#losing my mind why do the lyrics. fit. so well

[thermodynamic-comedian]

listening to both the magnus archives and the mountain goats is. an experience.

[runnning-outof-time]

Twice As Much

Tommy Shelby x Reader

Warnings: language, smoking, drinking

Summary: (Y/N) shares her thoughts on Tommy's decision to go into business with the Russians.

A/N: Congrats on 2k, Lora @dearshelby !! I chose the lyric from Fine Line since that’s one of my favorite HS songs. I also think I was channeling your angsty self as I wrote this…it’s no where near as good as your angst, but it was a shot. Oh, and I’m not sure if the moodboard really fits the story at all, but I just wanted to make something pretty for you also. Enjoy! :)

PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!

The door was slammed shut in Tommy's face when he was two steps away from it. Instead of opening it right away, he paused on the steps, taking a deep breath and letting it out in a huff as he clenched his hands into fists, hoping that doing so would release some tension. He opened the door when he felt he was ready. "(Y/N), please..."

"I can't believe you would do that, Tommy!" (Y/N) was ready to dive right back into it, cutting off his low-toned response the second he began it; having no intention of hearing what he had to say. "You've just decided on a whim that you're going to fuck around with the Russians, and you felt that my charity gala was where you were going to set that into motion?!" The hurt was clear on her face, and she was standing in the middle of the foyer, still wearing the dress that, earlier that evening Tommy wasn't sure she'd make it out of the house in.

Taking another deep breath, he tried to keep his head leveled. "If you would just listen..."

"No," she cut him off again with a sharp answer, "I'm finished listening. I put on happy face and fucking listened as you pled your case to me about it at the gala. I couldn't share my thoughts there, but here I can, so I'm damn well going to share them."

"Share them then," his statement was brief, and he waved his hand as a non-verbal gesture for her to continue on with talking, his eyes dropping to fix on the hardwood. He didn't need this right now. He had so much work he had to do; so many people who were riding on him and watching closely to see if he would trip up or make a mistake. He didn't need his own wife's disapproval on top of it.

"I think that you must've had a stroke of insanity when you decided that you were going to begin working with the Russians. I think these people are outright lying to you when they say that they are on your side and that they will give you your share when it's all over. You've done what you said you were going to; you've gone legitimate...so why are you now going to fight a war that isn't yours to fight?" she chose what she said carefully, speaking with such passion that Tommy felt every word as it struck his heart. "I think..." her voice broke, and she exhaled the rest of her breath as a sigh as she grappled for the right words to end off her statement, "I think that there'll be no turning back once you've made your decision to work with these people, and that you will lose people because of that decision."

Her last sentence hit Tommy the hardest. She'd been with him through all of his battles and had become a voice of reason in his life. He was able to see how much these decisions had affected her; how emotionally distraught she was because of them. But yet there was the voice still talking in the back of his mind...the voice that told him to push forward with the business and that doing so would open up even more avenues for him. And that's what he wanted overall: to amass an empire so vast that all others would pale in comparison. He had no limitations.

"Fuckin' hell, (Y/N)..." he trailed off with a huff, shaking his head in frustration, "I don't need this from you now too," he muttered as he started to walk to the hall that held his office.

(Y/N) didn't let him go that easy. "What do you mean 'I don't need this from you now too'?!" she called after him, her anger still apparent.

"Eh?!" he snapped, spinning around to face her again.

"What the fuck are you on about with not needing it from me?! You told me to share my thoughts so I fucking shared them!" she told him, holding her ground even though she could see the anger starting to bubble up in his eyes. She watched as he clenched his fists together, looking as though he was trying to stabilize himself. That didn't stop her though...she wanted answers. "What did you mean?!"

"I meant that out of all the fucking people that I have to please; out of all the fucking hoops that I have to jump through for this, I didn't think you'd be one of them," he gave her what she was asking for, explaining his response to her without taking his eyes away from hers.

"Oh so I'm not allowed to have a say in what gets done within the company? Or in what types of partnerships you manage to get yourself into?" she asked him, disbelief present in her voice. She felt like she'd been diminished...like she hadn't had a large part in making the Shelby Company Ltd. into what it was today.

"You're my wife, (Y/N)...you're supposed to stand by my side through these decisions," he tried to make her understand why he'd gotten aggravated by her pushback.

"I am your fucking wife, Tommy! Which means that what I'm saying should mean twice as much as what others say to you!" she shot back, spinning his words back onto him.

Tommy couldn't help but snort at her comeback, cracking a begrudging grin as he shook his head. She was quick-witted...one of the reasons why he was attracted to her the moment he met her, but right now it was working against him. "You know I just thought that you'd understand. That you'd be able to see the bigger fucking picture of it all, and that it would excite you for the future of the company and the fucking family!" he began with his voice level but it soared by the end of his statement, his anger making it rise again.

"Excite me?!" she scoffed at his statement, shock flooding her features, "what part of joining a fight on the same side as a bloodthirsty family of people who do nothing but lie did you think would excite me, Tommy?" She sent him an incredulous look, to which he replied with silence. She continued after a few moments' pause, "we're doing just fine on our bloody own; working the tracks and staying on top of exports. We don't need any part of working with these people, we really don't."

"You don't see it the way I see it then," he quipped, his eyes boring into hers as he spoke.

"I guess I don't," she was quick to respond, throwing her hands up in an exasperated manner, at her wits end with how he was acting at the moment.

"I need a fuckin' drink," Tommy mumbled, turning from her again as he tugged his bowtie loose, hoping that it was alleviate some of the tension he was feeling.

"You can't just walk away from this!" (Y/N) called, her hasty footsteps following him into his office.

"I'm not the one walking away, (Y/N). I'm not the one who's doubting everything...when has something I've planned gone south, eh?!" he went right back to it with her, a tight grip on his glass of whiskey that he didn't even get a chance to drink from.

"You don't want me to answer that," she remarked sarcastically, snorting as several instances that could prove him wrong entered her mind.

Tommy sighed and took a sip from the glass in his hand. The alcohol burned as it went down his throat, but it didn't do nearly enough to quell the pounding in his head. "All I'm looking for here is a little bit of loyalty; for my wife to understand the reasons behind this deal and why it'll help our company," he spoke with a level voice after a few, tense moments had passed.

"You've got my devotion...you've always got my devotion, Tommy, that's never in question...but man, I can hate you sometimes," (Y/N) spoke with a sigh before she pressed her thumb and index fingers into her eyes, hoping it would alleviate the pressure she was feeling in her head. She looked up at him then, feeling the weight of the silence in the room as it came down around her. She continued speaking when he stayed quiet, "you need to think long and hard about the business you're going to be conducting here, Tommy. It will hurt this family if it goes bad...twice as much as any other business deal that you've carried out in the past," her words were spoken with the utmost seriousness, her eyes not straying from his as she delivered her message.

With that, she turned and walked out of his office, leaving him standing, staring at the open doorway that she'd exited through. He held his gaze there for a few moments before letting out a sigh and tipping his head back. The rest of the whiskey slid down his throat in one go, and he poured himself another glass before making his way over to where his desk was situated. His eyes still stayed focused on the doorway as he went through the motions of lighting himself a cigarette. The whiskey hadn't quelled the pounding in his head, so he hoped that the nicotine would.

Three cigarettes and another glass later, the pounding was still there. He knew now what, or rather who, would stop it, but he was surely the last person that they wanted to see at the moment. He wouldn't know what to say if he went and faced her anyway. So he stayed put at the desk and tried to find other ways to keep his mind off of what was bothering him the most.

What his wife thought did matter to him, twice as much as anyone else's opinions did, but he just couldn't get past the magnitude of what this deal was promising. Lives would forever be changed if this all worked out the way he hoped it would. But (Y/N) usually wasn't wrong when she got bad feelings about things. Now he was in limbo.

In the end, he would be the only one to make the decision. He could already tell that it was going to be one that would take all night for him to come to. So, while hyper-aware of the thoughts of the woman who was surely sleeping soundly upstairs, he began weighing the sides out; hoping that one choice would become clearer than the other.

Tagged: @mystcldydrms @the-anxious-youth @cloudofdisney @look-at-the-soul @elenavampire21 @mrsalwayswrite @julkaamazing @evita-shelby @lilyrachelcassidy @notyour-valentine @shelbydelrey @december16-1991 @onlydeadcells @peakyswritings @just-a-blackhole @watercolorskyy @strayrockette @peakyduchesss @alexxavicry @captivatedbycillianmurphy @yummycastiel @dark-academia-slut @tommystargirl @stevie75 @lyarr24 @signorellisantichrist @zablife @anotherblinder @midnightmagpiemama @cillmequick @rangerelik @dandelionprints @letal-y-poetica @itscheybaby @gypsy-girl-08 @insanitybyanothername @depxiety @raincoffeeandfandoms @dragons-are-my-favorite @acewritesfics @forgottenpeakywriter @cljordan-imperium @areyenotfondofmelobster @little-diable @thomashelbyswife

MASTERLIST

Listen to Fine Line by Harry Styles:

HERE.

[matthewkniesys]

i know it won't work - trevor zegras

summary: You let go of Trevor but why can't he let go of you? You know it won't work so why can't he see that? You're only trying to save each other from more heartbreak than necessary. You just want him to be happy.

a/n: this is the second fic in my good riddance by gracie abrams fic series. you don't have to read the first one for this to make sense. so this is my first song fic so please be nice. idk if i did it right. everything in bold is the song lyrics. i recommend listening to the song but you don't have to. i really do love this fic so hopefully yall will too🫶

pairing: trevor zegras x gn!reader

warnings: angsty and some swearing

good riddance fic series

The last year has been hard for you. Nobody ever told you how hard graduating highschool would be. Everyone paints graduating as this big celebration. You're never warned of the hard choices you’ll have to make and the people you’ll lose. The one person you never expected to lose was your childhood best friend and boyfriend of 3 years, Trevor Zegras. And you could never have predicted that you would be the one walking away. Not him.

I left you there 

Heard you keep the extra closet empty

In case this year I come back and stay throughout my 20s

Your body is drained of any energy. Moving into your dorm room has sucked any will to do anything for the rest of the day out of your body. You’re excited for the new chapter that University will bring to your life but you’re also mourning the loss of the life you had before. You feel like a different person since everything in your life did a complete 180 a few months ago. 

Leaving Trevor was probably the hardest thing you’d ever done. You didn’t just lose your boyfriend that day, you also lost your best friend. It was what needed to happen though. It was this one day when he made a comment about how he would follow you anywhere and give up hockey in a heartbeat that made you freak out. You had to cut ties. Trevor loved you in an all consuming way. You loved him in a nostalgic kind of way. In the way that you two had been best friends forever. You loved him but slowly you were realizing it wasn’t in that same romantic way his love for you was. It was not purely but more platonic. You couldn’t ever see yourself marrying him and so even though it hurt both of you, leaving was the right decision. If only Trevor could understand that. 

Picking up your phone to check social media, you see you’ve got a missed call from a friend, well she’s probably your best friend now, since you walked away from Trevor. You choose her number from your recent contacts and let it ring until she picks up.

“Hey, y/n, how are you? Are you all settled in?”

“I’m good. It was a real tight fit, to get everything in the dorm but it worked out. How about you? How’s your dorm? I can’t believe we are literally on the opposite side of the country now.”

Your friend laughs, “ Yeah, it was quite the tight fit here too. The dorms are tiny. But I’m doing good. I’m excited for classes to start.”

You pause for a second, wanting to ask the question that’s been burning in the back of your mind for weeks now. You wanted to know how Trevor was. Trevor and your friend had always been close. When you walked away from Trevor you didn’t want them to have to end their friendship so they still hang out.

Stuttering, you ask,” Hey, um how’s Trev doing?”

“Are you sure you really wanna know?” Yes, you are sure. At this point you feel like you need it as much as you need the air you breathe. You can guess he probably isn’t doing great, you aren’t either but you need to hear it from someone who knows.

“Yes, I do.”

“Okay, well I’m gonna be honest with you.” She pauses. “He’s fucked up over you. You walking away from him really came out of the blue. He blames himself. He thinks he did something wrong.” Hearing that he thinks it’s his fault breaks your heart. All he did was love you with all of himself and you couldn’t reciprocate that.

“I-fuck. Why couldn’t I just love him back? It’s what he deserved and I couldn’t give it to him.”

“Y/n, it’s okay. In the long run this will be better. At least neither of you will be stuck in a shitty relationship. But if I’m being completely honest I think Trevor still thinks you’re gonna come back. Like you’re gonna realize you made a mistake and change your mind. You probably don’t wanna hear this but he keeps the extra closet empty. You know, just in case you decide to come back and stay for good.”

Hearing that, shatters your heart into a million pieces.

What if I won’t?

How am I supposed to put that gently?

And down the road

You will love me until you resent me

You talk for a few more minutes but then you hang up, your heart wasn’t really in it and you’re emotionally exhausted. You feel as if your body is about to combust. Sighing, you toss your phone on the bed and flop back, shutting your eyes and letting your thoughts consume you. 

You shouldn’t go back to Trevor. It wouldn’t be fair to you or him. It would only cause more pain than it’s worth. But maybe a little part of you still wants to. You miss him. There is history there that can’t just be erased. 

You feel like you need to tell Trevor that you really meant it. He can’t keep holding out for you. He needs to live his life. He’s at BU this year and next year he’ll be in the NHL. All you want is for him to be happy. You want him to go out and kiss other people and to find the person of his dreams but instead he’s hung up on you. 

If he stays hung up on you, if he can’t move on he’ll eventually start to hate you. He’ll love you so much that it’ll turn into resentment if it hasn’t already. And even though you broke his heart you really, really don’t want him to resent you. You couldn’t stand it. He still means the most to you.

