#muse gig 24

[uno-whatimean]

Still on cloud 9 after the Dublin gig. What an incredible way to end my 2023 muse tour!! Phenomenal gig. Also this happened:

[jaeyunverse]

the 24-hour dating challenge

pairing: park sunghoon x fem!reader

genres: fluff, crack, mutual pining, suggestive, best friends to lovers, influencer au

wc: 8145

warnings: profanity, hoon is a loser and down bad sawry, you can’t see the mutual pining but that’s a skill issue on my part bc i swear it’s there, fic is completely from sunghoon’s pov, this was supposed to be short and sweet but it got kinda spicy towards the end LMAOAO but nothing happens so dw!!

summary: being a famous youtuber isn’t easy, especially when you have to constantly come up with new ideas to keep your audience entertained. and this time, your viewers want you to date park sunghoon, your best friend of nearly a decade, for the entirety of 24 hours.

moodboard: one ☆ two

note: omg i didn’t think i would struggle w this oneshot but i lowkey did w the last part ☹️ i think it’s bc it has been a while since i raw dogged a fic HAHDHS anyway i hope the end doesn’t seem super abrupt and y’all enjoy! i would love to hear your thoughts + feedback :’)

inspiration: evelyn and fred (♡)

masterlist

“Your followers want me to do what?” 

Sunghoon was positive he’d misheard you. However, part of him hoped you’d confirm the life-altering information you’d casually uttered without even bothering to look away from the TV screen.

“Hoon!” you exclaimed, your fingers aggressively moving about the gaming console. “Oh, my God, they’re coming after me! Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, FUCK—” you screeched— “Nonononono I can’t take them by myself! You testicle-guzzling cocksucker, why did you die when I needed you the most?!” 

Sunghoon watched you struggle warily. Your leg was bouncing with anxiety and your eyes were bulging out of their sockets. He wasn’t entirely sure you were breathing. Beads of sweat were clinging to your forehead, and your face was scrunched up in a weird, constipated expression. 

There was a good chance you’d utter fouler insults if he disturbed you while playing, but he couldn’t stop himself from broaching the subject. “Are we just going to pretend you didn’t say the thing you just said?” 

“The thing about you being a testicle-guzzling cocksucker?” you gritted. “No.”

Sunghoon rolled his eyes. “The thing about your followers wanting us to date for a video.” 

For a few moments, you didn’t deign to acknowledge him. Then, as if a switch inside you had flipped, you pulled the TV’s plug and turned to face him. “Would it be weird?” 

Wow. Okay, Sunghoon mused. I think it would be a fantastic idea and a dream come true, but I don’t trust myself around you. Even as a mere friend.  

However, instead of voicing his thoughts, the boy simply shrugged. “I don’t know. We’ve been friends for several years now. I’m a regular on your YouTube channel and I think your fans are aware of the dynamics of our relationship. What do they mean when they say they want us to date? Physical intimacy aside, we already do everything couples do.” 

“I think they want us to be romantic,” you admitted. “Go on a date, hold hands, cross some lines.”

“Cross some lines?” Sunghoon raised an eyebrow, the corner of his lip curling in a smirk. “Is this you speaking or your subscribers?”

Groaning in exasperation, you shoved his shoulder. He fell back on the couch, laughing. “Shut up, dickface! You know I’ve been swamped this semester. My influencer gig has been seriously lacking. I need to step up—do what they want me to do. Besides, we only have to be girlfriend and boyfriend for 24 hours. It’s really not that big a deal. Are you in or not?”

Sunghoon took a few seconds to mull over your words. Sure, he would love to be your boyfriend for 24 hours. As long as his fantasies were brought to reality, he didn’t care if the whole relationship was fake and short-lived. 

For far too long, he’d pined after you. He thought he was doing an excellent job at hiding his feelings, but then you decided to make vlogs for fun. That’s when shit actually went downhill. 

Within a few years, you’d amassed a following of over 5 million on YouTube and 3 million on Instagram. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say you’d become somewhat of a local celebrity.  

Being one of your closest friends, Sunghoon was often featured in your videos. Initially, he’d baulked at the idea of being filmed, but you’d worked your magic on him. The boy soon found himself being comfortable around cameras. 

Even though Sunghoon never started his own YouTube channel, his popularity grew along with yours. His Instagram had garnered over two million followers, and courtesy of his good looks and attractive physique, he’d been offered a bunch of brand deals too.

You’d scowled at how far Sunghoon’s pretty privilege had gotten him. While you busted your ass coming up with unique ideas and editing your videos to perfection, all he needed to do was show up. 

What you didn’t know, though, was that part of the reason he’d become a heartthrob among the youth was you. 

You might have been dumb and blind, but your followers certainly were not. They’d realised how Sunghoon looked at you—his eyes always twinkled and a fond smile automatically adorned his lips whenever he caught sight of you. 

To add to that, your fans had pointed out habits he didn’t even know he possessed. For example: idly braiding your strands; bringing you snacks whenever he swung by your apartment; saying hey, sunshine and giving you a side hug by way of greeting; disguising his compliments as insults. 

The list was embarrassingly long.

They’d noticed the elastic he kept around his wrist at all times too—it was one of the two you’d used to tie his hair into little ponytails because you were convinced you could transform him into Boo from Monsters, Inc.   

Sunghoon himself had forgotten the reason he wore the elastic around his wrist. All he knew was that it was yours and it felt right. But when he read the comments obsessing about it, he rushed to watch the video your fans were referring to. 

And damn, they were right. 

Sunghoon didn’t know if you’d seen the comments your fans regularly left on your various social media pages. You’d never mentioned anything about the community calling you “couple goals,” and he was too much of a coward to inquire if you were aware. 

It was infuriating to know how transparent he was. Sunghoon wished he’d never gotten used to the camera and let slip his true self. 

Perhaps this was the cost of gaining the boyfriend material label—his unrequited feelings exposed for the entire world to see. 

Sunghoon would never admit it, but he’d spent the better part of a day reporting everyone who’d shipped him with you. The entire incident had truly made him go off the rails. 

However, today’s revelation was unexpected. It was an opportunity. A chance to experience something he’d desired for many years. Suddenly, he found himself thanking those busybodies online instead of cussing them out for being ridiculously invested in his love life.

Sunghoon knew saying yes to your proposition would bite him in the ass later on. He knew he’d crave more of you once he got a taste of being your boyfriend, and giving this fake relationship a shot would definitely make it harder for him to get over you in the future. He knew he was a massive idiot for willingly indulging in impending heartbreak, but he could always cross that bridge when he came to it.  

“Okay,” he said, meeting your gaze. “I’m in.”

There was a small chance Sunghoon was getting ahead of himself. Maybe he shouldn’t have taken it upon himself to organise the perfect date. 

Being bitchless his entire life wasn’t doing him any favours in performing the task. Originally, he’d figured he would do a quick Google search and plan a day according to the results shown.

Unfortunately, most activities on the list were things the two of you already did on a normal basis. He’d racked his brain to think of a unique idea after scrolling through the internet for hours on end and coming up empty-handed. 

Karaoke? Check. Restaurant hopping? Psh, you did that every weekend. Rock climbing? He was scared of heights. Bowling? Boring. Concert? None of your favourite artists were in town. Clubbing? He would rather spend quality time with you than get both of you wasted. Arcade? Basic and low-budget; he didn’t want to be cheap. Road-trip? Needed more than just 24 hours.

Sunghoon wondered if he was the problem. He’d shot down every option he’d come across so far by classifying it as not good enough. His stress levels were skyrocketing trying to make your 24-hour relationship perfect.

An entire day’s research had ended up being fruitless. You’d decided to go through with the challenge on Sunday, so he only had tomorrow to come up with something satisfactory. 

Sighing, Sunghoon rubbed his eyes and closed his laptop. He eyed his phone on the bedside table for a few seconds, contemplating whether he should just call you and ask if you had anything in mind. 

Before he could rethink his choice, he picked up the device and dialled you. 

“Hey.” Your voice on the other end was deep and hoarse. A glance at the wall clock informed Sunghoon it was past midnight, and he’d likely woken you up. Guilt twisted his stomach. “Is something wrong?”

“Sorry, I didn’t realise it was late,” he mumbled. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Nah, it’s alright. I was watching a movie and passed out halfway through it. I needed to finish it anyway.” 

Lying back on his bed, Sunghoon inquired, “Ready or not?”

“Yeah.” You huffed a laugh. “I finally got around to seeing it. Your choice, as always, is impeccable.” 

Though you couldn’t see him, he raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t you just say you dozed off in the middle of it?” 

“Well, yeah, but that’s because I’m not a stupid nocturnal with no care for their sleep cycle and health.” 

“Ouch.” Sunghoon clutched his chest. He could practically hear you roll your eyes. “No need to be so harsh.”

You hummed absent-mindedly, a yawn escaping your lips. “Was there a reason you hit me up, or can I get back to the movie?” 

“Oh, yeah.” Sunghoon cleared his throat. “Do you have any suggestions for the challenge? I’ve been thinking about it for a while, but I haven’t come up with anything interesting.” 

“Not really. I tried researching a bit, and there isn’t much we don’t already do. I’m starting to wonder if the only difference between a platonic and romantic relationship is physical intimacy. I’m sure we can reach a consensus though,” you added.  

Sunghoon groaned. “This is proving to be more difficult than I—”

“WAIT!” you interrupted him with an exclaim. “How about a picnic date? We’ve been talking about going on one with the rest of our friends for ages, but it’s never worked out. Let’s go—just the two of us. We can choose outfits for each other too! I’ll order you something online, and you do the same for me. We can spend the rest of our day doing whatever you want.” 

Sunghoon’s eyes widened. “That’s actually not a bad idea.”

“Right?” you giggled. “Maybe we can spread a blanket in the park under a tree and have a nice brunch. I’ll organise it!”

“I’ll take care of dinner and plan another activity for us to do between the two meals.” He grinned. “Looks like we might actually be able to pull this off, Y/N.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever been this excited to film a video,” you admitted.

Sunghoon’s heart fluttered, and his lips widened into a smile. “Me too.”

Everything was set. You’d received the dress Sunghoon had ordered for you, and he’d taken delivery of the one you’d bought for him.

Upon opening the package, Sunghoon was surprised to see you’d accidentally ended up matching outfits. While he’d chosen a white summer dress with blue flowers for you, you’d picked out a white graphic tee and low-rise, faded blue, baggy jeans for him. 

The fit was minimal—something that he would have purchased if he’d seen it in a mall. 

Grabbing a pair of sunglasses and running a hand through his messy hair, Sunghoon made a beeline for his car. He shot you a quick text regarding his ETA before backing the vehicle out of his driveway.

[hoon]: omw be there in 10

[y/n]: okie i’ll wait for u. call me when ur outside!!!!!!!!!

Averting his gaze to the road again, Sunghoon took a deep breath. He’d finally planned the perfect day out. It took a lot of effort and coordination on his part, but the several favours he had to call in were worth it. 

He’d probably gone over the top, especially considering the fact that this wasn’t even real, but he was determined not to half-ass anything. He had one chance, and he’d damn well make sure he didn’t waste it.

Turning the corner of your house, Sunghoon dialled your number. “I’m here.” 

“Coming,” you popped, the sound of your footsteps descending the stairs audible through the call. 

He grabbed the bouquet of flowers from the backseat, got rid of his sunglasses and exited the car. Your door opened a few seconds later, and Sunghoon’s world slipped from under his feet. 

God, you were beautiful. So beautiful and so fucking pretty in the dress he’d chosen for you. The material fit you perfectly—it accentuated your upper body and was flowy from your lower waist. The dress was almost ankle-length with a side slit that began at your upper thigh. Your shoulders and collar bones were exposed, a gold pendant filling the empty space the deep square neckline left in its wake. 

Your left shoulder was carrying a tote bag, and your right hand was holding a large picnic basket. Much to Sunghoon’s surprise, your free hand was wrapped around a bouquet too. 

Snapping himself out of his reverie, he took the basket from you and placed it inside the car. “You look amazing, sunshine,” he breathed. “Just—wow.”

Giggling, you did a little twirl for him. “Thanks! I love what you’ve done with your hair. It makes you more attractive.”

Sunghoon mock-saluted and bowed dramatically, a chuckle escaping his lips. “Took me ten minutes to style it.” Glancing at the flowers in your hand, he asked, “You got me flowers?” 

Maybe his eyesight was faulty, but Sunghoon felt your entire demeanour suddenly change. Tucking a stray strand behind your ear, you averted your gaze from his and shyly mumbled, “You took it upon yourself to plan the majority of the day. The least I could do was gift you some flowers.” 

Right when Sunghoon thought he couldn’t love you any more than he already did, you went ahead and did this. He’d never received flowers in his life before, and the gesture meant everything to him. 

Swallowing the lump in his throat, he took the bouquet from you. “Thank you,” he said, voice heavy with gratitude. “Don’t kill me, but I don’t know the name of these flowers.” 

Laughing, you pinched his cheek. “They’re asters.” 

“What do they mean?” 

