#say his go to karaoke song was piano man

[stupidthoughtsinwriting]

Glimpse of Us

Summary: Years after the faithful night, reality brings the two back together, with all the years of unresolved pain, feelings and comparisons

Warning: Angst is all the warning I can think off ehehhe, Hard core Angst

Note: ehehehehe the long awaited sequel to She use to be mine is finally here! After what? nearly 2 years. its finally here! I'm so sorry for the long wait and thank you to those who encouraged me to continue on with the next part. I won't dawdle on and let you lot enjoy the concoction i seem to have mustered on. ehehe again sorry for the months delay.

oh and i almost forgot, the italics are best imagined as her singing

P.S. I drafted this post 7 or 8 months after the first part and dear god, how time has passed. Looking back at the story, I'm not really too proud of this one and ended it because I really have no idea how to continue it. I have an idea for a next part (dangerous words coming from me) but I'm not gonna set a date for when I post it because we all know how the last part turned out. Anyways enjoy

😊❤️💛💚💙💜🖤😊 -T

‘Hey, you’re up in five’`

‘Yah sure, just touching up’ you say as you smacked your lips after applying a bit of lip gloss.

‘You don’t need it’ he replied.

‘Still. I can’t believe I agreed to this’ you scoffed, fiddling with your hair for the hundredth time.

‘You’ll do great’ he smiled ‘Now your hair is fine, you look amazing, and I have to go. Break a leg’ he bid before getting on stage to rouse the crowd. Admittedly, you are nervous. You wouldn’t call yourself a singer, but you do have a good enough voice and can hold a tune. You knew it was a mistake singing in front of Harvey and you were only doing this as a favor. God. You checked the mirror one last time before finding it was good enough.

‘Now for tonight’s performance, A very dear friend of mine has agreed to perform tonight, though with a little bit of persuasion.’ Harvey mumbled the last part, getting a laugh from the crowd and a chuckle from yourself ‘She has a voice made by the gods above, though I don’t remember Thor being much of a singer. She can lure you in better than a siren, but I think that’s the other mythology’ he said cheekily.

‘Now, without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome a dear friend of mine, Y/N Y/L/N!’ he introduced, that being your cue to emerge from the curtain, you stepped on staged and made your way over to the middle where he and the mic was, the spotlight following your movement. You waved and smiled at the crowd, glad there wasn’t much. Grasping the mic, you chuckled as the small crowd continued to clap.

‘Hi everybody’ you began, getting a hello in response from the crowd ‘Wow, thank you for the warm welcome and thank you Harvey for that unrealistic introduction’ you chuckled with the crowd, turning to Harvey who waved you off.

‘Now, taking something off of Harvey’s speech, I am made by no god or am one. Nor am I a siren from the Greek mythology. It did take some persuading to get me to do this and hopefully I don’t regret it.’ You laughed sheepishly.

‘I don’t normally sing on stage or in public really unless it’s karaoke with friends, which by the way is how I got tricked into doing this, so pardon me if I seem a bit nervous’ you smile shyly. Glancing back at Harvey, with a smile on his face, he nodded, pushing you to continue. Pulling out the rest of the confidence you still had stored, you turned back beaming at the crowd.

‘Now to not keep you waiting any longer, Paul if you will’ you gestured to the man on the piano and he nods before gliding his fingers along the keys, playing the start of the song. Letting out a breath, you closed your eyes, feeling the rhythm of the piano before singing the lyrics. Grabbing hold of the mic, you opened your eyes and began.

He'd take the world off my shoulders

If it was ever hard to move

He'd turn the rain to a rainbow

When I was living in the blue

You let your eyes flutter to a close as you gripped the mic firmly. Swaying your body occasionally to melody.

Why then if he is so perfect

Do I still wish that it was you?

Perfect don't mean that it's working

So what can I do? Ooh

Opening your eyes, you scanned the crowd, completely surprised by how the much you can see of the crowd seemed entranced.

When you’re out of sight

You saw you’re your friends in a booth over on the corner, the people entering the establishment.

In my mind

Then the bar where you found him, staring at you. You locked eyes with those beautiful ocean blue orbs that you love loved so much. Stumbling over your words, you nearly forgot about the song but once the piano keys hit the right note, your lips continued in autopilot.

Cause sometimes I look… in his eyes

And that's where I find

A glimpse of us

Eyes leaving contact, you scanned his entirety. The grey streaks at his temples have grown longer since the last time you saw him. The old clean-shaven face he used to don had a goatee. Prominent lines and creases were evident in his features and really the years have aged him well. He wore a suit, complete with a vest, a red handkerchief in the breast pocket and everything. A glass of whiskey at his side and he was still as handsome as the day you left. 

You closed your eyes once more, willing this to just be another trick or hallucination by your imagination. Though it was a horrid idea as memories of the day came back crashing onto you, you let them stay shut as you continued.

And I try to fall for his touch

But I'm thinking of the way it was

There you stood, as beautiful as the day he met you, if not more. In all your beauty, and the signature grin you adorned, you were radiant. Though the spotlight might have something to do with it, you were still a ray of sunshine through the darkest of clouds.

The rest of the world faded out to him and his mind finally faltered. There you were. Standing a few feet away as you introduced yourself. Your hair’s cut short, or at least shorter than the last time he’d seen you. Earrings hid behind your curls and the lightest bit of make-up was applied to your soft features. Though that didn’t hide the blossoming pink tint gracing your cheeks. Your lips glistened with the lip gloss you had on just like you use to. Smile lines drew at the corner of your eyes as you chuckled over your own words, explaining how you ended up in your current situation.

You always smiled, even when you were feeling down, you always smiled. Whether to hide what you were truly feeling or to just be nice to people, you always smiled. He nearly forgot how beautiful that smile was, with only his dreams used to recall that charming grin, since it has been a rarity for him to look you up or even open the box full of pictures during your years together. Even with the picture he kept in his nightstand, he rarely opened the drawer. Funny how this photographic memory of his nearly forgot the most beautiful piece of art he’s ever seen.

He listened to every single word you uttered as he looked and committed every single detail he could of you to memory. Your hair curled into soft waves, parted and pinned on one side. Your frame, fuller since the last time he saw your thin, nearly skeletal figure on that fateful night. You wore a wine-red wrap top that reached down to your wrists, paired with simple jeans and boots, you looked divine. The dip in the neckline of your shirt revealed the top of your cleavage but the gleaming gold necklace is what caught his attention. It was a simple gold bar plate though engraved with a heartbeat on one side. Common and a bit of a cliché now adays but what was special about that was it was an actual heartbeat. His. He gifted it to you when you both got accepted at Metro General. He explained that it was how his heart beat whenever he thought of you. As you tried to find the words to thank him, he made you turn it over to the other side to another engraving. You know I love you so, it said. A line from one of your favorite songs. He remembered how tears brimmed your eyes as you leaped to him, capturing his lip with yours.

What came as a shock to him now was that you were still wearing it. As he continued to look you over, the sound of your chuckle registered in his ears. God, he loves that sound. A sound he hasn’t heard long before you left. Looking back up to your face, he sees the girl he met all those years ago, buried under piles of books in the library on campus. The very same girl that chuckled at his horrible attempt at a flirtatious first introduction. A small smile tugged at his lips both at the memory and the sound. He hasn’t heard that sound in so long, it was a wonder when he heard it last. He just knew it was long before he fucked up and just chose to relish in the sweet sound now.

Now focusing and giving his undivided attention to your voice now, he listened.

‘I don’t normally sing on stage or in public really unless it’s karaoke with friends, which by the way is how I got tricked into doing this, so pardon me if I seem a bit nervous’ you laugh timidly. A chuckle bubbled at his throat as flashes of you singing whilst cooking in the kitchen of your tiny apartment came into view. Wearing nothing but his shirt as you flipped pancakes, singing from Coldplay to Queen at the top of your lungs or humming to Ed Sheeran whilst you worked and studied case filles.

He knew you enough to know that you were nervous, you didn’t have to say it. After all these years he still knew you better than the back of his scarred hands, heck better than he knows himself.

He saw you look to the side and his eyes followed, landing on the host from earlier. With a smile on his face, he nodded, giving you the reassurance you needed to continue with your performance. And it did, he saw how you pulled the last of your confidence before turning back to the crowd.

A pang of jealousy shot through him as he watched. I mean what did he expect, for you to be alone after all these years. A stupidly selfish part of him even hoped that you’d be waiting for him. To get his act together and you’d be back together. It was incredibly stupid; he knew that but that didn’t stop the creeping grip of jealousy from grasping his heart. As much as he knew how selfish the thought is, that didn’t stop the pain and hurt he felt seeing you look for reassurance in another man. Even after all these years.

The smile he had drawn up earlier had faded to a look of melancholy. It was good you had someone, he thought. Someone to be there for whenever you needed them the most, unlike him.

He watched as you turned and gestured to the pianist who nodded and started to fiddle with the keys. He watched as you took a breath, closed your eyes and began to sway to the smooth melody of the music. A small grin was itching at your lips. You were always more comfortable whenever listening to music and this was evident, unbeknownst to you.

Then you started to sing. You opened your eyes, took a firm grip at the mic and the lyrics just came dripping smoothly from your lips. That melodic voice of yours that he loves so much reminded him of the early mornings in the kitchen, the concerts in the shower and the lullabies to the kids under your care. Little did you know but the sound of your sweet voice always comforted him during the hardest times. He didn’t ask you to sing directly but he always listened whenever you hummed a simple tune or sang a song from some Disney movie to calm the kids in peds ward.

He took in every word that came from your lips. From what he’s heard so far from the first verse, it was about how the man lightened and took away the burden and sorrows the singer felt. The way you sang the song, it was beautiful. It was as if you were truly meaning the words that left your lips and he couldn’t help but feel the envy creeping back up at him, though at the same time, he’s conflicted with relief. He didn’t know if you’ve had someone during the past couple of years but as hurt as he is at the prospect of you with somebody else, it sort of gave him a sense of comfort thinking that you were getting taken care off. It eased some of the weight he felt and often times he thought maybe it was good that you separated. All he'd done with you the last few months of your relationship was hurt and neglect you and if you ever found someone that remedied that, maybe it was for the best that you left.

He watched your eyes flutter to a close again. The way your body moved to the melody of the music completely hypnotized him that his drink was deemed long forgotten.

Why then if he is so perfect, Do I still wish that it was you?

At those words, for some reason that gave him hope. He didn’t know if it was just the song but really, just the way you sang it made it seem all too genuine. He still loves you; he knew that very well. He also knows that he had a better chance in coming up with a new strategy in defeating Thanos (despite the many but one failed attempts he saw using the time stone), than ever getting back in a relationship with you.

You are the most kind, caring and understanding person he knew but you were also stubborn. He might have the chance in getting to apologize and to ask for forgiveness, but a relationship was a billion to one cosmic fluke. Though that didn’t stop him from wondering if you meant those words.

You opened your eyes and continued with the song. He noticed you looking at the growing mass of people watching. From the corner booths to the door, he knew from that growing look at your face that you were surprised to say the least at how many were captivated by your performance.

Then you met his gaze. Those soft blues meeting that beautiful shade of your own eyes. God, how much he loved those shining y/e/c orbs could never be put into words. How they twinkle in the light. The comfort and understanding they held and how they always seem to know he felt.

When he woke up from the crash, the first thing he longed to find were your eyes. The warmth, comfort and security they held, he ached to see those beautiful orbs because for the briefest moments he forgot everything but you. You were his main thought. He forgot about the fight, the neglectful months before, the pale, emaciated figure of yours that haunts his dreams, everything. Only the kind, gorgeous face of the woman he fell for all those years ago stayed in his mind because whenever he thought of comfort, the only thing that formed in his head was, no… is you.

He was hurt, in pain, his body ached, he could barely see let alone open his eyes. He needed comfort, he needed you. But when was life ever nice.

Instead, he was met with the fluorescent lights of the hospital room and the horrific sight of the mangled hands that once led a successful career in medicine. There was no warming gaze to be greeted with, only the sad sympathetic ones he now knows to be from the wrong woman and a cold, sterile room.

Cause sometimes I look… in his eyes

You stumbled over your words as you continued to look at each other. You continued singing but your eyes were locked together. Neither of you could look away. Your mouth moved on autopilot as your eyes lost the spark of a flame you had earlier, just like that night all those years ago, replaced by a reflection of the pain and grief he caused. The very same one that haunts his dreams.

A glimpse of us

You finished, your voice fading as the lyrics came to an end. As soon as the piano tuned out, you smiled and gave a little bow at the crowd who erupted in applause before leaving the stage in a hurry. Welled up tears spilled down warm cheeks as emotions and memories continued to riot your mind. After all these years he still managed to make you cry. Why can’t you move on?

You were quick on getting your belongings from the small prep area behind the stage however your plans of a speedy getaway were quickly ousted by the very same gentleman that perpetrated this whole ordeal.

‘You were amazing! The emotion you put in the performance…’ He continued to ramble on, looking past the curtain and to the roaring crowd cheering on for an encore, completely oblivious of his friend’s distraught state. ‘I mean the teary eyes, come on. Doctoring ever not work for you, acting could be something to con…’ he paused after finally getting a glimpse of you, swiftly wiping away tear streaks that ran down your cheeks but the growing redness in your eyes were dead give aways. ‘Shit’ finally piecing things together, he cursed, his attention fully set on you now. ‘It was real. Fuck, are you okay?’ he asked, finding it difficult figuring out what to do, yet a hint of urgency too as he still had to go back on stage.

‘Yeah, yeah, I’m fine.’ You swallowed, lying through your teeth. ‘I just… have to go’ you mumbled quickly, giving him a grin in hopes to resemble something as composed as the friend he knew. Though he knew you enough to know you were not ‘fine’, with great reluctance he let you go, rushing to the stage shortly after exchanging goodbyes and promising to check with him later.

As your friend went back on stage, you quickly took a survey of your appearance on a nearby mirror, making sure you didn’t look as dreadful as you felt. The bit of makeup you had on survived, however your eyes weren’t as forgiving being red. Nevertheless, you sped out to leave.

Considering your options, your only available exits were the front or back door and wanting to avoid individual who has left you in this state (just by being present), you turned to the corridor that lead to the back door but as unfortunate as you were, the exit was blocked by men hauling in delivery shipments and by the looks of things they weren’t going to be done any time soon.

You were antsy enough as it was and waiting by the second for them just added to your agitation. You really needed to leave now.  A lump was lodging itself on your throat and the air around you seemed to be thinning. You need to leave NOW.

Swallowing all the anxieties you had, you had no choice but to rush out the front. You stayed on the side, avoiding the patrons and the one in particular perched up at the bar but unlucky you (your luck really seemed to have vanished really), the man saw your abrupt departure, unbeknownst to you.

You made it out to the street and the open air was a fresh welcome, letting you finally breath, whereas the establishment you had left felt suffocating.

