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#they sang a bunch of songs i love from the new album too (best friends !!!! šŸ„¹šŸ„¹šŸ„¹šŸ„¹šŸ„¹šŸ„¹šŸ„¹šŸ„¹)
tmpttion Ā· 1 year
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i feel like a truck ran over me
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murfeelee Ā· 2 years
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End of Year Asks
Saw this questionnaire on my dash, and couldnā€™t resist!
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1: Song of the year? The Rumbling (Attack on Titan OST). AoT started 2022 off CORRECT, lemme tell you.
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2: Album of the year? The Bleach Thousand Year Blood War OST. That Quincy Imperial March gets me going! I canā€™t wait for the official release.
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3: Favorite musical artist / group you started listening to this year? Kaho Nakamura, from the Belle (2021) OST. Every song she sang was EXCELLENT, her voice is LITERALLY a bell.
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4: Movie of the year? The only movies Iā€™ve watched this year are anime, and Belle was my favorite, even though it came out in 2021.
5: TV show of the year? TV: AMCā€™s Interview with the Vampire. Anime: Bleach.
6: Episode of tv or webisode that defined the year for you? Bleach TYBW S01E01, the hype was real--Bleach is BACK, baby! \(^0^)/ This has been the year of astounding adaptations. We waited TEN YEARS for this, and it was PERFECTION.
7: Favorite actor of the year? Jacob Anderson. My mind was blown, seeing Grey Worm from Game of Thrones turn into THIIIIIIIIS sexy AF vampire, WTF?
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8: Game of the year? God of War: Ragnarok. Only been waiting FOUR EFFING YEARS for the sequel.
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9: Best month for you this year? June & July, when I was on Summer Break.
10: Something that made you cry this year? So much anime, too much homework.
11: Something you want to do again next year? Go to an anime convention.
12: Talk about a new friend you made this year. I met a nice girl in my Greek class whoā€™s super sweet. We study together and spend most of the time fussing about how much we hate Greek. XD
13: How was your birthday this year? I donā€™t even remember. My Halloween was lovely though.
14: Favorite book you read this year? The only books I read lately are for school, and none of them are what Iā€™d call favorites.
15: Whatā€™s a bad habit you picked up this year? Getting fat off of junk food. Iā€™ve never been this big in my life. Iā€™m depressed.
16: Post a picture from the beginning of the year:
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I really didnā€™t sim much this year--the only pic I posted in January was from my New Years miniset. U_U
17: Post a picture from the end of the year:
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My newest hyperfixation--I make myself tired.
18: A memorable meal this year? I ate raw fish at a sushi place for the first time. Never again. At least I wasnā€™t the one paying. DEEP FRY my food, please, thanks.
19: Whatā€™re you excited about for next year? My fave professorā€™s coming off sabbatical next year, so Iā€™m stoked! I was dead bored this year.
20: Whatā€™s something you learned this year? A lot. How much of it will be relevant to my research though....? HA.
21: Whatā€™s something new about your place of residence (room, home, or general location) now vs the start of the year? The extra layer of dust over everything, cuz I ainā€™t in the mood to clean.
22: Favorite place you visited this year? My momā€™s is the only place I ever travel to.
23: If you could send a message to yourself back on the first day of the year, what would it be? Get more sleep, idiot, and put the Pepsi down.
24: Did you keep any New Yearā€™s Resolutions? Not really U_U I didnā€™t get around to doing any Dragon Age or Cyberpunk stuff this year. And I only did a little bit of the Untamed gameplay. The most headway I made was with Bleach, but I didnā€™t even finish the Substitute Arc--I really wanted to get to the Soul Society stuff.
25: Did you create any characters (in games, art, or writing) this year? Describe one: I REcreated plenty of sims from a bunch of new fandom INSP gameplays, including: Bleach, The Old Guard, Critical Role, and Interview with the Vampire. I think my favorite has been Caduceus from Critical Role.
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I had a lot of fun making him and his CC with all the mushrooms, and the lot I built for him, full of plants and stuff. So rarely do I indulge in High Fantasy, because itā€™s HARD to do fanciful gameplay--especially for MEN, since everythingā€™s female-oriented in The Sims 3 communitty--unless I make the CC myself--which I hate doing. But I really wanted Caduceus in my game, so, alas.
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Thanks for reading!
Happy Simming, and Happy New Year!
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Starstruck- Louis Partridge x Reader
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Hey! I had a request. that's actually an idea that you can use if you like it :) ok so it can be a louispxreader and the reader is a singer. they meet in a Ceremony and they become friends and maybe after a while they fall for each other and confess? you can change it however you want it. thanks <3
Requested: Yes
Word Count: 2943
Warning: Just lots of fluff
Taglist: @girlincrimson
A/n: Sorry for not getting to you sooner. I am going to try to get out imagines and request as best I can this week. I am booked with work all week this week. Also requests are open.
I changed a little bit of it, but most of it is still the same as you requested.
P.s The songs that I will be using are not mine, they belong with the talented writers and their respectful owners.
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Your POV
I was in my dressing room waiting to be called to go on stage when I got a notification from instagram. I saw that the actor Louis Partridge followed me. I decided to do some stalking and found some really interesting photos and pictures of him. While I was looking at this one photo of him getting his makeup done I accidentally liked the photo. I then immediately started panicking, because I didn't mean to like it. Before I could do anything about it, I was called to go on stage.
I grabbed my guitar and slowly made my way up to the front of the stage. I could feel the excited energy rising off the fans that came to the show tonight. I felt a smirk form on my face when the lights came on. I heard all the fans start screaming, which made me let out a little giggle into the microphone.
ā€œ How is everyone doing tonight!ā€ I shouted into the mic
I laughed at how everyone was screaming again. I decided to start off with my most popular song right now. I started playing the chords to my song ā€˜ Good 4 youā€™
ā€œ Ah. Well, good for you, I guess you moved on really easily. You found a new girl and it only took a couple weeks. Remember when you said that you wanted to give me the world? (Ah-ah-ah-ah)ā€
I then made the crowd sing along with me.
ā€œ Well, good for you. You look happy and healthy. Not me. If you ever cared to ask.ā€
I let the crowd scream the lyrics while I continued to play the guitar. I then grabbed the microphone and screamed..
ā€œ Well, good for you, I guess youā€™re gettinā€™ everything you want. (Ah) You brought a new car and your careerā€™s really takinā€™ off (Ah) Itā€™s like we never even happened.ā€
While singing, I walked up the front and held the microphone close to them and let them scream the lyrics.
I then jumped in with them.
ā€œ Person who ever got you? Well, screw that and screw you. You will never have to hurt the way you know that I do.ā€
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Louis POV
I was on the set of Enola Holmes when my phone buzzed indicating that I got a notification. I pulled it out to find the most famous singer I was in love with and liked one of my photos. I was just staring at my screen when my phone got snached out of my hand.
ā€œ Ooh, whatā€™s got you blushing like that? It looks like you turned into a very red tomato.ā€ I heard Millie speak
I watched her face change from teasing to super shocked. I still felt shocked.
ā€œ What! How?ā€ She spits out
I shrugged my shoulders in response. Millie then gave me a playful glare. ā€œ What do you mean you donā€™t know?ā€
I gave Millie a look of confusion. ā€œ Millie, I just donā€™t know how she found my account. I mean I follow her but I donā€™t think she would ever follow me.ā€
She just nodded her head and handed my phone back. I then slid it into my pocket before we had to go back to our scene together.
Your POV
I was getting closer to the end of my new song so I went back to my microphone stand and put the mic back in its place before lowering my voice.
ā€œ Maybe Iā€™m too emotional, But your apathyā€™s like a wound in salt. Maybe Iā€™m too emotional, or maybe you never cared at all. Maybe Iā€™m too emotional, Your apathy is like a wound in salt.ā€ I started leaning into my microphone and started getting my voice ready to shout soon. ā€œ Maybe Iā€™m too emotional, or maybe you never cared at all.ā€ I then let the crowd sing the chorus until I shouted into the mic ā€œ LIKE A DAMN SOCIOPATH!ā€ I heard the crowd scream loud when I did that so I let out a giggle before continuing my song.
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I was now sitting down on my stool that one of my band mates brought over for me. I was strumming my acoustic guitar on my lap to my next song while talking to my fans.
ā€œ How is everyone doing tonight?ā€
I got back a bunch of screams and I even heard some responses back which made me smile. ā€œ Alright guys the show is wrapping up soon-ā€ Before I could continue I heard the crowd ā€œ Awwā€ in response. ā€œ You guys are funny, but I have had such an amazing time hanging out and singing for you guys. I just want to let you know I have about two more songs for you guys. So the first song I want to play for you guys is ā€˜ Happierā€™ and then the last and final song of the night is going to be' ā€˜Good Boyā€™ā€™.ā€
I gave the crowd a smile before going back to playing the chords to my song ā€˜ Happierā€™
I got closer to the mic and sang the first wordsā€¦
ā€œ We broke up a month ago.Your friends are mine, you know I know. Youā€™ve moved on, found someone new. One more girl who brings out the better in you. And I thought my heart was detached. From all the sunlight of our past. But sheā€™s so sweet, sheā€™s so pretty, Does she mean you forgot about me?ā€
I then stop singing for a little while with a small frown on my face before looking up to find the crowd with their phone lights out. I gave a small smile before going back to a frown. I then sang..
ā€œ Oh, I hope youā€™re happy, But not like how you were with me. Iā€™m selfish, I know, I canā€™t let you go. So find someone great, but donā€™t be happier.ā€
I then pointed for the crowd to take over the singing for a little bit while I played the chords.
Louis POV Millie and I just finished our last scene of the movie so we had to change out of our outfits and head to the place where we were meeting the rest of the cast and crew members for a one last dinner event.
I was the last to arrive as per usual, so we all laughed it off before having a great time with each other before heading off in different directions.
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Once I was back to my house I fell into my bed and layed there for quite some time. I got interrupted with a text message, so I grabbed my phone and said Millie sent me a link to something. Without thinking I clicked on it and saw that it was a video of Y/n singing one of her popular songs. I smiled while watching it due to my huge crush on her, if I ever met her in real life I probably would pass out in front of her.
Your POV
After I sang my last line of my last song I yelled into the micā€¦
ā€œ I LOVE YOU LONDON! SEE YOU REAL SOON AGAIN!ā€
I then ran off stage and headed to my dressing room to pack my things to then get on my toru bus that will take me to my hotel that I was staying at. While I was sitting on the bus I decided to post a couple of my pictures I took and put them on my instagram page. After I did that I then decided to stalk that actor I saw on my feed.
ā€˜Time Jumpā€™
It was one of the most important days of my life because I was nominated for an award at the Grammys. So I was with my make up team and someone was helping me with my outfit also. It was a simple but fashionable dress with some simple black high heel shoes.
Third Person POV
Louis was heading to the Grammyā€™s because of his new movie getting picked for one of the categories, but Y/n also got a nomination for Top artist, and album of the year. The both of them were so close to seeing each other in real life and they didnā€™t expect each other to be so starstruck.
Louisā€™s POV
I was walking around the red carpet with Millie when she got asked to do an interview so I stood back and waited for her to be done. While I was waiting I heard a familiar laugh being heard only a couple of feet ahead of me. I then snapped my head into the direction to find the one and only Y/n Y/l/n laughing with the person interviewing her. It took me a little while to process everything that was going around me because I could only see her in the room. I felt my heart start beating faster and felt my hands start shaking a little bit.
Millieā€™s POV
I was finally done with my interview when I saw Louis staring at something so I followed his eyes and saw him staring at Y/n. I felt a smirk form on my lips and pulled him over to her with all the strength I had in me. Ā I heard him telling me to stop but I didnā€™t listen since I waited to meet her too.
Your POV
I was talking to someone when I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder which made me turn my head. I saw a teenage girl and a teenage boy behind me, so I smiled before giving them my attention.
ā€œ Hi, Iā€™m Millie Bobby Brown and this is my friend Louis Partridge.ā€ Ā she said
ā€œ Hi, Are you guys fans? Also, are you guys by any chance actors in this movie called Enola Holmes?ā€ I questioned
Millie looked at me shocked and nodded her head. I gave her a smile before holding my arms out to give her a hug. I felt her wrap her arms around me. ā€œ I am such a big fan of your music and I could say the same for him back there too.ā€
I let out a giggle before releasing her and looked behind her to find Louis just staring. I walked over to him and gently put my hand on his shoulder which made him jump. I raised an eyebrow ā€œ Are you good?ā€ He then just gave me a nod. I turned my head due to hearing Millie speak.
ā€œ He was just in shock. He's in love with you.ā€
Louisā€™s POV
I felt my face getting hotter by the minute and glared at Millie. She gave me an innocent look and smirked before walking off and leaving me with Y/n. I saw her turn around and smile at me.
ā€œ So in love with me.ā€ She teased
I gave out a chuckle before scratching the back of my neck and looking back at her. I was about to answer her but someone told us to head to the seats to hear the winners. I watched her walk away and smiled before heading to my seat next to Millie.
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Once the awards were over I decided to search for Y/n before leaving to head back to my hotel room. I saw her getting hugs from people so I stood back.
Your POV
I smiled at everyone and turned due to feeling eyes on me. I saw Louis and smiled at him. I walked over to him and gave him a hug and whispered. ā€œ Congrats on your award.ā€ I felt his breath on the side of my neck and heard him doing the same to me. I then pulled back due to hearing my name and slipped a piece of paper to him before kissing the side of his cheek.
Third Person POV
Louis stood there with a shocked expression again. He then looked down at the piece of paper to find her number and a message that said ā€˜ call meā€™. He then felt himself smile before heading back to his hotel to rest up.
ā€˜Time Jumpā€™
Y/n was chilling in her apartment writing a song when she heard her phone ring. She picked it up to find an unknown number, but just answered it hoping it would be Louis.
ā€œ Hello?ā€ she said with caution
ā€œ Hiā€ she heard him say
Which made her let out a little giggle. ā€œ I thought you would never call me.ā€ she responded with. Louis chuckled on the other end. ā€œ Yea, sorry about that. I was a little scared to call you.ā€ Before he could say anything else he heard giggles coming from the other end of the line.
ā€œ Why Louis?ā€ Louis thought hard about what his next response was going to be because he didnā€™t want to straight up say because we were meant to be together or I was just scared of rejection. Louis finally decided to just ask..
ā€œ Y/n.ā€ he took a pause ā€œ I was wondering if you would like to go out to dinner with me?ā€
Your POV
I let out a gasp when I heard those words and started nodding but forgetting he couldn't see me so I said..
ā€œ Ofcourse, I will go out with you, Louis.ā€
Then we just chatted about our days for the rest of the day.
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The day my date with Louis came so quickly then I could have blinked and I was not prepared. I ran all over my house looking for things to finish off my outfit before it was time to go.
I heard a knock on my door indicating that he was here so I slipped on my heels and carefully made my way to the door. Once I opened it I was met with those hazel eyes that I fell in love with.
ā€œ Wow, you look stunning.ā€ he said
I felt myself start blushing. I then took in his look and stated thatā€¦ ā€œ Well you look really handsome.ā€
He then held his hand out for me to take. ā€œ My lady,ā€ he said in his accent, which made me let out a small giggle.
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We were coming up to the end of the date already. He took me to this beautiful restaurant where we are now sharing a piece of cake. I saw him staring at me so I questioned him.
ā€œ What?ā€
He let out a soft chuckle. ā€œ Nothing, you're just really beautiful looking under this light.ā€
I felt myself start to blush which made me look down. Before I knew it I felt two fingers lift it back up. ā€œ Donā€™t look down, you're gorgeous when you get all flustered.ā€ That only made me blush harder. ā€œ Stop.ā€ I said giggling which made him chuckle.
Before I knew it we were back in his car driving back to my place. I was looking out the window when I felt him put his hand on my leg, which sent chills all over my body. I then put my hand on top of his and intertwined our fingers together. I smiled at the thought of us going on more dates.
Louisā€™s POV
I pulled into her driveway and parked my car. I turned to face her when I saw her already looking at me. I then released her hand and got out of the car to go to her side and open it for her. I walked her to her door where we both stood there for a little while. I then took a risk and leaned forward. I could feel her breath on me, I then closed the gap between us. I could feel her smile into the kiss before I felt her wrap her arms around the back of my neck. I wrapped my arms around her waist to pull her in to me more. She pulled away but kept her forehead against mine.
ā€œ I really like you Louis.ā€ She whispered against my lips
I smiled and said, ā€œ I really like you too Y/n.ā€
I then leaned in again to give her another goodnight kiss before heading off. I walked over to my car and got in, I then waved at her with a smile on my face and pulled out of the driveway.
Third Person POV
Y/n watched Louis drive off into the distance. She felt a smile creep on her face before heading inside to dream about her date with him. Louis felt the same as her. He felt all giddy inside and he could help but smile at the thought of her. He was already planning the next date for them to go on together.
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Man this is long, but it was worth it because I got major butterflies from writing this for you. I hope you enjoy and if you would like more Louis then comment and I definitely write more of him.
-Samantha
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maraudereestauderelb Ā· 4 years
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Touched
A Duff McKagan smut One Shot
Prompt: You go to a concert with one of your friends and band mates, who's having a thing with no other than the band's guitarist Slash. After the show you get to meet Duff McKagen and somehow end up having your first time with him.
MASTERLIST
Warning: sex (duh)
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"They're good aren't they?", Y/F/N shouted over the loud music. "Amazing!" "Told ya!"
We were dancing along to the loud music and enjoying ourselves. It had taken her quite some time to convince me to come with her instead of heading for the Troubadour with our other two band mates. Apparently coming with my bassist had been the right choice though.
After a world tour, a successful album and quite a bit more money in my bank account than before we had left LA, I still felt more at home right here. In a rundown club on the strip with a still upcoming rock band on stage.
Y/F/N and I had fit in perfectly. Nobody would recognize just the two of us having a great time and getting drunk. Except maybe the group of aspiring musicians and rising rock bands of the strip. In this circle everyone knew everyone, knew in which bands they had played, who they were associated with, had partied together before and so on and so forth.
That was exactly the reason why we had ended up here. The lead guitarist used to play in a band called Road Crew and had surely attended one of the parties at our trailer before. Y/F/N knew him and she had told me he was in a new band that was very close on getting a record deal. "You gotta check them out! Heard they're fuckin good", had been the argument that had won me over in the end. Not so much her initial reason to come here. That being the fact that apparently the guy had been an awesome fuck and she wanted to get laid by him again.
Now being here, I didn't regret it. I was having fun! And I was back in my usual habitat and in a situation that was familiar. If after the concert she wanted to leave with her black haired curly-head she was free to do so. Either I'd bump into someone I knew or would simply head home and call it a night.
The singer seemed familiar as well and if I remembered correctly Nikki had left his ass outside at one of their parties.
"Yo, what's the lead singer's name again?", I asked Y/F/N. "Oh that's Axl. Hollywood Rose, remember?" "Oh yea, right!"
I got why those boys were apparently very close to making it. Shit, was Guns n' Rosesgood!
Y/F/N had successfully gotten us all the way through the crowd to the stage, where we danced and sang along some more until the band was finished.
A few moments after the last song had ended the club put on some generic rock music and blasted them through the speakers.
"You gonna head backstage or wait here?" This wasn't the type of club in which the band would go off stage and head backstage never to be seen again. They had a small room for all of them to change and would then most likely come out to party. I knew, because we had played here before.
"He saw me, so trust me, he's gonna come to me", she grinned, and I once again admired her confidence.
It didn't take too long before Slash really showed up. He greeted me as well and congratulated on our album, so I told him what a sick guitar player he is. I give credit where it's due.
But I also understood that it was probably best for me to piss off now. So that's what I did. I figured I'd get one last drink and keep my eyes open in case of seeing anybody I knew. And for real I spotted a few people I knew from college who quickly waved me over.
After telling them the generic shit everybody wanted to know coming back from tour, it actually turned into a lot of fun to party with them. No coke but sure as hell a lot of alcohol.
It was hours later when they decided to leave and I had actually planned to leave with them
when I spotted a barkeeper, I knew. He had also attended a bunch of our parties and was a cool guy. So I sat down at the bar and joked around with him some more as the club kept getting emptier.
The club surely was anything but empty at one point, neither was it packed. It wasn't so crowded anymore, and I had completely lost track of time when someone sat down on the barstool next to me.
I didn't pay much attention and simply took another sip from my vodka lemon until he said: "You know, your friend's already gone, right?"
I turned to face him and recognized him as one of Slash's band members, right after I had been speechless for a moment because of how handsome he was.
"Yea, I know", I nodded and added grinning: "So is your guitarist, right?" "Obviously", he answered laughing: "Should've seen him backstage after the concert, couldn't get to her fast enough!" I joined his laughter, finished my drink and looked around. "Your remaining band member's left with a groupie as well, huh?" "No, fuckin idea where they are", he smiled and waved over to Jimmy, the barkeeper: "Another one of these for the little Rockstar here and I take whatever she has."
"Thank you", I told him with a soft smile. He waved it off: "I'm Duff McKagan by the way." "Y/N Y/L/N", I replied. "I know, was at one of your trailer parties before ya guys became famous." "Oh were you?", I asked surprised. I would've bet I'd recognize such a pretty face. Blond, tall, bassist. I was in fuckin heaven.
"You then ones with the trailer with the IV in the living room, right?" "Yupp, that's us", I nodded with a smirk: "Then I'm sorry for not recognizing you..."
"Don't worry bout it", he smiled: "Doubt we got the chance to talk...not that I wouldn't have wanted to..."
"We should have! Then I probably would've listened to you guys sooner! And Oh. My. God. You're amazing!", I gushed excitedly. "Thanks! Hoping it'll get us where you are now." "You'd have to be a complete idiot not to fuckin sign you!"
"I fucking hope so", he sighed and took a big gulp from his vodka: "You the song writer, right?" He suddenly changed the topic.
"Yes, why?" "I dunno", he shrugged: "When I first saw your music video on TV I couldn't help but fuckin wonder what complete asshole hurt this beautiful girl..."
His words hit me like a fucking train, because they reminded me of my former best friend Nikki Sixx, whom I had been stupid enough to fall for, but soon my drunken brain focused on something else: He thought I was beautiful...
"An asshole that's no longer a problem", I laughed. "Well cheers to that", the blond guy smirked and clicked our glasses: "Lucky me."
I returned his smirk and soon felt his hand on my thigh.
"How come you didn't leave with a groupie?", I tease him and sip on my glass. "Not my thing..." "What an utter liar", I thought. "And also", he went on: "I saw you in the crowd dancing next to your friend and knew exactly who to go for."
The way he looked into my eyes send chills through my body and I quickly took another sip from my drink.
"You alright?", Jimmy asked from further away to make sure I was fine, and I quickly nodded.
"You're pretty confident, huh?", I asked Duff. "Why?" "Well, what if that one girl you decided to go for wasn't interested?", I teased him.
Was I interested? I mean...damn he was hot and watching him on stage had been hot! His touch on my thigh made me feel hot! But for fuck's sake I didn't knowhim!
"That would be pretty sad for both of us", he shrugged and winked at me before looking at his glass and away from me.
Was he right? God, I could already feel the heat inside of me rising and a quiet voice in the back of my head reminded me that I had seen him shirtless on stage and wondered what it would feel like to touch him.
But damn it, I was drunk!
He lit a cigarette and I gave my everything not to stare at his lips for longer.
"I liked you better when you were funny and not seductive", I shrugged as well with a smirk and made him laugh. "Ouch, thanks!", he replied smiling: "In that case you'd have loved to see me lookin like an idiot when I got to Slash and your friend hours ago just to realize your gone."
"Maybe you should've hurried more, you know, the way your friend Slash did", I teased him more and calmed my nerves.
"He's just a funny guy", I told myself: "Joke around with him some more and then get your ass back home."
"Well, in the end you waited here for me anyway." "Rockstars don't wait for anyone", I joked and took the cigarette from him to take a drag as well. I could tell he was staring at my lips this time but was ripped out of his thoughts when I handed it back.