“Why don’t you search it up when you go home?” you quipped. “Let me know once you find out.”  

Sunghoon shrugged and handed you the flowers he’d bought for you. “Sunflowers for my sunshine.” 

A wide grin broke across your lips. “They’re my favourite!” 

“I know, dummy,” he said, flicking your forehead and opening the passenger’s door for you. “That’s why I got them for you.” 

“Be nice!” you complained as he walked around the car. Taking a seat beside you, he started the engine and began driving. “I’m your girlfriend!” 

“I just opened the door for you,” Sunghoon pointed out, promptly ignoring the way his heart rate picked up. “I think I’m being gentlemanly enough.” 

“That’s not a word.”

“Is too.”

“Is not.”

“Is too.”

“This is why you get no bitches.”

“I got you.”

“Are you calling me a bitch?”

“I’m calling you mine.”

Snorting, you said, “Not your best save, Park.” 

Biting down the smile threatening to break across his lips, Sunghoon said, “I’ll survive, but you should really start recording.” 

“Right,” you gasped, your eyes widening. Fetching the DSLR from your tote bag and switching it on, you placed it on the dashboard carefully. After ensuring that the camera was rolling, you began, “I’m in the car with Sunghoon right now. He just picked me up, but I lowkey forgot to record it.”

“Y/N was too busy gawking at me,” Sunghoon teased and raised an eyebrow at the lens. “I’m too attractive for my own good.” 

“Nobody’s buying your bullshit.” You rolled your eyes. “But if you do think he looks cute, it’s because I chose his outfit.” 

“And if you think she looks beautiful, that’s because I chose her outfit.” 

You nodded. “He did. We thought kicking off the challenge this way would be cool. Clothes were ordered by both of us individually, which means neither of us had any idea what had been chosen by the other until we met ten minutes ago. Crazy how we still ended up matching.”

“We exchanged flowers too. Y/N got me asters, and I got her sunflowers.” 

“Hoon has no idea what asters signify,” you commented and nudged him with your elbow. “He didn’t even know the flowers I gifted him were asters.”

“Don’t shame me for not being a nerd!” Sunghoon defended himself. “Only you can be the kind of person who reads The Language of Flowers and indulges in floriography because they’re bored.” 

 “Aaaand the worst boyfriend award goes to this guy sitting right next to me,” you announced, shooting him a nasty glare. “He’s been annoying me from the moment he came to pick me up.”

“I opened the door for you!”

“How long are you going to milk the one gentlemanly thing you did?” 

Sunghoon scoffed in disbelief. “I thought gentlemanly wasn’t a word.”

“I lied,” you popped and grinned cheekily. 

“The problem with this relationship is you, woman, not me.”

Laughing, you turned to the camera again. “We’re going on multiple dates today. I’ve organised a picnic brunch, and Hoon has organised dinner.”

“It’s a surprise,” Sunghoon explained. “But I can assure you that it’s going to be the coolest thing ever.”

You hummed in agreement. “I believe him. He always gives the best surprises. Anyway, I’m going to stop recording now, and I’ll see you guys once we reach the park. I think we’re almost there.” 

“Five minutes,” Sunghoon provided. 

You grabbed the DSLR and brought it close to your face. Cupping your hand over the lens as if you were telling it a secret, you whispered, “T-minus five minutes to the best picnic date ever. Bye!”

Despite it being June and most kids being on vacation, the park wasn’t crowded. 

Even though it was almost 10:30 and the sun was merciless, there were plenty of people jogging on the track. Sunghoon spotted a laughter club in session a few hundred metres away from where you’d laid your blanket under the tree.

Thanks to the clear sky and blowing wind, more than a few people had taken out their own picnic baskets and decided to enjoy the weather. A bunch of middle-schoolers were playing basketball about fifty metres away from your tree, and though Sunghoon would have appreciated the peace, it was fun to watch them run around on the court. 

You’d set up the camera immediately upon arrival. Even though it was still rolling, neither of you were aware of it. It lay forgotten to the side, and as far as Sunghoon was concerned, it was just the two of you.

“It’s a beautiful day,” you mumbled, gathering your strands and tying them up in a messy bun. “Really fucking hot though.” 

“You have some relief, at least,” Sunghoon said, pointing at your exposed shoulders and flowing dress. “I’m fully covered and positively dying in here.” 

You smiled sheepishly. “Oops. That’s my bad.” 

Laughing, Sunghoon ran a hand through his hair. “What did you get for us to eat in that basket of yours?” he asked. “It was pretty heavy.” 

“Nothing much,” you answered and dragged the basket closer to you. Opening the lid, you pulled out Tupperware containing watermelons, muskmelons and mango slices. You’d also prepared a heart-shaped pizza and baked half a dozen macarons. Finally, you fetched a bottle filled with peach-iced tea and a pair of champagne glasses. 

Sunghoon gaped at the assortment of food you’d arranged. “Did you make everything by yourself?” 

“I wish,” you snorted. “Mom made the macarons and delivered them via FedEx. I don’t have the patience to bake.”

“Okay, but this is still crazy,” Sunghoon said, amazement evident in his tone. “The amount of effort you’ve put in is insane.” 

Blushing, you shoved his shoulder. “Stop! You’re embarrassing me!”

“I’m complimenting you!” he exclaimed, and served himself a piece of the pizza. “Bringing homemade food is the best thing you could’ve done. And God, this is delicious. I’m going to wife you right now.” 

You laughed incredulously. “Slow down, Romeo. We just started dating. How about you show me a good time first?” 

This. This was exactly the reason why Sunghoon didn’t entirely hate being stuck in the friend zone. Because no matter how much you told people you were just friends and there was nothing going on between the two of you, you were constantly flirting. 

The only reason he was afraid of confessing his feelings was that he didn’t know much of the flirting was real. It was the dynamic of your friendship—neither of you thought it was weird making suggestive comments. You were too comfortable with each other to let such things bother you. 

Sunghoon could no longer tell whether your relationship was still platonic. He was too hopelessly in love with you to keep knowing the difference between a joke and genuineness. His heart surged every time you said something only a romantic partner would, and his heart shattered every time he reminded himself that you didn’t actually mean it. 

You never meant it. 

But Sunghoon was a selfish person. He was going to take what he could get. He would rather be unintentionally strung along than give these moments up. The minuscule part of him that hated you for the pain you were causing him was nothing compared to the part of him that loved you unconditionally. 

Forcing himself out of his reverie, Sunghoon raised an eyebrow at you. “In front of everyone?”

“You’re so gross!” you snickered, your eyes shining with mischief. “I obviously mean when we get home!” 

I’m going to kill myself, Sunghoon thought. I’m going to kill myself before she kills me.   

The two of you had finished eating almost thirty minutes ago. Now, you were just lying on the blanket and staring at the sky, having conversations about the most random topics. 

You were talking shit about some know-it-all guy in your physics class, but Sunghoon wasn’t really paying any attention to what you were saying.

He was still stuck on what had happened an hour ago when you’d urged him to feed you because “that was what couples did.” 

Sunghoon didn’t give a shit what couples did. His biggest problem at the moment was his mind replaying the incident like a broken record. He couldn’t stop thinking about it. He’d already known he was being an idiot by agreeing to come on this date, but he never thought he’d regret his decision this quickly.

“Are you okay?” 

Blinking, Sunghoon spared you a glance. “Peachy.” 

“Those kids over there are calling us,” you told him, pointing to the basketball court. “We should go see what they want.” 

Nodding, he pulled himself to his feet and gave you a hand. Leaving the DSLR under the tree wouldn’t have been safe, so you grabbed it and the two of you made your way to the children waiting for you. 

“Hey,” a perky boy greeted you enthusiastically. “I’m Hyun. We’ve been playing basketball for the past several hours. The team that wins 6 out of 11 matches has to treat the other team to ice cream. Unfortunately, 2 of our friends left, and now it’s just the 6 of us divided into 2 teams. We really don’t want to play half-court, but we can’t play full-court with a team of only 3 each. Do you guys want to play the last few matches with us? One match only lasts 15 minutes.” 

Sunghoon exchanged a look with you. Then, you glanced at your spot under the tree. Lastly, you checked out your outfit—the slit exposing most of your leg and the lack of coverage for your shoulders.

“I have a pair of shorts and a shirt in my car,” he informed you. 

You took a moment to weigh your options. Honestly, playing in the open when the sun was out to torture everyone didn’t sound appealing. There was also the issue of you needing to switch outfits, and you didn’t know if you wanted to take the effort of changing inside Sunghoon’s car. 

But kids had always been your weak spot and the little rascals were staring you down with their puppy eyes. 

You sighed. “Fine. We’re in.”

“I haven’t played in a while,” Sunghoon admitted. “I think it’s been over 6 months.” 

“I haven’t played since varsity girls either,” you said. The kids had left to take a break a few minutes ago and the court was empty save for the two of you.

You’d changed into his clothes, but the shirt was too long for you. So, you’d requested him to tie the extra into a knot at the back. Thankfully, the shorts could be tightened at the waist with lace. 

Sunghoon could get used to you wearing his wardrobe. 

He idly dribbled the ball the kids had given to him for safekeeping while you stretched your stiff muscles. “Then I guess we get to evaluate whose skills have become more rusty.”

“Free shots?” you asked, eyes alight with a competitive fire and a smirk tugging at your lips. “We can test our aim and get a feel of the baskets on this court. It would be a good warm-up exercise.”  

Sunghoon poked the inside of his cheek with his tongue. “Bring your camera here. Record me from up close. I’m going to go for a layup.”

“Wow,” you scoffed but did as you were told nonetheless. Before stepping onto the court, you’d filmed Sunghoon and yourself, explaining that you were about to play basketball with a bunch of kids. Naturally, you’d decided not to record the match in order to respect the privacy of the children. “Don’t you think you’re getting ahead of yourself? I’m telling you right now that I won’t care if you miss the shot. I will use it to humiliate you in the video.” 

Sunghoon rolled his eyes. 

You switched on the DSLR and pointed the lens at him. “We’re doing free shots till the kids come back from their break,” you said. “Hoon’s convinced he can land a layup even though he hasn’t touched a ball for several months.” 

“Don’t condescend me,” Sunghoon grumbled as he walked to the 3-pointer line. “It’s not like I’ve completely forgotten how to play. I’m pretty sure I can nail a simple shot.”

“We’ll see.”

“You know what,” he called. “I’m going to dedicate this layup to you so that when I make it, you’ll know not to doubt my athletic prowess.”

All you did was raise an eyebrow. 

“This one’s for you, babe!” Sunghoon announced and began running. The ball was a number 6—smaller than the size 7 he was used to. The grip was worn due to excessive use, but he still had complete control over it. 

However, he misjudged the distance from the hoop. He realised a second too late that he’d taken the first step of the layup later than he was supposed to. 

The ball collided against the rim and rebounded.

“Air ball!” you hollered and zoomed into Sunghoon’s face. “Athletic prowess found to be missing! What a shame!” 

His cheeks, along with the tips of his ears, were red with embarrassment. He couldn’t even bring himself to look into the camera after making such a big fool out of himself.

“I am begging you, Y/N. Can we please edit that part out?” 

“I’m kicking your ass, Park.”

“I suggest you take the over-confidence down a notch.” 

You smirked, dribbling the basketball in place. Sunghoon was blocking the way to your side of the court, and each of the kids on your team had a man on them. Playing in the sun for so long must have tired them out because no one was making an effort to get rid of the shield standing in front of them.

The last match was a 1v1 at this point.  

“I’m not in the habit of lying,” you said, and dribbled the ball from between his legs. 

Sunghoon cursed under his breath and chased after you, but you were speeding away from him faster than he could keep up. The layup was clean and effortless. You barely broke a sweat. 

“SUCK IT!” you screamed. “Your team is going down!” 

Sunghoon rolled his eyes. He watched your team—Hyun, Chul and Dae—do the victory dance you’d taught them. It was hilarious because none of you had any coordination. The arm wave move made it seem as though all of you were having a seizure. 

“We still have fifteen seconds of the match left,” he pointed out, and pat Iseul’s back in reassurance. “Don’t go celebrating just yet.” 

 “You’re four points behind. Just admit defeat,” Dae said. “We’ve won!” 

“We’re not surrendering,” Hajoon said angrily. “Sunghoon will make sure we win.”

“Boys!” you interrupted loudly. “Let’s finish the championship sportingly. We’re playing for fun.” 

Chul muttered something under his breath that Sunghoon and you chose to ignore. 

“Seojoon,” Sunghoon called quietly. “Now that we have possession of the ball, I need you to pass it to me from below. Then I need Hajoon and Iseul to gang up on Y/N. Don’t push or shove; just keep her away. The worst thing we can do is commit a foul. The rest of the boys won’t be a problem, but I’ll need Seojoon to act as my shield in case they try to take the ball from me. Do not let anyone come near me under any circumstances. I’m going to go for a 5-pointer.”

The trio audibly gasped. 

Iseul nervously asked, “Are you sure you can score?” 

“Not without the three of you helping me out.” Sunghoon nodded. “Y/N is quick and slippery. Keep your eye on her. We’ll lose if she gets possession of the ball. I’ll take care of the rest.” 