You thought it was done. That the lump in your throat would finally dissolve as you walked down the street, thinking that you had successfully avoided the now famed sorcerer of New York. The hero, Doctor Strange…

but when was life ever good to you.

‘y/n…’ he breathed out, catching the sight of you sprinting toward the doors he entered only moments before. It pulled him out of his reverie, wondering if he should talk to you, what he’d talk to you about, an apology perhaps, contemplation of your years together, however the sight of you pulled him out like it always did, especially in the beginning. He sometimes had the tendency to be too deep in thought, he’d ignore everything and everyone in his surroundings, but he always caught you. Your scent, your voice, let alone your image, it always drew him from his stupor. 

Now the sight of you cemented his thoughts.

Downing the last of his drink, he pulled a bill from his wallet and slammed it down the counter without so much as a look onto how much it was before he scurried out, chasing after you. (Like he should have done all those years ago)

He called out your name once he reached the sidewalk, turning left and right in search for you. The street wasn’t crowded much so it was easy to spot the figure stood still a few yards away to his right. With the last few rays of the dying sun and dim streetlight, he made out the curled head of hair the same shade as yours the figure had, and he just knew it was you.

‘Y/N!’ he nearly shouted, causing a few heads to turn in his direction but not yours. You kept your back to him as he sprinted your way. He knew you heard him. You would have kept on walking had you not.

It only took a second to reach you and when he did, he hesitated, not knowing what to do. He wanted to reach for you and plead for forgiveness. On his knees if he had to. Instead, he opted for another call for your name, hoping you’d finally face him.

And you did, after dropping your hands to your side, he heard a small sniff before you turned to him with your gorgeous smile and said (in a somewhat forced cheer in your voice)

‘Stephen. Hi’

‘Hi’ he replied densely. You idiot, he thought at how stupid his response was.

A silence fell over you both as Stephen canvassed your entirety now at a closer distance. He took in every graceful line, freckle and strand of hair he saw to memory. Every little detail he took in was as important as every breath he took. How bloodshot your eyes were didn’t go unnoticed though. Puffy around the eyelids from crying, red possibly from -he guessed- how hard you were rubbing them just before he reached you.  

Surprising thing is, it still broke his heart seeing the distress you so clearly were trying to hide. The thought of tears running down your cheeks, was illegal. They had no business in gracing your face yet, he can’t help but realize that he just keeps being the reason you were left in that state. Where were all these sympathies back then? He asked himself, the very night flashing through his mind.

‘Stephen’ you said again, taking him out of head again. He missed that though. His name coming off your lips. It brought him back to all the mornings with you in bed, tangled in sheets as the morning glory woke you up and you woke him up with that honey sweet voice with the say of his name. Stephen

‘Sorry, um…’ he coughed, trying to piece a sentence, words, anything really that didn’t end in three syllables.

‘You were wonderful’ he finally managed, okay that’s five ‘Back there at the bar…. you were amazing’ like always, he wanted to add but stopped himself, pointing back to where he just left.

‘Thank you’ you muttered, nodding your head before leaving it down to look at your shoes. The way you responded lacked any sort of confidence, as if you didn’t believe his words or yourself. Truthfully, you were never really the most confident, even back then but always did step up when the situation needed. Either that’s the reason or you didn’t believe him, which considering his case, why should you.

Your hands were fidgeting, he noticed. Running and marking the bones of one hand with your fingers tips before your nails would start to pick on skin. This was something new to him. A new nervous habit of yours he hadn’t known before, so it was most likely picked up after your separation.

The person in front of him wasn’t the same one he knew all those years ago yet, still so similar and the same. He remembers everything about you, so if anything of the woman he knew back then was still in there, he knew by how you were acting that you were uncomfortable, agitated.

‘Really, you were amazing’ he affirmed, really wanting you to believe him, or at least to believe how wonderful you really are. ‘Truly, but are you okay?’

He’d done it. Ask that stupid question and that’s what broke the dam, causing the river to run past it with no mercy.

He heard a laugh at first, your hand raising towards your face. The sound bordered on maniacal, nothing like the one he loved but familiar enough to know he has heard it before. Slowly, your head rose, your hand half covering your mouth, half wiping away the rivers that flowed down your cheeks. The sight finally triggered the memory he was looking for. It was all too similar to that night, it felt like déjà vu.

‘um’ you started, finally managing to say after that little fit ‘I could lie but what’s the point? No. I’m not. I’m not okay because you’re here. Fuck, I actually thought that I could get away from this but no, evidently not.’ You tried to reason, looking him straight in the eyes ‘Christ Stephen, I was okay. I was okay when I was singing, I was okay ten minutes ago but then you just came out of no where and now I’m not okay. I’m never okay whenever it comes to you. Not anymore.’ You spit like venom, unrelenting in your streak to get out all your pain because of him. ‘I thought I could be civil but… I-I’m tired. I’m sorry, I’m gonna go. Enjoy your night’ you hurried, saying your goodbyes and turning your back to him to walk away. You would have gone had he not called you back in such a pleading tone.

‘please’ he begs and for some reason and it compels you to listen. You halt your steps, you don’t turn around, but you do wipe away your tears and he takes that as his chance to apologize for everything. 

‘I’m sorry.’  He starts, his own eyes teary ‘I’m sorry for everything. You didn’t deserve what I did to you and it…’ he swallows that lump in his throat, trying to get the rest of his words out ‘it haunts me every day. You’re the kindest person I know, and I took you for granted. I was an arrogant piece of shit, too self-absorbed to even notice that the woman I love was working herself to death.’ You start to turn around ’You were the purest thing I knew and you didn’t deserve the monster I was. And I am so sorry for who I was then. I’ve changed or I’m trying to change, to be better than- than that monster that hurt you and I could only hope for your forgiveness because, you were always someone I never wanted to lose, and I did. By a stupid mistake and horrible decisions.’ His tears start to run, and you finally face him ‘I never wanted to let you go but I was hurting you more than I was loving you and I understand if I don’t get your forgiveness but, I am sorry. I am so sorry for hurting you. For taking you for granted. For not treating you how you deserved to be treated. For everything. You didn’t deserve what I did to you and hearing myself admit this… really just proves I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I need you to know that I am sorry. I’m really sorry for what I did and that… that you deserve.’

You stare at him with tears running down both your eyes and he sees the same urge to wipe them away, in you. The hesitant twitch of your arm as if by instinct, to move and act on the need to clear away his tears and comfort him. At least that’s what he interprets the move of your arm because that’s exactly what you would have done, that’s exactly your character and he wants to do the same. To dry away your tears and take you in his arms in respite.

But you act against those thoughts, only balling your fist as some form of control. You stare into him, as if gauging to find the lie in his words yet there is none and he sees something in your eyes that he can’t explain before they dart away. He watches as you scan your surroundings, looking at the people likely to be watching you both but he didn’t care for them. He only cared about you.

When your eyes turned back to him, you closed them immediately, face scrunching as you desperately tried to hold back to tears but to him, it was as if you were so pained by the mere sight of him. He’d be lying if he said that it didn’t chip away a piece of his heart. 

Your head bowed for a bit as you tried to compose yourself but the words that left your lips once you rose again, only broke more of his heart.

‘You’re forgiven’ you were quick to say before turning back and walking away from him. He watched with wet cheeks, as you sped away from him, and he kept his gaze on you until you disappeared around the corner and then you were gone.

For what seemed like forever, he kept his eyes on that street corner, hoping for something that won’t happen. He knew that whatever he wanted wasn’t going to happen, but a man could hope, right? Though hopes are as easy to diminish as they are to ignite. Grief and disappointment, they tend to last.

The sun had set and streetlights and buildings are all that lit the side walk where Stephen stood. A man well known to the people and thus, there were those who were bound to watch the spectacle put on by the hero. Small crowds had formed over time as they watched the powerful sorcerer confess to the dreadful things he’s done to some doctor from before his fame, asking for forgiveness to all the terrible things he’s done.

To new passersby, they’d wonder why a hero of the city stood so stiff, looking at oblivion. They’d wonder for a minute without context before walking away with a shrug, figuring much more important things to think of.

Eventually, the crowd thinned to a trickle, til the lone man was all that remained the lone street, wondering what he had done to deserve you.

A/U: I've read this way too much to do a final proof read so sorry for all the grammatical mistakes and spellings and all that. Thanks for the read though

I'm hoping that the people who asked to be tagged don't mind me tagging them this late in the game and I hope you liked it. Hopefully it was worth the wait @strangesweetheart @evelynrosestuff @vesta-ro @doodle-cat16 @nabiilahadid @evansmusk @circe143 @dracoflaco

[iguana-braces]

Enigmatic (Rooster x Reader) 18+

Gods forgive me as this is my first time writing narrative smut in…. a long time. -- Masterlist

Description: You and Roosters firsts; first meeting, first kiss/first time ;) (f!reader, porn with the barest hint of plot, the La Croix of plot)

Warnings: Explicit 18+ content, oral sex (m! and f! receiving), vaginal sex, mentions of alcohol, explicit language

Word Count: 2k

Note: Shout out to imaginesbyhaley and ceasersaladslut for informing me Rooster drives a Bronco!! Updated to reflect this crucial information.

MINORS DNI, 18+

Walking in like he owned the place, with a Hawaiian shirt, aviators, and that mustache… It might’ve been the fact that you were on your third vodka soda, but you just had to know who this joker was. 

Sidling up to him as he ordered at the bar, you remarked, “Hey, I think the 80’s called, they want their aesthetic back.”

“Ha-ha, that's hilarious,” he replied with a wry laugh. “But it was funnier the first four hundred times I heard it.”

“Damn. Well, it certainly does work for you.” The 80’s had contributed a lot of positive things to society; great music, pretty good movies, neon. And while this specific look hadn’t previously been among that list for you, this random bar stranger was changing that. Perhaps it was because his thin, low-cut tank top did little to hide his surprisingly muscular and tanned chest. 

The man turned towards you, looked you up and down, then smiled, apparently pleased with what he saw. “Is it working for you?”

Out of the corner of your eye, you saw your best friend, who’d been watching this interaction from down the bar, snort over their drink. You almost didn’t know what to say at this sudden change of direction. Well, maybe it wasn’t so sudden, you hadn’t been very discreet about ogling his pecs. 

“I… decline to answer that.”

But it did work on you, well enough for you to allow him to drive you and your friend home after your night out. This random guy’s Jeep was far cheaper than an Uber, which negated the equal amount of risk of getting into a stranger's car. 

After dropping your friend off first, he parked in front of your apartment. Pretending to fumble with your seat-belt, you waited for him to make the first move, but he remained quiet. Shit. 

“By the way, the answer is yes,” you started.

“Hm?”

“You asked if this look was working for me. It is.”

He smiled and nodded. “...I’ll keep that in mind. Have a good rest of your night.”

You couldn’t hide the shock on your face. “That’s it?”

“Well, you gotta leave ‘em wanting more.” And by god, did you want more. But apparently he was set on being a gentleman, not one to give it up on the first night. “I'll see you around, hopefully.”

~

You did see him around, sporadically, and which was when you finally learned his name was Bradley Bradshaw. Brad².

“Yeah, my parents were real funny people,” he had noted in response to your snicker. That was another clue you picked up on, his use of past tense when referring to his parents, but you’d let that remain a story for another time. You also learned he was a fighter pilot with a penchant for impromptu karaoke and a voice like butter. All of this was adding up to paint a picture of a strange but insanely intriguing man. 

You wanted to know everything about him, where he was coming from, where he was planning on going next. The two of you ended up spending many a night talking on the beach until the sun started to rise. 

But the most recent thing you learned about him was revealed during a rousing rendition of Lady Gaga’s “You and I”. When he wasn’t looking at the piano keys, Brad was looking directly at you over the frame of his lowered aviators, like he was… singing to you? Was this song supposed to be about you and him? You had to look away, hiding your face in your hands as you blushed furiously. 

After the way he shot you down on that first night, you’d come to accept that talking would be all the two of you would do. But apparently this had just been one hell of a slow burn. Two could play at that game. 

After his performance, you slung your purse over your shoulder as he approached you at the bar. 

“I think I’m gonna call it a night.”

“This early?”

“Yeah, I have to get up early tomorrow. Could I get a ride?”

~

“So… Lady Gaga,” you commented

“Hey, it’s a good bar song. People can clap along, sing along.”

“And that’s the only reason you chose it?”

“Well… it’s not the only reason.”

He didn’t elaborate further, only smiling. Trying to get a straight answer out of Bradley in regards to his feelings about anything was like pulling teeth. But at the same time, you weren’t about to spill your guts to him first. He hit on you first, then shot you down. Then he serenaded you and now… silence. When he pulled up in front of your apartment this time, your seatbelt gave you no trouble.

"Well, thanks for the ride." You didn’t wait for a response before you climbed out of the car. 

“That’s it?” he called after you. You rolled your eyes, walking around to the driver’s side, leaning on his open window. 

“I don’t know, is it? Are you ready for 'more', Lieutenant Bradshaw?”

“Yeah, I am.”

“Well, then the night is still young.” 

The second your apartment door closed, you walked him back towards the wall and kissed him. He tasted like beer and the mint gum he’d been chewing in the car. At least one of you had planned ahead for this. Was this his game all along, draw things out and then strike when you least expect it?

You couldn’t let your mind be clouded with thoughts like that as you slipped your hand under his shirt, running it over his skin to his muscular back. 

Barely breaking the kiss, he pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it to the side, his sunglasses clattering to the floor somewhere. 

"I gotta use the bathroom first." 

"Good idea." 

Quickly, you did your best five-minute shave job and freshened up. By the time you returned to the bedroom, Bradley was sprawled across your bed on his back, looking at the pictures and artwork on the walls. Trying your absolute hardest to look sexy, you crawled up between his legs, drawing his attention. As you unbuttoned his shorts, he lifted himself so you could remove them, along with his underwear. He wasn’t fully hard, probably because you spent a little too long in the bathroom, but you could tell this would be a satisfying night. 

"Like what you see?" 

"I'm just glad it's not a full-on 80's bush." 

"You're welcome," he laughed. 

Dicks had a very standard manual of operation. You suck the tip, lick it, stroke the shaft, don’t neglect the balls. The guy will usually say if they want it harder, slower, softer, faster. And of course, there’s one thing they all seem to love. Slowly, you worked down the length of his dick, taking as much of it into your mouth as possible, which was almost all of it. As your nose brushed against his pelvis, Bradley’s head fell back and he sighed into an, "Ohh, fuck." 

Encouraged by his reaction, you pulled back for a quick breath, then quickly deepthroated him again, and again, eventually getting into a rhythm. His hand gently pressed against the back of your head as his breathing became deeper, deep "Mmh"s rumbling from his throat. When your jaw started to hurt, you returned to what you’d been doing at the beginning, aided by nature’s alternative lubricator: saliva. 

"Stopstopstopstop,” Brad gasped after a few more minutes, gently pushing your head back. “Oh, fuck." 

