldn’t change anything now, and it certainly wouldn’t help me get away from the creature chasing me.

My hand grasped a light pole as I practically threw myself around a corner and used the pole to help myself keep up my momentum.

The only reason I hadn’t been caught yet was the adrenaline I could feel pumping through my veins, but it would only last so long, and the moment it ran out, I’d be caught.

After all, it was common knowledge that vampires could go at incredible speeds, and, judging from the lack of heavy breathing to accompany the racing footsteps behind me, my pursuer wasn’t entirely mortal. Or at the very least, if they were, they had incredible stamina.

I slipped on the cobblestones but kept going, my feet digging at the smooth pathway that usually made for nice strolling. But it wasn’t enough.

Arms snatched at me, forcing me to the ground as I fought back. Kicking out and rolling all at once. As if looking up at my assailant could help.

And, sure enough, the fanged face that greeted me confirmed my fears. Despite the warnings I’d heard for the better part of my life, I’d gotten myself caught by a vampire.

There were no questions as to what was going to happen next, even as I struggled in its inhumanly strong grasp. Doing everything I could to break free, even though every logical part of me knew my chances were slim at best.

For unknown reasons, I didn’t scream. But tears stung at my eyes as it bared its teeth at me, a hissing sound emitting from its mouth before it made a mad dive for my neck.

I jerked my chin down and over my neck in a feeble attempt to protect myself, even as I squeezed my eyes shut. But the painful sensation of its bite never came.

Instead, the vampire was ripped off of me with a howl of rage that had my eyes flying back open almost immediately, only to see the creature get flung across the street.

I scrambled backwards, looking up with wide eyes, to see the incredibly familiar but unexpected sight of flaming red hair that clearly gave away my savior’s identity.

A curse fell from the vampire’s lips, causing me to flinch slightly as my gaze darted back where it crawled out of the now-cracked fountain with a snarl, “You have no claim on them. Find your own food.”

Food…? What?

My eyes darted back towards where Diluc stood, calmly fixing his glove as he stayed between me and the vampire, “As if you have some sort of claim to them. It’s high time you crawled back into whatever hole you came from.”

His voice was beyond cold. Far icier than I’d ever heard him sound before, but then I’d never seen Diluc like this either.

The vampire gave a wheezy snort of laugh as it shook itself off, patting at its sleeves in an almost mocking way, “As if a child like you could make me. You aren’t even a clan leader, just a pathetic loner who's in denial.”

It stepped back with one foot, rolling its shoulders in a way that could only be described as predatory, and had me grimacing as I pressed myself back further still, even as I kept staring at the scene before me. Somehow unable to look away despite desperately wanting to escape this moment.

“I suppose some before-meal exercise is in order, though,” Its voice was haughty as it spoke, a glint to its eyes right before it dove forward. Arms outstretched and fangs bared as it launched at Diluc, who, at odds with the creature, stood firm.

In fact, he seemed utterly calm as he reached and grabbed the hilt of the claymore that appeared out of thin air the very moment he needed it.

“Very well,” His voice was calm but held an undertone of irritation as his hand curled firmly around his weapon's hilt. But then, as he swung his weapon, I could see that his face set with a special sort of rage as the weapon sliced through the creature and flames ignited along its blade right as he bellowed, “BURN!”

And in the light of those flames, I saw something so incredibly simple that made my blood run cold. Because as I looked at his enraged profile while he shouted that condemning word and the vampire caught fire and incinerated at unnatural speeds, I stared at a sight that horrified me far more.

The two sharp fangs, that perfectly explained what the vampire had meant when it had mentioned food earlier.

*Sweet Cider Lake is a drink from the Drink a-dreaming event. It was made with juice and milk.

@vera-deville

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scavengedluxury · 1 year

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Festivalgoers, May 1st parade, Budapest, 1975. From the Budapest Municipal Photography Company archive.

#budapest #hungary #street photography #festival #concert #1970s

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i-am-aprl · 10 months

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@ahmedeldin

Israel's @haaretz reports that an Israeli official investigation concluded that an Israeli military helicopter killed revellers at the Nova rave on 7 October and that #Hamas fighters did not know about the festival.

Israel started its offensive on Gaza, killing over 12,000 Palestinian civilians, nearly half of whom are children, under the pretext of fighting Hamas and claiming that Hamas fighters attacked the festival goers.

Originally intending to target a Kibbutz, Hamas shifted plans upon discovering the festival. The investigation also indicated that an Israeli army helicopter, dispatched after the attack, mistakenly fired at festivalgoers instead of Hamas operatives, contributing to the casualties.

The festival saw at least 364 deaths, with the exact number caused by the helicopter unknown.

The discourse surrounding the event remains clouded by anti-Palestinian and Islamophobic rhetoric, hindering crucial discussions about the incident on 10/7.