The boys let out a sound of agreement and dispersed, taking their respective positions. 

Sunghoon searched for you, and when your gazes met, he made a gesture of slitting his throat. This time, you rolled your eyes and dismissed him without a word. 

“Let’s start,” you announced with a clap and got into position. He noticed you were standing away from the basket. The rest of your team was too. It dawned on Sunghoon that you’d positioned everyone in a way that would prevent them from committing a foul which would grant his team free throws. 

It was smart and reasonable of you to think that way. Sunghoon wasn’t known for landing 5-pointers. Heck, he never even attempted them. He usually went for layups and 3-pointers. 

Focusing on the game, he took a deep breath. Seojoon passed the ball at him as soon as you yelled Go!

Sunghoon dribbled to your side of the court immediately. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw you hesitate, but your mouth parted in realisation the second you caught onto what he was doing. 

“Stay on her!” he yelled at Iseul and Hajoon. “Don’t let her go.”

Sunghoon dodged the rest of your teammates. Seojoon wasn’t doing a good job at keeping them away, but he didn’t have enough time to dwell on it. He could do this by himself as long as you were out of the picture. 

Sunghoon eyed the basket and bent at his knees, gathering enough momentum to jump. He’d been hitting the gym more often, and he hoped to God his hard work wouldn’t fail him at such a crucial time. 

Exhaling once, Sunghoon jumped and let the ball fly across the court. The moment the ball was out of his hands, you crashed into him, knocking him to the ground and falling on top of him. 

“Ow,” he muttered, his arm wrapping itself around your waist on instinct. “That’s foul play.” 

Before you could bite back, Sunghoon heard someone scream, “No way! Sunghoon did it!” 

Sunghoon grinned and craned his neck to look at his teammates. A laugh tumbled past his lips when he saw them doing the floss dance and playfully teasing the losing team.

The sound of your groan made him avert his attention to you. You’d raised your head to find out whether Sunghoon had made the basket, and upon realising that you’d lost the match, you let it fall on his chest again. “Man,” you grumbled in defeat.

“Aw,” Sunghoon teased. “It happens to the best of us.”

“Who asked?”

Snorting, Sunghoon loosened his grip around your waist. Rolling off him, you laid down on your back in the middle of the court next to him. “Am I supposed to buy you ice cream now?” 

He checked his watch before answering, “Nah. Let’s go home and freshen up. It’s almost time for my date.”

“The beach,” you marvelled. Both of you were standing on a cliff overlooking the expanse of sand and water. “I should have guessed.” 

Sunghoon agreed. It shouldn’t have been hard to pinpoint the venue of the date once he’d requested you to wear shorts and sandals. However, your obliviousness had worked in his favour. 

The entire thing was supposed to be a surprise. It was supposed to sweep you off your feet.

He averted his attention from the ocean to find that you were already staring at him. A soft smile was adorning your face, and with the breeze ruffling your unbound hair, you looked nothing short of a fairy tale. 

“Do you remember the last time we came here?” you inquired, and returned your gaze to the view again. Sunghoon didn’t bother to take his eyes off you—he couldn’t take his eyes off you. The reflection of the sunset in your irises was too intoxicating. “Jay, Jake, Yizhuo and Isa were with us. We spent the entire night talking around a bonfire. I couldn’t keep myself awake once the clock struck two. You tucked me close and let me rest my head on the space between your shoulder and neck. You kissed my forehead and promised me you’d wake me up in a few hours.” 

Sunghoon didn’t say anything. He only kept staring at the image of the sunset in your eyes—the way the ocean consumed the ball of fire the same way his love for you consumed his very being. 

Love shouldn’t hurt this much, he thought. It shouldn’t be this painful.  

“I remember the way you smelt,” you continued. “Like vanilla and sandalwood. I remember wanting to pull you closer because you also smelt like home. I hated moving to a new city for college. I missed our hometown. I missed life being simpler. I missed the old times. But those brief moments before I fell asleep reminded me that not everything had changed. The clumsy boy I’d met in kindergarten was still with me. Sure, he was a bigger pain in my ass than he had been when we were kids, but he hadn’t left my side even once. And I knew he wouldn’t for a long time.”

“You’ve been the only constant in my life, Sunghoon,” you mumbled and turned your body towards his. Snaking your arms around his waist, you pulled him into a hug. “Thank you for being a good friend to me. I love you.”

And though Sunghoon knew you didn’t mean it the way he wished you did, he returned your embrace and confessed, “I love you too.” 

“What the fuck?” you whispered and let go of Sunghoon’s hand to jog ahead. “WHAT THE FUCK? IS THAT A CANDLELIGHT DINNER?” 

Laughing in amusement, he pocketed his hands and watched you freak out. The beach was usually crowded at this hour, but he’d asked Jake—the surfer of their group—if there was anywhere he could spend the evening undisturbed. 

“Your eyes do not deceive you,” he joked as he approached you. “I know it’s kind of corny, but this was the most romantic date setting I could think of.”

“Corny?” you exclaimed incredulously. “This is amazing!” Nudging him with your elbow, you teased, “I didn’t know you had it in you.” 

“You would have known a lot more if you’d asked me out before,” Sunghoon smirked, a suggestive undertone to his comment. “But I suppose we can make do with what we have now.”

You snorted. “You’re insufferable.” Then added, “I don’t want to shoot us having dinner here. Maybe I’ll just film the date set-up and our outfits, but I think I want this evening to remain between us only.”

“Oh.” Sunghoon raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, sure, that works for me. Do you want me to get your camera?” 

The next five minutes were spent recording the date he had organised. The food was prepared by Jay, whose chef father had taught him a thing or two before the boy moved to the city for college. Sunghoon had dragged Yizhuo and Isa with him to shop for decor. 

They’d bought a soft blanket which was now spread on the sand. He’d also purchased six couch pillows to make the setting cosier. Fairy lights covered the perimeter of the throw. 

The coffee table Sunghoon had stolen from himself and brought to the beach was filled with all kinds of your favourite food, a scented candle burning in the centre of it. 

Since he’d known he couldn’t escape you to set up everything that he’d planned, he’d begged his friends to do it for him. Obviously, they’d teased him about it on their group chat, but he’d ignored them the way he always did. 

“I have another surprise,” Sunghoon popped as the two of you settled down on opposite sides of the table. “I don’t know if you’re going to be up for it though.”

“Is it the wine?” you asked, eyeing the corked bottle partially hidden under one of the pillows. “Because I saw it long back, and I am all for getting drunk.” 

Sunghoon chuckled. “Nah, it’s not the wine, but yeah, we’re getting drunk. There’s absolutely no doubt about it. But,” he continued, “I’d been going through Pinterest to search for date ideas when I called you in the middle of your movie a few nights ago. After our talk, I remembered you’d made this board with Karina when you were a thirteen-year-old.”

You gasped and reached over the table to smack his arm. “You stalked my Pinterest?! That is so uncool! There’s tons of embarrassing shit on there! I should have privated those boards when I had the chance,” you muttered to yourself. 

“Then I wouldn’t have rented a projector for us to watch a movie after we finish dinner.” Sunghoon grinned cheekily. “We are not watching some sappy romcom though,” he warned. “Soap2Day came in clutch so we can watch Suzume or Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3. Your choice.”

Your mouth parted in surprise. For a few moments, you didn’t say anything. With a raised eyebrow, Sunghoon watched you struggle to form the words. “Okay, I know it was creepy to stalk you on Pinterest—” 

“NO!” you blurted, your eyes widening. “It’s not creepy! I just—No one has ever done anything of this sort for me. I don’t know what to say except… thank you.”

Before he could reply, you buried your face in your hands, and muttered, “Gosh, I sound so ungrateful, but I really do appreciate it. More than I can express.” Raising your head, you looked straight into his eyes. “I have this extremely strong urge to kiss you right now. Would it be fine with you if I acted on it?”

Sunghoon stopped breathing. His smile dropped, and his heart skipped a beat. The entire world could have crumbled, and he would have remained frozen in place, trying to make sense of what you’d just said. 

“W—what?” he croaked. 

You broke off the eye contact and dropped your gaze to the ground. “Sorry. That was stupid of me—”

“Yes,” Sunghoon breathed. “Yes, it would be fine with me.” 

You exhaled, appearing visibly relieved, and that somehow made him feel better about the sharp turn the evening had taken. Of course, he was thrilled you wanted to kiss him, but part of him couldn’t help but wonder if you’d regretted voicing your thoughts. 

Licking your lips, you unfolded your legs and scooted away from the table. Instead of standing up, you got on your knees and made your way towards him.

Sunghoon also moved away from the table to make space for you, and once you reached him, you swung your legs on either side of him. Straddling his lap, you towered over him. 

Snaking your arms around his shoulder, you glanced at his mouth. 

Even though it was driving Sunghoon out of his mind to not close the distance between your lips, he let you take your time. You traced your thumb across his lower lip and then shifted your hand to the back of his neck. 

Weaving your fingers through his hair, you let your eyes flutter shut and lowered your mouth over his. 

Sunghoon’s entire universe exploded into shards of molten light. A tidal wave of emotions crashed into him, setting his nerves on fire and making fireworks explode inside his chest.

The boy couldn’t have kissed you back any faster. Tilting his head to the side, he pulled you closer by the nape. 

Settling in his lap, you tugged at his hair, the nails of your other hand digging into his shoulder. 

A groan slipped past Sunghoon’s lips. God, he’d coveted the taste of you for so long, and now that he was finally kissing you, he realised he’d never estimated the magnitude of his love for you accurately before. 

Because this… this was everything. Sunghoon felt on top of the world, and pure euphoria was coursing through his veins. He couldn’t get enough of you. A single kiss would never be enough to satiate him. The floodgates were thrown open, and the thought of this being a one-time, impulsive thing made his gut twist painfully. 

He knew he needed to tell you. Right here, right now, he needed to tell you the truth. 

“Y/N.” Sunghoon gasped, breaking the kiss. He was leaning back now, his weight resting on his left elbow. The desperation and urgency with which you’d come onto him had been more than he could handle. “I need to tell you something.” 

Your eyes remained glued to his lips and there was a tinge of disappointment on your face. As if you didn’t want to stop. As if you wanted to keep going. 

With a jolt, it dawned on him that you probably wanted him just as much as he wanted you.  

The epiphany alone was enough for Sunghoon to consider ditching his plan of confessing his feelings and instead close the distance between your mouths again. But, he steeled his nerves and pushed himself into a sitting position.

He didn’t bother asking you to get up from his lap nor did he bother removing his left hand from your waist. If this confession went sideways, he’d end up losing you anyway. 

“What is it?” you whispered, your disappointed expression giving way to concern and nervousness. “Did I go too far? I’m sorry—”

“Stop,” Sunghoon ground out. “Please stop. Let me speak.” 

You pursed your lips, but he could tell you were scared shitless. There was fear in your eyes, and he hated making you feel as though you’d done something wrong when you’d given him the one thing he’d wanted more than anything else.

“I…” Sunghoon started, forcing himself to find the courage to say the words. “Y/N, I love you.” 

There it was. He’d done it. The cat was out of the bag, and all he could do now was wait with bated breath. 

Your mouth parted open, but no sound came out of it. Your face was unreadable. It was void of any emotion. Swallowing the lump in his throat, Sunghoon tore his gaze from yours and let out a humourless laugh. “Right. That’s okay—”

But then he felt your hands grabbing his jaw, making him pin his attention on you again. 

There was pure, unadulterated joy on your countenance, a wide smile adorning your lips. “I love you too,” you breathed. “Oh, my God, Sunghoon, I love you too.” 

Sunghoon blinked. “What?” he mumbled, his mouth set in a pout due to your squishing his cheeks. 

You leaned forward and pressed a chaste kiss to his puckered lips. “I love you too,” you repeated. 

Gripping your hands, Sunghoon removed them from his face and stared up at you in bewilderment. “You’re serious?” 

“Hasn’t it been obvious to you?”

“Hasn’t it been obvious to you?” he shot back. “I’ve loved you since high school.”

You snorted. “So have I.” 

“Sophomore year.”

“Same.”

“I knew right after the homecoming ball.”

“Sucker!” you exclaimed. “I knew right after the game!” 

Sunghoon frowned. “It’s not a competition, Y/N,” he said, and then added, “But if it were, I would win. The amount of effort I’ve put into hiding my feelings is insane.”

“Sure,” you drawled. “That’s why all my followers keep saying it’s clear you’re in love with me.”

The tips of his ears turned red in embarrassment. “You saw the comments?” 

“Of course I did,” you answered, your voice soft. “I just never believed them. The notion never seemed possible. Isn’t it crazy how it was real this entire time?” 

Sunghoon chuckled. “We’re idiots.”

“We are,” you said, smiling at him in affection. “To be honest, I wouldn’t have ever said anything about what I truly felt if you hadn’t found the courage to confess to me.” 