I’ve had the thought

Tried to work it out through anxious pacing

What if I’m not

Worth the time and breath I know you’re saving?

Despite being tired down to your bones, you slept horribly that night. Knowing that Trevor might be up at this very moment, not being able to sleep because of what you did is killing you. You aren’t worth this much thought or time. He could have anyone. Any kind, beautiful person that he wants. Someone who can give him everything but instead he’s agonizing over you. For fucks sakes he even has a closet empty just for you. He must really believe you’re coming back.

It’s your first night sleeping in your dorm and that isn’t helping either. You look over at your roommate who is peacefully sleeping, wishing you could be doing the same. You grab a water bottle and chug half of it trying to gain your bearings. Your mind is running wild and you need to do something. 

You start pacing back and forth, in your tiny dorm room. You really hope your roommate doesn’t wake up because you don’t need someone you barely know thinking you’re crazy.

You just want Trevor to just move on. To not let you live rent free in his mind. You aren’t even worth it. You’ve seen how many other girls are after him. He could have any of them. You aren’t worth it.  He’s saving too much for you and he needs to let it go.

But it’s a lot

All the shine of half a decade fading

The whole facade

Seemed to fall apart, it’s complicated

You’ve known Trevor for your whole life and liked him for 5 of those years. Until it just kinda stopped. You stopped wanting him so much romantically and you just wanted to go back to being best friends. Part of you, a big part, wished you had never even dated in the first place. 

A few months before graduating everything started falling apart with Trevor. It stopped feeling right, your relationship. It stopped feeling like where you wanted to be. You hoped it would pass but it didn’t. The feeling kept growing and growing until it felt like there was just a huge hole in your chest where something wasn’t quite right. Where something was wrong.

And part of me wants to walk away 'til you really listen

I hate to look at your face and know that we're feeling different

'Cause part of me wants you back, but

I know it won't work like that, huh?

Weeks fly by but it doesn’t really get that much easier. You’re happy and you’re making friends but you still miss Trevor. And you’ve gathered from talking to hometown friends that still talk to him, that Trevor isn’t really doing any better. You can’t get past the fact that you’re the one making him hurt like that.

It’s completely sudden. You aren’t expecting it. There’s no text, no build up. Just one day out of the blue he calls. You don’t want to pick up. It’s only gonna lead to false hope for him that you want to get back together and false hope for you that he wants to simply just be best friends again. But you can’t help it, you pick up the phone and answer.

“Y/n,” Trevor says the moment you pick up, sounding a little breathless.

“Um, hey Trev.” You don’t know what else to say so you leave it at that.

You hear Trevor mumble, “Oh fuck, there’s no way i can do this.” and then he starts talking.

“Y/n, please, please tell me what I did wrong so I can fix this. I miss you. You’re my best friend and the love of my life. I need you.”

Fuck, you won’t get through this. You can’t stand to talk to Trevor, knowing you both feel completely different. And it’s the fact that he thinks it’s his fault. That he did something wrong.

You desperately wanted to tell Trevor that you would come back, that it could be like old times but you can’t. It would be a lie. It could never be the same ever again. 

A part of you wants to go back and just say fuck it. You want your friendship back so badly that you’re willing to fake the romantic part. Maybe you’ll eventually for real fall back in love with him. It’s possible, but you know that’s not right. It won’t work like that.

“Trevor, you didn’t do a single thing wrong. It just wasn’t working. It wasn’t meant to be forever. I have so much love for you still but not in the same way that you do. We can’t keep doing this to each other. We need to get past this. Hanging up the phone was hard. Sitting with your thoughts after was harder, but you’ll get through it. You did the right thing.

Why won't you try moving on for once? That might make it easy

I know we cut all the ties but you're never really leaving

And part of me wants you back, but

I know it won't work like that, huh?

In the weeks that follow you don’t hear anything from Trevor. Until mid November and then everything starts seeping back in.

First it’s a text. A simple, hey, how are you? And you know you shouldn’t respond so you don’t. And then it’s pleading. It’s text saying we need to talk or I miss you. And you almost respond to those because you can’t bear to think that you are causing Trevor so much pain. But again you hold out and don’t respond. It’s when he starts picking up the phone and calling that you can’t stop yourself.

He called you once, you didn’t pick up. He called you a second time, and still you restrained yourself, but the third time was when everything went crashing down.

You had been having a really shitty day to start off with and you were already in the worst of your feelings, so when Trevor called it’s like it breaks a dam inside of you. A wall that had been holding strong but was now toppling over.

You pick up the phone and for a minute it’s just dead silence. You hear Trevor’s breathing so you know he’s there but he hasn’t said anything. So you decide to speak first.

“Trev, I thought we agreed to cut ties. We can’t keep doing this. You need to move on. This isn’t healthy for either one of us.”

“ Y/n, you’re the one who said we should cut ties, I never agreed. I need you in my life. I miss you.” The desperation in Trevor’s voice makes you want to cry. It makes you feel as if someone took a jagged piece of glass and cut open the wound that was slowly starting to heal. The wound that you inflicted by walking away. A part of you still wants him. But you can’t. You just can’t. It isn’t possible.

I'll open up

I'm thinking everything you wish I wasn't

The call was tough

But you're better off, I'm being honest

You take a deep breath. You need to give Trevor the closure he needs and then leave for good. You need to explicitly say that this won’t work. You need to tell him without any fancy words that he needs to accept that you're not the one for him.

“Trevor,” you plead, needing him to listen, “You need to walk away. I’ve been trying to for months now but you keep pulling me back in. I’ve already moved on but you’re the one who won’t let me leave. We were what we were but we can’t be that anymore. I’m not the same person I was 3 years ago and you aren’t either. Let me go and in the long run we’ll save each other a ton of hurt. I love you but this won’t work. You have to let go. I’m gonna hang up and you aren’t gonna call me again.” You pause, catching your breath. “I wish you nothing but the best. Goodbye, Trev.

You sit in silence for a moment. It was hard. You have tried telling him goodbye before but this felt much more final. After all the other times you tried saying goodbye to Trevor, you still felt as if there was more to the story before it would be over. You hoped the story was over now. It was the best thing for you and for Trevor.

So won’t you stop

Holding out for me when I don’t want it

Just brush me off

I’m your ghost right now, your house is haunted

It took all of five minutes for Trevor to call you again. 5 fucking minutes. God, all you want at this point is for Trevor to move on. To realize this is the best thing that could’ve happened. You don’t pick up. You need to set some boundaries. You can’t keep picking up the phone when you don’t wanna talk. He needs to just brush you off and move on.

But he calls 4 more times that night. And you’re scared it won’t stop. So you pick up. Of course you do. It’s that little part of you that still wants him back that makes you.

“Trevor, you need to stop. I’m sorry but we can’t. I don’t know how many times you want me to say this. I know this won’t work the way you want it to or at all. So please I’m begging you stop. Put both of us out of our misery. You start moving on so I can finish letting go. Trevor, don’t call me again or I will block your number. I don’t want to because for some reason it just feels wrong. But I will. Goodbye, Trev.”

You hang up and this time you know. It’s final. Trevor won’t call again. You’re sad but more than that you’re relieved. You can finally start living again.

It’s as if for these past months you’ve been this ghost for Trevor. One that would constantly follow him. You were haunting him and know you’re finally being set free.

I know it won't work like that, huh?

It’s been years now. You don’t think about it often but every once in a while Trevor will pop into your mind. You’re happy. You really are. And from what you see on social media, Trevor is too. 

You try not to dwell on it but sometimes you think about what might have been. What might have happened if you had gone back to Trevor. And honestly you aren’t sure. Maybe everything would’ve worked out and the two of you would be happily together right now. Or maybe it would’ve ended up being exactly what you thought would happen if you went back. 

You truly believe you made the right decision in letting Trevor go. You knew it wouldn’t work the way he was envisioning. And hopefully you spared the both of you a lot of heartache.

You’re happy right now. That’s what matters. You and Trevor don’t talk much except for the occasional birthday message but maybe that was how it was supposed to be.  You knew it wouldn’t work like that and you made the right decision, for you and for Trevor. You had and still have so much love for him and that’s all it’ll ever be. And you’re okay with that. You really are.

thanks for reading 🫶

good riddance fic series

taglist: @woodruff-edwards @nicohischierz @makarhughes @cobrakaisb @huggy-hischier94 @boldysswld@cole-mcward48@kashee-h@kjohnson-91 @jackhues @corneliaskates

join my taglist

[ritz-writes]

@asleepyy so sorry for tagging u twice in one day and i hope im not bothering u with my brain rot 😅

but yes, i did actually dissect the lyrics. yes, i am actually insane. and yes, i love this au quite a lot.

here are my notes and what i think each song represents, tho its mainly just the vibes i get. i made notes as i listened to them (note: i see songs almost always in animatic form. idk if that will effect how i imagine what each song means, but i thought it might be worth mentioning)

join me as i lose my mind over the course of an hour and a half

say what you think: def making me think of them both in heaven and jophiel wanting to ask questions.

running up that hill: AHH this one hurt. very obvious as well. jophiel seeing that azazel shouldnt be a demon. "And if I only could I'd make a deal with God, and I'd get Him to swap our places." i am sobbingggg

what difference does it make?: at first i was going to say its jophiel wanting to figure out what went wrong but azazel makes them promise not to, but i think its better suited for azazel understanding hes a demon, but he cant help but still have faith in the almighty

please please please let me get what i want: fuckkk is this about azazel being a demon but still wanting to do good 😭 short but still painful

ever fallen in love (with someone you shouldn't've): my first reaction to the title alone was like the second image of the kambucha girl meme. anyway i think this one is about them becoming friends (or more?? 👀) but knowing its seen as wrong. "And if I start a commotion, I run the risk of losing you and that's worse" makes me also think of jophiel talking to the metatron and realizing he shouldnt ask about azazel lest he risk the poor thing being smited.

nothing critical: ohhhh this one gives hella vibes of jophiel not trusting heaven and knowing "something isnt right here" in regards to the fall-- HOLD UP "I know, someone had to go, If not him it'd be me instead" HELLO??? aziraphale asking for jophiel??? is this like after he finds out what azazels name used to be??

flowers never bend with the rainfall: hmm... i feel like this is a plot point song. not sure why. but "And I hide behind the shield of my illusion" makes me think it pertains to azazel

bird in space: oh this ones a bit tricky. i think ive reached the songs that no longer fit the lore we've been given thus far. so the only thing i can think rn is jophiel enjoying earthly pleasures? not rlly sure

angel, won't you call me?: oh fuckkk is this about a fight they have? "I fled at the face of my rival. When I felt his breath at the back of my neck. Angel, won't you call?" theres no way that isnt about azazel saying smth and then leaving, only to be scared he severed his tie to the only person thats been nice to him.

the stranger: first of this is a bop and im loving it. very groovy. the first thing that comes to mind is the "choose your faces wisely" prophecy. ooo is this about jophiel trying to convince azazel hes still meant to be an angel? that he wasnt meant to fall? also, the last verse is sticking out to me... not sure why

all i think about now: fuckkkkk this is giving me the vibes of jophiel finding out azazel Fell cuz of him and feeling guilty about it. "If I'm late, can I thank you now?" FUCKING OW?? oh yeah for sure this is about jophiel finding out and being sucker punched with guilt

ill be your mirror: oh goddd this song. i know crowley listens to this song but i cant remember what its about so lets see. AH SHIT YEAH THATS RIGHT. okay so jophiel reminds azazel that he is inherently good, regardless of if hes a demon. thats what im getting from this (also just tihnking of that ask i sent about the reflective sunglasses bthwjegkrw)

me and my husband: okay all im getting from this is "they r down bad". they r very very very much in love. getting vibes of this being after they stop the apocolypse. or maybe their feelings developing thru the centuries

time in a bottle: oh man this song always gets me. okay so, this and the last song r giving the oh-shit-i-might-be-in-love vibes. but this one is with jophiel's pov, while me and my husband is azazel's

ritz note: the last couple songs have been cute and lovey and i am now terrified of what the next ones r gonna be. cuz i know this fandom. and i am not ready for the pain. i am afraidddd

lonesome town: i fucking called it i knew the happy wouldnt last 😭😭 they had a fight didnt they. yeahhh they had a fight. FUCK why is this so sad but so pretty

across the universe: is this one sad too??? hang on theres a bit thats not in english, what does that mean... "Hail to the Heavenly Teacher." okay so i assume this is an azazel song. this is just making me think of the bookshop fire, but its azazel thinking jophiel died 😭 ....i am staring at the lyircs. i am glaring at the lyrics. this song MEANS something. i just dont know what. but its important. im squinting at it very hard (note: i came back to this song and am STILL glaring at it. its like. its like im seeing it covered in sand but i know theres gold underneath. i cant SEE the gold, but i know its there. this is driving me nuts /pos)

no wonder i: hm.. im not rlly sure with this one. OH?? is this azazel finding out heaven isnt that good?? "Suddenly I'm not so sure. That intentions can be pure." hmmmmmmm

what do they know?: holy shit okay this is a completely different kind of song than the others. im.... glaring at these lyrics too. feels like a plot point but cant tell what it is. i think its about jophiel? maybe heaven too?? idk im grasping at straws with this one

sea of love: oh yay a happy song again 😌 okay this is just short and sweet. gives me forgiveness and/or confession vibes.

who are you, really?: this one sounds important and i am glaring!! makes me think of "we dont need heaven we dont need hell" and also "a demon/angel that goes along with hell/heaven as far as he can". also just makes me think of jophiel speaking.