"What, too much?" 

He didn’t respond for a minute, staring up at the ceiling as his breathing slowed. Finally he sat up. "Well, I don't wanna finish before we even start. Your turn, up here,” he stated, patting the bed next to him.

"I have a better idea, lay down again."  

It had been all you could think about while you were blowing him. The way his mouth hung open as he sighed and quietly swore, watching what you were doing. You knew exactly how he’d repay the favor. As soon as his back hit the bed, you swung your leg over him, straddling his face. 

“Oh. Got it.”

"Gotta put that porn-stache into action." 

Bradley chuckled. “You know what? I’ll take that. Lieutenant Porn-stache, reporting for duty. And it looks like it’ll be a smooth ride today,” he said, running two fingers through your already slicked folds. 

After whispering a silent prayer of please let him be good at this, you let him pull you down to his mouth, which began licking stripes over and around your clit. Every once in a while, he’d stop to gently suck on it, his tongue flicking over the bud repeatedly in the most obscene fashion, like he was drinking the god’s nectar. One of his hands ran up your leg, grabbing at your ass as you grinded against his tongue.

The visual of him between your legs was just as hot as you’d imagined it to be but suddenly, you wished you had been lying down for this as you struggled to stay upright, leaning forward against the wall for support. 

As the pleasure became more intense, you instinctively tensed, almost pulling away, but Bradley firmly held you in place as your orgasm hit. Crying out, you were practically whimpering as the man below you did not let up as wave after wave washed over you. 

As you fought to regain rational thinking, you barely noticed him lift you just enough to slip out from under you. Only when he returned from the bathroom, drying off his face with a towel, were you able to acknowledge him again. 

“Did you have a nice ride?”

“Oh, it was just lovely.” 

“Glad you enjoyed it.” He kissed you again, although now his mouth tasted overwhelmingly like you. “Ready for one more?”

He laid down next to you again and you realized his intention. “But I was just on top!” 

“And maybe that’s where I like you to be,” he coaxed, grinning at you.  

Looking into his dark eyes, you knew this argument was a lost cause because he looked so damn cute when he smiled like that, how could you say no? And again, your mind was getting ahead of itself, picturing what was about to happen. And it wasn’t a bad picture at all.

But your legs still felt shaky as you spread them, again straddling him, this time positioning yourself above his erection. Your hands resting on his broad chest, you slowly lowered yourself onto him, feeling his cock fill you up. 

Stutteringly, you began to ride him, attempting to gyrate like those pornstars do and clearly struggling. But Brad didn’t seem to mind, in fact, he helped. Gripping your hips, his hands guided your movements as he thrust upward against you. It was slow going, but the two of you were able to find your own rhythm and steadily picked up the pace. 

Soon, your own libido took over, urging you to ride him harder and faster and it no longer mattered if you looked like a pornstar because the way you were moving certainly made you moan like one. Briefly looking down, you saw Bradley’s eyes roaming over your body, but mainly fixing on that space between your legs. 

"Like what you see?" 

"Yeah. Yeah, I really do," he replied, looking up into your eyes. Somehow, that felt like something more than just his lust talking. If only he would use his words, but that would be an issue for some other time. Right now you were only fixated on how good this all felt. 

"Take a picture, it'll last longer." 

"Where's my phone?" 

Luckily, it was on the bed nearby so you didn't have to break your connection, only momentarily slowing down your movements. Holding his phone up by his face, he said, "It's on video, keep going."

You returned to your previous speed of bouncing on his dick, eliciting genuine moans from you. But you also knew you had to play up for the camera and give him something worth watching when he was gone. 

"Now I know why they call you Rooster," you said loudly in your most sultry voice. "Cuz you have the best cock around." 

You barely finished the sentence before bursting into laughter. 

“Goddamnit.” But Bradley was laughing too, shaking his head. “That was bad.”

“Yeah, okay, Lieutenant Porn-stache. You close?”

“I can be.”

Despite your enjoyment, you could feel yourself tiring. Brad turned off his phone, which had been recording the ceiling for the last minute or so that his attention slipped, and tossed it to the side.

"You gonna take a screenshot of that, print it out? Put it in your cockpit?" 

"Uh, no, because I need my blood to be going to my brain so I don't fly into a mountainside."

"Fair enough." 

"But I'll get plenty of use out of it, don't you worry. Come’ere."

You leaned forward, laying down on top of him. His arms wrapped around your body, the two of you kissing as you slowly moved against each other. The night’s events briefly replayed in your mind; the song, the jokes, the way it felt to be in his arms. As frustrating and enigmatic as he was, it felt like everything was falling into place, exactly where it should be. 

“Should I pull out?” he muttered against your lips. 

“No, I’m on birth control.”

“You sure?”

“Mhmm.”

His hands resting on your rear kept you in place as he picked up the pace. Pleasure began to form in your core again and soon you could tell he was close too, the feverish way he drilled himself into you. His lips left wet kisses down your neck as the two of you held each other as tightly as possible, hips grinding against each other relentlessly. You let your head fall into the mattress, panting and moaning against Bradley’s shoulder. Slick sweat started to coat your skin where it met with his. 

Finally, his hips slammed into yours just a few more times, hitting just the right spot as you both reached your peaks. Your gasping swears were accompanied by his stifled groans against your ear, his cock pulsing inside you as his movements slowed. 

The two of you stayed like that for a while, feeling the rising and falling of each other’s chests as your breath evened out. You could’ve fallen asleep like that, resting on his shoulder, if it weren’t for the uncomfortable way your legs were pulled up under you. When you finally raised your head, you saw your lovely lieutenant had indeed fallen asleep. 

“Are you serious?”

He blinked awake, turning towards you. “Did you say something?”

“What, you cum and immediately pass out?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he scoffed, “That doesn’t sound like me.”

“You don’t know what I’m talking about because you were fully unconscious.”

He shook his head, waving a dismissive hand in the air. “Nah, I don’t believe it. Fake news.”

“Fuck off.”

He was frustrating and enigmatic, but you couldn’t deny, he was exactly where he should be. 

[scp230kinnie]

pls do music tastes for stardew valley bachelors🙏🙏

- someone you definitely don't know

Before we begin I want everyone to know I did see the requests for other fics/hcs and I’m working on them but it has been a little hard cuz of exams 😭 will have them finished as soon is I can

I love shartstew valley omg 😻😻

I definitely don’t know you or anything 😻💪

May I introduce to you all

STARDEW VALLEY BACHELORS MUSIC TASTE HEADCANONS

Characters: Alex, Elliott, Harvey, Sam, Sebastian, Shane

Warnings: cringe

Alex

Modern music

Not Harry styles or anything I think he would hate him

He probably listens to imagine dragons and rap music

He secretly listens to country music

His favorite songs are believer by imagine dragons and high hopes by panic! At the disco

He probably listens to pierce the veil secretly tbh

Emo music is his guilty pleasure

He listens to Eminem while he works out

He also probably doesn’t listen to music very often

Elliott

So obvious but classical music

Like if it has piano or violin he loves it

He also listens to opera

Like he won’t watch it but he likes hearing the voices

He has his music going when he’s writing or he’ll have it playing quietly while he does stuff in his shack

His guilty pleasure is EDM music

He swears he hates it and insists he’s a man of culture

But he does listen to EDM

Not very often tho

Harvey

I like to think he doesn’t really listen to music that often

But if he were to I think he would like smooth jazz

He has it playing quietly in his little hospital sometimes along with the elevator music that’s probably playing

He also listens to 80s rock music

Not very often tho

Usually just when combing his moustache or reading

Not really music but he also likes to listen to ocean noises

Usually only when he REALLY can’t sleep

Which isn’t very often

Sam

Rock music

Of course

He also probably listens to whatever music his own band makes

His favorite artists/bands are måneskin, Paramore, Ozzy Osbourne, and Metallica

He also listens to ABBA

His all time favorite song is dancing queen

He secretly listens to KPOP

Specifically the girl groups

But he totally fanboys over Felix from SKZ

Same

It’s not really a secret because I can guarantee Sebastian knows

He also tries singing along but he doesn’t know Korean so he just says gibberish and hopes it’s close

He also likes listening to whatever openings are from his favorite shows lol

Sebastian

My one true love

Listens to emo music duh

Jk he likes metal, rock, and nu metal

His favorite bands are being me the horizon, Pierce the veil, motionless in white, evanescence, and asking Alexandria

His favorite Song is dark passenger by motionless in white

He is not open to new music

He’s the typa guy to go “come on turn on something good instead of this trash” when you’re listening to anything that’s not within his music taste

He insists his music taste is better than everyone else’s

He doesn’t say it out loud, but when he sees someone in public wearing merch from one of the bands he likes, he really wants to ask them to name 3 songs

I still love him tbh

Late night K-POP karaoke with Sam

Shane

He listens to SoundCloud rappers

He doesn’t make any but he kinda wants to

His favorite band is Green day

His favorite song is Superman by Eminem

I feel like he would put in headphones on the way to work every morning and listen to music

Aside from that I don’t really feel like he listens to music that often

His guilty pleasure is country music

Claims it’s the worst thing he ever heard but secretly shazams any songs

Probably sits in silence with his own thoughts most of the time

Okay that’s it lmk if y’all want the bachelorettes lololol

I hope you enjoy person i definitely don’t know

[cowgurrrl]

drunk college!joel @ karaoke 🗣️🗣️

THIS IS SO FUN 🗣️🗣️🗣️

Piano Man

Pairing: college!joel miller x reader

Author’s note: furiously typed in the Charlotte airport and unedited so if you see a typo no you didn’t (PS Joel Miller is an affectionate drunk you heard it here first)

Summary: this ask

Warnings: alcohol consumption, Joel being A Menace, smoochy smooch, June your Texas is showing, I think that’s it???

“Does he normally do this?” Olivia, a girl from your Spanish class, asks over the loud music. You glance between her and the drunk mess you call a boyfriend.

Everybody’s been stressed with midterms coming up and impending fights with your family about why you and Joel can’t come home for Thanksgiving. Your job isn’t giving you the time off and even if they did, you can’t afford to take it. Contrary to popular belief, Austin is not the cheapest place to live. You and Joel have been like passing ships with him coming home right as you’re leaving for work or class and vice versa. You both needed a break. So, when he suggested going out on a Friday night, you couldn’t find a good reason to say no. Sure, you had work to do but Joel is never the one to ask you to go out to the bars. So, naturally, you had to go. What you didn’t expect was… this.

Joel is leading the crowd of drunk college students in a group karaoke of Piano Man by Billy Joel. He’s sweaty and obviously drunk, the top four buttons of his shirt undone to reveal his tan skin and beautiful collar bones. His curls are bouncing with his movements as he sings and his beer sloshes a little haphazardly when he swings his arms. The crowd is so completely at his command and he loves it. His eyes seem to shine under the hot lights of the bar but it could also be the three tequila shots Joel bought thrumming through your veins.

You tear your eyes away from Joel long enough to look at Olivia and laugh. “No, Joel Miller is not known for his karaoke skills.” And yet, you think to yourself, he’s such a natural performer.

“Well, I think he is now.” Olivia says as the song ends and the people in the bar erupt into applause and cheers. Joel takes a gracious bow and then, ever so gracefully, chugs the rest of his beer. Thank God Olivia is your designated driver. You laugh and clap as he makes his way back over to you. He smiles goofily and clings to your side the second he’s close enough. People walk past him and say something about how fun the song was or whatever else but he’s staring at you or your lips more specifically.

“You’re not very subtle, Billy.” You say and he gives you a mock offended face.

“‘S it a crime to wanna kiss my girlfriend?” He slurs, his words getting more and more Southern the more he talks.

“It is when you’ve been drinking Love Street.”

“What’s wrong with Love Street?!” He screeches and you quickly cover his mouth with your hand.

“Besides the fact that it makes you loud as hell,” you say. You can tell he’s smirking even though you can’t see his lips. It’s in those stupid brown eyes. “It’s gross.”

“‘S not gross.” He grabs your wrist and pulls your hand away from his mouth but he uses the leverage to pull you flush against him. The heavy-lidded, smug look is making you feel… things especially when his other hand is resting dangerously low on your back.

“Yes, it is.” You try to argue and he raises his eyebrows.

“You ain’t even tried it.”

“I have!”

“Yeah?” He asks. “What’d it taste like?” The question throws you off and your first thought is ‘beer?’ because they all taste the same. Full stop.

“I don’t remember.” You say and he hums. Without skipping a beat, he lets go of your wrist and slides his hand over your jaw, pulling you towards him in a searing kiss. He tastes like stale beer and the cigarette you shared outside and you think you could get drunk just from kissing him like this. He tilts your head back to kiss you deeper, his tongue sliding over your bottom lip until you open for him, and the table top you were standing next to digs into your hip. The sticky bar fades away and everything becomes Joel. He’s crowding your space and the uncharacteristically loud groan he lets out when your fingernails rake down his chest makes your brain short circuit. Joel makes you stupid and just a touch reckless. It isn’t until someone wolf whistles at you that you remember where you are and realize just how close you’ve gotten.

His chest is pressed against yours so much so that you can feel his heartbeat. His foot has somehow made its way between yours, his thick thigh forcing yours apart. You clear your throat and struggle to wade through the Joel Fog in your head.

“D’you remember now?” He asks, his voice low and gravely. You furrow your brows and lean back to look at him fully.

“Remember what?”

“What the beer tastes like.” He says. You flounder for an answer and he smirks down at you. You shove at his chest and shake your head.

“You’re drunk, piano man.”

“Mm,” he hums, ghosting over your lips again. “Maybe you should take me home.”

“Can’t wait until last call?” You tease.

“If you make me stay until last call, I’ll make you get up there and sing with me.”

“I’ll get Olivia.”

[pineappleciders]

hihi! i just found your blog because of your Eddsworld x reader post and it was so cute, i love how you write for the characters. i also saw that your requests were open, and i was wondering if you could write the main 4 boys with gn!s/o that is a singer/songwriter and plays different instruments like piano and guitar. thank you <3

EW main 4 with a musical S/O

includes: edd, tom, matt, and tord

A/N: i am assuming you meant the ew main 4 as you mentioned it!!!! apologies if it isn't what you meant :P also thank you :))

edd

he 100% spies on you when you're rocking out or writing songs. like he thinks it's so interesting. he would just ask to watch but he knows you wouldn't want someone hovering over you while you do your thing

he looves to draw you playing the guitar in his sketchbook,, like he already draws u a lot but he has little shitty doodles of you playing instruments and singing on his wall with lil music notes and everything

lots of music puns.

"hey- hey Y/N. what do you call a musician with problems?"

"what?"