Recent revelations suggest that the burnt bodies might have been Hamas militants, and Israeli helicopter fire is implicated in the deaths of some attendees.

#Haartez #haaretz #gaza strip #palestine #israel #free gaza #فلسطين #gaza under fire #gaza #Save gaza #free palestine #jerusalem #i stand with palestine #israel is a terrorist state #gaza under attack #gaza under genocide #gazaunderattack #save gaza

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pockyteau · 2 years

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FIREWORKS THAT NEVER END

✩ a chishiya x reader where the memories of summer festivals never truly fade

You met Chishiya at one of the summer festivals held in your neighbourhood, when the two of you were about nine or ten.

The festival was alight with spun sugar and sheet cakes, a ferris wheel spinning slowly overhead as soft music danced on the wind. The air was dark yet summery; it was full of a condensed kind of warmth that came from a fairground full of people and laughter, with candy apples and crepes being shared among friends. Festivalgoers pattered happily past, their snatches of conversation drifting up into the afternoon sky.

You had gazed upon the scene with obvious envy, the singular candy apple in your hand seeming to highlight your solitude; you had only just moved into the area, and hadn't had the chance to make any new friends yet. Besides, most of the kids at the festival were accompanied by their families. Yours would never deign to come.

A small sigh escaped your lips. It was better to be here than home, you supposed, where the atmosphere was lively and bright. Your eyes did one more sweep of the fairground, searching for a place to perhaps sit and inconspicuously enjoy your candy apple.

It was then that you'd caught sight of Chishiya, sitting on the ledge of the stone wall that surrounded the fairground.

You were surprised to see him there, considering there was no way his father would have made an appearance at such a local event. Later on you would learn that Chishiya never spoke much about himself or his family, but even then you could tell something was off. Everyone knew who his father was, even you - Chishiya Shuntaro's father ranked among the highest medical professionals in the country. He had appeared many times on TV, his persona cold and clinical. He never seemed to act like he had a son, and this left little to the imagination about Chishiya's home life.

And sure enough, Chishiya was alone, chewing absentmindedly on some strawberry confection. His expression was so placid it astonished you - it looked as if he had been taught to show nothing on his face at all. His mask cracked, only slightly, when his eyes glimmered as he bit into a strawberry.

You glanced around the festival once more and then back at the candy apple you held, scuffing your heels against the ground distractedly. Could this be your chance to make a new friend? You frowned. But what would you even say to him? You had wanted someone to share festival snacks with, yet the infamous son of Japan's prized medic wasn't exactly who you'd been looking for. Besides, he looked busy enough with his strawberry crepe.

Perhaps you could go catch goldfish instead.

Ah! At this you recalled the orange goldfish booth, and its cardboard sign painted with bright letters that spelled out Free Entry for Groups of Two or More. You chew the inside of your cheek. You had a 100 yen coin, sufficient entry for one, but you hope that the tantalizing offer of free things would entice Chishiya to join you.

It felt as if the summer breeze was spurring you on, your small footsteps light on the ground until you stood before the blonde. His gaze flickered to you curiously but he said nothing, peering at you over his crepe. It seemed that Chishiya's eyes were a little more expressive than the rest of his face, inquisitive and flecked with light. He has pretty eyes, you remember thinking.

"Do you want to come catch goldfish with me?" you asked with a smile.

Chishiya simply stared at you for a moment before raising his brows in question, and you realised that you had entirely skipped the hi-my-name-is part of the interaction. Did that count as a grave social error? "Ah," in attempt to amend your mistake you waved in the direction of the goldfish stall, indicating the bright orange sign. "Groups of two or more get free entry," you explained.

Chishiya pressed his lips into a line after mouthing an ah of understanding, a slight frown creasing his forehead. He then took an agonisingly slow bite of his crepe, eyeing you as he munched the mouthful of strawberry confectionary. "Okay," he finally said, swallowing, "but why me?"

"Oh," you weren't prepared for this question. You shrugged, causing the fabric of your yukata to rustle around your shoulders. You didn't want to admit to him that you didn't have any friends yet because you still had some dignity left to lose, and so you fished around for a different answer. "Because...?"

You couldn't think of anything.

Chishiya's lips twitched in amusement, in a way that made you think he was rather enjoying watching you fumble for a response. Well, you weren't much further from rock bottom at that point, so you decided to change tactics. "Because I'll buy you a candy apple if you come with me?" you offered, hoping to sweeten the deal.

At this Chishiya huffed a laugh, leaning forward slightly from where he was seated on the ledge. "Are you bribing me?" he asked, but his eyes were glinting. You took this as a positive sign, and grinned.

"I am bribing you. Will you come?"

The blonde hummed, before his eyes flickered to the apple in your hand skeptically. "Didn't you want me to come with you to get free stuff? Spending money on me would defeat the purpose of my coming at all."

