#ironically some people said that I look like Taylor swift since high school

[tornrose24]

Tagged by @hey-hey-j  for the tag game. It’ll be interesting to see how I answer these.

Rules: if you get tagged in this, answer the questions that are written and make sure to swap out one question at the end of it for the next person to answer.

1. Are you named after anyone?  I’m sort of named after my aunt, who was named after a character of a TV show (that my grandfather liked) based of a book, and THAT character might of been named after someone. I admit it’s kind of amusing that it’s such a chain of ‘named after this person.’

2. Do you ever go window shopping on sites like Etsy, and if so, what kinds of things do you look at?   Not really.

3. What’s your choice of listening material when doing stuff? When I’m writing I prefer listing to music without lyrics (if it matches the tone of whatever I’m writing it helps) and it varies. Most often it’s video game music, Miyazaki, classical, etc. If I’m just doing art I’ll throw on YouTube videos.

4. Do you like a song for its sound or for its lyrics? Often both. I’m picky about what songs I like, but I like it when both work well together. (Though I hate it when the lyrics DON’T match the tone of the music, or aren’t sung in the right tone). Also, there’s some songs where I prefer the cover version over the original (I don’t care for Billie Eilish’s singing, and there’s a Motown version of Taylor Swift’s ‘Shake it off’ by PostModern Jukebox that is vastly superior to the original version.)

5. What’s the first thing you notice about people? Usually whatever they wear or else their physical appearance. It depends.

6. What’s your eye color? Green. (Though maybe they might be hazel since there’s a light brown ring around the pupils).

7. Scary movies or happy endings? I prefer happy endings. Some scary movies are actually quite enjoyable, but only if they are done right (Jordan Peele’s Nope is such an example). Otherwise I hate it when scary films get too violent, have a downer ending, or involve topics of abuse. Or have constant jumpscares, which is why I never really got into most horror games.

8. Any special talents? Singing. I’ve done choir, Opera, musical theater, etc. I’ve done some acting as well. Drawing and writing are pretty obvious ones for those who know my works. Painting is a major one too.

9. What trait in others draws you to them? Honesty is a huge one. I like it when people are open about themselves and what they like, as well as what they don’t like. Or if they tell you something you need to hear.

10. What are your hobbies? Writing and drawing. Painting is a big one too. I used to play video games but I don’t as much (partly because I feel like a new system is going to be coming soon anyway). I suppose singing could count.

11. Do you have any pets? I used to have cats. Fantasia was my last cat and I had her from middle school to some time after I was done with college/university. She always sat on the table whenever I got help with math and she’d watch me and my dad.

12. What sports do you play/Have played? Tennis is probably my favorite. Soccer is fun too. I used to do running when I was really little. However I was more of a theater kid.

13. How tall are you? 5 feet, 2 and a half inches.

14. Favorite subject in school? Literature/Language Arts. I was one of the few kids that would read whatever I was assigned more than once. When I was in middle school we had to read ‘The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe’ and ‘Roll of thunder hear my cry’ and I read the other books in those series. I also took pride in scoring the highest out of anyone on a test for Cyrano de Bergerac in my high school senior year. (However I ****ing hated reading Moby Dick over the summer) and was NOT happy when I found out that I didn’t really NEED to read the entire thing to do all the paperwork/answer all the questions.)

I don’t know if art and choir count since they were extra curricular classes, but I loved them as well and could share lots of stories. Plus one of my favorite teachers was my high school art teacher.

15. Dream job? I would love to be a writer and illustrate my own books. Alternatively it’d be awesome to do artwork for an animation studio.

I’m tagging @artistcaptainbendy  as the next person. Anyone else can do it too.

I’m changing #12 to: If you became a God/Deity, what would your domain be and how could you use your powers to make the world a better place?

[greenerteacups]

Merry Swiftmas! I saw your note at the end of the most recent chapter. What are you Tortured Poet Department thoughts and feelings?

Literally just got back from a listening party so this is all coming in VERY fresh and unprocessed but first reactions:

The unfortunate exigencies of Industry Shit have kind of hurt Swift creatively because (1) she's been taught she can have her cake and eat it too with the Grammy-winning 15-track sonically cohesive tone album if she just drops it separately as the first act of a 30-song behemoth deluxe edition/multiverse of bonus tracks, and (2) the Vault Tracks have taught her that fans actually do want to hear every single thing she writes, even if she (rightly) might have thought it wasn't release-quality 5-10 years ago. Long story short there is a good album in here but it needs to be TIGHTLY pruned out because a lot of these songs are either underwritten or underdeveloped or both. She should've focused her energy on improving a smaller set (i.e. cleaning out some of the clunker lines, tightening melodies, giving each song its own identity) and cutting like, more or less the last third of the tracks. That being said! I did like a lot of it.

I also think some people fail to understand Swift is a pop artist making pop music. When we say she's a good lyricist, we don't mean she's fucking Samuel Coleridge, it means she uses the medium of a pop song successfully to communicate a mood or an emotional experience. Pop is vernacular; it's supposed to evoke the kind of language you hear every day. Not surprisingly, I find her at her best when she's not trying to affect some kind of heightened poetic mood. Songs like "Would've, Could've, Should've" straddle this line pretty well for me, because it's not affected, it's just... intelligently thought-through. It's a single metaphor, taken from multiple angles, explained well, and set to a great melody. It's not trying to impress you, but it still does. Anyway.

Miscellaneous/specific thoughts:

"Guilty as Sin?" is my favorite, it's going to be one of my most played songs of the year, both for reasons of Oh Shit It Me and because I'm just straight up in love with the sound of this motherfucker. No analysis it makes the happy juices in the brain go

Other favorites: So Long London, Fresh Out The Slammer, The Bolter, Daddy I Love Him

"thank you aimee" is a reprise of "Mean" addressed semi-obviously to Kim K/the Collective Nation of Haters of Taylor Swift, which was a weak diss track when it was a teenager singing it and has not improved in the mouth of a 30-something artist

"But Daddy I Love Him" is conversely a very successful ironic reprise of "Love Story," and I'm fond of it because it reads like a love letter to the girls who grew up on that song

Interesting strains of Reputation on "Little Old Me," I feel like there was an earlier draft of this song that went harder on the Bad Blood/Don't Blame Me vibe, but she's still scarred from the critical reaction to reputation and hasn't fully gone there since. Which is why someday I will throttle the Pitchfork editor with my bare hands

Florida!!! feels like it needed some more production besides Jack Antonoff sitting on the synths with a jackhammer but I do like it. The bridge/second half sounds a lot like a Bleachers song (compliment)

"So High School" was sweet and I was surprised by how much I liked that and "The Alchemy," both of which are fun but ultimately simple and sentimental — which is GOOD to be clear I don't go looking for Proust in my pop music, and simplicity can be a virtue

However, I scream-laughed in a full room when I heard the line "you can ball and I know Aristotle," and I look forward to thinking about it once a day for the next forever. Insane. So good. Also, like — Taylor, have you read the Politics? You are legally obligated to tell us now if you have read the Politics.

[jin0]

hi love!! could i request a andrew character?? i’m a american-brazilian girl, i have long black hair with bangs, and im 5’9. i’m currently studying journalism and i work on a magazine as a writer for tv/ movies section!!

i love movies, musicals, tv, music, everything cultural really. i had an opportunity to live in london for some months and it was just the best thing ever! i love wearing a lot of black, and jewelry. and my fashion inspirations are dakota johnson, victoria de angelis and suki waterhouse !! i love shopping as well but i do love reading too!! my favorite book is daisy jones & the six ! i loooove the 60s and 70s and everything culture about it !!

i’m a big swiftie myself (like taylor swift is my life)

please and thank u <3

you just gave me big main character vibes, you don't even know ??? my anons are the coolest yo ??? like final girl and you probably would be best friends 🙈

to you baby, i give :

theater kid andrew garfield !!

"andrew, behave yourself or i'm leaving."

you were funny, extremely funny even but how was he supposed to ? you were absolutely gorgeous, divine even.

andrew garfield, known by the entire campus as the future oscar winning actor. his reputation was so well carved that students signed up here for him. he was the star, literally.

beyond the cliché with the athletes and the geniuses, he was the one who wore the crown in here. his existence was worshipped by many, teachers and students all joining together to treat him as if he was royalty. he was to them.

you'd think his head would get so big, it would explode. that would be ironic, to have the people fueling his ego by calling him fifty shades of humble and god like, be the reason of his absolute downfall.

weirdly enough it never happened though, andrew the saint stayed perfect. the talented actor who'd already made a small name for himself on the big screen stayed the same sarcastic, talkative and terrifyingly handsome. he was all around perfect.

and that's where you came in.

the perfection buster. that's what they called you, since high school.

you had made a reputation for yourself, just a little less glamorous as his and that you enjoyed just a tiny bit. okay maybe a lot. but it made you proud. so proud, you were a menace like that.

you found pleasure in exposing people by simply asking too many question and letting them reveal themselves on their own. sometimes it wasn't about being honest, just being quiet you know ? if you stayed quiet, you couldn't be played by false curiosity and that was exactly what had all these people losing their temporary fame. you'd ask them questions according to their logic and they'd crumble like sand castles.

that was what you did and had been pursuing in life, stepping on castles made out of sand by throwing more sand on it. that's what journalism was in a way. that was the career you chose and now here were.

you'd been hired to interview andrew garfield, the star student of your university.

and when you said hired, it was literal. the school and his agency had paid a lot of money to have you write on him, because the people were begging for it. some wanted to see him fall, some just wanted to prove how good he was. now your favorite category was the one that considered that you both had heavy sexual tension. from afar. you'd never been seen together but he talked about you, that he did.

whenever you were brought up, his attention was entirely on the discussion. maybe he was a fanboy too, good reputation for you. or maybe he had a crush since someone pointed out how good you'd look together. who could know ?

and now here you were. staring at each other. or at least he was staring, you were looking at your notes from the past and reviewing your questions.

"i told you to behave andrew."

"and i ignored you because i can't. you're really beautiful, you know that ? got my heart beating so damn fast, i feel like i could pass out. good reason for you to give me cpr." he grinned, playing with the drink in front of him.

looking up from your notes, you sigh, shaking your head with an exasperated expression.

"you're one shitty pro actor, you know that ? flirting with the journalist won't have me go easy on you. now focus, we're starting." you said, starting you recorder. "so, tell me andrew, what is that makes you special ?"