"a trebled man."

if you ever fully produce and release a song, he makes a little animation to it and put a drawing of him smooching u on the cheek at the end. (iknow this is really specific but tell me u don't see this happening)

claps for you when you sing. like in a crowd he'd stand up and clap really obnoxiously and yell "YEAHH WOOOHOOOO GO Y/N" n it'd be really embarrassing

"hey, you see that person- right- right up there? yeah, yeah that's my S/O. i know, they're so great." he says to the person next to him with tears in his eyes

karaoke nights. you two go to a karaoke bar and sing your hearts out. he's absolutely awful at singing but he LOVES it

tom

your guitar and susan have a makeshift wedding, and tom is crying the entire time, walking susan down the aisle while you play wedding music

if you started like shredding on an electric guitar or bass he'd just sit on the bed and ogle like a lovestruck idiot. like he's soooooo in love

he's super impressed, and he'll say it sometimes but be all awkward about it

"you're really good at that stuff, Y/N. i mean- seriously, it's impressive." he's like looking away and scratching his neck

he low-key feels kinda insecure about his own music skills. i think he'd like to write his own songs but hates sharing them, and he's kinda mediocre at playing the bass so when he sees you absolutely destroying the piano or something he deflates

asks you to help him get better at guitar,, which ends up with you like. holding his hands over the correct position on it behind him and it's super awkward and he gets really flustered

you both write songs about each other and you both nearly faint when you see each others songs

sometimes he gets shit-faced and shows up at your door like crying with his bass and a whole speaker system set up outside and just plays a love song he made for you while sobbing his 'eyes' out

matt

he's like, insisting that you play professional classical music or something. like his eyes are glittering talking about having a duet together on stage

he probably has like a play about himself and he begs you to play the music for it

he's constantly asking you to play him stuff. like every now and then he asks you to sing him a lullaby when he goes to bed and he falls asleep in your lap

or sometimes he asks you to play a popular pop song on guitar, and he sings along (albeit terribly)

speaking of singing, he ALWAYS starts singing when he hears you singing or humming. like it's a reflex to sing along. he sheepishly apologizes if you deadpan at him though

when introducing you to someone he wraps his arm around your waist or shoulder and pulls you close and flashes a shiny grin, showing you off

"heh, yeah, this is my S/O, they're a singer and musician. they can play the guitar, piano, violin.. yeah, i'm a pretty cool guy- i mean! uh, they're, pretty cool. yeah. that's what i said."

when the person starts talking to you about your talent goes to you he'll whine and try to get their attention back on him. he knows you're super cool and awesome and have an amazing voice and a beautiful face but this is about HIM and HIS beautiful face!!!

tord

sometimes he walks in on you strumming your guitar or singing a little tune, and he'll lean on the doorway with his arms crossed just listening

he thinks it's super cool, and sometimes he'll ask you to play one of his favorite songs

subconsciously starts humming your songs around the house, and might get a little flustered if you mention it

definitely borrowed your guitar one time and probably broke one of the strings. he got absolutely terrified and locked himself in his room waiting for you to get home

"tord! i'm home! what's- *gasp*"

absolutely quaking in his boots. safe to say he got a good smack on the head and had to pay to get it repaired

he loves to listen to you sing or play piano through the walls. he finds it less awkward than being in the same room, and the muffled effect makes it strangely calming

like matt he pulls you close and brags about your talents to people you meet. with a huge grin too. he thinks he looks so cool but he actually looks like a huge douchebag

he actually looks like a huge douchebag in general. but he's your huge douchebag🥰

this is random but i feel like all of them are the type to show up outside your window in the middle of the night, hold a speaker over their head and play peter gabriel to win ur love. they're such fuckung geeks

[callsignmercy]

Don’t go breaking my heart - Jake ‘Hangman’ Seresin.

Prompt: The only thing you asked Jake was to not break your heart. But Jake can’t keep a promise, after all he always leaves when the fight becomes too intense right?

Words: ~4k

Warning: Jake being a dick (why you asking), crying, Phoenix and Halo being the sweetest friends ever, cute Bob, fluff, happy ending.

Note: Somebody needs to stop me writing about Hangman, this is becoming concerning, I’m scared for the small amount of mental health I have left. Highly unedited. English is not my first language. Sorry for the easy vocabulary and bad grammar. Please do not republish, translate or do whatever to my work.

Y/C/S: Your callsign

————————————————————————

You pass the door of The Hard Deck that evening not really waiting for anything in particular. You have been called back to Top Gun for a top secret mission along with a few other pilots whom you don’t know yet.

“Hello, I’m Y/N, but you can call me Y/C/S.” You smile at the cute nerdy lieutenant who was sat down on a bar stool eating peanuts. “Hi uh- I’m Bob.” “Your callsign is Bob?” You ask with a smile.” “Uhm yes well people never really gave me one so we just stuck with Bob.” “Oh that’s sad, is your name Robert?” “It is.” “Well nice to meet you Robert. Are you going to Top Gun too?” “I am.” He smiles softly.

You sit down next to Bob, waiting for other aviators to arrive. “Well hello there. What’s your name beautiful?” A man asks, arriving at the pool table. “I’m Y/C/S.” “Hello Y/C/S, I’m Hangman.” “Nice to meet you. This is Bob.” You tell Hangman, pointing Bob next to you. “Man’s a stealth pilot, didn’t even notice you there.” “I’m a WSO actually.” “Yeah it was sarcasm buddy.” “Oh I uh-” Hangman pats him on the shoulder with a smile. “It’s okay, don't be so shy. Wanna play pool with Coyote and I. Two vs two?" You look at Bob who seems hesitant and you smile softly to him. “Come on, it'll be fun.” “Alright.” He smiles shyly.

You begin a game while others arrive, saluting Hangman and Coyote whom they seem to already know. You meet Phoenix, Payback, Fanboy and later on Rooster and many others.

As Rooster begins playing the piano everybody joins him for a karaoke of Great Balls of Fire but you stay back being a little shy. “Wanna play darts?” Hangman asks with a genuine smile on his face. “Hum yeah. I’m not really good at it though sorry.” “It’s fine, I can show you some tricks if you want.” “Okay.” You smile at him.

“Okay just like this, can I put my hand here?” He asks, hovering over your arm. “Yes, go ahead.” He puts his hand on yours when you give him the go and shows you the move to throw a bullseye which you almost get when you shoot your dart. You shoot him a bright smile seeing the dart next to the center of the target. “Not bad for a first time.” He exclaims with a smile.

You don’t know what it is but you genuinely feel attracted to Hangman, he seems so nice and gentle. After Rooster ends his song and the aviators come back to the pool table you get to talk with Phoenix among others. “I saw you playing darts with Hangman. I don’t wanna kill the mood but Jake’s a real womanizer and he’d do everything to get in a woman’s pants so be careful with him. You seem so nice I wouldn’t want you to get attached to someone like him.” She says.

“Really? He seemed so nice and gentle. He asked if he could touch my hand to show me a move at darts and everything. He doesn’t seem like the type you’re describing.” “I know but trust me, be careful. If you wanna have fun I say go for it. He seems like a really good one night stand but don’t really expect much more from him.” “Alright, thanks for warning me.” You reply and she gives you a genuine smile.

As the night comes to an end you head out of the bar to go back to base. “Hey Y/C/S. Can I give you a ride home?” Hangman - or Jake as Phoenix called him - asks. “Are you on base too?” “I am.” “Alright then.” You smile and climb inside his truck. “Did you have a good night?” “I did, thanks for the games of pool and darts, by the way.” “You’re welcome, I really enjoyed playing with you.” He replies.

You arrive on base and show the officer your badges as he lets you in. Jake parks his truck and runs to the other side to open the door for you. You chuckle at the gesture. “Why thank you lieutenant.” Jake can’t help but feel his stomach twist as his rank comes out of your mouth. It’s a word he hears daily by his friends and superior officers yet somehow, coming out of your mouth, the word has a different sound to it. A sound he can’t quite decipher but he sure likes.

“I assume you might bunk with Phoenix and Halo?” “I presume yes.” “Do you know where your dorm is?” “I do, thanks for asking.” You smile back at him. “Well goodnight then Y/C/S.” “My name’s Y/N.” You tell him. “It suits you, I like it. I’m Jake.” He smiles softly. “Well it was nice meeting you Jake. See you tomorrow?” “See you tomorrow, sleep well.” “You too Jake.” You say as you head over to your dorm, leaving Jake in the middle of the corridor, smiling like a child in love.

You can’t help but think about how cute he is despite everything Phoenix told you a few hours ago.

–

The next morning you head to your first class with the girls and sit in the front as you usually do. Jake arrives a few minutes later and sits in the same row, leaving an empty seat between you two. “Sleep well?” He asks. “I did, thanks for asking.” You give him a cute smile and his stomach makes somersaults inside him. He needed to ask you out. Not in front of the whole class but he would find an opportunity. He needed it like air to breathe.

So that evening after dogfighting he did exactly that.

“Y/C/S wait a sec!” He exclaims catching up to you as you were headed back to the changing room to end your day. “Hangman.” You reply solemnly. “I uh- I wanted to ask you something. You can totally say no I will understand but um… Will you go out with me? Like… ever?” “Are you asking me out on a date, Hangman?” “Only if you say yes.” He says and you grin. “Then it’s a yes.” You reply. “Is tonight too soon?” He asks, hopeful. “Tonight’s perfect.” You chuckle. “Meet me at the door at seven? And please, call me Jake.” “Alright Jake, see you then.” You smile shyly and enter the changing room to take your shower.

Jake feels like a little kid almost twirling on himself as he heads over to the men’s changing room.

–

At seven you go to the main door to meet Jake who’s already waiting for you. “You look wonderful Y/N.” He says, smiling. “Thank you, you clean up nice too.” You reply. “Where are we going?” “I thought we could just pick up some food and then go have a picnic on the beach? There is a food truck not far away that serves really good food if it’s alright with you?” He asks with a hopeful smile. “Sounds perfect Jake.” You reply, smiling brightly.

Jake drives you to the beach where a food truck is parked. You order food before going to sit down in the sand with your meals.

“So tell me about you Y/N.” “What exactly do you want to know?” “Everything. Parents, siblings, pets, favorite food, drink, hobby, pet peaves, ideal holiday, the whole shebang.” You laugh. “Okay so, my parents are divorced. My mom’s a chef and my dad was in the navy, a naval aviator like me but I’m the first to make it to Top Gun.” “Congrats on that.” Jake interrupts you. “Thanks, it wasn’t easy to be honest, being a woman and everything. Anyway, I don’t have any siblings nor pets because my parents can’t be bothered with any which is really sad but I really want a dog someday.”

“What else um, I love pasta and I like to have a beer once in a while but I’d much rather drink water. I love to read and I hate the sound of people chewing or people that walk slowly in front of me. My ideal holidays are skiing or doing nothing on a beach far away from naval towns where everyone knows everyone you know. What about you?”

“Well what do you wanna know?” “Truth be told, Phoenix told me things about you and I only wanna know if she’s right.” Jake’s face falls a bit. “Uh oh… What did she tell you exactly?” “That you’re a womanizer and you’d do everything to get in a girl’s pants.” “It was true.” He admits. “But I met you yesterday and I instantly thought you were really cute and to be honest I just want to spend time with you.”

“Well I thought you were really cute too. But I warn you I really don’t want to get my heart broken so you better be honest and not lead me on if you don’t want this to be serious.” You reply as he grins. “I promise I’m not trying to get in your pants. Well yes, but not only.” He smirks. “Jake Seresin!” You exclaim as you playfully punch him on his arm. “Well you told me to be honest.” He chuckles.

“Don’t go breaking my heart, that’s all I ask.” “I promise.” He smiles softly.

“Alright I wanna know your biggest fear.” You say. “People leaving me on my own to die up there.” “Why would they do that?” “I’m not a really likable person to be honest and people have done that in the past so…” “So you’ve developed a defense mechanism which consists in leaving everyone out to dry by fear of people doing the same to you right? At least that’s what I picked up from dogfighting earlier.” You smile and Jake sighs. “I do, yes.” “You know, we’re a team up there. You should really start trusting people not to leave you hanging. People count on you and you can count on them. There’s no need to be arrogant in this field, it’s a team’s job. We’re not playing solo here.”

“I know.” “Promise me you won’t do that to me up there. Cause I promise you you’ll be the first to be sad if someone that you’ve left behind dies on you up there.” “You’re probably right. I’ll try my best.” He replies as you smile at him. “I really like you, you know.” “I really like you too Jake.”

–

The next day was dogfighting again. You, Jake and Rooster were up in the air waiting and searching for Maverick. “Hangman you see him?” Rooster asks. “Negative. Y/C/S?” “Negative guys. He must be up in the clouds.” “Oh but I’ve been here the whole time.” You hear Maverick on the radio before you see him, going up above Rooster’s plane, inverted. “Holy shit.” Hangman says. The next few seconds go really fast as Maverick and Rooster start fighting and Rooster provokes a Cobra maneuver that lead them to almost crash on the mountains below. “Come on Rooster, drop down and take the shot.” Hangman says but Rooster doesn’t budge. and Maverick tones him a few seconds later before going after you.

“Shit Hangman, get him off me.” You exclaim. “Coming Y/C/S.” Hangman replies.

He listened to you and didn’t leave you out to dry. Even though you ended up “shot down” by Maverick you gave him a run for his money and Hangman stayed with you all along.

“I’m proud of you.” You whisper to Jake after getting ready for your push ups. “We’re still dead, you and I.” “Yeah but we fought till the end and that’s what it means to be a team. I’m happy you stayed and fought with me Jake.” You smile at him. “Next time we gotta survive though.” “We will, don’t worry.”

At the end of the day as you head towards the women’s changing room you hear Jake’s voice talking to someone.

“It’s not like I would ever go out with her, she’s not even my type. Gotta be blind to ever wanna chase someone like Y/C/S.” He chuckles awkwardly. “You seemed really close to her during your push ups though. And someone told me they saw you together last night.” It was Coyote’s voice now. “I don’t know who told you that but they’re wrong, I would never go out with her.”

Tears begin to pool in your eyes. So much so for not breaking your heart. You run back to the changing room, luckily you were hiding for the entirety of their conversation.

You fall down on the bench in front of your locker and the tears flood your cheeks. You hear Phoenix and Halo coming in laughing together about something. You quickly wipe out your tears before getting up and opening your locker. “Hey Y/C/S, good job up there you almost had him.” “Thanks.” You reply trying to sound convincing but your voice just breaks because of the sadness you were feeling. “Are you okay?” Halo asks, concerned. “I’m fine.” You reply as a single tear drops down your cheek, not going unnoticed by the girls. “Wait why are you crying, what happened?”

Instead of answering you break down again and fall down on the bench behind you, putting your head in your hands. Phoenix and Halo are quick to get to you and sit down on either side of you hugging you. “Do you want to talk about it?” Phoenix asks carefully. You sniffle before answering. “Jake’s an asshole and I should have listened to you.” “What did he do?” “He took me out on a date last night and we had a good time and I just heard him say to Coyote that I wasn’t his type and that people would have to be stupid to ever go out with me and another load of mean things like that although earlier today he was still flirting with me and everything.” “Fucking asshole, I swear to God I’ll kill him.” Phoenix groans.