"Ah," you paused, mulling it over, "right. I mean, I don't have to buy you an apple."

Chishiya snorted again and hopped off the ledge. "Whatever. Get me another crepe and you'll have a deal." -

You watched in a rather dejected fashion as Chishiya scooped what seemed like endless goldfish into a water-filled bowl with his paper net. In hindsight, maybe you should've bribed someone else to come with you. The fish flickered around the pool like flashes of gold thread, unable to escape Chishiya's net.

"You're so good at this," you sighed. Your bowl contained but one little fish, the only one you were able to catch before you paper net disintegrated.

The blonde shrugged. An easy thing for him to do, as his bowl was brimming with fish. He scooped one more fish into his bowl as if to punctuate his nonchalance before withdrawing his net. "It's not that difficult."

You sadly held out your singular fish to him, and his lips twitched as if to conceal a laugh.

"Look, it's so lonely," you said mournfully. Your fish swam in a feeble little circle, backing up your claim.

Chishiya glanced down at your bowl with a strange sort of expression, something halfway between a laugh and a grimace, before transferring his gaze to his own. The comparison was clearly abysmal. He sighed, before holding up his bowl of fish out to you; you caught how the sleeves of his yukata were completely dry, while the tips of yours were slightly damp from attempting to catch goldfish. "You can have one of mine, if you want," he offered.

You smiled, somewhat surprised. "Really? But you caught them all."

"I don't need this many fish," Chishiya said, his tone amused. "To be honest, I don't see why you would either."

"Oh, I want to catch them all. You know Pokémon?"

The corner of Chishiya's lips tugged up into a half-grin, boyish and a little softer than his stony expression from earlier, and a glimmer of enchantment settled over you for a moment. You wondered what it would be like if Chishiya smiled, for real. He didn't look as if he smiled a lot, somehow.

You were further entranced when Chishiya attempted to decant a single fish from his fishbowl into your barren one, his dark lashes lowered and fluttering with concentration. It proved more difficult to successfully transfer the designated fish than expected - this time it was Chishiya's sleeves that suffered. Giggling, you cupped your hands around where the two bowls met to prevent further water spillage after he shot you a glare.

After much struggle, the fish eventually ended up in your bowl.

"Yes!" The two of you shouted triumphantly when the fish finally landed successfully into your bowl, victorious laughter tumbling off the tips of your tongues. Chishiya was smiling then, for real, but his expression quickly dropped when a few of the festivalgoers shot the two of you curious glances. You blinked, surprised at his sudden change in demeanor, and turned in time to catch a glimpse of the passersby as they retreated into the distance. Their hands were raised to their lips, set to whisper.

Like clockwork, Chishiya's face hardened and you managed to catch how his jaw set before he glanced away. In a rush, you remembered how well-known he must be within the neighbourhood.

"Hey," you nudged him softly, hoping to distract him. You lifted your fishbowl, in which the population had miraculously grown to two fish. "Why don't we name them? You name one, I'll name the other."

"Hm? Oh." Chishiya exhaled, passing a hand over his face, but he didn't turn you away. After a moment of silence he leaned in closer to you to observe the fish, brow slightly creased into a frown. When another lengthy silence ensued, you assumed that Chishiya had not been blessed with the great ability to name things.

"Crepe," he said finally, and you were unable to suppress the burst of laughter that escaped your lips.

"You want to name your fish Crepe?" You raised a hand to cover your mouth, shoulders still shaking gently with laughter. Crepe the Goldfish swam in an outraged circle. Chishiya arched a brow.

"Well, what's your fish called, then?"

You thought for a moment. "...Fish."

Chishiya snorted. "Fish?"

"It's accurate! Chishiya, don't laugh, that's disrespectful."

"Don't poke me, your sleeves are wet. Fish is so much worse than crepe."

"Shh! Fish can hear you!" -

All of a sudden, the night sky was exploding - but when you looked up, it was only raining coloured light.

Your breath hitched. "Chishiya! It's fireworks!"

The pops of light filled your vision like falling stars. You tugged Chishiya by his sleeve to the crowded plain of the fairground, wanting to get closer to the magic. Chishiya grumbled, telling you to slow down or you'd drop your fish, but he stumbled along with you nevertheless.

You had never seen fireworks before, but you had always wanted to; the more rural prefectures of Tokyo you had moved from tended not to hold these kinds of celebrations. So you watched the world glitter for the first time in your life, and it felt like the heavens were a little closer to you, just for a moment.

"I've never seen fireworks before," you breathed, dazzled. You shifted the fishbowl in your hands - the ceramic was cool against your skin, bringing you back down to earth. You turned to Chishiya, lit up with excitement. "They're so pretty! Do you get to see them every year?"

A beat of silence followed your words, and at first you thought that your voice had gotten lost amidst the clamour of festivities. But then Chishiya slowly shook his head.