He cleared his throat and said: "Always wanted to fuck a rockstar."
I almost choked on my drink. That was my sign. The cards were on the table. I should tell him that this certainly wouldn't be the night he'd get what he wants and leave! But I was curious... so damn curious...
I couldn't deny that I was attracted to him! Maybe I could at least make out with him...find out what his lips felt like...there was nothing wrong about that.
"That's what the girls always tell you?", I tried to mock him but was too nervous to sound convincing. "You're quite a joker, huh?" "At least tryin to..."
"It's cute", he admitted. "Good, because I never run out of stupid jokes..."
"Trust me, I'd know a way or two to shut you up", he grinned to himself and took a last drag before he stubbed the cigarette out.
God, his words went straight to my core and put pictures in my head I hated but at the same time desperately wanted to happen. I wanted to find out what he wanted to do!
"Ya know what I always wanted to find out?", I asked without thinking about it twice. "What is it, gorgeous?" "If it's true that bass players don't just have skilled fingers when it comes to playin instruments."
I cracked the joke before I had thought about it. Why? Because I always had to listen to idiots tell me that and because I somehow really wanted to find out.
His smirk grew winder than I had seen it all night and it made me knees weak. "I can definitely show ya that."
"How about you first make me shut up?"
I had barely finished my sentence before I felt his free hand in my neck and soon enough his lips on mine.
I felt like melting right then and there! His lips moving against mine felt so good! But what started as a rather innocent kiss quickly became more heated. I grabbed the hem of his leather jacket, not to pull him closer but because I needed to hold on to something, anything."
His lips were moving against mine before he gently captured my lower lip with his. It was hard not too moan on the spot! And even harder when I tasted his tongue.
I damned those stupid barstools! I wanted him closer, needed him closer.
When we finally separated again my entire body was totally antsy!
"Speechless?", he asked teasingly. God, he was so damn hot!
I tried to think of something witty and fun, but I couldn't summon a single proper thought.
"You know...to prove the other thing we should probably move this somewhere more private...", he whispered into my ear and hadn't goose pumps already covered my entire body they definitely would have after he seductively kissed my neck.
I should tell him no. I should move my fucking ass back home.
But when he leaned back again and all I could think about was how I buried my fingers in his blond hair, I just nodded...
He had his arm around my waist when he let me out of the club and down strip. It was still dark and it wasn't hard to tell that there were still a bunch of parties going on in other places as well. Like I said, I had long lost my sense for time.
"My place ain't far from here", he told me and I nodded. Excitement was bubbling inside of me and gosh, I couldn't wait to kiss him again!
All worries and negative thoughts had been long gone as we walked through the cold night. I kept looking at him from the side and tried to hide the excited smirk on my lips. But
damn, he was even taller than I had guessed and looked so handsome in the dim glow of the streetlights.
I didn't know what to say. Where words needed?
I realized how he eyed me as well and a smug smile appeared on his lips. Shit, I wanted him. I had never felt this need for someone before, but I had also never allowed myself to get this carried away.
I bit my lower lip and tried to clear my thoughts but that attempt was quickly thrown completely over board when he suddenly pressed my back against the closest wall and kissed me. The kiss almost took my breath away.
Here I was standing on the strip with my back against the wall of some club and making out with a complete stranger. And it felt so right.
"Duff", I whimpered against his lips in a needy tone. "We should probably keep going, huh?", he smirked a little out of breath himself. "Except you consider this somewhere more private", I said with a grin on my lips but felt how he led me on with his arm around my hips once again.
"Wouldn't mind", he shrugged and lit another cigarette: "But I wanna take my time with you."
I swallowed hard and accepted the cigarette he wanted to share with me.
The next five minutes of us walking passed mainly without much talking but then I found myself in his one-bedroom apartment.
Alone with him now I felt the nervousness set back in.
So this was how it's gonna be?
"You want somethin to drink or anything?", he asked from behind me and I shook my head. Soon I felt him against my back with his arms around my body and his lips on my neck and shoulder.
I suppressed the low moan that had wanted to escape my lips and simply leaned back against him.
He had soon gripped the hem of my dress and pulled it over my head. A shiver ran through me but his warm hands that travelled my body soothed me and quickly found the clasp of my bra and opened it.
He was still kissing my neck when he whispered: "Turn around to me." I obeyed immediately.
The sight of my bare breasts exposed before him made him fight to contain his arousal as he hardened in his boxers. He lowered his head and wrapped his lips around my nipple. He sucked gently and I failed to find something to hold onto.
It was weird to be almost naked in front of him while he was still fully dressed, at the same time it made me feel excited.
"Get on the bed, I got something to prove", the blond haired told me smirking and I nodded. I tried not to run to the bed and could barely believe how caught up in the moment I was. My entire mind was foggy!
I watched him take off his leather jacket before he walked over to me and moved my thighs apart so he could lay down between them.
I could feel him hard against my center through our clothes but before the nervousness consumed me he had his lips on mine again and consumed my senses instead.
His body was pressed against mine and he traced his fingers down my body. He stroked over my thighs and spread them even more before moving to my panties.
Through the fabric he pressed his hand against me and gently rubbed me. A soft moan left my lips and I stirred underneath him and spread my legs further. Duff smirked against my breats and took my nipple in his mouth again as he began to rub me through my panties. His fingers ran over my slit as heat began to pool and I whimpered.
"Duff", I moaned softly.
He pulled away from my titts and brought his lips to mine while his fingers rubbed at my clit.
My eyes were closed, and I was lost in the moment, but I managed to bring my hand to his head and tangled my fingers in his blond, long hair. My lips parted as another soft moan left them and Duff pushed his tongue inside my mouth, massaging my tongue with his own.
His fingers were moving in circles over my clit and I whimpered against his lips as my panties became more soaked with each move he made.
I moaned and writhed on the bed as his hand travelled beneath my panties. Both of us moaned as he ran his middle finger between my folds, feeling how wet I was.
I whined his name again and lifted my hips to meet his hand.
He pushed his erection against my thigh and instinctively I reached down and stroked him through his pants.
"God youā€™re so wet for me", he growled in in my ear.
I bit my lip and raised my hips when suddenly he pulled away from me.
He knelt on the bed and smirked at me before ripping my panties down my thighs and tossing them to the floor.
My heart felt like it was about to pump out of my fucking chest.
He moved between my legs and crashed his lips against mine.
His fingers made their way back to my core and he pushed his middle finger inside me with ease, making me gasp.
"You want me to fuck you?", he pulled his finger out teasingly slow.
I bit your lip and without thinking I nodded as he pushed his finger back in.
He added a second finger, stretching me slowly: "But not yet."
He pulled his fingers away and I whined at the emptiness. But before I could protest Duff spread my legs apart and laid between them.
He ran the flat of his tongue along my slit, making me gasp and clutch at the sheets.
His tongue ran over my clit in two slow strokes.
I quickly covered my mouth with my hand and let out a moan.
His tongue ran over my clit in slow circles and he reached his hands up to squeeze my breasts. When he sucked at my clit I let out another moan into my hand and Duff pulled away.
"Oh No, baby", he told me and moved my hand from my mouth: "I wanna hear you."
I bit my lip and watched as he went back to his slow licks and his eyes never left mine as he ran his tongue over me. I felt like I was burning.
I squeezed my eyes shut and reached down, wrapping my fingers in his blond hair and raised my hips to meet him. He pulled back, only slightly and ran his fingers over my slit. He let out a growl as he watched, pushing two fingers into your throbbing pussy.
"Duff", I gasped and already felt extremely full. "Don't panic", I told myself and threw all worries away when he began to pump his fingers in and out of me, slowly at first before he increased his speed.
"You like that, baby girl?"
I moaned in response and he stopped his movements. He sucked at my clit and the change in pleasure made me squirm.
I whined and lifted my hips to meet the strokes of his tongue.
He moaned against me and the vibrations sent pleasure soaring through my veins. He began pumping his fingers once more, curling them against my wall and rubbing against my gspot.
I writhed on the bed, clutching at the sheets because of the amount of pleasure.
"Fuck..."
"You gonna cum for me doll?", he growled against me.
I sunk my teeth into my bottom lip as my orgasm coursed through me. MY walls clenched around his skilled fingers and his tongue didnā€™t stop running over your clit, making my legs tremble.
When my orgasm started to slow down he got up and took his clothes off, throwing them anywhere. Before he sat back down between my thighs, I watched him put on a condom through barely open eyelids.
Without a warning and therefor without giving me the time to over think this he plunged his cock into me. I gasped at his size and raked my nails down his back.
The pain was sharp and unknown.
"God you feel so good baby."
He crashed his lips against mine, stifling my moan as he pulled out of me slowly.
"So tight." He pushed into me again. I was frowning and pushed my eyes closed as I was trying to adjust to him. Fuck, he felt so good at the same time this hurt so bad but in the best way possible.
I moaned and ran my hands over his back as he set a pace with deep and slow thrusts. He wanted me to feel every inch of him entering me and he lost himself in the little whimpers I made as he pushed into me. After a few more thrusts when the pain was starting to die down, he pulled out of me and knelt on the bed.
"Rollover", he ordered.
I bit my lip and obeyed, kneeling in front of him on all fours. Duff let out a breath as he looked at my ass.
I felt him run his cock over my center before he pushed into me once more.
"Duff...", I hissed.
His change of angle set a whole new sense of pleasure and he set a faster pace. It hurt but felt so good... His cock slammed into me and I collapsed against the mattress, falling onto my elbows, arching my back more in doing so.
He brought his hand down swiftly, slapping my ass and making me gasp.
Duff gripped my hips and I moaned between breaths as he picked up a fast and hard pace, slamming into me hard and fast. He leaned forward and pulled my hair into a ponytail, his thrusts never slowing down. With a gentle tug at my hair he pulled me back onto all fours and with his spare hand he reached under me.
His fingers found my clit and he rubbed clumsy circles. I bit my lip, trying to contain my moans and arched my back. He leant over me, his breath on my shoulder and hearing his staggered breathing sent me into overdrive. He released his grip in my hair only to wrap his hand around your throat gently and pull me back enough so he could turn my head around to kiss him. Just what I needed.
"You gonna cum for me?"
I attempted to nod, which proved difficult with his grip on my throat. He didn't wait for an answer though and rubbed his fingers over my clit faster.
"Cum for me, babygirl."
I lost all control, my eyes rolling back as the waves of pleasure rolled through me, sending shivers all over my skin. His pace was sloppy now and I knew he was almost ready as well. He slowly pulled away and turned on his back so I knelt down on wobbly legs. I removed the condom and licked along his throbbing cock and he let out a low moan. I took him as deep as I could and began to suck him off until he grasped his cock and pumped it a few times before coming in my mouth.
I swallowed his load and his deep moans send a few last chills through me.
Both of us collapsed against the sheets, a sheer layer of sweat covering my skin as I tried to catch my breath.
"Shit that was good", he exhaled and placed a lazy kiss on my shoulder. "Yes, it was", I thought and grinned to myself, trying to process what had happened.
214 notes Ā· View notes
lilallama Ā· 3 years
Note
Hi Umm today is my birthday and I was wondering if you could do let the clubs react to it?? šŸ„ŗšŸ„ŗā¤ļø (it can be which ever you have the most inspiration from, I love all of them)
[Congratulations!! I only saw this now, but I'll try to hurry to get it done in time. ā¤ā¤ā¤ā¤ā¤ā¤ā¤ā¤ā¤ā¤ā¤šŸ‘]
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The reactions of most of the clubs are quite similar. Who wouldn't be exited when you'd get to celebrate your beloved's birthday! Though their levels of intensity vary.
The newspaper club is definitely the first to congratulate Y/n in the morning. As soon as you'd wake up, your phone would practically explode with messages from your girls. Jennie willgo out of her way to buy you something huge. For your sixteenth birthday she bought you a Lamborghini, and for your seventeenth she got you a private island. Unlike Jennie, RosĆ© will not resort to buying something materialistic. But she'll spend weeks, sometimes months creating the perfect song for you. She wants to make it special. Jisoo, as the passionate photographer she is, prepared an entire collage or photo album filled with pictures of you five. It's always very professional and aesthetically pleasing. To that she'll often gift you some jewellery. The earrings she gives you are worth 600ā‚¬. In all honesty, Lisa doesn't really care for birthdays. She can never remember them, except for yours because it's, well, you. She doesn't know what to get, so she'll likely bring a bunch of your favourite sweets and invite you to go shopping with her. That way you can pick out your own present. Your parents love these girls, they're always so sweet, and thanks to them you now own a private Island and jet, so...
The cooking club will prepare a giant cake for you. It will be redone until the result is absolutely perfect. Now, they can't bringit to school, sadly. But you're invited to come over to Hoseok's mansion, you can all celebrate together there. Hoseok knows exactly what you want, he is your best friend after all. So whatever you asked for, he's got you. You could've asked for a horse, it's there. Seokjin definitely forgot it was your birthday until the boys called him over to make the giant cake, two days in advance. So you ended up receiving a big, beautiful rose bouquet. Jin would let you decide on your present, he'll go anywhere with you, and get anything for you. Yoonfi is less confident. Anything he gets feels so insignificant in comparison. He saved up money to buy you a really cute plushy that you pointed out once, the newest album of a group you like and he even made you a self-made card. Similar to Hoseok, Namjoon doesn't really care for birthdays. He's only excited because it's your birthday. But you'll likely get a yacht or private flight to anywhere you want, with hotels and all other costs already payed for. But he makes sure to still give you a congratulations letter with 500ā‚¬ inside the envelope. Jimin is extremely excited. He's got you almost every single thing you pointed out when going shopping with him. The only things he ignored were the ones he deemed 'cheap'. But he will give you so many hugs that it gets obnoxious for everyone else. Taehyung values that day, for it's the day his God/Goddess was birthed. He's the type to thank your parents for conceiving you. He'll get you a bunch of jewellery and a portrait of yourself. But the main part really i that he won't shut up about how great you are on that day. Praise overload. Meanwhile Jeongguk will gift you the newest version of your preferred console with a bunch of new games, a new computer with three monitors, and a brand new headset. Plus, he'll draw you a picture. He's been secretly practising ever since you complemented Taehyung on his painting.
The skate club isn't too close with you in those regards, they wouldn't get you anything. You're their pet, why would they have to give you anything. But they will congratulate you. The kam club is ecstatic! They'd all get you something grand together and will likeky have a sleepover with you. The art club probably didn't even know it was your birthday. But when they found out, they all sang happy birthday to you. The five will definitely give you something special very soon. Gasi seemed excited as well. The deama club is very chill, they give very sweet gifts like self-knitted sweaters or the entire soundtrack of Hamilton. The gardening club will place a bunch of beautiful flower bouquets on your desk. They're not that close to you, but they still wanba give you something.
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rhys-writes-sometimes Ā· 4 years
Text
Music Worth Making Part 4: The Hollywood Ghost Club
Requested: sort of
Warnings: mentions of death, bad writing
Series Summery:Ā When the readerā€™s life is ripped away from them, theyā€™re distraught. But with her two best friends and three certain ghosts, maybe the afterlife isnā€™t so bad after all.Ā 
Chapter Summery:Ā The boys learn about Bobby, and drag you along to haunt him. They also drag you along to the Hollywood Ghost Club
Words: 4310
A/N:Ā sorry this took so long, I didnā€™t write for a few days, and I didnā€™t expect this chapter to be so long. I think this is the longest fic Iā€™ve ever wrote! please tell me if you catch any mistakes, because once again, i did not edit this. also please tell me (on anon or not!) if there is a trigger warning you want tagged. hope you enjoy! (side note: i did a little research and gentlefolk is in fact the gender neutral term for gentleman)
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 5 |Ā Masterlist
______________________________________________________
ā€œYouā€™reā€¦ā€¦ a ghost,ā€ Flynn said, her face morphing from confusion, to surprise, to something that looked like regret.
You nodded glumly.Ā 
ā€œSo thatā€™s why you werenā€™t in school today? Because you died?ā€ she shook her head. ā€œI canā€™t believe this. I- I need a minute.ā€ She ran out of the garage.Ā 
Your face fell out of the expression you didnā€™t realize you had been putting on for Flynn. Taking a deep breath, you sat down on the couch, not knowing what to do.
ā€œHey, Y/N, I-ā€ Julie stopped when she saw you. ā€œYou okay?ā€
ā€œHuh? Oh, oh yeah, Iā€™m fine,ā€ you lied. You could tell that Julie didnā€™t believe you, but she didnā€™t push. You were thankful. You didnā€™t even know what was off.
ā€œOkay, well, I just wanted you to know that Dannyā€™s staying in Carlosā€™s room now.ā€
ā€œReally?ā€ you asked, standing up. ā€œThank you Jules!ā€ you went to hug the girl, but then remembered you were made of air.Ā 
ā€œYeah, no problem,ā€ Julie said, trying to make what you had accidentally created a bit less awkward. ā€œWell, I gotta go do homework. I guess thatā€™s one perk to being dead, you donā€™t have to do school anymore.ā€ She laughed a little as she waved goodbye.Ā 
That was true. You had a lot more freetime now. Maybe even time to sing?
Looking around to make sure no one was there, you closed your eyes and could practically hear the start of your favorite song. You started singing along, quietly at first, but soon you were belting it out at the top of your lungs and dancing all around the room, passing through the furniture that was in your way.Ā 
The song ended, and you smiled, happy for the first time in a while. Before you could continue on to the next song, your moment of bliss was interrupted.Ā 
ā€œI didnā€™t know you could sing,ā€ Luke said from his spot in the doorway. You jumped slightly. You had been so caught up in the music that you didnā€™t notice him watching you.Ā 
ā€œOh, sorry, I didnā€™t mean to scare you,ā€ he said, stepping into the studio. ā€œThat was really good.ā€
You felt your face heating up. ā€œThanks,ā€ you said quietly. It was the first time you had been complimented on your voice, never having the guts to sing anywhere outside of the school choir.Ā 
ā€œDo you sing much?ā€ he asked, moving to sit on the couch.Ā 
ā€œUm, not really, no.ā€ You sat next to him. ā€œMy parentā€™s wouldnā€™t let me. I only sang in the ensemble for the school choir.ā€
ā€œWow. That was amazing for someone who doesnā€™t sing much.ā€ You felt yourself blush slightly. He smiled at you.Ā 
ā€œHey, um, would you wanna join the band?ā€ he asked, fidgeting with his rings.Ā 
Your eyes widened. ā€œJoin- join Julie and the Phantoms? I, Iā€™d be honored to, but what about Alex and Reggie?ā€
ā€œWhat about them?ā€
ā€œWell, shouldnā€™t they get a say in it? Julie too? I mean, itā€™s their band, too.ā€
Luke waved his hand dismissively. ā€œIā€™m sure once they hear you sing, theyā€™ll agree with me.ā€
You bit your lip. ā€œEven if I did join, thereā€™s a risk of someone recognizing me. How are you going to explain that the dead kid is singing on stage with Julie?ā€
ā€œIā€™m not. Julie would explain that,ā€ Luke smirked, earning a playful glare from you. ā€œSeriously though, you could wear a disguise or something. I mean, you said you just moved here a few years ago and youā€™re pretty shy, so most people donā€™t know you, right?ā€
ā€œMaybeā€¦.ā€ You knew that someone was bound to recognize you, but decided that it was a problem for Future You to figure out. ā€œAlright, Iā€™ll join.ā€
Luke bounced up. ā€œYessss!ā€ he exclaimed, pumping a fist in the air. You squeaked slightly when he pulled you into a tight hug. ā€œSorry,ā€ he said, loosening his grip. You smiled at him, letting him know it was fine. ā€œWelcome to the band.ā€
-----
ā€œWeā€™re playing a school dance? Sweet!ā€ Reggie said, looking at the poster Julie had shown you.Ā 
ā€œItā€™s not exactly the Strip,ā€ Luke muttered, making you roll your eyes slightly.
ā€œAnd youā€™re not exactly alive, so you should be happy we have our first gig,ā€ Reggie retorted.Ā 
ā€œI wasnā€™t in love with the idea at first either,ā€ Julie admitted, ā€œbut it could be a great way for us to build a following, right?ā€
ā€œYeah, we need to play wherever we can, whenever we can,ā€ you said, nodding at Julie.Ā 
She raised an eyebrow at you. ā€œWe?ā€Ā 
You felt your heart start to speed up as you realized you had accidentally told her you joined the band. Luckily, Luke saved you from having to explain yourself.Ā 
ā€œYe- yeah, we. I invited Y/N to join the band earlier. I hope that was okay,ā€ he said, throwing an arm around your shoulders and hugging you to his side.Ā 
Julie nodded hesitantly. ā€œItā€™s fine, I just wish you had asked us first.ā€ Reggie nodded his agreement.Ā 
ā€œI know, and Iā€™m really sorry-ā€ you started, but Julie cut you off.Ā 
ā€œItā€™s fine, Y/N, really.ā€ She smilied at you.Ā 
Luke smiled. ā€œLetā€™s rock those kidā€™s faces off! And then play the clubs.ā€
ā€œAnd then record a single that gets a billion streams?ā€ you said hopefully.
ā€œI donā€™t know what that is, but hopefully it gets us a manager and a tour,ā€ Luke said with a smirk.
ā€œAnd then we release a bunch of hit albums!ā€ Julie said excitedly.Ā 
ā€œPut out a country album that does surprisingly well.ā€ You all stared at Reggie. ā€œI shred on the banjo,ā€ he shrugged.Ā 
ā€œThen Iā€™ll learn how to fiddle,ā€ Julie said, fist bumping him.Ā 
ā€œAnd before you know it, weā€™re being inducted into the Rock ā€˜nā€™ Roll Hall Of Fame!ā€
ā€œBut one of us isnā€™t there,ā€ you said somewhat ominously. ā€œBecause we had a blow-out in 2032.ā€
ā€œMy moneyā€™s on Alex. Heā€™s just so sensitive,ā€ Reggie said, making you laugh slightly.Ā 
ā€œWhat are we waiting for, letā€™s get rehearsing!ā€ Luke said eagerly.Ā 
ā€œUhā€¦ where is Alex?ā€ Julie asked just as he poofed back into the room.Ā 
ā€œOh, hey Alex. Whereā€™ve you been?ā€ you asked the drummer. He looked slightly out of breath, and had a faint glow of happiness to him.Ā 
ā€œWe need to start practicing,ā€ Luke said, slightly annoyed.
ā€œYeah? For what?ā€
ā€œDance news!ā€ Flynn called out as she walked in. ā€œI donā€™t have a date. But I donā€™t care because Iā€™m so psyched to see you guys perform.ā€
ā€œOh man, weā€™re playing a dance?ā€ Alex asked, his disappointment evident in his voice.Ā 
ā€œOf course dude. Thatā€™s how we get a following nowadays.ā€ Luke sat in the chair behind him. You laughed quietly.Ā 
ā€œYeah, get with the program, Alex,ā€ Julie laughed along with you.Ā 
ā€œWhat? The guys are here? Hey guys!ā€ Flynn waved in the wrong direction.Ā 
ā€œOther way, sweetie,ā€ you chuckled. ā€œTheyā€™re sitting over here, with me.ā€
ā€œOh, yeah.ā€ Flynn said quietly and waved in your direction. Reggie waved back.
ā€œOkay, well, now that Alex has graced us with his presence, can we start working?ā€ Luke asked, impatient.