“I know, I know,” you defended and rolled your eyes when he gave you a pointed look. “I did ask if I could kiss you. Trust me, I was more surprised than you were. Heck, I was fully prepared to play it off by spouting some bullshit in case you said no. What you did for me, Sunghoon… I couldn’t keep the urge inside me anymore. I didn’t care about the consequences. I didn’t care that there would be no turning back—I knew I had to take the risk. And I’m glad that I did.”

Sunghoon’s heart swelled with joy. “Me too.”

“Wait,” you said quickly. “How’d you know you were in love with me?”

Rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly, he answered, “While we were dancing at homecoming. You didn’t have a single move in you, but you didn’t wanna be the only one not dancing, so you started doing what you’d learnt in Zumba. It was hilarious—watching you be clueless but still killing it on the dance floor. It made me proud of you, but more than that, it made me realise what I felt for you.” 

“Aw,” you cooed. “That’s really sweet of you, but I definitely knew what I was doing.”

“Let’s not ruin the moment by lying to each other.”

“You’re such a dork!” 

“It’s your turn now!” Sunghoon grinned. “Tell me!”

“Okay, but you have to promise not to judge me,” you warned. “My story is embarrassing.” 

Locking his pinkie with yours, he promised, “I won’t.”

“Remember how you sat with Yeojin at the game?” you asked, to which Sunghoon nodded. “Well, I’d been saving seats for us. I fought a lot of people to keep the seat next to me vacant, but you didn’t even acknowledge me when I called your name. Yeojin caught hold of you, and you went to sit with her without bothering to check if I was around.” Shrugging, you mumbled, “That made me mad and jealous and upset. Not just at her, but at both of you. I’d never been possessive over my friends, and I’d never felt such ugly emotions before. There was only one reasonable explanation.”

Sunghoon’s eyebrows flew up. “Woah. I’m sorry for what I did.”

“Nah, it’s cool. It was loud at the game and I don’t think you heard me.” You laughed and waved him away. “I was being petty. And I know it’s not cute like your story, but that was what made me realise there was a chance I loved you.”

“Cute or not, that was the best story I’ve ever heard,” he said cheekily. “Also, don’t get me wrong—I would love nothing more than have you sit in my lap, but I think we should finish dinner first. Let’s finish what you started once we’re done eating.”

Your eyes widened, and you scrambled away from him. “Right.”

“Wait!” Sunghoon grabbed your wrist before you could get up and go back to the other side of the table. “The asters—what do they signify?” 

You smiled and leaned closer to his face, pressing the gentlest of kisses to his cheek. 

“Love.” 

[f1byjessie]

A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS ━━ LN4.

sometimes the right words are hard to come across, and sometimes everything you need to say can be captured in an image.

( lando norris x photographer!reader )

━━ part seven.

INSTAGRAM.

liked by mancity, oscarpiastri, and 431,912 others

tagged: mancity

yourusername february has come too soon… thank you to these wonderful lads for all they’ve done for me in the short time i’ve gotten to work with them. i’ve been a manchester city girlie my whole life, and getting to see the time and effort all of these men have devoted to this team and this sport ensures i’ll stay a manchester city girlie for the rest of it. but it’s lights out and away we go, and it’s time i get myself back into some papaya 🧡

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mancity Training won’t be the same without you!

↳ yourusername can’t say i’ll miss all the times i was nearly clocked in the head by a ball, but i’ll definitely miss all the happy smiles 🩵

↳ mancity And we’ll miss yours! 🩵

jackgrealish you better not forget about us

↳ yourusername as if i ever could!! i’ll even wear sky blue in the paddock on match days if i have to 🫢

↳ mclaren 😨

↳ jackgrealish real talk though, it was wonderful working with you. you’re an incredibly skilled photographer and having you around was loads of fun. we’ll miss you lots, but we’ll be cheering you on with the mclaren lads

↳ yourusername you’re gonna make me cry grealo 😭

erling.haaland we will miss you! 

mclaren Can’t wait to have you back in the garage with us Y/N! We’ve been missing you around here 🧡

↳ yourusername can’t wait to be back! i’ve missed you dearly mclaren admin

↳ mclaren Our love has grown stronger with the distance 😌

↳ yourusername that it has 😉

kevindebruyne great time working with you! best of luck with your future endeavors 😁👍

oscarpiastri you look better in orange anyways

↳ yourusername since when were you a fashion expert??

↳ oscarpiastri it’s better if i don’t say… 😔

philfoden you gotta come have one last celebration with us before you go!

↳ yourusername if i did that, i’m pretty sure i’d be too hungover to make it to my other job

↳ philfoden maybe that’s the plan 👀👀 if you can’t get there then you’re stuck with us

chloekelly come work with the girlies next time babes! we’re jealous the boys hogged you all for themselves ��

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tagged: oscarpiastri, landonorris, yourusername

mclaren the muses and the artist

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yourusername i had no idea this was being taken…

↳ mclaren We felt the need to share your beauty with the world! 😁

↳ yourusername you just wanted to show me off and prove i’m back with mclaren

↳ mclaren And if we did? 😁

oscarpiastri when the photographer becomes the photographed

user THE LADS AND LADY ARE BACK

user y/n is my favourite part of f1 actually sorry mclaren 🫣🫣🫣

↳ user i think the admin understands with the way they flirt in the comments lmao

user 🧡🧡 MCLAREN 2024 WORLD SUPREMACY 🧡🧡

user i’ve been following y/n’s stint over with the football club and i’ve been so jealous waiting for her to come back to mclaren!! her photos are on a whole different level of skill and i can’t wait to see oscar and lando’s smiling faces in her style again!!

user awww i’m kinda sad she left man city, i really liked her work and it was like a crossover of my two favourite sports teams ☹️

↳ user me too, but if she worked during the off season with them then she might do it again next year or during the summer

↳ user i think the 24/25 premier league season starts up again in mid august, but the f1 summer off season is supposed to end in late august so i don’t think that would really give her enough time to start a gig

↳ user that’s a shame

↳ user not necessarily! footballers do get a bit of a break to take vacations and recover mentally and physically during the summer, but a lot of them are back at their clubs a good chunk of time before the new season starts. assuming man city makes it to the finals in the champions league, their last confirmed scheduled match will be on june 1st, and the 24/25 premier league season starts on august 17th, which means they’ll probably be back at etihad in late july/early august if not sooner

↳ user at the very least, i hope her time with man city has gotten more people interested in f1 🙌

↳ user i’m not too sure… when she started dating ward apparently there was lots of backlash from city fans so who knows what the overall perception of her is over there

↳ user still shocked about that, i had kinda thought her and lando were together since they seem so close 🤔🤔

user mclaren admin please post more y/n behind the scenes bc she doesn’t post herself enough and we always love to see her 🙏🙏🙏

↳ user REAL

landonorris looking good! 😁🧡

↳ user what a bland comment…

↳ user bro gives us radio silence for weeks and THIS is what he comes back with..?

↳ user trouble in paradise methinks 🧐

user haven’t seen any of the garrett ward stans causing a stir in these comments which either means war is over or the mclaren admin isn’t taking any shit and is deleting them, in which case good on you mclaren admin for defending your wonderful official unofficial gf 😩😩

↳ user mclaren admin is better at protecting their official unofficial gf than garrett ward is at protecting is actual official gf 🤨

There’s a certain sense of rightness that comes from being back amidst the McLaren staff dressed in the bright papaya orange. Manchester City had been a fun adventure, and you hadn’t been lying when you told the team you’d miss working with them, but Formula One is where you belong and that had become more and more apparent as the last days of January came to an end.

The last couple of weeks had been nice. The boys had thrown you a small party on your last day, with a cake that they all spent a good hour running off afterwards. Jack had made you promise to keep in touch, and you planned on holding true to that and keeping him updated with selfies from each of the Grand Prix locations at the very least.

The dates with Garrett had worked as planned, his agent was already claiming that just you two being spotted together more than once was doing wonders for his reputation, and Garrett had been treating you civilly since then. You still resented him for how exactly he’d forced you into this situation, but you’ve managed to find a middle ground of at least appreciating what the arrangement can also do for you.

As for Lando, you hadn’t yet gotten any confirmation about how things were going with your plan. Apart from refusing to meet your eye all day and resolutely staring either into the camera or anywhere that wasn’t you, he’d been professional.

Things felt like they did back in 2019━ back when you were convinced he was just an arrogant, pretentious, self-righteous prick with a complex. You’re torn between hating every moment of it and feeling wickedly vindicated by forcing him to acknowledge the consequences of his own actions.

At the very least, however, you have Oscar.

You’d gotten to know him relatively well in 2023, not to the same extent that you knew Lando of course, but Oscar had filled a brother-shaped hole in your heart that you hadn’t even known was there. His teasing was shy at first, like he wasn’t sure if he was allowed to act that way with you, but the ribbing you’d given back had been assurance enough and he’d been a steady presence at your side ever since, cracking jokes at your expense.

There’s an unspoken agreement between the two of you that you both act as an escape. It was never acknowledged, it kind of just came to be as you both got to know one another, but you’re to Oscar what Oscar is to you━ the person you can go to when you need to pretend your more serious problems don’t exist and when you don’t really want anyone asking questions.

That’s why it surprises you when Oscar asks, “What’s going on between you and Lando?”

There’s nobody else in the car park, the sky is dark and most of the staff have already gone home or━ in the case of a few engineers━ won’t be leaving until the sun is rising tomorrow morning. The silence makes Oscar’s voice sound a bit louder, a bit harsher, a bit more like being doused in cold water.

It’s easy enough to ignore the reality of the problems between you and Lando when you hide behind your frustration. It’s even easier when Lando is so frustratingly good at pissing you off and keeping you in a haze of annoyance that perpetuates your justification of letting the tension linger. It’s hard to miss the closeness when you’re too busy being angry at him.

But the quiet emptiness of the world around you now gives you nothing to hide behind and nowhere to run━ not from Oscar’s scary perception, which has never before been locked on to you.

“Not really sure what you mean,” you answer after a moment. “Me and Lando are fine.”

It sounds as fake as it is.

“Yeah,” he scoffs. “Because whatever that tension was today was totally ‘fine.’”

The only real downside to having Oscar fill the brotherly role in your life is that he can be just as annoying as one.

You heave a sigh and shrug, “I don’t really know what you want me to say.”

“Try starting from the beginning.”

You’re at your car now, with your keys in your hand. It would be easy to get in, drive away, and ignore it all. That’s what you and Oscar use each other for anyway━ it’s your dynamic. If you really told him to drop it, you know he would. A single word would make it all go away and you could show up tomorrow morning still pretending like nothing’s different.

But the only other person who knows about everything with Garrett is Jack, and you don’t have him anymore.

So you do. You start from the beginning.

“I’m not actually dating Garrett Ward,” you say. If Oscar’s shocked at the revelation, he doesn’t show it. His face is calm and blank, and it reassures you to continue. “He needed someone to be his pretend girlfriend so he could fix his reputation, and he blackmailed me into agreeing by threatening to make up rumors that would ruin my career.”

You lean against the side of your car, fiddling with your keys. “Right after it happened, I kept trying to reach Lando. Nobody else knew and I was alone and afraid━ I didn’t know what to do but I thought that he, as my best friend, would at least be able to help me calm down and rationalize. But he never answered me.”

Oscar hums.

“When he did finally call━” you bite down on your lip when you feel tears burn at the back of your eyes, “━he berated me the entire time and asked how dumb I had to be to date Garrett of all people. Then, he proceeded to tell me exactly what people online had to say about me and my choices. He didn’t even give me a chance to explain what was going on.”

You heave out a sigh and tip your head back until you’re staring up at the never-ending expanse of the night sky. The clouds from earlier are still there, blocking out the stars and leaving it all an abyss of black.

“He still hasn’t apologized,” you mutter, sniffling. “He hasn’t said a word to me since then.”

Oscar’s quiet for another moment. He’s got his hands shoved into his pockets, and his eyes are focused on where he’s kicking the toe of his shoe down against the pavement. The tap, tap, tap is all there is for a moment, and then he hums again.

“Lando can be a real twat sometimes.”

You burst into laughter, startled. You give Oscar an incredulous look, and he shrugs.

“I mean,” he starts again, “he’s a good dude, but sometimes he can just be stupid. He does something dumb and even though he knows he’s wrong, he doesn’t know what to do about it or how to make it better, so he doesn’t do anything and just hopes that it’ll fix itself on its own.”

You nod. “That sounds pretty accurate.”

Oscar lets himself rest beside you, pulling his hands from his pockets so he can cross his arms. “I’m not saying you need to let this go, but talk to him, yeah? He was able to dodge your calls and texts, but you’re here now and he can’t dodge a face to face conversation for forever.”

“I was gonna try and really sell things with Garrett to rub it in his face,” you admit.

It makes Oscar laugh, and then you’re both laughing and it feels good to have this again.

“You know,” you breathe out when you eventually fade back into silence. “I think I’m in love with him.”

“Garrett?”

“No. Lando.”

Oscar hums.