"This is the first time I've come to one of these," he admitted. For a split second he was illuminated with light, specks of colour dancing across his face, before the fireworks blinked out. "So no."

"Really?" You tilted your head to the side in surprise. Surely, Chishiya had been to at least one festival before? After all, he had lived here longer than you. "How come?"

Chishiya shrugged, another gesture that was lost upon your vision in the darkness, save for the quiet rustling of fabric. "Most kids go with their parents," he said. "Mine would never come. I didn't see the point in going."

"Oh," you said, so soft you didn't know whether or not he could hear it. Another beat of silence, only longer that time. You felt your chest squeeze. The urge to take his hand overcame you - something your mother used to do to comfort you. She never really did it anymore, but the fond memory still lingered in your mind. Chishiya smiled wryly.

"Don't feel sorry for me," he said mildly. "I hate it when people do."

"Oh," you said again. "Uh...I wasn't."

This made Chishiya grin. "Good."

You couldn't help it - you grinned back. What you wanted to say was that you weren't pitying him, not at all. You too had come alone, left to your own devices as your parents took no notice of where you went. You doubt they even noticed you were gone now. But you couldn't find the words to tell him in a way that sounded comforting, less childlike, less pitiful. Your vocabulary just wasn't large enough yet.

So you didn't say it at all.

The last firework of the night whistled up into the air and burst, but Chishiya's eyes remained on you. The noise caused you to almost miss his voice, but you were able to catch the words take shape on the blonde's lips.

"Thank you," he murmured. Maybe it was all the noise going on around you, but you were sure that he was speaking a lot quieter than before. He gave you an idle smile. "I had fun today."

The fireworks might have been over by then, but Chishiya's words had the lights beginning to sparkle in your chest instead. At that moment, you realised that you'd just made your first friend since you'd moved. Gone was the hesitance you had felt upon first speaking with Chishiya - warmed with the happy glow, you gave him your biggest smile. "Me too!" -

It was the summer after your fourteenth birthday when Chishiya moved away. But just before he left, the two of you attended one last festival together.

You remember the chirp of faraway cicadas accompanied by the scent of sugar upon the air as you bit the inside of your cheek, incredulous. Chishiya had just broken the news to you. "You're moving away? But why?"

Chishiya shrugged. "My father thinks the schools here aren't good enough," he said. He sounded much too indifferent for such a crisis. "I'll still be in Tokyo. Just in a different ward."

You frowned. "But still...it'll be weird not seeing you anymore." You felt the sting of tears behind your eyes, and desperately tried to suppress them. Chishiya had borne witness to your tears many times before, like when you'd scraped your knee at ten or scored miserably on a test at twelve, but you thought that now you were fourteen you were too old to shed tears. This wasn't something you could patch up with a bandaid or offers to help you study, anyway. "Who am I going to thrash at coconut shy now?"

"I beat you at coconut shy every time we play, though." Chishiya leaned in closer, inspecting you. "Look, don't cry."

"I'm not!" You scrubbed at your eyes fiercely, trying to erase the evidence of the tears collecting above your lower lashes. Chishiya raised a hand to muffle his laugh, a rare sound that you had always sought to hear from him since your first meeting. "Shun, don't laugh! This is a serious matter!"

Chishiya grinned, lifting his hands as if to show surrender. "Okay, okay. Not laughing, see?"

You hit his shoulder weakly, giving a watery laugh of your own. He only grinned wider at the action. "I hate you," you said mournfully, not meaning it for a second. All you really wanted to do was to give him a big hug, but in all the years you had been friends you had grown to be cautious of touching Chishiya. He seemed to dislike physical contact, visibly tensing whenever you opened your arms for a hug. "You have to buy me three candy apples to make up for this."

"...I'll buy you two."

"Shuntaro!"

"Fine! Three." -

You and Chishiya stood under the fireworks once more, for the last time.

You had ended up giving in, the blonde purchasing only two candy apples - one for you and the other for himself. You found this rather odd, since you knew he much preferred strawberries and would have rather bought one of the crepes, but you said nothing about it.

The two of you had munched on the treats in silence, and in doing so you had recalled the numerous times you had shared such a moment with Chishiya before. What would it be like to come to the summer festivals alone once he had moved away? By then it had become like a tradition between you. You couldn't imagine him not being there next to you, chewing on some fruit confection with appreciative murmurs.

The fireworks exploded all around you, scattering the world with light. Purples and pinks and blues painted the night sky. It's so beautiful, is what you remember thinking - it was like a spell has been cast on you and suddenly you were nine again, a fishbowl in your hands and your eyes wide with wonder. Chishiya was beside you, and the world was right.

You just couldn't picture it being any different.

"Shun," you whispered. "It feels like the world is ending."