"are these the questions you ask to get them crumbling ? sounds like you're going easy on me love. come on, i know you've got a little more mean in you. or did you fall for me already ?" he chuckled, leaning on his elbows and biting his lip when he stared at yours. they looked absolutely delicious, ready to feast on until you were breathless and flushed all over.

taken by surprise at the snap of your finger in front of his face, he grinned when his eyes met your very displeased expression. teasing you was the most pleasurable thing he'd done all day, in all sense of the term.

"if you can't focus, i'm gone and that won't look nice on an article now, would it andrew ?" you threatened, crossing your arms over your chest and raising an eyebrow.

what you'd intended to be taken as a threat was, unfortunately or not, taken completely differently by your counterpart who now just really wanted to fuck you. maybe he enjoyed being bullied, that could be a good thing to add to your article. andrew garfield : golden boy of humbleness but twisted masochist.

"so, to get back on topic. since you want mean, why is it that you need to eye fuck every co-star you have ? sex deprived ? playboy tendencies ? tell me andrew." you asked, taking a bite out of your cheesecake. your eyes never left him and that drove him insane.

"i don't eye fuck my co-stars. and im not famous enough to be a playboy. but i can play if you want. you know I'd love to play with you." he taunted, his foot sliding the floor to go to yours.

he let his shoe run up your calf, smirking when you glared at him. your hand was quick to stop him, throwing his leg back on the floor. but you didn't move your legs the second time around, brought up to rest between his thighs. you ignored the fact that he'd taken your shoes off to massage them too. you ignored a lot of what was going on under the table, simply allowing his fingers to press on your skin and softly caress your calves.

"you're right. you don't eye fuck your co-stars. just everyone else. attracted to people until they work with you huh ?" you asked, leaning into your seat.

"you're jealous ?"

looking at him, you scoffed writing in your notepad again and smirking when he tried to snatch it away.

"oh andrew, sweetheart..." you cooed, looking at him with false tenderness. "jealousy is not something i feel, and most definitely not for a man who gets off on being verbally abused. how's that kink holdin' up for you buddy ?" you asked, titling your head to the side

wide eyes, he snarled in his hands, hating the effect you knew you had on him. with your naked foot between his legs, he'd been lucky that you had decided on a coffee shop far from campus and where you could make reservations for the tables in the back. no one could see this, no one.

he watched you press into his bulge a little harder, his lips tightly stuck together to prevent the moans in his throat from jumping out and exposing him further. he was going crazy, definitely the only explanation when he grabbed your foot to grind into it before it was ripped away from him.

"you have a job to do andrew." you said, your voice cutting through him and making him shiver.

"how am i supposed to focus with a huge boner ?"

"i don't know, but you're a big guy, you can figure something out." you grinned, batting your eyelashes seductively.

groaning again, it was his turn to glare at you, the growing heat in his body traveling to his cock rapidly and making his world spin.

"please, don't fucking say that." he slurred, looking down on himself and rubbing his eyes.

"say what ? big guy ? but you're a big guy andy. so, so, so big. can barely take your size." you mused, making your voice sound awfully familiar to him.

the moment your lips pushed out the sift, breathy 'andy', nickname you only used on certain steamy occasions, he was too far gone to focus on this stupid interview. not with his dick so hard, he was sure to react violently at your next actions.

that you knew, which is why you decided to leave. you gathered your things and raised your face to look at him, a soft smile on your gorgeous face. all this time he'd been watching you silently, practically waiting for you to do something.

"you clearly can't focus so let's reschedule, okay ?" you said, tilting your head to the side.

as soon as you took the first to stand up and walk away, his brain restarted. his hands reached towards you, pulling you back down on the seat you'd used and his other arm pulled on it, bringing it close to him. before you could stop him, his hands were on your waist, lifting you up and sitting you down on his lap to hug you tightly.

"please... don't leave... i promise i'll be good." he pleaded softly, his face resting on your shoulder

"you're lying. if i stay here for this, you'll end up having me jerk you off under the table andrew."

"i'm sorry bunny, but it's not my fault only you know ? i love it when you act like you don't know me and all my secrets." he muttered, kissing your shoulder tenderly.

yeah, you were dating.

you'd been dating for at least three years actually and you flew under the radar pretty easily. you didn't want your success to be because of his growing fame so he agreed to hide your relationship. you'd been doing a pretty good job, no one knew, not even the professors. only his parents and brother knew.

running your hand up his nape and into his brown locks, you pulled him to you, kissing his forehead and cupping his face with both of your hands.

"I know all your secrets sure, but i still have to do these baby..." you cooed, grinning when he whined loudly. the transition from you being mean to sweet always gave him whiplash.

"i know... just kinda love it when you're going all journalist on me. you just so mean, can't even think straight." he whispered, pressing his lips to your neck and grinding your ass on his bulge. "you love to have me weak in the knees huh bunny ? wanted to be all cute and cuddly in a nice coffee shop, acting like we're two strangers when i fucked you nice and slow this morning and had you crying and creaming around my cock last night but you had to be a fucking fox as always. wanna see me hard and desperate for you all over the school paper ? you like to see what you do to me huh, baby ?" you purred into your ear, his voice low enough to have you wet in a matter of seconds.

smiling, you kissed the tip of his nose softly, contrasting with you rolling your hips over him.

"can't help it. you look so cute when you're all hot and bothered because of me."

you stilled when you crossed his dark lustful glare, his hand caressing your back and bunching up your dress just enough to grab your thighs tightly. you felt his fingers unclasps your bra and slid it out of your dress to put it inside his own bag.

"let's go home bunny. i'll show you how hot and bothered i can get."

[sunshine-stars]

Cardigan

Flynn is going through her closet and keeps finding clothes that remind her of Carrie. Flarrie fluff and angst.

Based on Cardigan by Taylor Swift

Word count: 2,657

Cw: heartbreak, losing close friends

Thank you to @montacrewvibes for the nicknames soda pop and bubblegum and @kybee1497 for the nickname Flynnie!

Vintage tee, brand new phone

High heels on cobblestones

“Carrie emerges from behind the next aisle and smiles. “That is so cool! I love Madonna!” Then she starts singing Vogue and Flynn has to hold the shirt rack for balance. Her voice is so powerful yet so soft, just like she is.

She pauses for a beat and looks at Flynn. “What are you doing? Come on sing with me!” She looks so excited and how could Flynn resist.

“Come on, vogue. Let your body move to the music,” they sing together, their voices meshing perfectly. Carrie is dancing, but it’s mainly just bouncing and doing the vogue. How could one person be so adorable and happy? Flynn will never know.

At the end of the chorus they both laugh. “That song is so much fun,” Flynn happily sighs.

“I know right. Anyways you HAVE to buy that t-shirt. It’s amazing.”

Flynn looks down at the shirt then back at Carrie, trying not to stare at her too much. “You’re so right.”

They pay for it at the register and walk out of the store. Flynn quickly throws it on over her long sleeve. “How do I look?” Flynn puts their hand on her hip.

Carrie doesn’t reply for a moment, just stares, cheeks a soft pink. It is kinda chilly out. “It looks awesome. You’re so pretty that you can pull anything off.”

She calls them pretty and Flynn’s brain stops working. She has to fight a wide smile and suppress the warmth spreading through their whole body. “Me? Look at you! You’re so gorgeous.” Flynn prays that she doesn’t recognize that her voice is slightly higher than usual.

Carrie’s cheeks go slightly more pink and she smiles softly. Is she cold? “Here take my jacket. You look cold.” They hand her the jacket and Carrie slowly puts it on.

“It’s MY cardigan. I let you borrow it, remember?” Carrie teases while raising an eyebrow.

Flynn looks at it. How could she forget that she’s wearing it? It’s cream knit with blue stars on it and her favourite thing, especially since it’s Carrie’s.

She interrupts their train of thought. “C’mon let’s take a picture, your Madonna top is too good not to.”

Flynn nods and wraps her arm around Carrie’s shoulders. She wishes that they could stay there forever, but unfortunately the moment ends after Carrie takes the photo on her new phone.

“I have to go home, but I’ll see you at school tomorrow.”

“Yeah I need to go home too, I’ve been procrastinating my homework and now I have a ton.”

Carrie just sighs as she turns away. “Just make sure not to have too many sodas, soda pop!” She calls as she leaves.

“I’ll try, bubblegum,” Flynn softly responds while watching Carrie’s heels disappear as they clip clop against the cobblestone. It always amazes them how they could walk effortlessly in heels. Carrie always pretends to look effortless and like she doesn’t care, but Flynn knows her better than that.

When you are young, they assume you know nothing

Or at least, Flynn KNEW her better than that. She realizes that going through their closet was a mistake. There’s too many memories in the clothing that hangs there. They leave a bittersweet aftertaste.

The Madonna shirt is in her hands. Flynn loves that memory, but now it just carries the hurt of Carrie no longer being her friend. At least they aren’t quite enemies. Just the shadow of the girl she used to know, and love. Now they don’t even like either.

People assume you don’t know anything when you’re young, but you actually know more. You’re less afraid, less guarded, less hidden. People change, but Flynn knew that not too long ago she did know her, even if they don’t now.

Sequin smile, Black lipstick

Sensual politics

“Are you sure this looks good?” Flynn asks as she looks in the mirror. Black lipstick is a bold move, but they think it doesn’t look too bad.

“Are you kidding me Flynn?!” Julie exclaims. “You look so good and badass! Carrie was so right when she said you’d look good in black lipstick. What do you think, Care?”

Flynn turns to face Carrie who is just staring at her lips. She has an awestruck expression on her face and swallows heavily before meeting Flynn’s eyes. Does their lipstick look that bad that she has to stare at her lips? Or maybe it’s smudged? Flynn has no idea.

“It looks really good, Flynnie,” she says softly. There’s something off about her voice. Flynn can’t figure out what though.

Julie on the other hand just lets out a short laugh. Carrie kicks her shin in response. They seem to be having some kind of glaring match. Flynn has never been more confused.

“What’s going on?”

Julie responds first while smirking. “Carrie was just-“

“Thinking that I should really steal your sequin top,” Carrie quickly interrupts. “It’s pink and sparkly and pretty and totally my aesthetic. Please?” Carrie pouts, trying to convince her.