the moon will sing: i fucking love this song but i dont think ive ever looked at the lyrics so lets goooo. right away i see "I could have been anyone, anyone else. Before you made the choice for me" and think of aziraphale asking and falling for jophiel, and in a way making the choice of jophiel staying an angel. "Instead, I made a bed with apathy" jophiel trying not to care about a random demon. "I shine only with the light you gave me" jophiel giving azazel ideas on how to do "good" while being "bad". also with that line, thinking of azazel saying that to god and being sad about having fallen AUGHH i have a whole animatic in my head with this song and im losing my mind

matephor: hnnnn another important sounding song. jophiel vibes. fight song perhaps?? "Don't look too hard 'cause you won't like the scars he left in me" azazel vibes??? this one is elusive to me but i love it. okay im slowly getting more azazel vibes. like azazel trying to convince jophiel that he is a demon and fell for a reason

providence: right away getting "heaven and hell r bad" vibes. OHH okay okay this is giving me hella jophiel vibes, but specificly snarky and sassy jophiel vibes. of being like "oh yes heaven is oh so great, we kill children! but its for the greater good, of course. gotta beat hell and all that, even at the cost of innocents. all for the almighty and her ineffable plan." (this song is a bop omg)

earth angel: oh i know this one but only with crowley and aziraphale, so im excited to listen to it with an oopsie omens mind set. omg wait why does it hit HARDER. love sick azazel is such a cute image 🥺🥰

what more can i do: hmm.. them being in love but knowing its "forbidden"? cant tell who i imagine with it more

starman: this is just them. classic good omens song, regardless of the au. love to see it 💖

a pearl: AH FUCK ANOTHER SAD ONE. mitski whyy. hm.. azazel song? jophiel?? i think jophiel... tho my mind might be turning to mush at this point so im not sure. one of them is sad

duvet: oh def azazel vibes. oh maybe some jophiel vibes too?? i can see it swaping povs. i think it fits azazel more tho.

ritz note: OKAY the next song is in a different language and for a split second i legit thought i was having a stroke when i pulled up the lyrics ngl bgkewrrkjq

différent de toi: no idea what this song is about but its pretty 😊

oh thats all of them! i think the first half is more coherent observations, while the second half is just... rambling a bit lmao. idk if any of this makes sense. i might also be looking for things that arent there with these songs, but oh well. this was fun!

and now, after looking back at them all, i really does just slowly derail near the end lmao

[v3nusxsky]

Hold on| H&c

*Authors note~ this little idea was not leaving my head as I was battling with my requests. I am writing them guys it's just when an idea strikes you have to run with it Yano? I want to get the best versions I written that I possibly can. I appreciate how Patient you all are with me*

Trigger warnings~ stabbing angst etc

Prompt~ raven goes wrong. R gets hurt and Larissa fears she'll lose her lover.

☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾

The Raven dance was single handedly the best event of the school year. The students were abuzz with plans of what to wear, themes and even ways to ask their partner of choice to attend with them. Even the students of Jericho high knew of the yearly event so it wasn't a surprise when the noted the students of Nevermore walking through the town to find outfits. Relations between Outcasts and Normies were still incredibly strained despite all the work you knew Larissa was trying to do.

The weekend before the dance you had to make a simple run into the town to choose a last minute outfit, as Larissa had asked you to attend the dance with you as her girlfriend but under the pretence of you chaperoning the dance. She had even promised you a private dance in her quarters. Unbeknownst to the rest of the school you and Larissa practically lived in her quarters, your relationship strictly kept between the two of you for the time being. It was not because either of you was ashamed of the other, no it was simply because you were basking in the glow of the honeymoon period. So you wanted to find something deliciously sinful for the end of the night alongside a dress that would drive your girlfriend wild.

You knew exactly what type of dress that you wanted to get. You knew that a floor length, tight fitting emerald dress would would highlight your eyes. You found the perfect dress and took a few teasing photos to send of to your girlfriend. You decided to stop by the Weathervane to grab your usual and Larissa's before returning to Nevermore.

The day of the dance came around rather quickly and so far there had been no issues or problems with any students or any staff involved. It was set to be a complete success even with the arrival of Wednesday Addams you couldn't see this going wrong. Admittedly, the arrival of Wednesday had caused your girlfriend to be overwhelmed and stressed most nights, which resulted in many interestingly satisfying nights shared between you both.

The venue was absolutely stunning as always, your girlfriend definitely had an eye for the finer things in life and this demonstrated that perfectly. Her attention to detail was astounding. The students were equally as impressed with the magical decorations and the event seemed to flow perfectly. Yourself and Larissa had even managed to sneak a few shared moments together in the corners of darkness. Fleeting kisses or longing touches as you past each other, teasing for what lay ahead.

Yes, it was simply one magical night and you couldn't be prouder of the success your girlfriend was having. That was all well and good until it came to the last dance of the night, even with Wednesday Addams in attendance nothing had strayed from the plan. In fact she had spent most of the night extremely well behaved following Enid Sinclair around. That's why it was a complete shock to you what followed. It's crazy how some peoples small minded actions could destroy what was a perfect night.

The last song of the night was "Hayloft, Mother Mother" what ironically set the mood for what was to come. As the song progressed and the lyrics "whatever happened to the hayloft? Burnt to the ground and what about pop? My baby's got a gun" Rang out through the hall as a group of some Normie teens brush in, clothed in all black and masks that hid their faces. Instantly screams of panic we're battling the music to be the loudest. Nevermore students frantically trying to run from the three new arrivals while Wednesday Addams just remained frozen in the middle of the dance floor. It was as if it was all in slow motion for you. The three teens circled Wednesday and all withdrew weapons from their pockets. It was then you knew what would happen.

You immediately jumped in front of Wednesday feeling the bullet piercing through layers of skin tissue and even muscle of your abdomen. The pain being fought off be adrenaline. Wednesday maybe the cause of the stress for your girlfriend but she was a student none the less and that meant you'd do anything to ensure her safety. Even if it meant comprising your own. The three teens seemingly disappeared after shooting you. You spared a glance back to see a shocked Wednesday and a distraught Larissa. But they all looked unharmed. Adrenaline was wearing off now the threat was gone and the pain quickly encasing all of your senses, every muscle every nerve buzzing with it. You collapsed backwards grunting in pain as it nudged the bullet in your abdomen. The sharp intense pain stole consciousness from your body.

When you came too you immediately noticed your lover above you, hands pressing on your shoulders to keep you pressed into the ground and still. She would turn away from you and wince as another set of hands worked on your abdomen removing the pieces of shrapnel from you. Larissa's face displayed the concern and guilt she felt. You let out a gut wrenching sob as every small piece of shrapnel was plucked from your wound and placed onto the ground with a plunk. Your sobs had Larissa screwing her eyes shut and inhaling sharply knowing you were in pain and she couldn't help, instead she was holding you still subjecting you to the pain. Despite how necessary it was didn't mean it made her feel any better holding her lover down as you attempted to wither in pain below her. She spared you a glance and saw your red tear soaked face as you began to shake and moan in pain.

"Just keep looking at me darling. That's it. Let me see those pretty eyes my love. I know it hurts darling but Marilyn is almost done and then you can sleep for as long as you desire y/n. Just keep those pretty eyes on me and focus on my voice okay? Stay with me love" she pleaded with you to follow her instructions and you were trying. It was Marilyn taking the pieces of the bullet from your skin. And she was here with you. Comforting you. Loving you. You nodded weakly, pulling your plump bottom lip in between your teeth sinking your teeth in it as tears streamed from your tightly squeezed shut eyes.

Her praises were ever flowing and that's what kept you going despite the immense pain you were in. You did your very best to follow her words, in the end all you could do is scream out for her, your love, to make this all go away. Whimpering at the pain pleading with her to make Marilyn stop. She couldn't do that so settled for reassurance. Clearly after tonight you're relationship would be common knowledge but in this moment you couldn't care less. You were in pain and you wanted your Rissy. Soon enough Marilyn was bandaging you up and helping Larissa carefully move you. Originally Marilyn had planned to move you to your quarters until a worried glance was shot her way by Larissa. Soon enough you were placed in warm soft sheets that smelled of your girlfriend. Not the sexy night you had planned but everyone was safe and that was all you cared for.

Word count~ 1314

[lucifersresources]

conan gray // found heaven rp lyrics meme.

edit/alter/change pronouns etc as you see fit!

found heaven.

can we repent this sin?

no soul is innocent.

everybody wants to love.

you walk alone into the darkest night.

you'll never sleep until you're satisfied.

you need love.

you need him.

you'll never get your momma's wedding ring.

father always said you ruined everything.

don't be scared.

you're no demon.

don't be frightened now.

you're in love.

you found heaven.

you're in love, you found heaven.

your heart is breaking.

you never meant to start this holy war.

you're trapped.

don't look back.

never ending song.

i apologise for calling.

too late, all my tears already falling.

our story wasn't stopping.

it goes on and on and on, like a never ending song.

you and i sacrificed my adolescence.

we've grown too close.

i can hear your voice in the music on the radio.

can you make us stay forever?

are we done?

fainted love.

you're losing your mind tonight.

calm down.

don't you get yourself down.

we're nothing.

i'm the worst if you want it.

when your heart aches and it's dead in the night, don't you worry for me.

don't you worry for me.

it's enough to survive.

i want your fainted love.

that's enough.

you take all the pain that you think you deserve.

it's easy to hurt.

say you'll love me for life.

say you'll never leave.

kiss me till i almost believe.

lonely dancers.

join me for the night.

dance with me so we don't cry.

there's no need to hide.

i know the answer.

your lover left you.

my lover's busy kissing other guys.

we're both alone now.

i know the perfect way to waste our time.

forget that guy.

he don't know love.

i hope he dies.

get back up, we'll be alright.

tonight, you're mine.

alley rose.

so much you'd change since you were born.

the way you kissed me, hot and fast, i knew it'd be the last.

don't leave me hanging alone.

where'd you go?

i'm just so nervous dear.

how the hell do you think i feel?

i waited all year at your feet like maybe you'd love me.

maybe you'd love me.

i don't even care if it makes me sound insane.

i thanked god to touch the flame.

i swore necks were made for bruising.

i swore lips were made for lies.

i thought if you'd ever leave me, that i'd be the reason why.

i don't care even if it's just a summer fling.

it's all experimental.

you go back to safer things.

i swore hands were made for fighting.

i swore eyes were made to cry.

you're the first person that i've seen who's proven that might be a lie.

that might be a lie.

the final fight.

i didn't fight the feeling.

i wanted you to see it.

i believed your lies.

i just stood and cried.

i just stood and cried for the lost time.

i just stood and cries for the love that died.

all i wanted was the final fight.

all i needed was to make it right.

there's nothing left to do but finally tell you what you put me through.

made a whole new life.

i came right back after growing.

you're still the same.

though it's me who may be broken, it was you to blame.

it was you to blame.

miss you.

is it wrong to now decide?

you know i'm a wicked man.

i bit the hand that was feeding me.

the fear of love is my tendency.

i never meant to break your heart.

i'll be gone because you love me.

i miss you.

didn't think you would understand after all that i put you through.

i came back only wanting you.

bourgeoisieses

the rich are wrong.

i'm a low-class guy.

the men at war, they draft the poor.

no time to mourn.

i don't need that, i need a maserati.

forever with me.

in this lifetime, we did it wrong.

i guess that you could argue we survived.

after all this time, i wonder why you're still with me.

you're still with me, well, at least in all my memories.

i ain't sorry.

i wouldn't change a thing.

it'll take a lifetime to get better.

i think i'm gonna love you.

i think i'm gonna love you, you're forever with me.

you're forever with me.

you are the reason i learned to love.

you are the reason i learned to love, also, the reason that i cry.

still, i think of all the bloodshed.

i'm even smiling now.

anger does replace the pain.

who am i to blame?

who am i to blame? i broke your heart the same.

i broke your heart the same.

eye of the night.

you're here, you're haunting me.

you're haunting me.

i always feel like i am not alone.

i hear a voice that tells me where to go.

i hear your heartbeat bleeding through the door.

the memories that i cannot ignore.

fight for my life inside a silent war.

boys & girls.

you don't know me.

you wouldn't care if i fell over and died.

he wants ya.

you don't even see me.

she wants ya.

there's no point competing.

nobody cares that you're psychotic.

i don't know much about love.

come find me in the crowd.

killing me.

got the curious feeling you're fiending for love.

we haven't spoken for weeks.

i love you bad.

i love you bad, that's the problem.

better love i deserve.

i'm hurting.

but sadly i worship every moment we meet.

i worship every moment we meet.

you take and you take coz you know you can.

i chase as you're chasing another.

you're killing me.

you're not making it easy.

too busy deceiving and cheating and lying and competing to know how lucky you are.

i just want you.

i just want you to free me.

i can't let go of your heart.

you lie to me.

you lie to me faster and faster, you're such a good actor.

you're such a good actor.

i don't wanna talk, just go away.

you claw at the locks till i let you invade.

i wanna die.

i wanna die but you keep me alive.

fight to survive.

oh love of my life, you're killing me.

winner.

packed my bags at fourteen.

packed my bags at fourteen, i hadn't planned on leaving, but you haven't been back home for days.

i hadn't planned on leaving.

they shudder at your name.

you don't really want to hear the truth, do you?

it's obvious to anyone who ever knew you that all you ever want is to be right.

all you ever want is to be right.

all you ever want is to be right, even if that means you gotta lie to do it.

there's no one who ever has done better at making me feel worse.

now you really are the winner.

there's nothing that ever did quite kill me more than what you did.

take a bow, coz you're the winner.

my heart that once was beating-- bleeding in the palm of your hand.

you have the nerve to miss me.

how do i somehow feel guilty when you're the one who let it get this bad?

you're the one who let it get this bad.

all you ever wanted was to fight.

i was only trying to survive your chaos.

look at how it's paid off.