He turned to you, the inquisition in his brown eyes flashing with the glimmer overhead. His surprise faded quickly and a slight smile spread over his face, his eyes crinkling slightly with amusement. Your favourite smile on earth.

"Don't be silly," he said, "you'll be fine when I'm gone."

"But I'm going to miss you." You said sadly. Chishiya didn't give an answer, but laughed quietly in a way that said, you'll forget about me soon enough. The thought of such a thing happening brought an ache to your heart.

For a long time, the two of you stood in silence. Your eyes fluttered closed for a beat, then two. You focused on the feel of the night air cooling against your skin, the sounds of the firework display. If the world as you knew it was ending, then you wanted to commit this moment to memory.

Tentative fingertips brushed against the back of your hand. Your eyes blinked open. Chishiya's touch was ginger and ever so light, like a softly-spoken word, and you allowed him to take your hand without question. Your fingers intertwined and the warmth of his palm pressed against your own.

That's when you understood that Chishiya would miss you too.

You snuck a glimpse at the blonde out of the corner of your eye; if there had been light, you would've seen that the tips of his ears were dusted with pink. You looked away, mumbling into the darkness.

"You have to write to me every day, okay?"

"I think my hands would fall off if I did."

"That's what you deserve, you traitor. Alright, how about once a week?"

Chishiya paused. You could hear the grin in his voice when he spoke. "I'll see what I can do."

"I swear I had 500 yen in here somewhere," you grumble.

You sift through the numerous coats in your closet, checking all the pockets twice over. You vaguely recall, over the winter, having slipped a coin or two of change into your pocket. You give up and begin searching the floor of the closet; maybe you're lying to yourself and the 500 yen really doesn't exist, but it's summer and you want to buy ice cream. And money found in coat pockets means you're not eating into your savings, right?

"Huh," you push aside heavy fabric to find a cardboard box, tucked into the corner of your closet. You pull it out with a frown - you don't remember having put this box in there. When your fingers touch the lid, you find it is covered in a thin film of dust. The objects in it must be ages old.

But when you lift the box into the sunlight and slip off the lid, the memories come flooding back.

A stack of letters sits in the centre, tied up neatly with a blue ribbon. Oh, you think. You pull on the bow carefully and it easily comes undone, the ribbon fluttering down to the cardboard. The envelopes in the stack are thin and slightly creased, presumably from all the times you had read and reread them all those years ago. Of course. How could I forget?

You slip the top letter off the stack, turning it over to read the address. The characters are scrawling and written in thin graphite pencil, in that barely readable way you had always teased him for writing in.

It's been a while since Chishiya's written.

You slowly peel the envelope's flap open and slide the folded piece of Campus paper out of it, turning it over in your fingers. After that summer, when Chishiya left, you had kept up regular correspondence for about a year.

Chishiya had kept his promise, for the most part.

Back then, you wrote to him about everything - school, how Ms Yamagata the homeroom teacher left to teach in Sendai, how you missed him since Mozuki Tadashi moved into his empty seat. Though much less of a smartass, Tadashi was just not the same. Chishiya replied, with news of how his new school was, how his neighbours held too many barbecues, and to stop flooding his house with letters or he'd drown in the paper. You'd snorted upon reading that. Yet even so, his letters meant the world to you - they meant that he still kept you in mind, as you did him. But as you came to know, the world always ended one moment at a time.

This theory came into practice as time wore on, his responses growing fewer and further in between, his letters growing shorter each time. You began to dread the letter that would be his last. And once the snow began to melt from the trees, they eventually stopped coming.

You never knew why - you reasoned at first that maybe he was busy, and would write back to you when he could. You understood Chishiya's priorities better than most, and so you left it alone. But when months passed without word, you thought that maybe his letters had gotten lost in the mail, or postal services had been delayed; you'd even visited the post office yourself to ask if anything had come for you. But after many more months of waiting and a few more letters inquiring after him, you never got another envelope. You had been devastated. Despite the distance between you two, you were convinced that you would stay in touch.

You remember the last letter he'd replied to, where you had detailed the summer festival that year. You made sure to note that the crepe stall had been taken over by the former owner's daughter, who had given you a free crepe - you were pretty sure that was the only news he might be interested to hear.

In the last letter you received from him, he told you that they didn't hold summer festivals where he'd moved. It was a brief letter, like how all his most recent ones had become. You could tell that the graphite pencil he was writing in had worn down by how his words darkened towards the end of the letter.

That was when you were fifteen.

You wrote to him again, your final letter, when you were eighteen. Three years later. Your father had passed away of a chronic illness, and your mother shortly after from grief. They had always been more of a two-person unit, despite their child. You wrote that Chishiya was welcome to come to the funeral, if he was ever in the area; even though your family had remained detached from you, they recognised the blonde from the many times he had visited your place to get away from his own family. Of course, at that point you didn't expect him to reply, nor for him to come. And just like all the other letters, it went unanswered.