There is definitely something that she doesn’t know, but they doubt they’ll find out and she can never say no to Carrie. “Sure, pinky. Here you go.” Flynn passes it to Carrie who thanks her then goes to the washroom to change.

Julie looks at Flynn knowingly. “You’ve got it bad.”

“Shut up!” They respond, crossing their arms and pointedly staring at the wall. It’s just a little crush okay, nothing big.

Before they know it Carrie is back in the room and Flynn’s eyes widen. She looks incredibly pretty. Pink is definitely her colour. And she’s wearing Flynn’s shirt. She’s wearing a shirt that belongs to them. Flynn knows that they’re not in a relationship, but her stomach is already a whirl of butterflies and their heart feels like it’s gonna pump out of her chest. Carrie flashes her a sequin smile and Flynn is so done for.

Julie mumbles something that kinda sounds like “Useless lesbians,” but Flynn can’t bring herself to care.

When you are young, they assume you know nothing

The pink sequin top that Carrie looked so beautiful in is in their closet, and she knows that the black lipstick they wore is in her drawer. In hindsight Flynn knows that maybe Carrie was looking at her lips because she wanted to kiss her, but that doesn’t matter now. It’ll never happen.

Maybe they did know nothing when she was young. They didn’t know that their friendship that she valued so much would turn to dust at what seemed like a moment's notice. She didn’t know that they’d lose one of her best friends. They never could have imagined it, but this is the sad reality that she’s living in. If only things could’ve been different.

But I knew you

Dancin’ in your Levi’s

Drunk under a streetlight

“Do you ever think about how lucky we are to have met? The odds are slim to none, yet they aligned perfectly for us. I don’t know where I’d be without you. We’re just two parts of a whole trying to make our way through the world,” Carrie recites as if it’s a poem she knows by heart, but Flynn knows that it’s something she just thought of.

Her head is tipped back with her eyes closed, bathing her face in the glow of the streetlight, making her look like an angel, so ethereal and unreal. Combined with what she just said, Flynn can’t even form one coherent thought, but they feel the same way. They’re just connected in some way.

Not that she doesn’t love Julie just as much, but it’s in a different way. Julie is her sister, their family, but Carrie is her… she’d like to say soulmate, but that’s too cheesy. Plus she doesn’t even know if she likes them romantically.

“Are you drunk or something?” Flynn asks, trying to lighten the mood, not knowing what to do with this tension. Plus they just have no idea what to say.

Carrie just looks at her and smiles teasingly. “Drunk on you perhaps, but I’m as sober as a judge.”

“Good to know, Sappho. Can’t have your creative little mind going to waste.” Flynn can’t help, but tease a little back. Carrie really is their Sappho.

She points at some words painted on her Levi’s and softly says, “You may forget but, Let me tell you this: someone in the future in some future time will think of us.”

They painted that when her, Flynn, and Julie all came out to each other, a Sappho quote. They all have a matching pair of Levi’s that have that quote painted on it.

Flynn just smiles widely and relishes in the moment.

Flynn still has her Levi’s. She doesn’t wear them very often anymore. They’re just gathering dust in her closet. How ironic that they painted them when they all came out of the closet, and now they’re gathering dust in her closet.

That moment was one of Flynn’s favourites. It was so soft, so tender, so them, but now Carrie’s words sting. They’re still very precious to her, but if everything she said was true, how could this have happened? If they were truly two parts of a whole trying to make their way through the world, they would still be friends, and maybe even something more, right?

Flynn doesn’t know, but they’re tired. She misses her so badly, but they’re done. Everything that they had is just over.

They did know her though. They really did. They were something less cheesy than soulmates. Flynn grieves the girl she once knew, but really there’s no use. They’ve both grown up, and unfortunately with that growing, they also grew apart.

I knew you

Hand under my sweatshirt

Baby kiss it better

“I cannot believe that Mr. Robertson is giving us a 10 page test tomorrow even though we’re only halfway through the unit! This is ridiculous! Who does he think-“ Flynn interrupts herself by yelping when they feel something cold on her back.

Carrie giggles. “What? Are my hands cold, sweetheart?”

Flynn turns around to face this stupid adorable girl with their finger pointed at her. “I told you not to do that! Your hands are freezing!”

“But it’s fun to see you yelp, plus my hands are really cold. I just had English and that room is always FREEZING.” Carrie gives her a pleading look and Flynn just sighs as she holds out her hand. She really needs to learn how to say no to Carrie, but they don’t really want to.

Carrie smiles widely and grabs her hand, sending another shiver down Flynn’s spine. “I love your sweatshirt by the way.”

They’re wearing an orange cropped tie dye sweatshirt that’s super soft. Flynn embroidered a little orange on the chest and she loves it so much. They smile softly.

Julie clears her throat. Oh yeah, they were just talking about science. Flynn completely forgot. In their defence, Carrie is amazing.

“Come on let’s eat lunch, I want a cookie,” Julie says, deciding to ignore them and instead tease them about it afterwards. Thank God for that because Flynn would’ve either killed her or died from embarrassment, who knows which.

They all continue talking, but all Flynn can really focus on is that she’s holding hands with Carrie, even if they’re freezing cold. Due to Flynn’s oblivious happiness they miss a step when walking down the stairs. Luckily, they were smart enough to let go of Carrie’s hand before doing so, but it still really hurts. She looks down and somehow she scraped one of her knees. Well that’s just great.

“Are you okay?!” Carrie asks worriedly, kneeling beside her. They can hear Julie laughing on the other side of her. At the moment she really wishes that she didn’t know about her crush.

“Yeah I’m okay, my love,” Flynn says to comfort her, even though her butt and knee still really hurt.

Carrie still doesn’t look convinced. “You are so lucky I have a bandaid right now.” She takes one out of her pocket and carefully puts it on Flynn’s scraped knee.

Their brain still isn’t working properly. How can you expect it to when Carrie is oh so tenderly caring for them and showing that she loves her? To try to break the tenderness because they don’t know what else to do Flynn jokingly asks, “Kiss it better?”

“As you wish.” Carrie softly and quickly kisses the bandaid on their knee. Flynn can’t even feel it, but it’s enough to make her face darken and heart race. This girl will be the death of her.

Flynn doesn’t know why she’s reminiscing about this all of a sudden, but it’s just one of those days where everything sucks and the nostalgia sinks in. It probably wasn’t a good idea for her to go through her closet when she already felt bad, but it’s too late now. Sure enough the orange tie dye sweatshirt was in it.

They miss Carrie. They miss her so much that she can’t breathe. Flynn starts to cry as she feels the lump in her throat grow. Why did everything have to change? She was happy. They were all happy, and now she’s picking up the pieces of themselves.

And when I felt like I was an old cardigan

Under someone’s bed

You put me on and said I was your favourite

Flynn and Carrie are lying on Carrie’s bed, just listening to music and hanging out. Flynn’s had a terrible day where nothing seemed to go right. It brought all their insecurities to the surface where before she was just burying them under everything else.

“I feel like I’m an ordinary. Like I’m nothing special and could just be thrown away and no one could care. Like I’m an old cardigan laying under someone’s bed,” Flynn softly confesses in the quiet room.

They can hear Carrie shifting to face her, but they can’t look in her eyes yet. Instead of talking to Flynn though, she just stands up and gets something out of her closet.

“This is my favourite jacket, Carrie says just as softly while walking back to her bed. “It might not seem like anything special, just a cream cardigan.” She sits down beside her and shows her the back of it, but then flips it over to show the blue stars embroidered on it. “But it means the world to me. My Dad gave it to me when my Mom was sick. It’s still the most comforting thing I own. I usually just wear it at home because I’m scared I’ll ruin it, but I wear it out when I need a little extra comfort.

Carrie passes the cardigan to her. “You’re like this cardigan to me. You help me so much and you mean the world to me, Flynn. I love you so much and you are my favourite, never forget that. Take it. Just give it back eventually, please. Hopefully it’ll help you as much as it has helped me.” Carrie smiles tenderly.

Flynn has no words. No words for Carrie’s kindness and love. All they can focus on is this warm feeling and how much they love this girl that she just can’t describe. Flynn starts crying and pulls Carrie into a tight hug. Everything will be okay.

Flynn cries even harder now. She never gave back the cardigan. They completely forgot about it. Her mind is full of guilt, but it’s made them realize something. If Carrie loved them that much before, it can’t all completely be gone. After all, Flynn still does. She puts on the cardigan and fiddles with the slightly too long sleeves. Maybe they can still fix this.

[imanativeofswlondondahling]

Becoming A Stark? (13) Peter Parker x Stark! femReader

Word Count: 2881

Warning: Swearing, because it’s me lol 

Author’s Note: Let me know if you want to be tagged on future chapters of this:) Enjoy!

Chapter One || Previous Chapter || Master List

Pepper promised not to show your dad the permission slip. You didn’t want him to appear out of nowhere during the field trip and ruin everything. The fact that your name on the building wasn’t enough of a permission slip alone apparently, so that was where Pepper came into everything. You had her sign the slip and then turned it into Mr. Shah. 

“So the Avengers won’t be there when we visit?” Betty asks you as you and Astrid walk towards the bus with her. 

“If you’re asking if Bruce will be there, the answer is no. I haven’t seen him since basically you guys came over for dinner that first time. He’s off world or something.” You file into the back of the bus, before you see that it’s not only your class getting on the bus. “Who’s the other class that’s joining us?”

“Mr. Harrington- Teaches junior sciences and decathlon. I think it’s the decathlon team that’s coming with though. Yeah, has to be. Look there’s Liz!” Betty waves to Liz through the window. Decathlon, that means…

“Fancy meeting you here Y/N.” Peter’s voice comes from the seat in front of you. “Stark Industries? Didn’t think you would even be interested in visiting.”

“I thought it would be an enrichment opportunity. See what the public sees Parker.” You smirk at him. “What about you? You going to give the tour?” Before he can respond, a voice from a few seats in front of him calls towards him.

“Penis Parker, you harassing Y/N Stark? Just wait until we get to the SI and her dad sees that you follow her around like a lost puppy. He won’t want trash near her. He’ll want people of his own caliber near her.”

“Just ignore him.” Peter pleads softly. He should have guessed that a Stark doesn’t walk away from a problem though.

“Eugine right?” You ignore the fact that everyone calls him Flash. He looks up at being addressed by a Stark. “I don’t think my dad would appreciate you calling his personal intern Penis. But I can check with him. In the meanwhile, I’d like to keep garbage away from me. And by that, I mean you.” Flash goes quiet and turns around in his seat.