“I think one of the reasons his whole spiel pissed me off so much is that I’ve been pining after him for years now, pushing it down so that I don’t ruin things or make it awkward━ trying to get over him,” you rub at your eyes, pressing as if it’ll erase the memory of what Lando’s grin looks like and how warm it makes you feel when you’re the one who puts it there. "But then he goes and does things like this and it frustrates me but it also gives me hope that maybe he feels the same way, because why would he get so upset about this if he didn’t?”

“I think you should really talk with him,” is all Oscar says, before pushing off from your car and walking away.

━━ tags: @maih23 @urfavnoirette @leclercsluv @f1luvur @formulaal @a-disturbing-self-reflection @starlightpierre @chezmardybum @marshmummy @405rry @sideboobrry11 @d3kstar @mcmuppet @happylittlereader @casperlikej @5starl1ght @bellezaycafe @whentheautumnleavesfall @mess-is-my-aesthetic @ssprayberrythings @landosgirlxoxo @lifelessfan @81ja @wcnorris @a-disturbing-self-reflection (CLOSED).

━━ a/n: i have mixed opinions on how this part came out. it's a bit filler-y, but trying to include anything more would make this singular part longer than i want it to be. but it's also very late (early?) at the moment and i've been staring at this for hours trying to get it done up as fast as i can, so perhaps that's why. anyway, i hope you enjoy!

[sunburnacoustic]

14/08/2004  Muse forced to cancel Curiosa dates We are very sad to confirm that due to an injury Chris has sustained to his wrist, Muse have been forced to cancel their remaining three shows of the Curiosa festival. We apologize to all those looking forward to seeing the band in Chicago, Dallas and Houston, but the injuries are such that Chris is unable to play these dates. The band have just returned to London and Chris is currently receiving medical attention. We will of course keep you informed on this matter as soon as we have any news. Thanks so much for you patience and understanding at this time.

-------------

21/08/2004  Muse to play V! Muse are going to take the stage at the V Festivals tonight and tomorrow despite Chris being unable to play the bass. Morgan Nicholls has kindly stepped in and busted a gut learning the parts over the past few days. Full respect to him. Chris will be there and involved on stage. We hope those that are coming enjoy the spectacle! Confirmation of Muse playing Wiessen Festival in Austria and the Saint-Cloud Festival in France later this week will we be given after V.

------------

24/08/2004  Confirmation of Forthcoming Gigs Muse are pleased to confirm that they will be playing '2 days a week' in Wiesen, Austira on 26/08/2004 and 'Rock en Seine' in Saint-Cloud, France on 28/08/2004. All Australian and New Zealand dates will also go ahead as planned in early September. Morgan Nicholls has kindly agreed to cover for Chris until the fracture in his wrist has healed.

------------

09/09/2004  Chris back on the bass

The Australian tour is going really well. The cities, people and response to the shows are a real pleasure. Chris has now stepped back onto the stage with his loving bass around the neck and is playing full shows with his plaster cast. Having picked it up for a few songs in Wiesen and Paris before coming out here, in Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne he's been somehow going up and down the fret for the whole show and clearly pleased to be back and rocking. We're more than happy to say we've still got Morgan Nicholls with us, on standby should Chris' arm falls off. Morgan stepped in playing bass at the V and some European festivals. He's a talent and a touring inspiration. So Morgan, cheers you fiend. A real nice show coming up in Sydney, check back for some photos and footage from it soon. Meanwhile there's some shots from the V festival at Stafford to keep someone going.

------------

30/09/2004  From Morgan... A huge thanks goes out to the Muse family.. band, crew and fans alike for making me feel so welcome over the last few weeks.. It was a pleasure and a privilege to be asked to fill in for chris and I only hope I did him and his noodling some justice, given the 3-4 days of rehearsal time. I shall miss you all and as much as I would of loved to hang out and get into trouble for the rest of the tour...my kidneys need a new bra and I would hate to have been the one responsible for any more hitches !!! Anyway I hope the rest of the year goes well and is as much fun.... lots of love and get well soon! cheers Morgan PS:(I should also thank Mike Skinner for being such a geez and letting me miss a few Streets gigs at such short notice...cheers mate!)

-------------

Developments on Chris' broken wrist in 2004 (chronologically), taken from archives of the news section of muse.mu.

Chris was indeed involved on stage, I believe he was on the keys?

[furby-organist]

// REGARDING THE EXTERMINATION BROADCAST, A MUSE COMPARISON, LOCAL ALASTOR VS. ALLIE.

I didn't do much this past year, but since 2020, the Annual Extermination has been a very fun blog event because Local Alastor broadcasts the entire 24 hours. It's his day to SHINE! He reports on the whereabouts of exorcists, reports on the crackhead behavior that sinners are doing (à la Florida Hurricane Party shenanigans), takes song requests, has sinners call in and chat/shout-out/share stories, and very importantly, documents what people are seeing on the ground. One year, someone reported that the exorcists couldn't go near an antique shop. His broadcast documents stuff like this for the researchers who study exorcists and how to defeat them.

It's his day to feel helpful, one day a year where everyone is far more afraid of another threat (the exorcists) than they are of him. He's everyone's friend that day. He's a man of the people like how radio is the medium of the people. Man, Hell SUCKS and he can't stop the end of the world but he sure can turn it into a party! He can keep everyone's morale high! He can't stop the genocide but he certainly can broadcast & DJ his own genocide! Joy is a tool of resistance anyway! Refusing to succumb to despair is a form of resistance!

So he broadcasts. He suspects that it puts him in the line of fire. I think his exterminator 'ex' somewhat confirmed as much. Maybe he'll die and be free from his eternal boredom. He thinks about it. If he's going to die, he wants to die on air. He wants a glorious death and he wants it broadcasted.

So, that's on Alexa.

Allie, on the other hand -- she stopped doing extermination broadcasts a while ago.

She knows that they put her in the line of fire. She doesn't want to die, like at all. Not passively. Hell sucks but she's good at making lemonade out of lemons, much better than Alexa, actually, and she has a lot of lemonade left to make. She feels like she has a new lease on life and she deserves to get some more mileage out of her existence!

She's also seen an uglier side of the sinner population than Alexa has, anyway, and she's like "very few of you deserve me putting myself in the line of fire for your stupid asses anyway" so for the past however many years, she's done shit like gigs at rich doomsday prepper shelters. Fun shit. She really has a good time!

But she's considering picking the broadcast back up. Part of her still feels like it's her duty to humanity as Thee Radio Host, even if the humans around her are a self-selecting group of the worst ones. It was a fun broadcast when she did it. And she's feeling like a bit of a coward now. The Opposition is escalating by doing Genocide 2: Electric Boogaloo. Maybe this is her time to get back to resisting, instead of hiding.

[lgcmanager]

MODELING MISSION 018

SCHEDULE TYPE:TRIMESTER ( PART 1 OUT OF 1 ) SCHEDULE RESTRICTIONS: Cannot be paired with another trimester schedule, unless stated otherwise. for reference as to whether your muse is eligible for this event, please click over HERE.

all of the models are called to a meeting with their managers, NAM JINHO, CHOI INYOUNG, and KANG DONGHA. not wanting to waste any time, the managers begin going through everything that will be happening in the new term.

DORMS

“in the past terms, we’ve allowed everyone who has joined legacy agency the option to stay in dorms or find their own place. however, due to the incident that happened a while back and how our bosses have been telling us to be ever so more watchful towards all of you, we’ve changed our rules. similar to last term, every person who joins the subsidiary will stay in the dorms for one term. if you have been under probation before, then that will last two terms — one for the term where you were under probation and another to follow every new person that joins us.” INYOUNG pauses to look at JINHO, who then continues on with the explanation.

“for the ones that have gone through one term in this path without any warnings, punishments, or scandals during that time, they will be given the option to live offsite. those of you confirmed to stay will be able to move into your new dorms starting from today. otherwise, for those of you who have chosen to stay in your own place, you will need to pack up and leave your current dorms starting from today as well. and just like AECHA has said in the past, just because you aren’t under our watch 24/7 anymore does not mean that you can go crazy. if we hear of any inappropriate behavior, you will be immediately brought back to the dorms.” JINHO looks at each one of the models, making sure that they know and are aware of the new dorm changes.

SNS

INYOUNG transitions to the next topic on their agenda, “for all of the individuals who joined the modeling path, it’s a necessity for them to have sns presence especially with the projects and opportunities presented to you. but this is a privilege we only give to so many people. so for some of the lucky individuals, you are permitted to have a PUBLIC INDIVIDUAL INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT. if you fail to abide by the rules or cause trouble, you account will immediately be terminated, no questions asked.”

DEBUT CONTRACT

“now we’re almost done with the basics, but there’s one legal matter that we have to cover right now.” INYOUNG turns to look at DONGHA, who is giving the contracts to some of the models. “please read and review through the new terms and conditions. once you are done, sign and return the contract to me or JINHO as soon as possible. it doesn’t have to be done right now, but the sooner the better because your modeling career will be starting soon and we want to make sure this is done in a seamless manner.”

( this is just an ic note, there is no need to submit this ooc )

FANSITE ( OPEN EVENT 6 ) & BIRTHDAY ( OPEN EVENT 7 )

for the ones that have joined the path, they will be eligible to participate in OPEN EVENTS 6 and 7.

MODEL BRANDS PART 2

information about this will be in a separate post, so please look forward to that!

LGC STYLE SEASON 2

INYOUNG begins with the first and quick announcement for all of the models, “as some of you may have heard, there will be a second season of LGC STYLE. it’s a different concept compared to the first season, but we suggest ALL of you to participate in the show.”

more information about this will be in the VARIETY SHOWS/LGC STYLE posts, but as mentioned, all of the models ( ic ) will be suggested to participate in it. ooc wise, the models do NOT need to meet the minimum 30 points in variety and hosting to join due to the show’s concept.

MODELING CONTRACT RENEWALS

“this is more towards JINSEO, JINYOUNG, and SANGHYUN,” INYOUNG turned her head slowly to the three models. “since the previous contract for your individual gigs have ended, we’ve been told by the brands that all of your contracts will be renewed. with this new campaign, you will be a part of those brands until the end of the year.”

congratulations to JINSEO, JINYOUNG, and SANGHYUN! for completing the requirements all of you will be continuing being a model for the brands until the end of DECEMBER. each of the brands have specific schedules in mind, so please take that into consideration when doing the writing requirement(s) for this.

all three of them will be asked to promote their brands ( JINSEO – KOOKMIN BANK, JINYOUNG – LOTTE WORLD WATER PARK, SANGHYUN – SAMSONITE ) for at least ONE episode in their personal channels ( ic ). the models will be asked to advertise their brands in creative ways ( the product placement must be around 1-3 minutes ) and before their episode is aired on their channel, it will be sent to their respective brands to make sure that their product placement ad is acceptable. since the cfs and endorsements will not be posted until JUNE ( KOOMIN BANK – JUNE 7, LOTTE WATER PARK – JUNE 10, SAMSONITE – JUNE 11 ), please make sure that the product placement episode is filmed around that month.

in addition to that, they will be filming and taking photos for the commercial film/endorsement and behind the scenes. during the behind the scenes, they will be asking the models to vlog the experience and the video will be aired sometime around Q3.

REQUIREMENTS

make sure to use the hashtag lgc:mcrenewals for everything related to the modeling contract renewals. you have until JUNE 29, 2024 11:59 EDT, to complete the following requirement:

PPL: write a 250+ word solo about how your muse would have promoted their brand for their personal channel. please take into consideration what you think your muse’s personal channel is known for and find a connection between that and the brand that they are modeling for ( eg. having an episode about your muse’s favorite types of jewelry and then having an ad talking about how they like a jewelry brand that they are a model for ). if you want to, you could include this section into the personal channel solo and then link the personal channel solo for this. however, please make sure that you make some clear indication which part in the solo is the product placement AND the word count as well. completing this will earn you +5 MODELING and +13 NOTORIETY ! 

when you’re done, please submit the form below to the lgcpoints blog:

MUSE NAME ∙ MODELING CONTRACT RENEWALS- PPL: +5 modeling, +13 notoriety [ LINK ]

MODELING CASTING CALL

“as for everyone else, you will be given a chance to audition for some brands that may be interested in having you as their next model. in the next couple of weeks, we’ll be sending each of you notifications of the brands that are having their casting call and if you are interested in it, you can notify your manager beforehand and sign up for it.” INYOUNG then explains to the models the pertinent information as to how each of the models could sign-up if they’re interested in attending the casting call for the brand.

for HYUNHEE, JISOO, SEUNGHYUN, JIAH, and AMELIA, each of you will submit THREE brands that their muse would have attended for their casting calls. in character, these casting calls will happen throughout the term ( APRIL – JUNE ).

the three brands that you’ve submitted must NOT conflict with each other OR the current brands that your model is a part of ( as a model OR as a brand owner ).

you HAVE to be specific on the brands that you listed. for example, you cannot put lotte as one of the brands because there are multiple operations ( ex. lotte department store, lotte world, lotte rental, korea fujifilms ).

it is possible to put designer brands in the list, but ideally to increase your chances of getting picked it is best to diversify the brand choices. the best advice to go with this is to refer to your modeling portfolio post ( if you have done so ) and use the information there to help you gauge what brand(s) you think your muse would go to the casting call for.

please make sure to refer to the MODELING CONTRACTS tab to see how many slots your muse has available. if the slots get all filled up by the end of this deadline, then your muse will not be eligible for the next part of the casting call. we would strongly advise waiting until AFTER the model brands post has been posted to submit the form below.

in addition, if you have ONE slot available in the modeling contracts, you can fill up the form below and submit it to the lgcpoints blog before MAY 4, 2024 11:59PM EDT. 