You startle slightly when a small pop sounds outside, muffled by the glass of your window, followed by multiple bursts of the same sound.

A sigh escapes your lips, brought back from your reverie. You let the letter flutter to your lap as you stretch your arms out behind your head. When the pops outside grow louder with every passing second, you quickly pack up the box again and put it back into your closet, wanting to check out the source of the sound. The moment of reminiscence is over. The noise sounds like fireworks, you believe, but that's strange - the festivals don't start for another week.

Speaking of which, you hadn't gone to a summer festival in a while, either. When was the last time you had gone? You can't seem to remember, exactly; Chishiya had always been at the back of your mind whenever the intention tugged at you. Hm, you clamber to your feet, maybe I should go again this year.

A few steps forward brings you to the window and you stare out of the glass panes, brows furrowing with confusion. Sure enough, the sounds are fireworks - what seems like millions of them, bright and dazzling against the clear blue sky. Your eyes flicker, the simple and familiar thought flitting across your mind. They're so pretty. You're hit with a sudden wave of nostalgia, taken back to a time when summer didn't feel so melancholic.

Maybe, you amend your earlier decision, maybe I could go visit now.

You'd just go to see the fairground, maybe buy a few candy apples if the stalls are still there. It would be nice, to see it again after all these years.

You grab a light coat before leaving, since you spot a gentle breeze lifting the leaves on the pavement outside. Upon shoving your hand into its pocket, you touch something metallic. You blink, pulling out the object.

Ah. There's your 500 yen. -

It's strangely quiet when you step foot on the fairground, save for the quiet whisper of trees and the fireworks still going on overhead.

The wind is soft and warm against your back as your gaze roams the grounds. The silence that has settled over the fairground becomes no mystery when you realise that you are the only person there. Are the grounds closed? But you're sure that it would be open at this time in the afternoon, when pink has not yet begun to melt into the sky, when it would usually be bustling with people.

You take a few steps forward, glancing around. The food stalls are all empty, the hand-painted banners fluttering gently in the breeze. Come to think of it, you hadn't seen anyone on your way to the fairground, either. You had just assumed it was a quiet day; empty streets weren't that uncommon in the warmer weather, where your neighbours would stay inside to keep cool in air conditioning, but an entire fairground is another story.

Your heartbeat picks up ever so slightly as you begin to make your way through the empty fairground. You walk slowly and cautiously, as if someone might pop out of the shadows at any minute. You find the candy apple stall, as silent as the rest of the grounds. There are still fresh apples in the display case, as if they had been made just this morning. You peer into the stall again once more hesitantly before taking one - after a moment's thought you leave your 500 yen coin on the counter, in case someone came inquiring after the missing apple.

Deciding to take advantage of the empty fairground you patter around the area aimlessly for a while, munching your apple. On your way you pass the stone ledge where you'd met Chishiya for the first time, the goldfish scooping stall, the plain where you had stood craning your neck to watch the fireworks. The plain is where you stop now - the fireworks are still going on above your head, so you thought you might as well watch them for a while.

You've never seen fireworks in the daytime, but no matter how many times you've seen such lights before, they're always able to recapture the magic you'd first felt upon seeing them. You breathe out, reliving those summer memories of tasting sugar and the coolness of the wind on your tongue. You are brought back to what you'd said to Chishiya all those years ago. It feels like the world is ending, you'd whispered. Though it seems childish, the unusual emptiness of the fairground feels like your words might be coming true, somehow.

"Perhaps the world really is ending now, hm?"

Somewhere behind you, someone voices your thoughts aloud.

Your pulse picks up as soon as the sound graces your ears. The voice is soft and lilted with amusement, carried on the wind. It's slightly different from when you'd last heard it, lower and maybe even a bit more aloof, but his tone is unmistakable. Your heart suddenly aches; you dare not believe it.

But then you turn around and Chishiya is there, right in front of you, a half-grin adorning his face like he'd never left.

As you stand there frozen, eyes wide, it feels as if you are viewing the scene as a third person; like you're watching the final scene of a movie, where the only two characters are you and him, before the credits begin to roll. The silk screen wavers as you utter a quietly incredulous laugh. Chishiya smiles, his eyes crinkling in the way that you loved so much. His eyes look darker, his expression harder, but his smile had always been your favourite.

You take a small, hesitant step forward.

Maybe the world is ending again, but it occurs to you that maybe it should be. With Chishiya, the world is always ending and beginning over and over, as rapid as green leaves on the summer breeze. Chishiya lets you tentatively wrap your arms around him into a hug, burying your face into the soft fabric of the white hoodie he is wearing. He was never one for physical contact but now he rubs small circles into your back, a chuckle in his voice as you tell him in a wavery tone how much you hate him. But of course, you don't; you could never bring yourself to. The unanswered letters of your youth drift away on the air current that tousles his blonde hair.