“Yeah well it doesn’t matter anymore really, I’m just gonna forget about him and keep working on going on this mission.” “That’s the spirit Y/C/S!” Halo says. “Just forget about him, he’s a dick.” Phoenix adds. “But it hurts you know, I asked him not to break my heart after he told me he liked me and everything and he promised but he did anyway.” “I will never understand the pleasure men get in hurting women. Seriously, what are they gaining from it? A sense of purpose? An ego boost? Because I can tell you what they’re losing it’s awesome women that would have given the world to them but they are too stupid to comprehend this.” Phoenix rambles and you and halo laugh at her words.

–

You’ve been ignoring Jake for days. Not letting him talk to you, nor explaining why you weren’t talking to him. You haven’t been up in the sky with him since that second day but today Maverick called the both of you up.

“How is it looking, Y/C/S do you see him?” God, even hearing his voice made you want to punch him in the face. “Negative.” You reply with a stone cold voice. Jake knows now is not the right time to get into an argument with you but he would very much like for you to explain what was wrong to him. The tone of your voice made him shiver, he never heard you sound so… not you? He didn’t know how to describe it but it didn’t sound like you at all, you were usually really cute and gentle in your tone and choice of words that this simple word sent him goosebumps.

As Maverick drops from the clouds above and appears on your radar Jake is the first to speak. “He’s on our tail Y/C/S break left!” You do so as Jake breaks right to force Mav to pick a side and he chooses to follow Hangman. You hear Jake panting on the radio trying to avoid being toned by Maverick.

“Y/C/S a little help here please?” Jake asks but you don’t respond. You drop down behind your captain and take the shot, having been unnoticed by neither of them. “That’s a kill, Captain.” You say blankly.

Hangman is shocked at your words and before he could say something Maverick speaks. “Really good job Y/C/S, I’ll see you both back on base.”

You head back to base and hear Jake talk to you through the radio. “Good job Y/C/S.” He says but you don’t respond.

As you walk towards the hangar Jake comes running behind you. “Hey can we talk?” He asks, expectant. You don’t reply and keep on walking. “Y/C/S!” He shouts. “Y/N!” He tries but you keep walking. “Lieutenant Y/L/N!” You stop dead on your track and turn around to look at him.

“Can we talk?” He asks again. Your jaw clenches before you speak. “You know I really wanted to give you a taste of your own medicine up there. Play solo, save my own ass. But I didn’t, because I’m a team player but I know you would never have done that, you’re so selfish. And why would you save my ass if he went after me uh? After all, people gotta be blind to ever wanna chase someone like me right?” You ask, voice stone cold. Jake's face drops at the realization but before he could open his mouth you were already walking back to the hangar.

You were shaking the whole way back to the changing room. Never in your life have you ever done something like that. Staying impassible and stoic in front of the man that broke your heart and telling him off like that. You thought it was so well done but you hated being mean towards people like that but he needed to understand. Understand that you knew what he really thought of you and understand that he really hurt you by saying what he said.

When you push open the women’s room door you allow yourself to let out the breath you didn’t know you were holding and you fall down on the bench in front of your locker. Luckily for you it was next to the door as you don’t know if your feet would have supported you for another step. Phoenix and Halo were already there when you entered and they were next to you in a second, seeing your state of panic.

“Are you okay? What happened?” “I told Hangman that I knew.” “Really? That’s wonderful! How did you tell him?” “I was telling him that he is selfish and that if I was the one Maverick was chasing he probably wouldn’t have saved me like I did him and I said ‘After all gotta be blind to ever wanna chase someone like me’, the thing he told Coyote the other day and his face just dropped and all the colors disappeared at once. And then I left.” “That is so badass, I’m so proud of you Y/N!” Phoenix exclaims. “You’re shaking.” Halo states. “I know I’m not used to being mean to people like that.” You reply matter-of-factly. “You weren’t being mean, you were being truthful and that’s all that matters. Now Jake has a chance to come and apologize now that he knows why you won’t speak to him.” Halo says. “You’re right. But It doesn’t mean I’ll forgive him though.” “And you’ll be in your own right not to. After all, he did break a promise he made you when he said those things.” Phoenix replies.

On the other end of the corridor Jake was walking towards the men’s changing room, mind blank, gaze on the floor. Coyote arrived and stopped next to him. “You alright?” Jake didn’t respond as he kept on walking, afraid of what would come out of his mouth if he did.

Phoenix came out of the room at the same moment and heard the guys’ voices. “Have you seen a ghost or something? Are you sick?” “Fuck you Coyote!” Jake exclaims. “Wow okay what did I do?” Phoenix thought it best to film the interaction just in case she needed something to blackmail Jake in the future. She got her phone out discreetly and started filming, trying not to be noticed.

“Why would you ask me about Y/N uh? I don’t even know why I lied to you. Of course I like her she’s the cutest, and nicest person I’ve ever met and I seriously think I’m in love with her. But now it’s all gone out the window because she heard me say that she was not my type and everything to you the other day. I don’t even know why I said that. I wanted to keep it a secret for now but of course you had to get your nose in my business!” Jake shouts.

“I uh- I’m sorry man I didn’t mean to bother you I wasn’t being nosy or anything I just wanted to know if you’ve finally found someone to settle down with that’s all. I really like Y/N and I think she’d be good for you. Look, you've even stopped leaving people out when we fly. We almost have to give you a new callsign now.” Javy chuckles.

“I don’t deserve her man. You know what she did today? She almost left me get toned by Mav but she saved my ass. She just nice like that and I fucked it all up.” “I think you need to tell her the truth.” “How? She would never listen to me and even less believe me after what she heard the other day.” “You have to try. You cannot let her go, you'll never find another one like her.” “I know that, trust me.”

Phoenix stopped the recording and went back to the changing room to find you. “Y/N you need to look at this!” She says. She sits down next to you and plays the video for you.

When you hear Jake rambling about the fact that he loved you you felt the tears pool in your eyes.

You went back to your dorm after that, mind racing, processing Jake’s words. “Y/N.” You hear behind you. You turn around, knowing who the voice belongs to. “Jake.” You reply. “Please let me explain.” You don’t reply but you don’t walk away so Jake takes this as a sign to go on.

“Look, what I said to Coyote the other day, it wasn’t true. At all. I just said that because I didn’t want him meddling into my life, I wanted to keep whatever we had a secret because I wanted to protect you from people talking, considering… You know… That I’m a womanizer. But the truth is, you’re totally my type and I will chase you to the end of the world if need be.” “And you’re in love with me.” You stated. “I- What?” “That’s what you said earlier right? You’re in love with me.” You repeat as Jake chuckles. “You really gotta stop eavesdropping on my conversations.” He grinned. “I wasn’t, Phoenix heard you. But the point is you should never talk about me behind my back because I’ve caught you every time.”

“I’ll stop.” “I’m sorry about what I said earlier. About the fact that you were selfish.” “Already forgotten. I promise I’ll never leave you behind. Ever.” “So?” “So what?” “Is it true you’re in love with me?” You smile softly. “Undeniably.” He replies before closing the gap between you and putting his lips on yours.

“Finally.” You said as you smiled into the kiss.

[amethyst-ghoul-backup]

Hello ! How are you ? 🖤 Do you think you could write headcanons for the Ghouls going to karaoke (pleaaaase) ? I just had this thought of them absolutely having a blast while singing Bohemian Rhapsody (don’t ask me why 💀😭)

omg your brain is *chef’s kiss* i love this idea!!

also i got a little carried away so i do apologize for that y’all 😭😭

- The ghouls are allowed one sort of fun outing to town per week

- Copia is required to chaperone but he’ll let them pick what they want to do and where they want to go, he just goes along to supervise

- To keep everything fair, the ghouls get to write down one idea each for what they want to do, they put the ideas in a hat, and draw one each week until they’ve done everyone’s idea

- On Friday night the pack gathers around the hat and Cirrus pulls a slip with the words “Karaoke bar” on it

- So karaoke it is

- On Saturday night all 8 of them and Copia pile into one of the ministry’s van and off they go

- They enter a mostly empty little karaoke bar and get a private room for singing

- They also order a bunch of drinks

- Swiss insists on going first and gives a very unique rendition of No Hands

- Dew and Sunshine cheer him on of course

- Cirrus and Aether absolutely kill their choice of Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

- The others can’t help but give Mountain an amused glance every time his name comes up in the song

- He is very much not amused

- Cumulus goes next and sings Halo by Beyoncé so beautifully that Copia rethinks her being an Air Ghoul because she HAS to be part siren

- “Show off” Dew jokingly mutters when she’s done but Rain slaps him on the arm anyway

- Sunshine decides she wants to sing I Won’t Say I’m In Love from the Hercules soundtrack and gets Swiss and Aether to be the muses

- They do the little dances and everything

- Like i’m talking full on movie accurate choreography

- Rain and Mountain seem sort of reluctant at first but once they realize Disney songs are an option they are all for it

- They do Under The Sea from The Little Mermaid, Hakuna Matata from The Lion King, I’ll Make A Man Outta You from Mulan, and more

- Aether cuts them off after they sing The Bare Necessities for the second time

- After Dew has one too many margaritas (he drank 6) he BODIES Rap God by Eminem and Tap In by Saweetie

- When he starts singing CPR by Cupcakke Copia knows it’s time to go

- “But youuu haven’t sung anything yet Cardi!” Sunshine drunkenly points out from the couch where she’s leaning all of her body weight on a fast asleep Cirrus

- All the ghouls turn to Copia with nods of agreement

- “I— eh, eh-heh. That is true. I suppose one more song wouldn’t hurt.” Copia agrees

- He wanted to do Piano Man by Billy Joel but that wasn’t an option

- So he goes with Bohemian Rhapsody

- And boy was that a choice

- As soon as the ghouls hear the intro they get so hyped up

- Copia sings the intro and verse 1 and 2 by himself

- Dew and Aether vocalize the guitar solo but it’s really off pitch

- The ghouls join in verse 3 and they all do the high pitched voice

- They do the little call and response with Copia

- Sunshine, Rain, and Cumulus song the “Let me go” part and the other five ghouls sing the “We will not let you go” part

- When it’s all over they end up super giggly and in high spirits

- Then they got kicked out because Dew got too excited and lit a couch on fire

- But it was an overall 10/10 experience

If you read all of this to the end, you’re a real one! Also does anyone know of that tiktok with that group of boys wearing like navy blue bedsheets as togas and lip syncing to I Won’t Say I’m In Love cause that’s exactly what I imagine Swiss and Aether doing while Sunshine sings. Someone please know what I’m talking about 😭😭

[unstable-and-gay]

I'm sad so here's some music headcanons for Destiny 2 characters, assuming music remained intact since the pre-Golden Age:

- Cayde: ofc I'm starting with him. I feel like he'd listen to a bit of everything to be honest (I'm projecting so hard rn), but most of the content of his playlists would be "european childhood" songs (idk what else to call them), 80's music and white girl music. My boy would absolutely kill it at an ABBA karaoke night. He knows every single move to the Just Dance Rasputin dance (he learnt when he was a human, but don't tell him that. He likes to think he came up with it), which only fueled Andal's jokes about him being Rasputin (the warmind, not the dude). Oh and he listens to Hozier when he's Feeling™.

- Eris: my favorite goth. However, i feel like she'd mainly go for the loud stuff, to drown The Voices™. Real loud. Like, Deep Purple loud. Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath are on the list as well, she likes to vary. As for the goth, perhaps some Nine Inch Nails. The Cure, definitely. She really likes how russian songs sound. Saint thinks she's weird.

- Ikora: other than the occasional heavy metal music sesh with her gf (she specifically enjoys Metallica), she's really into lofi. I know, i know. Polar opposites. But she's stressed, ok? She also wouldn't say no to some bedroom pop/alternative/indie. I can picture her listening to Rex Orange County.

- Zavala: Zuzuvela! Classical music, who would've guessed. A bit cliche, i know, but hear me out. I like to think man's learned to play the piano when living with Safiyah, and used to play Für Elise for her. He still plays it now when he's feeling down. Are you crying yet? I am. Anyways, we all know he listens to Shaxx's tapes as well.

- Amanda: everything about her screams rap to me. But like, all rap. From Eminem to Tupac to Nicki Minaj to Kendrick Lamar. Imma throw Tyler, The Creator and Childish Gambino in as well because that's my personal Holy Trinity. Kendrick, Gambino and Tyler. In that order, iykwim.

- Crow: now this guy, he's the definition of "a bit of everything". Hozier. Soooo much Hozier in this guy's wrapped. If you look closely you might spot some Will Wood and Mitski. Oh and, ofc, the queens as well: Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Britney Spears, etc. Now that i think about it, he would make a great Y2K girl, but that's between me and God.

I ran out of colors so that's it! Please tell me if i should make more i have so many of these (i will probably make more regardless). Also please tell me if i got any genres and/or artists wrong, I did do some research but you never know <3

[overdevelopedglasses]

Tojoctober Day 1 - Dance

(All this energy's got us inspired now)

Alt title is from “Dance!”, the P4D opening song

It's Zhao's birthday! Can he and Ichiban convince the party to bust a move?

(Joon-gi Han drink link spoilers)

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

The local bar of Survive never had a dull night once Ichiban Kasuga and his ragtag team declared it as their hideout months ago. Music would often be loud enough for anyone passing to hear the tunes, along with the rambunctious cheers and infectious joy of the party. Typically, there wouldn't be a rime or reason for the music to play (despite Ichiban's reason of "bonding") but today was a special occasion.

The locals who knew of Survive would know it's typically occupied by the owner and his assistant, but they are nowhere to be found. Behind the bar instead stood a large assortment of balloons and a big helium tank. Streamers and banners adorned the ceiling and walls, along with a small pile of gifts on a table near the door. The record player, commonly finding a home on the bookshelf, now sat on the piano, and the karaoke machine was fully loaded with yen, as the people celebrating took turns with the machine.

Serenading the room this go around was Tianyou Zhao, with his rendition of "The Future I Dreamed Of." Ichiban is usually insistent on being the one to sing that song ("It's my theme! I have to sing it!") but the man in question sat next to the bar with a big grin on his face. How could he say no to Zhao, since it was his birthday?

The others in the room were everyone who Ichiban considered a member of his party: Nanba, Adachi, Saeko, and Eri were crowded around the karaoke stage. They'd usually clap along, but they were all enthralled by the birthday boy. Even Joon-gi Han, who was so dedicated to his self-imposed role as lookout, found himself cracking a small smile at Zhao's sweet tones.

Zhao finishes the song with a flourish, and the audience breaks into uproarious applause. Ichiban walks up and swings an arm around the man's shoulder, an even wider grin on his face.

"Zhao-san! Since when could you do that???"