[sunflowerandstrawberryspice]

Songs the Ninjago Fandom is Sleeping on.

So I have like a bunch of songs and animatic ideas for the Ninjago fandom to do what they please with, cause chronic hand pain makes long projects like animatics kinda hard so instead I'm throwing them out to yall! (Song-artist)

SOPILERS FOR LITERALLY EVERYHTING RELATING TO NINJAGO (This includes Dragons rising, the spinjitzu brothers books and the Garmadon comics)

Also please remember this is for fun so be nice.

Survivors Guilt- Coma Cinema: Okay oaky so hear me out: eldest child angst. This could work for both Garmadon and Kai, because both of them are just SUCH older siblings in more than just the literal way you know? Like I think it fits especially with Garmadon because it's about feeling like you're a bad person and how it might fuck up someone else life in the process. To me I think it fits, cause like to me it's so clear Garmadon is the elder sibling TM and Wu is the stressed out younger sibling golden child. Lyrics: "And I don't care and I don't know why maybe I'm no good inside" the way this totally works for how Garmadon tries to act like he doesn't care in Spinjitzu Brothers but is like constantly stressed about whether or not he's a good person.

Seven Nation Army- The White Stripes: I don't have like any major reasons for this song other than it being SUPER Wyldfyre/Kai core lol (at least in the early seasons before he mellowed out a bit), like the song is literally someone sing about how they feel like how they could take on armies if necessary so take that as you will!

Viper- Derivakat: For starters I didn't know this was a Minecraft song until I went to look up the lyrics buuuuuuut oh well mine now! Could definitely be used for either the Great Devourer or the Serpentine, but I think it be cool if someone used the song for the Great Devourer and the venoms effect on Garmadon and how it really kinda fucked up his life. I think it'd just be neat. Lyrics: "Run, run, run as fast as you can out of the fire and into my hand" (Could def be used for Garmadon and the Great Devourer or Pythor and Lloyd) "Abandon your pride cause you've dug your own grave" and "Getting all up in your head make you lose your mind again" (Again would work pretty great for Garmadon or season one Lloyd and Pythor)

The Well- The Crane Wives: Now this song is perfect for season 6 Jay in my opinion since it's got some wish related lyrics which work well for the Nadakan plot, plus people getting "dragged down" could be the other ninja getting absorbed into the sword. I'm not to big on this season or Jay but even I can tell this song works WELL for him (get it well? I'll see myself out). Lyrics: "Like spare coins, poised on the tip of my tongue I make a wish and hold my breath" This could not only be the making wishes part but also Jay getting "spare coins" aka his bio fathers money and house after he dies, "I'm the well they're gonna drag you down" again this could be used for the ninja being dragged into the sword "All the words I couldn't say to you" His pinning over Nya obviously. And lastly "I taste blood I'm sick of swallowing stones" Could be his trauma after Nadakan is defeated or when he was beat up in the fight thing.

Viva La Vida (But epic)- Reinaeiry (I just like this version best but any works): Could totally work for Lloyd post merge, him being lonely in this new world and forced to be a hero in the shadows. Y'all could also probably do something with the FSM but like I'm not exactly sure what. This one's a little more for the vibes tbh.

Parasite- Set It Off: When I tell yall this is great for Harumi and Lloyd, like it'd work so well as a song for her trying to manipulate and twist his mind. The name says it all it's literally telling someone they'd wished they'd never been born and that they don't help society, sound like anyone familiar? Also if y'all just want a song for like a villain arch for Lloyd this would also probably work tbh. Lyrics: "Leeching off my pain never satisfied" Totally could work for Harumi being mean and manipulative or Lloyd getting angry and being honest with her. "Strike a nerve or wreck a home hoping you get a response" This could totally be used literally cause of Harumi's whole... you know dead parent situation.

Matilda- Harry Styles: I know I know what you're saying, Harry Styles? But I promise this song is actually wonderful. This could work RIDICOULOUSLY well for Sora. The song is a lot about how you can go on to live a life and you don't have to include your bioparents or family in it if you don't want to which is SO Sora. Like I feel like all the lyrics work well for how Imperium and her parents drained her and I just love it! Then second you could also view this as kind of a Cole song. I know the fandom is kind of split on whether or not him and his father really make up and I'm gonna be honest I don't really think they do. Unlike Jay, Zane, Lloyd as well as Kai and Nya to an extent (once they get their parents back) all at least interact with their parents and clearly have somewhat of a relationship with them (Kai and Nya less so but they have the excuse of being adults by the time they get their parents back). Cole on the other hand doesn't really have the same thing, like he has the episode where he makes up with his father but after that Lou doesn't really have many other major appearances so I think they're on good terms but not that close ya know? Idk just my opinion lol. Unrelated but the song is honestly so eldest daughter-core and I just wanted to mention that.

Uhhhh that's all for now, let me know if y'all just want me to compile all this into a playlist to listen to cause I totally will. Any who just want to restate this is all my opinion and I love this show <3

Hope y'all have a great day/night PEACE OUT.

[correlance]

"Twisted" from Twisted: The Untold Story of a Royal Vizier (Team StarKid) would fit Lucifer from Hazbin Hotel so well, especially for an animatic flashback showing Lucifer choosing to defy Heaven.

Song lyrics:

I've gone against my Sultan The highest act of treason But I had good intentions I did it for a reason

They'll kill me if I'm lucky They'll torture me if not What made me think that I could Get away with such a plot?

It's not too late to bring it back Perhaps I'll be forgiven But if my crime can help improve The world we all must live in

Am I not bound by duty To the people of this nation? How does the Golden Rule apply in such a situation?

As a citizen, I think I would be grateful for the aid But if I were the Sultan? I should hate to be betrayed Whichever road I take'll be incurring someone's wrath 'Til now I've always traveled down the straight and narrow path Temptation may have beckoned, but I always have resisted But which way do I turn When the road's become so… so…

[...]

What remains of a man when that man is dead and gone? Only memories and stories of his deeds will linger on But if a man's accomplishments aren't in the tale they tell, Are the deeds that go unheralded his legacy as well?

If a war breaks out tomorrow, we'll all have Hell to pay Why protect my reputation? I'm a dead man either way

How will they tell my story? How will they tell my tale? Will anybody even care?

The question then is whether 'tis nobler in the mind To be well-liked but ineffectual, or moral but maligned?

I'll never be a hero who all the citizens adore But if I hide to save my life, what has my life been for? What has my life been for?

The road ahead may twist, But I will never swerve! I'll give them all the unsung antihero they deserve! I've nothing left to lose, So the only path to choose is twisted!

Let them twist my words, let the people scorn me Who cares if no one will ever mourn me? Let them bury the side of the story they'll never learn! Let the truth be twisted Let my life be twisted I'll be twisted, it's my turn!

[sucantslay]

Meiyuu Deshi Kairou analysis. I'm losing my sanity...

Hello @hypn0sssss, just wanna let you know, I've been working off my ass to research this song like...more than 30 minutes but then in turn into a whole week long.

It was fun though ( I really need a rest but my brain said just do it! )

BUT, ANYWAY, here are some important information you should know before getting into this song analysis.

If you don't know, this is an event song, it connects with an event story about a VR game, yes, a VR game. It was introduced to Mika by Makoto and Sora. And later on, became the inspiration for Mika's song.

This is related to Mika's character, so if you know nothing about him, you can learn more from some sources out there or have a quick check at my post

3 . I'll mostly put the lyrics in word form. I really want to put all the translation pictures here but since Tumblr stop me from having more than 10 pics in a post...I can only put some.

4 . Most of this is my personal analysis. Pls tell me or put on the sources if you want to put it somewhere. Also, since it is a PERSONAL thing, the lyrics might not mean like that to you, but it is to me. You are free to have your own idea of this song however you like.

Alright! Let's get started!!!

For the theme of the song, Mika is using the VR game as his base, so it understandable that some words might be a little lead into the mechanical aspect.

The story for this song is about a mechanical god who ends the story/ the world abruptly. It very interesting when the song did not only successfully portray the theme of mechanical but also the theme and story of Valkyrie itself.

Oh my dear Mika, you are really something of an artist, aren't ya?! It the time when Mika finally step up and going his own art more then waiting for Shu order!

The name of the song "Meikyuu Deshi Kairou" which means "Labyrinth Electronic Corridor"

With some lines mention classic songs

(this line got repeated 2 times)

"Ode to Joy" or in other words "An die Freude"

You must have known it as Beethoven's most significant work, Symphony No.9, a choral symphony.

Since the name isn't being written in another name until you start digging deeper, you'll find something eles, lies in these words they had chosen.

It was origin from a poem written by a German named Friedrich Schiller and was used by Beethoven in his Ninth Symphony.

But the version that Beethoven used is the revision of the poem. Yet Friedrich himself didn't like that version at all, he viewed it as a failure.

Why? Because Friedrich made that poem for his dear beloved ( longtime friend and partner ) Christian Gottfried Körner, who inspired him to write the poem.

He stayed "of value maybe for us two, but not for the world, nor for the art of poetry"

I SWEAR TO GOD, WHEN I READED THOUGH WORD, NO THING APPEAR IN MY MIND AS FAST AS MIKA AND SHU DID.

His performance and his dear partner in art. Did I mention that Friedrich made a whole verse for Christian on his birthday.

( uhm, ok, that's enough! Let's move to the next one for now before I can't keep this mouth shut. )

Some lines in the poem go like this:

"Rescue from the chains of tyrants, Magnanimity to the villain too, Hope on the deathbed, Mercy in the high (law) court, Even the dead shall live! Brothers, drink and agree (with me) That all sinners shall be forgiven And hell shall be no more."

The "Ode to Joy" old name was "Ode to Freedom" / "An die Freiheit"

Then there came "Libera me" ( "Deliver me" )

Which also has an interesting background related to the Catholic Church. "Libera me" originated from a song named "Office of the Dead" which had been sung as a service prayer for the death.

The text asks God to have mercy upon the deceased person at the Last Judgment.

And it fits the theme of the song well! Because as I said before, the song is about a god who wants to destroy the world in sudden.

So "Ode to Joy", "Libera me" can be seen as the voices of humans who denying the god choice, the choice to turn the world back to dust.

( Note: The line in the song is not being sung by Mika or Shu, but by voices in the background. It becomes more noticeable when considering the fact that none other Valkyrie songs have these "background voices" at all )

The next two lines both sing an indirectly about the old Valkyrie.

"Ah, the melody sinks into overwritten myths"

The old Valkyrie had been sunk down to the deep by the play of Fine.

"Come, it is the time to open the floating corridor that full of electrons"

But it was the story from a long time ago, now, we taking a different path, to the new corridor, a new path to the future yet we're still unable to predict. Accidentally we lead ourselves to the door of destruction. ( It can also be seen as the god in this play had opened the door of doom, ending the world in sudden )

Ah, yes, once again this song mentions the use of the classic poem.

This "Song of the Bell" had nothing to do with song or symphony, which gives us more clues and confirms the truth about "Ode to Joy".

Surprisingly, "Song of the Bell" is also been written by Friedrich Schiller.

"Ode to Joy" was written in 1785, while "Song of the Bell" was written in 1798.

The poem talks about the bell, how was the bell made, by what, and with what tools and techniques they used to make it.

I have a belief that the "love and punishment" part of the song lyrics has other means than taking from the "Song of the Bell". Yes, the poem did mention "love" as a part of the story where a couple has known each other since they were kid.

Wedding bell and allocation of roles is the part when the bell acts as a wedding bell.

To later on, mention death: Death knell upon the decease of the woman where the bell has an earnest purpose and tolls in accompaniment to a funeral

But there is no mention of crime or punishment.

So go back to the lyrics where they sing: "Reflect the song"

Reflect...which means there is a connection but not really is about the poem. It was more about Valkyris, the love had turned its back on them. Their art, their joy, their peaceful life as 3 small people in an unpopular Unit was now a punishment, pulling them down to the ground.

Nazuna left, Valkyrie broke, Shu is no longer himself.

To Mika, if not a punishment then what could this horrifying scene had been?

We can also see this in the human's eyes. If "Ode to Joy", "Libera me" was all human ( in the theme ) talking about, then this line is the begging for the god to rethink his decision:

"Please, don't you see, this beautiful planet is our everything. Is our beginning and our ending. We may suffer, but we are happy, and that makes living a meaningful thing."

noticed how Mika uses "Each other" not just "Other" which points to both Shu and Mika.

In their era of being a "not so happy" unit since the war ended.

They have gone so far and now look back at themself. Such action of shame, the days when we are still nothing but a nameless Valkyrie.

You can also look at it in the MV theme way: ''I wish this world would disappear.'' As the god of mechanical no longer feels the need of humans exiting.

As the next lyrics go:

"Behind this veil of anonymity" (Shu line)

"The ghosts of the dead-" (Mika line)

"Are dancing in the underground till the end of the trial" (Shu line)

There are two things I need to point out in detail here:

Firstly: The meaning of these lines seems to me as if they're talking about their trauma. Behind this veil is the old time, the old ghosts, look, they are all here, never left until we start open up with them. Until we learn how to heal ourselves from the brutal injury of war did we be able to make them leave

Secondly: Mika once again mentions death. It was Mika's own thing, if you don't know, death kinda became a thing that fond with Mika's style. Lots of times, we can see Mika associated with death ( mostly in the old song. )

In his 'In the Shadow' outfit, which had a deep connection with butterflies.

Butterflies are a symbol of the representative soul of a deceased person. In that outfit, Mika is represented by a blue butterfly, what was the meaning of that symbol?