The world is ending again, but you think that as long as Chishiya is with you this time, it'll be okay.

#chishiya x reader #chishiya shuntaro x reader #chishiya #alice in borderland #aib #chishiya shuntaro #chishiya fluff #chishiya shuntaro x you #chishiya x y/n #chishiya oneshot #chishiya childhood friends au #aib au

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beanwood · 1 month

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y'all are probably witnessing my porter robinson phase rn and going wtf but I assure you it didn't come from nowhere. it started because I found out that porter likes hardstyle music. hardstyle changed my life for the better and it's one of my favorite genres, but I hardly ever see people outside of like the festivalgoers even acknowledge hardstyle's existence, let alone discuss it. so when i watched a stream and saw him explain the mechanics of piepkicks and stuff i LOST it. automatically turned me into a fan. it's cool when people unintentionally hit a spot with you that runs deep and makes your connection with them so much more powerful. just 2am thoughts

#porter robinson #hardstyle #edm #alienposting

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tomorrowxtogether · 1 year

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2023 TXTPALOOZA report

TOMORROW X TOGETHER proved their worth at Lollapalooza

2023.09.12

Music festival Lollapalooza was held from August 3 through 6 this year in Chicago, Illinois. The names that were on the headliner list along with TOMORROW X TOGETHER are as follows: Billie Eilish, Karol G, Kendrick Lamar, the 1975, Lana Del Rey, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The boys of TOMORROW X TOGETHER were the second Korean artists—after j-hope performed there last year—, and the first Korean group, to headline the festival that draws some 400,000 people to the grounds of Grant Park every year. Let’s take a look at three words and phrases that capture all the excitement the group brought to the Bud Light Stage on August 5.

1. HEADLINER

This year at Lollapalooza, not only did TOMORROW X TOGETHER perform, but so did NewJeans, who played the festival’s T-Mobile Stage on August 3. Then there’s BLACKPINK, who headlined both Coachella in April and BST Hyde Park in July. Not only is it becoming a more common sight to see K-pop artists performing at major long-running festivals within and outside of the US, but, as in TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s case, they’re also being afforded better and better timeslots and stages. The recent rising demand for K-pop at festivals demonstrates both the power of K-pop fans and the inroads K-pop has made into the music market. TOMORROW X TOGETHER made their first appearance at Lollapalooza in the summer of 2022 with a 45-minute set. The documentary TOMORROW X TOGETHER: OUR LOST SUMMER, covering their US tour and stop at Lollapalooza, shows how the members of the group worried about the kind of reaction they might get at the festival. But their fears were allayed when their performance was met with ear-splitting cheers and the crowd singing along to the group’s hits. The show led to even more people in the US finding out about them and converted more listeners into fans. Then, a year later, the boys returned to the festival, but this time as headliners—with a longer concert on a bigger stage and with an even more enthusiastic audience.

2. MOAPALOOZA

TOMORROW X TOGETHER started performing at 8:30 PM, but “TXTPALOOZA” was already trending in the US on X (formerly Twitter) that morning. It was already clear two days beforehand how much buzz there was surrounding the group’s upcoming performance. There was a TOMORROW X TOGETHER pop-up store near Grant Park selling merchandise for the group’s Lollapalooza concert that was open for the duration of the festival, and BIGHIT MUSIC reported more than 200 people waiting in line for the opening on August 3. There was a line to get into the store for the entire four days it was open, with fans sharing and swapping things like photocards.

When the morning of TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s performance came, it started to rain over Chicago, but that didn’t stop MOA from crowding around the entrance to the festival grounds from early in the day in order to secure a spot close to the stage. By the afternoon, the standing area of the Bud Light Stage was already packed with MOA and their blue light sticks. When other artists performed throughout the day, it didn’t matter which direction the audience cam was facing: the giant screen showed a sea of light sticks and homemade signs bearing the names of the TOMORROW X TOGETHER members. MOA was filled with so much enthusiasm around the pop-up store and at the stage that the burning curiosity of other festivalgoers had them asking questions about the idols and their fans. As the Sun slowly set, people wearing TOMORROW X TOGETHER shirts, carrying light sticks, and wearing telltale signs that they were MOA streamed endlessly toward the stage. By eight o’clock, not only was the standing area directly in front of the stage full of people with light sticks, but so were the areas to the sides, stretching out far from the stage. At the same time, passersby were forming into a crowd just outside the audience, curious about the K-pop group. As the concert drew closer, the giant screen played short documentaries and music videos. Even though the members themselves hadn’t yet taken the stage, cheers erupted every time something new appeared on screen and the crowd was chanting their name. The swath of TOMORROW X TOGETHER light sticks lit a brilliant blue across the darkening sky, and as the countdown began, a giant roar of excitement flowed out from the glowing azure. It was the loudest sound around the whole day.