ā€œYes! Weā€™re gonna rehearse, you wanna stick around?ā€ Julie asked Flynn, who frowned slightly.Ā 
ā€œIā€™m supposed to blow up 500 balloons for the school dance, but this sounds way better.ā€
Just then, Carlos burst into the studio and accidentally walked through Alex. ā€œHey Julie! Remember those orbs in dadā€™s pictures? Iā€¦. I think theyā€™re ghosts.ā€
You, Julie, and the guys all shared a look.Ā 
ā€œBut donā€™t worry,ā€ Carlos continued, scanning the room. ā€œThis room isā€¦. Isā€¦.ā€ You sat forward slightly, waiting to hear his verdict. ā€œThis room is clear. Iā€™m not getting the ghost tinglies.ā€
ā€œWrong again, little dude,ā€ Reggie laughed.Ā 
ā€œHave no fear. If they come back, I will protect you because I am the man of the house.ā€
You laughed. ā€œIsnā€™t Ray supposed to be the man of the house?ā€
ā€œIsnā€™t dad supposed to be the man of the house?ā€ Julie asked, echoing you. You smirked.Ā 
Carlos crossed his arms. ā€œThere can be two,ā€ he muttered, causing you to laugh again. ā€œDad needs all the help he can get, right?ā€
He held up a salt shaker. ā€œAccording to the internet, this burns their souls out. A little sprinkle will keep them from ever coming in here.ā€
Your eyes widened with fear. It couldnā€™t possibly be true, could it? Taking no chances, you pulled your legs up into the chair you were sitting in as Carlos threw some salt your way.Ā 
ā€œNo!ā€Alex screamed as some salt hit him. ā€œNooo! Oh god, Iā€™mā€¦. Iā€™m fine. Iā€™m totally fine,ā€ he said when nothing happened to him. You sighed in relief.
ā€œFlynn, could youā€¦?ā€ you asked, nodding your head to indicate taking Carlos out of the studio. In times like these it was useful to be a ghost that only some people could see.Ā 
ā€œHey, Carlos, you know whoā€™s hungry? Me,ā€ she said, taking your hint. ā€œUm, salt me a path to the kitchen.ā€
ā€œShall we try this again?ā€ Julie asked once they were gone.
ā€œYes please, but remind us later. Thereā€™s some Sunset Curve songs that we wanna show you,ā€ Luke said, standing up again.Ā 
ā€œOooo, show me now,ā€ Julie said, pushing away her microphone.Ā 
ā€œYeah, okay!ā€ Luke said, putting down his guitar and walking over to his journal. He took a paper out of it and read the title of the song: ā€œā€˜Home Is Where My Horse Isā€™. Reggie, stop putting your country songs in my journal.ā€
ā€œThat was a gift,ā€ Reggie said, winking at you.Ā 
ā€œThanks, buddy.ā€ Ignoring Reggie as he tried to get Luke to look at the song, he walked over to Julie and handed her his journal. You walked over to look over her shoulder. ā€œI dog-eared the ones I think you would slay.ā€
ā€œWhoā€™s Emily?ā€ You asked, the name catching your eye as Julie flipped through the pages.Ā 
ā€œThat oneā€™s not dog-eared,ā€ Luke said, frantically trying to get the journal back. Julie held it to her chest. You mouthed ā€œsorryā€ at him as he looked at you.
ā€œā€˜If you could only know that Iā€™d never let you goā€™,ā€ Julie read out loud. ā€œWow Luke, I didnā€™t know you were such a romantic.ā€
ā€œHeā€™s not,ā€ Alex said, walking over. ā€œThat oneā€™s actually about-ā€
ā€œNo one.ā€ Luke cut him off. ā€œUh, thatā€™s just something that I triedā€¦ā€ Was it your imagination, or did his eyes flicker over to you? ā€œB- but if you go to the next dog-eared page, I got a tune thatā€™s justā€¦. Itā€™s got a killer beat.ā€
He started playing the song on his guitar. You tilted your head to the side, sure that you had heard the song before.Ā 
ā€œSo you wanna sample,ā€ Julie spoke up, cutting Luke off. You realized where you had heard it before. It had been one of Roseā€™s favorite songs.Ā 
Luke scoffed. ā€œWhat do you mean, ā€˜sampleā€™?ā€
ā€œSample someone elseā€™s music,ā€ you chimed in.Ā 
ā€œMy mom and I used to sing that song at the top of our lungs in the car all the time.ā€Ā 
ā€œItā€™s a classic Trevor Wilson song.ā€Ā 
Julie nodded, thankful that you knew what she was talking about.
ā€œNope.ā€ Luke picked up his notebook. ā€œItā€™s a classic our song.ā€
ā€œPure Sunset Curve,ā€ Reggie said with a smile. ā€œIā€™ve never even heard of Trevor Wilson.ā€
ā€œYeah, maybe youā€™re mixing it up, you know, with another song,ā€ Alex said.Ā 
ā€œJulie doesnā€™t mix up songs,ā€ you said. ā€œTrust me.ā€
ā€œYeah, me and his daughter used to be best friends. We used to hang out at their place all the time! I know that song.ā€ You looked at Julie. Having moved to Los Angeles after Julie and Carrie stopped being friends, you forgot sometimes that they used to like each other.Ā 
ā€œHere,ā€ she said, pulling out her computer. ā€œIā€™ll prove it.ā€
ā€œHis first album had a bunch of hits, but none of his later stuff is as good,ā€ you said while Julie searched his name.
The boys gasped as she turned the computer around. You looked at her in confusion.Ā 
ā€œThatā€™s Bobby,ā€ Luke said.
ā€œSeriously? I just told you his name is Trevor,ā€ you said, slightly concerned for his memory.Ā 
ā€œOkay, so he changed it, alright? Thatā€™s definitely Bobby. He was our rhythm guitarist.ā€ Alex spoke up. Reggie stood still, clearly in shock.Ā 
Julie scoffed. ā€œTrevor Wilson was in your band?ā€
ā€œI canā€™t get over how old he looksā€¦ā€ Reggie finally said.Ā 
ā€œOh, he looks like a substitute teacher,ā€ Alex said in disgust.Ā 
You looked at Julie in confusion again. Sure, you had had a few bad substitutes, but you didnā€™t think it was enough to be an insult.Ā 
ā€œJulieā€¦ what were his other hits?ā€ Luke asked hesitantly.Ā 
ā€œā€Get Lostā€™.ā€
ā€œYeah. I wrote that.ā€
ā€œā€˜Long Weekendā€™?ā€
ā€œYeah, Luke wrote that one too,ā€ Reggie spoke up. You and Julie looked at him, the surprise evident on her face.Ā 
ā€œā€˜Crooked Teethā€™?ā€
ā€œAnd that,ā€ Alex said. ā€œIt was about Reggie.ā€
ā€œWhat?ā€ Reggie exclaimed, shocked and slightly hurt. ā€œI thought that was about you! I donā€™t like that song anymore.ā€ You held in a laugh.Ā 
ā€œWaitā€¦ this is freaking me out. Trevorā€™s songs are kind of big to me,ā€ Julie explained as Luke picked up some darts. ā€œHeā€™s the one who introduced me to rock.ā€
ā€œYeah, and Julie introduced me to rock using his music,ā€ you said. You were freaking out a little too. You loved Trevorā€™s songs, so it was pretty weird to think that the ghosts standing in front of you had actually written them.Ā 
ā€œYeah, Luke introduced you to rock,ā€ Alex scoffed.Ā 
ā€œSo this whole time, I thought you were connected to my mom. But instead, youā€™re connected to Carrieā€™s dad? Out of all the people, it had to be the one girl who had it out for me.ā€
ā€œAll right, well, add it to our list of questions,ā€ you muttered.Ā 
ā€œBack when Carrie and I were friends, the three of us used to talk about music all the time.ā€ Julie looked at the guys. ā€œHe never mentioned you guys.ā€
ā€œAnd thatā€™s unbelievable!ā€ Luke said, throwing another dart at the board. ā€œHe can take all the credit and he doesnā€™t even mention us?ā€ Reggie shook his head slightly.Ā 
ā€œAnd heā€™s rich,ā€ you said. The boys all looked at you. ā€œHe has his own helicopter.ā€
ā€œWith his face on it,ā€ Julie added.
ā€œAnd he parks it in front of that hotel?ā€ Reggie asked in shock.Ā 
ā€œNo. He gets to park it in front of his mansion.ā€ You rolled your eyes.Ā 
ā€œMansion?ā€ Reggieā€™s voice cracked.Ā 
ā€œDude, we live in a garage,ā€ Alex spoke up.
ā€œItā€™s not about the money, itā€™s about the music!ā€ Luke said, but it sounded like he was trying to convince himself as much as anyone else.
ā€œItā€™s a little bit about the money though!ā€
ā€œA little bit about the money!ā€
ā€œHe could have shared it with our families! Maybe then my parents wouldnā€™t have had their house turned into a bike shack!ā€
ā€œWhat he did is steal our legacy.ā€Ā 
You felt really bad for them. You couldnā€™t even imagine how it would feel if you had worked that hard on something, and then someone stole it.Ā 
Luke turned to Julie. ā€œWhere does he live.ā€
She sighed. ā€œAbove the beach in Malibu.Ā 
ā€œLetā€™s go teach him a lesson,ā€ Reggie said. The boyā€™s face was usually so kind and bouncy, but now it was stone cold.Ā 
ā€œWait, what? Guys! We have to rehearse for our dance! This is our first gig, and Y/Nā€™s first time singing with us!ā€ Julie said frantically, standing up.Ā 
Alex glanced at you in confusion, and you remembered you hadnā€™t told him yet about you joining the band.Ā 
Before you could say anything, however, Luke grabbed your hand and poofed out.Ā 
-----
ā€œBobbyā€™s house is ridiculous!ā€ Alex exclaimed as you looked around.
ā€œHave you seen these platinum records?ā€ you asked.
Reggie turned and looked at them. ā€œPlatinum?ā€
Luke was staring at a different set of records. ā€œHe recorded ā€˜My Name Is Lukeā€™...ā€ he muttered. ā€œMy name is Luke!ā€
Just then a man walked in wearing sunglasses and a leather jacket.
ā€œItā€™s him!ā€ Reggie said.Ā 
ā€œHey, Carrie! Iā€™m gonna meditate!ā€ Bobby called out.Ā 
ā€œHe wears sunglasses indoors,ā€ Reggie said, disgusted.Ā 
ā€œIā€™m in the den!ā€ Carrie called out.Ā 
ā€œCool!ā€ Bobby called out before going upstairs.Ā 
Reggie shook his head. ā€œI canā€™t stand him!ā€
ā€œTime for his past to haunt him,ā€ Luke said, a scowl on his features.Ā 
He started up the stairs, with Reggie following him and you following a bit more hesitantly.
ā€œWait!ā€ Alex called out, making you all turn around. ā€œYou know, itā€™s myā€¦. Itā€™s my first time haunting someone. I wanna make it special.ā€
You looked at him, confusion written on your face. ā€œOkay, Alex,ā€ you said before turning around and continuing up the stairs, Luke and Reggie joining you.Ā 
ā€œYeah, that was weird, okay,ā€ you heard him mutter as he followed you.Ā 
You made your way into Bobbyā€™s room, where he sat with candles lit.Ā 
ā€œAgh!ā€ you said as you felt another jolt of pain flair through your ankle. The boys looked at you, concerned. You shook your head to let them know you were fine. It was the weirdest thing, itā€™s like it flared up when it was the most inconvenientā€¦.
You watched the boys giggle as Luke gave Bobby a wet willy.
You and Alex snuck over to the candles, forgetting for a moment that no one could see you, and blew them out.Ā 
Reggie turned on the music player, which started playing a rock song. Bobby walked over and turned it off, but Reggie just turned it back on, causing Bobby to unplug it.Ā 
You hadnā€™t noticed Luke sneaking away, but he was gone when the shower turned on a moment later.Ā 
ā€œCarrie?ā€ Bobby asked. You giggled with the boys.
Bobby walked into the bathroom to see the shower running just as Luke turned it off. The mirror across from the shower was now foggy, and perfect for a ghost to write on.
ā€œOoo, Luke, you should write ā€˜Hello, Bobbyā€™ on it!ā€ you suggested through a fit of giggles. Reggie pointed at you to show his agreement.Ā 
Grinning, Luke wrote on the mirror in his best creepy handwriting, which also happened to be his best handwriting.Ā 
Bobby tried to run out of the bathroom, but Alex held the door shut.
ā€œLetā€¦ Meā€¦. Out!!ā€ he shouted. Alex finally let go of the door and Bobby practically fell out of the room, causing all of you to laugh.
Luke grabbed your hand again and you poofed down to the patio just as Bobby was leaving. You watched as his helicopter flew over your heads.Ā 
ā€œOh! Quick, letā€™s moon him before he gets too far away,ā€ Reggie said, causing you to roll your eyes.Ā 
ā€œHe canā€™t see us,ā€ you reminded them.
ā€œOh itā€™s not for him, itā€™s for us,ā€ Luke said as he pulled down his pants. You averted your eyes.Ā 
ā€œSo, did you guys have fun in there?ā€ Julie asked, storming outside.Ā 
ā€œOkay, youā€™d do the exact same if he stole all of your songs,ā€ Luke defended them.Ā 
ā€œBut you guys have new songs. With me. The best way to get back at Trevor is for this band to do great. And to do great, we have to play at dances, then clubs-ā€
ā€œAnd tours, I know.ā€ Luke walked up to her. Julie still looked mad.
ā€œIā€™ll see you guys at the school. We go on at nine. Please donā€™t be late. Thereā€™s gonna be a lot of people there.ā€
ā€œWe got it, alright? Donā€™t worry,ā€ Alex said.Ā 
Julie sighed as she headed back inside.Ā 
ā€œI donā€™t care what Julie says! Iā€™m glad we scared Bobby,ā€ Reggie said with a small grin. ā€œWe shouldā€™ve done more! Likeā€¦ like written ā€˜thiefā€™ on his forehead.ā€
ā€œAnd Alex, how did you shut the door earlier? You could barely open a garage door,ā€ you asked, confused.Ā 
Reggie looked at his friend, proud of him. ā€œLearned that from your new friend Willie, didnā€™t ya?ā€
Alex blushed slightly. ā€œYeah, well, he taught me some things, we screamed in a museumā€¦ā€ he caught the look of confusion on your face. ā€œItā€™s a long story.ā€
Luke smirked. ā€œYou think he has a few other tricks up his sleeve?ā€
ā€œLetā€™s find out,ā€ Alex said with a shrug.Ā 
-----
You landed near a beach, a boy on a skateboard coming to a stop in front of you.Ā 
ā€œHey, whatā€™s up man?ā€ he said to Alex, doing a short handshake. ā€œYou brought friends.ā€
ā€œYeah, these are my bandmates, Luke, Reggie, and Y/N.ā€
ā€œCool, Iā€™m Willie. So, you guys here to learn some tricks?ā€ He waved his hand in the direction of two police fourwheelers, making their sirens go off.Ā 
Reggieā€™s mouth hung open. ā€œDo it again!ā€
ā€œActually, we were thinking a little bigger,ā€ Luke said. ā€œAn old bandmate stole from us and we wanna confront him, face to face.ā€
ā€œAlright, is this, uh, friend of yours a lifer?ā€ Willie asked.Ā 
ā€œOh, thatā€™s fancy ghost lingo for the living,ā€ Alex said before you could ask. ā€œLittle something I picked up.ā€
You caught Willie smiling at Alex.Ā 
ā€œAh! Then yeah, heā€™s a lifer,ā€ Reggie said, using the fancy ghost lingo he had just been taught. ā€œToo much of a fancy-pants for street dogs.ā€
You snorted. ā€œWait, thatā€™s how you guys died?ā€Ā  Julie had never told you, and you had just never discussed it with them.Ā 
ā€œUh, thatā€™s not important-ā€ Luke started to say, but Willie cut him off.
ā€œWait, you didnā€™t die with them?ā€
ā€œUh, no,ā€ you said, trying to stop laughing. ā€œSome guy killed me.ā€
Willie winced. ā€œOuch.ā€ You nodded.Ā 
ā€œAnyways,ā€ Luke said, trying to get the conversation back on track. ā€œCan you help us?ā€
ā€œYeah, Iā€™m sorry,ā€ Willie said, shaking his head. ā€œSpeaking to lifers is even out of my lead.ā€ The guyā€™s faces fell. ā€œYou know, but there is one ghost who might be able to help you guys. Heā€™s kind of a big dealā€¦ā€
ā€œLiterally, anything would help,ā€ Luke said.Ā 
ā€œOh, alright. Well, um, I gotta take care of some things, but Iā€™ll meet you where Alex and I met, eight oā€™clock. See ya.ā€ He skated away.Ā 
-----
ā€œRight this way,ā€ Willie said, leading you into a huge ballroom-type room.
ā€œWhoa,ā€ Luke muttered. ā€œSo this is where your hot-shot ghost lives, huh?ā€
ā€œYeah, weā€™ve walked past this hotel like, a million times. How come weā€™ve never heard of it?ā€Alex asked.Ā 
ā€œThatā€™s because this area has been sealed off for decades,ā€ Willie said with a grin. ā€œI mean, you wouldnā€™t even know this place exists unless youā€™re invited. Alright, I gotta go make sure everythingā€™s cool, but Iā€™ll be right back.ā€ He turned and disappeared into the crowd.Ā Ā Ā 
You inhaled sharply as the pain in your ankle flared up again. Luke looked over at you, confused, and you pointed to your ankle. He nodded, understanding.
ā€œā€˜The Hollywood Ghost Clubā€™?ā€ Reggie asked, oblivious to what had just happened between you and Luke. ā€œMan, this place is creepy.ā€
ā€œYeah, well, so are we.ā€ Alex smiled.
ā€œI donā€™t know about this,ā€ you muttered.Ā 
ā€œWell, if you get scared, you can always hide behind me,ā€ Alex said. ā€œIā€™ll be hiding behind Luke.ā€
ā€œYou guys need to grow up, okay?ā€ Luke said as Alex moved behind him. ā€œWeā€™re gonna get back at Bobby. He needs to pay for what he did to us.ā€
ā€œYeah.ā€ Alex said. Then he whispered to you: ā€œIā€™m still gonna hide behind him.ā€
Just then, Willie came back. ā€œWeā€™re all good!ā€ he said with a smile.Ā 
ā€œOh, uh, cool,ā€ Alex said, flustered. ā€œHey, just so you know, we have like, an hour. Weā€™ve got a gig with Julie.ā€
ā€œOh yeah, no worries.ā€
ā€œCool.ā€
ā€œLetā€™s go.ā€
You all walked down the stairs, taking in all the fancy clothing people were wearing. Well, the four of you walked. Willie slid down the railing.Ā 
ā€œI think weā€™re a little overdressed,ā€ Luke said. You smirked.
Suddenly a woman walked through Alex.Ā 
ā€œWhoa! I thought these people were all going to be ghosts,ā€ Reggie said.Ā 
ā€œNope. These are all lifers.ā€ Willie gestured to the entirety of the club.Ā 
ā€œOh, uh, lifers are actually-ā€
ā€œAlive people, I was listening,ā€ Reggie said, cutting off Alex with a smirk.Ā 
ā€œBut this is a very exclusive crowd. Everybody here has uh, paid a lot to get a sneak peak at the afterlife.ā€
ā€œI always knew rich people did weird stuff like this,ā€ Reggie muttered, making you laugh.Ā 
A ghost appeared behind you.Ā 
ā€œGentleman, my lady,ā€ he stopped and looked at you a moment. ā€œI have a table for you.ā€ Your heart sank as he misgendered you, but you didnā€™t correct him.Ā 
ā€œOh, uh, Y/N here is actually non-binary,ā€ Luke said. You beamed at him.Ā 
ā€œMy apologies, gentlefolk. Right this way.ā€
You followed him to a reserved table in the front, right in front of the stage.Ā 
Luke pulled out a chair for you to sit. You blushed. You also squealed internally when you noticed Willie do the same for Alex.Ā 
ā€œOkay, so whoā€™s gonna make us visible so we can confront our old bandmate?ā€ Luke asked Willie once everyone was seated. You looked around in wonder at the club.
ā€œOh, no, no. None of these lifers have the power to do that.ā€ Dramatic music started to play out of nowhere. You thought you recognized the melody, although you couldnā€™t quite place it. ā€œOh, but here comes the ghost who does!ā€
ā€œLadies and gentleman,ā€ boomed a voice from nowhere and everywhere at the same time, ā€œback from the dead by popular demand, Caleb Covington!ā€
Willie cheered along with the rest of the clubā€™s members as a man appeared floating above the stage.Ā 
ā€œDid you miss me?ā€ he asked.
You gasped, your eyes widening.
ā€œWhat?ā€ Luke asked you. ā€œWhatā€™s wrong?ā€
You turned to him with fear in your eyes. ā€œThatā€™s him.ā€
ā€œWho?ā€
ā€œThe man who killed me.ā€
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Varietyā€™s Grammy-nominated Hitmaker of the Year goes deep on the music industry, the great pause and finding his own muses.
ā€œWeā€™ll dance again,ā€ Harry Styles coos, the Los Angeles sunshine peeking through his pandemic-shaggy hair just so. The singer, songwriter and actor ā€” beloved and critically acclaimed thanks to his life-affirming year-old album, ā€œFine Lineā€ ā€” is lamenting that his Variety Hitmaker of the Year cover conversation has to be conducted over Zoom rather than in person. Even via videoconference, the Brit is effortlessly charming, as anyone whoā€™s come within earshot of him would attest, but it quickly becomes clear that beneath that genial smile is a well-honed media strategy.
To wit: In an interview that appears a few days later announcing his investment in a new arena in his native Manchester (more on that in a bit), he repeats the refrain ā€” ā€œThere will be a time we dance againā€ā€” referencing a much-needed return to live music and the promise of some 4,000 jobs for residents.
None of which is to suggest that Styles, 26, phones it in for interviews. Quite the opposite: He does very few, conceivably to give more of himself and not cheapen what is out there and also to use the publicity opportunity to indulge his other interests, like fashion. (Last month Styles became the first male to grace the cover of Vogue solo.) Still, it stings a little that a waltz with the former One Direction member may not come to pass on this album cycle ā€” curse you, coronavirus.
Stylesā€™ isolation has coincided with his maturation as an artist, a thespian and a person. With ā€œFine Line,ā€ heā€™s proved himself a skilled lyricist with a tremendous ear for harmony and melody. In preparing for his role in Olivia Wildeā€™s period thriller ā€œDonā€™t Worry Darling,ā€ which is shooting outside Palm Springs, he found an outlet for expression in interpreting words on a page. And for the first time, heā€™s using his megaphone to speak out about social justice ā€” inspired by the outpouring of support for Black people around the world following the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police in May.
Styles has spent much of the past nine months at home in London, where life has slowed considerably. The time has allowed him to ponder such heady issues as his purpose on the earth. ā€œItā€™s been a pause that I donā€™t know if I would have otherwise taken,ā€ says Styles. ā€œI think itā€™s been pretty good for me to have a kind of stop, to look and think about what it actually means to be an artist, what it means to do what we do and why we do it. I lean into moments like this ā€” moments of uncertainty.ā€
In truth, while Styles has largely been keeping a low profile ā€” his Love On Tour, due to kick off on April 15, was postponed in late March and is now scheduled to launch in February 2021 (whether it actually will remains to be seen) ā€” his music has not. This is especially true in the U.S., where heā€™s notched two hit singles, ā€œAdore You,ā€ the second-most-played song at radio in 2020, and ā€œWatermelon Sugarā€ (No. 22 on Varietyā€™s year-end Hitmakers chart), with a third, ā€œGolden,ā€ already cresting the top 20 on the pop format. The massive cross-platform success of these songs means Styles has finally and decisively broken into the American market, maneuvering its web of gatekeepers to accumulate 6.2 million consumption units and rising.