“That probably will just make him worse.” Peter says, looking over his seat as he talks to you. 

“And if it does, I’ll call a few Avengers to deal with him. Maybe I’ll get Dad to call Spider-Man. I hear Eugine is a huge fan. Wouldn’t it be great to see him get a talking to from him?”

“Sure, but I don’t think Spider-Man does that kind of thing.” The kid sitting next to Peter glances at him, trying to get an answer from him that you don’t understand.

“I’m Y/N.” You offer a hand to him, trying to figure out who this other kid is.

“Ned. I know who you are. You’re like all Peter talks about. Well like besides Mr. Stark and like-” Peter’s hand goes over Ned’s mouth.

“That’s not at all true. And I think you’ve said enough Ned.”

“I’d love to hear more.” You say with a smirk. Peter talks about you? “What else does he say?” Peter shakes his head at Ned.

“Is it true that you know the Avengers?” Ned changes the subject.

“Yeah? They lived at the tower with us for a while. Then they didn’t. Now we don’t live at the tower.” You explain with a shrug. 

“So who’s the best Avenger?” 

“Don’t I have to say Iron Man by default?” 

“No. You could say anyone. Like Black Widow, or Spider-Man, or even Falcon.”

“Spider-Man isn’t an Avenger. He works on his own?” You say, the question in your voice.

“Really? I thought he joined the Avengers from time to time, but maybe I heard wrong. You know news can be made up. Who’s to say what’s true and what’s not these days?” Peter elbows Ned to try and get him to shut up.

“I haven’t heard anything from the Avengers about him joining. I teased my dad that Spider-Man would yeet him off a building. Spider-Man is probably too cool to be an Avenger anyway.”

“I think Spider-Man would join the Avengers if given the chance.” Peter throws out quickly. 

“I’ll tell my dad you think so.”

“Is your dad going to join the tour?” Astrid asks from across the aisle.

“God I hope not. I had Pepper sign the permission slip so that I wouldn’t have to tell him I was coming.”

“Why would him knowing you’re coming to the tower be a bad thing?” Betty asks.

“Because, you know how bad he can be when you guys just come over for dinner? Well imagine him doing that in front of our entire class plus the decathlon team. It would be awful.” You turn to look Peter in the eyes. “If you text him and tell him we’re coming I swear I will end our Snapchat streak.”

Peter throws his hands up. “I didn’t mention it. I honestly was more worried about him embarrassing me if he knew I was coming and I’m not even his kid.” 

“Good.” Your bus pulls up in front of the building you had called home until you had moved into the brownstone in Queens. As you file off the bus, a very familiar voice gives instructions.

“Everyone will need to wear their visitor badges at all times. At the end of the tour you will return them. So do not lose them. Also you will go through the scanners before you are able to enter the upper floors.” Happy hasn’t spotted you or Peter near the back of the group after getting off the bus in front of the tower.

“Do you think I get a visitor badge?” You whisper to Peter.

“I hope so. Or else Happy might have to kick you from the building.” Peter whispers back. 

“That would be the best thing for the paparazzi to see. Head of Security kicks Tony Stark’s child out of SI.” You say with a laugh. “Pepper would never get home tonight having to deal with that press.”

“Ok, who are our two trouble makers in the back who aren’t paying attention?” Happy’s voice raises and you and Peter are suddenly the center of attention. “Should have guessed it. You two better have your badges, I only have visitor badges for non staff and family.”

“Damn Happy I thought I’d get to be a visitor.”

“Your name is on the building kid. You don’t get to be a visitor.” Happy kids with a smile then returns to his no nonsense face. “Just like airport security. Bags and anything in your pockets go through the scanners. Then you pass through the metal detectors. Peter, Y/N- go through your normal entrance.” There is a separate scanner for those who have special clearance, limited to the Avengers, Pepper, Happy, you, and a few others that you don’t know of off the top of your head. It’s a quick body scanner done by FRIDAY as you enter through a door. Just to appease Happy you clip the badge that you never really need to wear since you are never really at the tower onto the bottom of your forest green cardigan. Peter has pulled his out too and clips it to his decathlon blazer.

“Y/N, Peter. Shouldn’t you be at school?” FRIDAY’s voice speaks as you both walk through the scanner.

“Field trip FRI.” You use your dad’s nickname for FRIDAY, not even realizing you did. You walk over to meet back with the group, hoping that this field trip goes off without a hitch.

Up on the sixty seventh floor, Tony is jamming out to Shoot to Thrill by AC/DC as it plays off of your playlist that he’s grown to just ignore the name of it. He’s learned that Tony Stark Can Rot is your upbeat playlist while I Hate My Life is your more slow music. But both have good music on them, ignoring the couple of Taylor Swift songs that shuffle on every now and then. And it makes him feel closer to you, so he’s grown used to playing one of the two while he works, especially when you’re at school. On his datapad, he’s running the numbers for a new attempt at the closed loop system. He wants to nail this for you. But a couple of the components just aren’t working.

“Boss, Y/N is 75 and dropping.”

“Text her and see if she’s correcting.” When you’re at school, there’s not too much he can do but wait for a response.

“She’s on the 34th floor. Should I have someone take her a snack?”

“Y/N is here? At the tower? But it’s a school day?”

“She and Peter are on a field trip.” Both his kids are here and no one told him? Well, maybe a break would be better right now.

“I’ll take her a snack.”

“Here we have…” You can’t fully focus on the voice speaking in front of you. You know you should check your blood sugar. The lack of focus usually means you’re either dropping low or running really high. With all the walking around the tower, your bet is dropping.

“You ok?” Peter asks from next to you. Though he can’t tell anyone, his spider sense is on high alert. And you’re not looking too good. Your face is pale and your eyes don’t seem to be focusing. Plus your hands seem to be shaking ever so slightly. You almost seem to be shifting in your spot and he wants to reach out and grab you.

“I got this one kid.” A very familiar voice speaks from behind the two of you, but you don’t even react to it. 

“Mr. Stark I think she’s low.” Peter starts to say but Tony wraps an arm around you and starts to lead you to a chair.

“I know. FRIDAY told me.” Betty hears Tony’s voice from the middle of the group and pulls Astrid towards it.

“Is Y/N ok?”

“‘M fine.” You slur ever so slight. Tony screws the cap off the apple juice he grabbed from the kitchen on his way down here.

“She’s just low. She’ll be fine as soon as she has some sugar.” He offers you the open juice. Your hand reaches to take it, but he even notices the shaking as you try to take it. “Bambina, you’re ok. You just need to drink.” You take a couple hesitant sips. “Why didn’t you treat already?”

“Didn’t feel it.”

“I know you don’t feel your lows. That's why you have Wallace.” Your hypo-unawareness was nothing of a secret. 

“Didn’t feel Wallace.” You shrug as you drink some more juice.

“Is that Tony Stark?” A voice from the other side of the room says. Peter notes that it’s Flash, but says nothing, more worried about you. Tony and you don’t even hear it. However, Mr. Shah notices you sitting in the chair with Tony basically holding you.

“Is everything alright Y/N?” He asks, trying to not act like being around Tony Stark is as big of a deal as it is.

“‘M low.” You say.

“Drink some more. You’ll feel better if you do bambina.” Tony doesn’t even look up at Mr. Shah. He’s too focused in on you.

“Don’t want it.” Your stubbornness with your lows sneaks in.

“I know, but it’s either this or we head over to the medbay and Dr. Cho can give you an IV.”

“Fineeeeeeeee.” You draw out the last syllable as you force some more juice down. 

“Mr. Stark, I’m Flash Thompson-”

“If you don’t get out of my face, Happy will escort you out of the tower before you can say Avengers.” Tony snaps, not caring who this kid is. Right now his only thought is getting your numbers high enough for you to be back to his normally sarcastic but loving kid. “FRI what’s Y/N’s number?”

“68 and dropping still.”

“Pete, run down the hall and grab something with carbs. Cookies, chips, soda, candy. Anything.”

“Of course M-Tony.” Peter would normally just call him Mr. Stark, but since Flash was just shut down, he wants to show him how close they are. Then he remembers what he was just asked and basically sprints down the hall to where SI keeps a bunch of snacks on hand. He grabs the first things he sees that are high carb- some chocolate chip cookies and a packet of Skittles. He also grabs a soda at the last second to be safe. Making his way back to where you sit, leaning against Tony’s shoulder he offers the snacks to you. “Which sounds better, cookies, skittles, or soda?”

“Death.” You mumble.

“Not an option on the table kiddo. So how about you take one of the three Pete offered?” You fling a hand out and snatch one of the three not really caring. “Mr. Shah, I’ll keep Peter here in case I need him to grab more things for Y/N, but I don’t want the rest of the group to lose out on their tour. We can catch up with you when Y/N is back up in range.”

“If you’re sure Mr. Stark.”

“It’s not the first time we’ve had to deal with stubborn blood sugars.” Tony says before turning his attention to the group as you munch on the cookies you don’t really want to eat. “Lilly, keep going with the tour. I’ll keep Peter and Y/N. They’ll catch up.”

“Sure Mr. Stark. Let’s continue on this way.” The actual intern leads the group on as Mr. Harrington, Mr. Shah and the rest of the students follow. Astrid and Betty’s eyes trail behind, watching Y/N, but they know your dad won’t let anything happen to you. After the group is out of the room, Tony’s attention stays on you, but his question turns to Peter.

“So I’m Tony now?”

“Uh not if you don’t want to be Mr. Stark.”

“No take backs. I heard it. The group heard it. Happy probably heard it down on the first floor. I just was wondering what changed.”

“Eugine.” You mumble over a mouthful of cookies. 

“Who’s Eugine?” Tony asks you.

“Flash. Thompson. That kid that tried to introduce himself while Y/N was crashing.” Peter clarifies as you open the soda that your dad doesn’t allow in the house. Will he buy it if you’re in the city and crashing, sure. But will he stock it in the house? Never. However, after growing up around the sticky drink, you’ve missed the taste. “He doesn’t want to believe that I actually intern with you.”

“So calling me Tony?”

“You called me Pete. It felt right.”

“Well if it feels right, keep doing it.” Tony’s attention goes back to you. “How you feeling kiddo?” 

“Like death microwaved over.”

“FRI what’s her number?”

“68 and stable.”