A symbol of the soul who passed is nearby!

So, by now you would be questioning: "Why are there so many signs about death from Mika?" Well, glad you asked.

This all came down to the fact that Mika was being a doll in Valkyrie. Nazuna was also a doll himself, but he break free and Mika didn't.

Mika is dying from the inside, becoming the soulless, as he loses what support to belong to him. He sells it away, sacrifice it for the wish of making Valkyrie great again.

"Surrounded by faceless choirs, there's stand the lonely soloist So, let's sing out loud to those who have no place to go, here's the truth."

Sung by both Mika and Shu.

In my belief, these lines are dedicated to them, the Valkyrie that got injured after the war. They got no hope, not thing to relied on.

Shu got a bad representation, lost his mind.

Mika also had to suffer from the event but he's trying his very best not to become a burden to Shu after Nazuna left.

That was the moment when Mika became more doll-like than how he was before.

We stood together, yet loneliness filled inside our souls. Becoming the "soloist" singer without notice.

"Sing to those who have no place"

They're telling themself, their pitiful past self that the daunting world is now no more.

We now have a place to stay, a home to be in, we've got our back.

Ok, ok, here it comes, MY FAVORITE LINE!

LIKE, THERE ARE SO MUCH TO TALK ABOUT, I CAN'TTTTT

Ok, I can actually do that now ( since this analysis is already long as hell )

This line makes a connection to another line, which is:

"Here's the truth" - "Audience, please come"

"To the New World"

Isn't simply just about the god and the humans, it carries two meanings.

One is the literal, a sore thumb that sticks out the most to me: IT ABOUT THE VALKYRIE NEW ERAAAAA.

They maybe not yet healed, not yet prepared themself for the world outside, but they're now more happy than ever.

Shu is trying his best to understand Mika.

Mika is trying his best to become something of his own, escape from the realm of a soulless doll.

"Dancing with full bloom"

Like, uhm *raises eyebrows*, full bloom, full bloom you said?

The last time ( the first time Shu appeared in the game main story ), Shu said: "I am counting the days until we bring our blossoms together to make "Valkyrie" the most beautiful bouquet in the world."

And now ya said that you're FULL BLOOM? That can only mean one thing, they have finally found their meaning of art.

They may not "bloom" to the world but "bloom" to themself. Becoming different. They changing, they learning, and they are growing.

"where 0 and 1 dancing"

Yeh, you already know what I'm going to say. 0 and 1 are binary code or we usually call it "computer language" / bits.

0 and 1, is what this theme song is about. The mechanical god, the new world of mechanics. "0 and 1 dancing" is "The god is speaking".

Like, 0 1 then 1 0, 0 1 then 1 0, where 0 and 1 will change their place to make a byte, a string of bits, representing the god language.

And, it is just me or do I get the feeling that this goddess who wants to destroy a world in rust has his reason, he has a feeling that leaving the world like this, isn't a good idea.

Even if the humans are begging him to stop, he did not listen.

Because, in some of the next lines, we got this:

"A play that crueler than dream" (Shu line)

"With everyone's prayers" (Mika line)

"Everyone will remember it" (Shu line).

"Above the Surface world that full of selfishness and egoism" (Mika line)

The god see human as this selfish and only care for what they want most then how others feel.

"This lost child of the era, is confused by the fragile waves" (Mika line)

"So let's come and come into a new world trapped in 0 and 1" (Shu & Mika line)

Is about Valkyrie, IT ABOUT VALKYRIE. *Gone crazy at this point*

If you didn't know, Valkyris wasn't that used to the new system after the war. The DreamFes system made by Eichi, yeah, that one.

They skip school and most of the time do their show outside of school until Eichi himself steps in and threatens them to rejoin the school and accept the DreamFess system.

They were lost. Lost of the modern world, and still stay in the old era. Shu never wants to go back and join the DreamFes for once because how much he hated Eichi, and how much the war hurted him, yet, they return, make a change that not even Eichi can imagine of.

"Lost in their own tears, and still..." (Shu line)

"Falling away..." (Mika line)

They did, however, losing against Fine, and still...this was not the end.

THIS WAS A MARK FOR THE NEW BEGINNING.

That they're now known to DreamFes, open their mind and continue their journey.

That why the next line of the song came with a stronger beat. Bam! We are now reborn, we are now continue to blooming up on this world of hidden beauty. We'll find it and make art out of it!

"Scrutinize, lament, and let your own foolish schemes drive you crazy" (Shu line, it kinda fit Shu too)

"And now, ask yourself here and now." (Mika line)

"Is there an omnipotent being to be ruled?" (Both)

"And do you believe it?" (Shu line)

"Do you believe it?" (Mika line)

"Do you believe it?" (Both)

I think these lines are pointing to Shu and how he've been since the end of the war.

Scrutinize mean: examine or inspect closely and thoroughly.

While lament mean: a passionate expression of grief or sorrow.

After the war, Shu was cave for perfection even more than he was before, he wish to not made all that mistake again or else he might lose Mika too.

He drive himself crazy, then look back what happened, he started to ask questions.

He was so into perfection, he loses the meaning of art it self. He put himself into a jail, said that, this was all for the work of art, but it wasn't.

People are being harm for his actions, Mika wasn't getting any better if he keeps acting like this. Reckless and madness drive him away from the actual beauty in art that the old Shu was fond of.

So, he ask himself. If art is freedom, why so gaol...

"Is there an omnipotent being to be ruled?"

And realizing that, will he continue to be like this. Do you believe in such form of art that not bring happiness and joy?

For the bloom of Valkyrie, must we sacrifice our little life for the victory Shu wanted.

Also important element needed to be mention: Last Lament.

Meiyuu Deshi Kairou was released in 2023, and Last Lament which is also a Valkyrie song was released in 2017.

And in the song, there was this line: "It fine if we reach the brink of our dreams and rot forgotten."

"We'll use the flames of passion on us, to show them that we can melt even despair."

But, but! In their newest song ( from the Trip albums)

Shukufuku no Library

We can see, Shu is now accepting the future and wish for joy to Valkyrie then only to successfully reach their dream as soon as possible:

"Is it only success stories that are now illuminated by the love that shines down from the heavens?"

"No! An unfinished adventure stories is also a foolish memoir that's also precious."

"Come on, let's play the lovely poems of our lives and gently store them in the library of blessings."

Return, return, let's us get to the next line:

Ok, Ok, I love that they put both Friedrich Schiller work into one line!

"A play that's crueler than a dream" (Mika line)

"Everyone inside this veil wishing for something" (Shu line)

The god talk about everyone wishes, seeing their foolish little small wishes yet never to be turn into reality because the god already had their own plan for them.

It also Shu, talking to himself that even if life is cruel, everyone has their little dream.

"In the face of the myth of the Perfect world" (Shu line)

But Shu dream was too far from reality, can that Perfection he wished for really have a way to get?

From here on, the line repeat itself:

"confused by the fragile waves" (Shu line)

"This lost child of the era" (Mika line)

"So let's come and come into a new world trapped in 0 and 1" (Shu & Mika line)

But this time, Shu has become different, Valkyrie has changed! The lost child had found their way out of that jail!

"The labyrinth corridor, love is a Perfect world" (The back choir?)

And yes, he did be able to found out, love is the best way to a world he's wish for, no more madness from now on, only love and joy.

And maybe, just maybe, the goddess in this song also did.

Thank you for your time! Reading this.

It late now, and my ears...oh god...it had been listen to Meiyuu Deshi Kairou non-stop ( I remember like 8/10 of the goddam lyrics *cry and laughed at the same time* )

Also, one last thing...

In the 3D MV, noticed how Mika move, yes, he still keep that flexibility of him, but that not just a represent for a doll, Mika now turning it in to his own style of dance.

While Shu do art in a perfect and nicely organizing way.

Mika go for a chaos way that both resemble the old him and use it to make the new him.

In the last moment of the MV, Mika...I don't know if he forget or that is simply how the MV plays out, but there was a moment like this:

Mika when: Look at my Oshi-san!!!

Shu: Mika! Back up! You're supposed to be standing next to me.

Mika: Can i?

Shu: Yes. Yes you can. You're no longer a doll, but a human, a partner who place is staying next to me and performing art together.

Mika: Oh...I'm not fulling understand that, but ok! I'll try to stay next to you from now on!

( this is me, writing that out of thin air, the conversation may not be real, but the meaning are. Mika may be a little confused for suddenly got set free from being a soulless doll, he need his little time )

Thank...for reading...my dear ValkyrieP... I need a rest and a cup of coffee I guess *die*

[inspirationalucky]

🐎 EPIC: The Musical: Act One, The Troy Saga sentence starters. Because the lines are just That Good. Going by the exact lyrics mostly, definitely change things to fit your muse's situation<3

The Horse & the Infant

"Ten long years they've killed us slowly."

"Your family wonders where you've been."

"They're growing old, and yet you're still here."

"Do what I say and you'll see them again."

"What do you live for?"

"What do you fight for?"

"I fight for us."

"What is to come cannot be outrun, can only be dealt with right here and now."

"Say no more, I know that I'm ready."

"I don't think you're ready."

"What sort of imminent threat does he pose that I cannot avoid?"

"If you don't end him now, you'll have no one left to save."

"He will burn your house and throne."

"He'll find you wherever you go."

"This is the will of the gods."

"Please, don't make me do this"

"The blood on your hands is something you won't lose, all you can choose is whose."

Just A Man

"I look into your eyes and I think back to the son of mine."

"You're as old as he was when I left for war."

"Will these actions haunt my days?"

"Is the price I pay endless pain?"

"Close your eyes and spare yourself the view."

"How could I hurt you?"

"I'm just a man who's trying to go home."

"I'm just a man who's fighting for his life."

"Deep down, I would trade the world to see my son and wife."

"When does a man become a monster?"

"When does the reason become the blame?"

"Forgive me."

Full Speed Ahead

"Six hundred men under my command with only one goal in mind: make it back alive to our homeland."

"The problem's not the distance, it's what lies in between."

"My kingdom is waiting!"

"We've run out of supplies to eat."

“Curse the war, our food store’s depleted.”

"Watch where the birds fly, they will lead us to land."

"Look! There in the distance!"

"Maybe they'll share some food, who knows?"

"Something feels off here."

"I say we strike first, we don't have time to waste."

"Gear up, you and I'll go ahead."

"We should try to find a way no one ends up dead."

"Give me 'til sunrise."

Open Arms

"I can tell you're getting nervous."

"Do yourself a service and try to relax, my friend."

"I know that you're tired of the war and bloodshed."

"Is this how we're supposed to live?"

"Why should we take when we could give?"

"You could show a person that you trust them when you stop and lower your guard."

"We're only here for food."

"Stay back, I'm warning you!"

"If we don't get back safely, my men will turn this place into blazes!"'

"This life is amazing when you greet it with open arms."

"It's a lotus, it controls your mind and never lets you free."

"That's what we'd get with open arms."

"I want to show my friend that kindness is brave."

"We'll be fine if we're leading from the heart!"

"I see in your face there is so much guilt inside your heart."

Warrior of the Mind

"Have you forgotten the lessons I taught you?"

"Have you forgotten to turn off your heart? This is not you."

"I see you changing from how I've designed you."

"Have you forgotten your purpose? Let me remind you."

"I had a challenge, a test of skill."

"Maybe one day he'll follow me and we'll make a greater tomorrow."

"I know he'll change the world."

"If there's a problem, he'll have the answer."

"I know you're watching me, show yourself!"

"How can you see through me spell?"

"I was lying, and you fell for my bluff!"

"Well done! Enlighten me, what's your name?"

"Nice try, but two can play this game."

"Nah, don't be modest, I know you're a goddess!"

"So let's be honest, you are Athena!"

"If you're looking for a mentor, I'll make sure your time's well spent."

"I still intend to make sure you don't fall behind."

"Don't disappoint me."

[humanitys-strongest-bamf]

Hi Kat, huge congrats on 1K followers! You truly deserve every single one and many more ❤️

For the event… I chose the song Let Me Drown by We as Human which has my all-time favorite line from any song: There's a time to be born And a time to die And somewhere they collide

The dystopian option for the drabbles really intrigued me since I LOVE all things sci-fi, dystopian and such. And I think the song lyrics really fit into this category. So I was thinking something about a big revolution (imagine the French Revolution but more futuristic and in a slowly dying world) where there is no good vs evil but rather evil vs evil.

So Levi with the reader (they are a couple since they were both teens, very overprotective over each other, and like the most badass power couple you can think of) are the leaders of one of the groups in this conflict. And they are preparing for the final strike against the enemy, which they already know is probably going to cost them their lives.

I got a little carried away there, didn't I? Well, never mind, hope you can come up with something interesting. Oh, who am I kidding? You always come up with absolutely amazing stuff!!!

yo i actually love this song???????????

also you're super sweet as always :')))))

"Let me die" | 1k Follower Event

✧ word count ➼ 752 ✧ notes ➼ dystopian!au, slight angst, established relationship, protective!levi, levi being afraid to grieve :(

The only real positive you had in this world was him. Being forced to live in a world filled with war and strife meant you were in constant survival mode. If you slipped up for even one second, then you—and the people around you—could wind up dead.

You and Levi Ackerman had been at each other's side for a little over a decade at this point, having begun your relationship during late adolescence. Even the concept of being in a relationship seemed silly compared to everything else that was going on around you. Given the fact that anyone could be killed at any point in time due to the chaos around you, even being away from him for a second felt agonizing.

The world around you was at war. It's always been that way. There was no right or wrong. There was no hero or villain. There was only kill or be killed. Although there were many small factions within the remains of the Eldian Empire, the two major ones were the ones constantly at war: the Paradis "Devils" and the Marley "Warriors".