Why do these particular songs resonate in 2020? Styles doesnā€™t have the faintest idea. While he acknowledges a ā€œnursery rhymeā€ feel to ā€œWatermelon Sugarā€ with its earwormy loop of a chorus, thatā€™s about as much insight as he can offer. His longtime collaborator and friend Tom Hull, also known as the producer Kid Harpoon, offers this take: ā€œThereā€™s a lot of amazing things about that song, but what really stands out is the lyric. Itā€™s not trying to hide or be clever. The simplicity of watermelon ā€¦ thereā€™s such a joy in it, [which] is a massive part of that songā€™s success.ā€ Also, his kids love it. ā€œIā€™ve never had a song connect with children in this way,ā€ says Hull, whose credits include tunes by Shawn Mendes, Florence and the Machine and Calvin Harris. ā€œI get sent videos all the time from friends of their kids singing. I have a 3-year-old and an 8-year-old, and they listen to it.ā€
Styles is quick to note that he doesnā€™t chase pop appeal when crafting songs. In fact, the times when he pondered or approved a purposeful tweak, like on his self-titled 2017 debut, still gnaw at him. ā€œI love that album so much because it represents such a time in my life, but when I listen to it ā€” sonically and lyrically, especially ā€” I can hear places where I was playing it safe,ā€ he says. ā€œI was scared to get it wrong.ā€
Contemporary effects and on-trend beats hardly factor into Stylesā€™ decision-making. He likes to focus on feelings ā€” his own and his followersā€™ ā€” and see himself on the other side of the velvet rope, an important distinction in his view. ā€œPeople within [the industry] feel like they operate on a higher level of listening, and I like to make music from the point of being a fan of music,ļæ½ļæ½ļæ½ Styles says. ā€œFans are the best A&R.ā€
This from someone whoā€™s had free rein to pursue every musical whim, and hand in the album of his dreams in the form of ā€œFine Line.ā€ Chart success makes it all the sweeter, but Styles insists that writing ā€œfor the right reasonsā€ supersedes any commercial considerations. ā€œThereā€™s no part that feels, eh, icky ā€” like it was made in the lab,ā€ he says.
Styles has experience in this realm. As a graduate of the U.K. competition series ā€œThe X Factor,ā€ where he and four other auditionees ā€” Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson ā€” were singled out by show creator and star judge Simon Cowell to conjoin as One Direction, heā€™s seen how the prefab pop machine works up close. The One Direction oeuvre, which counts some 42 million albums sold worldwide, includes songs written with such established hitmakers as Ryan Tedder, Savan Kotecha and Teddy Geiger. Being a studious, insatiable observer, Styles took it all in.
ā€œI learned so much,ā€ he says of the experience. ā€œWhen we were in the band, I used to try and write with as many different people as I could. I wanted to practice ā€” and I wrote a lot of bad shit.ā€
His bandmates also benefited from the pop star boot camp. The proof is in the relatively seamless solo transitions of at least three of its members ā€” Payne, Malik and Horan in addition to Styles ā€” each of whom has landed hit singles on charts in the U.K., the U.S. and beyond.
This departs from the typical trajectories of boy bands including New Kids on the Block and ā€™N Sync, which have all pro ered a star frontman. The thinking for decades was that a record company would be lucky to have one breakout solo career among the bunch.
Styles has plainly thought about this.
ā€œWhen you look at the history of people coming out of bands and starting solo careers, they feel this need to apologize for being in the band. ā€˜Donā€™t worry, everyone, that wasnā€™t me! Now I get to do what I really want to do.ā€™ But we loved being in the band,ā€ he says. ā€œI think thereā€™s a wont to pit people against each other. And I think itā€™s never been about that for us. Itā€™s about a next step in evolution. The fact that weā€™ve all achieved different things outside of the band says a lot about how hard we worked in it.ā€
Indeed, during the five-ish years that One Direction existed, Stylesā€™ schedule involved the sort of nonstop international jet-setting that few get to see in a lifetime, never mind their teenage years. Between 2011 and 2015, One Directionā€™s tours pulled in north of $631 million in gross ticket sales, according to concert trade Pollstar, and the band was selling out stadiums worldwide by the time it entered its extended hiatus. Styles, too, had built up to playing arenas as a solo artist, engaging audiences with his colorful stage wear and banter and left-of-center choices for opening acts (a pre-Grammy-haul Kacey Musgraves in 2018; indie darlings King Princess and Jenny Lewis for his rescheduled 2021 run).
Stages of all sizes feel like home to Styles. He grew up in a suburb of Manchester, ground zero for some of the biggest British acts of the 1980s and ā€™90s, including Joy Division, New Order, the Smiths and Oasis, the latter of which broke the same year Styles was born. His parents were also music lovers. Stylesā€™ father fed him a balanced diet of the Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, the Rolling Stones and Queen, while Mum was a fan of Shania Twain, Norah Jones and Savage Garden. ā€œTheyā€™re all great melody writers,ā€ says Styles of the actsā€™ musical throughline.
Stevie Nicks, who in the past has described ā€œFine Lineā€ as Stylesā€™ ā€œRumours,ā€ referencing the Fleetwood Mac 1977 classic, sees him as a kindred spirit. ā€œHarry writes and sings his songs about real experiences that seemingly happened yesterday,ā€ she tells Variety. ā€œHe taps into real life. He doesnā€™t make up stories. He tells the truth, and that is what I do. ā€˜Fine Lineā€™ has been my favorite record since it came out. It is his ā€˜Rumours.ā€™ I told him that in a note on December 13, 2019 before he went on stage to play the ā€˜Fine Lineā€™ album at the Forum. We cried. He sang those songs like he had sung them a thousand times. Thatā€™s a great songwriter and a great performer.ā€
ā€œHarryā€™s playing and writing is instinctual,ā€ adds Jonathan Wilson, a friend and peer whoā€™s advised Styles on backing and session musicians. ā€œHe understands history and where to take the torch. You can see the thread of great British performers ā€” from Bolan to Bowie ā€” in his music.ā€
Also shaping his musical DNA was Manchester itself, the site of a 23,500-seat arena, dubbed Co-op Live, for which Styles is an investor and adviser. Oak View Group, a company specializing in live entertainment and global sports that was founded by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015 (Jeffrey Azoff, Irvingā€™s son, represents Styles at Full Stop Management), is leading the effort to construct the venue. The project gained planning approval in September and is set to open in 2023, with its arrival representing a Ā£350 million ($455 million) investment in the city. (Worth noting: Manchester is already home to an arena ā€” the site of a 2017 bombing outside an Ariana Grande concert ā€” and a football stadium, where One Love Manchester, an all-star benefit show to raise money for victims of the terrorist attack, took place.)
ā€œI went to my first shows in Manchester,ā€ Styles says of concerts paid for with money earned delivering newspapers for a supermarket called the Co-op. ā€œMy friends and I would go in on weekends. Thereā€™s so many amazing small venues, and music is such a massive part of the city. I think Manchester deserves it. It feels like a full-circle, coming-home thing to be doing this and to be able to give any kind of input. Iā€™m incredibly proud. Hopefully theyā€™ll let me play there at some point.ā€
Though Styles has owned properties in Los Angeles, his base for the foreseeable future is London. ā€œI feel like my relationship with L.A. has changed a lot,ā€ he explains. ā€œIā€™ve kind of accepted that I donā€™t have to live here anymore; for a while I felt like I was supposed to. Like it meant things were going well. This happened, then you move to L.A.! But I donā€™t really want to.ā€
Is it any wonder? Between COVID and the turmoil in the U.S. spurred by the presidential election, Styles, like some 79 million American voters, is recovering from sticker shock over the bill of goods sold to them by the concept of democracy. ā€œIn general, as people, thereā€™s a lack of empathy,ā€ he observes. ā€œWe found this place thatā€™s so divisive. We just donā€™t listen to each other anymore. And thatā€™s quite scary.ā€
That belief prompted Styles to speak out publicly in the wake of George Floydā€™s death. As protests in support of Black Lives Matter took to streets all over the world, for Styles, it triggered a period of introspection, as marked by an Instagram message (liked by 2.7 million users and counting) in which he declared: ā€œI do things every day without fear, because I am privileged, and I am privileged every day because I am white. ā€¦ Being not racist is not enough, we must be anti racist. Social change is enacted when a society mobilizes. I stand in solidarity with all of those protesting. Iā€™m donating to help post bail for arrested organizers. Look inwards, educate yourself and others. LISTEN, READ, SHARE, DONATE and VOTE. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. BLACK LIVES MATTER.ā€
ā€œTalking about race can be really uncomfortable for everyone,ā€ Styles elaborates. ā€œI had a realization that my own comfort in the conversation has nothing to do with the problem ā€” like thatā€™s not enough of a reason to not have a conversation. Looking back, I donā€™t think Iā€™ve been outspoken enough in the past. Using that feeling has pushed me forward to being open and ready to learn. ā€¦ How can I ensure from my side that in 20 years, the right things are still being done and the right people are getting the right opportunities? That itā€™s not a passing thing?ā€
His own record company ā€” and corporate parent Sony Music Group, whose chairman, Rob Stringer, signed Styles in 2016 ā€” has been grappling with these same questions as the industry has faced its own reckoning with race. At issue: inequality among the upper ranks (an oft-cited statistic: popular music is 80% Black, but the music business is 80% white); contracts rooted in a decades-old system that many say is set up to take advantage of artists, Black artists more unfairly than white; and the call for a return of master rights, an ownership model that is at the core of the business.
Styles acknowledges the fundamental imbalance in how a major label deal is structured ā€” the record company takes on the financial risk while the artist is made to recoup money spent on the project before the act is considered profitable and earning royalties (typically at a 15% to 18% rate for the artist, while the label keeps and disburses the rest). ā€œHistorically, I canā€™t think of any industry thatā€™s benefited more off of Black culture than music,ā€ he says. ā€œThere are discussions that need to happen about this long history of not being paid fairly. Itā€™s a time for listening, and hopefully, people will come out humbled, educated and willing to learn and change.ā€
By all accounts, Styles is a voracious reader, a movie lover and an aesthete. He stays in shape by adhering to a strict daily exercise routine. ā€œI tried to keep up but didnā€™t last more than two weeks,ā€ says Hull, Stylesā€™ producer, with a laugh. ā€œThe discipline is terrifying.ā€
Of course, with the fashion world beckoning ā€” Styles recently appeared in a film series for Gucciā€™s new collection that was co-directed by the fashion houseā€™s creative director, Alessandro Michele, and Oscar winner Gus Van Sant ā€” and a movie thatā€™s set in the 1950s, maintaining that physique is part of the job. And heā€™s no stranger to visual continuity after appearing in Christopher Nolanā€™s epic ā€œDunkirkā€ and having to return to set for reshoots; his hair, which needed to be cut back to its circa 1940 form, is a constant topic of conversation among fans. This time, itā€™s the ink that poses a challenge. By Stylesā€™ tally, heā€™s up to 60 tattoos, which require an hour in the makeup chair to cover up. ā€œItā€™s the only time I really regret getting tattooed,ā€ he says.
He shows no regret, however, when it comes to stylistic choices overall, and takes pride in his gender-agnostic portfolio, which includes wearing a Gucci dress on that Vogue coverā€” an image that incited conservative pundit Candace Owens to plead publicly to ā€œbring back manly men.ā€ In Stylesā€™ view: ā€œTo not wear [something] because itā€™s femalesā€™ clothing, you shut out a whole world of great clothes. And I think whatā€™s exciting about right now is you can wear what you like. It doesnā€™t have to be X or Y. Those lines are becoming more and more blurred.ā€
But acclaim, if you can believe it, is not top of mind for Styles. As far as the Grammys are concerned, Styles shrugs, ā€œItā€™s never why I do anything.ā€ His team and longtime label, however, had their hearts set on a showing at the Jan. 31 ceremony. Their investment in Styles has been substantial ā€” not just monetarily but in carefully crafting his career in the wake of such icons as David Bowie, who released his final albums with the label. Hope at the company and in many fansā€™ hearts that Styles would receive an album of the year nomination did not come to pass. However, he was recognized in three categories, including best pop vocal album.
ā€œItā€™s always nice to know that people like what youā€™re doing, but ultimately ā€” and especially working in a subjective field ā€” I donā€™t put too much weight on that stuff,ā€ Styles says. ā€œI think itā€™s important when making any kind of art to remove the ego from it.ā€ Citing the painter Matisse, he adds: ā€œItā€™s about the work that you do when youā€™re not expecting any applause.ā€
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aestheticseungmean Ā· 3 years
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Can you do a idol au for ATEEZ jongho where him and hongjoong have the opportunity to work with a western artist (their main language is English but are learning Korean) and them and jongho hit it off and become friends, until one of them forms a crush šŸ’ž (gender neutral reader please)
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I Like You Very Much-Choi Jongho
As an upcoming yet very popular artist, when you suggested to collaborate with Ateez, KQ jumped at the opportunity. It just so happens that the maknae harbours feelings for you.
Gender neutral reader
Warnings: minor cussing
3.4K words
ā€”ā€”ā€”ā€”ā€”ā€”ā€”ā€”ā€”ā€”ā€”ā€”ā€”ā€”ā€”ā€”ā€”ā€”ā€”
You were an up and coming artist, sparking interest all over the world with your music. Radio stations and TV shows clamoured to get you into their shows and those who were able to get you, shot up in rating. You talked about all your interests, plans for the future, and the inevitable dating scene. Interviewers often chuckled when you say you are single and not ready to mingle, agreeing with you even though they were all married. The one question that you get asked the most is: ā€œWho would you like to collaborate with on an upcoming album?ā€ The answer is always the same, Ateez. You appreciated the few interviewers who knew the group, but more often than not, you found yourself explaining who they were.
On the other hand, Ateez, despite debuting in 2018, were finding their way into other countries, capturing attention alongside you. They typically get all the same questions from the same interviewers with the same reactions. In one interview, the radio announcer had asked how Ateez felt about you wanting to collab. To which they cheered and wished the same. Apparently, most listened to your music daily, while stretching, working out, lounging around, or even just to create a dance to. An insane amount of pride went bursting through your chest as you listened to them praise you. Ateez, especially, Hongjoong and Jongho, talked excitedly about you, your music, your aesthetic, and overall how you were their favourite English artist.
ā€”ā€”ā€”ā€”ā€”ā€”ā€”-
Your one year debut anniversary was coming up and you were planning a safe world tour featuring your first songs, as well as the most popular ones. After talking with your company, your plan was to hit a bunch of places, including: America, Canada, Australia, the UK, France, China, Germany, Japan, Brazil, and South Korea to name a few. Many fans sent videos of them showing their support for you. In the same time, Ateez also had a Korean tour as well, performing in some of the same places as you. Just the thought alone exited you. With your trusty manager, Sadie, your language tutor, Mina, and your best friend/personal hype-man, Jake, you were set to go.
Mina sat upon your bed, watching as you frantically pack clothes to practice and sleep in. ā€œYou know we have clothes we have to give you? Being famous means you have an image to maintain.ā€ ā€œAn expensive one,ā€ you rolled your eyes, knowing that the outfits designed for you were no less than a thousand dollars. ā€œAlright, letā€™s brush up on your Korean. Sadie said you had the most interviews there so letā€™s not make a fool of ourselves.ā€ Mina started listing off random words, leaving you to translate them. Between deciphering Korean and remembering what to pack, your brain fried worse than Kaminari after he overused his quirk. Of course you werenā€™t walking around with a dumb expression but on the inside you were.
Sometimes, you wondered why you released your song on YouTube and why you signed on the dotted line, but so far youā€™ve managed. Sure there have been haters, but the amount of support outweighs the haters. Besides, when you feel like quitting, you remember all the amazing artists who have encouraged you to pursue your dreams, and your career. With the likes of Lizzo, Ariana Grande, Meghan Thee Stallion, Lewis Capaldi, Billie Eilish, BTS, and Cardi B all supporting your music, you had no reason to listen to the haters. You only need to focus on a good world tour anyways.
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The tour finally made its way into Seoul. With an unfathomable amount of want for the tickets, your company decided to hold four shows, plus the ungodly amount of interviews. This week was sure to be a tiring week, and you might sleep 24 hours straight when you get home, but itā€™s worth it to see the fans cheering you as you sang your songs.
The first night, you performed your songs and interacted with the fans in your broken korean. The second night was the same, save for a few idols who came to your show. You were surprised to see a few members of NCT and BTS up in the stands, dancing and wearing your merch. The third night was the night your company decided to surprise you with a last-minute duet of your song ā€œWeeping Willowā€ with Jimin. You two sailed smoothly through it despite the lack of knowledge of whether your voices would harmonize or collide in a train-wreck.
And last, but not least, the fourth night is where you went all out for your final concert. There were colourful explosions of confetti, pyrotechnics, backup dancers, a live band, etc. You were confused as to why the dancers were there, let alone wearing masks during your performance, but the show must go on, right? Through the night, different dancers came up and spun you around on the stage, baffling you at your skill of dancing while singing. Finally, the final chord of your last song ended allowing you to attempt to talk to the fans in your limited language.
ā€œThank you guys for coming out to see the show!ā€ The crowd erupted in cheers making you smile. ā€œThis country has been very kind to me and I canā€™t wait to come back. Iā€™ll be here for a few more days so make sure to keep an eye out for me on the streets!ā€ You smiled, hoping you could meet a few fans in your last few days, maybe get some pictures with them. ā€œThis has been an amazing concert, although, I do have to say, the dancers surprised me,ā€ you admitted, rubbing the fabric covering your legs nervously. All of a sudden, the crowd went crazy, chanting ā€œturn aroundā€ at you. So you did.
Immediately, you dropped to your knees, hiding your face. Standing in front of you in the dancersā€™ outfits, holding masks, were the one and only, Ateez. You had been performing with them for the past few hours without realizing. ā€œYour manager called us, asking if weā€™d come surprise you for your birthday. We couldnā€™t resist. I hope you donā€™t mind.ā€You recognized the voice as Hongjoongā€™s. Of course Sadie would do this. She knew how much you loved Ateez, but she went all out this time. You looked up, your eyes watering from crying tears of embarrassment, joy, and anger. A few boys rushed to make sure you were okay as soon as they spotted the tears. On the screen at the back of the stage, you caught a glimpse of your hunched figure, crying. ā€œThis is so amazing,ā€ you managed to stutter out.
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After the show, you headed to the back with the boys to find the two managers talking with each other in hushed words. When they noticed you, they stopped their conversation and turned towards you. ā€œSo?ā€ Sadie asked, waiting for your reaction. ā€œI hate youā€¦But I absolutely love you, Sadie.ā€ ā€œI thought so. Now, all of you, go get changed, we are going out to eat, companyā€™s treat,ā€ She said, holding up a card which you recognized as the company credit card. In an instant, you were rushing to your dressing room to change, stomach growling loudly.
The van waiting outside for you, was giant. Maybe a twelve seater. All eleven of you piled in, the managers sitting in the front seats while you and the boys filed into the other seats. ā€œWould you mind doing a V-Live with us?ā€ Seonghwa asked, pulling out a phone. ā€œNo, but I donā€™t know what to do.ā€ ā€œJust be you,ā€ he replied, laughing. Throughout the whole ride, you were sandwiched in between San and Wooyoung who wouldnā€™t stop making you laugh while Seonghwa flirted to the camera. The others talked or closed their eyes for a little rest before you got to the restaurant. Not once did you feel out of place as well.
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Itā€™s been a few months since you met Ateez on your world tour. You kept in touch through texting since San slipped his number into your phone without you noticing. Not that you were complaining anyways. When you mentioned you were working on a new album but struggling, some of the boys offered to call you, to talk of course, not figure out what the next song will be so they can get a headstart on learning it. Eventually, you took them up on that offer and Hongjoong called. You two talked for what seemed like an eternity, talking about concepts and themes.
The call seemed to help you majorly. You ended up finishing two songs and wrote the meanings behind them, a habit you had because you sucked at explaining things. Hongjoong, on the other hand, got some beats done for a few of Ateezā€™s future songs. You were still on the phone with him when you realized that you were writing the songs to the few beats you heard. ā€œSHIT!ā€ ā€œWhen did you learn to cuss in Korean?ā€ Your wooden pencil was slammed down on the desk, breaking. ā€œThatā€™s not the problem. The problem is, Iā€™ve been writing my songs to your beats. I mean I know they can be for another beat but the producers are going to ask me how I want to sing it. Iā€™ll just end up singing it to your beats,ā€ You whined.
Hongjoong laughed. ā€œLetā€™s hear it then.ā€ ā€œHear what?ā€ You heard shuffling on the phone before a few mouse clicks. ā€œLetā€™s hear you sing along to the beats,ā€ he said, hitting play on the computer, starting the music. You sighed and sang along with your lyrics, surprised at how well the music coincided. ā€œYou know what? I think Iā€™ll send these beats to you. They sound better with your lyrics anyway,ā€ Hongjoong complimented, hitting send. ā€œYou donā€™t have to,ā€ You protested only to be met with the notification that Hongjoong had sent it to you anyways. ā€œToo late. Can you imagine if we collabed on a song, or an album?ā€
ā€œThat would be amazing, but I know I wouldnā€™t be able to keep up with your dance skills. Even your least skilled dancer is freaking amazing. Oh wait...You donā€™t have one because who the hell is the least skilled dancer in Ateez?ā€ you complained, yet complimented at the same time. ā€œPlease, you could keep up. You are a ball of energy.ā€ ā€œA ball of energy with two left feet, Joong.ā€ You shut your notebook and put it away, cleaning up your desk. ā€œI donā€™t believe you.ā€ ā€œYou donā€™t have to, just know itā€™s true. Anyways, itā€™s 3am here. I need to go to bed.ā€ He shifted in his seat and frowned. ā€œOkay. Iā€™ll talk to you later. Sweet dreams!ā€ ā€œNight, Joong,ā€ you said before hanging up the phone and throwing yourself on your bed, falling into a deep sleep.
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The producers absolutely loved your songs with Hongjoongā€™s beats. So much so that the company immediately wanted a collaboration. For the next few weeks, before the release of your newest album, the executives buckled down on getting that ā€˜magicā€™ song that would take the world by storm. It wasnā€™t long before the people at KQ agreed, knowing that the collaboration between Ateez and you would bring media and attention to the latter. And soon, you found yourself on a plane, in business class (because first class was too empty and economy was too crowded) to Seoul.
A few people were eager to see you, but most went to sleep as it was five in the morning. Thankfully, you were granted a window seat so you could look out at the view. Most of the time though, you found yourself entranced in the movies they offered on flight, catching up on the new Tom and Jerry movie. And before you knew it, you found yourself landing in Seoul. Your manager, who enjoyed first class, got off the plane and waited for you. Many fans waited with Ateez signs as you walked by, confused.
On the other side of the crowd, Ateez waited patiently to surprise you with their presence. They begged and begged the company to go get you instead of sending one of their scary bodyguards to. Finally, they gave in, allowing the boys to go get you. Word got out though and that meant they had to keep undercover. Or at least try to, which was not Wooyoungā€™s strong suit. At one point, Hongjoong threatened Wooyoung to get him to shut up. It worked up until Wooyoung saw you, making your way out of the crowd. He and the others ran up to you, suffocating you in a hug. ā€œLetā€™s get to the van before the crowd doesnā€™t let us leave,ā€ Hongjoong commanded.
They rushed you to the van, ushering you in before clamouring in themselves. This time around, you were in between Yunho and Jongho. You greeted them politely, your korean better this time around due to talking with the boys constantly. ā€œSo, youā€™ll be staying at a hotel not far from us. Weā€™ll be sure to always have someone to come get you,ā€ Seonghwa said, relaying the information he had been given. ā€œThe whole someone coming to get me is extra.ā€ ā€œNonsense,ā€ Wooyoung exclaimed. ā€œItā€™s rude to have a guest and not guarantee their safety. Besides some of our families would have our heads if they found out we werenā€™t doing the utmost for you,ā€ he added playfully.
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The next day, you dressed in comfortable clothing, not caring about your fashion. The agenda for the day was to write a song with Hongjoong and Jongho. When you first found out you were only collabing with those two, you felt a little sad, but when Sadie told you it was a trial collab, to see how well it would do, it didnā€™t make it any better, in fact, you felt worse. You protested and argued for the whole group, but all the bosses said was, ā€œIf this goes well, you can have an entire album with them.ā€ Sure, the excitement for an entire album with Ateez would be amazing, but what if it didnā€™t go well?
You thought about that the entire time it took you to get to the KQ building. Only then, it was Jongho who brought you out of your head. ā€œHey, ________! The studio is this way. Itā€™s my first time watching Hongjoong hyung make the beats,ā€ He said, smiling brightly. You couldnā€™t help but smile back. ā€œMkay, Jongho. Lead the way,ā€ You mumbled, following the maknae to a secluded room. Inside, Hongjoong was already set up at the computer, messing with some beats.