“Well that’s better than dropping still.” Tony says. He looks at the soda in your hand. “I think that’s probably not needed.” You hold it away from his outstretched hand.

“I’m still low.”

“That is full of crap. Let me get you a green juice or something?” You scrunch your face.

“I’ll pass. You already make me drink one at breakfast. I only get these when I’m low.” You say before taking another sip. Peter should be surprised, but the part of him that pays attention isn’t that surprised. He’s never seen soda around the Tower when you lived there or at the brownstone when he’s at the labs. “Do I really have to catch back up with the tour group? It’s actually kind of boring.” You ask.

“I can see if you can sit in with Pep. It would make more sense for you than going on the public tour anyway.”

“Why with Pepper? Can’t I just go chill out upstairs or something?”

“You’re supposed to take over the company one day. If I’m pulling you from the field trip, I’m going to make sure you’re still getting an educational day. At least if I leave you with Pepper, you’re still learning stuff.” You’re hesitant. Sure it’s years away from the day you have to make an actual decision, but you have no real plans to take over the company. But a day spent with Pepper sounds more fun than going on a tour that’s 100% science based anyway. “Or,” Your dad adds sensing some hesitation, “You can come work with me on some stuff.”

“Like in the lab?” You and Peter ask at the same time.

“That is where I work on stuff.”

“I would mess everything up.” You reply honestly.

“Can I come work?” Peter asks, hoping to get out of the tour he doesn’t need either.

“And take you away from learning about what SI is working on? No. Kid, I want to see what you think of what we’re working on. So let’s get you back with the group. Y/N, I’ll let Mr. what’s his name-”

“Mr. Shah.”

“Mr. Shah, know that I’m pulling you for official Stark business and then take you to Pep.”

Becoming A Stark Tag list: @persephonehemingway  @iamaunicorn4704  @furiouspockettoad  @daughter-of-stark  @eternalharry  @huntective-kyeo @riiis-stuff @sunnyoongles @cosmicqueenieb @sovereignparker @bbarnestan @teenwishes08 @iamthescarlettwitch

Permanent tag list: @wormonastringonastick

[radi0active-thoughts]

Ghost, Chapter 4 - “Safe and Sound”, part 1.

A/N: First of all, I’d like to say that it’s good to know that people appreciate my work (which is challenging, since English isn’t my first language). @witchymarvelspacecase is the angel behind the good grammar of this story, go check out her great writing! The chapter is inspired by the song “Safe and Sound” by Taylor Swift and The Civil Wars (major feels for this song) and it will have a part 2!

Summary: Reader begins her training with the team and surprises everyone with her skills. Clint and reader have a talk about their bond when she’s about to leave to her first mission with the team.

Warnings: Swearing, angst, Clint acting like a big brother, violence, reader being a sweetheart (notice the sarcasm dripping in ‘sweetheart’).

Word count: 3.542

Y/N: your name Y/LN: your last name

A couple weeks later

One more kilometer, Y/N. One. More. Kilometer.

The cold wind that blew outside and the loud rock music – “Where Are You Now”, by Royal Blood – that blasted through my ears were what pushed me forward to finish my run. Now that my legs were almost healed, the physical therapist had allowed me to have my morning run in the compound area. Day by day, I’d extended the run, adding one more kilometer to it; and by now I was about to go to the 4th kilometer.  

The run that had started at 7 A.M. with “Dive In” by Pierce The Veil playing, was now finishing at 8:10 A.M. with “Dark Necessities” by Red Hot Chili Peppers blasting in my ears as I walked into the compound.  

I entered the living room as I unzipped my gray hoodie, and headed towards my room, so I could take my iron supplement, freshen up a little, and eat something before I finally started training with the team. I left my room and went to the kitchen to find the whole team already there. Steve was reading the newspaper while Bucky, Sam and Clint were talking about something random. Vision, Nat, and Wanda were having a small talk while eating, and Tony was having his daily Clorofile juice while talking to Bruce about a random project they were working on.

“Looks like someone turned into a morning person.” Tony said when he saw me enter the kitchen and eyed me up and down. “And a healthier one, too.”

“How many words, and sentence formations you know, Stark?” I asked while I grabbed a cup of coffee and a plate with two pieces of toast, and an apple. “It’s the fourth day you’ve said something like that to me.”

“Not that many,” he answered.

“Well,” I began, as I sat between Steve and Sam, “it’s getting annoying and if you keep going with this shit I won’t hesitate to take a baseball bat and destroy your lab.”

“Like a Hulk explosion?” Sam asked.

“Yes,” I answered, taking a sip of my coffee, and a bite of the toast, “but worse.”

“You always eat apples, Y/N.” Steve commented when he closed his newspaper. I was already taking a second bite of said apple.

“Well, you know what they say?” I asked and he nodded so I could answer. “An apple a day keeps the doctor away. No offense, Bruce.”

“That’s okay.” He said.

“So you’re afraid of doctors, Y/N?” Nat asked smirking.

“No, not at all.” I answered and my lips formed a shit-eating grin. “They might even be in my list of fetishes.”

That’s when Bucky choked on his juice. Sam, Nat, Tony, and Clint cracked up laughing, Wanda blushed, Bruce laughed nervously, and Steve looked at me mortified. I looked at each of them.

“What?” I asked

“So you have a fetish list, Y/N?” Tony teased.

I shrugged. “Who doesn’t?”

“But are doctors really on it?” Wanda asked.

“I was just joking, guys. Chill out.” I said and smirked. “I’m way too rad for a doctor.”

I kept on eating my apple, as if that conversation hadn’t happened. I finished my breakfast speaking only a little, nothing more than, “pass me the butter” and washed my dishes. Nat approached me.

“Going for a run?” she asked.

“Nope.” I answered and looked at her. “The physical therapist allowed me to begin the training, so…”

“I’m so going to kick your ass.” Nat smirked and I laughed.

“That’s what you think”. I said.  

“So you’re training with us today, Doll?” Bucky asked.

“Yes.” I answered as we entered the fully stocked training room; which had three complete gym stations, a square full of thick black mats in the middle of the room, and three punching bags. “The physical therapist allowed me to kick some ass from now on… or have my ass kicked perhaps.”

Bucky chuckled and went to the upper body station with his earbuds on.

I took my hoodie off and began with a few stretches recommended by my physical therapist. Then, I began with two series of 15 squats and then 20 push-ups. I ended with a 30-second plank and got up to see Steve in front of me.

“This is for you,” he said handing me a black bag. I opened it to see a pair of white Muay-Thay gloves and two black bandages. “For when you want to use the punching bags, to not hurt your hands and…”

“There’s no need for explanation.” I said and smiled. He smiled back. “Thank you for the gift, Oldie. I’ll put ’em to use.”

“Not now, my darling Y/N.” Nat said when approached us. She smirked. “You, me, sparring mats, now.”

“Since you asked so nicely.” I said and looked to Steve. He snickered.

I took my sneakers and socks off, and put them with my hoodie. I went to the sparring mats, and the team, excepting for Wanda, Vision, Bruce and the Asgardian sunshine called Thor, were there minding their exercises.

Nat pulled me inside to the mats and almost immediately attacked my face with a punch. I groaned in pain.

“Okay, I wasn’t ready.” I said.

“You ready now?” She asked wearing a predatory smirk. I smiled back.

My answer was to drop her with a low kick. She grabbed at my ankle and made me fall with a punch behind my right knee. With no second thoughts, I rolled to the side, pulled her left arm and locked her in an arm wrench, holding her tightly between my legs. She broke free from my grasp and tried to grab my arm, but I took advantage of her exposed neck and pulled her by the shirt she wore, locking her neck in a hold, using little force, so I wouldn’t hurt her.

Her head slammed against my nose and she escaped my grip again. I got up and blocked her blow, kicking her on her left ribcage and attacking her with my right elbow. Her right hand stopped next to my lower belly.

“You’d be bleeding by now if I had a knife.” She said.

My right hand was touching her neck and she noticed. I smirked and my hand slid across her neck slowly. “And you’d be dead if I held a knife, Romanoff.”

Not long after, Nat and I fist bumped each other for the good match. I felt someone pulling me from behind and didn’t hesitate in hitting his stomach with my elbow. I turned around and saw Tony. I kicked him twice on the ribs, threw a punch on his face and finished him with a kick on his left knee. He fell to a sitting position on the mat.

Before I could think, Sam attacked me and locked my neck in a wrench, giving me the perfect opportunity to hit his stomach with my elbow, hold his shirt, lift, and throw his body over my shoulder, making him fall on the mat with a loud thud and groaning.

“Holy shit.” Sam said and it seemed that everyone in the room stopped to see the sparring sequences.  

“It’s not a high school wrestling match, Sammy Boy.” I smirked while panting. Steve approached and I already knew he’d be quite a challenge. Since he’s taller than me, I decided to attack him with a left uppercut punch that hit his chin, to mess with him, and gain a little time. It wasn’t my wisest decision though.

Steve came at me and my first decision was coming in with a punch. He caught my arm and pulled me to him, making my body fall to the floor.

“Okay, now I’m angry”. I thought.

It happened fast – it was like I could see what his next move would be as soon as got up. I averted his kick, holding his leg and punching his knee. I could see Steve lose his balance and fall, giving me enough time to immobilize him in an arm wrench – that would have been successful if he wasn’t a motherfucking super soldier. He broke free from my grasp and got up, making a the silly mistake of giving me his back. I smirked and got up, jumping onto his back, lacing my arms around his neck, hitting his lower back with my knee and kicking behind his knee – which was an unwise move for me, because he fell backward and who was behind him?  

I was.

With the fall, Steve’s head landed on my left boob, my legs were around his waist and my hands were still on his neck. I grunted. “Well, shit.”

“I wasn’t about to attack you.” Steve stated. “Why did you attack me?”

“I was already in fight mode, you know.” I said. “I would’ve attacked anyone who’d approach me the way you did.”

“I could do this all day.” I heard him murmur after a heavy sigh.

I was about to give a smart remark when F.R.I.D.A.Y.’s voice echoed in the room. “Ms. Hill is requesting the presence of the team for an urgent meeting in 30 minutes.”

“Did she say what this was about, F.R.I.D.A.Y.?” Tony asked.

“No, Mr. Stark.” The AI answered and I sighed.

“Cap’n, you’re crushing me here.” I said trying to collect enough air in my lungs.