"Yeah man, what the fuck? I knew Kasuga could serenade and scream, but you too?" Adachi chimes in, walking back to the bar, stealing Ichiban's seat, and pouring himself another drink. The bartender leaving the place to the party is a semi-common occurrence, especially late into the night. How Zhao got that to happen much earlier, along with almost free reign of the drinks, was beyond most of the party, but Adachi wasn't one to complain.

Zhao laughs at the remarks from his comrades.

"Consider it my birthday gift to you all."

Saeko beams at the man. "Well, it was very nice, Zhao. Thank you." Eri, sitting next to her, also made a noise of agreement.

Zhao flashed the women a grin before clapping his hands together. "Well then! Time for the main event." He exclaims, his eyes darting around to everyone before settling on the man next to him.

Everyone's faces became overrun with confusion, except for Ichiban, who's eyes went wild with excitement.

"YEAH!" Ichiban exclaims in return, walking towards the record player. He only stops when he feels Nanba grab his wrist.

"Hey, Ichiban... what the hell is Zhao going to surprise us with this time?"

Ichiban grins widely as his best friend. "Don't worry, Nanba. It won't be anything bad."

While that doesn’t do anything to settle Nanba's worries, he does let go of Ichiban, who completes his journey over to the record player. He sorts through the records before finding the one Zhao requested he start with when it was time.

Soon, a classic 80s hit fills the room with a sense of vigor. Zhao grins again, and leans down, offering his hands to Eri.

Eri gave a glance of hesitation towards Ichiban. He waves at her to say "go on!"

Eri takes Zhao's hands, and Zhao pulls her up into the middle of the room. A sound of surprise, then laughter comes from Eri as they begin to dance. Their movements are a bit awkward, but they quickly settle into the beat and rhythm of the song.

Ichiban, as part of Zhao's plan, goes over to Nanba, hoisting him up by his shoulders.

"Oi, Ichibaaaah!" Nanba's protests made the man laugh, as Ichiban gives Nanba a lighthearted shove towards the ones already dancing, then sliding up next to him as he himself begins to join the dance.

Adachi, who is at this point too intoxicated to consider something like embarrassment, jumps in between Ichiban and Eri and attempts to break dance. He ends up falling on his face, lacking the skills that Ichiban surprised them all with many months ago. Saeko laughs, and assists the older man up, before settling on a position between Zhao and Nanba as she begins to groove.

The six members of the party dance in their circle, their own little slice of joy, laughing and swaying to the beat. It's not until a lull in the music, as Ichiban walks over to the record player to set up a loop of danceable songs, when Eri glances over at the last seated member of the party.

"Aren't you going to join in?"

The remaining member, Joon-gi Han, shrugs.

"Dancing... isn't my thing. I'll be fine." He resumes what he was doing, looking out the window of the bar, before another voice draws his attention back inside.

"Oh come now, Han-kun, you can't humor us just this once?"

Joon-gi Han spins around, prepared to retort, but falls short when the party is all staring at him.

"Come on, Joon-gi Han!"

"Join us, won't you?"

"Do it for me, Han-kun. It's my birthday, after all!"

The party beckons him towards the circle with outstretched hands and arms, and Joon-gi Han shores up his defenses, ready to deny and ignore, despite the dull ache in his heart.

This is when Ichiban, done with the records, as the first song he put on begins to fill the space, walks over to Joon-gi Han's seat. He leans in close, his voice dropping to a whisper intent for him and him alone.

"Yeonsu-san. What's the harm in having fun?"

Oh.

If there's one thing Joon-gi Han never expected Ichiban to do, it was to catch him off guard. Joon-gi Han was supposed to be prepared, all the time. For anything. The last thing he expected was for Yeonsu to be asked something.

The loudest voice in his mind screams no, to go back to surveying the situation for threats, to walk away from the bar entirely, anything to not let his guard down.

And for the first time in what felt like forever, the man makes a choice. The quietest voice in his mind, one suppressed for years on end. What's the harm in listening to it once in a while, especially in trusted company?

Joon-gi Han takes a deep breath, and gives a genuine smile to the man who knew his name.

"You're right."

Ichiban's eyes widen, blush rushing up his cheeks, as Joon-gi Han rises from where he sat, and slowly makes his way to the circle with Ichiban. Nanba and Saeko create an opening, as Joon-gi Han stands awkwardly, all eyes on him, mouths agape in shock.

"I hate to admit this... but how does one dance?"

Those who walked past Survive on a regular basis, who are used to hearing 6 unique sounds of laughter, were puzzled but brightened when a 7th voice joined the choir. For the first time in a while, Survive enjoyed a night of pure bliss and only bliss.

[butchhamlet]

i just watched truly the most production of midsummer and i felt like i had to come here. to be clear i have not seen a lot of absurdist or non linear theater in my day so i’ve probably got a vague idea of weird here but this was. this was weird. i have to see this production for class with most of my grade, and basically all i was told going in was this was a modern version of midsummer, with like modern music, and only one actor’s name was getting dropped in conversation so i was gathering it was a one man show. i go in and it’s a very minimal set, just a few bags, a rug, a piano bench, and the piano my school has with a pair of work boots on top. there’s also a music stand off to the side with a laptop on it. guy comes in barefoot and opens with puck’s ending monologue. this is the only part of the play he recites in full for the whole show. he then puts on a beanie and goes into the opening scene with mechanicals, and stops at about the “bottom’s dream” ballet thing. he does puck’s ending monologue again. he does a few other bits of midsummer (the monologue about the seasons being weird, the lion howls monologue) interspersed with puck’s ending monologue and the opening mechanicals scene, but every time he does the mechanicals scene, he’s stopping at the “lover or a fighter” bit now. he’s changing costumes and props very erratically throughout and at one point takes out a boombox that was so much less utilized than i thought it would be cause it was so pretty. this is like. kinda weird but not that weird tbh. he starts bottom’s dream monologue again, and changes the song on his laptop to a karaoke track of something and stops talking. a bit of the track plays and he starts puck’s ending monologue again, interspersed with him singing along to the song which i THINK was linger by the cranberries but i couldn’t really catch it. the song ends and he’s like “hi everybody time to talk for a second. this is my name and i’m doing a weird production of midsummer i hope you come away with more questions that answers.” alright cool everything makes sense now. he continues in the same rhythm as before, doing the same portions of midsummer in different orders with different inflections and actions and props that i can’t really describe. he also throws the “my brother he is in elysium” bit from twelfth night in there at one point for no reason? it is around the point a girl in my class i only sort of know leans over to me and asks if i’ve ever read the one tumblr post about a production of midsummer that starts with a guy eating a burrito and the whole thing is his dream. i have never told her i have a tumblr she has just read this on me. and also the answer to the question is yes. we both agree this is probably what that production was like. the guy then does the beginning of puck’s ending for like the 10th time and starts a new karaoke track (there is an ad for vrbo before it). it’s creep by radiohead. he sings the Entire song with like two bits of shakespere interspersed before sitting down to do a brief q&a with us about what he’s doing and the play itself. he talks about non linear storytelling and loops for a bit and uses oberon and titania’s first interaction to show it off. he talks about puck a bit. we go back into the show with no warning it’s just suddenly the “gods my life stolen hence and let me sleep” bit. the loop continues again for a while, but this time oberon and titania’s first meeting has mostly replaced the mechanicals and has entirely replaced the seasons bit. also at one point he goes into the queen mab speech from romeo and juliet that i IMMEDIATELY recognize and it confuses be wildly because i’ve forgotten what environment i’m in. (1/2)

we then take another pause to talk about good and bad and oberon and titania (and also pick a little) where he says a lot but makes absolutely no points about the show. par for the course. he tells us the lion roses monologue is his favorite and it’s cut from many productions, goes into it, and we do the last chunk of the show, which is everything i’ve just watched dialed up by ten times. the twelfth night bit AND the queen mab speech are back. he then says that he’s closing the show with puck’s monologue again and says “if i have ruined that piece of text for you, i am sorry for nothing”. he spends a second pulling up another karaoke track. there is an ad for lemon lime soda before this one. i recognize the track immediately but talk myself out of it. he starts puck’s monologue again and gets a few lines in before he starts singing. it’s yellow by coldplay. i was right about the song, btw. he does most of the song uninterrupted, before briefly doing bottom’s dream monologue and finishing out puck’s monologue in the instrumental breaks. he has a lovely voice but this is the weirdest song choice so far tbh. he leaves the stage at the end of the song. show is over. i enjoyed myself immensely and i have never been more confused by something i was REQUIRED to watch for a class. i also had to hear if we shadows have offended at least 20 times in the span of an hour and 15 minutes-ish, which sure was something. (2/2)

my slow transition reading this from "well this isn't THAT weird" -> "if someone clocked me for being a tumblr user in class i would keel over and die" -> "CREEP BY RADIOHEAD?". dude i think that was puck. like i think that was puck himself

[backtotheo]

(joe keery, he/him/his, cismale) who is theo clark anyways? ew. you don’t know about him, we’ll bet you want to. they’re feeling thirty and singing karaoke feels like a perfect night to them. rumor has it they’re indecisive and have low self-esteem because they care, but they’re also intelligent and adaptable in the best way. he works to make a little money as an employee at the animal shelter (...but he also walks dogs on rover on the side). they’ve rented on a place on cornelia street in the form of an an apartment. back to december and long live are the song they could dance to the beat of forevermore. (tw: cancer, about 3/4's of the way into the "backstory" section here!)

basics.

full name: theodore james clark. nicknames: honestly? most people just call him theo, though teddy is a family nickname he'd probably still respond to. gender/pronouns: cismale/he/him/his. sexual orientation: extremely bisexual. birthday: july 22nd. star sign: cancer. cancers are known to be highly intuitive, sensitive...and insecure. occupation: proud employee of the animal care center of new york...and he walks dogs for rover on the side.

personality.

positive traits: intelligent, adaptable, caring, honest, empathetic. negative traits: realistic pessimistic, indecisive, blunt, sensitive…but like not talking about those feelings ever?,  low self esteem while being self-centered. hogwarts house: i know jrk sucks and we do not claim her but the man is a hufflepuff…but a burned one. alignment: chaotic neutral. ennegram: 4w5. personality type: infj. 

backstory.

his childhood was normal. happy, even. except for the part where his parents never let him have a dog because they were 'too busy' for one.

because his parents both had pretty demanding jobs, he was put in a ton of after school activities, but he kind of sucked at sports. so he joined boy scouts and took a bunch of different music lessons. he's pretty decent at guitar and piano and can fake his way through some accordion in a pinch.

theo is the oldest of three and was the child his parents placed their hopes on. his mother is a well-known pediatric oncologist at pittsburgh children's hospital and his father teaches biology at carnegie mellon. everyone assumed that theo would follow in their footsteps. and he did...sort of

he studied biology even though it wasn't really his thing because he wasn't paying for college, his parents were...and he minored in both music theory and psychology, which he liked more.

he met one of he most important people in his life while attending duquesne university in caroline davis.

...they didn't hit it off right away. in fact, at first, she was a bit of a thorn in his side. but a little bonding over a mutual love of music (and the food trucks on campus...) and they clicked. he asked her out around homecoming that first year and the rest is history.

they dated for years. it was very serious. he was two weeks away from buying a ring, honestly. but they spent a really big chunk of their relationship long-distance and it was just...hard. he really fucking loves loved her. but you know what they say...if you love it, let it go. or whatever.

during college, he made spending money at a work study job at the school library, but he made more walking dogs so he quit the work study job and started pet-sitting and dog walking most evenings.

this is where his love of animals began and only started to grow the more he spent times with classmates' and neighbors' pets. he decided to apply to vet school instead of med school, much to his mom's chagrin.

he got in!

...and he dropped out 2 semesters in because he hated it.

theo kept up a pretty big lie for the better part of a year, working odd jobs around pittsburgh and maintaining his off-campus apartment and dodging his parents' questions...until his dad was a guest lecturer to one of his vet school classes and he was nowhere to be found.

his parents gave him two choices: go back to vet school or go back to college and get a degree he would use.

theo chose neither. he packed up his shit, hopped on a bus, and moved to new york city with a collection of cassette tapes, a duffel bag of clothes, and whatever was left in his bank account to his name.

his parents didn't exactly disown him during this period, but they didn't reach out. he found out his mom was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer about 2 months after his move...and she'd been diagnosed a month prior. he heard it from one of his siblings and tried to reach out, but didn't get a response.

she passed away eight months after her diagnosis. he never got a chance to make amends and it's one of his biggest regrets.

he has since reconciled with his dad, but that's something that just..you don't just get over that. he's struggled with it mightily and with the help of a good therapist, he's starting to forgive himself. some.

he intended on reconnecting with caroline when he got there but...well, that didn't turn out so well.

so he couch surfed for a while until he could accept the first non-sketchy craigslist roommate ad he could find and moved into his cornelia street apartment.

he's not sure what he wants to do, really, so he's worked a lot of odd jobs since moving to the city. he's worked at almost every starbucks in an eight block radius of his apartment, bartended for a while, tried his hand working a food truck...but nothing seemed to stick. he paid rent by ubereats-ing most months, until he started walking neighbors' dogs and found something he kind-of-doesn't-hate.

during this in-between time is when he sort of got back into music. one job, he played piano in a restaurant's main dining room. another was a bar where he sweet talked his way into a few gigs. probably ended up meeting the rest of the electric touch crew during this period!

now he's working at the animal shelter, walking dogs using rover, and playing some gigs on the side. thank god for dogs and music.

plots n' stuff.

a roommate. or a few? i could see him having a few to keep costs low and i didn't snag any of the premade skellies for this so if you're down i'm down

found family/besties. i love those vibes especially given he's essentially upped and move away from home knowing like 2 people in the entire city.

people with dogs. either people whose dogs he walks or neighbors who happen to have them. he's like a dog whisperer so if you need a pet sitter he's your guy.

or! shelter volunteers!!!

people from any and all odd job he used to have. like a regular at the coffee shop who can't get their order right now because he left or a co-worker who helped him create a sandwich that's still on a menu at a local restaurant?

random hookups would be an option tbh. he came to new york intending to, like, win back his ex in some kind of rom-com bullshit way, but...well, it hasn't worked out so far.

someone who thought their hookup was more serious than it was would be kind of funny too. we live for miscommunications.

would love some kind of enemies/animosity plot. we'd have to talk it through. could've started with something little and spiraled or maybe they're just besties with caroline and are on her side. or maybe he accidentally ran over your muse's dog's tail on his bike :/

i'm dani. 32. friendly, promise! and i'm open to plotting pretty much anything, honestly! DM's here or on discord are always open to figure some stuff out. i'm danisaurus. over on discord and i'm really looking forward to writing with you all!

[booze-hats]

Old Dog, New Surprises

Problem Sleuth had been very surprising at first. Spades Slick had expected him to die the first time he sent Hearts out to whack him, but he hadn't. Every single time Slick thought he'd seen it all, the asshole came back with something new to get on his nerves. Or not. It varied by occasion.