You took in the room around you. The lights were dimmed, probably to help hongjoong focus. A sleek desk with a soundboard was pushed up against a wall with glass, allowing you to look into the other room. A few of the spinny chairs were worn down, a sign of heavy usage. In the other room, you could see a typical setup for a sound booth. A microphone stood in the middle, headphones hanging off of it. The sound-proof padding looked fairly new with a few different instruments lining the walls. It reminded you of home. Of the studio you usually work in.
Hongjoong greeted you as soon as he caught a glimpse of movement. ā€œHey guys! I was checking some different beats and tunes for the song.ā€ ā€œYouā€™re good. Shall we get started?ā€ You asked, pulling out your beat up notebook. ā€œThat thing has seen better days,ā€ Jongho joked, looking at the binding peeling off. You giggled and nodded. ā€œIā€™ve had it for many years. I need a new one, but I havenā€™t gotten around to it. Besides, this has all my songs. Even the unsung ones.ā€ ā€œSo thatā€™s your most prized possession then?ā€
ā€œI guess you could say that,ā€ you hummed. ā€œBut itā€™s not like Iā€™m playing keep away with it. I donā€™t care if you guys read it because I trust you. Itā€™s randomly leaving it in public and never seeing it again that Iā€™m worried about.ā€ ā€œUnderstandable. My flash drive is always with me,ā€ Hongjoong said, pointing to the drive that was sticking out from the computer. ā€œ You smiled softly at Hongjoong and grabbed your pencil. ā€œLetā€™s get started, shall we?ā€
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The next few days were tedious with the finishing of the song, the practicing of pronunciation for both parties, and making the beat. You found yourself growing closer to the two boys, even helping write a few of their future songs. In response, they taught you how to make beats and successfully break an apple, although that only happened once and you still havenā€™t been able to do it again. There was a different aura around them when you hung out. Hongjoong felt more calm and brotherly even, whilst Jongho had a more timid feeling. Like he was hiding something. You pushed it off, thinking it was him being a bit skeptical of you still.
When you finally thought all the hard work was done, Hongjoong dropped a choreography on you. The thing you dreaded the most. Thankfully, the duo were willing to take things step by step slowly with you, guiding you through the most miniscule things. A couple of the days, Hongjoong couldnā€™t make it, leaving you to practice with Jongho, who became more stand-offish.
Until you had enough of the ridiculous behaviour because it had come out of nowhere. ā€œAre you okay, Jongho? Is there something Iā€™m doing wrong?ā€ You asked, taking a drink. ā€œNo, youā€™re dancing fine.ā€ ā€œI meant generally? You seemed fine in the beginning and now you look like you think Iā€™m poisonous. Do you not like me?ā€ Jongho looked taken aback, mouth opening and closing like a fish gaping for water as he tried to figure out the words he wanted to say. ā€œItā€™s not that,ā€ He managed. ā€œThen what is it? I donā€™t want to feel like I have to walk on glass around you.ā€ ā€œLetā€™s just get this choreo learned okay?ā€ You huffed and got back to practicing, angry that he ignored your question.
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ā€œOkay, one more time,ā€ the producer demanded, signalling you to start your verse over again. You did as he asked and cheered when he praised you. ā€œJongho, youā€™re up.ā€ ā€œYou got this, Jongho,ā€ you tried to encourage him. He gave you a nervous half-hearted smile and headed to do his part. He sang beautifully, even more than when you three were practicing by yourselves. You couldnā€™t help the cold chills that ran up your arms giving you goosebumps. ā€œWoah,ā€ you breathed out, in wonder.
You went to praise Jongho again, exclaiming how he was so amazing. An embarrassed smile graced his features making your heart swell. ā€œSo cute!ā€ ā€œQuiet, everyone,ā€ the producer said, preparing for Hongjoongā€™s rap. You turned your attention towards the leader, preparing yourself for his rapping. Jongho took this chance to excuse himself from the room. As usual, Hongjoong owned his rap and you almost felt bad for Jongho missing it, but then you remembered that he could easily hear it again later.
It was a quick session after Hongjoong finished. Just a few harmonies here and there and you were done for the day. All of the boys wanted to go out for food to celebrate. Yeosang offered to go to the chicken place on the other side of town and Mingi agreed. Once again, you found yourself sitting by Jongho, except this time, you were sitting in the pair of seats in the second row, allowing it to be just you two. He pulled out a package and handed it to you, blushing. ā€œI got you this.ā€ You smiled and took the carefully wrapped package.
ā€œCan I open this now or do I have to wait?ā€ ā€œUm, you can now,ā€ Jongho said, his ears turning red. You opened the wrapping carefully to find a new journal. ā€œOh my god, Jongho!ā€ You opened the cover to look at the pages to find a cute little note waiting. Jongho had written the words ā€˜I like you very muchā€™ in english, with cute little doodles surrounding it. ā€œWait? Like-ā€ ā€œLike a crush,ā€ he stuttered. ā€œWell, I like you too Jongho,ā€ you admitted, gaining a few wolf whistles from the surrounding boys that were watching the exchange.
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hldailyupdate Ā· 4 years
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This Charming Man: Why Weā€™re Wild About Harry Styles
Varietyā€™s Grammy-nominated Hitmaker of the Year goes deep on the music industry, the great pause and finding his own muses.
ā€œWeā€™ll dance again,ā€ Harry Styles coos, the Los Angeles sunshine peeking through his pandemic-shaggy hair just so. The singer, songwriter and actor ā€” beloved and critically acclaimed thanks to his life-affirming year-old album, ā€œFine Lineā€ ā€” is lamenting that his Variety Hitmaker of the Year cover conversation has to be conducted over Zoom rather than in person. Even via videoconference, the Brit is effortlessly charming, as anyone whoā€™s come within earshot of him would attest, but it quickly becomes clear that beneath that genial smile is a well-honed media strategy.
To wit: In an interview that appears a few days later announcing his investment in a new arena in his native Manchester (more on that in a bit), he repeats the refrain ā€” ā€œThere will be a time we dance againā€ā€” referencing a much-needed return to live music and the promise of some 4,000 jobs for residents.
None of which is to suggest that Styles, 26, phones it in for interviews. Quite the opposite: He does very few, conceivably to give more of himself and not cheapen what is out there and also to use the publicity opportunity to indulge his other interests, like fashion. (Last month Styles became the first male to grace the cover of Vogue solo.) Still, it stings a little that a waltz with the former One Direction member may not come to pass on this album cycle ā€” curse you, coronavirus.
Stylesā€™ isolation has coincided with his maturation as an artist, a thespian and a person. With ā€œFine Line,ā€ heā€™s proved himself a skilled lyricist with a tremendous ear for harmony and melody. In preparing for his role in Olivia Wildeā€™s period thriller ā€œDonā€™t Worry Darling,ā€ which is shooting outside Palm Springs, he found an outlet for expression in interpreting words on a page. And for the first time, heā€™s using his megaphone to speak out about social justice ā€” inspired by the outpouring of support for Black people around the world following the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police in May.
Styles has spent much of the past nine months at home in London, where life has slowed considerably. The time has allowed him to ponder such heady issues as his purpose on the earth. ā€œItā€™s been a pause that I donā€™t know if I would have otherwise taken,ā€ says Styles. ā€œI think itā€™s been pretty good for me to have a kind of stop, to look and think about what it actually means to be an artist, what it means to do what we do and why we do it. I lean into moments like this ā€” moments of uncertainty.ā€
In truth, while Styles has largely been keeping a low profile ā€” his Love On Tour, due to kick off on April 15, was postponed in late March and is now scheduled to launch in February 2021 (whether it actually will remains to be seen) ā€” his music has not. This is especially true in the U.S., where heā€™s notched two hit singles, ā€œAdore You,ā€ the second-most-played song at radio in 2020, and ā€œWatermelon Sugarā€ (No. 22 on Varietyā€™s year-end Hitmakers chart), with a third, ā€œGolden,ā€ already cresting the top 20 on the pop format. The massive cross-platform success of these songs means Styles has finally and decisively broken into the American market, maneuvering its web of gatekeepers to accumulate 6.2 million consumption units and rising.
Why do these particular songs resonate in 2020? Styles doesnā€™t have the faintest idea. While he acknowledges a ā€œnursery rhymeā€ feel to ā€œWatermelon Sugarā€ with its earwormy loop of a chorus, thatā€™s about as much insight as he can offer. His longtime collaborator and friend Tom Hull, also known as the producer Kid Harpoon, offers this take: ā€œThereā€™s a lot of amazing things about that song, but what really stands out is the lyric. Itā€™s not trying to hide or be clever. The simplicity of watermelon ā€¦ thereā€™s such a joy in it, [which] is a massive part of that songā€™s success.ā€ Also, his kids love it. ā€œIā€™ve never had a song connect with children in this way,ā€ says Hull, whose credits include tunes by Shawn Mendes, Florence and the Machine and Calvin Harris. ā€œI get sent videos all the time from friends of their kids singing. I have a 3-year-old and an 8-year-old, and they listen to it.ā€
Styles is quick to note that he doesnā€™t chase pop appeal when crafting songs. In fact, the times when he pondered or approved a purposeful tweak, like on his self-titled 2017 debut, still gnaw at him. ā€œI love that album so much because it represents such a time in my life, but when I listen to it ā€” sonically and lyrically, especially ā€” I can hear places where I was playing it safe,ā€ he says. ā€œI was scared to get it wrong.ā€
Contemporary effects and on-trend beats hardly factor into Stylesā€™ decision-making. He likes to focus on feelings ā€” his own and his followersā€™ ā€” and see himself on the other side of the velvet rope, an important distinction in his view. ā€œPeople within [the industry] feel like they operate on a higher level of listening, and I like to make music from the point of being a fan of music,ā€ Styles says. ā€œFans are the best A&R.ā€
This from someone whoā€™s had free rein to pursue every musical whim, and hand in the album of his dreams in the form of ā€œFine Line.ā€ Chart success makes it all the sweeter, but Styles insists that writing ā€œfor the right reasonsā€ supersedes any commercial considerations. ā€œThereā€™s no part that feels, eh, icky ā€” like it was made in the lab,ā€ he says.
Styles has experience in this realm. As a graduate of the U.K. competition series ā€œThe X Factor,ā€ where he and four other auditionees ā€” Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson ā€” were singled out by show creator and star judge Simon Cowell to conjoin as One Direction, heā€™s seen how the prefab pop machine works up close. The One Direction oeuvre, which counts some 42 million albums sold worldwide, includes songs written with such established hitmakers as Ryan Tedder, Savan Kotecha and Teddy Geiger. Being a studious, insatiable observer, Styles took it all in.
ā€œI learned so much,ā€ he says of the experience. ā€œWhen we were in the band, I used to try and write with as many different people as I could. I wanted to practice ā€” and I wrote a lot of bad shit.ā€
His bandmates also benefited from the pop star boot camp. The proof is in the relatively seamless solo transitions of at least three of its members ā€” Payne, Malik and Horan in addition to Styles ā€” each of whom has landed hit singles on charts in the U.K., the U.S. and beyond.
This departs from the typical trajectories of boy bands including New Kids on the Block and ā€™N Sync, which have all pro ered a star frontman. The thinking for decades was that a record company would be lucky to have one breakout solo career among the bunch.
Styles has plainly thought about this.
ā€œWhen you look at the history of people coming out of bands and starting solo careers, they feel this need to apologize for being in the band. ā€˜Donā€™t worry, everyone, that wasnā€™t me! Now I get to do what I really want to do.ā€™ But we loved being in the band,ā€ he says. ā€œI think thereā€™s a wont to pit people against each other. And I think itā€™s never been about that for us. Itā€™s about a next step in evolution. The fact that weā€™ve all achieved different things outside of the band says a lot about how hard we worked in it.ā€
Indeed, during the five-ish years that One Direction existed, Stylesā€™ schedule involved the sort of nonstop international jet-setting that few get to see in a lifetime, never mind their teenage years. Between 2011 and 2015, One Directionā€™s tours pulled in north of $631 million in gross ticket sales, according to concert trade Pollstar, and the band was selling out stadiums worldwide by the time it entered its extended hiatus. Styles, too, had built up to playing arenas as a solo artist, engaging audiences with his colorful stage wear and banter and left-of-center choices for opening acts (a pre-Grammy-haul Kacey Musgraves in 2018; indie darlings King Princess and Jenny Lewis for his rescheduled 2021 run).
Stages of all sizes feel like home to Styles. He grew up in a suburb of Manchester, ground zero for some of the biggest British acts of the 1980s and ā€™90s, including Joy Division, New Order, the Smiths and Oasis, the latter of which broke the same year Styles was born. His parents were also music lovers. Stylesā€™ father fed him a balanced diet of the Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, the Rolling Stones and Queen, while Mum was a fan of Shania Twain, Norah Jones and Savage Garden. ā€œTheyā€™re all great melody writers,ā€ says Styles of the actsā€™ musical throughline.
Stevie Nicks, who in the past has described ā€œFine Lineā€ as Stylesā€™ ā€œRumours,ā€ referencing the Fleetwood Mac 1977 classic, sees him as a kindred spirit. ā€œHarry writes and sings his songs about real experiences that seemingly happened yesterday,ā€ she tells Variety. ā€œHe taps into real life. He doesnā€™t make up stories. He tells the truth, and that is what I do. ā€˜Fine Lineā€™ has been my favorite record since it came out. It is his ā€˜Rumours.ā€™ I told him that in a note on December 13, 2019 before he went on stage to play the ā€˜Fine Lineā€™ album at the Forum. We cried. He sang those songs like he had sung them a thousand times. Thatā€™s a great songwriter and a great performer.ā€
ā€œHarryā€™s playing and writing is instinctual,ā€ adds Jonathan Wilson, a friend and peer whoā€™s advised Styles on backing and session musicians. ā€œHe understands history and where to take the torch. You can see the thread of great British performers ā€” from Bolan to Bowie ā€” in his music.ā€
Also shaping his musical DNA was Manchester itself, the site of a 23,500-seat arena, dubbed Co-op Live, for which Styles is an investor and adviser. Oak View Group, a company specializing in live entertainment and global sports that was founded by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015 (Jeffrey Azoff, Irvingā€™s son, represents Styles at Full Stop Management), is leading the effort to construct the venue. The project gained planning approval in September and is set to open in 2023, with its arrival representing a Ā£350 million ($455 million) investment in the city. (Worth noting: Manchester is already home to an arena ā€” the site of a 2017 bombing outside an Ariana Grande concert ā€” and a football stadium, where One Love Manchester, an all-star benefit show to raise money for victims of the terrorist attack, took place.)
ā€œI went to my first shows in Manchester,ā€ Styles says of concerts paid for with money earned delivering newspapers for a supermarket called the Co-op. ā€œMy friends and I would go in on weekends. Thereā€™s so many amazing small venues, and music is such a massive part of the city. I think Manchester deserves it. It feels like a full-circle, coming-home thing to be doing this and to be able to give any kind of input. Iā€™m incredibly proud. Hopefully theyā€™ll let me play there at some point.ā€
Though Styles has owned properties in Los Angeles, his base for the foreseeable future is London. ā€œI feel like my relationship with L.A. has changed a lot,ā€ he explains. ā€œIā€™ve kind of accepted that I donā€™t have to live here anymore; for a while I felt like I was supposed to. Like it meant things were going well. This happened, then you move to L.A.! But I donā€™t really want to.ā€
Is it any wonder? Between COVID and the turmoil in the U.S. spurred by the presidential election, Styles, like some 79 million American voters, is recovering from sticker shock over the bill of goods sold to them by the concept of democracy. ā€œIn general, as people, thereā€™s a lack of empathy,ā€ he observes. ā€œWe found this place thatā€™s so divisive. We just donā€™t listen to each other anymore. And thatā€™s quite scary.ā€
That belief prompted Styles to speak out publicly in the wake of George Floydā€™s death. As protests in support of Black Lives Matter took to streets all over the world, for Styles, it triggered a period of introspection, as marked by an Instagram message (liked by 2.7 million users and counting) in which he declared: ā€œI do things every day without fear, because I am privileged, and I am privileged every day because I am white. ā€¦ Being not racist is not enough, we must be anti racist. Social change is enacted when a society mobilizes. I stand in solidarity with all of those protesting. Iā€™m donating to help post bail for arrested organizers. Look inwards, educate yourself and others. LISTEN, READ, SHARE, DONATE and VOTE. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. BLACK LIVES MATTER.ā€
ā€œTalking about race can be really uncomfortable for everyone,ā€ Styles elaborates. ā€œI had a realization that my own comfort in the conversation has nothing to do with the problem ā€” like thatā€™s not enough of a reason to not have a conversation. Looking back, I donā€™t think Iā€™ve been outspoken enough in the past. Using that feeling has pushed me forward to being open and ready to learn. ā€¦ How can I ensure from my side that in 20 years, the right things are still being done and the right people are getting the right opportunities? That itā€™s not a passing thing?ā€
His own record company ā€” and corporate parent Sony Music Group, whose chairman, Rob Stringer, signed Styles in 2016 ā€” has been grappling with these same questions as the industry has faced its own reckoning with race. At issue: inequality among the upper ranks (an oft-cited statistic: popular music is 80% Black, but the music business is 80% white); contracts rooted in a decades-old system that many say is set up to take advantage of artists, Black artists more unfairly than white; and the call for a return of master rights, an ownership model that is at the core of the business.
Styles acknowledges the fundamental imbalance in how a major label deal is structured ā€” the record company takes on the financial risk while the artist is made to recoup money spent on the project before the act is considered profitable and earning royalties (typically at a 15% to 18% rate for the artist, while the label keeps and disburses the rest). ā€œHistorically, I canā€™t think of any industry thatā€™s benefited more off of Black culture than music,ā€ he says. ā€œThere are discussions that need to happen about this long history of not being paid fairly. Itā€™s a time for listening, and hopefully, people will come out humbled, educated and willing to learn and change.ā€
By all accounts, Styles is a voracious reader, a movie lover and an aesthete. He stays in shape by adhering to a strict daily exercise routine. ā€œI tried to keep up but didnā€™t last more than two weeks,ā€ says Hull, Stylesā€™ producer, with a laugh. ā€œThe discipline is terrifying.ā€
Of course, with the fashion world beckoning ā€” Styles recently appeared in a film series for Gucciā€™s new collection that was co-directed by the fashion houseā€™s creative director, Alessandro Michele, and Oscar winner Gus Van Sant ā€” and a movie thatā€™s set in the 1950s, maintaining that physique is part of the job. And heā€™s no stranger to visual continuity after appearing in Christopher Nolanā€™s epic ā€œDunkirkā€ and having to return to set for reshoots; his hair, which needed to be cut back to its circa 1940 form, is a constant topic of conversation among fans. This time, itā€™s the ink that poses a challenge. By Stylesā€™ tally, heā€™s up to 60 tattoos, which require an hour in the makeup chair to cover up. ā€œItā€™s the only time I really regret getting tattooed,ā€ he says.
He shows no regret, however, when it comes to stylistic choices overall, and takes pride in his gender-agnostic portfolio, which includes wearing a Gucci dress on that Vogue coverā€” an image that incited conservative pundit Candace Owens to plead publicly to ā€œbring back manly men.ā€ In Stylesā€™ view: ā€œTo not wear [something] because itā€™s femalesā€™ clothing, you shut out a whole world of great clothes. And I think whatā€™s exciting about right now is you can wear what you like. It doesnā€™t have to be X or Y. Those lines are becoming more and more blurred.ā€
But acclaim, if you can believe it, is not top of mind for Styles. As far as the Grammys are concerned, Styles shrugs, ā€œItā€™s never why I do anything.ā€ His team and longtime label, however, had their hearts set on a showing at the Jan. 31 ceremony. Their investment in Styles has been substantial ā€” not just monetarily but in carefully crafting his career in the wake of such icons as David Bowie, who released his final albums with the label. Hope at the company and in many fansā€™ hearts that Styles would receive an album of the year nomination did not come to pass. However, he was recognized in three categories, including best pop vocal album.
ā€œItā€™s always nice to know that people like what youā€™re doing, but ultimately ā€” and especially working in a subjective field ā€” I donā€™t put too much weight on that stuff,ā€ Styles says. ā€œI think itā€™s important when making any kind of art to remove the ego from it.ā€ Citing the painter Matisse, he adds: ā€œItā€™s about the work that you do when youā€™re not expecting any applause.ā€
Harry for Variety. (2 December 2020)
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abundanceofsoph Ā· 3 years
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SkyFire 3: Chapter 10
Iā€™m free as a bird when Iā€™m flying in your cage: Nov/Dec 2017 Ā 
Word count: 3k
SkyFire 3 MASTERLIST
Please for the love of god, if you like the story just hit the reblog button. I really donā€™t know how to say it nicely but itā€™s really starting to bother me and maybe that makes me a dick but so be it.
>Instagram posts
Thankfully, after a day and a half of vocal rest, Harry was ready to go for the Manchester show and he very much dialled his performance up to 11 for his hometown crowd. Just as she had told Grimmy, Aurora stayed off social media in the days following the interview, but she heard from others that a small section of the fandom was absolutely furious with her and the social media manager that Mark had hired years ago to clear out her comment sections was working overtime to keep some of the nastier shit from her feeds. As much as Aurora herself was able to avoid it all together, she knew that a lot of her fans would be reading the comments and she wanted to keep it safe for them. Harryā€™s team was also working to keep his own accounts clear as well, and while they couldnā€™t hide from what was being said about them or Louis and Elanor, they could try to filter out the worst of it. This was the one part of celebrity that they all agreed was the worst. It was the unfortunate consequence of having such passionate fans. Ella had no such inclination to avoid the comment sections and was spending her free time picking fights with Larries and attempting to set them straight on the reality of Harry and Louisā€™ relationship as nothing more than brotherly love. Aurora tried to urge her to let it go, but unfortunately her best friend was feisty and easy to anger which was not a good combination with how overprotective she was about her loved ones. By the time they stepped out onto the Manchester stage, both Rori and Harry were happy to put aside the drama and focus on the music. Ā Things started to cool down over the following week which took them up to Glasgow and then on to Stockholm, Berlin, Amsterdam, and Milan. By the time they returned to London on the 11th, the music video for Kiwi had been live for 3 days and the fans had thankfully moved on from Auroraā€™s interview in exchange for raving about the new video. Ā 
They spent the first few days relaxing at home before Rori headed to North London to meet up with Liam at the recording studio he liked to use to work on the song he had mentioned at Niallā€™s launch party. Aurora had spent the last few weeks listening to the demo on repeat while pouring over the sheet music Liam had emailed her. She was obsessed with the song and the two had been messaging back and forth constantly, discussing the arrangement and which parts each of them would take. Stepping back into a recording studio, even one sheā€™d never visited before, felt like coming home after weeks on the road and her face lit up immediately as soon as she caught sight of Liam, Ā wrapping her arms around him in a rib crushing hug.
ā€œReady to jump straight in?ā€ he asked after letting her go.
ā€œAbsolutely,ā€ she replied excitedly before following him as he introduced her to the producer and technicians that they would be working with for the following few days.
With a full week before Harry and Rori were due to Ā fly to Shanghai, neither she nor Liam were on a tight schedule to finish the song. This meant that the environment in the studio was very chilled and there were many tangents and breaks taken while they worked.
ā€œHow attached are you and Lou to the lyrics?ā€ Rori asked on their second day in the studio.