“Oh, sorry Y/N.” He said and got up, helping me up after.

“Thanks, Oldie.” I said when I recovered my breath. Something told me that the day would be eventful.

I went to my room and took a quick shower. While I got dressed, I could see the sky getting dark, lightning illuminating the view and the deep sounds of thunder reverberating. I wore a plaid shirt, dark jeans and a pair of comfy slippers. I also grabbed my jean jacket and went to the meeting room where Wanda, Vision, Steve, Bruce, and Nat were already sitting along with the woman I presumed to be Maria Hill.

“You must be Y/N Y/L/N.” Maria greeted me. I nodded. “Maria Hill, agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.”

“Nice to meet you.” I said simply and sat between Bruce and Nat as the others began to arrive.

“Today we’ll have two heavenly presences.” Tony began when he entered the room. Bucky and Clint followed. Then Thor, with now short hair, an eye patch, jeans and a t-shirt, entered the room, followed by Bruce and a stunning woman who wore a white armor and a beautiful royal blue cape. I looked to my side to see Bruce smiling mischievously. What. The. Actual. Fuck?

“Lady Inked Buttocks.” Thor greeted me. I sighed.

“There’s no need to call me ‘Inked Buttocks’ the whole time.” I said. “I already told you my name.”

“It’s an intriguing nickname.” Bruce commented by my side. “I wonder what this is about.”

“But you already…” I began and Thor interrupted me.

“Loki…” Thor began and I saw Bruce (2nd Bruce?) turn into a man who wore green leather armor. He had black hair the length of his shoulders, pale skin and the greenest of eyes.

“What the hell?!” I asked almost screaming.

“Lady Inke…” Thor began and I looked at him, throwing daggers. “Lady Y/N, this is Loki, the God of Mischief and my brother.”

“Adopted brother.” Loki corrected, with this heavy British accent. “Now, does anyone care to explain me about this intriguing ‘Inked Buttock’ thing? Thor couldn’t stop talking about that and I found it quite annoying.”

“This will be fun.” Tony said. “F.R.I.D.A.Y., care to show the first images of Ms. Y/L/N in the compound?”

Almost immediately, the images began to reproduce, so everyone could see the origin of my nickname – from the guard I seduced and took the guns from, to when I took the surgical gown that I’d worn off, leaving me the way I came into this world. By the end of the short film, my head laid on the table, for the blush that crept into my cheeks and my neck.

“And now she just did something that gave more reasons for this cool nickname, which I created.” Tony began and I looked up to see a picture of my freshly inked back.

“Oh, wow.” Loki said and something made me rise my head from the table and look at him. His mesmerizing green orbs gazing into mine. “You seem to be brave, Lady Y/N. You know, the Gods will always smile on brave women like you… she would make a beautiful queen in Asgard, wouldn’t she, brother?”

“So, we’re here to talk about a mission that just entered S.H.I.E.L.D’s radar and that requires discretion.” Maria Hill began. “We’re talking about a human trafficking scheme. A heavy one.”

“Where?” Nat asked.

“The last time we had any information, they were in Paris, France.” She responded. “But our undercover agent just informed us that, in a week, they’ll host a luxury market in Spain.”

“Which kind of people do they traffic?” I asked, briefly reading the file that was on the desk.

“According to our agent, mostly women.” She answered. “This luxury market happens every month and even politicians give their contribution to human slavery.”

“Who’s most qualified for this mission?” Steve asked. “What’s the plan?”

“Fury listed you, Natasha, Barnes, Thor and Y/N.” Maria answered.

“Me?” I asked confused and Maria looked at me.

“Fury said you have the ability to go undercover and were a ‘good distraction’.” Maria answered and smirked. “We also could see some of your fighting skills, not to mention your skills with knives and guns.”

“About the mission…” Steve began.

“You’re all going undercover inside this ball.” Maria began. “The sale always begins after midnight so, for disguise, one or two of you will be acting like a buyer while the others take information about everything related to the scheme. The event will happen inside a castle, so be prepared to get dressed to the nines. The blueprint of the castle is in the files.”

“Who’s the head of the scheme?” Bucky asked.

“A man who attends by the nickname `Morningstar’.” Maria answered. “His true identity and appearance are not known, but we’re aiming to find out soon. Any more questions?”

“Brunnhilde and Loki will go with me, right?” Thor asked and everyone in the room groaned.

“You might be a ray of sun, Thor,” Clint began. “But we don’t trust your brother. How do we know he’ll not compromise the mission?”

“He won’t, trust me.” Thor answered and looked at Loki. “He knows what happens if he even thinks about it.

“Where is this castle?” I asked.  

“We’re talking about the Vélez-Blanco Castle, in Almería.” Maria answered and showed us a few pictures of the beautiful place. “You’re going to Roquetas del Mar, a city next to Almería, to a safe house and under fake IDs, which will be ready in a few days. Questions?”

“Brunnhilde and Loki…?” Thor asked again. The people began to discuss the possibilities, and I was already fed up with the amount of voices trying to prove their point at the same time.

“Enough!” I screamed suddenly, silencing the room and surprising even myself. I looked at Thor. “Is there a way to wound or possibly kill your brother?”

“Not for a mortal like you.” Loki answered before Thor with mockery. It annoyed me to the point that I quickly got up, took my knife from my back pocket and threatened him, putting it to his neck.

“Holy sh-“ Brunnhilde began saying and I cut her off, so I could talk for everyone to hear.

“You might be the Bastard of Mischief and all,” I began, the silver blade glued to his pale neck. “But you won’t trick me. Fuck the mission up and I’ll rip your heart out and feed the lions in New York City Zoo after giving you the most painful torture session in your miserable eternity.”

“Is this a threat, sweetheart?” Loki asked lowly, so only I could hear. I lowered my head to his right side, my mouth on his ear.

“No.” I answered in the same voice level than his. “It’s a promise and believe me…”

I took the knife from his neck slowly, took the file about the mission with my free hand and began walking towards the door. Not looking at any specific person I said something for everyone to hear as I left the room:  

“… I’m great at making justice mine.”

I was in my room studying the castle’s blueprints, and the human trafficking scheme they had. It looked quite simple and it was well architected: they made prostitutes of immigrant women and girls, and slaves of the men and boys. Either refugees or illegal immigrants – they’d promise them a good life, in a rich European country, and take their passports, pushing the prostitution and the heavy forced work down their throats.

“Holy shit.” I muttered while reading all the gathered information about the mission when I heard a knock on the door. “It’s open!”

I didn’t look up to see who entered my room, but for the footsteps I could tell it was Clint. I looked up to see him wearing a red plaid shirt and a pair of washed out jeans, and a ridiculously old pair of sneakers while holding a tray with a glass of juice and a plate with a really good looking sandwich.

“Hey, Firecracker.” He greeted me and put the tray on the empty space of the big ass writing desk I had in my room, with papers all scattered on it. “You’ve been in here for hours, missed target practice, and lunch. I thought you could use some food.”

“What’s up, Robin Hood?” I greeted him. He closed the door and pushed the other chair to sit by my side. “Thanks for the food. I should have already eaten because of the iron supplement, but I began to study the mission briefing and…”

“Let me guess” He began. “You completely forgot?”

I only nodded and took the sandwich for a bite before taking one of the supplements and swallowing it with the orange juice Clint brought. I began eating the entire sandwich after, it had cheese and tomato slices with pork, and a delicious sweet and spicy sauce – the leftovers of the roasted pork with sweet pepper jam Sam had cooked last night, saying it was a “Mama Wilson” recipe.

“Is there something you wanted to tell me or did you just come to bring me food?” I asked when I realized he was looking at me. “Because you’re staring at me while I eat and it’s getting kinda creepy.”

“Oh, don’t mind me.” He said and we stared at each other for a second longer. “You won’t be able to not mind me, will you?”

“Nope.” I answered.

“This is your first official mission inside the team.” He said.

“Yes, I…” I began and took a sip of the orange juice. “I won’t need to hack S.H.I.E.L.D.’s server anymore. I’ll do some good for a while so maybe God can forgive my restless, murderous spirit.”

Clint left out a spirituous laugh. “Yeah, maybe He can… anyway, I’m actually proud of you.”

“Are you?” I asked.

“Since we met on that mission in South Africa,” Clint began. “The first one I hired you for, I just knew you were just the firecracker with restless, murderous spirit we were looking for. And when Tony discovered your file, man, he made a scene to Fury just to try and bring you to the team.”

I laughed and arched my eyebrows, surprised with my new discovery. Clint just nodded.

“But now I’m jealous of forming a really cool rookie for S.H.I.E.L.D.” He said and my lips curved a little in a probably rare smile. “Look, Y/N, I know how restless, careless, and reckless you can be; I’ve seen it with my own eyes, and all I ask is for you to be more careful in the missions that are to come. What I gave you was hardcore soft porn compared to what you’re about to face.”

“Whoa, using Red Hot Chili Peppers in a stern recommendation?” I asked. “I really taught you well.”

Clint laughed. “Yes, you did… but I’m serious, I… You’re one of the few people I don’t wanna lose, and if I lose you, I’ll feel guilty for it just ‘cause you’re like a little sister to me.”

“I’ve never had a brother.” I said when I looked down and sighed. It took a moment of silence before I looked at Clint again. “And you, Merida, are one of the people I have to thank for, you know, giving me someone to rely on.”

“I’m not even redheaded for you to call me Merida.” He stated after what seemed a short and comfortable silence. I laughed.

“But you’re still skilled with a bow and arrows.” I said.

“Okay, Firecracker.” He said and got up. I also got up so I could hug him. Clint hugged me back and left my room, leaving the door open behind him.

For the first time in years, I was feeling how it was to have a family. And trust me when I say this is one of the best feelings ever.

A/N: I wanna say sorry for taking too long to post it. I’m dealing with a few things in college (senior year, y’all know), so I’ll take a little bit longer (not that long anymore, I promise) to post the chapters. :)

Tagging: @witchymarvelspacecase​ @annabella789​ @ladylustitia​ @theseldomseenkilljoy​ @wicket-master​ @purrrcrastination​ @coal000​ @parisss-lilli​ @luv-what-you-do​ @s-killian14​ @wowspideyholland​ @curlyhairedlolita​ @personwhoisntquitesureimalive​ @barnesdeservestheworld

[wegotcrowns]

The Evolution of Taylor Swift (and Me)

As I mentioned in my Intro post, this is an article that I wrote back in 2014, which was published in Her Campus VCU. I wrote this article at a time when Taylor Swift (TS) was in the midst of exploring musical genres. For some odd reason, this ruffled a lot of feathers since apparently artists are not able to do any exploring whatsoever. I mean honestly, that’s like saying a chef can only cook one dish for the rest of their lives. Or an illustrator is only able to draw one figure for the rest of their lives. Anyways, I plan on discussing this in more detail in another post, so let’s not stall any longer.