Both you and Levi led the Devils, having stitched up the three original factions of Paradis, which were rapidly dying after repeated defeats at the hands of the Warriors, which had more resources and technology that they had hoarded from all the other factions. Due to the delays in getting Paradis back on their feet, the Warriors had control of the remains of the empire for far too long—and it was about time to strike back.

"You're not doing this," Levi scolded with a scowl.

You sighed in frustration and looked at him with a scowl of your own.

"And you are?"

"Yes."

The task you were arguing about was sneaking into the Warrior's base and planting a bomb in their command center while the other led an army through their front gates as a diversion. Both were dangerous, but the latter at least had reinforcements at the ready.

You had a smaller build and were more agile. It only made sense for you to plant the bomb while Levi, who was able to build up morale and confidence much better, led the army through the front gates.

The chances of survival were slim, no matter which task you ended up doing—but the chances of survival were at least a little higher if you led the army instead of infiltrating. You knew this. That's why you offered to plant the bomb, otherwise Levi was going to be the one to plant it, and you couldn't bear the thought of losing him.

You were being selfish and you knew it.

"You know I have a better chance of success, Levi," you argued.

"Still a pretty small fucking chance."

"Someone has to do it, Levi."

He knew you were right, but he wasn't willing to let you go. You both had the mutual understanding that your lives could be taken any minute with the world you lived in, but it wasn't something that you would ever truly accept.

"Levi," you said with a pause, "there's a time to be born and a time to die, and-"

"Don't," he said as he cut you off. "Don't say it."

"We didn't sign up for this for the safe way out, Levi. Someone has to lead Paradis to victory and take down the Warriors. We both knew that this day would come."

"God dammit, do you think I don't know that?!" he scolded. "I know that we can't put this off anymore and that everything is depending on our success and that the way this plan is laid out has the highest chance of success, but I don't know if I want that success if it means losing you!"

You grabbed onto his hand and looked into his gray eyes.

"I'm here, aren't I?" you said softly.

He looked back into your eyes and although his gaze softened, there was still an immense look of worry in it.

You placed your hand on the side of his face and pulled him into a kiss, lingering there as if you'd never get to kiss him again.

"Promise me something, Levi," you said quietly when you finally pulled away, your heart longing for the feeling of his lips again once you did.

He remained silent. He knew what you were going to ask.

"If something goes wrong, promise me," you spoke quietly, gripping at his hand, "promise me that you'll prioritize our success. Promise me that you'll let me die."

Come participate in my 1K follower event!

[otemporanerys]

A playlist for my species swap Shakarian fan fic set during Mass Effect 2

The playlist | The fic

Liner notes below the cut (tw discussions of suicide)

Happiness is a Warm Gun - The Breeders

I always like to start my playlists with something to set the mood - this is definitely an atmosphere song. I also like using covers for species swap, and a different one kicks off the ME3 playlist lol if I ever get around to writing that. The defamiliarisation sets up the AU

2. In the Wake of Your Leave - Gang of Youths

OK so technically tracks 2 and 3 are cheating because they're actually for Interregnum, leave me alone

Anyway! Sad bangers are my jam, and I wanted something that conveyed the grief of losing someone, but giving the energy a bit of a kick after the Breeders song

3. I Don't Smoke - Mitski

I'm a basic bitch who loves Mitski, what can I say?

No, this song is for the Gareth sad spiral (TM) and for the fact that sad smoking is cool, actually (don't @ me)

4. Peel - Weakened Friends

This is a Shepherd song, you know, the beginning of her terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad nervous breakdown.

There was an earlier version of LBEL which was much more actively about Shepherd trying to bring Cerberus down from the inside: but actually now I think the lyrics speak much more to Shepherd feeling like she always has to fit the mold of the pragmatic, practical soldier

5. Toy Soldier - The Menzingers

This is thee Garrus song, sorry I don't make the rules. The lost friends! Carrying on despite that loss!!! Dutyyy

6. Wicked Game - Chris Isaak

Gareth is kind of an old soul, which is why his songs lean slightly more retro - and just the deep well of yearning in this song always gets me. It's very much his feelings after Shepherd saves him, loving her and wishing he didn’t

7. Born to Lose - Sleigh Bells

I primarily associate this song with Shepherd being discarded by the Hierarchy and the struggles she has with knowing protocol is to kill herself

8. You've Got to Hide Your Love Away - The Beatles

Gareth: conceal, don't feel 😢 I have always loved this song and it's very much Gareth knowing that he can't be open about his feelings

9. Quitter - Weakened Friends

More good mental health time for Shepherd, excellent. I don’t mind repeating artists in my playlists but I do tend to keep it to one

10. Bullet with Butterfly Wings - The Smashing Pumpkins

The one thing I am actually a snob about with playlists is not using too many "popular" songs, but I did like this one for Horizon. Shepherd's really starting to spiral here, folks

11. Anybody (Stripped) - Dead Sara

Horizon sex, Shepherd POV. She's so lonely in this fic, really longing for connection, and this song is the words she doesn't know how to say

12. Baby I Got the Death Rattle - Los Campesinos!

Horizon sex, Gareth POV

This is one of those songs that doesn't start as a blorbo song, but if you tell me you've heard a lyric that's more "Garrus Vakarian down bad" than "Baby I got the death rattle and baby I got it bad | I've been digging my own grave for quite some time when I'm not digging up the past" then I would love to hear it

13. Bedroom Eyes - Dum Dum Girls

One of my favourite bits of LBEL is the quiet intimacy that Gareth and Shepherd have when they're sleeping together, and this song reflects that

14. Hopeless - Screaming Females

Shepherd dumping Gareth because she likes him too much 😭 I'm fine. The lyrics and the vocals are so plaintive, again the emotions Shepherd won't allow herself to express

15. Something Bigger, Something Brighter - Pretty Girls Make Graves

This isn't a terribly literal inclusion, it's a good angsty-sounding song for where Shepherd's at post-breakup

16. Heavy Metal Heart - Sky Ferreira

This is just. Shepherd's song 💖 I love it, and her

17. Apocalypse Now (&Later) - Laura Jane Grace & the Devouring Mothers

This is a great Mass Effect 2 song more broadly but man is it perfect for Gareth and Shep reuniting just before the suicide mission!!!

18. The Hand That Feeds - Nine Inch Nails

Fuck Cerberus, part 1. There just is not a better song for being done with someone else's bullshit

19. Search and Destroy - Peaches

Fuck Cerberus, part 2 (or, how Shepherd got her groove back). Peaches always has such brilliant swagger and I adore this cover - Shepherd coming back into her own power and recognising how dangerous (and unpredictable) she can be

20. I Would Find You - Oceanator

I adore this song, the softness and kindness at the end of the world. It's really the thesis statement of the fic, and a promise for Gareth and Shepherd going forward, even through the hard times. It was the perfect grace note to end on

[bestworstcase]

to what level do you place faith in drawing story conclusions from the lyrics of RWBY songs? I find them extremely interesting to analyze, but in reality I'm aware that it's been said before that the lyrics aren't ever written with one specific thing in mind. that being said, either way, I think Guide My Way draws connections between Ruby and Salem that are quite interesting

well, i’ve heard that about the lyrics before, but never having seen the actual statement in context for myself, my inclination is to assume that “the lyrics aren’t written about any one thing” didn’t mean what the fandom seems to have generally taken it to mean, and instead meant something more along the lines of “the song lyrics are written to convey emotion and theme and are not necessarily literal.” because it is self-evident that’s how the songs are written.

in general, i think serious analytical interrogation of the songs requires an examination of their narrative context, i.e. their actual location in the story and what the lyrics communicate about that particular scene. song placement is non-arbitrary. why does ‘red like roses pt ii’ accompany the nevermore fight? because the absence and the idea of summer rose is everywhere and ruby decapitating this monstrous grimm while the music screams i needed you, you left me, how could you gives us a glimpse behind her mask.

consider ‘until the end.’ the fanon interpretation that ‘until the end’ belongs to summer or ruby is so ubiquitous that it’s annotated as such on the fandom wiki. because the lyrics “heavily imply” it, apparently. but that is a bananas way to read the song, which also makes it a good case study to explain how i go about analyzing them and why i do it that way.

the first thing i look at is where the song is in the story and what it’s doing there. ‘until the end’ marks ozpin’s decision to return from his self-imposed isolation and plays underneath his monologue, which begins as a meditation on fear and builds to a kind of rhetorical invitation to transcend fear. and then salem arrives in atlas. so this is a crucial turning point for the story: it’s when all the lies and secrecy have to end, because ozpin chooses to rise above his fear and salem is committed to revealing herself.

so, is ‘until the end’ about ruby or her mother? does it make sense to interpret the song that way? immediately before ozpin comes back, ruby has her heroic moment, forcing cinder to flee, but once the monologue/montage begins, the narrative makes a deliberate point of moving her out of focus. it lingers instead on penny, winter, cinder, and ironwood. it’s not her moment, not her song.

the structure of the scene, in fact, unambiguously signals that ‘until the end’ is ozpin’s song. it begins when he speaks. the first two stanzas are literally the subtext between the lines of his speech.

step two is to look at the song itself. what is it about? what story does it tell? ‘until the end’ is about regret, and shame, and longing for reconciliation, and resolving to try. that fits for ozpin in this moment, poised between months of hiding and the steps he takes to atone for his mistakes in the next volume, which supports the contextual argument for reading ‘until the end’ as his song. 

from here, we can start to pick the song apart in more detail. i think the “you” in the second stanza tricks people into looking for a subject, but if ‘until the end’ is an exploration of ozpin’s mindset as he makes the decision to come back and try again, it makes quite a lot more sense to interpret the “you” as ozpin talking to himself. and if we do that the whole thing clicks together. 

the first stanza is his doubt, his despair, his dread. “we try so hard, but what are we fighting for? we’re losing all our strength, how can we give more?” i’m so tired. i never wanted this. it’s never going to end. i don’t even know what i want anymore. 

the second stanza answers the first with his sense of duty and the self-hatred intertwined with that. “time falls away; pain always finds a way to stay. the tears that you shed may find a tree to water, but only when you’re stronger.” it will always hurt. pain is inevitable. your suffering serves a greater purpose; if you were stronger, you could see this through.

the third stanza rejects that old way of thinking. ozma tried so hard to bury the past, but the lamp forced him to relive it, see it with new eyes, think about it again after all this time. “to live free or die, it’s all the same. the enemy was right, there’s no reclaiming. in waves of shame, we’re desperate to make amends, but through a simple soul, we lie complacent.” salem was right: nothing can go back to how it was. the gods will never be appeased. too much has changed. i made so many mistakes. i want so badly to make it better, and instead i’ve been doing nothing, waiting for someone else to be the savior i couldn’t be. 

the final stanzas bring that realization to the inevitable conclusion. “love brings us dreams, but grief makes the heart burst at the seams. as light fills my eyes, i’ll picture me beside her, and pray that i’ll inspire. […] i promise i’ll be here until our story has been told, til our bodies break down every door, til we find what we’ve been looking for, and stare with pride into the face of fear; in our finest hour, i’ll be standing here.” i came back for salem. she rebelled against the gods for me. i’m going to keep trying until we find each other again.

and then he does. salem’s monologues in V1 and V3 were addressed to him; ozpin’s monologue in V7 is likewise addressed to her. ‘until the end’ sketches his emotional journey from the broken man who fled in shame and terror from the truth to the one who found the strength to rise out of that darkness.

the final step is to think about how literally to take the song. remember, their purpose is to convey emotional and thematic subtext—which means that we shouldn’t just assume that they’re exact portraits of a character’s conscious mindset. subconscious impulses, buried feelings, forgotten memories, idle dreams, all of that is fair game. and even songs that do articulate conscious perspectives are going to be distillations. are we hearing a fleeting burst of adrenaline-fueled bravado (try ‘ignite’) or a persistent and deep-seated self image (like ‘bad luck charm’) or something in between? it depends. it’s important to factor what a character says and does into our interpretation. 

with ‘until the end,’ i think the decision to clip the song after the second stanza and develop the music into an orchestral rendition of ‘fear’ is probably meaningful. the monologue doesn’t build to a resolution. it builds to a question. “will you be proud of that person? will you forgive them? will you understand why they felt the need to do the things they did? will you even recognize them? or will the person staring back at you be the very thing you should have feared from the start?”

and that is a thought that fits neatly into the gap between the second and third stanzas of ‘until the end.’ the second stanza is, ultimately, the voice of ozma’s fear; the monologue responds that fear itself is not worthy of concern, only the choice of what to do with it; the third stanza answers the monologue (he’s ashamed; he can’t forgive himself yet, but he wants to make amends; he’s able to see his mistakes and his reasons clearly now). so i think ‘until the end’ describes the complete arc of an emotional journey ozma has committed to but only just begun. 

and then you just poke and stretch and stress test that against everything else in the text until you’re either satisfied that it’s cogent or convinced it doesn’t hold water. ultimately the songs are just subtext with a bullhorn. 

…anyway.

back to ‘guide my way.’

because it follows from ‘red like roses’ and plays under ruby’s reclamation of herself from the shadow of her mother’s pedestal, there’s not really a question of ‘guide my way’ being about anything except ruby’s evolving view of summer, right. “i” is ruby and “you” is summer.

and that makes me VERY UNHINGED because ‘guide my way’ picks up an important thematic thread from ‘sacrifice’:

show them gods and deities blind and keep the people on their knees

and

you were born to hypnotize them all they said their prayers can you hear me up there?

note that the accusation salem makes of ozma in ‘sacrifice’ isn’t that he sets himself up as a god but rather that he blinds people by showing them gods. hypnotizes, you might say. and then we have ‘the infinite man’ “creat[ing] gods among men” and ‘world of remnant’ “with enough training and focus, a user’s aura can turn them into something much more than just a man.” civilians in this world do not have their aura unlocked and semblances are not a matter of common knowledge outside of huntsman circles. this is what salem means—

–and summer rose was the best of those quasi-divine guardians. the perfect fairytale hero. the paragon. and now ruby’s looking back on that hero-worship and reaching the same conclusion salem did. blind and keep the people on their knees. you were born to hypnotize them all. it’s nothing but smoke and mirrors.