ā€œOf course, you want to change something,ā€ Liam laughed in a response. ā€œWouldnā€™t be you if you didnā€™t.ā€
ā€œIā€™m sorry,ā€ Rori replied with a laugh of her own. ā€œI am who I am.ā€
ā€œI know,ā€ Liam agreed. ā€œSo, show me what youā€™re thinking.ā€
ā€œIā€™ve been tossing around the pre-chorus and I was wondering if instead of what you lads have there, instead we go with this.ā€
I'm free as a bird When I'm flying in your cage I'm diving in deep And I'm riding with no brakes And I'm bleeding in love You're swimming in my veins You got me now
ā€œWell fuck,ā€ Liam replied. ā€œThink I need to stop writing with Louis and start writing with you more often.ā€
ā€œYou like it?ā€
ā€œRors, I love it,ā€ he said. ā€œItā€™s way better than what we came up with. Letā€™s get back in the booth and record it.ā€
They ended up spending four days finishing the song which left Aurora with a few remaining days to catch up with Ella and also relax at home with her husband before they were thrown back into work.
xXx
The day before they were set to fly to China, Aurora headed over to Ellaā€™s flat in Wimbledon. ā€œI brought cake,ā€ she yelled as she let herself into the flat with the spare key Ella had given her when Rori first moved back to London.
ā€œFuck yes!ā€ Ella cheered in response, her voice carrying down the hall from the kitchen. ā€œIā€™m just making us tea,ā€ she continued as Rori made her way inside. ā€œGet yourself comfy on the sofa and Iā€™ll meet you in there, babe.ā€
Rori made herself at home in the living room, Ellaā€™s elderly tabby cat Elliot, immediately padding over to make himself comfortable in her lap.
ā€œYou were recording with Liam this week yeah?ā€ Ella asked as she joined Rori on the sofa, placing mugs of tea in front of them. ā€œHow was it?ā€
ā€œGod, it was so much fun El,ā€ Rori sighed. ā€œI didnā€™t realise how much I missed being in the studio. I mean donā€™t get me wrong, I love touring and Iā€™m having an incredible time on the road, but it felt so good to be back recording again and it just has me itching to write again.ā€
ā€œYou should make sure to do more of it over the Christmas break then,ā€ Ella pointed out. ā€œSpeaking of which are you going to be in New York or are you coming home for winter?ā€
ā€œWeā€™re planning a bit of both. Christmas and my birthday in New York with my dads and then weā€™ll come back here for February before the tour kicks off again in March. I think Gemma and Anne are going to join us for Christmas too and then when we get back Liam and I have made plans to have a writing session together. ā€
ā€œSounds like a good plan,ā€ Ella nodded before taking a sip of her tea. ā€œSelfishly Iā€™m glad youā€™ll be spending a decent chunk of time here. I miss you.ā€
ā€œUrggh,ā€ Rori groaned. ā€œI miss you too. Was thinking of maybe doing something for Harryā€™s birthday and getting you, Lou, Liam, and Niall over to our flat for a gameā€™s night or something. I feel like Harry could use something a little more lowkey this year after the insanity of tour.ā€
ā€œDonā€™t feel like you need to invite me,ā€ Ella replied awkwardly. ā€œI mean, if youā€™re inviting the band over, Iā€™m not really part of that group.ā€
ā€œOh bullshit,ā€ Rori laughed. ā€œThey boys love you just like I do. You all get along great whenever we were all together for wedding stuff or the album launch. Why on earth would you feel like I shouldnā€™t invite you too?ā€
ā€œRori,ā€ Ella sighed. ā€œWhile yes, I have gotten along with yours and Harryā€™s friends in the past, that doesnā€™t mean that I run in the same circles as they do. Theyā€™re celebrities, you are a celebrity and I just think that sometimes you forget that Iā€™m just your old friend from school. Itā€™s two separate worlds that you live in.ā€
Aurora rolled her eyes in response, taking a sip of her tea while she compiled her rebuttal. ā€œThatā€™s such a load of shit El. They are mine and Harryā€™s friends and so are you. When we are away from the paparazzi, they are no different to you and me. I get that we grew up with their pictures on our bedroom walls but once you put that aside theyā€™re just a bunch of really great guys that I think could become your close friends too if you let them in and stop freaking out around them.ā€
ā€œOk fine,ā€ Ella agreed after a moment of silent staring between the two women. ā€œIā€™ll try to get over myself and give them a chance next time weā€™re all in the same room. Can we change the subject now?ā€
ā€œThatā€™s all Iā€™m asking for and absolutely we can change the subject. Howā€™s things with Tim? Feel like we havenā€™t talked about him in a while.ā€ Ella made a face and Aurora felt her heart break for her best friend. ā€œWhen?ā€ she asked softly. ā€œWhat happened, love?ā€
ā€œHe broke it off a few weeks ago,ā€ Ella explained. ā€œSaid he didnā€™t feel a spark or something.ā€
ā€œIā€™m sorry babe, things seemed to be going so well when I left for the tour.ā€
ā€œThey were. At least I thought they were. We barely made it past 3 months before he gave up.ā€
ā€œWhy didnā€™t you tell me?ā€
ā€œYou were half a world away having the best time,ā€ Ella replied. ā€œIf Iā€™d told you then you would have just felt guilty for not being here.ā€
ā€œAnd now instead I feel guilty for not even being able to be a sympathetic ear since I couldnā€™t provide a shoulder. How are you now?ā€
ā€œIā€™ll be ok. Iā€™ve been a bit down in the dumps, but I think itā€™s for the best. He made some good points about me not really knowing what I wanted and heā€™s right. I think Iā€™m gonna swear off dating until I really figure out who I am and what Iā€™m looking for.ā€
ā€œWell if you ever want help figuring out who you are, I think I know you pretty well by now.ā€
ā€œI might take you up on that offer,ā€ Ella said with a small smile before changing topic. ā€œNow enough moping, you said you brought cake with you? You are never going to believe the scandal thatā€™s broken out amongst some of the girls in my Colonial History class.ā€
xXx
Occasionally something would happen in Auroraā€™s life that would give her pause and remind her how incredibly ludicrous her life had become. Standing behind her keyboard in the middle of a Victoria Secrets show in Shanghai while her husband sang and danced his heart out in front of her while literally supermodels strutted past them was one of those moments.
It was hard for her to believe that only 2 days ago she was sitting on her best friendā€™s sofa eating a chocolate cake from Sainsburyā€™s and discussing the latest high school drama playing out in Ellaā€™s classroom. She found herself thinking about how her mother would react if she somehow had a way to travel back in time seven years and tell her about this moment and all the other life changing moments that had occurred since they parted. It was while her thoughts were caught on her mother that Harry turned, catching her eye, a mile-wide smile lighting up his face as he winked at her, causing her own smile to grow in response. No matter how strange her life had become and how much everything had changed since she was an average teenager living above a small bar, she knew that she wouldnā€™t change a single thing that had happened if it meant ending up here with Harry smiling at her like that.
xXx
Following the Victoria Secrets show, the band arrived in Singapore early and spent a few days exploring before their show there after which the flew on to Australia, a country that Harry had toured many times over the years with One Direction, but Aurora had never managed to visit herself. They had a week in the land Down Under, with shows in both Sydney and Melbourne and Aurora made it her mission to see as much as she could of the 2 state capitals, often dragging Harry or other members of the band along on her adventures. Given that it was the last week of November everywhere was getting into the Christmas spirit, however since it was the southern hemisphere the weather was scorching hot and the group found the combination highly entertaining, if somewhat baffling.
While in Sydney they took in the iconic sights such as Bondi beach, the Opera House, and the Harbour Bridge, as well as a day trip out to explore the Blue Mountains. In Melbourne they visited the Eureka Tower with itā€™s Skydeck that offered an amazing view of the city spread out beneath them. They also spent some time at the Melbourne Zoo and National Gallery of Victoria, then the day after their show at the Forum, they were taken on a drive out of the city and down along the coastal Great Ocean Road.
The tour stop in Auckland was similarly packed out with touristy opportunities where Auroraā€™s highlight was the art gallery Toi o Tāmaki. While the laid back vibes in both Australia and New Zealand captured Auroraā€™s attention, it was the week they spent in Tokyo that held Harryā€™s, so much so that while everyone else headed home the day after the last show, the young couple made a last minute change to their travel plans and extended their stay by an additional week to explore the city more.
Once again, Tokyo was somewhere that Harry had visited many times with the band while Aurora had never been, and he enjoyed to opportunity to show her his favourite parts. Something Aurora noticed almost immediately about Tokyo was that unlike in the US or the UK, people either didnā€™t recognize them when they were out and about or they did but respected their privacy and left them alone. She pointed this out to Harry on their second day wandering the city streets and he smiled back at her, agreeing that it was something heā€™d also noticed in a previous visit and had definitely played a role in him falling in love with the city.
They spent their days wandering the streets, ducking into quirky shops that caught their eye and just revelling in the normalcy of being together in public. As they walked, they both realized that they had never had this; a chance to be like everyone else crowding the sidewalks around them. Save for stolen moments in the early days of their relationship like their first date in Hampstead Heath or when they were able to sneak into galleries on quiet days, theyā€™d never really been able to be themselves within a crowd. Theyā€™d always needed to wrap a scarf that little bit higher around their chins or wear a hat a little lower on their heads or glasses a little bit larger. To walk hand in hand like any other couple was freeing in a way that Rori hadnā€™t realized sheā€™d been missing, and she soaked up every moment of their time in Tokyo. If only for a week she felt like she was living the life she would have had if her mother hadnā€™t died. If she had continued living as a normal girl from Wimbledon instead of being thrust into the spotlight, free to live her life without the scrutiny of the press and the public. Of course, it wasnā€™t lost on her that the man holding her hand wouldnā€™t be Harry in this parallel universe and for that she would happily trade in her freedom. She could accept that the price she paid to be married to Harry and be Steve and Tonyā€™s daughter was that she would never really be allowed to have this normality, so she simply tried to make the most of their time before they flew on to New York for Christmas. They never spoke about any of this during their little vacation away from their lives but even without voicing her thoughts, Rori was certain that Harry was thinking the same thing and would willingly make the same sacrifices for the life they had built together.
xXx
Both Aurora and Harry were exhausted by the time they reached New York and were grateful to find Happy waiting for them as soon as they exited the arrivals terminal at JFK. He offered a quick hug to Rori before collecting their bags from them and leading them to the town car waiting for them. She leant against Harry in the back seat as they made the hour long drive into Manhattan. Her blinks began to lengthen as the airport shrank in the rear-view mirror and she was fast asleep before they reached Queens. Harry had to gently coax her awake once they finally reached the tower and she slowly made her way out of the car and into the elevator up to the penthouse. Tony and Steve were waiting up for their arrival and excitedly pulled their daughter into tight hugs the moment she stepped out of the elevator. It was Steve that noticed the way both Rori and Harryā€™s eyelids seem to droop and their gazes glazed over while Tony asked them a dozen questions about their recent adventures, and Rori was grateful when her Pops shooed them both off to bed with promises that they could catch up properly over a homecooked breakfast the next morning. They were barely conscious by the time they stripped out of their clothes and crawled into bed, however Aurora remained awake just long enough the think about how good it felt to be home.
NEXT CHAPTER
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gyllenhaalstories Ā· 4 years
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imagine taking rapper jake home to meet your parents.
iā€™m so sorry for the delay, anon! <3 buckle up, it got long and iā€™m emo!!!!! lil jakey jakes meeting your parents was not something i thought iā€™d cry about right now but here i am. i listened to nothingā€™s gonna hurt you baby by cigarettes after sex if you want to vibe with me!
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<3
jake swore he was about to shit his pants when you reminded him of the dinner with your parents.
he ran all over his house, searching for nothing and everything at oncel. one second it was his tie, the next his phone and after that his keys. he was just so terrified. he wanted to leave a good impression.
he dressed up like he was going to the oscars. he put on a suit, a new one he got tailored to his body just for the occasion. he covered all of his tattoos, with those long sleeves. he hid his chain under the color of the shirt you buttoned lovingly. he went to the barbershop too, he got a fresh cut and his beard neat. he looked like a movie star and even if this was not the man with whom you fell in love, you still loved this new persona.
ā€œyouā€™re so stressed that iā€™m stressedā€ youā€™d scream at him while he paced around the bedroom as you put on a simple outfit, some jeans and a button up shirt too. dresses felt too formal. it was your parents, not the pope. ā€œweā€™re not going. iā€™m calling them and iā€™ll say iā€™m sickā€.
jake stopped moving and protested. ā€œif i wanna ask your father for your hand, i better know how he looks like first. if he likes golf, iā€™m outā€.
the joke was unexpected, but it made both of you laugh. he kept bringing up marriage. it was like a running gag, but it felt more and more real. one day you would be called mrs gyllenhaal. and this day would not happen if you died from a heart attack because you couldnā€™t face the judgement of your parents.
so jake waited for you in the car. he picked a black jaguar, he didnā€™t want to be too obnoxious. he had the head lights shining bright and blinked them so you pretended to walk like a model and twirl in front of the car before you sat on the passenger seat. ā€œso fuckinā€™ gorgeous.ā€ jake said and noticed you, too, wore the chain he got you for your birthday. he stretched his arm out to play with it lightly and then proceeded to drive to your parentsā€™ house.
he stopped in the drive way. it was a tiny home, very old with a bunch of flower pots that were wrapped up for the winter. it was lovely already. jake stopped the car and took deep breaths.
ā€œyou sound like youā€™re about to get into laborā€
ā€œitā€™s a neat trick youā€™ll have to try itā€
and you both breathed fast like two freaks in the car while the music was playing in the background. some U2 song. it calmed the two of you down. when you got out of the car, jake immediately grabbed your hand. he needed the comfort.
you were about to ring the door bell when your mother slammed the door open and wrapped you in a tight hug.
jake smiled and looked behind her. he waved at your father.
ā€œmom, dad, this is my boyfriend, jake. jake, this is my mom and dad.ā€
ā€œhi mom, hi dadā€ jake replied and it made the two of them laugh.
jake wanted to bring champagne and flowers, but you convinced him to not do too much. your parents were simple people. they would be happy as long as jake didnā€™t tease you from under the table (the jeans were definitely a good option) or mentioned politics.Ā 
ā€œour daughter has told us a lot about youā€ your mother said ā€œyeah, we heard you are a singer? isnā€™t that the dreamā€ your father added
ā€œyeah.ā€ jake smiled awkwardly and took a sip from the glass of water you both shared. you were sitting on his lap, on the love seat of the small living room. your parents asked him tons of questions. he answered them genuinely. he asked them questions too. he was relieved to find out your father preferred hockey to golf.
you sat around the table. it was weird that the fourth chair of the dining table was finally used.
none of your previous relationships lasted long enough to reach this level of intimacy. sex was one thing, but meeting your parents? that was a HUGE deal.
jake behaved like the best man in the world. he complimented the food. it was just simple spaghetti and storebought garlic bread. but it tasted like love and home. he asked for two other plates. your mom even reached to wipe his chin from the tomato sauce.
it filled him with joy. he had a tough relationship with his own family and he felt like he fit right in with yours.
you watched jake with heart eyes. he was so happy to explain his art and craft to your father who kept asking him if he had met blake shelton or the backstreet boys. you know, hip people. jake laughed and shook his head. he didnā€™t bother explaining that he sang about filthy things the two of you did. he was happy they considered his job as valid. he was not a carpenter or a doctor. but he was happy to spoil you nonetheless.
ā€œyouā€™re doing greatā€ youā€™d whisper to jake.
everything was fine. until your mom pulled out the baby photos albums. THE SHAME.
ā€œlook at that tiny baby booty!ā€ jake pointed and melted. ā€œtoohtless! that gums only look, canā€™t wait to see it again when weā€™re old and grumpy.ā€ he pulled out a photo. you were wearing matching ugly yellow zipped hoodie and plaid pants. you were holding a teddy bear of the same colour as the one he got you for your birthday. behind the photography it was written happy y/n at the park with her best friend. he asked if he could keep it. your parents agreed. (it was his phone home screen from now on, your lock screen being a post sex glow photo when he could see a tiny drop of cum at the corner of your eye, it was still cute to him). ā€œso sheā€™s always been bad at cooking?ā€ he said and laughed when you found a picture of you and your grandparents where you held a plate of burnt cookies. ā€œhey, not cool! i was only seven!ā€ you pushed him gently. ā€œlook at you now, you burn bread in the toasterā€. your parents were the ones who melted now.
ā€œso, jacob...ā€
jake insisted that it was fine your father called him by his full name.
the two of you were so stressed out. the tone of your fatherā€™s voice was suddenly heavy and scary.
ā€œyeah?ā€
ā€œdoes it hurt to get tattoos?ā€
jake squinted and you coughed loud enough to cover the whispered what the fuck that came out of his open mouth. his sleeves were rolled up and exposing the ink. ā€œi mean, yeah, it hurts a lot. itā€™s worth it though. i feel like an art collector.ā€
ā€œin my young days, iā€™ve always wanted a tattoo. i got the concept. this lovely lady as a pin up girl, quite impressive, huh?.ā€ he winked at your mom who blushed while you tried everything you could not to throw up.
jake rolled his sleeve a little higher and pointed at a spot near the veins of the inside of his arm, close to the elbow. he got the outline of a heart tattooed. you noticed how wobbly the lines were, thatā€™s because it was the heart you always drew at the end of your notes that you left him when you were gone or when he was out working. ā€œthatā€™s my favourite.ā€
THE WAY YOU JUST BURST INTO TEARS and your mom shouted ā€œtime for dessert!ā€
great timing.
ā€œour daughter told us you loved m&mā€™sā€.
jake turned to look at you. you shrugged.
your mother came back with chocolate cake on which she had sprinked crushed m&m pieces on the frosting.
jake asked to get the biggest slice. ā€œthatā€™s the best fuckinā€™ cake iā€™ve had in my whole life.ā€ (which was a lie because the best cake was your ass but details) he said, his mouth full. your mother laughed and your father agreed. they began talking about hockey when your mother asked for your help in the kitchen.
ā€œif we learned anything from you,ā€ she started and handed you a plate to dry. you hated to do the dishes, especially if you were to be lectured like a child. ā€œitā€™s to never judge people by their covers. we love jake. heā€™s good to you. youā€™re good to him.ā€
you hugged your mom and the two of you cried so loudly that jake dropped his spoon. he thought something bad happened. that you cut yourself with the butter knife or something.
ā€œwelcome to the family, jake.ā€ your father squeezed jakeā€™s shoulder as you walked back to him to press a kiss on his cheek.
it was now time to leave, after hours and hours of anecdotes from your childhood or from the time you were convinced youā€™d marry brad pitt or when you put eyeshadow in your hair to act like you dyed them to be punk but it was raining that day and you came back looking like a sad frosty rainbow.
ā€œyouā€™re my favourite person.ā€ jake told you when he gave you his vest as a coat. it was chilly outside.
you all hugged and shook hands, promising to come back soon for brunch. jake told them heā€™d make his famous pancakes.
ā€œhold on!ā€ jake exclaimed and pulled you by the arm. you followed him back in the kitchen and he fed you a spoon of the cake. you fed him one in return again. ā€œtastes almost as good as your pussyā€ he whispered in your ear and kissed your chocolate covered lips.
you finally left the house, waving from the car at your parents who stood on the porch. they seemed satisfied. and you? you had never been more in love.
ā€œcanā€™t wait to rip those tight jeans off your body and fuck you like a bitch.ā€ jake winked and started to drive away. ā€œiā€™m looking forward to the toothless viagra boosted blowjobs too, thatā€™s gonna feel divine.ā€Ā 
you slapped his thigh and he moaned in pain. you rested your hand there and he brought it to his lips, planting a soft kiss.
ā€œwelcome to the family.ā€ you repeated.
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tu-sonrisaaa-te-amooo Ā· 4 years
Text
CNCO As Songwriters
Since the boys have been writing so much of their own music (Iā€™m so proud of them!), I had the idea to write five little stories about them as songwriters. I hope you enjoy it, my loves! <3Ā  Ā  -m.n.
~JOEL~
You were out to eat lunch with a group of friends one sunny summer afternoon. Everyone was talking and laughing, except for one person: Joel. He was suspiciously solemn, hardly touching his food and keeping his dark eyes downcast. You saw that his hand was resting on the table beside you, so you put yours over it and asked, ā€œYou okay?ā€
When he looked up at you he gave you a faint smile. ā€œYes,ā€ he said. ā€œIā€™m all right.ā€
His mind seemed far away in space, but you didnā€™t want to push him in front of all your other friends, so you let the matter drop. But the truth was, Joel was not exactly all right. Slowly but surely, he was realizing how much he loved you. Sitting next to you with the sun in your hair and charm in your smile made his heart flutter, and he knew that he would have to tell you how he felt eventually.
The next night you were laying in your room when you got a text from Joel. ā€œIā€™m outside. Can you come down?ā€ You peeked out your window and there were headlights in your driveway. Your heart skipped a beat - Joel was down there waiting for you. You quickly texted back ā€œyesā€ and went out to meet him.
You hopped in the passenger side of his car and he smiled at you. ā€œIā€™m sorry if you were going to sleep soon, but can I take you to show you something?ā€ he asked.
ā€œYes, letā€™s go!ā€ you said, thrilled by this prospect of adventure.
He laughed a little at your enthusiasm and pulled out of the driveway. For about half an hour as he drove you two sang along to the radio, laughing and joking together, until finally he said, ā€œWeā€™re here.ā€
You were at the top of a tall grassy hill that overlooked the city so that it seemed like the stars above you were mirrored by the city lights below.
ā€œOh, Joel, itā€™s beautiful here,ā€ you sighed.
ā€œI thought you might like it,ā€ he said, smiling. He pulled a big blanket out of his back seat and spread it over you both. ā€œBut thatā€™s not what I wanted to show you.ā€
ā€œWell then, what is?ā€ you laughed.
He pulled a folded piece of paper out of his jacket pocket and started blushing a little. ā€œWell, I stayed up all night last night writing this song,ā€ he said. ā€œI wanted you to hear it.ā€
And he began to sing, a cappella. It melted your heart. The song was a love song and you could tell he worked hard on it. Every syllable was styled to perfection, and his lyrical images were beautiful. He was comparing some girl to the stars, and Shakespeare himself couldnā€™t have topped it. It made you want to cry.
ā€œJoel, that was incredible,ā€ you said when he finished.
His dark eyes looked into yours and he said softly, ā€œWell, itā€™s about you.ā€
ā€œReally?ā€ your voice shook. He nodded, and you leaned into his embrace.
ā€œI donā€™t know if you can tell,ā€ he said, ā€œbut I love you.ā€
ā€œI love you too, Joel.ā€
~RICHARD~
It was a horrible day. Everything that could have gone wrong, did, and you were emotionally exhausted. To cheer yourself up you tried taking a walk in the evening, but you ended up twisting your ankle and falling in a puddle. So after limping back home, soaking wet, you threw yourself on the couch and just cried your heart out.
ā€œIf only Richard were here,ā€ you thought gloomily. ā€œHe would give me the biggest hug and tell me he loved me.ā€ But your boyfriend Richard was on the other side of the world on a tour, and he wouldnā€™t be back for months. You missed him like crazy.
Just as you were thinking this, your phone rang. He was calling you.
ā€œHello?ā€ you answered.
ā€œBabe... are you crying?ā€ he asked, his voice concerned.
You took a deep breath and commanded your voice to be strong. He shouldnā€™t have to worry about you. ā€œNo,ā€ you said. ā€œNot at all, how are you?ā€
ā€œShawty, I know you were just crying. Whatā€™s wrong, babe?ā€
So you told him everything about your day, right down to the puddle you fell in.
ā€œIā€™m so sorry all that happened to you,ā€ he said. ā€œI wish I were there to hold you.ā€
ā€œRichard, I miss you so much,ā€ you said, tearing up again. ā€œI feel like my heartā€™s on the other side of the world.ā€
ā€œI know, I know,ā€ he said, a little sadly. ā€œI feel the same way.ā€
You talked for half an hour, and just hearing his voice was such a comfort to you. But eventually he had to go to an interview with the boys (it was morning where he was even though it was evening for you), and you were all alone again. You had trouble getting to sleep that night.
A week later, though, you got an email from Richard. Perplexed, you opened it and it read, ā€œPut on one of my hoodies and listen to this, it will almost be like Iā€™m giving you a hug <3ā€ and there was an audio file attached. You pulled on the burgundy hoodie he left for you, the one that still smelled like him a little bit, and dug out your headphones.