I remember the exact moment Taylor Swift came into my life. I was sitting in my dark basement, flipping through channels, when I came across her “Our Song” music video.

Forget the video; the song itself was so catchy and so relatable to the 13-year-old girl that I was. Before I knew it, I spent almost all my days after school YouTube-ing her songs all while grabbing the nearest remote control and singing along. When I went to buy Swift’s debut album, I was so happy to see all the familiar songs I’d been listening to on YouTube. That album was with me on the bus to and from school, in the hallways and right before I had to take out my big JVC headphones for class. Taylor was 16 when her country debut album came out. I was 13 and had just found my idol.

Fast-forward two years; there was high school, a boy who may or may not have known that I existed and Swift’s new album, Fearless. The outcome? A 15-year-old girl who thought she was in love with a 15-year-old boy who didn’t pay any attention to her, but was comforted by her best friend and idol, Taylor Swift, who sang songs like “Love Story” and “Fifteen.” With lyrics like, “Count to 10, take it in, this is life before you know who you’re gonna be,” I felt like Swift knew exactly what I was going through.

Fast-forward another two years; I’m a junior in high school. I’d like to say a little more mature, and ready to embark on a new chapter – college – but only if I knew Swift would come with me. And she did, by releasing her third album, Speak Now. I admired Speak Now for its fearlessness, which is ironic because that’s the title of her second album. But it’s true; in Speak Now, Taylor sang about breaking up a wedding, swallowing her pride and giving a heartfelt apology to an ex boyfriend, and speaking directly to her haters, saying, “One day, I’ll be big enough so you can’t hit me.” I think it’s safe to say now that she’s lived up to that statement. It was the perfect album to indulge myself in just before starting college and into my first year as a freshman. I firmly believe the lyrics of “Dear John” were taken right out of my diary and made into a song by Swift. “Never Grow Up” became the soundtrack of my life, while I felt nostalgia for my high school days. And “Enchanted” became my go-to song whenever I saw that guy.

Another two years, you know the drill; I’m 19 years old. Taylor releases Red, my personal favorite. It brought the sounds of new beginnings, a new side of Swift, and my all-time favorite song: “All Too Well”. When listening to songs like “Begin Again,” I understood the beauty of starting over. “I Almost Do” gave me comfort in knowing that the temptation to give in is something Swift had to go through as well and “Everything Has Changed” helped me feel comfortable with my new home away from home. The album was the perfect chance for both Swift and I to say, “I am not that 15-year-old girl anymore who dwelled on that boy who may or may not have known I existed.”

And now, another two years later, I’m 21 years old, about to graduate college, and Swift releases 1989. She caught the world’s attention with her single “Shake It Off,” the perfect message to not only her detractors, but for everyone to know how to deal with the next person who brings you down. But the album means more than just “shaking off” your haters; it truly shows the evolution of Taylor Swift. The main thing I noticed in this album was Swift’s great and inspiring confidence. With songs like “Blank Space,” she’s whole-heartedly accepting her reputation as a “dating machine,” but expresses it in a way to show it doesn’t faze her. The opening song for the album, “Welcome To New York,” signified her transition from the small-town girl to the big city girl, all while having me reflect on one of her old lyrics from Speak Now: “Someday I’ll be living in a big ol’ city.”

Swift’s extensive poise that is brought out so neatly in this album aspires me to feel the same way. After all, she helped me understand why that boy in tenth grade shouldn’t matter to me; she knew all the right words to say while I transitioned from high school into college, and comforted me in every one of my weakest moments. With that being said, I have no doubt in my mind that 1989 will have just as much of an effect on me.

Another thought: Swift’s genre of her album never mattered to me. Whether the album was country, folk or pop, it never once made me look at her differently. What mattered were her lyrics: The messages she sends in her songs that can help comfort the conflicted high school girl to the young woman who faces many obstacles while stepping into adulthood. While people spent their time criticizing her for her shift in genres, I found myself appreciating her growth as an artist.

To be continued... 

[mayraswiftie]

Thank you Taylor!!!

*By the way this post was triggered after seeing RI Secret Sessions and watching the 1989 Secret Sessions video and crying* Taylor I am probably not going to meet you this secret session due to my intense inactiveness but I just want you to know I am here and exist. My name is Mayra, pronounced as My-ra and I am from Dallas. I have been a Swiftie since 2012 and loved your music since 2008, to put that in perspective I am 18 now and have been a Swiftie since I was 12 and first listened to your music when I was 8. Since this is my last year of high school and this summer I was at camp and doing early college classes and now I am completing my college applications and just have been so busy with homework. Here is a brief story of me, I have seen you in the Cowboys stadium twice.

I remember this tour your mom chose some people next to me and myself to go sit in the front row, when she told us that I started bawling and then she hugged me and said “it’s okay sweetie” and I cried even more I was so happy to meet her and the opportunity she gave my new friends, my brother and I. 

I have gone all out with my outfits and was so proud of my last two since I hand stitched the wing and all the elements of the outfit:

With my latest one I ironed on all the polaroids with this special material my dad had. My latest one was used when I went to go see you in your only show in 2016 in Austin. I was so excited that my mom said yes to driving me down to Austin for ONE day and told her thank you and played The Best Day and cried with her to tell her thank you for letting me go see you. 

I really needed that show it helped me stay happy during my Junior year. When I became a swiftie I remember being so excited to tell everyone about you and how amazing and talented you are. Your music means so much to me and I am glad that I am here on this journey with you. Now I can’t wait to tell everyone how dedicated you are to us and how glad I am to be a fan of yours. Taylor thank you for making others dreams come true and for allowing them to meet you and giving them the opportunity to listen to your new music EARLY. To many of us we love to listen to your music because we can relate and we feel every word and we know that you have put your blood, sweat and tears into each lyric. Thank you for all the people you have made so happy over the years and I can not wait for new people to get that same opportunity. You make so many people happy and you brought so many people together, like my friend and I @swift-sophieeee we have a great story to tell, let me make it brief, I wore my T.S. shirt to camp, she saw me and said “I like your shirt” and I said “I like it too” and I couldn’t find her after that and little did I know that I was going to see her in our school trip to Turkey, I wore a different T.S. shirt and she said “I like your shirt” and I said “I like it too” and it stopped, it was the girl I have been trying to find we looked at each other and knew who we were, and now she is my best friend. Then this girl Marissa @thisswiftloveisalive and I began to communicate with each other after the struggle of the AT&T party being announced late for Dallas and we hit it off. So thank you for giving us the opportunity to meet you and be a part of your life. I am probably not going to be selected for the Reputation Secret Sessions but I hope to meet this tour and if not the next tour after that and if not that before I die to tell you thank you for all the happiness you have brought me. 

Mayra❤️

@taylorswift @taylornation

[i-am-a-blue-dragon]

If I'm doing all the music asks, so are you. I CHALLENGE THEE.

It has been a calendar year since you sent me this.  SORRY.  You know I’ve been busy.  @groovyaviator also asked me Daft Punk, Fall Out Boy, and Led Zeppelin.  Let’s do this.

- Alabama Shakes: Favorite female lead? Aurora.

- Arctic Monkeys: Favorite male lead? Chris Martin.

- Ben Howard: An album that reminds you of your favorite season? Aurora’s All My Demons Greeting Me as a Friend, because it reminds me of when of that moment in late October when you realize winter is on its way.  But I’m also a fan of our weather right now, so for that I would assign Coldplay’s Mylo Xyloto.  And I’ve also come to favor the weather around my birthday midsummer, and for that I’d assign The Golden Age by Woodkid.

- Bon Iver: An album you could listen to on repeat for years? Coldplay’s X&Y. Regina Spektor’s Far, as well as What We Saw from the Cheap Seats.  alt-J’s entire discography. The How to Train Your Dragon soundtrack by John Powell.  The soundtrack to Jane Eyre by Dario Marianelli.  The Golden Age by Woodkid.

- Bastille: A song that brings back bad memories? Already Over by Red.  Sweater Weather by The Neighbourhood.  The Ballad of John Hurt by alt-J, but the memory is more bittersweet than bad.  Yes by Coldplay, tied closely with Two Birds by Regina Spektor.

- The Beatles: An artist you think is overrated? Ed Sheeran.

- Coldplay: A band you used to love but never listen to anymore? Coldplay, right now!  I still love them very much but I’ve been listening to a lot of other stuff.  Also, Linkin Park, Chevelle, Breaking Benjamin, Evanescence… I went through a phase.

- Daft Punk: Favorite instrumental (no vocals) song? The Heart Asks Pleasure First by Michael Nyman.  It also is my favorite song, but specifically the composer’s cut version.

- Dawes: A genre of music you absolutely cannot stand? I really have a hard time with country.  I’m sorry, Becca.

- Electric Light Orchestra: Favorite song to help you cheer up? I have a 75 song playlist of these, my dude.  Rasputin by Boney M. reminds me of a ridiculous time in high school and never fails to make me smile, but most of the time my go-to is Everything’s Not Lost by Coldplay.

- Elliot Smith: Favorite song to listen to when you’re sad? I tend not to listen to a lot of music when I’m sad… but maybe the cover of Where Is My Mind by Bandit.

- Evanesence: Ever done drugs and listened to music? Lol no.

- Fun.: Put your music on shuffle and list the first three. Whatever happens, I blame Spotify: 1) Dust by Hans Zimmer (Interstellar soundtrack), 2) The Kill Ring by John Powell (How to Train Your Dragon soundtrack), 3) Daddy Issues by The Neighbourhood.  I only can recall listening to the middle one because I have a habit of saving albums to listen to later.

- Fall Out Boy: First album you fell in love with? Vocal: Linkin Park’s Meteora. Instrumental: John Williams’s soundtrack for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

- Green Day: A song that makes you feel rebellious? Boss Ass Bitch by PTAF!