MUSE NAME ∙ BRAND CASTING CALL - BRAND #1: [ name of the brand & product/service category ] - BRAND #2: [ name of the brand & product/service category ] - BRAND #3: [ name of the brand & product/service category ] - BRAND CASTING CALL REWARDS: +5 MODELING, +2 NOTORIETY

SANGHYUN’S FANMEETING

“the subsidiary will be announcing this publicly soon, but SANGHYUN’s fanmeeting is scheduled to be on FRIDAY, JUNE 14. if any of you are interested in attending the fanmeeting, please let me know beforehand since i will be the one handling SANGHYUN’s schedules in the meantime.” JINHO looked at SANGHYUN with a smile on his face.

similar to ‘the hidden enemy’ musical, any of the LGC models who attend the fanmeeting are free to post on their personal instagram accounts their attendance and support for the fanmeeting.

COLOR PHOTOSHOOT ( PART 2 ) 

“we’re happy to say that with the creative ideas the teams had, the magazines have decided to publish them in their own magazine for the upcoming issues!” JINHO reveals proudly before giving the models a bit more information about when their issues would be released.

all of the magazines listed below will be released on the first of the month:

TEAM CLAY BROWN + NYLON KOREA ( HYUNHEE, JINSEO, AMELIA ): MAY 2024 ISSUE

TEAM FIRE BRICK + 1ST LOOK ( JINYOUNG ): MAY 2024 ISSUE

TEAM LIGHT CYAN + BEAUTY+ ( SANGHYUN ): JUNE 2024 ISSUE

TEAM YELLOW GREEN + ARENA HOMME ( JISOO & SEUNGHYUN ): JUNE 2024 ISSUE

to help determine the success of these magazines, all of the MODELS will be participating in WRITING CHALLENGE 004. unlike some of the past challenges where the results will be factored into the music charts results, this writing challenge is cumulative and will contribute to the overall success of the magazine sales. depending on the posts and scores made as a group, this may open to future and bigger modeling opportunities for the models.

WRITING CHALLENGE 004 ( OPTIONAL )

the writing challenge has made an appearance once again! here’s a reminder of the rules: any thread replies ( with a minimum of 8 lines ) written between TODAY until JUNE 29, 2024 11:59PM EDT will be counted. text threads will not count for this challenge unless the post includes a paragraph of at least 8 lines. as for starters, you can only write a maximum of TWO for this to count. 

if you are interested in doing this, please tag all of the posts as lgc:wc004 and you have until JUNE 29, 2024 11:59PM EDT to participate and submit your posts for this event. when you’re done, please submit the form below to the lgcpoints blog:

MUSE NAME ∙ WRITING CHALLENGE 004 - POSTS COMPLETED: [ # of posts; do include how many starters were written in case you wrote one ] - POSTS: [ link all of the posts ]

[thetiredassistant]

— fill out with muse information —

ABOUT THE MUSE.

General.

Name: Jordyn Parks

Alias(es): Jordyn , Jor , Assistant , El Sabelotodo

Gender: FTM Male.

Age: 23

Date of Birth: Feb 13

Place of Birth: Lawrence, Kansas

Hometown: Madrid, Spain

Zodiac: Aquarius

Spoken languages: English and Spanish mainly, and Japanese

Sexual preference: Homosexual

Occupation: CEO assistant

Criminal record: Once. Breaking and entering during his college years. It was a misunderstanding (he was getting his band equipment)

Appearance.

Eye color: Green.

Hair color: Blond naturally with Blue tips.

Height: 177 cm.

Scars: Top Surgery Scars, but he hides those

Burns: None

Over weight: n/a.

Under weight: n/a.

Color: Orange and Blue

Song: I’ll Sleep When I Am Dead by Set it Off

Movie: dunno

T.V. Show: The Mentalist

Food: food, honestly

Drink: coffee.

Video Game: stardew valley

Has he…

Graduated high school: Yes he has

Had sex: Few Times

Had sex in public: No

Gotten someone pregnant: Cannot do that

Kissed a boy: Yes.

Kissed a girl: Yes, but only drunk while he was playing Spin the Bottle or Truth/Dare with Friends

Gotten tattoos: Nope

Gotten piercings: Bridge of his Nose, Above his left eye, and a bunch on both ears

Smoked/drank/done drugs: Only Once / Rarely / A Few Times

Had a broken heart: Not too bad

Been in love: No(t yet?)

Needed surgery: For his Top Scars

Stayed up for more than 24 hours: Yes. Multiple Times

Is he…

A virgin: No. CONTRARY to what people say

A cuddler: Only for people he feels comfortable with (Currently just Theresa and Cass)

A kisser: Yes, but prefers it privately

Scared easily: No.

Jealous easily: No.

Trustworthy: Not Really. He’s a good Ally to have and will help you if you are an Ally or a good friend. But ultimately , if push comes to shove— has one goal: to get him and Orión back safely. (And by extension, the Garcia family)

Dominant: Prefers to be

Submissive: If preferred to be

In love: No.

Single: Yes.

In a relationship: No, doesn’t have the time (Here or Home)

Considered mean: At times yes. Back home, he was friends with a lot of people in all departments but they knew not to mess with him.

Random questions.

Have you harmed yourself: No

Thought of suicide: Nope

Attempted suicide: Nada

Wanted to kill someone: No Yes

Killed someone: Yes, in a game

Drove a car: Yes.

Have/had a job: Yes, Had gigs in a band but now works for a company

Have any fears: Yes, but won’t say

Family.

Sibling(s):

— None; that he knows of

Parents:

— His Mother, Donna; was a good parent but not a good Mother. She loves him but does not believe that he is trans, and that created a toxic environment growing up. On Low Conract [ alive ]

— His Father is unknown, and can’t remember much of him. His mother complains that he was a terrible father and husband, and that’s why they left America [ alive? ]]

Children: None.

Pets: None.

Face Claim ; Joe Keery

[esoterium]

MUSES. list order: seasonal, marvel, sons of anarchy, twd, general horror, stephen king's universe, anne rice's novels, && others

–SEASONAL / FEATURED. may become permanent if they gather partners. i won’t delete seasonal and featured muses if i am writing with people and we have threads and plots!

none, atm. removed to moved to permanent depending on interest!

–MARVEL/MCU. 

name: steven grant rogers age: verse dependent sexual preference: bisexual occupation: captain america faceclaim: chris evans notes: heavily canon divergent in endgame. if you are curious on my development and writing style for steve, his main blog was/may be again found @shieldbound.

name: james buchanan barnes age: 19+ sexual preference: bisexual occupation: wwii sergeant, former winter soldier, assassin, wanderer. faceclaim: sebastian stan notes: a long running character for me that i miss terribly and need to write again. i just don't have the spoons to run a lot of blogs. he is near and dear to me. if you're curious about how much i've developed and love him, you can find my main blog for him here. @loyaltyworn

name: wanda maximoff age: verse dependent sexual preference: bisexual occupation: verse dependent faceclaim: timeline dependent notes: will write any time in mcu/wandavision timeline only.

–SONS OF ANARCHY.

name: jax teller age: 25+ sexual preference: straight occupation: soa member of various ranks, mechanic faceclaim: charlie hunnam notes: divergent past last episode

–THE WALKING DEAD.

name: paul ‘jesus’ rovia age: 27+ sexual preference: homosexual occupation: thief, survivalist, menace, reluctant leader of hilltop faceclaim: tom payne note: i do have an alternative take on the graveyard scene that gives him his comic ending on this blog cause eff that noise. a lot of my paul content is on his singular blog @nomadical and you're more than welcome to check out my headcanons and writing for him there!

–GENERAL HORROR.

name: stuart 'stu' macher age: 18-40+ sexual preference: bisexual occupation: infamously known accomplice to william 'billy' loomis, ghostface killer 2, serial killer, all reformed of course, it was a bad childhood and a whole lot of crazy video games without supervision--okay? recently released from a maximum security psychiatric hospital much to the public's outrage. faceclaim: matthew lillard fandom: scream

name: wilhelmina "mina" murray / harker age: 20+ sexual preference: bisexual occupation: schoolmistress, wife (in other verses can range from warrior to dracula's lover and wife to agent for the british secret service and leader of the league of extraordinary gentleman as i'll play both versions of her. bram's or league's!) faceclaim: winona ryder in bram stoker's / peta wilson in league fandom: bram stoker (default) / abc/dc/disney (pick one. all over the place.)

name: david mills age: 32+ sexual preference: straight , bi-curious (with plotting!) occupation: homicide detective faceclaim: brad pitt fandom: se7en

name: eric draven age: 24-28 living, 28+ post devil’s night sexual preference: bi-curious occupation: heavy metal guitarist, mechanic to pay the bills, backup/side gig singer if forced. faceclaim: brandon lee fandom: the crow

name: shelly webster age: 21+ sexual preference: bisexual occupation: photographer faceclaim: sofia shinas, morena baccarin fandom: the crow

–STEPHEN KING'S UNIVERSE.

name: daniel “danny” torrance age: 35+ sexual preference: straight, bicurious occupation: drifter, janitor, caregiver, blessed/cursed with the shining. faceclaim: ewan mcgregor fandom: the shining & doctor sleep, stephen king verses

–ANNE RICE'S NOVELS.

name: louis de pointe du lac age: 25, born 1766 sexual preference: demisexual occupation: former plantation owner (mortal and beginning of vampire life), owns real estate in and around new orleans mostly now under various pseudonyms, vampire faceclaim: brad pitt (1994)

–OTHERS.

name: malcolm whitly bright age: 32+ sexual preference: questioning occupation: former special agent. profiler, psychologist, nypd consultant faceclaim: tom payne fandom: prodigal son

–&& THE SIDEBLOG // PLACES TO FIND ME.

name: dean winchester age: 21+ sexual preference: bisexual occupation: we'll just leave it at hunter. can we leave it there? okay. yeah. faceclaim: jensen ackles fandom: hbo introduces supernatural blog: bloodsalted

name: jack kline age: ageless sexual preference: ???? occupation: hunter, winchester, god? faceclaim: alexander calvert fandom: hbo introduces supernatural blog: lasthymn

[ofthecaravel]

I posted 1,561 times in 2022

That's 1,561 more posts than 2021!

698 posts created (45%)

863 posts reblogged (55%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@jackiidk

@gustingirl

@s0livagant

@streamsofstardust

@kiszkapilled

I tagged 1,183 of my posts in 2022

Only 24% of my posts had no tags

#gvf - 302 posts

#greta van fleet - 190 posts

#josh kiszka - 126 posts

#sam kiszka - 113 posts

#danny wagner - 105 posts

#jake kiszka - 105 posts

#gretavanfleet - 71 posts

#myart - 71 posts

#greta van art - 55 posts

#comic - 43 posts

Longest Tag: 138 characters

#this affirms my theory that if i had known them back in the day i wouldve gone to gigs just to see danny and laugh at joshs stupid outfits

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

make the minis meet normal sized gvf

See the full post

175 notes - Posted November 19, 2022

#4

Jake Kiszka and his Giant Fucking Hat

Thanks to my muse @gretasmokerising for once again making me giggle and inspired

And thank you to all 150 of my followers!!! You all get a sparkly star sticker on the forehead <3

186 notes - Posted July 19, 2022

#3

Omg I have to see the minis sitting on big greta boys shoulders and them just talking, like they're just talking to themselves through boring stuff or like bickering with themselves. Ugh I love this series.

See the full post

205 notes - Posted November 19, 2022

#2

introducing greta van fleet:

- two guitar bros with hair

- adonis from greek mythology

- a man who lives in a little gingerbread house

360 notes - Posted August 7, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

greta van fleet is like prepare to hear music from 40 years ago performed by the smallest drunkest teenagers you’ve ever seen. no we cannot get them to put their shoes on yes we have tried

496 notes - Posted October 27, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[donttalkaboutmemes]

Hercules (1997) Sentence Meme

Under the cut you will find 150+ sentences from the 1997 version of Hercules to use for your enjoyment!    

1.      “Long ago in the faraway land of ancient Greece, there was a golden age of powerful gods and extraordinary heroes.”

2.      “What is the measure of a true hero?”

3.      “Will you listen to him? He’s making the story sound like some Greek tragedy!”

4.      “We are the muses, goddesses of the arts and proclaimers of heroes.”

5.      “Look at this. Look how cute he is.”

6.      “He’s strong! Like his dad, hm?”

7.      “I haven’t seen this much love in a room since Narcissus discovered himself.”

8.      “He won’t hurt himself. Let the kid have a little fun.”

9.      “How are things in the underworld?”

10.   “They’re just fine, y’know? A little dark, a little gloomy, and hey, full of dead people.”