Problem Sleuth considered himself a man of the arts. He danced, he sang, he played a few instruments, he dabbled in the occasional paperwork margin doodle.  This was common knowledge to anyone who had ever looked through his office, but it was surprising to Spades Slick at first. After a few years of cat and mouse, though, Slick thought he'd had the guy figured out, he thought that if Sleuth was going to surprise him any more, the detective would have to somehow be physically present for the occasion. Well, he was wrong. 

The surprise came from an unexpected, he'd dare say surprising, place too — Sleuth's planner. Which, he didn't know the guy kept. He decided it must be a new development backdated with asinine occasions like coffee with the Inspector or trips to the DMV or reminders to mail packages to strange names in distant places (like... Missouri? Michigan? Minnesota? Slick didn't remember which one was denoted as MI and didn't really care) because Sleuth was a moron who liked to waste time on stupid shit like that. Of more interest than the past, though, was just an hour and a half in the future. It was karaoke. Sleuth sang, sure, to himself as an idle behavior, when he was trying to remember something, when he got around that woman he liked because he thought he was impressive when he did it, but he never bothered to imagine Problem Sleuth on a stage. Well, maybe the guy would attempt standup, he could see that going miserably because Sleuth wasn't very funny, but karaoke? 

Singing? On a stage? Him? 

Slick would have to see it to believe it. And he would, he'd made up his mind. He returned the planner to approximately where he'd found it, careful to remove the bookmark for Sleuth's fondest inconvenience and turned to see himself out. He knew where that bar was. Sleuth had seen him play before, plenty of times he'd spotted the creep at the back of the bar on a Wednesday night, bouncing his leg to the tune of the Midnight Crew on stage and chatting with someone or other. He had no reason to mind Slick slipping in to watch him perform. He wished the guy had taken down what songs he'd be singing. He'd embarrass him by playing the piano, assuming the bar had someone playing instead of a stereo or whatever places used these days. Droog handled the technicals of the soundtrack when no one was playing live and he paid somebody else to do it for live performances regardless of his involvement in playing. Slick didn't know, nor did he care to know, a single damn thing about sound machines or their workings. 

Killing an hour and a half was easy with enough cigarettes. The newfangled vapes were fun too, he'd taken up carrying one for places it was unacceptable to smoke. It sure came in handy when he was sitting in the back of a bar much too... Contemporary for his taste. A college-aged broad sang some obnoxious pop song, followed by a country hit from the nineties that he knew, but couldn't remember the name of. An older gent sang some blues, a pretty lady with dyed hair sang something that had to have a genre that he couldn't place, and about that point, he stopped drinking to pay attention. An older woman sang Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire, and then, Sleuth hauled his sorry ass on stage. 

He's not dressed for work. That is to say, he's not wearing beige, he's wearing a pair of black jeans and a vest over his white shirt, he's ditched the tie altogether. It's a good look, even if he still needed a hairbrush. Spades Slick hated it. 

It's impressive so far, though, he looked confident, and even more impressive, his choice of song wasn't obnoxious. There's no piano. It's all a sound system, and it's a shame, because Slick knew how to play plenty of Sinatra, he certainly knew That's Life. 

Sleuth did too. He smiled the whole time, even if his brows twitched when his eyes hit Slick. Spades couldn't tell if it was the bright lights in his eyes or if he'd been recognized. His eyes didn't linger anywhere in particular too long, no, and maybe he was drunk, but Slick was almost certain that the guy was moving intentionally. That he was performing properly. It's not just one song either, it's Sinatra and it's something he'd never heard before, something Sleuth said his mom liked and while she wasn't with him anymore, he believed firmly that she was with him in spirit all of the time. He loved her. He'd just sent some stuff up north to his family for her grave, that anniversary had just passed. So it was Sylvia's Mother, because she used to sing it.

It gave Slick pause. He internalized it, thought exceedingly hard about it for a second, and put it out of his mind because that was stupid. What a fucking sap. The song's good, though, he'd have to ask Droog to make him a CD with it for his little radio at home. He'd care to hear the original. 

A hand from someone he didn't see helped Sleuth off the stage and this time, to Slick, the gap between performances felt... Exceedingly long. An older woman, Jethro Tull. Problem Sleuth could sing. Nay, he could perform. Those weren't the same skill. Problem Sleuth could perform. 

Locomotive Breath. 

She was good too. 

Spades Slick stood up and adjusted his hat. He knocked back the last of his drink and ordered another shot, he needed it after that. He was out the door and halfway into lighting a cigarette when Sleuth, coat on and hat in hand, stepped out. He looked at Slick and Slick looked at him. Sleuth nodded, but continued on his way without any further accomplishment. 

What the fuck?

That was odd. So of course, Slick followed as casually as he could. Although Sleuth was just a little taller, Slick's stride was naturally faster. It was easy to catch up. He was surprised again, Sleuth was red in the face and not looking too happy at all. So, Slick fell back a step to see if he'd be greeted any more than the silent avoidance of eye contact. He was not, and so, he fell back another step trying to get his cigarettes out. With little effort, he overtook his captive audience and stopped in front of him, holding out a Marlboro. This made Sleuth stop, but he didn't say anything right away. He just kept looking at Slick with his face all twisted up in some way that didn't make any sense. He wasn't sure what to do about this. 

"Take it," was what came out of his mouth, and Sleuth did. It was enough to bring attention to the tremble of his hands while he hunted down his lighter in his pants pocket. He took an uneven breath. 

"Thanks."

"Don't mention it."

It was quiet for a while. Sleuth didn't seem intent on explaining himself willingly. Obviously, he knew Slick was curious about his condition. Maybe he got hurt while Slick was having that shot and his clothes just managed to look completely put together still by the sheer power of music. 

Slick realized he was going to have to talk again. Sleuth was supposed to do this part. 

"... You do good on stage."

"Yeah."

This was going poorly. He looked around. He was dealing out perhaps the most compliments ever, right now. Sleuth ought to mark his dumb calendar about it. "You sing good." 

Sleuth pushed out a breathy laugh and finally, the asshole looked Spades Slick in his face. The laughter was refreshing after such unusual behavior. "Yeah?"

"Yeah. What else do you sing?"

"Um," another shaky breath. It's strange to watch his eyes dart around like that, he didn't do that. "Just about anything. Everything can be good if you do it right."

"Know any Cash?"

"Of course." Sleuth laughed all uneasy again, but the further he got into that cancer stick, the less he shook. "What do you take me for?"

"Then sing some for me. Home of the Blues, easy and slow, ain't it?"

"What? Slick, no," was not what Slick expected, definitely not with more incredulous laughter. "No. I'm not going to sing for you in the street."

"You're sappy enough. Do it somewhere else then. C'mon, I got somewhere. We'll get you a piano and everything." Without any consideration at all, Slick reached out and grabbed the detective by his forearm, dragging his hostage along happily. He tuned out every single one of his complaints, something about a woman, something about his ass, work tomorrow, he didn't want to, he didn't wanna, let him go, whatever. It'd be good for him. He seemed a little too drunk to get loose, too. All very promising for Slick. He almost got him to the apartment before he managed to get away, at which point, he looked around. 

"C'mon," Slick urged, "I got whiskey. You know you won't hate it. I'll convince you with another cigarette."

Sleuth took a deep breath and Slick looked at his face again, a good hard look. He was having a hard time here. "Why?"

"Because I want you to."

"Why?"

Why? He asked himself. "Because you're acting funny. You ain't allowed to do that. You gotta keep working and you can't do good if you act funny."

Close enough. He returned his attention to finding his cigarettes and when he did, he thrust one Sleuth-ward. Sleuth took it, lit it, and this time, Slick wasn't surprised by the laughter. He did explain that kind of funny. Sleuth took a drag, shook his head, and stepped toward him. Good start. 

"You convinced me with the cigarette. Walk." 

Walk he did. This time, the silence wasn't so miserable. Problem Sleuth followed him into the building and up the stairs and into the little apartment Slick rented. One of them, anyway. There were several, all safe places Slick and his men could go to sleep and drink with somewhere to eat nearby in most of the cases. It was by no stretch nice or well decorated, the bed was unmade just like Slick left it three or four nights or a week or two ago. He wasn't sure. He didn't really keep track of time anymore. He'd never been good at it. That's what he had his right hand man for. 

Slick stepped into the mostly-empty kitchenette and pulled down a bottle of, he turned the bottle to find out, a bottle of Wild Turkey! He pushed it into Sleuth's hands and settled himself at the shitty pawn shop keyboard against the door. "Sit. Bed, couch, pull up the chair, counter, I don't give a shit. Park your ass. You're going to sing for me."

Sleuth laughed some more and took that last option up. With the bottle in his hand, he hopped up on the counter. He took a swig. "I don't wanna sing Home of the Blues. You know Big Iron? Marty Robbins?"

"Dunno how to play it."

"Any of American Pie?"

"Nuh-uh."

"Can you read sheet music?"

"Nope."

Sleuth took another drink and slipped off the counter, grabbing the single other chair in the room and shooing Slick. "Move."

"What?"

"Move. I want it."

Disarmed, Slick complied and he watched Sleuth sit down. He ran his fingers across the keyboard, pressing a few keys seemingly at random. It's a song Slick recognized but didn't know how to play, he didn't pick it up right away though. It's not until the British got to running that he figured out what Sleuth was singing and it made him snicker. He snatched the bottle from his lap and took a drink 

It's... Charming. And it's maybe two or three songs later before Slick was pulling out another bottle, and not that many longer before he realized that he was waking up in bed. Alone. 

It took him a second to figure out that it was all real and not his life flashing before his eyes as he died or something equally absurd. Sure, he felt like death, but he'd woken up in the apartment and there were a few empty bottles. And there was not aspirin, which was a crying shame. He took the other available option and shucked his coat as he stood up, which was to wander over to the sink and drink from his hands like an animal. 

He was going to have Droog write that liquor off as a business expense. 

[cullen-cannons]

Cullen Cannons #1

It’s never really mentioned in the books but the the Cullens are a very musical family. While only Edward is the only one ever seen playing they have an eternity on their hands so they’ve all developed musical talents. One year Esme suggested that they join the school band (in Jasper’s case orchestra) . . . never ever ever again.

ALICE plays the flute and drums, (bass drum probably weighs more than her, she once hid inside it during a game of vampire hide n’ seek) she, Emmet and, Jacob started a garage band with the pack. Bella will join in occasionally on clarinet. They love playing kids songs like Baby Shark to annoy the crap out of Eddie Boi. Both Jasper and Rosalie have threatened to divorce at some point (bluffing ofc)

BELLA plays or rather played the clarinet she did it for one year in fifth grade, and has the trauma to prove it, Edward only found out after finding her old instrument when they were clearing out her room in Phoenix and  seeing a tape of a recital, Bella was of course embarrassed but picked the instrument up again on a dare after Emmet learnt of this, she is now actually very good. But her hidden talent is that she is amazing at singing. On her first “birthday” as an immortal Alice dragged her to a karaoke place and she absolutely killed it.

CARLISLE plays the cello, (I don’t know why but I’ve always just thought he would) back when it was just him, Edward and Esme, the boys would play duets for Esme, and Carlisle even worked with Edward to compose a piece just for her. (Separate from Esme’s song) He never brings it up but  . . .  that man can SING. Esme is always asking him to and despite his shyness he loves indulging his wife so whenever they go to Isle Esme he will sing for her, nobody but Edward (and now Aro cuz he read Edward’s thoughts in BD; AKWARD) knows.

Aro in the clearing in the midst of everything: My dear, dear Carlisle it would appear you’ve been holding out on me tch, tch, tch

EDDIE BOI there’s not really much to say but given how much music (especially LINKIN PARK) our boy listens to there’s no way he doesn’t know them all on piano. 

Edward at ungodly hours of the night: *classical rendition of leave out all the rest* 

Everyone in a 100 kilometre radius: :( :( :(

He also had to learn the entire frozen soundtrack because he lost a bet with Emmet

EMMET plays the drums. He has experimented with saxophone and tuba though and is OBSESSED with the BA DUM TSSSS sound. This boy once spent a whole ENTIRE morning doing just that until Edward threatened to rip off his fingers and hide them around the country.

ESME also plays the piano as well as the harp she often does duets with Jasper and or Edward.

JACOB plays the trumpet and Xylophone and the kazoo (yes you read that right) his fave song is pink panther theme. Surprisingly talented and will take requests. Loves playing super dirty/cheesy/inappropriate for children songs on kazoo. He is a nice guy and never does this around Renesmèe. He does however love a good dare, and one day he asked if he could come shopping with Esme since he is after all the only one who eats human food (Ren prefers blood). Esme was happy to bond with her grandson in law. He snuck his kazoo into the store and much to poor Esme’s horror started belting out Flo Rida’s low in the produce section.

JASPER is an absolute fricking MASTER of the violin, he learned to play before he became a vampire . . . but he’s extremely shy and almost never plays except when Alice begs him, he can’t resist her puppy eyes. He can sing and is actually quite good but doesn’t like too, in fact he absolutely loathes it. He likes k-pop and knows all of BTS’s on the violin which comes in handy for screwing with Eddie Boi when he’s being a miserable drama queen. I also feel like maybe he could channel his abilities into his music and use it to project emotions like Vanya from Umbrella Academy or some cool stuff like that. He is also excellent at the piano because his mother kept one around when he was a child. After he was turned he found that Maria had one as well and he picked up playing again. He knows that piano is Edward’s special thing so he never plays except when no one can hear him. He and Rosalie are also pretty close so they’ve composed a few pieces together.

ROSALIE plays can also the piano and is a trained singer. She can play the flute and has experimented with Viola. Because of the whole twin charade Rosalie and Jasper have actually become friends and he taught her to play the violin, and Esme has taught her a bit of harp. She doesn’t really do anything crazy, if she wants to be petty she can just destroy your car.

Actually all the Cullens can sing but Carlisle, Bella, Jasper and Rosalie are definitely the best.

Hope you liked it if you have any suggestions let me know.

[afoolandathief]

I think I shared this excerpt before, but anyway

[ID: An image of a martini glass in shades of red and black; white letters with red shading say "Something Wicked by afoolandathief." End ID.]

Emboldened by a sudden lack of giving a shit, Caz pulled his flask from his jacket and took two quick, tinkling sips. His foggy brain reminded him to be careful. Iris had uninvited him from the bar for less. Last time it took him a couple decades before he could come back, and Iris had changed the name and address of the bar by then.

She’d even gotten rid of the karaoke machine.

He pulled his arms around himself, resting his elbows against the wood as he measured the radius between himself and the other patrons.

“Why’s it seem like I’m getting more of the stink-eye than usual?” he asked, pausing to wipe his mouth with a handkerchief — because he was a fucking gentleman like that — and cocking his head at Iris.

Iris busied herself with wiping down the ancient oak of the bar, her own eyes not meeting Caz’s.

“Caesar’s dead,” she said.

“Oh,” Caz said. “Well, I didn’t kill him.”