- George Ezra: A song that reminds you of a past lover? I don’t really have any of those, but you can refer to the bad memory response because it’s basically the same list.

- Genesis: A band that your parents always played when you were little? The Rolling Stones, because if it’s parents plural my dad is the automatic DJ and he plays classic rock exclusively.

- Hozier: Favorite brand new artist? How new is new?  Brand new to me right now are Tom Odell and Glass Animals but both have been at it since 2012.

- Iron & Wine?: What song would you want to be played at your wedding?“ Sleeping At Last did a cover of The Proclaimer’s I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) that I absolutely fucking love.  But I would rather do an upbeat surprise choreographed dance number for my first dance because I don’t know how I feel about sharing an intimate moment with my new spouse in front of all those people.

- Imagine Dragons: What song would you want played at your funeral? At the beginning?  Talk by Coldplay.  At the end, The Heart Asks Pleasure First by Michael Nyman.

- Jack Johnson: A song you heard in a movie and fell in love with? Hans Zimmer’s song Time off of the Inception soundtrack.

- Joy Division: Your least favorite album by your favorite band? Ghost Stories by Coldplay because it’s sad and boring.  Probably also their newest album but I’ve refused to sit through all of it so I don’t know.

- The Killers: Name your top three songs of all time. So many repeating answers tonight! The Heart Asks Pleasure First by Michael Nyman; Talk by Coldplay; Aurora’s cover of Nature Boy.

- Linkin Park: Suggest a band you think I might like. @beccathevampyreslayer I think you’d really enjoy How to be a Human Being by Glass Animals because it’s equal parts dark and upbeat. @groovyaviator, listen to The Golden Age by Woodkid.  Becca can tell you that I’ve loved that album for years because the artist is also a director and intentionally writes his music to make listeners feel like the hero of a film.

- Led Zeppelin: Favorite album art? HOW DARE YOU MAKE ME CHOOSE.  The Golden Age by Woodkid.  Literally any art featured on an album or EP for Sleeping At Last.  The Resistance by Muse.  Any artwork featured in EPs or albums by Fleet Foxes.  Light & Gold by Eric Whitacre (if one is looking to buy a print for me I’d go with this one).  Parachutes by Coldplay.  The Lateness Of The Hour by Alex Clare.  Anything used by Foster The People.

- Muse: Craziest music video you’ve ever seen? Nothing will ever beat the Turn Down For What music video.

- Mumford & Sons: Favorite cover version of a song you love? Any iteration of Nature Boy by Nat King Cole but especially Aurora’s version.  The same can probably also be said for The Sound of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel, but nothing beats the original.

- The National: A song you sing in the shower? (I Won’t Say) I’m in Love from Hercules!

- Nathaniel Rateliff: A song that never fails to make you emotional? Laughing With by Regina Spektor has like a 50% chance of making me cry, as does Coming Back Around off the How to Train Your Dragon soundtrack.

- One Direction: Backstreet Boys or NSYNC? I liked both!  I think when I was younger I favored NSYNC, but boy bands aren’t really my mode of choice for experiencing ‘90s nostalgia.

- Pink Floyd: You can go back in time to see any band you want. Who would it be? Coldplay when they were touring for X&Y.  Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite as its debut.

- Queen: You can meet any band member, living or dead, and hang out with them for 24 hours. Who would it be? Eric Whitacre, who I have met before but definitely didn’t hang out with.  He’s a hero of mine because he kind of walked into his hometown university, picked up music super late, and went on to redefine classical music.  He was driven by passion, and his lack of early training really shows in the innovation in his work - the man draws PICTURES of his music before even trying to write down notes.  And he collaborates with all manner of interesting people, pulling source material from really unconventional places.  I’ve been contemplating a major change in life paths for the last year or so and it’s always very heartening to see someone do the same, and especially by sheer force of will.

- Radiohead: Favorite concert you’ve ever been to (or a band you want to see live). I saw Aurora live in November and she changed my life.  Marina and the Diamonds was incredible and so was her opening act, Christine and the Queens, who I also love.  Regina Spektor was so good live too.  And seeing Ke$ha last fall was just a lot of fun.  I regret not going to see Coldplay a lot sooner because I’d love to see them in general but I don’t like most of their newest music and I’d really rather hear stuff from Mylo Xyloto and earlier.

- Rihanna: A musician you respect, even if you might not like their music? I don’t really listen to Demi Lovato but I have mad respect for everything she advocates for.

- Roo Panes: Favorite acoustic version of a song? Aurora’s acoustic version of Murder Song (5, 4, 3, 2, 1).  It’s haunting.

- Simon & Garfunkel: Favorite album movie? (Ex. Yellow Submarine, The Wall, Help!, The Graduate) Kill me later but I don’t think I have ever seen one in its entirety.  I think I watched Help! with Becca, though.

- Skrillex: What’s the strangest song you have on your iPod right now? Rasputin by Boney M. and Chaccaron Maccaron by El Mundo.

- Tame Impala: A band none of your friends listen to? Aurora, Christine and the Queens, Tom Odell.  Becca introduced me to the last one but she doesn’t listen to his discography actively.

- Taylor Swift: Name that one artist that literally makes you so angry you’re willing to throw the damn radio right out the window to make it stop. I’ll never be over the travesty of Robin Thicke.  One of my favorite members of being a community advisor was our end of the year celebratory dinner, when the DJ started this song and the whole room stopped dancing and stared and him and I called over, “Please just change the song.”  Rape culture is bad, kids.

- U2: A song or album that somehow got onto your iPod but you have no idea where it came from??? Weird. Probably some random movie soundtrack.

- The Vaccines: What are your favorite lyrics? Quote them for me. Do they mean something special to you? “Are you lost or incomplete? Do you feel like a puzzle, you can’t your missing piece?” “Are you what you want to be?” “Is this the life you’ve been waiting for?” “Good is better than perfect, scrub ‘til your fingers are bleeding.  And I’m crying for things that I tell others to do without crying.” “I want to love you but I don’t know how.” “Are you getting stronger or is time shifting weight?” “Potentially lovely, perpetually human, suspended and open…” “You can’t pin me down!”  You might sense a theme here.  I think I do.

- Vampire Weekend: A band or artist you follow on Twitter? No Twitter for me, but if I did it’d be Eric Whitacre because his fans send him good music memes and he shares the best of them.

- Vance Joy: An artist where you can never tell what the hell they’re singing? Chevelle and George Ezra.

- Weezer: Favorite old school band? Simon & Garfunkel.

- The xx: A genre/band you’ve been getting into that you never thought you would enjoy? Synthpop.

[hillburn42-blog]

Chi's Rotating Curling Iron Is Like Nothing You’ve Ever Seen Before

I like to think that I’m the Rodin of hair curling. After several years of practice, I’ve developed a routine that can transform my stubbornly straight, fine hair into sculpted, voluminous curls in an hour, tops. I use a Conair curling wand that I've had since high school, on the highest heat setting possible, to manually wind one-inch sections of my hair around the barrel, apply hairspray, and brush out into large waves. New hot tools have come along since the mid-2000s that could presumably make luscious curls in even less time, and without the heat damage I've likely inflicted on myself—but of the methods I've tried, my curling wand routine is the only one that works.

You can imagine my hesitation, then, when Glamour’s beauty editors whipped out the new Chi Volcanic Lava Spin N Curl in a meeting and suggested I take it for a spin. If Chi’s "Volcanic" curls were what the box advertised—tiny, defined loops that brought “Our Song”–era Taylor Swift and my look for prom in 2012 to mind—I leaned toward passing. The tool’s design only made me question it further (and elicited a collective “WTF” from our edit team): It’s a large red device with no visible curling barrel in sight. "Tulip-shaped" is the polite way to describe the open-mouthed contraption with an internal iron. I was immediately reminded of the Demogorgon’s head on Stranger Things. (I.e., not something I’d want to feed my hair to, even if it meant Karlie Kloss–like waves were waiting on the other side.)

Before potentially endangering my own hair, I did some research with an Instagram deep dive like any self-respecting millennial. I couldn’t ignore the surprisingly attractive results (prom curls they were not), or the semi-ASMR experience of watching the Spin N Curl work its magic on head after head. In brief clips from stylists who got their hands on the tool early, strands of hair are vacuumed into the tool’s curling chamber and wound around an internal rotating iron. Then they're released as loose, spiraling waves in a matter of seconds. Women with hair types ranging from pin-straight to wavy who were part of these early previews seemed to reach general consensus: This iron looks crazy, but it actually works.

Even after watching others use it with success, I couldn’t come face-to-face with the Spin N Curl on my own without wondering: Wouldn’t this tornado-thingy tangle the hell out of my hair without a seasoned stylist to operate it for me? Despite being terrified at first, I’m happy to report the answer is no. Given my hair’s fine, straight makeup, it didn’t take much coaxing for strands to make it in and out of the tool. I sectioned my hair into one-inch pieces (smaller sections is key) that the iron wound around its internal barrel with the press of a button.

With my curling wand, I needed the smell of a faint burn to tell me my curl had set, but the Spin N Curl emitted four short beeps to let me know it was ready. The barrel automatically released my hair, and I barely had to move it to unleash a neatly wound curl. One fair warning: The thing is pretty clunky. Using it feels like a bit of a bicep workout. You have to feed your hair into the iron with one hand while holding down the curl button with the other to get the barrel moving—and the iron is heavy.

That said, the other features make up for its weight. As much as I’ve relied on a curling wand over the years, I’ve occasionally walked away from styling sessions with burns on my fingers and neck. Thankfully, the design of this iron takes heat injuries out of the equation. Remember that intimidating barrel? It’s actually constructed to protect your fingers from burning: Per Chi, its lava technology curls hair at the lowest possible temperature for your hair type inside the iron, while the outside stays cool. (One stylist maintains that he’ll press the outside of the iron to his face at beauty conventions to demonstrate how cool it stays during styling. I won’t be testing that theory out, but it seems legit.)

PHOTO: Halie LeSavage

The lasting results were what really sold me though. I purposefully tested the iron right before bed to see how the curls would match up against a night of sleep. The next morning I woke up to see that my hair still had modern, thick waves. A few spritzes of hairspray, and I had volume for a full day after—a result not even my beloved curling wand could bring.

Chi Volcanic Lava Ceramic Pro Spin ‘N Curl, $130, ulta.com

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Source: https://www.glamour.com/story/chi-rotating-curling-iron-review