AND THEN. 

ruby obliquely compares summer to salem (“what survives after all the dust has gone?”), ozma (“were you there til the end?”), and penny (“were you at least called a friend?”).

what’s the uniting thread here? 

rebellion. 

or, more specifically, the moment when a choice to rebel became commitment. penny broke the rules and planned to stay in vale because ruby called her friend. ‘until the end’ is, as discussed, about ozma breaking free. and of course any possibility that salem would ever bow to the gods again vanished when they killed everyone.

i think—on some level—when she left the tree, ruby knew. she’s felt that pressure herself. she knows exactly what it’s like to shatter beneath it. the blacksmith showed her that summer wasn’t perfect, that she lied and left with raven, and gently connected those choices to the desperation ruby feels, trying to carry the same impossible burden. and the answer is not “give up” but rather “choose yourself.” and ruby already believed that summer didn’t die that night, that salem captured her and made her into a hound instead. and she knows, they all know, that salem persuaded hazel to her side by playing to the grief and rage he felt over gretchen’s death. 

and while i doubt ruby has consciously done the math, she’s smart enough to put the pieces together and i think, subconsciously, she does feel an inkling of suspicion that maybe—maybe—summer chose not to come home.

[calethelettuce]

The Sides As ABBA Songs, Because ABBA Slays

I'm on an ABBA kick guys, bear with me- I thought this would be a cool thing to do, plus you get reasons why :3 If you disagree, lmk!

✨Roman✨

Honey, Honey

- Look, it’s as cheesy as ABBA can get. It’s totally up Roman’s alley

- Probably daydreams about Thomas’ crushes to this song specifically

- Knows almost all of the Mamma Mia! lore (Context: A lot of ABBA music was used in Mamma Mia!, a concert-style musical made specifically with ABBA in mind)

- Puts him in the mood to write some kind of romance novel

- Bro is probably obsessed with ABBA an unhealthy amount, to the point C!Thomas starts having dreams about the group members

⭐Logan⭐

The Name Of The Game

- I was originally going to put S.O.S for Lo-gay, but I feel like this one fits better

- Totally jams out to some of ABBA’s chiller songs while reading or while working

- ‘And you make me feel, and you make me show, what I’m trying to conceal’ sounds like somebody is having some funny lil issues hiding something HMMMM???? MAYBE SOME EMOTIONS?????

- Likes to research the members, just to familiarize himself with the artists to better understand

- Probably analyzes every little lyric, but likes this song just a tad more than the others because.. well, he relates in a way.

🌩️Virgil🌩️

Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!

- The purp man, listening to something OTHER THAN ROCK????!?? Holy shit it’s a miracle

- The most emo song made by ABBA by far

- ‘Won’t somebody help me chase the shadows away?’ C’MON NOW

- Really likes the instrumentals, that’s for sure

- Listens to it kinda often, although it’s kinda just shoved in his 12 hour playlist

- For some reason it calms him down a little when he’s really anxious

- Probably makes up scenarios in his head based on the lyrics

- Not a huge ABBA fan, but tolerates their music a good amount

- Would totally go to a concert tho

💙Patton💙

Slipping Through My Fingers

- I ACTUALLY ALMOST CRIED THINKING ABOUT THIS ONE :(

- It’s just- *sniff* PARENT OVERLOOKING THEIR KID WHO’S FINALLY ALL GROWN UP :((((

- ‘Sometimes I wish that I could freeze the picture, And save it from the funny tricks of time’ I CHOKED AND DIED :(

- Pat probably listens to this song sparingly, because he might relate just a lil too much

- He does like it, it’s just he’s a very emotional guy

- Honestly, he probably listens to ABBA just because it’s ABBA

- Jams to Dancing Queen tho

⚜️Janus⚜️

Voulez-Vous

- Come on now. The phrase ‘Nothing promised, no regrets’? Literally Janus in a nutshell.

- Not really his taste, but sometimes puts it on as a boost of some sort (Probably in the morning)

- I mean, this song is just a bop

- DEFINITELY plays the Just Dance version with Remus or one of the other sides

- I lied he likes playing all the ABBA songs on JD okay he just does

- Probably quotes the french in this song (Only Roman gets it, and 85% of the time he just doesn’t remember what it means)

🟩Remus⬛

Does Your Mother Know?

- Do I need to explain? 

- This song is just- yes

- Would definitely tease someone interested in him exactly like this song does

- He’s just so silly

- Probably headbangs to ABBA’s more “explicit” songs

- This one though, he likes because of its funny lil’ indications

- Likes Mamma Mia! like Roman, but only because of the dirty jokes and the “funny” content

- Is pissed it’s not on Just Dance

- Most likely changes the lyrics sometimes to whatever weird things pop into his head that works

- Blasts ABBA music in the background when smashing things with his morningstar (need I explain? we all know he smashes things outta nowhere)

BONUS!!!

💤Sleep💤

Money, Money, Money

- You know this dude is about to spend all his money on starbucks

- It’s just- his aesthetic

- Would definitely marry a wealthy man/woman just for the money

- Hardcore ABBA fan, shut up you cannot change my freaking mind

- Knows all the words

- (Begrudgingly) Geeks out with Roman about it every once in a while

- Causes C!Thomas to lose sleep over this fact (Sleep literally just disappears)

- His personal playlist is half ABBA

- Scored Megastar on Just Dance on every ABBA song (Janus and Remus r jealous of his talent)

💗Emile💗

Chiquitita

- The song reminds me of the therapist friend, so ofc the boi himself deserves it

- Prefers to listen to cartoon soundtracks, though will make an exception every once and a while

- He’s such a sweetheart omg

- If C!Thomas and Emile met in some multiverse I feel like this song describes how a later interaction would go

- I forget that Sleep and Emile aren’t sides lolol

- Also really enjoys Super Trouper for some reason even he can’t explain, he just likes it lol

🌈C!Thomas🌈

Angeleyes

- Nico where u at bby gurl :0

- It’s one of those correlations you can’t explain in a simple way

- ‘Sometimes, when I’m lonely, I sit and think about him’ LIKE AWH ik the song is actually about a breakup BUT SHHHH LET ME BE DELUSIONAL

- Probably enjoys ABBA a moderate amount, he doesn’t really have a cohesive opinion

- Is tired of Roman’s bs tho lol

- There is a breakup mentioned in SaSi somewhere, so this song does kinda make sense in a way

- Vibes with Patton to Dancing Queen 100%

[bokettochild]

with my father's funeral today and your perchance to write excellent "Wars/Time/Sky going dad", felt like telling you about a rather fitting song for any of the Link-Dads (although im mostly focusing on Sky and Legend)

it's called "My Father's Eyes" by Eric Clapton. he wrote it as his whole life, he never met his father. one lyric from it "I feel like a bridge that was washed away. My foundations were made of clay" made me think of Legend and how although he had his uncle, you do have part of him longing to have had parents at some point. knowing they love you helps, but it's quite different when they're gone forever

trust me, i know

another fitting line was "As my soul, slides down to die, how did I lose him, what did i try? Bit by bit, I've realized. That he was here with me, I looked into my father's eyes." it reminded me of when Legend realizes that Sky is pretty much his dad now. even though he never had his father, he looked up and saw him in Sky

it's a great song, my dad loved it

I'm sorry I didn't get to this over the weekend when you sent it, but as soon as I could, i sat down and listened to the song.

I don't know why or how I came out writing what I did, but I hope it helps at least a little (I think you were asking for a story? Sorry if I read this wrong)

Anyways, my brain's been trapped by the last update, and the song made me listen to other similar ones and I got this

Midnight Skies

Legend won’t lie and say he doesn’t feel jealous when, the moment they arrive at Hyrule castle, Four runs and jumps into the arms of the first knight they see. Not that he’d freely admit to said jealousy though as it churns in his gut when the man swings their smallest hero around with a deep laugh before settling small feet again to the earth and ruffling already mused and messy blonde hair. Height aside, there’s enough resemblance; something in the eyes and the set of the jaw, that leaves no doubt as to the fact that the armored soldier is their smithy’s father. 

And doesn’t that just sting. 

He’s pretty sure he doesn’t let on anything over dinner, as not one but two men sit to their smithy’s side, father and grandfather all too eager to hear how their boy has been, egging stories out of the heroes and sharing some of their own. All while Four groans into the table and tries, desperately, to discredit all present and deny any and all accusations. Legend manages, somehow, to smile and laugh along, all while something dark twists inside his gut, hating the smithy for the way the other hero groans and complains about father and grandfather both. 

As if he isn’t the luckiest one among them to have both. 

Time’s father was a tree, or so the joke goes. 

Twilight was raised by a whole village, the local blacksmith taking primary care of teaching him as he grew up, but even then, the relationship isn’t exactly father and son. 

Warriors keeps any word of family held close to his chest, but the brief mentions in past imply that any father he knew was distant and typically drunk. 

Wild doesn’t remember being a kid, much less having a family. 

Wind was raised by his grandmother. 

Hyrule’s father was gone before he was ever born. 

Sky was an orphan raised in the academy by the elderly housekeeper and her husband. 

And well, Legend had his uncle. For all of eight years before Ganon’s knights killed the man in a sewer beneath the castle. And even after the triforce brought him back, the man was... different. 

It hurt. 

Four’s father is warm. And when the smithy splits, four persons now rather than one, all are greeted by color and treated with fondness. 

Uncle could never understand why he’d changed. Why the little boy who had wanted to run an orchard and live in the country would suddenly wake up crying most nights. Why warm hugs were fought off in panic. He’d been startled when Legend couldn’t stand to so much look at a dog, never mind pet one. There’d been endless confusion, and on some nights, he’d overheard Uncle talking with the Elder’s wife. She’d come up to check on them, on him specifically, but they’d both thought he was asleep. He wishes he had been. He'd never have heard Uncle admit he didn’t know how to handle him anymore. He'd never have heard the man call him a stranger. 

Legend had set out the next day, claiming to visit Zelda.  

A visit turned into a plea for anything to get him out, which itself turned to a mission to Holodrum to find Din. 

Some days, he regrets having left. 

The house was empty when he came home. He’s still not exactly sure what happened, and he couldn’t bear to ask, but he hopes, wherever he went, that Uncle’s life got easier without him. 

Sometimes he wishes he’d fought back the screaming of his mind and just allowed strong arms to wrap around him one last time. Wishes he’d hid it better. Realistically, at nine years old, there was no way to hide the demons in his mind. Not while living in a little one room cottage. Not when Uncle stayed up late anyways, or late for Legend anyway. Now, nine o’clock hardly seems late at all, especially when sleep evades him so often, but back then, it’d seemed so very late indeed, especially in winter. 

Sometimes, when Warriors takes out his pipe or someone cleans their sword, he can almost smell the heavy tobacco and sword grease scent the old knight always carried on him. Even now, sitting in Four’s house, the smell is everywhere. Grandpa Smith smells just like him, and doesn’t that just rub it all in deeper? Doesn’t watching the little touches, the hands on shoulders, the hair ruffles, the slaps of the back that nearly send the smithy flying, just make his heart scream and fists clench with the desperate urge to punch the smithy in his smiling face. 

Four just had to have it all, didn’t he? And the smithy doesn’t even realize it. 

Legend excuses himself as soon as dinner is over. 

He doesn’t make a big deal about it, is careful to smile and duck out when the others are all talking. It’s just all too much to stand and watch, and it hurts a part of him that he thought he’d numbed ages ago. So, the moment he gets out, a breathe of relief escapes into the night air around him. 

He’s fine. 

No really, he is. He’s fine. 

Gnarled fingers catch old wood. The roof over the forge isn’t low, but it’s lower than the one in the house, and with the slope of it, so common in add-ons, it’s easy to hoist himself up onto the thatching, to settle back against weathered straw and stare up at the skies. 

The night is a cool one, but any breeze there is exists in only a whisper, and he manages to not shiver against it as he lays, tracing constellations and finding long familiar ones. 

Well, until he remembers how Uncle had been the one who’d taught him how to find them, then it’s ruined. 

He’s not mad, he really isn’t. 

But it does hurt. 

It hurts like finding his parent’s house. Like knowing they were alive for years, that they weren’t dead like everyone said, or at least not when they’d said it. They’d been out there; lost, but thinking of him, and if he’d only come sooner, set out instead of lingering, innocent and clueless at home with Uncle, he might have had a chance to meet them. 

Legend pushes himself up, arms wrapping around his knees as he stares to the stoney path that leads to the forge door. 

Did he have his mother’s eyes? Before the dark world’s transformations changed their color for good? Did he get the pretty crystal blue from her? His father? Zelda has the same color as he used to; which parent did she get it from? They’re almost each others’ reflections, past scars and pain, the streaks of silver in her hair and the creases beneath his eyes. Life hasn’t been kind to either of them, but they had each other. 

He wishes they’d had more. 

He hasn’t been around as much as he wishes, but they’ve sat up and talked about it once or twice. What were they like- Zelda once mused into his arms- their parents? Was their father tall? Was their mother pretty? Do they have his nose? Which one had slender hands? Which one did the two of them get their sharp ears from? Who was the strong one? 