The audience sang along to the words of each song from the instant the boys came out and opened their performance with “0X1=LOVESONG (I Know I Love You),” and continued singing together for the full 90 minutes. That included not just English songs and choruses with English lyrics, but also Korean lyrics and even an unreleased song. “I’m just excited about what song they’re going to start with, and for big fireworks,” Eliza, a MOA from New Jersey, said, adding with a laugh, “and I hope to see ‘Cat & Dog’ because I want to hear the bark in Chicago,” referring to the unofficial chant that, sure enough, the crowd broke into spontaneously when the group performed the song. A MOA from Florida named Hollie was “really excited” to find out what TOMORROW X TOGETHER would be performing this time “because I remember last year they really had a bunch of choreography,” and this year didn’t disappoint either: The audience loved the sharp choreography and dance breaks, and it was quite a sight seeing the crowd dance along to songs that have been featured in TikTok challenges, like “Good Boy Gone Bad” and “Happy Fools” featuring Coi Leray. On top of these energy-filled numbers, there were also emotionally charged songs like “Anti-Romantic” and the unreleased song “Blue Spring” that moved the audience to tears as they sang along. The rollercoaster of a set list closed with “Sugar Rush Ride” and fireworks to go alongside. MOA continued to chant “TXT” even after the concert came to an end. It’s safe to say that MOA’s enthusiasm was the secret sauce that turned an already fantastic performance into an unforgettable experience. Ask anyone who was in Chicago that day, and they’ll let you know it was really MOAPALOOZA.

3. TXT MADE HISTORY

“You could probably hear it across Michigan Avenue long before the concert started,” magazine Consequence writes of MOA’s screaming as the audience watched the countdown to the start of the show. “The last 10 seconds might have registered on the Richter scale.” MOA’s passion that day was noted by major media outlets as well. “Fans who queued early, blue cross-adorned light sticks in hand, got to prove their adoration by singing along to TXT’s unreleased track ‘Blue Spring,’” Rolling Stone reported, “and witness a band who didn’t take any part of the experience for granted.” And all that excitement extended to MOA online. That same day, “TXTPALOOZA” was the third-most popular trending tag on X worldwide; immediately after the group’s performance, phrases like “TXT LOLLA 2023 HEADLINERS” were trending in the US. In Korea, mentions of the songs on the set list bubbled up in real time. People watching online through Weverse, YouTube, Hulu and the like made comments like, “The audience there is even good at singing the Korean parts,” and, “I can tell how popular they are in the States!”—because even watching online, you could hear the cheering loud and clear.

Consequence made a statement with how they titled their review: “TOMORROW X TOGETHER Make History.” But it’s about more than just the fact that the group was a headliner or how much noise the fans made. The biggest takeaway is how well they performed up on stage. “As the show progressed it became clear how much TXT have grown,” the magazine’s article continues. “The stage banter was looser than last year, they looked more comfortable, and more of their personalities came through,” and said the athletics behind their choreography made them look like “superhumans.” TOMORROW X TOGETHER performed their set front to back without a single break and still had plenty of energy left to work the crowd and get them to excitedly sing along and cheer. Their performance also led to online comments like, “You can tell how much better they got after their world tour,” and, “They look so natural—like rock stars.” British music review outlet NME gave TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s Lollapalooza concert a perfect score, saying, “Their performances are tight and impactful, their vocals phenomenal, and their stage presence nothing short of rock star status.” US entertainment site Vulture went so far as to say that “the group put on one of the weekend’s biggest spectacles.”

Winter, another MOA at Grant Park, summed up the significance of TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s performance at Lollapalooza where she said, “I think being headliners shows not only that they have a strong fan base but they keep growing and growing.” TOMORROW X TOGETHER already proved their popularity in the US earlier this year with a Billboard 200 number one and over 500,000 albums sold; their performance at Lollapalooza made that popularity tangible right in front of the eyes of tens of thousands. The opportunity to headline the festival also gave them another chance to show everyone at the festival who they are. TOMORROW X TOGETHER first traveled to Chicago four years ago, right after their debut, to put on a showcase. After the prolonged pandemic, the group kicked off the North American leg of their world tour with a performance in the city, only to come back again later in the year with their spectacular first Lollapalooza performance. The following year—this year—after performing to stadiums across the US, the group returned to the Lollapalooza stage, this time as headliners, and will soon be performing at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs). MOA’s unmistakable blue light over Grant Park that night stood as a symbol of how much the group had grown in the meantime and why they were invited back to the festival. And as has been clear to anyone paying attention so far, that blue light will only continue to grow in size and intensity—until it lights up the entire sky, wider and brighter—with TOMORROW X TOGETHER.

#txt #tomorrow x together #230912 #weverse magazine #soobin #yeonjun #beomgyu #taehyun #hueningkai #lollapalooza

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