The audio file was a recording of Richard singing, and you could tell right away that heā€™d written the song himself. With every verse he reassured you of his love for you and promised to always be there when you needed him, and in the chorus he sang your name in a beautiful riff.
You pulled the hoodie tighter around yourself and shed a tear or two. It really was like he was giving you a hug himself.
~ZABDIEL~
This was your second week dating Zabdiel, and life was blissful. The clouds seemed to be rosy all the time and the air itself smelled sweet like springtime. Almost every evening you sat outside with him in the grass while the sun set, casting golden hues on his handsome face as you leaned on his chest.
Tonight, though, he brought his guitar with him to sing to you. You sat across from him, mesmerized by the way his fingers strummed the guitar strings and captivated by the way he smiled down at you while he sang.
Once the first few stars were out, though, he sighed and put down his guitar, looking at the grass a little sadly.
ā€œWhatā€™s wrong, Zab?ā€ you asked, putting your hand on his shoulder.
ā€œI was just thinkingā€¦ā€ he said, ā€œI wrote a song for our new album, but I donā€™t know if itā€™s good enough.ā€
ā€œYouā€™re an amazing songwriter, babe. Iā€™m sure itā€™s great,ā€ you said. ā€œCan I hear it?ā€
ā€œAll right,ā€ he said, a little hesitantly. He struck up the first chords, and right from the start, your heart was pierced.
It was the sort of song that made you feel like you were in love and in Rome. The way the chorus rose and fell was almost painfully beautiful, and his voice carried so much passion. He sang that he felt like he could walk on air when he was with you, and his brown eyes were gazing into yours like you were his whole world. You were certain that the angels must sing this song in heaven.
When he finished you cried, ā€œZabdi! That was the most beautiful song Iā€™ve ever heard! Why wouldnā€™t you think it was good enough?ā€
ā€œBecause no matter how hard I tried, I couldnā€™t make it as beautiful as you are.ā€ Fighting back tears, you threw your arms around his neck.
ā€œOh, Zabdiel, thatā€™s the sweetest thing in the world. The song is perfect,ā€ you said.
ā€œWell if you think so, mamita,ā€ he said smiling, ā€œthen it must be true.ā€
~ERICK~
Erick wanted to tell you a million times that he loved you, but he never got the chance. You had a boyfriend who made you cry, and Erick was the loving friend who caught all of your tears. He was the shoulder you cried on.Ā 
He tried to tell you he loved you without saying it; by buying you ice cream at one a.m., and calling in sick on a day he was supposed to go to an interview just to spend time with you, and walking you home because he knew you were scared of the dark. But you never noticed what his true feelings for you were.
So Erick wrote them down. He put all his love for you, all his agony, all his hope, into music. His lyrics were raw, like he was leaving his bleeding heart right there for anyone to see. He perfected it through many long nights between the comforting texts he sent you, but he never mentioned a word of it to you.
Once he finished writing it and the band had recorded it, the song blew up in popularity. People everywhere were enchanted by the chilling ballad of unrequited love, and it topped charts across all demographics. It was the sort of song girls fall asleep listening to, pretending that somebody loves them that much.
By the time it did come out, though, things had changed for you. Erick had sort of given up on you, tired after so long of trying to be your hero. The band was going to be away for a long time, and he felt like the best thing to do would be to break his own heart and let you go naturally. You didnā€™t really talk that often anymore.
You had finally broken up with your boyfriend, though, and you were enjoying your new freedom. But one day while you were driving home, Erickā€™s song came on the radio. You had to pull over and listen to it, because something about it pulled your heartstrings.
By the end of the song, you were sobbing. ā€œIf only someone loved me that much,ā€ you thought. ā€œI didnā€™t even know it was possible to love someone like that.ā€
If only you knewā€¦
~CHRISTOPHER~
The lights gleamed all around you as Chris spun you around on the dance floor, laughing mirthfully over the loud music playing. You were at a party with a bunch of people and the atmosphere was lively and fun, so Christopher was having the time of his life. He was still laughing when he drove you back home a few hours later.
The next morning you were awoken to a phone call at five a.m.
ā€œHello?ā€ you answered sleepily.
ā€œHi! So Iā€™ve been up all night because I wanted to write a song and I think Iā€™ve got the chorus but I wanted to call you because itā€™s dedicated to you and-ā€
ā€œWoah, Chris, I just woke up,ā€ you laughed. ā€œI canā€™t think that fast. Whatā€™s going on?ā€
ā€œWell, I enjoyed dancing with you last night and I wanted it to last forever, so I started writing a song that makes me think of you,ā€ he said.
ā€œThatā€™s so sweet,ā€ you said.
ā€œCan I sing it for you now?ā€ he asked, and you could hear his smile through the phone.
ā€œOf course! Iā€™d love to hear it!ā€ you said.
He sang what he had of it and explained a lot of the ideas, and you could tell that it was going to be an upbeat dance song.
ā€œItā€™s such a happy song,ā€ you said, and by this point you were grinning ear to ear.
ā€œThatā€™s what I wanted!ā€ he said. ā€œBecause thatā€™s how I feel when Iā€™m with you.ā€
About a year later, once the song was finally written, recorded, and put on their new album, you and Chris were at another party. He went over and talked to the DJ, and a few minutes later they were playing the song he wrote for you.
ā€œWill you dance with me?ā€ he asked, smiling.
ā€œIā€™d love to,ā€ you said, and he spun you around like the night he wrote it.
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minervahopebeyond Ā· 4 years
Text
Blood Petals.
Hello!! I hope you like this one! Iā€™m sorry that I couldnā€™t respond to you comments in the last chapter, I was really busy... but I loved reading them!!
Enjoy!!
Ps. Sorry if you find grammatical or vocabulary errors in this one!
Chapter 18: God save the Queen.
Draco corroborated his theory about how all things nice seemed to be at Grimmauld Place, when Sirius gave him all his vinyls for Christmas.
He honestly couldnā€™t understand how he lived so long only listening to the Weird Sisters, when something like Led Zeppelin even existed. The muggleborns mustā€™ve think that wizards just had awful taste in music.
There were a lot, Draco couldnā€™t listen to all of them... He chose what he was going to listen to without even looking at the box, he closed his eyes, took one vinyl out and put it on. Randomly: he found Queen.
It was a Saturday, there were a few more days until New Years. The four of them were drinking some hot chocolate near the fireplace. He asked if it was alright to put some music and everyone agreed.
Draco got up from the couch and crossed the room to get to the record player. The box was right next to it; the blond boy closed his eyes and chose one. He opened his eyes. ā€˜Queen. A day at the Races.ā€™ Draco looked at the cover, curious. There were animals surrounding a Q with a crown in the middle. He took out the vinyl and put it on the record player.
The blond boy also chose the song that he wanted to hear randomly. He would look at the grooves on the vinyl and chose the one he wanted, and it was a rule that he could not look at the titles of the songs. Potter teased him for it, said that he was the most weird person ever; Draco tended to ignore his comments on the matter.
He chose the groove and placed the needle on it. Suddenly, a manā€™s voice with the sound of a piano filled the room. Mr. Potter gasped.
ā€œListen to this,Padfoot. I feel sixteen again.ā€ The man said with a bright smile.
They had been having this moments, Potter and him noticed them (which was a big thing because scarhead never noticed anything). The green-eyed boy looked at them, Draco could swear that he was smiling a little. Mr. Potter stood up and offered his hands at Sirius.
ā€œDance with me. We havenā€™t dance in so long.ā€
His cousin widened his eyes and turned to look at the two boys sitting next to him. Draco extended his arm and pushed him off the couch, as Sirius glared at him.
Mr. Potter took his hands; and placed one on his shoulder, while the other kept being intertwined with his. Then, Potterā€™s father put his other hand on Siriusā€™s waist.
Draco could see that his cousin was nervous... Sirius kept looking at Potter, who was still sitting on the couch. The green- eyed boy raised his mug up in the air like saying ā€˜cheersā€™ before taking another sip.
Ooh let me feel your heartbeat (grow faster, faster)
Ooh ooh can you feel my love heat, ooh
Come on and sit on my hot-seat of love
And tell me how do you feel right after-all
I'd like for you and I to go romancing
Say the word, your wish is my command
They started to dance. Given the fact that Potter was a horrible dancer, the blond boy was rather surprised when Mr. Potter began to move his feet marvelously. Sirius followed him, there was this complicity... He could tell that it really wasnā€™t the first time that they had danced like this.
Draco loved it all. The smile on both of their faces, how they mouthed the lyrics the whole time... From that day on: he adored listening to Queen.
The following day he discovered ā€˜A night at the Operaā€™ and cried while he listened to ā€˜Love of my lifeā€™. Potter found him out right sobbing on the couch, as he stepped out of the floo, when he returned from the Weasleys.
ā€œMalfoy...? Do you want me to call someone?ā€ The blond boy shook his head. ā€œYou are crying... a lot.ā€ And Draco just snorted, trying to clean his tears with the back of his sleeve.
ā€œItā€™s just this bloody song.ā€ He took a deep breath and ended up coughing (again), petals falling on his lap (again). ā€œFuck.ā€ He took his wand and vanished them. He looked at the boy standing in front of him... Potter had a worried face on. Draco sighed. ā€œYou asked me what does it feel. It feels like this song, the lyrics, the music... It feels just like this.ā€ He said as a tear coursed down his cheek.
Potter sat next to him, and rested his head on the back of the couch, looking at him. His eyes were so green, so beautiful. Draco looked away.
ā€œI know Iā€™m pathetic-ā€œ
ā€œYou are not.ā€ The boy interrupted him. ā€œItā€™s special. I donā€™t think that everyone loves like you do. I wish I could love someone that way, someday at least.ā€ He said with a soft smile on his face.
ā€œBelieve me, Potter, you donā€™t want this.ā€ And he got up before he started to have a coughing fit next to the boy.
ā€”ā€”ā€”ā€”ā€”ā€”ā€”ā€”
Given the fact that Potter had spent Christmasā€™s Eve with the Weasleys, Ron was spending New Yearā€™s Eve with them. This was really good news, because Draco missed him immensely.
Weasley arrived to Grimmauld Place on the morning of New Yearā€™s Eve. Mr. Potter mustā€™ve greeted him and guided him to the kitchen, because Sirius and Potter were still sleeping, which wasnā€™t new, they always slept in.
Draco was baking a cake, he had asked at the begging of the break if he could be in charge making the desserts for the holidays. ā€˜Killer Queenā€™ had just began, when the weasel found him in the kitchen; singing while he cooked.
She keeps her Moet et Chandon
In her pretty cabinet
"Let them eat cake", she says
Just like Marie Antoinette
A built-in remedy
For Khrushchev and Kennedy
At anytime an invitation
You can't decline
This song always reminded him of Pansy. Since the last days he had listened to Queen non-stop, he almost knew all the lyrics to every song he liked.
ā€Extraordinarily nice...
She's a Killer Queenā€Draco sang as he turned around to look for a clean bowl. Thatā€™s when he saw Weasley standing there, smug smile on his face. The blond boy put a hand on his chest. ā€œFor Salazarā€™s sake, weasel! Announce yourself, you almost gave me a heart attack.ā€ He hissed.
ā€œHarry told me that you were spending all your time listening to some muggle band, I thought he was having me on.ā€ Draco grabbed the bowl as he responded.
ā€œThey are amazing. I only have the albums from before Sirius moved with the Potters; but maybe when Mr. Potter can claim his old house again, I could listen to the rest of them.ā€
They talked for a while. Ron told him that he wrote to Granger a few times, they still were a little mad with each other but still, it was progress.
Draco was finishing the cake when Potter and Sirius entered the kitchen. Tired and narrowed green eyes were looking at them. Potter was still on his pajamas, his hair was more of a mess than usual. He heard him mumble something like ā€˜coffeeā€™ as he sat in front of Ron. He clearly wasnā€™t a morning person, Draco huffed.
ā€œFirst you should say hi, Potter, thatā€™s your best friend.ā€ Said the blond boy as he passed him and Sirius their mugs and the jar of coffee.
Sirius poured himself some coffee and asked were Kreacher was. Draco explained to him that he needed the kitchen so he was probably cleaning upstairs.
ā€œIsnā€™t a little too early to be listening to this?ā€ Potter said and the blond boy snorted.
ā€œItā€™s eleven a.m, Potty.ā€
ā€”ā€”ā€”ā€”ā€”ā€”-
Remus came to have dinner with them too. They spent the entire time laughing, The Marauders told them some of the pranks that they did at school, and even though Draco already had heard some of them, he enjoyed listening.
Potter seemed happy and that was enough to make him feel happy too. The daffodils were making him ticklish, but in a good way, which was a relief because he was fucking tired of coughing petals.
They got to that awkward conversation about Dracoā€™s situation, because Remus knew little about it. The blond boy was hoping they would stop talking; this days, it seemed like it was the only thing he talked about. The questions were always the same ones. ā€˜How can you be sure?ā€™ ā€˜Does he know?ā€™ ā€˜Is he from school?ā€™ He was half listening to the conversation when Weasley spoke to him.
ā€œWhat about Parkinsonā€™s comment the other day?ā€ They looked at Draco, expecting an answer. He arched his eyebrow.
ā€œWhat comment, weasel?ā€ His friend pulled a smug smile.
ā€œThe one about your Prince Charming, ferret.ā€ The blond boy tried to fight the blush on his cheeks. If Mr. Potter or Sirius saw him like this they would tease infinitely. He rolled his eyes in annoyance.
ā€œAre you blushing, little cousin?ā€ The man asked in an amused voice. Then, he looked at Ron and Potter. ā€œWho is it??ā€
Potter crossed his arms and huffed before answering.
ā€œItā€™s no one. Ron is just being an idiot.ā€
ā€œAre you kidding me?? You thought it was Blaise! My theory makes much more sense.ā€
Draco frowned at that. Theory? Oh for fuckā€™s sake. He groaned at his friend.
ā€œIs this what you write in that stupid notebook? Candidates?ā€
He was so mad he could curse him. He didnā€™t need to be fucking saved by anyone.
ā€œWell, yeah, you wonā€™t tell us and I want to help. Sue me.ā€ The redhead responded.
ā€œWe are still waiting to know who this Prince Charming is.ā€ Said Remus as he ate a pice of the cake that Draco baked.
ā€œRon is talking about Nott but I think itā€™s bullshit.ā€ Said Potter in an annoyed tone. Sirius raised his eyebrows and Mr. Potter smiled.
ā€œThe one that woke you up!ā€ Said Potterā€™s father and Draco passed his hands over his face; tired.
ā€œItā€™s like no one listens to me. He didnā€™t do anything to wake me up, I just did .ā€ And then he turned to look at Weasley. ā€œItā€™s not fucking Theodore! I donā€™t even know why you thought that.ā€
ā€œSee??ā€ Said Potter. ā€œCross him off that stupid list.ā€
But Weasley didnā€™t drop the subject.
ā€œFor a bunch of reasons!ā€ And Draco wished to die when the weasel started to list them. ā€œYou are close to him, you defend him; Iā€™m sorry but if he didnā€™t do anything and you woke up that just proves my point, and also...ā€ He saw the doubt in Weasleyā€™s eyes. Draco new he wouldnā€™t like to hear the rest. ā€œWell, you did put him on your list with the highest score (10/10)... and you wrote straight and then put questions marks right next to it.ā€
His face was on fire. He wanted to kill Weasley right there. This was probably the most embarrassing moment of his life. The Marauders were looking at him, trying to restrain their amused smiles, because they saw that the blond boy was angry. Weasley was still looking at him, waiting for him to answer. Draco looked at Potter just for a moment; the green-eyed boy was looking at him, disappointed.
The daffodils got upset really fast and Draco couldnā€™t contain the coughs. He covered his mouth with his hand to prevent the petals from falling on the table. He vanished the daffodils and looked up. Now, Potter had this disgusted pained look on his eyes.
ā€œBloody hell, Iā€™m right! Itā€™s Nott!ā€ Said Weasley, with a triumphant laugh. Draco was about to call him a clueless idiot, but Potter spoke first.ā€
ā€œHow is that a good thing? Are you stupid?ā€ The green-eyed boy was livid. Then he turned to look at Draco. ā€œWhat the fuck do you see in him?ā€ And he just couldnā€™t find the words, his emotions were too mixed up... He was angry at Ron, amused by his stupid theory, happy that Potter defended him. The flowers were like crazy; he couldnā€™t stop them, he coughed again.
Potter excused himself and left the room. Weasley sighed.
ā€œDonā€™t worry, ferret. We are going to help you with this. Heā€™ll come around.ā€
He just kept looking at the door... worried. Then, he heard Remus talk.
ā€œI think you might have a chance with this. I remember you two being the little terrors on my class, partners in crime.ā€ Then he turned to look at Sirius and Mr. Potter. ā€œThey reminded me a little bit of you two... but in a Slytherin version.ā€
Draco couldnā€™t understand how everyone had come to the wrong conclusion
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ivalice-tifalucis Ā· 4 years
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Suddenly in some random mood with this song again. This song is a prove I was meant to be a Take That fan and most importantly a Gary Barlow fan. I donā€™t think I have ever told you how important this song is so bear with me. Iā€™m gonna swim deep into this, also telling how I found out about this song which later lead me to become a Take That fan.
This song is a piece from the ā€œdarkā€ days when Gary solely became a songwriter and producer. If you go back to this era, you might think of Blue or Westlife as these lucky people who got Gary (and Eliot Kennedy obvs) as their songwriters. But for me, Delta Goodrem is what always gonna be in my head. I donā€™t even like Delta Goodrem and ā€œNot Me, Not Iā€ is the only so that I know from her yet this song is one of my favorite song of all time.
ā€œNot Me, Not Iā€ was written in 2003 by our dear Captain and Eliot Kennedy with Kara DioGuardi, Jarrad Rogers, and ofc Delta Goodrem herself. Based from what I read on wikipedia, Delta Goodrem, who at that time was known for her piano ballad singles in Australia, was making her debut album. The whole concept of the album, ā€œInnocent Eyesā€ was a piano-based pop and ballad. Therefore, she worked to make a good pop ballad songs with bunch of produsers and songwriters and yes two of them were Gary Barlow and Eliot Kennedy. Actually, after I know more about Garyā€™s discography, I can feel Garyā€™s presence in the piano ballad. No, he wouldnā€™t write that kind of lyric, but the piano sound, especially the intro part, it sounds like the reverse version of Forever Love. Itā€™s reversed because instead of being lovey and poetic, this intro feels like sad, anger, and strife. Since then, everytime I listen to this song, I would imagine what Gary was like when he wrote this song and record the piano section for Delta. Tousled short hair, awful goatee, slightly chubby, looking gloomy, sitting with his keyboard in recording room.
Anyway, Gary and Eliot also wrote and produced couple of other songs on this album but only this one became a single, the third single to be exact. It was number one in Australia, all is good.
Cut to around 4 years later, in 2007 (I guess, because I forgot when exactly, could be 2008), Take That was back as TT4, Gary was no longer writing songs and producing them for other people because after more than 5 years, he can finally grace the public eye without being shamed, humiliated, and compared to Robbie Williams. He can write songs that he and his three other mates will sing and perform. All is good. However, at that time, I didnā€™t know Take That, yet. ā€œPatienceā€ probably played randomly on local radio but I wouldnā€™t care because I was in my manga/anime and Disney phase, with Queen and Guns Nā€™ Roses and other hard rock bop as a weird mix in between. I rarely listen to radio even then, opting for mp3 mix that me or my dad made. But this is the time when I know this song. It was from my dad, he bought bootleg mp3 mix on mp3 stores (there were plenty back in the day before music streaming became a thing) and one of many songs inside that mp3 mix is this one. My first impression was that this song is a good pop ballad. I replayed this song during the car rides and then my dad ended up loving this too. I love this song so much that I made the cover out of it (and couple of years later I uploaded it to my soundcloud). One of the best song Iā€™ve ever heard yet I had no idea who Delta Goodrem even was.
Cut to three years later, 2010. At this moment, I knew ā€œRule the Worldā€. One afternoon during fasting month, I came home from school early and accidentally watch Stardust on HBO then came the credits and I love the credits song. Took me a while to find it but I finally found out it was ā€œRule the Worldā€ from IMDB. A song by a band named Take That. It also became one of my favorite song of all time. My brother and my dad also enjoyed it when I tune the song during car ride. My dad even once played ā€œRule the Worldā€ over and over again until Iā€™m sick of it. If only I knew at that time Take That finally as TT5 with Robbie who completed the puzzle. They went to make the best album they ever made, Progress. Sadly, I was also on the brink of depression. New school, new environment, no friend to share, some bullying, betrayed by best friend. To cope with that, I was in youtube phase where I watched so many youtube videos and eventually also music covers. I couldnā€™t careless about some boyband consists of 5 middle age men. I also watched the ā€œRule the Worldā€ music video but you know that video. The quality is awful you canā€™t see anyoneā€™s faces. I was also convinced at that time that Take That is a pop-rock band šŸ˜‚ but Rule the World mv confused me tho. Why were all they singing? But why only the frontman is heard? šŸ˜‚
Two years later, 2012, I watched them perform ā€œRule the Worldā€ in Olympic closing ceremony and that was when I realize Take That is actually a group band.
2013, I listened to ā€œImpossibleā€ by James Arthur thanks to the fact that it was played on supermarket many times. Later on, I found out this song is a cover and that he sang this as his winner song for The X Factor. I watched the video when he sang this and won and realized that one of The X Factor judge is that guy from Take That. So I googled that to confirm, yep itā€™s true. I didnā€™t remember his name tho. I just remember heā€™s handsome šŸ˜‚
And then five years later, I got the news that Robbie Williams was filling in as World Cup 2018 opening ceremony performer. To this day I still think itā€™s weird why they invite Robbie instead of the World Cup songā€™s singer (should be Jason Derulo or Will Smith). I have known Robbie at this point because my dad sometimes would sing ā€œFeelā€ or ā€œBetter Manā€ during karaoke. So I watched the ceremony on tv. It was good. So I decided to found out more about Robbie Williams beyond ā€œFeelā€ or ā€œBetter Manā€ while ofc following the World Cup. By the end of World Cup, I knew so much more about Robbie Williams than I was for the last 23 years of my life. The big shock was when I found out he was in Take That!! What?? But heā€™s not in ā€œRule the Worldā€??!! Oh but he left in the 90s, so Take That is originally a boyband in the 90s?? But wait, his most recent stint with Take That was in 2010??!!! They made a successful album??! Then I watched ā€œThe Floodā€ music video where Robbie Williams sang the main part and Take That frontman who also that handsome judge in The X Factor sang the second. It was epic!!!! Then I start to remember his name, Gary Barlow. That name would never be erased from my head as I read his wikipedia page to found out that he wrote ā€œNot Me, Not Iā€. One of my most favorite song of all time. The song that Iā€™ve been singing so many times. Turns out, he made that song. He made ā€œRule the Worldā€. I was mindblown. No wonder I love these songs.
And thatā€™s the beginning of the journey.
Anyway, this is the album version where you can hear (possibly) Garyā€™s piano playing. I put Deltaā€™s 10th anniversary version from youtube at the top because I love her performance there. Such an underrated singer.
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haknyeonrk Ā· 4 years
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surprise LIVE ! per_se : 1 YEAR!!! ILY!!!
initially he had planned to write a long and cheesy instagram post. yet that didnā€™t seem like enough to convey his gratitude to the fans ā€“ā€“ words were powerful, but heā€™s sure that theyā€™d probably at least like to see his face. now that their promotions are over, they donā€™t exactly have a schedule packed for the month to actually meet their fans, and haknyeon thinks itā€™s about time heā€™s started doing more vlives.Ā 
he takes a moment to think about what to title it, but settles on something simple and straightforward.Ā ā€œ1 year!! ily!!!ā€ he smiles and clicks start. itā€™s much different than an instagram live, because the hearts begin pouring in and haknyeon stares into the camera for a good few seconds, unknowing if anyoneā€™s gonna watch. but they do and he smiles as he looks at the numbers increasing. he begins to read the comments.