And when the sun had set lower, and it’d been too dark in the keep for them to see each other anymore: would they have loved them? Would they be proud? Would their parents have looked at what they’ve done with their lives and smile? Would they be sad? 

He’d never said it, kept it close, but tonight, staring up at the sky, Legend wonders if they would have understood. 

Or maybe they would have been like Uncle, and the fate that got its claws into their children would have made them turn away in despair as well. 

His throat hurts. 

“Legend?”  

The voice is soft, but it makes him start all the same. He hadn’t heard the door open at all, but there’s a shadow on the path below, framed in the light from the open cottage door. 

Quickly, he runs a sleeve over his face. He hasn’t cried in a long time, but he checks just to be sure. After all, you can never be too cautious around other people. Especially adults. 

“Vet?” the voice repeats, a tick of concern in it. 

For a moment he debates just waiting for them to go in again and give up. He’s tired of people, and he doesn’t want to deal with whomever it is. He thinks it’s Twilight, that or Warriors, because the voice isn’t rough enough for Time, and the shadow is too tall for anyone else. 

But after the time on the road that they’ve had, after he’s scolded Wild and Hyrule both for wandering off so often, he doesn’t exactly have the right to let the others worry. Not when he’s scolded so much for them doing the same. 

“Up here,” it’s more sigh than call, drawn out reluctantly as he hunches forwards a bit further, chin settling on his folded arms. 

The shadow on the path shifts. There’s the sound of everyone in the house still laughing and talking, but it fades as the door falls shut, the light and thus the shadow below disappearing with the noise. 

He breathes again. They went in. He’s alone again. 

He kind of wishes he wasn’t. 

“You alright?” 

So, he isn’t? Legend straightens, looking down below the thatching and catching sight of sideswept bangs and dark eyes. Twilight’s stare is shadowed, by his hair, the light, and some emotion the veteran can’t name, but it’s intense. If he hadn’t been fixed by it so many times before, it would make Legend squirm. It doesn’t though. He’s had the rancher up his tail enough before to be used to his stare. Scolding him for bullying Sky (he’d just been frustrated, but who even cared really?) for snarking back, or teasing Time. Twilight’s stare was on him almost the whole time he got turned into a rabbit, and while it wasn’t nearly as stern, it held a similar weight. Now it’s more similar to the night after that horrid battle with the shadow. Twilight’s eyes aren’t harsh or accusing, but there’s something warm in them for the brief moment he can see them before the man disappears beneath the awning. 

Callused hands catch the beam at the edge of the rood, and it’s only a moment or so before the rancher is swinging up in front of him, puffing and grinning crookedly as midnight blue eyes catch his own. “Up for some company?” 

He shrugs, but motions to the roof around him, settling further into his slump. 

Twilight’s smile fades into a frown in moments. “Something bothering you?” 

He shakes his head. 

Dark brows draw low as the rancher swings up fully, crawling across the roof before settling at his side, heavy eyes fixed on him all the while. “What’s eating you?” 

“Nothing,” he mumbles into his arms, but even as he says it, he knows Twilight won’t believe him. 

The rancher’s hand lifts from the roof, hovering between them, uncertain. 

Legend turns his stare back to the path below them. “’m just tired, rancher. ‘s fine.” 

Heavy eyes scream disbelief more than words bother to utter. 

Legend shifts, curling a bit tighter and setting his jaw, gaze fixing on the ground below. If he doesn’t look, Twilight’s pained stare can’t make him talk. If he doesn’t move, maybe Twilight too will give up and just walk away. It would make trying to sort his head out easier. 

“Ledge, hey, talk to me.” 

The rancher’s voice is so soft it physically hurts. 

“You’ve been tense all evening, bunny-” 

And that is just the breaking point because that’s Uncle’s pet name for him! He can’t help the way he turns, scowling, ready to hiss that Twilight cannot call him that, only to pause as predicted at the man’s heavy stare. Twilight looks all so familiarly pained, like he does when Wild’s struggling with his memories or Time’s being especially harsh. He’s never seen it directed at him though. 

He's not sure what to do with it. 

Dark hair sweeps forwards as the older man shifts, leaning against his own raised legs to mimic the veteran’s pose, stare heavy and seeking, but not expectant. “Did something happen?” 

It takes a moment for him to remember to respond, but when he does he shakes his head quickly. Breaking eye contact helps, and he drops his gaze back to the path below, chin settling in the folds of his sleeves to stop him glancing back. 

“Well somethings eating you.” 

Not anything that’s the rancher’s business though. 

“You’re not normally this quiet.” 

That earns a look. A scowl that has Twilight chuckling, deep and throaty, shoulders shaking as the man turns glittering eyes back to the path.  

Legend follows his gaze. There's nothing down there, but at least it’s something to look at. He needs that; if his mind doesn’t settle on something he just knows his thoughts will spiral out to places even he doesn’t recognize. 

It’s quiet for a moment, only the deep sounds of Twilight’s breathing and the rustle of trees filling the air around them, and despite himself, Legend tunes himself to their sound, matching the rancher’s breath with his own until his heart slows a little in his chest and some of the knot that’s curled there loosens. It’s only then, as he matches the pace of the other, that Twilight breaks it to speak.  

“Almost makes me miss home.” 

“Ordon?” He’s not sure why he asked. 

The rancher nods. “Yeah.” There’s another little chuckle, the shaking of the rancher’s head as he moves to lean back against his arms, eyes drifting upwards towards the sky. Legend tracks his stare, turned upwards to the Ancient Beast; the stars of its eyes twinkling extra bright against the expanse, as it stares down as though to meet it’s match. He huffs a little at the thought, silent, and turns back to stare at the path below them. 

There’s a few stones missing on the left side, cracked and overgrown on the right. 

It needs repair. 

“I’ll bet Uli’s singing the baby to sleep right now,” the rancher muses, smile fond and lonesome. “Colin will have drifted off ages ago, and Rusl is probably still out in the forge, getting the last of the fall work done before the snow sets in.” The man hums, rolling his shoulders. “Goat kids’ll be nearly grown about now, ready for slaughter.” 

Legend winces, and it earns another laugh from the man as sparkling eyes turn down to him again, grin still present but all too aware. “How about you? What will it be like at home for you?” 

He debates answering, before at least deciding it’s not worth it to let Twi keep pushing. “The trees are probably ready for harvest. Orchard will be all full of fallen fruit right about now.” 

“And?” the other man prods. 

The veteran shrugs. “Fields are probably being cleared. I dunno, I’m not a farmer.” 

“What is your family probably doing?” 

Something sharp and bitter inside whispers ‘lying in graves’ but he keeps that to himself, instead answering “don’t have one.” 

Again the soft smile fades, warm eyes all too pained, all too knowing, all too frustratingly warm as he sits and tries to ignore them. “I’m sorry.” 

“It’s life.” 

“So you have no one?” 

Silence. 

“Not even a friend somewhere, waiting for you to come home?” 

He shrugs again, he’s not sure. Zelda is out there, but she knows he’s gone and won’t be expecting him back. Syrup and Irene might notice he’s gone, Gully will, but they won’t be waiting either. They all know he comes and goes like the autumn wind, there one moment and gone the next. It’s almost a saying back in Kakariko that if you see the hero you’d better catch him before he fades away, as there’s no telling where he is from day to day. 

Seeing as there’s no place to linger for long, he doesn’t know what they expect. 

Twilight twists around, gaze heavy and eyes sorrowful. “Is that what it is? Seeing Four at home?” 

He huddles down a bit furtehr, as though the flinch off the blow the words deal. 

“It hurts, doesn’t it?” And it’s less question than it is sigh, the rancher turning back to the sky, pain still present in midnight blue, the stars dimming within. “When there’s no one at home waiting-” 

“Do you have to rub it in?” 

Twilight starts, flushes slightly and moves to rub at his neck. “Sorry.” 

“It’s not the end of the world,” he mumbles into his sleeves, fingers gripping tight in dark folds. “’s just how things are. No point crying about it.” 

“Makes things awful lonely though.” 

As though Twilight needed to tell him. 

Legend curls just a bit tighter into himself, eyes falling shut. It’s childish, but a part of him hopes that if he closes his eyes, Twilight will just go away and stop reminding him of it all. “Don’t you have a champion to be wrangling right about now?” 

The thatch beneath them rustles, betraying some sort of movement from his companion, but this time he has the sense to keep his eyes shut as Twilight answers, has the sense to leave himself in the dark as to the look on the other man’s face, or what he’s doing. “Wild seemed pretty content to sit and listen to Time trying to out match Leon and Mister Smith.” 

“And you weren’t content to stay with them?” 

There’s a soft little hum and then “I wanted to be out here with you.” 

What the actual- 

“Why?” 

“Because.” As though it’s the simplest thing in the world. 

And it seems like to Twilight it must be, because when he lifts his face to stare at the man, bright eyes are turned up towards the sky, face peaceful and undisturbed, even as Legend stares in utter and complete confusion. He keeps staring too, waiting for Twilight to admit some real reason, or to look at him and laugh at him for believing the words, but the man doesn’t. Twilight just keeps watching the sky, gaze darting from one constellation to another until at last the man frowns, face creasing in confusion as he stares upwards. 

Curious, Legend tries to follow his gaze. He has to edge a bit closer to the other man, but the flick of an ear is the only response to his motion, so that even when he's only a few inches away, there’s no complaint.  

When he looks up, he sees the Holy Maiden cradling the moon in her arms. 

“Four said there’s something round the moon,” it’s like Twi knows he’s looking too, although he knows there’s been nary a glance spared his way since last words were spoken. “but I can’t fathom what the heck it is.” 

Legend huffs. “It’s the Holy Maiden.” 

“The wha?” Twilight’s smile is almost infectuous. 

He rolls his eyes, leaning a bit closer to trace the stars, showing the rancher how they mesh and weave into the image. “It’s Lolia, goddess of the Mirror World.” His hand falls, and it’s only then he realizes just how close he’s pressed himself to his brother’s side, Twilight’s gaze on him though stops him from shifting away, almost wary to move at all as the man watches. “She’s Hylia’s reflection.” 

There’s a furrow in dark brows, but nothing said. Rather, an arm comes up around behind him, warm and solid against his back.  

He's not sure what prompts him to continue, gaze trailing up to stare at the crescent cradled in star formed arms. “They say that when darkness first fell on the world, the people were afraid the world was ending, so Lolia crafted the moon to give them light and assurance, even on the longest and harshest of nights. They say she holds it up herself each night to give promise to her people, and whenever it’s light fades, she renews it so they’ll never be without.” 

“Always just thought it was a big rock in the sky,” comes the answering hum. 

Legend snorts. 

The arm behind him shifts, lifting to settle around his shoulder and pull him closer as the rancher’s other hand points upwards, towards the Great Triangle. “What about that bunch over there.” 

Laughter escapes him despite himself at the man’s incompetance. “You really were brough up human, huh?” 

He’s expecting some scolding or huff, but Twilight just glances down, arching a brow expectantly. 

Legend rolls his eyes and gives in. “it’s the Great Triangle, the stars that point the way to Hyrule Castle. Once upon a time, they say the Triforce was formed up there.”  

~~~~~~~~~ 

[gerardway-is-my-babygirl]

Okay I have to know: your top 3 mcr songs for Dracfield and why 🙏

AGHHH THIS IS SUCH A GOOD QUESTION I love combining my hyperfixations so much!!

This post Is long(as all of my Dracfield posts are) so I'm putting It under the cut

Obviously House of Wolves Is a Renfield coded song. It definitely fits him during the early days of him being a familiar, he's severely Infatuated with Dracula and willing to do anything for him, while still acknowledging that hes an awful person for doing so

"tell me I'm a bad man, kick me like a stray", hes aware of what hes doing but hes starting to accept It, though he still knows he deserves punishments for It. Also dogboy Renfield

In my mind It's a song that would play while hes on a killing spree, embracing that hes a sinner and knowing that hes going to Hell. I think hes always suffered with catholic guilt because of his queerness and MCR are literally the kings of catholic guilt and homosexuality so the song Is about him sinning by killing people and by being gay

For the 2nd song I'd have to say It's Not a Fashion Statement, It's a Deathwish because It's about being revived and Immortality. I think Dracula has had to revive Renfield dozens of times over the years and now Ren has turned Into an almost Immortal being. It's literally like In the actual story for Three Cheers, because the devil keeps bringing the Demolition Man back to life over and over again just so he can kill people. (Renny and the Demolition Man are very similar, at least to me) Also I think at the last verse Is kind of like him singing to Dracula about how one day they'll be dead together, since he still has some hope that Dracula can die

Also "from the razor to the rosary, we could lose ourselves and paint these walls in pitchfork red" Is such a perfect lyric for them. Murderous husbands

3rd song Is Famous Last Words, It fits Renfield post-Dracula so well. He's finally free and able to live his life again, he's no longer afraid of being alive. Although Renfield still loves Dracula, he Isn't scared of being alone because he has discovered he can find new purposes In life and he no longer needs Dracula to make him feel complete.

"A love that's so demanding, I get so weak, a love that's so demanding, I can't speak" Its literally him and Dracula! His love for his Master has turned him Into a weak-willed and obedient servant, rather than an equal lover. He Is devoted to Dracula, while Dracula could let him go and not feel even the tiniest bit of guilt or regret (at least In Renfield's eyes). He literally can't speak because he's spent all of his life In Dracula's shadow, always quiet and unable to express his own thoughts, forced to listen to and obey Dracula's demands.

He's no longer the quiet, obedient follower that he was molded Into, he Is free from hiding In the shadows and fearing every moment he's alive. Now he has the power and bravery to keep on living.