11.   “Unlike you gods lounging about up here, I regrettably have a full-time gig.”

12.   “You oughta slow down. You’ll work yourself to death.”

13.   “If there’s one god you don’t want to get steamed up, it’s Hades.”

14.   “Let me know the instant the fates arrive.”

15.   “The Fates are here and you didn’t tell me?”

16.   “Memo to me. Memo to me, maim you after my meeting.”

17.   “Hold that mortal’s thread of life good and tight.”

18.   “Is this kid gonna mess up my hostile takeover bid or what?”

19.   “We’re not supposed to reveal the future.”

20.   “My fate is in your lovely hands.”

21.   “In eighteen years precisely, the planets will align ever so nicely.”

22.   “Got a little riddle for you. How do you kill a god?”

23.   “Let’s just kill the kid and get it over with, okay?”

24.   “He has to drink the whole potion! Every last drop!”

25.   “For so many years we’ve prayed to the gods to bless us with a child. Perhaps they’ve answered our prayers.”

26.   “You mean if he finds out.”

27.   “If. If is good.”

28.   “Hey, you need an extra guy?”

29.   “That boy is a menace!”

30.   “He’s too dangerous to be around normal people!”

31.   “He didn’t mean any harm. He’s just a kid. He just can’t control his strength.”

32.   “I’m warning you. You keep that freak away from here!”

33.   “You shouldn’t let those things they said back there get to you.”

34.   “They’re right. I am a freak. I try to fit in, I really do.”

35.   “Sometimes I feel like I really don’t belong here. Like I’m supposed to be someplace else.”

36.   “If you found me, then where did I come from? Why was I left here?”

37.   “This was around your neck when we found you. It’s the symbol of the gods.”

38.   “What’s your hurry? After all these years, is this the kind of hello you give your father?”

39.   “Didn’t know you had a famous father, did you?”

40.   “You wanted answers, and by thunder, you’re old enough to know the truth.”

41.   “Why’d you leave me on Earth? Didn’t you want me?”

42.   “Only gods can live on Mount Olympus.”

43.   “If you prove yourself a true hero on Earth, your godhood will be restored.”

44.   “Exactly how do you become a true hero?”

45.   “You sure this is the right place?”

46.   “Nymphs. They can’t keep their hands off me.”

47.   “What’s the matter? You never seen a satyr before?”

48.   “I need your help. I want to become a hero, a true hero.”

49.   “Two words. I am retired.”

50.   “Haven’t you ever had a dream? Something you wanted so bad you’d do anything?”

51.   “I trained all those would-be heroes.”

52.   “I had a dream once. I dreamed I was gonna train the greatest hero there ever was, so great the god’s would hang a picture of him in the stars.”

53.   “Dreams are for rookies.”

54.   “A guy can only take so much disappointment.”

55.   “I’m different from those guys. I can go the distance.”

56.   “I’m too old to get mixed up in this stuff again.”

57.   “Hold it! Zeus is your father?”

58.   “Rule ninety five, kid. Concentrate.”

59.   “I am ready. I wanna get off this island. I want to see battles and monsters, rescue some damsels. You know, heroic stuff.”

60.   “Big tough town. Good place to start building a rep.”

61.   “Sounds like your basic D.I.D, damsel in distress.”

62.   “I like ‘em fiery.”

63.   “Remember, kid. First, analyze the situation. Don’t just barrel in there without thinking.”

64.   “I’m a damsel. I’m in distress. I can handle this. Have a nice day.”

65.   “Rule number fifteen. A hero is only as good as his weapon!”

66.   “Not bad, kid. Not exactly what I had in mind, but not bad.”

67.   “Is Wonderboy here for real?”

68.   “Next time don’t let your guard down because of a pair of big googoo eyes!”

69.   “Did they give you a name along with all those rippling pectorals?”

70.   “You know how men are. They think no means yes and get lost means take me, I’m yours.”

71.   “Thanks for everything. It’s been a real slice.”

72.   “I’ll be alright. I’m a big, tough girl. I can tie my own sandals and everything.”

73.   “She’s really something. A pain in the patella!”

74.   “I thought I smelled a rat.”

75.   “I gave it my best shot, but he made me an offer I had to refuse.”

76.   “So you took care of him, hm? Dead as a doornail. Weren’t those your exact words?”

77.   “I’m about to rearrange the cosmos and the one schmeil who can louse it up is walking around in the woods!”

78.   “We made him a mortal. That’s a good thing.”

79.   “One town, a million troubles.”

80.   “Stick with me, kid. This city is a dangerous place.”

81.   “Don’t make eye contact. People here are nuts.”

82.   “Trust me, kid, you’re gonna be just what the doctor ordered.”

83.   “It seems to me that what you folks need is a hero.”

84.   “Have you ever saved a town before?”

85.   “Don’t you pea-brains get it? This kid is the genuine article.”

86.   “We need a professional hero, not an amateur.”

87.   “How am I supposed to prove myself a hero if nobody will give me a chance?”

88.   “Jeepers, mister, you’re really strong.”

89.   “Stirring performance, boys. I was really moved.”

90.   “Two thumbs way, way up for our leading lady. What a dish. What a doll.”

91.   “Get out of there you big lug, while you still can.”

92.   “I hate to burst your bubble kid, but that ain’t applause.”

93.   “Lead with your left! No, your other left!”

94.   “I don’t think we covered this one in basic training!”

95.   “My favorite part of the game. Sudden death.”

96.   “You gotta admit, that was pretty heroic.”

97.   “I wonder if maybe I haven’t been throwing the right curves at him.”

98.   “See, he’s gotta have a weakness, because everybody’s got a weakness.”

99.   “I need someone who can handle him as a man.”

100. “Hey, I’ve sworn off man-handling.”

101. “That’s what you got into this jam in the first place.”

102. “You sell your soul to me to save your boyfriend’s life. And how does this creep thank you?”

103. “You give me the key to bringing down wonderbreath and I give you the thing that you crave most in the entire cosmos. Your freedom.”

104.  “You haven’t proven yourself a true hero.”

105.  “I’m afraid being famous isn’t the same as being a true hero.”

106.  “Look inside your heart.”

107.  “You wanna go to Olympus, don’t you?”

108.  “I seen ‘em all and I’m tellin’ you, you got somethin’ I never seen before.”

109.  “There is nothin’ you can’t do, kid.”

110.  “It’s alright. The sea of raging hormones has ebbed.”

111.  “So this is what heroes do on their days off.”

112.  “You sound like you could use a day off.”

113.  “You know when I was a kid I would have given anything to be exactly like everybody else.”

114.  “When I’m with you, I don’t feel so alone.”

115.  “You’re already on my list, so don’t make it worse.”

116.  “As for you, you bum, you’re going to the stadium and you’re gonna be put through the workout of your life.”

117.  “What’s the matter with me? You’d think a girl would learn.”

118.  “Get yourself another girl. I’m through.”

119.   “Read my lips. Forget it.”

120.  “Aren’t we forgetting one teensy-weensy, but ever so crucial little detail? I own you!”

121.  “I know that dame was trouble. This is gonna break the kid’s heart.”

122.  “You hear that sound? That’s the sound of your freedom fluttering out the window forever.”

123.   “I can’t believe you’re getting so worked up about some guy.”

124.   “How can I come down there when I’m feeling so up?”

125.   “If it hadn’t been for you, I never would have met her. I owe you big time.”

126.   “More beautiful than Aphrodite?”

127.   “She’s a fraud! She’s been playing you for a sap!”

128.   “The point is I love her.”

129.   “I thought you were gonna be the all-time champ. Not the all-time chump.”

130.   “I would be eternally grateful if you would just take a day off from this hero business of yours.”

131.   “I do have a little leverage you might wanna know about.”

132.   “We dance, we kiss, we schmooze, we carry on, we go home happy. Whattya say?”

133.    “People are gonna get hurt, aren’t they?”

134.    “Now you know how it feels to be just like everybody else. Isn’t it just peachy?”

135.     “Is she not a fabulous little actress?”

136.     “Our hero’s a zero.”

137.     “There’s a whole cosmos up there waiting for me with my name on it.”

138.     “What are you doing? Without your strength, you’ll be killed.”

139.     “What does he need me for when he’s got friends like you?”

140.      “If you don’t help him now, he’ll die.”

141.      “Giving up is for rookies.”

142.      “I came back cause I’m not quitting on you. I’m willing to go the distance. How ‘bout you?”

143.      “People always do crazy things when they’re in love.”

144.       “My intentions were pure! I really was attracted to you!”

145.      “At least I’ve got one swell consolation prize, a friend of yours who’s dying to see me.”

146.       “I’m sorry, kid. There’s some things you just can’t change.”

147.       “Well, well, well. It’s a small underworld after all.”

148.       “You like making deals. Take me in her place.”

149.        “You’ve done it! You’re a true hero!”

150.         “You were willing to risk your life to rescue this young woman.”

151.       “A true hero isn’t measure by the size of his strength, but by the strength of his heart.”

152.       “You’ll make one heck of a god.”

153.       “I wish to stay on earth with her. I finally know where I belong.”

[rhpsdys]

below the cut is raine's 1940s las vegas verse from b.accano campaign that i forgot to post. it's also been added to their carrd.

Born in Bushwick, Brooklyn to one human parent and one elven one, Raine was raised with a foot in two worlds. They had an early passion for music, and it became evident around age five that they had been granted magic a few years earlier in 1920 — while plucking out notes on the piano at a friend's house, they inadvertently cast a prestidigitation cantrip, and the resulting magical effect drew attention to their powerful abilities at such a young age. They enrolled in music classes, where their prodigious skills became evident, learning not only the piano, but the flute, the guitar, and finally the violin at a rapid pace.

At age eight, they were accepted into the pre-college program at Juilliard, where they studied primarily violin along with the rest of the classic string ensemble instruments. They furthered their studies with private lessons in the woodwinds, and continued to teach themself guitar. Over the next ten years, Raine practiced, improved, and mastered over half a dozen different instruments. Raine then completed their Bachelor of Music degree in Violin and Graduate Diploma in Historical Performance, completing all studies by age 23. They auditioned for the New York Philharmonic, and at 24 were hired playing Second Violin. By 28 they were promoted to First Violin.

Even within this exceptional ensemble, comprised of the country's most accomplished musicians, Raine rose through the ranks swiftly; they were talented and hardworking, but while they remained passionate about the music itself, the uptight and formal nature of such a prestigious formal organization was constricting and tempered their love of playing.

Turning back the clock a bit...

Halfway through high school, Raine's family moved to Manhattan — their mother Kali got a raise at work that allowed them to move closer, making Raine's commute to and from Juilliard easier. At their new school, they met Eda — class clown, lacrosse star, and directionless but gifted kid. The two became fast friends, and Raine fell for her HARD. They started going out shortly after graduation, and Eda's wild and carefree spirit was the escapism Raine needed to continue finding the passion in their music as they made their way through school. They were in love with her, even planned on marrying her one day. Sometimes, more frequently than they'd care to admit, Raine considered dropping out of school, to just go off and be a street performer, or play in dimly lit bars, or even just sitting on the floor of the tiny apartment they shared, making music for and with Eda — their love, their muse, their biggest cheerleader, and their best friend.

But Eda was not without her own demons, and Raine found themself in the position of needing to provide for both of them. Over time, life in New York became too difficult to maintain, as the war came and went, and as magic usage — especially by those who came from other planes — was strictly regulated. In 1946, Raine made the difficult decision to resign from the Philharmonic, and the pair moved from NYC to Las Vegas in hopes of finding more financial success, while working a lower-stress job (lol) that would give them the flexibility needed to continue taking care of Eda, whose situation was worsening. Raine begins playing more jazz than classical — something they thrive at due to its loose and improvisational nature. They gig around at various bars and clubs, and they love it — but concern for Eda is always on the forefront of their mind, and tensions between the two have only seem to grow since their move.

also apparently eda accidentally helped make the liquor of immortality (alba just informed me of this like 2 seconds ago god bless)

[jaeyunverse]

the 24-hour dating challenge (teaser)

PAIRING(S) | park sunghoon x fem!reader

GENRE(S) | fluff, crack, mutual pining, best friends to lovers, influencer au (?)

EST. WORD COUNT | around 5k

WARNING(S) | profanity, hoon is a loser and down bad, mc is painfully dense + all warnings to be added in the full fic!

SUMMARY | being a famous youtuber isn’t easy, especially when you have to constantly come up with new ideas to keep your audience entertained. and this time, your viewers want you to date park sunghoon, your best friend of nearly a decade, for the entirety of 24 hours.

TAGLIST | @blank-velvet @soobisms @justalildumpling @xharisrealm @skzenhalove @alicesolengg @yenqa @geombyu @tika-writes-lol @jlheon @haknom @useraerin @hooniessslvrss @flwrshee @rikisly @tobiosbbyghorl @wonkivrse @heeflrs @bambithia @iea-tsand @chaechae-23 @en-dazed @jayfrvr @h-hazwie @moonlighthoon @justanotherkpopstanlol @sseastar-main @seongclb @shoyotime @gerianne @iadorethemskz @sieuneo @hoon0logy @luvistqrzzz @sucrosxi @lzux1 @t4kalcvr @nes-caf @odxrilove @trippy-dejun @arizejkt19 @xuimhao @vizstars @enhacatalog send an ask/comment if u wish!