ā€œoppa, are you just going to stare at the camera? say something!ā€
immediately he turns to look at the camera, away from the comments and laughs shyly.Ā ā€œoh! sorry! i was really fascinated!ā€ he laughs. at that he clasps his hands together and notices that the viewer count has increased, thereā€™s a good number of people watching him now.
ā€œeveryone! itā€™s our one year already!ā€ he beams, and he claps his hands together, smiling wide.Ā ā€œcan you believe itā€™s already been one year with per_se? i wanted to celebrate it with all of you, thatā€™s why i decided to do this vlive!ā€ he continues, and he watches as the number of hearts continue to increase.Ā ā€œitā€™s something really special to me, and something that i think could only be achieved thanks to our fans! i can say thank you a million times but itā€™ll never be enough,ā€ his words are sincere as he speaks, and he knows they arenā€™t face-to-face, but he hopes that his genuine gratitude can reach them.Ā ā€œi was going to write a long... cheesy... instagram post... but i wanted to be able to share this moment with all of you!ā€ he smiles.
from the corner of his eye he spots a comment that saysĀ ā€œdo you miss hugo?ā€ but he ignores it ā€“ā€“ he has to. heā€™s not too sure if heā€™s allowed to speak on it, if the company might come after him if he does. itā€™s not exactly a situation that he can speak so candidly about.
the vlive proceeds, and haknyeon continues to read other comments.Ā ā€œwhat have you been doing lately?ā€ a comment asks.
ā€œme? iā€™ve been practicing of course~ iā€™ve been working really hard on my rapping and dancing and singing too! i want to make sure ceo hyunbin doesnā€™t call me a terrible singer!ā€ he adds the last part cheekily, referring back to when the ceo had called him a terrible singer on television. itā€™s not as though hyunbin would watch these vlives, right? heā€™s sure a little playful jab wouldnā€™t hurt.Ā 
another comment catches his attention.Ā 
ā€œi didnā€™t know you were friends with anna!ā€Ā 
he smiles as he answers, ā€œwe are! anna noona and i went to the same highschool! sheā€™s a year older than me and we didnā€™t see each other much in highschool since she was a trainee back then, but we got a lot closer after i debuted! sheā€™s a dependable senior!ā€Ā 
ā€œare you close to convex?ā€
ā€œdefinitely! i have a few friends in convex~ weā€™re buddies!ā€ he smiles widely. itā€™s always fun to talk about his friends, and the friendships heā€™s made.Ā ā€œsangā€“ā€“ ah, link, haru, micha and i were actually all in a dance crew before we became trainees. itā€™s crazy right? then i became a trainee, and then link hyung, then micha, then haru... then we all debuted! theyā€™re really close friends of mine! and theyā€™re really talented too! how can i not be a consta when they have so many handsome members right?ā€ he cheekily raises his eyebrows.Ā ā€œah... but my bias is actually jinwook sunbaenim,ā€ he laughs before he makes a heart with his hands.Ā ā€œjinwook sunbaenim, i love you!ā€
more comments continue to flow in, and itā€™s getting a little tough for him to read them one by one. but he notices the interest in his idol friends, and decides to speak about it.
ā€œother idols iā€™m close to? iā€™m really close to de:codeā€™s shion and a.c! jihoonie... seonho...ā€ he calls out their name playfully.Ā ā€œi remember crying at jihoonā€™s graduation because i was sad that he was leaving school! super embarrassing right? but thatā€™s how close we were,ā€ he smiles fondly at the memories, and makes a mental note to check on jihoon.Ā ā€œand iā€™m really close to seonho too! we have a lot of history together,ā€ he smiles, but ends it at that ā€“ā€“ he isnā€™t going to disclose just how much history they have of course.
ā€œof course iā€™m close to and*roma! theyā€™re our sister group!ā€ he says with a smile.Ā ā€œdarae noona is like my nova mum! she took such great care of me when i first entered nova, iā€™ll forever be grateful to her!ā€ he beams.Ā ā€œspeaking of which, and*roma just had a comeback so be sure to listen to the song lots! iā€™ve been listening to it nonstop because itā€™s so good,ā€ he holds up his phone and shows the and*roma album that heā€™s liked on melon.Ā ā€œand*roma is the best!ā€ at that, he puts a thumbs up.
ā€œif darae is your mum, then is hui your dad?ā€
haknyeon laughs out loud before he nods his head.Ā ā€œyes! you are one hundred percent correct!ā€ the accuracy in that statement has him giggling a little more.Ā ā€œactually, let me tell you a funny story about hui hyung and i! when i first entered the company, hui hyung was like... a legend! like a legend among legends in the b-boying world! so of course i had to ask him to practice with me and help me train, right?ā€ the comments begin pouring in with yes huidong oppa is a legend! and haknyeon nods.Ā ā€œand once while we were training, he was teaching me how to do this trick. it was really tough, but after trying a few times i got it! i was so happy and excited that i looked up at him and i said thanks dad! i called hui hyung dad!ā€ heā€™s giggling as he tells the story, his encounter with hyung. he doesnā€™t think heā€™s shared this story anywhere else before, but what better time to share it then now during his vlive, right?Ā ā€œthat was so embarrassing! and he just looked at me all surprised,ā€ at this, he attempts to imitate huidongā€™s expression at that time, but heā€™s still laughing.Ā ā€œhui appa, hui appa,ā€ he adds, smiling as he reads the comments, most of which were full of laughter.Ā 
ā€œi actually have a lot of funny anecdotes with all the members! like that one time jungwoo hyung and i got matching couple bracelets but we lost them and had to get new ones! and when i accidentally back hugged ricky hyung when i was still a newer trainee! that was actually quite scary,ā€ he shudders a little,Ā ā€œbut weā€™re closer now of course! and when hosung hyung and i went on an adventure in morocco!ā€ these are fond memories of his, and he almost lets slip a memory heā€™s shared with hugo, but catches himself before doing so.Ā 
heā€™s careful not to let his expression slip, and quickly he turns back to the comments.Ā 
ā€œcan you say i love you noona?ā€
haknyeon reads the comment out loud and looks at the camera.Ā ā€œokay! be sure to record this alright?ā€ he smiles.Ā ā€œnoona, i love you!ā€ he says, before he continues.Ā ā€œand for our male fans, hyung, i love you!ā€ lifting both his arms, he makes a heart shape over his head.
ā€œhyung loves you a lot junjuā€
he giggles at the comment and makes a heart finger.Ā ā€œi love you more hyung!ā€ he says, scrunching his nose in an attempt to cutely show how serious he was at loving.Ā 
another comment immediately catches his attention, and at this haknyeon bursts into laughter.
ā€œ5 hyunbin sajangnims or a 5 year old hyunbin sajangnim?ā€
heā€™s laughing as he reads the comment. usually youā€™d expect to see this question about the membersĀ but seeing one about your ceo is something he honestly didnā€™t think would happen.Ā 
ā€œah... do i have to answer this? iā€™d rather not...ā€ he replies.Ā ā€œitā€™s so funny just thinking about it. imagine me bowing 90 degrees to a five year old and greeting him with hello sajangnim!ā€ he laughs. the image itself is funny to just think about.Ā ā€œfor this... pass!ā€
haknyeon continues to read the comments, unaware of how much heā€™s been talking ā€“ā€“ mostly because heā€™s having such a great time communicating with the fans.Ā 
ā€œput on some filters!ā€
ā€œfilters?ā€ he repeats, fiddling with the screen.Ā ā€œah... here we are!ā€ he begins to play with a bunch of them, from a cat filter, to one of him in a beret, to a filter of him as a dinosaur.Ā 
he opens his mouth wide, like how a dinosaur would and smiles.Ā ā€œthis is how much i love you!ā€ he says, and he attempts to open his mouth even wider, only to accidentally choke on his own spit.Ā 
thereā€™s a lot more talking during the vlive, most of which is full of haknyeon thanking the fans, and sharing stories that he can remember. like how nervous he was during their debut, and how happy he was when they celebrated his birthday with him. itā€™s only when a notification sayingĀ ā€œyour phone is at 20%ā€ pops up, does he gasp a little.
ā€œeveryone! i didnā€™t realize iā€™ve been on vlive for so long!ā€ he says, blinking at the screen.Ā ā€œi had so much fun talking to you that i didnā€™t notice how fast time flew by!ā€ he smiles at the screen, glad to have spent his time talking and communicating with the fans.Ā ā€œi wish i could stay and talk for another hour but the phone is running out of battery! and i need to go back and practice,ā€ he pouts a little at this, but he knows that he has to train.Ā ā€œthank you so much for loving per_se! we only made it to this one year milestone because of you guys! please look forward to what else we have in store!ā€ he reaches out for the phone and feels a little sad, honestly, that he has to end this vlive.Ā ā€œbye bye everyone! i love you!ā€ he kisses the screen and the live ends.
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harrisonarchive Ā· 5 years
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George Harrison, Friar Park, circa 1990; photo by Terry O'Neill.
George's jukebox at Kinfauns has been explored by the Harrison Archive (and is available as a playlist here), thanks in large part to an article about it, published in the Record Mirror's 1 January 1966 issue.
George's jukeboxes at Friar Park, however, are a little more obscure. The following playlist of songs featured on the jukeboxes and mentioned in some way from 1970 onward is an approximate one only, based on doing some digging into print interviews, audio interviews, and written pieces by family and friends. (The tracks include information previously posted on the Harrison Archive. For - hopefully - easier navigation, I've also bolded the artists -- and tracks known for certain to have been either on the jukeboxes or George's favorites.)
"Stardust" (instrumental) - Hoagy Carmichael "Our son, Dhani, and I, like Georgeā€™s friends, were spoiled by his rich and loving presence: from the morning wake-up call, which could have been (depending on our location and mood) a morning raga, a Vedic chant, a Mozart concerto, Cab Callowayā€™s ā€˜Bugle Call Rag,ā€™ or Hoagyā€™s earliest instrument version of ā€˜Stardust'..." - Olivia Harrison [read more]
"Canā€™t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)" - The Four Tops "Rescue Me" - Fontella Bass
These tracks receive shoutouts in George's "This Song" (and the Four Tops were Sixties favorites, too, appearing on his Kinfauns jukebox).
"Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" - Cab Calloway Clearly a favorite by one of his favorite artists, covered by George for Jools Holland's TV show, and also released on his posthumous album Brainwashed.
"When I'm Cleaning Windows" - George Formby "September In The Rain" - Dinah Washington "Dizzy Fingers" - Zez Confrey
George was a member of the George Formby Society (and attended conventions with Olivia and Dhani), and became friends with another attendee, Ray Bernard, who recalled the latter two of the above songs as some of George's favorites. (The Beatles also covered "September In The Rain" for their Decca audition; I'm not sure if George preferred Dinah Washington's version to any other, but its release year is closest to when the Fabs covered it, hence the inclusion on the playlist.)
"A Shine On Your Shoes" - Fred Astaire
Covered by George in a home video shared by the Harrison Family in the Guitar Collection app and the deluxe limited edition of Living In The Material World (and, on 1 February 2020, by Olivia on her Instagram, where she explained that George was playing a Danny Ferrington Keoki ukulele).
"True Love" - Bing Crosby & Grace Kelly
George covered this song as well, for his 1976 album Thirty-Three & 1/3. As Olivia recalled on Dark Horse Radion in 2018: "We'd been watching ā€ŖBing Crosbyā€¬ and Grace Kelly, watching that movie ['High Society'], and they do a duet, and just that little harmony thing they do, because she wasnā€™t known as really a singer; heā€™d play and then we'd sing it." [read more]
"Roll Over Beethoven" - Chuck Berry
A longtime favorite, George covered this with The Beatles, during his 1991 Japan tour, and during his 1992 Natural Law Party concert, where it became the last song he played live onstage at a concert in his lifetime. As George said, "there hasnā€™t been any rock & roll better than that." [read more]
"Hong Kong Blues" - Hoagy Carmichael
Hoagy Carmichael was a favorite of George's, and he covered this song for his 1981 album Somewhere In England.
"Barnacle Bill the Sailor" - Hoagy Carmichael
A favorite, associated with George by Dhani, and mentioned by Olivia. "He would go up at parties to the DJ and say, ā€˜Iā€™ve got something really amazing.ā€™ ā€˜Cause he was who he was, they would listen to him, and then everyone would just be bummed out, it would clear the dance floor. And then heā€™d come back later - ā€˜Iā€™ve got something elseā€™ - and heā€™d put it on again. You know, he would just do this until the DJ was like [exasperated]." - Dhani Harrison, la minute rock, Rolling Stone France, 28 Nov 2017 [read more]
"Midnight Special" - Leadbelly "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" - Hank Williams "The Great Pretender" - The Platters "Words Of Love" - Buddy Holly
The songs themselves might not be George's favorites or jukebox selections -- as yet, I haven't found any mention of actual song titles, so these are just personal choices -- but the artist were mentioned by George and Olivia; and "Words Of Love" was obviously a favorite, having been covered by The Beatles, and, according to Mark Lewisohn's Complete Beatles Chronicle research, initially having been sung by George and John.
"The Ying Tong Song" - The Goons "I'm Walking Backwards For Christmas" - The Goons
Both these tracks were mentioned by Olivia as having been on the Friar Park jukeboxes in December 1974.
"The Lumberjack Song" - Monty Python "Spam Song" - Monty Python "Layla" - Eric Clapton
These tracks were mentioned by Eric Idle as having been on George's jukeboxes at Friar Park. "The Lumberjack Song" was of course also performed at the Concert for George.
"Heartbreak Hotel" - Elvis Presley
Eric Idle also recalled early Elvis being on the jukeboxes; and of course, George named the song as his first musical root.
"Blue Suede Shoes" - Carl Perkins "The Bells of Rhymney" - The Byrds
These two Perkins and Byrds songs were mentioned as favorite songs by George in the March 1997 issue of Guitar World.
"Mauna Loa" - Gabby Pahinui
Another artist loved by George, although again, this track choice is just a haphazard personal one, since there doesn't seem to be any public mention of which of Pahinui's songs were George's preferred ones.
"Ooo Baby Baby" - The Miracles "I'll Try Something New" - The Miracles
George absolutely loved The Miracles, and Smokey Robinson specifically, collecting their records, and writing songs in honor of Smokey ("Ooh Baby (You Know That I Love You) -- a nod to the first of the two Miracles tracks listed here -- on the 1975 album Extra Texture, and "Pure Smokey" on the 1976 album Thirty-Three & 1/3). As Olivia has recalled: "We used to sit around singing a lot of Smokey Robinson songs. That kind of sealed our relationship, I think. [George] said, 'You're the only person I've ever known who sang the high note at the end of "I'll Try Something New."'"
ā€œBack On The Chain Gangā€ - The Pretenders ā€œBrothers In Armsā€ - Dire Straits ā€œCold Day In Hellā€ - Gary Moore
The three tracks by The Pretenders, Dire Straits and Gary Moore were mentioned as favorites by George in the March 1997 issue of Guitar World.
"Long Tall Sally" - Little Richard
George was a Little Richard all his life, as various comments over the years show.
"Tandoori Chicken" - Ronnie Spector "I Am Missing You" - Lakshmi Shankar "Rebel Music" (live) - Bob Marley & The Wailers
Put down on tape during the "Try Some, Buy Some" sessions, "Tandoori Chicken" was an improvised song, as George recalled: "a 12-bar thing done on the spot with Mal our roadie and Joe the chauffeur." For Dark Horse Records, and featuring Lakshmi Shankar, one of [George's] favorite singers," another song for this playlist is "I Am Missing You." The Marley track was chosen from the setlist of the three 1975 Roxy show attended by George and Olivia, recalled by George as "the best thing I've seen in ten years. [...] I could watch The Wailers all night."
"The Rain Song" - Led Zeppelin "Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)" - The Beach Boys
"The Rain Song" was written in response to a comment made by George, and subsequently made it on one of the two jukeboxes. The Beach Boys song was on the jukeboxes, and -- like "The Rain Song" -- played at the wedding of Dhani and Sola, as reported by Vogue in 2012.
"Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours" - Stevie Wonder "Telephone Line" - Electric Light Orchestra "Come On In My Kitchen" - Robert Johnson "When The Levee Breaks" - Memphis Minnie
All four of these artists were mentioned as favorites by George in a 1976 interview. (The titles are arbitrary choices, since the interviewer didn't ask George for any further details. However, Johnson's "Come On In My Kitchen" was covered by George and band during rehearsals for the Concert for Bangladesh.)
"Maria Elena" - Ry Cooder "Concert in B (live in 1963) - AndrƩs Segovia
Two artists mentioned frequently by George as being favorites (Segovia first in 1963 -- hence the choice of a live piece from that year -- and up through the 1990s). The Cooder track was specifically mentioned by Olivia in the June 2018 issue of Songlines.
"Piano Concert No. 21" - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Olivia mentioned a Mozart concerto as being something George would play in the mornings as they were starting the day, so this is another random choice of a concerto.
"The Weight" - The Band
The atmosphere of the song inspired the Harrisong "All Things Must Pass," as George recalled in 1987 -- he also named it as a song he admired in that same interview. In a 1974 interview with Capital Radio, George deemed The Band "the best band I've ever seen."
"Farther On Down The Road (You Will Accompany Me)" - Jesse Ed Davis
A Harrisong was given to Jesse by George, and recorded by Jesse before it was released by George himself (but since "Sue Me, Sue You Blues," the song in question, is already on a collaborations playlist....); this Davis selection (written by Jesse and Taj Mahal) was covered live by George and Eric Clapton in December 1978.
"Isn't It A Pity" (cover) - Nina Simone "Backwater Blues" - Big Bill Broonzy "Changes" - Bix 'n' Bing
Nina Simone's cover of the Harrisong "Isn't It A Pity" in turn influenced the mood of another Harrisong; and Dhani recalled listening to Simone, Big Bill Broonzy (who is name-checked in the Harrisong "Wreck Of The Hesperus") and Bix 'n' Bing together with his dad (these tracks are once more personal choices).
"April Kisses" - Eddie Lang
The first song on this playlist, "Stardust," was "one of [George's] favorite songs," as Olivia has recalled; she also named Eddie Lang (though she didn't mention a specific title).
"Kalimankou Denkou" - Le Mystere des voix bulgares
George enthused about this Bulgarian choir in numerous interviews, and introduced this particular song during his interview on Rockline in February 1988.
"Taxes On The Farmer Feeds Us All" - Ry Cooder
"Later, after a lasagna dinner in his ornately paneled kitchen with his wife Olivia, their son Dhani (just home from his school year at Brown University in the States), and Oliviaā€™s sister, Linda, Harrison takes his visitor upstairs to his Friar Park Studio. Picking up a nearby National dobro from the vast array of vintage guitars hanging from the walls, Harrison slips a glass bottleneck on his finger as he seats himself to strum 'The Farmer Is The Man Who Feeds Us All,' the traditional tune of 1860s America made famous in the 1920s by Fiddlinā€™ John Carson and later popularized on Ry Cooderā€™s 1971 'Into The Purple Valleyā€ album as 'Taxes On The Farmer Feeds Us All.' 'Thatā€™s where I first heard the tune,ā€'says Harrison of Cooderā€™s interpretation, before he begins to sing: 'The farmer is the man, the farmer is the man/Buys on credit until the fall/Then they take him by the hand/And they lead him from his land/And the merchant heā€™s the man who gets it all.'" (Billboard, 19 Jun 1999)
"God's Own Drunk" - Lord Buckley
This particular Buckley piece was mentioned by George in a 1979 radio interview promoting his eponymous album, and the song "If You Believe": "Pray, give up, and it all recedes away from you. I donā€™t know if youā€¦ you must have heard Lord Buckley, you know, well, there is a thing he did called 'Godā€™s Own Drunk.' I think it was that. Anyway, it was one of Lord Buckleyā€™s things and he was talking about love. He said: 'Love is like a beautiful garden, you know, when you use it it spreads, but when you donā€™t -- it recedes.' And itā€™s true. Itā€™s really that in its simplest form." [read more]
"Free Fallin'" - Tom Petty
As Dhani has said, he can remember "getting advance copies sent to my dad from Tom. Heā€™d be like, 'You want to hear Tomā€™s new stuff?' And it would be the first time anyoneā€™s heard 'Free Fallin'." (Premier Guitar, Jan 2018)
"Let It Be Me" - The Everly Brothers
Covered by George in a demo version after seeing the Everly Brothers in concert (George's cover appears on Early Takes Vol. 1).
"Clair de Lune" (cover) - Isao Tomita
One of George's favorites, as Olivia has recalled.
"MĆ©xico Lindo y Querido" - Jorge Negrete
Negrete was mentioned as a favorite by George, and Olivia recalled Negrete being on George's jukebox.
"Bugle Call Rag" - Cab Calloway
Recalled by Olivia in her introduction for Harrison, and as George's school wakeup call for Dhani.
"Cool River" - Maria Muldaur "Fear Of Flying" - Charlie Dore
Two more specific songs mentioned or covered by George.
"Sweet Leilani" - Bing Crosby
Mentioned as a favorite of George's by Tom Petty, and by Olivia.
"Every Grain Of Sand" - Bob Dylan
Named as one of George's favorite songs in his June 1999 Billboard interview: "I mean, you tell me one person other than Bob Dylan who has a moral message in a tune that's improved upon Bob's words in his song 'Every Grain of Sand.'"
"Kaliyuga Varadan" & "Ragam Tanam Pallavi" & "Gajavadhana" - U. Srinivas
One of George's favorite artists, as he, Dhani and Olivia have recalled; these three particular tracks were singled out by Olivia in the June 2018 issue of Songlines.
"Raga - Manj Khamaj" - Ravi Shankar "Guru Bandana (Prayer)" - Ali Akbar Khan "Abhogi" - Hariprasad Chaurasia "Kafi Holi (Spring Festival Of Color)" - Ravi Shankar "Enna Thavam" - Papanasam Sivan "Thumri - Mishra Tilang Raga - Addha Taal" - Sultan Khan "You And Me" - Zakir Hussain "Raga Chayya Nat" - Kala Ramnath
The eight selections above are mentioned by Olivia in the June 2018 issue of Songlines.
ā€œMĆ©xicoā€ - Mariachi Sol de Mexico
In 1998, George commissioned JosĆ© HernĆ”ndez - founder of Mariachi Sol de MĆ©xico - to translate and arrange the Harrisong "Dark Sweet Lady" in Spanish, as a special version for Olivia. While that recording is understandably a private one, mariachi music seems to have been a favorite of the Harrison family and the Arias family, as it's mentioned as having been played at family events held in California. And: "Last year I brought over a mariachi orchestra [Mariachi Sol de MĆ©xico] and we had a private concert at Friar Park because I got tired of waiting 30 years for someone else to do it. It was my way to let my friends experience that music ā€“ which was what George was always trying to do. He wanted people to understand and be moved by the music that he loved." - Olivia Harrison, Songlines, Jun 2018
"Last Thoughts On Woody Guthrie" - Bob Dylan "Bhoop Ghara" - Hariprasad Chaurasia, Shivkumar Sharma, Brij Bhushan Kabra
"George used to always say that if ever you are not feeling right, you should listen to Bob Dylan's 'Last Thoughts on Woody Guthrie' and 'Call of the Valley.'" (Olivia Harrison) This track from "Call Of The Valley" was mentioned by Olivia in the June 2018 issue of Songlines: "[it was] something George had on our juke box. We played it as a remedy in our home if you were feeling a certain way. Kabra was one of Georgeā€™' heroes as a slide guitarist, up there with Ry Cooder."
"Sarve Shaam" - Ravi Shankar
From the 1997 album Chants of India (produced by George), the song was also performed at the Concert for George, and was clearly very special to George, as Olivia remembers: "At the end of his life George said to me that all he could listen to was 'Sarve Shaam.' After all the sounds and sights and tastes you experience over a lifetime, it came down to the purity of 'Sarve Shaam.'"
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