Most Fae didn’t go by their true names, at risk of it binding them in a spell. Elves opted for flowers or plants as green and pretty as they were, and dwarves precious metals. But Caesar had aspired to something as big and shiny as the casinos lining the Strip. The little hobgoblin spent most of his days conning tourists out of their own names, and, if that didn’t work, their social security numbers.

Caz couldn’t blame him. Everybody’s gotta eat.

“You sure about that, Caz?” Iris was saying, he realized.

“Yeah, Iris,” he said, pulling himself out of his stupor. “I’m on a new diet, remember? Only the most scum-sucking, absolute pieces of shit for me.”

Iris muttered something that sounded suspiciously like “You are what you eat,” but he let it slide. He’d walked into that one.

“Come on, Iris,” Caz continued. “I liked Caesar. He was like a son to me. Well, a scummy, purple-toned son thousands of years my senior, but still.”

“Yeah, you seem real broken up about him,” Iris said, mixing an Irish coffee and sliding it down to the banshee who’d been playing piano earlier.

Caz eyed the shaggy-haired pianist and snuck another sip from the flask. What did Iris expect? He had seen so many come and go in his exhaustingly-long lifetime. He couldn’t pull out his mourning garb every time the local con man kicked the bucket.

“How’d he go, anyway?” he asked, as delicately as he could when his lips were going rubbery and numb.

Teal flesh pulsed in and out as Iris sucked on her cheeks.

“They found him sealed within a salt circle, with 23 iron nails jammed in him,” she said.

She cast her eyes down as she closed the tub of pork blood used exclusively for Caz’s drinks.

“Would your witch know anything about that?”

The liquor burned uncomfortably in Caz’s gut. Shit. There were only a select few who knew how to kill Fae like that.

“She’s not my witch,” he said, resting a fist over his mouth to stop any of his hard-earned alcohol from coming back up. “And if you want to know so bad, just ask her yourself.”

Fat chance of that happening. Patrons of the Merrow’s Toe would only speak to the witch if they had a bet to place. It was the only reason Shaw was allowed through the door.

That whole magic-is-lent-from-the-universe shit the witches had going on, it skeeved other magical folk out, thinking their own magical batteries would be drained. Caz knew better. If anyone was a thief like that, it was vampires and their annoying craving to take a life every so often.

A few notes drifted across the bar from the banshee, who had returned to his piano to play some song that echoed in the recesses of Caz’s memories.

“Look Iris,” he said. “Did Caesar have any folks who’d need money for like a funeral or -”

He trailed off. Fae lived so long even he didn’t know what they did when one of their own died.

Iris shook her head.

“Witches took the body,” she said. “Something about investigating the death.”

And you’re broke, she would’ve added, if that wasn’t already an established fact.

Caz nodded. Witches had a nasty habit of inserting themselves in problems that weren’t their own, particularly if it meant policing the rest of the supernatural world in the process.

“I don’t think Jade’s part of the Coven anymore,” he said. “But I’ll see if she knows anything.”

If he even managed to remember tonight. Iris should know that, but she offered a meager slice of information in return.

“I should tell you, they’re also saying the Coven brought in someone new to investigate,” she said. “Someone from back east.”

The battle between Caz and his gut became even more fraught.

“East?” he managed to get out. “Well, that’s very — ah, fuck, what’s the word — very interesting. Multumesc, draguta.”

He figured his slipping grip on the English language was his cue to leave. Pressing his hands against the bar, he rose uneasily to his feet, slinging his jacket over his shoulder and planting his hat on his head.

“So I take it you’re not paying your tab, tonight?” Iris asked.

The elf’s face grew and shrank in Caz’s vision as he swayed over her, risking a finger as he leaned down to tap her nose.

“Not to worry, kochanie, I’ve got a big job coming up,” he said. “Once I get paid, I’ll cover my tab and give you the biggest tip you’ve seen since we were dating.”

Iris crossed her arms and sighed.

“God, that’ll be a meager tip,” she said.

Bits of Caz’s laughter struck every corner of the bar as he tossed his head back. Never mind walked, he’d fucking swan-dived into that one.

More Something Wicked info here

Mostly re-sharing so I can include this excerpt's song, which is Misery (Green Day) — Full playlist here

Taglist (ask to be +/-): @author-a-holmes, @avian-writes, @diphthongsfordays, @drippingmoon, @ellierenae, @faelanvance, @joaniejustwokeup, @leiwritess, @mjayatlas, @purplezebraproductions, @rhymingteelookatme, @thegreatobsesso, @thelaughingstag, @vylequinne, @writing-is-a-martial-art

General taglist (ask to be +/-): @jezifster

🦇🩸✨

[dustsparrow]

shuffle your on repeat playlist (on spotify) and list the first 10 songs and then tag 10 people.

tagged by @reyfasa. Thanks for the tag! I haven't done one of these in a while

Jasey Ray by All Time Low

This one takes me back to middle school. It's funny that the regular version showed up and not the acoustic version, that's the one I remember the most

2. Coffee shop Soundtrack by All Time Low

The bridge of this song is soooooo good. It's what kept me coming back to this song and why it ended up on my On Repeat. All Time Low was one of those bands I adored in middle school but I know none of their newer stuff

3. Crocodile Rock by Elton John

So I'm not the biggest Elton John fan, his music is played a lot at my job. I despise Piano Man. But Crocodile Rock? I love it. It's such a silly song and it puts me in a good mood

4. Too Sweet by Hozier

I won't lie, TikTok got me onto Too Sweet. But with an upcoming DnD game, I can't help but think of mine and my friend's PCs when I hear this song. I'm deep in shipping hell and I don't want out

5. Summertime Gladness by Dance Gavin Dance

I had a huge Dance Gavin Dance phase last year. Still love them. And this has gotta be one of my favorite songs of their's. I wanna say Dance Gavin Dance was my top artist last year

6. Marvelous by Wallows

Just a fun song. I think Wallows has a lot of good summer music. This is a good one to drive with the windows open on a sunny day

7. Avocado by The Obsessives

Huge tonal shift. I think this one was big when I was going through a mild depression over a past relationship. I've been doing better so I normally skip this song when it comes on. Been a persistent shit staying in my On Repeat

8. Flagpole Sitta by Harvey Danger

Who doesn't love Flagpole Sitta? It's become one of my Karaoke songs because it's a fun and easy song and most people know the words so they join in. Another good drive with the windows open and scream it at the world. Random tangent but I remember watching the video about this song made by Todd in the Shadows at my old fast food job on my break. Honestly a good way to spend those 20 minutes

9. Words to Me by Suger Ray

To be frank, this one came around because of the Scooby Doo Movie. But it stuck around cause it's a good summer song (ya seeing the theme?) We've also talked about what our walk out song would be in wrestling and I think Words to Me could be a good one

10. This Side of Paradise by Coyote Theory

Another shipping song for our DnD PCs. Heartbreaking in all the right ways

I won't tag 10 people but I'll tag a couple people who've shown up in my activity lately (don't feel obligated to do this btw): @transgender-scout, @aoyamas-shiny-pokemon, @boycott----love

[thora-jane]

Take My Hand (Shang Chi x female!Reader)

THIS WAS AN ASK FROM @aliiiyyaaah so here you go lovely I hope you enjoy!

Taglist: @aliiiyyaaah @superblyspeedydragon @bamboozledflamplant

If I left you out of the taglist lmk!

Ask:i dk what i want exactly but obviously it’s shang chi x reader😹😹 ummm just super fluffy i guess like obviously they not friends since forever but what like maybe 2-4 years ? and it could be a movie plot or just a general fluff But CAN YOU INCLUDR A PART WHERE HE HUGS HER FROM BEHIND??😹if that’s okay?

Summary: Karaoke Night takes a turn when you and Shang Chi find each other connecting on a more physical level

Word count: 1,578

Warning: Ain't nothin but some fluffy ending, you lovely little simps.

There are some rituals society doesn’t question, like school bells or religious services or even simply society itself. Among your group, Friday Night Karaoke was at the top of this list. It wasn’t just a ritual, it was a sacred ritual. Sure, it was never said aloud, but no matter what was going on around 8 o’clock on any given Friday evening, you all seemed to have one thing on your mind.

“You think you got it! Oh! You think you got it!” Katy was singing at the top of her lungs, jumping up and down to ‘Hey Ya’ before downing another shot with Shang-Chi.

Shang-Chi you repeated in your head. After being informed of what happened the month before, you were making an effort to call him by his actual name. Honestly, it was getting impossible to not think about him constantly. Yeah, he was your friend. But friendship didn’t stop you from hopelessly falling for him for the past...three years? God, you were hopelessly in love with this man. Whether or not he could save the world made no difference to you, it made no difference that you had watched him summon a dragon or take on assassins or defeat a massive soul-sucking monster, he had always been the same man you had fallen in love with. You swear, you would do anything for this man.

Apparently, in this moment, it meant getting up on the tiny stage next to Katy.

“C’moooon! It’ll be great!” He said with a lopsided smile as he elbowed you.

“Already? Shang Chi I think it’s your turn-”

“I’ll go next just go!” he assured, ruffling your hair.

“And like, I’ll take the rap parts so you barely have to do anything,” Katy added, grabbing your hand and pulling you out from under his touch. Before the music started you thought you heard her whisper “besides, you probably have someone in mind for this song anyway.”

You weren’t sure whether to smile or groan when the song started, but you held the mic up to your mouth and started singing anyway.

“Whatta man whatta man whatta man whatta mighty good man.” It didn’t take you long to start half-dancing with Katy as she started rapping, adding your ‘ooh’s in a little off-beat. It was when you looked up and saw Shang Chi that your heart melted again. There he was, standing over to the side, swaying and waving his arms shamelessly to hype you two up. The music was loud, but you could tell he was singing along with you at maximum volume.

After a few minutes, the song came to a close, and you and Katy stepped off stage, but not before you handed your mic over to Shang Chi, “Knock’em dead, bus boy,” you said with a smile as he took the mic in his hand. You weren’t, however, expecting him to wrap his arms around your waist, gently pulling your back to his chest as he chuckled.

“With pleasure.”

You sat back down on the couch, heart pounding and head not fully understanding what went down. You felt his breath on your neck and could feel the warmth through his shirt.

That just happened.

He took his place on the stage, you and Katy sitting on the beaten old couch that probably had at least a dozen drinks spilled on it at some point, and waited for him to start singing.

You were expecting some corny 90’s song, as that was the apparent theme of the night. Something you and Katy could scream along with from the couch, something light and funny. But from the speakers came a soft piano instrumental and your breath hitched as he began to sing.

“Wise men say, only fools rush in.” You couldn’t recall if you’d ever heard him sing seriously before. Up until that moment, it had always been casual singing filled with giggles and funny faces. But his face seemed to soften and his voice felt rich and deep, “But I can’t help falling in love with you.”

“Like a river flows, surely to the sea, darling so it goes, some things are meant to be,” Heat crept up on your face, leaning forward slightly on the couch and straightening your posture. You were positively captivated by his voice, ignoring Katy’s chuckle and jabbing from her elbow.

“Take my hand. Take my whole life too,” he began to step forward slowly, past the speaker, off the stage, over to the couch.

Right in front of you, he got down on his knee and took your hand in his, his voice shaking with vibrato, or maybe even nerves “For I can’t help falling in love with you.” As the song ended, your heart froze and you watched as he gently raised your hand to his lips.

A moment passed between you, Shang Chi turned red and chuckled as he got up again, bringing the mic back up to the stage. Katy stood up, all wild applause and wolf whistles, but you remained seated, hand frozen where he left it in your lap. While Katy clapped him on the back and he shrugged off her compliments on his singing, it occurred to you that it may have been nothing more than a performance. You felt something in your heart tense up, and your stomach churned as you realized Shang Chi wasn’t looking back at you at all. It probably was just a little gag at the moment, but that didn’t mean it didn’t mean the world to you.

You looked down at where he had kissed your hand, not finding it within yourself to get up from the couch. It was then that you felt the cushion dip beside you and the brush of an arm draping against the back of the couch.

“Hey uh...We were gonna head out. Katy said I might have gotten her too strong a drink- I mean she was drinking on an empty stomach or-”

“We all got pizza right before this though?” you interrupted, still looking down at your hands with purpose.

“Oh well my metabolism,” Katy began, plopping down at your other side, “Lightening fast. It’s unbelievable. Food just goes zooming and then alcohol just sits there. It’s crazy.” She reasoned with confidence that you thought felt a little over-preformed.

“Right, we were gonna head out, and like...I could walk you home?” Shang Chi asked, standing up and holding out his hand.

You took his hand, but only briefly, not wanting to get your hopes up again.

Katy had made it home, and you and Shang Chi walked the quieter late-night streets of San Fransisco. A gentle breeze began to blow, and you felt a shiver creep in your shoulders through your tshirt, “Oh here let me-” Shang Chi began, shrugging off his jacket and wrapping it around your shoulders, hesitantly keeping his arms wrapped around you.

You spoke softly, not shying from his touch but still unable to look him in the face, “Shang Chi, you’re the truest gentleman I’ve ever met,” You smiled, and he wrapped his arms around your shoulders, briefly tucking his chin in the crook of your neck.

“I just don’t want you to catch a chill,” he reassured, rubbing your arms.

“What’s got you acting like this?” You asked voice laced with genuine curiosity as you finally looked at him, suddenly aware of the proximity your faces had.

“Well…” he began, eyes locked with yours purposefully, “I just figure that...well at karaoke…(y/n) I’ve been meaning to say for a while that…” He continued to interrupt himself and trail on for nearly a minute before saying a complete phrase, “You didn’t take your hand from me.”

“No,” you blinked, “No, I didn’t,”

“Why not?” he asked, his eyes soft and searching.

“Because I liked it where it was,” you whispered.

“You did?” his eyes lit up with something, but you couldn’t quite tell what. Gently, he took your face in his hands, “Do you...do you like your face where it is?”

Your gulped, fairly certain that he could hear your heart pounding, “Yes.”

His eyes flickered to your lips, and oh-so-gently, he leaned down and closed the gap between the two of you.

You felt the prickle of his stubble under your nose. His breath smelled lightly of alcohol and his hands were intoxicating as he gently ran his fingertip under your ear back and forth. Your hands carefully found the hairline of his neck, entwining your fingertips in his hair and melting at the gentle sigh he breathed to your lips.

He pressed his forehead to yours, eyes still closed, “Did you..like where your face was at?”

You brought his face to yours again, softly planting your lips on his. This time his hands carefully moved down to your waist and rested on the small of your back, pulling you closer and hugging you tight when your lips broke off again.

“(y/n)?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you...feel the way I feel? Like am I crazy or is this actually happening?” He asked, and you could practically hear the nervous smile on his face.

“I mean personally I was hoping this was real,” you smiled, letting out a chuckle for the first time in a while that evening.

“It is real,” he assured the two of you, “I know it is.”

“If you say so, handsome,” You smiled.

“Oh, I say so.”