AUTHOR’S NOTE | I AM COMING BACK!!!!!! (kinda. maybe. idk i get ahead of myself a lot LOL) finals are finallyyyy over and i have some time to write this week so i’ve started this old wip of mine! it’s going to be pretty short and sweet so i’ll hopefully be able to follow through on this teaser but no promises haha :)) i hope u look forward to this fic! inspired by h.j evelyn (♡)

click here for the full fic!

“Your followers want me to do what?” 

Sunghoon was positive he’d misheard you. However, part of him hoped you’d confirm the life-altering information you’d casually uttered without even bothering to look away from the TV screen. 

“Hoon!” you exclaimed, your fingers aggressively moving about the gaming console. “Oh, my God, they’re coming after me! Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, FUCK—” you screeched— “Nonononono I can’t take them by myself! You testicle-guzzling cocksucker, why did you die when I needed you the most?!” 

Sunghoon watched you struggle warily. Your leg was bouncing with anxiety and your eyes bulging out of their sockets. He wasn’t entirely sure you were breathing. Beads of sweat were clinging to your forehead and your face was scrunched up in a weird, constipated expression. 

There was a good chance you’d utter fouler insults if he disturbed you while playing, but he couldn’t stop himself from broaching the subject. “Are we just going to pretend you didn’t say the thing you just said?” 

“The thing about you being a testicle-guzzling cocksucker?” you gritted. “No.”

Sunghoon rolled his eyes. “The thing about your followers wanting us to date for a video.” 

For a few moments, you didn’t deign to acknowledge him. Then, as if a switch inside you had flipped, you pulled the TV’s plug and turned to face him. “Would it be weird?” 

Wow. Okay, Sunghoon mused. I think it would be a fantastic idea and a dream come true, but I don’t trust myself around you. Even as a mere friend.  

However, instead of voicing his thoughts, the boy simply shrugged. “I don’t know. We’ve been friends for several years now. I’m a regular on your YouTube channel and I think your fans are aware of the dynamics of our relationship. What do they mean when they say they want us to date? Physical intimacy aside, we already do everything couples do.” 

“I think they want us to be romantic,” you admitted. “Go on a date, hold hands, cross some lines.”

“Cross some lines?” Sunghoon raised an eyebrow, the corner of his lip curling in a smirk. “Is this you speaking or your subscribers?”

Groaning in exasperation, you shoved his shoulder. He fell back on the couch, laughing. “Shut up, dickface! You know I’ve been swamped this semester. My influencer gig has been seriously lacking. I need to step up—do what they want me to do. Besides, we only have to be girlfriend and boyfriend for 24 hours. It’s really not that big a deal. Are you in or not?”

Sunghoon took a few seconds to mull over your words. Sure, he would love to be your boyfriend for 24 hours. As long as his fantasies were brought to reality, he didn’t care if the whole relationship was fake and short-lived. 

For far too long, he’d pined after you. He thought he was doing an excellent job at hiding his feelings, but then you decided to make vlogs for fun. That’s when shit truly went downhill. 

Within a few years, you’d amassed a following of over 5 million on YouTube and 3 million on Instagram. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say you’d become somewhat of a local celebrity.  

Being one of your closest friends, Sunghoon was often featured in your videos. Initially, he’d baulked at the idea of being filmed, but you’d worked your magic on him. The boy soon found himself being comfortable around cameras. 

Even though Sunghoon never started his own YouTube channel, his popularity grew along with yours. His Instagram had garnered over two million followers, and courtesy of his good looks and attractive physique, he’d been offered a bunch of brand deals too.

You’d scowled at how far Sunghoon’s pretty privilege had gotten him. While you busted your ass coming up with unique ideas and editing your videos to perfection, all he needed to do was show up. 

What you didn’t know, though, was that part of the reason he’d become a heartthrob among the youth was you. 

You might have been dumb and blind, but your followers certainly were not. They’d realised how Sunghoon looked at you—his eyes always twinkled and a fond smile automatically adorned his lips whenever he caught sight of you. 

To add to that, your fans had pointed out habits he didn’t even know he possessed. For example: idly braiding your strands; bringing you snacks whenever he swung by your apartment; saying hey, sunshine and giving you a side hug by way of greeting; disguising his compliments as insults. 

The list was very long.

They’d noticed the elastic he kept around his wrist at all times too—it was one of the two you’d used to tie his hair into little ponytails because you were convinced you could transform him into Boo from Monsters, Inc.   

Sunghoon himself had forgotten the reason he wore the elastic around his wrist. All he knew was that it was yours and it felt right. But when he read the comments obsessing about it, he rushed to watch the video your fans were referring to. 

And damn, they were right. 

Sunghoon didn’t know if you’d seen the comments your fans regularly left on your various social media pages. You’d never mentioned anything about the community calling you “couple goals,” and he was too much of a coward to inquire if you were aware. 

It was infuriating to know how transparent he was. Sunghoon wished he’d never gotten used to the camera and let slip his true self. 

Perhaps this was the cost of gaining the boyfriend material label—his unrequited feelings exposed for the entire world to see. 

Sunghoon would never admit it, but he’d spent the better part of a day reporting everyone who’d shipped him with you. The entire incident had truly made him go off the rails. 

However, today’s revelation was unexpected. It was an opportunity. A chance to experience something he’d desired for many years. Suddenly, he found himself thanking those busybodies online instead of cussing them out for being ridiculously invested in his love life.

Sunghoon knew saying yes to your proposition would bite him in the ass later on. He knew he’d crave more of you once he got a taste of being your boyfriend, and giving this fake relationship a shot would definitely make it harder for him to get over you in the future. He knew he was a massive idiot for willingly indulging in impending heartbreak, but he could always cross that bridge when he came to it.  

“Okay,” he said, meeting your gaze. “I’m in.”  

[v-hub-v]

Not sure if I made this kind of post yet, but I do actually have a Muses tab on my blog! However, for mobile users, I’ll display it here, too:

Muses

Michael Afton - FNAF 4 crying child.

Michael, 23, lives alone in the old, molding Afton family home in the woods on the outskirts of town. Having suffered a traumatic event as a child, his head being crushed within the jaws of one of his fathers machines, he remembers very few details of his childhood or family. Now, he works with Henry Emily to put an end to his fathers sins, living out his days in front of a TV, or monitors, and waiting to die. He suffers from depression, an inability to eat, a bad sleeping schedule, and skittishness. He enjoys small desk-games, obscure candies, and rom-coms.

Miles Upshur - Outlast 1 protagonist, post-game.

Miles, 24, is an outstanding freelance journalist who survived the tragedy that was Mount Massive Asylum, miraculously making it out with the assistance of the Walrider, two less fingers, and a loss of humanity. Being recognized for his efforts, he continues to pursue the most dangerous of cases, striving to expose unseen evils and injustices to the world. As of now, he lives alone in a small apartment with his “pet,” Ryder, and several freshwater fish while cooking up his next gig. He is still effected by images and memories of the asylum ‘til this day.

Shane - Stardew Valley.

Shane, 25, resides in a ranch just outside of Pelican Town, where he rents a room from his aunt. Living with both her and his goddaughter, he is terribly unsatisfied with life and spends his days working at JojaMart, and nights drinking at the local saloon. Stricken with depression and grief, he finds comfort in sleeping, drinking, and raising chickens with his goddaughter, Jas. He’s got a knack for pepper poppers, pizza, and gridball. Despite meeting all the characteristics of a stereotypical drunk, he speaks quite poetically.

Fraser Wilcott/Ghostface - Scream/Dead By Daylight inspired.

Fraser Wilcott, 27, is a kind man who works a basic office job for 12 hours a day. The company Fray’s devoted to is very large in his area, sporting over 30 cubicles on each floor, that of which the building itself has 12 of. During the day, he’s a responsible fit-in, working to earn his weekly check. During the night, Fraser dons a mask and becomes one with the shadows, turning into the elusive Ghostface, a violent serial killer hellbent on appeasing some kind of entity.

Check out the “Secret Menu” muses!

[pvxels]

Sooooo instead of working on drafts I’ve added two new muses!

Chase Osbourne ~ a bisexual 25 y/old college drop out / stoner boy / will drag you to gigs / very artistic / a hopeless romantic / cried when he watched the notebook / will likely ask to take photos & videos of you during sex for his portfolio but also because he's obsessed with you

Alice Bowe ~ a bisexual 24 y/old nursery school teacher / super intelligent / never been in a proper relationship but really wants to be / loves the idea of commitment / really strong morals / finds herself hilarious when she’s actually a huge dork / definitely the victim of a glow up after she left school / likely a virgin 

Hit me up if you’d like to write with either of them! Or anyone else.. just.. hit me up for all the things please and thank you

[fizzarollitm]

Husk for muse's opinion | @gamblinkat

Most admirable quality: He appreciates someone who is blunt. Sometimes working onstage can mean a lot of double speak and lies by omission so someone honest is refreshing. Also the shared nightlife gigs and sharing that culture; you just get it. Most attractive physical feature: Kitty got claws 👀 and teeth 👀 WOW! Most annoying habit: Husk's need for authenticity would go against Fizz's literal job. To him he it would be like getting upset when looloo land's apple is some pervert they barely pay. What did you expect? The clown is a clown 24/7? Something they would like to do with them: Love to explore them working together as well as exploring Fizz working at the hotel. I feel like they have interesting perspectives on power, being on a leash, and Fizz would be down to hear the bartender talk about his own woes. I also know they shit talk lmao

Drop your Muse’s name in my inbox and I’ll reveal my Muse’s opinion of them !

[krispyweiss]

The Wood Brothers at Southern Theatre, Columbus, Ohio, April 3, 2024

It had already been a special gig by the time the Wood Brothers brought Jobi Riccio on stage to sing “Angel Band” with the temporary quartet gathered around a single mic to sing optimistically about dying.

Though the Woods play different sets every night, “Angel Band” will be played at each show, Oliver Wood said. Fans are the winners.

Kicking off their tour April 3 in Columbus, Ohio’s, Southern Theatre, the Brothers Wood had adopted an honorary sister - “We completely got an amazing vibe,” Wood said - in the opener they met just hours earlier. Riccio sung the lyrics off a sheet of paper on the floor in harmony with Oliver and Chris Wood and Jano Rix, and her delighted hosts hugged her and rubbed her head as the audience went berserk following the haunting delivery.

It was that kind of night as the group and its fans exchanged energy, sung together and applauded one another from the opening “Two Places” to the finale, “Luckiest Man,” with everyone on their feet, nearly two hours later.

There were a couple of opening-night stumbles, such as when Oliver forgot the words to “The Muse.” But his self-deprecating response was charming. And when the supportive audience picked up the song and got the singer back on track, the special relationship between players and listeners once again worked the kind of magic only live music can conjure.

Having been scheduled to play Columbus before COVID-19 got in the way - Sound Bites still has his ticket to the canceled gig - the Woods’ trip to town was a long time comin’. And as they performed an apropos “River Takes the Town” as the second of 20 songs, it seemed the musicians had seen the Scioto River spilling over its banks after days of heavy rain in the capital city.

As guitarist and singer Oliver, his harmonica-blowing, bass-playing and co-lead-singing brother Chris (he sung “One Drop of Truth”) and multi-instrumentalist Rix - who plays keys with his right hand and drums with his left and his feet while joining the Woods’ blood-kin harmonies - explored their songbook, they continued paving their unique branch of American roots music where grooves trump solos and showmanship complements the music.

So it went that the lanky and elastic Chris Wood danced with his double bass, his red shoes sliding across the stage as if it were made of ice during “Alabaster” and later, as the band played “Wastin’ My Mind,” falling to his knees as he played an electric Höfner violin model. Rix, meanwhile, was a musical machine, incorporating shakers, bashing cymbals with his hands, playing melodica and shuitar (“Shit-tar” is Oliver’s pronunciation) - a percussion instrument fashioned from the body of an acoustic guitar - that gives the Woods their trademark, clip-clopping undertones on such numbers as “American Heartache,” during which Rix and Chris Wood played a high-energy, low-end showcase while Oliver Wood vamped on electric guitar, and “Sing about It.”

“Smoke Ring Halo,” “Postcards from Hell,” “Pilgrim” and “Little Blue” were among the other tracks Chris Wood wrote into the setlist for opening night.

Riccio is one to keep an ear on. Gifted with a strong and expressive singing voice, she played solo-acoustic and -electric versions of songs from her debut, Whiplash, and her in-progress followup. The songs were varying in quality, but their delivery earned Riccio a standing ovation that didn’t end until the house lights came up.

It was a good night for her.

It was a great night for the Wood Brothers.

And it was a gift for the audience.

Grade card: The Wood Brothers at Southern Theatre - 4/3/24 - A

See more photos on Sound Bites’ Facebook page.

4/4/24